Explorers Fighting Back Against Cyberstalkers - Updated!

Updated 4/15/2014: The text that I originally wrote for this post has been removed. Since it was originally published on April 2, 2014, there has been a considerable amount of back-and-fourth discussion from numerous individuals on both sides of this topic. Through a variety of emails, online chats, and other methods of communication with individuals that I know and trust, it has become increasingly clear that there are multiple sides to this story, and that I don't have a complete picture of everything that has gone on.

While cyberstalking may or may not have occurred, I don't support the idea of fighting fire with fire. The individual who was accused of the original acts that had been detailed in a document that I linked to here, has also found himself the victim of similar campaign against him, with some unsavory websites created as part of that campaign. I won't link to those sites for obvious reasons, but to say they are in poor taste would be an understatement.

I will say that I do still support the idea of crating a resource to prevent cyberstalking in the world of outdoor adventure and exploration. As many of you know, the later climber Chad Kellogg suffered mightily at the hands of one such person, who made went overboard to besmirch him at every opportunity. That kind of activity has to stop. On the other hand, some explorers and adventurers have chosen to live their lives in the public spotlight, and having a bit of transparency about their accomplishments, background, and history is probably a good thing as well. Either way, no one should be the target of these kinds of online bullying tactics.

It is not my style to just delete a post here on The Adventure Blog, and I have rarely done so in the past. I will leave this post in place, and say that I am saddened by some of the responses that this original story drew. I know that there are strong emotions revolving around this topic by those who are involved with it first hand, and I am very empathetic to those feelings. As I said above, no one should have to endure cyberstalking, online bullying, or similar activities.

I suspect this isn't the last we've heard of this story, although I will be very careful with how I approach this topic moving forward.

Book Review: On The Trail Of Genghis Khan by Tim Cope

Is there a more interesting character from history than Genghis Khan? The Mongol leader managed to unite the legendary horse clans and build the the largest contiguous land empire that the world has ever seen. The Great Khan was a legendary leader, a fearsome warrior and an unrelenting enemy. More than 700 years after his death, he still casts a large shadow over the Mongolian people and his mark on history is undeniable, altering the destiny of two continents.

Of course, the Kahn and his Mongol Horde were able to accomplish great things because they were perhaps the greatest horseman to ever live. It is with that spirit in mind that Australian adventurer Tim Cope set out to accomplish something that hadn't been done since the time of Genghis Kahn himself. With little previous experience in the saddle prior to setting out, Cope launched a 10,000 km (6000 mile) journey starting in Mongolia and ending in Hungry. An expedition that he chronicles in his new book, On The Trail Of Genghis Khan.

Before he ever launched this epic excursion, Cope new he was in for a challenge. After all, he was an inexperienced rider with thousands of miles of open steppe to conquer on his own. The trip began in June of 2004 and would ultimately take him three years to complete. Traveling with a number of horses and his loyal dog Tigon, he faced harsh and difficult climates, wild wolves, horse thieves and a host of other challenges. He also met some incredible people and was continually surprised and humbled by the hospitality and kindness of the strangers he met along the way. Tim's journey was as much about finding himself on the trail while following in the footsteps of a legend.


Cope's new book takes readers along for the ride as he wanders across Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Russia, Crimea, the Ukraine and finally Hungary. The story is a compelling one for anyone who enjoys a good tale of adventure but Tim's writing style draws readers in even more. It is a wonderful mix of his personal experiences framed against a historical backdrop that gives us a glimpse of what the Kahn experienced when he made a similar ride centuries earlier.

Reading On The Trail, it is impossible to not get swept up in Tim's infectious sense of adventure. His story is an amazing one, but he also approaches it in such a way that you'll think that it might be possible for you to attempt an epic adventure of your own. That's the kind of inspiration that Tim creates through his writing, which is at times very sensitive and thoughtful in its approach. If the writing were less compelling, the 450+ page book could run the risk of feeling as long as Cope's journey across Asia and Europe, but fortunately that isn't the case. It is a real page turner that will leave you staying up later than you intended so you can read "just one more chapter."

On The Trail Of Genghis Kahn is available in bookstores now and is wonderful read for anyone looking for a grand adventure. With the holidays fast approaching, it would also make a great gift for your favorite adventurer or traveler. If you've ever dreamed of escaping to a far off, remote destination with hundreds of miles of open space all to yourself, you'll likely appreciate what Tim has accomplished. His tale is the very definition of the "epic" and by the time you finish reading it, you'll be ready to set out on  your own journey. That's what a great book is all about.

Update: Long Rider Completes Ride Across Americas

Last month I posted the story of Guenter Wamser, a German long rider who was nearing the end of a journey that spanned two continents and has taken nearly 20 years to complete. Wamser began  his journey back in 1994 at the southernmost tip of South America and he has been slowly making his way northward ever since. We I wrote that original piece he was deep in the Alaskan wilderness and was approaching the end of the trail. Now, a few short weeks later he has completed his ride at last, bringing an end to his Transhumanic expedition.

I received an email from Guenter yesterday informing me that he and his traveling companion Sonja Endweber, had wrapped up their journey a few days ago. Their travels came to an end when they reached the northernmost shores of North America, having covered more than 25,000 km (15,535 miles) in the process. In true long rider fashion, the first thought they had when wrapping up their ride was for their horses. Guenter told me that they had located a large pasture where they were going to let their mounts rest for a few days before they continue south to Canada where they'll spend the winter on a friends ranch.

That's about all I know about how they wrapped up their adventure, at least so far. Hopefully Guenter will post updates to his blog once he gets a chance. Even though the official ride is over, remember that he and Sonja are still deep in the Alaskan backcountry. It'll take them some time before they get back to civilization. When they do, hopefully we'll learn a lot more about the final days of this amazing journey.

Congratulations to Guenter and Sonja for wrapping up this impressive ride. It is a testament to Guneter's determination and spirit of adventure that he never lost site of his goal, even as his focus became more about the journey and less about the destination. We could all learn a little something from that.

Long Rider Nears End Of Epic Journey Across The Americas

German equestrian explorer Guenter Wamser is nearing the end of an epic journey on horseback that has covered more than 25,000 km (15,535 miles) and nearly two decades of his life. Back in 1994, Guenter set out from Patagonia on horseback with the intention or riding north to the very top of Alaska. Now, he is deep in the Alaskan backcountry and nearing the end of his expedition, which has become not just an adventure but a way of life.

Guenter has dubbed his wandering journey the Transhumanica expedition and over they years it has taken him to some wild and remote places. His path began in Argentina and wandered into Chile, Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador, carrying him to the top of South America, which he reached in 1999 after five years in the saddle. But the ride didn't end there. In 2001 the German set off once again, passing through Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala and eventually Mexico which he reached in 2005.

The journey across Mexico was a long and rewarding one and reading Guenter's journal it is clear that he enjoyed his time there. But when he reached the border with the U.S. he ran into a bit of trouble. He seems that his horses had contracted a tropical disease on their journey and they were not allowed to enter the States. The horses were found a good home however and Guenter found new mounts in the form of four mustangs that he adoptedf rom the Bureau of Land Management. Those horses have been his companions through the final phase of his journey, a ride along the Continental Divide Trail.

In 2007 Guenter and his traveling companion Sonja Endlweber, began traveling north on the CDT, passing through New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana before eventually passing into Canada. As of last fall, they were in the Yukon territory, where they settled in for the winter. Earlier this year they returned to the trail with an end in sight and while the two riders are currently out of contact somewhere in the Alaskan wilderness, they will soon reach the northern most point of that state, thus bringing an end to the ride at last.


In his journal, Guenter says that his journey started simply as an adventure with his focus on riding across the Americas. But along the way it became less about getting to a destination and more about exploring the landscapes he was passing through and interacting with the people and cultures that he connected with along the way. He adopted a nomadic life that was its own reward. What he'll do after this trail comes to an end remains to be seen, but after so many years traveling on horseback, I have to imagine it'll be a challenge to return to a "normal" life.

Guenter is one of the founding members of the Long Rider's Guild and as such his journey by horseback has been an exemplary one in terms of distance and time on the trail, but also for how he has treated the animals that have helped him along the way. His horses have been cared for very well and not treated simply as beasts of burden but as companions and partners who came along on this adventure like any other teammate. It is admirable that this incredible journey is soon coming to and end, but even more so that Guenter will complete it in such an ethical manner.

Thanks to my friend CuChullaine for sharing this wonderful and amazing story.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Journey America Update: From Canada To Brazil On Horseback

Way back in March of this year I wrote about an expedition that was still in the planning stages but preparing to get underway. It was named Journey America and it featured cowboy Filipe Masetti Leite traveling on horseback from Toronto, Canada back home to Sao Paulo, Brazil – a journey of 16,000km (9942 miles) that is expected to take up to two years to complete. After months of planning, Filipe hit the trail in July and has been wandering southward ever since and documenting his progress at OutWild TV.

Over the past two months Leite has been enjoying his travels through the American west, first crossing the border into Montana and continuing South into Wyoming and now Colorado. His journey even took him through the heart of Yellowstone National Park, which had to have been a spectacular place to ride. He's averaging about 30 miles per day and has just crossed over the 1000 mile mark. In order to keep himself and his two horses fresh, he takes two days off from riding each week, which will be important for maintaing the health of his mounts over the long haul.

Filipe has reportedly been overwhelmed the support he has received on his journey. Complete strangers have given him food and supplies and offered up a place for him and his horses to spend the night. That kindness has helped make his journey an enjoyable one thus far and hopefully it will continue in that way all the way back to Brazil.



In addition to following daily updates and twice weekly dispatches on OutWild TV, Filipe is also providing information via his Twitter feed and Instagram. Considering he still has a long way to go, it should be quite an adventure to follow in the months ahead. The video below is an example of life on the road for the intrepid cowboy.

Update: Shortly after I posted this story I received a note from the Long Riders Guild informing me that before setting off on his epic journey, Filipe received advice and training from ten different members of the guild, across five different countries, that will prove invaluable on his expedition. The guild also lent him a pack saddle that he is testing on the ride as well. Apparently the pack is part of a special ten-year field test and Filipe is the most recent rider to use it on this kind of sojourn.

The Long Riders also wanted me to point out that Filipe's ride esd inspired by Aime Tschiffely, who is considered to be the greatest long rider of the 20th century. In 1925 the Swiss rider set out on a three year trek that covered 10,000 miles between Buenos Aires and New York City. Along the way he crossed over mountains, jungles and deserts to complete one of the toughest and most grueling equine adventures in history. It is quite a story which can be read in his famous book Tschiffely's Ride.

Dispatch #12 - Drive-thru Cowboy from Outwild TV on Vimeo.

Adventurers Push Boundaries on Long Distance Equestrian Expeditions

Thanks to my friends at the Long Riders Guild, I've been made aware of two fantastic long distance expeditions that are gearing up to get underway, both of which will use horses as an integral part of their journey.

The first of those expeditions will be undertaken by Long Rider Filipe Leite, who is planning to travel 16,000km (9942 miles) on horseback from Toronto, Canada to his home town of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Filipe is calling his expedition the Journey America and he estimates that it will take him roughly 2 years to finish the ride, crossing through 11 countries in the process. Along the way, he'll be shooting a documentary of his experiences as he travels across North, Central, and South America. He'll take two horse with him on this trip which is slated to get underway later this spring.

The second expedition isn't scheduled to begin until May of 2013 but is even more ambitious than Filipe's journey. Dubbed One Steppe Ahead, this expedition will send Brits Matt Traver and Jamie Maddison on a 30,000km (18,641 mile) journey on foot, bike, rail, and horseback across the Eurasian continent. Their path will follow that of British explorer Howard Bury, who was the leader of the 1921 Mount Everest Reconnaissance Expedition which eventually paved the way for climbers like George Mallory and Sandy Irvine to visit that mountain. Bury's travels took him all over Asia however, and Matt and Jaime intend to explore much of the same territory, including the Jungar Alatau mountain range, the wilds of Eastern Kazakhstan, remote regions of Russia, and much more. It should be an exciting expedition to follow next year.

Because these two expeditions have the Long Riders Guild seal of approval you know that the horses that they use on these journeys will be treated well and cared for throughout their journey. They are amazing animals that can travel for many miles provided they are treated well along the way. The Guild's Hall of Shame is filled with the names of other riders who haven't been so kind to their mounts.

Good luck to Filipe and Matt and Jaime on their respective expeditions. Both should be amazing journeys to follow.



An Introduction by Matt and Jamie from Ugly Monkey Productions on Vimeo.