Summit Murder Mystery Series

A 33-year-old British adventurer set out on skis November 25th, 2011 to attempt a historic solo crossing of Antarctica. Felicity Aston aims to become the first woman to make it across the frozen continent alone. She expects the journey of more than 1,000 miles (1,700 kilometers) will take about 70 days. She announced on Twitter that she was setting out from her starting point at the Ross Ice Shelf. "Having breakfast looking at the mountains. The quiet will take some getting used to," she said in one message. Later, she wrote: "With the first step of my journey I start the long road home." She is pulling a sled with supplies and first will be headed up the Leverett Glacier. Boerge Ousland of Norway previously made a 64-day trip across the continent in 1997. But he harnessed the wind when it blew in his favor by strapping himself to a parachute-like sail. If successful, Aston would become the first person using only muscle power to cross Antarctica alon...

May 6th marked a significant day for Mount Everest. British climber, Kenton Cool, successfully tweeted from the summit of Mount Everest. From his twitter handle: @KentonCool, Cool told the world, "Everest summit no.9! 1st tweet from the top of the world thanks to a weak 3G signal and the awesome Samsung Galaxy S2 handset." Ncell launched the 3G service on Everest last year. Because of Ncell, video calling is also available on Everest from the height of 5,000 meters. Video communication allows for climbers to have safer climbs and better communication from the side of the mountain to the base. Ncell has nine base stations on the mountain and plans to add five more to strengthen the signal on Everest.

Among the Seven Summits, Mount Kilimanjaro towers as the highest mountain in Africa. With its three volcanic cones, Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira, Mount Kilimanjaro is an inactive volcano in Tanzania. It stands 19,341 feet above sea level and is 19,298 feet from base to summit. Mount Kilimanjaro is also the highest freestanding mountain. Below is a video of a Mount Kilimanjaro climb performed by a father and son. It is a video journal showcasing the seven day adventure up the Machame route. This video was sent to Irion Books via Twitter from John Beede. Follow John Beede or Irion Books LLC and stay current with climbing updates!

Technology has officially reached new heights! Mount Everest, the highest point on earth, has received internet connection. Climbers can surf the web, send a Tweet and make phone calls from the summit of Mt Everest. Until now, climbers were forced to carry heavy and expensive satellite equipment to transmit information and images from base camp. On the climb, mountaineers carry hand held VHF radios to talk with base camp, though an expedition might also carry a satellite phone to contact sponsors and family. Because of NCell, this is no longer needed. Climbers now have access to wireless internet and telecoms at the peak. This will greatly increase the safety for climbers on Everest. Distress calls from the death zone will be heard and answered more quickly due to this new technology. Satellite phones are infamous for poor reception at the top of Everest; the opportunity of internet on Everest has now solved this problem. Interactivity between climbers and the outside world has n...