She begin pursuing her dream of the Seven Summits and Two Poles in 2004. She has successfully climbed six of the seven summits and has skied to both the North and South Poles. We caught up with Lei with just days before her departure and got the chance to interview her about her current and past expeditions along with her motivation and inspiration.

Lei on Vinson Summit, Antarctica

It’s funny how life drops a few curveballs into your lap. These coincidences are what make life interesting! If it wasn’t for me seeing the movies “Touching the Void”, or “Women of K2”, I would probably have never discovered my passion for adventures!!

Likewise, as part of a MBA school program at Wharton I was first introduced to ice climbing and mountaineering, and climbed my first glacier mountain, Cotopaxi in Ecuador. When I graduated, I decided to head out to Africa and climb Kilimanjaro.. It was during that climb, I realized how challenging it was for me and how my lack of fitness almost made me fail. I love challenges and overcoming them. Remembering what happened in the two movies, I realized that I wanted to be one of them. A spark was ignited, a passion to accomplish what had previously seemed invisible or impossible. Without knowing “how”, I decided I “would” and show the world that others can do it to.

What accomplishment in your athletic career are you most proud of?

I’ve never been an athlete prior to these climbs. So, I’d say that the overall athletic journey that I’m most proud of. Of course, Everest, as the highest mountain in the world, would be something I’d be really proud of!!!

What adventurer do you admire most? Who or what really inspires you?

Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton. I admire people who have a strong will to survive/overcome impossible. Such super-human spirit inspires me. In general, anyone who pushes past their limits to achieve their dreams, no matter how big.

What has been the most dangerous encounter you have had on your quests?

There are many moments that things could go wrong, such as climbing in total white out on Elbrus, descending in storm after a long day on Denali, crossing thin ice on the arctic, being sick on Vinson summit day… luckily, the guides and whole team all pulled together to prepare for the worst each time, and we all came out safely. I’m sure you’re very well aware how dangerous expedition climbing is. It’s not the actual climb, but the unknown factors such as weather, rockfalls, avalanches, altitude sickness that kills you.

Lei at the North Pole

Most outrageous moment?

There is always a lot of stress in each trip; There could be difficult political risk or team cooperation problems, but I don’t think anything is so outrageous. But, one thing that stands out, is being smuggled in to the Castensz pyramid after paying a hefty bribe money. You’ll find the story on my website http://www.leisventures.com/carstensz-pyramid.html

What do you hope people take away from your adventure/quest?

I really hope that by accomplishing this feat, people will be inspired, women and men alike, to adopt a more active and healthier lifestyle. I would especially like to see women everywhere cast off any self-imposed limits and pursue whatever dreams their hearts can imagine. I’ve known quite a few people who don’t want to do something because of fear, self imposed limits, or lack of resources. I want to tell them (and show them) you can do it too!!! I don’t believe that there are extraordinary supermen or women out there… I believe that there are big dreams and the willingness to go after it. It’s more of a mental attitude than anything else. You can find a way if the will is there!

What is a “day in the life of Lei” like while you are training? How many hours do you train?

Running in the morning
Then work on marketing/logistics/sponsorships/writing, email/phone/meet with various people,
Strength training in the afternoon
Attend networking/speaking events in the evening.

Spend 3-4 hours in training, if I can!!!

What does/has your training consisted of?

Thanks to my personal trainer Dave Memont of MyStrengthDiscovery, who gave me a comprehensive training program… I have to maintain my V02 max, and process oxygen more efficiently. So what he’s done is provide me with a lot of load bearing sprints, circuit training and functional training that uses the same muscles and movements that I will use in climbing.

Pulling a sled, sprints, kettlebell training, tire flipping, hill training and lots of running.

At the South Pole

If successful, I would become the first Chinese woman, as well as the first Asian-American woman, to climb the highest mountain on every continent and to ski to both the North and South Poles, I’m not really thinking of it as a race. Setting records is not the purpose. There have been a lot of people who have achieved what I’m trying to do. There even is a teenage boy who this year has climbed all seven mountains! How I measure success is how many people use my actions as a role model for creating positive change in their lives.

Any part of this trek you particularly dread?

There’re a lot of dangerous sections, such as Kumbu ice fall, and various rock band, rocky steps high up. I will take every part seriously.

How important is the fundraising part of the process?

Funding is the most stressful part of the preparation. I need funding to pay for the trip, buy equipment, travel. I’ve been working with various sponsors in creating a marketing plan, and helping promote their brands. There will be areas where I have to goto tradeshows, be on site on behalf of sponsors…. As an added note, I am looking for title sponsors in a mutual beneficial partnership.

Do you have any advice for other adventurers who want to take on an epic journey like this?

Plan, Plan, Plan!!!! Know your costs. Know your resources… and also network. Find the people who can help you if you can’t do this on your own. Do thorough research, collect advice from all sources. Training is a small part of it and is much easier than the fundraising.

When do you depart?

March 20th, 2010

Estimated summit date?

Around May 20th, 2010

Hardest Challenge to date? Most memorable?

Each new mountain offered their own challenges. I respect all of them. Every new step I took was one harder than before, and every step is memorable: pulling the sled in harsh cold desert of Antarctica, the three attempts on Aconcagua, the sick/painful summit on Mt Vinson …

Climbing a mountain like Everest is expensive…how have you worked to finance such an expedition?

My fiscal sponsor, SOLO Foundation, made this trip possible. Personally, I used all savings, borrowed money via loans/credit cards and private donations from friends. I carefully managed cash flows and focused all resource on climbing. Everything is self funded from work and such. I also have my sponsors to thank for their generous support in helping making a lot of my climbs possible!!

We look forward to following along as the Everest season gets under way and we wish Lei much success in her attempt.

Field Test: Weighing in under 3 lbs this hydration hauler does more than just pack your H2O.  With the NVIS back panel it has plenty of ventilation for hot days and padding for the lower back. The advantage to the Vantage is it’s size. With a bladder holding 100 fl. ounces there is little need for more water on a day trip. For an overnight there are two non-mesh pockets that will hold a standard water bottle. Tool loops proved useful for attaching extra gear like sleeping pads or trekking poles. After wearing this pack it is obvious it is well suited for an expedition adventure race, ultralight backpacking 1-nighter, or day trips where climbing or skiing require more gear.

Nitpicks: Not much to pick here. If we’re wishing though we would ask for a sleeping bag compartment and one more waist belt pocket. All things being equal however this pack is nearly perfect for what it is intended; a grab-n-go pack for quick adventures that require little gear.

MSRP $150 at REI

Specs:

The BikeThere feature has gained many supporters, with one website leading the push, gathering over 50,000 signatures in an effort to convince Google to offer the service. A combination of high gas prices and an effort to become healthier is inspiring folks to use their cars less – and get onto their bikes or into their walking shoes. Now with Google instantly plotting the best route, the only thing left is to grab a water bottle and head out the door, leaving the car at home.

In the beginning, Google Directions were only for cars, and since then we have seen big improvements: Terrain View is one of my favorites, giving a topographic perspective of the land, Streetview which has been somewhat controversial and the source of some very entertaining photos, and also a Traffic Feature. Starting last year, Google offered Walking Directions, charting out the most pleasant route to get from point A to point B. And finally, we have Google bike directions.

Head on over to maps.google.com to test out the new feature: chart your bike route to work, saddle up, and leave your car keys at home!

When Felix Baumgartner jumps from 36km up in the atmosphere for the Red Bull Stratos experiment, it will be a true jump into the unknown. No one quite understands what the effects will be of Felix freefalling through the sound barrier (supersonic) and then back again to subsonic speeds… Some of the project’s key players explain the processes involved.

Besides looking really slick, the main feature is that they offer great WIND PROTECTION and moderate rain protection in a lightweight and FLEXIBLE fabric that is perfect for a high level of activity. Let’s face it, no matter how breathable your rain jacket claims to be, when you are running or cycling, by the time you get near the top of the hill, you start to wonder exactly how breathable it is. With a quality softshell, that becomes an afterthought.

When living in the outdoors, I find that when setting up camp and relaxing after a long day on the trail, I don’t want to put on a sopping wet rain jacket if it’s not pouring, but I still want that wind and rain protection. I can hang up the jacket and switch to the softshell and be perfectly cozy. Or if I look outside before jogging and see some questionable clouds, I like to bring along my softshell hoody, instead of a rain jacket. The softshell will flex with my movements, and still keep me dry in all but the rainiest conditions.

For me, the hoody made it, but it also boasts welded seams, internal external chest pockets with water resistant zippers, snot wiper on the cuffs, soft fleece lining. And most of all QUALITY, everything you could ask for in a softshell – received an average of 5 out of 5 stars on 84 reviews at backcountry.com!

The current line is now STOIC, and though I will miss the Goat logo, I look forward to seeing further innovative products. Check out the full line of STOIC products at backcountry.com

If you’re looking to ramp up your fitness this winter and head into spring ready to race, then snowshoeing could be the sport for you. Here are five points to consider when getting started.

1. Gear Up. Buy, borrow, or rent a pair of lightweight, running-focused snowshoes. Redfeather got the ball rolling almost 20 years ago, and a number of companies now make high-quality racing snowshoes. Anything much larger than 8”x25” is probably too big if you’re hoping to run. I generally race in the Northern Lites Elite for courses featuring powder and the Northern Lites Elite Racer for groomed courses. If you’re serious about running fast, remove the bindings from your snowshoes and mount a lightweight pair of running shoes permanently to the snowshoes. Do this by drilling through the midsole and outsole and attaching with bolts, washers, and locking nuts.

2. Train Right. If you live in the mountains, nordic skiing, randonee skiing, and snowshoe running all offer great training for snowshoe races. If you only see snow at the snowshoe race itself, fear not! Running, cycling, and swimming all provide excellent carryover fitness. Snowshoe racing is a high-end aerobic activity, so I recommend high-intensity, uphill intervals for running and biking. Most snowshoe races occur at altitude, so any training and/or sleeping up high is good.

3. Dress Appropriately. Many first-time snowshoers dress comfortably for downhill skiing, only to find themselves excrutiatingly overheated minutes into the workout or race. I recommend dressing lighter than you think you should–you should feel cool when waiting on the starting line. I generally wear a lightweight, wool base layer on top and bottom with thin windpants, another lightweight shirt, and a wind vest (a full, non-mesh back on the vest is crucial in keeping the flying snow off). Sunscreen and sunglasses are important.

4. Think Technique. Generally, running on snowshoes is just like running without snowshoes. You may need to widen your stride slightly to prevent the snowshoes from hitting your ankles. Running on uneven snow may feel a bit awkward at first; this will diminish with practice. Keep your ankles loose and expect a bit of twisting and turning (trail running year round helps immensely here). On steep uphills, you can often travel just as fast and conserve energy by power hiking. Going downhill, lean back a bit, lift your knees, and allow the heal of the snowshoe to provide flotatation.

5. To Pole or Not to Pole? For snowshoers on a hike who may be unsure about balance, poles offer an added degree of stability. Adventure racing superstar Mike Kloser, who comes from a skiing background, uses nordic skiing poles when snowshoe racing because of the increased push when climbing. I come from a running background and do not use poles because they get in the way when descending. Give both options a try and decide for yourself!

Evergreen, Colorado’s Travis Macy has won the Colorado Snowshoeing State Championship and the Turquoise Lake 20-Miler Snowshoe Race, among others. He adventure races with Team Merrell/Akali and teaches reading, writing, and arithmetic at Denver Academy High School. Feel free to follow Travis’ adventures at www.followtravismacy.blogspot.com.

When: April 3rd, 2010
Location: Tippecanoe Battlefield, Battle Ground IN (near Lafayette IN)
Planet Adventure Heritage Trail Marathon  Full/Half/15K/5K
Distances: Full, Half, 15K and 5K
Contact: Matthew Jourdan, mjourdan@planetadventurerace.com
Website: http://www.planetadventurerace.com

For more than 30 years, “13” has proved to be a rather lucky number for one Alaskan family. In 1978, Dick Mackey won the Iditarod on his 6th try wearing bib number 13. Then in 1983, son Rick takes the title back for the Mackey family on his 6th try wearing bib number 13. Flash forward 24 years, little brother Lance becomes the king of the Mackey family and the Iditarod, you guessed it on his 6th try wearing bib #13! That year, Lance won his first of three straight Iditarod titles. The road to the winner’s circle was not an easy one for Lance. Though it might sound like mushing is in his blood, he still overcame unbelievable odds to not only join the ranks of his father and brother, but to surpass them. The Iditarod has been called one of the ‘last great races on earth’. It is over 1150 miles of the most gorgeous and treacherous terrain one could imagine. It starts in Anchorage, AK and ends in Nome.

Native Alaskan, Lance Mackey, now calls Fairbanks, AK home. The 38-year-old father and athlete is now a fulltime musher and owns Comeback Kennels with his family.

His career in mushing got off to a slow start. In fact, he didn’t even realize mushing was a dream for him. “I grew up around dogs, but my dad always left me the bottom of the barrel racing dogs,” said Lance, “it was his way of teaching me and my brother Jason responsibility.”

As a teen, the highlight of Mackey’s racing career was a 4th place finish in the Jr. Iditarod. By the time he was 18, Mackey had gone from 140 dogs to none. He even became a commercial fisherman for a time. After marrying and becoming a father to his wife’s three small children, he ended up with 10 dogs before he knew it. Mackey just wasn’t sure the title of IDIT champ was in the cards for him. The 10 dogs he had accumulated were actually used to have fun with the kids. “The only racing they were doing was up and down our driveway,” said Mackey. Then the mushing bug bit again. “I think the fever had always been there. I was so proud of my dad and brother, they were legends, I was always bragging about them”

In 2001, he couldn’t resist the temptation of the ultimate race any longer. He ran the race with borrowed and “left over” dogs. “I just wanted a belt buckle for completing the race, only 600 people in the world have them,” he said. He finished 36 out of 58. But then, he realized if he had finished only 6 places higher, he would have also gotten a portion of the “race purse.” He also wanted to make his family proud.

Mackey had a long and trying road still ahead of him on his journey to being an Iditarod champ. In 2002, Mackey was diagnosed with throat cancer. He had surgery that April and then the radiation and recovery process began. As I listened to Mackey’s recount of that trying year I was shocked to hear that he actually raced in 2002. Many would consider just making it to the starting line an accomplishment. But not Mackey, the competitive spirit that had made the other men in his family so successful was alive in him too. He had to pull out in the middle of the race, but not for the reason many would expect. It wasn’t fatigue or lack of motivation. “I almost starved to death,” he said, “I was still on a feeding tube at the time, and couldn’t keep my liquid food thawed.” Here’s a guy who amazed this journalist by simply attempting this amazing feat. Yet, for him it was a major disappointment. “It was the lowest moment in my life. I had disappointed so many people.” His family and his sponsors were paramount to him. Not your $5000 sponsors mind you. “I was getting $500 sponsors at this time.” The amount was not the important part of this to Lance. It was the faith they had put in him. By the way, several of those sponsors even dropped him after that race.

When asked about being an inspiration to others (particularly cancer survivors); Again, his humble and hardworking persona shines through and he sees nothing too remarkable about his accomplishment. “I find it odd,” he said, “I think I did what most people would do. I had a dog team, a wife and a family counting on me.” However, Mackey still realizes the gravity of the situation he survived “I don’t think anyone who deals with what I dealt with can help but be grateful for tomorrow and thankful for today.”

So, 2003 rolls around and money becomes an issue and keeps him from competing. In 2004, he and his brother, Jason make top 30 finishes and get a much needed boost. 2005 had even more in store for this athlete. I asked if ever he was advised to give this whole racing thing a rest, his doctors thought of this too. “Don’t tell me I can’t do something.” is all he said. That something in Mackey’s mind was to be the first person to run the Yukon and Iditarod back to back. That’s exactly what he did. He was the 2005 Yukon champ and got a top 7 finish in the Iditarod. That was the first chapter to a very successful racing career for Lance Mackey. To put this in perspective, he is the only musher to win the over 1000 mile races back to back. He did it not once but twice.

He won the Yukon in 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008. He gives all of credit to his “team”. He attributes his success to his dogs and the support of his family. “The dogs are the #1 reason we are out there,” he said: The relationship with your dogs is crucial. I have 100 dogs and treat them all like family. Some mushers are too serious and are in this just as a business. I don’t do that.”

Mackey says the secret to his success is quite simple. Dedication! “I am out there with my dogs 99% of the time,” said Mackey. It is a connection he has cultivated with his dogs and is certainly proud of it.

“We put our heart and souls into this,” he said, “My wife is the backbone of Team Mackey.”

Then there are the furry family members. And, I quickly learn that “Larry” is a big part of this family affair. He is also known as the “lead dog” around the Mackey clan.

“You hope to find them once in a lifetime, said Mackey,”I didn’t realize what I had with Larry until I had had him a couple of years.” Larry is nine years old and this was his last year to race. By the way, he did finish the race this year. “A few parts of the race we went at Larry speed. But, our crew is not wimpy,” said Mackey.

The dogs even get to take a summer break. “I let them lay around all summer, from the first week of April to the first week of August,” said Mackey. Mackey also says they are like any athlete and need to heal. But I had to ask, just how do you train dogs in August with no snow? I found out quickly that mushers are a resourceful breed. “I hook them up to ATVs and run on dirt trails to build their muscles,” added Mackey.

But back to the race… In 2009, after 9 days, 21 hours, 38 minutes and 46 seconds… Lance Mackey claimed his 3rd Iditarod title. It still gives Lance a boost to hear the excitement in his Dad’s voice after a race. “After my third win, my dad was in disbelief,” said Mackey. He knew his son had joined an elite few. Dick Mackey now lives in Arizona. “He was the first person I talked to this year,” said Mackey, “I tear up thinking about him.”

The race and the gear have certainly changed since his dad won the Iditarod back in 1978. “Sleds and gear have very much improved since the 70’s,” he said, “My dad had a military sleeping bag weighing 20 lbs. Mine is 3-1/2 lbs. And, there were very few dog food companies then.” Lance recalls a story from his dad about the time he got stuck in a snow storm. He says his dad had to hunt for moose just to feed the dogs. In comparison, Lance and other mushers now send out 2500 pounds of gear and food to check points weeks ahead of the race.

One other thing Mackey Sr. didn’t have, Lance’s “must have” piece of gear – his iPod! “Its quiet and desolate out there,” he said, “it helps keep you motivated.”

Only 2 other racers, Susan Butcher (1986-88) and Doug Swingley (1999-2001), have won the Iditarod 3 consecutive times. But, it was one of the awards given by the veterinarians after the race that Mackey most treasures. He was given the “Humanitarian Award”. For an animal lover like Mackey, this was priceless. “I would trade the truck, the money everything for that award.” It means the vets along the racecourse think that Mackey had the best care for his dog team.

One part of the process that is easier for Mackey now is the availability of sponsors to him. He can now focus on training and racing full time. And, it is an expensive game to play “$100K a year is a conservative amount to spend on a racing team” said Mackey. He puts in $60-70K a year.

He now has another possible award on the horizon, an ESPY. “I have had 3 years of being nominated,” he said, “just being nominated is huge even if I don’t win.”

When asked what words of wisdom he would pass along to future mushers, Mackey responded:

“It’s a passionate sport that takes effort. You must be patient, there’s no overnight success. You only get out of it what you put in.” Lance recalls going without family vacations so that they could put all of their money into their racing dogs.

I couldn’t avoid the temptation to compare this Lance to another famous race-winning-cancer-surviving Lance. Wouldn’t you know it; I wasn’t the first to make this comparison. “We got approached by the Lance Armstrong Foundation to come down to Texas and do a commercial with him.” The other details Mackey is not too sure of, “My wife handles that,” he said.

In case you are wondering about the next generation of racing Mackeys. Lance’s teenaged son, Cain Mackey, is proving this is a family tradition. He just won the Jr. Iditarod. And now, Lance gets to feel the same type of pride his father has felt for him.

But Lance isn’t hanging up his racing sled just yet. His goal for 2010? “To get as many happy and healthy dogs to Nome as I can!”

His final words to me were not about himself. “We thank the fans and all of those who support us and the dogs.”

Photos courtesy of Kevin Spreekmeester and accompanied the article in the May 2009 issue

• Team Ecuador Chevrolet won the race in Ecuador
• Craft Ukraine won the race in Poland
• The race in Argentina was won by Team Merida Laboratorios Abraham

The month of March will let us catch up and finish our look at all the races in the series.  We’ll also have more to share about these three winning teams later on this Spring.    This preview series started back in January in case you need to catch up or review; now my focus moves to Central America and the Costa Rican race in the World Series.

The Costa Rican Adventure Race is 4 days August 23rd – 27th.  This is the first year for this race, so I admit that I don’t have much background to go on in terms of “previewing” the event.  I know the organizers are working in concert with the Spanish organizers of Bimbache Extrem, the 2010 World Championships, to bring in some European teams and develop the race program to the fullest.  In fact, if you check out the photo galleries on the Costa Rican website you will see Anotinio de La Rosa — the guy behind this year’s World Championships in Spain — in nearly every photo.  In fact, the pics look like a travel journal from “Antonio goes to Costa Rica” or something!

Costa Rican AR Mud

All kidding aside, Costa Rica is known as a beautiful outdoor playground and by putting the race in late August the racers will escape the crowds of tourists who come during North America’s winter.  In truth, August is the heart of the Costa Rican rainy season but while conventional visitors might not like the sound of that, the jungles of Costa Rica typically just have light showers during the afternoons and it’s rarely a heavy rain.   This race does require a support crew, and the rainy season can make dirt roads tough to navigate — so get the extra insurance on the rental car if your team is making the trip!

The race has advertised the standard disciplines of biking, trekking, paddling, and said that there could be rafting and caving mixed in.  On careful reading of the race rules, it explains that the race will have a strict paddling dark zone from 5 PM until 6 AM, which means that the water is going to be “energetic” and that teams may have the chance to get a bit more sleep than in a normal non-stop race.

Preparing to Paddle

As I said, this is the first year for the race in Costa Rica so I have no history to highlight.  Since the AR World Series has not been in this area of the world, it will open the door to the fast Central American teams and should bolster the Latin American representation at the World Championships in Spain this Fall.  Of course, it’s also a chance for international teams to see the rain forest firsthand and race in a different part of the world.

When I slid this Cloudveil jacket from the box I was stricken by the quality straight-away. The sewn seams were tight and the taped seams had no raised edges. The second thing I noticed was the number of pockets and zips in proportion to the total weight. The jacket retains a lightweight approach while providing 7 pockets (3 interior/4 exterior). Long pit zips allow for breezy breathability and are easily reachable. Bungy-style pulls adjust the hood from within or outside the jacket. There is also a rear pull to decrease or increase the size of the hood allowing for helmet-wearing activities. Wrist cuffs are cinched down with velcro straps and there is even a pocket on the left forearm perfectly sized for a small cell phone or bar-shaped snack.

Field Test: It broke my heart to do this but I actually pulled on some of the seams as hard as I possibly could. I tried to tear this jacket apart with my bare hands. Why? Because it looked indestructible. Is it? Yep, pretty much! Not one seam made a noise when I attempted to pull them apart. The Koven Plus is obviously made with high standards and will fare better than your body would if it tumbled down a rock face. In very windy conditions with temps around 40 degrees the jacket was enough to stave off the elements with only a short sleeve shirt on underneath.

Nitpick: If there is one thing that may hold some back from purchasing the Koven Plus, it would be the price. At 400 bucks it is much pricier than the entry level shell. Then again, it is not an entry-level shell at all, it is the cream of the crop. Based on our test this is a  shell for the long haul. The technology is advanced enough to keep it modern for a decade and the style is sensible enough to keep you in fashion just as long.

MSRP: $400 at Cloudveil.com

Specs: