Government Shutdown stops Appalachian Trail volunteers too.

"While the Park Service is shut down, there is no insurance coverage for injuries to volunteers or liability protection should the work you do result in injury to others.

A.T. maintainers and Trail club volunteers should cease work on the A.T. and its side trails immediately. The NPS Volunteers in the Parks (VIP) program (on NPS and where extended for coverage on some state lands) is suspended. The Volunteers in the Forests (VIF) program is also suspended. In the event of an accident, lack of those protections would expose A.T. workers, their clubs, and ATC to tort claims and medical costs. Therefore, all A.T. maintenance must cease for the duration of the shutdown. Except for NPS-APPA staff, Acting Chief Ranger Carin Farley, all APPA park personnel have been furloughed, as have most of the staff in the six national park units crossed by the Trail." 

That is the official word. 

Peace on Earth

Let's make this the goal every day, OK?

Communitas in Liminallty

Liminality continued....

During this liminal period, Turner (1969), noted the formation of a community called
communitas. This refers to the realization of a social bond between strangers who, regardless of
their individual backgrounds, temporarily find that they have a common goal during the liminal
phase. In the historic ritualized experience, they are also beholden to the elders, so this bond
develops among the individuals that break down the norms of society and the differentiation
between classes. All are now equal as they face the unknown of the future.

Communitas are also found in tourist groups where social inhibitions are loosened (Campo and
Ryan, 2008; Lett, 1983; Yarnal & Kerstetter, 2005). Night time entertainment in urban centers is
a good example where social norms are relaxed (Campo & Ryan, 2008). Typically these districts
attract a younger clientele who are fearless. Lett (1983) found yacht tourism in the British Virgin
Islands yields freedom to behave beyond the standards of normal accepted life. The communitas
formed during this ludic experience is both fun, freely created and liminal.

In challenging experiences this bond becomes not only important, but essential.

Liminality in Tourism

Tourism scholars have explored liminality for over thirty years (Andrews & Roberts, 2012; Brooker & Joppe, 2014; Crouch, 2000; Lett 1983; Light 2009; Preston-Whyte, 2004; Pritchard, & Morgan, 2006; Varley, 2011). A degree of the unknown is evident in the experience, especially given the hint of death (Andrews & Roberts, 2012). The breadth and depth of understanding the transitional period of travel is an important one to understand since it has a great potential impact on the overall encounter for the visitor.

Challenging us, Preston-Whyte (2004:249) states “(l)iminality is an elusive concept.” Easily recognized, but a challenge to explain, Thomassen (2009) even goes to suggest that the concept does not and cannot explain.  Given that liminality has become as Downey and others (2016:3) call the “catch-all expression for an ambiguous, transitional, or interstitial spatio-temporal dimensions” here we are challenged with defining it under those restraints.  

What does liminality in tourism mean to you?

Volcanism in Costa Rica

Volcanoes are pretty neat.  While they destroy things, from a safe distance volcanoes are wonderful examples of the dynamic world.

To find your favorite volcano, see SI.

And some cool ('er hot) webcams here. and here.

Sulphur Smell by Sólheimajökull Glacier

Something fishy?

Could the sulphur be the warning of something?  In Iceland you never know.

Field work Iceland (2013 and 2015) noting a 100 meter loss of ice from Sólheimajökull.

Burn some matches and watch this video and you get "Odorama" (think John Waters).

Adventure Tourism and Outdoor Activities Management

A new title for academics and practitioners is due in a couple months.

Dr. Ian Jenkins (2019) Adventure Tourism and Outdoor Activities Management: A 21st Century Toolkit, CABI

An essential resource for those wishing to understand the key factors behind the operation of an adventure tourism company and how to be able to deliver a profitable as well as a sustainable product. It discusses important factors such as how the use of technologies and the current importance of environmental impacts and climate change are areas that are key to adventure tourism firms. To remain profitable companies need to address these issues along with the important elements of risk and safety.

Key features include:
Industry Perspective case studies
Sustainable Adventure Tourism Developments
Management of Products and Customers

Created from the author's experience in delivering adventure tourism courses over the last 20 years, this long-awaited book is aimed at both university courses on adventure tourism and outdoor recreation as well as those working within the industry.

Readership
Suitable for students of adventure tourism and outdoor recreation management, as well as industry managers in outdoor activities.