Department Of Extremes–Russian Roulette: They don’t get the media spotlight, but they deserve respect. When it comes to ridiculously difficult expeditions the Russians are as tough and creative as they come. How do I know? Well, check out the nominees for the “Best Extreme Projects” of 2004, prsented at a recent extreme sports festival. You’ve got the climb up the north face of Jannu (covered in TWC), and the BASE jump off Amin Brakk (also covered). But throw in the first ascent of Kongur in China, and a cave expedition that dropped a world record 1800 meters into the deepest cave in the world–the Voronja (which means “Carrion Crows”) cave–and you’ve got an honor roll of achievement that is second to none this year…



Down The Hole: “1600 meters, 1700 meters. Why of why did I have to be born Russian…?”