Distraction
September 19, 2008
K2 Bottleneck Pics
The K2 is the second tallest mountain in the world, but it is regarded by many experienced mountaineers as the most difficult. It is part of the Karakoram range in the Himalayas along the Pakistan-China border. Here's the k2 bottleneck wikipedia definition: "The Bottleneck is a location along the South-East Spur, known also as Abruzzi Spur - the most used route to the top of K2, a mountain in the Himalayas on the Pakistan/China border. The Bottleneck is a narrow couloir, which is overhung by seracs from the ice field east of the summit. The couloir is located only 400m below the summit, and climbers have to traverse about 100m exposed to the seracs to pass it. Due to the height (8200m) and the steepness (80-90 degrees) this stretch is the most dangerous part of the route and has claimed over 20 fatalities[1]."
August 26, 2008
Adidas Advertisements
Adidas marketing has reached new heights! Some of their new advertisements include the world's biggest fresco (800m²) at the Central Train Station in Cologne and a giant Oliver Kahn diving over a 4-lane highway and welcoming guests from all over the world at Munich airport. Very cool!
May 25, 2008
Frenchman Michel Fournier challenges the Sound Barrier Record with a 25 Miles Jump From Pressurized capsule
Today, Frenchman Michel Fournier, a 64-year-old retired French army officer, will fly almost 25 miles into the sky in a giant balloon with a pressurized capsule and plunge headfirst towards the earth, soaring through the atmosphere for an estimated 15 minutes. A lot can go wrong when you're trying to reach 130,000 feet up in the air. At above 40,000 feet, there's no longer enough oxygen to breathe. At 12 miles up, the air pressure can cause blood to boil. Fournier will be taking the trip in a special space suit, but if it malfunctions, he'll be dead within seconds. If the jump is successful, Fournier will set records for falling the longest, farthest and fastest of anyone in history. If he makes it, Fournier will set records for falling the longest, farthest and fastest of anyone in history. The fall will be the accumulation of 20 years of research and physical and emotional preparation. To pay for his training and equipment, Fournier has sold almost all his belongings and spent roughly $20 million, mostly raised from private donations.
December 28, 2007
Dragon Bike
The Dragon Bike, the latest creation from famed bike artist Jay Broemmel Broemmel, is one sweet looking creative creation. The Dragon Bike features Blue LED headlight eyes that move when you turn the handlebar and the jaw of the dragon even bites down when you squeeze the left brake. Very cool!
Via Laughing Squid
December 18, 2007
Avalanche Riding by Jeremy Jones
Jeremy Jones does it big in some unstable snow conditions, to say the least. Check out this sick clip from Draw the Line. A word of advice...avoid avalanches.
Via GetOutdoors Via Backcountry
December 13, 2007
Led Zeppelin's house - The Thames Boathouse on Sale
The Thames Boathouse, the house where Led Zeppelin was formed and part of the Zeppelin legend is on sale. Owned by rock legend Jimmy Page from 1967 to 1973 ,the legendary property will be up for grabs from January 2008 for around £1.2 million. The riverside property sits in the beautiful village of Pangbourne and features an indoor heated swimming pool and a wide variety of rooms on 3 floors. The property was originally a boathouse for hiring and maintenance of boats before it was transformed into a house in 1959. It's not everyday a real house of rock goes sale!
More on this at BornRich
December 12, 2007
SkyJump or SkyWalk on New Zealand's Auckland Sky Tower
Going to New Zealand? Start your trip of right by jumping off the tallest building in the country, Auckland’s Sky Tower. The SkyJump consists of Falling at approx 85km per hour for around 11 seconds before slowing in the last few meters to land gently. Unlike bungy jumping, there is no hanging upside down or bouncing around. What a rush! Don't worry it all legit and SkyJump is OSH approved and provides new dimensions of comfort and safety. Just check yourself into Mission Control, Level 2, Sky City, corner of Federal and Victoria Streets, Auckland. Do it 364 days a year at Sky Tower Auckland. If that's too crazy for you you can always SkyWalk around the Auckland’s Sky Tower's walkway grating.
Via Gadling
December 10, 2007
Flying Like a Squirrel with a Wing Suit
Here a Besportier we are always on the prowl for new sports and extreme activities, the latest being Flying Like a Squirrel with a Wing Suit. The wing suit mimics the natural aeronautics of a flying squirrel and provides crazy thrill seekers an outlet to express their craziness. It also works as an alternative to base jumping and free-falling, which we agree are so totally boring. Instead of just dropping out of the sky and eventually pulling a rip cord, Wing Suit like the "Flying Dude" attempt to glide fly back to a snowy mountainside runway. “All of this is technically possible,” said Jean Potvin, a physics professor at Saint Louis University and a skydiver who does parachute research for the Army. But he acknowledged a problem: “The thing I’m not sure of is your margins in terms of safety, or likelihood to crash.” This video of the flying dude is amazing! If you are interested in Flying Like a Squirrel with a Wing Suit, the suits cost about $1,000.
More info at New York Times
Via Complex
November 30, 2007
To run or to walk...that is the question.
This Japanese show prank aims to answer a very essential question: When the world record holder for race walk is under life-threatening danger, would he run or walk?
November 7, 2007
Wedgie-Proof Underwear
Humor is sporty and this new invention named Wedgie-Proof Underwear Wedgie-Proof Underwear is ingeniously funny. Wedgie-Proof Underwear, invented by 8-year-old twins Jared and Justin, was designed to prevent the painful result of getting a "wedgie". The interview is a gas! yeha we said it!
Our opinion: Though wedgies will be less painful, the laughter from seeing someone get their underwear ripped off will make up for it.