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.
Top 10 Most Dangerous Natural Attractions: The popularity of adventure tourism has skyrocketed in recent years and risk is an inherent part of the appeal.
An outdoor gear company decided to rank the most dangerous natural attractions in the world, based on the yearly number of deaths and serious accidents. Nine of the top 10 are mountains, and Mont Blanc takes the top spot.
Patience Leads to Epic Sierra Ski Descent: Split Mountain in California’s High Sierra has a couloir that perfectly divides two summits. For years, Cody Townsend, Nick Russell, and Bjarne Salen have been trying to figure out a ski line. Surrounded by icefalls, rock steps, and ice patches, it has been a difficult feat. After four years of planning, they have now made their epic ski descent.
Coastal Job: Hovercraft Operator: Ian Cragg talks about his job as a hovercraft operator. Part of the Canadian Coast Guard, he responds to search and rescue calls across British Columbia.
Floating over water or land, hovercrafts can quickly reach places other rescue vehicles can’t. Despite being discontinued in many places because they are so expensive, Cragg believes hovercrafts are invaluable for rescue missions.
Famed Everest historian passes away
Remembering Audrey Salkeld: In 1986, Audrey Salkeld was the first “expedition historian” to travel to Everest. The adventure author and filmmaker passed away on Oct. 11 at the age of 87.
Salkeld’s contributions to mountaineering history are immense. She likely knew more about George Mallory’s summit attempt than anyone.
Audrey Salkeld. Photo: Craig Richards
Evacuating From Yellowknife: Jessica Davey-Quantick evacuated Yellowknife, Canada because of raging wildfires that tore toward the city.
An information officer for NWT Fire, Davey-Quantick was used to doling out information during fire season. But this year was different. As evacuation notices flooded in, she stayed put to answer calls and help those attempting to get out. She was the last of her friends to leave. Over a month later, she returned home, unsure what she would find.
Rope-Solos on Naranjo de Bulnes and in Verdon Gorge: This year, Siebe Vanhee has been racking up challenging rope-solo ascents. Over the summer, he climbed the 500m 8a+ Naranjo de Bulnes in Spain in a single 12-hour stint. Last week, he ventured to Verdon Gorge in France and made two further hard rope-solo ascents: Une Jolie dans un Beaux de Vache (8b, 300m) and Take It To Leave It (8a, 110m).
Siebe Vanhee rope-soloing ‘Une Jolie Fleur dans un Peaux de Vache’ in the Verdon Gorge. Photo: Jean-Elie Lugon
Falling in love with the Appalachian Trail
Solving the Appalachian Trail Puzzle: Kristian Morgan was part of Karel Sabbe’s team when he set the fastest known time (FKT) on the Appalachian Trail in 2018. Morgan fell in love with the trail and knew he wanted to set a new FKT.
Morgan has made multiple attempts but came up short for a variety of reasons. He does not see these attempts as failures but as stepping stones. This year, he ran the route in the opposite direction, setting the FKT for the southbound route and the overall second-fastest time. Before he’d even finished, he was planning his next attempt at the northbound route.
Tourist and Guide Fall to Death On Mount Kenya: British tourist Shilpa Shah and Kenyan guide Kelvin Muriuki Mwithi have died on Mount Kenya. Shah slipped on ice during the descent, and when Mwithi attempted to help her, both fell from the ridge and died. Shah was with seven other women hiking to Point Lanana.
