An Excellent Set of Links

Last Great Exploration Is to Survive on Earth
Q&A: “The Last Great Exploration Is to Survive on Earth” – Anna Shen interviews world-renowned British explorer ROBERT SWAN

 

Josh Garrett, Hiker, Breaks World Record For Completing Pacific Crest Trail In Less Than 60 Days
A California hiker has broken the world record for completing the Pacific Crest Trail, hiking the entire 2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada in just under 60 days. Averaging 45 miles per day and sleeping only four hours per night, Josh Garrett, 30, reportedly broke into sobs as he reached the trailhead in Canada.
Crocodile stalked New Zealand kayaker on remote island in Western Australia | World news | The Guardian
Six-metre ‘monster’ kept traveller isolated with few supplies until he was rescued by passing local
Scottish Highlands: escaping into the wilds by canoe – video | Travel | theguardian.com
To explore Scotland at its most remote, load up a canoe with food and camping supplies, and paddle off into the wilderness of the north-west Highlands around Assynt.

 

 

What is Adventure Travel?

Although there are many different types of adventure travel, typically an adventure travel experience will:

Be of a heightened nature – a stimulating context will induce a range of emotions (of which excitement will be key), and separate it from everyday life.

Entail intellectual, physical or emotional risks and challenges – these will be absorbing

Be intrinsically rewarding, providing opportunities for enjoyment, learning and self-development. (Swarbrooke 16)

Another way to define adventure travel is,”a leisure activity that takes place in an unusual, exotic, remote or wilderness destination. It tends to be associated with high levels of activity by the participant in an outdoor setting. Adventure travelers expect to experience various levels of risk, excitement and tranquility, and be personal tested. In particular they are explorers of unspoiled, exotic parts of the planet and also seek personal challenges”(Millington et al., 2001: 67).

The two main types of adventure travel are soft adventure travel and hard adventure travel.

Soft adventure travel, “refers to activities with a perceived risk but low levels of real risk, requiring minimal commitment and beginning skills; most of these activities are led by experienced guides.”

Hard adventure travel, “refers to activities with high levels of risk, requiring intense commitment and advanced skills.” (source: Hill, 1995).

Eldorado Canyon Rock Climbing

A post about student Eric Swenson and his adventures traditional rock climbing in Eldorado Canyon near Boulder, CO.

Traditional rock climbing (or more simply trad climbing) is a style of climbing in which a climber or group of climbers places all gear required to protect against falls, and removes it when the pitch (segment of a climb, usually the full length of the rope) is complete.  The lead climber is the one who climbs the route first and places all of the protective gear. The follow climber is belayed (tied into and protected with the rope) from above by the lead climber. The follow climber removes all of the pieces of protection, leaving the rock clean and unmarred.  Important features of trad climbing are a strong focus on exploration, and a strict dedication to leaving nature unblemished by avoiding use of older means of protection such as pitons, which damage the rock. A multi-pitch climb is a climb that is taller than 2 or more pitches. Every climb in this post is a traditional, multi-pitch climb. I am both following and leading climbs on these trips.

Eric Swenson trad climbing the first pitch of the Wind Ridge on the Wind Tower in Eldorado Canyon State Park near Boulder, Co.

Eric Swenson follow climbing the first pitch of the Wind Ridge on the Wind Tower in Eldorado Canyon State Park near Boulder, Co.

First pitch of the Wind Tower.

First pitch of the Wind Tower.

My friend Tom leading the second pitch of the Wind Tower.

My friend Tom leading the second pitch of the Wind Tower.

My friend Anthony belaying Tom on the first pitch of Star Wars.

My friend Anthony belaying Tom on the first pitch of Star Wars.

Tom lead climbing the first pitch of Star Wars.

Tom lead climbing the first pitch of Star Wars.

Gearing up for a lead of Swanson's Arete on Redgarden Wall, the tallest wall in the park.

Gearing up for a lead of Swanson’s Arete on Redgarden Wall, the tallest wall in the park.

Some other climbers climbing a route on Redgarden wall.

Some other climbers climbing a route on Redgarden wall.

The final pitch of Swanson's Arete about 500ft above the ground where we started.

The final pitch of Swanson’s Arete about 500ft above the ground where we started.

Climbers next to us on the route Icarus.

Climbers next to us on the route Icarus.

The view from the top of Swanson's Arete. On of the best views of Boulder, Denver and the Great Plains.

The view from the top of Swanson’s Arete. On of the best views of Boulder, Denver and the Great Plains.