Fans of the great outdoors probably don’t need an introduction when it comes to the VholdR ContourHD helmet camera – but I can highly recommend taking a few minutes out of your busy Friday to check out the results of their Lib Tech snowboard video contest.
The five clips posted above were all shot using the ContourHD camera – and every single one of them is simply amazing (though the winning clip is just mindblowing). So, check out the clips, and if you feel you need to document your own antics, head on over to vholdr.com to check out their assortment of products.
We’ve mentioned Eric Larsen and his Save The Poles Expedition on more than one occasion here at Gadling. He’s the explorer who has set out to become the first person to visit the “three poles” in one calendar year, with the three poles being the North and South Geographic Poles and the summit of Mt. Everest.
Last week Larsen took another major step in his quest by reaching 90ºN, otherwise known as the North Pole. He, along with teammates Antony Jinman and Darcy St. Laurent, spent 51 days out on the ice, battling high winds, sub-zero temperatures, massive rubble fields, and ice flowing away from the Pole that made it seem like they were on a treadmill at times. But in the end, they reached the top of the world, putting Larsen two-thirds of the way toward his goal. Eric, and two different teammates reached the South Pole back on January 2nd.
The main objective of the project is to raise awareness of global warming and its impact on the Earth’s Poles, while promoting the use of new, clean energy sources and carbon offsets. In that light, it seems all the more fitting that the team arrived at the North Pole on Earth Day.
With the North and South Pole under his belt, Larsen will now turn his attention on Everest. It is too late to make the climb during the spring season, so he’ll be planning a fall ascent. If all goes as planned, he’ll be making history later this year.
Polar explorer Christina Franco, who we first mentioned back at the start of the arctic season, was evacuated from the ice on Friday after finding herself stranded on the wrong side of a large lead, or open body of water, with no apparent way around that would allow her to continue her expedition to the North Pole.
Franco had been out on the ice for 30 days, but spent the last three heading east instead of north, as she searched in vain for a way around the open body of water, which are becoming more common thanks to global climate change. Following those days of no progress, while battling negative drift that actually had her moving southward, she knew that she was running out of time to complete her polar journey. As a result, when a resupply plane arrived, she elected to catch a ride back to civilization, abandoning her expedition in the process.
This is the second year in a row that Franco has had to give up on her pursuit of becoming the first woman to make a solo journey to the North Pole. Last year, she was forced to retreat following a major malfunction to her stoves, which not only cook food, but provide heat in her tent. This year, the environment itself conspired against her. The pilots who pulled her from the ice say that she was effectively stranded on a long, thin island, with no way to move forward.
Christina’s evacuation was a quick one. She was retrieved from the ice on Friday, and was back in Resolute Bay, Canada, her original starting point, within hours. Reportedly, she is already back in London, and pondering future expeditions.
GadlingTV’s Travel Talk, episode 7 – Click above to watch video after the jump
Ever wanted to build an igloo? We’re savoring the end of the snow season by taking you to the Sierras to show you how!
This week we’ll also discuss the White House’s second attempt to nominate a TSA Director, why Cuba is developing faster than ever, the business model behind the Somali pirate industry, and a popular tourist destination where a kiss could land you in jail.
We’ve got a new (spicy) Tasteful Destination for you, and some little known facts about a tea you know and love with Tea Time. Grab a blanket or cup of hot cider and enjoy!
If you have any questions or comments about Travel Talk, you can email us at talk AT gadling DOT com.
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Hosts: Stephen Greenwood, Aaron Murphy-Crews, Drew Mylrea
Produced, Edited, and Directed by: Stephen Greenwood, Aaron Murphy-Crews, Drew Mylrea
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Music:
Tea Time
“Revenge of the flying monkeys, part 2”
Ayetoro
Tasteful Destinations
“Stop Yield Go Merge”
Derek K Miller http://www.penmachine.com/ (courtesy of Musicalley.com)
It wasn’t until a close friend of mine wound up in a wheelchair that I took any notice of sports for quadriplegics. That’s when I realized the athletic feats accomplished by these wheelchair-bound competitors are truly astonishing. While I, and my perfectly capable limbs, stood on the side lines and cheered, my friend was out skydiving, skiing and even kayaking as a “quad.” Check out the ten best extreme wheelchair sports in this round up of videos.
Can’t Feel My Legs, Haha Clay Egan is one of the best Rock Climbing drivers in the world. This inspirational man broke his neck in a motorcycle accident, but that never stopped him from participating in events that have him literally falling off of cliffs. After one wild fall, he remarked, “Man I can’t feel my legs!” Just a little quad humor.
North Pole Wheelchair Accessible
The North Pole is wheelchair-accessible? David Shannon proved that it is. He reached the summit on the 100 year anniversary of the first North Pole expedition. This video outlines the journey he took and the obstacles he encountered. Many able-bodied people try and fail, but this quadriplegic was a success.
Hang Ten, Baby. Quad Surfing
The Disabled Surfing Association of Australia allows Kelly McCann, a C2 quadriplegic to surf. She has no use of her arms or legs and needs constant breathing assistance, but can get on a board and experience the awesomeness of the ocean.
Yes, He Can Gene Rodgers does it all in this video clip. Bungee jump? check. Ride an elephant, check. Parachute? check. This quadriplegic has done it all and his catchy little background song is by the blind musician Jeff Moyer. “Yes, I can”….and yes I will be singing this all day now.
Leave Your Disability at the Dock
Beautiful clip on sailing for quadriplegics. Control the sails and gain your freedom on the open sea. There is a man in this clip who gets to take his wife and service dog out for a sail. On land he is dependent. In the boat, he is in control.
Scuba Diving, Up Close and Personal
Dive right in. Regardless of your abilities, diving is a wonderful experience. The adaptations they have for quadriplegics like zip in wet suits and webbed gloves make it easier for anyone to give it a try.
Gooooaaaal!
Power soccer athletes doing their thing. Played indoors with a foot guard over the front of a power wheelchair. This sport allows individuals who are completely dependent on others for their day to day care to be competitive athletes. Fun video to watch!
Ride a Bike
All ages get together to ride hand cycles. These awesome pieces of machinery allow the wheelchair bound freedom on the streets. I loved seeing the little kids on the bikes. The clip mentions how the hand cycle gives them common ground with their family and friends. Going for a bike ride puts everyone on the same playing field, nice.
Sledge Hockey at the Paralympic Games
Exciting game! Check out these Canadians, nothing disabled about them. They came away with the GOLD.
King of Extreme Wheelchair Sports
We end this round-up of the 10 best quadriplegic extreme sports with the “King of Extreme,” Rugby. Wheelchair rugby, or Murderball, is brutal but thrilling to watch.