Video: Explorer Louis-Philippe Loncke Discusses Lake Titicaca Exepdtion At TEDxFlanders

Last year, explorer Louis-Philippe Loncke, along with Gadiel Sanchez Rivera aka "Cho", spent 38 days circumnavigating Lake Titicaca by kayak. That body of water, which falls on the border of Peru and Bolivia, is considered the highest navigable lake in the world, and yet no one had ever completely paddled its shores before. Recently, Lou-Phi appeared at TEDxFlanders to share his story about that expedition. The video below is his presentation. It offers all kinds of insights into what they found on their journey, and the logistics of kayaking in the Andes.

Video: Ask The Mountains By Vangelis

If you're looking for a mixture of beautiful scenery and music, you can't beat the video below. It provides lots of great scenes of the high places of our planet with the sounds of "Ask the Mountains" from Vangelis playing in the background. It is eight minutes of pure alpine porn that you won't want to miss.

Argentinian Climber Attempting All 6000 Meter Peaks In South America

Earlier this week ExWeb posted a remarkable story about Argentinian climber Maximo Kausch who has set a goal for himself to climb all of the 6000-meter peaks (19685 ft) in South America. The idea for  this massive undertaking sprang from an expedition on Cho Oyu that Maximo led a few years back and upon returning home he decided that he wanted to continue climbing as much as possible. That led to him coming up with the concept of tackling all of the 6000 meter mountains, although at the time he had no idea what he was getting himself into.

The first obstacle that Max had to overcome was finding out just how many of these mountains were in the Andes. He thought that there might be as many as 50 when he announced his plans but research later revealed that there were 118 6000-meter peaks on his list. He had to use a combination of satellite mapping, data from NASA and Google Maps to locate all of the mountains, some of which are located in very remote places and have as many as 4 or 5 names. It took him three years just to compile all of the data he needed to begin the project.

After that, he was ready to set out but needed reliable transportation to get him to and from the mountains. He decided to use a motorcycle to get from one base camp to the next but he first had to overcome yet another obstacle – he had never ridden a motorcycle before in his life. Once he managed to master the bike, he was off and running and has been climbing ever since. He now spends about 8-9 months of the year climbing in the Andes. Sometimes he'll bag several peaks in a single week and on occasion he'll get two in a day. He tells ExWeb that he is mostly homeless right now while he pursues this challenge.

While climbing Max has made some interesting discoveries along the way as well. On more than one occasion he has come across Incan ruins on his way up to the summit. In one case he even discovered a large structure 60 meters square (197 feet) at the summit of one of the 6000-meter mountains. What exactly the structure was used for and what else remains at the site is a mystery.

You have to hand it to him, Maximo sure knows how to pick a challenge. The Andes offer plenty of great climbing and before he's done, he'll have seen most of it. At the point the story was submitted he said that he still has 57 mountains to go, so he's a little over halfway to his goal. If he achieves this, it'll certainly be quite an accomplishment.

Explorers To Circumnavigate Lake Titicaca By Kayak

Two explorers are about to embark on a paddling adventure around Lake Titicaca, the largest lake in South America and widely considered the highest navigable lake in the world. Their expedition is expected to take six weeks to complete and will cover 1100 km (683 miles) as they survey threats to the healthy of the lake, which is located at an altitude of 3812 meters (12,507 ft) in the Peruvian Andes.

Belgian adventurer Louis-Philippe Loncke and his partner Gadiel Sanchez Rivera will launch their kayak journey tomorrow, August 16. The plan is to circumnavigate the shoreline of the lake, taking GPS coordinates and extensive photographs to document the current position of the water, which can then be compared to future readings to determine if Titicaca is shrinking in size due to climate change. As temperatures warm up and glaciers in the Andes retreat, the rivers that feed the lake will provide less flow. That could spell trouble for the ecosystem around Lake Titicaca and the communities that fall on its shores.

Those same communities are already facing issues with water contamination due to chemicals and sewage being deposited directly into the water. The hope is that the expedition will help raise awareness of these threats to the lake and spur those communities to plan for water treatment options before it is too late. While paddling around Titicaca, the two explorers will discuss these issues with the local inhabitants, many of whom are already suffering as a result of pollution in the water.

Neither of these two men are strangers to exploration. Loncke, who is a member of the Explorers Club, once trekked solo and unsupported across the Simpson Desert in Australia and kayaked for 600 km (372 miles) along the waterways of his home country of Belgium. Rivera, who is better known by his nickname of Cho, spent two years walking the Amazon River with Ed Stafford a few years back. LouPhi and Cho have recently become fast friends and are now ready to embark on an adventure of their own.

A paddling expedition around Lake Titicaca sounds like it should be amazing and I'm actually surprised that no one has done it before. Taking GPS readings of the shore line may prove only marginally useful however as GPS readings are only accurate to within a few meters, which isn't necessarily close enough to track retreating water lines on the lake. The photographs they take will help to alleviate this somewhat and should prove useful in creating the first ever extensive inventory of the lake's shore. We'll be able to follow along with the adventure on LouPhi's blog where he will be documenting their findings and posting updates of their progress.

Video: Poco Loco - Climbing In The Peruvian Andes (Pt. 4)

Today we have the fourth and final video from the climbing series that I've been featuring all week long that has taken us on an expedition to the Peruvian Andes to climb the 5440 meter (17,847 ft) Puscanturpa Este. The Dutch team featured in the videos climbed a new route along the North Face of the mountain, dubbing that route Poco Loco after they completed it.

After watching the team train in the Alps, then travel to Peru to reach Base Camp, followed by some acclimatization in the Andes, it's now time for the climb to begin in ernest. This video gets down to the nitty gritty of this first ascent, giving us some great views of the massive wall and the surrounding countryside. Lots of excellent climbing shots in this segment and a great capper to a series of good grass-roots climbing videos for sure.

Peru Expedition episode 4 of 4 - Puscanturpa Este from vincent van beek on Vimeo.

Video: Poco Loco - Climbing In The Peruvian Andes (Pt. 3)

Today we have the third of four excellent climbing videos that chronicle a team of Dutch climbers who recently traveled to Peru to climb a new route along the North Face of the 5440 meter (17,847 ft) Puscanturpa Este, a difficult peak located in the Andes.

In this video the team has arrived on the mountain and are climbing up its slopes as part of their acclimatization process before taking on their main objective. This time out we get plenty of great shots of the surrounding landscapes, which are breathtaking as you would expect.

Peru Expedition episode 3 of 4 - Acclimatisation from vincent van beek on Vimeo.

Video: Poco Loco - Climbing In The Peruvian Andes (Pt. 2)

Yesterday I shared part one of a new series of climbing films that follow a team of Dutch climbers who traveled to the Peruvian Andes to put up a new route on Puscanturpa Este, a 5440 meter (17,847 ft) peak that had to be conquered along its North Face. The team spent three weeks climbing the new route, naming it Poco Loco after they successfully completed it.

In Part 1 of the series we saw the team traveling all over Europe to train for the challenges they'd find in Peru. In Part 2 which you can watch below, the crew travels to Peru and makes the long journey to Base Camp. Along the way they experience the colorful culture of the country before setting off into the rugged backcountry for their ultimate objective.

Peru Expedition episode 2 of 4 - Road to Basecamp from vincent van beek on Vimeo.

Video: Dutch Peru Expedition 2012

Earlier this summer a team of climbers from AlpineAdventures traveled to the Peruvian Andes to attempt a new route on the 5440 meter (17,847 ft) Puscanturpa Este. After three weeks of working the mountain, they finally managed to summit the tricky North Face. They named their new route Poco Loco.

The team captured plenty of video of the climb and they plan on releasing the full film down the line. The trailer for the film, which you'll find below, gives you a good idea of what the climbers had to overcome to stand on top. The rock climbing elements alone look challenging, particularly at altitude.

Dutch Peru Expeditie 2012 Trailer from vincent van beek on Vimeo.

Alan Arnette Attempting Alpamayo For Alzheimer's

Try saying that title three times fast!

Alan Arnette is about to embark on his next expedition, this time setting his sights on the 5947 meter (19,511 ft) Alpamayo in Peru. According to his blog, which has some great information about the peak and the logistics of climbing it, he'll set out this week for Lima, where he'll join a team guided by the Altitude Junkies.

Located in the Cordillera Blanca range of the Andes, Alpamayo is an iconic mountain for its shape and appearance. The peak features two very sharp summits that are connected by a precarious ridge with an ice cornice stretching between them. Alpamayo also has a unique fluted face that gives it a look unlike nearly any other peak and has earned it the distinction of being called "the most beautiful mountain in the world."

It is also a challenging technical climb that will test the mountaineers. As Alan notes in his blog post, on summit day the team must negotiate a 457 meter (1500 ft), 6-pitch wall that is located directly below the summit itself. It is a steep final ascent and a dangerous one.

If you're familiar with Alan's blog posts and Everest coverage, you know he always does a great job of keeping us updated from the field and sharing his progress and thoughts on the climb. I expected that this will be a similar experience and even has a page dedicated to his Alpamayo updates. If you want to follow along, simply click here.

As usual, Alan is climbing to raise money and awareness for the Cure Alzheimer's Fund, a cause that is very near and dear to his heart.

Good luck Alan and enjoy the climb!

Video: Birdseye View of Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is amongst the most visited destinations in the world and for good reason. The site is a spectacular ancient ruin set atop a mountain in Peru with the Andes as a dramatic backdrop. One of the best places to view the Inca fortress is from Huayna Picchu, a nearby peak that requires a bit of a hike to reach. The video below, which was shared by one of my compatriots at Gadling yesterday, takes us on the journey to the top of that mountain, which does indeed provide a fantastic pay off.

The Mototaxi Junket: Across Peru On The Worst Vehicle Ever Invented

Our old friends over at The Adventurists are up to their old tricks this year, launching yet another crazy motor-adventure, this time in South America. The same team that brought us the much beloved Mongol Rally will now send intrepid adventurers on a 3500km (2175 mile) journey across Peru. Of course, that description is only half of the story as participants will be traveling in a Mototaxi, which is decribed in the video below as both "the worst vehicle ever invented" and "the perfect machine for adventure."

The Mototaxi Junket, as this ride has been named, will begin in September and will send travelers on some of the worst roads known to man as they cross over the Andes Mountains and through the Amazon Jungle. For just a sample of what to expect, check out the video below and visit the Adventurists' website for further details.

Looks absolutely nuts. I would expect nothing less from these chaps.

Expreso De Los Andes: The Best Laid Plans..

A few days back I posted an update on the Expreso De Los Andes expedition which has seen ultrarunners Ray Zahab and Kevin Vallely, along with some of their closest impossible2Possible friends, attempting to run from Chile's Pacific Coast to Argentina's Atlantic Coast. A distance of more than 1700km (1056 miles) that includes a tough crossing of the Andes mountain range. In that update I noted that the team was facing a number of tough challenges, not the least of which was the fact that torrential downpours and flooded the entire region. Now it turns out those rains have altered the plan completely as Ray explains in the video below.

In a nutshell, much of the runners' intended route is now under three feet of water, making it nearly impossible for them to continue along their planned path. Where the route is accessible on foot they are left without support vehicles for incredibly long lengths as well, which adds an entirely different problem. They attempted to run along a different road, following a nearby highway, but that proved to be completely unsafe and was soon abandoned.

So now what? Well Ray, Kevin and the rest of the i2P squad have now moved on to Buenos Aires, their intended finishing spot, where they will continue run a portion of the route to wrap up the expedition. This isn't how they hoped to finish things out, but sometimes Mother Nature has other plans for us. Find out more below.


Day 17 - Altered Plans from GOi2P on Vimeo.

Expreso De Los Andes Update: Challenges Abound!

It has been a few days since I last posted an update on the Expreso De Los Andes expedition which currently has Ray Zahab, Kevin Vallely, and other members of the impossible2Possible crew running across the South American continent. Since we last checked in, the team has been making steady progress although there have been a number of serious challenges to overcome as well.

For those who haven't been following this adventure so far, endurance athletes Ray and Kevin are attempting to run from the Pacific Coast in Chile to the Atlantic Coast in Argentina. To do so they'll have to cover approximately 1700km (1056 miles) and cross over the Andes Mountain Range. Along the way, they're interfacing with a number of classrooms where they hope to inspire students and teachers alike to pursue a healthy lifestyle and mix exercise into their daily routine.

Over the past week the runners have covered significant chunks of mileage, although not the distances they had hoped for. By now they had hoped to be running in the neighborhood of 70km (43.4 miles) per day but tougher than expected conditions haven't helped to facilitate that. For instance, temperatures have been very warm and the trails that they are running haven't always been the best either. On top of that, Ray suffered an injury to his quadricep muscle which has slowed him down some as well.

Those aren't the only issues they've been dealing with however as they've also faced some strong headwinds which have made it tough going at times as well. They've also had their fair share of encounters with the wildlife too including a variety of snakes, insects, and tarantulas. As if all of that wasn't enough, the entire region they are running through received torrential rains yesterday which flooded the entire area. As a result, the planned path of their run is currently underwater and some of the main roads are dangerous as well. That means they're likely to see little progress today although they are continuing ahead as scheduled.

The team has moved into Argentina now and the hope is that once the Andes are completely behind them that the distances can amp up to 100km (62 miles) per day. But in order for that to happen the weather conditions must be right and the runners need to be fully healthy. They still have several weeks to go before they are done, but considering Ray and Kevin's track records, we know they'll do everything in their power to reach the finish line, aka the Atlantic Ocean.

Expreso De Los Andes: Crossing The Andes

As I mentioned last week, Ray Zahab, Kevin Vallely, and the rest of the impossible2Possible team have started their Expreso De Los Andes expedition. Over the next few weeks, they will be running west to east across the South American continent, covering more than 1700km (1056 miles), while also inspiring students and educators back home to adopt a more healthy and active lifestyle.

When last we checked in with Ray and Kevin, they had dipped their toes into the Pacific Ocean and were just getting underway. The plan was to ease into the run with a few days of shorter distances to get things started. In this case, "shorter distance" means about 45km (28 miles), which would eventually climb up to 70km (43.4 miles) per day once they felt acclimated. That didn't take very long however, as the runners have already started hitting those marks, and yesterday alone Ray ran more than 100km (62 miles).

The team has also now crossed the border between Chile and Argentina and are firmly into the Andes Mountains, which will of course be their biggest challenge. When they first got underway, the heat of the austral summer was taking its toll, but now that they are hitting the higher altitudes of the journey, cooler weather has set in. Those cooler temps bring a bit of relief of course, but now the team is dealing with thin air at altitude and long, steep climbs up the mountains.

To get a sense of what the conditions are like, check out the video below. It was shot a few days back when the team covered approximately 65km in a single day, of which 35km was climbing. The views are spectacular of course, but when you're running at altitude, I'm not sure you feel much like taking it all in. Still, it looks like they're having a great time on this adventure.


Expreso de los Andes Day 7 - 65km from GOi2P on Vimeo.

Expreso De Los Andes 2012: They're Off

Last week I mentioned that Ray Zahab, Kevin Vallely, and the impossible2Possible crew were getting ready to launch their Expreso De Los Andes expedition, during which they'll be spending the next few weeks running west to east across South America. The run did get underway as expected, and the athletes began by dipping their hand in the Pacific Ocean and then starting to head east. They'll finish when they reach the Atlantic Ocean near Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The video below gives us glimpse of what their first day was like. They managed to cover 45km (28 miles), but after the find their rhythm, they hope to amp that up to closer to 70km (43.4 miles) per day. That isn't going to be easy however, as the terrain will be very demanding, including a traverse over the Andes Mountains, and it is also incredibly warm where they are at right now. Still, Ray and Kevin are two very experienced endurance athletes, and if anyone can complete this run, it will be these two. It should be fun to follow their progress.



Expreso de los Andes Day 1 - 45km from GOi2P on Vimeo.