Tag: chase norton

  • Chase Norton Completes 10-Day, 228-Mile Solo Trek Across Death Valley

    Chase Norton Completes 10-Day, 228-Mile Solo Trek Across Death Valley

    This is the most incredible thing I’ve ever heard of happening here. But we still must charge you a $10 entrance fee. – NPS Ranger, Death Valley National Park

    He did it. Chase Norton did it.

    If you recall, Chase Norton set out just eleven days ago to tackle a 228-mile trek across Death Valley. He set out solo, fully self-contained, prepared to endure marathon-plus mileage.

    I just received a note from Chase himself. The email came through at 9:18pm EST. Below is the email in its entirety. Takes about four minutes to read through. Chase, we salute you, sir!

    Chase Norton Way

    Final Statistics: 10 days; 226.32 miles; 479,919 steps

    I write this out as my last email of a successful journey throughout this incredible region of the world. Last night ended what has been the most difficult but rewarding adventure of my life, pushing myself beyond what I even thought was possible and discovering how truly powerful we as humans are. Moments of doubt and indecision creep into the brains of most attempting large feats but during these times are when I reached deep and pushed through to be smiling at the end of the day knowing the mental mountains I had just summited.

    Two nights ago when I was atop Telescope peak and a strong wind storm destroyed my camp, shelter and scattered many of my items, for once in this long journey I was lost. It was near 0 degrees not factoring in wind chill and I was now completely unprotected. I stopped, let the fear take over for two minutes, then gathered myself and set to figure out how I would survive that night. The personal growth through hardship which occurred throughout the sleepless night will help to define and align myself into the future.

    When the sun rose, I put on my shoes and quickly packed up to finish my journey and get down from this elevation. The summit of the Panamint Range is very interesting. Very narrow at most sections with jagged snow covered rocks. One often decides to either walk directly on the true summit or down slightly on the more broad western side if possible. The snow at some portions was waist deep and required rolling out of it similar to what I might imagine quick sand to be. I reached a peak needed to connect with a saddle and from there I let gravity and snow help while I slid down many portions with my ice axe as my brake. At the middle of a saddle, I dropped down into Water Canyon via a scree slide/dry stream. The dry stream was choked with huge dead trees and going was slowed until I reached a fast flowing stream and known path out to Panamint City. Old buildings, tall chimney and remnants of previous backpackers were scattered across the landscape. Knowing my ride was waiting in Ballarat I picked up pace and headed down Surprise Canyon. This had the most water ive come to find in DV National Park. Waterfalls and deep pools of waters were with me along the remainder of my hike. The sun set slowly as I ran out of the canyon and out onto a dirt road heading in the direction of Ballarat. Around 7pm I notice a distinctly newer car than those surrounding it near an old jail building. With a jovial “Hey, I’ve been looking for someone whose been hiking around for a while” and a smile, Hawkins opened the door and with that ended a chapter to a grand adventure.

    I want to thank the many people involved in this trek. My parents for their love, support and concern enough to constantly monitor my progress. My Uncle and Aunt who took me into their home and treated me like a son then brought me to the start line of our journey. Olivier for his incredible mind and visions by bringing this idea of a DV trek to the table and allowing us to work it out to make it is what we have done. Him and I look forward to the videography and photography our team will provide in the future. Hawkins for her tireless effort and devotion to our team. She has been the one relaying my sat com messages to this great list of supporters and then replaying your messages back.

    And of course, lastly to you all. This was funded, supported and motivated by most everyone on this list. From loving family members to simple adventure enthusiasts, I want to thank you for being apart of this moment in time. When I get my hand on a computer I will be writing back to each and every person who emailed me.

    Tonight I sit in Panamint Valley. The sun has set and the full moon is rising. My time here is only half done but for once I feel complete peace and happiness.

    Aloha,

    Chase

  • Chase Norton, the Ko’olau and Death Valley [Interview]

    Chase Norton, the Ko’olau and Death Valley [Interview]

    [youtube id=”HV5XtV4hDxs” width=”600″ height=”350″]

    A recent contributor to Nerve Rush, Chase Norton hopped on with us to chat about his upcoming solo trek across Death Valley, a 228-mile unassisted journey that will take him about ten days to complete.

    In this video, Chase tells us about his background, about how he ended up the first person to trek across Oahu’s Ko’olau Mountain Range – it only took him a few years to research the most optimal route and logistics – and about some of his gear for Death Valley. I learned a thing or two..a graham cracker stove and Cuban fiber? Huh?

    Chase, thanks again for stopping by and best of luck on your upcoming expedition!

    If you’d like to connect with Chase, you can do so via Twitter or his website.

    Since there are only a few days left on his Kickstarter campaign, if you’d like to contribute, do so soon!

  • Chase Norton’s 228-Mile Solo Trek Across Death Valley

    Chase Norton’s 228-Mile Solo Trek Across Death Valley

    It’s ironic that, as a child, Chase Norton used to spend more time indoors, tinkering with his computer, than outside. These days, he prepares for adventures like a 228-mile solo trek across Death Valley.

    Born in Georgia, Norton moved to Honolulu to study at the University of Hawaii. It was the Napali Coast that changed him. At one point during his studies, Norton was out drinking with friends. Empowered from a recent hike, he naively boasted that one day he would hike the entire Ko’olau Mountain Range on Oahu.

    Unknown to Norton at the time — the spine of the Ko’olau had never even been attempted.

    On his first trip into the Ko’olau, Norton shouldered a sixty pound pack. Over time, as he gained experience in the mountains, learning to navigate the trails of volcanic terrain, Norton reduced his pack down to twenty pounds.

    It only took him two tries – in March of 2012 Norton hiked the entire Ko’olau Mountain Range via the KST, or Ko’olau Summit Trail. His life as an endurance athlete was only beginning.

    chase norton oahu challenge

    via Olivier Renck

    Death Valley: Chase’s Way

    On February 14th, Chase Norton seeks to hike the entirety of Death Valley National Park, a north-to-south path over 228 miles long. He will attempt the expedition solo, fully self-contained. He will cross canyons, dunes, summit ridges and valley floors.

    Norton has teamed up with Olivier Renck, adventure photographer and videographer, to create a short film, Death Valley: Chase’s Way, that highlights the experience.

    I asked Chase to write up some notes regarding his upcoming journey. Read below for his thoughts.

    Chase Norton Way

    Solo: One Man’s Will to Adventure, Inspire, and Endure

    The Mountains Are Calling:  After five years spending every spare moment exploring Oahu’s terrain, untold hours pouring over topographic maps, and one failed bloody attempt, I became the first person to successfully complete an eight day trek along the entire summit of the Ko’olau Mountain range. I planned it solo and entirely self sufficient as to try and reduce any failures but of my own. Over time, these requirements would force a deep understanding and knowledge of my gear, the land, weather and my mind/body or else force me to become another statistic being airlifted out.  As I prepare to leave Hawaii this month, I take with me the many lessons learned and am able to put them towards future adventures worldwide. The next challenge is possibly the antithesis to Hawaii’s mountains (a reason I love it) but stays true to me, a full 228-mile solo traverse of Death Valley National Park through its canyons, sand dunes, snow capped peaks and salt flats all while being captured in a short film, Death Valley: Chase’s Way.

    Trekking:  To feel at home.  I enjoy the struggle and focus that I feel alone in the wilderness. To stand tall in the face of a challenge is not bred into us but learned through experiences of misery and hardship. I do not laugh while the darkness closes in nor rejoice at the calluses formed from my machete. Determination:grit:survive until the clouds part and I crawl out of my cave able to reflect:learn:grow. Mountains continue to teach me how to be a better man allowing me an attempt at being a true contribution to humankind. Personal growth does not come without injury and fear but I find they are unique lessons rarely taught and worth learning. This is why I trek: to make a better me.

    Freedom: The Death Valley project is truly one of a kind, being a fully self-contained and solo backpacking trek from north to south across the largest park in the continental U.S.  Many of the days are marathon plus mileage with the last day totaling nearly 50 miles.  I will leave the roads behind and instead opt to run across sand dunes, canyons,  ghost towns, summit ridges and valley floors.  Beauty alongside misery while one discovers their limits and then breaks through them.  This trek embodies an idea I love: To put everything you need to survive in a pack and just run for days and weeks alone.

    A Message Within the Artwork: The journey is encapsulated within a short film we are going to create, Death Valley: Chase’s Way, which will be used as a message of inspiration in talks to schools and businesses through my recently founded business, Chase LIFE. I wish to inspire others to live more active adventurous lives while pursuing their passions. So many of us go through the motion of life, but are not really alive with drive and aware of our absolute potential. I hope to ignite this spark inside everyone to remind people to live life to the fullest and without limits.  For the filming, I have teamed up with an experienced and National Geographic published photographer/videographer, Olivier Renck. I believe that Death Valley captured through Renck’s lens will embody not only the awe inspiring journey, but the incredible place itself.  Nature has been the subject of novels, poems and films because of its ability to inspire. It is my hope that this film will be thought of as a work of art, capturing man alone enduring within the vastness of a beautiful landscape.

    Join Me: We are seeking support in order to make the Death Valley project a reality. Kickstarter has allowed us to share this project with the masses and through a multitude of pledges/rewards that we created you can get involved and follow my journey through the desert.  Be there with me through the adventure on whatever level interests you; emails from on the trail, a bound book of my trail notes, images of Death Valley by Olivier, or by receiving a copy of the short film.

    Please visit the project to learn more about it and how you can get involved: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/chaseway/death-valley-chases-way

    You can reach Chase Norton on the web at thechasenorton.com