Three Life Changing Experiences For The Adrenaline Junkie

“Anything that gets your blood racing is probably worth doing.”

This quote from Hunter S. Thompson rings true with any adrenaline junkie, as any adrenaline
junkie can tell you there’s nothing more satisfying than the thrill you get from living life on the
edge. If you’re reading this and can relate to what we’re saying, then these next three life
changing experiences are for you:

1. Take a Dip in the Devil’s Pool

You’ll find Devil’s Pool at the Victoria Falls, the largest waterfall in the world, in Livingstone,
Africa. Take a trip out sometime between September and December, when the waters are at
just the right level to form a rock barrier between where you’ll be sipping on adrenaline and the
edge of this massive waterfall.

2. Bike Death’s Road

Travel out to La Paz, Bolivia and grab a bike to head out to Death’s Road. The name probably
says enough to get the adrenaline going before you even get there, but this road is an
experience you’ll definitely want to have in your lifetime. It’s a 40-mile long, 11,000-foot descent narrow road that will get your heart racing with sheer drops. Even better? Most places don’t have guardrails.

3. Go Canyon Swinging

Visit Queenstown, New Zealand (any adrenaline junkie’s must-see destination) for the world’s
highest canyon swing. Get ready for some heart-pumping action as you free fall for almost 22
feet. Then relish in the glory as you look over Shotover Canyon. This experience can even be
customized with different types of jumps, so you can get one of the best adrenaline rushes of
your life.

Enjoy the Rush

While you’re out experiencing adrenaline rush after adrenaline rush, it’s easy to get caught up in the moment. So before you go, download Virtual Halo onto your phone. The app makes it easy to keep in touch with friends and family to let them know you’re safe without taking away from your experience.

How To Stay Safe While Going It Alone

If you live for the thrill of adventure, there is one thing you probably already know should be at
the top of your packing list - safety. But when it comes to staying safe while you’re going it
alone, what should you prioritize? The following is a quick guide to help get you ready to hit the road, safely.

First, Think About Survival

What are some basic necessities for survival if you were to go camping, hiking or venture off
road somewhere you could potentially stay overnight? To keep you safe, you should first pack
yourself some food and water, at least enough to last a couple days if not more, and some first
aid items like bandages and antiseptic. If you know you may venture into territories with
dangerous animals, pack accordingly with items such as bear spray or a knife. A knife will
double as a means to acquiring more food, or triple as a survival tool in the case of an
emergency.

Pack Your Bags with Safety in Mind

In addition to these items, you should pack other gear you might need. This should include
weather-appropriate clothing, any harnesses or equipment for hiking or climbing and other tools you may need for the environment you will be in. Always keep in mind that you will be alone, so having all the safety items you may need at your disposable is key in a dangerous, or even life-threatening, situation.

Bring Your Phone!

Even if cell signal may be weak, bring your cell phone. And download a safety app like Virtual Halo as a quick and easy means to get help if you need it. Not only will Virtual Halo let you keep in touch with friends or loved ones to let them know where you are, it will also let you send an SOS if you need help. This SOS will alert them immediately, and they can find out where you are and get help to you - fast. So any time you’re going it alone, be sure to have the app downloaded, and your phone on hand.

3 Awesome Off The Grid Mountain Adventures

Going off the grid can be an exciting way to disconnect from the busy world around you for a
time. But where can you go, and what can you do?

The following are three awesome off the grid mountain adventures to add to your to-do list:

1. Camping in Linville Gorge

For breathtaking mountain views and easy access to hiking trails, drive up into Linville Gorge.
Here, you can find car campsites near Table Rock and Hawksbill Mountain in Asheville, North
Carolina. One of the most notable features of the locally-named “The Gorge” are the lights. The
lights are seemingly globes of different colors that float throughout the trees. They can be seen
at night if you trek to the top of the mountain and look down over the gorge where you will find an endless expanse of trees and mountains that seem to be alive. While science fails to explain what exactly the lights are, you can enjoy this off the grid experience and have a tale to tell when you come back.

2. Climbing Colorado’s 14ers

For a true test of stamina, challenge yourself with any, or all, of Colorado’s awe-inspiring 14ers, like Mt. Elbert, Mt. Massive or Mt. Harvard, If you can make it to the top, you will be rewarded with some of the most mesmerizing views of mountainous landscape that seems endless. Going off the grid for most of these hikes can mean taking extra safety precautions, so be sure to let someone know where you are going.

3. Escaping the Crowds in Yellowstone

Yellowstone National Park has plenty to see, with Old Faithful, the Grand Prismatic Spring and
more offering some of the most beautiful pieces of nature you can see up close. However, the
crowds can truly take away from the experience. Escape them by going off the beaten path in
areas such Fairy Falls, Grebe Lake or Lonestar Geyser. These areas will have less people, but
will offer no less photo opportunities. Just be sure to bring bear spray and other safety items.

Remember Your Phone

Your phone will become home to countless photos of your experience, but it is also an important safety device. Download Virtual Halo before going off the grid to have quick access to send an SOS with Virtual Halo if you need help. It will also make it quick and simple for you to check in and let loved ones know you are okay.

Basic Planning for a Hurricane

Step One - Create A Communications Plan
This can be done way in advance and always in place for when disaster strikes, not for just when hurricanes occur. Designate primary and secondary meeting points, discuss which social media posts you're going to post to to find one another if you become separated. Memorize each others mobile phone numbers. Designated a common family member of friend well removed from the geographic area that you can relay information through. Use a personal protection app like Virtual Halo so you can check in with each other and transmit your exact location (basic services are free). Keep your mobile phones charged and have spare battery chargers fully charged at all times.

Unlike tornadoes, Hurricane's give a little notice so potentially affected residents can take a little action to achieve maximum safety. Below are a group of tools recommended for you to use when preparing for a hurricane. Be safe out there... and good luck!

Everyone needs to be prepared for the unexpected. Your friends and family may not be together when disaster strikes. How will you find each other? Will you know if your children or parents are safe? You may have to evacuate or be confined to your home. What will you do if water, gas, electricity or phone services are shut off?

Step Two - Develop a Family Emergency Plan
This will include what to do during what type of disaster and should have provisions for when you're home and when you're traveling. Ready.gov had made planning a snap, visit their site here. Immediate steps to take include:

• How will I receive my warnings?

• What is my shelter plan?

• What is my evacuation route?

• What are the dietary needs of my household?

  • Get any provisions including batteries and flashlights that will be needed.

• What planning do you need to make for your pet(s)?

Step Three - Constantly Review the FEMA Evacuation Guidelines
And follow all directions given by local and state governments. Access FEMA Evacuation Guidelines here. 

When waiting out a storm, be careful, the danger may not be over yet when everything looks clear. Be alert for tornadoes - they are often spawned by hurricanes. Also, during the "eye" of the storm, it may seem like the storm is over, but it's not. Once the eye passes, the winds will pickup quickly and change directly back into hurricane force.

After the storm, wait until your area is declared safe by emergency management personnel before returning home. And remember, recovering from a natural disaster is often a gradual process. Good luck and be safe!

RESOURCES

• FEMA - Are You Ready? Guide

• National Weather Service Weather Safety

• Be a Force of Nature with NOAA's Weather-Ready Nation

• NWS Storm-Ready Sites & Communities

• Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA)

• Ready.gov Kids

• American Red Cross

• In-Depth Guide to Financial Preparedness

Going Hiking? 5 Things You Should Take With You

From expanses of trees to flowing fields of flowers and cascading waterfalls, there is a virtually endless supply of beauty to be found in the nature around us. Hiking is an ideal way to get out and explore these surroundings without increasing your carbon footprint or greatly disrupting the natural state of these areas - all while getting in some cardio.                              

To prepare for your next hiking trip, there are a few basics you should plan to bring with you both for your wellbeing and your safety:

Food and Water

As you hike, your body is going to be burning energy. Even in cold weather you are going to need to refuel regularly with food and water, and getting enough water intake is critical to avoid hypothermia and altitude sickness. Be sure you bring plenty of healthy, energy-boosting snack bars that contain the nutrients your body is going to need to replenish itself, and lots of water so you don’t run out.

Safety Items

When you go hiking, you are entering into land that belongs to nature; this includes wild animals like bears and snakes, and uneven paths. Stay alert at all times while on your hike, and have safety items prepared in case anything were to happen. These items should include, but not be limited to:

• Fire for warmth
• Flashlight for light
• Knife or multipurpose tools for emergency situations
• Whistle to call for help

First Aid Kit

Along the same lines as safety items, make sure you pack a first aid kit. Especially on rougher hikes it can be easy to slip or fall, and you want to have access to supplies to clean any wounds and bandage them until you get back to safety. First aid kits often include other items like thermal blankets as well, which can come in handy in the event you get lost or turned around and can’t make it back before dark.
 

GPS/Compass/Map

To help make sure you do make it back and don’t get lost, bring a GPS and compass or map to help you find your way no matter where you are. Remember that in some areas of nature your GPS will not be able to get a signal, do don’t rely on this technology alone.

Your Phone

One of the most valuable things your phone can do, aside from acting as both a camera and GPS, is help let family and friends know where you are. This is vitally important in case anything were to happen to you while hiking. Use the Virtual Halo app to easily send check-ins to let them know you’re safe, or an SOS if you’re not. In fact, it was through a strenuous hiking trip that led the developers to create the "Going Out" feature that will let your emergency contacts know that you may be in trouble if you don't get back by the time you intended when you set out on the trailhead.

Put Your Safety First

Hiking is a rewarding experience, and will undoubtedly give you memories to cherish for a lifetime. But remember to always put your safety first. When you’re packing for your hike, be sure to include all basic necessities like water, food, a first aid kit and safety items. Then, download Virtual Halo and bring your phone so you have quick access to help if you need it.