Video: Extreme Mountaineering with Reinhold Messner

This video is a full-length documentary about Reinhold Messner, quite possibly the greatest mountaineer of all time. The 45+ minute film is a great introduction to Messner's story for those who aren't familiar with his impressive resume, and a good reminder of just what a trailblazer the Italian alpinist has been. In terms of setting the bar higher for those who followed, it's hard to think of anyone who did more than this man. A true living legend.

Video: Mountain Biking New Zealand with Yeti Bikes

We all know that New Zealand is an outdoor playground with few equals, but did you also know that it is a fantastic mountain biking destination too? In this video, Yeti Cycles takes us to the New Zealand backcountry to ride everything from narrow sheep trails to custom made routes built specifically for riders. The best part? The amazing scenery that surrounds these trails, which will leave you breathless just looking at it. I need to go ride here.

NEW ZEALAND. PROVEN HERE. from Yeti Cycles on Vimeo.

Canadian Adventures: Snowshoeing in the Valley of Phantoms

It's pretty widely known that Canada is a great outdoor adventure destination. From the amazing national parks of British Columbia, to the mountain biking and kayaking opportunities that Vancouver has to offer. But as I discovered on my recent trip to Quebec, the opportunities for adventure aren't limited to the western part of this expansive country. In fact, just the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region alone has plenty to offer the intrepid traveler.

A few days back, I wrote about my experiences dogsledding and encountering wolves at a very special place in the Saguenay region. And while that was a fantastic day, it was just one of several unforgettable adventures that I was lucky enough to have while there.

Perhaps my favorite day while visiting Quebec was when I had the chance to go snowshoeing in the unbelievably beautiful Valley of the Phantoms. I've been fortunate enough to snowshoe through some great environments in the past, but none of them came close to the Valley of Phantoms. This very special place is covered in a blanket of 5+ meters (16.4 feet) of snow each year, thanks in part to a unique microclimate that creates extra moisture in the air. When temperatures drop, that moisture turns to snow, which falls almost continually throughout the winter. As a result, the snow is deep, powdery, and fresh. It also tends to cling to the trees of the dense forest found in the valley, shrouding them in white. Those trees are referred to as "ghost trees" or "mummy trees" and walking amongst them is something you won't soon forget.

Our day in Valley of the Phantoms began at the visitor center of the Parc national des Monts-Valin, in which this unique landscape is found. Shuttles depart twice in the morning, taking guests into the starting point of the trail that winds through the valley. With so much snow on the ground, it is impossible to drive to the trailhead yourself, but fortunately there are some special vans equipped with treads that are more than capable of navigating the snow-covered roads.


After collecting our gear, securing are permits, and meeting our guides, we were soon off on the 40 minute drive to the start of the trail. Along the way, it became evident what makes the Valley of the Phantoms so special, as the road you take to the start of the hike is surrounded by thick forests which already prominently displayed the ghost trees that the region is famous for.

Before long, we reached the trailhead. Hopping out of the van, we each grabbed a pair of snowshoes and poles, and went to work getting geared up for our trek. That day it was roughly -23ºC/-10ºF without the windchill, so it was important to get bundled in layers. Proper boots and gloves were necessary too, and even then it was cold enough that when you stopped moving, the chills set in pretty quickly.

The trail through the Valley of the Phantoms winds upwards, constantly climbing as you go. While it is a fairly easy ascent, being in good physical condition will certainly make it less of a challenge. Thankfully, the main trail is groomed all winter long, which makes it a comfortable walk. In fact, if you stayed on the trail it would be possible to hike to the top without the use of snowshoes. But wander off piste at all, and you'll be glad you have them. Even with the snowshoes, every member of my group still managed to fall through deep holes int eh snow, sometimes ended up buried to our chests.

Hiking up the trail, the trees provided good shelter from the wind, and brought a sense of solitude to our walk. When walking alone, the place was nearly silent, with just the sound of your snowshoes in breath breaking the silence. Despite the cold, it was a truly memorable and enjoyable day in the outdoors, with breathtaking scenery around just about every bend.

About halfway to the summit, we stopped to take a break in one of the valley's warming huts. On that day, it was crowded in the small hut, but very warm too. We allowed our toes and fingers to thaw a bit while enjoying a tasty lunch. It was a nice respite from the cold temps just outside, but once we had finished our meal, we bundled up to head back outside in the elements.

From the warming hut, it was just 1 km (.6 miles) to the summit, and with recharged batteries we soon topped out on the 984 meter (3228 ft) peak. The winds at the top were much higher than they were in the shelter of the valley itself, which caused temperatures to drop sharply. Still, the cold was far from our minds, because the incredible views that were found there trumped everything else.

We picked a great day to visit the Valley of the Phantoms. Throughout most of the winter, the skies are cloudy and snow falls almost constantly. But when I was there, it was a clear day with bright blue sky, and the sun shining overhead. That translated to breathtaking views from the summit, allowing us to see for miles in all directions. The ghost trees stretched out around us, showing us the boundaries of the microclimate that make them possible, while offering enticing views of the wilderness beyond. In a word, it was spectacular.

After spending quite a bit of time on the summit taking photos, we decided it was time to begin our descent at long last. But, our guide took us off the trail and into the more remote areas of the park. Here, the snow was deep and treacherous, and far different from the nicely groomed trail. It was during this part of our trek that we all discovered how well hidden holes in the snow can be, as everyone of us plummeted into the deep powder, which acted a bit like quicksand, even with snowshoes on our feet.

Those occasional obstacles only added to the fun though, and exploring off piste was a great adventure. If walking on the trail showed us the beauty of the valley, getting into the heart of the forest displayed its wild side. Walking amongst the trees was real joy, although if you do wander away from the hiking route, it would probably be good to do so with a guide. It is easy to get lost in the forest, and there were plenty of times I was happy that someone else was taking the lead.

By late afternoon we arrived back at the main trail and finished our descent back to where we started. It has been a tremendous day in this amazing place, and we were all reluctant to leave it behind, despite the very cold conditions. Thankfully, that evening was spent in a cabin that overlooked a frozen lake, giving us a chance to experience this pristine wilderness after dark too. We took advantage of that opportunity by heading out in the evening to catch a peek at the stars overhead. By then, the temperatures had dropped even further, but we didn't mind at all. We knew a hot fire was waiting for us back inside, and the view was well worth it.

Next up, ice fishing on Lac-Saint-Jean!

Team of British Explorers Heading to Bhutan in Search of the Yeti

The existence of a strange ape like creature living in the Himalaya is one of the more enduring (and endearing) myths of the past century. The animal, which is commonly known as the yeti or the abominable snowman, has been a part of the local lore for centuries, but managed to capture the imagination of westerners as explorers from other parts of the world delved deep into the mountains looking to climb peaks like Everest and Annapurna. Over the years, men like Sir Edmund Hillary and Reinhold Messner have gone looking for this mountain ape, but other than uncovering a few stories and legends, everyone who has searched for it has come up empty. That hasn't stopped others from trying of course, including a new team of yeti hunters that is heading to Bhutan to find mythological beast.

According to this article in the Daily Mail, the team will be led by British adventurer Alastair Humphreys, who will take the group into Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary on a trekking expedition with the hopes of spotting the elusive creature. The remote setting, which is situated at 3530 metres (11,581 feet), is believed to be one of the yeti's habitats amongst the Bhutanese people. The rugged mountains there would be the perfect place for a rare animal to remain hard to spot.

For his part, Humphreys tells the Daily Mail that while he would love to find the yeti, he is a realist when it comes to these kinds of expeditions. He compares the Himalaya creature to Britain's own Loch Ness monster, which has continued to spark interest for decades as well. For him, this is just another chance to head out on an adventure, and to visit a place that is difficult for independent travelers to visit on their own. From the interview in the article linked to above, it seems that experienced traveler and adventurer is looking forward to the local cuisine as much as he is the thought of finding an animal that most believe doesn't exist. As far as excuses for launching an adventure, I've certainly heard of worse.

The expedition is being sponsored by the car manufacturer Škoda, with updates being posted to @ŠKODAUK or with the hashtag #YetiBhutan. I'm sure Alastair will also post updates to his website  and Twitter as well.

Video: Cave Diving The Jug Hole

Located in Florida's Ichetucknee Springs State Park, the Jug Hole is a popular diving destination for those who want to try there hand at cave diving. For the rest of us, who like to stay safe and dry on land, the video below will have to suffice in terms of giving us the chance to see this place. This 7+ minute clip does a good job of showing off the Hole, and making it abundantly clear why it is so popular.

Jug hole finished from Tony Sellers on Vimeo.

Winter Climbs 2016: Revol and Mackiewicz at 7200 Meters on Nanga Parbat

Over the past week, we've been watching the events unfold on Nanga Parbat very closely, mostly because the weather is reportedly good right now and one of the four remaining teams hoping to reach the summit this winter has launched a summit bid. Now, as the weekend arrives, that squad is ready to have a go at the top, and possibly make history in the process.

As you probably already know, the 8126 meters (26,600 ft) Nanga Parbat is one of just two 8000 meter peaks that has yet to be scaled during the winter months, with the other being K2. In recent years, a number of teams have come close to finally putting up the first winter ascent, but the mountain has continued to turn everyone back. Just last year, Elisabeth Revol and Tomaz Mackiewicz climbed within 300 meters (984 feet) of the summit, but poor conditions forced them to turn back. Now, nearly one year later, they're ready to do it again.

According to their latest report, the duo are now above Camp 4 at 7400 meters (24,278 ft) and are preparing to go for the top. If everything holds in place, they could summit this weekend. But, they still have a long way to go, and based on last year's results, it is doubtful that they are taking anything for granted. The weather can change quickly on the mountain, and while the window looks like it'll be open for another couple of days, it could also slam shut rapidly as well. Stay tuned for more updates on their progress.


Elsewhere on the mountain, Alex Txikon, Daniele Nardi, and Ali Sadpara are working their way back up the mountain after all three took a few days to catch their breath following their last rotations. The trio have gone back up to C2 at 6100 meters (20,013 ft) and have taken enough rope with them to continue the process of fixing the lines up to C3, which should be located at 6700 meters (21,981 ft). They report heavy snow on their route at the moment, which made for slow going, but they are prepared to press ahead.

The Polish Justice For All team has hit a milestone on their expedition as well. They've now fixed the ropes up to 7000 meters (22,965 ft) as they join the race for the summit too. After completing that work, they'll now reportedly descend back to BC for some much needed rest. They're also keeping a close eye on Elisabeth and Tomaz's progress as well.

Finally, we have an update on Simone Moro and Tamara Lunger, the Italian squad who have been working the mountain as well. While the duo have been tightlipped about their progress, Aliex Txikon says that they have returned to Base Camp. Apparently, they had both been resting in BC for a few days, and were preparing to launch a summit bid, but a change in weather along their route has turned them back. They'll now continue to wait for an opportunity to reveal itself once again.

That's it for now. Hopefully Monday will bring us good news on the progress of all of the team, but especially Elisabeth and Tomaz. Good luck to them as they push forward.

Himalaya Fall 2016: Manaslu the Most Popular Peak of the Season

The numbers are in for the fall climbing season in Nepal, and Manaslu is far and away the most popular peak in the country. Over the weekend, the Nepali Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation released some statistics for the number of permits issued to foreign climbers, and as usual those numbers share some interesting insights.

According to The Himalayan Times, Nepal has issued 277 climbing permits for the fall. Those permits are spread out over 19 different peaks within the country. Of those 277 climbers, 151 have are attempting Manaslu, the 8th highest mountain in the world at 8163 meters (26,781 ft). For some, it will be a testing ground before moving on to Everest in the future, while others are there to add an 8000-meter peak to their resume. In all, there are 16 teams heading to the mountain this fall.

Sherpa teams have finished installed the fixed ropes up to Camp 3 on Manaslu over the past few days, which means the teams on that mountain – including Seven Summit Treks and Himex – will be wrapping up their acclimatization efforts there soon and will begin thinking about summit bids. That could happen as early as next week. Traditionally, the summit push comes in the final week of September or early October, depending on weather conditions.

The Himalayan Times also reports that Amadablam, Saribung and the Putha Hiuchuli are some of the other peaks that have been issued permits this year as climbers look for other challenges in the region that aren't 8000-meters or taller in height. For instance, 39 climbers have obtained permits for Himlung Himal as well, a peak that is 7126 meters (23,379 ft) in height, and a good introduction to Himalayan climbing.


All told, it seems that Nepali officials are happy and impressed with the number of expeditions that have come to the region this year. In addition to the all of the climbers in Nepal, more than a dozen teams have also traveled to Tibet, most to take on Shishapangma or Cho Oyu. While Everest is seeing very little traffic – just a single climber at the moment – business is good elsewhere.

Speaking of Cho Oyu, the weather has been good over the past couple of days, allowing the Adventure Consultants to climb up to Camp 2 as they continue to acclimate as well. They will return to ABC tomorrow for a brief rest before starting another rotation later in the week. That's where the IMG is currently residing as they prepare to head back up the slopes as well.

Over on Dhaulagiri, the Altitude Junkies also report good weather, with nary a cloud in the sky. That made for warm conditions while scaling the glacier, but it allows them to climb up to Camp 2 over the weekend as well. Their Sherpa teams are hurriedly attempting to fix the ropes, while high altitude porters shuttle gear up to the higher camps. If everything goes as scheduled, and the weather continues to cooperate, they'll make their summit push between September 25-30, wrapping up the season on that mountain.

That's all for today. More news as it comes in. The season is proceeding along as expected, with few major issues so far. There are lot of expeditions that are just getting underway though, so there should be a lot to share int he days ahead.

Video: Kayaking an Uncharted River in Papua New Guinea

Yesterday we had a great video that showed us what it is like to paddle through remote Iceland. Today we travel to a different part of the world to explore an uncharted river in Papua New Guinea. In this video a team of expedition kayakers set on on the Beriman River on the island of New Britain, which remains mostly uncharted even in the 21st century. As you'll see from the clip, they discovered a place that is as wild and untamed as it is beautiful. Along the way they dropped over rushing waterfalls, paddled through deep canyons, and battled raging whitewater. In other words, it was utterly fantastic.

Video: Into The Cave Of Wonders

There are two buzzwords we're hearing a lot about these days in terms of filmmaking (three if you count drones!). Those buzzwords include 4K and HDR. 4K shoots video at resolutions higher than HD, while High Dynamic Range video (and photography) captures colors in brighter, more saturated fashions. The result is an ultra-realistic looking video that has to be seen to be believed.

The filmmakers behind the video below used both 4K and HDR in the production of their short documentary entitled Into the Cave of Wonders. The results are pretty spectacular, as you'll see when you view the 9 minute clip. And before anyone asks, yes, the Cave of Wonders does exist. It is located in southern Spain near the town of Aracena. It is also open to the public, so start planning your visit soon.

Into the Cave of Wonders [4k HDR short documentary] from LovetheFrame on Vimeo.

Antarctica 2013: More South Pole Arrivals!

While I took a bit of a long weekend, the teams in Antarctica were busy steaming towards the finish line. As expected, several of those teams reached that mark over the past few days, while others continue to struggle towards their own respective goals. The end of the season is in sight, and soon there will be just one last team battling the elements. The team that started the season will also be the one to end it.

The big news over the weekend is that Lewis Clarke, along with guide Carl Alvey, has reached 90ºS. It took him 48 days to get there, but upon his arrival he achieved his goal of becoming the youngest person to ever ski the full distance to the South Pole. The 16-year old is already on his way back to civilization, and has even booked a speaking engagement in the U.K. for next weekend. That's a pretty ambitious schedule, but I guess he can sleep on the long plane rides he has ahead.

Also reaching 90ºS on Saturday was Chris and Marty Fagan, who limped into the finish line with hardly andy rations to spare. They enjoyed a little quite time at the South Pole station before flying to Union Glacier yesterday with the intention of returning to Chile today. Their journey took 47 days to complete, with the husband and wife team celebrating their achievement together.

Congratulations to these latest explorers to reach the Pole. It is a great accomplishment and an inspiration for those of us who have been following their progress over the past couple of months.


Still out on the ice, is South Pole cyclist Daniel Burton. Daniel is slowly but surely closing in on 90ºS as well, but his last stage of the journey hasn't been an easy one. In addition to wandering off course, both on purpose and unintentionally, he had run out of food until Antarctic legend Hannah McKeand appeared out of nowhere to bring him a resupply. Hannah works for ALE and was sent out to make sure Daniel had enough food to see him to the finish line. As of yesterday, he had 20 miles yet to go to reach that point, and his intention was to ride straight through to the end today. He says his next update will be from the South Pole, so hopefully we'll receive news of his successful arrival soon.

Finally, Ben Saunders and Tarka L'Herpiniere, collectively making up the Scott Expedition, continue to make progress. The duo have now left the Beardmore Glacier behind and have returned to the Ross Ice Shelf. They had hoped that by reaching shelf that things would begin to pick up for them, but they immediately found themselves in a nasty crevasse field, which made for tough (and slow!) going for awhile. After 88 days out on the ice, the boys are ready to be done and headed home. Unfortunately, they still have 418 miles (672 km) to go before they are finished. That's the equivalent of another couple of weeks of travel, which has to be a difficult proposition after nearly three months on the ice.

To help cheer the lads up, Prince Harry, who recently skied to the South Pole as well, sent them an encouraging message. That will certainly help lift their spirits as the press on. It won't be too much longer and they'll be the lone team still in the Antarctic. I'm sure Ben and Tarka will relish their "first to arrive, last to leave" status.

That's all for now. I'll post more updates as we get news on Daniel Burton's finish and other developments in the Antarctic season that is about to end.

Video: BMX Bike Tricks Like Nothing You've Seen Before

Think you've seen some riders do some impressive things on a bike in the past? Well, be prepared to see somethings you've never seen before. In this video, BMX rider Tim Knoll pulls off some stunts that are unbelievable to say the least. Throughout the 3+ minute clip he makes his bike do things I didn't realize were possible, and he makes it look effortless in the process. I'm not about to run out and try these myself, but it is certainly fun to watch someone else do it.

Video: The North Face Athletes Question Madness - Conrad Anker and Alex Honnold

Yesterday, I shared a video that launched a new brand campaign from The North Face that invited us to "Question Madness." The campaign celebrates the 50th anniversary of the company, which has become synonymous with outdoor adventure and exploration. Today, I have two more videos from that exemplify what the company is going for by introducing viewers to some of their sponsored athletes. In this case, those two people are mountaineer Conrad Anker and rock climber Alex Honnold. Check them out below.

Everest 2017: Cancer Patient Hopes to Climb Highest Mountain on the Planet

And now for your daily dose of inspiration. This story comes our way courtesy of the BBC, which posted an article yesterday about Ian Toothill, a 47 year old cancer patient who hopes to climb Everest this year.

Back in 2015, Toothill was diagnosed with bowl cancer and underwent treatment to beat that disease. Doctors said that his cancer was in remission and he was given a clean bill of health. But early in 2016 he was told that the cancer had returned, and he has been battling it ever since.

Ian tells the BBC that he has climbed in the Himalaya in the past, and it has been a lifelong dream to attempt Everest. He is currently trying to raise £250,000 ($313,000) to pay for the expedition and to provide funds for the Macmillan Cancer Support organization, which offers a variety of types of assistance to cancer patients at various stages of their treatment. So far, he has pulled in more than £18,000 ($22,590)

If successful in his efforts, Toothill would become the first cancer patient to climb Everest. With that in mind, he has been busy training and preparing for the altitude in any way that he can prior to leaving for Nepal, which will likely occur at the end of March or early April, when most of the climbers start to arrive.

The personal trainer says that he has always had a thirst for adventure, which was cultivated further by his service in the military. In addition to climbing in the Himalaya for three months, he has also trekked across Iceland, solo and unsupported. Everest would be the biggest challenge of his life however, which is why he is looking to take on the mountain now. He also hopes to use his expedition as inspiration for other cancer patients.

Toothill has set up a GoFundMe page for anyone who is interested in donating to his cause.


Climbing Everest for Cancer from Ian Toothill on Vimeo.

Video: The Earth in Ultra High Definition

This is another short, but oh-so sweet, video that has to be seen to be believed. It was shot from the International Space Station using an ultra-high def video camera. The result is some stunning shots of our planet captured at 4k resolutions. The Earth never looked so good.

Video: A Voyage To Antarctica

Not all of us have the time, money, or physical prowess to ski across Antarctica to the South Pole. That doesn't mean that we can't visit the frozen continent however, and on an annual basis thousands of people go there to experience that remote and beautiful place for themselves. The video below gives us a glimpse of what just such a journey is like, showing off spectacular landscapes and beautiful, albeit quite cold, settings. Antarctica was already high on my places that I want to see for myself at some point, but this short film just hammers that point home all the more. Pack your bags. You're going to want to head south after watching this one.

ANTARCTICA EXPEDITION 2013 from Chris Stanley on Vimeo.