Grant Recipients

 

Dear Applicants -
We have many exciting proposals for 2009 and we will be assisting and following several of them this year. Thank you very much for your interest in the foundation and for sharing your project with us.
Sincerely,
The Directors 
(August 2009)
 
 

EXPEDITION STATUS

2010 Everest 2010 (USA) - Everest
The Foundation will be sponsoring a climb on Mount Everest in 2010.
TRAINING
2009 Roger Chao (Australia) - Eurasian Steppe by Quike
On the 4th of May, 2009, Roger and Megan set off from Astana, Kazakhstan, into the Eurasian steppe on their four-wheeled Quike; Traversing the steppes at the heart of the Asian continent - whilst facing a continual battle of both the physical elements and the psychological forces within... They will venture throughout Central Asia, Western China, Mongolia, and Russia, away from cities and roads, living with local rural families to experience the unique cultures and lifestyles of the region, documenting their lifestyles and traditions before their stories are lost forever. Their 15-month journey will take them through all types of terrain - from the vast and endless Kazakh steppe to the relentless heat of the Uzbek summer, to the high altitude mountain passes of Tajikistan and the Kyrgyz Republic, to the frozen wastelands of the Taklamakan desert in winter, and then coming full circle to the origins of the Turkic peoples in the Altai range, and the birthplace of Chinggiz Khan in the central Mongolian steppe...
IN PROGRESS
 

2009

Ryan Langley (USA) - Solo Around the World via Southern Ocean (age 16)
This 16 year old young man is preparing for a sailing voyage around the world. He is currently training with Brian Caldwell, one of the world's best sailors.
PENDING
2009 Eduardo Discoli (Argentina) - Around the World by Horse
A 4 goal polo player from Cordoba, Eduardo left Buenos Aires on 28 July 2001 with his 3 Argentine Criollo horses:
El Chajá, El Chalchalero, and Niño Bien. His mission is to go around the world by horse. He has already traveled through South and North America and Europe - relinchando@gmail.com     
IN PROGRESS
2009 John Collinson (USA) - Seven Summits (17 years old)
John (age 17) is attempting to be the youngest person to climb the seven summits. He has completed Aconcagua 22,841' (14jan2009) and Everest. His project completion deadline is December of 2009. 
IN PROGRESS
2008 Lloyd Godson (Australia) - The Sub-Odyssey Expedition - A Mythical Journey by Humanized Submarines
THE JOURNEY - The Sub-Odyssey Expedition will see the project Team Leader Lloyd Godson and his partner Carolina Sarasiti ‘migrate’ 500km through the Ionian Sea off the west coast of mainland Greece during September - October 2008. They will do so in two custom-built human powered submarines, Ulysses and Penelope, visiting schools located in the Ionian group of Islands (Corfu, Paxi, Antipaxi, Lefkada, Kefallonia, Zakynthos and Ithaki ). THE MYTH - Their journey will begin in Corfu and conclude in Ithaki . Corfu (the island of Calypso ) is traditionally taken to be the last stop on the adventurous journey of Odysseus (Ulysses) before he reached his home of Ithaki after the Trojan Wars. Ithaki, or ancient Ithaca , has long been the symbolic image for the end of a long journey. Odysseus’ wife, the stoical Penelope, patiently waited 10 long years for the crafty hero to return home to Ithaki from Troy. THE TAIL OF BRAVE ULYSSES - The submarines will be designed and built by project Engineer Alex Sarasitis and will utilize a hydrofoil tail fin attached to the pilots legs for propulsion. The foil angle will change automatically producing an ‘automatic transmission’ effect making it the most efficient way of swimming. This new fin technology will be tested by Herbert Nitsch, “The Flying Fish”, during his Constant Weights World Record attempt at the 2007 free diving World Championships in Egypt in late October. Alex’s designs will be based on the motion and shape of fast swimming fishes such as tuna and mako sharks, giving them the fastest form possible. The one atmosphere submarines will be built from carbon fibers and capable of diving to approximately 150m. The submarines may also utilize a revolutionary air supply system capable of extracting air from the water, Like-A-Fish Technologies, designed by Israeli inventor Alan Bodner.
PENDING
2007 Greg Deyermenjian (USA) - 2007 Mameria and Beyond Expedition
"No great deed is done by falterers who ask for certainty" - George Eliot. An exploration of the lost archaeological complex of Mameria, and a traverse of the unexplored mountain range beyond, the Cordillera de PiñiPiñi -- Jun2007: "Greetings from Cusco, Peru, where it is cold, but the streets are warm right now with thousands of masked dancers and drinkers, for Inti Raymi week. I´ve been, however, going from office to office, setting things up for next year expedition. And I've finally completed an article in Spanish that the National Institute of Culture could be publishing in their "Atlas de Cusco Amazónico," which could be a big help to me and the exploration cause. Thanks again for the Timmissartok help, and I´ll keep you informed." -- Greg Deyermenjian, 158 Salem Street #1, Wakefield, MA 01880-1939. greg_deyermenjian@yahoo.com
STATUS UNKNOWN
2007 Erin McKittrick & Bretwood Higman (USA) - www.groundtruthtrekking.org
Are setting off on a journey in June 2007 from Seattle to the Aleutian Islands, by human power: Journey on the Pacific Wild Coast will be an unprecedented 4,000 mile expedition along the northern edge of the Pacific Ocean, through some of the most rugged terrain in the world. No road or trail follows this steep and fragmented coastline. We'll be traveling through forests, between islands, around glaciers, and across the tundra - by foot, packraft, and skis. Good luck! On June 27, 2008, Erin and Hig finished their Journey on the Wild Coast. And, it appears that they are making Alaska their home. Erin continues to write on her blog page. And, she's working on a book.
COMPLETED
2007 Sarah & Eric McNair-Landry & Curtis Jones (Canada) - Pittarak Expedition
A 2300 km Expedition to vertically cross the Greenland icecap by kite with the aim of inspiring youth to pursue their dreams. Having crossed Greenland (East-West) three times already, I've gazed over maps for the last year looking at the possibility of doing a south-north crossing. It was at the end of the summer that my brother called me and told me “Sarah, we're crossing the Greenland ice cap in May”. And that was that. Set to begin in May 2007. Completed in July 2007 -- "On July 8th, after a long day of weaving around melt ponds and over crevasses, we finally stepped onto rock! But the journey was not quite over yet. The next day we had to pull our sleds down 5 km of rough, rocky terrain before reaching the ocean. It was a great feeling to have completed 2,300km with the aid of kites and skis, but also sad to leave such an amazing place behind. The next day we were picked up by boat and shuttled to the small community of Qaanaaq, one of the most northerly settlements in Greenland. We spent the night there before starting home... We are finally back home and have had a chance to unpack, sort through footage and 2000 plus pictures. There has been a lot of media interest including: Daily Planet, CBC, explorers web, nau.com, The Telegram and montanismo.org.mx. Even Wild Chronicles and Wend Magazine have shown interest in covering a story on the Pittarak expedition. Thanks for all of your support, Eric, Curtis and Sarah -- www.pittarak.com -- The Pittarak Team
COMPLETED
2006 Jennifer Murray & Colin Bodill (England) - Polar First
Jennifer and Colin are attempting to be the first to fly a helicopter around the world from pole to pole. They crashed in Antarctica during their first attempt in 2003. Jennifer's philosophy: "we haven't failed until we stop trying." Jan 2006 - Jennifer's Diary.
COMPLETED
2006 Felix Gedney (England) - Afghanistan Motorcycle Journey
July 2006, Felix Gedney and his friend attempted a motorcycle ride from Kabul in Afghanistan to Monchengladbach in Germany. The route from Afghanistan headed to Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey and back through eastern Europe. The route leads through some of the most rugged, hot and remote parts of the world in the tracks of the Silk Route traders and the legendary players in the nineteenth century Great Game. They intended to forgo the traditional trans-Asian route through Pakistan and Iran for the high altitude passes of the Hindu Kush Mountains and Central Asia’s hottest place - the black sands of Turkmenistan’s Garagum Desert. They were two 17 year old single cylinder Yamaha Tenere motorcycles with no support other than what they could carry. They were limited to one month, and had to abandon the journey when Felix's friend was unable to obtain a visa for the second country. It will be interesting to see if Felix will try again at a later date. Felix Gedney - MA COMARRC, HQ ARRC, BFPO 140, UK - gedney@compuserve.com
ABORTED
2006 Paula Constant (Australia) - Trans Sahara Expedition
I started walking in London, in August 2004, with my husband, Gary. We walked 5000km through five countries to the South of Morocco, where the road ran out and the Sahara began. In September last year, we bought four camels and set off through Southern Morocco and the Western Sahara to Dakhla, on the Mauritanian border. My husband and I separated after a month in the desert. For the next six months, I walked with my two guides and four camels, 2,500km through the Sahara to Dakhla. My aim, as it has been from the beginning, was to live amongst the Saharawi Nomads, as they themselves live, traveling only by foot. In September 2006, In-Shallah, I will continue on my journey from West to East across the Sahara Desert with three camels and a guide through Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Chad and Sudan.
PARTIALLY COMPLETED
2005 Rosie Swalepope (Wales) - Rosie Around The World
Apr 2005 - Currently crossing North America on foot. In August 2008, Rosie arrived in Wales and completed her journey by foot around the world. This has been an incredible journey.
COMPLETED
2004 Ricky de Agrela & Alan Honeyborne (South Africa) - South African Freedom Flight
Jan 2005 - Alan was killed tragically in May 2004 when his plane crashed in China. Ricky's aircraft was shipped to USA due to administrative problems in China and Russia. He completed his journey back to South Africa.
COMPLETED
2003 Jeff & Dan (USA) - Climbing for Conservation
Successful trip. All mountains climbed on time and funds were donated for conservation. Mar 2003 - trip synopsis.
COMPLETED
2002 Dougie Cairns (Scotland) - Diabetes World Flight
Dougie's trip was a success. His book has been published, and he has been promoting it during tours of the USA in 2005. Feb 2003 - successful circumnavigation!
COMPLETED
2001 Wan & Mou (Thailand) - Thai Bike World
Jul2004 - crossing USA.  Feb2004 - in Mexico. Apr2005 - in Morocco. Nov2006 - in China. Jun2007 - in Vietnam. Nov2007 - completed safely back in Thailand after 5 years, 11 months and 1 day. 
COMPLETED


Projects of Interest

Rick Gunn - www.rickgunnphotography.com/project.php (Dec 2006)