More Pre-Everest Posts From Alan Arnette

A few weeks back I mentioned that Alan Arnette had already started his always great coverage of the Mt. Everest climbing season by posting several stories to his blog. Since that time, he has added more great posts that will help to get us all ready for the spring, when most of the action takes place on the world's tallest mountain.

One of the posts that I think will be of particular interest is Alan's look at Lhotse, the mountain right next door to Everest. Just how close are these two? Climbers going to the summit of either mountain share campsites all the way up to C4, where they then go different directions toward their respective summits. The climb to the top of Lhotse isn't nearly as crowded as Everest, and it is roughly 333 meters (1095 ft) lower, but it also presents some technical challenges that aren't an issue on its taller neighbor. Alan breaks down the differences and discusses the climbs very nicely.

When you're done reading about Lhotse, be sure to move on to Alan's profile of an Everest Sherpa. If you know anything about climbing in the High Himalaya, you know that almost no one would summit without the help of their Sherpa guides. They are a tough, strong, group of people and it is clear that Alan respects them very much.

Finally, check out this interview with Cian O'Brolchain, a former professional tennis player from Ireland, who has set his sights on Everest this season. Cian is climbing to raise awareness of Cystic Fibrosis, and doesn't have a lot of climbing experience under his belt. That said, he has already topped out on Cho Oyu, and seems determined to go even higher this spring. He and Alan discuss his mountaineering experiences so far and what he brings along with him from the world of competitive tennis that can aid in his mission.

As usual, these are all excellent reads and are setting us up nicely for the action that will be coming later in the spring. As the Antarctic season winds down, and the winter climbs come to a close, we'll be transitioning over to Everest, and the rest of the Himalaya, where there will be plenty of drama once again.

The Outdoor Pros Interview Alan Arnette!

One of my favorite stories to follow over the past year or so has been Alan Arnette's ongoing quest to scale the Seven Summits. Alan has always done an excellent job of writing about his adventures and his ability to convey a good story has allowed us all to feel like we've joined him on those mountains. Now, with seven of the eight peaks behind him, and only the elusive Denali off his list, Alan has settled down to talk about his efforts to not only climb the tallest mountain on each continent, but also help raise funds to support a cure for Alzheimer's as well.

Yesterday, the good folks over at Outdoor Pros posted an excellent interview with Alan, in which he discusses a number of aspects of his climbs. He talks about the challenges of the Seven Summits, including the easiest and most challenging of those peaks. He also shares his favorite mountain that isn't on that list, the dangers that come with climbing, and the one piece of gear that he takes with him on any expedition. Alan also offers insights into how he prepared for those climbs (hint: with more climbing!) and how he mentally and physically prepares for the challenges.

Perhaps most compelling however is why he climbs. For those not familiar with his story, Alan retired early from a great career with Hewlett Packard to take care of his mother who suffered from Alzheimer's. Over the next three years, he watched as her memory and mind deteriorated, and when she finally succumbed to the horrible affliction, Alan vowed that he would do all he could to help find a cure. The fact that he is doing it while climbing some of the world's most iconic peaks is just pure bonus.

This is an excellent read and well worth a look for those who want to learn more about climbing on big expeditions.

CheapTents Interviews Explorer Rafał Król

My friends over at CheapTents.com have continued their string of great adventure interviews, this time turning their microscopes on Polish explorer Rafał Król. Król has been on a number of epic expeditions, including a solo crossing of Spitsbergen and a traverse of the Greenland icecap in horrible weather conditions.

In the interview, which you can read here, Król discusses what inspired him to become an explorer, how he asses risk while on an expedition, and what he feels his biggest accomplishment to date is. Król answers the last one by saying his biggest accomplishment is that he is still alive, which will make you chuckle at first, but after you read about some of the conditions that he has endured, you understand why he says this. Rafał goes on to offer some great practical advice for those planning their own expeditions, while also sharing his favorite gear items. He also briefly touches on his plans for future adventures as well.

The CheapTents interviews have become an excellent source of information on some really interesting people who are on the cutting edge of exploration and adventure. I always enjoy reading what these explorers have to say and every interview provides some nugget of insight or information that I find fascinating. I like picking up those pieces of information and storing them away for my own future use, and this particular interview has plenty to take in.

Adventure Interviews: Ripley Davenport and Louis-Philippe Loncke

We've got a couple of more interesting interviews courtesy of our friends at CheapTents.com and Adventeer.com, both of which have been cranking out some great content recently.

First up, CheapTents has posted an interview with Louis-Philippe Loncke, who recently completed his kayaking tour of Belgium. In the interview, he discusses that expedition of course, but also touches on some of his other adventures, sharing thoughts on what inspires him, what he has planned for the future, his favorite gear items, and his worst injury ever suffered on an expedition. Warning! The last one is not for the faint of heart.

Not to be outdone, the Adventeer team has an excellent interview with Ripley Davenport, who has spent a great deal of time in desert environments, including the  Namib Desert, Kara-kum, and, in recent years, the Gobi. Ripley discusses the allure of those places, which of the deserts presented him with the biggest challenges, the indigenous people he has met in his travels, and much, much more. He also offers advice to those seeking to pursue their own adventures and gives us some hint son what he plans on doing in the near future as well.

Both are good interviews to start off your day and provide a little adventurous inspiration. Thanks to both CheapTents and Adventeer for sharing!

A Pair Of Adventure Interviews

We have a couple of good interviews this morning of two very interesting adventurers who have spent a lot of time on mountains and in very cold places.

First up, my friends at CheapTents.com are making it a habit of posting excellent interviews with some fascinating subjects. This week they put polar explorer Lonnie Dupre under their microscope, discussing such topics as what inspires him to go on his adventures, what his biggest weakness is, and why he decided to attempt Denali in January. Even for a guy who has been to the North Pole twice and circumnavigated Greenland, that was a tough expedition.

Once you're done getting to know Lonnie better, head over to Adventeer to check out their interview with  mountaineer Meagan McGrath. I've written about Meagan's adventures a few times, most notably when she went to the South Pole, but also on her Seven Summits climbs as well. In her interview, Meagan discusses her motivations for climbing, what it was like going to the South Pole alone, and how she manages to self-fund her adventures. She also goes into detail on the Seven Summits and shares which of those peaks was her favorite as well.

Both are good reads and highly motivational. If you're finding it difficult to get your energy going this morning, both Lonnie and Meagan may provide some inspiration. At the very least, they'll give you something to think about heading into the weekend.