Friday, June 13. 2008

Nature and nurture

Last year I met Daron Sheehan and was impressed with the energy with which he was setting up Active Earth. Even in the face of climate change and unsustainable business it is often easier to ignore the facts than act - it takes a visionary to bring people together for real change.

It has been a great privilege and pleasure to host the inaugural Mont Blanc to Mont Cinto. Apart from leading the cycling stage and presenting some of the filming, this was as much of a learning curve for me as everyone else in terms of the Active Earth mission. Congratulations to Jed for his rare talents in facilitating these emotive discussions. As a first event and fairly new organisation, the event was not without its logistical challenges and so well done to all the participants for their teamwork and resolve.

My main concern coming into this was the link between discussion and action. It was reassuring to find that Active Earth very much lives in the real world as opposed to simply intellectual discussion and is already involved in a number of interesting international projects. I can imagine that others will have the same questions and it is important to know that despite a clear mission statement, Active Earth is not a strict movement but rather a proactive forum for discussion and action and is as diverse and interesting as its members.

Thanks again for this opportunity and I look forwards to the next challenge.

Mark

Saturday, June 7. 2008

Almost there….

From Jed Milroy,

The morning of the last day of Mont Blanc to Mont Cinto found the Active Earth crew in somewhat more unusual environs. The flaking paint and psychodelic murals of the Port Asco dormitory left some of the group thinking they were still dreaming.

After a quick breakfast of coffee and croissants we were heading up the trail. The weather looked good with blue skies and cloud capped summits. Spirits were high and plenty of animated discussion was punctuating the stunning ascent. Even as we approached the snow line broad shorts and trainers still seemed appropriate. After a breezy ascent yesterday David had decided to wear trousers today.

This was where the climbing really started scrambling over loose rock and snow towards the daunting ridge line which was mostly shrouded in cloud. Some of the group started to feel the effects of the four hours of climbing and the need for concentration was paramount due to loose scree and boulders.

After a slow climb we reached the ridge and traversed towards the summit. As we gathered the group on the anti-summit, a closeby clap of thunder quickly dampened the europhic atmosphere. Paddy was reminded of the grave warnings of the restauranteer in Asco who had forecast death and doom to anyone climbing Mont Cinto this weekend.

Yves, our resident mountain guide, made the call to turn back just 50m short of the summit. A difficult call but vital in the circumstances.

Meanwhile back in the refuge concern was mounting. Our faithful support crew (Corrie) had taken on the role of calming the local’s panic that we were all doomed…

As Tony’s concern for whether he would see his family again mounted, Ramseyes (Raja’s brother) handed Yves a bible. As we began our descent, some of the hardier Active Earth media types stayed to snatch a brief interview to camera. Mark Beaumont, giddy with the altitude and a little numbed by the cold, found himself once again in an extreme interview situation.

The descent like Yves was beautiful yet slimy. Around 5ish the group arrived safely back to the refuge, which was by now full of concerned locals and hot chocolate.

Once again we were reminded that we must always respect Nature. The real achievement of the day was the team work in taking an international team of committed individuals with mixed skills and abilities from Germany, Lebanon, Australia, South Africa, Switzerland, Scotland, Ireland, Norway, England and France on such a beautiful adventure journey Raising Awareness for Peace and Sustainability.

www.mb2mc.com

Which way did they go!

From Paddy Cave.

About 10 minutes after leaving Panasha, I took a wrong turn. The wrong turn took me over a stunning mountain col and I saw over a hundred dead boar skins decorating a farmer’s fence.

On arrival in Calvi I realised that the slow group that I was trying to catch up must have made up some ground ahead of me so I set off immediately in pursuit, without stopping for food. About 100km later I arrived in Asco where the locals assured me that no cyclists had passed in a week. I realised that the slow group were not ahead of me. So after a cafe au lait and a lengthy warning about climbing mont cinto I made my way up the 15km climb to the gite.

Climbing over 1,000m provided a beautiful transition to Alpine Scenery. Arriving at the gite, spectacular peaks were framed by the clouds.

Meanwhile whilst I was clocking up the miles, the rest of the group took the scenic coastal route to calvi where they enjoyed a 3 course lunch spread over 2 hours ‘which would explain why I did not see them on my pursuit’. After lunch and saying goodbye to perry the group enjoyed a beautiful section of road to Belgodere.

The group was pleased to have clocked up 80 scenic kilometres. David Fox-Pitt had undertaken the whole stretch in his M&S boxer shorts. Alongside David stood Jim Morrissey wearing a pair of budgie smugglers. As David broke into an impromptu Scottish jig, the locals gathered around to witness this unusual spectacle.

A quick look at the map and the watch spread confusion and panic with the realisation that there was still 70km and 1,300m of vertical left to do and it was gone 5 o’clock. Briefly the group motivation faltered and David wondered whether there was sufficient skin remaining on his rear end to last the day.

The group arrived finally at the gite between 10pm and 11.30pm for a welcome meal at the end of another cracking day!

www.mb2mc.com 

Pack up the kayaks

Day 3

Strong winds and high seas kybosh any chance of continuing on kayaks as even the large tourist pleasure cruisers refuse to venture out.

The morning is spent covering some Active Earth theory, looking at the role of adventure in the transformation towards peace and sustainability. Lively discussions follow as the group relate their experiences to the subject matter. After a hearty lunch and plenty of caffine the group splits into three to connect Giroulata to Galeria by non-motorised means.

Group 1 (those who could not participate in the sailing crossing) took to the high seas in Panasha braving ferocious seas and winds to sail through the Scandola Nature Reserve, with Klaus getting excellent action footage as the 47ft catamaran was tossed about like a toy boat sending the kitchen utensils and provisions crashing to the floor.

Group 2 undertook a 2 hour hike and then a 2 hour cycle culminating in a glorious scenic descent into Galeria.

Group 3 took on a 8hr hiking route which passed over a beautiful ridge at around 800m which gave stunning views, completing the 25km plus run and over 1km climb in under 3 hours.

We have amazing photos and footage that will soon make it onto the blog. We have had no opportunity to upload photos since leaving the South of France. Corsica is wild and beautiful and that comes at the price of easy internet access.

Today we are now all undertaking a 100km plus cycle with over 2km of vertical to reach Asco, our base camp for the final stage, the ascent of Mont Cinto.

www.mb2mc.com

Day 2 of the kayaking saw the group setting North East across the golf de Porto amongst a growing swell with the promise of wind at midday.

As the group turned west the westerly wind suddenedly picked up strongly and with it sea conditions. The subsequent push into the rising wind and traverse of Punta Ascoppa and Capo Senino took on epic proportions. The group, with heads down, punched their way across crazed 3 meter clapotis, easily level 5 conditions pushing the group to their limits.

Rounding Capos Senino at a respectful distance from the surge the group finally turned downwind and headed north-east towards the haven of Giroulata, only stopping to retreive Max from an unplanned dip.

Landing on a shingle beach amongst a ring of shoreside cafes, the mood was jubiliant amongst the group as the realisation of the day’s achievement.

Klaus the group’s camera man braved the whole journey sitting in the front cockpit of a double, snatching some sublime footage of the convoy at close quarters negiotating jumbled 3 meter seas.

Jim Morrissey      www.mb2mc.com 

A beautiful coast !

Stepping ashore on the pictoresque quay at our landfall at Cargese, we were met by Vanina our local kayak guide. After a few safety instructions the group slipped away from the harbour and headed out to sea in a colourful mix of single and double kayaks.

Everybody soon got into a smooth rythmn on a steady sea under towering limestone buttresses.

The morning passed at a surprising pace threatened through numerous inlets and towering headlands. In the early afternoon Panasha overtook us and prepared a sumptious lunch which awaited us on sandy shores.

Fully replenished the flotilla pushed on to the next headland and into a series of interconnected sea caves - utterly magical and unforgettable.

The crowing glory of the afternoon was the dunking under a 25m waterfall at the mouth of sea cave 1km off the days end.

Friday, June 6. 2008

Mozzies and dolphins

After 4 hrs sleep/battling mosquitos, everyone was up at 5.30 for a 16 hour crossing to Corsica. Unfortunately only 12 could sail on the catamaran, the rest left for the ferry crossing to meet us 24hrs later.

We set off under sail passing in between the scenic isles of Porquerolles and Port Cros. Everyone enjoyed resting some wearing legs after the gruelling cycle stage.

The highlight on this beautiful crossing was being joined by jumping dolphins at the bow and an incredible sunset over dinner.

Daron and I took the late shift until 4am to help our skipper Laurence into port.

We went back to bed for a few hours sleep before rising to commence the kayak stage.

Tuesday 3rd June - bit of a wind but kyaking went well and enjoying the beautiful coast.

Wednesday 4th June - grade 5 kayaking with the wind and swell - pretty tough for beginners! Mark was in a double kyak with physio Fi Lindsay who has kyaking experience. They made it to Girolata Bay which has no road access but a couple of restaurants within walking distance. The catamaran Panasha anchored for sleep on board.

A rough night with the wind getting up some more and rain in the morning. Knowing the forecast was poor, the plan was to go ashore and have an Active Earth meeting etc. However, with the forecast also poor for tomorrow (Friday), prohibiting the last stretch of kayaking, after a short meeting it was decided to walk one and a half hours to the van-the nearest road to the bay, then cycle 27km to the next bay where the road comes down to the coast at Galeria.

But, just to make the day more interesting Daron and Mark decided to run/scramble over the 750m top from Girolata to Galeria. It took them 3 hours to cover the 25km mountain run which was more like 1000m by the time you took in all the rises on the way to the long ridge. The ridge was in the clouds and the sneak views of the coast through the clouds were incredible. The run down got them to Galeria at 8pm pretty shattered but fine. A swim in the sea, pasta supper, massage and sleep before the 100k cycle tomorrow to the Gite near Mont Cinto - the final challenge on Saturday!

Fingers crossed for perfect weather and best of luck everyone!!

Monday, June 2. 2008

Ahoy matey’s, Anchors Away…

After 4 days of frantic pedalling we are hoisting the sails on panasha and making our way over to corsica for the final legs of the mont blanc to mont cinto trip. We have covered already over 700km by bike and foot. We could not summit mont blanc due to impossible weather conditions so we went around it by bike and on foot.

Now we are looking forward to the crossing and the sea kayak leg. We hope to keep the blog upto date, but this will be a challenge due to the wild nature of corsica and the route.

We have had an amazing group of people and we have been introducing them to the planned foundation projects and to the ideas behind Active Earth, that is Peace and Sustainability. We have received amazing support and feedback. We have hours of great footage and we look forward to be able to share this with you through the dvd promoting the foundation.

We have 160km of open ocean left and 150km of coastline to kayak, led by Jim Morrissey. Max and Mark are also all here and this is great, good things are happening and will come out of this trip…..

With the weather improving we may make our way back to Mont Blanc to attempt the summit on skis at the end of the trip. Conditions are still treacherous and sadly a young man was just killed by an avalanche whilst trying to summit. Everyone is in high spirits. Now we must rest as well.

A bientot.

Daron www.mb2mc.com

Last spoke to Mark this morning when they had set sail - engine was turned off and sails were up. Everyone was happy not to be getting on the bikes and enjoy the crossing. Mark was off to catch up on some sleep having only had four hours last night.

News later - 03.24.  Just finished night sail and anchored off Corsica.  Off for a few hours sleep.  Great crossing in 15 hours. - tracker battery ran out in middle of Med!

Sunday, June 1. 2008

THE CYCLING LEG - A POTTED SUMMARY

The cycling leg has been absolutely incredible and has exceeded everbody’s expectations on many levels. I have been guilty of under-estimating the amount of climbing significantly, ignoring the minor aclivities that all add up and changing the route. It has all turned out for the best and I have just about kept the group together and sane. There were two close moments today though. Firstly after a tougher than planned morning taking the scenic route around the Gorges de Verdon, which tripled the planned distance, we headed into a head wind and at 2pm with no lunch stop the group realised we had 100km to go. I sensed a near mutiny moment, but happily after a few more km’s heading into the wind we were descending and then heading west, munching tarmac greedily. Then about 7pm after 11 hours in the saddle and no end in sight, Richard and Karen are gibbering and laughing uncontrollably. Fortunately the final hour to the coast is a fast blast cruising in at around 50kmph despite a fierce headwind.

Our accomodation also exceeded expectations with each night spent in an idylic gite where we spent quality time eating and relaxing with Juliet supplying incredible food, Fiona incredible massage and Jed incredible music. 3 pairs of magic hands looking after us, all of which helped us get through this tough challenge. The final stats are:
DAY 1 - Chamonix to Pinet (near Grenoble) - 103 MILES (165km), vertical 2,450m.
DAY 2 - Pinet to Col de Manse (near Gap) - 80 MILES (128km) vertical 2,600m
DAY 3 - Col de Manse to Castellane - 100 Miles (160km), vertical 2,265m
DAY 4 - Castellane to Hyeres, via Gorges de Verdon - 111 miles (177km) vertical 2,000m.

Total - 394 miles (630km) total ascent of 9,315m (more than climbing Mt Everest from Sea Level)

The feedback from all participants was that it was an exceptional and incredibly tough but rewarding challenge. For me the last 2 days of the route exceeded all possible expectations, the sweeping bends tracking the verdon river, passing through tunnels and under rock arches can only be described as Fantasy Cycling, more reminscent of a video game than reality! As I looked at everyone’s faces it was clear that they were all thinking the same

Daron wwwmb2mc.com

Mark’s tracker ran out of battery after more than twelve hours on the go yesterday!

Well done everyone - incredible effort and success…..