Author: Rick Mc

Career gymnastics coach who loves the outdoors, and the internet.
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hiking Chapada Diamantina, Brazil

It’s not all that easy to get information in English.

Highlights include waterfalls and frequent stops for swimming.

Travel 2 Walk posted the best trip report I’ve seen, so far.

… Chapada Diamantina use to be a region supported by diamond mining, but now it’s 95% supported on tourism. As such, the locals take it on themselves to preserve the natural habitat they do have, but at the same time it is important for them to take advantage of it to make a living. …

Majority of tourism (60%) come from foreigners. …

With tourism being their major source of income, it is understandable why they are very discouraging, and sometime are hostile to, independent trekking trips into the park. …

… a must do in Chapada Diamantina, it is the Vale do Pati. …

trip report: Brazil, March 2016 – Chapada Diamantina 

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Backpacking Across Isle Royale National Park

…  Spoiler alert: Isle Royale is a babe. The island is wild; there are many moose, two wolves, foxes, rabbits, and several species of birds throughout the chain of islands. The island is also wild; there was more mud than I’ve ever seen in my life, swarming mosquitos, and very primitive campgrounds.

Ups and downs aside, hiking the length of Isle Royale was a huge accomplishment. We want to share …

If you don’t have your own boat, you’ll be taking a ferry from one of three ports: Grand Portage, Minnesota, Houghton, Michigan, or Copper Harbor, Michigan. …

SWITCHBACK KIDS – Three Days and 42 Miles Backpacking Across Isle Royale National Park

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Speak out for Your Public Lands

REI:

Over the last four weeks, hundreds of thousands of you, from all backgrounds and parts of the country, have spoken up and united across divides for your public lands. You’ve sent a strong message to the U.S. Department of the Interior that our national monuments matter.

If you haven’t submitted your comments to the Department of the Interior yet, you can still do it. Click here.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

(via Adventure Blog)

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McGonagall Pass – Denali

Sean Tevebaugh:

A tough trip in 3 nights, 4+ nights is recommended for easier and more relaxed hiking …

… we were lucky enough to have bluebird days all 4 days!

Routefinding can be challenging as this hike has many social trails woven through the rugged tundra. There is one (unmarked) trail that is most often used and offers the fastest hiking, but is tough to follow and easy to lose track of at times.

This hike involves a crossing of the McKinley River, a potentially very dangerous river crossing! It’s crucial to be informed and prepared for this river crossing- knowledge of advanced river crossing techniques, the best current crossing routes, as well as current weather & water level conditions is all critical info for a safe crossing.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Read an excellent trip report.

NPS site

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‘Public Lands’ threatened in the USA

Federally owned (aka “public”) lands have been in the news a lot recently thanks to President Trump’s decision to review many of the protected areas that have been designated at national monuments from the three presidents that held office prior to him.

Some of those areas could see their protected status go away, potentially opening them up to commercial development. …

Adventure Blog – Video: Outside Explains What the Term “Public Lands” Means and Why it is Important

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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translating web pages into another language

In the navigation column you’ll find a widget which can translate this page.

Most people these days, however, do it with add-ons to their browser. Here are a few examples that work:

Chrome browser add-on for Google translate

Firefox browser add-on for Google translate

Translate Safari Extension

Windows Edge browser Translator

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Lost Coast Trail, California

UPDATE – King Range National Conservation Area:

As of January 9th, 2017, all permits for backcountry camping within the wilderness area of King Range will be exclusively available through www.recreation.gov.

Reservations are now $10 per permit. There is now a quota system attached to use of the area, which allows for 60 entries per day during the peak hiking season (May 15-Sept. 15) and 30 entries per day during the non-peak season (Sept 16-May 14).  Day hikes, as well as camping at the designated campgrounds outside of wilderness do not require a permit.

____

Kraig Becker linked to this fantastic trip report by filmmaker Ryan Commons. It combines text, photos, video and music in a way to inspire.

Click PLAY or watch the long edit on Vimeo.

I’m impressed they did it in December. The weather is risky. In fact, they had to make a grueling evacuation over the mountains, then run 18mi to reach their parked vehicle the same day.

Wow.

Before you try the Lost Coast in winter, check current trail conditions on the official BLM website.

… The Lost Coast Trail is a spectacular hike along northern California’s Pacific Coast. The trail is roughly 25 miles in length, running from Shelter Cove to Mattole Beach, and is only accessible by a few narrow, twisty roads. It is a rugged, lightly traveled route that alternates from Pacific beaches to mountain passes, with more than 8000 feet of elevation gain over the course of its length …

read more – Gadling

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Balancing on Blue – Thru-Hiking the Appalachian Trail

By Englishman Keith Foskett 

I’ve read a number of AT books, my favourite being A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson.

But this may be my second favourite. Foskett does a superb job of explaining the big question: WHY are you doing a thru-hike. 

I enjoyed too the brief entries written by some of his thru-hiking friends.

‘Be prepared for great story telling, unique and interesting characters, humour and insight.’
Andrew Skurka – National Geographic Adventurer of the Year.

I’ve now downloaded his earlier PCT book – The Last Englishman.