Ash Routen
@ashrouten.com
Adventure journalist and editor of 'At the Edge of the Map', covering expeditions and adventure globally. By-lines include ExWeb, Nat Geo, Sidetracked, and Outside. Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and The Explorers Club. ashrouten.com
American sailor Matt Rutherford is one month into an attempt to sail solo and non-stop around the Arctic Ocean. open.substack.com/pub/theedgeo...
American Sailor One Month Into Solo Attempt to Circumnavigate the Arctic
American sailor Matt Rutherford is one month into an attempt to sail solo and non-stop around the Arctic Ocean.
open.substack.com
If we know each other through the adventure and expedition world, I'd love to share a new project I'm launching. At the Edge of the Map is a new independent publication covering global expeditions, adventure and exploration through original reporting, interviews and analysis. Continued 👇
The legendary bicycle tourist Heinz Stucke died a couple of days ago. Stucke spent more than 50 years cycling around the globe, covering an estimated 600k miles. He started in 1962 and finished in 2014 at the age of 74.
Next month, a Canadian team will try to kayak around the coastline of King William Island in the Canadian Arctic. The island is the focal point of one of the Arctic’s most enduring mysteries: the lost British Naval Northwest Passage Expedition of 1845. theedgeofthemap.substack.com/p/kayak-expe...
Kayak Expedition to Circumnavigate Arctic Island Where Franklin's Men Perished
Next month, a Canadian team will attempt to kayak around the coastline of King William Island in the Canadian Arctic.
theedgeofthemap.substack.com
An interesting and bold SUP expedition. Spanish adventurer Antonio de la Rosa is in northern Canada, preparing to launch a solo, unsupported attempt to paddleboard the Northwest Passage. open.substack.com/pub/theedgeo...?
Spanish Adventurer Set to Attempt Northwest Passage by Paddleboard
Spanish adventurer Antonio de la Rosa is in northern Canada, preparing to launch a solo, unsupported attempt to paddleboard the Northwest Passage.
open.substack.com
Yesterday, four Swiss adventurers began an attempt to row unsupported from Longyearbyen, Svalbard, to Scotland’s north coast. They aim to reach Scotland in 40-60 days time after rowing an estimated 3,100km. open.substack.com/pub/theedgeo...
Serial Canadian adventurer Frank Wolf is heading north again. theedgeofthemap.substack.com/p/canadian-a...
A 1,200km Canoe Journey in Northern Canada
Canadian adventurers Frank Wolf and Alex Kozma are heading to the Northwest Territories in northern Canada early next month to undertake a 1,200km canoe journey.
theedgeofthemap.substack.com
Two weeks ago, we reported on several Arctic expeditions scheduled to begin in late March and April. Some are already underway, while others are about to start. explorersweb.com/arctic-round...
Given space to enthuse about a hill that has meant a great deal to me for nearly half a century. And counting. www.ukhillwalking.com/articles/des...
Serial Summits - Helvellyn, A Lifelong Love Affair
Having first teetered across Striding Edge aged just nine, Norman Hadley has made regular ascents of Helvellyn ever since. Whether running, walking, mountaineering, bivvying or biking, it's a...
ukhillwalking.com
Swiss cyclist Adrien Liechti is attempting to cycle nearly 17,000km from Africa’s northernmost point to its southernmost. Unfortunately, a misunderstanding in Cameroon recently derailed his journey for two weeks. explorersweb.com/cyclists-170...
Cyclist's 17,000Km Africa North-to-South Journey Delayed by Military Detention » Explorersweb
Swiss cyclist Adrien Liechti was detained in Cameroon for two weeks for filming a bridge without realizing it was considered a sensitive subject.
explorersweb.com
One man has taken on a unique project: reaching all seven Poles of Inaccessibility -- those places on each continent farthest from water or land. explorersweb.com/chasing-the-...
Chasing the World’s Seven Poles of Inaccessibility » Explorersweb
One man has taken on a unique project: reaching all seven Poles of Inaccessibility -- those places on each continent farthest from water or land.
explorersweb.com
As light returns to the northern latitudes, the Arctic expedition season is about to begin. The spring of 2026 is particularly busy and geographically varied, with journeys in Greenland, Svalbard, Alaska, and even Siberia and Mongolia. explorersweb.com/arctic-round...
Arctic Round-Up: Sled Journeys Across Greenland, Svalbard, Alaska, Siberia » Explorersweb
This spring features Arctic expeditions in both the usual suspects (Greenland, Svalbard) and places like Siberia that no longer see much action.
explorersweb.com
I had a great time at the Expedition Finse festival last weekend in 🇳🇴 As well as giving a talk it was great to hear from and chat to Ben Fogle. A real highlight was meeting the great Erling Kagge and attending the Shackleton Award dinner. A few pics below and a blog post to come next week.
I was in Norway last weekend where Maciej Besta was awarded the 2026 Shackleton Award. I whipped up this profile on Besta and his latest cold expedition. explorersweb.com/the-man-who-...
The Man Who Climbs the Coldest Peaks on Earth » Explorersweb
Maciej Besta has spent over a decade doing climbing and manhauling expeditions alone in the coldest places he can find, often in central Siberia.
explorersweb.com
The Fram Museum (if you're ever in Oslo, then go) is reporting that Roland Huntford has died, deep into his 90s. It took someone born in South Africa to offer a more realistic picture of Scott, but his intention, he said, to was to do justice to Amundsen. Can't argue with that.
I’ve been nominated for Best Social Media Handle at the 2026 Outdoor Media Awards — an industry event that recognises journalism, storytelling and creators in the outdoor space. It’s pretty wild given I spend most of my time spotlighting lesser-known expeditions and calling out adventure hype.
It's that time of year again: we're looking for our next Antarctic team! If you can imagine a job that’s needed to keep a small, remote community safe and running, we have it. Escape the ordinary and apply for the job of a lifetime in Antarctica ⬇️
Canada starts preparing for guerilla warfare, just in case www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art...
Military models Canadian response to hypothetical American invasion
Armed Forces envision insurgency tactics like those used by Afghan mujahedeen, sources say. But officials and experts stress a U.S. operation is unlikely, and the scenarios are conceptual
theglobeandmail.com
In the past I've given a lot of time for free to broadcasters, adventurers and journalists. Now I'm trying to formalise this a little. So here's a little on how you can work with me for commentary, writing, speaking and consultancy worldwide. www.ashrouten.com/blog/working...
Expert in Adventure, Exploration, Media and Expeditions — ASH ROUTEN
Work with an expert in adventure, exploration and expedition media, offering commentary, writing, speaking and consultancy worldwide.
ashrouten.com
A shameless plug, if you enjoy any of my writing I’m asking folks to nominate me for best outdoor story of 2025. The suggested story to nominate is in the linked post below. outdoormediasummit.com/2026-outdoor...
2026 Outdoor Media Awards Nominations - Outdoor Media Summit 2026
Celebrate the voices shaping outdoor media. Nominate top journalists, creators, and marketers for the 2026 Outdoor Media Summit Awards.
outdoormediasummit.com
A shameless plug, if you enjoy any of my writing I’m asking folks to nominate me for best outdoor story of 2025. The suggested story to nominate is in the linked post below. outdoormediasummit.com/2026-outdoor...
2026 Outdoor Media Awards Nominations - Outdoor Media Summit 2026
Celebrate the voices shaping outdoor media. Nominate top journalists, creators, and marketers for the 2026 Outdoor Media Summit Awards.
outdoormediasummit.com
In recent weeks, high profile media have covered Antarctic expeditions involving British adventurer Richard Parks and American Colin O’Brady. In both cases, the journeys and how the adventurers have been presented to a broad audience have drawn scrutiny. explorersweb.com/media-advent...
Media, Adventurers Continue to Misrepresent Polar Expeditions » Explorersweb
Although polar expedition reporting has improved since a reliable auditor formed in 2021, the media and some skiers still wildly exaggerate polar treks.
explorersweb.com
A great chat about modern day adventure, expedition and exploration and what these terms mean these days along with the different drivers people have for doing them. Love that it was recorded RGS expedition archive! So apt
Ash Routen@ashrouten.com · 7mo agoIt was a real pleasure to speak with the Adventure Podcast about the state of modern expedition culture. The episode was recorded in the Royal Geographical Society’s expedition archive room for extra authenticity! open.spotify.com/episode/5gQ5...
Good interview with @ashrouten.com scientist, adventurer, journalist, shower of knees. open.spotify.com/episode/5gQ5...
Episode 219: Ash Routen, The State of Exploration
open.spotify.com
Great listen if you think about adventure, exploration, and expedition (and what they mean) as much as I do!
Ash Routen@ashrouten.com · 7mo agoIt was a real pleasure to speak with the Adventure Podcast about the state of modern expedition culture. The episode was recorded in the Royal Geographical Society’s expedition archive room for extra authenticity! open.spotify.com/episode/5gQ5...
It was a real pleasure to speak with the Adventure Podcast about the state of modern expedition culture. The episode was recorded in the Royal Geographical Society’s expedition archive room for extra authenticity! open.spotify.com/episode/5gQ5...
Episode 219: Ash Routen, The State of Exploration
open.spotify.com
A promotion for my books. It's that time of year! #hiking www.christownsendoutdoors.com/2025/12/my-h...
My Hiking & Backpacking Books
New edition packed with photos never published before. It's the time of year for my annual book promotion. If you're looking for a book abou...
christownsendoutdoors.com
For regular readers of ExWeb, I won’t be posting here for a little while. I became a father to a beautiful daughter a few weeks ago. She came five weeks early but is all healthy and happy. I’m off writing duties for a bit, but will be sharing ExWeb stuff over on Instagram inbetween nappy changes ☺️
Not a big fan of this type of venture but wishing O'Brady safe travels. Thx @ashrouten.com for the coverage.
Ash Routen@ashrouten.com · 9mo agoColin O’Brady has begun his attempt to ski completely across Antarctica, or almost completely. The American arrived at Union Glacier last weekend, where he carried out final equipment checks and packed his sled before flying to his starting point. explorersweb.com/antarctica-r...
