Alex Nicks and Tweaking the Nose of Terror

by Erik Olsen on

Alex Nicks is probably the best white water kayaker I’ve ever paddled with. Perhaps that’s not saying much, as I’ve only been white water kayaking about a dozen times, but the fact is Alex is a phenomenal kayaker. He is, as I understand it, one of Britain’s best.

I took a clinic with Alex a few weekends ago in the frigid waters of High falls near Kingston, New York. We paddled in very small boats, which I believe are made for freestyle paddling. Either way, they were much smaller boats than I was accustomed to.

So Alex took me through a series of Class II rapids (ripples, really) and then we ran a quick Class III that was one fine hoot. It had been a while since I paddled on a river (I’m mostly sea kayaking these days) so the experience was a reminder of how much fun it can be. Then we came to a wicked class IVish rapid that I had to portage around. Alex did not. Alex plunged right into the rapids and spent five minutes doing graceful pirouettes in the maw of the beast. I was amazed. Blown away.

Anyway, all of this is to make a further plug here for Alex’s work. You see, he is not only a superb kayaker, but he is an excellent filmmaker. He not only shoots for Jon Bowermaster’s awesome paddling series for National Geographic – the highly regarded Ocean’s 8 series (which I’ve blogged about before) – he also makes his own films. I got a copy of one of these DVDs and can tell you it will take your breath away. The DVD I have is called Tweaking the Nose of Terror and features a “terrorizing 43 minutes” of the most amazing white water footage you will ever see. From Patagonia to Iran to a run down the exceedingly treacherous stretch of the White Nile, this is a DVD that both amateur and extreme paddlers should own. I’m going to re-watch mine several times and, in fact, and going to try and get it autographed. ;-)

Petronas Towers

by Erik Olsen on

Someday, I’m sure, there will be buildings 20,000 feet high. We’ll laugh at little mountain peaks like Rainier and we’ll think about buildings that can reach the moon. But for now, we have to content ourselves with what we have built, and among the big, big buildings are the Petronas Towers.

Johnny Jet has got a nice feature on the Petronas towers, those twin behemoths that oversee, like sentinels, the city of Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. I don’t know about you, but I’ve ALWAYS wanted to hang at the towers, to have a drink on the upper floors. Whle the review/experience here doesn’t quite to that fantasy justice, it will still whet your whistle. The article here lists many of the great things to do to see around the towers and should tickle your interest in seeing these magnificent architectural structures.

Photo of the Day (12/18/06)

by Iva Skoch on

This is a recent photo of a resort area called Nathiagali, in northern Pakistan. The picture reveals the reality: lush evergreen forests, high mountains (8200 ft, where this photo was taken). While the photo may not be like some of the super artsy items we’ve thrown on these pages, I got this from a friend who is an embassy worker in Pakistan. The photo is here because it’s a glimpse of a world that we hear a lot about (mostly bad, unfortunately), but about which we, as Westerners, know almost nothing. (To plan your trip, start here. For more photos, try here.) Thanks, Suzi!

SF Chronicle’s Annual Geography Quiz

by Adrienne Wilson on

My Monday morning hasn’t even gone into full swing yet and I’ve already managed to burn-out my brain. The coal from last night’s sleep still rests in my eyes and no, I didn’t wash my face yet, I roll out of bed and blog before all that happens. What I’m trying to say my friends is that I will be departing from providing you with any further travel related content to get some more shut-eye and then start my day all over again.

Anywho, somehow in my half sleep mode I made my way over to the San Francisco Chronicle and saw their 10th Annual Geography Quiz and then I decided to take it thinking there would be some multiple choice and I would score big during my dream state. Suddenly a buzzer sounds off in my head and I realize it is far too early and the questions seem far too difficult. Which lake separates Uganda from Kenya? Has anyone ever swam from the Scottish mainland to the Hebrides Islands? Yeah, it is too early for me to be taking this.

For those who find they can cross their T’s and dot their I’s just fine this morning go see if you know what happened on December 31, 1994 in the Republic of Kiribati that the Kirimati residents had never experienced before. Post your results here and I’ll be sure to get back to you with mine after another two hours rest.

Missing Climbing Team in China

by Adrienne Wilson on

News in the climbing world hasn’t been too cheery as the search for three climbers in Oregon’s Mt. Hood continues (one was said to have been found dead) and the search is also on for two highly experienced U.S. climbers in China as well. Not to take away from the domestic search, but I’ve heard little to nothing on Christine Boskoff (one of the world’s top female high-altitude climbers) and Charlie Fowler (well-known mountaineer in the U.S.) who set out or Southwest China in October and are missing. The pair was last heard from on November 9th. As in the case with Mount Hood the weather provides less than favorable conditions for rescue teams to find anyone and avalanches are also a huge factor in the Fowler-Boskoff scenario. The area is said to be very prone to avalanches. There isn’t much more to comment on now, but if you’re following this story in addition to Mount Hood and would like to help someway or somehow it appears as though mountainfilm in Telluride has created a search fund for those that wish to donate and help expand the serach effort in China.

My hope is that both teams are located and safe from harm.

via CBS News