SIX THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT KILIMANJARO

Six things you didn’t know about Kilimanjaro - By Mark Whitman

Many people know that Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and one of the seven summits. But what about some of the more obscure Kilimanjaro facts?

In this article, Mark Whitman from the Climb Kilimanjaro Guide, uncovers six things you might not know about Mount Kilimanjaro and in doing so hopefully inspires you to make it a challenge for your next adventure

No 1. Highest freestanding mountain in the world

Standing at 5,895 metres (19,341 feet), Mount Kilimanjaro, is by no way as high as some of the 8,000 metre behemoths in the Himalayas. However, unlike its larger cousins in Asia, Kilimanjaro is the tallest free-standing mountain in the world. By free standing I mean it stands alone and is not part of a mountain range. Typically these types of mountains are volcanoes, which brings me onto my second point

No 2. Volcanoes and Mount Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro is in fact a dormant volcano comprised of three volcanic cones or vents – Shira (the oldest), Kibo (the youngest) and Mawenzi. Kibo is classified as dormant but not extinct. The last major eruption from Kibo occurred 360,000 years ago. The most recent volcanic activity happened 200 years ago and resulted in today’s ash pit, which is visible from Uhuru Peak – the summit of Kilimanjaro

No 3. Climate change

At one stage the whole mountain summit was covered by an ice cap, probably more than 100 meters deep. Since 1912 Kilimanjaro has lost 82% of its ice cap and since 1962 it has lost 55% of its remaining glaciers. If the present rate of recession continues the majority of the glaciers on Kilimanjaro could vanish altogether

No 4. Number of climber and summits

As many as 35,000 people travel to Mount Kilimanjaro every years with at least 25,000 taking on the challenge of climbing the mountain. Success rates are however, relatively low. Only 45% of all climbers on all routes on average reach Uhuru Peak. But don’t let low success rates deter you; even 85 year olds can climb the Roof of Africa!

No 5. Oldest people to climb the mountain

The oldest people to reach Uhuru Peak are Canadian-Swiss couple, Martin and Esther Kafer, who stood atop Kilimanjaro in September 2012 aged 85 and 84 respectively. Esther overtook previous record holder Bernice Buum who reached the summit aged 83 in September 2010, and Martin’s achievement narrowly pipped Richard Byerley who managed to climb the Roof of Africa in October 2011 at the age of 84 years and 71 days. However, if you think that is impressive then prepare yourself for the next fact

No 6. Fastest ascent

For most normal human beings, climbing Kilimanjaro and reaching the summit in 4-5 days is a gruelling feat. However there are some people who have extra special powers. For Kilian Jornet, Kilimanjaro proved to be a walk in the park (excuse the pun). In September 2010, the Spanish mountain runner reached the summit in the record time of 5 hours, 23 minutes and 50 seconds - beating the previous record held by Kazak mountain runner, Andrew Puchinin, by one minute. He then ran down the mountain to base camp reaching it in a total time (up and down the mountain) of 6 hours 29 minutes!

So, do you think you have it in you to conquer the highest free-standing volcanic mountain in the world? And if so, will you get there in time before the glaciers that cap it completely retreat? Success or failure is real concern on Kili, but take inspiration from Martin, Esther and Kilian, and who knows this just might be you!

Mark Whitman runs the Climb Kilimanjaro Guide, a leading website that helps prospective climbers prepare for Mount Kilimanjaro.

Feel free to ask him anything in the comments below.

VIDEO: HSA CHALLENGE 2014

HSA Challenge 2014...

It's time for the HSA Challenge 2014!

We introduced this concept in 2013 here on our blog with less success than we'd anticipated. But like all adventurers, we don't give up so easily

It's a new year and time to renew the challenge.

What is the HSA Challenge you ask? Well, simply put, we challenge you, our readers and fans, to add some adventure to your lives and document it for the world to see. Here is the concept...

Pick at least one day each week to do something adventurous

Document the adventure with photos or video

Share the adventure with us on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/Humanspiritofadventure)

And (most important of all)... HAVE FUN

That all there is to it...

Pics do not have to be professional quality... they can be shot with a cell phone in the crappiest conditions. Vids don't have to be professionally shot or edited... this is NOT an editing contest.

This is about human beings breaking away from self-imposed bondage and servitude by injecting fun and adventure into their lives. It's about rekindling that spark down deep within all of us. It's about showing the world that the human spirit is still alive.

VIDEO: LIVN 3 - WINGSUIT FLYING WITH DBC

Wingsuit Flying With The Dallas BASE Crew - Livn 3...

There is lots going on in the Skydiving world these days... particularly in Wingsuit Piloting. We have been posting a lot of videos recently and we have another for you here today.

This video, Livn 3, shows some sick Wingsuit proximity flying and tracking in Switzerland with Wingsuit BASE jumping team, Dallas BASE Crew, featuring Brad Perkins, Charity Kelly, Eugene (Feedus) Edwards and Luke Hively. 

Check it out... Very SICK!!!

VIDEO: THE NORTH FACE - THE EXPLORER

The North Face- The Explorer... narrated by Dr. Buzz Aldrin

As adventurers, we all dream of exploring the unknown... or at least challenging ourselves to do the hard stuff. We long to test ourselves in adverse conditions, doing the improbable just for the sake of doing it. Exploration has always been at the center of the human spirit.

The North Face has put out a little video, narrated by Space Hero Dr. Buzz Aldrin that sums up what exploration is all about. Check it out, then get out there!

VIDEO: FLYING DAGGER WRIST CAM FOOTAGE

Raw POV Footage of Jeb Corliss Flying Dagger Stunt...

In September, we (as well as a thousand other media outlets) reported on wingsuit pilot Jeb Corliss, the 37 year old adventurer as he flew through the crack in Langshan Mountain, in Zhejiang Province, China, to complete the "flying dagger" jump.

If you have ever wondered what that might have looked like through Jeb's eyes, you can check out the raw footage video from his wrist cam below...

The fissure is only about 25 feet across between a 900-foot-tall column of rock. After the jump, Corliss stated, "This is the greatest thing I've ever done up to this point. I am just so, so happy that we were able to do it,"

Check out the video... you can hear the roar as Jeb cuts through the wind, hear the solitude as his chute opens, and hear the elation as he makes his landing. This is great stuff!

TIPS AND TRICKS: HOW TO MAKE A SURVIVAL BRACELET

How To Make A Survival Bracelet...

We've all seen them. Those survival bracelets made from 550 parachute cord. Bear Grylls (as far as I can tell) brought on their popularity among adventurers and it has since become a fashion statement.

I wear one everyday.

I have heard a lot of fellow adventurers say that it's a waste, there's not enough cord there to matter, and various other negative statements about them. I have no idea why some people think that way. In a real survival situation, any resource is a good resource. Why wouldn't you want one?

Eight ot ten feet of 550 cord can serve plenty of purposes when the chips are down. You can use them to help lash a shelter, mark a trail, or hang your food. You can use the strands inside for fishing line, sewing thread, snares, and even dental floss.

In my mind, even if it's trendy, you shouldn't leave home without one. I subscribe to the old survivalists theory of "It's better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it".

So that poses the next two questions... "How do I make one?" and "Why make one when they are so cheap to buy?"

Let me answer these in reverse order. As to why you would want to make one... you might use the one you wear while you are on the trail and need to make another when you get back to base camp and your big roll of 550 cord.

As to how to make one... well Heritage Pride Firearms made a very detailed video on the subject... check it out below. Then make one for yourself...

CONCEPT: TRITON REBREATHER OXYGEN MASK

Triton Oxygen Rebreather: Will It Work?

For SCUBA divers, this could be a dream come true (if it ever actually comes true). 

Straight out of a science fiction film, or perhaps a James Bond film, a South Korean designer claims to have invented an oxygen mask which can draw air from water as you swim, eliminating the need for air tanks and bulky SCUBA equipment.

The Triton acts like a fish gill to extract oxygen from water so that the user can keep breathing while under the sea. Designer Jeabyun Yeon, who came up with the concept, believes it will change the way people approach water. This concept relies on some future technologies that have not yet been invented, such as a micro-battery and a few other things.

The regulator comprises a plastic mouthpiece that requires you to simply bite down. There are two arms that branch out to the sides of the scuba mask that have been developed to function like the efficient gills of a marine creature. The scaly texture conceals small holes in the material where water is sucked into Jeabyun Yeon's Triton. Chambers inside separate the oxygen and release the liquid so that you can breath comfortably in the ocean.

The design has its nay-sayers though. Dr. Alistair Dove, Director of Research and Conservation at Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, wrote a piece for Deepseanews.com where he breaks down the physics of breathing.

The Triton is a very cool concept that has been on the minds of divers for generations. Considering I have extremely limited knowledge of SCUBA diving, I have no experience in which to form an opinion. However, all scientific discoveries and inventions were once thought to be impossible.

Will it work? Leave us a comment to tell us what you think.

 

VIDEO: FIRST ASCENT SPORT CLIMBING

First ascent sport climbing in South Africa w/ Sasha DiGiulian by Red Bull...

If you are into climbing, then look no further than this Red Bull video of accomplished young climber Sasha DiGiulian as she travels to South Africa and completes a first ascent in Waterval Boven.

Very cool video!!

VIDEO: PORTUGALS 100 SECOND RIDE

Is This The Longest Wave Ever Ridden In Lagos, Algarve?

As Winter Storm Hercules ripped through the Northern Hemisphere, surfers from all over the world tried their chops on the beastly waves... most unsuccessfully. But in Portugal, one man was able to get a great ride that lasted for 100 seconds.

Alex Botelho paddled out at Batata Beach and paddled into a wave. He then stayed on it for an incredible 100 seconds

In an interview Botelho told Surf Portugal Magazine. “I didn’t expect to surf that wave, I passed by a friend that was surfing in the river, passed the pier, and suddenly I was in Meia Praia.”

Non surfers do not realize that most waves last on 6 to 10 seconds. A 100 second wave is quite rare. Less than a handful of places can a ride be found that long. Texas Tanker Surfing has boasted waves that can go for 20 minutes, but the circumstances are unique.

Check out the video of Alex Botelho and his 100 second ride

Photo Courtesy: beforeitsnews.com

27 BUCKET LIST DESTINATIONS

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gwegner/4061515366/

27 Beautiful Places To See Before You Die...

Everyone has a bucket list of places they want to see before they die. Bucket lists seem to change all the time for the adventurer. As one travels to a bucket list destination, it absolutely must be replaced with another... after all, that is what adventure is about.

Have you ever considered traveling to Gansu China to see the Zhangye Danxia landform? How about going to Belize and scuba diving the Great Blue Hole? Or maybe you have considered Mendenhall Ice Caves in Alaska?

Well whatever you fancy, Buzzfeed.com has come up with a list of "27 Surreal Places To Visit Before You Die". This article lists all of the above and much more. Beautiful and breath-taking photos will tantalize you to review your bucket list, or at least make you want to add to its depths.

Swing on over and check it out... you'll be glad you did!

TELEMARK SKIING: WHAT IS IT?

Telemark Skiing - Are You Up For It?

With January upon us and February around the corner, we here in the Northern Hemisphere enter the height of ski season.

Skiing has long been a great adventure sport, turned extreme sport for those who live in mountainous, snow-covered terrain. The Olympic Winter Games features skiing as the biggest attraction, along with snow boarding and biathlons. And of course, for those in flatter areas, cross country skiing is quite popular. But one of the more extreme styles of skiing is know as Telemarking. Telemark skiing is quite popular, so much so that there are magazines and organizations dedicated to the sport.   

What is telemarking you ask?

Telemark skiing, also known as "free heel skiing", is a form of downhill skiing using bindings where the boot is attached only at the toe (similar to those of Cross-country skiing), allowing the heel to come up from the ski. Because the heel is free, it allows the skier to go into a lunge position in order to turn. The act of lunging while turning is a technique called the telemark turn.

Telemark turns are led with the heel flat on the outside ski (which becomes the downhill ski at the end of the turn) with the knee at a 90-degree angle. The inside ski slides back under the skier's body with a flexed knee and raised heel. This position resembles that of a lunge. The skis are staggered but not quite parallel, and the downhill ski is pushed forward by the skier’s lunge. Normally the 50% to 60% of the body weight is distributed on the outside ski, depending on snow conditions.

Telemark turns are rounder and more graceful than alpine turns. They are also much more strenuous, so expect your quads to burn afterward — though, compared to downhill, Telemark skiing is considerably easier on the knees. 

Equipment for telemark skiing differs from traditional alpine skiing as unlike alpine ski bindings, which lock the heel and toe of the boot, Telemark skis only lock in the toe and leave the heel detached; for this reason, Telemark technique is sometimes referred to as ‘free-heel skiing’. Traditionally, the bindings are different as well. Older telemark bindings used a ‘three-pin’ system that locked the duckbill in place but for the last 30 years or so, spring-loaded cable bindings have been the most widely used models.

The next, and possibly largest difference, as explained above, is the telemark turn. Making a proper Telemark turn generally requires a lot of practice and beginners should first learn the skill on relatively flat terrain.

Here is a video to help you learn the basics of a Telemark turn. So sit back, watch, and enjoy. The get out there and give it a shot if you are up for it.

GUEST BLOGGERS NEEDED - WE WANT YOU!!!

Adventure Bloggers Needed: Tell the World Your Stories...

Do you love adventure? Do you love to blog? Have a story to tell... photos or videos to share?

If so, Human Spirit of Adventure would love to hear from you.

Human Spirit of Adventure is a community-based blog. As you well know, we are focused on adventure sports. Here you will find surfing, biking, hiking, kayaking, climbing, skydiving, or any other sport outside the mainstream that gets the adrenaline pumping.

As an adventurer, we already consider you a part of our community and would love to have your participation.

So if you have an adventure story to tell, we'd love to be your platform for telling it to the masses. We'd love to feature your adventure photo's and video's as well... We will even set you up your own page with all of your contributed material. (See "Featured Guest Bloggers" in the right hand column)

You can join the likes of Hannah Rollings and Mick Lord in letting the world know what you love to do for fun.

If you are interested, send an email to sirfurproductions@gmail.com or message us on our Facebook page and we'll send you the details.

***P.S. - We are non-profit, so we are not able to compensate for stories, photos or videos

GEOCACHING: FUN MICRO ADVENTURES

Geocaching - Fun Micro Adventures...

So you are dying for an adventure, but you are short on time and/or money. Maybe it's just not possible for you to get away for the weekend, but you have several hours you can burn. Maybe you should try geocaching.

What is this crazy phenomena know as geocaching, you ask? Well simply put, Geocaching is a real-world, outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices. Participants navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container) hidden at that location. It's kind of like land navigation meets treasure hunting meets hiking, biking, or skiing. It can be a lot of fun for you, or your family. In fact, there is an entire world-wide community of geocachers out there.

A geocache, in its simplest form, always contains a logbook for you to log your find. Larger caches may contain a logbook and any number of items. These items turn the adventure into a true treasure hunt. You never know what the cache owner or visitors to the cache may have left for you to enjoy, if you take something, leave something of equal or greater value in return. 

Pretty simple huh? If you are interested in Geocaching and want to become part of a world-wide community of adventurers, then check out http://www.geocaching.com/ for more details, instruction, sign up, and everything else you need to know.

Below is a small video by Geocaching.com to help you out...

Enjoy!!!

CAMPFIRE COOKING: ROCK CHICKEN RECIPE

Campfire Cooking: Rock Chicken Recipe...

One of the best things about being in the wilderness, in my opinion, is eating a tasty meal around the campfire. Maybe it's the feeling of being primitive, or the open air, or maybe even a little dirt that always seems to find its way into the food, but for some reason food just tastes better in the bush.

One of my favorites is "Rock Chicken". it is a great meal when prepared properly. The use of hot rocks allows the chicken to roast slowly and the meat is quite tender and succulent. In cold weather, you can even prepare it and toss it into your backpack and it will help keep you warm on your trek... a warning for this though, DO NOT carry it in your backpack in areas frequented by bears!!! The last thing you need is to get mauled by a bear while hiking through the woods.

Here is my recipe for Rock Chicken...

It is an easy recipe that you can start and forget about for several hours. Here’s how it’s done, and yes, it’s primitive cooking.

 

1. Find three good-sized rocks about the size of softball, and place them in the campfire to get hot. Sometimes you get a rock that will crack when heated so it is wise to place a couple of extras in to heat, just in case. The rocks have to get very, very hot.

2. While the rocks are getting hot take a whole chicken and clean inside and out, then rub it down with salt, pepper, and other spices to taste. Stuff 2 whole celery sticks and 1 whole onion into the chicken.

3. After the rocks are HOT, stuff one of the rocks into the chicken with the celery and onion. Place the chicken on a large sheet of tinfoil and take the other two rocks and place one under each wing.

4. Now wrap the chicken in several layers of tinfoil. If you don't use enough foil the rocks may burn through and you will lose too much heat to cook the bird.

5. Then take wet newspaper and wrap it around the tinfoil. Also make sure you wrap at least 10 to 20 layers of newspaper around it, the more the merrier. This will hold the heat of the rocks in extremely well.

6. Let the chicken cook. The heat of the rocks will cook the chicken in about 3 to 5 hours.

NOTE: it might be best to try this recipe at home before going into the wilderness... you want to make sure you have it right.

We hope you enjoy it!

QUESTION: HOW DO YOU MAKE A LIVING FROM ADVENTURE?

QUESTION: HOW DO YOU MAKE A LIVING FROM ADVENTURE?

From time to time I have received emails asking how to make a living as an adventurer. That is quite a question considering that I do not. Adventure and adventure sports are, for me, a pleasant past time that I use to find self-fulfillment and enlightenment... not to mention the down-right thrill. My guess is that, because I write an adventure blog, some people think that I must be making a living from it. Not true... I work a daily grind just like most people.

In all honesty and fairness, it is true that I would love to make my passion for adventure into a profitable career, at this point, I haven't.

So in an answer to the emails, I did some research on professional adventurers and found that most of them generate their incomes from multiple streams such as writing, speaking, photography, etc. In a perfect world, we would all follow the path of Bear Grylls and have our own TV shows, product lines, and endorsements. But for most the reality is far different.

I found several articles on such questions from several professional adventurers... and let me tell you, it will definitely require sacrifice, hard work, and dedication. 

Here are the links...

Andrew Skurka

Alistair Humphreys

Adventurous Kate

And here are more links to other articles on the subject...

http://www.adventuresauce.com/2012/12/elements-pro-adventurer/

http://tomsbiketrip.com/how-im-making-a-living-as-an-adventurer/

http://thenextchallenge.org/2011/04/10-tips-career-expeditions/

We here at HSA would NEVER try to discourage anyone from following a dream... the truth is that making a living from adventure CAN be done... if you are willing to truly go for it.

Good luck in your endeavors and let us know how it goes!