From the inspiring to the tragic, adventure news of the week presents a wrap-up of top news in the world of exploration and adventure. Here’s what you missed this weekend and a few things to look forward to.
Yasushi Yamanoi is this year’s recipient of climbing’s highest honor, the Career Piolets d’Or Award. Just a few notable ascents from Yamanoi’s exceptional and numerous achievements include solos of Fitz Roy and Cho Oyu and the speed record-setting run up K2’s SSW Spur (48 hours without supplemental oxygen).
Yamanoi and Takaaki Furuhata were 2018 Piolets nominees for their FA of Rucho Peak in the Indian Zanskar Range. The 56-year-old climber, known to fellow alpinists as “the mountain samurai,” is the first Asian to receive the Piolets d’Or career distinction.
Ultrarunner Camille Herron thumped the previous women’s speed record at the Javelina Jundred Mile on Sunday. “Herron crossed the finish line at 14:03:23, more than 90 minutes in front of the nearest chaser…[and] set a huge new course record by nearly 50 minutes,” reported iRunFar. Arlen Glick took first overall with 13:14:51 on the clock.
The Javelina Jundred Mile serves as a “Golden Ticket Race” in which the top two female and male competitors earn entry to next year’s Western States 100.
Camille Herron (@runcamille) and Arlen Glick won this weekend’s Javelina Jundred Mile out in Arizona’s hot Sonoran Desert. Details: https://t.co/JnlsTuHMor
— iRunFar (@iRunFar) October 31, 2021
Near-record snowfall over Tahoe, Cali. led to surprise early openings for some major ski resorts leading up to Halloween. Mammoth Mountain and Palisades Tahoe opened almost one month ahead of schedule and just in time for patrons to get spooky (in a fun way) on the slopes.
Late last week, climbing icon Adam Ondra sent the 44th 5.15a (9a+) graded route of his career. But he might want to watch out for young British competitor Toby Roberts. The 16-year-old climber sent Hubble, the world’s first 5.14c (8c+) sport route established by the legendary Ben Moon 30 years ago.
Since Moon’s first ascent, fewer than a dozen premier climbers have sent the thing, and their growing consensus is that Hubble deserves a stiffer grade of 5.14d (9a).
Speaking of inspirational teens from the U.K., 16-year-old Jessie Stevens is cycling 570 miles from her home in Devon to the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasglow, Scotland. Moving at a daily pace of 62 miles, the young climate activist and several other #Ride2COP26 cyclists were on track to arrive in Glasgow Sunday, Oct. 31.
Crankworx World Tour gears up to crown the King and Queen of mountain biking this week — each rider will take home $15.8K ($22K NZD). Also on the Crankworx MTB menu? The Slopestyle World Championship and Triple Crown of Slopestyle. It’s the final World Tour stop of the year and will run from Nov. 1 to 7 in Rotorua, NZ.
Red Bull will broadcast the capstone races starting Nov. 4 with the Speed & Style comp, then Downhill (Nov. 5), Maxxis Slopestyle (Nov. 6), Pump Track (Nov. 6), and Dual Slalom (Nov. 7). Find the full schedule, standings, and more at Crankworx.com.
Rooted Vermont gravel race is open for 2022 registration Nov. 1-15. But this year, race organizers are hyperfocused on inclusion and equity — here’s how. First, 50% of the 1,000 general entry slots are reserved for womxn riders. And second, Rooted Vermont will award $10K in scholarships to youth and members of historically marginalized communities that need financial assistance to compete. Scholarship applications close on Nov. 10. Register here.
The 2021 Inclusive Outdoor Recreation Summit gets running Tuesday. The virtual seminar, hosted by AORE (Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education) starts Nov. 2 and concludes the afternoon of Nov. 4. Industry professionals can sign up to attend the summit at aore.org.
Have you checked out our updated schedule recently? We have some great presenters ready to help expand your thinking on inclusion related to wilderness medicine, climbing and workplace culture. Take a look at https://t.co/KAVHkViQaM pic.twitter.com/eBDbdz2hUP
— AORE (@AOREoutdoors) September 17, 2021
Adventure travel site 57Hours now offers “All Women’s” adventure packages and camps, a new and inclusivity-focused booking option. Its programs comprise several all-female backcountry skiing, backpacking, climbing, and mountain biking camps around the globe.
Its goal, says the 57Hours team, is “to build community and promote inclusivity for women in the outdoors … [and] support female mountain guides to help make guiding a successful and sustainable career.” Find and book your next adventure over at 57hours.com.
