Archive for the ‘Adventure Racing,’ Category

I don’t think you will find anything more unique, unusual and extreme as diving in the Dead Sea. Sure, you can dive under ice – pretty extreme and very beautiful… but oh so cold. Whereas diving in the Dead Sea… well, read on.

For starters, the Dead Sea is 420m below sea level. This is the lowest point on the face of the earth. This vast stretch of water receives a number of inflowing rivers, amongst them the River Jordan. Once the waters reach the Dead Sea they are land-locked, so they evaporate, leaving behind a dense, rich, cocktail of salts and minerals that supply industry, agriculture and medicine with some of its finest products.

This land-locked sea is 80 kilometres (50 miles) long, approximately 14 kilometres (9 miles) wide. The northern and larger part is very deep, reaching at one point a depth of 430m (1320 feet). The southern bay is, on the contrary, very shallow, hardly averaging a depth of 4m (13 feet).

The water is warm and soothing and ten times saltier than a normal sea.  It is rich in chloride salts of magnesium, sodium, potassium, bromine and several others. It is also unusually buoyant. Because of the extremely high salt content it is devoid of all plant and animal life, or almost: they now know for a fact that Halophilic bacterium and algae lives in this tough environment

However, it’s the glitteringly beautiful salt consolidation that makes diving here such an extreme experience.

Water temperatures vary between 18° C in January to 28°-35° C in August. Visibility ranges from 1 up to 20 meters. The Diving season is all year around.

It’s a challenge though. With that sort of buoyancy you need to take on a lot of lead to go down. With a salt concentration of 32%, it is so saline that it practically precludes swimming. You can dive in, though hermetically-sealed goggles are highly adviseable, but the density of the water will pop you back to the surface like a cork. Remaining underwater for any period of time requires a Herculean effort – hence the need for a lot of lead.

I’m sorry I can’t bring you a video where the sun is shining as they say the sea glitters with millions of diamonds, but thanks anyway to Deadseadivers for this video.

If you are thinking of going diving in the Dead Sea, we suggest you get hold of the professionals out there, dive with them, and do what they say. The environment is incredibly challenging, not to say dangerous and each diver must prepare himself very carefully in advance. www.deadseadivers.com use  full face mask and plenty of weights as part of their specially maintained equipment.

If you’re a real adrenaline junkie there are several more things you can do besides scuba diving in the Dead Sea. You can hike out of the area trekking up the Wadi Mujib, up the narrow, 50 metre high, walls of the Wadi. Your guide will take you through a series of cascading waterfalls, each more challenging than the one before.

And then of course, if you go out there in April, you can always take part in the Dead Sea Marathon – 42 kms starting in Amman and going down to the Dead Sea – note the ‘down’… fortunately it is downhill almost all the way! This is an international ‘fun run’ that takes place every April and raises money for The Society for the Care of Neurological Patients.

The DSUM  has become increasingly more popular ever since its conception in 1986. Several world record runners and champions have participated and the 2009 run broke all records with more than 4100 runners representing 48 nationalities. It marked a turning point in the future of the event as a national and international athletic, touristic and above all charitable event with the continuous support of Jordanian organizations.

The 17^th Dead Sea Ultra Marathon will take place on April 9^th 2010, more than 5000 participants are expected to participate.

And if afterwards you want to sit back and relax – well there’s nowhere more suitable than doing that in the healing waters of the Sea itself (JacobYosha):

You might well remember our articles last year on this fantastic horse derby – the Mongol Derby (17th June and 22nd August amongst others), organised and run by The Adventurists. Known as the toughest horse race in the world and thereby fitting neatly into our extreme sport niche, it bears this title for a reason. Do not underestimate the hazards of riding a small semi-wild horse (actually several small semi-wild horses) over a 1,000 km course…

And if you don’t remember, and don’t have the time to scroll through previous articles; in the inimitable words of The Adventurists, here’s what it’s all about: “The Mongol Derby is based on Chinngis Khaan’s legendary postal system which could relay messages thousands of miles in a matter of days. Like the mighty Khaan’s system the Mongol Derby relies on a network of horse stations (Morin Urtuu in Mongolian) stretching mile after mile across the Mongolian steppe. With ten days to cover the 1000km course riders this is no ordinary horse race, it’s not a test of the horse’s speed but the rider’s skill and endurance – this is the mother of all equine adventures.”

Applications opened on Tuesday, 1st December and close on Friday, 22nd of January 2010. There is not much time left. After this the applications will be reviewed and the places awarded to the lucky few on Friday 12 February, 2010.

Please bear in mind – and it is mindful to do this before sending in your application – no-one who weighs more than 85 kg will be considered for this race! and you will be weighed before the race! The horses may be tough, but they are small.

Last years’ race was a rip-roaring success. This year’s one is bound to be the same. Some riders went all out to win, others mosied along thoroughly enjoying the ride, the magnificent scenery, and delayed the end of the adventure for as long as possible.

Horse racing has a long and honourable history in Mongolia, witness this video (npr):

The Mongol Derby is just another epic race in their long history.

In 2009 the Mongol Derby  raised money for the charity Mercy Corps. Every kilometer of the race raised money for this powerful charity. Mercy Corps is deeply involved in Mongolia, and and its director in Mongolia, Dominic Graham, summed up their need for assistance: “Money raised by riders in the Mongol Derby will be used to fund vital initiatives run by local groups in remote parts of rural Mongolia that receive very little support from elsewhere.”

And now, without wasting any more time, and with the knowledge that this adventure for you helps others in need, follow this link to sign up:

Take me to the form

We have written about the Atacama Crossing before but wanted to give you an update on the 2010 race which will start on March 7th.

A challenging and tough race across the 15 million year old arid Atacama desert in Chile. This six day, 250km, self-sufficient race will push you harder than ever.

Running or walking across the most lunar-like landscape on Earth, this desert is 50 times drier than California’s Death Valley. You will carry all food, clothing and equipment with you for the entirety of the race.

Photo courtesy of http://theadventureblog.blogspot.com

Here are some interesting facts which you may not have known:

• The Atacama Crossing (Chile) is part of the 4 Deserts which was named by TIME magazine as #2 on its list of the Top 10 Endurance Competitions in the world
• The Atacama Crossing (Chile) 2010 is the sixth edition of this event.
• Thirty four (34) countries will be represented in the Atacama Crossing (Chile) 2010 with competitors coming from six continents.
• The youngest competitor in the Atacama Crossing (Chile) 2010 is Sam Sharrock of the United Kingdom who is 18 years old – he will be taking part with his father.
• The eldest competitor is Laurence J. Brophy of Wales who will be 78 years old on the start line of the Atacama Crossing (Chile) 2010. Laurie will set a new record of being the oldest person to have completed a 4 Deserts event. He currently holds this title from his completion of the Sahara Race (Egypt) 2005 at the age of 72 — this title was then equaled by Jack Denness of the United Kingdom in the Sahara Race (Egypt) 2008.
• 77% of the competitors are male and 23% are female in the Atacama Crossing (Chile) 2010 – this is a 4% increase in the number of females compared to the same event in 2009.
• A record nine competitors from Chile will take part in the Atacama Crossing (Chile) 2010. There are 14 competitors from South America in total, also a record.
• The largest contingent of competitors are from the United Kingdom (39), followed by the United States (34).
• Five teams will be competing in the Atacama Crossing (Chile) 2010. Team Help for Heroes includes Rob James from Wales who finished second in the Atacama Crossing 2008. There is also an all female team from Chile — Team Andesgear / Chile.
• Medical Director, Laurie Kates, M.D, will be leading the medical team. In addition to treating competitors, the medical team will also be conducting medical research.
• Beginning with the Atacama Crossing (Chile) 2010, four competitors will be kicking off their goal to complete all 4 Deserts in 2010 — this includes Linda Quirk of the United States who will be the first woman to complete the series in one calendar year if she is successful. Only two competitors have ever completed the 4 Deserts in one year: Paul Liebenberg of South Africa and Dean Karnazes of the United States, both in 2008.
• During the Atacama Crossing (Chile) 2010, competitors, volunteers and staff will consume more than 14,000 liters of water over the seven days of the event.
• Special tents have been handmade and shipped from Egypt to house competitors in the Atacama Crossing (Chile) 2010.
• The Atacama Desert is 15 million years old and 50 times more arid than California’s Death Valley.
• Some of the oldest mummies found on earth come from the Atacama, dating as far back as 9000 years.
• The entire race will be held at least 1.6 kilometers / 1 mile above sea level and cover the distance required to make a horizontal crossing of the country of Chile (250 kilometers).
• The day time temperatures expected are 32 Celsius / 90 Fahrenheit, while nighttime temperatures may drop to 10 degrees Celsius / 50 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.
• The Atacama Desert has the most lunar-like landscape on Earth and is frequently used by NASA to test its Mars rover vehicles.

See in this great video below from mstemple1 what you might expect on this extreme and ultra marathon. What a challenge but if you want to find out more visit racingtheplanet’s website by clicking on the following link http://www.4deserts.com/atacamacrossing/

Charity for Change (CharityForChange) have come out with some  facts about America. Snow, for example – which state has the most?

Which is the hottest?

From previous articles of ours talking about the Badwater Ultra-marathon and the 508 Cycle Race in Death Valley, we know that Death Valley is the hottest place in the States with searing temperatures. The highest ever recorded there was  134 °F (56.7 °C) in 1913. It also dominates the records for being the hottest place in continental America on any single day.  And this is a place where extreme competitions take place!

Places in the US that have reached temperatures of at least 49 C or 120 °F:

In contrast, the lowest temperature ever recorded in the United States was -80 °F (-62 °C) on January 23, 1971 at Prospect Creek Camp, located near the Arctic Circle along the Alaska pipeline. This is not much warmer than the -81.4 °F record low for North America that Snag in the Yukon dropped to on February 3, 1947. On that record cold February day, Tanacross Alaska reached -75 °F.

Montana, too, has a record to be proud of – or should I say scared of? It takes the record for being the coldest place in the continental US with a temperature of -70 °F on January 20, 1954 at Rogers Pass, Montana. The pass sits at 5,470 feet elevation in the Rocky Mountains, northwest of Helena.

On any single day, the mountain town of Stanley, Idaho, is most often the coldest place in the 48 continental states.

Other states in the US which have dropped to-45 C or  -50 F or below are:

Is it significant that none of these dates are recent?

This Sumo wrestler (thesnowfiles) would be perfectly content in these conditions I feel…

And if climate change is so dramatic and the snow starts melting, we could always try to get a taste for this alternative skiing (Sony6Honda)…

Let’s hope the powers that be decide to do something about global warming before we are reduced to that!

The island of Tierra del Fuego, one of Patagonia’s most southern and remote areas, will host the more than 600 km journey across the Land of the Fire making the eighth Exhibition Race in Patagonia the most southern race in the history of adventure racing. Competitors will have to venture through the majestic white-capped mountains of the Darwin Range and the freezing waters of legendary Beagle Channel.

The isolated location, unpredictable weather and unexplored landscapes will combine to create a truly extreme adventure race. It is the adventure at the end of the world.

20 nations will be represented in Patagonia including USA, Canada, Germany, Denmark, South Africa, Spain, France, Brazil, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, Great Britain, Czech Republic, Turkey, Mexico, Columbia, Uruguay, Argentina, and Chile.

The race begins on 9th February and will end on the 17th. Registration is on the 6th in Punta Arenas, Chili and a technical skill evaluation will be held on the 7th – including an equipment check. Start day, the 9th, will also see the teams being transferred to Tierra del Fuego.

The race will include trekking, mountain biking, sea kayaking, rope handling, navigation skills, and, of course, good team strategies. All disciplines have been chosen with consideration to the natural lie of the land. There will be no forced or artificial testing.

As always with Adventure Racing, participants must have good navigational skills. The geographic location of the course forces the competitors to work in areas where it will be very difficult to establish reference points. In order to advance correctly the teams will use compasses and altimeters, in addition to the route book and the maps provided by the organization.

Race Founder and Director, Stjepan Pavicic, said: “The value of Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race is in presenting not only a physical and mental challenge, but also a message: we must preserve this remote and pristine region of Chilean Patagonia. I’m proud it has become recognized in both respects.”

The following video from the race of 2007 (julioserna) gives you a good idea of what this race is all about, and the awesome terrain that the  competitors will have to challenge.

However, every edition of this race features a unique route. Past racers have found themselves in the Southern Continental Ice Field, the Straight of Magellan, Torres del Paine, Tierra del Fuego, the Beagle Channel and Cape Horn. The land is diverse, the challenge real, the adventure untamed.

Christmas is just around the corner and most of us will probably be thinking about knocking the old body into a bit of shape before the abuse that is about to come… sound familiar? Far too much alcohol, way too much food, far too much of a good time… So a bit of abstinence and some serious exercise should stand us in good stead…

Some forward thinking souls from the four corners of the world will already be fully prepared for their flight tomorrow to…. Antarctica, and why not? Their pre-Christmas warm-up starts on 12th December with the sixth Antarctic Ice Marathon. And if that’s not extreme enough, others of this hardy bunch will be preparing themselves for the 100km ultra-race which sets off on the 15th. It’s called “The world’s coldest 100″. The whole challenge should be over by 18th December – weather permitting.

At 14 million square km, Antarctica  is the fifth-largest continent and is almost 1.5 times the size of the United States. It covers 10 per cent of the earth’s land area yet remains its most inaccessible and remote land mass. Fewer than 200,000 people have ever visited the region. About 98% of the continent is covered in a thick continental ice sheet and the remaining 2% is barren rock.

It is the coldest, windiest, highest and driest continent on the planet. The lowest temperature ever recorded on earth was -89°C (-129°F) at the Russian Vostok station in Antarctica in 1983. At this temperature steel will shatter and water will explode into ice crystals. The continent also experiences regular Katabatic winds, reaching 300 km per hour (185 miles/hour), that blow out of the continental interior and make the Antarctic coastal regions breezy. Antarctica has an average altitude of about 7,000 ft, with the South Pole situated at almost 10,000 ft. Furthermore, there is little precipitation and the air is very dry. Indeed, the Polar Plateau is regarded as a desert and experiences similar precipitation levels to the Sahara Desert. The average annual precipitation in Antarctica is only 50mm (2 inches).

This marathon and ultra-race takes place approximately one thousand miles further south than any other marathon event that takes place on the Antarctic Peninsula. As an extreme sports site, this race fits nicely. It will be a formidable challenge for all participants – and for the organisers too!

The Antarctic has a famous no-pollution policy so ALL waste has to be removed. ALL of it. It adds a whole new facet to marathon organisation. But nothing that Adventure Network International (ANI) are not able to cope with. This is the company that runs the event and the Patriot Hills camp. ANI combines with Polar Running Adventures which is primarily operated by three-time polar marathon runner Richard Donovan. A native of Ireland, he is also the organiser of the annual North Pole Marathon and established the Antarctic Ice Marathon to enable marathon runners to complete a marathon on all seven continents.

In addition to completing marathons in both the Arctic and Antarctic, Richard has successfully participated in other extreme locations such as the Sahara and Atacama Deserts, the Andes and Himalayan mountains and the Amazon Jungle. In February 2009, he set a new record for running marathons on all seven continents when he completed his World Marathon Challenge in 5 days 10 hours 8 minutes. Richard is also an Irish international ultramarathon runner. The photograph below is Richard himself setting the pace in the Ice Marathon…

The eight-day itinerary will see competitors fly by private jet from Punta Arenas, Chile, on December 10th to the marathon location at Patriot Hills. A marked course of 26.2 miles will already have been prepared and snowmobile support, aid stations and medical personnel will be at hand for the duration of the race.

The 100km Ultra-Race is reserved for only the toughest endurance athletes. The 100k (62.1 miles) distance will seem endless, run under a sun that never sets against the backdrop of Patriot Hills and the Ellsworth Mountains. This race presents the opportunity to complete a 100k event on the frozen continent and creates the prospect of a 100k Seven Continents Club for global ultra athletes.

Normal worries and concerns about participating in a marathon are accentuated in the Antarctic. As one competitor, Richard Seaton, said: “Will my goggles steam up the moment I step outside into the cold? Is it a problem that I can’t feel my feet inside three layers of woollen socks? And how am I going to use my “pee bottle” using this much clothing?”

In 2006 there were only 9 runners in the marathon making it the world’s most southerly marathon, possibly its windiest and most expensive and, certainly in 2006, the world’s smallest too. This year registration is reserved for 20 people on a first-come first-served basis.

“Oates was right,” said Seaton, ” I was out there for some time. My 5.39.35 is a personal worst by some way. I’m not troubled at all. The joy of this event is not how fast you run it, but simply that you run it at all.”

People who have run this marathon in addition to marathons on all other six continents will now be acknowledged via the new Seven Continents Marathon Club.

The only thing you have  to take into account is that you run the risk of not returning to the bosom of your family and friends in time for Christmas if the weather turns on you – but it will be the whitest Christmas you will ever have experienced!

If you’d like to seriously consider this event for next year please Click here to complete Application Form Online.

And good luck to all who are taking part in this fabulously challenging event.