Happy Friday! This is Adventure Fix, the weekly email that pays tribute to Earth’s power, energy, and extraordinary biodiversity, immersing you in the captivating beauty of the untamed natural world.

Here’s what we've got for you today:

• Remote Places: Lord Howe Island, Australia

• Wildlife Experiences: Searching for red pandas in the Himalayas

• Natural Wonders: The Maldives’ Sea of Stars

• Extreme Experiences (new section): Descending into the heart of a volcano

Searching for the Firefox in the Himalayas

Deep in the mountains and jungles of Nepal, India, Myanmar, and China lives a fast, nimble, and adorable creature - the red panda.

It’s a rare and mysterious animal with only a few left of its kind in the wild.

Up until recently, an encounter in the wild was considered nearly impossible because they live in dense bamboo forests at high altitudes. As more conservation and research organizations began tracking red pandas, the opportunity for tourists to spot them is also increasing.

At the foothills of the Himalayas at the Nepal - India border, you can be guided through the forests to search for this elusive ‘firefox’ as many locals call them.

The hours spent trekking through rough terrain pay off when you catch your first glimpse of these expert climbers scrambling along the branches of a massive tree. Watch them go about their day as they play fight with their siblings, jumping and rolling around then getting their energy back by sunbathing while munching on bamboo leaves.

Even researchers who have spent years living amongst red pandas say if you encounter them in the wild it feels like a miracle every time.

Explore more:

• Red Pandas of Singalila Safari (tour)

• Sonam Lama: The Red Panda Guardian (conservation story)

Set and achieve goals that truly matter

Do you ever feel like the clarity and inspiration you gain from an adventure disappear as soon as you return to the chaos of daily life? Between endless to-do lists and constant distractions, it's easy to lose focus and feel uncertain about the impact of your efforts.

You’re not alone. The good news is Life Atlas is here to help. It’s a proven, step-by-step process for setting visions and goals that align with your deeper sense of purpose.

If you’re feeling stuck, Life Atlas will give you the tools you need to direct your energy and creativity around your most meaningful work.

Best of all, with Life Atlas, you can set your own pace for the course training. Whether you prefer a 2-day intensive sprint or a more gradual 2-week journey, the program can be tailored to fit your needs.

Ready to stop letting life pass you by? Order Life Atlas today.

Lord Howe: Australia’s treasure island

Imagine a place packed with species found nowhere else on Earth.

No, it’s not the Galapagos, it’s Lord Howe Island - a unique microcosm between Australia and New Zealand with plants and animals that have only just begun to be researched.

Here is the only place you’ll find creatures like the flightless Lord Howe Woodhen (Gallirallis sylvestris), once regarded as one of the rarest birds in the world, and the Lord Howe Island Phasmid (Dryococelus australis), the world’s largest stick insect that was feared extinct until its rediscovery on Balls Pyramid.

Rising up from the depths of the ocean, this isolated island group is the remnants of ancient volcanoes, which slopes and cliffs create some stunning and dramatic landscapes.

Wander through the rainforest trails, watch rainbow-colored fish swirl around you as you snorkel the world's southernmost coral reef, stroll white sand beaches, and discover rocky coves teeming with magnificent birdlife.

There are only around 300 people living full-time on the island and only 400 visitors are allowed at any one time, making the opportunity to explore Lord Howe even more special.

If you’re looking to be immersed in nature, spot one-of-a-kind wildlife, and escape the crowds of mass tourism, Lord Howe should be on your radar.

Explore more:

• Exploring Lord Howe Island: What Lies Between Australia and New Zealand (video)

• Lord Howe Australia’s Most Exclusive Island? (article)
  
   

The Maldives’ shimmering Sea of Stars

During the late summer months in the reefs of The Maldives, a beautiful phenomenon takes place. When you combine bioluminescent phytoplankton and crashing waves, you get a glowing sea of stars - an incredible shimmering effect.

One of the best places to see this light show and feel like you are in the whale scene from Life of Pi is Vaadhoo Island.

Explore more:

• Sea of Stars - Vaadhoo Island, Maldives (video)

Descending into the heart of a volcano

Ever wonder what it’s like to take a journey toward the center of the earth?

In Iceland, you can turn that curiosity into reality at the dormant Þríhnúkagígur volcano.

Normally when a volcano erupts, the magma cools, solidifies, and fills the cone. But after Þríhnúkagígu erupted, the magma disappear, leaving a uniquely preserved cavity, making it ripe for exploration.

To experience this geological oddity, all you need to do is go on a hike to the crater’s edge and have the guts to be lowered 400 feet to the bottom in an open cable lift.

As the elevator lowers you deeper and deeper you can see the different layers of the volcano. When you reach the last stop, you can walk around huge boulders and incredible formations.

Explore more:

• A Quick Look Inside a Volcano (video)

• Descend into the Heart of an Icelandic Volcano (photo essay)

Animals: How do dolphins use echolocation to navigate the deep seas?

Awareness: Mezcal is more popular than ever - why that’s bad news for bats.

Which one are you?: Day hiker vs thru-hiker.

Science: How genetics rescued the Florida panther.

Fearbuster: There are no demons of the sea.

Where in the world

Wanna flex your adventure geography skills? Guess where this pic was snapped!

Stumped? No worries. The answer is at the end of this email.

 ANSWER: Wanaka Tree, New Zealand