Not all travels to a tropical paradise have to be mellow, beach lounging, sun soaking, lazy days splashing in the surf all day and coconut shaped umbrella drinks all night.  Grant it, for some that might be just what the doctor ordered, but for others, some pulse raising, adrenaline pumping activities may provide the balance to a perfect adventure vacation. 

For those with the time and access to Central America look no further than Costa Rica for a fantastic combination of nature, relaxation, culture, cuisine, and neck-hair raising fun!

Costa Rica is roughly the size of West Virginia, about .03 % worth of the planet’s landmass.  Yet, this small country contains 5% of the planet’s biodiversity, and because of this roughly 25% of the land in Costa Rica is in the Protected Areas program, dotting the land with national parks, forests, and biological reserves.  With gorgeous mountains, active volcanoes, clear clean rivers, and pristine beaches, Costa Rica is the setting for the world’s largest and most unique outdoor playground! Continue Reading

Surly has been able to fill a gaping niche in the biking community, offering bikes that you didn´t even realize you dreamed about. From the Pugsley with 4″ tires that lets you ride in the snow/sand or race in the Ultrasport 350, to the Travelers Check with special couplers that allow it to collapse into a nice little case so you can check it in on an airplane without paying extra. And of course, the Big Dummy, a sport-utility bicycle allowing you to carry everything from groceries, to a keg, or equipment for a self-supported cross continental bike tour.

I stopped by their blog the other day and between the post about eating crickets and machine gun toting bike shop owners in Philadelphia was an epic adventure trip. Alpaca Raft, Travelers Check, bags from Epic Designs all head to the Minnesota River. Stoked to see how clean it all packs onto the bike. Check out the photos and story:

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The Riding the Spine crew has stashed their bikes in Huanúco and are currently in Arequipa organizing a rafting trip down the Cotahuasi River with John Yost and his son JJ Yost who has been riding with them since Panama. Russell Kramer, who had previously pedaled with the group through Central America is flying down to be the safety kayaker for this epic adventure.

The Cotahuasi was first run by a group of American and Peruvian Paddlers, including Gian Marco Vellutino and has since been run commercially by only one or two outfitters when they can find the clients. Unlike the Colca Canyon, the Cotahuasi´s remoteness and difficulty makes it exceedingly difficult to organize logistics and so very few trips have made it down the canyon. In 2000, a private European group attempted to run the river, but ended in tragedy when a 19 year old woman was tossed out of the boat in a class V rapid and her body was never found.

At over twice the depth of Arizona’s Grand Canyon, the Cotahuasi is the deepest canyon in the world! Measuring 11,587 feet from river to rim, this scarcely-explored Peruvian wilderness remains one of the most pristine environments on Earth. The Cotahuasi River Canyon features a rare glimpse into the Incan world; a geologic, floral, and faunal paradise; and a river-runner’s dream! Draining the western slope of the Andes Mountains, the waterway courses 100 miles over a continuous series of Class IV and V drops, making it one of the most gripping stretches of commercially run whitewater anywhere. Visitors to the Cotahuasi encounter some the rarest and the most extraordinary Incan archeological sites… quaint Peruvian village replete with natural hot springs, spot enormous Andean Condors, and experience one of the most fantastic wilderness river expeditions on Earth!
                   -Global Descents

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