Sender Films Present First Ascent: The Series

Sender Films make some of the absolute best climbing movies that you'll find anywhere, with their First Ascent Series being chief amongst them. The company has just released the box set of the 6-part series, which can be purchased here for $49.95.

Below is a teaser trailer of what you can expect out of these videos, with some spectacular scenery, great climbing, and excellent filmmaking. It's a glimpse of what you get on the 3-disc set and what Sender is all about.




"First Ascent: The Series" Trailer from Sender Films on Vimeo.

A Big Thank You To The Adventure Blog Readers

This weekend I'll be heading off to Montana for what is shaping up to be a great time in the mountains that will involve kayaks, bikes, horses, and trails. But before I go, I wanted to pass along a big thank you for all the readers of this blog. August has already been the best month in terms of traffic that I have ever had on The Adventure Blog, and there are still several days to go. I just wanted to let everyone know that I appreciate you stopping by, sharing your comments, and sending me thoughts and perspectives on the adventure community. This is indeed a labor of love, and I'm glad that I can share it with all of you.

While in Montana, I'll be having some fun adventures of my own, and I'm looking forward to visiting Yellowstone and taking in some of the spectacular scenery out there. That means I won't be posting any updates next week, but will probably have some things to share starting on the 4th of September or so. I'll take lots of pictures and you know I'll be writing about the trip, as I haven't been to Montana since I was there in 2008 for Primal Quest.

Everyone have a great weekend. Get out on trail somewhere and enjoy the final weeks of summer. Autumn isn't as far away as we'd like to believe at this point. I'll be back soon!

Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc Canceled Due To Bad Weather!

One of the toughest endurance events in the world got underway earlier today, and then was promptly canceled part way in. The North Face Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc was stopped 31 miles in due to severe weather on the trail, particularly at higher altitude. Detail are still a bit sketchy at this time, but a press conference is expected to take place shortly with the race director explaining the situation. As of this writing, the athletes are all being shuttled back to Chamonix.

The UTMB is an ultramarathon that takes place annually crossing through the Alps and covering more than 100 miles, and passing through France, Italy, and Switzerland. It routine attracts some of the best long distance endurance athletes in the world, and is considered one of the crown jewels in the ultramaraton schedule each year. The trail is a loop around Mont Blanc that typically requires about 20 hours to complete, with the bulk of the racers finishing in the 30-40 hour range

From reports from the race, it seems that many of the racers are quite upset with this turn of events. I'm sure that the race management team only has their best interest in mind, but after training for months to prepare for the run, it can be quite disappointing to have it end like this.

I'm sure we'll know more on this story soon.

Trans-Kalahari Adventure Run Update: 2/3 Done!

The Trans-Kalahari Adventure Run began back on August 14th, with Jukka Viljanen, Kirsi Montonen, and Greg Maud all hitting the trail to raise funds for Cheetah Conservation Botswana. The plan is to run 1000km (620 miles) across the Kalahari Desert, which they estimated would take about 20 days to complete. Now, two weeks into their adventure, it seems that they are on pace to finish as expected.

In the latest updates to their blog, the team says that they should complete the first two-thirds of their journey today. They also remark that the past few days have been spent in a very sandy section of the route, and with the winds picking up, it has made for a challenging slog. Most of the route has been along dirt jeep roads and a game trails thus far, so these conditions were expected, although that doesn't make them any easier to deal with.

They've also been encountering their fair share of wildlife as well, although thus far no big cats. In today's update the note that they have been seeing a lot of lion tracks on the route, but they have remained elusive to date. The team holds out hope that they'll spot a few along the way, but it remains to be seen if that is a good idea or not. If they're anything like my big house cat, they'll pounce on just about anything that is moving.

Despite the absence of lions thus far however, they've still had to keep their eyes peeled for other nasty critters. A few days back they ran into no less than eight puff adders in a 3km stretch of road, which kept them on their toes to say the least. The venomous snake is one of the most aggressive in Africa and it kills more people there than any other. Being in a remote area of Botswana, and getting bitten, would not be a good thing to say the least.

With their current pace, it appears that the team should be on track to wrap up their run sometime late next week. I would anticipate them finishing on Friday or Saturday, depending on conditions. It appears that they are enjoying their African excursion thus far and the challenge of crossing the Kalahari on foot.

Pakistan Needs Help From The Mountaineering Community

Explorers Web has a good post this afternoon reminding us that even though the Karakorum climbing season is over for the year, we shouldn't forget about the people living in Pakistan who are continuing to suffer thanks to the ongoing flooding there. This year the monsoon has been especially bad, and the entire region, including Nepal, China, India, and others, has been inundated with rain, but Pakistan seems to be getting the worst of it, with current estimates saying that more than 17 million people have been affected by the floods, and the waters continue to rise.

According to this story from the BBC, more than 1.2 million homes have been destroyed, leaving 5 million people homeless at the moment, and while these immediate needs have to be addressed, the long term outlook is not good either. With nearly 8 million acres of farm land already under water the country could be facing a foot shortage in the weeks ahead, and with that much standing water, the threat of disease such as malaria, is on the rise too.

International aid is arriving in Pakistan, and aid workers are doing their best to get everything distributed properly, but as if they didn't have enough to worry about, the Taliban has made threats against the workers as well. While these efforts will continue in the days ahead, many Pakistani's are fleeing to the southern portion of the country to escape the devastating floods.

The Field Touring Alpine Blog posted a number of updates on the situation last week, and has recommended that the climbing community offer up any support they can to the flood victims. They also posted a link with a number of great organizations that are accepting donations and lending aid to the people of Pakistan as well. You can find that list by clicking here.

FTA operates several climbs in Pakistan each year, most recently sending teams to Broad Peak and K2, so applaud them for helping to spread the word about what is going on there. From the sound of most reports, this has been an incredibly crippling disaster that could take years to recover from. It has been a very trying couple of months in the central Asian country, lets hope that the Monsoon will now move on, and allow things to begin to get back to normal there.

The Hood to Coast Run is Tomorrow

Billing itself as the "Mother of all Relays" the 29th annual Hood to Coast Relay is scheduled to take place tomorrow, with 12,000 runners gathering to take part in the event. The run begins at the Timberline Lodge, located at 6000 feet, on Mt. Hood in the state of Oregon and ends in the town of Seaside on the Pacific Coast, covering 197 miles in the process.

The Outside Blog, who tipped me off to this story, says that for the past 12 years this event has filled it's quota of 12,000 runners on the first day that registration opens, so clearly it is a fun and popular race. The teams will set off from the start line in waves, beginning at 6:30 AM and the last team won't get underway until 6:45 PM. The course is divided into 36 legs, which range in distance from 3.6 to 7.4 miles, and each member of a team is expected to run at least three of the legs. Teams consist of 8 to 12 runners, who will cover the entire course over the two days of the weekend.

Looks like a lot of fun! Check out the trailer for the Hood to Coast movie below.




Hood To Coast Movie Trailer #2 of for Race Website from HoodToCoastMovie on Vimeo.

Proof That Any Clown Can Kayak

This video really shows you how easy it is to kayak, even on semi-challenging waters. I mean, just take a look. Clearly any clown can learn to paddle.

Thanks to Paddling Life for the video!

The Gear Junkie Talks Barefoot Running

In the past few months I've mentioned on more than one occasion that I had jumped into the minimalist/barefoot running craze thanks to my friends over at TravelCountry.com hooking me up with a pair of Bikila shoes from Vibram. Over the past two months, I've been slowly converting over to this style of running, and finding it very refreshing and liberating. I'm currently doing anything under 4 miles in length in my FiveFinger shoes, and anything longer than that I'm still in my traditional running shoes for now.

Today, the Gear Junkie wrote about the barefoot running craze, sharing his thoughts on what he calls one of "the more unexpected recreational trends of our time." As he puts it, shoe companies have spent millions of dollars developing durable, comfortable, and distinct running shoes, and now many of them are reversing the trend and going with the minimalist style. Vibram isn't the only company that is doing this, as Innov-8, Newton, IceBug and more.

GJ admits that he's a convert and I have to agree with his reasoning. He says that for him, the change in stride that you make when you transition to barefoot running results in "a quicker stride cadence, less heel striking, less ankle movement, and a faster pace." While I'm not positive on the faster pace just yet, I will agree with the rest of his statement, and when he goes on to say that he just plain feels lighter on his feet in these minimalist shoes. That is definitely something that I can relate to in the short time that I've been wearing them. I've also said it before, but will reiterate it anyway, my shoes make me feel more connected to the Earth while I'm running. I know that sounds weird, but it's true, and when I run in the rain wearing them, it is a very relaxing experience.

I know that whenever I've mentioned minimalist shoes/running in the past I've received a number of questions and e-mails. While I'm not quite the convert that the Gear Junkie is just yet, I'm happy to answer anything you'd like to know. Drop me a note if you have a question.

British Mountaineer Claims Unclimbed Peak In Afghanistan

The BBC posted a great story yesterday about a U.K. climber who traveled to Afghanistan to take on an unnamed, unclimbed peak that is so remote, it may not have ever been seen by a westerner before.

The 5561m (18,244 foot) mountain is located in the northeastern part of Afghanistan in the remote Wakhan Corridor, a 100 mile long, 40 mile wide, panhandle that links the country to China. The area is very isolated, with extremely rough, challenging terrain, and while it once served as a trade route, it is now seldom visited by the locals, let alone outsiders.

Climber Alan Halewood and his partner Neal Gwynne, made the arduous journey to the mountain via trains, planes, and automobiles. (of the four-wheel drive variety!) They also traveled by horseback and eventually on foot, trekking the final miles to Base Camp, and of course making the climb as well. The entire trip took three weeks to complete, in some of the worst weather the region has seen in years. Anyone who has been following the events in Pakistan, China, and Nepal, knows that the Monsoon brought incredibly bad conditions this year, with more rain, and flooding, than was expected. Afghanistan was not spared from those storms.

In the end, Halewood made the summit by himself, as Gwynne turned back earlier in the climb. The solo summit allowed the Brit to name the mountain, which he dubbed Koh-e-Iskander in honor of his two-year old son Sandy and Alexander the Great, who's shadow still looms over the region.

Just how remote is this peak? Halewood says that it is located in a spot that is completely surrounded by other peaks, and that no inhabited valleys overlook the one he climbed. It is a very out of the way place, which is why the article says that not only may it not have been seen before by westerners, but possibly by no other humans ever. Now that is remote.

Very cool story about a couple of climbers on a big adventure. Trekking the Wakhan Corridor has been on my wish list for some time, and this only fuels my desire to visit that place. Really amazing.

Grand Canyon National Park Faces Challenges, Embraces Opportunities

The National Parks Conservation Association is an organization dedicated to protecting America's national parks and ensuring that they remain the amazing environments that we all know and love, so that future generations have the opportunity to enjoy them too. Recently, the NPCA released their State of the Park report on the Grand Canyon, which outlines some of the challenges that that park faces, while also turning a spotlight on the opportunities for protecting it as well.

The Grand Canyon is one of America's first national parks, and it is certainly amongst the most iconic as well. Each year, more 4.5 million visitors, both foreign and domestic, travel to the park, which encompasses more than 1.2 million acres of land in Arizona. The place is a mecca for both adventure travelers and tourists alike, with many drawn in because of the spectacular scenery and options for outdoor fun, which includes hiking, paddling, camping, and much more.

In the report, the NPCA points to some serious threats to the future of the Grand Canyon National Park, including mining activities on the park borders, increased air pollution (coming from cities more than 100 miles away!), and one that I hadn't even considered –noise pollution. The threat from mining and air pollution are fairly self explanatory, as they can directly affect the health of the environment, including the plants and animals that live there and the visitors to the park. Noise pollution, on the other hand, is one of those things that you don't necessarily think about, but can still ruin the solitude and peacefulness that you feel while in a remote place. In the case of the Grand Canyon, the noise pollution is a result of so many commercial and scenic flights passing over head, having an adverse effect on those on the ground.

Perhaps the biggest challenge to the park operating as it should comes from the lack of funding that it is receiving. Considering the current state of the economy, this should be much of a surprise I suppose, but the NPCA says that the National Park Service could use an additional $6.2 million in its annual budget just to cover the park's day-to-day functions. Even more eye opening is the fact that there is a backlog of maintenance issues that is estimated to require $300 million to address. That is an awfully big hole to try to climb out of in an era when budgets are being cut across the board.

The report also cites some great opportunities to improve the natural environment in the park and protect the plants and animals that live there. Amongst the suggestions for protecting the Canyon is the suggestion that corrections to the course of the Colorado River may need to be made to help prevent the degradation of resources along its banks. Those changes would help to create a more sustainable environment moving forward, which can only be a good thing for the long term health of the park.

Other suggestions for improvements include allowing the Park Service to have direct control over the airspace above the Canyon, which would allow them to limit the number of aircraft in the area, thus reducing the noise level. There are also plans to declare the backcountry a wilderness area, which would help protect it more fully, while also annexing threatened lands that surround the park though an act of Congress. Increased permanent funding and more research on the impact of climate change are amongst the other suggestions as well.

To read the entire report, in .pdf format, click here. For the shorter, digest version click here.

Eric Larsen Gears Up For Everest

Regular readers of my blog have heard me mention Eric Larsen and his Save the Poles Expedition for months. The arctic explorer got things started last year when he launched his initiative to visit all three "poles", including the North and South Poles, and the summit of Everest, which is often called the "Third Pole" in a single calendar year. He has already reached the first of those two, and is now preparing to head to Nepal to climb Everest as well.

In a blog post that he made yesterday on his website, Eric reveals that he is in the midst of packing and getting ready to head to Kathmandu. While he does touch on the expedition a bit, noting that he and his team will be one of only two on their side of the mountain this fall, the majority of the post is a list of the gear that he is taking along with him, which will probably be of particular interest for those who have often wondered just how much stuff climbers take to Everest.

The gear list, as you can imagine, is quite extensive, giving us everything Eric will wear on his body, including his layering system, gloves, socks, boots, and so on. It also lists his packs, tents, sleeping bags, and so on, giving us the specific items that he'll be taking with him, as well, just in case we need similar gear when we go shopping. The list also includes his communications gear, solar power system, and cameras too, so you can really get a feel for what will be in his duffel bag when he hits Kathmandu.

Expect to hear a lot more about this expedition in the weeks ahead, as I'll definitely be keeping an eye on Eric's progress on the mountain. There will be several other Fall expeditions to Everest as well, but the mountain will be a very quiet place compared to the circus that is the Spring Season. Should be interesting none the less though.

84-Year Old Adventurer to Challenge the Atlantic on a Raft

84-year old Anthony Smith is preparing to complete a life long dream by crossing the Atlantic Ocean on a simple raft made out of plastic gas pipes. The octogenarian, along with a crew of three other men, will set sail in January, aboard the raft that they have dubbed the An-tiki in a nod to Thor Heyerdahl's famous raft the Kon-tiki.

Smith will be joined on the voyage by Robin Batchelor, age 61, 57-year old David Hildred, and Andy Bainbridge, 56. Each of the men have a history of adventure, with Hildred and Bainbridge both experienced sailors, and Batchelor and Smith balloonists. Smith found the rest of his crew by running an advertisement in the U.K.'s Telegraph that simply said: "Fancy rafting across the Atlantic? Famous traveller requires 3 crew. Must be OAP. Serious adventurers only."

The voyage is expected to take approximately two months to complete, covering more than 2800 miles beginning in the Canary Islands and ending in the Bahamas. The crew hopes to take advantage of the active trade winds that begin early in the year and hope to arrive well before the start of the Atlantic storm season.

The raft will be constructed out of sections of plastic pipes, which will be sealed at one end, trapping the air inside to give the craft buoyancy.  There will also be two simple shelters, made from pig huts, and a short fence will mark the border around the outside of the raft. That will be in place to help prevent the men from falling overboard, although they'll also employ harnesses to help keep them in place as well. 

Smith first came up with the idea of making this crossing while he was an RAF pilot back in 1952. It has been on his mind ever since, even as he pursued other adventures such as crossing the Alps in a hot air balloon. After years of planning and dreaming, he's finally getting underway in a few months time. 

Endurance Athlete Sets Speed Records on Canada's East and West Coast Trails

When it comes to hiking and backpacking in Canada, two of the more popular, and scenic, routes are along the East and West Coast Trails. The East Coast Trail stretches for 340 miles along the Atlantic coast of Newfoundland, while the West Coast Trail runs for 47 miles along Vancouver's southwestern shoreline. While the trails are separated by thousands of miles, they do both offer unique challenges to anyone who takes them on from end to end.

Recently, endurance athlete Gary Robbins set the daunting goal for himself to attain speed records on both of these trails, starting in Vancouver and the WCT on August 4th. Running North to South, Gary completed the entire 47 miles in just 10 hours and 8 minutes, which does indeed establish a new record for that route. Of course, that was just a warm-up for the much longer, and more challenging ECT, which he began on August 20th and completed on the 22nd, finishing the entire route in a blistering 35 hours and 17 minutes. Pretty impressive runs on both accounts considering the distance involved and terrain crossed. Even more so when you consider that a large portion of the East Coast Trail remains mostly unmarked and hasn't been fully developed yet.

Check out the video below of Gary arriving at the finish line on the ECT. I don't know about you but just thinking about these runs makes my legs hurt! I guess this is the summer for adventure racers and endurance athletes to challenge some of these spectacular trails in North America. Congrats to Gary on a job well done!

Ocean Rowing: Challenging the Northwest Passage

Back in July, French rower Mathieu Bonnier set out from Greenland to attempt to row through the Northwest Passage, and while he has already faced a number of challenges, he continues to make good progress towards achieving that goal. At this point, he is north of Canada, and has passed through Resolute Bay, but continues to battle pack ice which has impeded his progress.

According to this story at ExWeb, Mathieu arrived in Resolute Bay around the middle of the month, but before reaching that milestone, he faced a crossing of Baffin Bay, which his support team says is the first since the age of the vikings, who also were aided by sails. It is also most likely the first solo crossing of that body of water, which took Bonnier 12 days to complete.

The row into Resolute was also blocked by ice, so when he did eventually arrive, Mathieu elected to stay there and rest for a week, hoping that the time off would not only allow him to rest, but also give the waterway an opportunity to open up further. This past Sunday he returned to the water once again, and is continuing to row west, but has been asked by the Canadian Coast Guard to check in with them on a daily basis for his own safety. The water ahead is still thick with ice, but is still believed to be passable, although the Northwest Passage doesn't generally open fully until early September.

When I first wrote about this voyage back in March of this year, the plan was for Bonnier to row as far as he could this year, then return in 2011 to finish the job. He is making remarkable time through the frozen Arctic waters, so I'm not sure if that is still the plan or if he now thinks that he can complete the entire expedition this year. My guess is that it will be very slow going from here on out, and that he may not make it through the limited weather window for crossing the Passage, but who knows. The weather has been weird the world over this year, so perhaps the water will remain open longer than we expect.

Either way, this is an amazing row. Even in the dead of summer, it is cold, windy, and uncomfortable in the Arctic, and because of that Mathieu has had little sleep or rest thus far. He may need to take the winter off just to get some shut eye.

Trailer for 127 Hours, the Aron Ralston Story, Hits The Web

The trailer for 127 Hours was released yesterday, giving us a glimpse of the film that will tell us the story of what it was like for Aron Ralston, the hiker who had his armed trapped beneath a boulder while hiking in the backcountry of Utah back in 2003.  Eventually he was forced to amputate it himself, which saved his life and vaulted him to the public spotlight. 


The film stars James Franco as Ralston and is directed by Academy Award Winner Danny Boyle, the director who brought us Slumdog Millionaire. The trailer looks beautiful and it serves it's purpose to tease us for more. It certainly isn't what I expected, but in a good way. What are your thoughts?

Ski the Himalayas Season 2: Episodes 2 and 3

The Ski The Himalaya team of Ben Clark and Jon Miller returns with a couple of new episodes that chronicle the next steps in their return to Baruntse, a 23,390 foot peak in western Nepal. Ben and Jon no only hope to summit that peak, but also make a ski descent as well.

The first video below is actually the second episode of the season, and shows the team arriving in Lukla, which seems fitting considering the news from Nepal this morning. Once on the ground there, they begin their trek to the mountain.



Ski The Himalayas Season 2, Episode 02 from Ben Clark on Vimeo.



This next video, Episode Three of the season, has the boys on the trail and making their way towards their destination. It's offers some great views of the surrounding mountains and gives an indication of what it is like to be trekking through the Himalaya. Really great scenery.



Ski The Himalayas Season 2, Episode 03 from Ben Clark on Vimeo.

Adventure Racers Conquer Wonderland Trail in 63 Hours

I've been meaning to post on this story for a couple of weeks, and it ended up getting buried in my Inbox, but considering yesterday's story about the hiker completing the thru-hike of the Adirondacks, I think this one is appropriate as well.

Back on July 25th, two hikers, Jeni McNeal and David Adlard, who also happen to be experienced adventure racers, took on the Wonderland Trail, a 93-mile classic hike that circumnavigates Mt. Rainier in Washington state. The two ended up completing the entire route in just over 63 hours, which represents one of the fastest times ever for the trail, but is all the more impressive when you discover that approximately 10% of the route was still snowed in. For reference sake, most hikers take between 8 and 12 days to complete the Wonderland.

McNeal and Adlard carried their own gear and stopped for just a few hours of sleep along the way. They also burned more than 33,000 calories each, and drank over 50 liters of fluids along the way, while climbing and descending more than 20 peaks, with 47,000 feet of elevation gain mixed in for good measure. The rugged trail is well known for its challenges, which include multiple water crossings, rocky and uneven paths, and plenty of steep ascents.

For this dynamic duo, this was just a training exercise however, as they prepare to compete, as Team Adventure Sports Week, at the upcoming Desert Winds Expedition Adventure Race. I have no doubt that those adventure racing skills came in handy when setting that hectic pace out on the trail.

The Most Isolated Man on Earth

I'm sure many of you have seen the story about the lone surviving member of an uncontacted tribe in the Amazon who has been living alone for years. It has been making the rounds on the Internet ever since it was posted by Slate late last week, and it certainly is a fascinating piece.

For those who haven't read it yet, here's a brief summary. The Brazilian government has taken steps to declare a 31-square mile area as protected forest in order to protect a single indigenous man who lives in that section of the Amazon Rainforest. He appears to be the last survivor of a tribe that once inhabited that area, and he has been living alone for more than 15 years. No one knows what happened to the rest of his tribe, and all attempts to contact him have ended with him escaping into the jungle, or violence. In one incident he even shot a man in the chest with an arrow.

I personally think that this is a remarkable story for a number of different reasons. First, I think it's great that  Brazil has taken this big step to protect the area around this one tribesman. That seems unprecedented for the most part, as human history is riddled with examples of how a conquering force just moved in and forced the inhabitants off a piece of land. We all know it would be very easy for this poor guy to just disappear altogether.

I'm also fascinated at the prospect of these uncontacted tribes that still exist in the Amazon. This isn't the first time we've heard about them in recent years, but I still find it very interesting and a bit romantic that in the 21st Century, there are still places where modern man hasn't corrupted just yet. I wonder what these people think when they see our airplanes fly over head or spot us from afar, making our way into the jungle. What do they think about us and the strange items that we call technology, that must seem like magic to them.

Finally, I can't help but wonder what life is life for this lone tribesman. He must be incredibly lonely, as he truly is the last of his people. We have all, at times, felt isolation or loneliness, but those feeling must be very overwhelming at times. We're talking about a man who has lived completely alone, with no meaningful contact with another human being in at least 15 years. That is difficult to reconcile when you consider how much we take that contact for granted.

I'm glad that he'll have an opportunity to live out his life, for however long that will be, in a protected space. He'll continue to hunt and explore that region for as long as he can. But eventually, he too will succumb to the jungle, and then this tribe will cease to be. There is some sadness in that as well.

Polarmax Giving Away A Kilimanjaro Ultimate Adventure

Polarmax, the company that makes some really great technical base layers, is currently running their Mt. Kilimanjaro Ultimate Sweepstakes, in which they'll be awarding the winner an incredible trip for two to Tanzania and a six day Kili climb. To enter the contest, all you have to do is click here, and fill out the form.

The sweepstakes will run through October 11th of this year, when a winner will be selected. That lucky person, along with their guest, will then travel to Africa in January for the opportunity to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest peak on the continent with Zara Tours and Kili expert Macon Dunnagan. The trip also includes round trip airfare, ground transportation in Tanzania, four nights hotel stay, and a custom made video of the adventure. The winners will also be outfitted with some Polarmax base layers to keep them warm and dry all the way to the summit. The contest is also sponsored by Backpacker Magazine and Cotton Incorporated.

For a taste of what you can expect on this trek to the Roof of Africa, check out the video below. Then, head over and get yourself registered. Take it from me, this is an amazing trip that any adventure traveler would love to have the opportunity to experience.

14 Dead in Plane Crash Near Kathmandu

A small passenger plane has crashed just south of Kathmandu today, killing everyone on board. The plane carried 14 people, including three crew members and 11 passengers, with four Americans, a Briton, and a Japanese traveler amongst them.

The plane was operated by Agni Air, and was making a routine flight to Lukla, most likely to drop off trekkers heading to the Everest region, but due to poor weather in the area, the flight was turned back. There is no word at this time as to the cause of the crash, but local villagers witnessed it going down in a field.

Having made this same flight just a few months ago, I can tell you that the airlines and flight control are all very careful about when and how you can approach Lukla. It is considered amongst the most dangerous airports in the world thanks to its sloping runway that runs up the side of the mountain. But in the case of this accident, it doesn't seem to have been an issue at all considering that the plane never even had a chance to attempt a landing. Most likely there was rain or fog in the area, and the plane was ordered to return to Kathmandu, but why it went down is a mystery at this time.

We're also right on the edge of the start of the fall climbing and trekking season, with travelers just now starting to return to the Himalaya following the monsoon season. The passengers on board this flight were probably on vacation and were looking forward to trekking in the Khumbu Valley over the next couple of weeks.

This is a sad story to start the day. My condolences to the families.

The Naturist Season 2, Episode 2

A few weeks back Teva's the Naturist returned with a great new episode showing us all how not to survive in the backcountry. Now he's back once again, this time with some tips on how to make your life a little more comfortable while in the wilderness.

I figure this is a perfect way to end a Monday. He's always good for a few laughs, and neither Bear Grylls or Les Stroud are in danger of losing their jobs.

Inflatable Lab Could Offer New Way To Explore The Arctic

Architectural firm Studio Les Bêtes has designed an interesting and unique approach for future explorers to potentially visit the North Pole. Their inflatable research lab, called the Arctic Drifter, would be built out of Hypalon air-bags, which high end inflatable boats use as well, and would quite literally roll across the arctic, ignoring water, ice, and crevasses in the process.

When fully inflated, the lab would be 15 meters in diameter, and could move through high winds and other inclement weather without much of a problem, while the researchers and explorers stay inside, warm and protected from the elements. When they want to go out, they simply deflate one of the air-bags, and exit the lab. The crew would stay inside a cabin that is connected to a roll cage that would keep their living quarters and equipment upright no matter which way the giant ball rolled.

While this looks like an interesting concept, there doesn't really appear to be a way to direct the lab to move in any specific direction. As a mobile lab, it seems like this has some potential in some capacity, but it's just not quite ready to be used in the field just yet. Still, kind of an interesting take on arctic exploration.

Thanks to Inhabitat for sharing this one.

Win An Epic Grand Canyon Vacation From Cheerios

I wrote about the Do What You Love Sweepstakes from Cheerios for Gadling over the weekend, but wanted to mention it here as well, specifically because on of the dream trips that they are giving away could be of particular interest to the outdoor crowd.

The contest is a simple one. All you have to do to enter is head over to the official site and select one of ten trips that are up for grabs. From there, you'll fill out a short form with your personal contact information, and make a pledge to "love your heart." (Cheerios is purportedly a heart friendly cereal.) That's really all there is to it, and although you can only enter once per day, you can come back on subsequent days in an effort to stuff the ballot box.

Some of the vacations that they are giving away include a trip to Florida for a NASCAR event, a five day escape to Rock-n-Roll Fantasy Camp, and the chance to go to Hollywood to attend a movie premiere. But the one trip that may spark your interest is their VIP vacation to the Grand Canyon that includes a $500 shopping spree for new gear and six days of adventure in one of America's most popular national parks. While there, you'll have the opportunity to explore the Canyon by jeep and white water raft, and soar high above the park in a private helicopter for a bird's eye view of the surrounding area.

If you're interested in winning the Grand Canyon tour, they are accepting entries through April 4th of next year, which means that you'll have plenty of chances to fill out the entry form, stacking the odds in your favor for a win. Some of the other trips are being given away a lot sooner, as they are spreading out the awarding of prizes over the coming months.

Seems like a great way to see the Grand Canyon. Good luck on entering the contest!

Hanesbrands Reveals Super Suit Performance

Back in the middle of July I posted some information on the preliminary reports of how the Champion Super Suit performed on Everest this past spring. Now, the company has posted its own update with more information on the suit's performance, as well as the other new products that have been in development for some time.

The Super Suit garnered a lot of attention last fall when it was first announced, as it gave us a glimpse of the possible future for outdoor gear. Made with aerogel, the suit promised to be incredibly thin and light, while remaining as warm as a traditional down suit, and according to this report, it seems that it lived up to those expectations.

The suit was used up to 24,000 feet, just below Camp 3, and in temperatures as low as -40ºF. Expedition leader Jamie Clarke described it as the warmest coat he'd ever worn, although the suit didn't breathe as well as other products, which is not surprising considering the properties of aerogel. Hansebrand concludes that while the design shows promise, they still have more work to do to before this can become a commercially viable piece of gear.

The rest of the report looks at how the new line of socks, base layers, and shells performed on the mountain as well. This gear is much closer to being a reality, with some of it hitting store shelves as early as this year.  You can read the entire report by clicking here.

Hiker Crosses Adirondacks on Foot

Writer, educator, and outdoor adventurer Erik Schlimmer recently completed a 12-day hike across the Adirondacks, a chain of mountains located in northeastern New York. Schlimmer began his journey on August 6th and finished up on the 18th, covering more than 220 miles on the trail and climbing over 23,000 feet in the process. He is believed to be the first person to hike the entire length of the mountains.

Schlimmer's approach to the thru-hike was to travel as lightly as possible and to focus on being self-sufficient while in the backcountry. To that end, he carried less than 12 pounds of gear, leaving his GPS, cell phone, and personal locator beacon all behind.

The hike began in the northern Adirondacks, with Erik studying the route closely to try to determine the best path. There is no clear-cut trail that runs the length of the range, so he had to cross through both public and private lands along the way. Some of the trails weren't in the best of conditions either, with flooding causing him to adjust his route on the fly. The intrepid adventurer even admits that at times he wasn't even sure where he was exactly, and he simple just kept heading south until he could regain his bearings.

The Adirondacks aren't an especially tall mountain chain, with the highest point reaching 5344 feet on Mt. Mercy. But the trails can be quite steep, offering backpackers a significant challenge despite the altitudes. in addition, the region can be quite warm and humid in the summer months, which brings on its own set of challenges.

Schlimmer says that completing this hike has been a dream of his for a number of years. He's been visiting the Adirondacks since the 1990's, but this was his first opportunity to explore them on one long, continuous hike. It seems like it was worth the wait however, and this turned into a terrific summertime adventure.

Rebecca Rusch Shares Her Leadville 100 Experience

Last Friday we had a video from Specialized rider Todd Wells, who shared his thoughts on the recently completed Leadville 100 mountain bike race. Today, we get a different perspective from another rider, sponsored by Specialized in the form of two-time defending Leadville champ Rebecca Rusch, who has earned the moniker "the Queen of Pain" thanks to her ability to suffer while racing.

Some of the best parts of this video for me were watching Rebecca go through her pre-race preparations, getting her food ready, going through the medical check, and so on. Before the race got underway, she mentioned that she would like to go after the course record, but everything would have to come together perfectly for that to happen. When she crossed the finish line for her second straight title, in just two tries, she ended up smashing the old record by more than 30 minutes.

Winters of My Life

Some of you probably have already seen this video, but it is so well done and beautifully shot, that I wanted to share it here as well. It is entitled Winters of My Life and was created by filmmaker Jonny Burhop. The video is about Howard Weamer, who has been a hutkeeper in Yosemite National Park for 35 years. Howard spends his winters in the remote backcountry, enjoying the solitude and living in one of the most spectacular places in all of North America. While short, this video captures Howard's spirit very well and he gives us some insights into why he does what he does. Enjoy!




Winters of My Life from Jonathan Burhop on Vimeo.

Solo Sailing Update: Laura is Underway!

14-year old Laura Dekker set sail from the Harbor of Gibraltar this morning, finally beginning her attempt to sail solo around the world. She slipped out to sea early, and without much fanfare, avoiding media attention in order to get the voyage underway. She will now spend upwards of two years circumnavigating the globe in an attempt to become the youngest person to accomplish that feat.

Laura has been in the news for more than a year now. She first wanted to sail last year, at the age of the 13, but Dutch officials blocked her departure, while child protective services stepped in to ensure that she wasn't able to slip off unknowingly. What followed was a series of court appearances, heated debate on both sides of the topic, and even an attempt to set sail after the teenager ran away to St. Maarten in the Caribbean. Three weeks ago, the Dutch courts made their final decision, granting Laura permission to sail after she demonstrated her skill level, sharpened up her first aid skills, and joined a distance learning program to continue her studies while at sea.

Unlike the recent solo sailing attempts by Australian Jessica Watson and American Abby Sunderland, Laura will not be making the the attempt non-stop. Instead, she'll make planned trips into ports around the world. Also unlike those other two girls, she'll have a support ship trailing her, staying close at hand in case of emergency. This gives her a safety net that Jess and Abby did not have.

Jessica garnered plenty of media attention this spring when she completed her solo circumnavigation attempt, sailing into Sydney Harbor three days shy of her 17th birthday. Meanwhile, Abby made news for other reasons when her ship was struck by a 30 foot wave during a storm in the Indian Ocean. The wave snapped her mast, and she was left adrift at sea until a rescue operation could be conducted a few days later.

Laura hopes to break Jessica's record, and she has until September 20th, 2012 to do it. Her voyage will begin with a trip across the Atlantic, followed by passage through the Panama Canal into the Pacific. By doing this, she avoids the notoriously treacherous waters of Cape Horn at the southern tip of South America, something that both Jess and Abby had to face. She'll also avoid the Cape of Good Hope in Africa, while traveling through the Suez Canal, and while this route helps to steer clear of some of the most dangerous waters on the planet, they also increase the amount of traffic she'll have to deal with along the way.

For now, we'll all have to wait and watch to see how she does. I wish her luck as she has finally gotten underway at long last.

Ripley Davenport Announces Gobi 2011 Expedition

British Adventurer Ripley Davenport has announced his plans for 2011 by launching a new website in support of his expedition to trek across the Gobi Desert. This new endeavor will spawn a documentary film about the trek and the team's interactions with the indigenous people of the Gobi, while also inspiring others to pursue adventures of their own.

Unlike his attempt to cross Mongolia on foot, which took place earlier this year, Ripley won't be going solo this time out. While he will serve as expedition leader, he'll be joined photographer and filmmaker Emmanuel Berthier, Christopher Schrader, who is a young endurance athlete and the youth ambassador for the expedition. The three men plan to set out on May 24th of next year, and expect the expedition to take approximately 60 days to cover the 1000 mile route through the Gobi.

One important element to this new adventure is that the team hopes to connect with a number of schools and encourage them to incorporate the expedition into their curriculum. In return, Ripley, Emmanuel, and Christopher hope to provide inspiration to the students by allowing them to gain insight into Mongolian culture, while also gaining an understanding of the importance of being responsible and engaged citizens of the planet. The team also hopes to instill a sense of adventure in the students as well, encouraging academic achievement to achieve their goals. For more on the Gobi 2011 School Project, click here.

The team is also looking for other adventurous people to join the fun, so if you have an interest in being part of the expedition, click here.

The Gobi is the fifth largest desert on the planet, spreading across northwest China and southern Mongolia. It is a land of extremes, and the expedition could face everything from heat stroke to freezing blizzards, with conditions changing very rapidly. It will be a test of their stamina for sure, but considering Ripley spent some time crossing the Gobi this year, it should feel like home when he arrives in 2011.

Good luck guys!

2011 Expedition Will Row to the Magnetic North Pole

Scottish adventurer Jock Wishart is planning an expedition that will take place next summer, in which he and a small, hand picked team, will set out from Resolute Bay in Canada, and attempt to row to the Magnetic North Pole. Along the way, they'll cover a distance of 450 miles through some of the harshest conditions on the planet.

According to this story, a specially designed boat is currently being constructed that will allow the team to easily drag it across the ice if necessary, as even in the summer there could be considerable ice flows to contend with. Additionally, a great deal of care is being put into reinforcing the hull and making sure that it is durable, yet light, so that it can stand up to the challenges of the ice while remaining easy to row through the water.

Wishart says that he first became aware of the idea of rowing to the Magnetic North Pole in 2007, when he realized just how much the polar ice was breaking up during the summer months. Global climate change has caused waterways to open in the arctic that didn't exist a decade ago, and adventurers are now exploring them in a variety of ways.

The Magnetic North Pole should not be confused with the Geographic North Pole, which is the one that most explorers visit during the spring North Pole season. The Magnetic Pole is where our compasses point, and it actually sits further south in the Arctic Ocean and even shifts location a bit over time. At this point, it is still impossible to sail or row to the Geographic North Pole, but if pack ice continues to melt, that may not be out of the question in the future.

Leadville 100 Ultramarathon is Tomorrow

The fun and games continue in Leadville tomorrow, as the dust has barely settled on the Leadville 100 Mountain Bike Race, which was run last weekend, and tomorrow top endurance athletes taking the line for the Leadville Trail 100-mile Run, an ultramarathon that uses a similar route, and shares the 50-miles out and back format.

Much like its mountain biking counterpart, this trail run features all kinds of challenges, including plenty of climbs and thin air. The foot race begins at 9200 feet and climbs as high as 12,600 feet at Hope Pass, with most of the route taking place over forest trails and along mountain roads.

The ultra-run will get underway tomorrow morning at 4AM local time. Those that finish within 25-hours will be awarded a massive belt buckle that proudly proclaims their feat. There is a 30-hour overall cut-off that all runners must meet, which ends at 10AM Sunday morning. If they haven't reached the finish line by then, they'll be picked-up from the course.

Good luck to all the runners. Have an amazing time, and don't forget to enjoy the view!

Todd Wells Shares His Leadville 100 Experience

Over the past week or so, I've written several posts about the Leadville 100 Mountain Bike Race, which took place in Leadville, Colorado last weekend. The event has earned itself quite a reputation, and garnered a good deal of media attention in recent years thanks to the growing number of professional riders who now participate in the ride. One of those riders this year was Todd Wells, who finished third in the race and shared his experiences in the video that I've posted below.

The video not only gives us a glimpse of what it was like for Todd, but also what the race is like in general. He talks about battling the course, dealing with the altitude, and the quick pace from the time the gun sounded, with interesting perspectives about how a race like this differs from a pure road race or cyclocross event. Good stuff!

Thanks to my friends William and Kate for sharing this on Facebook. I know you were both on hand in Leadville last weekend, and I hope you had a great time!

Powderwhore Delivers Beautiful Skiing in August

I'm not sure what the weather is like where you're at, but where I live it's been regularly topping 100ºF the past few weeks. It's hot, it's steamy, and it doesn't look like it's going to get better any time soon. Thankfully, Powderwhore is here to help us beat the summer heat and cool things off a bit. The video below it s a trailer for their upcoming film TeleVision, which is the company's sixth telemark ski video. The full DVD will be available soon, but for those who can't wait, or just wish winter would get here a bit faster, check out the trailer below.

America's Best Adventures

A few days back I posted a link to some suggestions for adventure travel destinations this fall, with ten great spots to visit once the summer crowds, and heat, dissipate. Not to be outdone by that list, National Geographic Adventure has been running their selections for America's Best Adventures, providing us with 100 of the best escapes, with no passports required.

The list really does have something for everyone with activities ranging from backcountry skiing to climbing to mountain biking, and a whole lot more. There is even a state-by-state list of destinations, as well as an interactive map, with a majority of the states represented by at least one adventure. Not surprisingly though, most of these are located in the western part of the country, with places like Colorado, California, and Utah having more than their fair share of destinations making the top 100.

Some of the suggestions for domestic adventure bliss include backpacking Glacier National Park in Montana, mountain biking from Durango, Colorado to Moab, Utah, and paddling the Adirondacks, in New York. I was also happy to see ride RAGBRAI from my home state of Iowa make the list, as well as Float Big Bend and Boulder Hueco Tanks from my adopted state of Texas too.

With the economy continuing to remain sluggish, to say the least, and many travelers electing to stay close to home yet again this year, this list offers up some really great suggestions for those who would like to put some adventure into their life, but not break the bank doing so. It also serves as a great reminder of the incredibly diverse landscapes we have here in the U.S. and how many great activities we have in our own backyard.

Wingsuits Over Canada

The lovely and talented Steph Davis posted this great video of her and Mario Richard having some fun in their wingsuits over Quebec, Canada. In the description for the video she describes it as capturing "A fine day in the sky where no one has any parachute malfunctions, and nothing bad happens to anyone." Which of course begs the question, how often do you have parachute malfunctions and what bad things occur on a regular basis? Those comments don't exactly inspire confidence in this sport.

Still, it makes for a lovely video on a Thursday morning.




Pas de Deux from steph davis on Vimeo.

Gear Box: Trek Fuel EX 5 Mountain Bike

A couple of summers back I purchased a new road bike, the first I had owned in a number of years, and began getting reacquainted with my love for the speed and agility that comes with road cycling. After just a few rides I remembered how much fun it was to hit the open road and go for miles. But riding that fancy new bike made me realize how much my aging, but much loved mountain bike was really showing its years. That bike is now more than 10 years old, and the technology that goes into bikes has changed dramatically in that time frame. It was with that in mind that I decided this summer it was time to upgrade my mountain bike to something new as well.

After much deliberation, and number of test rides, I ended up going with the Trek Fuel 5, a dual suspension bike that had everything I was looking for and more. Now, I have to admit, when I started shopping, I was in the market for another hardtail. It was what I knew, and loved, and I was hoping to avoid the added weight that comes with a dual suspension. But when my local bike shop Mellow Johnny's, which happens to be owned by Austin's favorite rider Lance Armstrong, had a sale a few weeks back, I found myself spending a few extra dollars to take home a more full featured bike than I had originally anticipated.  I got a heck of a deal on the Fuel 5, and the good folks at MJ's were awesome to work with. 

I've now had a chance to take the bike on several rides and get a feel for it, and I have to say, it was everything I had hoped for and more. When I took it for a test drive on a trail not far from bike shop, I wasn't sure what to make of it. I hadn't ridden a full suspension bike before, and it just felt odd, for lack of a better word. Plus, it was heavier than the hardtail I was use to. But, once I got the bike fitted for me personally, and adjusted the suspension properly, the bike immediately started to perform better, and I was starting to see the value of this type of bike. 

My first couple of rides were on a mix of road and trail, with the trail offering almost no technical challenges. These shakedown cruises helped me to get acquainted with how the bike handled, getting use to how it shifts, climbs, and transitioned from one surface to another. During those rides, I came to understand the value of the lockout system on the front suspension, something that was absent on my older bike, but makes a huge difference when riding on paved surfaces. It's almost like owning two different bikes with how much the performance changes from trail to road, and while the Trek will never match my road bike, a Specialized Allez, it sure can hold its own when it has to. 

Where the Fuel really shines however is when you get it off the road and on some real trails. The dual suspensions really make a huge difference, with the bike rolling over obstacles without missing a beat, and without beating the hell out of the rider. Trek has made a fine machine here that handles well and gives the rider plenty of room to grow, and its component set allows for plenty of room for error. The SRAM shifters are smooth and amazingly fast, while the hydraulic disc break system offers a level of control that gives you far more confidence in the saddle. 

I was pleasantly surprised at how well this bike climbs as well. Usually, a full suspension bike means a heavier frame, which can cause it to be slow and ponderous on a climb, but in this case of the Trek Fuel, I've been more than happy with its ability to handle hills. In fact, it doesn't feel incredibly different than my old hardtail, at least not until you crest the hill and go bombing down the other side, which is when this bike really shines. 

As I mentioned earlier, I knew that technology had changed dramatically since I had last purchased a new mountain bike, and I also knew that those improvements would really have an impact on the way I ride. But, what I didn't expect was that it would have such an immediate and direct impact on my rides. The Trek Fuel isn't just a good bike, it's a great one, and even after just a few "get acquainted" rides, I can already feel that it is making me a better, more confident rider. 

It also doesn't hurt that at that after an hour and a half of hard riding, I don't feel nearly as beat up on this bike as I did with the old hardtail. The dual suspension really does help in that area, and now I'm very glad I elected to go with this bike. 

If you're in the market for a new mountain bike, you could do a lot worse than one of the Trek Fuel bikes. They are a wonderful ride so far, and I can't wait to hit the trail again soon. (MSRP: $1699)

Outside Searches For Their Reader of the Year!

Outside Magazine is on the hunt for their next Reader of the Year. Someone who is a subscriber, or fan, of the magazine, who lives and breathes adventure in all it's forms, and loves to be outdoors as often as possible.

Nominations are open now, and will be accepted through September 1, at OutsideReaderoftheYear.com, and yes you can nominate yourself! If your nominee is selected as this year's winner, you'll receive more than $1800 worth of free gear and a three year subscription to Outside. Meanwhile, the winner will become Outside's Chief Inspiration Officer for all of next year, and will be featured in the magazine on a regular basis to provide some of that inspiration for readers.

When considering who should win this prestigious award, think about a person who had been on an amazing, inspiring adventure that demonstrates their commitment to living an active lifestyle or a person who has gone to great lengths to change their own lifestyle, or inspire others to do so, in the fields of "travel, fitness, sport, environmental work, exploration, or innovation."

If that sounds like anyone you know, then you should head on over and fill out the nomination form immediately.  Who knows, you may win some great swag for yourself and gain fame and fortune for your nominee!

Climbing Wyoming's Tallest Unnamed Peak

Speaking of cool videos, check out this one that comes to us courtesy of the Wend Blog. It was made by Forrest and Amy McCarthy, who were headed into Wyoming's remote backcountry to visit a peak that remains unnamed and is simply known as "13,198".

While the mountain is a simple walk-up, with no real technical skills necessary, it is still pretty cool adventure into some true wilderness. This looks like it was a great hike, and a nice climb too, with a good view from the top. What more could we ask for?

The Beautiful Perseid Meteor Shower Caught on Time Lapse

Last week one of the most amazing astronomical spectacles to take place on a an annual basis, the Perseid Meteor Shower, took place. During it's peak nights, running from August 11-13, nearly 100 shooting start dot the sky per hour, and it is a spectacular sight to see. If you didn't have a chance to catch it, perhaps the video below will help give you an idea of what it's like. These photos were shot from August 12-15 in Joshua Tree National Park by Henry Jun Wah Lee, and they capture the magic of the Perseid perfectly.

As a kid, I remember always planning on sleeping outside in the tent when the Perdeids rolled around each year. We'd crawl out at 2 AM, when they are most active, and gaze up at the stars in wonder. Unfortunately this year I was only able to go out for one evening, and only around 10 PM, so there were no shooting stars to be seen. This video reminds me of what a nice phenomenon it is to witness. I hope you enjoy.



Joshua Tree Under the Milky Way from Henry Jun Wah Lee on Vimeo.

5000 Mile Cycling Tour Comes To North America

I wrote about this over at Gadling this morning, but wanted to share here as well. Tour d'Afrique Ltd, the good folks behind some of the best long distance, epic cycling tours in the world, are launching a new one, and this time it's going to take place in North America.

The just announced North American Epic will send cyclists on a 4970 mile odyssey from the Pacific Coast of the U.S. to the Atlantic Coast of Canada, on what is sure to be a spectacular ride for those lucky enough to take part in it. The tour begins on May 29 of next year in San Francisco, and ends on August 28th in St. John's, Newfoundland. In between the riders will take on the deserts of the American Southwest, the Rocky Mountains, the wide-open plains of the Midwest and the Great Lakes Region, before crossing over into Canada. Once there, they'll cycle through Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec, and New Brunswick on their way to the northeastern corner of the country, ending at the Atlantic Ocean.

The numbers for this cycling tour are quite staggering. The participants in the full event  will spend 76 in the saddle and another 16 days on rest days. They'll pass through large metropolises as well as small towns, giving them the chance to experience life in North America on a variety of levels.

The three month long journey will cost $9950, but as with all of the their cycling tours, Tour d'Afrique Ltd. also offers options to take part in shorter segments of the ride, allowing those on a limited schedule to take part in the sections that most interest them.

I'm a huge fan of what this adventure travel company does, and I would absolutely love to take part in their flagship event, the Tour d'Afrique. But for those who would like something a bit less exotic and probably a bit more comfortable, this is a great option, and a fantastic way to see the U.S. and Canada.

Run Kenya Update: Halfway Done

The Trans-Kalahari Adventure Run across Botswana got underway last weekend, but they're not the only ones making an epic run across parts of Africa. The Run Kenya expedition, which I told you about back in July, is well underway as well, with endurance athlete Chris Rhys Howarth now about halfway through his planned course.

Chris, who is running to raise awareness of the plight of street children not only in Kenya, but the world over, got underway on the the 15th of July, and according to the most recent update to his blog, he has now passed through Embu, in the heart of the African country. He began the 1100 mile run, which is expected to take approximately seven weeks to complete, in Busia on the border of Uganda, and has since run through a number of smaller cities, while looping around Mt. Meru, and is currently en route to Nairobi. Once through that city, he'll turn southeast towards Mombasa, the final destination, along a very desolate and challenging leg that will be an even bigger challenge than Chris has faced thus far.

So far, Chris is actually running a bit ahead of schedule, and he is managing to run as much as 100km (62 miles) in a single day. That is his high mark however, with 60-70km days being more common. Those are very impressive numbers all around considering most of us don't even drive 62 miles in any given day.

Chris' blog posts from the road have been infrequent, but interesting to read when he does send them. It is likely that they will be even more infrequent once he begins the leg to Mombasa, but that should be an interesting story to read. I hope when he's done he posts a detailed account of this amazing journey.

Ride The Megatron - Monster Kayak Slide in Norway

Now this video looks like fun! It captures three paddlers running their kayaks down a MONSTER slide in Norway that is more than 160 meters in length. Thats nearly 525 feet! Seems like a total blast. Now I think when I get done trekking Jordan, I have to stop by Norway on the way home. I so want to ride this!

Trekking Jordan to Petra

While perusing the GreatOutdoors.com website earlier today I came across a great article about a trek I didn't even know was possible. Earlier this year writer Peter Potterfield took a 50-mile, week-long journey through the Dana Biosphere Reserve in Jordan, that culminated with a seldom traveled route to the stunning ancient site of Petra, an archeological wonder that dates back to the 6th century BC.

The Dana Biosphere is worth the visit to Jordan itself. The UNESCO World Heritage site stretches along the Great Rift Valley and features rugged backcountry that may be unexpected for travelers coming to see a  desert. The deep valleys and steep, rocky peaks flow from Sandstone to Limestone to Granite, giving the place a dramatic flair. The place is also alive with both plants and animals, extending its diversity even further.

But of course, the crown jewel of Jordan tourism is Petra, a 2500+ year old city that has been carved out of the very rock walls of the region. The site was first brought to the attention of the western world in 1812, and it seems to have been capturing imaginations ever since. It is definitely a magical place, all the more enhanced by the system of narrow canyons that must be navigated to reach the site.

Peter and the group he was traveling with on this expedition made the journey on foot, far from the well trammeled trails of the tourist track. They actually approached Petra, after six days of hiking, through a series of "back doors" that aren't used by most other visitors, who usually make their way from the bus in the parking lot out front.

Along the trek, the group moved through four different climate zones, with cool alpine giving way to lush orchards, followed by a comfortable, moderate zone, and finally the scorching heat of the Sahara itself. It is quite a diverse hike that mixes culture, beautiful landscapes, and ancient history all into one spectacular trek. It seems amazing, and although I didn't know it was a possibility, it is on my radar now.

Check out the article for yourself and see if you agree. Seems like a fantastic adventure.

Technology and the Outdoors

By now, many of you have probably read the story that appeared in the New York Times that took a look at the effects of technology on our ability to concentrate, and how going outside, and more specifically getting away from all the technology that has pervaded our life, helps us to clear our minds. In that story, a group of researchers who study the brain, took a trip through the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in Utah, a place that offers no cell phone or Internet service, and completely devoid of technology, except for what you bring with you. Some of them were skeptics about the impact of technology on the way we think, while others though that tech overload could adversely effect our concentration. They discovered, that the quiet calm of the outdoors, away from those distractions, did indeed change their perspectives on a great deal of things.

Following up on that story, the Adventure Life published this piece in which site editor Steve Casamiro shares his thoughts on the subject, coming to the same conclusions that many of us already have. A healthy dose of Mother Nature goes a long way to helping keep us focused, happy, and mentally healthy. But he also notes how useful some technologies can be in the backcountry, such as GPS, satellite phones, and so on. Technology like the SPOT Messenger could potentially save our lives and iPods seem like a piece of gear we seldom leave home without these days. The question is, should we be taking all of this stuff and how does it effect our enjoyment of our time out in the woods?

This is a subject I've wrested with a bit myself in recent years. After all, I use a great deal of technology to write about doing things outdoors. I am decidedly a tech nerd. I love gadgets and gizmos, and I think of ways that I can keep them well charged while on an extended trip away from civilization. But that said, I usually leave my cell phone behind and I'm quite content with unplugging from the Internet for awhile. That said, having my iPod along as been useful in a number of situations and a GPS is a tool that holds a lot of a value as well. They'll both probably continue to find a place in my pack.

Like all good things, technology should be used in moderation. It can be very distracting, even at the best of times, and these days we're often multitasking on our laptops, while texting friends and Twittering our every move. All the while, music, television, or both, drone on in the background. I head outside to get away from some of that, and it's important to remind ourselves of that very thing from time to time. After all, if you're reading this blog, you more than likely have a love for the outdoors, and it is would be a shame to miss a spectacular sunset or a rare creature on the trail just because we're too busy picking out the next song on our iPods.

Your thoughts?

The Yacht Race Around The North Pole is On!

Back in June I posted about two separate expeditions that were both planning on making circumnavigation attempts around the North Pole via the Northeast and Northwest passages. One of those expeditions is being led by Norwegian explorer Børge Ousland who is joined by experienced sailor Thorleif Thorleifsson, while the other is a Russian backed ship, called the Peter 1. The two expeditions couldn't be more different from one another, while Børge and Thorlief have taken a fast and lightweight ship into those dangerous waters, the Russians have selected an a larger, heavier, icebreaker to make their bid for completing the voyage. The former of those vessels is light and agile, but could suffer damage more easily, while the latter is strong and tough, but more ponderous in its approach.

Today, ExWeb has an update on what they call "the very unofficial North Pole Yacht Race." The two ships are now into the Northeast Passage and attempting to sail on through to the Pacific Ocean, with both of them into the Labtev Sea and battling the ice. The NE Passage generally opens in late August, and at the moment, it seems like they're playing the waiting game, hoping for the opportunity to get moving again.

Once it does open, they'll roll into the Pacific and then on to the Northwest Passage, which has traditionally opened up in September the past few years. A voyage such as this one couldn't have taken place even a few years ago, but due to the effects of global climate change, it has become a reality. One or both of these teams is going to complete the voyage, it is matter of who will finish first. Should be an interesting couple of months for the crews.

Fall Adventure Travel Suggestions

Looking for a fall escape to add a little adventure back into your life? Then check out this list posted over at the Adventure Travel page, hosted at About.com. The list offers up author Lois Friedland's picks for the top 10 fall getaways, with options for those looking to stay close to home, or visit far flung locales.

Some of the adventures making the list include an opportunity to learn how to sail during American Sailing Week 2010 in Clearwater, Florida. That event goes down on Sept. 10th-17th (not technically fall, but close enough!) and includes a host of waterborne adventures. The Appalachian Club is also offering guided backpacking adventures this fall in a variety of locations, with a chance to see the autumn colors in all their glory, and you can always go to Yellowstone for a hiking, biking, fishing adventure as well. (I'm doing this one in a few weeks!)

If you have the time and really want to get away from it all however, Lois recommends heading to Antarctica to play with the penguins or making an adventurous trip to Borneo with Gap Adventures if you prefer the warmer climes. Personally, I'd prefer the visit to the Pushkar Camel Market in India for a truly unique experience.

That isn't the entire list of course, and there are some other good suggestions for just about any kind of traveler who is looking to escape the grind for a few days or a few weeks. Fall is always an excellent time to travel as the crowds tend to lessen and the weather takes a turn for the better as well. It is never too early to start planning your next trip!