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  • Issue 93 | Diving Africa's largest fossil graveyard

Issue 93 | Diving Africa's largest fossil graveyard

Plus: Underrated hiking in Nepal, cycling Norway's forgotten road, and more.

 

Issue 93 | Feb 10, 2023

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Happy Friday! This is Adventure Fix. An adventure publication that is actually uhhh, adventurous. Not like some others we know, ahem...

Photo: Outside Online

Anyway, back to business, here’s what we've got for you today:

  • Cycling forgotten roads in Norway

  • Living beyond fear with Jimmy Chin

  • Underrated hiking in Nepal

  • Finding gorilla-sized lemur bones 100 ft underwater

​Let's do this 🤙

 

 

EXPLORATION

Diving Africa's largest fossil graveyard

Photo: Madagascar Karst Exploration Project

Cave diving. It's certainly at the top of the most dangerous water sports list. But for some it is more than a hobby, it grants passage to our planet's history.

In Madagascar's remote western desert, scientists go deep into the underground, over 160 feet beneath the surface.Here in the winding limestone passages of these caves, they discovered the final resting place of lemurs that once grew to the size of gorillas, crocodiles with distinctive horn-like protuberances, and some of the largest birds that ever existed on Earth.Watch this: The Madagascar Karst Cave Project to see how scientists are finding remnants of a world that thrived thousands of years ago to try to understand this lost world.

 

 

HIKING

Hidden Himalayan hiking

Photo: Kraig Adams

When it comes to hiking in Nepal, the Everest Base Camp trek and the Annapurna Circuit are the stars of the show. But if your hiking style is more alternative and edgy, we've got a trek for you: the Manaslu Circuit.

It's less crowded than the popular trails while still taking you through the most striking and jaw-dropping scenery.

You'll trek through narrow valleys, alongside rushing rivers, and over majestic mountains. Rest with us at a Tibetan monastery, go hiking with dogs, goats, yaks, and donkeys, and experience authentic Tibetan and Nepalese life.

Watch this: Hiking 100 Miles on the Manaslu Circuit Trek, to see what's so special about this part of Nepal.

 

 

TOGETHER WITH ORU KAYAK

The OG origami kayak just got bolder

Oru Kayak, the original origami folding kayak company released a limited edition orange version across their fleet of portable watercraft. With designs made for noobs to pros, these clever boats weigh as little as 20 lbs and fold down to the size of a suitcase.

Loved by city dwelling paddlers and jet setting adventurers, Oru's folding kayaks are undeniably awesome. Now they've developed tech to directly infuse color into their boats, and peeps. are. stoked.

Made from durable UV-treated double-layer polypropylene, Oru Kayak is a lightweight but tough go-to choice. It's no surprise they won multiple design and industry awards including ISPO's Product of the Year and Gold winner of Edison awards — it's even in the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

Get your ultra-rad orange boat in a box ASAP. Oru only made a limited number of these models. Order yours before time runs out.

 

 

CYCLING

Pedaling a forgotten road in the Northern playground

Photo: Matthew Norway

If you love gravel biking through stunning landscapes but hate the danger and smoke that comes with riding near cars, we've found something you might like.High in the mountains of central Norway, you'll find a great gravel road that some people call the Norwegian version of the Bolivian Death Road for its narrow path and vertical drops. It was built over 100 years ago with an incredible 42 hairpin corners all the way up a 3200-foot mountain.

When it opened in 1934 it was deemed the most wonderful road in Europe, but then the war came, and in the years that followed the road was quietly forgotten as a tourist destination.

By 1962 a more modern and safer road lower down the valley was built to replace it and over the next 60 years, rockfalls landslides, and erosions left the road a forgotten relic of its past glory.

In 2020 funding was raised to finally restore it and it would be rebuilt exactly how they did it in the early 20th century. a year later this once-forgotten road opened again not for cars and cruise tourists but for cyclists and hikers.

What this: Riding the Forgotten Road to see why this road should be on your radar if you love cycling in remote places.

 

 

OVERLANDING

Winter wonderland camping in Idaho

Photo: Drew Simms

When the snow falls, it takes camping off the table for many people but for the most adventurous out there, it's the perfect time to load up the truck and hit the backroads.

Idaho's Sawtooth Mountains make for a picturesque setting. Add some fresh snowfall this place turns into a serene and sublime winter wonderland.

Get out of camp for a while, and strap on your snowshoes to explore the trails. To warm up, take a dip in the hot springs. In the evening, practice your bushcraft cooking skills over an open fire.

Watch this: Camping in -18F in Idaho out of my Jeep: to get some winter camping and 4x4 driving inspiration.

Overlanding is an experimental section for Adventure Fix. What do you think?

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TOGETHER WITH THE MACA TEAM

Give your energy a boost. From increased endurance and stamina to improved mood, protection against UV radiation, and more, Maca is an excellent way to level up your vitality in a balanced way. The folks at The Maca Team have over 20 years of history sourcing the highest quality products out there. Find your fave maca here.

 

 

QUICK FIX

🐧 That’s cool: School kids in New Zealand discover a new species.

🔥 Podcast: Live Beyond Fear: Jimmy Chin & Chai Vasarhelyi.

🤯 That's interesting: The tip of a butterfly's tongue.

 💸 Wallet: Why is Arc'teryx so expensive?

🐶 Aww: Adventure dogs skiing the backcountry.

 

 

GAMES

Where in the World

Photo: Walkabout Couple

Wanna flex your adventure geography skills? Take a guess at where this pic was snapped! Stumped? No worries, the answer is at the end of this email.

 

 

ADVENTURE JOBS

🦁 Safari Specialist: Have a deep knowledge of Africa and want to share your expertise in planning interesting, unique trips for people that will create memories that last a lifetime? Extraordinary Journeys wants you.

🚵‍♀️ Trip Leader: The World's #1 Active Travel company, Backroads, is hiring Trip Leaders to lead and support their biking, hiking, and multi-adventure vacations.🦙 Hiking & Llama Guide: The Wildland Trekking Co is on the lookout for guides to lead backpacking, hiking, and llama trekking trips.

Adventure Jobs is a new section for us, what do you think?

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GET MORE ADVENTURE FIX

Still haven't gotten your fix? Search the Adventure Fix archives to get even more exciting trip ideas and exploration inspiration.

We'd Love to Hear From You!

Please give us feedback by filling out this quick survey below so we can get to know you better. We're looking forward to reading your answers.

 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"Returning home is the most difficult part of long-distance hiking; You have grown outside the puzzle and your piece no longer fits."

– Cindy Ross

 

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