SeaLife Introduces Sea Dragon 4500 Lumen Professional Photo-Video Light

SeaLife is introducing its new Sea Dragon 4500 Photo-Video light at the DEMA (Dive Equipment & Marketing Association) trade show in Orlando in early November. The Sea Dragon 4500 photo-video light delivers 4500 lumens in an even 120-degree wide beam.  The light offers an unmatched 96 CRI (color rendering index) with its proprietary COB LED array that very closely mimics natural sunlight. (A CRI of 100 would be just like natural sunlight). Most other LED lights offer a much lower CRI, missing critical color necessary to produce natural and colorful still images and videos.  The Sea Dragon 4500, with its unique COB LED, not only offers a high CRI, but also delivers a TLCI (Television Lighting Consistency Index) value of over 97. With 100 being the highest possible TLCI value, lights producing more than 90 TLCI are acceptable for capturing true, natural colors with television studio cameras.

"There simply hasn't been a photo/video light with this level of performance in the underwater imaging market," says Bjorn Harms, SeaLife's VP and product development manager. "The light will be a vital component for advanced amateurs and professionals to capture vibrant, natural colors."

The Sea Dragon 4500 also offers impressive still image results and can be used as a primary source of light or in combination with a strobe. The 4500 features Auto Flash Detect mode, which cancels the light for one second when a strobe is fired.

The Sea Dragon 4500 brightness can be adjusted manually or automatically with its built-in photocell light sensor. The Auto Bright mode automatically adjusts from 450 to 4500 lumens based on proximity to the subject, helping to preserve your eye's natural night vision and extends battery life. The light can also be manually adjusted to 100%, 75%, 50% or 25% brightness.

The light head includes standard YS adapter and Flex-Connect™ YS Adapter for easy expansion with any YS-compatible arms or with SeaLife's Flex-Connect system of arms, grips, trays and mounts.

Part of the Sea Dragon's impressive performance is its powerful 50W Li-ion rechargeable battery pack, that runs the light for 60 minutes at full power.  The light also includes a battery charger, three international plug adapters and a protective travel case.

The Sea Dragon 4500 Light will be available for shipment by January 2018 and retails for $699.95.

SeaLife Underwater Cameras are made by Pioneer Research in Moorestown, NJ and were first introduced in 1993. In 2000, SeaLife developed the world's first digital underwater camera. In 2007, SeaLife developed the first non-housed digital underwater camera, and in 2013 SeaLife introduced the powerful Sea Dragon Lighting system and its innovative Flex-Connect tray, grip, arm, and accessory system. In 2014, SeaLife introduced the Micro HD, the world's first permanently sealed underwater camera, followed by the new Micro 2.0 in 2015 and the cutting-edge DC2000 underwater camera in 2017.  SeaLife cameras, lighting and accessories are sold and serviced in 64 countries around the world.    

The post SeaLife Introduces Sea Dragon 4500 Lumen Professional Photo-Video Light appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

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An Introduction to Rebreather Diving

In this, the latest installment of our series on how to get started and progress through technical diving, we introduce rebreather diving. Simply put, rebreathers recycle the diver's breathing gas, allowing them to reuse a large part of it. In the case of closed-circuit rebreathers (CCR), they also provide breathing gas at a set partial-pressure This allows for shorter decompression obligations.

Before delving any further into the subject, full disclosure: I am a rebreather diver, not a rebreather instructor. This article is simply intended to explain basic principles of rebreather diving and how to get into it.

How does it work?

In French, the word for rebreathers is recycleurs – recyclers – and that's exactly what they allow divers do. Rather than exhaling all the gas you just breathed, you'll reuse a large part for your next breath. Two small cylinders, usually two or three liters in volume rather than the standard 11 or 12 liters, deliver oxygen and a diluent. Diluent is the gas we use to dilute the oxygen. This can be air on dives to 130 feet (40 m) or trimix if divers are going deeper.

As divers exhale, absorbent soda lime filters out the carbon dioxide. The CCR tops up the oxygen to keep a steady partial pressure at a set point for closed-circuit rebreathers or a percentage of oxygen for semi-closed-circuit units. The unit also adds diluent, especially during descent as the air in the breathing loop compresses.

Depending on whether divers choose a manual or an electronic rebreather, they can perform these adjustments manually. They can also opt for the system take over much of the work.

Rebreather courses are unit-specific, so do your research before signing up for one. Units differ in both size and suitability for different types of diving. Potential CCR divers should also consider factors such as access to maintenance and spare parts. Then there is the question of back-mount versus side-mount. For simplicity's sake, we'll focus on closed-circuit rebreathers for this article and won't compare the different brands just now.

Who is rebreather diving best for?

There are many reasons to start diving rebreather and not all of them have to do with technical diving. Photographers, for example, enjoy newfound proximity to marine life not scared away by noisy bubbles.

Air junkies will find that they are no longer the first ones out of the water, because although they might be taking big breaths, these are being recycled.

Having said that, most rebreather divers are definitely techies. If you cast your mind back to the most recent post in this series, you may remember reading about the cost of trimix. As rebreathers need so much less gas, the amount of helium required for a specific trimix is much smaller. This makes dives below 197 feet (60 m) suddenly much more cost-effective. With more gas available and comparatively less decompression time, the benefits all come together.

Wait, why is there less decompression time? At the beginning of this post we mentioned diving at a constant partial-pressure of oxygen. In general, during the bottom part of the dive, this is set to 1.3 bar. In basic terms, this means the diver is breathing ideal nitrox throughout his dive and therefore absorbs less nitrogen. Less nitrogen absorbed means less decompression time.

How to get started

Many rebreather instructors offer trial sessions in a pool or in shallow water. These allow you to test a unit first and decide whether this type of rebreather suits your style of diving. The biggest change most divers notice initially is that they no longer control their buoyancy with their lungs.

Once you've chosen a unit, you are looking at the initial level of qualification, often referred to as 'Mod 1', module 1. Typically, this means being qualified to dive on a rebreather using air as a diluent. Those already qualified for decompression diving can immediately qualify for rebreather decompression dives. Individual training agencies limit depth to 130 to 148 feet (40 or 45 m) respectively.

TDI, for example, offers unit-specific air-diluent courses, as well as decompression air-diluent courses for those already qualified in decompression diving. Somewhat differently from the more technically oriented dive-training agencies, PADI offers two levels of recreational rebreather diver course, qualifying students to a maximum depth of 59 feet (18 m) and 130 feet (40 m) respectively.

To dive deeper and utilize trimix generally requires a 'Mod 2' qualification which, for most training agencies, means limited use of trimix, allowing divers to reach depths in the 197- to 230-foot (60 to 70 m) range.

Finally, there is 'Mod 3', which qualifies divers to take their rebreather to 328 feet (100 m), similar to the open-circuit advanced trimix qualification. Moving on between levels requires divers to build up experience on their rebreather in terms of dives done, hours dived and depths reached.

Typically, students must have 50 hours and a set number of dives to move on to Mod 2. They'll need another 50 to move on to Mod 3. Note that these are absolute minimums — rebreathers are complicated pieces of equipment. Divers must be both comfortable and competent in their use. For some this might happen quickly; for others, it takes longer.

Is rebreather diving safe?

Accidents happen and, in general, technical diving carries greater risks than recreational diving. The safety record for rebreathers is generally good. But, just as we hear about plane crashes in more detail than car accidents, rebreather accidents tend to get more press.

Diving rebreathers offers numerous options if a problematic situation occurs, many more than there would be on a comparable open-circuit dive. The best-known strategy if problems arise is to bail out and switch to the separate open-circuit tank that CCR divers carry. Depending on the depth and complexity of the dive, rebreather divers may have more than one bailout. Trained rebreather divers have plenty of options before bailing out, but there is a lot of truth in the saying, "if in doubt, bail out."

This, paired with tough training courses as well as regular skills practice makes for safe and enjoyable rebreather dives.

The post An Introduction to Rebreather Diving appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

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SeaLife Introduces Sea Dragon 4500 Lumen Professional Photo-Video Light

SeaLife is introducing its new Sea Dragon 4500 Photo-Video light at the DEMA (Dive Equipment & Marketing Association) trade show in Orlando in early November. The Sea Dragon 4500 photo-video light delivers 4500 lumens in an even 120-degree wide beam.  The light offers an unmatched 96 CRI (color rendering index) with its proprietary COB LED array that very closely mimics natural sunlight. (A CRI of 100 would be just like natural sunlight). Most other LED lights offer a much lower CRI, missing critical color necessary to produce natural and colorful still images and videos.  The Sea Dragon 4500, with its unique COB LED, not only offers a high CRI, but also delivers a TLCI (Television Lighting Consistency Index) value of over 97. With 100 being the highest possible TLCI value, lights producing more than 90 TLCI are acceptable for capturing true, natural colors with television studio cameras.

“There simply hasn’t been a photo/video light with this level of performance in the underwater imaging market,” says Bjorn Harms, SeaLife’s VP and product development manager. “The light will be a vital component for advanced amateurs and professionals to capture vibrant, natural colors.”

The Sea Dragon 4500 also offers impressive still image results and can be used as a primary source of light or in combination with a strobe. The 4500 features Auto Flash Detect mode, which cancels the light for one second when a strobe is fired.

The Sea Dragon 4500 brightness can be adjusted manually or automatically with its built-in photocell light sensor. The Auto Bright mode automatically adjusts from 450 to 4500 lumens based on proximity to the subject, helping to preserve your eye’s natural night vision and extends battery life. The light can also be manually adjusted to 100%, 75%, 50% or 25% brightness.

The light head includes standard YS adapter and Flex-Connect™ YS Adapter for easy expansion with any YS-compatible arms or with SeaLife’s Flex-Connect system of arms, grips, trays and mounts.

Part of the Sea Dragon’s impressive performance is its powerful 50W Li-ion rechargeable battery pack, that runs the light for 60 minutes at full power.  The light also includes a battery charger, three international plug adapters and a protective travel case.

The Sea Dragon 4500 Light will be available for shipment by January 2018 and retails for $699.95.

SeaLife Underwater Cameras are made by Pioneer Research in Moorestown, NJ and were first introduced in 1993. In 2000, SeaLife developed the world’s first digital underwater camera. In 2007, SeaLife developed the first non-housed digital underwater camera, and in 2013 SeaLife introduced the powerful Sea Dragon Lighting system and its innovative Flex-Connect tray, grip, arm, and accessory system. In 2014, SeaLife introduced the Micro HD, the world’s first permanently sealed underwater camera, followed by the new Micro 2.0 in 2015 and the cutting-edge DC2000 underwater camera in 2017.  SeaLife cameras, lighting and accessories are sold and serviced in 64 countries around the world.    

The post SeaLife Introduces Sea Dragon 4500 Lumen Professional Photo-Video Light appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

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An Introduction to Rebreather Diving

In this, the latest installment of our series on how to get started and progress through technical diving, we introduce rebreather diving. Simply put, rebreathers recycle the diver’s breathing gas, allowing them to reuse a large part of it. In the case of closed-circuit rebreathers (CCR), they also provide breathing gas at a set partial-pressure This allows for shorter decompression obligations.

Before delving any further into the subject, full disclosure: I am a rebreather diver, not a rebreather instructor. This article is simply intended to explain basic principles of rebreather diving and how to get into it.

How does it work?

In French, the word for rebreathers is recycleurs – recyclers – and that’s exactly what they allow divers do. Rather than exhaling all the gas you just breathed, you’ll reuse a large part for your next breath. Two small cylinders, usually two or three liters in volume rather than the standard 11 or 12 liters, deliver oxygen and a diluent. Diluent is the gas we use to dilute the oxygen. This can be air on dives to 130 feet (40 m) or trimix if divers are going deeper.

As divers exhale, absorbent soda lime filters out the carbon dioxide. The CCR tops up the oxygen to keep a steady partial pressure at a set point for closed-circuit rebreathers or a percentage of oxygen for semi-closed-circuit units. The unit also adds diluent, especially during descent as the air in the breathing loop compresses.

Depending on whether divers choose a manual or an electronic rebreather, they can perform these adjustments manually. They can also opt for the system take over much of the work.

Rebreather courses are unit-specific, so do your research before signing up for one. Units differ in both size and suitability for different types of diving. Potential CCR divers should also consider factors such as access to maintenance and spare parts. Then there is the question of back-mount versus side-mount. For simplicity’s sake, we’ll focus on closed-circuit rebreathers for this article and won’t compare the different brands just now.

Who is rebreather diving best for?

There are many reasons to start diving rebreather and not all of them have to do with technical diving. Photographers, for example, enjoy newfound proximity to marine life not scared away by noisy bubbles.

Air junkies will find that they are no longer the first ones out of the water, because although they might be taking big breaths, these are being recycled.

Having said that, most rebreather divers are definitely techies. If you cast your mind back to the most recent post in this series, you may remember reading about the cost of trimix. As rebreathers need so much less gas, the amount of helium required for a specific trimix is much smaller. This makes dives below 197 feet (60 m) suddenly much more cost-effective. With more gas available and comparatively less decompression time, the benefits all come together.

Wait, why is there less decompression time? At the beginning of this post we mentioned diving at a constant partial-pressure of oxygen. In general, during the bottom part of the dive, this is set to 1.3 bar. In basic terms, this means the diver is breathing ideal nitrox throughout his dive and therefore absorbs less nitrogen. Less nitrogen absorbed means less decompression time.

How to get started

Many rebreather instructors offer trial sessions in a pool or in shallow water. These allow you to test a unit first and decide whether this type of rebreather suits your style of diving. The biggest change most divers notice initially is that they no longer control their buoyancy with their lungs.

Once you’ve chosen a unit, you are looking at the initial level of qualification, often referred to as ‘Mod 1’, module 1. Typically, this means being qualified to dive on a rebreather using air as a diluent. Those already qualified for decompression diving can immediately qualify for rebreather decompression dives. Individual training agencies limit depth to 130 to 148 feet (40 or 45 m) respectively.

TDI, for example, offers unit-specific air-diluent courses, as well as decompression air-diluent courses for those already qualified in decompression diving. Somewhat differently from the more technically oriented dive-training agencies, PADI offers two levels of recreational rebreather diver course, qualifying students to a maximum depth of 59 feet (18 m) and 130 feet (40 m) respectively.

To dive deeper and utilize trimix generally requires a ‘Mod 2’ qualification which, for most training agencies, means limited use of trimix, allowing divers to reach depths in the 197- to 230-foot (60 to 70 m) range.

Finally, there is ‘Mod 3’, which qualifies divers to take their rebreather to 328 feet (100 m), similar to the open-circuit advanced trimix qualification. Moving on between levels requires divers to build up experience on their rebreather in terms of dives done, hours dived and depths reached.

Typically, students must have 50 hours and a set number of dives to move on to Mod 2. They’ll need another 50 to move on to Mod 3. Note that these are absolute minimums — rebreathers are complicated pieces of equipment. Divers must be both comfortable and competent in their use. For some this might happen quickly; for others, it takes longer.

Is rebreather diving safe?

Accidents happen and, in general, technical diving carries greater risks than recreational diving. The safety record for rebreathers is generally good. But, just as we hear about plane crashes in more detail than car accidents, rebreather accidents tend to get more press.

Diving rebreathers offers numerous options if a problematic situation occurs, many more than there would be on a comparable open-circuit dive. The best-known strategy if problems arise is to bail out and switch to the separate open-circuit tank that CCR divers carry. Depending on the depth and complexity of the dive, rebreather divers may have more than one bailout. Trained rebreather divers have plenty of options before bailing out, but there is a lot of truth in the saying, “if in doubt, bail out.”

This, paired with tough training courses as well as regular skills practice makes for safe and enjoyable rebreather dives.

The post An Introduction to Rebreather Diving appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

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Training Timeline: From a Novice Diver to a Divemaster

Many scuba divers feel they should wait for some amount of time before progressing to their next diving course. This can be especially true if they want to move from a beginner to the professional rank of divemaster. On most recreational-training paths, the certification courses are performance based, which means there’s no set time between courses. Most recreational training courses, rather, have prerequisites and performance-based goals. Time duration is not an issue, except when it comes the first instructor-level course. In reality, however, a diver must consider subjective and individual factors before advancing to the next level. Here we’ve addressed some of the considerations when it comes to progressing from a novice diver to a divemaster, following the PADI system of diver education.

Open Water

If an individual is medically fit and at least 10 years old, they can enroll in the PADI Open Water diver course. This course can run from an intense three to four days to an extended period over four to six weeks. After this course, the student can dive to 60 feet (18 m) independently with a buddy. Most Open Water divers, though, dive with a professional dive guide.

Advanced Open Water

At the Advanced Open Water level, divers can participate in specialty and deep dives (100 feet/30 m). AOW students can also learn about navigation underwater and specialize in certain areas like Fish ID or photography. As an instructor who has taught thousands of divers over the years, I feel that most divers should continue directly into the AOW course from the Open Water. Doing so makes new students better divers, with more in-water time under direct supervision. In fact, some training agencies once covered many of today’s OW/AOW performance requirements in one entry-level program.

After open-water certification, if you’ve mastered performance requirements, then enrolling straight into an advanced course is a natural progression. Even if you still get a slight pre-dive feeling of anxiety, this is more desirable than the Dunning-Kruger effect of false confidence or complacency that could cause problems. Students must be 12 years old and Open Water certified to take the PADI AOW course.

Rescue Diver

Potential PADI Rescue Divers must be at least 12 years old. They must be certified as PADI Advanced Open Water divers or Adventure divers with the navigation adventure dive (or equivalent). They must also complete CPR/first aid and secondary-care training during the course. Whereas OW and AOW courses focus on a diver’s skills, ability and diving environments, the Rescue course focuses on the well-being, safety, and rescue of other divers. So, in addition to meeting the course prerequisites, a diver must have excellent situational awareness.

Before enrolling in a PADI Rescue course, a diver may need more time in the water than the nine dives required for an AOW certification. Some divers may be naturals for the rescue course even as novices. Others might need to log some serious bottom time before developing the proper situational awareness and skills.

Anyone diving in a more challenging environment from earlier certifications — such as going from tropical water to cold water, low visibility, or strong currents — should take the time to get comfortable before taking on added challenges.

If you are an avid diver, even if you don’t intend to turn pro, the Rescue course is a natural progression. The course not only boosts your own confidence, but also gives you the skills to help others if necessary.

Divemaster

Divemaster is the first professional-level course. You must be at least 18 years old, with the PADI Rescue Diver course (or equivalent). You must have CPR/first aid and secondary care training in the last 24 months, with a minimum of 40 logged dives. The Divemaster course qualifies divers as professionals who can assist instructors with training activities. Divemasters can also independently guide certified divers and conduct certain PADI programs for certified divers.

As mentioned, if you intend to work as a dive professional in a more challenging environment than you trained in, you should gain additional dives in this environment before enrolling in the Divemaster course. There is a drastic difference between having 40 dives in the tropics and 40 dives in colder, challenging conditions. Your comfort level in the water and situational awareness for other divers and yourself must be be “on steroids” at the professional level, as you will oversee several divers at one time. Thusly you should also be comfortable with task loading in the water.

Also consider your own motivation before enrolling in the Divemaster course. Many divers feel this is the natural progression, as highlighted on training-agency educational flow charts. But unless you want to guide and work with other divers, it may make more sense to consider either the PADI Master Scuba Diver program or Tec 40 course. In these courses, you’ll advance your own diving knowledge and skills or gain access to specific dive sites and environments.

An individual choice

Each course, other than OW, has prerequisites. But divers must ultimately assess their own mastery of dive skills, comfort and situational awareness in the water. Determine your motivation for advancing to the next level of training before moving on. As the Training Director at one of the most reputable and awarded PADI Career Development Centers worldwide, we ensure that dive numbers are more than just numbers. Instead, we focus on amount of time logged in-water. Every diver has an advanced level of dive skills, dive etiquette and situational awareness before taking the next course.

 

The post Training Timeline: From a Novice Diver to a Divemaster appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

from Scuba Diver Life http://ift.tt/2hgZNYz

Training Timeline: From a Novice Diver to a Divemaster

Many scuba divers feel they should wait for some amount of time before progressing to their next diving course. This can be especially true if they want to move from a beginner to the professional rank of divemaster. On most recreational-training paths, the certification courses are performance based, which means there's no set time between courses. Most recreational training courses, rather, have prerequisites and performance-based goals. Time duration is not an issue, except when it comes the first instructor-level course. In reality, however, a diver must consider subjective and individual factors before advancing to the next level. Here we've addressed some of the considerations when it comes to progressing from a novice diver to a divemaster, following the PADI system of diver education.

Open Water

If an individual is medically fit and at least 10 years old, they can enroll in the PADI Open Water diver course. This course can run from an intense three to four days to an extended period over four to six weeks. After this course, the student can dive to 60 feet (18 m) independently with a buddy. Most Open Water divers, though, dive with a professional dive guide.

Advanced Open Water

At the Advanced Open Water level, divers can participate in specialty and deep dives (100 feet/30 m). AOW students can also learn about navigation underwater and specialize in certain areas like Fish ID or photography. As an instructor who has taught thousands of divers over the years, I feel that most divers should continue directly into the AOW course from the Open Water. Doing so makes new students better divers, with more in-water time under direct supervision. In fact, some training agencies once covered many of today's OW/AOW performance requirements in one entry-level program.

After open-water certification, if you've mastered performance requirements, then enrolling straight into an advanced course is a natural progression. Even if you still get a slight pre-dive feeling of anxiety, this is more desirable than the Dunning-Kruger effect of false confidence or complacency that could cause problems. Students must be 12 years old and Open Water certified to take the PADI AOW course.

Rescue Diver

Potential PADI Rescue Divers must be at least 12 years old. They must be certified as PADI Advanced Open Water divers or Adventure divers with the navigation adventure dive (or equivalent). They must also complete CPR/first aid and secondary-care training during the course. Whereas OW and AOW courses focus on a diver's skills, ability and diving environments, the Rescue course focuses on the well-being, safety, and rescue of other divers. So, in addition to meeting the course prerequisites, a diver must have excellent situational awareness.

Before enrolling in a PADI Rescue course, a diver may need more time in the water than the nine dives required for an AOW certification. Some divers may be naturals for the rescue course even as novices. Others might need to log some serious bottom time before developing the proper situational awareness and skills.

Anyone diving in a more challenging environment from earlier certifications — such as going from tropical water to cold water, low visibility, or strong currents — should take the time to get comfortable before taking on added challenges.

If you are an avid diver, even if you don't intend to turn pro, the Rescue course is a natural progression. The course not only boosts your own confidence, but also gives you the skills to help others if necessary.

Divemaster

Divemaster is the first professional-level course. You must be at least 18 years old, with the PADI Rescue Diver course (or equivalent). You must have CPR/first aid and secondary care training in the last 24 months, with a minimum of 40 logged dives. The Divemaster course qualifies divers as professionals who can assist instructors with training activities. Divemasters can also independently guide certified divers and conduct certain PADI programs for certified divers.

As mentioned, if you intend to work as a dive professional in a more challenging environment than you trained in, you should gain additional dives in this environment before enrolling in the Divemaster course. There is a drastic difference between having 40 dives in the tropics and 40 dives in colder, challenging conditions. Your comfort level in the water and situational awareness for other divers and yourself must be be "on steroids" at the professional level, as you will oversee several divers at one time. Thusly you should also be comfortable with task loading in the water.

Also consider your own motivation before enrolling in the Divemaster course. Many divers feel this is the natural progression, as highlighted on training-agency educational flow charts. But unless you want to guide and work with other divers, it may make more sense to consider either the PADI Master Scuba Diver program or Tec 40 course. In these courses, you'll advance your own diving knowledge and skills or gain access to specific dive sites and environments.

An individual choice

Each course, other than OW, has prerequisites. But divers must ultimately assess their own mastery of dive skills, comfort and situational awareness in the water. Determine your motivation for advancing to the next level of training before moving on. As the Training Director at one of the most reputable and awarded PADI Career Development Centers worldwide, we ensure that dive numbers are more than just numbers. Instead, we focus on amount of time logged in-water. Every diver has an advanced level of dive skills, dive etiquette and situational awareness before taking the next course.

 

The post Training Timeline: From a Novice Diver to a Divemaster appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

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5 thoughts I had while horse trekking in Kyrgyzstan

Without a doubt the best way to experience the mountains and backcountry of Kyrgyzstan is on horseback. And this is coming from someone who isn’t a big horseback rider.

Yes, I love adventure. Sure, I love animals. I mean, yeah, horses are cool. But am I a tried and tested rider with heaps of experience in the saddle? Nope. In fact, I am still pretty skeptical borderline total scaredy cat when it comes to riding things that have a mind of their own ever since the Great Camel Fiasco of 2013. Somethings just leave a scar.

But in spite of my fears, I yearn for adventure and overcoming challenges while traveling even more. And if there is a place that couldn’t be more suited for that, it’s Kyrgyzstan.

A country that pretty much defines the cliche “hidden gem” Kyrgyzstan is standing up now and just asking to be noticed. A growing modern corner of Central Asian that is a melting pot of languages, cultures and histories, while tourism is only starting to grow there, the traditions of the nomads remains strong.

And nothing is quite so central to Kyrgyz culture quite like the horse.

Once you get into the wilds of Kyrgyzstan, you have pretty much two options – your feet or a horse. I initially was planning on doing a multi-day hike but ended up arriving with bronchitis, and luckily was able to switch to a horse trek instead.

See you can do that there. Trails are trails, and the pony is still a very much acceptable form of transport. Hell, even when we are driving out of Bishkek you would see a road worker canter by you on the road carrying a shovel in one hand. Watching Kyrgyz people ride blows me away. They are the most incredible horseback riders; nothing with throw them off and they are so good at making it look effortless.

I was no stranger to long horse treks after spending a month riding with the eagle hunters in remote western Mongolia in 2014. Just like riding a bike, right? Right???

Here are some of my favorite and most memorable thoughts I had back in the saddle horse trekking in Kyrgyzstan this summer. Enjoy!

25 photos that will inspire you to visit Kyrgyzstan

1. How is this so amazing?

If I’m being totally honest here, I was actually a bit nervous the day we started our horse trek into the mountains. The original plan was to hike for three days, but instead we swapped last minute to riding because I couldn’t walk 10 feet without hacking up a lung.

After a mellow morning at our yurt camp at Kara-kyz in the Jerghez Gorge, we managed to acquire horses and porters and we were off. As you do.

It was just like riding a bike! Even after years of not riding, it felt like it all came back to me. I had forgotten how much I loved riding. I had the biggest grin on my face as we made our way up into the mountains, further and further from civilization.

Completely lost in my own thoughts, it was the happiest I had been in a long time.

2. Is that marijuana?

We rode through colorful fields of flowers, through lush green valleys with towering mountains in the distance. It smelled divine. I was in heaven.

Then my inner monologue about finding my true purpose in life and joyous reverie was broken by my friend saying “that looks a lot like marijuana. Wait that’s definitely weed. Ditch weed.”

Turns out weed grows wild in the remote valleys of Kyrgyzstan. Who knew?

12 things you probably didn’t know about Kyrgyzstan

3. Shit, my ass hurts

After hours of trail riding through the mountains we start to climb up to a huge wide open valley at the end of the day. Smoke trails rise in the distance from the shepherd’s huts and we begin to see other horses in the distance.

Full of confidence and joy, I kicked my little horse into action and cantered/galloped into the camp with the biggest smile on my face. We camped with local shepherds that night.

Fuck guys, it gelt so amazing.

Til I climbed out of the saddle and basically fell over. Man, riding hurts the bum and the knees. Takes some getting used to.

4. OMG am I dead?

We spent the next day winding our way up into the mountains, making our way towards some of the alpine lakes, crossing many rivers and weaving our way through the valleys. It was a big day. I’ll also disclose that helmets aren’t really a thing in remote Central Asia.

Trail riding in Kyrgyzstan is mixed terrain. It’s not really even a trail. At one point we were heading up over slippery mud  rocks and my horse stumbled. I think it caused the saddle bags to slip because a few seconds later my saddle slid off depositing me on the rocks.

I landed on my elbow and ribs. Blind pain, white light, am I dead? You know that sharp pain you get as a kid when you hurt yourself during recess and you cry; it was like that. Deep breaths, don’t cry in front of the men. Ok, I can move my arm. I’m not dead. Ok, I’m alive, I can keep going. Surely I won’t fall off again.

Guys, I fell off again.

The very next day too. And that time it was totally my fault; I accidentally led my horse into a mud pit avoiding more slippy mud rocks and I flew over her head into the mud. At that point my horse had had enough of me and bolted clear across the valley through a bog.

Blink, blink, ok I’m not dead but I was upset and that time I threw a bit of a tanty. I mean, who falls off daily? Fucking hell, someone teach me how to stay on a horse in the mud.

5. When can I do this again?

For me horse trekking in Kyrgyzstan is the epitome of a true adventure. It may not seem like it but for me it was really challenging, not something inherently easy or that I was fearless doing, which means once you do it, it feels all the sweeter.

For me, true joy in travel comes from making me do things that are hard, learning new skills and overcoming fears. That’s what I’m all about.

Even though I’m a complete and total liability on a horse apparently, I still had an amazing time, with crazy highs and lows and before we even finished I was thinking, damn where can I do this next?

I guess I really did love it.

Have you ever considered doing a horse trek? Do you enjoy overcoming personal fears and challenges? Is Kyrgyzstan on your bucketlist? Spill!

Many thanks to USAID for hosting me in Kyrgyzstan, like always I’m keeping it real, all opinions are my own, like you could expect less from me. 

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