Cardiff Explorers' Maria in Siberian Ice Race

Cardiff Explorers organiser Maria Leijerstam will head to Irkutsk in Russia this Thursday to participate in the Siberian Black Ice Race, a 379 mile race across Lake Baikal, the largest freshwater lake in the world.

This will be no ordinary race. Maria intends to travel across the frozen lake by bike. She will need to carry all her equipment with her, including her tent, stove and food. In order to prepare for the event she has been testing her specially modified Quoroz Titanium Mountain Bike complete with ice tyres, at Planet Ice in Cardiff Bay.

Temperatures on the race may drop to as low as -40C with the wind chill so Maria has been choosing her kit and equipment carefully, making sure her hands and feet are protected from the danger of frostbite. To ensure that she can maintain the energy levels required for this kind of endurance challenge she will be eating a high calorie diet of up to 6000 calories a day.

You can follow her progress on her blog www.marialeijerstam.blogspot.com/Maria will fundraise for Alzheimers UK and you can donate at www.justgiving.com/leijerstam

Good Luck Maria!

The Myth of Mustang: Trekking in Nepal

We are trekking in Nepal this May here at The Explorer's Passage!

A trans-Himalayan journey through the sacred Kingdom of Mustang.The Story behind this epic Himalayan trek is embedded not only in ancient Buddhist myth, culture and art, but also in the snow-capped peaks, wind-carved canyons and verdant valleys that dominate Nepal's surreal and spectacular landscape.

Welcome to the world of Guru Rinpoche, also known as Padmasambhava, an eminent Indian sage called upon by King Trisong Detsen in 760 AD to subdue demonical spirits hindering the introduction of Buddhism into Tibet. According to legend, the king's request spurred a heroic battle as Rinpoche pursued these spirits throughout the Kingdom of Mustang and into Tibet, carrying with him the 'great truth,' or dharma, until finally, he prevailed.

A once-in-a-lifetime expedition marked by myth, majesty and mind-boggling natural beauty! Come with us to Nepal in May 2014! Expedition DetailsHost City: KathmanduDuration: 17 Days / 16 Nights Accommodations: 6 Nights Hotel / 10 Nights Tented Camp Pricing$4,500 (5 Guests)$4,100 (6-8 Guests)$3,800 (9-11 Guests)$3,550 (12-14 Guests)$3,450 (15 Guests)

For more information, contact - brian@explorerspassage.com

Mont Blanc ascent / Voie de la traversee

Dear Explorers Connect lovers! My name is Sebastien Marciak and here is my story. There are so many reasons for why people want to fundraise and for why people want to give.I believe they all have one thing in common: to leave something behind that is not about you. To leave a mark, make an impression, to feel useful, to feel like you are making a difference, to help and just to give without asking for anything back because whether we want it or not it is human nature. It is quite well known that,after a tragedy, people tend to change, realise something they hadnt before or simply just want to do more of their lives.

This is how I felt this summer when my closest friend lost her partner in a brutal road accident down Ayr.23 years old isn't the right age to go and there's definitely more to do for those who stay than wasting time or being ungrateful.Right after it happened, without being able to explain why,I remember saying to myself I am going to climb mountains and the idea turned into an obsession. No such tragedy differs from any other tragedies people suffer but here I am, fundraising for BRAKE (the road safety charity)climbing Mont Blanc by la voie de la traverse; those guys are wonderful and I am really excited to go on this journey for them.I set up a justgiving page, started to tell everybody what I am doing and why I am doing it. I went to the Scottish highlands to train couple of days in the mountains, go nuts at the gym and plan on regularly visiting the magnificence of Glencoe mountains for more training. I most definitely have the bug now!

I have done many outdoor activities but am still fairly new to proper mountaineering. I just wanted to share this project and connect with as many people as possible. I am aware I am not the first one to do Mont Blanc but I cannot wait to be there!I am planning on documenting the climb obviously and write an article about the experience. ...To be the guide who will carry the light at the top of Mont Blanc, so for those who are lucky enough to see, remember those who can't see anymore.

Thank you,

Sebastien Marciak

Anybody got a rickshaw/tuk tuk in London

Hi guys,

I'm Ed - running a new startup called world in London, It's all about helping Londoners discover unique experiences from around the world in their own city. www.worldinlondon.co.uk.

I'm looking for an auto rickshaw or bicycle rickshaw for a few events I'm doing. Thought this crowd of people might be able to point me in the direction of someone in London who might have one?

Thanks Ed

edwardjfhewitt@gmail.com

Everest 2014 Climb4Change Expedition

Alex Staniforth, aged 18, is set to become the youngest Briton to climb the Southeast Ridge of Mount Everest, in Nepal whilst aiming to raise 29,035 for CLIC Sargent and the Red Endangered Animal Connection Trust. i.e. 1 per foot of Everest. He will be on the 70 day trip with British expedition leader, Tim Mosedale.

Alex trained on Baruntse, 7,129m last Autumn for a month along with Mera Peak, 6,476m. He has overcome Epilepsy and a host of other obstacles to be spurred on by adventure and his life ambition to summit the worlds' highest peak to show young people they can be the change they want to see in the world. Major sponsors are Textlocal.com, Pingtree and UK Loans, with product support from Craghoppers, Marmot, Icebreaker, MyProtein, LED Lenser, Beet IT and Powertraveller.

Follow the journey at www.alexstaniforth.com/blog.html or Twitter @alex_staniforth

Good portable music device?

Hello! I'm (most probably) off to Antarctica in November this year - if anyone has any general advice or want to meet up - great! But also more specifically, what's the best mobile music device out there for travelling with? iPod Nano, MP3? I'd like to listen to music and audio books as I'm trekking along and ideally want a device that's easy to use and has a good battery life (and can survive the cold).

Any tips greatly appreciated!

Paula

paula@paulareid.com