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Kingsley Holgate's Boundless Southern Africa Expedition

Who is Mad Mike...?

Mike Rumble, known by some as "Mad Mike", has a good sense of adventure and humour. Director of Funk Box Imagineering (www.imagineering.co.za), manager of the The Jump Garmin SkyDiving Team (www.jumpgarmin.co.za), sponsor of the www.kingsleyholgate.co.za website, the www.outsideedge.co.za website, and this Boundless Southern Africa Expedition website - Mike is part of the Boundless Southern Africa Expedition Team.

As part of the Boundless Southern Africa Expedition 'Mad Mike' arrived from the sky via parachute at the launch of the Boundless Southern Africa Expedition to deliver the scissors for Miss South Africa to cut the symbolic ribbon as well as at Boundless Soccer Challenges in Lesotho and Zimbabwe, flying in with soccer balls to the respective Ministers of Tourism and Environment to start Boundless Soccer Challenges.

Message from Mike Rumble:

The opportunity for Mad Mike to be part of The Boundless Southern Africa Expedition has been made possible and more fun through a number of good souls that share a passion for life, adventure and good fun:

It has been an honour, a privilege and a pleasure to have been part of the Kingsley Holgate-led Boundless Southern Africa Expedition. A first of its kind journey to link and unite Nature, Culture and Community through 9 countries, 7 Transfrontier Conservation Areas, more than 30 Game and Nature Reserves and most importantly the Communities living within or adjacent to these areas.

We have helped keep the Peace Parks Foundation's vision of Transfrontier Conservation alive, have mapped, photographed, filmed, documented, raised awareness for and opened up what we are sure will be accepted as one of the greatest coast-to-coast 4x4 adventure routes in the world.

The responsibilities which I undertook / volunteered for included the detailed route mapping and point of interest documentation (Garmap), and expedition photography. I also sponsored and managed this expedition website and compiled a number of 360x360 virtual images at various points throughout the expedition (accessible through this website).

The support and contribution of specialist equipment from some specific sponsors has enabled me to fulfill my roles on the expedition to the best of my abilities, in style, in comfort and efficiently.

Peace and Regards to everyone involved in the Boundless Southern Africa Expedition and its success.

Mike Rumble

Mike@FullHouse.co.za

There are a number of items of kit, technical points and a couple of techniques I used and employed that are worth mentioning:

Equipment Utilised and Techniques Employed

Garmin Oregon 300 - used for all route planning, navigation, track logging, way point recording and for the wealth of other general information and functionalities the unit provides (more than any one person will ever make use of). Waterproof and shockproof with a colour touch screen a superb car mounting bracket, a great carabiner belt clip or just hand held. Shaded relief and detailed contour mapping... it is ideal for the bush. Garmin - You'll be Lost Without it.

I used the "bomb proof" General Dynamics GoBook XR-1 military spec laptop (built in GPS (runs the Garmin mapping software), touch screen, dust proof, waterproof, drop it, drive over it and no worries if you want to use it as a weapon laptop) for everything you use a computer for in all conditions without any regard for its well-being. General Dynamics - High performance fully-rugged notebooks. Contact: gordon.muller@global.co.za

All of my back-ups were made to SanDisk 8 Gig Micro SD Chips - a minute percentage of the size of DVDs with twice the storage capacity, you cant scratch them and don't need a sensitive DVD burner... SanDisk - Innovative flash memory data storage products.

Point and shoot, plug and play, use anywhere, get a connection in less than a minute Internet via a small EvoSat Satellite Dish for hassle free fast and instant Broadband Global Area Network Internet Access. www.Evosat.com - Voice and high-speed data connectivity.

Canon D5, my current shooting weapon of choice. A 17-35 and a 28-300 lens, the 550EX Flash and a remote trigger. This was certainly not studio, handle gently stuff. Great camera - the photographer must provide the eye and push the buttons. I made 9,382 shots with this baby over 102 days (shooting in RAW). Canon - You Can.

Camera Armor. Straight up, a rubber protective housing for the 5D (and most other camera bodies and models). It most definitely protects the camera from all the chaos happening around it... which on this expedition was lots. Camera Armor - Protection in Action.

Singer Photographic distributes a range of premium brands to the consumer electronic and imaging industries in South Africa. Singer Photographic

Canon Ixus 860is. As a professional photographer I find it amazing that almost 50% of the images I shot on this expedition were made with this point and shoot digital pocket camera. The fact is it is 8 Megapixels, has a superb 28mm wide angle lens, optical image stabiliser, 3.8 X zoom, 3 inch viewing screen, works superbly well and continues to be on my person and quickly accessible at all times. 4,251 images were shot with the Ixus over 102 days. Canon - You Can.

Lowepro Nova 180 Shoulder Bag, everything in one place, over the shoulder, organised and accessible. This particular Lowepro shoulder bag also fits perfectly into the Dryzone 200 Rucksack for longer on foot legs. Lowepro Nova 180 - Innovative carrying solutions for the imaging world.

Lowepro Dryzone 200 Rucksack - the airtight waterproof dustproof bottom section is obviously for the expensive camera equipment. The Lowepro Nova 180 Shoulder Bag conveniently fits onetime perfectly in the Dryzone part of the Rucksack. Scooby snacks and bits in the top section. It also has a built in drinking water bladder. Designed and made by people who know! Keeps the expensive kit completely dry and dust free. Lowepro Dryzone 200 - Innovative carrying solutions for the imaging world.

Gorilla Pod GP8 - The strongest, largest Gorilla Pod yet. The ultimate wrap it anywhere around anything instant stable camera platform that is forever faithful when the situation is too much for or too far away for a traditional tripod.Gorilla Pod GP8 - The go anywhere, do everything flexible tripod.

Dust-Off - 'Cos it gets dusty out there, really dusty!' Dust-Off

I can't imagine how anyone could possibly document or remember hundreds of snippets of vital information, conversations, interviews, points of interest, way point details, thoughts, ideas, things to do etc... while on the constant move without a digital dictaphone. Olympus Digital Dictaphone.

Uniross NiMh Rechargeable Batteries - Save the planet, use recyclable batteries. Uniross - The Rechargeable Battery.

The pride and joy of Auto Excellence so kindly loaned for me to fall in love with was a 2002 Short Wheel Based Defender 90, canvass topped Land Rover with much character and sex appeal. The real deal of expedition vehicles. Auto Excellence - Only sell vehicles that have experienced adventure and want more!

I had an African Outback Products Aluminum Box installed into the back of the LR90 in a way that I could access the box from the driver's seat. Inside I kept everything that I needed to keep safe and secure, dust free and dry. On top there was a shelf for storing all manner of things, Carpeted both inside and on top, lockable as well. African Outback products - are tested and designed in the harsh African bush.

4x4 Mega World installed a self contained dual battery system in the LR90 in its own independent box with a 220v power inverter mounted on top. The entire system could be unplugged, removed from the vehicle and used as a power source if power was not available where we were staying when I needed to work through the night far from the vehicle. 4x4 Mega World - Complete Outdoor World.

Quechua 2 Second Tent - It says 2 Seconds XL on the side and infuriates those with traditional tents that can take up to 15 minutes to setup. This truly is a no effort, set-up-in-seconds, tent and the most spacious on the inside of its kind I can find. Essential when the last thing you want to do is spend time you don't have messing around with poles and clips and hooks and fly sheets and ropes in the dark. Pop it out and either peg it down or simply place a rock at each end. Practice putting it away though! Quechua 2" Seconds Tents - Contact details: eastonoutdoors@telkomsa.net

Therm-a-Rest - Self inflating, sleep on anywhere air mattress. No pump to inflate, no suck to deflate... Saves vital seconds and effort when all you want to do is lie down and sleep. Oh, and they are unbelievably comfortable on almost any surface. Therm-A-Rest

RoboGuard Perimeter Security - Instant stick a pole in the ground, Wireless, Outdoor and Portable Perimeter Security. With one RoboGuard and an arc of 110 degrees and 20 meters can be covered. This specific, portable camping solution was tried and tested on this expedition and is endorsed by Kingsley. RoboGuard Perimeter Security - The Instant, Wireless, Outdoor, Portable Perimeter Security Solution.

Merrell Footwear - I like them, they are comfortable from the first time they slide on, look cool and graft. They have Vibrim soles and grip like limpets. Merrell Let's Get Outside.

Buff - Neck warmer, beanie, scarf, sun blocker, messy hair cover, pull it up over your mouth when its dusty, keep it on your wrist. Not just a fashion accessory, an essential piece of kit for all weather conditions and situations. A rather dynamic and stylish piece of material that provides protection and comfort. Buff - The original multifunctional headwear garment.

BluEye EyeWear - my personal choice for the sports and activities I partake in, even when doing nothing but being in the sun. My BluEye Skydiving goggles were used by a couple of expedition members when a windscreen disintegrated and they were exposed to the elements whilst driving. I wear them all the time for everything. Blueye Eyewear - Every type of Blueye Eyewear has been specially developed to meet the particular demands of a specific sport.

Gedore Tools - Without the right tools you might as well call Ghostbusters. A comprehensive set of high quality tools is a must for any expedition. A Gedore tool kit is just that. Gedore - Tools for Life.

CapeStorm - Smartest shirts on the expedition CapeStorm - specialised apparel for the discerning outdoor enthusiast.

Thanks to Sponsors and Supporters

The results achieved could not have been possible without the combination of the right equipment and all of it had to be up to the demands of the task.

Your support and contribution of specialist equipment enabled me to fulfill my roles on the expedition of route mapping and photography to the best of my abilities.

The support and encouragement of sponsors is greatly appreciated and has gone a long way to being part of the success of The Boundless Southern Africa Expedition.

via imagineering.co.za

Garmin pushing the boundries with Kingsley & Mad Mike

Riaan Manser - Solo Adventurer

 

Round the Outside

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!: At 15h20 local time on Wednesday 8 July 2009 Riaan Manser crossed the finish line in Tamatave, 5000km and eleven months after setting off to become the first person to circumnavigate Masdagascar by kayak, alone and unaided.

Watch the Carte Blanche video - click here

Golf Days - launch of No Food For Lazy Man Trust

As part of Riaan Manser�s return to South Africa following another extraordinary expedition, we are going to be holding two exclusive golf days with the primary aim of launching the NO FOOD FOR LAZY MAN Trust, an initiative to bring about positive social change for children by raising money to invest in sporting infrastructure and sporting equipment. Proceeds from the event will be used to kickstart the trust and create a legacy borne out of Riaan�s adventures.

These two exclusive golf days will be held in Johannesburg and Cape Town, with Riaan delivering one of his first presentations about his latest expedition around Madagascar. Come and enjoy a day out with VIP guests, expedition sponsors and supporters, and be regaled by Riaan's passionate and humorous tales, with brand new video and photographs. Loads of incredible prizes and give-aways will be up for grabs on the day.

Please click on the link at the bottom of the page to download the booking form. Book quickly as space is limited and this could be your one chance to interact directly with this charismatic adventurer and be part of the NO FOOD FOR LAZY MAN Trust from its inception.

 

 If you would like to book Riaan to speak at a function please click here.

via africa365.co.za

Any sportsman out there wanting to spend a day playing golf with Riaan at Dainfern?