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.
Surfers Take What They Can Get in Hong Kong: Hong Kong comprises over 250 islands in the South Sea, and the surf scene is limited to a handful of beaches. Mike Hurren explores its burgeoning surf culture. On favorable days these few beaches can become overrun with swimmers, beachgoers, paddle boarders, and surfers.
“The thing that makes Hong Kong surf so special is you have to believe in it for it to work for you and everyone around you. I’d say turning nothing into something is what our Hong Kong spirit is,” Hurren says.
The Shitty Parka JD Vance Wore to Greenland: Senator J.D. Vance and his wife, Usha, were woefully unprepared for the cold during their recent Greenland trip. They turned up in the Arctic Circle wearing matching $250 parkas insulated with polyfill that would do little to protect them from sub-zero temperatures.
From the Col du Tourmalet, looking down the valley. Photo: James Little
Cycling the Col du Tourmalet
Up Against the Tourmalet: Approaching his 65th birthday, James Little attempted to cycle the legendary Col du Tourmalet in the French Pyrenees. An avid spectator of the Tour de France, the race’s historic climbs always captivated him. After the memorable Tourmalet climb during the 2010 tour, Little decided he wanted to give it a try. Fast forward to 2024, and he finds himself in France hiring a bike. With minimal training, he took on the grueling 19km ascent.
Fremont’s Wrong Turn: Steve Howe revisits the harrowing tale of John C. Fremont’s 1848 expedition through Colorado. A national hero at the time, Fremont and a party of 35 men and 120 mules attempted to chart a transcontinental railroad route along the 38th parallel.
In the treacherous La Garita Mountains of Colorado, they faced icy temperatures and dwindling supplies. The party fell victim to frostbite and starvation. Some turned to cannibalism to survive. Howe retraces their path and reflects on their journey.
Are shark encounters with paddlers rising?
Do Sharks Attack Kayaks?: Since the early 1900s, there have been only 21 recorded shark attacks on kayaks. These attacks tend to involve great white and tiger sharks that mistake kayaks for prey.
Though the number of attacks is low, the number of shark encounters with paddlers seems to be rising. Experts believe this is the result of more paddlers rather than a rise in shark aggression. Though most encounters are brief and non-aggressive, there are ways to reduce risk: avoid fishing areas and murky river mouths, and don’t paddle at dawn or dusk.
Ed Viesturs Does Not Care About Your Guided 8,000er Speed Record: American mountaineer Ed Viesturs speaks out against speed ascents on the world’s highest peaks. He argues that the race for new records, rapid climbs, and the growing number of novice climbers leads to people prioritizing records over genuine mountaineering skills.
A portage on the Rannoch Crossing. Photo. Emy McLeod
A Scottish kayak traverse
The Rannoch Crossing: Emy McLeod and her paddling partner explore this classic canoe expedition. Starting at the Black Mount south of Glencoe in Scotland, kayakers work their way across lochs and rivers to traverse Rannoch Moor. McLeod gives a day-by-day account of their crossing, detailing the changing weather and landscape, conditions on the water, and the challenging portages.
19 Funniest Comments on Yosemite Routes: The Mountain Project database is filled with information and advice for various climbing routes. It is also home to a host of hilarious reviews and comments.
Maya Silver has pulled together 19 of the funniest remarks about iconic Yosemite climbs. One suggests that the Regular Northwest Face of Half Dome becomes “much easier if you hire a mule to carry your stuff up to the rock.” Another recollects playing bagpipes atop Snake Dike.
