Chapter 8

 

Read

 

Adventure Travel: More Than a Trip to the Beach

 

Imagine yourself in a raft on the Colorado River. You are gently floating along, enjoying the fresh air and admiring the scenic Rocky Mountains. Suddenly, the current gets stronger and begins rocking the boat side to side. The water is rough and choppy, crashing against the rocks and spraying in every direction. You pick up your paddle and dig into the turbulent river, struggling with each stroke to pull the boat through the waves. The raft is violently tossed around, your clothing is drenched, but you cling on and continue to push forward. Finally, you emerge back into calm waters. You've made it! You're exhausted, but exhilarated. There are only a few minutes to rest and regain your strength, however. The next challenge is waiting around the river bend.

 

While most people think of a vacation as a chance to escape the stresses of work and school, in recent years people have started searching for more adventurous alternatives to traditional beach or sightseeing trips. These vacationers crave the challenge of facing nature, testing their survival skills, and exploring places off the beaten path. Whitewater rafting is a popular choice for these adventure seekers. On a typical rafting expedition, four to twelve people fit in a raft, an inflatable boat, each with an oar to help propel the team through rough river waters in countries all over the world.

 

But, this new vacation craze is not restricted to water adventures. Some people prefer the challenges of rock climbing in the desert or dog sledding in below freezing conditions. While the only risks involved in traditional vacations may be sunburn or blisters from too much walking, adventure vacationers test their physical and mental limits, often exposing themselves to harsh weather conditions and dangerous situations.

 

The Alaska wilderness is an example of one such harsh, sub-arctic region, with temperatures plummeting to -60°F (-52°C) in the winter. Only the strongest animals, such as moose, caribou, seals, and snow owls, can survive in these areas. And only the strongest humans are able to make the trek through the snow to observe them in their natural habitats. The best way to take this snowy safari is on the back of a dogsled. Dogsleds, or large toboggans pulled by husky dogs, have been used by nomadic tribes for hundreds of years. Although dog sledding is one of the oldest forms of snow transport, it is one of the newest forms of adventure vacations.

 

Adventure vacationers in Alaska and other arctic regions now have the opportunity to try their hand at being a "musher," or dogsled driver. The name originates from the command "Mush!" that the dogs are trained to race forward upon hearing. The musher stands on the back of the sled, guiding it through the snow to explore the wilderness and its unique inhabitants. Vacation "mushers" learn traditional dog sledding techniques from a professional before setting out with a guide on a safe and well-planned trip to their destinations. These journeys can last anywhere from several days to several weeks, and although vacationers may leave cold, they will undoubtedly be awed by the natural beauty of the landscape.

 

This freezing environment is not for everyone. Some people would rather spend their vacations in a warm, or even tropical, region. Rock climbing is a sport that challenges adventurous vacationers any place there is a mountain or rock formation to scale. While advanced climbers may tackle the Alps, Himalayas, and Mt. Everest, there are plenty of places for beginning vacationers to get their start on the slopes.

 

Rock climbing is divided into two categories: free climbing and aid climbing. A "free" climber uses only the cracks and crevasses of rocks to carefully pull him or herself up. The other category of rock climbing is called "aid" climbing because it utilizes systems of ropes and pulleys to assist with tackling the rocky obstacles. Aid climbing is an excellent way for beginners to learn the techniques that will enable them to progress to more challenging terrain.

Climbing is only half of the adventure on these vacations. Getting to the location can be just as exciting. While many climbing locations are accessible by car, some climbers prefer to take backpacking trips through the wilderness. These long hikes enable vacationers of all levels to find the terrain that is appropriate for their skill levels while enjoying the picturesque landscape.

 

So, do you want to find out what challenges await you around the river bend on the Colorado River? Do you want to scale the side of a mountain? Or, would you rather feel the wind on your face as you race through the snow on the back of a dogsled? Regardless of your adventurous tastes, there is a vacation that will test your limits. Make sure to wear proper protective gear and travel with an experienced professional who can ensure that the only problems you encounter will be deciding where to travel next year. You might not be well-rested at the end of your vacation, but you will be energized.

 

After You Read 1

 

Use the reading to help you answer these questions about the vocabulary from this chapter.

1. Vacation "mushers" learn traditional dog sledding techniques from a professional before setting out with a guide on a safe and well-planned trip to their destination. These journeys can last anywhere from several days to several weeks, and although vacationers may leave cold, they will undoubtedly be awed by the natural beauty of the landscape.

 

What part of speech is destination?

What does destination mean?

Using evidence from the reading, what might be a destination to which vacationers would travel by dogsled?

2. Some people would rather spend their vacations in a warm, or even tropical, region. Rock climbing is a sport that challenges adventurous vacationers any place there is a mountain or rock formation to scale. While advanced climbers may tackle the Alps, Himalayas, and Mt. Everest, there are plenty of places for beginning vacationers to get their start on the slopes.

 

What part of speech is region?

What does region mean?

Using evidence from the reading, give several regions where vacationers might go to rock climb.

3. The other category of rock climbing is called "aid" climbing because it utilizes systems of ropes and pulleys, to assist with rocky obstacles. Aid climbing is an excellent way for beginners to learn techniques that will enable them to progress to more challenging terrain.

 

What part of speech is called?

What does called mean?

Why is the other category of climbing called "free" climbing?

 

After You Read 2

 

Decide if you can infer the following statements from the reading. If so, write the phrase or phrases that support your answer. If the statement cannot be implied from the reading write an X in the box.

1. A traditional vacation might include sightseeing in a foreign country.

2. The Colorado River can be very beautiful, but also very dangerous.

3. Other adventure vacations might include hiking in the dessert or taking an African safari.

4. The most popular adventure vacation is whitewater rafting because it is the most dangerous.

5. Alaska is very hot in the summer.

6. The dogsled huskies run faster when they hear the command "Mush!"

7. Rock climbing is the safest adventure vacation because it does not have to be done in a cold climate.

8. If one doesn't wear proper protective gear during adventures, one could get hurt.