23 Year Old Japanese Woman Bags K2!

I'm not sure how I missed this story when it was released a month back at k2climb.net, but thanks goes out to The Backcountry Blog for bringing it to my attention. The article tells the story of Yuka Komatsu, a twenty-three year old Japanese woman who knocked off K2 in her first attempt to climb an 8000 meter peak. Yuka said that it might also be her last 8000 meter peak however, as climbing in the Himalayas can be very expesnive. She worked three jobs in order to fund her trip, which begs the question, when did she find time to train? I guess if you're going to climb an 8000 meter peak, it might as well be the big bad boy of the group. Great work Yuka. Now someone get this girl a sponsor.

Top Ten Things To Do With Google Earth

It's no secret that I love Google Earth. It's a great program that also happens to be free, and it's been made all the better with the recent addition of content from the Discovery Channel, the U.S. National Parks Department, and more. Now the gang over at Google Earth Hacks have put together a top ten list of the best things to do with Google Earth, such as find your own home, checkout historical sites, and even track the weather in near real time. The Google Hacks website is dedicated to showing off all the cool things you can do with the program, and they have hundreds of small, downloadable files that can open Google Earth and take you some amazing places or hidden gems in the program. You'll find everything from buildings and bridges, to mountain peaks, to crop circles. It's a great place to get even more out of Google's little materpiece.

2007 Backpack Preview

Trailspace.com has posted a very nice, and comprehensive, preview of the 2007 Backpacks that were on display recently at the Outdoor Retailer show. They promise to update the preview throughout the Fall, adding more packs when they have the opportunity, so bookmark the page and check back often. Right now you'll find previews for winter packs, GoLite packs, the Trail Flex harness system, and the Syncpack.

There are some really nice packs on the horizon, I must say. I love the GoLite stuff, and they've really streamlined their product line for 2007, offering fewer, better designed packs. The Syncpack looks like it it could be a really useful add-on to any pack, and it seems well designed. But I have to say, the TrailFlex system looks really interesting. I like the idea of being able to mix and match it's part to design a pack that fits your needs. I just hope it's comfortable and fits well. Interesting design and concept to be sure.

Autumn Outdoors Guide

I love the Fall. At least I did when I still lived back in the Mid-West. The heat of the Summer retreats for another year, the air becomes crisp and clear, and the leaves begin to change to amazing colors. Growing up in the Upper-Mississippi Valley provided me with some amazing places to hike and camp while trees turned to yellow, and gold, and auburn. It's a site to behold and one that I miss living here in Texas. Anyway, if you're planning an Autumn getaway and need some great ideas on where to go, Gorp.com is here to help with their Fall Foliage Guide. You'll find a map that indicates the best times to visit certain areas, a list of the Top Ten Fall Forests, the Top Ten Fall Drives, and even information on each region of the country and the best places to go in those regions.

Climbing Devils Tower

Outside Online has posted an article from the August issue of Outside Magazine on climbing the Devil's Tower in Wyoming. If you've already read the piece in the print mag, there isn't anything new here, but for those who haven't read it, you're in for a treat. It's a great story about climbing an iconic piece of rock that is known the world over, in no small part thanks to Steven Spielbert, and the issues that surround such a climb. The Tower is even considered sacred by several Native American tribes, which can spark a whole series of debates about climbing or trespassing there. As for me, I'm with Hillary. We should climb it because it's there.

Thanks Gadling!

How To Live A More Adventurous Life

National Geographic Adventure is a magazine (and website) that is all about putting more adventure into your life. It should come as no suprise that I enjoy both the print version, and the online version. Today they've posted a great article called How to Live Your Adventure Dream! You'll find all kinds of great tips on how to live that adventure you've always dreamed of, including sailing around the world, taking a trans-continental roadtrip (twice!) and even building your island dream home. Now there is no excuse for not living a life without a little adventure in it!

New Cave System Found In California

This story is for all the spelunkers out there. According to National Geographic a new cave system has been discovered by four amateur explorers in the Sequoia National Park. The cave is full of crystal formations of all types, and sounds like an amazing place to visit. Only a small portion of it has been explored so far however, so hopefully we'll get more images the one we've seen so far.

Cool Podcasts!

I mentioned last week that I had picked up a new iPod. A new 8GB iPod Nano to be exact. I was long over due to replace my older, aging, hard drive based digital audio player, and the newly enhanced Nano fit the bill. It's flash memory based, which is much better for running, working out, and doing anything where motion is involved. On top of that, the new metal casing is much more resistant to wear and tear than the older Nano. Anyway, in using the device for a week now, and I've come to discover the joys of a good podcast. I've listened to a number of them in the past, and my old player would play them as well, but the iPod and iTunes just makes it so easy to subscribe to them and automatically download them to the Nano.

I wanted to point out two of these in particular that I am enjoying. The first is Endurance Planet which focuses on training for running, triathlons, cycling, adventure racing and more. The current episode is on mountaineering of all things. I've listened to a number of their programs in the past, but they'll now be a staple on my new Nano, and if you're into competitive outdoor sports, I'd highly recommend giving them a listen. You'll find tips on training, information on upcoming events, and some great insights from professionals in the sports. The other podcast that has caught my ear is the Wildebeat which deals more with camping, hiking, backpacking and other outdoor activities. Both podcasts have a wealth of back episodes to keep you busy, and with new ones coming out all the time, they should have something to interest everyone. You can download them from their respective websites, or if you have an iPod you can subscribe to them directly in iTunes. As I find other podcasts of interest, I'll be sure to post them here.

Along with the new Nano, I also bought a Nike Armband for running, which I can already tell you is excellent and worth the money. But I also purchased the Nike+ system to use while working out. I've had a chance to mess with it a little and I'll write a comprehensive review when I've had more experience with it. Right now though, I can say that it's a very promising device for runners. Certainly a useful item for training.

Endurance 50 Update

You remember the the Endurance 50 right? That's Dean Karnazes' attempt to run 50 marathons in 50 days, in 50 states. Well, he's off and..er...running, if you will. Eight days in, Dean is running strong, having just finished a race in Casper, WY in 3 hours 48 minutes 23 seconds. Not bad, considering he was running at 5500 feet above sea level as well. I'm sure we'll continue to have updates from the event as things proceed, but you can get a little insight into Dean in this article over at Runner's World.

Trekking the Great Wall in Winter

I found this article while browsing thePoles.com earlier. It tells the story of Tarka L’Herpiniere and his companion Katie-Jane Cooper, who are setting out to trek the 5000km length of the Great Wall of China during the Winter. Along the way, they'll cross eight different provinces, and encounter mountainous terrain, cold temps (as low as -40 C), and the Gobi Desert. L'Herpiniere is an experienced adventurer, who has been planning a ski assault on both Poles, but has gotten side tracked by Everest and now this expedition. You can find even more on this story at the official website.

As someone who has stood on the Great Wall, I can tell you it is an amazing and humbling experience. It's simply astounding to see this amazing structure, built on top of mountains and rolling hills, stretch off into the distance as far as the eye can see. Following the length of the Wall sounds like an amazing experience, and hopefully we'll get updates from Tarka and Katie-Jane along the way. Good luck you two!

Lions Stalking Man in Tanzania?

National Geographic never ceases to be a source of excellent, interesting, and sometimes surprising stories. Like this one, about lions stalking humans in Tanzania, and in some cases, coming right into their villages to find their prey. When you read the story, you can't help but think it had to have been written a hundred or more years ago, but this is a fact of life now, in Southern Tanzania, where the predators stalk livestock, pets, and humans alike. I can only imagine the terror that these villagers face when the lions are stalking their town. Great story. Very well done, and just mind blowing to think that this still happens.

2006 Banff Mountain Photography Competition

I'm one who can really appreicate an interesting and well shot photograph. I also have some very nice camera equipment of my own, and one day I'll learn to use it all properly. While surfing around the National Geographic website earlier, came across the 2006 Banff Mountain Photography entries. There are some great shots here, some of which are worth a lot more than a thousand words. I especially love this one, as well as this image of crater lake. Awesome stuff.

Climbing Kajaqiao

Kajaqiao. Yep. That's what the title says alright. Not a peak I'd ever heard of before. At least not before I read this awesome article over at the Alpinist, a magazine dedicated to Alpine Style climbing around the world. The article is written by Mick Fowler who had to spend two years optaining all the necessary permits and cutting through all the bureaucratic red tape just so he could climb this lonely, forgotten mountain in a restricted area of Tibet. The article is an awesome story to read about an epic journey to climb a mountain that no one else really knows, or seems to care about. Great stuff, with nice information about mountaineering in general.

Worlds Wackiest Hotels

Stellar has posted a really great list of unique hotels that are sure to be of interest to anyone looking for a unique and interesting place to stay. Tops on their list is the Ice Hotel in Quebec, which comes as no suprise. But amongst the other nine hotels you'll find an English Castle that was also used a prison, the Ariau Amazon Towers Hotel in Manaus, Brazil (a particular favorite of mine), and a Turkish hotel carved out of the side of a mountain. Awesome stuff. Just wish they would have had more photos of all of these wacky hotels.

Hannah McKeand Hit's Both South Poles. Solo and Unsupported!

Hannah McKeand is an adventurer of the highest degree. Awhile back she not only skied to the South Pole, she followed it up by sailing around the World. Now she's up to her old tricks, and thePoles.com has the scoop. It seems Hannah is planning to trek not only to the magnetic South Pole, but the geographic one as well. On top of that, her expedition will be solo this time out, and unsupported. She leaves in just a few days, so hopefully we'll have some dispatches from her while she's in the field. Good luck Hannah! We'll be following your progress.

TheGearJunkie.com Is Now Online

Stephen Regenold is better known to a lot of us as "The Gear Junkie", a syndicated columnist who writes (and blogs) about all the latest and greatest outdoor gear that puts lust in our eyes and makes our wallets scream. Well, Stephen has, at long last, opend thegearjunkie.com to give us all the latest reviews, news, and travel stories from Stephen himself. He'll also post the Daily Dose to keep us posted on the latest must have gadget of the day, and Gear Junkie Adventures to get us all jealous of his latest active endeavour. Great looking site already. Bookmark it now!

Plan Your African Escape!

National Geographic Travler has put up an online Africa Travel Planner to help you plot your next vacation to the Dark Continent. You'll find details on all the geographic sections of Africa, currency exchange calculators, information on languages, weather, best times to visit, and so much more. It's a very comprehensive guide and one that should prove useful for any travelers planning a trip or just dreaming of Africa.

Saving Mount Blanc

Stellar Magazine has posted this article about efforts that are underway to clean up, and preserve Mount Blanc, one of the most iconic climbing and trekking sites in Europe, if not the world. It seems that with the influx of visitors, including tourists, climbers, and others, the amount of trash on the mountain has grown into an epidemic. Now, Jean-Marc Peillex, Mayor of the town of Saint-Gervais has put together a controversial plan. Peillex would like to see anyone who wishes to climb on the mountain have to first get a permit, and then trek with a guide. Surprisingly, main mountaineers have spoken out against the plan however, as they see it undermining the "spirit of the sport".

It's an interesting debate, and one that is sure to be creeping up in other locations around the planet. I've already read stories about the amount of trash on Everest, and of course we all know the issues that arose on the Inca Trail in Peru which forced the government there to take measures not unlike what Peillex is suggesting. Personally, I see both sides of the argument. We need to protect our most precious outdoor environments so that they will remain a place we want to visit and are around for future generations to explore. On the other hand, by requiring permits and guides, it does take away some of the adventure of exploring a place on our own.

ESPN Pimps Primal Quest Coverage

We've known about it for some time. We've even known the air dates, but ESPN has finally dropped more details on their coverage of Primal Quest. The network will begin airing the one hour episodes at 7:30PM Eastern Time on Monday, October 9 on ESPN2. New episodes will be aired each of the next four nights, with the final episode airing at 2 PM on Saturday October 14 on ABC. Adjust your Tivo schedule accordingly. The episodes are also slated for EPSN2-HD, but I haven't seen confirmation yet that the show will actually be in HD. I'm hoping it is however, as it would be a wonderful way to watch the race.

I'm really, really looking forward to watching the show. Not only did this years race seem to be one of the best ever, the mere fact that it is being shown on ESPN2 will expose a much larger audience to the sport than it has ever had before. Plus, the way they are handling the coverage reminds me of the old days when the Discovery Channel and USA Network would air coverage of the Eco Challenge back in the day. Perhaps ESPN's coverage will help to draw even more people to the sport and I can't wait to see what they have in store.

The Rest of Everest

I'm sure this is probably old news to a number of you, but I still thought it was worth mentioning. While searching through iTunes this morning for some podcasts to put on my new second generation iPod Nano (8GB thank you very much!) I came across a video podcast called The Rest of Everest. As you can imagine from the title, this podcast centers around climbing the highest peak on the planet, but from a unique perspective. As their website puts it "You've probably seen some of what it's like to climb Mount Everest. Well, this is the rest. This is The Rest of Everest." The video shorts show what it's like to mount a major expedition to the Himalayas and all the work that needs to be done before you even consider a summit attempt. It appears to be very detailed and follows the expedition every step of the way.

So far there are 18 video podcasts in all, starting off with an introduction to get things started, and then continuing on with organizing the expedition, going to Kathmandu, riding the Friendship Highway, and so on. Future installments will deal with arriving at base camp, acclimatizing, and other issues before the summit I'm sure. All these cool little videos, ranging about 20 minutes in length or so, makes me wish I had picked up the iPod with Video instead, but I must remain strong and wait for the true Video iPod that has been long rumored. :)

Anyway, subscribe to this wonderful little video podcast in iTunes, or just go to the website to download them yourself, and learn all the behind the scenes stuff that takes place to make an Everest expedition successful.

Elbrus Speed Race Results!

A few weeks back I posted about a speed race that was going to be taking place amongst mountaineers to see who could reach the summit of Elbrus, the tallest peak in Europe, the fastest. Well, the results are in! Denis Urubko reached the summit in 3 hours, 55 minutes, setting a new record in the process. No stranger to high altitudes, Urubko has climbed ten of the 8000 meter peaks, still this is an impressivly fast climb no matter how you look at it.

When I first posted on this race, it was noted that the Soviets used to sent their mountain soldiers to Elbrus to train and they would compete amongst themselves in this race. In more recent times, it's been open to more climbers, and is gaining a bit of a following around the world. Somehow, I think I'd be at the back of the pack on this one.

Is the Yosemite Rock Rat Becoming Extinct?

San Francisco Chronicle posted this article a few weeks back, but it has just come to my attention now. It's a look at the lifestyle of the "rock rat", those climbers who live a nomadic life, looking for the next great rock wall to climb. For a long time, Yosemite was considered the Mecca for many of these climbers in North America, with it's big walls, challenging climbs, and rugged wilderness. However, there has been a rise in the area of general rock climbing, sport climbing, and bouldering over the past few years, which has lead to Yosemite becoming overcrowded. This has caused many of the rock rats to begin to avoid the area, and search for other places to climb. The article does a great job with explaining the climbing lifestyle, and how things have changed over the past ten or twenty years as the sport has grown. Lets hope we don't see the rock rats become extinct in Yosemite.

Spotlight on Sherpas

I spotted this article while surfing The Rising Nepal website over the weekend. (Don't ask!) It's a great article that spotlights the jobs that Sherpas do on the big mountain expeditions that take place every year in the Himalayas. These men put themselves at great risk to help climbers reach the top of what ever peak they decide to climb, and clearly most of us wouldn't get too far without these tireless guides. Why do they do it? Well, the chance to make vast sums of money, at least by Nepal standards, in a a relatively short time. What makes this article even more interesting is that fact that it written from the the perspective of other citizens of Nepal.

Another Himalaya Update

MountEverest.net has posted another update on the Fall climbing season, and has passed on more info on Greg Bello, the climber who was rescued from Shisha Pangma on Saturday. Bello was indeed taken off the mountain and returned to Kathmandu. Bello was injured in a fall, and then further so in a failed rescue attempt, which led to him being left alone, while negotiations were made with the sherpas and authorites, to attempt a real rescue.

Meanwhile, all is quiet on the Tibetan side of Everest, but high winds have forced the team there to change some of their plans. Over on Cho Oyu the weather has been unpredictable as it so often is this time of year, but teams are preparing for their summit attempts through various routes. Hopefully they'll all stay safe and climb well in the coming days.

Injured Climber Rescued on Shisha Pangma

MountEverest.net is reporting that Greg Bello, a Swedish climber, was injured on Shisha Pangma, and had to be rescued from the mountain today. Bello used a satellite phone to call home to his sister this morning to tell her had injured his legs and could no longer move them. Attempts by other climbers to lower him down proved futile, and he was left to fend for himself at 6000 meters for a second night. The story goes on to explain how the Chinese were slow to issue permission to the Nepalese rescue helicopter, which delayed the rescue further. A later update to the story does say, however, that he was eventually pulled off the mountain and returned to advanced base camp, before being loaded into a jeep and sent back to Kathmandu.

Shisha Pangma is one of the worlds 8000 meter peaks, the 14th highest mountain in the world, and is often considered one of the easiest 8000 meter peaks to climb. But, as the article points out, the death rate on Shisha Pangma is often on par with Everest itself. Avalanches in particular have been deadly in recent years.

Plan Your Canyonlands Adventure

Men's Journal has posted a nice little guide to Utah's canyonlands to get you started on your Fall adventures. They note that the Fall is a great time to go, as the weather cools off, and the crowds begin to depart. You'll find tips on the best places to mountain bike, kayak, and hike, not to mention a little canyoneering. I haven't had a chance to do some real canyoneering yet, but I'd love to head out to Arches or Bryce and give it a shot. Seems like a wonderful place to explore.

70 Year Old Adventurer Summits Mt. Whitney!

Jane Dods, of Springfield, Oregon, is leading a life of adventure that we'd all envy. Jane has recently summited Mount Whitney , after she completed an end to end solo hike of the Pacific Coast Trail, which she did in segments over the past ten years. On top of all that, Jane still runs 30-40 miles a week, kayaks, swims, and rides her bike. It's awesome to see someone at the age of 70 who is still this active and adventerous. I hope I'm still doing all the things I love when I hit 70. Keep it up Jane! You're an inspiration to all of us.

Himalayan Climbing Update

Our friends over at MountEverest.net have posted a Himalyan climbing update today, with some news on all the action in the Fall season. The Alpine Style approach to climbing Everest is going well, although the acclimatization process is much different than a typical Everest expedition. Meanwhile, there are updates on Dhaulagiri and Shisha Pangma expeditions, as well as news on a climber being evacuated from Cho Oyu after suffering a stroke at high altitude. Lets hope he has a full recovery and is climbing again soon.

The Raid: Teams Still Straggling In

The Raid World Championship isn't over just yet, even though the podium is full, and the prize money has been handed out. The battle for fourth place was heated, and well fought, and in the end, Addidas Natventure crossed the finish line ahead of Spyder and Les Arcs who fell of the pace and all the way back to 6th place. Other teams haven't given up yet either, as some times just reaching the finish is a victory in a race of this length. More teams have continued to straggle in all afternoon, as the race closes in on it's official finish.

The Adventure Travel World Summit

The Adventure Travel World Summit kicks off Oct. 19th, and runs through the 21st, in Seattle, Washington. During the event, there will be more than 300 adventure travel exhibitors on hand to help you find the best trips, and experiences, that suit your needs. You'll also find gear exhibitors, plenty of guest speakers from National Geographic, Discover magazine, and more, as well as a host of breakout sessions on topics ranging from responsible tourism to marketing adventure travel on the web. So, if you're in the business, this is probably a "must not miss event", and if you're planning a trip somewhere, and in the Seattle area, it's probably worth your time to drop by as well. I'd love to attend, but unfortunately, I'm no where near Seattle. Still, sounds like a great event.

Climb Everest with Ed Viesturs!

Ed Viesturs has announced on his website that he will lead a guided climb to the summit of Everest during the 2007 climbing season. Viesturs will join RMI Guides to lead the group of nine climbers (six clients, three guides) to the summit. Viesturs has six Everest summits under his belt, and is the only American to have topped all the 8000 meter peaks in the world. So, if you've got some spare change, and you're looking to climb with a legend, this might be the trip for you.

The Raid: Nike Wins the World Championship!!

Team Nike Powerblast has been crowned the 2006 Raid World Champions! After a late night mountain bike section, the team used up it's remaining seven hours of rest time, and then took off early this morning to finish off the race, and the competion. At this time, no other teams have crossed the finishline, but Wilsa Sport - Helly Hansen is in second place, with GoLite-Timberland in third, and Adidas Natventure in fourth, all of whom are racing close to one another, and vying for a podium finish.

The real question at the moment, is what happend to Les Arcs Quechua? They were running a close second to Nike the last we heard, but they have currently fallen to 6th place, behind Team Spyder who are running a great race and are currently looking like the 5th place finisher. I guess we'll have to wait until the race is over to find out what happened to the defending champs.

My blogs on these expedition length world championship adventure races are all starting to sound the same. "Nike Wins!" The team really is the best in the world, and they've proven it again in 2006 with wins in Primal Quest, The AR World Championships in Sweden, and now The Raid. Huge congratulations once more to Nike, and good luck to the rest of the field in the remaining races of 2006.

Update: The podium is set at the 2006 Raid World Championship, as Wilsa Sport - Helly Hansen have claimed second place and GoLite Timberland third. Adidas Natventure and Les Arcs are currently fourth and fifth respectively. Further updates to come.

The Bar on the Edge of the World

How far would you go to get a cold beer? On most days, I wouldn't walk around the block, but sometimes, when it's hot, and I have a real craving, I just might go all the way down to the end of the street to the local joint, or swing through a convenience store for a cold one. Well, someone should have told Eric Hansen from Outside Magazine that he didn't have to go 7000 miles to get a drink. But after you read his latest article you'll be glad he did. Hensen set out to find an almost mythical bar called El Mirador in the wilds of Columbia, a country that is about as lawless as any place on Earth. Along the way he encounters colorful natives, mudslides, and shoot-outs. He'll travel by boat, plane, car, and on foot, just to reach a bar that sits on the beach and is lost amongst the rainforest. A bar that lives up to his hopes, but also reminds us that sometimes in life, the journey is worth destination. :) Perhaps I would go a little further for a beer next time.

And while you're over there, check out this list of the Worlds Wildest Bars.

The Raid: Day 5 - Update!

I posted my first report on Day Five of the Raid World Championship earlier this morning, but since then, more news has come in. According to this report, the two top teams are now Nike and Les Arcs, who are neck and neck out on the course. The two teams, along with Willa Sport - Helly Hansen were, as I mentioned earlier, the only teams to beat the dark zone. Now, it seems as if it's down to Nike vs. Les Arcs with the end in sight. Nike still has seven hours of compulsory rest time left, while Les Arcs has nearly twelve hours remaining. All things being equal, it bodes well for the Americans in the hours ahead.

Dispatches from the Via Alpina Trail

National Geographic Adventure has posted another great article that is sure to get your wanderlust going, and have you dusting off your backpack and hiking boots. Two of their intrepid reporters set off in mid-July to through hike the Via Alpina trail. What's that you ask? Well, it's the first trans-Alps trail that was formed by linking existing trails through eight different countries, including Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, France, Italy, and Monaco. The 1500 mile long Via Alpina will lead you through some of the most beautiful mountains on Earth. The NG website has the first trail dispatch, from Slovenia, with more to come, as well as a beautiful slide show, suggestions on where to stay, and a planning guide for preparing for your own trip. Yep! Another expedition just got added to my life list!

The North Face Endurance 50

On Sept. 17th, Dean Karnazes will set off on the North Face Endurance 50, in which he will attempt to run 50 marathons in 50 days, in all 50 of the United States. Sounds like an ambitious endeavor considering most marathon runners take time off between events to let their body heal. But Karnazes is an ultramarathon runner who is use to running long distances, who has won the Batwater Marathon, competed in the Western States 100 mile run countless times, and has even completed a 350 mile continuous run. Still, the daily grind of 50 marathons in 50 days may take it's toll on him. We'll just have to wait and see.

Dean's challenge begins in Missiouri in three days and ends in the New York Marathon on Nov. 5th. Good luck Dean! We'll be pulling for you and following your progress!

National Park Service Comes to Google Earth

I've talked about Google Earth before. It's a great piece of software, available for free on PC or Mac that maps out the entire planet and gives you satellite images to explore. Well, a new upgrade rolled out automatically yesterday , has some nice new additions to it, including the ability to see changes to an area over time with a time lapsed slider bar, and a host of new partners providing content and information. One of those partners is the National Park Service, which is now offering information on more than 10,000 trails in 58 different parks around the country. For a hint at what to expect in this new version check out this photo as well as this one.

I already loved Google Earth before this update. It allowed me to quickly find different regions of the world and examine some key features there. But this new verion looks like it could make for a great tool to explore some of the national parks, and plot a trail before ever arriving. I'll have to use this before heading out to Big Bend later this Fall.

Update: You can read more about these updates and how to access them at the Google Earth Blog. I just activated them in my version, along with the new National Geographic and Discovery Channel content.

The Raid: Day 5 - Two Contenders KO'd!

It's already day five of the Raid World Championship and the top teams are coming down the home stretch. Nike now leads the race, followed by Wilsa Sport - Helly Hansen, with Les Arcs Quechua in third some distance back. Nike still hold about an hour of rest time over Wilsa Sport as well, which will play in their favor as the teams battle for the top spot. GoLite-Timberland and Team Spyder finish off the top five.

Yesterday saw two of the top contenders in the race withdrawl. Both Ertips and Saab Salomon were forced to pull out with injuries, crushing their hopes of taking home the championship. Neither team was ever threatening the leaderboard, but they were both pre-race contenders to make some noise, and possibly grab a podium finish.

Wilsa Sport - Helly Hansen also made a costly error that has allowed Nike to not only catch them, but put some distance between them. First it was a navigation error that allowed Nike to pull even, and then upon arriving at Assistance Point 11 together, Wilsa Sport was told they would be assessed a one hour penalty for not sticking to a mandatory course on an earlier leg. This allowed Nike to get out to the ropes course quicker, and earn a small lead.

According to this report on the Raid website, Nike is looking fresh and moving fast, which is bad news for the rest of the field. Meanwhile, Les Arcs is said to be "plodding" on the field, which may mean one of the teams behind them could catch them and edge them out for a podium finish. It should be an exciting race right down to the end!

The Raid: Day 4!

We're four days into the Raid World Championship, and at the moment, there are three teams at the top of the leaderboard racing neck and neck for the lead. Nike Powerblast leads the way, but in a virtual dead heat with Wilsa Sport - Helly Hansen, and in third place is defending champ Les Arcs Quechua, an hour back, but within striking distance. These three teams got a jump on the others by getting off the water and avoiding a dark zone last night, which got them on their mountain bikes hours ahead of anyone else. Nike holds about a two hour lead over Wilsa in the compulsory rest time as well, while Les Arcs are four hours back. That all bodes well for Nike down the stretch run. At the moment, Spyder and Sport 2000 - Lafuma round out the top five. Lafuma is performing well, despite the fact that they haven't rested as long as the other teams, and haven't had much exposure in these expedition length races in the past.

The race is more than half-over now, so we can expect the teams to start crossing the finish line, I'd guess sometime on late Thursday or early Friday. Still plenty of racing to go though, and the podium is still up for grabs. Also, the "Media" sections of the Raid website have been updated with photos and video as well.

Long Overdue Update From The Amazon Queen

It's been months since I posted any news on The Amazon Queen a boat owned and operated by "Captain Phil" who has chose to travel the length of the Amazon River to bring medical aid and support to the tribes there. Well, at lont last TheOceans.net has received word from our adventerous captain, and the story he has to tell is a wild one indeed. It seems that the good captain has met a college student by the name of Alex Mohler, who has decided to retrace the voyage of Spanish explorer Francisco Orellana, who spent nine months sailing the length of the Amazon, which while not the longest river on Earth, is the largest and most voluminous. Mohler set out in a tiny raft, and his journey has been far from easy, as you might expext. You can read about it in Part 1 here and then get the latest update in Part 2 here. After reading the story, you'll wonder if this kid is amazing brave or amazingly stupid!

Salopek Freed!

National Geographic is reporting that Paul Salopek, the reporter who was captured and charged with spying in the Sudan, is free, and has returned home to the United States. You'll recall that Salopek was arrested after being stopped by the Sudanese military, after they found he was carrying two passports. He is reported to be in good condition, happy to be home, and eager to get back to work. It's great to see that cooler heads have prevaled here, and that the writer, who has won two Pulitzer Prizes, is now back, safe and sound with his family.

Moral of the story? Make sure you hide your second passport when traveling abroad. Especially in a country that can be harsh and very hostile. ;)

Raid Update: Day 3!

It's Day Three of the Raid World Championship, and over night the top teams grabbed some rest, and prepared for todays long (139km) bike leg. Current leader Les Arcs-Quechua rested for four hours before heading out, while Wilsa Sport/Helly Hansen, and Nike Powerblast elected to take six hours of sleep. Nike is especially good on the bikes, so I'd guess they feel like they can make up the ground out on the course, while eliminating more of the mandatory rest time. All in all, there were roughly six teams within forty minutes of one another at the top of the leaderboard last night. At the moment, the leaderboard is experiencing technical issues, so I can't give an up to date list of the standings. However, you can read more about in the Overnight Update at the Official Site of the race.

Update: The Leaderboards are working again. At the moment, Wilsa Sport - Helly Hansen and Les Arcs Quechua share a virtual tie for the lead, about an hour or so up on the next pack of teams, which includes Sport 2000 - Lafuma, Team Spyder, Nike Powerblast, and GoLite TImberland, all of which are very close to one another. Nike has banked up the most rest time of the top teams however, and Sport 2000 - Lafuma lags behind the others in that department. I know I've said it in a couple of my previous posts, but I can't help but say it again. Having the Compulsory Rest Time remaining listed on the leaderboard really helps to understand what is happening out there. Such a great addition that I hope all the major races provide in the future. At this point, I think it's only a matter of time before Sport 2000 starts to fall off the pace. They have six hours less rest time than Nike, and that's going to take it's toll. Plus, they simply have to stop, by race rules, at some point to, to catch up to the others in that area.

2006 AR World Championship Report from Robyn Benincasa

Ok, so this is a couple weeks old at this point, and I know I haven't exactly been on the ball with some of these blog updates recently, but this one falls under the "better late than never" category. Adventure Racer Robyn Benincasa updated her blog, aptly titled "The Dirt", over at CPZ a few weeks back with a report on the 2006 AR World Championships which were recently run in Sweden. It's a great read with some nice behind the scenes insights into the race, and why her team, Merrell Wigwam Adventures, were forced to pull out, even when they were racing so well. I'll let you read the article, but lets just say that there is a lesson to be learned here for all of us.

By the way, for anyone who isn't familiar with Robyn, she's one of the toughest, most experienced, and well conditioned adventure racers competing today. She's got a resume a mile lone, having competed in, and won, most of the major races around the world. She is an amazing racer, and tough competitor. Good luck at the Ironman Kona, and Eco-Motion Robyn!

The Raid: Compulsory Rest Time Explained

As I mentioned in my earlier post, the Raid World Championship requires the teams to rest a minimum of 27 hours over the course of the race. In an effort to allow those of us who are following the action at home, using the web, they've added the official rest time remaining for each team to the leaderboard. If you mouse over the team name, a pop up occurs giving you an up to date reading of how much rest time remains.

This helps to give a little insight into a team's sleep strategy and how they approach the race. For instance, some teams like to bank up rest time early so they are well rested, and have the compulsory time out of the way, for later in the race, when they need to make a dash for the finish line. Other teams, on the other hand, will try to build a big lead, then take some rest time, allowing teams to close the gap. The more experienced, and successful teams, seem to find a great balance of sneaking in some rest when they can, and spreading it out over time, but having it out of the way for later stages. The race rules also require the teams to take their rest periods in a minimum of four hour blocks. Any less than that, and it doesn't count towards the compulsory rest time.

Of some interest in this race, you'll notice a few teams actually have more than 27 hours of compulsory rest time. That is due to the fact that there was a special stage that had a required time to complete of five hours. If you completed it early, you could rest for the remaining time or you could move on to the next stage. If you decided to move on, the portion of the remaining mandatory five hours is added to the teams compulsory rest time, thus resulting in more than the pre-set 27 hours. If you took more than five hours to complete the special section, the time it took you beyond the five hours, is then subtracted from your compulsory rest time.

Get it? Does any of that make sense?

Raid Updates at CPZ

Check Point Zero has posted a trio of good articles to get everyone up to speed with what's going on at the Raid World Championship. First up, we have this Pre-Race Overview which is still helpful even after the start to help understand the race and top teams. The second article reports on the start of the race and the early hours on the course. Finally, there is this article on the events of Day 1, which was led by Les Arcs Quechua, the winner of last years event.

The current leaderboard has Les Arcs in third place behind Sport 2000 - Lafuma in first, and Nike Powerblast who have done just that, power blasted, all the way up into second place. GoLite Timberland and Team Spyder round out the top five. Sport 2000 - Lafuma still hasn't banked up any rest time, which will eventually come back to bite them. Nike has banked the most rest time thus far, as is usual for them. Nike is so experienced that they know when to rest and when to move fast, and in the end, they tend to move faster than everyone else, especially when the lack of rest puts the other teams at a distinct disadvantage.

The Raid WC is On!

We're a little more than a day into the Raid World Championship, and a quick glance at the leaderboard shows there are some unexpected names at the top. Currently in first is Sport 2000 - Lafuma, followed by Team Spyder, and GoLite-Timberland coming close behind in third. Spyder and GoLite are veterans to the sport, and have raced well over the the past year. But as for the leaders, I have to say that I really don't know much about them at this point. You will notice that while they have a sizeable lead at the moment, they also have not banked any rest time yet, which means that lead will likely be erased when they do eventually stop.

One thing I like about the leaderboard for The Raid is that it actually shows how much rest time they teams have banked so far. The race requires the teams to take at least 27 hours of rest over the length of the course. Many of the expedition length races have started to require teams take rests in order to race smarter and safer. While some people complain that it takes away some of the "adventure" of the sport, I think it's a great rule, and ithelps tl keep the racers, and the sport itself, healthy and accident free.

At this point of the race, two teams have already withdrawn, and I'm sure a few more will follow. There are still six more days of racing to go, and I'm sure the leaderboard will change a number of times before we crown a champion. Pre-Race favorites Nike Powerblast are currently racing in 11th place, by the way.

Gadling Gives You the Skinny on Kilimanjaro

Always excellent travel blog Gadling posted a nice little "How To" on going to Tanzania and climbing Kilimanjaro. It's a short and sweet beginners guide for anyone who wants to start to learn more about such a trip, and includes some great links to other sites with still more information.

Two posts about Kilimanjaro in one week. Good thing it's Friday, or my mind would be (even more) useless. :)

Update on Salopek

Paul Salopek, the National Geographic reporter who was arrested in the Sudan and charged with spying a few weeks back, is getting some help from New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson. According to this article the Governor intends to fly to the Sudan, along with Salopek's wife, and the Editor of NG, in an attempt to speak with the Sudanese President on behalf of the jailed reporter. Hopefully we'll have some good news soon regarding this case.

The whole story just underscores the issues you have to be aware of when travling in a foreign country. Salopek was being very careful I'm sure. He's an experienced traveler and writer (Two Pulitzer Prizes), but even someone who is careful can still run afoul of the law. In Salopek's case, he was arrested because he was carrying two passports, which is a common practice amongst journalists who want to cross borders quickly and easily. However, the Sudanese military who stopped him thought that it was an indication of spying. Just an unfortunate set of circumstances, and misunderstandings, that can result in a serious problem while traveling abroad.

The Raid World Championship Kicks Off Tomorrow!

Tomorrow marks the beginning of yet another epic adventure race, this time set in the wilds near Quebec, Canada. It's The Raid World Championship, which will pit 26 of the best teams in the world against one another on a 1000km course. Pre-race activites are underway however, as the teams have gathered for the mandatory gear check-in. American teams to keep an eye out for include Team Spyder, Salomon Crested Butte, and of course Team Nike. It's hard to pick against Nike, who have dominated the sport once more this season, but there are some talented teams in the field that could give them a run, such as GoLite, Saab Salomon, and Les Arcs-Quechua. I'll be keeping an eye on this one throughout the weekend, and posting as news comes in. Don't expect the winners to cross the finish line for more than a week however.

Terri Schneider in the Tour du Mont Blanc

Not sure how I missed this, but it's a week old now. Better late than never. Regular readers of my blog will probably know that I love reading Terri Schneider's blog over at Mountain Zone, but I totally missed out on several updates.

When last I read Terri's blog, she was setting out to summit Mt. Elbrus in Russia. With that behind her, she moved on to the Tour du Mont Blanc, a grueling 158km ultramarathon-trail run, which unfortunately she was forced to pull out of at the 80km mark due to injury.

I first started reading Terri's blog when she entered the Gobi March, and I've been hooked ever since. She writes with an interesting style, and has some great things to say about the events she competes in. Besides, I'm jealous of all the cool adventures she gets to go on as well. Hey Terri! Don't sweat the DNF at Mont Blanc. We still love ya'! :)

Fall 2006 Himalayan Expedition List

MountEverest.net has posted a complete list of expeditions for the Fall 2006 Himalayan climbing season. Included on the list are the first Fall attempts on Everest in two years, and the rest of the usual suspects such as Shisha Pangma, Lhotse, and Annapurna. I'll be watching all of these for news during the cold, snowy, Fall/Winter season.

The Everest Debate

As I mentioned in a post a few days back, Outside Magazine has dedicated a sizable portion of it's current issue to the 2006 climbing season on Everest. Included in this issue is this roundtable discussion by expert climbers on the dangers of climbing the highest mountain on Earth. Members of this expert panel include Neal Biedleman, Guy Cotter, Dave Hahn, and Ed Viesturs, with the whole thing moderated by Mark Jenkins. Between them they have 17 summits of Everest (Hahn has 7 himself!), and years of mountaineering experience.

The group discusses such topics as guided climbs, the crowds on the mountain, how things have changed in the past ten years, and the ethics of climbing. It's a long, but very interesting read that I highly recommend. You've got some of the top climbers in the world weighing in on some of the hot topics that have been raging in the climbing community since the season ended. These issues probably aren't going to go away, and it's likely that they the debate within that community is only going to grow louder and more heated.

Traveling Light

Yahoo has a wonderful travel blog, that I just discovered, called Traveling Light. It's written by Rolf Potts, who wrote the book Vegabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel Some recent articles that may be of interest, and certainly are to me, include this one on Patagonia and this one about a writer who traveled through the remote Siberian region of the Lena River. Interesting stuff, and I'll most likely be updating on future articles that strike my fancy as well. :)

Kilimanjaro: The Roof of Africa!

A friend of mine forwarded this image to me today. She received it from her friend who actually took it while visiting Moshi, in Tanzania, recently. It's a great shot of Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa, overlooking the village. It's just such an awesome picture on so many levels.

I've written in other posts how my next big adventure is to go to Africa, climb Kilimanjaro, and go on safari. But as I sit here in my office. eying that picture, that day can't come soon enough. It simply looks amazing, and I can't wait until the day that I can visit it in person.

Top 7: Himalayan Treks

The latest issue of online magazine Adventure Journey is up, and that brings us another edition of their Top 7 lists. This time it's the Top 7 Himalayan Treks, with such classics as trekking to Annapurna and Everest Base Camp. But you'll also find some lesser known treks such as trekking to the Kingdom of Mustang and Nanga Parbat, which is number one on the list. They all sound amazing. I think I've added another seven items to my life to-do list. :)

Everest: Alpine Style

MountEverest.net, which is your one stop source for all news related to the tallest mountain on the planet, has posted this article today about a trio of Spaniards who are attempting to summit Everest in the Fall, alpine style, via the Hornbein Couloir. The three are already on the mountain, and have been acclimatizing in prepartaion for a mid to late September summit attempt. They report that the mountain is deserted, which is not uncommon this time of year, following the monsoon season, when there are layers of snow everywhere. On top of that, the route they have chosen, along the north face, is seldom used, which adds to their isolation.

It'll be interesting to follow their attempt and see if they are successful. The cold and snow on Everest this time of year are huge hurdles to overcome, and climbing alpine style means going in unsupported, carrying your own gear. On top of that, they will attempt the summit without supplemental oxygen, which will only add to the challenge.

Outdoor Adventure in Japan

Our old friends over at Outside Magazine have published another great article. This one is called Land of the Rising Fun and it takes a look at all the great outdoor activities to do in Japan, including some awesome climbing, kayaking, and mountain biking, all of which sound great to me. Most of us think about the hustling and bustling city of Tokyo when we think about Japan, but the country also has some great hidden outdoor gems. This article should give you some things to do the next time you visit, and want to get away from the big city.

Adventure Racers Descend on Quebec!

The Raid is now just a little over four days away, and the best adventure racers in the world are arriving in Quebec in preparation for the 1000 km+ expedition length race. Leading up to the race Check Point Zero has posted this article that gives a little insight into the area in which the race is being held, and what the racers can expect over the coming days.

The Raid is the last major race of this length of the year, so a lot of teams will be gunning for the win. It also has roots that date back to the early days of adventure racing, which makes it a special event as well. There will be some great teams competing in the event, but it's hard to bet against Team Nike who just cointue to roll along, winning major event after major event. I'm sure there will be some other great teams pushing them every step of the way, but with their experience and skill, they seam nearly unbeatable at times, unless they make a mistake on their own.

Update: Sleep Monsters has a news brief about the trail that will be used in the Raid. It seems that it was "made famous" by fur trappers, who orginally used it as a trade route. The trail will wind through "dense forests, across majestic lakes, along sheer cliffs and a fabulous fjord" over it's course, and challenge the 26 teams competing in the event on many different levels. Can't wait for this one to get underway!

Yet More On Everest 2006

Is it just me, or has the 2006 Everest climbing season become the en vogue topic these last few months on all the outdoor related websites? Mine included I suppose. Well, we've got yet another article, this time from Outside Magazine. As with all things from Outside its a very well written and indepth piece that does a great job of recapping the season in general, and discussing the raging debates about ethics on the mountain, commercial climbing, the ambitions of those who go to Everest. I highly recommend this article, even if you're already bored to death with the topic.

NG Sudan Spy Case Update

A few days ago I posted about a National Geographic reporter who had spying charges leveled against him while on assignment in the Sudan. Today, we get this update on the case which states that the President of Sudan and State Department officials have met to discuss the situation. Omar al-Bashir, the President, has said that he'll consider the case of the reporter from "a humanitarian" standpoint. Lets hope cooler heads prevail here, and Paul Salopek, the reporter in question, will soon be on his way as a free man.