On the 10th February this year, the teams started out from PRIMERA ANGOSTURA, Chile. The first of 18 legs was meant to start on sea kayaks. However, was cancelled due to extreme winds.

All 14 teams have been through extensive training and a rigourous selection process before taking part in this battle within one of the harshest places on earth. Some times teams will go hundreds of KM with out seeing a single soul.

When talking about the race this year, race organisers were quick to reassure the press that this year will be full of new challenges; ‘The land is diverse, the challenge real, the adventure untamed’.

For more information on the race go to; http://www.patagonianexpeditionrace.com/

The pair will follow in the footsteps of a Victorian expedition which failed to finish. The unsuccessful attempt in August of 1860, saw a similarly adventurous pair fail. Englishman William Wills and Irishman Robert Burke successfully accomplished the 2000-mile first leg of the journey only to expire on the return journey following abandonment by their support team.

However, the challenge has been completed subsequently; 5 months being the quickest time to date. The pair will have to brave severe heat, deadly creepy-crawlies and dingoes. They will employ the services of camels to carry vital supplies of food and water.

Like any of the best explorers, the pair are doing it because it’s a great idea and no other reason.

Good luck chaps.

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

Australian born Adventurer, Mark Kalch, has just completed a journey that even the most hardened travellers would consider a serious undertaking. Mark was travelling in an area that is the centre of some serous political debate and controversy. Mark arrived at his destination on the 18th January 2010, 60 days and 1700km later.

Mark Kalch trekked the entire length of the Republic of Iran from the coast of the Caspian sea in the north, to the Persian Gulf in the south. This epic journey was across mountain and forest under the persistent sun of the middle east. Mark is a professional explorer and adventurer but for him this journey was a kind of protest.

Mark set out across Iran to discover its people, culture and attitudes toward the outside world. He was welcomed into every village with open arms and found startling similarities between the west and the every day Iranian that he met.

Read more at http://www.markkalch.com/

Their aim was to ride their custom made mountain bikes 34,000 KM down the spine of the planet from their start in Alaska to the southern most tip of the spine, Ushuaia. They accomplished this trip, passing through 14 countries and receiving international acclaim for their daring, inspiring and adventurous journey.

The trip was not heavily sponsored, it was not well funded, yet it succeeded and received a lot of attention from the media and sporting magazines covering their incredible expedition. Wend magazine, Adventure Sports Journal and Adventure Cycles all covered the journey, out lining the route, the men and the mission.

For such a feat to be accomplished with little backing and support, only the ideals, determination and dreams of three men, is truly inspiring.

He will cover 80,000 km, through 50 countries. His travel’s will take him from the UK down through Europe and the Middle East, down through Africa to South America (by boat) and then all of the way up to Alaska where another boat will be taken to Japan, then another to Australia, then it’s over to Indonesia and finally back to the UK via the Eurasian landmass.

The expedition aims to raise money for the health charity, Merlin. Merlin is the only UK-based charity which responds with vital healthcare to worldwide areas suffering from natural disasters, conflict, disease and health system collapse.

Donation instructions, along with details of the route can be found on his site, cyclingthe6.com. Budding adventurers can also follow him on twitter @cyclingthe6.