Ever wished for divine intervention amidst a particularly hard climb? Such invocation isn't required to hike a new path following the footsteps of Jesus Christ in Israel; on holy land all bets are off.
The 65-kilometer Jesus Trail in northern Israel takes hikers to New Testament landmarks from Nazareth to the Mount of the Beatitudes and the Jordan River over four hot days. What gives this the edge is not only the desert heat but also the schlepping: Organizers suggest carrying 5 liters of water per person, per day.
Follow the Jesus Trail by yourself with GPS directions or use one of the suggested tour guides.
Walk in Dian Fossey's footsteps and see your genetic descendants up close: Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is one of only five international parks where you can see mountain gorillas up close. If you manage to snag one of the coveted park passes--40 are given out each day--you could be within Frisbee-throwing distance of the mighty quadrupeds.
Tourism in Rwanda is on the upswing despite several years of civil war and internecine conflict with surrounding countries. We might have been skeptical when Travel + Leisure turned the spotlight on the country in 2005, but these enormous and fascinating creatures deserve a closer look.
Don't bring ketchup to this sauce show: Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs may get all the glory when it comes to competitive eating for its Fourth of July contest, but in order to get to New York City you'll have to out-eat your neighborhood at one of several qualifying events. (It's like "American Idol" for the stomach!)
Bragging rights come easier at one of many other events sponsored by the International Federation of Competitive Eating, like the Chinook Winds World Rib Eating Championship held in Oregon on July 13.
In rib-eating contests, contestants are judged by the amount of meat consumed in pounds when their pile of bones is accounted for. Nathan's defending champ Joey Chestnut will be there to strap on an industrial-sized bib. (Prepare yourself: He ate 8.4 pounds of meat at the contest in 2006).
In these days of rampant global warming, the edgiest thing may be to head north and shun rising temps: Canoeing in the Quetico, Canada's side of Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area, is often chilly even at the height of summer. Luckily, the wildlife doesn't seem to mind.
You'll paddle alongside loons and moose instead of motorboats, which are banned in most areas of the park. Many of the park's lakes and rivers are not accessible by road, and carry-ins are tightly controlled to keep the backwoods pristine.
Shop around for an outfitter who has experience in getting the right permits to make sure no one bothers you as you live your voyageur dreams.
The advent of summer weather may be an inspiration to you to take up a new exercise routine, either to fit into that bathing suit or to get some fresh air. But no novice runner should start with the Green Mountain Relay, a 200-mile race that goes over the hills and through the woods of Vermont.
It's designed for a team, but the high-altitude course, above, is still no slouch, even if you have the maximum competition allowance of 12 runners. (That's still more than a half marathon per person, albeit over two days.)
It's too late to sign up for this year's Green Mountain Rally, but if you hang out in Bennington this weekend cheering on the racers (and buying them pasta dinners), maybe you'll get some tips for 2009?
If this video whets your appetite to take a short leap off a tall object, you're probably not as afraid of heights as we are. Base jumpers leap from buildings, antennae, spans and earth with special suits, parachutes at the ready but unopened.
There are plenty of videos of jumps gone awry on YouTube, but the right shots capture a pure surge of adrenaline like nothing else. Do it safely by taking a three-day course with APEX Base in Twin Falls, Idaho, where they'll help you get the blood pumping safely.
If our previous biking suggestion didn't get your tires spinning, maybe something more challenging is in order? Canyonlands National Park is chopped up into a number of different sections, the least accessible of which is The Maze. A bike tour here is way more edgy than a ride around Paris.
But don't try it alone. If you're headed into The Maze, go with Escape Adventures. Their tour takes riders down Flint Trail and curves along the canyons to The Maze Overlook. You'll then hop off your bike for a bit as you and the group hike through the heart of this deserted outback. The journey ends at Lake Powell, where your tour guides will get you back to base with a flight over the country you just crossed.
Last year, Escape Adventures started using vegetable oil-powered support vehicles, but we don't think the flight back is powered by Crisco. The tour will set you back about $1,200 and includes just about everything.
Jackson Hole is famous for being the adopted home of VP Dick Cheney, being on the fringe of Wyoming and not having a home for sale for less a couple million. While these three facts may deter some, it's also a mecca for American climbers and average people who want to be guided to the top of the Grand Teton, one of North America's coveted mountains.
Lucky for those with little or no climbing experience, Exum Mountain Guides has been in business in the Jackson Hole area for 79 years, offering more expertise and successful summits of the Grand than anyone else. This isn't for the faint of heart or those inspired from watching those Everest reality shows. If you decide to tackle this in your lifetime it's time to take out your polishing cloth and get those cojones their shiniest.
Trips up the Grand can be arranged in private or group trips, and the Exum guides are always mindful of your skill level, safety being their top priority.
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