Accident In Tanzania Claims Life Of Long Rider, Leaves Another Seriously Injured

Sad news coming our way from the Horse Talk website today where a story has been posted about an awful accident in Tanzania. Long Rider Christine Henchie and her fiance/travel companion Long Rider Billy Brenchley were struck by a bus earlier this week, claiming the life of Christine and putting Billy in the hospital with serious wounds. Their horses were also left in grave condition, fighting for life following the incident.

Christine and Billy have spent the last few years on one of the most ambitious equestrian adventures that you can imagine. The two set off in 2007 to ride their horses from the northernmost point of Africa – Cape Blanc in Tunisia – to the southernmost point located at Cape Agulhas in South Africa. Since that time they have faced a number of obstacles and challenges, both natural and  manmade, while enjoying numerous encounters with local people and their cultures.

On Monday of this week, the two Long Riders stopped to visit with the inhabitants of a remote village in Tanzania known as Isela. While there, an out of control bus smashed into the gathered crowd, claiming the lives of Henchie and several bystanders. The Horse Talk article notes that "Charles Mahugija, 60, and Willy Masanja, 55, were slain and 25 bystanders, including many small children, were mown down by the speeding vehicle."

Brenchley managed to survive the accident but suffered a broken leg in the process. He is now in a hospital in Kenya, where he is recovering from his broke bones and broken heart. The two horse, both of which survived the accident, are in the care of local villagers in Tanzania, who are feeding and caring for them while they wait to be retrieved.

The article has a lot more details on both the accident itself and the amazing journey that Christine and Billy were sharing with one another. From the sounds of things, it was an experience unlike any other, with dozens of local Africans following them at all times, fascinated by their horses. It is both an enthralling and tragic read, and it is a shame that it has ended in this fashion.

My condolences go out to Billy, as well as Christine's friends and family. This is definitely a sad story.

Happy 125th Anniversary National Geographic!

Earlier this week one of my favorite organizations, the National Geographic Society, celebrated its 125th anniversary, an amazing milestone to say the least. Over the course of all of those years, I think it is safe to say that Nat Geo has stood as one of the enduring symbols of both exploration and adventure, and in the process it has become one of the most recognizable and iconic brands on the planet. Its founders couldn't have envisioned where the Society would go so far in the future, but the organization continues to follow the path they charted even in the 21st century.

The National Geographic Society can trace its origins back to a meeting of 33 explorers and scientists who gathered together for the first time on January 13, 1888. They came up with the idea of creating a club of sorts whose expressed goal was to "for the increase and diffusion of geographical knowledge." It took them a couple of weeks to come up with a constitution and a set of guidelines to govern this new organization and on January 27, the National Geographic Society was officially born. Nine months later, in October of that year, the first issue of National Geographic Magazine would be published, bringing one of the most well known elements of the Society to the public for the first time. That magazine remains a popular periodical to this day, releasing 12 issues each year and continuing to be published in 32 different languages. 

From the beginning, National Geographic's mission has always been "to increase and diffuse geographic knowledge while promoting the conservation of the world's cultural, historical, and natural resources." That sentiment remains at the heart of the Society to this day and while the tools with which they conduct that mission may have changed over the years, the organization continues to be focused on that goal. That focus is a big part of why Nat Geo remains just as relevant and important today as it was 125 years ago.

Throughout the year, NG will be celebrating its 125th year of existence in a number of ways. For example, the January issue of the magazine was dedicated to 125 years of exploration and helped usher in a new era as well. The Nat Geo website is also sharing some of the more memorable moments from its history, while also dedicating an entire microsite just to the year-long celebration. 

Congratulations to everyone at Nat Geo for continuing the legacy of the organization and shepherding exploration and adventure along to a new generation of explorers yet to come. 

More Gear Coverage From The 2013 Outdoor Retailer Winter Market

Still haven't gotten your fill of gear coverage from the just-completed 2013 Outdoor Retailer Winter Market? Then you're in luck, because there are still a few sneak-peeks to be had, including part two of the the Gear Junkie`s Best in Show Awards and another video from the gang at Off Yonder.

In his extended picks for the best new gear on display at OR, the Gear Junkie shares some really interesting stuff that will be appearing on store shelves later this year. For instance, he has the scoop on an amazing new sleeping bag from Sea to Summit that is rated for 46ºF/8ºC, weighs just 12.3 ounces (348 grams) and packs down to the size of a "large apple." We also get a preview of a new modular backpack system from Boreas that adapts to the needs of the user by adding or removing the components you need for the adventure you're about to embark on. Other new products include new split toed running shoes from several companies, a new ski suit from Salomon and innovative insulating fabrics from Polartec that will be in a variety of jackets by next winter.

Finally, the video below gives us another great, first-hand look at some of the gear that was on display, including products from Keen, Gregory Packs, Eton and more. It's the third and final video produced by Cameron Martindell from Off Yonder and if you're the kind of person who can't get enough gear news, you'll definitely enjoy it.

1st Annual SHivering Icy Trail Run Is Grassroots Racing At Its Finest

While writing this blog I often cover some of the biggest and craziest adventure races, ultramarathons and other athletic competitions. Those events are amazing to watch and fun to follow, but lets face it, most of us will never get the opportunity to compete in those events for a variety of reason. Thats why I also love discovering some of the great local, grassroots events that are sprinkled around the country, offering outdoor athletes an opportunity to have some fun without traveling far from home.

My friends Robin Rongey and Chuck Vohsen of Rock Racing put on just such an event a few weeks back and it looks like it was a lot of fun. The race was called the SHivering Icy Trail Run (SHITR for short) and it was a 13.1-mile (21 km) half-marathon that ran along the Lost Valley Trail in Weldon Spring, Missouri. Now, if you know anything about the weather in Missouri in January, you know that it is anything but predictable, which was part of the appeal for holding this race at that time of the year. But cold winter conditions weren't enough of a challenge, so Robin and Chuck decided the race would be run at night too.

45 competitors showed up for the event and holding to its true grassroots nature, they all signed in on a large poster board. The day was cool and damp, although there wasn't any snow on the ground, so conditions on the trail may not have been as demanding as they could have been. True to form however, the Missouri weather decided the runners couldn't be to comfortable and just before the start of the race it began to rain. By the time the first competitors were crossing the finish line an hour and forty-five minutes later, the rain had turned to sleet and the temperature had dropped to 33ºF/.5ºC. One racer even competed in shorts and a sleeveless shirt, while still taking third place! Brrr!

You can read the full race report here and the biggest thing you'll probably take away from it is just how much fun everyone had. That includes the race directors who came up with the idea to hold a half-marathon trail run in January. But the SHITR (gotta love that acronym!) is a great example of a really fun local race that has some nice extreme elements to it without forcing you to travel to some far flung environment to compete. I'll bet if you look hard enough, you can find similar events not far from where you live as well.

Great event Robin and Chuck. I'll bet the second annual SHITR will be even more successful!

Winter Climbs 2013: Video From Nanga Parbat

Just a brief update today on the ongoing winter climbs in Pakistan today. The news from Nanga Parbat is that the weather has taken a turn for the worse and some of the teams are temporarily moving down to the village of Chilas to escape the conditions. If you want to know what it is like there on the mountain, check out this video posted by Daniele Nardi, who is climbing with Elisabeth Revol. It gives you a pretty good indication of what conditions are like on one of these big peaks in the winter. It'll also make you appreciate your warm bed and comfortable couch.


Nanga Parbat Winter 05 mummery 01 from Daniele Nardi on Vimeo.

Video: Mountains in Motion: The Canadian Rockies

Mountains in Motion is a short film that managed to garner more than its fair share of awards last year, and with good reason. It is a beautiful piece of work that incorporates time-lapse photography to show the changes that natural landscapes go through over weeks and months of time passing. It also mixes in the thoughts of an earlier mountaineer to create a narrative that binds the film together and gives it an element that isn't always a part of these kinds of works.

The entire Mountains in Motion video is now available online and if you have 15-minutes to kill, I highly recommend a watch. It is simply a wonderful piece of filmmaking and a great reminder of the fantastic wilderness that is the Canadian Rockies. A destination that is often overlooked.

Enjoy!


Mountains in Motion: The Canadian Rockies from The Upthink Lab on Vimeo.

Everest Icefall Doctor Ang Nima Sherpa Passes Away

I'd be remiss if I didn't post the news that renowned Everest Icefall Doctor Ang Nima Sherpa has passed away. According to a statement posted on the Asian Trekking website, he died in his home village of Pangboche on January 25 at the age of 59.

For years, Ang Nima was the lead Icefall Doctor, a group of Sherpas whose job it is to find, build and maintain a safe path through the Khumbu Icefall each climbing season on Everest and Lhotse. The Icefall is the most dangerous section of the mountain and without the tireless efforts of the "doctors" it would be virtually impossible for most climbers to even attempt Everest or its neighbor. The team of Sherpas works early in the season to find a stable route through the dangerous section of the climb, located just above Base Camp. Using carefully placed ladders and ropes, the Docs create a route through to the other side. But the icefall shifts and moves on an almost daily basis, which means they must constantly check their route and make sure that it is passable at all times.

As you can imagine, this is an extremely dangerous job and more climbers have lost their lives in the icefall than on any other section of the mountain. In addition to being tough and hard working, these Sherpas have nerves of steal while operating in an environment that requires a calm presence at all times. Ang Nima Sherpa was the best of the best of these men and his leadership will be missed in the upcoming Everest season.

My condolences to his friends and family, not to mention the entire mountaineering community, for this loss.

Video: Mountain Rescue Explained AT FEAT

Ever wondered just how mountain rescue operations are conducted? At a recent edition of FEAT (Fascinating Expedition and Adventure Talks) held in Johannesburg, mountain rescue guide and instructor Rob Thomas shared some very insightful and interesting behind the scenes information on how he recruits new volunteers to his team, trains them for work in the field and much more. His profiles of his most frequent "customers" and his answer to who pays for the operations are particularly interesting.

CheapTents Interviews Two North Face Athletes

The CheapTents blog is always a great source for excellent interviews with outdoor athletes and adventure personalities. They do a good job of not just tracking down the men and women we want to know more about, but also asking them interesting and fun questions. With that in mind, CheapTents has published its first two interviews of 2013 by catching up with mountaineer David Göttler and high alpine skier Tamara Lunger, two North Face athletes who are very good at what they do.

David Göttler is a mountain guide and cameraman with four 8000-meter peaks under his belt and impressive winter summits on the Eiger, Grand Jorasse and Matterhorn. He has attempted K2 twice and  last year he summited Nuptse with Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner. In his interview with Cheap Tents he talks about what inspired him to get into climbing while sharing his biggest accomplishments and weaknesses. David discusses the biggest challenges to his training, his worst injuries and what he has planned for the future, including an attempt on the West Pillar of Makalu this spring.

When you've finished reading that interview, be sure to follow it up by reading Tamara Lunger's thoughts on her climbs of Lhotse and Kahn Tengri. She shares the biggest moments of her career thus far and talks about her favorite accomplishments to date as well. Tamara offers advice for aspiring outdoor athletes, predicts where she'll be in five years and briefly discusses her plans for the year ahead, including bagging an unclimbed peak.

Both Göttler and Lunger also share their favorite pieces of gear that they take with them on their expeditions, which is always a highlight of CheapTents interviews for me. Unsurprisingly, both of them name North Face gear amongst their favorite items for use in the mountains.

These are two inspiring and interesting interviews for sure. Check them out when you get the chance.

Winter Climbs 2013: Poles Reach Camp 2 On Broad Peak

It may only be Wednesday but it has already been an active week on most of the major winter climbs that are currently underway. With things winding down on Denali, our attention is turning to Pakistan, where the teams are just getting started on their ambitious climbs. With six weeks left in winter, there is still a lot of work to be done, but so far there has been solid progress by a number of squads.

Today we'll start on Broad Peak, where the Polish team is going about their expedition in a systematic and methodical fashion. After establishing Camp 1 last weekend, most of the squad has already completed at least one acclimatization round and have started their next rotation. For the past few days they have been fixing ropes up to Camp 2, located at 6200 meters (20,341 feet), successfully reaching that point yesterday. The climbers who shuttled the first gear to C2 will now return to Base Camp for a rest, while their compatriots bring up the next loads and start the task of fixing the ropes to C3. It is a very professional and efficient approach to the climb, which will hopefully pay dividends in a few weeks time. For now, the weather is holding steady and they are making good progress.

Over on Nanga Parbat things are starting to pick-up as well. The Hungarian-American team still isn't sharing a ton of updates, but we do know that they have been working their way to Camp 2 as well. They did get some good news a few days back in the form of a working generator which one of the Sherpas was able to repair. That should make things more comfortable in BC at least, even if it hasn't facilitated more dispatches just yet.

Snowboarding mountaineer Joel Wischnewski has shared a few dispatches from the Rupal Face of Nanga Parbat over the past few days. Not a lot of information on his progress but interesting anecdotes from the mountain none the less. He is up in ABC at the moment, having descended from an extended stay in Camp 2. He seems to be relieved about being safely back down the mountain, but has had to clear his mind of a few things before he begins the climb once again. While he's battled sickness in recent days, he has not been able to focus on the task at hand. But after spending some time off the mountain with a friend in Rupal, he now seems reinvigorated to begin anew.

Joel has regularly posted about the animals and their tracks that he has seen in and around his camps and he reports that an ibex has been a regular visitor. The animal has been sifting through his trash looking for tasty things to nibble on and has even made off with one of his socks. The sock was sitting on his tent so it could dry in the sun and the ibex decided it might be fun to make off with it. Wischnewski discovered it further down the trail as obviously the creature decided it wasn't edible at some point.

The Italian-French team with aspirations of climbing Nanga Parbat is finally headed to the mountain. They've been acclimatizing on Ganalo and had hoped to summit that peak as part of their preperation. They gave it quite a go, but deep snow and bad weather turned them back before the summit. Now they'll head to Nanga where they'll rest a day or two before starting up the mountain, which is their true goal for the winter season.

Finally, Lonnie Dupre may have canceled his plans for a January summit on Denali, but he is still waiting for a flight home. He made his way down to Base Camp yesterday and is hoping for the weather to clear so a plane can come pick him up. He's sharing BC with Japanese climber Masatoshi Kuriaki, who is there to attempt a winter ascent of Mt. Hunter (4442 meters/14,573 ft). The forecast indicates that the weather may improve tomorrow or Friday, allowing Lonnie to head home at last.

That's all for now. More updates soon!

Video: Two Days Of Outdoor Retailer Winter Market

Yesterday I shared a couple of Outdoor Retailer Winter Market round-ups that gave us a sneak-peek at some of the gear we can expect to find on store shelves later in the year. But the team over at Off Yonder went the extra mile by compiling a bunch of video clips shot on location at OR to give us a glimpse at even more products. The first of these videos can be found below and you'll find a second one after the jump.

Thanks to the National Geographic Adventure for sharing these clips. Good stuff for those of us who couldn't make it!

101-Year Old Marathoner To Retire From Competition

Here's a little inspiration for the runners out there.

101-year old runner Fauja Singh has announced that he will retire from competitive marathons following one last run. He intends to take to the streets at the Hong Kong Marathon on Feb. 24 before hanging up his sneakers. That would be the ninth marathon that he has run since he took up the sport at the age of 89.

Singh, who turns 102 in April, says he has no intention of stopping running and will continue to do so after he retires from competition. He says that running is an integral part of his life and an important part of what has kept him healthy and happy past his 100th birthday. The Sikh says he will still run for four ours per day even after he has officially retired.

As someone who runs nearly every day myself, I find Singh's story a fascinating one. I hope that I can have as much energy and enthusiasm for life as he does when I reach old age. I do believe that exercise is a key element for staying healthy and young, plus nothing helps relieve the stress of the day like a good long run. Not sure I'll make it to 100 or more, but I'll definitely give it a go!

Thanks to the Goat for the tip on this one!

Video: Divers Have Close Encounter With Whale Pod

Whale watching is an incredible experience, giving us the opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the largest animals on the planet. But the divers in this video had a similar encounter while actually being in the water with the massive mammals. The footage was shot using a GoPro Hero 3 (what else?!?) off the coast of Maui and features some astounding shots of whales as seen from underwater.

Seriously, I need to get one of these GoPro cams already!

Teen Adventurers To Traverse The Adirondacks For Charity

Two teenage adventurers are planning a couple of ambitious summer expeditions that will allow them to not only pursue their outdoor passions but also raise funds for a great cause. The young men are first planning an epic human-powered excursion, which they'll then follow-up with a classic mountaineering experience as they seek to give back by having a positive impact on the lives of other young people.

18-year old Ryan Wichelns and his 17-year old friend Gabe Messercola will start their summer with a three-week long traverse of Adirondack State Park in Upstate New York. That adventure will get under way on June 8 as Ryan and Gabe attempt to cover 200+ miles (320+ km) of rugged backcountry wilderness on foot, bike and kayak. Traveling south to north, they'll follow a route of their own design that cuts through the heart of the Adirondack region, a place that has been instrumental in growing their love for the outdoors.

Once they've wrapped up their traverse, the boys will then head west in early August to climb Mt. Rainier, the 14,411-foot (4392 meter) volcanic peak located in the state of Washington. Rainier is amongst the most popular mountains in the U.S. to climb and it will mark Ryan and Gabe's first foray into high-altitude mountaineering – something that they wish to pursue more fully in the years ahead. Rainier is a classic mountain trek and truly a great challenge following their traverse.

As mentioned, the duo aren't just undertaking these summer adventures just for their own enjoyment. They are also working to raise funds for the Big City Mountaineers, a non-proft that I've written about on multiple occasions in the past. BCM is an organization that looks to enrich the lives of at-risk urban youth by providing them the opportunity to experience true wilderness adventures, something that they are not normally exposed to in their daily lives. I've always been a fan of BCM's mission and their Summit For Someone program is one of my favorite fundraising events.

You can follow Ryan and Gabe on their two adventures at their website AdirondackTraverse.org. Good luck guys and thanks for sharing your story with us!

Unbranded: A 3000-Mile Journey Through The American West On Horseback

A lot of people don't realize it, but the American west still has herds of wild horses that inhabit portions of the country. It is estimated that about 37,000 of the animals still roam the west today and these strong, sturdy creatures are uniquely adapted to their environment. That makes them a particularly good choice for a new equestrian expedition that is set to get underway on March 15th. That is when a group of four riders will set out on a 3000-mile long odyssey that will form the basis of a new documenary entitled Unbranded.

In few short weeks, riders Ben Masters, Thomas Glover, Ben Thamer and Jonny Fitzsimons will embark on their adventure, starting at the border of Mexico and heading north. Their route will take them more than six months to complete, crossing through Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming and Montana before finishing at the Canadian border. Along the way they'll pass through such amazing locations at the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Glacier National Park.

The four men will ride this trail with 17 horses, each of which were previously wild mustangs. Their journey wouldn't be possible without these amazing animals and the film that they will shoot will be a testament to the partnership between rider and horse. Through this film they hope to not only recapture the spirit of adventure in the Old West but also share with viewers the story of these wild mustangs, many of which are available for adoption to those looking to add a high-quality horse to their stable, ranch or farm.

The route that the team has elected to follow is a custom one that they've selected themselves in an effort to experience the true backcountry of the places they'll be visiting along the way. The path will lead along portions of the Arizona Trail, Great Western Trail and the Continental Divide Trail, passing through deserts, canyons, mountains and plains along the way. It should make for a stunning and dramatic backdrop to their adventure.


Sometime back, the men started a KickStarter campaign in an effort to raise funds to make this film. I'm happy to report that with three days left in their campaign, they have exceeded their budget and plans are moving ahead as expected. In fact, they've already begun filming the early parts of the film, capturing footage of the riders working with their horses before they set out. The video below is from that KickStarter and will give you an idea of what to expect from this film when it is finally released.

The expedition is expected to finish up around September 20th of this year.

Antarctica 2012: Richard Parks Back In Punta, Season Officially Done!

There isn't a whole lot to report on the Antarctic season which has now officially wrapped up for another year. Last week I reported that that Richard Parks had pulled the plug on his expedition when it became abundantly clear that he wasn't going to be able to reach the South Pole before the last flight departed for the season. As you can imagine, this was a difficult decision for Richard, who struggled hard, trained for months and planned for this expedition for years. Something that he discusses in his latest dispatch, which gives us some insights into the mind of an explorer once his expedition is done.

On Friday, Richard was retrieved from the ice and flew directly to Union Glacier, which is the arrival and departure point for most private visitors to the continent. Parks was only there for a short time however and he was quickly hustled onto a plane for a flight back to Punta Arenas, Chile, arriving there a few hours later. That meant that the solo-skier went from total isolation for 39 days to being back in the hustle and bustle of modern life in a matter of just ten hours or so. As you can imagine, this was a bit of shock to his system, as he adjusted from going without most modern conveniences and a steady supply of food for more than four weeks, only to be dropped back into the fray without much time to adjust.

Richard spent most of the weekend sleeping and adjusting to being back in civilization. He has a lot of gear sorting to get done before he heads home, but reading the dispatch it didn't seem that he was much in the mood for accomplishing that task. He appears to be in a post-expedition funk that comes when your adventure ends but you're not quite ready to give it up just yet. He is ready to go home to friends and family, but is also missing the challenges of living and moving through Antarctica.

As I said, this personal and moving post to his blog offers good insight into what goes through an explorers mind when his expedition unexpectedly comes to an end. Some of the feelings he is experienced are exasperated by the fact that he didn't accomplish everything he set out to do, despite his best efforts. Those are the kinds of feelings that tend to spur us on even harder in future endeavors.

I also wanted to follow up on the story I posted last week about the aircraft that went down in the Antarctic with three crew members on board. The Twin Otter airplane operated by Kenn Borek Air disappeared while making a routine flight from the South Pole to Terra Nova Bay, and due to bad weather search and rescue teams were unable to launch their efforts.

Over the weekend, the weather cleared and SAR teams from New Zealand were finally able to locate the aircraft. It had crashed near the summit of Mt. Elizabeth and we're told that the impact was not survivable. The three crew members perished in the accident. The plane was spotted from the air, but due to continued high winds, no one has actually been able to reach the crash site as of yet.

My condolences to the friends and family of those who were aboard.

Video: Into The Empty Quarter With Alastair Humphreys And Leon McCarron

In December, adventurers Alastair Humphreys and Leon McCarron completed a 1000-mile (1600 km) long journey through the Empty Quarter, a vast desert that stretches over parts of Saudi Arabia, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen. Navigating in the footsteps of legendary explorer Wilfred Thesiger, the boys managed to survive by dragging a specially designed cart filled with gear and supplies through the the unrelenting and unforgiving landscape. Now, they're preparing to release a documentary of the expedition, which will be entitled A Meaningless Penance? The intriguing teaser trailer for the documentary can be found below.


A Meaningless Penance? Teaser Clip from Alastair Humphreys on Vimeo.

Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2013 Round-Up!

Over the weekend the 2013 Outdoor Retailer Winter Market came to a close, putting an end to the bi-annual gear fest where the latest and greatest equipment is unveiled to the public. Most of the gear that was shown there won't be available until late in the year, but it gives us a sneak peek at what will be appearing on store shelves in the months ahead. Some of our online friends posted good gear round-ups and shared their thoughts on the best new products that will be competing for our hard-earned cash in the semi-near future. Here's a look at what you can expect.

The Gear Junkie is always a great source of information from any of the OR shows and this Winter Market is no exception. As usual, he's posted his picks for the Best In Show, spotlighting his favorite products that were on display there. Amongst the gear items garnering this distinction were a light-weight, space age tent from Easton Mountain Products that features an out of this world price tag of $2000. That's just the tip of the gear-iceberg if you will however, as GJ also gives the nod to a helmet from C-Preme that comes with a built-in action camera, new waterproof backpacks from Mountain Hardwear that incorporate the company's proprietary OutDry fabrics and new ultralight base layers from Brooks Running. The Gear Junkie has plenty of other items on his list as well and if you're a gear junkie in your own right, you'll probably want to check out the full article.

Outside Online also shares some sneak-peeks at gear from the show, offering up their picks for the best new products on hand as well. Some of those items include the new Utility Vest from Dakine which is for the backcountry skier who doesn't want to wear a backpack on his or her excursions. They also liked the new on-mountain communications system from Backcountry Access (BCA) that is designed to keep skiers in constant contact when traveling in potentially dangerous areas. Outside was also impressed with a new water bottle from Vapur that incorporates a filter right into the nozzle. It looks like a fantastic option for drinking safe and clean water in the backcountry, especially for those who like to go as light as possible.


Finally, Trailspace always does a good job of keeping us informed of the latest gear from the show and this year is no exception. Their OR Winter Market coverage is conveniently located on a single page, giving us quick access to all of their previews and notes. That page features photo galleries, videos and plenty of other information on some of the excellent gear that was on display, including new insulated boots from Vasque and new snowshoes from a variety of companies including Tubbs, Easton and more.

If you're in the market for any kind of new gear, particularly for cold weather adventures, you'll want to give these articles a look. With the Winter OR now behind us, I'm already looking ahead to the Summer show in August. I plan to once again be on hand for that event, sharing my own thoughts on the best gear on display there.

Winter Climbs 2013: Dupre Descends On Denali, Progress In Pakistan

It was another busy and active weekend in the mountains for our winter mountaineers. As usual, weather dictates when they can move and patience is the name of the game. Over the past few days, one of the winter expeditions came to and end, while the others have started the process of strategically placing themselves for the challenges ahead.

The big news coming out of the weekend is that Lonnie Dupre had abandoned his third attempt at a January ascent of Denali. A few days ago he was able to climb up to High Camp at 17,200 feet (5242 meters) and he had the summit squarely in his sights. At that point it looked like he might actually have a chance of ending three years of frustration, but the weather forecast predicted that winds would pick-up, so Lonnie took a cautious "wait and see" approach. That proved to be a wise decision as the winds did indeed increase in speed, making a summit bid a very dangerous proposition.

With the winds keeping the summit out of reach, Dupre descended to his camp at 14,200 feet (4328 meters) to rest and weigh his options. The forecast in the days ahead didn't look favorable however, so he decided to pull the plug and head home. He will be descending the mountain today and if conditions allow, a plane will fly in to retrieve him.

In Pakistan things appear to be progressing a bit after a slow start to the season. On Nanga Parbat, the Hungarian-American team has now fully established their Camp 1 and have even spent a couple of nights acclimatizing there. If the weather has held out, they should also have climbed up to Camp 2 and cached some of their gear there. They continue to struggle with communications from the mountain and it isn't clear yet if their back-up generator has arrived, but at least they're making progress on the climb itself.

Also on Nanga Parbat is snowboarder Joel Wischnewski who's latest dispatch simply reads: "I'm in Rupal, and safe. More news soon. Bye." It is hard to determine exactly what that means, but we can assume that Joel has returned to the Rupal face after a recent bout of sickness and is proceeding with his climb. Hopefully he has recovered from the bug that was keeping him in BC and he can now proceed with his acclimatization process.

Finally, the Polish squad on Broad Peak has made significant progress after arriving in Base Camp last week. Yesterday, the team moved up to 5600 meters (18,372 feet) and built their Camp 1 at that location. Several of the team members even spent the night at the location and should be headed back down to BC today. Meanwhile, a second group of climbers will proceed up to C1 today and begin fixing ropes to Camp 2.

This is a very professional, workman like approach to climbing an 8000-meter peak in winter, something the Poles have plenty of experience with. They'll continue to send small two- and three-man teams up the mountain to slowly and methodically build their camps and fix the ropes. By the time they're done, they'll be completely acclimatized to the altitude and ready to make their summit bids. That is still some time off however and there is a lot of work yet to be done.

That's all for now. More news as these climbs develop.

Trekstock Takes You To The Great Gig In The Sky!

Looking for a fun, challenging and fulfilling adventure later this year? Then checkout Trekstock's intriguing Another Great Gig in the Sky hike. The event is a 6-day trek through the Alps that crosses three countries (Italy, France and Switzerland) that culminates at the Paléo Music Festival. But the trip isn't just about hiking through some of the most beautiful regions in Europe, it is also a charity fundraiser that will earn much needed cash to help young people dealing with cancer.

Trekstock is an organization that officially launched back in 2010 with the expressed mission of helping to raise funds to battle cancer and to help educate youth about leading a healthy lifestyle. Since then, one of their major fundraisers has been their Great Gig in the Sky adventures. Last year the trek took them to Mt. Kenya in Africa and this year the route will wind through the Alps.

The route for the 2013 "Gig" was designed by 360 Expeditions exclusively for this event. The challenge trek will follow the Tour Du Mount Blanc circuit starting in Courmayeur, Italy and ending in Chamonix, France, with a stop at the Swiss music festival along the way.  Registration for the Gig is £350 ($550) and includes flights from the U.K. to the start of the hike and a 2-day weekend festival pass to the Paléo. Each of the trekkers will be expected to raise a minimum of an additional £2800 ($4425) for the cause.

For anyone interested in joining the trek the dates that it will be underway are Friday July 19 - Sunday 28. Find out a lot more by clicking here.

Hmm...definitely intriguing. Maybe I should add this to my list of things to do this year!

Video: SHAFF Trailer 2013

On March 1-3 the annual Sheffield Adventure Film Festival will take place in Sheffield, England. Over the course of that three day weekend, 80 of the best adventure films will be shown on six screens, making it one of the best adventure events in the U.K. Tickets are on sale now and for a taste of what you can expect, check out this amazing trailer below. It'll give you a fantastic glimpse of some of the best adventure and outdoor films of the past year.

Antarctica 2012: And Then There Was None!

I don't typically post back-to-back Antarctic updates, but considering the nature of this announcement and the fact that it came not long after I finished writing my last post, I decided it was best to just go ahead and get it out there as soon as I could.

A short time ago Richard Parks announced that he is ending his expedition to the South Pole, saying that he has simply "run out of time." If you've been following Richard's progress lately, you already knew that it was going to be extremely difficult for him to arrive at the South Pole in time for the last flight out, which is currently scheduled for this Sunday, January 27.

You can read the entire Richard's blog post on the subject here and the official announcement here, but it basically came down to simple math. He can't cover the required distances in the time that he has left. As you can imagine, this was a very difficult to decision to make, as it was clear that he desperately wanted to complete this journey. But poor circumstances and unexpected challenges have kept him from reaching the finish line despite his best efforts. He is now awaiting pick-up by a Twin Otter aircraft for a flight back to Union Glacier.

As you may recall, the start of Richard's expedition was delayed thanks to a shipping snafu that kept his gear on a dock back in London when it should have been waiting for him in Punta Arenas on his arrival. That put him back several days before he ever hit the ice. When he did get going, he was making excellent time, knocking off plenty of milage on a daily basis. But after crossing into the 87th degree, he struggled with the incredibly bad sastrugi that have been an issue for all of the South Pole skiers this year. The ones that managed to make it through did so only because they hit the ice earlier and had more time to reach the Pole.

Slowed down in the sastrugi zone, Richard's morale took a hit and his food supplies began to run low. He accepted a supply drop, which helped to put things back on track, but in the end he just didn't have enough days left on the calendar. It was clear that Parks had all the tools he needed to complete this expedition, with the exception of just a few more days.

Something tells me this isn't the last we've heard of Richard in the Antarctic. He did a fantastic job up until this point and had his gear not arrived late, he would have had plenty of time. My guess is he'll be back again in 2013 to have another go at it. We'll just have to wait and see.

Antarctica 2012: And Then There Was One...

The Antarctic season is all but wrapped up now, with just one lone skier still out on the ice. It has been another long season with plenty of trials and tribulations for the explorers and climbers who ventured to the bottom of the world to push their personal limits beyond what they thought possible. Soon the weather will take a permanent turn and our attention will begin to turn north. But there are still a few days left before we put a cap on what has been an interesting season on the frozen continent.

Our lone skier is Richard Parks of course, who continues his journey to the South Pole today. Richard is now in a race against the clock as he is hoping to reach 90ºS before the last plane out. He still has some distance to go however and plenty of challenges to overcome. Those challenges are a bit easier now that he has picked up his supply drop, which is providing him with some extra food for the final push. With renewed focus, he hit the trail once again and has started to increase his mileage to where he was earlier in the expedition when he would routinely knock off 30 km (18.6 miles) per day.

In his most recent dispatches, Richard says that he is still struggling with sastrugi which continue to make life difficult. But he estimated that he had another 20-30 km (12.4-18.6 miles) to go before he would be clear of the nasty ice ridges that plagued all of the skiers this season. If that estimate was correct, he should have cleared the sastrugi zone yesterday, which will hopefully allow him to progress even faster.

Meanwhile, Aaron Linsdau checked in from the Union Glacier camp yesterday where he was waiting for a flight back to Punta Arenas. He wrapped up his long journey to the South Pole earlier in the week and is now ready to head back to civilization. He should be back in Chile today and is probably enjoying the comforts of modern life once again. As you can imagine, he lost a lot of weight while out on the ice for 80+ days, so treating himself to some good good and plenty of snacks is probably in order. After that, he'll start making plans to return home to the U.S. for a much deserved rest.

That's all for today. I'll be watching Richard's progress closely has he closes in on the end. That should happen sometime early next week.

Adventure Tech: Yet Another Action Cam Hits The Market

If you thought that the action cam market couldn't possibly get any more crowded, you would be wrong. Earlier this week, Swann Security threw their hat into the ring by introducing their new Bolt HD wearable camera, a competent looking offering with specs designed to compete with the big boys in this market.

This camera is capable of shooting full HD 1080P video at 30 frames per second with high quality stereo sound. It is rugged, shockproof and waterproof down to 32 feet, the Bolt is capable of being mounted on a variety of surfaces. It records all the action on a microSD card (up to 32GB) and a built in HDMI port allows quick viewing on monitors and HDTV's. Swann promises hours of battery life from the cameras lithium-ion battery, but exactly how many hours remains to be seen. The camera even comes with a remote control, which allows users to operate the camera from a distance.

At this point, any entry into the action cam market has to have something unique to set it apart from the crowd. In the case of the Bolt, it is numerous mounts that are available for the device. Swann has built a curved surface mount, a flat surface mount and of course a helmet mount, amongst others. The hope is that those mounts, coupled with the fairly standard tech specs will help make this camera a popular one.

The other feature that sets it apart? The price! The Bolt runs just $199, which is fairly inexpensive for these types of cameras. Of course, most of the competition have baked in WiFi, smartphone interaction and other high end features that the Bolt lacks. At least for now.

If you're looking for what appears to be a solid action camera at an affordable price, then this looks like it will be a decent choice. The fact that it comes with a remote control and numerous options for mounts makes this an intriguing new entry to the market. Whether it can compete with GoPro remains to be seen.

Video: Beautiful Short Film Invites Us To 'Find Our Line'

The title of this video is Revelation, a Visual Poem and I can't think of a better way to describe it. The words of the original piece of prose that is narrated over the some striking images of our favorite outdoor activities and places – not to mention everyday life – will no doubt resonate with many of you reading this blog. It is a fantastic reminder to live our lives to the fullest and pursue the things that we are passionate about. Something that we should all aspire to do.


Revelation, a Visual Poem. from sebastien montaz-rosset on Vimeo.

Winter Climbs 2013: Resting On Denali And Broad Peak

We have a few brief updates today from the ongoing winter climbs that are taking place in Alaska and Pakistan. After what seems like a slow start, the climbers are finding their strides at last and we'll soon know if they have a legitimate chance of topping out on their respective mountains this year.

On Denali, Lonnie Dupre took the opportunity to rest today as he acclimatizes to the higher altitudes. He's built himself a secure camp at 14, 200 feet (4328 meters) and has remained safe and sound inside his snow cave. Clear skies have allowed him to charge his electronic devices as well, as he gets ready for the next stage of the climb. Weather permitting, he'll start to move up to 16,000 feet (4876 meters) as early as tomorrow, as he watches the forecasts and the clock to see if he can complete the expedition before the end of the month.

The Italian-French team that is planning an ascent of Nanga Parbat continues their acclimatization on Ganalo. They're hoping to take one more rotation on that mountain, and possibly for the summit, before heading over to their ultimate prize. They report dicey weather in the region at the moment, although they have stashed gear higher up the peak and they have planned another push beginning today, when conditions were expected to improve.

There has been no updates on the progress of the Hungarian-American squad on NP. Last we heard they had retreated back to Base Camp after lousy weather turned them around on an acclimatization rotation. They are also still waiting for their generator to arrive, which will hopefully improve communication and make for a more comfortable time in BC.

Also on Nanga Parbat is Joel Wischnewski, who it appears will be attempting to snowboard down the mountain at some point. He is currently in Base Camp and categorizing the animals that he sees and hears there, including birds, ibex, wolves and crazy mountaineers. He hopes to head back up the mountain after he recovers from a bout of sickness.

Over on Broad Peak, the Polish Team arrived in Base Camp yesterday and are now getting themselves comfortable. The expect to start climbing in another day or two and are aiming to have Camp 1 established at 5600 meters (18,372 ft) by Sunday. After a long journey just to get to BC, they seem eager to get started with the actual climb itself.

Finally, not a winter climb per se, but definitely a cold one. Leo Houlding and his team have successfully topped out on Ulvetanna in Antarctica, completing a new line on that difficult rock face. The 1300 meter (4265 ft) mountain may not sound like much in terms of altitude, but considering how bad the weather can be and how cold the temperatures are, it was definitely a challenge. The team spent ten days working the wall, which is a technical climb for sure.

Congrats to the entire team on a job well done!

Video: Making Tommy - How Tommy Caldwell Became One Of The Best Rock Climbers In The World

There is no question that Tommy Caldwell is amongst the best rock climbers in the world. This great short film talks about how he evolved into such a great climber, starting with joining his dad on some climbs as a boy and continuing to push his skills forward to this day.

Very inspiring stuff.

Making Tommy from Patagonia on Vimeo.

Aussie 8: Climbing 8 Peaks, In 8 States, In 10 Days!

Australia isn't exactly known for its massive peaks, after all, the highest mountain on the continent is Kosciuszko, which tops out at a mere 2228 meters (7309 feet). But that doesn't mean there aren't alpine challenges to be overcome there and the team behind the newly announced Aussie 8 expedition has certainly found them.

The three-man crew, which consists of adventurers Ben Southall, Luke Edwards and Pat Kinsella are hoping to reach the highest point in each of the eight Australian states, which in and of itself doesn't sound like a massive challenge. But they hope to do so in just ten days, crossing the massive continent in the process.

Make no mistake, this will be a test of endurance. Not only will the trio be taking on the eight mountains, but they'll have to also travel incredible distances to do so. In order to complete this challenge, they estimate that they'll be running 150 km (93.2 miles), climb 5500 meters (18,044 ft) and travel more than 13,000 km (8077 miles). Remember, they plan to do all of this in just ten days. To put that in perspective, no one has ever climbed all eight peaks consecutively in less than three months.

This race against time will throw all kinds of diverse environments at Ben, Luke and Pat. They'll travel from the dry and dusty Outback to the rainforest of Queensland and the lush green forests of Great Dividing Range. They'll even travel to Tasmania to take on the 1617 meters (5305 ft) Mount Ossa, a peak that will require them to run a marathon from the trailhead to the summit and back.

In addition to Mt. Kosciuszko (located in New South Wales) and Ossa (Tasmania), the team will aslo climb the following mountains: Bimberi Peak (Australian Capital Territory, 1913 meters/6276 ft); Mt. Bogong (Victoria, 1986 meters/6515 ft); Mt. Zeil (Northern Territory, 1531 meters/5022 ft); Mt. Woodroffe (South Australia, 1435 meters/4708 ft); Mt Meharry (Wester Australia, 1254 meters/4110 ft) and Bartle Frere (Queensland, 1622 meters/5321 ft).

The clock will start running on this adventure on April 11, when the team hits the trail for their first climb. You'll be able to follow their progress on the Aussie 8 Facebook page or on Ben's blog.

I'm told that they would have loved to have done the 8 peaks in 8 states in 8 days, but the logistics were simply too difficult to overcome. They have to settle for doing it in ten days instead, which should still be quite an incredible challenge. Good luck boys!!

Twin Otter Aircraft Goes Missing In The Antarctic

A transport plane has gone missing in the Antarctic with three crew members onboard. The aircraft, which is operated by Kenn Borek Air, went down at around 10 PM local time Wednesday while making a routine flight from the South Pole to an Italian research station located at Terra Nova Bay. There is no word yet on the condition of the three men aboard.

When the Twin Otter aircraft went down and emergency locator beacon immediately went off, so Search and Rescue teams know where it is located. But bad weather has moved into the region so getting to the plane has not been an option at this point. That location falls under the jurisdiction of the New Zealand Antarctic rescue zone, so that country is aiding in rescue attempts.

The Kenn Borek plane is equipped with survival gear and rations for five days, so if the pilot managed to put the Twin Otter down safely, the crew is at least prepared to wait for rescue over the next few days. Weather forecasts indicate wind speeds of 90 knots (103 mph/166 km/h) in the area at the moment and heavy snow is believed to be moving in. That will hamper any attempts at a rescue for now, but SAR teams from New Zealand, Italy, the U.S. and Canada are all standing by to lend aid as soon as possible.

Lets keep our fingers crossed that the crew of the plane are okay and just waiting to get picked up.

Gear Closet: The North Face Talia Tote

The North Face gear week the Adventure Blog wraps up today with one last review, although this one is a little different from the others I've posted over the past few days. On Monday I shared my thoughts on the TNF Runners Gloves and Pass Through Beanie and I followed that up on Tuesday with a review of the fantastic Flashdry Crew Neck Baselayer. Yesterday I wrote about the excellent Radish Mid-Layer Jacket, which is a great option for nearly any cold-weather outdoor pursuit. Today, I bring you the Talia Tote, a yoga bag for that the ladies are sure to love.

Now, obviously I'm not exactly in the demographic for this bag as it is definitely designed with the active female in mind. The sample tote that the North Face sent my way was a shade of pink that doesn't exactly compliment anything I wear. So, knowing all of this, I passed the Talia Tote onto a female friend to get her opinion of this bag. The verdict: It's a hit!

This yoga bag scored big points with my friend for its spacious interior and numerous organizational pockets. The Talia features a laptop sleeve, mesh internal pockets, a fleece lined outer compartment made especially for smartphones and an absolutely cavernous main pocket. It also has a clip for keeping keys from getting lost at the bottom of the bag, a nicely integrated water bottle holder and a yoga mat sleeve built into the back. Throw in a comfortable shoulder straps and you have the makings of a very versatile tote that will come in handy for travel, as well as trips around town or the gym.

As you would expect from any piece of gear from The North Face, this bag is built to be tough and durable, while remaining very lightweight. The interior of the main pocket is lined with water resistant fabrics that help to keep its contents well protected from the elements, while the exterior fabrics are easy to keep clean and can withstand plenty of wear from day-to-day use.

My friend tells me that she loves that this bag can be used for so many things. She can use it as a large carry-all for excursions around town and later it can pull double-duty with trips to the gym. It also makes a great carry-on bag when traveling, keeping everything she needs organized and close at hand. She lamented the fact that it wasn't stylish enough to take with her on more formal occasions, but other than that, its safe to say she'll be using it often.

Obviously for male readers, this isn't exactly a piece of gear that will get you too excited. But there is a certain holiday coming up soon that the ladies in your life will be hoping you won't forget. (Hint: It's Valentine's Day! February 14th! Don't forget!) If you have an active woman that you need to keep happy this year, then by all means buy her flowers, chocolates and take her out to dinner. But the North  Face Talia Tote makes an  excellent gift as well and she'll love you for finding it for her. With a price tag of $70 it won't make your wallet weep too badly either.

Video: Portlandia Gets The Gear!

I'm not sure how I missed this when it came out a few months back, but this video, from the television show Portlandia, is a hilarious take on what gear we need when heading out for a "hike." I'm sure more than a few of us can relate to what is going on here, particularly when they're shopping for a GPS. I got a few chuckles out of the clip and hope you do too.

Antarctica 2012: Who Welcomes The Skiers At The Pole?

Over the past few months we've diligently followed a number of skiers who have traveled hundreds of miles to reach the South Pole. Along the way, we've shared in their triumphs and agonized with their struggles, cheering them on from the comfort of our warm homes. But have you ever wondered what it is like for them when they arrive at their final destination? Ever wondered who it that greets them when they actually reach 90ºS?

If so, then let me introduce you to Jeffrey Donenfeld, a freelance photographer, blogger and adventurer who is currently living at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station. Jeffrey has been witnessing the arrival of all of the ski expeditions this year and taking some photos of them when they get to the Pole. Last week he posted news of the arrival of Vilborg Arna Gissurardóttir and shared some photos of her wrapping up her expedition, and yesterday he did the same for Aaron Linsdau. The photo accompanying this post was taken of Aaron by Jeffrey when he stood at 90ºS.

Our intrepid South Pole blogger repors that Aaron was indeed picked up by a Twin Otter aircraft today and is en route back to the Union Glacier camp. He'll likely be there for a day or two before hopping an ALE flight back to Punta Arenas and then home to the States. According to Jeffrey, Aaron was in good spirits, physically in good shape and happy to be wrapping things up at last. The next flight back to Punta is scheduled for Sunday, January 27.

Similarly, Vilborg has caught her flight off the frozen continent and is now back in Chile. She is enjoying being back in civilization and all the luxuries that provides, including warm showers, clean sheets and plenty of good food. It sounds like she is enjoying some time in Punta Arenas before she heads home, but her spirits are good even though there is a sadness about the end of the expedition.
Finally, Richard Parks remains the one lone skier still out on the ice. He received his food drop today directly from the ALE staff, which removes his solo and unsupported tags from the expedition. But at this point, Richard doesn't seem to mind at all as he enjoys fresh potato ships and a can of coke in his tent.

The arrival of these supplies has reinvigorated the Brit who is now focused on covering the final 220 km (136 miles) in just six days. That means he's going to have to cover more than 36 km (22 miles) per day in order to make it on time. Thats a pretty tall order, but if the weather and ground conditions cooperate, he is capable of those kinds of distances. It won't be easy however, as there is still a long way to go.

I'll keep you posted on his progress and good luck to Richard in getting to the Pole on time!

Video: People Are Awesome 2013! More Awesomeness!

Last week I posted a video that featured a series of clips from last year that proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that people are awesome. Today we have another video that continues to hammer that point home, providing even more examples of just how athletic, agile and downright amazing we can be at times. Prepare to pick your jaw up off the ground.

Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2013 Preview From The Gear Junkie

The Outdoor Retailer Winter Market gets underway today in Salt Lake City, unveiling all of the new gear that will hit store shelves later this year. As the name implies, most of that gear will be aimed at cold weather activities such as skiing, snowboarding, winter camping and high altitude mountaineering.  A good portion of what will be on display there won't be available for purchase until later this fall, but for those of us who just can't wait to see what is in the works, the Gear Junkie has us covered with an excellent preview of the upcoming products.

The GJ preview has all manner of items on the list, ranging from various jackets, to skies and even retro sunglasses. But a few of the items that caught my attention include the new gear vest from Dakine that lets you carry most of your equipment in a lightweight, cleverly designed vest that minimalists are going to love. Speaking of minimal, Klymit is unveiling a new lightweight inflatable raft that weighs just 32 ounces (.9 kg) while Patagonia is offering a one-piece baselayer for covering winter adventurers pretty much from head to toe. Other highlights include a new waterproof puffy jacket from Outdoor Research and a new four-season tent from Easton Mountain Products.

Over the next few days we'll probably be inundated with press releases and previews of new gear. If you're someone who is always on the outlook for something new to add to your gear closet, it is a great time. But if your bank account is still recovering from the holidays it can be kind of rough too. Fortunately, we'll have a few months to save!

I'll post more gear previews a they pop up.

Gear Closet: The North Face Radish Mid-Layer Jacket

The North Face week continues here on the Adventure Blog with a new gear review today. On Monday, I shared my thoughts on the company's Runners Gloves and Pass Through Beanie and yesterday I posted my review of their excellent Flashdry Crew Neck Baselayer. Today I share my feelings about another great piece of performance apparel from TNF – the Radish Mid-Layer Jacket.

Snug and form fitting, the Radish is a fleece mid-layer designed to move with the wearer without restricting motion in any way. That makes it an excellent option for nearly any outdoor activity or for simply wearing around town.

The North Face incorporated its Flashdry fabrics into this jacket as well, delivering high performance in a great looking package. Flashdry imbues this jacket with the ability to not only shrug off moisture quickly and easily but it also allows it to breathe nicely as well. That combination of effects helps to keep us warmer and dryer no matter what kind of weather we face on our outdoor pursuits.

Since the Radish is designed to act as a mid-layer, it does an excellent job of working in conjunction with a baselayer to extend performance even further. I wore this jacket with the TNF Flashdry Crew Neck and found that thy were a perfect combination. In fact, they kept me so warm that I never needed an outer shell while hiking in colder weather. I tend to run a little warm in general, but I think most people will find these two products to be a great combination for cold weather trekking, peak bagging or trail running. Add in a shell and you have a complete layering system that will have you ready to explore all but the harshest environments.

When I first pulled on this jacket I was immediately impressed with how comfortable it is to wear. The form-fitting design might not be for everyone, but I appreciated how well it wraps around my body, keeping me toasty warm, without impeding my range of motion in any way. Even the fitted hood is nicely designed, stretching just enough to cover a helmet when needed, and swiveling with your head to avoid obstructing your view. North Face even cleverly integrated protective fabrics on the shoulders and hips to prevent unexpected abrasion damage when wearing a backpack.

I have been so happy with the performance of this jacket that I've even been wearing it when I don't need high performance gear. The Radish looks great, which makes it a nice choice to wear casually around town in cool or cold weather, and it even garnered a few compliments from friends who now want one for their own gear closet.

The Radish Mid-layer Jacket is a high performance piece of gear that outdoor athletes will simply love. Whether as part of a complete layering system or just as causal wear, I think you'll be as impressed with this jacket as I am. This is North Face apparel at its finest, comfortable, versatile and incredibly well made. Those who appreciate the kind of performance that this jacket delivers won't balk at its $230 price tag, but for those who hesitate at that kind of investment I have some advice. This is a jacket that will last you for years to come and provide unprecedented performance. In short, it is a product that is worth the money and one that you'll truly appreciate every time you put it on.

Video: 138 Skydivers Set New World Record

What does it look like when 138 skydivers take the plunge at the same time? Our friends over at GoPro found out, then released the video for the rest of us to enjoy as well. All I can tell from this clip is that there are a lot of people in the sky at once and they look like they're having a great time! The snowflake design that they form is pretty impressive too!

GoPro: Vertical Skydiving World Record 2012 from GoPro on Vimeo.

Winter Climbs 2013: Slow Progress For Everyone

Over the past few days it has been slow going on nearly every major winter climb. That is to be expected at this time of the year of course, as patience is perhaps the most important attribute for those who want to be successful in the coldest and harshest of seasons. With two months of winter left on the calendar however, there is still plenty of time for most to be successful on their respective peaks.

One climber who doesn't have the luxury of time however is Lonnie Dupre. That is because he has set a goal to climb Denali in January, which leaves him with just ten days to go before his deadline falls for another year. 

When we last checked in, he was stuck at 9700 feet (2956 meters) waiting out another snow storm, although he did report that temperatures were warmer than they have been in the past. Fortunately, conditions have improved on the mountain and as of this morning, the skies are clear. That has allowed Dupre to move up the slope and stash some gear at higher altitudes. According to his latest report, Lonnie has now climbed up to 13,600 ft (4145 meters) after 11 long hours yesterday. Today he hopes to proceed up to 14,200 ft (4328 meters) where he'll rest, assess his health and the weather forecast, and decide where to go next. While weather conditions overall are improved, he is still battling deep snow along his route.

Jumping over to the Himalaya, the Polish team that has its sights set on Broad Peak is still making its way into Base Camp. After a long journey overland to Skardu, they've made their way to Askole, where they've begun trekking to the Godwin-Austen Glacier, which they hope to reach tomorrow. From there, it shouldn't be long before they've established camp and begin their acclimatization rotations. At the moment, they report cold, but improving conditions across the region. On Nanga Parbat the teams are finding it tough going as well. Poor weather conditions have kept several teams in BC where they wait for their chances to go up. The Hungarian-American squad had hoped to climb up to Camp 1 last week but turned back amidst bad weather. The team is still waiting for the arrival of their generator as well, which will make life in Base Camp much more comfortable. 

The Italian-French team that is planning an attempt on NP is finishing up their acclimatization on Ganalo Peak. They're hoping to complete their stay on that mountain with an overnight at 6000 meters (19,685 ft) before proceeding with their true objective. Whether or not conditions allowed them to do that remains unclear at this time. 

Also on Nanga Parbat is snowboarder Joel Wischnewski who is taking on the Rupal Face. Joel has been on the mountain for some time and has made solid progress, caching his gear at Camp 2. But he is also dealing with some health issues which have left him drained and dehydrated. At the moment, he is working on getting his strength back before taking on the challenging route up the wall. Presumably he hopes to climb, then snowboard back down the mountain, which would surely be quite the ride. 

Stay tuned for more updates later int he week. 

Antarctica 2012: Aaron Arrives At The Pole!

After 80 very long days, Aaron Linsdau has reached the South Pole at last. As expected, he reached the 90ºS point yesterday after another trying day out on the ice. But all of the challenges and difficulties that he has faced over the past 2.5 months are behind him now and the American is simply resting and waiting for a flight back to Union Glacier. His relief must be incredible.

As you probably recall, Aaron had originally intended to make a round-trip journey from Hercules Inlet to the South Pole and back, skiing over 1400 miles (2253 km) in the process. But a slower than expected pace, coupled with equipment failures, physical afflictions and other unexpected challenges made the return trip impossible. He also gave up his unsupported status when he had ALE make a couple of supply drops for him along the way, but despite those adjustments to his expedition plan, I'm sure he feels fantastic today as he waits to see if he can catch a flight back to Union Glacier.

Congratulations on a job well done Aaron! Your dedication, perseverance and focus are an inspiration to us all.

Meanwhile, Richard Parks is finding that his final week out on the ice isn't going to be an easy one. For the past two days he has been battling whiteout conditions and flat light, which makes it impossible to navigate or making any substantial progress. Richard took the opportunity to stay in his tent longer than usual and that allowed him to rest and regain some strength, and when he finally hit the trail he was able to make some meaningful distances before conditions deteriorated again.

As you can imagine, these stops and starts are like a roller coast for his morale. Between the poor weather and horrible surface conditions, he has gone from making an incredibly good pace to barely a crawl at times. And now that Parks is within the 88th degree, he is feeling anxious about wrapping up his expedition and heading home. It doesn't help that he's also racing the clock, as ALE's last flight from the South Pole is scheduled to take place next Monday. That gives Richard a week to cover the final two degrees and catch his flight out.

For now, he'll just have to take what ever Mother Nature throws his way and keep plugging away at the mileage when he can. The sastrugi on the surface should subside soon, which will help his speed immensely. Provided the weather cooperates, he should be back on the trail and focused on the South Pole in no time.

Richard is the last of the skiers still out on the ice. When he reaches the finish line, it'll bring down the curtain on yet another Antarctic season.

Gear Closet: The North Face Flashdry Baselayer Crew Neck Top

This is North Face gear week here at the Adventure Blog as I share my thoughts on a number of great products that the company has sent my way recently. Yesterday I posted my reviews of their Runners Gloves and Pass Through Beanie and today I have more performance gear for cool and cold weather adventures, this time in the form of the fantastic Flashdry Baselayer Crew Neck.

For those who aren't familiar with Flashdry, it is the North Face's proprietary fabric that is designed to keep us warm and dry when engaging in our favorite activities in colder climes. Using specially treated fibers, Flashdry products are capable of quickly and efficiently wicking moisture away from the body and as the name implies, those fabrics dry very quickly. Soft and form fitting, without being restrictive, Flashdry is the basis of more than 100 different products in the TNF line-up.

All of the above properties make Flashdry the perfect material for any baselayer, keeping us well protected from inclement weather when enjoying our favorite outdoor pursuits. I wore my Flashdry Crew Neck on multiple runs and hiking trips recently and it performed superbly. I found the shirt to be warm and very comfortable, either on its own or as part of a full layering system, and after wearing it a time or two, it quickly earned a spot in my favorite performance tops. In fact, it is so good that I found myself grabbing it first when running in cold weather and lamenting the fact that it was in the wash when I really wanted.

TNF designers have wisely integrated flat-locked seams to help limit chafing and increase comfort overall. The form-fitting cut, combined with the stretch-materials enhance that comfort even further. At times, he Crew Neck Baselayer actually feels like a second skin, but a second skin that is much more efficient than the one we already have.

Running in 20ºF/-6ºC temperatures, I was struck at how warm this shirt kept me without a fleece or shell of any kind. The fact that it is quick drying is very much appreciated as well, as no one likes a cold breeze blowing across wet fabrics when you're out in the elements for an extended period of time. Fortunately, the TNF Flashdry baselayers performs at a consistently high level, giving you the confidence you need to stay outside as long as you want.

If you're in the market for a new baselayer for your cold weather activities, then you'll want to add this garment to your list. I was very impressed with every aspect of the Crew Neck Baselayer – so much so that I even found myself wearing it around town, where it garnered more than a few compliments. With a price tag of just $50, this is an affordable, dependable product that you'll be happy to have in your performance wardrobe.

Video: Death Valley In Timelapse

In the mood to have your place in the universe defined? Then have a look at the latest timelapse video that comes our way courtesy of Sunchaser Pictures. This time out we're treated to some amazing footage from Death Valley, featuring the expected scenic landscapes, interesting light play and changing shadows. But about a minute and ten seconds into the short film the images start to change dramatically, giving us nighttime shots of those same landscapes while billions of stars dance by overhead. The sense of scale that these images generate is nothing short of awe inspiring and makes you realize just how tiny our little rock truly is.


DEATH VALLEY DREAMLAPSE from Sunchaser Pictures on Vimeo.

Op-Ed: The Power For Adventure To Educate

If you've been reading my blog for any length of time, you've probably seen some of my posts on the impossible2Possible organization and the ways they use adventure to educate and empower students around the globe. I've always admired the way the i2P team comes up with some interesting challenges and destinations, then creates curriculum for teachers to use in their classrooms to help students to understand and relate to the the place and the issues that people living there face.

The following is an op-ed piece written by Dr. George Agnes, the Associate Dean of Sciences at Simon Fraser University. Dr. Agnus worked on helping to develop lesson plans for i2P's latest expedition to Botswana and is in a unique position to assess the impact of using adventure-based learning to raise engagement in students. The good doctor shares his thoughts on that very subject below.

Adventure experiences sow seeds for students to solve global issues

As Associate Dean of Science at Simon Fraser University, I’ve conducted thousands of experiments in my day. But nothing prepared me for my participation in the ultimate educational experiment: observing seven youth each run 180 km of Botswana’s Kalahari Desert to better understand the value of water and its effect on human development and biodiversity. This was a rare experiential learning opportunity where students gained first-hand experience of the stark realities of a global issue and how it affects our world. 

These students were participating in an impossible2Possible (i2P) youth expedition. A U.S.-based nonprofit organization co-founded by Canadian Ray Zahab, i2P’s mission is to encourage youth to reach beyond their perceived limits, and to use adventure as a medium to educate, inspire and empower the global community to make positive change.
With insightful contributions from others at SFU, I produced an inquiry-based curriculum for this expedition and travelled to Botswana to facilitate and support learning on the ground. The curriculum was also used in more than 125 schools worldwide and reached nearly 10,000 students, including hundreds in the Lower Mainland. In these classrooms, students’ grade 6 to 12 conducted experiments exploring the value of water and its effect on human life, and interacted directly with the i2P participants via satellite video. This transported the expedition experience directly into the classroom and enabled students to engage in a manner that informed the next steps in their curriculum-based experiments.

Adventure-based learning uses physical challenges to help youth develop self-directed goals, trust, communication and problem solving skills. Students and teachers report improved student engagement in and ownership of their learning; teamwork and leadership skills development; increased connection to the natural world; and a basic understanding of global issues and how they affect survival and daily life.

In the case of an i2P youth expedition, learning takes place in remote, harsh landscapes where global geo-political and environmental issues – such as water access, food security and healthcare – are explored. As a result, participants develop accountability and responsibility regarding the focal issue as well as a lifelong commitment to pursue solutions to it and related issues. For example, in the drought-ridden Kalahari, access to clean water can mean the difference between life and death. To emphasize this, students ran a marathon a day in 40 degree Celsius heat, consuming eight liters of clean water a day and cultivating a deep appreciation for easy accessibility to water in the process.

Taking adventure-based learning to the wider public has many challenges. Teachers implementing expedition-based concepts in a classroom for students who have little or no access to the expedition often have their efforts stymied from a lack of context. Through technological advances, an expedition’s curriculum can take on new meaning when students become participants in inquiry-based exercises of their own design, such as scientific experimentation, and are then empowered to discuss their results and obtain feedback in real-time with participants in the field. Such experiential learning is one way to inspire student imagination, innovation and a deeper commitment to investigate in-depth issues from local to global perspectives. In partnering with i2P, our academic curriculum reached thousands of students around the globe, challenging each of them to pursue excellence in both athletics and academics.

In the past, adventure-based learning has been offered at a high cost to university students who can afford expedition and tuition fees, with most college-aged students unable to participate and certainly not elementary or high school students.

Today, middle schools and high schools across the Lower Mainland are running adventure-based education programs. At Prince of Wales High School in Vancouver, the TREK Program teaches students how the natural world impacts their daily lives and how they impact the environment. In Mission and Abbotsford, the Community Recreation Programs at W.J. Mouat and Mission secondary schools introduce students to the role of exercise and nature in combating stress-related illness.

At SFU, “academic leadership” courses are being developed based on the multi-disciplinary curriculums created for i2P. Courses are designed to lay foundations for student-inspired learning and excellence in disciplinary foundational concepts, and provide outstanding introductions to complex global issues that they themselves may be tasked with solving during their careers. Students in these courses will extensively investigate the issues the expedition participants are expected to witness and function as mentors to expedition participants.

Often referred to as “21st century learning,” adventure-based learning represents a new type of student experience. By leveraging technological tools to bring an expedition to life in classrooms, educators and students can engage with individuals and communities far afield and work together to find solutions to pressing global issues – issues that affect all of our lives profoundly. Such opportunities help engage students in shaping their futures by developing a knowledge base and value system that will shape and inform the rest of their lives.

Dr. George Agnes is Associate Dean of Science at Simon Fraser University.