The Adventure Fix Podcast
Every week on The Adventure Fix Podcast, we bring the latest issue of Adventure Fix to life — in audio form. These episodes are created with the help of AI, using our original, human-written newsletter issues as the starting point for rich, story-driven conversations about the world’s best off-the-beaten-path travel experiences.
The Adventure Fix Podcast
Issue 189: Tracking Wild Dogs on Foot, Nangma Valley Trek, In the Wake of the North Wind film and more.
Check out the full issue here:
https://www.adventurefix.co/p/issue-189
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Whenever you’re ready, here’s how we can help you plan truly unique adventure trips:
- Get inspired with our eBooks Adventure Atlas and Adventure Compendium.
- Plan your next trip with our tool Adventure Finder.
- Book a scheduled adventure trip to some of the most unique travel destinations with Adventure Fix GO.
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In this Issue
We explore the highlights from Adventure Fix magazine, discussing extraordinary adventures from Pakistan's hidden Yosemite to tracking wild dogs on foot in Zimbabwe's Mana Pools National Park.
• The Nangma Valley in Pakistan's Karakoram range offers a "hidden Yosemite" experience with massive granite spires and exceptional stargazing
• This accessible trek requires just 2-3 days at base camp and provides a genuine wilderness escape without crowds
• Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe allows the rare opportunity to track African wild dogs (painted wolves) on foot
• Wild dogs are highly intelligent predators with military-like hunting techniques, primarily active during daylight hours
• An East Greenland expedition aboard a wooden schooner through Scoresby Sund showcases towering icebergs and pristine Arctic landscapes
• The documentary "In the Wake of the North Wind" captures this Greenland adventure and is available to watch for free online
• Adventure comes in many forms, from epic expeditions to discovering bizarre creatures like the Sea Elephant Heteropod
• Christopher Hitchens' quote reminds us that embracing uncertainty and constantly seeking knowledge is what makes life interesting
What adventure is calling to you right now? Look into wildlife conservation volunteer opportunities – who knows where they might lead!
Hey, everyone, welcome back, ready for another deep dive.
Speaker 2:Always ready. What are we digging into today?
Speaker 1:Well, we've got the latest issue of Adventure Fix and let me tell you it's packed.
Speaker 2:Yeah, spill the beans. What kind of adventures are we talking about?
Speaker 1:Okay. So we've got articles, we've got incredible photography and two experiences really jumped out at me.
Speaker 2:Really at me.
Speaker 1:First trekking in Pakistan's Karakoram range and second, get this trekking wild dogs on foot in Zimbabwe.
Speaker 2:Whoa hold on On foot.
Speaker 1:On foot, I know right, it's intense. But the photos, the stories, it's just incredible.
Speaker 2:Okay, I'm hooked. Lead the way. You know, I'm all about those wild encounters.
Speaker 1:You and me both. Alright. So this first one, the Nangma Valley Trek. You're going to love this. They're calling it a hidden Yosemite in Pakistan.
Speaker 2:Hidden Yosemite. Huh, that's a pretty bold statement.
Speaker 1:Right, but the photos wow. These massive granite spires, just like Yosemite, but way less crowded.
Speaker 2:Okay, now you've got my attention. Yeah, less crowded is always a good thing, especially these days. Right, it seems like everyone's trying to get to those same iconic spots.
Speaker 1:Exactly so. This trek starts in Kondi Village. Sounds pretty mellow at first, like green meadows, juniper trees.
Speaker 2:The nice, gentle start. I like it Ease into the adventure.
Speaker 1:Yeah, then boom, these huge granite spires appear. They specifically mention Amun Brak, which is over 19,000 feet, and the Great Tower, which just sounds well great.
Speaker 2:I can just imagine towering over you.
Speaker 1:It's a relatively short trek too. Two or three days camping at base camp Totally doable.
Speaker 2:Not a hardcore expedition then?
Speaker 1:Nope. But the views from base camp, they say, are unbelievable Sunrise, sunset, the stars at night.
Speaker 2:Now, that's what I'm talking about. The stars must be incredible, away from all the light pollution.
Speaker 1:Oh, they said it's like something out of a dream the whole valley just bathed in starlight and the silence you know. No tea houses, no crowds of hikers.
Speaker 2:Just you in the mountains. That sounds pretty amazing, actually a real escape.
Speaker 1:Right, I'm already looking at flights. They actually included a link to a vlog I found, the Yosemite of Pakistan and a tour option if you're not into planning it all yourself.
Speaker 2:Nice, good to know. Ok, now hit me with this wild dog tracking thing. Zimbabwe, you said.
Speaker 1:Yeah, manipool's National Park, and this is where it gets really interesting. They say this is one of the only places in the world where you can track wild dogs on foot.
Speaker 2:Seriously On foot? You're not kidding, are you? That's got to be dangerous.
Speaker 1:Oh right, but think about it Eye level with these incredible predators. It's a totally different experience than being in a Jeep.
Speaker 2:I'll say and what's this place like Manipools?
Speaker 1:It's pretty diverse. They've got these wide open floodplains and then shady forests and the Zambezi River flowing through it all.
Speaker 2:Sounds wild. Perfect habitat for well everything but wild dogs especially, I guess. What are they like?
Speaker 1:African wild dogs. They're also called painted wolves Super intelligent, incredibly social and their hunting techniques it's like a military operation.
Speaker 2:No kidding, I'd love to see that. Imagine witnessing a hunt unfold right there in front of you.
Speaker 1:The article talks about following their tracks, listening for their calls. It's like you're really tapping into their world.
Speaker 2:That's got to be exhilarating, heart-pounding stuff.
Speaker 1:Oh, totally. And you know, unlike lions or leopards that are mostly active at night, wild dogs are often out and about during the day. So your chances of an encounter are much higher.
Speaker 2:That makes sense More daylight, more opportunity to see them in action.
Speaker 1:Exactly Now. If you're really intrigued, they've got a link to a video called Walking with Wild Dogs in Manipools and a blog post all about tracking them.
Speaker 2:Definitely checking those out later. Man, this issue is full of surprises. What else have they got in there?
Speaker 1:Oh, there's a section on get this 10 secret. Amazon Prime features. Secret features Like what they don't go into detail here, but it just makes you wonder if you're really getting the most out of your membership.
Speaker 2:Yeah, probably not. I mean, who reads all the fine print, right?
Speaker 1:Exactly. Always good to have a reminder.
Speaker 2:Agreed.
Speaker 1:And then there's this film In the Wake of the North Wind Sounds incredible. It's about an expedition to East Greenland.
Speaker 2:East Greenland.
Speaker 1:Icy, I'm guessing oh yeah, they're sailing through Scoresby Sund, which is this massive fjord system on a wooden schooner.
Speaker 2:Old school. I like it.
Speaker 1:Right, and they're talking about towering icebergs, these jagged peaks, just a completely pristine wild landscape. And they work with Greenland dogs, those amazing sled dogs.
Speaker 2:Wow, it sounds like a real throwback to those classic exploration stories.
Speaker 1:It does, and the best part is it's free to watch online. They included a link.
Speaker 2:Perfect, adding that to my list. What else Don't leave me hanging?
Speaker 1:Okay, Rapid fire. They've got a bunch of quick hits in a section called, appropriately enough, Quick Fix hiking in Tasmania. Some short stories, an art piece called Natural Sculpture, oh, and a deep sea creature called the Sea Elephant Heteropod.
Speaker 2:Sea Elephant Heteropod. What in the world is that?
Speaker 1:No idea, but it looks bizarre. They've got a photo.
Speaker 2:I'm picturing like an elephant seal, but with like extra limbs or something, Something like that, Maybe tentacles. Okay, now I have to see this. You're good at this. You know this teasing thing.
Speaker 1:Hey, I'm just following their lead. Oh, and they've got their compass section, which is a photo challenge. Can you guess the location Hit?
Speaker 2:me.
Speaker 1:It's the Samuel H Boardman State Scenic Corridor.
Speaker 2:Oh, I just wait. Oregon Coast Ding, ding ding.
Speaker 1:We have a I try, I try. Last but not least, they close with this quote from Christopher Hitchens that I thought was really fitting Lay it on me. He says the offer of certainty is an offer of something not worth having. I want to live my life taking the risk all the time that I don't know anything like enough yet.
Speaker 2:Man, that's so good, so true too. It's that constant pursuit of knowledge, embracing the unknown Right, that's what makes life interesting and adventure possible.
Speaker 1:I think that sums it up perfectly.
Speaker 2:They really packed a lot into this issue, huh.
Speaker 1:Seriously. We've got serene mountain treks in Pakistan, wild dog encounters in Zimbabwe, secret Amazon Prime hacks, Greenland dogs. It's all over the place, but in the best way possible.
Speaker 2:It really showcases the diversity of adventure. You know, it doesn't have to be this big epic thing. It can be finding a new trail in your own backyard, watching a documentary learning about a weird deep sea creature.
Speaker 1:Absolutely. It's all about being open to new experiences. So, as we wrap up, I'm curious, thinking about all these different types of adventures, what's calling to you right now?
Speaker 2:Hmm, that's a good question. I think after hearing about those wild dogs, I'm feeling the pull of a more active adventure, something visceral.
Speaker 1:I feel that there's something so primal about tracking wild animals.
Speaker 2:Right, it taps into something deep.
Speaker 1:So what's one thing you can do this week to explore that? Maybe research some wildlife conservation organizations.
Speaker 2:You know what I'm going to do, that I'm going to look into some volunteer opportunities. Who knows, maybe I'll end up tracking wild dogs myself one day.
Speaker 1:Hey, you never know, and that's the beauty of it, right? The possibilities are endless. Thanks for joining us on another deep dive. Until next time, keep exploring.
Speaker 2:Keep exploring.