Conrad Anker Climbing Everest 1920s-Style

by Willy Volk on

British mountaineer George (“Because it is there”) Mallory died on Mt. Everest in 1924. Though no one knows for sure whether he and his climbing partner, Andrew Irvine, summited the world’s tallest mountain, some have speculated that the pair — wearing gabardine, wool, cotton, and silk — were woefully unprepared to tackle the extreme temperatures there.

Now, a team of climbers — led by American Conrad Anker, who found Mallory’s body in 1999 — is trying to retrace their steps as closely as possible. In addition to using the same kinds of gear that Mallory used, replica clothes have been made especially for the modern-day climbers. Back in 1924, Mallory wore a Burberry suit over a woollen vest as well as a fur-lined motorcycle helmet and hobnail boots. Anker and his team are dressed the same way.

A documentary of the climb is being made. Though no modern-day climbing gear will be shown on the film, I doubt they’ll be shooting in B&W.

[Via Get Outdoors]

Kilimanjaro’s Glaciers May Last Longer Than Predicted

by Willy Volk on

Weirdness.

In contrast to reports of global wreaking havoc worldwide — from Kiribati, to Greenland; from Costa Rica, to Siberia; from the US, to numerous other destinations — a joint Austrian-U.S. research team is reporting that there’s one place that isn’t succumbing to global warming quite as fast as expected: Kilimanjaro.

After reviewing 7 years of measurements taken from weather stations atop Africa’s tallest mountain, the researchers have concluded that Kili’s ice fields will be around for another 30 to 40 years, at least — and the glaciers on its slopes could last even longer. That’s pretty sweet news, especially considering Kili’s icepacks have been retreating since the 1800s, and scientists had thought they could disappear altogether as early as 2020.

Before you get all giddy about the prospect of the ice pack being around forever, it’s important to bear in mind that the glaciers now measure about 0.8 square miles, down from 4.6 square miles in 1912. However, it appears that the 2006 El Niño brought heavy snowfall to the mountain that fattened the peak’s glaciers, increasing their thickness even though their surface area stayed the same. Of course, 0.8 square miles is still pretty tiny, but not too tiny to plan that once-in-a-lifetime trip to tackle Kili.

[Thanks, Marilyn!]

Gipfelbier, or Another Excuse to Drink Beer

by Justin Glow on

I read an interesting AskMetafilter question the other day, it asked: “What is the German word for a beer enjoyed at the top of a summit that you have just climbed?” Apparently the asker climbed Mount Tongariro on the North Island of New Zealand, where they ran across two German men on the summit, each enjoying a beer along with the beautiful view. “They told us that this was a traditional thing for German hikers to do on top of mountains that they summit, and they even had a specific word for the beer enjoyed on such an occasion.”

It turns out there is a term for such a thing: Gipfelbier, or “summit beer.” According to a response posted to the original question, “Gipfelbier or Gipfelhalbe (Halbe = half a liter of beer), it’s simply a reward for having made it to the top, Gipfelschnaps is also common.”

Any excuse to drink beer is fine with me, even if it means lugging it up a mountain first.

A Summer Camp with Just for Adult Options

by Jamie Rhein on

When I was in high school, my camp experience happened because I signed on as kitchen crew help at Camp Laurel in Maine. I didn’t make much money, but I sure had a grand time in between setting tables and working on my biceps by lifting heavy pots and boxes. Plus, I learned to water ski for free during off hours. Back then, it was necessary to talk the camp director into hiring a girl for the job. The second summer I went back by doing laundry-a very sweet deal. It didn’t matter what time I did the laundry. I learned that if I did laundry at night, I could have the next day off. Awesome.

With so many kids growing up into adults with fond memories of summer camp, there are camps angled for adults as well. One of them, Smuggler’s Notch in Vermont, has camp-style experiences for adults meaning when you are at the adult camp, it’s just adults. Kayaking, rock climbing, and disc golf are some of the offerings.

If you are traveling with your family, this is a place where adults can do their activities while kids do theirs. Smuggler’s Notch also has a water park and a variety of things to do throughout the day or night. Some activities are organized, and some are the type where you say from one hour to the next, “What do I feel like doing now?”

If you are looking for a place to have a multi-generational family reunion, this looks like a good option. And, as you can tell from the photograph, this isn’t really a rusic getaway, but more of a resort. Still, there are several hiking and roughing it opportunities.

Video on Outside

by Erik Olsen on

It seems everyone is getting into video these days. And if there is one magazine and online site that I’ve been waiting with bated breath to see enter the online video fray, it’s Outside Magazine. I went over to Outside online to check out what they are doing and while I was not blown away, I did spend some quality time consuming some top-notch vids. Take, for example, a an excerpt they’ve posted from the upcoming film The Ghost Mountain Boys, based on the article “Chasing Ghosts,” by writer James Campbell. I haven’t read the piece yet (still getting through my April issue, alas), but it’s in the May issue of Outside. Then, dear to my Chile-loving heart, there is the five-minute piece called Eco-Trekker on Torres del Paine (one of my favorite spots on earth) with Ian Wrights. Keep scrolling down and you’ll find vids on snowboarding, surfing, climbing and more. Most of them are re-purposed pieces from shows like the above Eco-Trekker, but definitely a good way to while away a few minutes. As I say, it’s a good start for the much-loved outdoor magazine. Not quite where I’d like to see them ultimately, but worthy of a perusal.