Adventure Bulletin November 2021
Hi everyone,
Lots of updates for you this month. I’ve just launched the new members’ area for our current paid subscribers. It’s got everything we want from a community space:
A place we can chat to each other
All our resources, online library, discounts and opportunities in one place
Gear testing opportunities without the monster spreadsheet
Ability to organise events - locally and online
A place to find adventure team mates
A place to swap advice and share news/ideas
… and it’s not just Slack or a Facebook Group. It’s our own little slice of the internet that we can customise however we like. If you’re excited to join a community of adventurers - whether to chat, learn or meet ‘crazy’ people like you, here’s a little subscribe button.
I’m really excited for where this next step is going to take Intrepid. Because we are so so much more than an email newsletter!
Ocean Rowing Spotlight
This month’s theme is ocean rowing. Here’s a list of some past and future rowers for you to discover:
Katie Spotz set the record for the youngest person to row solo across the Atlantic in 2010 on her Row for Water - and has done plenty of adventures since: katiespotz.com
Vicki Anstey rowed across the Pacific Ocean as part of the three Girls Who Dare. More from Vicki here.
Laura Try, Kirsty Barker, Kate Salmon and Rosalind West of Row for the Ocean completed the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge in 2018/19. Article about them here. Also Laura has a growing YouTube channel.
Amanda Diver has an Ocean Rowing podcast. “Finding info on how to row an ocean is hard, so this podcast includes interviews of people in the ocean rowing world, to learn their why, their stories and how they did it.”
Victoria Evans is attempting a solo Atlantic crossing in February 2022. Here’s her Instagram.
Lia Ditton has completed plenty of rows and also features in the film 87 Days, which follows her journey rowing the Pacific, alone. rowliarow.com
Sarah Outen for the rowing sections of London2London via the world- sarahouten.com (Film + Book too!)
Sally Kettle is the “first woman to row the Atlantic Ocean twice from East to West, and once with her mother!" - sallykettle.com
Roz Savage is the “first (and so far only) woman to row solo across the world’s “Big Three” oceans: Atlantic, Pacific and Indian.” - rozsavage.com
Kiko Matthews did a world-record breaking Atlantic crossing after recovering from a brain tumour - kikomatthews.co.uk
Adventure News
Mel Nichols has completed her handcycle around Britain. Details.
Kate O’Brien has written a great piece Beyond Biking: Freedom and Connection on Two Wheels. Read it here.
Also Adventure Syndicate cycling, Lee Craigie, Alice Lemkes and Phillipa Battye are recreating an 85 year old cycle through the Highlands. Read about it.
And lots of people are riding to COP26. See some stories on #ridethechange and #ridetoCOP26
If you liked our recent article about Sheila Macdonald’s first female ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro in 1920s, then you might also like the historical figures on Woman with Altitude’s blog.
Zoe and Falco, a mule, will be setting off to walk from Oxford to Loch Lomond in March 2022. Watch this space.
Kendal Mountain Festival has returned, both live and online!
18th - 21st November 2021
It’s the world’s biggest social gathering for those who love the outdoors. A packed programme of over 200 speakers including Anna Taylor of the Classic Rock round, GB climber Shauna Coxsey, explorer Anna Blackwell and many more. Plus a programme of over 150 adventure films.
Get your tickets at: tickets.kendalmountainfestival.com
Book of the Month
This month’s book is Unlost by Gail Muller: a journey of self-discovery and the healing power of the wild outdoors.
Gail Muller was told she’d be in a wheelchair by the age of forty. At forty-one, she embarked on one of the world’s toughest treks: The Appalachian Trail. Unlost is the inspiring account of one woman’s incredible journey into the unknown and how she reclaimed herself in the process.
About the Author
Gail Muller is an adventurer and educator. For fifteen years she struggled with muscular-skeletal issues and the chronic pain that would arise from them. In 2019, after years searching for cures for her physical and mental health, she realised it was time for a profound change. She knows now she’s not able to live a regular life and is embracing this new understanding of herself: adventuring, hiking, writing and inspiring others to do the same. She lives, hikes and swims in Cornwall.
To keep up to date with Gail's adventures, you can follow her on Instagram: @thegailmuller or check out her website gailmuller.com.
Read the Book
Here’s your link to read the prologue and first two chapters of the book. You’ll need to sign in or become a member to view it.
The book is available in paperback, eBook and audio. You can purchase it from all major retailers including Amazon, Waterstones and Bookshop.org. The audiobook is available on Audible.
To Watch
In keeping with the rowing theme, Lia Ditton’s has a YouTube channel.
Also on YouTube, Libby and John Beeden (father and daughter) have a series of them rowing the Atlantic together.
I enjoyed watching Emelie Forsberg getting an FKT on the Kungsleden. She seems like such a happy runner!
The North Face did a COP26 speaker series which you might find interesting. “Unpack the topics of climate change together with four climate activists including The North Face Senior Sustainability Manager Julian Lings, The North Face athlete and environmental advocate Xavier de le Rue, Raquel Martinez from Action for the Climate Emergency, and Lauren MacCallum, General Manager of Protect Our Winters UK.”
To Listen
Katie Spotz was interviewed on the Joe Rogan podcast. Free Youtube clip here for those who don’t have Spotify.
Also, the She’s Bold podcast doesn’t seem to be active any more, but their back catalogue includes some interesting adventurers.
An Adventure Syndicate cycling adventure, Source to Sea - the River Dee makes a really immersive listen.
And have a listen to Frankie Butler on the latest episode of the Outdoors Fix podcast. She does trail wheeling (think trail running, but with a wheelchair).
Have a lovely month and hopefully bump into some of you at Kendal Mountain Festival. If you see me, say hi!
Emily
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