Engineering masterpieces you’ll want to visit

Would you cross a 492-foot-high glass bridge? 10 unreal bridges

Published on November 12, 2024

Credit: Andreea Popa

Humans have found ingenious ways to cross large bodies of water since the dawn of time. Bridges are synonymous with communication, and thanks to them, mankind has been able to develop cities, entire societies, and booming economies. From suspension to stone bridges, in this article, we have selected 10 remarkable structures that you may not know about but are worth acknowledging for their high cultural and architectural value. Are you up for the challenge?

Henderson Waves

Credit: Felix Fuchs

In the heart of Singapore, there is a pedestrian bridge called Henderson Waves. This structure, inaugurated in May 2008, was named for its wave-like shape. The total length of the bridge is 899 feet, with 7 semi-curves alternating above and below its deck. It is 26 feet wide and rises 118 feet above the Henderson Road Expressway, making it the highest pedestrian bridge in the country.

Henderson Waves is a very popular walking route among tourists; from its platform, you can get different views of the city and landscapes. It is also part of the Southern Ridges Walk, famous for crossing three parks that offer 6 miles of beautiful gardens.

Millau Viaduct

Credit: Jordi Vich Navarro

At almost 8,070 ft long and 1,104 ft high, the Millau Viaduct is a true engineering marvel. This multi-span cable-stayed bridge over the spectacular Tarn Valley in Aveyron, Southern France, is the highest in the world and is considered one of the greatest engineering achievements of modern times.

Its construction in an area with winds that can reach 80 miles per hour required several years of studies and seven 285 ft high masts weighing 700 tons each. Millau Viaduct was finally inaugurated in December 2004, after 36 months of work, and is expected to have a lifespan of more than 120 years.

Ponte Vecchio

Credit: Jeff Ackley

You probably don't walk across the Golden Gate or Brooklyn Bridge expecting to find a market or a shopping center. But centuries ago, it was common for stores —and even houses— to be built on the second floor of a bridge. The most prominent example that still exists today is located in Italy: Ponte Vecchio ("old bridge" in English).

Rebuilt over the Arno River after a flood in 1345, it is said to be the oldest stone bridge in Europe. It was also the only bridge in Florence that wasn't destroyed by bombs during World War II. Nowadays, you can still visit the workshops and jewelry stores that characterize this medieval arch bridge.

Juscelino Kubitschek

Credit: Herney

Juscelino Kubitschek Bridge, commonly called Ponte JK, crosses Lake Paranoá and was completed in 2002. This spectacular architectural marvel -with a beauty that matches the monumental scale of the Brazilian capital- was named after the president who decided to move the seat of government from Rio de Janeiro to Brasilia.

Ponte JK's steel and concrete structure consists of three asymmetrical arches. The design was inspired by the movement of a stone skipping over water. It has a total length of 3,900 ft and a width of 79 ft, divided into six dual traffic lanes, plus special pedestrian and bicycle paths. Together with the stunning modern buildings designed by Oscar Niemeyer, this impressive bridge is an integral staple of the city.

The Helix

Credit: Robs

If Henderson Waves is the highest pedestrian bridge in Singapore, The Helix, with a length of 920 ft, is the longest in the South Asian country. Located in the ultra-modern Marina Bay area, it is named after the two steel spirals that structure it, resembling the double helix of DNA.

The Helix, made of fritted glass and perforated steel mesh, was inaugurated in 2010 and has won several awards for its great architectural value. It offers four viewing platforms from where you can contemplate the stunning city skyline. As a curiosity, the bridge is lit at night with LED lights forming the letters C, G, A, and T, representing the four bases of DNA: cytosine and guanine, adenine and thymine.

Capilano

Credit: Tim Trad

The Capilano Suspension Bridge is 230 ft above the Capilano River in British Columbia, Canada. The 450-foot-long suspension bridge welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors every year and is one of Vancouver's main attractions. The original bridge, made of hemp ropes and cedar planks, was built in 1889. However, after several renovations, it was completely rebuilt in 1956.

Capilano Bridge is currently privately owned but can be accessed by paying an entrance fee. In the park, you can enjoy different features such as Treetops Adventures, a group of towering platforms and suspension bridges, and Cliffwalk, a cantilevered walkway clinging to the cliff above the canyon. If you want to enjoy the temperate West Coast rainforest ecosystem from a privileged high view, visiting Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is the way to go.

Cầu Vàng

Credit: Simon Van Rompaey

Opened in 2018, Cầu Vàng ("golden bridge" in English) in the Vietnamese coastal city of Da Nang has already become a global phenomenon, an internet sensation, and an eye-catching attraction for visitors from all over the world.

This ingenious structure is 490 ft long and stands 4,500 ft above sea level. Its impressive design evokes the image of the hands of god pulling a golden thread from the mountains. The pedestrian bridge, which sits proudly against the lush greenery, is now one of Vietnam's most recognizable landmarks and a global icon that has elevated Da Nang as a "must-visit" destination.

Credit: Sepp Rutz

Sunniberg

This multi-span road bridge won many awards after its inauguration in 199, thanks to its elegant design. Sunniberg Bridge spans the Landquart River near the village of Klosters in eastern Switzerland. With a length of 1,726 ft, it curves through the valley with a unique Y-shaped support structure that blends seamlessly with the surrounding alpine landscape.

Sunniberg Bridge has become a landmark in the area and a true icon of Swiss engineering. It's especially beautiful during the winter when the tops of the Alps are snow-capped. So, if you're thinking of a skiing getaway, this is a great option!

Bastei

Credit: Aravind Balabhaskar

Just 25 miles from Dresden, Germany, you can find the Saxon Switzerland National Park. The major landmark of this park is Bastei ("bastion" or "fortification" in English), a majestic rock formation rising 636 ft above the Elbe River, connected by an impressive sandstone bridge built in 1851.

Since then, this 250 ft long bridge has been the main tourist attraction of the area and an inspiration for many artists due to its stunning panoramic views. In fact, Bastien has been the birthplace of the first German landscape photographers.

Bạch Long

Credit: Jessica Gale

Located in the northwest of Vietnam, Bach Long ("white dragon" in English) is the longest glass bridge in the world. Standing 492 feet high, this construction was inaugurated in 2022. Throughout its 2,073 feet long, it offers a panoramic view of the sublime natural landscape of the rural region of Son La.

Seen from a distance, Bach Long Bridge looks like a long strip of white silk, contrasting with the jungle-like mountains. Constructed of huge 40-millimeter-thick glass panels, the bridge is completely see-through and can support up to 450 people at a time. At sunset, it’s lit by a system of multicolored lamps that lead into a cave filled with natural stalactites and stalagmites. The Bach Long glass bridge has become the pride and joy of the locals and is admired by visitors from all over the world. That said, it’s not recommended for people who suffer from vertigo!

CAMPING HACKS

Mastering the Flame: 10 Pro Tips for Building the Perfect Campfire

Published on November 12, 2024

Credit: Siim Lukka

Bradbury was right; it is a pleasure to burn. Whether you're out in the wilderness or simply enjoying a backyard campfire under the stars, starting and maintaining a fire is both a joy and an essential skill. Fortunately, fire is one of humanity’s oldest companions, and we have devised thousands of ways to build and keep it. Whether you need warmth, a cooking flame, or just ambiance, there’s no single way to build a fire. To help you master this art, we've compiled 10 expert tips to ignite and sustain your fire. Maybe you’ll impress your friends or family on your next camping trip or barbecue!

Building The Foundations

Credit: Nathan Lemon

Tinder is the foundation of any fire. Make sure to gather dry, easily combustible materials like dry leaves, grass, pine needles, or birch bark. These materials catch fire quickly and help ignite larger pieces of wood. Also, kindling can help bridge the gap between tinder and larger logs, building up the heat necessary to ignite the main fuel. Beforehand, find small sticks, twigs, or split wood pieces with a hand axe to accelerate the process.

Finally, if you are away from civilization, always bring reliable fire starters like waterproof matches, a lighter, or flint and steel. In antiquity, people used time-consuming techniques like friction or even resorted to carrying embers in their backpacks, but modern fire starters fit conveniently in your pocket.

Oxygen Is Your Best Friend

Credit: James Wheeler

Fire is a chemical reaction that requires oxygen to keep burning. Ensure there’s enough space for air to circulate through your fire structure, and avoid packing materials too tightly, as this can easily smother the flames, leaving you with a smoking (and cold) mess.

However, while oxygen is crucial for sustaining a fire, too much air can be problematic, especially when you're starting it. As anyone who has tried to make a fire on a windy beach can tell you, strong winds can easily disrupt the process. Fortunately, you can shelter your fire by creating a windbreak with rocks, larger logs, or other materials to protect it from strong gusts.

Choosing The Fuel

Credit: Tijana Drndarski

It may seem obvious, but wet or green wood doesn’t burn well. It produces a lot of smoke and can even extinguish a fire you've already started. If dry fuel is scarce, you can start a smaller fire and use it to dry larger logs by placing them around or above the flames. At home, store your firewood off the ground or in a sheltered area to keep it dry. Having a designated spot for your wood allows you to store green wood and let it dry until it's ready for use.

Additionally, different types of wood are better suited for various stages of a fire: hardwoods, like oak or maple, burn slowly and steadily, making them ideal for sustaining a fire, though they can be harder to ignite. On the other hand, softer, more resinous woods, such as pine or fir, make excellent kindling due to their quick ignition, but they burn too rapidly to be used as the primary fuel for a long-lasting fire.

Exercise Fire Safety

Credit: Jen Theodore

Exercising proper fire safety can make the difference between having a warm, pleasant time next to a crackling fire, and experiencing a dangerous, potentially destructive situation. Always clear the area around your fire pit, keep water or a fire extinguisher nearby, and never leave the fire unattended.

When you are done, make sure to extinguish it completely. Douse the fire with water, stir the ashes, and ensure everything is cool to the touch to prevent accidental wildfires. Properly extinguishing your fire ensures that the only lasting memory is the good time you had, not an unexpected disaster.

The Lean-To Fire

Credit: Colter Olmstead

There are myriad ways to build a fire, but knowing which type is best suited for different situations can be game-changing. The Lean-To fire is ideal for windy conditions or when you're short on dry materials.

Start by planting a long, sturdy stick or larger log into the ground at an angle. Pile tinder and small kindling against the inside of the log. Light the tinder, and as it catches, lean larger sticks and logs against the main one, creating a shelter-like effect. Alternatively, you can use rocks or any kind of solid structure as support for a Lean-To fire. This setup shields the flame from the wind and helps it grow steadily.

The Teepee Fire

Credit: Sage Friedman

The Teepee fire is a classic and efficient method. Start by arranging your tinder in a small pile and place kindling around it in a cone shape, as if forming a small teepee. As the fire ignites, the flames rise through the kindling, setting it alight. The heat generated by the initial blaze will help ignite the larger logs you add next, keeping the fire going strong.

However, note that this method often requires more attention at the start compared to other techniques, as it is often more exposed to the elements. Also, you can't add larger pieces of fuel until the flames and heat are sufficiently strong. This initial vulnerability means you'll need to closely monitor and adjust the fire to ensure it catches properly and builds up enough heat to sustain larger logs.

The Log Cabin Fire

Credit: Jackson Hendry

The Log Cabin fire structure offers stability and a long-lasting burn. Start by laying two large logs parallel to each other, then place two more logs on top, perpendicular to the first pair, creating a square base—just like building a log cabin.

Continue building up in this criss-cross pattern, leaving the center open. Then, fill the center with tinder and kindling, and light it. The stacked logs will provide a steady fuel source, while also creating a sturdy structure that is ideal for cooking.

The Swedish Torch

Credit: Dan Edwards

The Swedish Torch, also known as a Canadian Candle, is a self-contained, long-burning fire. Legend has it that this ingenious method was developed by Swedish soldiers during the Thirty Years' War to keep warm when dry wood was scarce.

To make one, split a large log into four or six segments, leaving the base intact. Note that this usually requires a saw, as a hand axe can easily split the log completely. Alternatively, you can split the entire log and then tie it together with metal wire. Once your log "torch" is prepared, place it upright, put tinder in the middle, and light it. The log serves as both the fuel and the holder, while the vertical slits allow air to circulate, feeding the flames. This method provides a stable, concentrated flame, perfect for cooking or distributing heat over a larger area.

The Dakota Smokeless Fire

Credit: Katie Drazdauskaite

If you love a good campfire but hate the smoke, the Dakota Smokeless Fire might be perfect for you. Designed for stealth and efficiency, this method is widely used by the United States military due to its low light signature, reduced smoke, and ease of ignition in strong wind conditions.

This style of fire pit originated with the Dakota people, who used it for hunting bison on the windy Great Plains. To build one, dig two small holes about a foot apart and connect them with a tunnel. One hole serves as the fire pit, while the other acts as an air intake. This setup not only minimizes smoke and maximizes heat but also increases fuel efficiency, helping to conserve wood.

The Upside-Down Fire

Credit: Josh Clemence

The Upside-Down fire is an unconventional method that burns from the top down. Begin by placing the largest logs at the bottom, then layer progressively smaller logs on top, followed by kindling, and finally tinder. Light the tinder, and as it burns, it ignites the layers beneath it.

This counterintuitive technique can be a lifesaver in certain situations, as it ensures a slow, steady burn that requires much less maintenance. It provides a consistent heat source for longer periods, making it ideal for situations where you need sustained warmth or cooking time without constant tending.