Category Archives: Guest Post

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.

Rock Climbing and What You Need To Get Started

Like many people, you started rock climbing for fun at a local indoor rock climbing facility.  As you got better you’ve decided try your hand at the real deal. Great! You probably know that rock climbing is great exercise and a wonderful way to experience the outdoors, while testing the limits of your body, but you may not know what you need to get started. Like many people, you may have gotten an REI coupon in the mail and, upon entering the outlet store, find yourself completely overwhelmed by the range of rock climbing products on the market. Don’t worry! Getting started rock climbing is really quite easy.. Here is what you need to get started!

1. Rope- A good length of rope is your most important piece of equipment! It is best not to skimp and buy a cheap rope, or you may find yourself in a tight spot with an unreliable safety net. Instead, buy the best you can afford. A 10.5 to 11 millimeter cord style rope will serve you best. You do not need dry rope unless you are planning on climbing in snow and ice, and should get approximately 200 feet (60 meters) of rope. You may also be interested in purchasing a rope bag to keep your rope clean while you climb.

2. Quickdraws- Quickdraws are a pair of oval or d-shaped clip hooks connected with a strong piece of webbing. Though they may seem small and insignificant, quickdraws are absolutely necessary to your safety, second only to rope! One end of the quickdraw attaches to a bolt, nut, or cam in the climbing course, and your rope threads through the other end. You will need approximately twenty of these.3. Belay Device- A good belay device is very important. Belay devices are used to secure your rope, or to rappel back down the rock face. You won’t get your feet on the ground without one! Belay devices come in several shapes and sizes. It is recommended, especially for beginner rock climbers, that you purchase one that locks automatically.

4. Harness- Even the most experienced climbers rely heavily on a harness. A lightweight harness is cheaper and is perfectly fine for most sport climbing. When purchasing a harness, try to get one with four or more gear loops. Each loop is capable of holding seven quickdraws.

5. Climbing Shoes- A good pair of climbing shoes is going to be one of the best investments you ever made if you wish to continue climbing. Many sport climbers like a slipper-shoe, which fits your foot like a glove. Whatever you choose, be sure you have good foot-movement and flexibility!

6. Chalk- While it’s not absolutely necessary, most sport climbers like to have a bag of chalk. When you climb, your hands become sweaty, and chalk dries them out and helps to re-tighten your grip.

Got all your gear? Great! Now you’re ready to start climbing!

Rare Meteorite from Mars is Donated to Science

The Natural History Museum in London has recently become the proud owner of the largest piece of the Tissint Martian meteorite. The new addition is now the largest piece of meteorite held in the prestigious museum, weighing in at 1.1kg. The museum is delighted with the donation, but do not know who to thank because the donor has decided to stay anonymous. The piece of meteorite would not have come cheap, and is thought to have cost much more than a Mediterranean cruise or a flashy new sports car.

Scientists hope to find answers to questions about the Red Planet, like what its atmosphere used to be like and whether life could have once flourished on the planet. Dr. Caroline Smith works at the Natural History Museum, and has said the Tissint meteorite is the, “most important meteorite to have landed on Planet Earth in the last 100 years”.

How the Martian Meteorite Ended up at the Natural Science Museum

Last year in July, eyewitnesses in Morocco heard two loud sonic booms as a bright light sped towards the ground leaving a distinctive trail behind it. That bright light was a meteorite, which entered Earth’s atmosphere and broke up into smaller pieces before landing in a desert in southern Morocco. The pieces of rare Martian meteorite, called Tissint, were quickly searched for and collected up before the Earth’s atmosphere could contaminate them too much.

A man named Darryl Pitt, of the Macovich Collection in New York City, heard about the meteorite landing and set out to track a piece down. Rumors spread about it being retrieved and Mr. Pitt frantically searched for people possessing the alien rock. He almost gave up his quest, but then a phone call out of the blue lead him straight to the largest piece recovered. Mr. Pitt purchased the meteorite on behalf of an anonymous benefactor and then donated it to the Natural History Museum in London.

Details of how much the rare space rock actually cost have not been revealed, and the donor wishes for their identity to be kept private. But a spokesperson from Sotheby’s auction house in London has said that meteorites had previously sold for sums between £10,000 and £20,000, but the origin of the meteorite makes a lot of difference, as does its size. It might be the case that the Martian meteorite in question reached a price similar to the Moon Rock sold at Sotheby’s in 1993, which reached a staggering £250,000.

Why the Tissint meteorite is so rare

There have only been four recorded meteorites from Mars landing on Earth, and the last most recent one landing in Nigeria 50 years ago, in 1962. The three other occasions where in 1911, 1865, and 1815. In the last fifty years technology has developed so rapidly that there are new ways to analyze Martian rock, and scientists are excited at the prospect of studying a piece of the Tissint meteorite. Another reason that this particular meteorite is significant compared to earlier landings is the short amount of time between landing and collection. They landed in a dry area of desert, so contamination from the earth’s environment and organisms has been minimal.

Out of the 41,000 known meteorites in the global science community, only 61 of them originate from Mars, only 0.15% of all meteorites. Material from Mars has never been able to be transported back to Earth by human efforts, although this may happen in the next decade. Even so, the process of collecting rocks from Mars and bringing them back here would costs billions of dollars. So having them blasted from the surface of Mars and land on Earth is much easier, but it doesn’t happen often.

What scientists hope to find out from the meteorite

It has already been estimated that the Tissint meteorite was ejected from the surface of Mars approximately 600,000 to 17 million years ago. Scientists hope to be able to glean information about the history of the Red Planet, and maybe gain evidence on whether life existed on Mars in the past.

Further analysis will look at the exact chemistry of the rock, to see what elements it is made of. In particular they will see if any minerals that form when water is present are in the rock, and if it contains molecules rich in carbon. If these things are found, they would provide evidence that there once was life on Mars.

Knowing exactly what secrets the rock holds about the planet nearest to earth is some time away at the moment, but the investigation has begun. Let’s hope this donation inspires other people to help science unravel the many mysteries of the universe.

Live the life: 10 best outdoor activities in Barcelona

The Catalonian capital of Barcelona has long been a sought-after tourist destination. With its sunny skies, rich history and cosmopolitan lifestyle, the city has something to offer everyone. The warm balmy weather calls to be explored with many activities to stimulate one’s interests. Check out 10 of the top outdoor activities you can indulge in on your visit to this beautiful city.

1. Urban safaris

Nature lovers will get a kick out of enrolling themselves for urban safaris. Sponsored by the Jane Goodall Institute, visitors can opt for the Marine Birds or Urban Birds tours, both designed to create awareness among the public about Barcelona’s fauna. Aside from this, there is also the historic Parc del Castell de l’Oreneta, a wooded area which also doubles up as a conservatory.

2. Boating

Charming boat rides are what you will find if you visit the Parc de la Ciutadella. Amidst the park with its green lawns, playgrounds and a waterfall, is a lake where you can hire rowing boats and settle down to marvel at the lush surroundings.

3. Skateboarding

Extreme sports junkies can get out their skateboards and get a thrill at the MACBA. Outside MACBA is a square that sees skateboarding aficionados showing off their skills as well as skate stores where you can purchase all your skating paraphernalia.

4. Climbing

While it may not be as thrilling as mountain climbing, you can still get your adrenaline pumping at Montjuïc’s Climbat, a climbing center with surfaces measuring 800m². There is equipment for hire as well as classes first timers can take.

5. Beach hopping

What’s the point in visiting Barcelona if you don’t go beach hopping? Get your beach gear together and head for Barceloneta Beach, Icaria Beach and Mar Bella Beach where you can do more than just swim. There are kite and wind surfing activities as well as exercise circuits and even libraries.

6. Outdoor cinema

More entertaining than a drive-in, Barcelona hosts a cinema and concert event at the moat of the historic Montjuïc castle. No matter your taste in movies, you’ll find everything from the classics to just-released flicks. Prior to the movie screening, visitors can enjoy live music as well as bring their own picnic baskets for an evening to remember.

7. Sardana

Put on your dancing shoes and head to the Plaça de St Jaume or the Santa Eulalia cathedral to take part in the Catalonian dance called sardana. A cobla band will get you dancing to the rhythms typical of Barcelona. And while it may look simple, know that sardana isn’t easy to master.

8. Windsurfing

Get more than just a swim at Base Nàutica with a course in windsurfing. If you’re not a beginner, you can hire equipment charged per hour and also take part in sailing as well as hire kayaks.

9. Table tennis

Table tennis lovers can visit almost any park or public garden to find table tennis tables. There are over 40 such tables located in these green spaces and paddles and balls can be bought at any one of the Chinese-run shops.

10. Música als Parcs

Thursdays to Saturdays should be reserved for Música als Parcs, outdoor concerts that are organized on these days. Jazz and classical are the orders of the day with about 30 groups in each category. The concerts are held in green spaces like Turó Park, Parc de la Ciutadella and Parc Central del Poblenou.

The city of Barcelona sees a mix of sporting activities, culture and a lot of music. Its diverse nature is one of the reasons why it draws so many visitors from far and wide. If you ever plan to visit, make time for all of these outdoor activities aside from the usual sightseeing.

About the author: Samantha Harper is a blogger by profession. She loves writing on technology and luxury. Beside this she is fond of gadgets. She recently bought an Android Mp3 Player for herself. These days she is busy in writing an article on teen health.

 

Camping and Outdoor Cooking Safety

There’s nothing better than venturing into the great outdoors and cooking traditional food filled with authenticity and natural flavor. It’s a chance to get back to the basics while achieving tastes that you can’t get in any fancy kitchen. Camping trips are simply incomplete without great food, and it’s your responsibility to explore as many tasty options as possible. While enjoying yourself should be a priority, you have to remember that it’s not all fun and games. There are basic elements you need to address in order to preserve the safety of your entire family. It’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to anything camping related, and this fully applies to outdoor cooking as well. Here are some of the most important factors to keep in mind the next time you go camping.

Set up a Safe Cooking Space – it’s absolutely essential to finding a good place for your gas or charcoal grill. You should have a firm surface that limits the likelihood of tipping. Some smaller grills don’t handle weight well so you have to be careful about where you put them. It’s far better to find a sturdy model anyways so that you get a full barbecue that can accommodate your entire family. Most importantly, don’t make the drastic mistake of attempting to barbecue inside your tent!

Clean Your Equipment – it’s important to be familiar with your equipment and maintain it properly in an outdoor environment. Make sure to read instructions carefully and ensure there are no loose bits and pieces, especially if you’re working with a gas model. Keep it well stored at all times and make sure that you clean it after each cooking session so that you don’t get unwanted leftovers in your next meal.

Food Safety – you won’t have the luxury of working with modern refrigerators so that means you have to be more diligent with basic food safety. Keep your coolers separated and well-stocked while teaching your kids about basic food handling practices. There’s nothing worse than catching a bout of food poisoning while camping, so you have to make sure to keep uncooked meat separate from everything else. And if you have thawed anything from your cooler, make sure that you cook it right away rather than putting it back inside.

Cook your Food Thoroughly – you might be tempted to rush the process because everything smells so good. Just make sure that you have patience with your grill so that all of your food is cooked evenly. Barbecuing is actually a pretty simple process and thanks to modern gas grills, all you really have to do is let your meat sit until it’s done. You might even want to bring along a meat thermometer if you’re cooking larger cuts of beef or chicken.

Careful Precautions – common sense always wins out in any camping environment. Something should go without saying, but it’s always good to remind yourself of basic safety practices. For example, keep your barbecue well away from dry areas and always be aware of the danger of forest fires. Keep water or a fire extinguisher handy in case things get out of control. Also ensure that when you’re done, your coals have died and there are no errant sparks that can cause potential problems.

Keep the Kids Away – a campsite can get pretty chaotic if you happen to bring your children. This is why you need to know where they are at all times. Designate a cooking area and tell your kids to stay away until you’re done. The last thing you need is one of your children running into your portable charcoal grill and potentially harming themselves. Don’t worry, they’ll get their chance to participate as they grow older but for now keep them away from the grill.