Can female explorers save us from extinction?

Mikael Strandberg    Adventure Sports & Travel Thoughts, Our Experts     expedition, explorer

The other night I went to the monthly lecture at Travellers Club and again the talk was by a young male explorer. Sad to say I’ve heard his story before, and each time it was the same: The hero conquering the earth. The male hero conquering the earth, to be more precise.

So why is it male explorers need to declare themselves the best, the fittest and the strongest adventurers on earth? And why, oh why do they only talk about themselves?

We definitely need more female explorers, because without them we could become extinct. read more

Rafting The Zambezi – Can anyone do it?

Tim B    Our Experts     Rafting, victoria falls, white water rafting, whitewater rafting, zambezi, zambia

The Zambezi has a bit of a reputation as it is one of the longest rivers in the world, but can anyone raft it? The answer, plain and simple is: Yes.

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Making your expedition a success, it can be done!

Mark Pawlak    Our Experts     Adventure, everest, explorer, Kathmandu, trekking

Mikael explains how to prepare for success:

“Mikael, I had to abandon my expedition! My idea was to cycle through Africa, but I had to give up after just three months. I lost it along the way. What did I do wrong?”

My answer to this email was simple and direct: “You lost motivation and you hadn’t prepared enough!”

Mikael: "Resting and eating are vital to your success."

His email was similar to hundreds I have received in the last 25 years. After reviewing all of them at length, I realised these failed expeditions often had three things in common: Explorers had lost motivation, and they had failed to understand the need for good sleep, and the benefits of good food.

When the going got too tough, they proved not tough enough to keep on going! Key to any successful expedition is understanding why you go through all these hardships – at the most difficult of moments remember what it is that drives you, and draw on this, it can be your motivation.

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Everest teen gets explorer’s support

Mark Pawlak    ash, Our Experts     Adventure, Asia, everest, Jordan Romero, Nepal, Travel, trekking

When I first read that a 13-year-old  boy wanted to climb Everest, I reacted negatively. I thought this has got to be a joke, he is way too young!

But reading more about Jordan Romero it becomes clear that this boy knows his way around a mountain. He’s been to high altitude before and has some top peaks on his CV.

Mikael Strandberg says: "Jordan, go for it!"

So why the worry? His detractors, and there are many, are clearly forgetting what exploring is all about.

Human life is about pushing the limits of what others think is impossible. Or stupid. Or irresponsible. Or dangerous. This underpins all exploring.

Put yourself in the boy’s position; what an opportunity!

So I say to Jordan Romero, aged 13: Go for it!

Rafting trips: How to pick the best rafting company

Tim B    Our Experts     Chile, futaleufu, Rafting, white water rafting, whitewater rafting

With so many firms out there telling you they are the best and the safest, just what should you be looking for in a rafting company? Expert rafter Hamish McMaster tells you how…

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Hamish McMaster Interview: Rafting the World

Tim B    Our Experts     Rafting, white water rafting, whitewater rafting

Hamish McMaster has recently joined Adventure Sports Holidays as our resident rafting expert! He runs Water by Nature one of the leading specialist rafting operators in the world. We caught up with him on a plane flying out to Morocco!

So Hamish, tell us a bit about yourself!
My name is Hamish McMaster (Mush) and I am 43-years-old. I am a husband, Dad, river guide, expedition leader, occasional office guy and self-confessed rafting-trip lover.

I grew up in the rugged adventure environment of New Zealand, and from an early age was exposed to many adventure sports, from yacht racing at sea, to ski patrolling in New Zealand’s Southern Alps.

How did you get into whitewater rafting?
It was when I took a raft guide course in Queenstown that fell in love with the river, where it can take you and what it can teach you. Nature is wonderful at teaching you to respect it. And when you forget, it soon teaches you again! read more

Securing Sponsorship: It can be done!

Mark Pawlak    Our Experts     Adventure, Adventure Sports, explorer, Kathmandu, Travel

“Mikael, can you please tell me how to get sponsorship?”

I must have heard this question a thousand times from potential explorers and adventurers. I think a quarter of all emails I receive today ask this. They are mainly from young people, the world over, who want to organise their first adventure and just don’t have the means.

Believing you are the perfect prospect for a sponsor is not enough. Most bids fail. No matter how good your idea, sponsorship comes with time and a good track record.

Even then it is not easy: I spend a lot of my time looking for my sponsors. So, to help, I have put together three tips for all those budding explorers keen to get out there. read more