The 10 (apparently) most dangerous things we did
The 10 (apparently) most dangerous things we did
seven years after we have terminated our jobs to travel to the world, we look back on some of the most risky things we have done on trips
Peter and I have a constant joke that I fell off bike in the most beautiful places in the world-including Bora Bora in French-Polynesia and Isabela on the Galápagos. I only learned riding at the age of 28 and my lack of experience has led to numerous falls.
It is interesting that nobody ever describes me as "brave" or "daring" when I ride a bike or horse, even though these activities are statistically (and from personal experience) are among the most dangerous ones that I have ever done.
Instead, there are things like skydiving and bungeous jumping that others impress the most. In the following I share 10 apparently dangerous things we did - some of which were a real risk, but most were only fun.1. Change of tires in Namibias Löwenrevier
I'm honest: that was one of the most nerve -wracking experiences I've ever had. Peter and I were through Namibia on the 13th day of our epic self-driver safari when we got our second panel mature within as many days.
We had spent the day before with a 160 km long return trip to the next workshop to get a replacement tire after using the one we had. We are lucky, because on the 13th day another tire broke us, this time in the middle of the Etosha National Park, which is known for its lion's wealth.
The parking rules clearly state that you should never leave your vehicle. Unfortunately there was no telephone reception, so we could not call any help. We waited if someone would appear, but Etosha is a big place and we could have been waiting for hours.
So Peter suggested to change the tire in the lion area. I should keep up and honk when I see a movement.
How should I keep an eye on the vehicle? Would I honk quickly enough? Would we be the two stupid tourists killed by lions because they disregarded the official security rules?
Atlas & Boots A lion lazy in the Etosha National Park
I took a deep breath and nodded. Peter worked in silence and quickly while I carefully searched our surroundings, bathing sweat and anxious. The tire was raised fifteen minutes later and we got back into the car, laughing with relief and possibly a little hysterical.
Half a kilometer down the street we stopped laughing. There we discovered a lion that lay lazy under a tree, and we realized that this story could have ended slightly differently.
2. Three of the seven peaks climbed
Peter has climbed three* of the seven summits: Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, the Mount Elbrus in Russia and the Mount Aconcagua in Argentina, whereby every climbing became increasingly difficult.
(*four if you count Kosciuszko in Australia, as well as The Bass List)
When I was talking to him after Elbrus, he was in a good mood. However, when I asked him to Aconcagua, he sounded completely exhausted. Physically it was the hardest day of his life, he said. He had considered to give up and reverse several times - something that I had never heard about a mountain.
The Aconcagua is a "walk -in" mountain (i.e. without technical rope work), but it carries a noticeable risk. At almost 7,000 m, it should have the highest mortality rate of all mountains in South America. When it comes to dangerous activities, the attempt to climb the seven peaks is quite high on our list.
3. Cross a landslide in Peru
crossing a landslide on our Salkantay Trek in Peru seemed to be more exciting than dangerous, but it was a risk enough to disturb our guides noticeably. We hiked for an hour to try to avoid it, but when we found that a bridge had been washed away, we turned and returned to the place.
There we made a way under a rain blanket over a steep slope made of crumbling rubble. Some of us were better than others. A woman in my early twenties cried with nervousness when she crossed her hand by two leaders.
Peter and I were comparatively carefree, but now I look back and see that a single misstep would have ended badly.
4. Hiked in Ethiopia after Erta ale
The Danakil-Senke in Ethiopia is one of the hottest, deepest and driest places on earth. It is so extreme that life was found here in pure acid. The temperatures regularly reach 45 ° C (113 ° F) and seas made of melted magma seeping directly below the crust surface.
Its most impressive site is found, one of the most active volcanoes in the world. The way there is called "hike to hell and back" and requires a three -day trip with a military escort.
In 2012, five tourists were killed in an attack by Afar rebels and four people were kidnapped, and days after our own visit there was a fatal incident.
It let us think about the advantages and disadvantages of risky trips again, and although Erta ale was an incredible sight, I am not quite sure whether I would do it all again.
5. Jumped out of an airplane - twice
Here we come to a fun area in which the perceived danger is greater than the actual. Peter and I jump twice, first in Great Britain and then in Australia. Both times were absolutely exciting.
Interestingly, the parachute jump in Cairns would have been almost canceled due to rain, and when we drove through strong condensation, I understood why. At this height, raindrops like needles sting because they fall much faster than water. In any case,I was glad that the weather did not cancel our jump. As I say in the video, I get the closest to fly ... unless I pick up base jumping.
6. One of the longest bungies in the world jumped
There is a moment when you shuffle on the edge of the 134 m high Nevis Bungy in New Zealand, in which you think: Oh dear. If it is true that people are born with two fears - loud noises and falls - then it certainly contradicts human nature to jump into an abyss from a ledge.
Atlas & Boots Kia in the middle of your jump
on the Sims I waved carefully into the camera and listened to the countdown: "Three, two, one, bungy". I jumped off with a scream.
seconds later I noticed that my eyes were closed. I grabbed her. If I did that, I would be damn a lot of fun. I felt how I immersed deep into the valley and then stormed up again. I always thought I would hate the hopping feeling, but the Nevis Bungy was completely smooth. I fell back onto the floor and felt a vertebrae of unbelief. It was exciting, scary and absolutely intoxicating.
People ask me if the Nevis Bungy or the skydiving was more scary. It was undoubtedly the bungee. Despite the much greater height, skydiving doesn't feel like a fall. The power of the air around them has a buoyancy effect. With the Nevis Bungy you really only fall.
7. Dipped with sharks on the Galápagos
It was more fun than dangerous, but when people see Peter's footage that glides into the picture over a reef shark, they usually snap loudly for air.
When a dive on the Galapagos Islands, we met dozens of white-tip reef sharks that rested on the sea floor. At almost 20 meters deep, we spent several impressive minutes to observe these great (and eerie) beasts.
Of course, white-tip reef sharks are rarely aggressive towards people. In contrast to your oceanic cousin, you are rarely aggressive, unless you are provoked. However, they are fearless and curious and sometimes approach swimmers to examine them.
8. Driven the Sani Pass in Lesotho
Sani is located at the western end of the province of Kwazulu-Natal in South Africa and is a mountain pass that Underberg in South Africa connects with Mokhotlong in Lesotho. The hairpin pass, which is described as one of the most dangerous in the world, begins at an altitude of 1,544 m and rises to 2,876 m.
Sani Pass was built around 1950 and remains a challenging journey. With curvy turns, loose gravel, steep drops and hairpin curves, they require meticulous care and practiced skills. Sometimes the slope reaches 1: 3 and has already demanded human life under tricky conditions. In fact, one of the hairpins bears the rather sobering name "suicide curve".
We crossed the pass during our South Africa trip in 2018. The progress was extremely slow, but we didn't complain. This is an opportunity for which it is really better to be on the safe side.
9. Swim with whale sharks in jibuti
The Walhai is the largest known fish today. It is not a threat to people, but its sheer size can be overwhelming.
On our trip in Dschibuti, our spotter pointed to the waters in front of us and Peter and I jumped in directly. Unfortunately, the Walhai steered in the opposite direction and the two boats followed and put the passengers much closer to it. Peter and I looked at each other. We had made the mistake of jumping too early.
At that moment a movement aroused my corner of my eye. The Walhai headed directly towards us. I dipped under water and the shark swam right towards me when I hovered in the water.
Atlas & Boots A WALHAI swims past Kia
his skin glittered in the light and I held my breath when he swam so close that I thought his cock would hit me when he turned. His enormous mass slid over quickly and I breathed out, long, gentle and slow.
10. Climbed a via ferrata in Catalonia
After the tire change in Namibia, this is the most nerve -wracking on the list for me. I have already said that I am the most nervous when I am responsible for my own security with risky activities. In contrast to bungee jumping or skydiving, where you never escape the hands of an expert, you have to change your own carabiners at the via ferrata, which means that you can be thrown to the ground if you have a careless mistake.
A few meters further up on our via ferrata in Catalonia, my left leg started to tremble uncontrollably. I had never experienced anything like this before and I realized that I had to be afraid. I remember that it had a strange, academic quality and a distant part of me thought: "Huh, so that's the way."
I took my nerves together and continued. Once at the top, neither Peter nor our guide Jordi believed me when I said it was more scary than bungee.
