Stowe’s “Waterworld” Returns

New York City artist, adventurer and sailor Reid Stowe and his 70-ft. gaff-rigged schooner Anne, will return to New York Harbor on Thursday, June 17, 2010, after logging 1,152 days non-stop and non-resupplied at sea, a world record. Stowe will be accompanied by a flotilla of boats up the Hudson River to Pier 81 (World Yacht pier) where he will debark at 1 p.m. and step foot on land for the first time in over three years. He will reunite with his companion, Soanya Ahmad, who sailed with Stowe for the first 306 days of the voyage, but had to leave due to seasickness which turned out to be morning sickness.

Ahmad now holds the women’s record for the longest non-stop sea voyage. Stowe will also meet for the first time his son, Darshen, who was conceived at sea and is now almost two years old. Readers of EN are invited to attend the ceremony. Free admittance by advance reservation only is available at www.1000days.net.

Expedition News, June 2010 - Solve World Hunger: Eat Bugs

Overcoming the “Yuk” Factor

(excerpted from Expedition News)

Editor’s Note: One of the advantages of writing a book on expeditions and adventures is that you meet fascinating people on the road during book tours. Such is the case with Dave Gracer, 45, founder of SmallStock Food Strategies LLC, Providence, R.I. Taking us aside in Cambridge, Mass., after a talk to the New England Chapter of The Explorers Club, he pitched us the idea that insects are the best food for an overcrowded planet. While we’d prefer a porterhouse ourselves, we see some merit in the concept, despite the very real “yuk” factor. Gracer explains:

“As a boy I was a picky eater, but I eventually outgrew that: now I eat insects frequently (the practice is known as entomophagy). What’s more, I encourage my fellow Americans to do so. There are very good reasons to do this: insects are extremely nutritious – not only are they high in protein, but their little jointed bodies also contain a lot of vitamins and minerals, making them an almost perfect food source.

“Their resource requirements are much smaller than those of the mammals and birds we usually eat, and insects are much better at capturing the energy from their food – 10 lbs. of feed will yield one pound of beef, but almost 9 lbs. of cricket. That’s a huge difference, especially since you can eat every part of the cricket.

“Beyond this, insects produce far less waste, and cannot host diseases or pathogens that can ‘jump’ to humans. Taken together, that’s a very impressive roster of advantages. Insect-based foods can be developed for both high-end cuisine AND for those at risk of starvation.

“We all know that many cultures enjoy insects in their cuisine, even when many other foods are available. In some marketplaces, insects fetch higher prices than our standard food animals. Given our global overpopulation and possible fresh water shortages, insects are very likely to play an increasing role in our future. As indicated, they’re far more sustainable than cows and pigs.

“I’ve been advocating for entomophagy for many years; in 2008 I spoke at a UN-organized international conference on edible insects in Chiang Mai, Thailand. After the conference I took a driving tour north, and watched tens of thousands of cave swifts streak the evening sky near the Burmese border. The birds were seeking insects for their dinners. Insects do a great deal of work: when we observe the results of their work, we say, ‘isn’t Nature amazing?’

“There will likely be obstacles to introducing insects into human diets, but we must press on nonetheless.”

In order to further his passions, Gracer is a part-time college adjunct instructor. His goal is to create five facilities in five different countries, each of which will produce the quantity and quality of processed, insect-based food that will meet the nutritional needs of 50,000 people for two days straight.

But before that, his next project is to complete a guidebook on entomophagy.

You can reach Dave Gracer directly at 401 286 9065, david_gracer@hotmail.com, or log onto www.smallstockfoods.com (best link: Gracer appears on The Tyra Banks Show, along with a Dumpster diver who spends just $15 per week on food).

Huffin' and Puffin

Jeff Blumenfeld, editor of ExpeditionNews.com in Darien, Conn., attempted to climb Iceland's tallest peak in late May before a nagging back injury forced him back just 1,000 feet from the 7,000-foot summit. The name of the peak - Hvannadalshnúkur – is about as unpronounceable as the world famous Iceland volcano that halted air service in Europe this spring.

American Himalayan Foundation Appeals for Earthquake Donations

From Norbu Tenzing at the American Himalayan Foundation:

A series of strong earthquakes struck in Yushu, Tibet (Qinghai Province, China) on April 14th, creating disaster in an already struggling region. Most houses and schools have suffered badly, and tens of thousands are homeless in very cold weather.

Although we are still learning the extent of the damage, we want to move as quickly as possible. AHF has worked with the Tibetans in Yushu for over ten years: on education, clean water systems, clinics and bridges. Thankfully, we have learned that our Tibetan partners are alive. But they will need our help immediately.

AHF is now accepting donations through our web site targeted for earthquake relief. 100% of these emergency gifts will go directly to help our partners in Yushu and, as always, are fully tax-deductible. With our track record - a decade of on the ground experience with the Tibetans in Yushu - we know how to get help to those who need it. But we need your help to be able to do so.

Please make a donation and specify "Tibet Earthquake" in the "Note for AHF."

To donate: www.himalayan-foundation.org

Or call 415 288 7250.

Is There a Market for Expedition Stuff?

Obviously someone things so. Here's a listing from Jennifer Gasperini, a Minnesota woman who was involved in promoting past Steger Expeditions:

Celebrate the 20^th Anniversary of the 1990 International Trans-Antarctica Expedition with this authentic expedition anorak, designed by expedition co-leader Will Steger and manufactured to his specifications by The North Face. This jacket containing Gore-Tex is identical to that worn by the team on their 3,741-mile, historic crossing of the Antarctic continent by dog team, a National Geographic cover story in 1990.

The jacket features reflective patches – on back and front – with the six country flags represented on the expedition: US, China, England, France, Great Britain, Japan and Russia. Stitched-on logos for expedition sponsors Gore-Tex and UAP of France appear on both shoulders. Pull cords at waist, bottom and collar make it adjustable to all weather conditions.

A zipper on the hood provides for a zipped-on fur ruff. Full pocket in front is sealed with flap, zipper and Velcro closure. This bright orange jacket was part of a set provided to expedition support staff, but never worn. Selling for $1,500 with free shipping. Contact: jgasperini@iphouse.com

Crossing Antarctica Marks 20th Anniversary

It was 20 years ago last month – March 1990 – that Will Steger and five international polar explorers completed what will forever be the most audacious crossing of Antarctica. Their Trans-Antarctica Expedition will last in Antarctica history for a variety of reasons: Its length and duration (3,741 miles in 221 days, requiring that it start in winter and end in winter). Because it was the last expedition by dog (dogs were outlawed the following year by an amendment to the Antarctic Treaty). And its expense (upwards of $12 million). 

A lot has changed in the two decades since – international politics and economies have shifted, new technologies invented and boomed, the human population added one billion, says writer and filmmaker Jon Bowermaster.

Bowermaster is co-author with Will Steger of the original book Crossing Antarctica, and now its 20th anniversary edition published by Menasha Ridge Press. He writes on his Web site, “… when I think of that grueling, seven-month-long expedition perhaps the biggest change has been to the continent itself. At the time, the impacts of global climate change were just beginning to be talked about and mostly in scientific circles. Today the ice shelf where Trans-Antarctica started, on a very cold July day in 1989, no longer exists.”

Bowermaster continues, “Part of the Larsen B Ice Shelf, it was sundered in 2002 by the massive breakup of Antarctica's largest shelf due to warming sea and air temperatures.



Steger’s recent work has focused on educating students and policy leaders alike on the causes, effects and solutions to global climate change. His organization is planning the 5th annual Summer Institute for Climate Change Education, Aug. 12, at the University of Minnesota Continuing Education & Conference Center in St. Paul (www.globalwarming101.com).

Bowermaster has been back to Antarctica two dozen times since that initial introduction 20 years ago. His recently completed high-def film, Terra Antarctica, documents a six-week long exploration of the Antarctic Peninsula by sea kayak. (www.jonbowermaster.com).

"Danger, Will Robinson!"

Many of us of a certain age grew up fascinated about space exploration, in part thanks to a hunk of metal and flashing lights that we wanted in the house as much as a new puppy. Television’s most famous robot – best known for the phrase, “Danger, Will Robinson!” – was developed by TV producer Irwin Allen in the mid 1960s for Lost in Space. Two faithful reproductions have been completed and are ready to be shipped by robot builder B9 Creations of Deadwood, S.D. They join an additional 54 robot replicas that have already been purchased by collectors worldwide. Each one is numbered and authenticated as an officially licensed replica.

The B9 (think “benign”) appeared in 83 episodes between 1965 to 1968, and is currently being reproduced by Michael Joyce, who is also the founder of team Next Giant Leap (www.nextgiantleap.com), an effort to win the $30 million Google X PRIZE for the first commercial moon lander.

The original robot used in the television series was altered for other shows and is lost to TV history. These reproductions are actually better built with an acrylic bubble based on the existing original, laser cut steel brain with polished stainless steel top cover and crown, a torso based on the original stone molds, and hundreds of individual parts fabricated from fiberglass, acrylic, aluminum, steel, etc. The B9 speaks in its original voice, that of Dick Tufeld, the 83-year-old voice actor for many Irwin Allen productions. Of course, it might be cheaper to go for the puppy. The B9’s are currently sold by Joyce to collectors for $24,500 (www.lostinspacerobot.com).