Nat Geo: 3 Explorers/People to Watch in 2005

by Erik Olsen on

Who will be making the big break-throughs, the big accomplishments in the world of adventure next year? National
Geographic Adventure comes up with three
folks who they say are bound to impress. It’s an eclectic chioce, but here goes.

First is Norman Vaughan who, in December 2005, will celebrate his 100th birthday atop Antarctica’s 10,302-foot
(3,140-meter) Mount Vaughan (yes, named for him. He was with Admiral Byrd on the first American expedition to the South
Pole in 1928.) One hundred years old and dealing with crampons rather than cramps is indeed impressive.

Then there’s Allison Gannet who next fall, will climb Nepal’s 22,000-foot (6,707-meter) Gyaglen Peak, the site of the
first all-woman expedition to the Himalaya 50 years ago. OK, big time climber, that’s cool.

And finally (I suppose this counts as an adventurer…a little odd though…maybe he’s related to someone at Nat Geo)
there is Mark Oleson, a shoe designer and the brains behind the Adidas 1, a ground-breaking state-of-the-art shoe due
out next year. Shoe-designer…hmmm. OK, well let’s hope it’s a really great shoe.

Go Hike the Canyon

by Erik Olsen on

Watch the geological progress of time written in the layers of
sediment at the Grand Canyon … OK, don’t do that. That would be really boring.
Instead, take a gnarly trek through the gaping rift of the canyon, burning calories and checking out the gorgeous
scenery. And you get to learn a little bit along the way. The
Grand Canyon Field Institute offers guided treks into the
canyon led by a professional geologist.

The trips are five days long and said to be fairly rigorous, so flabsters need not apply unless you get your butt
into shape first. The days are filled with education and hiking, the nights campfires and friendly chat at Hermit
Creek, Monument Creek and Indian Garden campgrounds. Do the trip early in the year, though, becaues summer at the
canyon can be brutal.

Getting High

by Erik Olsen on

Here’s a goal: climb the highest peaks in each of our 50 states. OK, then just name them. McKinley (20,320) in
Alaska is obvious. So is Whitney (14,494 feet) in California. But what about, say, Kansas? Bob Dole would know, but do
you? Well, it’s Mount Sunflower at 4,039 feet. Now just 47 to go.

Here’s help. Backpacker Magazine has a
feature on the top peaks in all the states. This would be a pretty sweet accomplishment for a lifetime, to just start
bagging these. Maybe start off easy: Driskell Mountain in Louisiana. Hit Mardi Gras first, then hike this meager
molehill. Then Backbone Mountain in Maryland. Keep going. Still 45 states, 45 hills. 45 little lifetime goals.

Epic Effort in Antarctica

by Erik Olsen on

Patrick Woodhead and his team of explorers

reached the South Pole on Wednesday and became the first adventurers to retrace the steps of Norwegian pioneer
Roald Amundsen. They finished their epic trip in just 37 days. Really an amazing feat. Ballsy.

The team, consisting of three Brits and a Canadian (cold up here, eh?) are going to try to set a record for the
fastest crossing of all of Antarctica. You can read up on Woodhead’s other accomplishments at his site
here.

Festiglace du Québec

by Erik Olsen on

The world’s biggest ice climbing event takes place next year from February 18 to 20, on the
spectacular walls of the Jacques-Cartier River in Pont-Rouge, Quebec. The
Festiglace du Québec The North Face is a gathering of many of
the world’s best ice climbers, as well as folks who just want to learn how to ice climb themselves. There are clinics
and lessons for amateurs, equipment companies will show off their wares, and there will be presentations by several key
figures in the ice climbing word. Got nothing better to do in February? Get yourself a ticket.