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Around the world adventurer reaches Miami, successfully crosses North America by bike
Adventurer to talk to children on Christmas Eve at Miami Children’s Museum

43-year-old has cycled 9,526 miles - rowing voyage around Cuba and Panama Canal next in attempt to be first around the world under own power

MIAMI, Dec. 24, 2004 - Extreme athlete Erden Eruç and his Around-n-Over expedition (www.around-n-over.org ) to become the first human to circumnavigate the globe solely under his own power and summit the highest peaks on each of six continents, arrived in Miami, Florida on Christmas Eve, capping a successful 82 day, 3,980 mile North American crossing by bicycle.

While in Miami, Eruç, a resident of Seattle, will visit the Miami Children’s Museum (www.miamichildrensmuseum.org) at 980 MacArthur Causeway on Watson Island to talk about his expedition with youth participants of it’s second annual Winter Break Camp from 1:30 – 2:30, pm, Friday Dec. 24. The Winter Break Camp participants range in age from three to eleven-years-old and are from the greater Miami area.

On his journey across North America, Eruç has pedaled nearly 175 pounds of bicycle, trailer and panniers fully laden with food and personal gear 9,526 miles. The journey has taken Eruç from Seattle north through British Columbia and the Yukon Territory and along the Alaska Highway to Mt. McKinley and then back to Seattle. His next summit attempt will be Mt. Aconcagua, South America’s highest peak.

Since leaving Seattle on Oct. 3, Eruç has covered over 3,980 miles by bike through 12 U.S. states - Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia and now Florida in his attempt to complete the first self-propelled human circumnavigation.

The journey across North America took the Turkish native past an erupting Mt. St. Helens in Washington State. In Idaho he was undeterred by tire punctures caused by “Goatheads” also known as “Puncturevine” along the roadway. The plant is known as a survivor and produces a nasty crop of stickers that can penetrate the toughest of bicycle tires. In Colorado, he was delayed but not deterred by the season’s first snowfall on 10,603 ft. Rabbit Ears pass and in Tennessee, the 43-year-old adventurer fought off a nagging back injury and persevered into the deep South.

In Miami Eruç will board his 23 foot trans-oceanic rower for the solo rowing voyage around Cuba, through the Panama Canal and on to Ecuador. His immediate objective is Mt. Aconcagua. Eruç will approach Aconcagua by biking south through Peru and Chile. At 22,840 feet, Aconcagua is the western hemisphere's highest point, and when summitted in early 2006 will put Eruç within four peaks of his goal of reaching the highest summit on each of six continents. The Turkish native has already summitted Mt. McKinley, North America's highest peak in 2003.

When his circumnavigation is completed late in 2010, Eruç will have climbed each of the tallest peaks in North and South America, Oceania, Asia, Africa and Europe while approaching each by bike and by foot, and rowed across three oceans and the distance of the Red and Mediterranean seas.

Along the way, the former systems engineer turned expeditioner by way of a lay-off, will talk about his global journey to local school children to share the values of selflessness, sacrifice and perseverance of previous adventurers and expeditions including his late climbing partner, mountaineer Göran Kropp. Kropp is well known for his role in the rescue of several climbers who were stranded by a violent storm on Everest in 1996 and then successfully summiting the earth’s highest peak without the use of supplemental oxygen. Kropp’s journey to Everest included riding his bicycle laden with climbing gear from Sweden to Nepal.

In May 2003, Eruç reached the summit of the 20,320 foot Mt. McKinley in Alaska which included the 5,546 mile bike ride from Seattle to Denali and back. Following a break to recover, Eruç expects to depart from Miami for Ecuador in late February aboard Calderdale - The Yorkshire Challenger, his 23 foot trans-oceanic rower. He expects to summit Aconcagua in January 2006, then Oceania's Carstenz Pyramid in the summer of 2007, Asia's Everest in 2008, Africa's Kilimanjaro in 2009 and finally Elbrus in Russia in 2010 before returning to Seattle later that year. The expedition will include time-off between legs for hurricane seasons on the oceans and winters on the mountains which will allow for recuperation and equipment repair and replenishment.

About the Miami Children’s Museum

Founded in 1983, the Miami Children’s Museum is dedicated to enriching the lives of all children by fostering a love of learning and enabling children to realize their highest potential. Visitors of all ages are encouraged to play together, learn, imagine and create. Located on Watson Island, the 56,500-square-foot facility includes 12 galleries, classrooms, parent/teacher resource center, Subway restaurant, Kid Smart educational gift shop and 200-seat auditorium. The museum offers hundreds of bilingual, interactive exhibits; programs and learning materials related to arts, culture, community and communication. To learn more about the museum, please visit www.miamichildrensmuseum.org.

Miami Children’s Museum receives both private and public funding. MCM is sponsored in part by the City of Miami; the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, the Cultural Affairs Council, the Mayor and the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners; and the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Arts Council.

El Miami Children’s Museum recibe fondos privados y públicos. MCM es patrocinado en parte por la Ciudad de Miami; el Departamento de Asuntos Culturales del Condado Miami-Dade, el Concejo de Asuntos Culturales, el Alcalde y el Consejo de Comisionados del Condado Miami-Dade; y el Estado de la Florida, Departamento de Estado, División de Asuntos Culturales y el Concejo de Artes de la Florida.

About Around-n-Over

Around-n-Over (www.around-n-over.org) is a tax-exempt organization to support the seven year quest of Seattle extreme athlete Erden Eruç to circumnavigate the globe under human power. Eruç aims to climb the highest summits on six continents after approaching each by bicycle and on foot, and to row across three oceans. By sharing his journey with students world-wide through Around-n-Over, Eruç aims to instill the values of selflessness, sacrifice and perseverance in the tradition of previous adventurers and expeditions. This journey was inspired by the book Ultimate High depicting Göran Kropp's 1996 cycling journey from Sweden to climb Mt. Everest, and by Tori Murden, who in 1999 became the first woman to cross an ocean by rowing.

Around-n-Over is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization and is exempt from federal income tax under section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of the United State of America. Invicta Law Group is instrumental to the success of Around-n-Over, and the following organizations have contributed to the journey: BOB Trailers, OrtliebUSA, REI, and Seattle Vertical World.


 

Jacksonville next for around the world expedition
43-year-old has cycled 8,775 miles and summitted Mt. McKinley in attempt to become first around the world under his own power

ATLANTA, Dec. 13, 2004 - Extreme athlete Erden Eruç and his Around-n-Over expedition (www.around-n-over.org) to become the first human to circumnavigate the globe solely under his own power is expected in Jacksonville, Florida on Friday evening.

With a stop in Jacksonville, the human powered adventurer will be just 350 miles from Miami and a successful North American crossing by bike. In Miami Eruç will board his 23 foot trans-oceanic rower for the solo rowing voyage around Cuba, through the Panama Canal and on to Ecuador. His immediate objective is Mt. Aconcagua, the highest point in South America and one of six peaks that Eruc plans to summit on his circumnavigation.

Once in Ecuador, Eruç will approach Aconcagua by biking south through Peru and Chile. At 22,840 feet, Aconcagua is the western hemisphere's highest point, and when summitted in early 2006 will put Eruç within four peaks of his goal of reaching the highest summit on each of six continents. The Turkish native has already summitted Mt. McKinley, North America's highest peak in 2003.

When his circumnavigation is completed late in 2010, Eruç will have climbed each of the tallest peaks in North and South America, Oceania, Asia, Africa and Europe while approaching each by bike and by foot, and rowed across three oceans and the distance of the Red and Mediterranean seas.

On the way to Jacksonville, Eruç has pedaled nearly 175 pounds of bicycle, trailer and panniers fully laden with food and personal gear 8,775 miles. The journey has taken Eruç from Seattle north through British Columbia and the Yukon Territory and along the Alaska Highway to Denali and then back to Seattle.

Since leaving Seattle in early October, Eruç has covered over 3,200 miles by bike through Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, and Georgia in his attempt to complete the first self-propelled human circumnavigation.

Along the way, the former systems engineer turned expeditioner by way of a lay-off, will talk about his global journey to local school children to share the values of selflessness, sacrifice and perseverance of previous adventurers and expeditions including his late climbing partner, mountaineer Göran Kropp. Kropp is well known for his role in the rescue of several climbers who were stranded by a violent storm on Everest in 1996 and then successfully summitting the earth's highest peak without the use of supplemental oxygen. Kropp's journey to Everest included riding his bicycle laden with climbing gear from Sweden to Nepal.

In May 2003, Eruç reached the summit of the 20,320 foot Mt. McKinley in Alaska which included the 5,546 mile bike ride from Seattle to Denali and back. His bicycle journey to Miami will push his odometer to nearly 9,400 miles. Following a break to recover, Eruç expects to depart from Miami for Ecuador in late February aboard Calderdale - The Yorkshire Challenger, his 23 foot trans-oceanic rower. He expects to summit Aconcagua in January 2006, then Oceania's Carstenz Pyramid in the summer of 2007, Asia's Everest in 2008, Africa's Kilimanjaro in 2009 and finally Elbrus in Russia in 2010 before returning to Seattle later that year. The expedition will include time-off between legs for hurricane seasons on the oceans and winters on the mountains which will allow for recuperation and equipment repair and replenishment.

About Around-n-Over

Around-n-Over (www.around-n-over.org) is a tax-exempt organization to support the seven year quest of Seattle extreme athlete Erden Eruç to circumnavigate the globe under human power. Eruç aims to climb the highest summits on six continents after approaching each by bicycle and on foot, and to row across three oceans. By sharing his journey with students world-wide through Around-n-Over, Eruç aims to instill the values of selflessness, sacrifice and perseverance in the tradition of previous adventurers and expeditions. This journey was inspired by the book Ultimate High depicting Göran Kropp's 1996 cycling journey from Sweden to climb Mt. Everest, and by Tori Murden, who in 1999 became the first woman to cross an ocean by rowing.

Around-n-Over is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization and is exempt from federal income tax under section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of the United State of America. Invicta Law Group is instrumental to the success of Around-n-Over, and the following organizations have contributed to the journey: BOB Trailers, OrtliebUSA, REI, and Seattle Vertical World.


 

Atlanta is next stop for around the world expedition
43-year-old has cycled nearly 8,500 miles and summitted Mt. McKinley in attempt to become first around the world under his own power

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Dec. 6, 2004 - Extreme athlete Erden Eruç and his Around-n-Over expedition (www.around-n-over.org) to become the first human to circumnavigate the globe solely under his own power is expected in Atlanta this Friday on the cross North American cycling leg of his global expedition.

Eruç departed his home town Seattle on Oct. 3 and Nashville, Tenn. on Sunday morning en route to his second summit attempt - Mt. Aconcagua, South America's highest peak. At 22,840 feet, Aconcagua is the western hemisphere's highest point, and when summitted in early 2006 will put Eruç within four peaks of his goal of reaching the highest summit on each of six continents. Eruç expects to make a brief layover in Huntsville, Alabama on Tuesday before pedaling his Novara bike and BOB trailer into Georgia later this week.

When his circumnavigation is completed late in 2010, Eruç will have climbed each of the tallest peaks in North and South America, Oceania, Asia, Africa and Europe while approaching each by bike and by foot, and rowed across three oceans and the distance of the Red and Mediterranean seas. The Turkish native has already summitted Mt. McKinley, North America's highest peak in 2003.

The Aconcagua leg, which will take Eruç through Atlanta, includes an estimated 3,400 mile, 60 day cycling journey across North America from Seattle to Miami. Eruç will eventually reach the base of Aconcagua by rowing from Miami around Cuba and through the Panama Canal to Ecuador and then biking south from Ecuador through Peru and Chile.

On the way to Atlanta, Eruç has pedaled nearly 175 pounds of bicycle, trailer and panniers fully laden with food and personal gear 8,500 miles. His journey has taken Eruç from Seattle north through British Columbia and the Yukon Territory and along the Alaska Highway to Denali and then back to Seattle.

Since leaving Seattle in early October, Eruç has covered nearly 3,000 miles by bike through Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri and Tennessee, in his attempt to complete the first self-propelled human circumnavigation. Following Atlanta, the expedition will take Eruç into Florida with a stop in Jacksonville and eventually a mid December arrival in Miami.

Along the way, the former systems engineer turned expeditioner by way of a lay-off, will talk about his global journey to local school children to share the values of selflessness, sacrifice and perseverance of previous adventurers and expeditions including his late climbing partner, mountaineer Göran Kropp. Kropp is well known for his role in the rescue of several climbers who were stranded by a violent storm on Everest in 1996 and then successfully summitting the earth's highest peak without the use of supplemental oxygen. Kropp's journey to Everest included riding his bicycle laden with climbing gear from Sweden to Nepal.

In May 2003, Eruç reached the summit of the 20,320 foot Mt. McKinley in Alaska which included the 5,546 mile bike ride from Seattle to Denali and back. His bicycle journey to Miami will push his odometer to nearly 9,000 miles. Following a break to recover, Eruç expects to depart from Miami for Ecuador in late February aboard Calderdale - The Yorkshire Challenger, his 23 foot trans-oceanic rower. He expects to summit Aconcagua in January 2006, then Oceania's Carstenz Pyramid in the summer of 2007, Asia's Everest in 2008, Africa's Kilimanjaro in 2009 and finally Elbrus in Russia in 2010 before returning to Seattle later that year. The expedition will include time-off between legs for hurricane seasons on the oceans and winters on the mountains which will allow for recuperation and equipment repair and replenishment.

About Around-n-Over

Around-n-Over (www.around-n-over.org) is a tax-exempt organization to support the seven year quest of Seattle extreme athlete Erden Eruç to circumnavigate the globe under human power. Eruç aims to climb the highest summits on six continents after approaching each by bicycle and on foot, and to row across three oceans. By sharing his journey with students world-wide through Around-n-Over, Eruç aims to instill the values of selflessness, sacrifice and perseverance in the tradition of previous adventurers and expeditions. This journey was inspired by the book Ultimate High depicting Göran Kropp's 1996 cycling journey from Sweden to climb Mt. Everest, and by Tori Murden, who in 1999 became the first woman to cross an ocean by rowing.

Around-n-Over is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization and is exempt from federal income tax under section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of the United State of America. Invicta Law Group is instrumental to the success of Around-n-Over, and the following organizations have contributed to the journey: BOB Trailers, OrtliebUSA, REI, and Seattle Vertical World.


 

Nashville next for around the world human powered expedition
43-year-old has cycled nearly 8,000 miles and summitted Mt. McKinley in attempt to become first around the world under his own power

ST. LOUIS, Nov. 29, 2004 - Extreme athlete Erden Eruç and his Around-n-Over expedition (www.around-n-over.org) to become the first human to circumnavigate the globe solely under his own power will arrive in Nashville, Tenn. Thursday on the cross North American cycling leg of his global expedition.

Eruç departed his home town, Seattle on Oct. 3 and the St. Louis area on Sunday morning en route to his second summit attempt - Mt. Aconcagua, South America's highest peak. At 22,840 feet, Aconcagua is the western hemisphere's highest point, and when summitted in early 2006 will put Eruç within four peaks of his goal of reaching the highest summit on each of six continents.

When his circumnavigation is completed late in 2010, Eruç will have climbed each of the tallest peaks in North and South America, Oceania, Asia, Africa and Europe while approaching each by bike and by foot, and rowed across three oceans and the distance of the Red and Mediterranean seas. The Turkish native has already summitted Mt. McKinley, North America's highest peak in 2003.

The Aconcagua leg, which will take Eruç through Nashville, includes an estimated 3,400 mile, 60 day cycling journey across North America from Seattle to Miami. Eruç will eventually reach the base of Aconcagua by rowing from Miami around Cuba and through the Panama Canal to Ecuador and then biking south from Ecuador through Peru and Chile.

On the way to Nashville, Eruç has pedaled nearly 175 pounds of bicycle, trailer and panniers fully laden with food and personal gear nearly 8,000 miles. His journey has taken Eruç from Seattle north through British Columbia and the Yukon Territory and along the Alaska Highway to Denali and then back to Seattle.

Since leaving Seattle in early October, Eruç has covered over 2,300 miles by bike through Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Colorado, Kansas and Missouri in his attempt to complete the first self-propelled human circumnavigation. Following Nashville, the expedition will take Eruç deeper into the South with stops in Atlanta, Jacksonville and eventually a mid December arrival in Miami.

Along the way, the former systems engineer turned expeditioner by way of a lay-off, will talk about his global journey to local school children to share the values of selflessness, sacrifice and perseverance of previous adventurers and expeditions including his late climbing partner, mountaineer Göran Kropp. Kropp is well known for his role in the rescue of several climbers who were stranded by a violent storm on Everest in 1996 and then successfully summitting the earth's highest peak without the use of supplemental oxygen. Kropp's journey to Everest included riding his bicycle laden with climbing gear from Sweden to Nepal.

In May 2003, Eruç reached the summit of the 20,320 foot Mt. McKinley in Alaska which included the 5,546 mile bike ride from Seattle to Denali and back. His bicycle journey to Miami will push his odometer to nearly 9,000 miles. Following a break to recover, Eruç expects to depart from Miami for Ecuador in late February aboard Calderdale - The Yorkshire Challenger, his 23 foot trans-oceanic rower. He expects to summit Aconcagua in January 2006, then Oceania's Carstenz Pyramid in the summer of 2007, Asia's Everest in 2008, Africa's Kilimanjaro in 2009 and finally Elbrus in Russia in 2010 before returning to Seattle later that year. The expedition will include time-off between legs for hurricane seasons on the oceans and winters on the mountains which will allow for recuperation and equipment repair and replenishment.

About Around-n-Over

Around-n-Over (www.around-n-over.org) is a tax-exempt organization to support the seven year quest of Seattle extreme athlete Erden Eruç to circumnavigate the globe under human power. Eruç aims to climb the highest summits on six continents after approaching each by bicycle and on foot, and to row across three oceans. By sharing his journey with students world-wide through Around-n-Over, Eruç aims to instill the values of selflessness, sacrifice and perseverance in the tradition of previous adventurers and expeditions. This journey was inspired by the book Ultimate High depicting Göran Kropp's 1996 cycling journey from Sweden to climb Mt. Everest, and by Tori Murden, who in 1999 became the first woman to cross an ocean by rowing.

Around-n-Over is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization and is exempt from federal income tax under section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of the United State of America. Invicta Law Group is instrumental to the success of Around-n-Over, and the following organizations have contributed to the journey: BOB Trailers, OrtliebUSA, REI, and Seattle Vertical World.


 

Around the world expedition crosses North American half-way mark
Erden Eruç has cycled 1,833 miles on his way from Seattle to Miami

ST. FRANCIS, Kansas, Nov. 17, 2004 - Extreme athlete Erden Eruç and his Around-n-Over expedition (www.around-n-over.org) crossed the half-way mark of the cross North American cycling leg of his human powered around-the-world journey on Wednesday at the Colorado - Kansas border.

The 43-year-old Eruç reached the half-way mark at 2pm CST near the town of St. Francis, Kansas while traveling east on U.S. Route 36. Since departing Seattle on October 3, Eruç has pedaled 1,833 miles of the estimated 3,400 mile, 60 day cycling journey across North America.

His immediate objective is Mt. Aconcagua, the highest point in South America, which rises 22,840 feet above sea level on the Chilean-Argentinean border. When summited in late 2005, Eruç will be within four summits of his seven year quest to circumnavigate the globe solely under his own power and reach the highest point on each of six continents.

On his way to Aconcagua, Eruç will row from Miami through the Panama Canal to Ecuador aboard his 23 foot trans-oceanic rower and then bike south from Ecuador through Peru and Chile. He has already summited Mt. McKinley, North America's highest peak, which he reached in 2003 by bicycling from Seattle, north through British Columbia, the Yukon Territory, and Alaska. He has now cycled through Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah and Colorado en route to a December arrival in Miami.

Along the way, the former systems engineer turned expeditioner by way of a lay-off, will talk about his global journey to local school children to share the values of selflessness, sacrifice and perseverance of previous adventurers and expeditions including his late climbing partner, mountaineer Göran Kropp. Kropp is well known for his role in the rescue of several climbers who were stranded by a violent storm on Everest in 1996 and then successfully summiting the earth's highest peak without the use of supplemental oxygen. Kropp's journey to Everest included riding his bicycle laden with climbing gear from Sweden to Nepal.

In May 2003, Eruç reached the summit of the 20,320 foot Mt. McKinley in Alaska which included the 5,546 mile bike ride from Seattle to Denali and back. His bicycle journey to Miami will push his odometer to nearly 9,000 miles. Following a break to recover, Eruç expects to depart from Miami for Ecuador in late February aboard Calderdale - The Yorkshire Challenger, his 23 foot trans-oceanic rower. He expects to summit Aconcagua in January 2006, then Oceania's Carstenz Pyramid in the summer of 2007, Asia's Everest in 2008, Africa's Kilimanjaro in 2009 and finally Elbrus in Russia in 2010 before returning to Seattle later that year. The expedition will include time-off between legs for hurricane seasons on the oceans and winters on the mountains which will allow for recuperation and equipment repair and replenishment.

About Around-n-Over

Around-n-Over (www.around-n-over.org) is a tax-exempt organization to support the seven year quest of Seattle extreme athlete Erden Eruç to circumnavigate the globe under human power. Eruç aims to climb the highest summits on six continents after approaching each by bicycle and on foot, and to row across three oceans. By sharing his journey with students world-wide through Around-n-Over, Eruç aims to instill the values of selflessness, sacrifice and perseverance in the tradition of previous adventurers and expeditions. This journey was inspired by the book Ultimate High depicting Göran Kropp's 1996 cycling journey from Sweden to climb Mt. Everest, and by Tori Murden, who in 1999 became the first woman to cross an ocean by rowing.

Around-n-Over is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization and is exempt from federal income tax under section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of the United State of America. Invicta Law Group is instrumental to the success of Around-n-Over, and the following organizations have contributed to the journey: BOB Trailers, OrtliebUSA, REI, and Seattle Vertical World.


 

Around the world expedition to cycle through Kansas, Missouri
Kansas City and St. Louis next stops for 43-year-old who has pedaled 7,000 miles en route to climbing highest summits on six continents

DENVER, Colorado, Nov. 12, 2004 - Extreme athlete Erden Eruç and his Around-n-Over expedition (www.around-n-over.org) to become the first human to circumnavigate the globe solely under his own power departed the Denver area by bicycle Friday morning and headed east across the American Great Plains. Once across the Colorado - Kansas border, Eruç will cycle the length of the state of Kansas with brief layovers in Manhattan and Topeka before arriving in Kansas City, Missouri by Nov. 22 and St. Louis shortly afterwards.

Eruç's immediate objective is the summit of South America's highest peak, Mt. Aconcagua. At 22,840 feet, Aconcagua is the western hemisphere's highest point, and when summited in late 2005 will put Eruç within four peaks of his goal of reaching the highest summits on six continents.

The Aconcagua leg will take Eruç on a 3,400 mile, 60 day cycling journey across North America from Seattle through the states of Kansas and Missouri and on to Miami, and rowing voyage through the Panama Canal to Ecuador aboard his 23 foot trans-oceanic rower. He will reach the base of Aconcagua by biking south from Ecuador through Peru and Chile. He has already cycled through Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah and Colorado.

When his circumnavigation is completed late in 2010, Eruç will have summited the highest peaks on six continents including Mt. Everest, approaching each by bike and by foot, and rowed across three oceans and the distance of the Red and Mediterranean seas.

Since 2003, Eruç has pedaled over 7,000 miles by bike and scaled Mt. McKinley, North America's highest peak, in his attempt to complete the first self-propelled human circumnavigation. His journey has taken him from Seattle north through British Columbia and the Yukon Territory and along the Alaska Highway to Denali and then back to Seattle and now east across North America. The cycling leg across North America will conclude in Miami later in December.

Since beginning the Aconcagua leg of the expedition on Oct. 3 in Seattle, Eruç has pedaled over 1,600 miles. On his way to Kansas City and St. Louis, the Turkish native will pedal nearly 175 pounds of bicycle, trailer and panniers fully laden with food and personal gear east from Denver into Kansas along US Route 36 and then along US Route 24 through Manhattan and Topeka, Kansas and into Kansas City, Missouri.

"I'm looking forward to the Great Plains ahead," said Eruç who was delayed several days by snow and ice in Steamboat Springs, Colorado just short of 10,603 foot Rabbit Ears Pass. "I left Seattle fully aware that snow in the Rockies could slow me down. I got a taste of that with blizzard conditions on Rabbit Ears Pass. The flat terrain ahead will be more forgiving."

After crossing the Great Plains and the state of Missouri, the expedition will take Eruç into the South with stops in Nashville, Atlanta, Jacksonville and eventually a mid December arrival in Miami.

Along the way, the former systems engineer turned expeditioner by way of a lay-off, will talk about his global journey to local school children to share the values of selflessness, sacrifice and perseverance of previous adventurers and expeditions including his late climbing partner, mountaineer Göran Kropp. Kropp is well known for his role in the rescue of several climbers who were stranded by a violent storm on Everest in 1996 and then successfully summiting the earth's highest peak without the use of supplemental oxygen. Kropp's journey to Everest included riding his bicycle laden with climbing gear from Sweden to Nepal.

In May 2003, Eruç reached the summit of the 20,320 foot Mt. McKinley in Alaska which included the 5,546 mile bike ride from Seattle to Denali and back. His bicycle journey to Miami will push his odometer to nearly 9,000 miles. Following a break to recover, Eruç expects to depart from Miami for Ecuador in late February aboard Calderdale - The Yorkshire Challenger, his 23 foot trans-oceanic rower. He expects to summit Aconcagua in January 2006, then Oceania's Carstenz Pyramid in the summer of 2007, Asia's Everest in 2008, Africa's Kilimanjaro in 2009 and finally Elbrus in Russia in 2010 before returning to Seattle later that year. The expedition will include time-off between legs for hurricane seasons on the oceans and winters on the mountains which will allow for recuperation and equipment repair and replenishment.

About Around-n-Over

Around-n-Over (www.around-n-over.org) is a tax-exempt organization to support the seven year quest of Seattle extreme athlete Erden Eruç to circumnavigate the globe under human power. Eruç aims to climb the highest summits on six continents after approaching each by bicycle and on foot, and to row across three oceans. By sharing his journey with students world-wide through Around-n-Over, Eruç aims to instill the values of selflessness, sacrifice and perseverance in the tradition of previous adventurers and expeditions. This journey was inspired by the book Ultimate High depicting Göran Kropp's 1996 cycling journey from Sweden to climb Mt. Everest, and by Tori Murden, who in 1999 became the first woman to cross an ocean by rowing.

Around-n-Over is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization and is exempt from federal income tax under section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of the United State of America. Invicta Law Group is instrumental to the success of Around-n-Over, and the following organizations have contributed to the journey: BOB Trailers, OrtliebUSA, REI, and Seattle Vertical World.


 

Around the world adventurer expected in Boulder on Monday
43-year-old has pedaled 6,500 miles en route to climbing highest summits on six continents

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Oct. 25, 2004 - Extreme athlete Erden Eruç and his Around-n-Over expedition (www.around-n-over.org) to become the first human to circumnavigate the globe solely under his own power departed Ogden, Utah on bicycle Saturday and began the long ascent through the Rocky Mountains east toward Denver and across North America.

Eruç's immediate objective is the summit of South America's highest peak, Mt. Aconcagua. At 22,840 feet, Aconcagua is the western hemisphere's highest point, and when summited in late 2005 will put Eruç within four peaks of his goal of reaching the highest summits on six continents.

The Aconcagua leg will take Eruç on a 3,400 mile, 60 day cycling journey across North America from Seattle through Denver and on to Miami, and rowing voyage through the Panama Canal to Ecuador aboard his 23 foot trans-oceanic rower. He will reach the base of Aconcagua by biking south from Ecuador through Peru and Chile.

When his circumnavigation is completed late in 2010, Eruç will have summited the highest peaks on six continents including Mt. Everest, approaching each by bike and by foot, and rowed across three oceans and the distance of the Red and Mediterranean seas.

Since 2003, Eruç has pedaled over 6,500 miles by bike and scaled Mt. McKinley, North America's highest peak, in his attempt to complete the first self-propelled human circumnavigation. His journey has taken him from Seattle north through British Columbia and the Yukon Territory Alaska Highway to Denali and then back to Seattle and now east across North America. He expects to arrive in Boulder this Monday.

Since beginning the Aconcagua leg of the expedition on Oct. 3 in Seattle, Eruç has pedaled over 1,000 miles. On his way to Boulder and the Denver area, the Turkish native will pedal nearly 175 pounds of bicycle, trailer and panniers fully laden with food and personal gear east from the Salt Lake area along I-84 through Weber Canyon and on to U.S. Route 40, Heber City and 7,980 foot Daniels Pass in the Uinta National Forest.

Once in Colorado, Eruç will ride through Steamboat Springs and cross 10,603 foot Rabbit Ears Pass and the Continental Divide. He will then tackle 11,315 foot Berthoud Pass, which was discovered in 1861 by Captain E. L. Berthoud, a pioneer civil engineer from Golden who was seeking a mail route from the gold camps west. His journey will then take him on U.S. Route 6 to Golden and a stop at the American Alpine Club headquarters and eventually on to Boulder. Winter storms are expected in the passes during his passage.

After leaving Boulder and the Denver area, the expedition will take Eruç across the great plains to Kansas City, St. Louis, Nashville, Atlanta, Jacksonville and eventually a mid December arrival in Miami.

Along the way, the former systems engineer turned expeditioner by way of a lay-off, will talk about his global journey to local school children to share the values of selflessness, sacrifice and perseverance of previous adventurers and expeditions including his late climbing partner, mountaineer Göran Kropp. Kropp is well known for his role in the rescue of several climbers who were stranded by a violent storm on Everest in 1996 and then successfully summiting the earth's highest peak without the use of supplemental oxygen. Kropp's journey to Everest included riding his bicycle laden with climbing gear from Sweden to Nepal.

In May 2003, Eruç reached the summit of the 20,320 foot Mt. McKinley in Alaska which included the 5,546 mile bike ride from Seattle to Denali and back. His bicycle journey to Miami will push his odometer to nearly 9,000 miles. Following a break to recover, Eruç expects to depart from Miami for Ecuador in late February aboard Calderdale - The Yorkshire Challenger, his 23 foot trans-oceanic rower. He expects to summit Aconcagua in January 2006, then Oceania's Carstenz Pyramid in the summer of 2007, Asia's Everest in 2008, Africa's Kilimanjaro in 2009 and finally Elbrus in Russia in 2010 before returning to Seattle later that year. The expedition will include time-off between legs for hurricane seasons on the oceans and winters on the mountains which will allow for recuperation and equipment repair and replenishment.

About Around-n-Over

Around-n-Over (www.around-n-over.org) is a tax-exempt organization to support the seven year quest of Seattle extreme athlete Erden Eruç to circumnavigate the globe under human power. Eruç aims to climb the highest summits on six continents after approaching each by bicycle and on foot, and to row across three oceans. By sharing his journey with students world-wide through Around-n-Over, Eruç aims to instill the values of selflessness, sacrifice and perseverance in the tradition of previous adventurers and expeditions. This journey was inspired by the book Ultimate High depicting Göran Kropp's 1996 cycling journey from Sweden to climb Mt. Everest, and by Tori Murden, who in 1999 became the first woman to cross an ocean by rowing.

Around-n-Over is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization and is exempt from federal income tax under section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of the United State of America. Invicta Law Group is instrumental to the success of Around-n-Over, and the following organizations have contributed to the journey: BOB Trailers, OrtliebUSA, REI, and Seattle Vertical World.


 

Global expeditioner to cycle through Ogden and Salt Lake City on Friday
43-year-old Seattle man aims to become first to circle world by human power

BOISE, Idaho, Oct. 19, 2004 – Extreme athlete Erden Eruç and his Around-n-Over expedition (www.around-n-over.org) has covered over 6,000 miles by bike and scaled Mt. McKinley, North America’s highest peak in his attempt to become the first human to circumnavigate the globe solely under his own power. On Friday, Eruç will bike through Salt Lake City on the cross-continent cycling leg of his current objective, Mt. Aconcagua on the Chilean-Argentinean border.

At 22,840 feet, Aconcagua is South America’s highest peak, and when summited in late 2005 will put Eruç within four peaks of his goal of reaching the highest summits on six continents. He began the Aconcagua leg of the expedition Oct. 3 in Seattle and left Boise, Idaho this past Friday.

His journey will take him on a 3,400 mile, 60 day cycling journey from Seattle to Miami, and rowing voyage through the Panama Canal to Ecuador aboard his 23 foot trans-oceanic rower. He will reach the base of Aconcagua by biking south from Ecuador through Peru and Chile.

On his way to a Friday, Oct. 22 arrival in Salt Lake City, the Turkish native will pedal nearly 175 pounds of bicycle, trailer and panniers fully laden with food and personal gear along Route 30 to Burley, Idaho and then along Route 81, a paved railroad grade, and Route 30 to Snowville, Utah. Eruç will then travel along I-84 and Route 83 to Brigham City and eventually Ogden. In Ogden he will talk with a group of 200 students at the Hillcrest Elementary School as well as a smaller group from the school’s Accelerated Learning Academy. Along the way Eruç will spend nearly 10 hours a day on his bike averaging between 11 and 15 mph. Eruç and his fully laden Novara bike with BOB trailer can reach speeds of 23 mph on the flats and 35 mph coasting down hill. On good days he can cover up to 90 miles in a single day.

After leaving Salt Lake City, the expedition will take Eruç on to Denver, Kansas City, St. Louis, Nashville, Atlanta, Jacksonville and eventually an early December arrival in Miami.

Along the way, the former systems engineer turned expeditioner by way of a lay-off, will talk about his global journey to local school children to share the values of selflessness, sacrifice and perseverance of previous adventurers and expeditions including his late climbing partner, mountaineer Göran Kropp. Kropp is well known for his role in the rescue of several climbers who were stranded by a violent storm on Everest in 1996 and then successfully summiting the earth’s highest peak without the use of supplemental oxygen. Kropp’s journey to Everest included riding his bicycle laden with climbing gear from Sweden to Nepal.

In May 2003, Eruç reached the summit of the 20,320 foot Mt. McKinley in Alaska which included the 5,546 mile bike ride from Seattle to Denali and back. His bicycle journey to Miami will push his odometer to nearly 9,000 miles. Following a break to recover, Eruç expects to depart from Miami for Ecuador in late February aboard Calderdale – The Yorkshire Challenger, his 23 foot trans-oceanic rower. He expects to summit Aconcagua in January 2006, then Oceania’s Carstenz Pyramid in the summer of 2007, Asia’s Everest in 2008, Africa’s Kilimanjaro in 2009 and finally Elbrus in Russia in 2010 before returning to Seattle later that year. The expedition will include time-off between legs for hurricane seasons on the oceans and winters on the mountains which will allow for recuperation and equipment repair and replenishment.

About Around-n-Over

Around-n-Over (www.around-n-over.org) is a tax-exempt organization to support the seven year quest of Seattle extreme athlete Erden Eruç to circumnavigate the globe under human power. Eruç aims to climb the highest summits on six continents after approaching each by bicycle and on foot, and to row across three oceans. By sharing his journey with students world-wide through Around-n-Over, Eruç aims to instill the values of selflessness, sacrifice and perseverance in the tradition of previous adventurers and expeditions. This journey was inspired by the book Ultimate High depicting Göran Kropp's 1996 cycling journey from Sweden to climb Mt. Everest, and by Tori Murden, who in 1999 became the first woman to cross an ocean by rowing.

Around-n-Over is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization and is exempt from federal income tax under section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of the United State of America. Invicta Law Group is instrumental to the success of Around-n-Over, and the following organizations have contributed to the journey: BOB Trailers, OrtliebUSA, REI, and Seattle Vertical World.


 

Human powered world circumnavigation to pass through Boise
Cyclist rides by Mt. St. Helens, unaffected by eruption

PORTLAND, Oregon, Oct. 7, 2004 - Extreme athlete Erden Eruç and his Around-n-Over expedition (www.around-n-over.org) to circumnavigate the globe by scaling the highest summits on six continents after approaching each by bicycle and on foot, and rowing across three oceans, departed Portland, Wednesday on his cycling leg east across the United States.

Eruç, 43, who has already scaled Mt. McKinley, North America's highest peak and logged over 5,700 miles on his bicycle, expects to arrive in Boise, Idaho, Tuesday, Oct. 12 on his way to Miami. Monday, on the way from Seattle to Portland, Eruç cycled past an erupting Mt. St. Helens but was unchallenged by the volcanic activity.

Eruc's objective is the summit of Mt. Aconcagua on the Chilean-Argentinean border, which the Seattle resident plans to reach sometime in December 2005. Between Seattle and Aconcagua lies a 3,400 mile, 60 day cycling journey to Miami, and rowing voyage through the Panama Canal to Ecuador aboard his 23 foot trans-oceanic rower. He will reach the base of Aconcagua by biking south from Ecuador through Peru and Chile. The 22,841 foot peak is the highest point in South America and when summited by Eruç will put him within four peaks of accomplishing his goal.

On the first day of the Seattle to Portland leg, Eruç logged over 75 miles and then clocked 92 miles on day two. His journey took him past an erupting Mt. St. Helens in southwestern Washington on the way to Portland. The Turkish native will now pedal nearly 175 pounds of bicycle, trailer and panniers fully laden with food and personal gear from Portland east along Route 26 to Route 97 for a rest in Redmond, Oregon. He will then continue south to Bend and east along Rt. 20 via Middleton, Idaho for an expected Tuesday arrival in Boise.

The expedition will then take Eruç on to Salt Lake City, Denver, Kansas City, St. Louis, Nashville, Atlanta, Jacksonville and eventually an early December arrival in Miami.

Along the way, the former systems engineer turned expeditioner by way of a lay-off, will talk about his global journey to local school children to share the values of selflessness, sacrifice and perseverance of previous adventurers and expeditions including his late climbing partner, mountaineer Göran Kropp. Kropp is well known for his role in the rescue of several climbers who were stranded by a violent storm on Everest in 1996 and then successfully summiting the earth's highest peak without the use of supplemental oxygen. Kropp's journey to Everest included riding his bicycle laden with climbing gear from Sweden to Nepal.

In May 2003, Eruç reached the summit of the 20,320 foot Mt. McKinley in Alaska which included the 5,546 mile bike ride from Seattle to Denali and back. His bicycle journey to Miami will push his odometer to nearly 9,000 miles. Following a break to recover, Eruç expects to depart from Miami for Ecuador in late February aboard Calderdale - The Yorkshire Challenger, his 23 foot trans-oceanic rower. He expects to summit Aconcagua in January 2006, then Oceana's Carstenz Pyramid in the summer of 2007, Asia's Everest in 2008, Africa's Kilimanjaro in 2009 and finally Elbrus in Russia in 2010 before returning to Seattle later that year. The expedition will include time-off between legs for hurricane seasons on the oceans and winters on the mountains which will allow for recuperation and equipment repair and replenishment.

About Around-n-Over

Around-n-Over (www.around-n-over.org) is a tax-exempt organization to support the seven year quest of Seattle extreme athlete Erden Eruç to circumnavigate the globe under human power. Eruç aims to climb the highest summits on six continents after approaching each by bicycle and on foot, and to row across three oceans. By sharing his journey with students world-wide through Around-n-Over, Eruç aims to instill the values of selflessness, sacrifice and perseverance in the tradition of previous adventurers and expeditions. This journey was inspired by the book Ultimate High depicting Göran Kropp's 1996 cycling journey from Sweden to climb Mt. Everest, and by Tori Murden, who in 1999 became the first woman to cross an ocean by rowing.

Around-n-Over is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization and is exempt from federal income tax under section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of the United State of America. Invicta Law Group is instrumental to the success of Around-n-Over, and the following organizations have contributed to the journey: BOB Trailers, OrtliebUSA, REI, and Seattle Vertical World.


 

Seattle man's human-powered journey around the world to resume Sunday morning
Portland by bike is next stop en route to highest South American peak

SEATTLE, Washington, Oct. 2, 2004 - With a 5,546 mile bike ride from Seattle to Alaska and back and a successful summit attempt on Denali behind him, Seattle extreme athlete Erden Eruç will embark at 7am Sunday on the second phase of his Around-n-Over expedition (www.around-n-over.org) - a seven year quest to circumnavigate the globe under human power by cycling, rowing and climbing the highest peaks on six continents.

Eruc's objective is the summit of Mt. Aconcagua on the Chilean-Argentinean border, which the 43-year-old plans to reach sometime in December 2005. Between Seattle and Aconcagua lies a 3,400 mile, 60 day cycling journey to Miami, and rowing voyage through the Panama Canal to Ecuador aboard his 23 foot trans-oceanic rower. He will reach the base of Aconcagua by biking south from Ecuador through Peru and Chile. The 22,841 foot peak is the highest point in South America and when summited by Eruç will put him within four peaks of accomplishing his goal.

Following departure Sunday morning from Seattle's Pocock Rowing Center, Eruç's rowing club, the native of Turkey will pedal nearly 175 pounds of bicycle, trailer and panniers fully laden with food and personal gear along the Interurban Trail to Sumner and then along Route 507, Route 411 and Route 30 on to Portland, Ore. for an expected Wednesday arrival. The expedition will then take Eruç on to Boise, Salt Lake City, Denver, Kansas City, St. Louis, Nashville, Atlanta, Jacksonville and eventually an early December arrival in Miami.

Along the way, the former systems engineer turned expeditioner by way of a lay-off, will talk about his global journey to local school children to share the values of selflessness, sacrifice and perseverance of previous adventurers and expeditions including his late climbing partner, mountaineer Göran Kropp. Kropp is well known for his role in the rescue of several climbers who were stranded by a violent storm on Everest in 1996 and then successfully summiting the earth's highest peak without the use of supplemental oxygen. Kropp's journey to Everest included riding his bicycle laden with climbing gear from Sweden to Nepal.

In May 2003, Eruç reached the summit of the 20,320 foot Mt. McKinley in Alaska which included the 5,546 mile bike ride from Seattle to Denali and back. His bicycle journey to Miami will push his odometer to nearly 9,000 miles. Following a break to recover, Eruç expects to depart from Miami for Ecuador in late February aboard Calderdale - The Yorkshire Challenger, his 23 foot trans-oceanic rower. He expects to summit Aconcagua in January 2006, then Oceania's Carstenz Pyramid in the summer of 2007, Asia's Everest in 2008, Africa's Kilimanjaro in 2009 and finally Elbrus in Russia in 2010 before returning to Seattle later that year. The expedition will include time-off between legs for hurricane seasons on the oceans and winters on the mountains which will allow for recuperation and equipment repair and replenishment.

About Around-n-Over

Around-n-Over (www.around-n-over.org) is a tax-exempt organization to support the seven year quest of Seattle extreme athlete Erden Eruç to circumnavigate the globe under human power. Eruç aims to climb the highest summits on six continents after approaching each by bicycle and on foot, and to row across three oceans. By sharing his journey with students world-wide through Around-n-Over, Eruç aims to instill the values of selflessness, sacrifice and perseverance in the tradition of previous adventurers and expeditions. This journey was inspired by the book Ultimate High depicting Göran Kropp's 1996 cycling journey from Sweden to climb Mt. Everest, and by Tori Murden, who in 1999 became the first woman to cross an ocean by rowing.

Around-n-Over is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization and is exempt from federal income tax under section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of the United State of America. Invicta Law Group is instrumental to the success of Around-n-Over, and the following organizations have contributed to the journey: BOB Trailers, OrtliebUSA, REI, and Seattle Vertical World.


 

Six Summits Project, Stage 1: Mission Complete
Seattle adventurer bikes 5,600 miles, climbs Mount McKinley

(August 25th, 2003 – For immediate release) As he bicycled from Seattle to the foot of Denali (Mount McKinley), Erden Eruç braved snow, days where the high temperatures plunged to as low as –32 degrees Fahrenheit, and snowstorms that kept him waiting for days at a time along the way. On the way back, he plowed his way through hordes of mosquitoes, black flies and horseflies. Sandwiched in the middle was a summit of Denali, at 20,320 feet, the tallest mountain in North America.

Eruç’s summit plans were very nearly shattered as storms on the mountain kept him and his climbing team stuck in their tents. Soon before he would have been forced to abandon the summit attempt in favor of getting to Homer, Alaska for his own June 15th wedding, the weather cleared – but only for two days, enough to reach the summit from their high camp. Eruç and his teammates chose to fly out on June 1 rather than missing the wedding date.

On Monday, August 25th, Eruç will arrive back in Seattle having covered over 5,500 miles over land on his bicycle, towing his climbing gear à la Göran Kropp. The Seattle-based adventurer, formerly a technical consultant, and most recently an REI employee, will arrive at REI at 9:30am.

The McKinley summit was the high point of Stage I in Eruç’s Six Summits Project, an around-the-world, human powered adventure by bicycle, boat, and foot, which will include summit attempts of the highest peaks on each continent. Following his wedding, Eruç has been bicycling back to Seattle, where he will begin planning for Stage II and beyond.

Eruç's epic plans include moving first south, then west, climbing: Mt. Aconcagua (22,840 ft.) in South America, Oceania’s Carstenz Pyramid (16,503 ft.), Asia’s Mt. Everest (29,035 ft.), Africa’s Mt. Klimanjaro (19,340 ft.) and Europe’s Mt. Elbruz (18,513 ft.). He will row in a custom designed ocean rowing boat and, upon reaching land, bicycle to the base of each of the summits. "I won't be done yet after all that; I will still go back to Denali to walk out from the Base Camp to the nearest road, but this time there will not be my wedding to worry about," said Eruç.

For years, Eruç had daydreamed about making a round-the-world, human-powered, self-propelled trip. Tragedy finally lit the flame to really make it happen. In September, 2002, his climbing partner and renowned adventurer Göran Kropp died in a climbing accident. After Kropp’s death, Eruç decided he had waited long enough to make his dream a reality. The time for action was now. The result is the Six Summits Project and a non-profit called Around-n-Over.

He added a planned attempt to summit the highest peak on six different continents to his circumnavigation plan. “After Göran’s accident,” says Eruç, “I became inspired to climb the highest peaks on six continents in a way which honors his memory and his spirit.”

Göran Kropp was the Swedish adventurer who bicycled from his home in Sweden to Nepal with all of his climbing gear and a limited amount of food enough for one attempt on the mountain. He carried this entire load to the Everest Base Camp without porter help, then achieved an oxygen-free solo ascent of Everest in as pure a style as possible.

A charitable non-profit organization called Around-n-Over has been formed to produce news and educational content about the journey and to share its know-how for future human-powered challenges of similar nature. One of the goals of this organization will be to support the school that Göran Kropp founded in 1996, the Göran Kropp Bishwa Darshan Primary School in Taptin, Chyangba, Solukhumbu, Nepal, which serves 165 pupils and eight teachers.

At the core of Around-n-Over is a desire to expand children’s horizons. Eruç’s and his supporters will be working to develop educational activities corresponding to Eruç’s journey. Around-n-Over’s mission is “To inspire and inform young people by developing educational activities based on the realities of human powered exploration and adventure, including, but not limited to, geography, mathematics, natural science, physical fitness and social studies.”

For updates on the progress of Eruç’s Six Summits Project and for suggestions on donations and sponsorships, please see www.around-n-over.org, or send an e-mail to info@around-n-over.org. Media inquiries may be directed to media@around-n-over.org.


 

Summit success! (One down, five to go)
Seattle adventurer bicycles 2,683 miles and successfully summits Mount McKinley

(June 5th, 2003 - For immediate release) With the clock ticking, the infamously bad weather on Mount McKinley in Alaska eased up just long enough for Seattle-based adventurer Erden Eruç and his climbing partners to summit the highest peak in North America. After bicycling 2,683 miles from Seattle - much of it through snow - Eruç's summit attempt was nearly foiled by ongoing storm conditions. Time was running out for Eruç who needed to be off the mountain and in Homer, AK for his wedding on June 15th to his fiancé, Nancy Board.

On Thursday, May 29th, after spending days holed up in their tents waiting for the storms to let up, Erden and Seattle climbers Eddie Espinosa, and Cory Groom got the break they had been waiting for - sun! Early in the morning, they left their high camp at 17,200 feet and pushed for the 20,320 foot summit. The break in the weather lasted only long enough for them to climb the mountain safely, then storm conditions closed back in. Team members Jeremy Cranford and Chris Woytko would try the next day, but would be turned back by high winds.

Even though the original plan was to walk out from the Base Camp to the nearest road for the bike ride back to Seattle, Eruç and his teammates had to fly out when they ran out of time. "I could not afford to be late to my own wedding, I will have to go back to complete the 67 mile walkout when the circumnavigation is done," said Eruç.

The McKinley summit was the culmination of Stage I of Eruç's Six Summits Project, an around-the-world, human powered adventure by bicycle, boat, and foot, which will include summit attempts of the highest peaks on each continent. Following his wedding, Eruç will bicycle back to Seattle, where he will begin planning for Stage II and beyond.

Eruç's epic plans include moving first south, then west, climbing: Mt. Aconcagua (22,840 ft.) in South America, Oceania's Carstenz Pyramid (16,503 ft.), Asia's Mt. Everest (29,035 ft.), Africa's Mt. Klimanjaro (19,340 ft.) and Europe's Mt. Elbruz (18,513 ft.). He will row in a custom designed ocean rowing boat and, upon reaching land, bicycle to the base of each of the summits.

For years, Eruç formerly a technical consultant who more recently stepped closer to his dreams as an REI employee, had daydreamed about a round-the-world, self-propelled trip. Tragedy finally lit the flame to really make it happen. In September, 2002, his climbing partner and renowned adventurer Göran Kropp died in a climbing accident. After Kropp's death, Eruç decided that he had waited long enough to make his circumnavigation dream a reality. The time for action was now. The result is the Six Summits Project and a non-profit called Around-n-Over.

He added attempting to summit the highest peak on each of six different continents to his plan. "After Göran's accident," says Eruç, "I became inspired to also climb the highest peaks on six continents in a way which honors his memory and his spirit."

Göran Kropp was the Swedish adventurer who bicycled from his home in Sweden to Nepal with all of his climbing gear and a limited amount of food enough for one attempt on the mountain. He carried this entire load to the Everest Base Camp without porter help, then achieved an oxygen-free solo ascent of Everest in as pure a style as possible.

A charitable non-profit organization called Around-n-Over has been formed to produce news and educational content about the journey and to share its know-how for future human-powered challenges of similar nature. One of the goals of this organization will be to support the school that Göran Kropp founded in 1996, the Göran Kropp Bishwa Darshan Primary School in Taptin, Chyangba, Solukhumbu, Nepal, which serves 150 pupils and five teachers.

For updates on the progress of Eruç's Six Summits Project and for suggestions on donations and sponsorships, please see www.around-n-over.org, or send an e-mail to info@around-n-over.org. Media inquiries may be directed to media@around-n-over.org.


 

Layoff leads to giant leap
Seattle man to embark on a round-the-world, self-propelled journey

(January 29th, 2003 - For immediate release) A year and a half ago, Erden Eruç was working in the computer industry, making good money - and feeling his energy sag. On February 1st he will be setting off on the first leg of a six-stage, self-propelled, round the world odyssey, bicycling north (or sometimes, pushing the bike on foot through the snow) to the base of Alaska's Mount McKinley (20,320 feet), climbing the mountain with a team of Seattle friends, and turning around for the ride back. Then he will begin planning for the next stage.

After being laid off from his job as a Senior Project Manager for a technical consulting firm, Erden decided it was time for a radical change to his real love - outdoors and adventure. He began working in the climbing department at the Seattle REI. "It was a lot less money," Erden says, "but I got to spend my time talking with people who love doing the same things that I do. What could be better than that?"

For years, Erden had daydreamed about making a round-the-world, self-propelled trip. Tragedy finally lit the flame to really make it happen. In September, 2002, his climbing partner and renowned adventurer Göran Kropp died in a climbing accident. After Kropp's death, Eruç decided he had waited long enough to make his circumnavigation dream a reality. The time for action was now. The result is the Six Summits Project and a non-profit called Around-n-Over.

He added a planned attempt to summit the highest peak on six different continents to his plan. "After Göran's accident," says Eruç "I became inspired to climb the highest peaks on six continents in a way which honors his memory and his spirit."

Göran Kropp was the Swedish adventurer who bicycled from his home in Sweden to Nepal with all of his climbing gear and a limited amount of food enough for one attempt on the mountain. He carried this entire load to the Everest Base Camp without porter help, then achieved an oxygen-free solo ascent of Everest in as pure a style as possible.

"In his actions, Göran Kropp represented the survival of the human spirit, accomplishing a larger-than-life goal," said Eruç "In his passing, many of us who knew him are again motivated to explore the limits of the possible."

Once back in Seattle, Erden's epic plans include moving first south, then west, climbing: Mt. Aconcagua (22,840 ft.) in South America, Oceania's Carstenz Pyramid (16,503 ft.), Asia's Mt. Everest (29,035 ft.), Africa's Mt. Klimanjaro (19,340 ft.) and Europe's Mt. Elbruz (18,513 ft.).

He will row in a custom designed ocean rowing boat and, upon reaching land, bicycle to the base of each of the summits.

A charitable non-profit organization called Around-n-Over is being formed to produce news and educational content about the journey and to share its know-how for future human-powered challenges of similar nature. One of the goals of this organization will be to support the school that Göran Kropp founded in 1996, the Göran Kropp Bishwa Darshan Primary School in Taptin, Chyangba, Solukhumbu, Nepal, which serves 150 pupils and five teachers.

REI is providing him with REI gear and clothing, through REI's employee challenge grant program. He has also received a Novara Safari bicycle from REI. In addition to this support from REI, Eruç received additional support for the Denali phase of his journey through B.O.B. Trailers, and Ortlieb USA. Seattle-area businesses including Vertical World are also supporting this expedition in kind.

For updates on the progress of Eruç's Six Summits Project and for suggestions on donations and sponsorships, please see www.around-n-over.org, or send an e-mail to info@around-n-over.org. Media inquiries may be directed to media@around-n-over.org.


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