Making a full, human powered, source to sea descent of the Amazon River was hella fun! It was (at least to us) an epic! In my biased opinion it earnt it’s stripes. A solo walk across Iran? My life was never in danger in the same way as on the big river but it was a tough slog all the same. I met some amazing people and hopefully have revealed something more of this hidden country. First? I doubt it, but in modern times and amongst my peers, I reckon a unique journey. Of course, I would say that.

But, what makes an expedition count? Does travelling to every country in the world without using planes qualify? Ben Fogle and James Cracknell’s Race to the Pole? The Patagonia 180 South journey? I have my own views on 2 of these undertakings. They, to me, just don’t belong, yet, the media and public interest they generate would suggest otherwise!

Can you guess which one I reckon takes the cake? Do YOU have a criteria? Is it possible to qualify? Does anyone have the right to make such a call?

]]> http://www.markkalch.com/2010/02/worthwhile-expeditions/feed/ 0 http://www.markkalch.com/2009/07/conquerors-of-the-useless/ http://www.markkalch.com/2009/07/conquerors-of-the-useless/#comments Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:34:40 +0000 Mark Kalch http://www.markkalch.com/?p=626 Yvon Chouinard has long been a bit of a hero of mine. I don’t know the guy personally but I must say from all that I know of him he is…

]]> Yvon Chouinard has long been a bit of a hero of mine. I don’t know the guy personally but I must say from all that I know of him he is a pretty cool guy. Born in Maine, USA and raised in Southern California, Yvon was part of the legendary “Golden Age” of climbing in Yosemite. The usual story – starts making his own climbing kit, steel pitons initially and then moves into clean climbing with hexs and stoppers. A sort of awakening to his life-long obsession with environmental protection and minimizing impact on the planet. Probably most well-known for his outdoor clothing company, Patagonia, he has spent a lifetime making great gear (if not the most fashionable), chasing waves, first ascents and protecting the environment where he spends so much of his time.

In 1968, he and good mate, Doug Tompkins set out from Ventura, California on the road trip of a lifetime. Taking a second-hand van and loading it up with surf boards and climbing kit, they left on a 5000-mile journey. The aim? Put up a new route on Patagonia’s Mt. Fitzroy. There’s a lot of coast between California and Chile. A lot of sweet waves too!

In 2007/2008 a group of Patagonia “friends” including the surfing Malloy brothers decided to follow (sort of) Yvon and Doug’s journey, 40 years previous. All up, both adventures look the business. The result you can see above. Dig the vibe and the tunes! I reckon you must be kidding me if this clip does not make you want to pack it all in and chase your own dreams, whatever they may be.

Check out the website here.

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