Top 10 Adventures in the US

Mark Pawlak    Adventure Sports & Travel Thoughts     4x4, adventure holidays US, Adventures in the US, California, colorado, Colorado River, east coast, florida, holidays to America, Horse Riding, indian county, montana, Overland tours, Rock Climbing, Scuba Diving, Skiing, top ten adventures in the US, travelling in the US, trekking, united states, USA holidays, Walking, whitewater rafting

It’s such a big place! Seriously, look at an online map of the US, perhaps pick just one state, and then zoom in. Vast. Past this, the superlatives rarely match the scale. And if you’ve never visited, deciding where to find the best adventures in the US is a daunting task.

Let’s see if we can help:

Kayaking in Alaska

This area of natural beauty has such a rugged coastline that in places only a kayak will suffice. And as the largest state, bristling with mountains, glaciers and national parks, it really is top of an adventurer’s ‘to visit’ list. There’s the chance to paddle through fjords, enjoy the calm waters of glacial lakes, and even get some sea kayaking in – maybe even some whale watching.

Image: Flickr//lucylu

The coast-to-coast road trip

The road trip is a classic travel experience, and the US offers up one of the widest selections of tarmac tours. Travelling coast-to-coast is almost a rite of passage, little wonder as you’ll visit the most majestic wildernesses: Yellowstone, Yosemite, the Great Lakes, and pass Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse – even get to see the Niagara Falls. From coast-to-coast, from metropolis to mountain valley, it’s a great journey.

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A Trio of Extreme Activities in Asia

Tim B    Adventure Sports & Travel Thoughts     base jumping, heli skiing, kl tower, kuala lumpar, Malaysia, russia, shark diving, thailand

It’s easy to get jaded about travelling, especially if you think you’ve been everywhere and done everything. But thanks to the sheer diversity of this wonderful planet we live on, there’s always something out there that you have yet to experience.One great way to pull yourself free from the creeping feeling of ennui is to satisfy your thirst for adrenaline and try out a few extreme sports. The thrill and excitement provided is enough to pull anyone from the abyss of boredom and apathy. But if you’re going to do it, you should do it right.

To help you out, here are five of the best extreme sports and activities from across Asia, each one sure to kick-start your zest for life.

Dive with sharks in Thailand

The whale shark is the largest fish in the world. They can grow to up to 12 metres (40 ft) in length and can weigh more than 36 tonnes (79,000 lb). But despite their gargantuan dimensions and many rows of sharp teeth, the whale shark feeds almost primarily on plankton and small fish. That knowledge, however, is unlikely to make diving with the massive beasts any less exhilarating.

Richelieu Rock, HinDaeng and Chumphon Pinnacle in Thailand are some of the best locations if you want to come face-to-face with these titanic predators of sea. The whale sharks can normally be encountered in April but have been known to show up during February and March too.

Go BASE jumping in Kuala Lumpur

If you’ve not come across it before, BASE jumping involves leaping from a variety of fixed objects – Buildings, Antennae, Spans (bridges) and Earth (cliffs) – with a parachute. Despite involving altitudes far lower than sky diving, it’s a far more dangerous activity. With parachute deployment occurring much earlier in the flight, the risks of a malfunction arehigh. But with proper training and the right equipment,. BASE jumping is sure to get your adrenaline pumping.

The KL Tower International BASE Jump is held every year in Malaysia, with the opportunity to jump from the country’s five tallest buildings in Sarawak, Sabah, AlorSetar, Penang and Kuala Lumpur. The Menara Kuala Lumpur Tower is the tallest of the five, at over 420 m (1,300 ft) in height.

Go heliskiing in Russia

Next to shark diving and BASE jumping, you might find the prospect of skiing to be a little tame. However, heliskiing is a different kind of thing altogether. Heliskiing dispenses with the mundanity of popular resorts and crowded ski lifts that you’re probably already well-accustomed to. Instead of the traditional ski lift, you’ll be carried away by helicopter to relatively untouched slopes that are off the beaten track. The risks of encountering hazards like avalanches are higher as you’re outside of the normal resorts, but locations are always selected carefully. Most specialist adventure travel insurance policy includes cover for heliskiing for an additional premium.

There are a number of ideal heliskiing locations in Russia, including the Kamchatka Peninsula and Krasnaya Polyana, a town located at the foot of Russia’s Caucasus Mountains. If you’ve already been heliskiing in somewhere like Canada, you might find the Russian experience to be a little more rough and ready but with the right guide and the right equipment, you’re sure to get the adrenaline rush you’re looking for.

From Follower to Leader….

Sophie Nicholson    ash, trekkingholidays     climbing, IML, International Mountain Leader, Mountain leader, Rock Climbing

Just over a year and a half ago I jacked in my comfortable yet rather benign life in West Sussex and embarked upon a journey into the unknown. I had no clear idea of what it was that I wanted, just a gut feeling that this was not where I was supposed to be. I left with just one clear goal in mind – to follow my love of the outdoors and in particular, mountains.

The adventure since has been one wild ride and over the course of the last 18 months I have ski toured in the Canadian Rockies, trad climbed in the wilderness of Scotland, trekked high into the Himalayas, stood on top a 4,000m Alpine peak at sunrise and ice climbed in the Vallee du Giffre.

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Improving your Surf-Esteem

Jeff    Adventure Sports & Travel Thoughts     Surf, Surfing

“That’s what it’s all about.”

A surfer couldn’t be more cliché, especially when he’s a pro talking about surfing perfect, head-high waves in Fiji with one other buddy and no one else out but a photographer. And a gaggle of girls waiting on the boat. Sweet, dude. Of course that’s what it’s all about.

How can laymen like you and I possibly feel good about surfing our crappy, crowded, local breaks when we’re continuously inundated with footage of guys scoring tropical perfection every time we go online? How can we stay stoked when we know the only things going to pick up on the waste-high slop down at the beach is the wind and the crowd? Why even surf at all?

Now, I know enough surfers to know that we’re not the type of people to feel sorry for ourselves because of conditions that are well out of our control. But I also know enough of us to constantly hear the symptoms of low surf-esteem. The disorder is characterised by incessant bitching about what could be better with the local waves: more swell, better angle, warmer water, less people, less wind, less kelp; the list of gripes goes on. And it all just seems like a catalog of what the pros get at some exotic location that we don’t at our home break. Well, I’m sick of the comparisons! I think the best medicine for low surf-esteem is a little perspective.

Surfing has never been about the pros. The guys in magazines and movies getting paid to travel and score with free equipment and tickets don’t embody the sport. They simply represent the ideal: the best athletes on the best waves. They’re like pro athletes of any sport. But their existence and visibility doesn’t stop us from playing sports altogether, does it? We should surf with the same attitude in mind, taking care to not concentrate on what could be better.

Instead, surfing has to be about something intrinsic in the act itself. Why else would we do it? Getting better is common motivation. And it’s easy to try new things in forgettable waves; you won’t regret going down. Others appreciate the serenity the sport provides. It’s being surrounded by water; riding a swell that’s travelled thousands of miles to arrive; living at the mercy of the elements; with no cell phone or computer to claim our attention. And still others are into the ritual: rising early, packing the car, scoping the spots, waxing the board and paddling out. It’s natural therapy. Waves don’t need to be epic to appreciate any of these concepts.

Neglecting your surf-esteem can lead to stokeless sessions and unbecoming negativity. The thing to keep in mind when conditions aren’t optimal at home and Kelly Slater and friends are in Tahiti is that we don’t surf for the cover shots or the glory of a tour win. We surf for ourselves. Because there is something about it we love. So next time you’re complaining about the weather, the swell, or the crowd, just remember there’s a reason you’re suiting up in the first place. And that’s what it’s all about.

Snowboarding Etiquette; the Unwritten Laws of the Chairlift

Toni Shaw    Adventure Sports & Travel Thoughts     austria, France, Italy, ski, Skiing, snowboard, Snowboarding, Switzerland

The chairlift is undoubtedly the most tedious part of any day on the piste. With that in mind, picture this all too familiar scene:

You’ve been waiting for what feels like hours, slowly shuffling your way to the front of the queue amongst the sea of fluorescent jackets. Finally, you’ve got one neat line of heads before it’s your turn to get on the chairlift, and you patiently queue behind one of the four Grand National-esque entrances. The gates open and 3 of the skiers scramble forward, poles clashing and bums rearranging on the seats.

But there’s still one head left.

“Why didn’t he get on?” you silently scream, settling instead for the most audible tuts you can make. He tricked you. He inconsiderately deceived you into thinking he was going to get on with the rest of them and then backed out at the last minute, leaving you and your perfectly-sized group of 4 with a conundrum; do you split up and grant him his solitary ride, or do you wait as another practically empty chairlift glides by?

If you’re guilty of occasionally being that single skier – next time, GET ON THE LIFT! Don’t try and hold out for a four-seater all to yourself, and by all means, fill in that little gap that’s currently occupied by someone’s imaginary friend. It’s simply the law of the lift…and whilst we’re at it, here are some other rules of etiquette that should be abided by…

Stick with your own – there’s nothing more uncomfortable for a snowboarder than having skiers sitting either side of you on the chairlift, pointing straight forward. You have to awkwardly contort your legs so as not to rest your board on the back of their skis and there’s always the risk of running over them as you all get off the lift. Just imagine how much more harmonious it is with 4 goofy snowboarders all hanging in coordination!

Concentrate! We all know its hard for poor beginners, barely being able to master standing up, demonstrating moves resembling the moonwalk, but if you fall off the lift, at any point (or cause the lift to s-l-o-w d-o-w-n to a crawl), you’re just creating a scene and making it more awkward for us to dodge you as we effortlessly disembark from the chair.

On the same note, don’t be the one that gives us a good giggle at the sight of a helpless ski pole or abandoned glove dropped from the lift into no-mans land….

Here’s a tricky one – do you talk to the stranger sitting next to you? Headphones = no. Good-looking and seemingly alone = yes.

Try and chill out. It’s always irritating being sat next to the person taking the opportunity of sitting down as an excuse to…’fuss’. Erratic wringing of hands, searching every pocket for the least snotty tissue, readjusting boot straps, finding your point on a piste map; all perhaps necessary tasks, but when this causes digging in our ribs and general fidgety behaviour, you’re depriving your fellow traveller of a relaxing ride.

If all this seems too much of a hassle, maybe its best to boycott a lift all to yourself – besides, if your fast enough, no-one will catch up with you anyway!

Sailing to the Azores and back for charity

Mark Pawlak    Adventure Sports & Travel Thoughts     Adventures, AZAB, Azores and Back, Pacific ocean, Sail for Cancer, Sailing

Adventurers are rarely selfless souls: most have a charitable goal or are inspired to help others. This year a 2,500 mile race across the Atlantic will show that it’s not just sporting professionals taking adventure sports to another level and  raising money for charity…

Setting sail across the ocean this year is James Hardiman who runs Ocean Elements, a water-sports holiday company based in Wimbledon.

James is an experienced sailor, although he’s about to get a long way out of his comfort zone. By entering the Azores and Back Race (often known as the AZAB) James is hoping to raise £5,000 for Sail for Cancer.

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Canary Islands holidays that chill and thrill

Mark Pawlak    Adventure Sports & Travel Thoughts     Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, kitesurfing, mountainbiking, Overlanding, Sailing, Scuba Diving, snorkelling, Tenerife, Windsurfing

Canary Islands holidays are some of the most popular holiday choices in Europe, and it’s easy to see why. With seven islands, each with its own identity, and a perfect combination of sea, sun, and sand and a little adventure, the islands will always attract the tourists.

But which island do you choose? Which is better for partying in the clubs, and which feature the wind that kitesurfers want and the dive spots scuba enthusiasts dream of? We find out in our mini-guide to the Canary Islands.

Photo Credit: Flickr/LisArt

Lanzarote

The most northerly of the islands, Lanzarote features 12 natural protected areas, a national park and even a biosphere reserve – so top eco credentials. As with other islands, it’s been formed from dramatic volcanic activity. The interior and the Mountains del Fuego have lunar qualities as well as fields of jagged rock, while in the bays and beaches you’ll walk on the finest of white sands. Top year-round conditions keep watersports fans happy: kitesurfing, windsurfing and sailing are best on the rougher, windier north coast, while swimming and scuba diving are better enjoyed off the calmer south coast.

Fuerteventura

Canary Islands holidays are commonly booked for beach holidays, and if time on the sand is your priority, Fuerteventura could be the island for you. Again its north coast is blessed with great wind, although perhaps its best attribute is found further south. As the island narrows at Costa Calma, the real beaches begin. From here to Morro Jable and with views to Gran Canaria, you’ll find incredible swathes of sand – the occasional nudist – and moments of tranquillity rarely found on any other beach holiday. Interior trekking routes are rough but rewarding, with many ending where every day trip in Fuerteventura should: the beach!

Gran Canaria

It’s the round one. And the most varied in its mix of urban populations and remote rural getaways. The capital, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, has both port and airport, making it a commercial hub; even so, just a short drive and you’re into lush and fertile ravines. Again distinctly volcanic, this island is noteable thanks to its diversity: At just 50kms across, you’ll enjoy tourist-sand beaches, rugged sea walls (Puerto de Morgan), Sahara-style dunes (Maspalomas), and a UNESCO recognised biosphere complete with Canadian Pine forests! As well as watersports, this islands serves up great mountainbiking routes and is a prime pick for hiking holidays.

Tenerife

Each of the islands mentioned so far have towns that like to party, that said Tenerife is perhaps the capital of Canarian night culture. Yet while there are tourist package holidays destined for the discos of Playa de las Americas, there are still plenty of folk proving that Canary Islands holidays are just as much about the great outdoors. Climb the intimidating, sulphurous peak of Mount Teide and the views reveal another island: to the north there’s the Anaga Rural Park and miles of walking routes, and all around there are mountainbiking tracks to tempt. The beach sports of windsurfing and snorkelling will always prove popular, so look up from your cocktail for a minute and you’ll find an island ready to thrill.

Photo Credit: Flickr/Tushar Pokle

La Gomera

Within an island hop of Tenerife there’s La Gomera. Ravines shaped first by volcanic activity and later by ingenious farming methods cover the island – the second smallest in the archipelago. At its centre are dense forests; at its coast are black sand beaches. It’s a cocoon of calm, favoured by walkers and golfers – mountainbikers will need those low gears. On the coast in Playa de Santiago there are boat trips and a chance to get in the water; a much-loved spot for scuba diving holidays, away from the hustle and bustle of the holidaying crowds.

La Palma

Favoured by stargazers and sun-worshippers alike: this island is home to a number of observatories. Thanks to mountains reaching almost 2.5km above sea level, it’s an island favoured by astronomers – clouds rarely form above 2,000m so resident scientists enjoy clear skies. On foot or by bike, the route up the mountains from Mirca to Roque de los Muchachos will test heart, lungs and legs to their limit. Great then that the island still has beaches and bars to aid recovery – most are found in its capital Santa Cruz de la Palma. Further south there are salt flats, secluded coastal villages and the windswept sides of the Fuencaliente volcanoes to explore.

El Hierro

Perhaps the least-well known, this island is however a favourite for tourists on scuba diving holidays. There are no natural beaches to speak of, but with a little perseverance you’ll find rock pools and access to the open water. And underwater you’ll get another view of this island’s volcanic legacy: reefs, boulder fields and step drop-offs – dive in the marine reserve at the Mar des Calmes for the calmest and warmest Canarian waters.

High above the ocean depths, there’s paragliding. With mountains that rise 1,000ft straight up from the ocean, there are plenty of launch sites – fans of flight should get to El Valle de El Golfo and ready themselves for some wonderful views of the Canarian archipelago.