Kevin Morrison
Most of Kevin’s travels abroad have been done from the seat of a bicycle, on skis or by foot in exploration of mountainous areas around the world. Often pushing the limits of endurance, comfort and adaptability, he searches for remote regions where the indigenous cultures are still thriving as they have done for thousands of years. With a deep curiosity of mountain and nomadic cultures, Kevin is always looking for ways to cycle, walk, ski or climb into the mountains where these people continue to follow age-old traditions.
By using a human powered means to travel through these areas has provided a deeper connection to the elements and land, as well as to the people. A key element, and one of Kevin's most important travel principles, is to tread lightly on the cultures he encounters, making every effort possible to leave no trace on already fragile cultures in this increasingly interconnected globe.
As part of this exploration growth, Kevin has developed his experiences as he journeys through back-water areas, often untouched by the majority of travelers. His trips include 15,000 kms of cycling and 300 kms of trekking over one year through 10 countries in Asia including India, Nepal, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, South China, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore and New Zealand. His first trip stimulated an appetite for remote and little explored areas in South West China. Next, a six-week trip through the high Eastern Tibetan Plateau covered 2600 kms with an incredible 35,000 vertical meters of climbing over many high altitude passes, some as high as 5000 meters. Still hungry for more high altitude travel, Kevin embarked on a 25 day trek through the Indian Himalaya starting in Ladakh, traveling over three Himalayan ranges and 8 high altitude passes to end in Himachal Pradesh. Each of these trips can be described more as a journey than travel, where new limits are always found both physically and emotionally.
These travel experiences have truly shaped Kevin’s character. They have fostered an understanding that we can all be leaders, in some way, to understand the cultures that create our diverse globe and then to act in a way that is best for all people who inhabit our fragile world. Through greater understanding, Kevin hopes to give back to these communities in a way that does not disrupt the fine balance these cultures have struck with their natural environment as well as the greater world around them.
Chris Rock
Chris' desire for adventure began to intensify after a mountaineering trip to northern India in the fall of 2001 that left him realizing his formal education in construction management was perhaps an avenue he was no longer wishing to pursue.
With four month mountaineering trip to India behind him and clear childhood recollections of his disdain for bicycles, Chris decided to try cycle across the USA solo, starting in Virginia and ultimately making it to the Pacific Ocean, then continuing south along the west coast. In the following year, and with a bit more energy in his legs this time, he warmed up with a ride across Nova Scotia, and then set out from Maine cycling across the northern boundary between the USA and Canada, making it to the Pacific once again.
In 2006/2007 as one of a two member cycling team, Chris cycled for ten months, and nearly 10,000 kms through Central Asia and South East Asia. Beginning in Kyrgyzstan, the team rented three horses, packing the bikes and trotted their way over the Tien Shan mountains for 8 days before beginning their cycle adventure. The cycle route utilized the numerous mountain tracks that weaved their way south toward Tajikistan, meeting, and sharing incredible hospitality with many nomadic families along the way. From Tajikistan the trip wound its way farther south, into arid landscapes and 4,000 meter passes before skirting the Tajikistan/Afghanistan border in the Wahan Valley.
After cycling through the Pamirs, the team entered Kashgar, China and continued onto what would be the focus of their trip, ultimately cycling across Tibet. Spending almost two months cycling on the Tibetan plateau with passes as high as 5,800 meters, frozen rivers, temperatures well below zero, meager food supplies and the knowledge that winter was nipping on their heals, the team keep moving. Despite the harsh conditions of the high Tibetan plateau, the two were continuously surrounded by indescribable beauty and an inescapable appreciation into what it takes to live in such an inhospitable and demanding environment.
Descending the longest downhill road in the world, the team began to relish in the warmth of the sun again and the tropical food that Nepal had to offer. The tropical theme stuck with the team and provided a much-needed boost to continue on to South East Asia it was for a three month of cycling in Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia.
After completing such a rewarding journey and achieving his goal, Chris has, once again, longed for a second cycle tour in Central Asia, to seek out the deep valleys and remote villages in another undiscovered part of the world.
Chris has also been a successful lobsterman, carpenter, outdoor educator, sea kayak guide and an avid cook although the bicycle still holds a special place in his dreams for the future.
