Video: Running the Crown Traverse from Missoula to Banff

This beautiful short film takes us on an epic journey with endurance athletes Mike Foote and Mike Wolfe as the set out to run the entire length of the Crown Traverse – a 600-mile long route that runs from Missoula, Montana to Banff in Alberta, Canada. Along the way, they face just about every mountain challenge imaginable, including thick brush, icy rivers, snow covered summits, and dizzying climbs and descents. This was no simple run in the woods, but it was definitely a gorgeous expedition as you'll see below.

Melissa Arnot Becomes First American Woman to Summit Everest Without Oxygen

Amongst the very busy Everest climbing season that just wrapped up there were a number of impressive individual accomplishments. For instance, on May 23 alpinist Melissa Arnot reached the summit of the world's highest peak for the sixth time in her illustrious career. But what set this particular summit apart from the others, is that it was accomplished without the use of supplemental oxygen, giving Arnot the distinction of being the first American woman to successfully accomplish that feat.

One of the most accomplished female mountaineers in the world, Melissa has been climbing and guiding on Everest for years. She had hoped to summit without oxygen last year, but that attempt was brought to an abrupt end due to the massive earthquake that occurred on April 25. She has been training and planning for a second attempt ever since.

When asked about her accomplishment, Arnot said “Climbing Everest without supplemental oxygen has been a goal of mine for a long time. When you succeed at reaching your goal, it makes you reflect on the hard days, the work, and lessons I’ve learned along the way. I’m incredibly fortunate to have this experience.”


Her sixth summit of the world's tallest mountain breaks her own record for the most by a non-Sherpa female climber as well. And since she is just 32 years old, it seems likely that she'll at least attempt to climb the mountain a few more times before she's done. But her next project will be an attempt at reaching the highest points in all 50 U.S. states in just 50 days, which will get underway later this summer.

There is some question about whether or not Arnot is actually the first American woman to climb Everest without the use of oxygen however. As National Geographic Adventure points out, Hawaiian born climber Francys Assentive accomplished the same feat back in 1998, but she – along with her husband Sergei – both died on the descent. For many, a successful climb requires the mountaineer to safely get up and down the mountain. Arnot is definitely the first American woman to do that.

Congrats to Melissa on this amazing accomplishment. We're looking forward to following her on that 50 in 50 adventure, which gets underway in just a few weeks.

The North Face And The American Alpine Club Launch 'Live Your Dream' Grant

Earlier in the week the North Face and the American Alpine Club announced that they were joining forces to launch a new annual grant program that will help aspiring adventurers make their dreams a reality.

The new program is called the Live Your Dream Grant and it will be offering a grand total of $20,000 in aid to help climbers achieve their goals. The grants will range in value from $200 to $1000 to assist in getting their expeditions off the ground. Keeping in mind that this program isn't meant to fund expeditions to the Himalaya, but instead encourage regular outdoor enthusiasts to push their own boundaries.

The application period is already open and will run through March 1. The application process varies slight depending on which region of the U.S. you are living in, so for complete details visit the official grant page.

If you have a personal project you'd like to see come to fruition, and could use a little cash to make it a reality, be sure to fill out the application. Who knows, perhaps the North Face and the AAC will help you out. Good luck!

Update: Just as a point of clarification, the Live Your Dream grant has been around for a couple of years, but this is the first year that the AAC has worked with the North Face on the project.


Live Your Dream: Smith Rock, OR from kevin ziechmann on Vimeo.

Video: Unclimbed - Reaching the Summit in the Himalaya (Part 7)

If you've been watching the fantastic series of "Unclimbed" videos from Discovery Canada, you'll definitely want to catch this latest episode. In this latest installment of the mountaineering series the team of Gabriel Filippi, Elia Saikaly, and Pasang Kaji Sherpa are reunited in Kathmandu before setting out to the Himalaya to the first ascent of several unclimbed peaks. But before they go, they must face down a mountaineering legend who has never summited a single peak – the indomitable Miss Elizabeth Hawley.

Video: Riding Through an Enduro Playground in British Columbia

This short clip is part of Red Bull's "Raw" series, which is essentially a video that has been created to give viewers a great experience, but hasn't been heavily edited and lacks much in the way of special effects. In fact, this video doesn't even have any music. It is simply two-minutes of pure bliss as pro mountain biker Brandon Semenuk spends a day riding a beautiful trail in British Columbia. The results are spectacular.

Gear Closet: Mustang Survival Bluewater 30L Gear Hauler Backpack

One of the things that I like most about the outdoor gear industry is that it continues to grow more diverse and sophisticated with each passing year. Now days, most of the items we use in the outdoors are the result of some great design choices, brilliant planning, and an evolution of things that we've learned from the past. As a result, we now get highly technical, purpose-driven gear that is specifically made for the actives that we we personally pursue. This is evident in just about every product that we use on our adventures, but even more so when it comes to backpacks, a competitive segment of the outdoor market that continues to show true innovation on a regular basis. 

Because of this, we now get finely-tuned packs that offer more functionality than ever before. Case in point, the new Bluewater 30L Gear Hauler from a company called Mustang Survival, which has been building impressive products for use in the outdoors – specifically sailing and other water sports – since 1967. Recently, Mustang expanded its line of EP Ocean Racing products by introducing several Gear Hauler packs, and as you'd expect they are perfect for anyone spending a lot of time in and around sailing ships. But, they are also perfect for adventure travelers heading to damp climates or anyone who participates in a lot of watersports as well. 

Made from 210 denier, TPU coated ripstop nylon fabrics, the Gear Hauler is made to be very durable and repel water, keeping its contents safe from moisture. Those rugged fabrics are coupled with urethane-coated zippers that also ensure that no damaging liquids make their way into the interior of the pack. The result is a waterproof bag that is designed to be used in, on, and around the water. That makes it a good choice for long-distance sailing, stashing beneath the cockpit of your kayak, carrying it to the beach, or on a hike in a wet environment.

As you can probably guess by the name, this pack offers 30 liters of carrying capacity, which is a considerable amount for just about any short outing. The bag features a very large central pocket that swallows up the bulk of what you'll want to carry with you, including extra clothing, camera equipment, food, and so on. That main pocket also has a mesh sub-pocket that is a good place to stash a smartphone, charging cables, your passport, or other important items. You'll find another handy pocket located on the outside of the pack that includes sleeves for holding pans, as well as several smaller stash compartments for keeping smaller items well organized. 

Need yet more storage space? The pack also comes equipped with a highly versatile MOLLE panel on the front that can be used for a variety of things. I like to carry an extra pair of shoes on the exterior of the pack for instance, but it is equally helps in hauling wet gear that you want to keep separate from the items inside the bag. It is also a good place to stash a water bottle since the pack oddly enough doesn't have any dedicated bottle pockets, nor is it hydration ready. 

Best of all, the Bluewater 30L Gear Hauler also has a dedicated laptop sleeve that is sealed tight with a roll-top enclosure that adds yet another layer of protection from water. This allows you to slip your valuable electronics into place, and rest assured that they are safe from the elements, something that few other backpacks can promise. As a frequent traveler, this secure compartment is a welcome addition to this bag, with my one caveat being that I wish that this compartment also included a separate sleeve for my tablet too. That is a small nit to pick, but for someone who hits the road frequently, it would be nice addition. 

While obviously putting a lot of thought into how this pack performs around water, Mustang Survival didn't forget about making it comfortable to wear too. The bag has a surprisingly well-padded backpanel that provides a solid level of ventilation too. The shoulder straps are wide and nicely padded as well, while a secure sternum strap locks the pack into place, even while carrying a heavy load. That same sternum strap can be adjusted vertically to dial in just the right fit too, which is important when wearing it for long periods of time. 

Speaking of comfort, I found the pack to be very easy to wear for longer periods of time, particularly when using it on shorter hikes and for travel. It would not be my first choice for a longer backcountry excursion, but it is versatile enough to work well in those environments, while also being able to transition nicely to use around town as well. The fact that it resembles a travel backpack more than a highly technical hiking pack helps to ease that transition nicely. 

Priced at $180, the Bluewater 30L Gear Hauler is a bit more expensive than most daypacks that you'll find from other manufacturers, and if you don't need the level of water protection that it brings, another pack might be a better choice. However, if you find yourself frequently on the water, or visiting places where rain or excess moisture is an issue, this is a great pack to have in your personal gear closet. Not only is it great for sailing, it make an excellent travel pack too. Durable, versatile, and good looking, I feel like Mustang Survival has a real winner on its hands, and if you have need for a pack that can keep your valuables safe from water, I think you'll love it too. 

Find out more at MustangSurvival.com. 

Have Scientists Discovered Evidence of a Lost Continent?

We received further proof this week that we don't really know as much about our own planet as we like to think we do. That somber reminder came when scientists announced that they had discovered evidence of a previously unknown continental crust located under the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean, indicating that there was once a landmass – which is now being called Mauritia – in that area that hadn't been accounted for before.

This revelation came about when researchers discovered zircon crystals in rocks on Mauritius. Those crystals are believed to be over 2 billion years old, while the island itself is a mere 9 million, which in geological terms is practically a newborn.

At the moment, scientists don't know much about Mauritia or what may have happened to it. But, the report indicates that the crystals are about the same age as those found on the island of Madagascar, leading some to speculate that it was once a part of this lost continent as well. If you know anything about Madagascar, you probably already know that it is a bit of an anomaly itself, with plant and animal life found nowhere else on the planet, and unique geological structures that are all of its own.

Chances are, we may never know what this lost continent was like or how it was destroyed, but knowledge of its existence fundamentally changes the way we view our planet. It also tells us that there are forces at work that we don't know about, even here on Earth. We have a lot to learn, that much is certain. But these kinds of discoveries are always fascinating.

Antarctica 2013: South Pole Cyclist Finishes Ride

Yesterday I posted a comprehensive round-up on the status of all of the Antarctic expeditions we've been following closely over the past two months. Several of them had reached the South Pole this past weekend, bringing an end to their very long, very hard journeys. But there are still a few out on the ice, struggling to reach their respective finish lines. Another one of the explorers did just that yesterday, setting a new record in the process.

Mountain biker Daniel Burton completed his attempt to ride the entire distance from Hercules Inlet to the South Pole late yesterday. It has been a very difficult journey, and at times it wasn't clear if he would make it, but Daniel persevered when times got really tough and managed to push on, even when the weather, the terrain and his own body threatened to put an end to his expedition.

Along the way, Burton received three resupplies, the last of which he burned through fairly quickly and ended up riding the final 20 miles (32 km) without food. To say that he was happy to have finally reached 90ºS would be a vast understatement. He may have completed his dream of riding to the South Pole, but this is a feat that is far from easy and will certainly be grueling for anyone else to attempt.

Congratulations to Daniel for completing the ride. Hopefully a much deserved rest is in order, preferably some place warm and tropical.


Meanwhile, Daniel isn't the only cyclist to wrap up his expedition. Over the weekend, Juan Menendez Granados accomplished the same feat. He also limped into the Pole with barely any food left in his pack, struggling over the final couple of degrees with fatigue and lack of calories to keep him going. The difference between the accomplishment of these two men is that Juan skied some of the journey, while Daniel rode his bike the entire way. Still, Juan's achievement should not be over looked either, and while I didn't follow him as closely as I would have liked over the past 50 days, congratulations are in order none the less.

Finally, no Antarctic update would be complete without first checking in with the Scott Expedition. Ben and Tarka have now descended from the Beardmore Glacier and are trucking across the Ross Ice Shelf. That means the hardest, most dangerous section of the journey is now behind them and they have their sights set firmly on the finish line back at the Scott Hut along the coast. Their daily distances have increased nicely, yesterday the knocked off 23.6 miles (38 km), and while they've still got 395 miles (635 km) to go before they are done, there does seem to be an air of optimism and energy returning to their updates. It has been a very long and difficult journey for them, but they can see an end in sight, even if it is still a bit of ways off.

In true Antarctic fashion however, the frozen continent found another way to challenge them yesterday. While temperatures were warm by Antarctic standards, they did have to ski for 9 hours in a thick fog, which didn't make for the most enjoyable day out. Still, progress is good and each day brings them closer to home. I'm sure they'll take that.

Soon, the Scott Expedition will be the only team still on the ice. We'll continue to follow them right up until the end. Hang in their guys, not much further to go!

Gear Closet: ECOXGEAR EcoBoulder Bluetooth Speaker

In recent year, I've been fortunate enough to test a number of small, compact, and amazing sounding Bluetooth speakers designed to carry with you on your travels. I want to start this review by saying that the EcoBoulder from ECOXGEAR is not one of them. Don't get me wrong, the EcoBoulder does sound amazing, but it is anything but compact and lightweight. However, what it sacrifices in mobility it more than makes up for in other ways.

Somewhat resembling a carry-on suitcase, both in shape and size, the EcoBoulder includes a set of durable wheels and a telescoping handle that help to make it easier to move about. This large, wireless speaker features 100 watts of total power, which allows it to crank out impressive levels of sound. When used indoors, it can fill a large room or even a house with music, while outdoors it easily overpowers any ambient sounds that might be in the area. And with a massive battery to go along with its massive size, the EcoBoulder can keep the party rocking for up to ten hours without needing a recharge.

Often times with large Bluetooth speakers, you're forced to sacrifice audio quality in favor of higher levels of volume. That isn't the case here however, as the Boulder does a fine job of not just recreating impressive sounding bass, but also showing off its ability to share mid- and high notes too. The result is excellent sounding music, even when the volume is cranked up incredibly high. I have yet to hear distortion of any kind, and at the full audio spectrum comes through very cleanly.

As with all of ECOXGEAR's products, the EcoBoulder is built for use in the outdoors. It features an IP67 rating, which makes it completely waterproof and dust proof, as well as ruggedized against accidental drops. In deed, this speaker is built like a tank and could certainly take a lot of punishment if it had to. It can even float in water, which allows it to be used in environments where other speakers wouldn't dare to go.


Chances are you won't abuse it too much, although it could certainly survive just fine at your next campsite, provided that campsite is not too far from the car. At 27 pounds (12.2 kg), this is a speaker that lives up to its name, both in size and stature. But thanks to its wheels and handle, you can move it about very easily. Mine has transported smoothly between two houses while moving, and in and out of my backyard with any difficult at all.

The EcoBoulder utilizes Bluetooth 4.1 technology to quickly and easily pair with a smartphone, tablet, or other device. Once connected, those gadgets can stream music, podcasts, audiobooks, or whatever else you care to listen to from up to 100 feet away. And if you happen to have a device that isn't Bluetooth compatible, the speaker also has a standard 3.5 mm audio jack to plug a source into it directly.

Other nice features include two built in USB port for charging mobile devices, both of which are found inside a waterproof compartment designed to keep your smartphone safe from the elements. The EcoBoulder also comes with backlit buttons and a bright screen that make it easy to use even in the dark, and it has a microphone-in port to use it as a PA or karaoke system too. The speaker even has a built-in AM/FM radio to listen to local stations as well. And as with all new speakers from ECOXGEAR, two of the units can be paired to one another to produce even more sound.

Obviously this is not a speaker that you'll be taking with you into the backcountry or when traveling to the far side of the planet. It is a fantastic speaker for use around the house however, and it sounds amazing in the backyard. It is also fantastic for car camping excursions, while tailgating, or at other  outdoor events. Thanks to its built in wheel and handle, the EcoBoulder is surprisingly portable, despite its size. Which ultimately means you'll probably find more places to use it than even you first thought.

If you're in the market for a big Bluetooth speaker with big sound, the EcoBoulder is your best choice. It is loud, clear, and impressive sounding in every way, and it is built to survive just about anything short of a nuclear blast. On top of that, this is a versatile speaker with a host of extra features that you don't always find elsewhere. Fully water and dust proof? Check! USB charging ports? Yep! Microphone and auxiliary in? Uh-huh! This speaker has it all, and it more.

Priced at $249.99, I feel the EcoBoulder is even a good bargain. Sure, you can find other Bluetooth speakers for less money, but none that offer all of the features listed above, and such outstanding sound. This is an impressive beast, and I think you'll come to love it as much as I do.

Find out more at ecoxgear.com.

Video: Awakening - A Timelapse Journey Through Colorado's Rocky Mountains

We'll finish out the week with this beautiful six-minute video that takes us on a journey through the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. It is an amazing look at a part of the world that always captivates me every time I visit. Enjoy and have a great weekend!

AWAKENING 4K from Taylor Gray on Vimeo.

FlightNetwork Travel Stories

One of the blogs that I routinely contribute to is the Let's Roll Blog over at FlightNetwork.com, a site that aggregates great deals on airfare. We cover all kinds of travel related topics, which I try to share here from time to time as well. Here's a sampling of what's been posted there recently.

• The 7 Wonders of Canada (According to Canadians Themselves)
• You Should Be Able To Fly In Space In 2014 (If You Can Afford It)
• Massive Africa Road Project Will Change Lives, Make Travel Easier
• 6 Mind-Blowing Adventure Journeys In South America
• Pulse: The Elephants and Epic Adventures Edition

I hope you find some of those interesting, and check back on the blog regularly to see whats new!

Video: Yellowstone as You've Never Seen it Before

As I've mentioned before, National Geographic has dedicated its entire May issue to Yellowstone National Park, the first national park in the entire world. Nat Geo has also been releasing a series of great videos centered around the park, with one of the latest posted below. It takes us into Yellowstone with six NG photographers who give us a look at this breathtaking place that we've never seen before. Their photos are simply incredible, and remind us of why this is such a special place.

Antarctica 2015: Outer Edge Polar Challenge Set to Begin at Last

Just when it appeared that the curtain was preparing to fall on the 2015 Antarctic season, we have another expedition that is preparing to get underway, and it is one that we've been hearing bout for a long time, but it is finally getting off the ground.

On February 7, Australian Charles Werb will set out for the South Pole in a specially built sled that is designed to capture the wind and sail along at a quick pace on top of the ice. His expedition is called the Outer Edge Polar Challenge, and we first told you about it way back in May of 2014. At that time, it was expected to take place in December of that year, but due to changes in plans and team members, it has gotten delayed and rescheduled on more than one occasion. Now, it is ready to go at long last.

Werb will set out from the Novolazareskaya Antarctic Station by truck and will cover the first 400 km (248 miles) by motorized vehicle. From there, he'll then get into his sled to travel the remaining 300 km (186 miles) using the wind to propel him along. He expects it will take him roughly 7-14 days to complete the journey depending on the weather and wind conditions.

The Aussie adventurer is undertaking the Polar Challenge in an effort to raise funds for research to battle Leukemia, a form of cancer that manifests itself in a person's blood. He'll also be carrying a number of scientific experiments with him as well, which will be used to conduct lesson plans and curriculum for school kids back home.

Charles will leave Brisbane on February 4 and make his way to Cape Town, South Africa, which serves as the gateway to the Nova station. He'll then spend a day or two getting acclimatized ahead of his February 7 departure date. Weather could cause some delays in those plans however, so we'll just have to watch to see exactly when he gets underway.

Meanwhile, the last South Pole skier – Emma Kelty – is nearing her goal. She started the day with 12.5 nautical miles (23 km /14.3 miles) to go before she reaches 90ºS. She and her guide should be able to knock that off today, and are expected to arrive in the early evening at the Amundsen-Scott Station. From there, she'll hop a flight back to Union Glacier and prepare to head home. But before that can happen, she still has one very long and difficult day out on the ice.

That's all for now. I'll share more news as it unfolds.

Gear Closet: Dynafit Cho Oyu Down Jacket

If there is one piece of gear that every outdoor enthusiast needs to have in their closet for winter, it is probably a good down jacket. This is the insulating layer that keeps us warm when the temperature starts to plummet, and it plays a vital role in allowing us to play outdoors longer, even when the weather is less than favorable.

Over the past couple of weeks – as the temperature has been on a roller coaster ride where I live – I've had the chance to test out a new down jacket from Dynafit that I've found to be exceptionally warm and comfortable. In fact, I'd say that the Cho Oyu Jacket is easily amongst the best that I've ever worn, and if you're in the market for something new in this category you'll want to have it on your list.

Made with a durable ripstop fabric covered in a DWR finish, and insulated with DownTek hydrophobic down, this jacket is built for use in a wide variety of conditions. In fact, I've worn in cold temperatures, freezing rain, freezing fog, drizzle, flurries, and even outright downpours, and it has performed fantastically in all cases. The water-resistant down never loses its loft, and continues to perform well even as the jacket gets wet, although the DWR coating also plays a big role in ensuring that you stay warm and dry no matter what's happening around you. 

With its athletic cut, the Cho Oyu – named for the 8000 meter peak – hugs the wearers body snugly, which helps in keeping warm air trapped inside. But, at the same time, the jacket doesn't impede movement in any way, allowing you to stay fully in control on the slopes or on the trail in the backcountry. I personally hate feeling like my layers are restricting my motion in any way, but with this jacket I don't have to worry about that. In fact, aside from perhaps the new Mountain Hardwear StretchDown puffy, this might be the best jacket I've worn in terms of not getting in the way of your natural athletic motion. 

Other nice features of the Cho Oyu include a comfortable hood that is helmet compatible, and an adjustable hem that makes it easy to adjust the fit. This comes in especially handy for keeping cold winds and snow from reaching the interior of the coat, which is obviously something we all can appreciate. The jacket also has four pockets, including two hand-warming pockets and a zippered chest pocket on the front, and an interior pocket that doubles as a stuff sack when packing for a trip. 

After wearing this jacket in a number of different capacities over the past few weeks, I've come away very impressed with how well it performs in pretty much every capacity. Not only is it very warm, but it is super-comfortable to wear too. On top of that, it is also incredibly durable too, shrugging off wear and tear and with ease. I've also found that it is easy to keep clean too, and does a good job of venting excess heat and moisture when things start to get active. 

One of the aspects of this jacket that has been both pleasant and confounding at the same time are the zippers. On the one hand, they may be the smoothest, easiest pulling zippers I've ever used, but at times I've found myself struggling to get the jacket closed too. That's because the Cho Oyu uses a double-zipper system on the front, which is handy when you want to keep your chest warm, but vent out excess heat at the same time. But, when first closing up the jacket, it can be a bit of a challenge to get things started, in part because of the second zipper. Sometimes it works like a charm, and at other times I find myself working hard to get it seal up properly. After wearing this coat many times, I think I've finally got it down to a science, but it was a bit vexing at first. Most of this challenge probably was the result of user error, but it is important to point this out nonetheless. 

The Dynafit Cho Oyu down jacket is an exceptional piece of gear, and one that I recommend without question. But, it also comes with a steep price tag. The jacket sells for $319.95, which makes it amongst the more expensive coats that I've reviewed. That probably puts it out of reach for the average consumer, but if you're an outdoor athlete who doesn't want to compromise performance in the winter, this jacket should be in your closet. It is a fantastic layer for skiers, snowboarders snowshoers, or anyone else who likes to play outdoors in the cold weather. Yes, it is an expensive piece of gear. But it is also worth every damn penny. 

Purchase the Dynafit Cho Oyu at CampSaver.com. 

Adventure Tech: Land Cruisers Used as Wireless Network in the Outback

Staying in communication with the rest of the world while traveling through a remote landscape can be difficult and expensive. But a new project sponsored by Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia,  automaker Toyota, and a communications and advertising agency called Saatchi & Saatchi shows off a new concept that uses a fleet of Land Cruisers as mobile WiFi network that can keep travelers in contact, even when miles away from an Internet connection or cell network.

The Land Cruiser is one of the most popular expedition and adventure travel vehicles on the planet, often found in remote places where few other motorized vehicles can go. That's true in the Outback of Australia too, with travelers using them to wander far from civilization. Recently, Toyota equipped some of those SUV's with a new device that creates a network between other vehicles in the area, with data being shared between these mobile hotspots until it can be handed off to a unit that is also within range of a permanent Internet connection.

These high-tech communications devices have a range of 25 km (15.5 miles) and can handle both voice and data. That makes them useful for making emergency calls from a remote place, or sharing social media updates while in the field. It uses standard WiFi, UHF signals, and Delay Tolerant Networks (DTN) to help pass along the data. The information can hop from Land Cruiser to Land Cruiser until it finds one with an Internet connection, at which point it is send out to the rest of the world.

The video below gives you an idea of how the whole thing works. It seems like it has a lot of promise for communications in remote places. 

Video: Alan Arnette Presents Summiting Nepal's Manaslu

A few days back I shared details of a live stream of Alan Arnette's presentation of his Summiting Manaslu slideshow that was brought to us courtesy of Jon Miller of the Rest of Everest Fame. The event was your opportunity to not only learn about an 8000 meter climb, but also get to hear Alan speak. It was a fun, interesting experience for sure, and it included a major announcement about a Himalayan expedition that 16-year old Matt Moniz that you'll be hearing a lot about in the weeks ahead. Both spoke at a fundraiser for the dzi Foundation, an organization dedicated to improving the lives people living in Nepal.

If you missed the event, Jon has kindly posted it online so you can watch it for yourself. It contains some great info about climbing Manaslu specifically and 8000 meter peaks in general. The video is more than an hour in length, so get comfortable.

Mountain Biking to the Summit of Kilimanjaro

In February of this year, mountain bikers Rebecca Rusch and Patrick Sweeney set off on an epic ride to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. They spent six days riding up – and down – the mountain, which is the tallest in Africa at 19,341 feet (5895 meters) in height. They rode that challenging route to raise funds for World Cycling Relief, a nonprofit that seeks to provide bicycles for people living in developing countries. The Kilimanjaro ride managed to raise nearly $20,000 for the cause, which allowed the organization to purchase 131 new bikes.

Now, several months after cycling to the roof of Africa, Rusch was interviewed about the experience by the team at Gear Junkie. In the article she talks about how they got organized for the expedition, why they chose Kilimanjaro, and what it was like on the trail. Rebecca, who is an experienced endurance and adventure sport athlete, called it the hardest ride she has ever done, which should give you an indication of how challenging this undertaking was for her and Patrick. She also shares some insight into what the trail was like, and the gear that she used along the way too.

For an even better look at this amazing mountain bike ride, check out the video below. It is a 7-minute short documentary on the endeavor that will provide even more insights into the ride. Having climbed this mountain myself, I can tell you that it wouldn't be easy to go up or down it on a bike.

Will Everest Be Empty This Year?

The past two years have been very difficult on Everest, with only a single summit from the South Side in Nepal during that time period. In 2014, an avalanche claimed the lives of 16 Nepalese porters, and last year's devastating earthquake killed another 19 people, not to mention thousands more across the country. Both incidences resulted in the complete closure of the mountain and left many climbers scrambling to pay for expeditions that never got off the ground. Now, as we prepare for the 2016 season to arrive this spring, it seems that the tallest mountain on the planet could be a very different place this year.

Expedition leader Russel Brice, who runs Himalayan Experience, the largest and most well known company that operates on Everest, was interviewed by Stefan Nestler for his adventure sports blog. In that interview, Brice says that the demand for climbing Everest and Lhotse with Himex this spring has "Very small numbers compared to past years."

This is probably to be expected considering the issues that teams faced both in the 2014 and 2015 seasons, but it is still noteworthy none the less. For years Everest has been seen as a place that has become too crowded, with climbers often standing dozens deep waiting for a chance to go up to the summit. That doesn't seem like it will be the case this year however, because if Himex is seeing low numbers of climbers signing up for the climb, the other major outfitters probably are too.

Brice goes on to say that many would-be clients are watching the 2016 season closely. They want to see that Everest is safe again before the spend their hard earned cash on a climb. The events of this spring will go a long way towards luring them back, provided everything goes according to plan.


As usual, Brice doesn't hold anything back when he speaks about the Nepali government and its inability to make meaningful change that can be beneficial to the climbers and Sherpas working on Everest. In the interview he shares his thoughts on new regulations for climbing 6500 meters peaks prior to Everest, the enforcement of age restrictions (no one under 18 or over 75 years old), and the honoring of past permits for these disrupted seasons. He also shares his disappointment with Nepalese officials for not being able to distribute earthquake relief funds properly, and his fears over whether or not the current fuel embargo on Nepal will be lifted before the start of the season. If it isn't, logistics on the mountain will be very difficult indeed.

If you're someone who follows the Everest season closely, this is an excellent interview you won't want to miss. It provides some good insights into how things operate in Nepal and on the mountain in general. Brice is a guy who has years of experience running expeditions in the Himalaya, and elsewhere, and he never pulls any punches when it comes to speaking his mind.

The 2016 climbing season will be a fascinating one to watch unfold for sure.

Heading to Outdoor Retailer!

I know we've only just returned from the holiday break, and just started getting back to normal around here, but it is already time for me to head off once again. I'll be spending most of next week in Salt Lake City attending Outdoor Retailer Winter Market, where I'll spend several days getting a sneak peek at the latest outdoor gear and apparel. When I return, I'll write a couple of post sharing my thoughts on the show, and the best new items that I saw there. But, if you'd like to get a sense of what's happening while the show is going on, follow me on Twitter or like my Facebook page. I'll be posting updates throughout the event with thoughts on the things that catch my eye. 

Today and tomorrow I'll also be spending my time relocating The Adventure Blog world headquarters to its new, permanent location. While I'm getting my office set up and running once again, there may be some temporary disruptions in posting. But, I hope to be ready to get back on a regular schedule after I get back from OR at the end of next week. 

Thanks for being patient while we work through these busy couple of weeks. With the holidays now behind us, and Outdoor Retailer just about to start, 2017 is about to get rolling. Stay tuned for lots of great adventures and inspiring stories to come. It should be a great year.