Eeyore's in the Alps, Chamonix, France

Image taken on 2006-06-06 07:03:15 by nikoretro.

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Video: Speedflying in the Alps

If you're in need of a shot of adrenaline following a long holiday weekend, then look no further than this video. It features skier/paraglider Aaron Durogati as he goes speedflying through the Alps. With a set of skis on his feet, and a parachute deployed overhead, he effortlessly glides down the mountain, providing us some epic views along the way.

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Video: Mountain Biking Les Arcs, France

Earlier today, we had a video of mountain bikers riding the wet trails of central England. Now, we jump across the Channel to France, where the conditions are decidedly more tolerable, and the scenery incredibly breathtaking. In this video, a couple of riders head to the French Alps, near the ski resort of Les Arcs, to make on some of the backcountry trails found there. The landscapes are nothing short of spectacular, and the riding looks sublime. This looks like a fantastic place to go for a ride.

MADproductions: Backcountry Spirit from Trans-Savoie on Vimeo.

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Video: A Mountain Bike Ride in the Italian Alps

Here's a beautiful mountain biking video that was shot in the stunning Italian Alps near Aosta. It was made by two friends, who shot the entire thing over two days, with some dramatic images of the mountains, and the weather, adding a nice backdrop to what appears to be an amazing place to go for a bike ride. It takes a couple of minutes for this one to get rolling, but once it does, it's well worth the wait. Simply beautiful.

RIDE WITH ME * A O S T A * FULL VERSION from david babendreyer on Vimeo.

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Video: Proximity Wingsuit Flying in the Alps

If you need further proof that wingsuit pilots have nerves of steel, check out the video below. It features Jokke Sommer and Halvor Angvik as they make an incredible flight down the Le Catogne in the Alps of France. At some points, the two men are so low to the ground that they're actually skimming the tree tops on what they both described as one of the longest flights of their careers. Amazing stuff for sure, but it only reminds me of why I'd like to keep my feet firmly on the ground.

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Video: Very Technical Mountain Biking in the Austrian Alps

Warning: If you have a heart condition, you may not want to watch this video. It features mountain biker Johannes Pistrol riding the Steinerne Rinne, a limestone peak located in the Northern Alps of Austria. But there is no mountain biking trail on the mountain, and our intrepid hero is forced to navigate his way down in a slow, very technical, and very exposed manner. This one will leave you squirming in your seat as he makes his way along some very narrow routes. Don't try this at home kids.

Thanks to Adventure Journal for sharing.

Wilder Kaiser extreme from Big Col on Vimeo.

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The North Face Ultra-Trail Du Mont-Blanc Sees Repeat Winners

This past weekend, one of the toughest and most demanding foot races in the world took place around Mont Blanc, the tallest mountain in Western Europe. That's where the 2014 North Face Ultra-Trail Du Mont-Blanc was run, with more than 2000 competitors from across the globe testing their strength, endurance and determination on a course that is known for its difficult mountain trails, high altitude passes, and completely unpredictable weather.

This year, the 168 km (104 mile) race was saw two familiar faces atop the podium as both the mens and womens champions are past winners. French runner Francois D'Haene, who won in 2012, set a new course record on his way to victory, finishing the race in 20 hours, 11 minutes, 40 seconds. American Rory Bosio was the fastest woman on the course, crossing the finish line in 23 hours, 23 minutes, and 20 seconds. Francois finished approximately 50 minutes ahead of the next closes competitor, while Bosio was about 90 minutes in front of the second place woman.

Competitors in this year's race had to deal with wet, muddy conditions, which made the already difficult course even more challenging. Runners on the UTMB must circumnavigate Mont Blanc, starting and ending in Chamonix, France, but passing through both Italy and Switzerland along the route. They are also required to be self-supported out on the course, as they carry food and water with them on the run, as well as emergency supplies should they run into trouble out on the trail. In year's past, bad weather has halted the race at times, or stranded some of the runners in the mountains.

For most of the racers, it is just about finishing the UTMB, which is an accomplishment in and of itself. The race has a 46-hour cut-off time, and many of the athletes don't make it back to Chamonix before that point, while others simply DNF out on the course. But for those who do finish, it is a badge of honor to have completed one of the most prestigious trail running events in the entire world. Congratulations to all of those finishers, and especially to D'Haene and Bosio.

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Video: Climbing Monte Rosa in Switzerland

At 4634 meters (15,203 ft) in height, Monte Rosa is the tallest mountain in Switzerland, and the second tallest in the Alps. It is a popular climbing peak for mountaineers, who routinely use it as a place to hone their skills for other climbs. The video below follows a group of friends as they make the climb, staying in a series of comfortable looking huts on the way up, and capturing some spectacular views of the landscape around them as they go. The final approach to the summit is a long a tricky-looking knife-edge, but the payoff seems to be worth the effort.

Climbing Monte Rosa from Sander Cruiming on Vimeo.

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Video: Wingsuit Pilot Flies Along Avalanche Line in the Alps

If you're looking for a dose of adrenaline to get your day going, check out the video below. It was shot using a helmet cam by a wingsuit pilot in the Alps. We've seen plenty of these videos over the past few years, but this one stands out for just how close the pilot gets to trees below him. At some points, he seems to actually be lower than than the tree-tops too, as he buzzes along at breakneck speed. This is 44-seconds of pure terror.

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