Kayakers to Paddle 9000 KM From Canada to Mexico

A trio of adventurers from Canada has embarked on an epic journey that will take them from Montreal to the tip of the Yucatan in Mexico by sea kayak. Along the way, they expect to cover more than 9000 km (5592 miles) as they spend up to a year completing the expedition, which they call the Go Fetch Challenge.

Luc Labelle, Nika De Jocas-McCrae and Julien Granger are preparing to set out on their journey in the next few days as they have now reached the northernmost location of their route. From here, they'll be southward bound, as they paddle along the eastern coasts of Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. They'll kayak along the Atlantic Ocean, and the Gulf of Mexico, before ultimately reaching their goal at the Yucatan Peninsula. 

The boys say that they are undertaking this expedition at a crucial time in their lives, and it will help set them on a course both personally and professionally as they move forward. This is a journey that is as much about the adventure they find along the way as it is reaching a destination. The three friends have known each other for more than 10 years, and have been planning to undertake a challenge of this scope for some time. Now, they're ready to get underway at last, and it should be fun to see what they discover about themselves along the way.

You'll be able to keep up with their progress at the Go Fetch website, which features GPS positional tracking, a frequently updated blog, and more information about the team, and their goals. They have quite a journey ahead of them, and it will interesting to see it unfold. I wish them luck as they begin paddling south at long last. 

Video: Mountain Biking Squamish

Located in the heart of British Columbia, Squamish is well known for being a spectacular outdoor playground that happens to get a fair amount of rain each year. In fact, it can get as much as 238 cm (94 inches) of rainfall, which can make for sloppy conditions at times. Those conditions are prominently on display in this video, which features mountain biker James Doerfling bombing down a wet trail near Squamish. The slick conditions add a level of challenge to the ride, which is through a spectacular forest worthy of exploration. If you want to check-out the world class mountain biking that is available in the region, give this clip a look. It is both beautiful and inspiring.

Fairweather - James Doerfling from OneUp Components on Vimeo.

Video: Climbing the Bugaboos with Alex Honnold

This all-too-short video takes us to Bugaboo Provincial Park in British Columbia,  Canada where we join free soloist Alex Honnold on an incredible line up a mountain there. Sadly, the short clip only teases us with the amazing scenery, and Alex's fantastic skills, although it is enough to understand that he is climbing in a beautiful setting. The clip comes our way from National Geographic, which has launched a new adventure video of the week series. If they're all like this one, they'll certainly be worth watching.

Ocean Rower Anne Quéméré to Challenge Northwest Passage Once Again

Ocean rower Anne Quéméré has announced that she is returning to the Arctic Ocean once again this summer in an attempt to complete the very difficult journey across the Northwest Passage by kayak. Last year, bad weather thwarted her efforts, but she has vowed to go back and finish what she started by covering the entire 3000 km (1864 miles) over a three month period. 

That 2014 expedition to the Passage proved to be an eye-opener for the veteran adventurer. She discovered that it was not as easy as she thought it would be to pass through the ice-choked waters found north of Canada. The weather was surprisingly bad all season long too, with high winds and heavy seas making it difficult to make any kind of progress. She also traveled solo on that journey, and unarmed. Two things that she'll rectify this time out. 

This year, Quéméré will have a companion joining her on the expedition. A Swiss scientist by the name of Raphael Domjan will accompany the her across the passage, and while she will be paddling her kayak, he will be following along in a second boat powered by a small electric motor that will match her pace. Domjan will spend his time in the Passage taking notes and environmental readings as he makes observations about the impact of climate change on the Arctic Ocean. 

Since the duo will be kayaking, they will stop and camp on shore most nights. That means they'll run the risk of encountering a polar bear, a creature that Quéméré had a few brushes with last year as well. This time out, they'll go armed with shotguns to scare the bears away. Massive and powerful, a hungry polar bear can be a real threat to a person in the arctic, and Anne and Raphael will not underestimate that threat in 2015. 

No stranger to oceanborn adventures, Quéméré has successfully crossed the Atlantic Ocean in a rowboat in the past, and even crossed the Pacific in a prototype boat using a kite for propulsion, spending 78 days at seas. She has also kayaked in the ice waters off Greenland, and has last year's experience in the Northwest Passage to her credit as well. 

The two will set out for Tuktoyaktuk in Canada in June, with the crossing starting shortly there after. 

Video: Earth Porn Vol. 3 - The Alberta Badlands

In this latest edition of the Earth Porn video series we travel to the Badlands of Alberta, Canada where we see landscapes that are starkly beautiful in their simple settings. Ariel footage takes us through a series of open flatlands and canyons, giving us a bird's eye view of the countryside, which is awe inspiring with its diversity and complexity. This short clip is mesmerizing in so many ways, and is a good reminder of just how amazing our planet truly is.

EARTH PORN // VOL 3 // BADLANDS (AERIAL ALBERTA) from Christiaan Welzel on Vimeo.

Video: Climbing a New Route in the Canadian Rockies with Raphael Slawinski

At the moment, mountaineer Raphael Slawinski is in Tibet preparing to attempt a new route up Mt. Everest. But in this video, we travel to the Ya Ha Tinda Range in the Canadian Rockies, where he put up a new route as well. The five-minute short film is a good introduction to Raphael, and his approach to climbing. It also has some spectacular shots of the scenery he passed through on his way to the top. This is a beautiful mountaineering film, with some good inspirational words from a man we'll be hearing a lot about this spring.

Raphael Slawinski - Surpassing - A film by AliasCinema. from ARC'TERYX on Vimeo.

Get Paid to Hike Across Canada this Summer

Are you looking for something to keep you occupied this summer? Than you may want to apply for the Woods Dream Job. Gear manufacturer Woods Canada is looking to hire two lucky people to embark on a 5-month long epic hike along the Trans Canada Trail, a 1700 km (1056 mile) backpacking route that stretches across some of that countries most wild and beautiful areas.

The two people who are hired for the Dream Job will spend their summer hiking, paddling, and climbing along the trail, while documenting the journey through photos, video, and written dispatches. Along the way, they'll also get to test plenty of Woods gear as well, including tents, packs, sleeping bags, clothing and more.

Applicants for the Dream Job need to be available to hike the trail between May 12 and September 30, 2015. They'll also be handsomely compensated for their time by being paid $20,000 Canadian (roughly $16,100 U.S.), as well as a $300/wee per diem, and a $2000 bonus should they complete the entire length of the route. On top of that, all travel expenses are paid as well, including transportation, lodging, and so on.

Sound like something you'd be interested in? Than head over to the Dream Job website to fill out the application. You'll also have to submit a 60 second video explaining why they should hire you for the job. They're going to hire two people for this fantastic adventure, one of them could be you!

Video: Adventure is Calling (Part 2)

A year or so back I posted a video that was made by three friends who quit their jobs to go off and travel across the U.S. for two months. Along the way they captured some amazing images of their journey and turned it into an inspirational short film called Adventure is Calling. Now, one of those travelers is back with a second video that continues on the theme of delivering inspiration to travel. This three-minute clip offers some stunning timelapse images from across the U.S. and Canada that will quite simply take your breath away. These are some of the most compelling outdoor settings that you'll find anywhere, and if you don't feel inspired to go find an adventure of your own after watching this, you should probably check yourself for a pulse. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Adventure Is Calling II from Shane Black on Vimeo.

Video: Hooké Ungava - An Expedition to No Man's Land

It isn't often that I post about a fly fishing, but for this video I'll make an exception. It is a short trailer for a longer documentary that follows a group of four friends who travel to a remote region of Quebec and Labrador to go fishing for Atlantic salmon and northern char. What makes this such an exceptional film is the location for sure. The landscapes are breathtakingly beautiful, and seldom visited by outsiders. Just getting to their fishing spot was an adventure, but seeing the places where they dropped their lines is enough for me to want to watch the full documentary. This is a remote, isolated, and nearly uninhabited place where it seems adventure abounds around every corner. Simply beautiful.

Hooké Ungava : An Expedition to No Man’s Land from HOOKÉ on Vimeo.

Video: Earth Porn - Volume 2: Alberta Water

Awhile back we had a beautiful video with the title of Earth Porn. It took us into the amazing wilderness settings of British Columbia, Canada, giving us some exceptionally beautiful shots of the landscapes there. Now, we're back with Volume 2 of the series, this time with a focus on the rivers, lakes, and waterfalls that can be found near Alberta. This short film is just as lovely as the first, with striking images that will leave you longing to visit these places for yourself.

EARTH PORN // VOL 2 // ALBERTA WATER from Christiaan Welzel on Vimeo.

Veteran Polar Explorer Trekking and Paddling the Boundary Waters

Veteran polar explorer Will Steger has set out on a new adventure this week. The 70-year old who has visited the North and South Pole, traversed northern Greenland, and traveled from Russia to Ellesmere Island in Canada, all by dogsled. But this time out, he's making solo journey along the Boundary Waters between the U.S. and Canada, trekking and paddling the remote region of Minnesota's northern border as he goes.

Steger launched his latest expedition yesterday. He'll begin by pulling a canoe behind him as he skis through the northern wilderness. That canoe will serve much the same way a polar explorer's sled would in both the Arctic or Antarctic, carrying his supplies and equipment across the snow. As he travels, he'll reach sections of the Boundary Waters that have thawed for the spring, and he'll transition to using the canoe in the more traditional way, but in the early days of the trip he'll be pulling it behind him as he goes.

The 200-mile journey started on Lake Saganaga at the end of the Gunflint Trail. Steger moved into the Quetico Provincial Park in Ontario and continued out onto the border lakes of the Boundary Waters. Over the course of the next few weeks, he'll be traveling through a remote and rugged wilderness that sees few visitors at any time of the year, but will be especially empty so early in the spring. Along the way he'll find frozen waters just beginning to thaw with the arrival of warmer season ahead. As he makes his way further along the route, Steger will be forced to navigate through rising rapids, steep narrows, and a chain of interconnected rivers and lakes. He has brought enough fuel and supplies to last about four weeks, although rationing could stretch that time a bit further.

Due to an unprecedented spring thaw, Steger was forced to start his expedition a week earlier than he had anticipated. The rivers and lakes are already starting to swell with rising water, and it now appears that he could do more paddling than trekking along the way. But in the early stages of the trip he'll still be hauling the canoe-sled as he makes his way along the chosen route.

You can follow Will's progress on his official website. He is releasing daily audio dispatches from his expedition that will share the journey with listeners in a very personal way. Steger promises to give us insights into what crosses through his mind as travels, which considering his 50 years of exploration experience should prove very interesting. It should be fascinating to hear about the challenges of the journey from a man who has spent more time in remote, and very cold places, than just about anyone else on Earth.

Video: Kayaking the Stikine River with Rafa Ortiz

Canada's Stikine River is sometimes called the "Everest of Kayaking." Remote, wild, and difficult, it is often seen as the ultimate whitewater destination. In the video below we travel to that amazing river with pro-paddlers Rafa Ortiz and Isaac Levinson as they take on the Class V rapids that the Stikine is so famous for over a multi-day expedition through a very remote region of British Columbia.

Lamenting the Lost Arctic Season

We're about to enter a bit of a lull in the world of exploration and adventure. The winter climbing season on Nanga Parbat is likely going to wrap up later this week, with success on the mountain still far from certain. We're also a few weeks away from climbers departing for Nepal to begin the spring climbing season on Everest and other major peaks in the Himalaya. For those men and women, the remaining days of March will be the calm before the storm as they launch a two-month long odyssey to reach the top of the tallest peak on the planet. While that will certainly be a busy and interesting time as always, this year there is definitely something missing from my usual round-ups of adventurous pursuits, and it isn't hard to identify exactly what that is. With no full-distance expeditions set to launch for the North Pole from the Canadian side of the Arctic this spring there is a real vacuum in terms of challenging undertakings, and it is unclear if that vacuum will be filled ever again.

Typically this time of year there are several teams in Resolute Bay, Canada waiting to be flown out to their starting points on the ice. Those intrepid adventurers generally have big dreams of skiing unsupported to the North Pole, covering roughly 700 km (435 miles) in the process. Most don't make it. In fact, since 2010, only one team has actually been able to accomplish that feat, which I believe is the most challenging journey in the world today. Climate change has altered the Arctic in undeniable ways, and as a result, those skiing north now face impossible thin ice, massive rubble fields, open leads of water, and numerous other obstacles. It is a difficult, punishing experience that has simply become increasingly difficult as the years have passed. So much so that it now seems nearly impossible for anyone to travel on foot all the way to 90ºN.


I'm not the only one who thinks that a full-distance North  Pole expedition is now almost entirely out of reach. Earlier this year, Kenn Borek Air, the charter airline that has supported Arctic explorers in the past, announced that it was ceasing operations in the region. With the increasing dangers of flying into the Arctic, it simply was no longer economically viable for the adventurous airline to continue supporting explorers in the area, and as a result the company made the surprise move to pullout. This has left a few expeditions in the lurch however and has meant that there will be no skiers attempting to reach the North Pole from the Canadian side of the ice this year.

As someone who enjoys following the intricacies of an expedition, particularly a very challenging one, the lack of North Pole skiers this year has left me disappointed, although not surprised. I've been saying for several years now that an expedition to the top of the world would only continue to get more difficult until it was simply impossible to complete. I didn't expect that to happen so soon, but it is the reality that Arctic explorers now face. Climate change was going to put an end to these kinds of journeys sooner, rather than later, but it seems that economics killed off these expeditions first.

That isn't to say that the North Pole will go completely unvisited this year. The Russians will once again build the Barneo Ice Camp on their side of the Arctic, and there will be any number of "last degree" expeditions that launch from that temporary base. Typically, Barneo opens in late March and stays active for about three weeks, granting well-heeled travelers an opportunity to scratch another destination off their bucket lists. I imagine that the camp will only see increased traffic this season with more people funneling through on their way to 90ºN.

While Barneo, and its visitors, will provide some sources of adventure news in the days ahead, it simply won't be the same as following a small team of adventurers as they spend days out on the ice struggling to ski to the North Pole. I'll miss reading daily updates on their progress while cheering them on from afar. I'll miss hearing about their struggles to cover even just a few kilometers in a day, as the weather, surface conditions, and other challenges conspire to make the journey harder than anyone ever imagined. It is an end of an era in the Arctic and in exploration in general, and I'm not sure we'll ever see anyone make this journey again in our lifetime. It is sad to see this come about, but it only makes me respect the explorers who have gone that way before all the more.

So, while we'll dutifully turn our attention to the Himalaya – and rightfully so – that doesn't mean that I won't be lamenting the fact that the North Pole is now out of reach, and that another chapter in the age of exploration has closed for good.

Dutch Adventurer to Ski 1200 Miles Across Canada

Over the past three years, Dutch adventurer Yuri Klaver has been working on an epic project that he calls his Arctic Venture. The idea of this expedition it to travel under his own power from Nome, Alaska to Greenland on foot, skis, and by kayak. When he finishes, he hopes to have covered more than 6000 miles (9656 km), crossing through some of the most remote areas of Alaska and Canada – not to mention the North Atlantic – in the process.

Early next week Yuri will set off on the third stage of that journey – a 1200 mile (1931 km) expedition across Northern Canada on skis. Over the coming months he hopes to travel from Prudhoe Bay in Alaska to Resolute Bay in Canada. He'll start by retrieving his trusty kayak from storage and filling it with supplies. It will serve as his sledge as he pulls it along behind him across the Canadian arctic, with all of his food, fuel, and other gear with him.

According to Yuri, he expects the trip to take approximately 6 months to complete. He hopes to arrive in Resolute sometime in September. In the meantime, he is preparing for the unexpected while traveling above the Arctic circle. He has been training with how to deal with polar bears, poor weather conditions, and fragmenting of the ice. He'll use a large caliber handgun to keep the bears at bay and has developed an alert system to help protect his tent at night. His kayak/sledge will also help him to continue to make progress even when the frozen surface conditions begin to break up, and paddling will be the only option.

Klaver is no stranger to remote expeditions. Back in 2012 he attempted to cross the Bering Sea from Russia to the United States. That journey ended prematurely when he was rescued by Russian border guards a week into the trip. His 2013 phase of Arctic Venture was more successful however, as he paddled for two months along the Bering Sea before going upriver at the Noatak River in the wild and remote Brooks Range of Alaska. Last year he returned to that spot, as he traversed the Brooks Range on skis, and paddled down the Colville River. In 2015, he'll now continue this massive undertaking by pressing on towards Resolute Bay.

On Monday, Yuri will depart from the Netherlands for Alaska where he will organize his gear and travel back to his ending point from last year before hitting the trail in early March. You'll be able to follow his progress on his website where he posts regular updates from his adventures.

Video: The Wild Northern Rockies

Shot in British Columbia, this amazing short film captures the breathtaking landscapes and vistas of that region – and it's numerous national parks – in spectacular fashion. The wonderful scenery has to be seen to be believed, and the exceptional shots of the local wildlife only add to the allure of this video. The Northern Rockies are wild indeed, and that can be easily seen in every shot of this wonderful film. Enjoy!

The Wild Northern Rockies from Marty Mellway on Vimeo.

Đón mùa lễ hội sôi động của thế giới trong tháng 2

Tháng thứ 2 của năm mới chào đón nhiều lễ hội sôi động và hấp dẫn

Lễ hội đèn lồng Mantoro tại Nara, Nhật Bản

Lễ hội đèn lồng tổ chức tại ngôi đền Kasuga Taisha ở Nara, Nhật Bản vào ngày 3 tháng 2 hàng năm. Vào ngày này, khoảng hơn 3000 chiếc đèn lồng sẽ được thắp sáng trong vùng. Ngày lễ xuất hiện khoảng 800 năm trước và được duy trì đến nay. Những chiếc đèn lồng bằng đá được trang trí từ nhiều mảnh giấy, trên đó có ghi điều ước của mọi người. Khi đêm xuống, cả khu đền rực sáng lung linh bởi màu sắc huyền ảo của hàng nghìn chiếc đèn.

Lễ hội hóa trang Rio Carnival

Lễ hội hóa trang tại thành phố xinh đẹp Rio de Janeiro ở Brazil từ lâu đã trở thành một trong những ngày lễ Carnaval lớn và hấp dẫn nhất hành tinh. Ngày lễ thường diễn ra vào tháng 2 hàng năm. Hàng triệu du khách trên thế giới ghé thăm Rio de Janeiro vào dịp này để hòa mình cùng những màn biểu diễn ấn tượng trên đường phố. Nét hấp nhất của buổi lễ là cuộc diễu hành mang tên Samba. Đây là buổi trình diễn ấn tượng với những bộ trang phục hóa trang cầu kỳ, rực rỡ, những đoàn xe diễu hành hoành tráng cùng âm nhạc sôi động khiến du khách hoàn toàn bị chinh phục.

Lễ hội mùa đông lớn nhất thế giới, Quebec, Canada

Lễ hội mùa đông ở Quebec là một trong 4 lễ hội băng tuyết hoành tráng nhất trên thế giới. Ngày lễ được tổ chức thường niên vào dịp đầu tháng 2 trong suốt hơn 50 năm qua. Suốt ngày hội, người Tuyết xuất hiện khắp nơi cùng nhiều công trình băng tuyết được trạm trổ công phu. Bên cạnh đó, du khách được tham dự nhiều cuộc thi hấp dẫn như câu cá trên băng, tắm tuyết, ngồi trên xe chó trượt tuyết…

Lễ hội khỏa thân Hadaka Matsuri, Nhật Bản

Lễ hội khỏa thân là một trong những ngày lễ kỳ lạ nhất của người Nhật, diễn ra vào ngày thứ 7 thứ ba của tháng 2 hàng năm. Người tham dự phải cởi bỏ hết đồ trong cái lạnh “cắt thịt” và mặc “fundoshi” – một loại trang phục màu trắng giống chiếc khố. Sau đó, từng nhóm người dồn vào sảnh lớn tại ngôi chùa ở Okayama để chờ bắt chiếc gậy may mắn có tên shinghi. Ai lấy được gậy sẽ là người gặp nhiều may mắn trong cả năm.

Lễ hội hóa trang Carnaval ở Venice, Ý

Lễ hóa trang truyền thống ở thành phố Venice xinh đẹp nước Ý có từ thế kỷ 15. Đây là lễ hội thường niên diễn vào tháng 2 với nhiều buổi trình diễn âm nhạc, diễu hành và nhiều sự kiện văn hóa với sự tham gia của các nghệ sỹ quốc tế.

Vật dụng quen thuộc nhất của lễ Carnaval nước Ý chính là chiếc mặt nạ Bauta che gương mặt người tham dự. Ngày nay, chúng được trang trí cách điệu hơn nhưng vẫn giữ nguyên nét bản sắc cũ, giúp che dấu gương mặt thật của người đeo. Người tham dự diện những bộ trang phục cầu kỳ của thế kỷ 15, tập trung tại quảng trường St Mark. Mỗi năm, lễ hóa trang ở Venice lại theo một chủ đề khác nhau và luôn là đề tài hấp dẫn du khách.

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Ngắm dòng sông mây Canadian Rockies ở Canada

Dãy núi đá Rocky Mountain (hay còn được gọi là Canadian Rockies) không những là danh lam thắng cảnh nổi tiếng của Canada mà còn là của thế giới. Khó có ngòi bút nào có thể diễn tả được sự hùng vĩ, vẻ đẹp và sự tuyệt vời của nó.

Những khoảnh khắc tuyệt đẹp của biển mây trên dãy Canadian Rockies được ghi lại bằng những thước phim ảnh chân thực.

Nằm ở phía Tây Canada, thuộc bang British Columbia và Alberta, dãy Canadian Rockies được coi là một trong những ngọn núi thách thức nhất đối với các nhà leo núi và cũng là nơi có cảnh quan tuyệt mĩ không nên bỏ qua trong hành trình du lịch.

Núi có một phần phía đông của Cordillera Canada, kéo dài từ đồng bằng trung tâm của Alberta đến rãnh núi Rocky của British Columbia, phía nam biên giới với Idaho và Montana của Mỹ, còn phía bắc là sông Liard. Đỉnh cao nhất của dãy núi là Robson, cao gần 4000m so với mực nước biển. Toàn bộ dãy núi có diện tích 180.000 km2 với hàng triệu ngọn núi đá, sông băng, thác nước, hang động.

Quý khách quan tâm đến tour du lịch đi Canada vui lòng liên hệ: Công ty TNHH TMDV Du Lịch Thanh Niên Mới - 212/29 Nguyễn Thái Bình, P.12, Q.Tân Bình, TP. HCM - Điện thoại: 08.38113238 - Email: hanhnewyouth@gmail.com - Skype: newyouth5