Two-time champion Javier Montero of Costa Rica is in position to take an unprecedented third win after stage one of The Coastal Challenge, a six-day adventure race in Costa Rica.

While un-matched in the previous two races, Montero will have his toughest challenge yet with newcomer and local Costa Rican Ceasar Ortega. Ortega trailed Montero by less than three minutes by the end of the stage with a finishing time of 02:41:45.

Some people talk about the weather when they have nothing else to talk about, whereas climbers and cyclists and runners and skiers, etc. talk about it all the time – as it plays a crucial role in their adventures. Weather patterns affect everything from the clothes they wear, the gear they bring, and when they head out. Recently, SLATE.COM posted an article about the Wind Chill Factor being somewhat deceptive and outdated. Apparently, for the past 60 years, the windchill factor has been grossly exaggerated, and a new “toned down” system has been created that is more accurately calibrated with the effects of the wind.

Americans have been inundated with images and stories coming out of Haiti amidst the devastation there. People are constantly wondering what they can do to help. One man has found his solution! On February 15, Abe Clark is attempting to run over 2800 miles solo and unsupported across the United States. If he is successful, he will join the ranks of only a small handful of individuals who have made this ocean to ocean run.

At 1300hrs on the 18! th January 2010, after 60 days and 1700km, professional explorer, adventurer and speaker Mark Kalch completed a solo trek across the Islamic Republic of Iran from its northern border on the Caspian Sea to its southerly border in the Persian Gulf. Beginning in the coastal city of Chalus, he crossed the Alborz Mountains heading south to the capital Tehran, before continuing south-west to Qom, Esfahan, through the Zagros Mountains, and onto the Persian Gulf at Bushehr.

Australia is a captivating country and one, for many, synonomous with adventure. Hot on the heels of the announcement that XPD Australia will host the 2011 AR World Championship, let me preview their 2010 race scheduled for May 19 – 28, 2010. This is the 4th installment here at Adventure World examining the full calendar of races in the 2010 Adventure Racing World Series (start with the first post in the series if you need to catch up).

Australia has won the hosting rights for the Adventure Racing World Championships in 2011 which will be held in the state of Tasmania.

Race Director Craig Bycroft said “Tasmania as a world renowned adventure destination and support from Events Tasmania were two of the key factors in us winning the Adventure Racing World Championships”. Geoff Hunt, ARWorld Series Director said “I’m sure the 2011 Adventure Racing World Championship will be a huge success and look forward to exploring the state of Tasmania.”

Kicking off 2010 with a great issue, wrapping up last year with reports from the most important adventure races, including the USARA National Championships and the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge. Then switching directions and checking out how a team prepares for one of the most challenging events of the year: the 600 kilometer unassisted Wenger Patagonia Expedition Race. Get outside this winter with tips on snowshoeing and training during the cold months. Also a look at Team SOG and check out the collection of trail socks reviewed.

By Travis Macy • Photos by Monica Dalmasso
In 1994, when I was 11 years old, I watched from the support car as my dad, Mark, ran 146 miles from Death Valley, California to the summit …

Check out this video to see some of the horror stories from the trail on Primal Quest Badlands Web Episode 10. For more videos, check out http://legendaryrandyericksenfilms.wikispaces.com/

Another crucial piece of technical gear to tote with you? You might be skeptical at first, but only long enough until you pop open your GoLite Chrome Dome and find shelter from the rain or shine.

Whether bike touring, trekking, adventure racing, or event just running errands around the city, you will wonder how you ever got along without a technical umbrella. The biggest surprise I found was

Early morning, teams piled into the traditional colorful Colombian Chivo (translates to Goat) Busses and climbed up the steep mountains surrounding the city of Medellin where they would kick the race off with boxcarts.

As the teams prepared for the screaming descent of over 8 kilometers of cliffed lined roads, a little extra dose of nervous energy was surging through the teams. In an effort to minimize some of the chaos, teams were lined with their carts based on their standing. Different approaches were considered; some planned to carry their cart through the crowds before getting on them, while others tried to push from the very beginning, but all the groups found themselves caught up in the initial pandemonium– crashing……….

Women’s EMU Stinger Hi & 2 Up Stinger

I LOVE these boots. They are so comfy and warm. They keep your feet toasty warm but not too hot. They are perfect for wearing outside when it is freezing! They do fit about a half size larger than marked. So I would recommend if you wear a 7.5 just buy the size 7. I also found that I still had enough room to wear nice wool socks with them too. This boot is like wearing house shoes all the time. I heard some one say they are so comfortable you would want to sleep in them. I agree!

Having just turned 16 in October, Abby Sunderland set out from Marina del Rey on Saturday to become the youngest sailor to circle the globe solo.

Abby’s brother Zac set the record for the youngest to complete the feat at 17-years-old just last year before being dethroned by British teen, Mike Perham who was 2 months younger than Zac when he finished the voyage. Zac took 13 months for his voyage.

Check out photos from the final stage of the 7 Cerros Urban Adventure Race in Medellin, Colombia.

The producers of the TV program for the 2009 AR World Championships in Portugal have published their program to YouTube . . . check it out over at www.untamedadventure.com/post/World-Championship-TV-Program-Now-Online.aspx

Some photos highlighting the opening ceremoney of the
7 Cerros Medellin Urban Adventure Race and initial day of the race.

In the Colombian town of Medellin there are currently 23 teams racing across this concrete jungle in the 4th running of the 7 Cerros Urban Adventure Race.

The 3 day event began with an adrenaline filled boxcar descent down a steep and windy road cutting across one of the cities many forested parks. Teams ran to grab the first available boxcar and then had to maneuver their way through the chaos of two dozen boxcars trying to get by. Once they slipped out of the mass of competitors, the biggest challenging was controlling the rickety box cars as they reached speeds of up 20+ mph.

My previous two pieces in this series (part 1 & part 2) looked at the early 2010 races in the AR World Series. I’m continuing into the Spring with the events in May, starting with the race in Portugal. XPD Australia is also in May, but I’ll save that race for next week since I’ve been informed that a big announcement is coming from the Australian AR World Series race in the next few days.

To preview the May XPD Portugal race, I should start with a caveat:

The Portuguese haven’t officially…

After a night of sleeping in the car and several hours of following Goggle Maps to the wrong spot over and over I managed to find the right spot on Lake Mead. 24 adventure racers unloading boats,getting bikes ready,and all those last minute “things” you need to do before a race . This is why I like filming and not racing. I don’t have that pre race nervous feeling. I always hated waiting to start. When I am filming I start the minute that I get out of the car. Plus I like to annoy people and how annoying is it for someone to stick a camera in your face while you try to put the wheels on your bike.

UGG Australia – Lo Pro Drawstring

Sporty cotton style with thermal lining and shearling insole.

This is my 2nd installment in the Adventure World Magazine preview of the Adventure Racing World Series.  If you haven’t already, be sure to check out post #1 providing a broad overview for 2010 and …

The Desert Winds Adventure Series has been providing quality adventure races for teams from all over the United States since 2007. This year, The Desert Winds will be producing its first expedition length race September 18th – 25th 2010 in the Mojave Desert just outside of Las Vegas, Nevada. This 310 mile (or 500km) race will consist of trekking, mountain biking, rappelling, desert navigation, paddling, and surprises throughout the incredible terrain.