Kick Life's Ass

South Africa Sardine Run - The "Real" Greatest Show on Earth

The Sardine Run occurs between May and July along the East coast of South Africa when millions of sardines move up northwards. The sheer numbers create a feeding frenzy along the coastline in what is one of the largest marine events in the world. This has been dubbed "the greatest shoal on earth" by the Kwazulu-Natal tourist board.

The sardines spawn in the cool waters of the Agulhas Bank through spring and early summer. Most of the fish stay in the cooler waters of the Atlantic Ocean and end up along the west coast of Africa.

It is thought that the run containing millions of individual sardines occurs when a current of cold water heads north from the Agulhas Bank up to Mozambique where it then leaves the coast line and goes further East out into the Indian Ocean.

For more information on dive packages, contact UnrealDive Expeditions
US - (Tel) 1 (888) 334 6347
South Africa - (Tel) 27 21 425 5375

Climb Denali - Mount McKinley

Climb Denali / Mount McKinley with the best - Mountain Madness

Denali is North America’s highest and most impressive mountain. From the town of Talkeetna, Alaska, you fly to the Kahiltna Glacier where you prepare for the ascent. The classic West Buttress route on Denali requires only intermediate technical climbing skills, but perseverance, intense physical exertion, teamwork and patient acclimatization are all necessary for this climb.

This unforgettable climb has long been regarded as a great expedition challenge, comparable to the Himalayan giants.

Mountain Madness Inc.
3018 SW Charlestown Street
Seattle, WA  98126
Phone: (206) 937-8389
(800)-328-5925

Click here to visit official website

* I was privileged and honored to know Scott Fisher, the founder of Mountain Madness who lost his life atop Mt. Everest doing what he loved most, kicking life’s ass. Scott remains strong in my memory as he personified success, passion and had a lust for life rarely seen, but NEVER forgotten.

-Jim

Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours - Niagara Falls

As the powerful Jet Boat speeds upriver, making their way into the breathtaking stonewalled canyon that is the Niagara Gorge. The anticipation builds as the boats splash into the whitewater of Devil's Hole Rapids.

The Wet Jet departs daily from both Niagara-on-the-Lake as well as Lewiston NY. Passengers for this trip must be at least 6 yrs of age and 44 inches in height. Following the safety orientation and briefing, passengers are offered some spectacular gear which is intended to keep people warmer while on board - during cooler times of the season. Passengers always receive a life jacket and a set of aqua socks

The Jet Dome departs daily from Niagara-on-the-Lake as well as the Niagara Glen (during June, July and August). Passengers for this trip must be at least 4yrs of age and 40inches in height. The tour begins with the windows in the upright/open position, and we use the hydraulics to give passengers unprecedented views of the river, gorge and other boats. When going through the whitewater, we close down the hatches to ensure everyone stays dry. A big bonus for this trip - Bring your Cameras! Put on your head set and listen comfortably to your river guide commentating on points of interest, the geography, history and scenery, as well as how these jet boats work. As well, the captain will offer their observations from the control seat!

Canadian Departure Location and Summer operating Office
61 Melville Street PO BOX 1215
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada
L0S 1T0

U.S. Departure Location
115 South Water St,
Lewiston, New York
14092

Phone: 905-468-4800
Toll Free (outside 905 area code):
1-888-438-4444

Click here to visit official website

Running of the Bulls - Pamplona Bull Run

The Running of the Bulls is a practice that involves teasing or tormenting bulls to enrage them, then running in front of bulls that have been let loose on a course of a sectioned-off subset of a town's streets.

The most famous running of the bulls is that of the nine-day festival of San Fermín in Pamplona, although they are held in towns and villages across Spain during the fiesta season, usually in the run-up to the corrida, or bull-fight, and in some cities in southern France, most notably Bayonne. Unlike bull fights, which are performed by professionals, anyone may participate in an encierro. Injuries are common, both to the participants who may be gored or trampled, and to the bulls, whose hooves grip poorly on the paved or cobbled street surfaces.

The origin of this custom is the transport of the bulls from the off-site corrals where they had spent the night to the bullring where they would be killed in the evening. Youngsters would jump among them to show off their bravado.

Click here to visit website for video and more info

Polar Bear Adventure

Located on the western shore of Hudson Bay and not accessible by road lies the small northern seaport of Churchill, Manitoba. Traveling on a Tundra Buggy is the most comfortable and safe way to experience a polar bear tour in the bears natural environment.

Plan to go to Churchill during October or November when the bears are slowly congregating along the coast, anticipating the winter freeze-up of Hudson Bay. When the Bay freezes, the polar bears can get onto the ice to hunt their favourite meal, ringed seal.

With over 25 years of successful subarctic experience, The Tundra Buggy Adventure is the best way to view and photograph the polar bears of Churchill, Manitoba. Choose from either a Churchill Hotel- or Tundra Buggy Lodge-based stay. Providing exclusive access to the polar bears at Cape Churchill inside Wapusk National Park. Fulfill your expectations of snow, ice and polar bears.

Box 40063 RPO Nairn
Winnipeg, MB
Canada R2L 2G2
International Phone: 1 (204) 949-2050
Toll Free North America: 1(800) 663-9832

Click here to visit official website

Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving

The Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving teaches thrill seekers and current or aspiring racers how to drive like the pros! Their racing school features a 60 acre purpose-built racing facility - something other car racing schools can't claim. Courses range from four hours to four days and we have beginner driving courses designed for people wanting a thrill of a lifetime and advanced racing courses for experienced racers or professionals. Our GM supplied driving school features the 2007 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe and Corvette ZO6, Cadillac CTS and CTS-V, Pontiac Grand Prix GXP, and the Pontiac GTO.

Bondurant School of HPD
20000 S Maricopa Rd
Gate 3
Chandler, AZ 85226
1-800-842-RACE

Click here to visit official website

______________________________________________

Hotels off the beaten path - Extreme Lodging

North Cascade Heli-Skiing

At the end of the road, in one of the most spectacular mountain ranges in the world, skiers and snowboarders come each winter to experience the ultimate mountain adventure: Heli-skiing/riding with North Cascade Heli-Skiing.

With over 300,000 acres of rugged terrain, dry powder and awesome descent lines, the professionals at NCHS will lead you to the goods and a most memorable experience.  From intermediates to experts, North Cascade Heli-Skiing can take you on an unforgettable day of powder descents in the stunning “Alps of America."

North Cascade Heli-Skiing
PO Box 367
Winthrop, WA 98862
509.996.3272

Click here to visit official website

Jet Boat adventure in New Zealand

Hukafalls Jet in Taupo, offers a unique combination of excitement and natural beauty.  A 30-minute thrilling jet boat ride in the hands of a down-to-earth, funny professional jet boat driver who can make a jet boat do things you would never believe possible.

The half hour of thrills, fun and excitement takes you along a beautiful river environment, lined with native bush, sheer rock cliff face and natural hot springs.

Combine 360° spins and passing nature by incredibly close at disorientating speeds for an amazing must-do visitor experience, before even reaching the awe inspiring majesty that is the Huka Falls.  From the unique vantage point on the jet boat you have the best water level view of Huka Falls – New Zealand’s most visited natural attraction.  Hukafalls Jet is the only jet boat company operating in this stretch of the Waikato River.

Wairakei Park, Taupo, New Zealand
Telephone: +64 7 374 8572

Click here to visit official website

Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge

BridgeClimb is the ultimate experience of Sydney, guided Climbs to the top of the world famous Sydney Harbour Bridge, 134 metres above Sydney Harbour.

Climbers can choose between two 3 ½ hour guided experiences - The Bridge Climb or The Discovery Climb, both available at Dawn, Day, Twilight or Night. Whichever Climb you choose you will have The Climb of Your Life!

The Bridge Climb is the original experience. It takes you along catwalks, up ladders, and steadily to the summit of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Experience the satisfaction of conquering the upper arch of the Bridge while taking in city surrounds, the World Heritage listed Sydney Opera House, the harbour and the Bridge itself beneath your feet.

The Discovery Climb is a new experience that takes you inside the workings of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, within its very heart, for a behind-the-scenes look at this Australian icon.

5 Cumberland Street, The Rocks, Sydney
Tel: +61 (0)2 8274 7777

Click here to visit official website

Storm Chasing Tours in Tornado Alley

While it may not be everyone’s cup of tea (Nothing on this blog is) one of the hottest new adventure activities is storm chasing. .

Welcome to Storm Chasing Adventure Tours, one of the worlds premiere top rated storm chasing tour companies. You may have seen them chasing tornadoes on National Geographic Television & Film., CBS 48 Hours, NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw, The Discovery Channel, BBC World TV, CNN News, The Weather Channel, FOX NEWS, the Travel Channel and many other media outlets around the world.

We provide the most comfortable and personal tours available and we feature Suburban’s as our chase vehicles as of 2007. Other tornado chasing companies cram their clients into passenger vans or minivans.. Note we no longer use the big fat vans that are in our photos. You now have the most comfortable tour available."

Book now for the 2008 storm season

Storm Chasing Adventure Tours
26 Sweetgrass Ave
Bozeman, MT 59718
U.S.A.
Cell 303-888-8629

Click here to visit official website

___________________________________________________________________

For a hotel off the beaten path, visit Extreme lodging