Adventurers Follow Captain Bligh Into The Unknown

Here's an interesting adventure for you.

Yesterday, four men set off on what will no doubt be a harrowing sea voyage, as they attempt to recreate the famous open sea journey of Captain Bligh, and his loyal crew, after they were set adrift following the Mutiny on the Bounty. That famous event took place exactly 221 years ago on April 28th. Fletcher Christian, and his merry band of mutineers took the Bounty from her captain, and put him, and 18 others, in a 23-foot long open boat. Over the subsequent seven weeks, Bligh and his men managed to navigate from Tonga to Kupang in Timor, with very little food, water, or other supplies. The crew of this aquatic expedition hope to equal that task.

Dubbed the Talisker Bounty Boat Expedition, this voyage will mirror the historic one as closely as possible. For example, when skipper Don McIntyre and his three companions were dropped into the water yesterday, at the same spot, and at the same time as Bligh, they had just two weeks worth of water, very little food, and a complete lack of any luxury items, including charts to navigate by or even toilet paper. Over the next seven weeks, they hope to cross the same 4000 mile stretch of open water as the Bounty's crew, surviving in much the same fashion.

Joining McIntyre on the journey are Australian David Pryce, English sailor by way of Hong Kong David Wilkinson; and Chris Wilde, a young adventurer from the U.K. Together the four men not only hope to survive to complete this epic journey, they hope to raise more than $250,000 for the Sheffield Institute Foundation for Motor Neurone Disease, which is working on cures for Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. The major sponsor for the expedition is Talisker Single Malt Scotch Whisky, which these guys will be wanting in short order I'd guess.

The crew is sending back dispatches to be posted as a blog on their website, and you can chart their progress there as well. This certainly is a novel idea for an adventure. Anyone up for reliving Shackleton's 15 months in the Antarctic? Anyone?

Arizona State Parks In Trouble

I saw this incredibly depressing story over at the Daily Dirt, one of Backpacker Magazines blogs. It seems that the bad economy has begun to take its toll on our favorite outdoor destinations, as the state of Arizona has announced that it is closing more than a third of its 30 state parks.

Despite the fact that the parks generate some $250 million in revenue for the surrounding communities on an annual basis, the state elected to move ahead with the closures, with budget shortfalls getting the blame. An earlier plan had 21 of the 30 parks scheduled for shut down, but a fund raising campaign, which included some generous donations from the public, saved several of the parks from the chopping block.

I suppose this is one of those "sign of the times" stories, but it is still quite sad to hear about these great outdoor spaces being shuttered. Some of the places on the list for Arizona include Picacho Peak, a popular 1,500-foot tall "mountain" located between Tucson and Phoenix and Red Rock State Park, found near Sedona. Both parks will close at the beginning of June.

Unfortunately, this probably isn't the last time we'll be reading a story like this in the coming weeks either, as nearly every state in the U.S. is scrambling to cover budget shortfalls at the moment.

The Adventure Life Weighs In On Jordan Romero

The Adventure Life has a very thoughtful piece on Jordan Romero today that is a must read for those who have been following his adventures on Everest. For those that haven't, Jordan is a 13-year old American who is attempting to climb the highest peak on the planet at the moment, amidst both cheers and grumbles from the mountaineering community.

As the article points out, if Jordan is successful in his venture, he'll likely come home a hero, and have the ability to parlay the achievement into television appearances, gear sponsorships, and book deals. But if something should happen to him, knock on wood, the resulting controversy would reach far and wide, to say the least. As Drew Simmons, the author of this piece, says "Because the only thing that attracts more flies than a mountaineering tragedy is a failure in parenting. Add them together. Mix vigorously. Serve cold."

I've gone on record a number of times here on how I feel about the affair, and this article echos my thoughts precisely. I'm not in favor of this movement in the outdoor community to set new records for the youngest to achieve something, especially as those attempting these feats have changed from young men and women to simply boys and girls. But not being a parent myself, it is difficult for me to imagine what it is like for the mothers and fathers of these kids. The article discusses those points as well, and gives some insights into that subject.

By all accounts, Jordan is doing well on the mountain thus far. He, and the rest of his team, which includes his father, will be moving up to Camp 2 and 3 to set supply caches soon. All part of standard acclimatization process as they prepare for a mid-May summit bid. Though I don't agree with a boy being there, I do with them all luck, and a safe climb.

Book Review: Oceans: The Threats to Our Seas and What You Can Do to Turn the Tide

Last week, in celebration of Earth Day, Disney and National Geographic released a ground breaking new film called Oceans. Directed by Jacques Perrin, the visionary filmmaker who brought us the acclaimed nature films Microcosmos and Winged Migration. Oceans has been years in planning and production, and by all accounts, it is stunning to behold on the big screen. I say this, because as of this writing, I have yet to see the film, due to the fact that I couldn't find a cineplex in Kathmandu.

On the other hand, while traveling abroad I did have the opportunity to read Oceans: The Threats to Our Seas and What You Can Do to Turn the Tide. The book, which is edited by Jon Bowermaster, is meant to serve as a companion of sorts to the film. It is a compilation of 31 different essays from as many authors, on a number of different topics centered around our seas, and the threats to their health, which will have wide ranging consequences for the future of the entire planet.

Some of the essays are sentimental in nature, such as Carl Safina's "Caught in the Same Net" and "Remembering the Ocean" by Celine Cousteau. Others offer up warnings about the Oceans' future, such as "Coral Reefs in Crisis", written by Abigail Alling or Richard Ellis' "The Bluefin's Uncertain Future". All of the stories are informative, insightful, and fascinating, especially if you have any level of awareness about the impact of global climate change. Other authors contributing to the book include ocean explorer Sylvia Earle, circumnavigator Liz Clarke, Captain of the Plastiki David de Rothchild, and Adventure Blog favorite Roz Savage. Even actor Leonardo DiCaprio submitted a short piece on how important, yet finite, a resource our water supply is. Bowermaster's own contribution, an essay on the changing state of the ice around Antarctica is also a sobering story about what is happening now, and how it could impact the future.

Whether you've seen the new film or not, Oceans makes for engrossing reading. But if you have seen the film, the book opens with an interview with director Perrin, who discusses what it was like to get this film made. It was a huge undertaking, involving camera crews visiting 54 locations around the globe, and on one particular day there were 26 location managers and 19 cameras in the field. A host of new technology was also created for the movie, including specially modified underwater cameras, a remotely controlled helicopter camera, and even a torpedo cam. Fascinating stuff to be sure, and something that will no doubt be on my mind when I get a chance to watch the movie itself.

So, whether you've seen the movie or not, be sure to grab a copy of this book. It is a great compilation of insights and thoughts on our oceans from some of the foremost experts on the topic.

Adventure Sports Week 2010 Gears Up!

After a very successful debut last year, Adventure Sports Week is ready to return in 2010, bigger and better, and offering even more challenges for endurance athletes to conquer.

This year's ASW is set to take place from June 4-13, and will once again be held in Farragut State Park, outside of beautiful Coeur d Alene, Idaho. Also like last year, the adventure racing double header of the Crux and the Crucible will be the center point of a week filled with all kinds of races, including triathlons, trail runs, mountain biking, and more.

But there will be plenty of new activities in 2010 as well, such as the Great North Woods Cyclocross, which promises a new challenge for cyclists. In addition to the already well established XTERRA Triathlon, ASW 2010 will play host to the new Bayview International & Sprint Triathlons, which will be run at Olympic and Sprint distances over a course that is described as being amongst the most scenic anywhere.

These items are just the tip of the ice berg for Adventure Sports Week. If you run, ride, or paddle, you're sure to to find something to your liking, and if you do all three, then you're really going to love it. Swing on by the new ASW website to get the lowdown on all the activities taking part in Idaho early in June.

Photo courtesy Rick McCharles of Best Hike.

Wend Magazine Now On iPad!

Fans of Wend magazine will be delighted to learn that the outdoor adventure mag with an eco-sensitive slant is now available on the iPad. And not just the current issue, but all back issues as well. Digital subscribers need only login to the Wend website to gain access to iPad optimized versions of the magazine that look and perform spectacularly on Apple's latest wonder gadget. iPhone and iPod Touch users haven't been forgotten either, as the online edition of the magazine now works on those devices too, albeit at a slightly smaller screen size. :)

If you aren't already a digital subscriber to Wend, click here to sign up. It's quick, easy, and free. So whether you're reading on a Mac, PC, iPad, iPhone, or some other device, you'll get access to a great magazine with lots of interesting content, that you can take with you anywhere. On top of that, no trees were harmed in the making of the digital version of the mag either.

In regards to the iPad, I picked up one of the devices before departing for Nepal, and I have to say it makes an excellent travel companion. It is lightweight (1.5 pounds), but holds all of your movies, music, TV shows, books, apps, games, and more. Great for using on a long plane flight to keep yourself entertained. The best feature of all? The long battery life, in the neighborhood of 12 hours or so with video use. That means you can actually use the thing on a long trip without fear of it becoming useless after a few hours. I'll be posting more thoughts on the device in the future, but needless to say, there are a lot of reasons that it will be a boon for travelers in the years ahead.

Catlin Arctic Survey: Ice Base Team Packing Up, Explorers Continue North

While most of the Arctic explorers have called it a season, the Catlin Arctic Survey Teams are still out their on the ice, conducting their experiments and taking readings on the impact of heightened levels of CO2 in the Arctic Ocean on the healthy of the ice caps.

As you probably remember, the project was broken up into two teams, the Ice Base Team, which remained in one place on the ice to take daily readings and conduct experiments and the Explorers Team, which is still making their way to the North Pole, taking ice samples as they go. Today, the Ice Base Team began packing up their gear and equipment, and are preparing to be airlifted to warmer climes either today or tomorrow, depending on weather conditions. The Ice Base, which is located off Ellef Ringnes island in the Canadian High Arctic, has been in operation for 40 days, and according to the Survey's website, has served as home for "six scientists, five journalists, three polar guides, two chefs, two ice base managers, two communication managers, one Inuit guide, one passing Japanese skier and an extremely lovable polar bear guard dog." It will be some time before the results of their findings will be known, but the men and women who lived and worked at the base have started some important research into the acidification of the oceans, and the long term effects that will have on the health of the planet and the human race.

And as if we needed more proof that we are in the midst of a global shift in climate and weather, the Ice Base Team received a real shock a few days back, when it actually started to rain. Now, most of us would take April Showers in stride, and think nothing of it, but it is HIGHLY unusual in the Arctic this time of year, especially above 79ºN. Needless to say, it made the scientists at the Base a bit nervous, considering they were camped on a patch of ice, with nothing but Arctic Ocean beneath them.

Meanwhile, the Explorers Team, consisting of polar veterans Ann Daniels, Martin Hartley, and Charlie Paton are still making their way North, with designs on reaching the Pole itself. Last Friday they received their second, and final, resupply, and while they continue to deal with the usual challenges, namely negative drift, open leads, thin ice, and difficult weather conditions, their spirits remain high, and they are as dedicated as ever to their jobs.

Like most of the other explorers heading to the Pole this year, they are dragging their equipment behind them sleds as they make the long, difficult journey north. But unlike the others, who at the end of their day would set up their tent, go inside, warm up, and begin the process of melting snow, this trio has a set of ice samples to gather and readings to take, before they can go about those other duties. But it is all in the name of climate research, and they seem up to the task.

Last year, the Survey Team didn't make it to the North Pole, simply running out of time for when a safe evac could occur. Hopefully this year, they'll reach their destination. I'm sure it would be especially sweet for Ann and Martin to stand at 90ºN.

NG Adventure Looks At Brewing Miss Oh Controversy

Yesterday I mentioned that Korean climber Oh Eun-Sun had successfully topped out on Annapurna, and in the process had become the first woman to summit all 14 of the 8000 meter peaks. In that same story, I also noted Miss Oh's claim to that title was being disputed and that controversy was already afoot over the whole affair.

The National Geographic Adventure Blog has posted a good article that recaps the story and takes a look at this brewing controversy a bit more closely. It seems that Miss Oh's summit of Kangchenjunga last year is the one that is in dispute, as there are no photos showing the Korean woman at the summit. Instead, the only photographic evidence that is being offered is an image that is well below the top. In her defense, Miss Oh says that weather conditions at the summit made it impossible for her to stay their long enough to take a photo.

The Kangchenjunga climb has especially been called into question by Edurne Pasabán, the talented Spanish climber who needs to just knock off Shisha Pangma to complete her list of 8000 meter peaks, something she expects to do in the next couple of weeks. Edurne says she decided to speak out on the subject after her own climbing record was examined and called into question by South Korean television reporters last week.

As if that wasn't enough to cause a stir, Miss Elizabeth Hawley, who is the definitive expert on all things related to climbing in the Himalaya, has weighted in on the topic as well. She says that there is enough doubt cast on Miss Oh's Kangchenjunga summit to warrant an investigation.

In the end, I suppose the mountaineering community will decide.

Himalaya 2010: A Quick Recap of Current Events

I've been reminded that most of you have probably been keeping up on a lot of the big events while I've been away, so I'll make this my last recap of some of the action that has been going down over the past few weeks. As usual, ExWeb and Alan Arnette have done a great job of keeping us all in the know as the climbers continue their acclimatization process on Everest and similar peaks, while others have already topped out on Annapurna, with a major milestone reached.

We'll start there, as it seems that Korean climber Oh Eun-Sun topped out on Annapurna yesterday, becoming the first woman to reach the summit on all 14 8000 meter peaks. She has been in a race with several other female climber to claim that distinction, and the climb ends a 13 year quest to bag them all. Miss Oh was turned away on Annapurna last year do to treacherous conditions. The Associated Press video below gives more details on the climb.

But, since this is mountaineering, there is a bit of controversy to go with the achievement. A certain "Spanish rival" has hinted that Miss Oh may not have actually reached the summit on all the mountains. Is there truth to these claims or is it just sour grapes?

Meanwhile, on Everest, conditions remain quite treacherous on both sides of the mountain. Avalanches have been frequent occurrences, with one on the North Side coming as recently as yesterday. That slide as left Hungarian climber László Várkony missing, and presumed dead. All others, including 13-year old Jordan Romero, are reportedly safe in BC.These conditions have made for slow going thus far, as the ropes are not yet fixed above Camp 3, although most climbers have already spent a night in that location.

On a personal note, I can attest to the shakiness of the snow. While making the trek to BC from Gorak Shep, I personally witnessed three avalanches in one afternoon, with the biggest, and closest one to Everest occurring just on the far side of the Khumbu Ice Falls, but off the Lhotse Face. It was a humbling experience to hear that rumble and watch all that snow come tumbling down.

Finally, Alan is also reporting that a true search for Irvine's Camera may be on! It appears that an Austrian team may be on Everest to specifically look for the mythical camera, that could at last, shed light on whether or not Mallory and Irvine reached the summit. They are reportedly using data garnered from Everest Historian Tom Holzel to aid in their search. A few months back it was widely reported that Holzel had used satellite imagery to identify a "blob" that he believes is the body of Sandy Irvine, who died on the mountain with George Mallory back in 1924. Should be interesting to see what they find.

That's all for now. More updates soon.

North Pole 2010: Two Teams Reach North Pole!

While I was away, two teams managed to complete their journeys to the North Pole, while other explorers were forced to give up on their dreams and call for an evac, ending their long, cold, struggles against the Arctic conditions.

Back on April 23rd, Eric Larsen and his team reached 90ºN, finishing their quest to stand at the top of the world. It took them 51 days to cover the route, and the fittingly enough, they reached the Pole on Earth Day no less. For Eric, this is the second of three poles that he expects to visit this year, as part of his Save The Poles campaign, leaving just the "third pole", Mt. Everest, yet to be conquered. He'll take on that task this fall. Congrats to Eric, Antony, and Darcy on a job well done.

Just two days after the boys reached their finish line, Dan Darley and Amelia Russell brought their expedition to a successful conclusion as well. The two Brits made the last few days into a marathon of sorts, spending upwards of 18 hours on their skis in an effort to battle the negative drift and finish off the few remaining miles. For Amelia, this is a major milestone, as she becomes just the third woman to complete the North Pole trek, joining Tina Sjogren and Cecilie Skog. The pair were picked up by a Russian helicopter yesterday and are now at the Barneo Base, waiting extraction back to civilization. A hearty congratulations to both Dan and Amelia on their amazing efforts as well.

Unfortunately, two other solo adventurers were not quite as lucky in their quests to reach 90º N. Aussie Tom Smithengale activated his emergency beacon back on April 15th, and had to be retrieved from the ice post haste. Tom was suffering from frostbite on several fingers and toes, and was displaying signs of exhaustion as well. Pictures posted to his website also show significant weight loss, as you would expect on an expedition like this one. The rescue team indicated that the explorer was picked-up at the right time, before things got really dangerous. I'm sure Tom is feeling a bit of a personal let down for not reaching his goal, but upon reflection later on, he'll understand what an amazing adventure he has had. I always enjoyed reading his updates, and was rooting for him to reach the Pole, as he always seemed to have a great attitude, and a positive outlook. Rest up Mate! I hope those fingers and toes all heal up quickly and properly.

Finally, Italian Michele Pontrandolfo also called for an evacuation, but his retrieval was a bit delayed thanks to a storm. He was picked up a few days back after giving a very valiant effort as well. Michele was ready and eager for the task, but was suffered from slow progress due to the various challenges of the Arctic, and was never really able to mount a true challenge to reaching the North Pole. Perhaps he'll take the lessons learned from this expedition and give it a go next year, when he'll be more experienced and prepared for the journey. I salute him for not giving up however, as that is a very large part of the adventurous spirit.

That about wraps it up for the North Pole Season for this year. Sorry I had to post a recap instead of following along as it happened. I was a bit busy the past two weeks though, so I'm sure you'll understand. :)

Pacific Row: Roz Kicks Off Stage 3

It may be a bit of old news at this point, but I thought it was worth mentioning anyway. While I was away taking a walk in the Himalaya, ocean rower Roz Savage began the third, and final, stage of her trans-Pacific Row. As of today, she is now ten days out from Tarawa, the end point for Stage 2, and over the next few months, she'll be rowing more than 3000 miles, to reach her final destination – Australia.

You can follow along with Roz's adventure on her blog. She's been making daily updates so far, and is reporting exceptionally hot weather, which is not too unexpected considering she crossed the equator just a few days back. It should also be noted that while this is a solo, and unsupported journey, Roz isn't completely alone this time out, as she has a little spider on board, which she's named Alf, who is keeping her company thus far.

The trans-Pacific Row began back in 2008 when Roz set out from San Francisco and successfully rowed to Hawaii. Stage 2 took place last year, beginning in Hawaii and ending in Tarawa some four months later, which sets up this year's stage that, when completed, will mark the first solo row by a woman across the Pacific.

We'll be following Roz's progress over the next few months, cheering her on to Australia. I'll post updates on a regular basis as she finally completes her epic row. In the meantime, you can also track her progress on the RozTracker, which keeps us posted on her location at any given time.

Good luck Roz! Enjoy the final stage!

Back From Nepal, Updates Resume Soon!

Hi everyone!

Just wanted to post a quick update that I got back from Nepal yesterday, after 30 hours of travel time home, and while I'm still getting my feet back under me, I'll begin posting updates soon, including thoughts on my trip and photos as well. The trek to Everest Base Camp was a good one, although it is challenging, and I would recommend that anyone considering making the trek be physically prepared. You'll save yourself a lot of pain and misery. Fortunately, I was up to the task, and had few problems myself, although others in the group suffered mightily at times. If you do make the trip though, the views are spectacular and breathtaking for more reasons than the thin air.

A lot has gone on since I was away, and I'll try to post updates as soon as I can. I know that that the Spring Season in the Himalaya is in full swing, with Everest climbers going as high as Camp 2 as they continue their acclimatization process. Up North, explorers have begun reaching the Pole as well, and I'll get an update on their status as soon as I can too. I'm sure there is plenty of other things to delve into as well, so expect a flurry of updates once I get the over the jet lag and exhaustion, and dig out from under the pile of work waiting for me.

Stay tuned, things will be back to normal around here before you know it! :)

Blog On Hiatus, Off To Nepal!

If you're a frequent reader of the Outpost, the official blog of Outdoorzy.com, you may have caught the interview that I did with Outpost editor Jason Heflin yesterday. If you did read it, then it'll come as no surprise to you that I'm leaving for Nepal later today, and will be mostly off the grid for the next couple of weeks. But never fear, I'll be back before you know, and getting back to posting the latest news from the adventure community. I'm scheduled to return to the States on April 26th, and I'm sure I'll have plenty of photos and stories to share.

While in Nepal, I'm going to be making the trek to Everest Base Camp, a place that I've always wanted to visit. Considering the topics that I write about around here, you can probably understand why. I'm going to be taking some excellent gear along with me to test out on the trek, so long for a host of reviews on a wide variety of things when I get back. I'd like to thank Outdoor Research, GoLite, Mountain Hardwear, The North Face, Sierra Designs, Osprey Packs, Origo, and everyone else for helping outfit the trip. I'm looking forward to sharing my thoughts on the gear when I get back.

In the meantime, there is going to be a lot to keep track of in the adventure world. Ripley left for Mongolia today, Roz is preparing for the third leg of her Pacific Row, and of course, those arctic explorers are still making their way to 90ºN. While I'm away, the Himalayan season will really ramp up, so when I get back, there will be plenty to update everyone on, both in what's happening around the globe, and what I saw while in the Khumbu. I'm looking forward to the break, and visiting a new place, and I'll be looking forward to getting back home and sharing it all with you too.

Have fun, be safe, and I'll be back soon.

Catlin Arctic Survey: Ice Conditions Remain Unpredictable, Research Progressing

The two teams that make up the Catlin Arctic Survey team continue to have very busy and eventful days in the arctic. The explorers are continuing to make their way north, amidst some of the strangest and most dangerous ice conditions they've ever seen, while back in the Ice Base, a new group of scientists are hard at work.

The Explorers team is made up of polar vets Ann Daniels, Martin Hartley and Charlie Paton, and their mission to take samples of the arctic ice while making their way to the North Pole. Presently, they're at roughly 86.34ºN, and contending with, quite literally, constantly changing ice conditions. The has been so unstable in fact that one morning during breakfast the trio heard it cracking all around them outside of their tent, and they were forced to evacuate their shelter, and quickly decide which side of the crack they wanted to be on, pulling gear and sleds along with them in order to avoid catastrophic damage. Charlie Paton described the scene like this, “We heard a crack, a few bangs and then suddenly the ice started to break apart. It all happened very quickly and was unlike anything I’ve experienced before"

This wasn't the only dangerous situation they've found themselves in either. One day, while navigating through the ice flows and around open water, they actually found themselves surrounded on all sides by ice that was too thin to cross. It was a sobering reminder of how quickly things can change in the arctic. Check out this amazing video that the team captured that demonstrates just what kind of conditions they are dealing with on their long, cold journey to the top of the world.

It hasn't been all bad for the explorers though, as they received their first resupply this week, providing them with some much need fresh food and gear. The team remains confident and upbeat that they'll arrive at the Pole on schedule.

Meanwhile, back at the Ice Base the scientists continue their work, which included a little home improvement, including an update and improvement to the loo. Of course, they're continuing their valuable research on the effects of CO2 in the atmosphere on the Arctic Ocean, with Laura Edwards, of Bangor University, who has been at the base since Day 1, providing an update on the process. The research team has been happy to find a wide variety of life thriving in the water, including plankton, tiny crustaceans called copepods, and lentil-sized sea snails called pteropods.

Finally, click here to meet Brownie, the Ice Base's early warning system for polar bears. Brownie is a part-Husky, part- German Shepherd mix who is always on watch for the big, hungry white bears that are common in the area. Brownie also earns her keep by pulling a sled for the scientists as they go about their daily chores, and in turn, they've become quite fond of the four legged member of the team.

Raid The North Extreme Adventure Race Returns!

Fans of adventure racing will definitely be happy to hear the news that one of the top races in North America is returning for 2010, and is coming back strong.

According to Adventure World Magazine, the Raid the North Extreme adventure race is gearing up take place in British Columbia this September. As usual, the race will pit coed teams of four against one another as they trek, paddle, and mountain bike their way through the Kootenay Rockies, an area well known for its amazing mountain biking routes.

The six day race will run from September 4th through the 12th, with a course that is more than 500km (310 miles) in length. The stunningly beautiful route will put the racers in touch with the local wildlife as well, with plenty of elk, moose, bighorn sheep, and bear in the region.

More details on registration, mandatory gear, and so on will be provided after April 14th when the new website launches at RaidTheNorthExtreme.com.

Celebrate Earth Day With Free Planet Earth Episode Download

As many of you know, we're quickly approaching the 40th annual Earth Day, which is coming up on April 22nd. To celebrate, the BBC is bringing their ground breaking series Planet Earth to iTunes, and they're offering up the first episode for free!

Long time fans, and new comers to the series, can download the first show, entitled "Pole to Pole" between April 12th and the 26th for no charge. Each of the other 10 episodes are available for $2.99 each, making it an affordable way to digitally collect your favorite episodes or grab the entire series, which was filmed over the span of four years, with 71 different cameramen amounting to 2000 man-hours of work. Anyone who has already seen the show knows the level of quality that these episodes hold and the amazing footage they captured.

Planet Earth is one of the best nature documentaries you'll ever see, and I highly recommend it if you haven't already seen it. I watched it when it originally aired here in the U.S. and bought it on BluRay too. I'm tempted to grab it for my iPad as well, as it is definitely something that I can watch over and over again. The free episode, Pole to Pole, is one of my favorites as well, and it does a great job of setting up the entire series.

Be sure to at least grab the free episode next week when you can. It'll definitely be worth your time.

Climber Steve House Injured In Fall

Steve House, one of the top climbers in the world and a highly visible Patagonia Ambassador, suffered severe injuries while climbing in the Canadian Rockies, and had to be airlifted to a hospital to receive treatment for a number of life threatening issues.

According to this story from Adventure Travel News, House fell more than 80 feet while making an ascent of Mt. Temple in Banff National Park. He was immediately evacuated to Calgary, and has since been flown home to Oregon, where treatment continues.

Everyone keep Steve and his friends and family in your thoughts while he focuses on his recovery. Details are a bit scare yet, but it seems he's not quite out of the woods. Lets hope it all goes well.

Everest 2010: Teams Hit BC!

The Everest 2010 spring climbing season hit another milestone today with the news that the first teams have arrived in Base Camp on both the North and South Sides of the mountain. With both ExWeb and Alan Arnette confirming that RMI and the Peak Freaks are now on the scene in Nepal. Meanwhile, on the Tibetan side of the mountain, a Hungarian team has reached BC and is preparing to move up to Advanced Base Camp by the weekend.

With the news yesterday that the route through the Khumbu Icefalls is now complete, Everest is about to become a very busy place. There will be teams heading up on both sides in a matter of days, beginning the process of establishing their camps, shuttling gear, and acclimatizing to the altitude.

Speaking of altitude, it is apparently getting to some of the climbers and trekkers on the way to BC on the South Side. Tim Rippel, who is with the Peak Freaks team says that two of the members had to go back down the mountain to recover from Acute Mountain Sickness, or AMS. As Tim points out, they have "hit the wall", but it has nothing to do with fitness, and everything to do with how the body adapts to being at altitude. Hopefully with a little time in the region, they'll be back with their teammates soon.

In his latest update, Alan notes that there are still some teams in Kathmandu, biding their time, and waiting for the initial rush to BC to be over. Those teams have the benefit of trekking in less crowded conditions, but also the teams ahead of them help to find the challenging, more difficult, spots along the climb as well.

Alan also reports that the fixed ropes are already in place to Camp 1, but that it'll be a few days before they start up. They'll settle into camp, rest and acclimatize in BC for a bit, and of course, there is the all important Puja Ceremony before they can actually begin the climb itself. That will likely take place in the next day or two, and the climbers will have the proper blessings to begin the ascent.

Mongolia 2010 Expedition: One Week To Mongolia

It has been a couple of months since I posted my interview with Ripley Davenport, the man who is about to embark on the Mongolia 2010 Expedition, during which he'll be attempting to make a solo and unsupported trek across that remote country.

According to his most recent blog post, which came last week, Ripley is busy taking care of the last minute details before his boots hit the ground in Mongolia a week from today. As you can imagine, those details are pretty consuming at the moment, as he prepares to leave the U.K., not to mention his wife and kids, for a three month long adventure that will test his stamina, both physical and mental.

The journey will cover more than 1700 miles, beginning in the Eastern Mongolian Steppe, crossing the desolate Gobi Desert, and continuing through the Altai Mountain Range. To accomplish this monumental hike, he'll need to carry all of his gear and supplies with him, in a specially designed cart that was built from the ground up for this trip. Ripley will be pulling that cart, along with more than 400 pounds of gear, behind him across Mongolia. And he hopes to complete the entire expedition in less than 90 days. A tall order indeed.

Watch Ripley's website closely starting next week, as I'm sure we'll be getting more updates on his progress soon, especially once his SPOT is activated and we can begin tracking his progress in real time. I know he'll be in Mongolia for a few days before he heads out, and once that happens, he'll be dealing with every kind of terrain and weather imaginable. This is going to be one tough expedition, but having spoken to Ripley directly, I know he's up for the challenge.

Good luck Rip!

Jon Bowermaster Celebrates 30 Days of OCEANS

It's no secret that Jon Bowermaster loves oceans. He's pretty much explored everyone of them in some fashion, and more often then not, it has been in the seat of a kayak no less. He has also taken ever opportunity possible to spread the word about the importance of the Earth's oceans for our environment, and the effects that global climate change are having on the health of these incredibly important bodies of water.

With this in mind, it should come as no surprise that he has kicked off a special series entitled 30 Days of OCEANS on his website to create awareness of the threats to our seas and as part of a celebration of Earth Day, which falls on April 22nd, an event that is now in its 40th year, and that Jon admits to lobbying to be renamed Oceans Day for 2010.

The 30 Days of OCEANS event centers around excerpts from a new book that Jon has served as the editor on. The book is entitled OCEANS, Threats to the Sea and What You Can Do To Turn the Tide, and consists of essays from 30 of the top experts on oceans. People who are out in the field studying the changes that are having a profound effect on those waters, and as a result, the rest of our planet as well. Some of the contributors include David de Rothschild, Roz Savage, Carl Safina, and many more.

Over the next few weeks, Jon will be posting excerpts from the book on his website, running up to, and through Earth Day. The first of those excerpts is already online, and is written by ocean exploration legend Sylvia Earle, a woman with more than 70 years of experience studying our oceans. You can read that excerpt by clicking here.

World's Best Trekking Destinations

Rich McCharles of BestHike Blog fame pointed out a great article from OpenTravel.com that lists the World's Best Trekking and Hiking Destinations. While we see such lists on a semi-regular basis, this one deserves a tip of the hat for picking a number of places that are still of the radar for many travelers. Even more surprising, is that there isn't a Himalayan country in sight.

Some of the destinations that make OpenTravel's list include Alaska, here in the U.S., which is well know for its rugged wilderness and remote mountain ranges, and Iceland, which already has a strong reputation for having great trekking, and is a regular on these types of lists. But moving off the beaten path some, they recommend that you visit Kazakhstan, Slovakia, and Tajikistan for some of the best hiking around with trails that remain largely unknown to outsiders.

All of the locations on the list have great options when it comes to taking hikes, either short or long. But they are also stunningly beautiful landscapes, mixed with unique cultures as well. Two of the destinations are in the U.S. with two more in South America, and the bulk of the remaining recommendations are found in Eastern Europe, which I've heard from friends has great trekking all around.

I always welcome new suggestions for great destinations. Looks like we all have a few more to add to our list.

North Pole 2010: Dan and Amelia Hit 87º

It has only been a few days since I posted an update from the Arctic with news on the progress of the teams making their way to the Geographic North Pole, but it continues to be both business as usual for the explorers and quite eventful at the same time.

Amelia Russell and Dan Darley crossed another milestone today, crossing the 87ºN mark, although it didn't come without a lot of work. The pair stumbled into some very challenging rubble early on, and watched in amazement as the ice once again moved around them. Then, throughout the rest of the day, they experienced a number of small leads, which weren't too difficult to navigate around, but were a major nuisance none the less. Clouds rolled in during the morning as well, meaning they were forced to navigate using their GPS, but at the end of the day, they achieved their goal, and had gained another degree. They also noted how much respect they have for the solo explorers out on the ice, as they say they can't imagine making this incredibly demanding journey on their own, without someone to share in the joy and misery.

Speaking of solo explorers, Australian Tom Smitheringale continues to have some long, trying days in the Arctic as well. Weather conditions have not been cooperative over the past few days, with sunshine giving away early in the morning to clouds and wind. Throw in the fact that Tom continues to struggle with frostbite on several of his fingers and thumbs, and you'll start to understand how this long march north has taken its toll. Still, he did have some bit of positive news, however small. While sleeping last night, he managed to actually have 500 meters of POSITIVE drift! It's not much, but it had to feel like miles after all the negative drift the teams have faced this year. On another positive note, Tom is also past 86º now, and seems as determined as ever to reach the Pole.

The Save The Poles Team had an entirely different kind of challenge on their hands, as they battled whiteout conditions throughout the day that started with clouds moving in, making it challenging to see, and then later with 30 mph winds blowing snow and mist off the open leads, navigation became even more difficult. They did manage to use a large, six foot block of ice as a raft to cross a lead at one point, but aside from that, it seemed like a very challenging day for the boys.

Finally, while I haven't written much about Michele Pontrandolfo, I think it is important to post an update. The last time I mentioned the Italian it was to note that he was struggling quite a bit, and not making the progress he had hoped for, and as a result, he was considering calling for an evacuation. That was a couple of weeks back, but in a real testament to his dedication and determination, he is still in the Arctic and is still trying to make his way north. In fact, he seems to be moving much more quickly and making up time, with his last reported coordinates over the 85ºN mark. He still has a long way to go, and obviously time is not in his favor, but I salute his courage and strength.

North Pole 2010: Barneo Opens and Other Expeditions

For the past month or so we've been following the polar explorers who have been slowly making their way toward the North Pole from the Canadian side of the ice. For those intrepid few it has been a challenging slog as they battle huge ice fields, open water, and frustrating bouts with negative drift. Those warriors continue towards their goal, but there are others who are hitting the ice and will be making a similar, albeit shorter, journey to 90ºN.

Explorers Web is reporting that the Barneo Ice Station is now open on the Russian side of the Pole. This temporary base is built each spring when a team parachutes onto the ice and helps construct a runway that allows for well heeled adventure travelers to be shuttled to the Arctic. The base is often used for "last degree" expeditions to the Pole, and many explorers get airlifted off the ice from Barneo once they've completed their long distance treks. The station, which opened on March 30th, will likely stay open for about a month or so, providing support for a number of teams.

With the opening of the Ice Station, there are others making their way out onto the ice now that haven't been out there for weeks already, but still hope to visit the top of the world. Take for example 15-year-old Parker Liautaud, who was interviewed for the Outside Blog yesterday. Parker is attempting to create a network of similarly minded, adventurous teens, who want to share ideas on how to protect the environment, and he is inviting everyone to follow him on his Last Degree adventure on his Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube accounts.

In the Outside interview, Parker discusses his preparation and training for the journey, what inspired his expedition, and the gear that he is taking along with him. Something he discusses in the video below.

Another young adventurer heading out on a challenging journey. Going to the North Pole is a struggle, and I envy his opportunity to visit that place, although it is an altogether different experience from going to Everest.

Everest 2010: Jordan Romero Leaves For Kathmandu, Tibet Is Open!

The Everest updates continue at a hectic pace today, with all kinds of news coming from the Himalaya. Of course, the biggest story, which has caught the attention of the adventure press as well as mainstream media, is that 13-year old Jordan Romero has left the U.S. for Kathmandu, where he'll go for the last mountain on his list of Seven Summits, Everest. If he is successful on the mountain, he'll not only become the youngest ever to reach the summit, but also the youngest person to complete the Seven Summits as well.

I've said my piece on Jordan many times already, and regular readers already know how I feel. I think it is incredible what he has already accomplished, and I have a lot of respect for the kid, but I'm still against taking someone his age to Everest. That said, I do wish him the best of luck, and I hope he comes home, safe and sound, summit or no.

Jordan and his team are climbing from the North Side, due in large part because the Chinese don't enforce an age limit for climbing from that side of the mountain. In Nepal, you have to be 16 years or older to make the climb. As of yesterday there were questions as to whether Tibet would be open to visitors, with ExWeb reporting that China still wasn't handing out visas. But today, Alan Arnette tells us not to fear, as climbers are now heading across the border, with climbing permits and visas in hand. It seems that Tibet is open for business, and that should come as a relief to a number of teams heading that direction.

Also of note, the Ice Doctors have completed their work on the Khumbu Icefalls, and the route through that treacherous part of the mountain is now open. The route is said to be safer and more stable than last year, which bodes well for the climbers that will be heading through that dangerous section on the South Side. The route was completed more than a week ahead of last year's schedule, which means that teams will begin heading up to Camp 1 very soon.

It won't be long before most of the teams are settled in to Base Camp on both sides of the mountain, and they'll fall into a routine of climbing up their respective faces to establish their camps and complete their acclimatization process. We're probably about five to six weeks away from the first legitimate summit attempts, but there is a ton of work to do before then. Stay tuned!

Want To Become An Eco Hero?

A new web/social networking site called Eco Heroes is nearing completion and will launch soon, that asks us each to do our part to help the environment on a daily basis, while sharing our experiences with other, in hopes that we'll inspire one another to be more eco-friendly and conscious of our impact on the world around us.

Spearheaded by Eco Hero Roz Savage, the site will be equal parts social networking and environmental initiative, wrapped up in a fun, colorful wrapper that even has some game elements attached. Each day, members of the site will sign in and share their good environmental deed, which can in turn be linked to Twitter so you can let all your friends and followers know as well. Your "Green Deeds" can be submitted to the site via your Twitter account, by e-mail, or by logging in directly. The creators of Eco Heroes are also promising a dedicated iPhone app in the near future as well, allowing you to boast of your deeds while on the go.

Once submitted to the site, other members can give your actions a thumbs up or thumbs down, indicating how much they like your actions, but more importantly you can earn points based on your Green Deeds, which will unlock special merit badges that you can use to show off your commitment towards protecting the environment and the actions you've done to stand behind that commitment. The site will also recognize Eco Heroes of the Week and award prizes as well.

Right now, if you go to the Eco Heroes website, there isn't much to see. You can sign up for an account, but after that you'll have to wait for notification that the site has officially opened. The launch is expected sometime around April 17th, which not-so-coninsidently is the projected start date of Roz's final leg of her trans-Pacific Row. This time out, she'll be departing from Tarawa and rowing the remaining distance to Australia. it's going to be one last epic leg of what has already been an amazing journey.

Everest 2010: Tibet Still Closed? Ice Doctors Going To Work!

April 1st has come and gone, and that means that things are really ramping up in the Himalaya, especially on Everest, where teams have been trekking to Base Camp for more than a week now. Well, on the South Side at least. It is business as usual in Nepal once again, but it seems the border into Tibet remains firmly shut.

According to ExWeb climbing teams headed for Everest's North Side had their permits in hand on Friday, but were still not given entry visas into Tibet so they could begin the journey to that side of the mountain. There was no real explanation as to why the borders weren't reopened at the beginning of the month as expected, but once again, the Chinese were not exactly being cooperative.

This is the third year in a row that entry visas have been difficult to acquire, to say the least. In 2008, the Chinese closed down the mountain altogether to allow their climbers to take the Olympic Torch to the summit, and last year entry was delayed due to the 50th anniversary demonstrations of the Dalai Lama going into exile. Eventually the borders did open, and teams made their way to the North Side, but very few ventured that direction due to the uncertainty of the situation. This year, it seems that that uncertainty remains. Who knows how long it'll be before access to the mountain is granted.

Meanwhile, on the South Side, the Khumbu Ice Doctors have already gone to work, and are fixing a route through the Ice Falls using ropes and ladders. With the first climbers due in BC later this week, it is quite likely that they'll find the route through the falls will already be finished when the arrive.

Alan Arnette posted a great story over the weekend that looks at the current state of affairs on the Everest, including some preliminary news from the major teams and insights into what they are experiencing at the moment. Fun fact of the day: The Himex team will have over 300 tents for their group alone!

On some of the other peaks in the Himalaya, things are starting to get interesting too. Miss Oh has arrived in Annapurna Base Camp, where she came face to face with Edurne Pasaban. They are the two ladies squaring off to become the first to climb all 14 8000 meter peaks. Meanwhile, the Iranian National Team is now on Dhaulagiri and has already established Camp 1 as the begin their process of taking on that mountain.

Explorer Sets Out For North Pole In Hot Air Balloon

French doctor and explorer Jean-Louis Etienne set out this morning on another arctic adventure, this time with the goal of flying solo, in a hot air balloon, over the North Pole. Etienne left from Spitzbergen, Norway at 6AM local time, with low winds, a warm temperature, and all around great weather.

For Etienne, this is the culmination of years of preparation. The good doctor has spent plenty of time in the arctic in the past, but this was his dream for closing out his "arctic trilogy". Back in 1986 he spent 63 days out on the ice, making the journey to the North Pole on foot, dragging his sled behind, and in 2002 he drifted in the Arctic Ocean, alone, for four months, taking scientific readings and observations.

This voyage by balloon was set to go back in 2008, but Etienne's airship was destroyed when it was slammed into a building due to high winds before it even got off the ground. The resulting damage was catastrophic, and forced him to not only design and build a new balloon, but also seek further funding, and reschedule the entire event. The new balloon measures 25 meters in height and 16 meters in diameter, and is capable of carrying as much as 360 kilograms of propane for the flight. That's enough to keep it aloft for 15 to 20 days.

Etienne says he is making the journey to draw the world's attention to the shrinking ice caps and the threat of global climate change to the polar regions.

North Pole 2010: Christina Goes Home

The arctic continues to challenge the polar explorers at every turn with massive ice fields, open leads, and negative drift all taking their toll. For one of those explorers, enough was enough, while others continue to their way north.

We'll start with Christina Franco, who was evacuated from the ice on Friday after spending three days trying to find a way around an open body of water. Christina traveled east, rather than north, for that entire time, and still couldn't find a way to cross that lead. It was a struggle, as she knew that the days were already running short, and with negative drift still working against her, she elected to hitch a ride on a resupply plane, rather than continue the journey. The pilots on that plane said that she was stuck on a large, narrow, piece of ice, and that there really wasn't much of a way forward for her. Reportedly, Christina is already back home in London, and as a result, she won't become the first woman to go solo to the North Pole. At least not this year. This move has to come as a disappointment for Christina, who had to abandon her quest last year following major equipment failure. I wish her the best of luck. I hope she's enjoying a warm bed and good food, but is already plotting for next season.

Christina wasn't the only one contemplating extraction. Aussie Tom Smitheringale was all but ready to call off his solo expedition as well, as the frostbite in his fingers had gotten to the point where he was in agony every step of the way. Tom consulted with his home team over the weekend, and was ready for an extraction as well, but finally decided he wasn't ready to give up yet, despite the pain and possible loss of digits. He is continuing on today, with a bit of urging from polar legend Børge Ousland, and is hoping to make up for lost time, although he is battling negative drift once again too.

Eric Larsen's Save the Poles Expedition, which includes Antony Jinman and Darcy St Laurent as well, spent Easter Sunday working towards another milestone. As of yesterday, the boys were closing in on 87ºN, which is great progress, despite the continued negative drift that they've been facing as well. Eric did report that the drift wasn't as bad as they expected, and when the sun was out, it was actually quite pleasant. Being a holiday, each of the men took turns on the satellite phone calling their families and soaking in the well wishes. It was good for team morale and a welcome respite from the long days out on the ice.

Finally, Amelia Russell and Dan Darley are back on the polar treadmill as well, having lost 2 nautical miles over night. They did gain more than 10nm later in the day yesterday however, and spent their Easter Sunday with sunshine and relatively calm winds. The duo reports that they are now five and a half weeks into the expedition and are feeling quite exhausted at this point. They mention that they are doing 11+ hours of intense exercise each day, while pulling the sleds, and having little food and sleep at night in the tents. That has begun to really take it's toll, although aside from being tired, they are not experiencing any other physical issues, including frostbite. The good news is that they are now covering more mileage per day than what they would need to average to actually reach the Pole on time. That means they're picking up speed and progressing very well, and while the end is in sight for the two Brits, it is still a good ways off yet.

Marathon des Sables Begins Sunday

Competitors from around the globe are descending on Morocco where they are preparing to compete in what some call the most challenging footrace on the planet, the Marathon des Sables.

The race is a six day, 243km (151 mile) race that takes place annually in the Sahara Desert. Over those six days, the competitors will run the equivalent of five-and-a-half marathons, usually in very trying conditions. Temperatures often exceed 120ºF and the brutal sun only gives way to blowing sands that can make for extremely challenging conditions for the racers. As you can imagine, that heat and sand can play havoc with your feet as well, turing them into a blistered mess after just one day.

As if running a marathon under those conditions wasn't challenging enough, the competitors will also have to carry all of their gear (save their tent!) and water with them as they go. Each checkpoint will ration out more water for them, but other than that, they must be completely self sufficient while in the desert. This is especially important on the 4th day, which is usually the longest, and often stretches well into the night.

Now in its 24th year, the Marathon des Sables, or Marathon of the Sands, is considered one of the grand jewels of endurance sports. It is challenging on many levels, and attracts some of the top ultramarathon athletes from around the globe each year. 2010 will be no different, as dozens of runners are now assembling, and preparing to get underway in a few days time.

Good luck to all the racers. Enjoy the challenge and the scenery.

The Wildest Dream Trailer

Remember a few years back when Conrad Anker and Leo Houlding went to Everest to climb in vintage climbing gear to shoot a film about Mallory and Irvine? Well, it looks like it is finally going to be released, and it also looks like it's going to be amazing.

At the time, they were hoping to prove that Mallory and Irvine might have been able to make the summit in their rather primitive, early 1920's gear. They even went so far as to remove the ladder from the Second Step on the North Side of the mountain, which forced Conrad and Leo to make a free climb of that portion of the mountain. While we still don't know for sure if the two men saw the summit (Where is that damn camera?!?), this film seems to explore way beyond those possibilities. Check out the trailer below and keep your eyes peeled for the release. Looks great!

Shout out to my friend Mike Barish, who I'm fortunate enough to be teammates with over at Gadling. Mike found this yesterday and sent it my way, figuring it was something we might enjoy. I'd say he figured right! :)

Chad Kellogg To Attempt Speed Ascent On Everest

I'm sure I'm going to regret posting this at some point, as the anti-Chad Kellogg brigade begins their invasion, but it's still news of an important climb on Everest this year, so I'm going to risk it none-the-less.

A few days back, climber Chad Kellogg left for Kathmandu, where he will begin preparing for a daring speed attempt on Mt. Everest. Kellogg will be climbing on the South Side of the mountain, in Nepal, and expects to spend the next month and a half preparing. During that time, he'll be scouting the route, establishing gear and food caches, and acclimatizing before he makes the summit bid sometime around mid-May.

Kellogg's goal is to make the trip to the summit in under 30 hours, and he also intends to go without supplemental oxygen and without Sherpas, which give this climb an even more interesting challenge and edge.

Those of us following along at home can get updates to the climb via the Veritculture website for the Everest Quest. Chad is sponsored in this endeavor by Outdoor Research, a company whose gear I've been very impressed with, and that has outfitted me with some good items to take to Nepal as well.

As for the Anti-Chad brigade, please save your e-mails and comments. I'm aware of the arguments for and against this guy and don't need to be reminded. Thanks anyway!

The Appalachian Trail Faces Challenges

At 2178 miles in length, the Appalachian Trail is one of the longest and best known trails in the world. In fact, it has served as the basis for many other long distance hiking trails around the globe, and for backpackers, it is often considered one of the crown jewels of trekking. But a few days back, the National Parks Conservation Association released a report that examined some of the unique challenges and opportunities that the AT has in front of it if it is to remain the unique resource that it is.

Entitled Appalachian National Scenic Trail: A Special Report, the document takes a look at the cultural and natural resources that line the trail, which runs from Maine to Georgia, and attracts thousands of hikers each year. Amongst the biggest challenges for the AT are over development of the lands adjacent to the trail, air quality and pollution concerns, and a lack of adequate funding to protect and further develop trail resources and historic sites along the route.

To help further identify and spotlight some of the locations of interest along the trail the NPCA has posted this handy map that gives more insight into exactly what portions of the trail are at risk. Some of the development that is sited in the report include the building of power lines, pipelines, and even racetracks next to the trail, all of which take away from the scenic beauty and disrupt the natural environments there.

But the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and the Appalachian Trail Park Office are not standing still on these issues. Those two groups are working hard to protect and monitor the AT, as well as to educate the public about their concerns. The Appalachian Trail is one of the great outdoor resources in the U.S., and it is important that we protect it now, before it becomes too late. It is an amazing hike, and future generations of backpackers should be given the opportunity to enjoy it too.

To read the report in PDF format click here.

Outside Gives Us 20 Great Trips For 2010!

Just because we're three full months into 2010 doesn't mean that we still can't make a "Best of" for the year. That's exactly what Outside Magazine did when they put together there selection for the Best Adventure Trips for this year.

The article explains that they sorted through 763 new adventures to boil their list down do the ones that they chose. The idea was to find the overall best active vacations for the Outside readers, and since the economy remains in the tank, keeping them affordable was also a high priority. The results are some truly spectacular trips that will surely add a few items to your life list.

Some of the adventures that they recommend include sailing on a catamaran off the coast of Thailand, going in search of the elusive snow leopard in the Himalaya, and mountain biking for 600 miles through New Zealand backcountry. There is a little something for everyone here, whether you want a very challenging and busy adventure or something a bit more relaxed, but still amazingly original.

Personally, I'll recommend the Everest Trek that visits both sides of the mountain that is guided by legendary filmmaker David Breashears. Talk about an amazing opportunity!

April Fools and Social Commentary

As many of you know, I'm a regular contributor over at the great travel site Gadling.com. It is tradition over there to write April Fool's Day posts that bag on the travel industry, tourism, and so on. Today being April 1st, most of the items going up on the site are fun and playful, but not all that serious. I have to confess that I'm not a huge fan of April Fool's Day on the internet. I'm not a fan of everyone trying to pull a prank on their readers and for the most part, the stuff is fairly lame. That said, I was required to write just such a post over at Gadling today, so I took the opportunity to mix in a little thinly veiled social commentary while I was at it.

My story, which is entitled "Pregnant woman to climb Everest, fetus to be youngest ever on the summit" was obviously written with tongue firmly planted in cheek. But, with all of the recent stories about young kids going off on dangerous adventures to become the youngest to accomplish something, I felt that it was a perfect place to poke a little fun at the adventure community that seems to go overboard sometimes with these dubious records.

I've made my views on the subject of these "youngest records" well known for some time. Clearly there are some people who are pushing the floor further down, whether it is climbing a mountain or sailing the world, and I can't help but wonder where it'll all end. How young is too young? I fear we have yet to find out, but lets just hope it isn't thanks to some awful tragedy that we do.

That said, I hope you enjoy the little piece of April Foolery that I put together and take it for what it is. I had a little fun writing it. ;)

Everest 2010: Apa Sherpa Will Carry Sir Edmund's Ashes To The Summit

A few days back I wrote about 19-time Everest summitteer Apa Sherpa heading to Nepal to go after his 20th summit and to promote his Apa Sherpa Foundation. It seems he has another mission as well, as he will be carrying the ashes of Sir Edmund Hillary to the summit of the mountain.

According to Yahoo News, most of Hillary's ashes were spread across the sea off the coast of New Zealand after he passed away in 2008. But some were sent to Nepal, where they've been kept in a Buddhist monastery. Now, Apa intends to delver them to the tp of the 29,035 foot tall Mt. Everest when he makes his summit bid this spring.

Hillary first made his mark in Nepal back in 1953, when he and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay became the first men to summit Everest, the tallest mountain on the planet. But that was just the beginning of Sir Ed's work in the Himalaya, as he came to have a deep and lasting connection with the people that live there, and set up a foundation that works tirelessly to improve the lives of the Nepali people. That foundation has built schools, clinics, and more throughout the country have have helped countless people living there.

As if we didn't already have enough reasons to cheer on Apa, this is another. Going for his 20th summit will be remarkable in and of itself, and it only seems fitting that he'll be taking Sir Edmund along for the ride. Climb safe Apa!

Big thanks to the Outside Blog for the tip on this one. Great story.

Tour d'Afrique 2010: Five Countries Down, Five To Go!

The 2010 edition of the Tour d'Afrique is now more than halfway done, with riders leaving Tanzania behind, and entering Malawi for the first time. The epic cycling event is the longest in the world, and extends the entire length of Africa, running North to South.

Malawi is the sixth of ten countries for the cyclists, who have already rolled through Egypt, the Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania. Each of those nations offered their own set of highlights and challenges, such as long, difficult climbs in Ethiopia and plenty of heat, humidity, and mud in Tanzania. The paved and sunflower lined road, in Malawi will come as a much welcome respite for the tired legs of the adventurous travelers who are making this journey. Ahead of the riders lies Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, and finally South Africa.

Highlights of the trip thus far have been many, as the cyclists set out from the shadow of the Great Pyramids and have peddled past some of the most diverse and amazing wildlife on the planet. They've crossed deserts and expansive plains, ridden past the the famed Simian Mountains, and through the foothills of Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain on the continent.

Now in its eight year, the Tour d'Afrique has become the adventure cycling tour for anyone who longs to see the world from the back of their bike. The Tour runs 120 days in length, 96 of which are spent cycling, and covers more than 12,000 kilometers (7450 miles) in the process. This year, the riders hale from 14 different countries, with some coming to ride for the adventure itself, while others are competing in an incredibly long and demanding race. No matter what your reasons for riding are, this has got to be the most rewarding cycling trip anywhere.

You can follow along for the rest of the tour at TourdAfrique.com where they are posting regular updates, blog posts, and photos.

On a personal note, this is one of those events that is at the top of my personal bucket list. It seems like it would be an amazing way to see Africa and a perfect adventure. Of course, the team that puts this on has a number of other great rides as well, such as their Silk Route adventure and the Vuelta Sudamericana, which is another epic ride lasting 80 days through South America.

World's Largest Solar Powered Boat Preps To Set Sail

The world's largest solar powered boat was put into the water yesterday, and will begin trial runs tomorrow, in preparation for a circumnavigation attempt in 2011 that will be completely powered by the sun.

The PlanetSolar is a two-hulled, catamaran style ship that measures 102 feet in length and is 50 feet wide. The top portion of the boat is covered in solar cells, in an array that is 5400 square feet in size, making this the most ambitious, and eco-friendly, ship of its kind.

In April of 2011, Skipper Raphael Domjan will make an attempt to sail around the globe in his spiffy new ship, with the entire voyage powered by the sun. Until then however, he'll be putting the boat through its paces on a number of test runs.