Topic

Adventure & Exploration

A collection of 28 issues

The Dragonfly's Perilous Gamble: A 2,000 km Migration Across the Indian Ocean

A study reveals the incredible 2,000 km migration of the Globe Skimmer dragonfly across the Indian Ocean from India to Africa. Relying on seasonal winds, these tiny insects face a perilous journey where only 15-40% are estimated to survive, making it the longest known insect migration.

How a Line on a Map Gave Portugal an Empire: The Untold Story of the Treaty of Tordesillas

The 1494 Treaty of Tordesillas, often seen as a simple division of the world, was a diplomatic masterstroke for Portugal. By pushing a demarcation line westward, they outmaneuvered Spain to secure not only their African trade routes but also the vast, undiscovered riches of Brazil.

The Ghost Mountain: Why the World's Highest Unclimbed Peak Will Remain Untouched Forever

Gangkhar Puensum in Bhutan is the world's highest unclimbed mountain. Four expeditions failed before Bhutan, viewing its peaks as sacred homes of spirits, banned mountaineering in 1994 and then completely in 2003, ensuring the summit remains a pristine, unconquered mystery.

The Last Great Scoop: How a Runner Delivered News of the Everest Conquest

The 1953 Everest conquest was a global sensation delivered not by wire, but by foot. A journalist's coded message was carried by a runner through the Himalayas to the nearest telegraph, reaching London just in time for Queen Elizabeth II's coronation in a final hurrah for old-world reporting.

An Island on a Continent: Why No Roads Lead into Suriname

Suriname, a nation blanketed by the Amazon, is uniquely isolated. It has no international road connections to its neighbors. For overland travelers, the journey halts at massive rivers, with the only entry points for vehicles being ferries from Guyana and French Guiana.

He Caught Them All: The Real Reason Animal Planet's 'River Monsters' Ended

After nine seasons, River Monsters ended not from cancellation, but because host Jeremy Wade had accomplished his mission. He had investigated and caught nearly every legendary freshwater predator on Earth, leaving the well of credible 'monsters' dry and choosing to end the show on a high note.

Oceans of Time: The 50,000-Year Gap Between Australia's and New Zealand's First Peoples

The human settlement of Oceania presents a stark contrast: Aboriginal Australians arrived on the supercontinent of Sahul over 50,000 years ago in a slow expansion, while Māori purposefully navigated the vast Pacific to settle Aotearoa (New Zealand) just 700 years ago.

Thirteen Days on the Ice: The Harrowing True Story of the 1946 PBM Mariner Crash in Antarctica

In 1946, a U.S. Navy plane crashed during Operation Highjump, stranding six crewmen in Antarctica. For 13 agonizing days, they battled extreme cold and dwindling hope before a dramatic rescue. This is their incredible story of survival against all odds on the frozen continent.