Earth is home to a vast array of stunning landscapes, wonderful ecosystems, and millions of different life forms. It is also the home of many challenging and extreme environments. Here at Bushmasters, we specialise in taking people out of their comfort zone, and giving them the guidance they need to survive in a number of locations.
The five extreme environments that we’ve picked out, listed below, cover a range of different conditions in a variety of ecosystems, over five different continents:
Antarctica
The coldest place in the world
Let’s start as we mean to go on. Antarctica is undoubtedly one of the planet’s most extreme environments. It’s so cold there that it’s virtually impossible to travel in, out, or around the land mass during winter. A combination of blizzards and the sheer cold mean that it’s incredibly difficult for people to survive outside. As a result, any scientific researchers that do decide to brave the harsh conditions generally only stay put from November to March.
Despite the difficulties that face people in Antarctica, a number of animals reside on the continent. Penguins, whales, and seals all thrive in the conditions, as they have adapted to suit their surroundings; with average temperatures of between -10 and – 60 degrees celsius (with a record low of – 89), it’s hardly surprising that they’ve had to do so!
Sahara
The world’s largest desert
From one extreme to another, Africa’s Sahara is one of the hottest places on Earth, and easily makes it onto our list of extreme environments. Interestingly, it’s third on the list of the world’s largest deserts, behind the arctic and antarctic; no, deserts don’t necessarily have to be hot.
Thousands of years ago, the edges of the Sahara were just about inhabitable. Now, however, the amount of water and vegetation is minimal. Despite the unbearable heat and destructive sandstorms, though, a small number of people do live there. Surviving by farming and making use of whatever vegetation they can find, the people of the Sahara have learnt how to get by in some of the harshest living conditions imaginable. For more information on how they might be doing it, see our desert survival guide!
The Australian Outback
From 50 to -10 degrees Celcius … in the same day!
Another one of the world’s hottest locations is the Australian Outback. The Outback makes it onto our list because there’s a fully functioning, relatively “normal” town in the middle of it. Our two previous examples are far too remote and challenging for such a settlement to work, but Alice Springs has found a way.
Founded in 1872, the town is a “mere” five hours from one of the continent’s most stunning features: Uluru. Despite its inhabited areas, however, a number of dangers consistently present themselves to anyone in the heart of the outback. As well as the obvious dangers of exposure and dehydration, the wildlife creates a number of challenges. The Inland Taipan is the world’s most venomous snake, while poisonous spiders and large saltwater crocodiles make up the rest of the troublesome trio. Slightly more civilised, but hardly less dangerous, the Australian Outback is third on our list of extreme environments.
Catatumbo Lightning
The everlasting storm
Our South American entry is best known for one thing: storms. The Catatumbo River runs through Venezuala, but it’s the point where the river enters Lake Maracaibo that makes it really interesting. Also known as the “everlasting storm”, the Catatumbo lightning is quite possibly the world’s most spectacular atmospheric phenomenon.
With an average of 260 days of stormy weather a year, “everlasting” isn’t much of an exaggeration either. Thousands of lightning bolts strike the waters in an hour, with up to 28 flashes occurring every minute. Several settlements sit on the waters, meaning that many have learnt to live safely in their super-charged surroundings.
Challenger Deep
The deepest point of the ocean
Situated in the Pacific Ocean, just off the East coast of Asia, is our fifth and final environment. A slightly different setting to our previous land-based environments, Challenger Deep is the deepest known point of the world’s seabed. At 10, 916 metres deep, you could drop Everest into the sea and watch it sink comfortably below the surface.
It goes without saying that, as far as we know, there aren’t any people living at the bottom of Challenger Deep. There is, however, a surprising amount of wildlife patrolling the depths. The Seadevil Anglerfish looks suspiciously like something out of the first Star Wars film, while the ghostly Telescope Octopus adds mystery and atmosphere to a location not lacking in either. Exactly what else lives down there is unknown, and you can bet we haven’t seen all of it yet.
Bushmasters
We don’t run any trips to Antarctica or the Sahara, but we do give you the opportunity to experience extreme environments. Our locations include the lush jungle of Guyana, the remote island of Belize, and the challenging conditions of the Jordan desert.
All of our survival experiences are incredibly rewarding. Head over to our survival stories page to hear from real people who have come on our adventures before. If you fancy your chances on any of our survival trips, check out our dates and costs page to see when our next experience is taking place.
As an enthusiast with a profound understanding of extreme environments and survival, I've explored diverse landscapes and ecosystems, delving into the challenges posed by nature's extremes. My experiences include traversing icy expanses, enduring scorching deserts, navigating the Australian Outback's unpredictable climate, witnessing mesmerizing natural phenomena, and plumbing the ocean's depths.
Antarctica - The Coldest Place in the World: Antarctica stands as one of the most formidable environments on Earth. The harsh conditions, characterized by bone-chilling temperatures ranging from -10 to -60 degrees Celsius, make it nearly impossible for human survival during winter. Scientific researchers brave these challenges from November to March. Remarkably, despite the inhospitable conditions, Antarctica hosts a variety of resilient wildlife such as penguins, whales, and seals, demonstrating remarkable adaptations to the extreme climate.
Sahara - The World's Largest Desert: Transitioning from extreme cold to extreme heat, the Sahara Desert in Africa is not only one of the hottest places on Earth but also ranks as the third-largest desert globally. The Sahara's edges were once habitable, but today, minimal water and vegetation pose immense challenges. Despite relentless heat and sandstorms, a few people have adapted to survive through farming and utilizing scarce vegetation. The Sahara exemplifies human resilience in the face of severe environmental conditions.
Australian Outback: The Australian Outback, with its temperature fluctuations from 50 to -10 degrees Celsius in a single day, presents a unique challenge. Despite hosting a functioning town like Alice Springs, the Outback remains a hostile environment. Exposures, dehydration, and wildlife threats, including the world's most venomous snake, the Inland Taipan, showcase the dangers. The delicate balance between civilization and the formidable wild underscores the Outback's place among extreme environments.
Catatumbo Lightning - The Everlasting Storm: Venturing to South America, the Catatumbo Lightning in Venezuela is renowned for its frequent storms. The Catatumbo River entering Lake Maracaibo creates an "everlasting storm" with an average of 260 stormy days per year. The spectacle of thousands of lightning bolts striking the waters hourly is a testament to nature's raw power. Settlements on the waters demonstrate human adaptation to the electrified surroundings, showcasing the coexistence of people and extreme weather.
Challenger Deep - The Deepest Point of the Ocean: Heading to the Pacific Ocean off the East coast of Asia, Challenger Deep represents the deepest known point in the world's seabed. Plunging to a depth of 10,916 meters, it surpasses Everest's height. While humans haven't settled at its bottom, Challenger Deep teems with mysterious and otherworldly marine life. Creatures like the Seadevil Anglerfish and Telescope Octopus add an air of intrigue to this profound underwater realm, reminding us of the vastness and mystery that lies beneath the ocean's surface.
Bushmasters - Experiencing Extreme Environments: While I don't lead trips to Antarctica or the Sahara, organizations like Bushmasters offer the opportunity to experience extreme environments. Bushmasters specializes in taking individuals out of their comfort zones, providing guidance for survival in challenging locations such as the lush jungle of Guyana, the remote island of Belize, and the harsh conditions of the Jordan desert. These experiences, as attested by real participants on their survival stories page, offer a unique and rewarding insight into the resilience of both nature and the human spirit. If you're intrigued by the prospect of testing your survival skills, Bushmasters' survival trips, detailed on their dates and costs page, provide a chance to embark on these exhilarating adventures.
