EXPEDITION AMAZON - Summer 2011 - DAY 1

On day 1 we raced up the Cotopaxi glacier reaching about seventeen thousand feet altitude, climbing its snow cap, where the oxygen content of the air is about half that at sea level and the head throb, still 2600 feet shy from its ridge. 5 steps - stop, 5 steps - stop...gasping for air. Is this the Amazon? We thought then, uneasily that we did not at all understand what we were getting into.

EXPEDITION AMAZON - Summer 2011 - DAY 2

Day 2 - the goal: Expedition begins at Baños, penetrates the Eastern Andes dramatic slopes down to Shell, the Gateway town to the Jungle, using all local means of progress. Today; Mountain biking.
From Baños at 1800 feet to the "Antenna" Observation Mountain at 11,000 feet we biked off road on a ragged terrain, up the cloud forest, under constant drizzling of rain and slippery slopes. climbing up with hopes to witness some Volcanic activity of Tungarahua - the majestic active volcano. Not today. Today it is quite, covered with clouds. Riding up and then down to Ulba town we were stopped by multiply Landslides and cracked paths that forced us to carry our bikes on our backs hugging the solid side of the mountains skimming across its narrow paths praying it will not cracked open under our feet. The mudslides we witnessed were of high magnitude, some of 1000 feet down the mountains, slide runs.
In the Israeli language today was the "Zubur" Initiation of our Expedition! Kriat-tachat!

Into the Wild - Surviving Mickey under the Elements.

Expedition Amazon summer of 2011 has begun. Joining me this time on a survival of the elements training adventure that take place in the deep rural jungles of the Amazon, are four US AF Academy grads; Kevin, Alex, David and Alan, all in a great physical fit and military style discipline. Also a young city guy, Matt, (will he survive the Jungle environment hardship)? and my friend Dana Allen, A firefighter Lieutenant in Central Florida and one of the firsts to introduce the X-treme challenge Adventure Races concept in Florida.

And myself, most of you know me by now, a veteran of the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) Special Forces specialist and a survival of the elements trainer, restless most of the time and a constant challenges seeker.
I'm taking with me today yet another small group of adventures seekers whom I'm going to challenge while pushing them to new limits and getting their adrenalin rush to high octane levels. Fitness and shape are known to be a must factors when dealing with an endless Jungle adventure under all elements, but that's not necessary the most important factor when it comes to survive with dignity (!!!) such adventure. Mental endurance and discipline are the key components. Will my June 2011 adventure team survive the jungle while holding up to their dignity? Will they survive me?

Follow us as our adventure takes shape. Track us virtually on Google Map and feel the excitement. Maybe I will have the honor to challenge you "boots on the ground" style, on my next adventure...

For the Adventures,
Mickey Grosman
Eco-Planet Amazon Adventures


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