Chapters: Ch 1 · Ch 2 · Ch 3 · Ch 4 · Ch 5
Indian Subcontinent Treks
Vellarimala, Vavul Mala — A Weekend with the Rain Gods www.aswinanand.com — https://www.aswinanand.com/2011/04/vellarimala-vavul-mala-a-weekend-with-the-rain-gods/
A personal trekking blog post about Vellarimala and Vavul Mala, high-altitude peaks in the Wayanad/Malappuram region of Kerala, India. These are among the more challenging off-trail monsoon treks in the Western Ghats. [→ travel-outdoors; Kerala geography → indian-history-culture]
Sandeep’s World: Vavul Mala Trek https://usandeep.tripod.com/trekking/vavulmala.html
Another trip report for the Vavul Mala trek in Kerala, providing route details, conditions, and photos. Useful cross-reference for anyone planning this route in the Western Ghats. [→ travel-outdoors]
Extreme Mountain Sports
Experience the World’s First Ski Descent of K2 with Andrzej Bargiel https://youtu.be/TiGkU_eXJa8
A YouTube video documenting Andrzej Bargiel’s historic 2018 achievement — the first ski descent of K2 (the world’s second-highest peak). Bargiel climbed K2 without supplemental oxygen and skied down in a single push. [→ travel-outdoors]
My Most Brutal Wingsuit Flight Ever | Täschhorn 4491m | Swiss https://youtu.be/QKMkhCsgsas
A first-person YouTube video of an extreme wingsuit flight off Täschhorn (4,491m) in the Swiss Alps. Wingsuit base jumping from alpine peaks is among the most dangerous extreme sports. [→ travel-outdoors; documentary → arts-music-film]
The Quest To Conquer The Impossible In ‘The Devil’s Climb’ forbes.com — https://www.forbes.com/sites/tonybradley/2024/10/17/the-quest-to-conquer-the-impossible-in-the-devils-climb/
A Forbes article about The Devil’s Climb, a documentary or adventure project involving an extremely challenging climbing route. The “impossible” framing suggests a free-solo or first-ascent attempt on a historically unconquered line. [→ travel-outdoors; documentary → arts-music-film]
From Kidnapping to Kids, My Life on and off the Rock (Beth Rodden) outsideonline.com — https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/climbing/we-tell-it-it/?scope=anon
A first-person Outside Magazine essay by elite rock climber Beth Rodden, who survived a kidnapping in Kyrgyzstan (with Tommy Caldwell) in 2000 and reflects on how that trauma shaped her life as an athlete and mother. A powerful long-form personal essay. [→ travel-outdoors; memoir → books-literature]
Mountains We Have Never Climbed (BBC)
A BBC article about unexplored or unclimbed peaks around the world — mountains that remain without a recorded ascent. Appeals to both the mountaineering and exploration community. [→ travel-outdoors]