I thrive on adventure. And now that my bushwhacking, desert-crossing 55k is over, I’m on the hunt for something different. You’ve heard me say it before: I want a journey that is really going to push my limits. I want to be uncomfortable. I want to question whether I will be able to finish. As of yet, that has never happened to me. What’s going to be the epic adventure that pushes me over my edge?
Truthfully, I have no idea. I don’t even know what my next adventure will be! We have a few trips planned this summer–backpacking and packrafting, with a light dabble in mountaineering–but nothing crazy. I’m eyeballing the Four Pass Loop as a 27-mile trail run, but that’s more of a microadventure. So what is next?
I’m not huge on current sitcom shows but one reality TV show that I love to watch is Ultimate Survival: Alaska on the National Geographic channel. It’s in its third season–and admittedly becoming cheesy and staged–but I still love the show. Four teams battle through various overland routes in different parts of Alaska, all trying to get to the checkpoints first. They cross glaciers; they summit peaks; they trek through Grizzly country; and they packraft some crazy whitewater. Regardless of how staged each episode becomes, I am thoroughly engrossed in the outdoor awesomeness! Could I hang with these guys?
A PR rep recently contacted me about a similar reality show that will be launching shortly. It’s called 2Survive and consists of six contestants battling across the Mojave Desert. There is a $100,000 prize at the end but it’s split between the contestants who finish the show. {And if you’re into this concept, they’re running a wicked contest to win a trip for two to California plus tickets to the premiere!) Admittedly, I’m nowhere near as adept in the desert as I am the mountains, but the concept of this show piqued my interest. Could I take a solo, multi-day survival situation in the desert?!
Will my next adventure be a reality TV show? Haha, not likely! But I do watch these shows and think about the possibilities. But it still begs the question: where is my next journey?
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Any suggestions for me? Trails, countries, adventures I should take a peek at?
27 Comments
You should look at the Chilkoot Trail 🙂
I just did a quick Google search– that looks awesome! Plus, I love the history behind the trail; so cool!!
Heather,
I’ve transitioned from ultrarunning to adventure racing because I love how it challenges me physically AND mentally. Not only do I have to run, bike, paddle, bashwack, do a Tyrolean traverse and once even some archery, I also have to navigate with a map and compass, which creates a completely engaging experience. Maybe start off with a one day Adventure Race (may I recommend the Teton Ogre? http://www.tetonogrear.com/) … and then there are plenty of opportunities for multi-day adventure races from there. Also, many adventure races are done as a team, which is another really cool twist. Anyway, some food for thought. Seems right up your alley and possibly that challenge that does make you wonder if you’ll finish.
Amy
I think I saw you link to the Teton Ogre last year? You may be onto something– I really like the idea of a team adventure I’ll check some out; thanks for the tip! (Although if the OmniGames are any indication, the archery could be the DEATH of me!)
Adventure racing is awesome – You want to find a place you will likely fail? Barkleys Marathon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-V8x0hQXA4&list=PLZldisheW5-JNKaehVHEcNkt6WJ68UTcf
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/28/sports/the-barkley-marathons-few-know-how-to-enter-fewer-finish.html?_r=0
If you can get in….. can you finish?
I have a friend running Barkleys this year! I”m actually writing about it for Liftopia 🙂
You know I say yes to almost anything!!! I’m spending the next ten days backpacking Kauai, and to challenge myself, I’m only taking a hammock to sleep in :/ Always have to increase the ante 😉
You may be getting an email from me soon! I have an idea but it depends on whether or not I can move the dates of a press trip 🙂
He, he–that show is my family’s favorite (and none of us are fans of Kasha, just sayin’). You could totally handle the reality show format! I don’t have any suggestions but I am really looking forward to hearing what you pick b/c you take some amazing journeys!
You guys don’t like Kasha?! How come?! How beastly is Lil though?!!! She is such a trooper!
Les Stroud is also looking to partner with someone for his survival show…
I saw that!! Not sure I have that TV personality though– I’d be the one that kicks over the camera and sheepishly apologizes while an alligator eats the lens 😉
You should do the SHOW! That would be so cool! I don’t think I could ever take on something so crazy as any adventure like what you’re talking about, but all the more power to you and what ever you decide!
Haha that totally wasn’t what I was thinking but that seems to be a common thought!
You should do the reality show! That would be an amazing and fun experience! And I am loving these photos – they are so pretty!
Thanks! The camels are from Will’s Jordan trip last year, but the other two are mine. The lake is Gates of the Arctic NP in Alaska from last year’s packrafting trip, and the sunrise was in Bali last April.
TAKE ME WITH YOU! Though admittedly I’d probably do way better in the Mojave desert than Alaska…lol
So much sand. And so hot!
Wow! A total adventure of a lifetime! I say you go for the desert crossing! that would be incredible!
Wow, that sounds incredible, you should do it!! Plus, that prize purse is pretty convincing. Is it just me or have PR people and producers been reaching out to you like crazy? I keep getting pinged for all these outdoor shows, I thought it was spam or a scam! I can’t wait to see if you’re going for it, I really whole-heartedly think you’d KILL it!
There have been quite a few lately! I feel like it goes in spurts and ever since that IG Women piece on Backpacker came out, I’ve been bombarded. Maybe that’s where it came from for you too?
WOW! What an incredibly journey. Those are truly the adventures I dream about someday doing….when I do not have to think about my running any more that is 😉 I did a podcast with Chris McDougall today, it will be released in a few weeks, I think you will LOVE it!
I’d love to hear it– will you share when it’s live?
I’m not big into competitive reality TV, but you can bet I’d be into it if you were on it! That would be AMAZING.
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I don’t know where you’ve already been in Alaska, but have you looked at backpacking in Wrangell St. Elias National Park? We did an amazing trip there a couple years ago — the 7 pass route. We got a bush flight from the tiny town of McCarthy to a place called Iceberg Lake and then backpacked from there to Bremner, a deserted mining town way the heck up in the mountains, where we got a bush flight back out. It’s only 35-40 miles, but takes a solid week — steep terrain, glacier crossings, and no trails mean lots of bushwhacking and slow-going. We saw one other couple the whole week, but tons of amazing wildlife. Highly recommended!
Thanks for the tip! Wrangell has been on the list for a bit 😉 We did a packrafting trip in Gates of the Arctic NP two summers ago and it was pretty amazing. We took a bush plane to Bettles and then into the park before packrafting the Alatna for five nights. We wrapped up at a predetermined locationed where the pilot picked us up again. Such a fantastic experience and I would LOVE to return!