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.
Kayak Photography: Most people want to capture their adventures on camera, but it is particularly hard for sea kayakers. The first challenge is that cameras don’t like salt or water. The second challenge is finding a good perspective.
Seasoned sea kayaker Will Copestake shares his photography tips, including moisture management and how to take the classic bow shot.
Lorraine McCall Plans First Continuous Grahams Round: Lorraine McCall completed the Scottish Munros 19 years ago. Ten years ago, she linked the Corbetts. Now she wants to be the first person to complete a continuous Grahams round.
McCall plans to hike and cycle between the 231 Scottish hills, all between 600 and 762 meters, and use ferries to reach the various islands. She begins in mid-April on her 59th birthday.
Lorraine McCall on the Black Mount. Photo: Dan Bailey
Strava for dogs? Really?
Strava for Dogs is a Real Thing: Many people believe their pooch is the best adventure dog out there. Now they can prove it. Strava has teamed up with Fi, a collar brand that uses a satellite position system like a smartwatch.
The collar will map the dog’s route, count steps, and give activity statistics. Now you can link your dog’s Fi account with your Strava account so your followers can see your joint adventures.
Historical Badass Natalia Molchanova: Natalia Molchanova is regarded by many as the greatest freediver ever. In 2013, she broke the women’s record for static apnea. She held her breath for nine minutes and two seconds in a pool.
Originally a competitive swimmer, Molchanova discovered free diving in her forties. Over the next decade, she set 41 freediving records. In 2015, she slipped into the water off the coast of Spain and disappeared.
The observation deck overlooking the Mer de Glace. Photo: Darren S. Higgins
It Just Got Easier to Visit a Vanishing Glacier: In February a new gondola opened in Chamonix, France. The gondola takes people to the Mer de Glace glacier. The glacier is a stark reminder of the impact of climate change and some people are questioning if the new ride is a good idea. Is this an example of last-chance tourism?
Early marathon swimmer featured in new film
Vindication Swim: In 1927, Mercedes Gleitze was the first British woman to swim the English Channel. At the time, many people thought it impossible for a woman. A few years later, she became the first person to swim across the Gibraltar Strait. A new film celebrates her achievements.
Winter paddling on Lake Superior. Photo: Maddy Marquardt
Outdoorsy Girls Are Mean Girls: Maddy Marquardt has been a sea kayaking guide for five years. She was told she would have to work extra hard to make it in a male-dominated field and to be respected by clients. It has been a few years since a man questioned her place in the outdoors. The ones making snide comments are now women.
Marquardt has fallen victim to it herself, laughing at comments like “she’s only doing it for the photo.” Here she questions why the few women in the outdoor industry turn on each other.
A 386Km Hike Through Scotland: The Cape Wrath Trail is an unmarked 386km route that runs from Fort William to Cape Wrath in Scotland. It is one of the most challenging hikes in the United Kingdom.
The route takes you through every landscape Scotland has to offer, from boggy moorland to isolated glens, beaches, lochs, and mountains. Richard Gaston writes about the 17 days he spent on the trail.
