Author: Art "Karts" Huseonica

Art “Karts” Huseonica has been busy this winter and spring 2017. One of his special accomplishments was a solo winter summit climb of Humphreys Peak in Arizona, USA. The climb was sponsored by Summit Sealants. Below is a recent Independent Newsmedia article about the climb that saw a readership of over 50,000.  Scroll down to read about his Death Valley experience.

In early April 2017, Karts completed a volunteer project in the extremes of Death Valley, California, USA. Here’s a photo set from the endangered vegetation survey in the remote and hostile Eureka Dunes.

Below is a newspaper article about the project…………..

Art “Karts” Huseonica will be climbing Borah Peak in August during the total solar eclipse. He has teamed up with TV reality star Jeff Zausch and several other adventurers for this special climb. Karts believes that this climb will ‘eclipse’ all his previous adventures.

Borah Peak, 12,667 ft/5,981 m is the tallest peak in Idaho. Located in the Lost River Range, it is one of the most prominent mountains in the contiguous United States.

Jeff is a motivational speaker, travel host, firearms expert, wilderness survival expert, stuntman, and reality TV host and costar. He has climbed Borah Peak and wants to share the experience with his friends. Here is a recent news story about the climb from KPVI television.

Jeff and Karts plan to summit the morning of the total solar eclipse on August 21, 2017. The climbing route involves ascending 5,262 vertical feet (1,604 m) from the trailhead to the summit in just over 3.5 miles (5.6 km). This route on the southwest ridge, the most popular route, is a strenuous hike for the most part until one reaches an exposed knife-edge ridge just before the main summit crest. This ridge is known as Chickenout Ridge as many people will abort the attempt once they comprehend the potential danger.

Select other climbing friends include Chris Hernandez of California, Pamela Schrader from Florida, David Harmon of Washington state, Cham Bo from Canada, Audra Williams of North Carolina, and from Idaho are Nate Stewart, Tyler Hieb, and Justin Bullard. (Names used with permission.)

Karts’ sponsors include EPIC Wipes, Armaskin socks, Paleo Meals to Go, and Summit Sealants. Their solar eclipse viewing glasses were designed and made by American Paper Optics and their 3DGlasses division.

Here’s a recent article about the upcoming adventure.

Art “Karts” Huseonica is excited to announce that Summit Sealants & Restoration of Colorado, USA has come on board as a significant sponsor for 2017.

Stephen Berwanger, company president, selected Karts to help represent his company on microadventures including winter summit climbs. Stephen’s ongoing commitment to the company and his continuous support of outdoor adventurers is commendable.  When not working or spending time with family Stephen is an avid alpinist and ice climber.

Karts is continuing relationships into 2017 with companies such as Craghoppers of the UK. Europe’s premiere outdoor apparel company, Craghoppers outfitted the Amazon River expedition team, led by Jacki Hill-Murphy with tropical clothing line of NosiLife repellent apparel. Thus, Karts was excited to continue their sponsorship, now a believer in the company.

Returning for another year is sponsor Armaskin of Australia. Karts has used ArmaSkin anti-blister, liner socks for a long
time, including his recent Amazon River expedition. That is why he quickly agreed to the continued relationship.

TEP Wireless of the UK, another Amazon River expedition sponsor, enabled Karts and the team to communicate with with family and friends using reliable high-speed connections. Karts is very selective about his business relationships, ensuring that the product or service is outstanding, as is the customer service. TEP and Karts were both excited to continue the relationship into 2017.

Paleo Meals To Go from Denver, Colorado, continue their sponsorship into 2017. Wholesome and delicious combination of freeze-dried, gluten-free, grain-free, milk-free, soy free, protein-rich, and shelf-stable ingredients comprise Paleo backpacking and camping meal options. The lightweight, freeze-dried backpacking and camping meals and bars meet dietary preferences and make for great emergency food supplies.

Epic Wipes is a relatively new sponsor for Karts. The super-sized 100% biodegradable wipes are a favorite of Karts. He already  uses them around the house and on adventures, so he was confident in developing a sponsorship relationship with a product that he believes in.

Disclaimer:  Karts uses the term “sponsors” to indicate not only sponsors, but also companies he has a relationship with, or is an ambassador of.

The Amazon: Source to Sea expedition has set a modern era record for expeditions by traveling 4,000+ miles from one of the Amazon’s many tributaries in Ecuador to the Atlantic Ocean.

Led by explorer and author Jacki Hill-Murphy, the expedition team safely completed the expedition with a plethora of new information, wonderful experiences, and insights despite many setbacks and potential expedition-ending dangerous situations. Art “Karts” Huseonica has returned to Sun City with lots of memorable moments with teammates and indigenous peoples, an increased awareness of the demands on the body in extreme heat and humidity, and a greater appreciation for what he has at home.

After meeting the expedition team in Quito, Ecuador with leader Jacki Hill-Murphy, the team traveled east to the indigenous village of Canelos where they met their dugout canoe and two boatmen, Juan Ingaro Gualinga and Gerardo Gualinga. Their route was identical to that of Isabel Godin des Odonais’ in the 1700’s. Isabel was the only one to complete the harrowing journey, and until now, no one has since been successful in accomplishing such a feat.

Their first major objective was a visit to the village of Sarayaku on the Bobonaza River. Having been invited to stay for three days, the team focused on learning about life in the Amazon Rainforest, and the culture and customs of local Kichwa peoples, including the practice of shamanism. Sarayaku’s peoples, one thousand strong, are very proud of their heritage and are fighting to keep it.

evening when Achuar tribal fisherman stumbled upon the team in eastern Ecuador. They threatened to return with warriors to deal with the gringos camped on what they considered their sand bar. To avoid any conflict, the team quietly broke camp and with the cover of darkness, slipped down the river past the Achuar village.

As the team traveled the Pastaza River, stopping at small villages and towns, they met an array of interesting people and learned how they survive in the small river towns. Many of the towns made Karts think about the Wild, Wild West of the United States 200 years ago.

One key objective of the team was a visit to the secretive Cadoshi Tribal Community. After lengthy and delicate negotiations coordinated by Jacki Hill-Murphy and in-country fixers, the team was authorized a brief visit. Upon arrival, the village chief shared a bowl of the masato drink with Karts, after which his presence was accepted and the team was welcomed by the chief. Masato is made by masticating yucca and spitting it into large bowls to ferment. The village chief lectured the team about not trying to influence the villagers with their outside culture and customs. They are adamant about preserving their way of life.

When departing Peru, the team was detained for five hours by Peruvian security and immigration police because their passports were not stamped for entry. Plus, gringos in the red zone were a cause for further scrutiny and concern by local officials. Officials were able to access the team’s authorization via the Peruvian embassy, validating the team’s route, official governmental permission, and special visas.

River bandits were a constant threat in Peru and especially in Brazil. Having selected to travel on small cargo ferries for the remainder of the expedition, the team was stopped numerous times by Brazilian security police searching for river bandits and contraband. The police were very interested in the team’s GPS tracking device. After Karts briefed the senior Brazilian Security Police commander about their route and problems encountered thus far, he replied, “You should be dead.”

Kart’s findings on shamanism and sanitation will be included in a book about the expedition, which set a modern era record for expeditions to the Amazon River. Despite much being written about shamanism, it is certainly a dying cultural entity. There were a few surprise findings about sanitation that will be included in the book being written by Jacki Hill-Murphy, due to be published in 2018.

Other expedition team members included David Parker (Wales), Mauro Barbosa (Brazil), and Rebecca Webb (Australia). Joining the expedition on the second leg of the journey were Laura Withers and Bruce Couillard, both from the United States.

Here’s an article from the PHOENIX Magazine about the expedition titled River Monster: http://www.phoenixmag.com/people/river-monster.html 

Huge shout-outs to our gracious sponsors: Craghoppers, Tep Wireless, Summit Hut, Paleo Meals to Go, Hennessy Hammock, ArmaSkin, and AST Systems.

Karts, a 1968 graduate of Homer-Center High School in Homer City, Pennsylvania, USA, is an active member of the Sun City Prides and Sun City Hikers, lives in Sun City, Arizona, USA with his wife Karen Carlsen Huseonica of Brooklyn, New York. They have one son, Patrick, who lives in Wisconsin with his wife Amanda and son Carson.

The expedition to travel the length of the Amazon River is ready and so is our Web site Amazon Source to Sea crafted by expedition member David Parker.

Expedition leader and author Jacki Hill-Murphy has all the in-country fixers lined up with in-country river transportation, supplies for villages, and team security. The team was required to obtain letters of introduction, access permits, and special visas in order to transit through Ecuador, Peru, and Brazil. Coordination through the Peruvian embassy was critical. Without their support, this expedition would not be possible.

Stops include the village of Sarayaku, Cadoshi, and several others along the 4,000-mile plus route. The team will trek, travel the Bobonaza and Pastaza tributaries by dugout canoe, and once the river widens, by flat bottom boats, and then small ferry boats on the main Amazon River. Transportation along the route for everyone, explorers and residents alike, is by water only.

In addition to reviewing the sanitation practices of the indigenous villages, Art “Karts” Huseonica will be studying the practice of shamanism. He has arranged to participate in a shaman ceremony. His academic contributions with numerous fascinating stories will be included in a book authored by Jacki Hill-Murphy.

The team will be visiting several indigenous villages including Sarayaku (Ecuador) and Cadoshi (Peru). One village we have been given permission to visit is in an area with rampant Hepatitis B & C. Our welcoming ceremony will include sharing a drink from a common bowl of masato that is created by masticating yucca plants and spitting the resulting saliva into a bowl, letting it ferment. To refuse the drink would be considered rude and social suicide.

Huge shout-outs to our gracious sponsors such as Craghoppers, Tep Wireless, Summit Hut, Paleo Meals to Go, Hennessy Hammock, ArmaSkin, and AST Systems.

Karts is excited that he already has several interviews scheduled for after his return to Arizona, USA. They include newsprint and social media, television, and recording for the hearing challenged. Watch this Blog for an upcoming pre-expedition NBC 12News story about Karts Huseonica from Phoenix, Arizona, USA.

Great news! our team is set for the scientific expedition to travel the length of the Amazon River. The expedition, the first of its kind in the modern era of expeditions, will be a 4,000+ mile odyssey through jungles and down tributaries until the Amazon River is reached, then it’s on to the Atlantic Ocean.

Expedition leader is explorer and author Jacki Hill-Murphy (top left) from England (UK). She will author a book about the expedition. David Parker (top right) is a marine biologist who lives in England (UK). His knowledge will help us to stay safe. Adventurer Art Huseonica (middle-right) from Arizona, USA will be documenting the sanitation methodologies of local peoples. In addition, he will be studying shamanism in Ecuador and Peru. Mauro Barbosa (bottom-left) of Brazil will be bringing to the expedition an appreciation of the challenges facing the Amazon Basin. Rebecca Webb (bottom-right) is an attorney and adventurer from Australia. She will be studying the impact of oil drilling and logging on the land and
peoples.

Joining us on the second leg of the expedition are Laura Withers and Bruce Couillard. Laura, a doctor and adventurer, will be reviewing the health issues of the local peoples, particularly that of mosquito-borne illnesses. Plus, she’ll be a valuable asset to the team to help monitor our health.

Bruce, a musician and environmentalist, will be documenting
wildlife along the Maranon and Amazon Rivers. Plus, he’ll be studying the traditional music in the villages we visit in Peru and Brazil.

I’m super-excited that the following generous companies are providing sponsorship support to the Amazon River expedition that is being led by Jacki Hill-Murphy. I only accept support by companies that I believe in and use their products and services. 

Tep Wireless for overseas wireless connectivity. We’ll be relying
on Tep, a UK company, to provide connectivity to permit social media updates during our expedition in Peru and Brazil.

ArmaSkin anti-blister socks. I love these socks, using them regularly in Arizona for training and for big treks. They’re a wonderful small business in Australia with excellent customer service.

Summit Hut outdoor gear and apparel. I’ve been a faithful customer for over 12 years. Their customer service is consistently the very best. They have provided an array of dry sacks to help keep our gear dry.

Paleo Meals To Go freeze-dried meals. I love these healthy and tasty meals
from a wonderful family-owned small business in Colorado, USA. Business owners Dawn and Ty have provided an excellent variety to accommodate all our tastes, which are very eclectic.

Hennessy Hammock jungle hammocks and rain flies. I have already been using products from several of these companies, including Hennessy Hammock and so I’m a strong believer in them. This is because of fair pricing, outstanding customer service, quality products and services, and their commitment toward social ethics.

Craghoppers UK has recently joined the expedition to provide jungle attire for the team. Their anti-mozzie line will come in handy for the entire expedition. Based out of the UK, they are the largest outfitter of quality apparel in the British Isles, supplying jungle kits to the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, a charity that protects gorillas in Africa as well as their habitats.

We are excited to announce that AST Systems has come aboard as a significant sponsor. AST will be providing the expedition team with satellite capabilities to include GPS, weather reports, and SOS functionality. Based out of the United Kingdom, AST System Global has an office in my state of Arizona, USA.

Before, during, and after the Amazon River expedition, I’ll be making social media posts about these supportive companies, to include photos of their products as we  work our way down the Amazon River.

Sincerely, Art “Karts”
Huseonica

Jacki Hill-Murphy’s scientific expedition to travel the length of the Amazon River in South America.

We will travel the length of the Amazon River to document the changes on the river since the early explorers such as Charles La Condamine, Jean Godin, and Isabela Godin traveled down it in the 18th century. We’ll be following the route of Isabela Godin and leaving from Banos, Ecuador going down the Bobonaza River in dugout canoes, then connecting to the Pastaza River, home of the mysterious Achuar Indians.  We’ll then connect to the Maranon River through northern Peru before it turns east towards Brazil and becomes the Amazonas (Amazon River). The lower Pastaza will be interesting because it is a rarely traveled route and we have to obtain special permission from the Peruvian military.

We will be witness to the dark side of decimation and contamination of the Amazon Basin, and the effects this has on the indigenous peoples such as the Kichwa Indians of Ecuador,  and the Kayapo Indians of Brazil.

My part in the two-month, 4,200 mile scientific expedition includes a study of sanitation facilities in the villages. I’ve always been curious how indigenous peoples stay healthy with primitive facilities.

Plus, I’ll be reviewing communication methodologies between villages and towns. The past two hundred years has seen phenomenal improvements in communication, I suspect the Amazon Basin is not immune to new technologies.

These two subjects have always held my interest and the results will be included in a book about the expedition to be authored by Jacki Hill-Murphy.   ~Karts Huseonica

Archived news reports:

Feature article in PHOENIX Magazine titled River Monster about the Amazon River expedition http://www.phoenixmag.com/people/river-monster.html

Nice article about the Amazon River Expedition from my hometown newspaper www.indianagazette.com/news/indiana-news/area-native-tells-of-adventure-on-amazon-river,25739636/

My regional Sun City newspaper article about the Amazon River Expedition http://www.yourwestvalley.com/suncity/article_2164e75c-c218-11e6-abfb-675af40b8b31.html

NBC Phoenix 12News KPNX video of Art celebrating living in Arizona:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhKahWm6Fuk

Grand Canyon volunteer article: http://suncityindependent.com/neighbors/sun-city-resident-volunteer-grand-canyon/

Super Senior article: http://www.phoenixmag.com/lifestyle/super-seniors.html    being sure to scroll down to the “Gentleman Survivalist” section

Death Valley Double-Traverse article: http://suncityindependent.com/neighbors/resident-embarks-on-death-valley-trip-takes-the-independent-along-for-the-journey/

Comprehensive article by Jeanette Wolfe: http://triblive.com/news/indiana/9260409-74/huseonica-alone-survival

NBC TV Baltimore feature news story: http://www.wbaltv.com/weather/viewer-poses-with-wbal-meteorologists-at-landmarks-across-country/29909636

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