Boiling River 360

Written by Guest Bloggers: Brynn and Calvin

Miss Klipfel’s class went on another unforgettable expedition, into the Peruvian Amazon! We didn’t pack our bags or hop on a plane, but once we put on our VR headsets, it felt like we were really there. Our destination was the Boiling River, also known as Shanay-Timpishka, one of the most incredible natural wonders on Earth.

One amazing fact we learned right away is that the Boiling River is naturally heated, not by volcanoes or lava, but by geothermal energy beneath the Earth’s surface. Using VR, we explored different parts of the river, including Mayantuyacu, the hottest section. The water there could cook you alive. It can be dangerous for animals and people if they aren’t careful. We also visited Salt Creek, another steamy spot where the heat rises right out of the river.

Another stop on our VR journey was the Shanay-Timpishka Ecolodge, where scientists and researchers gather to study the plants, animals, and ecosystem around the Boiling River. We learned how explorers and scientists work together to protect fragile environments like the Amazon and why conservation is so important. Check out the website Miss Klipfel made here📎 with all our activities on it. 

As part of our expedition, we also learned about the Explorers Club Flag, which has an incredible history. The flag has traveled the world on important scientific expeditions since 1944, starting with its first journey to the Alaskan coastline with Otto Geist. It has been to the top of the tallest mountains, the deepest parts of the ocean, and everywhere in between, including to the Boiling River with Miss Klipfel!

By the end of our expedition, we felt like real explorers, curious, thoughtful, and inspired by the world around us. The VR made it feel like we were standing right next to the river, surrounded by the rainforest, learning from the past while thinking about how we can protect the future.