Video: Promo for the Tromso Sky Race in Norway

This video was shot as a promo for the Tromso Skyrace, a series of trail runs that will be held in the Tromso, Norway region this summer. The evens will be run through some of the most spectacular scenery in Europe, at a time of year when the midnight sun will provide light for nearly an entire day. The setting looks spectacular and the trail looks suitably challenging, which should make this an incredible experience for all who enter. It seems like Tromso is an amazing place to go trail running, and the organizers of this event are putting together something special.

Tromso SkyRace 2015 from TromsoSkyrace on Vimeo.

Sky Runner Kilian Jornet in The New Yorker

Kilian Jornet's amazing success in the mountains continues to earn him plenty of mainstream press. We've seen the Spanish sky runner garner attention from a number of unexpected sources as word of his exploits has spread to more traditional media outlets. The latest such outlet is The New Yorker, which recently published an excellent profile of the man who is setting new standards for speed on some of the world's most challenging peaks.

The article catches up with Kilian on Aconcagua, a mountain that he summited back in December, setting a new speed record in the process. It discusses his previous speed records on mountains Denali in Alaska and Mont Blanc in France. It even mentions his attempt at Elbrus, which was turned back due to high winds. The New Yorker says he'll give that mountain another go later this year, but at the moment he is squarely focused on training for Everest in the spring. The tallest peak on the planet will bring new challenges to Jornet, not the least of which will be the extreme altitude.

This profile takes us to Aconcagua Base Camp where we get a glimpse of Kilian's routine while on the mountain. His needs are simple as he shares the campsite with his girlfriend Emelie Forsberg, who is an accomplished mountain runner in her own right. The two make their own meals, boil water for tea, and generally keep each other company as they both prepared to challenge the speed records on the mountain. Due to the high altitude of Aconcagua, the tallest peak outside of Asia at 6962 meters (22,841 ft), both athletes had to take their time with the acclimatization process.

The story offers some good details about Kilian's speed record on the mountain, as well as his intentions for the year ahead. In a few months, he'll head to the Himalaya, where he'll be attempting to set a new "fastest known time" on the North Side of Everest. That makes good sense, as the Tibetan side of the mountain is far less crowded than the busy South Side in Nepal. The route is just as challenging of course, but he also won't have to contend with the tricky Khumbu Icefall, a traditional bottleneck for climbers that can cause progress to slow to a craw at times. On the North Side he'll still have to contend with plenty of obstacles however, not the least of which will be the Second Step.

Still, if anyone can set a new speed record on the Big Hill, it'll probably be Kilian. And you can bet that we'll be following his progress closely this spring. We're two months away from the arrival of the first teams in Nepal, and the anticipation for another season is already starting to grow.

Video: Running the Ultra-Trail Cape Town 100k Race

A few weeks back the inaugural Ultra-Trail Cape Town 100 km race took place in South Africa, drawing top endurance runners from across the planet. The event challenged those athletes to not only cover that daunting distance, but deal with more than 4400 meters (14,435 ft) of elevation gain along the way. The stunning South African landscapes made for a dramatic backdrop, to this grueling race, which looks to be a fantastic new event.

The video below is a ten-minute short film that gives viewers a glimpse of what the Ultra-Trail Cape Town is all about. It is a great piece of work that not only shows off the event, but also some of the fantastic adventure opportunities that South Africa has to offer. Registration for this year's event opens on January 27.

Video: Western Time - Running the Western States 100 with Sally McRae

In June of 2014, trail runner Sally McRae set out to run the Western States 100 ultramarathon for the first time. As a Nike-sponsored athlete, she already had a number of accolades under her belt, but this was the first time she was taking on the iconic race that is held in high regard with the endurance community. The short documentary below follows her through the race, including qualifying for the event and preparing for the challenge of her career. This is a good look at a legendary event, and what it takes to compete in it.

Nat Geo Covers Nolan's 14 – One of the Toughest Endurance Challenges in the World

We've covered the Nolan's 14 ultra-run on a couple of occasions in the past, thanks in no small part to our friend Ben Clark's attempts to complete the run on a couple of occasions. For those who don't recall, Nolan's 14 is a grueling endurance challenge that sends trail runners on a hundred-mile long traverse of 14 peaks in Colorado, all of which are over 14,000 feet (4267 meters) in height. The endurance athletes who attempt Nolan's can take any route they choose between those mountains, but they do have to summit each of them along the way. Oh, and to be successful in the challenge, they must also finish the entire run in under 60 hours.

Yesterday, National Geographic Adventure also ran a piece on Nolan's 14, bringing this incredible challenge to a much larger audience for the first time. The article spoke to Ben about his most recent attempt at Nolan's back in September of 2014, as well as a number of other notable ultra-runners who have been humbled by the undertaking. That list includes the likes of Anton Krupicka, who had to abandon his attempt back in 2013 after six peaks. A series of physical ailments caught up with Anton, preventing him from going any further.

The article takes a look at the origins of Nolan's 14, which began as a challenge amongst friends Blake Wood and Fred Vance back in 1999. The idea was to combine ultrarunning, mountaineering and orienteering into one very tough event that meant to be a mostly personal challenge for themselves and other endurance athletes that they knew. They consulted with mountaineer Jim Nolan, who tipped them off about the line of 14 peaks in the Sawatch Range that would eventually become known as Nolan's 14.

It took until 2001 for anyone to actually complete the challenge, which is when Wood, and three other runners, finished the route. In the years since then, only 11 other people have complete the challenge in under 60 hours, which has helped to create the legend of Nolan's 14 within the endurance community.

The entire article is well written, and provides some great insights into Nolan's 14 from the athletes who have done it, or are working on completing it. You can also learn more about the event through Ben Clark's Nolan's 14 film, the trailer for which you'll find below. It will give you just a hint at what all the fuss is about, and the incredible dedication it takes to complete this challenge.


Nolan's 14 - Trailer from Pheonix and Ash Productions on Vimeo.

Video: ASICS "Outrun the Sun" Trail Running Challenge

Last summer, ASICS hosted an incredible tail running event that challenged two teams of endurance athletes to "outrun the sun" around Mont Blanc in Europe. The relay race started and ended in Chamonix, France but crossed through Italy and Switzerland along the way as well. Covering a total distance of 152 km (94.4 miles), the route took runners through some of the most mountainous terrain in the region, forcing them to climb a combined 8450 meters (27,723 ft) in the process. The event was held on June 21, the longest day of the year. With sunrise taking place at 5:44 AM and sunset occurring at 8:48 PM, they had roughly 14.5 hours to run the route while the sun was still overhead.

The video below, which comes our way courtesy of EpicTV, gives us a glimpse at this challenge. I won't spoil the final results, but lets just say it was a tough run with some impressive results.

Gear Junkie Looks at the 110 Greatest Outdoor Ambassadors of All Time

The Gear Junkie, working in conjunction with Wigwam, have come up with a unique project to celebrate that company's 110th anniversary. Over that period of time, we've seen a lot of amazing people do a lot of amazing things in the outdoors. So, to that end, Gear Junkie and Wigwam are compiling a list of the 110 Greatest Outdoor Ambassadors of All Time.

Regular readers of this blog will recognize more than a few names that have earned a spot in the line-up. Some of the men and women who are part of the list are outdoor athletes, while others are explorers, conservationists, gear designers, and so on. Each has made an undeniable contribution to the world of outdoor adventure, and while not all of them are household names, they each are very deserving of this honor.

Some of the people who made the list include polar skier John Huston, inventor and adventurer Ray Jardine, polar explorer Eric Larsen, adventure racer Mike Kloser, and mountaineer Conrad Anker, just to name a few. Some of the outdoor luminaries that are part of the project are still active today, others are historical figures from the past who left their mark in some very unique ways. These men and women are climbers, skiers, endurance athletes, filmmakers, and so much more. Over the years, they have inspired us, encouraged us, and most of all, they have certainly lived up to the title of "Outdoor Ambassador."

One of the best elements of this list is that it isn't quite complete yet. At the moment, it ends at number 73, who happens to be our friend Dave Cornthwaite of Expedition 1000 fame. The Gear Junkie and Wigwam are asking us to help fill in the rest of the list by suggesting more names to add. In the coming weeks, they will continue to expand the number of men and women who earn the honor of being included in this hall of fame based on the suggestions that we provide. For instance, I've suggested Ueli Steck as a candidate, and think that he is very deserving of being one of these ambassadors as well.

Who do you think should make the cut? Have a look at the full list here, and then add your suggestions here.

Gear Closet: Jabra Sport Pulse Wireless Earbuds

Now that Christmas is over, it is time to start looking ahead to the New Year, a time when many people make resolutions to workout more and to get into better shape. Over the past few years, there have been a number of great new wearable technology products that have hit the market that can help us achieve those goals, including numerous activity monitors and smart apps. One of the more innovative of these products is the new Jabra Sport Pulse wireless earbuds, a device that combines a pair of Bluetooth earphones with a built-in heart rate monitor.

If you're a serious outdoor athlete, you have probably worn a heart rate monitor at some point. Traditionally, these somewhat bulky devices are strapped across the chest in order to keep track of your heart rate while on a workout. This can help track performance over time, and give you an indication of how efficient you are as runner, cyclist, or even swimmer. But wearing that chest strap can be uncomfortable and distracting for many athletes, which is why they aren't used as much as they could be.

The Jabra Sport Pulse does away with the bulky chest strap altogether, and puts the heart rate monitor into the headphones themselves. These earbuds are a bit larger than most others you'll find on the market, but once you get them properly fitted (using the included EarGels and EarWings), and have used them a time or two,  you'll soon forget that you are even wearing them at all.

The Sport Pulse earbuds pair wirelessly with a smartphone or Bluetooth enabled mp3 player, allowing the wearer to listen to their favorite music or podcasts while they workout without having an annoying cable running from their ears to their device. This same connection shares heart rate information with the Jabra Sport Life app (available for iPhone and Android), which tracks progress over time, and suggests workouts for improving performance as well. With the app installed on your smartphone, you can check historical data for your workouts, and see how your fitness levels change.


Throughout your workout, the Sport Pulse earbuds will also provide audio feedback to let you know how well you're doing. At ten minute intervals, a voice inside your ear will let you know how far you've run, how fast you're moving, what your current heart rate is, and what "fitness zone" you are operating in. Those zones can include "fat burning," "cardio training," and "intense cardio training" – amongst others – depending on how hard you are working out at any given time. This audio updates make it easier to know how well you are performing on any given workout, and can motivate you to go a bit harder and faster when you feel the need.

As someone who runs nearly every day, it is incredibly liberating to not have to deal with any kind of cable running from my earbuds to my music player. This may seem like an insignificant thing, but if you've ever found that cable to be annoying while you run or ride, you'll understand how nice it can be to do away with it altogether. Throw in the ability to do away with the heart rate monitor strapped to your chest, and you start to see how convenient these headphones truly are. If you routinely run with a heart rate monitor now, you owe it to yourself to try these earbuds out. You may just discover how nice it can be to workout with a single wearable device that can function as your earphones too.

Jabra has included a number of other nice features on the Sport Pulse earbuds as well. The addition of an in-line remote comes in very handy for starting and stopping your music, while another button on the left earbud allows you to begin, end, and pause your workout too. An integrated microphone lets the user take phone calls while wearing the headphones, and it is even possible to interact with Siri on the iPhone (and Google Now on Android) while working out too. While I generally try to run to get away from phone calls and text messages for a little while, it is nice to have the ability to take them if the need arises.

These earbuds have also been built with the outdoor athlete in mind. They are surprisingly durable, and have been designed to resist rain, dust, and the shock that comes with being dropped. Jabra knew that they had to make the Sport Pulse earbuds tough and dependable, and it shows in how well they are constructed.

It is hard not to be impressed with all of the technology that is crammed inside the Sport Pulse headphones, but they do come with a few flaws. For instance, I was less than impressed with the sound quality that they delivered. Jabra has a great reputation for delivering very good sound, but the Sport Pulse sound just "okay." They aren't particularly bad, but there is also nothing to get all that excited about either. I would have liked to have heard a little more punch – for lack of a better word – out of my music, but instead the sound quality left me feeling a bit detached from what I was listening to. That said, the music and vocals sounded clear, there just wasn't anything exciting about it in any way.

Since these are wireless earbuds with a heart rate monitor attached, they also have a built-in rechargeable battery. That battery is good for about four hours of life before it needs to be recharged. That means you'll have to remember to plug in and charge yet another device if you want to use these regularly. For me, I can get about three normal workouts from these earbuds before I need to juice them up again. Optimally, I'd love to see the battery life at least doubled, but considering how small these headphones are there will need to be some significant breakthroughs in battery technology to make that happen anytime soon. For now, you'll have to recharge these headphones often, and keep your standard pair of wired earbuds close by just in case. Fortunately, the Sport Life app provides information about the current level of charge on the batteries, which is a good reminder of when it is time to plug them in.

Jabra sells the Sport Pulse wireless earbuds for $199.95, which sounds a bit expensive if you're just comparing them to other Bluetooth earphones. But when you factor in the built-in heart rate monitor, they actually become quite a bargain. The fact that you can do away with entangling wires running to your audio player, and get rid of the bulky chest strap at the same time, makes this product completely worth the money for many outdoor athletes. If you set your expectations accordingly for the sound quality that these headphones produce, and make it part of your routine to recharge them regularly, you'll find that Jabra has created an excellent product for those who are serious about their fitness.

Kilian Jornet Sets New Speed Record on Aconcagua!

Photo Courtesy of Summits of My Life

If you follow my Twitter feed, this is probably old news to you by now, but I definitely wanted to share it here on the Adventure Blog as well. Yesterday, Spanish mountain runner Kilian Jornet set a new speed record on Aconcagua, smashing the previous time for the fastest ascent and return to Base Camp by more than two hours.

Setting out from the Horcones entrance to the Aconcagua National Park, Kilian ran to the summit of the mountain, located at 6962 meters (22,841 ft), and back again in the unbelievable time of just 12 hours and 49 minutes. He ran along the "normal" route to the top, covering some 59.85 km (37.1 miles), while gaining 3962 meters (12,998 ft) along the way. To put this in perspective, most climbing expeditions spend roughly 8-10 days on this same route, acclimatizing as they go. In Kilian's case, he acclimatized prior to the speed record attempt, and even went to the summit last week.

The previous record for the fastest time on Aconcagua was held by Jorge Egocheaga, how ran the same route a few years back, covering the distance in 15 hours, 5 minutes. Kilian bested that mark by 2 hours, 16 minutes in yet another demonstration of his incredible strength and endurance in the mountains. This was his second attempt at the record in less than a week. Last Friday, he set off along the same route, but turned back at 6500 meters (21,325 ft) due to very high winds.

This was the latest challenge in Jornet's Summits of My Life project. Previously, he has set speed records on Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mont Blanc, and Denali as well. Next up, he intends to head to Everest in the spring to see if he can set yet one more speed record on the biggest hill of them all.

Congratulations to Kilian on yet another amazing accomplishment. His efforts in the mountains continue to astound and amaze me. I am already looking forward to seeing what he can do in the Himalaya this coming spring.

Aconcagua Speed Record Update: Kilian Turns Back in High Winds

On Friday, I posted the news that Kilian Jornet had launched his attempt to set a speed record on Aconcagua, the tallest peak in South America at 6962 meters (22,841 ft) in height. At the time, I mentioned that it might be awhile before we heard anything about his progress, and the success of failure of this attempt. It turns out it wasn't as long as we had hoped, as news was posted later in the day that the mountain runner had turned back due to high winds.

According to updates from Kilian's Facebook page, the Spanish endurance runner got as high as 6500 meters (21,235 ft) before turning around. He was reportedly making good time on his summit bid, but began experiencing high winds that exceeded 90 km/h (56 mph), which made it extremely difficult for him to continue upwards. When you're on a mountain like Aconcagua, those kinds of winds speeds can be very dangerous, particularly when you're traveling as light and fast as Kilian was.

The high winds didn't come completely by surprise. When Kilian announced that he was making his speed attempt, he mentioned that the weather wasn't as good as he'd like, specifically mentioning that the winds could be a problem. Of course, discretion is the better part of valor, and it was a wise move for him to turn back. According to the post on his Facebook page, he will try again soon, possibly as early as today or tomorrow depending on conditions.

Aconcagua is the latest in Kilian's Summits of My Life project, during which he has set speed records on other peaks, including Kilimanjaro, Mont Blanc, and Denali. On Aconcagua, he is hoping to break the old record, set by Jorge Egocheaga in 2011, of 15 hours and 5 minutes. If all goes according to schedule, he'll also be traveling to Nepal in the spring to attempt a speed record on Everest as well.

I'll be watching Kilian's social media outlets over the next few days to see when he starts his second attempt at this record. After having a couple of days back in Base Camp to rest, he is probably watching the weather forecasts at the moment, and waiting for his next opportunity. I'll post updates as I hear anything.

Kilian Jornet Launches Speed Record Bid on Aconcagua

Last week we reported that Kilian Jornet was preparing for a speed record attempt on Aconcagua, the tallest mountain in South America at 6962 meters (22,841 ft). At the time, Kilian had just wrapped up  his speaking tour in Argentina, and was departing for Base Camp on the mountain. Over the past few days, he has been acclimatizing and scouting the route, but now it seems he is ready to go at last.

According to a post on his Facebook page, Kilian has set off this morning for his push towards the summit. The post reads:

"Hey guys! Today is the day to try! Wind is stronger than perfect on the mountain but is a window. I will start in 5 minutes. See you soon!"

The time that the mountain runner is trying to beat is 15 hours, 5 minutes from Base Camp to the summit, and back. That unofficial record is held by Jorge Egocheaga and was set back in 2011. That record is widely seen as the fastest time, despite the fact that Jorge did not have an official timekeeper on site.

According to this report, Kilian has been training very well on Aconcagua and even managed to reach the summit in just 4 hours earlier this week. If that is true, he'll be more than poised to smash the record, as he has done on there mountains in the past, including Mont Blanc, Kilimanjaro, and Denali. If all goes well on this latest adventure, he also hopes to go after the speed record on Everest in the spring.

It is likely that it will be late tonight before we get any official word on Kilian's efforts. Hopefully he travel quickly and safely, and makes it up and down without injury. I'll post an update when we know more about this attempt, but history could be unfolding at this very moment. Watch Kilian's Facebook page for the latest updates.

Kilian Jornet in Argentina to Attempt Speed Record of Aconcagua

Endurance athlete and mountain runner Kilian Jornet is currently in Argentina, where he just wrapped up the final leg of his Mountains of My Life Tour by sharing the film, and his thoughts on climbing and running, with an audience in Mendoza. But it is no coincidence that he wrapped up the tour in the South American country, as he is now preparing for his next big challenge – setting a speed record on Aconcagua, the tallest mountain on the continent.

After finishing up his speaking commitments, the Spaniard will now head to the mountain. At 6960 meters (22,837 ft) in height, Aconcagua is the tallest mountain in the world outside of the Himalaya. It can be a formidable challenge for climbers, not so much because of its technical difficulties, but more so do to the altitude. The "normal" route approaches the summit from the north, and typically doesn't require the use of ropes, ice axes, or other climbing gear. Supplemental oxygen is not usually required either.

Kilian will take his usual approach to climbing the mountain. First, he'll spend some time on Aconcagua getting acclimated, while also training for the conditions there. Once he feels he has sufficiently prepared, he'll look for a window of good weather before setting off for the summit. The speed attempt will be a minimalist affair, with the endurance runner carrying only the gear that he absolutely needs.

The official speed record for Aconcagua is recognized a 15 hours, 42 minutes, which was set by Carlos Sa. In 2007, that record was broken by Jorge Egocheaga, who completed the climb and descent in just 15 hours, 5 minutes. Unfortunately, he didn't take the proper steps to make his record official, so it is not recognized by everyone. Kilian does recognize Egocheaga's record however, and will be trying to break it when he finally launches his attempt on the mountain.

This will be the second to last climb on the Summits of My Life project. If all goes according to plan, Kilian plans to go to Everest in the spring to attempt a speed record there as well. That mountain will present some new, and interesting, challenges for him, but as perhaps the best long-distance endurance runner on the planet, I think he'll be up to that challenge.

I'll post updates on Kilian's Aconcagua attempt over the next few weeks, and of course I'l'l be following his progress on Everest in the spring as well.

Adventure Racing World Series: Two More Races Join The ARWS

The 2014 Adventure Racing World Championships are barely over, and the AR World Series is already ramping up for a big year in 2015. Over the past week or so, ARWS organizers have announced two new races have been added to the series, giving teams in North America and Europe more options for qualifying for next year's championship in Brazil.

The first new race added to the ARWS is the Cameo Cowboy Tough, which will be held Wyoming from July 15-19, 2015. The 3.5 day race is accepting 25 teams to competing on a 500 km (310 mile) course through the Big Horn Mountains near the town of Buffalo. The race will have award a $10,000 cash prize package, with an additional $10,000 in gear and other prizes being given out as well. Registration for the event is now open.

The second race to be added to the ARWS is the Raid Gallaecia Spain, which will be held from May 3-10, 2015 in the Pontevedra region, which sits near the border with Portugal. The event will also be 500 km (310 miles) in length, with the winning team expected to cross the finish line in about 75 hours. The race will mix the traditional disciplines of mountain biking, trail running, sea and river kayaking, coasteering, ropes courses, and navigation through a spectacularly beautiful section of Spain.

The AR World Series continues to get stronger each and every year, and 2015 is already shaping up to be one of the best year's for the series yet. The races that are part of the system are incredibly well organized and offer teams excellent challenges in a wide variety of environments across the planet. With qualifiers on six continents, it is now possible for just about any adventure racing team in the world to gain entry into the AR World Championships.

Of course, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Expedition Alaska, which is shaping up to be one of the best new races for 2015 as well. The event is also part of the ARWS, and registration is also already open for that race too. I am part of the team that is organizing ExpeditionAK, and we're looking forward to welcoming teams from across the globe to the "Last Frontier" in June of next year.

It is a great time for sport of adventure racing to say the least.

Video: Teaser Trailer for Nolan's 14

There is a little known challenge in the ultrarunning world known as Nolan's 14. That challenge involves running a 100 mile (160 km) route through the mountains of Colorado, while bagging all 14 individual 14,000 ft (4267 meter) peaks that make up Sawatch Range. The runners who take on this challenge are free to follow any route they choose, so long as they manage to get all 14 peaks in under 60 hours. Only 15% of those who try are actually able to do it.

Now, a new documentary about Nolan's 14 has been released, and it looks fantastic. The teaser trailer for the film can be found below, and it serves as a good introduction to this grueling undertaking. You'll recognize some of the biggest names in ultrarunning in the clip, which also gives viewers a glimpse of just how difficult this challenge truly is. The final quote in the trailer sums it up well. "There's running. There's ultrarunning. Then there's Nolan's 14."

If you like what you see, you can rent or buy the full documentary on Vimeo as well.

Nolan's 14 - Trailer from Pheonix and Ash Productions on Vimeo.

Ultra-running Team Sets New Mark on New Zealand's Great Walks

A few weeks back I posted about the New Zealand 9 expedition, an attempt by a trio of ultrarunners/adventurers to set a new speed record for completing all nine of New Zealand's Great Walks in just nine days. While I was off galavanting around Ecuador the past few weeks, this team of endurance athletes launched their ambitious effort as well. While not everything went according to plan, they were able to successfully complete eight of the Great Walks, and a portion of the ninth, while in the process, setting a new record along the way.

Ben Southall, Luke Edwards, and Patrick Kinsella faced grueling trail conditions, sleep deprivation, logistical challenges, and the wrath of Mother Nature as they ran – and paddled – their way along the Great Walks. The three men pushed themselves to their physical limits, often running distances greater than a marathon on back-to-back, successive days, on dirt trails no less. In the end, it was circumstances beyond their control that prevented them from achieving the nine walks in nine days, although they did manage to complete eight of the journeys in record time.

For those who don't know, the nine "Great Walks" consist of the following: The Rakiura Track (32km/19.8 miles), Kepler Track (60km/37.2 miles), Milford Track (54km/33.5 miles), Routeburn Track (32km/19.8 miles), Heaphy Track (78km/48.5 miles), Abel Tasman Coastal Track (51km/31.6 miles), Whanganui Journey (145 km/90 miles), Tongariro Northern Circuit (43km/26.7 miles), Lake Waikaremoana Track (46km/28.5 miles).

When the team completed the Routeburn Track, they immediately set out for the Heaphy Track to continue their expedition. Unfortunately, extended driving times between the trailheads forced them to run the 78km (48.5 mile) route at night, which presented plenty of challenges in and of itself. They were able to complete that route however, and that wasn't where they faced a roadblock that couldn't be overcome.


With logistical issues causing delays, the expedition schedule got a bit off track, and by the time they reached the Whanganui Journey – a 145km (90 mile) paddle down the Whanganui River – they new they were racing an uphill battle. The river had swelled to unusually high levels, making it even more of a challenge to complete. When nightfall set in, the boys realized that it was too dangerous to paddle after dark, and were forced to abandon the attempt.

Dejected that they wouldn't be able to finish that stage of the journey, the move don to the Tongariro Northern Circuit, before catching a helicopter ride to the start of the Lake Waikaremoana Track. They ran those two ultramarathon length trails back-to-back, and crossed the finish line for the expedition in 9 days, 23 hours, and 20 minutes. 40 minutes shy of ten days.

As it stands, they team set a new mark for finishing 8 of New Zealand's Great Walks in record time. They are disappointed of course that they were unable to complete the Wanganui Journey, but are proud of their accomplishment none the less. Congratulations to Ben, Luke, and Pat on a job well done.

To find out more about the expedition visit TheGlobalAdenturers.com.  And check out the video below of the final leg of the journey to get an idea of the challenge they faced along the way.


Trail 9 - World Record from NothinButShorts International on Vimeo.

Badwater Ultramarathon Returning to Death Valley

One of the big stories from the ultrarunning world earlier this year was the news that the Badwater Ultramarathon had been barred from taking place in its traditional environment – Death Valley National Park. In an effort to increase safety throughout the park, a comprehensive review of all events taking place within Death Vally was conducted, which included a number of running and cycling competitions. While that review was taking place, the Badwater was forced to use an alternate route for the 2014 event, and for a time it looked like that route could become permanent. Last week however, it was announced that the race will return to its traditional route in 2015, with only a few minor changes to operations.

In August, a report on the findings for the safety review in Death Valley indicated that sporting events taking place in the month of July – when the Badwater traditionally is run – could be permanently banned. That's when the temperatures in the park are at their hottest, and conditions are most dangerous for those participating. At the time the report was released, the future of the ultramarathon continuing in Death Valley looked grim, and it seemed it wouldn't even be able to start in the small town from which is garnered its name.

But now it seems the Park Service has granted the Badwater a reprieve, and the event will take place more or less as usual. The 2015 edition of the race will be held July 28-30, with a route that begins in Badwater Basin, 86 meters (282 feet) below sea level, and ends at the Mt. Whitney Portals located at 2530 metes (8300 ft). Along the way, it covers some 217 km (135 miles) through one of the harshest, driest environments on the planet.

Race officials indicated that the Badwater would have a three-wave start, with runners setting off in the evening. They indicated that participants wouldn't notice any other significant changes to the event, although behind the scenes there has been more bureaucracy and expense taken on by the AdventureCORPS team that puts on the race. Other than that however, it is business as usual for the ultra-event.

It's good to see the Badwater return to its traditional home and route. The event was never in danger of going away, but for decades it has been run along the route from the basin to Mt. Whitney, and it is nice to see it able to continue along that path. I commend the National Park Service for taking safety seriously, but the AdventureCORPS team has been running this race for a long time, and they have proven time and again that they know what they are doing. Safety remains a chief concern of all involved, and will continue to do so as long as the Badwater continues to operate.

Expedition Alaska Joins Adventure Racing World Series

Over the weekend, there was big news for fans of adventure racing, as it was announced that Expedition Alaska, a major new race taking place next summer, has joined the Adventure Racing World Series (ARWS), making it a qualifier for the Adventure Racing World Championship to be held in Brazil in 2015. 

Expedition Alaska, which is being organized and run by Perpetual Motion Events based out of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, will take place from June 27-July 4 of next year. The race will host 30 coed teams of four from across the globe, as they compete with one another on a 500 km (310 mile) course that promises to be amongst the most spectacular, and challenging, that the sport has ever seen. As usual, those teams will have to trek, mountain bike, paddle, climb, and navigate their way along the route, which will take them through the Alaskan backcountry, and into one of the last truly wild places on the planet. 

Joining the ARWS is a major feather in the cap for the race directors of Expedition Alaska, especially in its first year of existence. This distinction makes the race one of just two qualifiers to be held in North America next year, the other being the Gold Rush Mother Lode, which takes place in California Sept. 9-14, 2015. Registration for Expedition Alaska is already open, and teams have already started filling up the limited number of slots. If you plan on racing in this great event, you'll want to register early as well. 

This news comes just days before the start of this year's AR World Championship, which is taking place in Quito, Ecuador starting next weekend. In a few days, the best adventure racing teams in the world will gather to challenge one another for the right to call themselves the world champs, and I will be fortunate enough to be on hand for the start of the race, and to report from the event in Ecuador in a few days time.

In the interest of full disclosure, I'd also like to point out that I have just joined the staff for Expedition Alaska as well. I can tell you that the whole team is excited about the race, and we're looking forward to putting on spectacular race that will feature a breathtaking course, and an unbelievable finish for the competitors. As such, you'll likely be hearing a lot more about the event in the days and weeks ahead. It promises to be one of the best adventure races in history, and AR athletes are not going to want to miss it. 

Video: The Steepest Running Race in Europe

I never thought a video would make my legs throb with pain, but this one just about did the trick. It was shot at the Red Bull 400, which is held annually in Harrachov, Czech Republic. The event covers just 400 meters, but it runs up the side of a hill that is typically used for ski jumping competitions. That means it is extremely steep, and as you'll see from the video, extremely demanding as well. You better have good lungs and strong legs if you want to compete in this race.

It's Happening! Primal Quest Returns in 2015, Registration Opens Saturday!

There has been a lot of rumors circulating over the past few months about the possible return of Primal Quest, one of the biggest events ever in the sport of adventure racing. After disappearing from the AR landscape for more than five year, it seemed the possibility of PQ's resurrection were quite dim. But not only will the race be back in 2015, registration for the event opens on Saturday.

When the news first broke about Primal Quest's return back in June, there was a lot of speculation about who was behind the race, and whether or not it was actually going to happen. That was an understandable reaction at the time, as we've been teased more than once about a potential new Primal Quest race. Yesterday, I exchanged emails with Maria Burton, the new CEO of PQ, and she assures me that the event is moving ahead, and that there is a lot of excitement and momentum behind it.

At this point, we know that PQ will return to its original format, which pits coed teams of four against one another in standard adventure racing disciplines, such as trail running, mountain biking, and paddling. The event will take place August 22-29, 2015 in the Lake Tahoe area. We're promised a 7-day, non-stop race, covering more than 400 miles (643 km) through the wilderness of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Race management is hoping to attract as many as 40 teams from around the world to compete.

As a fan of adventure racing, its great to see Primal Quest finally returning next year. But it should be pointed out, that while Maria has ties to the original event, this isn't the same team that brought you the previous PQ's. In fact, she tells me she is still putting her team together, but that the staff will be ramping up in the weeks ahead in preparation for the race next summer. The goal is to create an event that is the spiritual successor to past Primal Quests, with the hopes of creating a sustainable race that will be with us for years to come.

Hopefully we'll learn a lot more about this new incarnation of Primal Quest in the days ahead. But for now, teams interested in racing in the event should start making their plans. That includes registering for the race on Saturday.

Video: Mountain Running with Anton Krupicka

Anton Krupicka is an endurance athlete that is amongst the best ultrarunners in the world. He loves to run on long mountain trails that allow him to connect with nature. The video below gives us an introduction to Anton, and offers some insights as to what drives him to run not only in some of the toughest ultra-events on the planet, but just in his daily life as well. The scenery in the short seven-minute film is spectacular, and will motive you to want to go run some trails too.

The Ingenuous Choice - Mountain Running with Anton Krupicka from Outdoor Live on Vimeo.