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.
Robbie Phillips on his Voyage to St Kilda: Last month, Robbie Phillips sailed to St Kilda to find an old climbing route called The Thumb. Phillips had been inspired by a 300-year-old book that mentioned the climb. Here, he talks about the experience and the first ascent.
Ten of the Best Isle of Skye Walks: The Isle of Skye, off the west coast of Scotland, is a popular hiking destination. The island is littered with trails and The Great Outdoors has pulled together a list of 10 of the best.
Each walk offers something different: culture, landscapes, a relaxed stroll, or a taxing ascent. With walks ranging from 3.5km to 14.5km, there is something for everyone.
Trapped Rock Climbers Rescued in France: Emergency services have rescued two climbers in the south of France. The pair of experienced climbers were tackling Shining, a tricky route in the Alpes-Maritimes.
One climber hurt his hand and was unable to continue with the ascent. With the climber stuck on the wall, a specialized mountain rescue team came to help. Four hours later, they were safe. The rescue team has released photos, describing the operation as the “hardest, most technical rescue” they have done in a long time.
The rescue. Photo: PGHM 06
Rediscovering Sami heritage
The Sami side of Tromso: The island of Kvaloya in Norway has been home to the indigenous Sami people for generations. Yet Niko Valkeapaa’s grandparents decided to take their children away, raising them as Norwegians to try to shield them from racism. Now Valkeapaa is heading back to Tromso, to rediscover the Sami side of the island and his heritage.
Ada Blackjack — Overlooked No More: Ada Blackjack arrived on Wrangle Island in 1921. The seamstress on the Wrangle Island expedition, she knew nothing about surviving in the Arctic.
When a ship bringing the expedition supplies failed to appear, most of the crew went to search for it and died in the process. Blackjack was left with one companion who expected her to do all the work and blamed her for his illness. She decided to go it alone. Just over two years later, she was the group’s only survivor and the only person left on the island.
Eighty Days Alone in an Alaskan Winter: From December 1943 to March 1944, Leon Crane spent three months alone in Alaska. It was not planned.
Crane was co-piloting a plane that lost an engine. With no other options available, he grabbed a parachute and jumped out of the bomb bay doors. After hitting the snow, he walked along the river, sure it would bring him to a town. It did not, but he did stumble across a cabin. He stayed there for six weeks before trying to make it out of the wilderness.
Kathryn Eden climbing Black Mamba. Photo: Rebecca
Climbing ‘Black Mamba’
Mary Eden Sends One of the World’s Hardest Roof Cracks: Last month, Mary Eden made the third-ever successful ascent of Black Mamba (5.14b). Located in Canyonlands National Park, Utah, it is one of the hardest and longest roof cracks in America.
Eden first visited White Rim as a photographer, taking pictures of other climbers.
“It has been really cool to go from taking photos of people I admire to now being very much into climbing those routes myself,” she explains.
Breaking Trail the Packraft Way: Richard Harpham and his brother wanted an adventure. They decided to paddle the Inside Passage to Skagway in a packraft, hike over a mountain range, and then continue with their rafts to Whitehorse.
Harpham writes about his experience, from the planning and pre-trip nerves to the final few strokes into Whitehorse. He hopes his journey will encourage others to use packrafts for this type of expedition.
