Alcohol consumption is widespread. Over half the world’s population, about 2.5 billion people, drink alcohol. At sea level, moderate drinking is usually tolerated, but at altitude the same amount can impair acclimatization and increase health risks. How the Body Adapts to Altitude…
Most of the hottest nations are in the tropics, clustered near the equator or within vast desert belts. These regions receive the sun’s rays almost directly overhead year-round. As a result, they experience consistently high solar radiation and little seasonal variation in…
Most of the coldest nations are in the Northern Hemisphere, either inside or near the Arctic Circle. Areas that are inside the Arctic Circle, designated as north of 66°33′ N latitude, receive very little solar energy. The sun stays low in the…
When people hear the phrase “climbing Kilimanjaro,” they typically picture technical mountaineering. That is, they imagine ice axes in hand, crampons on boots, ropes tied to harnesses, and people hanging on vertical rock and ice. This picture is wrong. Though Mount Kilimanjaro…
Mountaineering’s legitimacy as a “sport” is often questioned. Unlike conventional sports, which are played in controlled areas, mountaineering takes place in the wilderness, where storms, avalanches, and rockfall occur. To some, the battle between humans and untamed environments represents courage, strength, and…
Natalia Nagovitsyna was a Russian mountaineer who died after becoming stranded on Victory Peak, one of the deadliest mountains on Earth. Victory Peak, also known as Jengish Chokusu or Pobeda, is the highest mountain in the Tien Shan range at 24,406 ft…
Both cannabis (marijuana) and CBD are illegal in Tanzania. If you are considering bringing cannabis products – flower (buds), concentrates, edibles, tinctures, topicals – on your trip, DON’T DO IT! Tanzania enforces a zero-tolerance policy toward drugs. The Drug Control and Enforcement Act criminalizes possession, use,…
Mountains shape our world in many ways. Some reach the highest places on the planet while others stretch for thousands of miles across continents. They influence weather, give rise to rivers, and serve as homes to plants, animals, and people. Here are…
The average modern country was born in the 20th century. But a few have roots that go back thousands of years. Most rankings focus on continuous sovereignty, or how long a state has ruled itself without interruption. But civilizations can survive without…
Climbing Kilimanjaro requires serious gear. You could face a wide range of conditions, from warm days to cold nights and everything in between. Therefore, you need to be properly equipped on the mountain. Although we provide a complete gear list and thoroughly…
The Bloomberg Global Health Index ranks countries based on how healthy their populations are. It includes objective health metrics that are compiled from authoritative sources like the World Health Organization, the World Bank, and national health ministries. The index looks at life…
Where is Mount Whitney Located? Mount Whitney is located in eastern California, inside the Inyo National Forest and on the boundary of Sequoia National Park. It rises from the Sierra Nevada Range, just west of Lone Pine. The summit lies 85 miles…
Where is Mount Rainier Located? Mount Rainier is located inside Mount Rainier National Park in Washington State in the United States. It rises in the Cascade Range, 60 miles (97 km) southeast of Seattle and 110 miles (177 km) northeast of Portland….
A clean country does three things well. It keeps smoke out of air, germs out of water, and trash off the street. That takes solid infrastructure and strong rules. Money matters, but discipline matters more. Leaders must set and enforce rules while…
Dirty air, foul water, rotting trash, and poor hygiene drag a country down. Pollution and poverty often go hand in hand. The poorest countries can seldom fund the construction and maintainence of infrastructure that keeps the environment clean. Without water pipes, landfills,…
Climbing Kilimanjaro changes people. It opens a door. For many, it’s the first taste of real adventure. Standing at the summit proves they can accomplish hard things. After the success, they look for more challenges and ask the question: what’s next? There…
