E.O.F.T. Magazine 17/18

NO. 05

CHOICES PROFILE: CLIMBER AND BASE JUMPER STEPH DAVIS

2 EUR | 2 GBP | 2.50 SFr

INTO TWIN GALAXIES GREENLAND EXPEDITION VIA KITE & KAYAK

DUG OUT 2 MEN IN ONE BOAT: CANOEING THE AMAZON

LA CONGENIALITÀ SIMONE MORO AND TAMARA LUNGER AT KANGCHENJUNGA

CONTENTS

E.O.F.T. 17/18 THIS IS REAL

Cover photo: Simone Moro by Dieter Deventer for E.O.F.T.; photos p. 3: from the top left to the bottom right: Ale d’Emilia, Scott Rogers, Benjamin Sadd, Fabian Bodet, Erik Boomer, Follow the Fraser

The European Outdoor Film Tour is Europe’s biggest film festival for outdoor sports and adventure documentaries. With this new programme our tour brings fantastic adventures back to the big sceen—into the Ecuadorian jungle, across the Greenland ice sheet and to the top of the Himalayas. In this magazine, you’ll find interviews with E.O.F.T. protagonists, background stories of the films, and articles by our partners. We're happy to share these adventures with you and hope you enjoy the read! Yours always, the E.O.F.T. Team

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LA CONGENIALITÀ An attitude of gratitude: Simone Moro and Tamara Lunger join forces at the Kangchenjunga

DUG OUT James Trundle and Benjamin Sadd paddle the Amazon in their self-made dugout canoe

INTO TWIN GALAXIES Three adventurers search for a mysterious river on the west coast of Greenland

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17 CLEAN SOLUTION Out and about with the Kärcher Mobile Outdoor Cleaner

CHOICES Climber & BASE jumper Steph Davis and the choices that set her apart

29 GET OUT THERE! Win a weekend with the Wide Boyz and make adventurous memories 32 RÉUNION ISLAND A paradise for outdoor sports enthusiasts and one of nature’s gems

ICE CALL Freeskier Sam Favret takes us along on a wild ride through the Mer de Glace

38 I N T. OC E A N FILM TOUR A glimpse into past programmes and the next tour 40 CLEVERLY EQUIPPED Check out the new PRO TREK Smart watch by Casio

FOLLOW THE FRASER Mountain biking Canada’s gold rush terrain along the Fraser River

IMPRINT The European Outdoor Film Tour is a partnership between Mammut Sports Group, W.L. Gore & Associates GmbH, and Moving Adventures Media GmbH | Editors: Paula Flach, Daniela Schmitt, Veronika Wasza, Lissa Cook, Mardee Saxton | Art Director: Birthe Steinbeck | Layout: Claudia Wolff | V.i.S.d.P. Daniela Schmitt | © 2017 | Moving Adventures Medien GmbH, 80337 Munich, Germany

All details at WWW.EOFT.EU

European Outdoor Film Tour 17/18

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LA CONGENIALITÀ

FRIENDSHIP ABOVE 8,000 m

LA CONGENIALITĂ€

Clear blue skies at the Kangchenjunga massive: Morale is high when Tamara Lunger and Simone Moro start their ascent.

Simone Moro and Tamara Lunger want to set a new milestone in alpinism by traversing the Kangchenjunga massive. But the dream team encounters unforeseen problems, revealing new aspects of their partner’s personality.

All details at WWW.EOFT.EU

European Outdoor Film Tour 17/18

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LA CONGENIALITÀ

Simone Moro doesn’t like to be described as a hero.

“I was just lucky,” he says. As a child, Moro knew he wanted to become a mountaineer. A picture of the legendary South Tyrolean explorer Reinhold Messner hung in his childhood bedroom and he’s still a role model to this day. Like Messner, Moro has succeeded in further developing alpinism and gaining prominence in one particular area. Messner was the first to conquer all 14 eight-thousanders without oxygen; Moro’s specialty is winter climbing. “If you climb a mountain in winter, it looks just like it did 50, 100, or even 1000 years ago. There’s no one but you; there’s only „I always try to the deeply authentic relationinterpret fear. If ship between man and nait is just an excuse ture.” Climbing in winter is for being tired therefore not just an alpine I keep going“ challenge but also an attempt to recapture this spirit of Simone Moro adventure. For professional alpinists like Moro, this experience is increasingly threatened by the encroaching commercialization of mountain tourism, especially on the most famous Himalayan peaks. Despite this, Moro continues to pursue his passion, withstanding the biting cold, as well as repeated failure. For over half of his 55 expeditions, 15 of them in winter, he did not accomplish his intended goal. However, he is the only mountaineer to make the first winter ascent of four of the eight-thousanders: Shishapangma (2005), Makalu (2009), Gasherbrum II (2011), and most recently Nanga Parbat (2016), where his climbing partner, Tamara Lunger, abandoned the climb just below the summit.

Moro and Lunger are unequaled in the climbing world—with big goals and an age difference of 18 years.

“I haven’t had a lot different climbing partners,” says Moro. “I climbed with Anatoli Bukrejew in the late 90s, with Denis Urubko in early 2000, and now with Tamara.”

Lunger is the first woman to form a team with Moro.

She is also the first to share his dream of conquering the Kangchenjunga traverse, the longest and most complicated ascent on the planet. Moro also considers the project a meaningful way to commemorate his friend Anatoli Bukreyev, who was killed in an avalanche 20 years ago during an expedition to Annapurna. It’s the most devastating loss in his alpine life thus far. When Moro first tried to climb the Kangchenjunga in 1995, he was the youngest on the team; today he’s the oldest.

He doesn’t like to be reminded that he’ll celebrate his

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50th birthday in October, after the expedition. “Then I’ll officially be an old climber,” he admits.

The two faces of Kangchenjunga: After a stormy start with an airborne tent, the mountain shows its friendly face. It’s a respite that won’t last long.

For Moro, the fact that his teammate is a woman plays a very minor role. He appreciates Lunger, not just because of her ability to perform and her capacity to suffer, but also because of her undying enthusiasm. He wouldn’t want to do without it on the mountain; however, he also knows that, “You must be able to manage this enthusiasm. If it were up to her, we’d arrive at basecamp and then immediately head to camp 4.” Although the elder statesman has to check his young and wild companion a bit at times, it works for him. “It’s much better to hold someone back than to constantly have to push them.”

Moro and Lunger met in 2005 at her high school graduation ceremony. Moro’s wife, Barbara, was Lunger’s phys ed teacher. “Tamara came up to me,” he remembers, “and asked, ‘Simone, will you take me to the Himalayas?’

And I said, ‘Yes, I will.’ Even though she was very young, I realized she was serious, and from that moment on she was on the waiting list, so to speak.”

September 2009 brought their first joint expedition to Cho Uyo, but because China closed the borders that

Kangchenjunga Mount Everest Kathmandu NEPAL

BHUTAN

INDIA BANGLADESH

KANGCHENJUNGA The Kangchenjunga traverse is a geographically high goal, as well as a special class of alpine challenge. At 8,586 meters, it’s the third-highest mountain in the world and the only 8,000-meter peak that has three more peaks, two of which are also above 8,000 meters. This is what makes the Kangchenjunga traverse the highest on the planet. Simone Moro and Tamara Lunger planned to climb the western summit of the mountain via a new route and then finish the 5.5-kilometer-long crossing in alpine style. They wanted to spend three days above 8,000 meters, but you know what they say about the best-laid plans …

All details at WWW.EOFT.EU

LA CONGENIALITÀ

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European Outdoor Film Tour 17/18

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LA CONGENIALITÀ

“Over the last eight years, we’ve been something of a revolution in the alpinist community.”

Simone Moro

Simone Moro and Tamara Lunger couldn’t be more different, but it has served them well as a team.

Simone Moro

NAME

Tamara Lunger

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AGE

30

Father, climbing partner, best friend, teacher, grandfather (depending on what’s needed)

HOW THEY SEE THEIR ROLE ON THE TEAM

Sister

Tamara’s enthusiasm

WHAT THEY APPRECIATE ABOUT EACH OTHER

Simone’s positive attitude

The respect she had for me when she was younger

WHAT THEY THINK THEIR PARTNER IS LACKING

The ability to let go and just chill

A healthy level of stress

WHAT THEY NEED

Rest

Problems and sad people

WHAT THEY DISLIKE

year and no one was allowed to enter Tibet, Lunger had no chance to reach the summit.

Nevertheless, one of her longawaited dreams had come true. In subsequent years, she undertook expeditions with various climbing partners, including Khan Tengri (2011), Peak Lenin (2013), and the K2 (2014). In 2015, she accompanied Moro in his attempt to climb the Manaslu in winter, but this proved impossible due to constant snowfall. On their next winter expedition—to Nanga Parbat—Moro reached the top, but Lunger had to turn around. On the descent, Lunger lost her balance jumping across a crevasse. She slid 200 meters toward the abyss until she was able to stop herself in some loose snow. Luckily, she sustained only minor injuries from the incident and fully recovered.

The Kangchenjunga traverse offers new challenges for the experienced team. For the first time in his long career, Moro not only struggles with the altitude, cold, and wind, but mostly against his own body. The fact that her mentor shows his limitations in her presence is new to her, but it also presents an opportunity for her to give something back for all the years she drew from his experience. She’s completed her apprenticeship. A new chapter begins.

WHAT THEY SHARE Motivation, positive energy, a sense of humor, the ability to suffer, and a fascination for flying helicopters— they each have a pilot’s license (and he trained her)

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POPCORN These two alpinists know how to make the most of life, even at base camp.

All details at WWW.EOFT.EU

Photos p. 4 - 8: © Ale d’Emilia

Spending the day in a big city

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INTERPRESS 5078-02

RETURUKE 20

INTERPRESS 5078-02

RETURUKE 20

FOLGEFONNA Padling under isbreen | DENALI NA L LII TESTET 8 lette isolasjonsjakker | TURMAT Stubbebål

FOLGEFONNA Padling under isbreen | DENALI TESTET 8 lette isolasjonsjakker | TURMAT Stubbebål

DUG OUT

TWO MEN ONE BOAT

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All details at WWW.EOFT.EU

DUG OUT

On their journey into the heart of the Ecuadorian jungle Benjamin Sadd and James Trundle discover adventure in its purest form, only to find out they can’t escape civilization— not even in a handmade dugout canoe.

All details at WWW.EOFT.EU

European Outdoor Film Tour 17/18

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DUG OUT

Benjamin Sadd and James Trundle wanted to experience a unique holiday. The two British mates have traveled to the Ecuadorian jungle to fell a tree, carve a dugout canoe, and set off downstream through the Amazon.

They will spend two months with their host Bai Nenquiwi and his family, sharing daily life with indigenous tribe members and working on their boat under Bai’s guidance. Sounds like adventure in its purest form—for breakfast, banana water instead of porridge; in the “I’m not thinking about about what I’m doing any- evening, fried monkey instead of reconstituted pasta more. Just thinking about sauce; and instead of Engthe pain in my hands.” lish tea, it’s homemade chicha of course, a tradiJames Trundle tional fermented corn beer from the Andes, dating back to the ancient Incan Empire.

This world is where Ben and James come from. A world they want to escape via their jungle journey by getting back to basics— craftsmanship instead of ECUADOR technology—except for the omnipresent video camera.

Ecuador is the most biodiverse So, every day, they work country on earth. Since the laboriously on their dugout, discovery of oil fields, this fertile land of native fauna and flora ignoring the blisters and has come under threat. back pain, and watching with amazement at the skill and proficiency Bai has using his primitive tools. While they have to pause every three hours and take advantage of the almost daily rainfall to rest, Bai keeps going, always finding another task that has to be done. And although the two Brits have come to the Amazon for more than just a photo op, the differences between cultures could not be vaster. Exchanging contemporary behaviors for that of the tribesman is not easy, but it is necessary. The only question is whether it happens by will or by force.

Bai cuts a notch in the bark with a machete. Up to this mark—the upper third of the massive trunk—must be completely removed. The rest of the trunk will become the dugout canoe. This type of boat has been around for over 8,000 years, and although it’s actually a very simple construction—just a hollowed-out tree trunk—today, only a few people in the Amazon know how to build a it. Bai Nenquiwi is one of those people.

The outside world is moving closer and closer to Apaika via newly built roads, bringing medical care and training opportunities, but also the interest of big corporations. Bai finds it difficult to weigh the monetary value of an object. He sees himself as a hunter-gatherer, but his spears and blowguns are no longer contemporary. He knows the names of all the plants and animals that surround his home and tries to pass this knowledge on to his grandchildren. The biodiversity of this ecosystem is so extensive that the scientists still cannot fully grasp it. And yet what is underneath the forest floor is of even greater economic importance— hundreds of millions of barrels of oil.

The Huaorani man has lived his entire life in Apaika, a small village hidden in the farthest corner of the rainforest that Google Maps can’t even find. But even this remote area is not immune to globalization. When Bai looks at the smooth carbon steel of the modern-day axe in his hand, he’s reminded of his grandfather’s stone axe. Bai essentially grew up in the Stone Age and has been catapulted into the industrial and information age within a very short time.

BAI’S NECK OF THE WOODS ECUADOR

Río

Nap

Río Río Yasuni

Apaika

Tip

o

utin

i

Rocafuerte Huaorani Reservation

Río Shiripuno PERU Zona Intangible

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The small village of Apaika, where James and Ben built their dugout canoe, lies in the Huaorani Reservation near the Río Shiripuno. They gave up their original plan to follow this river all the way to the Peruvian border because they would have to pass the “zona intangible” unaccompanied.

Instead they brought the canoe up north to the Río Tiputini and paddled this small and meandering river from its headwaters into the Río Napo andfrom there on to the town of Rocafuerte, where they sold their dugout canoe.

All details at WWW.EOFT.EU

DUG OUT

Bai Nenquiwi learned the art of making a dugout canoe from his grandfather. Until the boat is finished and can be launched on water, four weeks of hard physical labor is needed—and a simple set of tools.

All details at WWW.EOFT.EU

European Outdoor Film Tour 17/18

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DUG OUT

INTERVIEW 2 MONTHS IN THE JUNGLE Ben Sadd and James Trundle on their friendship, the trip, and their willingness to try new things.

How did you get to know Bai and his family?

James: There is gentleman named Javier in an ecolodge two days upstream from where we built our canoe. He made the original connection and put us in touch with Bai. Would you have gone on this trip with someone else?

Ben: I think my friendship with James over the last 10 years has really been mainly one of those defining friendships in your life. We’ve done so much stuff together. We went ice climbing for the

BENJAMIN SADD AND JAMES TRUNDLE have been friends for more than 10 years and have gone on crazy trips before. Ben is a photographer and an environmentalist with a passion for adventure. His projects have taken him all over world. James is an artist working with natural materials in his installations.

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first time together and we did everything wrong.

And we got stuck out on the mountain for the night, people had mountain rescue on standby waiting for us. The willingness to get involved and try things that are new and different is one of the reasons that I just said yes instantly to doing a trip like this, with someone like James.

Did the trip live up to your expectations?

James: I wanted to be tested a bit more. I just wanted someone who could possibly break me, just so I could know what it feels like. We came up with a great trip and it’s been really enjoyable. But maybe it wasn’t long enough. I don’t feel we got that challenge.

What’s your opinion about how the Huaorani deal with modern times?

Ben: They’re so proud of their culture and they want to keep it, but then the temptations of Western culture are just too much. But it’s also really difficult to distinguish between what is Huaorani and what is Western. I think they’re just going to merge into one thing eventually. I don’t feel like I really understand fully all the issues that surround it. There’s so much pressure to modernise and then there’s so much pressure to stay the same because that’s become a source of income through ecotourism.

What do you think about the word “adventure”?

James: I wouldn’t say this is an adventure. It’s a great journey and a great learning experience.

Somehow it feels a bit like craft camp. But it’s still very much in our control and our lives aren’t at risk. We’re not pushing any boundaries.

“Too much gear, Adventure is all too little knowledge, of those things. too naive, perfect I think we’re ingredients for a just travelling at great journey.” the extremes of holiday.

James Trundle

All details at WWW.EOFT.EU

A life between tradition and progress: Three generations of the Nenquiwi family.

The discovery of oil brought with it inevitable changes. In 1937, Shell Oil Company tried to start oil production in Ecuador, but after a bloody conflict with Huaorani warriors, the company withdrew. The Huaorani still have their warlike reputation, especially the two tribes who migrated to a protected area inside Yasuni National Park, the so-called “Intangible Zone” established by the Ecuadorian government in 1999. Outsiders are not welcome here. Anyone who enters the zone without an explicit invitation is likely to suddenly come face-to-face with a hostile warrior. As part of their route, Ben and James are aware that they must avoid entering this zone.

Photos p. 10 - 15: © Benjamin Sadd

Bai and his family profit from foreign visitors who buy their handmade arrows and blowguns. Most show up just for the day and then disappear again. The Huaorani like to play up their fierce reputation for the tourists, partly because it’s what people expect from them, but Ben and James look beyond this pretense and see that the Huaorani are not running around naked all day, that the children love to play with plastic toys, and that these families face domestic challenges similar to families all over the world, like broken generators.

Although it’s still possible to journey into the rainforest and build a dugout canoe, an untouched paradise where time has stood still can no longer be found. The indigenous people are forced to navigate in a world with new opportunities and increased demands without forsaking their roots. It is a challenge and perhaps an even bigger adventure.

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European Outdoor Film Tour 17/18

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INTO TWIN GALAXIES

FROM THE CENTER

An expedition into the unknown: The team traverses the Greenland ice sheet in search of a river they’ve only seen on old satellite imagery.

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A RIVER FLOWS FORTH, HOPEFULLY All details at WWW.EOFT.EU

INTO TWIN GALAXIES

The three adventurers are on their way: For almost 1,000 kilometres they must tow their kayaks until they can ďŹ nally start paddling.

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INTO TWIN GALAXIES

Snowkites, skis, and kayaks as transport, 1,000 kilometers of glacial ice as the backdrop, and the goal—a river no one’s ever seen, let alone navigated. These are the ingredients for Ben Stookesberry, Sarah McNair-Landry, and Erik Boomer’s latest adventure. In their first joint expedition, this trio wants to cross the expansive Greenland Ice Cap to reach the “Twin Galaxies”—a river system fed by the glacier’s melting water in the Arctic Ocean’s Baffin Bay. The fact that they’ve only had a mere glimpse of the supposed flow from satellite images turns out to be the least of their problems. En route, many challenges await the team that no one could have predicted.

The Protagonists If you were to assign a name to the concept of adventure, you’d be spot on with the name Sarah McNair-Landry. Having grown up on Baffin Island with two polar guides as parents and sled dogs as playmates, the 31-year-old Canadian was the youngest person to reach both the South and North Pole on her own. Sarah has crossed the Greenland ice sheets several times with dogsleds or snowkites. Cold, snow, and ice could accurately be called her natural habitat.

By Sarah’s side are her friends Erik Boomer (32), and Ben Stookesberry (39), both professional kayakers.

During his career, Ben has already achieved more than 70 first descents in 15 countries. Whether in Colorado or the Himalayas, rapids and waterfalls are Ben’s elements. The same is true for Boomer. This American has made a name for himself by running the biggest drops that no one else would dare. Since Sarah entered his life, the two have been on various adventure trips all around the world Ben has been a friend of Boomer’s for years and the two share a passion for— you guessed it—paddling.

ERIK BOOMER comes from Idaho and started kayaking at a young age. He’s known for his appetite for intimidating waterfalls and big white water.

As an avid photographer he also documents his travels himself.

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“Ben and I got to know each other just before the Baffin Island expedition. We already knew we wanted to do something together but didn’t know what. We weren’t sure how we would work together as a team, but it was a good fit.

Boomer was cool about everything and it was the same for me.”

Sarah McNair-Landry

The Mission kite + kayak. The combination of these two totally different disciplines is what makes Sarah, Ben, and Boomer’s project stand out. 1,000 kilometers and an estimated 45 days from the eastern to the western side of Greenland lie in front them, and, in between, an endless landscape of snow and ice. They’ll cover most of the route using skis and snowkites, and then kayak down the glacier’s meltwater channel.

They’ll do so under their own power, with pulks (transport sleds) in tow, and without additional supplies flown in. At least, that’s the plan. The trio doesn’t actually know what to expect. All they know about this supposed river is what they’ve seen via Google Earth, and, SARAH MCNAIR-LANDRY although they’ve timed grew up on the Canadian the expedition according Baffin Island in Iqaluit to the water levels most (Nunavut). Feeling right at home in sub zero conditions, conducive for navigating her big passion is snowkiting. the river, it’s not the best She’s the youngest woman time to cross the ice to have reached both the sheet.

South and the North poles.

“This trip is unique because it’s a necessary combination between two totally different disciplines— between the kite skiing and the kayaking.”

Ben Stookesberry The Bumpy Start The first few days are frustrating and exhausting. The team can only manage a few kilometers per day—slogging through deep crevasses and endless zigzags where the pulks and kayaks are constantly getting stuck—before finally reaching the long-awaited snow line. The blanket of snow stretching before for them pumps new life into the three adventurers, who are stoked to click into their skis and use their snowkites. The sky is blue and the wind is at their backs. But then Sarah suddenly gets caught up in a gust of wind. Her safety leash gets stuck, the kite pulls her over ten meters into the air, and she lands headfirst and at full speed onto the hard-packed snow. She slips into unconsciousness for several minutes. Sarah, who usually takes the lead on the ice as the polar expert, can hardly move. What is the extent of her injuries?

Should the three abandon the expedition and call a rescue helicopter? It’s day 7 of 45 and they’ve only gone 12 of the 1,000 kilometers ... The accident forces the team to change their roles. Ben and Boomer must All details at WWW.EOFT.EU

INTO TWIN GALAXIES

The ďŹ rst kilometers of the trip are some of the hardest as the team has to pull their gear across crevasses.

Everything gets easier from the moment they reach the ďŹ rn line and unpack their kites.

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European Outdoor Film Tour 17/18

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INTO TWIN GALAXIES

take charge in unfamiliar terrain. Despite the pain, Sarah decides to go forward with the expedition. As she will later learn when she gets home, she actually did break a vertebra upon impact.

“Sarah’s accident was a difficult experience for us all and forced Ben and me to really think. We had fully relied on Sarah to lead us over the ice sheet.

Now it was up to us to take action.” Erik Boomer The Emotional Roller Coaster Sarah’s accident was by no means the only challenge. In fact, even the sheer forces of nature threaten the team’s success. They’re able to make good time on days with favorable wind conditions, but other days are dead calm, followed by relentless storms. And, of course, there are the unanswered questions about the alleged river. Does it even exist? If so, does it flow or not? The blue patches appearing in the Google Earth images, which the three had classified as either lakes or rivers, turn out to be nothing but bare ice. So instead of paddling, the three are confronted with a landscape of snow bridges that are very difficult to cross. Because of the precariousness and instability of these bridges, the trio’s strategy is to go underneath instead of up and over.

“The thing with snow bridges is that once you’re on the bridge, there’s no out. You could go under them 100 times and nothing bad will happen. But that one time that something bad happens, it will be really bad.” Sarah McNair-Landry

Three places—one journey. On the ice sheet, the team finally reaches the river, but they have to keep pulling their kayaks until they reach the bigger sections.

Big water and big skies are the reward for their tour de force across Greenland.

“There is no river. We came to kayak a river, but there is no river. I am just wasted. Wasted and tired.”

Ben Stookesberry The Reward Fortunately, the bitter disappointment is closely followed by pure enjoyment. The current gains strength and volume, allowing the team to paddle instead of carrying the kayaks. And after suffering many hardships over the past few weeks, the kayakers are rewarded with roaring waterfalls and technical rapids, the likes of which no one’s ever seen before, all 22

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the while surrounded by surreal and endless expanses of breathtaking scenery. Boomer paddles to his crowning achievement, running what might be the most spectacular waterfall of his career. The group then paddles on, hoping for a leisurely run into the polar sea.

“The moment you finally put the kayaks into the water and realize that the plan is a go, is simply indescribable.” Erik Boomer All details at WWW.EOFT.EU

Photos p. 18 - 23: © Erik Boomer

But even as they leave the ice sheet behind and feel solid ground under their feet again, there’s no happy ending in sight. The first river branch that Ben, Sarah, and Boomer set their kayaks on ends in a lake that has no outlet. And, when they finally find the right one, the one that’s supposed to take them to the Arctic Ocean, it is no more than a stream, too small to navigate. A serious blow to the team’s morale.

INTO TWIN GALAXIES

The Final Days Lessons Learned:

7/8 Drop off at glacier

1. It ain’t over ’til it’s over.

The team’s toughest day of the entire expedition was the last day. Temperatures that hovered near –15 degrees and relentless snowfall nearly brought Sarah, Ben, and Boomer to their knees, just as the Arctic Ocean appears on the horizon.

2. It can actually be too cold to paddle.

The three adventurers have to work together to free the frozen and rock-solid spray skirts from their kayaks.

Even the two hardcore kayakers Ben and Boomer have to admit that in such icy conditions, it’s just not possible to paddle.

8 – 16/8 Crevasse section GREENLAND

Baffin Bay

Twin Galaxies West coast

17 – 31/8 Kite ski section 1000 km

CANADA Kulusuk East coast

ICELAND

THE ROUTE

3. The harder the expedition, the more rewarding the finish.

At some point, even the most dedicated adventurers are happy when a tough journey ends, and a pictureperfect sunset behind a chain of snowy mountain peaks helps ease the pain.

About 1,000 kilometers across the Greenland ice sheet lie between the East coast of the island and the presumed confluence of Twin Galaxies.

A daunting task, even with snowkites and kayaks.

1 – 8/9 Descent through an ice canyon 9 – 21/9 Paddling section

Timeline Production © 2014 adidas AG. Michal Sabovcký - Lomnický štít

21/9 Pick up

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LIFESTYLE I SPORT ADVENTURE I TRAVEL

CHOICES

TO HOLD ON AND TO LET GO Steph Davis has dedicated the last 20 years to a life of climbing and BASE jumping. The sport has given her a lifetime of adventure, which has also taken its toll. But Steph has no regrets.

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All details at WWW.EOFT.EU

CHOICES

Crack climbing has been one of Steph’s favourite disciplines for years.

Like on this route in Indian Creek close to her hometown of Moab (Utah).

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CHOICES

Gut or head, heart or brain? Not every decision we make is based on rational thought. The American BASE jumper and climber Steph Davis is a perfect example, particularly when she is standing on a steep rock face, looking into the abyss. On her back is a parachute; on her face, total focus. She takes a short run and jumps, then free-falls. It’s an unbearably long time before she finally pulls the cord of her parachute and gently alights on the ground with a beaming smile. She does this three times a week—or more. On other days, she’ll make four wingsuit flights before lunchtime. Or she’ll jump out of a small prop plane, several thousand meters above the desert DEFINITION OF DIRTBAG ACCORDING TO URBAN landscape around Moab, DICTIONARY the place she’s called home for almost 20 years.

A person who is committed to a given (usually extreme) lifestyle to the point of abandoning employment and other societal norms in order to pursue said lifestyle. Dirtbags are seeking to spend all of their moments pursuing their lifestyle.

Jumping off a cliff or out of a plane contradicts our every instinct.

Our body knows—falling is dangerous. In this moment, all the warning signals in our body start firing and unanimously scream, “Retreat!” But Steph Davis keeps jumping. She doesn’t let her anxiety take control. “The problem with humans is that our brains are irrational,” she says. “A fear heights is fundamental, but you can be rational about it and say to yourself, ‘If I’m hanging here on the side of a cliff clipped on with gear, that’s fine.’ Or, ‘If I’m jumping off and I have a parachute system that I know how to use it, that’s fine, too.’” So, what’s the answer—trust your brain or trust your instinct? In the end, taking that decisive leap can be infinitely rewarding—an incomparable feeling that can’t be described if you haven’t experienced it yourself.

For most of her young life, even Steph Davis was unaware of this feeling. She grew up in a typical American middle-class family. She began piano lessons at the age of three, studied hard in school, and

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A perfect backyard for climbers—in Indian Creek, Steph has found some of her favourite climbing spots and BASE jumping exits. The red rock formations offer a plethora of routes in the midst of stunning scenery.

devoured one book after another with dedication. But she was completely unacquainted with the existence of outdoor sport. “I’ve always been a good student,” she said, recalling her time at university. “My parents’ expectation was that I would continue with school and get a PhD or go to law school. I thought so, too.” That was before she discovered climbing—a new sport, a new world, and a new way of life. For this she put her studies, and, for the first time, the prospect of a well-paid job in a law firm on hold. It was a huge step for the then twentyyear-old at the time. “Really scary. I had no plan. I just knew I wanted to be a climber.” Steph Davis made her first major life decision. And, as a rational thinking person, she herself was quite surprised by it. She had managed to free herself from others’ expectations and to radically redefine “I think, it’s a part of her own long-held beliefs loss that you become about how the rest of her very grateful about life should play out.

everything. You’re just Every intuitive decision more aware of how inherently holds a certain good things are. When degree of uncertainty. We they are good.” can’t explain exactly what Steph Davis prompts us to do this or that. And although the proverbial gut feeling has been rediscovered in Western society in recent years, intuitive decisions are still met with apprehension. Rational decisions, on the other hand, are often overestimated. As in the case of Steph Davis. No one knows if she would have been happy as a lawyer, and it makes no sense to compare a traditional but imaginary career with an unconventional but real life.

MOAB, UTAH It wasn’t just the countless climbing routes in the area, that made Steph Davis choose Moab as her home base. Her first years in town were spent in the driveway of a friend, living in her van and climbing full time.

In this, her chosen life, she’s made several first ascents to the highest peaks in the world in a very short time, starting with expeditions to Patagonia and Kyrgyzstan and later with extraordinary free solo climbs. Her entire life revolved around climbing. Finding her second

All details at WWW.EOFT.EU

CHOICES

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“ be

N P t.� Mi ael P

passion after separating with her first husband, top climber Dean Potter, didn’t follow a logical sequence. It was the opposite of what she had done all these years—instead of holding on, she was free-falling. With parachute jumping, BASE jumping, or wingsuit flying, it’s all about letting go, the total loss of control. This letting go can be blissfully liberating, even if it’s just for a few seconds, and it helped her cope with the disappointment and emotional pain caused by the separation. Climbing was no longer a viable option because it reminded her too much of her old life. “For me, jumping was a truly healing experience,� says Steph. “I fell in love with it from the beginning.�

And she still loves it, even though she’s also experienced the dark side of this sport up close and personal. Her second husband, Mario Richard, died in 2013 in a wingsuit BASE jump in the Dolo“For me, jumping mites. There’s no other aspect of Steph’s life was a truly healing that comes close to this experience.â€? paradox—wherein posSteph Davis itive feelings and sad memories are so inextricably intertwined. Nor is it a rational explanation of why, in spite of everything, she still voluntarily comes back to this point—standing on the edge of a cliff, ready to hurl herself into the void. Is it possible that, in order to cope with the difficult things in life, we compulsively seek out excitement and adventure in order to feel STEPH DAVIS something and not was born in 1973 in Illinois. After have to think? There completing her masters in English remains a certain emptiliterature, she started to study law ness and a lot of but dropped out after just ďŹ ve days in order to focus completely on questions, for which climbing. She lived in her car, everyone must find embracing the dirtbag lifestyle for their own answers. With more than seven years. their heart or with their head.

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Photos p. 26 - 30: Š Scott Rogers

Discover your next adventure with Wanderlust magazine...

CHOICES

GET OUT THERE !

Photos: © Scott Rogers, © Manfred Stromberg, © Bader Khlifi , © Jens Klatt

GET OUT THERE E.O.F.T. ADVENTURE CAMP!

Do you fancy an adventure with the WIDE BOYZ? Then apply now!

Next year we’re launching the first ever E.O.F.T. Adventure Camp in Slovenia. Two pairs of lucky winners will have the chance to spend two adventure-packed days in one of Europe’s wildest regions at the beginning of May. The starting point for your outdoor weekend will be BMW World in Munich. From there, a BMW with xDrive technology will transport you to Slovenia where you can

go climbing, biking, or hiking with E.O.F.T. athletes Pete Whittaker and Tom Randall. You can do whatever you want—as long as you have fun!

We’ll take care of the accommodation, catering, and equipment. You take care of making the weekend one of the best of your life.

We look forward to receiving your application.

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GORE-TEX®

THE SKYLINE BETWEEN HEAVEN AND HELL The Kangchenjunga Skyline is the highest and longest traverse on the planet.

Climbers have to constantly move through the so-called death zone at altitudes of more than 8,200 metres for three days in order to conquer the traverse across four 8,000-metre peaks—an extreme and very ambitious goal that no one* has yet achieved. It’s almost never even attempted—the risk of failure is too great, as is the risk to life and limb. But that is perhaps the exact reason the Kangchenjunga Skyline is such a dream for mountaineers. A route at the top of the world. Only sky above them.

and alpinist, and a member of the GORE-TEX® athletes team. She won the Pierra Menta (one of the most important ski mountaineering races), was the Italian National Champion, and World Champion in the long-distance race. In 2010, she was the youngest woman to reach the summit of Lhotse. In 2013, Tamara came second in the GORE-TEX® TRANSALPINE-RUN without doing much preparation. She then won it in 2014 with running mate Annemarie Gross. On 26 July 2014, she conquered K2 (without bottled oxygen or high-altitude Sherpas). In 2016, Tamara turned back from her attempt at the first winter ascent of Nanga Parbat shortly before the summit for health reasons.

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They didn’t make it to the summit, let alone attempt the traverse. Above them the heavens—and below? Thankfully not hell, but the search for new challenges. Business as usual for a mountaineer, dreamer, professional athlete. Tamara says, ‘As a mountaineer, you don’t just want to push your body to the limit, you also want to push back the boundaries of mountaineering. The

Kangchenjunga Skyline was a project that did both.

The best planning and all the training couldn’t entirely prepare us for an adventure like this one.’

Onwards and upwards Tamara has already managed to film two of her 8,000-metre expeditions for the E.O.F.T. The films are incredibly authentic. She reveals how she fights, feels and suffers. But what does a sponsored athlete do when she’s not on an expedition? She trains or works, although ‘work’ has a different definition for this professional athlete than for people in conventional jobs. When she’s at home, Tamara often helps out at her parents’ mountain lodge, the Latzfonser Kreuz guardhouse. It’s located at an altitude of 2,300 metres, the church nearby is a famous pilgrimage site and there’s a lot going on when the weather’s good. In practical terms, she can combine it with her training as it’s a good 1,800 metres to climb up there from the valley—a decent mountain

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* Without the aid of bottled oxygen. Even with bottled oxygen, the route has only been completed once.

Is this route possible? That’s what Tamara Lunger and Simone Moro wanted to find out in the spring of 2017.

‘An 8,000-metre peak is in itself a fantastic expedition for a mountaineer. A three-day ridge traverse at this altitude, however, is something completely new and the attempt to do it without bottled oxygen is unique,’ says Simone Moro. Tamara Lunger continues, ‘It is an exploration of the unknown in its purest form, a departure into the unknown. Despite all the preparation, it makes for TAMARA LUNGER an adventure that inspires Tamara Lunger (b. 1986), from us, one we are very much Bolzano (Italy), is a ski mountaineer looking forward to.’

GORE-TEX®

hike before she exchanges her functional clothing for a cotton “dirndl”. Her actual everyday professional life also includes giving talks, posing for photo shoots for her sponsors, and taking care of PR and marketing.

Tamra also uses her fame to raise money for charity. The idea for the Art of Emotion charity project, which is being supported by the GORE-TEX® brand, came to her during her Kangchenjunga expedition. The project collects donations for the Friends of Nepal organisation, which is based in Kathmandu and enables things like helicopter flights for people in Nepal.

Photos: © Gore-Tex® (page 30); © Ale d'Emilia (page 31)

“The Kantsch Skyline is an adventure that fascinates us.”

Tamara Lunger

Tamara is also busy preparing for her next sports projects and expeditions. There’s no shortage of goals.

All details at WWW.EOFT.EU

She is supported by sponsors, so she can give her all and have enough time to train. Financing is important, but the equipment is at least equally so—this is what makes it possible for Tamara to pull out all FURTHER the stops on her mounINFORMATION tain expeditions and in Website trail running and ski gore-tex.de mountaineering races. gore-tex.co.uk The current GORE-TEX® tamaralunger.com SHAKEDRY™ product techfriendsofnepal.com nology is perfect for Blog Tamara’s training, which gore-tex.com/blog she does in all weather gore-tex.co.uk/blog conditions right at her Facebook doorstep—at altitudes befacebook.com/goretexeu tween 500 and 2500 mefacebook.com/tamaralunger facebook.com/besisaharlamjung tres, occasionally with four seasons in just one day.

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RÉUNION ISLAND

RÉUNION ISLAND

The ultimate adrenaline rush against a breathtaking panoramic backdrop is guaranteed for paragliders on the island’s west coast.

A mere 75 km or so in diameter and some 2,500 square kilometres in area, the island of Réunion is a mecca for virtually all types of outdoor adventure.

Mountain bikers, climbers, surfers, divers, sailors, canyoning, and trekking fans will all find the perfect spot for their favourite pursuits on this tiny volcanic island in the Indian Ocean. A highlight on Réunion is the island’s last active volcano, Piton de la Fournaise (2,631 m). Its eruptions are among the most awe- inspiring phenomena in the world—and,

fortunately, completely safe.

Around 3,000 metres of altitude soar between the coral reefs lining the coast and the peak of Piton des Neiges, the highest mountain in the Indian Ocean. The landscape constantly changes all over the island, with high waterfalls, tropical tamarind forests, craggy mountain peaks, lush, fertile green valleys, and magical lagoons, all enticing visitors to embark on countless island adventures.

OutDooR pAraDisE fOr AdvEntUreRs

© IRT/ Studio Lumière

Tropical valleys and uplands, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, and beaches as beautiful as paradise itself. Reunion Island offers more varied landscapes than anywhere else on earth.

SEYCHELLES

MAURITIUS

MA

DA

GA

SC

AR

AFRICA

RE UN I ON .f r

REUNION ISLAND

Photo: © IRT / Studio Lumière

The ultimate experience. The volcanic island of La Réunion, with its craggy cliff s, tropical forests and plunging waterfalls, is the ideal spot for thrilling outdoor adventures.

2018’S BEST ADVENTURES s now !

ticket Get your

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INTERNATIONAL OCEAN FILM TOUR VOLUME 5 The International OCEAN FILM TOUR combines powerful stories, inspiring characters and stunning visuals on the big screen in one action-packed film programme that takes you into the deep where all life on earth began.

ON TOUR FROM MARCH 2018

Save on your next adventure with Outdoor-Ticket!

Loved the E.O.F.T.? Want more of the same? Treat yourself with a discount on your next ticket*: Simply enter the discount code when buying your next ticket on Outdoor-Ticket.net and save on your next adventure. *valid only for the INTERNATIONAL OCEAN FILM TOUR and exclusively on Outdoor-Ticket.net.

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ICE CALL

HEAVEN IS AN ICY HALF-PIPE Growing up in the French Alps, skiing has been part of Alexis Blaise’s life for as long as he can remember. But his passion for the sport gravitated toward film and photography. Capturing the moves of his childhood buddy and freeskier Sam Favret in the Mer de Glace was the perfect way to combine their talents.

ICE CALL

Between air and ice Sam Favret uses the natural features of France’s biggest glacier to get airborne.

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How did you get on board this film project?

Alexis Blaise captures every step of Favret’s manoeuvres Through friends ! I’ve on a wall of sheer ice. worked in collaboration with PVS [the production company] since their beginning. Sam and I have known each other since we were kids . We grew up skiing together. One of us fell in love with skiing and the other with filming skiing. That’s how I found myself at the heart of this project ...

Can you tell us more about how the idea of riding the glacier came about?

Back in February 2015 , after 3 months of filming off piste, we still had nothing in the can . We were a little demoralized by the weather conditions—there had been hardly any snowfall in the mountains. We met by chance in front of the famous Mer de Glace (Sea of Ice) grotto. Sam realized that it had melted so much that it might be possible to ski it.

Straight away we knew we had to push the idea beyond just a simple wall ride in an ice cave.

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Photos p. 34 - 37: © Fabian Bodet

ICE CALL

ICE CALL

HIER BLINDERTEXT BLIND

It was obvious that we had to take advantage of the whole glacier landscape and the enormous opportunities for a freeskier.

The Mer de Glace is a hard place to navigate with a film crew. What were the biggest challenges of filming ICE CALL? The biggest challenge has been to get around all the ALEXIS BLAISE little problems of the environment in which we Like Sam, the Mer de Glace was operate. The cold, the also Alexis’ backyard. The young Frenchman grew up skiing in wind , the snow, but above the Alps and is as comfortable all the difficulty of access. behind the camera as he is on To get on to the Mer de skis. Using his sick shooting and editing skills in ICE CALL, he Glace you have to get to showcases his friend’s talent the summit of the Aiguille and creates visual fireworks. du Midi, ski higher up in the mountains where the temperatures were lower, and then we’d have to walk down 400 steps to get back home. You don’t have the luxury of a full crew that you’d have on a normal shoot. It’s a really beautiful ‘office’ but you need a smaller, more reactive crew with mountaineering skills.

The film is part of the Backyards Project. Can you tell us more about the vision and your collaboration with Sam Favret?

My vision, filming with Sam, is to always keep pushing the adventure, find new locations, and be as creative as him. So it was intense to collaborate with Sam on this project as we’ve worked together for such a long time. We got the right recipe, we just keep trying to improve it!

MER DE GLACE What is next for you as a filmmaker?

The Mer de Glace is France’s We are already working largest glacier and located on the northern slope of the hard on our next project Mont Blanc massif. It moves so stay tuned!

90 meters per year and is up to 400 meters deep.

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INT. OCEAN FILM TOUR

CALLING ALL OCEAN LOVERS 5 YEARS OF THE INT. OCEAN FILM TOUR

THIS IS FOR YOU, OCEAN LOVERS

ADVENTURE THE WEEKEND SAILOR VOLUME 4 1973: The Mexican businessman Ramon Carlín and his motley crew win the first round-the-world sailing race.

The documentary tells his story with compelling charm and soon became the audience’s favourite film of the tour.

ACTION VIEW FROM A BLUE MOON John John Florence gathers his band of surfing buddies and explores the best surf spots around the globe. From the South Pacific to South Africa, the heat is on and the surfers pit themselves against the elements.

The new tour starts in March 2018.

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Photos: © Tjerk Romke de Vries, Domenic Mosquiera

VOLUME 3

INT. OCEAN FILM TOUR

NEW SHORES: Following four years of successful programmes, the International OCEAN FILM TOUR continues her voyage of discovery, finding new places and people on our blue planet. We look back at the highlights of the past four years of ocean-going documentaries and preview what’s coming.

The International OCEAN FILM TOUR celebrates its 5th year and takes you back to sea. Enjoy new ocean adventures and the best watersport action the world has to offer on the big screen! With loads of action above and below the surface and inspiring stories from the seven seas!

OCEAN LIFE RAY VOLUME 1 Ray Ives has dived all his life and recovered enough treasure from the sea to fill a small museum. However, he also knows that the sea’s biggest secret should remain a mystery.

ENVIRONMENT (R)EVOLUTION VOLUME 2 For years Rob Stewart was indeed the steward of sharks, fighting for their protection. But the shark’s fate is part of a bigger issue, so Stewart chose a larger perspective for this film. When the ecosystem of the ocean is off-balance, what sense does it make to just protect one species?

Photos: © Amanda Bluglass, Rob Stewart, Yvan Bourgnon

SNEAK PEEK OCEAN RIDER VOLUME 5 Around the world in 220 days. Despite being in his landlocked homeland, the Swiss sailor Yvan Bourgnon dreams big. He embarks on a solo trip around the world in his cockpit-less catamaran. No protection against the elements, no crew, and 55,000 kilometres of open water ahead. On his journey, Bourgnon faces storms, pirates, and polluted seas.

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COMING SOON 2018 European Outdoor Film Tour 17/18

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CASIO

CLEVERLY EQUIPPED WITH PRO TREK SMART The WSD-F20 provides vital atmospheric, GPS, and activity data during your outdoor adventures If you want a smart watch that will in perform in rugged environments, then you are well equipped with the WSD-F20. Extremely durable and functional, it meets the highest criteria of demanding outdoor athletes. The PRO TREK Smart is shock and vibration resistant and water resistant to 50 meters (5 bar).

Important information at the touch of a button

The watch that keeps you connected Using its applications, you can save and optimize your routes and set markers, like personal points of interest. If you prefer to travel in a pack, the WSD-F20 is an effecitve group communication tool that can efficiently send messages to registered friends.

The smart watch for outdoor activities The WSD-F20 is a robust smart watch for outdoor activities. For the ultimate in precision data and exact route tracking in the wilderness, reach for the WSD-F20.

The smartwatch for outdoor activities

www.protrek.eu Photos: Casio

The WSD-F20 is equipped with sensor technology that retrieves altitude, atmospheric pressure, and directional measurements. The builtin energy-efficient GPS steadily receives your location data to display your current position on a detailed, full-color map. You can also download maps for offline use.

A quick glance shows you weather changes, the direction you are travelling, how many kilometres you have travelled, and the altitude difference. A dedicated tracking

app for trekking, cycling, climbing, and paddling measures changes in the natural environment and tracks your specific activity levels.

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A SMARTER EXPERIENCE OF THE OUTDOORS — WITH GPS

WSD-F20 SMART OUTDOOR WATCH

Get closer to nature in new ways with the WSD-F20. With a map function that is also available offline and with many innovative apps, which make your outdoor activities even more fun. In addition, the watch is waterproof up to 5 bar and also shockresistant and vibration-resistant. Go your own way. On time and even cross-country.

wsd.casio.com Android Wear is a trademark of Google Inc.

FOLLOW THE FRASER

For a month, the three mountain bikers explore the Canadian wilderness, pitching their tents in the most beautiful places along the Fraser River. The weather is unsettled and rainy at times, but a little dampness actually helps … especially when trying to get grip in loose gravel.

FOLLOW THE FRASER

Short history lesson: The Fraser River first came to prominence in 1857 when 25,000 gold prospectors flooded the area. The gold rush only lasted for a few years, but it had a major impact on the foundation of the Colony of British Columbia in 1858.

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All details at WWW.EOFT.EU

Photos: © Harrison Mendel; © Liam Mullany; © John Wellburn

Kyle Norbraten, James Doerfling, and Tom van Steenbergen from British Columbia want to rediscover their Canadian homeland. During their quest for unknown trails, they follow the Fraser River from the Sunshine coast to the Sibola Range.

FOLLOW THE FRASER

The mission on this adventure trip: The three bikers want to push their skills to the limit. For the jumps they want to attempt, they’ll need to find the right terrain. And that’s not easy.

James Doerfling knows the 155 official trails around Williams Lake like the back of his hand. Although he grew up here, he didn’t know what else the Fraser had to offer. Nonetheless, his initial estimate isn’t too wide of the mark, “I figure probably an hour up. And then 45–50 seconds down.”

FOLLOW THE FRASER

Tom van Steenbergen: “This part was insane.

We had to put the work in to make it rideable and it definitely paid off.”

Photos: © John Wellburn; © Liam Mullany

Kyle Norbraten’s hometown, Prince George, is also near the Fraser River. It makes sense that he acts as a tour guide for the others on this stage of the journey. He was part of the “Coastal Crew” as a rider and trail builder for a long time before he parted ways with Dylan Dunkerton and Curtis Robinson two years ago. They founded the “Coast Gravity Park” together in 2014. Along the Fraser River, he has learned one thing in particular: Take things as they come—and make the best of it.

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H I E RFBOLLILNODW E RTTHEEX TF RBAL SI NE D R

Tom van Steenbergen is the youngest rider on the team and also the BC-newcomer.

He emigrated with his family from the Netherlands. His home base is now Kelowna at Lake Okanagan. Of course, he prepared for the technical aspects of this journey in his own dirt park (his parents’ garden).

After leaving the desert-like Fraser canyon behind, the most exciting part of their trip begins.

Kyle Norbraten: “We’re going into an area where nobody has been before and nobody has ridden.

It could be a total gold mine. It could be a total blow-out. Just having that unknown element of what we’re gonna get is what’s driving us to go there.”

The morning wind will show what the Sibola Range has to offer.

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Our passion is to connect with people, projects and organizations that celebrate the outdoor lifestyle and use the power of creativity for positive change.

THIS IS WHAT WE ARE GOOD AT bringing people together | publishing an inspiring seasonal magazine | compiling surprising content | hosting original meetups | sharing stories in every possible way | inspiring you to go outside | teaming up with people like you to make things happen

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FOLLOW THE FRASER

Prince George

SIBOLA RANGE Mount Robsoh Quesnel

All that glitters is not gold: On closer examination, the Sibola Range turns out to be only partially rideable. “You can find really good dirt, but then there is no run-out,” says Kyle Norbraten, a bit frustrated. Even though they have to lower their expectations, they still find a few good lines.

Mount Columbia Williams Lake

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Frase r r Rive Vancouver

Photo: © John Wellburn

WASHINGTON

THE ROUTE At 1,375 km, the Fraser is the longest river in British Columbia. It originates at the Fraser Pass close to Blackrock Mountain and flows in the Pacific near Vancouver. Each year 20 million tonnes of sediment flow downstream to the ocean—one reason why there are no dams on the river.

DE TE CO 2 * A B E R 90 - MA0 7 1 T F EO

E.O.F.T. SHOP Stay up-to-date with the latest from the E.O.F.T. collection: Now available at every event and online: www.eoft.eu/shop/en

BEST-OF-E.O.F.T. NO. 13 Bring the E.O.F.T. 16/17 into your living room!

With six films from last year’s programme: Locked In, Flow, Down to Nothing, When We Were Knights, Lunag Ri, La Liste.

DVD, Blu-ray, and VOD. from € 4.99

E.O.F.T. T-SHIRT 17/18 The brand new Mammut E.O.F.T. shirt 17/18 for all outdoor fans (in men’s and women’s sizes). € 25

E.O.F.T. BEST OF SOUND NO. 4 The fourth edition of the best of E.O.F.T. - the perfect soundtrack at home, in the car, or on your next adventure. € 15

*Use the code EOFT17-MA0902 and save 5 EUR on your next order in the E.O.F.T. online shop.

The code is valid until 28 Feb 2018 on www.eoft.eu/shop/en (excluding book-only orders)

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ZEISS

STEFAN GLOWACZ AND A PEAK LIKE NO OTHER ZEISS Ambassador Stefan Glowacz is passionate about scaling every summit.

But so far, the Black Wall at his local mountain range has defi ed him.

More than 10 years ago he put his first protection in place on the Black Wall in the Wetterstein mountain range. Since then he has climbed up to the Höllentalanger Hut regularly to attempt the route, around 20 times in 2015 alone. But time and again he ends up at the same point. Glowacz: “If you can only

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use the very end of your fingertips to grip the rock and pull yourself up, then it wouldn’t take much to fall right back down.” The challenge is to move forward at chest height to even get to the next hold. To prepare for the climb, Glowacz even went to the trouble of recreating the tricky point, where every millimetre counts, in the climbing hall in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. But it all depends on the weather. Ideally, the climb would be preceded by a long spell of good weather and moderate temperatures. If it is too wet on the Black Wall, Stefan Glowacz has no chance.

STEFAN GLOWACZ from Garmisch-Partenkirchen is Germany’s most successful competitive climber and has tackled some of the most extreme climbs on the planet.

Nevertheless the attraction of the Black Wall remains. The owner of the Höllentalanger Hut has even reserved a room for him until the autumn; it looks directly out onto the Black Wall. From there, Stefan Glowacz can study the beauty and the challenges of his very personal nemesis with his constant companion, the Victory Pocket binoculars, before every new attempt of the route.

All details at WWW.EOFT.EU

Photos: © Moritz Attenberger

Without adequate preparation, any expedition would be unthinkable. This is something Stefan Glowacz, professional mountaineer and expedition climber, has learned over the years. “Sometimes we can sit around for hours—days, even—beneath a wall that we want to climb and just look at it through a telescope. We determine the various stages of our climb and attempt to map the precise route. We analyse the cracks in the rock and try to identify the shaded sections. To do this, we need exceptional binoculars. This approach has often helped us avoid any nasty surprises.” His latest project is proof of how long it takes to prepare for something like this.

Closer to nature.

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Photos: Klaus Fengler

Stefan Glowacz, Baffin Island Expedition Mountaineer

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LAST PICTURE

Paint it black: Ben and James have prepared themselves for the second part of their adventure.

“Painting ourselves with the ashes of our vessel is a tradition that I will continue for every dugout I make.”

James Trundle

Maybe it makes sense to paint yourself black from head to toe to be at one with the tree you’ve just bought for $300, especially if you’re going to spend 4 weeks carving it into a dugout canoe with your own hands and just a few basic tools.

At the very least it marks an unforgettable moment.

That moment when a small fire signals the end of the transformation of a massive jungle tree trunk into a boat.

Throughout history, various cultures from all over the world have cultivated the tradition of body pain-

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ting for special occasions such as war or an important ceremony, just as, in modern times, sports fans daub themselves with the colours of their team.

Turning the heavy tree into “a feather light object” (according to James) symbolises Ben and James’ relief that the first part of their journey is over. Now they can look forward to the next leg. They will find out if they are capable of spending two weeks on the river all by themselves. But one thing’s for sure: With this kind of “war paint” they won’t scare off any Huaorani.

All details at WWW.EOFT.EU

Photos: © Benjamin Sadd

WAR PAINT

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