Update: Hannah At The Pole And In Record Time!

Although Hannah hasn't updated her latest dispatch as of yet, ThePoles.com is has posted an update on our favorite polar explorer.

Not only did she arrive at the South Pole last night, she did so in record time, besting the old record by two full days. This gives Hannah the distinction of being the fastest unsupported skier to the South Pole, and the ninth woman overall to make the trek without resupply.

What an impressive, awesome acomplishment. Huge congratulations from The Adventure Blog. I've been following Hannah's progress from before she ever hit the ice, and I'm happy to see her reach her goals. Now get home safe Hannah. There are plenty more adventures ahead I'm sure.

Update: (12/31/6) Hannah has updated her dispatches from the South Pole. It's a fun, funny, whimsical read about her last day alone and her approach to the Polar Station. If you've been following her advenure across the ice, it's a great way to wrap up her expedition.

Charlie Fowler's Body Identified In China

MS-NBC is now reporting that the body of Charlie Fowler has been identified in China. Very few details beyond that have been offered at this point, but Fowler's body was found on a remote mountain a few days ago, and properly identified today.

You'll recall that Fowler, and climbing partner Christine Boskoff, were reported missing after failing to catch a flight home to the States on Dec. 4th. Since then a search has been organzied and an investigation conducted, that followed a trail of clues to a remote area in Southwest China. The body was found at 17,390 feet on Genie Mountain, also known as Genyen Peak, not far from the Tibetan border.

At this time, there is still no word on Boskoff's where abouts. The search and investigation will continue in hope of unearthing clues as to what happend to the two very experienced climbers. More as it becomes available. You can also follow a complete time line of the search at the Fowler-Boskoff Search Engine.

Thanks once again Carl!

Hannah At The Pole!

Today's the day for Hannah McKeand. According to her latest dispatch she is now a mere 14.5 nautical miles from the South Pole and should make it in sometime today. While she sounds excited about reaching her goal, there is also a sense of reservation as her journey is coming to an end. I'll keep you posted on her progress.

Meanwhile, Team Polar Quest has established their Polar Camp just 50 meters from the South Pole. After spending 36 hours pushing to the pole, the team is taking a much needed rest before beginning the return voyage. The Union Jack and the flag of Robert Scott Falcon's expedition fly proudly over the team's camp. The team completed the first non-stop, unsupported South Pole expedition by a British Military Team. Well done boys. Good luck on the return trip. You're half-way home.

Team Polar Quest At The Pole!

Word has come via dispatch from the Team Polar Quest website that the Brits have reached the South Pole at long last! The message reads simply:

"OBJECTIVE ACHIEVED. POLAR QUEST EXPEDITION REACHED GEOGRAPHICAL SOUTH POLE 0218 Z 27 DEC 06. TEAM MEMBERS WELL AND IN HIGH SPIRITS. FURTHER DISPATCH AND IMAGES TO FOLLOW ONCE POLE CAMP ESTABLISHED."

Congrats to the boys! Job well done. Can't wait to see the photos and read more updates!

In other South Pole news, Hannah is moving fast and should reach the pole in the next day or so as well. In her latest dispatch she says that today should be her last day alone!

Fowler-Boskoff Update: Body Found

According to this story over at MSNBC.com the body of one of the two missing climbers has been found in China. The body, whose identity hasn't been revealed yet, was found on a remote mountain in Southwest China. Both are now assumed dead following this discovery. Even though it had been over a month since the Charlie Fowler and Christine Boskoff went missing, there was still some hope that the experienced climbers might still be alive somewhere and had just failed to check in or come home. Most in the mountaineering community feared the worst, but still kept their fingers crossed and said a little prayer from time to time.

I'm sure we'll learn more about what happened as time goes by and the body is properly excavated and examined. For now, my thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends and loved ones of Charlie and Christine. It has indeed been a rough month on the outdoor community.

Thanks for the information Carl!

Update: MountainFund.org has sent out a press release regarding the developing situation in China. The statement reads in part:

"All of us at The Mountain Fund are deeply saddened by the news from China today that in all likelihood, Chris and Charlie have been found. We hold out hope that the body located today is not one of them, but hope is fading quickly. While we have played but a bit part in a large effort organized by Mountainfilm this bit part has taught us something important. The climbing community needs a resource in times like this, the families need a resource in times like this as well."

The Mountain Fund continues to aid in the search for the two climbers, by helping to organize and raise funds for the search party. They are also in the process of creating a Climb Alert Network that going forward will help to organize climb information, and for climbers to communicate with one another, making it easier to keep track of where someone is. It should be a great resource once it up and running.

The Fowler-Boskoff Search Engine has also been updated with more information as well. It seems the body was located at about 5300m (17,388 feet) and is mostly covered in snow at this point. It is, at this moment, not clear if the body is either Charlie or Christine. The Chinese search team that discovered it were asked to take pictures but leave the body undisturbed until a proper excavation team can return tomorrow. The body was discovered some three hours above the Lenggu Monastery in the Genyen Region.

More as it becomes available.

New Holiday Wishbook!

When I was a kid, every year in the weeks leading up to Christmas we would receive several catalogs in the mail from places like Sears or J.C. Penny. Being a kid, the first thing we'd do was turn to the back of the book and start to make our list of requests from the jolly man in the red suit. Of course, that list would continue to grow to epic proportions as we wished for everything in the book. That lead to the catalogs being caleld Wishbooks.

I had a similar experience yesterday when I received the new print catalog from GAP Adventures, a company that specializes in adventure travel all over the World. I received the 2007/2008 catalog in the mail, and proceeded to page through, making another "wish list". The 225 page, full color, book is crammed full of trips on every continent. You'll find everything from guided climbs of Kilimanjaro, to trekking around Everest and Annapurna, to sailing to the Galapagos, and much much more. It was fun to page through the book and just check off the trips I'd love to do. Before long, I found my list growing as long as the ones I created as a kid, and I couldn't help but hope Santa was paying attention for next year.

Fowler-Boskoff Search Update

More news on missing climbers Charlie Fowler and Christine Boskoff. The Fowler-Boskoff Search Engine has been updated with the news that the pair's luggage has been found. The driver who drove them to a remote area near the border of China and Tibet, and claims that they told him they would return for their luggage after attempting to climb Genyen Peak. All of their climbing gear was missing from their luggage, indicating that they intended to climb and return for the rest of their belongings later.

Obviously this helps to narrow the search area, but does little to answer the question of what happened to them. Perhaps with this new information we can begin to find a conclusion to this mystery. It seems that information is starting to come to light. I'll update the story as more becomes available.

Update: CNN.com has picked up this story and is now reporting on the search. It's taken the mainstream press some time to investigate this one, but then again, a search in the Himalaya is a far cry from Mt. Hood.

Ten Best Hikes In The World: #1

So here we have it. After counting down for the past ten days, BestHike.com has finally posted the number one best hike in the world. Coming in at #1: The The West Coast Trail in British Columia. They call it a "near perfect hiking experience in pristine Canadian wilderness.”

Other reasons they love it include the incredible sunrises and sunsets, a network of beaches, caves, and other coastal terrain, and intresting wildlife including whales, sea lions, bears, cougars and even wolves. The 47 mile long trail is challenging, yet still has a high success rate, perhaps best of all, no biting insects!

Things to consider before undertaking this trail include the fact that it rains regularly, some times very hard, the temperature in the summer generally hovers around 55 degrees Fahrenheit, and both hypothermia and heatstroke can be an issue. Best Hike also notes that this is not a good trail for hikers doing their first multi-day hike, as people have died on the trail.

So there you have it. the Ten Best Hikes In The World. I'm sure everyone can find something on the list to their liking. You can find a complete recap here. And Rick, I told you I'd be checking on Christmas morning. ;)

Happy Holidays From The Adventure Blog!

I just wanted to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy New Yar, and Happy Holidays in general. It's a wonderful time of year to take stock, cherish our friends and families, and be generous in our gift giving. As the year winds down, and the calendar turns to another year, take a little time to reflect on the adventures of the past year, and start planning some great new ones for next year!

Were Boskoff and Fowler Murdered?

We've all been following the search for Christine Boskoff and Charlie Fowler over the past few weeks, silently hoping that the pair may yet be found, alive and safe, on some remote mountain in China. Up until now, much of the speculation has been that the two may have have suffered some climbing accident on a remote mountain that they were looking to make a first ascent on, but today's Observer offers up another theory. Perhaps they were murdered.

The article speculates that the pair were traveling in a remote, and lawless, region of China that is called "the wild west" by one person who knows the region well. The area is fraught with tension between the Chinese and Tibetans, and the desolate mountains are home to bandits and rebels. The fact that the two climbers were exploring the area without permits doesn't help their cause any.

The Fowler-Boskoff Search Engine has been updated with some new information as well. They have added a list of recent developments to the story, such as sightings from locals, notations in guest books, and as well as further places to donate to the search fund. Speaking of which, fund raising is going well, but more aid is always useful, so please give generously if haven't already done so. You can now donate via credit card should you choose as well.

The Search Engine also notes that a CNN Team has arrived in the area, and is filming a segment that will air on the network on Dec. 26. If I can find more information on when it will air throughout the day, I'll post it here. More information as the story develops further.

Ten Best Hikes In The World: #2

Another day, another entry in the Best Hike list of the Ten Best Hikes In The World. Today it's #2: The John Muir Trail, which is a classic section of the Pacific Crest Trail.

Best Hike loves it because it "crosses Yosemite, Ansel Adams and John Muir wilderness, Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks", which in and of itself would be enough. But, there are other reasons to enjoy this hike as well, such as the incredible views over 11 high passes, the fact that it crosses seven ecological zone in the United States, generally great weather, and the fact that the wilderness pass is free!

Things to consider include the fact that water is plentiful, but you'll need to bring a good filter, and water can be scarce in the dryer seasons. Also, you'll want to bring your own stove, as their are fire restrictions in effect at all times, and great footwear is a must. They recommend bringing too sets of shoes. They also note that the marmots will eat anything you leave laying about, including your pack and that "the smartest bears in the world will be trying to get anything edible or that smells edible".

That leaves just one hike left on the list. We'll have to tune in tomorrow, on Christmas morning, to see what the Greatest Hike In The World actually is. I have my guess. Do you have one as well? If so, leave a comment!

Ten Best Hikes In The World: #3

We're up to number three on the BestHike.com list of the ten best hikes in the world. Today it's the Tongariro Northern Circuit in New Zealand. The 34km hike passes through desert and volcanic terrain that is both beautiful and bizarre.

Best Hike loves it because of the odd lava features, boiling mud pools, and water filled craters. There is also an active volcano (Mt. Ngauruhoe), that played the role of Mt. Doom in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings and a side trip up to the top of Mount Tongariro that adds a nice diversion, and along the way you'll learn about native Maori culture. Best Hike also notes that New Zealand has the best hostels in the world.

Things to consider for this hike includes the fact that the trail can get busy, especially at the Devil's Staircase, the weather is unpredictable, with rain and snow possible at any time, and all water sources require treatment, so bring your filters and iodine. Also be sure to bring plenty of warm clothes, good hiking boots, and extra equipment, as Best Hike notes that many trekkers on the trail come unpreapred.

Only two to go now!

WildeBeat Weighs In On The America The Beautiful Parks Pass

Perhaps you've heard about the new America The Beautiful national parks pass. For a mere $80 you can buy a year long pass that will allow you, and your car load of friends, entry to any of the National Parks that you visit. It has come under scrutiny from the outdoor community with some seeing it as a tremendous bargain while others see it as a major increase in fees, especially when compared to the existing Parks Pass and the Golden Eagle Parks Pass which have been around for some time, and cost less money.

What does the new Pass cover? What can you do with it that you can't do with the already existing passes? Fear not, as Steve Sergeant and The Wildebeat are on the case. In the most recent podcast episode they ask some tough questions and take a good long look at the ATB pass. Steve attempts to sort it all out with the help of a number of guests who weigh in on the subject. Well worth a listen if you frequent the National Parks or purchase a pass such as this one.

Ten Best Hikes In The World: #4

We're up to number four on BestHike.com's list of the Ten Best Hikes in the World, and so far it's been an awesome list. I can't wait to see what the top three are going to be, but for now, coming in at #4: Ausangate Circuit, Peru.

The Best Hike gang love this trek because of the spectacular views of the Peruvian glaciers, the light traffic on the trail, and the amazing hike around Ausangate massif. There are hot springs at the beginning and the end of the trail as well, and did I mention that it's inexpensive? Lets not forget about the "thousands of alpacas" either!

Things to consider before going are the altitude, which can inflict AMS, the remote region means no rescues, and complete lack of creature comforts (plan ahead!), and cold weather. It can drop below freezing at night, and snow is a possibility nearly any time of year.

Looks like another winner. Whose ready to take a very long walk with me?

Ten Best Hikes In The World: #5

BestHike.com continues their countdown to the number one, greatest hike in the world today with #5: Sunshine to Assiniboine. This route is located in the Canadian Rockies, close to Assiniboine which they call "Canada's Matterhorn". Sounds like an excellent place to visit already. Best Hike loves it because the area is remote (accessible by foot or helicopter only!), offers plenty of chances to view wildlife, including mountain goats, bighorn sheep, elk and mule deer, pikas, chipmunks & hoary marmots, and it gives hikers the chance to trek along the Continental Divide. Before you book your trip however, be sure to check out their list of "Considerations", which include busy trails, the expenses of hiking in a Canadian national park, and the highly variable weather. (They note that snow is possible on any day of the year!) Still, this sounds like another amazing hike! Keep 'em coming guys!

Hari Berger Dies While Ice Climbing

The Alpinist is reporting that three time world ice climbing champion Hari Berger has fallen to his death while climbing near his home in Salzburg, Austria. Berger was known in the climbing community for establishing many tough routes all over the World on both ice and rock.

More sad news for the climbing and outdoor community. Berger leaves behind his girlfriend, who is in her ninth month of pregnancy with their first child. It seems I've been saying this a lot lately, but keep them in your prayers.

Worlds Most Dangerous Roads

The Dark Roasted Blend Blog has a scary, but also very cool, post from a few weeks back on the Worlds Most Dangerous Roads. Each road is named, and given reasons for it's position on the list, but best of all, there are tons of amazing images of these "roads" (I use the term very loosely) that will have you gaping in awe that anyone would actually drive on them. For some reason Blogger isn't allowing me to post images at the moment, but trust me, you don't want to miss these. Amazing stuff!

Thanks Adventure Logue

Thoughts On Everest: Beyond The Limit - Episode 6

Last night the Discovery Channel aired the sixth, and final episode of, Everest: Beyond The Limit and in many ways, it was the most powerful episode of them all.

When last weeks episode ended, Tim Medvetz and Gerard Bourrat were determined to go to the summit despite the fact that team leader Russell Brice had ordered them down. The two had moved too slowly and were using up too much oxygen, to complete their summit bid, but caught in the midst of Summit Fever, they pressed on anyway. After some coaxing from the team however, they are finally convinced to turn around and give up their attempt to reach the top. Their trip back to Camp IV turned out to be a long, slow, and grueling process.

Meanwhile, double amputee Mark Inglis did summit, but his stumps were rubbed raw from the artificial legs that carried him to the top. He was in so much pain that he couldn't complete the descent on his own, so the team rigged up a makeshift sled to pull him down the mountain and get him back to Advanced Base Camp.

The real drama though, came in the form of climber Max Chaya, who had summitted early in the day, discovering a dying man, laying beside the trail beneath a rock. The man was alive, but had run out of oxygen, and was severely frost bitten. Of course, that climber was David Sharp, whose eventual death sparked controversy in the climbing community and brought personal attacks against Brice himself.

The show hinted at the controversy, but skirted around the issues for the most part, and never really explained what caused the community to splinter into debate, nor did they discuss the charges leveled at Brice, who many have accused of leaving Sharp on the mountain. There were sound bites from team members who all said that it was impossible to rescue him, and the genuine emotion in their voices told you that they truly did take it to heart that a fellow climber was dying, and there was nothing they could do to help him.

But there are also many who feel that Sharp could have been rescued had someone stopped on the way to the summit to help him. It would have meant that a team would have had to give up their summit bids, and try to lower him back down, something we now know no one did. Beyond The Limit glossed over the fact that more than 40 climbers walked past Sharp without lending any type of aid as they went up the mountain, and the show never examined the ethical side of leaving someone to die. Personally, I would have liked to have seen comments from someone who took issues with leaving the man there, and perhaps some commentary on the current climbing climate on Everest, which has become a super-highway to the top, where the summit is more valued than helping someone in need.

I will say that the video footage seemed to show that Brice didn't know about Sharp until it was too late, and that he seemed to have the best interest of his own climbers in mind. Whether or not the footage on the show will quiet some of his detractors has yet to be seen, but judging from what whas shown, which could easily have been edited, there was little Brice could do.

The end of the show had a recap of what happened to the climbers after they had returned home. Several of them, such at Tim and Mogens, were vowing to return next year to go for the summit again. Others lost extremities to frostbite (Gerard and Mark). It was fairly clear that no one left the mountain without some baggage. Everyone was effected by the climb, either from facing their own limits, finally making it to the top, or seeing first hand the dangers of high altitude climbing.

Overall, I'd say the series was very good. The early shows seemed rather slow and boring. But once the teams started to actually climb things picked up and became much better television to watch. The final four episodes were excellent and the series wrapped up well, It would have been nice to have seen them take on the controversy more fully, with more than an over simplified look at the situation. There were a number of ways they could have approached it to explain both sides more fully, but as it stands, it seems as if they just wanted to acknowledge it and move on. Of course, you could easily do another whole hour long episode on this topic alone.

The best part of the show for me was getting to know the climbers. They were all unqiue and interesting men and you really wanted to see them succeed, even as you knew that not everyone could make the summit. I also enjoyed seeing the North Side of Everest, which I didn't know that much about before watching the show. Learning the route to the top, and seeing how it differed from the South Side, was interesting and educational, and a nice break from the typical route that has been shown in so many documentaries before this one.

In the end, I think the show did what it was intended to do, namely draw in a decent size audience, capture the imagination of the mainstream, and stir up ratings. Discovery did an admirable job with this show, and managed to film the expedition all the way to the top, which in and of itself was no small feat. Lugging cameras up and down the mountain to capture this footage couldn't have been easy. There were a lot of great scenes and photographs as well, which was greatly appreciated. But here's a pro-tip for the guys over at Discovery Channel. Next time capture and broadcast all the footage in HD. It'll make plenty of us happy. :)

Search Ends On Mt. Hood

CNN.com has just posted the breaking news that the search for the missing climbers has ended on Mt. Hood. The decision came after nine days of searching turned up the body of one of the three missing climbers, while the traces of the other two became increasingly hard to find. With another storm bearing down on the mountain, and chances of survial fleetingly small, Sheriff Joe Wampler decided to call of the search, now calling it a "recovery mission."

I feel incredbly sad for the families of these three men. With the holidays upon us, a tragedy like this one hits home even more. The climbers simply weren't equipped to handle the bad winter weather that has set in for the past ten days, and the likely hood of them being alive has all but vanished. Keep the familes in your thoughts and prayers as we move into this holiday weekend.

Polar Update: Eyes On The Prize!

Another Polar Update today from ThePoles.com. It seems that very cold conditions have hit the ice, just one day before Summer sets in in the Southern Hemisphere. Our intrepid explorers on the ice wouldn't know it's Summer however, with rough winds, sastrugi, and bitter cold (-25 C) conspiring against them.

Polar Quest has less than 100 miles to go now, and seems likely to reach the Pole by Chistmas as planned, despite trudging uphill much the way yesterday. The Kiwis had rough going because of whiteout conditions, but are still on track to reach the 87th parallel in the next few days. Meanwhile, Hannah is moving like a speed demon, and may set a new solo speed record. However, moving that fast has taken it's toll, as she has burned off her excess body fat, and is now having a hard time staying warm. She is also closing in on the 88th degree, and is roughly a week out from the Pole. Finally, Ray and Jenny continue along according to schedule, although the bitter cold, and a few health issues have made it tough sledding. Yesterday was nearly all up-hill as they approached the Polar Plateau.

Over on Vinson, it was the scene of another rescue attempt as Canadian Doctor Heather Ross woke up in the middle of the night suffering from HAPE (High Altitude Pulmonary Edema). After administering diamox and Viagra, she was rushed down the mountain to Camp 1 and is expected to leave Patriot Hills today.

The Rest of Everest - Episode 31

Episode 31 is now available for the video podcast The Rest of Everest. This episode is entitled Weather Report as the team continues to wait for a weather window. The past few episodes have revolved around the weather on the mountain, and it has been a glimpse at the tedium that can set in while waiting for the right opportunity to go for the summit. This episode also has some excellent photography with shots of Base Camp, the mountain itself, and the surround area.

While on the subject of The Rest of Everest, a big congratulations to Jonathan Miller, the director and photographer of the show. The Rest of Everest made the list of staff picks for the Best Podcasts of 2006 on iTunes. Well deserved in my opinion.

Ten Best Hikes In The World: #6

We're up to number six on Best Hike's list of the Ten Best Hikes In The World. Holding down this position is The North Circle in Glacier National Park. Best Hike loves it for the famous Highline Trail, the plethora of wildlife to be seen (elk, mule deer, moose, mountain goats & bighorn sheep), and the relative solitude you'll find while hiking. They recommend you book your hiking permit plenty early however, and don't forget to bring binoculars for observing the black and grizzly bears from a distance. You don't want to get too close. Trust me. Another excellent choice for an amazing hike.

Fowler/Boskoff Search Update

The Alpinist has posted an update on missing climbers Charlie Folwer and Christine Boskoff who went missing in China a few weeks back. The two Americans are believed to be in the Yunnan Province or near the towns of Litang and Batang in Sichuan Province. The search team used information from friends and family, e-mails sent from the pair, and a laptop that belongs to Fowler, and was left with a friend, to narrow the search. The pair are believed to have been going for the summit on an unclimbed, and unnamed, 6500m peak near Dequen, China in Yunnan Province.

The search team has raised over $75,000 to date in order to fund the on going operations. You can find out more about that fund, and how to contribute at the Fowler-Boskoff Search Engine or the Mountainfilm Blog.

Clothing That Is Trackable By GPS

According to this article over at the Raw Feed a company named Covert Asset Tracking Systems Ltd has plans to introduce a new line of clothing that will have the ability to be tracked, via GPS. Furthermore, tracking can be plotted over the Internet, making it easy to keep any eye on who ever is wearing the clothing. The system will be mainly aimed at the outdoor enthusiast and will also be integrated into backpacks and other outdoor equipment.

You can't help but think something like this could save lives when searching for someone in the backcountry, however anyone who has ever used a GPS device knows that it can easily lose it's signal under heavy tree cover. It's also useless in a cave, or under deep snow, such as an avalanche or snow cave. I get the feeling this will be useful for parents who want to keep an eye on their kid as much as anything else. Still, if the sytem catches on, and saves one life, it's probably done it's job.

Basic Gear For A (Wine)Hike!

The Winehiker posted this excellent little article today listing the basic gear necessary for a hike into the backcountry. It's an excellent primer for someone just getting into wilderness hiking and not really sure what they should be carrying with them. There are some excellent items on the list that you should never hit the trail without, such as sunglasses, a map, and compass, plus quite a bit more.

Once you've warmed up with that article, head over to the main site at CaliforniatWineHikes.com to find tons of other fun and interesting stuff, including a comprehensive list of treks that combine two of the best things in the world, namely hiking and wine. Sounds like a great combination to me. :)

Ten Best Hikes In The World: #7

BestHike.com has given us the latest in their "Ten Best Hikes In The World" list. Coming in next on the list is #7: Kilimanjaro. I think this quote says it all: "If you are going to Africa for just one trek, this is it."

BestHike loves the fact that Kili is the highest peak in Africa, and doesn't require any technical climbing experience. They also love the Marangu Route, which gives you the option of sleeping in huts, and while many go to climb Kilimanjaro, most turn back at Gillman's Peak, with few proceeding another two hours to reach the "Highest Point In Africa".

I'm hoping to do this trip myself next year, fingers crosse that everything works out. If there are any travel groups out there that want to cut a good deal for an Adventure Blogger, I'm your guy! ;)

Search Continues On Mt. Hood

CNN.com brings us another update today on the two climbers still missing on Mt. Hood. Rescue teams have narrowed their search to a smaller area, and even as they race against time, another storm is bearing down on the region. Brian Hall and Jerry "Nikko" Cooke are still missing, while their companion, James Kelly, was found dead in a snow cave on Sunday.

Even more worrisome, was a camera found on Kelly's body, which contained images of the three men. The pictures showed the equipment they were carrying with them as they climbed, and experts who have seen those pictures say that it would be tough to survive out there for so long with the light gear they had packed. Still, there is hope that they are in a snow cave of their own, or climbed into a crevasse to get out of the weather. Rescue teams haven't given up just yet, as the men could still be huddled in a covered crevasse waiting to be found.

Danelle Ballengee Survives 3 Days In The Wilderness

Danelle Ballengee, one of the top female Adventure Racers in the World, fell more than sixty feet on a training run, breaking her pelvis, and leaving her stranded in a remote region for more than two days. According to this article she slipped on ice while running, causing her to fall. Danelle's dog Taz eventually brought help after watching over her for two days and staying close to keep her warm the first night.

Danelle broke her pelvis in four places (Ouch!) and it is estimated that it will take three to six months before she can walk again, and a full year before she will be full recovered. She is currently a member of Team Spyder, and rose to prominance in the sport when she raced with Team Nike, with whom she won three Primal Quests, an Ecco-Challenge, The Adventure Racing World Championship, and a Raid. Get well soon Nelly! We want to see you racing again.

Thanks Yak!

Seven Summits Skier Kit DesLauriers In USA Today

Looks like the mainstream media has finally picked up on the Kit DesLauriers story as USA Today has posted a prominent story on her today. You'll recall that Ms. DesLauriers became the first person to ski all of the Seven Summits when she stepped into her bindings a few months back and skied down Everest.

The story is a bit old now for most of us, but it's a nice article, and doesn't a decent job of interviewing Kit and getting her insights on her accomplishment. It's nice to see someone notice these things in the mainstream press, but you just have to hope that they get it rigth when they do.

Edit: It should be noted that Kit is not the first person to completely ski all of the Seven Summits. That honor goes to Davo Karnicar, whom I blogged about several weeks back. Kit was the first to actually ski all of the Seven Summits, but Davo was the first to ski the entire mountain on all of them. You can learn more about Davo at Mountain World and GoBlog. Thanks Climb_ca for calling me out on this distinction.

Ten Best Hikes In The World: #8

Continuing their "Worlds Ten Best" countdown today BestHike.com offers up #8: The Annapurna Circuit in Nepal. This is another classic hike that should be on everyone's "must do list". The trail will take you from " lush sub-tropic to the highest mountains in the world", and along the way you'll experience the Buddist tradion of Tibet and Nepal. On top of that you'll be able to stay in comfortable inns and eat in good restaurants along the way. And if the Best Hike words of encouragement aren't enough to get you on this trail, check out the photos from a very nice trip report. Amazing stuff!

Antarctic Update: Pole Is In Sight!

We have another Polar Update today from ThePoles.com. Teams are doing remarkably well, despite the weather conditions, and several of the explorers are appraching their destinations.

Team Polar Quest have passed 88 S and are now bearin down on the Pole. The estimate that they will reach their destination in time for Christmas. Meanwhile, The Kiwis continue to make slow, but steady progress despite the nasty sastrugi that they have encountered at every turn. The Team is condsidering breaking out the kites to try to improve their speed. Ray and Jenny report excellent, and warmer weather, as they make their way South, although a light snow fall has made it tougher to pull the sleds. Hannah is picking up speed, breaking her own distance record again on Friday, and is dealing with natural obstacles to her goals, namely grueling hill climbs, frozen sastrugi, and potential crevasse fields.

Going for an entirely different pole is not proving any easier for the boys of Team n2i. They spent much of the weekend huddled in their tents waiting out a nasty wind storm that prevented them from making any forward progress. They hoped to be back on the ice with the kites today.

Finally, over on Vinson, more teams have reached made their Summit bids, including the 7Summits team that had everyone reach the top, and a group of Canadians who were making their assault today.

Grand Canyon Skywalk To Open In 2007

Visitors to the Grand Canyon next year will have a new way off looking at things. The Hualapai Indian Tribe will open a new Skywalk that will jut more than 75 feet out from the Canayon wall, and be made of four inch thick glass. Vistors will be able to stroll out on to the skywalk, and look down between their feet throught transparent glass, at the canyon floor more than 4000 feet below. According to National Geographic the attraction is expected to raise considerable revenue for the Native American with the influx of tourists coming to the area to walk to the path.

Popular Mechanics On Mountain Rescue, Wilderness Survival

With the on going rescue efforts on Mount Hood over the past week, not to menition the high profile James Kim story there has been a lot of interest of late on wilderness survival and mountain rescue operations. With those topics in mind, I thought you might find these articles of interest, both from Popular Mechanics Magazine.

First, we have a short article on Mountain Rescue" with a profile of Steve Rollins, who is a voluneer with Portland Mountain Rescue. The article details some of the gear that the rescue teams use as well.

The second, and much longer article, is a guide to outdoor survival and details some of the best strategies to keep in mind should you become lost or stranded in the wilderness. It also mentions some basic survival gear that you should carry with you when traveling in the backcountry such as a signal mirror, a space blanket, or water proof matches. There is a lot of good advice to be found here, and is worth a read if for nothing else, but to refresh our memories on the things we need to consider to stay safe.

Podcast Updates

Ok, so I've been completely slacking in my Podcast Updates of late, so I've got a few to share with you. First up, The Wildebeat has posted Episode 68: Light Lofty Jackets and Episode 69: Indoor Snow Camping. The first of these programs reviews two lightweight, synthetic jackets designed to replace fleece layers, while the second episode takes a look at the joys of snow camping, but in style. In this case, camping in a rustic backcountry ski hut. Sounds like fun to me!

Endurance Planet also has a couple of podcasts that I've failed to mention. First is this interview with "joggler" Perry Romanowski. What's a joggler you ask? Someone who juggles. While runing a marathon. I didn't make this up, and yes, it's kind of silly. Finally, there is an interview with Craig Howie, who discusses base level training and building a strong core for endurance sports. Craig is a triathlete who recently completed the Iron Man in Kona, Hawaii.

Tragedy on Mount Hood

The search continues for two of the missing climbers on Mt. Hood this morning, even as news comes that one of the three has been found dead on the mountain according to CNN.com. The body of one of climbers was found inside a snow cave late yesterday, but at this time it has not been retrieved from the mountain, nor has the man been identified.

Meanwhile, helicopters and rescue teams are still searching for the other two men, who have been missing since last Sunday. Rescuers reported seeing two sets of footprints in the snow leading away from the snow cave. One set went down the mountain, reportedly in an "aimless circle" while the other set went up to the summit before the tracks were lost altogether.

This is sad news for all of us who have been following this story for the past week, as we continued to hold out hope that these three men would be found alive. It is still possible that one or both of the two other men is still holed up in a snow cave, waiting for rescue, but it's troubling that the two sets of footprints that the rescuers found, went off in different directions. I'm not sure why the two would seperate, or why one of the men would attempt to return to the summit. It's likely we will never know for sure at this point.

My condolences and prayer go out to the families in this sad and trying time.

Update: Fox News is now reporting that the body found on the mountain yesterday has been identified as Kelly James, the man who initially placed a distress call from Mount Hood last weekend. Still no word on the other two climbers Brian Hall or Jerry "Nikko" Cooke as of yet. More as it comes in.

Ten Best Hikes In The World: #9

Best Hike has revealed their ninth best hike in the world, and this time it's a real classic. Number 9 is the Tour of Mont Blanc, which has long been held as one of the greatest hikes in all of Europe, if not the World. Mount Blanc is itself, the center piece of this hike, but one of the things that makes this hike special, is that at the end of the day, after hiking on challenging, but breath takingly sceneic trails, you'll spend the night in a mountain hut, complete with many creature comforts. On top of that, how many trails allow you to visit France, Italy, and Switzerland in one trek?

The Mont Blanc circuit is indeed a true classic of hiking. If this one clocks in at number nine, I can't wait to see what's ahead of it, as I would have suspected that this one would have ranked higher.

Ten Best Hikes In The World: #10

BestHike.com is ending the year in style with their list of the Ten Best Hikes In The World. Over the next ten days they'll reveal another one of their favorite hikes, starting today with #10: The Overland Track.

The Overland Track is located in Australia at the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. They rate is as easy to moderate hiking through forest and alpine landscapes, and recommend a visit at the end of April or early May to see the beech trees turn a golden colorl. Sounds great to me!

Search On Mt. Hood Resumes, Then Halts

After bad weather the past few days, the search for the missing climbers on Mount Hood resumed today, but according to CNN.com mountain rescue teams have since retreated from the mountain as bad weather near the summit hampered the operations. Air searches are expected to continue throughout the night tonight.

Ten Close To Home Adventures

Looking for something to this Winter without having to renew your passport or spend a bundle of money? Then GORP.com has some suggestions for you with this list of ten adventures that don't require a passport.

You'll find some great suggestions on the list, such as Dog Sledding near Minnesota's Boundary Waters, taking a Cycling Trip to wine country in California, or venturing to Yosemite during the Winter months when it's much calmer, and solitude can be found everywhere. Sounds great to me!

Trail Running In Cold Weather

Krissy Moehl, who recently suffered vision problems due to cold weather while racing the Hellgate 100k trail run, has offered up some great advice for racing in cold weather. Everything she mentions is pretty spot on advice for dealing with activities in the cold in general, and it's well worth a read if you're not use to training or competing in the cold.

While I've never had vision problems due to the cold, I have experienced some of the other issues she mentions. I've had the bite valve on my hydration pack freeze up on several occasions, and any device that requires batteries will have a greatly shortened lifespan in the cold. Krissy ends the article with some nice suggestions on gear for dealing with the cold weather as well.

Storm Rages On Mt. Hood, Climbers Still Missing

The latet report on the missing climbers on Mt. Hood from CNN.com is that weather forcasters now say it may be Saturday, at the earliest, before the search can continue. Meanwhile, the familes of the three climbers have come together in Oregon, waiting and hoping that the three have managed to find shelter from the storms that are currently battering the mountain. Wind gusts in excess of 100 MPH are expected today, with blizzard like conditions, which is currently hampering rescue operations.

One ray of hope however, is that a cell phone carried by one of the men was turned on as recently as Tuesday. Cellular company T-Mobile has been working with rescuers to send "ping" signals to the man's cell phone. For awhile the phone was turned off, most likely to conserve battery power, but sometime during the day on Tuesday the phone was switched on briefly, which seems to indicate that the men may be safe, and holed up in an ice cave, waiting out the storm.

I'll post more as it becomes available. Keep those fingers crossed!

Edit: Want reason to hold out hope of a rescue? Then check out this amazing story about three teenagers who survived on Mt. Hood after 13 days in a snow cave. (via The Oregonian)

Thanks Backcountry Blog.

New Rafting News Site

Looking for the latest news and information from the world of Rafting? Then look no further than CaliRiver.com. This new site not only has that news and information, but also links to information on some of the best rivers in California to get your white-water fix on. You'll also find new info on the latest paddling gear, and links to general adventure news. Cool new site. Definitely worth a look, and a bookmark, if running Class V rapids is your idea of a great time.

Nanga Parbat: Poles Set Camp 1

MountEverest.net is reporting today that the Polish team on Nanga Parbat have established Camp 1 above 5000m as they prepare for their winter summit of that mountain. The team is working fast to get all of their camps and gear in place before December 21, the first official day of winter. When they finally do go for the summit, it will then be considered a true winter climb.

Or will it? The article goes on to debate the difference between a winter summit (reaching the top) and a winter climb (the bulk of the expedition.) So if you set up your camps and acclimatize on the mountain during the Fall, but summit in Winter, does it make any difference? Is a summit on Dec. 21 less of a winter summit than one made on Jan. 21? Personally, I think the article gets a little nit-picky, but I do think a climb done entirely during the winter, such as Simone Moro's upcoming winter Broadpeak and/or K2 attempts, is tougher. Moro won't even leave Italy for the Karakoram until Dec. 24. What do you think? Have a comment? Post it!

Fowler, Boskoff Missing In Tibet

I just had word sent to me that American climbers Charlie Fowler and Christine Boskoff have gone missing in Tibet. The two climbers have been in the Himalayas for most of the Fall, and even completed a first ascent on Yala Peak. According to this report on the Aplinist newswire, the pair were traveling in the Genyen area of Tibet in early November, and were planning an assault on an unnamed peak in the region. They went overdue on November 25, and were suppose to catch a flight home on December 4.

A search party has been formed, and perliminary searchs are already underway in Litang, a town they were last known to have visted. Today a blog has been started to help keep the climbing community informed of the search teams effort, as well as for taking donations to help fund the search process.

I'll post more as it becomes known.

Edit: Here are instructions for sending donations. Be generous. It tis the season:

Telluride Mountainfilm has opened a new account under its non-profit umbrella to accept tax deductible donations. The account is titled The Fowler-Boskoff Search Fund. It is a Wells Fargo account and the account number is 1736253632. All checks should be made to Mountainfilm in order to qualify for tax deductibility.

Checks can be deposited at Telluride's Wells Fargo drop box next to its ATM in the Wintercrown Building breezeway or at the Wells Fargo branch in Mountain Village. Checks should reference the account name and/or number.

Checks will also be accepted at the Mountainfilm office at 109 East Colorado Avenue (above The Toggery) or may be mailed to Mountainfilm, PO Box 1088, Telluride, CO 81435.

The Wells Fargo routing code for in-coming wires to the Fowler-Boskoff Search Fund is 121000248.

Mt. Hood Rescue Update

Rescue attempts on Mt. Hood have been stymied by the onset of a brutal winter storm. CNN.com is reporting that 100 MPH winds, and heavy snow is expected to blast the mountain today, essentially putting an end to rescue attempts for now. Rescue teams have continued to set up basecamps on the mountain in the event that the weather breaks and they can make a dash up the mountain to continue their search.

The three climbers, who have been missing now since Sunday, were attemtping to make a fast and light climb to the summit of Mt. Hood when they were caught in an unexpected storm. Because they packed light, they didn't have a lot of safety gear or excess equipment with them, which doesn't bode well for them the longer they are on the mountain. There is still some hope though that they are holed up in snow cave and waiting for rescue. Lets hope the storm blows by quickly and rescuers can get back to searching.

Ready for a First Ascent?

Sender Films, the makers of awesome climbing, mountaineering, and outdoor adventure videos has put together movie called First Ascent that is receiving all kinds of critical acclaim. The film follows some of the best rock climbers in the World as the go for "first ascents" on some of the toughest unclimbed rock faces anywhere on Earth. The film jumps from the Himalayas, to Thailand, and Black Canyon and more. The film has won several awards at the Barry Corbet Film Festival and the Telluride Adventure Film Festival as well. Check out the trailer for this excellent looking film here.

I haven't had the chance to see this DVD yet, but I've heard it's amazing, and judging from the trailer, it looks like quite a ride. Christmas is right around the corner, so this might make a great stocking stuffer for the Climber on your list. I think I might just ask Santa for a copy of my own.

Update: It looks like First Ascent is up for another award at this weekends Tahoe Film Festival as well.

Trekking In The Pyrenees

Not all great expeditions need to take place in far flung places like Antarctica or on the face of K2. You'll find plent of great trekking in other parts of the world. Take the Pyrenees for instance. You'll find spectacular views, amazing mountains, rugged trails, and a nice warm lodge with plenty of great food and wine wating for you at the end of the day. Don't want to take my word for it? Then check out this article over at Andy Howell's Trek Blog.

There is something to be said for a hut to hut trekking tour through the Alps or the Pyrenees. You get to experience all the fun of a big adventure in the mountains, while not missing out on the creature comforts nor the culture of the region. What a great way to spend time in Europe, although your friends may be asking you why you didn't go to the top of the Eiffel Tower.

Thanks Two-Heel Drive!

Basecamp Managers: Unsung Expedition Heroes!

I found this story over at MountEverest.net earlier, and it gave me quite a chuckle. It's a short but sweet article on the role of the basecamp manager on big mountain expeditions, along with some humoerous tales of these under appreciated, unsung heroes. There names never get mentioned when the climbers summit, but they'd have a much harder time making it to the top without them. Fun and interesting read.

Antarctic Update: Whiteout Replaced With Snow!

ThePoles.com is reporting that the whiteout conditions that plagued the teams yesterday have been replaced with a snow storm today. The story notes that contrary to popular belief, it doesn't snow that often in the Antarctic, which is actually the driest place on Earth.

Team Polar Quest has a decent day on the ice, avoiding the snow storm until the end of their daily march. Calling it quits early the huddled up in their tents to avoid the storm as much as possible. Hannah on the other hand did have to contend with the snow. A fresh coating on the ground made pulling her sled all the tougher. To pass the time she listened to Pride and the Prejudice. Quite a change from the Hemingway from the day before. Meanwhile, Ray and Jenny struggled with sastrugi on top of sastrugi, followed by an ice field that was slick and difficult to move on. The two very different obstacles provided completely different challenges to their day.

Cheer up teams! We're only a little more than a week away from the Antarctic Summer now! :)

The Rest of Everest - Episode 30

It's Wednesday! Which means a lot of things. Half-way through the week, another day closer to the weekend, and of course a new episode of The Rest of Everest. This week we're up to Episode 30: A Little Help From My Friends. This week, the team is still stuck at ABC, waiting for a weather window and hoping their gear hasn't been blown off the mountain.

As always, you can download this video podcast directly from the website or subscribe to it directly in iTunes to have it delivered directly to your desktop or video iPod. It's an excellent look at the inside machinations of an expedition to Everest. I'm sure you'll dig it as much as I do.

High Tech Wilderness Survival Tips

CNET.com, who lost one of their own last week when James Kim passed away, has published an article on tech tips for wilderness survival. They break down their suggestions into several categories focusing on the essentials such as food and water, communcations, tracking (GPS), and more. It's not a bad little article and it certainly serves as an excellent reminder of things we should all consider when heading into the backcountry.

Update On Missing Climbers In Oregon

Rescue teams are preparing to resume the search today for the three missing climbers on Mount Hood, but unfortunately the weather isn't cooperating with them. According to CNN.com a massive winter storm is heading for the area by sometime tomorrow, which has given the search teams an even greater sense of urgency. High winds and plenty of snow already on the mountain have hindered efforts so far, and the climbers took a notoriously difficult route on the North side of Hood, which has not helped the search either.

Lets continue to keep our fingers crossed for these men and their families who are anxiously waiting word of a rescue.

Everest: Beyond The Limit Episode 5

The fifth episode of Discovery Channel's mountaineering mini-series Everest: Beyond The Limit aired last night, and like the previous two episodes it continued to improve quite nicely.

Ever since the show shifted focus to the actual climb in Episode 3, it has been enjoyable and interesting to watch, and last night's episode was no exception. At the end of Episode 4 Team 1 had summitted and were making their way back down, when Terry O'Connor, the doctor fro Oregon, began to lose feeling in his fingertips. Obviously something of a concern for a guy who makes his living as an emergency room surgeon. Meanwhile, Team 2, consisting of Max Chaya, Mark Inglis, and Tim Medvetz had made their way to Camp 4 and were in the final stages of preparing for their own summit bids.

Episode 5 began right where the show left off. Terry was stuck behind a group of very slow moving climbers on the Second Step, and could do nothing but wait for his turn on the ropes leading down. All the while his hands are getting colder, and closer to frostbite. Eventually the log jam clears however, and he's able to get moving again, making it to Camp 4 before his bottled oxygen ran out.

During that segment, there were two things I really liked. First, was the graphic showing how the body recirculates blood to keep your core temperature warm at the expense of fingers, toes, and other limbs. It illustrated very well the concept they were trying to get across and how frostbite set in. The second intresting thing was watching team leader Russell Brice's frustration as his climber was stuck behind the slower moving group. Listening to hime yell into the radio that it was his rope and ladder and that Terry should just push his way to the front to get down. You could hear his frustration and worry in his voice, and it was a strong indication of the amount of stress that goes into these climbs, even for the team leader at Camp 1.

The rest of the episode followed Team 2 as they went for the summit. In order to avoid the traffic jams that caused problems for Team 1, they left two hours earlier, and while Max and Mark got off on time, and ahead of the pack, Tim lagged behind, as has been typical for him throughout the expedtion. Max and Mark eventually made the summit, with Mark becoming the first double amputee to do so. Meanwhile, Tim left camp 20 minutes late and payed the price, getting behind a slower group once more, and having to wait while a Turkish group moved one of their climbers back down to Camp 4 after she collapsed on the way to the top.

It was at this point that the real drama of the episode began. In previous episodes it seemed as if they were trying to manufacture drama by stressing how dangeroun the climb is and showing climbers suffering from altitude sickness. This time there was no need to manufacture anything, as Tim and another climber began to struggle on the mountain, Russell told them that they were moving too slow, didn't have enough oxygen, and should turn back. The two climbers, clearly fatigued and oxygen deprived, ignored the warnings from Brice, and the Sherpas, and continued to climb, thinking they were much closer to the summit than they actually were. It was fascinating and horrifying to watch these two men get caught up in the "Summit Fever", putting all other thoughts behind, and pushing forward despite the repeated warnings and impassioned pleas from teammates to turn back.

At one point, one of the Sherpas did convince Russell to allow the climbers to go another half-hour, which surprised me. Up until that point, Brice seemed to be trying to keep everything in perspective and under control, keeping a close eye on the oxygen level of each of the climbers, and clearly he had decided before that to turn them around for safety reasons, and yet he was convinced to allow them to go another half-hour up when they probably should have turned around sooner.

Eventually Brice wanted to wash his hands of the whole affair, telling the climbers they were on their own, and they wasn't going to put his guides and sherpas in any more danger to try to keep them alive. It was a powerful moment on the show, and you could feel the frustration, tension, and helplessness that everyone involved was experiencing.

The show ended with Tim and the French climber still on the mountain. Still determined to move forward and ignoring all requests to turn back. Max and Mark had made the summit and were turned around, heading down, but were not safely back at Camp 4 yet, so we'll have to wait until next week to see how everything resolves itself. The sixth, and final episode, will certainly be an interesting one to watch for a number of reasons.

Watching him climb, I think Tim actually has the strength to maket he summit, but I don't think he would have the ability and oxygen to make it back down. Remember, getting to the top is only half the battle, and many people consider getting back down just has difficult.

Krissy's Hellgate Race Report

Krissy Moehl has updated her personal blog over at MountainZone with a race report on the Hellgate 100k.

Yesterday I noted that she set another course record at the event, but was having problems seeing when she crossed the finish line. It turns out the cold conditions, it dipped down to 12 degrees F, were causing her eyes to freeze. The story is a scary one, and how anyone could traverse the trail, running for 13 hours, let alone set a new course record, while slowly losing their eyesite, is beyond me. But in the end, Krissy crossed the finish line, and didn't suffer any permanent damage to her eyes.

Congrats on the great race, and glad to hear the eyes are doing better!

Antarctic Update: Return of the Whiteout!

ThePoles.com has posted another Antarctic update today, and for the expeditions out on the ice, it doesn't sound very good. After several weeks of battling high winds, sastrugi, and whiteout conditions, the explorers now have to face a different type of whiteout - Fog! The thick fog that now blankets the South Pole is making it difficult to see, and putting a damper on the spirits of the teams. It's gotten so bad that John Wilton-Davies reports that he can't see more than six inches around his feet.

Meanwhile, the Polar Quest Team claims they were forced to check their compass every ten steps to insure they were stil on course. The Kiwis have passed the halfway point, and dropped a food cache yesterday for the return trip. Hannah continues to report tough going, especially with the return of the whiteout conditions, but is passing the hours of solitude and silence by listening to Hemingway on her iPod. Finally, Ray and Jenny reported fairly easy navigation in spite of the whiteout conditions, and were able to find one of their supply caches without too many issues.

And lest we forget, Team n2i are moving through these same conditions on their way to the Pole of Inaccessibility. Perhaps the coldest, most desolate place on Earth. The are reporting tough going, and the cold conditions have caused team members to have to deal with frostbite already.

National Geographic's Top Ten Stories of 2006

You can tell that we're getting down to the end of the year. Everyone is focused on the holidays, the adventure news is a bit on the light side, and there are plenty of year end "Top Ten" (or more!) lists. In the spirit of the season, here's another one. This time, National Geographic gets into the act with their Top Ten Stories of 2006.

You'll a wide range of items on the list, some silly, some strange, and some serious. All are interesting. I particularly find the story about the possiblity of Noah's Ark being found in Iran and the Lost World discovered in Indoneisa as being fascinating. Of course, the Giant Rabbit in the UK has my curiosity up as well.

Climbers Missing In Oregon

CNN.com is reporting that three climbers have been missing since Sunday on Mount Hood. The men reportedly set off with only minimal gear in an attempt to make a light and fast climb to the summit, but an unexpected snow storm brought blizzard conditions, with high winds, stranding the three climbers on the mountain. One of them used a cell phone to call home to Dallas, TX where he told his family he was stranded in a snow cave, and that the other two men had gone for hellp. Mountain Rescue teams searched all day yesterday without finding a trace of them, and plan to resume the search today.

All three men are reportedly experienced climbers, but their light and fast approach has come back to haunt them. WIthout all the proper gear that they need, it's going to take a small miracle for all three to be found alive. Hopefully they are all safe in a snow cave somewhere, waiting out the storm, which continues to blow on the mountain. With any luck, rescue teams will find them today. Lets keep our fingers crossed for these men, and say a little prayer for their families as well.

More Seven Summits Blogs!

The tagline for the website is "Without a job after 26 years, losing her mother two months later and starting menopause,
what's a woman to do? Attempt to Climb Mount Everest, of course!" and that's just what 50 year old Nicki Branch is attempting to do. The intrepid adventuerer has just started on her quest for the Seven Summits, knocking off Kilimanjaro last week, and is now turning her sites on the other six. Looks like she's planning to do the Kosciuszko version rather than Carstensz Pyramid. But I have a hunch, that if she gets up Everest, she'll be wanting to take on the Pyramid too. Good lucky Nicki, we'll be cheering for you!

Thanks Alan Arnette.

Meanwhile, on the other end of the spectrum is ten year old Jordan Romero who is aiming to become the youngest person to complete the Seven Summits. He's also topped out on Kili and is hoping to do one of the summits each year over the next few years, completing the Seven Summits by the time he is sixteen. The kid's even alread got sponsors!.

Thanks Daniel.

Climbing Kilimanjaro

The Orlando Sentinel travel section has a short, but sweet, guide to Climbing Kilimanjaro in their Q&A section. While the answer is fairly brief, as there are lots of things that can be said about this trip, it still gives a nice introduction to climbing Kilimanjaro, the highest point in Africa. For more information I highly recommend the David Breshears' IMAX film Kilimanjaro: To The Roof Of Africa

Thanks Adventure Blog (the other one!). Check out their short entry with photos here.

Winter Camping For Beginners

ClubTread.com has posted a very nice Beginners Guide To Winter Camping with suggestions on clothes, sleeping bags, tents, and other gear you'll need to stay warm on those cold winter nights. They break everything down quite nicely suggesting ways to pack all that gear into your campsite, how and where to set up camp, and even where to go camping to begin with. It's a good starter guide, or refresher course, for anyone thinking about backpacking in the snow this year.

Thanks GoBlog

Prepping for Altitude

The Los Angeles Times published an interesting article last week entitled Prepare, then head for thin air which offers some excellent tips for anyone planning a high altitude trek.

The author of the article, Barbara Hernendez, begins by telling her own tail of contracting Accute Mountain Sickness, and how it effect her, and then goes on to explain a bit about the condition. She further goes on to suggest some drugs and home remedies that may help alleviate the symptoms, but says that the only real cure is acclimatization, as we all know.

The article is a basic, but interesting read, with some good information on AMS and approaches for avoiding it.

Krissy Moehl Up To Her Old Tricks!

While Krissy hasn't updated her blog just yet, Matt Hart has updated his with news that Krissy Moehl has set another course record, this time at the Hellgate 100k. Krissy managed to shave 14 minutes off the previous best time of 13 hours 15 minutes, clocking in at 13 hours 1 minute.

Matt notes that during the race, which was run in 12 degree temperatures over night, Krissy's eyes began to cloud over, and by the end, she was barely able to see. Lets hope she's feeling better, and will update her blog soon with news on her big win.

Polish Team On Nanga Parbat

A few weeks back I posted about a Polish climbing team that was going for an winter ascent on Nanga Parbat. Today we get word from MountEverest.net that the team has reached basecamp and are in the early stages of preperations for the climb. They are reporting quite a bit of snow already on the ground, and it's been so cold (-20 degrees C at Night) that they have begun using their high altitude boots to keep their feet warm, and with more than a foot and a half of snow already on the ground at BC, it makes you wonder what conditions will be like when they start to work their way up the mountain, and eventually the summit.

The Outside 100!

Outside Online has posted the entire list of the Outisde One Hundred which was found in the December print issue of the magazine. The list consists of "100 of the most newsworthy athletes, products, gadgets, bold ideas, and badass feats" from 2006.

You'll find all kinds of interesting things on the list. Like Lincoln Hall, the man rescued on Everest this past spring, or Willie Kern, who established a non-profit organization to support sustainable river tourism in China, not to mention perennial Outside coverboy Lance Armstrong. Cool gadgets and gear include Westcomb's iRebel snow jacket, the new Bern multisport helmet, and Cloudsat for improved weather predicting on Summit Day. Events of 2006 that made the list included the Swains' epic BASE jump off Meru Peak, Richard Branson pledging $3 billion to fight global warming, and Shaun White taking gold at the Olympics.

Quite an interesting, and eclectic list I must say.

Ed Viesturs On The Daily Show

I missed this the other night when it was on, but thanks to the miracles of modern technology, you can catch Jon Stewarts interview with Ed Viesturs. In typical Daily Show style, the interview is kind of all over the place, but it's fun, and Ed takes it all in stride. You can view Part 1 here and Part 2 here. Don't mind all the ads!

Friday Polar Update

I have another polar update courtesy of ThePoles.com today. It seems the weather has improved, with winds dying down, and the skys clearing up, making for much easier, and brighter travel.

Team Polar Quest is approaching the Thiels Mountain Range, while the Kiwis made good progress with the improved weather, and are now roughly halfway to their goal. Hannah has had a good couple of days on the ice, and is making great time right now and rookie skiier John Wilton-Davies is following in her track, albeit a week or so back. Team n2i reports better weather and a faster paces as well, along with a stunning meteor display, as they work closer to the Pole of Inaccessibliity. Finally, Ray and Jenny are enjoying the improved weather as well, even if it has brought on more cold.

Over on Vinson, teams are off the mountain and safely back at Patriot Hills, and awaiting a flight back to Punta Arenas, where there are other teams waiting to hit the ice to get their crack at the mountain.

And from the Holy Sh*t Department!

According to this story over at MountainZone.com, American climber Sean Burch claims to have climbed 63 Tibetan peaks in just 23 days. This would set a new record for most first ascents in the shortest period of time.

Burch was climbing in the Chan Tang region of Tibet, which is largely unexplored, highly isolated, and seldom visited by westerners. Along the way, he spent time in the local villages in order to get an understanding of the people, and the human rightes issues they've been facing.

Documentation of these climbs has been offered up in the way of GPS data and photographs. You can find out more at SeanBurch.com, including a list of all the mountains summitted, and dispatches from the expedition.

Awesome work Sean! What an amazing adventure!

Is The Raid Dead?

In the world of adventure racing The Raid has been a respected and well known event for a long time. It's origins date back a long way, and it has been one of the pillars of the sport. But today we get news that the Raid is changing it's name to The Saab Salomon Mountain Sports Game.

The format will be completely different than anything we've seen before in AR. In fact, I'm not sure you can call it adventure racing at all anymore. There will be five different events, held over five days, and opened to 80 teams of three in male, female, or mixed catgories. The events will include Mountain Biking (Day 1), Mountaineering (Day 2), White Water Activities (Day 3), Ropes Activities (Day 4), and Orienteering (Day 5). You can find more in this PDF.

It's sad to see such an event as the Raid change it's format so dramatically. What does this mean for the sport of adventure racing? Are the major expedition length races becoming a thing of the past? Are we seeing the end of the epic, multi-day races like the Raid, Primal Quest, and Eco-Challenge? Yak at Check Point Zero, weighs in with his thoughts in his latest blog entry.

Mars Has Liquid Water, Kayakers Rejoice!

Yesterday I mentioned that NASA plans to build a moonbase by 2024, and today we get word that liquid water has been found on Mars. It's long been suspected, but now evidence is in place to prove that the water does exist.

In related news, Steve Fisher has announced he'll make a first descent on a Martian canal as soon as he can book passage to the Red Planet.

Thanks National Geographic.

Into The Hindu Kush

The Alpinist continues it's reputation for excellent writing and reporting on high mountain climbing with this article entitled A Short March to the Hindu Kush. This excellent article discusses the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan, which is known for it's remote, and rugged peaks, near the Pakistan border, and how it has seen relatively few climbing expeditions in recent years thanks to the unrest in the region. The Soviet invasion of 1979, followed by nine years of occupation, and then rebel clashes, and the rise of the Taliban have all made it difficult, and unsafe, to climb in this region.

Following 9/11, the U.S. invaded Afghanistan, drove the Taliban into hiding, and now occupy much of the country, including portions of the Hindu Kush. While it's still not safe for westerners to visit this region, it was possible for the writer of this article to join the Marine Corps at the Mountain Warfare Training Center, and eventually go with them to Afghanistan to visit the region, and to watch operations first hand there.

It's a shame that this region is not safe to climb in these day, and doesn't look like it will be for some time. There are a host of remote peaks there, some still unclimbed, that would make for an excellent expedition. It's too bad we couldn't get one of those "Peace Climb" expeditions to go there, and bag a few peaks as a show of strength and solidarity. Perhaps someday soon. We'll see.

More News From The Antarctic

ThePoles.com continue to report bad weather in the Antarctic with many teams facing high winds and whiteout conditions. It's gotten so bad that planes currenlty can't land at Patriot Hills, and there are three teams stuck at Camp 1 on Vinson, unable to go up or down the mountain.

The Kiwis are reporting whiteout conditions, and slow moving, while Polar Quest has moved within three weeks of their goal. Ray and Jenny faced similar conditions a the Kiwis, but after waiting it out for a couple of hours, they were able to get back on their feet and moving, albeit slowly, and not with out problems with their sleds. Hannah reports nasty winds as well, making her trip slow, cold and lonely. Finally, Team n2i continues toward the South Pole of Inaccessibility, in what is likely the toughest, and coldest, of the expeditions.

Gear Junkie's Gear of the Year!

The Gear Junkie, Stephen Regenold, has released his pics for the Top Ten Gear of the Year Awards. You'll find all kinds of cool stuff on the list, like the Macpac Amp adventure racing pack, the Suunto t6 heart-rate monitor/altimeter wrist watch, or the SurFire U2 Ultra flashlight. Ten excellent items that you won't find on a lot of other "Gear of the Year" lists. Ask Santa nicely!

The Rest of Everest - Episode 29

A new episode of the video podcast The Rest of Everest is now available for download. Episode 29 is entitled Waiting Out The Weather and the title pretty much sums up the episode. With high winds, even at ABC, the team is stuck, waiting for their opportunity to go up the mountain. We'd like to believe that an Everest expedition is all about climbing, but sometimes there is a lot of waiting as well. Especially when the weather is involved.

If you haven't been watching The Rest of Everest, and you have an interest in high altitude climbing in general, or Everest in particular, than you owe it to yourself to watch this podcast. Jon, the Director of the show, does a great job of showing you all aspects of an Everest expedition. And don't think it's too late to jump in now even though we're up to Episode 29. You can get all the past episodes through iTunes or on the Rest of Everest webiste. I highly recommend starting with Episode 0 and working your way forward. After an episode or two, you'll be hooked, and you'll find yourself quickly catching up, and impatiently waiting the next episode.

The Gear Junkie Ubercycle!

Looking for a new Mountain Bike? Can't find anything that exactly fits your needs or as all the components you want? Fear not, The Gear Junkie is here to help. Read all about his custom built ubercycle in which he hand picked over two dozen seperate components and built a $1700 personal dream machine.

I will say this looks like a sweet ride, and probably far more bike than I could ever use. But it would still be a blast to take it for a spin. Your $1700 could buy you a hell of a nice pre-built bike as well. Still, this is an interesting read and a dream (nightmare?) project for a lot of people.

Elbrus: A "Pathetic" Climb?

I saw this story while surfing through MountEverest.net earlier, and found it to be a suprising report. Spanish Climber Francisco Ortiz has voiced his displeasure with the climbing techniques being used on Elbrus, caling it "pathetic". It seems he was surprised to have visited the mountain recently, and found that the trip up to 3700m was conducted by cable car to a crowded hut, where he was further dismayed to see the amount of trash that was tossed onto the glacier and left there. That's not all, he reports that from there, many climbers than hitch a ride, on a Snow Cat, up to 4800m where they then finally, begin the climb to the summit.

Elbrus is 5642 meters in height, and is the tallest mountain in Euripe, making it one of the Seven Summits. But can someone really take pride in climbing it when you only have actually scaled about 840 meters under their own power? What's the point?

Polar Exploration... On The Moon!

National Geographic, amongst others, are reporting that NASA has announced plans to build a base at one of the moon's poles. The base will be solar powered, and is scheduled to be permanently staffed by 2024. By 2025 someone will announce the first solo, unsupported trek to either the North or South Lunar Pole I'm sure. Odds are, right now, that that person will be British.

With tourists going into space soon, and a permanent base on the moon announced, how long before I'm blogging on adventures from space? Or IS space the next big adventure? I can just see reports of summit bids on Mount Olympus on Mars, which for the record stands 15 Miles high. I'm guessing it won't be done without bottled oxygen.

Everest: Beyond The Limit - Episode 4 thoughts

So I literally just finished watching the fourth episode of Everest: Beyond The Limit on the Discovery Channel and wanted to share my thoughts.

You'll recall that I didn't have a whole lot of flattering things to say about the first two episodes, but thought that things picked up in the third when they finally started to climb. Well, the momentum that the show built up in that third episode carried over into the fourth, and I'm happy to say it was, in my opinion, the best episode yet.

The four episode was once again all about the climb, as Team 1 made it's summit bid, and Team 2 moved up to Camp 4 to make their bid next week. After three episodes, you now have a sense of who these climbers are, and what they are out to prove on the mountain, so it's hard to not be pulling for them. Team 1 consisted of Terry O'Connor, the teams doctor, Mogens Jensen, the asthmatic climber from Denmark who was making a bid without bottled oxygen, and one of the team guides. Brett Merrell, the LA Fireman, was also a part of this team, but turned back in the last episode when he couldn't acclimatize properly. Team 2 is made up of Mark Inglis, the climber from New Zealand who lost his legs to frostbite some years ago, and is attempting to become the first double amputee to summit Everest. He's joined by Biker Tim Medvetz and Max Chaya, the climber from Lebanon that we strangely know little about four episodes in.

Up until this point, Mogens was the strongest of the climbers, but the team was forced to wait for a weather window, and an extra night at Camp 3, without bottled oxygen, had it's effect on him. Shortly after leaving for Camp 4, and moving above 26,000 feet, into the Death Zone, he started to experience problems catching his breath. Soon he was feeling light headed, and decided to turn back. It was evident that he was suffering from AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) and would have to return to Base Camp. Mogens was a likeable guy, with a good story, and someone that was easy to cheer for, so it was tough to see the guy that seemed most likely to summit, have to turn back. But that's how it is on Everest. The strongest climbers can be laid low by AMS, especially when climbing without supplemental oxygen.

As the show progressed, the climbers made their way up the mountain, I was able to learn a lot more about the route on the North Side. I'm much more familiar with the Southern, more traditional, route, so it was intersting for me to see how the North side differed, and what obstacles were in the way of the climbers when they made their push for the summit from Camp 4.

As it turns out, the biggest obstacle was the traffic jam on the first and second steps. Because of having to wait an extra day at Camp 3 for the weather window to open, other teams caught up, and passed the expedition. As a result, when they went to make their summit attempt, Team 1 ended up getting caught behind two other teams that were moving very slowly up the mountain. These segements really helped to hammer home what these traffic jams are like, and how dangerous they can be, both going up, and coming down the mountain. It's crazy how bad things have gotten on the mountain, and this is climbing from the North side which traditionally has less traffic.

All in all, I'm pretty happy with the quality of the show these past two episodes. The focus on the climbing, and showing us the route, as well as the technical issues of getting to the summit has really helped to make things more intresting. I can honestly say that I'm looking forward to seeing the next two episodes and who finally makes it to the top. And who isn't rooting for the burly biker dude, Tim Medvetz, to shut-up all his doubters and stand on the top of the world?

Oh! And the cheesy "Ever...ever..ever...rest...rest...rest" dialog from the past episodes, the ones that sounded like they were right out of a bad horror flick, were all but non-existent in this episode. Thank god! Maybe someone over at Discoery Channel reads my blog! :)