EXPEDITION NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Welcome to Expedition News: the following are highlights from our April 2002 issue. For a free sample copy, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to the below address. – The Editors

Highlights - April 2002 - Volume Nine, Number Four

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.

AFRICAN-AMERICANS ATTEMPT SEVEN SUMMITS

Why are there so few African-Americans participating in great American outdoor sports like climbing? According to Elliott Boston III, a stock broker and enthusiast of the great outdoors - who happens to be African-American - the answer can be found in a lack of exposure and a dearth of role models.

“In the media, minorities are always shown playing the traditional sports, but rarely participating in outdoor activities,” says Boston. “I decided that our expedition would focus on getting minorities interested and aware about the great American outdoors by making history with our Pioneer Climbing Expedition.”

Boston and his climbing partner, Stephen K. Shobe, are embarking on an effort to be the first African-Americans to climb the Seven Summits of the world. They completed phase one of their quest last month, with the ascent of 22,841-ft. Mount Aconcagua in Argentina, the highest peak in the Americas. The trek to the summit and return took 2-1/2 weeks. Next stop: Denali in Alaska, which is scheduled to begin in June. The two expect to complete the conquest of all seven summits by spring 2003.

BIKES ON ICE In February 2003, a group of experienced Arctic cyclists are planning to ride mountain bikes down the frozen Yukon River and up the Bering Sea coast between Dawson, Yukon and Nome, Alaska.

The 5 to 6 week journey will commemorate two remarkable 1,000-mi. bicycle trips in 1900 that forever shaped Klondike Gold Rush legend.

EXPEDITION NOTES

My Three Sons - As the countdown to the 50th anniversary of the first ascent of Mount Everest begins, National Geographic has announced a major expedition to the world’s highest peak that will include the sons of three of the most renowned climbers in Everest history.

In May 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay were the first to summit Everest - one of the greatest achievements of their time. In 1963, National Geographic staff member Barry Bishop and four other climbers became the first Americans to make it to the top.

On Everest this May, National Geographic unites the sons of these great climbers, Peter Hillary, Jamling Norgay and Brent Bishop - accomplished climbers in their own right - to celebrate their fathers’ achievements. They will join expedition leader Peter Athans, who has summited Everest six times - more than any other Westerner.

It’s a Bug’s Life – Serve bugs for the Explorers Club annual dinner (ECAD) and people are bound to notice. This was especially true last year when the New York City Board of Health called nervously for the recipe after a number of complaints.

Last month, the tarantula were back. This time they were marinated in Jack Daniels and had their hairs nicely singed to reduce the possibility of allergic reactions. Good thing. They blew through 200 of the little buggers at a cost of about $120 a pop when you factor in food prep by gourmet chefs at the Waldorf=Astoria.

“You have to remember, in many countries besides America, insects are a source of protein,” said Exotics hors d’oeuvres committee chairman Gene Rurka. (Note to self: burn passport).

Rurka casually strolled the dinner with an Explorer’s Martini, a drink right out of NBC’s “Fear Factor” - bobbing in his glass was a hog’s eyeball with an olive inside.

Explorers Club Elects Youngest President – The day after the annual dinner, The Explorers Club elected the youngest president in the organization’s 98-year history. Richard Wiese, 42, of New York, a television journalist and independent documentary producer, assumes leadership from the Club’s first woman president, Faanya L. Rose, whose term expired this month.

The board of directors also named naturalist and wildlife educator Jim Fowler to honorary Club president. Sir Edmund Hillary remains as Honorary Chairman and Honorary Director.

Nepal and Pakistan Try to Boost Climbing - The governments of Nepal and Pakistan have made dramatic changes to their peak fees and climbing regulations in an effort to lure-back climbers who have abandoned the Himalayan nations following domestic unrest and the war against terrorism.

First Mountaineering Museum Planned for Colorado - The National Geographic Society has joined with the American Alpine Club and the Colorado Mountain Club to create a state-of-the-art museum in Golden, Colo., that will chronicle the history of mountaineering and climbing worldwide.

MEDIA MATTERS Mystery Afghan Cover Girl Found - She was one of the world’s most famous faces, yet no one knew who she was. Her image appeared on the front of magazines and books, posters, lapel pins, and even rugs, but she didn't know it. Now, after searching for 17 years, National Geographic has once again found the Afghan girl with the haunting green eyes.

The mysterious “Afghan girl” whose direct gaze has intrigued the West for so long is Sharbat Gula who lives in a remote region of Afghanistan with her husband and three daughters.

Gula was located nearly two decades after her picture appeared on the cover of National Geographic magazine in 1985. She had no idea her face had become an icon, said Steve McCurry, the photographer who created the famous portrait for National Geographic in 1984, and who tried to find her again during many subsequent trips to Pakistan and Afghanistan.

EXPEDITION CLASSIFIEDS

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Absolute Adventure Himalaya Climbing Expeditions with Daniel Mazur – 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

Join the AAC - Founded in 1902, The American Alpine Club is dedicated to promoting climbing knowledge, conserving mountain environments, and serving the American climbing community.

Your membership benefits include: rescue insurance, timely publications, expedition endorsements, library privileges, discounts, advocacy, and much more. Call 303 384 0110 or log onto www.americanalpineclub.org.