The 7-3-7 Challenge

Richard Parks, former Welsh International and Barbarian flanker, who was recently forced to retire from professional rugby, as a result of a serious shoulder injury, has become the first person to climb the highest summits on each of the world's seven continents and stand on each of the three poles (Geographical North Pole, South Pole and the summit of Mount Everest), in under 7 months.

On Tuesday 12th July 2011 Richard made history by completing his world first 7-3-7 Challenge in 6 months, 11 days, 7 hours and 53 minutes. He undertook the challenge to raise money for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Click below to read the whole of Richard's story or go to www.737challenge.com

The first part of a BBC documentary about his challenge can be seen on BBC Wales on Tuesday 26th June at 10.35pm.

• 27 Dec 2010 – Leg 1. THE SOUTH POLE
• 8 January 2011 – Leg 2. MOUNT VINSON
• 5 February 2011 – Leg 3. ACONCAGUA
• 27 February 2011 – Leg 4. KILIMANJARO
• 15 March 2011 – Leg 5. CARSTENSZ PYRAMID
• 11 April 2011 – Leg 6. THE NORTH POLE
• 25 May 2011 – Leg 7. MOUNT EVEREST
• 30 June 2011 – Leg 8. DENALI
• 12 July 2011 – Leg 9. ELBRUS

Scotland to Norway by Sea Kayak

At 1pm on the 16th July 2011, three experienced sea kayakers and adventurers set off on their attempt to be the first people to kayak across the North Sea, from Scotland to Norway.

Patrick Winterton, Ollie Hicks and Mick Berwick are attempting to make the first ever kayak crossing from Scotland to Norway following in the wake of the Shetland Bus heroes of world war two. Norwegian fishermen who made repeated crossings of the North Sea in the worst conditions to ferry arms and undercover agents into, German occuppied, Norway and smuggle refugees out.

They aim to raise in excess of £15000 for the RNLI and The Make a Wish Foundation.

To follow their adventure visit www.kayaksonshetlandbus.com

"We don’t need to tell anyone that three nights in a kayak on the North Sea in a single kayak won’t be much fun. We hope you’ll make our misery worthwhile and help us help them. Many thanks". PW

Walking the Amazon - Book Review

In August 2010, Ed Stafford became the first person to walk the full length of the river Amazon. His, source to sea, adventure, which he started on 2nd April 2008, took him 860 days to complete. Ed has now written an account of this epic journey.

In April 2008, Ed Stafford began his attempt to become the first man ever to walk the entire length of the River Amazon. Nearly two and a half years later, he reached the mouth of this colossal river, where it flows into the Atlantic ocean.

Throughout his journey Ed faced many dangers including Alligators, Jaguars, Snakes and a plethora of jungle insects. He was chased by machete-wielding tribesmen and even detained for murder.

Ed has now written a book about his incredible journey which can be bought from Amazon, priced £10.07

Ed's book is a true and honest account of his travels and adventures and should sit proudly on any adventurers bookshelf.

 “Living like nomads, carrying what we needed, and living off our wits for up to two years, I felt as if I was the luckiest man on earth.” Ed Stafford - Walking the amazon

'Walking from the Pacific, over the Andes and along the entire length of the Amazon to the Atlantic is truly extraordinary... To do all this puts Stafford's endeavour in the top league of expeditions past and present' - SIR RANULPH FIENNES, OBE

Alastair Humphrey's Presentation

Last night, 15th July, round the world cyclist and adventurer, Alastair Humphrey's, gave a talk at Hebden Bridge Library to an audience of around fifty people.

Alastair's presentation lasted about an hour and was followed by a thirty minute question & answer session. Alastair is a passionate speaker who clearly enjoys sharing storeys of his adventures and experiences with others.

I would definitely recommend going to one of his speaking sessions. Even though, on this occasion, his presentation did not include any photo's Alastair was still able to enthuse his audience.

Good-bye Kazakhstan, hello China.!

Sarah Outen, who is travelling around the world, on her London to London expedition, using only human powered transport, has now entered China.

Copyright Sarah Outen

Sarah, who set off from London, in May 2011 paddled down the Thames and across the English Channel, by sea kayak, before jumping on her bike and cycling through Europe and some of the former Soviet states, has made fantastic progress. Sarah will now continue East on her journey heading for Japan, where she will continue her round the world journey by rowing across the Pacific Ocean.

To read about some of the adventures which Sarah has been having on this amazing journey go to her website http://www.sarahouten.com/.

To see her latest video blog go to http://www.sarahouten.com/china-border-crossing/

The 24 hour Bivvy Bag Challenge

As we move into summer why not undertake this micro-adventure, the '24 hour Bivvy Bag Challenge'?

The aim of the 24hr bivvy bag challenge is to set out on a route and return to your start point as close to the 24hr mark as possible. The challenge is not intended to be a competition to see how much distance you can cover, within 24hrs, but to enjoy the experience and hopefully get to see some new locations. You can undertake your journey alone or with friends. You can travel on foot or by bike, Canoe, kayak or any other form of non-motorised transport.

Challenge Rules:
1. Your journey must start and end at the same place (why not set out from your own front door?).
2. The aim is to try to return to your start location as close to the 24hr point as possible.
3. Whilst the challenge is not to cover as much distance as you can in 24 hours, you should select a route that will provide some level of challenge and preferably take you to locations you have never visited before. For example: if walking then a minimum distance of 30 miles, over the 24hr period, should be reasonably challenging; if running 40 miles and if cycling, 60miles. (These minimum distances should be attainable by any reasonably fit person. Obviously if you want to cover greater distances then fill your boots.
4. You can use any form of transport as long as it is non-motorised.
5. You must spend the night outdoors in a bivvy bag (for the softies, you can take a poncho/tarp/basha, for wet weather, but no tent).
6. Enjoy your experience.

Equipment:

You'll need a rucksack to carry your equipment and food etc. Some warm clothing and waterproof jacket and trousers. For maximum comfort you'll at least need a sleeping bag, bivvy bag and preferably a roll-mat too. If your a first time bivvier then you don't need to go out and buy an expensive gore-tex bag. A simple plastic survival bag, from any outdoors shop, will do the trick.

Enjoy your adventure.