Video: Surviving The Iditarod Trail Invitational (Part 2)

A few weeks back, I posted the first in a new series of videos from EpicTV entitled Sport & Survival. The host of that series, Patrick Sweeney, specializes in showing us how to properly train to take on challenging endurance activities. In this case, he was showing us how to prepare for the Iditarod Trail Invitational, a grueling 1000-mile long ultra-event that takes place on the Iditarod Sled Dog Trail in the winter.

Below is the second part of what will ultimately be a five part series. In this episode, Patrick wraps up his final prep work, and begins the race in earnest. But just one day in, he finds out why this is one of the toughest events in the world.

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

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

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

The Mountain Athletics tour looks like this

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

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

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

Video: Himalayan Speed Training With Ueli Steck

There is no question that Ueli Steck is amongst the best mountaineers on the planet, in no small part because of how he prepares for his big climbs. The video below gives us a glimpse of that preparation for an expedition in the Himalaya. The video was just posted by Mountain Hardwear last week but the footage was shot a few years back prior to Ueli's showdown with the Sherpas this past spring. That encounter has reportedly turned him off from returning to the Himalaya anytime soon, but from this clip it is clear that he loves Nepal and the big mountains there. Something tells me Ueli isn't finished with the Himalaya just yet, but for now we'll have to settle for these images of him in the Khumbu Valley.

The North Face Announces New Line Of Training Gear - Mountain Athletics

Outdoor Retailer is less than a week away and the product announcements are already arriving in my email inbox with surprising regularity. One of the latest press releases to catch my attention comes our way courtesy of The North Face, which has announced a new line of apparel specifically designed to meet the training needs of outdoor athletes.

The new line of gear will be available starting in January 2014 and will fall under the "Mountain Athletics" brand which will include both clothing and shoes. TNF will offer four products at launch including the Kilowatt Jacket, short sleeve shirt and shorts. The Killowatt Ultra, a lightweight minimalist training shoe will released later in the spring of 2014.

Each of these products is the result of a collaboration between The North Face and Mountain Athlete gym located in Jackson, Wyoming. The facility is a strength and conditioning center that focuses on preparing outdoor athletes for big challenges, with a particular focus on skiing and snowboarding, rock and ice climbing, mountaineering and ultrarunning. A number of TNF sponsored athletes train at the gym and played a role in creating and testing the Mountain Athletics line.

The new gear will get a tough field test later this fall when ultrarunner Mike Wolfe will attempt to set a new speed record on the John Muir Trail. The current record was set by Brett Muane, who completed the 211 mile (340 km) route in just 3 days and 9 hours back in 2009. Brett, who will be joined by fellow endurance athlete Hal Koerner, will be training for the record-setting attempt using the new Kilowatt gear. The rest of us will have to wait for it to be released next year before we can give it a go.

I'll be on hand at OR next week to check out the gear for myself. I'm looking forward to seeing the new line and what it brings to the table for outdoor athletes. I'll try to snag some photos that I can share on Facebook and Twitter while I'm there.

Video: Training For Everest With Simone Moro

Ever wonder how one of the world's top alpinists trains for Everest? In the video below, Simone Moro shares his approach to not just training but also nutrition, discussing his food intake both on and off the mountain. His exercise program includes light weight training and lots of running. The Italian climber says that he runs 100 - 140km (62-87 miles) per week, which is not only good for his cardiovascular system but allows him to spend two hours per day inside his own head. That serves as good mental training for the challenges of high altitude mountaineering.

Obviously this video was shot prior to Simone heading to the Himalaya this year and long before the incident that went down on the mountain this week. Still, it provides some insights into Simone himself and the focus needed to climb the big peaks.

Expedition Med Opportunity To Be Held At Little Saint Simons Islands

Expedition medical professionals, or those looking to gain valuable experience in that field, will be interested to learn that ExpedMed has announced an upcoming CME (continuing medical education) adventure to Little Saint Simons Island for early next year. The event, which runs from February 28 - March 3, will focus on travel medicine, envenomations, malaria and similar wilderness medical topics. This four-day event will be taught by expert medical professionals with years of experience in expedition medicine. The faculty will include Dr. Greg Bledsoe and Dr. Ken Kamler, both members of the Explorers Club who have put their expertise to good use while visiting some of the most remote places on the planet.

Little Saint Simons Island will make a perfect backdrop for this program. The privately owned barrier island just off the coast of Georgia features seven miles of beautiful beaches and 10,000 acres of mostly undisturbed wilderness. Little Saint Simon is home to numerous animal species including deer, alligators, bald eagles and many other birds, and it is not uncommon to find dolphins swimming just off shore. The eco-lodge on the island can accommodate just 32 guests and access is only made possible by a short 15-minute ferry ride from the mainland.

Because accommodations are limited, only 32 people can sign up for this CME opportunity. ExpedMed has acquired a special room rate of $1950 for the three nights stay in a double occupancy room. That's about $335 per night for each guest and includes all food, activities, guided excursions and ferry rides to and from the island.

Additionally, the fee for the CME courses is $799 for medical professionals, who receive a total of 28 credit hours. Active military and non-physicians who require CME, as well as students/residents, receive a discounted rate of just $649. Non-medical guests pay an administrative fee of $459 for courses that may be of value to them in their travels as well. Attendees will also receive a copy of Expedition & Wilderness Medicine, a 750-age hardbound textbook that will prove to be an invaluable resource long after they've gone home.

For more information on the event check out the Little Saint Simons Island CME page on the ExpedMed website. This really is a great opportunity to gain valuable lessons in expedition medicine that could prove useful in your upcoming adventures.