Chris Waddell Summits Kili!

We've been watching and following along for the past few days, and now it's confirmed. Chris Waddell has reached the summit of Kilimanjaro! His blog has this to say:

This just in… The summit was successful! This is wonderful news and we are so very excited.


Congratulations to Chris Waddell & the One-Revolution team on a successful summit of Mount Kilimanjaro!!!!

I'm sure we'll get more information on this soon, but a hearty congratulations to Chris, who becomes the first person to summit Kilimanjaro without the use of his legs. I know it has been a long and challenging struggle for him, but it is an amazing accomplishment.

More as it becomes available.

Saying Goodbye To A Legend: Charles Houston Has Passed Away

I meant to post something on this a few days back, but didn't have the chance, but felt it is too important to not mention. On Sunday, the mountaineering community lost a true legend, as Dr. Charlie Houston passed away at the age of 96. He was instrumental in some of the early climbs in the Himalaya by American teams, and did some ground breaking research on the effects of altitude as well.

Back in 1936, Houston was a member of the first team to climb Nanda Devi in India. At the time, it was the tallest mountain in the world that had been summitted. In 1938, he went to the Karakorum to make an attempt on K2, and while that team did not reach the summit, they did map out the route that would eventually be used by the Italian team in 1954.

In 1953, he returned to K2 to give it another go, but he and the rest of the team turned back below the summit when team member Art Gilkey became ill. The expedition took a turn for the worse while they were descending, and Gilkey ended up going over the side and falling to his death. The other six members of the team nearly followed but, Pete Schoening arrested their fall with a single ice axe in what has become known in mountaineering circles as "The Belay".

Houston would go on to chronicle their ordeal, along with Robert Bates and Jim Wickwire, in the mountaineering classic K2: The Savage Mountain. He would also write a number of other books on mountaineering and the effects of altitude on the body. His own story was told in the wonderful Brotherhood of the Rope as well.

But Houston's legacy doesn't end there. Besides being a doctor, mountaineer, and respected writer, he was also a film maker and the one time head of the Peace Corps. His research into high altitude medicine may be his lasting legacy however, as he was amongst the first to study its effects and was a leading expert in the field.

Few men have lived a life as rich and full as Charlie Houston. He had adventures around the globe and gave back in so many ways. He was an amazing man, and he truly lived every one of those 96 years. So long Charlie! We'll miss you!

Dressing For Success (In Adventure Sports!)

Adventure World Magazine has a nice article up designed to be an intro on how to dress for adventure sports activities. The story has some good tips for mountain biking, paddling, and trail running as well.

Now, I'm sure plenty of you are thinking "No one needs to tell me how to dress!" and if you're a veteran of these activities, with a gear closet full of clothes, I'm sure that's the case. But for someone who is just getting into these sports, this is an excellent primer that explains exactly what you'll need while you're biking, paddling, or running. For instance, the section on paddling offers up advice on the differences on a wetsuit and a dry suit, and how each works to keep you warm.

The article also does a nice job of not recommending a specific brand or items, but instead keeps its recommendations neutral by suggesting features you should look for in your outdoor clothing. In today's market, there are plenty of options for brands to purchase, and I'm sure we all have our favorites. It is important that you find the ones that you like, that meet your needs, and remain within your budget.

Since these three activities, mountain biking, paddling, and trail running, are the main disciplines in adventure racing, the story is also good for newbies to that sport too. Just be warned. Adventure racing is extremely addictive, and will have you buying gear you didn't even know existed. ;)

Wend's Wipeout Wednesday Goes Climbing!

Anyone who reads the Wend Blog with any regularity has probably seen their Wipeout Wednesday features. If not, lets just say that these weekly videos highlight, often in spectacular fashion, our penchant for crashing, whether we're on skis, bikes, surf boards, or what ever other crazy activities we can come up with.

Today, they feature some nice rock climbing action, but in the spirit of Wipeout Wednesday, these climbs generally end with a fall. Check out the video below for an example, then click here to see the other videos for the day. Good stuff!

16 Year Old Aussie Girl Prepares To Sail the World

Jessica Watson, the 16-year old Australian girl I mentioned a few months back, appears to be in the final stages of preparation to set off on her attempt to sail solo around the world. If successful, and depending on the amount of time it takes her to complete the voyage, she could become the youngest person to do so.

In the recent updates to her blog, Jessica notes that they have been putting the finishing touches on her boat, Ella’s Pink Lady, and that it went back into the water yesterday. She now plans to sail from Australia's Gold Coast down south to Sydney, where she'll eventually depart on the circumnavigation attempt. She hopes to reach Sydney by early next week.

Jessica is just the latest teenager to make this voyage with Zac Sunderland from the U.S. finishing his journey back in July, setting the new age mark at 17. A month later Mike Perham from the U.K. did the same thing, besting Zac by just a few months time. And lest we forget, 13-year old Laura Dekker is still waiting to see if she can make her own solo circumnavigation attempt.

I'll keep an eye on Jessica's progress and see when she sets out. Won't be long now. Good luck Jessica!

Death Valley Solo: Todd's Ready To Roll

A fresh update from Todd Carmichael today as he is busy putting the finishing touches on his Death Valley Solo expedition. In today's dispatch, he reveals that he has now sent his gear, including his food and "The Pig", off to Las Vegas, where he will retrieve them next Wednesday before setting off to Baker, California. The small town will be the launching pad for Todd's next adventure.

During the double traverse across the harsh Death Valley terrain, we'll be getting daily updates from Todd at roughly high noon local time. Death Valley falls into the Pacific Time Zone, so expect the updates to come late afternoon for most of us. Carmichael expects he'll be resting under a tarp, trying to avoid the hot sun, during those times, and he's hoping that his equipment performs a bit better than it did in Antarctica for sure.

He also talks about the dangers that will threaten the expedition as well, citing heavy rains, heat exhaustion, and wildlife as the ones he's looking out for. One doesn't associate heavy rain with Death Valley very often, and that's not the case here either. But if it does rain hard in the nearby mountains, it can cause flash floods in the Valley. Heat exhaustion is easy to understand, and he'll be monitoring his health very closely, and as for the critters? Lets just say there are some snakes and bugs he'd rather avoid out there.

If all goes as planned, the expedition should officially get underway at the end of next week, and will last for an expected 48 days and cover 430 miles in the process.

12 Great Safaris From Nat Geo

Planning a trip to Africa soon? Finally going to take that safari you've always dreamed of? Then let National Geographic Adventure give you a helping hand. The Adventure website has been updated with a great article listing the 12 best safari's on the continent.

The article breaks Africa down into two regions, East and South, and offers the best suggestions for both. For instance, in southern Africa, they recommend heading to Botswana's Okavango Delta, which comes to life each summer when flood waters roll into the area. The Delta is well known for its diversity of wildlife, including some of the last packs of wild dogs to be found anywhere on the planet. Jumping to East Africa gets you the a recommendation of the Serengeti of course, but also gorilla trekking in Uganda, and hiking Mt. Kenya as well.

These are just a sample of some of the great trips that you can find in Africa. If you love wildlife, then there is not greater trip that you can take than an African safari, bar none. The sheer number of species that are on display is staggering, and unlike anything you'll find in any other region of the planet. Speaking for myself personally, I have been to a number of amazing destinations on my travels, and the Serengeti remains the one that I loved the most. I would go back in a heartbeat, and I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a true adventure. An amazing place that I will definitely return to some day.

First Ascent Wants To Send You Up Rainier With Ed Viesturs and Peter Whittaker

Gear manufacturer First Ascent is giving away the expedition of a lifetime by offering up the opportunity to climb Mt. Rainier with two climbing legends. The five day trip will see one lucky winner join Ed Viesturs and Peter Whittaker on a guided climb up the 14,411 foot Rainier, which sits in the Cascade Mountain Range, in Washington state. And if that wasn't enough, they'll fully outfit you with all the gear you'll need too!

To enter the contest, you'll need to go to this page and fill out the form, which includes all the regular stuff like your name, address, and so on. But it's going to take more than that to join this climbing team. You'll also have to write a 300-500 word essay explaining why you should be the one chosen to go on the climb, and post your "adventure resume" in 250 words or less. Finally, you'll also be asked to upload a 3-5 minute video that demonstrates your "thirst for adventure".

After you've jumped through all of those hoops, you might get selected to go on this expedition. So make sure your entry stands out, and you could be the one who gets to join Ed and Peter on this expedition of a lifetime.

Chris Waddell Making Summit Push on Kilimanjaro

Paraplegic athlete Chris Waddell is making his summit push on Kilimanjaro today, and we could get confirmation of his summit at any time. If successful, he'll become the first person to reach the top of Africa's tallest mountain without the use of his legs.

Reading Chris' blog gives some details on what the climb has been like for him so far. He is using a specially designed cart, that he pedals with is hands, to pull himself up the mountain. The little buggy is called the Bomba, and its over sized tires allow him to maneuver over and around large rocks, using his own strength to continue his progress.

In his most recent update, Chris said that the team was camped at 18,000 feet, meaning that today he should make the long crawl to the summit, which is located at 19,340 feet. He'll be dealing with snow and ice, lots of rock scree, and a difficult incline as well, not to mention the thin air up there.

When I first heard about his plans nearly a year ago, I couldn't see how he, or anyone, could go up Kili on a wheeled cart like the Bomba. But Chris is proving me wrong, and it looks like there is a great chance that he will achieve this goal. Keep watching his blog for updates, as I expect photos and news anytime today.

Update: Looks like the summit won't happen until tomorrow. Chris and his team intend to camp in the crater tonight and make their way the remaining distance to the top in the morning. You can read the latest dispatch here.

Video: Skiing A Slot Canyon

Here's one for the "don't try this at home" files. Skier Cody Townsend was wearing a helmet cam when he caught this video of himself zipping through a bit of a tight canyon at fairly high speeds. According to Dougald MacDonald over at The Mountain World Blog, this was through the Terminal Cancer Couloir in Nevada's Ruby Mountains.

This ought to get my skiing friends amped up for the season, which isn't as far off now as you would think. Enjoy!

Flashing Hallways from Cody Townsend on Vimeo.

Fall Issue of JPFreek Magazine Now Available

The Fall Issue of JPFreek Magazine is now available online with the usual great content, and I'm not just saying that because I once again contributed a story for the issue. The e-zine, which bills itself as the "North America's First and Only Full-Digital Jeep Adventure Lifestyle Publication", continues to offer some really great adventure stories geared for jeep enthusiasts and outdoor junkies alike.

For instance, in this issue you'll find stories covering an overland expedition through the Scottish Highlands, kayaking in the Big Horn Mountains of Wyoming and Black Hills of South Dakota, and the fourth part of an ongoing series that follows a trans-continental journey from Paris to New York. The long way around, and by jeep of course. And if you check out page 30, you'll find my story on all the adventure opportunities down under in Queensland, Australia, complete with photos from my trip there earlier this year.

The online magazine demonstrates how the Internet is making traditional print media obsolete as well with embedded video in one of the stories, and an interesting use of Flash in another, that gives info on parts added to the Jeeps and even order them for yourself. These are the kinds of things that just can't be done in any other medium, and it's very cool to see this new technology evolving and opening up new doors right before our eyes.

I'm proud to be a regular contributor to JPFreek. The magazine keeps getting better with each issue and the high quality of the photos and writing (present company excluded of course!) continues to shine through. Can't wait to see the next issue too!

Apa Sherpa Attempting Unnamed/Unclimbed Peak in Nepal

Climbing legend Apa Sherpa is back in Nepal this Fall and attempting an as of yet unclimbed and unnamed peak in the Himalaya. According to this story in the Salt Lake Tribune, Apa has joined Swiss climber Stephane Schaffter, as well as Pakistani mountaineer Adbul Karim, on this expedition to a mountain that sits just two days trek from his home village of Thame in Nepal.

Apa set out for Kathmandu last week, where he is now preparing to take on this 22,200 foot peak, which sits not far from the NangPa La Pass, which is a popular trading route between Tibet and Namche Bazaar in Nepal. The pass was also the site of a now infamous show down between Chinese military and Tibetan refugees fleeing to Nepal a few years back.

Climbing in the Himalaya during the fall is a bit unusual for Apa, who is a mainstay on Everest in the spring. He is the current record holder for most summits on that mountain, having now reached the top of the world an unprecedented 19 times. He is wildly considered one of the strongest climbers in the world, and although he now lives in Utah, he still returns to his home country several times a year for various functions.

It is yet to be seen if he'll go for a 20th summit next spring, but I wouldn't bet against him. 20 sounds like a nice round number before hanging up the crampons on Everest for good. On the other hand, he's only 49 years old and climbing as strong as ever, so I wouldn't bet against him.

Himalaya Fall 2009: More Summits, Death on Cho Oyu

It was another busy weekend in the Himalaya with successful summits, changes in the weather, and the sad news of a death on Cho Oyu.

I'll start there today, as the news broke over the weekend that Clifton Maloney, the husband of U.S. Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, died on Cho Oyu after achieving a successful summit. At the age of 71, he claimed the title as the oldest to summit that mountain, but died in his sleep back at C3 after telling one of his teammates "I am the happiest man in the world. I just climbed a beautiful mountain". Maloney was an avid climber, sailer, and runner, having competed in the New York City Marathon on no less than 20 occasions. This is the first death of the season in the Himalaya, and I send my condolences to the family.

In other news on Cho Oyu, the North Face Trilogy team that had been planning to scale the mountain and then run/mountain bike back to Kathmandu, are in the process of altering those plans thanks to the Chinese closing the Tibetan borders once again. According to their latest blog posts, they'll now consider a different peak in the region, since they won't have access to Cho Oyu until after October 8th, and they won't have the time to finish their project.

We also received an update on Ueli Steck over the weekend with the news that he reached the summit of Makalu late last week. He had been planning on making a solo, alpine style attempt on the West Pillar, but if you read his dispatches, you could tell how difficult that climb was going to be, so rather than go home empty handed, he topped out along the normal route while he was in the neighborhood.

IMG and Jagged Globe both put teams on the summit of Cho Oyu late last week and have posted photos and updates on the their teams as well, all of which are often the mountain and safe and are already en route back to Kathmandu for the journey hope. Congrats to everyone!

Summit bids are underway on Shisha Pangma, where Andrew Lock has updated his blog this morning with news that he is "Going For It". He and his team have spent a night at C2 and the camps are well stocked up to that point, and he now believes that they'll top out on Friday or Saturday of this week. They'll be taking an alternate route to the summit that is long and challenging, but should avoid the treacherous cornices and snow that turned back another team yesterday.

Teams have been very busy on Manaslu the past few days as well, and the Altitude Junkies were successful in putting three climbers high on the mountain, but the did not reach the true summit itself, coming up about 15 vertical meters short. It seems that the ropes were not fixed all the way to the summit, and left them just short of the top. They elected to not attempt to go further for safety reasons. Meanwhile, according to Alpenglow Expeditions, climbing with Himex, the team should reach the top today and upon doing so, descend back to C2. Hopefully all has gone well for them this morning.

Finally, ExWeb has an update on the Basque team on Everest. The team was making a summit bid up the Hornbein Couloir, but are now back in ABC after a very scary night 7200 meters in which they survived no one, but two avalanches. The first hit them while they were in the tent, and buried it. Deciding that discretion was the better part of valor, they elected to head down the mountain, but were hit by a second avalanche that covered them in snow. They ended up spending the night under a rocky outcropping before making a long, slow treacherous descent the next day. No word as of yet if they'll have another go at it.

More Adventure Maps from Nat Geo

Late last year I wrote about a couple of very cool masp from National Geographic that covered all of Baja and offered everything you could possibly want from a map and then some. Now, they've got a couple of new offerings, with the same high quality, that cover Mount Hood and the Columbia River Gorge, two great adventure destinations.

These maps fall under Nat Geo's Trails Illustrated series, and offer great topographical information, plenty of trail routes, campsites, roads, and plenty of other points of interest. They also come with plenty of useful navigational information, with Lat/Long coordinates, UTM gird, and more. They also have the Tread Lightly rules for both land and water travel printed right on the map, as well as the the Leave No Trace philosophy too. And if that wasn't enough, there are also special safety notes and important phone numbers listed as well, putting all the information you could possibly need right at your fingertips.

The maps are, as you would expect, of very high quality as well. They are both waterproof and tear resistant, which means they can stand up to punishment in the field, and you can toss them in your backpack without fear of them becoming damaged, and shredded by the end of your trip. They also happen to be printed in a very high resolution, making everything easy to read, including the sometimes very tiny topographical lines.

Each of these two maps offer plenty of coverage of their respective areas too. For instance, the Mt. Hood map covers Badger Creek, Bull of the Woods, Mount Hood, and Salmon Huckleberry Wilderness Areas, as well as the newly legislated Clackamas & Roaring River Wilderness Areas, amongst plenty of others. As if that wasn't enough, it also gives information on permits required to enter the wilderness areas or to climb the mountain itself. Likewise, the Columbia River Gorge map has Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness Area, White Salmon, Pacific Crest and Oregon Trails, Mount Hood, Columbia River Gorge, Historic Columbia River Highway, and Yakima Scenic Byways and more as well. It also lists scenic water falls within the region.

As far as maps go, these are indispensable for hikers and climbers heading to these two regions to say the least. And if you're not heading to Mt. Hood or the Columbia River Gorge, then check out the other maps that National Geographic has available. There are plenty of other great destinations that they cover as well, and will have a similar level of information on those maps as well.

ExWeb Posts 2009 Antarctic Expedition List

In a sure sign that the 2009 Antarctic season can't be too far off, ExWeb has posted their list of expeditions that are slated to take place on the frozen continent beginning in just a few weeks time. The list is a bit sparse at the moment, no doubt a reflection of the economic conditions that we find ourselves mired in at the moment. Sponsorship dollars have been hard to come by this year, and it doesn't look like that is going to improve much in 2010.

Even though the list is a short one, and I expect there will be more expeditions added in the days ahead, it isn't without some intriguing adventures. For instance, Meagan McGrath hopes to make a solo, unsupported trip to the South Pole which would earn her the distinction of being the first Canadian woman to achieve that feat. Ben Saunders returns to the ice as well as he begins an odyssey that will have him attempting speed records on both Poles ahead of an epic Antarctic expedition scheduled for 2011-2012, while Fiona Lindsay and Ronny Finsaas will go for an unassisted crossing of the continent by kite-ski, covering more than 2000 miles in the process.

One expedition in particular caught my eye as being especially ambitious, as British adventurer Antony Jinman will attempt to ski the "three poles" in one year. Back in May he traversed across Greenland by skis, and this fall he'll go to the South Pole as well. With that out of the way, he'll turn is attention to the North Pole next spring, completing his quest at the top of the world.

Not to be out done, Eric Larsen has also been planning for his assault on the "three poles", in which he'll go for the North and South Pole, and the summit of Everest, in a 365 day period. He'll begin that quest by going to the South Pole, where, according to ExWeb, he'll be guding a team from Hercules Inlet that will receive resupply along the way. Should be interesting to see what he does in the spring when explorers are traditionally going to the North Pole and up Everest.

I'm sure the list will see periodic updates throughout October as we speed towards the beginning of the season. November is traditionally when the Antarctic expeditions get underway, and it won't be long until we're getting some great updates from the ice. Between now and the start of their expeditions however, the explorers will be very busy on their continued training, gear packing, and sponsorship duties.

Himalaya Fall 2009: Summits on Cho Oyu, More To Come Soon!

It looks like it is going to be a busy weekend in the Himalaya with good weather holding steading over the region, clearing the way for summit bids on a variety of peaks heading into next week.

The big news from yesterday is the successful summits on Cho Oyu, where IMG is reporting that they had 12 members of their team top out, including Sherpas, under excellent weather conditions that deteriorated some after their descent. Jagged Globe has also reported a successful day on the mountain, with 10 climbers, two guides, and their Sherpa team reaching the summit. All are now safely back down the mountain and celebrating in BC. Expect more climbers to make their bids over the weekend.

Meanwhile, over on Everest, the Basque Team has begun their assault on the North Side, making an alpine style ascent of the Hornbein Couloir with an eye on reaching the top of the tallest mountain on the planet by Sunday or Monday. Reportedly the face had been swept clean of snow by an avalanche last week, so hopefully conditions are good for their very tricky and demanding climb.

Additionally, ExWeb says we should expect summit bids on Manaslu and Shisha Pangma in the next few days as well, as everything is progressing on schedule on those mountains, and the routes are now fixed to the summit.

Finally, the Field Touring Alpine Team may have reached the top of Satopanth several days back, but the story of their climb is still emerging, with details still falling into place. It seems on their descent from the summit an earthquake hit the mountain, with the entire summit ridge trembling. Seracs were shaken loose and went tumbling down the mountain, and it was a scary scene for climbers who thought they had put the worst of the mountain behind them. Turns out, it was a 6.1 magnitude quake with the epicenter just 25 miles away. Everyone is safe of course, and they are now making their way back to Delhi for the return home, but that had to be one scary moment.

Tibet Borders Closed Again

In what seems to be a reoccurring story over the past two years, China has once again shut down the borders of Tibet to foreign visitors ahead of the October 1st celebration of 60 years of Communist rule. According to this story from the AP, the travel ban began on Tuesday and will last through the 8th of October, and it doesn't effect travelers already in the country.

The article says that further security measures have also been taken across all of China, but Tibet in particular to ensure that violent protests don't take place. The government is planning a major parade, fireworks display, and presidential address in Beijing on the 1st, and they want be sure that everything goes off without a hitch. One of the more volatile hotspots over the past few years has been Tibet, and they certainly don't want to have the Himalayan country do anything to embarrass China on the anniversary of the Communist take over.

Tibet has had been shut off to the world on several occasions since 2008, most notably in the spring of that year when protests turned violent resulting in clashes with the Chinese military, who claim 22 Tibetans died in the altercations. Sources from within that country say that that number is much higher, possibly in the hundreds. Following those clashes, Tibet was closed for month, preventing trekkers and climbers from accessing the Himalaya that year. The same thing happened earlier this year, as Beijing braced for another round of protests on the 50th anniversary of the Dalai Lama going into exile. In both of these instances, foreign media was also expelled, which doesn't seem to be the case this time.

Fortunately, the window for closing Tibet is fairly small, and will only hinder a few travelers heading to the region. Most of the climbers are already in country and on their mountains, so it's not preventing access as it has in the past. Still, isn't it about time that someone calls out the Chinese government for these actions? Closing up shop every time they think there may be a problem isn't the way any government should act, but then again, look who we're talking about here.

Sadly, the closing of the borders will mostly have an impact on the Tibetans who earn a living through the tourism trade, which is an important one for that country.

Celebrity Kilimanjaro Climb Set For January

The First Ascent Blog has announced the Summit on the Summit climb, which is scheduled to take place on Kilimanjaro this January with a number of big names taking part.

The expedition is focused on raising awareness about the global clean water crisis, while raising funds for three worthy causes, including the Children's Safe Drinking Water Program, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and PlayPumps International.

The climb is the brainchild of musician Kenna, who will be joined by Jessica Biel, Lupe Fiasco, Isabel Lucas. A number of other participants from a variety of different fields including, Alexandra Cousteau, grand-daughter of Jacques Cousteau; Elizabeth Gore, Executive Director for Global Partnerships for the United Nations Foundation; and Kick Kennedy, environmental activist and granddaughter of Robert Kennedy, will also be on the trip. The expedition will be led by First Ascent Guide Melissa Arnot, who has summitted Everest on more than one occasion.

Considering the names on this expedition, and with the marketing machine of First Ascent behind it, I'm guessing we'll hear a lot more about this climb in the weeks ahead.

Backpacker Shares 19 Undiscovered Hikes

We've all been there. We're out on our favorite trail, enjoying a crisp, fall morning, taking in the wonderful colors of the autumn leaves, and soaking up the solitude that we enjoy so much. It's a wonderful feeling right up until the point when the trail starts to get crowded, the silence is broken, and the that solitude we love is gone forever. Yep, our favorite trails all get discovered eventually, and the things we loved about them start to fade away as we are forced to share them with others.

With that in mind, Backpacker Magazine has put together a great list of 19 "undiscovered trails". A collection of hidden gems that remain uncrowded and remote, at least until we all read this article. Some of them have been around for awhile, while others are new, but they each offer wonderful hikes through beautiful backcountry without the big crowds found on more well known trails.

Some of the trails making the list include Lake Ouachita Vista Trail in Arkansas, which began construction in 2007, and now has 18 of its eventual 44 miles complete. Looking for something even more epic? Then check out the Ring the Peak Trail in Colorado, which will eventually encircle Pike's Peak and run 80 miles in length.

Personally, I like the list of "Secret Trails", which have some excellent suggestions for places that we can go to recapture the solitude on the trail. I'm especially interested in the Comanche Bluff Trail here in Texas, which happens to be in my backyard. I have to make a note to get out and hike that one, before everyone else does.

Death Valley Solo: Route Revealed!

Adventurer Todd Carmichael continues his preparation for his solo and unsupported double traverse of Death Valley, which is scheduled to get underway in just a few weeks time. Over the course of the expedition, he'll cover more than 400 miles through some of the harshest terrain on the planet, in the hottest and driest place in North America no less. And now, ahead of his departure, Todd has decided to share his route with us, so we can see his intended path.

In order to check out the route, you'll need a copy of Google Earth, which is an amazing piece of software that you can download here. Go ahead! It's free after all, and you probably should have it installed already anyway. Once you do have it installed, you can import Todd's route from a file that you can download here. You can also add the route to your GPS unit, just in case you want to follow it yourself, by using the file available here. (Note: the first file should download automatically when you click on it, the second one may require you to right-click and "save as")

Examining the path you'll see exactly how remote Todd's route is. There is practically nothing in the vicinity of where he intends to go, which is, of course, exactly how he likes it. He'll be avoiding all roads and other paths along the way, so as to get the true solo trekking experience, and he'll need to carry all of his supplies, including his water, with him as well.

This Google Earth version of the route is just the beginning. Once the expedition officially launches, we'll be able to follow Todd's progress via a SPOT Messenger device that will send updates of his location every ten minutes, and giving us an opportunity to be a part of the journey like never before. Can't wait!

The Icon Personal Aircraft

Well, now I know what I want for Christmas!

National Geographic Adventure has updated their Adventure blog this morning with profile on the Icon A5 amphibious light sport aircraft, a 22-foot long personal airplane that can reach speeds of 120 mile per hour and can be refueled at your local gas station. Yep, that's right, this plane takes unleaded!

The aircraft is designed and built by ICON Aircraft, a start-up company who says that their goal is to "bring the freedom, fun, and adventure of flying to all who have dreamed of flight." And thanks to changes to FAA rules, they can do just that. While the A5 is not certified to fly at night, nor close to airports with a control tower, it requires just 20 hours of training to earn your flight license.

The plane offers a host of creature comforts however, and seems more like a car than an aircraft. On top of that, thanks to the fact that it can land and take off from a body of water, we all have a "landing strip" not far from where we live. You can learn a lot more about the A5 on the company's website, including plenty of great photos and even video of it in action.

And what will this revolutionary new vehicle cost? A mere $139,000 puts you in this plane today. Not bad, all things considered, but they're not expected to begin shipping until 2011.

The Rest of Everest Episode 113: Annapurna IV Bonus Interviews

Following a few weeks off, the Rest of Everest returns this week with a new episode that gives us more of a glimpse of the Annapurna Circuit, as climbers Ben Clark, Josh Butson, and Tim Clarke leave Annapurna IV behind, and continue the trek back to civilization.

The episode begins with an update on the Everest Trek 2010, which will be photography and videography workshop combined with a high altitude trek through the Himalaya next spring. Registration opened last weekend, and more than half of the available slots filled up immediately. There are, however, a couple of available spots on the trek still open, so if you're interested in joining the fun next year, head on over and sign up. It's going to be an amazing trip to a seldom seen side of Everest.

From there, we leap into the bonus episode, which has climber Ben Clark chatting up a few female trekkers who were hiking the Annapurna Circuit and enjoying the Himalaya. For anyone thinking of going to Nepal to make a similar trek, it's quite an interesting episode, as you'll get to see other travelers talk about a variety of subjects including food, the scenery, the culture and much more. Several of them talk about the challenges of hiking at altitude and others comment on how amazingly friendly and hospitable the people of Nepal are to visitors. Definitely worth watching if you're planning a trip to the Himalaya in the future.

Around The Americas Update: Next Stop Boston!

Having successfully navigated the Northwest Passage, the Around the Americas Expedition has turned its way south. Having left Nova Scotia, Canada behind the next scheduled port of call set for the Ocean Watch and her crew is Boston, where they are expected to arrive on Friday.

It has been a pretty good few weeks for the crew, who have now gone from icy waters and heavy cold weather gear, to shorts and flip-flops under warm skies and lovely autumn days. The journey south, for now, remains mostly uneventful, although a new crew member has joined the team, at least for now. Ed Stern is a fisheries expert from the Marine Institute in St. John's and he gives us a rundown on his background as well as the general health of fisheries in North America in today's blog post.

Ed has joined the crew in support of the expedition's environmental efforts. As the Ocean Watch navigates its way around North and South America, something that has never been done before, the team is recording data on the health of the oceans, and that healthy will have a direct impact on our fisheries, and vice versa, as over fishing can cause its own set of issues.

In the weeks ahead, the crew will continue to head south towards the tip of South America, where they will make the treacherous crossing of the Beagle Channel before turning north and home. The expedition began in Seattle back in June and will end there again sometime in 2010, but in between, the ship will have crossed more than 24,000 miles of ocean, completing the first ever circumnavigation of the two continents.

Himalaya Fall 2009: It's Go Time!

The Fall Himalaya season seems to be rapidly heating up as summit bids are now underway on a variety of mountains across the region. The acclimatization process is finished, the lines are fixed, and the high camps are stocked. Looks like it's go time!

On Everest, the Basque team of Alberto Iñurrategi, Mikel Zabalza and Juan Vallejo will begin their assault on the Hornbein Couloir tomorrow, with an eye on reaching the summit on Sunday morning, according to the latest update from ExWeb. The current plan is to survey the route tomorrow and if everything goes as planned, begin their alpine style ascent, which as ExWeb points out, has only been accomplished once before.

Jumping over to Makalu, we finally get an update from Ueli Steck, who is taking on the West Pillar solo and in alpine style. Ueli has had some set backs in that climb, and he is currently in BC, hoping for better conditions on the mountain, and knowing that he has just three weeks to make a go at it. If you read his very personal account of his attempt to go up the mountain, you'll get a sense of the frustration he is currently feeling at not being able to climb as quickly and safely as he'd like. He's even considered giving up and going home, which is so unlike the indomitable spirit we usually see out of him. It's a bit sobering considering how strong a climber Ueli is, but it also says a lot about the conditions and challenges of this route on this mountain. Definitely a good read.

Meanwhile, the Chilean Ski Expedition is hoping to begin their summit bid on Manaslu tomorrow. They hope to top out on Sunday as well, and will then make the descent back down the mountain on their skis. On that same mountain, the Altitude Junkies should be in the middle of their summit bid right now, and should be hopefully reaching the summit this weekend as well. The Himex Team is apparently progressing with their acclimatization, and have already spent two nights at at 6300 meters, and are eyeing their bid, weather permitting, in the next week and a half.

Andrew Lock checks in once again from Shisha Pangma where he reports great conditions. He has now climbed up to Camp 1, but described the route as slow and treacherous at this point. It took him and his climbing partner, Kinga Baranowska, seven hours to make the trip up to 6250 meters. That climb was made several days ago, and today he and Kinga are back up to C1 to spend the night, before moving on to Camp 2 tomorrow. For Andrew, this is his 14th 8000 meter peak, so obviously he's keen on using the great weather to his advantage and finishing off the last of the big mountains.

The North Face Cho Oyu Triology Team continues to make their way to that mountain, and are posting regular updates to their blog. Yesterday we were treated to some great photos from the area on the team's blog and the video posted below was put up today. It shows climber Simone Moro in Chhukung village discussing his previous experiences in the Himalaya, of which he has had many.

Also on Cho Oyu, the IMG blog is reporting that their team is now in the middle of their final push to the summit, and updates later today should clue us in on their success. It looks like they should be standing on top very soon.

FInally, the Field Touring Alpine Team has updated their blog to let us know that the entire team is now back in BC on Satopanth after successfully putting several climbers on the summit of that peak located in the Hindu Kush of India. Well done team, and glad you're all safe!

Video Highlights of Stage 2 of Roz's Pacific Row

With the second stage of her trans-Pacific row behind her, Roz Savage has returned to the mainland and is already planning next year's third and final stage of her journey. While she rests up and enjoys some much deserved down time, we can all get a glimpse into what her most recent adventure was like through this highlight video below. Enjoy!

Hanes Jumps into Outdoor Gear Market, Announces Everest Expedtiion

Okay, I didn't see this one coming, but it seems that Handsbrands is jumping into the already crowded outdoor apparel market pushing it's Champion line of gear and Duofold base layers as alternatives for the mountaineers and outdoor enthusiasts in general.

Today, Expedition Hanesbrands was announced with the launch of a slick website that invites the world to "Come Climb With Us". After taking the site for a test drive, I have to that it's pretty impressive, at least in terms of show casing Everest and what goes into a climb. On the site, you'll also find more information about the team, which will be led by adventurer Jamie Clarke when they attempt their climb in the spring of 2010. There is also a preliminary look at the gear, which includes some great looking base layers, as well as insulating layers, soft shells, and a hard shell too.

They've also launched another site called Climb Everest With Us in which we can share what our "Everest" is. That is to say the challenges in our life that we are focused on as our own personal goals. You can upload a video to this new online community and get the chance to win $10,000 to fun your own adventure. Sounds pretty great to me!

As if that wasn't enough, Hanes has asked the Gear Junkie to join the press team, and next spring he'll be trekking up to Everest Base Camp to cover help cover the expedition and test out the gear himself now doubt. I would have loved to have been a part of that press team for sure!

So, there you have it. More gear for us to choose from. I'll be interested to see how well it performs. I have to say that looking at it in the images I've seen this morning, it looks to be very high quality stuff, but until I can actually test it, it's hard to say for sure. The base layers in particular look good, which I guess shouldn't be a surprise considering the company. Hopefully they'll perform as well as they look though and be offered at affordable prices.

It's interesting that gear companies looking to make a splash are all headed to Everest in recent years. First Ascent definitely got plenty of exposure this past spring, in no small part because of the big name climbers on the team. But there is no question that the line of gear got plenty of exposure, and it looks like Hanes is hoping to do something similar. I wonder if it's too late for them to take me along!?! :)

Update: If you want to see more of what Hanes has in store with this gear, click here, where you can actually see some of their line of clothing and what they have planned.

Last Descent of the Yangtze

I often write about paddlers making first descents on some remote river somewhere, but rarely do you have the opportunity to write about a last descent. That's exactly what is going to happen on the Yangtze River in China this year, as the great dam project there is finally complete. For years, scientists and environmentalists have warned that the landscapes there will be changed forever thanks to this series of dams, and it's going to change the course of the river, both literally and figuratively. Check out the video below for more info on the last descent of the Yangtze.

Thanks to the Outside Blog for the heads up on this one.

British Cyclist Sets New Circumnavigation Record

British cyclist James Bowthorpe set a new world's record for circling the globe via bicycle earlier this week when he completed his journey in London's Hyde Park after just 175 days on the road. During that time, he covered more than 18,000 miles and crossed through 20 countries.

Bowthorpe averaged an impressive 103 miles per day as he peddled for a cause. He hopes to raise £1.8 million for research into Parkinson's Disease, and although his ride is complete, he'll continue to work towards that goal. He had hoped to raise £100 per mile rode along his journey.

Over the past six months, Bowthorpe crossed through France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Iran, India, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States, using airline flights only when it was necessary to cross oceans. Along the way he faced all kinds of weather conditions and struggled the most when crossing through India where he was beset by an illness that put him in bed for three days.

The Brit's efforts break the old record, held by Mark Beaumont by nearly 20 days. Beaumont is likely too busy to notice however, as he is currently cycling through Mexico on his Cycling The Americas trip.

Pretty impressive journey. That's a quick way to go around the planet on a bike, and averaging over 100 miles per day through crazy conditions had to be a challenge at times. Great stuff!

The North Face Launches Planet Explore

In what appears to be an increasing trend, the North Face has launched a social networking site called Planet Explore. The online community is designed to connect people with outdoor activities, which of course they'd prefer we do while wearing their clothes and using their gear.

Planet Explore has all of the usual things you'd expect from a social networking site, including blogs, podcasts, and videos. It also offers a nice online calendar of events for your favorite activities, such as hiking, camping, climbing, and more. You can even narrow your search to a few select locations as well, and connect with other people who are interested in the same activities.

The site has an impressive list of partners, such as the American Hiking Society, the Sierra Club, Outward Bound, and more. It's nice to see these outdoor and conservation focused groups join the community at such an early stage, and perhaps that bodes well for the future.

While the site is operated by The North Face, they are thankfully not over the top with the marketing of their equipment. The question is however, do we need another "online community" or "social networking" site? There seems to be plenty out there already, and I know I personally don't need to join another.

Innovations in Exploration by the Belgian Adventurer

Yesterday I posted about Todd Carmichael's newly designed and built "Pig" which will assist him as he attempts his double traverse of Death Valley in October. Another man who knows a thing or two about long distance expeditions and engineering your own cart is Belgian adventurer Louis-Philippe Loncke, who constructed this cart when he made his trek across the Simpson Desert last year.

Now, Lou-Phi is back with another new design, this time for a new pulka that you can actually sleep inside. You can check out his preliminary designs in this entry on his blog to see what he has in mind, but in a nutshell, the simple, but well thought out design, allows for the explorer to seek shelter inside his sled, while still having access to gear and food.

My first thought on seeing this was: "Why hadn't someone thought about this before?" Which was immediately followed with: "What is Lou-Phi planning for his next adventure?" After all, this is the guy who conquered the Simpson Desert and then went to Everest Base Camp to deliver Belgian Chocolate. You know he's got something up his sleeve! So, what's the plan Lou-Phi? ;)

Himalaya Fall 2009: Summits on Satopanth, Bids on Cho Oyu

It was another busy weekend in the Himalaya, as the teams continue to work towards their goals, while slowly acclimatizing to the altitude and building their high camps. But while most are still making their way up their mountain of choice, one team has already topped out.

The Field Touring Alpine Team sent out word today that they have successfully reached the summit of Satopanth, a 7075 meter peak in India's Hindu Kush. The report says that the weather was perfect and the climb from C3 to the summit took just five hours. The team will return to C2 today before making their way back to BC tomorrow, where they'll celebrate their success. Congrats everyone!

Over on Manaslu the Altitude Junkies are reporting good weather too, despite a forecast that had looked grim. Because of that, they're making better progress than expected, nearly every one of the team members is on schedule and has spent a night at Camp 2, so the acclimatization process continues as expected. They do report that the climb up to C2 is more technical than last year however, and the 2-4 hour climb turned into a 3-7 hour ascent. Extra snow on the mountain is not making it easy.

ExWeb is reporting that Basque team of Alberto Iñurrategi, Mikel Zabalza and Juan Vallejo on Everest have gone as high as 7500 meters now and are reporting poor conditions as well. It seems that the snows at that level are quite deep, with the climbers sinking to their knees and while at that altitude, they were pounded by a blizzard while they spent a sleepless night in the tent. With their acclimatization process now complete however, they'll turn their eyes on the Hornbein Couloir, which was swept clean of snow after a major avalanche this weekend. Hopefully that'll make a bit of an easier climb, as the couloir is challenging enough as is.

Andrew Lock reports in from Shisha Pangma, where he completed his Puja Ceremony on Saturday and was scheduled to go up to Camp 1 yesterday, spend the night, and move on to C2 with some supplies. He says that the team all have coughs and colds, which is natural in the region, but the weather is good, and they are itching to get underway.

The North Face Cho Oyu Trilogy Expedition is finally getting underway, with the latest news from their blog saying they have departed Kathmandu on their way to the mountain. Over the next 15 days they'll be trekking in the valley as they work on their own acclimatization process, before making a bid on the fifth highest peak in the world. Once they reach the summit, one of the team members will attempt to snowboard back down, and if that wasn't enough, once they're all back in BC, they'll return to Kathmandu under their own power. Two will trail run the entire way, and the other two will mountain bike. I'll take the bike, thanks.

Speaking of Cho Oyu, it seems teams that are already on the mountain have begun their summit bids, with IMG chiming in with that news earlier today, and if everything holds to the schedule, they'll top out on Thursday of this week. Likewise, the Jagged Globe Team has finished their preparations, and they should begin their final ascents in the next day or two as well. Good luck everyone!

Death Valley Solo: Todd Unveils "The Pig"!

Last week I wrote about Todd Carmichael's next big expedition, which will be a solo and unsupported trek across Death Valley that will commence on October 9th. In his first dispatch for his departure, Todd let us in on his plans, which include not just traversing the valley once, but twice, and he mentioned his companion on the journey, which he lovingly dubbed "The Pig".

In today's pre-expedition update, we get our first glimpse at the cart that Todd has designed, built, and tested to accompany him on the trek and carry the most important item of all - his water! As you can see, The Pig is a big, two wheeled cart that can carry a number of water jugs to keep our intrepid explorer hydrated and running at peak condition in the heat of Death Valley. In fact, the cart can carry as much as 33 gallons of water, along with food and other gear, which Todd figures ought to be enough to see him traverse the desert, twice, and cross more than 400 miles in the process.

For those that don't know, Death Valley, which is found in the southwest United States along the borders of California and Nevada, is the lowest, hottest, and driest place in all of North America. Its lowest point falls 282 feet below sea level, and the hottest temperature ever recorded on the continent was take at the appropriately named Furnace Creek, which rung in with a 134ºF back in 1913. The region is known for its harsh conditions and stark beauty, which were both reasons that Todd chose it for his next challenge I'm sure.

Expect to hear a lot more about this expedition as it ramps up, and gets underway in a few weeks time. Todd promises all kinds of good updates from the field, including regular dispatches and video too. Lets hope the equipment is more reliable than the stuff he took to the South Pole not so many months back.

Book Review: The New Age of Adventure

When it comes to covering the world of adventure, there are few, if any, publications that are as comprehensive and authoratative as National Geographic Adventure, which is currently ten years of amazing writing. In that first decade of its publication, Adventure has covered everything from climbing the world's highest peaks to sailing the oceans and exploring remote jungles, along with much much more. Many of the stories published in the magazine have garnered praise and won awards that go well beyond the adventure community, and the magazine has earned a reputation for top notch journalism.

To further celebrate this first decade of publication, a new books has just hit store shelves entitled The New Age of Adventure. The book compiles some of the very best articles that have graced the pages of Adventure over the past ten years, with such authors as Sebastian Junger, Laurence Gonzales, Peter Matthiessen, Jon Bowermaster and many more.

The book opens with an excellent introduction by John Rasmus, who is the founding editor of Adventure. In this intro, Rasmus looks back at the early days of the magazine, and some of the first stories that they published, as we closed out the 20th Century. He says that we are witnessing a change from an age of exploration to a new age, one of conversation. It is from this changing focus that the book gets its title. Rasmus explains that there are fewer "blank spots" on the map now, and we understand that our planet needs to be preserved and protected, and that is where we're headed in this new century.

Following the introduction, we're on to the stories. 25 of them in fact. These articles span the globe from Afghanistan to the Sahara, on to Alaska, and beyond. The stories range in scope to epic stories of adventure to intimate portraits of the adventurers themselves. The articles are just as engrossing now as they were when they were first published, and a number of them have a brief follow-up at the end to give us a bit of insight as to how things may have changed sine they first appeared in the magazine.

It is difficult to single out any one or two of the articles from the others, as they are all fantastic. As I read the book, I often caught myself falling pray to "just one more" syndrome. As in "I'll read just one more story before calling it a night." I can only imagine how difficult it was to sift through all the back issues of Adventure and narrow down all the great stories to just these 25. But the ones we do get are all of superior quality and they will each leave a lasting impression on you.

Personally, I found Tim Cahill's "The Lure of Impossible Places" to be quite excellent, as it really captured the spirit of adventure and exploration. David Robert's "Out of Thin Air" was also quite interesting as well, chronicling the expedition to Everest that discovered the remains of Mallory. And Philip Caputo's "Among the Man-Eaters" remains a fascinating piece on the lion prides of Kenya nearly ten years since it was first published.

I could go on and on about the outstanding writing and great stories, but you get the picture. Let me make this easy for you. If you're a fan of National Geographic Adventure magazine, you owe it to yourself to pick up this book. In some ways it is a bit of a walk down memory lane, and in others it is a reminder of why we love adventure and exploration in all of its forms. While reading this book you'll be inspired, humbled, and fascinated with each page you turn, which is exactly what Adventure has been doing for ten years. Congrats on the first decade, here's to many more to come!

Canoe & Kayak Weigh In With Their Best Inflatables Too!

Yesterday I linked out to a story on WideWorld's website on their choice for the ten best inflatable kayaks and canoes on the market. Today, Canoe & Kayak Magazine offer up their selection, with some really great alternative choices in the same category.

C&K took a look as the best packable boats around, and have offered up some excellent suggestions no matter what your budget or needs. Most of these can be checked on a flight, so you can take your kayak with you when you travel, as they are lightweight, tough, and easy to pack-up. These advanced designs make them better alternatives than ever before, and you might be surprised at what you find.

For example, TRAK Kayaks offers a great looking boat that works well in the surf of sea kayaking. It's called the T-1600, and Canoe & Kayak likes it because it can be assembled in ten minutes, has built in air pumps that can be controlled from the cockpit, and handles in the water very well. It ought to though, as it costs $3399.

I was happy to see the much more affordable AdvanceFrame (which I mentioned yesterday) from Advanced Elements get a nod as well. The reviewers seemed to be impressed with its handling and versatility, saying that it performs well on flat water and moderate what water as well. They also say it tracks well and is faster than you would expect from an inflatable, and is easy to paddle over longer distance. Sounds great to me, since this is on my list of gear in the future.

As I noted yesterday, these types of boats have come a long way in recent years, and the technology that goes into them is very impressive. While they won't ever replace a traditional kayak, they remain a good alternative for those with a limited storage space or a smaller vehicle.

Best Books To Have in Your Backpack

Here's an interesting list from a website called Bookride, which has compiled their selection of Backpacker Classics, or the best books to have in your pack when you're out on the trail.

There are indeed some classic books of both fiction and non-fiction on their list. Things like On the Road by Jack Kerouac and Snow Leopard by Peter Mathiessen, both of which are well known adventure classics. Other popular works, such as One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Milton's Paradise Lost earn a spot too, and the rest of the books are equally diverse and eclectic.

When defining what makes a good "backpacker classic" Bookride says they "should have an element of profundity, preferably mystical -if not it should have cult status or be a statement about who you really are." Personally, I look for something entertaining, and in paperback form. Hardbacks taking up space and adding weight aren't a lot of fun for your pack. But all in all, this is a good list that is difficult to argue with. Lots of classic books. But I have to argue with the inclusion of Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger's seminal novel. No one outside of a high school classroom should subject themselves to that one. ;)

Fun list. What did they miss? The one that stands out most to me is Into Thin Air. Thanks to Gregory Goes There, the official blog of Gregory Packs, for the link!

Ed Viesturs Tells Us About His New Book!

Another interesting video today, this time featuring Ed Viesturs who gives us the low down on his new book entitled K2: Life and Death on the World's Most Dangerous Mountain and currently scheduled for release on October 13th.

In the video, which was incidentally shot just two days after Ed summitted Everest in the spring, he tells us a bit more about what we can expect in the new book. He focuses on the six most critical season on K2, including last year's tragedy. He'll also share more thoughts on his experience on the mountain, including stuff he left out of No Shortcuts to the Top. Ed says that K2 taught him a valuable lesson about trusting his instincts, and that is something that he carried with him on the other 8000m peaks.

The book looks like it's going to be another good one, and I should have a review up before it's released. I know a lot of people are really looking forward to this one.

Paraplegic Athlete Chris Waddell Prepares For Kilimanjaro

Way back in last November I wrote about Chris Waddell, who is a paraplegic climber preparing to make an attempt on Kilimanjaro. At the time, he was scheduled to go in March of this year, but that attempt had to be postponed until the fall, and now he's gearing up to finally make his bid to become the first person to summit the mountain under his own power, but without the use of his legs.

It looks like the Outside Blog will be following Chris' Kili climb, and they've posted a brief story, which includes a video, on their site about his preparation. Chris and his team went to Tanzania in June to scout the mountain and test out a specially designed, self-powered vehicle that will hopefully carry him to the top. They also tested a winch system that will assist in the process as well. Check out the video below to see how Waddell will make go up the highest mountain in Africa, which stands at 19,340 feet.

This is such a cool and inspiring story, and it should be fun to follow the adventure. I can tell you from having been to Kili that the rocks that he'll face as he gets closer to the top are no small obstacle, and it will be an unbelievable challenge. But Chris is an amazing athlete, and he is determined to see the summit. Lets hope he gets there! Check out Chris' blog for more info and updates.

Concept Vehicle Promises Polar Travel in Style

Check out this concept vehicle that French designer Matthieu Tarrit put together. Supposedly he enlisted the help of scientists to create the design for a polar explorer that can cross the harshest of terrain while keeping its passengers warm and cozy inside. The vehicle also serves as a mobile laboratory and living space that would allow explorers to travel to the extremes of the planet in style.

Interesting stuff. Obviously just a concept at this point, but the design has potential, although it's more likely to be commercialized and turned into an expensive RV that will take tourists to the North and South Pole for an exorbitant fee. if they let me drive, I'd still sign up of course! ;)

Cycling The Americas Update: Viva Mexico!

It has been awhile since I posted an update on Mark Beaumont, who is in the process of riding his bicycle from Alaska to the southernmost tip of South America. Mark continues to blog his entire expedition for the BBC, and has been making great progress, although the easy part, if there is such a thing, is now behind him.

When I last posted about Mark he was cycling through the western United States and taking in the beautiful scenery there. The Scottish cyclist has since moved south of the border and is now making his way through Mexico, where he joined in the Independence Day celebration yesterday. If you've been following Mark's Twitter feed, you know that riding in Mexico has been more difficult for him, as the roads are much more challenging, the weather has been hotter, and overall level of danger is higher.

He has now spent a little more than a week in Mexico, and in Mark's own words he has this to say:

"Never have I seen such a distinct culture change over a single border. They say a change is as good as a rest and I have relished the new experience after a seemingly never ending cycle down the USA!"

So far, it seems like he is enjoying his the ride, and his comment on the culture change is interesting considering he have visited plenty of countries, particularly on his around the world bike ride, in which he circled the globe in less than 195 days.

For now, Mark will continue is ride south, and obviously he has plenty of miles ahead of him before he crosses into South America. But looming ahead is Aconcagua, the second mountain he'll climb on this expedition, having already successfully topped out on Denali a few months back. When it's all said and done, the Scotsman hopes to finish the ride in early 2010, having logged more than 15,000 miles in the saddle when he is done.

Inagural Baviaanskloof Trail Run Race Report

Last week I mentioned an amazing new long distance foot race that was scheduled to take place over the weekend in the form of the Liberty Health Baviaanskloof Trail Run. The 40km (25 mile) race took place in the Baviaanskloof Nature Preserve, located in South Africa, with runners dealing with challenging trail conditions while on the look out for a host of wild animals as well.
The following is a long, but very well done race report that was sent my way by Darrell Raubenheimer, who was on hand for the race. It will give you a sense of how everything went down, on what looks to be a great new edition to the endurance running world:

Liberty Health Baviaanskloof Trail Run : 12 September 2009
“There is no path, there are no flags; there are lots of animal tracks down the hill; choose one and make your way down to the clearly defined path at the bottom of the hill. Go carefully, it is extremely slippery.”
The inaugural Liberty Health Baviaanskloof Trail Run, hosted by Eastern Cape Parks, was staged in the stunning rugged beauty of the Geelhoutbos area of the Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve on Saturday.
There was an early morning chill when, after a detailed pre-race briefing, the 59 starters headed out for their ‘run with legends’. The unspoilt Baviaanskloof proved a perfect setting for South Africa’s newest trail run.
Conditions were ideal and the field soon spread out as they headed onto the trail that took the runners through the wilderness area of a World Heritage Site that is inhabited by black rhino and buffalo as well as other wildlife. The section used for the Liberty Health Trail Run is closed to the public and made for bubbling excitement at the start. The organisers were forced to make last minute route changes to take the runners away from a kloof due to aggressive black rhino. This resulted in the route being approx 38km. A couple from Natal were thrilled to find an Eland up close on the return section while there were reports of kudu and mountain reedbuck spotted en route, as well as numerous baboons.
The route proved to live up to it’s pre-race hype and the pre-race briefing; being rugged, harsh and rough underfoot, challenging, amazingly scenic with spectacular fynbos in bloom, and forcing runners to think and choose suitable animal paths to come down the hillside. Not for the fainthearted.

As a first time run the route caught everyone somewhat by surprise and, as with any activity, some coped better on the day than others.

The closing section, when runners come down from the plateau selecting animal tracks to reach a trail that runs above a kloof, proved to be extremely technical with numerous runners finding this part extremely challenging and taxing. While some may have been temporarily confused in the spekboom no-one was lost as any path down was the correct one. Most of the field were able to ‘read’ the bush and came down with only a few scratches. Others became exasperated as the tracks zigzagged down the hillside, not used to have to find their own way. Some were concerned that different routes were taken – all routes were correct - no-one took a ‘short-cut’, path selection was up to each runner. It seems that those who are not averse to a few thorn strikes and scratches will be back!

Thanks to hosts Eastern Cape Parks, for affording the privilege of experiencing this special area, and to Liberty Health for their support and contribution to the event.

Liberty Health’s commitment to environmentally aware activities, such as the Baviaanskloof Trail Run (and the Rhodes Trail Run), creates a platform for trail runners.
Capetonian Warren Petterson took the lead from the start and by the 27km checkpoint had a clear 18 minute gap on fellow Capetonian, Leo Rust. Petterson extended his lead over the home section to win by 48 minutes.

Port Elizabeth’s SanMari Woithe won the ladies section, with a very impressive 6th position overall, in a time of 4hr 39 min.

The last finisher, Gavin, started with a knee injury and battled gamely, and slowly, over the entire route, linking up with the Sweep Team towards the end and really earned his finisher’s medal.
Most participants finished with numerous scratches from the thorn bushes and one received 11 stitches to his leg having been ‘attacked’ by a common nocturnal Baviaans brown slip-rock – it is well recorded that the nocturnal slip-rocks get rather aggressive if woken during daylight hours! Once on the endangered list, herds of the Baviaans brown slip-rocks were recorded by runners.

Liberty Health CEO, Peter Botha, sent a message part of which said - “As you know this is a unique and challenging endurance race which enables athletes with remarkable talent and sheer dedication to run in almost isolation with nature. Therefore, a special word of congratulations to every sportsman and –woman who tackled this challenge today.

The fact that you are each a serious athlete is the very reason why you are partaking in this event. That is what makes the Baviaanskloof Trail Run such a perfect fit with Liberty Health’s focus: we are equally serious about both healthcare and the environment.”

All the starters finished and were rewarded with a magnificent medal as well as a potted spekboom plant. Runners were unanimous with their praise of the high standard of organisation of the event and thrilled with the generous hand-outs.

Liberty Health have involved themselves with two of the Eastern Capes most extreme events, the Rhodes and Baviaanskloof Trail Runs, both having synergy with the sponsors philosophy of creating environmental awareness while at the same time stimulating wellness through sport.

Both the first man and first lady received unique hand crafted trophies, made by the pupils of the Zaaimanshoek School, as well as their floating trophies, the 20kg bronze Black Rhino sculpture by internationally renowned artist Alan Ainslie. In addition, each received a special spekboom winner’s wreath. Both winners will also receive ‘wild card’ entries to the 2010 run as defending champions.

The organisers sponsored the entry for two Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve Field Rangers and Klaas Kietas (6hr 42 min) and Koos Prince (6hr 54 min) completed in 46th and 50th position respectively.


Results:
1- Warren Petterson 3hr 16 min
2- Leo Rust 4hr 3 min
3- Ian Adams 4hr 4 min
1- SanMari Woithe 4hr 39min
2- Nikki Cockroft 4hr 54 min
3- Kylie Hatton 5hr 6 min