Issue 126 | Rovaniemi to Ivalo

Plus: Shooting Quetzals, the pinnacles of Gunung Mulu, and more.

Author

Amanda Zeisset
September 29, 2023

 

ISSUE 126

 

 

 

In partnership with

This week’s issue is sponsored by Yacht Warriors. Discover your next sailing charter destination.

 

 

Happy Friday! This is Adventure Fix, your weekly digital journey filled with close encounters with wildlife, natural wonders, and expeditions to the lesser-known realms of our world.

Here’s what we've got for you today:

  • Natural Wonders: Pinnacles on Gunung Mulu

  • Expeditions: Winter journey from Rovaniemi to Ivalo

  • Wildlife Photography Trips: Resplendent Quetzals in Costa Rica

  • Films: A Man Among Orcas

 

 

NATURAL WONDERS

Pinnacles of Gunung Mulu

Photo: WikiCommons

Perched high atop Malaysia’s Mount Gunung Mulu is an otherworldly landscape composed of jagged limestone pinnacles that jut skyward like crocodile teeth from a 60-million-year-old rainforest.

These towering stone spikes are the result of stark karst formations, shaped over thousands of years as the soft limestone gradually eroded away.

What sets this natural marvel apart is its relative seclusion from the usual crowds of selfie stick-wielding influencers and tour buses. This is because the ascent to the Pinnacles of Gunung Mulu is an arduous and perilous undertaking.

Not everyone is inclined to embark on a three-day trek through the sweltering heat, lugging their own provisions and navigating rivers teeming with leeches. However, for those intrepid enough to venture into the jungle, the reward is a breathtaking panorama of this awe-inspiring natural wonder.

 
Explore more:

 

 

TOGETHER WITH YACHT WARRIORS

Fresh ideas for your next yacht charter vacation

Photo: The Moorings

Do you dream of chartering a sailboat but have no clue where to start?

Here’s a clue - sign up to Yacht Warriors Newsletter. Twice a month they send out fresh ideas for your next yacht charter trip - destination guides, sailing itineraries, planning tips, and more.

Get access to unique and remote anchorages that larger cruise ships or other modes of travel can’t reach. Explore hidden coves, pristine beaches, and idyllic islands away from the crowds.

 

 

EXPEDITIONS

Winter journey from Rovaniemi to Ivalo

Photo: Nordic Odyssey

Swedish Lapland is a magical place where you can experience snow-covered forests, frozen lakes, and rivers, and reindeer and moose in their natural habitat.

There are plenty of ways to explore this arctic fairy-tale landscape and choosing just one is tough.

To make it easier, join a winter journey from Rovaniemi to Ivalo.

You’ll snowshoe to an amethyst mine, go on a snowmobile safari, try your luck at ice fishing, and hunt for northern lights.

Explore more:

 

 

WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY TRIPS

Photographing Resplendent Quetzals

Photo: Judy Lehmberg

Boasting a bird list that spans over 900 species, Costa Rica stands as a true haven for bird enthusiasts. From the Ornate Hawk-Eagle and hummingbirds to motmots, the variety is staggering. However, there's one avian gem that consistently claims the top spot on everyone's checklist: the Resplendent Quetzal.

These magnificent creatures are revered as the Holy Grail for birders and bird photographers exploring the American tropics.

Decked in a resplendent ensemble of shimmering green and red feathers, the males undergo a breathtaking transformation during the mating season. They sprout twin tail feathers that unfurl into a spectacular train, extending up to an impressive three feet in length.

Although lacking these elaborate trains, females exhibit the same dazzling palette of blue, green, and red hues.


Explore more:

 

 

TOGETHER WITH DOLLAR FLIGHT CLUB

Save over $500 on your next flight

Do you dream of going on adventures around the world, but worry about the high cost of flights? Well, it’s time to say goodbye to overpriced flights and hello to Dollar Flight Club.

Dollar Flight Club is a flight alert service that handpicks the perfect flight plan for you and sends it directly to your inbox.

Here’s how it works. You set your preferred airport of departure and your favorite/frequent destinations. Then, DFC sends you special deals for flights covering only those routes. You can easily save $500+ in a single flight. Antonio and I use it all the time and it’s pretty awesome.

 

 

FILMS

A Man Among Orcas

Photo: David Reichert

A thousand miles off the coast of South Africa lie the Crozet Islands, an archipelago battered by wind, rain, and sea. The storm-ravaged shores are patrolled by killer whales, scouring the surf for the islands' wild inhabitants: elephant seals and king penguins.

A Man Among Orcas is an exhilarating documentary that follows filmmaker David Reichert as he embarks on an extraordinary expedition where he ventures into the heart of the untamed Southern Ocean to witness the raw beauty and brutal realities of life in this harsh environment.

The film not only showcases the astonishing hunting techniques of killer whales but also sheds light on the delicate ecological balance that sustains this unique ecosystem.

 

 

 

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QUICK FIX

Wildlife experiences: 10 strange animals and where to see them.

Thought: Why is silence going extinct?

Learn: Getting your private pilot license.

Photography: What Hollywood movies can teach you about photography.

 

 

THE COMPASS

Where in the world

Photo: See answer

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

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

 

 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.”

– John Wayne

 

 

 

Founders’ Journal

Location: Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

During our 3-year cycling expedition from California to Argentina, we couldn't pass up a night of camping out on the massive salt flat of the Salar de Uyuni. However, putting up the tent proved to be a real challenge for two reasons.

  1. There are no rocks or stones in the salar so hammering the stakes into the solidified salt was impossible.

  2. The wind was insane!

With the closest piece of land over 60 kilometers away and the sun setting, we had to make it work. With our bags and bikes holding the tent we managed to not fly away during the night.

-Antonio

We Would Love To Hear From You!

We enjoy hearing from other adventure travelers like you. We’re not a traditional magazine where you never get to talk to the editor. We’re different.

Tell us about you. Do you have a cool story to share? What’s your next trip? What was your favorite one? We can’t wait to hear about your adventures.

Hit reply and say hi.

We read and reply to every single email.

-Amanda & Antonio  

The team behind Adventure Fix

 

ANSWER: Port Austin, Michigan - USA