Out of the Office

The Adventure Blog is taking a brief hiatus the rest of this week while I'm out of town. No, I'm not off on some far flung adventure, unfortunately. Instead, I'll be heading out to Dallas to attend a convention for my day job. At this point, it looks like time, and Internet access, may be at a premium, so it is doubtful that I'll have a chance to make any posts while I'm gone.

On a side note, isn't funny how when you stay at a fancy hotel, they want to charge you an arm and a leg for Internet access, but when you stay at a Super 8 they'll give it to you for free? How's that work exactly? And why am I being booked in a "fancy" hotel?

Anyway, I should be back to making updates again as early as Sunday. Thanks for hanging with me!

Sahara Race: Stage 3

Today was Stage 3 of the Sahara Race ultramarathon, and competitors faced 38km slog through the heat of the Egyptian desert. It was a day marked with high winds, and blowing stand on the course, followed by a sandstorm at basecamp to top everything off. In the end, Jimmi Olsen of Denmark won the stage but Francesco Galanzino of Italy holds the overall lead for the race.

Weekly Podcast Round-Up

It's a new week, and a new set of podcasts have been released for our listening pleasure. First we have the latest from Endurance Planet who spend some time chatting with Eddie O'Dea this week. Eddie is a mountain biker who offers thoughts on training for events, nutrition leading up to a race, and more. If you're into competitive mountain biking, it's a very good episode to listen to.

Meanwhile, the good folks over at The Wildebeat have released a new podcast entitled The Poop on Mount Whitney (part 1). This episode takes a look at the environmental impact of having 20,000+ hikers on Mount Whitney every year, and how the "Leave No Trace" program just wasn't enough to keep the area clean, and healthy. This is an important issue that all of us who are outdoor enthusiasts need to concern ourselves with, ad I've run similar posts about efforts on Mount Blanc and Mount Everest itself.

Fee Increase, Restrictions Coming To Everest North Side

MountEverest.net is reporting today that the 2007 climbing season for the North side of Everest will bring increased climbing fees and more restrictions on the number of teams allowed to climb from the Tibetan side. Currently, a climbing permit on the North side costs $3000, a relative bargain compared to the $10,000 it costs to climb from Nepal. The Chinese have done little to regulate their side of the mountain, which has made it a popular place for climbers, but has also made the area a little more dangerous as it has become overcrowded and lacked any level of monitoring. There has been no word as of yet on how much the climbing permit fees will increase, nor what the cap on the number of climbers will be.

On another note, the article also says that the Chinese intend to carry the Olympic flame to the summit of Everest on it's way to Beijing for the 2008 Olympic Games. Obviously an impressive, yet risky endeavor with the flame, and in order to "practice" this climb, they will make a trial run during the 2007 season. It should be an awesome site to see the Olympic Torch blazing from the summit, just be sure to keep the flame away from those bottles of oxygen.

Sahara Race: Two Days In

As I noted last week, the Sahara Racegot underway yesterday with a a grueling 30+km run through the Western Desert, followed up today with a 31+km second stage. Both of these early stages were very hot, and today's stage reportedly offered little breeze to help cool competitors down. There were several reports of severe dehydration and heat exhaustion. Currently the Live Leaderboard isn't displaying any information on who the overall leader is, but Johann Boost of the U.K. one the first stage, while Byeung Sik Ahn of South Korea has taken the second stage.

The Sahara race is the fourth of a series of ultramarathons run in stages throught some of the harshests deserts on Earth. Besides the Sahara, competitors in these events have run through the Gobi, Atacama, and Antarctic deserts as part of the Four Deserts Marathons.

Discovery Channel Takes Everest Beyond The Limit

The Discovery Channel has announced a new six part series entitled Everest: Beyond The Limit that will begin airing on November 14th (9PM EST) that will chronicle the climbing season from this past Spring, which happened to be the second deadliest ever. Over the course of the six episodes, they'll follow a two month long expedition from start to finish, with a team of experienced climbers. In typical Discovery Channel fasion, I expect this to be an outstanding production, as they've always done a good job with this kind of show. The only sad thing is that this show doesn't appear on the Discovery HD Channel schedule, which means we'll have to enjoy our Everest expedition in Standard Definition for now. Understandable I suppose. No one wants to lug around an expensive HD camera on the tallest mountain on the planet.

While I'm looking forward to seeing this show, I'll be adding it to my Tivo ASAP, I doubt their six episodes will be able to compare with the "Unabridged Expedition Experience" you'll find over at The Rest of Everest.

Weekend Adventure: Good Water Trail - Lake Georgetown

The weather has finally cooled off here in Texas, and our nights have become mild, and the days are comfortably warm. It was with this in mind, I set off yesterday (Sunday, Oct. 29th) for an epic trail hike along the Good Water Trail near Georgetown, Texas.

The trail is a loop that circles Lake Georgetown, and is mintues from Georgetown itself. It took me about 15 mintues to get there from my place in Round Rock, and I'd imagine it would be about a half-hour drive from Austin. I had been under the impression that the trail was roughtly 18 to 20 miles around, and I had hiked sections of it before, but when I checked in at Cedar Breaks Park, where the trail head starts, I was told that it was actually 26 miles long, adding considerable length to my day. Shrugging my shoulders, I headed off to the trail to get things started.

The morning was cool, but I had brought a light jacket, and although I was dressed in shorts, once I got moving I was plenty warm. Later, as the day would warm up, I'd be glad I was in shorts, and the jacket would come off, and packed into my backpack. The trail starts on the South side of Lake Georgetown and wanders through the rocky hills that overlook the lake. The first few miles offer some very scenic views as it leisurely wanders through the hills. In this area, the trail can get fairly narrow in spots, and there are rocks everywhere. From time to time, the path wanders away from the cliffs and into open, grassy areas, before snaking back to the cliffline again.

The terrain begins to change some around Mile Marker 7 when you wander down off the hills and into more open grassland areas, briefly returning to the hills again at Mile Marker 9, before again heading downward to the grasslands. From there, the trail become fairly easy hiking. There is little elevation change, the rocky trail that punished your feet has fallen away, and breezes flow freely across the open area. Eventually you'll reach Camp Tejas, which is Mile Marker 11. At this point, Lake Georgetown has narrowed to a small stream, where you cross and begin the long trek along the North side of the Lake. The next few miles are double track mountain bike trails that run alongside the far Western portion of the lake itself. Again, fairly easy hiking, although it is mostly unshaded, so in the warmth of the day, it can become quite warm. I rode this section on my mountain bike a few times this Summer and it can be beastly hot.

Around Mile Marker 16 the trail turns away from the lake shore and once again heads up into the hills, and the trail narrows, become rocky again, but is well shaded, and more interesting to hike. The trail remains like this wandering up and down the hills and through fairly thickly wooded areas. The trail is still easy to follow in this area, but Mile Markers are practically non-existent, and it's much harder to judge your distance. It runs like that for another eight or nine miles until you reach Overlook Park which then returns you to civilization for the most part. From there, you'll find simple, easy paved trails, that then run across the dam itself before returning you to the trailhead again, 26 miles, 9 hours, and some severely tired legs later.

While I had a great time hiking the trail, I personally wouldn't recommend doing it all in one day. There came a point where I felt like I bit off more than I could chew, but there wasn't anything I could do but keep moving. Around Mile Marker 15 or 16 I started to get very dehydrated, even though I had been drinking regularly from my hydration pack. It was that section of the trail that has you more exposted to the sun, and it was starting to have it's effect on me. I also hadn't eaten enough, despite bringing trail snacks and a sandwich. By about mile 20, I realized that I was on the Bataan Death March. My legs were killing me, my feet were sore and tired from the rocky paths, and I was in pretty bad shape with the dehydration and lack of food. My stomach wasn't happy with me, my legs weren't happy with me, and all I wanted was to take a hot shower, curl up in my easy chair, and drink a full bottle of Gatorade. I should also note, I went solo on the trail, and having some company to go along with my misery, would have been nice at this point as well.

I struggled on until I reached Overlook Park, where I sat and had a nice rest to let me legs recover some. Then, getting back to my feet, I found the easy paved trails, and crossed the long damn, and returned to my car. Exhausted, needing a drink badly, and with very tired legs. Still, I also felt an sense of accomplishment and making it all the way around the trail. 26 miles is nothing to sneeze at, especially over some very rocky terrain.

All in all, for a nice afteroon hike, it's tough to beat the Good Water Trail. There are various points of access, beautiful vistas, and challenging trails for hikers, and mountain bikers, alike. In the entire time I was out there, I probably ran into 20 people or so. Two large groups with six or eight people each, and then a straggler or two here and there. It's nice to have that kind of solitude on the trail, and still not be very far from a city at all. Great stuff. I highly recommend it, just be sure to bring plenty of water, and if you want to do the whole loop, consider camping out along the way. Your legs will thank you for it.

One other note. I had intended to bring my camera along to get some good shots, but left it behind on the kitchen table when I went out the door. In the first few miles I really wished I had it, but by mile 16 or so, I was glad it wasn't with me. It would have been one more things for me have to carry when I was already struggling. Still, this site has some great shot of what to expect out there.

Have you hiked the Good Water? Have any commets or questions? Drop me an e-mail or post a comment!

Ullrich Vindicated!!!!

I missed this story earlier in the week. It is often difficult to get cycling news in the U.S., but according to this editorial over at ESPN.com a Spanish judge has thrown out the case agains Jan Ullrich from that doping scandal that prevented him from racing in the Tour de France. Apparently, there wasn't enough evidence to link Ullrich to the scandal to begin with, which all comes a little too late considering he missed his chance to race in the biggest event of the year, and cost him his job, and left him without a sponsor.

This story shows you how the media, especially in cycling-mad Europe, can run with a story and ruin someones career. Ullrich may have seen his last chance at winning the Tour again go by while he was on the sidelines. The fact that he was tried, convicted, and sentenced by the press and public before the story was fully told, says a lot. I'm sure he'll soon get a new sponsor, and a new team, and the public will welcome him back, but he's another year older, and closer to retirement.

Another good point in the article is if Ullrich, one of the sports biggest stars, is treated like this, how does Floyd Landis hope to get a fair shake? Good question.

Weekly Podcast Updates

My favorite podcasts have updated again this week with some great stuff. First off, Endurance Planet has posted a special episode with Peter Reid, a three time champion of the Ironman Triathlon, who discusses all kinds of topics including training, returning to Kona as a volunteer, and his role in the movie What It Takes, which is a documentary following four athletes as the prepare for the Ironman. After listening to this podcast, I have to see this movie.

Also, The Rest of Everest has released Episode 24 entitled 7900 meters. This awesome video podcast, which promises to deliver "An Almost Unabridged Expedition Experience" is moving right along, and getting into the meat of the climb. Great stuff, and something you shouldn't miss.

As always, both are available for download from their respective websites, or automatically through an iTunes subscription.

Endurance 50: Ten To Go!

It's forty down and ten to go for Ultramarathon Man Dean Karnazes. For those who don't know, Dean is attempting to run 50 marathons in 50 days, in all 50 states. And as of today, he has completed 40 of those by posting a time of 4 hour, 45 minutes, and 21 seconds in a marathon in Indianapolis.

You can find out more about this event over at the Official Website and you can read Dean's thoughts in his personal blog. Almost home Dean! Keep it up!

Climbing Community Mourns One Of It's Own

I mentioned the story a few days ago about famed rock climber Todd Skinner falling to his death in Yosemite, but at the time the details remained a bit sketchy. Today, GreatOutdoors.com has posted an updated article that gives a few more details. It seems Skinner was rappelling down a new route on The Leaning Tower in Yosemite when he fell, and while the exact cause of his fall is still under investigation, his long time climbing partner Jim Hewitt has been quoted as saying that it was the result of a worn out harness belay loop.

Skinner earned his reputation as an accomplished climber be free climbing some of the toughest walls in the World. He was seen as an innovator to the sport and even set a route on El Cap that is considered one of the toughest anywhere. He was aslo an ambassador for the sport of freeclimbing, and was generous with his time in aiding climbers with improving their own skills. He leaves behind a wife and three kids, who are in our thoughts and prayers at this time.

Update on Changabang Missing Climbers

MountEverest.net has posted an update on those two missing climbers on Changabang in the Indian Himalaya region. The search team now believes that the two Mexican climbers, Andres Delgado and Alfonso de la Parra, may have wandered into a highly restricted sanctuary area, and may be lost or stranded at around 5000 meters up. If they are at that altitude the team feels confident about a successful rescue, as that is well beneath the "Death Zone" and the climbers should be able to survive quite comfortably at that height. The two have been missing for nearly two weeks, but are believed to have enough gear and supplies to hold out for the rescue efforts. I'll post more as it becomes available.

Luxury Hotels in Patagonia?

Patagonia. The mere mention of that far off, isolated place, conjures images of rugged terrain, jagged mountains, and miles of wilderness in all directions. It's a dream destination for hikers, backpackers, and climbers all of ther World, but did you ever dream that you could visit Patagonia and stay in the lap of luxury? Me either. At least not until I saw this article over at TravelandLeisure.com, the home page for Travel and Leisure magazine. They spotlight some truely amazing, and amazingly expensive, hotels nestled right in the heart of Patagonia, including Eolo, Los Cerros, and Remota. They all sound like amazing places to stay while visiting Argentina or Chile, and they all have their own unique atmosphere. While you're at the T & L site, be sure to also check out their Guide To Patagonia.

Thanks Gadling!

Sahara Race Begins Sunday

It's time for another one of those epic, and gruelling, stage race ultramarathons through some of the harshest conditions on the planet. Once again RacingThePlanet.com, is sponsoring this event as part of their Four Deserts Ultramarathon series, with the Sahara Desert taking over hosting duties this time out. The Sahara is the largest non-polar desert in the world, and the competitors, who hale from more than 17 countries, will have to endure hot and dry conditions. The event will take place over six days and various distance. The longest day will be more than 77km in length (48 miles), and the shortest, is the final day, which is only 10km in length, but competitors will cross the finish line in the shadow of the Great Pyramid and the Sphinx itself. I can't think of a better way to finish up a race like this one. Just be sure to stop into the Kentucky Fried Chicken that is no more than a stones throw away from the Sphinx. Oh, and mind the heat. One of the days that I was in the Sahara was over 135 degrees F.

Edit: Hey! This is my 500th Post! I didn't know if I'd ever get to that milestone. Thanks to everyone who reads my blog, and sends along helpful comments. It is greatly appreciated.

Climbers Missing On Changabang

MountEverest.net is reporting that two Mexican climbers are missing on Changabang. Alfonso de la Parra and Andres Delgado, both of whom have successfully summitted Everest, last made contact on Oct. 13 when they reported that they had just returned to their camp after being stuck in a difficult wall for several days. They were said to be tired, but in good spirits. There has been no word from them sense, and a rescue party is being organzied to head to the mountain to find them.

Changabang is located in the Garhwal Himalaya in India. It is known to be a particularly steep and rugged peak with all routes said to be extremely challenging and dangerous. Most require technical rock climbing skills, but there are a few routes that are snow and ice covered. The mountain is 22,520 feet high and was first climbed in June of 1974.

Lonely Planet Passports On The PSP

While we're on the topic of nifty technology items today, I thought I'd pass along this cool little article I saw over at Gadling this morning. It seems that Lonely Planet has made their Passport to... series of city gudies available for use on the Sony PSP You can find all the guides right here.

This could be an awesome resource for someone traveling to any of these cities, and there are some great cities on the list. In the guides you'll find information on hotels, restaurants, and more. These are another great reason to own a PSP, which makes for a great travel companion anyway. You can play Playstation 2 level of game on the go, watch movies, and listen to music on the PSP as well. Just make sure you buy an extra battery or two before you hit the road. I'd hate to see you get halfway through a thirteen hour flight and not be ablet o get your Grand Theft Auto fix.

Nike+iPod Update

As you'll recall, I've been using the Nike+iPod system for running lately, and even wrote my thoughts on the subject. Yesterday I got an e-mail from Nike noting some nice updates to the website portion of the product. As you'll recall, the Nike+ website is used to store and track data uploaded from the iPod. After it's uploaded, automatically through iTunes, you can sign in, and check your progress, see how far or fast you've run on individual days, and more.

Listening to the Nike+ community, Nike has added the ability to make comments on your individual runs so that you can distinguish between them. For instance, you could note what playlist you listened to that day, or if you went with a friend, or took a different route, etc. it's a great new addition and one that will come in handy over time. They've also added the ability to delete a goals from your profile as well, which seemed odd that it wasn't there to begin with. You can create a goal on the site to run a certain distance, or increase your mileage, and more. Now you can delete those goals and set higher ones if you choose. Finally, they've also made it easier to discuss topics with other runners in their forums by having your profile link directly to those online forums. It's a nice way to build a more tightly knit community, which is a big factor in what they are trying to do with the Nike+iPod system.

I'm still really enjoying the product, and for any serious runner it's a great piece of technology to help you train. I'm just all the more frustrated with my ability to run right now with shin splints that get extremely painful after a few miles. I'm trying to be patient and let them heal, but they sure are taking their sweet time about. More on the Nike+ as other features are added.

The iPod On Everest (and how not to write a review about it)

TAUW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog made mention of this article from the Washington Post about the performance of the iPod on Everest. The article is written by Neal Mueller, who says that his team took iPods with them to climb Everest last Spring, only to find that the devices didn't hold up to conditions on the mountain. In fact, he says "The batteries croaked, the cases scratched and the hard drives seized from the rarified air." He goes on to gush about how much he loves the Creative Muvo over the iPod, because the "device is extremely light, ruggedly durable and it takes AAA batteries. It doesn't need a case because it won't scratch." He even goes on to praise the Muvo for being an "open system" for adding music adding that iPods "live in their own little world. They only work with custom cords and other special accessories. They only work with their own music format. Basically, the iPod perpetuates its own exclusive clique."

Ok. Deep breath. Where do I even begin with everything that is wrong in this article. First off, I'll say that the Muvo is indeed a fine little music player. Creative makes some nice devices, often times with more features than the iPod, and for the same or even less costs. However, their devices have often had a non-intuitive interface and lacked the simplicity of what has been the cornerstone for the iPod since day one. The fact that the Muvo can run on AAA batteries shouldn't be overlooked when you are o an expedition to Everest, but it can be both a joy and a curse. For instance, the iPod charges while plugged into a computer, which have become fairly common place in base camp, but not so much further up the mountain. With it's rechargable battery built in, that means you don't have to carry any batteries with you, but it also means you have to be sure to have a source to charge it with. There are other means of charging the iPod then with a computer, but they're not really as useful on the mountain either. With the Muvo, you just pop in a new battery when you need one. However, that means you have to carry batteries with you. When you're on Everest for two months, that can mean a lot of batteries.

He also compares the Muvo to the hard drive based iPods, which is just silly to begin with. I'm not surprised the iPod's hard drives broke in the extreme conditions on Everest, but why didn't he discuss the iPod Nano, which like the Muvo uses flash memory, which would not suffer the same issues as the hard drive based players. The Nanos also come with a lot more memory available for more music storage. The Muvo tops out at 1 GB of storage, while the Nano started at 1 GB, at least at the time of the expedition on Everest. At that time, the Nano came in 1, 2, and 4 GB versions. Recently Apple has upgraded them to 2, 4, and 8 GB's. Even Mueller would have to agree that more storage means more music to listen to while traveling. The Nano is also far more rugged as well, and while early models did suffer from scratching, the newer ones have cases of anodized metal which is very durable and protects the system nicely. They are also insanely thin and light to carry.

As for the Muvo being more of an "open system", that's sort of a half-truth as well. Yes, the iPod can only play music that is purchased from the iTunes Music Store, and not from any other online music store. The music purchased can also not be played on any other non-iPod device. However, the iPod can play plenty of different formats, including the most common, which is MP3. If you rip your CD's into MP3 format, which is what I do, it'll play the same on the iPod as it does on the Muvo, or any other digital music player. Furthermore, the iPod has far more accessories, add-ons, and other items available for it than any other device of it's kind. It's not even close in this category.

Finally, he calls the iPod a "fad". It may very well be, as there have been many devices that have come and gone over the years, including the Sony Walkman that he mentions. But as it stands right now, the iPod holds about 85% of the digital music player market, and recent reports suggest that dominance won't end any time soon, even with Microsoft's Zune coming to market soon.

I respect anyone's right to their opinion on the gear they like to use. I'm a recent convert to the iPod myself having used a Rio Karma for years. But when you publish an article like this one that is misleading, plays loose with the facts, and at times is just plain wrong, it's a bit annoying. Perhaps Mr. Mueller should do a bit more research next time before he gives us his insights on another piece of gear.

Update: Someone pointed me to the Sponsors Page on Mr. Mueller's website. You'll notice that Creative, the makers of the Muvo, are listed as a "Supporter - Companies that supply gear and supplies" for his mountaineering activities. Hardly an impartial review of their gear.

CNN Does Adventure Travel

CNN.com has attempted to explain adventure travel to the masses and does a decent job of it. Their article essentially spells out the lure of traveling abroad, to an out of the way place that isn't a frequent destination for the typical tourist. It talks about the growing trends in adventure travel and what to expect when taking one of these trips abroad.

For many of us, this is what travel has always been about, but it's certainly gotten easier in the past few years. It seems like more people than ever are opening up to unique destinations that they wouldn't have considered before. While I don't expect that traveling to Africa will become as common for Americans as going to Europe, it is great that more people who want to go to those place now have the opportunity to do so.

Thanks for the tip on this one Adventure Travel Logue

Nangpa La: A Personal Look At The Story

The Christian Science Monitor has picked up the story of the shootings on Nangpa La and posted an article that gives the story a much more personal spin. They tell the tale of Kelsang Namtso and Dolmna Palkyi, two Tibetan teenagers, both striving to become Buddist nuns. They decided to save their money, and attempt the dangerous trek into Nepal in order to meet the Dalai Lama himself, but along the way they would be ambushed by Chinese military, fired upon without warning, and one of them would end up dead.

I've been posting about these for several weeks now, and slowly the facts of the story have managed to leak out. But this story is the most personal of all that I've seen so far. It gives you a sense of who these people were, and why they were attempting to cross the border into Nepal. It really hits home more than anything else I've read so far.

Thanks to Everest News for bringing this to my attention.

New Paddling Magazine To Launch

Paddling Life a new magazine dedicated to kayakers, canoeists, and rafters is set to launch. It'll publish five times a year, once for each season, and a "gear guide" with updates on current trends in equipment and boats. You can read all about it at Wedawg.com or by heading over to PaddlingLife.net I'll look forward to checking out their first issue.

Todd Skinner Dies In Yosemite

Outside Online brings us the sad news today that climbing legend Todd Skinner has died while descending the Leaning Tower in Yosemite. He was with his long time climbing partner Jim Hewitt at the time, but aside from that, details are still rather sketchy. It is being reported that Skinner was on a free climbing route when he fell over 500 feet to his death.

Skinner was known as an exceptional free climber who introduced a lot of new people to the sport. My thoughts are with his family now in this sad time. I'll post more as it comes available.

Edit: More on the story over at Mountain Zone.

Nangpa La: Survivors Speak Out

MountEverest.net has posted yet another update on the Nangpa La incident. This time, we hear from some of the survivors themselves, a number of whom have made it safely into India, where they feel they can tell their story. They pretty much confirm what we've been hearing about this story for several weeks now. The Chinese military fired about them without warning, claiming the bullets were flying so close they could hear them whizzing past their ears.

Also, yesterday the Chinese confirmed that a second person was killed during the incident, while rumors suggest that it may be higher than that. There are also still a number of refugees unaccounted for, including a group of children, some of whom are believed to be in Chinese custody.

Fall Summit and Ski Descent on Everest!

MountEverest.net has posted this story about a group of 14 climbers who summited Everest last week, and a couple of crazy people who decided it might be a good idea to ski down Everest. Luckly, they were successful, and in the process, Kit DesLauriers became the first person to ski all Seven Summits and the first American to ski Everest. Although it sounds like it was a tricky ride to be sure. Especially with no snow on the Lhotse Face.

When you're done reading the article, head over to Outside Online for an exclusive photo gallery.

On a side note, I applaud the adventerous spirit of these skiers to be sure, but this is one event you wouldn't catch me trying. I'm a snowboarder, and not a very good one I might add, but this sounds insane to me. Still, I think it's cool that someone else has decided to give it a go, and has now successfully skied all the Seven Summits. Congrats Kit!

Adventure Names Top 2007 Trips!

National Geographic Adventure has named their Top 25 Adventure Travel Vacations of 2007, and as you would expect, it's filled with some awe inspiring adventures to far flung corners of the globe. They're listed in no particular order, but are separated out by geograpical region. Amongst the trips that caught my fancy are: Sustainable Island Travel and Game Safari in Tanzania, Trekking Remote Valleys in Bhutan, and Multisport Backcountry Odyssey in New Zealand.

And for the ultimate thrill, check out this Around The World Adventure via Private Jet! Only 23 days, for a mere $42,950 per person. And when you're done traveling the globe, check out these Adventure Spas for a mix of adventure and relaxation.

Hannah McKeand Gears Up

After posting about Hannah McKeand's solo, and unsupported, Antarctic expedition a few times recently, I received this press release over the weekend. It's great background information on Hannah, her previous adventures, and her polar adventure ahead. Read on:

Hannah McKeand in pole position for record attempt

In the last weeks of 2006, 33-year old Hannah McKeand from Newbury, Berkshire, will be aiming to reach the Geographic South Pole. Travelling alone and without any form of external support or assistance, she is hoping to complete the 690-mile trek from the edge of Antarctica to the Pole in less than 42 days. If successful, she will become the fastest person ever to achieve this gruelling feat.

Although such an endeavour may seem a far cry from her theatre marketing background, Hannah is no stranger to expedition life. She has already spent time in Antarctica and has reached the Pole once before. She has also travelled extensively throughout the deserts of North Africa, visited isolated villages in Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush mountain range and competed in the 2005 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.

Hannah’s urge to explore began in 2001, when she joined a Hungarian-led expedition to the Western Desert. Exploring the complex valley systems and sandstone plateaus that make up the borders of Egypt, Libya and the Sudan, she spent her days searching the area for prehistoric rock art. The trip was supposed to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but no sooner had she returned to the UK than she found herself yearning for more.

Since that initial foray into the desert, Hannah has been returning to this remote area twice a year. But with her insatiable wanderlust still remaining unquenched, she decided to drop everything, and in 2004 mortgaged her house and committed herself to full-time exploration.

The first 12 months saw her head back to the desert to catalogue more rock art, before journeying up Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor and into the beautifully rugged mountains of the Hindu Kush, in search of the source of the River Oxus. Few westerners have visited this area in the last few centuries and this team were amongst the first Europeans to enter the region since George Curzon, who visited in 1896, shortly before becoming Viceroy of India. At first using 4WD vehicles and then switching to horses, Hannah and the team spent time following narrow mountain trails, crossing 14,000-foot passes and travelling between nomad encampments.

With the desert and mountains firmly behind her, Hannah decided to round off 2004 with an expedition to Antarctica. In November of that year she set off from Hercules Inlet on the edge of Antarctica as part of a team of five. Plagued from the outset by bad weather, injury, frostbite, physical and mental exhaustion, white-out conditions and some of the lowest temperatures on the planet, the team completed the journey to the South Pole in a very respectable 55 days.

Next on Hannah’s list was the 2005/2006 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. Departing in September 2005 as a watch leader aboard Glasgow Clipper (one of ten 68-foot state of the art racing yachts), she set sail in a race that would take her halfway around the globe. Setting out from Liverpool, the crew headed over to Portugal, then on to Australia via Brazil and South Africa, before continuing on to Singapore and up to the Philippines. During the Singapore to China leg, a number of the boats began to lose their keels and the race was put on hold for two months. At this stage Hannah moved on to her next endeavour, but not before clocking up almost 20,000 miles worth of ocean racing experience.

Hannah’s return to Antarctica will be one of her most ambitious projects yet. Her decision to go unsupported this time means that she will have to carry everything she needs for a full 40-50 days. As such, her sledge will weigh up to 220lb/100kgs. Dragging such a load uphill to the Pole, whilst negotiating endless miles of sastrugi (frozen ridges of wind-blown snow and ice which have a similar appearance to a frozen, ploughed field), Hannah will burn between 6,000 and 8,000 calories a day.

She has also made the decision to complete this journey solo, meaning that in times of hardship, she will have no team mates to provide emotional or physical support. The psychological enormity of such a scenario is difficult to imagine. Hannah reflects, “I think it is going to be really hard. I’m naturally a gregarious and social person and it will be very interesting managing my internal reaction to the isolation.

“I’ve been working quite hard at doing lots of positive visualisation of how it’s going to be and how I’m going to feel. I have some on-the-spot relaxation techniques to keep myself calm if something makes me anxious. On the whole I’m a pretty calm person anyway, so I think it will be OK.”

To combat the loneliness and to keep in contact with the outside world, Hannah will be carrying an array of technology. As well as an Argos beacon (which constantly transmits a wearer’s location via satellite, allowing Hannah’s base camp staff to plot her progress), she will also carry two satellite telephones. These will allow her to speak to family, friends and the media whilst she is on the ice, and can also be connected to her PDA computer, allowing her to send and receive regular emails and update her website.

In preparing for this latest endeavour, Hannah is quick to draw on her previous experience. She confides, “The biggest lesson I have learnt so far is that with a little patience, you can get anywhere. If you just keep putting one foot in front of the other then vast distances can be covered in time. I’ve also learned that pain is only pain and can be managed psychologically to surprisingly good effect.

“But most importantly of all, I have learnt that in the wilderness we are completely insignificant, and that only with utter respect and the best preparation can you spend time there safely.”

For this particular expedition, Hannah will also have the needs of her designated charity to spur her on her way. Having recently lost one of her closest friends to breast cancer, Hannah will be visiting Antarctica as a homage to her dear friend, Jill Fraser. In the process she is hoping to raise money and awareness for Breakthrough Breast Cancer, as well as encouraging and inspiring people to achieve their dreams.

As with many an adventurer, Hannah always has one eye on the future, often planning the next expedition whilst taking part in the current. This time is no exception. As soon as she returns from the Geographic South Pole, Hannah will sail from Tasmania to the South Magnetic Pole aboard her 20-metre, schooner-rigged sailing yacht Blizzard, accompanied by her partner David Pryce (a master mariner and naval architect). As part of their recently launched company, Blizzard Expeditions, Hannah and David focus on exploring the Southern Ocean regions by mounting expeditions to South Georgia, Antarctica and South America.

www.adventurehannah.com
www.blizzardexpeditions.com
www.justgiving.com/southpole

Utah's 100 Year Storm

Remember the huge storm that hit Utah a few weeks back? The one that caused the AdventureXstream Race to be shortened, and had teams pulled off the course? Imagine if you'd been out in that same area, cayoneering of all things, when that storm hit. Well, that's exactly what happened to the hikers in this story who ventured into the Escalante region. It's an amazingly good read, with an abundance of awesome photos to along with it. Sounds like it was a scary experience for the two men involved. Glad they made it back to tell the tale.

Thanks for the story Backcountry Blog!

Weekly Podcast Updates

Some of my favorite podcasts have released new episodes that you might find interesting. First up, Endurance Planet has conducted an interview with Jon Gould a successful attorney and mountain biker, who discusses training methods, nutrition, and some of his bigger races.

Next up, The Wildebeat has an excellent episode this week entitled Mount Whitney For Beginners which gives advice and tips on climbing the highest peak in the continental United States. Whitney is considered one of the classic climbs for Norther American climbers, and is an excellent place for working on your mountaineering skills.

Finally, The Rest of Everest has posted Episode 23: Climbing The North Col. This is a video podcast that always has great footage, and strives to give you a behind the scenes peek at everything that goes into a big mountain climb like Everest. I've finally managed to catch up on all the back episodes, and now I look forward to each of the new ones. If you're interested in mountaineering, or want to learn more about climbing Everest, I highly recommend watching these episodes.

As always, these podcasts are available on the websites and the links I provided, or in iTunes, where you can subscribe to them and have them downloaded automatically.

Antarctic Update: Hannah McKeand

ThePoles.com has posted an update on Hannah McKeand, the British Adventurer who is planning a solo, unsupported expedition to both the South Pole and the Magnetic South Pole. She'll be setting out soon, and is in the final planning stages of the trip now. If all goes correctly, she's hoping to set a new speed record along the way as well. What will she miss the most on her journey? Companionship it seems. I'm sure it gets quite lonely out there on the ice, for days on end, in the cold. While she hasn't set out just yet, the article is interesting to not only hear about her thoughts on undertaking such a journey, but also on the preperation that goes into it as well.

Basso, CSC Part Ways

Ivan Basso, who was considered the favorite by many heading into the Tour de France this year, has left his cycling team, CSC, with two years left on his contract. Basso was barred from racing in the Tour just days before the event got underway in June due to doping allegations. Basso was one of 56 cyclist that were named in a massive doping scandal that has rocked sport. He, and Jan Ulrich, were considered the front runners to claim Lance Armstrong's crown this year, but both went down in disgrace. Outside Online has all the details here.

Father, Paralyzed Son Prepare For Ironman

The Ford Ironman Triathlon is only two days away (Oct. 21st), and some of the greatest athletes in the World are descending on Kona, Hawaii for the event which consists of a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride, and a full 26.2 mile marathon. ESPN.com has posted a great story on the event about a father and his paralyzed son, who will be doing their fifth, and final Ironman. The two have been competing for years, first starting with a short five mile run, and building up to marathons, and branching out from there to triathlons and eventually Ironman triathlons. It's a very inspiratonal story, and I'll be watching this weekend to see if they can finish again this year. Good luck guys!

Heated Hydration Pack?

I saw this post today while surfing the GoBlog, and I have to agree with them that it is "Another Dumb Idea" whose time has come. What are we talking about you ask? Why the new North Face Heated Hydration System of course! The idea being that what ever you put in your hydration pack stays nice and warm while you are out and about on those cold winter days. For just $120 ($150 if you want the pack that can actually carry things) you too can can have warm water, or other beverage of your choice, just a bite valve away.

I have to admit, I have purchased, and enjoyed, some North Face gear in the past. I own a daypack from them that I really really like, and a pair of trail running shoes that I don't like so much. They make a lot of great equipment that will certainly get your "gear lust" going at times. But this one had me scratching my head a little. I have had my bite valave and water tube freeze up on me in cold weather before, but it's generally not a big deal to get it working well again. Plus, as the guys at the GoBlog point out, if you fill your reservoir with hot water before heading out, and generally you have few issues. This is the kind of product I'd expect from Eddie Bauer these days, not The North Face. In case you couldn't tell, I won't be placing an order for one of these.

Endurance Sport Nutrition

This is someting I struggle with all the time. What to eat before a run, and how long to wait before setting out. As I've taken more notice of what I eat before working out, I've also noticed that it can effect my performance in a variety of ways. Stellar Magazine has put together a great article on what you should be putting into your body, and when you should be doing it. The article also focuses on endurance athletes who can never seem to get enough calories, and are able to burn them off at a pretty high rate. There is some good information in there if you haven't thought about how food effects you when you're training or competing.

Brits Go Solo, Unsupported To The South Pole

We're well into Fall here in the Northern Hemisphere, and while Winter is still two months away, it's looming ever closer. But in the Southern Hemisphere, Spring is in the air, and the warmth of Summer is a promise yet to come. Well, except at the South Pole, where it's always cold, but some seasons are less cold then others. Which is why ThePoles.com is reporting that three different British adventurers intend to set out soon on a 1300 km expedition to the South Pole. What is remarkable is that all three are going their own seperate ways, and all three are going solo and unsupported. The Antarctic season is here, so Im' sure we'll be getting all kinds of updates on these expeditions in the months ahead.

First Fall Summit of Everest in Four Years!

MountEverst.net (who else?) has posted breaking news that the Berg Adventure International team has become the first to summit Everest in the Fall since 2002, and the first to do so via the South side since 2000. The team radioed base camp this morning that all 14 members were safe, and together on the summit. Congrats to the whole team. It's hard enough to summit during the Spring climbing season, but Fall is a whole different issue. Great work!

Treasure of the Sierra Madre

Author Jeff Biggers has written a several books focused on the outdoors, but his latest, entitled In the Sierra Madre may be his best yet. Biggers spent a year living in, and traveling through the Sierra Madre mountains in Northern Mexico, learning about the people that live there, and experiencing the land first hand for himself. Now, Stellar Magazine had posted a short overview of Biggers time in the Sierra Madre, and what he was doing there. After reading this, I think I may have to put this book on my list to pick-up soon. It sounds like it was a fascinating experience for the author, and should make for a good read.

Nangpa La Update

MountEverest.net has posted another update on the Nangpa La situation, and it seems like at long last word of this travesty is getting out to the World. Comments on the website of the Polish TV station that ran the video from the mountain have demanded that the video and images be shown to "all the world!" There are also pleas to the climbers who witnessed the event to come forward and tell their stories to the media. There seems to be a rising outcry from those who have heard this story, seen the pictures, and watched the video against the Chinese.

I've been blogging on this since the story first broke, and I came across it on MountEverest.net. I was troubled by the story as soon as I read it, which is why I couldn't help but post something here. But since then, i've continued to be troubled by the lack of coverage on this story in the mainstream media. That is changing, slowly. A number of European newspapers, websites, and television stations have begun following up on it, and so far it seems like the story isn't just going to go away, as the Chinese would no doubt like to see it. Even Outside Online has now picked up on the story, and is running an article on it. I'm not exactly sure what I'd like to see done in the long run, but I continue to think that it's important that the World knows what's going on in Tibet, and the way that people are treated there by the Chinese who occupy that country.l

High Tech Training

Last week I gave you my thoughts on the Nike+iPod system and how it can help your training. This week Outside Online has posted an article on other high tech training methods for the the 21st Century. You'll find a list of great websites that can offer advice on how to train, cool new high tech gear that will aid your workout (including the Nike+iPod), and more. If you're looking to jump start your workout, then maybe there will be something here to help you as well. We can all use some advice in that area from time to time.

Outside Interviews Steve House

Outside Magazine is often a source of great interviews with a wide variety of personalities, including climbers, adventurers, paddlers, explorers, and more. This month they have an interview with Steve House, a well known, and often outspoken climber, who has conquered a number of tough routes over the years, including a recent ascent on Nanga Parbat. He's an interesting character to say the least, and has some interesting things to say as well. I like his no-nonsense approach to climbing, taking nothing with you that you don't need. He's also a major advocate of alpine style climbing and speed climbing, often attacking a mountain. But he also comes across as a bit of an arrogant jerk at times as well and has been known to be critical of the way others climb if it differs from his own. Love him or hate him though, he certainly is an awesome climber. It's hard to argue with his success.

This article was reprinted from the October issue of the magazine.

Salopek Speaks!

Remeber that National Geographic reporter who was arrested and accused of spying in the Sudan a few months back? Well, at long last Paul Salopek talks about the incident. He talks getting arrested by a militia, and then traded for a box of clothes to the Sudanese military, what it's like to travel across one of the more desolate, and poor, areas of the world, and goes into detail on how the events leading up to his arrest unfolded. It's fascinating stuff and gives us a glimpse of what these reporters have to deal with as they travel remote parts of the world to bring us stories from abroad. It's often unsafe for a variety of reasons, but when you hear these things from a guy who lived through it, it makes it hit home all the more.

Nangpa La: Video Surfaces

Another chapter in this strange, and sad, story has come to light, once again thanks to MountEverest.net The story broke nearly two weeks ago now about refugees fleeing Tibet into Nepal, that were ambushed by Chinese Military, who fired upon them without warning. At least three were killed, including a young nun who had a group of small children traveling with her. The children are now said to be in the custody of the Chinese.

Climbers in Base Camp on Cho Oyu witnessed the whole affair, and brought the story to the outside world. Since that time, we've had a number of reports from climbers, denials from the Chinese, followed by claims that the attacks were in self defense, photos from the mountain, and an official protest filed by the U.S. Government with the Chinese Foreign Ministry. Through all that, a surprising lack of coverage from any of the mainstream media, at least here in the States.

Now, comes word that video has surfaced that clearly shows the refugees were fired on from behind, and offered no resistance to the soldiers. The video is powerful and not easy to watch, even though the shootings are at a distance. You can hear the reaction of the climbers watching the events unfold, and just knowing what is happening can be a bit unnerving. You can see the video for your self here.

Hiking Aconcagua

It's a grey, dreary, rainy day where I'm at, which means it's only good for two things, watching football and dreaming about all the things I'd llike to be doing outside. Fortunately BestHike.com has come through with a little help in that department. They've posted a guide to hiking Aconcagua, the tallest peak in South America. The guide lists reasons to like this hike, best routes, links to guide services, and more. It's a nice comprehensive, yet concise article with all the information you need in one spot. Great stuff, and very inspiring on a rainy day.

Final Thoughts on Primal Quest

I just finished watching the ESPN/ABC coverage of Primal Quest, and overall, I thought it was very good. The five episodes managed to capture the drama and intensity of the sport while still making it approachable for someone who didn't know anything about adventure racing. The explained the concepts of the sport, introduced some of the greatest athletes competing today, and followed a number of top teams. The scenery was spectacular, especially in HD, and the camera crews should be commended for catching some awesome footage of both the race and the landscapes near Moab itself. The addition of Isaak Wilson as a "color commentator" was also a nice choice, as he offered insight into the race, and explained things like dark zones in an easy to understand manor.

It wasn't all great though. I thought at times they were a little simplistic on explaining some things, or glossed over some stuff too quickly. Of course, it's not easy to condense an event like Primal Quest down to a few episodes anyway, so some corners needed to be cut. The fifth and final episode that aired on ABC today was also almost completely unnecessary. It ended up being a hodge podge of the first four episodes from ESPN2, except for the last five minutes or so when they crowned Nike the champion, and showed the second and third place finishers. I was excited to see the final episode, only to spend most of it waiting to for the end of the race. There was some new footage in the re-cap show today, but most was just a re-hash. Finally, if I have to hear James Denton tell me one more time that "these guys are for real" and that "they're not playing games", I think I'm going to cry. Next year, hire a better script writer and don't beat us over the head with the fact that adventure racing is an "extreme" sport. We get it already.

So where does Primal Quest go from here? Following the tragedy that occured during the race in 2004, PQ took a year off to reorganize and refocus. I'd say it roared back as a huge success in 2006, bigger and better than ever. The future looks great for the "Toughest Race on Earth". But, I'd like to see it branch out more. Go International. Maybe race in Borneo like that classic Eco Challenge. How about an epic race in the wilds of Patagonia? Has a major race ever been held in the Hawaiian Islands? Traditionally it's been held in the Western United States, but maybe it's time to take iton the road. Also, cut the horses from the race. I'm not a big fan of using horses in AR to begin with, as they can be temperamental, and the racing conditions can be tough on them. Plus, there is no fair way to ensure that they don't hamper a team, as is evident with GoLite in this year's race. Other than that, keep doing what you're doing. I'm already looking forward to next year's event. Oh, and one last thing. Be sure to bring ESPN back, because despite the few gripes I had above, they really covered the event well, and gave adventure racing a legitimacy and exposure that it hasn't seen before.

Day Tripping in Chernobyl

Lonely Planet has posted an interesting article about a day trip you wouldn't normally consider - Chernobly. As they describe it, it's no trip to Disneyland, but it's still a fascinating and unusual journey. The author describes the eerie feeling of appraching the site and noticing that there are now cows in the fields, cars on the road or many people in the area at all. Sounds kind of spooky, but I think I'd have a hard time resisting a trip this unique location given the opportunity.

CPZ Announces New Events Calendar

Yak, over at Check Point Zero announced earlier this week in his Yak Blog that CPZ has updates it's online events calendar, making it easier to post your upcoming Adventure Racing events. He invites all Race Directors who have an event planned for 2007 to begin adding them now.

Nangpa La: The Ongoing Saga

The latest new on the Nangpa La shootings is that China now admits that their soldiers fired upon refugees on Nangpa La, but they claim that they fired in self defense, which of course runs counter to all the reports that we've had up to this point. Meanwhile, this story has surfaced in The Independent that says the Chinese are actually tracking down climbers in Kathmandu who were on Cho Oyu and witnessed the events, in an attempt to silence them on the whole affair. MountEverest.net has also posted an update following the Chinese "admission" but notest that it was probably the climbers themselves that forced the Chinese to make a statement, and that those same climbers tell a very different story.

I'm encouraged that some of the mainstream press has started to follow this story, as I was afraid that it would be swept under the carpet completely. The U.S. Goverment has, reportedly, also issued a formal protest with the Chinese Foreign Ministry, but considering the delicate nature of the North Korean nuclear issue, I highly doubt they want to take too tough of a stance on this issue at the moment. Especially considering how little coverage this event has gotten. I feel it's important that this story doesn't die, and that we continue to update on it, and get the news out. I commend the other bloggers and websites who have picked up on this story and ran with it, especially MountEverest.net which is where I first heard the reports, and Go Blog which has dug up some great articles over the past few days as well.

Traveling In Patagonia

It's one of the most beautiful, breathtaking places on Earth. It is also one of the most rugged and isolated places as well. The southern portion of South America, known as Patagonia, is all this and more, and it's mere name will strike wild thoughts of adventure and exploration in the heart of anyone that knows the place. If you don't know much about that section of the World, than this article in the Minneapolis Star Tribune will certainly get you acquainted and, if you've got a pulse, excited about an adventure of your own. The vast landscape is an excellent place for hikers, trekkers, backpackers, or anyone else who just appreciates natural beauty. Patagonia extends into both Argentina and Chile with landscapes that range from desolate deserts, to sprawling grasslands, with icy glaciers, and some of the most amazing mountain vistas anywhere. Add it to your list of must see places, and you will not be disappointed.

Thanks Gadling!

Landis States His Case

Floyd Landis is using his personal website, floydlandis.com to state his case in defense of the doping charges brought against him. On the site you'll find a motion for dismissal of the case presented to the Anti-Doping Review Board, the complete set of documents from the World Anti-Doping Agency, including both of Landis' failed tests, and a Power Point presentation stating how the Agency disregarded it's own policies in the matter. It also argues that the test should not have been declared positive because he only tested for high levels of testosterone in one of four metabolic areas.

I'm not sure what Landis hopes to accomplish at this point, as it is highly doubtful that he'll sway the Agency to not take disciplinary action against him. He may be trying to win in the Court of Public Opinion however, which may do something to salvage his career. At this point, however, I think he is fighting an up-hill battle. I wish him the best of luck. I'd love to see his name cleared, and there are a ton of things about this story that simply just don't make sense. For instance, testosterone is noe something you shoot up with the night before an event and have it help you the next day. It's something that needs to be in the body over time to increaste stamina, strength, etc. Floyd didn't test positive on any other legs, but on the one where he tears up the course, he does. It's just a weird set of circumstances. It should also be noted, at this time, he is still the Tour Champ. He hasn't been stripped of that title yet, so it'll be interesting to see how things play out over time.

Nangpa La Story Begins To Get More Notice

The International Campaign for Tibet has picked up the story of the shootings on Nangpa La, and have published a couple of stories on the subject on their website. First is this article which details the young nun who was shot, and outlines the story that we've come to know so far, with some new details to the story. That story was posted on Oct. 5th, so I'm a little late in finding it, while this one was posted on Oct. 9th and discusses the story we've heard about ten children who were taken into custody by the Chinese following the incident. Both of the articles have more information that we previously had heard, mostly in background and conext. It's good to see this story is getting picked up by a few other sources. Hopefully the word on this will get out to the International Community, although with all the other things going on (War in Iraq, Nuclear issues with Iran and North Korea) this will probably get buried.

Thanks to Get Outdoors for bringing these other articles to my attention.

Podcast Updates

A couple of my favorite podcasts released new updates this week and I thought I'd share. First up, Endurance Planet has released their latest episode which is an interview with Jerry Pi, a 28 year old ultra-runner and triathlete. He's recently completed the 100 mile Kettle Moraine race in Wisconsin and is preparing to compete in upcoming triathlons this Fall.

Next up, The Rest of Everest have put out Episode 22 in their ongoing video podcast that follows "an almost unabridged expedition" to summit of Everest. I'm still catching up on past episodes, so I haven't watched this one yet, but this is quickly becoming one of my favorite things to watch. The video podcast really does a great job of showing all the work, and time, and effort that goes into a big mountain climb. I highly recommend it to everyone. It's well worth your time.

Also of note, is the Kettle Moraine area I mentioned in the blurb about the latest Endurance Planet Podcast. If you've never been to that area of Wisconsin, I highly recommend it. It's an excellent place to go hiking, backpacking, camping, or any other outdoor activity. There are two distinct areas, the Kettle Moraine North and the not-so-surprisingly named Kettle Moraine South. The Fall colors should be spectacular about now, although I understand it's a bit cold there today. And if you'd like more information on the Kettle Moraine 100 you can find it at Kettle100.com.

Maoist Rebels Extort Trekkers

Maoist Rebels have begun extorting money from tourists who have come to Nepal to trek the Everest region according to this article at The Raw Story. Despite agreeing to a cease fire in May, which had a condition stating that the rebels would stop abducting or extorting tourists, the Maoists continue to bilk money from foreigners in the region, charging up to 2500 Nepalese rupees (about 35 US dollars) to allow them to pass into the Everest region. Sounds like Nepal has a long way to go before they get all their issues ironed out, and tourists heading to the area has better be aware that they could be shaken down for more cash.

Thanks Adventure Blog! (Yes, there is another one!)

Endurance 50 Update: Halfway There!

The Endurance 50 website reports that Dean Karnazes has completed his 25th marathon, in his quest to run 50 marathons in 50 days in 50 states. Dean's halfway to his goal now, and barring injury or something odd happening, he'll likely complete the task. Today's marathon was in Baton Rouge, LA, and Dean completed it in 4 hours, 12 minutes, and 20 seconds. Next up is Huntsville, AL. You can read more from Dean himself in his daily blog and find more coverage of the event at Runners World.

More from Nangpa La

MountEverest.net continues to be the main source of information regarding the recent shootings on Nangpa La, near Cho Oyu. Today's update offers some photos, albeit very grainy photos, from the mountain, as well as more reports on the events that took place on that day. The story is starting to come together, very slowly, and there are some reports that the Chinese are actively working to suppress the story altogether. Meanwhile, I have yet to see anything regarding this in the mainstream press.

Gear Box: Nike+iPod Review

I've mentioned a few times already that I purchased an 8 GB iPod Nano recently, and along with it the Nike+ system. I've had the two for several weeks now, and have used them both a number of times on training runs, and finally feel comfortable posting some thoughts and impressions. In short, the Nano and the Nike+ are a match made in heaven.

I won't comment much on the iPod itself. By now everyone knows what the device can do, and it's widely considered the best music player on the market. It's certainly the most iconic and well known. The new Nano is small, light, and easy to use. It sounds great, and can store plenty of music. It's flash memory based, so it makes for the perfect workout companion, unlike the hard drive models that can skip or be damaged by moving while running or doing other exercises. The Nano is so small and light in fact, that when coupled with a good armband, you can put it on, and almost forget that it's even there, while it happily pumps out tunes for you to listen to.

The real product of interest here is the Nike+ system, which consists of a sensor unit that goes in your shoe and a wireless receiver that collects data from it. The new Nike+ line of shoes have a special slot in the sole of the shoe, under the footpad, that you can place the sensor in, but since I don't own a pair of those shoes, I had to come up with something different. There are various suggestions floating around the web on how to use the sensor on non-Nike+ shoes, but I decided to invest $10 on this, the Marware Sportsuit Sensor+, which allows me to move the sensor quickly and easily from different pairs of shoes, no matter who makes them. It was well worth buying in my opinion.

Once you've got the sensor secured in (or on) your shoe, you plug the receiver into the docking port on your Nano (it should be noted that the system only works with iPod Nanos) and turn the iPod on. After powering up, you'll see a new option on your main menu that says "Nike+". If you select this option, you'll find various sub-menus that will allow you to select different types of workouts, configuring various options, like selecting your Power Song, and calibrating the system. Calibration consists of running or walking, over a set distance, so the system learns your stride and running pattern. I found that the unit was fairly accurate out of the box, without any calibration, but worked better after you've completed calibrating it. To do so, you simply select the option to calibrate over a distance of your choosing, then run that distance at a normal pace. When you're done, you tell the Nike+ that you've finished and it then has a more accurate understand of how you move while running. There are seperate calibration settings for both running and walking, and I took the time to do both. It's also very important to be sure that the distance you select for the calibration process is the actual distance you run. The more accurate the better.

Once you've finished the calibration process, you're ready to go. Now when you set off on your run, you simply select the type of workout you want, and get started. You can choose workouts that are a set distance, time, or calories burned. The iPod will then inform you when you've reached your set goal of say 3 miles or 20 mintues, or what ever. Alternatively you can select an "Open" workout, which simply allows you to run and at the end, it tells you how far and how fast you went. I generally select the open workout right now, as I'm never too sure how far or fast I feel like going, especially as I continue to struggle with shin splints.

While running, the system will inform you regularly about your progress, both on the Nano screen and through auditory updates. It comes with two built in voices, male and female, that inform you of your progress throughout the workout. The voices sound very natural and pleasant and are not at all jarring while you are concentrating on your run. You can also get an update on your progress at any time by pushing the center button on the Nano. The voice will then tell you how far you've run, how long you've been running, and what your current time for running a mile is. It's slick and easy, and actually does help to keep you informed about how well you're doing. It's also interesting to see how your workouts can vary from day to day based on other factors, such as what you ate, how stressed or tired you are, etc. The goal is to be able to workout consistently, but we all know we have some days that are better than orthers. When you've completed your workout, you simply tell the system that you're done, and it saves the record of your run for later review. The record includes, time, distance, speed, and calories burned.

The next element of the Nike+ system is the Nike Plus Website. When you plug your Nano into your computer, either to recharge it or sync with iTunes to add music or podcasts or what ever, the system automatically uploads all your workout data to the website. You create a personal account, and all your data is then stored for review on your computer. You can use it to track your progress over time and compare different workouts. It even allows you to set goals and track progress to those goals, or if you have a friend who has the Nike+ you can challenge each other to various types of runs for distance or speed. It's an excellent way to see all of your cumulative data, and stay motivated. The website is free, and included with the device, but is also very well designed and integrated. Of course, it's also a place to sell you more Nike gear as well.

There are a couple of other fun features to the Nike+ system as well. I mentioned that allows you to select a Power Song, which is one song in your library that you can designate at a "pick-me up" while running. You can hear that song at any time by pressing, and holding, the center button on the Nano. The song will kick in and play, and once it's over, you'll return to the play list that was already in progress. The Power Song can give you a lift (I highly recommend Eye of the Tiger by Survivor), but I can't help but wish you could choose more than one, and have the system randomly pick one for you. The other cool little feature I didn't know about until I had used the system was the surprise celebrity athlete messages you get from time to time. For instance, after one of my runs, I got a congratulatory message from Lance Armstrong telling me that I had completed my longest workout yet. It wasn't anything major, but it was still fun and unexpected.

If you enjoy running, walking, or hiking, I highly recommend the Nike+iPod system. It's a very well designed product that is easy to use, offers great value, and should be a benefit to anyone into fitness. It's online portion should also help you track your data over time, set goals, and make progress in increasing your distance and speed. The system itself costs $29, but of course you'll need the iPod as well, which ranges from $149-$249 depending on the storage capacity. I added the $10 Marware sensor pouch as well, but that's optional and you may find other ways to attach the sensor if you don't own the Nike+ shoes. If you have any comments or questions, drop me an e-mail or post a comment to this review. I'll be happy to respond or post updates here. But just in case you couldn't tell, I love the Nike+ system and feel like anyone who is a runner, or thinking about starting to run, will enjoy it as well.

Riding the Worlds Highest Railway

On July 1st the Sky Train opened, running a rail route from Lhasa, Tibet to Golmud, a small city in Qinghai province in China. Finally, the first westerners have had a chance to ride it and report back on the experience. The train zips along at 16,640 feet above sea level, in pressurized cars designed to fight off altitude sickness. It took more than four years to build the railway, not to mention overcoming all kinds of engineering obstacles, but now you can take the 15 hour, and no doubt scenic trip, yourself. But, be sure to read this article first, as it doesn't seem like it's a rosy trip for just anyone. While the rail has finally made it to Tibet, it has left some creature comforts behind to be sure.

Thanks Gadling!

Guide Monopoly on Rainier Coming To An End!

After thirty years of being the exclusive guide on Mount Rainier, Rainier Mountaineering Inc (RMI) has seen it's monopoly status removed. According to this article on the GreatOutdoors.com website two new guide services have been granted access to Rainier. These two services are Alpine Ascents International and International Mountain Guides, both of which offer extensive guide services all over the world, including Everest. This move has been promised for several years, but bureaucratic red tape has delayed it until now. Climbers will, for the first time ever, have a choice for their guide services, which should in turn lead to more competitive prices on Rainier, which is amongst the top climbing peaks in North America.

24 Hours of Moab Coming This Weekend

October 14th and 15th marks the return of the 24 Hours of Moab mountain bike race. Now in it's 11th year, the race has become one of the bigger mountain biking events, with 450 teams, along with their support crews and spectators, descending on the Utah town. As always, I'm sure there will be some interesting stories from the event, and you can follow it over at the Google Earthlings blog. The Earthlings are a team made up of Google Employees who will be riding in the event. If that's not enough for you though, you can also check out the course in the always popular Google Earth.

Himalayan Climbing Update

MountEverest.net has a less grim, more climbing focused update today as well today. This one updates us on the expeditions taking place in the Himalayas at the moment. You'll find a brief update on the Italian's bid for the summit on Annapurna, news on the Polish and Russian teams on Dhaulagiri, and much more from the region.

Of special note is the update from the Spaniards who were attempting the Alpine Style climb of Everest last week, but were turned back just 500 meters below the summit. Two of the three climbers were forced to abandon the attempt due to exhaustion and injuries at 8000+ meters. Now the third climber says he is not disappointed that he didn't push on, as he "doesn't like climbing alone." :) Who can blame him. Would taking the summit by yourself be as worthwhile? If no one is there to share it with you, do you still feel the same? Part of climbing these big mountain expeditions is the camaraderie you feel with the rest of your team, and it's good to know that this isn't lost on everyone on Everest these days.

Still More on the Nangpa La Shootings

MountEverest.net has yet another update on the shootings that took place in the Nangpa La pass near the Cho Oyu base camp last week. This time we hear from two Romanian climbers who report that the "Tibetans were hunted like rats" by the Chinese Army, who seemed to be lying in wait for them to come through the pass. They go on to remark how the big guide services won't mention the incident for fear of losing their license to lead expeditions on the mountain, and even more disturbing is the thought that the 2008 host country for the Olympics (China) is slaughtering it's citizens. It's a sad story, with the current death count is said to be eight people.

Meanwhile, this update was posted a day or so back, and reports that following the death of a 25 year old nun, who was amongst the victims on Nangpa La, a group of about 10 or 12 children that were traveling with her were marched through Advanced Base Camp on Cho Oyu, in the custody of the Chinese military. In the same report, British citizens talk about how ABC was taken over by an armed force of Chinese. Of course, I've yet to see one report on this in the Western media, who obviously have other stories they'd rather cover than human rights violations in Nepal and Tibet. More as it comes available, just don't expect to see this reported on FOX News or CNN.

PQ on ESPN: WOW!

I just finished watching the first episode of Primal Quest on ESPN2 and all I can say is WOW! Great stuff so far. They really kicked off the race very well be explaining the nature of the competiion, introducing the top teams, and laying out the course. The best athletes in the sport were introduced as well, and the first episode set up the new viewer for the punishment that is yet to come. I also watched the show in HD, and let me tell you the picture quality is top notch, and the amazing scenery looks even better in HD. I'm ready to move to Moab right now! Great stuff, and I can't wait for episode 2 tomorrow night.

If you missed tonights show, there is a schedule and intro over at Merrell.com. And while you're there, sign up to win a pair of shoes while you're at it!

Should Everest Be Closed?

The Guardian has posted an intriguing article asking "Should Everest Be Closed?" It's a debate that's been raging for some time. The highest mountain on the planet is filling up with trash of all kinds, left behind by the thousands of climbers and trekkers that scramble up and down it's slopes every year. There is a movement afoot to temporarily limit, or completely shut off, access to the mountain in order to avoid an ecological disaster. Those arguing against such a policy feel that it would damage the economy of Nepal and take away the Sherpa guides ability to earn a living. The article does a good job of informing the reader on the gist of the argument, while providing some history and insight into the current political climate in Nepal.

Personally, I think it's despicable the amount of trash that has accumulated on Everest. There have been ongoing efforts to clean up the mountain, but it's a long, arduous, and expensive task. I would be against completely shutting down access to the mountain, but I wouldn't be opposed to cutting back on the climbing permits issued each year. That would limit the number of people on the mountain, which in turn may address the over crowding issues that have arisen over the past decade or so. It would also be helpful in limiting the amoung of garbage being left there, but further efforts should be made to ensure that climbing teams are packing their trash out. I know that's not easy when some of that trash consists of depleted oxygen bottles at 8000 meters plus, but it's a start. Perhaps extra Sherpas should be hired by the teams with the expressed job of bringing down some of the trash from Camp 4. If you're going to be on the mountain, you should be responsible for respecting it's environment, and ensuring that it is a safe and clean place for others.

More Info on the Primal Quest Coverage Tonight

Yak, over at Check Point Zero has updated his Yak Blog with more information on the Primal Quest episodes that are set to begin broadcasting tonight. Yak spoke directly with Rich Brazeau, the CEO of Primal Quest, regarding the episodes that are set to air on ESPN2 (ESPN2-HD), and to say that he is enthusiastic about the coverage is an understatement. It sounds like Rich has had his expectations met, and exceeded, by the folks at ESPN, and he remakrs that they treat the event like Sport, giving it legitimacy that may have been lacking in the past. All told, we're going to get six hours of coverage on Primal Quest, probably the most coverage we've had since Eco Challenge was in it's prime. The fact that is on ESPN helps even more.

Speaking of Eco Challenge, it was the first thing I thought of when I saw how the coverage was going to be handled by ESPN. Back when Mark Burnett was running Eco Challenge, instead of Suvivor, it was an awesome experience to watch it on the Discovery Channel and the USA Network. Pimal Quest coverage in the past has been solid, but it never felt as epic as the Eco Challenge coverage did. That seems to have changed this time out though, as Rich himself says that "What we've done raises the bar" when comparing it to Eco Challenge broadcasts in the past. He also recommends that we don't miss Episode 4, as it sounds like it must be excellent in it's coverage. My recommendation is that you don't miss ANY of it.

AdventureXstream Update: Final Final Results! (We Really Mean It This Time!)

The AdventureXstream Leaderboard has been updated again today, with the real final results. Team Bagelworks are still the champions, but second place now goes to GoLite/Timberland Sprint, with Santa Fe Bear Pair finishing in third. You can also find more information about what the race was like in this story over at Checkpointzero.com.

From these latest reports, it seems that the weather was incredibly bad. Worse than what I orginally thought. CNN was calling it the 100 Year Storm, which made life out on the course pretty nasty for all the teams. For safety reasons, it's probably a good idea that they called it off. Adventure racers don't fear the elements, they are part of the event, but in a storm like this is not one to be taken lightly. Congrats to Bagelworks once again, and lets hope next year they can be back to defend their championship under better weather conditions.

MyOutdoors.net Gets A Redesign!

MyOutdoors.net, an online resource for mapping and logging your outdoor activities, as well as connecting with others who share a similar interest, has got a fresh coat of paint thanks to the whole Web 2.0 movement. New editions to the site, which launched over the weekend, include GPX upload and download capabilities, elevation displays, full text searches, and more. You can read all about the new changes and the process of the upgrades over at the My Outdoors Blog, and then head over to the main site to read the latest journal entries, or even add one of your own. Cool stuff!

PQ on ESPN2 Tonight!

Just a programming reminder. Primal Quest will begin airing on ESPN2 (and ESPN2 HD) tonight at 7:30 PM EDT. It will continue to air on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of this week at the same time, with the finale airing on ABC at 2 PM this Saturday. Each episode will be an hour in length and was filmed in high definition for anyone out there who has one of the fancy new sets. I've been looking forward to watching this since it was announced back in June, so I'll most likely be posting more about it this week. For anyone who has an interest in Adventure Racing, it should be a great program to watch, and if you're new the sport, it should make for an exciting introduction. Prepare to be amazed by these athletes.

Bagelworks Wins AdventureXstream!

The AdventureXstream Expedition Race is over, and Team Bagelworks has taken first place. Dream/Sageant and ARFE-Smartwool took second and third respectively. You can find out more, including where all the teams finished here. It seems the elements really played a part in this race, with a massive storm disrupting communications on the course, and having an effect on the racers as well. Hopefully we'll get more detailed information on the race itself over the next few days. Congrats to Bagelworks on the win! The team has had a good year in the sport, and are proving they are team to contend with in any race.

Update: Team Checkpoint Zero has updated their blog with information regarding the AdventureXstream Race. It seems the "Storm of the Century" hit Moab this weekend, making racing dangerous and next to impossible, which is why the race was actually called on Saturday. It sounds like it was very wet, cold and windy out there, and this blog entry gives you an idea of what happened. The race directors then had the task of putting together a list of rankings based on where teams were on the course when the race was called.

I missed the news on the race being called yesterday as I was out of town all day at the Texas-Oklahoma game, and by the time I got home last night, I was mostly ready for bed rather than checking my blog. I'll post more news on this race, and the developments surrounding it, as they become known over the next few days.

Worlds Greatest Safaris

Who hasn't dreamed about going on Safari? We've all, at one point, thought about donning our pith helmet, and setting off to the wilds of Africa to explore the "Dark Continent." Now, Men's Journal has made planning such a trip all the easier with their Guide to the Worlds Greatest Safaris. There's a little something for everyone, and every budget, on this list, ranging from a paddling trip in Botswana to Gorilla spotting in Uganda and Rwanda. Personally, I'll take the camping on the Serengeti in Kenya and Tanzania. The all sound like great trips, and Safari is definitely in my future, possibly as soon as next year. Can't wait.

Nangpa La Shooting Update

MountEverest.net has an update on the shootings on Nangapa La that I blogged about a few days back. There are more reports from witnesses on Cho Oyu who saw at least three people, including a young nun, who were shot dead by the Chinese Army while crossing through the Nangapa La pass from Tibet into Nepal. The latest reports said that more than forty refugees, out of seventy traveling together, were able to escape the Chinese and make the crossing into Nepal, but at this time the where abouts of the others is unknown. A group of climbers from the Philippines were also witness to the event, and a British team saw the soldiers kneeling to take aim at the victims. It's a sad, and unexpected story, when climbers on the mountain are prepared for the hardships and physical challenges of making it to the summit, but are not prepared to see other humans gunned down in cold blood. This area of the world doesn't get much coverage in the press here in the United States, but there is still a great deal of unrest in the region, and obviously the Chinese are not above persecution of their own.

Expedition 360 Update

I've blogged about Expedition 360 before. It's the circumnavigation expedition by Jason Lewis, who is circling the Earth using only human power. (On foot, bike, kayak, etc.) TheOceans.net has an update for us today, and it sounds like Jason is proceeding well. He's currently in Tibet, and plans to cross into Nepal soon, hiking over the Himalayas. From there, he will proceed to India, where he will ride a bike to the Indian Ocean, only to board a pedal boat. He'll then spend the next 6-8 weeks pedaling to Djibouti in Western Africa before climbing back on the bike to move across Ethiopia.

I'm still in awe of these epic adventures around the globe. Doing all of this under human power is simply an amazing feat. I can't wait for Jason to finish up his expedition, but I can't help but wonder what he'll do next. After all this time on the road, roughly twelve years done in stages, I'd guess he'll have a hard time returning to "normal" life in England.