• You are currently browsing the archives for the Adventure travels category.

    • North­ Americas top10 mos­t dangerou­s cave div­ing sites

    Diving in caves is often regarded as a major sport. It is enthralling and dreadful at the same time. So, while go through this article and get influenced by it, you have to make sure that your safety lies in your hands and the way you jump off the cliff to the dark deepness of the cave.

    10. Cenote Esqueleto /Temple of Doom

    Situated in Mexico, in the outskirts of Tulum, we will find this exotic cave which is having a depth of 6- feet. The cave happens to be a nest of multilevel caves on the top of which we have mixture of boulders, pale looking white limestones and stalactites. The water situated at the bottom of the cave is an amalgam of salt and fresh water.

    9. Henley’s Castle diving site at Peacock III

    Peacock III is situated in Florida. The cave is steep and its depth ranged to 185 feet. Solo diving is a big no over here. The walls of the cave is been infested by silt which makes the cave inky black. The Peacock III cave system is a bit different from rest of the caves as the water over here flows in instead of out, which resultantly diminishes the visibility of the cave.

    8. Challenge sink

    Challenge sink is a cave system which is situated opposite to the Peacock springs system. The Upstream challenge will lead you to another cave system named as Orange Glove while doing the opposite, which is the Downstream challenge, it will lead you to the Olsen. A word of caution which floats through the caves for adventure junkies is, take utmost caution while climbing in or out of the cave. The entry of the cave is having winding tunnels which makes the entire cave system ever more complex.

    7. Orange Grove

    The cave system is a part of the ever large Peacock spring park, situated in the north of Suwannee River east of Luraville, Florida. The biggest attraction of this cave system is its honeycombed passageways, which are a real treat to the eyes. Visibility, sometimes, may become an issue if the water is invaded by algae, which makes the spring solid green. Under such conditions of no visibility, it is not recommended to enter the caves and pursue your adventure riddled endeavors.  The cave is 180 feet which also includes the ‘Lower Orange Grove’. The cave system has less flow of water until it gets intersected with the Distance Tunnel which happens to be 800 feet downstream.

    6. Devil’s Eye/Ear

    The cave system is located in the Santa Fe River in the Ginnie Springs resort complex. It is a real treat for spelunkers since it contains of a 30,000 feet of mapped passageways, it is advisable for you to procure a map of the caves before exploring the cave if you don’t want to get lost in the magnificent creation of God & nature.

    There happens to be a breakdown restriction in the cave system at about 200 feet from the entrance of the Devil’s Eye which is known as ‘the lips’, the current over here is strong.  Devil’s Eye is a spring which is circular in shape and has depths of 15 feet at the bottom of the spring. The cave’s entrance begins at the bottom of the spring and goes to several thousand feet in the cave’s passage way.

    5. Thunder Hole

     It is situated in North Florida, an offset sink from the Withlacoochee River. The depth of the cave is nearly 460 feet. There’s a well in the Thunder Hole cave system which is known by the name of Thunder Hole Well which is around 500 ft. The cave is infested by less visibility. The cave system is situated on a private property so a prior permission by the property owner has to be solicited by the cavers.

    4. Conch Sound diving site

    The cave system is located in Andros, Bahamas. The depth of the cave is 90 feet, and when you dive and reach a depth of 25 feet then you can notice a beautiful mix of fresh and salt water, or halocline which makes the entire look of the cave and the water body situated at the bottom of it, ever more wonderful and picturesque. The hazards which are been associated with the diving site is you have to watch from blow and suck in the cave which will compel you to take a dive. The blow happens when you pump out cold subterranean water which may be milky with hydrogen sulfide and algae and suck happens when water will be crystal clear and sucks the surrounding sea water.

    3. Diepolder II or III

    The cave is located in the Sand Hill Boy Scout Camp on Highway 50 between Weeki Wachee Springs and Brookville. The depth is in the mids of 300-600 feeet. The danger involved is that the visibility, which happens to be high in the beginning, steeps at low levels when you are in the midst of 60-80 ft. It is the deepest cave in the entire continental US. The Diepolder are an integration of two separate caves. Tours guided by an authorized guide is mandatory to get a glimpse and make your adrenaline rush in the cave.

    2. Eagle’s Nest Sinkhole

    The cave is situated in the Weeki Wachi Florida, USA. It is 315 m deep. Considering the depth of the cave it is only meant for those people who have an old hand. It is one of the most awe-inspiring underwater cave systems of the world. It happens to be a a challenging endeavor for cave divers.

    1. Aussie’s Black Holes

    Last but not the least, the stuff, which tops our list is Aussie’s Black Holes, which is situated in Andros, Bahamas. And stands 2000 ft. deep, the risk which penetrates in the aforementioned cave system is there is, in some parts of the cave, deep enough, zero oxygen levels and high hydrogen sulphide levels. The cave when explored to its depths has low pH reading which insinuates acidin environment. The cave system of Aussie’s black hole happens to be a vertical cave system. Some scientist has also discovered new species of bacteria in the cave system.

    Written on February 16th, 2012 , Adventure travels
    Top Adventurous and Budget Travel Destinations for 2012

    The recent hike in airfares and the general dip in economy of many countries has prompted travelers to look for best value destination also known as adventurous and budget travel destinations. Most of these adventurous and budget destinations which we have voted for are either family friendly favorites or otherwise posh places which have suddenly become very affordable. We have also included a couple of places which have always attracted a large number of tourists, but never got the ‘reputation’ it deserved.

    1. Thailand

    This is an all time favorite adventurous place for the budget travelers. The country boasts of great beaches, excellent food and exceptional cuisine coupled with world class services. The main contributing factors for its overall popularity is the weak Baht, well established hotel network and the introduction of low cost airlines. You can complete an eight nights trip of the country within $950 that includes flights, transfers and 3 star accommodation.

     

     

    2. The Caribbeans

    Cruising is often regarded as a good option for those who are traveling on an adventurous and budget. The headline price will look a bit expensive but usually the price of food, drinks and entertainment will be included in the advertised rates. When you book a Caribbean cruise you can visit a number of idyllic destinations with no worries of transport and accommodation as they are all arranged in advance. The Caribbean cruises are fantastic value for money.

     

    3. Bulgaria

    Bulgaria is one of the cheapest destinations for people on a shoestring budget. The month of March is the best time to visit the country as there will be less snow and the resorts offer good value for money. There are many places in Bulgaria which are excellent for skiing; so if you are of the adventurous type you can have a splendid holiday in this East European country. For these adventurous thing we suggest you to take safety certification. You can get it easily, just go for ATV safety course for certification .

     

     

     

    4. Lisbon

    The Portuguese capital is known for its great combination of hills, heritage and remarkable coastline. Lisbon is one of the most affordable places of Europe but there is one word of caution. Although accommodation and eating out is cheap in this city, the cost of flights is a major deterrent. So you need to plan well ahead to get a good bargain on flights.

    This list is not an exhaustive one but only acts as an indication to the best adventurous and budget destinations for the year. There are many other places which deserve special mention such as Normandy, Brittany and Dorset. 

    Written on February 14th, 2012 , Adventure travels Tags: , , , , ,
    Katsusuke Yanagisawa breaks world record by climbing Mt. Everest at 71

    Mt. Everest at 29,028 feet is also known as Sagarmatha or Quomolungma by the people who live at it’s foothills. Throughout the world, climbers have tried to set different records on this mountain. However, many have died trying to climb it. Recently, Katsusuke Yanagisawa (a Japanese teacher and climber aged 71,) climbed to the rooftop of the world, and he has become the oldest Japanese man to climb this particular mountain Yanagisawa broke the records set by another Japanese men:Yuichiro Miura as well as that of Takao Arayama. Both of these men, climbed this mountina at 70 years of age. According to the book of world records, Miura was the oldest man to climb Mt.Everest at 70 years, who topped out on May 22nd, 2003. However, after Yanagisawa’s successful climb to the top and safe return to basecamp, he became the oldest Japanese man to climb Mt.Everest. I think the Japanese are great explorers. They have not only climbed Mt.Everest but also, Mt.Mckinley and various other high peaks throughout the world. On Mt. Mckinley(North America’s highest peak), there are several routes with Japanese variations. This shows that they are very much into mountain climbing. Every year, there’s at least one Japanese expedition to Mt.Everest. As for Yanagisawa, this was a great achievement. At his age, mountain climbing gets a lot harder. High altitude sickness mostly gets to the younger people and the older ones. Ideally, you should be above 25 and below 55 (at least) with a great physique to climb this mountain. This way Acute Mountain Sickness or the thin air of Mt. Everest doesn’t get to you. However, Yanagisawa turned out to be a lucky guy, and everything worked out. He made it look easy. Yanagisawa mentions: I was pretty much at ease mentally at the summit, like I could sing a song Mountain climbing is the king of sports. Anything can happen anytime. One can die of avalanches, crevasse falls, getting lost in whiteout condition or simply if an old rope gets chopped up by rock fall. Irrespective of this, Yanagisawa had everything working to his favor and he has become the oldest Japanese man to climb Mt.Everest at 71 on the auspicious day of May 22nd. It seems like all the Japanese climbers summit on this day.

    Written on February 6th, 2012 , Adventure travels Tags: , , , ,
    You can’t afford to miss the thrills of super speedy Australian Safari!

    If you are planning to visit Australia this summer then, I would suggest you not to miss the internationally-renowned Australian Safari. It is Australia’s ultimate off-road adventure with competitors, on both four and two wheels, traveling over 5000 KM of grueling outback terrain over nine exciting day. The event is commonly referred to as Australia’s version of Paris to Dakar. To mark the 20th anniversary of the Australian Safari, the event will explore the vast expanses of Western Australia. With its incredibly diverse landscapes, Western Australia will, for the first time, provide the Australian Safari with an unrivaled backdrop and an off-road rally course that will rank amongst the most spectacular in the world. The competitors will take in landmarks such as the Kimberleys, Cable Beach, 80-Mile Beach, Marble Bar and Karijini National Park during the ride. Andrew Cowan, Daryl Beattie, Heinz Kinigadner, Alfie Cox and Jutta Kleinschmidt are the famous drivers that have previously competed in the race. When: The event starts on August 24 and finishes on September 1. Location: The event continues from Kununurra and the Kimberley’s through regional centres such as Fitzroy Crossing, Broome, Port Hedland, Newman, Meekatharra, Leonora, Kalgoorlie and York. It culminates with a stunning finale in the state’s capital city of Perth. Image Source: Just The Flight

    Written on February 6th, 2012 , Adventure travels Tags: , , ,
    Your next adventure: High five

    Have worked hard your entire life for some great adventures? Thinking about what can you do with your savings and where? Here’s some options for you. You can do the following five and then some:  Have fun with the party on wheels: Thinking what this is? This is basically a bunch of musicians trying to hit the big party at the Lake of Stars festival. The musicians will be mostly playing South and East African music. The musicians play during their journey to the destination. I think this can be an unique experience. The festival basically does a lot of charity and promotes Malawian music. So, if you are up for some great tunes do check out the Lake of Stars festival. However, you might find yourself 1000 pounds (cost) sterling short after this adventure.  Next up, is the London-Sydney(Australia) adventure:: Instead of a single 24 hour flight you can stop by 24 countries in 12 weeks. How exciting? This way you learn a lot. How expensive is this option? Try 4100 pounds total. * Yet another exciting lifetime opportunity is a 950 Km bike route in the Tien Shan mountains of Khazakstan which will let you pass a high altitude mountain pass. This will take you about a month (25 days) and 1,795 pounds.  You can go on small group trips throughout US which will take you through about 11 National Parks  The last option will take you to the mountains of Nepal. If you are wondering what to do with the cash and the physical strength , try the Everest Base Camp and around Annapurna trip. Being a climber myself, this would be the most ideal trip for me. Although, the hike can be physically demanding. As you walk into thin air of the Himalayas, you might find yourself short on breadth and feeling low with the Kumbhu cough. So, if you are ready for the next big adventure, think about these ideas and see which is more appealing to you. Make sure you make the right decision. It’s your cash & your adventure. Source Link: Guardian UK Image Links: Lake of stars aboutxinjian uniquetreks

    Written on February 6th, 2012 , Adventure travels Tags: , , , , , ,
    Barrington Irving completes the round-the-world tour, claims to be the youngest solo flyer

    Barrington Irving, a 23-year-old aerospace student has completed his three-month trip around the world on Wednesday. He built his plane from more than $300,000 in donated parts and started his journey from Miami-area city on March 23, 2007. Florida, Cleveland, New York, Canada, Atlantic, Europe, Middle East, Asia, and Alaska were the places where Irving flew. Before arriving in Houston last week, he stopped in Seattle and Denver. Barrington Irving circled the Opa Locka airport and flew low along the runway for the crowd before he landed his plane. Irving is a Florida Memorial University student and is the founder of Experience Aviation, which is an organization to encourage other minority youths to get interested in the field. He has also earned private, commercial pilots licenses. Irving claims has made him the first black person as well as the youngest person to complete the journey alone. However, EarthRounders.com, a website lists 255 journeys, including 82 solo trips since 1929. According to the records, trips were undertaken in far less time than Irving has, and even by younger pilots, though they were not flying solo No doubt, Irving’s endeavor is praiseworthy but it is still unclear how his claim to be the youngest person to complete the solo tour around the world would be validated. Image Source: USA Today

    Written on February 5th, 2012 , Adventure travels Tags: , , , ,
    Minding the p’s and q’s will make you a happy camper

    You have been sitting at the desk all week long and just swamped with work. Finally it’s time for you to enjoy the scenic outdoors with your special person when the party crashers pitch their tent right next door. They break the peace and quietness by blasting their stereos and being loud and obnoxious. How would you feel? So next time please be considerate for others and the Environment while camping. First, make sure you don’t litter in the woods. Please keep the wilderness pristine. So, pack in and pack out. Follow the ‘Leave No Trace’ principles. As someone once rightly mentioned: Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures Second, when using the National parks restroom try to keep it as clean as possible. This is probably the most disgusting topic but, there’s always that one person who always throws trash right down the toilet and clogs it up. Third, if using the pit for camp fire, please make sure you douse the flames off in the morning. As the happy camper would say “Drown it! Feel it! Stir it!” This is the key to the camp fire. I remember on my last camping trip we made sure that there was not even one single burning flame in the pit before we left the campground. Fourth, in bear country like Yellowstone, make sure you pack your food and beverages in a separate beer proof container and keep it away from the tent. It should be more than 15 feet off the deck(ground). This is just to keep it out of reach from bears. Otherwise you might find the bear family or other animals sniffing around your tent for food. So, next time you go out in the wilderness, please abide by these suggestions. This will help you have a fun camping trip and make your trip more pleasant. If you do it right, you will see others cooperating with you as well in the wilderness. Image Links: Duboiswyoming and Naturpur Source Link: MSNBC

    Written on February 5th, 2012 , Adventure travels Tags: , , , , ,
    Need for speed: Shaun Baker fits jet ski engines on freestyle kayak

    What are those two little things sticking out in the picture above? They nothing other than twin tubes of an engine fitted kayak. Waterfall kayaking is no longer going to be a quiet game. From now on you can steer jet powered kayaks. Shaun Baker proved this recently during a race. A waterfall kayak race was held in the Iceberg Lake. Here the glacier melt runs off to the lagoon. The race course was just two miles from one end of the Lake to the bridge. World record holder Baker came up with the unique idea of custom fitted engines on the boat. Along with his buddies he fitted a 6 foot long kayak with a 45 horsepower engine. The engine was a Yamaha jet ski engine. Baker also tried this baby out in the Waimakariri River Gorge of Newzealand. Once the engine was turned on, all he knew was that he was skipping across the water like a stone. After the tests were done, it seems like the jet ski engine fitted kayak is faster than a speedboat. This is really amazing. However, I can understand this fact. I think part of it is because of the engine they used and part of the speed is due to the compactness of the kayak itself. Baker has set a speed record of 35 mph Image Links: Popsci

    Written on February 5th, 2012 , Adventure travels Tags: , , , , ,
    Quench your thirst for thrill in New Zealand!

    Image Credit New Zealand is just the right place for those who have thirst for thrills and adventure. The activities out here are wide ranging, from some of the world’s best skiing, heli-skiing and snowboarding, to adventure activities such as bungee jumping, flybywire, dam dropping and zorbing. The Kawarau Bridge Bungee: Some people call it crazy, but enough find it exciting. The Kawarau Bridge Bungee is the first commercial bungee site in the world. Located a few miles outside Queenstown, it is set in a picturesque valley overlooking the Kawarau River. It’s the only bungee where you can choose to bob above the water, touch it or be fully immersed. No trip to Queenstown in New Zealand would be complete without at least considering a bungee jump! FlyByWire Flybywire: With a top recorded speed of over 170 kph, FlyByWire is said to be the fastest adventure flight in the world. FlyByWire is a self-drive flying machine which is built of premium grade aircraft material using state-of-the-art design and manufacturing techniques and is powered by a 60 hp aircraft engine. You experience a force of three G’s to weightlessness within a three second interval as it accelerates you. Image Credit The machine is suspended from an overhead cable system, which allows it to fly in circles within a spectacular steep-sided canyon. The flight lasts 6 minutes. Dam Dropping: Dam Dropping is a form of river surfing, commonly know as river sledging. Through some of New Zealand’s most picturesque river scenery, down the Waingongoro River, under the shadow of Mount Taranaki in New Plymouth, it’s an experience of a lifetime. Zorbing: Ever wondered what it would feel like to get inside your washing machine on a spin cycle? Try Zorbing! New Zealand offers the opportunity to have a go at zorbing which is a unique, exciting, downhill, adventure experience. It can be enjoyed by people of all ages who don’t mind being strapped inside an enormous clear plastic, air-cushioned ball. Image Credit As all the violent bouncing is absorbed by the bigger outer transparent ball, you are quite secure inside the inner capsule. As the ball rolls down a long grass-covered slope, you spin around in a virtual anti-gravity form of weightlessness like an intoxicated space traveler. Liquid-zorbing is a more recent development of this zany downhill roller coaster ride. Two or three buckets of water are added to the mix and you remain unattached to the inner ball like a loose cannon tumbling out of control. Grab the chance to zorb, wet or dry! Source: MSNBC

    Written on February 4th, 2012 , Adventure travels Tags: , , , , ,
    Gordon Pugh becomes the first man to swim North Pole

    Can you even imagine how it would feel like to swim in water that is -1.8 degrees Celsius (28.75 degrees Fahrenheit)? An average human would probably freeze to death in under four minutes in waters this cold but a British adventurer and swimmer Lewis Gordon Pugh had the courage to swim in the icy waters of the North Pole. With the aim of raising the awareness of how global warming is affecting the polar ice cap, Pugh undertook this task and has become the first person to swim in the icy waters of the North Pole. He took 18 minutes and 50 seconds to swim one kilometer in waters created by melted sea ice at the coldest temperatures a human has swum in. This isn’t the first time he’s accomplished some the amazing feats. He is the first person to swim 1km in the Antarctic Ocean, and he holds over 20 swimming endurance records, including swimming the whole length of the Thames River, the first to swim the length of the world’s longest fjord and first to swim round the most northerly point of Europe. Pugh suffered unbearable pain throughout the journey and even made up his mind to quit on few occasions. No, doubt it was the hardest swim of Pugh’s life but he undertook the task courageously and succeeded. He hopes that his swim would inspire world leaders to take the climate change seriously. Source: Daily Mail

    Written on February 4th, 2012 , Adventure travels Tags: , , ,
    << Older Entries
    Adventure Blog

    Adventure Travel