The Northeastern Untied States is not known as an Adventure Travel destination. Mount Washington , New Hampshire and the surrounding region is as rugged as any in the United States and is easily reachable from Boston,New York and Montreal.

The eight mile drive takes about 40 minutes in low gear, climbing to 6288 feet. The temperature drops about 30 degrees. Today, almost mid July, it was barely above freezing.

Today was also one of the first sunny days of the summer in this area. It was still not completely clear at the Summit – only 10 clear days a year there.

Above the tree line – Mt.Washington is close to the Jet Stream and suffers severe weather all year. It is the windiest place on Earth – 231 miles an hour – 374 kph !

Harley’s up the Mountain !

Our Trusty Toyota.

The weather obervatory – Scientists live here year round. In the winter ( September to June) the road is generally closed and the Summit is only reachable by Snowcat. Often there is no access at all.

Misty meadows seen upon descent.

We then drove down the Mountain and along a dirt road to the Sawyer River – a wild white water rapids flowing strong and cold due to this year’s excessive rains.

Trees are home to strange fungal formations – beautiful – but deadly – mushroom spores.

Waterfalls and rapids add to the remote feeling.

Mysterious life forms.

 

FOR ADVENTURES IN THE UNITED STATES, CLICK HERE

Papua New Guinea is as Back of Beyond as one can travel. Ice capped volcanoes rise from steamy equatorial jungles populated by Stone Age tribes.

ArcticTropic links to 3 adventure travel destinations in Papua New Guinea. CLICK HERE.

Kyrgyzstan is one of the true Ends of the Earth – the Back of Beyond! There are over 6500 glaciers in the Tien Shan Mountains. There are over 2000 lakes, including the salt water Lake Ysyk-Köl.

On the morning of Friday the 13th we purchased a very detailed map book in order to follow obscure dirt roads through remote villages – in order to pass as close to Popocatépetl, the world’s highest active volcano 5,426 metres (17,802 ft). The mountain is currently off limits due to massive eruptions that spew 5 ton boulders in the air like popcorn.

Timeless Mexico.

The road to Cortes Pass. The paved road was closed years ago due to lava flows.

Entering Izta-Popo National Park.

The volcano erupts !

Intrepid Adventurers !

Strange local fauna.

Road closed due to lava flows.

Snow in June in Mexico ! As we came down the western side of Cortes Pass – there was snow on the side of the road from a passing thunderstorm !

Many photos here are taken by Nick Zuver. ArcticTropic provides links to over 35 Mexican Adventure destinations and will soon offer direct booking.

Looking across the bridge from Mae Sai, Thailand into Tachiliek, Burma. All travelers must arrive through Rangoon airport. ArcticTropic is the Gateway to Adventure in Burma and Thailand, I shot this video in 1988, and things have not changed since then – Time Stands Still In Burma.

Gabon is quickly becoming a new frontier for African Safaris. The Loango Region is spectacular – with jungle wildlife along the pristine Atlantic Coast. There are daily flights from Paris. ArcticTropic has three links to Gambian destinations right now.