Blue Beauty

Sudden movement flashes under the canopy of waves, her silver side reflecting brightly in the sun as she passes quickly just below the surface from bow to stern. Get in now Amanda! You're only going to have a couple minutes. Go! How big is she? I asked, but the answer I did not hear.

Fear of losing the encounter trumped the fear of the unknown as I eased myself into the water, ducking under the chum bucket and up along side of the boat; camera in hand, I was ready to shoot. The waters off Rhode Island are quickly becoming a shark diving Mecca, being one of a few key destinations around the globe where you are almost guaranteed encounters with two very distinct and beautiful species of sharks; blue sharks and makos.

This is largely in part to underwater filmmaker and Rhode Island native Joe Romeiro of 333 Productions. Joe has been documenting the behavior, movement and hot spots of these sharks for years, and has quickly become the go to expert for professional cinematographers and photographers worldwide who seek footage and encounters with them. A chance encounter with these large pelagic sharks are not only sought after by photographers alone however; every year thousands gather on docks and off the coast to participate in shark fishing tournaments held in New England's prolific waters. Although shark fishing tournaments continue to rally support in the Northeast culture, conservationist groups have been outspoken in the need to end such practices in other locations. In the Bahamas and Florida for example, many tournaments have switched to full catch and release models and now support Shark Free Marinas; where no dead shark is allowed within their boundaries. In an environment where shark numbers are declining at an alarming rate, moves to protect these animals prove invaluable to the welfare of the oceans.

This leads to the question, Why arent we fighting to protect the sharks of New England? Positioned tight against the side of the boat I scan the water column for a glimpse of the legendary fish that has brought me here, the mako. Known for their speed, agility and unyielding poster in the water, makos are high-energy powerhouses that can grow up to twelve feet in length and weigh over eleven hundred pounds. At an estimated top speed between fifty to sixty miles per hour makes this shark is one of the fastest fish in the sea and within seconds of entering the water I find myself face to face with one. A flip of her tail jettisons her towards the boat and in my general direction, but she is completely disinterested the lone diver she shares the water with. Fixated on her every movement I track her in a nauseating trail of twists and turns.

Eventually she turns, following the oil traces back to the boat and comes in fast to explore my dome port. I cannot help but shriek in delight as I watch her close the gap of space between her and I at an astonishing rate. My time with this beautiful mako is a painfully short five minutes, but I savor every moment. Mako sharks come in hard and fast, a stunning swim by, a couple exploratory nips and they are gone. Brian and Joe work the bait hard from the boat, twisting and pulling it through the water to keep her interest. Still positioned close to the boat as Joe had recommended, I pulse in excitement as she comes blazing in toward me over and over. Fire after fire my strobes light up the ocean as she darts around my dome port in a crazy swirl of energy. She is stunning, a beautiful site to behold. Shimmers of iridescence; brown, blue, purple and violet dance across her back and along her sides under dappled sunlight as she effortlessly moves through the water.

She is not without scars though; across her side she bares the painful marks of an encounter with another shark. Short lacerations ending in a gaping wound sprinkle her side. Pink flesh stands exposed as she twists and turns through the ocean. Perhaps due to her size, around four feet, she was attacked by a larger mako or other shark species; or these were simply mating scars, but her unrelenting power is unmistakable. With one small thrust of her tail she powers through the water zipping from one bait fish to the other on either side of me. Makos can reach speeds of twenty two miles per hour and are known for the short, but quick burst of speed. It becomes quickly apparent to me why Joe wants my back up against the boat. Her lightening speed makes her difficult to follow, and her forward gapping nips from an open mouthful of protruding teeth could lead to serious ramifications very quickly if she had so chosen. These sharks are not for the faint of heart. Encounters with this species are fast paced, adrenaline filled gut checks that demand you give the shark a healthy amount of respect while in the water with them. Twisting and turning, heart throbbing, mind racing, darting fins and flashing teeth all dissipate in a matter of seconds as she makes one last sweep and darts off straight down into the depths of the Atlantic Ocean.

Sitting there motionless, I stare down into the depths hoping for another glimpse of her, but she doesn't return. My time with her is over. The ocean gives us these gifts, these encounters that I cherish with every fibre of my being. Whether its the five minutes I spent with her, or the hour long encounters I've experienced with whale sharks off Isla Mujeres, these animals never cease to amaze me. Every moment spent in the ocean with the immense diversity of marine life leaves me eager for more. I come away from these experiences forever changed and longing to fight harder to protect the oceans and all the life that lives within them. In an amazing twist of fate I received word from Joe two weeks later that my mako has been spotted twelve miles from the location we first encountered her. To the best of his knowledge this is the first ever known double sighting of the same mako in these waters. This news is all the more exciting knowing a local shark tournament started the day after my departure from Rhode Island in the same area we were diving in. In honor of this joyous event Joe proclaims I should name her. I choose Nani, which means Beautiful in Hawaiian.

The waters off the coast of Rhode Island are magical. On previous trips Joe has encountered countless blues and makos; basking sharks, leatherbacks, mola molas, hammerheads, tiger sharks and more. Frequent sightings over the last few years of white sharks in the area have lead researchers and photographers to Rhode Island in search of this species as well. The wealth of marine life in this area can serve many generations to come with opportunities in interacting with the Mother Nature on her terms. As divers, ocean enthusiasts and neighbors on this small planet, we must take it upon ourselves to protect the oceans that hold these vast amounts of ceaseless treasures within her bounty. Without education and protection we stand to lose a vital component to the health of our aquatic eco systems.

Learn more about Amandaby visiting her website atwww.acottonphoto.com"

EC Sea Kayaking Trip

Saturday 1st September 2012: We arrived at Dean Farm at 9AM to meet up with the 11 strong group and our 2 instructors, Rob and Darren. Having only minor sea kayaking experience in the still waters of South-East Asia I was quite pleased that the group had a mix of experienced and newcomers to the sport. Rob gave us a brief lecture on what we could expect from the weekend and then we jumped into cars and vans for the short journey down to Lee Bay. Once there, we received some tips on how to best pack our kit into the kayaks. The plan was to wild camp on a beach so the kit included tents, sleeping bags, cooking equipment, clothing and the obligatory bottles of alcohol. The boats were carried down to the water before the kit was put into the kayaks.

I was given one of the more slender faster boats, fittingly called Explorer. It was quite an art getting everything split up and wrapped water tight into the small dinner plate sized dry hatches. Once everybody was set we headed out onto the water where we familiarised ourselves with our kayaks and Rob parted with a few useful handling tips. When everybody was ready we headed out into open water ready to explore the North Devon coastline. We headed down the coastline towards the town of Ilfracombe. It was great seeing the coastline from another aspect other than from up above or from a beach. My last foray into sea kayaking was in Ha Long Bay in Vietnam and although the water was a lot calmer there, I'd have to say this was no less spectacular with rugged weather-beaten rock formations rising out of the sea and an abundance of birdlife to be seen.

The sea was getting noticeable rougher as the wind started to pick up and I began to find that my boat seemed to have a penchant for swinging left making it very difficult to keep a straight course. I was soon aware that I was getting a little bit left behind and as I tried to correct my course a large wave was on me and the next moment I was upside down underwater! For those of you that have unintentionally capsized before, there is a split second of panic before you pull the splash deck cord. As I came up with my boat flipped over I was surprised to note the sea was not as cold as I expected, maybe it was the adrenaline but I think it might have been a different story in February. Luckily Rob was on hand to assist me back into the boat in what turned in to a comical sequence of events trying to rescue a few bottles of water and a gas canister that had somehow eluded the dry hatch. Fortunately a bottle of red wine was still lodged between the seat and the bottom of the boat, although the same could not be said for the small bottle of whiskey which was now destined to wash up on ashore somewhere as a little surprise.

Back in the boat as we headed back towards the group, Rob explained that I might need to address the weight balance in my boat as this might have been one of the reasons for the boat being difficult to handle. Despite being a bottle of whiskey down I was glad it happened as it all adds to the learning experience even if it did mean a bit of ribbing from Jim and the guys! We headed into Ilfracombe at Arganite Bay and aimed for a small beach, Matt was the second person to capsize en route in which suggested that it was definitely a bloke thing! We pulled the kayaks up the beach and got out of wet things, had a bit to eat, whilst Rob and Darren went to assess the conditions. It ended up being a slightly longer stay as expected due to the tide and the conditions, Rob and Darren had some difficult decisions to make. It seemed that the conditions were now too rough to continue with our intended plan along that section of coast; the other issue was that our beach would not be there for much longer meaning we had to get off the beach with kayaks on the water.

Eventually, the plan was to kayak across the sea lagoon to another beach where there was access to a road via a rock tunnel. Once everyone was safely across the kayaks were taken one by one through the impressive Victorian tunnels which were carved out of the rock in the 1820s. With the kayaks on dry land, there was then the issue of transport which was sitting 4 miles away in Lee, so four of us went on a brisk walk along the coastal path back down to Lee to retrieve them. It was past 6pm when we returned and after all the kit was packed on the trailers it was looking less likely that we'd be able to wild camp. People were also starting to get hungry and tired so The decision was made to spend the night in a camping park just outside Ilfracombe, not the wild camping adventure we'd hoped for but it did allow some people hot showers!

Sunday 2nd September 2012 We started the day at Watermouth in light drizzle but fortunately more serene sea conditions; I also opted to swap my boat for a slightly wider model in the hope that I wouldn't be taking many dips in the sea! Without the kit in the boats, the kayaks were easier to handle. We explored a selection of sea caves and bays, marvelling at the beauty of this section of coastline. After a couple of hours exploring we rode the surf into Coombe Martin and watching while Belinda managed capsizes her trying out a narrow sea passage.

After lunch it was time to return in the direction we came, it took quite a bit of effort to battle the current and the wind until we got back within shelter of the cliffs. On the way back we stopped at the beautiful beach we were supposed to wild camp at, here we attempted a 'running' launch into out kayaks from the beach. I'm sure some people succeeded but I predictably ended up in the sea a couple of times! Back at the end point there was still time to try out a few balance techniques which involved standing up in your kayak and then sitting back down.

Rob performed this perfectly, unfortunately, my attempted was fairly short lived and I was tasting the drink again. And so that was it, the trip was over, despite the lack of wild camping it had been a great weekend with great company and 2 great instructors in Rob and Darren. In the end, we are at the mercy of the weather in this country and they made the right call in ensuring our safety came first. I look forward to going back next year to explore more of the amazing coastline and capsize a few more times!

Photography Belinda Kirk and Andy Webb (www.dreamabstract.com) 

Great Salmon Tour

Last year I started an effort to put together a series of global expeditions for 2014 that I called the Great Salmon Tour. Unfortunately, unsuccessful efforts to raise money and put together a dedicated team tanked the project. Thus, instead I had to embark on my own adventure and get a paid job working on recovering sturgeon and create habitat for native fish species in the Mississippi River. However, I have not given up on the project to travel around the world to document the diversity of salmon fishes and how local communities are linked socially and culturally to their native salmonids. What I need is a partner(s) that will be dedicated to help realizing the project.

The person(s) should have experience or at least stamina and will to work to make expeditions happen, from idea to finish, including working towards getting funding. What I bring is scientific legitimacy (i am a biologist with many years of experience), contacts for access to areas, and a developed concept. The idea is to let audiences experience through film, pictures, and articles the search for the salmon fishes and the ways they nourish cultural, spiritual, and personal relationships with human communities. The aim for 2013 was to visit Arctic Canada and Inuit fishing for Arctic charr, Sierra Madre Occidental in Mexico to find the Mexican lost trout, Lake Baikal in Russia to join fishermen fishing for the famous omul and its spawning runs in rivers, and to visit Slovenia to join fly fishermen fishing for the rare Danube river salmon in the frigid European winter. I also have contacts for finding the tigris trout in Kurdish Iraq but that may be a little sketchy at the moment. The aim is to raise awareness of the diversity of salmon fishes, the threat to this diversity, and the diversity of cultures that people has forged with the different species. When we lose biodiversity, we not only lose species we also lose our own cultural diversity.

Started in 2010, the GST traveled to remote villages along Yukon River to cover the salmon subsistence fishery of native Alaskans, to not so remote California to meet with small boat salmon fishermen and women to talk about the status of salmon and how they see their future, to mountainous areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina to meet the scientist studying the unique diversity of trout in the Balkans, and to nomads on the Mongolian steppe to learn about how taimen salmon is incorporated into local folklore and faith.

Taming Teide

the Island of Tenerife attracts hordes of tourists looking for an inexpensive sunny getaway. The package holiday machine ensures that by day the sun is soaked in by the pool and by night the inexpensive nightlife is taken full advantage of.

However for a hiker Tenerife can to be a true gem of a destination as the island is home to some of the most beautiful and natural scenery around, all available on a tidy budget. Best known, the centrally located Teide National Park, is home to Pico del Teide. With its summit of 3718 metres above sea level, Pico del Teide is the worlds third highest active volcano (measured from the sea bed) and also Spains highest peak. Though still active, Teides last eruption of 1909 has faded from memory and the volcanic cone is now a major tourist attraction. Most visitors will make their way up Teide via the precariously dangling cable car, which for 25 Euros will whisk you to the top viewing platform within eight or so minutes and back down again once youve had your fill. Visitors are free to go for a little wander around the main cone which almost symmetrically towers up a further 200 meters to the true summit. A summit that is restricted to all but those with an advance permit from the authorities. Hiring a car is a practical solution for those who wish to explore the island and pretty much a necessity if youre planning on climbing Teide.

Public transport links are sparse and links to the starting point are non-existent. The main TF-21 road passes through the national park and is where the trek to the summit begins. Approximately 2km down the road from where the cable car and visitor centre is located, is a small layby were hikers start their journey along the official route (Route Number 7). As this is a protected area youre reminded by official notices that its prohibited to stray from the designated trail and warned not to undertake the strenuous hike if you hold any heart or respiratory problems. The trek itself starts at an altitude of 2100m, well above anything in the UK. Even at this relatively low altitude, the effects of the thin air pressure are visible on air tight products, an effect that many will experience when opening a packet of crisps on a flight. Our team of nine set off in the early morning to avoid the mid-day heat and head along the gentle and gradually winding gravel track known as the Montana Blanca, a surreal but beautiful hike on a Mars like landscape consisting of orange dry rock and rolling hills which run for a few kilometres.

As the sun rises and the moon begins to disappear the shades of reds and oranges really do make you feel like youre on another world. The temperatures begin to rise, but still the morning air is refreshing rather than too hot or cold. Teides towering peak becomes visible but seems like a mere speck amongst the surrounding horseshoe of mountains. The solidified lava flows that have scared the landscape and the Teide Eggs offer an unfamiliar glimpse of a catastrophic eruption that happened over a century ago. The huge, dark boulders scatter the slopes and you cant help but think of the sheer scale of not only the eruption but the forces that Mother Nature can unleash in order to shift such enormous rocks. The gradual track continues for approximately 4km and can be considered an enjoyable walk, compared to whats to come. As we walk, only the sound is of our footsteps landing on the gravel, breaking the silence as we press on. Surprised by the stillness of air, it is easy to imagine were in the vacuum of space.

We take a moment to just stand and admire the eerie atmosphere in complete silence, overlooking the very edges of Tenerife and the sleeping tourist towns. Every step we take brings us to our ultimate goal and the ascent becomes more and more justifiable with spectacular views. Before we continue, we refuel ourselves for what we know will be a long day. Even as we rest here for approximately 30minutes we remain the only people in sight and begin to wonder whether Teide National Park is truly living up to its reputation as one of the Worlds busiest. The fairly easy going section eventually comes to an end and its time for the steep and arduous climb. The route begins to play tricks on you as it turns back on itself, like a snake slithering along from side to side. The summit is no longer visible and instead the immediate view is limited to the gradient before us. Altitude is gained in little distance, but with no clear goalposts in sight, progress is slow.

As if straight out the textbook, we reach a height of just under 3000 metres and there is a noticeable difference in air pressure. With every step we take, it begins to dawn on us how much of the volcano we have to go, only reaching approximately half of the climbing attitude. Effects of the lower air pressure start to physically manifest themselves in our team as it becomes harder to breathe. A constant shortness of breathe is not helped by the fact were physically exerting ourselves in a panic over making our allocated summit climbing time. The only respite we have is that our backpacks are going down in weight with every bite of food and drink of water.

Surprisingly, as we continue progressing, despite the drop in air pressure, we cant help but notice the living environment. Lizards upon lizard chase each other through lava rock and a flurry of insects, mainly consisting of bees can be heard through the dry bushy vegetation; the latter of which proving an unwelcome accomplice on what is already a challenging trek but alas, with the Altavista Refuge (3260m) falling into sight and with something to work towards, progress seems to speed up once again. Here the first signs of human activity appear. The refuge itself houses beds for climbers wanting to spend the night (20 euro) but during the day its locked down, and so are its toilet facilities - an extortionately expensive drink vending machine does remain accessible the mind boggles on how they got that up there in the first place though!

The views from the refuge are absolutely stunning as you look down. The initial gradual route along the Montana Blanca remains vaguely visible and triggers the back of your memory that it was just a couple of hours earlier, we and come from down there. What really catches the eye though is the Island of Gran Canaria that emerges form the deep blue sea. A stark contrast colours, and a perfect picture postcard moment is made here. Straight past the refuge, the route will take you through a cooled lava flow; the narrow defined track takes you through the dark brown violently jaggered rocks and really gives you the feeling of what the earth is capable of if in a geologically foul mood. Shortness of breath worsens; headaches and even a mild confusion are experienced as our body struggles to replenish oxygen. Regular stops to catch our breath are made and by this point its fair to say all members of our group are experiencing some difficulties.

Even a drink of water becomes hard work as after every sip comes the inevitable grasping for oxygen. A temporary relief of side effects takes place when we crack open a canister of 99% oxygen; an action which may seem a little bit dramatic, considering people have climbed Mount Everest without any supplemented oxygen, but then again this is nine unfit individuals that have never gone to such dizzy heights and any relief is good relief! Replenished, a new sigh of optimism sweeps across us. After a much longer than expected hike from the refuge, the summit falls into place and the viewing platform with the unmistakable top cable car station catch our attention. A few metres further and yet more switch backs we hit the tourist trail.

The solitude we've experienced on the way up is suddenly gone as the crowds of tourists from the cable car hop along the lava route in their flip flops without a worry or a stretched muscle. Perhaps its the exhaustion, perhaps the thin air, but my frustrations are projected as these visitors get in the way as I try to make way along route 7 to the final observation point by the cable car. I cant help but feel that wed earned these amazing views through hours of hiking and that everyone else had simply cheated and taken the easy route on the cable car. Rather than express my feeling and taint my experience, I suppressed them and carried out looking over the entire archipelago of the Canary Islands. The final few meters are on a rocky but horizontal path leading to the large cable car building; impossible to miss, looking very out of place. A toilet and running water are located here as is the tiny office with a hatch which allows those with a permit to persevere on to the main vent. Here park rangers inspect your permit and passport before they open a small wooden gate to the path leading up to the peak. The authorities cap daily visitor numbers, citing environmental protection, so many of the cable car tourists will not make it further.

Its not long before the solitude feeling returns, as we head closer to the crater, and higher in the atmosphere. Though the final summit looks pretty daunting, its only about a further 25 minutes climb from the below viewing platform before we reach the crater at the top. Make shift steps along the way make for quick progress and the time we spent around the cable car and other people seem to have helped in our acclimatisation. Hot sulphurs gasses escaping through the rocks below our feet and along the main crater walls which were holding on to are the new challenges. Almost as steam bursts from a locomotive, the gas blows out from small cracks, never sure where they come from next we hastily move on along the rim of the main vent. The main crater itself is out of bounds and the strong concentrations of white gasses escaping from it are enough of a deterrent to stop you venturing into it. At the highest point of Spain and all the Atlantic Island your greeted by amazing views of much of Tenerife and a truly awesome sense of achievement.

Along the horizon, a subtle curvature of the Earths surface is just about noticeable only to be broken by another island in the distance. Far in the distance the coastal resorts are visible as specks, it truly is as if you were looking down from an aeroplane window. A short break and the obligatory picture taking are soon over as this exhausting experience, unpleasant smells, coupled with the thin air, doesnt really make you want to stick around too long. We make retrace our steps along the steep route back down to the cable car station where we buy our one way ticket (12.50 euro). The quick decent relieves any ill felt effects from the altitude and before you know it were at the base. A large car-park as well as caf and souvenir shop is situated at the base of the cable car station, and a well-earned drink is a must. For those who chose to climb Teide its a further 2 km (30 minute walk) along the winding TF-21 road with no pedestrian footpath to the layby where the hike began.

The route is described as difficult, not technically but physically. No doubt its the high altitude which brings Route Number 7 into this category so before setting of, make sure youve read up on high altitude and any precautions. At times it may not seem so, but on reflection Teide is a really rewarding experience and well in the reach of any outdoor enthusiast. How to get a permit? Many online sources and blogs state a permit is granted through small office somewhere on the island and that its difficult to find. THIS IS NO LONGER THE CASE. The permit is free and available online through following link: www.reservasparquesnacionales.es. You will need to present you passport with the permit at the top. Its not all about Teide! If climbing Teide is not enough, then don't worry.

A quick internet search will unveil a comprehensive network of hiking trails across the island, ranging from over 80 kilometres to just a kilometre. The Barranco del Infierno (liable to closures) as well as the Barranco de Musca offers the best hikes on the island due to their extensive network or tracks and trials.

With no starting or finishing point, you're free to wonder how far you wish. www.doinitonline.com Like my FB "

Explorer of the month: Bert Poffe

Ever wanted to know how to become an explorer? Or how your contemporaries do all the things they do (and get away with it)?

Each month Explorers Connect interviews one of its members to find out everything you need to know. This month: have you ever thought there was more to exploration than being the biggest, fastest or first? BERT POFFE.

What are you working on right now?

Within days we are leaving for Lapland, in Arctic Finland for our Inari Canoeing and Hiking Expedition 2012. The last few weeks before departure are always hectic and nerve wracking. The physical preparation is done. Our Ally foldable canoe and the rest of the gear are already on-site in Ivalo, so everything should be fine. But, just in case, you go over and over the preparations list again, you check, double and triple check, killing time and nerves. We'll be on the water on September the 10th, until than we try to be as Zen as possible. It's not unlike the days after an expedition where you need some time to cool off and come up with the next one. Of course I have about a 1000 more ideas, only time will tell whats going to be next.

How did you become an explorer?

I think I've always been one. As a kid I imagined myself being an explorer and a nomad, travelling from one place to another, and I basically never stopped doing that. I was always strolling in the woods, building campsites and exploring, very much convinced that I was discovering one or other faraway wilderness. I have always been interested in First Nations and aboriginal people and their skills and knowledge of the land and the remote and wild places they live in. I like to get out of my comfort zone and learn how to live in wild and sometimes harsh places and climates. So little by little you go on trips and adventures and you go learning from former experiences, step by step the trips become longer and the challenges become sometimes bigger.

Why do you do it?

I like to spend time in the wilderness, in inspiring places, and places where one has to learn to adapt. It makes you humble, seeing things from a different perspective. Getting out of your comfort zone teaches you lots about yourself.

What scares you the most?

Once I am out there I'm quite laid back, but organising can often become quite stressy. Every time you aim for a new adventure you know getting it all organised will be the toughest part of the story.

What is your greatest moment so far?

The greatest moment is again and again, the very moment your realise that your next expedition gets a go and that it will happen for sure. Your next expedition is always the most important one.

What's the most dangerous situation you've ever been in?

A far too long day-hike in Belgium. At 22 below zero, although we were less than 10 kilometres from the nearest road, a snowstorm made progress almost impossible. Then hypothermia took hold of my hiking buddy. The thin ice on certain lakes when we did the Algonquin Winter Crossing 2006 was another challenge I still remember.

What makes you smile?

Seeing my kids - or other people's kids - enjoying a hike or a canoe trip, or running barefoot around a camp site. What are the biggest obstacles to expedition success? To me an expedition is a success when my explorers heart has been satisfied, when I have been challenged by the natural elements and when I have the feeling I have learned a lot about the world, about people living in that particular area and about myself. Doing it for the wrong reasons I think are the biggest obstacles for success. With all respect for other opinions, expeditions seem to be more than ever about bigger, higher, deeper, faster, further, I think getting caught in the wrong type of motivation can become very dangerous.

What's the worst injury you've ever had?

When I did the Atacama Crossing 2010, a 250km ultra-marathon an atypical adventure for me - my feet were pretty messed up and I had lost lots of weight in only six days competing, thats about it. One thing to be aware of is to not overdo training when preparing for a challenge. I have seen many people injured at the starting point because they had been punishing themselves way too hard during the preparation months.

What's the greatest thing about succeeding?

The greatest thing is coming home after a successful trip, rebooted and full of mental energy, spending time sharing your adventure with others (pictures, lectures, campfire stories) and keeping that little secret in your head that only you know where you want to go next.

What's the meaning of your life?

I am very happy to be alive and want to live it at the fullest. And if I succeed in being a good person to my family and others, I feel accomplished How can I do what you do? My advice? Stop watching National Geographic (Nothing against NG) and thinking how impossible it is for you to achieve doing what all these adventurers do. Go out and start exploring! It doesnt have to be the North Pole. The Scottish highlands can be a nice challenge as well.

How do you balance the adventurous life with your home life?

There is no need of a balance. Its not being here and being there. It is just, in a very natural way part of the life of my family and myself. Many times my kids are around when I am training or preparing for a next trip. We talk about it, we learn about new places etc. I also like to go on trips with my wife and kids. Never had more fun than when preparing for the Atacama Crossing during an exceptional cold and snowy Belgian winter. Both my kids, sitting on a sled, pushed me to train harder and harder, for hours a day. Hard work out for daddy can be tremendous fun for the kids. What's the one thing you do better than anyone else you know? I am just an average guy with average capabilities who read too many books about the First Nations and explorers when I was a kid. That said, I think I am mentally quite strong and stubborn. Maybe one thing I am good at, being a sort of a border collie when on a trip with a group, listening to every individual, massaging away possible tensions or irritations to create a good atmosphere. I also know pretty well how to motivate people to dare to dream about a personal challenge or quest. What one thing couldn't you live without on expedition? My knife. When I put on my belt with my nessmuk knife I admit its a love affair I feel pretty much ready for about anything.

How can fledgling explorers fund what they do?

Exploring doesn't always have to be expensive. Start small and don't take too big financial risks. Build up your career slowly but surely. I respect a lot of low-budget expeditions, as long as they don't compromise safety. You can cut out all the nice-to-have things, but never ever save on safety.

Is there anything left to explore?

There is more to (re)explore than ever before. The whole planet has been discovered and almost anything can be found on Google Earth. And yet we seem to find ourselves further away from nature and our planet than ever before. We have lost our connection with nature. More than ever people need to go outdoors and enjoy it. To me exploration is not about discovering unknown places. There is a whole planet out there to be explored. When I explore I do it through my eyes, when you do the same exploration through your eyes you will have a completely different view and experience. Everyone should be able to experience and see for himself how powerful and beautiful nature is. One of the most special explorations I have ever done, the Khuvsguld Dogsled expedition, people have been there before, it was certainly not a first, but, as an explorer of that remote place, I came back with lots of impressions and experiences to share.

Why does the modern world need explorers?

When you explore nature there is no doubt you will start to like and embrace it. You put yourself and the world in a totally different perspective. I do my best to inspire through exploration. If I can motivate another person to go out and start exploring and read the book of nature, my mission is completed If you could only do one more expedition what would it be and why? If there would be only one more I guess I would return once again to what I love most, exploring the skills and knowledge of the First nations of Northern Canada, being it canoeing, snowshoeing or dog sledding.

What's your life time ambition?

If I can, in a humble way, inspire people through my own exploration, to go outdoors and explore nature, I will be very, very, satisfied

How can readers learn more about you?

We do speeches and presentations. On http://www.inuksuk.be they can learn more about past and future explorations. We also like to use Facebook and twitter where we comment on more things than just expeditions, such as running barefoot, edible plants and herbs, healthy food and workouts.

Bert Poffe was interviewed and edited by Frank Coles, a writer and broadcaster with a taste for adventure. You can find out more about him on Explorers Connect or at www.frankcoles.com. Frank Coles | Riding High Ltd 2012"

Exploring Petra

"Thrust into the lime light by Indiana Jones (of Last Crusade fame), Petra will undoubtedly always make it on to any must see, visit, or bucket list out there.

The accessibility, preservation, and grandeur of this rose-red city provide any visitor with an up-close and personal experience with the ancient Nabataeans as they walk through history. Jordans biggest tourist attraction, surrounded by the town of Wadi Musa, isnt hard to find. The town has expanded significantly thanks to tourism and attracts over half a million visitors annually, so connections to Amman and Aqaba via Minibus are frequent. In fact, wherever you find yourself in Jordan, you wont be far from a tour offering visits Petra. Or simply rent a car and make your way at your own pace you'll soon discover there's a lot more to Jordan then just this site.

Petra's touristic gravity even attracts visitors from neighbouring Egypt and Israel, where tourists can be coached out and even flown out on day trips for a price. The reality is that you can even hop on a low-cost airline now, with no guide book or map, and you'll still make it there with little pre-organisation or stress. Its even becoming more and more feasible to have a long weekend in Jordan, providing you can tolerate the five-hour flight time. Its best to arrive in Wadi before you plan on visiting the archaeological park, leaving you time to plan a visit and pick up any supplies. There's plenty of accommodation in Wadi Musa catering from the shoestring backpacker to those in search of five-star luxuries. A popular place to lay your head down before a day of exploration and a location recommended by many travel guides is Valentine Inn. Offering a backpacker feel, the inn is situated on a hill, offering lovely views of the surrounding town a great place to relax as the sun sets. Staff can provide a pack lunch for the long day ahead, sell you water, and organise night-tours of Petra. In the morning they operate a free shuttle bus-service to the entrance to the site.

As you pass through the main site entrance at Petra, and leave behind all the tacky souvenir huts offering Indiana Jones hats, whips, and postcards, you'll find yourself in a less crowded, open space where you'll be greeted by camel and donkey handlers offering you a lift. Officially included in the ticket, they will expect an additional tip. If you want to avoid this, take comfort in the knowledge that Petra is best explored on your own two feet. A dry and dusty (but well-defined!) route carries you along. With the faint smell of animal manure in the light breeze ruffling your hair, you'll enjoy a pleasant stroll to the Siq. The Siq is a large, narrow sandstone canyon through which visitors must pass. You'll be dwarfed by its steep sides and bathed in wonderful shades of red, orange, and rusty browns running along the smooth walls. Lines of tourist groups sheltered from the blazing sun with their cameras flow through its winding canyon, much like ants march through pavement cracks in our world. The Siq twists and turns, slicing through the earth for roughly two kilometres, and provides a very enjoyable and tranquil walk indeed.

Some carvings can be seen here: for most, its the canyons itself which remain the primary draw to Petra. Winding through the Siq, the famous picture of the Petra Treasury is the image that's constantly on your mind. With every turn you cant help but be excited: will you finally see this famous picture with your own eyes? Anticipation is followed by deflation and then, as if a mirage has appeared unexpectedly, you begin to see part of the structure before you. Every step brings you closer and the mirage becomes larger. The dark canyon walls disappear as you exit the Siq, suddenly face to face with the monumental Treasury. Wow! The Treasury's position has sheltered it from the elements and the ravages of time. It is by far the best preserved archaeological ruin on site. Arrive here before ten in the morning, as the Treasury looks at its best with the sun illuminating it fully, which brings every incredible detail to light.

This is a classic photo opportunity and you'll struggle to get the perfect shot without anyone else in the background. If you do want the Treasury all to yourself, increase your chances by arriving at the park entrance for a 6 AM opening time. The Treasury at sunrise is certainly a grand start to your visit, but Petra is huge, and this is only the beginning. Follow the canyon to the right where the next bend reveals large tombs and facades incorporated into the rocks in hues of the desert. Walk the stunning Martian landscape a few minutes more, and you'll come to a 7000-seat amphitheatre. Its incredible to imagine the huge lengths past inhabitants went to for their city. Wherever your eyes are drawn, they fall upon the sandy shades of ruins nestled into the surrounding cliffs. Its not long before you enter the central part of the park. Here, free-standing ruins independent of the canyon walls occupy much of the area. Ancient columns, walls, and arches are all that remain of the Grand Temple.

Here you'll find a restaurant and some modern toilets which can provide a good resting area before the next stage of your journey. Here starts the hike to the Monastery, as featured in the Transformers film. Essentially all this time you've been at a lower elevation, so its time to make that up literally by walking up a natural stairwell through a long canyon believed to be a precession-route to the monastery. Unlike the smoothness of the Siq, the canyon-sides here are rough, rocky, and jagged, almost as if the Earths crust has violently ripped itself apart. Still the shades of red orange and brown persist with only a few shrubs that seem to have broken through the rocks high above, and cling to the canyon walls, towering high above where it would seem only the mountain goats can reach.

With the blazing heat of the afternoon sun on your back, this section may take you up to two hours with regular water breaks and occasionally stops to haggle with a jewellery merchant, their goods laid out on the soft sand, with no discernable method of transport (besides magic, perhaps). Finally the climb comes to an end as you exit the canyon into an open space. There's no obvious route to follow: your senses tell you that surely you must be here, but where? Wheres the monastery? Walking away from the canyon you've just exited seems natural, so head on out. You'll see a refreshments hut and with the hike you've just done you deserve a cold drink. You can be forgiven if you fail to notice the massive Monastery carved into the cliff behind you on the right, close to the slot canyon from which you just emerged. When you do finally turn your head, you'll be rewarded by the sight of the Monastery and realise that you've finally accomplished what is for so many a touristic pilgrimage. Unlike the Treasury, if you can get up the huge entrance of the Monastery, you're free to enter.

But as often is the case with historical ruins, it may strike you as impressive from the outside. The small refreshment hut incorporates a small cave with tables set out, where you can take a well-earned rest and pay the overpriced refreshment cost in the shade with a great view. A visit to Petra is certainly worth the time, combining history, archaeology, and architecture with a days hiking. Photographers rejoice as setting your lens on the subject in hand is both fun and challenging. Capturing the feel, and playing around with the lights and shades can keep you entertained for days. Walking through Petra is an amazing experience, but oddly the gravity of the place doesn't quite have the impact most expect. Perhaps its a victim of its own reputation.

Almost engraved in the touristic psyche as pictures of Petra are waved in front of us by every travel publication and rightly so Petra deserves to be promoted and shared with the world, but that can lead to an anticlimax of sorts for some visitors. I would recommend and even urge anyone to visit Petra at least once in their life, but if you ask me if I would visit again, I would struggle to say Id hurry back, and that really does make me feel a bit guilty. Cost Petra is not a cheap place to visit. One day entry is 50 JD (approx 45) Two day entry is 55 JD (approx 49) Three day entry is 60 JD (approx 53) Many people do buy a two or three day pass, and for enthusiasts this provides a great opportunity to explore every nook and cranny. But for most people, one day is enough. We even bumped into an archaeologist who told us he'd had is fill after one day!

The practice of selling on or gifting two or three day tickets does occur. Technically, this is stealing, so you'll have to decide for yourself whether the practice suits you. Though the entrance is steep, tourism is a major contributor to the economy and helps preserve this site for eager generations to come.

www.doinitonline.com "

Shipping companies from UK to Canadian Arctic?

I am trying to ship a crate of approximately 400kg to the Canadian Arctic.

Which are the shipping companies out there that would do this? And if anyone has done this recently, can you recommend a particular company?

Grants: Mountaineering and Climbing

Peter MacKeith Climbing Grant (Alaska Alpine Club) The Peter MacKeith Memorial Endowment Fund for Climbing was established in 1981 by the family of Peter MacKeith, late president of the Alaska Alpine Club, in honor of Peter's love for climbing and of his climbing achievements in Alaska, Afghanistan, Greenland, and Iceland. The Alaska Alpine Club (AAC) was given the responsibility of distributing the earnings from the endowment for the purpose of supporting worthwhile mountaineering ventures by Club members in Alaska or elsewhere in the world. Five percent of the fund is available for grants each year. There are two deadlines for submission of proposals - December 31 and March 31. 2.5% of the fund is available for the December 31 period with the balance being available for the second period. The fund is not allowed to drop below $10,000. https://sites.google.com/a/alaska.edu/alaska-alpine-club/peter-mackeith-grant New Zealand Alpine Club NZAC members planning an overseas trip with defined and significant climbing objectives can apply for a grant from the Club's Expedition Fund. Assistance may be given for rock climbing but, because of the smaller financial commitment for such trips, they are less likely to qualify. Trekking trips with climbs of minor peaks or informal trips without defined objectives do not usually qualify. Grants are only made to Club members. Deadlines 31st January and 31st July each year. http://alpineclub.org.nz/climb/expedition-fund

Austrian Alpine Club (UK) Expedition Fund Donations to this Fund enable our section to help finance expeditions by AAC(UK) members. Since 2004, AAC(UK) donated 350 to a 'Greenland White Sea Expedition, 250 to 'Exercise Tasmanian Dragon', 500 to a Scottish Huayhuash expedition to Ecuador, 200 to an expedition to the Miyar Nala region of India, 450 to a Cambridge University Caving Club expedtion to the Dachstein Alps and 500 to a two-man expedition to Kyrgyzstan. http://www.aacuk.org.uk/ Mount Everest Foundation British and New Zealand expeditions proposing mountaineering exploration or research in high mountain regions.Up to 1,700, deadlines are August 31st and December 31st. www.mef.org.uk

Mark Clifford Expedition Grant Preference will be given to young mountaineers in new climbing areas that take the pressure off Honey-pot regions, ambitious first ascents, educational or scientific new projects or wild remote explorations - especially in the international ranges. The grant is up to 2,000 in any one application, and intended to assist small teams - two people teams preferred - with high ambitions in the mountains but small pockets! Up to 2,000. www.markclifford.co.uk The Mugs Stump Award Applications are reviewed for how they further the legacy of Mugs Stump with climbs proposed in the spirit of adventure and exploration, and that emphasize light, fast, leave-no-trace climbing. Award applicants are evaluated on the strength of their objective, the strength of their team, and on an objective that raises the bar defining what is possible in alpinism today. Applications are due by December 1 and trips must be taken between March, of the year awarded, and the following February. Winners will be announced by January 31st of each year. http://mugsstumpaward.com/ Mount Everest Foundation Alison Chadwick Memorial Grant To further British and Polish women's mountaineering in the greater ranges. Up to 300, deadlines are August 31st and December 31st. www.mef.org.uk Nick Estcourt Award Expeditions attempting an objective of mountaineering significance. This might be a previously unclimbed face, ridge or summit or a repeat of an existing route in more challenging style or conditions. Applications are considered solely in terms of their mountaineering merit; other objectives are not taken into account.

Up to 1,500, deadline December 31st each year. www.nickestcourtaward.org/ American Alpine Club Mountaineering Fellowship Grant Looking to push your limits? Twenty-five or younger? Fuel your inspiration with a Mountaineering Fellowship Grant. Started in 1966, Mountaineering Fellowship Grants have long encouraged American climbers age 25 years and younger to go into remote areas and seek out climbs more difficult than they might ordinarily be able to do. Unexplored mountain ranges, unclimbed peaks, and difficult new routes will be looked upon with favor. The grants are made available through the Boyd N. Everett, Jr. Memorial Fund, the John R. Hudson Memorial Fund, the Rick L. Mosher Memorial Fund, Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI Challenge Fund), and from annual contributions from the public. Grants are usually between $300 and $800 and help to cover travel, gear, or other expenses that you need to make your dream a reality. Deadlines are the 1st April and 1st November each year. http://www.americanalpineclub.org/grants/g/9/Mountaineering-Fellowship-Grant Scott Fischer Memorial Conservation Grant The American Alpine Club established the Scott Fischer Memorial Conservation Fund in memory of Scott Fischer, who lost his life on Mount Everest in May 1996. The goal is to help fund environmentally proactive expeditions to mountain regions throughout the world. To qualify, expeditions should meet the following criteria:Propose a well-planned mountain conservation projects. Projects attempting to remove past expeditions' garbage and equipment or similar projects are given priority. Expeditions must exceed normal expedition clean-up procedures as outlined by the host country or land manager. Awards are typically around $300. Applications before March 1st. http://www.americanalpineclub.org/grants/g/11/Scott-Fischer-Memorial-Conservation-Grant

Lyman Spitzer Cutting Edge Climbing Award - Through the generous contribution of Lyman Spitzer, Jr., a long-time American Alpine Club member and lover of the mountains, the AAC initiated the Lyman Spitzer Climbing Grants Program. This program promotes state-of-the-art, cutting-edge climbing through financial support of small, lightweight climbing teams attempting bold first ascents or difficult repeats of the most challenging routes in the world's great mountain ranges. $12,000 is awarded annually to three to six endeavors that best meet the criteria for cutting-edge climbing. December 1st deadline for expeditions departing no later than December 31st of the next year. http://www.americanalpineclub.org/grants/g/7/Lyman-Spitzer-Cutting-Edge-Award

Army Mountaineering Association The AMA frequently awards grants to its members, subject to certain conditions, to assist with the financial burden of participating in an expedition. The Grants Sub-Committee reviews every application on its own merits, and awards a grant depending on factors such as technical mountaineering or climbing content and personal financial contribution. http://www.armymountaineer.org.uk/expeds/grants.html Chris Walker Memorial Trust This grant is designed to encourage and support Exploration of the Greater Ranges . Applications are welcomed from aspiring Greater Ranges climbers who need help to fund expeditions with the objective of establishing new routes, repeating rarely attempted lines or visiting unexplored areas. 1,000 per year, deadline is the 1st December each year. The award may be given to one applicant or be split between two applicants. Successful applicants will be expected to provide a summary expedition report and photos for use on our website. http://www.chriswalkertrust.co.uk/exploration-expedition-fund/ The Petzl Foundation Acting on behalf of the environment was already part of the Petzl companys practices.The Petzl Foundation supports projects while focusing on the balance between man and his cultural, economic and ecological environment.

Beyond offering only financial support, the Petzl Foundation will follow you through your project. The project should - aim to protect natural areas whose natural and leisure environments are directly threatened anywhere in the world - link with the outdoor activities like rock climbing, mountaineering, or for the professional area, work at height - focus on core problems and relate to preventive and not curative action (for example, pollution clean-up projects will not be selected) - directly involve the public, - have a timeline and be results-oriented, with quantifiable objectives - be sustainable: have a cycle of a minimum of one to two years, - create true public consensus - be proposed by a non-profit organization. http://www.fondation-petzl.org/en/propose-project This list will be added to as we learn of new opportunities, if you hear of any new grants or know of any which are not listed here then please write to us using the blue SEND A MESSAGE button at the top or post a Comment below."

Grants: General Adventure and Expeditions

Land Rover Go Beyond Bursary - The Land Rover Go Beyond Bursary, run by the Royal Geographical Society on behalf of Land Rover, offers funding and the use of a 110 Defender vehicle.The award is aimed at those who want to take a journey beyond their limits and boundaries, that offers challenges for the team and for which a Land Rover Defender 110 is an integral part of the expedition.Your journey may connect you with schools, local communities or projects but, whatever its aim, the team will be expected to inspire and engage others, both from the field and on return.A bursary of 15,000 is available and in addition applicants can apply for a discretionary fund of up to 15,000 to support essential expedition related costs. Deadline November each yearwww.rgs.org

Journey of a Lifetime - The Journey of a Lifetime Award, given by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), in partnership with BBC Radio 4, offers you the chance to make a journey of a lifetime and to tell the world about it in a memorable piece of radio documentary-making. For those with a genuine curiosity about the world around them, the Journey of a Lifetime is a grant of 5,000 for an original and inspiring journey anywhere in the world. The winner will receive training in radio broadcasting from the BBC and will record their experiences for a BBC Radio 4 documentary.The aim of the award is to inspire an interest in the people and places of the world and to discover new radio broadcasting talent. Deadline Sept/Oct each year.

www.rgs.orgPalestinianExploration FundFunding travel and research in Palestine. Deadline 31st January each year.

http://www.pef.org.uk/grants/Plas y Brenin Awards and BursariesA range of awards and bursaries supporting the training of prospective outdoor leaders and professionals.http://www.pyb.co.uk/awards.phpMyles

Robinson Memorial TrustIn addition to Raleigh International The Myles Robinson Memorial Trust provides Myles Robinson bursaries through Lattitude Global Volunteering (www.lattitude.org) and Snow-Camp (www.snow-camp.org.uk).

The Myles Robinson trustees will be involved in the application process and there is information on the Trust on the websites. Details of the bursary awards are on the relevant pages.http://www.mylesrobinson.co.uk/The Challenger Trust Bursary - Young people taking part in overseas expeditions whose family or financial circumstances have changed dramatically, preventing them from continuing with their project.http://www.challengertrust.org/Winston Churchill Memorial TrustVarious categories each year including the Mike Jones Award for canoeing, and often one on exploration and adventure.

No educational or professional qualifications are needed. British citizens only. Average grant 3,000.

www.wcmt.org.ukAndy Fanshawe Memorial Trust GrantIf you are under 26 and lack funding for a climbing expedition or other outdoor initiative, then you could qualify for a grant from the Andy Fanshawe Memorial Trust. The Trust could also help fund your place on a training course, provided your primary reason for attending it is for personal development rather than professional qualifications.www.andyfanshawe.orgCaptain Scott Society Spirit of Adventure AwardFor individuals or expeditions displaying similar spirit of adventure so nobly demonstrated by Captain Scott and The British Antarctic Expedition of 1910. Average 2000, deadline March 1st each year.www.captainscottsociety.co.ukCaptain Scott Society Sir Vivian Fuchs Young Adventure AwardFor young person aged between 11 and 19, displaying similar spirit of adventure so nobly demonstrated by Captain Scott and The British Antarctic Expedition of 1910. Average 500, deadline March 1st each year. www.captainscottsociety.co.uk

Young Explorers Trust Jim Bishop Memorial Trust - Open to individuals under 19 years taking part in adventurous activities at home or abroad. Up to 500, deadlines May 1st and December 1st each year. www.theyet.org/pages/Grants_and_Approvals.html

Eagle Ski Club Georgina Travers Award - For ski mountaineering expeditions and training courses. Up to 1,000, deadline October 1st each year.www.eagleskiclub.org.uk/gtform.html

Polartec Challenge Grants - Every year world-class athletes benefit from the Polartec Challenge, an international award program encouraging the spirit and practice of outdoor adventure. From the sharp granite cliffs of Southern Africa to heights of the Himalayas, these men and women are dedicated to the pursuit of excitement and discovery. Over the past 20 years Polartec has supported hundreds of expeditions around the world through the Polartec Challenge, an international grant program encouraging outdoor adventure.

The Polartec Challenge Grant seeks to assist teams who respect the local culture and environment and serve as role models to outdoor enthusiasts worldwide. Applications are evaluated on the basis of vision, commitment, educational and cultural value. The Polartec Challenge is not the appropriate venue for projects that involve competition or fund raising.http://polartec.com/polartec-challenge/The Ullysses TrustAll Volunteer Reserve Forces units (including University Units) and Cadets are eligible.

Exceptionally grants will be made to individuals, particularly where it can be shown that an appropriate unit expedition is not readily available and that there will be long term benefit to the unit. In the case of Cadets, individuals going on approved civilian run cadet expeditions will be supported through a Cadet HQ or association. Examples of civilian organisations likely to be approved are: British Schools Exploring Society, Outposts, Raleigh International, Trekforce and World Challenge. In the past, grants have ranged from 1,500 for major expeditions involving larger numbers to 500 for less ambitious ventures and smaller numbers.

Occasionally, larger sums, for instance 10,000 or more, have been made to major expeditions, though for these it is essential to discuss them with the Hon Secretary and apply a year ahead.http://www.ulyssestrust.co.uk/base.php?f=applThe North Face Explore FundThe Explore Fund will support organizations that encourage youth outdoor participation, focusing primarily on creating more connections of children to nature, increasing access to both front backcountry recreation, as well as providing education for both personal environmental health. Grants will be given up to $2,500, and to maximise the impact of The Explore Fund. http://www.explorefund.org/The Earth and Space Foundation Betty Adamson Award

The Betty Adamson Expedition Award will be administered in arbitrary years to an expedition linking Earth and space exploration that demonstrates a sense of adventure slightly out of the ordinary and that demonstrates a willingness to pursue an objective whose outcome is not certain. Current Value: 400/$650.http://www.earthandspace.org/betty.html

The Earth and Space Awards - Using the Earth to help understand other worlds and create a space faring civilisation. Most expeditions are eligible. They include university expeditions and other expeditions from private or non-profit organisations and government expeditions. Awards are currently the equivalent of 250 or $500 each. http://www.earthandspace.org/annual.html

Welsh Sports Association Overseas Expedition Grants - This scheme helps fund overseas expeditions that will enhance the development of a sport.Grants are limited to a contribution of up to 50 per cent of the costs of travel, safety equipment and other essential materials. Expeditions should be ground-breaking and priority will be given to Welsh based expeditions where the majority of members are Welsh. Successful applications have traditionally come from mountaineering, caving, cave diving, canoeing and paragliding. But the Welsh Sports Association is happy to consider applications from other outdoor activities, providing the expedition is ground breaking and likely to enhance the development of that activity. All applications will be considered on merit, and after consultation with the appropriate National Governing Body. http://www.welshsports.org.uk/index.asp

Neville Shulman Challenge Award - The Neville Shulman Challenge Award, first given in 2001, is an annual award of 10,000, established for the Society by Neville Shulman CBE and his associates. The Neville Shulman Challenge Award aims to further the understanding and exploration of the planet: its cultures, peoples and environments, while promoting personal development through the intellectual or physical challenges involved in undertaking the research and/or expeditions. Applications are invited from both individuals and groups. Deadline: September each year - www.rgs.org

The Wilderness Award - The Wilderness Award is a cash award made to a UK resident over the age of 18 who intends to travel overseas, returning before 31st January of the following year, to undertake an unusual and adventurous objective in a geographically remote wilderness area. Award currently set at 650.00http://www.wildernesslectures.com/wilderness_award/This list will be added to as we learn of new opportunities, if you hear of any new grants or know of any which are not listed here then please write to us using the blue SEND A MESSAGE button at the top or post a Comment below.

The Last Explorers 2

Thanks to James Camerons recent extraordinary journey to the bottom of the ocean, and other personal events, I felt the need to write a second part to my previous post - The Last Explorers.

Although I could have used a series of other excuses to justify continuing explaining my point about the declining of the spirit of exploration, it was a report on the BBCs website that got me all itchy. Journalist Rebecca Morell, on site in Guam, was doing an update right after Cameron had came back from the deepest place on Earth. The short interview featured on the web was so unprofessional, I asked myself if I had mistakenly switched to Fox News. The other voice in the clip, a man at the BBC studio, started by saying: This is supposed to be a bit of a race involving a team from Google and one sponsored by Richard Branson but it is over before it really begun hasnt it? Did anyone brief this person before he went on air?

The race to reach the bottom of the Mariana Trench has been on for years the last five mostly in secrecy. Tens of millions have been spent and three other teams have planned expeditions this year alone, DOER Marine, Virgin Oceanic and Triton Submarines. The race is not over before it begun, the race has been won! Morell continued, cordially, informing him that it had indeed been a race with a winner. She then told how Cameron wanted to inspire a new era of ocean exploration. The man reciprocated: It is a puzzling point though, if it has been done before because of a US navy team which reached the bottom of the Mariana trench 50 years ago, to what extent is it a pioneering dive that he has just completed ?. Seriously? If that was not enough, they concluded the segment by pointing out that: Some scientists question whether you actually need to have humans at the bottom to explore when you can do things like drop down underwater robots.

This should have been a walking on the moon moment with the entire world (and most importantly the entire exploration community) celebrating. If this is true that some scientists really question the need to Physically explore the unknown, shame on them! Why go to Mars if we can send a robot? Why meet and talk to people in the flesh if you can do it online? The other surprising fact was the almost total absence of two of the most legendary exploration clubs, the Royal Geographical Society and the Explorers Club. Founded in 1830, the RGS enshrines such famous names as Livingstone, Stanley, Scott, Shackleton, Hunt and Hillary. There was not a word about the expedition from them, not on their twitter site, nor their News site. The Explorers Club has members including the first man to reach the North and South Pole, the first to climb the summit of Mount Everest, and the first to step on the surface of the moon.

Captain Don Walsh, former Honorary Club President, who was part of the first manned expedition to the bottom of the Trench was actually onboard with Cameron for this historical feat. Sadly, the Club only tweeted little bits about this groundbreaking event, and nothing was written on their News/Bog site. A pity and shame for these institutions who have the responsibility of carrying on the flame of exploration. As many of you know, I am in the process of putting together a large expedition, a 6-year around the world sailing expedition, called E.P.I.C. Aboard two 35m aluminum hull sailing boats, with retractable keels, we will visit over 250 of the remotest islands in the world. Doing documentary film making, photography, conservation campaigns, and science projects, this endeavor is reminiscent of the Golden Age of maritime exploration.

The budget is obviously huge and the challenges seemingly impossible. The reactions I usually get could be summed up in three words: Really? Why? Good Luck! No worries, I do get my share of encouragements, but last week I received a couple of comments that reminded me why I was sacrificing everything to make this project of mine happen. The first one came from Prince Michael of Kent, whom I had the honour to meet in his office at Kensington Palace in London. Listening carefully to my presentation, his eyes opened up and I could see a glare in them. He looked at me and said: Finally! It is so refreshing to see that the real spirit of exploration, the one I grew up with, these big dreams of exploring the world, of not being afraid of leaving the comfort zone behind, do still exist. I am glad to know that the flame is not extinguished and is being carried on. Thank you.

The second comment came from Bill Vartorella, who is a fellow of both the Explorers Club and the Royal Geographical Society, and a member of the Overseas Press Club and Rotary. In his email, Mr. Vartorella said: This is a gutsy expedition that cuts to the heart of grand exploration tradition (something abandoned by some organisations, as per vote of membership several years ago, re: grants), while embracing high-tech, with the ocean as central theme/connective tissue to past and present. The intro and feel of your 30-page brochure are riveting. This is a great expedition! It is always difficult to explain why I want to commit the next 10 years to a project that seems impossible. It is hard to find people that get it! When I see projects like Cameron's journey to the ocean depths and when I get comments like those two last week, I am reminded that I am on the right track and that I don't always have to explain my reasons. I just have to listen to that little voice inside of me that tells me to keep on going, and to keep pushing the envelope.

One day, when I am on the boat, sailing the oceans like the great explorers of yesterday, all this hard work, all these days where I was left without a single penny, all this hardship, and all these days where I felt like abandoning the project, yet kept on going, to the disbelief of many, all this, will have been worth it. Because that is what these grand-scale expeditions are for, to remind us that everything is possible, that our dreams are never too big.