Influence, Influenced, and Influencing

I think I just posted the weirdest title in my two years of blogging. It is rather vague, but you will understand it a bit more in just a moment. I promise.

Last week I put up an editorial titled “The ‘Other’ Side of Green.” Basically it took a look at some of the more eco-friendly companies, with their intentions put in perspective. Are they as ‘Green’ or ‘Eco-friendly’ as they claim? Or is this just another strange attempt to lure dollars away from a caring public?

This ‘rant’, as it has now been called, was influenced by a single paragraph I had read over at the Splitterchoss Blog, a great blog for everything to do with rock climbing.

The Influence

Here’s the paragraph that got it all started.

So much of the outdoor industry pretends to be green while at the same time their very existence is founded upon the notion that you need to buy more new stuff. Now granted, there are times when you do need new gear, and I think that is ok. But the big joke about this whole “green” movement is that people think you can save the world by buying more stuff.

Influenced

This single paragraph got me to thinking that how outdoor gear is currently marketed to our eco-friendly, green, carbon neutral mindset, yet really persuades us to take actions that are exactly opposite from this standpoint. Every time we buy something new, we throw something away. Sure, our new gear may be eco-friendly, but our old gear will just sit in a landfill for thousands of years. It really isn’t a revolutionary thought, and I am sure others have felt the same way, but it did spark some interest.

Influencing

A couple of days after my Editorial was posted on this site, I ran across this on the Vice/Virtue climbing blog:

Last week, Jason Hendricks from The Adventurist went on a rant about the so-called “greening” of outdoor gear. And how we shouldn’t rely on manufacturer’s eco-hype alternatives - like recycled polyester base-layers and such - to do it for us. I’m sure this discussion is going on everywhere at once, but for my part, I committed to writing about environmental action you can do, not just pay for. Reducing waste and reusing equipment you already have.

This happens to be from an article entitled “Reduce, Reuse, Resole,”  hence the idea for this post’s title.

Summer, who runs the Vice/Virtues climbing blog has taken this idea a step further.  She is actually influencing her readers to take a second look at their gear and decide if they really need something new, or if that old gear can be fixed or recycled so that it becomes useful once again.  She is promising a whole series of ideas that could keep a butt-load of old gear out of the trash heap.  This first article focuses on climbing shoes.  She offers up some great tips on repairs, as well as where to obtain the materials to do-it-yourself, which saves even more cash.

The way prices are moving skyward on many of our everyday items, this idea is quite exciting and intriguing in relation to outdoors gear.  I personally can’t wait to see her next article.  I know I am looking forward to learning a thing or two about saving some of my gear, as well as my cash.

I will be posting more about Summer and her ideas in the weeks ahead, as I think this could be a huge influence on how many of us think.  She is giving us a needed alternative to how things are marketed to us and what we can do to get the most out of our current gear.  Very nice, Summer.

Environmentalism vs. Conservationism

Doing my usual browsing across the information superhighway, I happened upon an article that brought up some good points, and even explained a few more.  The article is titled “The Church of Green,” and was penned by Jonah Goldberg, Editor-at-large of the National Review Online.  I should also mention that this article is posted over on the KTKZ AM1380 site, conservative AM radio at it’s best.

I am going to pull a couple of bits, then ask for your thoughts on this issue.

At its core, environmentalism is a kind of nature worship. It’s a holistic ideology, shot through with religious sentiment. “If you look carefully,” author Michael Crichton observed, “you see that environmentalism is in fact a perfect 21st century remapping of traditional Judeo-Christian beliefs and myths.”

I can kind of see a point here.  While environmentalists are out lobbying and raising money for their latest anti-hunting campaign, how much fuel are they spending getting to their destination?  It seems a bit contradictory.  On one hand you want to save the planet’s animals and help the environment, but on the other, you want to lobby for other people to save the planet for you.  I ask, “What are YOU doing to save the planet?”

The Church of Green is alluding to the basis that environmentalists like to preach the word without ever really taking any action.  I can honestly say that I have been to a few churches where money was the goal.  Three out of every four sermons were asking for donations for this and that cause.  I soon felt pressured to hand over money or support their causes, until I wisened up.  Obviously, I no longer go to church there.  Sometimes preaching the word can actually hurt your own cause.

John Muir, who laid the philosophical foundations of modern environmentalism, described humans as “selfish, conceited creatures.” Salvation comes from shedding our sins, rejecting our addictions (to oil, consumerism, etc.) and demonstrating an all-encompassing love of Mother Earth. Quoth Al Gore: “The climate crisis is not a political issue; it is a moral and spiritual challenge to all of humanity.

I think many of us will agree that we are over fear.  We don’t buy in to that cause as a major issue, or some of us don’t anyways, because there lacks a scientific background on the issue.  Oh, sure–there are many studies out there laying claim to this fact and that, but just the same, there are as many taking the oposite road. 

Whether or not it’s adopted the trappings of religion, my biggest beef with environmentalism is how comfortably irrational it is. It touts ritual over reality, symbolism over substance, while claiming to be so much more rational and scientific than those silly sky-God worshipers and deranged oil addicts.

Regarding Conservation:

Conservation, which shares roots and meaning with conservatism, stands athwart this mass hysteria. Yes, conservationism can have a religious element as well, but that stems from the biblical injunction to be a good steward of the Earth, rather than a worshiper of it. But stewardship involves economics, not mysticism.

I am just guessing that the “economics” mention is found in conservationism’s dedication to raising funds to save the land, then using that land to rejuvenate the area, empowering their cause, and drawing more people in.  They DO, rather than Preach.  In many areas, work by conservationists have resulted in a new outlet for funds enabling them to survive without all of the preachy hype that gets so tiring.  Perhaps that is a lot of people’s problems with the whole idea of “Global Warming”.  We hear an awful lot about it being our demise, yet, what is actually being done that is going to make us any better in the future?

In the broadest sense, the environmental movement has won. Americans are “green” in that they are willing to spend a lot to keep their country ecologically healthy, which it is. But now it’s time to save the environment from the environmentalists.

Not sure about that last statement.  Can anyone offer up an explaination?  Go read The Church of Green, then come back and let me hear your thoughts.  For–Against?    Comment Below.

MyOutdoorTV.Com Launches “State Explorer” to Showcase Hunting, Fishing, and Outdoor Recreation

This Press Release is being featured in it’s entirety from PRWeb.com.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BusinessWire EON) September 20, 2007 — In addition to the television programming and educational videos streamed through State Explorer, the section provides links to all 50 states where hunting and fishing regulations, wildlife and waterways law enforcement information, and other materials are provided. Shows and videos provided by the states are also searchable by topic or keyword on MyOutdoorTV.com. Hunters, fishermen, and boaters can even purchase licenses through the State Explorer or make donations to the wildlife agency.

MyOutdoorTV.com announced the State Explorer’s launch this week at the annual meeting of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies in Louisville, Kentucky. ‘It’s strategically important for the states to stay on the cutting edge of technology, and with MyOutdoorTV.com, they can do just that,’ commented Rachel Brittin, the association’s Public Affairs Director. ‘They’re giving our member agencies a way to share incredible video with people who wouldn’t otherwise see it.’

States from Washington to Maine have signed on to have their shows streamed through MyOutdoorTV.com, bringing an international audience to their wildlife agencies’ TV shows. Additional states are added weekly. ‘With more and more people accessing news and entertainment through the internet, this is the ideal vehicle for expanding our audience worldwide,’ said Richard Roberts, executive producer of Texas Parks & Wildlife, one of the first state shows appearing on the site.

While hunting and fishing are regular topics of outdoor programming, the wildlife agency shows cover a range of other outdoor recreation topics, such as gold prospecting, crabbing, visits to historic sites, wild game cooking, non-game species, hiking, and much more. ‘We are very proud of Tennessee’s Wild Side and its great programming of family-oriented activities,’ commented Don King, the show’s producer. ‘Our goal is to appeal equally to men, women, and kids.’

‘State wildlife agencies from all parts of the country have joined our State Explorer section,’ said Chris Moise, CEO of MyOutdoorTV.com. ‘We congratulate these states for their progressive wildlife agencies that were quick to recognize the benefits of showcasing their resources on the internet, and we look forward to having every state represented soon.’

Use of MyOutdoorTV.com is always FREE to viewers, 24/7, with no registration required. The site streams shows featuring some of the leading names in the outdoors, including Hank Parker, Roland Martin, Mark Sosin, Larry Czonka, Babe Winkelman, Jimmy Houston, and many others.

MyOutdoorTV.com is the world’s largest internet network for outdoor TV programming, currently streaming over 100 show titles on the shooting sports, fishing, boating, and conservation. In addition, it hosts radio shows, outdoor videos, the new State Explorer section, The Showroom product video section, MyOutdoorWiki, and sections for cooking, travel, guides, outdoor news, and much more. Visit our website at www.myoutdoortv.com.
Media Contact:
MyOutdoorTV.com
Sherry G. Kerr
256-236-3133

A Few Notes From The Adventurist

This seems to be a great new idea.  As many, many sites move from the “print” to the “broadcast” stage of internet exploration, people will be looking to get their information in a quicker fashion.

All 50 states will be represented and should open up the doors to all of you that have always dreamed of being able to educate the public on your particular area of interest. 

Along with that, how nice would it be if you were planning on taking a fishing trip to upper Michigan, to be able to make a couple clicks and instantly find out the laws and pertinent information for the area in which you are planning on going.

A couple of keys from the MyOutdoorTV.com Press Release:

While hunting and fishing are regular topics of outdoor programming, the wildlife agency shows cover a range of other outdoor recreation topics, such as gold prospecting, crabbing, visits to historic sites, wild game cooking, non-game species, hiking, and much more.

This site will actually have the opportunity to not only educate those among us interested in the Outdoors, but may also bring more of the outdoor joy to people who would otherwise not take part in outside activities..

Use of MyOutdoorTV.com is always FREE to viewers, 24/7, with no registration required. The site streams shows featuring some of the leading names in the outdoors, including Hank Parker, Roland Martin, Mark Sosin, Larry Czonka, Babe Winkelman, Jimmy Houston, and many others.

By bringing big name people onboard at the beginning to help in this project, the site is almost guaranteeing a certain success factor.  I can attest to Roland Martin and Jimmy Houston myself–who else could keep you intrigued in the world of fishing?  These guys both add a certain personality flare that is rare to find in the outdoors and am sure they will bring their own personal aspects to MyOutdoorTV.

There is one more HUGE benefit of this site.  Being able to purchase your state hunting or fishing liscence, no matter where you live, will definately add to the viewer participation factor.

Plus, It is all free.  Where else can you find programming like this for free?  No sign-up, no registration..that is unless you purchase a liscence.  Swing on over and check out MyOutdoorTV.com and decide for yourselves.  They are already boasting over 100 different programs in a variety of fields, with new projects being added weekly.  I will definately have to keep my eye on this one.  Let’s all wish them success!

Italian Climber Stefano Zafka Missing on K2

Italian Climber Stefano Zafka has gone missing in harsh conditions on K2.  He had been climbing with the Mountain Freedom Expedition, who made a successful summit of K2 on Friday. 

During his descent, Zafka apparently has gotten lost due to disturbing weather conditions high up.  He is without any radio communication.

Zafka’s misfortunes began on Friday when he was reported as missing.  He never showed up to Camp 4.  On Saturday, his teammates decided to go ahead and descend to K2 basecamp because the weather was deteriorating so rapidly.  They left behind a tent at Camp 4 in hopes that Zafka could eventually make his way to this bit of safety.

There has still been no word on his where-abouts at this time.  Climbers have been debating trying to make a run up K2 to Camp 4–but the weather is extremely dangerous, especially above the 20,00o foot mark.

K2 currently holds a 24% death rate.  The highest of any mountain.  One in four perish while trying to successfully summit, or descend this massive Pakistani peak.

Let’s all hope for the best out of this situation, but the one question I have is…He is climbing with a team.  Why did they descend without him?

Sometimes, as things seem to be getting better with climbing ethics, we are still running into these “avoidable” situations.

It is very unfortunate and we hope for the best.

K2 Summits, New Route on Gasherbrum II, and more..

Over the past week most of my time has been used covering the recent Michael Reardon tragedy.  This is not to say that nothing was happening though, but I felt that I had the opportunity to do something for Michael and his family and friends that other sites just couldn’t do.

To get back up to pace, I will be offering a synopsis of what has been going around in the headlines.  So let’s jump right in…

Avalanche on Gasherbrum II

On July 19, a massive avalanche was reported from Gasherbrum II.  The Amical Team, hoping for a summit push, was suddenly buried in snow.  One member died in this tragic incident, another member was unable to be located, and the rest of the team suffered various degrees on injury.

Hirotaki Takeuchi, a member of the devestated Amical team, reported in to ExplorersWeb about the incident saying that the group got swept up in the avalanche and carried down 300 meters to the seracs. 

Other teams on GII soon went up and helped in a massive search and rescue which resulted in Hirotaki and others being able to survive this ordeal.  Much credit is given to these teams in their efforts for this rescue between Camps 2 & 3 on Gasherbrum II.

Italians Summit Gasherbrum II, Establish New Route

Karl Unterkircher, Daniele Bernasconi, and Michele Compagnoni made alpine history today as they successfully summited Gasherbrum II via a new route–The North Face.

The team had been climbing for the past three days, and began a successful push for the summit a bit earlier today.  This is great news following the tragedy on GII earlier this week with the Amical Team.

For more on this story, please stop by The Adventure Blog for more information.

Massive Summits on K2 Today

Around 3:30 Pm today reports started circulating that the first team to reach K2’s summit this season had arrived.  That was just the beginning though…17 more climbers would soon top out on what many people claim as the world’s deadliest mountain.

Over the years, K2 has had a total of 269 summits.  That is right, 269.  In Comparison, Mt. Everest, the world’s highest peak as well as most publicised, had well over 500 summits….this year alone.  K2 has also claimed the lives of 69 people in the process, giving it a death-to-success ratio of 24%.  One in four have died trying to bag this coveted peak.

For more on the list of successful K2 summiters today, I will refer you to ExplorersWeb for the complete story.

On a sad note, a yet unnamed Sherpa took a tragic fall and perished during today’s activities.  The Sherpa, who was working with the Korean Men’s Team, slipped and began to fall.  Two climber’s close to him tried to grab him as he came by, but they were unsuccessful in their attempt.  More details on this tragic incident will be expected in the coming days.

China vs. Mother Nature: The Quest for Artificial Weather

Who controls the weather?  This debate, in a round about way, has been taking place for centuries.  When the weather was unbearably dry, ancient Indian nations would come together and perform their “Indian Rain Dance” to try to persuade the Gods to open up the skies–

Step ahead a couple of centuries to the present.  A lengthy article in the Asian Times Online goes into detail about how China has been in the process of manufactoring weather since 1958.  No, this isn’t science fiction.

China has seemingly developed a way to not only make it rain when it wants to, but to also control such things as hail storms. If you are still questioning the validity of all of this, The Chinese Government has stated that their methods have already been used to control the weather for such international events as the 1993 East Asian Games and the 1999 Horti-Expo in Yunnan..and next up on the list?  The 2008 Olympic Games to be held in Beijing.

So How Does This All Work?

It would be alot easier to explain that China just hits a button, but actually it is a rather large scientific process.  To bring it down to scope, the basics of the process involves firing rounds of silver oxide ammunition into the clouds.  The weight of the silver oxide will cling to the water in the clouds and bring it back down to the ground.

This is a pretty interesting and scientifically proven method that just happened to be developed by the United States in the 1940’s and 50’s–but we lost interest in this on the belief that Mother Nature usually wins..

China has went on to take this research and expand significantly on what has been known about weather formation.  Each of the Chinese Provinces now has it’s own Artificial Weather Modification Base.  This is all controlled by the Chinese Government and they say when to enact the weather changing science.

The Artificial Weather Modification Department boasts over 32,000 chinese employees, as well as 7,100 anti-aircraft guns, 4,991 special rocket launchers and 30 specially equipped aircraft to help in this process.  This is a large expenditure, but the thoughts behind it’s development can not be taken lightly.  It was original enacted to help with the issue of drought that plagues a big size chunk of China.

There begs to be a couple of questions asked though…Silver-Oxide is a known polutant and poison in large quantities, how will this affect China in the future?  They do mention that the silver oxide they use is in such small quantities to not have an effect on the environment, yet what happens as it builds up over the years?

Another question?  If China can do this, why has this idea not been exported to the likes of Countries in Africa that could definately use this technology for both water and food, which they are currently suffering a major crisis with?

In a way though, this all seems pretty much amazing to me.  If the United States would seemingly begin to use this technology, perhaps we could gain control of the massive wildfire outbreaks in the West, or they could broadcast a report of Artificial Rain on the news and we would all be guaranteed of knowing just when to bring the ol’ umbrella…

What are your thoughts?

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The Adventurist: A Call to All Outdoor Writers and Photographers!

I have just put the finishing touches on a new “Submit & Contact” Page here at The Adventurist.  I am hoping that this new feature will be accepted and used by all of my great readers.

This page goes into detail about a few things I am looking for here at The Adventurist–and ways you might be able to get involved.

Do you love Adventure Writing or perhaps Great Outdoors Photography?–Help me share your incredible talents with a much bigger audience!

Head on Over to the “Submit & Contact” Page, found on a tab right up above this article, and Share your Adventures with the World!

Also, if you are looking to put me to work, there is info there as well….

Cheers-

J. Alan Hendricks, Editor

Global Warming and Mt. Everest: Is Everest Shrinking?

Global Warming has become a huge subject around the world as of late.  If, indeed the world is in a warming crisis, perhaps the ones that should know are the Climbers.

Today, in the Asian Journal Online, Reggie Pablo speaks out about this current issue and how it relates to Mt. Everest.  He, for one, should know.  Pablo recently summited Mt. Everest on May 17 as a member of the Asian Trekking International Expedition.

Pablo goes in to some detail about why he thinks Mt. Everest is starting to feel the effects of global warming:

“Mt. Everest used to accommodate 45 climbers on its summit. Now, it can accommodate only 15.  I want to confirm that global warming is real.”

Pablo is credited with being the 7th Filipino to ever Summit Mt. Everest.  He feels it is his duty to step up and tell the world what is taking place, and climbing has given him a special advantage.  He can actually see and report on what is going on in the world’s mountains.

The effects of Global Warming on Mt. Everest are not new though.  This season we witnessed quite a few people talking about how the ice was getting softer in places, and completely gone in others–but it remains to be seen if this can be attributed to Global Warming or just the cycles that our Earth has went through for millions of years.

There are as many skeptics as there are believers and this is sure to be a hot topic around the world in the coming years.  People are starting to speak out.  They want confirmed evidence of rising temperatures–Proof that we are destroying our own world.

What are your thoughts?  Click the headline and post a comment.

Massive Summit Push For Broad Peak is a Success!!

 

Trying to outrun an approaching storm system on Broad Peak, many climbers combined their efforts yesterday for one final push–landing them on the summit!

The Broad Peak summit was reached at 12:30 pm local time by the “Al Filo” Team and members are now trying to race down the mountain in a speed descent to try to reach Camp 3 before nightfall.

The successful summiters on Broad Peak include:

• Silvio “Gnaro” Mondinelli
• Marco Confortola
• Ivan Vallejo
• Gerlinde Kaltenbruner
• Ralf Dujmovits
• Fabio Iacchini
• Edurne Pasaban
• as well as others that are awaiting verification.

Over 70 people took off yesterday for this massive summit push, making there way through very cold tempertures and rising winds.

Silvio Mondinelli Bags 14th 8,000 Meter Peak

With Silvio’s successful summit of Broad Peak, he now becomes the 13th person in the world to land on top of the 14 tallest peaks. He also becomes the sixth person to do so without the use of supplemental O2 along his journey.  Two other Italians, Reinhold Messner and Sergio Martini have also mastered the 14 8,000 meter peaks.

Two More Closing In

Ivan Vallejos and Ralf Dumojvits have both been to Broad Peak before, but each of them stand a pretty good chance of accomplishing their respective goals of reaching the tops of all 14 8,000 meter peaks as well.  Ivan Vallejos now only needs Dhauligiri to complete his quest and Dumojvits is currently standing at 10 peaks.

Women Closing in as Well

Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner, the leading lady on the quest for 14 8,000 meter peaks has made Broad Peak her tenth.  Edurne Pasaban is sitting one below with 9 at this momment.

Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner, the crafty Austrian, has accomplished her 10 successful summits without any supplementary O2.  She is married to the previously mentioned Ralf Dujmovits and between them now own 22 8,000 meter summits.

A Little Broad Peak History

Broad Peak stands at 26, 400 feet and measures up as the 12th highest peak in the world and the fourth highest in Pakistan.  It was originally labeled K3, and sits along the Pakistan-China Border.  It’s first ascent came on June 9, 1957 by Fritz Wintersteller, Marcus Schmuck, Kurt Diemburger, and Hermann Buhl, all members of an Austrian Expedition put together by Marcus Schmuck.

Hermann Buhl and Kurt Diemburger were subsequently killed 18 days later while trying to ascend a nearby peak, Chogolisa on June 27, 1957.

Bald Eagle Delistment and Subsequent Controversy: A Look at the Facts

The American Bald Eagle–the majestic and stately symbol of our nation–has been delisted from the Endangered Species List. 

This is being looked at as both a triumph for some in conservation circles, as well as being questioned by many others that feel that the Bald Eagle along with the Golden Eagle still deserve to be protected. 

Have the Eagle numbers really rebounded or is this just some governmental short talk to save a few bucks on conservation efferts in order to put the money in other places?

First off, I will take a look at a couple of statistics. 

Beginning in 1963, most of the lower 48 states began running independent Bald Eagle population reports each year.  These reports are widely available on the internet. 

In 1963, it was reported that there were 487 existing breeding pairs in the lower 48 states.  Jump ahead to 2000, the last year that these numbers were reported, and you will find that there were 9,789 pairs.  That is a pretty good increase and shows that there is definately a growing population that can sustain itself in the wild–while being protected.

Taking a step back now, when the Bald Eagle was originally placed on the Endangered Species list, many people believed that pesticides, particularly DDT, were playing a significant factor in the decline of the Eagle populations.  The chemicals were contributing to the Bald Eagle’s egg shells becoming to brittle to sustain life.  Since that time, DDT as well as many other pesticides, are now strictly outlawed or controlled.

On July 2, 1999 The American Eagle Foundation along with their Bald Eagle mascot “Challenger” met with then President Bill Clinton and it was at this time that the proposal to delist the Bald Eagle was announced and the wheels began turning to make this a reality. 

This first proposal was seemingly held up by government officials until a clear way to protect Eagle habitat which would no longer be under the protection of the Endangered Species Act.

Without knowing the entire story regarding the Bald and Golden Eagles, many people are jumping to conclusions thinking that these magnificent creatures will no longer be protected in the wild, and this is just simply not the case.

In fact, the controls placed on protecting the Bald Eagle and it’s habitat are still in place.  The delisting of the Eagles from the Endangered Species list has seemingly been transferred to a new act:  The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA).  This act prohibits “disturbance” of Bald and Golden Eagles in the wild.  What was not mentioned though was what “Disturb” actually meant.  There were no clear cut guidelines.  This is now in motion to get a definate definition that will be more understood to both government and the public.  The Fish and Wildlife Department is pushing for the following classification:

Disturb means to agitate or bother a bald or golden eagle to the degree that causes (i) injury or death to an eagle (including chicks and eggs) due to interference with breeding, feeding, or sheltering behavior, or (ii) nest abandonment.” Injury would be defined as, “a wound or other physical harm, including loss of biological fitness significant enough to pose a discernible risk to an eagle’s survival or productivity.”

This description will pretty much make the Eagles as protected as ever in the wild.

The Delisting of the Bald and Golden Eagles should not hamper current efforts in Eagle Conservation, and perhaps more-so will garner more attention across the nation to this very issue.

I mentioned a couple of days ago that I had been camping in Tennessee for the week and one of the true highlights of this experience was my first Golden Eagle sighting.  When I began to see reports of the Eagle delisting, it just got me curious as to what was really going on.

If you would like to read alittle bit more about this issue, my good friends Mon@arch and Ralph Maugham of Ralph Maugham’s Wildlife News have both been covering these issues for their respective states of New York and Idaho.  Both of these sites are well worth Bookmarking if you stop by.  Take the time to check out some of their past posts, and I think you will agree.

Well I hope I have been able to clear this issue up a bit for those of you that were like me, and just wanted to know ..why?

By the way, one more thing, here is an interesting fact:  Did you know that the Eagles are actually a member of the Hawk Family?  You might need that bit of info in your next game of Trivial Pursuit..