Hey there Nature Nerds! We’re going to take a little sabbatical while Jen gets her PhD but don’t fret, we’ll be back! You can still reach us on Instagram and email ([email protected])! Share your adventures and until next time…. Don’t Die Out There!

Welcome to 2024 Nature Nerds! In this Nature Nugget, Megan talks surfing, the mountaineering of the ocean!

References:

https://www.hbo.com/100-foot-wave

https://www.explainthatstuff.com/surfingscience.html

https://www.sfgate.com/hawaii/article/hawaii-surfing-star-mikala-jones-dies-18198643.php

https://www.surfertoday.com/surfing/the-most-notable-deaths-in-surfing#:~:text=But%20shark%20attacks%20still%20are,drowning%20is%20your%20next%20opponent.

https://www.theinertia.com/surf/5-of-the-goriest-wipeouts-in-surfings-history/

https://surfspots.org/worst-wipeouts-ever/

Happy Holidays Nature Nerds! In this, our last episode of 2023, Jen talks about the dangers of K2 and the recent tragedy of Muhammad Hassan.

Organization to Support: The Intrepid Foundation

https://www.theintrepidfoundation.org/

We empower our travelers to make real impact in the communities they visit.

Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organizations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.

With our local knowledge and Intrepid teams on the ground, we support our carefully chosen partners to make a positive impact and create solutions on important issues. This ensures that your donations aren’t just about giving back but giving responsibly – impactfully – where it's really needed.

In 2019, the Intrepid Foundation is launched the Step Up for Porters Challenge: A fundraising initiative to engage trekkers and raise money for porter welfare. It’s for anyone with an interest in doing good and getting fit, with a goal of at least 10,000 steps per day, per participant, over the month of June.

Links:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K2

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1986_K2_disaster

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1995_K2_disaster

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_K2_disaster

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_deaths_on_eight-thousanders

https://basecampmagazine.com/2018/02/12/the-2008-k2-tragedy/

https://www.alanarnette.com/blog/2023/09/06/k2-2023-coverage-harila-and-tenjen-cleared-on-muhammad-hassans-death/

https://www.insider.com/death-k2-real-story-climbers-stepped-dying-man-kristin-harila-2023-8

https://explorersweb.com/muhammad-hassans-death-k2-expeditions/

A big thanks to Patron Annette for this suggestion! In this month's bonus episode, Jen talks about Lapland and the amazing story of Aimo Koivunen and the down side of mittens! Enjoy!

Organization to Support: Snowchange Cooperative

Snowchange.org

Snowchange was started in late 2000 to document climate and environmental change in the North and work with local and Indigenous communities of the Northern regions.

Re-wilding Finland™ is a trademark owned by Snowchange with the purposes of advancing community-based and -controlled national efforts to fight impacts of climate change, enhance biodiversity and protect waterways.

Links:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aimo_Koivunen

https://allthatsinteresting.com/aimo-koivunen

https://medium.com/exploring-history/the-crazy-crystal-meth-adventure-of-a-finnish-soldier-1cae54a1238f

https://www.tourstolapland.com/travel-guide/10-interesting-facts-finnish-lapland

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/where-santa-claus-live-hometown-north-pole-180953723/#:~:text=Lapland%20had%20served%20as%20a,the%20ears%20of%20a%20rabbit.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solutions/interactive/2022/climate-change-reindeer-habitats-deforestation/

Hey there Nature Nerds- this week Jen shares the creepy and mysterious story of Lake Nyos!

Links:

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/gas-cloud-kills-cameroon-villagers

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Nyos_disaster

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/defusing-africas-killer-lakes-88765263/

https://theconversation.com/cameroons-exploding-lakes-disaster-expert-warns-deadly-gas-release-could-cause-another-tragedy-190154

Hey there Nature Nerds! This week Megan talks Snow Leopards! Bundle up and enjoy!

Organization to Support: Snow Leopard Trust

https://snowleopard.org/

The Snow Leopard Trust aims to protect this endangered cat through community-based conservation projects that are based on an improved scientific understanding of snow leopard behavior, needs, habitats and threats.

References:

https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/living-with-snow-leopards-tashis-story-a-nature-short-film-sneak-peek/16903/

https://www.wwf.org.uk/learn/fascinating-facts/snow-leopards

https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/facts/snow-leopard

https://snowleopard.org/snow-leopard-facts/

WIld Films India: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRQXebUBZtI

BBC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKWVvMaml_8

Real Wild: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GorzEZtv_Z0

https://snowleopardblog.com/stories-of-shape-shifting-snow-leopards/#:~:text=The%20story%2C%20based%20on%20ancient,one%20to%20take%20her%20place.

https://snowleopardblog.com/about/snow-leopards-in-the-movies/

https://wildfor.life/guarding-the-ghosts-of-the-mountain#:~:text=It%20is%20the%20belief%20held,the%20guardians%20of%20the%20mountains.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-41270646

This week Megan talks quicksand! Enjoy!

References:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quicksand

https://www.britannica.com/story/how-deadly-is-quicksand

https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/geology/do-people-die-in-quicksand.htm

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20160323-can-quicksand-really-suck-you-to-your-death

https://interestingengineering.com/science/quicksand-is-not-very-deadly

https://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2010/08/terra_infirma.html

https://www.dellamente.com/quicksand/

This week's episode, Jen tackles the infamous Bermuda Triangle!

Organization to Support: Conservation International: The Coral Triangle Initiative

https://www.conservation.org/projects/coral-triangle-initiative

As a founding partner of the CTI since its inception in 2007, Conservation International works with governments, communities and other stakeholders to help them achieve sustainable change.

Following the first guiding principle of the CTI — "Support people-centered biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, poverty reduction and equitable benefit sharing" — our focus is on working with people to sustainably manage marine ecosystems so they can support their well-being, now and into the future. Our guidance has been requested by partners, communities and governments, allowing us to work across sectors and at all levels. By connecting the efforts in-country to the wider region, we are ensuring that successes are amplified, creating momentum from the ground-up for changes that last.

Links:

https://www.history.co.uk/articles/five-of-the-most-mysterious-bermuda-triangle-disappearances

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/premium/article/bermuda-triangle-mystery-disappearance

https://www.history.com/news/what-is-the-bermuda-triangle

https://geographicalanalysis.com/sargasso-sea-bermuda-triangle/

https://www.readingeagle.com/2015/09/09/history-book-fate-of-ex-hotel-owner-remains-unexplained/

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-22806362

https://www.britannica.com/story/what-is-known-and-not-known-about-the-bermuda-triangle

https://www.boaterexam.com/blog/bermuda-triangle-theories/

https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/bermudatri.html