Two dare devils, Claude-Alain Gailland and Gilles Janin, equipped with river boarding gear slid down 7 miles of the Aletsch Glacier in Switzerland. There’s so much danger involved in hydrospeeding on a glacier. First, there might be deep crevasses they can fall through since they’re not aware of what lies ahead of them. Second, if a glacial lake falls behind them it would create a massive tidal wave of icy water sending them speeding down the river at lethal speeds. In spite of the risks, it’s becoming a summertime hobby for some thrill seekers. Fortunately, Gailland, a Swiss mountain guide, and Janin, a canyon activity specialist, made it safely and enjoyed the rush of adrenalin. The two athletes are of a handful of people in the world who are qualified to participate in this sport. Mountaineer photographer David Carlier spent the day trudging through the ice capturing their treacherous adventure.
