Hair ice, Found In Broadleaf Forests Around the World

Hair ice, also known as ice wool or frost beard, is a type of ice that forms on dead wood and takes the shape of fine, silky hair. It is somewhat uncommon, and has been reported mostly at latitudes between 45–55 °N in broadleaf forests. The meteorologist and discoverer of continental drift, Alfred Wegener, described hair ice on wet dead wood in 1918, assuming some specific fungi as the catalyst, a theory mostly confirmed by Gerhart Wagner and Christian Mätzler in 2005. In 2015, the fungus Exidiopsis effusa was identified as key to the formation of hair ice.

Hair ice forms on moist, rotting wood from broadleaf trees when temperatures are slightly under 0 °C (32 °F) and the air is humid. Each of the smooth, silky hairs has a diameter of about 0.02 mm (0.0008 in) and a length of up to 20 cm (8 in). The hairs are brittle, but take the shape of curls and waves. They can maintain their shape for hours and sometimes days. This long lifetime indicates that something is preventing the small ice crystals from recrystallizing into larger ones, since recrystallization normally occurs very quickly at temperatures near 0 °C (32 °F).

 

The hairs appear to root at the mouth of wood rays (never on the bark), and their thickness is similar to the diameter of the wood ray channels. A piece of wood that produces hair ice once may continue to produce it over several years. In the year 2015, German and Swiss scientists identified the fungus Exidiopsis effusa as key to the formation of hair ice.The fungus was found on every hair ice sample examined by the researchers, and disabling the fungus with fungicide or hot water prevented hair ice formation. The fungus shapes the ice into fine hairs through an uncertain mechanism and likely stabilizes it by providing a recrystallization inhibitor similar to antifreeze proteins.

Atacama Desert (Desert Of Flowers), Coastal Cliff of Rang Of Chile, South America

The Atacama Desert is one of the driest regions on Earth has transformed nearly overnight from a sparse desert into a beautiful garden of many colors.This periodic phenomenon in Chile's Atacama Desert is known locally as desierto florido (flowering desert). And while it typically only happens every five to seven years. A desert bloom is a climatic phenomenon that occurs in various deserts around the world. The phenomenon consists of the blossoming of a wide variety of flowers during early-mid spring in years when rainfall is unusually high. The blossoming occurs when the unusual level of rainfall reaches seeds and bulbs that have been in a latent or dormant state, and causes them to germinate and flower in early spring

The Atacama Desert is a desert plateau in South America covering a 1,000 km (600 mi) strip of land on the Pacific coast, west of the Andes Mountains. The Atacama Desert is one of the driest places in the world, as well as the only true desert to receive less precipitation than the polar deserts. According to estimates, the Atacama Desert occupies 105,000 km2 (41,000 sq mi), or 128,000 km2 (49,000 sq mi) if the barren lower slopes of the Andes are included. Most of the desert is composed of stony terrain, salt lakes, sand, and felsic lava that flows towards the Andes. The desert owes its extreme aridity to a constant temperature inversion due to the cool north-flowing Humboldt ocean current and to the presence of the strong Pacific anticyclone. The most arid region of the Atacama Desert is situated between two mountain chains of sufficient height to prevent moisture advection from either the Pacific or the Atlantic Ocean, a two-sided rain shadow.

According to the World Wide Fund for Nature, the Atacama Desert ecoregion occupies a continuous strip for nearly 1,600 km (1,000 mi) along the narrow coast of the northern third of Chile, from near Arica (18°24′S) southward to near La Serena (29°55′S). The National Geographic Society considers the coastal area of southern Peru to be part of the Atacama Desert and includes the deserts south of the Ica Region in Peru. Peru borders it on the north and the Chilean Matorral ecoregion borders it on the south. To the east lies the less arid Central Andean dry puna ecoregion. The drier portion of this ecoregion is located south of the Loa River between the parallel Sierra Vicuña Mackenna and Cordillera Domeyko. To the north of the Loa lies the Pampa del Tamarugal. The Coastal Cliff of northern Chile west of the Chilean Coast Range is the main topographical feature of the coast. The geomorphology of the Atacama Desert has been characterized as a low-relief bench "similar to a giant uplifted terrace" by Armijo and co-workers.The intermediate depression forms a series of endorheic basins in much of Atacama Desert south of latitude 19°30'S. North of this latitude, the intermediate depression drains into the Pacific Ocean.

 

In spite of the geographic and climatic conditions of the desert, a rich variety of flora has evolved there. Over 500 species have been gathered within the border of this desert. These species are characterized by their extraordinary ability to adapt to this extreme environment. Most common species are the herbs and flowers such as thyme, llareta, and saltgrass, and where humidity is sufficient, trees such as the chañar, the pimiento tree, and the leafy algarrobo.

The llareta is one of the highest-growing wood species in the world. It is found at altitudes between 3,000 and 5,000 m (9,800 and 16,400 ft). Its dense form is similar to a pillow some 3 to 4 m (9.8 to 13.1 ft) thick. It concentrates and retains the heat from the day to cope with low evening temperatures. The growth rate of the llareta has been recently estimated at about 1.5 cm/year (0.59 in/year), making many llaretas over 3,000 years old. It produces a much-prized resin, which the mining industry once harvested indiscriminately as fuel, making this plant endangered.

The desert is also home to cacti, succulents, and other plants that thrive in a dry climate. Cactus species here include the candelabro and cardon, which can reach a height of 7 m (23 ft) and a diameter of 70 cm (28 in). The Atacama Desert flowering (Spanish: desierto florido) can be seen from September to November in years with sufficient precipitation, as happened in 2015.

 

For more Information  -  Atacama Desert

Skylodge Adventure Suites (Sleeping in Nest Of Natural Beauty), Valley of Cusco, Peru

Skylodge Adventure Suites is Located in the Sacred Valley of Cuzco, Peru. A transparent luxury capsule that hangs from the top of a mountain in the Sacred Valley of Peru. Skylodge Adventure Suites offers you the chance to sleep within a completely transparent hanging bedroom, that allows you to appreciate the impressive view of this magic and mystic valley. 

Now you can spend a night at 1,312 feet above the Sacred Valley at Skylodge Adventure Suites provided by and maintain by mountain adventure company Natura Vive. As the world’s first and only hanging lodge, adventurers sleep under the stars in a transparent room high above the ground and then zip-line down the next morning.

 

To sleep at Skylodge, people must climb 400 mt. of Via Ferrata or hike an intrepid trail through ziplines. One night at this place will make your dreams come true. Packages includes breakfast & gourmet dinner with wine, transportation from Cuzco and our professional bilingual guides. Continuing with Natura Vive´s philosophy of sharing a mountain experience with people of all ages and capacities, in June of 2013 we opened the unique and first ever hanging lodge in the world, The Skylodge Adventure Suites.

The Natura Vive Skylodge is composed of three exclusive capsule Suites with a total capacity of 8 people. Our vertically hanging transparent capsule suites are situated at the top of our 1200 ft mountain with a 300 degree view of the majestic Sacred Valley. Hand crafted out of aerospace aluminum and weather resistant polycarbonate, each suite comes complete with four beds, a dinning area and a private bathroom. Measuring 24 ft. in length and 8 ft. in height and width, the capsule suites are composed of six windows and four ventilation ducts that ensure a comfortable atmosphere. Safety is insured by having the exit portal located in the upper part of the craft.

The design and features of each suite provides our clients with first class service and complete comfort. Our alternative lighting system consists of four interior lamps and a reading light all powered by solar panels that store energy in batteries. Each suite has a private bathroom separated from the bedroom by an insulated wall. Inside is a dry ecological toilet and sink, where you can still enjoy the gorgeous views through the 1.8 meter diameter dome. The dome also has curtains for privacy from the curious gaze of passing condors (your sky neighbors). Fine quality mattresses, cotton sheets, down pillows, and quilts ensure a warm and pleasant night 400 meters from the ground. Maximum weight of 265 lbs (120 kg) to safely climb the via ferrata and ride the zipline.

Skylodge Adventure Suites Fees Includes private transportation from/to your hotel, guides, equipment, snack for the ascent, gourmet dinner with bottle of wine, and breakfast over the Sacred Valley. 

For More Information - Skylodge Adventer Sites Offical Website

The Dzüko Valley, Nagaland / Manipur, North East, India

The Dzüko Valley is a valley located in borders of the state of Nagaland and Manipur in northeast India. This valley is well known for its natural environment, seasonal flowers and flora and fauna. It is situated at an altitude of 2452 m above sea level. The valley is famous for its wide range of flowers in every season but the most famous one is the Dzüko Lily and it is found only in this valley.

The word Dzüko is originally derived from the Viswema dialect of the Angamis ‘Dzüko’ which means ‘Soulless and Dull’ referring to when some ancestors of Viswema who moved out to establish a new village in Dzüko, due to the unfavorable weather conditions they were unable to harvest crops which led them to say “the valley is very beautiful but is dull and soulless.” A common misconception is that Dzüko derives its meaning from the Angami word which translates to Cold Water referring to the ice cold stream that flows through the valley. 

Ideal For Trekkers and nature-lovers. June to September is the period when the flowers are in full bloom. However, trekking in the monsoons can be a bit difficult.

 

 

 

The main entry is from the foothills of Viswema village where one can travel to the rest house above Mt. Teyozwü by a Tata Sumo taxi. From here one has to climb forty minutes to the top of the mountain. This is where Dzüko starts but the main valley is still another two hours walk away. One can exit the valley from the same route but if one is planning to come back by foot, the Jakhama route is shorter. Also it can be reached in five hours of trek from Mt. Tempü of Senapati district of Manipur. The new five-hour trek route was opened by MMTA (Manipur Mountaineering and Trekking Association).

Lamkoi, a leading adventure group in Manipur, organise regular trip to Dzuko Valley every year. Also, there are many NGOs and adventure tour operators, who organize treks to the Dzüko Valley. There is a Helipad just next to the Guest house however no service is seen in the last few years. There has been disputes for years between the two states regarding the ownership of Dzuko Valley with both the states. However, geographically the valley shares both Manipur and Nagaland territories despite claims which were demarcated by the British colonial and followed by the government of India upon the division of statehood.