Video: 200 Foot Fall Caught On GoPro

A 13-year old skier hiking along the Aspen Highlands takes a big fall in this video. Lucky for him he wasn't seriously hurt and lucky for his us his GoPro camera was recording everything at the time. Looks pretty scary, and I said "ouch" a few times on the way down.

North Pole 2012: Norwegians Call Off Expedition To The Pole

It looks like there won't be any full-length expeditions to the North Pole after all this year. Earlier today the Norwegian team of Mads Agerup and Rune Midtgaard announced that they are calling off their attempt at a speed-ski to the Pole after Mads' frost-bitten thumbs took a turn for the worse and have now deteriorated to the point that it is dangerous for them to continue. According to their home team, the two men have now broken camp and are searching for a suitable landing spot for a plane to come retrieve them from the ice.

While just 12 days into their journey, Mads and Rune were making excellent progress towards the top of the world. While conditions weren't always as good as they had hoped, they were none the less routinely knocking off 20+km (12 miles) each day, which is a solid pace for the early days of any Arctic expedition.

We first learned about Mads' condition in a dispatch yesterday but the situation didn't sound all that serious at the time. It appears that his thumbs have gotten significantly worse since that time, prompting their call for an evacuation.

At the moment, the weather in the Arctic is quite good, with low winds, relatively warm temperatures and plenty of visibility. That is expected to change tomorrow however when bad weather is expected to hit the area. With that in mind, the two men are hoping to still get picked-up today in order to avoid further frostbite damage.

It now appears that the Arctic has fended off all challengers for yet another year. Yes, there will be some skiers still heading to the North Pole, but none will be making the epic journey on foot that we've seen in years past. I've said it before and I'll say it again, the days of the expedition to the Pole may be coming to an end, as climate change have made it increasingly difficult to complete such a journey. I already know of a couple of teams that are planning to give it a go in 2013 but the Arctic window of opportunity definitely seems to be getting narrower.

Everest 2012: Taking Olympic Gold To The Summit

The 2012 climbing season in the Himalaya is starting to ramp up and by next week we'll be getting a steady stream of updates from Kathmandu, Everest Base Camp, Tibet and beyond. As I've mentioned before, a number of teams are already in Nepal and are either on the trail to Base Camp or are putting the finishing touches on their plans before they set out. Those traveling to the North Side of Everest won't be able to enter Tibet until Sunday, but we should start hearing about those expeditions soon as well.

One climber who is no stranger to Kathmandu or Everest is Brit Kenton Cool. He just arrived in KTM earlier today and will be heading out to the Big Hill soon enough. If successful this season, Kenton will notch his tenth summit of Everest and while each of them has been special in its own way, this year he has extra incentive to reach the top. When he heads to the summit in approximately two months time Cool will be carrying a gold medal from the 1924 Olympics with him, and in doing so he hopes to fulfill a promise made 88 years ago.

Back in 1922, one of the earliest expeditions to Everest made a summit bid that was ultimately denied. But in doing so, the team led by Lt. Colonel Edward Strutt, set a new altitude record of 8230 meters (27,000 ft). Attaining that height gave people hope that Everest would soon be conquered and that man could indeed go to amazing heights. The accomplishment was highly celebrated, even though it fell some 618 meters (2029 feet) short of the summit, and Strutt and his team were awarded 21 gold medals at the 1924 Olympic games in Paris. When he received his medal, Strutt vowed to Baron Pierre du Coubertin that he would carry it with him when he went to the summit.

We all know that Strutt was never able to make good on that promise and  it would be another 29 years before Hillary and Norgay would stand on top of the world's tallest mountain. So for 88 years Strutt's promise to the Baron has gone unfulfilled, but in the year that the Olympics come to London, Kenton Cool hopes to take Strutt's gold medal to the top of Everest at last. You'll be able to follow his progress in the days and weeks ahead.

Meanwhile, climber Ian Ridley is on the trail to Everest Base Camp and has been posting some excellent articles to his blog along the way. He and his team are currently in Namche Bazaar where they are enjoying a rest day today before continuing up the Khumbu Valley. For those who haven't visited Namche, it is the largest town in the region and one of the last places to pick-up any gear you may have lost or forgotten. The village actually has quite a few amenities, including a pool hall, multiple Internet cafes, several excellent bakeries, and a row of gear shops.

Reading Ian's posts have made me wistful for my trek through the Khumbu from a couple of years back and they are a good read for anyone who is planning on going to Everest in the future. He's just three days into the trek at this point, so there is plenty more to come.

I'm eager for the start of another season. Wish I were there in Nepal again, but I'll have to settle for following along from afar. It is shaping up to be another great spring in the Himalaya.

Video: Antarctic Explorer Finds Supply Cache

When the Antarctic season was in full swing, one of the explorers that we followed on a regular basis was Aleksander Gamme, who made a solo expedition from Hercules Inlet to the South Pole and back again. It took the Norwegian 100 days to complete that journey, which was in an incredibly challenging one to say the least. Just how challenging? The video below shows Aleksander on Day 86 when he came across his final supply cache. The pure joy he exhibits at finding a package of Cheese Doodles amongst his supplies has to be seen to be appreciated. He does speak in Norwegian throughout the video (translation here) but his reaction is probably one that we can all relate to in any language. You'll see that reaction around the 55 second mark.

Video: Rafting Over Condit Damn

We've seen some paddlers drop over absolutely massive falls over the past few years, but the video below is certainly right up there in terms of being scary. It features paddler Dan McCain going over Condit Dam on the White Salmon River in Washington in a raft. Yep, he makes a 125-foot drop over the dam in just a raft. Crazy!

Thanks to Canoe & Kayak magazine for sharing this.

Antarctic History: Scott's Last Journal Entry

Over the past few months I've written several times about certain milestones in Antarctic history. After all, it has been 100 years since Norwegian Roald Amundsen and his British rival Robert Falcon Scott raced one another across Antarctica to be the first person to reach the South Pole. Today marks yet another milestone in that race and sadly this is one of those dates that still haunts us a century later.

As I mentioned last week, Scott and his two remaining companions, Edward Wilson and Henry Bowers, were caught in a vicious snowstorm that lasted for at least nine days. Over that period they slowly ran out of food and fuel. With nothing to eat and unable to keep themselves warm, their last remaining strength fled their tired bodies. At that point they had been marching through the Antarctic for more than four and a half months and they were throughly exhausted in mind, body and spirit. The physical toll on that journey was heavy one, but arriving at the Pole to find that they had been beaten by Amundsen was truly the worst blow imaginable.

So, Scott, Wilson and Bowers found themselves in that tent, hoping beyond hope that the weather would clear long enough for them to cover the eleven remaining miles to their "One-Ton Depot." A supply cache that would give them everything they would need to complete their journey back to their ship, the Terra Nova, which waited off the coast for their return. Considering the distances they had already covered on the Antarctic continent, eleven more miles hardly seemed like much at all. It might as well have been eleven light years however, because they were unable to travel anywhere in that storm.

It was on this date, exactly 100 years ago today, that Scott made his final entry into the journal that he had been so diligently keeping for all those weeks. That final entry simply said:  "Last entry. For God's sake look after our people." Those words tell us that Scott knew that they were done for and that he would never see Britain or his family again. Historians say that when their tent was discovered some eight months later, that it was believed by the positions of their bodies that Scott was the last of the expedition to die.

Those weren't the last words we heard from Scott however as he also wrote a number of letters to those closest to him. They were discovered on his body and while we don't know the contents of all of them, he did write a "Message to the Public" that was in many ways an explanation of why he felt compelled to explore the Antarctic for King and Country. That letter concluded with the following statement:

"We took risks, we knew we took them; things have come out against us, and therefore we have no cause for complaint, but bow to the will of Providence, determined still to do our best to the last ... Had we lived, I should have had a tale to tell of the hardihood, endurance, and courage of my companions which would have stirred the heart of every Englishman. These rough notes and our dead bodies must tell the tale, but surely, surely, a great rich country like ours will see that those who are dependent on us are properly provided for."

Those words showed his indomitable spirit and stiff English-upper lip that were his trademark to the very end. They were also the words that would make him a hero back home in the U.K. where he is revered to this day. Scott is a symbol of that country's great legacy of exploration and while he may have failed in his mission, he remained a true Englishman even in the face of his inevitable end.

For me personally, Robert Falcon Scott remains one of history's most tragic characters, yet someone who is incredibly inspirational as well. He had a spirit for adventure and exploration that I think is no less important in this day and age as it was 100 years ago. His story is one that we should never forget and think about when we are looking for excuses to stop our own adventures. After all, I can think of worse things to ask than "What Would Scott Do?"

North Pole 2012: More Teams Prep For The Arctic

There may be only one team scheduled for the full journey to the North Pole on skis this year but a host of others are now gearing up to hit the ice. The Barneo Ice Station is still on track to open in the next few days and a number of explorers and skiers will start their expeditions from the Russian side of the Arctic. Many of those will be doing one or two degree journeys to the Pole, but others will simply be conducting research and studying the region.

One of those setting out early next week is Mark Wood who is currently in Norway and waiting for a lift out to the ice. He'll start his approach to the Pole at about 88ºN and hopes to finish up in just a few weeks time. The journey will cap his North-South Expedition which began with a successful solo-ski to the South Pole in January. When he's done in the Arctic, Mark will continue sharing his message of environmental protection through public speaking and interaction with classrooms.

According to their Facebook page, the three-man French team that will be conducting research at the North Pole this spring should be getting ready to depart soon as well. They've spent the last few days preparing gear and doing last minute prep work and yesterday that posted an update saying that a weather window has now opened for travel. Presumably that means they'll also be airlifted to Barneo first and then take a helicopter to the North Pole. Their original plan was to stay at 90ºN for six weeks but it remains to be seen if that will happen.

The team of Six Ordinary Men will also be starting their North Pole expedition soon as well. They appear to be doing a last degree journey to raise funds for the Sparks Charity. The group has been silent for the most part so far, although they do promise to start blogging on March 31st. The countdown clock on their website currently lists their time of departure as a day and a half away.

Finally, an update on the Norwegians who are taking the long and difficult route to the Pole. After picking up speed in the early part of the week, they've now started to run into some challenges. Just a few days ago they were routinely hitting 20-25km (12-15 miles) traveled each day, which is actually a great pace at this stage of the expedition. But the past few days as brought them upon some large open leads that have slowed them down. They began the day today with an open water crossing and their home teams reports that had they decided to go around it would have taken them 100-150km (62-93 miles) out of their way. Worse yet, they anticipate hitting another lead later today or tomorrow as well.

The news isn't good for Mads Agerup either. Apparently he has picked-up some frostbite in his thumbs which isn't looking particularly good at the moment. The rest of his hands and fingers are fine, but they'll definitely be keeping an eye on his damaged digits in the days ahead.

Video: First Ascent of Cerro Autana Teaser

Cerro Autana is is a remote table mountain located in the jungles of Venezuela. It features a 1400 meter (4593 ft) rock face that until recently had never been scaled. Brit Leo Houlding made the journey to take on the mountain and later this summer we'll all get treated to a documentary of that adventure. Below you'll find a teaser for that film which will be coming our way via Posing Productions.

The film, when it is finally released, will be called Autana - First Ascent in the Lost World. Judging from what is shown here, the climb was only part of what the team had to deal with. It looks like there were plenty of big bugs and other critters, not to mention a generally hostile environment, for them to wade through before they even touched the rock.

Considering this is a part of the world that I would really like to visit, I can't wait to see what more they show in the final film.

Reminder: Win a Copy of The Ultimate Hiker's Gear Guide

Just a quick reminder to let you know that there are still a few days to enter my contest to give away eight copies of Andrew Skurka's new book The Ultimate Hiker's Gear Guide. Andrew just might be the best long distance hiker ever and he shares a ton of wisdom in this book. You can read my review on the guide here.

To win a copy of The Ultimate Hiker's Gear Guide all you have to do is drop me an email at kungfujedi@gmail.com telling me which of Andrew's great adventures you would like to do yourself. Trust me, he has plenty of awe inspiring expeditions under his belt and even though us mere mortals will probably never do them, it is still fun to dream. Please use "Ultimate Hiker's Gear Guide" as the subject in your email so that I'll know what it is in regards to. I'm accepting entries into the contest through March 31st and with in a day or two after that I'll be picking the winners.

When I last posted on this contest I noted that there weren't a lot of entires yet and that most people seemed to be interested in the Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim hike. Since that time I've received a lot more emails and some of Andrew's other excursions have started to gain more votes. At the moment, I'd say his Alaskan adventures are in the lead with the Alaska-Yukon Expedition out in front. That is one grueling choice, which only proves that Adventure Blog readers love to suffer on their outdoor excursions.

Good luck to everyone!

Video: Last of the Great Unknown Trailer

The Grand Canyon is, without a doubt, one of the most spectacular outdoor settings on the planet. But when most people think about it, they conjure up images of the immense rift in the Earth's surface that stretches for 277 miles (445km) in length and is as wide as 18 miles (29km) at points. What most people don't know however is that Grand Canyon also has a series of twisting, narrow, labyrinthine canyons that are seldom visited and haven't been completely explored.

In a few weeks time a new documentary will be unveiled at the 5Point Film Festival entitled Last of the Great Unknowns. That film follows a team of explorers who descended into those canyons and explored some of the more remote areas of the GC, and in the process may have become the first humans to ever see some of those places. The trailer for that documentary is below and it looks amazing.

Thanks to the Best Hike Blog for the tip.

Video: This Is My Planet, You Really Should Come See It Sometime

The video below was used as part of a promotional campaign put on by G Adventures, a fantastic adventure travel company that can take you to just about anywhere on the planet. While on the most basic level it may simply be a commercial, I personally love the message that it shares and the images that are on display. I also happen to think that it also aligns very nicely with my personal approach to travel and love its core message about finding your own adventures.

Everest 2012: Climbers Arriving In Kathmandu

This is a very busy week for the teams planning on climbing Everest or one of the other Himalayan peaks this spring. Most of them have now packed their gear and shipped it to Kathmandu and are either en route themselves or will be departing shortly. Just getting to Nepal can be quite an experience as I discovered a couple of years back. My journey from Austin, Texas to KTM required 36 hours of travel spread out over  four flights. Needless to say, after all of that time you arrive in a less than optimal state.

This morning Alan Arnette, who has made that journey a fair number of times himself, has written a blog post about the experience and shared a few updates from climbers who are now arriving in Kathmandu. One of those climbers is Ian Ridley, who has already passed in and out of Nepal's capitol. Ian is now on the trail to Base Camp and should be amongst the first arrivals sometime next week.

Alan also linked out to a good radio interview, which you'll find below, with Conrad Anker who shares insights into his upcoming Everest expedition sponsored by National Geographic. Anker and his team will be taking on both the West and Southwest Ridges, while being shadowed by scientists who will be conducting a variety of research studies while there.

From my own experience in Kathmandu that the city is currently a hive of activity. Climbers and trekkers are arriving en masse right now and some will spend a few days there while others will turn around and head straight out to the mountains. Weather will start to become a concern, even at this early stage, as flights out to the legendary Lukla airport will be regularly delayed or canceled. The days spent in KTM can be spent picking up last minute gear items in the Thamel District (beware counterfeit gear!), touring the city and the surrounding area and generally resting up for the challenges ahead. While I was there it was warm and muggy and rolling blackouts made it much more comfortable to be outside than staying in a stuffy hotel room. Kathmandu is as amazing and crazy as you would imagine, and some place that every traveler should experience at least once.

We should start to hear about arrivals in BC on the South Side by next week and the real work will start to get underway. The Sherpas are already there, staking out the camps for the various teams and preparing to build the route through the dangerous Khumbu Icefall. On the North Side things will lag behind a bit, as climbers won't even gain access to Tibet until April 1st. Expect to hear more from that side of the mountain shortly.

The Global Triathlon: Swimming, Cycling, and Running Around The Globe

Remember last year when we were all in awe of Charlie Wittmack and his World Tri? For those that don't recall, Charlie's "triathlon" consisted of him swimming across the English Channel, then riding his bike to India, before proceeding on foot to Tibet where he scaled Everest for the second time. He faced a lot of hardships along the way, but eventually he managed to cover all 16,000km (10,000 miles) to accomplish his goal.

This year, endurance athlete Dan Martin will take the concept one step further. Dan will embark on his Global Triathlon in May and will swim, cycle, and run his way around the globe. The adventure will begin in New York City where Martin will dive into the Hudson River and begin a 5700km (3541 mile) swim across the Atlantic Ocean. Yes, Dan is beginning the triathlon in the traditional way, but like everything else on this event, his swim just happens to be much longer.

He expects that swim to take upwards of four to six months to complete and plans on ending in France, where he'll climb onto his bike and start riding east. He'll then follow the Trans Siberian Express, in winter no less, across Europe and Asia before arriving in Anadyr in the far eastern portion of Russia. From there, he'll hop across the Bering Sea to Uelen, Alaska and start a 5200km (3000 mile) trek across North America, ending back in New York where he started.

It is a very ambitious project to say the least and it should be interesting to follow along with Dan's progress. The fact that he is swimming an ocean is intriguing as well, especially in light of Ben Lecomte's efforts to swim across the Pacific, which will get underway in April.

Good luck to Dan on this excursion and thanks to Tim for sharing the Global Tri with me in the comments yesterday.

Nat Geo Adventure Interviews Simone Moro

Italian alpinist Simone Moro is amongst the best high altitude mountaineers in the world today. His list of accomplishments include multiple summits of Everest and Lhotse, as well as the first winter ascents on Shisha Pangma, Makalu and Gasherbrum II, amongst others. Recently National Geographic Adventure caught up with Simone for a brief interview, which you can read by here.

In the interview, which is conducted by Freddie Wilkinson who is no slouch of a climber either, Moro discusses his recent efforts to launch a climbing school in the Karakoram, his thoughts on the use of supplemental oxygen on the world's tallest mountains and his epic traverse of Everest. On that expedition Simone climbed up the South Side of the mountain in Nepal but descended on the North Side into Tibet, where he received a fine from the Chinese for making an illegal climb. He completed that adventure without the assistance of guides or Sherpas no less.

The interview itself isn't particularly long, but there are a lot insights to be gained from it. Simone is an interesting guy and he obviously knows a lot about mountaineering. He has made some of the most difficult climbs ever and seems to thrive on suffering. He also seems to favor winter climbs on the big peaks as the crowds are far smaller and the challenges are bigger.

Definitely worth a read if you're interested in high altitude climbing.

North Pole 2012: Mark Wood Shares Details on His North Pole Ski

I mentioned yesterday that explorer Mark Wood was expected to announce the specifics of his plan to ski to the North Pole today and true to form, Mark has posted a video with details on the next stage of his expedition. The original plan was for him to follow-up his successful journey to the South Pole by skiing to the North Pole as well, making him the first person to do both journeys back-to-back. But unstable ice conditions and shifting logistics caused Mark to change his plans to actually start at 90ºN and travel southward instead. Those plans were then put in jeopardy because of funding and the need for cash to cover a possible emergency evacuation from the ice. Now, the final plans are in place and Mark knows what he'll be doing over the coming weeks.

Instead of starting on the Canadian side of the Pole, as originally planned, or even starting at the Pole itself, Mark will now launch the next phase of his expedition from the Barneo Ice Station which is set to open next week. Barneo is a temporary base that is set-up each year by the Russians to allow access to the North Pole from their side of the planet. It is usually open for a month or so and serves as a logistical command center for Arctic expeditions. The actual location of the base changes slightly each season based on the movement of the ice caps and where a large, flat surface can be found to land the supply planes. Generally it is built at or around 88ºN however, which means that Mark will now be making a 2º journey to the Pole.

While the expedition was of utmost concern for Wood, he also wanted to ensure that his educational outreach program to classrooms stayed intact and his message of protecting the environment continued as well. When he begins the journey north next week he will continue to focus on those objectives as well. The video below shares his thoughts on the project.

With Mark dramatically shortening his expedition the Norwegian skiers of Mads Agerup and Rune Midtgaard are now the only team attempting a full North Pole ski expedition this season. We'll keep our fingers crossed for their success.

Book Review: The U.S. Navy SEAL Survival Handbook by Don Mann

One of the distinct pleasure of writing this blog over the past few years has been getting the opportunity to meet some of the most amazing, yet down-to-earth, adventurers on the planet. Men and women who thrive on pushing themselves to the limit, exploring the boundaries of human endurance and living life to the absolute fullest. One of those men is Don Mann, endurance athlete, adventure racer and my Primal Quest boss Don Mann. Oh yeah, and he also happens to be a Navy SEAL.

Recently Don sent me an advanced copy of his new book The U.S. Navy SEAL Survival Handbook for a sneak peak before it goes on sale this July. As you can imagine, the book is packed full of tips and tricks from a guy who has made a living out of surviving in some of the most hostile environments on the planet. But the book emphasizes that being physically fit and strong won't necessarily keep you alive and that a healthy dose of mental toughness, and the ability to react quickly to changing conditions, are just as important when trying to survive.

The book opens with an introduction to the intense and demanding training that every SEAL must endure before joining the teams. That six-month long course, known as Basic Underwater Demolition SEAL Training, or BUD/S, is designed to forge men into elite commandos. That training begins with a legendary physical regimen that usually causes 2/3 of any SEAL class to flush out. Those that survive move on to the diving and land warfare phases where they hone their skills even further.

Of course, you and I aren't likely to ever take part in a BUD/S program, let alone successfully pass through it. Thankfully this book can share some of the wisdom that the SEAL teams gain from months of training and years in the field. The subsequent chapters focus on specific environments offering lessons on how to survive in the jungle, mountain, desert, arctic and even at sea. Those survival tips are far ranging and provide invaluable insights into how to find food and water, how to treat snake and insect bites, how to fashion weapons and tools and a whole lot more. There are even chapters dedicated to building shelters, dealing with inclement weather, navigation and a host of other important topics that could be the difference between life and death in the field.

While there is plenty to learn from each of the various chapters there is far more here than just a basic how-to manual for survival. The book is sprinkled with a number of great stories of survival, each with a lesson we can all learn from. Those stories make for fascinating, and often inspiring, reads while serving as a reminder of just what properly motivated humans can accomplish. Other sections take a look at the importance that mental strength plays in survival and one chapter even examines the "mystery of survival," those intangible elements that can spell the difference between success and failure.

Gear, field medicine, supplies, even creating your own survival kits. It is all here. This book proves that if you absolutely need to survive, you should definitely consult a SEAL. There is so much invaluable knowledge here that you'll want to read it twice just to make sure you get it all down.

The U.S. Navy SEAL Survival Handbook is still several months away from release, but you'll definitely want to keep it on your radar. In fact, you can pre-order it now at Amazon and have it shipped to your door when it is finally published. You'll find it a fascinating read on a number of levels and more educational than your typical survival manual. It just might be the best investment you've ever made.

North Pole 2012: Norwegians Pick Up Speed

The 2012 North Polar season has been a quiet one so far, but after several teams abandoned their expeditions early on, it seems things are starting to heat up.The Norwegian team of Mads Agerup and Rune Midtgaard are starting to hit their stride and another explorer prepares to launch his expedition, albeit from a direction he hadn't originally intended.

Last week Mads and Rune were struggling out on the ice as their bodies adapted to the cold and physically demanding conditions. Now they seem to be getting into a rhythm and as a result they're covering respectable distance even at this early stage of their journey. The men are hoping to ski to the North Pole and over the weekend they were routinely hitting 20km (12.4 miles) per day. That is an outstanding pace for the start of their expedition which is currently passing through a region that typically has more rubble fields and open water to deal with. They are currently camped at 83.5ºN however, which means they still have a very long way to go before their done.

Explorer Mark Wood is finally on the move once again. After completing his solo ski to the South Pole back in January, he has been anxious to begin the second leg of his journey, which originally was suppose to be a solo trip to the North Pole. Some logistical and economic issues have since cropped up, which have forced Mark to actually begin his journey at 90ºN however and head south from there. An updated to his website late last week indicated that he is now packed and ready to get started and that we can expect more news on his plans this week. My guess is that he'll soon head to the Barneo Ice Station, which is set to open on April 2nd, then catch a lift to the North Pole from there. Stay tuned for more news on his travels soon.

Finally, the French North Pole team is busy preparing their gear for an extended stay at the top of the world as well. According to their latest updates they have arrived in Spisbergen where they are preparing their equipment. The three men intend to camp at the Pole where they'll conduct scientific research on climate change, the Arctic Ocean and more. Initially I believe they intended to stay there for six weeks, but I'm not sure if that is still part of their plan or not. They are likely waiting for Barneo to open as well and will probably be shuttled to the North Pole early next week.

One Record Setting Swim Complete, Another Prepares To Begin

While we're on the subject of aquatic adventures today I had a couple of stories about some epic swims cross my desk in the past day or two. The first of which is a team of South African relay swimmers who set a world record by swimming 350km (217 miles) in 106 hours. That's a very impressive feat considering that adds up to nearly 4.5 days in the water.

The team, which consisted of Russell Tucker, Greg Tucker, SanMari Woithe, JC van Wyk, Brenton Williams and Ralph West, took turns swimming 3.1km (1.9 mile) laps in the Marina Martinique at Jeffreys Bay. They began their record setting swim last Wednesday and finished up over the weekend after continuing non-stop, day and night, through rain, wind and electrical storms for much of that time. At night they were accompanied by paddlers who stayed close to ensure their safety.

Congrats to the team for completing this epic swim. The grind that they had to have felt over the course of those days must have been incredible. Swimming lap after lap, even as part of a relay team, takes a great deal of endurance and I have a lot of respect for these athletes.

One athlete who is ramping up for an epic swim of his own is Ben Lecomte. In April he is planning on embarking on a solo-swim across the Pacific Ocean that will begin in Tokyo and end in San Francisco. Outside Online has a good article today about Ben's quest, which will cover more than 8850km (5500 miles) of open water. He expects to be in the water eight hours a day, averaging roughly 64km (40 miles) per day. At that pace, it will take him five months to complete the crossing.

Lecomte, who once swam across the Atlantic Ocean, will use a GPS device to keep track of his position at any given time. That will ensure that he begins his swim at the correct spot each day as he'll spend nights resting aboard a sailboat. That rigid tracking will allow us to follow his progress but is also a requirement for Guinness to officially recognize his achievement.

While he'll have to deal with the physical demands of the swim, not to mention potential shark encounters, Outside notes, Ben's biggest concern could be getting enough food. It is estimated that he'll burn in excess of 8000 calories per day and it can actually get to be tiresome to consume enough food over weeks of that kind of exertion.

Just reading about either of these long-distance swimming events makes me tired.

Deepsea Challenge Update: Cameron Survives The Abyss, Returns Without Aliens

Yesterday was a historic day in the exploration of our planet's oceans. James Cameron became just the third person – and the first to dive solo – to reach the bottom of the Mariana Trench, the lowest point on our planet. Cameron made the dive inside a specially designed submersible that took him nearly 11km (7 miles) beneath the surface.

The project, which is called the Deepsea Challenge, has been a dream of Cameron's for some time. He partnered with National Geographic and Rolex on this expedition, which was shot in high definition 3D for an upcoming documentary. It took him about 2.5 hours to descend into the Challenger Deep, the lowest point in the Mariana, at which point he spent roughly 3 hours exploring and filming the trench. He then proceeded back to the surface, more quickly than anticipated, with a return trip that took just 70 minutes.

Those hoping that he would find giant sea creatures or aliens lurking in the depths will be sadly disappointed in what was actually down there. In a post-dive press conference Cameron described the bottom of the ocean as "lunar, desolated, isolated." He also noted that what life he did see was quite small and didn't include large jellyfish or anemones.

The voyage to the bottom of the sea wasn't without a few issues. A mechanical arm that would have been used to collect samples from the trench failed to work and a mechanical failure caused him to lose his starboard thrusters. That meant he was simply spinning in place for a time, which caused him to cut about three hours off the dive. For the most part the mission was a big success however and plans are already underway to make another return trip sometime in the next few weeks. No word on whether or not Cameron will be the one piloting the sub or if one of the other team members will be able to take over those honors.

Congrats to Cameron and his entire team on a job well done. I can't wait to see some footage from the bottom of the ocean. I'm already looking forward to the documentary, which is probably at least a couple of years away at this point.

Reminder: Win a Copy of The Ultimate Hiker's Gear Guide

Just a quick reminder as we wind down the week. I'm giving away eight copies of Andrew Skurka's new book The Ultimate Hiker's Gear Guide (review here!). The book is full of all kinds of practical advice from a guy who has logged more hiking miles than probably just about anyone else on the planet. You'll find gear list, tips for improving your experience on the trail and insights on planning a long distance trek.

To win one of these copies all you need to do is drop me an email at kungfujedi@gmail.com with a subject of "Ultimate Hiker's Gear Guide." Then, in the body of the message, write me a brief note telling me which of Andrew's big adventures you would most like to do yourself. He has plenty to choose from and you'll find them all listed here.

So far I've had a steady flow of entires coming in but not an overwhelming number just yet. That means you have a great chance of winning one of these books. Oh, and in case anyone is wonder, the Andrew's Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim hike in the Grand Canyon is clearly the favorite hike amongst Adventure Blog readers thus far.

The contest will run through March 31st and shortly there after I'll pick and announce the winners at random. Good luck everyone!

Deepsea Challenge Update: Waiting For Calm Seas

Last Friday I posted a story about James Cameron's attempt to dive to the bottom of the Mariana Trench, which is the lowest point on our planet at 10,912 meters (35,800 ft) below the surface of the ocean. Considering that there was a lot of interest in Mr. Cameron's little journey, I thought I'd follow-up with some news today.

When I first wrote about the Deepsea Challenge it wasn't clear exactly when Cameron would attempt the dive, although we did know that he intended to do it soon. The Hollywood director and his crew are racing to beat four other teams, including one sponsored by Richard Branson, to the bottom of the sea and after completing the testing phase of their submersible, a specially designed vehicle named the Deepsea Challenger, they are eager to get underway. With that in mind, earlier this week the team left Guam and have proceeded to the South Pacific where they are anxiously awaiting calm seas and good weather to begin the long and perilous journey to the depths of the ocean. You can read the Captain's Logs on the conditions by clicking here.

And just how perilous is this journey? Cameron will be making a solo dive inside the Challenger to seven miles below the surface. At that depth the ocean exerts 1000 times more pressure than it does at sea level, which is strong enough to crush anything not specifically built to resist those conditions. He'll be going where only two other men have ever gone – those two men being ocean explorers Don Walsh and Jacques Piccard who did it back in 1960. Yep, the journey is so dangerous that it has only been done once before and that was 52 years ago.

While he's down there, Cameron intends to collect a number of samples for use in a variety of scientific research. He'll also be shooting the entire voyage in high definition 3D which will be used in an upcoming documentary and possibly even for some scenes in Avatar 2. When Walsh and Piccard visited the bottom of the trench, they weren't able to see much at all, let alone bring back quality film footage. Technology has improved dramatically since then however, and we can expect some stunning visuals when the film is eventually released.

Stay tuned for more updates. It sounds like the dive could happen any day now. When it does, it'll take nine hours both directions and Cameron is planning on staying at the bottom for as many as five hours as well. I get the feeling he won't be the only one holding his breath until he returns to the surface.

3rd Annual Dakota Rogaining Championship Coming August 18-19

Looking to sharpen your navigational skills? Want to participate in a very cool competition this summer? Then consider adding the 3rd Annual Dakota Rogaining Championship to your list of activities. The event is scheduled to take place on August 18-19 in the amazing Black Hills National Forest and Custer State Park in South Dakota and is guaranteed to be a great time for all who participate.

The event is being organized by my friend Rick Emerson, who designed the awesome course for Primal Quest Badlands a few years back. Rick knows the Badlands better than anyone and I have no doubt that his course for this event will be no less challenging and spectacular. It will feature 50 navigational checkpoints do discover, spread out over new terrain and with revised maps. Additionally, the competition will feature electronic controls this year which will more closely track the teams as they make their way across the course.

For those who aren't familiar with rogaining, or orienteering as it is sometimes called, the competitions involve teams of between two and five members who use maps and compasses to locate as many checkpoints on a course over a given amount of time. In the case of the Dakota Rogaining Championship there is a 24-hour competition, a 12-in-24 hour intermediate race, and a 6-hour short course for those who are looking to try the sport for the first time. Think of it as a bit like adventure racing stripped down to just the trekking and navigational activities, which are often some of the hardest elements of the race.

This event will be perfect for adventure racing teams who are looking to learn how to navigate more efficiently in future events. It allows athletes to concentrate simply on honing their navigational skills without worrying about some of the other demands that come along with an adventure race. But make no mistake, rogaining competitions are tough and demanding as well, and there will no doubt be some excellent teams in taking part in this event.

The field this year is being limited to just 40 teams, so if you're interested in joining in on the fun, you'll want to register soon. For  more information about the competition and to learn more about the fantastic setting in which it will take place, visit PeakAssurance.net.

And for those who are already fans of orienteering competitions, this will be your chance to scope out the territory in which the 2014 World Rogaining Championships will be held. That event will take place in August of that year as well and plans are already in motion to prepare an even more challenging and beautiful course for the international competitors who will descend on South Dakota for that competition.

Video: BASE Jumping Antarctica

I came across this video this morning over at ExWeb. It is a preview for a full documentary of an expedition that went to Antarctica back in 2009, where the team of explorers snowboarded, climbed, and BASE jumped from an impressive looking rock tower. ExWeb has a short profile of Geraldine Fasnacht who was one of the members of that team, and has another of her videos on display as well.

Gear Closet: Osprey Atmos 50 Backpack

It is difficult to improve on perfection. Especially in the world of outdoor gear. One of my all-time favorite pieces of gear is my Osprey Atmos 50 backpack. I love it so much that I've taken it with me on trips to six continents and it has always served me well. It is the perfect size to fit in most overhead compartments and yet still carry all the gear you need for an extended trip. My Atmos has been up mountains, across deserts and down rivers, and while it has a few battle scars it remains in great condition and always ready for a new adventure.

With all of that in mind I was a bit skeptical when I learned that Osprey had updated my favorite pack for 2012. After all, there were very few things that I could see them improving upon. Turns out the new Atmos 50 is a refined product that takes everything I loved about the first iteration and tweaks it in some important, yet subtle, ways that makes it an even better pack. 

Designed for traveling and backpacking light, the Atmos offers plenty of storage options for packing all of our necessary gear. In addition to the spacious main compartment, the bag also has a floating pocket in the  lid, two hip pockets on the belt, an adjustable stretch pocket on the front and two large zippered side pockets that remain one of my favorite holdovers front he previous design. Better yet, those two pockets have been more subtly integrated into the design and are larger than on my older model Atmos. 

One of my favorite features of the previous version of this pack was how easy it is to adjust the fit and how comfortable it is to wear when you've found the proper settings. I could wear my old Atmos for hours on end and yet still barely notice that it was on my back. Fortunately, Osprey managed to not only carry over those features but improve on them. The new Atmos has adjustable straps and belts that make it even easier to find the perfect fit and the new adjust-on-the-fly hip belt and harness are welcome additions. 

Over the years backpack manufacturers have devised a number of different suspension systems that are designed to help provide ventilation while wearing their packs. Most of those efforts have met with minimal success, but my oriental Atmos was amongst the best I had ever used. In the 2012 edition of the pack Osprey has updated the design once again and just like everything else about this new bag, the evolutionary upgrade improves upon the original. The new suspension allows for more air flow while still remaining comfortable to wear over extended periods of time. We may never see a suspension system that keeps us perfectly cool while on the trail, but the new AirSpeed suspension is a solid step in the right direction.

Other great features of the pack include an integrated hydration sleeve, built in tool loops and removable sleeping bag straps. Those small, but much appreciated, touches help to round out a great package that remains lightweight and rugged, yet high quality in every way. 

While it is quite obvious that I love this pack and find it an improvement on my beloved first generation Atmos in nearly every way, there is one thing that I would have liked to have seen integrated into the design. Neither version of this pack offers access to the bottom of the main compartment other than through the top. Having access through the bottom or  side can be very useful when trying to locate hard to find gear items, as it can be a bit inconvenient to have to completely unload the pack just to get to those base layers you stuffed to the bottom on the off chance that you might need them. Perhaps we'll get this option in the next iteration of the Atmos. 

I never thought I'd be retiring my old Atmos 50 pack, but the new Osprey Atmos is such an improvement in nearly every way that I'm looking forward to using it on future adventures. As I said earlier, it is difficult to improve on perfection, and yet somehow Osprey managed to do just that. 

MSRP: $199 (and worth every penny!) Pick one up at TravelCountry.com.

Video: "Hobo" Monkey Goes to the Edge of Space

Back in November of last year Australian indie band Skipping Girl Vinegar and a team of "cowboy scientists" joined forces to launch a stuffed toy monkey by the name of Baker to the edge of space. They attached a giant weather balloon to a model rocket and added a small video camera to catch all the action. The results can be seen in the video below, which shows Baker going up into the stratosphere for some spectacular views, before plummeting back to Earth where he was recovered – apparently little worse for wear.

Lucky monkey!

Video: The New Northwest Passage

Back in 2009, explorer Cameron Dueck successfully sailed through the Northwest Passage where he witnessed first hand the impact of global climate change on the Inuit people that live there. The four-month long voyage was an adventure in and of itself as Dueck and his three-person crew contended with massive storms, icy waters and the challenges of navigating through unknown waters. On April 10 a book entitled The New Northwest Passage: A Voyage to the Front Line of Climate Change will be released. That book will chronicle the 15,000km (8100 nautical mile) journey that was both an amazing adventure and a revealing look at the impact of global warming on a group of people who are witnessing its effects first hand. The promo video below gives us a tiny glimpse into what that voyage was all about.


Book Promo -- New Northwest Passage: A Voyage to the Front Line of Climate Change from Cameron Dueck on Vimeo.

North Pole 2012: Tough Sledding for Norwegians

It has been a challenging week for the Norwegian team of Mads Agerup and Rune Midtgaard, who are currently skiing to the North Pole from the Canadian side. The two men were dropped off on Cape Discovery on Sunday and while their initial reaction was that conditions were better than they expected, the soon found that the Arctic was not as hospitable as they first thought.

The second day of their expedition delivered the ice conditions that the two speed-skiers were anticipating, including large rubble fields and open leads. That meant that they were forced to do a lot of climbing and scrambling over and around huge blocks of ice. Despite the deteriorating conditions however, Rune and Mads managed to cover a very solid 14km (8.6 miles) which is outstanding at this stage of the expedition.

Yesterday the boys elected to take a rest day however as they have found that they are still acclimatizing to the environment and the cold weather hasn't been kind to their lungs. When physically working hard in -40ºC/F weather it is very easy to do damage to the respiratory system, which is the last thing you want to do when making a trip to the North Pole. So, they decided to take it easy and let their bodies adjust before proceeding. Their home team reports that spirits are high and the equipment is performing well, so they should be back on track today.

Meanwhile, the three Frenchmen who will be spending six weeks at the North Pole are still preparing to get underway this week. According to their Facebook page, they should have begun their journey today and will presumably arrive at the Pole sometime in the next few days. They'll be conducting a host of experiments and taking a number of readings on conditions at the Pole which will help us to understand the Arctic more fully and learn about the ways that is it changing.

Finally, we're still waiting to hear of Mark Wood will be proceeding with his expedition as expected. He plans to start at 90ºN and ski southward, and while has secured funding for the trip, the last we heard he was still looking for someone to help cover the costs of a retrieval from the ice once he has finished the journey. Mark says he'll make a statement about his plans in the next few days, so for now we'll just have to be patient.

More On The Explorers Club's New President

As I mentioned on Tuesday, this past weekend the Explorers Club elected a new president. Yesterday I received a press release officially announcing the club's new leader, Alan Nichols, who takes over the helm from Lorie Karnath, who served in that role for the past three years.

82-year old Nichols is an explorer who specializes in China and Tibet. He built his reputation in the Himalaya where his expeditions took him to the sacred mountains of those countries as well as Bhutan, Nepal, Kashmir, Ladakh and Sikkim. He is the first westerner to cycle the Silk Road in its entiriety from Xian, China to the Mediterranean and was also the first to circumambulate Mt. Kailas, one of the sacred mountains of Tibet.

Nichols says that he plans to expand the Club's ability to support expeditions in the field and hopes to grow the organization's membership by encouraging a new generation of explorers to become a part of the EC. He recognizes that exploration is as active as ever and that new technologies allow for explorers to share their experiences with larger audiences across the globe.

Alan has been a member of the Club for a number of years and has played a leadership role at a number of different levels. He is lauded for being not only a great motivational speaker but also working as a moderator between parties with conflicting ideas. Those skills will serve him well as the EC looks to move forward and heal wounds left from the recent controversies that have surrounded the institution.

Nichols wasn't the only new addition to the Explorer's Club board as four others were elected to join the leadership team as well. But when I wrote about the elections earlier in the week I erroneously reported that Josh Bernstein was one of those voted out of office. That wasn't exactly true however as Josh's three-year term was coming to an end and the board didn't put him on the ballot for re-election. Members of the EC board are elected to three year terms, so at any given time there are three different "classes" of directors. Josh was a member of the Class of 2012, but because he was wasn't on the ballot for re-election, he knew that he would be cycling off the board this past Sunday no matter what the results.

With new leadership in place the Explorers Club is ready to move forward and put all of the infighting and controversy behind them. It sounds like the new president and new board members are committed to doing just that.

Win a Copy of The Ultimate Hiker's Gear Guide by Andrew Skurka

There are few backpackers that have a resume that can compete with Andrew Skurka. The man has hiked a number of impressive long distance hikes including the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail and many more that don't even have names. His expeditions have taken him to the wilds of Alaska and South Africa, across Iceland and quite literally coast-to-coast in North America.

Awhile back I wrote a review of Andrew's new book The Ultimate Hiker's Gear Guide and gave it high marks for providing all kinds of useful information. The book is an essential addition to any hiker's library and offers tips on planning for a hike of nearly any length. It offers fantastic insights into what gear to take along on your adventures and teaches you how to shave ounces off your pack to make for a more enjoyable time on the trail.

I think The Ultimate Hiker's Gear Guide is a great resource for any backpacker and I think you'll agree. That's why I'm giving away eight copies of the book to readers of my blog. Yep, that's right, I have eight copies of Andrew's book to share with you. To win a copy of the book, all you have to do is send me an email at kungfujedi@gmail.com with a subject line that reads: "Ultimate Hikers Gear Guide." Then, in the body of your message, tell me which of Andrew's adventures you would most like to do yourself and why. That could be an epic hike through Alaska and the Yukon, a Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim adventure in the Grand Canyon, or a short hike along the Colorado Trail. He has plenty of great hiking adventures to choose from, so tell me which one you'd love to do.

As for me, I'd love to follow in Andrew's footsteps and make a circumnavigation of Yellowstone on foot. Yellowstone is one of my favorite destinations in the United States and I can't imagine how spectacular it would be to see it in this manner.

The contest is open through March 31st, so you have plenty of time to enter. On April 1st I'll pick the eight winners and random and ship out your copy of the book. Good luck to all who enter and I look forward to reading your entries.

Blind Adventure Athletes Plan To Cycle The Americas

Here's an interesting cycling adventure that was sent my way by a reader. Christi Bruchok and Tauru Chaw have embarked on an epic journey by bike. Over the next year or so they'll be riding from the southernmost tip of South America all the way to Alaska – tandem no less. And while we have seen others make this ride on more than one occasion, what sets Christi and Tauru apart is that they are both legally blind.

Calling their little expedition Two Blind to Ride, the duo set out back in January and have been making steady progress ever since. As of now, they have already covered more than 1887km (1172 miles) and are near Coihaique, Chile. Along the way they've already had their fair share of adventure, but seem to be thoroughly enjoying the ride thus far. Regular updates to their blog help keep us well informed of their progress and the photos they are posting will definitely inspire you to want to embark on a similar ride of your own.

Their website also explains their "blindness" as both of them can see to a degree. In Christi's case her vision is severely blurred, while Tauru suffers from retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic condition that will eventually lead to complete blindness, but currently leaves him with severe tunnel vision.

This isn't the first adventure for these two. In 2009 they made a tandem journey across the U.S. by bike as well, which has given them the confidence that they can make this ride as well. It should definitely be fun to follow their progress over the months ahead.

Winter Climb Update: Alex Still Alone in BC?

Now that spring has officially arrived, the winter climbs in the Karakoram are officially over and nearly everyone has gone home. But Basque climber Alex Txikon may be the only one left in Base Camp as he patiently waits for a helicopter to finally come pick him up.

As you may recall, Alex was on Gasherbrum I where he was part of an international team that had hoped to open a new route while achieving the first winter summit on that mountain. Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned and teammates Gerfried Goschl, Cedric Hahlen and Nisar Hussein all went missing on that expedition.

While those three were making their summit bid, Alex first attempted to follow along behind, but when that proved impossible, he switched his attention to the nearby Gasherbrum South. Conditions weren't right for that summit either and ultimately he ended up back in BC. But while he struggled to make his climb he managed to catch frostbite on several fingers and toes, which would have made the trek out to civilization a lot more painful. With that in mind, he decided to stay in Base Camp and wait for a helicopter to pick him up instead, but the weather hasn't been all that cooperative so he has waited in BC with just a skeleton support crew, while the rest of the team made their way home.

In a blog post yesterday we received word that the weather forecast called for better conditions today and they were expecting two helicopters to be sent to Gasherbrum I at last. One of those helicopters would pick-up Alex and fly him to safety while the other would conduct one last search for the missing climbers. There is no word yet on whether or not this has happened, but as you can probably imagine, Alex is anxious to head home. He has been way from Spain since December and it has been one long and trying expedition to say the least.

Hopefully as I write this he is already off the mountain, but if not it should be soon. His departure will put an end to the winter climbing coverage and now we turn to the spring season, which promises to be as active as ever.

Everest 2012: What To Pack

Have you ever wondered what climbers take with them, in terms of gear, for an Everest expedition? Then you're in luck as a new article on the Beyond The Edge expedition site takes an in depth look at what one climber is packing for Everest this year.

The Beyond The Edge expedition is the team that I told you about last week that is led by Conrad Anker and will attempt the West Ridge this spring. The climbers have just arrived in Nepal and will spend the next few days getting their gear organized and making last minute preparations before they begin the trek to Base Camp. One of those climbers, ski mountaineer Hilaree O'Neill, shared her packing list for the trip and as you can imagine there is quite a lot of gear to carry along.

Hilaree's list is a bit longer then some others due to the fact that she is bringing her ski equipment along as well. You can view the entire list, which spells out exactly which brand and specific model she elected to bring, by clicking here. Since the expedition is co-sponsored by The North Face, you will of course find plenty of their products on the list, but you'll also find gear from Black Diamond, Scarpa, Dynafit and more. Hilaree even lists the technology she's bringing alone (her iPad and iPhone are in her pack!) as well as her favorite foods that will help see her through the journey.

Considering the fact that most of these climbers will be in the Himalaya for upwards of two months, the list isn't necessarily all that long. Still, it gives you a good idea of what they have in their packs and what they've found works best for the environments they are about to tackle.

Expect many more updates from this team as they get going. They are expected to hit BC around the 15th of April, which is when things should really start to get interesting.

Video: Alaskan First Ascents on Arrigetch Peaks

Awhile back I posted a great video that highlighted some tough climbs on the Arrigetech Peaks in Alaska's Brooks Range. Today we have another video from that expedition, this time shot by Corey Rich. On that excursion, the team skied 20 miles from their drop-off point just to reach Base Camp, where they then proceeded with the climbing. The video captures that adventure quite well, while also giving us an idea of how spectacular the wilderness is in that area.

The entire short film, which is nearly 20 minutes in length, was shot on a Nikon D7000, which is a very affordable and high quality DSLR that is perfect for these kinds of expeditions. It's amazing that we've come to the point where we can get great photos and video from the same camera.




Nikon - Deep North from Corey Rich on Vimeo.

Antarctic History: Scott Snowbound in a Tent

As most of you know, this past Antarctic season marked the 100th anniversary of Roald Amundsen reaching the South Pole. Amundsen's triumph was the culmination of an epic struggle between the Norwegian and his British rival Robert Falcon Scott, who arrived a few weeks later to find that he had lost the race to plant his nation's flag at 90ºS. Beaten and dejected, Scott and his remaining men faced a long, cold march back to the coast where their ship was waiting to take them home. We all know that they suffered mightily on that return trip before ultimately succumbing to their fate just 11 miles from a supply depot that would have made the difference between life and death.

Scott and his four remaining companions turned away from the South Pole on January 19th and for two months they struggled to complete their fateful journey. Along the way, one of the men, Edgar Evans, suffered a fall that left him badly injured. He managed to continue forward for several more weeks, but on February 17th he fell once again and this time he wouldn't get up. Nearly a month later, on March 16, Lawrence Oats, suffering severely from frostbite, would exit the tent in the middle of night and wander off into the Antarctic expanse. He was never seen again.

On March 20th, one hundred years ago today, Scott and his two remaining companions, Edward Wilson and Henry Bowers, found themselves caught in a major Antarctic blizzard. That storm left them stranded in their tent, unable to move forward and woefully low on food, fuel and supplies. While their spirits were no doubt incredibly low and the three men were both physically and mentally exhausted, they knew that their supply depot was probably only a day or two away. That depot would provide them with everything they would need to complete the last leg of their journey back to the coast, where their ship the Terra Nova, waited.

Unfortunately that blizzard would last for nine straight days and Scott and his men would slowly run out of food and fuel. Of all the hardships they suffered on that expedition, sitting there in that tent, waiting to die, had to be the worst.

The last entry in Scott's journal came on March 29th. But that is another story.

Explorers Club: Changing of the Guard

Over the past few months I've written several times about the internal dispute that has been going on at the Explorers Club. Members of the prestigious organization have been at odds with one another for some time over the way the EC was being run, with President Lorie Karnath directly at the center of the storm. Many questioned the way she governed the Club and there were even accusations that she had used her station for personal gain. The story went very public with articles in both the New York Post and Outside magazine, which exposed the infighting that went on between Karnath, and her supporters, against a group of high profile members who weren't happy with the way she ran the organization.

This past weekend the controversy was put to rest when the EC held their annual dinner and conducted elections for leadership. The ballots were cast anonymously and in the end Karnath was voted out of office in favor of new president Alan Nichols. Four other members also left the board, including  Josh Bernstein, the former television host whose clash with Karnath helped to bring the entire story to light. In Josh's case his three-year term was up and he decided not to run for re-election.

Outside has a short follow-up to their story, which you can read here, that gives more details on this changing of the guard. In that article new president Nichols is described as someone who can mend the rift in the membership and help bring the organization back together. A new era has begun at the EC and the members that I have heard from are more than ready to put these squabbles behind them and get on with regular club business.

Update: When I originally posted this story I wrote that Josh Brenstein had been voted out of office, but it turns out that his term was simply up and he decided to not run for re-election. I have changed this article to reflect that point at Josh's request.

Gear Closet: SeasonFive Phantom Paddling Shirt

A quick glance at the calendar will tell you that spring is here and warm weather won't be far behind. That means its time to put away our cold weather gear for another year and start getting ready for our favorite warm weather activities like mountain biking and kayaking. This year when I hit the water I'll have a new piece of paddling gear that I've already found to be a wonderful addition to my gear closet. The Phantom long sleeve shirt from SeasonFive has already proven itself on some early season paddles here in Texas where the weather is nearly always right to hit the water.

Made from SeasonFive's waterproof and breathable Atmos fabric, the Phantom is a comfortable and form fitting shirt that has no problems keeping you dry throughout your paddle. That's because it combines three distinct layers including a water repellant outer layer, a waterproof membrane in the middle and a soft interior fabric close to the skin. It also features tapered seams that are designed to help prevent chafing and a convenient zippered extension in the back helps to seal the shirt further.

SeasonFive doesn't have a deep product line like a lot of other outdoor gear manufacturers, as they prefer to focus on a few high quality products over large numbers of items. If the Phantom is any indication of what the rest of their gear is like however, I can honestly say that I'll be adding more of their clothing to my line-up in the near future. I found this shirt to be extremely comfortable to wear, even on longer paddles and while it was form fitting, it never interfered with my ability to move easily both in and out of the cockpit. The four-way stretch fabrics were lightweight and supportive, keeping my muscles warm throughout my time o the water. That translated to less sore muscles at the end of the day and quicker recovery time over all.

Wearing the shirt on a breezy day proved that it was great as wind shirt as well. We don't get especially cold in Texas, which is good as the shirt isn't designed for that kind of weather, but it does help shield against the wind and I imagine it would make a fantastic layer under a wetsuit as well. Either way, the Phantom is an excellent addition to any paddler's closet and I recommend it whole heartedly. It will make a great spring (or fall) kayaking shirt. At just $99 it also packs a lot of performance into a single, versatile piece of gear. Something we can all appreciate.

Video: Fourth Grader Learns To Ski Jump

This just might be the video video you'll see all week. It is shot from a helmet cam of a fourth grade girl who is about to make her first ski jump. You can hear her psyching herself up for the run and you don't have to see her face to hear the trepidation in her voice. The end results are awesome however and I have to give her major props for overcoming her fears and making the jump. Not sure I could do this!

North Pole 2012: New Team Hits The Ice, Others Waiting To Begin

Despite my doom and gloom headline from last week, the North Polar season isn't quite over yet. In fact, while several teams have already aborted their expeditions for the year, another hit the ice over the weekend and a few more hope to join them in the days ahead.

The Norwegian team of Mads Agerup and Rune Midtgaard have started their journey to the North Pole. They were dropped off at 83.5ºN on Cape Discovery and according to their first blog update, they found the conditions to be better than expected. The duo didn't waste and time in getting started either, as they apparently started hauling their sledges immediately and managed to cover 8.3km (5.1 miles) in about 3 hours. No word on their progress today, but best of luck to the boys who hope to reach the Pole by April 22nd, which is when the last flight off the ice is tentatively scheduled.

Meanwhile, the same plane that dropped off Mads and Rune also picked up Japanese solo skier Yasunaga Ogita. You may recall that he pulled the plug on his expedition last week, although we weren't entirely sure why at the time. Turns out Yas wasn't all that happy with the ice conditions, which were apparently deteriorating at a rapid pace. Those conditions slowed his progress considerably and so he decided it was best to turn back rather than take the risk of continuing northward.

Three Frenchmen are preparing for their North Pole adventure, which is now set to get underway on Thursday of this week. The men plan on spending the next month at the North Pole where they'll be conducting scientific research on the Arctic Ocean and the effects of climate change on that region.

Also setting out soon are the Six Ordinary Men who have set their sights on a last degree expedition to the North Pole. They'll be raising funds for Sparks, an organization dedicated to children's health issues, and will begin their journey north on the first of April.

Finally, Mark Wood is expected to begin the second leg of his North South Expedition later this week. You may recall that Mark had planned to ski back-to-back to both the North and South Pole. Having already completed the Antarctic portion of the journey he has been gearing up to take on the Arctic ever since. Due to timing and ice conditions however he had decided to begin his journey at 90ºN and head south instead. He tells ExWeb that most of the logistics are now in place for the expedition to get underway, but he is still working out funding for his extraction from the ice. He hints that a few big decisions will have to be made this week or the entire project could be jeopardized.

Good luck to everyone about to get underway. Enjoy the journey!

Outside Announces 2012 Travel Award Winners

Last week Outside magazine unveiled their 2012 Travel Award winners giving a nod to the best travel companies, tours, hotels, cameras and more. If you're still planning your adventures for the year ahead, you'll probably find some great ideas on this list.

One of the most prestigious awards on the list has to be the Best Travel Company, which was awarded to Geographic Expeditions, a company that has been in the business of adventure travel for more than 30 years. GeoEx offers great itineraries to some of the most remote locations on the planet and the company can take you to Everest, the Antarctic and beyond. Beyond that, Outside gives them props for their emphasis on safety and their work with local non-profits and NGO's as well.

Geographic Expeditions will no doubt take you to just about any destination you can think of, but there are a number of great trips spotlighted on Outside's list.  For example, their Best Off-the Beaten Path trip goes to Chiapas, Mexico, while their Best New Safari takes place in the Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the Congo. The give a big thumbs up to a new trekking tour of the Tsum Valley, courtesy of Mountain Madness, naming it their Best Himalayan Trip and an amazing new Tour de France cycling experience gets the nod for Best New Biking Trip.

There is plenty more to discover on the list as well and they've even created an Adventure Travel Hall of Fame for destinations that remain great travel options on a yearly basis. I did something similar in recent years when writing my own "best trips" suggestions at Gadling.com, as places like Kilimanjaro, the Antarctic and Peru always deserve a place on these lists but sometime prevent other destinations from getting the credit they deserve as well.

2012 is still full of possibilities and there are some great travel bargains to be had. Outside's Travel Awards can help you fill up that bucket list and introduce you to some new options you probably didn't even know existed.

Norwegian Sailor Runs Into Trouble In The Antarctic Again!

Remember that Norwegian sailing ship called Berserk that sunk off the coast of Antarctica last year? The ship was operating in the Southern Ocean without proper permits when a major storm hit the region. Three crew members lost their lives in the accident, although the captain of the vessel, Jarle Andhoey, was actually on the Antarctic continent at the time. He and another man were attempting to travel illegally to the South Pole on ATV's and were unaware of the sinking of their ship until later. When he and his companion were later rescued, Andhoey faced a criminal investigation back in Norway and was ultimately fined $5000 for not having the proper permits or insurance to operate near Antarctica.

Fast forward a year and Andhoey seems to be up to his old tricks. According this story on Jon Bowermaster's website, the Norwegian sailor has returned to the Antarctic once again this year and has once again run into trouble. As of this writing, no one has seen or heard from Andhoey and his crew for nearly a week. One of the crew members did phone home to his wife using a satellite phone a few days back and reported that the ship had broken a mast and was out of diesel fuel and food, but after that there has been no direct contact with the vessel. A legal representative of Andhoey later confirmed that the ship, a 52-foot yacht named Nilaya, was in trouble and was attempting to make its way to an Argentinian base on Antarctica to seek help.

What exactly was this self-proclaimed "Viking" doing back in Antarctic waters this year? He claims he was headed back to conduct his own search for the Berserk, the ship that went missing a year ago. Of course, he was also once again operating without proper permits or insurance, which prompted officials from Norway to alter the authorities in New Zealand to keep their eyes peeled for the Nilaya.

As Jon reports in his story, Andhoey and his crew found no trace of the Berserk and were apparently attempting to reach Cape Horn and what they thought would be potential safety from prosecution in Argentina. Those waters are treacherous this time of year however and it seems that the ship has once again run into trouble and now one is sure of its whereabout at this time.

Back in January I had read about Andhoey's return to the Southern Ocean and his search for his missing ship. I had also read that he was most likely entering those waters illegally once again. At the time, I didn't want to give the guy any more publicity than he had already received. Of course, I didn't think that he could possibly run into trouble again this year, but apparently his reckless nature knows no bounds. If he were sailing solo I would simply chalk this up as someone who was too careless for his own good and say that he is only getting one he deserves. But Andhoey keeps putting the lives of others in danger as well and he may now be responsible for the deaths of several more people. If they do find him and his crew alive and adrift off the coast of Antarctica, I hope they make sure that he never sails anywhere again.