With spring officially upon us and the sun inching higher in the northern hemisphere sky, I reckon many of you are thinking about outdoor adventures awaiting you this coming summer. And to provide that bit of additional inspiration we thought we'd share some of our favorite adventures from Summer 2016 though the announcement of last summer season's Contributor Awards.

Each winter and summer season at Outdoor Project we round out the Contributor Rewards Program by recognizing folks who have trudged those extra miles, stayed out longer to capture that perfect photograph, and who have generally gone above and beyond in providing invaluable knowledge, blood, sweat and smiles to help build Outdoor Project into what it has become - one of the richest and fastest growing platforms for outdoor recreation and discovery.

This past Summer 2016 season (May through October) was another one for the books at Outdoor Project. Both new and veteran contributors created over 800 adventures ranging from comprehensive national park coverage and world renowned mountain treks in the southern hemisphere to destinations encompassing a "water trail" accessing hidden hot springs to exploring remote islands off the southern California coast. 

Distilled from that wealth of adventure guides, we're thrilled to announce the Summer '16  Contributor awards and prize winners. Congratulations to the winners, and thank you to all who contributed your inspiring photography and storytelling!

For those unfamiliar with the Contributor Rewards Program, the majority of content on Outdoor Project has been published by our talented contributor community. These folks are experienced photographers, videographers, storytellers, and passionate outdoor adventurers who have elected to share their expertise to help make Outdoor Project the most intuitive and comprehensive resource for outdoor recreation. In return they take part in the Contributor Rewards Program - a set of incentives that range from an end of the year cash pool distribution and outdoor gear and apparel pro deals to seasonal awards and prizes.

We'd like to extend many thanks to our sponsors...

MOST ADVENTURE POINTS (AP) EARNED 

Pro Contributors:

1. Patrick Mueller: 710 AP. PRIZE: Stanley 1.1 QT Vacuum Bottle and 8oz Flask Gift Set + $50 credit at OP Store + $50 Mountainsmith Gift Card
2. Shaun Hunter: 614 AP. PRIZE: Stanley 1.1 QT Vacuum Bottle and 8oz Flask Gift Set + $50 credit at OP Store + $50 Mountainsmith Gift Card
3. Kevin Murray: 539 AP. PRIZE: Stanley 1.1 QT Vacuum Bottle and 8oz Flask Gift Set + $50 credit at OP Store + $50 Mountainsmith Gift Card
4. Shane Kucera: 298 AP. PRIZE: Stanley 1.1 QT Vacuum Bottle and 8oz Flask Gift Set + $50 credit at OP Store + $50 Mountainsmith Gift Card
5. Eric Adsit: 267 AP. PRIZE: Stanley 1.1 QT Vacuum Bottle and 8oz Flask Gift Set + $50 credit at OP Store + $50 Mountainsmith Gift Card
6. Kyle Jenkins: 247 AP. PRIZE: Stanley 1.1 QT Vacuum Bottle and 8oz Flask Gift Set + $50 credit at OP Store + $50 Mountainsmith Gift Card
7. Daniel Sherman: 247 AP. PRIZE: Stanley 1.1 QT Vacuum Bottle and 8oz Flask Gift Set + $50 credit at OP Store + $50 Mountainsmith Gift Card
8. Jessica Beauchemin: 231 AP. PRIZE: Stanley 1.1 QT Vacuum Bottle and 8oz Flask Gift Set + $50 credit at OP Store + $50 Mountainsmith Gift Card
9. Michael Battey: 230 AP. PRIZE: Stanley 1.1 QT Vacuum Bottle and 8oz Flask Gift Set + $50 credit at OP Store + $50 Mountainsmith Gift Card
10. Denis LeBlanc: 214 AP. PRIZE: Stanley 1.1 QT Vacuum Bottle and 8oz Flask Gift Set + $50 credit at OP Store + $50 Mountainsmith Gift Card
11. Anzelina Coodey: 147 AP. PRIZE: Stanley 1.1 QT Vacuum Bottle and 8oz Flask Gift Set + $50 credit at OP Store + $50 Mountainsmith Gift Card
12. Halvor Tweto: 140 AP. PRIZE: Stanley 1.1 QT Vacuum Bottle and 8oz Flask Gift Set + $50 credit at OP Store + $50 Mountainsmith Gift Card
13. Blaine Hoppenrath: 134 AP. PRIZE: Stanley 1.1 QT Vacuum Bottle and 8oz Flask Gift Set + $50 credit at OP Store + $50 Mountainsmith Gift Card
14. Robyn Anderson: 130 AP. PRIZE: Stanley 1.1 QT Vacuum Bottle and 8oz Flask Gift Set + $50 credit at OP Store + $50 Mountainsmith Gift Card
15. Basil Newburn: 124 AP. PRIZE: Stanley 1.1 QT Vacuum Bottle and 8oz Flask Gift Set + $50 credit at OP Store + $50 Mountainsmith Gift Card
16. Stephanie Keene: 120 AP. PRIZE: Stanley 1.1 QT Vacuum Bottle and 8oz Flask Gift Set + $50 credit at OP Store + $50 Mountainsmith Gift Card
17. Aden Williamson: 116 AP. PRIZE: Stanley 1.1 QT Vacuum Bottle and 8oz Flask Gift Set + $50 credit at OP Store + $50 Mountainsmith Gift Card
18. Kyler Smith (Pro Contributor): 107 AP. PRIZE: Stanley 1.1 QT Vacuum Bottle and 8oz Flask Gift Set + $50 credit at OP Store + $50 Mountainsmith Gift Card
19. Mike Windsor (Pro Contributor): 106 AP. PRIZE: Stanley 1.1 QT Vacuum Bottle and 8oz Flask Gift Set + $50 credit at OP Store + $50 Mountainsmith Gift Card
20. Matthew Durrant (Pro Contributor): 89 AP. PRIZE: Stanley 1.1 QT Vacuum Bottle and 8oz Flask Gift Set + $50 credit at OP Store + $50 Mountainsmith Gift Card
21. Jesse Weber (Pro Contributor): 89 AP. PRIZE: Stanley 1.1 QT Vacuum Bottle and 8oz Flask Gift Set + $50 credit at OP Store + $50 Mountainsmith Gift Card
22. Brent Uhrig (Pro Contributor): 84 AP. PRIZE: Stanley 1.1 QT Vacuum Bottle and 8oz Flask Gift Set + $50 credit at OP Store + $50 Mountainsmith Gift Card
23. Priscilla Macy (Pro Contributor): 83 AP. PRIZE: Stanley 1.1 QT Vacuum Bottle and 8oz Flask Gift Set + $50 credit at OP Store + $50 Mountainsmith Gift Card
24. Calvin Perfall (Pro Contributor): 82 AP. PRIZE: Stanley 1.1 QT Vacuum Bottle and 8oz Flask Gift Set + $50 credit at OP Store + $50 Mountainsmith Gift Card
25. Colin Bryant (Pro Contributor): 81 AP. PRIZE: Stanley 1.1 QT Vacuum Bottle and 8oz Flask Gift Set + $50 credit at OP Store + $50 Mountainsmith Gift Card
26. Elle Ossello (Pro Contributor): 80 AP. PRIZE: Stanley 1.1 QT Vacuum Bottle and 8oz Flask Gift Set + $50 credit at OP Store + $50 Mountainsmith Gift Card
27. Fernando Boza (Pro Contributor): 76 AP. PRIZE: Stanley 1.1 QT Vacuum Bottle and 8oz Flask Gift Set + $50 credit at OP Store + $50 Mountainsmith Gift Card
28. Vanessa Davids (Pro Contributor): 60 AP. PRIZE: Stanley 1.1 QT Vacuum Bottle and 8oz Flask Gift Set + $50 credit at OP Store + $50 Mountainsmith Gift Card
29. Rini Sugianto (Pro Contributor): 58 AP. PRIZE: Stanley 1.1 QT Vacuum Bottle and 8oz Flask Gift Set + $50 credit at OP Store + $50 Mountainsmith Gift Card
30. Justin Michael (Pro Contributor): 56 AP. PRIZE: Stanley 1.1 QT Vacuum Bottle and 8oz Flask Gift Set + $50 credit at OP Store + $50 Mountainsmith Gift Card
31. Forrest Setnor (Pro Contributor): 55 AP. PRIZE: Stanley 1.1 QT Vacuum Bottle and 8oz Flask Gift Set + $50 credit at OP Store + $50 Mountainsmith Gift Card

Sponsored Contributors:

1. Jonathan Stull (Sponsored Contributor): 51 AP. PRIZE: Stanley 16oz Vacuum Insulated Bottle + $30 credit at OP Store 
2. Andrew Stohner (Sponsored Contributor): 49 AP. PRIZE: Stanley 16oz Vacuum Insulated Bottle + $30 credit at OP Store 
3. Duncan Sadava (Sponsored Contributor): 36 AP. PRIZE: Stanley 16oz Vacuum Insulated Bottle + $30 credit at OP Store 
4. Rosemary Scavotto (Sponsored Contributor): 36 AP. PRIZE: Stanley 16oz Vacuum Insulated Bottle + $30 credit at OP Store 
5. Dylan Lara (Sponsored Contributor): 34 AP. PRIZE: Stanley 16oz Vacuum Insulated Bottle + $30 credit at OP Store 
6. Brandon Katcher (Sponsored Contributor): 34 AP. PRIZE: Stanley 16oz Vacuum Insulated Bottle + $30 credit at OP Store 
7. Bryce Jenks (Sponsored Contributor): 34 AP. PRIZE: Stanley 16oz Vacuum Insulated Bottle + $30 credit at OP Store 
8. John Cody (Sponsored Contributor): 32 AP. PRIZE: Stanley 16oz Vacuum Insulated Bottle + $30 credit at OP Store 
9. Amy Brown (Sponsored Contributor): 31 AP. PRIZE: Stanley 16oz Vacuum Insulated Bottle + $30 credit at OP Store 
10. Jason Mandly (Sponsored Contributor): 30 AP. PRIZE: Stanley 16oz Vacuum Insulated Bottle + $30 credit at OP Store 
11. Louie Traub (Sponsored Contributor): 30 AP. PRIZE: Stanley 16oz Vacuum Insulated Bottle + $30 credit at OP Store 
12. Brandon Fralic (Sponsored Contributor): 29 AP. PRIZE: Stanley 16oz Vacuum Insulated Bottle + $30 credit at OP Store 
13. Adam Cowcill (Sponsored Contributor): 28 AP. PRIZE: Stanley 16oz Vacuum Insulated Bottle + $30 credit at OP Store 
14. Daniel Gittis (Sponsored Contributor): 28 AP. PRIZE: Stanley 16oz Vacuum Insulated Bottle + $30 credit at OP Store 
15. Cody Updike (Sponsored Contributor): 28 AP. PRIZE: Stanley 16oz Vacuum Insulated Bottle + $30 credit at OP Store 
16. John Badila (Sponsored Contributor): 28 AP. PRIZE: Stanley 16oz Vacuum Insulated Bottle + $30 credit at OP Store 
17. Michael Sawiel (Sponsored Contributor): 26 AP. PRIZE: Stanley 16oz Vacuum Insulated Bottle + $30 credit at OP Store 

BEST OVERALL ADVENTURE SUBMISSION

As voted by Outdoor Project Staff. For this category all aspects of the adventure and corresponding documentation are considered.

1. Mount Rainier, Emmons-Winthrop Glacier Route

By Dan Sherman. PRIZE: $300 Mountainsmith Gift Card

2. Three Sisters Loop

By Kevin Murray. PRIZE: $200 Mountainsmith Gift Card

3. W Trek 

By Basil Newburn. PRIZE: $150 Mountainsmith Gift Card

4. Wacissa River

By Fernando Boza. PRIZE: $100 Mountainsmith Gift Card

BEST PHOTO SUBMISSION - ACTION THEME

As voted by Outdoor Project Staff. See winning photos in top slide show.

1. North Fork Santiam River by Priscilla Macy. PRIZE: $150 Mountainsmith Gift Card
2. Kings Peak Backcountry by Calvin Perfall. PRIZE: $100 Mountainsmith Gift Card
3. Middle Provo River by Kyle Jenkins. PRIZE: $75 Mountainsmith Gift Card
4. Mount Emerson, Waterfall Route by Rini Sigianto. Honorable Mention.

BEST PHOTO SUBMISSION - LANDSCAPE/WILDLIFE THEME

As voted by Outdoor Project Staff. See winning photos in top slide show.

1. Wacissa River by Fernando Boza. PRIZE: $150 Mountainsmith Gift Card
2. Little Grande Canyon of the San Rafael by Matthew Durrant. PRIZE: $100 Mountainsmith Gift Card
3. Hidden Lake Hanging Garden Trail or Highline Trail by Shane Kucera. PRIZE: $75 Mountainsmith Gift Card
4. Canyon Creek Lakes by Patrick Mueller. Honorable Mention.

BEST ADVENTURE DESCRIPTION

As voted by Outdoor Project Staff. In addition to requisite eloquent writing, winning adventure descriptions include at least one of the following: historical information or natural history about a place, detailed information on route finding and/or safety tips, and information on local flora and fauna.

1. Dry Tortugas National Park by Dan Sherman. PRIZE: $150 Mountainsmith Gift Card
2. Anacapa Islands by Shaun Hunter. PRIZE: $100 Mountainsmith Gift Card
3. Mount Shasta, West Face Route by Brent Uhrig. PRIZE: $75 Mountainsmith Gift Card
4. Long Peaks by Justin Michael. Honorable Mention.

BEST CAMPGROUND

As voted by Outdoor Project Staff. For this category all aspects of the campground adventure and corresponding documentation are considered.

1. Fallen Leaf Lake Campground by Denis LeBlanc. PRIZE: $150 Mountainsmith Gift Card
2. Ah-Di-Na Campground by Michael Battey. PRIZE: $100 Mountainsmith Gift Card
3. Thomas Canyon Campground by Shaun Hunter. PRIZE: $75 Mountainsmith Gift Card
4. Ridge Camp by Basil Newburn. Honorable Mention.

MOST UNIQUE ADVENTURE

As voted by Outdoor Project Staff. Winners of these uniquely interesting adventures feature a peculiar natural phenomenon, bizarre landmark or quirky tourist destination.

1. Black Canyon Water Trail by Jesse Weber. PRIZE: $150 Mountainsmith Gift Card
2. Rochester Rock Art Petroglyphs by Kyle Jenkins. PRIZE: $100 Mountainsmith Gift Card
3. Horsetail Fall, Firefall by Basil Newburn. PRIZE: $75 Mountainsmith Gift Card
4. Mystic Hot Springs by Aden Williamson. Honorable Mention.

BEST FIRST ADVENTURE

As voted by Outdoor Project Staff. This selection goes to one Contributor each season who knocked it out of the park with their first adventure guide submission. 

Sepulcher Mountain by Stephanie Keene. PRIZE: $150 Mountainsmith Gift Card