Great Outdoors
runs a cool interview
in video (crappy sound, though) with Ed Viesturs. He talks with Great Outdoors editor, Peter Potterfield about the
challenges of climbing Annapurna, the last of his fourteen 8,000-meter peaks.
Joshua Tree blog
Here’s another fine site that should not be missed. Kolby Kirk’s
Joshua Tree blog was a welcome surpise.
Just happened to be clicking around randomly and came upon it. The first thing that struck me was some of the
great photography. But there’s more. Kirk
adds bits of wisdom along the way and some interesting factoids about Joshua Tree itself. To wit, that the Joshua Tree
“is technically a member of the lili family. Their trunks are made of a flesh-like pulp that do not create rings like a
tree. The name was given to the plant by the Mormons passing through the desert in 1851. Due to the lack of food, or
possibly because the extreme temperatures, the Mormons saw the plant as the prophet Joshua pointing them to the
promised land.”
Didn’t know that. And I’ve been there.
Conrad Anker
Fans of extreme climbing might like to check out Conrad Anker’s personal
Web site. There’s not a huge amount of stuff here, but a few great photos and a link to a (relatively)
recent expedition to Antarctica. You can even drop the big guy
a note and say hello.
Climbing Japan
Climbing Magazine has got a piece about climbing in
Futagoyama, a limestone area two hours outside of Tokyo, and
home to probably the most difficult sports climb in Asia. The article has great photos and a solid rundown of this
well-known climbing spot.
