Natural Wonder: Top 11 Best Landscape Places In The World

BY  Sibashree Jul 18, 2024

Is it your dream to climb Denali in Denali National Park? Standing at 6,190 meters height from sea level, the highest peak of North America is surely going to give you a tough time. However, the toughest routes in the world are the most alluring for travelers. So, its remote location and the deadliest terrains attract mountain lovers across the globe. As the monumental centerpiece, Denali adds to the popularity of Denali National Park.  Are you also planning a climb on Denali or Mount McKinley? Here are the things you must know before you make an attempt. Many people talk about the magnificence of the peak and its beauty. I will primarily discuss how you will prepare and conduct yourself for the pain-stricken journey and sail through it.  Climbing Denali in Denali National Park (How You Will Prepare Yourself) Many people find climbing Denali in Alaska’s Denali National Park more difficult than climbing Mount Everest. Extreme weather conditions, steep terrains, and fixed lines make this exotic peak one of the deadliest in the world.  So, we must be particular about our preparations, and these are the areas where we need to prepare ourselves.  Physical Preparedness And Endurance Physical preparedness and endurance are the most crucial things while climbing Denali. Your training activities will include the following.  Fitness Test  VO₂ Max Test Carrying Packs Weighing around 55lbs Hike Training at Sea Level Strength Building While attending a training session for physical strength and endurance, take a step-by-step approach to success.  Working On Team Dynamics And Preparations Traveling solo is not a great idea when it comes to conquering Denali. Maintain clear communication, mutual respect, trust, and a supportive environment within the team. Trust me! Denali will challenge you in every possible way. You don’t want to add to it by having a discord within the team.  Make Sure To Have The Correct Mental Training Reaching the Denali summit is going to be tough. The weather conditions and the routes will throw endless challenges. So, you have to be mentally resolute to keep at it. Train yourself mentally and learn to push limits during your physical training sessions for the Denali trek. Staying positive and being persistent is very crucial in your journey.  Work On Your Technical Proficiency Climbing Denali in Denali National Park is a demanding task. Things are not going to be as easy as visiting Biscayne National Park,  Everglades National Park, or any other national park.  You can attend courses on the following prior to joining a trip to Denali. Ice and snow travel Crevasse rescue Self-rescue Fixed line climbing Self-arrest techniques These technical climbing skills will prepare you for adverse conditions.  Be Particular About Food And Hydration  Planning food and nutrition before and during climbing Denali has two aspects. You have to eat healthy and nutritious food that keeps you in shape. If you are on a guided tour, you will have a proper diet and nutrition plan that you need to follow.  At the same time, having good food is crucial when it comes to climbing a height. You may face appetite issues at a higher altitude. However, you must ensure that you finish your meal properly. There will be no scope for overpacking snacks.  Further, nutrition is different for each person. So, your primary diet will be rich in healthy fats and high protein. However, for the instant energy kick, you must also carry some energy food items and chocolate bars.  The “Diet, Supplementation and Nutritional Habits of Climbers in High Mountain Conditions” report featured in the National Library of Medicine shows the food choices of climbers. Check the table below.  Food Choices Of Climbers Canned Meat3.6%Fruit Mousses7.1%Canned Fish7.1%Halvah7.1%Dry Smoked Pork Sausage10.7%Sandwiches10.7%Dried Fruits10.7%Nuts 10.7%Instant Dishes10.7%Dried Meat28.6%Salty Snacks32.1%Jelly Beans35.7%Energy Gels39.3%Chocolate71%Freeze-dried Dishes86.8%Bars100% Data Source: Diet, Supplementation and Nutritional Habits of Climbers in High Mountain Conditions This study was conducted on 28 men, and the average age group was “33.12 ± 5.96 years.” Take Care Of Hydration  Your body needs more hydration as you climb up the mountain. Water boosts the efficiency of our red blood corpuscles, which collect oxygen in the lungs. So, for proper breathing at a high altitude like Denali, you will have to keep drinking water.   You also need water to stay away from body aches and injuries and preserve your energy level. Water further helps in digesting your food.  Moreover, as you climb up, the air starts getting dry, and rapid breathing and an increased heartbeat promote faster loss of water from our bodies.  Along with drinking 3-4 liters of water every day, you will need to take multivitamins, electrolytes, and hyperhydration solutions available in sachets.  Work On Gear Selection And Preparation Pick and prepare your gear right for climbing Denali in Denali National Park. You will need to pack layered clothing, insulated boots, sleeping bags (-20 F), and mountaineering jackets. Further, if you are on a guided tour, you will be handed over a detailed kit list. Be particular about procuring the following items. Climbing helmet Balaclava Glacier glasses  Goggles Crampons Ice axe Harness Climbing rope Carabiners, etc. These gears ensure that you can navigate through the hard terrain comfortably and remain connected to your team.  Acclimatize With The Condition  With Denali, you are going to make a trek on harsh terrains under extreme weather conditions. So, you cannot plan a successful trip to Denali without devoting some time to acclimatization.  Join a group or guided expeditions that have acclimatization built into their itineraries.   Did You Know?  Mount Denali was renamed Mount McKinley on 28th August 2015.  Denali is the third-highest peak among the Seven Summits or the tallest peaks in seven continents. Denali means “the tall one,” and its name is derived from a Native Alaskan language, Koyukon.  Harry Karstens, Hudson Stuck, and their team of climbers first conquered Mount Denali in 1913.  Galen Johnston became the youngest climber to Mount Denali in 2001. He was 11 years old, and he climbed the peak with his parents.  Final Words  Climbing Denali in Denali National Park is going to be a one-of-a-kind experience. Reaching the summit can be the ultimate reward for your years of training and preparations.  Also, when your road leads to the highest peak in North America, you have to be physically and mentally fit and proficient in technical skills related to mountaineering.  In addition, respect the wonder of nature and be humble so that the wonder of nature embraces you with open arms and paves your way to the summit. Have you ever been a part of a climbing team to Denali? Do you have plans to make a trip to this steep mountain soon? What do you think is most important to prepare yourself for this arduous trek? Don’t forget to share your insights with us!  Denali National Park FAQs How Difficult Is Denali To Climb?  Climbing Denali in Denali National Park is a serious affair. You will at least need intermediate-level expertise or advanced expertise to climb the highest peak in North America.  If you are a serious climber and want to climb Denali, you must get your preparations right and acclimatize to difficult situations with some prior ventures. For preparations, you can climb the Cascades of Washington or the European Alps before your attempts to climb Denali. Further, you need to have the fitness and the agility to survive at all altitudes. You also need to be experienced in knots and hitches, rope work, and fixed-line climbing. In addition, you have to know about glacier travel, crampon techniques, and crevasse rescue.  What Is The Cost Of Climbing To Denali? The cost of climbing Denali for each person will be around $400 per day. Overall, the cost of climbing Denali will be around $12000. In addition, you will have to pay the NPS climbing registration fee. The National Park Service offers a detailed breakdown of the expenses you will need to bear when climbing Denali.  The expenditure includes guides, meals, and transportation costs to reach the kick-off point.  What Is The Hardest Part About Climbing Denali? Climbing the north face of Denali is the hardest, as there will be encounters with avalanches at Wickersham Wall. The Wickersham Wall extends 4,572 m upward from the glacier to the northern peak of Denali.  Another deadliest route for climbing Denali is the West Buttress route. Since the 1980s, there have been reports of at least 14 people dying on this route. (Source) What Is The Best Time To Climb Denali? Late April to mid-July is the best Denali climbing season. However, if you want to experience a milder temperature, you must visit the mountain in June and July. The weather is also less windy in June and July.  Traveling in late July is not a great idea, though, as the snow bridges over the crevasses will start melting. Further, it will be difficult for you to reach the base camp by airplane.  Climbing Denali in any season is not going to be a cakewalk for you. So, daily weather observations are crucial in determining the right time to climb the highest peak in North America. Also, it is always to be a part of guided expeditions to avoid fatal consequences and casualties.  Can I Die While Climbing Denali?  It would be harsh to say that you will die while climbing Denali. However, climbing the highest peak in North America is an arduous journey. You at least need an intermediate-level skill and glacier experience for the trek.  However, a solo climber to Denali died recently, just as the summer climb season this year kickstarted. The body of the deceased climber was found on 20th May 2024. (Source) So, commit to the climb only if you have the desired mental and physical fitness, have the expertise and experience, and have proper safety measures in place. Also read From Hiking To Stargazing: The Top 10 National Parks In Utah! 7 Fun Things To Do In The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Plan A Day Trip To Dry Tortugas National Park: This Is How You Will Do It.

BY  Sibashree Sep 30, 2024

Guest speakers from Dark Ranger Telescope and NASA attended the “Astrofest Festival” at Badlands National Park this year (July 5 to 7, 2024). In this celebration of the night sky and astronomy, the guest speakers discussed various aspects of space. The 2024 fest included the following activities. Scale model of the solar system in the afternoon An early evening solar viewing program Guest speaker session “These are objects that have been important to our culture since we could probably talk. So, we think it’s important to maintain that connection and bring back that connection to these things that used to be so important to us for thousands of years.”Ed Welsh, the education specialist at Badlands National Park  The yearly Astrofest Festival at the park indeed has a role in making the park a favorite for star gazing and exploring the night sky. Also, the remote location of the park and minimal light pollution here make it a wonderful site in South Dakota for watching the celestial bodies in action.  Further, this park is a wonderful place to soak in the beauty of sunrise and sunset, making it the land of light and stones! Night Sky Viewings/ Stargazing At Badlands National Park View this post on Instagram A post shared by Badlands National Park (@badlandsnps) Everyone talks about the geology, wildlife, and fossils of Badlands National Park. However, if you are an introvert and always seek an immersive experience like me, night sky viewing will be your favorite activity at the park.  In fact, I feel that watching the night sky is the chef’s kiss in the park tour. The stargazing activity takes place near the park’s Cedar Pass area, which is close to the visitor center.  Further, the rangers inform you about the celestial bodies you will see. You just need to keep your eyes glued to the telescope to explore celestial bodies, such as the Milky Way, star clusters, planets, satellites, and nebulae.  The table below gives a quick excerpt of the stargazing and night sky viewing experience at Badlands National Park.  Stargazing And Night Sky Viewings At Badlands National Park LocationCedar Pass AmphitheaterSpecialtyMore than 7500 stars are exposed to each visitor. They especially enjoy the clarity of the Milky Way. Add-onsFly-overs by the International Space Station and many satellitesTelescopes Provided By Celestron and Badlands Natural History AssociationBest Season for StargazingSpring, Summer, and Fall In summer, the Night Sky Viewing Program starts after the evening star gazing session every day. The park rangers conduct this program. Further, its timing keeps changing based on the sunset hours.  Best Places For Stargazing At Badlands National Park  https://www.instagram.com/p/Cc1WjJfoGBB/ Badlands National Park has earned a name in astrotourism thanks to its pristine nature. With fewer pull-outs and roads, the north unit of the park especially has many amazing stargazing destinations. Let’s explore them! The Space Tourism Guide features the Badlands National Park and the Badlands National Park Observatory as some of the best places for stargazing in South Dakota. Badlands Observatory became accessible to visitors in May 2021. It is a privately owned facility in the Badlands National Park. Also, it works for astronomical education and research.  Cedar Pass Campground Amphitheater Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, the Cedar Pass Campground Amphitheater has a Night Sky Viewing event every day. This experience is about gathering more information by stargazing in a structured setup.  You must visit the Ben Reifel Visitor Center every day to learn about the program.     Badlands Loop Road Like many other parts of the Badlands National Park, the Badlands Loop Road also allows you to find your spot for stargazing. However, two of the best spots along the loop are: Burns Basin Overlook Yellow Munds Overlook These locations are especially great for taking photographs and indulging in tranquility.  Sage Creek Rim Road The Sage Creek Rim Road is one of the least crowded spaces in the park. You will also get to see very few cars passing through the area.  The Sage Creek Basin Overlook and Hay Butte Overlook are some of the best spots for stargazing on Sage Creek Rim Road. However, as very few people visit this area, you can find a stargazing spot of your own.  Big Badlands Overlook Big Badlands Overlook may appear last on my list of places to stargaze in Badlands National Park. However, it is the first overlook for someone accessing the park from the Northeast Entrance or the Sioux Falls.  Take a short walk and reach the best stargazing point in the Big Badlands Overlook. From here, enjoy a 360-degree view.  The Backcountry  The open backcountry of the Badlands National Park is a wonderland for camping and stargazing. So, just set your camp and enjoy stargazing for the entire night.  Watching Sunrise And Sunset At Badlands National Park The magic hours of Sunrise and Sunset paint the Badlands National Park with the most vibrant shade of red. The table below shows the best points for watching the sunrise and sunset and the accessibility points. ActivityBest Spots In The ParkAccessibility Points with Boardwalks and for Visitors with Wheelchairs SunriseDoor TrailNorbeck Pass AreaDillon Pass AreaBig Badlands OverlookPanorama PointCastle Trail WestBig Badlands OverlookDoor Trail Panorama PointSunsetPinnacles OverlookCastle Trail EastNorbeck Pass AreaBigfoot Pass Picnic AreaConata Basin OverlookPinnacles Overlook Conata Basin OverlookBigfoot Pass Picnic Area  As the Sun rises, its warm golden and red lights spread over the pinnacles that face the east. Further, the drama of light and shadow makes every frame mesmerizing. So, many photographers flock to Badlands National Park’s sunrise and sunset points for the best captures.  Stargazing At Badlands National Park: Plan Your Trip Well  There are two easy ways to reach the remoteness of the Badlands National Park.  Reach the Rapid City Regional Airport and ride for an hour to Badlands National Park.  Further, you can reach the Sioux Falls Regional Airport and take a road trip to Badlands National Park. This trip through South Dakota will take you around 4 hours. If you want to have the best stargazing experience at Badlands, you need to stay there overnight. You can reserve a room at the Cedar Pass Lodge in advance or stay at the Sage Creek Campground or Cedar Pass Campground.  However, if you are an adventurous soul and want the most immersive experience, put a camp in the backcountry or the north and south units of the park. Don’t forget to collect your permit for backcountry camping in the Badlands National Park.  Also read Top 10 Most Popular Paraguay Food That You Must Try. Top 13 Famous Wonders Of India That You Must Visit! [Updated 2024]

BY  Sibashree Sep 19, 2025

A cruising company launches a new fleet! A luxury resort adds new villas! You need to position them. In simple words, you need to market or publicize the new launches.  Also, when you position a new launch, you have to send press kits to journalists. And today, you even have to do it for digital influencers.  A press kit can consist of an array of assets associated with the project, from bios to trailers, images, logos, quotes, fact sheets, and media contacts.  A headless CMS provides a seamless, efficient, centralized approach to organizing press kits. In this Tour and Travel Blog, we will discuss all the details about how headless CMS transforms travel press kit distribution. How Headless CMS Transforms Travel Press Kit Distribution?  Do you need press release kits for a small release? Or, is there a global release in concern? In both scenarios, a headless CMS can manage the overwhelming tasks.  Here is more about how a headless CMS transforms the organization and distribution of travel press kits. 1. Press Kit Elements In One Place For Global Release Press kits are ordinarily constructed à la carte, with the distribution being emailing and/or file sharing. This works for smaller releases. However, it becomes increasingly overwhelming in scale, especially with global releases that have various formats, regions, or translated editions. A headless CMS offers one source of all press kit elements established in a digital asset management cloud library.  The content teams are controlling it all from within. Editors can build and save reusable content blocks from cast bios and synopses to brand logos tagged by project, release type, or strategic territories.  This ensures the same cast bio isn't rewritten across international borders and that release specifics are the same in copy and imagery, no matter where it's being used. This saves time and effort, brand integrity, and has everything on record. 2. Assets Organized For Finding And Accessibility A press kit is more than a folder of files. It is a live and breathe thing that requires finding and accessibility.  A headless CMS offers the opportunity for every director to quote, behind-the-scenes image, or trailer to be created as its own entry. Further, it is structured with metadata, categories, usage approvals, etc.  Storyblok for developers demonstrates how this structured setup makes both internal asset management and external partner access more efficient.  This not only allows for internal searching, filtering, and sorting to find what's needed in a prompt fashion, but also external. Media partners are given access to a front-end portal (provided by the CMS) that allows for easy access to approved assets, all searchable and filtered based on what editors want to be visible, under embargo, or time-gated.  3. Customizable Press Pages For Various Audiences Press kit audiences frequently need different pieces of your kit. International journalists often require translated versions. However, influencers may want your branded social graphics or teaser trailers in shorter forms.  A headless CMS allows you to generate press pages on demand for specific audiences through conditional logic and role-based access.  Editors can denote who receives what and when, gatekeeping regionally appropriate kits, branded press landing pages, or tiered access to embargoed components delivered through a branded interface for secure access to materials that enhance your brand's professional image. 4. Supporting Real-Time Updates And Last-Minute Changes In the world of press and publicity, everything changes at a moment's notice. Release dates shift. New quotes are in, or last-minute approvals are pushed.  A headless CMS allows the team to make changes to the content instantly. Since everything is connected through the CMS, changes will occur in real-time across all portals and platforms.  There's no need to resend files or distinguish which version is the approved version. If an updated cast list is needed, if the logline contains a typo that requires correction, or if an image is no longer usable and needs to be replaced, it can be done once from within the CMS and automatically sent to all necessary locations.  When it comes time for launches, this real-time capability is essential. 5. Integrating With Workflow And Distribution Tools Managing a press kit does not exist in a vacuum. Many other systems live alongside creation and distribution.  A headless CMS connects beautifully with other tools through APIs and webhooks, allowing seamless transfer from content creation to approval to final distribution.  Once a press kit goes live in a headless CMS, automated notifications can go out to the PR team, media partners, or automated distribution lists.  Files can be transferred into asset databases, email distributions can feature press kits, or assets can be included in media coverage.  These integration opportunities reduce manual labor while empowering smaller teams to accomplish gigantic press efforts with ease. 6. Allowing For Localization And Regional Changes Often, press kits require regional changes. They require translation and changes in treatment based on formatting regulations or sociocultural significance.  A headless CMS allows localization efforts to occur as editors can create language variants of each content asset as well as regionally specific adaptations. 7. Enhancing The Media Experience With Interactive Offerings And Multimedia Additions The press kit is no longer just a PDF or ZIP file. Media members are seeking something more interactive that presents the level of quality and creativity as if the release were already complete.  A headless CMS allows for such press opportunities all on a microsite or portal to house the embedded trailer, photo gallery, downloadable assets, and even an interactive timeline.  With structured content and more unified front-end frameworks, these experiences can be created and deployed in no time, providing a tailored experience where media partners can see assets in situ and have a better understanding of the story being told through the release.  8. Offering Security And Controlled Access For Sensitive Information Sensitive or embargoed information often comes with pre-release materials. Uncut trailers or cuts, non-disclosure production notes, and limited-access interviews! When a release is embedded within a headless CMS, security can be built into the very content model. Assets can be time-locked, password-protected, or given dedicated access roles.  An entire team can assign and remove access on a user level and track who downloaded what.  This means that not only are press kits successful, but they are also secure, with every stakeholder confident that sensitive information will only be viewed by authorized eyes when it should and not one second sooner. 9. Measuring Engagement And Success Of Assets and Press Coverage Having access to knowing how successful press kits are is integral for PR improvements and ROI through engagement.  Headless CMS can integrate with analytics trackers to know the following. Which assets are downloaded the most Which press URLs have the most views And how long users interact with engaged content.  These findings inform where PR and marketing teams can pay attention to future endeavors, but also who engages consistently with certain types of releases and can be followed up with more thoroughly.  Over time, this kind of IRL feedback loop can improve press kit creation from square one to assembled assets over time while allowing for shortcuts in the future when similar projects arise. 10. Enabling Collaboration Between PR, Marketing, And Creative Teams Multiple teams work on the different elements of a press release. They use messaging elements from PR, marketing assets for campaign tie-in, and then creative teams as it relates to content creation/imagery.  A headless CMS fosters a collaborative workspace for all, where everyone has access to the same area without disruption.  Thanks to role permissions, version history, and editorial workflows, assets get timely approval. Also, consistency and quality remain across the board due to ease of collaboration.  This fosters teamwork as no one works in a silo. Everyone knows what everyone else is doing. Also, the time to publish becomes shorter for the big, necessary releases that require more hands on deck. 11. Facilitating Evergreen And Archive Access For Legacy Titles Some press kits are created with the intention of one-time use.  Others, however, require an evergreen approach to long-tail publicity or, perhaps, anniversary releases down the line.  A headless CMS allows access to live press kits, even after an event is over.  Archived kits can live in a press portal, easily categorized and searchable quickly by anyone who needs to access them.  Likewise, editors can update this material down the line as well, keeping legacy content available and relevant, for press, partners, and fans alike, without recreating the wheel. 12. Providing Responsive Press Experiences Across Devices Journalists, bloggers, and influencers access press kits on the go from their phones, tablets, and laptops.  A headless CMS allows developers to create responsive, mobile-friendly press portals that automatically adjust based on screen size and situation.  Whether someone needs to download a high-res image or watch an embedded trailer or simply cut-and-paste a quote from your press release, it’s all available in a seamless experience across devices. This works in your favor, too, encouraging better engagement while promoting your title. 13. Future-Proofing Press Kit Content For New Channels of Consumption As media and communication evolve over time, so too do the channels through which press materials are consumed. Think: voice assistants, messaging bots, OTT, and more.  A headless CMS gives proper structure to content. Content is decoupled from presentation. So, there exists an opportunity to repurpose press communication. This notion of survival of the fittest keeps you in good standing with accessible press communication, no matter how technology or methods of consumption change. 14. Scheduled Publishing For Controlled Release Of Embargoed Assets There are certain embargoed assets that require release at specific times and control over where they live. Exclusive interviews, never-before-seen stills, trailers not yet on the World Wide Web! With a headless CMS, the content team can schedule publishing for every asset included in a press kit.  Instead of having to remember what needs to go live (and at what time) for each digital asset, everything can be scheduled to go live as soon as the embargo lifts.  This avoids the necessity to go in and manually release things or accidentally release something too early.  Plus, coupled with automated notifications and access, such a situation allows for a seamless, professional distribution process. 15. Brand Consistency Across Multiple Press Kits For Studios, Publishers, And Agencies Agencies, studios, and publishers often have multiple campaigns running simultaneously, and brand consistency is key.  A headless CMS allows teams to create certain design elements, templates, and content blocks. Also, there can be repurposing across multiple campaigns.  Whether it's logo and typography elements or tone-of-voice and boilerplates, everything can be exactly the same. There's no design drift, and entities can always stay true to the identity they desire.  Read Also: The Volcanic Landscape of Katmai National Park: Come Visit The “Ring of Fire” How To Start A Travel Blog With A Headless CMS? Smart Tips Find Hotels Near Rome’s Top Attractions