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Written by Morgan Kriz
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Monday, 04 February 2008 |
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 Truckee resident and founder of Ice Axe Expeditions, Doug Stoup will still be thawing out when he comes to Squaw Valley Institute on Monday, Feb. 11, as he has just returned from his 60 day attempt to cross-country ski 660 miles to the South Pole.
This passionate adventurist will share about his latest expedition to the South Pole and discuss his upcoming adventures that participants can be apart of. Stoup is also the founder of Ice Axe Foundation, an educational non-profit, and will present more information about his continuous education to students across the globe.
This Antarctic adventure will bring chills to your spine and take your mind hundreds of miles away — without stepping foot out of Tahoe. The adventure will take place on Monday, Feb. 11 with a no host bar from 6:30 to 7 p.m. The program will start at 7 p.m. at the PlumpJack Conference Center, in Squaw Valley. Tickets available at door or online at www.squawvalleyinstitute.org up to 24 hours before event. General admission is $10, children and students with ID are free.
Tahoe World associate editor Morgan Kriz had the opportunity to catch up with Doug via e-mail last week after he returned to civilization. Here is a Q&A with Doug Stoup:
What is your most memorable expedition?
Probably my first trip to Antarctica. I feel in love with the continent the first moment I stepped off the plane and knew it would be a place I would return to again and again.
It was also on that trip that I met my wife while stuck at camp for 12 days due to bad weather.
What do you enjoy most about what you do?
I enjoy learning about new cultures, exploring the natural and untouched beauty of our world, and sharing that excitement and inspiration with others. I also cherish the friendships and relationships you make along the way, the rewards you gain by reaching out to people from different countries and the things you learn about yourself by exploring societies and landscapes outside the United States.
You have done a lot in your lifetime. What do you feel is your biggest honor or accomplishment?
To be an educator. I founded the Ice Axe Foundation, an educational non-profit that helps take children on expeditions around the world.
Through Internet broadcasts, kids broadcast back to their home classrooms from remote places like the Amazon and Antarctica. There is also an educational component to all my trips.
On my latest expedition I did live interviews throughout the trip as well as at the pole with classrooms here in Lake Tahoe, Mississippi and Maryland.
It is important that children are raised knowing that they can do anything they set their minds to and my educational foundation is set-up to inspire children to achieve their goals while gaining an appreciation for the environment and the natural world.
 Do you believe in mind over matter? How do you get through some of the more difficult journeys? How do you encourage others to do the same?
I think mentally you have to be strong for certain physical activities. I enjoy pushing the mental limits as well as the physical and I mentor all the people I guide on how to push through their mental limits so they can fully maximize their physical capacity.
I like to encourage people to achieve whatever they want, whether it be mental or physical. I thrive during expeditions to the North and South Pole on helping people push through phobias and mental blocks. People need the extra encouragement to realize how powerful they are.
When and how did your adventure company Ice Axe Expeditions get started?
1999. We have pioneered Satellite dispatches from the most remote places in the world. I have traveled to Antarctica 17 times, six times to the North Pole and five times to the Himalayas. The future of Ice Axe is to keep exploring. Africa is my next challenge.
What can people expect to hear in your presentation on Feb. 11 at Squaw Valley Institute?
I will be talking about my latest expedition to the South Pole and showing some great photos. I also plan to talk about some of the adventures we have planned for 08/09, as well as the fantastic things Ice Axe Foundation has planned for students across the country.
It will also be a an opportunity to learn about the ski cruise to Antarctica that Ice Axe is planning, a 13 day, 12-night skiing and snowboarding trip to the Antarctica Peninsula.
It has been a huge dream of mine to create an affordable opportunity for skiers and boarders to explore the seventh continent and Ice Axe has chartered a cruise ship for October 29 through November 10, 2008 to make this dream a reality.
You can visit www.iceaxe.tv to learn more.
When you are not leading expeditions, what activities do you do in Tahoe?
I hang out with my wife and boys, Than and Tyree. Depending on the season I love to ski, climb, bike, kayak, water ski; basically anything that gets my outside and moving.
Have you been on your most ideal expedition? If so, what was it. If, not, what would it be?
I still have many dreams and goals. I would love to climb the mountain in the Ellsworth Range in Antarctica that my son is named after, Mount Tyree. And so many others, but I have to just take it one day at a time.
Where you very adventurous growing up?
My dad took me backpacking and camping. I was always fond of skiing, ice, hockey, soccer. I have always been a very physical person. My father was definitely responsible; he turned me on the outdoors and all the adventure that was available.
What is the coldest experience you have had? Does “Tahoe winter cold” even compare - meaning, do you think it is warm here, even in the winter?
Your body is very resident and adaptable. During the South Pole Marathon in 2003 it was -70 with wind-chill. You just have to keep everything covered. Tahoe doesn’t bother me at all. I have just been living in -20 for the last 2 months!
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 05 February 2008 )
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