Yes, I know we're closing in on winter, and we should all be checking out the latest videos of crazy skiing and snowboarding action, but where I'm at it rarely every snow, and it's still plenty warm for a bike ride. Which is why this cool video from MTB Freeride is so appealing.

This trail looks like a fun ride from start to finish, but things really start to pick up about 1:45 into the movie. Perhaps this will inspire you to get one more great day on the trails in before winter really arrives. Maybe you're already past that point, in which case, we'll see you on the trail in the spring. Enjoy!



Trailcam: „Probeopening“ im Bikepark Hochries from MTB-freeride.tv on Vimeo.

FEAT Prepares To Invade Cape Town

Back in October I told you about an event that took place in Johannesburg, South Africa called FEAT, which stands for Fascinating Expedition and Adventure Talks. Billed as the "Ultimate Armchair Adventure Experience," FEAT was a mix of TED Talks and the Banff Film Festival, with some of South Africa's top adventurers on hand to share their experiences in a unique format that gave them just seven minutes each to share a unique message about their travels.

It turns out that FEAT was such a success that it's now hitting the road for Cape Town and bringing all the fun and adventure with it. FEAT CT, as it is being called, will take place on February 12, 2011 at the Artscape Theatre on the Foreshore, with tickets going on sale tomorrow from Computicket.

For the Cape Town version of FEAT, director Lisa De Speville has put together an entirely different group of adventurers to speak. Amongst those scheduled to appear are ocean rower Peter van Kets and ultrarunner Braam Malherbe, as well as adventurer Howard Fairbanks, who recently made a 42-day trek to the North Pole.

Want an idea of what to expect at the event? Check out the clip below of mountaineer Mandy Ramsden from the Jo'Berg edition of FEAT. Mandy is the first African woman to complete the Seven Summits, and topped out on Everest this past spring. In the clip, she talks about her experiences on that mountain.

Monsoon Rains Stall Bhutan Kayaking Expedition

A couple of weeks back I posted a story about a kayaking expedition to Bhutan during which explorer Gary Moffatt was hoping to complete a 14 year quest to paddle all of that country's major rivers. At the time, the team was gathering supplies and gear and were preparing to make the journey to the remote Phunakha Valley to begin the expedition, but according to their latest dispatch, heavy rains have prevented them from getting under way.

Moffatt and the team have posted a couple of updates to the Born Out There Blog, which is the official blog of First Ascent gear. In their latest video dispatch, which you can watch below, you'll see how beautiful and mysterious Bhutan is, but the clip ends on a bit of a cliff hanger, as Gary and the crew are unsure when they'll be able to get out on the water, as the river is currently swelled to capacity thanks to recent monsoon activity.

I've always been fascinated with Bhutan. It is one of the most remote countries on Earth and the landscapes are incredibly breathtaking. On top of that, its people are amongst the happiest on the planet, and Buddhist culture is evident in every aspect of the place. It is one of those places that I feel compelled to visit some day, and videos like this one just make that more evident. Hopefully the team will get to begin their paddle soon, and we'll get more updates on their progress.

Chinese Scientists Organizing Search For Yeti

Not sure how I missed this story a few weeks back, but I stumbled across it last night while researching another story. According to the Telegraph, a team of Chinese scientists are preparing to launch a new search for a mythical ape-like creature known locally as the Yeren, which seems to be a distant cousin to the Yeti of the Himalaya or North America's Sasquatch.

The researchers are seeking volunteers and funding to launch this latest expedition to go in search of the elusive creature which has had more than 400 sightings in the Hubei Province over the years, although there has never been any hard evidence to suggest that the beast actually exists. Previous expeditions to find the creature took place back in the 70's and 80's, but other than a few strange, and sometimes lurid, tales, there was little to report. Those search teams did find hair and footprints, but the studies of those samples were inconclusive. The new search will use five teams to cover a wider area and will employ the latest technology in the hopes of capturing hard evidence that the Yeren actually does roam the remote and lightly inhabited region.

While I have my doubts about the actual existence of the Yeti, Bigfoot, or the Yeren, these stories still spark a bit of interest. After all, we're still finding new species all the time, and the world has some amazing things still hidden away from us. Chasing myths is usually in vain, but then again, sometimes just taking that leap is its own reward.

20 Teams Registered For Raid The North Extreme

The new year doesn't arrive for another month, but already the buzz for the 2011 adventure racing season has begun. One of the top races scheduled for next year is the Raid The North Extreme, which will take place in the West Kootenays of British Columbia on July 23-31. Apparently, the race is already garnering plenty of attention from teams as well, as there are already more than twenty of them signed up to take part in the event.

You can check out the list of teams that are currently scheduled to take part in the RTNE by clicking here. Included amongst them are such veteran teams as CheckPointTracker.com, the Dancing Pandas, and Team Bones, who were particularly impressive at Primal Quest a few years back. There are plenty of other good teams in the mix already too, with some competitors local to British Columbia and others from as far away as Australia, France and Switzerland.

With this many teams already signed up for a race that is still eight months away, it appears that 2011 should be an excellent year for the sport. Perhaps the economy is finally turning around and we're seeing the return of the big, expedition races that are costly but oh-so-much fun. Lets hope so!

Rock Climbing In Chad

A group of climbers has headed to the African country of Chad in search of new challenges. Amongst the members of the team are Jimmy Chin, Alex Honnold, and Renan Ozturk, who is filing dispatches over at the Never Stop Exploring Blog, which is the official blog for the North Face.

The expedition dispatches are worth checking out for the photographs alone, which show of a stark, yet beautiful, landscape with some surprisingly great rock climbing opportunities including a number of massive rock towers. At the moment, there are at least a half-dozen dispatches to sift through, with Renan giving us some great insights into what it is like to be on an expedition of this nature. The team has been exploring the deserts of Chad, and finding plenty of unclimbed sandstone walls to tackle. While sandstone is not the best rock to climb, it seems that there are rewards to be found at the top, as the climbers are discovering amazing views with breathtaking vistas in all direction.

For those who don't know, Chad is located in north central Africa and is an interesting mix of deserts and fertile savannah. It is considered one of the poorest, and most corrupt, countries in the entire world, and most of its citizens live well below the subsistence level. It seems that much of its landscape remains untouched by explorers and climbers, and there are still plenty of adventures to be had in the remote corners of the country.

These are really interesting dispatches to read and as I said, the photos are spectacular. They'll inspire you to want to visit Chad for yourself and witness these spectacular places.

Thanks to The Goat for the tip on this one.

Jessica Watson Banned From Sydney To Hobart Sailing Race

Australian teenager Jessica Watson, who sailed solo around the world earlier this year, has been banned from a popular sailing race because of her age. Watson became the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe on her own when she returned to Sydney, Australia in May.

The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race is an annual event that routinely attracts a number of top sailors. In fact, the website says that they had 102 applications for this year's race, which will get underway on December 26th at 12:30PM local time. The race has a strict age requirement however, and because of that rule, Jessica won't be allowed to compete. Race officials have mandated that all competitors be at least 18 years of age at the start of the race, which means Watson will have to wait until next year.

According to this story from SyFy.com, Jessica had hoped to set sail in the 66th iteration of the race with a crew of other teens and young sailors, who would get to join in on her latest adventure, which is considerably shorter than her last one. The Sydney to Hobart sail usually takes about three days to complete, although it is through treacherous waters that have caused accidents in the past. Back in 1998 an accident claimed the lives of six men, which was the impetus for the age limitation to begin with.

It is a bit ironic that a young woman who sailed solo around the world isn't allowed to compete in this race, but I applaud the race organizers for sticking to the rules and not allowing any exceptions. The race will still be there next year, and Jessica can enter than. I'm sure she'll be accepted and give a good showing for herself.

Want To Join The Scott Centenary Expedition?

With the 2011 Antarctic season barely underway, there are already plans afoot for next year. In 2012, an expedition will head out to the ice to visit the final resting spot of Robert Falcon Scott and his loyal crew, and if you're up for the challenge, you might just get to go along for the adventure.

As most of you know, back in 1911 Scott was locked in a race with his Norwegian rival, Roald Amundsen to see who would become the first person to reach the South Pole. Many explorers had tried to achieve that feat, but all were turned back by the inhospitable conditions in Antarctica. On December 14, 1911, Amundsen arrived at 90ºS, winning the heated competition. A month later, Scott would also arrive at that point, only to find the Norwegian flag already in place. Dejected and defeated, he and his men turned for home. Along the way they were caught in a storm that lasted for more than ten days, and Scott, along with two of his men, perished in their tent, just 11 miles from a life saving supply cache.

The legacy of Robert Falcon Scott has lived on in the U.K., where he is still held amongst their most revered explorers. With that in mind, the 2012 International Scott Centenary Expedition will return to his final resting spot, a place that hasn't been visited in nearly 100 years, to pay final respects and to hold a memorial service. The team will consist of five members who will make the journey overland, and once on site, they'll be joined by five family members of the men who died on Scott's expedition. Additionally, the U.K. newspaper the Telegraph is looking to send another young Brit along the journey, and if you have an adventurous spirit, you might just get to go along on this historic adventure.

You can read about all the details for yourself, and learn how to apply, by clicking here. Entrants are open to residents of the U.K. between the ages of 18-30. (which drops me out of the running on both accounts.)

I would absolutely love to be a part of this expedition. What an amazing adventure and I'll definitely be following their progress next year, which will mark the 100 anniversary of the discovery of Scott's final camp.

Antartica 2010: Updates From The Ice

While I was away enjoying the long holiday weekend here in the States, the Antarctic season finally got underway with ALE resuming regular flights to Union Glacier and the polar explorers and mountaineers getting underway at last. After the weather played havoc with the start of the season, many were forced to wait for their opportunity to get started with their expeditions, with some already nearly two weeks behind schedule before they ever stepped foot on Antarctica itself.

Perhaps the most ambitious expedition of the season is Chris Foot's attempt to ski from Hercules Inlet to the South Pole and back again. He'll go completely solo and unsupported, covering 1390+ miles in the process, as he hopes to complete a journey that has never been done before. Chris is now three days into that journey and while the details of his progress remain a bit light at the moment, he is reportedly doing well. Chris hopes to have his tracking system up and running in the next few days and will also be providing more audio dispatches in the days ahead.

Similarly, Willem ter Horst also got underway a couple of days back and has been acclimating to life in Antarctica as well. He's making his way to the South Pole on skis too, and yesterday he, along with his guide Hannah McKeand, reached Foxy Pass located at 80ºS. Still a long way to go before he reaches the bottom of the world, but Willem and Hannah are already ticking off the miles, having racked up 12 nautical miles yesterday alone. That means they're off to a good start, and making great progress.

The Moon-Regan Expedition is also off and running, although they are experiencing a few difficulties so far. This is the team that is making a traverse of the Antarctic continent aboard a high-tech snow vehicle powered by biofuels, which seems to be working well so far, but the expedition's support vehicles are the ones experiencing problems. They have suffered with engine problems almost from the get go, and while the support team has worked hard to over come those issues, they are now facing a different problem, namely the lack of fuel. The heavy snow and slow travel has caused them to burn through fuel at a faster rate than they had expected, which now puts them in danger of not reaching their fuel cache with all the vehicles in working order.

Finally, our friend Alan Arnette set out for Antarctica last Wednesday and arrived in Punta Arenas, Chile on Thanksgiving Day after 30 hours of travel. After a brief stay in Punta, he found himself packed and ready to go, and unlike the previous explorers, he was off to Union Glacier on schedule. Alan has already begun posting updates to his blog and had reported in from the ice base, which he promptly left for Mt. Vinson, the first challenge on his Seven Summits for Alzheimer's Expedition. Over the course of the next year, Alan hopes to raise more than $1 million for Alzheimer's research, and we'll get to follow along as he takes on the highest mountain on each of the seven continents. Expect regular and insightful dispatches from Vinson soon, as Alan as a knack for sharing the details of his adventures and giving us a great snapshot of what is happening on the mountain.

After plenty of false starts, the Antarctic season is underway. More to come soon.

Adayak.com Contest Winner!

Today was the final day for the Adayak.com gift certificate give away. Congratulations to Alexa Fulper for winning this week's $25 gift certificate. Enjoy Alexa!

I wanted to thank everyone who entered the contest. Stay tuned for more giveaways coming soon. And an especially big thanks to the gang at Adayak for supplying us with the gift certificate. The site has some very cool outdoor clothing and even if you didn't win, you might find something that you'll like yourself or would be a perfect holiday gift for the outdoor enthusiast on your list.

Tongariro Alpine Crossing Caught On Video

The New Zealand's Tongariro Alpine Crossing is widely considered to be one of the best hikes in the world. While just 19.5km (12.1 miles) in length, it offers plenty of remote, stark beauty in it's unique geological features that includes volcanic landscapes and tremendous views of the surrounding countryside. The video below captures the essences and highlights of the trail in just under three minutes, which will be plenty of time to convince you that you should make the hike for yourself.

Thanks to the Best Hike Blog for sharing the video.

Afrika Expedition Force Seeks To Accomplish Two Missions In One Adventure

A unique and interesting humanitarian aid mission was launched last weekend, with a group calling themselves the Afrika Expedition Force heading into the Central African Republic in hopes of completing two missions there. The expedition is a joint venture between United Against Malaria and the Jane Goodall Institute, with both organizations looking to achieve their own goals while working together.

The team, which includes explorer Kingsley Holgate, arrived in the C.A.R. on November 20th, and immediately went to work handing out lifesaving malaria nets to pregnant mothers and children in schools. That, in and of itself, is a worthy endeavor, as malaria is an epidemic in Africa that kills many people on a yearly basis. But the team is also in the C.A.R. to rescue four chimpanzees and relocate them to South Africa, where they'll find a new home at the Chimp Eden Sanctuary.

The group is hoping to have their current mission wrapped up within a few days, which means handing out all the malaria nets and finding the champs. After they've taking control of the primates, they'll need to test them for various diseases, before they can be cleared for travel as well.

You can read more about the expedition on the team's official website and follow along on their journey with their Twitter feed and their Flickr Photostream. You can also learn more about the organizations involved, by watching the video below.

Antarctica 2010: Hurry Up and Wait

My updates on the impending Antarctic season are starting to sound very repetitive, as once again the teams were denied travel to the frozen continent yesterday, despite the fact that it seemed that their departure from Chile was imminent. It seems that their old nemesis – name the weather, conspired against them once again, but this time in a completely different way.

Yesterday I reported that several of the teams had been contacted by ALE and were expecting to catch a flight out to Union Glacier sometime late in the day. They even collected their gear and supplies and were all set to go, but apparently at the last minute the flights were scrubbed once again due to high winds in and around Punta Arenas. Reportedly the winds were in excess of 70-80 knots (80-92 mph) which made it impossible for flights to get out to Antarctica.

Updates from both Chris Foot and Willem ter Horst indicate that they were sent back to their hotels yesterday to wait to see if they could get out today. Neither of those two South Pole skiers has updated today to indicate if they have gotten out of Punta and are now in Union Glacier.

At this point, I've given up on trying to predict when the season will officially get underway. It'll start when the weather says so, and no sooner. I just hope it allows for everyone to complete their expeditions successfully.

Update: And it looks like ALE's planes are finally in the air, as ExWeb is now reporting that the first of the Antarctic explorers are now on their way, at long last, to the continent. Some are as much as two weeks behind schedule, but are certainly anxious to get back on track. Updates from the ice soon. No! Really, I mean it this time!

Currents Episode 8: Thailand

The good folks over at Five 2 Nine Productions have released another episode of their fantastic web series Currents, which a program that uses whitewater kayaking as a vehicle (pun fully intended!) to educate the public about threats to our waterways around the world. In this latest episode, the crew is off to Thailand, a country that is faced with increasingly polluted waters that are making for variety of health issues.

As usual, this episode of Currents hammers home those threats to the world's water supply while also showing off some great paddling action. In this case, they find some rather spectacular whitewater to run in Thailand, which looks like it should be on every kayaker's list of destinations. Great video all around.



Currents - Episode 8 - Thailand from Five 2 Nine Productions on Vimeo.

Antarctica 2010: Is Today The Day The Season Begins?

For the past week I've been writing updates about the 2010 Antarctic season, but mostly they've been reports on the weather and how the expeditions are spending their time in Punta Arenas, waiting for their chance to hit the ice. There have been a number of starts and stops, with forecasts calling for weather windows that didn't appear, but it seems that after nearly two weeks of delays, the Union Glacier base may finally be open for business.

Both Chris Foot and Willem ter Horst posted updates late yesterday that indicated that they had promising calls from ALE that indicated that they should be ready to fly at 6AM local time today. Neither of them has posted a follow-up, which leads me to believe that they caught the first flight out of Chile and may now be en route to Antarctica itself.

Apparently, the weather has improved at Union Glacier and the advance team has cleared the blue ice runway that will allow the big Ilyushin cargo planes to begin landing, and delivering the polar explorers and climbers to the frozen continent. This is good news for everyone who has been waiting for their chance to get underway, and I know that our friend Alan Arnette will be happy to hear that news, as he departs for Punta Arenas tomorrow to begin the first leg of his Seven Summits Climb for Alzheimer's. First on Alan's hit list will be the 4892 meter (16,050 ft) Mt. Vinson, the tallest peak on the Antarctic continent.

Expect more updates on the conditions in Antarctica soon. If the teams do begin to get shuttled to Hercules Inlet today, they'll likely spend a day or two there before setting out. Chris Foot will probably be the first person out of Union Glacier, as he has a long journey ahead and has already lost precious time waiting for his flight. More to come soon I'm sure!

Outside Examines The Tragic Death of Andy Irons

I don't do a lot of coverage of the surf scene here on the Adventure Blog, but even I was well aware of talented surfer Andy Irons and was surprised by his untimely death a few weeks back, something that shocked the surfing community and left many wondering what happened.

Outside Magazine has put together a great article about three-time world surfing champ and the demons he battled over the course of his career in the form of drug and alcohol abuse. Brad Melekian, the author of the article, spoke to many people who knew Andy, both in and out of surfing, to put together this compelling look at a true legend of his sport.

The article says that Irons battled addictions to both recreational and prescription drugs and was known to abuse alcohol as well. In one instance, he nearly drank himself to death while in Indonesia. Reportedly in that incident, he blacked out, and stopped breathing for as much as three minutes. It remains unclear at this time weather or not drugs or booze played a roll in his death, but the indications are that he continued to struggle with his addictions until the end.

The story is not an easy one to read, and it paints a picture of a talented athlete who struggled his entire adult life with his addictions. Sadly, when he died in Dallas at the beginning of November, he was on his way home to his wife, who is currently 8 months pregnant with their first child.

The surfing world has lost a legendary competitor, and my condolences go out to Andy's friends and family, who are surely still dealing with his tragic death.

The Last Desert Ultramarathon Is Underway

It seems not everyone is having problems getting around Antarctica. Over the weekend Racing The Planet launched the 2010 edition of the Last Desert, which is an annual ultramarathon event that takes place way down south. This year's race features 56 competitors from 22 countries around the globe.

The race got underway on Saturday with the runners hitting the ice on King George Island, where South African Ryan Sandes ruled the day, which consisted of a 90km (55 mile) run in temperatures below freezing. Sunday's second stage was suspended due to bad weather, so the race has moved on to Deception Island today, where they continue to run in a snow storm. For updates on the event as they are posted, click here.

This is the fourth edition of the Last Desert Race, and as usual it caps another year of the 4 Deserts Series. Due to the challenging weather conditions, this is the most difficult of the four races, and in order to compete, the athletes have to have finished two of the other races in the series, which includes the Gobi March, Atacama Crossing, and the Sahara Race, in addition to the Last Desert. The seven day, six-stage even, which will cover more than 250km (155 miles) will come to an end on Saturday.

ExWeb Interviews Amazon Walker Ed Stafford

Perhaps the biggest adventure story of the year is Ed Stafford completing his expedition to walk the Amazon River from source to sea. We followed along on his adventure for months and I posted regular updates of his progress, but upon the completion of the journey, which took 860 days to complete and covered thousands of miles through some of the toughest environments on the planet.

Over the weekend, ExWeb posted an interview with Ed that serves as a great way to catch up with the explorer and find out what his life has been like since his return. It seems that he has been a busy man back home in the UK, where he has made regular television appearances, hit the lecture circuit, and found some time to hang out with his old friends.

In the interview, Ed talks about the challenges of returning to "normal" life, his most difficult times in the Amazon, how he has changed as a person, and a whole lot more. He also discusses his companion Gadiel Snachez Rivera, better known as Cho, who walked much of the way, helping Ed get through a dangerous zone on the river, and then electing to stay until the end.

For me, Ed is hands down my pick for Adventurer of the Year, and I admire what he has been able to accomplish. His Amazon walk is amongst the most impressive expeditions of all time, and it is great to hear that he is safe at home, working on a book, and plotting his next adventures. I can't wait to find out what he hopes to do next.

Antarctica 2010: Still Waiting In Punta Arenas

It was another long, and trying, weekend for the polar explorers waiting for their chance to hit the Antarctic ice. The weather has conspired against them once again, leaving everyone still stranded, and waiting patiently, in Punta Arenas, Chile.

The weather as been rather fickle so far in Antarctica this season, and for the most part, no one has been able to make the jump from Punta Arenas to ALE's new Union Glacier base to begin their expeditions. Last week, high winds and heavy snow prevented any inbound flights, but as the weekend drew near, everyone was hopeful that they could finally get underway, as the winds had changed and the snow had moved out of the area, allowing the crew already at the base to clear off the runway. Turns out the weather took a turn for the worse yesterday however, as the snow moved back into the area once again. If that wasn't enough, weather reports this morning indicate that there could be heavy fog at Union Glacier, which is keeping ALE's big Ilyushin cargo jets grounded. At least for now.

Things may be looking up for later in the day however, as Chris Foot is reporting that he has received the call from ALE to stay on standby for a flight out tonight. They told Chris that there will be no flights out of Punta today, but this evening could be a possibility. Foot is still planning on making the 1390+ mile journey to the South Pole and back again to the coast, solo and unassisted no less, but admits that his time frame is starting to get constrained. Last week he wrote that if he reached the ice by Saturday he would still feel confident. Today is Monday, and he's still waiting to go. Lets hope for the best.

Willem ter Horst is telling a very similar story of "hurry up and wait" as he also patiently sits by the phone hoping for the news that he can head to Antarctica as well. His guide, Hannah McKeand, has been keeping him informed of the progress, and the news hasn't been good. It seems that ALE's crew at Union Glacier has been working very hard to keep the runway from closing due to blowing snow, but it is all they can do to not lose ground to the storms. They haven't been able to make progress at all at opening up a longer sections of the airstrip, which means there currently isn't enough room for the big planes to land. They're also hoping for a flight out tonight, but don't sound all that confident that it will happen. Willem is part of a guided team skiing to the South Pole.

The Transantarctic Team is also waiting. Their latest blog posts give hints of their frustration, as they've been on four hour stand by since the 14th of November, and the first flights to the continent are now two weeks past due. Andrew Moon writes that the first flight out to Union Glacier will take 53 people, most of whom will be ALE support staff delivering supplies for the season ahead. He notes that his team was originally scheduled to go on the third flight, but have now been bumped up to flight number two. They have a lot of gear to deliver as well, as the expedition will cross the entire continent in vehicles, taking scientific readings and samples as they go.

Looks like for now, the whole adventure community in Punta Arenas is on holding, waiting for the weather to break and for ALE to start shuttling them to the continent. It must be incredibly frustrating to have everything ready to go, only to stand on the precipice for days on end. It is going to take some time to work through the backlog of expeditions to deliver as well, as it'll be 24 hours between flights to Union Glacier most likely. That means that when a weather window does finally open, it had better be a good, long one.

Patience. It's a virtue I'm told.

Adayak.com Gift Certificate Giveaway Continues This Week!

Just another reminder this morning that I'm giving away a second $25 gift certificate for Adayak.com this week, and with the holidays looming, it couldn't come at a better time. Adayak has some really cool t-shirts with outdoor themes that are sure to be a hit with the climber, hiker, or paddler in your life, or simply do what I would do, and keep the certificate for yourself!

Entering the contest is very easy. Simply send me an e-mail with a subject line of "Adayak" and you'll be entered for the random drawing on Friday. My e-mail address is: kungfujedi@gmail.com. If you've already sent an e-mail in for last week's giveaway, you'll be automatically entered for this week as well, so no need to send a second time.

While you wait for the results, head over to Adayak.com to checkout all of their great designs and figure out how you'll spend your $25. Chances are you'll find plenty of items you'll want to add to your wardrobe.

Good luck everyone! I'll pick a winner on Black Friday!

Vote For The New Seven Wonders of Nature

A couple of years back I wrote about the effort to name the New Seven Wonders of the World and gave my thoughts on the places that were eventually selected. The organization behind that project hasn't been resting on their laurels however, as they are now looking to name a New Seven Wonders of Nature, and of course they want to know our thoughts as well.

The campaign has been running for some time, and you can see the full list of nominees from which they started by clicking here. Later they whittled the list down to 77 which can be found here. Now, we're down to the finalists, which is quite an impressive group containing such places as the Amazon, the Galapagos Islands, the Great Barrier Reef, the Grand Canyon, and more. This is where we can have a say as to the outcome, helping them to pick the final seven by voting on our own choices. The process is easy, but to help explain it, they've even put up a video to show us exactly how to vote. Check it out here.

There are a number of spectacular sites to choose from, and narrowing it down to seven is going to be tough. My friend Rick McCharles, from BestHike.com, is recommending that when we do vote however, that we consider adding Jeju Ollie in Korea, a place that is little known outside of Asia, but I'm told is a spectacular destination with breathtaking scenery. Rick was there a few weeks back and by all accounts had a great visit. I was suppose to join him, but logistically it didn't work out, and now I'm kicking myself for not finding a way to make it work. The photos of the place look amazing, and I'm sorry I missed out on the opportunity to visit. You can read Rick's thoughts on the place on the Best Hike Blog.

So, this is your chance to show democracy in action. Vote for your favorite places and stay tuned to find out which locations get the nod.

The Rest of Everest Episode 144

My favorite video podcast returned with a new episode yesterday, as the Rest of Everest continues showing us every aspect of not only climbing that mountain, but also trekking through the Khumbu region as well.

Episode 144 is entitled "The Gates to Paradise." It marks the end of the trekking portion of the 2009 trip, which was also a workshop for both photography and videography. The last leg of the journey offers scenery that is as spectacular as the others, with the High Himalaya dominating the horizon, as the group of travelers make the much anticipated, and welcome, return to Lukla, where they stay at the Hotel Paradise.

I've said it many times over the course of this series of episodes for the Rest of Everest, but I'll say it again none the less. For anyone considering a trek to Everest Base Camp, this has been an enlightening set of shows. It really did show nearly ever aspect of such a climb, and it was invaluable in preparing for my own trek which took place this past spring. Making that hike is not easy and it can be a real slog when you're not feeling well, but it is also incredibly rewarding and beautiful as well. It was a lot of fun for me to recognize places and landmarks from the videos on my own trek, and when I came back, I was able to relate to the trekkers on the podcast even more.

From here, it'll be on to Lukla and the return trip home of course, and then on to bigger things. The Rest of Everest still has plenty to show us, and they're still gearing up for more adventures to come as well. Stay tuned!

Hundreds Of Trekkers Stuck In Lukla, Nepal

As is common this time of year, bad weather has struck the Himalaya and left hundreds of visitors to the Everest region stranded in Lukla, where they wait for the skies to clear so they can catch a flight back to Katmandu.

According to this story from Reuters, more than 2000 travelers, along with their guides and porters, are currently stranded in the tiny village of Lukla after high winds and dense cloud cover moved into the region a few days back. In order to address the situation, the Nepali Army will begin using their helicopters to shuttle the tourists out today.

The low clouds and high winds are especially troublesome for the small passenger craft that fly into the Lukla airport, which is widely considered to be amongst the most dangerous in the world. It is famous for its runway, which runs at an angle up the side of a mountain. The approach to the landing strip is also though the mountains, which can be challenging even in good weather. Private helicopters are not normally strong enough to fight the winds either, and they can be an expensive option for those looking for a way home.

Reading this story the first thing that came to my mind was "where the hell are all those people staying?" Lukla is not a big village at all, and while there are a number of tea houses, the place is built for people to come and go on a regular basis. I have to imagine that it is quite crowded there at the moment. I'm sure some of the trekkers in the region are staying further down the Khumbu Valley in some of the smaller villages and independent tea houses, waiting for their turn for a flight to Kathmandu, but it must be tough to sit and wait in Lukla at the moment. At least they have a Starbucks there, right? :)

Antarctica 2010: Still Waiting In Punta Arenas

It has been a few days since we had any updates from Punta Arenas, Chile where the expeditions are still waiting to get underway. Bad weather in Antarctica has caused delays across the board, and ALE's jets are currently unable to land at their new base located at Union Glacier. But the weather has taken a turn, and is said to be improving, although it now looks like it'll be Sunday before the shuttle runs begin.

According to ExWeb, the weather conditions at Union Glacier are currently windy and bitter cold. The increased winds have blown the snow, which was causing problems through last week, out of the region, but they have also ushered in -52ºC (-61ºF) temps. That is making it challenging for the ALE advanced team to clear the blue ice runway that will give the Ilyushin cargo planes a place to land.

How these delays will impact the explorers had yet to be seen. For instance, Chris Foot, who plans a there-and-back-again expedition to the South Pole on skis, has said that as long as he hits the ice by Saturday, he'll still feel fine about making his milestones and deadlines. But anything after that could put his mission in jeopardy. You can bet he'll be one of the first to be taken to the continent, but he is already facing adversity before he ever sets foot on the ice.

Similarly, Willem ter Horst, an Antarctic guide for ANI, is also stuck in Punta Arenas and waiting for a flight out. In his latest dispatch he talks about having nothing to do while waiting in Limbo for his chance to get going. Willem will be making the journey along with fellow ANI guide Hannah McKeand who has already visited the South Pole on three other occasions.

Meanwhile, some of the expeditions are already en route. Doug Stoup is headed to Antarctica the old fashioned way, which is to say by boat across the Beagle Channel and through the Drake Passage. Doug says that the conditions are good so far, although 15-foot swells have challenged their 75-foot sailing ship. He plans to ski and climb along the Antarctic Peninsula in the days ahead.

It seems like I've been saying it all week long, but it looks like we'll have to wait a bit longer for the kick-off of the 2010 Antarctic Season. Every time I write one of these posts, it seems that another delay is in effect. Lets hope that Sunday proves to be a successful one for the teams, or they may ended up missing any chance of going the Pole at all. Keep in mind, the difficult part of the journey is still ahead for these polar explorers.

We Have A Winner!

We have a winner in this week's contest to give away a $25 gift certificate to Adayak.com. Congrats to reader Laurel Hunter for winning the prize. Check your e-mail Laurel for the gift code that is redeemable online in the Adayak store and instructions on how to use it.

For those of you who entered but didn't win, holt tight, as we have one more gift certificate to give away next Friday. If you've already sent in an e-mail, you'll be automatically entered into the drawing next week as well, but if you haven't sent in an entry yet, there is still time. To enter, just send me an e-mail at kungfujedi@gmail.com with the subject line of "Adayak." That's it! I try to run the easiest contests ever here at The Adventure Blog, and they don't come much easier than that!

If you're in the market for some cool new t-shirits with outdoor related prints, you'll want to give Adayak a look. They have some great designs, the shirts are high quality and the designs are something you'll want to show off and make your outdoor friends jealous.

Dean Potter and Sean Leary Fail To Extend Speed Record On The Nose

A week ago I reported that Dean Potter and Sean Leary had set a new speed record on El Cap's The Nose route, beating the old record, held by Hans Florine and Yuji Hirayama, by a mere 20 seconds. At the time, Potter and Leary were quoted as saying that they were just getting started and that they thought they could shave more time off the new mark, which stands at 2 hours, 36 minutes, and 45 seconds. Not to be so easily outdone, Florine also weighed in on the new record, saying that he would likely try to regain his title. I ended the article with a note on how I was looking forward to the climbers dueling it out for the top spot.

Turns out, I didn't have to wait long for the next salvo to be fired in this speed climbing competition. Potter and Leary took another shot at the route on Monday of this week, but came up a bit short, finishing three minutes behind their new record. According to this story in the San Francisco Chronicle, wet conditions prevented the new record from falling less than a week after it had been set. According to Leary, the pair were faster on the climb this time out for all but the last 600 of the 2900 feet that the route runs. The article also says that the climbing duo will give it another go in December or in the spring, depending on conditions.

The story doesn't mention if Florine has geared up for an attempt at the record yet, but you can bet that he is already planning his return. The competition should be a good one, and I'd love to see each team have a go at it before winter fully sets in. Spring is a long time to wait for more fireworks on El Capitan.

Episode 1 of the Adventurists Jibber Brings The Funny

Clearly the fine folks over at The Adventurists have too much time on their hands. When they're not busy organizing the next Mongol Rally or Rickshaw Run, they're making hilarious videos such as the one below. This is the first episode of the Adventurists' Jibber  program in which Horatio Blackensmythe, the world's greatest adventurer, shares his thoughts and wisdom on all things adventure related. Horatio is a bit cracked though, so don't take anything he says too seriously.

Nat Geo and Satmap Systems Join Forces For New Handheld GPS Device

I've written on more than one occasion about the great maps that National Geographic produces for adventure travelers and hikers. Those maps are durable, offer tons of information, and take up almost no room in your backpack. Now, the convenience of those maps is coming to a handheld GPS device thanks to a collaborative partnership between Nat Geo and Satmap Systems, who are making the new Active 10 TREK GPS system available this week.

The Active 10 TREK will retail for $369.99 and comes preloaded with U.S. and World Base Maps, with the National Geographic Maps being made available on SD cards for $99 each. Those additional maps include the Topo! USGS topographic map series, the AdventureMap series of international adventure travel maps, as well as the National Geographic’s premier Trails Illustrated series of maps, which are being made available for the first time on any GPS device. Those maps focus on national parks, national forests and many popular recreation areas, and are an excellent resource for hikers and backpackers.

Satmap is a well known and respected manufacturer of GPS devices in Europe, but is just now venturing into the North American market. Partnering with National Geographic has given them a leg up on the competition already, as they will now have access to content that no other GPS company has. Their handheld devices are used for everything from mountain rescue to geocaching, and just about everything in between.

In total, there will be 14 different Topo! series map packs available at launch covering the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, the Mid-Atlantic region, Montana, Nevada, New England, New Mexico, North and South Carolina, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. The remaining states will be made available in the first quarter of 2011. Three SD cards containing the Trails Illustrated maps will be available as well covering California’s Sierra Nevada, the Southern Appalachians and America’s “Greatest National Parks," with more to follow soon as well.

To check out the Active 10 TREK GPS device in more detail click here and to get more information on the  Nat Geo maps that are available on SD cards click here. The device also has several accessories available including a Bike Mount, Vehicle Mount and a Deluxe Carry Case, which retail from $14.99.

This looks like a really promising handheld system that when combined with the National Geographic maps packs could become quite a great resource for outdoor enthusiasts of all types. I'm working on getting my hands on one to review, so hopefully I can post some thoughts soon. As a gear and gadget fan, who also loves Nat Geo, I have high hopes for the Active 10 TREK. Stay tuned for more soon.

Skiing Southern Utah's Backcountry

Looking for a little distraction while you're stranded in your office today, wishing you could be playing outside instead? Then look no further than the video below, which was put together by Inspired Media Concepts and drops the "Provo Bros." into the spectacular backcountry of Southern Utah for a little skiing and snowboarding. The video is beautifully shot and captures the fun very well. Especially when the boys use helmet cams, which capture the speed and fluidity of their adventure very well. After watching this, I want to dust off the snowboard.

The Gear of Mt. Vinson

A few days ago Alan Arnette posted an entry to his blog that I thought was quite interesting. In the article, Alan talks about all the gear he is taking to Mt. Vinson when he sets out next week to begin his quest to climb the Seven Summits in an effort to raise $1 million for Alzheimer's Research.

The one thing that struck me in Alan's blog post is that he will be taking nearly all the same items to climb Vinson as he did on his previous trips to Everest. Considering that Vinson clocks in at 4892 meters (16,050 ft) and Everest is 8848 meters (29,029 ft), and yet you still need most of the same gear, should give you an idea of what the conditions will be like on the mountain. In short, they'll be cold, windy, and challenging. Did I also mention they'll be cold?

Alan goes on to discuss the various layers of clothing he'll be wearing to keep warm while on the expedition, offering insights on how to effectively use a layering system to stay warm. While he doesn't endorse any brands, he does tell us his preferences for of those layers. He also discusses his "extreme protection" gear which will be critically important when dealing with the notoriously fickle weather conditions on Vinson, and gives us a run down of the variety of other gear items, such as crampons, ice axes, and so on, that he'll be taking with him.

Vinson is the tallest mountain in Antarctica, and a challenging climb to begin the Seven Summits on from a logistical standpoint alone. But Alan has plenty of experience in that department, and weather permitting, should get his expedition off to a grand start. Dispatches will begin next week when he arrives in Punta Arenas, and I look forward to reading all about his adventures.

Good luck and Climb On Alan!

Antarctica 2010: A Shift In The Weather

The 2010 Antarctic season remains on hold today as ALE's planes continue to be grounded due to poor weather conditions at their Union Glacier base on the continent itself. There does appear to be a light at the end of the tunnel however, as the forecast looks good for a possible weekend start for the first teams heading to the South Pole.

Chris Foot sent another dispatch today from Punta Areans, Chile where he reports that the winds have increased in Antarctica, but the amount of snow falling has dropped. That means that ALE's advance team should be going to work on clearing the landing strip which will allow the big Ilyushin planes to start shuttling explorers to the continent. That should begin in a day or two, allowing the explorers to finally get underway on Saturday or Sunday. In Chris' case that means he'll start his 1390+ mile journey to the Pole and back to Hercules Inlet, in a solo and unassisted fashion. If he's successful, it'll be the first time anyone has made that trip.

Meanwhile, ExWeb has posted an interview with Col. Anand Swaroop with the Indian Army. He's heading up a team of 8 men from that country, along with two guides, who will be making the journey on skis to the South Pole as well. In the interview he talks about some of the logistics of that expedition, the challenges that await them in Antarctica, and having to sit and wait, like everyone else, in Punta Arenas.

Hopefully that project weather window will come in the next day or two, and these explorers can finally get underway. Even a few days back, there were already concerns about the time line for making the journey and if some would miss their chance. Schedules are already starting to get tight and not everyone is optimistic, but I'm guessing they'll all feel a lot better once they hit the ice and get underway.

Want To Win Gear For A Year?

Okay. Quick show of hands. Who wants to win free gear for a year? Yeah, I thought so!

Gear company Marmot and retailer Dick's Sporting Goods, have teamed up for a contest in which they are giving away $5000 worth of free gear to one lucky winner. They'll also throw in free gear advice from Marmot sponsored athlete Angela Hawse for good measure. Hawse is a certified mountain guide with years of experience leading teams across the globe on big peaks like Ama Dablam and other Himalayan peaks.

To enter the contest, go to the Marmot Facebook Page and hit the "Enter Sweepstakes" button. Then, simply fill out the form, and hit submit. Entry is limited to U.S. citizens (Sorry everyone else!) and the deadline for entering is December 24th, which is when they'll pick the winner. For more information on the contest check out the video, starring Angela, below.

Do they actually think $5000 is enough to buy gear for an entire year? Seriously?!? (Just kidding. It is at least a good start!)

South African Muslims Pedal To Mecca

You know I'm a sucker for a great, long-distance bike expedition, and this morning Outside Online posted some info on a good one. It seems that Nathim Cairncross and Imtiyaz Ahmad Haron, two Muslims living in South Africa, decided to undertake their pilgrimage to Mecca by bike, a journey of thousands of miles that culminated a few weeks back with a dramatic arrival at the holy city located in Saudi Arabia.

You can read more about the ride in this article from Al Jazeera, which gives details about what the two men faced along the way. Nathim and Imtiyaz crossed through 12 countries and spent nine months on the road before reaching their destination three weeks before for the annual Hajj, which began on November 14th.

The two riders had a website called Cape 2 Mecca Cycle blog but it doesn't contain a whole lot of info about the trip. There is a map that shows their route, some photo galleries, and links to other articles about the ride, but not much else.

This must have been an amazing experience for these two young men. What a great way to make their pilgrimage to Mecca, which is required of all able-bodied Muslims to complete in their lifetime. Definitely a true test of their commitment, but also an amazing adventure too.

Book Review: The Summit

Climbing Mt. Everest, or any other big peak, is always fraught with perils. You have to deal with altitude and technical challenges. You'll have to acclimatize and plan your ascent carefully, and spend months preparing for an opportunity to reach the top that may never come, often due to circumstances beyond your control. How a climber deals with those challenges and adversities varies with each individual. For climber,  professional mountain guide, and author Eric Alexander, it is his religious faith that helps see him through those challenges.

That is the core premise behind Alexander's new book The Summit, which hits bookstores soon. The book is his opportunity to share not only his adventures in the mountains, but also how his faith in God served him well on those expeditions. In fact, those journeys actually helped to strengthen that faith and give him further insights into his beliefs.

On its surface, Alexander's story is a typical tale of adventure in the mountains. In the book he shares stories of his climbs on Ama Dablam, Kilimanjaro, Elbrus, Everest, and more. Those tales include near death experiences, crushing disappointments, spectacular triumphs. and moments of self discovery, aind in the author's case, moments of clarity about his faith.

The book begins with Alexander meeting and befriending Erik Weihenmayer, an experienced climber who also happens to be blind. The two men discovered that they were kindred spirits and soon they were climbing together all over the world. Their friendship would lead to the two of them going up Everest together, with Alexander serving as guide as Weihemayer climbed into history, becoming the first blind man to reach the summit of the tallest mountain on the planet. But the two climbers would go on to have even more adventures together.

For most arm chair mountaineers, Weihenmayer's story is well known, but in this case it is told from a different perspective, that of his guide, who helped him through some of his most challenging climbs. But Alexander also helped other physically challenged adventurers reach their goal, such as taking four blind teens to the top of Kilimanjaro and taking three "at risk" kids to the top of Mt. Pisco. Often times, Eric suffered and struggled himself to ensure that the people that he was guiding succeeded in their mission.

While The Summit does offer some interesting insights into the various climbs, I personally found little new in the book. If you've already read some of the more well known mountaineering books, you probably won't feel that you've garnered much new out of this book. The most interesting story for me personally was the climb up Everest with blind mountaineer Weihenmayer, but you'll likely find his own book, Touch the Top of the World, a better read. Don't get me wrong, The Summit isn't a terrible book, although I did find the writing to be a bit uneven at times.

Perhaps part of my issue with the book was Alexander's focus on his faith. Now, admittedly, that is one of the central messages of the book and at the core of the story that the author is telling. While I am personally not a religious person, I do have a spiritual side, and a healthy respect for other people's religious beliefs. That is why when Alexander refuses to take part in in certain cultural rituals in Nepal, such as spinning prayer wheels, on the basis that they are essentially pagan rituals, I couldn't help but feel a bit of a disconnect. While I respect Eric's religious views, I couldn't relate to the way he saw some of the beliefs of others.

That aside, The Summit is a solid entry into the mountaineering book club. For armchair mountaineers who are looking for something new to read, the book will keep you entertained, and if you're a Christian who takes their faith very seriously, the religious aspects will appeal as well. If you're new to the genere however, there are plenty of other books I'd recommend ahead of this one.

Reminder: Sign-Up To Win A $25 Gift Certificate From Adayak.com

Consider this post your mid-week reminder to sign-up to win one of two $25 gift certificates for Adayak.com, a cool website that specializes in great outdoor related apparel that I'm sure you'll love, such as the official t-shirts of the excellent Dirtbag Diaries that I know many of you follow.

As is usual with contests on the Adventure Blog, I've tried to make it as easy as possible to enter. All you have to do is send me an e-mail at kungfujedi@gmail.com with "Adayak" in the subject line and I'll do all the rest. On Friday of this week I'll randomly pick one of the entries to receive the gift certificate and next week I'll give away a second one. So, enter as soon as possible to give yourself two chances to win!

I want to also once again thank everyone at Adayak.com for providing the gift certificates. I love being able to share fun things with the readers of this blog, and if it weren't for cool companies like Adayak, I wouldn't be able to give away great gear and other items.

Now send in those e-mails and head over to their website to figure out how you're going to spend that $25!

I Think I Want A Wingsuit For Christmas

I've posted some Wingsuit videos before, and they never fail to amaze. The one below is certainly no exception, even if you only catch the first four or five seconds. That small segment of video is enough to give you a true sense of speed that these flying daredevils travel at. The remaining four plus minutes are simply icing on the cake. Enjoy!

Thanks to the Wend Blog for the tip on this one.

Kayaker Gerry Moffatt To Paddle Last Of Bhutan's Big Rivers

Kayker Gerry Moffatt is closing in on the completion of a project he started more than 14 years ago when he set out to conquer all of the major rivers in Bhutan. Moffattt, along with a several other paddlers, are currently in that country, and will soon take on the last of those rivers. The team is currently en route to the capital city of Thimphu, where they'll stock up on supplies before heading out to the eastern regions of the country and begin the paddle.

Gerry is the recipient of a First Ascent Be First sponsorship, and as such, he'll be posting updates from the Himalayan kingdom on the First Ascent Blog, with the first video dispatch arriving today. Check it out below, as it gives a bit more insight on the expedition, and the country of Bhutan itself, a place I would love to visit some day.

Ridin' The Storm Out With The Hurricane Riders

A Vancouver based group of paddlers who call themselves the Hurricane Riders are a group of dedicated sea paddlers who love the big waves and open ocean. They also have a love for the long boats, and will take them into some of the roughest conditions around. Check out the video below of the Riders taking on some rough conditions along Canada's West Coast in October. Then try to tell me that sea kayaking can't be wild too.

Adventure Racing World Series Is Coming To Switzerland in 2011

Adventure racing fans have yet another important date to circle on their calendar for next year, as an increasingly busy schedule adds an international race that is sure to be spectacular.

Last week it was announced that the Adventure Racing World Series will be coming to Switzerland in the from of the Alpine Expedition Race, which will be held on May 24-29 in the Bernese Oberland region of the Swiss Alps. The APEX promises to offer 10,000 meters (32,800 feet) of elevation gain with coed teams of four trekking, climbing, biking, and paddling their way through one of the most amazing landscapes on the planet.

According to this post from Adventure World Magazine, the city of Interlaken will play host to the event, which is being organized by the good folks at Untamed Adventure Racing. Registration for the four-day, non-stop, expedition length race will open on January 10th, 2011.

Looks like this will be another great AR event for 2011, and most certainly will offer as breathtaking of a backdrop as you would find anywhere.

Adayak Gift Certificate Giveaway!

It's time for another round of giveaways here at the Adventure Blog, and this time I've got a couple of $25 gift certificates for Adayak.com, a website that has some very cool organic t-shirts with an outdoor adventure theme, that I'm sure you're going to love. The shirts have great prints for your favorite activity, whether it's camping, climbing, hiking, or whatever, and they look equally good on the trail as they do around town.

As usual, I try to make entering any contest as simple as I can, and this one will be no exception. In order to enter, simply send me an e-mail at kungfujedi@gmail.com with the subject of Adayak. That's it! Once I receive the e-mail, I'll put you into a random drawing for the gift certificate, with the first one being awarded this Friday.

Big thanks to Adayak for providing the gift certificates and some seriously cool products.

Surfers Ride 40-Foot Wave Off Ireland

I don't cover surfing too much here on the Adventure Blog, mostly because it's not something that I'm into all that much. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the sport, and given the opportunity, I certainly wouldn't mind learning how to do it. But living in Austin, Texas doesn't afford a lot of opportunities. But just in case there is anyone out there that doesn't think surfing is an adventure activity, or "extreme", check out the video below. The clip shows a 40-foot wave off the coast of Ireland that was ridden last week. Now, I heard about this for several days, but didn't think anything of it, but the video makes you appreciate how absolutely HUGE a 40 foot wave actually is. Wow!

Tip of the hat to Adventure Journal for this one.

Antarctica 2010: The Waiting Is The Hardest Part

The Antarctica 2010 season should be underway by now, but the weather continues to refuse to cooperate. Flights out of Punta Areanas to the continent are still grounded as high winds and snow keep everyone waiting for their opportunity. It has gotten so bad that some of the teams are wondering if their window of opportunity could close before they ever hit the ice.

In his latest dispatch today, Chris Foot talks about the feeling of having to wait for his chance to hit the ice, and he personally estimates that if he is in Antarctica by Saturday of this week, he'll still be able to complete his rather ambitious expedition to travel to the South Pole on skis then return to his starting point again, a journey that has never been done before. Chris will be traveling solo and unsupported over 1390+ miles, and after 10 days in Chile, he sounds like he is more than ready to get underway.

Not everyone is feeling as optimistic as Foot however, as he notes that other explorers are already feeling the time crunch. Some feel that the completion of their expeditions is hanging in the balance, and they haven't even faced their first obstacles yet. Most of them have their gear sorted and sleds packed, and they're simply awaiting the word from ALE that it's time to go, but an expected weather window this past weekend failed to open, and things remain sketchy through this week as well.

Hopefully the weather will break in the next few days, and ALE can begin shuttling the explorers and climbers to their new base at Union Glacier. That location was suppose to be better situated than Patriot Hills, offering more protection from the wind and other weather patterns, but at the moment it seems to not have helped at all.

My prediction? The weather will break in a day or two and these eager explorers can get underway at last. I know I'm ready, and I'm just following along from home!

Tips On Taking Great Adventure Photos

As Alan Arnette packs for Antarctica, where he'll be climbing Mt. Vinson as he begins his quest for the Seven Summits in support of Alzheimer's research, he's been thinking about the best way to capture images of his adventures. To help him sort though the options, he's enlisted the aid of mountaineer and photographer Brad Jackson, and Alan has shared Brad's advice with all of us on his blog.

Alan really does have some great advice for aspiring photographers looking to get great shots in the mountains, or just about anywhere else for that matter. Some of his tips include such simple things as how to keep the camera close at hand to get the shots you want (everything from a fanny pack to a small pouch attached to your pack) to how to keep your batteries charged while in a remote location.

On the delicate matter of which camera to recommend, Alan doesn't give any specific choices, but does note that both point and shoot and DSLR's have their place. He offers some tips on what to consider in each, and gives good anecdotal evidence of why having an extra battery or two is always a good idea. He does say that a good pro-sumer level DSLR is the way to go on the big mountains though, as they are easier to operate while wearing gloves.

Alan even goes on to talk about post production and how Photoshop, Lightroom, and other tools are now part of the process and that you should probably expect to use them to help get the most out of your shots. It's just part of modern digital photography, which gives all of us more options at our fingertips than we ever thought of before.

All in all, a pretty insightful article that can serve, at the very least, as a good reminder of things that we all need to think about when taking photos. As someone who enjoys photography, but still feels he has a lot to learn, stories like these help me to consider a few things I hadn't.

Can't wait to see the photos from the Summits Alan!

Antarctica 2010: Weather Delays Start To The Season

Earlier this week I posted a story about some of the more interesting Antarctic expeditions that are preparing to get underway and I wrote about ALE's new base of operations on the continent, with the expectation that the season would begin today. Turns out, as in many outdoor adventures, the weather has the final say, and strong winds and snow at the new Union Glacier base are preventing planes from landing and delivering the first explorers to the ice.

A number of teams that are headed to the South Pole or to Mt. Vinson or one of the other popular climbing peaks, are in Punta Areanas, Chile where they have been organizing their gear and preparing to make the final journey aboard ALE's Ilyushin jets to Antarctica. The first of those teams was expected to begin arriving at the Union Glacier camp today, but the weather had other plans, and now they'll wait for a new weather window, which ExWeb says could come as early as this weekend.

At this point, teams are expected to be able to be ready to go on a two hour notice, and ALE already has staff on the ice that are prepared to dust the snow off the runway, built out of ice, so that the planes can land safely.

It seems that the 2010 Antarctic season could begin at any time, although it seems that it'll be another day or two before the expeditions actually hit the ice. Expect updates to begin this weekend, with the skiers turning their compasses due south, while the climbers head to the mountains.

Here at Adventure Blog World Headquarters, it's almost like Christmas Eve!

Soldiers To The Summit Trailer Video

A while back I posted a couple of updates on the Soldiers to the Summit expedition, which featured a number of Everest summiteers leading wounded vets on a climbing expedition in the Khumbu region of the Himalaya. Some of them trekked to the summit of Kala Patar (5554 meters/18,222 ft) while others climbed Lobuche East ( 6118 meters/20,075 ft).

Now, a film is being made about the expedition, and you can check out the trailer below to get an idea of what to expect. Looks like it'll be another inspiring film to catch in the near future.



Soldiers to the Summit from Outside Adventure Film School on Vimeo.

Great New Ski Video From Sherpa Cinema

While we're on the subject of skiing, check out this fantastic new video that comes to us courtesy of Sherpa Cinema. It is beautifully shot, looks spectacular, and is almost guaranteed to inspire you to want to hit the slopes today. Well, that is unless you live in Austin, Texas where it's still 80ºF. Then you'll just want to ride your bike and wish you could go skiing.

But seriously, it's beautiful. Enjoy. And thanks to The Goat for the tip off!

All.I.Can. Official Teaser from Sherpas Cinema on Vimeo.

Colorado Ski Resorts Introduce Lift Ticket For The 21st Century

This story was the subject of a post I wrote this morning over at Gadling.com as well, but thought it was cool and worth sharing here too. With the ski season upon us, a number of resorts in Colorado, including Breckenridge, Beaver Creek, and Heavenly, have introduced a cool new lift ticket that incorporates some simple technology to make a day, or a whole season, out on the slopes better.

The new lift ticket incorporates an RFID tag that keeps track of a variety of information, such as number of vertical feet you've skied, which runs you've done, and distances covered. That information can then be shared online with friends and family, creating a social atmosphere to any ski outing. The central hub for the data is on EpicMix.com, but you can also share your ski adventures through Facebook and Twitter as well. There are even a series of achievements that can be earned, which award you for accomplishing certain things or attending special events. For instance, you can earn the "Nightrider" badge for riding three different lifts on a single night, while the "Archangel" badge is awarded for spending 25 days on the slopes in Heavenly. Those badges can also be shared through your favorite social networks.

Those social networking elements are fun in and of themselves of course, but the resorts are also preparing to launch mobile apps for the iPhone and Android. Those apps will allow you to track the exact location of your friends on the mountain, and even send them messages setting up times to meet or to just brag about how well you're shredding. The apps will also give you info on snow conditions, weather reports, traffic, and more. There is no set date yet for when the apps will be available, but the Epic Mix website promises them "by Christmas."

To find out more about the apps and Epic Mix in general, check out the video below. Looks like a lot of fun!