EXPEDITION NEWS is the monthly review of significant expeditions, research projects and newsworthy adventures. It is distributed online and by mail to media representatives, corporate sponsors, educators, research librarians, explorers, environmentalists, and outdoor enthusiasts. This forum on exploration covers projects that stimulate, motivate and educate.
In the late 1990's, a Teutonic cowboy from Germany traveled around the world with two horses. Two Australians are still circling Australia with two camels. And now, it's America's turn. Alex Mitham, 26, an architect and part-time farmer from Alton in southern England, plans to cross America with six camels in 2002-03. Lest you think expeditions with animals are some crazy new trend in exploration, the American Camel Expedition has a single noble purpose: to raise $100,000 each for The Imperial Cancer Research Fund (www.imperialcancer.co.uk) and The Wild Camel Protection Foundation (www.wildcamels.com).
Geezer on Everest - While one climber wants to be the youngest to reach the Seven Summits (See Expedition Notes), Chicagoan Albert C. Hanna is aiming for "Geezer on Everest" honors. Hanna is closing in on his 72nd birthday - and another attempt at setting the record to become the oldest person to climb Mount Everest. He is more than seven years older than Sherman Bull of Connecticut was when he set the record at age 64 last year.
"Ordinary" Women Plan North Pole Trek - Braving shifting ice and polar bears, three "ordinary"
British women hope to become the first female team to reach both the North and South Poles when they cross the
frozen top of the world later this year.
The women, including single mother of young triplets, Ann Daniels, 37, entered the record books as part of the
UK's first female team to reach the South Pole on foot in 2000, according to Reuters.
In The Name of Science - A member of an expedition to Antarctica last month had the unenviable task of studying
bacteria in penguin feces. While stranded in the southern Chilean town of Punta Arenas in late December waiting
for a flight to Patriot Hills, a team led by Paul Sipiera, a veteran Antarctic explorer and professor of astronomy
and geology at Harper College in Palatine, Illinois, collected penguin excrement in a rookery located south of
Punta Arenas.
Expedition member Birgit Sattler, a microbiologist from the University of Innsbruck in Austria, examined the excrement,
hoping to find microorganisms.
Hanging by a Thread - Karl Amonson is making a living in a profession few would ever believe could even be a
profession. A resident of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Amonson, 33, calls himself an extreme alpine tailor, and owns Xtreme
Alpine Tailoring (XAT). For a select group of customers, this self-sufficient part-time fishing guide manufacturers
and sells his own line of fishing waders, packs, tents, and other outdoor gear, and makes his own fishhooks. XAT
also repairs gear of all types, including replacing zippers and tent screens, patching sleeping bags, and seam
sealing.
"Outdoor enthusiasts spend a lot of money on the most technological equipment this side of a spacesuit, equipment
that's meant to withstand the harshest elements on earth," he says. "After tearing it apart on a car
bumper, tree limb or rock wall, we can repair their investment so they'll be set for their next adventure."
Amonson continues, "There's no such thing as bad weather, only inadequate clothing." Seems like he'd
be a good man to have around the next time you're on the ice and faced with repairing a blown pair of gloves with
some dental floss, staples, SuperGlue, and duct tape. (For more information: Karl Amonson, 877-550-4624, 208-528-9554, idahofishook@aol.com)
Filmmaker Seeks Projects - Jeff Swimmer, a documentary film director/producer is looking for dramatic and exciting upcoming expeditions/ adventures to film for worldwide broadcast. He has extensive contacts with American and European broadcasters and distributors, and is looking for people with strong character willing to take on challenging or unusual expeditions or quests. A science component to the project is helpful. (For more information: jswimmer@earthlink.net)
- A first-class guide service offering guests the most complete and professional hiking and backpacking guide service at the Grand Canyon. All trips include professional guides, transportation, gear, gourmet meals, and all National Park fees. Special group rates available for families, corporations, and special interest groups. For additional information, please visit www.innergorge.com or contact our office toll-free at 877 787 4453.
- WWW.WebExpeditions.net and Expedition News are pleased to announce a joint project to bring free EN highlights to webExpeditions.net visitors. Get up-to-date information on major expeditions and adventures, media information, and classifieds delivered right to your e-mail box. The highlights are free, but the complete version will remain available only by subscription – still only US$36/year (US$46 via international mail).
- You can now subscribe to Expedition News, or renew, with a credit card through www.PayPal.com. It’s free and easy to sign up, plus you can use PayPal to buy lots of useless stuff on EBay.
Announcing new lowered prices due to recent events. These are full service expeditions, including Sherpa and all costs inside Nepal: Amadablam 2002-05, $3,950; Kangchenjunga 2002, $6,950; Manaslu 2003, $6,950; Dhaulagiri 2004, $6,950; Pumori 2002-05, $3,950. We now offer our new low-budget expeditions: Mustagh-Ata 2002-05, $1,450; Cho-Oyu 2002-05, $4,650; Everest 2002-05, $6,000. Everything for the novice, intermediate and expert since 1987. 206 329 4107, summitclimb@earthlink.net, www.summitclimb.com
EXPEDITION NEWS is published by Blumenfeld and Associates, Inc., 137 Rowayton Avenue, Suite 210, Rowayton, CT 06853 USA. Tel. 203 855 9400, fax 203 855 9433, blumassoc@aol.com. Editor/publisher: Jeff Blumenfeld. Assistant editor: Jessica Brown. ©2002 Blumenfeld and Associates, Inc. All rights reserved. ISSN: 1526-8977. Subscriptions: US$36/yr.; international postal rate US$46/yr. Credit card payments accepted through www.paypal.com. Highlights from EXPEDITION NEWS can be found at www.expeditionnews.com and www.webexpeditions.net. Layout and design by Nextwave Design, Seattle.