Apologies for the months of radio silence…but we have been very busy bees! Well, as I mentioned previously, Tarka had a brainwave 12 months ago, and decided we should take a break for expeditions and create a TV channel to benefit independent filmmakers!!!

We initially looked at standard television channels, but the cost was astronomical and limited us to the UK, so we then looked online! But online we found all video sites to be plagued with the same problems. In our opinion, great films are not made to be viewed the size of a postcard on a crowded and busy web page, nor catalogued away in a never-ending archive, never to be found again. If you want to know how to deliver film we think you need to look at the experts; TV and cinema. So we set about taking drastic measures to completely redefine viewing film online, by converging TV, Internet video and film festival with the latest in cloud and streaming technologies. It has without doubt been the most difficult challenge we have ever taken on and makes the Southern Patagonian Icecap suddenly feel very inviting!

In a nutshell our new platform, www.itzon.tv, provides film lovers with a huge range of independent films, documentaries and animations from around the world all scheduled into a linear stream. Providing a full-screen, high-definition ‘TV’ experience, available through an Internet browser or Internet-ready TV. And the best bit? It’s FREE!

itzon showcases an eclectic mix of films from all genres, but even if your not an indie film festival goer im pretty sure there will still be stuff you just might like!!! Every week there will be a selection of great adventure, travel and sports films you bound to enjoy. itzon is currently in BETA testing phase, launching our first months festival on the 18th May, when you will be able to catch:

Ten – A Cameraman’s tale: Ski/snowboard freeride documentary, and an insight into the world of freeride through the lens of cameraman Guido Perrini.

Single-Handed: Kevin Shields is known as the one handed climber.  Born with most of his left hand missing Kevin has shocked the climbing world.

Chalk and Chocolate: This beautiful film is of one of the best climbers in the world Natalija Gros, climbing one of the most challenging verticals in Slovenia: Histerija (8c+)

Into Darkness: The secret underworld of caves. Journey with cavers who push through impossibly small passages to some of the final frontiers on earth.

A Fine Line: A cinematic journey that unites the leading edge of winter action sports with avalanche education and responsible backcountry usage.

African Odyssey: A grass roots adventure at its best, 4 ordinary guys, 4 very ordinary motorbikes ride 21,000 km from Capetown to London.

Ascending the Giants: An insight into what motivates the arborists who climb the largest trees on the planet!

The Great Walk of China: our film…for those of you who haven’t yet seen it!

And many more!

You can just arrive and watch what’s playing now, browse the programme guide and digital magazine to see what’s on when, use the itzon Demand catch up service to watch anything you’ve missed and vote on the films as part of the monthly festival competition.

Shameless pleading but…Please spread the word about itzon to everyone you know!! Thank you

(Link to demo vid if you wanted something to embed http://www.youtube.com/user/itzontv#p/u/4/Dz56WUix0kQ )

Have just noticed that its been months since we last updated the site, ahh where does time go!!

So what’s our news:

1)        Well we got married at the top of a mountain, which was quite exciting! Due to the fact that Tarka proposed at the end of our last expedition, whilst we were sheltering from the hefty Patagonian winds down a crevasse, we felt in true ‘Tarka and Katie’ fashion we should have an expedition style wedding.

So on the 6^th of March we got married at 6000ft in the Parc national de la Vanoise in the French Alps at a mountain refuge. Due to the refuge being in a national park, all forms of motorised transport are prohibited, which meant all 60 guests had to hike the 9km up the mountain in snowshoes, aided with plenty of chocolate and a picnic lunch. The guests wedding attire was pulled up in large polar sleds by Tarka as well as various guests who volunteered (briefly), big thank you to all of you. Tarka had already made 5 previous journeys in the days before pulling up to 100kg of wedding ’stuff ‘ up at a time. The evening ceremony was held outside the refuge’s tiny chapel under a clear starry ski at a nippy -18°C. This was followed by a big dinner in the refuge as we partied through until morning with the help of a great band (who also had to walk up the mountain…equipment being towed in pulk)! On the Sunday after a hearty breakfast we all headed back down the mountain! As much as I’m a little biased it was truly a magical weekend, and for the guests, well it was different!

2)       We are project managing, along with race directors Charlie Paton and Alan Chambers, the first race across Greenland, the Greenland Icecap Challenge 2011. This project is exciting on two accounts: Firstly because it’s a 500km race where competitors will complete a full traverse of the icecap, a feat that is highly acclaimed among the world of polar explorers. Racing for 18 – 27 days in temperatures of  minus 35°C, pulling pulks up to 75kg…what’s not exciting about that! Secondly, im racing in the solo unsupported category…my first solo expedition, whoopee!

3)        The sad news is we have had to postpone Rivers of Ice Take 2 until next autumn. We are still as determined as ever to complete our Patagonian mission, but it will just have to wait until 2011. This is a personal choice, as an opportunity in the form of a new business venture arose and we felt we had to grab it (more to come on the new venture soon, as very exciting).  Great article about last year’s Rivers of Ice came out in the Geographical magazine last month PDF version here.

We are off to Mt Blanc later this month so will update you on our return.

Katie

Anyone looking at going to ‘Adventure Travel Live‘ at the end of the month…

Save £6 off the ticket price by booking in advance quote ”Tarka” / “Katie-Jane” / “Rachel” (£10 on the door) visit www.adventuretravellive.com

Adventure Travel Live is the must visit, one stop shop for anyone planning an off-the-beaten-track travel adventure. The show is packed with inspiration and travel advice that will help you to uncover the journey of a lifetime. From once-in-a lifetime-travel experiences, small group adventures, trekking, family adventures, career breaks, safaris, overland expeditions, volunteering, gap years and much more.

There are over 60 talks at Adventure Travel Live and our impressive line-up of travel experts includes the likes of Simon Yates (Touching the Void), Ben Fogle, Benedict Allen, co-founder of Lonely Planet Tony Wheeler, Doug Scott, Tom Avery, Simon Calder, Paul Rose and many more, oh and us of course!

We will be presenting ‘The Great Walk of China: Proof that anything is possible!’ Recounting my colossal life-change from the world of commercial fashion to adventurer: surviving blizzards, temperatures of -35°C, frost bite, starvation, exhaustion and dehydration? In 167 days and over 4500km we became the first to walk the entire length of the magical Great Wall of China from its westerly terminus to its most easterly. The equivalent to over 100 consecutive marathons with a third of our body weight on our backs. With the hope of inspiring one or two others, that we are all more capable than we think if we are just brave enough to take the first steps!

Show features include:

• 5 x theatres packed with inspiration and advice; from Simon Calder’s weekend of adventure travel, wildlife adventures, overland & expeditions to the planning the ultimate career break
• Nat Geo Adventure explorers workshop
• Royal Geographical Society Map Zone
• The Big Earth expedition planning feature
• Travel Africa safari planner
• Travel Photographer of the Year exhibition
• Nomad Travel Health & Essential Kit Guide
  

Venue & Getting there
Royal Horticultural Halls, Greycoat Street, Victoria, London SW1P 2QD.
Friday 29 January, 6pm-10pm
Saturday 30 January, 10am-6pm
Sunday 31 January, 10am-5pm

On door price
Friday / adults / £10
(£18 for the evening with Simon Calder + valid any one day)
Saturday / adults / £10
Sunday / adults / £10
Under 16s free


Advance ticket offer
I am pleased to confirm that we have teamed up with the organisers of Adventure Travel Live to offer you a discount to the show when you book in advance. You can save £6 off door price for adults (i.e. £4 valid any day), under 16s are free. Add £1.50 postage and packing per order.

Tickets for an Evening with Simon Calder are £15 and takes place from 6pm to 10pm on Friday 29 January only. Also valid any one day for Adventure Travel Live.

Order online at adventuretravellive.com or call 0871 230 7159 and quote  “Tarka” / “Katie-Jane” / “Caroline” / “Rachel”  (please use reference code where relevant J).

Also dont forget 2 days letter we will be speaking about the Rivers of Ice Expedition at the quirky ‘Night of Adventure’ in the style of Pecha Kucha, 15 speakers, 20 slides per speaker, 20 seconds per slide on February the 2nd at 7pm, at the Roxy Bar & Screen, London. This will be great fun and not to be missed, with all proceeds going to Hope and Homes for Children.

Katie-Jane