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Backcountry Sports:  Surfers, skiers, climbers, oh my!  |
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Jen
Expedition Leader
1384 Posts
Jennifer
Calico Rock
AR
USA
1384 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 11 2007 : 08:06:12 AM
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Anybody into an "extreme" sport? I'm not sure how near-death a sport has to be to be considered extreme, so anything goes!
I once scaled 200-ft sand cliffs in order to count the nest burrows of seabirds called rhino auklets. I did several transects, up and down, with no ropes or anything, and I'm pretty scared of heights...so that qualified as extreme to me 
I've also done a bit of white water rafting and snorkeling (river and ocean). Most of my experience has been job-related, but I'd like to get recreationally active in my "old" age.
How about you?
The View From My Boots: www.bovesboots.blogspot.com
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catscharm74
outbound
35 Posts
35 Posts |
Posted - Apr 11 2007 : 10:42:20 AM
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| I like to watch the surfers here in California..That is about as extreme or as close as I get...I am TERRIFIED of sharks!!! LOL |
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Elizaray
outspoken
680 Posts
Elizaray
680 Posts |
Posted - Apr 11 2007 : 12:25:04 PM
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I love to free climb rocks ( no ropes etc)
I also love to down hill ski- but I stick to the green and blue slopes which are the easiest since I am still rather new to down hill skiing.
Those are about as “extreme” as I get.
Elizaray |
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vintagechica
outbound
24 Posts
Eren
Kenosha
Wisconsin
USA
24 Posts |
Posted - Apr 11 2007 : 4:43:32 PM
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Our whole family (DH and I and the oldest two boys, the youngest will be 2 tomorrow) all snowboard! And we all mountain bike. DH surfs and we can't wait to move back to Va. Beach so that he can get the boys on the boards. His surfboards have been in the shed for the past two years and he is chomping at the bit to break them out. We used to climb quite a bit, but havent much since having the littles.
DH is in the Navy and sky dives, scuba dives to some amazing deapths, etc. But Ill stick with snowboarding and surfing!
http://www.vintagechica.typepad.com
"A sure way to avoid housework, live outdoors" |
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Elizaray
outspoken
680 Posts
Elizaray
680 Posts |
Posted - Apr 11 2007 : 5:05:23 PM
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Eren-
It sounds like your family truly loves the outdoors. I would love to learn how to scuba dive and surf. I am not so sure about the sky diving part though... that might be a bit too extreme for me!
Has your husband ever convinced you to sky dive? I have some friends that sky dived for the first time together on their honeymoon.
Elizaray |
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vintagechica
outbound
24 Posts
Eren
Kenosha
Wisconsin
USA
24 Posts |
Posted - Apr 12 2007 : 07:24:12 AM
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He keeps asking me to skydive. But Im resistant. I dont mind heights as long as I have my feet firmly planted on something. Maybe for my 40th birthday? Hmmm...
http://www.vintagechica.typepad.com
"A sure way to avoid housework, live outdoors" |
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Elizaray
outspoken
680 Posts
Elizaray
680 Posts |
Posted - Apr 12 2007 : 08:37:08 AM
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Eren-
Good luck! I figure anyone who is brave enough to jump out of an airplane deserves my respect! That must take a huge feat of courage to trust your parachute and jump!
Elizaray |
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Joelle
outbound
11 Posts
Joelle
Aptos
CA
USA
11 Posts |
Posted - May 29 2007 : 1:26:47 PM
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I ski dove (?) once and it was a truly remarkable experience. It was around Davis, CA. I was the last to jump, so the anticipation built as others took the plunge. When I jumped a perma-grin formed and stayed for the 30 second free fall. It was so exhilarating. Then when pulling the cord (I went tandem with an experienced person- and he let me pull the cord) the parachute opened (thank goodness :) and I felt suspended in a 3 dimensional piece of art. Because of the altitude we were at, everything seemed frozen in time, including my descent. It was incredibly peaceful and beautiful.
I recommend it!
So I guess I like a little 'extreme' here and there: I mountain bike and have rock climbed (though it has been a while), and I am a certified research and nitrox scuba diver, though the deepest I have dove is 60 ft. I also enjoy downhill skiing and back country skiing, as well as the mellow snow shoeing, one of my favorite things to do!!
Though I have NEVER surfed and my boyfriend is trying to get me out on the waves, but they scare me!! |
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Jen
Expedition Leader
1384 Posts
Jennifer
Calico Rock
AR
USA
1384 Posts |
Posted - May 31 2007 : 1:06:35 PM
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You girls are wild - sounds like a lot of fun. When we were creek playing last weekend, I swam to & climbed up a boulder jutting out of the water. It was no great feat, but I loved getting to the top & looking over at the secret world on the other side - turtles & bass swimming around, a mink catching crawdads. And I also loved the power & ease I felt in getting up there (10 mos after my 3rd kid's birth, I'm feeling ABLE!). Made me think I'd really get into free climbing, like Elizaray mentioned.
So I'm weight-lifting & yoga-ing my way there...
The View From My Boots: www.bovesboots.blogspot.com
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Backcountry Sports: Surfers, skiers, climbers, oh my! |
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Surfers, skiers, climbers, oh my!
