Traversing Madagascar

A North Wales explorer recently crowned the UKs adventurer of the year via the public vote, has exclusively revealed his next world-first challenge.Ash Dykes, from Old Colwyn, will attempt the first solo walk from north to south across Madagascar, scaling the country's five highest peaks on the way.

The 24-year-old, who became the first to walk the breadth of Mongolia solo last year, will try to be the first to complete a solo ascent of Maromokotro, the largest mountain on the island at 2,876m. Apart from the desert, jungle and mountainous terrain he will face on his trek across the worlds fourth largest island,Ash could also come up against some rather unpleasant inhabitants - the local crocodiles.He said: You have got some nasty diseases out there, but the crocs are the big things to look out for.I will be walking by rivers a lot, so I don't want to get trapped between a river and one of those boys.The trek, which will start in September from Cap d'Ambre in the north and go to Cap Sainte Marie in the south, is expected to last four months.

Twistingspokes.com On our way to Kathmandu

We are currently undertaking a journey through Europe and Asia by bicycle more than 22000km has been cycled and we still have more than 15000km to reach Kathmandu.

Tropical Trail Rides: Horse Excursions on the Beach

I'm spending the summer meeting people from all over the world and taking them riding on the western side of Puerto Rico. The ride stretches 7 miles, lasts 2 hours, hits two beautiful secluded beaches and winds through forests of almond trees and Australian pines. There are 39 horses, all Paso Finos from the island. They come in all color's, shapes, and sizes. Besides the job, Isabela is an incredible area of lively, friendly people, 2$ beers, and loud Latin music.

Let me know what you think in the comments below!

Research for a novel

Hi Everybody,

I'm currently researching a novel which has a really important scene which takes place on the border of Jordan and Syria, a few miles into the Syrian side. For obvious reasons, I cant get out there to research what the landscape looks like. Is there anybody who knows that area who can describe it to me? On Google Earth it looks a lot greener than I expected.

Thanks,

Jan

jhmenzies@btinternet.com

Bouldering | Rila | Bulgaria

The quality of the granite blocs is complemented with the purity and Avatar-like feel of the surrounding flora and fauna. Experiencing Rila once referred as a mini-Yosemite is more than just a regular boulder trip.

The place will purify your mind and refill your vital energy leaving you with perfect focus and unimaginable motivation for your hardest sends.Embraced by the highest mountain on the Balkans you will have plenty of opportunities for additional adventures during your rest days.We know from experience, at the end of the trip it will be hard to leave Rila paradise.

75 days and 75 nights - Amazonas and Venezuela

75 days and 75 nights - The plan was to go up the Orinoco from Puerto Ayacucho to Tamatama a small settlement just above where the Casiquaire splits off the Orinoco.

This down-stream bifurcation is very rare on such large rivers, and in-between such vast river basins. Basically 4/5th of the Orinoco continues as the Orinoco on its way to the north Venezuelan coast and empties into the Caribbean.

It is in-fact the largest natural bifurcation in the world. Once you get sucked into the Casiquaire it is a journey of ~330km to the military post of San Carlos de Rio Negro with just forest and a few indians in between. From San Carlos it is a further 1750 miles to the mouth of the Amazon. We had four weeks with Richard to paddle the Casiquaire and drop him somewhere where he has a chance of getting out - then me and Eric were planning to head up a tributary and try and get to, or as close as we could to Cerro Avispa, a little explored upland area of Amazonas.

Cerro Avispa and Cerro Aracamuni form a grouping of mountains more precisely known as the NeblinaAracamuni Massif. Between the Casiquaire and the mountains is 8,600 sq miles of pristine forest with very few people. We would first branch off up the Rio Pasimoni, then the Rio Yatua, and then explore an un-named river until we were stopped by either white water or ran out of food (or both).We paddled 987km reaching the foot of Cerro Avispa.

The story to be told in a separate blog for those interested - http://jonathanbarnaby.blogspot.co.uk/

Mergui Expeditions

Join UsEcoSwiss and MABR have announced the2015/2016 Expeditions throughout the Mergui Archipelago in Myanmar. We are looking for ecovolunteers and ecotouriststo join us on amazing expeditions to these forgotten islands. We operate aboard our 45ft/14m catamaran SeaNOMAD, providing us a perfect platform for conservation, exploration and relaxation.We explore one of the last unknown uncharted island chain left in the world. With over 800 islands in the Mergui Archipelago with a majority uninhabited, this unique region needs to be better understood, mapped, and studied.

We preserve this unique region by providing biodiversity research, baseline surveys, and awareness in hopes to one day preserve this whole region either as a UNESCO Site or a Trans-border Marine Protected Area.We are currently running an Indiegogo campaign to raise the needed support for the season. Please support us, join us on an expedition,get some unique gear/perks and up to $300USD off your own personal-chartered EXPEDITION!Support us and thisunique region:http://igg.me/at/MerguiFor more information:www.ecoswiss.orgor email us: info@ecoswiss.org

Paragliding in Tibet

I am a paragliding and hang gliding pilot. Traveled in over 45 countries, did fly my paraglider in Romania, Hawaii, California, Arizona, Nepal etc. I plan to travel to Tibet in February- March 2016. We shall leave Beijing by train, travel for a week to Lhassa. We shall paraglide in the Himalayas, trekking, climbing, camping for 3 weeks.Everything will be wether related. Need people who can survive extreme weather and extreme geography. Paragliding skill is a plus, if not you will be my passenger. One week back to Beijing by train. The entire expedition will be about 5 weeks. Need people with photo/ movie skills since the places are incredible beautifull. Drone movie experience its a plus. Mandarin or Cantonese is not a must!

michaelbaltag@yahoo.com