Posted: Jul 05, 2007 06:35 am EDT
For years now, they've endured AdventureStats busting their chops. So when ExWeb's founders announced their own expedition; they jumped at the chance for retaliation. Here goes, compiled by British polar skier John Wilton-Davies:

The Rules of Adventure
(Adapted for modern space travel)

- Unsupported expeditions must not rely upon software initiated or computer controlled adjustments to flight control systems.

- All course corrections must be carried out by hand, preferably by holding a piece of cardboard in the appropriate part of the exhaust flame.

- Missions requiring external assistance to achieve escape velocity shall not be included within the official records. Piggy-backing upon aircraft, other rocket-powered vehicles or large birds is forbidden.

- Using the solar wind as a means of propulsion is acceptable. Sailing upwind will be treated with suspicion.

- Remember that the last few steps often are the most difficult ones. Arriving in Mars orbit is NOT arriving at Mars. Also, to qualify as a valid human landing, actual skin must touch the ground. [This may necessitate certain improvements in space suit design or the unselfish sacrifice of a crew member.]

- It is ALWAYS wrong to fail. Rescue insurance is for the benefit of the entire space community and unwarranted claims will increase premiums to everyones cost.

- The distance you travel is important. Travelling to Mars when the planets are relatively close together will be seen by the adventure community as a partial crossing. Expeditions taking a sling shot route around Jupiter will be given extra credit.

- To avoid the Peary and Cook scenario, only incontrovertible evidence of a Mars landing will be accepted as a success. Such evidence may consist of several tons of Martian rock, missing Mars rover vehicles (model numbers will be checked to ensure these are not spares left behind after training in Death Valley), or infection by an exotic virus with silicon based DNA structure.

- It is acknowledged that travelling in the Alpine style will reduce the carbon footprint of the expedition and reduce space debris. Nonetheless, care must be taken to preserve this last remaining pocket of wilderness. All human waste must be carefully buried in worm holes. Fixed ropes, if used, should be removed on the return journey.

- Crew should not cut corners in the race to Mars. All vehicles should have a door at each end to allow for the evacuation of cooking fumes and to allow easy access to the outside to enable frequent realignment of the solar panels as the attitude to the sun changes.

- Each mission should take at least two Iridium Phones. It is believed that the far side of the asteroid belt may not have good coverage, although this should be a problem only for Jupiter sling-shot missions and those relying upon a compass.

- Explorers to Mars should note that it is not recommended to rely upon melting snow en-route to obtain water.

- Mountaineers reaching Mars should be aware that they will be expected to bag a peak or two whilst there. Lower gravity should make this a walk in the park.

- Attempts to make the journey without supplemental oxygen are discouraged.

- The first person to land on Mars is expected to set up a science base with an extensive cafeteria. Future explorers may be offered one hot drink but under no circumstances should be fed.

- Mars records are compiled by the official Mars records office, operated by John Wilton-Davies at Dont Just Dream. All submissions for entry to the record books must be accompanied by a handling fee of $100,000. [The fee is merely to deter time wasters and professional astronauts, and in no way reflects an attempt to profit from the bravery and skill of others].

(Ed note: Find the original Rules of Adventure in the links section.)

At the tender age of 44, one day John Wilton-Davies rose from his couch and made an announcement, "I'm going to ski to the South Pole," he said. The father of two from Exeter, UK, with no previous polar experience at all, hoped to become only the 9th person in history to have completed this journey alone and unsupported. Unfortunately, John's website points out - "he would also had become the oldest person to have achieved this milestone!"

John quest was aborted when ALE closed its flights for the season. John had spent nine weeks alone out on the ice, and was picked up only one degree short from the South Pole. In the Thank-you section on his site, we found a special note: "www.thepoles.com - which gave me the inspiration to do this in the first place."

At times, we get jaded at ExWeb by all the adventure claims out there. That's when stories like John's remind us of the ExplorersWeb spirit: So what if most places on Earth have been discovered already - they haven't been discovered by you! While rules and statistics are crucial for fairness; true Spirit of Adventure begins not at an exact point but in the human heart.

ExplorersWeb founders, US residents Tom and Tina Sjogren are planning a private mission to Mars. The expedition preparations have a hands-on, simple exploration approach and will be openly reported.

#Mountaineering #Polar #Space #Mountaineering #Oceans #Stats #classic