When we’re not outdoors, we get our adventure fix by exploring social media and the web. Here are some of the best adventure links we’ve discovered this week.
A Freediver Finds Belonging Without Breath: After several minutes of floating meditation, this freediver takes a deep breath and plunges below the surface. Sally Montgomery has learned to live on one breath and to recognize the signs from her body that she needs to make her way back to the surface.
An oxygen monitor on Montgomery’s finger shows that when she thinks she will black out, she has far more time than she imagined. All she needs to do is relax and find stillness under the water.
Sailing in Alaska? Watch Out for Tsunamis: In 2015, a landslide triggered 200m waves in Tann Fiord and Icy Bay. Fortunately, the bay was empty. But cruise ships do squeeze into Icy Bay. If a tsunami occurred while a cruise ship was in the vicinity, it would be catastrophic. World temperatures are rising and glaciers are less stable, yet more people are heading to remote areas of Alaska than ever before.
Photo: Jeff Garmire
Thru-hike advice
How to Thru-Hike the John Muir Trail: In August 2019, Jeff Garmire set the fastest known time for the John Muir Trail. He completed the 340km route in three days, 47 minutes, and 56 seconds.
Garmire believes the accessibility of the John Muir Trail makes it special. It is suitable for hikers of all levels, provided they plan properly. Garmire shares his tips on which direction to walk in, the best time of year to hike, resupplying strategies, and the gear you will need.
Five Wild Tales of Riding the Waves: Atlas Obscura rounds up five of the best surfing tales, from the Hawaiian princess who saved surfing from overzealous missionaries to winter surfing in the Great Lakes and the dark history of the iconic “hang loose” gesture.
Princess Ka‘iulani, the last heir to the Hawaiian Crown. Photo: Hawaii State Archives
Losing a mast
Vendée Globe hopeful Sam Goodchild Dismasted in Transat Race: Sam Goodchild has been dismasted in the famed transatlantic race. Goodchild was fourth when he lost his mast two hundred and forty kilometers from Santa Maria. He has jury-rigged a substitute and is now heading for shore. He should still qualify for the Vendée Globe solo around the world race this autumn.
Could AI shorten search times for missing hikers? Rescue teams are investigating how AI could shorten search times. Engineers from Glasgow University want to use AI and data from previous rescue missions to maximize the chance of finding missing people. AI could predict which way people are most likely to have moved and give coordinates for drones to investigate.
Photo: Jim Miller
A Chat with Jim Miller: Whitewater paddler Jim Miller does not limit himself to one discipline. He rafts, kayaks, and canoes. Now he is focusing on stand-up paddleboarding.
Miller remembers paddling in France as a child, but his real love developed in 2013 when he moved to Scotland. He talks about equipment recommendations, advice for newbies, and how to stay safe in challenging conditions.
An Ethical Place to Swim with Whales: Whale-watching brings in two billion dollars a year. Most whale-watching companies strive to protect the whales, but not all. Some tour operators get far too close to the cetaceans, disrupting feeding and breeding.
In French Polynesia, all whales, dolphins, and porpoises are protected by a public ordinance. It is also one of just 10 countries where you can swim with whales. On islands such as Tahiti, whales are recognized as legal persons. The area is at the forefront of ethical whale-swim tourism.
