The Adventurist: Going Legal and a Couple of New Features

Alright, so I had to finally get “legal” as far as The Adventurist was concerned.  If you will look to the upper right hand corner of this site, you will notice a new area–the “Legal Mumbo-Jumbo”.   What this is, is the license and copyright information for this site.  If you will click the link (the highlighted words) it will take you to my legal agreement.

What this agreement does is that it allows a blogger or website or anyone else for that matter to republish, reprint, or distribute any article found on The Adventurist as long as you follow three criteria: 1)  That you acknowledge The Adventurist as the source by including a link back to this site as well as including my name as the author,  J. Alan Hendricks, of the article being used. 2) That if you decide to use an article on your blog, webpage, ect. that you send me a note and let me know where it is being featured and lastly, 3) that any portion of this site or it’s written or photographic material submitted by myself or any writer of this site shall not be used on a Commercial Website without the expressed consent of the owner, myself, J. Alan Hendricks.

This is just a little bit of protection I have set up for myself as this site continues to grow and generate interest from abroad.  It is a binding contract and in every sense of the law, Legal.

Now on to the fun stuff!  I have updated the left-hand side-bar with a couple of new additions. 

1. If you will scroll down past the AlanArnette RSS Feed, you will notice a small photo and link that promminently says “Donate your Opinions, Save the Planet” featured on a very nice photo of someone rock-climbing.  This comes from the Laneo website–I think being the outdoors types that we are, that it is very important for us to protect our world and natural and wildlife resources.  This great feature will let all of us help without spending a dime.  It is really a neat organization and I am proud to make myself and The Adventurist a part of it.  By the way, this is not advertising–no one has been paid.  This is trying to keep in the spirit of keeping this a free site for all of my loyal readers.
2. On past the Laneo Ad, You will now find a pretty neat feature called “Global Visitors”.  What this does, is it allows everyone to see where the readers of The Adventurist are arriving from.  It will also rank the top 10 countries that have visited this site.  Should be pretty interesting to watch and will be nice to know how far out in the world The Adventurist is being read.
3. Below the “Global Visitors” Box, you will now find a small tag that says “Blog Top Sites”.  This is a ranking of Blogs and how they are doing.  There will be a small number listed to the right, in a small box giving The Adventurist’s current ranking–which I see is currently 399–but I just put it up and it is new, so I am sure the ranking will rise (hopefully)
4. and lastly added is a small text link that says “Who Links to Me?”  If you will click this, this will give you information on who links to this site–how many links are found in search engines ect. 

 For the most part all of this new stuff that I have added will aid all of us to know and understand how this website is working and doing in general.  This is a way that I can allow all of you to be a part of our continued growth and success.—Now click that Laneo link and go SAVE the World….

Another “UnClimber” Voicing his Opinion…when will it STOP?

The Albany, New York Times-Union recently published a “Letter to the Editor” by a David Anderson from Saratoga Springs.  In this letter, David decides to make his voice known as he speaks out against “Mr. and Mrs. Adventurist”–

“Is it just me or does a climbing “accident” on Mount Hood, Ore., seem to be coming about as regular as a Baghdad car bombing? All I can surmise is a great number of “adventurers” are as unlucky as they are intrepid. (Or, perhaps, unskilled.)”

I am almost positive that David would not be talking about the Mount Hood tragedy that took place in December of this past year where Brian Hall, Jerry Cooke, and Kelly James seemingly lost their lives.I know he is not talking about this incident in particular because…well…these three climbers were as prepared for anything to happen as anyone could be.

They had left notes at the Mt. Hood station detailing thir plans, they had left notes in their cars for their families and rescuers if needed, they had cell phones with them…they had extra supplies to help in case something like this would happen…..and yes, David….ALL three climbers had the previous experience to take on this challenge.  This was a training mission for Everest…They had put their years of hard work at climbing into this expedition…

David goes on to discredit himself in his very own article…

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Now, I don’t profess to be particularly well-versed on the technicalities of mountain climbing, nor do I  care to comment on the value of the risk/thrill benefit to those individuals involved.”

Then, David, we ask….why are you doing so??  It is people like you that are trying to bring a bad name to climbing–for people that are like you–that no nothing about the sport–or a challenge for that matter–

He continues…

“I do know that since the early ’70s, about 100 of these “recreationists” have lost their lives on this mountain. Whether hikers are brought back dead, alive or not at all, it cost the taxpayers plenty to mount a rescue. ( A very risky business in and of itself.)”

First off, the term “Recreationists” is a VERY loose term…watching TV is a recreation….so is walking the dog…ect..ect..

Then he goes on to say that the Taxpayers are footing the bill for the rescues….which I will add is TRUE..the first true statement I have read in this article.  BUT—these people are paid to do this job–even if they were not helping in the Mountain rescue.  As far as the “Taxpayer” dollars being considered, I am guessing David that you are talking about the Police, Fire and Rescue, and other state and federally funded offices taking part in the rescue.  As such, all of these people are on a SALARY which means that they are payed to do absolutely nothing at times….and other times…YES they are expected to work and do their jobs…

As for the other rescue personnel being involved, Most are Volunteers…they WANT to be there, they WANT to help–and they do this service at no charge.  They accepted these risks before they began and offered their services.

“Please, let me pose one question here: Does anyone see a problem with requiring these yahoos to post a bond to pay for their rescue before letting them go up there? I think doing so would certainly be an example of good judgment on the part of the taxpayers and the Forest Service whose poor guys and gals have to risk life and limb attempting to save those whose own judgment is obviously not that sound.”

Yahoos…..yeah, that is right…YAHOOS.  Since when has the media allowed the bashing and name calling to be printed?  Wait, I forgot…the Presidential Elections are around the corner…but anyways..

David wants climbers to post a bond in order to be able to climb…this idea might make his heart feel like he is doing good while he is sitting there watching his TV looking for another group to bash…but as long as the rescue personnel –police-fire and rescue..ect… are ALREADY being paid for these services, I don’t not see what this will do, other than keep people from visiting these places that require the “Adventurists” money in order to survive.

The LZ: Flying High From Pole to Pole on the Net

I have covered a recent story involving The Polar First Team–where they are trying to fly a helicopter on an around the world journey.

Well, the guys over at THE LZ have decided to take this adventure upon themselves as well.  What is The LZ you ask?  If you have ever wanted to be a part of a great adventure, but never knew where to start..then maybe you should head on over to their site.

THE LZ is a group of helicopter enthusiasts who are creating and flying along with the Polar First Team–all while being connected to the Internet.  That is right.  The Enthusiasts over at THE LZ are flying the same routes as the Polar First Team all through the marvelous wonder of Microsoft’s Flight Simulator..

These fellas never even have to leave their living room to become, in a certain respect, a part of aviation history.

THE LZ though is not only for Polar First Followers and Enthusiasts though, these guys are actually designing and tracing the history of some of the greatest helicopters to ever fly the skies, and all doing it through Microsoft Flight Simulator.  THE LZ offers flight instruction for the beginning online pilots of the world as well as contests and well….if you are good enough at what you do…you may even make the Hall of Fame.  I highly reccomend checking out their site…and discovering what happens when intelligent minds meet the Internet for a sweet little twist on Adventure.  Nice Job guys and thank-you for bring this story to my attention.

High-Risk Adventure Rescue Debate: No New Thing

The coming 2007 Everest climbing season is bound to spark the return of the years old debate about whether High Risk Adventurer’s should have to foot the bill of being rescued in remote places.  I know that The Adventurist has covered this topic in the past–I even published a discussion about it that may be found here.

I am not going to sit here and rehash a beaten horse–what is interesting to me, and the purpose of this new post is to enlighten some of you that may not know—this discussion has been a topic of concern for at least the past ten years.

My theory on this is that since High Risk–or as they are called today–Extreme –Sports have surfaced as a money-making beast for a lot of people..and more coverage is given to these Extreme Sports, that this discussion will rage on in the future as well.

Take this editiorial published on the BBC News Network for instance.  This one surfaced in 1998–almost ten years ago–about this same discussion.

Please Read “Should High-Risk Adventure Sports be Banned?”

This debate will rage on with more and more heat as more and more publicity is brought into the sometimes “Tragic” stories of High Risk accidents.  There is just no way around that.  High Risk Adventurists will not quit doing what they love–and the public “tax payers” will not quit ridiculing them for doing it.

During the Mt. Hood tragedy of last December–while rescuers were out there volunteering there own time and money, this debate popped back up to the surface and changed an incredibly sad momment in time for the three lost climber’s families–into a debate that everyone NOT involved in the rescue efforts thought to be important–

It is sad to think that the men and women who have nothing to do with These risk takers are trying to take away something that really…they know absolutely nothing about.

Even in the very best of situations, where the weather is perfect…the climbers are experienced and know what to do in an emergency, there is still a very real threat of something going terrible wrong…why should they be punished for an “accident?”

Yes, they take the risks, but why should they not be allowed to whenever these sports are considered perfectly legal at this momment? 

Amundsen-Scott Polar Hut to be Saved

The Polar hut used by Robert Falcon Scott on his famous and ill-fated attempt to become the first person to successfully reach the South Pole–might be saved.

The British Government has given in to international public pressure about saving the hut and has bestowed a $481,000 grant–this after many previous attempts to deny any funding for the project.

As some of you may or may not know–Robert Falcon Scott successfully became the second person to find and land at The South Pole, but he perished on his return trip home.  Roald Amundsen, the first person to ever make The South Pole trek successfully also had used the hut in his successful bid for the Pole.

The Way of the Sherpa on Mt. Everest

With the announcement of the SuperSherpas Expedition taking place in the coming months–as well as the goals behind this Expedition–of bringing the Sherpa people the respect they deserve, of helping to garner better wages for Sherpa Expedition leaders, and to help in educating the Sherpa Children and the Children of Nepal–I thought it would be a good time to take a look back at some of the Sherpa history surrounding Everest. 

Everestnews.com has by far the most historical and accurate, as well as most detailed history concerning the Sherpa people, and I will be directing you to their great site to check out a few articles.

First off, here is a basic overview of the Sherpa and the culture that surrounds them.  This article comes from Wikipedia.com.  Pay special attention to the section titled “Famous Sherpas”, you will find both Lhakpa Gelu and Apa Sherpa mentioned, both mmbers of the forthcoming SupierSherpas Expedition.  Please click “The Sherpa” for this article.

Now the rest of the information I would like to share with you comes from Everestnews.com.  You may click the following related articles for a comprehensive and detailed history of the Sherpa on Everest.  Hope you enjoy.

1. Sherpas who have Summited Everest 1953-1991–This list includes every known Sherpa to have summited Everest up till 1991.  Very interesting to note how many of them have been to the summit more than once..
2. The Sherpas of Everest Series–this is the detailed biographies of many of the Sherpas who have summited Everest or worked for Expeditions that have.
3. Apa Sherpa–I have added this page from The Sherpas of Everest series, as it pertains to the SuperSherpas Expedition taking place in a couple of month’s–and it includes a photo of Apa –so that now you will have a face to go along with the name.  It also includes a detailed Interview of this incredible man.  Very thought-provoking and sincere. A good read.

What I am hoping is that these articles will open your eyes as to the importance of the role of the Sherpa people regarding Mt. Everest.  To them, Everest is not an adventure, it is a job…a way of life…now I ask, should these courageous beings be treated any less than an Ed Visteurs…or a Rob Hall?  The Sherpa deserve the respect and wages that they have rightfully earned over the past 50 years on Everest…I think it is time that they and their families be given the right to earn the same wages as a “Western” Expedition leader would earn for the same job.  They deserve that much out of this World–to live a happy and full life and to be able to have a future with their families.

SuperSherpas: The Interview

In my previous post I mentioned that I had been in contact with the SuperSherpa Basecamp.  Well, I am very excited to announce at this time that Apa and Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa have granted The Adventurist an interview by way of email and “The Token White Guy” Roger at SuperSherpa basecamp!

Ladies and Gentlemen these two men have 27 Everest Summits between them!  Lhakpa Gelu has held the World’s Fastest Ascent of Everest in HISTORY–the list goes on and on about the accomplishments of these two Greats–They are perhaps the greatest Everest climbers in history–as well as two of the least known.  That is all about to change…

They are on a mission to gain the respect and noteriety that the whole Sherpa community deserves…they have been stepped over and around when it comes to World Class Climbing–they have garnered the weight of being in the shadows–making some of the greatest climbers who they are today–without the World giving them what they truly deserve.  CREDIT!

It isn’t about Apa and Lhakpa Gelu…it is about their community..their people, and their way of life.  That is the whole essence of SuperSherpa–and the quest for the summit in 2007.

This marks the first time that I have been granted an interview not only from an Everest Expedition but also from a previous summiter of this great mountain. 

As an added bonus to this Interview, I will also be covering  the SuperSherpa Expedition to the Summit –from beginning to end…I am hoping all of you will stay tuned to this historic expedition.

J. Alan Hendricks, Editor

SuperSherpa Basecamp: The Adventurist Arrives at the Foot of Mt. Everest

A couple of days ago I ran a story here talking about the upcoming SuperSherpa Everest Expedition taking place this Spring.  After publishing this story here, a man by the name of “Roger” commented on this story with a line under his name that said “Base Camp Manager”.   Hmmm….Base Camp Manager, that peaked my curiosity.

I soon contacted Roger and discovered that he was, in his own words “The Token White Guy” at Supersherpa Basecamp on Mt. Everest.  Now, I am not sure what being the “Token White Guy” means, but my guess would be that he is the “Do-All”, taking care of anything that needs done and spreading the word about the SuperSherpa Expedition any way he can.

Editor’s Note: Before you read any more, I would like to direct you to my first post concerning the SuperSherpa Expedition.  After reading this, you will know a little bit more about this great upcoming expedition.

Anyways, come to find out, Roger liked my story so much that he subsequently printed it off and gave it to Apa and Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa, the two Sherpas making this daring Expedition in the spring to the summit of Mt. Everest.  The following is the email Roger sent me concerning this:

Jason-

We Printed your story out and gave it to Apa and Lhakpa Gelu to read as it really hit the nail on the head.  I’d be happy to work with you on what is going on with our expedition as long as one of our sponsors or documentary sponsors don’t object.

Thanks for the offer on DigitAltitude.com but I don’t have any extra time to do any shooting for anyone at the momment.  Next fall would be nice.  I’ll get back to you then when I get the chance to get the site up properly.

Yes, mountains treat all people equally.  However the stories of what people do to help each other is rarely told in a totally factual basis.  The Sherpa history is rarely told and when it is, it is as an afterthought.

Remember there is a “Sir Edmund Hillary” but how many Sherpa have been knighted by the Queen?  How many Sherpa have perished to help Westerner’s claim the glory of a single Everest summit?  How many Sherpa did it take to help Erik Weihenmayer make the summit-how many did you see in his movie “Farther Than the Eye Can See”? 

The Kings of Everest are certainly the Sherpa but they are underpaid, under appreciated, and make 1/10 of the money of public speakers with 1/10th of the their accomplishments.

Sorry to be on a “soap box” but the truth is a rare commodity.  Our mission is to get the truth out there.  We certainly hope that you will help.

Best-

Roger

As you can tell Roger and everyone else associated with this Expedition is very passionate about why this needs to happen and why this needs to happen NOW.  Apa and Lhakpa Gelu  are embarking on this incredible journey to bring to light the history and struggle of the Sherpa people.

The Adventurist supports SuperSherpa and what it is trying to achieve.  The Sherpa people deserve to have the credit that has been well overdue both in history and monetarily.  These guys make between $300-$3000 to risk life and limb that the people they are supporting on these Expeditions make it up and down safely.  The Sherpa people are the true reason that anyone else can even climb on Everest today–they are the workhorses that drive the train, making sure all is safe on the way up.

If you would like to read more about this Expedition you may do so by clicking here to the SuperSherpa Website.

The Adventurist: New RSS Feed Button Added to Site

If you will casually look to your right, you may notice that The Adventurist has added a button titled “Add to Any, Feedreader”.  This is a pretty amazing little button and will be a great way to stay updated with everything going on here at The Adventurist.

What This Button Does:  I am sure that most of my readers are aware of what an RSS feed is, but for those of you that are less familiar, an RSS feed is a feed from a website or blog that allows you to see all the latest posts from your favorite sites.

It is sort of like a Headline News feed–it gives you the latest posts and allows you to either read the whole post from your site, or click over to the RSS feed site to read more.

Many sites now carry what is called a feedreader incorporated into their sites.  This allows your webpage or blog to “read” the RSS feed and make some sense out of it.

If you will click the button to your right  >>>   

You will notice a whole bunch of different sites that my RSS feed is read by…by clicking on the corresponding button to the sites you visit, you may now be able to catch all of The Adventurist’s latest news.

This will become a very important in the coming weeks as the Everest 2007 season kicks off.  Sometimes when news starts coming in, it can come in very fast for a period of time.  My RSS feed is updated constantly–and you will be th first to see the newest headline.  I highly reccommend “clicking” the button and adding me to your site–as an added bonus, if you click the button, you will then see a button titled “Add to Any, Bookmark.”  This will allow you to place The Adventurist in your “Favorite Websites” area.  This will be useful as well and save some time if yuo keep running around and searching for this site.

I am continuously trying to improve upon the idea behind this site of always being on top of the latest technology to bring you the best possible resources for Adventure that you can find.

The Adventurist: Additions and New Links to some more “Adventurist” Websites

 

I have finally decided to update my links on The Adventurist.  There are just SO many sites out there that beckon attention that I have a hard time keeping up.

As the 2007 Everest season approaches, my first priority will be to update the Everest Expedition Links–that way we all have the chance to follow along with this season’s summit attempts.  Currently speaking, there are at least 17 expeditions that are suppose to take place this season with some very interesting stories and individuals that I will be trying to get to as time permits.

I am also doing the following:  I have added an area entitled “Live Your Adventure” to my links area on the right hand of the site.  This area will be used to showcase some of The Adventurist’s Favorite Blogs and Websites.  There is some really great information here and a whole community of like minded individuals.  I hope all of you will eagerly check out these fellow adventure sites.  My newest site to this area is the “All Climbing” Blog some very nice information and discussions on climbing taking place at this one.  I highly reccommend checking it out. I will also start featuring the All Climbing RSS feed here to my readers, that way we can all keep up on this fantastic site.

I have also added “Supersherpas” to my Everest Expedition Companies–although this is not neccessarily an Expedition Company–they are planning a 2007 climb for a very interesting reason, which I covered in the story found here.

Another new addition to The Adventurist will be a new page listed at the top of this site entitled Everest 2007.  This page will feature links to all the stories covering the 2007 Mt. Everest Climbing season.  If you have checked out the Mt. Hood page, also featured at the top of the site, then you will have a pretty good idea of what I will be doing with the Everest Page.

As if all of this isn’t enough, a couple of things on the site might get moved around a little bit.  The Title of the Mt. Hood page will be shortened.  The Boskoff-Fowler Page will be shortened as well..to give a more dynamic look to the site.  I will also be searching for new Adventurist RSS feeds to feature here–if you know of any good adventure sites and what-not, feel free to drop me a line.  I am always glad to here from my fellow readers.

I am hoping that in an effort to make this the best “Adventure” site on the net, that you will find these changes helpful and will definately check out some of the great info that I try to bring to you.  Each of the sites I feature, I personnally check out and try to contact the owner’s for their permission.

I have also decided to keep this site “free” of advertising so to speak by deleting my “Adventurist Bookstore” from this site.  I am not here to make money and that is not what this is about.  If you want to show your support for this site, I ask that you only spread the word–or even better–put up a link to my site and LET ME KNOW…I can help you out as well.

As Always,

J. Alan Hendricks, Editor “The Adventurist”

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