November 3, 2008
Big Kev in the Big Kev
I'm writing this really quickly before something else comes up, someone calls or I get otherwise distracted by another project. It's Monday, the day before the big election and while my attention is definitely focused on our potential next president, I do have a few tasks pressing to only me.
I leave for Antarctica next Tuesday the 12th. I'm guiding an expedition to the South Pole for a company called ALE. We will be skiing and pulling sleds from the edge of the Ronne Ice Shelf to the bottom of the world, the South Pole. The journey will take around 50 days which means I'll have a white Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's.
The plan is to meet my clients (team members) in Punta Arenas, Chile next week where we will assess gear, practice our travel routines and try to enjoy as much above zero weather as possible. I'll be joined by Jeremy, Luc, Jill, Daragh and Doug who will travel from as far away as Australia, England, Ireland and Belgium.
I'm looking forward to the trip, but it puts a rather abrupt time line to everything I'm doing.
I'm not sure when it was, but I was in Colorado for nearly two weeks. How can you not love mountains? I mean seriously. I'm going to take the official stand that I was there for work - you know, meetings with sponsors and potential sponsors. And I was, for sure, double seriously! But its hard not to be in Colorado and not enjoy all that elevation.
Lora Lederman and the rest of the Scream Agency team worked overtime helping set up media appointments with a couple Denver TV shows, Backpacker Magazine and long time Save the Poles advocate and reporter from the AP, Pat Graham. I also had meetings with sunglass and goggle sponsor, Optic Nerve and several others.
Of special note was a meeting with Sierra Designs - a definite highlight of my trip. Everyone there is so nice. We've been working on developing a special polar tunnel tent called the 'Big Kev - PT'. I used my time at SD to set up the Big Kev and go over the modifications the tent would need to be able to withstand several months on the Arctic Ocean. Special thanks go to Phil and Jesse for their help and insight.
Named after my high school camping buddy, Kev, (pictured in the actual Big Kev tent), it is an homage to him and all the amazing trips we used to do together. The fact that he is now a middle aged family man is of little consequence. Here's to you Big Kev (the person, not the tent).
I did manage to escape to Telluride for an amazing weekend of hiking, hot springs and a mountain bike ride at 8000' which kicked my sea level accustomed butt. I also got to visit with some new friends from the National Geographic Greenland trip I was on in August and September. Thanks to the Croke's - Kevin (not the tent's namesake), Marla, Shaemus and Trevor. Your hospitality was much appreciated.
Now I am back in good old GM. The leaves have fallen off the trees. Its supposed to snow this weekend. My skis from Karhu were waiting for me when I arrived home from Colorado. UPS dropped off a new Wintergreen Anorak today. I've got several Stanley thermoses stacked and ready to be packed.
While everything is nearly in readiness for Antarctica, that is still a week away, I haven't cleaned my room yet (you didn't hear that mom) and there is still a mountain of tasks to be completed prior to my departure. I guess I'll catch up on my sleep on the nearly 24 hour flight south!
I leave for Antarctica next Tuesday the 12th. I'm guiding an expedition to the South Pole for a company called ALE. We will be skiing and pulling sleds from the edge of the Ronne Ice Shelf to the bottom of the world, the South Pole. The journey will take around 50 days which means I'll have a white Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's.
The plan is to meet my clients (team members) in Punta Arenas, Chile next week where we will assess gear, practice our travel routines and try to enjoy as much above zero weather as possible. I'll be joined by Jeremy, Luc, Jill, Daragh and Doug who will travel from as far away as Australia, England, Ireland and Belgium.
I'm looking forward to the trip, but it puts a rather abrupt time line to everything I'm doing.
I'm not sure when it was, but I was in Colorado for nearly two weeks. How can you not love mountains? I mean seriously. I'm going to take the official stand that I was there for work - you know, meetings with sponsors and potential sponsors. And I was, for sure, double seriously! But its hard not to be in Colorado and not enjoy all that elevation.
Lora Lederman and the rest of the Scream Agency team worked overtime helping set up media appointments with a couple Denver TV shows, Backpacker Magazine and long time Save the Poles advocate and reporter from the AP, Pat Graham. I also had meetings with sunglass and goggle sponsor, Optic Nerve and several others.
Of special note was a meeting with Sierra Designs - a definite highlight of my trip. Everyone there is so nice. We've been working on developing a special polar tunnel tent called the 'Big Kev - PT'. I used my time at SD to set up the Big Kev and go over the modifications the tent would need to be able to withstand several months on the Arctic Ocean. Special thanks go to Phil and Jesse for their help and insight.
Named after my high school camping buddy, Kev, (pictured in the actual Big Kev tent), it is an homage to him and all the amazing trips we used to do together. The fact that he is now a middle aged family man is of little consequence. Here's to you Big Kev (the person, not the tent).
I did manage to escape to Telluride for an amazing weekend of hiking, hot springs and a mountain bike ride at 8000' which kicked my sea level accustomed butt. I also got to visit with some new friends from the National Geographic Greenland trip I was on in August and September. Thanks to the Croke's - Kevin (not the tent's namesake), Marla, Shaemus and Trevor. Your hospitality was much appreciated.
Now I am back in good old GM. The leaves have fallen off the trees. Its supposed to snow this weekend. My skis from Karhu were waiting for me when I arrived home from Colorado. UPS dropped off a new Wintergreen Anorak today. I've got several Stanley thermoses stacked and ready to be packed.
While everything is nearly in readiness for Antarctica, that is still a week away, I haven't cleaned my room yet (you didn't hear that mom) and there is still a mountain of tasks to be completed prior to my departure. I guess I'll catch up on my sleep on the nearly 24 hour flight south!