9781422275863

Ultimate Danger Ultimate Danger Ultimate

The Ultimate Book of

John Perritano

Ultimate Danger Ultimate Danger Ultimate

The Ultimate Book of

Ultimate Danger Ultimate Danger Ultimate

• D a n g e r • U l t i m a t e

The Ultimate Book of Dangerous Animals

The Ultimate Book of Dangerous Insects

The Ultimate Book of Dangerous Jobs

The Ultimate Book of Dangerous Places

The Ultimate Book of Dangerous Sports & Activities

The Ultimate Book of Dangerous Weather

Ultimate Danger Ultimate Danger Ultimate

The Ultimate Book of

John Perritano

Mason Crest Philadelphia • Miami

Ultimate Danger Ultimate Danger Ultimate

Mason Crest 450 Parkway Drive, Suite D Broomall, Pennsylvania 19008 (866) MCP-BOOK (toll-free) www.masoncrest.com

Copyright © 2020 by Mason Crest, an imprint of National Highlights, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission from the publisher. First printing 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 ISBN (series) 978-1-4222-4224-7

ISBN (hardback) 978-1-4222-4229-2 ISBN (ebook) 978-1-4222-7586-3 Cataloging-in-Publication Data on file with the Library of Congress.

Developed and Produced by National Highlights Inc. Editor: Peter Jaskowiak Interior and cover design: Annemarie Redmond Production: Michelle Luke QR CODES AND LINKS TO THIRD-PARTY CONTENT

You may gain access to certain third-party content (“Third-Party Sites”) by scanning and using the QR Codes that appear in this publication (the “QR Codes”). We do not operate or control in any respect any information, products, or services on such Third-Party Sites linked to by us via the QR Codes included in this publication, and we assume no responsibility for any materials you may access using the QR Codes. Your use of the QR Codes may be subject to terms, limitations, or restrictions set forth in the applicable terms of use or otherwise established by the owners of the Third-Party Sites. Our linking to such Third- Party Sites via the QR Codes does not imply an endorsement or sponsorship of such Third-Party Sites or the information, products, or services

Ultimate Danger Ultimate Danger Ultimate

Words to Understand: These words with their easy-to-understand definitions will increase the reader’s understanding of the text, while building vocabulary skills. Sidebars: This boxed material within the main text allows readers to build knowl- edge, gain insights, explore possibilities, and broaden their perspectives by weav- ing together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives. Educational Videos: Readers can view videos by scanning our QR codes, provid- ing them with additional educational content to supplement the text. Examples include news coverage, moments in history, speeches, iconic sports moments, and much more! Research Projects: Readers are pointed toward areas of further inquiry connect- ed to each chapter. Suggestions are provided for projects that encourage deeper research and analysis. Series Glossary of Key Terms: This back-of-the-book glossary contains terminol- ogy used throughout the series. Words found here increase the reader’s ability to read and comprehend higher-level books and articles in this field. Contents Series Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Chapter 1: Tempting Mother Earth . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Chapter 2: Team Animal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Chapter 3: Danger in the Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Chapter 4: High-Flying Danger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Series Glossary of Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 Further Reading and Internet Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 Author’s Biography and Photo Credits . . . . . . . . . . . . .80

Key Icons to Look for:

Ultimate Danger Ultimate Danger Ultimate

Series Introduction The Ultimate Danger set explores hair-raising hobbies, crime-ridden cities, death- dealing hurricanes, and much more. But what makes something dangerous? The answer may depend on your perspective. For example, some people would say that guns are so inherently dangerous that having one in the house is unthinkable. But to those who feel comfortable around guns, it’s fine to have weapons in the house—even desirable!—as long as they’re stored properly. Or consider this: most Americans think of New Zealand as a faraway land with breathtaking scenery and . . . who knows, maybe surfing? The point is, Americans don’t know all that much about New Zealand, and it looks adorably harmless to us from so far away. But to New Some Information on Information Boxes Each entry in this set includes an information box that provides basic facts about that topic. Most are self-explanatory, but a few require a little bit of explanation. In Dangerous Animals , one category is called “IUCN Red List.” This refers to a database created by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The IUCN assesses the population levels of animal species, and also whether that population is growing or declining. Each species is given a designation, such as “Endangered,” “Vulnerable,” or, if it’s doing well, “Least Concern.” The Dangerous Places volume has chapters on dangerous cities and countries—both use population information from the World Population Review website. Almost by definition, the countries and cities covered here tend to be unstable, meaning good data can be difficult to come by. In addition, some countries don’t report trustworthy numbers, and movements of refugees can shift population levels rapidly. In the “Dangerous Countries” chapter, the information box also gives travel advisory information from the U.S. State Department, which assesses the safety (or lack thereof) of countries to help tourists decide whether or not to visit them. Countries are put into four categories, with increasing levels of danger:

• Level 1 (exercise normal precautions) • Level 2 (exercise increased caution)

• Level 3 (reconsider travel) • Level 4 (do not travel)

The Ultimate Book of Dangerous Sports & Activities

6

Ultimate Danger Ultimate Danger Ultimate

Zealand’s indigenous Maori population, who were robbed and oppressed during two hundred years of imperialist rule, New Zealand may not seem quite as adorable. Given all that, it’s clear that “dangerous” is subjective. The term can also be a vaguely insulting one in some contexts. Consider the people of St. Louis, a city frequently included on lists of “most dangerous cities” due to its high rate of violent crimes per citizen. Many residents are annoyed about the city they love ending up on those lists. They’ll hold forth passionately about how the statistics are misreported, misunderstood, and just generally unfair. But not everyone finds “dangerous” to be insulting—for some, the word indicates something that’s a heck of a lot of fun. Three of this set’s six volumes ( Dangerous Jobs, Dangerous Places , and Dangerous Sports & Activities ) are partly or entirely devoted to dangers that humans actively pursue . Even those of us who would rather not dance with actual danger can’t get enough of TV shows and films that scare us, startle us, and let us experience danger at a distance. Some of us even read (and write!) books about the topic. So, without further ado, let’s check out the ultimate in dangerous creatures, activities, and events.

Series Introduction

7

Ultimate Danger Ultimate Danger Ultimate

Words to Understand endurance: able to withstand something difficult ligament: tissue that connects two bones or holds a person’s joints together momentum: the motion of a moving object stamina: the ability to withstand continued physical activity vernacular: everyday language

The Ultimate Book of Dangerous Sports & Activities

8

Ultimate Danger Ultimate Danger Ultimate

Chapter 1

Tempting Mother Earth O ur planet is as dangerous as it is wondrous. It is crammed with boiling volcanoes, icy slopes, craggy mountain cliffs, and remote caves. In other words, it’s a great place to defy death, if that is what you like. On the other hand, sports can be beautiful and magical. The grace of a figure skater, for instance, can bring joyful tears to the eyes of even the most cynical observer. When the Earth and sports converge, the strangest things can happen. That’s because human beings have a longing to dominate Mother Nature. Surfers, for example, will travel to the most remote corners of the world to tame the largest ocean waves. Ice climbers will scale slippery cliffs, while others plumb the depths of cold limestone caves. Sometimes, though, Mother Earth pushes back.

Tempting Mother Earth

9

Ultimate Danger Ultimate Danger Ultimate

Bouldering

When people rock climb or ice climb, they use equipment designed to save their lives. Not so in bouldering, a form of rock climbing performed without ropes or harnesses. The idea is to use only your hands, arms, feet, and legs to scale rock walls. Participants climb up the sides of walls, looking for crevices, cracks, and ledges on which to maintain a firm grip. Many don climbing shoes to

Objective: To climb rock cliffs, or indoor cliffs, without equipment. Danger: Falls can cause serious injury. Did You Know? Experienced boulderers

often tell novices, or “newbies,” to

remember their legs— that is don’t just pull with your arms; also push with your legs.

make sure their footholds are secure. They also carry chalk to put on their hands to keep them dry. The key in bouldering is to keep your wits about you. Problem-solving skills are essential, because you need to look two or three moves ahead, as if you’re playing a dangerous game of chess. Don’t confuse bouldering with free solo climbing, which is also performed without ropes, but at higher altitudes. Bouldering doesn’t take you far from the ground, and it’s most often done on boulders rather than cliff faces. It can be done indoors, on plastic rock walls, or outdoors on natural rock. Most boulder “problems” are no more than 20 feet high, although some can be much higher.

The Ultimate Book of Dangerous Sports & Activities

10

Ultimate Danger Ultimate Danger Ultimate

Tempting Mother Earth

11

Ultimate Danger Ultimate Danger Ultimate

Cheese Rolling

In Gloucester, England, there is a tiny village called Brockworth. Built ages ago along an ancient Roman road, it has a population of slightly more than 7,300. The village is just a speck on a map—until spring arrives. That’s when people from near and far come to Cooper’s Hill to get their fill of cheese—Gloucester cheese, to be specific. Yet, no one eats the cheese. Instead, they chase it.

Objective: To chase a rolling wheel of cheese down a hill. Danger: Broken bones, pulled muscles, and sprained ankles are the main risks.

Did You Know? Authorities tried to

As its name suggests, this offbeat sport involves scrambling down Cooper’s Hill after a rolling wheel of Gloucester cheese. The first person to cross the finish line with cheese in hand is the winner. While the competition might seem strange, or even quaint, depending on your point of view, it is also highly dangerous. People have sustained broken bones, torn ligaments , and hard knocks to their noggins. The reason cheese rolling is dangerous has a lot to do with physics. The cheese starts its journey one-second before the humans begin to scramble. That’s just enough time for momentum and gravity to take over. As the rolling cheese picks up speed, reaching up to 70 mph (112 kmh), so do the people tumbling after it, who often collide with each other and hurt themselves. In fact, things got so dangerous that in 2013, the organizers of the roll replaced the wheel of cheese with a foam cheese. cancel the event in 2009 due to safety concerns, but it happens every year anyway. A Bite of History No one knows for sure how cheese rolling came about. One theory suggests its origins date back to the 1400s as a way for farmers to maintain livestock grazing rights on the village common. Another explanation is that the event was a pagan ritual, but instead of cheese, people threw bundles of burning wood down the hill as winter ended.

The Ultimate Book of Dangerous Sports & Activities

12

Ultimate Danger Ultimate Danger Ultimate

At the 2015 cheese races down Cooper’s Hill.

Like all races, cheese rolling has rules. There are four contests—three for men and one for women. Each has a maximum number of racers (14), although some years have seen up to 40. The race does not begin with a starter’s pistol or a buzzer, but when the master of the ceremony shouts “One to be ready, two to be steady, three to prepare [at which point the cheese begins its journey], and four to be off.” At that point the chase begins.

Tempting Mother Earth

13

Ultimate Danger Ultimate Danger Ultimate

Extreme Ironing

One day in 1997, a young British man named Phil Shaw came home from work and was confronted by a mountain of wrinkled laundry. It wasn’t a welcoming sight for sure, and Shaw did not feel like ironing his clothes. In fact, he wanted to go rock climbing. So, he packed up his wrinkled duds, an iron, and an ironing board. He then headed off with his roommate to the nearest cliff he could find to do “a spot of ironing whilst rock climbing.” In that moment, extreme ironing was born.

Objective: To press wrinkled laundry in extreme environments. Danger: A range of injuries can occur, caused by falls and missteps. Did You Know? “Eso ironing” is a form of extreme ironing that combines ironing with the tenets of meditation.

Extreme ironing has put a new wrinkle into what it means to be an athlete. It is one of the most interesting and dangerous sports, a popular activity in which participants iron as they climb rocky cliffs, skydive, bungee jump, cliff dive, surf, or whitewater raft, among other gnarly activities. The first Extreme Ironing World Championships, held in a small village near Munich, Germany, in 2002, drew 12 teams from 10 countries. Athletes had to navigate five rounds of ironing in different situations. It was sort of a laundry obstacle course that included climbing a rock wall and hanging from a moss-covered tree. Judges ranked the contestants on the creativity of their ironing skills and how well they got the wrinkles out. “Ironists,” Shaw writes in his book on the sport, “are sometimes so absorbed in getting themselves into some sort of awkward or dangerous situation with their ironing board that they forget the main reason they are there in the first place: to rid their clothing of creases and wrinkles.”

The Ultimate Book of Dangerous Sports & Activities

14