Champions Online Executive Producer Shannon "Poz" Posniewski has left Cryptic Studios to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. No, that's not a joke. According to Cryptic, Poz has left the company to "vacation" and explore Africa. Here's what he had to say about his departure:

"Working at Cryptic Studios has been incredible for me. Both the Cryptic team and its fans are amazing, and working with them over the last eight years has been hugely rewarding. I'm very proud of everything we've done for Champions Online: Free for All, and I know there's more great stuff coming. But for me it's time to recharge a bit; for something new and completely different. I'm thinking open skies, tall mountains and perhaps death by exposure."

Producer Rob Overmeyer will be stepping up to fill Posniewski's shoes and run Champions Online. Will Posniewski ever return to Cryptic? It's unclear from the announcement, which is titled "Poz Hits Pause," but remember that Craig Zinkievich left the company to spend time with his family and ultimately returned as Cryptic's COO.

Good luck climbing Kilimanjaro, Poz!