The most popular article on this site so far has been “this is the way to experience life – 100 goals in 100 weeks”. I have decided to follow Ian Ushers lead and write my list of 10 endurance events I want to complete before I die. So no more excuses, it’s time for me to take action!
And in the process to ask for your help. Can you help me reach any of these goals ? Do you have any of the same ambitions ? Would you like to do one of them together ? Do you have the skills or experience to guide, teach or advise me and help me to reach any of them? I’m keen, hungry and willing to learn.The most popular article on this site so far has been “this is the way to experience... more
Climbing and mountaineering books and films often portray a very one sided image of expedition life. It is a picture of hardship, extreme conditions and death.
Whilst there is no doubt that this is true and of course makes compelling viewing and reading.
One only has to think about “Touching the Void” which sent shivers down my spine and had me glued to the book unable to put it down to see the commercial value of such content.
There is however another side to expedition life ....Climbing and mountaineering books and films often portray a very one sided image of... more
A group of 25 bingo fans have hiked 17,500ft up to Everest Base Camp... to hold the world's highest game of bingo.
After two weeks climbing - risking dehydration, altitude sickness and frostbite - the team recently arrived at their destination.
Then then promptly whipped out their scorecards, the caller slipped on a sparkly gold jacket and they started their game.
In calling the highest house the group raised around £100,000 for their chosen charity Sue Ryder Care.
One of the team, organised by Gala Coral, said: "Other trekkers at base camp simply couldn't believe it - I'm sure they thought we had altitude sickness."A group of 25 bingo fans have hiked 17,500ft up to Everest Base Camp... to hold the... more
Rock climbing is unlike many sports in that the majority of it’s participants are not involved in any kind of competitive activity. There is no winning or losing. So what drives us, why do we climb ? Why do we punish our bodies and endanger our lives to conquer a piece of rock ? This climbing film uses some beautiful bouldering pictures taken at Kerlouan, Northern France.
I hope you enjoy this bouldering video – Please take a moment to comment afterwards and give your thoughts on why you climb and the places you love most.Rock climbing is unlike many sports in that the majority of it’s participants are... more
Ski mountaineering is a relativly new take on alpinism and climbing mountains. Not only must climbers have the necessary mountaineering skills they must also be incredible extreme skiers. Dave Watson oppitimises this new breed of inspirational alpine adventureres. In August 2009 he climbed to within 500 feet of the summit of K2 (bad snow conditions stopped him reaching the top) then attached skiis and took the ride of his life !
I hope you enjoy this extreme ski mountaineering video – Please take a moment to comment afterwards and give your thoughts on Dave Watson’s epic climbing challenge, is this the ultimate form of mountaineering, is it in the spirit of alpinism, do you dream of attemping your own K2 expedition ?Ski mountaineering is a relativly new take on alpinism and climbing mountains. Not... more
Each year, nearly ten thousand tourists travel to Tanzanias Kilimanjaro National Park to summit the worlds tallest freestanding mountain. The journey from the base to the summit can take up to a week of navigating dangerous conditions, from rock slides to freezing temperatures and altitude sickness. There are no facilities on the mountain, so each climbing team is responsible for supplying its own food, shelter, and safety equipment. As most climbers on Kilimanjaro are amateurs, the National Parks mandates that each climber is accompanied by at least one porter to help carry these essentials. It also has guidelines for a minimum daily wage, the maximum weight each porter can carry, and the type of equipment each porter should be outfitted with.
Porters are primarily local villagers from the slopes of Kilimanjaro who can earn a living wage working on the mountain. However, because they are usually uneducated and have little or no other means to earn a living, they are regularly exploited by the tour operators who employ them. The porters are often poorly fed, given no warm or waterproof clothing, and according to National Parks guidelines, are grossly underpaid and made to carry loads far heavier than is regulated. Porters are regularly injured due to the poor working conditions and each year porters die working on the mountain.
In most cases, tourists interact solely with their climbing guides and have little to no interaction with the porters themselves. Therefore, they are almost completely unaware of these exploitations even whilst on the mountain. 'Porters of Kilimanjaro' hopes to directly improve the living and working conditions of the porters who help thousands of tourists summit Kilimanjaro each year by empowering tourists to make an informed decision when choosing a tour operator. Porters are employed by an unregulated group of tour operators, of which only a handful practice proper porter treatment as mandated by Kilimanjaro National Parks.
Directed, Filmed and Edited by:
Ryan Miller and Jessica Reynolds
Composer:
Kerry Muzzey
Audio Mix:
Hobo Audio
Color Correct:
Juantxo Royo
With many thanks to:
Tanzania Journeys
Marangu Hotel
Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project
John Pallangyo
Philip MbiseEach year, nearly ten thousand tourists travel to Tanzanias Kilimanjaro National Park... more
Each year, nearly ten thousand tourists travel to Tanzanias Kilimanjaro National Park to summit the worlds tallest freestanding mountain. The journey from the base to the summit can take up to a week of navigating dangerous conditions, from rock slides to freezing temperatures and altitude sickness. There are no facilities on the mountain, so each climbing team is responsible for supplying its own food, shelter, and safety equipment. As most climbers on Kilimanjaro are amateurs, the National Parks mandates that each climber is accompanied by at least one porter to help carry these essentials. It also has guidelines for a minimum daily wage, the maximum weight each porter can carry, and the type of equipment each porter should be outfitted with.
Porters are primarily local villagers from the slopes of Kilimanjaro who can earn a living wage working on the mountain. However, because they are usually uneducated and have little or no other means to earn a living, they are regularly exploited by the tour operators who employ them. The porters are often poorly fed, given no warm or waterproof clothing, and according to National Parks guidelines, are grossly underpaid and made to carry loads far heavier than is regulated. Porters are regularly injured due to the poor working conditions and each year porters die working on the mountain.
In most cases, tourists interact solely with their climbing guides and have little to no interaction with the porters themselves. Therefore, they are almost completely unaware of these exploitations even whilst on the mountain. 'Porters of Kilimanjaro' hopes to directly improve the living and working conditions of the porters who help thousands of tourists summit Kilimanjaro each year by empowering tourists to make an informed decision when choosing a tour operator. Porters are employed by an unregulated group of tour operators, of which only a handful practice proper porter treatment as mandated by Kilimanjaro National Parks.
Directed, Filmed and Edited by:
Ryan Miller and Jessica Reynolds
Composer:
Kerry Muzzey
Audio Mix:
Hobo Audio
Color Correct:
Juantxo Royo
With many thanks to:
Tanzania Journeys
Marangu Hotel
Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project
John Pallangyo
Philip MbiseEach year, nearly ten thousand tourists travel to Tanzanias Kilimanjaro National Park... more
The concrete wall is taking fitness to new heights. The indoor climbing facility is brings this outdoor recreation to urban and suburban life.The concrete wall is taking fitness to new heights. The indoor climbing facility is... more
All extreme sportsman feel fear, whether they are involved in rock climbing, mountaineering or moutainbiking. The psychology of managing this fear to allow us to fulfill our potential is complex and hard won often through difficult personal experience. This film uses the words of the mountaineer and alpinism legend Mark Twight, taken from his book Extreme alpinism which gives a fantastic insight into overcoming fear in climbing mountains.
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I hope you enjoy the film – Please take a moment to comment afterwards and give your thoughts on how you handle fear in a sporting situation ?All extreme sportsman feel fear, whether they are involved in rock climbing,... more
For most of my life I have been facinated by mountaineer’s. I remember as a child being given various biographies and reading them cover to cover. I was gripped with their tales of courage and daring as they pushed on into the “death zone” (above 8000m)
As I have got older I have begun to unsderstand and appreciate the full cost of what these incredible adventurers and explorers undertake. The enormous level of risk that they experience and the fragility of their lives. This has a powerful effect on them and even more so their families.
I read a report titled “letter to Daniel” (his son) by the BBC reporter Fergal Keane, in it he was writing about his life as a war correspondant and the effects on his family. I felt that his words equally applied to mountaineering and have used them in the following film which is dedicated to all those who didn’t return.For most of my life I have been facinated by mountaineer’s. I remember as a child... more
Walking down the Suck Creek Mountain Road in Prentice Cooper State Forest, I was on my way to the see kayaking, but I never made it. However, I took some time to enjoy some of God's beautiful nature. I have seen this little hole in the side of this rock more than a hundred times, but never got in it, so today I did. I like the scenery and the way the trees enclose you with all of the leaves still on them is kind of neat.Walking down the Suck Creek Mountain Road in Prentice Cooper State Forest, I was on my... more
A French climber known as Spiderman for his amazing feats has climbed one of the world's tallest buildings, in Malaysia, on his third attempt.A French climber known as Spiderman for his amazing feats has climbed one of the... more
Two best friends, Chris and Mike, take their annual 6-day camping trip. Things are different this time when Chris invites his friend, Kathy, to join them.
Days into the expedition, a series of bizarre events forces the trio into survival mode. Fighting with the consequence of making choices proves to be an unbearable task and delaying those choices pushes them to their limits. Every moment now threatens the group's chances of survival.
Irreversible sacrifices are made and living with those concequences proves to be harder than making them.Two best friends, Chris and Mike, take their annual 6-day camping trip. Things are... more
So what happens, exactly, when the Great Indoorsman attempts to spend time outdoors? I'll tell you - I slept for hours when I got home... after I hugged my computers and blew kisses to my electrical outlets!So what happens, exactly, when the Great Indoorsman attempts to spend time outdoors?... more
For my Duke of Edinburgh Award, I've taken part in three practise expeditions and a number of small day walks. This is one where I climbed to the top of Ben Lawers in the heart of Scotland. Enjoy:)For my Duke of Edinburgh Award, I've taken part in three practise expeditions and a... more
There's nothing like a good hike to get your blood pumping. I enjoy quite a few indoor activities, but one of my favorites is climbing. I do this at least a few times an hour.There's nothing like a good hike to get your blood pumping. I enjoy quite a few indoor... more
Two brothers in Rio are living over the edge — literally: sleeping, working and eating on the side of a building 33 feet (10 meters) up in the air. Twenty-seven-year-old Tiago Primo and his 20-year-old brother Gabriel spend 12 hours a day in the bed, hammock, chair and dining table they've attached to a bright red-and-yellow wall as part of an art exhibit in Rio's old center.
The brothers are equipped with mountain climbing gear, and if nature calls, can scramble over to the verandah of a neighboring art gallery, where an indoor bathroom awaits.
The brothers have been hanging out wall-side since the end of May. They plan to continue the display until Aug. 20.Two brothers in Rio are living over the edge — literally: sleeping, working and... more
I spent, nearly, one month on an isolated, dysfunctional farm in the French Pyrenees. The closest town was a three to four hour hike down the mountain. While the atmosphere was not exactly everything I would have hoped for I did manage to learn a good deal about the sustainable and environmental challenges of off-the-grid, mountain farming.I spent, nearly, one month on an isolated, dysfunctional farm in the French Pyrenees.... more
