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Paraglide Tajikistan 2012

CommunityBelinda KirkComment

In the late summer of 2012, William Palmer and Simon Vacher together withtheir paragliders plan to make a crossing through some of the most remote and highest mountain landscapes in a bold journey across Tajikistan. The route has never been attempted before and will demand great skill and persistence but in the eyes of these dreamers represents the ultimate playground.Will Palmer at the time will only recently have returned from the Afghanistan's Secret Peaks expedition. He has in recent years proved himself to be one of the most accomplished pilots in the world of cross country vol bivouac flying.

In 2010-2011 he pioneered flying sites throughout Tajikistan, Krygyzstan and Afghanistan. Whilst in Pakistan he set new routes through the biggest mountains on earth flying up to 23,000ft and in excess of 100km a day. Simon Vacher, a film maker from the UK also shown himself an invaluable team member with his passion for flight expressed worldwide. His pedigree is proven in recent flying in Nepal and twinned with his film skills should allow for unprecedented perspective in this exciting expedition.Starting at Panjakent near the Uzbek border the pair will fly east in to the bigger mountains.

Moving many kilometers each day and sleeping high in the mountains they will progress towards, and fly the length of the 77km Fedchenko glacier nestled among many 6000m peaks and overlooked by the imposing 7134m Peak Lenin. Far from any support with all they require on their backs they will eventually finish their journey near the Chinese border, away from any form of civilisation, and after over 800km of flying.This part of Central Asia is often overlooked by the paragliding world because of its remoteness, but the pair recognise great potential in the area. The expedition represents a great challenge, one which may prove a bridge too far, but is sure to be a truly great adventure.

Bondi By Bike

CommunityBelinda KirkComment

It was a dark and stormy night, January 2010. Well, it was dark, at least, it was dark inside the pub. It was definitely January. Over a couple of litres of beer, Matt and I concocted the harebrained scheme to cycle from London to Sydney, Australia.

Wanted - Ocean Rowing Boat

CommunityBelinda KirkComment

We are developing methods of righting inverted boats which have flooded. What we need from the Ocean rowing community is the donation of a rowing boat we can conduct experiments on.

All equipment can be striped off, we can even make boats watertight again. Unfortunately we cannot guarantee returning the boat in a usable condition. So if you have an old boat sat slowly rotting in your garden, which in your heart of hearts you know will not sell; why not donate it for the development of ocean rowing safety?

Any ideas on the righting of flooded boats are also welcome. Contact Crispin on contact@rossiteryachts.co.uk

River Gambia Expedition 2012-1000km source to sea African odyssey

CommunityBelinda KirkComment

Experienced West Africa travelers, husband and wife team - multi award-winning photojournalist, Jason Florio, and, photography producer and writer, Helen Jones-Florio will attempt to create a modern-day account of the people, societies, and life along the length of one of Africas last, free-flowing, major rivers the River Gambia.

There has also been talk, for a number of years, of damming the river. This journey is about documenting the communities and environment before this change happens.They will be promoting canoeing and trekking, as a means of travel thereby maintaining a low carbon footprint/environmental impact. Travelling through the through the homelands of over seven different tribes, their journey will begin at the source of the river, where it trickles out of the Fouta Djallon highlands of Guinea, on into hippo-abundant Niokolo Koba National Park, Senegal, and finally into The Republic of the Gambia following the same course as the early gold and slave traders had done century's ago to the 10km wide mouth of the river, where it opens into the Atlantic Ocean after over a 1000km journey

Jason (Flo), Helen (H), and their team, will collect - through multiple medias: visual/written/audio - stories documenting the lives and cultures of the indigenous people, who live and work along the course of the River Gambia. Using traditional protocol, relevant to each country, they will approach village chiefs to ask permission to stay in his/her village. The team plan to camp in the villages along the river, wherever possible. Staying with the local people will be an integral part of the journey, in order for them to understand and document the cultures and traditions of the numerous tribes they will encounter. They will travel with two local Gambian river men for the entire journey, along with hiring local guides in Guinea and Senegal thus making it a diverse and international team. 

.http://rivergambiaexpedition2012.wordpress.com/