Ron's Basecamp

Tuscarora State Park Kayak Classes Tomorrow And Next Week.

2008-08-23T15:14:00Z

If you've ever wanted to give kayaking a try, this month might be a good time to do it. Tuscarora State Park, which is located just five miles outside Tamaqua in Schuylkill County, PA. is offering "Basics of Kayaking Courses" from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Aug. 24 and 1-3 p.m. Aug. 30.

The classes are only $5 each and include instruction plus the use of a kayak, paddle and life jacket. The class is open to anyone ages 12 and over. All children must be accompanied by a parent.

The registration and payment deadline for the Aug. 24 class is Aug. 15, and the deadline for the Aug. 30 class is Aug. 22.

For more information, or to sign up, call Robin Tracey, the park's environmental education specialist, at 570-467-2506.

11 is the number of climbers who died on K2

2008-08-05T00:55:00Z

Among the dead were three Koreans; two Nepalis; two Pakistani high altitude porters; French, Serbian, and Norwegian climbers; and an Irishman earlier listed as missing.
Several died when an ice wall collapsed and tore away their fixed lines as descended having reached K2's summit on Friday.

Others succumbed in the freezing, oxygen-starved air, stranded at an altitude known as the "Death Zone."
Several teams had massed for an assault on the summit.

At least two climbers died during the ascent. Then disaster struck during the descent at a steep gully known as the Bottleneck, above 8,200 meters.

The ice fall killed the three Korean and two Nepali climbers and left around a dozen more, exhausted from the ascent, stranded in the thin air above the Bottleneck.

K2 Disaster

2008-08-03T12:48:00Z

The Spanish News site Gara has reported that 11 climbers are dead and six missing. Details coming from K2 are very sketchy at this time. But this is what was reported.

An avalanche in the top of K-2 (8,611 meters) claimed on Friday night (late in the Basque Country) the lives of eleven climbers-three Koreans, two Pakistanis, two Nepalese, one Serb, one Dutch and one Norwegian -- While six others-whose identity was not known at the close of this edition, although there is no Basques among them-are still missing.

Lets hope and pray for the climbers on the mountain.

More details will follow.

Serbian Climber, Dren Mandic, Dies On K2, 12 Others Trapped Between K2's Bottleneck and The Summit

2008-08-02T12:48:00Z

This was reported on the Adventurist weblog.

Many people in the Alpine community have their eyes set on K2 tonight where tragedy has struck two climbers and 12 others have become trapped while on their summit push. K2 is the second highest peak in the world and claimed to be the world’s toughest to summit.

Dalai Lama Lecture

2008-07-16T00:40:00Z

I was able to get a ticket for Monday's session to the Dalai Lama Lecture Series. The lecture was on the 600 year old Tibetan Buddhist text, 'The Great Treatise On The Stages Of The Path To Enlightenment'. The Dalai Lama walked onto the stage at Stabler Arena with his hands clasped before him, bowing to the crowd and then sat on a raised throne looking chair with a large cushion. The backdrop on the stage is a giant tapestry with an image of the protector Maitreya, the next Buddha to visit this world and turn the wheel of the teaching. During the portion of the 6 day lecture series I was able to see the Dalai Lama spoke about many things including proper meditation techniques, the Three Jewels and more. He spoke mostly in his native Tibetan language while using an interpreter. When he did speak in English it was cracking a joke to which the crowd responded by laughing with him. To me it was well worth the price I paid for a ticket. I was in awe and humbled by the experience.

Primal Quest Sprint Series

2008-07-15T14:28:00Z

The Primal Quest Sprint Series is proud to offer a 20% discount to all entrants who belong to a local outdoor athletic club. Members of cycling, mountain biking, triathalon, orienteering, or any other outdoor clubs are eligible for the discount by providing a copy of their membership card upon submission of their entry. Teams that sign up on-line at www.primalquestsprintseries.com will use their club discount code.

The PQSS is a series of shorter, faster adventure races designed by the same team behind the Primal Quest expedition length race. Teams of two compete in the traditional adventure racing disciplines of mountain biking, trail running, and paddling, with a few surprise events thrown in as well.

The Sprint Series launched in May with the first ever race taking place in Chesterfield, VA. There are two more races scheduled for 2008, one in Pittsburgh, PA on September 6th and another in Charlotte, NC on October 4th. In 2009, the Series will expand with more races tentatively scheduled as follows:

Miami - mid February

New Orleans - late March

Nashville - early May

Detroit - mid June

New York - late July

Pennsylvania - early September

Richmond - mid October

Atlanta - mid November

Top teams will earn points based on how they finish in the Sprint Series races, and at the end of the season, the team with the most points will be crowned the PQSS Champion. The winner of the Primal Quest Sprint Series will earn themselves an automatic entry into the 2010 Primal Quest Expedition Race. For more information regarding the PQSS, contact Dave Poleto at dave.poleto@primalquestsprintseries.com.

The Dalai Lama arrives

2008-07-10T21:09:00Z

Today began the Dalai Lama's historic six-day visit to Bethlehem. He will lecture on a 600-year-old Tibetan Buddhist text called "The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment." I think I am going to try and get a still available ticket to go see him.

Happy 232nd Birthday to the United States of America

2008-07-04T22:01:00Z

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

4th July 1776

Monday is D-Day for Floyd Landis

2008-06-29T19:27:00Z

Monday, TAS will announce its decision in the controversial case regarding Floyd Landis, who tested positive for synthetic T during the 2006 Tour de France. At last, we will know the outcome of the 2006 Tour de France. The decision is expected at 17:00 European time. Five lawyers from TAS considered the 35 hours of testimony offered by 24 experts. The decision by TAS cannot be appealed, so in one way or the other, we will at last come to the end of the Landis story. If TAS decides in Landis's favor, he is free to ride and remains the winner of the 2006 Tour, though he has already been removed from the official record books. If TAS finds against Landis, he will complete a two year sanction and Pereiro is the official 2006 winner.

Another affiliate program for theclimber

2008-06-20T21:28:00Z

Theclimber has joined the affiliate program for http://www.upsideover.com/.

Upside Over is a company run by parents with kids and parents in mind. There goal is to source the best outdoor gear and information for active families looking to participate in active outdoor adventures.

Great American Backyard Campout 2008

2008-06-08T13:10:00Z

The countdown to the fourth annual Great American Backyard Campout™ has begun!

Mark your calendars for June 28, 2008.

We hope you'll join us again this year. In no time at all you’ll be enjoying a night of s’more-making, stargazing, and nature-watching right in your own backyard or favorite camping spot.

You can find packing lists, recipes, wildlife guides, activities, tips and more at our new Campout website: http://www.backyardcampout.org/

My new favorite bike team, TEAM VANDERKITTEN

2008-06-06T23:44:00Z

I will post more Lehigh Valley Classic race photos soon!

Right in my backyard - Transformers 2

2008-06-02T20:55:00Z

Along with the Pro bike race tomorrow this is taking place 2 minutes from my house...
As of now Transformers II has begun production before the cameras at Bethlehem Steel. Some residents are probably cheering and the rest are probably cussing, despite the warning, at the noise and traffic levels as things go boom and aircraft fly overhead. There filming a battle scene on the old Bethlehem Steel site right in front of the old blast furnaces. I know it is not outdoor related sports but it is so cool that there here filming this ! I just want a glimpse of Megan Fox !!!!

Finally ! A pro bike race in my backyard

2008-05-07T20:30:00Z

The Commerce Bank Lehigh Valley Classic is an all-new kick-off event for the Triple Crown Series in 2008. The June 3 event will feature three races including a short criterium race for elite amateur men and a similar race for elite women – both to be held in downtown Allentown – and the international men’s professional road race of approximately 90 miles, which will be conducted on a longer circuit route through the city. The course will have its main staging area and start/finish line on Hamilton Street in downtown Allentown.

The Commerce Bank Lehigh Valley Classic main event will showcase twenty-five of the world’s elite professional cycling teams. Approximately 17 domestic and eight international teams will make up the culturally rich field of riders. With eight riders per team, the Lehigh Valley is in for an exciting day of racing as they watch over 160 cyclist vie for the lead position in the extremely competitive peloton. Cyclists will cover 85 miles, riding 12 laps of a challenging 7.1-mile circuit with winding hills and sharp turns. The course begins and ends at 9th & Hamilton Streets. Racers continue through downtown Allentown, cross the 8th Street Bridge, wind through Lehigh Parkway and pass the “Feed Zone” before making their way back into downtown on the deceptively-steep Hamilton Street return. Start Time: 1:00 PM

This is so cool, the start/finish line at 9th and Hamilton St. is where my employers office building is. Right on that corner! I scheduled a 1/2 day off so I'll be finished at 11 AM and be ready to watch the start at 1:00 PM for the mens' pro race.
I'll make sure I take and post a boat load of photos.

http://www.procyclingtour.com/lehigh-home.htm

High Altitude Climbing Takes Toll in Brain Cells

2008-04-15T15:59:00Z

The Scientific American begins its story about the high cost, in brain cells,
of high altitude mountain climbing with this quote from a mountaineering chat room:

“Three attributes of a good mountaineer are a high pain threshold, a bad memory, ....and I forget the third.”

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=brain-cells-into-thin-air

Interesting reading !