Leaving On A Jet Plane...

I'm heading out of town for an extended Thanksgiving weekend here in the States. No updates for a few days! Take care everyone!

Remembering The Explorer, One Year On

November 23rd marked the one year anniversary of the Antarctic cruise ship the Explorer striking an iceberg and sinking in the icy waters. To commemorate the occasion, Jon Bowermaster, who was on the first ship to arrive on the scene, has written a very thoughtful piece on the events that transpired that day.

In the story, Jon notes that since that day, he has often thought back on the "surreal and eye opening" events that he witnessed that day. When his ship, the National Geographic Endeavor approached the quickly sinking vessel, they expected to find a disaster in the water, with the potential for all 154 passengers to be dead. Instead, they found a clam, quiet scene, with lifeboats filled to the brim with people waiting to be plucked from the water.

A year later, and the official cause of the sinking is still under investigation. It is presumed that the ship hit an iceberg, tearing a hole in the side and causing it to quickly sink. We may never know the exact cause however, as the Explorer now lies on 4200 feet beneath the surface of the ocean. There are some who believe that the ship simply came apart due to neglect and a failure to inspect it properly. But of course that would open up a different can of worms.

Jon goes on to discuss the impact of tourism on Antarctica and the growing number of people who are traveling there each year and the difficulties in regulating those visits. Last year was a record breaking year for visitors to the region, and the expectation is that this year will be even more so.

Jon and his crew will be heading back very soon as well. Expect new dispatches in the days ahead.

Stunning Rock Formations From Around The Globe

Forbes Traveller has a nice article online today with 20 Stunning Rock Formations from exotic locations all over the globe. As usual, each entry on the Forbes list includes a great photograph to illustrate why the location made the list.

Some of the places that you'll find include Arches National Park in Utah, where more than 2000 rock formations dot the landscape. The salt flats of the Atacama Desert (which looks stunning in Quantum of Solace by the way) garner a mention, as does the Wave Rock in Australia, which resembles a stone tsunami about to crash down on those who pass by.

Most of the formations on the list are from the Western United State, with Utah, Arizona, and California making several contributions. The formations are sometimes eerie, often odd, and always beautiful. Definitely worth checking out for the slideshow alone.

Explorers To Cruise Antarctica In Style

The Andrew Regan/Andrew Moon Transantarctic Expedition will be a 3000 mile journey across the entire continent to raise awareness of the impact of global climate change on that continent. The team of explorers, led by Regan and Moon, both of whom have been to the North and South Pole, will be conducting a number of scientific experiments along the way, measuring the healthy of the snow and ice pack there. This is not unlike a number of other expeditions we've seen in recent years, but where this one differs is in their mode of transportation. Many polar explorers go on foot or skis. Some will use a kite to pull them along. But Regan and Moon will go via the CIV, or Concept Ice Vehicle pictured here.

The CIV is an experimental craft that's been designed from the ground up to traverse the harsh Antarctic terrain. It's light, weighing less than 800 pounds, and fast, reaching speeds in excess of 80 mph, has comes equipped with ground penetrating radar to help it avoid crevasses and other dangers well ahead of time. It also uses a specially built BMW engine that burns biofuels, meaning that it also goes easy on the environment as well.

The plan is to depart from the Ronne Ice Shelf on the West Coast of Antarctica and head to the South Pole. Once that goal is achieved, the team will turn North, traversing the Trans-Antarctic Mountain Range to the coast at McMurdo, covering more than 3000 miles in the process.

The CIV has a one-man cockpit suspended on skis, so there will also be a support team coming along in two standard SSV's (Science Support Vehicles). The SSV's will carry most of the crew and gear, and will monitor the progress of the CIV while conducting their own environmental tests as well.

At this point, there is no news on when the team plans to head out to Antarctica. Their website has "London" listed as their "Current Location", so I guess we'll have to stay tuned and watch for updates. While I think it would be incredibly fun to take the CIV out for spin, I'd personally like to complete that last degree to the Pole under my own power. Still, this is a cool expedition with a sweet ride! :)

Gear Box: Men's Wicking Shirt

One of the best areas of improvement in recent years, when it comes to outdoor clothing, is in the area of base layers. We've seen a marked improvement in the synthetic fabrics that are used in these layers that are closest to our body, and designed to keep us warm and dry at the same time by wicking moisture away from our skin.

Recently I've had the pleasure to try out a new men's wicking shirt that is available from the fine folks over at Two Knobby Tires. The shirt is designed by Sport Science and gets major points because it actually looks and feels like cotton, but carries all of the benefits of synthetic fabrics as well, meaning it's great at wicking moisture away and keeping you dry in what every you're doing.

I was tested the long sleeve shirt in a variety of conditions, including using it as a running shirt on a cool night her in Texas. The temperatures dropped into the low 40's but the shirt kept me warm while i was moving, and still dry when I started to sweat. For me, that's the perfect test for a piece of active wear that I want to use, and this shirt performance exceeded my expectations.

The shirt also scores well in the looks department, making it easy to wear when you're kicking around town as well. It's very comfortable, either alone or under a jacket, making it an ideal choice on or off the trail. Pair it with a fleece layer and an outer shell, and it'll play a great role in your layering system, keeping you plenty warm in any conditions.

So, if you're pondering what to get your favorite outdoorsmen (or woman, her version is available here), then I'd highly recommend this men's wicking shirt. Not only does it perform well in a variety of conditions, it's also very affordable ($25.98!) and looks great too. Do yourself a favor this holiday season, stay home, shop online, and beat the crowds. ;)

Reinhold Messner Video on SnagFilms

SnagFilms has a great video of Reinhold Messner, the great climber ever in my opinion, in which he looks back on his illustrious career, with other climbing luminaries weighing in as well. The film is over 44 minutes in length, but includes some commercial breaks (great marketing with those "Covergirl" ads!) and serves as a great introduction to The Man or a reminder of how he changed mountaineering forever.

The film was originally done by Outside Films, who do a fantastic job telling Messner's story. You can also find a larger version of the film by clicking here. Really great stuff. Not to be missed!

Thanks for the tip on this one Richard!!

Book Review: Red Tape and White Knuckles

Last year I had the distinct pleasure of writing a review of the book Lois on the Loose by Lois Pryce. The book recounted the authors adventures as she rode her motorcycle from Alaska all the way down to Ushuaia, Argentina, encountering many unique characters and surviving all kinds of situations along the way. At the end of that book, I couldn't help but wonder what was next for Lois.

Turns out, she wasn't finished with her long distance journeys by motorcycle just yet, and was looking for even bigger challenges, this time riding from London, England to Cape Town, South Africa. The stories of those adventures are told in her latest book Red Tape and White Knuckles.

The title is fitting once you delve into the book. The ride through Europe is relatively tame and mostly uneventful, as you would expect, and takes up only a chapter or two at the beginning of the book. But once Lois reaches Africa, the real adventure begins. The riding conditions are challenging almost immediately, with the daunting task of crossing the Sahara Desert, where both the heat, and the sand offer challenges. But our intrepid traveler manages to hook up with a crew of rally drivers who show her the ropes early on, before she truly strikes off on her own.

Lois' route through Africa is mainly in the western portions of that continent. She arrived fresh off the ferry boat in Tunisa, and traveled south through Algiers, Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, the Congo, Angola, Namibia, and finally South Africa. Most of those are countries that I am familiar with, but don't know a great deal about, but the book did an excellent job of introducing me to the peoples and cultures of western Africa, and inspiring me to want to visit them myself. I can't think of a higher compliment than that for a book on adventure travel.

In Lois' first book we were treated to a wonderful journey that was, at times, dangerous, but rarely in a life and death sense. The author started that journey with a bit of trepidation, and ended it as a seasoned traveler who could handle nearly any situation that was thrown at her. At the beginning of Red Tape, we see that Lois. The girl that has already conquered North and South America and is looking for her next big adventure. But the tone of this book is a bit different. It's less care-free than Lois on the Loose, and you get a real sense of danger throughout. It quickly become apparent that her first ride was an easy one when compared to the perils of Africa, where a woman traveling alone can face danger around every corner. Throughout it all though, Lois remains upbeat and energetic, even when things around her are not going as well as they should. Clearly she is a "glass-half-full" kind of girl.

That shift in tone doesn't do anything to dampen Lois' spirit however, and her excellent, very witty (and at times very British) writing style makes Red Tape and White Knuckles a joy to read. She'll have you laughing out loud a number of times throughout the book, especially when describing the many characters she encounters along the way. Lois seems to have a knack for finding the most unique, larger than life, people where ever she goes. Perhaps it is her own personality that attracts them.

It seems inevitable that this book will be compared to Long Way Down, the television show that saw actors Ewan McGregor and Charlie Boorman take a similar journey. Charlie and Ewan rode through East Africa however in their travels, and the program really offers a completely different experience than the one found in this book. It should also be noted that Lois had already went and was home, long before the boys set out on their ride.

Unfortunately, Red Tape and White Knuckles is not available in the U.S. yet, which means that if you live here, you'll have to find alternative ways of getting your hands on a copy. There are occasionally used copies available on Amazon, but hopefully some publisher will see fit to bring this across the pond for all to enjoy soon. No matter what you have to do to get your hands on this book (might I recommend a trip to London?), it'll be worth your while. Once you start reading, it's hard to put it down, and when you do finally reach the last page, you might even start shopping for a motorcycle of your own. ;)

America's 10 Most Dangerous Trails

Have you ever wanted a bit more of an adrenaline rush out of your hikes? Does just walking along at a relaxed pace, soaking in nature, seem a bit too sedate for you? Then you're in luck, because Backpacker has the perfect list for you. It's their Top 10 Most Dangerous Hikes in the U.S.

These treks are spread out across the country from New Hampshire to Hawaii, with a little something for everyone. The article breaks down what you should be on the look out for when setting out on one of these beauties, and gives you a plan of action for how to survive on the trail and not fall victim to the dangers.

Amongst the trails on the list are The Maze, located in Canyonlands National Park in Utah. The Maze has yet to claim a single life, but true to it's name, the labyrinth of canyons can confuse and confound anyone who isn't use to navigating accurately. The trail sees less than 2000 visitors a year, making it a quiet and lonely place at times too.

The iconic Bright Angel Trail at the Grand Canyon in Arizona also gets a nod, but for completely different reasons. This trail is a physically demanding hike that often combines with hot weather, resulting in regular rescue calls throughout the year.

Other trails include Mt. Washington in New Hampshire and Mist Trail at Half Dome in Yosemite, amongst others.

Despite the salacious title, most of these trails aren't all that dangerous to the experienced hiker who know that they should go out well prepared and in good physical condition, and remain aware of their surroundings. Then again, even the most experienced and prepared hikers and climbers can be caught unaware at times. Reading the "Survival Plan" for any of the hikes on the list will probably provide useful tips to consider on any number of other trails as well.

Himalaya Update: Summits on Ama Dablam!

It was a busy weekend for the Field Touring Alpine Team who managed to put six climbers on the summit of Ama Dablam on Saturday, amidst windy, but otherwise good, climbing conditions. The team will now move on to Lobuche to attempt a "Himalayan Trilogy" that includes Island Peak, the mountain the team used for acclimatization last week. Lobuche is a 6119m (20,075 feet) mountain in the same region.

The latest dispatch from the Mountain Madness Team is from last week, where they report a summit bid on Thursday, but were turned back 1200 feet from their goal thanks to poor weather, including high winds. The dispatch makes it seem like they gave it all on that push and were intending to head home afterwards, but there is no information about whether or not they did indeed leave BC following the attempt or gave it another go over the weekend as well.

Meanwhile, ExWeb is reporting in their Monday Himalaya Wrap-Up that Japanese climbers Kazuya Hiraide and Kei Taniguchi have opened a new route in the Garhwal Himalaya on Mount Kamet, the second highest peak in the region at 7756m.

Apparently, the route was completed two months ago, and includes difficulties up to A5 on ice, and M5+ on mixed terrain. The route now bears the name "The Samurai Direct", and is said to be over 1800m in length. Hiraide and Taniguchi spent a month scouting the face and acclimatizing before going up in alpine style over a seven day period.

The Garhwal Himalaya region is found in northeast India, where that country meets Nepal and Tibet. Although it doesn't get as much attention as some of the more high profile climbing regions, the Garhwal HImalaya does contain more than 100 peaks of more than 20,000 feet in height, with Nanda Devi being the most prominent amongst them.

Antarctic Update: Todd Still On Foot,

With the weekend behind us there is plenty to catch-up on down on the frozen continent.

Todd Carmichael continues his solo, unsupported expedition to the South Pole, although his dreams of a speed record seem to be dashed thanks to broken bindings on his boots. The American has managed to repair the bindings, but feels that those repairs are temporary at best and won't hold up for the remaining 400+ miles of his journey. As a result, the plan is to continue forward on foot and only use the skis in deep snow. This will make for a very long, and arduous, trip to the Pole for Todd. I just hope he has enough supplies with him to remain "unsupported". He does continue to make good time however, despite being on foot, and has now passed 82º S. A very impressive accomplishment.

The Shackleton Centenary Team continues to plug away, also putting up good mileage. They reported great conditions through the weekend, but that changed today with cold and windy conditions setting in, but 11 days in, they've managed to cover over 108 nautical miles. In their Day 10 audio dispatch, they discuss sleeping conditions, as they are averaging 10 hours of sleep per day, and the noises they are hearing while sledging, which is, not much. Mostly howling winds, and little of anything else. Their dispatches are also a nice source of history, as they often align what's happening with the boys today with what Shackleton was experiencing a hundred years ago on the same date.

Mark Langridge sent some updates over the weekend as well, making good daily progress amidst improving weather, although winds did begin to pick up on Sunday. He passed the 81st degree on Friday, and is happy with his progress so far, although his home team does report that his tent already smells of his pipe smoke, and they can't imagine what it's going to be like in another 70 days, which is the amount of time Mark expects to be out on the ice on his "There and Back Again" journey.

The Aloha Antarctica Team of Armin and Dieter elected to take a day off yesterday. They've already been out on the ice for 17 days, and it's begun to take it's toll. With poor weather in the region, making it a day unfit for even kiting, they decided to stay in the tent and rest up some. They're also reporting a feeling of loneliness and despair, even comparing it to a scene from The Lord of the Rings, that has come over them. I imagine this is not uncommon on the desolate trek to the South Pole, as there isn't much to see or do to break the monotony along the way. They should both be glad they have one another however, as it must be even more lonely to be going solo.

Thomas Davenport, who is part of the North Winds Polar Expedition Team, updated his dispatches after several days of silence, to report an almost other worldly quality to the landscapes he is currently skiing through. He and the team are making good progress with great weather, and they too have passed the 81st degree.

We haven't heard much from other teams in the past few days. We do know that the South Pole 2008 team, the South Pole Quest Team, and Mike Horn are all in Punta Arenas, but as to whether or not they've left for Patriot Hills has yet to be determined. Hopefully they'll all update us soon with more news.

Gear Box: The Lippi Selk Bag

A few weeks back I was sent a Lippi Selk Bag to evaluate. If you're not familiar with this very unique products, it's marketed as a "wearable sleeping bag", and for the most part, it lives up to that billing, although it's clearly not a product for everyone.

The Selk Bag, named for the Selk´Nam, a nomadic tribe in Chile, comes in it's own stuff sack, just like any other sleeping bag, although I quickly noticed that it was quite large, which probably ruled it out immediately for any serious backpacker. Removing it from the stuff sack was easy, but getting it back it was a lot trickier. The Selk Bag isn't easy to roll up, thanks to its unique design, that includes sleeves for your arms and legs. Once figured out a few tricks however, it was easier to get the Selk back into the sack.

The bag itself is high quality for the most part, and quite comfortable to wear in the proper conditions. I say high quality for the most part, because while it feels well designed and solid, I did have one zipper pull tab break off the first time I used it, and another that is very stiff and feels like it could break easily as well. There are some nice touches to the design though, like vents in the pits and along the legs of the bag that allow for some air to get in, while still keeping other areas of the boy warm.

The Selk comes in three varieties, aptly named the Selk Bag One, Two, and Three. Moving up the scale means an increase in thickness and improved performance in cooler temperatures. Unfortunately, the Selk is only rated down to about 45º degrees, which further limits it's usefulness. On top of that, it's not waterproof, which is probably destroys any last shred of relevance the product could have had with the hardcore outdoor crowd.

So, who is the Selk Bag good for? That's a great question! While I think it's way too big and bulk to take backpacking or trekking, and certainly not mountaineering, the bag is perfect for car camping. As I said, it's quite comfortable and actually fun to wear, and it struck a chord with everyone I showed it to who weren't outdoor types. Many noted that it would be a perfect product for them to use in cooler weather sitting out on the back porch or around a bonfire with friends. Several asked me where they could get one, and were intrigued with it's potential on cool nights. Granted, I live in Texas, where "cool" and "cold" nights are defined quite differently then other places I've lived.

The Selk is certainly an interesting and unique product, and a lot of fun to lounge around in. However, some design elements keep it from being recommended to the traditional sleeping bag crowd. But for someone who isn't concerned about weight and performance issues, but wants a fun, comfortable way to stay warm on backyard or car camping adventures, the Selk is a nice product.

Simpson Desert Challenge Coming May 2009

Speaking of endurance events in vast deserts, check out this one, scheduled to take place next May. It's called the Simpson Desert Challenge, and it's being billed as "The world’s toughest long-distance team walking event".

The website doesn't have a ton of information, although they promise a full website soon. What we do know is that the event will take place from Thursday May 21 to Friday May 29, 2009, with the participants spending six of those days covering an average of 40km per day, as they trek across the Simpson Desert. The race is a supported event, with the organizers transporting camping gear and supplies between the daily checkpoints. The racers will be responsible for carrying their daily food, water, and other gear with them, as they cross more than 100 dunes per day.

The Simpson Desert is a vast, arid landscape covering more than 176,000 square-kilometers in Australia. The region is the home to some of the longest sand dunes anywhere in the world, with some stretching as far as 200km in length and reaching 40 feet in height, presenting an imposing challenge to any who attempt a trek of the region.

Thanks to Louis-Philippe Loncke for sending me the info on this event, which looks like it could shape up to be quite a race. Louis-Philippe has plenty of first hand knowledge of the Simpson having successfully trekked it's length from North to South earlier this year. Thanks for the tip LouPhi! :)

The Last Desert 2008 Ultramarathon Begins Today!

The Last Desert, the fourth and final ultramarathon of the Four Deserts events from Racing The Planet, gets underway today as competitors will depart from Ushuaia, Argentina this afternoon for a two day sea voyage to the Antarctic, where they will run a series of races over the course of six days.

The first stage of The Last Desert is scheduled to take place on Thursday on Aitcho and/or Deception Island, depending on weather conditions. From there, the competitors will sail to either Cuverville, Danco, or Orne Islands for the second stage, on Friday. The fluid nature of the locations is due to the very unpredictable weather conditions in the region, which keeps the racers guessing as to where they'll be next. The remaining three stages in the Antarctic have similar descriptions, and there could be a sixth stage to be held in Ushuaia as well.

There are a total of 27 competitors in this year's race, which is an invite only affair. To qualify, you must have successfully completed at least two of the other 4 Deserts races, which include the Gobi March, Atacama Crossing, and the Sahara Race.

One of the competitors in this year's Last Desert is none other than Dean Karnazes, who is hoping to become the first person to complete all four of the 4 Deserts and the Badwater Ultra in the same year. This is the last of those races, and Dean has done quite well for himself thus far, finishing 4th at the Badwater, 2nd at both the Gobi and Sahara races, and taking first place in the Atacama Crossing.

Good luck to all the competitors. Race safely and keep those toes warm!

Outdoorzy Announces Gearzy Awards!

Outdoorzy.com, the best online outdoor community in my opinion, has launched the Gearzy Awards to give us all an opportunity to weigh in on our favorite gear companies.

The Gearzy Awards are broken down into categories, such as "Backpacks", "Tents", or "Shoes", with the top gear manufacturers listed below. We, the readers, get to vote on our favorite company for each particular category, spotlighting manufacturers who consistently have great gear across their entire line. This approach doesn't spotlight a single piece of gear, but instead rewards all around excellence that generally exists in all the items that the company designs.

And to sweeten the pot a bit further, Outdoorzy is giving away a complete gear package to someone who fills out the form. One lucky winner, selected at random, will win apparel, an altimeter watch, shoes, socks, a headlamp, a water bottle, a hat, and more. What more could you ask for? You get a chance to have your voice heard (Democracy in action!) and you are automatically entered to win some sweet gear. You don't even need to be a member (although you should be!), just fill out the form and provide your e-mail address to they can find you when it's time to send you the swag!

Announcing Adventure Week 2009!!

It is my distinct pleasure to announce a great new event that is shaping up to take place in near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho next June. The event is called Adventure Week 2009, and one look at it's very busy schedule, will tell you that it's going to live up to it's name.

Adventure Week is schedule to take place June 5th - 14th, 2009 at Farragut State Park, just 30 miles outside of Coeur d'Alene. The jam-packed schedule will include a number of amazing races, including triathlons, mountain biking, and adventure races. There will also be orienteering competitions, mountain treks, and even disc golf tournaments. And endurance athletes are not going to want to miss "The Crux and The Crucible", two demanding and rewarding adventure races that will push teams to the limits.

To find out more about this great event, head over to AdventureWeek2009.com, where you'll find a PDF Brochure of all the events. And stay tuned for more news soon including info on some legends of adventure racing who will be in attendance, and your chance to possibly have one as your teammate!

Holiday Deal From Wend Magazine!

Adventure magazine Wend is offering a great deal to anyone who subscribes through the end of the year. As part of their Holiday Subscription deal, you can buy one subscription and get a second one at half-price, making it a perfect gift for anyone on your list.

The environmentally conscious Wend is printed on FSC certified sustainably sourced paper using non-toxic, soy based ink. What does all that mean? It means that the magazine is environmentally conscious not only it's articles and stories, but the way it's created.

Regular readers know that I often link to stories from the Wend Blog, and this is your chance to check out the magazine first hand. I highly recommend the publication, and think that adventurers of all kinds will enjoy it as well.

More Great Gear From 2008

The staff over at GreatOutdoors.com has put together their favorite new gear from 2008, giving some impressions in the process, with some really nice items making the list.

Some of the gear that left a favorable impression on the team include the Outdoor Research Elixir Jacket, which earns kudos for it's "ultralight and minimalist" design that is both waterproof and comfortable to wear at the same time. The MSR Reactor camp stove makes the list, and is sure to be on plenty of others, for it's high performance, quick cooking times, and nearly unmatched portability, and the Kelty Nimble is the backpack of choice for the GearOutdoors crew, who liked it's simplicity and lightweight, yet still rugged design.

Lots of great gear on the list, and I like the impressions a lot. Sometimes you get these lists and only get a line or two of information, but these impressions are nice, and helpful, with real world use to back them up. While they are not full blown reviews, they do give enough information to help you understand why the item earns high marks.

Antarctic Update: Todd Crosses 81st Degree, Now On Foot!

Updates from the Antarctic continue, with a lot happening down south as teams and solo explorers forge ahead.

Todd Carmichael continues his solo and unsupported speed attempt on the South Pole, although that attempt took a major hit yesterday. Two days back Todd crossed the 81st latitude, marking a bit of a milestone on his march to 90º S, but a broken binding on his boot forced him to give up his skis and move forward on foot. He broke a similar binding last week and managed to fix it, but doesn't have any means of fixing this one at the moment. On foot, Todd still logged 12 nautical miles, and spent the day thinking of a way to mend the binding, something he thinks he has solved. Hopefully he'll be back on the skis soon. (As a side note, I can't imagine how hard it was to pull that sled on foot for 12 nm in cold weather and high winds!)

The Shakelton Centenary Team took their first "weekly lie in" which consisted of an extra 2 hours in the sleeping bag for rest, and then proceeded to log 8.2 nautical miles. They report the first real adverse conditions of their journey, as they faced severe winds from the south that impeded their progress, but overall they're happy with the way things are going so far.

The Aloha Antarctica team of Armin Wirth and Dieter Staudinger report that the past three days have been clear, cold, and calm. Some of the teams out of Patriot Hills would love that forecast, but Armin and Dieter set out from Neumayer Station, and were hoping to use their kites more as they attempt an Antarctic crossing. With calm weather and zero winds they're reduced to skiing like everyone else, logging far fewer miles on their journey. Today they notched just 22km, or roughly 13 miles, but on their best kiting day they covered 80km or about 50 miles.

There have been few updates from other teams since my last post. For instance, there has been no word from Mark Langridge, who is or Thomas Davenport since Wednesday. Presumably they are doing well and moving ahead, but perhaps technical difficulties are making it impossible for them to check in right now. The Impossible-2-Possible South Pole Quest 2008 Team has made an update, however, as the team has reached Punta Arenas and will soon head out to Patriot HIlls.

There was a bit of sad news though, as Peter Valusiak had to be evacuated from the ice because his mother has suffered a stroke. Peter is now rushing home to be with her. He had set out to do a 120-day expedition from Novo to McMurdo vis the South Pole. Godspeed Peter, and our thoughts are with you and your family at this time.

More updates as they come in!

Paddler Will Row Length of the Missouri River

Paddling Life Magazine is reporting that adventurer Dan Cook intends to row the entire length of the Missouri River beginning in April of 2009. Cook will be rowing for a cause as he goes about his journey, as he intends to use the trip to raise awareness for disabled veterans in the U.S.

On April 1st of next year, Cook will put his custom built 17-foot dory into the water at Missouri Headwaters State Park, in Three Forks, Montana. From there, he'll set off on a two and a half month long journey that will see him covering 3700 miles before culminating at the Gulf of Mexico. In the process he'll run the length of the Missouri until it meets the Mississippi, and then continue south to the Gulf. Along the way, he'll deal with unpredictable weather conditions, fast changing water levels, and more 900 miles of reservoir crossings. He'll stay on the boat for most of the trip, sleeping on the deck and eating mostly freeze dried meals along the way.

Cook works for Rivers of Recovery, a group dedicated to helping disabled veterans recapture the energy and excitement of their lives by taking them fishing. This reconnection with nature allows them to learn about themselves, grow closer to their families once again, and rebuild their confidence and happiness. He is also known for his around the world fishing adventures that saw him fly fishing in 25 countries over 27 months, with 75,000 miles traveled. In that time span, he caught over 62 different species of fish.

Good luck on this next venture Dan! And stay out of water come April. It'll still be a bit cold!

NBC's Ann Curry on Kilimanjaro

All week long on NBC's the Today Show the cast and crew have been zipping off to far flung places as part of their "Ends of the Earth" special. Matt Lauer went to Half Moon Caye in Belize (that's roughing it Matt!), Meredith Vieira went to Australia, and Al Roker hit the road to Iceland.

Ann Curry got the most adventurous assignment however, heading off to Kilimanjaro to attempt a climb on the mountain. She and her team struggled a bit however, and the news today is that they turned back at 16,000 feet, succumbing to altitude sickness and exhaustion. They did, however, stick together as a team, and decided to go down together, despite the fact that some would have liked to have continued up. They also came to appreciate the journey even if it it didn't include the summit.

Here's a video of Ann looking ridiculous on Kili at the last camp on the mountain, and talking about her experiences there.

Himalaya Update: All Eyes on Ama Dablam

While the rest of the Himalaya has gone silent, Ama Dablam remains active with at least three teams currently on the mountain. ExWeb brings us an update today.

Probably the biggest news from Ama Dablam is that the Mountain Madness Team was set to make a summit bid yesterday, after reaching Camp 2 on Tuesday. There have been no updates yet to their blog, but if all went according to plan, they likely made an attempt on the 6812 meter (22,349 foot) summit today. Provided the weather has held out for them and the conditions were right, we may hear an update with news of summits, as early as tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the Field Touring Alpine Team has arrived at the mountain following a successful acclimatization climb on Island Peak. That climb didn't go without incident, as it seems it was rather crowded with trekkers, who were long on ego and short on experience according to team leader Chris Szymiec. Apparently at one point, one of the FTA climbers was rappelling on a rope when someone higher up the mountain decided it was time to release the fixed line they were on at the time. Fortunately no one was hurt, and everyone got down safe and sound. Now, they're set to go after the real prize.

Finally, the Jagged Globe Team also remains on Ama, having arrived earlier in the week. They are acclimatizing and preparing for their assault as well, although there is no time table yet for when they'll make their summit bid.

Good luck everyone!

More Fun From Adventure

Besides handing out the great list of awards to the Adventurers of the Year that I mentioned below, National Geographic Adventure has a few more fun items for us today in their Best of Adventure 2008 section.

First up, they have a great list of Must Have Gear with some very cool, high tech, items to lust after. Making the list are two cool watches, one from Polar and the other from Tag Heuer, a sweet mountain bike from Scott USA, and a laptop from Asus with a bamboo case, amongst other things. Just remember, the holidays are just around the corner, and if you've been good this year, you just might get that $6900 watch from Tag Heuer.

When you're done drooling over the gear, check out the Year in Review Quiz and see how well you've kept up on the top adventures for 2008. I managed to score a 9 out of 10, which is enough to keep me an "amateur adventurer" according to Adventure's standards. Damn, those guys are hard core!

Fun stuff! Enjoy!

Adventure Names 2009 Adventurers of the Year!

National Geographic Adventure has announced this year's recipeients of the Adventurer of the Year Awards, with some familiar names and faces earning much deserved praise.

The awards are broken down into a variety of categories, with the top honor for "Adventurers of the Year" going to Rob Gauntlett & James Hooper, who completed an epic 26,000 mile journey that began with them skiing and dogsledding somewhere north of Greenland, and the Magnetic North Pole, and ended with them in Antarctica more than a year later, having cycled and sailed their way into the annals of adventure history.

Other winners include Gretchen Bleiler, nabbing the "Spirit Award" for renewing her love of snowboarding by seeking adventure in the backcountry. Ben Skinner takes home the "Journalist" award for spending five years researching and investigating modern day slavery, still taking place even in the 21st century. He visited 12 countries in that time and then published the book A Crime So Monstrous. Rick Ridgeway is inducted into the Adventure Hall of Fame for his many accomplishments that include successful summits on Everest and K2, hiking from the summit of Kilimanjaro to the Indian Ocean, and many many more. How can you possibly keep a man that Rolling Stone called the "Real Indiana Jones" out of the Hall of Fame?

Of special note, is the "Heroism Award" that goes to Pemba Gyalje Sherpa for his actions during the K2 tragedy last August. Pemba was part of the Norit Team, and found Marco Confortola on the mountain, unconscious in the snow. He not only managed to revive him, but also guide him down the Bottleneck, saving him from another avalanche in the process, and then take him down to C4. He did all of this completely solo by the way. A true hero of K2!

Click on over the Adventurers of the Year website to check out all the winners. Congrats to everyone involved. I really wish I were in DC to see you all honored tonight!

Do You Like Maps?

Are you like me? Do you like maps and atlases? Ever since I was a kid I've loved looking at maps and globes, and dreaming of far off places. That really hasn't changed much now that I'm older honestly, and since it's Geography Awareness Week, what better way to spend it then playing with a giant National Geographic atlas online over at the NG MapMachine.

The MapMachine puts the entire National Geographic Atlas of the World at your fingertips, and at a fraction of the cost! Using the web interface, you can quickly and easily scroll around the globe and zoom in for closer views of nearly any place on the planet. It's actually quite amazing to zoom in from a satellite view in orbit now to the countryside in say, China, and see the dozens, if not hundreds, of cities, towns, villages, and other settlements list in each area.

Some ares of the world have more detail and allow you to zoom in further, right down to street level, and while it's fun to check out places close to home, it's even cooler to zoom in on the streets of say London, Cairo, or Rio. There is an amazing amount of information here, and map junkies will be in heaven. I know I am! :)

Thanks to the Intelligent Travel Blog for reminding me of this, and Happy Geography Awareness Week!

From South Dakota? Want To Race in Primal Quest?

I just posted this story over at the Primal Quest website as well, but it seems that PQ management is seeking a local team from the state of South Dakota, to sponsor in next year's race.

The team selected will gain entry into the biggest adventure race on the planet, but their are a couple of qualifications that they'll need to meet. First, all of the racers will have to be current residents of South Dakota. From there, they'll have to submit an essay spilling the details on why they would make a good representative for the state in Primal Quest 2009.

As I noted in the post on the PQ site, no host team has ever completed the race, and we're hoping that next year we'll break that streak. It won't be easy though, as the course is 600 miles in length, making the the longest Primal Quest ever. Teams will battle it out in the Badlands and Black Hills, running, peddling, and paddling their way through some amazing backcountry. Along the way, they'll mix in some climbing and caving as well, not to mention navigation, which is poised to play it's biggest role in a Primal Quest ever.

So, prospective teams should gather up their gear, start training now, and sharpen their pencils to get started on that essay. (And I bet you thought you were done with those after college!) For more information on the sponsorship, go to this story, in the Rapid City Journal, or drop an e-mail to Rick Emerson at emersric@rapidnet.com

Antarctic Update: Poor Weather Gives Way

I've been keeping an eye on our intrepid polar explorers the past few days, with a slew of updates hitting their blogs and expedition sites. It seems poor weather hindered progress yesterday, but the weather improved later on, making way for progress today.

Todd Carmichael sent word back that he woke up yesterday to whiteout conditions and extremely cold temperatures, which made it impossible for him to cover any distance. He later sent in an update saying that the weather had cleared, and that he was eager to hit the trail to day, and put some miles behind him. He even noted that it had warmed up some with the return of the sun.

Mark Langridge had a similar story, as he's really not all that far from Todd at this point, noting that a blizzard hit his position yesterday, leaving him stranded in the tent as well. An early dispatch this morning however, indicates that conditions have improved for him as well, and that he set out today under gloriously clear skies and a bright sun. Winds are reportedly about 20 mph, and the temperature hovers around -16º C (3º F), which is down right balmy in Antarctica. Mark has already knocked off more than 57 miles over six days, two of which were spent in the tent. Not a bad start!

The Shackleton Centenary Team has also been logging good mileage, racking up another 10 nautical miles (11.5 miles) today, bringing their total to 56.5 miles so far. It's interesting to read their dispatches, as they are comparing their progress to Shackleton's himself, who had experienced slower progress at this point, thanks to a large crevasse field. The much better equipped and prepared 2008 team should have no issues beating the 1908 team's time, barring any unforeseen weather conditions. They are expecting to pick up the pace considerably when they reach the Beardmore Glacier and the Polar Plateau.

A few days back, Armin and Dieter were able to cover more than 80km (50 miles) by using their kites in strong winds. They were expecting to be able to do that for a few days, but the weather has not cooperated, and they've gone back to pulling the sleds, still putting up respectable distances. On Monday Armin woke up with a swollen wrist and Dieter had bruised ribs following a crash they had experienced while kiting, so they are a bit bruised and battered at the moment, but still in good spirits, and forging ahead.

American Thomas Davenport, who is part of a group led by Sarah McNair-Landry, that is headed to the South Pole, posted a dispatch from a few days back that talks about the horrible wind and whiteout conditions. He notes that 60-70 mph winds are not great for your tent, and that repegging it at 2 AM is not always fun either.

More to come soon!

First American Team Ready For Polar Challenge 2009

Next April, the 5th annual Polar Challenge will get underway, pitting teams of three from around the world against one another in a race to the Magnetic North Pole. Over the course of the competition, the teams will cover 320 nautical miles (368 miles), stopping at two checkpoints along the way, to resupply as they test their endurance and determination.

The 2009 race commemorates the 100th anniversary of Americans Robert Peary and Matthew Henson reaching the North Pole for the first time. To celebrate, Wired Magazine put together the first ever American team to compete in the race. To begin the selection process, they invited their readers to send in applications for consideration to be on the team. Hundreds of readers responded and eventually the field was narrowed down to just 36 finalists. In October, those finalists were invited to Colorado for a "selection day" where they were all put through their paces, including both physical and mental challenges.

In the end, three members were picked for the team, along with two alternates. Team Wired consists of Zach Violet of Bend, Oregon; Ellen Piangerelli of Providence, Rhode Island and Dell Weingarten of Las Vegas, Nevada as the active team members.
Debbie Halbert and Marcus Leibrecht are the two alternates. You can learn more about the team by clicking here. If you're attending the Yellowstone Ski Festival, running from November 25 to November 28, you can meet the team, as they'll be in attendance at the event.

The Polar Challenge has always been a great event, with some good teams and strong competitors from Europe in particular. For this 100th anniversary, it's nice to see an American team in the mix, and it should be fun to follow along next year when the race gets underway. One word of advice to the competitors. Remember, you don't have to outrun the polar bears, you just have to out run your teammates. ;)

Two-Heel Drive Goes Orienteering

Tom from Two-Heel Drive posted some thoughts on an orienteering competition that he attended over the weekend put on by the Bay Area Orienteering Club. As an avid and experienced hiker, his insights on the activity are quite humorous at times. (Bonus points for the Bearded Spock/Alternate Universe reference!)

For those who aren't familiar with orienteering, this is a good introduction to the sport. Essentially, you are given a map and compass, and told to head out into the backcountry to find a series of O-points, or orienteering points. Who ever finds the most points and returns to the start first is the winner of the competition. Obviously you have to be good with a compass, be able to spot landmarks, and move quickly in the field to be good in the competitions, but some people just enjoy going out in the woods, using their skills to find the points, and having fun with their friends.

The competition that Tom attended was the "O in the Oaks" event, and his photos that accompany his article help to give a general sense of what one can expect when orienteering for the first time. He even sums up the experience with some spot on "first impressions" that I wholeheartedly agree with.

Personally, I think orienteering is a great, alternative activity to get you outside and playing in the woods. It can also help you build some good skills, strengthening your map reading and compass use in the process. Those translate very well into other outdoor activities such as hiking and adventure racing, where navigation can play an integral role. Besides, what are you going to do when the batteries die on your fancy GPS device?

Kayaking The Llyn Brianne Spillway

I caught this story and a similar video over at the Wend Blog earlier. It seems some extreme kayakers, with a love of speed, decided to paddle Llyn Brianne spillway, one of the tallest dams in the U.K. at just over 300 feet. I'm reluctant to use the word "paddle" for what they're doing really, as it's more like "hanging on for dear life".

The video below catches some of the action, and states that they achieve speeds of up to 45 mph as they scream down the spillway into the rather small pool at the end. Of course authorities are quick to condemn this and remind everyone that it's illegal, but that doesn't mean that it doesn't look like fun. Crazy, scary, fun!!

You can read more about in this BBC story, and enjoy the video!

Himalaya Update: News From Ama Dablam and a Look Ahead

ExWeb has another updated from the Himalaya today, with news of late season climbers on Ama Dablam, and a look to the spring on Everest.


Exprlorer's Web is calling the fall season "virtually closed", but no one has bothered to tell that to the Field Touring Alpine or the Jagged Globe teams, who are both preparing for late season climbs on Ama Dablam. The FTA climbers are currently on Island Peak, a 6189 meter (20,305 feet) mountain that makes for a good acclimatization trek as it requires no real technical mountaineering experience. The Jagged Globe climbers, meanwhile, are still making their way to base camp, and expect to arrive soon. The two teams will have the mountain all to themselves.

Perhaps more of interest however, is the glimpse ahead to the spring, when hundreds of climbers will turn their sights on Everest. Outfitters and guides are starting to make plans for 2009, and most of them exclude Tibet from the picture. Rumors have been circulating for some time that China would once again close the North Side of the mountain, and as such, it would appear that the South will be quite busy again.

The article notes that expeditions from both the Altitude Junkies and Project Himalaya are already planning the logistics of a climb from Nepal, as will the Peak Freaks, Adventure Consultants, and most of the other big guide companies. They all cite vague permitting requirements from China, and a lack of a consistent message on plans for the spring.

For their part, the Chinese have hinted that they may close the mountain for another season in order to clean up base camp and the North Face. You'll recall that they closed town the Tibetan side of Everest earlier this year in order for the Chinese Torch Team to carry the Olympic Torch to the summit. At the time, the entire country of Tibet was also off limits to foreigners due to protests that were taking place there as well.

Caring for the environment has never been big on China's agenda, but it seems that in the case of Everest, they want to make an exception. If they take this year off once again to clean up the mountain, then that is a good thing, and they should be commended for it. However, they'll also need to tightly regulate Everest in the future to prevent it from returning to the same state again. Meanwhile, the economy of Tibet suffers, Nepal gets a boost, and climbers on the South Side can expect delays, long lines, and crowded camps.

But look on the bright side! At least this year they'll probably be able to use their digital cameras, sat phones, and video cams while on the mountain!

Adventurer Mike Horn Knows How To Travel!

I've made numerous mentions of explorer Mike Horn, and a couple more on his Pangaea Expedition, on my blog. Mike is a modern day adventurer who has traveled the globe and spent a great deal of time exploring the North and South Poles. On his latest venture he'll be doing that, and much much more, as he climbs mountains, delves into jungles, and sails the oceans aboard his 115-foot yacht dubbed the Pangaea.

Most of the time when we envision these explorers, we get a mental image of them holed up in a tent somewhere, howling winds and fowl weather just outside, as they make a freeze dried meal on their camp stove. Well, clearly Mike has done plenty of that in his days, but he's obviously learned from those experiences for this journey. One of Mike's sponsors is the House of G.H. Mumm, the maker of fine champagnes, and as part of their agreement, Mike will be treated to fine dining, at seven remote locations, with food prepared by world renowned chefs.

The first of these magnificent dinners was conducted back in July, on an iceberg floating in the middle of the Sermilik fjord. That dinner was prepared by two-star chef Sylvestre Wahid. More recently however, Mike dined on another iceberg, this time in the Charcot Bay, just north of the Antarctic Peninsula, in the middle of a volcano on Deception Island. This meal, prepared by three-star Chef Gérard Boyer, and was served exactly in the same spot that Captain Charcot and his crew first popped a bottle of Mumm's back on July 14, 1904, in another expedition sponsored by the House.

And what did Mike and his guests dine on? Well, here's the menu:

Rustic Argentinean potatoes on a bed of Uruguayan caviar
G.H.MUMM Cordon Rouge
Scrambled eggs with Richerence black truffles
G.H.MUMM Millésimé 1999
Merluza negra, a fish from the Antarctic depths (- 1200 m) caught by hook, with Champagne sauce,
served with leeks and black truffles
R.Lalou 1998
Moist Brazilian maracuja biscuit with a passion fruit topping and vanilla ice-cream
G.H.MUMM Rosé

Not bad huh? Sure beats that freeze dried stuff! Sounds like an amazing meal, with an even more amazing setting. The next of these seven dinners is not scheduled to take place until sometime in the middle of 2009, in an equally breathtaking setting. Until then, it's back to the standard fare for Mike and the crew, although I'm guessing they are well stocked on champagne!

The latest updated on the Pangaea website indicates that Mike and his team arrived in Punta Arenas over the weekend. The ship will now undergo some minor repairs, while her captain treks to the South Pole. He's in the final stages of his preparation to begin that journey, and he'll be setting of soon.

As a personal note, I think it's pretty damn cool that Mumm was supporting expeditions and explorers more than a century ago, and they are continuing to do so now. You have to salute a company who has that commitment. I think I know whose champaign I'll be buying for New Years this year!

iPods At Altitude

Over the past seven years the iPod has become the most iconic gadget around. Nearly everyone has one (or one of it's knockoffs) and it's been quite a revolution to music lovers, who can now carry their entire music collection in such a small package. The ubiquitous little device can now be seen with runners, cyclists, hikers, and yes, even climbers.

Which leads to an interesting post over at Stewart's Climbing Blog about the use of iPod's at altitude. The operating instructions for the Apples little music player says that the iPod isn't rated for use above 10,000 feet, and that taking one above that point could mean irreparable damage. The logic behind this is that the mechanical elements of the iPod's hard drive begins to have issues above that height.

Of course, I've personally spoken to a number of climbers who have told me that their iPods (and personal computers for that matter) have worked perfectly fine as high as base camp on Everest, which is situated at about 17,700 feet or so. But then again, I've heard from others who say they had issues with either device at that altitude as well. I guess your mileage varies, but just know that any hard drive based device can have issues when you're at higher altitudes.

In recent years, the use of solid state drives has become much more prevalent. In non-geek terms, that's a new type of drive that uses flash memory for storage and doesn't have any moving parts. The iPod Nanos and Shuffles both use this type of storage, and should therefore not be as prone to having issues. Even better yet, newer computers, such as the MacBook Air, offer the ability to use an SSD as well, which should make them much more resistant to altitude as well.

Personally, I think the 10,000 foot limit is a CYA (cover your ass) comment from Apple, just to be on the safe side, so they can tell you they warned you before you take your music up the mountain. Which brings up another point. Should you be listening to music while climbing? I guess it depends on where you are at on the mountain. Personally, I like to have my iPod for use in the tent, or maybe while doing some trekking, but not when there is a need to pay more strict attention.

So? When do you use your iPod? And better yet, what's your favorite songs and playlists? I have some great workout playlists for running, but don't wear it on my bike. (It's a no-no in traffic in my opinion) I've also used it when hiking, and stuffed it into my dry sack when kayaking too, and I have to admit, it can make for a nice experience.

Top 7: Thousand-Mile Treks

Adventure Journey Magazine has posted another one of their patented "Top 7" lists, this time with their Top 7 Thousand-Mile Treks. This list, semi-obviously, is their list of the best hikes that are a thousand miles or longer in length, and is NOT a list of the top treks that are 7000 miles in length. Tricky distinction, I know. ;)

Anyway, making their list are some great, long distance, hikes from around the world, starting off with the Heysen Trail in Australia, which runs from Cape Jervis to the Parachilna Gorge. Considering this one is only 745 miles in length, it must be pretty darn good to make the list.

The milage actually ramps up quite quickly with the next pick however, as the Pacific Northwest Trail makes an appearance at number 6. This 1200 mile long trail stretches from Cape Alava, WA to Glacier National Park in the United States, crossing through seven national forests and three national parks along the way, with the Pacific Ocean and Cascade Mountains as backdrops.

The other five treks on the list are equally amazing, and long. You'll find suggestions for long distance hiking in Europe, Africa, South America, and more. You might even be surprised at some of the trails that Adventure Journey gives a nod to, which makes them all the better. A bit lesser known, also means a lot less crowded.

Thanks to Rick over at Best Hike for the tip on this one.

Jon Bowermaster Profile and Audio Interview

Men's Vogue magazine has posted a great profile of Jon Bowermaster and his Ocean's 8 Project, in which he traveled the world, taking a survey of the health of its waterways.

Over the course of 10 years, Jon visited a variety of places, including the Aleutian Islands, Tasmania, and Vietnam, the focus of his latest book Descending The Dragon, which I reviewed here. Last year he completed the Ocean's 8 Project by exploring the coast of Antarctica by kayaking, and witnessing first hand the effects of global climate change on the continent.

Not content to just make it into the pages of Men's Vogue, Jon is also interviewed on the weekly podcast from Scientific American. In the interview, Jon talks about using kayaks to explore the environments he visits, and shares stories of some of the far flung places he has explored. He also discusses the changes he's seen to Antarctica since he first visited the place back in 1989, and the effects those changes have had on life there, namely the penguins. He goes on to share his thoughts on tourism on the frozen continent, what you eat when paddling the freezing waters that surround it, and much more.

Jon is in crunch time, and sets off at the end of the month for another Antarctic expedition. Hopefully we'll hear more about this journey in the weeks ahead as well.

Antarctic Update: Winds Hinder Progress

There were a number of updates from Antarctic over the weekend, with teams out of Patriot Hills reporting incredibly bad winds, while others forge ahead.

We'll start with Todd Carmichael and his Expedition Earth project. Todd is making a solo, unsupported attempt on the speed record to the South Pole, but unfortunately this weekend didn't help his efforts much. On Saturday he reported daunting winds of 40-50 knots (46-57 mph) blowing directly in his face all day. Despite the winds, he managed to log 9 miles and clear the long, uphill pull that had been making his first few days rough. Unfortunately, the winds continued yesterday, and his home team reports that Todd elected to settle in, and stay put, until after they died down some. This day off allowed him to make repairs to a binding on his boot that had been troubling him since his departure, and with good weather reported ahead, he hopes to make great time in the next few days.

Mark Langridge reported a similar story over the weekend, as he two emerged from the crevasse field that has been challenging the teams thus far. He reports that it was more than a 1000 meters up those first three days, which doesn't sound incredibly challenging until you consider that these guys are pulling a couple of hundred pounds of gear behind them on a sled. Through snow and ice no less. It gets better from here though, as the rest of the trip to the pole is a mere 2000 meters of vertical gain spread out over 500 miles. On Sunday, the harsh winds made for tough going, but he did brave the conditions and managed to notch an impressive 8.5 miles while the other teams mostly stood still. Now that he's topped the ridge, Mark expect to be moving about 10 hours a day as he makes his own bid on the coveted speed record.

Yesterday was Day 11 for Dieter and Armin, heading out from Neumayer Station. Of all the teams, they were probably the most likely to be happy to see the winds, as that meant they could break out the kites, allowing them to cover 80 km (50 miles) in just one day. They do note that it's the most challenging kiting they've done, and that it was still an exhausting day dealing with the conditions. They are hoping for another similar day today.

The Shackleton Centenary Team are now four days out from the Shackleton Hut and making good progress as well. They logged nearly ten miles yesterday, giving them over 35 mile total so far, and moving them off the Ross Ice Shelf and onto the continent proper, which brought deeper snows and a strong headwind. So far though, they're happy with their progress as the follow in the footsteps of greatness.

I haven't seen any updates yet from today, but the word was that better weather was expect and that teams would once again be on the move. I'm sure we'll hear more as their day comes to an end, and they camp for the night and send dispatches home.

Up Kilimanjaro In A Wheelchair

Para-Olympic skier Chris Waddell will attempt something amazing in March of 2009. The 12-time medal winner, who has been paralyzed from the waist down since 1988, will attempt to go up Mt. Kilimanjaro in wheelchair, becoming the first person to do so. The goal is to climb the mountain unassisted, and summit on the anniversary of the loss of his ability to walk. The date will also mark half of Chris' life on his legs and the other half in his wheelchair.

In preparation for his climb, Chris has launched his website, which has plenty of information about this amazing man. You'll find a gallery of photos, info on his inspirational speaking engagements, and his personal blog where he discusses his training, preparation, and thoughts on the climb as it looms nearer.

I'm pretty amazed that Chris is making this attempt. Kili is no small feat for anyone, even in great shape. The trails are challenging and steep, and as you get higher, you encounter a lot of volcanic rock that makes for tough going when you're on two feet, let alone in a wheel chair. And that's all before you get to the snow and ice near the summit.

On the other hand, I'd never count this guy out. He's clearly done great things and has not let the fact that he can't walk stand in the way of him going after the things he wants in life. His athletic accomplishments alone are enough to make me admire the guy, and this just adds another layer to that. It'll be fun to follow along in the spring, and I wish him the best of luck. I hope he makes it to the top and gets a chance to enjoy the African sunrise at the summit. Good luck Chris!

Thanks to the Goat Blog over at Backcountry.com for this one.

Top 10 Snowboarding Resorts

British Snowboarding champ Chris Moran has compiled his list of the best places to carve up the mountain, just in time for the snow to start flying. The Guardian has all the complete Top 10 list online so you can start planning your winter escape now.

Tops on the list is Whistler in British Columbia, which has long been a favorite amongst snowboarders. It is lauded for the fact that it's continually updating the options for things to do, has great, freshly groomed snow, and plenty of good runs. This year they're even adding a peak-to-peak gondola.

Iconic European ski resort Chamonix, France is third on Moran's favorites list. He says that while the facilities are a bit outdated compared to others in the region, the mountains are amongst the most beautiful you'll see anywhere, and the town parties like no other. A perfect mixture for the snowboarding crowd.

Other places that make the top ten include Mammoth, in California, taking the 4th spot, and Niseko, Japan which sneaks in at number 10. For the rest of the list, you'll have to check it out yourself, but it's a nice mixture of North American and European hotspots, most of which are either open now or will be very soon.

So, get out your board. Put on a fresh coat of wax. Book an airline ticket, and prepare to catch some big air.

Wanted: Adventurous Teachers!

Here is a very cool opportunity for adventurous science and geography teachers. The Fuchs Foundation is planning an Antarctic expedition for 2010, and they'll have room for four educators to join the team.

This is the opportunity of a lifetime for the right person. The website describes the qualifications in this way:

You must be a full time teacher. Be prepared to undertake a science project in the harshest of conditions and temperatures down to -40 degrees. Be prepared to raise a five figure sum to contribute to the expedition’s costs. Write up your science project and produce teaching materials, all of which will be published on the web.

Now obviously the biggest hurdle to overcome is probably that "five figure sum" to help fund the expedition. I'm sure that there are probably some amazing grants that could be had. Either that your have to sell a lot of baked goods. Still, for the industrious, and adventurous teacher, this would be a wonderful project to be a part of.

If you're a teacher and would like to know more, go to the contact page to express your interest. Who knows! Maybe next year, I'll be writing about you out on the ice. I only wish I could get my teaching certificate by 2010 so I could go along!

Thanks to OutdoorsMagic for the link.

Alan Arnette Interview

Never Stop Climbing conducted an interview with Alan Arnette and posted the story online for all to read. In the interview, the always thoughtful and interesting Alan discusses many aspects of mountaineering, and the impact it has had on his life.

Alan started climbing a little later in life, and the ripe-young age of 38. But that hasn't hindered him any, and he has tackled some of the biggest mountains on Earth, including Ama Dablam, Shisha Pangma, Denali, Everest, and more. He talks about his cautious (I would call it smart!) approach to climbing, and his motivations for returning to Everest this past spring to climb for the Cure Alzheimer's Fund.

Alan's website is a wonderful resource for mountaineers, including the armchair variety. I often link to it here because he has a wealth of experience in the mountains, great insights, and a wonderful writing style that I enjoy. If you haven't checked it out already, then what are you waiting for? I promise you'll want to bookmark it!

As for Never Stop Climbing, it's also a cool site. If you check out he About NSC link, you'll find the following statement:

Can two horrendously out of shape guys get fit, learn how to climb, and tackle some of the world’s highest mountains?

We are about to find out.

Never Stop Climbing is about transformation, exploration, and reaching seemingly impossible goals no matter what they are. For us it is about reaching mountain summits and achieving the fitness required to get there, and back, safely. For others it may be a battle with weight or cancer. You may have other adventures in mind.

Sounds like fun to me. I'll be checking back! Good luck guys!

Antarctic Update: Speed Attempts Go For Hannah's Record!

ExWeb has another very good article today on the emerging Antarctic season, with a good overview of what's going to be happening on the ice in the coming weeks.

They note that there are no less than five skiers vying for Hannah McKeand's speed record to the Pole via Hercules Inlet. Among them is American Todd Carmichael, Mark Langridge, who will also ski back to the start, and the Impossible-2-Possible team made up of Richard Weber,Ray Zahab and Kevin Vallely. The time to beat is 40 days. Good luck gentleman.

Some of the skiers are also making a go at the "solo and unsupported" category. Those include Carmichael and Landridge of course, but also Teemu Lakkasuo and Chus Lago, who is looking to become the first Spanish woman to make the trip to the South Pole. She is the only solo woman on the ice this season.

Speaking of the ladies, there are four of them currently in Antarctica, including Chus. Yesterday I mentioned ExWeb's interview with Sarah McNair-Landry, who at the age of 22, is already an experienced polar guide. One of the members of her team is Kari Gundeso from Norway. They hope to reach the Pole together. Meanwhile, Jill Maxwell is part of the ANI Team departing tomorrow along the Messner Route.

A few other quick updates today. The Shackleton Centenary Team got underway yesterday and managed to log about 8.8 miles. There is also a great story about them on the BBC website today as well. Check it out here. You'll recall that they set out from the Shackleton Hut and will be following in the footsteps of the famous explorer.

Todd Carmichael has a similarly successful day yesterday. His latest dispatch says that he's still struggling to get his handheld computer to work for uploading photos and images, but his sat phone is working fine and he's feeling well. He logged about 9 miles yesterday himself, all of it uphill, and hopes to break into the double digit mileage today.

Good luck to everyone! Enjoy the adventure, stay warm, and lookout for killer penguins.

New Pyramid Found In Egypt

National Geographic has a story up today reporting that a new pyramid has been discovered in Egypt, near the site of the pyramid to the tomb of Teti, in Saqqara, a settlement not far from Cairo.

This new pyramid is believed to be the tomb of Queen Sesheshet, mother of Teti. That would make this structure more than 4500 years old, dating back to the 6th Dynasty. It's the third pyramid discovered in the Teti complex, but the first in over 14 years. Archaeologists were surprised to find the structure, as they thought that the area had been throughly excavated.

Sesheshet's tomb once stood five stories in height, but has been buried under 23 feet of sand for years. When other structures in the dig site were being excavated in the past, the sand from those digs as dumped on top of this one. The other two pyramids discovered here belonged to Teti's two wives, which is why it is believed that this one most likely belonged to his mother.

Those expecting to see amazing treasures like the ones pulled out of Tut's tomb will be disappointed however. Archeologists say that they have already seen an access tunnel, dug by grave robbers, who raided the site centuries ago. Instead, they are likely to find historical treasures, such as hieroglyphs on the walls and quite possibly Sesheshet's mummy.

More than likely we will never see a treasure like Tut's ever again. He was a rather unimportant pharaoh who didn't rule for very long, and his grave site was dug rather hastily, due to his untimely death, in the Valley of the Kings. That tomb was actually directly under the tomb of another pharaoh, so when tomb raiders robbed the one above his, Tut's tomb went unnoticed and untouched.

I remain in awe of the treasures found in Tut's tomb. His iconic golden mask is a sight to behold, and is 35 pounds of gold. His sarcophagus was over 200 pounds of gold. But when you think about how insignificant he was in the history of Egypt, you can't help but wonder how impressive the treasures of Rameses II were before his tomb was robbed.