Jyrgalan Trek, Kyrgyzstan

Posted on July 20, 2018 by Rick Mc

June 20 – September 20 is the hiking season.

Alesha and Jarryd:

Everything you need to know about the Jyrgalan trek, the newest adventure destination in Kyrgyzstan! …

As this trek is still brand new and under development, exact costs are

still being worked out. It really depends on how much support you are looking to take with you in terms of cooks and horsemen.

For a general idea though expect to pay around $50 per person per day, including a guide, basic food, a cook, pack horse and horseman to carry your gear. …

The trek we did was spread out over 3 days, 2 nights, but this can be personalized …

If you don’t travel with trekking gear this is not a problem, as you can rent almost everything from EcoTrek in Karakol, or pick up stuff in Bishkek. …

Breaking Trail On Kyrgyzstan’s New Jyrgalan Trek

28 days on the John Muir Trail 1993

Posted on July 18, 2018 by Rick Mc

Almost Somewhere: Twenty-Eight Days on the John Muir Trail by Suzanne Roberts was published 2012.

It’s the author’s recollection of her 1993 hike with two friends.

They were hiking rookies. Woefully incompetent. Suzanne’s pack weighed 60lbs to start.

I recommend this book, especially for female hikers.

Her story of a month in the backcountry—confronting bears, snowy passes, broken equipment, injuries, and strange men—is as much about finding a woman’s way into outdoor experience as it is about the natural world she so eloquently describes.

Candid and funny and, finally, wise, Almost Somewhere is not just the whimsical coming-of-age story of a young woman ill-prepared for a month in the mountains but also the reflection of a distinctly feminine view of nature.

GoodReads

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

hiking Glacier National Park, Montana

Posted on July 16, 2018 by Rick Mc

My favourite National Park in North America is Waterton Glacier International Peace Park.

Parks Canada: Waterton Lakes National Park of Canada

United States National Park Service: Glacier National Park

One of our top 10 hikes in the world makes an international circuit of the two parks.

Glacier North Circle

7 days, 6 nights recommended
65miles (104km) plus side trips
best months July-Sept

yellow marks the Highline Trail / Ptarmigan Tunnel, North Circle
red arrows point to our recommended campgrounds

That’s your best hike in the area.

If you would rather day hike the best resource online is …

Hiking in Glacier

by Recovering Vagabond

Considerations

For a quick overview of that site check out

Glacier National Park: A Day Hikers Overview

Both Waterton and Glacier are very busy during the short high season. That’s one good reason to choose some of the less popular trails.

It’s all great. You can’t lose.

‘Otter Voice Notes’ app on the Trail

Posted on July 13, 2018 by Rick Mc

I’m trying this free audio transcription app. Highly rated, it seems to work well.

I’ll take voice notes on the trail. And later — back connected to the internet — those will be transcribed to text for possible use in my trip report.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

NEW – Phulara Ridge Trek, India

Posted on July 12, 2018 by Rick Mc

Best months: March to May, September to mid-November.

This trail starts off from Sankri, which is in western Uttarakhand, almost touching Himachal. If you are familiar with Kedarkantha, it has the same base camp, Sankri. However, the trail to Phulara ridge heads in a different direction.

From Sankri, over two days and two camps, you climb up to the Phulara ridge. That’s when the fun begins. You traverse this ridge for a long time — it’s almost an entire day’s trek. …

India Hikes – Phulara Ridge

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

India Hikes covers over 200 trails. Check out indiahikes.com

Laugavegur trek, Iceland

Posted on July 10, 2018 by Rick Mc

I’m looking at Iceland’s most famous walk during the window July 23-30, 2018. Wish me luck.

My first attempt a few years ago failed. Wanting to hike in June, the trails were too muddy.

One of the best hikes in the world is the Laugavegur

(Landmannalaugar to Skógar route)

by clesenne

AT A GLANCE

Iceland‘s best hike
weird and wonderful landscapes
best route is Skógar – Landmannalaugar 77km (48mi) in 4-6 days in either direction
shorter options 55km (34mi) or 22km (13.6mi)
tent or sleep in huts
permits not required
steep rough, rocky and slippery slopes
in good weather, this trek is only moderately difficult
up to 100 hikers starting each day during high season July and August
it can be dangerous in bad weather. About every second year someone dies.

Click PLAY or watch Alastair Humphrey’s highlights on Vimeo.

Check our Laugavegur information page on how to organize this adventure for yourself.

trek Cerro Castillo in Patagonia

Posted on July 9, 2018 by Rick Mc

Adventure Alan:

Highlights – Iconic view at the base of Cerro Castillo competes with the best in Patagonia (e.g. Torres Del Paine). High mountains, glaciers, rain forest, deep mountain valleys, grasslands and an amazing variety of terrain and ecosystems.

Duration – 3 to 4 Days. Moderately fit hikers can easily do this in 3 days.

Distance – 34 miles (54 km) classic route [with a shorter option for 25 miles (40 km)]

Level of Difficulty – Moderate

Route Finding – Easy. Almost entirely on trail. Well signed. Only a few sections over rock where you need to pay attention.