Video: Last Mountain Bike Ride of the Season

Back in November, when the first signs of winter were first setting in, mountain biker Alex McAndrew headed out to one of his favorite trails near Stowe, Vermont to get in one last ride for the season. The result is this two-minute video, which shows Alex tearing up the trail in a beautiful wooded setting. For many of us, the next chance to ride won't come until the warm weather of spring returns, but this is a little reminder of what will be waiting.

Alex McAndrew - November from Skyline Studios // Henry Miles on Vimeo.

Adventure Tech: Planning for the Next Generation of Satellite Communications

For explorers and adventurers wandering into remote regions of the planet, satellite phones and data transmitters are the lifeline that allows them to stay in contact with the rest of the world, while also sharing updates on the progress of their expeditions. But today's satellite networks are aging rapidly, and are quickly becoming outdated. While they still handle voice calls fairly well, they lag far behind in data speeds. But two forward-thinking billionaires are in the planning stages for their own independent projects which will bring faster, more reliable voice and data coverage to the entire planet, and considering the track records of both of these gentleman, I wouldn't bet against either of them.

The first new satellite communications venture is being spearheaded by Elon Musk and his SpaceX program. Musk, who also runs electric car company Tesla Motors, and his researching building a high-speed train called HyperLoop, has announced plans to build a network consisting of hundreds of satellites in low-Earth orbit that would provide high speed data connections to the entire planet. The project is expected to take about 5 years to complete, and cost around $10 billion, but because the communications satellites will be at a relatively low altitude (750 miles up), they'll be able to exchange data at a far faster rate than current systems, which are as high as 22,000 miles.

Musk says that this project won't just benefit people on Earth however. He sees it as a stepping stone for what he eventually envisions as a permanent colony on Mars as well. That may seem far fetched at the moment, but considering the leaps that SpaceX has made in recent years (the company is one of the contractors that delivers supplies to the International Space Station), and their ambitious plans for the future, it doesn't seem completely out of the realm of possibility down the line.


Meanwhile, another rich visionary who has designs on the commercial space travel market is Richard Branson, who also has revealed similar plans for his own satellite communications network. The Virgin Galactic founder says he would also like to use his fledgling company to launch a network of low-orbit satellites as well, with the same aim of bringing improved communications and high speed data to the planet.

The concept would be to use Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo aircraft to launch small payloads carrying satellites that way about 500 pounds into orbit. This would be a far more efficient and cost effective way of getting those devices into space, and would speed up the time table dramatically. The problem is that the project took a step backwards with the recent crash of SpaceShipTwo, which claimed the life of a test pilot. Branson says he is committed to the concept none the less, and he hopes to begin deploying the first of these satellites in the next few years.

While both of these programs will obviously take some time to come to fruition, the payoff could be huge for our ability to say in contact while in remote areas. The fact that they'll include high speed data means that voice and video communications will improve dramatically, and likely drop in price when compared to current satellite offerings. But the traditional satcom companies like Iridium aren't exactly resting on their laurels either. Several have announced plans for their own next generation satellite systems which will hopefully deliver on the promise of faster performance as well.

Winter Climbs 2014-2015: Alex Txikon Heads to Nanga Parbat Too!

As if there weren't already enough teams attempting Nanga Parbat this winter, you can throw another name into the hat for those who could potentially achieve the first winter ascent of that 8126 meter (26,660 ft) mountain. After being denied a permit to climb K2 from the Chinese side of the mountain a few weeks back, Spanish climber Alex Txikon will now travel to Pakistan to give Nanga Parbat a try as well.

According to reports, Alex set out for Pakistan yesterday, and provided he clears customs without any problems, and gets his logistics sorted out quickly, he should be on his way to Base Camp within a day or two. He will not be joined by his K2 teammates however, as both Denis Urubko and Adam Bielecki have moved on to other projects. Instead, he'll climb with two old friends who are local climbers. Txikon will be joined by Muhammad Ali, who has already climbed Nanga twice in the past, and has topped out on all but one of the 8000-meter peaks. He lacks only K2 to complete that line-up. The other climber is Muhammad Kahn, who has also climbed Nanga Parbat in the past, and has reached the top of Gasherbrum I and II, as well as K2. Their experience on the mountain should prove invaluable in the days ahead.

The team will attempt the Diamir Face, but which route they'll take to the top remains to be seen. Alex says he'll wait until he is in BC where he can scout the route before deciding which way he wants to go up. He expect to be in Base Camp by Friday, and has dedicated two months to this expedition.



Meanwhile, after not hearing anything out of climbing partners Tomek Mackiewicz and Elisabeth Revol for ten days, Daniele Nardi finally reports that they are safe and descending the mountain. The word of their whereabouts came via Elisabeth's husband Jean Christophe, who received a text message from her back home in France. The duo will return to BC for rest while they ponder their next move. The weather is reportedly quite good on the mountain at the moment, but they simply didn't have the energy or oxygen to push towards the summit. Tomek has now gone as high as 7200 meters (23,622 ft), and he and Elisabeth have established all of their camps up to C4. If the weather continues to cooperate, they may be ready to attempt a summit push in the near future.

After discovering his climbing mates were safe, and on their way back down, Daniele has decided to move back up the mountain too. He went up to Camp 2 over the weekend while he continues to acclimatize and prepare for his own summit bid in the days ahead.

There has been no update on the Russian team that is attempt to summit from the Rupal Face. The last reheard, that team was on its way up to continue fixing ropes and carrying equipment to their high camps. They will undoubtedly stay at altitude to acclimatize and get as much work done as they can while the weather remains favorable.

That's all for now. More updates from Nanga Parbat soon.

Video: Wildlife Photographer Goes To Great Lengths To Get The Perfect Shot

Wildlife photographer Aaron Gekoski is use to spending days in the wild to try to capture unforgettable images of some of the world's most amazing wildlife. But what does he have to do to capture the annual sardine migration off the coast of South Africa? Just plunge into shark-infested waters to shoot an iconic image that will be good enough to make the cover of a magazine. Unfortunately, that proves much more difficult that he imagined, and we get an inside look at what these photographers must go through to get the photos they need.

This video kicks off an interesting new series called Fish 'n Tings at EpicTV and it promises to be a fascinating one to follow. The highlight of this clip is an impressive encounter with a massive whale.

Video: The Sounds of Mountain Biking

Most mountain biking videos feature shots of pro riders tearing up an impressive trail while beautiful scenery passes by in the background and a rock and roll soundtrack blares out of your speakers. This clip has all of that save the loud music. Instead, it focuses more on the sounds that we hear while we're riding, the ones that we all know and love. Join rider Curtis Robinson as he takes his new Specialized Stumpjumper FSR EVO out for a cruise on some amazing looking singletrack. You won't be disappointed.

Wetness from The Coastal Crew on Vimeo.

The Matt Prior Adventure Academy Website is Live!

A few weeks back I first told you about the Matt Prior Adventure Academy, which looks to give would-be adventures a nudge out the door by providing them with the skills they need to explore the world around them with confidence. At the time, the concept was still in its planning stages as it prepared for its launch in 2015. Now, the official website for the Adventure Academy is up and running, and ready to start taking applications.

Visitors to the newly launched site will find much more information about the Academy, as well as its founder  – Matt Prior. Matt brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the table, which he has earned on his own adventures which have seen him visit more than 85 countries across the globe, often blending unique methods of travel with cultural and historical immersion. He plans to pass that knowledge on to participants in his "courses" which will teach vital skills to travelers, while visiting remote destinations around the globe.

The first of those courses will be offered starting in May, with others to follow in June, August, September, and October of this year. Each of them will take place in Indonesia where participants will spend a week exploring the landscape by motor bike, while also gaining the skills and confidence they need to launch their own adventurous travels in the future. The cost of the Academy courses are £999 (or roughly $1500) which covers internal flights, motorbike and helmet rental, all fuel, entry permits and fees to national parks, guide fees, food and drinks. Additionally, 5% of all profits will be donated to the NSPCC, an organization dedicated to ending child abuse.

The video below will provide you with more insights into the Adventure Academy, including some testimonials from those who have traveled with Matt, and a glimpse at the landscapes that the courses will be visiting. To find out more visit MPAdventureAcademy.com. If you're interested in applying to join one of the trips, the application form can be found here.

As I've said before, I think the idea behind the Adventure Academy is a brilliant one, and anything that helps encourage people to put a little more adventure into their lives is wonderful.

Adventure Tech: Light & Motion Introduces New GoPro Companion Light

Light & Motion, a company known for making outstanding headlamps and bike lights, has introduced an interesting new product that I'm sure will be of interest to budding adventure filmmakers with GoPro cameras. Their new Sidekick light is designed to work as a companion to the ubiquitous action cams, providing a lightweight option for providing bright light, without adding much in the way of bulk.

The new product was introduced via a Kickstarter campaign that was launched within the past few days. L&M is looking to raise $50,000 from supporters to help get the Sidekick off the ground, and as of this writing they are already more than halfway to that goal, proving that there is already a great deal of interest in this product.

The Sidekick is designed to be a powerful light source that remains highly portable and very lightweight. The finished model will put off more than 600 lumens of light in a wide flood beam that is meant to provide plenty of illumination to help improve the image quality of the video footage captured by the GoPro camera. The light is also completely water proof, and can withstand pressures down to 200 feet (60 meters) below the surface. A second model – called the Sidekick Duo – will also provide a 400-lumen spot beam for navigation, while an accessory mount allows the light to be mounted on top of the camera specifically for capturing underwater images. Light & Motion promises a run time of up to 4 hours before the Sidekick will need a recharge as well, making it an efficient device too.

The Sidekick is expected to start shipping in March, with those supporting the Kickstarter campaign picking up the standard model for as low as $80, while the Duo light can be had for just $110. When the lights hit the market, they will probably run for considerably more than that, so this is a great way to get the Sidekick at a low price.

For  more details, check out the Sidekick Kickstarter page here.