Category Archives: Adventures

World Renowned Hikes in Utah

Have you ever seen stunning pictures in National Geographic and wished you could visit those far away fairy tale lands? Well if you are anywhere in North America you need not to wish for some vacation that would cost you all of your life savings. Utah has some of the most stunning locations in the world and the hikes take you right into the heart of these incredible landscapes. Here are some of the most well known and worth while hikes.

Angels Landing

This incredible hike has stunning views, terrifying cliffs, and some of the most incredible hiking known to man. It is located in Zion National Park and is a short 5 miles. That isn’t to say that it isn’t rather difficult, as the vertical climb is about 1500 feet, but the overall distance keeps it from being overly strenuous. The Angels Landing hike starts at the Groto Picnic area. Hikers cross the Virgin River and follow the West Rim Trail towards and them up a rather large cliff face.

Once the switchbacks have been climbed there is a nice one mile stretch through Refrigerator Canyon. This tall and thin canyon stays in the shade all day except at noon, so temperatures are refreshing. To climb out of the canyon another set a switchbacks needs to be climbed, that then lead to Scout Lookout. The views are incredible and at this point hikers split away from the West Rim trail and traverse the narrow Angels Landing trail to the final point. This portion of the trail can be dangerous if one does not hold to the chains and follow safety precautions. Everyone who hikes it confirms that it looks far more dangerous and scary than it really is, and that the views at the end are totally worth the fear factor. These views and this portion of the trail are what makes it world renowned, and so highly recommended.

Delicate Arch

This hike leads to one of the most world famous arches in existence. Located in Arches National Park you can view the arch just 100 yards from the asphalt. Some people enjoy this view, as they have many other things planned and little time to complete their vacation to do list, but with the hike being just over 1 mile each way this is a hike that is a no brainer.

Photographers and artists love to visit this location as their perceptions and abilities to portray the arch can lead one to see many different angles and visions of its beauty. Keep in mind that spring and fall are the best times to make the trek due to the heat of summer and the chance of uncomfortably cold weather in the winter. Don’t forget to see the Native American rock art that is just to the side of the trail head.

Calf Creek Falls

Calf Creek Falls is the major feature of the BLM’s Calf Creek Recreation Area. The trail meanders through cliff faces streaked with color from run off rich with minerals. Beaver damns litter the creek and fill its winding bends with small ponds. Additional beauty is found throughout the canyon with many Native American rock art features.

The trial has a round-trip distance of 5 1/2 miles. This is an easy stroll as there is little elevation gain, but most of the trail is covered in sand. This makes it a little more difficult than your average walk in the park. Do keep in mind that the summer months can get especially hot, and if you decide to brave the weather keep lots of drinking water on hand. There is a pool at the base of the falls that many hikers take a dip in before their return hike, making it well worth the summer trip.

Visiting any of these three hikes is well worth the time and the trip. There are many more hikes and places to visit within Utah that hold a status of world fame, just take some time to research a few more activities to create the vacation of a life time.

Health Risks Of Adventure Sports

The popularity and appeal of adventure sports or extreme sports is on the rise, worldwide. Kayaking, skiing, rock climbing, cliff diving, trebuchet, mountaineering, snowboarding, ski boarding (snowblading),water rafting, base jumping, downhill mountain biking, bungee jumping are alluring the teenagers and  the young adults. They crave for the ‘adrenaline rush’ and excitement derived from such sports and do not hesitate to jeopardize their lives by indulging in adventure sports.

These sports are associated with high causalities or fatalities and risk is intricately woven into the very element of extreme sports. Despite having claimed thousands of young lives, they continue to attract individuals, who are drawn to such sports like powerful magnets.

Snow sports are obviously hot during the winter season, and are thus the charm of places with long winters like Scotland, Canada, Russia etc. Skiing dangers abound. One strange danger is the ‘tree-well’ deaths or NARSID, snow immersion deaths that are not related to avalanche, occurs when the victim falls in the deep pitted area near a snow-laden tree are common. When the victim tries to rise or extricate it results in more deposition of snow over them and they die from hypothermia and asphyxia.

Inside a tree well it is difficult for someone to be able to see or hear you, so the chances of rescue are very remote. Falls and collision with static objects like trees or other persons coming in the way account for a lot of fatalities and wearing a helmet may prevent this to a large extent.

One third of ski injuries involve the knee joint, affecting either the anterior cruciate ligament, medial collateral ligament or the meniscus. There may be ligament tears or lower leg fractures that may require knee replacement surgery. Other common sites of injury are the head or the skull, thumb, and shoulder joint.

Snowboarding has an altogether different injury profile. Here, upper limb fractures predominate due to falls with outstretched hands. According to Dr. Gorger, at Deadwood Regional Hospital, broken collar bones, dislocated shoulders, and wrist fractures are quite common in snowboarding. The incidence is quite high in children and novice boarders due to not wearing protective gear such as wrist guards that protect the person from wrist injury.

In this regards I would like cite my own example- last winter I visited my cousin in Scotland who is sports savvy. She took me along with her for snowboarding and taught me for the first time; she herself was self-taught. I ended up fracturing the talus bone of my ankle, and injury commonly known as “snowboarder’s ankle”. I learned an important lesson, not to gamble with your safety and health, and seek professional training or instruction before going for adventure sports.

Thrill Seekers 

The thrill seekers who are fanatic about the stimulation and boost they get from such sports are not just daredevils, but very often they are our best scientists, surgeons, CEO’s, inventors and explorers. For example Dr. Kenneth Kalmer, a New York based renowned surgeon of international acclaim, and one of the finest surgeons of America, is a high altitude mountaineer. He is well aware of the health risks associated with it, but feels that it makes the society more vibrant and progressive. He says that the predisposition to take risk is not new; it is hardwired into our core, our evolutionary makeup since times immemorial. Man took risks in order to survive.

He feels that sportsmen linked to adventure sports are adroit and highly skilled, trained athletes, who are safety conscious, disciplined and can take care of themselves in high risk zones. He feels if adventure sports are practised in the right way with all the safety measures they significantly contribute in the development of our evolving and diverse society. But on the other hand, in an attempt to seek name and fame, perhaps to attract the attention of media, too many of them neglect the safety protocols, inviting troubles.

Some Other Problems

Nowadays, to fulfill the innate need of exhilaration, some people resort to other activities, having potentially greater social, personal and economic risks than adventure sports. For example, they may turn to addictions like gambling, sex, drinking, smoking or taking narcotics, to get the ‘high’ or surge of adrenaline, the same feeling or euphoria that they get from adventure sports due adrenaline surge.

Sitting for long hours to play video games or computer games is a leading cause of postural problems, obesity and other lifestyle diseases, but if one participates in such sports they will never fall prey to such lifestyle disorders. Challenging outdoor activities, even adventure sports are better outlets than these addictions according to Dr. Peter Katzmarzyk , who is linked with Canadian Heart Foundation. So, if practised in a proper way with all the safety protocols adventure sports are actually a boon in disguise. So, if you follow your sport’s guidelines and are trained, the risks are greatly reduced.

Author: Hi! I’m Rit, a causal writer at nutrition website FreshBeetle. I am fond of exploring every possible aspect in life that involved improving your health. I’ll be happy to see you from time to time on our site – FreshBeetle. 😉

Why You Should Get Yourself Checked Up First Before Scuba Diving

Going scuba diving for the first time is definitely something to look forward to. You’ve seen all those gorgeous underwater pictures in travel blogs, and you can’t wait to transport into that other-worldly place yourself.

Of course,it’s not just about putting on the wet suit and turning on that oxygen tank. You will have to undergo training and certification before you can even be allowed anywhere near those depths. That is to ensure your safety and security underwater. Obviously, your physical capacities will be limited by the environment, and so you should know the basic ABC’s first.

Visit Your Doctor First Before Visiting The Deep Sea

Before you even get into training, you should visit your doctor first for a rudimentary check-up. You might as well do it before you leave before your trip, too, because either way, the diving training will still require you to get that check-up from their own doctor, especially if you do have a pre-existing medical condition.

In particular, wannabe-divers with a history of heart or lung conditions require their physician’s thumbs up. The conditions underwater are not exactly the best for those with this physical condition, especially because the heart and the lungs are the first to be directly affected, in the event of an underwater emergency.

Medication Issues

If you are under medication for whatever reason, it would be better too if you ask your own doctor during your check-up about the possible effects of taking these drugs, and going diving.

Basically, your purpose of going to your doctor before making that diving trip is to be responsible about your own health. As soon as you’re in the clear, then you can go ahead and enjoy getting that diving certification.

The official website of Arbeitsmedizin should help you better understand the importance of visiting your doctor for a check-up before getting into any extreme outdoor activities, like deep-sea diving.

Adventures in Queenstown, New Zealand

With a well earned reputation as the Adventure Capital of the World, Queenstown is the best place to satisfy your cravings for adventure. From bungee jumping to tandem skydiving and jet boating to white water rafting, Queenstown travel gives you the opportunity to experience a safe, invigorating and fun environment. The unique setting and special atmosphere created by the region’s spectacular geography made this town popular all over the world. It is referred to as a Natural Theme Park because of the endless array of options to choose from, for leisure and adventure activities.

The compactness and the shortness of the distances between mountains, forests, historical sites, rivers and lakes attracts and enables the visitors to do so much in a short period of time. The abundant adventure activities, working holiday employment, nightlife and budget accommodations makes Queenstown a great place for backpacking New Zealand. The great thing about this town is that everything and everywhere is just within your reach, an easy walking distance. Here are three adventurous activities that are popular in this town:

Bungee Jumping

Bungee jumping is probably the most famous activity in Queenstown, which is also the fourth most beautiful bungee jumping site all over the world. Visitors has a lot of options, such as cable swinging throwing themselves off a gondola or a bridge, or the Bungee Rocket where a person is strapped in a cage-like device connected to the bungee cord and the device will be thrown into the air. Best bungee jumping sites in Queenstown: 1) Kawarau Suspension Bridge is historically the worlds first commercial bungee jumping site. Its located at 137.5 feet above a river and it has a platform for spectators viewing; 2) Hacketts Ledge is an urban option for bungee jumping. It is situated on top of the gondola, being open until night time; 3) Pipeline Bungee is an engineering masterpiece of 1864 gold-sluicing pipeline makes it the highest bungee jumping site and it is the world’s first gondola bungee jump. It is operating from a suspension bridge which is terrifyingly 440 feet above the river.

Hiking

Hiking, which is also locally known as tramping, is one of the excellent offerings around the Queenstown area. The hiking trails usually start from places close to the city. Routebourne Track is among the best tracks in the whole country because of its various spectacular countryside sceneries. The Rees-Dart Track is for those who likes a more challenging option because of its rugged track. However, Greenstone Caples Track is for those who prefer an easier option. Anyway you like it, all these tramps has maintained pathways and mountain huts as a comfortable accommodation option.

Jet Boating

Jet boating is an exhilarating experience and another popular activity in Queenstown. Shotover and the Kawarau Rivers are the best places for jet boating.

Queenstown is one of my favorite cities in New Zealand and with so many things to do, a mountain setting, and great nightlife, it is one of the most popular travel destinations in the country for a reason.

Fun And Adventure At Their Best With The Branson Zipline

A zip line is a cable that is suspended on an incline. A rider is attached to a harness and using a pulley, the rider can move from one location to another. Built with one end or tower higher than the other, the line allows the rider to “zip” down assisted by gravity, while safely secured. The ride is enjoyable and is often part of adventure tours around the country. One such example is the Branson Zipline which has become popular with people of all ages who are able to enjoy amazing views even as they enjoy the ride.

While the Branson Zip line is designed for thrill seekers of all ages; it is important for the rider to go through the workings of the zipline in order to be able to feel comfortable with the ride. Most tour or adventure trips have zip lines as a simple or fast way to reach a destination. The mechanism is built with high safety standards, and is regularly tested to ensure it is in good condition. For the zip lines to function effectively, there has to be a slope as the slope allows the rider to slide down to the destination. A steep slope offers a more thrilling ride as the rider is propelled down faster.

The rope which runs from one end to the other is made of material that is strong enough to hold any human weight. Pulleys on the rope help to pull the rider down the slope. The pulleys are attached to a plastic case that has handles, where the rider holds onto during the ride. When people understand the mechanism and how it works, they are able to feel safe enough to try it. The adventure companies at Branson always use certified and experienced guides to help the riders to enjoy the experience and the guides ensure that the riders understand what to expect, and that they are secure before embarking on the ride.