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And if a subscription isn't for you right now, a repost would be hugely appreciated. Every share helps us reach new readers. 🙏

Our next target is 80 paid subscribers. That would allow us to commission one guest feature every month, while continuing to invest in original reporting and analysis.

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Thanks to this support, we've just commissioned our first paid feature from a writer outside the editorial team. We're also in conversations with a second contributor. It didn’t start like this, but my goal now is to create paid opportunities for adventure writers, both established and emerging.

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Ash Routen @ashrouten.com · 17/08/2026

Two months ago, I launched At the Edge of the Map to provide independent reporting and analysis on global adventure, expeditions and exploration. Today, we've reached 55 paid subscribers. 🙏

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Americans Henry Penfold, 22, and Caleb McDaniels, 25, are 78 days and 1,600km into an ambitious 2,300km journey around the coastline of Baffin Island, a huge island in Canada’s far north that lies between Greenland and the Canadian mainland. theedgeofthemap.substack.com/p/americans-...

theedgeofthemap.substack.com

Americans Halfway Through 2,300km Ski, Hike and Packraft Journey Around Baffin Island

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Cheers! Any adventure plans on the horizon for you?

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Hey Thorsten. Yeah no more regular pieces for EXWeb. New family life and a want to tread my own path have led to At the Edge of the Map.

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The only time I’ll ask outright on here. If this kind of content interests you, do subscribe for free or via the paid option. A paid subscription makes this viable and costs equivalent to 1 coffee per month. Articles are free to read for all.

At the Edge of the Map: Adventure Beyond the Headlines

After several months of planning I’m officially launching At the Edge of the Map a new publication providing independent reporting and analysis on global adventure, expeditions, and exploration. open.substack.com/pub/theedgeo...

open.substack.com

Independent reporting and analysis on global adventure, expeditions, and exploration.

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Five preview articles are already available, with the full launch coming in August. If exploration, expeditions and adventure are topics that interest you, I'd be delighted if you'd take a look and subscribe. Photo by Michael Fenton on Unsplash

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It's a reader-funded publication, and ahead of the full launch we've already welcomed more than 390 free and paid subscribers. Every article is free to read. I'm fortunate to be supported by an editorial advisory board that includes respected adventurers Eric Larsen and Ray Zahab.

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If we know each other through the adventure and expedition world, I'd love to share a new project I'm launching. At the Edge of the Map is a new independent publication covering global expeditions, adventure and exploration through original reporting, interviews and analysis. Continued 👇

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Ash Routen @ashrouten.com · 24/07/2026

The legendary bicycle tourist Heinz Stucke died a couple of days ago. Stucke spent more than 50 years cycling around the globe, covering an estimated 600k miles. He started in 1962 and finished in 2014 at the age of 74.

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Next month, a Canadian team will try to kayak around the coastline of King William Island in the Canadian Arctic. The island is the focal point of one of the Arctic’s most enduring mysteries: the lost British Naval Northwest Passage Expedition of 1845. theedgeofthemap.substack.com/p/kayak-expe...

theedgeofthemap.substack.com

Kayak Expedition to Circumnavigate Arctic Island Where Franklin's Men Perished

Next month, a Canadian team will attempt to kayak around the coastline of King William Island in the Canadian Arctic.

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Ash Routen @ashrouten.com · 18/07/2026

An interesting and bold SUP expedition. Spanish adventurer Antonio de la Rosa is in northern Canada, preparing to launch a solo, unsupported attempt to paddleboard the Northwest Passage. open.substack.com/pub/theedgeo...?

open.substack.com

Spanish Adventurer Set to Attempt Northwest Passage by Paddleboard

Spanish adventurer Antonio de la Rosa is in northern Canada, preparing to launch a solo, unsupported attempt to paddleboard the Northwest Passage.

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Ash Routen @ashrouten.com · 07/07/2026

Yesterday, four Swiss adventurers began an attempt to row unsupported from Longyearbyen, Svalbard, to Scotland’s north coast. They aim to reach Scotland in 40-60 days time after rowing an estimated 3,100km. open.substack.com/pub/theedgeo...

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Ash Routen @ashrouten.com · 02/07/2026

Coming soon… theedgeofthemap.substack.com/about

Ash Routen @ashrouten.com · 25/03/2026

Two weeks ago, we reported on several Arctic expeditions scheduled to begin in late March and April. Some are already underway, while others are about to start. explorersweb.com/arctic-round...

Ash Routen @ashrouten.com · 16/03/2026

Swiss cyclist Adrien Liechti is attempting to cycle nearly 17,000km from Africa’s northernmost point to its southernmost. Unfortunately, a misunderstanding in Cameroon recently derailed his journey for two weeks. explorersweb.com/cyclists-170...

Cyclist's 17,000Km Africa North-to-South Journey Delayed by Military Detention » Explorersweb

Swiss cyclist Adrien Liechti was detained in Cameroon for two weeks for filming a bridge without realizing it was considered a sensitive subject.

Ash Routen @ashrouten.com · 13/03/2026

One man has taken on a unique project: reaching all seven Poles of Inaccessibility -- those places on each continent farthest from water or land. explorersweb.com/chasing-the-...

Chasing the World’s Seven Poles of Inaccessibility » Explorersweb

One man has taken on a unique project: reaching all seven Poles of Inaccessibility -- those places on each continent farthest from water or land.

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Ash Routen @ashrouten.com · 06/03/2026

As light returns to the northern latitudes, the Arctic expedition season is about to begin. The spring of 2026 is particularly busy and geographically varied, with journeys in Greenland, Svalbard, Alaska, and even Siberia and Mongolia. explorersweb.com/arctic-round...

Arctic Round-Up: Sled Journeys Across Greenland, Svalbard, Alaska, Siberia » Explorersweb

This spring features Arctic expeditions in both the usual suspects (Greenland, Svalbard) and places like Siberia that no longer see much action.

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Ash Routen @ashrouten.com · 02/03/2026

Cheers Andre, hope you are well!

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Ash Routen @ashrouten.com · 27/02/2026

I had a great time at the Expedition Finse festival last weekend in 🇳🇴 As well as giving a talk it was great to hear from and chat to Ben Fogle. A real highlight was meeting the great Erling Kagge and attending the Shackleton Award dinner. A few pics below and a blog post to come next week.

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Ash Routen @ashrouten.com · 27/02/2026

I was in Norway last weekend where Maciej Besta was awarded the 2026 Shackleton Award. I whipped up this profile on Besta and his latest cold expedition. explorersweb.com/the-man-who-...

The Man Who Climbs the Coldest Peaks on Earth » Explorersweb

Maciej Besta has spent over a decade doing climbing and manhauling expeditions alone in the coldest places he can find, often in central Siberia.

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Reposted by Ash Routen

Ed Douglas @calmandfearless.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

The Fram Museum (if you're ever in Oslo, then go) is reporting that Roland Huntford has died, deep into his 90s. It took someone born in South Africa to offer a more realistic picture of Scott, but his intention, he said, to was to do justice to Amundsen. Can't argue with that.

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Alas there isn’t sir! Unlikely to win but edging out a few accounts with 200k+ followers 😜

Can you help me out influence the influencers? www.facebook.com/share/g/1CDo...

facebook.com

Redirecting...

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I won’t be competing on follower count, but if you believe in celebrating meaningful, off-radar adventure, I’d love your vote. If I somehow win, I’ll donate £150 to the Woodland Trust, a charity doing vital work protecting native UK woodlands. Voting link is below.

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British Antarctic Survey 🐧 @bas.ac.uk · 21/01/2026

I’ve been nominated for Best Social Media Handle at the 2026 Outdoor Media Awards — an industry event that recognises journalism, storytelling and creators in the outdoor space. It’s pretty wild given I spend most of my time spotlighting lesser-known expeditions and calling out adventure hype.

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Reposted by Ash Routen

It's that time of year again: we're looking for our next Antarctic team! If you can imagine a job that’s needed to keep a small, remote community safe and running, we have it. Escape the ordinary and apply for the job of a lifetime in Antarctica ⬇️

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Ash Routen @ashrouten.com · 21/01/2026

In the past I've given a lot of time for free to broadcasters, adventurers and journalists. Now I'm trying to formalise this a little. So here's a little on how you can work with me for commentary, writing, speaking and consultancy worldwide. www.ashrouten.com/blog/working...

ashrouten.com

Expert in Adventure, Exploration, Media and Expeditions — ASH ROUTEN

Work with an expert in adventure, exploration and expedition media, offering commentary, writing, speaking and consultancy worldwide.

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Reposted by Ash Routen

Ash Routen @ashrouten.com · 20/01/2026

A shameless plug, if you enjoy any of my writing I’m asking folks to nominate me for best outdoor story of 2025. The suggested story to nominate is in the linked post below. outdoormediasummit.com/2026-outdoor...

outdoormediasummit.com

2026 Outdoor Media Awards Nominations - Outdoor Media Summit 2026

Celebrate the voices shaping outdoor media. Nominate top journalists, creators, and marketers for the 2026 Outdoor Media Summit Awards.

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Ash Routen @ashrouten.com · 20/01/2026

outdoormediasummit.com

2026 Outdoor Media Awards Nominations - Outdoor Media Summit 2026

Celebrate the voices shaping outdoor media. Nominate top journalists, creators, and marketers for the 2026 Outdoor Media Summit Awards.

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Ash Routen @ashrouten.com · 16/01/2026

I’ll no doubt write a variant of this in a few years time 😂

Ash Routen @ashrouten.com · 16/01/2026

In recent weeks, high profile media have covered Antarctic expeditions involving British adventurer Richard Parks and American Colin O’Brady. In both cases, the journeys and how the adventurers have been presented to a broad audience have drawn scrutiny. explorersweb.com/media-advent...

Media, Adventurers Continue to Misrepresent Polar Expeditions » Explorersweb

Although polar expedition reporting has improved since a reliable auditor formed in 2021, the media and some skiers still wildly exaggerate polar treks.

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Ash Routen @ashrouten.com · 13/01/2026

Thanks for listening Sarah and I’m glad some of it made sense!