EXPEDITION NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
October 1998 - Volume Five, Number Ten
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, explorers, environmentalists and outdoor enthusiasts. This forum on exploration covers projects that stimulate, motivate and educate.
TRIGGER SHOOTS FOR WINTER ASCENT OF MCKINLEY
Mt. McKinley, also known by its Athabaskan Indian name, "Denali," is considered one of the most dangerous mountains in the world because of its latitude (63 degrees N), as well as its altitude of 20,320-ft. (6194 m). The National Park Service Web site says McKinley in winter is one of the most hostile environments on this planet and warns, "winter climbing in Denali borders on the ridiculous more because of its unfathomable risks than because of its mountaineering challenge." Still, climbers are lured to the mountain at its worst.
Planning the first winter ascent of the north side of Mt. McKinley via the precipitous 14,000-ft. Wickersham Wall is Trigger Twigg, of Talkeetna, Alaska, a 48-year-old one-of-a-kind combination mountain man and climber.
RETRACING THE LOST '49ERS THROUGH FORBIDDEN GROUND
It is one of the saddest chapters of the California Gold Rush. In November 1849, a wagon train of impatient prospectors took an ill-fated right turn off the tried-and-true Spanish Trail looking for a shortcut to the California gold fields.
On Dec. 18, archaeologist Jerry Freeman, 56, of Pearblossom, Calif., will lead a five-member '49er Expedition Team on a three-week, 200-mi. trek to trace the wagon train's 150-year-old escape route to safety. The expedition will be a continuation of the team's 1996 expedition that followed their entry into the region.
HALLOWEEN CLIMB TO DRACULA'S CASTLE
In time for Halloween 2000, Michael Coyne, a Massachusetts State Trooper, plans to ascend to Dracula's Castle, deep within the Transylvania Alps of Romania. It's a trip he and his team will dedicate to the promotion of an ample blood supply in the U.S.
EXPEDITION NOTES
Woman Sets Rowing Record - A woman's bid to become the first American and first woman to row alone and unsupported across an ocean ended last month after she was rescued in the Atlantic during a massive air and sea search. American Victoria "Tori" Murden, 35, was picked up by the merchant vessel "Independent Spirit" 950-mi. west of Brest, France, her destination. She set a world record for the longest time at sea for any woman solo rower (85 days), and the most miles rowed by any American - man or woman (2,653 n.m.).
Frozen Assets - Four items from South Pole expeditions led by Captain Robert F. Scott and Sir Ernest Shackleton were withdrawn from a Christie's auction in London last month after mounting opposition from polar experts, including American Jeff Rubin, author of the Lonely Planet guidebook "Antarctica: A Travel Survival Kit." Rubin called the planned sale a "disappointing assault on Antarctica's cultural heritage."
EXPEDITION FOCUS
Exploration 101 - Royal Geographic Society Helps Explorers Plan
On Nov. 14-15 over 50 leading field scientists and explorers from around the U.K. and Europe will gather in London to share their expertise in a series of talks and workshops covering all aspects of expedition planning. "Explore '98" will focus upon equipment, fund raising, and medical matters, as well as developing project ideas, safety, and environmental responsibility.
The annual weekend seminar is one of many support programs from the Royal Geographic Society that help explorers plan for an expedition, raise money, find teammates, explore safely, and report back.
MEDIA MATTERS
It's Not a Job. It's an Adventure - The National Outdoor Leadership School has started a new publication called "Career Explorer" that focuses on career opportunities in the outdoor industry. Published six times a year (a subscription costs $50), it lists approximately 300 classified jobs annually and profiles companies and people involved in the industry.
EN BEGINS SPONSOR DEVELOPMENT SERVICE
Expedition News begins its fifth year this month with a new sponsorship development service for corporations interested in testing their products in the kind of extreme conditions explorers call home. By matching sponsors with expeditions, we hope to foster the continued exploration of land, sea and space, while creating some great stories for future issues of EN. (For more information: Jeff Blumenfeld, 203 855 9400 ).
EXPEDITION CLASSIFIEDS
The World of Zegrahm Expeditions - Adventure travel to intriguing destinations on earth, undersea and space, ideal for the inquisitive traveler. Small group expeditions guided by leading naturalists and experts are operated year-round with great care for the environment, fragile wildlife areas and cultures. Join ZEGRAHM EXPEDITIONS in its eighth year exploring Antarctica, the South Pacific, Arctic, Indian Ocean and other frontiers. With ZEGRAHM DEEPSEA VOYAGES, board a variety of deep-diving submersibles to search for rare marine life, fascinating geological formations and remote shipwrecks. At the forefront of space tourism is ZEGRAHM SPACE VOYAGES, offering a 7-day space experience travel program featuring a space flight to 100 km above sea level - official "astronaut altitude." For reservations and more information: Zegrahm Expeditions, 1414 Dexter Avenue N. #327, Seattle, WA 98109 U.S.A. Phone: 800-628-8747, 206-285-4000; Fax: 206-285-5037; E-mail/Web site: zoe@zeco.com/www.zeco.com. Space and DeepSea Voyages phone: 888-772-2366, 206-2853743; Fax: 206-285-7390; E-mail/web site: zsv@ spacevoyages.com/www.spacevoyages.com.
EXPEDITION NEWS is published by Blumenfeld and Associates, Inc., 28 Center Street, Darien, CT 06820 USA. USA. Tel. 203 855 9400, fax 203 855 9433, e-mail editor@ExpeditionNews.com. Editor/publisher: Jeff Blumenfeld. Copyright © 1999 Blumenfeld and Associates, Inc. All rights reserved. Subscriptions: US$36 /yr.; international postal rate US$46/yr. Highlights from Expedition News are also located at www.mountainzone.com/news/expedition where you can order a subscription to the full edition with your credit card.