The American Teenage Experience Road Trip

The plan is to cross the nation this coming summer 2015, travelling and working on the ground with other teenage writers/photographers/filmmakers/good travel partners to capture the american teenage experience across regional and socioeconomic borders. The goal is to see what, if anything, we have in common, and get more teenagers interested in national and international affairs. Ted Simon had a more succinct assessment, I assume your purpose it to get young people off their asses and into the game. Right - O.

I'm currently looking for other teenagers who'd be interested in being a travel partner for the trip or a leg of it, or working with us on the ground. If you are one, or know one, we'd love to hear from you. I'm also looking for potential backers of the project. Not necessarily monetarily,but by adding a name to it, and acting as a reference to our (mostly) good character. Partnering with the project would be a great for small, start up-y adventure companies to get some exposure, and make the project more legit. Once again, if you are part of or know of any organisations that might be interested, wed love to hear from you. Lastly, if anyone knows anybody at Amtrak or others involved with trains in the U.S, that'd be much appreciated. Travelling across the country by rail poses challenges in the U.S, but I think it also gives a unique perspective. If all else fails, the car remains an open option. Thanks, and cheers to the new year,Will Friend

Mongolian Long Ride

A planned solo expedition to cross Mongolia. On horseback. Yes, that's right. Two horses actually. With the world in a seemingly endless rush to get its hands on a Black Friday Asda telly, what better time to embark on a nostalgic adventure harking back to the good old days of equine exploration. Forget doing it fast or furthest. Just enjoy doing it.

Ever since I could speak, I spoke of horses. Now I have the time and energy to do something few people would think of, or it turns out, care to do. Ride across Mongolia and visit one of the last Nomadic horse cultures left. Really visit. Learn what it means to live or die by your horsemanship.Kindly recognised by The Long Riders Guild and with their huge wealth of knowledge and expertise in equine based exploration as a resource, I have put the plans in place for a three month Expedition across the Steppe.

Tough logistically and physically, the romantic notions of riding off into the sunset were something I was keen to avoid. Long riders are a tough breed but never have I come across a group of people more willing to impart knowledge, often hard fought on the trail, then these quiet heroes. If you haven't read Tim Copes new book On the Trail of Genghis Khan, you should. In it he details his odyssey across Mongolia to the shores of the Danube. Some 10,000km away in Hungary. It took him three and a half years. He had never ridden a horse before.Expeditions are often arduous and difficult, perhaps more so when the typical hierarchy of needs such as a warm place to sleep for the night, are superseded by thoughts for your horses well being.

This is the Long Riders code. The journey, not for glory or recognition, but more as a sharing experience between two different species. To me, the very essence of adventure.If you are in Mongolia next year, drop me a line. If you fancy hearing how I got on, drop me a line. If you ever dreamed of riding across the Steppe, drop me a line.Good luck with all the other adventures going on out there, there are still many more to be found.Jack

The Kings Trail

It is known as Europe's last wilderness. This route hikes through spectacular mountains and valleys and from the 1800's become known as the king of trails The Kings Trail. During the summer season, it is essentially daylight all day and north of the Arctic Circle, the midnight sun shines brightly for several months. Lapland is also a sanctuary for wildlife, for those who know what tracks to look for, lynx, wolverine, bear and even wolf can be found. Sweden has 11 peaks over 2,000m. The Kings trail is 430km long, stretching from Abisko in the north to Hemavan in the south. You pass by several of these peaks through a well-built system of mountain stations and mountain huts making hiking both easy and fun. No need to bring a tent, - no camping involved. I am looking for companions for this potential trip. You will need to carry your own gear for the duration of the trip but with the hut facilities; you should be able to keep your backpack to a minimum weight.

You can wear the same hiking gear for a week, right? Summer Season: Midsummer Mid September. My plan is to hike the first section. Abisko Nikkaluokta and include the summit of Swedens highest mountain Kebnekaise. Summer trails are comprised of a well-worn path with painted poles/stones, where the trail is difficult to follow. In forest country, colour indicators can be on trees. There are mountain huts along the Kings Trail, a days hike from each other (10 20km) The huts have self-service accommodation, showers and WCs. You cook your own food. The kitchens have stoves, cooking utensils, and cutlery. There is no electricity and huts are heated with wood or LPG (Liquid petroleum gas) Rooms have 4 beds with mattresses, pillows and covers. You need to bring your own sheets or sleeping bag.

Food and water is available at many of the huts, but best to bring your own supplies to save on cost.Itinerary*I have reserved 9 days for this trek, although for experienced hikers I am confident the distances can be covered to shorten the trip to 8 days, (6 days trekking) but this is a good itinerary to start.*Abisko Nikkaluokta. Length: 105km Days spent hiking: 7 days.Starting Point: Abisko Mountain HutHow to get there: Fly to Kiruna and catch bus/train to AbiskoEnd Point: Kebnekaise Mountain StationHow to get out: Hike 19km to Nikkaluokta, Bus to Kiruna.Provisional Daily PlanDay 1. Flight to Kiruna Bus ( 105km 1.5hrs) to Abisko Mountain Hut (overnight Abisko)Day 2. Hike Abisko to Abiskojaure (15km)Day 3: Hike to Alesjaure (20km)Day 4: Hike to Tjaktja Lodging (13km)Day 5: Hike to Salta Mountain huts (12km)Day 6: Hike to Kebnekaise Mountain Hut (14km)Day 7: Ascent to the summit of Kebnekaise (2104m) overnight back at Kebnekaise Mountain Hut (16km)Day 8: Walk to Nikkaluokta, (19km) Bus to Kiruna (1hr 10min) overnight KirunaDay 9: Flight back to LondonA breakdown of estimate costsFlights SAS Scandinavian AirlinesLHR to Kiruna via Stockholm.Dates 1st July 9th July 240Mountain huts 23 per night. (with membership 13 per night)*STF membership costs 25 for the year and allows discounted accommodation in mountain huts and hostels around Sweden so worthwhile purchasing. *Night in Kiruna (30 -50) nice hotel. We will deserve this treat!Food Expenses. 100 (not including any alcohol)Bus Transfers 50 returnTotal Cost approx. 600 - 700If you are reasonably fit, love being active and want to get back to nature then please get in touch!"

Arctic 4 Abby

Arctic 4 Abby is a 200km Husky Dog Challenge 145km north of the Arctic Circle in February 2015. I am likely to be exposed to temperatures of -30/-40 whilst mushing a team of husky dogs for around 8 hours per day.I am doing this in honour of my amazing sister Abby, who had Downs Syndrome, and her two friends Natalia and Mandy who sadly were taken from us all far too soon. Having paid for this trip myself all funds raised will be going directly to charity. I have chosen the cause of Orwell Mencap Genesis because I would like to directly help Abby, Natalia and Mandys peers so that we can still support the community they were part of and directly help people with learning and physical disabilities.

The Clipperton Project

The Clipperton Project (TCP) is seeking expeditionaries to join a 3 week expedition, on and around the Peruvian Amazon. TCPs second journey on around the Peruvian Amazon will build on existing relationships with remote communities in the Iquitos/Nauta region of Peru, linked up by boat journeys between the regions. Areas of study include remote communities, sustainability, human interaction with the river over time, waste management and systems.Places are limited.For more information contact jon@theclippertonproject.com.

Watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnJ8TeP4Vj8 Like https://www.facebook.com/TheClippertonProject?ref=hl

The Clipperton Project is an international arts, environmental research and advocacy organisation.The Clipperton Project is nothing less than an empowerment agency. Australian Broadcasting Corporation