Mont Blanc ascent / Voie de la traversee

Dear Explorers Connect lovers! My name is Sebastien Marciak and here is my story. There are so many reasons for why people want to fundraise and for why people want to give.I believe they all have one thing in common: to leave something behind that is not about you. To leave a mark, make an impression, to feel useful, to feel like you are making a difference, to help and just to give without asking for anything back because whether we want it or not it is human nature. It is quite well known that,after a tragedy, people tend to change, realise something they hadnt before or simply just want to do more of their lives.

This is how I felt this summer when my closest friend lost her partner in a brutal road accident down Ayr.23 years old isn't the right age to go and there's definitely more to do for those who stay than wasting time or being ungrateful.Right after it happened, without being able to explain why,I remember saying to myself I am going to climb mountains and the idea turned into an obsession. No such tragedy differs from any other tragedies people suffer but here I am, fundraising for BRAKE (the road safety charity)climbing Mont Blanc by la voie de la traverse; those guys are wonderful and I am really excited to go on this journey for them.I set up a justgiving page, started to tell everybody what I am doing and why I am doing it. I went to the Scottish highlands to train couple of days in the mountains, go nuts at the gym and plan on regularly visiting the magnificence of Glencoe mountains for more training. I most definitely have the bug now!

I have done many outdoor activities but am still fairly new to proper mountaineering. I just wanted to share this project and connect with as many people as possible. I am aware I am not the first one to do Mont Blanc but I cannot wait to be there!I am planning on documenting the climb obviously and write an article about the experience. ...To be the guide who will carry the light at the top of Mont Blanc, so for those who are lucky enough to see, remember those who can't see anymore.

Thank you,

Sebastien Marciak

Anybody got a rickshaw/tuk tuk in London

Hi guys,

I'm Ed - running a new startup called world in London, It's all about helping Londoners discover unique experiences from around the world in their own city. www.worldinlondon.co.uk.

I'm looking for an auto rickshaw or bicycle rickshaw for a few events I'm doing. Thought this crowd of people might be able to point me in the direction of someone in London who might have one?

Thanks Ed

edwardjfhewitt@gmail.com

Everest 2014 Climb4Change Expedition

Alex Staniforth, aged 18, is set to become the youngest Briton to climb the Southeast Ridge of Mount Everest, in Nepal whilst aiming to raise 29,035 for CLIC Sargent and the Red Endangered Animal Connection Trust. i.e. 1 per foot of Everest. He will be on the 70 day trip with British expedition leader, Tim Mosedale.

Alex trained on Baruntse, 7,129m last Autumn for a month along with Mera Peak, 6,476m. He has overcome Epilepsy and a host of other obstacles to be spurred on by adventure and his life ambition to summit the worlds' highest peak to show young people they can be the change they want to see in the world. Major sponsors are Textlocal.com, Pingtree and UK Loans, with product support from Craghoppers, Marmot, Icebreaker, MyProtein, LED Lenser, Beet IT and Powertraveller.

Follow the journey at www.alexstaniforth.com/blog.html or Twitter @alex_staniforth

Good portable music device?

Hello! I'm (most probably) off to Antarctica in November this year - if anyone has any general advice or want to meet up - great! But also more specifically, what's the best mobile music device out there for travelling with? iPod Nano, MP3? I'd like to listen to music and audio books as I'm trekking along and ideally want a device that's easy to use and has a good battery life (and can survive the cold).

Any tips greatly appreciated!

Paula

paula@paulareid.com

New to Exploring and I'm still young and wanting to in life get a job from it

Hi there,

I'm Jon. I'm 22 and I'm new to exploring, and adventure, my life isn't going very well at the moment, i have 2 years animal care experience, but there is no jobs around in it, i cant get a customer service job, and I've always been a person who loves to travel and explore, is it possible to maybe in my life to get a job after ALOT OF YEARS training maybe get a job of a explorer or adventurer as it seems such a wonderful thing to do, and i would do anything to archive it, please i need all the help and info i could get, i have no experience but I'm willing to learn, i am wanting and planning to do a antarctic expedition unsupported and unassisted, starting at Hercules in let to south pole then to walk back alone, i'm also willing to do this training to, but a life as a explorer seems better these days and to work in this kind of area I'd dearly love.

j_r_jacques@outlook.com

Great Pacific Race

Ocean rowing comes to the Pacific with the start of the Great Pacific Race.

The Great Pacific Race is the biggest, baddest human endurance challenge on the planet. Teams of one, two and four compete against each other in the worlds first rowing race on the Pacific. All boats that take part are purpose built and governed by a set of event rules and mandatory equipment to ensure a safe and level playing field. The race extends a gruelling 2,400 miles (4,000 km) from Monterey, California to Honolulu, Hawaii in a challenge that takes between one and three months to complete. Of course for some just completing the course is the challenge and we are committed to helping every crew equally to achieve a safe and successful ocean passage.

Success in the Great Pacific Race requires a combination of skills, physical ability and mental toughness combined with willpower and determination. Perhaps surprisingly you don't have to be a rower to row an ocean, as between now and the race start your training will include learning how to row. Make no mistakes, rowing an ocean is a serious mental and physical challenge but, with the right preparation (to gain experience and knowledge), as well as our support on the water rowing an ocean is possible for anyone.

www.newoceanwave.com