Showing posts with label The View. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The View. Show all posts

Friday, October 7, 2011

The Outdoor Adventure: Video: Climbing Kangchenjunga

At 8586 meters (28,169 ft) in height, Kangchenjunga is the third highest peak in the world, and yet it few people know about the challenges of climbing the mountain. While the mainstream audience and press focuses on Everest, and others keep an eye on K2 – "the mountaineer's mountain" – climbers on Kangchenjunga tend to toil in obscurity. The mountain offers a formidable challenge in its own right and has a bit of mystique about it in that no climbers have actually gone up to the true summit. That place is considered sacred, and out of respect to the mountain, the first ascenders, Joe Brown and George Band, stopped short of the top – a tradition that has continued to this day.

Filmmaker Philippe Gatta accompanied a team of French and Swiss climbers to the mountain this past spring, and has now released a fantastic video on the experience. You'll find it below, but get settled in, as it is nearly 15 minutes in length. Well worth watching however.




Read More...>>> → The Outdoor Adventure: Video: Climbing Kangchenjunga

The Outdoor Adventure: BelgiKayak Update: Reaching The North Sea

Belgian adventure Louis-Philippe Loncke has completed his BelgiKayak expedition, which sent him on a 600km (373 mile) journey around his home country, exploring its waterways and measuring their health, while filming the experience as a way of documenting what he saw along the way. What he found was incredible beauty that is threatened by man.

I received a note last night from Lou-Phi giving me insights into his expedition which ended when he reached the North Sea this past weekend. Traveling along Belgium's idyllic rivers, he discovered a number of smaller tributaries, often hidden behind foliage, that when entered, allowed him to get close to nature like never before. Anyone who has paddled a calm river has probably experienced something similar. Since kayaks make virtually no noise, it is easy to paddle up on unsuspecting animals, providing some fantastic experiences that are hard to have while traveling on foot.

When he first started this journey back in July, Loncke had very limited time inside a kayak. In fact, he only had an hours worth of training before setting off on in his Seabirddesigns boat. He freely admits that he didn't know how to pull of an eskimo roll and was completely afraid of capsizing in his first few days out on the water. But after hours of paddling, he became more comfortable and experienced, and is now looking forward to more paddling adventures.

Logistically speaking, there were some hurdles to overcome along the way. For instance, he had to navigate a series of 50 locks which help regulate water flow along the river. Those usually involved a portage, although he did pass through some that are on the UNESCO World Heritage List that have been in operation since 1888. He also paddled into Brugge, a city that is sometimes called the "Venice of the North," where kayaking is only permitted one day of the year. Loncke contacted the local officials before his arrival however, and they granted him permission to paddle through their fair city, something that sounds spectacular.

One of the things that I love about this expedition is that it was often conducted on weekends and during what ever spare time Lou-Phi could find. It is an example of how we can all find ways to put a little adventure into our own lives, even close to home, and maybe even discover some wonderful new places that we didn't even know existed. This could easily be a blueprint for other weekend expeditions, and I'm sure we could all find similar opportunities close to where we live. Well done Lou-Phi!
Read More...>>> → The Outdoor Adventure: BelgiKayak Update: Reaching The North Sea

Thursday, October 6, 2011

The Outdoor Adventure: Himalaya Fall 2011: Summit Bids Begin Today!

Earlier in the week I posted an update on the 2011 fall Himalaya season in which I noted that many teams were now in their respective base camps, resting, and keeping an eye on the weather. Most had completed their acclimatization rotations, and were now enjoying some down time before they started their first summit attempts. Fast forward a few days, and plans are now in place to make those bids, with climbers starting to head back up their mountains as early as today.

It looks like Monday or Tuesday will be summit day on Manaslu. Both the Altitude Junkies and Himex teams are reporting that a weather window is expected to be open on that mountain for early next week, and they're now moving into position to take advantage of it. Heavy snow is in the forecast for tomorrow, but after that, things look good, so both teams are climbing to Camp 1 today, and will proceed higher over the weekend, putting themselves in position to summit on the 26th or 27th. Presently, ropes are fixed all the way to Camp 4, but Sherpas will be working in front of the teams next week to place the lines all the way up to the summit.

The IMG team reported in that Camp 3 was established on Shisha Pangma a few days back as well, opening the door for the climbers to begin their summit attempt on that mountain too. Weather reports are looking good, with little to no snow in the forecasts, so it appears that they'll start their ascents in the next few days. A second IMG team on Cho Oyu, along with a squad from Jagged Globe, are preparing for a summit attempt on the 27th as well after finishing their acclimatization rotation at Camp 2.

With the weather holding steady into next week, it looks like everyone is hoping to top out before an expected shift in the jet stream sometime around the beginning of October. Most of the climbers have been on their mountains for more than a month now, and are eager to stand on top. Hopefully the good weather, and their health, will hold out for a few more days. It looks like early next week will be very busy in the Himalaya.
Read More...>>> → The Outdoor Adventure: Himalaya Fall 2011: Summit Bids Begin Today!

The Outdoor Adventure: NASA Outlines The Future Of Space Exploration

Earlier this year the Space Shuttle program was put on mothballs, effectively closing the book on an era of manned space travel. While it was sad to see it go, it was time. The Shuttle was an aging piece of equipment that was long over due for a replacement. The problem is, with an ongoing economic crisis causing budget cuts, NASA doesn't have a new system ready to go, and it will be years before they are ready to launch the Shuttle's replacement.

That hasn't stopped them from preparing for the future of space exploration however. Earlier today, NASA released The Global Exploration Roadmap, a document that lays out the agency's plans for the next 25 years of operations.

The roadmap, which is actually in it's first draft, was put together by the International Space Exploration Coordination Group, which includes not only NASA, but space programs from China, Russia, Europe, and more. That group sees a greater need for cooperation in moving forward with space exploration and is  putting down the groundwork for both manned and robotic missions across the solar system.

The 38-page document sees two potential major missions in the future. A return to the moon or a visit to nearby astroids, both of which would be stepping stones for going to Mars. Each will require a grand commitment, and both have exciting possibilities for manned space travel, although they are, at a bare minimum, a decade away.

For fans of space travel, who have been wonder where we go next, this is an interesting read. Clearly the push is to now move away from Earth orbit and go further out into space. There are a lot of hurdles to overcome first, but it is interesting to not only see a plan to get there, but one that involves the cooperation of a number of nations and independent entities. This gives me hope for a future for man in space, and it lays out some very important reasons for why we should be headed in that direction.
Read More...>>> → The Outdoor Adventure: NASA Outlines The Future Of Space Exploration

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Sikopel Water Fall - Banjarnegara

Curug Sikopel
Curug Sikopel / Sikopel Waterfall

Sikopel waterfall, is a waterfall located in the village of Babadan, District Pagentan, Banjarnegara Regency - Central Java. Waterfall with a height of about 40 Meters, offers coolness and beauty of its surroundings. The hills that look dashing, elegant. This is the beauty of nature to be proud of. It is a tourist attraction that still needs to be developed, so more comfortable to visit.

Road access is still relatively difficult, is even more a tourist location is increasingly isolated and rarely visited by tourists. This is actually an exotic scenery, visitors can see wild monkeys in this location.

Looks like local governments need to renovate, or at least provide a more viable access road to reach this location again. Sikopel like a pearl that has not been sharpened, still disguised, and very few people who know this area.

In the end .. authors hope, if later waterfall Sikopel been successfully renovated, and given adequate road access, and then many visitors who come, it could still be a cool waterfall Sikopel, Anggun, Clean, and convenient to visit.

enjoy-the-view-of-sikopel
Sikopel
sikopel-waterfall
Curug Sikopel Between Hills




Curug sikopel
Curug Sikopel


Curug Sikopel
Curug Sikopel


Curug Sikopel
Curug Sikopel


Near the Sikopel Water fall
Curug Sikopel

on the site Sikopel
Curug Sikopel

greening in curug sikopel
Greening in Curug Sikopel

Greening Activity in Curug Sikopel
Greening Activity in Curug Sikopel

Sikopel around the planting site
Sikopel around the planting site

The hills among curug sikopel
The Hiils among Curug Sikopel

Curug Sikopel
Curug Sikopel 

Try rock climbing in curug sikopel
Try Rock Climbing in Curug Sikopel

Curug Sikopel
Curug Sikopel - Pagentan - Banjarnegara

Curug Sikopel
Curug Sikopel - Pagentan - Banjarnegara

Do not leave anything but footprints, Do not take anything but photographs.
egre
Read More...>>> → Sikopel Water Fall - Banjarnegara

The Outdoor Adventure: Best Hike Takes On The GR 20 Hiking Trail InCorsica

The GR 20 is a 180km (110 mile) trail in Corsica that is considered by many to be one of the toughest trekking routes in all of Europe. The route wanders north-to-south for nearly the entire length of the Mediterranean island, passing through remote and mountainous regions along the way. The combination of scenery and challenge have led some to name this the best trek in the entire world, edging out a number of more famous hikes.

This past June, Rick McCharles, the editor at Best Hike, traveled to Corsica to take on the GR 20 himself. Earlier this week he started posting his daily trip reports to the Best Hike blog, sharing his experiences on the trail, and from the first few updates, it is clear that he not only enjoyed his journey, but the GR 20 lived up to its reputation.

You'll find Rick's Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3 reports by clicking on the links, and if his words don't inspire you to want to try this trail for yourself, then his photos surely well. What he has posted thus far are beautiful, and sometimes scary, images from Corsica that not only demonstrate how difficult this trail can be, but how scenic as well.

I'm going to be totally honest and say that I had never heard of this trail until Rick shared it with me a few days back. Perhaps it is much more well known in Europe, than the world as a whole, but perhaps that also means that it isn't particularly crowded while hiking it either. From what I understand, the length is a big part of the challenge, as much of it is spent at higher altitudes, and even in the summer, the weather can be a bit unpredictable. Yet the payoffs seem like they are well worth it, and for backpackers looking for a new challenge, the GR 20 may be just the thing they need.
Read More...>>> → The Outdoor Adventure: Best Hike Takes On The GR 20 Hiking Trail InCorsica

The Outdoor Adventure: Video: Through The Khumbu Icefall

If you ask any climber on the South Side of Everest what the scariest part of the mountain is, most will invariably say that it is the Khumbu Icefall. Ironically enough, this portion of the climb is actually located at relatively low altitude, sitting just above Base Camp. The Icefall is created by the Khumbu Glacier, which begins breaking apart on this section of the mountain. The result, is rather large crevasses that must be negotiated by the climbers in their way up to Camp 1. In order to cross those open areas, a team of Sherpas, known as the Khumbu Ice Doctors, build and continually maintain, a route through the falls using a series of ladders to cross.

So, just how scary is this section of the climb? Check out the video below to get an idea. I've seen these videos, and even the Icefall, for myself, and it never gets any easier to look at.

Thanks to The Goat for the heads-up on this one!




Read More...>>> → The Outdoor Adventure: Video: Through The Khumbu Icefall

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Greening is a form of concrete action towards environmental sustainability concerns.

Greening is a form of concrete action towards environmental sustainability concerns. We Sekber-PAB with Youth-Young women and members of the TNI and POLRI, and supported by the new society to implement activities in YANG MUDA MENANAM, in the village of Babadan, District Pagentan - Banjarnegara Regency - Central Java.

If not us who else? The earth is not the heritage of our ancestors, but the deposit of our children and grandchildren. It is time we maintain, improve, and preserve our nature.



Forest damage lately, very apprehensive. let's make it a habit to plant.

























Read More...>>> → Greening is a form of concrete action towards environmental sustainability concerns.

The Outdoor Adventure: Train For A Polar Adventure With Ice Warrior

The 2011 Antarctic season is just a few weeks away, and soon we'll see a number of intrepid explorers setting out for the South Pole or other locations on the frozen continent. If you have your own dreams of visiting polar destinations, you may want to consider taking a course from Ice Warrior, a company that not only organizes expeditions of their own, but provides crucial training for adventurers traveling in the extreme polar regions of our planet.

Ice Warrior is preparing a full slate of Polar Training courses for this October, offering excellent opportunities to learn new skills and discover just what it takes to survive on a journey to the North or South Pole. The courses are held in Dartmoor, in the U.K., and offer training on navigation, first aid, ropes work, and more. Most of the training modules are broken down into two day sessions and they can be taken independently or back-to-back in one comprehensive learning experience.

Of particular interest to me is their first course in October which focuses on the core skills of expedition planning, finding funding, and overall fitness. Those are key skills that are important for anyone hoping to make an expedition, whether in an arctic setting or elsewhere. And since these courses are instructed by polar veteran Jim McNeill, you can bet you'll come away with some excellent practical knowledge that can be applied to your next adventure.

For a complete list of courses, including dates and pricing, click here. On that same page, you'll also find information on two polar training expeditions which will be coming up in January as well.
Read More...>>> → The Outdoor Adventure: Train For A Polar Adventure With Ice Warrior

Monday, October 3, 2011

The Outdoor Adventure: Himalaya Fall 2011: Snow Stopped, Teams Plan ForNext Summit Bid

Yesterday I posted a rather dire update from the Himalaya, in which nearly every team had retreated to their respective Base Camps after a massive storm dumped snow across the entire region. Today we get news that the weather has shifted once again – this time for the better – and plans are in motion for the next attempt on the summit. At least on Manaslu.

Earlier today, the Altitude Junkies posted a dispatch in which they reported that the snow had finally stopped flying and that conditions were "glorious" in BC. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean that they are particularly good higher on the mountain, where heavy accumulations have buried the fixed lines and will make breaking trail an arduous task. On top of that, until the snow settles, conditions will be unstable, which could make avalanches a real possibility.

Because of those unsafe conditions, the AJ team isn't in a real hurry to head back up the mountain, although the current weather reports say that conditions should be good heading into the weekend. The team leaders aren't quite ready to announce their new schedule, but they have indicated that they'll be working with the Himex team to dig out the ropes and re-establish the high camps so they'll be ready to go as soon as possible.

There were some forecasts that indicated that the jet stream would move over the Himalaya around the first of October, so obviously there are some concerns that if that happens, the season will come to a quick end. But for now, it seems that the teams on Manaslu are feeling optimistic about their chances of another summit bid. We'll likely know more about their plans in the next few days.

No word from the teams on Shisha Pangma or Cho Oyu yet, but they were also hit hard by the storm. They're probably evaluating the situation too and hoping that they'll have the opportunity to climb soon as well. Once the jet stream settles in, cold weather and high winds come along with it, which means the end of the fall climbing season. Only a few brave and rugged climbers venture to the region in the winter.
Read More...>>> → The Outdoor Adventure: Himalaya Fall 2011: Snow Stopped, Teams Plan ForNext Summit Bid

The Outdoor Adventure: Might Journey: Another Stand-Up PaddleboarderCompletes The Mississippi

And yet another stand-up paddleboarding story today.

A few weeks back, Dave Cornthwaite completed his SUP journey down the Mississippi River. Turns out he wasn't the only one attempting that feat this summer. On June 8 of this year, Matthew Crofton waded out into the headwaters of the Mississippi and started his own 2400+ mile journey down that waterway, following the same path that Dave had taken. Yesterday, Matthew finished up his expedition, arriving at the Gulf of Mexico at long last.

His story is a bit different from Dave's however. While the Mississippi paddle was the latest leg in Cornthwaite's Expedition 1000 project, for Matt it was a celebration of life and living it to its fullest. Last year, he was stuck down with a rare disease known as Histoplasmosis – a fungal disease, contracted from bat guano and most likely picked up while Crofton was spelunking. When the disease set in, it put Matt in a coma, with the prognosis that he had less than 48 hours to live. His family was told that if by some miracle he did manage to survive, he would need a liver transplant and daily dialysis for his kidneys.

The miracle did happen, and not only did Matthew survive, his liver began to regenerate and his kidneys started to function at full capacity again. He did spend three months in the hospital recovering, and another three months learning to walk again, but as a part of his rehab, he took up stand-up paddling.

Almost a year later, Crofton set out on his journey, hoping to set a new world's record for the longest stand-up paddle. Along the way, he also manage to inspire a few of us as well.

Congrats and well done Matthew!
Read More...>>> → The Outdoor Adventure: Might Journey: Another Stand-Up PaddleboarderCompletes The Mississippi

Saturday, October 1, 2011

The Outdoor Adventure: A Pair Of Adventure Interviews

We have a couple of good interviews this morning of two very interesting adventurers who have spent a lot of time on mountains and in very cold places.

First up, my friends at CheapTents.com are making it a habit of posting excellent interviews with some fascinating subjects. This week they put polar explorer Lonnie Dupre under their microscope, discussing such topics as what inspires him to go on his adventures, what his biggest weakness is, and why he decided to attempt Denali in January. Even for a guy who has been to the North Pole twice and circumnavigated Greenland, that was a tough expedition.

Once you're done getting to know Lonnie better, head over to Adventeer to check out their interview with  mountaineer Meagan McGrath. I've written about Meagan's adventures a few times, most notably when she went to the South Pole, but also on her Seven Summits climbs as well. In her interview, Meagan discusses her motivations for climbing, what it was like going to the South Pole alone, and how she manages to self-fund her adventures. She also goes into detail on the Seven Summits and shares which of those peaks was her favorite as well.

Both are good reads and highly motivational. If you're finding it difficult to get your energy going this morning, both Lonnie and Meagan may provide some inspiration. At the very least, they'll give you something to think about heading into the weekend.
Read More...>>> → The Outdoor Adventure: A Pair Of Adventure Interviews

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Wonosobo Rafting Sport

The following are photos taken at the time managed to rafting, by Wonosobo Rafting Sport.
boat delivery
Boat Delivered
enjoying the wave
Serayu Wave



Wonosobo Serayu Rafting
Wonosobo Sport Rafting Crew

Rafting Expression
Serayu Sensation
Safety Briefing
Safety Briefing

The Raft
The Raft
Safety Briefing
Safety Briefing
Serayu Rafting Wonosobo
The chalengge of Rafting

serayu wonosobo rafting
Rafting is Fun




Wonosobo Rafting Sport
White Water Rafting
Wonosobo Rafting Sport Crew
Team Wonosobo Rafting Sport


Wonosobo Rafting sport
the Challenge 
Wonosobo Serayu Rafting
Serayu White Water Rafting
Wonosobo Rafting Sport Rescue Team



Wonosobo Serayu Rafting Sport
Rafting Game.
Read More...>>> → Wonosobo Rafting Sport