First Ascent Team Everest Dispatch 35

The First Ascent Team, one of the highest profiled teams on Everest this season, has posted a few new dispatches this week.  Dave Hahn reports that the team has made it to Camp 2 without any difficulties thus far.  Back at Base Camp, the videographers have been exploring the area and introducing some of the other expeditions and members that are along for this season’s climb.  There was a nice overview of the Eco-Everest expedition a few days back–the team trying to clean up Mt. Everest by paying Sherpas to bring down garbage.

It looks like everything is running smoothly, but I am sure that many of us thought it would.  With the likes of Dave Hahn and Ed Viesturs, and the whole experience of the team–as well as the incredible video updates, the First Ascent Team knows how to work the publicity wheel.  I look forward to following along with this expedition, and you can to by visiting their blog–Born Out There.

Jon Bowermaster Reports In From Ibo Island

World explorer and National Geographic journeyman Jon Bowermaster has been updating his ‘Notes From Sea Level” blog quite regularly.  Jon is currently reporting in from Ibo Island–a single island from a string of 32 found off the coast of Mozambique.  Jon really gives us an inside look of this little known island and makes us feel like we are right there with him.  In his first Ibo Island post, Jon gives a nice overview of the island, where it lies, and some of the history.  Oddly enough, Ibo Island’s main business came about in the 1800’s with the trading of ivory and slaves-two things that thankfully are no longer exported.

Ibo Island may also be the only African nation that has an abundance of fresh water.

In Jon’s second post from Ibo Island, Jon takes a look at some of the music and culture associated with this island.  He puts up a couple of nice videos documenting the musical heritage that has been passed down for generations.  It is a neat post and makes us realize why Jon is considered one of the hardest working explorers in the world.  Thanks for the reports, Jon.

All Climbing Launches Climbing Video Network

All Climbing, the blog for climbing, bouldering, mountaineering, and training, has launched a new climbing video network.  All Climbing has partnered with Force5 to bring some of the best climbing videos to the All Climbing blog.  The list of videos currently available on the All Climbing blog is quite impressive and deserves a look.  There are over 10 pages of climbing videos to choose from, with many of them able to be purchased directly from the site.  You can spend hours browsing some of the best climbing videos available anywhere online.  This is a great addition to the All Climbing blog, and one that will be used time and time again.

There are videos of bouldering and climbing competitions, climbing how-to’s, and even some videos on proper gear and survival techniques.  This video reminds us all of the dangers of mountain climbing and some of the precautions that you should be aware of.

Expeditions Reach The North Pole

ExplorersWeb is reporting that a few expeditions have reached their target destination of The North Pole today.  The expeditions were pushed to their human limts over the past three days, with many of the guys saying that they had very litle sleep over the 72 hour final push.

John Huston and Tyler Fish (USA) reached the North Pole unaided and unassisted on the 55th day of their expedition.  They reported having to cross some open water enroute to the Pole, but that it wasn’t unexpected.  Tyler and John have become the first Americans to ski unassisted to the North Pole. John Huston has previously reached The South Pole in Jan. 2008.  Congrats guys!

Lonnie Dupre (USA), Max Chaya (Lebanon), and Stuart Smith (USA) reached the Pole on April 25th at 9:22 AM central time.  Chaya and Stuart Smith have now each reached all three Poles:  North, South, and the highest, Mt. Everest.   Max Chaya also became the first Lebanese to ski to the North Pole.

Congrats goes out to everyone for reaching their destination all in one piece.  There are still a few people out there striving for the North Pole in the coming days.  I will bring you that news when I get it.

America’s Most Wanted Environmental Criminals

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently published a list of the most wanted suspects related to environmental crimes.  The EPA Fugitives list looks very similar to lists set up by law enforcement agencies to capture the most wanted criminals in the land.  The list includes photos, crime information, where the crime occured, and where the suspects were last seen.  The EPA is hoping that by taking a page from America’s Most Wanted, that they may be able to apprehend and capture some of the individuals that have been wrecking havok to our nation’s environment.

Some of the crimes listed include smuggling hazardous chemicals across our nation’s borders, disposing of hazardous waste unproperly, illegally importing automobiles that did not meet EPA standards, as well as a whole list of other crimes.  Each criminal is accompanied by a nice “Wanted Poster” that can be printed off on your local computer.  Each individual has accompanying instructions on what to do if you see them or know of their location.   We are reminded to not apprehend any of the suspects, but to report them to the proper authorities.  Some of these individuals can be dangerous .  Read the Full List.

Let’s hope that some of these people can be brought to justice before they damage even more of our land and waterways!

Tip from The Green Scene blog.

Everest 2009: Johnny Strange Vying For Youngest Westerner Summit

The Los Angeles Times recently profiled Johnny Strange, a 17-year-old kid who is determined to become the youngest person to conquer the 7 Summits.  The next tick on his list happens to be Mt. Everest where he is currently at Everest Basecamp preparing to start his acclimatization.

Johnny Strange will be joined on the expedition by his father, Brian, as well as their guide, Scott Woolums.  Scott has led Johnny and his father on climbs to Vinson Massif, Aconcagua, Kilimanjaro, Denali, and Mt. Elbrus, 5 of the 7 Summits.

The Los Angeles Times article is a nice perspective on what will be one of the more exciting Everest expeditions of 2009.  Not only could Johnny Strange become the youngest person to summit the 7 Summits, but he could also become the youngest western climber to scale Mt. Everest.

K2 Gets Commercialized: The First Guided Expedition To K2

Rock and Ice Magazine is reporting that Fabrizio Zangrilli will be leading the first-ever commercial expedition to K2 in 2009.  An Australian/U.S. expedition company, Field Touring Alpine, has put this expedition together.

From Rock and Ice:

The K2 expedition which will depart this June for Pakistan ushers in a new era of Himalayan mountain-guiding or “Super Guiding” and is unparalleled in scope: seven seasoned high-altitude climbers will employ a commercial guide service and the leadership skills of Zangrilli — one of the strongest alpinists in the world and a recent addition to Marmot’s global athlete team – to attempt one of the most difficult mountains ever.

Eleven climbers lost their lives in a tragic accident on K2 in 2008.  This accident garnered world-wide attention and sparked a discussion here that K2 may be the next big peak to be commercialized.  In theory, this discussion was started after it was revealed that a couple of the K2 climbers had payed for Sherpa assistance-a first of it’s kind on K2.  One year later, it has become official.

Is commercializing K2 a good idea?

Looking at what has become of Mt. Everest over the last 20 years, with hundreds and hundreds of people vying for that ultimate summit each Spring, K2 would present a much bigger challenge.  The death rate on Everest has dwindled down to less than 1 in 20 in recent years, while K2’s 1 in 4 presents a much greater danger.  I am not sure that I would like to see K2 go the way of Everest.  It is fun to read and watch, but it takes something away from the challenge when teams begin to find the fastest/easiest route up to make a few dollars.  What are your thoughts?  Comment below.

Everest 2009: Inside Himex’s 5-Star Luxury Basecamp

Himalayan Expedition’s (Himex) 2009 Everest Basecamp looks to be another leap into luxury for Russell Brice, the leader for the Himex team.  During the 2007 Everest climbing season some discussion (and whispers) took place regarding the luxury that Russell Brice always brings to Everest.  This seems to be quite contradictory to many people’s beliefs of the rugged Everest expedition.  Russell has outdone himself again in 2009.

This is coming from the blog of the Discovery Channel film crew, who is involved in filming Russell’s Himex team for season three of Everest: Beyond the Limit:

I haven’t seen anything quite as close as Russell Brice’s 2009, 5-star, luxury base camp. The kitchen has shiny fan-assisted ovens, chefs in starched linen aprons arrange salmon on platters with parsley and flowers in baskets hang from the walls (Ok, so the flowers are plastic, but it works!).  You’ll think I’m exaggerating when I tell you there are hot-cross buns baking on Easter morning, but trek past the Himex camp with its white-domed communal tent with fully stocked bar, plasma TV, surround-sound stereo, then smell the cinnamon-baked bread wafting across the Khumbu Valley and you’ll get an idea of the level of comfort Russell has brought to Everest.

I am betting that you won’t see the luxurious white dome in the final cut of Everest: Beyond the Limit.  It was left out of Season 1, and I don’t recall it being shown in season two.  I do remember reporting about his set-up during season two.  Most of the other expeditions are in awe of the luxury, or look down upon the attempt at making one of the most inhospitable environments a little more friendly.  To them, luxury is not Everest.

The Discovery Channel Everest film blog also tells us that Russell’s 2009 Himex team consists of 26 people.  Each of these individuals have paid upwards of $50-75,000 each for the chance at the summit of Everest.  That may explain why the Basecamp for Himex is a bit more luxurious than most.  Add in the benefits of having one of the world’s most reknown Everest authorities as your guide, an impeccable safety record, and an 80-90% success rate for summits and you can see why Himex always gains attention on Everest.

How is this for a look at the menu?

There was no handwritten menu, but let me tell you, there are freezers with beef steaks, salmon and chicken, and there is real mayonnaise! They had grilled tomatoes topped with melted cheese, scones with cream cheese and strawberry jam, fresh fruit and vegetables. I’m sorry to go on, but up here we spend entire evenings fantasizing about food like this.

When most climbers are choking down protein bars, rice pudding/porridge, and beef jerky, Himex’s menu is sure to make even the strongest climbers weak in the knees.

If your going to dish out $50,000 on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, you might as well do so in the lap of luxury and hope that the luxury will eventual land you on the summit of Mt. Everest.  If not?  Well, at least you had some delicious scones, watched some cool movies on plasma flatscreens, and enjoyed a very cool $50,000 Nepali vacation like few others have the chance to experience.

What do you think of the Himex luxury?  Is it to much for one of the world’s greatest adventures?  Should it be a more rugged experience?  Chime in with your thoughts in the comments below.

Breaking: Famed Polish Climber Piotr Morawski Killed In Climbing Accident On Dhaulagiri

Piotr Morawski, one of Poland’s rising star climbers, has been tragically killed in a crevasse fall on Dhaulagiri.  Piotr was taking part in an exciting expedition that was hoping to open up a new route on Manaslu’s West Face this year.  Dhaulagiri was a training climb for Manaslu.

From ExplorersWeb:

The worst possible news broke earlier today from Dhaulagiri: At 8.40 am local time this morning, Polish Piotr Morawski fell to his death in a crevasse while returning from C2. At only 33, Piotr had summited six 8000ers, and made the first winter summit on Shisha Pangma (together with Simone Moro in January, 2005).

Piotr Morawski was a current member of the Himalayan Trilogy team led by Piotr Pustelnik.

Piotr fell into a 20 meter deep crevasse while navigating from Camp 2 to Camp 1 on Dhaulagiri.  Two climbers that Piotr was with, plus members of another Dhaulagiri Polish expedition, The Tatra Rescuers Association, helped to pull Morawski from the crevasse.  Dr. Mazik, the expedition doctor, confirmed that Piotr Morawski had perished in the fall.

You can read more by clicking through to ExplorersWeb.

Everest 2009: The Logistics of Everest

Kraig Becker has posted an excellent article on the travel blog Gadling.com today about “The Logistics of Everest.”  Simply put, before someone steps foot in Tibet or Nepal for their Everest expedition, many factors have to be dealt with first.  Kraig talks about the price of Everest, the two months needed for an expedition, different route considerations, and then what to expect once you are actually on the mountain.  It is a nice overview of what will be taking place with the teams over the next couple of months as the Everest climbing season progresses.  Nice work, Kraig.  I highly recommend you guys to read his article.

Once you are done at Gadling.com, be sure to check in on Kraig’s personal blog (and one of my favorites) The Adventure Blog.  Gadling.com has been added to the blogroll.

Next Page »