The Adventure Blog On Temporary Hiatus

Just a quick note to let regular readers know that the blog will be on a temporary hiatus, most likely just for a couple of days. I'll be moving over the next few days – to a completely new city and state – and will probably be offline for most of that time. With any luck, I'll be back up and running early next week, in time for the start of the North Pole season, which will be getting underway around that time.

When I return, I'll also hopefully have an announcement about a new project that I'll be working on. Something fun and exciting that I can't wait to share. I can't give a whole lot more information about it until next week, but I'll post the news here when I can.

I'll be back as soon as possible with more news from the world of adventure. Until then, get outside and have a few adventures of your own.

Video: Remote And Beautiful Australia

Australia is a country that holds a special place in my heart for several reason, not the least of which is the wild and beautiful scenery that can be found there. The video below gives you a glimpse of those landscapes, sharing them in timelapse fashion. These are stunning images taken in remote sections of Central and Western Australia. Breathtaking stuff.

Remote Central Australia - Timelapse from Jody Brown on Vimeo.

Video: TravelSmith Travel Tip #9 - Getting Through Security With Ease

If you're a frequent traveler, you've no doubt experienced the frustration of passing through security at the airport. At times, it can be a test of patience to say the least. But Richard Bangs is back this week with another travel tip, this time sharing some good things to keep in mind in order to get through the security check as quickly and easily as possible. This is certainly something we can all appreciate.

Winter Climbs 2014: Weather Window Opens At Last! Summit Push Begins On Nanga Parbat!

The weather has begun to clear on Nanga Parbat, where two teams have now launched their summit bids with the hopes of topping out this weekend. It has been a long and difficult winter so far on that mountain, but the forecast calls for a three day window during which winds will be relatively calm on the 8126 meter (26,660 ft) summit. This may be the best opportunity anyone has had for climbing Nanga in the winter, and if successful, it will be the first ascent of the mountain during that season. 

The Polish Justice For All team were the first to launch their summit bid, sending Tomek Mackiewicz up to Camp 2 a few days back. He has now moved higher and is at an intermediate camp between C2 and C3, where he'll wait for the weather to improve starting tomorrow. His teammates Pawel Dunaj and Jacek Teler are in Camp 1, waiting to move up as well. 

Also in C1 are the North Face team of Simone Moro and David Göttler. They report good weather and no wind at that point on the mountain, although conditions are still a bit dicey higher up. Those conditions are expected to improve over the next few days however, which has the climbers eying Saturday or Sunday as possible days to make their final push. 

If all goes as planned, I would expect them to move up to Camp 2 tomorrow, then C3 on Friday, with the final push coming soon there after. This being Nanga Parbat, and in winter no less, all plans are highly tentative of course. The weather can change rapidly there and weather windows are known to slam shut. This does look like a fairly stable weather pattern however, and the two teams are looking to take advantage of it while they can. 

On the Diamir Face, Daniele Nardi is struggling with his thoughts on whether or not he should make his own attempt on the summit. After a close call with an avalanche a few days back, he has since witnessed more instability on the mountain. That has made his route more treacherous than normal, and is giving him some pause while he weighs in options. 

A weather window is projected to open for him this weekend as well, but he still feels that conditions could shift quickly. Daniele says that it feels like spring is coming early on Nanga Parbat, which means that more avalanches will be a distinct possibility. His forecast says that heavy snow is predicted starting on March 2, so that means he would have until Sunday to get up and down the mountain. Since he hopes to make a solo, alpine style attempt, he'll have to plan his moves carefully. 

For now, we'll have to wait and see if the current weather patterns hold. If they do, we could see history being made on Nanga Parbat in jus a few days. 

2014 Iditarod Begins Saturday!

This weekend marks the start of one of my favorite annual events, as the 2014 Iditarod sled dog race gets under way in Alaska. Each year, the best mushers from across the globe gather to compete in the 1000-mile (1609 km) long test of endurance that begins in Anchorage and ends in Nome. Traditionally, the race takes approximately 9-15 days to complete, depending on the weather and trail conditions.

On Saturday, the ceremonial start will take place in downtown Anchorage, with 69 mushers setting out across the first stage, which is an 11-mile long run to Campbell Airstrip. From there, the racers will load up their sleds and teams of sled dogs, and travel overland to the town of Willow, where the race will officially restart on Sunday. After that, it is non-stop race all the way to Nome, with the exception of two mandatory 8-hour rests and a 24-hour layover. This year, the Iditarod will be taking the Northern Route, which will take the teams through the villages of Cripple, Ruby, and Galena, amongst others. That route is only taken in even numbered years in order to keep the trail in good condition and share the media attention amongst some of the more remote villages.

The field is once again filled with talented mushers this year, including past champions Mitch and Dallas Seavey, Jeff King, and Martin Buser. Fan favorites DeeDee Jonrow and Aliy Zirkle will be competing as well, although Lance Mackey is out of race as he deals with health issues. It'll be interesting to see who jumps out in front, but judging from recent history, several of these mushers will be battling it out down the stretch. Zirkle has been in the running the past couple of years, and she may well claim the crown for the ladies once again.

Stay tuned for regular updates from the trail once the race officially gets rolling.

Video: A Wild Double Drop Over A Waterfall In Norway

It has been awhile since we've had a good paddling video, and I'm not sure if this one actually qualifies. It is quite scary however, although it does look like a wild ride. It features kayaker Nathan Barbier making a double-drop on a waterfall in Norway. It manages to be both scary and painful looking at the same time. Ouch!

Nathan BARBIER (FRA), Carnage entry, Double Drop, Norway from Nathan Barbier on Vimeo.

Video: Kayaking Down A Drainage Ditch

Between kayaking in the streets of the U.K. and snowboarding in New York City, we've seen some very interesting videos recently, but this one actually tops them all. It features kayaker Ben Marr shooting down a drainage ditch at breakneck speeds before splashing into Lion's Bay in British Columbia. It looks like quite a rush. Almost like a water ride in an amusement park.

Thanks to the Adventure Journal for sharing this.

Ultrarunners To Attempt Winter Baffin Island Crossing

The 2014 Arctic expedition season is about a week away from starting, and teams of explorers are now busily putting the final touches on their preparation work. Some of them will be attempting to reach the North Pole, while others will be exploring the Arctic in order to conduct research into climate change. But one expedition will travel to Baffin Island, where a group of endurance athletes will attempt a speed crossing through the harsh and demanding environments there.

The team includes ultrarunner Ray Zahab, whose long distance running exploits we've followed on more than one occasion on this blog. Those expeditions have included runs across the Atacama and Gobi Deserts, as well as a journey to the South Pole and a crossing of Lake Baikal in the middle of winter, amongst others.

Ray will be joined on his adventure by Ryan Grant, Stefano Gregoretti and Ferg Hawke. The four men intend to make the journey completely unsupported, choosing to pull all of their gear and supplies behind them on sleds weighing no more than 50 pounds. They will begin the expedition in Qikiqtarjuaq, Nunavut, where they'll first film interviews with friends before hitting the trail. Once underway, they hope to cross through Akshayuk Pass in under 48 hours, before continuing on to Pangnirtung.They'll cover approximately 100 km (62 miles) in the pass, and another 40 km (24 miles) beyond that out on the open ice.

For Ray, this will be the fourth time that he has made this crossing, but his previous three Baffin traverses were done in the summer or fall. The winter will present new challenges with extreme cold and unpredictable weather.

The team will set out from Ottawa on March 6 and plan on launching their run a few days later. Watch for updates on Ray's Facebook page.

Gear Closet: The North Face Launches Mountain Athletics Gear, Announces Training Sessions`

Outdoor athletes have some new options for training apparel today, thanks to the official launch of the  Mountain Athletics line from The North Face. This new offering includes specially designed clothing and footwear that is built specifically to withstand the rigors of training and racing outdoors. Some of the products include the men's Kilowatt Zip pullover, the Ampere Core shorts, and the very nice looking Ultra Kilowatt trainer running shoe.

But the Mountain Athletics program doesn't start and end with gear. The North Face seems committed to making this new brand a fully featured training program with an online digital component and eight special events in select cities across the country to introduce the new products.

The Mountain Athletics tour looks like this

• March 9 – MOUNTAIN ATHLETICS: SAN FRANCISCO
• March 15 – MOUNTAIN ATHLETICS: WASHINGTON D.C.
• March 22 – MOUNTAIN ATHLETICS: SAN FRANCISCO (PRESIDIO)
• March 29 – MOUNTAIN ATHLETICS: BIRMINGHAM
• April 5 – MOUNTAIN ATHLETICS: KALISPELL*
• April 12 – MOUNTAIN ATHLETICS: DENVER*
• April 19 – MOUNTAIN ATHLETICS: OKEMOS*
• April 26 – MOUNTAIN ATHLETICS: BOSTON*
• *Registration opens March 1

As if that wasn't enough, TNF has also launched the Mountain Athletics Training Program, an online platform to help outdoor athletes train more efficiently and effectively. The program features a six week plan that has been built to improve performance. It includes a series of videos from North Face athletes to help jump start our workouts. 

I have to admit, the gear looks great and the training program sounds intriguing. I'll be interested to hear if this gear really is a leap forward for trail running and other adventure sports.

Video: Magical New Zealand

There are few countries on the planet that can boast as many diverse and beautiful landscapes as New Zealand. That is more than evident in the video below, which is simply a joy to behold. If you've ever wanted to travel to this country, this short film will probably have you packing your bags and booking your flight. Amazing stuff.

Magical New Zealand from Shawn Reeder on Vimeo.

Video: An Open Door To Solitude

The short film that I've posted below tells the tale of Ed Zevely, a 68-year old man who routinely rides his horse into the Colorado high country just to find a little peace and tranquility in nature. Ed will spends days at a time riding and camping in the mountains, where he finds serenity that he can't get anywhere else.

Open Door to Solitude from Filson on Vimeo.

Winter Climbs 2014: Weather Window Opening On Nanga Parbat

It has been a long, difficult week on Nanga Parbat, where teams have been anxiously watching the skies and hoping for improved weather. There is little to do in Base Camp during this time, so they read, write and wait for conditions to improve. Now, a new forecast say that a good weather window is about to open, which means they climbers could be on the move again as early as tomorrow.

While the Polish Justice For All team still hasn't updated their own website with any information, word out of the North Face camp indicates that things are about to improve dramatically. Their forecasts now say that clear skies, low winds and warmer temperatures (relatively speaking!) will arrive by next weekend. If that forecast proves to be accurate, the climbers are looking at a weather window that is believed to be three days in length, which is the perfect opportunity to get up and down the mountain safely.

With that in mind, they intend to hold tight today and get a more accurate forecast by tomorrow. If all of the weather patterns are taking shape as expected, they'll set off on Tuesday or Wednesday for what will likely be their final summit push. March is nearly upon us, and both of these teams have been on the mountain for more than two months. Supplies are starting to run low and their patience is nearly at an end. This will likely be their last chance to bag the first winter summit of Nanga Parbat, although they haven't completely ruled out stay longer if conditions are right.

Meanwhile, on the Diamir Face, Daniele Nardi has been facing some challenges of his own. Late last week he set off to scout the route he intends to use on his solo, alpine style attempt on the mountain. The plan was to evaluate the route above Camp 1 to ensure it was safe to make a summit bid. After reading his report, it is unclear if he still hopes to proceed with the climb.


The first indication that things were not going his way was that upon arrival in C1, he discovered that his rations had been raided by a fox wandering at altitude. The animal had been able to gain access to Daniele's tent and proceeded to eat some of his energy bars. While the fox did little else in the way of harm, it was disheartening to find some of his food had been eaten.

But things got much worse after he went higher on the slope. While proceeding along the Mummery Ridge, the Italian climber heard a rumble above and caught sight of a collapsing serac as it tumbled down the side of the mountain. While the larger chunks of ice missed him completely, the collapse did set off an avalanche which he had to run out of the way to avoid. He managed to do so, but still managed to get caught in some of the debris and residue.

With that close call behind him, he decided to ski back down Nanga Parbat to return to Base Camp, where his Pakistani camp manager was relieved to see him in one piece. The avalanche has clearly unnerved him however, so it'll be interesting to see if he'll still continue his climb or take this as a warning sign and head home.

That's all from Nanga for today. Stay tuned for more updates. Summit pushes seem to be on tap starting in the next few days. We'll see how things proceed from here.

Wildlife Photographer Catches First Snow Leopard Kill Ever

Snow leopards are amongst the most elusive and endangered animals on the planet. They are so rare in fact that it is estimated that only about 50-60 of them still exist in the wild. Some of the big cats are known to inhabit the Hemis National Park in India, which is where a wildlife photographer recently made history by capturing what is believed to be the first images of a snow leopard making a kill.

Adam Riley was recently leading a snow leopard tour in the national park, which is located in the heart of the Himalaya, when he got the chance of a lifetime. Riley's series of photos show the cat on the prowl. Eventually, the predator catches sight of a small herd of mountain goats and goes in pursuit. The result is inevitable of course, but since the big cats are so rare in the wild, no one has ever captured images of the hunt before. 

National Geographic has more details on the story, as well as a series of photos that include Riley's explanation of what was happening at the time. In some of the photos it is actually difficult to see the snow leopard, as it blends so well into its background. Those photos explain why the cats are sometimes referred to as the "Gray Ghosts of the Himalaya," with their natural camouflage helping them to blend well with their surroundings. 

The images are definitely dramatic. Here's a sample of what Adam was able to capture. 

Video: Man vs. Bike

This video comes our way courtesy of Berghaus. Its a bit older, but still a fun one. It pits ultrarunner Philippe Gatta against mountain biker Rob Jarman in a no holds barred fight to see who is the best. It's actually pretty amusing to see these two go head to head. Especially since they aren't afraid to play a little dirty.

Video: Cave Diving The Jug Hole

Located in Florida's Ichetucknee Springs State Park, the Jug Hole is a popular diving destination for those who want to try there hand at cave diving. For the rest of us, who like to stay safe and dry on land, the video below will have to suffice in terms of giving us the chance to see this place. This 7+ minute clip does a good job of showing off the Hole, and making it abundantly clear why it is so popular.

Jug hole finished from Tony Sellers on Vimeo.

Nepal To Station More Security In Everest Base Camp

While we're on the subject of Everest today, the BBC is reporting that the Nepali government has announced that it will have more security in Base Camp this spring in an effort to avoid further conflicts between foreign climbers and the Sherpas working on the mountain. The move comes after a brawl erupted on the mountain last spring that involved high profile climbers Ueli Steck and Simone Moro, which made headlines around the world.

According to the plan, there will be nine officers in BC, three each from Nepal's army, police, and armed police force. They'll open up a temporary office on the mountain in April in anticipation to the start of the new climbing season. These officers will work in conjunction with officials from the Ministry of Tourism, which have had a presence in Base Camp for several years.

Adding more security to EBC is probably a good idea, especially considering how crowded Everest has become in recent years. While last year's conflict between the European climbers and the Sherpas was a bit of an anomaly, there are still other things they can police as well. I'm not sure how they can have an impact on the theft that routinely takes place at the high camps, during which equipment and oxygen bottles comes up missing, but if having the police on the mountain can act as somewhat of a deterrent, than this will be a good move.

Beyond that however, it may help to mitigate further conflicts, or at the very least, mediate them. While last year's brawl was very unusual, it seems that exposed growing friction between the Sherpas and the foreign climbers. Those conflicts could boil over again, bringing even more of a black eye to the climbing scene there.

Lets hope that doesn't happen however, and that the 2014 season will be notable for how quiet and uneventful it is.

Everest Summit Statistics Updated Ahead Of The Spring Season

The spring climbing season on Mt. Everest is still a little more than a month from getting underway, but already anticipation is starting to build for what promises to be another busy year on the world's highest peak. In preparation for the start of that season, the Himalayan Database – painstakingly maintained by the indomitable Ms. Elizabeth Hawley, was updated at the end of last week, giving us all the latest stats on the Big Hill.

Alan Arnette has taken a look at those numbers and nicely broken them down for us in his latest blog post. According to Ms. Hawley's research, there were 658 official summits of Everest in 2013. Of those, 539 were made from the South Side of the mountain in Nepal, with 119 coming from the North Side in Tibet. Furthermore, 9 of those summits were completed without the use of supplemental oxygen, which obviously remains a rare and impressive feat. Sadly, there were also 8 deaths recorded o the mountain during that time.

The complete history of Everest now stands at 6871 total summits, with 4042 climbers standing at the top of the mountain. As Alan points out, that means that 2739 climbers have summited multiple times. Of those, 4416 came from the Nepali side of the mountain, with 2455 successful climbs from Tibet.

Between 1921 and 2013, a total of 248 people have died on Everest, with 161 of those being westerners and 87 Sherpas. But despite the increasing numbers of climbers on Everest, the mountain continues to get safer. Alan says that since 1990, the number of summits to deaths ratio has dropped to just 3.6%, which is far below what the mainstream media would lead you to believe at times, and not nearly as dangerous as K2 or Annapurna, which Alan points out has a 2:1 death to summit ratio.

This is just scratching the surface of some of the interesting facts that Alan has shared on the mountain. Be sure to head over to his site and read up on Everest. Until the climbers begin to arrive in Kathmandu in another month, thats about all the news we'll have for awhile.

Flight Network Travel Stories

As many of you know, I contribute regular travel stories over at the Flight Network Blog. We cover just about everything there from how to pack smarter to using technology to travel more efficiently. And while the blog often has very interesting stories of course, FlightNetwork.com is also a great place to get cheap airfare too. Here's a round-up of some of the stories that have appeared on the blog lately.

• 10 Olympic Destinations To Keep Your Sochi Spirit Alive
• 5 Travel Apps You Should Have On Your Smartphone
• Bull Meets Girl
• Gear Review: Boom Swimmer Bluetooth Travel Speaker
• 5 Travel Gadgets Everyone Should Own
• Travel+Leisure Names Best New Hotels In The World

Hopefully some of those stories will give you some ideas for your next adventure, whether its to relax on a beach somewhere, or going trekking in the mountains. 

Video: TravelSmith Travel Tip #7 - Keeping Track Of Luggage Requirements

Our friend Richard Bangs is back once again this week with another helpful travel hint for those heading off on an adventure. This time, he shares some ideas on how to avoid expensive surprises at the airport in terms of fees for overweight luggage, something he learned the hard way on an expedition to Antarctica.

Adventure Tech: Garmin Fenix 2 GPS Watch

The battle for your wrist is about to get a lot more interesting.

In March, Garmin will be shipping the much anticipated Fenix 2 GPS fitness and adventure watch. This latest entry into what is becoming quite a crowded market, takes all of the great features from the original Fenix and amps them up a notch, giving outdoor enthusiasts everything they could hope for in a training timepiece – and then some.

Like is predecessor, the Fenix 2 is ruggedized for the outdoors, including being waterproof down to 50 meters. As you would expect, it comes with an altimeter, barometer, a 3-axis compass and built in GPS tracking for navigation. That includes 10,000 track points and 1000 way points. It has sun and moon charts built in, a hunting and fishing calendar, dual timezones, and a host of of time keeping options. It also features ANT+ integration to connect with heart rate monitors and other devices as well.

But, the Fenix 2 brings some interesting new features to the table as well. For starters, it has onboard Bluetooth functionality that allows it to be paired with a smartphone for tracking data. A new Ski-Board mode is designed to specifically track movements both horizontally and vertically, while an improved battery will offer up to 50 hours of use in GPS mode, and five weeks while being used as a standard watch. Improved swim and bike modes make it a better option for triathletes as well, while still managing to bring more options to the table for runners too. If that wasn't enough, the Fenix 2 will even serve as a remote control for Garmin's VIRB action camera.


Perhaps most importantly of all, Garmin has made the watch's interface far more intuitive to use. The original Fenix could be a bit confusing at times, but this time the OS has been tweaked to make everything more accessible. This really helps when all you want to do is get moving, rather than standing around waiting to get your watch in the right mode.

When it ships next month, the Fenix 2 will carry a price tag of $399 for the standard model and $449 with a heart rate monitor. Those are the same price points that the original Fenix launched at as well. At the moment, it looks like a very promising new entry into the GPS watch category, and I'm looking forward to hearing more about how well it performs.

This news comes at the height of my frustration with my Suunto Ambit, one of the main competitors to the Fenix. Last week, after charging my Ambit I put it on and set off for a trail run. When I went to start my GPS tracking, the face was completely blank, although touching the buttons emitted a beep as it would when it was functioning normally. After returning from the run, I plugged it into my computer, where it was immediately recognized, but still there was nothing appearing on the screen.

I dropped Suunto a tech support know to inquire as to how I should proceed, and I was informed that I'd have to drain the battery, then let it charge for five hours straight to correct the problem. I'll have to take their word for it, because now that the battery if fully charged, I'll need to wait a month before it is drained again. In GPS mode, I could drain it very quickly but I can't access that without being able to see the screen. So, my $500 GPS watch is essentially useless for the next month until the battery drains on its own, and then I have to hope that recharging it will get the screen working again. To say that I am not pleased to be able to use my watch for the next several weeks is an understatement. Perhaps the Fenix 2 will be a viable option for a replacement.

Trekking The PCT For Multiple Sclerosis

At 2650 miles (4264 km) in length, the Pacific Crest Trail is one of the longest – and most beautiful – trails in the world. Starting at the U.S. border with Mexico and running all the way to Canada, the PCT is considered one of the classic long distance hikes in the entire world, drawing millions of hikers each year, some of whom actually trek the entire length.

That is exactly what backpacker Megan Bullers hopes to accomplish later this year, as she intends to walk end-to-end on the PCT to raise money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. She'll set out on April 24 of this year, and she estimates it will take between four and five months to complete the entire hike. Along the way, she hopes to raise $50,000 for the charity.

Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail is a long and challenging endeavor that requires a solid amount of inspiration to make it through. In this case, Megan is not just raising funds for MS, but is doing so to potentially help  her father, who has suffered from the disease since 2000.

If you want to help her reach her goals, you can contribute to this very worthy cause on Megan's donations page. You'll also be able to follow along with her adventure on her blog as well.

Good luck Megan!

Video: The Northern Lights Of Norway

The Northern Lights are a phenomenon that everyone should see at some point in their life. The eerie light dances across the night sky in an amazing display of multicolored illumination that can only be described as "otherworldly." The video below captures that amazing natural show, giving us a great look at what the aurora borealis looks like in Tromsø, Norway. Simply beautiful.

Northern Light's in Tromsø Norway from Fritz Dällenbach on Vimeo.

Video: Extreme Sports In 4K

The video below captures some of our favorite outdoor activities in stunning fashion. There are segments of kayaking, mountain biking, paragliding and more. Better yet, the entire video was captured using a Sony video camera that captures it all in the emerging 4K format, which offers far higher resolutions than HD. Beautiful stuff.

4K from Image Impossible on Vimeo.

Plane Crash Claims 18 Lives In Nepal

A plane crash in Nepal on Monday claimed the lives of the 18 people on board. The flight crashed into the side of a hill after taking off from the town of Pokhara. Most of the passengers were Nepali, although there was one Dane aboard the flight as well.

Air traffic controllers lost contact with the plane just minutes after takeoff. It was en route to Kathmandu with 15 passengers and three crew members. The Twin Otter aircraft, a staple in the mountainous landscapes of Nepal, went down on a hill known as Masinelek. The official cause of the crash is bad weather.

This is the third crash in as many years in Nepal, bringing into question the safety of flying there. According to the BBC article linked to above, since 1949, there have been more than 70 aircraft crashes in Nepal, with over 700 people dying in those crashes. For the size of the country, that is a pretty astounding number, but when you factor in the High Himalaya, and the unpredictable weather, it becomes a bit more understandable.

Despite the remote and difficult terrain that this plane went down in, the bodies have already been recovered and returned to Kathmandu. My condolences go out to the friends and family of those who died in this accident.

Adventure Tech: The iPad As Mandatory Mountaineering Gear

There is no doubt that technological advances have altered expeditions to the remote corners of the globe, giving us lightweight, yet powerful gadgets that we can take with us to the ends of the Earth. This is especially true in mountaineering, where satellite Internet, lightweight laptops, and tablets have become more prevalent in recent years. The iPad in particular seems to be a popular device for those kinds of adventures, something that even Apple has taken notice of.

Recently, Apple launched a fantastic ad campaign with the theme of "What will your verse be?" The crux of the campaign is that we all add a "verse" to the poem that is life, as we share the things that we are passionate about. The iPad can be a tool to help facilitate how we write our own verse, whether its in filmmaking, photography, music, or even mountaineering.

Yesterday, Apple updated their website with a new page dedicated to showing how their tablet can be used on a mountaineering expedition. The story is entitled "Elevating the Expedition" and it shares how climbers Adrian Ballinger and Emily Harrington use their iPads on the mountain. It discusses how the device helps them prepare for a climb, how it aids during the acclimatization process, and how it plays into the summit push. Other interesting segments include a look at their essential gear – iPad included of course – and profiles of some of their favorite mountains, such as Kilimanjaro, Ama Dablam, and Everest.

While this may be a marketing piece for Apple, it is also an interesting case study for the rest of us. It offers interesting insights into how the iPad can be put to good use on a climb. Definitely worth a read for anyone interested in expedition technology.

Greg Hill To Attempt To Climb And Ski 100,000 Meters In March

Remember Greg Hill? Back in 2010, we followed his attempt to climb and ski 2 million vertical feet (610,000 meters) in one year. It took him all 12 months, but he was able to achieve that goal. Now, he's back with another ambitious project that will push him to the limits and certainly test his endurance. In March, Hill hopes to climb and ski a total of 100,000 meters, a massive number for a single month.

This would be a big enough challenge on a well groomed trail at a nice resort, but that isn't what Greg has in mind. He'll climb and ski in the Canadian backcountry, taking on some tough mountains and even making a few first descents. Even more impressive, he won't repeat a single hill, but will instead move on to new challenges at all times.

Greg says that he isn't sure if it is even possible to pull off his big goal. He knows that injuries, weather, avalanches and other unexpected challenges could prevent him from completing this challenge. But, he will push on to see if he can pull it off none the less. To do so, he'll spend every day in March climbing and skiing mountains, with the hopes of getting to that big 100,000 meter numbers.

Good luck Greg! You're going to need it!

Greg Hill's March Madness 2014 from FD Productions on Vimeo.

Video: The Fate Of The Bristlecones

This video is not only beautifully shot, but also very interesting too. It tells the story of the bristlecones, the oldest trees on the planet, which are found on California's White Mountains. The oldest of those trees is said to be over 4800 years old, and has survived any number of challenges. But now, those trees have a new threat, and it is unlike any they've faced in their history.

The Bristlecone's Fate - AudioVision Ep. 3 from KPCC on Vimeo.

2014 World Cycle Race Gets Underway March 1 In London, Join The Peloton!

March 1 will mark the launch of the 2014 edition of the World Cycle Race, which as the name implies is a bicycle race around the planet. The event covers more than 18,000 miles (28,968 km), with participants racing with no set course in either an easterly or westerly direction. It is a nonstop race, with the clock constantly running, that is a true test of skill, endurance and adventure.

This year, the race will get underway from Greenwich, London in the U.K. at noon. At the moment, there are five riders slated to compete in the WCR, each of whom will of course be at the starting line when the gun goes off. But prior to the start of the round-the-world race, there will be a ceremonial start  that will let cycling fans in London get in on the fun.

At 9:30 AM on March 1, riders are encouraged to gather at Marble Arch to form a peloton that will escort the racers across town to their official start at Greenwich Park. This pre-launch ride will begin promptly at 10:00 AM, giving everyone ample time to safely reach the starting point before the WCR officially gets underway.

The first World Cycle Race took place back in 2012, with Brit Mike Hall claiming victory. That race was supported by Brooks England. Now, our friends over at The Adventurists have joined in and are helping to organize the event too. I'm told that they hope to grow it over time, with more riders taking part and creating a larger awareness of the WCR with the general public. You can find out more at WorldCycleRace.com.

Good luck to all of the riders. I wish I were in London to be able to see you off!

Video: How The Wolves Of Yellowstone Impacted The Environment There

Yellowstone National Park is one of my favorite places on the planet. It is a beautiful, breathtaking landscape, with some amazing wildlife on display. Back in 1995, wolves were famously reintroduced to the park, without anyone knowing for sure what they would do to the ecosystem there. Turns out, they have had quite an impact, in ways that no one could have predicted. The video below shares some insights into that vary thing. It is four minutes that are likely to fascinate anyone who has a love for the outdoors.

Winter Climbs 2014: Bad Weather Keeps Teams In BC On Nanga Parbat

It is a new week on Nanga Parbat, but the news largely remains the same. Bad weather is keeping the teams in Base Camp while they await the next weather window. In these anxious times, they find ways to stay busy, while keeping fit and well acclimatized to the altitude. It can be very frustrating, but this is what it is like to climb in the Himalaya in the winter, and these veteran mountaineers are accustomed to it.

On the Rupal Face, both the Polish team and the North Face squad have settled back into BC while they wait. The two teams attempted a summit push late last week, but the window was slammed shut when high winds and cold temperatures enveloped the summit. Those conditions have not dissipated yet, as temperatures on top of Nanaga are said to be in the -70ºC/-94ºF range. That is far too cold for anyone to attempt a summit push, hence the reason they are all waiting for the next opportunity. It is tough to say when that opportunity will come however, as the forecast says that it will get worse before it gets better.

While they are in Base Camp, the climbers have been finding ways to occupy their time. The TNF team has been editing photos and videos, and making back-up copies of their work, while also trekking nearby. They have also been reading, sending emails, and resting too. The Poles have brought a drone to Nanga this winter, and it has provided some diversion during the day. The batteries only last about 20 minutes however, and they are slow to recharge using the generator or solar cells. The little aircraft also crashed hard last week, requiring extensive repairs. Fortunately, a little tape and ingenuity had it back in the air in no time.

Jumping over to the Diamir Face, Daniele Nardi has wrapped up his acclimatizatiton process and is waiting for a summit attempt too. He shared some details of his recent summit of Ganalo Peak, which was a good warm-up for the main event – his solo, alpine style attempt on Nanga. Once he is fully rested from that climb, he'll watch the forecasts and prepare for his push as well.

With nasty weather arriving on the mountain over the next few days, it looks like it will be the weekend, at the earliest, before another summit push can get underway. Stay tuned for updates. I'll post them as they come in.

New Farthest Source Of The Amazon Discovered

Researchers say they have located a new source for the Amazon River and possibly adding an additional 47-57 miles to its overall length, which already extends beyond 4000 miles. But, with all things exploration related in the 21st century, there is some controversy as to whether or not this new location should actually be considered as a tributary for the longest river on the planet.

Since 1971, the Apurimac River has been considered the furthest source of the Amazon, and many explorers and adventurers have operated in the region under that assumption. According to this new report however, the Mantaro River, located in southwest Peru, now holds that distinction.

The researchers who have asserted that the Mantaro is the new source used satellite imagery and topographic maps to study the Amazon and it's numerous tributaries. With GPS tracking points, the team determined that the Mantaro is actually about 10% longer than the Apurimac, which would make the furthest source.


But as I mentioned, there is some controversy afoot. The Mantaro doesn't flow for parts of the year, thanks to a dam that was built in 1974. When defining a "source," most geographers feel that a river must flow uninterrupted. The researchers behind this new finding say that the Mantaro would flow all year if it wasn't for the dam.

Does it really matter where the true source is located? Most would probably say no. But if you're one of the many adventurers who has attempted to travel the length of the river, or explored the Amazon Basin, it means quite a lot. This revelation could invalidate certain past expeditions that paddled the entire river for instance.

Personally, I happen to enjoy that we're still discovering things about our own planet. It is stories like this one that remind us that exploration is important, even in the 21st century. Now, who wants to be the first to go upstream and actually visit the source? I'm in!

Video: The Mountains Of Valais

This video is the result of 15 days of filming, stretched out between August and November of last year, in and around Valais, Switzerland. As you can see, the finished product speaks for itself. It is simply a beautiful look at some breathtaking mountains.

Tip of the hat to the Adventure Journal for this one.

Mountains of Valais from Christian Mülhauser on Vimeo.

Video: Snowboarding On The Streets Of New York

Last week we had a video of paddlers in the U.K. kayaking through the streets after a flood, and today we have snowboarders on the streets of New York following a blizzard. The two videos have a bit in common, as the paddlers and snowboarder were both pulled along by a vehicle. This looks like a lot of fun, and a great way to make lemonade out of lemons.

Thanks to Nat Geo Adventure for sharing this.

Everest 2014: Nepal Cuts Price Of Everest Climbing Permits

Last Friday, the government of Nepal announced that it is slashing the price of climbing permits on Everest in an effort to lure more mountaineers to the mountain. The move comes with a great deal of criticism however, as some fear further over crowding and damage to the environment there.

The reduction in price for a permit to climb the highest mountain in the world isn't an insubstantial one. The price for a single climber has gone down from $25,000 to $11,000. But, the existing discounts for group expeditions are also going away, which means that Nepal is likely to pull in more cash under the new price structure.

As the article I linked to above notes, under the old price structure, seven climbers would pay a total of $70,000 to share a climbing permit. But with the new pricing, the total cost would be $77,000, with a flat fee for each climber, and no discounts. On top of that fee increase, Nepal will also start charging a fee for Nepalese climbers for the first time. That fee will be $750.

It is difficult to say just yet how this change in fee structure will impact the climbing scene. For the traditional guiding companies, it means a slight increase in fees for their clients, but it is unlikely to change much beyond that. Considering many climbers pay in excess of $65,000 for their expeditions, another $1000 isn't going to be a deal breaker. But the reduced fees could also result in more smaller climbing groups on the mountain, which could in turn lead to more traffic jams, over crowding and environmental damage. The fear is that there could be more unprepared climbers, without proper experience, on the South Side, which could be bad news all around.


The move is a bit surprising to me, considering it wasn't all that long ago that the Nepalese government was talking about how they wanted to make Everest safer and cleaner. That doesn't typically mean potentially adding more climbers to the mountain. On the other hand, it is understandable that the country wants to find more ways to leverage its natural resources to make more cash. Obviously there are no easy answers for a developing nation, but the potential increase to the dangers on Everest seems troubling.

With the climbing season set to begin in about six weeks, this announcement isn't likely to have a major impact on this season. But the potential for problems in the future continues to loom. We'll just have to wait to see if the number of climbers on the mountain continues to grow in the years ahead, and if it has an impact on safety there.

Chad Kellogg Dies While Climbing In Patagonia

There was sad news out of Agentina this past weekend as the news broke that American climber Chad Kellogg has died while climbing in Patagonia. Kellogg was climbing Fitz Roy with and Jens Holsten. The two apparently successfully topped out and were beginning their descent when a rope dislodged a rock that struck Chad in the head. He reportedly died instantly.

The accident occurred late last Friday, but it took Holsten some time to descend safely and walk to the nearest village. The news has slowly filtered out since then and the climbing community is still reeling. Due to the remoteness of the accident, his body will not be recovered.

Kellogg was well known for his speed climbing on Rainier and Denali. Over the past couple of years, he even made a couple of attempt to break the speed record on Everest.  Chad enjoyed climbing remote peaks and opening new routes with a variety of close climbing partners. His legacy will include new routes in the Himalaya, the Andes, and China.

My condolences go out Chad's friends and family.

Video: Expedition To Western Nepal

This short film documents an expedition to western Nepal that took place this past fall. A small group of climbers went there to take on Saipal Peak, a 7030 meter (23,064 ft) mountain that is off the beaten path. While they weren't able to summit, they did capture some amazing footage of the region. Enjoy!

Expédition Saipal 2013 from emmanuel abelé on Vimeo.

Video: Kayaking The Flooded Streets Of The UK – Behind A Truck!

The U.K. has been battered by some incredibly awful weather in recent months, with heavy rains, flooding cold snaps, snow and more. All of that rain has brought flooding to some areas, where some outdoor enthusiasts have decided to turn lemons into lemonade, by kayaking on the flooded roads. But not content to just paddle through the streets, these industrious (read crazy!) lads decided to pull their boat behind a truck. The results look like fun. Well, except for the final run that is.

Kayaking on flooded Essex Roads from UncleAlbert on Vimeo.

Video: Alex Honnold Free Solo of El Sendero Luminoso - Full Video

Last Friday I posted a teaser video of Alex Honnold making the first free solo ascent of a 5.12 rated big wall in Mexico called El Sendero Luminoso. That short clip was enough to make most of us get an adrenaline rush just by watching it, but the full video, which you'll find below, will really get your heart pumping. Honnold once again shows why he is the best business. Crazy stuff that is best left to someone with his talents.

Winter Climbs 2014: Second Summit Push Over

Yesterday, I wrote an update from Nanga Parbat that was filled with hope and promise for the climbers attempting to achieve the first winter ascents ever on that mountain. The teams on the Rupal Face were in motion, as they moved upward to get into position to take advantage of a possible weather window. But now, just 24 hours later, those hopes are dashed, with all climbers back in Base Camp.

The first time to go up the mountain was the Polish Justice For All squad. The Poles have a long history of winter climbing and they seemed poised to at least make an attempt at extending that legacy. When I last posted an update, they were in an intermediate camp between C1 and C2, with plans to go higher today and hopefully push to the summit tomorrow. Unfortunately, one of the members of the team has taken ill, and they were forced to abandon this push.

The North Face team was on the same trajectory, even though they left BC a bit behind the Poles. Simone Moro and David Göttler were sharing the same campsite yesterday and remained there, even while their companions elected to descend. But it seems that the weather window that they had originally hoped for has failed to open, and they too have now gone back to Base Camp. For now, there will be no summits.

It should be noted that while Nanga gets less technical on the upper slopes, mainly above C3, it is also far more exposed. With the high winds still in place, it would have made the final push to the summit very difficult. Temperatures are also extremely cold, and the risk was far higher than any of these climber were willing to take. This window was never a sure thing to begin with, so they'll chalk it up to more acclimatization and now they'll rest, remain patient and wait for better opportunity in the days ahead.

Over on the Diamir Face, we have received word today that Italian climber Daniele Nardi has completed his acclimatization with a successful summit of Ganalo Peak. He has now returned to BC as well, where we're told he is comfortable and calm before the start of his ascent. He will also rest and watch the skies, waiting for an opportunity to launch his solo, alpine style attempt on the summit too.

Stay tuned for more soon. The winter is far from over and the climbers may yet get the chance they are looking for.

Crowd Sourced Travel Show Sends Host On Adventures You Choose

Travel host Eli Newell has come up with a novel idea for a new show that puts a bit of uncertainty and adventure back into the genre. The program is called Don't Kill Eli and it gives viewers the power to choose where he'll be off to next, and what he'll do when he gets there.

The project, which is being funded by a Kickstater campaign, begins with Newell posting a series of videos online. Viewers then select the video of the location they'd most like to see him visit, and watch that video, there by recording a vote. The destination that gets the most votes is where he'll go.

The first vote ended last night, and the winner is Beirut. According to his Twitter account, Eli is already looking to book airfare and will be heading to Lebanon in March. Presumably his travels there will be filmed so we can all enjoy his adventures once he gets home. Future episodes will follow the same format, with the audience selecting where to send Eli, without getting him killed of course! This could be fun to follow.

Video: Arches & Canyonlands National Parks In Timelapse

Arches and Canyonlands are amongst the more spectacular national parks in the entire U.S. system. They provide breathtaking vistas around every turn and anyone who hasn't experienced them should put them on their bucket list. The video below, which captures those landscapes in timelapse, will give you a brief glimpse of what these two amazing places have to offer. Simply spectacular.

Arches and Canyonlands National Parks Timelapse from Roadtrippers on Vimeo.

Video: Wingsuit Flying And Paragliding Over The Alps

The video below was shot at the International Hot Air Balloon Festival in Europe and features some excellent images of wingsuit pilots and paragliders cutting through the skies above Switzerland. It looks like it was quite an experience with snowy mountain tops making for a dramatic backdrop.

TOTALGAZ Eco Balloon : Wingsuit and Paragliding 2014 from Yannick Barthe on Vimeo.

Winter Climbs 2014: Summit Push Round 2 On Nanga Parbat

The weather continues to be dicey on Nanga Parbat, where the teams have been in Base Camp for most of the week, waiting for a shift in conditions. It seems there may be an opportunity to make a summit bid coming this weekend, so with that in mind, two of the squads are on the move ahead of a potential weather window. If that window opens, we could see the first winter ascents of Nanga on Saturday.

The Polish Justice For All team has sent Tomek Mackiewicz and Pawel Dunaj up the mountain and after safely reaching Camp 1 yesterday, they are now halfway between C1 and C2 today. The same duo were part of the summit push last week, but were turned back due to high winds and extremely cold temperatures. They report that the summit is still shrouded in clouds, but elsewhere around the mountain it is calm. On Saturday, winds on the summit are expected to drop to 30 km/h (18 mph), which is about as quiet as Nanga will get in the winter.

Meanwhile, the North Face team is also on the move and looking to take advantage of this potential weather window. Simone Moro and David Göttler also reached Camp 1 yesterday and are with the Poles at their intermediate camp today. Their reports indicate it took them just 2.5 hours to move from BC to C1, which is a sign that conditions are far better than they were last week and the boys are more acclimatized as well. That bodes well as they continue their push upwards over the next few days, although it should be noted that no one has been above 7100 meters (23,293 ft) yet, so there could be difficult conditions above that point that have yet to be discovered.

Jumping over to the Diamir Face, Italian climber Daniele Nardi is close to wrapping up his acclimatization work on Genalo Peak. If the weather holds out for him, he should complete that process in the next day or two, then return to Base Camp before launching his alpine style summit attempt when the weather permits.

The forecasts indicate that this new weather window will be a narrow one. It will probably only last for two days tops, which is why the climbers are moving into position now. They'll have to make a dash for the summit and get back down as quickly as possible, or risk getting caught in poor conditions on the more exposed portions of the climb. I suspect that if there is a chance at reaching the summit, the Poles and the North Face team will work together on that final go. For now, we'll just have to wait to see what happens. Keep your fingers crossed that these men get back down safely, summit or no.

Expedition Amundsen 2014: The World's Toughest Ski Race

Looking for an endurance event to test your skills during the winter? Then look no further than Expedition Amundsen, an event that is billed as the toughest ski race in the world – and for good reason.

The race follows the same route that Roald Amundsen used while training for his expedition to the South Pole back in 1911. It covers 100 km (62 miles) across the Hardangervidda mountain plateau in Norway, which is a grueling stretch of land, even in the best of conditions. How grueling you ask? It is so tough that Amundsen himself was unable to complete the route. Later he said that training there was crucial to completing his epic journey across Antarctica and he said it was as tough as that expedition as well.

Competitors in the Expedition Amundsen race will traverse the route complete unsupported. They'll have to ski the trail while pulling a sled with all of their safety gear behind them at all times. The event only accepts solo entrants if they are sufficiently experienced enough to go it alone. Otherwise, athletes must enter in teams of two and three in order to support one another.

Last year, a massive storm hit the course in the middle of the race, forcing 60 of the participants to take shelter. They were hunkered down for 36 hours while they waited for the storm to pass. Considering the remoteness of the course, there was little other option for the racers, who were in the middle of the competition when the weather took a turn for the worse.


In another nod to just how challenging this race can be, not a single foreign competitor was able to complete the race last year. Only the Norwegian were able to navigate the entire course and reach the finish line. Their experience in harsh conditions seem to serve them well in this race.

The 2014 edition of Expedition Amundsen will begin on February 27 at 1 PM local time in the county of Telemark, Norway. Where else would it begin? It should be quite the event to follow.

Video: Once Upon A Time In Nepal

Dreaming of a visit to the Himalaya, even though you're stuck behind a desk, longing for an adventure? Nothing can take the place of an actual visit to Nepal, but this short video sure comes close. It is a beautifully shot travelogue for that country that will leave you wanting to go yourself.

Once upon a time in NEPAL (short version) from amankerstudio on Vimeo.

Family Dedicates Website To Climber Lost On Nanga Parbat

Much like this winter climbing season, last year at this time I was posting frequent updates on the teams who were attempting to summit 8000 meter peaks in the coldest, harshest months of the year. One of the climbers that I followed closely was a Joël Wischnewski, a French climber and snowboarder who was attempting a solo summit on Nanga Parbat. Reading his posts from the mountain were both a joy and a challenge. It was clear that he loved being in the mountains, but it was evident that he was struggling physically and emotionally. Eventually those updates from Nanga stopped, and we all feared the worst. For days the mountaineering community held out hope that Joël would appear safe and sound, having lost power to his satellite phone or some other issue. But as time went by, we all acknowledged that the mountain had claimed the life of another climber.

This past fall, Joël's body was discovered on Nanga Parbat by a group of climbers. Eventually, it was brought down the mountain and laid to rest in the Herrligkoffer climber's cemetery, closing the last chapter on his life and hopefully providing some closure for his family too. I'm sure not knowing his ultimate fate was a challenge.

Now, his family has posted a note on Joël's website, dedicating it in his honor. They have also shared a link to the photos that he had taken while climbing on Nanga Parbat. Those images were found on Joël's camera when his body was discovered. The photos are beautiful and serve as a lasting legacy of a young man who loved to climb and was taken from his loved ones at too early an age.

Joël's family asked me to share these links with readers, many of whom no doubt followed his expedition last year. I am happy to do so now, so that we can choose to remember him as the talented and ambitious climber that he was. He perished doing what he loved most, and I continue to offer condolences to his family.

Video: TravelSmith Travel Tip #6: Home Safety While You're Away

Who hasn't left home for an extended trip, only to wonder if we remembered to lock the doors and turn off the stove. Adventure travel expert Richard Bangs is back this week with another travel tip, this time offering some suggestions on home safety while we're on the road, something he learned the hard way on a trip to North Korea.

Kilian Jornet Named National Geographic 2014 People's Choice Adventurer Of The Year!

Ultrarunner Kilian Jornet has been named the 2014 National Geographic People's Choice Adventurer of the Year. Jornet, who edged out 12 other Adventurer of the Year candidates, won this honor following a voting period that saw more than 75,000 people cast online ballots.

If you're a regular reader of my blog, you've read my regular reports on Kilian's exploits. For my money, he is amongst the top endurance athletes in the world today. His ability to scramble up and down a mountain at unbelievable speeds is remarkable, something he demonstrated on two of Europe's most iconic peaks last year. It took him just five hours to conquer Mont Blanc, and he set a record on the Matterhorn, going up and down that mountain in 2 hours and 52 minutes.

In announcing the winner of this year's People's Choice award, National Geographic Adventure's online editor Mary Anne Potts is quoted as saying: “We believe that Kilian exemplifies the spirit of adventure in the truest sense of the word. He has demonstrated over and over that limits are meant to be pushed, and his growing list of remarkable accomplishments is truly inspiring.” She went on to add “We received a record number of online votes from our fans across the adventure community, and we’re thrilled to call Kilian the National Geographic 2014 People’s Choice Adventurer of the Year.”

I am happy to say that Kilian would have been my choice for Adventurer of the Year as well. His incredible feats in the mountain have been simply amazing. Other than Ueli Steck's solo summit of Annapurna, I'm hard pressed to think of anyone who has come close to what the Spaniard has accomplished. I'm happy to see him earn this much deserved recognition.

Congratulations to Kilian on this honor.

Comedians Set To Hold Highest Gig Ever On Everest

The Everest climbing season may still be a month and a half off just yet, but we're already starting to see why some people feel the highest mountain in the world has devolved into a bit of a circus. This is the time of year when we get all kinds of announcements about unusual records or "firsts" that will be attempted in the year ahead. I got one such announcement yesterday in the form of a press release about comedy troupe that will perform in Base Camp later this year.

The team of comedians, which includes Rhys Darby, Stewart Francis, Craig Campbell, Glenn Wool, Simon Evans and Terry Alderton, all of whom intend to trek to EBC in Nepal this October. That means they'll miss the very busy spring climbing season in favor of the quieter fall season when few climbers are there, but trekking is good. The funny men are calling their hiking adventure Stand Up on Everest, and as you can probably imagine, they're doing it for a good cause.

The comedians will lead a massive group of 50 trekkers on the hike up the Khumbu Valley to Everest. Those trekkers will each agree to raise a minimum of £1000 (roughly $1645) for the Save the Children project, a non-profit dedicated to improving the lives of children around the globe. For their efforts, those 50 travelers will be treated to two sets of comedy performed by their hosts on a special stage in the shadow of Everest.

The trek will begin on September 25 with the hopes that they'll reach EBC by October 4. The comedians will perform for anyone in Base Camp at the time, although in recent years there have been few climbers on Everest in the fall.

If you're interested in joining the trek or learning more about this project, visit standuponeverest.co.uk.

Video: Iconic Joshua Tree

Today we have another great timelapse video from the folks over at Sunchaser Pictures. It captures more of the surreal and beautiful landscapes in and around Joshua Tree, a spectacular setting to say the least. If you haven't had the opportunity to go there yourself, it is definitely a destination that I recommend.

JOSHUA TREE JOURNEY 4: RUINS from Sunchaser Pictures on Vimeo.

Video: There And Back Again With The Scott Expedition

Last week, Ben Saunders and Tarka L'Herpiniere completed their epic journey across Antarctica following the route that Robert Falcon Scott took a century earlier. The boys are still stranded at Union Glacier while they wait for the skies to clear long enough for them to make a flight back to Punta Arenas, and then eventually home. In the meantime, I thought you might enjoy the video below, which is a short overview of the expedition and some of the challenges they faced along the way.

All-Female Team To Make First Descents, Investigate Climate Change In Greenland

An all female team of pro skiers will embark on a sailing voyage from Iceland to Greenland in March in  search of first descents and to record the impact of climate change on the region. The team, which will consist of Meghan Kelly, Nat Segal, McKenna Peterson, Pip Hunt and Martha Hunt, will depart on March 26 from Ísafjörður, Iceland on an expedition that is expected to last until April 19. Their adventure will be documented on the Shifting Ice + Changing Tides website.

The ladies, who are working with both the I AM PRO SNOW and Adventurers and Scientists for Conservation organizations, will first travel to the southwest coast of Greenland where they'll climb several peaks and make the first ski descents of those mountains. Along the way, they'll also collect valuable data that will help us to understand how climate change is having impact on that fragile coastline and to Greenland as a whole.

Prior to departing, the team has organized a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo in the hopes of raising some money to help support the project. The expedition will be documented by adventurer photographer Andy Bardon, so that the entire story can be told upon their return.

This looks like a great project for a number of reasons. Obviously we enjoy adventure in all of its forms here at the Adventure Blog, and this looks like it should be a good one. The emphasis on climate change should not be under rated either however, and since this is an all-female team, perhaps it will also encourage more young ladies to get out there and chase their adventurous dreams as well.

The video below helps to explain more.

Shifting Ice & Changing Tides from Andy Bardon on Vimeo.

North Pole 2014: More Teams Heading To The Arctic

Yesterday I posted a story about Eric Larsen and Ryan Waters prepping to make an attempt on the speed record for skiing to the North Pole. But they aren't the only explorers heading north this spring. When the season gets underway at the start of March, there will be a number of other aspiring adventurers looking to make that grueling journey as well. But according to this report from ExWeb, a number of teams will be facing a condensed season this year, thanks to a narrow window of escape via the Barneo Ice Camp. Others, such as Eric and Ryan, will charter an expensive flight from Kenn Borek Air.

ExWeb is indicating that Norwegians, Kristoffer Glestad and Lars Mangerud Flesland will share a flight out to Cape Discovery with Larsen and Waters. These two young men hope to go even faster to the North Pole, covering the distance in 40 days. If they do make it, they'll also be the youngest to complete the full route to the top of the world, at the age of 24 and 25 respectively. They'll get started on March 7.

Also on his way to the North Pole will be Japanese skier Yasu Ogita, who is going solo and unsupported to 90ºN. He has also contracted with Kenn Borek and won't need to exit from the Barneo Camp. Similarly, Michele Pontrandolfo will attempt the same feat. He'll be in Resolute Bay next Monday, then set out for Cape Discovery on March 5, with an eye on reaching the North Pole by April 21. That would mean he'll complete the expedition in just 45 days.


Also returning this season to give the North Pole another go is the Irish team of  Clare O’Leary and Mike O’Shea, who made an attempt last year as well. They were force to abandon that attempt however, so they feel like they have a bit of unfinished business in the Arctic. They'll set off in the first week of March too.

When the Barneo Ice Camp opens on April 2, it'll give adventure travelers a chance to ski to the North Pole as well. For those who aren't aware, Barneo is a temporary camp that is built in the Arctic each year that gives assess to the top of the world. The camp is usually built at about 89ºN, which is within a helicopter flight to the Pole. This year, the camp will remain open until the 22, which is plenty of time for the tourists, but may be a tight squeeze for the explorers who hope to exit that way.

It looks like it will be a very active season in the Arctic, but as in the past few years, looks can be deceiving. The past two years, strong storms have kept many of the North Pole skiers stranded in Resolute Bay, waiting for a chance to fly out to the Cape. As the weather continued to be dicey, they watched their very few days begin to disappear before they even hit the trail. Some did eventually make it out, only to find conditions too difficult to endure. I suspect we'll see some of that again this year, as the Arctic continues to become more demanding, forcing some teams to pull the plug. At this point, I'll actually be very pleasantly surprised if anyone actually completes the full route this year. It is becoming that difficult to accomplish.

Video: Another Look At Angels Landing In Zion National Park

A few weeks back I posted a great video of Angels Landing in Zion National Park, sharing a glimpse of what that great hike has to offer. The video below shares even more of that impressive trail, which appears to be a "must-do" for anyone who loves to hike, particularly in a national park. It is a beautiful setting, with an adrenaline inducing view.

Angels Landing :: Zion from JC Ferrer on Vimeo.

Video: Highlining Between Two Hot Air Balloons

I have to say, I'm not a huge fan of highlining, only because it looks like an activity that would scare the sh!t out of me. But this video is kind of the ultimate in that activity as a brave soul walks a tight rope between two hot air balloons. Obviously he's wearing a parachute to help keep him safe, but still, this looks pretty crazy to me.

The Balloon Highline from sebastien montaz-rosset on Vimeo.

Winter Climbs 2014: Weather Thwarts Summit Attempt On Nanga Parbat

The summit of Nanga Parbat continues to be an elusive target. A slight weather window opened on the mountain this past weekend, giving teams there a chance to make their push. But that window slammed shut quickly and all the climbers are now back in Base Camp. The week ahead doesn't look all that much better, so once again they play the waiting the game.

The Polish Justice For All team launched the summit bids last Thursday, hoping to make a dash up to the top if conditions cooperated. Tomek Mackiewicz and Pawel Dunaj were the two men who started the attempt, but by Friday, Dunaj was on his way back down due to the extreme temepratures. Mackiewicz pushed higher in an attempt to reach the snow cave they had dug at Camp 2, but by Saturday, he was in retreat as well.

Not far behind them were Simone Moro and David Göttler of the North Face Team. They began their summit push on Friday, hoping that the worst of the weather would have passed before as they went higher. They managed to reach 5700 meters (18,700 ft) before they decided discretion was the better part of valor and turned back as well. The temperatures were bitterly cold and the winds were far too dangerous to proceed further up.

These two teams are climbing on the Rupal Face, where the weather forecast says it will be very challenging for the rest of this week. High winds are expected on the summit, perhaps approaching 100 km/h (62 mph), which will make temperatures impossible to bear. That means that all these two teams can do at the moment is rest, wait, and hope for a chance to go higher. There are still five weeks of winter left for one of these squads to complete the first ascent of Nanga during that season, but the Poles have already had to extend their climbing permit once, so it is unclear if they can or will get a second extension. When the weather is that bad, the days disappear rather quickly, and while a true summit push is never a guarantee at any time of the year, that is especially true during the winter.


Meanwhile, on the other side of the mountain, Daniele Nardi is continuing his planned solo, alpine style summit attempt. He continues to make acclimatization hikes to let his body get use to the altitude, but unlike his friends on the Rupal Face, Daniele says that the Diamir is quiet and has little wind at the moment. Temperatures still quite frigid however, as he had hoped to go up to 5000 meters (16,404 ft), but his feet were so cold that he could do little to warm them. The Italian says that the weather is a bit confounding. The skies are often clear, and there hasn't been as much snow as he expected, but temperatures remain brutally cold. Ultimately, that could mean that it will be impossible to go to the summit, simply because it will just be too cold. He'll have to wait to see how things progress. As a late comer to the mountain, Daniele's climbing permit should be adequate to get him through what remains of the season.

Stay tuned for more updates soon. It seems there won't be much to report for a few days as these teams wait for more opportunities to come.