The short films that earned a nomination include the following: Congo, The Grand Inga Project (Steve Fisher); Black Canyon, The Next Generation (Cloud Level Media); Best of Bomb Flow (Evan Garcia & Fred Norquist); Breathless in Chile (Nigel Markey & Sam Markman); The Royal Flush (Evan Garcia) and Unknown: Aniol Serrasolses (Tino Specht).
Friday, September 28, 2012
Video: Top 6 Finalists For 2012 Short Paddling Film Of the Year
Don't you just hate when you watch movie award shows where they give you a glimpse of the nominees but then you have to go track them down yourself if you actually want to see them? That isn't the case with Kayak Session Magazine's best short films of 2012 competition. Not only have they narrowed down their selection from 51 movies to just six, they've also compiled them into one single 30 minute film for us to enjoy. Check out all of the nominees in the video below, some of which you may remember from being posted here on the blog in weeks past.
The short films that earned a nomination include the following: Congo, The Grand Inga Project (Steve Fisher); Black Canyon, The Next Generation (Cloud Level Media); Best of Bomb Flow (Evan Garcia & Fred Norquist); Breathless in Chile (Nigel Markey & Sam Markman); The Royal Flush (Evan Garcia) and Unknown: Aniol Serrasolses (Tino Specht).
2012 Short Film Of The Year Awards - The Final Cut (Top 6 finalists) from Kayak TV (Kayak Session Mag) on Vimeo.
The short films that earned a nomination include the following: Congo, The Grand Inga Project (Steve Fisher); Black Canyon, The Next Generation (Cloud Level Media); Best of Bomb Flow (Evan Garcia & Fred Norquist); Breathless in Chile (Nigel Markey & Sam Markman); The Royal Flush (Evan Garcia) and Unknown: Aniol Serrasolses (Tino Specht).
Follow In Shackleton's Footsteps On Epic Travel Adventure
Shackleton's expedition began in 1914, so in the coming months you can expect numerous celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the launch of the expedition, which had originally intended to cross the length of Antarctica, via the South Pole, for the first time. There will no doubt be a number of centenary expeditions to celebrate the occasion. Most of those expeditions won't be open to you and I, but one travel company is offering a unique opportunity for adventurous folks looking to follow in Shackleton's footsteps – provided they have plenty of spare cash.
Intrepid Travel's Shackleton Epic is a 56-day journey that traces the same route as the legendary British explorer. It gets underway on January 3rd, 2013 when the TS Pelican sets sail from Punta Arenas, Chile. The ship will explore the Southern Ocean, visiting such places as Deception Island, King George Island, Elephant Island and of course, South Georgia, before eventually finishing in Rio de Janeiro in late February. Along the way, the crew, led by British/Australian explorer Tim Jarvis, will recreate Shackleton's 800-mile open water crossing between Elephant Island and South Georgia aboard a replica boat no less. Upon their completion of that undertaking, there will also be an opportunity to cross the island on foot, just as Shackleton had.
While this itinerary is being offered by one of the best adventure travel companies in the world, this is far from a typical trip. This will be a long and demanding journey that will test those who embark on it. But it is also the chance to trace the path of one of the greatest explorers of the 20th century and catch a glimpse of how difficult Shackleton's adventure must have been.
There are just ten berths available aboard the Pelican and they don't come cheap. If you're interested in joining the crew, the price is $30,000 with reservations being taken now. You can find out more specific information about the expedition, the ship you'd be sailing on, and leader Tim Jarvis by clicking here.
Now if only I could come up with the $30k to join this excursion.
Video: Mountain Biking The Whole Enchilada
Everyone knows that Utah is one of the best destinations for mountain biking in the entire world. That's confirmed in the video below that features more than 14 minutes of riding down a well-known trail called Whole Enchilada. The scenery is spectacular and the riding sublime. If you're looking for a brief distraction from work today, this will definitely provide it. It may also inspire some of you to call it a day early and go get on your own bike. Sadly, I don't have a trail this great near enough to me. It looks fantastic though.
Himalaya Fall 2012 Update: Summit Window Opens
Earlier today the Mountain Professionals team checked in from Camp 2 on Manaslu where they report stable weather and snow conditions. They started their ascent yesterday and pushed past C1 and straight on to Camp 2. Their Sherpa support team plan on shuttling gear to Camp 4 tomorrow and the climbers are now planning on summiting on Monday, weather permitting.
The Altitude Junkies have started their summit push as well, leaving for Camp 1 yesterday afternoon. They'll spend successive nights in each of the high camps before making their bid on Monday too. AJ leader Phil Crampton reports that he is still feeling a bit sore after getting caught in the avalanche at Camp 2 last weekend, so he'll take an extra day or two in Base Camp before proceeding up to join the rest of the team. The climbers are said to be in good spirits and ready to go. Hopefully their patience will pay off in a few days time.
Edita Nichols is one of the climbers who has started the ascent. She left BC yesterday and is eyeing a summit attempt on either Monday or Tuesday of next week. She says that the weather is looking good and the mountain is more stable, giving the remaining climbers there an incentive to reach the top to honor those that lost their live in the tragic accident this past weekend. Edita herself lost her SPOT Tracker in the avalanche, so she'll be out of contact for the next few days and we won't even be able to see her progress. We'll just have to wait for word of her success, but either way she plans on summiting and then heading for home by the end of next week.
On a different note, the IMG team that was on Manaslu left the mountain yesterday and are now all back in Kathmandu safe and sound. I'm sure it was a difficult decision to pull the plug on the expedition, but considering everything that has occurred there this week, it was probably the right choice for this squad. Also abandoning his summit bid is Greg Hill, who had hoped to make a no-oxygen ski descent of the mountain. He'll remain behind to support some other climbers, but he has reportedly elected to give up his own Manaslu aspirations.
Elsewhere in the region, other teams are preparing for their summit bids as well. ExWeb is reporting that teams on Makalu are now in position to top out on that mountain as early as today. That could mean that climber/journalist Billi Bierling is amongst them. We haven't had any updates from Billi since last week, but presumably she'll be on her way up soon too.
Stay tuned for summit updates over the next few days. Good luck to all the climbers. Be safe!
Gear Closet: Cannondale Speedster Ride Wallet
Recently I've been taking the Speedster Ride Wallet from Cannondale on my regular rides and it has quickly proven itself to be essential gear. The Speedster is one of those items that you don't know you need until you have one and then you wonder why you hadn't picked one up sooner.
The Speedster features an internal waterproof zippered pouch that is perfect for carrying cash, an ID or a credit card. The wallet also has three small neoprene lined organizational slots that are perfect for a patch kit, CO2 cartridge or other small tools, but best of all it has a large sleeve, complete with a transparent window, that is specifically designed to safely hold a smartphone. The window allows riders to interact with the touchscreen on their phone without ever having to remove it from the wallet, which is great when using it with the numerous apps designed specifically for cyclists. The Speedster's water resistant lining keeps the electronic device safe from sweat or unexpected rain storms and strong strip of velcro keeps the wallet sealed tight.
That's basically all there is to this product, but that's also all we need from it. The Speedster is simply an excellent addition to any rider's gear list and if you're a regular rider, I think you'll find it as useful as I do. It's great to throw all of the items you want to carry with you into one compact, well designed wallet, then slip it into a jersey pocket and hit the road.
With a price tag of just $20, the Speedster Ride is also very affordable. Considering the build quality of the wallet, I wouldn't have been surprised if it had cost twice that. But at such a modest cost it is difficult to justify not buying one.
Not a rider yourself? This wallet also makes a great gift or stocking stuffer for the cyclist in your life. The holidays are still a few months off, but it is never too early to start planning ahead.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Video: Whitewater Rider of the Year III Teaser
It's been awhile since we've seen a really great – and by really great I mean crazy – whitewater kayaking video. The one below should help fill the void however as it features some of the top paddlers taking on some of the wildest rivers you'll find anywhere. It has everything you'd want in a video like this one, including crazy drops and impressive acrobatics.
The video also happens to be the teaser trailer for the Rider of the Year awards which surveys the some of the best whitewater kayakers in the world to select who amongst them had the most impressive year out on the water. Those awards include "Best Rider," "Best Trick," and "Best Drop" of course, but also the not-so-conventional "Honey Badger Award" and "Hendri Coetzee Award." Find out more on the official website or on the Rider of the Year Facebook page.
Rider of the Year III Awards Teaser from Tribe Rider on Vimeo.
The video also happens to be the teaser trailer for the Rider of the Year awards which surveys the some of the best whitewater kayakers in the world to select who amongst them had the most impressive year out on the water. Those awards include "Best Rider," "Best Trick," and "Best Drop" of course, but also the not-so-conventional "Honey Badger Award" and "Hendri Coetzee Award." Find out more on the official website or on the Rider of the Year Facebook page.
Get Your Gear Reviews From The Gear Institute
The Gear Institute takes some of the top outdoor professionals and gear testers in the U.S. and assigns them a particular category to cover for the site. For instance, you'll generally have all the reviews o say cycling shoes or climbing harnesses from the same person. Using a clearly defined rating system, the reviews are written to be easy to understand and simple for consumers to digest, with an expressed goal of helping people to buy the best gear they can possibly get for their money.
The site has actually been around for sometime, but went through a relaunch back in early August, right around the time of Outdoor Retailer. The new layout makes it easy to comb through the numerous gear categories and reviews to find exactly what you're looking for in just about every kind of category including running, camping, backpacking, skiing and so on. If you don't see a particular category that you're looking for on the site, and you happen to be knowledgeable on the subject, you can even apply to join the GI Faculty.
On a side note, I contributed a piece to the site, writing this article on some of the best hydration packs for trail running. I put four good packs through their paces and rated each of them in a variety of categories. If you're in the market for just such a pack, you'll definitely want to check out my thoughts on the matter.
Also, if you have a gear hound on your list for holiday gifts, you may want to bookmark the Gear Institute as well. It'll come in handy when you're trying to find just the right piece of kit in a few months time.
Mayan Smith-Gobat and Chantel Astorga Set New Speed Record On The Nose
Mayan and Chantel made a scouting run up the route last week and even though they felt they were going slow, they still managed to shave nine minutes off the old record, finishing in 10 hours, 10 minutes. But the ladies knew they could go faster and on Monday they took all of the knowledge they gained during the practice run and put it to good use. When they finished, they turned in a time of 7 hours, 26 minutes, completely obliterating the original time.
Not content with simply climbing one of the hardest routes in the world in record time, Mayan and Chantel moved on to also scale Half Dome. The completed the entire link-up in a time of 23 hours, 35 minutes and by doing so became the first all-female team to do both routes back-to-back. You can read Mayan's account of the climb on her blog, which has an excellent account of the day.
Congratulations to Mayan and Chantel on a job well done. Amazing climbing!
Checkpoint Tracker Adventure Racing Championship Begins Tomorrow
In addition to the usual trail running, mountain biking and kayaking sections, the race will also feature whitewater rafting, river boarding and an orienteering course. Participants will be competing as solo racers or on teams of two or four depending on the make-up of their squad, with all-male, all-female and coed teams scheduled to race. They'll all take to the starting line tomorrow at 10:30 AM local time and race through until the official cut-off at 2:30 PM Saturday afternoon.
The entire event will take place inside the beautiful Gauley River National Recreation Area, which is well known for its Class V+ paddling, deep gorges and remote wilderness. It should be a spectacular time to be there as the autumn leaves begin to change and the cooler air of the season moves in. Hopefully the teams will be able to take a little time to enjoy the scenery as the fly past it during the race.
Good luck to everyone this weekend. Race hard and be safe!
Video: Interview With Manaslu Survivor Glen Plake From Kathmandu
The news in the adventure community has been dominated with stories from Manaslu this week, where a massive avalanche took the lives of numerous climbers in Camp 3. One of the climbers who was there and was fortunate enough to survive the accident is Glen Plake, a world class skier who had intended on making a ski descent of the mountain. Yesterday, our friends over at EpicTV were able to connect with Glen in Kathmandu via Skype, while also being joined by his wife Kimberly in studio. In that interview, which you'll find in the video below, Glen shares his very personal story of survival while he still deals with the loss of his two friends and climbing/skiing partners Greg Costa and Rémy Lécluse.
EpicTV Weekly 22: Manaslu Avalanche: Glen Plake's Story from EpicTVAdventure on Vimeo.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Best Hike Treks The North Coast Trail
Rick recently hiked the entire length of the NCT and shared the experience on the Best Hike Blog, which is always a great site for finding new trails to explore all over the world. Rick begins his initial post on the North Coast Trail by calling it "paradise" but goes on to explain why it is certainly not for everyone. He notes that the trail is so challenging at points that some groups manage a pace of just 1km (.6 miles) per hour! That's a pretty brutal pace and far from a stroll in the park. In typical Best Hike fashion, he then goes on to share logistical information for the trek, listing options for hiking this beautiful beast.
Most hikers who take on the NCT make a 7-day/6-night excursion along its length. After giving us his initial introduction, in his second North Coast Trail post Rick breaks down each of those days and tells prospective backpackers what to expect. He also shares plenty of great video and photos from along the way, helping to further prepare visitors to the trail.
For hikers looking for a remote wilderness adventure, it seems this is a fantastic option. Wildlife abounds, including wolves and bears, and the scenery is simply spectacular. Rick encountered a great deal of mud along the trail, which helps account for some of the slow progress at points, but overall he loved the experience, which involved walks along the shore, treks deep into the forest and a trail that wanders up, over and around some very beautiful places.
Check out his full trip report for more information. Then start making plans to hike this trail yourself.
Video: Images From Trango Towers Captured By Remote Controlled Helicopter
This past summer, photographer and filmmaker Corey Rich traveled to Pakistan to document David Lama and Peter Ortner's attempt to climb the vaunted Trango Towers as part of the Mammut 150 Peak Project. One of the pieces of gear he took with him was a remote controlled helicopter that was equipped with video cameras, which allowed him to capture the climb like never before. The video below gives us a sneak peek at what he was able to do, and while the full film of the expedition is still in post-production, I think it's safe to say that it's shaping up to be an interesting project.
On an unrelated note, I now want one of these camera-equipped RC drones for myself!
Mammut 150 Years Peak Project: Trango Tower, Pakistan (6286m / 20,623ft) - RC Helicopter Sample Footage from Corey Rich on Vimeo.
On an unrelated note, I now want one of these camera-equipped RC drones for myself!
Himalaya Fall 2012 Update: More Climbers Head Home, While Other Head Up
The Altitude Junkies had three team members depart Base Camp yesterday and today they report that two more will now join them. They'll all descend to the village of Sama Goan where they'll catch a lift by helicopter back to Kathmandu. While sad to see their friends leave, the rest of the team has plenty of work to do. They'll start their summit bid tomorrow by climbing up to Camp 1 with an eye on topping out on Sunday or Monday of next week.
Also heading up is Edita Nichols, who reports that Sherpa teams have already visited Camp 1 and 2 to evaluate stability on the mountain. Her team won't move forward until the Sherpas say it is safe to do, but they anticipate starting the climb in the next day or two as well.
One of the squads that has decided to leave Base Camp and return home is the IMG team. Following a meeting with the entire crew, the experienced leaders of the expedition elected to pull the plug in no small part due to the continued instability on the slopes. They sent their Sherpas up the mountain this morning to collect their gear in Camp 1 and 2 with a plan to depart BC this afternoon. They should be resting comfortably in Sama Goan now and will fly back to Kathmandu tomorrow.
Skier Greg Hill has posted his account of the tragic events from earlier in the week, which you can read here. He was one of the climbers who was in Camp 3 when the avalanche hit, preparing to move up to Camp 4 before proceeding on to the summit. He was hoping to make a no-oxygen ski descent of Manaslu and now feels that it is simply pure luck that he is alive. Greg doesn't indicate if he'll continue his attempt or if he will now head home. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
Elsewhere in the Himalaya, far away from the tragedy on Manaslu, other teams are continuing with their expedition. There hasn't been any word from Billi Bierling in a week, although reports are that teams have moved up to Camp 3 on Makalu and may be preparing for their first summit bids. Similarly, ExWeb reported yesterday that 73-year old Carlos Soria was making progress on Dhaulagiri, having established Camp 2 and working on building C3 as well. We should hopefully have good news from those mountains soon as well.
Good luck to all the climbers planning summit attempts across the region in the days ahead. Be safe out there.
Gear Closet: Princeton Tec Apex Headlamp
Rugged and durable, the Apex Rechargeable comes equipped with a comfortable, easy to adjust headband, complete with crown strap, that holds the lamp and battery pack firmly in place, even while on the move. But if you find the battery pack too cumbersome to wear, Princeton Tec was thoughtful enough to include a 42 inch (106 cm) extension cable that allows you to wear it on your belt or place it inside a backpack. With five total lights (1 Maxbright LED, 4 white regulated LED's) the Apex is capable of cranking out up to 200 lumens on its highest setting, which is incredibly bright but still falls below the Solite's amazing 250 lumens. Also included in the box is a USB cable, a plastic bracket for the battery pack and a velcro strap that allows the light to be attached to the handlebars of your bike.
Performance wise, the Apex shines both literally and figuratively. It has four different brightness modes that each have a direct impact on the battery life. For instance, when on its highest setting (the 200 lumens mentioned above) the spotlight beam is capable of reaching more than a hundred meters out, although it comes at the expense of battery life. In this mode the Apex can run for about five hours, which is twice the burn time of the Solite at its highest setting. On its lowest setting, the battery life extends to 90 hours as the beam is dispersed wider but not so far in front of the wearer. The higher settings are fantastic while riding a bike, while the lower settings are much more useful for casual use on a backpacking or camping trip. There is also an emergency blinking mode that comes in handy if you ever need to signal for assistance.
Recharging the Apex is a snap. Simply plug it into any USB port on a computer, external battery pack or solar charger. Recharge times vary depending on which method you're using, but I managed to top the battery off using my laptop in in about four hours. A solar charger will take considerably more time, but is a viable option for when you're traveling in remote places where you don't want to take computer.
Princeton Tec added in a few extra features that help this product stand out from the crowd. For instance, it features two easy to operate switches for controlling the light, which can be adjusted nicely even while wearing gloves. The lamp itself can pivot up or down to place the light exactly where you need it and the high-tech regulation chip ensure that the brightness level of the lamp stays at a consistent level across the entire battery charge. All of those things help to round out an impressive package that climbers, backpackers and mountain bikers will absolutely love.
Those looking to shave ounces off their gear may choose the Solite 250 over the Apex. The Solite weighs in at a svelte 149 grams (5.25 ounces), while Princeton Tec's offering tips the scales at 283 grams (9.9 ounces). Most of that difference comes from the more rugged construction of the Apex, which seems like it can withstand more punishment.
The two headlamps are comparable in price with an MSRP of $150. As I mentioned with my Solite review last week, that can induce a bit of initial sticker shock, but considering how much money these headlamps can save you in batteries, it should more than make up for itself over the life of the lamp. Both are extremely high quality products that should last you for years, no matter where your adventures take you.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Video: Cycling The Silk Route With Tour d'Afrique
Over the past couple of months I've posted two trip reports (Part 1 and Part 2) from my friends at Tour d'Afrique who were busy riding 12,000km from Shanghai to Istanbul on their Silk Route tour. They recently finished up that expedition and sent me the video below to share with readers. The short film offers video clips and photos from the ride, giving us all a sense of what it is like to cycle this ancient and epic route. It looks like a fantastic experience and I thank them for sharing some of it with those of us who weren't lucky enough to join them on the ride.
Also, big thanks to Catharina Robbertze for creating the video for us. Great stuff Catharina!
Also, big thanks to Catharina Robbertze for creating the video for us. Great stuff Catharina!
Adventure Tech: Turtle Shell Rugged Wireless Speaker
Outdoor Tech is currently running a Kickstarter campaign to raise funding for the Turtle Shell. They're hoping to get about $40,000 in donations before they go into production. With just under two weeks to go in the campaign, they still have to generate a bit more than $20,000. To get there, they're providing some nice incentives for those who contribute, including selling the Turtle Shell for just $99. When it hits retail, the unit will run $149, so if you're interested, this is a great way to grab one at a discounted price.
Click here to find out more and check out the video below. Looks like a rugged travel companion for those who enjoy listening to their music on the go.
Himalaya Fall 2012 Update: Picking Up The Pieces On Manaslu
It appears that the massive snow slide started when a serac collapsed above 7000 meters (22,965 ft), tumbling down the mountain and igniting an avalanche from the nearly two meters of fresh powder that had fallen last week. That snow hit the tents in C3, where most of the climbers were still sleeping or only just started preparing for the day ahead. The entirety of Camp 3 was pushed down the mountain and the avalanche was powerful enough to even bury tents in Camp 2, located at 6400 meters (20,997 ft).
Reports indicate that there are now nine confirmed dead with up to six climbers still missing. Obviously rescue operations are on going, although there is little hope of finding one of the missing climbers still alive at this time. Yesterday there were numerous helicopter flights to pick up the injured and the dead to return them to Kathmandu. As many as ten climbers survived the avalanche but were injured, in some cases severely, in the accident. Most are now being treated in hospitals for those injuries.
Most of the big commercial teams remain on the mountain and have begun to issue statements about the situation and their plans for the days ahead. The Mountain Professional report that they had just left Camp 1 when the avalanche hit, and as soon as they got word of the accident, they elected to turn around and head back down. All of the members of the team are safe and fully accounted for in BC, where they are assessing the situation. They remain confident that they can still make a summit bid in the days ahead, but for now they're standing by to assist where needed.
Similarly, the Altitude Junkies are all safely in BC as well, although some members of the squad were in Camp 2 when the avalanche hit that area. They suffered minor injuries from the incident, although they are mostly just bumps and bruises. The latest update that members of the team are experiencing nightmares and trauma following the accident, which is highly understandable considering the circumstances. Three of those climbers will depart Base Camp tomorrow and return to Kathmandu before heading home. The others will remain on the mountain and asses the situation before moving up. This morning's dispatch does indicate that some teams have already launched their summit bids however.
Finally, the Himex squad checked in with an update today as well. All of their climbers were safely in BC at the time of the accident and are also completely safe and sound. As you can imagine however, it was a busy day yesterday while everyone scrambled for information and did what they could to lend a hand. It seems Himex boss Russell Brice helped to coordinate rescue operations on Manaslu, despite the fact that none of his climbers were involved. In his most recent dispatch, Brice talks a bit about the challenges of coordinating just such an operation. He also lent some of his very strong Sherpa team to assist in helping injured climbers down and in search operations. The team will begin their summit push soon, and Russell says that they will continue to look for the missing climbers as they go up.
That's the latest news from the mountain. It seems a sense of muted normalcy has returned their. Some climbers are clearly still shaken from the affair, with a few deciding to go home. Others have to now get focused on the task at hand, namely safely climbing up and down the 8th tallest mountain in the world. Activity will resume in the next day or two and then it'll be a busy time on the peak.
Gear Closet: Sketchers GObionic Running Shoes
Fortunately other companies have embraced the minimalist concept and delivered shoes for the rest of us. Over the past month and a half I've been testing several pairs of minimalist shoes that were built for the rest of us, and over the next few weeks I'll be posting my thoughts on each of them. The first of those shoes are the new Sketchers GObionics, which are just slightly above the FiveFingers on the minimalist continuum.
Sketchers isn't necessarily the first shoe company that comes to mind when you think about running shoes and I have to admit I was a bit skeptical when I first got my hands on the GOBionics. But then I put them on my feet and my doubts began to evaporate quickly. These shoes aren't so lightweight they practically feel like you aren't wearing anything on your feet all. Of course, thats the whole point of minimalist shoes, right?
Not quite as form fitting as the FiveFingers, the GObionics hug the feet nicely none the less. The synthetic mesh upper is extremely breathable, which came in handy in the hot Texas summer. The interior of the shoe is lined with soft, moisture absorbing materials that make it possible to wear these shoes while running barefoot, while a removable insole helps you to customize the perfect fit even further.
While these are incredibly lightweight shoes, they do have one major advantage over the FiveFingers – namely the fact that they have a sole. That goes a long way toward protecting the bottom of the foot, especially on longer runs. That alone made these a better option for me personally than Vibram's offerings, although I still felt plenty of rocks, sticks and other debris while running in my Sketchers.
The other thing that stands out about these shoes is just how flexible they are. I'm not sure I've ever put on a pair of running shoes that are remotely as flexible as the GObionic straight out of the box. There is zero break-in time with these Sketchers and as soon as you hit the road on your first run, you'll appreciate the comfort they provide.
These shoes aren't perfect however. They are still very much minimalist footwear and may still be too lightweight for a lot of runners. I personally limited my distances to just 4-6 miles in the GObionic, as anything beyond that left my feet a bit on the sore side. On longer runs I still need more support than these shoes can provide, although I have to admit they are a joy to wear on those shorter distances.
Overall, I really enjoy running in the Sketchers GObionics. They are minimalist for sure, but provide more comfort and protection than the alternative. They are the shoes for the "not quite barefoot" crowd and I think they'll be very popular with runners looking for something a bit more than what the FiveFingers have to offer. At $90 they're also quite affordable.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Commentary: Mainstream Media And Mountaineering Disasters
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Take this story from CNN for example. It seems to have been written simply to beat the "Everest is too crowded" drum one more time. The article essentially begins by saying that overcrowding on Manaslu helped to exasperate the tragedy there, despite the fact that the vast majority of teams weren't in Camp 3 when the avalanche occurred. The writer than uses some quotes from Outside's Grayson Schaffer to back up her perspective, although she does follow up by saying that the former head of the Nepal Mountaineering Association, Ang Tscherting Sherpa, claims that the avalanche was not in any way related to the number of people on the mountain. With those opening paragraphs out of the way, we launch into a report on the deadly spring season on Everest during which ten people died earlier this year. Never mind that those deaths have nothing in common with the events on Manaslu, other than the fact that they both took place on Himalayan peaks.
First, lets address overcrowding on Manaslu. Yes, it is a busy season on the mountain, which is the eight tallest in the world. That is due in part to the fact that the borders of Tibet remain closed, forcing teams that had planned on scaling Cho Oyu or Shisha Pangma to relocate elsewhere. Many chose Manaslu because it is similar in difficulty level and located completely within Nepal, making it logistically easier to pull-off. By most accounts, as many as 231 climbers were on the mountain this fall, which is more than usual but hardly makes it overcrowded.
But even if there were twice as many people on Manaslu it would still have absolutely no connection to a freak avalanche destroying Camp 3 and killing numerous people there. You simply can't predict with any level of accuracy when an avalanche like this one will occur and every one of those climbers knew that before they ever started. You could make a case that the death toll could have been much higher had more people been in C3 at the time, and thankfully that wasn't the case either. From everything I can tell, there was not an unusually high number of people at 7000 meters when the accident occurred.
Which leads us to the author bringing up Everest again for whatever reason. Any mention of Everest can make an article link-bait, which is to say draw in readers simply by the subject matter, but as I mentioned above, the deaths on the world's tallest mountain this past spring are not related in any way to those that occurred on Manaslu yesterday. Furthermore, many people in the mainstream press simply latch on to that death tool number and run with it, decrying the dangerous nature of mountaineering without really understanding what they are talking about. Yes, ten people lost their lives on Everest this year and those deaths are always tragic. But nearly 500 people successfully reached the summit as well. That means that less than 2% of climbers on Everest died. That's a pretty high success rate actually.
Is overcrowding a problem on Everest? Yes, it is an issue. But more so from an environmental standpoint than anything else. The various camps used on the climb, particularly Base Camp, can become polluted and littered with waste due to the large number of climbers staying there each season. But fortunately there are now rules in place that require the teams to clean up after themselves and pack out everything they bring with them. That will hopefully alleviate those issues in the years to come, making the mountain a cleaner place in general.
We've all seen the photos of the massive traffic jams that take place on Everest when summit day approaches and those traffic jams certainly hinder the experience. The route up Everest can indeed become a packed highway running to the top, particularly along the South Col route on the Nepal side of the mountain. Those high numbers of people do potentially lend themselves to disaster, but so far there are few incidences in which the large number of people have directly resulted in deaths. Bad decisions by the climbers and guides, or climbers that just plain shouldn't be there in the first place, make for far more dangerous situations in my opinion.
Move away from Everest and overcrowding on Himalayan peaks is hardly an issue at all. It is mainly due to the fact that a lot of people want to add the world's tallest mountain to their resume which draws them there, even if they lack experience. They'll keep coming as long as the mountain is there or until someone imposes some restrictions on how many can climb in a given year. Considering the importance of the peak to the economies of Tibet and Nepal, that hardly seems likely to happen.
It also isn't all that likely that the mainstream press will ever stop sounding the alarm bells over climbing in the Himalaya, or just about anywhere else for that matter. It draws in readers and viewers and gets the public talking. They aren't likely to ever understand why climbers do the things they do, or why they are drawn to the high places of the Earth, despite knowing that there are risks to going there.
When these accidents occur they remind us that life is fragile and that it can be snuffed out in the blink of an eye. But they also remind us that those who have lost their lives were doing so in the pursuit of the things they love most and in the environments that they cherish. That says a lot about who they are and why they were there in the first place.
Video: Split Of A Second
Looking for a shot of adrenaline today to get your week off to a good start? Look no further than the video below, which features wingsuit pilot Espen Fadness doing what he does best. The 8-minute short film is beautifully shot and shows us much more than Espen flying through the air. Excellent stuff that makes me want to become more of a filmmaker and not a wingsuit flier.
Team Seagate Wins Adventure Racing World Championships
Fa'avae was joined by teammates Chris Forne, Sophie Hart and Trevor Voyce in claiming victory on a course that featured some of the most rugged and beautiful backcountry in all of Europe. The course featured high altitude treks, plenty of climbing, challenging mountain biking and good paddling sections. It all made for a fantastic experience for the new champs and the other teams involved.
Seagate managed to complete the course in a total time of 125 hours, 40 minutes. For those new to the sport of adventure racing, that means the competed for more than five days straight, taking only brief rests here and their. They managed to outlast defending champs Thule Adventure Team, who claimed second place with a time of 129 hours, 17 minutes. Team Silva claimed third place with a total time of 130 hours, 8 minutes. Many of the other teams were still coming across the finish line over the weekend, several days behind the winners.
That'll wrap up another great season for the AR World Series. There are still a few good races to come this year, but already teams are starting to look forward to competing in 2013, when the world championship will be held in Costa Rica.
Congratulations to the new champs and to everyone who competed in this great event.
Himalaya Fall 2012 Update: Tragedy On Manaslu
Over the past few weeks we've been following the attempt by Glen Plake, Rémy Lécluse and Greg Costa to make the first climb and ski descent of Manaslu without the use of supplemental oxygen. The team had been climbing very well and were in a position to make a summit bid a week and a half ago. But the weather turned bad, dumping as much as two meters of fresh snow on the mountain and like the rest of the teams, they were forced to wait for conditions to improve.
At the end of last week, the weather took a turn for the better and the teams started to move back up the mountain. The faster teams were in Camp 3 by Sunday and were preparing to make their summit bid when the avalanche hit at 7000 meters (22,965 ft). It completely destroyed C3 and even wiped out tents in Camp 2, much further down the slope. At the time, there were approximately 25 people in Camp 3, 18 of which are now either dead or missing, including Rémy Lécluse and Greg Costa.
The team over at EpicTV have heard from Greg Plake and he is alive and coming home. After a tragedy like this one that is to be expected. Greg was in a tent when the avalanche hit and you can read his account of the incident here. He was pulled from a crevasse by members of Greg Hill's team and reportedly Hill and his squad are all okay.
The other expeditions that we've been following are all okay and safely back in Base Camp at the moment. They will now decide over the next few days what their options are for proceeding. The weather reports indicate that high winds are moving into the area, which means they won't be able to make summit bids in the next few days. That will give them time to decide on whether or not they want to go up or go home. Amongst these teams is the Mountain Professionals and IMG, who were in Camp 1 and 2 respectively when the avalanche hit.
Earlier today the Altitude Junkies weighed in with some news. Part of the team was in Camp 2 when it was hit at about 4:30 AM local time yesterday. Everyone in their squad is fine as well, although they had to spend several hours locating all of their gear, including footwear, before proceeding back down the mountain. They mentioned that a Sherpa who was in C3 at the time of the accident stumbled into camp without boots while they were there. The man was suffering from a head wound, shock and hypothermia. For a time it was touch and go as to whether or not he was going to make it but he was evacuated to Kathmandu this morning and appears to be fine. The AJ team will now spend a few days in BC recovering but the plan is to make a summit bid later in the week.
Finally, I heard from Edita Nichols' home team yesterday that she is fine and back in BC, although rather shaken by the experience. Today an update was posted to her blog saying that before any of the teams head back up the mountain, they'll first hold a second Puja ceremony to honor the dead. That should happen tomorrow as Edita's team will begin their summit push on Wednesday. They plan is to stand on top next Sunday, September 30.
That's the latest news, although I suspect we'll be hearing more about this tragedy over the next few days. I want to express my deepest condolences to the friends, families and teammates of the fallen. This will be a dark day in the mountaineering community.
Friday, September 21, 2012
Video: Pushing The Limits 2012
It is hard to stay motivated late on a Friday afternoon, particularly when the weekend is so near. Sometimes we need a little reminder of all the promise the next few days hold. The video below can help in that department. It's the trailer for a new outdoor/adventure film entitled Pushing The Limits 2012, which is set to debut in December and it quite literally has a little something for everyone. You'll find wingsuits, paragliding skiers, surfers, mountain bikers and more. All doing the things they love and doing it out on the edge. This is like a highlight reel for our planet and some of the amazing people that inhabit it. Beautiful and inspiring. I hope you enjoy it.
Pushing the Limits 2012 Full Trailer - English from Favier Simon on Vimeo.
Himalaya Fall 2012 Update: Teams On The Move
The Mountain Professionals didn't waste any time in starting their first rotation. With the storm over they moved up to Camp 1 yesterday and report that the entire team is feeling good and strong. They also indicated that the ropes aren't completely fixed to the summit yet, so there is still some work to be done before they can go to the top. This is the team's first rotation however, so they're remaining patient and keeping an eye on what is to come in the days ahead.
The IMG team went on a hike yesterday to "get the cobwebs worked out." They're planning on climbing up to Camp 1 today and then on to C2 tomorrow. If conditions are good, they'll then proceed on to Camp 3 on Sunday before returning to BC to rest and plot their next move. If all goes according to plan and they're feeling healthy, they'll start planning their summit bids sometime next week. Similarly, the Altitude Junkies were assessing the safety of the snow and hoped to follow a similar schedule. If they feel everything is secure, they'll move up to C1 today and on to C2 tomorrow as well.
Over on Makalu, Billi Bierling checks in with an update as well. She reports that the weather conditions are much better on that mountain and she and her team have just completed a rotation up to 7400 meters (24,278 ft). The Sherpas are still fixing the lines to the summit there as well, but in the meantime Billi and her companions are headed back to BC today, where they expect to find more teams arriving at last. They'll spend the next few days resting, watching the forecasts and deciding on their next move. No one is talking summit dates just yet, but it seems they're edging closer to the big day.
Now that things are settled across the region and it appears the monsoon has moved out for another year, we can expect plenty of movement on all the hills in the days ahead. There is still plenty of time before the really cold weather arrives and these teams are all on track to summit before that becomes and issue.
Update: After posting my original report, I also received news on the whereabouts of the Moguls to Manaslu team. The boys are in Camp 2 today and digging their tents out from under a meter of snow and they hope to continue up to Camp 3 tomorrow, where they're told there is over two meters of fresh powder. That means they have a lot of work ahead of them just getting their campsite back in order. They do hope to push for the summit within the next few days but considering the heavy snow and lack of fixed ropes, that may be tough going. For now, we'll just have to wait to see how their plans evolve.
Video: Mountain Biking The Inca Trail
Looking for a little Friday morning inspiration for your next adventure? Then check out the video below from Sacred Rides' recent mountain biking tour of the Inca Trail in Peru. The company organizes some of the best mountain biking tours in the world and this one looks like it's would be an amazing trip. This short film is actually more than 40 minutes in length, so kick back and enjoy.
Gear Closet: High Peak Alpinizmo Lightning 50 Pack
I was reminded of this recently while testing their new Alpinizmo Lightning 50 pack, which at first glance didn't seem to offer much in comparison to some products offered by competitors. There aren't an over abundance of pockets and storage compartments, and other than a few compression straps and an ice axe holder there isn't much to set this pack apart from the crowd. But the Lightning 50's true strength is in its simplicity and this is a bag that truly shines when you actually start putting it to use.
My early impressions of the pack changed dramatically as soon as I put it on. The Lightning is surprisingly comfortable and I love how easy it is to adjust the fit even while wearing it. The adjustable frame makes this a "one-size-fits-all" option and finding just the right settings were a snap. Even the chest strap is adjustable both vertically and horizontally, and in a matter of minutes I had the pack dialed in exactly where I wanted it.
Sticking to the no-frills approach, the Lightning 50 has just two internal compartments that are separated by a drawstring shelf. The bottom chamber is perfect for a sleeping bag of course and the top can be used for the rest of your gear. The drawstring makes it possible to open the interior into one large compartment, but I personally preferred some level of organization. The pack's lid has another pocket that is great for keeping the most important small items, such as a headlamp or multitool close at hand. Another small pocket on the waist belt is perfect for a small point an shoot camera and an energy bar.
While the Lightning 50 may appear to be a no frills pack, High Peak hasn't exactly skimped on the quality. Everything from the highly durable fabrics and thick buckles on the belts and straps are nothing short of impressive. The Vario air channel system provides good ventilation for the back while out on the trail and the built in hydration sleeve can comfortably hold hold up to a 3-liter water bladder.
All of that comes in an attractive package that weighs just 3.4 pounds and carries an MSRP of $149. That's actually a great price for a rugged pack that will keep most backpackers and hikers happy for a very long time. The Alpinizmo Lighting 50 is an excellent option for the outdoor enthusiast who just needs a simple, comfortable pack to carry all of their gear on the adventures.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Cannondale Launching New Pro-Cycling Team For 2013
The full roster for the team has yet to be determined but Sagan, who won the Green Jersey at this year's Tour de France, will form the nucleus of a young team that will also include Moreno Moser and Elia Vivani. They'll be joined by grizzled veteran Ivan Basso who will serve as a mentor of sorts to the squad.
Cannondale's relationship with the current team actually began in 2007 when they became the technical sponsor for Liquigas Pro Cycling. In 2010 the two companies became co-sponsors of the Liquigas-Cannondale Team and next year the company become the primary sponsor to the group of riders. Since coming on board back in 2007, the team has won the 2007 and 2010 Giro d'Italia, the 2010 Vuelta a Espana and two Tour de France Jerseys. In addition to Sagan's 2012 Green Jersey, the team also won a Polka Dot Jersey belonging to the King of the Mountains, awarded to Franco Pellizotti, back in 2009.
Personally, I think building a squad around Sagan is an excellent idea. That young man looks like he'll be a great rider and he seems to have the talent to be not only an impressive sprinter, but a GC contender at the Tour de France as well. It's just a matter of where he decides to focus his talents. He has a lot of upside and he's just 22 years old. Either way, it is going to be fun to watch the new Cannondale Team in the years ahead.
Video: Pacific Northwest Timelapse
We haven't had an amazing timelapse video in awhile but this one more than makes up for the wait. It features some stunning views from the Pacific Northwest that were shot by photographer John Eklund over a period of about a year. The imagery he managed to conjure up here is simply breathtaking and I suggest you take it all in without distraction.
Thanks to the Adventure Journal for sharing.
Purely Pacific Northwest from John Eklund on Vimeo.
Thanks to the Adventure Journal for sharing.
Journey America Update: From Canada To Brazil On Horseback
Over the past two months Leite has been enjoying his travels through the American west, first crossing the border into Montana and continuing South into Wyoming and now Colorado. His journey even took him through the heart of Yellowstone National Park, which had to have been a spectacular place to ride. He's averaging about 30 miles per day and has just crossed over the 1000 mile mark. In order to keep himself and his two horses fresh, he takes two days off from riding each week, which will be important for maintaing the health of his mounts over the long haul.
Filipe has reportedly been overwhelmed the support he has received on his journey. Complete strangers have given him food and supplies and offered up a place for him and his horses to spend the night. That kindness has helped make his journey an enjoyable one thus far and hopefully it will continue in that way all the way back to Brazil.
In addition to following daily updates and twice weekly dispatches on OutWild TV, Filipe is also providing information via his Twitter feed and Instagram. Considering he still has a long way to go, it should be quite an adventure to follow in the months ahead. The video below is an example of life on the road for the intrepid cowboy.
Update: Shortly after I posted this story I received a note from the Long Riders Guild informing me that before setting off on his epic journey, Filipe received advice and training from ten different members of the guild, across five different countries, that will prove invaluable on his expedition. The guild also lent him a pack saddle that he is testing on the ride as well. Apparently the pack is part of a special ten-year field test and Filipe is the most recent rider to use it on this kind of sojourn.
The Long Riders also wanted me to point out that Filipe's ride esd inspired by Aime Tschiffely, who is considered to be the greatest long rider of the 20th century. In 1925 the Swiss rider set out on a three year trek that covered 10,000 miles between Buenos Aires and New York City. Along the way he crossed over mountains, jungles and deserts to complete one of the toughest and most grueling equine adventures in history. It is quite a story which can be read in his famous book Tschiffely's Ride.
Gear Closet: Solite 250 Headlamp
One of my favorite pieces of gear that I reviewed last year was the Solite 150 headlamp from Light & Motion. At the time, I was impressed with how lightweight and bright the little torch was and I loved the fact that it came with a rechargeable battery that provided excellent burn times. Fast forward to now and the company now offers an updated version of their iconic light in the form of the new Solite 250 – a product that improves on the original in every way.
At first glance, the Solite 250 resembles its older counterpart in just about every way, but Light & Motion has definitely fine tuned it under the hood. Both lamps feature three levels of brightness and on every level the 250 gives off considerably more light while still maintaining the same battery life. For instance, on its highest setting, last year's model managed to crank out 150 lumens for roughly 2.5 hours, while the new lamp amps that up to 250 lumens for the same burn time. That's incredibly bright and I've tended to only use it on that setting while riding my bike in the dark. The medium setting drops to 125 lumens, doubling the battery life in the process. Finally, the low setting still manages to give off a very resectable 30 lumens at a battery life that extends up to 20 hours. The new Sollite also includes a special reading mode of just 6 lumens which is perfect for long nights in the tent with a good book. At that level, the lamp last 100 hours. There is also an emergency beacon mode that flashes at 30 lumen for as much as 60 hours.
Lightweight and comfortable to wear, the Solite 250 is a versatile piece of kit that can be used in a variety of situations. It ships with a wide headband that is perfect for general use, but it is a breeze to remove the lamp and battery back from the band and clip them on a backpack or belt. Better yet, the lamp will snap onto the top of the battery case, making for one powerful flashlight. Light & Motion also has mounts for both a helmet or bike available as well.
Of course, the battery pack for the Solite 250 needs to be fully charged before you head out into the field. That is accomplished by plugging it into a USB port on your computer, solar charger or portable battery pack. L&M says it'll take about 5 hours to charge it up fully, but I found that time can vary depending on the device your using to charge it with. Not all USB ports are created equal, even on computers and my Macbook Air was able to charge the headlamp much more quickly than a USB battery pack that I use to top off my smartphone from time to time.
I also found that the company's estimates for burn time were fairly accurate as well, which isn't always the case with headlamps. I didn't quite get the 2.5 hours on the brightest setting, it was closer to 2:15, but the lower brightness settings were pretty much spot on. Having that level of reliability while traveling is fantastic, especially since you won't be able to drop by a local drugstore to pick-up replacement batteries, even if a drugstore is available.
Adventure racers, mountaineers and travelers who are concerned about weight will like what the Solite 250 brings to the table. This headlamp clocks in at just 149 grams (5.25 ounces), which considering the amount of light and power it puts out, is simply fantastic. On the other hand, you'll need some way to recharge the light while on the go, which means you'll need to carry another device with you to keep it working, adding some level of weight and bulk in the process. Other headlamps that use replaceable AA batteries give you the option to carry extra batteries with you, and while I actually prefer the Solite's rechargeable option, you'll have to devise a strategy ahead of time.
When comparing this headlamp to the competition, the other thing that stands out is the price. While this is indeed a fantastic light – perhaps the best I've ever used – it still carries an MSRP of $150. That's probably a bit steep for many buyers, but when you consider the amount of cash you'll save on batteries over the years, it more than makes up for that initial cost. And this is a piece of gear that will indeed last you for years, which makes that initial sticker shock seem a bit less intense when you think about it.
If you're in the market for a new headlamp for your next adventure or long distance race, the Solite 250 should be on your short list. It is a fantastic piece of gear will serve you well in a variety of situations. I love how lightweight this lamp is and how much light it can put off as well. Light & Motion has topped themselves with this new product, taking everything I liked about last year's model and improving it in every way.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
British Ultra-Runner To Attempt Round Trip North Pole Expedition
Describing Tim's adventure as a round trip to the North Pole and back simply doesn't do it justice. He has so much more than that planned. The entire journey is expected to cover approximately 2200 miles (3540 km) beginning and ending in civilization. That means he doesn't plan to charter a plane to fly him out to a starting point, but will instead embark on January 13, 2013 directly from Resolute Bay in Canada. Tim expect to return to Resolute just 100-120 days later, which is an incredibly fast time. Even more impressive, he plans on completing the expedition without the use of skis.
In a press release I received earlier in the day Tim is quoted as saying "The majority fail because they aren’t built for walking long distances. This is the thing I’m specially built for. The North Pole holds a great amount of wonder to me, and as an ultrarunner, it is the ultimate challenge."
For anyone who understand the logistics of travel in the Arctic and the herculean task of getting to the North Pole, this will be one epic journey to watch unfold. Traveling across the ice and snow without skis, while dragging all of his gear, food and supplies behind him on a sledge is not going to be easy, even for an endurance athlete. Add to the fact that he's going in the dead of winter, when there is no daylight, and you begin to get a sense of challenges that Tim will face. But the extreme cold at that time of the year will also help to keep the pack ice in place and he could possibly face fewer open leads of water along the way.
I've said more than once in the past few years that the days of traveling to the North Pole on foot may be coming to an end soon. Climate change is making that a very dicey proposition to say the least. It'll be interesting to see an ultra-fit and fast runner give it a go early next year, as Tim's approach is certainly a unique one. I'd hasten to bet he's doing it on a budget that is fraction of what Sir Ran is using to go to the South Pole and back. One thing is for sure, 2013 is going to be an interesting year for polar explorers.
Tim's expedition will be coordinated through DiscoverALifeLessOrdinary.com, in conjunction with Chillisauce.co.uk/.
Himalaya Fall 2012 Update: Storm Over On Manaslu
As I suspected in yesterday's post, the Moguls to Manaslu ski team has been in Base Camp along with the rest of the climbers, despite reports to the contrary. They had planned on beginning their summit bid last Sunday, but the poor weather conditions stalled those efforts. Now that the storm is over however, the boys are revising their approach. They now believe they'll make a single push up to Camp 2 starting tomorrow with an eye on heading towards the summit as early as possibly Sunday. They're hoping to become the first climbers to summit and make a ski descent without the use of supplemental oxygen and thanks to heavy snow on the mountain, that should be an easier descent at least. The climb will likely be more difficult until that snow settles however.
Meanwhile, the Altitude Junkies checked in this morning and report that while the snow stopped for a time, it has continued later in the day. They note that several teams went up the mountain as soon as the storm broke, but that conditions above Camp 2 are now unsettled and they've already witnessed some slides. That has given this team enough of a reason to wait, as the forecasts say the weather will continue to improve over the next few days and that will help settle the snow on the upper slopes.
The IMG squad is taking a similar wait-and-see approach. Their team is staying in BC as well while they let the snow settle some. They did send their Sherpa team up to Camp 1 to dig out the tents and other gear, and while they report that everything is good at that location, there is as much as a meter of fresh snow. That will make climbing higher a lot more challenging and as a result, they'll wait for conditions to improve too.
Finally, Edita Nichols has decided to take a break from the boredom of Base Camp while she waits for her opportunity to head up. Yesterday she went down to the village of Sama Goan just to get some exercise and leave BC for awhile. She notes that she has been awoken in the night by the thunderous sounds of avalanches on more than one occasion which is another good reason to wait for the fresh powder to consolidate on the slopes.
It seems that the weather is finally changing for the positive and the teams will have a window soon. Those that are already acclimatized will likely begin the first push on Manaslu this weekend, resulting in early summits by next week.
New Endurance Stage Race Grand To Grand Ultra Begins This Weekend
The race is called the Grand to Grand Ultra, deriving its name from the fact that it begins at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and ends at the summit of the Grand Staircase in Utah. Over the course of next week, competitors in the event will be running an average of 28 miles per day, mostly through remote desert regions as they pass through two national forests and Zion National Park on their way to the finish line.
As is typical with these kinds of events, the G2G Ultra requires that all of the competitors be self supporting while out on the course. That means they won't just be running more than a marathon per day, but they'll also have to carry all of their gear with them while out on the course. Mandatory gear includes first aid and emergency supplies, a windproof jacket, lightweight sleeping bag and more. They'll also need to haul their food and water with them as well although they will receive fresh water at each of the checkpoints they pass through along the way.
One of the things that I find most interesting about this race is that the organizers are giving away some of the proceeds to charity. This year they selected one of my favorite organizations, impossible2Possible, to be the beneficiary of those charitable contributions. I've written numerous times about the efforts of i2P, which encourages education and physical activity through the use of adventure. The non-profit organizes a couple of expeditions to remote places on the planet each year and then interacts with students and faculty in a variety of classrooms to help raise awareness of global issues. It's a great program and one I'm always happy to see get some attention.
The G2G Ultra actually begins Sunday morning at the North Rim. While it is underway you should be able to get updates from the official website. And if you want to take part in the 2013 version of the race, they are already accepting early bird applications.
Book Review: Extreme South
While they were on their expedition, Cas and Jonesy issued regular dispatches from the Antarctic that helped to keep us informed of their progress and struggles. Those dispatches gave us a glimpse of what it was like to spend 89 days out on the ice but they couldn't paint a complete picture of the experience. But now we can get the whole story of their of their adventure in the form of a new book entitled Extreme South that was written by Cas himself.
Cas and Jonesy were no strangers to adventure prior to their Antarctic expedition. The duo has spent 62 days in a kayak of sorts crossing the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand. That was feat unto itself and for most people it would be enough adventure for a lifetime. But not long after completing that epic journey, the boys found themselves craving another one. A bigger and even more challenging one.
They knew right away it would be Antarctica and they knew that they wanted to do something different than simply skiing to the South Pole. The idea to make it a round trip came quickly but the details of the plan took some time. They also had a lot of preparation to do, including getting into physical condition for the hardships they'd face and learning to ski. Yep, that's right, the two would-be Antarctic explorers had never skied prior to the start of their training.
The first part of the book, entitled "The Early Days," focuses heavily on their panning, preparation and training. Of course they faced a few obstacles to overcome along the way, but before they knew it, Cas and Jonesy were leaving Australia and were on their way to Punta Arenas, Chile – the jumping off point for the Antarctic. While there they would meet Norwegian skier Aleksander Gamme, a solo explorer who had the idea to attempt the exact same journey as the Aussies. Gamme had plenty of experience in cold climates and his heritage made him a natural skier. A friendly rivalry ensued between the three men, but at that time they could have no idea that their paths would cross again before the end.
The second, larger part of the book is called "Crossing the Ice" and it truly gets down to the nitty gritty of the expedition. It is, quite literally, a day-by-day account of what it was like to ski from Hercules Inlet to the Pole and back again. The daily entries give great insights into how demanding, both physically and mentally, an expedition such as this one can be.
The endless snow and ice, along with the unrelenting cold temperatures and wind, can truly take a toll on even the strongest person. This is particularly true when when exposed to them for weeks and months on end. In reading the account of their journey it was interesting to hear how physically demanding the days were early on but in the end it was the mental challenges that became more difficult to over come. And while the men traveled together they were also very much alone at times. Add to it nagging pain and injuries, lack of sleep and a never ending hunger and you begin to understand why so few people are able to actually complete a journey such as this one.
On December 30, 2011, Cas and Jonesy reached the South Pole. It was an immense achievement and it made them feel like all of their struggles and difficulties were all worth it. But they were also behind schedule and the plan wasn't just to go to the Pole but also back to the start again. Something that had never been accomplished before. Their joy at reaching 90ºS was short lived however, as they knew that they had a long way to go before they were done. Worse yet, time was starting to run short and if they were going to return to Hercules Inlet, they would have to redouble their efforts. But the wind was at their back, the sun in their face and they were literally heading downhill at last.
The final section of the book deals with that long slog back to the start. A harrowing journey that took every last ounce of strength to complete and made all the more difficult because they were rushing to catch the last plane off the ice. We always knew that this was no easy ski in the park, but the book underscores that point in spades.
It may be a cliche by Extreme South is the very definition of a page turner. It's fast and easy to read and it always leaves you wanting more. This is a book that you don't read, you devour. Usually in large chunks and I found myself staying well up past my bedtime just wanting to "read one more day."
I highly recommend this book not just to those who followed Cas and Jonesy on their Antarctic adventure but to anyone planning an expedition of their own, whether thats to the South Pole or elsewhere. There are some excellent nuggets of information that can help in the planning, but more importantly there is a lot to be learned about being mentally tough in the face of overwhelming challenges.
I received a copy of the book directly from Cas himself, and for that I am eternally grateful. Amazon sells a Kindle version for just $17 which is a steal for a modern adventure story such as this one. I enjoyed ever moment of Extreme South and I think you will too.
One question for Cas however. When did you find time to write this? The book was done and published before you had completely thawed out or put back on all the weight. Well done mate!
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