Running The Silk Road Update: Under 1000km To Go

Last week I posted a story about a team of athletes who are running the length of the Silk Road in an effort to raise funds and awareness of the need for clean drinking water throughout Asia. The expedition began in Turkey back in April, and since that time, the runners have been heading east. Now, they have less than 1000km (621 miles) to go until they reach the finish line in the ancient city of Xi'an, China.

The run was organized by The Home Expedition, a non-profit organization that seeks to fund charitable projects through adventurous activities. The Silk Road run is their first expedition, but they have others planned for the future, including a cycling journey along the Trans-Siberian Highway and an adventure along the Amazon River.

Two of the runners on this journey, Kevin Lin and Bai Bin have run the entire distance so far. That includes more than 8000km (4971 miles) through Turkey, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and into China. They hope to wrap up the final leg of their journey by September 16th, their target date for arriving in Xi'an.

When I wrote about this expedition last week, I mentioned that updates on the website had been infrequent over the last few months, but it turns out the best place to follow along with the journey is on The Home Expedition Facebook page. There, I discovered that Kevin and Bai Bin are still knocking off about 70km (43.5 miles) per day as they continue to pursue their goal.

For those that don't know, the old Silk Road was a network of trade routes that connected China with Europe. It's origins can be traced back to 200 BC, although at that point it was mostly used throughout Asia. As time passed, and the road expanded, merchants from as far away as Italy used the road to trade goods, and it eventually became one of the most important trade routes ever. Marco Polo was said to have traveled the Silk Road in his dealings with China, and to this day, the road continues to inspire adventure.

I'll continue to keep an eye on the progress of Kevin, Bai, and the whole team. If all goes as scheduled, they should be finishing up in a just a few weeks. Big thanks to Andrew for sharing information and updates with me!

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.

Currents Episode 8: Thailand

The good folks over at Five 2 Nine Productions have released another episode of their fantastic web series Currents, which a program that uses whitewater kayaking as a vehicle (pun fully intended!) to educate the public about threats to our waterways around the world. In this latest episode, the crew is off to Thailand, a country that is faced with increasingly polluted waters that are making for variety of health issues.

As usual, this episode of Currents hammers home those threats to the world's water supply while also showing off some great paddling action. In this case, they find some rather spectacular whitewater to run in Thailand, which looks like it should be on every kayaker's list of destinations. Great video all around.



Currents - Episode 8 - Thailand from Five 2 Nine Productions on Vimeo.

Overland From London to Cape Town

WideWorld Mag posted a very cool story yesterday about an adventurous trio of Brits who set off from London this past weekend to drive overland to Cape Town, South Africa in an attempt to break the record for that drive. The current record the drive is 13 days, 8 hours, and 48 minutes, meaning the team will hae to drive almost non-stop if they hope to set a new record.

The expedition is fittingly enough entitled Max Adventure, which seems perfect for this type of journey. The three men making the drive are Mac Mackenney, Chris Rawlings and Steve Mackenney, who will be spending the next fortnight in the cramped quarters of a Land Rover Discovery as they cross through three continents and 21 countries, cover over 16,000km (10,000 miles) in the process.

The expedition isn't just about making an epic drive however, as the boys hope to raise funds for the Help For Heroes organization, non-proft that works diligently to offer practical help for British soldiers wounded while serving their country. You can find out more, as well as donate to the cause, at the Max Adventure fundraising page located here.

On a side note, does anyone else think that this sounds like the ultimate road trip to take with some buddies? Load up in a Land Rover and hit the road? Sounds like a complete blast to me, although I wouldn't want to do it to break any kind of speed record. I'd much rather take my time and see the landscapes and cultures along the way. Maybe I need to upgrade the Adventure Blog Mobile to a Discovery and take this show on the road.

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!

Paddling South Korea

Five 2 Nine Productions produces a regular series of videos called Currents that it uses to educate viewers about various rivers and waterways from around the world. In their  most recent video, they pay a visit to South Korea, a country that has more than its fair share of rivers, but according to the video, all but one of them has been dammed, most many times. In fact, Five 2 Nine reports that although the country is roughly the same size as the state of Indiana, but has more than 18,000 dams. To make matters worse, the rivers there are so contaminated, they can't even be used for agriculture.

But, the country has a comprehensive plan for moving forward, and opening up those waterways. Known as the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project, this plan is likely to have a dramatic and indelible impact on the people of South Korea. This video shares details of the plan and how the country hopes it will aid them moving forward. It also has some great shots of the kayaking there as well.

Thanks to Canoe & Kayak for the tip!




Currents - Episode 4 - South Korea from Five 2 Nine Productions on Vimeo.

Mongolia 2010 Expedition: The Altai Mountains Loom

Long distance solo trekker Ripley Davenport is closing in on another milestone on his epic trans-Mongolian march as the Gobi Desert begins to give way to the foothills of the Altai Mountains, and an entirely new set of challenges.

Regular readers will recall that Ripley is in the midst of his Mongolia 2010 Expedition, in which he is attempting to walk solo and unsupported across the entire length of that country. He has already left the Eastern Steppe behind, and crossed the Gobi as well, and according to his most recent blog report, the Altai Mountains are looming in his path. That change in terrain will make it difficult for him to pull his custom built cart, which carries all of the adventurers gear, but he seems more than up to the task at the moment.

As of today, Ripley has covered more than 853 miles on his planned 1700 mile expedition. If he is successful in completing that trek, it'll be the longest solo and unsupported walk in history. Reading his updates from the field, it seems that he remains in good spirits and upbeat about the challenges ahead, even as he knows that he is just halfway to the finish line.

An update to the expedition's Facebook page today tells us that the former British military man has moved into some rather steep canyon areas, with the gorges there providing a respite from the sun. The temperatures have been a bit cooler, but the narrow passages are filled with scree and other obstacles.

On another note, Ripley is also falling pray to another malady that often befalls explorers on long distance journeys like this one. His toenails have started to fall off! One of his large nails is already gone, while others have turned black and are threatening to follow suit soon as well. If that wasn't enough, he's also dealing with a very sore and swollen ankle that has been bothering him for some time. Still, he soldiers on and keeps making great progress.

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.

Climbers Notch First Descent of Remote Peak in China

The National Geographic Adventure Blog continues to keep us up to date on all manner of stories from the outdoor world. Today, they have a story about a team of climbers that have recently climbed a remote peak in China, and made the first ski descent of the mountain.

The climbing team, which consisted of Kasha Rigby, Ingrid Backstrom, Guila Monega, and Jimmy Chin, made their way to Western China to challenge the 20,000 foot Reddomaine, a summit that falls in the Minya Konka massif. The mountain itself had been climbed a number of times before, but no one had ever skied its slopes, and while it wasn't one of the best known peaks in the world, it offered plenty of challenge.

The climbers took a few chances on their way to the top. They pushed back their turn-around time on multiple occasions, and kept going up despite the hours trickling away. They had to over come some rather technical sections along the way as well, but late in the afternoon on Summit Day, they at last stood on top. It had taken them 12 hours to reach that point, and they would spend another three skiing back to base camp. But it sounds like it was all worth it in the end.

The article notes that this type of climb is becoming more and more popular. Mountaineers are seeking out new challenges on remote and unclimbed peaks, rather than going after the famous 8000 meter summits. They permits are cheaper and easier to obtain, and the technical challenges are more of a draw, so while the crowds continue to grow on Everest, the top climbers are going elsewhere to find what they are looking for. Seems like a really great trend if you ask me.

Help Build A School In Cambodia, Get Cool Swag!

Want to score some cool gear while helping a great cause? Then swing on over to the Passports with Purpose website, where a unique fundraising effort is underway that will allow us a chance to win some cool items, while contributing to the goal of raising $13,000 to build a new school in a remote region of Cambodia.

Passports with Purpose is an association of travel bloggers who have joined forces with American Assistance for Cambodia, an organization that is dedicated to educating the youth of that country by building schools in rural areas. Since 1999, the AAfC has built more than 400 such schools, allowing thousands of underprivileged children to receive an education that normally might not ever learn to read or write.

So, here's how we can help. Click on this link to check out all the great prizes that are going to be given away as part of an online drawing. You'll find everything from cameras to tents, backpacks, and a lot more. For every $10 that you donate, you'll receive an entry into what ever drawing you choose, so the more you give, the more chances you have to win. They'll continue to take donations through December 21st, with winners being announced on the 5th of January.

As of this writing, the project is well on its way towards reaching its goal. Right now, they've earned more than $9500 of the $13,000 they've set for their goal. Perhaps with our help, they can build two schools instead of just one, and you might win some great stuff in the process.

The Kamchatka Project To Explore The Wilds of Russia

Next summer, seven kayakers will be setting out to explore one of the most remote and untouched regions of the world when they begin a paddling expedition of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, located in the far east of that country. There aim is to raise public awareness of the region, which they call one of the last truly wild places on the planet.

The expedition is called the Kamchatka Project and it will focus on making the first descents of at least three rivers on the peninsula, which remains mostly unexplored, and with one of the lowest population densities on the planet, with fewer than one person per square kilometer.

The rivers that the team intends to run are wild waterways that flow unhindered by a single dam. They are also the spawning ground for nearly a quarter of the world's salmon population, while offering up some of the gnarliest whitewater on the planet. If that wasn't enough, the dense forests surrounding the rivers are teeming with brown bears and a variety of other wild creatures.

The aim of the expedition is to explore the impact of caviar poaching on the salmon population in the region, and how that effects the indigenous people living there as well. The team will use kayaks to gain access to never before explored regions, allowing them to get up close to the species they feel are most threatened.

As if making a couple of first descents on unexplored rivers through some of the roughest terrain on the planet wasn't enough of a challenge, their website has this to say about some of the other challenges they expect to face:

The team’s adventure will go well beyond salmon and class 5 whitewater: the Russian government, mafia, enormous grizzly bears, sketchy Soviet-era helicopters, miles of hiking, and cultural barriers will all test the team’s ability to complete the project.

Seriously? The Russian Mafia? This has all the makings of a Hollywood blockbuster movie. Crazy!

Thanks to Anna over at Wend for dropping me a note on this one. Looks like a great expedition!