Ocean sailing with Abby Sunderland

I you remember reading about the 16 year old who had to be rescued in the Indian Ocean when her mast was knocked off in her attempt to sail around the world.  Though I am not sure of the wisdom of allowing a 16 year old travel the world by herself, her story is quite interesting and her faith, at least on the surface, is solid.  Abby sailed from Del Rey California around the tip of South America, known as one of the most dangerous places in the world, across the Atlantic and again around the Cape of Good Hope, with some repair stops along the way.  Instead of me talking about her trip why not let Abby tell you about it. 

A Day on the Pacific Crest Trail

Garret and Maya are hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, an adventure I have always wanted to do.  You can follow them on their blog Pacific Crest Trail 2011. They demonstrate the whole concept of simplicity while on an adventure which I discussed in a previous blog about The Simplicity of Adventure. 

Garret and Maya's day consists of hiking and eating or eating and hiking, with a little bit of stretching at the end of the day. 

The Pacific Crest trail is 2650 miles long and runs from Mexico to Canada through the states of California, Oregon, and Washington.  I have been on several portions in Washington State and I my opinion it is one of the most scenic trails in the world.  You may not be able to do the whole trail but it is worth hiking small portions of.  For more information on the trail visit the Pacific Crest Trail Association web site.

World's Most Dangerous Trail

Only in China can you find people making trails along the side of a cliff thousands of feet off the ground.  This video is not recommended for those who are frightened of heights.  This may be an adrenaline pumping adventure but it is probably not one I will be looking to do.

The World's Scarriest Trail

Here is a video of the scariest trail hike, and believe me this will give you the hebe jebes.  If you are up for an acrophobic adventure this would be it.  Enjoy and make sure to have your barf bag near by.

Cow Trekking

MOOOOOOving along

I was looking though some blogs about trekking and ran across this very interesting and appropriately titled blog off the Lonely Planet blog.  Apparently a farmer in Switzerland has made his cows available for four hour rides around the local countryside along the Rhine River.  Sound like a lot of fun and if I am ever in Switzerland might have to try this mooooving experience. 

The Nine Day Canoe Adventure

Sam and Caleb and their 75lb canoe

Two brothers, Sam and Caleb Levar, spent eight days canoeing the La Verendrye fur-trading route which is 270 miles.  The La Verendrye trading route was established by Pierre de la Verendrye and his three sons in 1731.  La Verendrye was looking for a route to the Pacific Ocean, as a way of reaching the East for the purposes of trade.  La Verendrye also established trading posts along the way to trade with the local peoples in an attempt to take business from the Hudson Bay Company.  

 Sam and Caleb enjoyed their trip and you can read their interview on the Canoe and Kayak website.  One other note it appears that two brothers can get along for eight days alone in the wilderness.  

The Cost of Adventure

Percy Fawcett - Boliva 1906

As of the writing of this blog a third climber has died on the slopes of Mt Everest.  Which brings up an interesting thought about adventures and exploration.  The big adventures almost always have the potential for loss, whether it be life or limb.  Many adventures have lost their lives, Percy Fawcett, Robert Scott, George Mallory, and many more unamed men and women.

Adventure, though, can be larger than life just like the adventurer, does not really need to be, these men were just looking to accomplish something that had never been done before, at least by a Westerner.  But as an adventurer all that really is required for an adventure is to seek out a place never before seen by you.  Maybe there is a museum, or a national park, or maybe just a dirt road you have never been down before.  These are adventures just as worth of our time as seeking the source of the Nile.

Here in the metropolis of Spokane there is a rumor that a Da Vinci exhibit will be coming to the local museum.  That is an adventure worth having without the potential for loss of life or limb.  So get out away from the X-Box, the cell phone, and the internet and have a little adventure of your own, what do you have to loose?

The Greatest Mountaineer

No the greatest mountaineer is not a Westerner or even someone from the South Pacific he is Apa Sherpa.  Apa has officially summitted Mount Everest, or Mt. Sagarmatha in the local dialect, 21 times.  His first accent of Everest was on May 1, 1990.  By doing the math you discover that Apa has summitted not only 21 times but 21 consecutive times.  This is more than just impressive, but phenomenal.  You can read more about his last accent on the Explorers website.

Rowing the Ocean Blue

Checking in with Roz Savage as she Rows across the Indian Ocean.  Roz is learning new ways to cook and eat her meals aboard ship.  On May 9th Roz lost 11 miles of distance bringing her moral down a little.  The wind is blowing a thunder and lightning storm crossed making life for her rather uncomfortable.  You can read about her cooking tips which not only apply to the open ocean but also around the campsite.   Check it out at Roz Savage's Blog.

The Simplicty of Adventure

Sometimes I ask myself, why do I want to go out and seek adventure.  A lot of adventure takes place in uncomfortable places or conditions.  Climbing a mountain such as Mt Rainier or Mt Adams comes the physical discomforts of cold, nausea from altitude, and sore muscles.  So why seek adventure?

Adventure breaks life down to its simple necessities.  When I leave home I have to decide what to leave at home, which is most of it.  My books, movies, kitchen appliances, bed and pillows all stay at home.  In fact looking for ways to reduce the amount of gear taken on any expedition is an every expanding quest, almost an adventure in itself. 

Staying dry, warm, and filled with food are the only real considerations while on an expedition.  I am always out seeking something whether it is learning about history, the physical and mental limits of my body, or a little peace and quite the basic needs never change and those are the only items taken with me.  Having so little is simply a reminder of how simple life can be and how all the other stuff is something that both clutters life and requires upkeep.  

Vertical Sailing Part 5

The last installment of the Vertical Sailing series.  The Wild Bunch have finished their climbing and are returning to Scotland, a 15 day sail.  Their biggest adventure was the washing/skinny dipping in the Atlantic while being dragged by the sailboat and Captain Bob.  The fantastic thing is, they would do it again and I hope so for our sake.  The sailing, climbing, and music make a wonderful and captivating adventure.

Vertical Sailing Part 4

The boys sail through some ice and head south to find more big walls. This time they walk into a fog and come out in front of a big wall. They climb until 1am and then set up what they call a shiver bivy. Sitting on top of the mountain in the wind and the cold is what mountaineers endure, it is what I call a fine and pleasant misery.

Vertical Sailing Part 3

These just keep getting better.  This time the wild bunch climb a new wall, not technically really challenging but they decided or the captain decided to climb the wall with them.  The captain is 75 years young.  I hope to be able to move like him when I am that age.