Hiihtoloma

In Finland we have this thing called hiihtoloma, ie. winter holiday. We do have snow, but sun... not so much so far. Lots of fun for sure if you go trailrunning in the forest!

Arctic snowrunning

Just a short post to say that now is the best time for arctic snowrunning in Helsinki, the arctic snowrunning capital of the world. There is still snow on the ground and the weather is awesome. You don't even need any trails, simply run through the forests and over the hills. So if you aren't snowrunning, you are missing out big time!

Explore Mont Blanc in Google Maps

Google launched Mont Blanc in Google Maps this week.

Mont Blanc is the highest peak (4809m) in Europe, excluding Elbrus (5642m) in Caucasus. In real life I have climbed Elbrus, but Mont Blanc only virtually here.

The Gouter Route to the 4809m peak.

There are four main sections to be virtually explored:

• Climb the Goûter Route (to the top of Mont Blanc),
• Discover the mountain with famed explorers (featuring Kilian Jornet, Ueli Steck etc.)
• Train in the valley (run with Kilian Jornet, rock climb with Catherine Destivelle etc.)
• The changing massif (visit the shrinking Mer de Glace glacier). 

Kilian Jornet running up and down Mont Blanc - he has done it in 4h 57mins.

I found this an interesting addition to last year's El Capitan in Yosemite. Hopefully Google will add a Street View of the whole UTMB course around the Mont Blanc Massif in the future. Until then you have to run it yourself, like I did (my UTMB 2014 race report).

Ueli Steck ice climbing near Triangle du Tacul.

Kilian Jornet's typical training run.

Kilian Jornet.

Ueli Steck.

Ueli Steck.

Flying Hanuman Rainforest Zipline Eco-Adventure

Flying Hanuman is Phuket's top-rated rainforest zipline eco-adventure. The 2.5-hour course consists of 20 minutes jungle trail hiking, 15 ziplines, 2 abseils, 2 skybridges, 3 spiral staircases and a skyrail. The maximum height (to abseil down from a gigantic tree) is 40 meters and the longest zipline flight is 400 meters. One of the ziplines is dual, allowing two persons to fly together side by side.

We found Flying Hanuman a thrilling but secure experience. The staff take good care of everyone in your group and make the experience fun and exciting.

After you finish they give you a Flying Hanuman t-shirt and serve fruits or a meal.You can also keep the black scarf that is required under the helmet.

The course is not physically too demanding but it may be mentally a bit challenging if you are scared of heights. My Suunto Ambit move data is here. Well worth a visit if you are in Phuket and can spare half a day.

 

Phuket Snorkeling

We spent the Christmas holidays again in Andaman Sea with TPjr. Swimming and snorkeling is fabulous around Phuket island in Thailand, as you can see. And with 33-34°C temperatures the ocean is the coolest place to be!