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 Crushing Wave of Snow: On July 13, 1990, a deep earthquake sent a massive serac hurtling down Lenin Peak. The cataclysmic avalanche engulfed Camp 2 and is the single deadliest accident in mountaineering history. Forty‑three of the forty‑five climbers in camp perished beneath a 300m-wide wall of snow.
Miguel Helft witnessed the disaster as his group stopped just short of camp. Thirty-five years on, he recounts what happened and speaks to the two survivors.
The Road to Patagonia: Matty Hannon spent two and a half years filming his documentary The Road to Patagonia. It follows his 50,000 km journey from Alaska to Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego.
Traveling by motorbike and horseback, Hannon is taking the ultimate surfing road trip, but the film is so much more than that; it explores the human condition, our relationship with nature, animism, and Hannon’s love story with Heather Hillier.
A new long-distance hike in Mexico
An 800km Thru Hike Along the Rio Grande: The Mexican government has commissioned a new 800km trail along the Rio Grande in New Mexico. The cross-state trail will run through three national wildlife refuges, six state parks, a national heritage area, and past six national monuments. Though it is not yet finished, some sections can be walked. Mary Beth Skylis gives her thoughts on a one-day segment of the trail.
Why Style Matters on ‘The Greatest Route on Earth’: Jordan Cannon explores how style has developed on Yosemite’s iconic El Capitan. He believes the Salathé Wall is the perfect canvas for climbers to express themselves and their climbing style. He argues that how you climb is just as important as getting to the top, and delves into various ascents of “the greatest route on Earth.”
Alex Huber on Salathé’s first headwall pitch, El Capitan. Photo: Heinz Zak
The Air India crash
Is there a Safest Seat in a Plane Crash?: In the wake of the catastrophic crash of Air India Flight 171 in Ahmedabad, people have discussed whether specific seats offer a better chance of survival. The crash only had one survivor, 38-year-old Viswash Kumar Ramesh, and his seat was 11A. It was the same seat occupied by the sole survivor of Thai Airways flight 261, which crashed in 1988. But experts warn this is just a coincidence; crash outcomes are unpredictable.
Women Trail Runners Dominate Montane Summer Spine: Anna Troup and Irene Kinnegim have taken first and second place in this year’s Montane Summer Spine Race. This grueling 460km race follows the Pennine Way in the UK. Troup crossed the finish in 84 h 56 m to take first place overall and cement her status as an ultra-running powerhouse. The 55-year-old last ran the race in 2022, when she set the women’s record.
Anna Troup. Photo: Jenny Scott
Climbing in classic gear
Elise Wortley Climbs Mont Blanc in 1830s Women’s Attire: British adventurer Elise Wortley discusses her project to bring attention to the astonishing feats of early female explorers. Part of this is climbing without modern gear and wearing historically accurate clothing. She wants to understand what these women endured and the barriers they faced. Her latest expedition is an ascent of Mont Blanc in a 12kg woolen dress with hobnail boots.
Young Indigenous Kayakers Making Historic First Descent of Klamath River: A team of indigenous teenagers is making a first descent of the newly undammed Klamath River. Forty-three teenagers from several tribes are paddling 498km from southern Oregon to the Pacific Ocean. It will be the first source‑to‑sea descent since the removal of four major dams. They started on June 12 and hope to finish by July 11.
