Alastair Humphreys - Talk

Adventurer and writer Alastair Humphreys' will be giving a pictorial presentation at Hebden Bridge library, West Yorkshire, on Friday 15th July 2011, starting at 7.30pm.

Alastairs' epic cycle journey around the world started in Yorkshire in 2001. Over the next four years he cycled through Europe, down the whole length of Africa, up through the Americas and then back through Siberia - in winter - Japan, China, Central Asia and Europe. He has also raced a yacht across the Atlantic Ocean, canoed 500 miles down the Yukon River and walked the length of the holy Kaveri River in India. He finished the Marathon-des-Sables as one of the ten fastest Brits, despite breaking his foot during the race. He has rowed to France with Major Phil Packer, who suffered spinal cord damage in an explosion in Iraq in 2008, and in 2010 he completed an unsupported crossing of Iceland by foot and Pack-raft. This year Alastair is preparing for SOUTH, the first unsupported return journey to the South Pole and the longest unsupported polar journey in history.

I have read some of Alastairs' books and they are a honest and fascinating read.

Alastair will talk about the lessons he has learned on the road, stories of his travels and deliver a call to arms - nothing is achieved without being bold enough to begin it.

Tickets are £5.00 each (£3.50 concessionary) and can be obtained by contacting Anna Turner at Calderdale Council. Anna.Turner@calderdale.gov.uk

Wild Swimming - exploring Britains outdoor swimming places

In Britain there are countless locations to enjoy a cool, refreshing outdoor dip. On a hot summers day what could be more refreshing than to take a dip in the cool clear waters of a river, mountain stream, lake or tarn or even laze under a waterfall and swim in the plunge pool. With Britain's beaches now being cleaner than ever before why not explore our coastline and discover sandy beaches, secret coves and smugglers’ caves.

Always choose a safe swimming location and obey any warning signs. When swimming in open water you should be a strong, competent swimmer. Always be aware of strong currents, rip tides and underwater dangers and ensure that you have a safe point of ingress and egress.  

Alice Roberts recently presented an interesting documentary about Wild Swimming on BBC4, following in the footsteps of the late Roger Deakin who was an early advocate of wild swimming. In addition to swimming in some beautiful rivers, lakes and tarns Alice goes swimming in some underground rivers in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

You can watch this programme via the BBC4 homepage.

For more information about wild swimming visit: http://www.wildswimming.co.uk/

Take a Seat - Egypt

Copyright: Dominic Gill

British adventurer and film maker Dominic Gill has now set off on his latest cycle adventure to travel around Egypt on a Tandem. Throughout his journey Dom will be inviting locals to jump on the back and ride along with him.

Dominic, from Oldham in Lancashire, has already undertaken two previous mammouth cycle adventures which he documented on video camera. Both of which have been made into successful documentaries. On his first epic trip Dominic cycled, on a tandem, from the most northern town in Alaska to the most southern town in Argentina. Last year he cycled coast to coast across the United States of America on a specially adapted bicycle that allowed people with disabilities - who would normally be unable to undertake such a once in a life time experience - the opportunity to join him for a section of his ride.

Whilst at the time of writing Dom doesn't appear to have a website dedicated to this new adventure you can follow his exploits, on Twitter, via his Take a Seat website.

Dominic's fantastic book, Take a Seat, which is about his first cycle adventure, along the whole continent of North and South America, can be purchased through his website or on Amazon.

Joe Brown - The Hard Year's

I have just finished reading Joe Brown's captivating autobiography 'The Hard Year's'. Published in 1967 by Victor Gollancz Ltd, London. The book takes you through an interesting journey from Joe's early climbing exploits on Peak District Gritstone and Welsh Slate to motorcycle road trips to climb in the Alps and full scale expeditions in the Himalyas.

The book is full of interesting stories of climbing exploits with equally interesting characters with whom he climbed. Including, the great Don Whillans.

Whilst I'm sure the original book is now almost certainly out of print, and a rare find in even the best of second hand bookshops, I managed to get a well read copy from the library. However, if I do come across one for sale somewhere then it will certainly gain a place on my bookshelf!

A short magazine article about Joe can be read at: http://www.climber.co.uk/categories/articleitem.asp?cate=1&topic=65&item=90

Kayakers break round Ireland Record

Jeff Allen and Harry Whelan have broken the record for paddling around the coast of Ireland.

Jeff who is from, Falmouth in Cornwall, and Harry, who lives in London, completed their epic paddle when they arrived in Ardmore, West Waterford, at around 16.00hrs on 16th May 2011.

Their 1000-mile circumnavigation took 25 days to complete, which saw them having to battle through bad weather and massive Atlantic swells. They managed to knock 8 days off the current record which previously stood at 33 days.

They undertook their mammoth paddling trip to raise funds for Ovarian Cancer Action. In an interview with BBC Radio Cornwall, Jeff Allen said that they had had "no sleep at all" over the last three days and that they were both "exhausted". He also said, "We spent the last three days trying to catch up on miles that we'd lost because of bad weather."

Jeff has conducted previous expeditions paddling around the island of South Georgia in the South Atlantic Ocean
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Source BBC News website [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-13421468]

See also:

roundireland2011.blogspot.com.

 http://www.canoekayak.com/touring-kayak/record-breaker-25-days-round-ireland/

Scouse Marathon Man

Until January of this year Steve Hill was an unfit, twenty-a-day smoker who had no real interest in running. However, on New Year's Day all that changed. He decided to run a marathon to raise money for Zoe's Place which is a hospice, based in Liverpool, which cares for terminally ill babies.

Since that life changing day on 1st January 2011, Steve has not only been training to run one marathon but is actually intending to run 40 marathon's over 40 consecutive days, to celebrate his 40th birthday while raising funds for his chosen charity.

This morning, 16th May, Steve set out to complete his first marathon, cheered on by his family, friends and supporters. If all goes well steve will complete is 40 marathons on 24 June.

If you would like to join Steve for a run and support him in his fantastic challenge or donate to Zoe's Place then visit: http://www.scousemarathonman.com/

Mountain Equipment Sale

Glossop-based Mountain Equipment and Ron Hill clearance outlet Magic Mountain  will be holding a sale, at their Dawson Street, factory clearence outlet at Hyde over the weekend of 21st & 22nd May.

Opening times are:

Saturday 09.00 to 16.00
Sunday 10.00 to 14.00

http://www.magic-mountain.co.uk/
Tel: 01457 854424

Some extremly good bargains can be had. These 'sale weekend's' normally offer reduced end of line and clearance stock, there's also a continuous stream of seconds - many with only minor or cosmetic faults - plus ex-test gear and some truly bizarre prototypes in odd colours. There are often ME sleeping bags at around 50% of the full retail price.

Well worth a visit. I reccommend you get there early because these sales are always popular and everything goes very quick. Take plenty of cash or make sure your card has plenty of funds on it because your bound to go mad when you enter this Aladin's Cave.