The Rest of Everest Episode 140: Pillow Talk

Yesterday brought us yet another new episode of The Rest of Everest, as we continue our virtual journey with the 2009 trekking team that made the journey to Base Camp on the South Side of the mountain. This week's episode is entitled "Pillow Talk," and it deliver, in great detail, on that very topic.

The descent from Base Camp continues this week with the trekkers making their way back, slowly but surely to Lukla. The episode opens where we left off last week, with the group camped near Dingboche, one of the villages along the route that is a popular place to stay both going up and coming back down the Khumbu Valley.

Much of the first part of the episode is spent just chatting with a couple of the trekkers, and while we're not ogling the spectacular scenery, it is an insightful look into what to expect on a trek of this nature. They talk gear, sleeping bags and pads, and of course pillows. (Not to mention Mars Bars!)

Eventually we hit the trail once again, and the trek continues through the Khumbu with the trademark scenery in the background. We also get a free videography lesson from ROE producer Jon Miller as well, which gives us a glimpse of some of the things that you would learn on one of these treks that are a combination of adventure travel and photography/videography workshops.

Highlight of the episode? Jon working hard for a sponsorship from Therm-a-Rest, or just about any other gear company. Well worth watching this portion of the video just for the humor. Or perhaps advice on how to get a gear sponsorship.

New Speed Record Set On Kilimnajaro

Spanish mountaineer and endurance runner Kilian Jornet has set a new speed record for climbing and descending Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa, reaching the summit of the 19,340 foot peak, and returning to the base, faster than the previous record, which was held by Tanzanian Simon Mtuy at 8 hours and 27 mintues.

According to this article, which is written in French, and had to be translated via Google, Kilian reached the summit of the Kili in just 5 hours, 23 minutes, and 50 seconds compared to Simon's 6 hours to that point. He then turned and raced back down the mountain, crossing through all five climate zones along the way, and finished with an overall time of approximately 7 hours and 14 minutes! An astounding time for sure.

Upon reaching the base of the mountain, Kilian was greeted and embraced by the former record holder.

Having been to Kilimanjaro and seen the conditions there, this is an astounding feat to me. The tallest mountain in Africa is no easy trek, and to complete it at this kind of speed is remarkable. To put this in perspective, many climbers on Kili make the journey to the summit and back in roughly six days, so Kilian was actually completing a days worth of climbing each hour. Amazing!

Thanks to Louis-Philipe Loncke for sending this my way.

How To Do 'Yosemite In A Day'

Climber Cedar Wright was recently invited to give a presentation during the Yosemite Facelift 2010 project, which is a massive effort to clean up the entire park. As has been his tradition, he arrived in Yosemite a day early and shot a short film to be included in his talk. The video below is that film, which captures some of the best elements of one of the most spectacular national parks in the U.S., which just so happens to turn 120 tomorrow.

Thanks to The Goat for sharing this video.




YOSEMITE IN A DAY from Cedar Wright on Vimeo.

Four Climbers Missing On Dhaulagiri

The Los Angeles Times is reporting that three Japanese climbers, along with their Nepalese guide, have gone missing this week on Dhaulagiri. Search and rescue operations are underway, although authorities fear that they may have been caught in an avalanche on the mountain.

The four climbers, who have been missing since Tuesday, include the following:  Osamu Tanabe, 49, Toshio Yamamoto, 36, and Daisuke Honda, 32, all from Tokyo. Their Sherpa guide is Pasang Gyelu. Two other members of the team have been found and rescued.

The 26,790-foot tall Dhaulagiri is located in north central Nepal and is the 7th tallest mountain in the world.  The mountain has a distinct profile, and it's name, which means "white mountain," seems fitting, as its slopes are often clad in deep snows.

Rescue efforts are on going at this time, and SAR teams are holding out hope that they may yet find survivors amongst the snow.

Gravity Always Wins At The Red Bull Rampage

Ahh... gravity. She's a harsh mistress in many of the active sports that we all enjoy. Take for example mountain biking and the Red Bull Rampage which is set to go down tomorrow. It's a free riding competition that takes place near Zion National Park, outside of Virgin, Utah, on some of the really great trails in that area. Many of those trails are not for the faint of heart however, as the video below shows. It's a collection of some of the more spectacular crashes from past events that will leave you cringing.

Thanks to The Adventure Life for another great video. Lots of fun. Mostly because I'm not one of these guys.

Death Valley Round II: Todd Headed Home, Death Valley Wins Again

Rough new from Todd Carmichael's home team this morning as the explorer has been forced to call it quits on his second attempt to trek solo across Death Valley. This time it was continued equipment failure that brought the expedition down.

According to the latest dispatch from his site, Todd has covered more than 80 miles on his journey, enduring 110ºF days, while dragging nearly 500 pounds worth of gear, water, and other supplies behind him in his specially designed cart. That cart, which he refers to a "the Pig," was suppose to be his lifeline for getting across the desert, but it was also his biggest cause for frustration. Apparently, Todd has exhausted his supply of spare tires, and all of the ones that he's been carrying with him are now beyond repair. Without good tires, the Pig goes nowhere.

This was Todd's second attempt to cross Death Vally solo and unassisted. Last year he was forced to abandon the expedition due to problems with the cart and the incredibly rugged conditions. This year, he returned with a renewed enthusiasm and a redesigned Pig that he hoped would endure the hardships of the journey better, unfortunately that wasn't the case.

This morning's dispatch says that Todd is disappointed that he once again won't be able to reach the finish line, but that he is already planning ahead for next year. It sounds like Death Valley hasn't heard the last of Todd Carmichael. We'll look forward to Round III next year.

Alberto Contador Fails Drug Test, Blames Bad Meat

The big story of the day today from the world of cycling is that three time Tour de France champ Alberto Contador has tested positive for the banned substance clenbuterol and has been provisionally suspended from the sport, pending an investigation. The positive test came on July 21st, while riding in the Tour.

The positive test came about when a lab in Germany detected what they say is "very small concentration" of clenbuterol in Contador's urine. In fact, it was such a small amount that it was 400 times less than the anti-doping laboratories must be able to detect in their tests. However, the substance is banned outright, and any amount is grounds for immediate action.

For his part, Contador says that the failed test is the result of food contamination from meat that was brought into France from his home country of Spain at the request of the team chef. That chef apparently complained about the quality of the meat that was available in France for preparing meals, and had a friend deliver what he felt was a higher quality product to his kitchen. Contador claims that that meat caused food poisoning that caused the trace amounts of the banned substance to show up in his system. He also says that the UCI, the governing body over international cycling, admitted as much to him when he was informed of the failed test on August 24th.

According to the AP story that I linked to above, Contador's A and B samples both tested positive for clenbuterol. The article also says that the substance has been around for nearly 30 years, and that there are no indications that you can inadvertently take it. The drug is commonly used to help those who suffer with breathing disorders, such as asthma, and it is banned from cycling to prevent someone from using it to gain an advantage in oxygen intake.

At this time there is no indication that Contador will be stripped of his 2010 Tour de France title. He finished just ahead of Andy Schleck in the race, but there will be an in depth investigation of the events before any decision is made in regards to taking away the title or suspending him from the sport.

Just what cycling needed. A drug controversy surrounding it's biggest star.

Adventure Racing World Championships Begin This Weekend!

The Adventure Racing World Championships are set to get underway this weekend at the Bimbache Extrem in Spain. The race officially gets underway on Sunday, Oct. 3rd and will run until next Friday, October 8th. 53 of the best teams in the world, including the newly renamed Team Nike, who now race under the Team Blackwater moniker, will be competing to be crowned world champs.

The international teams are expected to begin arriving tomorrow, and over the next two days they'll have some free time and mandatory gear and skills checks to contend with. Then on Sunday, the race gets underway at 8AM from the Avila city center, where the teams will begin their trekking, biking, paddling and navigating adventure.

With just days to go, I caught this interesting article posted at both Adventure World Magazine and on the Untamed Adventure website. The article asks where the tops American teams are in this year's race, as there seems to be very few actually competing in the ARWC. The article postulates some reasons as to why this is the case, with some excellent insights as to where all the American teams have gone and why they aren't competing well on an international level. Really interesting stuff, and it's a shame that we don't see more American teams taking part in this great event.

Of course, it's not like American's haven't done well in the sport. For years Nike was the dominant team in the world, but for a variety of reasons that hasn't been the case the past two or three years. It'll be interesting to see how well they do in this event though, as they really haven't taken on big international competition in awhile. And lets face it, the sport has been growing more abroad than here in the States, also for a variety of reasons. I think it's safe to say that the best teams in the world now reside in Europe and Oceania.

Regardless, it should be a fun event to watch. Let's hope they provide us with good updates and tracking so fans can follow along with the race.

Alaska-Yukon Expedition: How The Journey Changed The Man

It's been several weeks since Andrew Skurka finished up his Alaska-Yukon Expedition that saw him covering more than 4700 miles of remote backcountry over the course of six months in the field. The trek was just another major adventure for a guy who has become the poster child for long distance hiking, but that doesn't mean that Andrew didn't learn a few things along the way.

Andrew has continued his debrief of the expedition over at the National Geographic Adventure Blog, posting a story yesterday on just how the journey changed him. Specifically, he names three ways that he feels that he has changed, both as a long distance hiker and as a person, because of this hike. Those include  learning to use finesse over force when traveling through the backcountry, applying environmental knowledge to help make his journey easier and safer, and perhaps most importantly, he learned about humility.

Skurka goes into more detail of each point in his article, giving more insights and examples, as to how those three changes impacted the journey and how they'll aid him in his future endeavors as well. It's quite an interesting read, especially coming from a guy who has spent a lot of time in the wilderness.

If James Bond Rode A Bike, It Would Look Like This...

Yesterday I wrote a post about a bike that weighed just six pounds and cost $45,000. This is NOT that bike. Today we have a video of a bike that you would probably find in James Bond's garage, as it comes complete with an ejector seat and flame thrower, and is capable of pedaling through nearly any terrain.

In fact, the bike is actually called the BOND Bike, with BOND standing for Built of Notorious Deterrents. According to the Daily Mail, it was actually put together by an insurance company in the U.K. who surveyed their customers to find out what they least liked about cycling. Their responses, which included potholes, traffic, and thieves, helped to inspire the design, which is at least good for a laugh.

Gear Box: First Ascent Hangfire Hoodie

When Eddie Bauer launched their First Ascent line a year and a half ago, their intention was to get back to their roots and offer well designed, and technically advanced, equipment for the hardcore outdoor crowd. By most accounts, the new gear, which was designed with the help of some top climbers and mountain guides, has been very well received, earning high marks for being comfortable, warm, and well made.

Up until recently however, I hadn't had a chance to test out any of the First Ascent gear for myself. The local Eddie Bauer stores don't stock the line at all, and it has been a challenge to actually see the gear first hand. That changed a few weeks back when I finally got my hands on a Hangfire Hoodie, which serves as insulation in First Ascent layering system.

The first thing that struck me about the Hangfire was the quality of the design and construction. Before I even put the jacket on, I could tell that it was well made, with two-way stretch fleece that is soft to the touch and comfortable to wear. The inclusion of three zip pockets, two for your hands and one on the breast, was a nice touch too.

Eyeballing the Hangfire I thought that it looked like it was a bit on the small size, but when I pulled it on, I found it comfortable to wear, while still being quite form fitting. That's an excellent quality in an insulation layer, which will slip over a base layer for warmth, but can remain useful under a shell as well. The form fitting design takes away bulk and doesn't restrict motion either, with the stretchy fleece allowing for plenty of latitude when climbing, hiking, or even paddling.

As you might expect on a hoodie, the hood is an integral and important part of the overall package, and First Ascent has done a good job of integrating it in the Hangfire. The hood has a soft lining that fits snugly against your head when pulled into place, and zippered up, helping to protect from the elements, but it is also made of the same stretch fleece, which means it can also easily stretch over a helmet when the need arises. The hood is also warm and breathable, which makes it very functional as well.

The Hangfire is another piece of gear that is very functional in the backcountry, with all the touches you'd expect from First Ascent. It works well as an insulating layer or as a stand alone jacket, and can even repel light rain if the need arises. But the look and design of the hoodie is great too, which means it will look good kicking around town too. You might even get a compliment or two about how nice it looks.

At an MSRP of $99, the Hangfire represents a nice value to. It's an excellent jacket that I would have  expected to pay more for, offering high quality, a nice fit, and good integration into a layering system. The Hangfire is a great introduction to the First Ascent line and it has definitely made a good first impression on their gear. Can't wait to try out some more!

(Of note, the Hangfire is also currently on sale in the First Ascent store for just $79, so it is an even bigger bargain. Definitely worth grabbing at that price!)

Kiwi Yachtsman Crosses Northwest Passage In Record Time

Kiwi solo sailor Graeme Kendall, sailing the Astral Express, recently completed a crossing of the Northwest Passage, setting a new speed record in the process. It took Kendall just 12 days to complete the crossing, which came as sweet redemption after he was turned back in 2005 due to heavy ice.

Traveling east to west, Kendall entered the Passage at Lancaster Sound on August 27th and sailed clear at Barrow Point on September 9th. That 12 day voyage sets the new standard for a solo sail through the treacherous waters north of Canada, and it is also believed to be faster than any of the fully crewed ships that have made that journey as well, although that isn't confirmed for sure. The journey also marks the completion of the first stage of a circumnavigation attempt that will not only cover 18,000 miles, but pass through 32 of the world's major ocean ways as well.

ExWeb recently posted a brief interview with Graeme, in which he discusses the hardest part of the journey, how he dealt with fatigue, and his plans for future adventures. You can read that interview by clicking here.

As you can imagine, crossing the Northwest Passage is quite a challenge for any ship, but going solo is especially tough considering you have to watch for ice yourself, and have a much more difficult time making progress while also getting your needed rest. For Graeme it seems like it was 12 days of tension, but it's pretty impressive that he was able to complete it in this short of a time.

New Photo Exhibit To Offer "Extreme Exposure" For Adventure Photographers

A new group photography exhibit is set to open in October at the Annenberg Space for Photography in Los Angeles. The exhibit entitled, "Extreme Exposure," will feature amazing photographs captured in some of the most remote and demanding places on the planet, by five of the most talented artists working in the field today.

The photographers who will have a number of their works on display include Clyde Butcher, whose "Swamplands" images make for an interesting study in light and shadow, while Michael "Nick" Nichols will present his "Lush Jungle" series of photos that focus on wildlife captured in their natural environments.  They're joined by Paul Nicklen, who will show stunning images from the Earth's polar regions, and Donna and Stephen James O'Meara who specialize in shooting active volcanos and lava flows.

Additionally, the Annenberg Space will also feature a digital film presentation that will enhance the experience for visitors. The digital portion of the exhibit will offer hundreds more images, detailed profiles of the photographers, and insights on how they captured the images on display. In some cases they risked life and limb while dangling from a helicopter, battled the elements, or came face-to-face with some of the most dangerous animals on the planet, just to capture the perfect shot.

The exhibit is set to open on October 23, 2010 and will run through April 24, 2011, and for budding photographers or those who appreciate the art, it looks to be a fantastic display.

Himalaya Fall 2010: Avalanche May End Season On Cho Oyu

Just yesterday I posted a story about the projected schedule for climbing Cho Oyu, which included a predicted Summit Day of this Thursday. But what a difference a day can make, as according to ExWeb, an avalanche high on the mountain has halted work on the route, and will likely spell the end of the Fall Season on that mountain.

According to this story, a team of Sherpas was working the route on Cho Oyu earlier today, hoping to finish fixing the lines to the summit so that the climbers could complete their attempt on the mountain in a few days time. That work was interrupted however when they men were struck by an avalanche while installing ropes above the second rock band. While no one was hurt in that avalanche, one of the Sherpas was reportedly very shaken up, and the entire team has elected to come down the mountain due to the unsafe conditions at altitude.

Apparently those conditions don't look to improve any time soon, and the reports are that there is still way too much snow high on the mountain for it to be safe to go up. As a result, the IMG team has pulled the plug on their Cho Oyu expedition for the fall, and it seems like the other big teams will likely now follow suit. According to ExWeb, the Adventure Consultants have recalled their team from C2 to ABC, and are currently weighing their options, while the Field Touring Alpine squad is hoping to gain more information on the stability of the snow near the summit before they make their decision.

The poor conditions are a bit of a bitter pill to swallow for the climbers hoping to summit Cho Oyu this fall. They waited for weather conditions to improve, and it seems that it finally has, only to present another difficult challenge. It seems that things are likely over on the mountain for the fall, lets hope that climbers on other mountains in the region have a bit more luck.

World's Lightest Bike, 6-Pounds, $45,000!

Cyclists, like most other outdoor enthusiasts, love their fancy gear, and quite often their willing to pay top dollar for it. If you're an avid road cyclists for instance, you've probably visited your local bike shop and drooled over those $10,000 bikes that are lightweight, fast, and sexy, then gone for a ride, wishing you could afford one of those babies.

But just how much would you be willing to pay to trim some weight off your bike? If you've got $45,000 burning in a hole in your pocket, that you might want to consider the new bike from Fairwheel Bikes, located in Tucson, Arizona. It made it's debut this past weekend at Interbike, and is being billed as the "World's Lightest Bike," weighing in at a mere six pounds. This ten speed beauty has been built from the ground up to shave ounces and sports a carbon fiber frame and titanium spokes, along with the usual assortment of equipment.

Fairwheel claims to have tested the prototypes on more than 20,000 miles of road as they strive to test it out and refine the manufacturing process. At the moment, it isn't available for sale, but could hit the market in the future, hopefully at a more affordable price tag. 

The road bike that I ride weighs in the neighborhood of about 18 pounds, and I personally feel it's pretty light and offers good performance. I can't imagine something that weighs just a third of that. I'd love to know how this rides. 

Gear Box: Gerber Crucial Multi-tool

When it comes designing and manufacturing knives and multi-tools, it's tough to beat Gerber, a company with a long history in the trade and catalog filled with a dizzying array of products. No matter what you need in a knife or multi-tool, chances are Gerber has you covered.

Earlier in the year I had the opportunity to test out a couple of Gerber products for myself, and came away quite impressed. The quality of both the Mini-Remix 2 knife and especially the Strata multi-tool were excellent, and both have proved themselves more than useful on the trail since that time. Recently I added a third Gerber product to my backpack in the form of the Crucial multi-tool, a lightweight, yet durable, tool that has quickly become an indispensable piece of gear that doesn't leave my side when I'm heading out for a hike.

As you would expect, the Crucial, puts a wide variety of tools right at your fingertips. It includes a wire clippers, a bottle opener, a knife blade, and both a flat head as well as a Phillips screw driver. There is also an integrated belt clip and a carabiner, which helps to keep the tool close at hand at all times.

Gerber went the extra distance when designing the Crucial, and the entire unit is built from high quality metals that don't feel flimsy or cheap in any way. The design of the tool is clever as well, folding up to a smaller size than you would have thought possible. Add in the stylish green casing, and you have a product that exudes quality at every turn. Best of all, the entire thing weighs just 5 ounces, which is next to nothing for a tool of this type.

If you're in the market for a new multi-tool, and you're looking for something that gives you everything you need without going overboard with the included options, then the Crucial may just be what you're looking for. Personally, I'd give up a few unneeded tools to shave some weight from the tool, and that's exactly what you get here. MSRP: $58.70

Check out all the Gerber tools, and excellent prices, in the Outdoor Pros Gerber Tools Store.

SBA Loan Commercial Mortgage and Business Finance Choices

SBA Loan Commercial Mortgage and Business Finance Choices

Two of the most difficult business finance and commercial mortgage situations for a business owner involve obtaining a Small Business Administration loan (SBA loan) and refinancing an SBA loan. There are practical business financing solutions for both of these common business loan problems.



Are SBA Loan and Business Finance Programs Difficult?

There are usually two business finance schools of thought about getting a Small Business Administration loan to buy a business: (1) Avoid an SBA loan at all costs. (2) Use an SBA loan whenever possible. These conflicting viewpoints are due to a commercial mortgage business loan process that is perceived as complex and difficult by many commercial borrowers.

In reality Small Business Administration loan programs are more practical than they often appear. It is critical to the success of an SBA loan program to be working with a business financing advisor and lender that is proficient at this difficult commercial mortgage process. There are many potential business loan problems to avoid when attempting to obtain an SBA loan, and very few lenders are skilled in this business finance area.

Can an SBA Loan and Commercial Mortgage Be Refinanced?

One of the major drawbacks of a Small Business Administration loan has historically been the difficulty of refinancing later. Recent developments have changed this business loan situation so that it is now more practical to refinance an SBA loan. It is still accurate to say that refinancing is not routinely available, but more importantly it is much easier to obtain than it was in prior years.

Advance commercial mortgage planning can avoid some of the Small Business Administration loan refinancing problems. First and foremost, if the original business financing is arranged without an SBA loan, this will usually make later business refinancing easier. This means that commercial borrowers should at least consider if the initial business loan requires an SBA loan before proceeding.

SBA Loan Misunderstandings Regarding the Business Loan Process

One of the prevailing views of a Small Business Administration loan program concerns the documentation needed to finish the SBA loan and commercial mortgage requirements. The key to a successful business finance process is trusting the loan facilitator about what is required. What business borrowers should try to realize before becoming frustrated by the business loan process is that any commercial loan process will include substantial paperwork whether an SBA loan is involved or not.

A much more critical business finance issue that should be a real concern for commercial borrowers is that there are not many commercial lenders who are routinely effective at finishing the Small Business Administration loan process with timely and successful results. This can create a harsh reality of working with a commercial lender that is ineffective at successfully finalizing requirements for an SBA loan.

Alternatives to SBA Loan Financing - Conventional Business Finance Options

The practicality of refinancing a commercial loan will be determined by the commercial borrower decisions when acquiring the original business financing. In obtaining a commercial loan to buy a business, non-SBA business finance possibilities should be evaluated along with the option of obtaining a Small Business Administration loan.

Deosai National Park Skardu Wallpapers

Deosai National Park Skardu Wallpapers


The Deosai National Park is located in Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. The park is located on the Deosai Plains of the Karakoram-West Tibetan Plateau alpine steppe, among the highest plateaus in the world with an average height of 4,114 metres (13,497 ft) above the sea level, covering an area of about 3,000 square kilometres (1,200 sq mi). For just over half the year - between November and May - Deosai is snow-bound. In the summer months when the snow clears up, Deosai is accessible from Skardu in the north and the Astore Valley in the west. Deosai is well known for its spring season when it is covered by a carpet of millions of flowers and a wide variety of butterflies.

Bathtub Racer - Fun on Tap!

Bathtub Racer - Fun on Tap!

 

 

Bella Thorne New Hairstyles 2010 – 2011

Bella Thorne New Hairstyles 2010 – 2011 : Stylish Haircut Ideas

Ashley Greene Cute Hairstyle Fashion

Ashley Greene Cute Hairstyle Fashion - Crazy Haircut Pictures

4 Years Old Shakira Dancing Salsa

4 Years Old Shakira Dancing Salsa

Giant Pumpkin Boat Race - Sports Festival

Giant Pumpkin Boat Race - Sports Festival


The Pumpkin Boat Race of Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival has people racing each other in hollowed out pumpkins, across Ludwigsburg Lake. The Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival draws in pumpkin enthusiasts from all around the globe, every year. They travel to the small German town to see over 500,000 pumpkins, from 450 different varieties, arranged in all kinds of different shapes, from animals to abstract sculptures.



One of the most eagerly awaited events of the Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival is the pumpkin boat race. Giant pumpkins, some of them over 90 kg heavy, are hollowed out and launched onto Ludwigsburg Lake, and contestants have to paddle their way to the finish line, in the cheers of onlookers. The Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival continues until early November.

Dabangg Movie Success Meet

Dabangg Movie Success Meet

Raveena Tandon – Marriage Photos

Raveena Tandon – Marriage Photos