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.
Did Conner Herson Just Have the Best Three Days in Yosemite History?: Over three days in October, 22-year-old Connor Herson made the first free ascent of Triple Direct (5.14a), a route that brings together segments of Salathé (5.9 C2 or 5.13b), Muir Wall (5.10 C3), and The Nose (5.9 C2 or 5.14a).
Then, just a few days later, he became the third person to free climb The Nose (5.14a, 915m) on El Capitan in a single day. In this interview, he talks about his “six-year saga” with Triple Direct.
Billions in Treasure Lies on the Seafloor. Finders Keepers?: For centuries, tension has existed between history and profit in maritime treasure hunting. Last month, treasure hunters recovered more than 1,000 silver coins and several escudos (gold coins) from the wreckage of Spain’s 1715 treasure fleet. But who should profit from the treasure?
Marco Confortola on Lhotse. Photo: Lo Scarpone
Fake summit photos
How To Spot A Fake Summit Photo: Were Italian climber Marco Confortola’s summit photos on Gasherbrum I in Pakistan fake? Those questioning Confortola’s achievement claimed his images looked like manipulated versions of photos taken by other climbers. Experts approached by Outside say the photos do show some level of manipulation.
New Greenland Climbs by Ben Kent and Robbie Milne: In July, Ben Kent and Robbie Milne spent three weeks climbing in Greenland. Dropped off at the head of Ikamiut Fiord, their first job was to haul their kit to a nearby lake and then canoe the four kilometers across it. Over the next three weeks, they used every available scrap of good weather to make four summits, three of which were first ascents. This is Kent’s account of their trip.
“It is not often you look out to sea with crampons on.” Photo: Ben Kent
Urban bears
I Encountered a Bear in the City: Alison Karlene Hodgins was walking around Burnaby Lake, Vancouver, when she spotted a large black bear walking in her direction. She had bear spray to hand, but was still caught off guard. The bear had no interest in her, but it brought on a wave of emotions: wonder, alarm, guilt, and concern about how we are negatively impacting the wildlife around us.
First SUP Descent of the Chuluut Valley: Canoe and SUP guide Matt Phillips recounts his seven-day, 270km SUP descent of the Chuluut Valley in Mongolia. The trip took Phillips and Phil Collins across five rivers. The first few days in the basalt canyons of the Somon Gol were the trickiest, with steep gradients, large rapids, and powerful currents. From there, they wound through the Chullute, Ida, Delgermörön, and finished on the Selenge.
Matt Phillips and Phil Collins make a descent of the Chuluut Valley. Photo: Matt Phillips
Full-time, unpaid
Yosemite Asks for Full-Time, Unpaid Volunteers: Yosemite National Park is facing criticism after posting a volunteer role that asks individuals to live on-site and work full-time (40 hours per week). The duties that come with the role — staffing visitor centers, conducting patrols, and handling public information — are essentially the same as those of a ranger, but with no salary. After the backlash, Yosemite stopped advertising the position.
Over 20 Hikers Rescued From Snowy Mount Washington: Over 20 hikers had to be rescued after finding themselves trapped in “full winter conditions” on the summit of Mount Washington in New Hampshire. Most had no idea that the park was closed for the season, and so had no summit services. Many of the hikers were not wearing proper gear, some admitted it was their first-ever hike, and members of the group were showing signs of hypothermia. They were rescued by the Mount Washington Cog Railway after crew members spotted the distressed hikers.
