The 10 Most (Seemingly) Dangerous Things We've Done

The 10 Most (Seemingly) Dangerous Things We've Done

Seven years after we quit our jobs to travel the world, we're looking back at some of the riskiest things we've done while traveling

Peter and I have a running joke that I've fallen off my bike in the most beautiful places in the world - including Bora Bora in French Polynesia and Isabela in the Galápagos. I didn't learn to ride until I was 28 and my lack of experience led to numerous falls.

What's interesting is that no one ever calls me "brave" or "daring" when I ride a bike or horse, even though statistically (and from personal experience) these activities are some of the most dangerous I've ever done.

Instead, it's things like skydiving and bungee jumping that impress others the most. Below I share 10 seemingly dangerous things we did - some of which posed real risk, but most of which were just fun.

1. Changing tires in Namibia's lion territory

I'll be honest: it was one of the most nerve-wracking experiences I've ever had. Peter and I were on day 13 of our epic self-drive safari through Namibia when we got our second flat tire in as many days.

We had spent the previous day driving 100 miles round trip to the nearest garage to get a replacement tire after using the one we had. We're lucky because on the 13th day we broke another tire, this time in the middle of Etosha National Park, which is known for its abundance of lions.

Parking rules clearly state that you should never leave your vehicle. Unfortunately there was no phone reception so we couldn't call for help. We waited to see if anyone else would show up, but Etosha is a big place and we could have waited for hours.

So Peter suggested changing the tire in lion territory. I should keep watch and honk if I see movement.

How should I keep an all-round eye on the vehicle? Would I honk fast enough? Would we be the two stupid tourists killed by lions for ignoring official safety rules?

Atlas & BootsA lion lounges in Etosha National Park

I took a deep breath and nodded. Peter worked silently and quickly while I, sweaty and anxious, carefully scanned our surroundings. Fifteen minutes later the tire was on and we got back in the car, laughing with relief and possibly a little hysterical.

Half a kilometer down the road we stopped laughing. There we spotted a lion lazing under a tree and realized that this story could easily have ended differently.

2. Climbed three of the seven peaks

Peter has climbed three* of the seven peaks: Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Mount Elbrus in Russia and Mount Aconcagua in Argentina, with each climb becoming progressively more difficult.

(*Four if you count Kosciuszko in Australia, as well as The Bass List)

When I spoke to him on the phone after Elbrus, he was in a good mood. However, when I spoke to him after Aconcagua, he sounded completely exhausted. Physically it was the hardest day of his life, he said. Several times he had considered giving up and turning back - something I had never heard him say about a mountain.

Aconcagua is a “walkable” mountain (i.e. without technical rope work), but it carries a noticeable risk. At almost 7,000 m, it is said to have the highest mortality rate of any mountain in South America. When it comes to dangerous endeavors, attempting to climb the Seven Peaks is pretty high on our list.

3. Crossed a landslide in Peru

Crossing a landslide on our Salkantay trek in Peru seemed more exciting than dangerous, but it was enough of a risk to noticeably worry our guides. We hiked for an hour to try to avoid it, but when we realized a bridge had been washed away, we turned around and returned to the site.

There we made our way under a blanket of rain over a steep slope of crumbling scree. Some of us were better off than others. A woman in her early twenties cried with nervousness as she crossed, led by the hand by two guides.

Peter and I were comparatively carefree, but now I look back and see that one misstep would have ended badly.

4. Hiked to Erta Ale in Ethiopia

The Danakil Depression in Ethiopia is one of the hottest, deepest and driest places on earth. It is so extreme that life has been found here in pure acid. Temperatures regularly reach 45°C (113°F) and seas of molten magma seep just beneath the surface of the crust.

Its most impressive site is Erta Ale, one of the most active volcanoes in the world. The route there is called the “hike to hell and back” and requires a three-day journey with military escort.

In 2012, five tourists were killed and four people were kidnapped in an attack by Afar rebels, and a fatal incident occurred days after our own visit.

It made us think again about the pros and cons of risky travel, and while Erta Ale was an incredible sight, I'm not entirely sure I'd do it all again.

5. Jumped out of a plane – twice

Here we get into funny territory where the perceived danger is greater than the actual one. Peter and I skydived twice, first in the UK and then in Australia. Both times were absolutely exciting.

Interestingly, the skydive in Cairns was almost canceled due to rain and as we drove through heavy condensation I understood why. At this height, raindrops sting like needles because they fall much faster than water.

In any case, I was glad that the weather didn't cancel our jump. As I say in the video, this is the closest I've come to flying...unless I take up BASE jumping.

6. Jumped one of the longest bungies in the world

There's a moment when you shuffle onto the edge of New Zealand's 134m-tall Nevis Bungy when you think: Oh dear. If it's true that people are born with two fears - loud noises and falling - then jumping off a ledge into an abyss certainly goes against human nature.

Atlas & BootsKia in the middle of her jump

On the ledge, I waved carefully at the camera and listened to the countdown: “Three, two, one, Bungy.” Heart racing, I jumped off with a scream.

Seconds later I realized my eyes were closed. I snapped her up. If I did that, I would have a lot of fun. I felt myself diving deep into the valley and then rushing back up. I always thought I would hate the bouncy feeling, but the Nevis Bungy was completely smooth. I fell back to the ground and felt a whirlwind of disbelief. It was exciting, scary and absolutely exhilarating.

People ask me if the Nevis Bungy or skydiving was scarier. Undoubtedly it was the bungee. Despite the much greater altitude, skydiving doesn't quite feel like a fall. The force of the air around you has a buoyancy effect. With the Nevis Bungy you really just fall.

7. Dive with sharks in the Galápagos

Again, this was more fun than dangerous, but when people see the footage of Peter gliding into frame over a reef shark, they usually gasp loudly.

During a dive in the Galapagos Islands, we encountered dozens of whitetip reef sharks resting on the ocean floor. At a depth of almost 20 meters, we spent several impressive minutes observing these magnificent (and scary) beasts.

Of course, whitetip reef sharks are rarely aggressive toward humans. Unlike their oceanic cousin, they are rarely aggressive unless provoked. However, they are fearless and curious, and will sometimes approach swimmers to examine them.

8. Drove the Sani Pass in Lesotho

Located at the western end of KwaZulu-Natal Province in South Africa, Sani is a mountain pass connecting Underberg in South Africa with Mokhotlong in Lesotho. The Hairpin Pass, described as one of the most dangerous in the world, starts at an altitude of 1,544 m and rises to 2,876 m.

Sani Pass was built around 1950 and remains a challenging drive. With twisty turns, loose gravel, steep drops and hairpin bends, it requires meticulous care and practiced skill. In some places the gradient reaches 1:3 and has already claimed human lives under treacherous conditions. In fact, one of the hairpins has the rather sobering name “suicide curve.”

We crossed the pass during our 2018 trip to South Africa. Progress was extremely slow, but we didn't complain. This is one occasion where it really is better to be safe than sorry.

9. Swam with whale sharks in Djibouti

The whale shark is the largest known species of fish alive today. It poses no threat to humans, but its sheer size can be overwhelming.

On our trip in Djibouti, our spotter pointed to the waters in front of us and Peter and I jumped right in. Unfortunately, the whale shark headed in the opposite direction and the two boats followed, dropping off the passengers much closer to it. Peter and I looked at each other. We made the mistake of jumping too early.

At that moment, movement caught the corner of my eye. The whale shark headed straight for us. I dove underwater and the shark swam right towards me as I was floating in the water.

Atlas & BootsA whale shark swims past Kia

His skin glistened in the light and I held my breath as he swam so close that I thought his tail would hit me when he turned around. His enormous mass slid past quickly and I exhaled, long, soft and slow.

10. Climbed a via ferrata in Catalonia

After changing tires in Namibia, this is the most nerve-wracking thing on the list for me. I've said before that I'm most nervous when I'm responsible for my own safety during risky activities. Unlike bungee jumping or skydiving, where you never escape the hands of an expert, via ferrata requires you to change your own carabiners, meaning a careless mistake can send you flying to the ground.

A few meters further up our via ferrata in Catalonia, my left leg started shaking uncontrollably. I had never experienced anything like this before and I realized that I must be afraid. I remember it had a strange, academic quality to it and a distant part of me thought, "Huh, so that's what it is."

I gathered my nerve and continued upstairs. When we got to the top, neither Peter nor our guide Jordi believed me when I said it was scarier than bungee.

Using personal anecdotes mixed with incisive travel advice, we share everything we've learned about life on the road in Don't Offer Papaya: 101 Tips for Your First Time Around the World.

Mission statement: Atlas & Boots

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