Across the Alaskan Tundra

Married couple, early 30s. One 100% Belgian, the other prefers to be referred to as Earthling (but has to write down in official documents Belgian/Mexican). First time home owners playing Bob the builder since the last 4 years during most of the holidays and available spare time. Both photography aficionados, sharing life with two cats and two Alaskan Malamutes. We have created a blog/journal (http://acrossthealaskantundra.wordpress.com/)to keep a record of the preparation for this once in a lifetime journey: A trip to the Arctic for a trek of about 150 km across the Alaskan Tundra guided by Joe Henderson and his amazing team of Alaskan Malamutes. (We are not that brave to do it just on our own ;) ) At the same time we will be raising funds not only for the expedition, but also for the Alaskan Malamute Club of Belgium and Malamute Matters, with the main aim to help dogs in need.

For this purpose, we have created Chip in packages: Minimum Chip in amount: EUR 1 Chip in as of EUR 10 or more - Shout Out on our Blog. And the satisfaction you are helping dogs in need. Estimated delivery: immediate Chip in EUR 25 or more -Shout Out on our Blog. The satisfaction you are helping dogs in need, and a photo of your name(s) written in snow (sent via email). Estimated delivery: July 2015 Create your own reward -Woo Woo! Get that creative juices flowing and suggest any reward you want in exchange for a fair contribution.Let us perform an interesting task, either during training or during the expedition. Whatever the world is your playground!(Disclaimer alert: However, we as the trip owners can either accept or reject your request). We hope you join us, whether reading, commenting, re-posting and/or donating (donations can be done via PayPal using the donate button on our blog)

Johan Tessa "

The Pan-American Rally

Dearest Adventurers,

I come to you now, asking you to join me in 2015 for the first annual Pan-American Rally. This is a new take off an old idea. The expedition, if you choose to join us, will be to drive small cars and motorcycles the entire length of the Americas, for charity.Ever heard of the Mongol Rally? If not, check out The Adventurists great work at theadventurists.com. I participated in the event in 2011 and fell in love. After much deliberation, and attempting to join in the great work they do, I have decided to create my own. Just as big, just as ridiculous.Starting June 14, 2015 brave explorers and their idiot friends, will set off from the crossroads of America, Freedom, Indiana, USA and head south. The eventual finish line will be Buenos Aires, Argentina. Each team will be responsible for raising $1000 for the official charity, Reforest Patagonia.

This is not an intelligent rally to attempt. This will not be easy. This will be extraordinarily dangerous. This could kill you. But if you're like me, and you're not a afraid to get a little dirt in your eye every once in a while, I ask you to join us. This could be the greatest thing you have ever done.Ask any questions you may have.

Michael Waterford is my name. Email: Info@TheMountainFolk.com.

See more at www.TheMountainFolk.com.Yours in Philanthropic Adventurey Goodness,The Mountain Folk Adventure Series - Freedom Exploited.

1000 Mile Unsupported Walk

I want to grab this summer by the nuts.

The plan is to do an unsupported solo walk, the distance of 1000 miles. Ideally the trek would be in a temperate climate. I qualify unsupported as having no direct assistance from start to finish apart from with a water supply.

I imagine pulling a sled with wheels to be the most appropriate means to carry the gear and I hope to raise awareness for a charity during the event. Does anyone have any suggestions, ideas, thoughts or comments?

patrickdavis89@msn.com

Mont Blanc

So I'm about to set off on the biggest adventure of my life. Some people out there belittle Mont Blanc as adventure tourism. At times I feel like I shouldn't be allowed to climb it, the media finding experts to damn the guides and the tourists who crawl all over the mountain like inexperienced ants - leaving me feeling like some sort of gullible tourist parasite. But then I satisfy myself with the fact that this world and all it's dangerous, beautiful places belong to all of us and when we are in these places, and our bellies dance with fear and awe and we are at one with Mother Nature, adventures belong to us and we are free to nourish our souls with them. I am female, British and 46 years old.

I spend my spare time in the wild vastness of Britain. My spirit thrives there alongside my soulmate Richard. We have wild camped next to cliffs in Orkney and tarns in the Lake District. We have traversed beautiful snow ridges in Glen Coe and ice climbed gullies on Helvellyn. We've walked the 3 peaks of Yorkshire and climbed the ice walls in Kinlochleven. We've kayaked in sea lochs and coasteered into the ocean at Cornwall. Just for fun, to feel insignificant and like a kid - we have loved adventure for the past 9 years together.

In May this year, we climbed the infamous Napes Needle from Wasdale, full of amazement at topping out, Richard took a box out of his chalk bag and proposed to me on the shoulder - incredible and amazing. I said yes of course! So now we are 12 days away from our trip to Mont Blanc and the butterflies are fluttering in my stomach - that familiar excitement and fear that comes from doing what we love. Do I deserve to be on that mountain? Hell yes. I know I am getting on a bit and I have tendonitis that's giving me gip and I've never climbed in the Alps so I am nervous mostly about being too slow. But I have a Scottish Winter pedigree and true British grit that will see me to that summit. Fingers crossed.

Comparison of the Best Camping Mats

A comparison of all the different types of camping mat and sleeping pad: Foam roll mats, self-inflating pads and inflatable mattressesComplete with detailed comparison tables listing the sizes, weights and costs so you can make an informed choice between them all.

http://thenextchallenge.org/camping-mats/

21st Century Altai

As a young adventurer, its easy to become despondent in the belief that everything has been done and that there is nowhere left to explore. At least, that is, without doing something so extreme as to require decades of experience or being extremely dangerous. We set about planning our expedition with an inflatable globe and a pin (used sparingly) with the objective of identifying remote yet accessible mountainous areas of the world. A trip to Stanfords, several reports from the Royal Geographical Society's database and a conversation at the Explore conference later, it became apparent that no one was climbing in the Russian Altai.

With only the aid of a 20-year-old piloting map, we were quickly able to identify un-climbed and accessible mountains. After the best part of year in the planning, I set off with five team mates to climb and explore the Altai Mountains. We succeeded in summiting several Siberian mountains which are all believed to be first British ascents. - EXPEDITION REPORT Abstract A team of six travelled to the Russian Altai mountains, establishing a base camp in the South Kurai Range and successfully climbing to five summits.

All peaks are thought to be first British ascents and it is possible that four of these had not previously been climbed. Some team members also spent a few days in the Northern Chuysky range at the end of the trip. What and Where is Altai? The Altai (or Altay) is both a mountain range and a Republic. The mountains span across quad-border of China, Mongolia, Kazakhstan and Russia. As we understand, climbing is possible in all four of these countries with Mongolia the most popular and explored; China, perhaps, the least. The Altai Republic is a region of Russia whose people and culture are quite distinct from the rest of the country. (There's also a region called Altai Krai next door but I shouldn't worry about that for now).

Reasons Not to Go to the Altai

In planning this expedition, we received no small amount of negative feedback about the area and timing of the trip. This was to the extent that we considered canning the whole thing on several occasions. We were told that the rivers would be too high, there would be too much snow, the roads would be covered in permafrost and unpassable, the roads would be covered in snow (and unpassable), we would need snowshoes, snow conditions would be bad and so forth. One charming gentleman even replied to our advert for team members with these words: the time for this trip is July! whose bright idea was the timing you suggest and why??? is the timing an indicator for the level of thought you guys have put into the project? now that would be scary. Needless to say, he didn't get an invite. Anyway, two things happened as a result of this: Firstly, we dithered for too long and couldn't get border zone permits to climb near Mongolia where we had hoped. Second, we decided that whilst the information wed received might indicate sub-optimal climbing conditions, this trip was to be about more than pristine snow conditions, it was to be an adventure and those can be had whatever the weather. So, we agreed unanimously to give it a go. You'll get the gist from the rest of the report but we had a fantastic time, the conditions were fine, rivers weren't scary, there was no permafrost or snow on the roads and the snow shoes didn't come out of our bags.

The Team - Tim Moss, Nancy Pickup, Matt Freear, Spike Reid, David Tett, Marc Bullock.

Read more, download the expedition report and see the professional photographs

tim@thenextchallenge.org

The Myth of Mustang: Trekking in Nepal

Join world-renown and award-winning Himalayan trekking guide Nima Sherpa and The Explorer's Passage founder, Jeff Bonaldi as they head into Kingdom of Mustang and the lower Himalayas. Begin your journey in the colourful streets of Kathmandu and head onto the winding trails at the base of the Tibetan Plateau, while following in the path of the Second Buddha, Guru Rinpoche.

You will journey by car, plane, and on foot deep into the Himalayas and discover one of the most remote and sacred regions on Earth. This 10-day journey will immerse you in the culture and history of the Nepalese people and provide you with once-in-a-lifetime adventures along the way.

You will even have the option to fly around the peak of Mount Everest!Join the adventure today by calling 855-208-6800 or emailing us at info@explorerspassage.com. Pricing: $2,650 (5 Guests) $2,500 (6-8 Guests) $2,300 (9-11 Guests) $2,150 (12-14 Guests) $2,100 (15 Guests)Also Required: $475 (Internal Airfare) $550 (Mustang Permit Fee)

Rock Climbing in Malta

Hello,

My name is Dino and I am a qualified instructor with thirty years experience and I decided to open a Rock Climbing shop in Malta because it is an up and coming destination for Rock Climbing and whilst on holiday I found that there was actually no dedicated Rock Climbing equipment shop on the island so we are the first to give the climbing community this service.

We also provide many courses these include Rock Climbing, Abseiling, Deep Water Soloing, Sea Level Traversing, we also offer equipment for hire .Our courses start from as little as 45 ,and we cater for all abilities and ages ,we have had climbers from as young as 7 years of age up to 70 years young , check out our website and Facebook pages to get an idea of what we can offer you on your trip to Malta.

Look forward to being of service to anybody visiting Malta.

Dino Citrone

GoClimbMalta

Rio 3 Peaks

3 peaks, 2,000m, 12 hours, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.Sound good? The second run of a new event incorporating the spirit and essence of the classic British 3 Peaks challenge in the stunning setting of Rio de Janeiro takes place in November this year.

Aimed as a challenge for those looking to dip their toes in the water of fitness/adventure challenges, the Rio 3 Peaks, also aims to both raise awareness ofstreet childrens rights across the world and funds to support the ongoing work in this area.The challenge itself: beginning and finishing in the target time of 12 hours, with a total ascent of over 2000m and taking in the 3 most iconic peaks in Rio with spectacular views:1. Morro Dois Irmaos 550m high (The two brothers hill situated above the Vidigal community)2. Pedra da Gavea 840m high3. Corcovado 710m high (Christ the Redeemer)This is not just any challenge.

A highly rewarding part of the event is the chance to experience Rio's favelas, which are the heartbeat of the city, visit the street children's projects we work with, play football (if you want to!) and spend time meeting inspirational children and project leaders who are bringing about change in their country.What are you doing this autumn? If youre bored of the same old challenges and you are looking for one you will never forget then join us in trekking the 3 mountain peaks of Rio de Janeiro finishing at the iconic Christ the Redeemer. We are seeking 24 UK/International and 26 Brazilian trekkers by July 2014. If you're looking for an adventure challenge with a difference, look no further!