The Adventure Blog

Video: Old Man River Project - Chapter 8

2012-06-01T15:00:00.000-05:00

The Old Man River Project continues this week with another wonderful video from this expedition along the length of the Mississippi River. In Chapter 8 of the series, which you can watch below, the team has moved into the deep south and the nature of the river has changed to reflect that. The landscapes are more wild and untamed than they were previously, but they are more serene too. They crew has now been on the water for more than three months, and they've reached Louisiana at last, but they still have many miles to go until they reach the Gulf of Mexico and unfortunately they have to say goodbye to one of the team.

Debunking The Myths About Everest

2012-06-01T12:30:00.000-05:00

As I mentioned in my Everest wrap-up post yesterday, the season may be over but the analysis and speculation continues, particularly in the mainstream press and those that are outside of the climbing community. Earlier today British climber Mark Horrell, who recently summited the mountain on the North Side, wrote a very thoughtful and interesting piece in which he addresses five common myths about Everest that the media tends to perpetuate. I found it to be a good read and I thought you would as well.

In the article Mark discusses his experiences on Everest this past season and his thoughts on traffic jams, the challenges of the climb and sensationalist journalism. He then proceeds to discuss some of the things that journalists who are not climbers continually get wrong when they write about Everest. For example, because of the fact that more than 500 people topped out this year there is a common belief amongst media types that climbing the world's tallest peak is no longer difficult. This is of course not the experience of those that are there and as Mark points out from his own experience, it was anything but easy. He notes that his summit push took six days, and on Summit Day itself he climbed for 18 hours round trip. He says on most days he would arrive at camp and immediately get sick. He lived on very little food, as his appetite was destroyed be altitude, and dehydration dogged him much of the way. Fortunately he did not have to deal with bad weather, as he mentions that many times climbers are also going up in extremely cold conditions on top of the physical ailments they are dealing with.

Other topics that Mark discusses include whether or not someone climbs the mountain as part of their "bucket list," whether or not traffic jams played into the deaths this year and if walking past a struggling climber shows a lack of compassion.

As I said, it's a very interesting read. I've been planning a similar piece for Gadling.com, as the crowd there is much more mainstream and has a different view of climbing than we do here. I'll probably write that piece next week, but Mark has managed to put into words much of what I've been feeling on the subject as well.

ExWeb Lists 2012 Pakistan Climbing Expeditions

2012-06-01T09:00:00.000-05:00

The Everest season is barely over and it is already time to look forward to Pakistan and the upcoming climbs in the Karakoram. While the summer season isn't nearly as busy as spring in the Himalaya, it will still be filled with plenty of drama and intrigue as some of the top climbers in the world take on the toughest peaks on the planet.

As usual, ExWeb has the definitive list of expeditions and they've begun updating that list to reflect the new season ahead. Most are scheduled to take place in June and July, with Gahserbrum I (8080m/26,509ft) and II (8035m/26,362ft), a well as Broad Peak (8051m/26,414ft) getting the early attention. After that, K2 (8611m/28,251ft) will take center stage with no fewer than three expeditions currently set to take on the toughest climb in the world.

Climber Sophie Denis has big plans for the months ahead. Not only is she scheduled for K2 in July, but she'll warm up on Gasherbrum I and II first. She's also stenciled in Shisha Pangma (8013m/26,289ft) for the fall as well, which seems like quite an ambitious scheduled at this point. She'll be joined on K2 by Canadian Al Hancock and a large Korean team as well.

Elsewhere, 73-year old Carlos Soria has plans to climb Kangchenjunga (8586m/28,169ft) in September as he continues his quest to nab all 14 of the 8000 meter peaks. In addition to this peak, he'll also attempt Annapurna and Dhaulagiri this year.

Interestingly enough, ExWeb also has two expeditions listed for the Trango Towers in July as well, both by Korean teams. One is listed as a "Free Climbing" expedition, which should be quite the challenge to follow. The Towers are made up of some of the most dramatic rock faces you'll find anywhere on the planet and are a difficult mix of high altitude mountaineering and technical rock climbing. The tallest, known as the Great Tower, is 6286 meters (20,623ft) in height, but features a prominence of 800 meters or about 2625ft leading to the top.

Of course we'll be following all of these and more once the Karakoram season gets into full swing. The first of these expeditions is scheduled to get underway next week, so stay tuned for updates.

Gear Closet: Osprey Zealot 16

2012-06-01T08:30:00.000-05:00

Backpacks are a lot like tools. You definitely want the right one for job at hand. It use to be that you would simply buy a pack or two in the sizes that you needed and then you'd make them work for what ever outdoor pursuits that interested you. The same daypack could be used for hiking, mountain biking, skiing or what ever other activities that you needed it for. Now however you can buy a pack specifically designed for the sport you need it for, and like having the the right tool for the job, it can make all the difference.

Take for example the new Zealot 16 from Osprey, a pack designed from the ground up for mountain bikers. With its ample storage, well padded shoulder straps and belt, integrated AirScape suspension and built-in media pocket it has just about everything a rider could ask for when hitting the trail. Throw in a 3-liter hydration bladder and a Lidlock helmet attachment, and you have a pack that can match just about anything else on the market in terms of features. But we all know a checklist of features is only useful when comparing packs at the gear shop.

Fortunately the Zealot performs well in the real world and puts all of those great features to good use. For instance, all of that storage is perfect for carrying your gear, particularly if you're a downhill rider who carries plenty of armor with you on your rides. The main compartment is practically cavernous, and zippers that run the length of either side of the bag make it easy to gain access to everything inside. Smaller pockets help to keep your gear well organized as well, including one in the bottom that features an integrated pouch for storing tools. Small, yet still useful, pockets on the hipbelt and shoulder straps round out the package.

As a big fan of Osprey packs, I had high expectations of the Zealot before I ever put it to the test on the trail. I was impressed with the heavy, durable materials from which this pack is made, and while they do add a bit of weight (the pack is 2 pounds/.92kg) it feels like it can stand up to just about anything. That same high quality construction is applied to the belts and straps as well, which when secured properly, lock into place and keep the pack from moving around too much.

All of that just meant that the Zealot easily passed the eye test, but I had yet to try it out in the field. It only took one ride to discover that it is the perfect trail companion however, particularly if you're going on a longer ride. It's large hydration reservoir is perfect for those hot days and the AirScape suspension does an admirable job of keeping air flowing between your body and the pack itself. These suspension systems continue to improve and I'm impressed with how well they work, particularly on these smaller packs. I was also impressed with how comfortable the pack is to wear, easily carrying a large load without impeding movement.

The Zealot is easily the best dedicated mountain biking pack that I have ever used and I consider it a real steal for $149. It is clear that the designers are riders them selves as the bag has plenty of nice touches that you'll appreciate the more you use it. If you're in the market for a new backpack for your spring and summer rides, do yourself a favor and grab this pack. You'll be glad you did and you can thank me later.

Gear Closet: Keen Turia Shoes

2012-05-31T14:30:00.000-05:00

One of my all time favorite pairs of shoes are a classic pair of sandals from Keen. I love them because they are comfortable, durable and versatile. I've worn them on light hiking trips, visits to tropical destinations or simply kicking around town. They've always scored big points for being highly packable as well, so they have often ended up being one of the pairs of shoes that I take with me when I travel. So when I was offered the opportunity to test the new Turia sandals, it was with both excitement and trepidation that I accepted. After all, these new shoes had a lot to live up to.

The new Turia has a classic Keen look while still managing a style all of their own. With a breathable synthetic airmesh upper, a soft, molded footpad and a rugged close toe, the shoe manages to provide plenty of protection for the foot while keep them well ventilated as well. The no-slip soles provide great traction, even on slick surfaces, and the quick-lace system is still a convenient way to adjust the fit of the shoes to your liking. In short, the Turia is a nice mix of the classic Keen design with a few subtle improvements.

Primarily built for use in warm environments or around water, the Turia is a fantastic travel shoe. Their compact design make them a perfect choice for throwing in a backpack or luggage, even when room is at a premium and they're equally at home in base camp as they are around a resort pool. There aren't many casual shoes that can go from trail to beach to town with such ease, but the Turia can accomplish that get and more.

I recently took my pair of Turias with me to Jordan where they were put to the test on the streets of Amman, hiking through the ruins of Petra and in the wilds of Wadi Rum. Considering that country is both warm and incredibly dry, I was extremely happy that I brought them, particularly when we hit the blistering desert sands. The fact that these shoes are comfortable to wear, easy to hike in, and allowed sand to pass through without filling them up, made them a great option for that journey, although they performed equally well while visiting both the Red and Dead Seas.

As with most new shoes, I tend to spend some time breaking them in sufficiently before I take them with me to another country. During that process I found the underside of the airmesh upper to be a bit abrasive on the tops of my feet. They didn't actually manage to cause any blisters, but they rubbed them just enough to be uncomfortable at times. Fortunately the more I wore them the less of an issue this became, although I'm not sure if it was because the fabrics smoothed out some with use or if my feet simply became accustomed to wearing the sandals. In the long run this hasn't been an ongoing issue, but the first few times I wore them I was a bit concerned.

Aside from that one issue, the Turia Sandals were quick and easy to break-in (a common trait with Keen shoes I've found) and have been very durable thus far. I've been wearing mine multiple times a week for several months and they still look like they just came out of the box. Considering how much mileage I've put on them already, that bodes well for their long term durability.

Keen's Turia Sandals come with a $100 price tag, which is a good price for a pair of shoes that you can take with you practically everywhere. I think you'll find they make excellent travel shoes but are just as comfortable for when you're at home too.

Video: Skiing Shisha Pangma

2012-05-31T14:00:00.000-05:00

Standing 8013 meters (26,289 ft) in height, Shisha Pangma is the 14th highest mountain in the world. In 2010, a group of four mountaineers that included Mark Fisher, Andy Tankersley, Todd Passey and Kim Havell traveled to the peak, which is found in Tibet, to not only climb it but make the first ski descent as well. That expedition resulted in the video below, which I came across this morning on the National Geographic Adventure Blog. In a post to that blog, which can be read here, Havell shares some of the details of their adventure, which sounds like it was truly epic in every sense of the word.

Enjoy this amazing short film that is guaranteed to put some adventure into your Thursday afternoon.

NOLS Plans Important 2013 Denali Expedition

2012-05-31T13:00:00.000-05:00

As I mentioned in my earlier piece on Everest, now that the spring Himalaya season has wrapped up, its time to turn our attention to Denali, where there have already been a number of successful summits this year. But this story is about an important expedition that is actually scheduled to take place next year. One that has goals that reach far beyond the mountaineering world and could impact a number of young people.

In 2013 the National Outdoors Leadership School (NOLS) is organizing a team to travel to Alaska to attempt to climb the highest peak in North America. Denali (also known as Mt. McKinley) stands 6196 meters (20,327 ft) in height and is a notoriously difficult to climb due to both its technical challenges and famously bad weather. Even at the height of summer, high winds and heavy snows can cause problems on the mountain and it is often used as a tune-up for Everest, even though it is 3000 meters lower in height.

Of course, there are dozens of expeditions that attempt the mountain each year, but what sets this one apart is that NOLS is hoping to create a team consisting of all African American climbers to give it a go. The hope is that through their efforts, these climbers will inspire young people in minority groups, especially African American youth, to get outside and become more active stewards of wilderness environments.

Dubbed Expedition Denali, the project is still in the early stages of planning and the team behind it is still looking for sponsors. Still, it is moving ahead and plans for making the climb in 2013 are well underway. I have little doubt that this will be a highly successful venture for all of those involved. To find out more about the project and how you can take part, check out the expedition's official website here.

The number of young people in the U.S. who are actively taking part in outdoor activities is falling dramatically and that drop off is even more pronounced amongst minorities. I am a big supporter of doing anything we can to get young people outside and inspired to pursue their own adventures – great or small. Projects like this one remind us how important that is and I look forward to following this project in the weeks and months to come.

Everest 2012: That's A Wrap!

2012-05-31T11:00:00.000-05:00

Another season has come and gone on Everest and of course it is time for reflection and analysis of everything that happened on the mountain this spring. As usual, it was another crazy, busy year for the world's tallest mountain and one that continues to leave people talking even as the climbers themselves head for home.

Yesterday Alan Arnette posted his recap of the season and as you would expect, it is thoughtful, well written and very complete. Alan does an excellent job of encapsulating all of the events that took place on Everest this spring and putting them in perspective for all of us who have never climbed the mountain. The blog entry provides plenty of history, context and analysis and is a great reminder of everything that has happened over the past two months. On an annual basis it is difficult to beat Alan's coverage of Everest and all of that experience and knowledge is much appreciated by those of us who follow the proceedings there very closely.

As with nearly all Everest climbing seasons there were sadly more deaths on the mountain this year. Alan lists ten confirmed deaths on his page, including three Sherpas. The remaining deaths were climbers from various countries on a variety of commercial teams on both sides of the mountain. Surprisingly enough, the number could have easily been one higher, as 69-year old Italian climber Luigi Rampini was stranded above 8300 meters (27,230 ft) for four nights without oxygen. But he managed to survive and was rescued by some other climbers while he was descending.

Of course, any deaths on Everest prompt the mainstream media to write sensationalist pieces and provide mountaineering coverage when they typically wouldn't. Such is the case with The Guardian in the U.K., which published a pair of stories yesterday about the overcrowding that has become such an issue on the Big Hill in recent years. The first piece, which can be found here, quotes Ralf Dujmovits in his calls for stricter regulations on is allowed to climb the mountain, including a set of guidelines for determining who is physically fit enough to attempt the ascent. Ralf, who is amongst the most experienced climbers in the world, took that now famous photo of the line of climbers waiting to go up to the summit. He believes that the Nepalese government is simply taking who ever applies for the climbing permit with little regard to their health or experience. It is a compelling read with a lot of good insights from a man who knows what he is talking about.

The second Guardian article is an editorial by Jonathan Jones who says that Ralf's image is a mockery of what mountaineering and exploration is all about. He decries the fact that so many people now climb Everest on an annual basis and feels that most do it without any kind of regard to history. The fact that anyone with enough cash can now make an attempt on the mountain is a bit insulting to Jones, who warns that Everest is not a tame place and that overcrowding is likely to lead to disaster in the future.
(Thanks to my friend Colm for sharing both Guardian stories with me!)

One of the big stories from this past season was the decision by Himex to pull out of Base Camp before the summit push began. The team's leader, Russell Brice, felt that the mountain was simply unsafe to climb and he didn't want to put his clients, guides or Sherpas in any kind of unnecessary danger. Now that the season has ended however, and there were no fatalities as a result of the things that concerned him, it'll be interesting to see if there is fallout for the organization. Obviously Brice was doing what he felt was right and it is easy to second guess him now, but as a client who didn't even get the opportunity to climb, you can understand that there would be some disappointment there as well. On the other hand, the Himex squad is traditionally the biggest on the hill, and can you imagine what adding another large batch of climbers would have done to the already crowded conditions?

A few days back I wrote about speed climber Patricio Tisalema who was attempting to set a new record on the North Side of the mountain but was forced to abort that attempt when his support Sherpa took ill. Patricio, along with his partner Rafael Martinez, had to administer first aid to the Sherpa and help him back down to C3 in order to save his life. They were later joined by Spanish climber Ferran Latorre, who aided in the rescue efforts and helped get the Sherpa back down to ABC.

After descending, Patricio was quoted as saying that it was the "hardest decision of his life" to turn back when he was feeling so strong and the weather was good. That comment has caused a few people in the climbing community to question why exactly it was a hard decision. Shouldn't someone's life always trump going for the summit and shouldn't the decision have been an easy, if disappointing, one? My feeling is that the quote was taken a bit out of context, and perhaps lost a bit in translation. It doesn't seem like there was hesitation on the part of Patricio or Rafael in turning back. They are most likely still feeling the sting of missing out on the summit, which of course hurts, but deep down inside I think they always knew it was the right choice.

One of the residents of Base Camp on the South Side of Everest for the past five weeks has been Grayson Schaffer who has been covering the climbing season for Outside magazine. Grayson is attempting to head home now, but he reports that the seasonal monsoon has moved into the area and heavy rains are causing many flights to be delayed or canceled. As a result, climbers are stranded in Lukla and patiently waiting to catch a lift back to Kathmandu and eventually home. There is nothing worse than having completed an expedition or physically demanding trip and just wanting to head home to your own bed, only to be left stranded somewhere. I feel for those that are stuck in Lukla, although I can think of worse places to be stranded.

Finally, as this season comes to an end at last, I'd just like to say that it was once again a real pleasure for me to not only share the news from the mountain but also interact with so many other people who share that passion and interest. The Internet has made it a simple affair to connect with others from around the globe and Everest is one of those places that seems to draw so many of us together. I appreciate everyone reading my blog and sharing their thoughts and comments. It was another great spring in the Himalaya.

Now on to Denali and the Karakoram!

Expedition 1000: Bikecar Journey Done!

2012-05-30T14:05:00.000-05:00

While we're checking in with some recent adventures today, I thought I'd post an update on Dave Cornthwaite's Expedition 1000 project. When last we heard from Dave, he was riding a crazy contraption known as a Bikecar on his way across the American south with a plan of eventually ending in Miami. The Bikecar is a heavy, unwieldily beast that wasn't easy to pedal, but in the end, Dave was able to complete yet another leg of his journey, arriving at his destination this past weekend.

For those unfamiliar with Expedition 1000, Dave has created a goal for himself in which he'll undertake 25 separate journeys, each 1000 miles (1609km) in length or more, that will be completed using nothing but human power. So far he's done things like skateboard across Australia (Yes, the entire continent!) and rode a stand-up paddleboard the length of the Mississippi River. The Bikecar expedition covered exactly 1000 miles, and reading some of Dave's updates, I'm not sure he wanted to go a single mile further.

Next up, Dave intends to swim 1000 miles down the Missouri River, which he'll start in August. He hopes to complete that journey in 50 days and is inviting others to join him in the water. Watch his website and Facebook page for more information.

Poland Trek Update: Taming Poland's Highest Mountain and Longest River

2012-05-30T13:30:00.000-05:00

At the beginning of May I posted a story about Belgian adventurer Louis-Philippe Loncke setting out on his latest project the Poland Trek expedition. The plan was to start with a climb up Mount Rysy, the tallest peak in the country, and then traverse the Tatras Mountains to the source of the Vistuala River, the longest in Poland. From there, Loncke would paddle the remaining 1200km (745 miles) to the Baltic Sea, taking roughly 4 to 5 weeks to complete the entire journey. Lou-Phi, along with a small support crew, have managed to cover a significant portion of their route, but the most challenging areas may yet lie ahead.

The expedition started with a challenging climb and traverse of the Tatras back on May 7. Loncke and his team found more than two meters (6.5 ft) of snow waiting for them on Moutn Rysy and blizzard conditions surprised them on the trek. That resulted in a much slower ascent than expected, although they did reach the 2499 meter (8198 ft) summit at around 5PM. They continued hiking for another five hours before camping for the night, collapsing with exhaustion inside their tents.

The following day the weather improved, but conditions remained challenging at altitude. Heeding some advice from the local mountain rescue squads, Lou-Phi and his companion, Tomasz Grzywaczewski, took a longer but safer route into the wilderness around the Tatras. A few days later they completed their traverse and parted ways, as Tomasz was suffering serious blistering on his feet. He would have to walk for several more days before he would find the source of the Vistuala, but about nine days into the expedition, Loncke broke out his packraft and started paddling down the waterway.

That was about ten days ago now, and the Belgian explorer has been making good progress ever since. He is enjoying the wild and untamed river immensely, as he encounters wildlife and beautiful scenery at every turn. And when he pulls into one of the small towns along the way, he has been greeted very warmly by the locals.

At this point, Lou-Phi has about 500km (310 miles) to go until he reaches the Baltic, but he those could be the most challenging miles yet. Low water levels are going to require that he portage around some areas and the lack of water could make paddling very challenging elsewhere. You can follow his progress and almost daily updates on the expedition's website PolandTrek.com.

Video: Shattered

2012-05-30T12:00:00.000-05:00

Adventure Journal posted this excellent video earlier today and I thought it was definitely worth sharing here as well. The short film was made by Tyler Stableford and stars climber Steve House, who also narrates. In that narration, the climber talks about his pursuits in the mountains and how they make him feel. What its like to return home following an expedition and what continues to drive him. I think you'll find what he has to say a bit surprising, perhaps even haunting, and after watching the video I couldn't help but wonder how those who have just climbed Everest feel as they head home. Will it be something like this?

Book Review: Cycling Sojourner: A Guide to the Best Multi-Day Tours in Oregon

2012-05-30T09:30:00.000-05:00

Sandwiched neatly between California and Washington, Oregon is a beautifully scenic state filled with spectacular mountains, lush forests and seemingly endless vistas. It is an adventurers playground although it is sometimes forced second fiddle to some of the more well known western states, including it's two high profile neighbors. But a new book not only hopes to encourage visitors to explore Oregon more closely but do so in one of the best ways possible.

Cycling Sojourner: A Guide to the Best Multi-Day Tours in Oregon was released a few weeks back and is without question the most complete guide to cycling the state. Written by Oregonian Ellee Thalheimer, the book offers eight enticing itineraries that truly have something for every kind of traveler and rider. Whether you prefer a leisurely ride through the state's wine country, a scenic trip up the coast, or a more challenging ride through the mountains, you'll find everything you need to make the trip happen.

The book begins with a few pages for out of state travelers who are visiting for the first time. Those pages offer tips for arriving in Portland, either by plane, train or bus and provide suggestions on where to eat and stay while in town. Some of the cities more popular bike shops are also listed and the author even has suggestions on where to attend a yoga class as well.

With the preliminaries out of the way, it's on to the meat of the book – namely the tours themselves. Thalheimer begins each section dedicated to a tour with a great introduction that lists the basic price range of the trip, where to camp or stay in a lodge, the relative difficulty rating and a lot more. Included maps offer suggested routes and the historical and environmental facts help to set the backdrop for the region you'll be cycling through. The advice even extends to letting you know how good the cell coverage is and where the closest hospitals are located, just in case. In short, it is everything that you could ask for in a guide book and considerably more.

Each of the tours also comes with a day-by-day itinerary as well, listing the best places to stop along the way and providing information about the towns that riders will be staying in too. Daily cue sheets are also included, giving travelers a list of milestones and signposts to keep an eye out for as they make their way along the route. Those cue sheets will prove invaluable to anyone planning on riding any of the itineraries in the book, as they make it extremely difficult to get lost or make a wrong turn. The author has made it so easy in fact, that all you have to do is ride and enjoy the scenery.

Whether you're new to cycle touring or you're an old pro, the book's suggested packing and gear lists, found at the end, will be of interest as well. Thalheimer offers some great suggestions on what to bring with you on a trip of this type, including basic gear for both the bike and rider, as well as equipment for cold weather, camping and more. She even tells you what to stock in your repair (bike) and first aid (rider) kits.

Cycling Sojourner is definitely a must read for anyone planning a cycling trip through Oregon, which is obviously who this book is going to appeal to the most. But there is also quite a bit of good practical advice for cycling in general here as well. If you're planning a long distance bike trip, you can still find some good information to aid you along on your journey as well.

Find out more at CycleTourOregon.com, where you can also order your own copy.

Everest 2012: Speed Climb Update!

2012-05-30T08:30:00.001-05:00

Yesterday I mentioned that there appeared to be just one climber left on Everest and that it was Patricio Tisalema who was attempting to set a new speed record on the North Side of the mountain. At the time of that posting we knew that he was above 8500 meters (27,887 ft) but we were still waiting to hear if he was successful or not. Today we have an update from ExWeb that indicates that Patricio was forced to abort the attempt because his Sherpa ran into trouble.

According to the story, the Ecuadorian climber was feeling very strong and moving fast. In fact, he was moving so well that Patricio estimates that he could have potentially reached the summit in a little more than 18 total hours. But unfortunately soon after he left Camp 3 with his climbing partner and their support Sherpa, the Sherpa passed out and required first aid to be resuscitated. At that point, the decision had to be made whether or not they would continue up or assist the Sherpa back down. They wisely chose to go down.

Patricio called the decision the hardest of his life, but he also knows it was the right one. The climbers are all back in ABC now, and doing well, but according to ExWeb Patricio has taken the decision to turn back very hard. He knows that you only get these kinds of opportunities on rare occasions and that he may have missed out on his chance. It is doubtful that he'll be able to rest up and give it another go, but it is still possible. The weather window is likely to close in the next few days however and when it does, the season will officially be over on Everest.

Once Patricio has had a chance to reflect on the situation he'll know that turning back was without a doubt the best decision. Hopefully he'll get another chance in the future, but for now that is little consolation.

Video: Hucking 70-Foot Outlet Falls

2012-05-29T15:30:00.000-05:00

Huck is a beautifully shot short film that captures kayaker Evan Garcia as he drops the 70-foot Outlet Falls, located near Yakima, Washington. It was made by filmmaker/adventurer Andy Maser, who used a RED Scarlet, two Canon 7D's and a GoPro to capture all the action. You can find out more about how the film was shot in this article from Outside Online, but I suggest you watch the video first.

Amazing stuff!

Brit Intends To Swim Across The Atlantic In 100 Days

2012-05-29T12:00:00.000-05:00

British television personality and adventurer Ben Fogel has announced his plans to swim across the Atlantic Ocean and he intends to do it in record time. Fogel, who has also visited the South Pole and spent a year as a castaway on a Scottish island as part of a reality television show, says that he hopes to make the 3000 mile (4828km) journey in just 100 days.

The epic swim isn't scheduled to begin until next year, and Bogel has only now started to train in open water. But sometime in 2013 he intends to set out from the U.S. and continue swimming until he reaches cornwall in the U.K. In order to cover that distance in his target time, he'll need to average about 30 miles (48km) per day. He estimates he may need to spend as much as 12 hours per day in the water.

To date, only one other person is credited with swimming across the Atlantic. That was Benoit Lecomte who accomplished that feat back in 1998. There are some questions about the legitimacy of Lecomte's claims however as he his efforts were not strictly tracked by GPS. He did finish the swim in 73 days and went 3716 miles (5980km) in the process. He is also planning on swimming across the Pacific as well.

Also ramping up his efforts to swim the Atlantic is Dan Martin, who will attempt it as part of his Global Triathlon. He is expecting his crossing of the ocean to take upwards of six months and he'll be starting in the Hudson River and ending somewhere along the coast of France. He is currently in the States and preparing to begin his massive undertaking, which will also see him cycling and running around the world. Logistics have delayed the start, but he hopes to be underway very shortly.

Sometimes rowing an ocean isn't enough I guess, and you just have to jump in an start swimming. More power to these guys. I can't even imagine the effort required to swim these distances day in and day out.

Thanks To Julian Monroe Fisher for the tips on Ben's swim!

Teva Mountain Games Begin Thursday

2012-05-29T10:30:00.000-05:00

The 2012 Teva Mountain Games are set to get underway this Thursday, May 31 in Vail, Colorado. The annual event plays host to some of the best outdoor/adventure athletes in the world in sports ranging from trail running and mountain biking to kayaking and slacklining.

The full schedule of events can be found online and as usual there is plenty to see and do for both competitors and spectators alike. In addition to each of the athletic events, each day also features live music, parties, demonstrations and seminars. The Adventure Village also returns, giving visitors a chance to climb an outdoor wall, try slacklining for themselves or take part in a number of other activities, while Gear Town will be packed with all kinds of great outdoor equipment to try out and purchase.

Due to the unusually low snowfall this past winter, there is less than normal whitewater in many of the western states his spring. As a result, some of the paddling and rafting events could be moved or canceled. If you're taking part in any of those events or plan on attending, you'll definitely want to check in with the Teva Mountain Games staff to be sure everything is still operating as expected.

This is always a great event and if you're in the area you'll definitely want to drop by and check it out.

Update: I received word this afternoon that the SUP competitions have been cancelled due to the low water conditions, but that the kayaking and rafting events will take place as planned. Find out more here.

Everest 2012: Speed Attempt Still Underway

2012-05-29T09:00:00.000-05:00

In my earlier post on this past weekend's activities on Everest I mentioned that the season was almost over. There does appear to be at least one climb underway and it is an attempt at the speed record from the North Side of the mountain.

Ecuadorian climber Patricio Tisalema waited until the slopes were clear before making his bid and now, according to ExWeb, he is well into the climb. An updated was posted last evening that said Patricio had reached 8500 meters (27,887 feet) in just 15 hours of climbing, but since that time there has been no update on his progress.

We'll have to wait for updates to see if he actually topped out and made it back to BC in record time, but 15 hours to 8500 meters is a great effort. If everything went as planned, he should be on the descent by now, so hopefully we'll get another update later in the day.

Everest 2012: Another Season Nearly Done

2012-05-29T08:30:00.000-05:00

While I was enjoying a long weekend here the States, the 2012 climbing season on Everest wound to a halt. On Saturday the final teams made their last summit bids as the good weather conditions provided them with an ideal window for topping out. While the final push mostly went as expected, there are certainly a few expeditions that are worth nothing.

As expected, the RMI team reached the summit on Saturday led by Dave Hahn and Melissa Arnot. It was a milestone for both of those talented climbers as Dave now has 14 successful Everest climbs under his belt and Melissa has four of her own. The group descended safely to Base Camp on Sunday and are now preparing to trek back down the Khumbu Valley. Congrats to Dave, Melissa and the entire RMI team for a job well done.

Climber Mkie Moniz pulled off a double-summit over the weekend, first topping out on Everest and then Lhotse the next day. After reaching the top of the world's highest peak, he descended to Camp 4, rested for a short time, then skirted over to Lhotse and managed to knock it off in short order as well. Climbing two 8000 meter peaks in a season is always an impressive feat, doing it in less than 24 hours is incredible. Congratulations to Mike on such an impressive display of strength and endurance. Get home safe!

Unfortunately Chad Kellogg was unable to complete his speed attempt on Everest. While he hasn't sent a dispatch yet with details, we do know that he turned back at about 8600 meters. He was hoping to climb without oxygen and set a new speed mark for going from Base Camp to the Summit and back, but apparently ran into some issues along the way. His sponsor, Outdoor Research, sent the following tweet on Saturday: "8600m. Things werent going well. Chad made tough decision to turn back. Is at S Col now. Kudos on great effort & a brave decision." I'm sure we'll hear more once Chad has the chance to collect his thoughts.

Alan Arnette is reporting that the team of female climbers from the Indian Army managed to put several of its members on top as well. The group was climbing without supplemental oxygen, which was a first for the squad. Alan also estimates that there have been roughly 527 summits this year through the May 26th push. That number isn't likely to go up substantially, although there are a few climbers still on Everest.

That said, the season is nearly over and in the books. It has been an interesting one to say the least and I doubt we've heard the last of some of the stories we followed closely this season. By now, Base Camp on both sides of the mountain is nearly deserted and the climbers are starting to make their way back to Kathmandu and eventually home. Lets hope they all make it back safely and enjoy a great meal at the Rum Doodle before their adventure is done.

Video: Old Man River Project - Chapter 7

2012-05-25T16:00:00.000-05:00

Our adventure down the Mississippi River continues this week with Episode 7 of the Old Man River Project. This week, the crew takes advantage of higher water and faster currents to make good time, but must constantly deal with the challenges of finding fresh water, which you wouldn't think would be too challenging on a river. But the Mississippi isn't safe to drink from and that becomes an issue for Brett and the team.

The Red Bull Divide and Conquer Comes To Canada

2012-05-25T14:00:00.000-05:00

The Red Bull Divide and Conquer adventure race is coming to Canada's West Coast in a few weeks and the event promises plenty of action for adventure athletes. The Divide and Conquer features a unique format in which teams of three compete against one another across a wilderness course, but unlike other AR events, this one is run in relay-style with each team member taking a leg.

The race is scheduled to take place on Vancouver's North Shore and will start with a mountain run up Grouse Mountain. Twice! That's nearly 6000 feet (1828 meters) of elevation gain just to get things started. From there it is on to the mountain bike section, which will be an all-mountain affair that will test a rider's downhill ability as well his or her technical and speed riding. The event will finish up with a paddling leg on the Capilano River that will send kayakers out onto Class IV waters in a deep canyon run.

This looks like it will be amazingly fun and registration is still open. If you'd like to put together a team for the Red Bull Divide and Conquer, you can enter the race here.

Video: Scariest Tandem Skydive Ever!

2012-05-25T11:00:00.000-05:00

This video is a bit on the scary side. It features an 80-year old woman named Lavern who decided she wanted to skydiving to celebrate her milestone birthday. But once she's up in the plane and has to actually jump out the door, she begins to have second thoughts. As she struggles to stay on the plane, her tandem partner manages to get her out the door, but in the process poor Laverne slips out of the harness. The result is one terrifying jump that left me holding my breath. Crazy!

Everest 2012: Lots Of Summits Amidst Good Weather

2012-05-25T09:30:00.000-05:00

The second weather window on Everest opened as expected today, with winds dropping off dramatically and temperatures remaining relatively warm, even at the summit. As a result, there were all kinds of teams topping out in what sounds like far better conditions than last week.

Some of the teams that we've been following all season long had success once again today. The Adventure Consultants and Peak Freaks both put climbers on the summit and conditions were so good that the AC squad says that some of the their team even descended all the way back down to Camp 2 before resting. The National Geographic/North Face team also summited as a group, despite some reports that they might hold off until today and Kenton Cool was amongst the first to reach the summit, carrying a gold medal from the 1924 Olympic Games with him as he went. Kenton had hoped to conduct an interview from the top, but the laptop he took along with him succumbed to the cold and refused to cooperate. He later conducted another interview at lower altitude. This was his tenth successful summit of Everest.

The season hasn't wrapped just yet however and more teams are looking to head up today. Amongst them will be the RMI squad led by Dave Hahn, who hopes to nab his 14th summit of the mountain and the IMG team as well. Both groups are in Camp 4 and will be heading up shortly. Of course, speed climber Chad Kellogg will make his attempt at the speed record today as well, hopefully going from Base Camp to the summit and back again in under 30 hours. We'll see if he actually makes it.

Most indications are that not only will the weather hold out through the weekend but that there are far fewer people on the mountain for this window. Additionally, the teams seem to have staggered themselves nicely and traffic jams appear to be almost non-existent. As a result, I have yet to hear of a single fatality from this round of climbs and lets hope it stays that way. Obviously we're still waiting for everyone to be accounted for as they may their way back down the mountain, and with more summit push to go, we're not out of the woods just yet. But things are looking good at the moment.

Finally, I'll close this post with yet another excellent video from the Peak Freaks. This one explains why we climb. Simply beautiful.

Gear Closet: Hydrapak Jolla Backpack

2012-05-25T08:30:00.000-05:00

For my money, the hydration pack is amongst the greatest outdoor innovations of all time. The ability to conveniently and comfortably carry water while we hike, bike, run or do just about anything else can not be overstated. Over the years the options for hydration packs have expanded dramatically and these days its nearly impossible to buy a backpack that isn't at least hydration-ready. But one company that has has stayed razor focused on providing hydration solutions is is Hydrapack, which makes some of the best bottles, reservoirs and of course, packs, in the industry. One of their newest packs is the Jolla, a spacious and versatile bag that is lightweight, comfortable to wear and features plenty of extras that outdoor enthusiasts will most certainly appreciate.

The Jolla is listed as weighing in at 2 pounds, six ounces and having 18 liters (1100 cubic inches) of storage, but thanks to its numerous pockets the pack actually feels much larger – and I mean that in a good way! The pack features a fleece-lined top pocket with a removable tool kit bag, a large main compartment with a velcro sealed internal pocket and additional storage on the exterior. In addition to the dedicated zipped hydration pocket on the back panel, the Jolla also has two water bottle holsters (also with zippers!) and small mesh pockets on the hip belt. With all those options the Jolla makes it easy to keep all of your gear well organized.

Made of soft, but durable, ripstop nylon, the Jolla is comfortable to wear for a variety of activities. I've used it hiking, trail running and mountain biking, and once I adjusted the fit properly, it was surprisingly easy to wear for extended periods of time, even while carrying a full load. I was especially impressed by the well padded back panel and shoulder straps.

Of course, no matter how well designed and comfortable a hydration pack is, if it doesn't work well at it's primary function than it isn't worth owning. Fortunately the Jolla performs exceptionally well in that area as well, thanks in no small part to the included 3-liter reservoir. Hydrapak was generous enough to add one of their excellent Shape-Shift reservoirs to the package and it one of the best bladders I've ever used. Not only does it's wide mouth make it easy to fill but the sliding seal locks the reservoir up nice and tight, preventing the water from leaking all over the pack itself. In fact, it worked so well that through my testing of the bag I never had any issues with leakage at all.

One of the worst things about most water bladders is that they can be nearly impossible to get completely dry or clean. Over time, as you use them, a bit of moisture gets left behind and that moisture can facilitate the grow of bacteria. But the Shape-Shifter is designed to be able to be turned completely inside out, which makes it easy to get all of the water out at the end of the day and a breeze to keep clean as well. The reservoir also happens to be very rugged and durable and the bite valve and water hose are just as high in quality. That means that you won't have to replace the bladder as often as you would on similar packs, which is another plus for the Jolla. That said, the Shape-Shift reservoir is so good that it is definitely worth purchasing on its own. That's why Hydrapak offers it separately for just $32.99.

Both the Jolla and the Shape-Shift bladder are individually great products, but when put together they make an unbeatable combo. If you're in the market for a new pack for your upcoming summer adventures, than look no further than the Hydrapak Jolla. It carries a price tag of $144.99 which is a bargain for a pack that is this comfortable and versatile. Considering the fact that it also comes with one of the best hydration reservoirs you'll ever find and I think you'll find that Hydrapak has delivered a winner that is worth every penny.

Everest 2012: Updates From The Mountain

2012-05-24T15:15:00.000-05:00

If you're not completely sick of all the Everest news yet, here is one more update for you as the teams move up. As I write this, climbers are on their way to the summit and are reportedly experiencing perfect weather. Updates have indicated that teams are already above the balcony and will soon stand on top of the world. We'll no doubt have a host of updates on their progress tomorrow, but for now there were a couple of stories I wanted to spotlight.

First, it appears that Chad Kellogg is now ready to start his attempt at an Everest speed record. He is currently still in Base Camp, resting and getting ready to go, and in his latest dispatch he shares details of his plan, which includes attempting to go to the summit and back in a single push. He hopes to do this in about 30 hours total, provided everything goes to plan. When he reaches Camp 4, he'll be joined by a Sherpa who will pace him to the top and carry bottled oxygen for him just in case he needs it. This is going to be an epic climb but it looks like things are lining up nicely for Chad now. The weather is reportedly great and the number of climbers going up are far less than last week, which should help alleviate the traffic jams.

On a different note, Jake Norton has called off his ascent of the mountain saying he just doesn't feel like it is safe to go up at the moment. Earlier Jake sent a letter out to his supporters explaining his decision and outlining his goals moving forward. Jake and his team were on the West Ridge, and as we've heard already this spring, that has been a particularly treacherous route due to the lack of snow and ice. When that route became too dangerous, Jake decided to pull the plug and go home, saying that 70 days away is plenty.

You may recall that Jake is climbing as part of his Challenge 21 organization, which seeks to raise awareness of need for clean drinking water around the planet through climbing. The plan is to summit the three highest mountains on each of the seven continents over the next four years. So far, they've already knocked off seven of those, and Everest would have been eight.

Stay tuned for an update tomorrow. We should have word on the progress and success stories from a number of teams. Keep your fingers crossed that everyone gets back down safely.

Visiting Jordan: Exploring Petra

2012-05-24T13:30:00.000-05:00

Over the past few weeks I've shared some stories on my recent visit to Jordan, first writing about the history and culture of the place and then following that up with some destinations for adventure. Today I also wrote a piece for Gadling.com on Petra, Jordan's most well known and iconic landmark. The piece is entitled Petra: Beyond The Treasury, because I found that there was far more to see and do there than I had ever imagined.

The ancient city of Petra was originally founded in the 6th Century BC, when it was founded as part of an effort by a tribe of Bedouins known as the Nabataeans. Over the centuries they built up a trade empire and used the city as their capital. Later it was conquered by the Romans and eventually abandoned altogether. As the centuries passed it was all but forgotten, until it was rediscovered by explorer Johann Ludwig in 1812.

Images of the place have always intrigued travelers, who are fascinated by the stone buildings carved directly into the sandstone walls. The best known of those structures is called the Treasury, although in truth it was actually a tomb. As I point out in my story for Gadling, for many people the Treasury is Petra and what they don't realize is that it stands at the entrance of a massive complex of stone structures that can take several days to explore completely.

When I visited the site back in April I was surprised to find so many other ruins there, including a Roman amphitheater, a temple, and dozens of other structures. There was even one ruin known as the Monastery that was every bit as well preserved and impressive as the Treasury, but it is lesser known in part because it sits atop a high plateau that requires a hike up 900 stairs to reach. A similar site, known as the High Place of Sacrifice, is also worth the climb (in this case a mere 700 steps!) as it provides excellent views of the city.

Before I went I already knew that Petra was a wonder, but until I saw it first hand I didn't realize just how impressive it is. Walking through the place is like walking through history and I feel that it is worth visiting Jordan for Petra alone. Obviously there are many more things to do and see in the country, but Petra is, without a doubt, the one destination you shouldn't miss.