Cycle expedition

Greetings from Thailand. Is anyone out there planning or looking for a travel companion on a cycle expedition in Asia ? I was contemplating the Karakoram Highway in Pakistan but have recently read of kidnappings and increased Taliban activity in the area. Can anyone shed light on this or has anyone recently travelled to this area in Pakistan ? Have bike - will travel. 

Cheers,

Antony

Winter Skills Workshop

The Skills Workshop will take place in the Black Mountains in South Wales 23rd - 24th February.

Based in Llanbedr near Crickhowell, all attendees will venture into the mountains (which are now filled with snow and ice!) and enjoy learning about wild camp-craft, navigation and safe travel within exposed and potentially extreme environments The cost is 39.99.

Quite simply, this is a 'no-frills' event where all attendee's will supply their ownequipment and clothing, foods and fuels. EWR will, through practical workshops discuss and instruct the basics of GPS navigation, safe travel, wild camp-craft and general expedition preparation skills which can be utilised in any expedition/race/event that involves self-sufficient travel within a testing and potentially extreme environment.

There is huge emphasis on enjoyment and practical Q and A's to aid personal scenarios which we hope will tick most peoples boxes upon completion. If you want to try out specific gear or equipment, want to know more about travel and safe existence in the wild,this may well be of benefit to you!

All the best,

Extreme Word Races

+44(0)1285 860440

info@extremeworldraces.com

www.extremeworldraces.com

British Army Ration Packs?

So, not really into the dehydrated hiking rubbish that gets pushed on people in outdoor stores - however, being ex-army, I never had much of a complaint about the army ration packs.

They are however proving tricky to get hold of legally (not from a QM somewhere chucking me a few over the fence as it were), Has anybody sourced these in the UK? Need 7 days worth for 2... not even the boiled sweets etc, just the breakfast and dinner options (with maybe some biscuit browns and pat chucked in) would do!

Thanks,

Tommi

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

Living with the Matses

I spent 2.5 months living in Puerto Alegre and Estiron, 2 Matses villages. The Matses are a remote Amazonian tribe who live on the border of Peru and Brazil in the Javari Valley.

One of the Matses villages was very welcoming and is more than happy for other adventurers to come and stay.

If anyone is interested please contact me at paddy.leflufy@gmail.com

Riding with Eagle Hunters

Hunting with Golden Eagles is a tradition that has continued uninterrupted in Western Mongolia for over a millennia.

Recently two young Brits returned from an adventure to document and photograph this ancient custom as part of a wider horse-riding and packrafting expedition. Over the course of six weeks, photojournalist Jamie Maddison and his expedition partner Matthew Traver travelled all over the Bayan-lgii Province of Western Mongolia, riding on horse-back across the empty plains; following the proud eagle hunters over shattered mountains and later navigating the icy Khovd river in temperatures down past -15'C.

The expedition was initially contemplated as a training run in preparation for an upcoming six-month adventure that the pair are undertaking next year to commemorate the centenary of a 30,000km journey by the Irish explorer Sir Charles Howard-Bury right across Central Asia. The project is titled One Steppe Ahead. From being bucked off a horse full-gallop to getting a boat overturned mid-river, Jamie and Matt certainly had a unique and exciting time of things, and now Jamie is offering a photographic lecture about his travels to meet the hunters and the team's various other escapades out in the wintry steppe.

But for the moment it's back to the planning board for the team; working out the next tentative steps for One Step Ahead.

Please keep an eye peeled for further updates soon! For more information about Jamie please visit www.jamiemaddison.com, or to see example of his previous journalistic and photographic work, please visit www.sidetracked.co.uk.

Details about Matthew Traver's previous adventures can be found at www.matthewtraver.com."

Invading Krak des Chevaliers

Atop a large hill some 700 meters above sea level and overlooking a lush green valley in Western Syria, stands the magnificent Castle of the Kurds. Once described by Lawrence of Arabia as ...perhaps the best preserved and most wholly admirable castle in the world, it leaves modern day visitors as impressed now as it had T.E. Lawrence himself a century ago.

Built between 1142 and 1271 the Krak, or Castle, now a UNESCO world heritage site is still recognised as one of the best specimens of a Crusader Castles in the world. Set against the lovely hilly landscape, the Krak from a distance really looks like something out of a fairy tale and even though you're nowhere near the English countryside, you cant help thoughts of Camelot engulfing your imagination. The rounded towers that bulge out of the thick curtain walls not only add to the character and unusual appearance, but more importantly fortify the castle in a much more efficient way. The thoughts were that these rounded edges, not only eliminated the weakness of corners, however also provided deflection of any incoming projectiles.

The objects would no longer impact at a 90 degree angle, reducing the impact force. On approach this mammoth of a structure just grows and the true scale of the thickness and bulkiness of the entire fortification leaves you with a sense of insignificance and bewilderment. Doors open from 9am an entrance as of Easter 2011 will cost you S150 (approx 1.70). As you enter, its almost as if you're being swallowed up by the ancient masonry when you progress through. A stone path with a gradual gradient channels you through the walls, past a gift shop and eventually leads you to an opening where the sun above greets your eyes. When you reach the courtyard there is an abundance to explore; stairs running to different levels of the ruins, walls to scramble from, and perhaps best of all its making your way through the narrow spiral staircases in the towers and reaching one of the Kraks high points. If you can withstand the wind then you're in for a treat. With nothing of real significance within miles of where you're standing, some of Syrias best kept countryside is in your sights with communities dotted around the the undulating landscape with spectacular views of the adjacent village below. Within the inner walls, a large labyrinthine of enclosures fill the ruins - where even natural light struggles to penetrate. No artificial lighting exists anywhere within the compound, instead, the few rays that do make their way through the barriers are funnelled through the gaps, cracks and windows. Almost all parts of the castle are accessible but some are so pitch black that you cant see your hand before of your face.

There are various stretchers that you can either fall down or walk into so best to bring a torch. The darkness also plays host to midges and insects which shun the sun and heat found on the outside. Remarkably, if your quiet, despite the wind and altitude, you can hear echoes from wasps buzzing through these areas. It is all a very refreshing sight to still be able to visit a castle in its prime. Many more examples of such spectacular architecture and history are too often ruined by the modern day luxuries of electricity, guides and bound by health and safety outlines. Here you left to Doinit yourself. You can really spend hours here, admiring the architecture as well as the surroundings, which provides for some great hiking. For castle enthusiasts, you'll be pleased to hear that this is a series of fortifications in this region built to defend the Homs Gap. While they don't quite match the Krak des Chevaliers reputation, reports suggest that they are as much fun to explore as the headline grabber. Reaching the castle is pretty straight forward; its location will usually require transit through the nearby city of Homs, approximately 40 miles on the outskirts. Simply arrive at the cities bus station where local taxi drivers are well aware what most tourists come here to see. Just strolling around, you should be able to hear them biding for your attention with the asking words Krak? Krak? (English: castle? castle?).

If this fails then simply ask them. Most will be more than happy which in a shared taxi (usually small Toyota van) with a local family should be cost you about S800 (9). The journey should take you the best part of 40 minutes and the driver will drop you in front of the main entrance. Buses also service this route. Either way that you travel, be sure to negotiate a return time with the driver or check when the last bus back is as or you could find yourself standing by the roadside for a ride to come long. While many visitors come to see the Krak on day trip it would really be a missed opportunity if you weren't to spend a night here. Clearly visible from the Castle, only a short walk away and nestled along an opposite valley wall, directly facing the Krak, stands the Bebers Hotel (25USD ).

It's restaurant boosts an impressive meze (selection of small dishes served starters) followed by whatever the staff recommend. The restaurant faces the castle making it a great place to kick back with a bottle of Syrian Bottled beer and watch the sun go down. When deciding which room to pick, ask for room 101. In the morning you'll be able to walk out on your own balcony and be greeted by the magnificent Krak des Chevaliers as this room is in the perfect position, directly across, leaving a lasting impression on any occupant and a sight that has greeted visitors for centuries.

www.doinitonline.com

Syria is currently experiencing severe political unrest. The FCO advise against all travel.

What video equipment should I use on an ocean rowing boat?

Hi all,

Does anyone have advice on which small, portable video cameras to use on water? I am conducting a crossing of the English Channel in an ocean rowing boat, so any equipment would have to be waterproof obviously. I was thinking of a number of Go Pro's, but maybe someone has other suggestions?

Thanks,

Mike

Great oaks from little acorns..

This may be a really stupid question but here's hoping I can get some feedback. When I was in my 20s (almost a couple of decades ago) I was pretty wild with overseas independent travel but would not have called myself an explorer - always had a 'cause' to work for... 3 months then later 2 years in Congo-Brazzaville; 3 months in Zambian bush; 3 months in India; 6 weeks in mid-French Guiana rainforest doing stuff with primates from a hammock and bivouac.

Never trained in expeditions, though, and now although hankering to get back 'out there' after raising a family in comparatively staid surroundings, I am feeling somewhat 'underpowered' now there's so much gadgetry (and qualifications...) about... I would like to add some weight to my proven 'expedition' abilities... What do you recommend - BEL training seems so very tame!! But that might be necessary now? Please advise.

Very grateful.

Cheers! "

Warm Feet at minus 50 C.

 First it starts with good footwear. Now this can be a trade-off. The more support and stiffer the boot is the colder your feet are going to be pretty much regardless of the insulation.

That why even the best mountaineering boots people lose toes - there is plenty of insulation but the boot is too rigid and therefore restricting circulation. For mountaineering this cant be helped because you need supreme support to hold crampons on, front pointing and for those steep and rugged hills and ridges. On the other end of the spectrum is soft bottom mukluks or kamiks used by the Inuit or Athebascan people. The warmest of these designs are the ones made from smoke tanned moose hide. They are like big bedroom slippers lots of room for circulation and to wiggle chilly toes. They are also extremely light putting no added stress on legs during those long ski or snowshoe runs.

The down side is that they have no support. So hills and rugged terrain can make it difficult to get good footing an also make for sore feet at the end of the day. So it is up to you and your activity to determine how much or how little support and insulation you will need in your footwear. For extreme cold, no matter if it is a stiff boot or soft one, I layer my feet like this: Foot - from skin out: Thin wool liner socks, a vapor barrier liner (heavy duty plastic bag), a medium then a heavy weight insulated wool sock with some synthetic fibers say 25% to help speed in drying. Boot - from the inside out: a perforated mesh insole to capture snow and frost, then an insulated insole of synthetic felt with perforated reflective Mylar, then a insulated synthetic felt boot liner with reflective aluminium. Thicknesses of insoles and liners will depend on temperatures your needs. 

By Lonnie Dupre

How do I embark on a career in Expedition Leading?

Hi there! I've been incredibly interested in working as an expedition leader now for about 4 years. Recently I've begun to realise just how much this line of work excites and interests me so I've been seriously considering it.

However it seems that it's incredibly hard to find much information about where to start. Being 20 years old, i don't have the money to gain travel experience. I can just about afford to save for a ML qualification but surely this is not enough to actually get employed by anybody?

There are various other courses, such as Trekforce's Expedition Leader Training Program which i have extensively looked in to, but at nearly 8000 in costs, it simply is not an option for me. Any advice or information would be greatly, greatly appreciated. Anywhere would be a good place to start!

eagleaoife@gmail.com