Is this the most dangerous campsite in the world? Pitching a tent on the side of a 4,000ft cliff face

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Hanging around: Three tents are suspended off a 4,000ft vertical cliff in the Arctic as climbers get some much needed sleep


For many people, a camping trip is enough to get them sweating before they've even put up a tent pole.

But for these daredevil explorers, scaling cliffs and pitching tents at the height of more than 300 double decker buses is just a normal day at the office.

Hanging precariously in tents off a 4,000ft shear cliff face, these climbers are chasing the most dangerous big wall climbs ever attempted.


Don't look down: A climber peaks out of his tent high up on Great Sail Peak, on Canada's Baffin Island


As these stunning images show, the climbs can last for weeks and the explorers must set up tents on the edge of monstrous cliff faces to grab some much needed rest.

They were taken by adventure photographer Gordon Wiltsie, 57, who risks his own life to capture thrill-seeking moments.

He said: 'During this climb it was the Arctic spring so melting snow on both the summit and a ledge midway up the cliff constantly sent rocks and chunks of ice flying down.

'One the size of a car even came crashing down around us. Several times I came within inches of being hit which almost certainly would have been fatal.

'Falling objects are constantly on your mind and if you look carefully at the picture of the hanging tents, or Portaledges, you can see the camp was below an overhang for shelter.


Home comforts: Jon Catto, Greg Child and Mark Synnott set up their Portaledge camp site, complete with baggage, at 4,000ft


'Camping in the Portaledges is a lot less scary and dangerous than it is climbing outside of them. They're pretty comfortable and you don't actually see the drop below.

'I find it similar to sleeping into a regular tent. You're always harnessed into a separate anchor from the tent so I felt quite safe - unless I had to lean out to get food or supplies from our haul bags hanging outside.'

The amazing collection is part of a brand new summer-long exhibit of work by Mr Wiltsie at the famous Mountain Light Gallery in California, U.S.

The exhibition features an array of stunning images from climbs over the past decade including the first ascent of Great Sail Peak - an overhanging granite wall on Canada's Baffin Island.



Looking for the perfect spot: The climbers have to pitch their tents to get much-needed rest during big ascents

source: dailymail

Look...no hands! New 'ride' gives adrenaline junkies chance to walk around the outside of CN Tower

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

High life: Visitors to the new EdgeWalk experience will have unparalleled views of Toronto


Toronto's CN Tower is a test for even the most extreme adrenaline junkies.

But budding dare devils now face a new challenge, as the tower's operators plan to let people walk hands-free around the outside of the 116 story structure - held in place by only a cable.

For just $175, thrill-seekers can stroll around the top of Toronto’s famous CN Tower with no guard-rail and just a 5ft (1.5m) wide see-through ledge underneath.


Exciting: The entire experience will last about 90 minutes, with the walk itself running 20 to 30 minutes


At 1,167ft (356m) above the ground, the EdgeWalk will reward the brave with some breathtaking open-air views of Canada’s largest city, Lake Ontario and Buffalo, NY.

The first attraction of its kind in North America, EdgeWalk claims to be the world’s highest full circle hands-free walk at 116 stories above the ground.

‘We're extremely proud of the records the CN Tower has held throughout the years, including our strong safety record,’ said Jack Robinson, CN Tower's chief operating officer.

‘Our facilities and engineering team supervised the EdgeWalk project design and build to ensure that it is both exciting and safe.’

The attraction surpasses the Sky Tower walk in Auckland, New Zealand, at 629ft (192m) high and the Macau Tower Skywalk at 764ft (233m) above the ground.

EdgeWalk is set to open August 1 and advance ticket sales begin in June.


CN Tower Toronto


source: dailymail

Look...no hands! New 'ride' gives adrenaline junkies chance to walk around the outside of CN Tower

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

High life: Visitors to the new EdgeWalk experience will have unparalleled views of Toronto


Toronto's CN Tower is a test for even the most extreme adrenaline junkies.

But budding dare devils now face a new challenge, as the tower's operators plan to let people walk hands-free around the outside of the 116 story structure - held in place by only a cable.

For just $175, thrill-seekers can stroll around the top of Toronto’s famous CN Tower with no guard-rail and just a 5ft (1.5m) wide see-through ledge underneath.


Exciting: The entire experience will last about 90 minutes, with the walk itself running 20 to 30 minutes


At 1,167ft (356m) above the ground, the EdgeWalk will reward the brave with some breathtaking open-air views of Canada’s largest city, Lake Ontario and Buffalo, NY.

The first attraction of its kind in North America, EdgeWalk claims to be the world’s highest full circle hands-free walk at 116 stories above the ground.

‘We're extremely proud of the records the CN Tower has held throughout the years, including our strong safety record,’ said Jack Robinson, CN Tower's chief operating officer.

‘Our facilities and engineering team supervised the EdgeWalk project design and build to ensure that it is both exciting and safe.’

The attraction surpasses the Sky Tower walk in Auckland, New Zealand, at 629ft (192m) high and the Macau Tower Skywalk at 764ft (233m) above the ground.

EdgeWalk is set to open August 1 and advance ticket sales begin in June.


CN Tower Toronto


source: dailymail

Look...no hands! New 'ride' gives adrenaline junkies chance to walk around the outside of CN Tower

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

High life: Visitors to the new EdgeWalk experience will have unparalleled views of Toronto


Toronto's CN Tower is a test for even the most extreme adrenaline junkies.

But budding dare devils now face a new challenge, as the tower's operators plan to let people walk hands-free around the outside of the 116 story structure - held in place by only a cable.

For just $175, thrill-seekers can stroll around the top of Toronto’s famous CN Tower with no guard-rail and just a 5ft (1.5m) wide see-through ledge underneath.


Exciting: The entire experience will last about 90 minutes, with the walk itself running 20 to 30 minutes


At 1,167ft (356m) above the ground, the EdgeWalk will reward the brave with some breathtaking open-air views of Canada’s largest city, Lake Ontario and Buffalo, NY.

The first attraction of its kind in North America, EdgeWalk claims to be the world’s highest full circle hands-free walk at 116 stories above the ground.

‘We're extremely proud of the records the CN Tower has held throughout the years, including our strong safety record,’ said Jack Robinson, CN Tower's chief operating officer.

‘Our facilities and engineering team supervised the EdgeWalk project design and build to ensure that it is both exciting and safe.’

The attraction surpasses the Sky Tower walk in Auckland, New Zealand, at 629ft (192m) high and the Macau Tower Skywalk at 764ft (233m) above the ground.

EdgeWalk is set to open August 1 and advance ticket sales begin in June.


CN Tower Toronto


source: dailymail

Look...no hands! New 'ride' gives adrenaline junkies chance to walk around the outside of CN Tower

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

High life: Visitors to the new EdgeWalk experience will have unparalleled views of Toronto


Toronto's CN Tower is a test for even the most extreme adrenaline junkies.

But budding dare devils now face a new challenge, as the tower's operators plan to let people walk hands-free around the outside of the 116 story structure - held in place by only a cable.

For just $175, thrill-seekers can stroll around the top of Toronto’s famous CN Tower with no guard-rail and just a 5ft (1.5m) wide see-through ledge underneath.


Exciting: The entire experience will last about 90 minutes, with the walk itself running 20 to 30 minutes


At 1,167ft (356m) above the ground, the EdgeWalk will reward the brave with some breathtaking open-air views of Canada’s largest city, Lake Ontario and Buffalo, NY.

The first attraction of its kind in North America, EdgeWalk claims to be the world’s highest full circle hands-free walk at 116 stories above the ground.

‘We're extremely proud of the records the CN Tower has held throughout the years, including our strong safety record,’ said Jack Robinson, CN Tower's chief operating officer.

‘Our facilities and engineering team supervised the EdgeWalk project design and build to ensure that it is both exciting and safe.’

The attraction surpasses the Sky Tower walk in Auckland, New Zealand, at 629ft (192m) high and the Macau Tower Skywalk at 764ft (233m) above the ground.

EdgeWalk is set to open August 1 and advance ticket sales begin in June.


CN Tower Toronto


source: dailymail

Look...no hands! New 'ride' gives adrenaline junkies chance to walk around the outside of CN Tower

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

High life: Visitors to the new EdgeWalk experience will have unparalleled views of Toronto


Toronto's CN Tower is a test for even the most extreme adrenaline junkies.

But budding dare devils now face a new challenge, as the tower's operators plan to let people walk hands-free around the outside of the 116 story structure - held in place by only a cable.

For just $175, thrill-seekers can stroll around the top of Toronto’s famous CN Tower with no guard-rail and just a 5ft (1.5m) wide see-through ledge underneath.


Exciting: The entire experience will last about 90 minutes, with the walk itself running 20 to 30 minutes


At 1,167ft (356m) above the ground, the EdgeWalk will reward the brave with some breathtaking open-air views of Canada’s largest city, Lake Ontario and Buffalo, NY.

The first attraction of its kind in North America, EdgeWalk claims to be the world’s highest full circle hands-free walk at 116 stories above the ground.

‘We're extremely proud of the records the CN Tower has held throughout the years, including our strong safety record,’ said Jack Robinson, CN Tower's chief operating officer.

‘Our facilities and engineering team supervised the EdgeWalk project design and build to ensure that it is both exciting and safe.’

The attraction surpasses the Sky Tower walk in Auckland, New Zealand, at 629ft (192m) high and the Macau Tower Skywalk at 764ft (233m) above the ground.

EdgeWalk is set to open August 1 and advance ticket sales begin in June.


CN Tower Toronto


source: dailymail

Look...no hands! New 'ride' gives adrenaline junkies chance to walk around the outside of CN Tower

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

High life: Visitors to the new EdgeWalk experience will have unparalleled views of Toronto


Toronto's CN Tower is a test for even the most extreme adrenaline junkies.

But budding dare devils now face a new challenge, as the tower's operators plan to let people walk hands-free around the outside of the 116 story structure - held in place by only a cable.

For just $175, thrill-seekers can stroll around the top of Toronto’s famous CN Tower with no guard-rail and just a 5ft (1.5m) wide see-through ledge underneath.


Exciting: The entire experience will last about 90 minutes, with the walk itself running 20 to 30 minutes


At 1,167ft (356m) above the ground, the EdgeWalk will reward the brave with some breathtaking open-air views of Canada’s largest city, Lake Ontario and Buffalo, NY.

The first attraction of its kind in North America, EdgeWalk claims to be the world’s highest full circle hands-free walk at 116 stories above the ground.

‘We're extremely proud of the records the CN Tower has held throughout the years, including our strong safety record,’ said Jack Robinson, CN Tower's chief operating officer.

‘Our facilities and engineering team supervised the EdgeWalk project design and build to ensure that it is both exciting and safe.’

The attraction surpasses the Sky Tower walk in Auckland, New Zealand, at 629ft (192m) high and the Macau Tower Skywalk at 764ft (233m) above the ground.

EdgeWalk is set to open August 1 and advance ticket sales begin in June.


CN Tower Toronto


source: dailymail

A family sailing trip in search of Odysseus and Ithaca in glorious Greece

By JED NOVICK

Greek godliness: Ithaca - and the fishing village of Kioni - is one of the Ionian's quietest outposts


Like all the best ideas, it was simple and brilliant. We wanted a holiday that would tap into our adventurer spirit and keep the children entertained - a holiday that would be about more than just eating and drinking while we moaned about the kids doing nothing except eating and drinking.

Then came the lightbulb moment: we persuaded our 15-year-old daughter, Ellie, to take Classics GCSE. 'It's just great stories. You'll love it,' we said, and when she came home one day enthusing about Homer's Odyssey, an idea for the perfect family holiday began to form.


All aboard: Ellie (left) and Loulou await the start of their voyage into Odysseus's world


We'd make it real. Before having children, my wife and I had been Odyssean travellers, finding our way across the world, bumping into life's challenges and negotiating gods and monsters along the way. A Homeric holiday might bring out the hero in us all. We'd fly to Athens and make our way to Ithaca, home of Odysseus. It would be an epic voyage where we'd face our own challenges, see off our own cyclops, resist the sirens - and if any suitors came looking for my girls...

Unlike Odysseus, who had ten years to get to Ithaca, we had only ten days, and so we set ourselves one challenge each. Ellie would have to conquer her fear of the sea after too many viewings of Jaws. Loulou, 11, would find the rite of passage that would transform her from primary school kid to a secondary school pupil in September.


Searching for home: A statue of Odysseus in the town of Stavros marks Ithaca as his 'home island'

We also had the challenge that all one-time travellers who are now family people have: finding uncharted terrain in a world packaged into a tourist's dream while keeping the girls happy.

Like all epic voyages, the first step was the hardest - three hours spent on a budget flight felt longer than Odysseus's seven years of bondage on Calypso's island.

After that, we didn't take the easy path. The adventurer's spirit compelled us to take the more 'interesting' route: we'd drive across the Bay of Corinth towards the Ionian island of Lefkas. Still, it was only a six-hour journey.

Travel Facts
Expedia (0871 226 0808, www.expedia.co.uk) offers return flights with easyJet from Gatwick to Athens and ten days' car hire from £307. Wildwind (0844 499 2898, www.wildwind.co.uk) offers sailing packages from £649pp, including flights and tuition. A house sleeping four at Levendi's Estate, Ithaca, costs £4,400 per week with discounts in May. Visit www.levendisestate.com.

source: dailymail

Holidays with a swing: The best golfing spots in Europe

By PHIL BOUCHER

Teeing off: Europe has a lot to offer when it comes to golf courses


Sensational scenery, wicked bunkers and thrilling off-course action. Follow our guide to Europe's top golf resorts...

Tenerife - Abama Resort
There's more to Tenerife than sunburnt noses and an English fry-up. The west side of the island is a tranquil haven of volcanic cliffs and tropical foliage, making it the ideal place to swing your clubs enveloped by waterfalls, white sand bunkers and spectacular views of the island of La Gomera.

In this beauty you can indulge in the pools and sandy beach of the Abama resort.
Along with a high-class spa and watersports, there's a daily round of treasure hunts, beach parties and movie nights for the under-12s.

The challenge: Thread your ball up the steeply rising par 5 10th hole, which has a series of ball-hungry lakes on the left.

Details: Seven nights' half board cost from £975pp, including flights and transfers. Golf extra. Travelbeam Luxury Hotels, 0845 845 0145, www.travelbeam.co.uk.

Spain - La Manga
It's best known as a summer centre for Premier League footballers at the La Manga Club. But with three palm-filled courses snaking through ravines, water hazards and Spanish countryside, golfers are not hard done by.

It is close to 26 miles of beaches on the Costa Calida, and the area is crammed with quaint destinations such as the old spa town of Los Alcazares, plus the grander spectacle of the museums, cathedrals and Moorish fortifications of Cartagena and Murcia.

The challenge: Survive the enormously long fairways and fiendishly placed bunkers of the PGA-standard South Course.

Details: Stay at the Las Lomas Village Apartments from £273pp for four nights including breakfast, a daily round of golf or other selected activities; 00 34 968 1755 77, www.lamangaclub.com. Monarch flies from London to Alicante return from £62; www.monarch.co.uk.

Sardinia - Is Molas
Savour 27 holes of meandering, parkland golf on the flower-filled hills of Sulcis. Or gorge on fresh seafood and Sardinian bread on a creative cooking course and work it off later doing watersports on the private beach.

Venture farther to the coves, taverns and white sand dunes of Nora and Porto d'Agumu, which complement the Phoenician ruins, spanish watchtowers and a clifftop roman amphitheatre.

The challenge: Avoid the tree in the middle of the 5th fairway, then carry your ball over a concealed stream to reach an elevated green and hole out for a par 4.

Details: Four rounds of golf, from £449pp. BA flies from London to Cagliari from £142 return, 0844 493 0787, www.ba.com.


Stunning Sardinia: You don't have to be a celebrity to enjoy the Is Molas course


Italy - Riva dei Tessali
Southern Italy's pine forests, olive groves and citrus plantations are home to two distinctly different courses in the heart of Apulia.

The surrounding region is rich with Greco- roman remains, conical Trulli houses and the troglodyte cave dwellings at Matera. The nearby port of Taranto provides a gilt-edged excuse to try the local Primitivo wines.

Failing that, simply cycle to a deserted tree-fringed beach and do as little as possible.

The challenge: Adapt your game to the varied tests offered by the woodland riva dei Tessali and the scottish-style links of Metaponto.

Details: Seven nights' full board with seven rounds of golf on Riva dei Tessali and Metaponto. Airport transfers from £645pp (£545 for nongolfers ). Golf Par excellence, 01737 211 818, www.golfparexcellence.com. BA flies from London to Bari from £161.

Cyprus - Aphrodite Hills
Aphrodite, goddess of love, is said to have emerged from the waves here, though the golf course is far from amorous: a series of knee-trembling drives across deep, rocky gorges can easily ruin anyone's scorecard.

But if you're up for passion, the resort's spa, dramatic coastal views and cliff-top trails can't fail to make you feel romanced.

Carefully organised children's activities should keep adults free from interruptions, too.

The challenge: Make it across a 142-yard gorge and reach the green at the par 3 7th hole.

Details: Seven nights' half board, four rounds of golf, and flights, costs from £699pp, with return flight to Paphos. supertravel Golf, 0207 459 2984, www.supertravel.co.uk.


Room with a view: The accommodation is just as good as the gold at Aphrodite Hills


Turkey - Cornelia Resort
Citrus - packed valleys, turquoise seas, ancient amphitheatres and age-defying marble columns of Olympos, Perge, Side and Myra makes the Turkish Riviera particularly enticing.

That's before you get down to the nitty-gritty of 27 Nick Faldo-designed holes. There's also a staffed children's area and an impressive spa, offering a range of tantalising therapies.

The challenge: Drive over the trees and onto the green of the short par 47th hole (aptly named 'Faldo's Choice'), which is designed to make you choose between laying up or going for broke.

Details: Turkish Golf, 020 7923 3230, www.turkishgolf.com, has seven nights all-inclusive at the 5-starplus diamond Golf resort and spa from £795pp, including three rounds of golf, transfers and return flights.

Portugal - Praia del Rey
Get into the swing on 18 holes that flow through fragrant pines and wild sand dunes, offering a true test of both your parkland and links skills. other activities range from quad biking to paintball.

If you fancy an more idle ramble, try a local vineyard or farmer's market and dip into the history of the Silver Coast at the Unesco World Heritage town of Obidos.

Lisbon, with its shops, bars and nightlife, is just over an hour to the south.

The challenge: Tame the 623-yard, par 5 17th hole, one of the longest holes in Europe, beside foaming Atlantic seas.

Details: From £195pp for a four-night stay in a two-bedroom, self-catering apartment, including three rounds of golf. Flights from £150pp. Your Golf Travel, 0800 043 6644, www.yourgolftravel.com.


Cote d'Azur: Enjoy your golf with a side serving of style at Dolce Fregate

Greece - Porto Carrass
Olive-fringed fairways beside the twinkling Aegean and the pine forest of Mount Melitonas are a wonderful setting to test your skills.

Then rest your gaze on an ancient amphitheatre overlooking the crystal-clear Sithonia peninsula. With 26 miles of Blue Flag beach.

The thalassotherapy treatments at one of Greece's largest spas will iron out any aches, and wine tasting at the on-site vineyard and seafood in a cosy, local taverna will do the rest.

The challenge: Keep your ball dry on the Greek version of Augusta's 'Amen Corner' as four holes crisscross a series of lakes between the 11th and 14th.

Details: Amathus, 0844 770 8095, www.amathusholidays.co.uk, has seven nights' half board at the 5-star Hotel sithonia, for £ 499pp, including return BA flights from Gatwick. Golf is extra.

France - Dolce Fregate
Follow in the footsteps of writers Thomas Mann and Aldous Huxley and soak up the peaceful Cote d'Azur town of Bandol and neighbouring Bendor Island.

Seafood and rose wine will keep you happy and there's the opportunity to thwack a ball around the vineyards, pine trees and rock gardens of Provence, not to mention lap up the flawless views of the Bay of La Moutte.

The art galleries and museums of Marseille and Toulon are all within an hour's drive.

The challenge: Avoid the cascade of large ponds, palms and cypresses that line every inch of the menacing par 4 5th hole.

Details: www.golfbreaks.com offers seven nights' B&B and three rounds of golf from £725pp. easyJet flies to Marseille from £50 return, 0905 821 0905; www.easyjet.com.


source: dailymail

Croatia by kayak: Hidden beaches and cities of the Dalmatian Coast

By CHRIS LAWRENCE

Paddle power: Chris Lawrence continues his battle against the Adriatic


The waves were getting higher. At times they lifted the front of the kayak so far that my legs seemed to take off, while the stern became submerged.

More than an hour into our expedition to the medieval walls of Ston, the Adriatic was determined to break our will. But we were driven forward by the prospect of the best seafood on the Dalmatian Coast - freshly-farmed mussels and oysters from the Peljesac Peninsula.

This was the fourth of a five-day kayaking tour of the Elaphite Islands - 13 sparsely populated Croatian islands, just a few miles west of Dubrovnik.

Our party of 12 had cruised from Sudurad Sipan to the beaches of Lopud and the bays of Kolocep. None of us were experts - the tour was tailored to our skills by a genial middle-aged couple called Nada and Branco, who met us each evening with our route for the following day and reappeared at the next campsite with our belongings and tents.

Their routes were pleasantly gentle - to begin with. They insisted we follow a guide, the enigmatic Djivo, for our first day. The young Croat, a grizzled thirty-something of few words but large biceps, taught us basic skills before sending us out on our own.

For two days we darted around the Kolocepski Kanal, a quiet passage of water between the mainland and the archipelago, before returning to the coast each night to camp.

It was an idyllic way to explore these pretty pockets. Kolocep is the busiest of these three inhabited islands, but still has only 150 inhabitants to fill its seven churches. Sipan and Lopud come alive when ferries from Dubrovnik dock, but when the tourists leave, only pot-bellied locals and noisy crickets remain.

Sights varied from the sublime to the ridiculous. A shoal of flying fish zipped past the front of the kayak and a naked snorkeller, who we passed near Kolocep. We often startled nudist sunbathers on secluded beaches.


101 reasons to go: The island of Sipan is one of the postcard gems of the Dalmatian Coast


After some serious paddling, we were looking forward to a day of rest on the beach at Slano on the coast - when Nada set us a challenge. She had two routes: one to explore the coves of Sipan, the second to reach Ston, 20 miles away. Her description of the walled, medieval town, modelled on Dubrovnik's causeways and alleys, was alluring. As was her insistence that nowhere on the coast could match the town's seafood farms.

My friend Matt, a rugby-playing doctor, and I accepted the challenge and took to a tandem kayak. Conditions quickly descended from choppy to downright rough as we pushed into a head wind and strained into each wave. After two hours, however, we heard the chirping of crickets as land approached.

Our paddles carved the water, which twirled away in rainbow curls. We rounded another headland past the small village of Broce and were met by the walls of Ston - the second largest in the world after the Great Wall of China. They were built by the city republic of Dubrovnik in the 14th century to defend the prized salt plains.

Ston itself is tiny compared with the magnitude of its defence. Tight alleys and courtyards imitate Dubrovnik but, after our difficult journey, it felt underwhelming - until we tasted the seafood.

Shaded under a canopy, we swallowed deliciously fresh mussels - a huge platter farmed less than two miles away and seasoned with chunks of garlic as big as my thumb. All delivered by a very pretty waitress.


Fenced in: The medieval walls of Ston still project a defensive majesty


We had just enough time (and energy) to scale the walls. Damaged by an earthquake in the Nineties they are under refurbishment, but the views need no improvement.

From the top we looked down over Ston, the valuable checkerboard of the salt plains and on a small red dot, shining like a boiled sweet in a pond. Our kayak was moored and waiting. We could only hope that the wind hadn't changed direction.


Travel Facts

A weeks kayaking, including seven nights accommodation, sea kayaking guide service, breakfast and three dinners, costs from £404pp (00 385 20 332 567, www.adriaadventure.hr).

easyJet flies from London to Dubrovnik return from £111 (0905 821 0905, www.easyjet.com).

source: dailymail