Adventure Sports Info

China trains guides as tourists flock to mountains

Francois Bougon for AFP

"SIGUNIANG MOUNTAINS, China (AFP) - As mountain climbing booms in China, the first group of guides trained by an expert Frenchman will soon graduate -- part of a government drive to boost safety standards..."

Related Links: Summit Post.org.

Adventure Sports Info Directory Listings

Current country listings:

Belize (34)

Bolivia (50)

Costa Rica (28)

Dominican Republic (13)

El Salvador (12)

Guatemala (11)

Honduras (38)

Nepal (84) 

New Zealand (70)

Nicaragua (22)

Panama (15)

Philippines (39)

Puerto Rico (32)

Everest turning into world's highest cesspool

The Times of India

"A deadly peril lurks on Mt Everest, the highest summit in the world, which is far more dangerous than the freezing cold, gale winds and recently posted security forces who are empowered to shoot at the sight of political activities..."

The top 10 books on Alpinism

Andy Cave for the Guardian UK

"For me, the best books on Alpinism describe those who have genuinely pushed the boundaries of what is possible. Successful mountaineering literature, however, must do more than just transport the reader to an alien, frozen world through evocative prose and original metaphor..."

Speed climbing the Eiger

Scaling the treacherous north face of the Eiger in less than three hours is the pinnacle of the extreme sport of speed climbing...

Banff film festival hits the road with Radical Reels

From the Grand Junction Free Press...

Held annually each fall from the end of October into early November, the Banff Mountain Film Festival has included the Radical Reels night, which is a special screening of the wildest high-adrenaline films entered in the Banff Mountain Film Festival.

You can find out where the tour is going at the Banff Centre website. This trailer is a sample of some of the films.
 

World’s Highest Via Ferrata - Mountain Torq

From Asia Travel Tips...

Locatedat Mount Kinabalu’s Pana Laban rock face, Mountain Torq’s via ferrata begins at 3,400 metres and ends at 3,800 metres. It is an alternative route giving access to the top of Mount Kinabalu (4095m a.s.l.). The world’s second highest via ferrata, at 3,343 metres, is found halfway across the globe in the Italian Dolomites called the Marmolada West ridge. Mountain Torq’s via ferrata is approximately 1.2 kilometres and traverses routes of varying difficulty. It thus caters to all levels of experience, from beginners to intermediate hikers and climbers. The more challenging and physically demanding routes, suited to those with above average fitness levels, will take climbers off-the-beaten track and includes negotiating a 22m foot bridge suspended at a breathtaking 3,600m a.s.l.

Keyword Links: Mount Torq, Kinabalu National Park.

Mountaineering and Climbing on Mars

Keith Cowing examines what mountaineering on mars will be like...

"Examining stratigraphy is one way of re-constructing a planet's history - therefore Mars surface teams will need to climb up and descend down a variety of features - taking samples and measurements in the process. Mountaineering skills will be needed in such situations. Some of the most interesting features on Mars will no doubt be some of the most difficult to reach. In many cases only human locomotion will allow access."

Imax 'Alps' review

From IHT...

"Besides chronicling Mr. Harlin's ascent of the Eiger, "The Alps" treats viewers to stunning footage of the jagged peaks and lush valleys that make up the mountain range. Some scenes are literally breathtaking as the movie camera travels up and over some of the mountains' sheer drop-offs."

Here's a trailer.

Keywords Links: Eiger slideshow.

From IHT...

"Besides chronicling Mr. Harlin's ascent of the Eiger, "The Alps" treats viewers to stunning footage of the jagged peaks and lush valleys that make up the mountain range. Some scenes are literally breathtaking as the movie camera travels up and over some of the mountains' sheer drop-offs."

Here's a trailer.

Keywords Links: Eiger slideshow.

British Columbia Adventure Travel with Bella Coola Heli Sports

With the construction of a new log spa facility, located in the Bella Coola valley Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, Bella Coola Heli Sports now offers a slate of year round activities including corn snow heli skiing and boarding, Big Salmon fishing, river rafting and float trips, horse back riding, helicopter hiking and picnics, Grizzly bear and wildlife viewing, wellness retreats and helicopter honeymoons.

"Our guests are flown in A Star B2 helicopters. This is the machine of choice for small heliskiing groups. Its maneuverability and exceptional power, allows the greatest degree of flexibility in choosing landings zones, which in turn means skiing the best runs."

Websites:

www.bellacoolahelisports.com

http://www.tweedsmuirparklodge.com/

Keyword Links: Bella Coola, Tweedsmuir Provincial Park and Recreation Area, Bella Coola Valley Slideshow, Physiography of British Columbia, Extreme Heli Skiing clip.

With the construction of a new log spa facility, located in the Bella Coola valley Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, Bella Coola Heli Sports now offers a slate of year round activities including corn snow heli skiing and boarding, Big Salmon fishing, river rafting and float trips, horse back riding, helicopter hiking and picnics, Grizzly bear and wildlife viewing, wellness retreats and helicopter honeymoons.

"Our guests are flown in A Star B2 helicopters. This is the machine of choice for small heliskiing groups. Its maneuverability and exceptional power, allows the greatest degree of flexibility in choosing landings zones, which in turn means skiing the best runs."

Websites:

www.bellacoolahelisports.com

http://www.tweedsmuirparklodge.com/

Keyword Links: Bella Coola, Tweedsmuir Provincial Park and Recreation Area, Bella Coola Valley Slideshow, Physiography of British Columbia, Extreme Heli Skiing clip.