Adventure Blog

Riding a wild volcano in Nicaragua

admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 14:57:00 +0000

Nicaragua offers the world’s only volcano boarding, and the volcano is active, hoping the board to feel the heat sure is a hot adventure. Cos you never know when the volcano will go active! Location: Bigfoot Hostel, Cerro Negra, Nicaragua, Central America Duration: 4 1/2 hours round-trip Equipment: Overalls, boards and goggles provided Rates: $23 per person Darryn Webb 29-year-old former tour guide has spent two years perfecting his "volcano boarding" on Cerro Negro, an ominous looking active volcano located about 45 minutes from Leon, Nicaragua. He runs this hair-raising activity from his popular Bigfoot Hostel in central Leon. 13 volcanoes, including Cerro Negra, a cone of blackened rock that usually erupts every seven years, surround the colonial Nicaraguan town. Perfect, it turns out, for tourists to hold onto a board and slide down its 40-degree sandy slope, reaching speeds of 25 m.p.h. Boarders can choose between a fast new board, and a slower board that has been used once before. They are also provided with orange overalls and goggles, which helps avoid cuts and abrasions should you fall speeding from zero to 40 km/h in eight seconds. On the climb up the side of this black mountain, the scenery is breathtaking. Webb guides the boarders up the volcano, taking pride in his present home the Australian explains the flora, local history and a few facts about volcanoes.

Human Ear mechanics to power space travel

admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 14:57:00 +0000

The human body a gift of god still holds mysteries which are being unraveled one at a time. Human Ear mechanics is the technology that NASA is hoping to garner information from. It is experimenting with a substance found in the human ear that could be used to power space exploration. The outer hair cells in the human ear, uses the natural electrical force all humans generate to move hairs and amplify sound. This is made possible by a protein called prestin that coats these hair. Although each prestin protein can only produce tiny amounts of electricity, researchers hope to meld large numbers and build "power skins" so that astronauts could generate their own electrical power. A research group at bioelectic technology firm IntAct Labs has found a way to reverse the protein so that movement can be used to generate electrical power. However, prestin can also work in reverse, producing electrical charges in response to mechanical stresses, such as tiny vibrations. Each protein is only capable of making nanowatts of electricity, but Matthew Silver and Kranthi Vistakula, both of IntAct Labs, believe that many proteins used together may be able to power small devices or help charge a battery. Since these skins will be made from biological substance, if damaged they will be able to regenerate. Providing enough electricity to run a ship and its spacesuit systems is a major impediment to space travel and exploration. These self healing suits might just be a boon for space travel.

In Photos: Backcountry Skiing at its best

admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 14:56:00 +0000

Location: Teton Pass Right off of Wyoming’s Highway 22 lies Teton Pass, one of the nation’s best stashes of backcountry skiing. Wyoming’s Teton Pass just may be your answer to the best of backcountry skiing. Photographer and West Coast Editor Steve Casimiro give us pictures of this unrestricted powder playground.

Personal Space suit ready for billionaire space tourist

admin — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:56:00 +0000

Charles Simonyi, 58, a Hungarian-born billionaire software engineer, is ready for space travel with his new Russian-built Sokol spacesuit. A necessary item for his planned April 7, 2007 launch toward the international space station, aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft. Simonyi left Hungary at 17, roughly a decade after the Soviet Union launched the Space Age by sending Sputnik, the first man-made satellite, into orbit. He came to the United States to study engineering and computer science, and went on to help develop two of the world’s most popular software applications, Microsoft Corp.’s Word and Excel. He said: I have to say that my hopes are more than fulfilled, both in terms of the training and in terms of what I can communicate He has paid more than $20 million for the trip with Russian Federal Space Agency by the Virginia-based firm Space Adventures. He will become the fifth paying visitor to the ISS when he launches aboard a Russian-built Soyuz TMA-10 spacecraft with two professional cosmonauts , part of the station’s Expedition 15 crew on 10-day spaceflight to the orbital laboratory. Space Adventures sure is giving some heavy competition to Virgin Galactic in its run for space travel.

Thrill at climbing walls at the Rock Climbing gym

admin — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:55:00 +0000

Don’t have the time to go to far-flung places for rock climbing? Why not try the nearest Rock Climbing gym. Gym climbing is safer, easier and more fun than you probably think. It’s a great activity that’s sociable and not weather dependent. It’s perfect for kids, and a great way to put a little adventure in your workouts. Green Mountain Rock Climbing Center is a perfect alternative. The safe non-intimidating environment gym can help you become pros and scale new adventures in the wild. The climbing walls at the gym stand 25′ tall and have 30 rope stations spread over 8,000 square feet of climbing. The surfaces are brilliantly painted with murals ranging from desert sandstone, to Yosemite National Park. Whenever a person is on a climb, they are roped in and belayed with a gadget called a "grigri" that automatically prevents the rope from slipping. Peel off the wall and you hang like a spider on a thread. Falling in the gym is part of the fun. Operating hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 2-9 Friday 2-10 Saturday 10-6 Sunday 12-5 Fee: you could go in for a daily pass or monthly memberships. Daily pass: Adults along with rentals are charged$15.00, Kids 6-12 w/ Rentals $12.00, Kids under 5 w/ Rentals $6.00 Monthly member ship: This will give you free Rentals, 10% Discount on new Equipment, Climber improvement clinics, and Unlimited use of the Climbing Center. Rates range from $60 for one month to $250.00 for one year. So go fill up your lazy winter days with a little bit of activity

Can Extreme Skiing be safe?

admin — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:55:00 +0000

Not really, but enjoying skiing and not taking foolhardy risks can be accomplished. Teenagers hooked on extreme winter sports, are often influenced by compelling online video’s : skiers who trigger avalanches and then race to outrun them, often tumbling dramatically down a steep mountain slope as a wall of snow and ice roars down behind them. Snowboarders who drop down steep cliffs and then carve through pristine powder snow at breakneck speeds. Addiction to extreme adventure is very strong. To stop youngsters from doing these sports is not possible but by making them aware of the danger, they are likely to get a sense of precaution. Young skiers and snowboarders need to understand the real-life risks. Stethem said in an interview from his home in the Rocky Mountain town of Canmore. Young people are a hard audience to crack, and turning to the Internet may be one of the most effective ways to convince them that carrying avalanche probes, beacons and equipment is not only necessary, it’s cool Canadian Avalanche Foundation is developing a web-based test project that would show the safety measures and preparation that go into making those extreme winter sports films and videos. This will be a great means to educate youngsters about the tools necessary in terms of pushing one’s limits, while skiing or snowboarding in the backcountry, to take risks intelligently.

Japanese slopes: The latest cool spot for skiing

admin — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:54:00 +0000

Japanese mountain villages like Niseko are cashing in on their fabulous snow, high-tech infrastructure and reasonable prices to thrive as snowbound boom towns. Certifying its winter sports pedigree, Japan has twice hosted the Winter Olympics and offers some 620 ski resorts. While the country lacks the high peaks of Europe or North America (Mount Fuji is the tallest mountain at only 12,385-feet) it has no shortage of good snow. Niseko : Located on Japan’s northernmost island of Hokkaido at a latitude of Siberia, Niseko is routinely buffeted by sub-Arctic winds that storm across the icy Sea of Japan and drape the countryside in snow. Niseko’s main draw is its consistent blankets of deep, dry powder, averaging 45 feet a year. It remains open until the first week of May. In Niseko alone, the number of visitors from mainland Asia rose fivefold to 13,000 from 2001 to 2005, and the ranks of Australians descending on its sister town of Hirafu exploded from barely 200 to 7,600. In 2005, the number of South Korean skiers landing in Japan tripled to 15,000 from the year before. Hirafu showcases the skiing culture of japan. English permeates everything from restaurant menus and bus schedules to ski classes. Meanwhile, an adult one-day ski pass to Mount An’nupuri’s 61 runs, 38 lifts and 29 miles of groomed slopes costs $42. Today japan offers a world-class skiing resorts and a bonus is a unique cultural experience when you come here for skiing.

Primed for the ‘Balloons over Waikato’ fest in New Zealand

admin — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:54:00 +0000

In the picturesque setting of New Zealand, Waikato region, the Balloons over Waikato, an annual hot air ballooning festival is held. Ballons like the Pumpkinhead, Off The Wall, Aero Nut and Hazel Nut are all set to steal the colorful show to be held next month. The Waikato River, is New Zealand’s longest river, it flows through the middle of lush farmland and bush-clad hills. It’s next to the bank of this river, around the city of Hamilton, in north island, New Zealand that one can find the Waikato region. The region abounds with natural harbors, gently undulating topography and perfect climes. Main Venue: Innes Common, Hamilton Lake, Hamilton, New Zealand Duration of the Festival: 10th April to 15th April, 2007 However ballooning is a weather dependant sporting event thereby making the program subject to weather change. What’s new this year? Hare and Hounds race as part of the OnGas Dawn Patrol, to be held on Thursday, April 12. Balloons will be lifting off in the dark to light up the sky before dawn. First 2000 people get breakfast free and a great view. Mass Ascension will open the festival on Wednesday, April 11, with the balloons leaving from Innes Common, this generally takes place early morning. On the second day, the balloons will take part in the Mighty River Power Balloons on Tour which will see them visit neighbouring towns including Huntly, Cambridge, Tokoroa and Taupo for an afternoon display. On the Friday night, Hamilton Party Hire’s Balloomin Madness Street Parade will be held on Victoria St, Hamilton, followed by a cash-grab on the Saturday morning. Balloonists from all over New Zealand and around the world, will come to experience the fun, friendship and warmth this balloon friendly city provides and to demonstrate their skills in a range of competitive activities. Are you going to be one of them?

Rafting the Sungai Kampar in Perak in Malaysia

admin — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:53:00 +0000

Although native groups in Sabah have been using rafts for centuries, white water rafting has only been a popular recreational and tourist activity in Malaysia since the 1980s. Location: Gopeng, Perak. About 90 minutes from Kuala Lumpur Grade of Rapids: I- III Operators of tours: Tracks adventures A trip on the river takes about half a day. It’s a beautiful river forest with cool clear water. The water is mainly shallow with pools next to the rapids. Raft trips are done twice a day and last about 2 hours. This roller-coaster ride down the 14 rapids of Sungai Kampar in Gopeng, Perak is sure shot fun for a big group of people. It is a tributary of Sungai Kampar and sometimes spelt ‘Sungai Itek’ on maps. It’s a beautiful trip to take with family and kids.

Awsome beauty and death-defying run down Mont Blanc

admin — Mon, 14 May 2012 14:53:00 +0000

Death-defying run down Mont Blanc famed Vallee Blanche has stunning views and yawning crevasses. It is one of Europe’s longest ski which runs at 13 miles. There are treacherously hidden crevasses, which are known to swallow skiers whole. It’s not an expert terrain, but you need to be in total control. The glaciers also are lined with spiked seracs ice pillars that can break off with deadly speed and rapidity. You can take a dip into the 4-mile ribbon of ice known as the Mer de Glace, Sea of Ice for the home stretch. For those who don’t relish risking life and climb to see the Mer de Glace, a little red train chugs its way up the mountain from Montenvers. You can’t afford to miss: 1. After the intensity of Vallee Blanche you can go to Le Tour a quiet, sunny and scenic place good for relaxing. 2. La Cremerie du Glacier is a rustic two-room cabin in the woods where locals jam the dozen wooden tables to savor croutes grilled bread dripping with cream and cheese. 3. Argentiere, five miles up the valley from Chamonix is a quiet mountain hamlet: Shops laden with Savoyarde sausages line the two-lane road through town, flanked by family-run ski shops, brasseries and hotels with fading painted facades. 4. La Flambee and Le Dahu are two traditional French standbys, rich with aroma of fondue, racelette and tartiflette a hearty casserole of cheese, potatoes, garlic and bacon. 5. Chez Anais, a gem of Argentiere is an unassuming restaurant up the road from the Hotel Montana where the food is simple but delicious, and the service warm and friendly rare in a ski town that takes thousands of visitors daily during the winter. Mont Blanc is a place with awesome beauty and loads of adventure.