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I’m hiking Nepal November 2019

by BestHike editor Rick McCharles

I’ve hiked most of the major trails you can do independently in Nepal.

What next?

  1. The Royal Trek
  2. Khopra Ridge Trek
  3. Makalu Base Camp

I’m flying to Pokhara, bypassing polluted Kathmandu this time.

After getting some dental work done there, my plan (so far) is …

The Royal Trek

  • maximum altitude 1730m
  • foothills of Annapurna, north of Pokhara
  • great views of Fishtail, when weather permits
  • independent hiking using teahouses (but carrying a tent)
  • 3-4 days
  • I’d warm-up with a dayhike to Sarangkot
Fishrail (Machhapuchhare)

Khopra Ridge Trek

  • maximum altitude 4660m
  • bus from Pokhara to Nayapul to start
  • independent hiking using teahouses (but carrying a tent)
  • 5-8 days
  • I might actually join a guided Khopra trip with INDIAHIKES
Khopra Ridge on Annapurna

Makalu Base Camp

  • maximum altitude 5,250m
  • Makalu Barun National Park and Conservation Area
  • flight from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar and jeep to Num to start.
  • Makalu is the 5th highest mountain in the world
  • independent hiking using teahouses (but carrying a tent)
  • 13-16 days
Makalu Base Camp

This is a first draft. I’m certain it will change. Because I’m doing this trip independently and solo I can change on a whim.

Leave a comment if you have any advice.

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Exploring Strathcona Park, Vancouver Island BC

Strathcona Provincial Park (1911) contains the highest peaks of the Vancouver Island Ranges. Some notable mountains located within the park boundaries include:

  • Golden Hinde (2198 m)
  • Elkhorn Mountain (2166 m)
  • Mount Colonel Foster (2129 m)
  • Mount Albert Edward (2093 m)

Exploring Strathcona Park is the best guidebook. It’s not inexpensive, but worth it. Great maps. Colour photos. Comprehensive coverage.

Author Phil Stone is truly an expert.

I plan to be spending quite a bit of time in Strathcona over coming years working towards establishing a possible coast-to-coast Vancouver Island route.

Detailed map.

 

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Family of 6 hikes Appalachian Trail

20 years after her first Appalachian hike, Jamie, her husband Chris, and their four daughters, Maya,13, Harper, 11, Josie, 8, and Sabina, 6, camped in snow, and hiked across rivers and up mountains, all with blistered toes and homework assignments to complete. …

6-year-old Sebastopol girl breaks hiking record with family on Appalachian Trail

Click PLAY or watch them on Twitter.

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Matador Freefly16 packable daypack

Kraig and Dave on The Adventure Podcast frequently recommend Matador products.

As I travel much of each year, I use packable daypacks nearly every day on those trips. Often it carries my laptop and other essentials for short trips.

Often I use it to carry my daily groceries.

The Matador Freefly16 has replaced my my Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil® Dry Day Pack. The Matador is slightly heavier and bulkier, but much more robust and full-featured.

This 16 liter backpack is built from waterproof Cordura® with sealed internal seams and sealing zippers.  Incredibly light and seriously equipped, Freefly16 is ready for whatever’s ahead.

Dimensions:

  • Unpacked 17in x 11in x 8in
  • Packed 4.75in x 2.75in diameter
  • 4.8 oz

details 

Click PLAY or watch it on Vimeo.

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climb Mt Kenya in 2020

Mount Kenya is the second-highest in Africa, after Kilimanjaro.

It’s about  150 kilometres (93 mi) north-northeast of the capital Nairobi.

I’m looking at using Mt Kenya as an acclimatization hike immediately prior to Kilimanjaro.

Mt Kenya takes 5 days and reaches a high point of 4985 metres over a trek of about 50 kilometres. 

So far I’ve been talking to Adventure Alternatives and have been very happy with their response. And they’ve been quite flexible to help me fit in this climb just before Kili.

My rendezvous with the Kili group in Arusha is September 7th.

DETAILS – Mount Kenya Traverse 

30th August – 3rd September

Price starts at £1,095pp ($1355) plus extras. Much less expensive than Kili.

Mt Kenya

Click PLAY or watch it on Vimeo.