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.
When Artificial Intelligence Reinvents the Polar Regions: While AI has proven a valuable tool for some polar researchers, viral AI-generated videos increasingly present unrealistic images to the public. With many people struggling to separate real videos and photos from fakes, how might this rash of AI content affect researchers and photographers?
Remembering Arthur Frommer: Arthur Frommer passed away last week at age 95. Stationed in Germany in 1953, Frommer found an affordable way to see Europe. He lived like a local and eschewed luxury hotels and tourist restaurants. Later, he launched the infuential guidebook Europe on 5 Dollars a Day. Encouraging travelers to seek a genuine experience, Frommer championed what we now call sustainable travel.
Managing Greenland’s Arctic Trail: Lisa Germany has what many would consider a dream job. She manages 20 trails in the Qeqqata Municipality in Greenland. Among them is the famed Arctic Circle Trail. Until 2022, the ACT was relatively unknown. Now, 1,000 people take it on every summer. Germany discusses the pros and cons of her job and why she was drawn to Greenland.
A ship in the Vendee Globe race. Photo: Reuters
Another solo sailing record
Another 24-Hour Distance Record in the Vendee Globe: The solo mono-hull 24-hour distance record has been broken again during the Vendee Globe race. This is the third time someone has broken the record since the start of this round-the-world race. It is also the second time Yoann Richomme has broken the record. Richomme covered a staggering 579.86 nautical miles in 24 hours.
Those at the front of the race are working hard to stay in a fast-moving, low-pressure system, and are steadily pulling away from the chasing pack.
‘Woefully unprepared’ Hiker on Frozen Mount Washington: Officials are calling for a “woefully unprepared” hiker to be fined after his rescue on Mount Washington.
New Hampshire Fish and Game rangers advised Tristan Murrin not to hike to the summit because of tricky conditions. He ignored them and hiked to “beat the storm.” At the summit, Murrin broke into a State Park sno-cat vehicle and refused to get out until someone drove him down the mountain.
The Trans Dinarica. Photo: Joanna Chmara
Connecting the Balkans by bike
The Trans Dinarica: The Trans Dinarica is a new 5,500km bike trail that links eight Balkan nations. Stretching from Slovenia to Albania, the trail twists through national parks, UNESCO sites, the Dinaric Alps, and many remote villages. This summer, Joanna Chmara cycled along the route from Podgorica, Montenegro, to Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
A Great Year for Women in the Mountains: It’s been a great year for women in the mountains, and the American Alpine Club is highlighting two notable all-woman teams. The first is a four-woman team from Slovenia which made the first ascent of Lalung I (India) via an east-west traverse. The second is an Italian duo who opened a new route on the south face of Pik in the Ak-su Valley of Kyrgyzstan.
The Lyngen Alps. Photo: Pete Elliott
The Lyngen Alps
Sail to Ski: Lyngen Alps: Hidden within the Arctic Circle, Norway’s Lyngen Alps offer a spectacular mix of sailing and skiing. Last year, Pete Elliott took part in a six-day sail-to-ski trip.
Starting in Tromso, the group sailed to Vannoya. There, they landed and switched into ski gear, then strapped their skis to their backs, and headed up Vanntinden. Climbing for three hours, the beaches and rocky paths transformed into snowy peaks around deep fiords. At the summit, they turned and raced back down the slopes to the boat.
Skiing Isn’t About Conquering Mountains: Earlier this year, Black Diamond posted a video of skiers flying down an untouched powdery slope. For Conner Ryan and many others, the end of the video was jarring.
“We own this range,” someone declares off-camera as the video wraps up. Ryan, who is Lakota, thought it was an unnecessarily aggressive end to the post. For many Native Americans, the use of phrases like this brings back memories of violence. When he said as much on social media, hundreds of people offered support but were swiftly overwhelmed by a hellscape of racist and bigoted comments.
