A2Z Adventures blog

Paulo Alípio @ MTB-O World Cup, originally uploaded by A2Z Adventures.

Paulo Alípio participated at the 2010 MTB Orienteering Word Cup that took place in Hungary from 23 to 25th April.

Paulo Alípio (representing the Portuguese national team) raced with A2Z Adventures colours in “queen” category - Elite.
He ended in 45th in sprint distance and 17th in medium distance. In long distance we was unfortunately disqualified (missed a check-point), otherwise would finish in 14th.

Nevertheless it was a excellent performance, competing with the best MTB orienteers in the world.

MTB Orienteering (or MTB-O) is the sport of cross country cycling, combining riding and navigation. Using specially produced maps, riders navigate their way along roads, tracks and trails to control markers (checkpoints) placed at specific locations. Interpreting the map to decide which is the best way from one control to the next, introduces some challenge, so that’s it’s not all about speed.

Complete set of photos here.

PATAGONIA TRAIL 500, originally uploaded by A2Z Adventures.

Terminou mais uma viagem pela Patagónia da A2Z Adventures.
O grupo de 5 ciclistas de Portugal, Brasil e Austrália, maioritariamente feminino, liderado por Pedro Pedrosa, percorreu o final da carretera austral chilena, até Villa O’Higgins onde o Jorge nos esperava com o novo Hot Tube no El Mosco, cruzou a fronteira para a Argentina fazendo a incrível travessia de Villa O’higgins para El Chaltén (que obriga a 2 navegações), comemos a bela pizza e cerveja artesanal da Manuela para comemorar, dormimos na Hosteria da Mariana que sempre nos recebe bem, visitámos o Glaciar Perito Moreno desde as renovadas passadeiras e voltámos a Buenos Aires.
Todos não, porque houve quem seguisse para a segunda parte da viagem, completando 1000 km até Ushuaia, a tempo de ver os últimos pinguins.
O tempo esteve melhor que nunca, apenas com um dia de vento e sem um único dia de chuva. Pedalámos sempre com sol e mesmo com temperaturas acima de 20 graus. Lá pelo meio, em Cochrane, depositámos 500 mil pesos chilenos de donativos recolhidos em Portugal e pelo grupo, respondendo a um apelo lançado pelo nosso guia local Jaime, que divulgou a causa decorando a sua van de apoio com stickers alusivos.
Nova oportunidade para esta viagem em Novembro deste ano ou em Abril de 2011.

Europe’s airspace as been disrupted by volcano Eyjafjallajökull. According to record history, the volcano activity may last for several months (last eruption lasted 1 year and 1 month).

So far, only Lisbon, Madrid and Rome airports have not been affected by the ashes.

If you want to keep updated with more news regarding movement of the cloud, give a look at:

Real time overview air traffic and ashes layer: Radar Virtuel

Prognosis for dispersal of the volcano plume: Denmark National Environmental Research Institute

Automatic news explorer of all stories about volcano impact in Europe’s flights: European Media Monitor

Just received news from our Indian guide in Himalaya, Raju. His Holiness the Dalai Lama will give teachings on Atisha’s Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment (jangchup lamdron) on 18th August 18. On 19th August he will confer the Heruka (dechok) and on 20th August he will confer the Avalokiteshvera (chenresig) Initiations. The teachings will take place in Jispa, Himachal-Pradesh, the starting point of A2Z-Adventures Himalaya trail (MTB) and Himalayas, Shingo La & Zanskar Trails (trekking) that will take place two weeks before.