There is nothing better than having an adrenaline buzz, and that's why so many people enjoy going to the gym or boxing. When endorphins and other chemicals are activated in the body, the feeling is similar to taking drugs, but in a healthy way. Some people enjoy extreme sports for the same reason and are often looking for new and exciting things to try. This article looks at just six outdoor activities that are designed to get one's heart racing.

White Water Rafting

Rapids are graded from one to five. The latter is the highest that people can safely raft in. Armed with just a paddle that they mustn't lose, people are propelled down rivers with powerful currents. It's like a fairground ride but much more exciting. When looking to buy a raft, there are many options available, and it's helpful when the experts rate the best ones side by side. Rafting websites are really helpful when they don't just discuss the products, but provide details about everything from capsizing to self-rescuing, from self-bailing to stability. Many countries offer excellent locations for this, including the Colorado River in the USA, the Zambezi River in Zimbabwe, and the Rio Upano in Ecuador.

Skydiving

What could be more exhilarating than jumping from an airplane at a high altitude? Hang gliding and paragliding are great, but when you're at 16,000 feet, there's no comparison! No extra oxygen is provided, and people have up to seventy-five seconds of freefall. That can seem a long time when there's nothing to slow you down! A fun park cannot compete with that experience. There is the opportunity to perform aerial maneuvers before the parachute is engaged. Needless to say, there is a backup one, should it fail.
There are great websites around that show amazing photos and video footage. Some of them feature such things as tandem skydivers. It's worth considering the following for an exciting holiday: the Swiss Alps, Waialua in the USA, the Australian Barrier Reef, and Mount Everest in Nepal.

Storm Chasing

When most people are rushing to get away from a tornado, there may be a small band of people doing the opposite! They follow severe weather of all kinds, even tropical cyclones or water spouts. Imagine houses being torn apart by a tornado, or cars being sucked up into the air - how scary but unforgettable is that! The events are usually filmed, and the media are often interested in the recordings. These chases usually last for up to six days, and they don't always end in success. It's like waiting to see a rare bird or animal, but when one succeeds, the view is priceless. The only difference here is the danger element as people drive into the eye of the storm. There's always the risk of being too close.
The Tornado Alley is a famous area for extreme weather, and many people head over to Kansas or Texas for the experience.

Caving

Some people hate claustrophobic spaces or lack of light. Spelunking (America, Canada) or potholing (UK) takes a person underground to experience wild cave systems rather than just the show caves. Imagine squeezing through dark spaces at steep angles. There's usually water dripping from somewhere, and the risk of getting trapped. For many, it's the views and the adventure that lures them. In the United Kingdom, there are great caving opportunities in Yorkshire and South Wales.

Mountain biking

This exciting outdoor sport takes cycling to the next level. Specially designed and tough bikes take people down mountains, with the chance of free riding and dirt jumping. The extra suspension on the bike protects the rider from some of the bumps as it hurtles over rocks and tree roots. Imagine soaring down steep inclines and enjoying amazing views during the process. It's a real adrenaline sport, hence the saying 'put the pedal to the metal! Some great mountain bike trails exist in the whole Enchilada, Santos, and the Colorado Trail.

Zip Lining

These are aerial rope slides, usually by a steep slope. A free-moving pulley goes downwards with gravity and takes the rider to the ground. Imagine the incredible view on the way down. Some allow the rider to lean forward as if they'd just jumped out of a window headfirst. It's as close to flying as a person can get. For the longest and fastest zip line in the world, the Zip 2000 in South Africa wins the day.
The great thing about these outdoor pursuits is that they involve traveling to amazing places and having incredible views. The added rush of energy makes it a very holistic experience, guaranteed to be etched in one's memory forever. There is always the element of risk, but that's a central part of the experience. It's usually the younger population that craves these activities, but it doesn't have to be that way. There are always stories in the newspapers of elderly people leaping out of airplanes. Sometimes we have to take a risk to gain an unforgettable experience.

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