How Much Does It Cost To Climb The 7 Summits?

Stewart Green, over at the About.com Climbing blog, has written an interesting article explaining the costs associated with climbing the 7 summits, and how much you might have to spend to have the opportunity to accomplish this grand feat.

His article looks at the costs associated with going on guided climbs to each of the seven summits-the highest peak on each of the seven continents. The prices may surprise you. Stewart’s total? $170,250.

That price may seem scary, but you have to remember that the Seven Summits is a few years in the making–also, Mt. Everest–with Stewart’s figuring–costs $65,000 alone. His total also includes all equipment, travel fair, and training courses needed for such a large endeavor.

Stewart doesn’t list what guiding companies his prices come from. Everest, in particular, has a vast pricing range depending on the company, and can be had for less than $30,000 if you are willing to give up some of the ‘extras’.

All-in-all it is a pretty interesting breakdown of what the total costs of climbing the 7 summits can be. You can read Stewart’s About.com article to learn more..

The Laws of Adventure And Exploration In The 21st Century–An Editorial

By Jason A. Hendricks

On December 14, 1911, Roald Amundsen became the first person to reach the South Pole.  His original feat would lay the groundwork for 100 years of adventuring and exploration on the Antarctic continent.  The world knew of Amundsen’s feat.  It was celebrated around the world as a feat of impossible measures.

Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay achieved the same when they decided to take that final step to the top of Mt. Everest in 1953.  They graced the cover of Time magazine and National Geographic.  They became worldwide icons for what seemed to be another impossible feat.

Both of these situations are very similar in the way they came about.  They are also very similar in how they relate to adventure and exploration in the 21st century.  Each event was led by someone who did not believe in the impossible.  The first, whether it was reaching one of the Poles or climbing the highest peak in the world, always brought a sense of awe from the public.  Over time, these early expeditions became the stuff of legends.  A big list of explorers and adventurers would follow in their footsteps, each with their own agenda, each with their own reasonings on making the expedition, and each with with their eyes on the impossible.

Some say that exploration and adventure in the 21st century is dead.  All places have been explored, all major feats have been accomplished, and there is no new ground to cover when it comes to rewriting the history books.  If you can’t be first, then why try?  If you can’t be the best, is it worth the effort?  Nobody remembers the guy that comes in second.

Read more

Australia Offering Ultimate Adventure Job

Australia is embarking on a worldwide campaign to lure a special person to take over one of the coolest jobs ever advertised.  Australia is looking for someone to live and video blog about the culture and beauty of Hamilton, A Great Barrier Reef island.  The job requirements will wet any avid adventurers appetite.  They are looking for someone to get involved in scuba diving, snorkling, and hiking the island, using video to post blog entries while taking in the culture and surroundings, and live on the island for six months.  You would also be REQUIRED to check out and review over 30 local resorts.  This isn’t even the kicker.  They are going to give you room and board in a luxury three bedroom house, full transportation, and a salary of roughly $108,000.  Australia must be pretty serious about their bloggers!  Any takers?  For more information, check out this article recently posted on Atlanta’s talk radio station 640 WGST AM.

Patagonia Field Reporter Jeb Tilly Recounts His Recent Trauma Aboard Denver’s Flight 1404 Crash

Most of us have probably seen the aftermath of the jet that went haywire on the Denver runway.  Denver Flight 1404 veered out of control, off the runway, into a ditch, then burst into flames as passengers scrambled for their lives.  A field reporter for Patagonia was on that flight and recently had the opportunity to publish his account in Newsweek.  Jeb’s account makes it  sound quite remarkable that not a single passenger was killed in the ordeal.   I am not even going to attempt to do this justice.  This one you have to read to believe!

Oddly enough, I learned of this article and it’s Patagonia connections through a Patagonia Twitter.  Maybe I need to give this technology a second look-

Todd Carmichael Catches Hannah McKeand: Root Todd on Towards The New Solo And Unsupported World Speed Record To The South Pole!

Todd Carmichael has finally caught up to Hannah McKeand’s solo and unsupported record pace to the South Pole.  Over the past few days, Todd has been knocking out 20+ miles a day in an all out effort to become the first American to go solo and unsupported to the South Pole.  With this pace, Todd may just earn something bigger than he was bargaining for.  He could become the fastest human to ever go solo and unsupported to the South Pole.  Even more amazing…Todd Carmichael is doing it all on foot!!  After having issues with his ski bindings throughout the first few days on Antarctica, Todd decided to shove the skis aside and go about things the old fashioned way…on foot.  For most expeditions to the South Pole, losing your skis would be certain disaster and cause to abandon any attempt at reaching The Pole.  Todd Carmichael is proving everyone wrong, setting a record pace, and will quite possibly be adding his name to the South Pole record books in a mere 6-7 days.

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Video: The Truths of Mt. Kilimanjaro?? ‘Today’ Show Called Out

The Adventurist Digest: Flying Cars, Winter Gear, and Facebook Adventures

A British man may have invented the next mode of human transportation.  Gilo Cardoza has invented a car that is 100% street legal, runs on biofuel, and is able to go 80 mph–through the air.  Cardoza’s flying car uses a paramotor (a large propeller/parachute combination strapped to a car) based system that will allow the vehicle to ‘take-off’ at 35 mph, maintain stability, and fly at speeds approaching 80 mph.  Haven’t we all dreamed of an invention like this?  Cardoza’s concept should be a reality in early 2009, as his vehicle hits production.  Read More>>>

The Press of Atlantic City has a nice interview with an individual that spent 61 days living in Denali National Park.  Willie Karridis was inspired to take take on this adventure after he read a book by Charles Sheldon.  Charles Sheldon’s  laid the basis for the area to become a National Park.  Karridis would spend 61 days in an 8 x8 tent, with little food and barely any personal contact.  He also done this adventure in winter.  Read More>>>

Colorado ski shops are gearing up for a big winter by purchasing extra rental equipment.  Their purchases may allude to a bigger crowd, but that isn’t necessarily the case.  Ski shop owners say that the poor economy has people reevaluating paying airline fees for their extra luggage.  The Ski shops are just trying to make the equipment easier on the pocket book.  Some could question this motivation as just another way ski companies can get more money out of their guests.  Read More>>>

The Australian Alps have been listed on the National Heritage Register.  This listing will help protect an area that covers 1.5 million hectacres and runs through 11 of Australia’s national parks.  While this listing has many people happy with the designation, many of Australia’s ski resorts say that it will limit any new developments.  I am pretty sure that was the purpose..  Read More>>>

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Reminder: Reef Hawaiian Pro Live Webcast Nov. 12-23

The Triple Crown of Surfing will be kicking off on November 12th with the Reef Hawaiian Pro.  The Reef Hawaiian Pro will be taking place at Ali’i Beach within Oahu’s Haleiwa Beach Park.  This year’s event, being sponsored by Vans, promises to be a world-class event worthy of the Triple Crown.  If you are in, or near Oahu beginning November 12th, you might want to head down to the beach and catch some rays while witnessing the best that surfing has to offer.  For the rest of us, a simple internet conection will bring you the live action of each and every day by way of a live webcast of the whole event.  You will be able to catch all of the action LIVE at www.triplecrownofsurfing.com.

For a great video and introduction to the 2008 Vans Reef Hawaiian Pro, be sure to check out the nice video over at Surfer Magazine.

2,500 Marathon Runners Lost, Found, and Finally Rescued During UK’s ‘Original Mountain Marathon’

More than 2,500 people had to be rescued over the weekend during one of the U.K.’s annual adventure marathons.  The annual “Original Mountain Marathon’ began even after stern warnings had been sent out in regards to bad weather in the area.  Authorities are confident that this event should have been cancelled prior to the start, but event organizers tried to keep everything on pace and put on a good event.

After the start of the marathon, the weather took a turn for the worst.   Huge sheets of rain flooded down on participants resulting in hypothermic competitors and flash flooding through the U.K.’s rugged Lake District.  Roads were washing out and competitors had to worry about crossing areas in waist-deep water.  Event organizers soon called the race off due to weather and flood dangers and sent in the search and rescue after all 2,500 competitors.

By the end of the evening all runners had been accounted for and no major injuries were reported.  This situation, while pretty dire looking (watch this video), at least had a better outcome than what could have taken place under such circumstances.  Competitors and race organizers all suggested that they were warned before the start that things could get ugly.  Perhaps they all seen this as a new challenge before the race, but now think of the situation quite differently.  Let’s hope that the next time warnings are given, that participants will take notice…

It is not known whether race organizers or participants will be charged for this latest search and rescue, but we do know that it will definitely be debated with this many people involved.  To join in the debate and discuss this latest issue on search and rescue, please follow this link.

Envirolert: The Adventurist Launches New Campaign

Antarctica is melting.  Ocean temperatures are rising.  Natural disasters are happening more frequently with far greater consequences.  We are losing some species of our planet to global warming.  Politicians seem to jump around the issues or leave them to the scientists to figure out.

Over the next few weeks I will be presenting information to enlighten you on the state of global warming, conservation, and environmental education.  This series will discuss some in-depth aspects , it will talk about current projects and studies related to these issues, and it may even offer some differing views and vantage points that you are not familiar with.  You may not agree with everything that is presented.  You may question the statistics, stats, and studies, or you may even already know them.

My job will be to educate you and to present what is currently taking place around the world in regards to these efforts.  This could involve the right, or the left side of the discussion–the believers and the non-believers.  I will try to take a uniform approach, touch base on all seven continents, and try to present an overall picture of why these have become such a big issues around the world.  In the end, the issues of global warming, our environmental impact, and land and wildlife conservation efforts  will effect each and every one of us.  Through our actions and ways we have already destroyed vast amounts of species populations, land, and waters.  The future of our current path could very well be the future of the human race..

This is a huge undertaking and one that I am hoping you will join me for.  Every couple of days a new ‘Envirolert’ article will be added to the mix.  By the end of this series you should have a well established understanding of the thoughts, theories, and current projects taking place in the United States and abroad and how they relate to issues like global warming.

Please join me on this new adventure of exploration and understanding.  I will be talking with  scientists, adventurers, and explorers, along with ordinary everyday people.  We will be discussing these issues, presenting our thoughts,  and hopefully gaining a new understanding of the current state of our world’s environment.  You may subscribe to my free email newsletter, or just bookmark this site and stop back by every couple of days for the latest Envirolert Update.

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