Rowing across an ocean is an incredibly challenging endeavor. After all, it requires the rower to spend hours each day working the oars, often for weeks at a time. Isolated and alone, it takes dedication and determination to make a solo journey across a body of water that at times seems endless. There is a reason that fewer people have rowed across one of the Earth's oceans than have been in space. Quite simply, it is really tough to actually complete such a voyage.

That isn't stopping Russian adventurer Fedor Konyukhov from trying. According to ExWeb, Konyukhov intends to make a solo row across the Pacific, non-stop from Chile to Australia. Fedor believes that it will take him roughly 200 days to complete the crossing, which will cover approximately 8000 nautical miles (14,816 km).

The Russian, who is a polar skier, mountaineer, and sailor, says he'll set out on his Pacific crossing in December. Leaving from Valparaise, Chile, he'll first have to navigate through islands and atolls off the coast of South America, before he makes his way out into the deep ocean. As he approaches Brisbane, Australia, he'll encounter more islands and the massive Great Barrier Reef. In between, Fedor believes he'll have to dodge potentially nasty storms that could potentially bring an end to his voyage at any time.

In order to successfully complete this ocean crossing in 200 days, Konyukhov will need to average 40 nautical miles (74 km) per day. That doesn't sound like a lot, but considering the challenges he'll face out on the water, particular as the grind of rowing begins to take its toll, covering those distance can get extremely difficult. High winds and turbulent seas will work against him, even in the spring of the Southern Hemisphere when things are better than other times of the year. Hopefully he is well prepared for those difficult conditions, as he will be hundreds of miles away from rescue should anything go wrong.

Expect to hear more in a few weeks as Fedor gets closer to his departure.

A team of Australian researchers have quite literally gone where no man has gone before. Scientists from James Cook University recently crossed into a region called Cape Melville, which is completely cut off from the outside world by millions of large boulders that make passage into the remote mountain range nearly impossible. The team of four used a helicopter to gain access however and what they found inside was quite amazing.

Once inside the cape, the team determined that the entire region, which is encircled by impenetrable mountains, is 9 miles (14 km) long and roughly 3 miles (5 km) across. The region contains remnants of a rainforest left over from Gondwana, a reference to an ancient super-continent that existed millions of years ago. They also discovered a variety of new species as well, including three very unique reptiles. Those species included a new frog that lives under boulders and is capable of hatching its eggs without water and a skink that hunts insects by leaping from rock to rock. A third species was the most impressive however, an odd looking gecko that is unlike anything anyone had seen before.

The initial expedition to explore Cape Melville lasted just four days with the team seeing less than a tenth of the area contained there. The group is already planning a return trip to plumb further into the depths of the region to see what else they can find. The team believes that considering what they discovered in just a preliminary scouting mission, they could find some really unique species of birds, plants and even mammals once they really get the opportunity to check out the forests there. Considering that the Cape has been evolving on its own, almost completely cut off from the rest of the world for millennia, there could be some very unique creatures just waiting to be discovered.

These store always fascinate me. I love that our world is so vast that we still don't have regions to explore, even in the age of satellite mapping, GPS navigation and instant communications. It must have been a humbling experience for these scientists to become the first humans to step into this lost world and lay eyes on the wonders there for the first time. What an amazing world we live in.

Want to take a little virtual getaway? Then check out this great video that was shot entirely in Australia. It does a wonderful job of capturing some of the more brilliant highlights of the country that is a fantastic playground for outdoor enthusiasts. There is some great camera work done here and the shots are wonderful. If you haven't been "Down Under" just yet, this will probably make you want to go.

Australia's Northern Territory is an adventure travelers paradise. Not only does it have some of the most spectacular landscapes on the entire continent, it also has a number of very diverse and unique ecosystems to explore as well. For instance, Kakadu National Park offers visitors is an intriguing mix of stunning scenery and ancient culture, while the Mary River puts them in close contact with all kinds of wildlife including both freshwater and saltwater crocodiles. Of course, the NT is also home to Uluru – aka Ayers Rock – which just might be the most iconic destination in the entire country. But for the truly adventurous there is the Larapinta Trail – a 223 km (139 mile), 12-stage hiking route that stretches through the West MacDonnell Mountain Range,  taking trekkers into some of the roughest, yet utterly breathtaking, backcountry that they will ever see.

Located in Australia's "Red Center," access to the Larapinta Trail is gained via Alice Springs, a small city that serves as the gateway to the Outback in the Northern Territory. Although the region has been home to the Arrernte tribe of Aboriginals for centuries, Alice Springs grew to prominence in the 1870's when it became an important repeater station for the Overland Telegraph Line, which eventually connected Adelaide to Darwin and then out to the rest of the world. Over time, it the city became an important way post for those traveling through the wide-open expanse that is the Australian interior and today it is an excellent base of operations for those exploring the southern region of the Northern Territory.

Fitting with the history of Alice, the trailhead for the first section of the Larapinta Trail is actually located at the old telegraph station. That makes for a convenient start for those who want to hike the route and once on the trail, it isn't long until the trappings of the city are left behind and the true wilderness starts to set in.

The Larapinta wanders through some wild and remote places over the course of its run and the challenge of the walk should not be underestimated. The path climbs up and down some steep gradings and although the distances of each leg may not seem all that great, the reality of the actual hike is much different. The trail is rocky and uneven, which can slow even the best hikers down to a crawl at times. It is also very well marked, which make it easy to navigate from end to end.

It will take most people roughly two weeks – give or take a few days – to walk from the start at Alice Springs to the official end of the Larapinta on the summit of Mt. Sonder, a 1380 meter (4528 ft) mountain that caps the trek. Along the way they'll pass through a number of memorable canyons and gorges, along high ridges and across wide open expanses. Some of the highlights include the famous Simpson Gap, Standley Chasm and Serpantine Gorge. Each of those locations happens to be an access point between two segments of the trail, but perhaps more importantly, they are each scenic locations that highlight just how amazingly beautiful the Larapinta truly is.

On my recent visit to the Northern Territory I didn't have enough time to hike the entire length of the Larapinta but was instead given an abbreviated introduction to what it has to offer. What I saw was enough to convince me that this is one of the premiere long distance hiking routes in the world both in terms of natural beauty and challenge. I hiked a section called the Ormiston Pound but also visited the Simpson Gap, Standley Chasm and other outstanding points along the route. I even visited the Finke River, which is widely regarded as the oldest river in the world. It was fun to take a dip in that waterway but the temperature of the water didn't encourage me to stay in too long.

Hiking the Larapinta isn't just about walking through spectacular scenery, although it is some of the best you'll ever see. The trail is lined with beautiful wild flowers and a variety of other trees and plants that only enhance its character. Sharp eyed hikers will also have the opportunity to spot rock wallabies keeping watch amongst the high cliffs and dozens of unique species of birds too. One of the highlights of my visit was also spotting a white dingo while sitting on a ridge watching the sun come up, which is further indication of the wild nature of the trail.

Like most long distance trekking routes, the Larapinta can be walked end-to-end or in segments depending on how much time you have available. It can also be hiked independently or you can hire a guide in Alice Springs to help lead you through the route. If you choose to make the trek independently, you'll have to deal with the logistics of getting resupplied while out on the route, although the local guide services can assist with that, as well as transfers to and from the trail too. Although the trail is still relatively unknown and hasn't been in operation for all that long, there is already a nice infrastructure in place to help backpackers to gain access to the Larapinta and enjoy it to its fullest. Since traffic on the route remains relatively light, permits aren't even currently required, which is a bit surprising considering the remote nature of the hike. Log books at each end of the 12 sections help to ensure the safety of those out on the trail.

While I was in Alice Springs I worked with the fine folks from Trek Larapinta to get my brief taste of what the trail has to offer and I'd recommend them to anyone thinking of making the trek themselves. You'll have a hard time finding anyone who knows the trail better and this team and they are available to assist independent hikers and those who want the full guided service too. I spent an overnight in one of their camps – even sleeping out under the stars – and was impressed with their dedication to preserving the environment and interacting with it in a natural way. Eco-tourism that puts the emphasis on the "eco" is something that I always appreciate and the Trek Larapinta camps are comfortable, full featured and yet still dedicated to leaving zero impact on the natural setting where they sit.

If your idea of a great vacation is a long hike on beautiful trail, then you'll want to add the Larapinta to your bucket list. It is an unbelievable walk that will stay with you for a lifetime. It also has the added benefit of being in Australia, which is one of the most enjoyable places I've ever had the pleasure of traveling in. The people there are friendly and accommodating and the infrastructure for travelers is top notch. Aussie hospitality is legendary and you'll have an opportunity to discover that first hand while still experiencing the Outback in its purest, wildest form. What more could you ask for?

Looking for a new backpacking or hiking challenge? Want to experience some of the best trails in the world? Then you'll definitely want to check out the list of 20 top trails as picked by 20 famous hikers that was put together by the team over at National Geographic Adventure. They poled some well known figures from the world of exploration and adventure and shared their selections for their ultimate dream hikes. The results are a list of hikes that range from legendary to those you may not even have heard of.

Some of the walking routes that earn a place on the list include the Sierra High Route in California, which was selected by über-hiker Andrew Skurka and the Pacific Crest Trail, which is a favorite of ultrarunning phenom Scott Jurek. Unsurprisingly, American mountaineer Jim Whittaker names the trek to Everest Base Camp as his favorite hike, while Sally McCoy, the CEO of CamelBak loves the 200-mile (321 km) Snowman Trek in Bhutan.

As you can tell, there are some very diverse and interesting hikes on the list that were selected by a very diverse and interesting group of people. But one of the hikes isn't even officially open yet, although it continues to evolve into a true world-class trekking route that will draw backpackers from around the globe. That is the Sir Samuel and Lady Florence Baker Historical Trail that runs through South Sudan and Uganda. This route, which I first told you about several months back, is 360 miles (580 km) in length and runs from Gondokora near Juba, in South Sudan, to Baker’s View, which overlooks Lake Albert in Uganda. This particular trail was suggested for the Nat Geo list by explorer Julian Monroe Fisher, who has been instrumental in its creation. It is set to open in 2014 with the first trekkers walking its length shortly there after. The photo above is actually a shot of an existing plaque commemorating the Bakers in one of the villages along the trail. Official trail markers will be added alongside it soon.

If you're planning a new treking adventure in the near future then you'll certainly want to check-out the trails that made Nat Geo's list. There are some excellent options for sure and whether you want to hike a well known classic route or take on a complete new one, there is a little something for everyone.

While we're on the topic of trail running today, I wanted to point out that the latest issue of Trail Run magazine is now available online in .pdf format, as well as in the Kindle Fire and Apple app stores for your favorite tablet device. If you haven't had a chance to look at this excellent e-zine in the past, now is the perfect time to check it out. It has the same level of quality that you would expect from a traditional print magazine delivered in an environmentally friendly electronic format.

In this issue, you'll find gear reviews for new shoes and winter gear (the magazine is focused on trail running in Australia and New Zealand), as well as some thoughts on PocketFuel for keeping your energy up while on a long run. There are also a couple of athlete profiles, trail guides for Oz and NZ, rundowns of some upcoming events and plenty of other articles that will be of interest to avid trail runners, whether they run "Down Under" or not.

The .pdf version of Trail Run is absolutely free while issues on the Kindle or iPad will set you back a few dollars for each back issue, although a discount given for a year (4 issues) subscription. I happen to be a big fan of electronic magazines (that's how I get several of my favorite mags now!), particularly when they are this high in quality. The only thing that separates this from something you would pick up  on a newsstand is the method of delivery. Give it a go. It think you'll like it too.

Since I returned from Australia last week I've been sharing stories about some of the things I did there. Things like go to a regatta in which all the boats were made out of beer cans, spend an afternoon at the camel races and explore the amazing Aboriginal artwork found in Kakadu National Park. That is barely scratching the surface however and I have more to share about the hiking and camping I did while there as well and eventually I'll get around to telling those tales too.

Today I wanted to share some of the photos I took while in the Northern Territory, which featured some of the most dramatic and breathtaking scenery I've ever seen. The Outback is a wild and remote place, mostly untouched by man and there are places there that are still overgrown with prehistoric plant life that isn't found anywhere else on our planet. The sheer expanse of the place is mind boggling as it is at times both desolate and foreboding, yet oddly inviting and intriguing at the same time.

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words and if what I've written about Australia's Northern Territory hasn't inspired you to want to visit yet, perhaps some of these images will. The sunsets at the "Top End" of the NT are some of the best you'll find anywhere on Earth and the sweeping vistas of the "Red Center" will compel you to want to explore more. This is a part of the world that is still open for exploration and you get the sense that there are still secrets to be discovered deep in the heart of the Outback.

I had fun capturing these photos and I hope you enjoy seeing them as well. Check out the full gallery by clicking here.

On my recent trip to the Northern Territory in Australia I had the chance to really soak up the culture and take in a lot of what the region has to offer visitors. That included making a visit to Kakadu National Park to take in the Aboriginal artwork that adorns the rocks there and while in Darwin I had the opportunity to witness the famous (infamous?) Beer Can Regatta. But those two experiences were just the tip of the iceberg for what the NT has to offer and in the days ahead I'll be sharing more of my experiences from the Outback.

One of the more unique events that I attended while visiting Australia was the Lasseters Camel Cup, which I wrote about this past weekend for Gadling. The Camel Cup is an annual event held in the town of Alice Springs that pits professional camel riders against one another in a series of races that are held on an oval track not unlike what you'd find horses racing on. And while the event didn't hold the same prestige of a Triple Crown event, you wouldn't know it by looking at the stands, where many in the crowd came dressed in their finest clothing and wildly cheered on the riders – and their mounts – in each race.

If you know anything about horses, you know that they often love to run, which is why horse racing can be such a compelling sport. If you know anything about camels, you probably already know that they are not the most cooperative of animals. They can be stubborn, strong willed and down right nasty at times, all of which came out on the track in Alice Springs. Sometimes the camels refused to run and sometimes they refused to slow down. I saw camels throw their riders, run in the wrong direction and trot around the course completely ambivalent to the fact that there were 5000 people in the stands watching them go. The personalities of the beasts manifested themselves on the track in various ways and that helped to give the event a personality all of its own as well.

For more than 40 years the Camel Cup has taken place on the second Sunday in July and it doesn't look like that will change anytime soon. The locals absolutely love this event and support it whole heartedly. Most of the proceeds go to support the local Lions Club and revenue generated helps to fund projects within the community. On top of that, the camel has played an important role in Australia's history and is now a part of the culture in the Outback. That legacy is celebrated in the event which has a feel that is undeniably Aussie.

Read more about the Camel Cup in this post at Gadling.com.

I've only been home from Australia for a couple of days and I'm still trying to shake the jet lag, but I've already started to share some of my experiences over at the travel blog Gadling.com. Yesterday two of my stories went live and if you're interested in what I was up to while I was in Oz, you can check them out now.

The first story is about a fun event I discovered in Darwin on my first full day in the country. It was called the Darwin Lion's Beer Can Regatta and as the name implies, it is a series of boat races with the boats being made primarily out of beer cans. The event is fun, wild and 100% Aussie with the teams competing having a blast while not taking themselves all too seriously. The boats showed a great deal of charm in their design, not to mention dedication from the designers who spent a lot of time emptying all of those cans. On shore, spectators cheer on their favorite crews, take part in tug of war and thong throwing competitions, while enjoying a few cold ones of their own. It is an all-day affair that culminates with an ultimate battle out on the water during which teams toss water balloons and flour bombs at one another, with some boats even employing water cannons. You can find out more about the Beer Can Regatta in my story found here.

The other story that went live yesterday was about my visit to the amazing Kakadu National Park. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its natural and cultural wonders. The beautiful landscapes there speak for themselves and are a testament to how amazing the Outback can be, but what was truly awe inspiring was the Aboriginal artwork that adorns the rock faces at several sites there. I visited a place called Ubirr where the images on the rocks range from hundreds to thousands of years old and show a clear connection between the land and the people that have inhabited it for more than 40,000 years. It was a humbling and eye opening place that also happens to offer one of the best views you'll find anywhere. Really a fantastic place.

This is just the start of my stories on Australia's Northern Territory. I'll be posting a few things here eventually as well and I have some plans to share other stories elsewhere on the web and possibly print as well. As those get published, I'll be sure to post here too. I'm also in the process of organizing photos from the trip and when I get that gallery online, I'll share it too.

If you're looking for a destination that offers a bit of everything – culture, history, beauty, adventure, etc. – it's tough to beat the Northern Territory. Whether you like to relax on the beach, sail the oceans, hike in remote backcountry or soak up Aussie culture, you'll get the opportunity to do that and more. Just keep your eyes peeled for wild crocodiles and dingos.

I just wanted to post a quick update to let everyone know that I've returned from Australia and will be ramping up postings to the blog again shortly. As you can imagine, I came home to lots of unread emails, stories to follow-up on and a heap of work to sift through. On top of that, I'm dealing with some jet lag that is sure to linger for a few days, so it may take a bit of time before my brain, and by extension, The Adventure Blog is firing on all cylinders again, but I hope to get back to a regular routine very shortly.

The trip to the Northern Territory was fantastic and I had a great time taking in all of the wonders that the Outback has to offer. If you're a fan of the outdoors and adventure travel, it is difficult to not fall in love with the place. The landscapes are rugged, demanding and utterly breathtaking, which you'll hear a lot more about in the near future. I have all kinds of stories to share and once I've had the chance to sort through my photos, I'll post a link to the gallery here as well. I think you'll enjoy seeing some of the numerous places I had the chance to visit and maybe even add them to your own list of "must see" destinations as well.

Thanks for your patience while I work on getting back into the groove. I've turned the comments back on and will resume my regular updates shortly. And for anyone who has dropped me an email over the past two weeks, I hope to be responding to those that are unanswered as soon as possible as well.

Just a quick note to let everyone know that the Adventure Blog will be going on hiatus for the next week and a half while I head out on some adventures of my own. Later today I'll hop a flight to Australia where I'll be spending some time in the Outback of the Northern Territory. I'm looking forward to visiting this wild and remote place and sharing some stories from the road when I return.

Some of the time while I am there I will have Internet access and I will be sharing my experiences on both Facebook and Twitter. I hope to post some photos from this beautiful place as I'll be visiting places like Kakadu National Park and trekking the Larapinta Trail, both of which promise to be very memorable.

While I'm there, I'll also be doing two Google Hangouts. If you want to join me online for some thoughts on the trip those two Hangouts will take place at the following dates and times:

Wed. July 10 at 930 pm in the NT/8 am on Wed July 10 in NYC
Sunday, July 14 at 8 am in the NT/630 pm on Sat. July 13 in NYC

I've never been the subject of a Google Hangout before but it should be fun!

Finally, I will most likely close down comments on the blog while I am away. While I always enjoy hearing from regular readers, I also tend to collect a lot of spam comments while traveling and it is difficult to find and remove them all after I return.

This will be my second trip to Australia and I'm looking forward to going back. The people are wonderfully friendly, travel is easy and there are just an incredible amount of options for outdoor enthusiasts. The last time I was there I spent the majority of my time in Queensland and on the Great Barrier Reef. This time out, I'm excited to visit Darwin, Alice Springs and the deep Outback.

When I get back, I'll return to my regular coverage of the Tour de France, the Pakistani climbing season and all the other adventures taking place around the globe. And once I shake the jet lag, I'll start sharing more detailed stories of my travels in the Northern Territory.

If you're going to take your time touring the world you might as well do it on the back of bicycle. That seems to be the approach that Richard and Stani Velomad have taken since they left their home in France more than eight years ago on their second epic cycling journey. The married couple's journey recently took them to Islambad, Pakistan, where they now estimate that they have covered more than 150,000 km (93,205 miles) on the back of their bikes.

Richard and Stani made their first long distance cycling trip back in 1996 when they started riding from Alaska to Argentina. It took them nearly four years to complete that ride which took them through the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Chile along the way. By the time they had finished, they had completely run out of cash and had to return home to France in order to earn some cash to fund their next ride.

They spent the next four years working 85+ hours a week and saving every penny they could. The bought a house, fixed it up and then sold it, all so they could get back out on the road. In 2004 they set out again and have been on the road ever since.

Their second cycling tour has taken them to such places as Morocco, Tunisia, Italy, Slovenia, Bosnia, Austria, Germany, Russia, Mongolia, China and into South East Asia. They've ridden across Viet Nam, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia before turning south to New Zealand and Australia. They've since returned to Asia to ride through Burma and back into China, which is where they crossed the border into Pakistan. They say they don't know how long they'll keep riding, but their on their way to India now, in a roundabout fashion.

Obviously living on the road hasn't been without its challenges. They've faced all kinds of dangers along the way, including hostile locals and the threat of being shot (in the U.S. of all places). But they've also experienced the kindness of strangers and interacted with some amazing cultures. While in Burma for instance, they were surprised to find that everyone offered them tea no matter where they went and they remarked on how welcoming and friendly the people of Pakistan have been as well.

Eight years seems like an incredibly long time to be on the road, but the lifestyle seems to be working for them. Who knows how long they'll keep it up, but looking over the list of places that they've been, it seems they haven't explored too much of Africa just yet. That should keep them busy for another eight years at least.

Thanks to my friend Zeeshan Nawaz Kahn for sharing this great story with me!

Covering more than 2,529,875 square kilometres (976,790 sq mi), Western Australia is the largest state in Australia, covering nearly a third of the continent. With that much open space, you have to think that there are some pretty impressive outdoor playgrounds there and the video below pretty much confirms that. It is a timelapse film shot over five months and capturing some of the more memorable locations. Much like the rest of Australia, it looks wild, rugged and stunningly beautiful. Enjoy!


Made in WA, Australia from Eddie Peter Hobson on Vimeo.

Here's a fun video of skydiver jumping out of a helicopter over the Great Barrier Reef, only to plunge into the water and switch into his scuba gear. I got a chuckle out of him sailing through the air with a snorkel and scuba mask on, but he gets the last laugh as he swims off into one of the best dive locations anywhere in the world. Fun stuff.

Just a quick update on the final status of the Aussie 8 expedition which I've been covering regularly over the past couple of weeks. You may recall that this was the attempt by trail runners/climbers Ben Southall, Luke Edwards and Patrick Kinsella to bag the highest peak in each of the eight Australian states in just ten days, which would smash the previous record of three months. The last time I posted, the boys were closing in on the finish line ahead of schedule and with just one mountain to go and last Friday they managed to complete their adventure in grand style.

Heading into the day on Friday, Ben, Luke and Pat had already managed to run to the top of the highest mountains in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, the Northern Territory and Western Australia. That left just the 1622 meter (5321 ft) Bartle Frere in Queensland between them and the record. They set off at a good pace, reached the summit and returned to the base of the mountain well after dark. But, they had managed to knock off each of the high points and they did so in just 8 days, 14 hours. That's a pretty impressive mark considering the amount of trail running on rugged ground they had to do over the course of that time frame, not to mention all of the airplanes and rental cars they took along the way.

You can read a full account of the final two days, as written by Ben, who badly rolled an ankle a couple of hours from the summit of Bartle Frere but pushed on anyway, by clicking here. You'll also find more info on the Aussie 8 Facebook page as well, including this excellent news coverage from Australian television.

Congrats to Ben, Luke and Pat on a job well done. This is one record that will be very tough to beat!

The Aussie 8 team is closing in on their highly coveted speed record and if all goes as planned they should claim it tonight. As you no doubt recall, the team of Ben Southall, Luke Edwards and Patrick Kinsella set out last week to attempt to climb the tallest peak in each of the eight Australian states in just ten days. It has been a busy, hectic and demanding expedition covering many miles of travel and trekking up and down some difficult trails, but now the end goal is in sight and the boys are poised to complete their quest in a little over eight days.

Heading into today the trio had knocked off the highest mountains in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, the Northern Territory and Western Australia. That leaves just one peak left to go, the Queensland's Bartle Frere, which stands 1622 meters (5321 ft) in height.

As I write this, Ben, Luke and Patrick are en route to Cairns in Queensland where they'll set off for Bartle Frere as quickly as possible. If everything goes as planned, they should complete that climb and descent sometime Friday evening. At the moment they are estimating that they will complete the expedition with a time of approximately 8 days, 14 hours – well ahead of the ten days that they had scheduled. That time will also crush the previous record for reaching the eight high points, which was took over three months to complete.

If you've been following along with the expedition, you probably already know that you can track the team's progress either on the live tracking page of their website or get updates via the Aussie 8 Facebook page.

Good luck to the guys as they head toward the finish line.

Outer Edge magazine is Australia's version of the popular Outside mag here in the States. It's a wonderful publication released bi-monthly with some fantastic articles that any outdoor enthusiast would love. I've been fortunate enough to contribute to OE for the past few years and I've enjoyed working with them immensely.

When the latest issue hit the newsstand there was a lot of discussion in the mainstream media surrounding the culture of doping that has risen around the sport of cycling, in no small part thanks to the evolving Lance Armstrong story. An article in Outer Edge entitled "Excess Baggage" brought that story to the forefront further by sharing the tale of Dean Jones, a professional rider with a ten year career on the European circuit. Dean's story is a compelling one as he gives us a glimpse of what it is like behind the scenes and how he watched his cycling dreams crumble around him. The entire story will play out in three parts with the next part coming in the May issue of the magazine.

Now, 4 Corners – Australia's most respected investigative television news program – has picked up the story as well and is running with it. Their coverage is helping to bring more attention to the OE story and the impact of doping on cycling in general, as well as the role that organized crime plays in the whole sordid affair.

With all of this extra attention being given to the subject, the editors at OE have published my opinion piece from the latest issue online as well. You can read the entire article for a limited time online by clicking here. In this story, I share some of my personal perspectives on the subject and how it could potentially be combatted.

I'm a big fan of cycling and I respect the riders a great deal. But I'd also like to see the sport cleaned up and have everyone riding on an even playing field. I think we have a ways to go before that actually happens, but I do think we're heading in the right direction.

Last week I posted a story about the Aussie 8 expedition just as the team members were gearing up to launch their efforts to climb the tallest peak in each of the eight Australian states. The team, which consists of Ben Southall, Luke Edwards and Patrick Kinsella, are hoping to smash the previous speed record for bagging each of these high points by completing their adventure in just ten days. Considering that the current record is three months, that is a pretty tall order.

The three men set out for their first objective, Bimberi Peak (1913 meters/6276 ft) in the Australian Captial Territory, today. You can chart their progress and follow along with updates on both their live tracking page and on the expedition's Facebook page. After they've gotten their first climb out of the way, they'll then move on to Mount Kosciuszko (2228 meters/7309 ft) in New South Wales, followed by Mount Bogong (1986 meters/6515 ft) in Victoria and Mount Ossa (1617 meters/5305 ft) in Tasmania. From there it is on to Mount Zeil (1531 meters/5022 ft), located in the Northern Territory, then South Australia's Mount Woodroffe (1435 meters/4708 ft), Mount Meharry (1253 meters/4110 ft) in Western Australia and finally Bartle Frere (1622 meters/5321 ft) in Queensland.

As I mentioned in my previous post, none of these mountains is particularly daunting in terms of altitude. But this isn't just about getting up into the thin air. This adventure will be a test of stamina and endurance as the men mix traveling, running and climbing into one big adventure that will certainly test them bothy physically and mentally. For instance, the climb up Mount Ossa doesn't sound all that tough at 1617 meters (5305 ft) in height, but in order to reach the summit, the boys will have to run a round-trip of 42km (26 miles) on difficult trails.

Good luck to Ben, Luke and Pat as they kick off the start of the expedition. It should be fun – not to mention exhausting – to follow along.

Way back in January I shared an upcoming expedition during which three adventurers hope to knock off the tallest peak in each of Australia's eight states in record time. Dubbed the Aussie 8, the plan is to complete all eight climbs in just ten days, smashing the previous record of three months in the process. Now, nearly three months later, the team is preparing to embark on this challenge which will kick off on April 11.

In order to reach this very ambitious goal team members Ben Southall, Luke Edwards and Patrick Kinsella will not only be scaling these mountains but also running more than 150 km (93  miles) as well. Their journey will begin by first ascending Bimberi Peak (1913 meters/6276 ft) in the Australian Captial Territory. From there it is on to Mount Kosciuszko (2228 meters/7309 ft) in New South Wales, Mount Bogong (1986 meters/6515 ft) in Victoria and Mount Ossa (1617 meters/5305 ft) in Tasmania. After that the expedition will move on to Mount Zeil (1531 meters/5022 ft), located in the Northern Territory, then South Australia's Mount Woodroffe (1435 meters/4708 ft), Mount Meharry (1253 meters/4110 ft) in Western Australia and finally Bartle Frere (1622 meters/5321 ft) in Queensland.

At first glance none of those mountains seems particularly imposing based on their altitude alone, but when you consider doing them back-to-back over the course of eight to ten days, and factor in the amount of trail running the team will be doing, you start to get a sense of the challenge ahead. For example, in order to reach the remote Mount Ossa, the team will need to make a round-trip trail run of more than 42 km (26 miles) through some very tough terrain. As the days – and miles – go by, the difficulty of this undertaking is sure to increase.

The Aussie 8 expedition isn't just about trying to set a record however. Ben, Luke and Patrick also hope to inspire others to get outside and look for adventures in their own backyard. We all have some excellent outdoor playgrounds not far from where we live, but sometimes we forget that they're even there. Part of the message that this trio of adventurers hopes to pass on is to not take our favorite outdoor places for granted and be sure to head out and enjoy them whenever possible. This was something I was recently reminded of on visiting Texas' very own Enchanted Rock for the first time in awhile.

To follow the team on this adventure head over to the Aussie 8 website or "like" their Facebook page. The expedition begins in just one week! Good luck guys!

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