Aussie Woman to Attempt Solo Sailing Circumnavigation of Antarctica

Aussie sailor Lisa Blair is about to set out on a very difficult sailing expedition. So much so, that no woman has ever accomplished it solo before. Next week, she will attempt to become the first female – and only third person ever – to sail solo and unassisted around Antarctica, navigating the challenging Southern Ocean, which remains treacherous even in the 21st century.

The journey is expected to take about three months to complete. She'll first depart from Albany in Western Australia, and will head south into the waters off the coast of the Antarctic. In order to maintain her solo and unassisted status, she'll need to spend the entire voyage onboard her ship, without making land stops of any kind, nor having personal contact with another person. She'll also have to sail completely without assistance.

In order to write her name in the history books, Blair must keep her ship below 45ºS latitude at all times. She'll also have to pass three of the most treacherous spots of land on Earth in the form of Cape Leeuwin, Cape Horn, and Cape Agulhas. Along the way, she hopes to set a new speed record for the Antarctic circumnavigation, besting the time set by Russian adventurer Fedor Konyukhov back in 2008. He managed to sail around the frozen continent in 102 days, 56 minutes, 50 seconds, covering some 16,400 miles (26,393 km) in the process.

Blair had intended to set out by now, but weather and upgrades to her ship have caused a few delays to the start of the expedition. The countdown clock on her website indicates that she will now get underway on Tuesday or Wednesday of next week, provided there are no more unexpected interruptions. When she does depart, she'll also be taking part in the Antarctica Cup Ocean Race as the lone competitor. The race is actually between Lisa and the clock, although she will try to stay in one of three electronically mapped "lanes," each of which have 18 individual "gates" that she'll pass through along the course.

Hopefully all will go according to plan, and Blair will start her epic voyage next week. You'll be able to follow Lisa's progress on her website as she makes her way through this wild and uncharted part of the world. It should be an amazing trip.

Winter Climbs 2017: Waiting Out the Weather on Everest

A summit push is underway on Everest, where Alex Txikon and his team are attempting a winter ascent of the highest mountain on the planet. But the current ascent hasn't been an easy one, and although a weather window is still expected to open later this week, the team is currently in Camp 3 at 7400 meters (24,278 ft) waiting for an opportunity to climb higher.

Posting on Twitter, Txikon says that the team actually made it all the way up to Camp 4 at 7950 meters (26,082 ft), but because the winds were so high he, along with Nurbu Sherpa and Chhepal Sherpa, were forced to retreat. Winds in excess of 70 km/h (43 mph) made it impossible to build their tents and take shelter there, so they have dropped back down to C3 to rest and wait out the current storm. That may take another day or two, as conditions are expected to remain the same through Tuesday, meaning they could move back up to C4 by Wednesday, with a final push to the top coming on Thursday.

Alex is attempting to summit the mountain without the use of supplemental oxygen, which is hard enough during the prime climbing season in the spring, let alone in the winter. This feat has only been accomplished once in the past, so we could potentially see history in the works. Of course, there is a lot of climbing to be done yet and the weather has to cooperate, but the team is reportedly fit, in good spirits, and ready to go. They have said however, that this will be there one and only summit bid, so hopefully everything comes together to give them a legitimate chance of topping out.

We'll continue to keep an eye on Alex's progress. If the weather forecasts are true, it seems likely that he'll hold in place tomorrow as well, although if the winds do subside, the team could move up to C4 and be ready to take advantage of the anticipated weather window that is coming later in the week. I'll post more news as it comes, but for now, take a look at the video below to get an idea of what Everest is like during the winter.

Video: Mission Iceland Trekking

Here's a wonderful video of an adventure that two brothers shared as they trekked 115-miles across Iceland, exploring some of that country's amazing landscapes in the process. It is a beautifully shot short film that will leave you longing for a hike like this of your own, while also touching on some of the sensitive environmental issues that Iceland faces. Thanks to filmmaker Hank Leukart for sharing this with me. Very well done sir!

Mission Iceland: A Tale of Two Brothers from Hank Leukart on Vimeo.

Video: How The Wolves Of Yellowstone Impacted The Environment There

Yellowstone National Park is one of my favorite places on the planet. It is a beautiful, breathtaking landscape, with some amazing wildlife on display. Back in 1995, wolves were famously reintroduced to the park, without anyone knowing for sure what they would do to the ecosystem there. Turns out, they have had quite an impact, in ways that no one could have predicted. The video below shares some insights into that vary thing. It is four minutes that are likely to fascinate anyone who has a love for the outdoors.

Video: To The Summit of Everest

Over the past few days we've seen the first successful summits of Everest in two years, and if everything goes according to plan, we should see many more over the weekend and next week. If you have ever wondered what those climbers are facing on the way to the top of the world, this video will give you a brief glimpse of that challenge. This 2+ minute clip takes us from Base Camp to the summit, passing through the Khumbu Icefall, up the South Col and on to the very summit itself. Over the next few days, dozens of climbers will be making this same journey. Hopefully everyone gets up and down safely.

Video: Beautiful Skies From Around the Globe

There is nothing like a beautiful sky hanging over a breathtaking landscape. We're reminded of this by this great video, which was shot at a variety of locations around the globe, including Singapore, Sydney, Big Sur, Yosemite, Death Valley, and numerous other locations. While just three minutes in length, it is a mesmerizing look at something that we all see everyday, but often take for granted.

Skylight from Chris Pritchard on Vimeo.

Video: Timelapse From The Valley Of Fire

The Valley of Fire is a  popular state park in Nevada that makes for some dramatic backdrops for photos and video. The short clip below captures those landscapes in timelapse, giving the place an otherworldly feel. I've never been to this park, but I have to say that it looks spectacular. I guess I'll need to start adding great state parks to my list of destinations along with the national parks I love so much.

Goldpaint Photography & eMotimo from Goldpaint Photography on Vimeo.

Video: A Visit to the Amazing Galapagos Islands

Located 620 miles off the coast of Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands are one of the most famous and intriguing destinations on the planet. It was there that Charles Darwin first formulated his ideas of natural selection and evolution as he observed unique wildlife, some of which exists no where else on Earth. This video takes us to the Galapagos and gives us a glimpse of those creatures, as well as some of the wonderful landscapes that exist there. If you've ever wanted to visit this place for yourself, this short film might finally convince you to make that happen.

GALAPAGOS from irenaVision on Vimeo.

Adventure Tech: Iridium Announces New Voice And Data Device - the Iridium Go

Earlier today, satellite communication company Iridium announced a great new product that has the potential to revolutionize the way we communicate while in the remote places of the planet. The new device is called the Iridium Go, and the tiny gadget will give you the ability to make voice calls, send text messages, share social media updates, and more, all from the smartphone that you already own.

The Go somewhat resembles a mobile WiFi hotspot that are commonly used to connect laptops and other gadgets to cellular data networks. In this case however, the device actually connects to Iridium's satellite network instead. It then appears as a WiFi base station to your smartphone, allowing it to connect and use the Go's satellite signal to send and receive messages, connect to the web, post updates to Facebook and Twitter, share photos and of course make phone calls.

The Go will allow up to five devices, such as tablets, laptops, and smartphones, to connect at any given time. It also enables GPS location services for those devices, and has a built in SOS service to call for aid should the need arise. It puts all of those features into a small, compact package that won't take up a lot of room in a pack or add much in the way of weight either.



Iridium's approach of creating a device that allows us to use our own smartphones has a number of great advantages. For instance, you can use what ever phone you currently own at any given time, which means you'll be able to upgrade to new technology, while still being able to use the Go. It also means that your favorite apps can operate over the device too. And since it has a range of more than 100 feet, the Go can be set outside, in a location with a clear view of the sky, while you sit comfortably inside your tent, fully connected from your device.

The ruggedized Go is built to withstand the elements. It is water and dust proof, and is designed to withstand the shock of being dropped or jostled about. The device is designed to be taken to the remote corners of the world, and Iridium has built it to withstand the harshest environments, including the Himalaya and Antarctica.

At the moment, Iridium is planning on releasing Go apps for iOS and Android devices. That app will handle most of the communication between your smartphone and the satellite communications device. Those apps will be fully optimized to take advantage of the satellite data connection, compressing photos and messages down for more efficient sharing. The app will also be used to make phone calls, although it will have full access to the contacts you have stored on your device.

I'm told that using the Iridium Go will be simple to use. All you need to do is flip up its built in antenna and power the it on. After it establishes a connection to the satellites overhead, your smartphone will begin using it as its data source. The Go is also built to take advantage of Iridium Next, which is the company's second generation satellite network. Next is still a few years away from going into service, but it will provide much faster data options moving forward.

Iridium has also been working hard to develop an API for the GO, giving app developers the tools they need to make their programs compatible with the device. Those tools are said to have been well received so far, which means we could see some very cool integration with the Go and other apps in the future.

The Iridium Go is scheduled for a second quarter release this year, although no firm date has been set yet. The price is still in fluctuation as the engineers work on the final design and focus on getting battery life fine tuned. I'm told to expect it to be roughly around $800, although that could change before release. Service plans are also being tested at the moment, but Iridium promise that they will be more cost effective than past plans, especially considering the device can be shared with numerous people.

Look for more information on this product in the near future. I personally think that it has a ton of great potential, and I can't wait to hear how it works in the field.

Rare White Giraffe Spotted in Tanzania

Tanzania's Tarangire National Park is now home to an incredibly rare white giraffe. The one year old calf was spotted in the park recently, and has garnered lots of attention for her distinctive looks, which are made possible because she has a genetic condition called leucism that doesn't allow her skin to make a pigment, which results in the pale color.
anzania's

The giraffe – which has been named Omo after a popular local detergent – was first spotted in the park last year as a newborn. But, she was recently seen again, making local rangers very happy. Over the course of the past year she has grown significantly in size and stature, and appears to be a healthy member of the giraffe population in every way. That is a good sign for the adolescent animal, as National Geographic says that about half of all baby giraffes die within the first six months.

But Omo isn't completely out of the woods just yet. In addition to the natural threats to her life, officials at the park fear that she could become a target of poachers. To combat this threat they have employed highly trained tracking dogs and remotely piloted drones to patrol the region. Their hope is to spot any nefarious activity long before poachers could ever get close to the white giraffe.

Tarangire is a popular safari destination amongst visitors to Tanzania. That means that some lucky travelers will get a chance to spot Omo in her natural habitat. That would be an amazing sight indeed, and on par with the rare white lions that were recently spotted in South Africa as well.

Climb to the Summit of Mont Blanc with Google Street View

Over the years Google Street View has continued to expand, taking us from the familiar avenues of our hometowns to such iconic locations as Machu Picchu in Peru, Petra in Jordan, and even the Khumbu in Nepal. Now, you can add one more location to that list, as earlier this week the tech giant brought one of Europe's most famous mountains online when they added Mont Blanc to their library of virtual destinations.

To capture these amazing places in full 360º images, Google uses a special backpack called the Street View Trekker. This special pack comes equipped with a device that includes 15 different cameras, each snapping images at the same time. Once the data is collected, software is used to stitch the data back together, creating a seamless experience of the various locations that the Trekker records.

In order to capture Mont Blanc in all of its glory, Google decided to enlist some specialists to help them out. They brought in mountain athletes Kilian Jornet, Ueli Steck, and Candide Thovex – amongst others – to get a streamlined version of the Trekker to the summit. The results are nothing short of spectacular.

The video below gives you a bit of insight into the project that brought Mont Blanc online. To explore it for yourself in Street View, simply click here.

Did Canadian Teen Really Discover a Lost Mayan City?

We have an update today on that fascinating story that I posted yesterday about a 15-year old Canadian boy who claimed to have discovered a lost Mayan city in the Yucatan Peninsula. It seems that experts are poking holes in the young man's theories, saying that he didn't find a missing city at all, but instead spotted an overgrown agricultural field instead.

The original story was that school boy William Gadoury noticed that Mayan cities were located on a map in the same shape as several constellations in the sky. Looking at old star maps, the then overlaid the constellations on terrestrial maps and noticed that there were locations where cities should have lined up with the stars, but there were no known settlements there. So, William broke out Google Earth and started pouring over the images in search of manmade structures, discovering what looked like the remnants of a prior civilization.

Naturally, the story has struck a chord with the public, many of whom have been fascinated by this narrative, while also wondering why no one else had noticed this placement of Mayan cities in the past. Well, it turns out that there may be some basic issues with the teenager's general premise, as National Geographic explains, and the structures that he spotted in the satellite images may not be as old as he suspects or possibly not even man-made at all.

Archaeologist Ivan Šprajc says that the square shape spotted on the map is really an abandoned field that probably isn't any more than 20 or 30 years old. He also says that other potential structures are most likely natural shapes, and include a clearing in the jungle, which probably doesn't have anything to do with a lost Mayan city. 

As I mentioned in my original story yesterday, the only real way to confirm the existence of a lost city is to send a team of archaeologists out to examine the site. Considering the skepticism that is being raised from others in the field, it seems unlikely that that will happen soon. Of course, there are some who believe that trained archaeologists have also been caught with egg on their face by being upstaged by a teenager, so they have reason to cast doubt on his findings. Only time will tell at this point. 

Video: Mountain Biking Revelstoke

Primarily known as a ski destination, Revelstoke has quickly become a great place to mountain bike too. In this video, we travel to British Columbia with our friends from Teton Gravity Research to explore the possibilities of riding the many trails that can be found at the mountain resort, and beyond. If you love beautiful scenery and great mountain biking, you'll certainly appreciate this clip. And remember, it's not winter yet. There is still time to ride Revelstoke this season.

Video: Introducing the GoPro Karma

Last week, just before I left for my backpacking trip to Bryce Canyon, GoPro introduced its first drone, the Karma. I barely had enough time to share some thoughts on this new UAV before I skipped town, but this video does a great job of showing off what it can do. While it doesn't look like a revolution in drone technology, it does appear that it will be an affordable solution that has a lot to offer those looking to add a drone to their collection of gear. From what I've heard, the footage that it captures is quite good, and the fact that it can fold up and be easily transported makes it a good choice for use in remote locations. Looking forward to learning more about it in the days ahead. It should go on sale on October 23. Here's a sneak peek at what to expect.

The 40 Most Iconic Places on the Planet According to Outside

In 2017, Outside magazine celebrates its 40th anniversary, and to celebrate it has put together a series of lists that will look back on its history and forward to a changing environment and culture around us. The first of those lists has now gone online, and as you would expect, it is definitely an interest one. To get things started, the editors at Outside have put together their picks for the Most Iconic Places on the Planet.

To earn a spot on the list these places must be "significant, beautiful, and terrifying destinations that loom large in our imaginations." Once you get a look at the list, I'm sure you'll agree that the places that made the cut fit that description. For instance, the mountain bikers will appreciate the inclusion of the Slick Rock Trail in Moab, Utah, while surfers will find that Maverick's has made the list as well. These two spots wouldn't make the average person's list most likely, as many would not have even heard of them. But for the Outside crowd, the certainly loom large.

Other destinations that have captured the hearts and minds of outdoor enthusiasts, would-be adventurers, and explorers include Chris McCandless' bus in Alaska, Heartbreak Hill from the Boston Marathon, and Camp 4 in Yosemite Valley, which holds a special place for multiple generations of climbers.

I won't spoil the entire list. In fact, the ones that I've mentioned are some of the first that you'll find as you begin to scroll through the webpage. But needless to say, this is a great read that will bring back fond memories, inspire future adventures, and leave you plotting an escape to visit these destinations for yourself. This is a list that lives up to its name, and it is as diverse and varied as you can imagine.

Grab yourself a beverage and a snack, get comfortable in your chair, and sit back and savor this one. It is well worth a read. I've been lucky enough to visit a few of these spots, but I have my work cut out for me to see them all. Check out the full list here, and then start thinking about what Outside has planned for its next list as well.

Backpacker Gives Us the Best Comfort Thru-Hiking Gear

A few days back I shared a post from Backpacker magazine that offered readers their picks for the best budget gear for making a long-distance thru-hike. Each of the items on that list were selected primarily because they are affordable, with performance being the second characteristic. Now, the editors are back with some more gear recommendations, but this time their offering options that fall into a different category – comfort.

Backpacker's picks for the best comfort thru-hiking gear includes a fantastic sleeping bag from Western Mountaineering, an incredibly comfy sleeping pad from Thermarest, and a large, quite possibly the most comfortable backpack on the market today courtesy of Osprey. You'll also find selections for the best tent, jacket, trekking poles, and even an umbrella, all of which are aimed at the hiker who doesn't mind carrying a bit of extra weight if it means he or she has some luxuries that help them to stay at home out on the trail.

Obviously this list is not for those of us who count every ounce when we're heading out on a hike. Instead, it is all about keeping your body as strong and comfortable as possible, even when hiking for miles on end day after day. If you're someone who is okay with knowing you don't have the lightest gear around, but that you'll probably enjoy your hike more as a result, this list is definitely for you.

Check out all of the items that made the cut by clicking here.

Video: Don't Go to Iran (But Really, You Should!)

This video is here to smash stereotypes. The title tells us not to go to Iran, but the words don't match the visuals you'll see on screen. The 3.5 minute clip shows us all of the great things there are to see and do there, and gives us a glimpse at the people that live in this historically and culturally rich nation. Don't believe everything you hear about Iran. Go and see it for yourself.

Don't go to Iran from Tolt on Vimeo.

Antarctica 2015: End of the Trail for One Skier, Others Close in on the Pole

The 2015 Antarctic season is quickly drawing to a close. With only a few more weeks to go, most of the South Pole skiers are now squarely focused on reaching their destination and ending the difficult challenge they have set for themselves. It has been a long and difficult couple of months at the bottom of the world where weather and surface conditions have tried the patience of just about everyone. But now, with the end in sight, one skier has decided to call it quits, while others are closing in on the Pole at long last.

We'll start our round-up of Antarctic activities with an update on Doug Tumminello, the American who was attempting a solo journey to the South Pole from Hercules Inlet. Doug has struggled some on his journey, as he developed painful blisters on his feet early in the expedition which made progress slow at times. So much so, that by last week he had only reached the 85th parallel, which leaves a lot of ground to cover with time quickly running out. On Sunday, Doug made the tough choice to pull the plug on his attempt to reach the Pole. He had managed to ski to a place called Thiels Corner – near the Thiels Mountains – where ALE maintains a landing strip. Once there, he thought it best to maintain his position and wait for someone to come pick him up. There hasn't been any updates since the Sunday announcement, but it is possible that he has already been retrieved from the ice, and is starting the journey home.

Elsewhere, Henry Worsley is forging ahead with his attempt to become the first person to make a solo and unsupported journey across the Antarctic continent. He is now 60 days into the expedition, and after two months out on the ice he is ready to begin his descent to the Shackleton Glacier and the Ross Iceshelf. That hasn't started yet however, as Henry continues to climb. He's now at an altitude of about 3170 meters (10,403 ft) as he makes his way up and over the Titan Dome. After that, he should start to descend at last, which should make for easier going. He is racing the clock now however, as the last plane out of Antarctica is scheduled for January 28, and he still has a long way to go before he is done. That means extra time out on the trail each day in an attempt to cover longer distances. This looks good on the map of course, but is tough on an already exhausted body.


Solo skier Luke Robertson is closing in on the South Pole. He now has less than one degree to go, and reports improved surface conditions as he nears 90ºS. He should reach the finish line in the next couple of days, at which point he will become the first Scotsman to reach the Polo solo.

The team of Devon McDiarmid, Stew Edge, Mostafa Salameh, and Shahrom Abdullah have now begun the countdown until they reach the South Pole as well. They crossed the last degree yesterday, and now believe they'll wrap up their expedition in six days. That would put them at 90ºS next Sunday, provided everything goes according to plan.

Finally, Emma Kelty and guide Carl Alvy are still forging ahead, although conditions have been very challenging for the duo. They have now passed the 86th degree, which leaves more to cross before they are done. With the number of days growing short at this point, that will be a tall order and they'll definitely need to pick up the pace if they hope to reach the Pole on time. At this point, it isn't looking good, but perhaps they can still pull it off.

Stay tuned for more updates as the news warrants.

Gear Closet: Icebug Anima2 BUGrip Winter Running Shoes

Considering the nasty weather that is sweeping across much of the U.S. and parts of Europe this week, it seems appropriate that I share my thoughts on the Anima2 BUGrip winter running shoes from Icebug. If you're a runner who refuses to move inside for the winter, but routinely has to deal with snow, ice and cold temperatures, then these are definitely the shoes for you.

Icebug is a Swedish company that designs excellent athletic shoes for dedicated outdoor enthusiasts. The company is relatively new to North America, but they are making a big move into the market now. You may not have heard much about the company in the past, but I'm willing to bet you'll be hearing a lot more about them in the future.

At first glance, the Anima2 running shoes look a lot like many other running shoes you'd find on the market. They are a bit on the flashy side, but regular runners are use to unique color combinations on shoes that really make them stick out in a crowd. These shoes have an aggressive sole that makes them well suited for trail running in all kinds of conditions, and the waterproof uppers keep your feet warm and dry, whether you're running on snow, slush, ice, mud or even dry trails. In short, they're an excellent trail shoe that is comparable to just about anything else you'll find on the market.


But what really sets the Anima2 shoes apart from the competition is the patented BUGrip system, which integrates a series of steel studs into the rubber sole to provide unprecedented grip in slick conditions. In the case of these shoes, there are 19 such studs, each working independently of one another to provide traction as needed. It is an impressive and sophisticated approach for giving runners the absolute best grip possible in some of the worst conditions imaginable.

Over the holiday break, I had the opportunity to put these shoes to their paces in a variety of unique conditions, including snow, ice and slush. Icebug's BUGrip system performed extremely well in each of those circumstances, providing a sure grip no matter where I went. When paired with the waterproof uppers, my feet stayed warm and dry, even in ankle deep snow, and I ran more surefooted than I had previously thought possible. For runners who often take on poor winter conditions, this is certainly a shoe you'll want to have in your closet.

On top of the excellent performance the Anima2 shoes bring to the table, they also happen to be quite comfortable. The shoes have thick padding that cradles the food nicely, providing yet more support for runners on the road. It's a rare combination of shoes that provide this kind of performance and are also comfortable on the foot.

As much as I really like these shoes, I have to say that I mostly preferred them in the bad conditions. When I ran on a dry trail with these shoes, there was something about the way the spikes felt that just didn't quite jive for me. On a regular trail, I'd still prefer a pair of regular trail shoes. But in the slop of the mud, ice and snow, there is no question I'd much rather have the Anima2's on my feet.

Also, I'd recommend getting a pair of gaiters to wear over these shoes, as they don't keep the snow and slush out of the top all that well. Aside from that, they are just about perfect for foul weather running.

MSRP: $155

Video: Meet Ray Zahab - Extreme Adventure Athlete

Ray Zahab has been a frequent subject of posts on this blog over the years as we've followed his adventures across the globe. He is an ultra-runner and adventure athlete whose resume includes such feats as running across the Sahara, Gobi, and Atacama Deserts, as well as several expeditions into the Canadian Arctic. In this video, which comes our way courtesy of Canada Goose, we get to know Ray better as he shares his story of going from a daily smoker to an endurance athlete capable of running vast distances without stopping. It is an inspiring, energizing story that will get you motivated to go out and seek your own adventures.

Comprehensive Elephant Census in Africa Brings Sobering News

As someone who has a deep, personal love for Africa and the amazing wildlife that lives there, this story was particularly sad to read. Yesterday, the results of a comprehensive census of the African elephant population were released, and the were sobering to say the least.

The study was conducted by an organization called the Great Elephant Census, which is backed by Microsoft co-founder Paul Alan's Vulcan organization. Using a method of arial data collection and surveillance, researchers have come to the stunning conclusion that there are now only 352,271 elephants left on the African continent. That population is spread out over 18 countries and is estimated to be down 30% in just 7 years. That's the equivalent of 144,000 elephants lost between 2007 and 2014.

According to the findings, the current elephant population loss is about 8% per year, with roughly 100 animals killed each and every day. Most of that is due to illegal poaching as the demand for ivory remains high in certain parts of the world, including Asia and even the United States. Measures have been taken recently to stem the sale of Ivory across the globe, but a thriving black market remains.

The 352,000 elephants counted in the census are believed to be at least 93% of the population that still exists in the 18 countries surveyed. That number could be higher, but it is difficult to track them completely precisely. Of those counted as part of this research study, 84% lived on protected lands, with the remaining population spotted outside preserves and national parks where they don't receive any kind of protection at all. That said, many carcasses were found inside those protected regions as poachers ignore laws and cross boundaries to seek their prey.

As you can imagine, with such a massive drop in numbers over the past decade, the possible extinction of the wild elephants in Africa is a real possibility within our lifetimes. Having seen these magnificent creatures up close and personal both on foot and from a vehicle, I can't imagine them not being a part of the wild landscape on that continent. But, if poaching continues at its current rate, they may be completely gone in as little as 20 years. When you consider that at one point, there were more than 20 million elephants in Africa, you begin to get some perspective about just how decimated the population is there.

Sad news for conservationists for sure. Lets hope we can turn this trend around in the near future.

Video: The North Face Invites Us to Question Madness

The North Face has just launched a new marketing campaign using the hashtag #QuestionMadness. Much like the famous "Think Different" ads from Apple Computers back in the day, this campaign introduces us to some of TNF's sponsored athletes. People like Conrad Anker, Alex Honnold, and Renan Ozturk, who are pushing the edge of adventure and exploration. Are they mad or are they geniuses? That is the question, and in this beautiful video we get an opportunity to see them doing what they do best, while we ponder whether or not it is all worth it or why they pursue these challenges. If you read this blog with regularity, you probably already know the answer to that. Particularly on your own personal level. Enjoy!