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February 2012

The Adventurers' Club of Los Angeles®

February 2, 2012 - Knut I. Oxnevad - Incurably Smitten by the Outdoors,
Ocean, Science and Space Bugs!

Knut Oxnevad

Knut Oxnevad As true adventurers and explorers we seek to see beyond the surface, see the connections, contribute, and get involved. Yet we never forget to appreciate and enjoy the moment. These are also characteristics shared by Dr. Knut I. Oxnevad.

Using a few selected images captured over the last 16 years, ranging from fire dancers on Bequa Island, via Grizzly’s in BC, to Humpbacks at Maui, he will share with you what gets him up in the morning, and why he is out there, and how he wants to contribute. He aims to inspire.

Dr. Knut I. Oxnevad is a west coast kind of guy. That is he grew up in Sandnes, on the west coast of Norway. He early became an avid outdoors enthusiast and active skier, and has enjoyed extensive skiing up in the high mountains of Norway. Of, course compared to his famous countryman, Dr. Fridtjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen, he would regard himself as a mere amateur.

There was always a strong connection to the Ocean and especially what was below its surface. In Norway he enjoyed sailing and boating. When he came to Los Angeles in the late 1990’s he took up kayaking. Since then he has kayaked, sea caved, hiked, and become completely smitten by the Channel Islands (Anacapa, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, and San Miguel). He has also kayed the northern parts of Vancouver Island (Port Mcneel), British Columbia - another absolutely amazing place. He won’t soon forget the Grizzly’s.

Knut Oxnevad He is a person who likes to contribute, and he was very fortunate to be able to support the National Parks Service Channel Island Fox Breeding program on San Miguel. The six feet fences that he was part of building are still there.

The Oceans around the Channel Islands team with wildlife, and he soon found himself spellbound by watching and photographing, especially, dolphins, blue whales, grey whales, and humpbacks. On one of his early trips, he met Jim Dorsey, who later introduced him to the birthing lagoons of the Grey Whales in San Igancio. It’s a place that needs to be experienced. But, what blew Oxnevad completely out of the water was the playfulness and curiosity of the Humpbacks. He has spent hundreds of hours observing and photographing them from boats off the Channel Islands, Maui, and Vancouver Island. It’s hard to explain what happens in your mind when one of these beautiful creatures look you right in the eye, or do a “back-stroke” right next to you showing you a complete trust.

For Oxnevad, it turned into a quest to do something concrete to ensure that these magical moments would always be there. Because that is what they are: Magical moments. As a result, he has now filed a patent for a system for tracking marine mammals, using automatic photo identification and social networking. When realized, this system will turn any whale watcher into a valuable “people scientist.” His strongly believes in “Protecting the Ocean through making it personal.”

Knut Oxnevad Curious: Always! He always wanted to understand the things that were difficult to understand and to him the space frontier came to be the pinnacle of curiosity. And, that is what brought him to Los Angeles. For ten years he led teams at NASA - JPL developing systems and “eyes” for robotic explorers of other worlds. This included the Aquarius satellite that was launched in 2011, and the very sophisticated Astrobiological Field Lab (AFL) rover. A version of it may be launched after 2020.

Oxnevad has visited and travelled in a number of countries including Morocco, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Norway, France, the UK, Mexico, Canada, the US (of course), Fiji, and Tahiti (Marquesas Islands) to mention a few. He also lived for a short period in Tokyo, Japan.

He is a fellow of the Explorers Club.


 
© 1921 - All Rights Reserved
The Adventurers' Club of Los Angeles ®
2433 North Broadway, P.O. Box 31226, Los Angeles, CA USA 90031-0226
(323) 223-3948
 




The Adventurers' Club of Los Angeles®

February 9, 2012 - Ladies Night - Gary Ziegler
Extreme Archaeology and Exploration in the Andes

Photo of Gary Ziegler - The Andean Research Expeditions

A narrated slide presentation about Gary Ziegler’s 45-year history of exploration and investigation of Inca sites in Peru’s mountainous Inca heartland by foot, machete, rope and mule...

He will describe the rediscovery of the remote site, Cotacoca in an inaccessible deep canyon, the mountain top tombs of Cerro Victoria, the high ceremonial royal estate, Choquequirao and the discovery, mapping and investigation of the large cloud forest complex Llactapata near Machu Picchu.

Explorer, archaeologist, mountaineer, sailor, cowboy, and sometime philosopher...

Gary Ziegler is an archaeologist and explorer specializing in extreme, remote environments. He grew up on skis and peaks in Colorado. As a teenager, he ran the first Pikes Peak Marathon, completing it again on the marathon's 50th anniversary. He staffed for the Peace Corps in Washington DC, Puerto Rico and Ecuador/Colombia. He led an American Alpine Club expedition to Peru climbing 14 peaks above 20,000 feet with first ascents of seven over 18,000'. He served as an intelligence specialist with Army Special Forces and the Australian SAS in Vietnam leaving as a Captain. He founded and currently operates 4000 acre Bear Basin Ranch near Westcliffe, Colorado, raising horses and cows. Gary has served as County Sheriff, volunteer fireman and trained the county search/rescue unit. He also trained and headed the Sheriff's Mounted Horse Patrol. He is an ocean sailor, having crewed on a square rigger, worked sailing charters, and sailed around South/Central America, the Caribbean and the Aegean Sea.

Following studies at Colorado College and completion of graduate studies at Peru’s National University in the 1960s, he has led a series of annual exploratory expeditions in remote regions of the Andes and the Peruvian cloud forest that continue, supported by the Royal Geographical Society, the Explorers Club, like organizations and funding team members.

Among his better known discoveries and investigations are the Vilcabamba Inca sites, Lisascayhuana, Cota Coca and Machu Picchu’s extensive ceremonial neighbor, Llactapata. He led part of the National Geographic team that discovered and excavated Inca Corihuyrachina in 2001. He is currently completing a book on the Inca royal estate and ceremonial complex, Choquequirao with University of Colorado archaeo astronomer, Kim Malville. The publication represents several decades of field investigations and collection of data at this enigmatic, remote mountain site.

He has co directed and featured in films for the Discovery Channel, History Channel, BBC, National Geographic, Reader's Digest, Lonely Planet and has been a guest expert on NPR's Science Friday. He is published in profession journals and numerous publications. He is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society of London, the Explorers Club, and a sometime lecturer at Colorado College.

With gratitude to Allan Smith, club member #1069, our source for this program.


 
© 1921 - All Rights Reserved
The Adventurers' Club of Los Angeles ®
2433 North Broadway, P.O. Box 31226, Los Angeles, CA USA 90031-0226
(323) 223-3948
 

The Adventurers' Club of Los Angeles®

February 16, 2012 - Glen Gordinier PhD - Cold Water Surfing East

Although he rode his first wave forty-seven years ago, DR. GLENN GORDINIER still charges hurricane swells today. As the history instructor for the Williams College/Mystic Seaport Program in Maritime Studies in Mystic, CT, Gordinier has published numerous works on maritime history, and offers his students surf lessons every semester. He lives in Stonington, CT with his wife, a well known regional artist.

Surfing Cold Water chronicles the experience of surfing the waters of New England through the long off-season. Seen through the eyes of a home-owner and career man, this account is not about the professional circuit or descriptions of the most famous surf spots on the planet. Instead, it examines the cycles of life and surfing experienced by millions of unheralded wave riders. It also illuminates the burning desire that sends a select few into frigid winter waters, warmed by a passion that cannot be quenched.

BTW, Kathy Kohner Zuckerman (GIDGET) has seen an advanced copy of the book and writes:

"An older surfer . . . . . . deeply in love with surfing. He could not really live without it. The cold weather and cold water on the East coast are not going to stop him from living out his passion. . . . he captures its stoke and exhilaration. He loves it, and if you love surfing, you'll love this book. His descriptions . . . are vivid and bring it all to life

WEBSITE: www.TheDay.com/article/20120103/NWS01/301039973/-1/nws

We thank Kathy Kohner, Zuckerman


 
© 1921 - All Rights Reserved
The Adventurers' Club of Los Angeles ®
2433 North Broadway, P.O. Box 31226, Los Angeles, CA USA 90031-0226
(323) 223-3948
 

The Adventurers' Club of Los Angeles®

February 23, 2012 - Jim Dorsey - Guests of the Maasai

James Dorsey On his first trip to Africa, Jim Dorsey went as an invited guest of a Maasai elder. He made an aborted attempt to climb Mt Kilimanjaro, and then accompanied by his wife, spent time at several different Maasai villages, learning how to track animals, hunt lions, observing ceremonies, and documenting their animistic culture.

He was only the second white visitor to one village on a journey that actually began at the Adventurers Club.

This is a rare look inside what was once one of the most feared warrior tribes in all Africa, and will include dramatic images of wildlife observed up close in the bush with the Maasai.

James Michael Dorsey is an explorer, author, and photographer who has traveled extensively in 43 countries. His journeys are usually far off the beaten path to record the cultures of indigenous peoples, particularly in Africa and Asia.

James Dorsey with Moses Pulei His first book, is entitled "Tears, Fear and Adventure." He is a frequent contributor to the Christian Science Monitor and The Los Angeles Times. He is a regular contributor as both writer and photographer to WEND, Sea Kayaker, Ocean, WorldAndI, and Wavelength magazines. His articles and photos have appeared in Natural History, BBC Wildlife, California Wild, Northwest, and the TravelersTales book series, plus Wild Moments, The Seattle Times, Orlando Sentinel, and L.A. Weekly newspapers. He is a 2008, 2010 SOLAS category award winner for "Best Travel Writing"

His was a principal photographer for England's’ Seventh Wave magazine, and his work has been used by the National Wildlife Federation, Ocean Conservancy, International Cetacean Society, California Gray Whale Coalition, and the International Whaling Commission. His work has twice been chosen as Kodak Internationals "Photo of the Day." He has appeared on National Public Radio’s "Weekend America" program and is a Fellow of the Explorers Club and former director of the Adventurers Club.

Website: www.jamesdorsey.com

The Adventurers Club thanks Jim Dorsey, our member, for volunteering to present this program.


 
© 1921 - All Rights Reserved
The Adventurers' Club of Los Angeles ®
2433 North Broadway, P.O. Box 31226, Los Angeles, CA USA 90031-0226
(323) 223-3948
 

Photo of Maasai Lion Dance
Lion Dance

Photo of Maasai Ladies
Maasai Ladies

Photo of Mother Cheetah Grooming Her Cub
Mother Cheetah Grooming Her Cub

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© 1921 - All Rights Reserved
The Adventurers' Club of Los Angeles ®
2433 North Broadway, P.O. Box 31226, Los Angeles, CA USA 90031-0226
(323) 223-3948