Tibet items from my Blog

http://journeymanphil.wordpress.com/2008/03/20/latest-news-on-tibet/

http://journeymanphil.wordpress.com/2008/03/16/no-beijing-olympic-reporting-free-tibet/

my recent efforts

Hi all,
I've been distracted for a while and while meaning to post, time simply slipped past. I could offer up excuses ("the Ghost Town took up all time") but I think better of all of you than to do that. I simply didn't put the time aside. So, last night I made myself a promise to get to it. I will confess, this is a good time of day for me as it was quite cold last night and I'm waiting for the world to warm a bit before heading out for my miles.
You see, I'm back in training for a long hike. It looks to be over 500 kms, and yes, I'm donating all my training kms and the ones from the journey to this cause. The walk itself will have some purposes other than my getting in a good leg-stretching.
My route will echo an ancient trade route, the Camino Real, which ran from Mexico City (in the south) to Santa Fe (in the north). It is some 400 hundred years old, which in terms of western man, is old in the USA. By my fourth or fifth day I will enter an area known as the Jornada del Muerto (Dead Man's Journey, or Trail of the Dead Man). There are many stories about this area and how it came by its name. One thing for sure - part of it is the most desolate desert I've ever seen. There are whole cow skeletons lying about bleaching in the sun. Their rib cages rise from the sand with tattered bits of hide flapping in the wind. It will be unlike any experience I've ever had.
After crossing the Jornada I will continue north through some ranchlands and into the Cibola National Forest. When I emerge, I'll be on pavement from there on into Santa Fe. Something like the first 200 miles (322.5 kms)of my trek will be on dirt tracks with the exception of a total of ~15 miles (24.2 kms). The road in the north is known as the Turquoise Trail. It's the scenic byway that will take me all the way into Santa Fe.
It's a known fact that the US is become a nation of obese people. It's quite startling. I worked and worked for months last fall to try and get something on local tv to promote being outdoors and walking. I got close. Then it all fell apart through no fault of my own. It was frustrating. So, I thought about my upcoming walk and how I might turn it into something more than just a personal event.
To give some meaning to what I'm doing, I'll be stopping at three schools to give presentations about my walk in the Arctic last summer. I've invited around 80 public officials from the federal to the local level to participate by writing a simple letter explaining what they like to do outside. If they don't do anything outside (highly likely), then they can relate something from their childhood. The letters will be given to the students I visit along my way. So far, I've heard from two officials - one enthusiastically, the other non-committed. Tut. I've now invited walkers and runner and their families and friends to write those letters. I'm always excited to go pick up my mail and see whose letter has arrived today.
The principals and teachers at the schools are thrilled. They're going to have the kids write short essays on the same theme - what they like to do outside.
There are those who think such efforts of mine are frivolous - foolish gestures. I tend to be more optimistic. Same with the millionkmsfortibet. We have to try. No voices accomplish nothing, but each voice through each km donated makes a statement. I, as one, hope you'll join in. It'll cost you nothing but may encourage you forward. I know when I don't have a good week training, I feel terribly guilty for having few kms to offer. Hopefully, my big trek will boost the numbers significantly.
It keeps me going to know that I'm not the only one. A good number of others in the group have recently run 100 and 50 mile events. The season is right, there are many events to choose from. So our kms will continue to climb. Thing is, we're a friendly crowd - others are always welcome! All the best, susan

27 Jan 08 - Thanks

All,

We have now passed the 50,000km barrier. Our new total is 57,330km This is mainly thanks to a wonderful donation of the kms from the Ghost Town 3.5 miles event and Tony Mangan coming on board with his kms for the Year. I would like to thank everyone for their contribution so far. I can see that we can sill get the 100,000 kms before the Olympics. Let's do it.

Phil

See below for Susan's report from the Ghost Town Event.

As director of the Ghost Town 38.5 I try to make a contribution on behalf of my runners every year. This has varied from sponsorship (registration, meals and housing) for a small team of Navajo runners to a monetary contribution to a scholarship fund started by the late runner/writer Marc Witkes. My run this weekend had 47 participants. 43 finished the course, the other 4 gave it their best. Together they ran or walked 2, 821.45 kms. At the post-race bbq I told them the year's contribution was going to be in their honor: their efforts would be added to the growing total of kms to be presented in Beijing as a statement that we athletes hope the Chinese will release their hold on Tibet. There were nods of approval throughout my crowd. The Ghost Town 38.5 is happy to be able to contribute to this cause.

If by chance you wish to do the same - either as a race director or as a runner (training miles count), contact Phil through millionkmsfortibet@yahoogroups.com.au

October total

We have now covered 41,153kms which is a remarkable effort for the small band of people that are trying to run,walk or cycle a Million kms for Tibet before the start of the Beijing Olympics NEXT YEAR!

We have a yahoo email group which we exchange our kms on and we now also have a presence on Facebook. So there are many ways of taking part.

I believe we can still do it. But we need a lot more people to come on board. So if you would like to help raise awareness for Tibet and what is occurring and you log your walking, running or cycling kms fairly well, please email me at pessam@bigpond.net.au We also dont mind if yoursomeone that walks back and forth from the shops or school every day. As long as you know the distance we would love to hear from you.

Phil

PS - Please pass ths libnk to anyone that might be interested in joining.

Phil's recent travels

Photos from Thailand

Photos from Makassar

Travelling in Indonesia and Thailand

Phimai Historical Park

Susan in Lapland

Hey all,

First of all, thank you for all those who sent supportive replies to my posting from Jokkmokk. I left the internet cafe shortly after the posting so I didn't get the replies until the last day or two, but I appreciate them!

My last week on the trail: it was pretty amazing. Two days that involved boats for part of the distance. Both of those days it was over 80F - hot considering the clothing I had with me. Skimming over the water was lovely...saw a group? family? pod? (not a herd!) of otters playing not far from shore. Water was like glass. One day it was across the length of the lake and up a river. The next day it was to the far end of the lake to an archipelago with something like 7 bridges. I just know it was fun and beautiful and helped me make great time.

If I'd known the difference in trail and terrain from the first three legs to the last, well, who knows!? It was still a lot of ascending and descending, but they were more like massive hills rather than mtns. The trail itself was substantially better footing. I was totally in the "zone" and seemed to make twice the distance/hour compared to the first two weeks.

And I was alone. I love going early in the morning, when everyone else is asleep. Most days I saw no one until I arrived at the hut. Sometimes I opted for my tent in the middle of the wilds rather than the huts. It was just fun and I seemed to smile a lot. Once I topped a hill I seemed to climb for a long time and there was the trail, a thin ribbon appearing and disappearing as it went up and down over the hills for several miles ahead of me. I laughed gently and realized the joy of the moment at seeing it extend out before me.

The third day the weather turned and I walked in a storm unlike any other I've ever walked in. The wind about blew me over a couple of times, the rain soaked through my boots within ten minutes. I scrambled into my rain gear. After a couple of hours I was getting somewhat chilled, the wind just bit through my clothes. There was an emergency hut - pretty much a wooden box with a door and steps up to the door. The box was prob. 4x8 ft. I scrambled inside and peeled off the rain gear just to breathe for a bit. Realizing how cold I actually was, I debated with myself about changing clothes altogether. In the end I switched from soggy pants (they'd gotten wet when I was getting into the rain clothes when the storm first hit) and ended up in two complete bottom layers and two complete top layers under the rain gear. Then I had water and forced myself to eat something with the rationale, "You need energy to stay warm."

I knew I was about half way, maybe a little more to the next main hut. It was with great relief that topping yet another hill I spotted the roof. I put my arms straight up over my head, trekking pole in one hand, as though I'd just crossed the finish line. Again I laughed...I seemed to do a lot of laughing for the joy of the whole experience...and started singing/humming the theme song from Bonanza as I covered that last 1/4 mile or so. Naturally, I was euphoric and a mis-step on a slick rock had me crashing to the ground. No more singing, slow and careful walking, and I got there eventually.

The last day was cloudy and a bit cold, but no rain. I made great time and arrived on the mtn. just above Hemavan to find the ski lift operating earlier than I'd been told. There was a big sign that no one was allowed on the lift without assistance, so I busied myself pulling on fleece (now that my work was done for the day) and tying my trekking pole to the pack. At just the right moment an athletic looking guy jumped off the lift and announced he was there to help me. Perfect timing! He was very amused when I told him that the lift was the scariest thing I'd faced so far - I'm not fond of hanging in lawn chairs from little poles attached to a single wire while descending a rather steep mtn. Then he asked where I'd started my hike and I won much approval when I told him the ground I'd covered.

The rest of the day was simply a stop at the local youth hostel where I was graciously allowed use of the fax and internet to book a ticket to Stockholm. The host gave me a ride to the airport and my journey home had begun. It was all kind of surreal - such an abrupt entry back into civilization.

Once at the Stockholm airport I got my ticket to the STates changed for Sat., booked myself into the airport hotel, soaked for a long time in the tub, got dressed in the cleanest thing in my pack, went downstairs and bought some truly clean clothes, and had dinner. Then I slept.

The next day there were flight issues and in Amsterdam there was a mad scramble to get me on alternative carriers. The first two airline employees said, "There's no way to get you to Albuquerque today." Hmmm...what would those perky folks on the Amazing Race do? I offered up alternative airports - El PAso or if nec. Tucson. Ah ha...I ran for the gate, arrived in Montreal, Canada, was personally escorted through several locked doors so I could get to US Customs which I needed to clear before getting on a flight to Dallas Ft. Worth. Amazing what is possible! I literally ran through DFW and arrived at my next gate just in time to board with everyone else.

So, I was in El Paso approx. 18 hrs. after leaving Stockholm. Then it was simply a matter of reporting one missing backpack and the 2.5 hr. drive home. I think I finally went to bed at 2 a.m. Sunday.

I need to write one last report for the local newspaper. I'm not sure exactly what to say yet. The last week was more calm, more gentle, full of joy. You all will understand what I mean when I say, "I felt strong. I felt fit. It all felt good."

So there it is, I've done it. I learned loads about the trail. So, if any of you ever want to head out that way, let me know and I'll be happy to share. Same with the actual reports that have been published...if you want the full versions...let me know and I'll send them your way in the next few days.

Cheers! susan

Welcome aboard Jesper

Great news this morning that Jesper Olsen from Denmark is going to join the team. For those of you that don't know Jesper here is his website. www.worldrun.org He has completed a 26,000km trip around the world and in July 2008 he will be starting a 40,000km trip.