Hiking the sand dunes in the Atacama Desert My thighs burn as I trudge up the steep sand dune and squint into the blaring sun. Mimicking Mads, I hold my board across my shoulders and focus on stepping on the almost invisible path. Looking toward the crest of the hill, I mechanically order my legs to move forward one leg at a time. How the hell do people run up these in … [Read more...]
Paso de Jama, Chilean Border Crossing to Argentina – from Alex’s Adventure Diaries
The barren border crossing building at Paso de Jama, between Chile and Argentina in the Andes, has a distinct lack of noise as travellers slowly shuffle their dusty backpacks forward in a semblance of lines. I stare out the open window where a yawning blue sky meets the dry desert. Voices come in like muted echoes and I work my jaw to no avail. My left eardrum is … [Read more...]
Mountain Biking Death Road, Bolivia – from Alex’s Adventure Diaries
I see a few rocks falling down the mountainside towards me and my heart rate picks up speed. I could actually die here. Working my bike through the mudslide, I understand why the van that was supposed to follow us for emergencies, had to go back and meet us at the end. I flex my ice-cold wet fingers as best as I can and alternate taking them off the handlebars to shake out. … [Read more...]
Mental Health and Travel
As we become more open about our mental health we’re realizing that many of us are dealing with anxiety, depression, and other illnesses. I want to be clear that to the best of my knowledge, I do not suffer from any disorder or illness - but I do deal with what I call “panic flashes”. I’m not good with negative emotions besides anger. Anger I’m wildly familiar with, but … [Read more...]
How to Live Stream and Watch the Rio 2016 Paralympics
The Rio 2016 Olympics are now over and the feeling in the air is much like when the holiday season is over. We have a few new dreams to entertain us (in my case: new inspiration to swim more, train harder and fantasize about being superhuman), but nothing exciting to look forward to for a long time. I can assure you ... there is something even more exhilarating right around the … [Read more...]
