Winter Climbs 2017: Alex Txikon Launches Summit Bid on Everest Tomorrow

It has been a very busy month and a half in the Himalaya for Spanish climber Alex Txikon. He has worked extremely hard since his arrival in Everest Base Camp in early January, and now all of that hard work is about to come to a head. According to reports, Txikon will set off on his summit bid tomorrow, with an eye on topping out sometime next week.

At the moment, the weather on Everest is still a bit dicey, but that is expected to change early next week when a period of relative calm is expected to settle in across the area. To take advantage of this rare winter weather window, Alex, along with Nurbu and Cheppal Sherpa, will leave Base Camp on Saturday, Feb. 11. The following day, the trio will be joined Nuri, Pemba, and Furba Sherpa, and the entire team will progress up the mountain together.

If they are able to stick to a typical Everest schedule, they should be in Camp 4 by next Tuesday,  just as the weather window is set to appear. That would give them the opportunity to summit on Wednesday and get back down the following day. However, the current conditions may not allow them to reach C4 at 7950 meters (26,082 ft), so that schedule may be a bit too optimistic. That said, good weather conditions are expected to arrive early in the week and extend until next Saturday.

A winter summit of Everest is rare enough these days, but Alex is making an even rarer attempt by going to the top without the use of bottled oxygen. That has only been accomplished one time in the past, when Ang Rita Sherpa did it back in 1987. That summit was made on the first full day of winter however, and not in the heart of the season.

It appears that this may be the one and only summit bid however. In the article linked to above, Alex is quoted as saying, "The die is thrown, there will only be one attack on the summit." If that is accurate, than this truly is it. We'll all know how it turns out in a few short days.

Good luck to Alex and the entire team.

Himalaya Fall 2016: Season in Full Swing as Teams Move to Manaslu, Cho Oyu, and Lhotse

The fall climbing season in the Himalaya is now full steam ahead as teams continue to gather in Kathmandu and make their way out to their respective mountains. We have already discussed Kilian Jornet's speed record attempt on Everest multiple times and checked in with Japanese climber Nobukazu Kuriki a couple of times as well. Both of those men should now be in Base Camp on the North Side of the mountain, and have started their acclimatization process as well. But elsewhere in the region other teams are getting settled too, and now it appears that it should be quite an interesting few months in Nepal and Tibet.

On Lhotse, South Korean climber Sung-Taek Hong is back on the mountain for the fourth time in as many years, and his fifth attempt overall. He'll be having a go at Everest's neighbor in the coming weeks as he attempts to go solo and in alpine style to the summit. Last year he made four individual summit pushes, reaching as high as 8200 meters (26,902 ft) but couldn't top out due to poor weather and deep snow on the route. He's hoping to have more luck this year.

Meanwhile, the Base Camp on Cho Oyu is starting to get crowded as commercial teams have arrived there in the past few days. Most of the squads, which include the Adventure Consultants and IMG, are still getting settled as they begin to get acclimatized. Soon, they'll start their first rotations up the mountain as they start to get accustomed to the altitude.

Interestingly enough, climber/journalist Billi Bierling is on Cho Oyu this fall and she reports that the road leading to BC has been extended further into the region. So now, what was once a quiet and peaceful place, has trucks rolling through all night long, causing the setting in camp to be very different. It is likely something the climbers will get use to in time, but for now it is a bit different.


Another popular climbing destination this fall is Manaslu, where the commercial teams started to arrive more than a week ago. It is a very crowded Base Camp as Alan Arnette reports that the Seven Summits Treks squad is more than 130 people, while large western guide company Himex is also there as well. Alan says that the most successful year on the mountain came back in 2011, when there were 140 total summits. This year, one company nearly has that many clients alone.

Cho Oyu and Manaslu are both very popular warm-up climbs for Everest. They are both fairly straight forward climbs for an 8000 meter peak, and are considered good places to get experience before going higher. Some of the climbers that are on these two peaks right now will almost certainly return to the Himalaya in the spring to have a go at Everest too.

The Altitude Junkies are now en route to Dhaulagiri, where it appears they'll be the only team on the mountain this fall. Flight delays and logistical challenges have caused a bit of a later start, but all is good and everyone has started the acclimatization process while driving to BC. They should get there in another couple of days.

That's it for today. We'll have more updates as the teams continue to get settled and the climbing operations begin.

Video: Free Skiing Through A Mountain Glacier

It takes a lot to get met o post a ski video, mostly because there are a ton of them out there, they often do very little to distinguish themselves from one another. But, this one is special, so it was definitely worth sharing. It features pro skier Sam Favret as he free skis through the legendary Mer de Glace in the Mont-Blanc region of France. At a bit over three minutes in length, it is pure ski porn, with amazing visuals and some of the best skiing I've seen in a clip in a long time. Really an amazing way to take advantage of the terrain and create something special.

Ice Call - Sam Favret / Backyards Project from PVS COMPANY on Vimeo.

Gear Closet: Tryton Drylite Dive Flashlight

Scuba divers listen up! I've found the next piece of gear that you need to add to your arsenal. The Drylite from Tryton is an innovative, incredibly well built flashlight designed to meet the specific needs of divers, although it is also so good that it will come in just as handy on dry land too.

Tryton has clearly put a great deal of thought into the design of this flashlight and that shows from the moment you get one in your hands. Everything about the Drylite screams quality, and the entire unit feels incredibly solid to the touch. The handle is made of soft, rubberized material that is ribbed to make it easy to grip, while the the aluminum head not only looks great, but serves as a heat sink for the incredibly bright light contained inside.

The Drylite was built to be completely waterproof and is guaranteed not to leak. Tryton pulled off that feat by creating a completely new charging system that doesn't require the device to be opened in any way. That charging system uses an inductive charging coil to transfer a charge without actually touching the battery itself. It takes roughly 10-12 hours to fully charge the light, which results in a 5 hour burn time with a brightness of 135 lumens. Thats pretty impressive for a light that bright. And when the battery falls below 20% battery life, the light will blink once ever minute to indicate that it is getting low.


In real world testing, the Drylite was able to actually last more than 6 hours on a single charge. Although the light slowly diminished in brightness over that final hour. It was still bright enough to be useful almost all the way up to the end. In this day and age, when many companies exaggerate the battery life of their devices, it was refreshing to find one that exceeded those estimates by a sizable amount.

I was sent the Drylite Nautilus kit, which includes a durable and lightweight custom case. That case makes it a breeze to take the flashlight along when you hit the road, whether you're going camping or a dive trip to the other side of the planet. The box can securely hold the Drylight and its charging system, as well as all the necessary cables. The device even comes with a charger for your car, which makes it incredibly useful just about anywhere. A durable wrist lanyard is also included.

While the flashlight works great above the surface, it was most definitely design with divers in mind. It has been rated to function down to 250 feet (76 meters) beneath the surface and its sealed-tight design will keep the water out. Its narrow 8º beam gives divers a very focused light that allows them to explore more safely.

As impressive as the Drylite package is, the price tag might be the most impressive thing of all. The flashlight alone costs $99.99, which is a great price for such a solid piece of technology.  If you want the more robust Nautilus kit, it will set you back $149.99. Personally, I think it's worth the extra $50 to get the kit, as the included extras are quite nice.

If your'e a diver who has need of a flashlight on your adventures, it's tough to beat the Drylite. It is an impressive piece of gear that I can't recommend highly enough.

Video: 4 Hours - A Timelapse of Iceland's Winter Days

During the winter, Iceland receives just four hours of daylight each day, which makes it difficult to enjoy the snow covered landscapes to any degree. This video gives us a timelapse of one four hour stretch, showing us just how beautiful a single winter day can be there, even if the light is fleeting.

Four Hours from Zangs Films on Vimeo.

Video: The Scott Expedition Celebrates 90 Days In Antarctica

Speaking of the Scott Expedition, here's a video they released to commemorate passing three months out on the ice. It is a series of still photos that they've taken over the course of their journey, and it gives us all a good idea of what conditions are like in the Antarctic. Three months is a long time to be spent traveling anywhere, but on the frozen continent, that has to be an eternity.

Antarctica 2015: Worsley at the Pole!

While the rest of us have been enjoying the holidays over the past few weeks, the Antarctic explorers have continued to toil away on the frozen continent. There is now roughly three weeks left in the ski season, and it has been a difficult one to say the least. But each day brings them closer to their ultimate destination, which for most is the very bottom of the world.

Yesterday, Henry Worsley became the first skier of the season to reach the South Pole. It is the third time that he has skied across Antarctica to stand at 90ºS. It took him 51 days to get there, which means he is about a day behind his intended schedule. The British polar explorer enjoyed a bit of down time at the research station there, but due to his "solo and unassisted" status, he didn't interact with anyone or receive any kind of aid. Today, he is already back on the trail, as he looks to complete a traverse of the continent.

Now that the Pole is behind him, Henry will continue on towards his finish line at the Ross Ice Shelf. From here on out, the skiing should be a bit easier, although he is no doubt exhausted and his muscles are sore. He'll continue to race the clock however, as the last plane off the continent is scheduled for January 28, and he'll need to be on that flight one way or another.

Elsewhere, American solo-skier Doug Tumminello continues to make progress as well, although he still has a long way to go. Yesterday he crossed the 84th degree, leaving him six more to go until the Pole. He's spent a full month on the ice now, and his sled is getting lighter as a result, which typically translates to going faster too. But Dough has struggled with sore feet and blisters since early on in the expedition, and that continues to be a problem now. He's about three or four days from Thiels Corner – an important milestone on the journey – at which point he intends to reevaluate his position and pace. It is possible he could pull the plug altogether and head home, but we'll just have to wait to see.


Scotsman Luke Robertson is making better time on his solo journey. On day 30 he has now passed the 87th degree and is narrowing in on the South Pole. He expect to reach that point in about ten days, and is counting down the miles now.

Carl Alvy and Emma Kelty have not updated their progress since New Year's Eve, but it sounds like they are in good spirits and making headway towards the Pole as well. It has been a difficult journey for Emma in particular, but the duo are picking up the pace as the get closer to 90ºS. Both weather and surface conditions have been better over the past few days, which has improved their spirits too. There is no word yet on when they expect to wrap up their expedition however.

Finally, the team of Devon McDiarmid, Stew Edge, Mostafa Salameh, and Shahrom Abdullah have achieved the 87th degree as well. It took them 25 days to get to that milestone, leaving them just three degrees to cross before the Pole. They'll likely get there sometime in the next ten days as well, as they are moving quickly and efficiently now despite whiteout conditions along their route. They just reached their final resupply point, and should now be set for the push to the finish line. Despite their late start, this group looks like it'll have no problems reaching the South Pole on schedule.

Over on Mt. Vinson, it has been a busy couple of weeks as well. A number of teams summited during the holiday time frame, which is a popular period on the mountain. While not everyone has finished their expeditions to the tallest peak in Antarctica, climbing operations are starting to wind down there for another season.

More to come soon.

100 Reasons Why the U.S. National Parks are Still Amazing

As you may already know, 2016 marks the 100th anniversary of America's National Park Service. Over the course of the year, there will be a number of celebrations of this milestone, with the NPS gearing up to make this one of the most memorable 12 month periods in the history of the parks. In honor of this auspicious occasion, I wanted to share a piece that I wrote for About.com that is my own personal way of saluting not only the Park Service, but the amazing national parks that it washes over.

Last week I put the finishing touches on an article that is called 100 Reasons the National Parks Remain America's Best Idea. As the title implies, I shared 100 interesting, unusual, and down-right cool facts about the NPS, as well as the numerous national parks, monuments, memorials, and other units that it presides over. In writing this piece I tried to have a bit of fun with each of the items I shared, while hopefully providing some new bits of trivia that even long-time national park visitors might not have known. Here's a sampling of just a few of the things that I wrote:

14. The National Park Service employees more than 22,000 people on a permanent, temporary and seasonal basis. It also has over 220,000 volunteers working in parks across the U.S.

31. Like to hike? Cumulatively, the national parks have more than 18,000 miles of trails.

66. Famous naturalist John Muir once famously said "No temple made with hands can compare with Yosemite."

If you'd like to read the other 97 reasons the national parks are so amazing, you'll have to click over to About.com to read the full post. Needless to say however, I am a big fan of America's national parks, and I'm looking forward to celebrating the completion of the Park Service's first century throughout 2016, and preparing for the start of its second in 2017. 

Gear Review: Yaktrax Walk

Yesterday I posted a review of a new pair of running shoes designed specifically for running on snow and ice. Those shoes were waterproof, comfortable and had integrated spikes to help keep your footing on snow and ice. They also come with a price tag of $155. But for those looking for something a bit more affordable to help keep their footing on slick surfaces in the winter, the tried and true Yaktrax are tough to beat. These versatile, yet effective, tools are one of the best things to have in your gear closet when winter weather hits.

If you're not familiar with Yaktrax, they are a simple – yet ingenious – product. Designed to fit snugly over the bottom of your shoes, they instantly give better traction to just about any footwear by literally adding chains to the tread. When stretched over the sole of a boot, running shoe, or just about any other shoe, the chains add the ability to grip ice and snow, making it much easier to move safely and securely. Best of all, they can be added or removed very quickly, making it easy to transform your footwear from off road ready to formal wear in seconds.

I tested the Yaktrax Walk, which is the company's classic model. Lightweight and easy to apply, the Walk are great for just about anyone heading outside during the winter months. Whether you're walking down the street or on a snowy trail, they can make any hike much easier. They're perfect for use around town, around camp, or just about anywhere else you want to use them, and at just $20, they are an affordable solution for anyone.

The Yaktrax Walk are very good for all kinds winter walking challenges, but for those who demand a bit more performance will find other options as well. For instance, runners will want to try the Run, while hikers heading into more difficult conditions should use the Yaktrax Pro. Finally, those traveling in extreme environments, the XTR is the best choice.

Affordable, versatile and effective. Yaktrax are a great option for anyone looking to improve their traction in the winter. For the level of performance they provide, it certainly is tough to beat the price!

Video: Unclimbed Reaching the Summit in the Himalaya (Episode 2)

Yesterday I posted the first video in a new series that follows mountaineers Gabriel Filippi, Elia Saikaly, and Pasang Kaji Sherpa as they prepare to take on two unclimbed peaks (Tenzing and Hillary Peaks) in Nepal. Today, we have the second video of the series, this time we head out with the team as they go ice climbing as part of their process of getting ready for the challenges ahead. If you've ever wondered about the training that goes into prepping for the Himalaya, this video will give you an idea.

If you're a fan of mountaineering or climbing in the big mountains, you'll very much enjoy this series. We'll also be following Gabriel, Elia, and Pasang Kaji as they go for these two first ascents this fall.

Video: Traveling through Bhutan and Nepal

This video certainly speaks to the hearts and souls of travelers. It takes us on a colorful journey through Bhutan and Nepal, two places where the people that live there are in touch with their spiritual side. Throughout the clip you'll see some impressive scenes of the people and places that make both of these countries so special and unique. From the snowcapped Himalaya to the lowland jungles, with just about everything in-between, you'll get a great sense of these truly amazing destinations.

And when you're ready to go to those places for yourself, Mountain Travel Sobek can make that dream a reality.

for that moment in Bhutan and Nepal. from Marko Roth on Vimeo.

Everest 2014: Nepal Cuts Price Of Everest Climbing Permits

Last Friday, the government of Nepal announced that it is slashing the price of climbing permits on Everest in an effort to lure more mountaineers to the mountain. The move comes with a great deal of criticism however, as some fear further over crowding and damage to the environment there.

The reduction in price for a permit to climb the highest mountain in the world isn't an insubstantial one. The price for a single climber has gone down from $25,000 to $11,000. But, the existing discounts for group expeditions are also going away, which means that Nepal is likely to pull in more cash under the new price structure.

As the article I linked to above notes, under the old price structure, seven climbers would pay a total of $70,000 to share a climbing permit. But with the new pricing, the total cost would be $77,000, with a flat fee for each climber, and no discounts. On top of that fee increase, Nepal will also start charging a fee for Nepalese climbers for the first time. That fee will be $750.

It is difficult to say just yet how this change in fee structure will impact the climbing scene. For the traditional guiding companies, it means a slight increase in fees for their clients, but it is unlikely to change much beyond that. Considering many climbers pay in excess of $65,000 for their expeditions, another $1000 isn't going to be a deal breaker. But the reduced fees could also result in more smaller climbing groups on the mountain, which could in turn lead to more traffic jams, over crowding and environmental damage. The fear is that there could be more unprepared climbers, without proper experience, on the South Side, which could be bad news all around.


The move is a bit surprising to me, considering it wasn't all that long ago that the Nepalese government was talking about how they wanted to make Everest safer and cleaner. That doesn't typically mean potentially adding more climbers to the mountain. On the other hand, it is understandable that the country wants to find more ways to leverage its natural resources to make more cash. Obviously there are no easy answers for a developing nation, but the potential increase to the dangers on Everest seems troubling.

With the climbing season set to begin in about six weeks, this announcement isn't likely to have a major impact on this season. But the potential for problems in the future continues to loom. We'll just have to wait to see if the number of climbers on the mountain continues to grow in the years ahead, and if it has an impact on safety there.

Nat Geo Gives Us the World's Best Via Ferrata Hikes

We've all seen videos purporting to be of the "world's most dangerous hike." More often then not, those clips usually show us a terrifying via ferrata – or "iron way" – which has been built onto the side of a mountain somewhere, often in some state of disrepair. But most via ferratas are completely safe and offer unique experiences to hikers looking to visit some beautiful destinations. These paths usually find their way up climbing routes, where fixed ladders, cables, chains, suspension bridges, and other manmade structures offer access to a place that would otherwise be unreachable by all but the best rock climbers. They can be thrilling, exhilarating hikes to say the least, and aren't often for the faint of heart.

Now, National Geographic has compiled its own list of the 10 best via ferrata routes in the world, with locations such as the Italian Dolomites, the Canyon Des Étroits in France, and Catalonia, Spain all represented. Each is accompanied by an equally impressive photo and description of what makes these places so special as well.

Having done a few via ferratas in my travels, I can attest to how they are both scary and exhilarating. Of the few that I've done – none of which are on this list – they have all been more physically challenging that a traditional hike, but had amazing payoffs in the way of outstanding views and a sense of a rewarding accomplishment at the end. That makes them completely unique from any other more traditional hike I've ever done.

If you've always wanted to try a via ferrata for yourself, give this list a look. These are some of the very best in the entire world. I know I want to give several of these a go now.

Video: Mountain Biking and Packrafting Across Mongolia

What happens when three friends travel to Mongolia to mountain bike and packraft through the remote western region of that country? Why, they discover more adventure than they first thought of course! This video takes us along for the ride as these three travelers attempt to traverse the Altai region. Along the way, they discover stunning scenery, unique challenges, and amazing people. Check it out below.

Flashes of the Altai from Joey Schusler on Vimeo.

Video: Snowboarding On The Streets Of New York

Last week we had a video of paddlers in the U.K. kayaking through the streets after a flood, and today we have snowboarders on the streets of New York following a blizzard. The two videos have a bit in common, as the paddlers and snowboarder were both pulled along by a vehicle. This looks like a lot of fun, and a great way to make lemonade out of lemons.

Thanks to Nat Geo Adventure for sharing this.

Antarctica 2013: The Scott Expedition Is Complete

After more than 105 days out on the ice, during which they covered a grueling 1795 miles (2888 km), Ben Saunders and Tarka L'Herpiniere have completed the Scott Expedition. The journey, which began back in November, was an attempt to follow in the footsteps of Robert Falcon Scott, and finish his Terra Nova expedition, the route that he perished on in the Antarctic more than a century ago.

Ben and Tarka reached their ending point earlier today, but even in their final push back to the coast along the Ross Ice Shelf, things were more challenging than they had expected. After enduring harsh weather, sub-zero temperatures and whiteout conditions for more than three months, the Antarctic decided to test them once more. A final storm delayed their start and tested their resolve to the end. But, the lads are now safe and sound, and more than ready to come home.

An official announcement of their achievement can be read here. We're told that Ben will post his debrief shortly, although he and Tarka are probably enjoying some much deserved rest in the relative comfort of a polar research station at the moment. Soon they'll be on their way back home, but for now they are like to be content just knowing they can relax for a time.

The completion of this expedition brings the curtain down on the 2013-2014 Antarctic season. It has certainly been an eventful one filled with all kinds of inspiring adventures. It seems that each year, more and more people are skiing to the South Pole, and while those expeditions have become more common, the challenge is still an incredible one. Congratulations to all of the explorers who traveled in the Antarctic this season. Thanks for inspiring us to chase our own dreams and goals.

Video: Tempus Fugit - Time Flies in this Timelapse Video

Shot in Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and California, Utah, Washington and Oregon in the U.S., this video takes us on a whirlwind tour of some of the most beautiful and iconic landscapes at those destinations to show us how they look in an amazing timelapse fashion. This is four minutes of incredible beauty that shouldn't be missed. A perfect way to wrap up the week.

TEMPUS FUGIT 2 from Dr. Nicholas Roemmelt on Vimeo.

Antarctica 2016: Wrapping Things Up on the Frozen Continent

It has been an eventful season in the Antarctic, with a number of impressive accomplishments along the way. Way back in November, when things first started to ramp up, the end of the season seemed like a long way off. But now, with just a few more days to go before the team at ALE closes the Union Glacier camp for another year, the final squads are finishing up their expeditions and reaching their goals at long last.

We'll start with an update on the British Military Team, which consists of Lou Rudd, Oliver Stoten, Chris Brooke, Alex Brazier, and James Facer-Childs. We've been following the five men all season long as they spent 67 days out on the ice, first skiing to the South Pole and then continuing on back to the coast. Last Saturday – January 21 – they reached that goal at long last, covering some 1100 miles (1770 km) along the way.

Yesterday, the team posted an update to its blog, reporting that they had arrived back at Union Glacier on Sunday, where they received a warm welcome indeed. They are scheduled to fly back to Punta Arenas on Thursday of this week, so for now they get to relax and enjoy being in the Antarctic for a few more days. Once they arrive in Chile, it'll be on to the U.K., where there friends and family await. By the time the get home, it will have been nearly three months since they've seen them.

From all reports, it seems the entire group is in good health and good spirits. It has been a long and grueling expedition, but they always worked well together and the companionship they shared helped to get them through some very tough days out on the ice. Especially near the end, when poor weather and surface conditions made the final few days more difficult than anticipated. Now, they are relaxing, regaining some strength, and preparing to go home.


Canadian solo skier Sébastien Lapierre arrived at the South Pole back on January 9, having spent 42 days skiing to the South Pole. He shares his story in an interview with ExWeb that you can read here. In the interview, Sébastien talks about the pace of his journey, what it was like arriving at the Pole, the weather conditions he faced along the way, his favorite pieces of gear, and much more. Definitely worth a read if you want to gain some insights on an expedition across Antarctica.

Finally, Swiss explorer Mike Horn continues his traverse of the Antarctic continent via kite ski. Well, he continues when he has some wind to help propel him along. It has been feast or famine in that department lately, with some days passing without much in the way of movement at all, while on others he's knocking off as many as 211 km (131 miles) at a time.

Horn's ship, the Pangaea, has now circled the continent and is waiting to pick him up on the far side, where he'll sail into the South Pacific to pursue some adventures in New Zealand and Australia before proceeding north for an eventual attempt at crossing the Arctic ice cap via the North Pole as well. This is all part of his Pole 2 Pole expedition, during which he is attempting to circumnavigate the globe in a north-south direction, rather than east-west.

Unlike the rest of the teams that have been exploring the Antarctic this season, Horn doesn't have to come and go on ALE's schedule. With his own mode of transportation, he isn't racing the same clock as teams arriving back at Union Glacier. Still, the weather will start to take a turn for the worse in the weeks ahead, and he will want to be gone before winter returns. That shouldn't be problem however and it won't be too many more days before he wraps things up either.

We'll still be keeping an eye on the Antarctic for awhile yet, watching to see how things unfold. But, for the most part the season is now at an end.

Video: Drones Capture Close Encounter with Whales

It is tough to top last week's video in which a curious whale approached a passing boat, providing some spectacular footage of a humpback that was very up close and personal. But, this clip will come very close as it was shot in the South Pacific near the islands of New Caledonia. Using a drone, the crew of this ship were able to capture not only the incredibly deep blue ocean waters found there, but also several whales that once again wandered up to their boat. It is a truly amazing scene to behold and one that I think you'll find as enchanting as I did.

Video: Rock Climbing China's White Mountain

In this video, we'll head to China's White Mountains to go rock climbing with Liu Yongbang, one of that country's promising young climbers. Yongbang, who is also known as "Abond" in climbing circles, attempts a route called Hot Dumpling, which has a rating of 5.14d. For those who don't know, that would put it amongst the most difficult climbs on the planet. Along the way, we'll get some unforgettable footage of the surrounding countryside as well, giving us a glimpse of some of China's great climbing opportunities, which are often overlooked.