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.
BIG WAVE: Maya Gabeira Surfs Biggest Wave Ever by a Female. Earlier this month, Guinness verified that the 73.5-foot monster wave Brazilian Maya Gabeira surfed in Portugal was indeed the biggest wave ever surfed by a female.
The feat occurred in February, but Guinness officials only just etched Gabeira’s name into the record books. And it was an easy entry to replace, as the record Gabeira broke — by 5.5 feet — was her own. Read more here.
SHOOTING GALLERY: Wyoming Sees New Multipitch Ice Route. Looking for some practically untouched, early-season ice climbing? Aaron Mulkey, Dane Steadman, and Natalie Afonina established the new three-pitch, mixed-route Shooting Gallery in Wyoming’s Beartooth Mountains.
“An ice pitch, a mixed pitch and a dry tool pitch. Couldn’t have asked for a better introduction to new routing, bolting, cleaning, and climbing unclimbed terrain,” Afonina posted on Instagram. Learn more about the route and the trio’s first ascent here.
HIMALAYAS: Nepal Reopens for Tourism and (Some) Climbing. After 6 months of pandemic-induced lockdown, Nepal last week reopened to international travel and began issuing permits to foreign travelers.
While the season for tackling the country’s iconic 8,000m peaks is all but finished, the Royal Bahraini team has been on top of preparation and will attempt the world’s eighth-highest peak, Manaslu. Read more about upcoming expeditions from Nepal on ExplorersWeb.
DREAM JOB: Get Paid to Drink Beer and Visit National Parks. Michelob Ultra is looking for a new CEO — chief exploration officer, that is. And best of all, if you’re at least 21 years old, you qualify!
In return for a $50,000 “salary” (stipend), Michelob wants you to drive around its kitted-out campervan visiting national parks, drinking beer, and capturing “engaging content for social media.” The brand will also cover expenses and permits the CEO to bring a travel companion as well. Feel up for it? Learn more and apply here.
REMEMBRANCE: GORE-TEX Inventor, Robert W. Gore, Passes Away at 83. Robert W. “Bob” Gore, a titan of the outdoor industry whose name is synonymous with technical apparel, died peacefully at his home last week after battling a “long illness,” the brand announced.
Gore’s groundbreaking career began in 1969 when he discovered expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) — the foundation for the now-ubiquitous waterproof-breathable GORE-TEX membrane. At the end of his life, Gore was the chairman emeritus of his company, having served for 57 years on the GORE board — and 30 as its chairman.
He also served as president of GORE from 1976 to 2000. Read more about the advent of GORE-TEX and Gore’s life here.
