When I received the package from the post woman, no larger than a paperback book, it peaked my interest. I had a few pieces of gear up for review that were on my radar to receive that week, but nothing this small. Sometimes in the world of gear reviewers we’re given an occasional surprise. A random piece of gear shows up at the door, giving us another toy to put through the ringer. But this was actually on my list, it was just much smaller than any of its peers.

The Klymit Inertia X Frame sleeping pad will surprise at first glance. It looks more like a balloon animal thrust from the Tron universe than it does a sleeping pad. It has a hand pump, which immediately starts the wheels of the mind turning… Is this going to be work? But suspicions are quelled quickly with this pad. For one thing, the mere size and weight should impress. The 9.1 ounce Klymit Inertia currently holds the title as the world’s lightest sleeping pad. Its innovative design isn’t the typical mat shape, but is more of a tube that has been curled and turned to cushion the key body contact points. I’m happy to report, this side-sleeper had no hip pain after using the Inertia X. This was my biggest concern with the super-light bed. Klymit apparently did their research with this little diddy, because it was as comfortable, or potentially more, than any of the other ultralight pads I’ve tested.

Now for the hand pump. I really was a little taken aback by the tiny light-bulb shaped pump that comes with the Klymit Inertia X Frame. I used it to pump the pad up the first go-round, and determined it’s a convenience not a necessity. The pad can be easily inflated by anyone with infantile lung power. For maximum stability and stiffness though, the pump does the trick. It adds a few additional psi to the pad if you like a stiff resting place.

For the ultralighter, the Klymit Inertia X Frame is the way to go. For those who require a feather bed, stay home

By Sara Lingafelter

This August, I did something a little crazy.

I summited Mount Rainier with an all women climbing team, to benefit Big City Mountaineers.

At 14,411 feet, Mount Rainier is the most prominent mountain in the lower 48 states. Over 10,000 people a year attempt the peak, with only 60% seeing the top.

The climbing is a long, mental, task.

And for new mountaineers who’ve chosen Rainier as one of their first peaks, even the gear selection phase can be overwhelming – especially for female mountaineers. Most shops stock a number of Rainier-worthy mountaineering boots for men; if women are lucky, they may have one female-specific option.

Many climbers climb Rainier in a plastic mountaineering boot, like the Scarpa Inverno. Benefits of plastics are that they keep your feet warmer, and potentially drier in wet conditions. Also, the removable inner boot can be taken out of the plastic shell overnight, and tucked in a sleeping bag to keep warm. Downsides of plastics, for me, were fit: I’m in between sizes in the ones I was able to try on, and I’m very blister prone. So, even when our weather forecast called for temperatures between ten and 30 degrees Fahrenheit, I opted for well-insulated leather boots rather than risk turning my feet into hamburger in plastics that didn’t quite fit.

I trained in two models of womens’ specific insulated leather mountaineering boots: Scarpa Mont Blanc GTX; and La Sportiva Women’s Nepal. I did training hikes from Paradise to Camp Muir in the weeks prior to my climb, so that I could compare both and choose what would work best for my feet and my climb.
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In February of this year, Pittsburgh got hammered with one of the largest recorded snowstorms in its history. We got over 22″ in less than a day and almost four feet in less than a week. What happens to a city when that happens? If you are in western Pennsylvania…the city shuts down and try to regroup. It was a winter wonderland to those with a sense of adventure and not afraid to venture out and take advantage of a once in a lifetime opportunity in their own backyards.

Just to get everyone in the spirit of what is too come for this winter season and the snow sports that will follow.

We saw this video Monday on CNN about the Minnesota State Cyclocross Championship race that took place over the weekend amidst snowfall in the area.

We saw this video over at the Adventure Journal and couldn’t resist posting. We were in Ireland last year and were surprised to find out that Ireland is a top destination for surfing…now we see why!

Photo at top by Neil Cooney. For other images…click here!

There’s a new adventure/travel reality TV Program in the works from “EcoChallenge” producer Mark Burnett (remember him?).   The show is called “Expedition Impossible” and will follow several 3-person teams as they complete challenges and solve problems while traveling through the wilderness areas of the world.  Burnett calls it “an epic Indiana Jones-style experience” and the casting director likened it to a mix of EcoChallenge and Amazing Race.

More details are in this flyer that we’re circulating for the casting effort: http://www.UntamedAdventure.com/media/flyer.pdf

A bit more from the casting director:

We are currently on a nation‐wide search looking for dynamic,

competitive, and energetic teams of three people for Expedition Impossible.  Don’t spend the month of April at your boring job. Spend it on the experience of a lifetime! You MUST be at least 18 years old, a legal US resident and have a US passport valid through the end of 2011 to participate.

Expedition Impossible is Burnett's Next TV Adventure

To apply, email David Polanzak at dpo.casting@gmail.com. Your email must include the following:
• Name, age, location and contact info for all three team members
• Recent photo of all 3 team members
• Level of individual and team’s experience with competitions/races, etc.
• Brief description of why your team is great for this competition and why you will win
• Anything else that makes your team memorable and unique

On a related note, he mentioned that the US resident requirement *could* be waived for the right candidate, so all my Canadian friends should also give it a shot!

When it comes to cycle touring, there are several ways to travel. Will you be carrying your gear in panniers or on a trailer? Carrying camping gear or going cush with hotels? Is this a cross-country trip, or under 1,000 miles? For every cycle touring trip the gear list must be tweaked, but many items are standard. I recently rode my bike from Natchez Mississippi to Nashville Tennessee. I covered over 400 miles on this trip in just under a week. I spent half my nights in a tent, and the other half in hotels. I am sharing my gear list to merely provide a starting point. My trip required quite a bit of planning, but was well worth the effort. Once on the road I had everything I needed to survive a week on two wheels. If you own a road bike, and ever long to just keep pedaling after a long ride, read on…

Bike Gear

• Panniers or Trailer – I took a Monoporter trailer – excellent choice for those taking 25-30 lbs of gear.
• 3 Spare tubes – Depending on mileage and number of bike shops you’ll encounter, you may want to increase the number.
• 1 Spare Tire – I took a spare tire in case I seriously shredded one of mine. Didn’t need it, but wanted to be safe.
• Floor Pump – A hand pump is sufficient, but I went cush on this one. I brought my Serfas floor pump so I’d know the exact pressure of my tires and could get them full in a matter of seconds every morning.
• C02 Pump – Just in case something happened, a lightweight answer to losing or breaking your main pump.
• Water Bottles – More or less depending on other hydration
• Backpack – Platypus Origin 9 with a 3 liter hydration bladder. This pack was comfortable and held my maps, snacks, water, and rain gear for quick retrieval.
• Multi Tool – basic hex tools, screwdrivers, and a chain tool were included on my multi-tool.
• Padded Shorts X2 – I brought a spare pair of shorts with chamois padding so I could rotate them out. I rinsed the dirty pair out and let it dry while wearing the others. My favorite pair are my Pearl Izumi P.R.O. shorts.
• Bike Jersey X2 – Louis Garneau makes high quality jerseys made for the long haul.
• Headlight – Cateye makes great lights. Although you don’t plan on being out at dusk or after dark, things can happen… and do.
• Taillight – Turn this on when there is fog or early in the morning or late afternoon to make yourself visible.
• Tire Changing Tool – essential gear that can be picked up on the cheap in any bike shop.
• Reflective Vest or Flag – Something to help you stand out to motorists is needed.
• Gloves – I used Trek gloves, but several companies make solid gloves. Make sure you have plenty of padding in your gloves as well as on your handlebar wraps so you can avoid as much numbness as possible.
• Knife/Pliers – Leatherman’s are great.
• Tube Patch Kit – Because flats happen.
• Duct Tape – It works for all sorts of things, patching a tire, repairing broken items, impromptu bandaids, etc.
• Plastic Zip Ties – Another great item that will hold a broken part on in a pinch.
• Chamois Cream – Again, your choice. I used DZ Nuts and AS Master to save me from chafing . I did get a slight chafing the last day, but I attribute that to my fast pace, as I was excited to finish. I liked DZ Nuts quite a bit, as it was very lubricating and had a nice smell.

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Yesterday, we published a piece about the Rallye Aicha des Gazelles which is a 9-day off-road rally throughout Morocco. Over 200 women (2 per team) will compete in this 21st century Cannonball Run! Check out this video for more inspiring footage than we can provide via text!

For almost twenty years, the International Polartec® Challenge Grant has supported expeditions and adventures to every corner of the Earth. Applications for the $10,000 grant are now available for 2011 expeditions.

“Since 1991, Polartec has assisted over 100 expeditions around the world,” states Global Director of Marketing, Nate Simmons. “Polartec builds fabrics to withstand every kind of climate and we’re proud to support adventures that put our products to the test.”

The Polartec® Challenge Grant seeks to assist frugal, low impact teams who respect the local culture and environment and serve as role models to outdoor enthusiasts worldwide. Applications are evaluated on the basis of vision, commitment, educational and cultural value. Polartec® Challenge Grants have supported winners as they kayaked the waters of Antarctica, skied across Siberia, trekked across deserts and forged first ascents on the world’s most difficult peaks.

Past recipients of the Polartec® Challenge Grant include outdoor pioneers and adventurers such as Conrad Anker, Jimmy Chin, Steve House, Marko Prezelj, Andrew McLean and John Shipton. In addition to grant money, winners are fully outfitted with Polartec® garments to keep expedition members warm, dry and comfortable wherever their adventures lead them.

The Polartec® Challenge is not the appropriate venue for projects that involve competition or fund raising. To apply for the 2011 International Polartec® Challenge Grant, visit Polartec.com. The deadline for submissions is November 1, 2010.

Via press release

We have been following the Pedal The Ocean expedition planning for almost two years now and have spotlighted Greg Kolodziejzyk in our digital magazine. It seems that after almost four years, Greg’s quest for a first ever attempt to ‘pedal’ WiTHiN from Canada to Hawaii has been mothballed.

From an email that we received from him today…he stated:

I believe that where I have failed, is investing too little consideration for general stability and comfort in moderate to advanced off-shore weather conditions. Because of WiTHiN’s narrow, but slippery beam of only 36 inches, she rolls excessively. After six sea trials trips where I have been repeatedly exposed to 25 to 40 knot winds and seas between 3 to 4 meters, I have discovered that I can barely withstand a few hours of this cruel punishment, whereas I would have to live through days or weeks of bad weather on a 3 month ocean crossing journey. It’s exciting for sure, but just not really very fun.

We wish Greg the best in his future endeavors and know that he will have another adventure for us to follow soon!

Come April 2011, lucky tenants of the Teva Fiji “house-boat” will be flown round trip to Viti Levu Island. The adventure begins with a river trip guided by O.A.R.S. through the remote Upper Navua Gorge, where the black lava rock walls overgrown with cascades of lush ferns are so remarkable that this stretch of river has been hailed “a river of Eden.” Guest will live aboard the 140-foot Tui Tai sailboat and cruise to remote locations only accessible by boat. Guests will snorkel over reefs that are a hundred miles from the closest resort, go on epic hikes off the beaten path and meet local villagers and learn their customs.

“We opened the first Teva House in Vail during the Teva Mountain Games in June,” said Liz Ferrin, Teva Global Branded Content Manager. “The Vail house was a perfect hub where our athletes, artist, Life Agents and contest winners could mix and mingle. It wasn’t hard to decide to do it again for 2011.”

The Teva tribe gathers in, around and on the water so what better location for their second Teva House than returning to the waters of the South Pacific where their 2011 photo shoot took place aboard the Tui Tai.

“Through the Teva House, we’re offering our tribe a chance to escape from their everyday lives and take part in something bigger,” continued Ferrin. “It’s about living better stories that keep us inspired until our next departure.”

Want to escape to Fiji with Teva? Become the one guest selected from the U.S. to hop on board by entering to win at TevaHouse.com.

Via Press Release

What do you get when you take a mass start of 250 racers, a vertical descent of more than 5,000 feet and some epic riding? You get the Red Bull 5000 Down. This mountain bike race starts at the peak of Whistler Mountain in British Columbia and takes competitors down more than 7,000 feet to the finish line at Whistler Village. Taking place this past weekend the Red Bull 5000 Down took racers from the snow capped peak and through some gnarly singletrack. Check out the video to watch this wild ride and some great footage (including helmet cam) and some wipeouts as the racers merge on the singletrack.

Thanks to the WEND Blog for the heads up on this video!

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.

Sara Lingafelter and a group of ‘kick ass girls’ (her words) reached the summit of Mount Rainier earlier this month to raise funds for Big City Mountaineers through the Summit For Someone program. Sara created this video from the climb and we couldn’t pass up sharing it with you. Stay tuned for some mountaineering gear reviews from Sara!

A Woman’s Place is on Top of Mount Rainier from Sara Lingafelter on Vimeo.

Dr. Jeni McNeal and Dave Adlard, founding members of Team Adventure Sports Week, along with an unofficial support crew of Rick McCharles of www.besthike.com completed the 94 mile/47,000 feet elevation Wonderland Trail in 63:03, June 25 – 28.

The two carried their own gear, and took only a few hours sleep time in completing what some have said is one of the fastest unsupported, July circumnavigations yet. Almost 10% of the trail was still snowed in, requiring route finding and snow travel. Most hikers completing the trail require 8 – 12 days to finish.

They climbed and descended more than 20 peaks on the famously difficult trail, with elevation changes equivalent to climbing and descending Mt. Rainier from Paradise Visitor Center almost three times. They also encountered bears along the trail.

The two burned almost 33,000 calories each, and drank more than 50 liters of fluid total in temperatures ranging from 33 – 89 degrees.

Their journey began at Reflection Lake on July 25 at 10:40 am, and finished at 1:43 am on July 28.

The complete trip report and pictures are attached as a PDF and in Word format.

“This was one of the most psychologically and physically demanding tests I have done since starting Adventure Racing,” said Adlard. “This is a really tough trail that demands a lot from all participants.”

The trail is notoriously uneven, with steep, overgrown and narrow sections that make forward progress difficult in many places.

Team Adventure Sports Week is training for the five day Desert Winds Expedition race in Lake Mead, Nevada, Sept 18 – 25.

On September 25-26, an inaugural paddle event will take place on the Lake of the Ozarks in central Missouri. 2DamDays Paddle Marathon will test the endurance of adventure paddlers as they traverse over 92 miles of what is essentially flat-water in a two day period. Total prize money will be $13,500.

The competitive race will be staged over two days with winners each day. In addition, there will be a single award of $1000 for the best over-all time from “Dam to Dam”. Prize money will be equally divided among five divisions which include Men Singles, Women Singles, Men Tandem, Women Tandem, and Mixed Tandem.

In addition, for those more casual paddlers there will be a much shorter “For Fun Only” event on the 25th. Finish point on that day for both events will be at Captain Ron’s at the 34 mile mark at which there will be food, entertainment and a “water fair”.

Visit www.2DamDays.org for all the details.

Challenge Roth 2010
By Richard Ussher

It’s been a scorching summer in Europe this year and when we arrived in Roth it was a balmy 36 degrees at 7 in the evening.

My build up for the race this year had been a little different to last year when I’d had a great race but had felt a bit underdone. This year I’d put in a lot more hours and the results were indicating that I should be a good step up from last year. Not only the training data was suggesting this but also how I’d been feeling at a couple of races prior.

The lead up in Roth was pretty laid back although after last year’s results I was flying a little less under the radar, but only just with such a strong field assembled there.

Race day dawned a little cooler but luckily the rain had disappeared – well actually it hadn’t dawned when we got up but on the way to the course at some ungodly hour around 4:30am, and even seeing it dark at that time is a little strange after Finland.

The swim is always the most dreaded part of any race for me but I’d been working on some new things and swimming PB’s for all my longer sets in the lead up so was reasonably hopeful of a decent swim. I knew I’d have to swim better than last year to do the same times as the front wave of swimmers had been cut down to only the pro’s instead of the Sub 9 hour starters as well – the tri world is definitely against the bad swimmers amongst us!

At the gun it was all elbows and feet as I tried not to lose any teeth – I think I’ll have to do some more training with fists before I attempt another mass start swim but I got away OK only to be continually shuffled back in the pack. It is definitely a skill I haven’t mastered yet at keeping your place in the pack, let alone the swimming. Things were looking good after the first kilometre though as I was swimming comfortably in a pack in which I could see swimmers who were in our same group last year. Then 3 strokes later when I looked up a split had suddenly formed as the swimmers in front of me had dropped off the pace. I was swimming comfortably so decided to try and get across the gap and for the next period I chased with one other guy, just very gradually dropping time. It was however far more positive than usual when I go out the back as if I have completely stopped.
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Daryl Stisser started rock climbing in college and has climbed throughout the Unites States. But there was something about climbing in the Black Hills of South Dakota that kept drawing him back. He now owns Sylvan Rocks Climbing School and Guide Service in Custer, SD.

Watch the video to hear Daryl explain what it’s like climbing in the Hills and why he loves it.

Race Report—Ultimate XC
By Bob Miller

Day 1 – Kayak 62k (34k down-river, 28k lake)
Day 2 – Trail Run 56k
Day 3 – Mountain Bike 100k

Day 1

Pre-race was kinda exciting as people milled about scoping each-other’s boats trying to figure out who had the fastest vessel. With a rule of only allowing plastic kayaks due to rough/boney whitewater sections, boat selection could be somewhat strategic. By all accounts it appeared Steve Hay was sporting best-in-class with a Cobra Eliminator, however depending on whitewater conditions Benoit L’s Wavehopper also looked promising. Most everyone else was paddling some form of sea kayak, myself included with a Necky Eliza. I was thinking the shorter, yet somewhat sleek Eliza would offer a good blend of speed and maneuverability.

Off we go and within no time Steve H. is in the lead followed by a group of 4, or 5 others, I opted to hang back & cruise in the 2nd pack thinking I’d try and exert the same output for the entire 62k. We had a good group with Pete Dobos, Dave Hitchon, Nicolas Taillefer (RD of the Asics Xtrail events) and a dude named Richard from Montreal. We worked well rotating through the draft averaging ~9.5kph across the first lake, which I thought was respectable considering the boats we were paddling.

Into the river, Hitchon, Taillefer & myself pulled slightly ahead and were notified at Aid #1 we were 2-3 min. behind the lead pack. Soon we were on & through the first small rapid, then a small pull-over and another smallish more technical rapid, which one of the lead pack kayakers had dumped in. I think Tallifer & Hitchon also had an upset on this rapid, as I never saw Tallifer until the finish & it was a little while before Hitchon caught up again. I paddled behind 2 guys from the lead pack for a bit, but decided to stop & dump some water in hopes it would speed me up, no luck. I had a bit of a bonk between hours 2 & 3, but was saved by the 29k aid station and a PB&J sammy. There was a nice run of rapids for a few k after the aid station, which livened things up, but soon it was back to shallow, wide, sandy, strength-sapping river paddling. I owe Hitchon for setting me up with a map the night before the race. I’d expected we’d receive them at the briefing, but no dice. Maps weren’t really necessary, but it allowed me to follow along and at least know when the misery on the river would end. Continue Reading

Earlier this week, we posted the summary of our recent trip to Puerto Rico to check out the new adventure park.  Here are a few more pics from that media trip.

By Ty Stevens

Introducing Toro Verde Adventure Park & Eco Resort; the park, a 100 acre (projected to expand to 316 acres) jungle oasis located in the heart of Puerto Rico. In my opinion ‘the ultimate playground’ offering hours of mountain bike, rock climb, and zip line adventure with beautiful jungle landscapes as the backdrop.

For adrenaline junkies …there are over 20 canopy ziplines (with more to come) that range from 100 to 3000+ft in length, and up to 800 meters high. My personal fix was “The Beast” – touted the 2nd longest zipline in world with average break neck speeds of 50+mph. Imagine ripping through the sky in a prone “superman” style harness… for a moment – I really did “believe I could fly”. And below on the forest floor a network of world class mountain bike trail linking miles of varied jungle terrain.

The park is being developed in 3 phases.

With Phase 1 complete. What’s to come in Phase 2, I asked …”more fully sustainable, and primarily natural surface mountain bike trails” says 7 time world champion mountain biker, and trail designer Marla Streb – Streb Trail Productions. Marla has turned her passion for trail, mountain biking, and land preservation into a full time pursuit. Responsible for many sustainable development and education projects throughout many regions of Central America. Her philosophy as she says is “to use, not abuse” expressing “the importance of enjoying and interacting with these natural wonders without leaving behind our mark”. The idea behind this project she comments “is to work with world class athletes, to design world class trails. With a variety of options such that beginner to advanced riders, and hikers can enjoy the experience the same”.
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