Here’s a quick video I helped make with friend JJ Yosh for Tastemade… tasty and fun! Had a great time flying the Yuneec Q500 Drone for aerial footage, and cooking tasty fried chicken.
Category: Videoblog
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Watch My DPRK Documentary: An American Tourist in North Korea
Today I’m excited to publish the documentary I shot last April 2015 in North Korea with Filmmaker Justin Martell and Uri Tours Owner Andrea Lee. We’ve been working hard for the past few months to assemble everything, and here’s the result.
More on my exploration of North Korea are on the main blog post: Exploring North Korea and Running the Pyongyang Marathon
- Produced by Ship to Shore Media and Four North Media
- Directed, Edited, and Filmed by Justin Martell
- Hosted and Filmed by Jeffrey Donenfeld
- Tour led by Uri Tours
Voiceover transcript, for reference:
Act 1 INTRO/ARRIVAL JEFF I’m Jeffrey Donenfeld, and I am an adventure travel consultant, interactive technology strategist, and expedition photographer. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, also known North Korea, has always seemed mysterious. In April, I decided to check it out for myself – and to run the 2015 Pyongyang Marathon in the process. To get into North Korea as a tourist, it’s necessary to join a tour group. I traveled with expert tour operator Uri Tours, and specifically did their Pyongyang Marathon Beijing Departure Long Tour option. Our initial meeting as a group was the night before at a restaurant in Beijing, and then most people stayed together that night in Beijing in a hotel. The next morning, we departing Beijing for the DPRK via the country’s official airline, Air Koyo, on a Russian-made Antonov AN-148. The ride was smooth; refreshments included sandwiches and beer, and the entertainment consisted of a concert DVD of the Moranbong Band. After landing in Pyongyang, we were greeting by our guides from the Korean International Tour Company and boarded a coach bus to the the capital of the DPRK, Pyongyang. We checked in at the Yanggakdo Hotel in the center of the city, on the Taedong River. After dinner with our tour group in the hotel’s dining room, it was off to bed to get some rest for the Pyongyang Marathon. ACT 2 DAY TWO – MARATHON/WAR MUSEUM JEFF After the marathon, my group returned to the hotel to clean up and have lunch in the rotating restaurant atop of the Yanggakdo Hotel. The view from the top is spectacular, with Pyongyang stretching into the distance. At the Mansu Hill Grand Monument, the huge statues of leaders Kim Jong Il and Kim Il Sung dominate, surrounded by memorials to the Japanese Occupation of Korea and the Korean War. At the Pyongyang Victorious War Museum, our tour guide wore a military uniform, showed our group relics from the Korean War, and took us aboard the captured US Navy Ship Pueblo. Afterward, we had dinner at a restaurant on the other side of town – traditional korean hot pot! And, of course, lots of beer. Next we checked into Koryo Hotel, the second largest hotel in the DPRK. The lobby was grand, and with leader Kim Il Sung’s birthday approaching, it was full of Kimjongilia and Kimilsungia. The rooms are soviet-style kitsch replete with a smoking lounge, comfortable beds and a tv with 3 channels running your favorite DPRK music videos and soap operas. ACT 3 DMZ JEFF The next morning we had breakfast and headed south to Kaesong, a city right on the border with South Korea. As we approached the Demilitarized Zone, or DMZ, there were giant, colorful posters promoting unification of North and South Korea. We were bused down a long, isolated road and entered the Joint Security Area. We were also shown the armistice agreements, one in Korean, the other in English, preserved under glass. There were also numerous displays chronicling the many visits the DPRK’s leaders have made to the DMZ to inspect the front line. Our KPA guide lead us to the actual Military Demarcation Line. The feeling was light and jovial – but with the undertone that it could turn serious quickly. After exiting the JSA, we visited the Koryo History Museum which is located in the city’s former Confucian academy, and contains priceless Goryeo relics and cultural artifacts. Next to the museum is the Koryo Stamp Shop, where you can purchase DPRK themed posters, along with postcards and stamps so you can send a one of a kind keepsake to your friends back home. Before leaving, we enjoyed traditional Kaesong cuisine at the Janamsan Hotel. The subway cars are soviet built, and, though vintage, they run well. The Pyongyang metro stations are grand, and each one having its own artistic motif and elaborate mosaics depicting the leadership as well as life in North Korea In the station, there are central displays with the day’s newspaper. The annual Kimilsungia flower show is held in honor of Kim Il Sung’s birthday – and featured an entire hall filled with some of the most intensely arranged and ornate flowers I’ve ever seen. That night we enjoyed some of the best beer in town at the Taedonggang Craft Brewery bar. There are seven different beers available, conveniently numbered 1-7, from lightest to darkest. Of course, the bar also has a healthy supply of Korea’s most popular liquor, Soju. ACT 4 MOUNTAIN/NAMPO/BOAT JEFF The next morning we checked out of the Koryo Hotel and southwest to Mount Myohyangsan. It is a beautiful mountain, and I had a great time hiking it with the group. After our hike, we enjoyed seafood and fresh clams at a restaurant in the port city of Nampo. After serving the food, the staff changed into costumes, and performed an entertaining song and dance routine. After lunch, we chartered a private boat and cruised 15 kilometers down the Taedong River to the West Sea Barrage, a sprawling 8-kilometer long system of dams which blocks off the Taedong river from the yellow sea. After a day on the water, we arrived at the remote Ryonggang Hot Springs Resort in Onchon, outside of Nampo. The bathtubs in our rooms filled up with water from the hot springs, which was advertised as “healing” and “therapeutic.” ACT 5 DAY OF THE SUN JEFF We took a beautiful early morning ride through Onchon, passing many cooperative farms, we passed through Nampo and arrived back in Pyongyang where citizens were enjoying The Day of The Sun, birthday of the country’s founder Kim Il Sung, and the biggest Holiday in North Korea. First we visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, a mausoleum where leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il lie in state. After a lunch that consisted of North Korea’s signature dish, cold noodle soup, one member of group jumped into a soccer game with the locals, while I made some new friends. Next we took a stroll through the iconic Moranbong Park, where we were greeted by the locals and even invited to dance with them. We went across town to Mangyondae, Kim Il Sung’s birthplace, and toured a nostalgic recreation of the hut where he lived as a boy under Japanese occupation. We toured the site alongside a large group of boys who looked to be the DPRK’s version of the boy scouts. All week we had been seeing the locals practicing dance routines, and finally we got to see what they had been working on; an extravagant, choreographed dance routine in the center of Pyongyang. ACT 6 WRAP UP JEFF The DPRK is a place like no other; an enigmatic socialist time warp, filled with beauty and intrigue. I have traveled extensively, but my trip to North Korea with Uri Tours will remain by far of my most amazing travel experiences. Super special thanks to Mike & Anne from HoneyTrek & RTW Packing List for their support in spreading word of this doc. They rock!
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Interviewing to become one of the two new Columbia Directors of Toughness
This morning, I had a great time interviewing in NYC with the Columbia Sportswear team for the new position of “Director of Toughness“. I was actually expecting a more formal sit down meeting room interview, but what I found was a casting-session style panel, with lots of lights and cameras. Talking with the Columbia crew was fun – they had me show them the (correct) way to pack a sleeping bag, and we chatted about my various experiences working in Antarctica, running in North Korea, and sailing the high seas.
Tweet @Columbia1938 and tell them to pick me as Director of Toughness
An excerpt from the job description:
The Directors of Toughness will answer the call of the wild with Columbia Sportswear in the most epic six-month position for anyone who lives and breathes adventure! These two die-hard adventurers will have the unparalleled opportunity to test Columbia’s gear in wildly iconic locations around North America, and the world. With over 75 years of experience in the industry, Columbia knows a thing or two about building tough gear, and is ready to take its mission of testing to the next level. The Directors will put their gear and personal “toughness” to the test through exhilarating expeditions supported by Columbia’s range of innovative apparel, outerwear, footwear and equipment, demonstrating an ability to withstand unpredictable weather conditions and harsh terrains. The journey will be documented by the Director of Toughness and publically broadcasted everywhere from national television shows such as Jimmy Kimmel Live to social media to allow the greater Columbia community to travel along on this adventure and testing experience of a lifetime!If you feel alive in the wild, dream of Snapchatting a 100 ft. cliff-dive, Instagramming from the top of Mount Rainier and putting gear to the ultimate test, this position is for you!
We’re looking for two outgoing, personable outdoor enthusiasts committed to going above and beyond physical limits and personal expectations to guarantee that our apparel and gear keeps people warm, dry, cool and protected in any weather or geographic situation. We are seeking those who possess perseverance, creativity and an irrepressible spirit to help them survive, thrive and most importantly expertly share their journey across unusual and challenging environments.
For the duration of the experience, the Directors of Toughness will call the beautiful bridge city of Portland, OR home. Portland not only hosts the headquarters of Columbia Sportswear, but is also a mecca for outdoor adventurists. However, 85% of this journey will be devoted to traveling, and there’s no telling where you will end up!
- Skilled at skiing or snowboarding (resort and/or backcountry)
- A pro at balancing gear and navigating trails of varying degrees
- Adept at pushing through a long, hard day, subsisting on trails snacks and the occasional wild berry
- Prefer sleeping under the stars to high thread counts and room service
- An outgoing, media-savvy personality, and affinity for being in front of the camera– whether on a smartphone’s live stream or a television’s live feed
- A talented, artistic photographer with an eye for taking”insta-worthy” photos that tell a story and generate a lot of likes
- Awareness of and imagination about where gear can best be put to the “toughness” test
- A love for creatively sharing wilderness adventures with others through social media, and the natural ability to promote the company by doing so
- The presentation skills, professionalism, and good judgment required to be a public image of a worldwide company
- Must have a valid US passport with no restrictions and with no less than 18 months before expiration; must also have a valid driver’s license
Although they didn’t let me record the entire interview, here’s a quick clip of me coming out of the green room and into the interview set.
Here’s an idea of what it was like, from Portland’s KGW:
Tweet @Columbia1938 and tell them to pick me as Director of Toughness
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I’m Betabrand’s Antarctic Explorer
Last austral summer, while living at the South Pole Station, Antarctica I represented SF clothing company Betabrand as their official Antarctic Explorer. I had a great time tromping around in the snow in Betabrand’s Disco Pants, USA Pants, and Smoking Jacket. Thanks for the gear, Betabrand! Here’s a quick video of my adventure: -
A Tour of the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, Antarctica
After living and working at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station during the summer 2012-2013 season, I’ve had the chance to see most parts of the station. Additionally, I also worked as a tour guide for the various tourist groups who visited the station. Here’s a brief narrated video tour of both the elevated station as well as the buried service structures. Shot on the Sony RX100.
For more on my time in Antarctica, be sure to see my Antartica Blog.
Be sure to check out my tour of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet Field Camp.
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Videoblog: Tatzu Nishi’s ‘Discovering Columbus’ Installation
Hello from high above Columbus Circle in NYC at Tatzu Nishi’s “Discovering Columbus”:
To see the work, “Discovering Columbus,” visitors need only procure a free timed ticket, sign a release, climb six flights of stairs and enter the white windowed box that has been built around the figure. It’s a structure that from the outside looks like a pristine outtake from a mansion, albeit one supported by an elaborate network of construction scaffolding that is itself rather attractive. (An elevator is also available.)
Once inside, they will encounter Columbus’s commanding figure, wearing the usual floppy beret and High Renaissance garb, in a spacious interior larger than many New York apartments (over 800 square feet, with 16-foot ceilings). It is outfitted with hardwood floors, area rugs, cushy couches and armchairs, art reproductions, lots of reading material and a remote-free, 55-inch Samsung television screen. Most of this has been provided by Bloomingdale’s; all of it is bathed in natural light, thanks to four large windows facing in three directions.
The statue, previously visible only from afar, is front and center, and it towers. You can sit down and contemplate Columbus and his legacy, along with the tendency of high-minded public art to fade into the background, while enjoying a reasonable facsimile of someone’s home.
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The Trampoline Song
This summer, friend Dana Sterling has been hauling her trampoline to various parties and get togethers. A few nights ago I took a few jumps, and helped record “The Trampoline Song“. Shot by a friend on my shiny new Sony RX100.
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Videoblog: Hiking the Ballard Trail
Videoblog for today – Greetings from up high on the Ballard Trail, just outside of Telluride, Colorado!
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Running in Newark
Finally, an outside run for the week. After National Registry EMT-B testing, we got out of class a bit early. There was just enough sunlight left for a quick 5 mile run out to the industrial wasteland surrounding Newark, California.
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Videoblog: Hiking the Telluride Ski Area
Quick videoblog of me and good friend Talitha hiking today in the Telluride Ski Area… what a great day between the rainclouds!
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Videoblog: Hiking the Wasatch Trail in Telluride, Colorado
Hello from the Wasatch Trail, outside of Telluride, Colorado. A videoblog for today..
Previously: Wasatch Trail Photo
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Videoblog: Exploring Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Today I spent the day finishing up the last day of work for a while, and exploring Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Despite a low cloud cover creating a dismally cloudy day on the ground, as soon as the Jackson Hole Tram broke above the clouds the sun shining into the cloud filled basin was spectacular. Quick videoblog post as well as panorama.
Videoblog post from Jackson Hole
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Videoblog: Back to Skiing at Hunter Mountain
After snowboarding for the past 15 or so years, I finally stapped on a pair of skis today at Hunter Mountain in New York. I was fairly confident that I still had the basic skill, but wanted to get a little practice in as preparation for my upcoming NOLS Winter Outdoor Educator course I’ll be taking in January. It came back to me relatively quickly, and although I can definitely still ski, I won’t be doing it for long. Snowboarding is much more fun! Here’s a quick video clip I recorded in the rain…
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Videoblog: Biking to Kid Yellin Art Space in Red Hook
Videoblog post for today, this time from on my bike in Dumbo, Brooklyn…
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Videoblog: On the Finish Line of the 2011 NYC Marathon
A few thoughts moments after finishing the NYC Marathon in 03:53. I ran with my Apple iPhone 4 in a n armband, although I didn’t use it to listen to music or track anything.
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A Good Place To Get Bad Coffee
Today’s videoblog post comes from the roof of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City….
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Sunset at Alta Lakes
Videoblog today, from Alta Lakes, outside of Telluride, Colorado.
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Videoblog: Via Ferrata, Telluride Colorado
Today’s videoblog post comes from the Telluride Colorado Via Ferrata route, on the falls walls above Pandora Mine. Enjoy!
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Videoblog 2011-09-05: Bear Creek Basin
Today’s blog post comes from the top of Bear Creek Basin, and features my sister Jill Donenfeld. Enjoy!
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Assembling Sliders at White Castle
Amazing how their system works. The perforated beef patties are cooked in the juices on top of the sauteing onions, and then the buns are placed on top of the beef patties heated using the onion steam filtering through the perforations in the patties.