The North Face Wallpapers

You can find some truly amazing wallpapers to fit your screen size here.

The North Face Wallpaper 1: Dark Himalayan Mountains

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The North Face Wallpaper 2:  Renan Ozturk in Trango Region, Pakistan

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The North Face Wallpaper 3: Tim Kemple, Balancing Act, Pakistan

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Mountain Equipment Wallpapers

• Mountain Equipment Wallpaper 1:  Summit Approach, available in various sizes
• Mountain Equipment Wallpaper 2: Tarka in China, available in various sizes
• Mountain Equipment Wallpaper 3: Moon Flower Buttress, available in various sizes
• Mountain Equipment Wallpaper 4: Everest Summit, available in various sizes

If you are looking for The North Face or Mountain Equipment clothing or tents, do of course visit the outdoor shop…here you’ll find everything discounted (we’d like to call them special offers but as the prices are discounted all year round it’s not exactly special!).  Although if you are looking for special offers click here!

So shop as normal over the bank holidays, but if you do wish to call us (01925 4111 385) we won’t be able to answer the phone for those days but will do of course as usual at all other working hours.

Normal opening hours:

Monday: 9:30am-6pm
Tuesday: 9:30am-6pm
Wednesday: 9:30am-6pm
Thursday: 9:30am-8pm
Friday: 9:30am-6pm
Saturday: 9.00am-6pm
Sunday: 10:30am-3:30pm

…but closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day!

And of course, continue to take advantage of the special offers in the outdoor shop throughout the Christmas period as these will be running until early January!  Contact us with any more queries.

On 11/11/08 Adam Wilton and Gavin Booth set off on an expedition to the South Pole. Adam and Gavin are well past 88 degrees now. Man hauling their sleds for a staggering 10.5 hours per day they are becoming tired and hungry. They are losing weight and feeling the cold.

We are now properly on the plateaux though, so flatter terrain. Both glad to tick off another day.

Their height on the plateau is about 2700 meters, 1000 meters of which they climbed in the past week. Fortunately there is only another 135 meters left for them to climb to the South Pole.

In terms of distance, they have covered over 900 km and now have less than 200 km to go.

They are hoping to reach the South Pole by New Year’s day.

Adam and Gavin are hoping to raise £250,000 to help save Robert Falcon Scott’s hut.

Paul Bride, Outdoor Photographer

We love getting inspiring outdoor athletes on for interviews and have another one this week who kindly gave up there time to answer a few questions for CheapTents.com readers!

Paul Bride a photographer of whom work has been seen in the Rock & Ice magazine and multiple.  Here’s a bit more about Paul and his adventures…

About Paul Bride

Paul Bride is an adventurer & travel photographer/videographer specialising in expeditions with a focus on climbing and travel. Paul’s work appears consistently in the climbing and outdoor world - in high profile . He currently resides in Squamish British Columbia Canada.

Paul has done a wide range of photography for editorial clients including:

• Rock & Ice, Gripped, Pacific Yachting, Men’s Journal, Canadian Alpine Journal, Outpost, Beautiful British Columbia, Alpinist, Canoe& Kayak, Powder, Skier, Climbing, Explore Magazine
• The New York Times, The Globe and Mail, The Province, The Chief

In addition to editirorial photography Paul Bride has done a wide range of phtography work for huge outdoor brands including: Mountain Safety Research (MSR), Arc’teryx, Patagonia, BlueWater, Julbo, Canadian Mountain Properties, Therm-a-rest, Platypus, Sea to Sky Air, Sea Eagle Boats, FiveTen, Blurr, Valhalla Pure, Backpacker Pantry, Custom Color, Pelican, Mountain Equipment Co-op, Whistler Mountain,

Paul Bride Expeditions

Paul has been on a wide range of expeditions, sending him and his camera to places to places all over the world allowing him to come back with some truly spectacular imagery.   Expeditions include:

• 2008 India – Documentary photographer for climbing in Southern India
• 2007 Australia - Documentary videographer for climbing/surfing expedition
• 2006 Nepal - Teng Kang Poche, 21,000 ft peek - expedition photographer
• 2005 Malta - Deep water soloing – climbing expedition photographer
• 2004 Waddington Range BC - First accent of the ‘The Smoke Show’ – climbing expedition photographer
• 2004 Vietnam - Deep water soloing – climbing expedition photographer

Specific highlights of footage from worldwide expeditions have included:

• 2006/07 Banff Mountain Film Festival -Winner of Best Short Mountain Film – ‘Cobra Crack’ filmed by Paul Bride
• 2007 - Carte Blanche Photography Book 1. Chosen as one of the top practicing Canadian editorial photographers.

Paul Bride is a key part of MSR’s sponsored outdoor sports athletes - testing gear and a photographer for the company.  MSR is a strong advocate of sponsoring the best outdoor athletes to achieve such things amazing.  Here’s a snippet of their outlook on sponsoring outdoor athletes;

MSR, Therm-a-Rest, SealLine and Platypus support a group of outdoor athletes who are constantly redefining the notion of outdoor recreation and the spirit of adventure, as well as using their notoriety for a greater good. Their personalities and adventures provide inspiration to everyone; from beginners to seasoned outdoor enthusiasts.

And because these athletes rely implicitly on their gear for survival, we’re inspired by their trust and feedback to continue creating the best outdoor gear available.

Here at CheapTents.com, we love MSR tents and all their other outdoor equipment, and it’s clear to see why…it’s this in-depth research and time spent on specialist areas of outdoor gear that improves their product development processes.

Paul Bride, Outdoor Photographer

CheapTents.com: What inspired you to get into photographing the outdoors?

Long before I even knew I wanted to get into outdoor adventure photography I was always inspired by images of far away places and expeditions. It wasn’t until my girlfriend (now wife) loaned me a point and shoot camera for my first big adventure that set me on my path.

CheapTents.com: What has been your biggest adventure or other achievement?

One of my most memorable adventures took place in Vietnam with only one other climber in search of deep water soloing routes (Climbing sea cliffs without ropes, eventually falling in the water). We spent 3 weeks floating on the South China Sea on a homemade raft, constructed of 2 inflatable kayaks, a portaledge, and the MSR fusion tent that we brought from home.

Paul Bride, Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

Locals had warned us to avoid the military at all cost so keeping our expedition stealth was very important. There are thousands of limestone towers that jet out of the sea and with no maps available to anyone but the military we set off with a placemat from a restaurant that had a animated drawing of what Ha Long Bay looked like as our nautical chart, getting lost was not an option. At the end of a 5-day stint we would rendezvous with a boat to pick us up so we could re-supply food and fresh drinking water.

Floating in the middle of the South China Sea on a homemade raft and watching the boat that just dropped you off disappear leaves you feeling very far from home, ‘Are you sure the captain understood he is supposed to pick us up again in a week?’ can play heavy on your mind.

CheapTents.com: What is you biggest weakness? Sport, photography or otherwise…

Sitting at the computer for days after an expedition editing images. I always want to be in the field shooting.

CheapTents.com: When did you feel like you ‘made it’ in your field of outdoor sports and photography? And do you feel like you’ve satisfied your goals?

Outdoor photography is an ongoing commitment. I feel I’m only as good as my last shoot. I don’t know if I’ll ever be satisfied there are so many trips and places I want to go.

CheapTents.com: What do you find most challenging about training? Any tips to overcome these challenges?

I really enjoy training. If I’m not moving then I’m not happy. Being in good condition I feel is one of the key components for a successful expedition. I’m always learning in the mountains from better climbers but if you can’t keep up then you can’t capture the image.

Paul Bride, Ice Climbing in the Rockies

CheapTents.com: Blood thirsty question now, what has been your worst injury (if any) from your adventures and how did it happen?

Worst injury by far was hitting a tree while shooting skiing in the Kootenays my first winter there, I broke my ribs, ruptured my kidney, and did all kinds of damage to my back. Peeing blood and passing all the dried flakes of blood from my kidney makes for a long winter, ouch! Lol

CheapTents.com: What will be your most challenging climbs / expeditions / adventures for next year?

We are in the works of putting a trip together to the Arctic Circle but I’m not supposed to talk about it yet. Sorry!!

CheapTents.com: You’ve obviously been heavily involved with climbing and photography for a number of years, can you pick out a favorite expedition, and explain why?

One of my most favorite expeditions was to the Waddington Range right here in British Columbia Canada. I had done a lot of climbing up to that point but this was the first time I really felt like I had thrown myself into the fire, I will never forget stepping out of the chopper on to the Tiedemann glacier in a snowstorm in the middle of August. We had to ferry 600 pounds of gear over a heavily crevassed part of the glacier up a 500ft bench over the biggest Bergschrund I’d ever seen, just to reach basecamp. A friend of mine had described Waddington to me before I left as an easy place to die. Sitting in my tent soaked and alone that first night I felt like I was part of something serious.

CheapTents.com: Where would you like to be in 5 years time? Main Ambitions?

I hope in 5 years time I’m still healthy enough to be traveling and photographing in remote places.

CheapTents.com: For other budding outdoor sports enthusiasts, what tips can you provide to help other compete at a higher level?

I think the most important thing to remember is do what you love and not to sell yourself short. Outdoor sports and photography is a journey that is full of highs and lows. Testing yourself in the pursuit of personal goals can be very rewarding but different for each individual. Do and photograph what you love and enjoy the ride.

CheapTents.com: What are your favorite bits of outdoor gear, and why?

Gear is always changing so my attitude towards it changes as well.

I like to be comfortable in the outdoors and being a photographer I have to haul around a lot of [bleep!] so space is very important to me. My new best friend in the Asgard tent from MSR, this thing is bomb proof and the ventilation is excellent. Light enough to carry on long approaches yet with 2 vestibules and plenty of room inside I can share it with a partner and still have room for all my camera gear.

Eating is a bit of a hobby of mine and I don’t mind cooking so I always pay attention to stoves. The Pocket Rocket from MSR is the perfect stove for fast and light and has never failed me once (thank god) If there are a few members to our team then I have to go with the Dragon Fly from MSR as well, easy to clean, burns any fuel and sounds so cool at full throttle.

CheapTents.com: Any people or sponsors that you’d like thank? Any other comments?

Over the past years I’ve been able to use a lot of gear and work with different companies. Some of those business relationships have turned into friendships that I would like to continue.
I would very much like to thank Jim Ault at Cascade Designs for giving me a chance in the beginning.

To view Paul’s truly spectacular photography please visit:  http://www.paulbride.com

Mikael Strandberg, Explorer and Adventurer

Mikael Strandberg was born in 1962 in Sweden. He started his professional career as an explorer 19 years ago. The multi-talented Mikael is currently working as an explorer, a lecturer and a writer. Mikael has also produced three internationally renowned documentaries for television “PATAGONIA – 3,000 kilometres by horse” and “THE MASAAI PEOPLE – 1,000 kilometres by foot” and his much awarded, “-58 degrees – exploring Siberia on skis.”

Mikael Strandberg Interview

CheapTents.com: What inspired you to make exploring your profession?

Mikael: Many things, but first of all a curiosity to try to understand the meaning of life. More an intellectual challenge, then simply a physical one. the physical aspect, the limits of a human being, are less interesting, but I prefer traveling by my own means, since it is far easier to get in touch with these cultures and peoples I want to get to know and understand.

Mikael Strandberg, Explorer

CheapTents.com: What has been your biggest adventure or other exploratory achievement?

Mikael: Exploring the Kolyma River located in the north-eastern part of Siberia. the coldest inhabited place on earth. See www.siberia.nu

The Purpose of the expedition along the Kolyma River:

The main aim is to use words, pictures and film to make a record of this unknown part of our world. This is a vital task, since in the course of our extensive research work we have realised that not even the Russians or the Siberians themselves have a comprehensive picture of the area along the Kolyma River. The obstacles are the cold, the distance, the size and the isolation.

The area is untouched, remote and unknown. Nonetheless the area is as rich in gold, oil and mineral deposits as the rest of Siberia. This part of the world is one of the few remaining places on earth that is virgin territory. This is a genuine journey of discovery.

We also believe that it is in this untouched area that the answers to many of the questions asked by modern men are to be found: What are we doing here? What is our task? How do we find calm, harmony and satisfaction in our lives?

Here’s a snippet of the time spent in North-East Siberia:

The day I arrived to the small Siberian settlement of Kolymskaya was the happiest moment of my exploring life. It was the end of the most demanding part of my Expedition along the Kolyma River, one of the coldest inhabited places on earth.

I had, together with my assistant Johan, spent most of the past 5 months hauling 660 pounds of necessities, mainly in utter darkness, experiencing a terrifying cold with average temperatures around -50°F, day and night. A reality which made sleep almost impossible, giving us plenty of frostbites on both fingers and cheeks and it ruined most metal parts in our equipment. Like our ski bindings, and therefore, we arrived walking, not skiing, to the village.

It seemed like every inhabitant were there to greet us with customary warmth, joy and most of them were dressed in their colourful traditional dress. We saw Chukchis, Even, Yakuts, Yugahirs and Russians. After the traditional welcoming offerings to the spirits, we were brought into the local museum, where more cheerful and hugging villagers awaited us, around a table full of local delicacies. After having survived mainly on moose meat and raw, frozen fish during most of the winter, we nearly cried when we came across big plates of fried reindeer brain and cooked bone marrow.

At that stage, I suddenly realized, after spending 20 years of exploring extreme parts of our world and trying to understand the meaning of life, from now on, I’ll stop thinking about the big worrisome issues and simply concentrate on the uncomplicated ones. Like the thought of some more cooked bone marrow.

CheapTents.com: What is you biggest weakness? Sport or otherwise…

Mikael: My biggest weakness….but it would also be my biggest strength….I am very naive and trust everybody. Unconditionally.

Plus that I am not very technically skilled. I am an intellectual, not somebody who can repair things….

CheapTents.com: When did you feel like you ‘made it’ in your field of exploration? And do you feel like you’ve satisfied your goals?

Mikael: I felt like I made it after Siberia, getting a lot of worldwide attention. And after Siberia, felt like I had done everything in my wildest dreams and, life fell a part, 2½ years later, I am back with a search to find a new Expedition worthy Siberia…visit: http://preparingforthenextexpedition.blogspot.com/

Mikael Strandberg, Prolific Explorer

CheapTents.com: What do you find most challenging about training / keeping fit? Any tips to overcome these challenges?

Mikael: The mot challenging is to avoid training getting static and boring, so I find new ways to train all the time. Right now, since I don´t know what kind of an Expedition I will set out on next time, i am bodybuilding, adding on big muscles, since it makes a difference in many ways when penetrating other cultures. And it makes your body very strong overall. When i finally know where to set up my next Expedition, I will change my training and tune in on that. Before Siberia I did a lot of hunting and fishing plus dragging tires all over the place, I lived then in the north of sweden, where I am born and hunted and fished 150 days a year. Now, I´ve left the bush, to live in the city. Which I love. i don´t want life to become static, boring and without challenge.

CheapTents.com: Blood thirsty question now, what has been your worst injury (if any) from your multiple adventures and how did it happen?

Mikael: No injuries at all. Physically, on the outside of the body. However, I did a test with a world famous polar scientist and athlete, Dr Arkady Maximov, and he said that my body takes a damange every time, every year on Expedition, which equals 5 normal years of living. So, I am therefore 150 years old…..but i have had pretty much all tropical diseases you can think about. Malaria, dengue fever, typhoid, etc.  The reason, touch wood, for not having had any external injuries, is due to all year around training. And new techniques all the time.

CheapTents.com: What will be your most challenging adventure for next year?

Mikael: Am slowly preparing for the Empty Quarter, so see when it will be time to leave….

CheapTents.com: You’ve obviously been heavily involved with multiple explorations around the world, which has been your favourite and why?

Mikael: Siberia, see above. It changed my way how to look at life.

CheapTents.com: Where would you like to be in 5 years time? Main Ambitions?

Mikael: I have no idea at all, and it doesn’t bother me one bit. You only have ambitions until you realize the workings of life. One day at a time, who knows what tomorrow will be like?

CheapTents.com: For other budding outdoor sports enthusiasts, what tips can you provide to help other compete at a higher level?

Mikael: The only way to reach the top is to become a fanatic. Train harder then anybody else, read and prepare yourself harder than anybody else and fully concentrate all your life on the goal. The issue.

CheapTents.com: What are your favourite bits of gear, and why?

Mikael: I like a good tent and a good stove, the essentials of surviving nowadays….

CheapTents.com: Any people or sponsors that you’d like thank? Any other comments?

Mikael: Gee, so many, so many…see the sponsors list at www.siberia.nu

CheapTents.com Thank you Mikael, from all of the CheapTents.com team for the time spent answering our questions so openly and honestly, and for discovering and sharing so much!

Career Highlights

• 1986-1987 Mikael went by bicycle from Chile to Alaska, a distance of 27,500 kilometres. He crossed the El Darién Jungle, 800 kilometres of virgin rainforest between Panama and Colombia, without any roads. He carried his bike through swamps and a dense jungle for a month.
• 1989-1992 He went by bicycle from Norway to South Africa a distance of 33,000 kilometres, passing through the Sahara Desert. It took 3 months to push the bike through the dessert, with the help of only a manual compass.
• 1994 –1996 Mikael went by bicycle from New Zealand to Cairo traversing Asia, a distance of 90,000 kilometres.
• 1997- 1998 As a newly wed man Mikael was accompanied by his wife on his next expedition. This was also their honeymoon. Patagonia 3,000 kilometres by horse through an isolated, windy and painfully cold part of the world.
  2000 Mikael walked through Maasailand in Eastern Africa, exploring all clans of the Maasai people.
• 2004 Mikael explored the unknown Kolyma River in North-Eastern Siberia. 3500 km:s by canoe and by skis. An Expedition which is globally hailed as one of the coldest ever in the history of exploration.
• Mikael has written six books and numerous articles. He is frequently used by broadcasters for travel and adventure programmes. In Sweden Mikael has become a household name and Swedish Television SVT and National Geographic have made a documentary about his life.
• Mikael is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, the Explorers’ Club, Travellers Club and the Long Riders Guild.
• During the Siberian Expedition they carried Explorer Club´s Flag # 95 as a sign of it’s scientific interest and importance.
• He was voted Explorer Hero by the National Geographic 2002.
• He’s an Honorary Ambassador of his native district Älvdalen.
• He’s the first Swede to lecture at the Royal Geographical Society since Charles John Anderson, 1867. And at the Explorers Club in New York, where he has lectured twice.
• He was awarded The Determination in the Face of Adversity Medal by the Explorers Club 2005.
• The King of Sweden and The Travellers Club of Sweden awarded him the prestigious Silver Medal in 2006.
• Travellers Club in Finland awarded Mikael the prestigious Mannerheim Medal at a ceremony in October, 2006.
• Mikael is considered as one of the worlds 50 most important and famous explorers by The Royal Geographical Society in London, together with, for example, Sir Edmund Hillary, Jane Goddall, Reinhart Messner, Borge Ousland, Wade Davies, George Schaller and many more. They´re all featured in the book “Faces of Exploration”.
• Explorers Club in London considers Mikael “the best contemporary explorer in the world” at the present.
• Mikael is at the present explorer-in-residence at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, which means he will be part of their lecture and guide team made up of the worlds foremost scientists.
• Mikael also works as a freelance media strategic advisor for such global companies as Al Jazeera International, ABC News, Discovery Channel and others.
• Mikael is also a guide for various travel companies, for example The Scientific Exploration Society in London, to places such as Galapagos, Patagonia, Siberia, New Guinea and the Polar areas.
• Mikael has also been included in the pages of Adventurous Dreams, Adventurous Lives, with 120 other outstanding individuals, representing a Who’s Who of international exploration, relating those indelible moments in their youth when the dreams that launched their remarkable lives were born.
• Mikaels Siberian Journey was picked as one of the most important Expeditions in the 21st Century and was included in Explorers Clubs book, in the autumn of 2007, “They Lived To Tell the Tale – True Stories of Modern Adventure from the Legendary Explorers Club”.

Alison Gannett, alisongannet.com

About Alison Gannett

Alison Gannett is a world champion big mountain free skier, and if you didn’t think this was enough she is also a ski film star, mountain biker and an award-winning consultant for solutions to climate change.

Here’s the interview…

CheapTents.com: What inspired you to get into outdoor sports?

Alison: I love being outside, and I have a passion for the natural environment. I love sports that get me so focused that my crazy brain gets to relax and be in the moment-  it is like meditation for me.

CheapTents.com: What has been your greatest outdoor sporting achievements?

Alison: World Champion Freeskier, Utra Endurance Mountain bike champion, many first ski descents/ski mountaineering expeditions around the world.

CheapTents.com: What is you biggest weakness?   Sport or otherwise…

Alison: My biggest weakness is that I LOVE food, but I’m not sure that is a bad thing, as I love GOOD food, organic, homegrown, etc.

CheapTents.com: When did you feel like you ‘made it’ in your field of outdoor sports? And do you feel like you’ve satisfied your goals?

Alison: My big break was in 1998, when I won the World Freeskiing Championships and debuted some sick chick segments in MSP and TGR ski movies. But my ski expeditions to weird places are always my favorite of all - I like getting away from “the scene”. I also was recently selected by Outside magazine as a “Green All-Star” next to Leonardo Dicaprio and Arnold Schwarzenegger - that was maybe my proudest moment so far.

Alison Gannnett, alisongannett.com

CheapTents.com What do you find most challenging about training?   Any tips to overcome these challenges?

Alison: I think my biggest challenge is cold weather - at least just getting out the door…or the tent. I don’t view my work as “training” per se, I choose things that make training more like having fun.

Alison Gannett

CheapTents.com Blood thirsty question now, what has been your worst injury (if any) from outdoors sports and how did it happen?

Alison: Double knee blowout in the X-Games. I’ve now had 8 knee surgeries, which is hard on a ski career. Luckily, Dr. Stone in California gave me a new cadaver meniscus a few years ago, and I can jump off cliffs and run again. It is a groundbreaking procedure, and I don’t think anyone else in the world is doing it yet.

CheapTents.com What will be your most challenging climbs and skis for next year?

Alison: I’m working on ski mountaineering expeditions to Colombia and Greenland. Logistics are always the hardest part for me. I’m traveling the world working to teach folks solutions to climate change, so I have to fit lots into my schedule.

CheapTents.com: Where would you like to be in 5 years time? Main Ambitions?

Alison: I’ve got many dream ski mountaineering trips, in crazy places, where I will work on first ascents/descents. My main worry is that global warming is happening so fast that we won’t be even thinking about this crazy stuff, because providing the basics, like food for ourselves will consume our time. That is why I devout so much time to saving our snow and ice. We need to change our lives so that our kids and grandkids can enjoy the climbing that we enjoy.

CheapTents.com: For other budding outdoor sports enthusiasts, what tips can you provide to help other compete at a higher level?

Alison: Follow your passion and do what you love. The sky is the limit if you love what you do, and are persistent and dedicated.

Alison Ganneett

CheapTents.com: What are your favourite bits of gear, and why?

Alison: For me, it is about lightweight, combined with function and durability, and environmental sustainability: I love the Patagonia Down Sweater, MSR hubba hubba HP, Nemo GoGo, MSR reactor, Osprey Talon, Clif Organic Shot Blocks, Smartwool hats, gloves, socks and sweaters, HEAD Sweet One’s, Karhu Berthas, Patagonia hooded micropuff, Steripen water filter,

CheapTents.com: 12. Any people or sponsors that you’d like thank?  Any other comments?

Alison: I’d like to thank my mom, for expanding my horizons and supporting my wierd career/life. don’t forget to make some changes to your life to help save our planet, our snow and ice, etc for future generations. Do you think that you are green? calculate your carbon footprint/energy use on www.carbonfootprint.com. Once you can see where you need to improve, start with small things like contacting your electric company for an energy audit,, turn off your lights and computer, change lightbulbs to compact fluourescents or LED’s, inflate your tires, use a metal water bottle, stop buying bottled water, use your own coffee cup etc. www.alisongannett.com for more info.

CheapTents.com: On behalf of all of our visitors, thanks for giving us this time Alison!  There’s plenty of stuff here to inspire people to get out there and enjoy the environment, and of course, look after it.

Alison Gannett Career Highlights

1987 - BS, Magna Cum Laude, Honors UVM
1991 - Grad Degree - Solar Energy International
1991 - First Global Cooling Consulting Company
1995 - First ski movies - Warren Miller and TGR
1997 - First Straw home, designed and built
1998 - Wins World Cup Freeskiing Titles
1999 - TGR Harvest Straightline Alaska Segment
1999 - Powder Magazine FreeSkier of the Year
1999 - X Games in Crested Butte
2000 - NBC Gravity Games Bronze Medal
2004 - Founds Office for Resource Efficiency
2006 - Founds Save our Snow Foundation
2006 - Founds CROP™ Framework for Global Warming Solutions
2006 - Joins The Equilibrium Fund
2006 - Selected to train with Al Gore
2007 - Outside Magazine Green All Star
2007-8 - becomes the solutions trainer for Al Gore’s TCP staff
2007-8 - Converts the 1st Solar-powered SUV PHEV in the world to get 100+MPG.
2008 - Founds the SOS Foundation - www.sosfound.org - to help save our snow and water for future generations through an extreme sports multi media educational platform.

On Friday 12th November, Adam Wilton and Gavin Booth passed the 86.5 degree line on their way to the South Pole. Adam and Gavin have been walking across the Antarctic for nearly five weeks now. They estimate that they will reach the South Pole on New Year’s Day.

With the snow softer and sastrugi less extreme, they have been able to ski instead of walk. This has meant using different muscles and has given a much needed rest to the muscles that are used for walking. They are pulling all of their expedition gear, including their tent and their food, on sleds without any help from dogs or snow-mobiles.

They are both in good spirits as they climb up to the polar plateaux.

We are celebrating every degree now with some extra food..on monday we had half a cake each (which was the size of a brick).

Food for Thought and Snow for Dinner

Adam and Gavin have provided their daily routine on their live update website, which I have reproduced below.

Whilst you are all gearing up for the Christmas party season, spare a thought for us …

7.15am -wake and reluctantly get ready.
Eat breakfast, do personal duties, sort kit and take down camp.
before 9.30am be on the move, starting our day’s man hauling.

No day is easy, in fact they are all very hard. We do a 10hr shift, with breaks every hour..for water and a bit of food. but not long enough to get too cold (it is still -20C before wind chill). For the last 2hrs we have a 1minute break at the half hour-so we can push on. At the end we are both exhausted and another step not possible. The sled weight may be reducing as we eat our rations, but the fatigue in legs gets worse. Even if we are both incredibly tired at 6hrs and bored of the white white white landscape, we always push on for the full day, things can get better.. After finishing, we then have to set up camp. It could be very windy.

7.30pm Get tent up and kit from sleds into tent by 8.
8.00pm call Patriot Hills with our position.
8.30pm one of us will start to melt snow in the vestibule. This will take up to 2hrs for all our water. The snow is incredibly dry. The other will have the chance to repair any equipment or himself! and perhaps call home or post a dispatch. During this time we will both start to eat (first meal-we are now eating 2, as we have a hard week of altitude gain) and rehydrate.

10.30pm water finished, and by 11pm time for second meal.
11pm record our expedition video diary, reflect on the day.

12am to sleep..although this will be broken up, as we will wake a number of times no matter how tired. it is hot in tent at night in down sleeping bags, and bright with 24hr sun. We are both suffering from lack of proper sleep.
The next day we do it all again…for 50 days. This is what we have to do to make it. No matter how tired or how cold. A test of mind, body and soul.

Shopping Centre or South Pole?

Where would you rather be? Your local shopping centre, battling the crowds trying to find those perfect Christmas presents…

Shopping Centre. Source: Flickr by MacBites

…or the South Pole, freezing cold with only your expedition partner to get on your nerves? Click on the “comments” link below and let us know!

South Pole. Source: Flickr by Dav1d

Perhaps the best answer is to be in The Lake District, North Wales or The Scottish Highlands and buy all your Christmas Presents and outdoor gear online, using your mobile phone or laptop!

Adam Wilton

Adam was born in London and 30 years old. He works as an investment banker at Kaupthing Bank in London.

Adam’s previous expeditions and challenges include:

Marathon of Britain 2005 (52 miles, 2 days)
Marathon des Sables 2004 (140 miles)
Guadarun, Guadeloupe 2005 (80 miles)
Mont Blanc Ultra 2005 (100 miles non-stop)
Greenland Expedition 2007 (8 first ascents; >200 km ice cap travel)
World Long Course Duathlon Championships 2008.

Adam and Gavin are hoping to raise £250,000 to help save Robert Falcon Scott’s hut.

British South Pole Expedition Updates

British South Pole Expedition 25th November
British South Pole Expedition Update 1 2nd December
British South Pole Expedition Update 2 8th December

Coast 2 Coast Walk

Tom Buckley is 23 years old, and is walking the coast to coast route after being diagnosed with terminal cancer of the brain.  Doctors believe he has just months to live.

His route from St Bee’s Head, Mirehouse on the West Coast, to Robin’s Hood Bay, Yorkshire, will take approximately 2 weeks or more to cover the 180 miles in some of the worst weather we have seen in a very long time…and all to raise money for The Christies, a specialist hospital in Manchester focusing on the diagnosis, treatment, research and education around cancer.

It’s been bitterly cold and bleak, especially at night, and there hasn’t been a single day when I’ve not contemplated giving up.

But then I think of all my friends at The Christie and the amazing people who keep donating money because I’m doing this walk. That drives me on.

Motivation to keeping on walking and overcome pain

Tom is finding the walk painful after ops to remove muscles, part of his lung and a knee and leg bone replacement.

Tom said:

My ankles and heels are starting to go now. I have pulled a tendon and the general wear and tear on my legs and feet is painful. I’m looking forward to putting my feet up when I finish on Tuesday.

It’s really remarkable, but he’s now approaching the finish line…

Just a few more peaks to go!

Tom embarked on the trek on 29th November with the aim to finish over in Robins Hood Bay, Yorkshire over the next few days.  Now just think of what weather he has had to face lately, with temperatures dropping to -10C and snow blizzards across the lake District - it’s completely outstanding what he’s doing.

He is battered and bruised, after hiking through almost impassable snow in the Lake District for the first 14 days of his mission, and now is approaching the final leg of his trek.

Tom states why he is doing this:

I know that I have less than a year to live and so I want to try and push myself as much as I can. I feel that this Coast2Coast Walk will give me something to focus on and something to live for. So I am doing this event for myself as much as the hospital, but if I can make money as I do it, then that would be brilliant.

Sponsor Tom’s Efforts and the Charities he is supporting

If you would like to sponsor Tom’s efforts, you can do so here, at Just Giving.  Or maybe you feel inspired to follow in the foot-steps of Tom and try and help a charity of choosing?  If that’s the case here’s the route that Tom has taken to give you a little food for thought:

DAY 1 29th November 11am - ST BEES HEAD - MIREHOUSE 5.32 Miles

DAY 2 30th November 9am - MIREHOUSE -  ENNERDALE BRIDGE 10.2 Miles

DAY 3 1st December 9am - ENNERDALE BRIDGE -  HONISTER PASS 10.1 Miles

DAY 4 2nd December 9am - HONISTER PASS -  GRASSMERE 9.38 Miles

DAY 5 3rd December 9am - GRASSMERE -  PATTERDALE 7.25 Miles

DAY 6 4th December 9am - PATTERDALE - BURNBANKS 10.8 Miles

DAY 7 5th December 9am - BURNBANKS - ORTON 11.0 Miles

DAY 8 6th December 9am - ORTON - KIRBY STEPHEN 12.9 Miles

DAY 9 7th December 9am - KIRBY STEPHEN - WAIN WATH FORCE 10.7 Miles

DAY 10 8th December 9am - WAIN WATH FORCE - REETH 11.5 Miles

DAY 11 9th December 9am - REETH - RICHMOND 9.84 Miles

DAY 12 10th December 9am - RICHMOND - GREAT LANGTON 10.8 Miles

DAY 13 11th December 9am - GREAT LANGTON - INGLEBY CROSS 11.7 Miles

DAY 14 12th December 9am - INGLEBY CROSS - CLAY BANK (B1257) 11.2 Miles

DAY 15 13th December 9am - CLAY BANK - ROSDALE HEAD 9.92 Miles

DAY 16 14th December 9am - ROSDALE HEAD - EGTON BRIDGE 9.92 Miles

DAY 17 15th December 9am - EGTON BRIDGE - RIG FARM 11.3 Miles

DAY 18 16th December 9am - RIG FARM - ROBIN HOOD’S BAY 5.36 Miles

The very first iROC™ will take place on the 18th & 19th of April 2009, where participants can

race around a spectacularly beautiful part of the Durham Dales.  You can read more about the iRoc Race here.

iRoc is the first race of it’s kind by Inov8 footwear:

iROC™ will be an innovative and exciting adventure racing weekend in the Durham Dales featuring six different races that will include mountain biking, running and orienteering. Points will be awarded for places and there will be a £2,000 prize pot for the overall winners across all six races!

iROC will be held at Eastgate in the Durham Dales at a brilliant new venue, which has never had public access before, let alone an adventure race! This venue is a former cement works site that is surrounded by stunning moorland. The site itself is largely hidden from view but is complete with a large quarry, steep hillsides with complex contour features, forest and a perfect event village location at the bottom of the valley.

iRoc Race Prices / Costs

There will be a simple charging structure that will include race entry, camping, parking and access to the Saturday night entertainment. You can choose to race as an individual or as a team of 3. If you enter as a team your individual scores in each race will be added together to create a team score.

December Special Offer

Until the end of December, you can pay just £50 (rather than £70) to compete in all 6 races (or £10 for each) as an individual, or £130 (rather than £200) for a team!  That’s a whole lot of pocket change saved! And considering the winning team wins £2,000 it’s certainly worth giving some thought!

All you need to do is enter online!

iRoc Race Sponsors

According to British Orienteering, the National Governing Body for the sport of orienteering in the United Kingdom,

Orienteering is an exciting outdoor adventure sport which takes place in varying terrain over various distances. The aim is to navigate in sequence between a set of control points marked on a unique orienteering map and decide the best route to complete the course in the quickest time. The standard orienteering distance is known as a ‘classic or long distance’ race however modernisation of the sport has introduced the ‘middle distance’ race and ‘sprint distance’ race.

Orienteering can take place over any kind of terrain, urban or rural, from your local park or forest to remote wilderness, on tarmac or open countryside.

Orienteering Control Flag. Source: Flikcr by Glutnix

Control points are normally marked with a special white and red flag. Attached to the flag is a hole punch which is used to stamp a hole in a competitor’s record card, confirming that the competitor has been to that point. Electronic devises are also used for the purpose.

What Outdoor Gear do I need for Orienteering?

This will depend upon the exact nature of the orienteering race that you are taking part it. Generally speaking you will need cross-country running shoes or trainers, shorts or lycra tights and T-shirt or baselayer. For orienteering races in the open country you might wish to take a lightweight waterproof, windproof or softshell jacket.

You will also need a map and