Ep. 1051: Alpine Rising, The Triumph of Local Climbers in the Himalayas - Bernadette McDonald

Originally aired on September 18, 2015Since a young boy, George Kourounis has been intrigued with Earth's forces of nature and the amazing weather patterns it throws at us. His adventurous life has landed him in the midde of tornadoes, deep inside caves 900 ft below ground, huricanes, forest fires and erupting volcanoes. George shares his passion for this way of life as the host of Angry Planet and has filmed various documentaries includng some for the National Geographic Channel, CNN and the BBC. https://www.instagram.com/george_kourounis/www.furiousearth.com/www.cloud9tours.comCome meet Mason at an upcoming film screening of Inches to Miles: https://athleticbrewing.com/pages/inches-to-milesSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/adventure-sports-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

4 Apr 202447min

When Gillian was facing devastating challenges in her life, her husband, Aaron (ASP alumni), suggested she do an epic adventure to help process the grief and loss. Gillian decided to join a group of women that were aiming to be the first all-women group to trek across the Namibian Desert. By Gillian’s own admission, this adventure was terrifying and she was not remotely capable of completing it when she committed to do it. Through months of training, planning, and preparing, Gillian set out with 17 other women from 12 nationalities to trek across the Namibian Desert. They collectively raised close to USD $70,000 for female survivors of war through Women on a Mission. Their mutual dedication to this cause not only pushed them beyond what they thought were their limits, but also wove the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood. The expedition covered 144km (89.5 miles) over 5 days, scalings over 4,000 meters of the some of the world’s tallest sand dunes. Gillian said of the adventure:“The journey was an exhilarating mix of challenge and wonder, with long days of hiking in the searing heat juxtaposed with nights camping in the biting cold and howling winds as we neared the wild Atlantic coast. Our final evening was spent beneath a canopy of stars, beside a century-old shipwreck and amidst seal colonies.”Are you in need of something epic? Learn more about their cause:https://www.womenmission.comhttps://womenforwomen.org.ukSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/adventure-sports-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

1 Apr 20241h 3min

Originally aired January 4, 2018. One of our own show listeners Josh Shouse is with us on this episode to fill us in on the mysterious world of underwater cave diving. If you've ever wondered what it would be like to toss a SCUBA tank on your back and explore the unknown under the surface, then sit back, relax and listen in as Josh fills the rest of us land lovers in on the world below.http://hobbyistexplorer.blogspot.comhttps://nsscds.orghttp://cave.orgSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/adventure-sports-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

29 Mar 20241h 7min

Dive into a riveting tale of adventure and self-discovery on this episode of Adventure Sports Podcast. Meet Alonzo, whose thirst for exploration was ignited early on by his father's sage advice and travel stories. From a few eye-opening international trips to a transformative semester in Thailand, Alonzo's passion for travel only grew stronger after graduation.But it wasn't until he embarked on an epic journey with two childhood friends that his wanderlust truly took flight. Saving up every penny, they ventured back to Thailand, determined to uncover its hidden treasures. Little did they know, their path would lead them to the remote reaches of northern Thailand, where a chance encounter with a wooden boat in Chang Kong changed everything.Against all odds (and arguably the hardest part of the adventure), they convinced locals to sell them a wooden boat, setting the stage for an unforgettable expedition down the legendary Mekong River. For ten exhilarating days, they navigated its dangerous waters, camping under the stars along the riverbank. Join us as we unravel the gripping tale of Alonzo's journey over twenty years later, where the call of adventure and the spirit of exploration collide for these young friends in the heart of Southeast Asia's fabled Golden Triangle.Learn more about Alonzo:sunfishsales.com - golf accessory business, founded in 2011 w David Riggs who was with Alonzo on the trip down the Mekong. David and Alonzo also founded walkingpalm.com, a pet accessory business.Adventure Capitalist by Jim Rogers was also an inspiration for Alonzo.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/adventure-sports-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

25 Mar 20241h 12min

Originally aired, February 18, 2019.When Adrian’s wife thought it would be a good idea to learn how to Paraglide, she probably didn’t foresee that in a relatively short amount of time, her husband would be summiting and flying solo off volcanoes near their home in Mexico City.Obviously, Adrian took to the sport quickly and it gave him a completely different view of his other favorite hobby, climbing. But with their recent family addition of a little girl and limited time off work, Adrian needed a way to summit mountains over 18,000 feet and return home in the same day. This led him to sleeping in a hypoxic chamber to decrease the amount of time needed to acclimate to high elevation.  Talk about dedication to adventure. What’s your excuse?Instagram: @ponchoelpilotohttp://youtube.com/ponchoelpilotoSupport Adventure Sports Podcast monthly by going to Patreon.com/AdventureSportsPodcast or make a one-time donation to the show here. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/adventure-sports-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

21 Mar 202444min

When Nicole finished climbing to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro, she knew something had changed about her. Soon after, she left her corporate career in search of a new trail and challenge, one that had never been done before. She found that path at Appalachian Mountain Club, a 150-year-old organization whose purpose is to foster the protection, enjoyment, and understanding of the outdoors…and one that had never had a woman leader.You may know AMC through its world-class recreational network of professionally maintained trails and best-in-class outdoor program centers, lodges, cabins, camps, and campsites. From backcountry campsites to front country lodges to world-famous high mountain huts, AMC has had an undeniable impact on the understanding of and appreciation of the natural world for over a century. Learn more about AMC and Nicole at www.outdoors.orgSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/adventure-sports-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

18 Mar 202449min

Originally aired March 27, 2017Whether you love to run or would never run, this show is inspiring and tons of fun. Todd Lewis takes us on a journey from nearly collapsing attempting a 5K run through years of falling in love with ultra-running and overcoming challenge after challenge to finally achieve his goal of completing a 100 mile race. This is the real deal, folks. Todd shares how you can overcome to achieve your dreams too. Thanks, Todd for a wonderful visit and for sharing your dreams with us!https://toddzillaruns.wordpress.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/adventure-sports-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

14 Mar 202448min

Today we’re hearing from Adventure Sports Podcast alumni, West Hanson. You may remember West from episode 581, when he kayaked the Amazon River from source to sea.This adventure is another world record: the first kayakers to complete the Northwest Passage in a single expedition. The 1,600-mile, 83-day (total of 105 days) paddle is the epitome of an epic adventure, making this episode an instant classic. West’s account of the sub-freezing expedition is wonderful. You’re going to love this one!West is a 61-year-old social worker in the mental health field for several decades. At age 46, he was invited to compete with friends in a raft race on the Amazon River in Iquitos. This was his first trip outside of the US and after 20 years racing ultramarathon canoes/kayaks, it sparked his interest in long-distance expeditions. He is the first to lead successful expeditions down the entire lengths of the Amazon and Volga Rivers.Learn more: www.westhansen.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/adventure-sports-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

11 Mar 20241h 13min