ripleydavenport's Globetrooper News Feed

ripleydavenport Well that all depends on how old you are. There are many factors to decide depending on your age. Why not drop me an email telling me a little about yourself - your age would be a good start - and we can take it from there.

ripleydavenport Vincent, get in contact with Matt Nelson from the Endurance Trust: www.endurancetrust.org. They may be able to help with the funding. Introduce yourself, speak your intentions and who knows...

ripleydavenport Send me an email. If your interested, then I am interested in you.

Kraig Becker I'd love to do an expedition like this one, and I know this will be fantastic. The only thing standing in my way is the considerable time commitment. Otherwise, I'd be signed up, provided Ripley would have me. I am a semi-experienced adventure traveler. I've been to some amazing, remote places, but nothing on the level of this journey. I agree, this is going to be a great trip for a lot of different reasons.

xistinchaos I am seriously contemplating joining the expedition. I have always wanted to visit Mongolia and this seems to be the best way to do it..a really immersive experience. I am in touch with Ripley re. the fitness regime that I can start with to ensure that I am fit in time for the kick off in May. My question also revolve around the list of items to bring, esp desert clothing. I look to this trip to help me realize my true mental and physical potentials.

Todd @Kraig - yes, 60 days is quite a while, especially with a blog like yours. I asked Ripley about Internet access in an earlier comment, but if I found out anything else, I'll let you know. @Xistinchaos - great to hear. I've been training too, up and down Mont Royal, I think I need a wheel chair to get around today. @Ripley - xistinchaos raises a good point about clothing. Any chance we can get that info now to determine total costs? I'm actually hiking in Peru in 4 weeks and need to buy new shoes, so it would be good to kill two birds with one stone. I have big Scarpa boots at home, but suspect their weight will be a burden on such a long trek.

Kraig Becker Internet access is obviously do-able with modern tech, although carrying gear with you to write and reach back to the world is a challenge. In regards to boots, you definitely don't want to skimp. You'll want something to hold up to the grind, and most importantly protect your feet for the long haul, but in the desert environment they'll still need to breathe and be fairly lightweight. That's a tricky bit of kit to come across sometimes.

ripleydavenport Clothing. Having used RailRiders clothing in Mongolia, and they take some beating, I fully recommend RailRiders: www.railriders.com
You need strong, lightweight, breathable clothing but at the same time wind and 100% sunproof. RailRiders are certainly the best in the desert clothing field.

Footwear. Avoid heavy, bulky footwear. You need strong but lightweight. I used standard army desert boots, which worked a treat. Avoid leather upper boots. Go for breathable - Gore-tex - fabric boots. Soft, flexible and good rubber soles. If you have ideas let me know and I will check them over.
You need good footwear. Without good footwear you will suffer in the long run. Take care of your feet and invest wisely.
If I can help in any way - I will.
What am I wearing? Standard light weight army desert boots. Nothing more.

Internet. We will have excellent Internet coverage. In 52 days in Mongolia earlier this year, I never had any problems what-so-ever. I guarantee the coverage is excellent.
We will carry batteries, charged by solar panels, for use for your laptops, netbooks, iPod, MP3, cameras, video gear etc.
Any question...Ask.

Happy to help.

ripleydavenport Take your training easy...Build up slowly. You should be looking a doing a good 30 to 40km a day with small light backpacks (5kg range). The camels will be working for you! I can provide a good training program. Take it easy. No wheelchairs just yet!!!

Todd Sounds like I need new boots. Current ones are leather upper, stiff, gore-tex... more for cold climates. I just found this link (is that what you're talking about Ripley?): http://www.uspatriottactical.com/military-boots-footwear/desert-boots.html. P.S. The hard training is more for Peru. Just found out yesterday we'll be trekking to 4,500m+ in about 4 weeks. But will certainly take it easy for a while after that.

ripleydavenport Type your comment here... to high. You'll spend a good part of the day putting the on and taking them off. Ankle height or just over. Blackhawks, Kyhber, Belleville, Altama kind of thing.

ripleydavenport I sent you the information this morning.

ripleydavenport Hi Mike, I sent the information this morning.

Kraig Becker The new expedition looks amazing Ripley. You sure enjoy Mongolia and the Gobi! :)

Todd Thanks for dropping by Kraig (from http://theadventureblog.blogspot.com/). What are the chances of you joining the Gobi trip too? :) Lauren and I are currently reading through the material, juggling our other commitments, and look forward to having a chat with Ripley for more info.

Kraig Becker I'd love to go! It's going to be amazing I'm sure. 60 days is quite a commitment though. May be tough to for me to swing that.

ripleydavenport Yes, there will be a Doctor coming with us - and he's doing the walk and probably a Ambulance Paramedic from the UK. I was also a Paramedic for 7 years and served as a medic in the British Military. Full evacuation plans are in place but you will need medical insurance. Full details will be sent on that.

ripleydavenport You will be sent a full itinerary and full details on how to prep for such a jounrey. I will always be available to answer questions and we will have a talk - Skype - every week to talk over anything.

Todd Looking forward to hear more Ripley. Will you post the details here when they're ready? Especially interested in break down of costs, etc.

Lauren Wowsers, sounds incredible Ripley! Do you plan on walking the whole way? Or does the Bactrian camel help for a part of it? Can you give a few more details about the cost?

Todd Hi Ripley, sounds great and I'm certainly interested. I'm curious about the potential of blogging in real-time along the way. What's your experience with Internet connectivity in the Gobi? Is it satellite only?

ripleydavenport Type your comment here.. Communication is excellent. And Yes, its by satellite phone charged by solar panels. I just completed a 1012 mile walk in 52 days where I blogged and sent a track in real time every day. This should explain: http://www.mongolia2010.com

ripleydavenport Lauren, Yes walking the whole way. The camels will take the bulk of the load and you will be required to walk and carry your own personal gear in a backpack. Up to 35km a day should be expected. There will be rest days and periods where we will interact will nomadic families and do filming. I am efforting the cost right now and it look as if the project will be funded so cost may be minimal.

Lauren It sounds like a truly epic adventure, really interested in being a part of it. Definitely need to get some training underway, 35kms a day is a quite a bit. What's involved with the selection process? I assume a lot will be based on fitness. And how come you've decided to form a group as your other expeditions have been mainly solo? Sorry for all the Q's, I'm very curious.

ripleydavenport I like questions...
35km a day is quite a bit but certainly doable.
Fitness is a significant part of selection and it is important for each person to ensure they can meet the objectives and not let the other members of the team down.
I am not looking for super athletes or people with years of experience. It’s open to all and no preference will be given.
Selection is based on many aspects with fitness being a small part. I'll arrange an interview and depending on the distance, this maybe a Skype interview.
The purpose of this expedition is to inspire, interact and illustrate and has been in the pipeline for some years with my previous expedition to Mongolia this year being a kind of reconnaissance mission!
Solo always appeals to me but I now intend to encourage individuals to reach beyond their perceived limits, and to use adventure as a medium to inspire, interact and illustrate.
I will still do the odd solo adventure!

Send me your email address to: mail@ripleydavenport.com and I will send out the application form for you to fill in and then we will start the ball rolling forward.

The expedition will have primary sponsors but you are encouraged to find your own sponsors.
The gobi2011 website will launch shortly…I will keep you informed on that.

I've no problem with your curiosity. Curiosity is always a positive attribute!!!