RIDING THE TEARS OF EVEREST

Counting down

2012-02-28T10:46:00.003-08:00

Counting down arriving in Kathmandu in less than one week. Touch down in Nepal 3rd March 2012. See Twitter PLE_AND_EA and Facebook DARREN CLARKSON-KING for updates.

Chasing Butterflies

2012-02-19T10:33:00.000-08:00

Since winning thefunding from Berghaus for a trip of a life time, the 8848 descent,many other people have approached me with the offer of products. SomeI have accepted with care and understanding others I have quietlyrejected.

I have been riddledwith self doubt, an unconscious tugging at my heart. For me thisexpedition is not about the promotion of brands. It is not even atthe same level of other expeditions I have done. I have dreamedabout this expedition for over 10 years. With a cause and a reasonothers are willing to pay for the trip. Its not a hand out, and Idont see it as a job. Whilst I will be looking for the 'pure' in allaspects of the trip. I know that many feel I have stained any notionof a personal pure, with marketing and brands on line to promote thetrip.

Sponsorship in all itsdisguises is a costume I hate to dress in. The fit is not right and Ilook foolish. Like a homeless Santa dressed but soiled in the weekbetween Xmas and New Year. In the past I have cut ties with thosethat have assisted me, because I dont believe in the values of thebrand.

Things have notchanged, not now, although I have to fight the impressions othershave about me and my acceptance of sponsorship. Many see it like acontract with the devil or acceptance of sweets from strangers. I seeparts of the sponsorship game like this, but I see the flip side. Theloving family that supports its children to grow. Thats what it isall about. That is the golden fleece. I have been beating myself upabout it for too long and it took a conversation with Doug Ammons forme to see the truth of it all. This trip, like so many more is simplythe quest of children chasing butterflies in the garden of life.Chances slip away in the breeze and we must run after what we want –with care. Not too strong to harm ourselves or others along the way.

I have included some of the conversation points below.

These appear as brief marks, without the back and forth of the dialogue.

[I think the statements from Doug pin the feeling I have in a way that is clear, without my usual weird tangents.]

'Well, don't beat yourself up! [...].'

'In the face of success, don't take a hammer to your toes!'

'All my film trips were sponsored in some similar way and the thing is, its
a truism that one gets out of them what one works for, even if they are
"compromised" in some purist sense.'


'I think it's more a question of keeping the lines clear. So plan, prepare,
and make it into the trip you always wished for. it's an opportunity for
growth and change, not a negative!'

'This is a gift, and I'm certain you will use that gift to great purpose
internally.'

The days are ticking away, soon to Nepal and the expedition willstart in full force. That is when I will know the truth of it all,the dark stretches of the night, the lone paddler in the rapids. Oneboat, one paddle stroke, one mind.

Om Shanti

Daz

Providing skills and education

2012-02-03T02:42:00.000-08:00

It has been missed bymany who are following the growth of the 8848 descent. I have alsoneglected to tell people as a priority about the work that will runon back of my descent. Now it seems only just and right to talk moreabout the plan.

During the 8848 trip Iwill be in some of the most remote villages in Nepal. Poverty is allaround. It has been the aim of the trip that I will support the localvillages. I will venture to find young men and women who show thewillingness and ability to move to Kathmandu and train to be riverand trek guides. Myself in conjunction with Pure Land Expeditions andElements Adventure will support these children through the offer ofpaid education, accomadation and living expenses in Kathmandu. Wewill train them up as guides and offer them work when they leaveschool. This is a long term plan. It is no short term fix.

Providing skills andeducation to even just one young person allows them a differentfuture, one away from the rural life. Just one young man or womanfrom the village who is able to earn money and have a career pathoutside the village will enable funds to be sent home, for medicalsupplies, village hydro, clean water etc. Just one person sharingwages means so much to so many.

This is not a charity.

Keeping it dry

2012-01-25T13:23:00.000-08:00

For the trip it has been hard to choose the correct dry bags, It would seem a simple answer. Sadly I have found this to be difficult. I have looked at weight, size and shapes of hundred of bags, to do the right thing.

I will be using 2 bags in the rear of my boat, one will carry the sleeping bag, whilst the other will carry that days food and spare clothing.

In the front of the boat I will carry a futher bag of food, whilst on the centre step plate I will carry a further bag with 1st Aid. On my person I will carry a bag with my SPOT and money in.

For this I have settled on the range from Over Board, perfect in both shape and size for all the jobs I need of them.

2012-01-20T15:36:00.001-08:00

Event

The evening will be very interesting with a topic that hasn't been explored yet! Our guest speaker Daz is planning to Kayak down Everest, a challenge that should not be undertaken lightly. Daz will be introducing himself and his previous adventure history then taking us through the expedition plan.

This will be a very unique evening for Plymouth Explorers.

This is a great opportunity to talk to like-minded people; so come along, invite your friends and join our community. Joining will bring you plenty of opportunities and benefits.

Treasury Café-Bar-Restaurant, Catherine Street, Royal Parade,
Plymouth, Devon. PL1 2AD
Wednesday 1st of February from 18:30 until 20:30

The talk will begin at 7pm.

Over the past 20 years Darren Clarkson King has kayaked some of the world's most challenging rivers and countless classic descents. He is a writer and has just finished the text for White Water Nepal (3rd Ed), a guidebook to the rivers of Nepal with Peter Knowles.

For more information about Darren please click here:

Fast and light

2012-01-16T03:58:00.000-08:00

I have been thinking about the rescue gear I will be taking on this solo trip. A full pin kit and large throwline seems a little over the top. Who will throw me the line if I get in trouble? How will I sent a 3:1 system?

For the trip it seems the main reason for the line is as a simple light option for moving my boat around on portages. I know that people will not understand the reason why we choose to rivers solo and the way we need to look at the rescue gear, but this is of no concern at the moment.

I have chosen to take the HORNET bag from Nookie. I have many bags that I could use, from HF, NRS and Wilderness Systems. The Hornet, due to its compact size and lightweight nature is the key winner.

Hornet

18m throw length
8mm floating line with core
9kN load strength
Quick and accurate throw
Compact & light mini bag with Enduromesh contrast drain
Foam wall buoyancy
Failsafe dual release closure with Velcro
Reinforced bag base
Retro reflective piping and graphics
Anti corrosive press studs and eyelet

Off from the norm

2012-01-13T03:45:00.000-08:00

Since the start of plannig I have been looking at way to cut down on the gear I carry. On the water I need base layers, whilst off the water I need both warm and cold weather clothing. I have been thinking hard about how I can balance these out - without having to carry too much.

As a break from the 'norm' I have decided to paddle in a gilet and a simple baselayer, with thermal pants over cargo pants under my dry pants. This allows me to carry simple clothes in my kayak whilst also using the 'water wear' as regular clothes.

For this I am wearing the Ignite vest for core protection. It seems a sensible solution to the situation, been primaloft it will not matter if it get damp under my dry top.

Men's Ignite Vest

Lightweight, Packable & Highly Insulating Vest

£85.00

In my dry bags I am looking at taking the minimum gear. Shorts and a basic tshirt, wool beanie and the Asgard jacket for cold nights at elevation.

More will be added in due course.

SPOT Me

2012-01-04T09:06:00.000-08:00

As the days move closer to spring 2012 and the Kathmandu ETA of March 3rd I have been thinking about 'worse case scenario' and what to do if I get in trouble on this 21 day solo expedition.

My choices settled on a Sat phone or a spot device. I have settled on the latter. Simply because of ease of use and the new system where spot allows for social network and email update at no extra charge. the SPOT is a simple to use piece of gear and is small enough to be carried on my person at all times.

How do you express passion?

2011-12-27T15:16:00.000-08:00

How do youexpress passion?

How do youexplain reason to events only you have encountered?

Havingnavigated my small plastic kayaks down the rivers of EVEREST and K2 I wish to sharewith others some of the thoughts, feelings and emotions that come from such anact. More will come as I get near to returning to the great mountain - a solo trip this time, a double run on the tears that fall from Everest.

Gazing upthe valley from the Rongbuk monastery in Tibet the majestic peak of Everest (Sagamartha) showed herself through theparting clouds. Beside my small tent sat a small plastic kayak still wet fromthe river.

Sat againstthe wall of the monastery I could nothelp but choke on the emotions that had built up. All the trials of the pasthad lead to this moment I had finally become the only person to have kayakeddown all the rivers that flow from the great mountain.

The Arun inNepal. A trip littered with problems not least the encounter with Maoist rebelsand the sound of gun shots. Eighteen months later I trekked into Namche Bazaarto run the Dudh Kosi river. In the enforced boundaries of Tibet I had managedto ride the last of the three rivers that flow from Sagamartha. Droplet tearsfell down my bearded face. As the realisation of what I had done swept over me.

I had notbeen alone on any of these river, kayaking with great friends. But each river had been a different team. Iwas the only constant on all three expeditions. Even now sitting alone, lookingout of the rain stained window of my cottage I find it hard to identify withwhat I have achieved.

Those thatask often look blankly into mid distance as I reel off story after story. How doI rationalise what I did? How will those that listen understand the privatethoughts. In the telling all bravado and ‘extreme experiences’ seem to emanatefrom the words although this is not the reason. Through the re-telling it ishoped that the perception of ‘extreme’ sports offer more than just an adrenaline filled lifestyle.

This is a journey for myself, a solo quest, I know that I will find the truth. That moment when you are with your god. The moment when the devil of your mind runs away and hides in the memory.

It is this time, the place I must force myself to go, that I crave. I want to know myself, to deal with my own whim, without the pull of peers, or the ties of blood. I ache to know the feelings of the night, when the dark sky forces sleep and the dreams grow cold in the soul.

What to wear.

2011-12-20T01:04:00.000-08:00

It is a task that I have looked forward to with a mix of pleasure and guilt. What Berghaus products should I take on this expedition. What do I need, over what do I want. Sure in our comsumer world the best is always seen as the most expensive. But that is not what its all about.

Over the weekend I did a mock gear list, using gear I already own and have used on previosu trips. I took the gear lists from the Stikine, Tibet and Pakistan trips, along with the Alsek gear list I had.

A constant feature on all these trips was a good jacket for camp and off the water time. I need a jacket that offers a warm shell but also a small pack size, as it will spend lots of time in a drybag stuffed in the back of my boat.

I have chosen the Men's Mount Asgard Hybrid Jacket.

It is a simple fact that a cold night or morning will kill the spirit and make for negative emotions to breed. This jacket will help in keeping the spirit lifted. I have also added a gilet for extra protection at high levels. Men's IgniteVest.

For the trip a selection of baselayers both thermal and coolmax have been chosen, for both legs and body. These range from the simple tshirt style to zipped neck long sleeve. It is proposed that the walk in to the rivers Dudh and Arun I will wear a short sleeve or long sleeve cool max and I will upgrade to a long sleeve (x2) thermal for river use. Camp will return me to the simple base layer of the trek.

Fabrics will be treated as always with Grangers products both during and after tge expedition.

The walk in to these rivers I will be wearing cargo pants, with thermals and shorts worn when on the river. Berghaus have produced a fine shoe, with a low cut and vibram sole, that I know will adapt well to river situations, coupled with some wool socks, the show will also be used on the trek.

I have yet to think about my wet gear. Helmet and pfd are obvious, as is a boat and paddle. I am having trouble with choosing my dry top from my selection, stuff in drybags in Kathmandu. My instinct is to use a none latex jacket. I simply dont want a latex gasket failing me on the trip, if I take the latex out of the equation, thats one less worry. Nookie do a few jackets that have none latex necks, along with the zone that is a full latex free jacket. This is one of my most well used jackets, a simple solution and still 100% dry.

I may be updating this list as time goes on.

Challenge

2011-12-17T07:42:00.000-08:00

On 16 th Dec 2011, after an online vote at Berghaus I became proud to be awared funding for a solo kayak descent trip to Everest.

Everest cries two rivers of tears into Nepal, the Dudh Kosiand Arun Gorges, both remote and challenging white water rivers. It is a matterof respect, personal dreams and hope. A challenge,one man, one mountain – to show that Everest, goddess of the earth, is morethan the mountain alone, more than the foot steps; these well-worn tracks cry.

These rivershave seen few descents. In Tibet the Arun is named the Rongbuk as it arcs fromthe plateau. Its name changes as it crashes from the top of the world carvingaway from Everest. None except myself have paddled all these rivers and in thespring of 2012 I am setting out again to challenge the raging rapids of thetears of Everest. In the spring it is intended that I will make a solounsupported descent of these rivers, back to back. A solo duo combination,never attempted, a further notch for the only kayaker to have descended all therivers that flow from Everest and k2.

First the mightyDudh Kosi from the entrance to the National Park, this descent of over 12 days– self contained. Paddling left to India as it joins the Sun Kosi. I will thenjourney overland back toward Everest to the Barun confluence, perhaps higher, on the upper Arun.Its time to descend the famous Arun gorges at this point, returning again tothe Sun Kosi after the 6 day walk-in and unsupported 6 day paddle through someof the most dangerous rapids in the Himalayas enclosed in this tight gorge, asit makes its passage to India.

Whilst inNepal I will offer free guide training for remote village communities, allowingthem funded training in Kathmandu and the chance to train to be adventureleaders, a career then develops futures. Everest is the flagship of adventure tourism and a unique sales point inAdventure Tourist sector and brand identity. It allows the general public tosee the pioneering spirit and the continued promotion of the adventure.Berghaus is a brand intrinsically linked to adventure with the Extrem andactivity specific ranges to the production of childrens gear, supporting youthto grow in the outdoor arena – this expedition to the river of Everest allowsBerghaus the chance to grow at a tangent from the historical mountaineeringbackground whilst still planning its feet firmly on the mountain.

Adventure is my life line, it is all that lifegives, all that it can ever be. For over a decade I have been forging riverdescents in Asia, from the Braldu as it crashes from K2 to remote firstdescents in Tibet. I have challenged some of the world’s most dangerous riversin Alaska, Pakistan, Tibet, Nepal and Europe. Now I lead and guide expeditionswith my company Pure Land Expeditions and write books.

But without my first steps as a youth thiswould not be possible. We, need to give back – to nurture thegrowing sports and development positive relationships and understandings ofpersonal risk, personal gain and personal hope.

For mekayaking is not about what gear I use, what risks I take, what moves I make. Itis about more, much more. It is about the freedom of the spirit, the freedom ofactions and understanding the mind. The place the mind goes in the dark hoursin nightmare and in day dreams. It’s not about the sponsorship. Been anambassador for many brands, quit and now choose gear I trust. Berghaus is thehome of great gear that I use without financial gain, this challenge is a way tokeep growing as an explorer, to keep moving, to do more.

Stay Safe, stay connected, explore.

DAZ