Research on No Man's Land Part I

In the period 10 August - 1 September, 2010, 9 speleologists from 6 Bulgarian caving clubs(Caving,Vertilend, Helictit, Sofia,Academic, Sofia and Aida, Haskovo and Mrak,Etropole) - members of Bulgarian Federation of Speleology, together with 5 Kyrgyz cavers carriedout joint speleological expedition in the area of Ridge Kokshaaltoo - Mountain Tien Shan in SouthKyrgyzstan (Kyrgizia). Under the leadership of Kamen Bonev, for the first time in the history of Speleology in Bulgaria, Bulgarian cavers searched and explored new caves as high altitude. Theexpedition team consists of specialists in various fields of scientific knowledge - geology, biology,geodesy, geographic information systems and others. This allowed all sites to be mapped and to prepare a complete documentation on them.

An important part of the program was devoted togeological studies and surveying as geo-morphological assessment of potential of the karst area. Biospeleogical and zoological studies was made also. During the expedition were found 71 species of animals. Of these 70 species are reported for the first time around. Five species are found in caves. Fifteen species are established for the first time in Central Asia or in Kyrgyzstan. Ten species are supposed to be new to science and yet they describe. This indicates that the area of the ridge Kokshaaltoo much of an interesting zoological and bio-speleological perspective and have a future profound study.

Cave fauna Material was collected from seven caves. It includes spiders, opiliones, flies, mosquitoes, wood-lice and collembola. There were no highly specialised for life underground cave dwellers - troglobites. Most species are adventitious or using caves for shelter during adverse development periods of the year (mosquitoes and flies) or during hibernation (bears). Only part of the spiders and collembolas partially adapted to underground living species - troglofiles. They are collected only in the entry of or in caves with small length, where there are wet areas and where breed and develop. In the inland areas of the caves are only identified species using them for shelter during hibernation (bears, mosquitoes) or adventitious animals there. Observations during the expedition showed that conditions in the caves of this altitude are very favorable for the development of cave fauna. Due to the low temperatures in all the major caves the water is frozen in the form of compact masses of ice or ice crystals. This has led to a substrate with very low humidity i. e. dry. This prevents mold, fungi or decay of the available organic matter (feces of bears, grass for bedding, hair etc. in the caves, but it is the basis of food chains in cave ecosystems.The highest cave with cave fauna found in the time of this expedition is 3649 m. From there it was collected and one probably new to science species of spider species Lepthyphanthes. Successful results are due to the excellent logistical support of our Kirgizian colleagues from Asia Mountains Group under the direction of the veteran of Kirgizian speleology Sergei Dudashvili.

During the collaboration established close friendly relations between the two teams. Both sides have expressed mutual interest for the implementation of new joint initiatives in the field of speleology and multidisciplinary research on karst terrains.

https://sites.google.com/site/kirgisia2010/

Night-time Paddle on the Thames

It's hard to imagine that an icy, dark, wet November evening could potentially provide such a unique and fun experience. Throw a canoe and the Thames River into the equation and you'll soon forget all about this miserable winter, get active and start enjoying the sights of London in a way experienced by only a few.

Londoners and tourists alike flock to the many different tours and vantage points this great city has to offer, most recently the Shard. There seems to be some kind of instinctual urge, deep within the human psyche, willing us to find that perfect view; for Moo Canoe, it's a completely alternative approach which they have begun to successfully pioneer. This night-time experience, with small groups of 2-person canoes, really adds to the experience, as it seems the entire river has been opened up to only you. The occasional barges and clippers occasionally dash these thoughts, giving rushes of excitement as you begin to lurch up and down suddenly.

These winter months bring the dark evenings around quicker, as I casually arrived after a hard day's graft in the office, ready to unwind well after the sun had set. We started our mini adventure by Lighthouse, where we were met by Katy and Alfie, who kitted us up and went through the evening's plan. Kindly, waterproofs and additional clothing were offered to those who had left anything behind and, after introductions were made, a flight of stairs led down to the riverbank. White canoes with black patches awaited us, clearly living up to the 'Moo Canoe' name. Sitting in the canoes, we shuffled them towards the water and, moments after, we found ourselves gliding through the waters of the Thames. The Canary Wharf estate lights towering above us, lights twinkling far above and reflecting from the wet surfaces of surrounding glass-fronted buildings, the highlight, of course, was One Canada Square and the city's financial centres dwarfing our floating group. The first few minutes on the water are quite surreal but a truly amazing collection of sights. Safety was certainly paramount. Our instructors emphasised the importance of sticking close together on the water, especially in the dark. A vigilant eye was kept on us as we paddled downstream, as we marvelled at numerous sights we had seen before but from totally different perspectives.

A real treat so say the least. I soon realised paddling is hard work! My muscles began to strain at the constant movement and my 'technique', if it may be called that, was somewhat questionable. The instructors were on hand to put this right with efficient and helpful coaching tips. It was a little over an hour when we approached the spectacular Old Royal Navel College at Greenwich, before paddling at full speed to beach ourselves on the southern bank of the river for a well-earned rest. Dinner in the Trafalgar Tavern by the riverside was our interval treat. Less than an hour later, we boarded our canoes for the final return trip back as the tide started to come in. It was then that I decided to try out some photography, quickly realising the almost comic futility of it. It's literally a balancing act holding the ore, trying to stay with the group and taking photographs with a slow shutter speed on a moving canoe. What was I thinking? I gave up and enjoyed the rest of the ride back to Lighthouse.

The entire evening took three and a half hours and accumulated around 6 miles worth of canoeing. I was exhausted, my upper body ached and the buckets of splash-back from a childlike rowing 'technique' means my waterproofs were soaked. For this, I would certainly urge all those who are considering trying this out to realise the essential nature of waterproofs and, if you have any gadgets accompanying you on the canoe (cameras, phones, etc.), I would strongly suggest to bring an Aquapac to protect them. It's certainly an incredible experience, so who wouldn't want to capture this on film? Here's hoping you're more successful than I was! More info Moo Canoes Aquapac

This adventure was organised by Explorers Connect who are on a mission to make adventure more accessible. Sign up to their website to be notified of upcoming trips. Article from www.doinitonline.com "

The Coldest Journey

For more than 100 years the world has witnessed a golden era in modern exploration, as adventurers from across the globe have battled against each other to overcome the great polar challenges.

Today only one true challenge remains - to be the first to cross the Antarctic in winter. On 6th December, the SA Agulhas set off from London on what is the start of the world's first ever attempt to cross the Antarctic in winter. The 2000-mile journey across the continent has for many years been considered too perilous to try and the expedition's six-man Ice Team -led by Sir Ranulph Fiennes - will have to overcome one of earth's most hostile environments if they are to succeed, exposing themselves to temperatures dropping close to -90c and operating in near permanent darkness. A winter traverse of the Antarctic is widely regarded as the last true remaining polar challenge and the expedition's success will reassert Britain's status as the world's greatest nation of explorers. A fund-raising initiative will run side-by-side with the expedition with the aim of raising $10m for Seeing is Believing to help fight blindness around the world.

Having never been attempted, the expedition will also provide unique and invaluable scientific research that will help climatologists, as well as forming the basis for an education programme that will reach up to 100,000 schools across the Commonwealth. The Journey Ever since US Navy engineer Robert Peary allegedly reached the North Pole in 1909 and Roald Amundsen and his crew reached the South Pole in December 1911, there have been numerous successful attempts to close out the remaining challenges. Although a team of Norwegian explorers achieved the astonishing feat of crossing the Arctic during winter in 2010, crossing the Antarctic in near permanent darkness and in temperatures as low as -90C has by many experts been seen as one step too far - until now.

On 21st March, 2013, Sir Ranulph Fiennes will set off with five other experienced and dedicated explorers in their record-breaking attempt to do the unimaginable. There can be no mistake, attempting to cross the Antarctic in winter carries very high risks and completing the challenge will require extraordinary endurance, bravery and will-power. The ground-breaking venture is one of the largest non-governmental initiatives ever to take place, and it is fitting therefore that it should get underway on the centenary year of Captain Scott's death in the Antarctic. Achieving their goal will further cement Britain's reputation as the world's leading nation of explorers and be a fitting conclusion to an extraordinary period in human history. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has up until this expedition refused to grant permission to take on the challenge because it has always been deemed far too risky and the chances of disaster too high.

This decision was only overturned after it was shown technological innovations could mitigate some of the major risks of the crossing. Despite this change of heart, the risks remain high for the team; simply by inhaling air below -60C can cause irreparable damage to the lungs (the average winter temperature at the South Pole is approximately -60C!) and exposure to the skin to such temperatures causes severe frostbite in a matter of seconds. If anything should go seriously wrong, a search and rescue mission would be impossible since aircraft cannot fly in such cold conditions due to the threat of their fuel freezing. In the event of a major incident, the crew will have to sit out the winter on the ice until summer when a rescue attempt can be made. The selected crossing from the Russian base of Novolazarevskaya (right), via the South Pole, to Captain Scott's base at McMurdo Sound, will take six months - mostly in complete darkness - and span more than 2,000 miles. In total, the team will spend an estimated 273 days on the ice, and once under way, travel at an average of 35km per day, with every one day in three being allocated as reserve (for rest or bad weather). Throughout the crossing a two-man ski unit will lead the party, dragging a pulk kitted out with a ground-penetrating radar. This radar will transmit real-time information about the terrain - and any crevasses - to a Mobile Vehicle Landtrain (MVL) following close behind, which will be made up of two modified Caterpillar D6N vehicles each towing a caboose and store and fuel sleds. If crevasses are discovered they will be assessed as potential threats and if they are deemed significant or too large to fill an alternative route will be taken.

The team will eat and sleep in one of the heated cabooses, while the other will house the expedition's scientific equipment and workshops. Due to the bitter conditions the team will be wearing specially-engineered heated clothing that is vital to keep them alive and make the crossing possible. During the traverse, Sir Ranulph and his team will receive regular communications and support from the ship, managed by Anton Bowring, and from the Expedition Office based in London and headed up by Tristam Kaye, which will provide additional communications and a link to the outside world. Find out more Find out more about The Coldest Journey here and feel free to share your thoughts and messages on our comments pages. Throughout the expedition the site will be updated with regular blogs and bulletins from Sir Ranulph and the crew so you can experience the adventure with them as they take on this extraordinary feat of daring, endurance and life on the coldest journey on Earth.

http://www.thecoldestjourney.org/

Banff Mountain Film Festival 2012: free tickets for EC Members

The UK Tour of theBanff Mountain Film Festival World Tour kicks off in Edinburgh on 27 January and is heading right across the UK. Explorers Connect have free pairs of tickets for our members!

A pair of tickets will be given away in prize draws at each of the London, Bristol and Cardiff Explorers Drinks events in December 2011 and January 2012. There are also tickets for Edinburgh, Newcastle and Liverpool showings open to all our members.

To enter all you need to do is send an email tobelinda@explorersconnect.comwith your name, address and which showing you'd like to attend (Edinburgh, Newcastle or Liverpool). Names will be picked out of a hat on 12th January at the London Explorers Drinks event and winners will be notified later that week.

The 2012 UK Tour will feature a whole new line up of incredible films from the world's finest adventure film makers. Through the big screen be transported to amazing wild places, visit remote cultures and have your breath taken away with high adrenaline action sports.

Check out their locations/ booking page for more dates and more details. photo: Alex Girard backcountry skiing, Rogers Pass, B.C. Ryan Creary"

Light My Fire Sponsorship 2014

Last Year, Light My Fire started the sponsorship competition, Light My Fire Adventurers. From hundreds of applications we finally managed to select seven finalists. At the Adventure Blog http://lightmyfire.com/adventure-blog we have been able to follow these seven people trough their adventures. It has been an amazing year with wonderful stories to follow. Now, we will start our search of the seven finalists for Light My Fire Adventure 2014. Are you one of them? The finalists will have one thing in common: They are all planning to perform an outdoor adventure, some time between 1/3 to 31/12 2014.

The adventures will be different from each other in many ways. Some might take place in a far away mountain whilst others might be canoeing with the family in a nearby lake. The important thing is not where you go or how risk taking your adventure might be. Everything you see as an adventure - is one. The only requirement is that your adventure shall take place in some kind of outdoor environment and take place between 1/3 2014 to 31/12 2014.

During the adventure the finalists will blog about their adventures at our adventure blog http://lightmyfire.com/adventure-blog Being one of the finalists means you will be in the run of becoming the winner of Light My Fire Adventurers 2014. The competition will be settled at the end of 2014 and the winner will be awarded with 3000. This sponsorship money shall be used as a platform to a coming adventure. From the 18/11 2013 to 31/1 2014 you will be able to apply to Light My Fire Adventure 2014. Light My Fire will choose seven finalists. The finalists will be announced the 17th of February 2014 at Light My Fire`s Facebook page. The seven finalists will all receive a fully equipped assortment of Light My Fire products. Don't hesitate. Apply here to become one of the seven finalists and maybe become the winner of Light My Fire Adventures 2014. A jury from Light My Fire will decide who will become the seven finalists. The jury will be presented here shortly. "

Craghoppers Ambassadors

Craghoppers - World travel clothing experts and sponsors of the 'Best of Kendal World Film Tour' are looking for inspiring people to become 'Craghoppers Ambassadors'.

Basically, people who are out there, doing it, living their dream, working or volunteering, basically making a difference in the world. The Ambassadors will be provided with outdoor travel clothing for hot cold climates, waterproof, anti-mosquito, sun protective etc. and in return will ask for interesting stories/pics/anecdotes for blogs, emailers, social media etc.

The Ambassadors will also feature as part of next years advertising with a profile on each individual and their work/trip. The mix we are looking for will be journalists, photographers, aid workers, aid doctors/nurses, environmentalists, geologists, film makers, adventurers, travel writers etc.

If you're interested please contact andy@cactuscreative.com and tell us your story."

Trying to Raft Around the UK Coast....advice please?

Hello,

I'm hoping for some advice. I am planning to create a 'sea worthy' raft to hold 4 people and equipment, commencing work in June 2013. We want to row down the river taw in north Devon. Starting furthest inland as possible, just next to Barnstaple, coming out at the mouth of Saunton sands, from here to follow the coast west going around the point at lands end. Then head further east, along the coast. Initially we wanted to end up in Brighton.

Though I am thinking the coast guards wouldn't be to keen for us to be in some shipping lanes, so we decided to finish at lizards point.The estimated time for this from the build to finish is estimated at 3 weeks. One of our party has degree in marine engineering, and we have all participated in the Lynton and Lynmouth raft race for the last few years, involving the building of you own raft.

So I am not to worried about the stability of our raft, though will it need to checked by some authority? I also realise I probably need to talk with the North Devon coast guard. Other then that I don't know where to start. Is this even plausible? Comments below or Send A Message using the blue button above. Thanks!

Cheers,

Pete

Un Tour de la France

Un Tour de la France was an unsupported, solo, cycle of the circumference of France. Starting and finishing at Le Chateau in Caen, Adam Skeet rode 3716.8 miles on roads as close to possible to France's coastline and borders Including crossing both The Alps and Pyrenees, as well as climbing Mount Ventoux (after hitching a lift from new found friends).

The adventure took 77 days and was possibly the first time something like this had been done in France. For more information, stories and photos, please visit the blog: www.utdlf.wordpress.com. The trip, in memory of 2 of Adam's Grandparents, aimed to raise a pound for every mile cycled for Macmillan Cancer Support: www.justgiving.com/UTdlF Adam Skeet bought an old Peugeot racing bike from a friend a few years ago and since then his passion has spiralled.

Before UTdlF, Adam also cycled John o Groats to Land's End with his father. Other adventures are in the planning stages.

www.utdlf.wordpress.com

South West Himlung Expedition 2012

South West Himlung Expedition. September/October 2012 Himalayan Map House NP107 1:125,000 Nepa Maps Naar Phu 1:60,000 The photos didnt do it justice, nor did they give us a proper indication that we would have to climb a mountain in order to climb this mountain.

It was the first view we had had of Himlung since setting off on the trek and it was becoming clear that we would need all 19 climbing days in order to have any hope of summiting. The trek in to Himlung begins in Besisahar, the starting point for the Annapurna circuit. We arrived here on the 16th September. The monsoon had not quite finished and it was relatively quiet for the Annapurna circuit, being a little early in the season. We were to walk as far as Koto (4 days) and then turn off the circuit into the recently opened Naar/Phoo (Phu) valley and so to Base Camp. The Naar-Phoo valley is different to many of the valleys that trekkers normally visit. It is very narrow and as you continue up the valley it becomes apparent that it is a predominantly a river valley and has not been greatly affected by glaciation in its lower reaches. Koto to Phoo takes about 3-4 days depending on rest days, and acclimatisation rates. Phoo is at an altitude of approx. 3950m.

On the 25th we went from Phoo to Base Camp, 4800m having got our first view of Himlung at the top of the terminal moraine of the Pangri Glacier, We would have to go up and over the 6400m massif in front of Himlung, a fact that we knew but seeing it for real brought home how difficult this may yet prove to be. When we arrived we discovered we were the only team at Base Camp. Prior to our arrival, a small Swiss team had left having only gone as far as Camp 1. Apparently they did not like the look of the section between Camps 1 and 2 and so flew out by helicopter 3 days before our arrival. This meant that we would be opening the route for this season. We were carrying over 1000m of fixed ropes and at present, it looked like we would be laying all of it ourselves. After a couple of days acclimatisation around Base Camp we had the first day of carrying to Camp 1 at 5400m which was located at the edge of the glacier at the top of a rather torturous scree pile. Camp one was 700m below but in view of Camp 2. This first carry took approx. 6 hours. We also got to inspect some of the route to camp 2. It was a lot more crevassed than anticipated suggesting that it was going to take a bit more time to find the route through. After another rest day back at Base Camp, the team went back to Camp 1 and spent the night, before once again returning to Base Camp.

On the 1st October Ben and I along with our Sherpas went back up above Camp 1 to try and find a route through the upper crevasse sections to get camp 2 established. It came down to one small snow bridge which was to provide the key to opening the whole route. We fixed ropes to 5900m. By now there were 2 more teams at Base Camp. We were able to negotiate some more fixed rope from them in return for fixing the rest of the route to just above Camp 2 and some coils for the summit ridge should they be needed. The following days brought some bad weather so the team rested/acclimatised as best we could. On Friday the 5th, Ben, Jon and I decided to go back up through the fixed ropes (now fixed to Camp 2) and check conditions on the face.

We found there to be sections of deep soft snow but no real avalanche risk so we decided to go for Camp 1 on the 7th, and establish Camp 2 and 3 as we went so that hopefully we would have our summit attempt, all going well, on the 10th October. We had lost some time with the route finding and fixing the ropes .The forecast for the period between the 7th and 10th was good, as we were starting to run out of time we decided to go for it. We would carry three tents for 7 of us, carrying them between camps. One of the team had had a bad cough for the entire time and was struggling to acclimatise so after struggling to get to 5000m on the 7th he had elected to return to Base Camp and possibly try again the next day. This was a real loss as had he been fit he was one of the stronger members of the team, so for load carrying duties alone, it did affect us.

The walk up to Camp 1 was now taking only 2 hours compared to the original 6 and we were moving to Camp 2, fully laden by 7.30 the next morning. The snow was still quite soft but we made reasonable time, covering the 700m in about 5 hours. The Sherpas were ahead of us and had our tents put up by the time we got there. It was a windy night but nothing like what was to come at Camp 3. The winds continued at Camp 2 all night but had abated by 9am so by 10am we were leaving Camp 2. Camp 2 to 3 takes about 6 hours and reaches a high point of approximately 6400m before dropping to a col at 6250m and the site of Camp 3. It is quite exposed here as it is at the head of the Nemjung/Pangri glacier valley and the winds have nowhere else to go but over this col. That night at Camp 3 we experienced wind speeds averaging 50mph and gusting at 60-70 mph. The forecast wasnt quite accurate. Our tents were roped down but that didn't stop the snow from getting in-between the inner and outer of the tents, virtually sealing us in. At this stage there were just four of us plus the Sherpas, one other team member deciding that camp 2 was enough had gone back to Base Camp. As can be imagined we got very little sleep and by 5am, nothing had changed. We knew our summit chances were slipping away.

We were still in our tents at 9am when I had a chat with our Sirdar. We weighed up our situation. On the list against staying up and waiting for a chance at the summit was, strong wind and no sign of it stopping, a loaded summit slope which had already showed evidence of a large avalanche, one member feeling sick another getting there. On the list for staying up, Ben and I were feeling OK; we had no real choice but to go down. It took about 40 minutes to get crampons and clothing on, get the tents down and get roped up. All the while the winds never let up. Watches were showing temperatures of -22 degrees, with wind chill we reckoned it was about -30. Ungloved hands took seconds to go numb, which they did as we struggled to take down tents and keep them from blowing away. As a gesture we put up some prayer flags at our furthest point and then began the slog back across the slopes to Camp 2 and out of the wind. It seemed so incongruous, there wasn't a cloud in the sky it looked beautiful but the wind was vicious, we could feel it freezing any exposed skin, particularly on our faces.

It took about an hour and a half to get onto more sheltered slopes and about 4 hours to get back to Camp 2. Struggling to put up some prayer flags, Camp 3, the summit ridge of Himlung in the background. Once we had reached less windy and slightly more consolidated ground, Jon who had carried his skis (most of the way) to Camp 3 in the hope of getting the first British ski decent of Himlung decided that he had better get some skiing in to justify the effort of carrying them all that way. So from the top of the plateau to the small col above Camp 2 Jon skied, and fell for about ten minutes before deciding he had had enough and putting the skis back on the packs and continuing on foot. We stopped at camp 2 briefly for some food then continued on to Camp 1, collected some remaining equipment and then on down to Base Camp which we reached by dark at 6.30pm. On the walk out we passed maybe 5 more teams on their way in to Himlung.

Given how cold temperatures had got to, even at Base Camp, it was not going to be overly pleasant for these teams. On reaching Kathmandu we found out that one of the other teams (commercial trip) had gone up the day after we had come back down. They reached Camp 3 and had attempted the summit. They did not make it and one member of the team suffered frostbite on his feet. Conditions had obviously not improved up there. Thankfully they all got down OK. This knowledge did help with the disappointment of not Summiting in the sense that we felt better about our decision to come down and not push on in those conditions. Considering the collective (in) experience of my team, and taking into account that we opened the route and fixed all the ropes and still made it to the camp 3 springboard for the summit, I think we did extremely well and I am very happy with the result. The company we used for in country Logistics (http://rolwalingexcursion.com.np) are excellent and I have climbed with our Sirdar (Furtemba Sherpa) before. He is one of the best I have worked with. For 3 of the team who reached Camp 3 this was a new personal best in terms of altitude. It was a steep learning curve but one that they coped with exceedingly well. Thanks goes to the BMC for its endorsement of the trip.

Also to Buff for the 5 Buffs each and lastly to Wayfayrer for providing all our high altitude food. South West Himlung 2012 team members; Olan Parkinson ( Irl) Sandra McCord (UK) Justin Featherstone (UK) Ben Reynolds (UK) Jon Fuller (UK) Claire Waterfall (UK) Furtemba Sherpa (Sirdar) Doame Sherpa (Climbing Sherpa) Ang Du Sherpa (Assistant Climbing Sherpa) Ringsee Sherpa (Cook) Nima Sherpa (Cook) Razinda Sherpa (Kitchen boy) Olan Parkinson. Expedition Leader, Himlung 2012. A note on the maps. The Nepa Map series puts the Base Camp in the 6A grid square, this is incorrect (for the current base camp) It is in fact in the 7A grid square between the 4800m and 5000m contours below the fork in the stream on the west of the square one quarter of the way up the grid square. GPS, 4850m N 28degrees 47.687, E 84degrees, 20.653 approx. The Himalayan Map house location is correct.