I've never been the kind of guy that made New Year's resolutions but I started thinking about the year ahead and felt, for some reason, this year should be different. So without any real introduction or meaningful segway, here are my first ever New Year's resolutions AND my New Year's resolutions for 2015.

1. Do more overnights - When I lived in Minnesota, I routinely went camping for just a night. Often times, it was barely longer than 15 or 16 hours, but I was outside and in a tent (my happy place) - sometimes in my back yard, sometimes on my bike, other times skiing. Any season, any place, just one night. I get a lot of fulfillment from being outside and making the small effort can have huge rewards. This year, more one night (tent) stands!

2. Stay out for longer than three nights. OK, I know I just talked about getting out for short periods of time, but there's an even bigger reward the longer you're out in wilderness. Back in the day when I was a white water guide, you could physically see the moment (Day 2.5) when people begin to relax and begin to move with the flow of nature. While I understand and partake in 'done in a day' movement there is an equal need in my life for spending longer spans of time in wild places.

3. Glamp. When desert single track calls, you go. However, with a two year old boy and a baby girl due in April, Henry David Thoreau's simplicity mantra isn't going to cut it for the EL Explore traveling family extravaganza. At some point, I'll be back to Fruita in 2015 with an assortment of cribs, diapers, sleeping pads, camp chairs and a really big MSR tent. But hey, that's the beauty of glamping - a cold beer in the evening, fried bacon in the morning and all the creature comforts in between (and lots of flowy single track).

4. Design sweet gear - I'm working with two of my partners, Granite Gear and MSR, to design specific products for my upcoming adventures. It doesn't take much of an imagination to figure out what these products might be, but let's just keep it between you and I for now.

5. Use my solar power more at home - I've used solar power on my expeditions and adventures for over ten years now, but I rarely use my panel and batteries at home. That's about to change starting right.... now! I'm using a new thin film technology (which in my opinion is far superior to mono crystalline for variable light conditions) developed by a company called Enerplex. I'm super stoked on the system and will be charging my phone on my back porch!

6. Learn how to paraglide and kite ski - I'm putting these on the list for this year as I've got big plans for both of those skills but more on that next year :)

7. Join a gym - I'm sure this is on 1,000 people's lists, but my body has some sustained aches and pains that my 'old school' style of training (pulling tires, hiking with 50 pound packs, running, biking) can't remedy. In 2015, I will still spend hours on the bike and with my favorite truck tire, but I plan on doing some more traditional weight training as well.

8. First Ascent. I am hoping to go to Nepal and climb something that hasn't ever been climbed before. Pretty straight forward, right?

9. Take more pictures in Boulder. Photography is the closest thing I have to a hobby. I call myself a serious amateur photographer but I'm not very technically proficient with my camera. I'm focused (no pun intended) on getting better, but for a slow learner like myself that takes time, patience and practice. I live in a awesome town with lots of amazing photographic opportunities. My goal is to get out in Boulder for a few hours every week. Stay tuned for the results!

10. Refine my tele turn. After Nordic skiing and dog sledding throughout most of adult life, my outdoor skill set has one gaping hole: alpine skiing. Bottom line is that my deepest darkest secret is that I'm a terrible alpine skier. I've enjoyed 'learning' how to telemark ski over past few years, but I still need a lot of practice (ask any of my friends). 2015 is my year!

Bonus: Watch myself on TV. While I'm not necessarily excited about the prospect of seeing my face on TV, I am very excited to help tell the story of our Last North expedition on Animal Planet this summer! Stay tuned for show times.

Image: Me in 2014. I'm guessing I'll look somewhat similar in 2015.