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.
WORLD TOUR: Red Bull Heavy Water Paddleboarding Champions Announced. The 13-mile paddle course and surf competition saw Casper Steinfath win for the second year in a row in the men’s category. Although the competition was cut short due to conditions, Terrene Black from Australia claimed the women’s title.
HIKER RESCUE: A Lost Oregon Hiker Survives a Brutal Snowstorm. Robb Campbell was hiking the PCT when he wandered 7 miles off course — and then a blizzard swept in. The hiker called 911, but his call dropped, so he found shelter in a pit toilet restroom. Search-and-rescue personnel were able to track his footprints. He survived the ordeal with frostbite and minor injuries.
CYCLING JAPAN: Bauke Mollema Wins the Japan Cup Cycle Road Race. Mollema, who’s placed in the top 10 in all three Grand Tours, won the 13-lap, 144km race in just 3 hours 41 minutes. The one-day race travels over Mt. Kogashiyama in Japan and reaches grades up to 6.9 percent.
HUNGRY BEAR: Bear Enters Hikers’ Truck Looking for Food. Hikers in Canada had a rude awakening when they returned to camp to realize they’d forgotten to close their truck hatch. A bear was trapped inside. The hikers were able to release the hatch safety, and the bear wandered off.
Minnesota Woman ‘Everests’ by Bike in 23 Hours 10 Minutes. Minneapolis native Alix Magner, 39, rode her bicycle up a 6.5-percent-grade hill in neighboring St. Paul 170 times, nonstop, on October 11. Why? Because after nearly a full day of continuous pedaling — without sleep — Magner climbed the equivalent of Mt. Everest, and then some.
“It was by far the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” Magner told the Star Tribune. “Everesting” is a global cyber-challenge in which riders must repeatedly climb a hill until they’ve logged 29,029 feet — the height of Everest. Magner actually climbed 29,580 feet in her push and is the first to Everest the local street.
BANANA MAN: American Man Breaks World Record While Running as Fruit. Melvin Nyairo broke the record this weekend for running the fastest half marathon while dressed as a fruit. He finished in 1:15:35. (Yes, someone already held that record.) Nyairo, who ran as a Chiquita banana, beat out the previous record-holder, Rob Lapensee, who ran as a bunch of grapes.
