Video: Running The Badwater Ultramarathon

The Badwater Ultramarathon just might be the toughest footrace on the planet. It is a non-stop run of 135-miles in length through the hottest environment on the planet. Those who enter are not only fantastic athletes, they also have an uncanny ability to happily endure suffering.

The video below follows one such athlete, Michael Arnstein, as he attempts to run the race for the first time. Michael, who happens to be a fruitarian, shares his approach to nutrition and preparation for a race of this length, which tests him both physically and mentally throughout. If you have ever wondered what goes through the mind of an ultrarunner while they are out on the trail, you'll definitely enjoy this video. It is an 18-minute short film that profiles the Badwater quite well.


Day in the Life 10; Michael Arnstein at the Badwater Ultramarathon from True Love Health on Vimeo.

Adventurer Makes History In The Last Desert

Earlier this week I posted a story on the Last Desert ultramarathon, a tough six-stage, seven-day race that just wrapped up in Antarctica. The event capped the 2012 edition of the 4 Deserts series of races and was a grueling event that tested athletes both physically and mentally.

One of the competitors in the event is a 60-year old adventurer by the name of Len Stanmore and by completing the race he has managed to add yet another accomplishment to his already impressive resume. Len is now officially the first person to ski to both the North and South Pole, climb all of the Seven Summits and run each of the 4 Deserts ultras. That's quite a bit of adventure for one lifetime.

Len's adventurous life actually began back in 1998, when he sold off his successful telecommunications company and suddenly found himself financially secure and with plenty of time on his hands. A bit out of shape and looking for ways to motivate himself, he decided to set a goal for climbing Kilimanjaro and in 2001 he did just that. After that he was hooked, and soon found himself pursuing a host of other active endeavors including running in the Transrockies Run and numerous marathons, in addition to the expeditions mentioned above.

Perhap's Len's greatest achievement falls in the realm of fund raising for his favorite charity. At the end of the Last Desert, he'll have raised more than $100,000 for Trekking for Kids, an organization dedicated to improving orphanages around the globe through the use of purpose-driven, socially-conscious treks. The non-profit actually organizes some of the world's most iconic treks and sends hikers off on adventures as a way to raise funds for the cause. Some of those treks include hikes to Everest Base Camp, up Kilimanjaro and through the Andes of Peru.

According to the official results of the Last Desert, Stanmore has finished 31st of 49 competitors, putting him right in the thick of the pack. But considering he adventurous outlook on life and approach to raising funds for a good cause, I'd say he more than finished out front. You definitely have to respect a person who has found a way to enjoy their life and pursue all of these great adventures, while still finding a way to give back in the process. We should all be so fortunate.

Climb For Change Launches New Online Fund Raising Platform

Often times when I write about the adventures of othera I regularly note that they are undertaking some endeavor in an effort to raise funds for a charity or cause. Those actions are always applauded of course and I know many people in the outdoor community who relish the opportunity to give something back and contribute in some way. The challenge arises when they try to balance those fund raising efforts with all of the logistics that come along with launching a new expedition. It can be really difficult to plan all of the details of an adventure, test and pack gear, gather necessary permits and visas and coordinate with other members of the team, while still trying to promote a cause. Thats about to get a lot easier thanks to Climb For Change and their newly launched Campaigns site, which aims to make fund raising efforts a lot easier.

The idea behind the  Campaigns site is a simple one. Make it as easy as possible for teams making charitable climbs around the world to set up a webpage where others can donate to their cause. The pages allow for a great deal of customization and branding, and they even incorporate social media elements that make it easy to share on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and so on. Climb For Change Campaign pages are safe and secure, allowing donations to be easily accepted with all funds going directly to any registered charity in the U.S., U.K. or Canada. The process of signing up is simple and anyone can begin accepting donations in no time at all.

If anyone knows something about raising funds through worldwide adventure, it's Climb For Change. I first wrote about them two years ago, and since then the organization has continued to grow and expand. The site was designed to be a hub for adventurers of all kinds to meet and share ideas on how they can make a difference in the places that they visit during their travels. An active community has grown around the Climb For Change website, making it a great place to interact with others who are planning expeditions of their own. Adding the ability to easily manage charities campaigns seems like a natural extension of the community and I applaud the efforts of the CFC team for undertaking this initiative.

If you're planning a fund raising campaign of your own, give this new tool a look. It will certainly take a lot of of the work out of the process.

ExWeb Has Details On Big Upcoming Winter Climbs

It is hard to believe but winter is now officially just three weeks away here in the Northern Hemisphere. Traditionally that is a quiet season in the Himalaya, where on the hardiest of climbers attempt the big peaks during the coldest and most demanding time of the year. Over the past few years however, there has been a string of winter attempts on some of the toughest peaks on the planet, and it looks like this year will be no different. Explorers Web has the scoop on several of these climbs, including an interesting attempt on Everest that should be quite the expedition to follow.

According to ExWeb, three of the five scheduled Himalayan climbs this winter will be supported by Jasmine Tours. That includes two expeditions to Nanga Parbat (8126 m/26,660 ft) and one on Broad Peak (8051 m/26,414 ft), neither of which has been successfully summited in the winter. The two Nanga teams consist of a Polish squad and an international group, while Broad Peak will be led by Polish climber Krzysztof Wielicki, although the rest of the team has not been selected yet. Apparently there are some financial restrictions for that climb, which is usually not a great sign for a winter expedition.

Perhaps the most intriguing of the winter climbs however will take place not in Pakistan but in Nepal. ExWeb reports that Denis Urubko and Alexey Bolotov will be attempting a winter summit of Everest along a new route and in alpine style. That means that they'll be going up the tallest mountain in the world without building camps and by carrying all of their gear with them at all times. That is contrary to typical climbs on these big mountains, but Denis is well known for taking a "pure" approach to his expeditions and it doesn't come much more pure than this. Everest along a new route is a challenge in any season, but doing it alpine style in winter will certainly set the bar high.


Of course, the other big winter climb we'll be watching with interest will be Lonnie Dupre's third attempt at a solo summit of Denali in January. That mountain has of course been climbed in winter before, but no one has done it alone and in the worst month of the year. Dupre has managed to come close over the past few years, but bad weather has turned him back each time. He'll once again carry no tents but will instead dig out snow caves at various altitudes that he'll use as his shelters throughout the expedition. As in previous years, he'll likely leave for Alaska at the end of December, and be in place to start the climb on January 1, making sure he can maximize every day in that month that he can.

This is just a preview of some of the things we'll be following closely in the weeks ahead. It looks like the winter mountaineering scene will be an interesting one once again this year.

Adventure Tech: Microsoft Surface Pro Pricing And Availability Announced

One of the more interesting and exciting tech tools to be announced in recent months has been Microsoft's Surface tablet. With its 10" screen, touch interface and included case/keyboard, the device immediately captured the attention of travelers and adventurers who were drawn to the small size, durability and potential to be more productive than other tablets currently on the market.

When the device was announced we were told that it would come in two flavors, Surface RT and Surface Pro. The RT, which was released a month ago, runs a scaled down version of Windows 8 but still came across as a breath of fresh air for the tablet market. But the Pro version we're told will run a full version of Windows and will be powered by an Intel Core i5 processor, which is the same processor that many laptops run. When the Surface was announced, we didn't know when to expect the Pro version or how much it would cost, but yesterday Microsoft filled in the details.

The Surface Pro will be released in January and come in two configurations. The 64GB model will cost $899 and the 128GB version will be released at $999. Both system swill include a stylus for taking notes, drawing or for general handwriting input. Unfortunately, neither of the Pro models will come with the excellent Surface Touch or Typc Covers, which are standard on the RT model. Adding one to the Pro will set you back another $99. Considering these covers are a part of what sets the Surface apart from the competition, it's a bit disappointing that it isn't included out of the box.


The disappointment doesn't end there however. It seems the more powerful processor on the Surface Pro really puts a hit on the battery. Where as the RT model can last about 10 hours between recharges, the Pro is rated for just 4. That is severely limiting for a product like this one, which many of us had hoped would last all day and provide performance above and beyond similar devices from the competition.

It will be interesting to see how well the Surface Pro performs when it is actually released. The promise is there for it to be a powerful mobile device for doing a lot more work than is typically possible with other tablets, although the relatively short battery life could be a limiting factor. Still, this lightweight and very small device remains very intriguing as a communications and productivity tool for use in Base Camps around the world. Whether or not it is a suitable replacement for a laptop remains to be seen.

Video: Kayakers Have Close Encounter With Whale

One of the things I love about kayaking is how close it allows you to get to nature. Of course, at times that can mean getting a little too close to nature. Take for example the sea kayakers in the video below, who were paddling off the coast of Norway this past weekend when they came across a humpback whale. Just how close did they get? You'll have to watch the video to see for yourself, but lets just say it's closer than most of us would feel comfortable with. I also learned from this video that certain words are universal in meaning and pronunciation, no matter the language.

Tip of the hat to my friend Laurel over at Gadling for sharing this video earlier. Very nice find.

Video: Trailer For Dear Governor Cuomo

If you have any kind of environmental slant you probably already know what "fracking" is and why it is such a hot button topic at the moment. But for those who aren't aware, fracking, or more properly hydraulic fracturing, is the process of drilling and injecting fluids into the ground at an extremely high pressure in order to fracture shale rocks to release natural gas. Proponents of the procedure see it as a way to get more natural gas out of the Earth and as an economic stimulant. Those opposed to it cite concerns with how the process will pollute both the air and more importantly the local water supply. The process has also been shown to cause contaminate the ground with chemicals at the site of the drilling too.

A new documentary film called Dear Governor Cuomo takes a look at the impact of fracking on the state of New York and how one man – Governor Andrew Cuomo – can make a huge difference simply by banning the practice. This past May, a group of musicians, actors, scientists and activists gathered in Albany, NY to ask the Governor to join the anti-fracking movement. The documentary, which is written and directed by our friend Jon Bowermaster, is a blend of moving music and a powerful message of protecting the environment.

The film is in limited release now and is an important one, even if you don't live in New York.

Amazon Express Update: End In Sight

Over the past few months we've been closely following the Amazon Express expedition, during which West Hansen and his team of paddlers have been attempting to travel source-to-sea along the Amazon River. This is, of course, a major undertaking which began back in the Peruvian Andes in August, continued down into some of the most intense whitewater on the planet and later out onto the wide expanse of the might river itself. It has been quite an adventure for the entire group, who continue to paddle on now, knocking off roughly 50+ miles (80+ km) per day. But the end is in sight and they are nearing the finish line at last. If all goes according to plan they should reach the mouth of the river and the Atlantic Ocean sometime early next week.

According to their latest dispatch, West and company are expected to reach Belem, the last major city before the end of the paddle, on Monday, December 3. Belem sits approximately 77 miles (123 km) up river from the point where the Amazon empties into the Atlantic. At this point, they don't expect to pull into the city at all, but instead paddle past it. Taking their current speed into account, it seems likely that they will then wrap up the expedition on Tuesday or Wednesday of next week at the very latest. By the time they are done, they'll have kayaked in excess of 4000 miles (6437 km) through some of the most remote and isolated regions on Earth.

These past few weeks have not been particularly easy ones for the team. As they've paddled further down the river, the current has gotten slower, making it more difficult to cover adequate mileage each day. On top of that, the conditions have gotten windier, which always makes paddling tougher, and they are now dealing with the effects of tides as well. As a result, they're only managing about 3-3.5 mph (4.8-5.6 km/h) in the mornings. In the afternoons the winds die down, allowing them to go faster, but that is also when the tides are at their highest, so that time of day presents its own set of challenges. Needless to say, it has been exhausting work and the crew is ready to finish up and head home.

It looks like next week they'll get to do exactly that.

Video: Wingsuits Over Dubai

If nothing else, the video below proves that flying a wingsuit over Dubai looks just as amazing as you would imagined it would. This short, but sweet, video mixes some great timelapse images with fantastic aerial shots from high above one of the most dynamic cities on the planet. The only downside? The video is too short, ending before you know it and leaving you want to more.

I guess we'll have to just watch it more than once!

Exploring the Sky: Dubai from Richard Schneider on Vimeo.

Antarctica 2012 Update: Slowly and Steadily Heading South

It has been a productive week in the Antarctic, where South Pole skiers are making good progress and the Lake Ellsworth research team has gotten down to business. There is still plenty of work to be done, but it is good to see some encouraging and positive news from frozen continent at last.

The skier who has suffered the most so far this season is easily Aaron Linsdau. He hit the ice early in an attempt to get as quick of start as possible on his Hercules Inlet to South Pole and back again journey. But so far weather conditions haven't cooperated and Aaron has had a very tough time gaining any kind of momentum. He seems to be getting on track a bit now, although he still has a long way to go and has dug himself in to a mileage deficit over the first few weeks of the season. Still, his daily distances are increasing and he's trying to put as positive of a spin on the situation as he can. Do give you an idea of how difficult it has been for him, yesterday he traveled for 9 hours and managed to cover 7 miles (11 km) and those numbers are an improvement over his first few weeks. Whether or not he can take it up a notch and still manage to reach his goals remains to be seen, but high winds, whiteouts, nasty surface conditions and blizzards have all worked against him thus far.

In contrast, Vilborg Arna Gissurardóttir of Iceland has been out on the ice for ten days now and yesterday she covered 20 km (12.4 miles) and crossed the 81st latitude. That means that she is actually gaining quickly on Aaron and picking up speed nicely as she makes her bid to become the first woman from her country to ski solo and unsupported to the South Pole. To be fair, Vilborg is carrying less gear and supplies with her, making it much easier for her to go faster. Her trip to 90ºS is one-way and she has no intention of trying to make it back to Hercules, where as Aaron is carrying twice the amount of supplies in the hopes of making the 1400 mile (2253 km) round-trip a reality.


Also now out on the ice and making steady progress is the In The Footsteps of Legends team. This it he group of British vets who were wounded on active duty in Iraq and Afghanistan who are making a last degree journey to the South Pole to raise funds for the Walking with the Wounded program as well as Alzheimer's Research UK. They've now been underway for a total of four days and have managed to cover a bit over 10 miles (16 km) so far. Their entire journey is expected to take about 19 days to complete, so they're just getting warmed up. These first few days have been spent acclimatizing to the conditions (temperatures have been around -25ºC/-13ºF) and getting use to pulling their heavy sleds filled with gear. After another day or so of getting their legs under them, I would expect that we'll start to see them pick up momentum as well.

Finally, the entire Lake Ellsworth team is finally onsite for their research project which entails drilling through 3 km (1.8 miles) of ice to reach a subglacial lake. Their intention is to take water samples from that lake in hopes of gaining insights into what the climate in Antarctica was like thousands of years ago and to see if there is any life there now. The team has already drilled the first sections of the hole, but they are still bringing their heavy equipment online, so the project has yet to ramp up fully. One of their first tasks will be to collect a massive amount of snow that they can use as melt water inside the drilling system. The estimate they will need about 90,000 liters (23,775 gallons) of water to run the drill, which means they first have to collect about 270,000 liters of snow. Fortunately they have plenty of heavy equipment to help collect the snow, but all of it will have to be fed into the drilling system by hand. That will certainly keep them busy over the next few days.

That's all for now. More teams heading out on the ice soon and activity seems to be increasing on schedule. December is going to be a busy month at the bottom of the world.

Win A Water Purifying Bottle And A Box Of Energy Bars From Journey Bar

Last week I shared my thoughts on some tasty new energy bars called Journey Bars that are unique in the flavors that they offer. Rather than going with sugary-sweet tastes like so many similar products from competitors, Journey Bar has instead elected to go with savory options such as coconut curry, parmesan romano and hickory barbecue. I gave the bars high marks for offering something different and for being healthy and easy to carry along on trips, long hikes or runs.

This week Journey Bar has launched a new contest that could give you the opportunity try these new bars as well. Entering the contest is easy. All you have to do is select one of your favorite travel photos and email it to socialmedia@journeybar.com. In that email, recommend a Journey Bar flavor that you think is appropriate for the destination, such as wasabi in Japan or bacon in Canada. The most creative entries will be posted to the JB Facebook page. If yours happens to make the cut, get your friends to "like" the photo or retweet it on Twitter. The one that gets the most social media love will win the prizes.

Those prizes include both a sample box of Journey Bars and a travel water bottle with a built-in water purifying system. For more information, hit the Facebook page now.

Red Bull Rampage To Air On NBC December 8

A few weeks back we all enjoyed some highlights from the Red Bull Rampage free-ride mountain bike race that went down in Virgin, Utah last month, often marveling at the riders ability to defy gravity. The race features a course with some impossibly narrow trails, usually flanked by significant drops on either side, that are occasionally broken up with some massive jumps and drops. The competitors launch from a starting gate and scream down the hill to reach the finish line some 1500 feet (457 meters) below. How exactly they get there is up to them, but lets just say the results can be pretty spectacular.

If you live in the U.S. and you want to see more of the race, then you're in luck. NBC is going to be airing the Red Bull Rampage on Saturday, December 8 from 2-4 PM Eastern Time. The coverage promises to give us even more spectacular shots of these athletes putting their bikes and bodies to the test on a course that most of us would think is just plain crazy to even attempt to ride.

And if you just can't wait until December 8 to check this event out, then here's another clip from the race to get you excited. It features helmet cam footage of Darren Berrecloth as he rides through part of the course, giving you a good idea of just what kind of trail the riders are dealing with.

Leo Houlding To Climb Antarctica's Ulvetanna Peak

So far, the bulk of our attention for the 2012 Antarctic season has been focused on the progress of the South Pole skiers and a few other expeditions to the frozen continent. But in December, a number of climbing teams will head to Antarctica as well with the bulk of them setting their sights on Mt. Vinson, the tallest peak on the continent. But there are plenty of other climbing challenges to be had at the bottom of the world and British climber Leo Houlding will be taking on one of the toughest.

Houlding, along with five other climbers, will be traveling to Ulvetanna Peak, also known as the Wolf's Tooth, in late December to attempt to scale the 9612-foot (2929 meter) mountain. While that altitude doesn't sound particularly daunting by Himalayan standards, when you consider that its Northeast Ridge is 6500 feet (1981 meters) in height, of which 4265 feet (1300 meters) is a vertical ascent, you begin to see the scope of the challenge. Add in temperatures that routinely drop to -50ºF/-45ºC, along with plenty of wind and snow, and this expedition has all the ingredients to make it a true suffer-fest. Additionally, those conditions are likely to play havoc on the team's gear as well, adding to the challenge by making very difficult to keep everything in working order.

Located in Queen Muad Land in eastern Antarctica, the Wolf's Tooth is a remote and daunting mountain. It's first ascent was completed in 1994 and it has been summited only a handful of times since. Leo and his crew hope to add their names to the short list of climbers who have managed to scale its heights however and if they have time they intend to knock off a few other peaks in the area as well.

You'll be able to follow their progress on the Berghaus Blog once they get underway.

Thanks to Outside Online for sharing this story.

Video: Official Teaser For Into The Mind

Into The Mind is the latest film from the very talented group of filmmakers at Sherpas Cinema. The movie will take a philosophical look at why we push ourselves to pursue the adventures we do and will examine our almost inexplicable draw to the mountains. The teaser below gives us a sample of what to expect and if the full film will be like this three minute video, I'd say we're in for one hell of a ride. The cinematography, lighting and imagery are all top notch and there are some refreshingly creative concepts on display here. Simply put, this is one beautiful teaser trailer that will definitely leave you wanting more.

After watching this, I suddenly feel the need to return to the Himalaya soon. Wow!

Into The Mind - Official Teaser from Sherpas Cinema on Vimeo.

Last Desert Antarctic Marathon Underway

One of the more unique ultra-marathon events in the world got underway this past weekend with the start of the Last Desert marathon in Antarctica. The event annually draws a group of very dedicated runners who travel to the bottom of the world to compete in an endurance event in one of the more extreme environments on the planet.

The seven-day, six-stage race if the fourth and final event in the 4 Deserts ultra-marathon series. In order to compete in the Last Desert, the 49 competitors, from 27 countries, first had to finish at least two of the other three events. Those races are held in the Sahara, Atacama and Gobi Deserts and are equally as grueling as this one.

 The Last Desert course covers 250 km (155 miles) that are spread out over six days of racing. During that time, the athletes will visit such locations as the South Shetland Islands, Jougla Point, Petermann Island and Deception Island. Those locations will serve as the challenging and dramatic backdrops for one promises to be one of the most difficult endurance challenges that these competitors will ever encounter.

Simply getting to the starting line of this race is quite an endeavor. The competitors first had to fly to Ushuaia, Argentina where they then boarded a ship to sail across the infamous Drake Passage, a place that is well known for its rough seas and unpredictable weather. With that crossing complete, they were then free to begin their week-long test of endurance, during which they are running more than a marathon each day in conditions that include plenty of ice and snow that can be as much as a meter deep.

The Last Marathon will run through Sunday of this week and at its completion, the entire group will once again have to sail across the Southern Ocean to return to Ushuaia.

Pretty amazing event. I have a great deal of respect for these men and women and their obvious love for  running long distances in somewhat less than ideal conditions.

Celebrate 50 Years Of American History On Everest With The Himalayan Stove Project

Without a doubt, 1963 was an incredibly important year in terms of American history on Everest. On May 1 of that year, Jim Whittaker made the first successful summit of the mountain by an American and three weeks later he was joined by Willi Unsoeld and Tom Hornbein who completed the first ascent along the difficult West Ridge. It was a season for the ages at a time when the number summits in any given year could be counted on two hands. It was a very different era on the world's tallest peak, before anyone ever used the words "over crowding" to describe the scene there. 

In 2013 we'll celebrate the 50th anniversaries of those historic climbs and I'm sure that next spring there will be plenty of pomp and circumstance surrounding the anniversary. But my friends over at the Himalayan Stove Project are kicking off the celebration early with a special fund raising event that will run for a very limited time. The organization is offering a special USA on Mount Everest poster that has been commissioned specifically for the HSP. 

Only 250 of the limited edition and numbered posters have been printed and they'll only be available while supplies last or until the end of December. The posters are available with a $250 donation to the Himalayan Stove Project, with all proceeds going directly towards delivering clean and efficient cook stoves to people living in Nepal. The organization has set a goal for itself of delivering 10,000 such stoves over the next five years and our contributions will help achieve that goal while dramatically altering lives at the same time. 

To make a contribution to this great cause, and get your hands on one of these beautiful posters, head over to the HSP donations page. This one of a kind print would make a fantastic gift for the Everest fanatic on your holiday list this year, but you'll want to order soon. These posters are likely to get snatched up very quickly and once they're gone, they're gone. 

Nat Geo's Ultimate Adventure Bucket List

Looking for some suggestions on where to go and what to do on your next escape? Then check out the Ultimate Adventure Bucket List courtesy of National Geographic Adventure. The list was compiled by Nat Geo editors who asked past Adventurer of the Year winners to share their biggest, best and most outrageous expeditions from the past. The result is 20 great stories that will have you plotting your next excursion as well.

Some of the epic adventures include surfer Maya Gabeira traveling to Alaska to ride big waves off the coast of that state. If that doesn't get your adrenaline flowing that perhaps Dean Potter's account of Free climbing the Eiger in Switzerland or Trip Jenning's paddle down the Pandi River in Papua New Guinea is more your speed. For polar explorer Borge Ousland the dream trip was a solo expedition to the North Pole and for climber Cory Richards it was a trek to the top of Gasherbrum II in Pakistan.

Each of the Dream Trip listings also includes a bio of each of the Adventurers as well as their pick for a single piece of gear that they take with them on their expeditions. Those gear items include everything from GoPro cameras to sunglasses and backpacks and so much more. I found the gear picks to be particularly interesting as it gives you some insight into what these daring men and women value while they're out on the their adventures.

Now obviously these dream trips are beyond the means for many of us, but they can also serve as a source of inspiration. For instance, you may not be ready to try to take on an 8000 meter Himalayan peak, but perhaps Kilimanjaro is the mountaineering adventure you crave. Similarly, you may not have the means to go hiking trails in Iceland, but there are probably some excellent backpacking trails within driving distance that might prove interesting as well. The point is, we can all gain inspiration from this "bucket list" even if we don't have the opportunity to do the same journeys ourselves.

Video: Polar Training In Greenland

In 2013 a team of polar explorers that includes the likes of Ben Saunders, Martin Hartley and Alastair Humphreys is planning on making an unsupported round-trip South Pole expedition that will cover more than 1800 miles (2896 km). Preparing for such a journey is never easy, particularly since it is difficult to locate a place that can replicate the kind of conditions that you'll find in the Antarctic.

Greenland is one such place as it offers up plenty of snow and ice, not to mention sub-zero temperatures and high winds. Last year the three men spent two weeks in Greenland training for their South Pole expedition. The short film below was shot during that outing and serves as a great example of the efforts that polar explorers go through to get ready for the rigors of the trail. The video is 20 minutes in length and beautifully shot. I hope you enjoy it.

Greenland from Studiocanoe on Vimeo.

Man Visits Every Country In The World Without Flying

According to this article from The Age, a British man has earned the distinction of becoming the first person to visit every nation on the planet without flying. 33-year old Graham Hughes says that he has spent the better part of the past four years traveling the globe to accomplish this feat, ending his quest by crossing into the Earth's newest country, South Sudan, a few days ago.

Hughes says that his journey began on January 1, 2009 in Uruguay. Since then he has spent 1426 days traveling almost non-stop, visiting 201 countries in the process. In addition to visiting all 193 members of the United Nations, he has also dropped by the Vatican, Kosovo, Taiwan, Palestine and the Western Sahara.

Graham tells The Age that he actually had four rules for how he would travel. In addition to not flying anywhere, he also vowed to not drive his own vehicle either. He could only take scheduled ground transportation and his definition of visiting a country meant that he had to step foot on dry land.

The world traveler says that visiting places like Afghanistan, Iraq and Somalia, while dangerous, were actually quite easy. Because those countries lack proper border controls, it was easy to sneak into them. Thats in contrast to Russia for instance, where he was arrested while crossing the border. He was also tossed into a jail in the Congo for a week as well. The hardest places to visit? Those would be the tiny island nations of the South Pacific, which are difficult to reach by anything other than an aircraft.


Hughes undertook this journey to raise funds for WaterAid, an organization dedicated to finding clean drinking water for developing parts of the world. He also apparently has stockpiled quite a few photos from his journey and posted them to his website, but as of this writing the site appears to be down.

As someone who absolutely loves to visit the remote corners of the globe, I have to say I'm a bit jealous of Graham's travels. But then again, he was also knocking off countries at a surprising pace (133 in 2009 alone!) which doesn't really allow for someone to get a true taste of the culture. While he has had the opportunity to visit some amazing places, I have to imagine that he doesn't remember much about many of them nor did he really get the opportunity to enjoy many of them either. I do love that he traveled over land however, as that experience is unlike any other.

Thanks to my friend Alan for sharing this great story this morning. It definitely has me thinking about my next journey!

Swisse Mark Webber Tasmania Challenge Adventure Race Begins Wednesday

The 2012 adventure racing season isn't finished quite yet. On Wednesday of this week, the Swisse Mark Webber Tasmania  Challenge will get underway, pitting some of the best endurance athletes in the world against one another on five-day stage race that will cover more than 350 km (217 miles) of Australian wilderness.

Like most other adventure races, the Tasmania Challenge pits teams of two or three against one another  on a wilderness course that they will need to run, mountain bike and paddle through. Other challenges will crop up on a daily basis as well, pushing racers to their limit by testing their skills at navigation, climbing and a variety of other activities. And since this is a stage race, each of the five days will have a clearly defined start and finish line, which makes it easier for fans to follow along at home. Look for live tracking and regular updates from each stage to begin appearing on the race website on Wednesday.

The race is put on by F1 driver Mark Webber, who also happens to be a big fan of adventure racing. It is designed to be used as a fund raiser for charities in Australia and 100% of the proceeds generated from the race are given to those causes. This year the money will go to the Save the Tasmanian Devil Appeal, a group dedicated to helping find a cure to a rare strain of transferrable cancer that afflicts that species.

All the action gets underway on Wednesday morning local time and runs through Sunday when a champion is crowned.

All-Female Rowing Team To Cross Pacific In 2013

A four-woman rowing team is gearing up to take on the Pacific Ocean next summer. The crew, which consists of Annabel Hancock, Laura Penhaul, Becky Scott and Wendy Hilton, intend to set out on their three-stage crossing next June, departing from San Francisco on what is expected to be a six month long, 8500+ mile (13,680 km) journey.

The Coxless Rowers will spend their first 50 days out on the water by rowing from their launching point to the Hawaiian Islands, covering more than 3000 miles (4828 km) in the process. Following the completion of that stage, they'll move on to the second, 2600+ mile (4185 km), 60 day row that begins in Hawaii and ends in Samoa. Finally, they'll wrap things up with a third leg that well cover some 2810 miles (4522 km) between Samoa and Cairns, Australia.

The ladies are hoping to become the first all female team of four to row across the Pacific. As we all know, Roz Savage did it solo a few years back, but in her case she rowed one stage per year over the course of three years. The Coxless Rowers are hoping to push straight on through, manning the oars in two-hour shifts, 24-hours per day while out on the ocean.

At the moment, the team is focused on their training and getting their new boat read for the sea. They hope to take possession of that boat sometime in December and begin testing it out on the water in January after it has been completely outfitted. That should give them plenty of time to be ready for their June 2013 launch.

Follow their progress on their website, Facebook page and Twitter feed.

Video: Is This Mountaineering?

Last Monday I kicked off the week with a video of Davey du Plessis sharing his story of survival in the Amazon at a recent FEAT (Fascinating Expedition and Adventure Talks) event in Johannesburg, South Africa. That same evening, climber Ed February also gave a presentation on the state of modern mountaineering. Ed, who has been climbing for more than 30 years, took a look at the correlation between the rise in the number of climbers on Everest since 1990 with the increase in the number of billionaires on the planet over the same period of time. Surprisingly enough, the growth rate of both are eerily similar, which has led February to believe that there are a growing number of mountaineers who have the money to climb big peaks, but not necessarily the time to do so. Instead of earning experience and skills the old fashioned way, namely through years of hard work, they simply pay someone to guide to them to the top, even on peaks they really have no business being on. This is a complete reversal of how things were done in the past, in which the climbers actually led the Sherpas up the mountain.

It really is a fascinating discussion and one that could spark some good conversation. Ed wraps up the talk with a good message for everyone to consider however, telling us not to worry whether what someone else is doing is "true mountaineering" and just focus on our own approach to climbing.

Antarctica 2012 Update: Struggles Continue

While I've been away enjoying the holiday break here in the U.S. the intrepid teams of polar explorers that we've been following in the Antarctic have continued their expeditions on the frozen continent. Despite the fact that a few days have passed since our last update, conditions haven't necessarily improved much and the early South Pole skiers are struggling against a number of challenges.

The one who seems to be struggling the most at this point is 24-year old American Aaron Linsdau. As you probably recall, Aaron is hoping to make the roundtrip journey from Hercules Inlet to the South Pole and back, covering more than 1400 miles (2253 km) in the process. So far there have been few things that have gone his way and he has struggled to put any significant dent into that distance over the course of his first three weeks out on the ice. For what ever reason, Aaron's method of travel simply hasn't been all that efficient and he has spent long days covering short distances.

On top of that, he has also now developed chilblains on his hip, which could be a cause for concern moving forward. The condition stems from someone being exposed to cold and humid conditions for a prolonged period of time, creating blisters on the skin that can cause itching, inflammation and infections. Aaron has been taking step to prevent the blisters from cracking, but it sounds like it is painful condition to be dealing with right now.

Fortunately he was able to speak to Antarctic skier Hannah McKeand who offered him some advice on how to travel more efficiently in the demanding polar conditions. Hannah has made several trips to the South Pole over the past few years and will be guiding another team to 90ºS soon, so she is an expert on travel on the frozen continent. Aaron hopes to use her tips to help start covering more ground in less amount of time, but if he isn't able to generate more speed, he'll have to consider his options for what he can accomplish during his time in Antarctica. He says that he has already been in contact with ALE and  is weighing some choices at the moment. If I had to guess, I would bet the journey will be cut in half, ending at the South Pole rather than attempting the turn around back to Hercules. But for now we'll just have to wait and see if Aaron can pick up the pace.


Meanwhile, Icelandic solo-skier Vilborg Arna Gissurardóttir has been out on the ice for a full week now and is certainly making better progress that Linsdau. She's covering between 9-10 miles (14-16 km) per day despite the surface conditions not being optimal. Vilborg says she's been encountering a lot of sastrugi – small ridges in the ice – which are hard on the body and the gear. Throw in some strong headwinds and at the end of the day she's crawling into her tent exhausted. Still, se remains in good spirits, has her focus squarely on the South Pole and is covering the distances she needs in the early days of this kind of expedition. Once she reaches the Antarctic Plateau, I suspect she'll be off and running quite nicely.

A new group of skiers arrived in the Antarctic yesterday and are currently at Union Glacier preparing to start their journey to the South Pole as well. They are part of the In The Footsteps of Legends team who are celebrating the 100th anniversary of Robert Falcon Scott's fateful expedition to the bottom of the world. The squad, which is led by Justin Packshaw and David Hempleman-Adams, mainly consists of British soldiers who were injured while on active duty in Afghanistan or Iraq. The team is making a 19-day, 140-mile journey the South Pole to raise funds for the Walking With The Wounded and the Alzheimer's Research UK organizations.

Finally, Eric Larsen is busy getting ready for his Cycle South expedition during which he'll be riding a specially outfitted bike to the South Pole. He hopes to set out in just three weeks time and before he gets underway there are a lot of details to consider. Eric shares many of those details in a blog post today that anyone who is interested in expedition logistics will find quite interesting. He talks gear, training, menu planning a whole lot more. It is a good read for those considering their own Antarctic expedition or simply just want to know more about what goes into one.

That's all for now. More updates later this week as we see new arrivals setting out at last.

Video: Sh*t People Say To Climbers

I caught this video yesterday and got a couple of good chuckles. I suspect a lot of you will enjoy it too. It seems like a perfect way to wrap up the week, as I'm off to enjoy a nice long holiday weekend here in the States. Tomorrow I'll enjoy a full Thanksgiving dinner and then spend much of the rest of the time off outside somewhere enjoying the fall weather here in Texas.

For all my friends here in the U.S., enjoy Thanksgiving! And for everyone else, I look forward to getting back to sharing all the news from the world of adventure next week.

Oru Kayak: Origami That Floats!

In the market for a new kayak but don't have a lot of room to store one? Then have a look at this intriguing new model from a company called Oru. The boat, which is 12 feet (3.6 meters) in length and weighs just 25 pounds, seems to be a work of ingenious design. In less than five minutes it goes from folded flat and stored inside its included case, to fully functional and ready to hit the water. The secret? A permanently molded skin, with only a single seam, that makes the transformation quick, painless and easy.

The kayak is currently in the Kickstarter phase with plans to bring it to market in the Spring of 2013. The designers were hoping to raise $80,000 to build their pet project, but with 27 days (as of this writing) to go in their campaign, they've already managed to collect $170,000+. As always with Kickstarter, the various levels of donations get you a variety of perks, but in this case, a pledge of $800 actually reserves one of the first models for you.

I'm curious to see how well this paddles. I have to admit, I'm definitely interested in this boat. It really is quite an interesting design and I look forward to hearing how it performs on anything other than flat water.

Thanks to reader Will Kirby for sharing this very cool find!

Nat Geo Adventurer Of The Year Travels The Streets Of Afghanistan

Afghanistan is a country that has been embroiled in turmoil and conflict for decades. Since the Russians invaded back in 1979, the nation has been at war in some form or another. When the Russians pulled out and went home in 1989, an internal struggle grew with the Taliban coming to power. 11 years ago they were over thrown by an invading American force hell-bent on finding and destroying al-Qaeda. That conflict is finally starting to wind down as well, but Afghanis are bracing for a renewed civil war which will help decide what course the country charts for the future.

That is the historical and cultural landscape in which National Geographic Adventurer of the Year Shannon Galpin operates with her amazing Streets of Afghanistan project. The touring photo and art exhibit, which is on display in Kabul now, is the result of a collaboration between photographers from within Afghanistan itself and from the West. The images that they have captured provide a mix of emotions, at times uplifting and joyful, and at others heartbreaking and sad. They are scenes of life from  that country, which much like life everywhere else on the planet, has both moments of serenity and chaos. 

The photos weren't just taken and then hung on a wall somewhere. Quite the contrary actually. The images were blown-up to life-size, which goes a long way toward further conveying the sense of actually being there. The exhibit originally went on display in mountain towns in Colorado and has since garnered more widespread attention elsewhere. Galpin felt it was important to take it to Afghanistan itself however and in October that dream became reality. 

Shannon also happens to be a tireless advocate of women's rights and in a country life Afghanistan that can be a challenging cause to take up. But it is clear that she feels a deep connection with the country and feels that now is a time to work for change. With that idea in mind, she launched her non-proft organization Mountain2Mountain back in 2006 in an effort to promote educational opportunities for women living in conflict zones around the world. 

This is an amazing project that has found a way to use art and culture to create bridges of understand and new opportunities for a country that continues to struggle for peace. 

Antarctic 2012 Update: Progress At Last

It may yet be early in the 2012 Antarctic season, but it has already been a difficult one for Aaron Linsdau. He's now been joined out on the ice by Vilborg Arna Gissurardóttir and both are finally making some good progress. They face some major obstacles towards reaching their respective goals however and as we learned today, Aaron is still getting a feel for travel in the Antarctic.

If you've been following Aaron's progress thus far you know that he has struggled mightily in his first few weeks out. He's hoping to go from Hercules Inlet to the South Pole and back, but bad weather and slow travel have been a hinderance thus far. He has finally found enough snow to start skiing however and that has helped increase his speeds. Rather than covering just 1-1.5 miles (1.6-2.4 km) he is now hitting 4.5 miles (7.2 km) on a daily basis. But considering the round-trip expedition is suppose to cover 1400 miles (2253 km) in total, he isn't traveling near fast enough to cover all that ground in the time allotted.

In today's dispatch Aaron has some insight as to why he is not traveling as quickly as he would hope, even though the weather as improved and he is on his skis at last. He now believes that he is not eating properly and that his nutritional plan may be failing him. Skiing for hours on end, day after day, requires a lot of energy and these polar explorers burn through calories very quickly. Linsdau says that he is running out of steam after pulling his sleds for only a brief amount of time, and because of that he has to stop, find something quick to eat, and then get moving again. Those frequent stops are killing his distances and making it hard for him to gain any kind of momentum. He will be re-evaluating his approach to how and what he eats over the next few days to see if can help his performance.


I found it very interesting to read this dispatch as it gives us a bit of insight that we wouldn't normally think about for these kinds of expeditions. We know that these explorers must be fit and prepared to endure difficult conditions, but we don't often think about the importance of staying well fed and keeping your energy up while traveling through such a demanding environment. Clearly Aaron did all of his prep work to be in the best shape possible for this journey, but Antarctica is still teaching him some very important lessons 18 days into the trip.

Meanwhile, Vilborg has officially launched her bid to become the first woman from Iceland to go solo and unsupported to the South Pole. She doesn't seem to be having as much difficult as Aaron, at least not so far. In her first dispatch, since getting underway, she reports that she has covered 9 miles (14.4 km) in 6.5 hours of travel. From the sounds of things, she is relaxed and enjoying the challenge, listening to her iPod while she skis. Hopefully the rest of the journey goes as well as it has in her first few days.

Finally, the Irish team of Clare O'Leary and Mike O'Shea, along with guide Bengt Rotmo, have wrapped up their crossing of the North Patagonia Icecap. The entire journey took 19 days to complete and covered approximately 250 km (155 miles). If you're looking for a taste of what that journey was like, take a peek at the video below. It is beautifully done, but definitely shows us a hint of the suffering involved along the way.


PATAGONIA from Sean Mac an tSithigh on Vimeo.

Gear Closet: Hydrapak Tamarack

Looking for a versatile and full featured new hydration pack to accompany you on your outdoor adventures? Something that can serve you equally well while trail running, snowshoeing, mountain biking or just plain hiking? Then look no further than the new Tamarack hydration backpack from Hydrapack, a comfortable and affordable bag that also happens to feature one of the best water bladders you'll find anywhere.

The Tamarack has a capacity of just 7L and weighs in at 1.1 pounds (.52 kg). Despite its diminutive size however, this pack is capable of swallowing up quite a bit of gear. The numerous pockets and organizational sleeves help to keep everything well organized and I appreciated the small touches, such as the integrated key clip and fleece lined media pocket with a headphone port.

For a pack of this size and weight, I was quite impressed with its level of comfort the Tamarack offers. Often times a company will scrimp on the padding in order to save weight and bulk, but Hydrapack has managed to include shoulder straps and a back panel that are still very nicely padded. As a result, I was able to wear this backpack all day long without every feeling uncomfortable. Even while loaded up with gear and supplies, the bag was a joy to wear and the thin waist and chest belts kept the pack from jostling about even while moving at a quick pace.


Any review of the Tamarack would be remiss if it didn't mention the fantastic hydration bladder that is included with the pack. For starters, it is a full 3-liter bladder, which is amazing for a bag of this size. But beyond that, the bladder features a great slide open top that makes it easy to fill and yet seals tight when you're ready to hit the trail. Best of all, no matter how much abuse you throw at it, the bladder doesn't leak or drip, keeping you plenty dry while on your active excursions. It is also PVC free, which makes it healthier to drink from, and the high quality bite valve and hose feel like they'll last forever.

Clearly Hydrapack has put a lot of thought into their water bladders and it shines through when you put it to use. But after you're done with a full day of activities, its important that you get the bladder both clean and dry. The Tamarack's hydration bladder is actually fully reversible, which means you can turn it inside out, making it a snap to keep clean. That means no more strange fungi growing in the lower corner of the bladder that you can't possibly ever get out. It also means that you won't be going through bladders as quickly as you have in the past.

Another nice touch on the Tamarack is a hydration sleeve that features 360º of insulation. With your water source well insulated, it will stay warmer or cooler long than with a typical pack. It even protects against body heat, which is fantastic on those warm weather excursion. I was surprised at how well this extra insulation works, particularly since I prefer my water to stay cool for as long as possible.

The Hydrapack Tamarack carries an MSRP of $109.99, which is an excellent price for a pack of this quality. During my testing of this bag I fell in love with its size and comfort, and I think you will too. This is a versatile and fun pack that also happens to come with an excellent hydration bladder, making it an incredible bargain overall.

Video: Another Beautiful Timelapse From Joshua Tree

Lets wrap things up today with another amazing timelapse video from Joshua Tree. As usual, the images captured here by the filmmaker are simply breathtaking. The video opens with clouds moving through, but then gives way to incredibly clear skies with a billion stars overhead. Definitely a sight to behold. While you can enjoy the small version of the two-minute film here on my page, to get the full effect you'll want to watch it in HD and with a good pair of headphones.

I really need to go back to Joshua Tree. Such a wonderful place.

JOSHUA TREE JOURNEY 3: STORM from Sunchaser Pictures on Vimeo.

Adventure Tech: National Geographic National Park App

Looking for yet another great use for your iPhone or iPad? Then look no further than the National Parks app from National Geographic. It's a high tech tool for planning your visit to more than 20 of America's top parks such as Yellowstone, Yosemite and Zion.

The app is free to download but includes the option to buy special map packs for each of the parks for $1.99 each or the entire collection for the bargain price of just $9.99. Those packs offer highly detailed topographic maps that feature points of interest (complete with GPS coordinates), hiking routes, lodges and more. The editors of Nat Geo have even compiled their favorite must-do and must-see experiences for each of parks, making it even easier to know what you should do when you arrive at your national park destination. Other features include photo galleries, complete with images from the National Geographic archives, collectable park stamps, social networking integration and a personal space for saving your own notes, itinerary and photos.

The National Parks app has actually been available for some time, but a recent update has added some new features. It has now been optimized for the new iPhone 5 screen and has iCloud integration allowing users to sync map packs across all of their iOS devices. There have also been improvements to the already fantastic maps and the addition of an in-app store for purchasing a variety of fun national parks apparel and other gear.

Nat Geo's app is a great example of how technology and outdoor adventure can come together quite nicely. The maps are super high in quality and the fact that they can integrate with the phone or tablet's GPS system extends their usefulness greatly. The points of interest database for each park is quite extensive and includes thousands of locations, which comes in handy not just before your visit, but while you're there as well.

The $9.99 price tag is incredibly inexpensive for everything that is included in this app. If you're a fan of the national parks and visit them often, then this is a must have.

Paddler Makes First (Illegal) Descent Of Italy's Marmore Falls

EpicTV posted an interesting story today that has me a bit conflicted. The article talks about the first descent of Marmore Falls in Italy by kayaker Dario Vanacore and even features some impressive photos from the stunt. The falls, which stand 165 meters (540 ft) in height, are amongst the tallest in all of Europe and are a popular tourist attraction as well. They feature a three-stepped drop and were partially carved by the Romans to help facilitate the flow of water into Rome, which gives them both a natural beauty and historical significance.

The problem is, paddling the falls is illegal and Vanacore had to take some clandestine maneuvers in order to go over the spectacular 25 meter (81 foot) section of the falls that he was able to successfully ran. According to EpicTV, Dario snuck onto the premises after dark and stashed his boat and paddling gear in an out of the way area. The next day he strolled into the area in his street clothes, slipped into the area where his kayak was hidden, changed into his paddling gear and went over the falls. Once at the bottom, he simply paddled away without any contact with the authorities.

Apparently Vanacore took the plunge six months ago, but because he didn't document his drop, he decided to go back and do it again. This time with photographers, and presumably a helmet cam, to capture the moment.  The image shown here and on EpicTV's website are from that second run down the Marmore.

So here is my conundrum. While I applaud these bold kayakers who make these impressive drops over these massive falls, I am a bit dismayed that Dario did this knowing full well that it is illegal. I think the paddlers who take these plunges must have nerves of steel and more guts than I would have, but I have a hard time condoning their actions when they are running a river (or falls) illegally. It is these kinds of actions that give outdoor athletes a bad name and cause others to be met with suspicion even when they aren't doing anything wrong. There is already enough opposition toward riding mountain bikes on certain trails, climbing on certain walls or paddling some rivers. We don't need to be giving fuel to any argument that prevents us from enjoying the outdoors because certain athletes want to climb, ride or paddle where they aren't suppose to be. See Dean Potter's climb of Delicate Arch from a few years back as an example.

I suspect that Vanacore may still receive a visit from the long arm of the law now that it is known that he is the one who made the illegal drop. If not, he should count himself lucky and move on. I salute him for his adventurous spirit but kindly request he keep future first descents on rivers and water falls that we are allowed to paddle.

Man Completes 5000 Mile Trek Around Asia For Charity

For more than a year American Winston Fiore has been wandering around Southeast Asia, crossing through nine countries and covering more than 5000 miles (8046 km) on foot. The former U.S. marine undertook this journey to raise funds for a charity that he started called Smile Trek, and yesterday he completed his walk having raised nearly $66,000 for the organization.

Smile Trek was launched to raise money to help repair cleft palates on children in developing countries.  A cleft palate is a birth defect in which a child is born with a permanent gap in his or her lip that requires reconstructive surgery to repair. It isn't an especially difficult thing to fix but in poor and under developed nations most children who are born with a cleft palate never receive the medical attention they need to close the fissure. Through his efforts, Fiore hopes to help change that for at least some of those children.

His journey started last October in Singapore and led him into Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, China, Taiwan, the Philippines, and Brunei. Since he was walking the entire way, he needed good maps and directions to help navigate through that part of the world and he apparently relied heavily on Google Maps for his directions. I came across his story on the Google Blog, which included the video below. That video comes across a bit like a commercial for G-Maps, but it is also very well done and shares some moments from the trek too. 

Covering 5000 miles in just 408 days is fairly impressive. I can't imagine all of the amazing and wonderful encounters he had along the way. I love Winston's story, his sense of adventure and his dedication to a good cause. 

Journey Bar Puts The Savory Back Into The Nutrition Bars

I have tasted the future of energy bars and they are most certainly savory.

I recently had the good fortune of trying some samples of a new nutrition bar that were sent my way for tasting. They're called Journey Bars and they take a decidedly different approach than most other similar snacks on the market. While the competition has perfected the sweet energy bar, the company behind the Journey Bar has elected to go with more savory flavors instead. That means you won't find any chocolate, peanut butter or brownie flavors on the menu here. Instead you'll get parmesan romano, hickory barbecue and pizza marinara, amongst others.

Journey Bars aren't just unique in flavor however as they also are made from the best possible ingredients. These bars are both GMO and soy free, and they use organic whole wheats and other natural elements. There are even vegan options available for those who prefer their bars without animal products of any kind. Best of all, because these flavors aren't sweet, there aren't any traces of sugar to be found either.

The first thing that struck me when I unwrapped my first Journey Bar was how crunchy it was. Most other energy bars are soft and moist, but the parmesan romano was considerably harder, almost a bit too much so. I was a bit worried that while these bars would indeed be tasty, that their crunchy side would be too much for most. Turns out that first bar wasn't indicative of the rest of the Journey line-up, and each of the bars had its own unique textures and level of crispiness. That crunchy texture has a nice side benefit as well as it keeps the bars from melting in warm temperatures. Who hasn't  peeled off the wrapper from their favorite bar only to find that it had melted into a gooey mess?


I found the Journey Bars to be a refreshing change of pace from some of the other options I've been using for years. While I still enjoy the traditional chocolate or peanut butter energy bar, I definitely welcomed the variety that these bars deliver. I also found that I actually liked the crunchy texture as well. Not only is it different from most of the competition, it makes it also makes them a fantastic snack to carry with you on a day hike or an expedition to the far corner of the globe.

The Journey Bars are even quite affordable. A variety pack of 12 or a box of your favorite flavor is just $20. That's not bad at all considering all of the goodness inside the package.

Video: To The Summit Of Kangchenjunga

At 8586 meters (28,169 ft) in height, the mighty Kangchenjunga is the third tallest mountain on the planet. Falling on the border of Nepal and India, the mountain actually consists of five massive summits, each of which is a challenge to climb. The video below was shot by mountaineer Tunc Findik when he summited the mountain back in 2011. It gives us all a good look at what it is like to climb this monster which is amongst the more challenging, but lesser known, 8000 meter peaks.

KANGCHENJUNGA 8586 m.-Tunç FINDIK 2011 SUMMIT AT KANCHENJUNGA! from nurdem on Vimeo.

Cannondale And Team Sho-Air Launch New Mountain Biking Team

Cannondale and new partner Team Sho-Air have announced the launch of a new mountain biking team to compete in the North American World Cup series. The new unit, which will be based out of California, is now called Sho-Air/Cannondale and will be taking part in the 2013 cross-country and endurance race seasons.

The squad will consists of professionals riders Max Plaxton, Pua Mata, Alex Grant, Jeremiah Bishop, Tinker Juarez, and Manny Prado as team support. Grant, Bishop, and Juarez have a long standing relationship with Cannondale have raced as part of the company's Factory Racing Team. They'll be joined by motorsport legends Eric Bostrom and Josh Hayes. Five-time amateur National Champion and Tyson Kady will serve as the new Director of Team Operations.

The Sho-Air/Cannondale mountain bike team will race on the sweet looking Scalpel and F29 bikes, both of which fall into the now insanely popular 29'er category. Check out the video below to catch the squad in action and get a glimpse of the machines they'll be competing on.

Video: Davey du Plessis Shares His Story For The First Time

This past summer we all received a sobering reminder of some of the challenges that our favorite adventurers must overcome while traveling in remote places. Back in July, Davey du Plessis set out to trek, cycle and paddle the length of the Amazon from source to sea, which at the time seemed like a wonderful adventure in one of the world's most iconic places. Early on, we followed Davey's progress closely, watching him pass important milestones on the journey. But in late August the adventure community was shocked to learn that he had been ambushed in the Amazon, shot, robbed and left for dead. Fortunately he survived, was airlifted to Lima, Peru and received the best medical attention possible considering the circumstances. After that, the story went quiet and Davey has shared little information about his harrowing story.

That is, until he appeared at FEAT (Fascinating Expedition & Adventure Talks) a few weeks back. In that forum, which is a bit like TED Talks for the adventure crowd, he shared his full story for the first time. The video of his presentation was posted to YouTube yesterday and you can watch it in its entirety below. If you've been wanting to learn more about Davey's story then you'll definitely want to watch this one.

Thanks to FEAT founder and organizer Lisa de Speville for sharing this.

Antarctica 2012 Update: Weather Improves At Last

If you've been following my regular updates on the progress of the explorers in Antarctica you no doubt know that the weather has been less than kind so far. Things did improve some over the weekend however, making it possible for Aaron Linsdau to finally start making some progress, while giving another South Pole skier the window she needed to get underway.

Aaron has continued to post daily updates on his progress, which up until now has been painfully slow.  High winds, whiteouts and blizzards have made things extremely difficult for the 24-year old American who is hoping to ski from Hercules Inlet to the South Pole and back again. On top of that, surface conditions have also been poor, preventing him from actually skiing. Instead he's has to travel on foot so far, which has limited the amount of mileage that has been able to cover. This past weekend however, the weather took a turn for the better and wind conditions calmed down some. As a result, Linsdau was able to knock off more than 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) on successive days. That may still not seem like a lot, but for Aaron it is definitely significant progress.

Things haven't all been great for him however. He managed to break his snow shovel while digging out his tent, which will likely prove to be very frustrating in the days ahead. On one occasion it took him 2.5 hours to dig out his shelter, which had been buried in snow following 40-50 knot winds, and that was before the shovel broke. Now it's going to take even longer to accomplish those tasks, although he does have a plan to try to repair the tool.


Reading Aaron's daily dispatches give everyone a good indication of what it is like to attempt this kind of journey to the South Pole. You can feel his frustration as he wants to go faster, but simply can't just yet. Dealing with equipment failures and challenges seems par for the course as well, as he's even had to set up his solar panels inside his tent in order to collect any power. If left outside, the winds would have destroyed the panels and Aaron knows that they are his lifeline at the moment. Sometimes we take for granted what these adventurous people are doing in the Antarctic, but these dispatches will give you a healthy dose of reality very quickly.

The shift in weather has allowed Vilborg Arna Gissurardóttir to launch her solo and unsupported ski expedition to the South Pole as well. The 25-year old from Iceland is hoping to become the first woman from her home country to make such a journey and it'll be interesting to see if she finds similar conditions to what Aaron has been experiencing. Vilborg arrived at Union Glacier on Saturday and will likely spend a few days getting organized before hopping a flight to Hercules Inlet for her start. Look for that to happen tomorrow or Wednesday.

That's about all there is to report as we launch into a new week. Other South Pole adventurers will soon be en route and the season will really pick up steam, but for now it is just the early-birds out on the ice and hoping to make progress.

Erik Weihenmayer To Paddle The Grand Canyon

Looking to start your week off with a little dose of inspiration? Then look no further than this article on Erik Weihenmayer that was published by the New York Times last week. Most of us are aware that in 2001 Erik became the first blind person to summit Everest and since then he has continued to amaze with his various other adventures, which include climbing the rest of the Seven Summits, cycling from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam and competing in adventure races, amongst numerous others. But now he is planning a challenge of a completely different nature as he is currently preparing to kayak down the Grand Canyon.

In the article, the New York Times caught up with Erik while training at the U.S. National Whitewater Center in North Carolina, where he can perfect the skills needed to kayak the Colorado River through the Canyon. Those skills are daunting for someone with normal vision, but for Erik they require a completely different level of dedication. He says that he paddles by listening to the water around him and feeling what is beneath his boat and paddle. It is an intuitive approach to the sport that can only be mastered through practice and experience. Even with that experience however, Erik is trailed by a friend while out on the water who gives him verbal directions on which way to go and how far to turn.

There is no specific date set for when Weihenmayer will make his attempt on the Grand Canyon, although he says that if his training continues to progress that he hopes to do so next year. The trip will be a long and demanding one through some remote parts of the country. Erik says that they won't even be able to use satellite phones to stay in contact on certain sections of the paddle, which will be a multi-day affair.

Considering all of the things he has accomplished, you would think at some point I would cease to be amazed at the things that Erik does. But paddling the Grand Canyon will be yet another amazing feat to add to a resume that is already full of fantastic adventures.

Video: Opening Day At Snowbird

Over the next few days a bunch of ski resorts will be opening in time to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday here in the States next week. One of the biggest resorts around is Snowbird in Utah. Yesterday, my friend Matthew Karsten of Expert Vagabond fame was on hand to enjoy the day. He shot this great little video and shared it earlier. It definitely makes me want to go play in the snow!

Fun Fact: Snowbird owner Dick Bass was the first man to climb the Seven Summits.

Hatra: Exploring an ancient city in Iraq

I'm fortunate enough to get to meet and work with some very adventurous people. One of them is writer Sean McLachlan, who contributes regular travel and adventure stories at Gadling.com just like I do. Sean has recently returned from a visit to Iraq, which is one of those places steeped in history and culture, but is viewed by many as far too dangerous to actually go and visit themselves. He's been posting stories of that amazing journey over on Gadling for the past few days, but he has also graciously offered to share one with Adventure Blog readers as well. You'll find that story, about a visit to an ancient Arab city below. Enjoy!


Hatra: Exploring an ancient city in Iraq
By Sean McLachlan

Iraq is rich with ancient heritage. Babylon, Ur, and Uruk are famous as urban centers of the Cradle of Civilization. One of the most impressive sites, however, is little known outside the country.

The city of Hatra was founded in the third century BC by Arab tribes. Archaeologists believe it was the first Arab city. In ancient times it sat on an important trade route and the only good water supply for miles of desolate wasteland. Hatra served as a vassal state to the Parthian Empire of Iran and thus ended up on the front line of its war against the Roman Empire. Roman legions besieged the city in 116 and 198 AD and were pushed back both times. The Hatrans had built four miles of strong city walls and used catapults to bombard the attackers with flaming balls of bitumen and jars filled with scorpions.

Nowadays Hatra lies in an underpopulated region in northern Iraq, about 180 miles northwest of Baghdad. Our bus sped for hours along a Saddam-era highway through featureless desert, escorted by a pickup truck packed with Kalashnikov-toting Iraq police. While we had had no serious trouble so far (other than my almost getting arrested) the police insisted on coming along. As I gazed out the window at the hypnotic expanse of brown sand and pale green scrub, I couldn’t imagine any terrorist wanting to bother with the place.

The first thing you see as you approach Hatra is a giant crane looming over a Greek-style temple. The crane was from a reconstruction project during the Saddam era, finished now just like Saddam. Our guide told us the crane has been standing there rusting for more than a decade. What should have been an eyesore seemed, upon reflection, to be an appropriate addition—another relic of dead imperial ambition.

Hatra’s kingdom has little left above the surface except at this site. As we approached, we passed low mounds that may have been Roman siege works like those at Masada, Israel. Then we came to the walls, which two thousand years of desert winds couldn’t entirely destroy. Even now they look formidable, and I wasn’t surprised that the Romans, parched under the Middle Eastern sun, failed to take them.

We parked in front of the main temple, which in fact housed temples to several gods and goddesses. Being located between several cultures, the Hatrans adopted many different deities—the Akkadian death god Nergal, as old as civilization itself; the Greek messenger god Hermes; even the new god Mithras, whose mystery religion was Christianity’s main competitor for converts in the first few centuries after Christ. The buildings had a mixed quality to them too, with the balance and symmetry of Greek architecture and the elaborate Oriental decoration of Mesopotamia and Persia.

Our guards seemed as impressed as I felt. None of them spoke English, so we relied on my 200-word vocabulary of badly pronounced Arabic. They found my repertoire vastly amusing and soon I had a small crowd of them following me around the ruins. They kept calling friends on their cell phones and having me try to talk to them. One guy called up his wife. All she heard was some foreign voice saying salaam aleykum and her husband laughing in the background.

She hung up.

We discovered a dark staircase piercing the cyclopean walls of the main temple. Treading carefully, we ascended and came out on top, our eyes blinking at the harsh sunlight. From there we looked out at the crumbled foundations of temples and homes. The Iraqi police filmed the scene with their cell phones and had me wave at the camera.

One stood next to me at the edge of the wall, smiling as he surveyed the ruins.

“Zeen,” I said. “Good.”

“Ha ha,” he laughed and nodded. “Zeen zeen.”

Our guide had told me that during the Saddam era the schools didn’t teach ancient history, instead only teaching the history of the Baath party and Saddam’s life. I wondered if this policeman knew anything about this place, knew that he was standing in the first great city of his people. I wondered what he thought about that.

I never found out. I lacked the words.

Sean McLachlan is the author of numerous books, including the Civil War novel A Fine Likeness. Visit him on his blog and read more about his travels in Iraq in the special series on Gadling, Destination: Iraq.