Innholdsfortegnelse for April/May 2025 i Adventure Magazine

William Blake once said, “Make the errors of a wise man, not the perfection of a fool.” Last week, we received an email pointing out a few grammatical errors in our latest issue—specifically in a feature written by someone for whom English is a second, possibly even third, language. As a publisher, were those mistakes ours to catch? Absolutely. Should we have caught them? Of course. But we didn’t. We missed them, and that’s on us. Now, if we had relied on AI or ChatGPT or some other AI tool—those errors would have been scrubbed away. AI doesn’t make grammatical mistakes. But it does make factual ones. And that’s where the difference lies. AI writes with mechanical fluency, an uncanny smoothness that, at first glance, might seem impressive. But there’s…

At 6,000 metres, survival is a brutal equation of endurance, luck, and sheer will. British climber Fay Manners and American partner Michelle Dvorak had all three tested to the limit when a loose rock severed the rope holding their supplies, leaving them stranded on the unforgiving slopes of Mount Chaukhamba in northern India. The pair, both seasoned alpinists, lost their tent, food, and critical survival gear in an instant. The only thing between them and the lethal cold was a single sleeping bag. As the snow closed in, they huddled on a narrow rock ledge, bodies shutting down from hypothermia, fuel reserves running dry. Manners managed to send an SOS via satellite, but with visibility near zero, the rescue helicopter repeatedly failed to spot them. Hours stretched into a second…

Hutt Valley’s Erice van Leuven went head-tohead with the downhill courses in Tassi—and paid the price. The 18-year-old rising star crashed hard at Red Bull Hardline in Tasmania over the weekend, walking away with a broken neck, back, and wrist, plus internal injuries after coming up short on an 85-foot jump near the finish. In a social media update straight after the crash, she acknowledged the gravity of her injuries but noted she was lucky to still be walking. A lung issue means she’ll have to wait before flying home to New Zealand, but her spirits remain high. Van Leuven, a two-time junior downhill world champion, was one of just eight women invited to tackle Hardline—a race designed to push even the best riders to their absolute edge. The course…

The glacial blue walls shimmer like something out of a dream. Axes swing, crampons bite, and every move is a delicate balance between control and chaos. Ice climbing is one of the most dangerous sports on the planet—but that’s precisely why people can’t get enough of it. Unlike rock climbing, where holds are (mostly) fixed, ice climbing presents an ever-changing battlefield. The ice is never the same twice. Temperature fluctuations mean what was a solid route in the morning can be a waterfall by afternoon. A seemingly bombproof pillar can shatter under an axe swing, sending climbers into a freefall of ice chunks and adrenaline. Then there’s the element of unpredictability: • Ice screws can pop out if the ice isn’t solid enough. • Avalanches can roar down without warning.…

Picture this: the deep blue expanse of the Pacific stretching endlessly before you, the sun climbing above the horizon, and a reel screaming as a monster Yellowfin Tuna makes a break for it. This is the thrill that awaits with Hidden Gem Boats, one of Fiji’s premier sportfishing charter operators. With two top-tier vessels-Momo Gem II and Looney Tunes-Hidden Gem offers everything from halfday reef fishing excursions to week-long explorations of the region’s most pristine and untouched fishing grounds. Their home base? Port Denarau Marina, just outside Nadi and a quick hop from the international airport, making access to this angling paradise as easy as stepping off the plane. The Fishing: Big, Bold, and Unforgettable Whether you’re an experienced angler chasing the fight of a lifetime or a first-timer looking…

If the idea of a looming winter does not feel like a fun way to spend the next few months the think The Cooks. Tucked away in the vast Pacific Ocean, this scattered group of 15 islands offers a mix of relaxation, adventure, and culture that outshines the usual tourist-packed tropical destinations. Here’s why the Cook Islands is where you should be booking your next adventure escape. Unspoiled Beauty Without the Crowds So many destinations are packed, well-trodden, and even remote places can feel like an overdone postcard. The Cook Islands, however, remain refreshingly under-the-radar. The place has a raw, untouched beauty that makes you feel like you’ve stumbled upon something special. Rarotonga, the largest and most visited island, offers lush jungle-covered mountains, pristine beaches, and a local culture that…

Athlete: Lucy Sinclair - Image by Guillaume “Returning home to Queenstown from university in Christchurch for the weekend, I had the opportunity to be part of something special. Guillaume, who does an incredible job with the Queenstown Climbing Club’s guidebook, was photographing for the 4th edition. His dedication and the hard work he puts into the guidebook is truly inspiring. We chose Wye Creek’s Project Wall as the backdrop for the shoot, a location that offers some of the most stunning views of Queenstown. The photo captures me climbing the classic route Eat Yourself Fitter. The day was made even more memorable towards the end when we met up with other enthusiastic local climbers at Main Wall. All in all, it was a fantastic day, filled with great company, and…

It’s nerve-wracking enough for most people just to abseil down a 200m-cliff. For a taste of climbing in Tasmania, famous for its adventurous sea-cliff climbing, add the following ingredients: a cliff so steep that it’s overhanging in places; wind gusts that unnervingly sweep your ropes across the rock face as you descend; a tempestuous sea that looks increasingly greedy as you get closer to it. And then there’s the commitment factor: you have to be able to climb back out. Failure to do so means you’ll be stuck on the wall, left to wave your arms at the next tourist boat that may or may not visit the particular area of the Tasman Peninsula you’re stranded on. There’s also the requisite skill known in climbing parlance as The Bounce, without…

Alenka Mali grew up in a family that never followed the conventional path. Her parents, both accomplished alpinists, built their lives around the mountains, prioritizing adventure over societal expectations. Their passion shaped her and her brothers, instilling in them the same relentless drive to push boundaries. Alenka’s earliest memories are in Argentina, spending time in Patagonia’s legendary base camps, surrounded by icons like Dean Potter, Steph Davis, and Leo Houlding. While her parents pursued first ascents on Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre, she and her siblings’ climbed trees, played with gear, and absorbed a world where risk and reward went hand in hand. It wasn’t until she got older that she realized how extraordinary-and rare-that upbringing really was. The first time I saw a BASE jumping video was in 2011—Jeb…

An Australian hiker, 23-year-old Hadi Nazari, was found alive after being missing for nearly two weeks in Kosciuszko National Park. Nazari, a medical student from Victoria, was last seen on December 26, 2024, as he separated from his friends to take photos while descending the Hannels Spur Trail. When he failed to meet up with them at their campsite, his friends raised the alarm, sparking a large-scale search operation. Two weeks later, Nazari was discovered near Blue Lake by a group of hikers. The young man, who had been lost for over two weeks, approached the hikers, explaining that he was thirsty and had been stranded in the wilderness. They immediately contacted emergency services, and he was airlifted to safety. After being assessed by paramedics, he was transported to a…

Although the Coastal and Inland Tracks lie alongside each other in Abel Tasman National Park, the two journeys could’t offer more different experiences. The seaside path along beautiful bays is the undisputed glamour event of the New Zealand hiking experience. Many of the hikers undertaking this adventure wear makeup. Sometimes even the girls. As they pass you by, a wave of sweet perfume takes you back to a gift shop in the local mall. Meanwhile, high up on the ridges further inland, adventurers on that trail leave a stream of, let’s say, more natural odours. Late in the afternoon, alongside the golden sand beaches, travellers enjoy a swim, and a freshwater shower. They then change into clean attire before settling down to dinner. Up higher, in the more challenging terrain,…

The next race on my calendar was the Motatapu Trail Marathon. This race takes you from the outskirts of Wanaka to Arrowtown. The course follows a valley that has been used by Māori for hundreds of years to transport pounamu (greenstone) from the Queenstown region to Wanaka in the north. In the 1860s Māori guides shared this valley with gold prospectors. We would cross the Motatapu, Soho, and Glencoe high- country stations, which are opened exclusively for this event. Interestingly these sheep stations are part of Mahu Whenua which is owned by Country Music icon Shania Twain. I was sure to keep an eye out for her as we trudged through her property. It impressed me much. My preparation for this race had been perfect. I have a longer-term goal…

The most extreme windsurfing event on the planet is back. The Red Bull Storm Chase, an invitation-only battle against nature’s raw fury, is set to return in 2025, with Denmark as the chosen battleground. But there’s no fixed date, no set location—only the perfect storm will decide when and where this high-octane contest will unfold. The Ultimate Test of Storm Sailing Eight of the world’s elite storm sailors stand ready, waiting for the call. To earn a spot on the roster is a badge of honour, a recognition of skill, courage, and the ability to harness chaos itself. Winds exceeding 100 km/h, monstrous swells, and airborne jumps defying gravity—this is where windsurfing meets survival. The waiting period is now officially open year-round, ensuring that when Mother Nature delivers the ultimate…

There’s a unique rhythm to life on the water, where the rising sun pulls you from your cabin, the morning mist kisses the ocean, and the promise of adventure lies just beyond the horizon. SSV, a pioneer in liveaboard kayaking expeditions, has transformed this rhythm into an unforgettable experience for adventurers seeking to explore the world’s most stunning coastal regions. SSV currently offers five liveaboard experiences, from the majestic fjords of Greenland to the vibrant reefs of Sulawesi. These once in a lifetime journeys seamlessly blend kayaking, exploration, and cultural immersion. Here, we dive into the magic of these multi-day adventures, sharing a glimpse of the destinations, the people, and the stories that make them extraordinary. Book your liveaboard and kayaking adventure today www.southernseaventures.com Palau: A Marine Wonderland In the…

Brady Lowry and Kendall Cummings set out for a routine shed-hunting (picking up antlers) trip in Wyoming’s Shoshone National Forest, expecting a day of hard trekking and maybe a few good finds. What they got instead was a life-or-death struggle against one of nature’s most fearsome predators. The Northwest College wrestling teammates, along with two others, had split up, taking a longer, winding route back to their truck. As they moved through thick undergrowth, the warning signs became impossible to ignore—massive paw prints, overturned logs, and steaming piles of fresh scat. “We knew bears were around,” Lowry later said. “But we didn’t know we were about to be right in the middle of one’s kill zone.” Then, chaos erupted. A grizzly sow exploded from the brush and charged straight at…

In an age where a single photo can catapult someone to viral fame, capturing the perfect selfie has become more than a pastime—it’s an obsession. But for some, that pursuit has turned fatal. The rising number of selfie-related deaths has made it one of the deadliest modern-day activities, claiming more lives than shark attacks and other freak accidents. A Wikipedia tally estimated 379 selfierelated deaths between 2008 and 2021. By the end of 2024, that number had soared to 480. The reasons vary—falls from dangerous heights, drownings, even fatal encounters with wildlife—but one common thread ties them all: the lure of an extraordinary image. Many of these tragedies unfold in stunning locations—clifftops, scenic overlooks, and sites made famous by movies. In Japan, the small city of Otaru has had to…

Bouldering’s popularity has skyrocketed in recent years, drawing in climbers of all ages and backgrounds. Once considered a niche sport, climbing has evolved into a dynamic and widely recognized discipline, from indoor gyms to world-class competitions and outdoor crags. Whether it’s the problem-solving nature of bouldering, the endurance of sport climbing, or the speed and precision of competition formats, more young athletes are finding their passion on the wall. At Northern Rocks, we’ve seen firsthand how climbing shapes individuals—not just as athletes but as confident, resilient people. Climbing gyms have become a training ground for rising young athletes who have each carved out their own paths in the sport. Through countless hours of training, competing, and testing themselves outdoors, they embody the next generation of climbers pushing the limits of…

Each year, search and rescue teams are deployed to locate missing hikers, hunters, climbers, kayakers, dog walkers anyone who goes outdoors. In 2023-2024 over 600 rescues where implemented by Land Search and Rescue. Even with the best preparation, the outdoors presents unpredictable challenges. One of the most effective safety measures is also the simplest: informing someone of your plans. When no one knows your route or expected return time, delays in raising the alarm can have severe consequences. By sharing your itinerary with a trusted contact, you provide critical information that can assist search and rescue (SAR) efforts if needed. What Information to Share Before setting out, take a few minutes to provide essential details to a family member, friend, or local authorities. Key information includes: • Planned route –…

Tucked into the South Pacific, the Solomon Islands are an adventure waiting to happen. But not the kind that requires a death wish or a six-month training plan. This is adventure experience at its best—real, raw, and immersive, yet accessible to anyone with a pulse and a curiosity for the unknown. Think of it as the antidote to overdeveloped tourist hotspots. No sprawling resorts. No themed attractions. Just the kind of travel where you trade the predictable for the authentic. From kayaking through mangrove mazes to diving in WWII wrecks, hiking volcanoes, or paddling between jungle-clad islands, the Solomons are about experience, not spectacle. Untouched, Unrushed, Unforgettable The Solomon Islands are one of the last frontiers of the Pacific. A chain of nearly 1,000 islands, only 147 are inhabited. That…

Tucked away in Fiji’s Somosomo Strait, the legendary Rainbow Reef is a bucket-list destination for divers worldwide. Consistently ranked among the top five dive sites globally, this vibrant underwater paradise is a spectacle of neon-soft corals, swirling schools of fish, and awe-inspiring marine encounters—from tiny nudibranchs to majestic manta rays. A short flight from Nadi lands you in the heart of this aquatic wonderland, where walls draped in coral and swirling currents set the stage for unforgettable dives. But for those seeking more than just underwater thrills, Viani Bay Resort and Dive Academy Fiji offers a rare blend of adventure, sustainability, and Fijian hospitality. On the tranquil shores of Viani Bay, just across from the Rainbow Reef, lies an intimate eco-resort that feels like a well-guarded secret. A private stretch…