Latest news with #JimmyCarroll
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Travel + Leisure
13-06-2025
- Travel + Leisure
Why 'Challenge Travel' Is Trending Among Adventure Lovers—and Some of the Best Experiences to Book
'People want bold and challenging travel experiences,' says Tom Marchant, cofounder of the outfitter Black Tomato. The company debuted its Get Lost itineraries in 2017, giving a select few clients the chance to role-play survival situations in the Peruvian Andes or Mongolian steppes. Travelers on these journeys get dropped in the wilderness and then navigate their way back to civilization. Marchant says interest in the trips has spiked, with 2024 bookings up 40 percent from the previous year. Black Tomato is far from the only operator dreaming up next-level challenges, as travel advisors, tour companies, and even cruise lines are tailoring their offerings to what some call Type 2 fun: experiences that are difficult in the moment, but enriching in hindsight. 'Adventurers are seeking true challenge and isolation,' says Pelorus Travel cofounder Jimmy Carroll. 'These are trips where endurance, strength, and adaptability are essential.' Here are six experiences guaranteed to test your mettle. A CMH adventure in western Canada. Andy Cochrane/CMH Heli-Skiing& Summer Adventures HELI-SKIING IN BRITISH COLUMBIA Founded in 1965, CMH Heli-Skiing & Summer Adventures has grown alongside interest in backcountry skiing, and the company now has more than 150 certified mountain guides who can safely lead fresh-track, deep-powder runs across some 3 million acres of the Canadian Cascades. CMH also has a network of comfortable backcountry lodges for multiday adventures among the iconic granite spires of the Bugaboos. A campsite on Kubu Island, in Botswana's Makgadikgadi Pans. OPEN-AIR CAMPING IN BOTSWANA Many safari camps offer indoor-outdoor suites that let in the sounds of nature. Then there's Jack's Camp, the storied Botswana lodge on the edge of the Kalahari Desert. From Jack's, guests can embark on a two-night foray into the vast Makgadikgadi Pans in a convoy of ATVs before making camp on Kubu Island, an outcropping of granite that rises from the arid plain. 'They call it a 'five-gazillion-star bedroom,'' says Mark Lakin, a T+L Travel Advisory Board member who recommends the trip to his clients. One outpost of Utah's Western Uinta Hut System. Inspired Summit Adventures HUT-TO-HUT TREKKING IN UTAH The Western Uinta Hut System is a collection of strategically placed yurts that open the door to more than 100,000 acres of high-altitude terrain. The first of their kind in the state, these rustic lodgings afford adventurers comfortable (if not luxurious) places to overnight during mountain-biking, hiking, and fishing forays deep into the wilderness, says Shaun Deutschlander. She's the founder of Inspired Summit Adventures, which pioneered the growing network and offers guided trips into the mountains. IMPOSSIBLE MISSIONS IN MOROCCO Scaling the exterior of Dubai's Burj Khalifa may be out of reach, but doing your own stunts is possible. Working with crew members from the Mission: Impossible franchise, Pelorus Travel has put together an adventure that involves trekking in the Atlas Mountains, racing across sand dunes in Predator X-18 buggies, and rappelling from a rooftop in the Marrakesh medina. 'It will be a super immersive and high-octane experience,' says Carroll, the Pelorus cofounder. Taking the plunge with Aurora Expeditions in Antarctica. SCUBA DIVING IN ANTARCTICA If simply visiting the seventh continent isn't enough, Aurora Expeditions has trips that also go under it. The expedition cruise line was the first mainstream operator to offer scuba diving in the frigid waters off Antarctica, where the sea life includes spider crabs, soft corals, and walls of giant kelp. It's also possible to spot penguins and seals, says Edwin Sargeant, an ice diver and guide with Aurora Expeditions whose favorite thing to see is the undersides of icebergs. GOING OFF THE GRID IN PERU Black Tomato can coordinate wilderness-survival adventures that push participants' limits. After a safety briefing led by a former officer in the Royal Marines, guests are dropped in the Peruvian mountains with little more than a map and a compass—and orders to get back to an extraction point several days' hike away. For safety, participants are shadowed by a team of pros. 'You won't see them, but they'll always be there to help at a moment's notice,' says Rob Murray-John, head of special projects for Black Tomato. A version of this story first appeared in the July 2025 issue of Travel + Leisure under the headline 'Pushing the Limits.'
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Five Wearside stories you might have missed
A new lease of life for a disused church, repairs of a much-loved pier and the start of a year of music - these are just some of the things that made the news this week. Here are five Wearside stories you might have missed. Repair work on Roker Pier in Sunderland is now under way. The Grade II-listed structure was badly damaged by Storm Babet in October 2023. It has been off limits to the public since 300ft (100m) of railings were washed away and some of the path at the pier head broke off. The council said the scheme was costing in the region of £236,000 and it was aiming to reopen the site by the end of July. Find out more about the works here. Volunteers have been awarded the highest honour their local authority can grant for outstanding services to the community. Chester-le-Street residents John Adey and Jimmy Carroll were among those given a Chairman's Medal by Durham County Council thanks to their community efforts to commemorate those from the borough who have fought and died in wars. The pair were instrumental in creating the town's Remembrance memorial and annual parade, offering residents opportunities to reflect and pay their respects. Also recognised were volunteers from the Open Door Church for their support for vulnerable residents across Willington. A film festival has returned with its biggest programme yet, according to bosses. The Sunderland Shorts Film Festival, which is now in its 10th year, will show more than 200 films at venues across the city centre until Sunday. Festival director Chris Allan said it had seen its most popular year and had received more than 1,100 entries, hundreds more than in 2024. Read more about it here. A historic church building could become an adult learning and arts centre. Sunderland City Council's planning department has approved the change of use of St Mary's Church in South Hylton. The Grade II-listed structure, which sits on the corner of Wear Street and Church Street, dates to the 1800s and has been vacant for some time. Read more about the plans here. Chart-topping indie rockers Franz Ferdinand and acclaimed singer-songwriter Adele Sandé are to kick off a year-long major celebration of music. The two acts will launch the Sunderland Year of Music 2025-2026 in June. It will mark Franz Ferdinand's return to Wearside for the first time in more than a decade, while Sunderland-born Sandé - formerly known as Emeli - will be making her stage debut under her real name. The gigs will kickstart a week of special live events across the city. Read more about it here. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Five Wearside stories you might have missed this week
A new lease of life for a disused church, repairs of a much-loved pier and the start of a year of music - these are just some of the things that made the news this are five Wearside stories you might have missed. Pier repairs begin Top honours for community volunteers Volunteers have been awarded the highest honour their local authority can grant for outstanding services to the residents John Adey and Jimmy Carroll were among those given a Chairman's Medal by Durham County Council thanks to their community efforts to commemorate those from the borough who have fought and died in pair were instrumental in creating the town's Remembrance memorial and annual parade, offering residents opportunities to reflect and pay their recognised were volunteers from the Open Door Church for their support for vulnerable residents across Willington. Film festival returns with packed programme A film festival has returned with its biggest programme yet, according to Sunderland Shorts Film Festival, which is now in its 10th year, will show more than 200 films at venues across the city centre until director Chris Allan said it had seen its most popular year and had received more than 1,100 entries, hundreds more than in more about it here. New lease of life for disused church A historic church building could become an adult learning and arts City Council's planning department has approved the change of use of St Mary's Church in South Grade II-listed structure, which sits on the corner of Wear Street and Church Street, dates to the 1800s and has been vacant for some more about the plans here. Opening acts for music year announced Chart-topping indie rockers Franz Ferdinand and acclaimed singer-songwriter Adele Sandé are to kick off a year-long major celebration of two acts will launch the Sunderland Year of Music 2025-2026 in will mark Franz Ferdinand's return to Wearside for the first time in more than a decade, while Sunderland-born Sandé - formerly known as Emeli - will be making her stage debut under her real gigs will kickstart a week of special live events across the more about it here. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Community volunteers awarded top honours
Volunteers have been awarded the highest honour their local authority can grant for outstanding services to the community. Chester-le-Street residents John Adey and Jimmy Carroll were among those given a Chairman's Medal by Durham County Council thanks to their community efforts to commemorate those from the borough who have fought and died in wars. The pair were instrumental in creating the town's Remembrance memorial and annual parade, offering residents opportunities to reflect and pay their respects. Also recognised were volunteers from the Open Door Church for their support for vulnerable residents across Willington. After raising funds for the town's war memorial in 2009, Mr Adey and Mr Carroll dedicated their efforts to growing a regular community event. Meanwhile, the Open Door Church regularly run a range of activities to bring residents together, helping them develop skills such as day-to-day budgeting. The medals were presented by Joan Nicholson, Durham County Council's outgoing chairperson. Follow BBC Sunderland on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Volunteers honoured for community work Rugby club's 'towering figure' honoured Durham County Council
BBC News
16-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
County Durham volunteers awarded top honour
Volunteers have been awarded the highest honour their local authority can grant for outstanding services to the residents John Adey and Jimmy Carroll were among those given a Chairman's Medal by Durham County Council thanks to their community efforts to commemorate those from the borough who have fought and died in pair were instrumental in creating the town's Remembrance memorial and annual parade, offering residents opportunities to reflect and pay their recognised were volunteers from the Open Door Church for their support for vulnerable residents across Willington. After raising funds for the town's war memorial in 2009, Mr Adey and Mr Carroll dedicated their efforts to growing a regular community the Open Door Church regularly run a range of activities to bring residents together, helping them develop skills such as day-to-day medals were presented by Joan Nicholson, Durham County Council's outgoing chairperson. Follow BBC Sunderland on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
