Non-Profit Warm Current Seeks To Inspire Youth Through Surfing

A non-profit organization known as Warm Current has kicked off a unique fund raising program today that will allow them to continue, and expand, their mission of inspiring youth and underserved communities through surfing.

Starting today and running through July 31st, the organization is holding its Faces of Warm Current fund raiser, which focuses on generating cash to purchase new surfboards, wetsuits, and a trailer for upcoming Warm Current surf camps. The minimum donations start at just $5 and anyone who contributes will be able to upload a photo or message of their choice, which will then be added to the side of the trailer in the form of a two inch by two inch tile. Those tiles will form a mosaic that shares your message or image with the young people who will be reached by the Warm Current surf camp program.

The organization sprang from a 2008 surf trip to South America, during which the three founders visited a number of communities where underprivileged people simply couldn't enjoy the water because they couldn't afford the resources necessary to take advantage of it. Observing the plight of those local people inspired the idea of helping underserved communities throughout the world to reconnect with the natural environment through surfing. Since then, hundreds of wetsuits and surfboards have been donated to the cause, which has already impacted lives here and abroad.

The plan is to continue sending surf gear to those South American communities that helped generate the idea for the organization, but to also expand the Warm Current surf camps in the Pacific Northwest to help inspire kids here in the States as well. The non-profit has three goals in mind, help underprivileged individuals connect with outdoor recreation; increase the awareness of the importance of environmental stewardship; and decrease the amount of waste generated by the outdoor community by recycling their surf gear.

For more information about Warm Currents and their fund raising efforts, check out the video below. You can also donate to the cause by clicking here.



The Faces of Warm Current from Warm Current on Vimeo.

8 Month Long, 6 Continent, Cycling Tour Annouced

Are you anticipating a little time off from work in the semi-near future? If so, you may want to sign up for the latest cycling tour announced by Pedalers Pub and Grille, an adventure travel company that specializes in cycling adventures all over the planet. In celebration of their 25th anniversary, the company has announced an epic ride that also comes with an epic price tag.

Dubbed the Once In A Lifetime Tour, this new option will send 30 lucky travelers off on an eight month long journey that will cross six continents and nearly 30 countries. The tour will kick-off in June of 2012 with a shakedown cruise in Vermont that will allow riders to get to know one another and get use to the rigors of the ride. From there, it's off to Europe, where they'll take a spin through France, Austria, Italy, and a number of other great cycling destinations. In the weeks that follow, the group will ride through parts of Africa, Asia, Australia, and South America, experiencing some great destinations along the way.

The tour won't come cheap though. If you want to join the fun, you'll need to plunk down $95,000, which includes all of your transportation costs, accommodations, most meals, guides on the trip, and a custom built bike. While nearly $100k for a vacation is a lot of money, you really are getting a lot for what you pay.

For more information on the trip, including a complete list of countries, click here, and for a detailed look at the itinerary, click here.

Sarah Outen Announces Human Powered Circumnavigation Attempt

You all remember Sarah Outen right? She's the 25-year old British woman we followed closely as she rowed solo across the Indian Ocean last year, becoming the first woman, and the youngest person to accomplish that feat. After taking some time off for much deserved rest and recuperation, Sarah is now ready to clue us all in on her next expedition, which is even more ambitious than her ocean row.

Sarah has announced that beginning April 1st, 2011, she will be embarking on a new expedition dubbed London2London, during which she will attempt to circumnavigate the globe completely under her own power. That means rowing the oceans and biking the continents, in what she estimates to be a 2.5 year endeavor to circle the planet.

Her route will naturally begin and end in London of course. She'll start off by kayaking down the Thames and across the Channel to France. From there, she'll get on her bike and head east, crossing Europe and Asia, eventually arriving on the Russian East Coast. After that, it's back in the kayak for a little jaunt to Japan, where she plans to spend some time before embarking on a solo row across the Northern Pacific Ocean, which she hopes to begin in the spring of 2012. Arriving in Vancouver, she'll begin another bike leg, crossing through Canada and the U.S. before arriving in Nova Scotia, where she'll get in her row boat one more time for a solo row across the North Atlantic.

You've got to hand it to the girl, she sure has ambition. You can read more about Sarah's plans in this interview over at WideWorld. Also, be sure to check out the video below so you can listen and watch Sarah announce her plans in person.

The 7 Rivers, 7 Continents Expedition

Adventurer Mark Kalch's next big project is his 7 Rivers, 7 Continents paddling expedition, in which he will attempt to paddle the length of the longest rivers on each of the seven continents. Having already knocked off one of those rivers, he says he figured he might as well "man up and finish the rest."

Back in 2007 and 2008, Mark was part of an expedition that paddled the length of the Amazon River, covering more than 4300 miles. The Amazon, which stretches across South America, is the longest river in the world, and quite a challenge to navigate, but the other rivers that are waiting for him will each offer their own unique challenges as well.

The list of rivers he intends to paddle include the following:

Nile River (Africa) – 6650 km (4132 miles)
Yangtze River (Asia) – 6300 km (3916 miles)
Mississippi-Missouri River (North America) – 6275 km (3912 miles)
Volga River (Europe) – 3645 km (2266 miles)
Murray-Darling River (Australia) – 3370 km (2904 miles)
Onyx River (Antarctica) – 40 km (25 miles)

According to ExWeb, who brought this story to my attention, Mark will use a variety of watercraft to make these descents, including kayaks, white water rafts, and even stand-up paddle boards, depending on the type of water he is encountering at any given time. They also estimate that it will take him anywhere from 4 to 6 months to complete each river, so obviously this project will keep him busy for the next few years.

Each of these rivers will have a very different feel, and I've been fortunate enough to have been on four of the seven. The Nile, for instance, will be long and and hot, without much to see other than desert for much of its run, although it will be quite a ride to get things started. On the other hand, the Mississippi will keep him in the middle of civilization for the vast majority of the duration, with plenty of places to stop and rest, get a good meal, sleep in a comfortable bed, and so on. The experiences are going to be dramatically different, and this should be a fun expedition to follow for that alone. 

Anyway you look at it though, this is going to be a series of epic paddling adventures. Even the short, 25-mile long Onyx in Antarctica will have its share of challenges. Can't wait to read the updates!

More Sailing Updates: Two Expeditions Coming To An End

With all of this talk about these young girls making their solo circumnavigation attempts, it's sometimes easy to forget that there are some other great sea borne adventures that have been taking place, two of which are coming to an end today.

First up, Reid Stowe, who I've mentioned a few times in the past, is about to finish up his 1000 Days at Sea Expedition. He's actually been at sea for 1152 days, and will be pulling into New York harbor sometime today.

The goal of the expedition was to demonstrate the possibilities of making a journey to Mars, and when he began the voyage, he was hoping so simulate the conditions that astronauts could possibly face if they were on a prolonged journey. That was more than three years ago, and at long last, he'll set foot on land once again today, where he'll be greeted by hundreds of well wishers, including Soanya Ahmad, who began the journey with him, but was forced to leave after 305 days due to debilitating sea sickness. Turns out that she was also pregnant, and would later give birth to their son. Since that time, Reid has spent more than two years alone at sea.

I'll bet he'll be happy to be back on land tonight.

Meanwhile, jumping to the west coast, a few days back I posted an update on the Around the Americas Team, and how they were closing in on their final destination as well. Turns out, today will be the day for them to return home as well. The crew of the Ocean Watch should reach Seattle sometime this afternoon too, bringing an end to their 13-month circumnavigation of North and South America that saw them navigating their way through the Northwest Passage. This amazing journey has never been completed before, and while making the voyage, the crew took water samples and recorded all kinds of data to help us to better understand the impact of global climate change on the health of our seas.

I want to take the opportunity to with both Reid and the Ocean Watch crew home. Your two respective journeys have been tremendous to follow.

Around The Americas Update: Nearly Home!

I haven't really mentioned much about the Around the Americas expedition since they made their way through the perilous waters off of Cape Horn. That was back in January, and since that time, they've had plenty of adventures, as they've sailed up the west coasts of both North and South America, making their way back to where they started, Seattle, Washington. Now, they're within a few days of completing their epic journey, and finishing a sailing adventure that had never been done before.

For those who aren't familiar with the expedition, the crew of the Ocean Watch set sail from Seattle last May with the idea of circumnavigating the continents of both North and South America. Until recent years, the journey wasn't even possible, but thanks to global climate change, the Northwest Passage has been navigable for the past few years. Upon beginning their voyage, the ship sailed north, to Alaska, and began what was perhaps the most treacherous portion of the trip through the ice waters of the Arctic Ocean. Once they cleared that section, they turned south, down the coast of North and South America, around the Horn, and then back North, where they are now, more than a year after starting, and closing in on their destination.

Of course, the journey wasn't just about the adventure itself. Along the way, the crew was joined by a variety of guests, and throughout the journey, a number of scientific experiments were made, and sample were taken, to record the impact of global climate change on the oceans and seas through which they passed. When they get back home, the crew of the Ocean Watch, will deliver some very important data that could offer some great insights into the health of our oceans.

I'll post an update again when they've reached Seattle. It's been a long journey, and you can read about their experiences in their blog, which they've been keeping since the beginning, and has lots of great information and stores to tell. Read it by clicking here.

Introducing The National Geographic Global Action Atlas

Every once in awhile a very cool and innovative project comes along that makes you ask "why hasn't someone thought of this sooner?" Last week I was introduced to just such a project, and it is my privilege to share it with everyone now.

It's called the Global Action Atlas and it comes to us courtesy of National Geographic and is powered by Bing Maps. The site throws a spotlight on cause-related projects that are taking place on a local level around the globe, while delivering information on those projects to concerned citizens anywhere on the planet, enabling them to get involved with the projects that strike a chord with them. Connecting people to the right causes, no matter where they are, is one of the key elements of the Action Atlas.

Examples of some of the projects and action items that are currently featured on the site include a call for action against the Gulf Coast oil spill which is threatening fragile wetlands as well as a call for aid in regions of China that suffered damage during the recent earthquake there. But not everything is an urgent request for aid either. For instance, I came across a really interesting project that is hoping to create "America's Serengeti" That project is being organized by the American Prairie Foundation in an effort to develop a wildlife reserve more than a million acres in size.

At the heart of the Global Action Atlas is the Action Map, which gives you a quick look at projects from around the world. Even though the site is still listed as a beta, there are literally dozens of interesting projects that you can get involved in across North and South America, Africa, Asia, Oceania, and beyond. The map offers a number of zoom levels, allowing you to focus on a specific region as well as a number of checkboxes that offer you the option to filter out certain types of projects that may not be of interest to you. You can also search by keywords or location names, and bring up a map key that will assist you in deciphering what all the little icons on the map mean.

National Geographic's mission says that they hope "to inspire people to care about the planet", and that mission is enhanced by the Global Action Atlas by turning inspiration into action. The atlas looks to match inspired and motivated people with a project that speaks to them on some level, perhaps linking them to a cause they didn't even know existed. Through the use of the atlas, we may be motivated further to share information, donate to a cause, or even volunteer to take part in a more direct way. Looking through the amazing projects that are taking place across the globe, it's difficult to not want to get involved.

As noted, the Action Atlas is still in beta form, which means it is still being tested, and the bugs are being worked out. With that in mind, the site is also looking for feedback and they have set up a quick survey allowing us to weigh in. While the atlas is an amazing tool already, we can all help to make it even better, by offering our thoughts. I'd encourage you to do just that, then logon and get inspired for yourself.

The Top 8 Natural Wonders of the World

Travel website Wild Junket has put together their picks for the Top 8 Natural Wonders of the World, listing the very best that Mother Earth has to offer us.

These eight locations are pretty much on every adventure traveler's short list of "must see" places. (If they're not, they ought to be!) Each of the entries includes a brief description of why it's earned a spot in the Top 8, with a few photos to help support the cause. Amongst the places that make the list are Igauzu Falls along the Argentinian-Brazillian border, Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania, and the Grand Canyon in the U.S. As you can imagine, the other five spots, which I'll leave for you to discover for yourself, are equally interesting and beautiful.

I've been personally fortunate enough to witness five of these locations myself, and it's hard to argue with any of them. I might add the Serengeti to my list of favorite natural wonders, as it is simply amazing not only for the size and scope of the place, but also for the amazing wildlife that is at every turn. Of all the places I've visited, it is probably the one that I miss the most, and I highly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in going.

Big thanks to the Wend Blog for give me the heads up on this story.

World Run II: A New Definition Of Endurance Runs!

Occasionally I get great articles, reports, and links sent my way from readers who are aware of some great adventures that I haven't come across before. At any given time, there are always some amazing things going on, and it's difficult to keep track of them all, although I do my best. :) One such reader is Darrell Raubenheimer, who drops me a note from time to time about one amazing endurance event or another that is taking place in and around South Africa, which he calls home. Earlier today, I received just such a note telling me about endurance athlete Jesper Olsen and his World Run II.

Back in 2005, Jesper completed the first ever fully documented run around the world. Dubbed the World Run, the event saw him begin and end in London, crossing Europe, and Asia, before ending up in Tokyo, Japan From there, the Danish runner hopped a flight to Sydney, ran across Australia to Perth, then grabbed another flight to Los Angeles, where he proceed to run north to Vancouver, then across Canada and the U.S., before taking a flight back to the U.K., returning to where he started. When he was done, Jesper had run more than 16,000 miles.

But like any good adventurer, the ultrarunner couldn't stay home for long, and thus the plan was hatched for World Run II, which like all good sequels, is bigger, and more impressive than the first. This time, Jesper is running a course that is roughly 25,000 miles in length and going from north-to-south, and back again. In the process, he'll cross four continents, numerous countries, and through nearly every time of environment imaginable.

The run got underway from Nordkapp, Norway, the northernmost point in Europe, and will continue south to Cape Town in South Africa. From there, Jesper will hop a flight to Punta Arenas, Chile, in South America, and turn is way north, heading up through that continent, and into North America, through Mexico, the U.S., and into Canada, eventually ending at Mt. Pearl, a small town in Newfoundland.

Jesper's latest blog report, which can be found on the World Run II website, indicates that he is now closing in on Cape Town, which is a major milestone for his expedition. As of two days ago, he had completed nearly 12,800 miles, so he's roughly halfway done. As of that posting, he was still about 500 miles away from Cape Town, but mentioned that he was looking forward to a break, some time to heal, and recover, before moving on to South America. Considering he's just about finished up a complete run across the African continent, north to south, I'd say he's earned some rest.

Personally, I'm in awe of this undertaking. I've taken the last two days off from running to try to heal a bit of a nagging injury, and now I feel just completely lazy after reading about some of the things that Jesper has been dealing with along the way. I may have missed the first half of this very cool adventure, but you can bet I'll be following along with the second half. Thanks for the tip Darrell, it is highly appreciated as always! :)

Cycling The Americas Update: Mark Is Done!!

It has been a long, challenging, and adventurous journey for cyclist Mark Beaumont, but he has, at last, reached the "End of the World", Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. Mark set off from Alaska last spring, 268 days ago in fact, and has ridden his trusty bicycle all the way to the tip of South America. In the process, he rode 13,080 miles and crossed through 12 countires. Oh yeah, and along the way, he managed to summit the 20,320 foot Denali and the 22,841 foot Aconcagua, the tallest mountains in North and South America respectively.

The news of his arrival has just been posted on his blog where Mark says:

I'm ecstatic to be here, it has been my dream and focus for so long - but also a small part of me is sad that the simple but tough life of bike and camera has come to an end, again, at least for now!

I'm sure this isn't the last we've heard of Mark. He'll enjoy a bit of down time now, work on his BBC documentary of the ride, rest up, and plot his next adventure. Lets not forget, this is a guy who once rode around the world in just 194 days. I doubt he'll stay home for long!

Congrats on a job well done Mark. It has been a joy to follow along on your journey. You showed a real enthusiasm for travel and the cultures you were experiencing at every step. I'm going to miss your updates, but I look forward to your next adventure.

Around The Americas Update: Heading For The Horn!

The Around the Americas Expedition has been continuing these past few months, mostly crossing through smooth, calm waters as they made their way down the Eastern Coast of the United States, across the Caribbean, and continuing down along the coast of South America as well. But things are about to get more interesting for the crew of the Ocean Watch, who have made their way to the Falkland Islands, and will soon be braving the tempestuous weather of Cape Horn, and the Beagle Passage.

You may recall that this is the sailing expedition that is attempting to become the first to make a complete circumnavigation of North and South America. The ship set sail from Seattle last May, and promptly turned north. During the summer months, the ship made its way through the Northwest passage, then broke into the Atlantic Ocean, where it has been sailing ever since.

But soon, the Ocean Watch and her crew will be returning to the Pacific, but first they'll face some of the most dreaded waters that any sailor has ever have to face. The region is marked by high winds, strong ocean currents, and powerful waves. Throw in some of the craziest storms on the planet, and the possibilities for icebergs, and you begin to see the challenges of sailing around the Horn.

Once the ship clears the area however, they'll begin their long voyage back north. They hope to return to Seattle later this year, most likely in the summer. Upon their return, they'll begin analyzing the data that they've collected over the course of the journey, in which they've been exploring the health of the oceans, and taking a number of readings about conditions along the coasts of the two continents.

The Epic Riding The Spine Journey Is Complete!

I've mentioned the Riding the Spine expedition several times in the past, but it has been quite a long time since I posted an update. It is the epic journey by mountain bike from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska to Ushuaia, Argentina, that was undertaken by Jacob Thompson, Sean Monterastelli and a man named Goat (I kid you not!). After three and a half years on the trail, covering more than 21,000 miles, passing through 14 countries in the process, the boys have finally arrived at their destination, reaching Ushuaia this past Sunday. Their online journal declares: "We Did It!"

Riding the Spine derives its name from the fact that they made most of the journey by peddling through mountain trails and over passes, rather than on established roads and highways. Jacob, Sean, and Goat spent more time in the Rockies and Andes, the mountain spines of their respective continents, then they did on paved roads and in civilization. They also managed to work in a couple of paddling trips, kayaking some whitewater along the way, and even used kayaks to transport their bikes through a remote section along the Panama and Colombian border.

Needless to say, the past three years have been quite an adventure for this trio, who were occasionally joined out on the road by some guest riders too. I want to extend a hearty congratulations to the entire crew on reaching their goal. What an amazing journey this has been, and I'm sure they're having a lot of bittersweet emotions at the moment. Three and a half years is a long time to devote to a project, and to see it end has to be both very rewarding and kind of sad at the same time.

Thanks to Adventure World Magazine for the tip on this story.

Cycling The Americas Update: Mark Heads For Aconcagua

It has been some time since we checked in on Mark Beaumont, the Scottish cyclist who is in the process of riding his bike from Alaska to the tip of South America. Dubbed the Cycling The Americas expedition, the entire journey has been well chronicled on the BBC website through blog postings and Twitter updates.

Mark had several goals he wanted to accomplish throughout his journey, including summitting the highest mountains in both North and South America. He started the expedition by successfully climbing the 20,320 foot Denali back in June, and now he has turned his sights on Aconcagua, which at 22,841 feet, is the tallest mountain outside of the Himalaya, in the world.

According to the expedition website, on December 30th, Mark has gone from cycling mode to climbing mode, after spending more than 180 days on his bike. His Twitter feed has more up-to-date information, with the news that he has joined his climbing team, and is now en route to base camp on Aconcagua. Over the next couple of weeks, we should be able to follow along as he makes his bid on another one of the Seven Summits.

After he finishes up on the mountain, Mark will return to the bike and finish the last leg of his journey. He hopes to reach Tierra del Fuego, at the tip of South America, sometime in February, which will close out his latest adventure.

Expedition Updates!

With a relatively slow day on the adventure front, I wanted to post a few updates on three of my favorite expeditions that I've been following in recent months.

First up, the Around The Americas Expedition continues, with the news that the Ocean Watch has now reached Puerto Rico. You may recall that this is the crew that attempting the first ever circumnavigation of the North and South American continents, and after successfully navigating the Northwest Passage earlier this summer, they have been enjoying a mostly leisurely cruise down the East Coast of the United States. The warm sun of the Caribbean is no doubt a welcome respite from the cold they endure while sailing above Alaska and Canada, but they have a long way to go yet before they reach the safety of home in Seattle, and the perilous waters of the Beagle Channel and the treacherous navigation of Cape Horn still lie ahead.

Moving on to a completely different kind of long distance expedition, it's good to see Mark Beaumont is making good progress on his Cycling The Americas journey. The British cyclist is riding his bike from Anchorage, Alaska to Ushuaia, Argentina, stopping off long enough to climb both Denali and Aconcagua, the tallest mountain on North and South America respectively. Mark reached a milestone of sorts within the past few days as well, having ridden all the way to Panama, he now prepares to leave North America behind, and cross the Canal into South America, where he'll continue is epic ride. He expects to complete his journey sometime in the spring of next year.

Finally, Ed Stafford and his partner Cho, have now spent 580 days Walking the Amazon. The two have suffered mightily in their expedition in recent days, as they struggle with the challenges of continuing to make progress, lowered energy levels, and failing equipment. But they do continue to move ahead, and have now left Peru behind and are trekking through Brazil, as they strive to become the first men to walk the length of the Amazon River. If everything goes according to plan, they'll finish off their expedition next spring as well, although they still have a long way to go and lots of hardships to overcome.

These are just a taste of the expeditions that like to follow. Each of them exhibits a spirit of adventure and exploration that is inspiring to say the least. I'm glad to see that they are each continuing to make progress with their goals in site, even if they are still a ways off in the distance.

Ten Destinations Where You're The Prey

Forbes Traveler has an interesting article on their site listing off ten destinations where the animals eat you. The list is designed to give adventurer travelers some new ideas for places to get up close and personal with wildlife and encounter some of the planet's top predators in their natural environments.

Some of the places making the list include Manu National Park in the Peruvian Amazon, which is home to a healthy population of jaguars which silently stalk the jungle. For a completely different experience, head to South Luangwa National Park in Zambia, where the hippos rule the roost. As the story notes, the hippo is generally a plant eater, but are extremely aggressive and kill a number of people each year in Africa. Head to Lake Baikal in Russia for a face-to-face showdown with wolves, which prowl the region in sizable numbers. Just don't stray too far from camp or get out of the vehicle. You can be lunch fairly quickly there as well.

Of course, my personal favorite is the Serengeti in Tanzania, which just might be my favorite place in the world. There are plenty of amazing animals to see there of course, but nothing gets the heart pumping faster than spotting a lion in the grass. These giant cats are fun to watch, and amazingly graceful as well. It is the one place that I highly recommend anyone who enjoys wildlife visits.

Around The Americas Update: Next Stop Boston!

Having successfully navigated the Northwest Passage, the Around the Americas Expedition has turned its way south. Having left Nova Scotia, Canada behind the next scheduled port of call set for the Ocean Watch and her crew is Boston, where they are expected to arrive on Friday.

It has been a pretty good few weeks for the crew, who have now gone from icy waters and heavy cold weather gear, to shorts and flip-flops under warm skies and lovely autumn days. The journey south, for now, remains mostly uneventful, although a new crew member has joined the team, at least for now. Ed Stern is a fisheries expert from the Marine Institute in St. John's and he gives us a rundown on his background as well as the general health of fisheries in North America in today's blog post.

Ed has joined the crew in support of the expedition's environmental efforts. As the Ocean Watch navigates its way around North and South America, something that has never been done before, the team is recording data on the health of the oceans, and that healthy will have a direct impact on our fisheries, and vice versa, as over fishing can cause its own set of issues.

In the weeks ahead, the crew will continue to head south towards the tip of South America, where they will make the treacherous crossing of the Beagle Channel before turning north and home. The expedition began in Seattle back in June and will end there again sometime in 2010, but in between, the ship will have crossed more than 24,000 miles of ocean, completing the first ever circumnavigation of the two continents.

Cycling The Americas Update: Viva Mexico!

It has been awhile since I posted an update on Mark Beaumont, who is in the process of riding his bicycle from Alaska to the southernmost tip of South America. Mark continues to blog his entire expedition for the BBC, and has been making great progress, although the easy part, if there is such a thing, is now behind him.

When I last posted about Mark he was cycling through the western United States and taking in the beautiful scenery there. The Scottish cyclist has since moved south of the border and is now making his way through Mexico, where he joined in the Independence Day celebration yesterday. If you've been following Mark's Twitter feed, you know that riding in Mexico has been more difficult for him, as the roads are much more challenging, the weather has been hotter, and overall level of danger is higher.

He has now spent a little more than a week in Mexico, and in Mark's own words he has this to say:

"Never have I seen such a distinct culture change over a single border. They say a change is as good as a rest and I have relished the new experience after a seemingly never ending cycle down the USA!"

So far, it seems like he is enjoying his the ride, and his comment on the culture change is interesting considering he have visited plenty of countries, particularly on his around the world bike ride, in which he circled the globe in less than 195 days.

For now, Mark will continue is ride south, and obviously he has plenty of miles ahead of him before he crosses into South America. But looming ahead is Aconcagua, the second mountain he'll climb on this expedition, having already successfully topped out on Denali a few months back. When it's all said and done, the Scotsman hopes to finish the ride in early 2010, having logged more than 15,000 miles in the saddle when he is done.

Around The Americas Update: Through The Northwest Passage!

Great news for anyone following the Around The Americas expedition. The crew of the Ocean Watch has successfully navigated the Northwest Passage and have now moved out into the relatively warmer waters of the Prince Regent Inlet. This is a major milestone for the ship and her crew, who are making the first circumnavigation of North and South America.

The last time we checked in on the Ocean Watch, it was just setting out into the Passage. But now, a month later, it is through that legendary passage and will soon turn south, towards Cape Horn, and the next perilous milestone on the 24,000 mile journey.

The expedition is attempting to become the first to sail completely around both North and South America, a journey which has only recently been made possible thanks to global climate change and the opening of the Northwest Passage. Along the way, the ship will pass through diverse waters, and take scientific measurements in order to record the impact of climate change on those waters. You can follow along with the crew thanks to their always interesting and well written blog reports, and track the progress of the Ocean Watch itself.

It is great to see that the team has cleared the Passage and is making excellent, steady progress. They obviously still have a very long way to go, but this is arguably the most dangerous leg of the journey, at least until they reach the Cape. Until then, they'll probably enjoy the warmer waters and take their time through the Caribbean. Or maybe that's just what I would do. ;)