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.
In Focus: Hamish Frost: Adventure photographer Hamish Frost shares the stories behind nine of his most memorable climbing images. From Greg Boswell and Guy Robertson’s first winter ascent of a line on Bidean nam Bian to rugged seacliff climbing at Cape Wrath, Frost talks readers through his chosen shots. He discusses the challenges of each photo and the technical aspects of photography across different environments.
Mayan Civilization Was A Mystery. Our Family Business Was Solving It: David Stuart reflects on a lifetime spent unlocking the mysteries of the ancient Mayan civilization. Both of his parents were archaeologists and worked with National Geographic. He spent much of his childhood bouncing around different Maya ruins.
Now he is one of the world’s foremost epigraphers, deciphering Mayan hieroglyphs. Stuart discusses how his personal journey intertwines with the evolution of Mayan studies. Decades ago, the Maya’s rich written history was nearly indecipherable, but breakthroughs in reading their inscriptions have transformed our understanding of the complex society.
Nicola Colombo skis uphill on the e-ski. Photo: Nicola Colombo
E-skis
I Tested The World’s First E-Skimo: Kendall Hunter tells readers of her visit to the Swiss Alps to test the E-Skimo, a pair of electric-powered skis that aim to make ski touring more accessible. It uses battery-driven propulsion to help skiers with ascents while still letting them ski down traditionally, lowering the physical barriers that have long kept many from exploring backcountry terrain.
Though they weigh over double that of normal skis, have a slightly annoying hum, and are slightly harder to maneuver than regular skis, after a day in the mountains, Hunter is genuinely impressed.
Everything We Know About the 2026 Cliffhanger Sequel: This year is set to be an unusually busy year for climbing on the big screen. Several mainstream films and documentaries are seeking to introduce mountaineering to non-climbers.
There is — gag — a sequel to Cliffhanger starring Pierce Brosnan, Apex starring Charlize Theron and Taron Egerton, and Batso, which will try to encapsulate Warren ‘Batso’ Harding’s first ascent on El Cap with Dean Caldwell. Climbing delves into what we know about upcoming films and documentaries, and whether Hollywood is going to get climbing right.
Risk vs reward
The Risks and Rewards of Backcountry Skiing: Avalanche deaths in Tahoe and across Europe this season have caused many to question the safety of backcountry skiing and snowboarding. Though these tragedies become headlines, fatalities still remain statistically rare when you look at the vast number of skiers who venture beyond resort boundaries every year.
Cindy Hirschfeld explores how skiers can manage backcountry risks through training, modern safety gear, trained guides, and careful decision-making. At the same time, she points out how human error and overconfidence can never be fully eliminated.
Cliff Jacobson on What’s Changed in 70 Years of Canoeing: Legendary canoeist Cliff Jacobson reflects on how canoeing has evolved over his seven decades of paddling. From months spent trip planning and analyzing aerial photos to the instant access of online guides, and from simple, rugged cookware to today’s high-priced gear, even though dehydrated food still tastes pretty bad, in his opinion. Now 84, Jacobson worries that paddlers are increasingly relying on equipment and tech rather than their own skills.
Photo: Cliff Jacobson
A shark survivor’s story
Surfer Turns a Near-Death Experience With a Great White Shark Into a Documentary: Brett Burcher’s near-death encounter with a great white shark has led to a film that explores fear, reality, and coexistence between humans and sharks.
In 2023, he was surfing off Australia’s New South Wales coast when a 3.5-meter great white lunged at him. He managed to kick the shark in the nose and get away, but the whole incident was captured on drone footage. Burcher reflects on the struggle to regain trust in the ocean and surfing. The resulting film, Crossing the Tideline, blends Burcher’s own journey with insights from scientists, mental health experts, and other survivors.
Border Wall Construction Has Started at the Continental Divide Trail’s South Terminus: The U.S. government is preparing to construct a border barrier at the southern terminus of the Continental Divide National Trail in New Mexico. Photos show that a 41-kilometer stretch of dirt access road has been graded for construction vehicles. While crews haven’t yet started to raise the steel bollard wall, access to the southernmost section of the trail is only allowed under permit, and the requirements largely favor U.S. citizens.
