Virtual Adventures in Second Life
Source: explore Magazine
Posted: 05/15/08 2:29PM
Filed Under: Travel
by RYAN STUART, Gear Editor, explore magazine
Okay, so when you play outdoor sports in Second Life—the online 3-D world that mimics the actual world—there are no potential wipeouts, no sudden bursts of adrenalin, no sweet thrills of just doing it. And a pixilated view of a mountain can’t even compare to the Niagara Escarpment, let alone Mount Assiniboine. But there are real benefits to virtual adventure. Here are a few:
Surfing
The waves may look like giant blue hands, but at least there’s no sand in your shorts, no sharks, no duck diving and no ’tudes.
Skiing/snowboarding
The quality of the slopes may vary, but there’s snow 365 days a year. Race a slalom course at Nakiska and then head to Lake Tahoe with the boards still on. Air Canada won’t let you do that.
Mountain biking
Huck air in a geologically perfect Moab without worrying about a flat. Tired? Not even a little.
Travel
Flight to Machu Picchu: free. Hut on the beach in Hawaii: free. Visit to Whistler-Blackcomb: $1 (it is Whistler). Australia without jet lag: priceless.
Climbing
Scale impossible-in-real-life mountains or desert pillars without rockfall fears. Then print yourself the bumper sticker: In Second Life I climb like Sonnie Trotter.
Read Ryan Stuart’s blog about gear, travels, and his adventures as explore magazine’s gear editor at www.explore-mag.com
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