Warrior Expeditions is a nonprofit organization that helps veterans transition from their wartime experiences through long distance outdoor expeditions. Adventure® Medical Kits has been partnering with Warrior Expeditions to supply necessary hiking equipment since 2014.
Walking off the War
Historically, military units would experience a lengthy journey home after fighting a campaign abroad. During this journey home, warriors would process and come to terms with their wartime experiences. But in today’s age of modern transportation, military personnel can find themselves home within a few days of serving in a combat zone.
In 1948, combat veteran Earl Shaffer told a friend he was going to “walk off the war” to work out the sights, sounds, and losses of World War II. Four months later, Shaffer became the first person to hike the entire length of the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine.
Warrior Expeditions hiker on the Ice Age Trail
Since 2001, over 2.5 million veterans have returned home from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan but many of them have never transitioned from their experiences. This is evident by the recent report from the Department of Veteran Affairs which states that over 20% of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
In 2012, after returning home from three combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, Sean Gobin hiked all 2,185 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Recognizing the therapeutic effects of long distance outdoor expeditions, Sean founded Warrior Expeditions.
Hike, Bike, & Paddle
Warrior Expeditions is structured into three separate programs: Warrior Hike, Warrior Bike, and Warrior Paddle. The expeditions include the Appalachian Trail, the Continental Divide Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, the Arizona Trail, the Buckeye Trail, the Florida Trail, the Mountains to Sea Trail, the Trans America Trail, and the Mississippi River.
Biking the TransAmerica Trail with Warrior Expeditions
Adventure Medical Kits’ support enables the veterans to successfully complete 3-6 month long expeditions by assisting to provide the supplies required to survive in the elements.
From fighting mosquito swarms in Wisconsin, to protecting against Lyme disease along the Appalachian Trail, to the cuts and scrapes that come along with any outdoor adventure, Adventure Medical Kits supplies have helped to ease the discomfort.
Keeping bugs at bay with the Ben’s InvisiNet Xtra on the extremely buggy Ice Age Trail
It costs approximately $11,483 of total support per veteran per expedition. If it were not for the generous support of Adventure Medical Kits, these expeditions would not be possible.
Canyon Country Youth Corps (CCYC) is a youth Conservation Corps that trains up to 56 individuals every year on various conservation and restoration techniques. CCYC works across Utah completing projects that help the restoration of riparian areas and pinyon-juniper forests. In a collaborative effort to remove Russian Olive (an invasive tree) along the Escalante river, CCYC works with a Watershed Partnership and three other Conservation Corps of the Four Corners region. This collaboration has been in place for the past 8 years.
For 8 years, CCYC has collaborated with other corps to equip individuals for this conservation work
Invasive Russian Olive Trees
Russian Olive was originally introduced to the region as a riverbank stabilizer; it does the job well, too well. Unfortunately, it became an invasive species to the area, particularly on rivers. This means it was able to out compete native plant species. As a result of Russian Olive establishment, the river banks have become super-stabilized. This is not good for a healthy, moving river which is supposed to have bends, curves, braiding, slow parts, and fast parts that change over time.
Russian Olive also shades the river. This extra shade along an entire river, especially a small river like the Escalante, results in significant water temperature cooling. This is detrimental to native fish populations who require a specific temperature range for mating and spawning. With all the negative effects of Russian Olive and no forseason circumstance of Russian Olive being outcompeted by native plant species, mechanical and chemical removal has become necessary. This is where four Conservation Corps working together comes into play.
Remote Backcountry Work
The four Conservation Corps have divided and conquered Russian Olive all along the Escalante River. The Escalante River has some pretty remote sections requiring crews to work in the backcountry.
Teams often travel to extremely remote locations
This work can be a toll on the Crew Members and Leaders throughout the season as they work 8 days in the backcountry every other week cutting down thorny Russian Olive trees with chainsaws in the chilly fall weather. Running several Conservation Corps crews in the backcountry for several months requires an extensive training period.
Safety First
Safety is always the number one concern. The four Conservation Corps go through first aid training and become familiar with their first aid kits, chainsaw training, and herbicide application training. Crews also go through an emergency response training which includes meeting a heli-tech crew and talking about the process of a heli-evac and the requirements for clearing out a landing pad for a helicopter.
Emergency response training includes understanding heli-evac processes
The hope is an emergency evacuation will never be necessary. However, the extensive trainings aid the crews in feeling more prepared for safe living and working in the backcountry. They are given advise on how to stay positive and supportive with each other through a long season. And on a technical level they learn valuable skills on chainsaw work, herbicide application, riparian restoration techniques, and backcountry evacuation procedures.
8 Years of Conservation & Friendships
8 years later the large collaboration between the Watershed Partnership and the four Conservation Corps is coming to a close. This was a long, slow process, but fortunately the Escalante River has gone through initial treatment of Russian Olive. Following years will be dedicated to re-sprout treatment. Sadly, it means this year was the very last cross-Corps training. The work will slow down significantly and all four Conservation Corps will no longer be needed. It is a bittersweet end to a large collaboration where the Conservation Corps of the region where able to gain a network of friends, colleagues, and fellow explorers.
Fishing in all seasons is a non-negotiable for those of us whose hearts are dedicated to the sport and the lifestyle. But for me, braving the Midwest winter ice fishing season requires special preparation and safety measures to ensure preparedness for all weather and unforeseen encounters.
Minnesota Winters
Growing up in Minnesota, I was always aware of the dangers of being caught in an unexpected blizzard and kept my car and home stocked with extra blankets, hats, gloves, and emergency materials like hand warmers and thick socks. And now, being a mom, it’s more than just me I need to worry about keeping warm in freezing temperatures. It’s safety first, always!
Ice fishing with my family
Ice Fishing: A Lesson in Awareness & Patience
Ice fishing season is a lesson in awareness and patience in itself, as safety requires that we wait until the ice is a minimum of 4 inches thick before it is safe to fish on. It is important to always follow all safety recommendations regarding the safety and thickness of ice for fishing, walking, and driving and to check with the local authority at your location for any unique and avoidable circumstances. But, even with complete preparation and research, accidents do happen, and the best thing we can do for ourselves to mitigate panic and injury is to be prepared as well as possible for whatever situations might arise.
This is why I love using products from my sponsor Adventure Medical Kits and the Survive Outdoors Longer line. They provide high quality survival gear that is smart and portable, so you can adventure with confidence and without concern.
Personal Favorite: Scout Kit
One of my favorite products is the Survive Outdoors Longer Scout pack. This product provides all the essentials for cold weather survival packed into a small waterproof bag that can be kept on your person or nearby in case of emergency. You will definitely be grateful you kept this in your pocket in the event that you fall through the ice. The Scout contains a 2-person heat reflective survival blanket, a Fire Lite striker that can be started with one hand, and waterproof tinder that can be used to build multiple fires. A reflective Rescue Flash signal mirror, compass, duct tape and fishing/sewing kit are also included in the package. This survival kit packs a lot of punch in a pocket size container.
Wearing the Scout while fishing with my son
It is also possible to purchase the Survive Outdoors Longer Survival Blanket in regular or heavy duty. I highly recommend having a few of these on hand (at least one per person) for emergency use. They are affordable and can truly be lifesaving, and they will provide you with peace of mind whether or not you ever need to use them.
Being prepared for the unexpected is essential for outdoor adventurers and sports enthusiasts. Knowing that this Scout pack is attached directly to my body allows me some comfort knowing that I have the essentials that could save my life, or the life of my family member or friend, in the event of a fall through thin ice. I am incredibly grateful to my sponsors for allowing me to pursue my passion on the ice and on the water, and I am thankful that they have created these products to support safe sport and adventure.
Enjoying fishing with my husband
About the Author
Nicole Jacobs Stelmach is a wife, mother, and Professional Angler. She competed on FLW Bass Fishing League Great Lakes Series events in 2018 and has competed as a co-angler for multiple seasons on the Fishing League Worldwide (FLW) Tour. Stelmach holds a degree in kinesiology and has first aid experience from her time as a first responder.
When it comes to Yosemite backpacking trips, few offer the same “bang for you buck” as the Yosemite Falls Loop. Whichever direction you intend to travel the loop, it starts by climbing out of Yosemite Valley, which comes with significant elevation gain. You are quickly rewarded, however, by views of some of Yosemite National Park’s most iconic features. This particular 3-day guided Yosemite trekking tour, led by Southern Yosemite Mountain Guide (SYMG) guides Dahlia and Brendan, doubled as a 20-year college reunion for our guests from London.
Dahlia leading guests up the Snow Creek Trail
Will appreciating his Leki trekking poles during the Snow Creek ascent
Heat, Blasting, & Blisters
The health of our guests and guides alike is of the upmost importance. SYMG relies on our partnership with Adventure® Medical Kits to keep our guides equipped and prepared to deal with the variety of medical situations which may arise in the backcountry.
Our first day on trail brought bouts of intense heat as we moved between sparse patches of shade while ascending the Snow Creek switchbacks, followed by some uncertainty as we listened to trail crews blasting further up the trail.
Jarad and Will enjoying a well-deserved break while taking in the views
This challenging day left our guests with a few blisters in need of attention but in the end rewarded them with breathtaking views of Half Dome and Tenaya Canyon and eventually a hot dinner at the cozy Snow Creek camp, topped off with a relaxing sunset viewed from the promontory.
Treating blisters on the long ascent up Snow Creek with Adventure® Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight Pro
Tea time at the Snow Creek Promontory as the sun sets on Half Dome
North Dome Summit
After a hearty breakfast and plenty of coffee, 11 miles along the North Rim of Yosemite Valley lay between us and our Upper Yosemite Falls Camp. Despite our biggest day ahead (in terms of mileage) the group still opted to include a North Dome summit along the way.
Group photo on top of North Dome
The summit of North Dome is a great add-on to the Falls Loop and provides the opportunity to drop packs just before lunch and head out to yet even more views of Half Dome.
The iconic NW face of Half Dome as seen from North Dome
After a long day, we made it to camp at the Upper Falls with plenty of time for the group to relax and swim before our final dinner together.
Ed and Simon marveling at the scale of upper falls
Dahlia went the extra mile and capped off an already five-star dinner with a dessert of peaches flambé which drew a round of applause. With fully bellies and tired feet, the guys spent the remainder of the evening laying out on the granite slabs surrounding camp enjoying the clear, starry sky.
Friendship & Beauty in Yosemite
Our final morning had us up and out of camp early in hopes of beating the crowds to the view point atop Yosemite Falls and descended the Falls Trail before the full heat of the day had a chance to set in. In good spirits, despite nearing the end of our backpacking trip, we promptly made our way down to the Valley floor with brief stops to gaze at the Falls along the way.
After adjusting to the “real world” on our bus ride to Half Dome Village, we sorted gear and said our good-byes before sending Simon, Ed, Will, and Jarad off to their respective corners of the globe and back to their families. It was a real pleasure seeing such a long-standing friendship and sharing time in the back country with such a fun group.
About the Author
Joe grew up in the suburbs of Northeast Pennsylvania and naturally gravitated towards the forests of central PA and upstate New York. Upon graduating high school, he attended college in north Philadelphia where it didn’t take long for his affinity for wild places to make it clear this may not have been the right move. He packed up and headed south to Warren Wilson College in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina where he studied Forestry and solidified his love of the mountains (and good beer). Prior to guiding, Joe worked in natural resource conservation but made the switch as he appreciates the deep connections made when spending time with new friends in the mountains.
In September of 1999, legendary mountaineers Alex Lowe, Conrad Anker, and David Bridges traveled to Tibet with the goal to ski down the 8,103 m (26,291 ft.) Himalayan peak Shishapangma. They were part of the 1999 American Shishapangma Ski Expedition. The goal was to be the first American team to ski from the summit of an 8,000 m peak.
Bridges, Anker, and Lowe (left to right)
Unfortunately, tragedy struck on October 5 as they were searching for a route up the mountain. A large serac broke loose 1,800 m (6,000 ft.) above them, resulting in an avalanche striking all three of them. Anker survived with multiple injuries, and immediately began attempts to locate and rescue his friends. With the help of others, Anker searched for his teammates for the next two days. Unfortunately, they were unable to locate Lowe and Bridges.
Lowe was survived by his wife Jennifer and their three sons. Following this tragedy, Anker spent a great deal of time with Jennifer and her three sons. During this time, the two fell in love and were married in 2001 (Jenni Lowe-Anker wrote more on this in a memoir, it is also discussed in the film documentary Meru). Together they formed the Alex Lowe Charitable Foundation. The Khumbu Climbing Center, or KCC, is a result of this foundation and where many of their efforts are focused.
The Khumbu Climbing Center
Located at around 3,960 m (13,000 ft.) in the Khumbu Valley, Phortse is a humble pastoral village that is home to generations of Sherpa climbers and to more Everest summiteers than anywhere else on earth. Phortse lies off the traditional beaten path to Everest and is often overlooked, as it lies perched among the clouds resting in the shadows of the sacred Himalayan peaks. But if you look across the gaping gorge of the Dudh Kosi River as you ascend to the Tengboche Monastery, you will see a terraced knoll with stone structures scattered about. It is there that the Khumbu Climbing Center found its home.
Phortse (left mid flat area) with Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam in background
The KCC was founded in 2003 with the mission statement “to increase the safety margin of Nepali climbers and high-altitude workers by encouraging responsible climbing practices in a supportive and community based program.” For 2 weeks each winter, technical climbing skills, English language, mountain safety, rescue skills, mountain geology, and wilderness first aid are taught to students. Prior student experience ranges from novice climbers/porters to Everest veterans, and to even the famed “Ice Fall Doctors” who painstakingly and courageously find a way through the Khumbu Icefall each climbing season to open the path towards the sacred summit of Sagamartha (Nepali name for Everest). To date, over 800 students have benefited from this annual vocational training aimed to improve both their quality of life through better employment opportunities and their ability to stay safe as they work high in the Himalayas.
In addition to the annual training that occurs, the KCC has also offered specialized courses over the years including advanced technical rescue and advanced mountain first aid. The KCC is dedicated to the village of Phortse and over the past years and with countless help, has tirelessly worked to build a permanent building in Phortse. This building, which is nearing completion, will serve as the home to the KCC and will allow for expanded instruction, will provide access to both visiting Nepali and international climbers year round, and will also serve as a community center, library, and medical clinic for Phortse. It is but one way that the KCC demonstrates their dedication both to the Phortse and all high altitude workers of Nepal.
Discovery, Reunion, and Collaboration
On April 27, 2016, climbers Ueli Steck and David Göttler were on an expedition to Shishapangma when they spotted two bodies that had partially emerged from the glacier. Suspicion was high that they were those of Lowe and Bridges. Shortly after, Anker’s phone rang with news of the discovery and after a description of the bodies, their clothing, and equipment, Conrad and Jenni were convinced that it was indeed Alex and David.
In response Anker said, “It’s kind of fitting that it’s professional climbers who found him. It wasn’t a yak herder. It wasn’t a trekker. David and Ueli are both cut from the same cloth as Alex and me.”
Regarding this discovery, Jenni Lowe-Anker said, “I never realized how quickly it would be that he’d melt out…I thought it might not be in my lifetime.”
Meanwhile in New Mexico, Dr. Darryl Macias, an emergency medicine physician who specializes in mountain/wilderness medicine, was returning home from teaching a wilderness medicine and dive course in Hawaii when he received a phone call. “Ueli Steck found them!”
Dr. Macias and David Bridges were very close friends and climbing partners that had traveled the continent and Europe together. Part of Dr. Macias’s desire to focus on, teach, and promote wilderness medicine was inspired and spurned by the death of his close friend David. Soon after, Anker and Macias contacted each other along with others close to Lowe and Bridges. Plans were made to travel to Tibet to lay the two to rest, with Dr. Macias serving as the expedition physician.
Shishapangma expedition to recover Alex and David
While emotional, the trip was a success and the group was able to locate Alex and David and lay them to rest according to local custom and practice. During this trip, Dr. Macias learned about the KCC, its mission/purpose, and was invited by Anker to come and teach at the KCC. With great enthusiasm, Dr. Macias accepted the invitation and traveled to Nepal in January of 2018. He traveled there with two other physicians from the University of New Mexico International Mountain Medicine Center, Dr. Jake Jensen and Dr. Hans Hurt, to provide much needed medical education to the amazing group of high altitude workers that call Nepal their home.
(For more on Dr. Macias’s experience dealing the loss of a friend, his journey and experience into wilderness medicine, and his experience at the KCC see his MEDTalk. He starts at 1:31:00.)
Albuquerque to Phortse
Prior to departing, we (Macias, Jensen, and Hurt) discussed what topics we felt would most pertinent for the course. We knew that we would only have 8 hours with each group of 8-10 students, and wanted to ensure that all the information taught would be beneficial. While we knew we could cover topics such as acute mountain sickness, high altitude cerebral edema, high altitude pulmonary edema, and hypothermia, we also wanted to teach more commonly encountered conditions. We reviewed the current literature to make an updated list of the most common complaints encountered during expeditions and treks. Ultimately, we created a small booklet full of illustrations and diagrams that was written in simple English for each student to keep. The booklet contained topics we wished to teach, along with extra topics we knew we wouldn’t have time to cover.
After traveling halfway across the world from Albuquerque to Kathmandu, we met with a small group of other KCC western instructors and flew to Lukla together. Lukla is often referred to as the gateway to Mount Everest, as most expeditions into the Khumbu region start there. It is also home to the world’s “most extreme and dangerous airport” as it lies perched on the side of the steep valley amongst 6,000 meter peaks. From there we began our 3-day trek to Phortse, stopping in Phakding and Namche Bazaar along the way to acclimatize. We also enjoyed great views of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and countless other peaks, often sipping “chiya” at quaint tea houses. Our arrival to Phortse was a humbling one, as many locals were waiting at a stupa, which marks the entrance into the village. We were warmly welcomed with cheers, hugs, and khatas (long flowing silk fabrics to adorn the neck) to mark our newfound friendship.
Entering Phortse
Shortly after arrival, the preparation began for the biggest group of students that KCC has ever had. We assisted in teaching advanced climbing skill updates to the Nepali instructors and gave them a medical refresher course, as it had been years since many of them had received any form of medical training. This also gave us a chance to test out our teaching strategies using various scenarios, demonstrations, and discussions prior to students arriving. Based on their feedback, we made minor adjustments and added a few additional topic ideas to benefit the students.
For the remainder of the course, we taught students basic first aid in groups of 8-10 each day. We began with personal safety, scene size-up, and going over the MARCH algorithm. Other topics included wound care, blisters, orthopedic injuries, altitude illness, hypothermia, frostbite, and GI issues. We opted for topic discussions, demonstrations, scenarios, and hands-on activities, eliminating standard PowerPoint presentations.
Jake Jensen and Hans Hurt teaching scene size up and safety
We found that many students understood English, though with variable fluency. With each class we taught we learned more Nepali, making our teaching even more effective. At times our Nepali words were not perfect, making for many laughs (the Nepali word for knee is very close to a very different part of the male body). However, they understood us, and appreciated our efforts to use as much Nepali as possible.
Darryl Macias teaching how to splint
Each day to start we would have the group introduce themselves to us. We would ask where they were from, what their medical training background was, and what their experience was working in the Himalaya. Through this, we found that only around 10% had had some form of medical training in the past. This number was lower than the number of students that had climbed or been on expeditions to Everest and other 7,000 meter (~23,000 foot) and 8,000 meter (~26,000 foot) peaks. This solidified the importance of our medical course, as for many it was the first formal medical education they had ever received, and it may be the only training some students ever receive.
Darryl Macias and Jake Jensen giving a lecture
Our main focus in teaching was in line with the mission statement of the KCC. We continually emphasized safety and self-care during every topic we taught. Overall, our instruction was very well received and students did exceptional during the test day, demonstrating that safety was of the utmost importance in caring for ones-self and others.
We enjoyed our time in Nepal, and were glad we could contribute to the cause. We were all humbled by the experience, and developed a deeper appreciation, respect, and love for the people, culture, and landscape of Nepal. We all looked forward to a chance to return, unsure when that would be, and discussed how we could improve their education, preparation, and discussed the idea of teaching a Wilderness First Responder course to the more advanced individuals if we were presented the opportunity.
Macias, Jensen, and Hurt in Tengboche with Ama Dablam and Everest in background
We even recorded a podcast for the Wilderness Medicine Society, Wilderness and Environmental Medicine Live! where we discussed our experiences (starts at 20:03). We all looked forward to returning, but weren’t confident when we would have that chance…
The Return
As plans were being laid for the 2019 KCC course, Dr. Darryl Macias and I were contacted by the directors of the KCC. We were happy to hear they were pleased with our efforts the year before and asked us if we would return. We jumped at the opportunity, happy to take what we had learned the year prior to improve the education provided. We would also take with us Dr. Nicole Mansfield, our current Wilderness, Austere, and International Medicine Fellow.
In addition to teaching a one day basic medical course to ~90 students, we were also asked if we could provide a Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course to ~24-30 of the local KCC instructors who also serve as guides throughout Nepal. Many of them had approached us the year prior with great interest in a WFR course and we eagerly accepted this invitation to provide them with additional instruction. While there have been other Wilderness First Responder courses taught in the Khumbu Valley, this would be the first aimed to educate the local population that call it home.
Plans were made regarding how we could improve the education to the basic class and a curriculum for the WFR class was developed. We created an online video library for the WFR students so they could start their learning prior to arrival. We also began gathering the supplies that we would need to teach. It was during that time that we realized that it would be best if we could provide them with a medical kit that would match their level of training.
After reaching out to many individuals and groups, we were thrilled when Adventure® Medical Kits responded and stated they would assist us by providing medical kits to the 24-30 local Sherpa guides that we would be teaching a WFR course to. These kits, the Mountain Series Explorer, will be the perfect kit for this group.
The Explorer medical kits in the hypobaric chamber
The contents of the kit are excellent and is ideal for the WFR training that this group will receive. This donation will go a long ways to ensuring that this group doesn’t just have the knowledge, but also the tools to care for others in a wilderness/remote environment should the need arise.
Darryl Macias in the hypobaric chamber, supplementing kits with extra gloves and gauze.
In addition to that, we also received additional funding from another source and will be able to provide very basic medical supplies to the ~90 basic class students and will also be able to add some supplies (survival, fire-starting equipment) to the kits provided to us by Adventure® Medical Kits for the WFR students.
Jensen kids making small kits for basic class students
Things have been extremely busy as we search out the equipment we will need to teach, record videos, refine lesson plans, and gather personal gear, but all in all this year is shaping up to be a fantastic one at the Khumbu Climbing Center, and we cannot wait to arrive and provide this much needed education to this amazing group of individuals. Stay tuned for a follow up on how things went!
Packing the Explorer medical kits and other supplies
About the Authors
Jake Jensen, DO, DiMM, FAWM
Jake Jensen is an emergency medicine physician who completed a Wilderness, Austere, and International Fellowship program with the University of New Mexico. He enjoys teaching wilderness medicine at all levels and has also practiced and taught medicine in Haiti, Chile, and Nepal with plans to continue teaching nationally and internationally in the future. He has a very loving and supportive wife who puts up with his antics, travels, and hobbies. He also has 4 adventurous children that love the outdoors, help him pack for his trips, and look forward to when they can travel more with him. In his limited spare time he enjoys backcountry skiing, mountain biking, backpacking, and simply sitting around the camp-fire.
Darryl Macias, MD, FACEP, DiMM, FAWM
Darryl is a professor of emergency medicine at the University of New Mexico International Mountain Medicine Center. He has been involved in wilderness and international emergency medicine development in Latin America, Europe, and Asia, and has lectured internationally. He is involved in mountain rescue and expeditions, but also enjoys taking his family on crazy trips throughout the world, seeking new adventures in life. You can hear his lively Wilderness and Environmental Medicine LIVE! Podcasts on iTunes and SoundCloud.
More Information
For more information on the Alex Lowe Charitable Foundation and the Khumbu Climbing Center, click here.
To learn more about discovery of Alex Lowe and David Bridges on Shishapangma (also where quotes from Conrad Anker and Jenni Lowe-Anker were found), click here.
Below are the links mentioned above in the blog post along with a few additional ones. Highly recommend you take a look/listen at these.
Dr. Macias’s MEDTalk regarding his story of loss, journey into wilderness medicine, and what the future holds. Starts at 1:31:00.
Link to the Wilderness and Environmental Live! Podcast where we discuss our experiences during our first trip to the KCC. Starts at 20:03.
Link to the Wilderness and Environmental Live! Podcast where we have a discussion, with the authors, regarding a recent paper that was published regarding the knowledge of porters in the Khumbu Valley when it comes to recognition and treatment of altitude illness. We also branch off and discuss other aspects of medicine and their well-being. Start at the beginning.
Link to The Mountain Dispatch, a biannual newsletter put out by the UNM International Mountain Medicine Center where we discuss last year’s trip to KCC.
Spring of 2018, Canyon Country Youth Corps (CCYC) was asked to work with the Bureau of Land Management on remote sections of the San Juan River, removing and treating the invasive Tamarisk and Russian Olive. The remote work location required CCYC to break out rafting gear and hire a river guide to ensure the CCYC crew could float the lower San Juan safely with all the chainsaw gear, gasoline, and herbicide needed.
Gasoline Geysering
The Southwest gets very hot during the spring, especially with several days without cloud cover. This can create difficulties when working with machines and flammable fuels. Gasoline evaporates as it heats up, which creates pressure in a closed fuel tank, even when mixed with two-stroke engine oil. This pressure buildup in a hot chainsaw has caused a problem known as “geysering.” This is where a literal geyser, or small fountain, of gasoline shoots out of a chainsaw when pressure is released, like when removing the fuel tank cap. This gasoline geysering is exactly what happened while CCYC was working remotely on the San Juan River, a day down river from the put in, and a four day paddle to the take out.
Gas in His Eyes
It was the morning of the second day of work when a Crew Leader walked over to the Field Coordinator and Field Boss and calmly explained, “Will has gas in his eyes and says it’s hard to breathe.” The Crew Leader was advised to inform the River Guide, who was Wilderness First Responder trained.
The field staff grabbed their water bottles and hurried over to Will, who was found shirtless, leaning over a rock and splashing river water over his chest, shoulders, face, and mouth. He claimed his shirt was soaked with gasoline, his skin was tingling, and his eyes were burning severely. When his chainsaw geysered, he was wearing safety eye protection, but the gasoline reached his eyes anyway.
The Field Boss told Will to stand and put his head back, and they started pouring clean water over his eyes and eyelids. Another Crew Leader was advised to retrieve the large Adventure Medical Kit, knowing it contained a large irrigation syringe and eye drops. The Field boss continued pouring clean water over Will’s eyes and eyelids. Just moments later, the River Guide arrived with the Adventure Medical Kit and took over.
The River Guide used the large irrigation syringe to squirt clean water over and directly into Will’s eyes in an effort to wash out all traces of gasoline. Will said his skin was still tingling, especially in the direct sunlight, but his eyes remained the first priority. The CCYC backcountry communication device was on hold, ready to send an evacuation request. CCYC protocol is if loss of life, limb, or eyesight are at risk, an emergency evacuation is organized, which, on a remote section of river, would require a helicopter.
30 Minutes & 2.5 Liters
The rest of the crew waited anxiously; they rinsed Will’s shirt, they checked the chainsaw, and they waited for updates. To many people’s surprise, it took about 30 minutes and 2.5 liters of water for Will to claim the stinging was still present but less severe and his vision was not blurry. The whole crew breathed a sigh of relief. The River Guide advised Will to hold off on work the rest of the evening, to wash his skin with soapy water, and to sit in the shade.
Will rinsed his eyes again after dinner, and then applied saline eye drops. Will confirmed he was feeling better after the end of the day, and an emergency evacuation was not necessary. Thank goodness for the Adventure Medical Kit and for the River Guide who took over when necessary!
The entire crew was surprised at the amount of water and time necessary for Will to feel relief in his eyes. It was an adrenaline-filled morning; however, the entire crew learned a valuable lesson on the dangers of gasoline geysering and how to respond if geysering occurred again. The biggest lesson learned was how to prevent gasoline geysering and injury. Gasoline containers and chainsaws must be placed and stored in the shade when not in use. A STIHL chainsaw fuel tank can be checked through the translucent sides. If a tank is over ½ full do NOT open the tank. Instead, wait for the chainsaw to cool down, then open the fuel tank. When opening a fuel tank, a sawyer must not stand or lean directly over the fuel tank and must instead face away until pressure is released.
Thankfully, Will recovered just fine after the gasoline geysering incident, and the entire crew was able to continue their work on the San Juan River and enjoy floating to the take out. Without a doubt this was one of the most memorable trips for the CCYC spring season.
About Canyon Country Youth Corps
Canyon Country Youth Corps (CCYC) is a youth conservation Corps that trains up to 56 individuals every year on various conservation and restoration techniques. CCYC works across Utah completing projects primarily on riparian restoration removing Russian Olive and Tamarisk, which are common invasive species in Utah that crowd and destroy river banks.
As a result of Tamarisk and Russian Olive establishment, the river banks have become super-stabilized. This is not good for a healthy, moving river, which are supposed to have bends, curves, braiding, slow parts, and fast parts that change over time.
Tamarisk and Russian Olive also shade the river. This extra shade along an entire river results in significant water temperature cooling. This is detrimental to native fish populations that require a specific temperature range for mating and spawning.
With all the negative effects of Russian Olive and no foreseen circumstance of Tamarisk or Russian Olive being outcompeted by native plant species, mechanical and chemical removal has become necessary. This is where Canyon Country Youth Corps comes into play. Throughout the spring and fall seasons, CCYC works along various rivers using chainsaws, hand tools, and herbicide to remove and treat Tamarisk and Russian Olive.
After 9+ months of planning, our Trans-Sierra backcountry skiing trip hung in the balance. Our intention was to tackle the High Sierra route, traversing from Shepherd Pass and ending up at the Wolverton trailhead in Sequoia National Park five to six days later. Unfortunately, the report from Eastern Sierra Avalanche seemed to get worse by the day.
After a dry December, January, and most of February, it appeared that Old Man Winter wasn’t completely asleep after all, and the largest storm of the year dropped 7 feet of snow right before we were set to depart.
After circling the wagons, our team of 4 decided to make the most of the following week and use the hut reservations we had made for Pear Lake in an effort to salvage some decent skiing. We left the Wolverton trailhead under blue bird skies and made our way into the cirque just below Pear Lake for one night of camping before we moved into the seemingly luxurious winter hut.
Camp 1 at Emerald Lake
Despite having to adapt our plans from the more ambitious (and coveted) traverse trip, we had a phenomenal time. The skiing wasn’t amazing, but the people were and so was the terrain.
Skiing in past many signs of recent avalanches
Skiing up from our camp and looking out over the snow laden Sierra is an experience that any backcountry skier should seek out. Venturing out into the Tablelands of Sequoia brings you into some surreal scenery that is reminiscent of the European Alps.
Camping under the moonlight
Backcountry Skiing Safety: The Right Training & Gear
As with any backcountry skiing trip, the risks need to be respected and calculated as much as possible. The knowledge that comes from Avalanche Trainings is useful but there is also a practical experience that must also be drawn from when making decisions in the mountains. Travelling with the proper gear and equipment (beacon, shovel, probe, first-aid kit, repair kit, etc.) is also essential.
Assessing snowpack
After the four days in the backcountry, we returned to the trailhead sunburned, sore, hungry, and tired. We were refreshed by the beauty of the Sierra once again and were already discussing plans for the following year. There is something about getting away into the backcountry that is good for what ails all of us. With the conditions at hand we made the best of the situation and created “backcountry lemonade” from the lemons the backcountry (and Old Man Winter) through our way.
Looking out to the Tablelands and the Kaweahs
About the Author
As the General Manager of Southern Yosemite Mountain Guides, Graham brings diverse experiences from many corners of the outdoor industry globe. With his guiding career, he has also filled operational and management roles for several leading adventure based companies in North America and South America. His love of travel and adventure is infectious and immediately evident as he assists SYMG guests in creating their perfect journey into the mountains he calls home. The backcountry skiing trip early this Spring is a popular touring option that ventures into the backcountry of Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park.
We are at 10,000 feet in the Austrian Alps, and it is getting dark. This is going to be the first time that I spend the night on the wall during a big rock climb, and it’s exactly what my climbing partner Hannes and I wanted: to break up our chosen weekend adventure’s 2500 feet of vertical rock-climbing into two shorter days with a deliberate bivouac on the route. We have planned the adventure meticulously, researching our route and packing overnight gear and food for two days. Everything has been working out exactly according to plan – until about twenty minutes ago.
“I thought the floor of this cave was supposed to be flat!” Hannes shouts over to me with exasperation in his voice. We have crested the top of the last difficult rope length of climbing and are now in a big cave system halfway up the wall, the cave system which we have been counting on to provide a good sleeping spot for us.
Surveying our sleeping quarters for the night. The cave we’d counted on wasn’t what we’d expected.
Turns out that yes, it is a massive cave that’ll protect us from weather… but sadly the floor is far from flat. Hannes and I are walking – precariously, still protected by our ropes – on unstable talus and slippery tundra, steeply sloping down towards the valley some 1600 feet below us, surveying the scene for a safe spot to put down our gear and unrope but not finding one. This will make for an uncomfortable night.
“Oh well. I guess it’ll be a full-value vertical experience.”
Over the Edge
I shrug my shoulders and get to work fixing anchors to the rock in the back of the cave, so we can securely hang gear from the wall and get set up to sleep suspended in our harnesses, ropes tight to prevent us from sliding down the steep slope below us. It won’t be comfortable, but it’ll be safe and warm in our sleeping bags.
At least that’s what I think, until Hannes fumbles his sleeping bag. I hear a muffled curse and look over just in time to see him lose his grip on the soccer-ball sized stuff sack. We watch in disbelief as the crucial piece of gear bounces down the talus, gathering speed, and rapidly disappears over the edge in an unstoppable arc towards the valley.
We look at each other in silence as cold reality sinks in. The temperature up here at 10,000 feet is supposed to dip into the thirties over night; the evening air is already chilling, and it’s not even fully dark yet. With semi-hanging sleeping quarters, there is no way for us to share the single remaining sleeping bag. We are both too tired and worked to consider climbing through the night for warmth. There is just one saving grace: while prepping gear yesterday, I decided to include a Survive Outdoors Longer® Bivvy in my emergency kit.
Waking up after the cave bivvy in the Austrian Alps
I am wearing much warmer clothing than Hannes, so he ends up using my sleeping bag and I spend the night in the bivvy. To say that I was comfortable would be an overstatement, but this little lightweight piece of gear ends up singlehandedly saving the day – or rather, the night – in a situation that would have been infinitely worse had I not brought along the bivvy.
The cave bivvy, all packed up in the morning as we get ready to set out
The Ultimate Contingency Plan: The Escape Bivvy
That epic cliff-side overnight happened years ago, during my days of being a weekend warrior, long before I became a professional mountain athlete. Today, I climb and run for Mountain Hardwear; I am a high altitude endurance specialist, and epic missions are my jam: 48 hours non-stop around 22,838ft Aconcagua, 55 hours in a single push through the Colorado Rockies – that’s the stuff I love. Yet still today, as a professional athlete, guess which piece of gear always has a spot in my pack? The good old bivvy from Survive Outdoors Longer®.
I used the Escape Bivvy to take a much-needed trailside nap at 17,000 feet on Aconcagua while setting the women’s speed record on the mountain; to stay warm in poor conditions while being stuck behind a slow party while soloing the Grand Teton; to be safe on a light-and-fast speed mission along the Pfiffner Traverse in Colorado; and in a pinch, it once even replaced my -30F sleeping bag at Aconcagua’s basecamp for an entire night. But what’s more: despite repeated use of the Escape Bivvy in some of the most difficult and rocky terrain, terrain that would eat up run-of-the mill emergency blankets in the blink of an eye, I am still using the very same bag today that kept me safe years ago.
On the Pfiffner, still using the same Escape Bivvy that I bought in 2012
If there is an overlooked piece of gear that belongs in the kit of every side- and backcountry adventurer, it’s this: the Escape Bivvy is the ultimate contingency plan for everything from a sprained ankle to a lost sleeping bag. It’s in my kit, and it should be in your kit, too.
My gear setup for Colorado’s Pfiffner Traverse, a 76 mile cross-country route that I completed this past summer in ~55 hours (becoming the first woman to succeed on it in a single push)
About the Author
Sunny Stroeer is a rock-climber, mountaineer, and trail runner living on the road. In the US, she splits her time between exploring the desert and bagging peaks in the mountain ranges of the west, but for part of the year she trades her Chevy Astrovan for a four-season mountaineering tent and travels the globe in pursuit of high places (and new perspectives, too!).
There’s nothing like the call of adventure, especially when it’s calling you to push yourself. Adventurer Kevin McDermott shares how adventure got ahold of his life, where it’s taking him next, and what new gear he’s packing to #BeSafe. – Adventure Medical Kits.
Working & Playing in the Mountains
Throughout the past five or more years of my life, pushing myself and testing my limits in the mountains has become my biggest passion. It all began back in the summer of 2012 with my first season working on the AMC professional trail crew in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Facing endless hours and days of back-breaking labor, sleep deprivation, and suffering in such a harsh and unforgiving environment for two long summers forged me into the adventure-seeker and mountain-lover that I am today. Since then, I have worked as a professional tree cutter and wildland firefighter for the US Forest Service in both Central Idaho and the Lake Tahoe Region of California, fighting blazing wildfires and running chainsaws for long hours in some of the harshest terrain and conditions imaginable across the western US.
When I wasn’t working hard in the mountains, I was playing hard in the mountains. I soon found myself tackling serious climbing objectives and major summits in some of the most pristine mountain ranges in the country, from the Sawtooths of Central Idaho and the Tetons in Wyoming, to the Cascades of northern Oregon and Washington.
I fell in love with the exhilarating sport of ice climbing
I also naturally fell in love with the exhilarating sport of ice climbing, facing committing alpine objectives and steep snow/ice climbs throughout the Northeast. Over the years and through countless adventures, I have come to realize that hard work and mountain climbing are in my blood.
The Drool of the Beast
Earlier this past winter, my friend Kellen Busby and I decided we would test ourselves on a route with one of the toughest ice climbing grades we had attempted to date. This route is known as ‘The Drool of the Beast’; a fairly short, but very steep and thin ice flow through a narrow chimney of rock, tucked away up in Mad River Notch in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Joining us on this climb was our new-found friend and climbing partner Joe Miller.
The Drool of the Beast
Making our way a couple of miles up the steep and winding trail, we approached the base of the climb. Our initial thoughts upon first glance of the route were hesitant at best. It was definitely steep, and much thinner than we expected. After a brief period of forethought and reluctant hesitation, Kellen stepped up to the plate ready to face the challenge that lay before us head on. Kellen made short work of the climb with a level head and skillful movements, and Joe and I hastily followed as the late-morning sun began to heat things up.
Upon descending back to the bottom of the climb, Joe began to talk with us about his work at Tender Corporation, maker of brands including Adventure Medical Kits and Survive Outdoors Longer. The company specializes in designing emergency outdoor equipment such as first aid kits, bivvies, shelters, and various survival tools. He had also handed us both a S.O.L. bivvy, which Kellen and I had the opportunity to test out as we posed for a photo at the base of the route under the warm sun, lazily lounging in our new favorite survival bivvies.
As the winter passed into spring, Joe and I fell out of touch. Kellen, Mac Weiler, and my Idaho friend Mike McNutt and I made an attempt of Mt Rainier in early June. Though we didn’t make the summit, the trip opened our eyes to the incredible beauty and grandeur of these massive glaciated volcanoes. Several months after our return, I discovered a couple of posts describing Joe’s recent big mountain adventures on social media. The first described a technical ascent of Mt Whitney, the tallest mountain in the lower 48, while the second described a trip to high summits of the Wind River Range in Wyoming. ‘Wow! These are the kinds of adventures I live for!’ I thought to myself as I gazed in astonishment and pondered the possibilities. My soul was already hungry for more big mountains to climb. It wasn’t long before I sent Joe a message about coordinating a trip of our own, and so began the scheming for our next big adventure.
Joe’s ascent up Mt. Whitney had me hungry for a big adventure
Not long after this scheming began, so too did the training. Miles upon miles of running each week led me to my first ever Spartan Ultra race in September, facing 30+ grueling miles and 60+ soul-crushing obstacles through the hills of Vermont. Finishing in just over 10 hours, this was perhaps one of the hardest days of my life. After endless miles of steep hills, mud, cold swims, and relentless obstacles, it took every fiber of my being to push onward to the finish line, even as my body approached the brink of total failure. As hard as this race was, perhaps it has helped prepare me for even greater challenges yet to come.
The Palisade Traverse
Since my time working for the US Forest Service in the North Lake Tahoe region of California and exploring the High Sierras the previous summer, there was one place in particular that stood out in my mind: the Palisades. Though I had yet to witness this pristine range of jagged peaks for myself, I knew these mountains were just waiting for Joe, Kellen, and I to answer the call. Our intended route, the Full Palisade Traverse, ascends six 14,000 foot peaks and traverses the Palisade Crest in its entirety, covering roughly 8 miles and 70,000 feet of elevation gain.
The Palisades are calling Joe, Kellen, and I to go
When Adventure Calls
This route will test us, pushing our physical and mental limits harder and further than any challenge we may have experienced thus far (possibly even harder than the Spartan Ultra race). Not only will we have the physical difficulty of the route to contend with, but the unforgiving elements of this high-elevation environment as well. We are attempting this route in early November, when the days will be shorter and nights colder. When the sun sets over the horizon and the temperatures begin to drop, I’ll be glad to have my S.O.L. bivvy with me! Though we hope to find a window of fair weather for the traverse, the possibility for inclement and unpredictable winter weather is certainly there. The odds seem weighed heavily against us, but to succeed in such an epic challenge would be the ultimate triumph of willpower and endurance. Regardless of whether or not we do succeed, this climb will prepare us for even bigger mountains and greater challenges going into the future. When the time comes to answer the call of adventure, we will be ready!
There have been countless female adventurers across the ages. Whether they were heading off on their adventures yesterday or hundreds of years ago, their stories remain inspirational and educational. Below, I’ve looked at 10 of the most famous female adventurers. Learn from and get inspired by their stories, and maybe you’ll become the next great female explorer.
Born in 1740, in the Burgundy region of France, she became an adventurer through employment as an assistant to the French naturalist, Philibert Commerçon. Commerçon traveled the globe for his work, and Baré followed as his valet and assistant.
In order to travel with Commerçon, Baré had to dress as a man – though, Commerçon knew she was a woman, having been involved in a romantic relationship with her. This means that not only did Baré risk her life by visiting far off lands, she risked it because it was illegal for women to travel on expeditions as she did.
Isabella Bird
Isabella Bird
Isabella Bird was born in Yorkshire, UK, (1831) but traveled solo across the globe. During her lifetime she is known to have visited China, Korea, Singapore, Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Kurdistan, India, Persia, Morocco, Turkey, North America, and Hawaii. This makes her easily one of the most traveled women of her time.
Bird isn’t just famous for being a great adventurer. She’s also the first woman to be elected Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, the UK’s professional body and learned society for geography.
Though she suffered from insomnia, problems with her spine, and nervous headaches from childhood, Bird was assured and outspoken throughout her life. She was a keen reader and it was this that opened up her eyes to the wonders that existed beyond the UK.
In 1854, Bird was advised by her physician to take a sea voyage. She sailed to the US and never looked back from her spirit of adventure. It was this spirit that kept Bird travelling throughout her life, for she remained in ill health until she died in 1904 – just after returning from Morocco and while planning a trip to China.
Krystyna Chojnowska-Liskiewicz
Krystyna Chojnowski-Liskiewicz was the first woman to sail around the globe alone
Polish sailor Krystyna Chojnowska-Liskiewicz holds the honor of completing a grueling, 401 day and 31,166 nautical mile trip before any other woman, making her the first female adventurer to sail solo around the world.
She used a 31.2 ft. long Conrad 32 sloop (a sailboat with one mast) called Mazurek to complete her journey. Mazurek was built by a team led by Chojnowska-Liskiewicz’s husband.
Chojnowska-Liskiewicz set off on her journey on February, 28, 1976, sailing from the Canary Islands. Having spent more than a year a sea, Chojnowska-Liskiewicz returned to her homeland on April, 21, 1978 – less than two months before Naomi James became the second woman to sail solo around the globe.
Annie Edson Taylor
Annie Edson Taylor posed with her barrel
Annie Edson Taylor went on quite a different adventure than our other famous female adventurers. While she did travel, it was over a considerably shorter, though no less terrifying, distance.
One of eight children, Taylor was born in New York (1838) to a flour mill owner. Training as a schoolteacher, Taylor later opened a dance school in Michigan, before becoming a music teacher. However, none of her educational ventures provided her with the financial reward and security she craved.
Taylor decided that the only way she could get these things was to become a famous female adventurer. She sought the necessary equipment and carried out tests before determining that she was ready for her adventurer. And so, on October, 24, 1901, Taylor climbed into a barrel, was dropped into the Niagara River and was carried over the Canadian Horseshoe Falls. It made her the first person ever to survive a barrel fall over the Niagara Falls.
Modern Female Adventurers
Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner
Austrian nurse, speaker, and mountaineer, Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner is a modern-day female adventurer and winner of the 2012 National Geographic Explorer of the Year Award. She’s also the first woman to climb all 14 mountains over 8,000 meters (26,247 ft) without the aid of supplementary oxygen.
Born in 1970, she was a prodigious climber, having been on a number of tours by the time she reached her teens. Though she completed her nursing training, working as a nurse for a number of years, she never stopped climbing. This led her to become a professional mountaineer in 2004.
She climbed her first eight-thousander, Cho Oyu (found on the border of China-Nepal), in 1998 before climbing:
Makalu: 2001
Manaslu: 2002
Nanga Parbat: 2003
Annapurna I: 2004
Gasherbrum I: 2004
Shisha Pangma: 2005
Gasherbrum II: 2005
Kangchenjunga: 2006
Broad Peak: 2007
Dhaulagiri: 2008
Lhotse: 2009
Mount Everest: 2010
Kaltenbrunner climbed the final eight-thousander, K2 (located on the border of China and Pakistan) on August, 23, 2011.
Sunny Stroeer
Sunny by name and sunny by outlook, the free spirited Suzanne ‘Sunny’ Stroeer took a radical approach to turning 30. She gave up her material possessions and swapped the life she’d known for one as an adventurer.
Moving into an Astrovan, Stroeer is a mountain fanatic who loves big walls and is addicted to being vertical. While she may have given up on her material possessions, Stroeer hasn’t turned her back on society. Stroeer has a popular blog and Instagram account, where keeps her many thousands of followers updated with her adventures on a regular basis.
Hilaree pulling first aid supplies out of the Ultralight/Watertight Pro. Photo Credit: Chris Figenshau
She may be a self-confessed ‘small person’ but Hilaree Nelson O’Neill is a female with a huge spirit for adventure. In fact, it’s so big that it’s taken her skiing and climbing to some of the most remote mountains on the planet.
She had an early start as an adventurer, picking up skiing when she was just three and waiting little longer to start climbing. However, it was after moving to the Chamonix Valley of France that her adventurer bug became a full-blown infection.
The result of that infection has seen O’Neill become the first woman to climb two 8,000m mountains in 24 hours (Lhotse and Everest), ski from the summit of Cho Oyu in Tibet, complete a ski descent of the Peak of Evil in India, and be named one of the most adventurous females on the planet by Outside Magazine
Jessica Watson
What were you doing when you were 16? I’m sure it was something daring, educational, and inspirational. But I bet it wasn’t as adventurous as what Jessica Watson was doing when she was 16, which is when Watson completing a solo circumnavigation of the southern hemisphere.
Watson travelled 19,631 nautical miles, beginning and ending in Sydney. It took the young Australian just under 7 months to complete her journey, having departed on October, 18, 2009 and returned on May, 15, 2010.
Cassie DePecol
How many countries have you been to? 5, 10, 20, 50? You might have visited plenty more than me but I bet you don’t get close to Cassie DePecol. Before she turned 28, DePecol had visited 196 nations.
196 countries isn’t just a lot of places to visit; it’s every sovereign nation on the planet. DePecol set out on her travels on July 24, 2015. It took her less than 18 months for her to visit all 196 nations, as she visited the final country on February, 2, 2017.
Fastest time to visit all sovereign countries – Female
You might have some way to go to make it to the full 196 countries (heck, you might never get there) but let Cassie DePecol’s story inspire you and book your next adventure today!
Juliana Buhring
Last (but certainly not least of our female adventurers) is British-German writer and ultra-endurance cyclist Juliana Buhring. Not only was she the sole female to participate in the maiden Transcontinental Race from London to Istanbul in 2013, she was the first woman circumnavigate the globe by bike.
Buhring set off on her record-breaking cycle run on July, 23, 2012, leaving from Naples without having any support or sponsorship, and almost no money to fund herself – she was only able to complete her trip after receiving donations.
Just 152 days after setting off, Buhring returned to Naples. She had cycled through 19 countries, across, 4 continents, and covered 18,000 miles. It was just reward that she was entered into the Guinness Book of Records.
Your Turn!
By taking inspiration from these famous female adventurers, you can embark on your own journeys and become the next famous female adventurer.
With the advent of Skype, Google Hangouts, and Slack making it easier for you to enjoy locationless living, you don’t have to uproot your life to fuel your love of adventure — simply move it to your current destination.
You are free to embark on adrenaline-soaked activities or become a trailblazer by visiting somewhere no one has ever set foot – like one of these places:
Even you don’t fancy going 10,994 meters (36,000 ft) beneath the sea and prefer more casual trips, just heading out on an adventure can help you to be more confident – as Caroline Paul explains in this TED Talk:
Whatever your chosen adventure, let these female adventurers inspire you to challenge yourself, get outdoors, and be safe!
About the Author
Kayleigh Alexandra is a content writer for Micro Startups — a site dedicated to giving through growth hacking. Visit the blog for your latest dose of startup, entrepreneur, and marketing insights. Check out Micro Startups’ Charity of the Month to find out about organizations doing great work in/around/and for their communities . Follow us on Twitter @getmicrostarted.
