EXPEDITION NEWS is a 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, environmentalists, and outdoor enthusiasts. This forum on the outdoors covers projects that stimulate, motivate and educate.
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EXPEDITIONS CROWD THE NORTH POLE
Interest in North Pole expeditions is enormous this season, fueled by five major Arctic expeditions, each with their own unique media appeal.
* Polar Free Expedition
This self-sufficient, human-powered expedition consists of Japan's Nobu Narita, 29, and Acchan Miyagawa, 30, and David Scott, 29, of New Zealand. Polar Free is named for its environmental commitment to leave no trace behind.
* Joint British - Norwegian Expedition
The British and Norwegians have been bitter expedition rivals for almost 100 years. Robert F. Scott's (1868 - 1912) hopes were dashed when he arrived at the South Pole in 1912 only to learn Roald Amundsen (1872-1928) arrived there first over a month earlier. Now Briton David Hempleman-Adams, 40, and Norwegian Rune Gjeldnes, 25, have joined forces in an unsupported polar expedition, reportedly the first joint British-Norwegian expedition to the North Pole.
* Hyoichi Kohno North Pole Expedition
Many observers in the NWT have been impressed with the experience and professionalism of Japan's Hyoichi Kohno, 39, attempting a resupplied skiing expedition to the North Pole from Ward Hunt Island.
* McVities Penguin Polar Relay
Over 20 women have been training in the U.K. for their chance to participate in a relay expedition to the North Pole, led by renowned NWT women outfitters Matty McNair and Denise Martin.
* Nomad North Pole '97
A five-person, supported Dutch expedition is also progressing toward the Pole, reaching as far as N 84.12 degrees latitude by Mar. 31.
STEGER PLANS SOLO SUMMER POLAR EXPEDITION
After multi-million dollar expeditions across Antarctica and the Arctic Ocean, explorer Will Steger, 52, has decided to go on his next trek alone. This summer he plans a simple but risky expedition from the North Pole back to Ellesmere Island.
EXPEDITION FOCUS
Mystery of Amelia Earhart Still
Fascinates
Sixty Years Later
It's been almost 60 years since Amelia Earhart and her navigator Frederick J. Noonan disappeared in the vicinity of the central Pacific's Howland Island. One of the greatest mysteries of the 20th Century, her life still fascinates. This month's Expedition News examines two major expeditions that hope to answer exactly what happened.
EXPEDITION NOTES
The Avalanche Air Bag
Expeditions will always involve certain risks, but technology is doing its best to even up the odds. Word comes of the Avalanche Air Bag System (ABS) from vauDe Sports (pronounced VAW-DAY) of Mammoth Lakes, Calif. This ingenious backpack inflates through a ripcord -activated CO2 cartridge in two seconds.
MEDIA MATTERS
CBS Eye on Expeditions
"Coast to Coast," a primetime news program that premiered in January, is looking for expeditions to document for a new run of shows beginning in June.
EXPEDITION CLASSIFIEDS
The Campers Pantry Free Catalog (USA)
AlpineAire, Chamy, Backpackers Pantry, Harvest Foods, Mountain House, Natural High, Richmoor, Traveling Light, Sqwincher, Milkman Milk, Pack liners, No Rinse Products, Campsuds, Grizzly Gear, Mud Coffee, Boyd Cider & Nog, Pouchmate. (612) 463-3765 phone/fax, Cpantry@aol.com, http://www.alcasoft.com/campers_pantry.
Zegrahm Expeditions
Offers small group travel to unusual destinations in the company of the world's leading experts. Destinations include, Antarctica, South Georgia and The Falklands; Antarctica The Far Side, including Kerguelen Islands, Crozet Islands, and Heard Island; Seychelles, Madagascar, Comoros and Zanzibar; Australia's Kimberley; the first ever circumnavigation of Baffin Island; Aleutian Islands, Kuril Islands, and Kamchatka Peninsula; snorkel and diving expeditions to Palau and Yap; and many more. Look for an announcement in the summer of 1997 regarding our TOURS TO SPACE. Phone: 800-628-8747; Fax: 206-285-5037; E-mail: zoe@zeco.com; Web site: www.zeco.com; Address: 1414 Dexter Avenue N #327, Seattle WA 98109
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EXPEDITION NEWS is published by Blumenfeld and Associates, Inc., 28 Center Street, Darien, CT 06820 USA. Tel. 203-656-3300, fax 203-655-7710. Editor/publisher: Jeff Blumenfeld. Copyright © 1999 Blumenfeld and Associates, Inc. All rights reserved. Subscription rate: US $36/year. E-mail: editor@expeditionnews.com or CompuServe 76226,773. Highlights from EXPEDITION NEWS can be found on the World Wide Web at ExpeditionNews.com.