Duo navigate the "empty quarter"!

Adventurers Alastair Humphreys and Leon McCarron have completed their 1000-mile (1600 km) long trek across the Empty Quarter, arriving yesterday in Dubai. After spending nearly six weeks in the desert, the two men finished their expedition at the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, which had to have served as quite the contrast to the environment they had been traveling through.

The Empty Quarter, or Rub' al Khali, is the largest sand desert in the world, stretching out across much of the Arabian Peninsula. This vast and largely unexplored section of the world covers parts of Saudi Arabia, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen, spreading out over some 225,000 square miles (583,000 sq. km).

Inspired by their hero Wilfred Thesiger, who made two famous expeditions into the Empty Quarter himself, Alastair and Leon set out in early November to explore that desolate place for themselves. Lugging all of their gear behind them in a cart that weighed 250 kg (551 pounds), the two men were able to navigate across the desert, using Bedouin watering holes to refresh their supply of drinking water as they went. Their no frills, grassroots approach to adventure has paid off, as they were able to make the crossing in a completely self supported way.

While out in the desert, neither Alastair or Leon shared much about their experience. Now that they are home however, that is likely to change. Look for updates to both men's blogs to find out what it was like for them on this amazing adventure.

Congratulations to both Alastair and Leon for a job well done. Now get home in time for the holidays boys.

Rowing the Ganges

 

Earlier in the year I ran a series of videos that were told the story of a team of rowers who navigated the length of the Mississippi River in a 32-foot, handmade York boat. That project was led by Brett Rogers, who had previously spent 100 days on Canada's Yukon River as well. Now, Brett is off on yet another river adventure, this time exploring the mystical and legendary Ganges River in India.

At 2525 km (1569 miles) in length, the Ganges is the longest river in India and the most densely populated in the world. Starting in the Himalaya and flowing southward to the Bay of Bengal, the Ganges is second only to the Amazon in terms of water output. It is listed amongst the most polluted waterways in the world as well, which is startling considering the number of people that live along its banks. Perhaps most importantly of all however is its significance to the Hindu religion, which sees the river as the embodiment of the goddess Ganga, providing them with their daily needs.

Brett and his three man crew, which consists of Matt Telford, Cliff Quinn and Doug Copping, arrived in India a few days back and they have been preparing to embark on their ten-day journey ever since. The team has been posting updates, including some fantastic photos, to Brett's blog over the past few days and are now getting close to launching their boat. They anticipate getting underway on Friday and documenting the expedition as they go.

Judging from his past work, the real treat will likely come when Brett produces videos of this journey. His "Old Man River" series about the Mississippi were fantastic, with beautiful imagery and a compelling story. I suspect we'll eventually see something similar about the Ganges, but we'll just have to wait for the post-expedition updates to arrive. For now though, it should be fun to follow along with the journey and learn more about this amazing part of the world.

Journalist plans round the world trip... On foot!!

Journalist Paul Salopek is preparing to set off on an amazing journey that he expects to take roughly seven years to complete. Along the way he'll be covering more than 22,000 miles (35,400 km) almost entirely on foot, as he attempts to trace the route that our earliest ancestors took as they migrated away from Africa and went out to settle the rest of the world. He calls this expedition the Out of Eden Walk.

The two-time Pulitzer Prize winning writer is planning to start his ambitious project in January when he'll set out on a grand trek from the Great Rift Valley in Ethiopia. The valley is the place where most scientists believe man had his origins, spending some time there before spreading out across the globe. After departing Africa, Salopek will then walk across the Middle East and Asia before hopping across the Pacific Ocean to Alaska. At that point, he'll already have covered thousands of miles and spent months on the road, but he'll hardly be finished yet. The next stage of the expedition will take him south all the way to Patagonia at the extreme end of South America.

Salopek says that this is a very personal project for him and he intends to tell numerous stories from the road, chronically the people that he meets and the places that he sees along the way. The list of topics he intends to cover while on this journey includes climate change, the impact of foreign aid from the west on various locations, cultural change in the 21st century and much more.

The Nieman Journalism Lab at Harvard posted a story about the journey earlier today garnering some insights into what Paul hopes to accomplish and what gear he expects to take with him when he gets underway. Amongst the items he'll be taking with him are a MacBook Air, cameras from GoPro and Sony, a handheld GPS unit and a satellite phone. Fairly standard gear for an expedition of just about any length.

This looks like it will be a fascinating journey to follow and it certainly will be long enough. I look forward to reading Salopek's reports from the road. I'm sure they'll be fantastic.

Running New Zealand: North to South

Next week, British ultra-runner Jez Bragg will set out on quite an expedition. Beginning December 12 (12-12-12), he'll attempt to set a speed record for running the length of New Zealand north to south. He expects the journey to take approximately 50 days to complete, covering some 3054 km (1898 miles) in the process.

Jez has dubbed his journey as The Long Pathway and daily coverage will begin soon. But this excellent infographic helps put the challenge into perspective. He'll begin in the extreme north of New Zealand at Cape Reinga on the North Island. From there, he'll follow the entire length of the Te Araroa trail, eventually ending in Bluff at the southernmost point of the South Island. According to the infographic, Bragg intends to cover approximately 60-80 km (37-49 miles), consuming 10 liters of water and 6000 calories per day.

Of course, not all of this route can be done on foot, as obviously there are a few water crossings that the Brit will have to deal with. That includes the Cook Strait, which separates the two islands. But Jez won't simply hop a ferry when he comes to these water crossing, but will instead use a kayak to continue his southerly journey. All told, he expect to paddle approximately 345 km (214 miles) across the length of the expedition. He also estimates that about 285 km (177 miles) will be done on roads, while the remaining 2424 km (1506 miles) will be on trail.

What a great challenge through an amazingly beautiful country. I'll be thinking of Jez tonight when I go for my evening run, which will only be about 5 miles in length and barely scratch the surface of what he's about to attempt. It should be fun to follow along. Watch for more updates on this epic run starting next week.

History maker

 

 The Last Desert ultramarathon is a tough six-stage, seven-day race that just wrapped up in Antarctica. One of its competitors, a 60-year old adventurer by the name of Len Stanmore managed to add yet another accomplishment to his already impressive resume. Len is now officially the first person to ski to both the North and South Pole, climb all of the Seven Summits and run each of the 4 Deserts ultras. That's quite a bit of adventure for one lifetime.

Len's adventurous life actually began back in 1998, when he sold off his successful telecommunications company and suddenly found himself financially secure and with plenty of time on his hands. A bit out of shape and looking for ways to motivate himself, he decided to set a goal for climbing Kilimanjaro and in 2001 he did just that. After that he was hooked, and soon found himself pursuing a host of other active endeavors including running in the Transrockies run and numerous marathons, in addition to the expeditions mentioned above.

Perhap's Len's greatest achievement falls in the realm of fund raising for his favorite charity. At the end of the Last Desert, he'll have raised more than $100,000 for Trekking for Kids, an organization dedicated to improving orphanages around the globe through the use of purpose-driven, socially-conscious treks. The non-profit actually organizes some of the world's most iconic treks and sends hikers off on adventures as a way to raise funds for the cause. Some of those treks include hikes to Everest Base Camp, up Kilimanjaro and through the Andes of Peru.

According to the official results of the Last Desert, Stanmore has finished 31st of 49 competitors, putting him right in the thick of the pack. But considering he adventurous outlook on life and approach to raising funds for a good cause, I'd say he more than finished out front. You definitely have to respect a person who has found a way to enjoy their life and pursue all of these great adventures, while still finding a way to give back in the process. We should all be so fortunate.

British man visits every country without flying!

A British man has earned the distinction of becoming the first person to visit every nation on the planet without flying. 33-year old Graham Hughes says that he has spent the better part of the past four years traveling the globe to accomplish this feat, ending his quest by crossing into the Earth's newest country, South Sudan, a few days ago.

Hughes says that his journey began on January 1, 2009 in Uruguay. Since then he has spent 1426 days traveling almost non-stop, visiting 201 countries in the process. In addition to visiting all 193 members of the United Nations, he has also dropped by the Vatican, Kosovo, Taiwan, Palestine and the Western Sahara.



Graham had four rules for how he would travel. In addition to not flying anywhere, he also vowed to not drive his own vehicle either. He could only take scheduled ground transportation and his definition of visiting a country meant that he had to step foot on dry land.

The world traveler says that visiting places like Afghanistan, Iraq and Somalia, while dangerous, were actually quite easy. Because those countries lack proper border controls, it was easy to sneak into them. Thats in contrast to Russia for instance, where he was arrested while crossing the border. He was also tossed into a jail in the Congo for a week as well. The hardest places to visit? Those would be the tiny island nations of the South Pacific, which are difficult to reach by anything other than an aircraft.
Hughes undertook this journey to raise funds for WaterAid, an organization dedicated to finding clean drinking water for developing parts of the world. He also apparently has stockpiled quite a few photos from his journey.

As someone who absolutely loves to visit the remote corners of the globe, I have to say I'm a bit jealous of Graham's travels. But then again, he was also knocking off countries at a surprising pace (133 in 2009 alone!) which doesn't really allow for someone to get a true taste of the culture. While he has had the opportunity to visit some amazing places, I have to imagine that he doesn't remember much about many of them nor did he really get the opportunity to enjoy many of them either. I do love that he traveled over land however, as that experience is unlike any other.

Swisse Mark Webber Tasmania challenge

 

The 2012 adventure racing season isn't finished quite yet. On Wednesday of this week, the Swisse Mark Webber Tasmania challenge will get underway, pitting some of the best endurance athletes in the world against one another on five-day stage race that will cover more than 350 km (217 miles) of Australian wilderness.

Like most other adventure races, the Tasmania Challenge pits teams of two or three against one another on a wilderness course that they will need to run, mountain bike and paddle through. Other challenges will crop up on a daily basis as well, pushing racers to their limit by testing their skills at navigation, climbing and a variety of other activities. And since this is a stage race, each of the five days will have a clearly defined start and finish line, which makes it easier for fans to follow along at home. Look for live tracking and regular updates from each stage to begin appearing on the race website on Wednesday.

The race is put on by F1 driver Mark Webber, who also happens to be a big fan of adventure racing. It is designed to be used as a fund raiser for charities in Australia and 100% of the proceeds generated from the race are given to those causes. This year the money will go to the Save the Tasmanian Devil Appeal, a group dedicated to helping find a cure to a rare strain of transferrable cancer that afflicts that species.

All the action gets underway on Wednesday morning local time and runs through Sunday when a champion is crowned.

Streets of Afghanistan

 

 

On her most recent trip to Afghanistan in late October, human rights advocate Shannon Galpin returned a bit of the nation’s own culture. In a series of life-size photographs, the Colorado resident delivered artistic expressions of the Afghan people so often shrouded behind the vail of 40 years of conflict. Working to improve the health and safety of women and girls, Galpin, director of the nonprofit Mountain2Mountain, aims to provide a positive vision of beauty to contradict the violent images that typically come to mind whenever we think of Central Asia.

 

Photograph by Tony Di Zinno

With a small team of photographers and filmmakers, Galpin set up in the city of Kabul an exhibition called the “Streets of Afghanistan.” Shots taken by photographers that include Tony Di Zinno, Beth Wald, Paula Bronstein, Najibullah Musafer, and others make up a traveling display that can now be seen by the very people it depicts.

Honored as one of our ten2013 Adventurers of the Year 2013, Galpin led a unique expedition into a region still plagued by terrorists’ bombs. Shortly after completing the first installation at the Darlumon Palace Galpin shared her thoughts on the project.

Photograph courtesy Tony Di Zinno

According to Galpin, The goal was, first, to bring the images that capture the beauty and spirit of this country back to Afghanistan to show among the Afghans themselves in a series of exhibitions that are outside in the streets and public places. It’s a chance for the Afghans to appreciate art and perhaps instill some pride in the beauty and soul of their country.

Second, I wanted to show the world that you can do things like this in a country like Afghanistan. That art, and street art in particular, isn’t off limits because of ongoing conflict—in fact its perhaps even more important to inspire, ignite conversation, and instill pride and a sense of community.
Just because its a war zone where daily violence occurs doesn’t mean its not also a country of real people going about their daily lives. The view we get in the media of Afghanistan—of war and conflict and poverty isn’t the story of this place—its simply the backdrop on which all the stories occur.

Photograph courtesy Tony Di Zinno

The biggest challenge is funding—the broken record of raising funds to pay for the enormous costs of production for life-size photographs is huge. But these images begged to be big—a gallery-size print wasn’t going to engage the viewer in the same way. I wanted a street-art public installation, not a gallery exhibit. It was also logistically and financially challenging to get the exhibition to Afghanistan. Twenty-nine bags to be driven to Denver airport in three trucks, enormous baggage fees to be paid, and the hope that all 29 bags would arrive through three airports and two flight cancellations on the other side at Kabul. Our duct tape was confiscated in Dubai, and the Kabul customs agents tried to get me to pay a “tax.” But hey, I knew it wouldn’t be a cakewalk.

Photograph courtesy Tony Di Zinno

The founding ethos of Mountain2Mountain five years ago was based on the idea connecting communities and cultures—and photography is a powerful way to do that. I hope that people back home realize that change is possible in a country that many have written off.

That Afghanistan is more than what we see in the media, that it is beautiful, and its citizens have hope and the same wishes for their lives and families that we do. We cannot turn our attention away from a country if we can connect to its people and their spirit. We are more similar than we are different.
 

 

Blind Adventurer Trains for His Scariest Challenge

Erik Weihenmayer stood on a concrete berm above a gushing crest of white water and cocked his head slightly. “Sounds gnar,” he said. He was referring to the ear-bone-rattling roar surrounding him, the sound of 536,000 gallons of water spewing each second through six industrial pumps at the US National Whitewater Centre.

Weihenmayer, considered among the most accomplished blind athletes in the world, is perhaps best known for being the first person without sight to climb to the summit of Mount Everest. But his accomplishments extend to other extreme sports, including ice climbing, solo sky-diving and paragliding. Now he wants to add kayaking, and he is gravely aware of the challenges. 
      

“I think blind kayaking is a different sport than a sighted person kayaking because you rely on your eyes so much,” he said. “I’m trying to feel what’s under my boat and what’s under my paddle, and to use my ears, and everything is happening so quickly. Without eyes it’s like sensory overload.”

       

Weihenmayer, 44, has come to the white-water center to train with Robert Raker, a friend and a paddling coach, and to master the necessary techniques to navigate a small plastic boat over a moving mountain of white water. If the training goes well, Weihenmayer said he will attempt to descend the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, one of the nation’s most challenging stretches of river. It is a feat no blind person has attempted. 

 

Along with Raker, Weihenmayer is being instructed by two Olympic paddlers, Casey Eichfeld, a member of the United States team who competed in men’s slalom canoe at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, and Pablo McCandless, a member of the Chilean Olympic kayaking team who competed in Beijing in 2008.

       

“It’s amazing to watch him progress,” said McCandless, who has been helping Weihenmayer hone his combat roll, perhaps a kayaker’s most critical skill, and one regularly employed by the best kayakers. The combat roll is a move kayakers use to right themselves if their kayak capsizes. McCandless is also teaching him how to perform a draw stroke, a technique that helps a paddler navigate using the water’s momentum.

 

“Just for a sighted person, there are so many variables that go into what he’s doing. This takes it all to a completely new level,” McCandless said. 

      

Unlike many of the nation’s rivers, where dangers lurk below the surface of the water, like rocks and logs that can snag a foot and hold a person underwater, the white-water center provides kayakers a safe environment to paddle the rapids of an artificial recirculating river. The United States Olympic canoe and kayak team trains here.

“The rapids are very consistent, and so you can go through them one after the next and you can keep doing it all day long until you’re exhausted,” Weihenmayer said. “It makes white water accessible in a way that, knock on wood, it’s not going to kill you.” 

      

The Grand Canyon will offer no such luxuries. Considered one of the world’s premier white water spots, the run has boulders the size of small cars that can create waves up to 15 feet high. While Weihenmayer and his team will be accompanied by a raft, ample supplies and a satellite phone to reach the National Park Service rangers, the team will be essentially cut off from civilization for almost three weeks as they make the descent. 

      

“There are some places where you can’t even use a satellite phone,” Weihenmayer said. “Communication throughout the trip is going to be very spotty.” He added, “This is 10 times scarier than the scariest thing I’ve ever done, and I’ve done some pretty scary things.” 

      

Although he is probably best known for his ascent of Mount Everest in 2001, and subsequent successful efforts of scaling the tallest peaks on all the continents, known as the Seven Summits, many of his other accomplishments, while less publicized, are perhaps more impressive.

       

“I think some of the ice climbs he’s done are the most impressive because technically and athletically, they are far more challenging than doing Everest,” Raker said. Indeed, in 2008 Weihenmayer scaled a 3,000-foot ice waterfall in the Himalayas called Losar. 

      

“Everest is a huge, respectable accomplishment,” said Conrad Anker, a mountaineer who has also scaled Losar. “For most people that would be their lifetime achievement.”

Record breaker Sandy

Hurricane Sandy has already broken dozens of records, from the lowest air pressure reading ever recorded in the Northeast to the highest storm surge on record in Lower Manhattan. After reviewing wave height data, the National Weather Service office in Philadelphia has determined that the wave heights recorded at two buoys — including one monster 32.5-foot wave at a buoy near the entrance to New York Harbor — set records for the largest waves seen in this region since such records began in 1975.



 One of the buoys is located near the entrance to New York Harbor, about 15 nautical miles southeast of Breezy Point, N.Y., which sustained heavy damage from a merciless combination of coastal flooding and a fire that spread out of control. The harbor entrance buoy recorded a 32.5 foot tall wave at 8:50 p.m. on October 29, beating the previous record set during Hurricane Irene by 6.5 feet. Records at that buoy extend only to 2008, which minimizes the historical significance of the record somewhat.

The other buoy that set a wave height record is located 30 nautical miles south of Islip, Long Island, and during the evening of October 29, the wave heights at that location built to a maximum height of 31 feet. That was the highest seen at that location since that buoy began operation in 1975 and exceeded the previous record of 30 feet, which was set during a fierce nor’easter on Dec. 11, 1992.

Hurricane Sandy, which made landfall as a post-tropical storm near Atlantic City on October 30, had an extraordinarily expansive tropical storm-force wind field that extended nearly 1,000 miles from the center of the storm. That enabled it to churn the sea into a frenzy, building massive waves that battered the coastlines of New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut.

According to Jeff Masters of Weather Underground, since 1988 only one tropical storm and no hurricane has had a larger area of tropical storm-force winds. “Most incredibly, 10 hours before landfall, the total energy of Sandy’s winds of tropical storm-force and higher peaked at 329 terajoules — the highest value for any Atlantic hurricane since at least 1969. This is 2.7 times higher than Katrina’s peak energy, and is equivalent to five Hiroshima-sized atomic bombs,”

At The Battery in Lower Manhattan, the water level, driven by these strong winds, reached a record 13.88 feet above the average low tide level, which included a surge component of 9.23 feet. That set an all-time record for the location.

Sandy Hook, N.J., which is a spit of land that juts into the Atlantic pointing toward New York City from the extreme northeastern part of the state, also saw record coastal flooding during Sandy. The water level there rose to 13.31 feet above the average low tide level. Or to put it another way, the water level at Sandy Hook rose to 8.1 feet above the average high-tide line.

Celebrating World Responsible Tourism Day 2012

Let’s get serious for a moment. Okay? Are you with me?

We tell you a lot about Africa’s luxury lodges, wild adventures and tasty food. But today is World Responsible Tourism Day (which it is every day for us…) and we’ll be switching to matters of the earth. About protecting it. And we don’t mean just hugging a tree.

This year, the World Travel Market, sponsored by BBC World News, is in London and includes three days (6-8 November) of debates and events dedicated to creating a new way of thinking about tourism and developing it further in a greener, more responsible direction. It aims to be the most comprehensive, thought-provoking agenda on responsible tourism on the planet. With pressures mounting from a growth in environmental disasters, a lack of fresh water and increasing poverty… it’s a much needed agenda.

Africa’s most precious tourism resources are our wildlife and landscapes. We need to protect these resources, not only for future generations but for the future of the tourism industry in Africa. While tourism can impact negatively on the environment, through the construction of safari lodges and activities such as game drives and helicopter flips, our goal is to find ways to minimise that impact and ensure that the benefits of tourism for communities and for conservation outweigh any negative effects.



From the wild waters of the Okavango to the dunes of the Namibian desert, from eco-friendly city hotels to private wildlife reserves in the bush, tourism done responsibly can create positive change.

Move Over, Mexico: The Maya in Central America

When most people think of the Maya, their minds jump immediately to Mexico, but this ancient civilization exerted profound influence throughout Central America.

As a native of El Salvador, I’m here to take you on the ultimate cultural journey through the Maya of Central America — from places that were inhabited more than 10,000 years ago, to Maya cities built at the time of Christ, to modern towns that celebrate their ancient heritage in unexpected ways.

El Salvador

Los Izalcos: Los Izalcos is a mountainous region and major cacao producer in pre-Columbian times. Today, coffee that moves the local economy. The towns of Izalco, Nahuizalco, Apaneca and Juayua all have ancient roots — and the combination of native and Christian beliefs is celebrated by the largely indigenous communities with dances and festivals honoring local history. Apaneca is also well known for great culinary traditions. I recommend ordering up a round of tamales and some atol de elote (sweet-corn milk drink) or chocolate caliente (Spanish-style hot chocolate) for an afternoon treat.

Cerro Verde and Lake Coatepeque: A short distance from the Izalcos is a great volcanic region. I recommend heading to Cerro Verde National Park, where you’ll find a lookout that provides a fantastic panoramic view of Izalco Volcano – a now-dormant stratovolcano that was formed in the 1770s and continually erupted for two hundred years — and an impressive orchid garden. From Cerro Verde, head to Lake Coatepeque (Snake Mountain in Nahuatl). The road that connects the sites circumnavigates the volcano’s magnificent crater.

San Andres: Jump on the Pan-American Highway east of Coatepeque to reach the Zapotitan Valley. This fertile basin, spanning between the Santa Ana and San Salvador volcanoes, contains two must-see archaeological sites. The first is the Archaeological Park of San Andrés, where you will find stepped pyramids, an acropolis, and a large ceremonial plaza. The local museum provides insight into archaeological investigations at the site, while an indigo-processing plant that operates within the park’s limits provides a glimpse into Conquest-period Maya. Did you know indigo used to be worth more than gold?

Joya de Ceren: Not far from San Andres is one of the best-preserved archaeological sites in all of the Americas, Joya de Cerén. Discovered by a tractor driver while clearing land, this site presents impressive adobe structures — including an almost intact Temazcalli (sweat-bath), community house, and several other domestic structures — that help paint a picture of what life was like in a Maya community at around 500 A.D. Visit the site museum to experience the fantastic story of the investigation and see some of the pottery that has been found in the area.



Guatemala

Esquipulas: This eastern Guatemalan city has always been important to Maya communities that venerated Ek Chuah, the god of traveling merchants, who is commonly depicted as black or surrounded by that color. But by the late 16th century, when the Spaniards had defeated local armies and Esquipulas began to emerge as a center of Catholic spirituality, Quirio Cataño was commissioned to design a sculpture of Christ on the cross for the local basilica. The wood used in the statue mysteriously darkened over the years, eventually taking on supernatural significance. Four hundred years later, the Black Christ of Esquipulas continues to play an important part in Central American spirituality, itself a unique blend of indigenous and Catholic rituals. On January 15 each year, the site becomes a major pilgrimage site for thousands of worshipers who come to pay tribute to the Black Christ by entering the basilica barefoot, lighting candles, and bringing baskets of corn for the miraculous one.



Antigua: Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was founded by the Spanish in the early 16th century, and remains a lively city with restaurants, shops, and some of the best preserved examples of colonial architecture in Central America (at least those that have survived in this earthquake-prone region). While Antigua does have its colonial charm, it is the colorful people (and the amazing climate of the sleepy town) that make this place special. Be sure to visit the old church at the center of town and the local market which is frequented by many Maya who still live nearby. The colorful attire of the Maya has changed little in millennia, and the color arrangements are particular to the many communities.

Tikal: Tikal was a capital of the Maya world in ancient times, and it’s easy to believe when you’re confronted with the thousands of massive pyramids, plazas, temples, and dwellings that remain today. One of the largest archaeological sites of pre-Columbian Maya civilization, Tikal was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979. The city is so impressive it could take weeks to explore, but before you leave, climb to the top of a steep facade and witness the Petén rainforest jungle in its awesome beauty all around you.

California’s Despised Adventure Pass

Public land activists continue to try and chip away at various Forest Service fees, most recently with a lawsuit challenging the agency’s Southern California adventure pass.

In September, a similar lawsuit was filed challenging the agency’s practice of letting private companies that operate Forest Service campgrounds charge fees for adjacent day-use areas.
Four hikers have gone to court claiming the pass program is not authorized under federal laws that set strict limits on where and when fees can be charged for use of public lands. The Adventure Pass program requires forest visitors to display a permit on their vehicle when they park on the Angeles, Cleveland, Los Padres, and San Bernardino National Forests, even when they do not use any developed facilities.

In the civil suit filed October 24, Alasdair Coyne and Richard Fragosa, both of Ojai, John Karevoll of Running Springs, and Peter Wiechers of Kernville are asking the Los Angeles District Court for relief from having to pay a fee just to go for a hike in many popular parts of the four forests.

A similar fee on the Coronado National Forest in Arizona was struck down in February by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco. Writing for the unanimous three-judge panel, Judge Robert Gettleman said, “Everyone is entitled to enter national forests without paying a cent.” That decision is binding in nine western states, including California, but the Forest Service has not yet made any changes to its Adventure Pass fee program, which is one of the largest in the nation.
“It should now be possible to go for a hike in your local forest without having to risk a ticket if you don’t pay an access fee,” says plaintiff Alasdair Coyne, Conservation Director of Keep Sespe Wild, a Los Padres watershed organization based in Ojai. “Eight months after the Arizona court ruling is quite enough time for the Forest Service to bring their other local fee programs into compliance. The Forest Service is not above the law.”

Recreation fees on federal land are governed by the 2004 Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, or REA. Fees are authorized under the REA for use of campgrounds and day use sites that meet certain minimum requirements, but fees are prohibited for some activities, even where those requirements are met.

The activities for which fees are prohibited include parking, passing through without use of facilities and services, camping in dispersed undeveloped areas, and general access.
Under the fee program, most of the revenues stay at the site where they are collected. The Forest Service uses the money to maintain and manage the areas. Agency officials say the fee program helps bolster recreation budgets, which in some cases have suffered as money is diverted to firefighting and forest health programs.

The hikers challenging the Adventure Pass are represented by public interest attorneys Matt Kenna of Durango, Colorado, and René Voss of San Anselmo, California, with support from the Colorado-based Western Slope No-Fee Coalition.

“The 9th Circuit ruling is quite clear that forest visitors who don’t use developed facilities can’t be charged a fee,” said Western Slope No-Fee Coalition president Kitty Benzar. “Yet fee signage across southern California’s four National Forests, as well as information on the Adventure Pass website, says you must pay just to park your car to access trails, rivers, lakes, and undeveloped backcountry. People are being intimidated into paying illegal fees under threat of federal prosecution. We are confident this lawsuit will put a stop to that.”

The Forest Service has 60 days in which to respond to the lawsuit.

Outdoor Tips: Building a Cooking Fire

 

Cooking fresh caught fish or a hearty stew over an open fire is one of those iconic, idealized images about the outdoors. It’s envisioned right along with other traditional, cowboy movie-esque things like sleeping under the stars and riding on horseback. But when it comes to actually cooking food efficiently and effectively, open fire cooking usually just isn’t the way to go. Cooking by coals is actually a much better, more easily controlled way to heat your food on a camping trip. Use these basic tips to learn how to build a fire that cooks faster and with less effort than an open flame.

Start with a regular old fire

Any outdoor adventurer worth his or her salt knows the basics of fire building. Start with thin, quick burning tinder, stack some wood in a way that allows for plenty of oxygen, and light it up. Remember, this fire won’t actually be used for cooking. Once it’s lit, its job is to supply you with the fuel for a good cooking fire: hot coals. A good coal-supplying fire should consist of small sticks as opposed to large logs. They take considerably less time to break down into usable coals.

Dig a separate pit while you wait

Though it doesn’t take a lot of effort to make a coal-based fire for cooking, it is certainly a time consuming process. Use the time you spend waiting for hot coals to form making a separate pit where the coals can go. Start by digging a small, shallow hole. Then, surround the hole with medium to large sized rocks, which will serve to contain your cooking fire. If you have loads of time on your hands, another option is to simply let the fire burn down until only coals are left. With this method, you’ll be able to use the original fire pit.

When the coals are ready, it’s time to get cooking

Whether you’re moving coals from the fire pit to a separate coal pit or just rearranging them, a long metal grilling utensil is required. The coals are much hotter than any other part of the fire, and will immediately ignite any stick or branch you try to arrange them with. When the coals are placed so that there’s an even and concentrated layer, put a small grate over them. With that, you’re ready to start making the meal.

For great tasting food in the outdoors, nothing beats a good cooking fire. While it won’t do much to keep you warm on chilly nights – it will definitely make cooking high quality camping grub a lot easier. Once you get that cooking fire burning, all that’s left is to put on the food, gather your camping buddies, and get to munching!

Antartica 2012

The official start of the 2012 Antarctic season remains on stand-by this week as ALE waits for a clear weather window to begin shuttling visitors to the frozen continent. Their first scheduled flight was set to take place this past Saturday, but as is often the case, the weather dictates when those flights can truly begin. Elsewhere in the region, other teams are making progress on their expeditions however as they travel on foot through some of the most remote places on the planet.

Aaron Lnsdau is the only explorer waiting to launch a ski expedition to the South Pole at moment and considering his objectives, it is easy to understand why he is eager to get started. Aaron plans to make a round-trip journey from Hercules Inlet to the Pole and back again, covering approximately 1430 miles (2300 km) in the process. That journey is expected to take roughly 90 days to complete, so any lengthy delays to his start may cost him at the end.

According to his Twitter, high winds at the Union Glacier camp are preventing his departure at the moment, so he'll wait in Punta Arenas for word on when it is safe to go. The flight from Chile to Union Glacier is a long one and conditions have to be right on both ends before ALE's big Ilyushin aircraft will take off. The runway at Union Glacier has been completed however, making it possible for the planes to safely get in and out for the season ahead. All of Aaron's gear is packed, weighed and stowed, so all the pieces are in place and it is now simply a waiting game.
Also in Punta Arenas are the Lake Ellsworth research team who are busy organizing their gear and planning for their own expedition. They'll head to Antarctica on a later flight for a project that involves drilling through 3km (1.8 miles) of ice to reach a subglacial lake. They hope to collect samples from the water their to determine what life forms exist in the water, which has been buried for thousands of years. They also hope that their research will provide insights into what climate was like on the continent prior to it drifting to the far southern end of the planet.

Over on South Georgia Island, the Baffin babes are steaming right along, despite experiencing their hardest day yet yesterday. It's was near white-out conditions for much of the time that they were skiing, which made it a challenge to navigate through a dangerous crevasse field. The ladies, who we followed as they crossed Baffin Island on skis a few years back, are now attempting to accomplish the same feat on South Georgia. They've been underway for a week and a half now and have experienced quite a few encounters with penguins, reindeer and other wildlife on the remote island.

Also preparing to get underway soon will be Mike O'Shea and Clare O'Leary, who are attempting to ski across the remote North Patagonian Icecap. They're currently in Chile and making their way to the starting point, which requires taking a bus and traveling on boats, riding on horses for a few days and even ice climbing on the glacier. And that is just to get to the point where they can officially begin! Updates should begin soon.

That's all for now. Stay tuned for more updates once the planes start flying to Union Glacier. Also expect more teams to be added to the list of explorers going to the South Pole. This is a fairly skimpy number thus far, but there are others who are planning on making that journey but just haven't departed for Chile just yet. More soon!

Hurricane Sandy in pictures

Our hearts go out to everyone affected by Hurricane Sandy.

I have scoured the web for some pictures to show the devastation this storm has had.....






The HMS Bounty sinking. 14 crew members were rescued, one died, and one, the captain, is still missing.

Biking through Bolivia

One of the most famous things for tourists to do in Bolivia is taking a mountain bike down the old highway from La Paz to Coroico. A couple years ago, it was the only road down to Coroico, but after countless tragedies due to its narrow width and at times 600 meter almost vertical drop to the valley bottom A US group lent the money necessary to construct a large, much safer route. This has eased up a lot of traffic and allowed the tourism to take off for thrill seekers.



Most tours start at La Cumbre (The summit) of the mountain pass (4700 meters or just under 16 000 feet), where you speed down the actively used highway dodging cars and buses (and hoping they dodge you). The views are spectacular in this part with towering mountains all around (over 5000 meters), old stone walled homesteads and the occasional waterfall.

After a quick break and opportunity to pay your entrance fee (b$25 or $3.50 US) for road maintenance you jump back in the bus for a short uphill drive before heading off into the death road itself.



The death road, or "The World's most dangerous road" isn't as dangerous for bicycles as it was/is for cars... but it is still not something to take lightly. There have been 18 deaths of cyclists on the road since 1995, and the day before we headed down, a 2012 4x4 had gone over the edge trying to pass in relatively dry conditions. A quick search for "Bolivia death road" on youtube is not recommended for the faint of heart as countless results come back of car accidents along the road.

There are a number of companies going down the road, including B-side adventures the company I went with a few weeks ago. They charge anywhere from $60 to $100 depending on the company, but you get what you pay for. I saw a cheaper group heading down with only basic helmets and old school bikes. In contrast the more expensive ones include full face helmets, knee and elbow pads, full suspension and disc brakes, and b-side takes both photos and videos (low res) of the event which it offers free of charge to its clients. Oh and pretty much all companies offer a shirt to those who complete the trip. It's a good idea to check Lonely Planet's guide as it will give you a good idea of who to check out.

A couple things to ask the companies are if the bikes are full or front suspension, disc or standard brakes, if pads are included, if the helmets are full or partial, do they take photos and provide them after the fact? oh and possibly most importantly do they bring extra bikes or tubes in case there are problems. I really like b-side, except for the fact that they didn't provide extra bikes. I was fine, but 1 other person got a flat (which they fixed) and another had his pedals freeze up. The guides did switch bikes, but it would have been a downer for me for sure! I did send them an email with my suggestions which they graciously received. We'll have to see if they implement my suggestions.

If you're a thrill seeker and know how to pedal a bike you should definitely consider this trip if you're in the country.

Moon mining?

Who would think that the lunar landings in the 1960's and 1970's by NASA would pave the way for one of the way for possibly one of the biggest conflicts ever to be seen, and it hasn't happened yet? This is the chase to find a secure, reliable and clean energy sources to feed the power thirsty nations on earth.

Governments around the world are looking to alternative sources of energy. Secure, clean, less waste and of course the reduction in carbon emissions that is the catalyst of climate change. Nuclear power is seen as a reliable source of energy and the chosen option for future power generation. Despite the enthusiasm for nuclear energy as a carbon-zero energy source, there are still issues around radiation, safety, uranium minig, ad nuclear weapons through enrichment. Waste and decommissioning nuclear plants is a major problem, costing millions of pounds in decommissioning and nuclear waste buried for hundreds of years underground.

For decades scientists have been trying to make nuclear power from nuclear fusion. Nuclear fusion makes use of the same energy source that fuels stars, including our sun. This process doesn't produce the radioactivity and nuclear waste, as would be found in nuclear power stations, as this process if different, and known as nuclear fission. One source of raw material to make nuclear fusion is helium-3. Helium-3 is different from other helium gasses, it is a lighter isotope and when it fuses with other nuclei it releases energy with no radioactive waste. The energy stored in helium-3 is 10times the amount of energy found in fossil fuels.

Helium-3 has been emitted by our sun for billions of years and is carried by solar winds, but Earth has a magnetic field that deflects these particles away, so the only helium-3 found on earth is from bi-products of nuclear weapons and this is extremely scarce. The moon however, has been continuously bombarded with helium-3 particles for billions of years. It is estimated that the moon has an abundance of helium-3 in the region of 1million tonnes. The estimated price of helium-3 is £4.5billion per tonne. It is estimated that to power the earth for a year would only take only 100 tonnes, so we have a potential clean power source for 10,000 years.

The process will be very expensive and require billions of pounds of investment. The extracting and refining of helium-3 will require new technologies, as the material is low in concentrations in the lunar surface. Around one million tonnes of lunar soil will be needed to mined and processed for every tonne of helium-3. There will also need to be new nuclear power stations to take the helium-3 material.

Over recent times there has been an increasing number of global powers and emerging market economies announcing plans to enter the space race, many announcing plans to visit the moon; India, China, Russia, USA to name a few all accelerating plans for visits to outer space and the moon. How will global powers cooperate with such a precious raw material that could answer all of our future energy needs?

Helium-3 will deliver nuclear energy that is clean, safe, carbon-zero and take away the threat of enrichment for nuclear weapons. In 2009 the US government commissioned a document into mining helium-3 and policy options. It is clear in this document that alleviating conflict and discontent with nations was a major concern to the US administration. The report concluded that international space laws fail to establish rules governing mining, ownership and exploration of helium-3. Will profit, politics, power all come before the needs for cooperation and collaboration? Providing affordable clean power for the developed world is key but ensuring developing nations and third world economies are not forced even further into energy poverty. Conflict will come, controversy and disruption, as power-greed nations seek to monopolise our lunar surface.

Warm relations between the DRC and South Africa

President Jacob Zuma and Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila have met to strengthen existing relations between the two countries at the 8th Session of the Bi-National Commission.



The meeting of the two Heads of State, which took place on Tuesday, was preceded by a ministerial meeting on Monday and a senior officials' meeting at the weekend.
During their discussions, the two Presidents reviewed a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues.

They expressed great satisfaction at the warm and special relations that exist between the two countries and committed themselves to further enhance these relations for the mutual benefit of their respective countries and peoples.
The two countries cooperate in several projects covering various fields, including security sector reform, infrastructure development, capacity and institutional building, humanitarian and social matters.

Both President Zuma and President Kabila reiterated their commitment to strengthen economic relations by enhancing cooperation between the business communities of the two countries and by increasing bilateral trade and investment.
They also witnessed the signing of a co-operation agreement between PetroSA and Cohydro. This important agreement will establish a strategic cooperation in the activities of pre-exploration, exploration, development and production of hydrocarbons for the benefit of the two countries.
The agreement adds to the already wide legal instruments within which cooperation between the two countries takes place.

In this regard, South Africa's Investment and Trade Initiative (ITI) was regarded as an important platform to achieve this goal. In the same vein, both countries agreed to encourage people-to-people contacts through cultural, scientific and educational exchange programmes and tourism.
The two Presidents also took the opportunity to reflect extensively on the ongoing security instability in the eastern part of the DRC.

In this regard, the two condemned in the strongest possible terms those forces that are involved in destabilising a sovereign state and called on them to cease these activities immediately.
They also committed their respective governments to the regional efforts that are aimed at assisting the Government of the DRC to deal with this challenge.

On regional issues, the two leaders exchanged views on the prevailing political, economic and security situation in the region. In this context, the two re-affirmed their commitment to work together in pursuit of regional economic integration.

On continental and international issues, the two expressed their commitment to African unity and integration within the framework of the Constitutive Act of the African Union.
They further reiterated their common view on the need to reform the multilateral institutions including the United Nations Security Council and the Brettonwoods Institutions to better represent the interests of the developing countries.

On behalf of the Congolese delegation and the people of the DRC, President Kabila thanked Zuma, the government and the people of the South Africa for the warm welcome and hospitality accorded to his delegation.

Explore Wolkberg

Hikers and outdoor adventurers are always looking for challenging journeys to test their fitness levels and their skills. Carving new routes and making their own trails is every hikers dream, and thus the Wolkberg Wilderness Area in the Limpopo Province is a very popular destination for serious hikers.

Due to its location near Haenertsburg, the Wolkberg Wilderness Area incorporates parts of the Strydpoort Mountain ranges and the famous Drakensberg. It is a destination that offers remote camping sites, the ultimate natural expedition and tranquility that cannot be experienced anywhere else in the country.

The most important point to be noted regarding the Wolkberg Wilderness Area is that it is only for very experienced hikers. The terrain is rugged with no clear trails and the landscape consists of mountains, dense forest areas, cliffs, water streams and valleys, making it an ultimate survival challenge. Hikers take along their own tents, food, water supplies and utensils, because after they have left the Sarala Forest Station there are no facilities, it is just the hikers and Mother Nature. Even though this area is treacherous and challenging, it is worth the effort.

Hikers are able to marvel at forests filled with wild fig and peach trees, view massive untouched yellowwood trees and cool off in the clear waters of the waterfalls. There is also a wonderful selection of wildlife to be seen, such as mountain reedbuck, samango monkeys, leopards, vervet monkeys, brown hyena and duikers. Bird watching enthusiasts will also be able to view colorful species including the bat hawk, pearlbreasted swallow, hamerkop, crested falcon, lilac breasted roller and black eagle.

The Wolkberg Wilderness Area became a protect area in 1977 and covers approximately twenty-two thousand hectares. Rivers such as the Letsitele, Letaba and the Thabina are located within this breathtaking wilderness area. Landmark sites, including the Black Reef Series, provide unforgettable sights. Hikers are recommended to wear comfortable hiking gear and to pack additional food, as weather conditions do change and if they need to camp an extra night they should be prepared for it. Everyone is also reminded and requested to keep the Wolkberg Wilderness Area as pristine as it now is, and to respect nature and its beauty.

The top 7 canyons worldwide

Dear friends,

I found this great article recently and feel it must be shared. Enjoy



The Seven Summits are easy to decide: Pick the highest peak on each continent and, voila, you have your list. The “Seven Canyons”? Not so easy. Deepest? Sure, that could be fun. Largest? Well, you could estimate volume, but is that better than deepest? It’s not really worth the debate. Instead, we took a more aesthetic line and asked longtime Grand Canyon guide and world traveler Bruce Corey, owner of Canyon tough adventures, for his list of the seven “best” canyons in the world.

1. Colca Canyon, Peru



Twice as deep as the Grand Canyon (and at 13,650 feet deep touted as the world’s deepest, though it isn’t), Colca Canyon’s colorful 45-mile length is rife with cultural history, with Inca and pre-Inca settlement and indigenous peoples who maintain ancestral traditions. Its main attraction is the endangered Andean condor, which regularly float on thermals at close range to tourists, especially at the pass at Cruz del Condor, the edge of a 1,200-foot drop.

2. Copper Canyon, Mexico



The Barrancas del Cobre, six canyons formed by six rivers draining the western side of the Sierra Tarahumara, form a network larger and more complex than the Grand Canyon. Thousands of feet of elevation separate the canyons’ two ecosystems, a high alpine environment and a sub-tropical forest climate. The Tarahumara, the indigenous, natural ultramarathoners made famous in Christopher McDougall’s Born To Run, call Copper Canyon home. The Copper Canyon Railway, a 400-mile, 16-hour trip from Los Mochis to Chihuahua, climbs 8,000 feet over 36 bridges and through 87 tunnels on its breathtaking route.

3. Echidna Chasm, Australia



This sandstone joint in the Bungle Bungle Range in Western Australia’s Purnululu National Park is only a 1.5-mile walk from the parking lot. Its narrows slot down to six feet wide in spots, with 600-foot walls above, bouncing sunlight around to glow red and orange, making it a photographer’s dream.

4. Fish River Canyon, Namibia



At 1,800 feet deep, 100 miles long, and 18 miles wide, Fish River Canyon is the largest canyon in Africa and Namibia’s second-most popular tourist attraction (behind Etosha National Park). The Fish River Canyon Trail, a stout 54-mile hike along the Fish River, is one of the most popular in southern Africa.

5. Grand Canyon, United States



Probably the most famous canyon in the world (and one of the Seven Natural Wonders), the Grand Canyon receives five million visitors each year, mostly to the South Rim but plenty from boaters tackling the 12- to 18-day drip down the Colorado River, which cut the canyon over millions of years. At 6,000 feet deep, 277 miles long, and up to 18 miles wide, it’s not the world’s deepest or longest, but the view from either rim might be the most visually arresting (and accessible) in the world. Plus there’s two billion years of exposed geology visible by hiking the 4,400 feet from rim to river.

6. Verdon Gorge, France



The cool turquoise-green Verdon River cut this canyon in southeastern France (top photo, above), hailed as Europe’s most scenic canyon, 2,300 feet deep and 13 miles long. Rock climbers have developed more than 1,500 routes along the limestone walls of the gorge, and hikers, kayakers, and motorists visit this “Grand Canyon du Verdon,” close in proximity to the French Riviera.


7. Yarlung Tsangpo, Tibet/China



A lot of folks say the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon is the deepest canyon in the world, and it’s definitely longer than the U.S.’s Grand Canyon, making it one of the world’s largest. As it passes between the Namcha Barwa and Gyala Peri mountain ranges, it’s 16,000 feet deep, and explorations of the gorge by boaters have led to nicknaming the Yarlung Tsangpo “The Everest of Rivers” because of its harrowing conditions. A full descent of the gorge has yet to be completed, although a group of kayakers completed a bold descent of the upper gorge in 2002.

The Wildest Places in North America

 

If you’re looking for uninhabited and extensive wild places, North America isn’t a bad place to start. In fact, the two principal countries of the continent – the U.S. and Canada — have some of the most varied and well preserved outdoor areas in the world. From the ancient forests of the northern sections of the continent to the sweltering deserts in the southwest, you can experience almost every type of climate and geographic profile right within the boundaries of North America. Read on to find out some of the most undisturbed, naturally stunning spots to see.



Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. When you think of this northern U.S. state, the first thing that comes to mind is likely Detroit and the automotive industry. But on the northern side of Lake Michigan, a huge peninsula juts out from Wisconsin into the Great Lakes. Though it contains over 25 percent of Michigan’s total land area, roughly 3 percent of the state’s population makes their home there. Of course, there is good reason for this. Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is a very cold, very wild place. Lake effect snow drapes the heavily wooded area almost continuously for several months in the wintertime. In the summer, locals and tourists alike venture out onto the waters of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan in addition to the peninsula’s dense deciduous forests.

The Great Basin. Covering parts of Utah, Nevada, California, and even southern Oregon, the Great Basin is a large, mostly dry area in the rain shadow of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Aside from being very low in human population concentration, this vast expanse is far from barren. Unique plants like Junipers and Methuselah trees speckle the landscape. In addition, wildlife seen almost nowhere else – including wild mustangs, tarantulas, and a wide variety of exotic reptiles – inhabits the rocky basin. Outdoor adventurers who enjoy being truly “in the middle of nowhere” will likely find their ideal right here.

The Everglades. Tucked into the central portion of southern Florida, the Everglades are one of the last bastions of truly wild areas in the so-called “Lower 48”. Though typically associated with swampland, the Everglades also have wide areas of grass prairies and dense subtropical forests populated with many Mangrove trees. The area is notorious for some creepy critters, including water snakes and alligators. And though it’s not quite as well known, the Florida Everglades are also a haven for those seeking exotic birds and fish. For those who can stand the humidity, the Everglades offer a plethora of natural wonders.

The Pacific Northwest. Outdoor adventurers looking for a more temperate climate than deserts, swamps, or snowy forests might find themselves more comfortable in an area like the Pacific Northwest. The region includes Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia, and is known for its mountainous yet densely forested terrain. Because it lies on the Western side of the Rocky Mountains, it’s a very wet place – which allows for a wide range of plant and animal life to thrive there. Native species include wild salmon, river otters, and even the occasional wolf. So if you happen to be enjoying a trek through the Pacific Northwest’s forests, tread carefully.

Though recent population levels have been growing at exponential levels in North America, these spots remain nearly untouched by today’s standards. If it’s the pure, simple pleasure of being in the unadulterated outdoors that you’re seeking, these last few truly wild places on the continent will almost certainly satiate that desire.

Hoover dam Kayak adventure

Even adrenaline junkies need to relax from time to time.

For me there is nothing more relaxing than paddle boarding around on Lake Mead by the Hoover Dam. Feeling the sun on my face as the paddle board glides through the water is peaceful beyond words.

Crystal clear water allows you to see down twenty feet or more to the bottom. Seeing the fish swimming under me added to the whole package. They were in their own peaceful, relaxing place as I was in mine twenty feet above.

Peering down into the blue/green water and seeing a world that has beauty that reaches to the greatest depths was just as amazing as gazing at the towering rock over our head. The mountains that reach more than 300 feet towards the sky was a truly amazing site.

After sitting on the paddle board for a bit, Red, our tour guide,suggested we get a differ-ent vantage point by standing up. I was surprised to find out that the board was stable. I was a little shaky at first. But quickly got used the the motions of the water rocking the board gently back and forth. It was just as easy to stand up and paddle as it was to sit down. It was nice to have the option of standing and stretching my legs for a while.

After a couple hours of being out on the water we headed back to shore for lunch. We then had the option of snorkeling. For me it was a little to chilly out. I would love to go back when it is a little warmer to check out the underwater scene.

So, if you are looking for peace and quite in settings of great natural beauty or want physical challenges or adventure, paddle boarding is a versatile sport that can offer all of the above for all ages.

The charm of winter camping

If you appreciate the beauty of winter and have the appropriate gear, camping might be the best way to lose the crowds and celebrate the snowy months.

Most people are familiar with the idea of camping: a tent, sleeping bag, some food, and a campfire. However, if you add winter to the word camping, you may get a puzzled expression. The reality is that winter can be an excellent time to be outdoors and enjoy an overnight adventure in the cold and the snow. With the appropriate gear and a few helpful tips, winter camping can be the perfect opportunity to keep up with Old Man Winter. This article provides a brief view into the important considerations for successful winter camping. In addition, one should research other articles or attend a presentation or seminar on winter camping that may be provided at a local outdoor retail store.

Packing the essentials

The first deciding factor for spending a night out in the cold should be whether or not you have the appropriate gear. The cold literally adds a whole new element to your typical camping trip and to ensure you enjoy your experience, you need to have a few essential items.

 

Clothing

In order to keep warm it’s important to carefully analyze your clothing options for braving the cold. Layering your clothing is the only way to remain comfortable while outside during the winter, especially if you are backpacking in to your campsite. Wearing various layers of clothing allows you to easily adjust your body temperature while you are outside in the cold.

For example, while you are hiking or setting up camp you will probably be producing more heat and need less clothing than while you are sitting around camp and eating dinner. First, your layering should include a base layer of synthetic underwear or “long johns” that insulates but allows perspiration to wick away from your skin if you start to get too warm.

Second, you need a middle insulating layer of fleece or light wool to keep you warm but can easily be removed such as a vest or jacket.

Thirdly, you will need an outer layer consisting of a water and wind proof jacket that is commonly referred to as a shell. The layering
technique applies to your upper body as well as your legs to ensure that you have total comfort.

Most outdoor retail stores have a vast assortment of clothing that is state-of-the-art for maintaining comfort and adaptability. Many products, such as pants and jackets, have zippers in strategic locations to be unzipped and allow heat to escape from under your arms or along your upper thigh. Also, many outdoor clothing companies use synthetic materials that keep out the elements but allow heat to escape so that you don’t sweat too much.

From the source of the Zambezi to its mouth

I had decided to paddle in a kayak, solo and without formal ongoing support, from the source of the Zambezi to its mouth – a journey of just under 3 000 kilometres. I anticipated it would take three to four months, but time was difficult to gauge accurately as unexpected obstacles were sure to arrive.

I chose to use a Necky Eskia kayak, a design capable of handling both rough white water and flat stretches. It is constructed from Teflon, making it practically unbreakable. It also has a slightly larger storage capacity than most other designs, an essential feature for this trip.

In completing a risk assessment of the journey it became clear that the risks were very high. These escalated dramatically because I would be entirely alone...

Excerpt from: Zambezi: The First Solo Journey Along Africa's Mighty River:  now available on Kindle: