Ann Curry, ‘Today’ Show Host, Turned Back From Kilimanjaro Summit

Today show host Ann Curry has been turned back from the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro after getting within striking distance.  Her decision to pull back from the final summit push, which was scheduled for tomorrow, came after the team started suffering from the effects of acute altitude sickness.

She said in yesterday’s broadcast report that, even if they didn’t summit, they accomplished what they set out to do by showing the visual evidence of how far the glaciers and snow fields have retreated from the mountain because of climate change with 80 percent of the glaciers having disappeared in 20 years. The report made no claim as to whether the climate change is man-made or occurring naturally.  (From The Examiner)

Ann Curry had been sent to Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak and one of the famed Seven Summits, to report on the effects of climate change.  This was part of a ‘Today’ show series highlighting climate change around the globe.  Her other co-hosts were dispatched to places like Iceland, Belize, and Australia and are still reporting on location.

Curry’s final altitude before retreating was 15,700 feet, or about 3,500 feet from the top.  Not bad for someone who found out they were going less than three weeks ago.  Ann Curry has had no formal mountain climbing experience before this trip to Kilimanjaro.  That is still a pretty good feat and she should be proud of her attempt.  Half the battle in mountain climbing is knowing when to say when-Good job, Ann!

Bend it Like Beckham, Climb It Like Bono

Could two of the world’s biggest media personalities be teaming up for an assault of Mt. Kilimanjaro?

Bono, lead singer of International Super Rock Band U2, has invited the Los Angeles Galaxy’s David Beckham to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro.  The supposed set-up involves raising money for UNICEF, an organaziation which both are leading philanthropists for.

Ted Alvarez. over at the Backpacker Magazine blog “The Daily Dirt,” gets the shout-out for bringing this to my attention.  He also brings up the fact that this comes from The Sun, out of the UK.  A newspaper well-known for it’s articles alluding to ‘anonymous sources’ and adding just a touch of flare to it’s news.  Not sure if this is just a ‘rumor’, or not, but it would be an interesting concept.

Mt. Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest peak at 19,341 Feet tall.  It also just happens to be one of the famed Seven Summits.  Hopefully the two aren’t looking for a cake walk.  Last year, my good friend Kraig, over at The Adventure Blog attempted Kilimanjaro.  Yeah, it kicked his butt.  You can read his account HERE.

Ted Alvarez, over at The Daily Dirt does make a couple of challenges.  One to Bono and one to Beckham, while they embark on this journey-

You sold me, The Sun, anonymous source and all. If this happens, though, I have but two simple requests of our celebrities-turned-mountaineers-with-hearts-of-gold, since no celebrity stunt is complete without the “stunt” part.

1) David Beckham must “bend it” like himself from Uhuru Peak into the Ngorongoro Crater, scoring the single greatest penalty-kick goal ever.

2) Bono will sing “One” at the summit in its entirety and without supplemental oxygen, holding that last, highest note for an extra 10 to 15 seconds.

Pretty funny stuff, Ted, as always-

If David Beckham and Bono come to terms on this climb and are successful, perhaps they could join one of Hollywood’s elite actors, Orlando Bloom, in scaling Mt. Everest.  That would be an expedition worth watching!

Ken Huff, Ex-NFL Baltimore Colt, Summits Mt. Kilimanjaro

Ken Huff’s first life involved being drafted No. 1 by the Baltimore Colts, then an 11 year career as an offensive guard. Huff’s second life includes Mountain Climbing. That is right. An offensive guard has taken up Mountain climbing.

For Ken’s 55th Birthday he decided to go out and conquer one of the world’s 7 summits. The highest peak on the African continent, Mt. Kilimanjaro, is no easy feat-just ask my good friend Kraig, writer of The Adventure Blog, who attempted the same feat last year to no avail.

Mt. Kilimanjaro’s peak stands at 19,340 feet–not the tallest in the world, nor the hardest–many people summit this peak every year, yet many people are surprised by both the high altitude and the general difficulty associated with the climb. Kilimanjaro has led to heart attacks, broken legs, and even death on a rare occasion–one third of those who begin the climb, never make it to the top-

This is definitely an interesting read of Ken Huff’s experience on Mt. Kilimanjaro. Some of his NFL colleagues ribed him a bit about taking off to Africa to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro:

“I said, ‘What are you smokin,’ man? You aren’t the type,” said Bruce Laird, who played with Huff on the Colts from 1975 to 1981. ‘I wouldn’t climb that mountain unless there was a Marriott at the top with a big ol’ Jacuzzi.’

‘When Ken called to say he was going, I thought he’d lost his mind,’ said Mark May, with whom Huff played in Washington from 1983 to 1985. ‘I said, ‘Make sure I’m in your insurance policy.’ I don’t know if [the trip] was on his bucket list or if he’s just a bucket head.

Sometimes even a ‘bucket head’ can bag a summit. Good job Ken–perhaps you will influence a few of those friends of yours to get out and join you now-

To read the full article, CLICK HERE

The Next Big Thing: The Adventurist Teams Up With Adventure Sports Weekly

The old saying goes –when opportunity knocks, you had better answer the door.  Well, in a sense I have answered the door.  A couple of days ago Editor Wina Sturgeon from Adventure Sports Weekly contacted myself and was interested in discussing what I do here at The Adventurist.

After a lengthy discussion about our sites, our future goals, and what we are both looking to achieve, it became real evident that we have more than a little in common.

Adventure Sports Weekly is destined to not only be the first of it’s type on the Internet, but also a leader in the Adventure Sports industry.  Adventure Sports Weekly, the Brainchild of Editor Wina Sturgeon, who many of you might know through her extensive Olympic coverage for Sports Illustrated,  will be the first Online Magazine devoted solely to the Outdoor sporting world. 

I have been very open and straight-forward with all of you, my readers, about trying to put together the best site on the internet dealing with Adventure.  Keeping that in mind, we have decided in a sense to team-up.

Over the course of the next few days and weeks ahead The Adventurist and Adventure Sports Weekly will be sharing some content.  Their dedication to the sanctioned sports side of the outdoor world, IE..Mountain Bike Racing, BMX, Skateboarding, Climbing ect..will actually be bringing something to the table that I have desperately been wanting to add.  Adventure Sports Weekly offers top notch sporting news live from the field, allowing for exclusive coverage and content that just isn’t found anywhere else on the Internet.

I will also be working with Adventure Sports Weekly offering new articles, and maybe even a weekly column I have in the works in the world of Adventure.

This is a very exciting opportunity for myself personally.  I have dedicated myself to the Adventure world and writing.  With Adventure Sports Weekly I now have the opportunity to not only garner a bigger readership, but to also bring about a new direction….a bigger direction that hopefully will help build upon what I have already been able to do.

The adventure sporting field is getting ready to explode.  I have done this now for almost a year, and just about daily there are new sites emerging.  More coverage is being given in the media to these athletes that have pretty much remained under the table.  Just a couple of years ago, you would have never had the opportunity to see JEEP: King of the Mountain on a nationally televised program.  It is building.  It is growing.  More people are noticing and the money is slowly starting to come into these fantastic outdoors sports.

I am happy to say that I am very comfortable in knowing that I have aligned myself up with perhaps the leader in news coverage for these types of events.  Hopefully this relationship will flourish and all of us involved can bring even more exposure to the great athletes and sporting events throughout the years to come.

So what exactly does Adventure Sports Weekly bring to the table?

• It is ran by one of the top Sports Journalists in the world.  Editor Wina Sturgeon has written for Sports Illustrated and The New York Times, to only name two.  She has nearly 40 years of experience at being at the top of the game.  She knows how to do things, and do them right.
• Experience.  Being a leader in the sports writing industry, Wina Sturgeon brings her vast knowledge to a growing field.  She automatically brings  her credibility and dedication to an area that has been lacking in national coverage.
• National Coverage.  Simply put.
• Adventure Sports Weekly is currently the only publication of its kind on the Internet.  It is new with a very big potential in the future to not only lead the way, but to be THE way.
• Future.  Adventure Sports Weekly is currently developing a system to bring top-notch video coverage of these sporting events as they happen–this will make it not only the leader in the Adventure Sports industry, but will also raise the bar on what the internet can bring to you, the viewers.
• Credibility.  I have been straight-forward in telling all of you my eventual goals of writing in this industry full-time.  This gives me a great opportunity to work with some of the best people in the industry and hopefully build on what I have already been able to accomplish.  It is a fantastic opportunity and one that I never would have been able to do without all of the continued support and guidance from you, my readers.  So THANK-YOU very much!
• Oh yeah– and Lastly, Adventure Sports Weekly is FREE.  Can’t get much better than that.  All the great news coverage and articles are completely free to you the reader.  Eventually this will also include the great video coverage that is currently in developement.

I am hoping to recieve your continued support and that you will enjoy what the future has in store.  The Adventurist will still be covering everything it normally does…with a bonus of adding new content from time to time from some very special events.  Also, if you enjoy my writing, keep your eyes peeled to Adventure Sports Weekly, as I will be bringing some further exciting articles their way in the very near future.  Let’s all show Adventure Sports Weekly our support in what they are trying to achieve and welcome them in to The Adventurist family.

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

Alan Arnette’s Denali Health Scare and Update

We have all been following along with my good friend Alan Arnette and his year long effort that will hopefully land him back on Mt. Everest for a third time.

This past week Alan was doing a “training” climb on Mt. Denali, North America’s tallest peak.  He seen this as a stepping stone to his eventual goal–but the stepping stone decided to give Alan a run for his money, as we will see.

From Alan Arnette’s Post:

We climbed higher and soon I could see the top of the headwall at 16,100’. I was feeling strong, comfortable and confident. Actually I was enjoying the climb and feeling secure - then it happened.  

A hit to my stomach that took my breath away. I stopped in my tracks bringing my rope to an abrupt halt. I bent over to catch my breath. What the Fu*K? I asked myself.

I pushed as I consider what was happening. Was I drinking enough? I had a liter at breakfast and another half at the break. Eaten enough? Cream of wheat for breakfast and a Cliff Bar an hour ago. Warm enough? Yup, needed to zip down to stay cool and was comfortable. OK, covered the basics, what else. I felt like I had diarrhea. What had I eaten… the same as the others. So, probably no food problem including food poisoning.

Needless to say, the next few hours seen Alan getting worse.  His condition had deteriorated to the point where Medical Evacuation from Denali was intitiated.

To speak with Alan you will understand two things immediately.  1) Climbing is his life and 2)  Getting Home Safe is the only option.  Being a climber though–being on that mountain sometimes plays havoc with your instincts.

These guys sometimes put in years of training for just one climb.  Alan has put in years of training, definately has the experience to know when to say when–yet even at that point, it is a very hard decision.  I encourage all of you to check out his personal report of this expedition–this is as real as it gets and Alan puts it into words perfectly..( Click Alan’s Denali 2007 Report).Now on with the story..

Alan was airlifted by helicopter off of Denali and then taken to a nearby hospital.  The Doctors were baffled as to what Alan’s problem could be.  The next couple of days seen Alan return back to his home in Colorado and a much anticipated reunion with his wife.

At this current time, Alan has updated me that he is now feeling about 90%.  He is awaiting a meeting with his specialist and nutritionist to see if they might know what went wrong.  Does this problem slow Alan down though?  Not one bit.

He recently emailed me a few images of a climb–that is right–a climb that he has done since returning back from Denali.  He took on his local Long’s Peak in Colorado.  I am sure that this was both for the physical workout as well as the mental workout after suffering such a scary momment a week earlier, and at     14, 256 feet, Long’s Peak provided just what Alan needed..  This trip went well for Alan and he says that his training schedule is moving forward as planned. 

Alan’s next stop will be the Himalayan monster peak of Shisha Pangma.  Standing at 26, 335 feet tall, it is the world’s 14th largest peak.  Alan will be heading to Tibet at the Beginning of September for this journey, with a preliminary summit date of October 8.

Alan’s crusade back to Mt. Everest has been inspired by his cause to help raise awareness for Alzheimer’s Research.  This is a very personal cause to Alan, as well as alot of us, as this disease has touched so many lives.  Unless you have been there, you just don’t know.  And if you have experienced this disease in your own family, friends, and associates–then perhaps you would like to give Alan a hand in his quest.  You may do so by making a donation through the following link.

We are all glad to hear that Alan is doing well.  I will be bringing you updates as his Quest for Everest in the name of Alzheimer’s Research picks up throughout 2007.  If you would like to visit Alan’s own website which includes his own updates, as well as a Climber’s Forum, by all means stop over and let him know I sent ya.  You may do so by clicking Alan Arnette.

(Editor’s Note:  The Images in this article are the Property of Alan Arnette and represent his 2007 Long’s Peak Climb.  Alan has granted me special permission to publish these images, but they may not be republished without contacting Alan Arnette for permission.)  J. Alan Hendricks, Editor

Alan Arnette’s Denali 2007 Report

My good friend Alan Arnette has finally put up his much anticipated Denali 2007 trip report.

Alan recently began his quest to once again head back to Mt. Everest–for his third time.  This quest for Everest includes a year of very physical training on some of the world’s highest peaks..and his first true stop on this adventure was Denali–the highest m0untain in North America.

I have been posting reports about his expedition on a pretty regular basis–that was until the communication problems hit…

Alan was having a hard time sending back reports from Denali, and going by his latest report covering the whole spectrum of his Denali experience–it looks like this was actually the least of his worries.

Rather than rehash a report that is superbly written, I will let Alan share this experience with you…Just click Alan Arnette’s 2007 Denali Report.

As you will see, Alan experienced just about every emotion imaginable…including the pain of a high altitude rescue…involving himself.

Although Alan was not successful in getting to the summit of Denali..he did keep his true goals in mind…Knowing when to stop and Getting back home alive.

Alan has shared with me that at this point he is feeling better but still worried about what happened in the altitude, and at this point his health crisis is still a mystery..

He is currently concentrating on continuing with his mission of reaching Mt. Everest in 2008, while also trying to see a couple of specialists and figure out just what happened.

Alan’s first attempt ended in dissappointment and a true scare, but in some ways it was still a success.  Alan has reported that he has recieved his first donations for his cause and the whole reason he is going back to Mt. Everest.  He is trying to raise awareness and funds to aid in Alzheimer’s Research.  If you would like to help Alan reach his ultimate goal, you may join his crusade by making a donation in any amount that you wish.  Just follow this link..

I know we are all glad Alan is back and feeling better.  Welcome home my friend!  Maybe it didn’t go quite as planned, but hey…every good experience never does…

$5000 Charge for Wilderness Rescue Ignites Debate–Again.

A Kansas man has been billed $5000 for a wilderness rescue after he injured his ankle while hiking along a steep hillside.

This debate has been raging for well over a year now–whether or not people in the wilderness, when accidents happen, should be liable to pay for their rescue.

Kansas is only one of a number of states who have been looking in to billing people that have come to need a rescue involving local authorities.  Colorado also has a similar law in place and one is also currently making the rounds in Utah.

The great Blog, Two-Heel Drive ran by Tom Mangan, tipped me off to the forementioned article featured in the June 18th issue of Rocky Mountain News discussing this incident, as well as the debate raging in Kansas.  You may read the whole article HERE.

As far as Colorado is concerned, there has recently been news that another individual will be billed $7500 for his subsequent rescue as well.

This is reigniting a big debate amongst outdoor enthusiasts.  Should they be charged or shouldn’t they?  I have already expressed my own opinion on this matter as it pertains to climbers needing rescued–(please see story posted HERE, for my opinion.)  How much is to much?

Alot of us go out and try to enjoy the peace and solitude of the outdoors for 1) it is great exercise, 2) it gets you away from the hustle and bustle of cities…and PEOPLE, and 3) It is alot cheaper to walk a trail then drive a car.

If all of us ran the risk of having to pay $7500 for rescue after a badly twisted ankle PLUS our own medical bills, would we still be outdoors?

Alot of the previous debate over this issue has occured mainly over climbers getting stranded high on mountains, as in the two incidents that have occured in the past year on Mt. Hood. More and more though, we as individuals are seeing this pop up for some things that seem–dare I say mundane?

I think the political motivation behind this issue has jumped from saving lives to making money, and in a sense, infringing upon our own freedoms to explore nature and the outdoors.

Perhaps a few people have taken advantage of the system.  Perhaps a few have ended up where they never should have been in the first place without the experience or guidance they needed to be there.  Is this a reason to Pigeonhole a whole section of the American population? Instead of going out to “Get Away From It All”, that “All” is slowly trying to step in and even take away the essence of being out there.

Read more

Alan Arnette Heading Up Denali

Most of you that visit this site regularly will recognize Alan Arnette’s name.  I mention him frequently for his great coverage of the Mt. Everest Climbing seasons.  Alan is one of the few people that can actually continuously report from experience, as he has climbed Everest twice himself, which undoubtedly adds a new demention to his coverage.

Alan has also become a pretty close friend over the past year, always offering insight and perspective on concerns I might be having with my own reporting and Mt. Everest.  He has always opened up and even given me a few pointers from time to time.

Well Alan has decided to once again take up the challenge of embarking on a mission that will hopefully land him back on Everest in 2008.  Through the beginning of this mission, Alan will be setting higher and higher goals until he gets back to Everest…all in a test of mind, body, and spirit.

His first step to reaching his goal has officially kicked off…climbing Denali.

Alan has landed at basecamp with his team and is now heading on up to Camp 1.  In a special Audio dispatch from Denali, Alan goes into detail about the great weather and the views from where he is sitting, as well as him and his comrades partaking in a favorite “After-Climb” activity…drinking beer.  It is a great sounding dispatch.  Alan really makes you feel like you are right there with him on this journey.

Stop on by Alan’s site and keep posted on his latest updates.  This climb as well as alot of others coming up in the near future, including Everest will be dispatched live on his site.

Also keep in mind that Alan is climbing for a cause.  He is trying to raise money and awareness for Alzheimer’s research in hopes that a cure will soon be found.  If you would like to help support Alan and his cause, you may do so by clicking this banner.  Let’s all wish him a safe climb and return.  Climb On, Alan!

Alan Arnette’s First Step–Denali, 2007

 

My good friend Alan Arnette is preparing to take the first step in hopefully a long line of steps to his ultimate goal of climbing Mt. Everest for a third time.

Alan’s journey begins with Denali, which he is currently in position to begin climbing as soon as the weather let’s up a bit and helicopters can once again begin the transport process to Denali…

Over at Alan Arnette’s Personal Website, he is graciously allowing all of us to follow along with him as his journey back to Everest slowly starts to take shape.  He will be posting dispatches as time permits from Denali.  He has already posted two dispatches from this trip, which I will be summarizing in a momment, but first I would like to add that Alan is making this journey back to Everest, beginning with Denali, all in the name of Alzheimers Research…

If you would like to help out a really good friend of mine–with this dream of a cure for Alzheimers, you may click the link at the top of this page and help support Alan as well as his great cause.

Now on to what Alan is reporting from Denali:

In his first post, Alan spotlights that this season could be a pretty dangerous season:

As of today, June 11, there have been 1176 climbers registered to attempt all routes on Denali. Of the 547 who have finished their attempts only 193 have reached the summit. That is a 33% success rate. Normally about half summit each year.

Alan goes on to explain that high winds have pinned a few expeditions to lower camps and that 41 people have been subjected to falling into crevices this season with 5 deaths reported so far.

The good news for Alan is that he is currently safe and sound in a small town outside of Denali National Park, in Talkeetna, where he and his climbing team have been using the time to practice their knotting skills and crevice rescue techniques while they wait for their flight to Denali to begin the first leg of their journey.

Let’s all wish Alan the best as he makes this journey..Climb Hard but Climb Safe Alan!

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