The mountaineering community marked the passing of an era late last week. On Friday, November 20, pioneering adventure and travel writer Jan Morris passed away at the age of 94 after leading a life that included adventure, groundbreaking writing, and pushing the envelope in gender roles. She also happened to be the last remaining member … Read more
By now, we all know that the coronavirus has had a profound and lasting impact on the world around us. Since the pandemic spread to a global level back in March, entire industries have ground to a halt, while numerous countries and regions have gone into lockdown. Naturally, the travel industry has been amongst the … Read more
When the news broke last week, Nepal was building a road to Mt. Everest, trekkers and climbers were understandably concerned. After all, the pristine alpine setting that surrounds the trek to the world’s highest peak is breathtakingly beautiful, and a well-trafficked road would alter that setting dramatically. But as it turns out, this news isn’t … Read more
The British Overseas territory of South Georgia Island has always held a special place in the hearts of adventurers and history buffs. Located deep in the Southern Ocean, this remote and wild place played a crucial role in the story of Ernest Shackleton and the crew of the Endurance, making it a mecca of sort … Read more
For decades trekking to the lofty summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro has been one of the top bucket-list items for any serious adventure traveler. As Africa’s highest peak—and the tallest free-standing mountain in the world—it routinely draws thousands of visitors each year. Even in 2020, amidst a global pandemic, it has remained open to visitors, with … Read more
2020 has been an especially long and difficult year for mountaineers and adventure travelers the world over. When the pandemic spread across the globe back in March, nearly every corner of the planet went into lockdown. Planes stopped flying, borders were closed, and international travel was minimal. As a result, the Himalaya’s spring climbing season … Read more
One of Everest’s best guiding companies has found itself at the center of a lawsuit that could have lasting consequences for the mountaineering world. Last week it was revealed that a former client is suing Madison Mountaineering for failing to provide a refund following a failed expedition to the world’s highest peak; if successful, the … Read more
If you’ve ever been to Machu Picchu in Peru, you already know what an amazing place it is. You also probably know just how busy and crowded it can be. With more than a half-million visitors annually, the ancient Inca fortress rarely looks as quiet and empty as it does in photos. Recently, however, one … Read more
Last week we shared the news that Nepal was planning to reopen to foreign travelers starting on October 17, welcoming trekkers and climbers back into the country. As with most places worldwide, Nepal has been on strict lockdown since the start of the pandemic this past spring, even going so far as to cancel the … Read more
One of the stories we’ve been following closely over the past few months has been the confounding mystery surrounding the mass die-off of dozens of elephants in Botswana. Eventually, the death toll rose to more than 300 of the creatures, which sent alarm bells off amongst conservationists. While the sheer number of dead elephants was concerning, … Read more