WINNERS ANNOUNCED!

Congratulations to the winners of The North Face & AG Outdoor Adventure Grant in 2010, Jonathan Smith, Scott Hall and Lincoln Taylor.

The party of three will travel to La Reunion in September 2010 with the aim of becoming Australia's first expedition party to descend and document some of the worlds most advanced and beautiful canyons. The Canyons of La Reunion are predominantly extreme vertical canyons with waterfalls reaching a height of up to 270m, which ranks them among the highest waterfalls in the world.

Very little information is available on the canyons, which makes it difficult for canyoners around the world to access this area. Jonathan, Scott and Lincoln hope to assist by recording detailed information on all descents during their trip.

La Reunion (literally 'the place of the meeting') is an island located in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar, about 200km south west of Mauritius. It is famed for its diverse scenery, with palm fringed beaches encircling a mountainous interior. Highlights are towering volcanic remnants, where sunken peaks and scarps are surrounded by steep lush walls of vines, figs and palms. The mountains rise to over 3,000m in height, where they intersect the monsoonal air currents, leading to heavy precipitation. Particularly on the east slopes of the island which face the persistent south east trade winds that blow from May to October, leading to mist, cloud and light rain even in the dry season.

Between 15th and 16th March 1952, Cilaos received 1,869.9mm of rainfall, which is the greatest 24hr precipitation total ever recorded on earth. The island also hold the record for most rain fall in 72hrs, 3,929mm at Commerson's crater in March 2007. From mid December to late October the weather is most stable. It is during this period that the party will make their trip.

Basalt rock, porous soil, and complex root structures in the dense vegetation capture the water and supply an incredible array of waterfalls, ranging in height from small cascades to towering 300m drops. During the wet season (November - March) the streams become torrents that converge into major rivers and over the years have cut hundreds of dramatic canyons that feature steep drops and wild water year round.

The team will consist of three international experienced canyoners. Each having participated in multi-day hiking, canyoning, rafting and mountaineering trips. Each team member also possesses specialist skills that will be invaluable for the long journey. The expedition team will be lead by professional canyoning guide Scott Hall.

Stay tuned. More trip details will be released soon.

About The Grant

Living the adventure lifestyle can be steep both physically and financially, so The North Face & Australian Geographic Outdoor Magazine have come together to help make your dream expedition a reality. With a $5,000 grant from The North Face to put towards your next adventure, and $2000 worth of The North Face product, you will not only be equipped with the world's most technically innovative apparel and equipment, you will be able to take your journey new heights!

Outdoor magazine will be covering your trip pre and post in the magazine. You will get maximum exposure for yourself or team. The grant will be awarded by a panel of The North Face experts. With a grant and product from The North Face, your dream expedition is closer than you think!

Applications for the 2010 Grant closed 28th February '10. Check back here soon for details of the 2011 Adventure Grant.

Article: www.thenorthface.com.au