Video: Alaska - The Last Frontier

This video is a collection of wonderful images from the Alaskan wilderness. It also serves as a great reminder of just how beautiful and demanding an environment the state actually is. Really impressive stuff.

ALASKA from Issimo on Vimeo.

Video: Insight Into Adventure

I'm sure more than a few of you will be spending some time on the slopes over the holiday period. If you're looking for a little inspiration before heading out, check out this beautiful ski video. It features skier Aidan Shehan, who uses meditation to prepare himself for the challenges of flying down a slope covered in untouched powder.

Aidan Sheahan - "Insight" from Vital Films on Vimeo.

Video: Team MTN Qhubeka: An African Bicycle Dream (Episode 3)

Over the course of the year we have seen a series of great videos that have followed the progress of the new MTN-Qhubeka Pro Continental Cycling Team, the first all-African cycling squad to compete on an international level. The team continues to make solid strides in its first year of development and in the third episode – which you'll find below – we get footage from the Tour of Rwanda, which the riders recently competed in. The team has done so well in this first year of existence, that they are in the running to receive an invitation to the Giro d'Italia next year. If that happens, they'll become the first African registered team to ride in a Grand Tour. That would be a big step forward for the sport in Africa.

If you like this video, check out Episode 1 and Episode 2 as well.

Antarctica 2013: The South Pole Beckons

It is Christmas Eve across the globe today and while most of prepare to spend time with friends and family, the teams in the Antarctic continue to press on towards their goals. For some, the South Pole is now in sight, promising rest and respite from the trials that have led them there. While there are still miles to go before they sleep, it seems that success will be in their grasp at long last.

The Scott Expedition isn't amongst those teams of course. For them, the South Pole is the halfway point of a journey that has tested them at every step. They've now been out on the ice for two months as they follow in the footsteps of famed explorer Robert Falcon Scott. Ben and Tarka have now entered the last degree however, and reaching 90ºS will still be a major milestone for them none the less. The boys have started to pick up speed as they've shed weight from their sleds. And while they still have a long way to go until they are done (970 miles/1561 km), they can take some solace in knowing that soon they'll make the turn for home and will be heading down hill too.

Also closing in on the Pole is Aussie Geoff Wilson. He's been kite skiing to 90ºS and is edging ever closer. His goal was to be there by Christmas and it looks like he still has a chance, although he fully admits he is nearly at the end of his rope. The long expedition, now 40 days in length, has really started to take its toll and he is completely exhausted after 13 hours of skiing yesterday. Still, if the winds are favorable, there is a good chance he'll reach the finish line today or tomorrow.


Richard Parks is now 19 days into his attempt at the speed record, which now seems far out of reach. He is covering excellent distances at this point of the expedition, but with just five days to go until the previous record passes him by, he'll need to average 86.2 km (53.5) miles per day to have a chance. That is simply not possible. Still, Richard is on track to reach the Pole in a very impressive time, and should probably be there early in the New Year.

Daniel Burton is pressing forward with his attempt to ride his mountain bike to the South Pole. He is still having a difficult time with surface conditions, high winds, and whiteouts. But, he also had a great day a few days back, covering 24 miles (38.8 km). That's a new personal best and the kind of effort it is going to take for him to reach the finish line. He estimates it could take him another month to reach the Pole, and while he struggles with pressing on each day, he feels like he has it in him to get there.

Parker Liautaud and Doug Stoup have completed their expedition to the South Pole. The duo arrived at that point earlier today, bringing an end to their 506 km (314 mile) expedition. Parker, who is a veteran polar explorer at the age of 19, is now the youngest person to ski to both the North and South Pole. They'll now spend a couple of days at the Pole before hopping a flight back to Union Glacier, and eventually home. Congratulations to both Parker and Doug on a job well done!

Finally, Lewis Clarke is attempting to set an age record of his own. The 16-year old is on his way to the Pole as well, and would be the youngest to reach that point. He's going to have to struggle for the next few days however, as he broke one of his skis and will be walking for two days until a supply drop can bring him a replacement. That will slow progress some, although he and his guide Carl Alby are doing quite well. As of today, they have crossed 328.7 miles (529 km) and have 374.2 miles (602 km) left to go. That means they are just shy of the halfway point.

That's all for today. Happy holidays to all of the Antarctic explorers. Stay warm and focused.

Happy Holidays From The Adventure Blog

With the holiday season upon us, I wanted to take this opportunity to with everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Thank you for reading my humble little blog and sharing your own stories of travel and adventure. As I will be spending time with friends and family over the next week or so, updates will be sporadic and less frequent than normal. But since I suspect many of you will be doing the same, I'm sure you'll hardly notice! :) We'll get back to a normal schedule on January 2 for sure, but until then, enjoy the final days of 2013 and look ahead to an adventurous and prosperous 2014.

Video: Norway - Home Of The Northern Lights

The only thing you need to know about this video is that it was shot in Norway and captures the Northern Lights in spectacular fashion. That pretty much says it all. Enjoy!

Home of The Northern Lights - NORWAY from Ole C. Salomonsen on Vimeo.

Video: Skiing Through The Trees

Speaking of ski movies. Check out this great little video that was captured with an action cam of some sort and features skiers Candide Thovex and Aziz Benkrich zipping through trees at high speed. They're definitely braver (not to mention more skilled!) than I am. The POV camera certainly enhances the sense of anxiety you can get in close proximity to these trees. I run like this one would probably leave me in the hospital.

Video: Epic Skiing From 'Days Of My Youth'

With winter now just officially a day away, I'm sure we'll be seeing plenty of great skiing and snowboarding videos soon. The clip below is the trailer for just such a film, entitled Days of my Youth, and featuring a plethora of professional skiers. It isn't scheduled to come out until next fall, but judging from what is shown here, it looks like it is going to be amazing. Still, Fall 2014 is an awful long time to wait. For now, we'll have to just settle for what we've got here.

Antarctica 2013: Turning Points

As we head into the weekend – and the first official day of winter here in the Northern Hemisphere – the Antarctic teams continue to plod away towards their goals. For some, the South Pole is now in sight, and a few more days of hard skiing will bring them to the finish line, or in some cases the half-way point. But there is still much work to be done, and the season is far from over yet.

No more is this evident than with the Scott Expedition, where Ben Saunders and Tarka L'Herpiniere are now on their 57th day out on the ice. It has not been an easy one, and morale takes a hit from time to time, but they continue to press ahead as best they can. Yesterday they dropped their final supply depot, and they are now down to just one sled, which should help them to go a bit faster as they head to 90ºS. The duo are now approaching the 88th degree and will be attempting to cover more ground each day. From here on out, they intend to ski 9-10 hours per day, as opposed to their 8-8.5 that they have been doing so far. This will allow them to cover a bit more ground, and hopefully still complete the journey on schedule. Once they round the Pole, they should make better time on the return trip, as they'll be going down hill and carrying less of a load. But incredible weariness will have set in as well. For this team, which it seems we've been following forever, the end is still a long way off.

Meanwhile, I made an error in reporting on Richard Park's speed record attempt a few days ago. I mistakenly read his "distance travled" for "distance remaining" and was way off on the average distance he would need to cover in order to reach the Pole in his allotted time. Richard has been putting in some excellent days and covering impressive distances, but he still has a very long way to go and just eight days left to attempt to break the record. He is currently covering about 45 km (24 miles) per day, which is faster than anyone else currently skiing in Antarctica. But as of two days ago, when he last posted an update, he still had 650 km (405 miles) to cover if he hoped to break the record. At the time, that meant he needed to ski 65 km (40.5 miles) per day. That just isn't going to be possible over that final stretch. It has been a valiant effort, but surface conditions and weather haven't been favorable almost from the start.


Chris and Marty Fagan, the husband and wife team on their way to the Pole, reached an important turning point today – quite literally. As many of you probably know, when you start at Hercules Inlet, there are a number of obstacles to clear before you actually turn due south. Namely some crevasse fields and mountain ranges, that impede progress. The Fagans have, more or less, gone past those obstacles now and can point their skis directly towards 90ºS. This has already made it easier for them to ski, as the wind comes from the south and creates sastrugi on the ground that are hard to cross over, but much easier to run parallel to. I would expect these two endurance athletes to pick up the pace some in the day ahead.

Both physical and mental fatigue are starting to take their toll on Geoff Wilson, who is kite skiing to the South Pole. As such, his pace is often dictated by the wind, covering impressive mileage on one day, and making little progress the next. Still, he has the Pole in sight as well with just 314 km (169 miles) to go. If the winds are in his favor, and surface conditions are good, he still hopes to finish by Christmas.

If anyone is suffering out on the ice at the moment, it is probably Daniel Burton. The American who is attempting to ride his bike to the South Pole has been struggling the past few days to hit his intended mileage, sometimes riding longer than he had expected to ensure that he hits his goals. If all goes as expected, he should cross the 83rd degree today, which means he is making slow, but steady progress. It also means he still has a long way to go if he hopes to succeed. He has achieved one milestone though, setting a new record for most distance traveled on a bike in the Antarctic.

Finally, and update on veteran polar explorer Antony Jinman's progress, who I've mentioned a few times but haven't followed as closely as I should. As expected, Antony is doing an impressive job on his march to the South Pole. He's now 18 days into the expedition and has covered more than 211 miles (390 km). That has been a sure and steady pace for him over the first few weeks of the journey and he seems well poised to reach the Pole in a few weeks time.

Thats all for today. Expect to hear word about the first Vinson climbs soon. It seems most of the mountaineers are in transit now and should start their ascents soon. Things are only getting busier in the Antarctic as the holidays loom.

Pacific Ocean Row: Fedor Konyukhov Returning To Chile

It has been a rough week for some of the adventurers we've been following lately. Yesterday we learned that the Dark Ice Project has been cancelled, only to find out later that Pacific rower Fedor Konyukhov is returning to land as well. You may recall, a few days back he launched his attempt row solo across the Pacific, departing from Valparaise, Chile with the intention of crossing the ocean all the way to Brisbane, Australia. But four days in, he has suffered a set back is on his way back to shore.

According to a post on his website, Fedor suffered a failure of his solar charging system on Tuesday, with both of his onboard batteries running out of juice. Those batteries power a number of systems on  his custom built rowboat, and without the solar panel to recharge them, he would never have a chance of crossing the Pacific. His GPS devices, satellite phone and other electronics all require the batteries to function properly.

After he called for assistance, his support team back on land chartered a boat to go out to tow him in. He should be back in Chile today, as he had only made it about 40 miles from shore when he ran into trouble. According to his website, he has been using a manual satellite phone to stay in contact and has several handheld GPS devices to call in his coordinates. His team was en route on Wednesday, but so far there haven't been any updates on their progress. They do say the situation is under control and that Fedor is not in any danger.

Once back on shore, the entire electrical system will need to be examined and repaired before the Russian can attempt to set out again. How long that take remains to be seen. Considering the voyage was suppose to take more than six months, it's just a good thing he wasn't further out from shore when the malfunction occurred. Hopefully he'll be back rowing soon.

Video: Nanga Parbat In Winter

With the winter climbing season about to begin, it seems this year most of the focus will be on Nanga Parbat, the 8126 meter (26,660 ft) mountain located in Pakistan. Nanga remains one of just two 8000-meter peaks yet to be climbed in the winter, with the other being K2. With three teams heading to the mountain, I thought it was appropriate to share a video of what they can expect. The 4-minute clip below gives you an idea of what the Polish team endured last year on the mountain. Conditions will be similar this time out. Cold and snowy about sums it up.

Video: KUOTA - A Passion For Cycling

The video below is essentially a commercial for Kuota bikes, but it might as well be an endorsement of why we love to ride as well. It is beautifully shot and manages to capture the spirit of a great ride in just two-and-a-half minutes. It definitely makes me want to get out on my bike today, which is fortunately possible with the nice weather we're having here in Austin. I hope it inspires you some too. Enjoy!

KUOTA | Kom 2014 from Valerio Musilli on Vimeo.

Video: Winter Technical Mountain Biking

The video below is the fifth in a six part series called Ultramontane. The short films focus on mountain biking in the winter and in the case of this particular video, it is all about the technical riding, which becomes even more difficult when there is a little snow on the ground. Still, this looks like an amazingly beautiful place to ride, no matter what time of year it is, although the addition of some snow definitely adds a new element.

Thanks to Adventure Journal for sharing this.

Ultramontane No.05 from nsmb.com on Vimeo.

North Pole 2014: Dark Ice Project Cancelled

Well that didn't take long.

Just two days ago I wrote a piece about the impending launch of the Dark Ice Project, an ambitious expedition that was set to send four explorers to the North Pole during the winter on a round-trip trek that would take six months. At the time, the team was preparing to set out, possibly as early as this weekend. But today we get the word that the mission has been scrubbed completely.

In a blog post that appeared on the expedition website early today, team leader Alex Hibbert shared the reasoning behind the cancellation – or at least postponement - of their journey. Essentially, a survey of the ice north of Greenland, where he and teammates James Wheeldon, Anastasia Kim and Anders Rasmussen, would be doing the bulk of their traveling caused the change in plans. That ice is not forming quickly or substantially this winter and as a result, the conditions are not right for travel. There are large sections of open water where the ice hasn't formed and parts of the Kennedy Channel, which is along their intended route, are in "exceptionally poor condition."

Last year, Alex and crew traveled across the region setting supply depots that they would use on their journey this year. During that time, they observed the ice to be perfect for travel and were optimistic that the same thing would happen this year. That hasn't proven to be the case and now it appears that it simply isn't safe to make this kind of extended trek this year.


There is another reason for them to cancel the trek as well. The lack of ice has also reduced the size of the habitat for polar bears, which live in large numbers in the region as well. That means that they were more likely to encounter those bears on their travels north, and it was also likely that they would possibly have a violent encounter with the animals. The bears will be competing with one another for food this year and when they are in an environment that is reduced in size, they will be more aggressive and hungry. On top of that, polar bears show little fear of humans and have been known to stalk skiers on their way to the North Pole. The entire situation was ripe for disaster.

Alex noted that he respects the Inuit people who live in and around Qaanaaq, where they are currently stationed. Those hardy indigenous people have also warned him about the dangers of proceeding north this year, and no one knows the dangers better than they do. With that in mind, he feels it is best to pull the plug on the bigger expedition, at least for now.

But, the team is not coming home. They are in good physical condition, getting along great, and they have plenty of supplies at their disposal. They plan to spend the next four months traveling throughout the region, visiting remote Inuit settlements and still exploring the Arctic during the winter. They also say that they have another plan in mind, but they're not ready to reveal details just yet, although it does involve recruiting two large sled dog teams. So, while the epic six month long Dark Ice Project may be on hold, there are other goals in mind.

Sadly, this falls in line with what I wrote about a few days back. Clearly it is becoming more difficult and dangerous to attempt North Pole expeditions. The ice is just too unstable these days, and as I've mentioned in the past, I believe in a few more years it may be impossible to make a full ski journey to the North Pole. Climate change is just having too much of an impact on the region and it may be sometime before that begins to revert back in the other direction.

Stay tuned for more news on the Dark Ice Project and the North Pole in the days ahead.

Winter Climbs 2014: Ralf Dujmovits To Attempt Nanga Parbat Solo

A week ago I wrote a piece sharing early details on two teams preparing to attempt Nanga Parbat in winter. In that story, I mentioned that German climber Ralf Dujmovits might possibly be headed to the 8126 meters (26,660 ft) mountain as well. That as now been confirmed, although Ralf will be undertaking the expedition in a highly difficult and unusual fashion. It seems he will have a go at the first winter summit on Nanga completely on his own.

In an interview posted yesterday on Stefan Nestler's blog, Dujmovits discussed his little project. The 52-year old climber, who is the first German to climb all 8000 meter peaks, knows Nanga Parbet well, which he believes will help him in this solo summit. Ralf notes that he, and wife Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner, believe that NP is the most beautiful of the eight-thousanders, which has inspired him to return to attempt this daring climb.

According to the article, the German climber has just wrapped up an acclimatization climb on Aconcagua, the tallest peak in South America at 6962 meters (22,841 ft). After spending two nights on the summit, Ralf ended that expedition, he flew home briefly to see Gerlinde before leaving for Pakistan yesterday. He's now en route to Islamabad, where he'll finish up his prep work before heading to the mountain. With the official start of winter now just a few days off, he'll be eager to get things started for sure.

There is no doubt that Ralf is amongst the best climbers in the world with an incredible amount of experience on his resume. But, as he admits in the article, he is not known as a winter climbing specialist. He has had 32 expeditions to 8000 meter peaks, which will prove useful on this climb too. But the cold months on Nanga Parbet are unlike any other time of the year, which is exactly why it has yet to be climbed in the colder months of the year. Of all of the eight-thousanders, only K2 holds that distinction.

In the months ahead, it will be interesting to follow Ralf's progress and see how he fares. This will be one of the most demanding winter climbs that we've seen in some time, and it would be an outstanding achievement if he can pull this off.

Video: Julia Roberts On The Importance Of Clean Cookstoves

If you're a regular reader of this blog, you know that I have a strong respect and admiration for the work that is being done by my friends at the Himalayan Stove Project. For the past few years, they have been delivering and installing clean cookstoves to the people of Nepal, where they have already changed the lives of thousands of people. A clean cookstove translates into better, healthier living, and the HSP is having a direct and immediate effect where ever they install their new stoves. Don't believe me? Take a look at the video below, which features Academy Award winning actress Julia Roberts, who is part of the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves. In the two-minute clip, she outlines exactly why this is an important cause.

In this season of giving, if you're looking for a great cause to contribute to, consider the Himalayan Stove Project. Your money will go directly to saving lives in the Himalaya, a part of the world that is practically the epicenter for adventure.

Video: Wingsuiters Fly Incredibly Close To The Ground

Just how close can a wingsuit pilot fly to the ground? That seems to be the question on a lot of people's minds these days. This video gives us a frightening look at how far some are willing to push the envelope. It shows Brian Drake flying off the top of the ENSA Couloir near Chamonix, France and zipping down a gully just a few meters off the ground. Harrowing was the word that came to mind while I watched this.

Thanks to EpicTV for sharing.

Antarctica 2013: Solid Progress For All Teams

The past few days have seen high winds sweep across the Antarctic continent, but that is to be expected this time of year. Despite conditions however, nearly all the teams are reporting solid progress on their various expeditions to the South Pole. It seems that most are now finding their groove and covering more milage, although few are anywhere close to finishing their journeys just yet. If things stay as they are however, it seems it could be a busy New Year at the bottom of the world.

It has been a few updates since we checked in with Ben Saunders and Tarka L'Herpiniere, the two members of the Scott Expedition. Now, after nearly 55 days out on the ice, they are simply in a daily grind as they push on towards the South Pole. Daily distance have slowly started to creep upwards and they are steadily getting closer and closer to 90ºS, which in this case will be the halfway point of their expedition. As of this morning, they still had 1096 miles (1763 km) to go before they are done, but the incredibly hard work should be behind them now, although I doubt that is much consolation after nearly two months on the frozen continent.

Richard Parks continues to push ahead with his speed record attempt on the South Pole. He continues to take solid chunks of milage out of the distance and now, with ten days to go, it appears that he has a shot at achieving the record, although it is going to be tough. Now that he has hit his stride, he's been routinely traveling 43 km (26.7 miles) per day, and as of this morning he still had 454 km (282 miles) left to go. If he can manage to eek out a few extra miles each day, he should still have a chance of arriving ahead of the current record pace. It's going to be close, so we'll be watching intently over the next few days.


The Willis Resilience Team is marching ever closer to their goal. After conducting a environmental research survey by vehicle early on, and even stopping at the Pole during that stage of the expedition, teammates Parker Liautaud and Doug Stoup later started skiing to 90ºS as well. The ski portion of the trip began at the Leverett Glacier, which is about 640 km (397 miles) from the South Pole. Yesterday, the duo passed the 88th degree, so they are quickly closing in on the finish line. On their website, they make several mentions of breaking the speed record, although they aren't doing the full distance from Hercules Inlet, so it is doubtful that anyone will recognize their achievement as such.

Chris and Marty Fagan are making good progress on their ski expedition to the South Pole. The married couple has now passed the 84th degree and have been on the ice for a little over two weeks. So far their morale has remained high and they seem to be enjoying the challenge. Right now, they're covering about 9-9.5 miles (14-15 km) per day, which isn't going to set any speed records, but will get them to their goal before the season ends in January.

Daniel Burton continues to struggle with the terrain in the Antarctic and he is discovering why no one has ever ridden their bike to the South Pole before. Each day seems to be quite the struggle, with soft snow, high winds and continued steep climbs keeping him from really opening up the speeds and distance that he'd like. Still, he is showing a lot of grit and determination as he covers roughly 15 nautical miles (27.7 km) per day. He estimates that if he continues to hit that distance, he'll be able to make it to the Pole on the supplies that he has and in the time allotted.

Finally, kite skier Geoff Wilson's fortunes continue to be governed by the winds. When he has strong winds, he makes good time, each mile bringing him closer to the Pole. When the winds are quiet, he has a rough day out on the ice, making very little progress. Yesterday was just such a day, although things improved some today. He now sits just shy of the 86th parallel, but he's really had to earn the miles. While being pulled along by his kite today, his skis caught on the ice, sending him sprawling onto the ground. The high winds continued to drag him along the surface while he struggled to get to his feet. As a result, he has shredded his mittens and some of his other gear, but fortunately he didn't lose anything, including food.

That's Antarctica for you. Nothing is ever easy. More to come soon.

Adventure Tech: New Trent PowerPak Ultra USB Charging System

These days when we travel, whether it is to some far off country or into the local backcountry, we tend to carry more electronic gadgets with us than in the past. Everything from our smartphones, mp3 players, GPS devices and even high tech watches, use rechargeable batteries and will like need to be juiced up while we're in the field. In the past, we've seen various methods for doing just that, including the use of various solar chargers. But for many of us, a simple battery pack with USB ports will do the trick for all but the most intensive journeys. Now, there is a new ruggedized option that seems to be designed with adventure travelers in mind.

Yesterday, New Trent officially announced it's PowerPak Ultra, a portable USB charging system that brings a lot to the table. For starters, it features a 14,000 mAh battery, which is enough recharge most smartphones as much as 7 times. It also has two USB ports, the first rated for 1A and the other 2.1A. The latter is powerful enough to charge even a tablet such as an iPad, while the former is good for use with less power intensive devices.

But what really sets the PowerPak Ultra apart from the crowd is its ruggedized construction. It's outer shell is tough enough to resist scratches and most drops, which makes it a perfect companion to take into the backcountry. It also happens to be water resistant with an IP-67 rating. That means it can be submerged for up to 30 minutes without fear of damage, which will come in handy on paddling expeditions or visits to damp climates.

Best of all, the PowerPak is very affordable. The device runs just $69.95 and his available directly from New Trent or Amazon.

Video: Everest Paragliders Get Mainstream Press On 'Nightline'

In the spring of 2011, Sanobabu Sunuwar and Lakpa Tshiri Sherpa captured the imagination of the climbing community with their astounding feat of climbing Everest and then paragliding off the summit. Their flight lasted 42 minutes and covered 15 miles, before landing in Namche Bazaar. Anyone who knows the Khumbu Valley realizes that that is a heck of a long way to glide and that the views must have been spectacular. Last night their story was told on the news program Nightline and the video from the show can be found below. It is always great to see someone from the world of adventure get some attention from the mainstream media. It just doesn't happen all that often, but this story was handled very well.

Thanks to my friends at Nat Geo Adventure for sharing.

Breaking News from ABC | ABC Sports News

Video: The Lunch Ride With Yeti Cycles

One of the traditions for anyone that works at Yeti Cycles is the daily lunch ride. The office shuts down between 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM so that everyone can hit the local trails to blow off a little steam. This not only gives Yeti employees a chance to try out new bikes and components, but it keeps them in tune with what their customers want and need from their bikes. The video below gives us a glimpse of what those lunch rides are like, as well as the culture around the office. After watching this, I want a show of hands on who now wants to work at Yeti Cycles?

Our Process: The Lunch Ride from Yeti Cycles on Vimeo.

Video: Peaks Of Life - A Mountain Biker Bounces Back From Adversary

Tom Wheeler was a downhill mountain bike racer who crashed in a race 2011, which resulted in an injury that rendered his left arm paralyzed. That hasn't stopped him from wanting to ride however, so he's been going to great lengths to try to find ways to continue to pursue his passion. The video below gives us some insight into Tom's story and his drive to get back on his bike and continue doing the things he loves.

Peaks of Life | Tom Wheeler Documentary from Aspect Media on Vimeo.

North Pole 2014: The Dark Ice Project Ready To Launch

While most of the attention for polar exploration is currently focused on the Antarctic, one team is already preparing for what promises to be an epic journey north instead. Typically the North Pole season doesn't start for a couple of months yet, but this particular expedition is going to require more than six months of travel time, much of which will be spent completely without sunlight.

I first told you about Alex Hibbert's Dark Ice Project more than a year ago.  The plan is for Alex, along with teammates James Wheeldon, Anastasia Kim and Anders Rasmussen to trek from the village of Qaanaaq in Greenland up the the Nares Strait to Ellesmere Island, then onto the frozen Arctic Ocean all the way to the North Pole. They'll be traveling the entire way during the Arctic winter, which is the coldest, harshest time of the year in the Arctic. If all goes well, they hope to reach the Pole in March and if conditions permit, they'll make the return journey back to their starting point. If they succeed, it'll be the first time that anyone has completed such an expedition.

The team believes that it will take roughly 210 days to finish the entire trip. That means they expect to reach the finish line sometime in June or July of next year. That is an incredibly long time to be out on the ice, and such a demanding expedition will no doubt take its toll on this team. In preparation for the challenge that await them, Alex and his crew have spent some time over the past year dropping supply depots along their intended route. That will allow them to resupply while en route and keep the weight of their sleds to a minimum. As they are now however, those sleds weigh in the area of 250 kg (550 pounds). That is a lot of weight to be dragging behind you while skiing through one of the most demanding environments on the planet.


Over the past few years we've seen very little success for North Pole skiers. In fact, no one has gone the full distance to the Pole in quite some time. This team will have to overcome some serious obstacles if they hope to break that streak. Climate change has made it more difficult than ever to reach 90ºN, and I've said on more than one occasion that I believe it will soon be nearly impossible to complete this kind of journey. Whether or not the Dark Ice team can be successful remains to be seen, but they certainly have an uphill battle ahead of them.

The entire squad is currently in Qaanaaq, where they are sorting their gear and preparing to get underway soon. There is no clear departure date set just yet, but my guess is that they'll wait until Saturday of this week so that they'll officially begin in winter. After that, it's six months of grueling weather, subzero temperatures, unstable pack ice and potential encounters with hungry polar bears. They'll be packing guns just in case they run into bears along the way, but the fifth member of their team, an Inuit dog named Dave, will help keep them alert to those dangers while also keeping any ursine intruders at bay.

This is a seriously epic expedition. I wish Alex and the team the best of luck on this undertaking. I'll certainly be following their expedition closely as they head North and cheering on their progress from a far. It will be one of the most demanding expeditions in recent memory if they succeed, and that alone is enough to hope they make it.  Follow their progress on the team's website and Twitter feed.

Best Hike Treks The Manaslu Circuit

My friend Rick McCharles of Best Hike fame is up to his usual tricks. Rick recently to Nepal where he walked the Manaslu Circuit, a 252 km (156.8 mile) sojourn that takes roughly 12-13 days to complete. Following his Himalayan adventure, Rick has posted his thoughts on the trek, sharing daily info on the walk and lots of beautiful photos as well.

As the name implies, this hiking circuit encircles Manaslu, an 8156 meter (26,759 ft) peak that is located in west central Nepal. The trail first opened back in 1991, but Rick says that it has gained in popularity over the past few years as more tea houses have sprung up along the route, giving trekkers more comfortable options for their adventure.

All told, the circuit features 12,585 meters (41,289 ft) of climbing and 11,279 meters (37,004 ft) of descent. It reaches its highest point at Larkya Pass, which falls at 5106 meters (16,751 ft). While that is plenty of altitude, Rick says that it rises at an acceptable rate, allowing plenty of time to acclimatize. The route will take you through six climate zones along the way, giving backpackers an opportunity to experience a host of beautiful scenery. As with most treks through the Himalaya in Nepal, it also exposes travelers to the great culture there as well.

Rick spent a total of ten days on his hike and from the sounds of his reports, he enjoyed every minute of it, despite some challenges. The thing that intrigues me most about his notes on the hike is that he compares it quite favorably to the legendary Annapurna Circuit from years past. There are many long distance hikers who feel the Annapurna Circuit is the best hiking trail in the world, although the addition of a road to the region altered that perception some. If the Manaslu Circuit is anywhere near as good, it says a lot about just how amazing this walk must be.

If you're looking for a new adventure for 2014, then perhaps the Mansaslu Circuit should be added to your list of potentials. Rick says October and November are the best times to go, although April and May aren't bad either. It looks like yet another amazing Himalayan hike I need to add to my bucket list.

Video: Ueli Steck Talks Solo Annapurna Summit

For my money, Ueli Steck's solo summit of Annapurna earlier this fall is the most audacious climb of the year. The 28-hour round trip journey could probably only be completed by a handful of mountaineers at best. In the video below, Ueli is interviewed by Hervé Barmasse about the climb, where his motivations come from , how he prepares for such an expedition and more. As always, "the Swiss Machine" is as interesting and engaging as ever.

Video: Winter LIfe In Super-Slow Motion

Since the official start of winter is now just a few days away, I felt this video was very appropriate. It beautifully captures some stunning images of wildlife during the cold and snowy season. There are some really amazing shots here with only the slightest of movement going on. Amazing stuff.

Winter Life - Super Slow Motion from Subfocus Filming & Production on Vimeo.

Antarctica 2013: Success At The South Pole, Tough Going Elsewhere

It was another busy, active weekend in Antarctica, where the teams are now in the stage where each day is a real grind. Progress for most has been slow and steady, with few real milestones reached. The South Pole still feels like a distant place for most of the skiers, although each day brings them a bit closer. With days out on the ice still ahead of them, it seems that only the weather changes at the moment, and usually not for the better.

The big news coming out of the weekend is that the South Pole Allied Challenge team completed its journey to the South Pole on Friday. The group that included soldiers wounded in the line of duty from the U.K., the U.S. and other Commonwealth countries skied three degrees to the Pole, spending about three weeks out on the ice to do so. They were relieved and happy upon reaching their destination, and now they have made their way back to Novo Station before catching a flight to Cape Town and eventually back home. Amongst the skiers were Prince Harry of the British Royal Family, as well as actors Alexander Skarsgard (True Blood) and Dominic West (The Wire). The expedition was undertaken with support from the Walking With The Wounded organization, which helps servicemen and women injured in the line of duty to get back to their lives. Congratulations to the entire team.

Elsewhere, Richard Parks is now 11 days into his attempt at the speed record for skiing to South Pole from Hercules Inlet. He has now started to cover 40 km (24.8 miles) per day, which is an excellent pace, but probably not fast enough to break the record. He is hoping to cover the 1125+ km (700+ miles) distance in just 23 days, but with 12 to go, he still has approximately 775.3 km (483 miles) Left to cover. That means he needs to be hitting 64.5 km (40 miles) per day for the rest of the tip. That's an awfully big increase when surface conditions aren't cooperating. Soft snow has continued to make progress a challenge and will likely do so for most of the rest of the journey.


South Pole cyclist Daniel Burton is having his share of issues with the weather. The past few days have been whiteout conditions for him, which has made progress incredibly slow. Last week he estimated that if he could continue to hit 15 miles (24.1 km) per day, he could make it to the Pole with the supplies at his disposal. Yesterday he only managed about half of that, which means he'll have to make up the difference a some point. Hopefully this isn't a trend that will continue, as he would like to become the first person to ride all the way to 90ºS. Right now, that looks like an uphill battle to say the least.

Kite skier Geoff Wilson reached the 85th degree earlier today and now has just 545 km (338 miles) to go before he reaches the Pole. If the winds stay in his favor, he should have no problem reaching that point before his projected goal of Christmas Day. He is certainly starting to feel the rigors of the expedition however, as his legs have become increasingly weary from traveling over the rough surface. He has also overcome a possible food shortage by simply putting in more mileage. If he covers the final distance the Pole more quickly, he won't have to worry about his food situation as much.

Finally, 16-year old Lewis Clarke and his guide Carl Alvy have hit their first patch of bad weather. They had whiteout conditions as well yesterday and it made for very tough going. Without the contrast of the sun to help show them the way, it was hard to stay on course and make progress. Without a horizon to help focus them, it can become incredibly disorienting, leaving them hopelessly lost. With that in mind, they only skied for five hours yesterday, returning to the safety and shelter of their tent. Hopefully conditions will improve once again today, as the boys have been making good progress so far and are on course to have Lewis become the youngest person to ski to the South Pole ever.

That's it for a busy Monday. More to come throughout the week I'm sure.

Russian Adventurer Begins Solo Row Across The Pacific

At the beginning of November I posted a story about Fedor Konyukhov, a Russian adventurer who was planning a solo, unsupported, non-stop row across the Pacific Ocean. At the time, he was still in the planning stages of the journey but had hoped to set off sometime in December. This past weekend he hit the water at last and now faces 8000 nautical miles (14,816 km) of open sea as he travels under his own power from Valparaise, Chile to Brisbane, Australia.

According to this update from ExWeb, the Pacific crossing should take Fedor roughly 200 days to complete. During the first stage of journey he'll have to navigate through a maze of lightly mapped islands and atolls, while on his arrival in Australia he'll have to negotiate the Great Barrier Reef. In between, he'll have thousands of miles of open sea that he'll have to row entirely on his own in what is set to be the longest ocean row ever.

Konyukhov's boat has been equipped with the latest in ocean rowing technology. Solar cells will power all of the onboard electronics such as GPS and satellite communications equipment. Desalinization pumps will turn salt water into drinking water for him, while an autopilot system will help ensure that he stays on course throughout the journey. The boat arrived in Chile several weeks back, and it has undergone extensive testing on the ocean prior to Fedor's departure on Saturday morning. It passed those tests with flying colors, so hopefully it'll now be up to the task ahead.

You'll be able to follow along with Fedor's progress on his website, which does offer an English version. He also has a blog and Facebook page, both of which are in Russian. If you don't read that language, you'll need to use Google Translate or something similar to understand what is being said.

Good luck to Fedor on this epic journey. Hopefully the sea is kind to him over the next 6+ months.

Video: How Those Epic Timelapse Videos Get Made

You know those beautiful timelapse videos we love so much? Turns out they take a lot of work to complete! Who knew! In the video below, we not only get some great shots from the California landscapes, we also get to meet Michael Shainblum, who tells us how he creates these amazing clips.

The Art Of The Timelapse | Meet Michael Shainblum from The Creators Project on Vimeo.

Video: Mission Antarctic Trailer

Last year, snowboarders Xavier de Le Rue and Lucas Debari visited Antarctica to search for mountains to climb and ride. At the time, we followed their expedition as closely as possible, although there weren't a lot of dispatches sent back. Now, the documentary film of that adventure is available on iTunes and the trailer below will give you a taste of what to expect. The film was made in collaboration with Camp 4 Collective, so as you would expect, it looks like great stuff.

mission antarctic trailer from TimeLine Missions on Vimeo.

Antarctica 2013: South Pole In Sight For Allied Challenge Team

It has been a busy week at the bottom of the world. The South Pole skiers have been putting in a lot of time and effort on their way to the finish line, and for most of them that point is still quite a long way off. But for one team, the end is now in sight and they should reach 90ºS later today.

The first ski team to arrive at the Pole this year will be the South Pole Allied Challenge squad. You may recall that this team actually started as three individual units that were racing the final three degrees to the South Pole, but that race was suspended over concerns of safety. At that time, all the teams merged into one and continued on together. Now those efforts will pay off, as the combined squad will arrive at the South Pole today. This team includes Prince Harry, as well as actors Dominic West and Alexander Skarsgård, who are the celebrity patrons of the expedition.

Elsewhere, Richard Parks continues his efforts to break the speed record for skiing to the South Pole from Hercules Inlet. He has definitely started to hit his stride and is knocking off more distances as he goes, but he still faces quite an uphill battle. Yesterday he covered 40.6 km (25 miles), which leaves him with an estimated  897.4 km (559 miles) to go. The sobering truth is that that means he'll need to average 59.8 km (37.1 miles) per day for the next 15 days in order to achieve his goal. While he continues to increase his speed and distance, that seems like a herculean task over the days ahead.


Aussie Geoff Wilson is back on the trail and speeding towards the South Pole. He is kite skiing to 90ºS and has some momentum behind him now. At the moment he's heading towards a Russian research station, where he'll drop off some gear and say hello to the people living and working there. He is now under 900 km (560 miles) to the Pole and he is hoping the winds will help him get there by Christmas Day. That seems achievable, provided the weather cooperates – something that hasn't happened much so far this season.

Daniel Burton achieved a milestone yesterday on his attempt to ride his bike to the South Pole. He managed to cross the 81st latitude, which means he has crossed his first degree. He's also hitting a solid 15.1 miles (24.3 km) per day, which should allow him to complete one degree every four days. If he can stick to that schedule, he feels like he can finish the expedition. He ask feels that even though he has only crossed one degree, the worst is behind him. He's no longer struggling up hill and the largest crevasse field is now behind him, which should help him to pick up the pace in the days ahead.

The Scott Expedition has finally reached the top of the Antarctic Plateau, after nearly 50 days out on the ice. That means that the terrain has leveled out and moving takes less effort, but the temperatures have gotten colder as they are now at 2652 meters (8700 ft) in altitude. The boys are quite tired, but they continue to move ahead. I suspect from now on they'll cover more distance and pick up their pace. After dropping another supply depot a few days back, their sleds are the lightest they have been since the start of the expedition. Ben and Tarka still have 1182 miles (1902 km) to go before they are done – remember they're going to the Pole and back to their starting point – so there is a lot of distance to travel, but they'll be heartened by the fact that they long climb is now behind them.

Finally, 16-year old Lewis Clarke is starting to pick up speed in his attempt to become the youngest person to ski to the South Pole. He now has just over 600 miles (965 km) to go but he seems to be finding his groove and covering increasingly longer distances each day. He is still days away from reaching the Pole, but he is doing all the things he needs to do in order to be successful.

There will be more news from the Antarctic next week and soon we'll see climbers on Vinson as well.  Stay tuned for more very soon.

Gear Closet: SPOT Satellite Messenger Gen3

When it was released a few years back the SPOT Satellite Messenger was a revelation to the outdoor community. Not only did it allow us to call for help in case of emergencies, it allowed us to send preset messages back home to let the know everything was okay, even while we were in remote areas. On top of that, it shared GPS coordinates online, giving friends and family the opportunity to see where we were located at any given time. All of that was rolled up in a small, lightweight package with solid battery life and an easy to use interface. The device was later updated with some evolutionary changes that slimmed down the Satellite Messenger slightly and added some measures that made it more difficult to inadvertently set off the SOS button.

This past summer, SPOT released the Gen3 Satellite Messenger which brings more substantial improvements to the Messenger. The device did get a bit larger in size but it made up for it much improved battery life. The new model is capable of running for twice as long as previous Satellite Messengers, which is an always a welcome upgrade. That improved battery life is put to good use, allowing the new device to be much more active. Two new GPS location sharing setting are available, allowing users to post updates every 2.5 or 5 minutes, in addition to the standard 10, 30 and 60 minutes. Sharing coordinates that often is probably overkill when backpacking in the backcountry, but it is nice to know the capability is there should you need it. In a further battery saving mode, the new SPOT unit will even shut itself off when it detects that you haven't moved for an extended period of time. That puts it into battery saving mode to conserve power. As soon as you're back on the go, it'll resume sharing data at the usual rate that you've set.

The new model also has multiple ways to keep itself charged as well. In addition to the standard, long life, rechargeable battery pack, the Gen3 is also capable of using off the shelf AAA batteries, which don't have the luxury of lasting as long as the rechargeable pack, but they are inexpensive, easy to find, and small enough to easily carry. The device can also be powered directly from a USB port, which can come in handy when wanting to use it to track a vehicle for instance and you don't want to run the batteries down completely.


Of course, the Gen3 still does everything the old models did in terms of sending pre-canned messages and having the ability to call for an emergency evac. Those features are often what owners most want out of the device, eschewing the tracking abilities in favor of at least being able to travel more safely and confidently in remote places.

I've had the good fortunate of testing the Gen3 for several months now and feel that it is a solid update to a device that was already quite good. It remains lightweight and durable, it tracks accurately and its ability to communicate with others back home, remains solid and reliable. Essentially, it is everything that we've come to know and love about previous SPOT devices, just improved in some important and useful ways.

The Gen3 also remains very affordable. It carries an MSRP of $169.95, which is a low cost of entry for a device that provides some excellent safety measures for our adventures. Of course, the Satellite Messengers itself isn't very good without service, and in order to use it you'll need to sign up for a monthly plan. Basic service runs $149.95 for the year, or about $12.50 per month, with extended tracking abilities adding more expense to the price tag.

With the holidays just around the corner, the SPOT Gen3 would make a great Christmas gift for your favorite outdoor enthusiast. It gives them the ability to travel in the remote corners of the globe without worry, and it'll give you peace of mind knowing that should an emergency arise, they'll be able to quickly and easily call for help. I can't think of a better gift for them or you.

The SPOT Gen3 is a solid update in every way, giving first time buyers the best device the company has ever created. The Gen3 is so good in fact, that it should entice owners of previous models to upgrade as well. The improved battery life is worth the update alone, but the other features are certainly icing on the cake.

Video: The Glaciers Of North Cascades National Park

Located in the state of Washington, a few hours drive from Seattle, the North Cascades National Park offers some of the most remote and spectacular wilderness in the lower 48 states. It also happens to be home to more than 700 glaciers, which as we all know are the harbingers of climate change on our planet. The video below was released by the National Park Service and it gives us an idea of how researchers monitor the health of the park's glaciers to determine the impact of climate change on the region. It is actually a fascinating short film with some great scenery to enjoy along the way.

Book Review: Climbing Fitz Roy, 1968: Reflections on the Third Ascent

Are you still looking for a last minute Christmas gift for the climber or outdoor adventurer on your list? Than let me recommend a fantastic book that I reviewed over at the Wenger Blog today. It is entitled Climbing Fitz Roy, 1968: Reflections on the Third Ascent. This high quality, fantastically bound tome includes more than 90 photos from a historic climb in Patagonia that took place 45 years ago, along with some insightful and thoughtful essays about the men who undertook that expedition. Men who would later go on to have a profound impact on the environmental and outdoor adventure community.

The team consisted of five guys who called themselves the "Funhogs." Those men were skier Dick Dorworth, filmmaker Lito Tejada-Flores, and climbers Yvon Chouinard, Doug Tompkins and Chris Jones. If some of those names sound vaguely familiar, it isn't just because they are legendary climbers who put up the now classic California Route out Fitz Roy, perhaps the most famous mountain in all of Patagonia. Tompkins would also go on to found a little company called The North Face, while Chouinard would start Patagonia, whose logo is modeled after Fitz Roy. These same men would also help found an environmental movement amongst outdoor enthusiasts and the industry, which persists even to this day.

Back in '68, the men drove from Ventura, California all the way to Patagonia, a distance of 8000 miles. They were also forced to wait out the bad weather in an ice cave for 31 days, before they actually got a crack at the highly technical Fitz Roy, which is far more difficult than its 3359 meters (11, 020 ft) would typically imply. When they were done, they had completed an impressive new route but more importantly they came away from their adventure with a different outlook on the world.

The book shares their story through their own words, but it is the photos – once thought lost in a house fire – that really sell the story. The images are very impressive and do an excellent job of not only supporting the story but standing on their own to tell the tale as well.

Climbing historians will love this book, not just for the content, but for how high of a quality it is in general. It just feels great in your hands, although it doesn't hurt that the amazing images jump off the page. With the holidays quickly approaching, I can promise you that Climbing Fitz Roy is sure to delight the outdoor adventurer in your life. Truly a wonderful gift.

Video: Road Bike Party 2 - Insane Stunts On A Road Bike

Martyn Ashton was capable of accomplishing some pretty crazy things on a road bike. I say "was" because during the making of the video below he managed to break his back and is now paralyzed. He did have some help from friends completing the film though, so we can all marvel at the stunts he was once capable of. And for those like me who like to lust after expensive bikes, Martyn is riding a Colnago C59 Italia. Price tag? A cool $24,500.

Climbers Prep For Winter Nanga Parbat Attempts

At 8126 meters (26,660 ft) in height, Nanga Parbat is the 9th tallest mountain in the world. It also happens to be one of only two 8000 meter peaks that have yet to be climbed in winter, the other being K2. Over the years, the pursuit of the summit in the coldest months has proved elusive, and sometimes deadly. But this year at least two teams are prepping to make the attempt, which will get underway with the official arrival of winter next week.

For anyone who knows anything about winter climbing, it should come as no surprise that a team of Polish mountaineers are already in Pakistan and getting ready to begin their attempt on the mountain. That squad consists of Marek Klonowski and Tomek Mackiewicz, who have winter experience on Nanga Parbat already. Last year, Mackiewicz made it has high as 7400 meters (24,278 ft) before turning back. This year they'll be joined by Jacek Teler and Pawel Dunaj, who will only help strengthen the team. They'll be posting updates to their Nanga Dream blog in the days ahead, where they have already posted a video of their early days in Pakistan.

It appears that they are already trekking into Base Camp and should arrive there in the next day or two. That will give them some time to set up BC, prep their gear, and rest a little before launching the climb itself. In order for this to be an official winter climb, it must take place entirely during that season, which doesn't begin until December 21. After that, look for the climbers to start moving up.

The Poles aren't the only ones attempt NP this winter however. Italians Simone Moro, Emilio Previtali and German David Göttler will also be attempting the mountain. Moro, of course, has lots of experience in the big mountains in winter, having put up the first ascent of Gasherbrum II a few years back. The team has yet to depart for Pakistan and aren't expected in country until after the holidays. The video below serves as a teaser for the climb, which we'll be able to follow at The North Face Journal.

Finally, Explorers Web reports that Ralf Dujmovits may also be leading a team to NP this winter, although that has yet to be confirmed. ExWeb has been gearing up for this big Nanga Parbat push this past week or two by sharing the history of winter climbing on the mountain. You can read the three part series here, here and here. It makes for an excellent primer heading into the winter climbs.

I'll obviously be sharing more on these expeditions, and other winter climbs, as they unfold.

Wanted: Walking Partner To Trek Across Russia

Looking for a little adventure in 2014? Enjoy a good walk? Then you may want to reach out to Caroline Moireaux, who is currently attempting to circumnavigate the globe under her own power. Caroline is looking for a companion to join her on a little trek across Russia in between August and October of next year.

Caroline launched her bid to walk around the world in June of 2011. So far, her journey has taken her across France, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan. She is currently back in France, spending the holidays with friends and family, but she is also looking ahead to the next stage of her adventure. Naturally she'd love to have someone to share the trail with as she crosses Russia.

If you're interested in joining Caroline on this adventure, then check out her website and Facebook page for more information. She can also be reached directly by email at: caroline.moireaux@hotmail.fr. It seems like a great opportunity for the right person.

Video: WestJet Gives Passengers A Christmas Miracle

This isn't so much adventure related but it is too good not to share, particularly around the holiday season. The video below shows the efforts that Canadian airline WestJet went through to make the holiday wishes of 250 of their passengers come true on a recent flight into Calgary. Before boarding their plane, Santa asked WestJet customers what they wanted for Christmas, and while they were in flight, WestJet elves sprung into action and picked up the items they were looking for, just to deliver them via baggage carousel when they got to their destination. It's really a fun story that is hard not to like. If you haven't seen it already, it is definitely worth a look. I hope you enjoy.

Video: Cycling Michigan's Snow Bike Route

Marquette, Michigan has a series of mountain bike trails called the Noquemanon Trails Network. The routes are popular during the warmer months with many local riders flocking to the region to explore the various paths. In the winter, the trail features 15 miles of single track designed for fat tire bikes and winter riding. The video below, the first in a five part series, introduces us to that winter trail, giving us a glimpse of the awesome riding available there in the winter months.

COLD ROLLED-Chapter One from Clear & Cold Cinema on Vimeo.

Antarctica 2013: The Coldest Place On Earth

For the Antarctic explorers that we've been following over the past few weeks, yesterday was mostly just another day out on the ice. Most are making slow, but steady progress towards the South Pole, but the frozen continent isn't being particularly hospitable. High winds, cold temperatures and whiteout conditions are all part of the norm there, and at times all of those things conspire to make for tough going. The skiers have now entered "the grind" where they're simply in a monotonous routine that they'll just have to stick with until the very end.

It is important to note that it is currently spring in Antarctica (summer begins 10 days) and this is the time of the year when the weather is at its best. This was underscored earlier in the week when it was announced that researchers have located the coldest place on the planet and it is in Antarctica. The exact location is known as the Valkyrie Dome, which is found in East Antarctica. Back in August of 2010, the mercury dipped to -135.8ºF (-93.2ºC) as recorded by NASA climate satellites. That beat the old record of -128.6ºF (-89.2ºC), which was recorded at a Russian research station also in the eastern part of the continent. The researchers warned that at those extreme temperatures it can hurt your lungs just to breathe. It is so cold in fact that carbon dioxide gas would freeze to a solid, creating dry ice. One researcher estimated that without protective gear to keep you warm, a human being would survive just three minutes. Now that is cold.

Fortunately, Richard Parks isn't dealing with those kinds of conditions on his attempt at the speed record to the South Pole. Richard is now six days in and fighting an uphill battle. Two days ago the winds were so bad that he only managed to cover 9.6 km (6 miles) before returning to his tent. Yesterday was much better, has he knocked 34.8 km (21 miles) off his total, but he still has roughly 977.5km (608 miles) to go. At this point, I'm not sure how he can break he record. He simply isn't able to cover the distances he needs to do so. That could change, and it'll take a herculean effort on his part to do so, but the weather is going to have to cooperate first. Strong headwinds and lots of soft snow on the surface are working against him at the moment.

South Pole cyclist Daniel Burton did finally get a good days riding in yesterday. He has also been plagued with high winds and poor surface conditions, but yesterday he managed to cover 15.3 nautical miles (28.3 km). He says that if he can manage to average 15 miles per day, he should be able to reach the Pole as expected. If his average drops below that, he may not have enough food and supplies to complete the journey. Either way, it is going to be a struggle all the way to the end. He has started to take a different approach to the ride however. Initially he was hoping to be on the bike for 10 hours, but now he will ride for five, stop and have a good meal and melt more snow for drinking water, before proceeding for a second shift of five hours. He hopes the break will keep him more rested and energized.

Kite skier Geoff Wilson reached several milestones yesterday thanks to strong winds and improved surface conditions. First, he was extremely happy to clear a section of difficult ice and be out in the open once more. That allowed him to cover 170.9 km (106 miles) in a single day. That means, thanks to his kite, he was really moving out there. He also crossed 80ºS and found a Russian road that runs all the way to the South Pole. He's going to stay close to that road as he passes through major crevasse fields between 81-83ºS. That should help keep him safe in that treacherous area. Finally, he also set a new record for an Aussie traveling solo in Antarctica. Geoff has now covered 1159.4 km (720.4 miles), more than anyone else from his home country has done on their own. He is now more than halfway to the Pole, with just 1050 km (652 miles) to go. After his epic day yesterday, Wilson is taking a rest day today.

Finally, the Scott Expedition has completed a bit of a milestone themselves. After 46 days on the ice, the last of which was particularly draining, they have now put the bulk of the climbing behind them and have nearly reached the top of the Antarctic Plateau. That means relatively smooth and straight sailing all the way to the South Pole. Yesterday they dropped another supply depot for their return trip, which has also lightened the sleds considerably. Hopefully that means they'll be picking up the pace in the days ahead as they near the halfway point of their journey. Total distance yet to go: 1222.2 miles (1967 km). Hand in there boys.

That's it for today. More soon I'm sure.

Surviving Death Valley

Sometimes our outdoor adventures don't quite go the way we expect them to, and that often leads us down paths, both literal and proverbial, that we didn't see coming. That is just one aspect of a story that was sent my way by a reader, who recently wrote a personal piece about an experience he and a friend had in Death Valley last year. One that nearly cost them their lives, but taught them several important leasing along the way.

The blog post is entitled "On Nearly Dying In Death Valley." It was written by Greg Muender, who along with his good friend Ryan, set off on July 26, 2012 for a day of adventure and exploration in Death Valley. The two men were looking for a little solitude and escape, and the desert seemed like just the place to get it. With Ryan's 4x4 Jeep on the fritz, they chose to travel in his two-wheel drive pick-up truck instead, which would eventually prove to be a mistake. Later in the day, while trying to cross a wash in the road, the rear wheels of the truck became buried up to the axles, effectively stranding them in the middle of nowhere with temperatures in excess of 120ºF (48.8ºC)

After consulting a map, the Greg and Ryan set out to find a paved road that they thought was just five miles away. It turns out it was much further than that, and as they stumbled on in the heat of the day, with a dwindling water supply, their little adventure turned into a fight for their lives. What should have been a simple hike in the desert became increasingly challenging as the oppressive heat zapped their strength and drained their will to go.

Eventually they did find the road they were looking for and were rescued by a group of Latvian tourists, but their brush with possible death gave them some clear insights into the things that went right and what went wrong. It is a good read and one that I recommend you take a look at it. Check it out in its entirety by clicking here.

Thanks to Greg for sharing his story. Hopefully it accomplishes the two purposes that he set out for. First, to inspire adventure and secondly to teach others from their mistakes. Mission accomplished as far as I'm concerned. Well done.

Video: People Are Awesome 2013 - 2014

It has been awhile since we've had a new "People Are Awesome" video but it was worth the wait. The clip below is five minutes of awesome people doing awesome things. There are some great shots of men and women skiing, biking, surfing, climbing and more. As we get closer to the end of the year, it is a good reminder that life is short and we should live it to the fullest.

Adventure Film: Journey Into The Empty Quarter With Alastair Humphreys and Leon McCarron

Last year at this time, adventurers Alastair Humphreys and Leon McCarron were in the midst of an epic journey across the Empty Quarter, a massive desert that stretches across parts of Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman and the United Arab Emirates. They were following in the footsteps of the British explorer Wilfred Thesiger, covering 1000 miles while dragging a cart full of water, food and other supplies behind them for most of the way. It was a difficult, massive undertaking that pushed the two men to their limits and tested their determination at every stage. Now, a year later, the film of that expedition is available, giving us a glimpse of what they went through for the first time.

I was given an preview copy of the film, which is entitled Into The Empty Quarter, and had a chance to watch it last night. Like all good adventure films, it shows both the highs and lows of the expedition, of which there were many of both. The 53-minute long movie opens with Alastair first reaching out to Leon via email to see if he would be interested in joining him on the expedition. Leon was keen to take on the journey himself, and the two men were soon in the planning stages.

Unable to afford camels to help carry their gear the way Thesiger did, the two men designed a cart that would serve that purpose instead. That cart would become a source of frustration at times, almost bringing the entire expedition to a halt before it could get started. Thankfully some last minute medications allowed them to move forward, although dragging 300 kilograms (660 pounds) of gear would never become an easy task.


The film takes us on a journey that begins on the busy streets of Salalah in Oman, than moves into the remote, desolate desert, before ending in the chaos that is Dubai. Along the way, Alastair and Leon met friendly, interesting people, witnessed stunning landscapes and endured hardships that surprised even them. This turned into a journey that was so much more than crossing an open desert while following in the footsteps of their hero. The spirit of the adventure is captured well in the film and gives you a sense that this was a difficult slog, while simultaneously inspiring viewers to want to do something similar themselves.

My favorite segment of Into The Empty Quarter was when the boys were moving out of the desert and yet still had 200 miles to go before they reached the finish line in Dubai. As they marched, many passing vehicles stopped to generously offer them water, fresh fruit, good food and even ice cream. This kindness shown to them by strangers clearly moved the two explorers, and as a viewer, it was impressive to witness as well.

The movie made its debut at the Royal Geographical Society back in November, and it is also being submitted to film festivals as we speak. I would be willing to bet that it will become a staple on the adventure film fest tour in 2014. It is an interesting, beautifully made film that inspires a sense of exploration and adventure from beginning to end, and I get the sense it'll be a fan favorite with those who watch. Watch the official website for announcements of future screenings, but if you simply can't wait, you can also purchase a copy of the movie as well.

For a sense of what it is all about, check out the video trailer below. It is definitely worth picking up and would make a great stocking stuffer heading into the holiday season.

Video: The Explorer by The North Face

With a motto like "Never Stop Exploring" you know that The North Face has a keen sense of adventure. That is exhibited well in the video below, which not only features some amazing imagery, but also moving narration by Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon. This is truly an inspiring clip. Tip of the hat to who ever put it together.

Antarctica 2013: Teams Continue To Struggle

It was another very trying day in the Antarctic as teams continue their push towards the South Pole. In addition to facing the typical challenges of dealing with the cold temperatures and the hollowing winds, they're finding that these expeditions are tough in other ways too. They've also discovered that if they don't keep their wits about them at all times, it can prove costly in other ways as well.

Aussie Geoff Wilson learned that lesson the hard way today. It was an incredibly tough day for Geoff, who is attempting to kite ski to the South Pole. While packing his tent this morning he broke a pole, which required him to repair it before he set out for the day. He was relieved to discover however that there were good winds for kiting, and soon he set off on his way. But those winds proved to be a bit too strong for the larger kite he was using. At one point they actually lifted him up six feet in the air before slamming him back down onto the frozen surface. At that point he decided it was best to change to a smaller kite that was easier to control, but upon examining his sleds, he found that one of is food bags had opened and he had lost a considerable amount of food. Enough to put the expedition in jeopardy.

Donning his skis, he retraced his footsteps for about 8 km (5 miles) collecting as much food as he could along the way. That slog was directly into a head wind however, and the cold temperatures started to bite into his skin. Fearing a case of frostbite, Geoff eventually turned back, and took inventory of his food situation. He has enough to go on, but there is now little room for error. It's South Pole or bust.

Elsewhere, Daniel Burton continues to struggle with high winds. He is attempting to ride his fat tire bike all the way to the South Pole but progress has been incredibly difficult and slow right now. Yesterday it was so challenging that he only managed to cover 3 nautical miles (5.5 km), which simply isn't enough ground to cover to make to the South Pole in a reasonable amount of time. If he can't find a way to pick up the pace soon, his entire expedition will be in jeopardy.


Parker Liautaud and Doug Stoup are now three days into their attempt to ski to the South Pole and have now achieved a major milestone. The duo managed to ski up the Leverett Glacier and have now reached the Antarctic Plateau. That means that they'll have relatively flat skiing all the way to the Pole, which is still some 240 nautical miles (450 km) away. But reaching this point is always a good achievement on any expedition to the 90ºS. It doesn't make things easy, but it certainly helps both physically and mentally.

Lewis Clarke has now completed his first full week out on the ice, which is also a milestone of sorts. He still has approximately 640 miles (1029 km) to go before reaching 90ºS, but so far things are going well. The 16-year old is attempting to become the youngest to make the full journey from Hercules Inlet to the South Pole, and while high winds are currently making for slow going, he is taking solid chunks of mileage off the total distance as he goes.

Finally, Chris and Marty Fagan are also dealing with the winds on their ski journey to the Pole. They describe todays gusts as being the kind that make you want to stay huddled in your sleeping bag, safe from its bite. But if they want to reach their goal, they have to keep moving, so each day they crawl out of their tent and proceed to ski for 8 to 10 hours. It isn't easy. It is always cold and conditions are tough. But this is what traveling through the Antarctic is all about, and none of the men and women who are there would have it any other way.

As two endurance athletes, Chris and Marty also recommend just such a journey for anyone looking to get into fine shape. They say pulling a heavy sled into heavy winds for 8 hours a day will certainly burn calories and give you a full body exercise program. In fact, these polar explorers are probably burning in excess of 8000 calories per day, which makes it difficult for them to keep up with all the food they need to eat just to keep going.

That's all for today. I'll post more updates as they are warranted in the next few days, including the possible arrival of one team to the South Pole before the end of the week.