Video: Mountain Biking Adventure in Argentina

Looking for another great mountain biking destination in South America? Then check out this video of Hans Rey and Tibor Simai, who spend three days traversing the wild backcountry of Argentina on their mountain bikes. They being in the town of Tilcara and ride to Calilegua National Park, with a whole lot of climbing in-between. It looks like beautiful country to go for a ride. Or do just about anything else for that matter.

Video: Rediscover Your Inner Explorer

Here's a beautiful little video shot in the Dominica that is meant to inspire us to explore and seek adventures. It features some excellent shots of the wonderful settings there, with narration that reminds us to go out to seek new experiences, new places, and new adventures. That seems like a fitting message to share.

Dominica - The New from Trent Hilborn on Vimeo.

Video: TravelSmith Travel Tip #20 - How and Why to Pack Light

Adventure travel legend Richard Bangs is back once again with yet more helpful tips for travelers. This time out, Richard gives us some advice on how to travel lighter, and why it is good for us to do so. He learned this lesson on an expedition to Ethiopia, where he lost his pack containing all of his gear, but still managed to have one of the best journeys ever. As someone who takes pride in traveling light, this particular video especially hit home.

Himalaya 2014: Summits Across the Himalaya!

As expected, there were a number of summit pushes across the 8000 meter peaks this past weekend, with climbers finding success on several mountains. It was a busy couple of days in the Himalaya, where teams sought to take advantage of a weather window, and top out during a period of relatively calm winds and good all around conditions.

We'll start on Kangchenjunga, where Denis Urubko summited the mountain solo after his teammates turned back out of fear of an unstable approach to the summit. Climbing along the North Face, Denis completed a new route that is a variant of the British Route used in the past. He has already returned to Camp 4, where his teammates, Alex Txikon, Adam Bielecki, Artjom Braun and Dmitri Sinev, were waiting. Alex and Adam had hoped to summit, and traverse down the South Face, but conditions were not good for such an attempt. All members of the team will now head down to Base Camp, and most likely prepare to head home.

On the South Side of Kangchenjunga, ExWeb is reporting that Spanish climber Carlos Soria has also topped out, nabbing his eleventh 8000-meter peak at the age of 75. He was joined on the summit by Italian Marco Camandona and Finnish climber Samuli Mansikka, who topped out without the use of supplemental oxygen.

Jumping over to Cho Oyu, Mike and Matt Moniz successfully topped out on Saturday, right on schedule. They had a very narrow weather window for their summit bid, as high winds are expected back on that mountain today. After setting out at 4 AM, the reached the summit at 11 AM that morning, before descending all the way back down to ABC before taking a rest. The father-son team had originally planned to now travel to the South Side of Everest, and attempt a double-summit of that mountain and Lhotse. With things shut down on the South Side however, we'll have to wait to see if they just head home instead.


Mike Horn and Fred Roux found success on Makalu on Saturday as well. They reached the summit of that 8463 meter (27,765 ft) mountain without supplemental oxygen or high altitude Sherpa support. Fred topped out at about 10:30 AM local time, while Mike followed along at 4:00 PM in the afternoon. That should give you an indication of how good the weather was, at that is late in the day for summit. Both men descended the mountain safely and reunited in ABC.

Other climbers who have reportedly topped out on Makalu this weekend include Serbian climber Dragan Celikovic, Canadians Al Hancock and Monique Richard, Norwegian Arvid Lennard Lahit, and  French alpinist Philippe Gatta with Pasang Gombu.

Not everyone was successful on Makalu however, as ExWeb reports that a team of Indian climbers led by Arjun Vajpai were forced to turn back just 150 meters below the summit due to exhaustion and a lack of fixed ropes going to the top. Other teams were in position to summit yesterday and today, but we'll have to wait for further confirmation on their success.

ExWeb also reports that there were 10 summits on Dhaulagiri this weekend as well, with clients of Seven Summits Treks topping out on Saturday that includes two Chinese climbers Jing Luo and Zhu Gang, Peruvian Rimac Trejo Victor and Nepalese clients Nirmal Purja and Krishna Thapa Magar.

Meanwhile, the climbers on Everest's North Side continue to wait for their turn to come. A weather window is now expected later this week so that rope fixing can be completed at long last. Most teams are now looking at making their summit push starting on Friday and extending into the weekend. We'll just have to wait to see how things play out then.

Stay tuned for more updates.

Outside Picks Gear of the Year for Summer 2014

Last week, we received some great gear tips courtesy of National Geographic, and this week we'll start things off with the Outside magazine selection for the Gear of the Year for Summer 2014 as well. The editors at Outside have narrowed their selection down to just 15 amazing pieces of kit that you'll want in your gear closet for that next big adventure.

Some of the items making the list include the upgraded version of the very popular MSR Hubba Hubba tent, which somehow managed to get a little bigger, while still shaving a half-pound off the weight. They also gave a nod to the new Sierra Designs Mobile Mummy sleeping bag, which is rated down to 15ºF/-9ºC, and can be worn like a jacket while around the campfire. The Granite Gear Nimbus Trace backpack is lauded for its all-around excellent performance, while the North Face Ultra Trail running shoes took the crown as the best new trail runners on the market. Other gear making the list included a new mountain bike from Norco, a jacket from Marmot, and a kayak from dagger.

If the Gear of the Year items aren't enough to satiate your gear lust, than checkout Outside's  Summer 2014 Gear Buyers Guide. It expands the selection nicely, offering up more than 360 gear items to choose from. Categories include the essentials for car camping, the best new luggage, the best new tents, backpacks, cameras, and much, much more. It is a very comprehensive list, and one that will surely leave you wanting gear that you probably didn't even know existed. 

Between Outside's suggestions and Nat Geo's selection for gear of the year, we should have plenty of good choices heading into the summer months. 

Video: 80 Years Old and Still Cycling!

Here's a great little personal documentary about an 80 year old cyclists who fell in love with bikes as a child, and continues to ride to this day. It is an inspiring short film that is very well put together. I hope I'm still riding when I get to his age. As we head into the weekend, lets all get out and go for a ride!

Portrait of my grandfather : 80 and still cycling from Florent Piovesan on Vimeo.

Video: Surviving the Iditarod Trail Invitational (Part 4)

Our friends at EpicTV have brought us the next installment of the Sport & Survival series, in which host Patrick Sweeney is attempting to complete the incredibly difficult Iditarod Trail Invitational, an endurance event that follows the same route as the famous Iditarod sled dog race. This time out, our intrepid host races the most dangerous section of the trail, which includes a wild climb and descent of the treacherous Rainy Pass at night. Good stuff as always, and a great look at this amazing event.

Outside Picks the 20 Most Dangerous Hikes in the World

Looking for some new hiking trails to try this summer? Then you might not want to look at the new list from Outside magazine. They have compiled their selection of the 20 most dangerous hikes in the world, giving us a taste of just how dangerous hiking can be when you throw in extreme conditions, dangerous wildlife, and trails that are literally falling apart around you. This list isn't meant for those who enjoy walking the nature trail in their local park. These trails are for the truly adventurous who enjoy a bit of a challenge while they're in the wilderness.

Make no mistake, there are some truly spectacular hikes on this list. Many offer sweeping views or access to some of the truly great wilderness areas on our planet. But, as the name implies, they also offer some unique dangers as well. Those dangers come in a variety of forms that are sometimes unexpected. Take for example, the Huayna Picchu route in Peru, a trail that goes beyond Machu Picchu and up a 1000 feet of ancient stairs that the Inca carved out of stone. Those stairs are slippery, in need of repair, and shrouded in mist. Many people who set out on the hike, have no idea how dangerous it is, and often aren't wearing the proper boots, or carrying enough water.

Other outstanding – yet dangerous  – trails include the Maze in Utah, which consists of a series of twisting canyons that are easy to get lost in, and Mount Hua Shan in China, which is infamous for its wooden platforms precariously bolted to the vertical cliffs of the sacred mountain. Other trails that make the list include the amazing Drakensberg Traverse in South Africa, Kalalau in Hawaii, and El Caminito del Rey, in Spain, which I recently shared on this blog in video form.

The list offers trails that can be found in just about every corner of the globe, although the U.S. is heavily represented.  The Outside authors offer advice on the things that make each of these routes dangerous, and what we should be aware of before setting out. Of course, further research is highly recommended, but this makes for an interesting read none the less.

Himalaya 2014: It is Go Time in the Himalaya!

After weeks of acclimatizing, and days of waiting for a weather window, it appears that it is finally time for the summit season to begin in the Himalaya. All across the region there are reports of good conditions in the mountains, with the high winds that have been buffeting the area quieting down at last. That means it should be a busy weekend on the 8000-meter peaks, where teams have launched their summit bids at last.

We'll start on Shishapangma, where ExWeb is reporting that there have already been successful summits, with more yet to come. A team of four French climbers, Sébastien Moatti, Sébastien Ratel, Antoine Bletton and Max Bonniot topped out on Wednesday via the South Face, and are already safely back in Base Camp. Meanwhile, teams on the North Side of the mountain are on the move as well, and should have a legitimate shot at reaching the summit sometime this weekend.

Over on Makalu, Mike Horn and Fred Roux have launched their summit bid. They climbed up to 6800 meters (22,309 ft) yesterday, and are homing to move up to Camp 2 at 7500 meters (24,606 ft) today. They report that high winds are still making things difficult on the upper slopes, but they expect them to quiet down, and allow for an attempt on the summit on Sunday.


Other teams are on the move on Makalu as well, which is where Chris Jensen Burke is tuning up for an attempt on K2 later this summer. She expects her squad to be heading up this weekend as well, as everyone looks to take advantage of the weather window ahead. There hasn't been an update from Chris in a couple of days, but it is safe to assume that she, along with the rest of her team, are eying a summit on Sunday too.

The team of  Alex Txikon, Adam Bielecki and Dmitri Sinev, Denis Urubko and Artem Braun are looking to open a new route on Kangchenjunga, and after acclimatizing along the normal route on the North Face, they are on the move as well. If everything goes as scheduled, they should top out tomorrow or Sunday, with Txikon and Bielecki looking to descend on the South Side, completing a traverse of the mountain. The team is climbing without supplemental oxygen, or high altitude Sherpa support.

On Cho Oyu, it seems this will be a very narrow weather window, with storms predicted to move in early next week. With that in mind, Mike and Matt Moniz have launched their summit bid, with the hopes of moving quickly to the top, and getting back down before the weather window slams shut. They left Advanced Base Camp yesterday, and should be Camp 2 today, where they'll rest for a brief period before making a push all the way to the summit, which should happen tomorrow morning local time.

Conspicuous with its absence on this update is Everest of course. The North Side has been effectively shut down the past few days due to high winds. The ropes are reportedly fixed up to Camp 3, and Sherpa teams are preparing to install them all the way to the summit, which looks to be finished around the 20th or 21st of the month. After that, teams will begin heading up, and may even be in a position to summit soon after the rope fixing is complete.

On the South Side of the mountain, where the two women climbers are making attempts on Everest and Lhotse, it is impossible to say what their schedule is. Rope fixing needs to be done there as well, and both of the ladies are probably still acclimatizing to the altitude. That story is an evolving one of course, so we'll just have to wait to see how it plays out once they come back down the mountain.

I'll post updates next week with results of these summit bids. Hopefully everyone gets up and down safely this weekend.

Nat Geo Announces 2014 Emerging Explorers

Yesterday, National Geographic announced its 2014 class of Emerging Explorers, a distinction it awards to researchers, scientists, adventurers, and conservationists who have contributed significant advances to their particular field of study, while in the early stages of their careers. As usual, the men and women who make up this year's group of Emerging Explorers are smart, highly ambitious, and very passionate about their work.

In all, there are 14 people on this year's list, each working in a unique and important field. For instance, Christopher Golden is researching the effects of changes to the Earth's environment have on human health, while Shabana Basi-Rasikh has founded a nonprofit designed to help young people in Afghanistan – particularly women – seek education abroad. Xiaolin Zheng is a nanoscientist who helped invent a new kind of solar cell that is efficient and inexpensive and Juliana Machado Ferreira is a conservation biologist fighting illegal wildlife trafficking in Brazil.

This is just a sample of some of the impressive young men and women who have earned a spot on the Nat Geo list of Emerging Explorers this year. Other members of this class are focusing their attention on saving Kenya's rapidly depleting lion population, creating clean and inexpensive energy for cooking to Africa, and creating the next generation of robots. As you can see, their areas of expertise vary greatly, but each is doing important work.

Perhaps the most impressive person on the list is Jack Andraka, an inventor who just might be reshaping the way we think about medical care. Jack has invented a cheap, accurate, and simple test that can detect pancreatic, lung, and ovarian cancer in its early stages, possibly saving millions of lives. He holds the patent on this test, and hopes to bring it to market in the next decade, and he even believes the same test could be applied to other diseases as well. What makes Jack stand out from an already impressive crowd? This young man is just 17 years old, and is the youngest person to ever be given the distinction of being named an Emerging Explorer.

Along with the honor of being in an Emerging Explorer class, Nat Geo also awards the recipients with a $10,000 grant to help further their research.

To learn more about these remarkable men and women, check out their profiles on the Emerging Explorers webpage.

Video: Grand Canyon and Monument Valley Timelapse

Our friend Gavin Heffernan from Sunchaser Pictures have released yet another spectacular timelapse, this time with breathtaking images from the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley in Arizona. As usual, this video is mesmerizing to watch. Words can't really describe it, so just watch and enjoy.

YIKÁÍSDÁHÁ from Sunchaser Pictures on Vimeo.

DRAWN: The Climbing Adventures of an Artist

In 2009, climber and artist Jeremy Collins found himself stuck in a cave under Fitz Roy in Patagonia, waiting for the weather to clear enough to give him a shot at the climbing to the summit. While there, he came up with the inspiration to travel in four directions from his home, and climb new routes that had never been done before. He was looking for a new challenge, something to inspire him. Over the next four years, that vision took him to the jungles of Venezuela, the border of China and Mongolia, into Northern Canada, and the Yosemite Valley.  As he went, he collected very personal stories from those journeys, and he filled five sketchbooks with art inspired by those adventures.

Now, Jeremy has published the art from those sketchbooks in a wonderful new tome that is available from Mountaineers Books. He is also about to close a Kickstarter campaign that has earned him enough funds to produce a film of this adventures as well. The campaign still has three days to go until it is done, and while the minimum goal has been met, extra funds will go to improving production.

The story is a very inspiring one, showing us how we can pursue our dreams and go after our goals. Life is an adventure, and this little book, and film, are a testament to how to pursue those adventures. The video below offers a glimpse of what Jeremy has in mind. Looks great!

Sugoi Releases "Green Machine" Peter Sagan Signature Jersey

The Tour de France may be a month and a half away just yet, but its never too early to start thinking about the greatest cycling event on the planet. Especially as the AMGEN Tour of California is going on right now, with some of the best cyclists in the world tuning up for the big events that lie ahead.

Amongst them is the brash young sprinter Peter Sagan, who has captured a big international following over the past few years thanks to his incredible bursts of speed, well-rounded cycling skill set, and often over-the-top antics on the bike. That unique combination has already won him back-to-back Green Jerseys at Le Tour, and he'll be looking to earn a third sprinter's title on the roads in France in July.

Last week, in preparation for the cycling season ahead, Sugoi launched a signature Peter Sagan jersey that fans are sure to love. Riding with the "Green Machine" of Team Cannondale, Sagan has earned himself the nicknames the "Tourminator," which is well represented on the jersey. It not only sports the team's traditional colors, but gives us a glimpse of the Tourminator character that is often displayed on Sagan's bike when he is competing. The new jersey is on sale at the Tour of California right now, and should be appearing in stores across North America in June with a $100 price tag.

Right now, the Tour of California is led by Bradley Wiggins, who is rounding back into form quite nicely after an injury kept him out of the Tour de France last year. The sprinters are led by William Routely, of Optum Pro Cycling. Sagan's arch-rival Mark Cavendish lurks in second place with the same point total. Sagan is 9 points off the lead in 8th place at the moment, but with plenty of points to still be earned out on the course.

While I enjoy following the Tour of California, it just reminds me of what is to come. The Tour de France is one of my favorite events each year, and I'm looking forward to its return soon.

Greenland Circumnav Update: Picking Up Speed and Distance

With the North Pole season now over, and all of the expeditions in the Arctic evacuated, the remaining polar explorers are in Greenland, where conditions are always challenging, even in the spring. The most prominent expedition there at the moment is the attempt by Dixie Dansercoer and Eric McNair-Landry to circumnavigate around the country via kite-ski. After getting off to a slow start due to poor weather, and a seemingly never-ending chain of storms, the two men have finally been able to truly launch their 5000 km (3100 mile), 80-day journey. And thanks to improved conditions there, they are now covering some impressive distance on a daily basis.

The boys have now been out on the ice for 36 days, but most of the early days of the expedition saw them tent-bound as they waited for storms to pass, and weather to improve. While they managed to eke out a few meager miles over that time, it wasn't until last week that they could really get going. Now, they're averaging more than 150 km (93 miles) per day, which is quickly putting them back on schedule. In a dispatch a few days back, they indicated that in order to complete the expedition on time, they would need to average 50 km (31 miles) per day. They have been exceeding that quite easily this week thanks to strong, steady winds to help pull their kites.

Those greatly improved conditions have allowed Dixie and Eric to approach a major milestone as well. As of yesterday, they had gone over the 2000 km (1242 mile) mark, which means they are rapidly approaching the halfway point of the journey. If they keep up their current pace over the next few days, they should reach that point sometime this weekend. That would put them back on schedule, with another 2500 km to go, and 40 days to get there.

Since they are traveling with the midnight sun at the moment, the two veteran polar explorers can choose when they want to rest, and when they want to catch the wind. They've been watching the forecasts closely, and planning their days around the arrival of the strongest winds, which has been paying off for them so far.

All of this is good news for the team. Things looked awfully grim at the start of the journey, but now they are close to getting completely back on track. They still have a very long way to go before they are done, but if they manage to keep covering large chunks of mileage each day, they'll be on the home stretch before we know it. I'll continue to post updates on their progress.

Melting Ice in Antarctica "Unstoppable" According to New Climate Report

A new climate report, released earlier this week, paints a dire picture for the ice sheets in west Antarctica. According to climate data collected by NASA, the region located along the Amundsen Sea is warming quicker than expected, as temperatures of ocean currents rise, pushing the effects of global climate change there "past the point of no return."

The new study stitched together data collected by satellite and flyovers by aircraft, to get a comprehensive look at how the Antarctic ice sheets are changing. After analyzing the findings, glaciologist Eric Rignot, co-author of the report, described the melting as "unstoppable" at this point.

While the paper says it will still take several centuries for the melt-off to occur, the ice located in the glaciers in question contain enough water to raise sea levels by as much as 4 feet (1.2 meters). That is enough to have a substantial impact on coastlines across the globe, and the cities that sit along the waters edge. That impact will most likely be felt in this century however, as estimates see a 1-3 foot rise in water levels by the year 2100. That is enough to displace tens of millions of people across the globe.

This particular area of Antarctica is hit harder by climate change than other regions due to the fact that the ice sheets sit on a shelf that actually rests below sea level. As the ocean currents have warmed, the increased temperatures are brought directly to the ice itself, causing them to melt at a substantially higher rate. That rate has increased by as much as 77% since 1973, when the data used in the study was first conducted.

Obviously, I write a lot about Antarctica, and the adventurous endeavors that take place there. It is one of the last great wildernesses on our planet, with vast regions that are still unexplored. These kinds of reports make it clear that the frozen continent is undergoing drastic changes at the moment, just like those that we've seen taking place at the top of the world in the Arctic. The fact that some people still question climate change is baffling to me. The consequences of what are happening to our planet have now moved past the point of whether or not it is man-made, and to the point where it doesn't really matter what is causing it, we need to figure out how to adapt to the changes, and have as little impact on the environment as possible.

I geography professor I had in college routinely use to say, "we're not destroying the planet, we're destroying ourselves." This seems to be the case here. In the greater scheme of things, the Earth will heal itself over time. It may take millions of years, but it will correct any impact that man has had on it. Those millions of years are just a blink of an eye in terms of geologic history, but that is plenty of time to completely wipe out all semblance of man. The Earth will go on without us, especially if we don't start thinking about ways to treat it better, and accept the changes that it is going through. It isn't too late for the planet, I just hope it isn't too late for us.

Video: New Speed Descent Record Set on Mont Blanc

Last fall, a pair of climbers attempted to set a new speed record for the fastest descent of Mont Blanc back to the church square in Chamonix, by speed flying and mountain biking. After reaching the summit, Nicolas Blanchard and David Bozon set off at a breakneck pace to return to the base of the mountain, hoping to best the 32 minute record that was currently in place. They were able to complete that quest, reaching the square in just over 15 minutes. The video below shows how they did it. Hold on to your seats. It's quite a ride.

Video: Machu Picchu in 4K!

4K continues to be all the buzz in video. For those who don't know, it is a much higher standard of resolution than what we currently get with HD video, and while it naturally creates massive file sizes, it also captures images in stunning clarity. The video below was shot using a 4K camera. It is 4+ minutes of splendor shot in Peru, particularly around the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu. The results are quite spectacular. I personally can't wait until I can start viewing these videos in 4K myself. Really impressive stuff.

Everest 2014: Rebel Climbers Causing Grief to Former Expedition Leaders

I know I've already posted a fairly lengthy update from the Himalaya today, but the evolving story on the South Side of Everest just keeps revealing new layers. 

It seems that the two female climbers who have defied the closure of the mountain are creating headaches not just for the Ministry of Tourism in Nepal, but also for their former expedition leaders as well. Himex boss Russell Brice posted a note on his company's website detailing some of the problems he has been facing since one of the ladies was originally climbing under his permit. In that letter, Brice says that the Nepali government had been holding him responsible for the actions of Chinese climber Jing Wang, who hired seven Sherpas, and a helicopter to fly her to Camp 2, in an effort to continue climbing the mountain. As you can imagine, this has caused him a great deal of grief, as the Ministry of Tourism was even threatening to ban Himex from operating within Nepal for five years. 

Fortunately, it seems that the situation has been resolved, at least to the extent that Brice and Himex are no longer being held responsible for the actions of their former client. In the letter, Russell says that he knows who the company is that is supporting Wang, although he doesn't reveal that piece of information. He does say that the owner of that outfit has refused to answer to the Nepali government, but all seven Sherpas that are supporting the Chinese climber are employed by this outfitter. 

This latest addition to the story just underscores how out of control things seem on the South Side of Everest at the moment. It appears as if the Nepali government has lost control and can't keep things in order there. As mentioned earlier, there are rumors of other climbers potentially heading to the mountain to take a helicopter up to Camp 2 as well, which will only cause more issues for those trying to maintain some semblance of control. 

In the case of Jing Wang, we have a climber who has set a goal for herself. She is attempting to complete the 7 Summits and reach both the North and South Pole in record time, and it appears she is not about to let anything stand in her way. As I stated when I first wrote about these "rebel climbers" a few days back, she does face stiff fines from the government, and a potential 5 or 10 year ban from climbing in the Himalaya. I'm not sure she cares at the moment, but it will definitely be interesting to see what the fallout is from these actions once she comes down from the mountain.

Similarly, American Cleo Weidlich is facing the same ramifications. She was originally on the South Side to climb Lhotse this spring, and presumably that is still her goal. She is climbing independently as far as I can tell, and hasn't hired any Sherpas to help in her attempt. Cleo made the decision to by pass the Khumbu Icefall by using a helicopter after she found her own route through that dangerous section sabotaged. Unwilling to give up her climb, but not wishing to risk the dangerous icefall crossing alone, she chose to leapfrog the section and just start climbing from C2 instead. Eventually she'll have to come back down as well, and officials from Nepal will be waiting. 

As I said, this story is still evolving, and it continues to be a crazy one. What looked like was about to be a quiet season on the South Side, has turned into quite the drama. Watching it play out should be interesting. Lets just hope everyone who is still attempting the mountain, gets up and down as safely as possible. The last thing we need now is another tragedy under these strange circumstances.

Himalaya 2014: Waiting for a Weather Window

It has been a week or so since I posted a general update from the Himalaya. During that time, not much has changed, as most of the teams have been simply waiting for a weather window to open. As the middle of May fast approaches, most of the climbers are now acclimated, and are just biding their time for the right opportunity to come. Over the past week, high winds and snow have been common across the entire region, but that is about to change, signaling the start of summit pushes on several mountains.

We'll start on the North Side of Everest, where roughly 100 climbers are waiting for their opportunity to go up the hill. Rope fixing is complete up to Camp 3, located at 8300 meters (27,230 ft), but high winds are preventing anyone from going any higher at the moment. Until the Sherpa team from the Chinese-Tibet Mountaineering Association can complete the job of installing the ropes, no one will be able to summit. But a weather window is approaching, and most teams are now expecting their summit pushes to begin next week. Expect possible summits on May 21. Until then, the teams are resting in Base Camp.

Over on the South Side, there continue to be reports of guerrilla climbers who are defying the closure of the mountain to make their own attempts on the summit. As previously mentioned, they include American Cleo Weidlich and Chinese mountaineer Jing Wang, both of whom have reportedly chartered a helicopter to fly them to Camp 2, thus avoiding the dangerous Khumbu Icefall. Rumor has it, these two women may not be alone on the mountain. At least not for long. There are some indications that others may try to join them at Camp 2, using the same helicopter. These stories only help to perpetuate what has already been a strange season on Everest. What happens from here will certainly be interesting to watch unfold, and will make a great story for sure.


Elsewhere, Mike Horn and Fred Roux are prepping for their summit bid on Makalu. They've been waiting for a good window for some time as well, and it looks like it'll come late this week. They hope to begin their push on Friday, and summit over the weekend. They had been planning on an alpine style ascent, but considering the delays, and the general schedule at this point, it appears they'll be moving up with the rest of the teams on the mountain. They will climb without the use of supplemental oxygen, or Sherpa support however.

Aussie climber Chris Jensen Burke is also on Makalu, and she reported in from ABC yesterday. She says that her team is ready to go as well, but high winds are keeping them grounded for now. They are eyeing a summit bid this weekend as well however, with the current schedule having the push set to begin on May 14 or 15, with everyone topping out on May 17 or 18. She indicated that rope fixing is nearly complete, and while there are some challenging sections that will need to be overcome along the way, she is feeling confident as she prepares to head up.

Jumping over to Cho Oyu, Mike and Matt Moniz are in a holding pattern as well. The weather has been poor there too, and it looks like it'll only get worse next week. They are now eyeing a narrow weather window which will arrive over the weekend. The winds are expected to die down on the summit on May 17, which may give them the opportunity they need to dash to the top, and get back down. Hopefully they'll be able to achieve their objective in that time frame.

Denis Urubko has posted an update from Kangchenjunga, where he and his team are attempting a new route along the North Ride. After acclimatizing for some time on the standard route, they are now preparing to begin the real work they came to the Himalaya for. The first pair of climber moved up to Camp 1 yesterday, and should push ahead to Camp 3 today. That will put them at 7500 meters (24,606 ft), with some tricky rock faces to overcome. Denis reports that high winds have been an issue there as well, and that they'll need to die down before they can make their true push to the top. As is usual with this team, they are climbing in alpine style, without Sherpa support, and without oxygen.

Finally, a quick note on Annapurna. You haven't heard me mention it much this season, but there were a couple of summit attempts on the mountain a few weeks back. But conditions were once again far too dangerous, and all climbers were turned back before they could reach the top. Those expeditions then picked up their gear and left Base Camp, determining that Annapurna was simply too dangerous to climb this spring. This is the second year in a row without any successful summits on this mountain during the spring. Last year, there were several summits during the fall, so we'll have to wait to see if success can be found there once again.

That's all for now. More soon.

Announcing the Outer Edge Polar Challenge

The North Pole season is only just ended, and the Antarctic season is still months away, but it is never too early to start looking ahead. Outer Edge magazine, an Australian publication that I once wrote for, has released the teaser video below announcing the Outer Edge Polar Challenge, which will be taking place this November. While not a whole lot of details are shared, it appears that participants in the challenge will be attempting to break the current world ice sailing speed and distance record in unsupported fashion.

The plan is to cross more than 4000 km (2485 miles) of frozen expanse, starting at the ALCI Airbase in East Antarctica and proceeding towards the South Pole, and back, via a fuel depot and the Pole of Inaccessibility. Along the way, they hope to also set a record for furthest distance traveled in a 24-hour period.

I'm sure we'll hear much more about this is the weeks ahead. It'll be interesting to see how things unfold, and of course I'll be following their progress closely in November.

Video: World Traveler on Three Year Journey Creates Epic Selfie

Looking for a little inspiration to travel today? This video ought to do the trick. It was shot by Alex Chacon, who spent the last three years traveling the globe, crossing through 36 countries, and covering more than 200,000 km (125,000 miles) in the process. Along the way, he used his GoPro camera to capture some selfies, and the results are the 3 minute video below, which gives us a glimpse of his adventures. This makes me want to hit the road again soon!

Video: Adorable 5-Year Old is a Better Bike Rider Than You

Prepare to have your ego crushed by a five-year old. Felix, the boy in this video, is quite the rider for his age, or just about any other for that matter. The video starts off with shots of him simply riding his bike, but things get serious around the 50-second mark when he starts to pull off some impressive tricks that I wouldn't try. The kid is absolutely fearless. In a few more years, he's going to be tearing up the track. Fun stuff to put a smile on your face today.

Felix Biking from howie.tv on Vimeo.

impossible2Possible Youth Expedition Across Atacama Desert Set To Get Underway

The team at impossible2Possible are getting ready to do it again. Their latest youth expedition is preparing to get underway in the Atacama Desert of Northern Chile. This time, a team of five i2P Youth Ambassadors will attempt to run a marathon a day, for six days, across the driest desert on the planet. As is usually the case with this organization, there will also be a strong educational aspect, as the young men and women making the run, look to inspire others through adventure.

The team is already in the Atacama, and en route to their starting point. They should start running in the next day or two, working their way through one of the most arid environments imaginable. But it isn't just the dry conditions that they'll have to endure. The Atacama also happens to sit at altitude, which means they'll need to acclimatize some along the way as well. The thin air can make running a challenge, even for the very fit.

The Atacama Youth Ambassadors have come from all over the globe to take part in this adventure. They include Jesus Perez from the U.S.; Alessandro Aime from Italy; Valerie Gagne and Stephen Lambert, both from Canada; and Florence Reyonolds of New Zealand.

The team will be following a route that i2P founder Ray Zahab ran back in 2011, when he covered 1200 km (745 miles) of the Atacama. They'll have a support team assisting them along the way, carrying some the gear for their camps and providing them with food and water while they are out on the trail.

One of the key goals for i2P is to inspire and educate young people through the use of adventure. When ever the organization sends an expedition into the field, it always coordinates with students and teachers in classrooms to provide interesting lesson plans that connect to the expedition that is underway. This time out, the focus of those lesson plans are astronomy and the origins of the Universe. The Atacama has some of the clearest skies on the planet, which is why there are several high tech observatories there. Over the next few days, the i2P Youth Ambassadors will provide lessons on a host of topics, including basic Newtonian physics, the planets, stars, galaxies and black holes, and a host of other subjects. Having witnessed the night skies in the Atacama first hand, I can tell you that they are awe inspiring, and very humbling.

I'll post updates of the Atacama Expedition as it unfolds, but if you want to follow along with the team, you'll find daily updates by clicking here.

Good luck to the i2P squad as they set out on this latest adventure.

North Pole 2014: The North Pole Season is Over!

It has been a long, and difficult, season in the Arctic, where numerous teams attempted to reach the North Pole on foot once again this year. Of course, only one of those teams was successful, with Eric Larsen and Ryan Waters becoming the first to complete a full expedition to the top of the world in over four years. But now the season has come to an abrupt end, as the support squad at Kenn Borek Air have shut down operations in the Arctic for another year. This has forced several teams to cancel their expeditions early, sending them home without achieving the objectives they had originally set out for.

We'll start with an update on Eric and Ryan. After spending 53 days skiing to the North Pole, the boys were extracted from the ice about a day and half after their arrival. Poor weather delayed the flight sent to retrieve them, but not for long. It gave the two men a chance to rest in their tent at last, and from the sounds of things, it was a whirlwind couple of days flying back to Cape Discovery, then on to Resolute Bay, where they packed gear, and prepared to go home. That happened yesterday, and from the sounds of things, both men are happy to be back with friends and family, and getting some much deserved rest. For now, they are content. Eric promises a recap of their North Pole expedition soon, which should make for interesting reading.

Elsewhere, the Expedition Hope team, which consists of Arctic explorers Bernice Notenboom, Eric Phillips, and Marten Hartley, are amongst those who have seen their adventures come to an end thanks to Kenn Borek pulling the plug. Yesterday was the last day for flights, and the team wasn't sure they could complete their journey with the amount of fuel and food that they have left. So, with heavy hearts, they were forced to abandon their attempt to ski from the North Pole to Cape Discovery. They were closing in on the 84th latitude when the decision was made.


Norwegian solo-skier Bengt Rotmo was making the same journey, and he will now be picked up once the weather permits as well. His home team tells ExWeb that the decision by Kenn Borek Air was made after they surveyed the ice while picking up Eric and Ryan last week. That survey indicated that  it was becoming increasingly dangerous to attempt to land a plane on the frozen Arctic Ocean, and the company could no longer guarantee the safety of its clients should an emergency rescue need to take place. Yesterday, May 12, was set as the deadline for the final flights to retrieve the remaining explorers, weather permitting. They should all be picked up within a day or two.

Jumping across the Atlantic to Greenland, Dixie Dansercoer and Eric McNair-Landry have finally gotten the good weather they've been hoping for since the start of their expedition. They are attempting to circumnavigate the country by kite-ski, covering 5000 km (3100 miles) in the process. The expedition was expected to take 80 days to complete, but progress was greatly hampered for the first few weeks of the journey due to poor weather. Now, 34 days in, they have started to really pick up steam. Over the past few days, they've been able to over more than 150 km (93.2 miles) per day, which as you can guess, has left them elated. They're finally on the move, and the kites are proving effective. While they are still behind schedule, they are making up ground at the moment. Hopefully that will continue to be case.

I will continue to monitor the progress of the teams in Greenland, but the Arctic season is now over for another year. From the sounds of things, conditions up north are not good, and it'll be interesting to see how many teams can actually complete an expedition to the North Pole in the future. The latest climate reports don't paint a very rosy picture for things to come. Expeditions to our Poles are only going to continue to get more challenging.

Explorers Museum Gains Patron In Sir Ranulph Fiennes

Last week, representatives from the Explorers Museum announced that it had gained a patron in the form of Sir Ranulph Fiennes, the British adventurer who has been called the "greatest living explorer" for his various exploits in the Arctic, Antarctic, and beyond. The museum, which was just announced this past January, will hold a gala event on September 6, at which Sir Ran will give the keynote address.

The Explorers Museum is a wonderful project being spearheaded by Lorie Karnath, the former President of the Explorers Club. Headquartered in Charleville Castle, located in Tullamore, Ireland, the museum looks to serve not only as a place to celebrate exploration throughout history, but also as a modern base of operations for explorers in the field today. There are plans afoot to create an explorers hall of fame, a world-class research library, and a base camp of sorts, outfitted with latest in modern technology. Exhibits are expected to open this summer.

If anyone deserves a spot in the Explorers Museum Hall of Fame, it is Sir Ranulph Fiennes. Over the years, his expeditions have taken him on unsupported journeys to both the North and South Pole, to the summit of Everest, and up the Nile by hovercraft. He was also instrumental in the discovery of the lost city of Ubar in Iran, and he once ran seven marathons, on seven continents, in seven days.

In speaking about the Explorers Museum, Fiennes said:

"The Explorers Museum is a commendable institution with the expressed aim of recognising our global – yet often overlooked – heritage of adventure and exploration, wherever these journeys may have taken place and by whatever means. It is great that at last there is a physical space by which the most-impressive undertakings of the exploring world can be showcased to the public and I am very privileged to become the museum's patron."

I'm happy to see this project coming to fruition. It sounds like it is going to be a wonderful place for those of us who are fans of adventure and exploration, while also offering some great resources to explorers across the globe. I hope to visit someday.

Video: Amplitude - A New Zealand Timelapse in 4K

We'll finish out the first day of a new week with this great video, which is another timelapse shot in New Zealand and in 4K. As usual, the country never fails to disappoint, offering up breathtaking landscapes that will look even more impressive if you happen to have a 4K display. If you are fortunate enough to have a monitor that can handle it, check out the full-resolution file by clicking here. No matter what resolution you see it in though, New Zealand simply looks beautiful.

AMPLITUDE | NEW ZEALAND 4K from Martin Heck | Timestorm Films on Vimeo.

Ryan Waters Becomes First American To Complete Unsupported "Explorers Grand Slam"

A foot note to last week's story about Eric Larsen and Ryan Waters becoming the first team to reach the North Pole on foot in more than four years. In the process, Ryan earned himself a unique distinction that is worth mentioning. He has become the first American to complete the "Explorers Grand Slam," aka the "Adventurers Grand Slam" completely unsupported, a feat that is certainly worth celebrating

In order to complete the Grand Slam, an explorer must summit each of the 7 Summits (tallest mountains on each of the seven continents), and visit both the North and South Pole. Ryan has previously climbed each of the mountains and skied to the South Pole, but he needed an unsupported expedition to the North Pole to fill out his resume. When he and Eric reached that point last week, he became the first American to complete the Grand Slam in unsupported fashion. He is also just the 39th person in the world to ever accomplish the Grand Slam as well.

If you followed Ryan and Eric's expedition over the past few months, you know the challenges they faced in going to the North Pole. It took them 53 days to travel from Ellesmere Island to 90ºN, with harsh weather, incredibly difficult surface conditions, and massive physical and mental challenges along the way. They boys have since been picked up from the Pole, and have made their way back home for some much deserved rest.

I'll post an update on news from the Arctic tomorrow, but I thought that this bit of information was worth sharing on its own. Ryan has been undertaking some incredibly tough adventures over the years, and I suspect that this North Pole expedition was the toughest of his career. We'll have to wait to see where he goes from here, but he has quite the impressive list of accomplishments to his name.

Video: Climbing in the Alps with the Alpine Mentors

Wonder what its like to spend two weeks climbing in the Alps? Then check out this excellent short film that chronicles just such an expedition under the tutelage of the Alpine Mentors. The trip was led by climber Steve House, who took a team of climbers into the European mountains to work on their skills and bag some peaks. The results look quite spectacular. The video contains lots amazing shots of those amazing mountains.

Alpine Mentors in the Alps from Buster Jesik on Vimeo.

Everest 2014: Rebel Climbers On The South Side?

It has been a topsy-turvy season in the Himalaya in general, and Everest in particular. With the tragic accident that killed 16 Sherpas shutting down the South Side of the mountain, most climbers have left for home, reflecting on the season that could have been as they go. While it has been widely reported that the season is over on the Nepal side of the mountain, we have received word that not one, but possibly two, climbers are still attempting to summit from the South, despite the fact that the Khumbu Ice Doctors have closed up shop, and gone home for the season. If true, those climbers are facing quite a challenge, and quite possibly legal ramifications from the Nepali government.

Several sources, including Alan Arnette, are reporting that American climber Cleonice (Cleo) Weidlich has defied the closure, and is attempting to summit Everest. She posted a message on her Facebook page last week saying:

"This is just to let you know that my climb on the Everest Massif will continue with or without ladders. I have climbed some of the world’s most dangerous mountain WITHOUT them and this mountain is, actually, very tame when I compare it with the likes of Nanga Parbat, Annapurna 1 and Kangchenjunga. I refuse to give in to the pressures of the Everest mafia. I’d like to decide for myself when I have reached my limits. Thanks to ALL of you for all the positive energy; I can feel it.."

There are some indications that Weidlich may have chartered a helicopter to carry her, and her gear, up to Camp 2, where she would begin an un-supported summit bid after she has acclimatized. Using a helicopter to reach that point is an expensive affair, and isn't suppose to be done without the permission of the Nepali government. Alan estimates it would cost $2000/person to take a helicopter to Camp 2, and his sources say that no one has asked for specific permission to make such a flight.


It seems Cleo may not be the only one on the mountain however, as there are rumors that Chinese alpinist Jing Wang, who is attempting to complete the 7 Summits and North and South Pole in record time, has also used a helicopter to fly to C2. Reportedly she hired seven Sherpas in Namche Bazaar to provide support, and then flew the entire team up the slope, avoiding the dangerous Khumbu Icefall altogether.  Jin Wang owns a large gear company in China, so she reportedly has very deep pockets to help fund her expeditions.

These stories put yet another unusual spin on a season that has already been an odd one on Everest. We now have two women in Camp 2 on the South Side, each attempting an independent climb, without fixed ropes, to the top of the highest mountain on Earth. One apparently has no Sherpa support at all, while the other has small team around her to assist in her efforts. If they can acclimatize relatively quickly, they both still have a shot at the summit, provided the weather cooperates, and the monsoons don't arrive too early.

The ramifications from these two expeditions could be far reaching. We know that there was a group of Sherpas that were very vocal against climbing the mountain this spring, and pressured others to abandon their attempts as well. There could be backlash against the team that is helping Jing Wang in her summit bid after they come off the mountain. Hopefully that won't be the case, but there were indications of threats of violence and extreme pressure when the spring season still hung in the balance.

But aside from that, if Cleo and Jing Wang used a helicopter to reach Camp 2 without permission, they could face stiff fines, and possible banishment from climbing in Nepal. I guess their Everest ambitions were strong enough that they don't seem to care about the ramifications, but it'll definitely be interesting to see how things progress over the next few weeks.

Meanwhile, on the North Side of Everest, things are progressing along as you would expect. The ropes are bing put into place, and should soon reach the summit, while the climbing teams have now wrapped up their acclimatization rounds, and are resting ahead of the first summit push. That is expected to come next week, weather permitting. I'll post a more detailed update on what's happening on the North Side, and elsewhere in the Himalaya, tomorrow.

National Geographic Announces 2014 Gear of the Year - Spring/Summer Edition

For all of those gear hounds out there looking to get their fix, National Geographic has announced their selections for the 2014 Spring/Summer Gear of the Year. As usual, the list if filled with plenty of products that we'll all lust over, while trying to figure out how we'll pay for it all. The list includes something for just about every outdoor athlete, from backpackers, to climbers, to mountain bikers, and more.

Some of the items of interest include the first ever mountain biking helmet from Smith Optics. The lightweight helmet actually has an eye-catching sense of style, as well as being designed for safety and comfort. Barebones has introduces a great looking camping lantern lit by LED light, and with a built-in USB port for recharging other devices. Sierra Designs earns a spot on the list with its newly designed, and super comfortable, Backcountry Bed 800 sleeping bag, while Mountain Hardware gets a mention for its new South Col 70 backpack, which stands out from the crowd thanks to the fact that it is waterproof.

Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg. There are more than 20 great gear items that earned the distinction of being called "Gear of the Year" by Nat Geo, including a kayak, a bike, some running shoes, cameras, and more. If you're in the market to upgrade or add gear to your collection, you'll want to check out the list for some suggestions. Not all of it is overly pricey either, as many of the options are quite affordable. Take for example the new Loke Jacket from Helly Hansen, which is a water and wind proof shell with a price tag of just $100. That's an incredibly good deal from a company that knows how to create tough outdoor apparel.

Head on over and check out the entire list here. Be warned, your wallet might be a bit lighter afterwards, but you'll be a happy camper. Literally and figuratively.

Traveling!

I am doing a little traveling over the next couple of days to visit friends and families, so there won't be any updates to the Adventure Blog until Monday, May12. At that time, we should be getting ready for the first summit bids on Everest, and other summits throughout the Himalaya. Until then, have a wonderful weekend. Get outside and enjoy your own adventures!

Video: Kayaking a Lost World in Patagonia

We all know that Patagonia is one of the most remote and beautiful places on the planet, but even it still holds wonders to be revealed. That's what the kayakers in this video discovered when they made a descent of the amazing looking Pucón River there. The waterway is marked with impressive waterfalls, deep canyons, and wild whitewater. Everything you want to see in a good paddling movie.

Video: Adventures In Puerto Rico

When we normally think about visiting Puerto Rico, it usually conjures images of relaxing on the beach, with a cold beverage in your hand, and enjoying plenty of warm sunshine. Obviously, the island nation has all of that to offer, but for adventure travelers, it has plenty to share as well. The video below, brought to us by our friend Richard Bangs, shows off a few of those options, and may just have you rethinking the destination for your next trip.

Video: As the Crow Flies - A Cycling Adventure through Wales

Here's an excellent little film about a pair of cyclists, who built two "adventure bikes" designed for riding on and off road, to take on a 53-mile ride that goes "as the crow flies" from a mid-point in Wales, to the coast. It looks like a wonderful little ride, and a great way to explore the countryside. Truly wonderful stuff. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

As The Crow Flies from howies on Vimeo.

Gear Closet: FlipBelt and Kenu Highline iPhone Safety Leash

As you can probably imagine, I see a great deal of unique and interesting pieces of gear come across my desk, some of it good, some of it disappointing. I'm fortunate that a lot of those items are often from high profile companies, who create excellent products for use in our outdoor pursuits. But sometimes you seem interesting items from smaller companies who are making innovative and interesting pieces of gear that fill a niche, but just haven't been seen by a larger audience just yet. I have two such products today, that I think could come in handy for the outdoor athlete, particularly as we move on into the warmer months of the year.

The FlipBelt
We'll start with a product called the FlipBelt, which is one of those items that is so simple in design, you'll wonder why you didn't come up with it first. Boiled down to it's most basic element, the FlipBelt is an elastic tube that fits around the waist of runners, cyclists, and other athletes, providing them with storage for all of the small items they like to carry with them on a workout, which comes in pretty handy considering most of my workout gear has gone fairly minimal in design, and doesn't leave a lot of room for carry extra items.

Made from moisture wicking, breathing materials, the FlipBelt is comfortable to wear, stays securely in place while you run, and actually looks like it belongs on a runner's body. It is available in eight different colors, so you can choose one that best fits your wardrobe, or makes you more visible to traffic. I went with basic black, which fits in nicely with my running gear.

The FlipBelt is actually tubular in design, with a snug fit that is designed to keep all of your small items, such as keys, an ID, cash, a smartphone, etc.,  securely in place. Four strategically placed slits in the fabric grant access to the interior of the tube, so you can place your items inside. One of the pockets even has a key clip, to add an extra sense of security.


While I didn't really see the need to wear the FlipBelt while riding my bikes, after all my cycling jerseys have ample pockets, I did find it was a nice piece of gear to have while running. After wearing the belt for a short time, it actually felt very natural, and I soon forgot I even had it on. Meanwhile, the three-inch cloth tube was easily holding my 5th generation iPod Touch, a set of keys, my drivers license, and a few dollars in cash.

The FlipBelt actually performed exactly as advertised. Not only did it safely carry my small items while running, it didn't add much in the way of bulk, nor did it generate much excess heat. It has been quite warm already where I live, so I've already been running without a shirt. Thankfully, the FlipBelt's ability to breathe and wick moisture, proved to be up to the task as well.

With a price tag of $28.99, the FlipBelt isn't a very expensive accessory for yourself, or the runner in your life. It is comfortable, useful, and versatile, three things that come in handy while out on a long run. This is a handy product that you'll be glad you have in your gear closet for when you really need it.

Kenu Highline iPhone Safety Leash

For most of us, a smartphone is an indispensable piece of gear that we rarely leave home without these days. But sometimes it can be dangerous to try to use our phones while also taking part in our favorite outdoor activities, such as mountain biking, skiing, or trail running. The combination of moving over uneven ground, while operating our sleek, impossibly thin, devices – often with sweaty hands – can be a recipe for disaster. More than a few of us have probably dropped our iPhones under just those circumstances, probably while trying to take a photo of something amazing.

But iPhone accessory company Kenu has come up with a simple, but elegant solution, for protecting our expensive smartphones while still being active in the outdoors. They've created a the Highline Safety Leash to prevent untimely drops that could render our phones severely damaged, or even non-functional. Built specifically with Apple's smartphone in mind, the Highline features a specially designed clip that fits into the Lightning connector port on the iPhone 5 and 5S, or the 30-pin connector port on older iPhones. Once locked into place, the other end of the Highline can than be quickly and easily attached to the zipper on your jacket, a clasp on your backpack, or just about any other secure spot. That way, when you take your phone out to use it, you always have the safety leash to make sure it doesn't fall to its death.

In between the two ends is a tough bungee cord reinforced with kevlar wire and stainless steel clips. This helps to ensure that once the Safety Leash is locked into place, your device isn't going anywhere, thus allowing us to use our devices without worry that they will be dropped, lost, or stolen.

The iPhone Safety Leash is another product that works exactly as advertised. It is easy to set-up, very convenient, and provides a nice piece of mind that your gadget is well protected while traveling. The 30-pin version that I tested is available for just $19.95, while the version that is available for newer iPhones with the lightning connector is $34.95, and includes a thin protective case as well. Both prices are a fair amount for a system that will take the worry out of using your smartphone while on the go, whether that is hiking in the Appalachian Mountains, trail running in Colorado, or simply driving to the local market. You'll feel more secure knowing you have a safety leash on your favorite electronic device.

Video: Escaping the Light Dome - Getting a Better View of the Night Sky

Light pollution has become a major deterrent for us to fully see the night sky overhead. In large metropolitan areas, the sky is so saturated by light, that sometimes only the brightest stars can be seen. But move out into the wilderness and glance up, and you'll see the Universe completely displayed in front of you. It can be an awe-inspiring, and incredibly humbling sight for sure. The video below gives us a glimpse of that, while also taking a look at how our vision of the heavens can become obscured by the "light dome." While I'm not necessarily a big fan of the delivery of the narration, the images contained on this clip are absolutely stunning.

Escaping the Light Dome from donald jensen on Vimeo.

Video: Tom Sawyer on the Danube

One of the things that I try to stress here on this blog is that adventure comes in many forms. Sure, it sometimes means climbing a big mountain, or traveling on foot to the North Pole. But not all expeditions have to push the edge in order to be life affirming and altering. Case in point, the video below is the teaser for a new film that will be hitting the adventure film festival circuit soon. It is entitled Tom Sawyer on the Danube, and it features Jamie Bowlby-Whiting, and his equally adventurous girlfriend Leah Bostwick, as they attempt to travel from England to Asia, under their own power. That includes walking, cycling, and even rafting the Danube on their own makeshift raft. The film isn't just a story about their journey, but is also about their relationship, and how they grew as people along the way. It looks like an amazing story, and an inspiration for us all to get off the couch, and go seek an adventure of our own.  This is the first film from our friends at Xpedition.tv, and it looks like a good one.

Teaser for "Tom Sawyer on the Danube" from Xpedition.TV on Vimeo.

Video: TravelSmith Travel Tips #19 - How to Take a Great Photo in the Field

In what has become a regular Wednesday feature here on the Adventure Blog, we have another excellent travel tip from Richard Bangs. This time out, Richard shares some tips that all of us can appreciate: how to take great photos in the field. As usual, our intrepid guide has a story to share with how he gained these bits of wisdom. In this case, it was knowledge he picked up while watching a photographer for National Geographic go about his business while on an expedition through Sumatra.

North Pole 2014: Mission Accomplished! Eric and Ryan at the Pole!

After 53 days out on the ice, Eric Larsen and Ryan Waters accomplished their goal at long last. The American duo reached the geographic North Pole last night, ending a four-year drought for anyone completing that journey on foot. The final push came in early evening, with the men arriving at 90ºN at about 7:50 PM Pacific Time. And while the final section to the actual Pole was smooth going, the last day of the expedition was anything but.

According to the audio dispatches that were released yesterday and today, the final push to the top of the world was incredibly grueling, with the explorers facing everything from rough ice, to large open leads, with whiteout conditions thrown in for good measure. In one of the dispatches, Eric says that it took them more than 8 hours just to cover a 3.5 mile stretch of ground. During that phase, they were skiing when they could, but had to resort to crawling, and swimming at times.

Eventually, they came across a section of flat, relatively smooth ice, that stretched before them unbroken. They knew that they were close to the Pole, with Eric remarking that for the first time since the start of the journey, there were no major obstacles in their way. It took a bit of navigating to locate 90ºN, but once they did, they celebrated briefly, took some pictures, and then crawled into their tent for a rest. In his dispatch, Eric said that they are utterly spent. The amount of effort it took, particularly in the final days when they were racing the clock, has left them completely exhausted.


The expedition was originally scheduled to last 45 days, but knowing that traveling in the Arctic is a difficult, unpredictable affair, they packed food and fuel for 55 days. That meant that they were able to complete the journey completely self supported, and didn't have to call in a resupply. With two days food left to spare, they can now rest for a bit before a flight can be arranged to pick them up. Extraction will come as the weather permits. A few days ago, the forecasts indicated that storms were possible in the area, so while they boys have reached their goal, they are not on their way home just yet.

Both Eric and Ryan are veterans of travel in the colder regions of our planet. In his last dispatch, Eric mentioned that things are changing dramatically in the Arctic, and the ice there is now unlike anything he has ever seen before. Climate change is having a dramatic effect on the Poles, and soon it may be impossible for anyone to complete this journey to the top of the world. In my opinion, it is already the toughest undertaking in the world of outdoor adventure, and considering the fact that no one has done it since 2010, I think it is only getting more difficult. It may not be too many more years before it is simply impossible to travel on foot the full distance to the North Pole.

Congratulations to Ryan and Eric on the successful completion of their expedition. Their efforts in the Arctic are an inspiration to many of us who have been following their progress for weeks. Hopefully they'll be on their way back home soon. I think they've earned themselves some much deserved rest, and perhaps a little time on a warm beach somewhere.

Gear Closet: Garmin Virb Elite Action Camera

These days, everyone seems to be looking to get a piece of the "action camera" pie, that has been pioneered – and mostly dominated by – GoPro. To get any kind of attention in this competitive market, a camera needs to deliver more than just great image quality these days. It needs to be truly unique in style and features, offering up everything that competition does, and then some. I'd say that is the approach that Garmin took with their Virb Elite, a device that throws in everything you could ask for – and then some.

As you would expect with any action cam, the Virb is capable of shooting video at 30 fps with a resolution of 1080p, thanks to its 16 megapixel CMOS sensor. Dropping the resolution down to 720p allows you to increase that frame rate up to 60 fps, with a couple of intermediate resolutions and frame rates available as well. It can also take still photographs of course, and its rechargeable battery is rated for 3 hours of operation, which puts it on par, or ahead of most other cameras in the category.  The device is also rugged, and built to withstand punishment, which is a must for any action cam. It has an IPX7 water resistance rating, which means that it is capable of surviving immersion for up to 30 minutes in one meter of water.

But most of those stats are pretty common place with competitors, many of which come in at a much lower price tag. Where Garmin has really separated itself from the pack, is with all of the extras that it has built into the Virb, not the least of which is a 1.4" Chroma display that adds a level of versatility that many action cams simply don't possess. Obviously, the screen allows you to see exactly what you're shooting, which is always nice. The placement of the display is on the topside of the Virb, which comes in handy both when you're holding it, or when you have it mounted on the handlebars of your bike, or the top of your kayak for instance. The screen also lets you access the device settings for the camera, allowing you to quickly and easily adjust all of them. Many of the competitors only let you access those settings using your computer prior to heading into the field.


The addition of the screen is just the beginning however. Considering this camera comes from a company that is the leader in consumer GPS technology, it should come as no surprise that they have managed to include a GPS chip in the Virb Elite as well. This allows the device to geo-tag photos and videos, recording the exact location where they were taken. It also allows for some other unique features, which employ the GPS technology as well. This includes the awesome "Skiing Mode," which automatically starts recording when you start down the slopes, and is smart enough to stop when you get to the bottom. The GPS also includes altimeter functions to keep track of changes in altitude too.

Not content with just offering GPS, Garmin also included Wi-Fi on the Virb as well. This allows users to connect to the camera using a smartphone, laptop, or other device that has wireless capabilities. Once connected, is is possible to change settings, snap still photos remotely, and start and stop video recording. Your smartphone or tablet screen can also be used as a monitor for the camera, giving you a preview of what is being recorded. This is an extremely useful feature to have for aspiring filmmakers, and a great option for when you have the Virb mounted on your helmet, or some other place that makes it inconvenient to check routinely.

As if that wasn't enough, Garmin has also baked in support for ANT+, a protocol for connecting to other devices such as heart rate monitors or cadence sensors on bikes. While those applications of this option are intriguing, where it'll really come in handy is for those who own the fantastic Garmin fēnix watch, which can connected to the Virb via Ant+ and control it as a remote control. The camera can also connect to remote sensors to track weather information such as temperature and barometric pressure.

So, how does the Virb perform with all of that high tech gadgetry crammed into its tiny 6.26 oz (177.4 gram) form? Quite well actually! The camera shoots very high quality video and takes surprisingly good still shots, at the same time.The built-in screen makes it a breeze to use, and the large record on-off switch makes it clear when you are capturing video at all times. Garmin wisely included image stabilization options, which certainly helps to get cleaner imagery on action shots, which is after all, the whole point of these cameras.

For a device that offers so much functionality, the Virb is incredibly easy to use. The screen makes it easy to tap into all of the camera's potential, and using Wi-Fi to connect to a smartphone or other device, opens up the possibilities even further. I actually like to use my iPod Touch with the Virb, as it keeps my smartphone free for other things, and the Garmin app runs just fine on the latest iPod devices.

Battery life is solid, although I wasn't able to reach the 3 hour mark that Garmin claims. To be fair though, I had Wi-Fi and GPS activated, and was still able to get a solid 2 hour, 40 minutes of record time. Those kinds of extra features will always eat into battery life on any device. Unlike many other action cams however, the battery is user replaceable on the Virb, and Garmin sells extras for $29.95. If you're planning a project that requires a lot of video capture in the field, a spare or two will certainly come in handy.

As with most action cams, the Virb also has a wide variety of mounts available. It ships with a versatile flat surface mount, and a handy adapter that can be used with other industry mounts, such as those from rival GoPro, as well. Garmin also offers standard options such as bike and helmet mounts of course, but it also has dash mounts for your car, wrist strap mounts, and even a shoulder harness. I tested the tripod mount, which is self explanatory, and super-useful, as well as the headstrap mount, which I expected to be a bit unwieldily. Surprisingly enough though, it worked well, capturing good quality video thanks to the built-in image stabilization system. There is also an excellent Dive Case available for the Virb, which protects it down to 50 meters, and is very affordable at $39.95.

Personally, taken as a whole, I think that this is the best action camera available on the market today, and the first serious competition for the GoPro Hero 3 Black Edition. The Virb packs a lot of technology and options into a small package, that is easy to use and comfortable in the hand. It is solidly built to withstand punishment, comes with a lot of nice features and accessories right out of the box, and shoots video that is excellent in quality. Considering all that it has packed into its shell, it should come as no surprise that it has a price tag that rivals the GoPro models as well. Garmin has priced the Virb Elite, their top-end model I'll point out, at $399.99 – exactly the same as the GoPro model they're gunning for. Savvy shoppers will be happy to know that Amazon offers it for a $50 discount however, which makes the Virb a bit more affordable.

This is a camera that offers everything that aspiring outdoor filmmakers could want. It is versatile, functional, and feature-rich. Garmin has given you all the tools to start filming your masterpiece, all you need to do is get out there and start creating it.