As a young man I often wished I could make a difference in the world. I wondered what it would be like to be an advocate for preserving great outdoor places and to spend my days outside in nature’s beauty making change happen. Today’s youth need not wonder; the 2012 Outdoor Nation Summits provide a fantastic opportunity to get outside and be a part of something big.

Sponsored by Merrell, the Outdoor Nation movement has a serious backer willing to chip in and make its projects a reality. “Outdoor Nation is a unique, game changing program that we are proud and excited to support,” said Stephanie Ofili, marketing manager at Merrell. “Together we can inspire a new generation to unplug and re-connect with friends and families in the best and biggest playground – the outdoors. We hope our continued support and work with delegates will inspire more people to get outside with the long term goal of increased outdoor participation.”

The 2012 Summits will be held in Boston, New York, Washington DC, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Austin, Denver, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Each two-day Summit will bring together the next generation of outdoor activists, ages 16 to 28, to identify pressing outdoor issues, discuss and develop strategies to address these barriers and commit to taking action together. In addition to tackling the issues that are keeping their generation indoors, participants will receive training from top experts, covering such topics as community organizing, media relations and fundraising.

This year, Merrell will sponsor up to 35 delegates who will not only attend the Summits but will serve as outreach ambassadors. If you know someone who might be interested in applying please share this registration link with them.

www.outdoornation.org/2012merrellregistration

In a historic effort to spark a movement for natural medicine on Main Street, America, Dr. Dennis Godby, ND and his family, two sons and nephew will run across the United States. The Run will begin in San Francisco on July 17, 2011, and end in Bridgeport, CT on November 16, 2011. The coast-to-coast Run is designed to educate and empower Americans about natural health care options: in preventing disease, finding and treating the cause of illness, and revitalizing the nation’s health. The Run: Moving Natural Medicine Forward, will cross the United States on foot to promote the causes of empowered health care choices throughout America – its mission includes increasing the health of the American people, providing information about sustainable and quality holistic health care options, and educating the public about healthy lifestyle management and health maintenance. The four-month, ninety city journey hopes to introduce the concept of “naturopathic medicine” into the national vocabulary, and make “naturopathic doctor a household term. The Run will also lead to increased health care options for Americans by stimulating interest in naturopathic care, and encouraging more comprehensive insurance coverage for these alternate primary care choices.

A Natural Approach to Wellness Naturopathic Medicine is a natural approach to health and healing that recognizes the integrity of the whole person and represents the ‘vitalistic’ tradition of medicine in our Western world. It treats disease through the stimulation, increase, and support of each person’s inherent healing capacity. Treatments are chosen to work with the patient’s natural adaptive physiology, respecting the innate healing processes of nature. The practice of Naturopathic Medicine includes six underlying principles of healing – principles that make Naturopathic Medicine different from all other medical approaches:
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10 Ways to Save Water in the Home:

1. Instead of running the tap for cold drinks, keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator. This way, less water goes to hydrate you and doesn’t go down the drain.

2. Shorten your shower by a minute or two and you’ll save up to 150 gallons per month.

3. Use the same glass for drinking water all day, or a refillable bottle, effectively cutting down on the number of glasses to wash.

4. Soak pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.

5. Turn off the water while brushing your teeth and save 25 gallons a month.

6. Turn off the water while you shave and save up to 300 gallons a month.

7. There’s always a couple of ice cubes that fall on the ground, or a cup full of ice left over from a to-go drink. Don’t throw those cubes in the sink to melt, drop them in a house plant instead.

8. The toilet is not an ashtray or wastebasket. Don’t use it as a dumping ground for tissues, cigarette butts (if you must smoke), or other small pieces of trash. Every time you flush, five to seven gallons of water is wasted.

9. Put plastic bottles filled with sand or pebbles and water in your toilet tank to cut down on water waste. This may save ten or more gallons of water per day, but be sure at least 3 gallons of water remain in the tank so it will flush properly.

10. Newer dishwashers are very efficient, no need to rinse those dishes, just load them straight in to the dishwasher!

Thanks to the folks over at Vere Sandals for sending us this list.

Here are our Top 10 Tips for making small, REALISTIC changes to your daily life that can help reduce your carbon footprint over the remainder of this year:

1. Change your light bulbs. As your current incandescent bulbs burn out, consider replacing with compact fluorescent bulbs.

2. Turn the water off while brushing your teeth. As a multi-tasker myself…I always apply the toothpaste, then moisten the toothbrush and go around the house doing other things while brushing. Therefore, I eliminate multiple gallons of water flowing down the drain.

3. Consider recycling. A lot of us already do this and curbside recycling has made this even easier. If you do not currently participate, consider picking one or two items this year to recycle.

4. Subscribe to a digital publication. A lot of publications are now producing digital counterparts to their print versions. Only 1 in 4 print copies at the newsstand actually make it into the hands of a consumer. Guess where the rest go?

5. I operate under the premise when making a purchase to purchase better and less often. It may cost a little more up front…but in the long run, you will get better products and have to purchase those products less often. And, when you are ready to upgrade again, consider passing that product onto someone else to increase its lifespan and reduce its potential to end up in a landfill prematurely.
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In a historic effort to spark a movement for natural medicine on Main Street, America, Dr. Dennis Godby, ND, will run across the USA for the second time – this time with his two sons and nephew. The Run will begin in San Francisco on July 17, 2011, and end in Bridgeport, CT on November 16, 2011. The coast-to-coast Run is designed to educate and empower Americans about natural health care options: in preventing disease, finding and treating the cause of illness, and revitalizing the nation’s health. The Run: Moving Natural Medicine Forward, will cross the United States on foot to promote the causes of empowered health care choices throughout America – its mission includes increasing the health of the American people, providing information about sustainable and quality holistic health care options, and educating the public about healthy lifestyle management and health maintenance. The four-month, ninety city journey hopes to introduce the concept of “naturopathic medicine” into the national vocabulary, and make “naturopath” a household term. The Run will also lead to increased health care options for Americans by stimulating interest in naturopathic care, and encouraging more comprehensive insurance coverage for these alternate primary care choices.

A Natural Approach to Wellness Naturopathic Medicine is a natural approach to health and healing that recognizes the integrity of the whole person and represents the ‘vitalistic’ tradition of medicine in our Western world. It treats disease through the stimulation, increase, and support of each person’s inherent healing capacity.  Treatments are chosen to work with the patient’s natural adaptive physiology, respecting the innate healing processes of nature. The practice of Naturopathic Medicine includes six underlying principles of healing – principles that make Naturopathic Medicine different from all other medical approaches: Continue Reading

Since we are a digital only publication and understand the importance of reducing our impact on our environment, I wanted to share a press release that I received today about Kokatat and its recent installation of a solar electric system!

Manufacturing water sports apparel and gear in Arcata, Calif. for 40 years, Kokatat has always set a benchmark for green business practices in the northern California region. Kokatat continues to raise the standards with their investment in a 26-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system. The project is expected to provide approximately 35,000kW hours of electricity per year, equal to 16 percent of the company’s total electric demand.

The rack system was designed, manufactured and installed by local companies and contractors. The solar installation is one of the largest in Humboldt County.

“To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest solar photovoltaic system installed by a private business in the county,” said Kit Mann, project manager for Kokatat. “There are two schools and a health clinic with larger systems.”

Mann explained that the amount of electricity generated by the system will be enough to run the more than 40 sewing machines on Kokatat’s production floor. “We can honestly say that our sewing machines run on the sun,” said Mann.
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If you happen to be in the area this Saturday, this is a great opportunity to contribute to both the environment and to a humanitarian cause.

Airwalk, the Colorado-based leading global youth lifestyle brand, will sponsor a beach clean-up event in conjunction with the Oahu chapter of The Surfrider Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world’s oceans, waves and beaches. The event will take place on Saturday, December 11th from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Oahu’s North Shore at SunsetBeach. Airwalk pro surfer Anastasia Ashley will participate in the clean-up effort and speak on environmental threats affecting beaches and oceans.

Lunch will be provided for participants, during which Ashley will facilitate a discussion on environmental threats and conduct an interactive Q&A with participants. The clean-up is the second that Ashley is participating in with the Surfrider Foundation. Last December, Ashley also took part in a clean-up atSunset Beach, where she gave away 25 pairs of her signature Airwalk sneaker.

This year, in addition to the clean up effort, Airwalk and Ashley will give away the “Hope” shoe from Airwalk’sThe Good Shoe Project to the first 30 participants arriving on site. The Airwalk “Hope” shoe will go on sale beginning December 15, 2010. For each “Hope” shoe sold through Feb. 14, 2010, Airwalk will donate one pair to a child in need in Central America. In keeping with the spirit of the program, a pair of shoes will be donated to the Good Shoe Project for each of the 30 pairs being given away at the event. The “Hope” shoe can be purchased at any Payless ShoeSource store, as well as online at www.payless.com for just $19.99.

“I’m thrilled to partner with Surfrider again this year,” Ashley said. “I’m also excited about the opportunity to spread the word about the Hope shoe and The Good Shoe Project. The beach clean-up not only allows me to give back, but this year I can raise awareness about Airwalk’s great cause shoes for children in need It’s a win-win for everyone involved.”

“Anastasia continues to prove herself as a driven athlete and brand ambassador year after year, and we admire that she also finds time to support great causes like The Surfrider Foundation and The Good Shoe Project,” said Eric Dreyer, Vice President of Brand Management at Collective Licensing International. “We are very proud to support Anastasia and the Surfrider Foundation in their collaborative effort to clean up Oahu’s Sunset Beach, while spreading the word about the Hope shoe.”

Via Press Release

Charity bike rides are no new concept. Many many good people have donated their time to raise money for worthy causes by riding their bikes and collecting donation pledges. I love this concept and wanted to do a charity ride of my own. But where would I go? What charity would I support? I thought these would be the toughest questions to answer, but it turns out the hardest was answering the naysayers who couldn’t comprehend how I could ride a bike for seven days straight – or why I’d even want to.

I live near Nashville Tennessee. Just south of this great city lies one end of the Natchez Trace Parkway. This scenic byway has a speed limit of 50 mph, doesn’t have power lines or commercial signage, and lacks any commercial business on its shoulders. The other end of “The Trace” dead-ends in Natchez Mississippi, forming a 442 mile cycling dream. The well-maintained National Park roadway slips through the farm land and hardwood and coniferous forests of the American south. Including all my side trips to small towns and historic sites, I plan on pedaling around 500 miles on this charity ride. The funds being raised for this effort are going to the Humane Society, and donations can be made online at FirstGiving.com/PedalforPups.

The ride is sponsored by Merrell, who supports many charities through various programs. Merrell has kindly given to the cause and donated gear for the trip. I’m always impressed with this companies openness to give back. Thanks Merrell!

Most people that I’ve talked to about my trip are excited about the idea and love the fund raising aspect. Those not initiated to endurance sports don’t quite understand how a person can pedal a bike 500 miles in a week. This is the one question I didn’t prepare for since I ride my bike over 100 miles a week (in my spare time) and know people who easily ride over 100 miles in a day. Many people I’ve told have even said, “You could just drive a car, ya know?” But what fun would that be? And who wants to donate money to someone who is going to drive their car 500 miles?

For the readers of the Adventure World Magazine blog and digital magazine, I know I’m preaching to the choir. Many of you have accomplished much greater feats than this, and have most likely raised much more money than my campaign will. Adventure is in our blood. I wish it were more contagious, but I know journeys like this aren’t for everyone.

How do YOU explain why you challenge yourself the adventures you take on? I’d love a great one-liner that could help people grasp the concept of doing something slightly outside your comfort zone, for a good cause.

Next month, Cynthia Aguilar will attempt to complete a 130 mile solo paddle board crossing from Cuba to Key West. Her goal is raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and her non-profit organization, Keep Paddlin’, Inc. The 26-year-old is out to show people that one person can make a difference. She has undertaken other endurance events as a way to raise money and awareness for individuals and groups. She also hosts paddleboard races as a way to help others in need.

We can’t pass an opportunity to promote events/groups looking to bring attention to our troops both foreign and domestic that serve their countries and come home and are looking for a healthy return. We applaud the Veterans International Aid (VIA).

Veterans International Aid (VIA) is a UK based charity that helps veterans who have suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) by getting them involved in adventurous events that rebuilds confidence and self esteem.

We are currently doing a series of walks that will be done over the next 3 years called the Union Flag Walks that will cover approximately 9,000 miles and will form the Union Flag when completed. In May this year we started our first walk which was a 1200 mile walk from John O’ ‘Groats in North East Scotland to Land’s End in South West England. This formed the first part of the St. Andrews Flag on the Union Flag This walk wa completed in 27 days as a relay event.

We start our second in the series of walks on the 14th of August 2010 which will be approximately 500 miles along the south coast of England from Land’s End to Dover which will form one of the outside edges of the flag. This again will be manned by veterans who suffer from PTSD.

The 3rd in the series will be a shorter walk of 84 miles along Hadrians Wall which crosses from Cumbria on the west coast of England to Northumberland on the east coast. This roughly marks the border between Scotland and England and was a wall built by the Romans. This will form the vertical part of the St. Georges Flag on the Union Flag.

In May 2011 we will be walking from Dover in the South East of England to Cape Wrath in the North West of Scotland in the 4th in the series of walks. This will complete the St.Andrews Flag on the Union Flag and again will be approximately 1200 miles.
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Teva® (a division of Deckers Outdoor Corporation) announces today its commitment to raise awareness and assist in the Gulf Of Mexico clean-up through a commitment of $100,000 through long-term partner, Waterkeeper Alliance.

“Waterkeeper Alliance is extremely grateful for the generous support of Teva in the face of this tragedy. Overcoming the damage from this ongoing disaster will demand a lot from us all, and it is heartening to see a brand like Teva stepping up to the plate,” says Kristine Stratton, Executive Director of Waterkeeper Alliance.

On Earth Day, 2010, the Gulf of Mexico was rocked with one of the worst environmental disasters in U.S. history. Already, fishing between the Mississippi River and Florida Panhandle has been shut down, putting incredible strain on the men and women who rely on the Gulf for their livelihood. Countless jobs will be and have been lost in the Gulf’s fishing and tourism industries, further pummeling an already struggling regional economy. The waters of the Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama and Mexico coastlines will be affected for years to come.

Through Teva’s continued commitment to being stewards of clean water along with their partnership with Waterkeeper Alliance, the emergency donation from Teva will assist in the effort to protect and clean up this delicate area. Together they will save marine life, wildlife, beaches and waterways that are relied on for fishing and recreation, and — most importantly – water.

“Water is the most precious of our natural resources, yet every day in the Gulf Region it is becoming more polluted,” says Pete Worley, Teva Brand President. “Teva has existed for over 25 years thanks to the waterways around the world that have been explored and enjoyed. This heritage, along with our longstanding partnership with Waterkeeper Alliance, is what compelled us to donate $100,000 to raise awareness for the Save Our Gulf effort. But that’s only a drop in the bucket. The time to act is now, because we are all part of the solution.”

Teva is tapping into their community in an effort to raise further awareness and funds for this effort. Join Teva at facebook.com/teva to find out how you can help in reaching the local Waterkeeper chapter’s goal of $250,000 towards this effort.

Via press release

Photo at top by John L. Wathen

Every year the 3 Peaks 3 Weeks Challenge unites women from around the globe to take part in an epic journey aiming to lessen the impact of poverty on the African Continent. They climb three of Africa’s highest peaks to raise funds for three peak issues; environment, education and health.

3 Peaks 3 Weeks has found a definitive factor in the success and sustainability behind our organisation: women. Not only is our entire challenge run by women but also by supporting women in East Africa, our efforts extend from the individual and family beyond to the community level.

The 5th annual 3 Peaks 3 Weeks Challenge is now accepting applications for their 5th team of women from around the world. To date 3 Peaks 3 Weeks has represented the following countries: Australia, Canada, France, Ireland, United Kingdom and the United States. To mark 2012 as the biggest yet, the event aims to hit their $1 million fundraising mark. Do you have what it takes to climb three of Africa’s highest peaks in less than 3 weeks AND raise critical funds for grassroots organisations in East Africa? Email fiona@savetherhino.org for an application or visit www.3peaks3weeks.org.

Happy 40th Anniversary to Earth Day! In the spirit of Earth Day, we have recycled this posting from last year. The information is just as valid today as it was last year!

Here are our Top 10 Tips (potentially 11) for making small, REALISTIC changes to your daily life that can help reduce your carbon footprint over the remainder of this year:

1. Change your light bulbs. As your current incandescent bulbs burn out, consider replacing with compact fluorescent bulbs.

2. Turn the water off while brushing your teeth. As a multi-tasker myself…I always apply the toothpaste, then moisten the toothbrush and go around the house doing other things while brushing. Therefore, I eliminate multiple gallons of water flowing down the drain.

3. Consider recycling. A lot of us already do this and curbside recycling has made this even easier. If you do not currently participate, consider picking one or two items this year to recycle.

4. Subscribe to a digital publication. A lot of publications are now producing digital counterparts to their print versions. Only 1 in 4 print copies at the newsstand actually make it into the hands of a consumer. Guess where the rest go?

5. I operate under the premise when making a purchase to purchase better and less often. It may cost a little more up front…but in the long run, you will get better products and have to purchase those products less often. And, when you are ready to upgrade again, consider passing that product onto someone else to increase its lifespan and reduce its potential to end up in a landfill prematurely.
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Trail Events Catering to All Fitness Levels Planned for May 8 At Mission Trails Regional Park

Combine a beautiful mountain trail with hundreds of runners, and walkers, blend in a “scavenger hike” and youth obstacle course. This is a recipe for outdoor adventure that San Diego-based Project Athena will offer in three cities across the U.S. this year, with both competitive and non-competitive components in a one-day event. An emphasis will be placed on encouraging participation from women who are Survivors of serious medical setbacks, who will receive complimentary event registration.

The inaugural AKALI® Project Athena Racing Series will kick off Saturday, May 8, 2010 with the first of three national events in San Diego. This unique recreational series offers a variety of run/walk/adventure activities for all skill levels and age groups – 15K God/Goddess Race (trail run), 6K(ish) Athena Team Trek, and Merrell Mini Athena and Mini Zeus Kidz Challenge. Proceeds at each location will benefit the Project Athena Foundation. This fall, additional competitions will be held in Nashville, Tenn. in September and Raleigh, N.C. in October.
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I just received an email from the PR gals at Mountain Hardwear about this campaign to send kids to camp. It doesn’t cost you anything but a few seconds each day for the next couple of weeks.

There are just three weeks left to click & raise $40K in Mountain Hardwear’s Send a kid to Camp promotion

We are only half way to our goal.

Your click can help Send a Kid to Camp! For every click on the Send a Kid to Camp button at http://www.mountainhardwear.com/GivesBack , Mountain Hardwear will donate $1 towards this program up to a total of $40,000. Help us spread the word. Between now and April 15th, you and your friends can click to Send a Kid to Camp. Don’t forget to return every day to click and show your support!

Our 10 partner camps for 2010:

Big City Mountaineers – Denver, Colorado
City Wild – Denver, Colorado
Girl Ventures – San Francisco, California
Kismet Rock Foundation – North Conway, New Hampshire
Outdoor Outreach – San Diego, California
Sierra Club Inner City Outings – San Jose, California
Sierra Club Inner City Outings – St. Louis, Missouri
SOS Outreach – Avon, Colorado
Summer Search – New York, New York
Youth Enrichment Strategies (YES) – Richmond, California

NEMO Equipment, Inc., manufacturer of AirSupported™ and Extreme Conditions Tents™, sleeping pads and backcountry accessories, has donated over $30,000 in tents and sleeping pads to Haiti relief efforts. Teaming up with Mark Richey Woodworking, a local Newburyport, MA business, NEMO was able to deliver 50 brand new Nano OZ tents, footprints and Removable Insulated Floors, as well as a few previously loved tents from its employees. The tents joined an already scheduled shipment heading to Florida and on to Haiti.

“To date we have collected over 500 tents and 700 sleeping bags, with yet another shipment ready to go. We were thrilled when NEMO offered to add 50 brand new tents and insulated floors to our shipment. Up until now, we had been gathering donations from many individuals and small groups and hadn’t had one of this size. We have also had a tremendous amount of help from Fed Ex and other local companies who have donated transportation for our deliveries as well as boxes for packaging. ” said Mark Richey, President of Mark Richey Woodworking.

Richey added, “I have volunteered in Haiti since the earthquake through Partners in Health, who have been in Haiti for many years, and The Boston Foundation. Both organizations have allowed us to be the collection point for their Haiti Relief drives. It is through them that we have a location in Florida to deliver the donations and the means to get them from Florida to Haiti. I know the demand is high – every tent will be used.”

“We are excited to be able to donate these much needed shelters and Removable Insulated Floors® to the people of Haiti. They have endured so much and hopefully we’ll be giving at least a few families one less thing to worry about with a temporary shelter and soft ground to lie on,” said Cam Brensinger, NEMO president and founder.

In 2010, NEMO has expanded its product line from 12 to 20 tents, along with 4 sleeping pads, a backcountry pillow and accessories. NEMO was founded in 2002 by Cam Brensinger with the commitment to bringing the highest level of design and engineering to the world of outdoor adventure sports. Besides AirSupported Technology®, NEMO has patents pending for its lightweight pumps, washable floor liners, condensation curtains and many more features and accessories which add functionality and comfort to its shelters.

“PlanetExplore is an online community designed to help individuals and families learn about and participate in outdoor activities and events in their area. Powered by partner organizations that share our passion, PlanetExplore is a portal to the outdoors designed to inspire and enable people of all ages to become regularly active outside, and to develop the benefits gained through a connection to nature..” -www.planetexplore.com

On Saturday, February 13th, 2010, in New York City, The North Face (TNF) combined efforts with The New York Restoration Project (NYRP) to host the first regional event for PlanetExplore. Through the collaborative work of several volunteers groups, as well as these two aforementioned companies, the youth of the area had the opportunity to experience the outdoors in their own backyard via an all-day outdoors program.

The launch event was called the “Winter Warm-Up” and set up in Swindler’s Cove on the Northern end of the island. Activities included hiking, fishing, photos in Himalayan suits with an Everest back-drop, a variety of games and gear stations, hot chocolate & soup & smores, fun with insects and reptiles, athlete poster signings, prizes & giveaways, and much more.

Arriving in NYC on Friday afternoon, I met up with fellow TNF athletes, Heidi Wirtz (climber) and Tim Twietmeyer (enduro runner), to assist the PlanetExplore team with both the activities and the area outreach. Thanks to the tremendous efforts of organizers that include Brook Shinsky (TNF), Akiima Price (NYRP), the Aloft Group, and many more on-site staff, our team met some amazing young people, along with great volunteers and other friendly faces. Continue Reading

Americans have been inundated with images and stories coming out of Haiti amidst the devastation. People are constantly wondering what they can do to help. One man has found his solution! On February 15, Abe Clark is attempting to run over 2800 miles solo and unsupported across the United States. If he is successful, he will join the ranks of only a small handful of individuals who have made this ocean to ocean run.

Abe is trying to raise $100,000 and spread awareness for Living Water International’s goal of repairing 500 incapacitated handpumps in Haiti during 2010. These handpumps are crucial to providing one of the basic neccesities of life and achieving their goal could provide drinking water for at least 250,000 people.

He plans to push a baby jogger in which to carry all of his supplies.

When we asked him how people could help out, this is what he had to say:

1. Donate to LWI to help him reach his goal of raising $100,000. There is a donate button on his site www.runningwater.cc

2. He is looking for places to speak along the way about the run, dreams, goals and LWI.

3. People can check out his route and if he happens to be coming your way…”they can house me, feed me and send me off again! People are also welcome to come out and run with me.”

We wish Abe the best in his quest to run across America and in raising money for a very wothwhile goal.

The BIMBACHE EXTREM CASTILLA Y LEÓN 2010, ADVENTURE RACE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, is very much concerned with the emission of CO2 and climatic change.

After the recent polemics provoked in the meeting of Copenhagen about the climatic change and the CO2 emission to atmosphere, that after several days the main world leaders have not been capable of coming to any effective agreement, the competitors and organizers of competitions of adventure are really worried with this real problem.

For this reason we want to announce that the ARWChampionship 2010 will be one of the first world sports events that will compensate the CO2 emissions.

Though in our sport itself these emissions are not significant, we must think that an organization moving more than 300 people during the week of competition requires a number of transport of engine terrestrial vehicles, helicopter for filming or rescue, engine inflatable craft for safety in the water and consumption of electricity in the hotels of press, center of operations, etc.

As the first measure we are considering the utilization of vehicles of little environmental impact and most ecological performances for the assistance and transport of material during the test. This smaller consumption will be compensated using the compensation tables issued by specialized organizations and the cost of this compensation will be destinated to support some of the environmental projects or to replace in any of the rural areas of Castilla y León the traditional energy by renewable ones as solar, photovoltaic plates or small windmills.

THE COMPETITION

The raid will cross the provinces of Ávila and Salamanca, and we now may confirm that the start will be under the attentive look of the medieval wall of Ávila surrounding this historical city, and the finish line will be placed in the center of Salamanca, with its beautiful and centenary buildings.

The organization is trying to increase the authorities’ permission of participation, which at present has been granted for 50 teams, to 60 or 70 teams, since the demands of participation, even 9 months before the date of the competition, already reach the number of 30 teams that have confirmed their assistance, which is an extraordinary prospect for the test.

Polar explorer Eric Larsen announced today that he has reached the South Pole, the first completion in his three-part “Save the Poles” expedition. Upon completion, he will be the first-ever to make it to the North Pole, South Pole and summit of Mt. Everest in a continuous 365-day period. His purpose? To travel to the “front lines” of global warming to document the changes occurring in these last great frozen places. Larsen will also use the expedition as a platform to advocate strategies for reducing carbon emissions and collect relevant scientific data.

“This expedition will tell the story of these remote places so we can better understand how our actions affect the poles and ultimately the planet,” Larsen says. “We all need to be reminded that we must act now to stop global warming.”

Larsen will be leaving March 1, 2010 to start his second leg of the expedition heading to the North Pole. To help tell the story, Larsen is partnering with the Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center and the Protect Our Winters Foundation to produce 12 hours of climate change curriculum to provide teachers with the tools needed to prepare the next generation of students for what will be the defining issues of their time. Larsen will also team up with the Center for Biological Diversity to petition the Senate and President on the need for stronger climate legislation.

A member of The Explorer’s Club, Larsen isn’t new to the world of polar exploration. Larsen completed the first-ever summer expedition to the North Pole in 2006 where he pulled and paddled modified canoes over 600 miles of shifting sea ice and open ocean. In January 2009, Larsen successfully led an international team to the geographic South Pole becoming one of only a few Americans to ski to both poles.
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Eric Larsen begins his quest later this week to begin his Save the Poles Expedition. This will be a first-ever journey to the North Pole, South Pole and summit of Mt. Everest in a continuous 365-day period. We caught up with Eric as he prepares to depart for Chile later this week in route to a 52-day ski expedition to the geographic South Pole. Here is what he told us:

What is your favorite expedition to date?

Eric: I like each journey for a different reason. My 2006 summer expedition to the North Pole was unique and ground breaking with a succinct environmental message. But the trip was so hard, it was anything but fun. I led a 41-day expedition to the South Pole last year and as a group we worked really well together as a team. While I haven’t traveled with dogs in a few years I have many fond memories of those trips. Completing the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon in 2004 was up there as well – 400 miles in three and a half days.

What sparked your passion for ‘adventure’?

I like being outside. I feel a strong connection to wilderness and living in close contact with nature. I also consider myself a naturally curious person and enjoy ‘discovering’ a place for the first time.

What has been your greatest challenge to date?

Trying to maintain a stable relationship:) as well as a sense of community and place while traveling so much.

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