Author: Rick Mc

Career gymnastics coach who loves the outdoors, and the internet.
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Dodi Tal and Yamunotri Trek, India

by site editor Rick McCharles

Lonely Planet Trekking in the Indian Himalaya:

Seasoned trekkers will testify that the Himalaya Range of Uttarakhand offers many spectacular opportunities …

Yet, for some inexplicable reason, Uttarakhand attracts only a handful of trekkers each season, making it one of the best kept secrets in the Himalaya. …

… Seems to me it’s logistics keeping most away.

It was easy for me to fly to Dehradun, the travel hub of Uttarakhand. Yet to actually get trekking from here is not so easy.

So far I’m leaning towards Dodi Tal and Yamunotri. It’s already late in the season. My first choice — Nanda Devi — is even more logistically challenging.

If you’ve trekked Uttarakhand, and have advice for me, leave a comment.

Dehradun
… bus to Rishikish (1hr)

Rishikish
… bus to Uttarkashi (7hrs)
… bus to Sangam Chatti (1hr)

Dodi Tal and Yamunotri trek to Hanuman Chatti (4 days)

Hanuman Chatti bus to Mussoorie (6hrs)
… bus back to Dehradun (1hr)

Dodital

I’m even considering guided hikes in Uttarakhand.

Probably less enjoyable, but I’d love somebody else making the travel arrangements.

UPDATE: In the end, I decided on a guided trek to Kuari Pass. MIGHT do Dodi Tal and Yamunotri after I complete Kuari.

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donating to Washington State National Parks

Money is tight.

Downsides of budget cuts at Olympic National Park were obvious to me when I was there.

State residents have this option. A vanity mountain license plate.

NationalParkPlate

… The sale of each plate results in a $28 contribution to support Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic National Parks. Last year, more than $120,000 was donated to the parks …

details

Of course you can make a straight donation to the Washington’s National Park Fund, if you prefer.

Long term we need to move management and funding of Parks from government to users.

Friends of Olympic National Park needs to do more as the taxpayers cut funding.

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North Cascades Copper Ridge Chilliwack River loop

Washington State

… the sight of Mt. Shuksan‘s tumultuous, glaciated north face will have you groping for adjectives to replace “awwwe-some” or “un-bee-lievable.” Even from a distance you have to crane your neck to take in all of the massive peak.

This remote, unroaded section of North Cascades National Park brims with private pleasures for anyone willing to strap on a pack and exert themselves: thick forests, wildflower-filled avalanche chutes, alpine tarns, and streams that look like milk, thanks to the glacial runoff. …

Backpacker

Ilya posted a trip report starting Sept 1, 2013.

click to see photo map
click to see photo map

trail

tents

berries

valley

See more on flickr.

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7 Great Walks of Tasmania

Tasmania has always been one of the world’s best kept secrets. It has unique natural beauty, abundant wildlife, unspoilt wilderness and sophisticated food and wine.

The Great Walks of Tasmania is a collection of independent guided walk companies offering unforgettable experiences in Tasmania’s most inspiring and extraordinary locations. They combine the best of Tasmanian wilderness walking with excellent guiding, unique accommodation and offer delicious Tasmanian food and wine along the way. Together their walks cover over 300km of Tasmania’s prime walking tracks.

Variety abounds and there is a walk for every fitness level and time frame; choose for example a 23km walk over 4 days or an 80 km walk over 9 days. Relax in elegant standing camps or tents or stay in an award winning walkers lodge or huts. Prices range from AU$1,095 to AU$2,600 so there is a walk to suit everyone. …

Tas

details

(via Discover Tasmania)

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Les Stroud – Will to Live

Les Stroud is a Canadian musician, filmmaker, and survival expert …

Recommended.

In Will to Live, Les discusses the following stories of survival:

– Yossi Ghinsberg who survived in the Amazon jungle for 21 days
– Nando Parrado who survived 72 days in the Andes after a plane crash
– The Robertson families tale of survival on the open sea
– Chris McCandless whose survival story ends in the Alaskan wilderness with his death
– The Stolpa family whose winter driving trip almost turns deadly
– The Karluk, a 1913 arctic expedition
– Douglas Mawson who survived 3 brutal months in the Antarctic coast

will

Will to Live: Dispatches from the Edge of Survival Paperback – 2011

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Envirofit clean-burning cook stove

Kraig Becker promotes the Himalayan Stove Project.

Check this article to see what they are doing to make the world a better place:

The problems the Project are addressing and solving are obvious. Inefficient cookstoves in the fragile high Himalayan environment (and elsewhere) cause

1.) indoor air pollution and related health issues due to smoke inhalation,

2.) personal safety hazards to families and their children,

3.) deforestation,

4.) climate change and

5.) economic and other social issues.

The Himalayan Stove Project is a U.S. public charity staffed totally by volunteers who pay all their own expenses, including travel to Nepal. In addition, a growing community of institutions, corporations and individuals supports its very pragmatic mission of making a difference now.

Indoor Air Pollution (IAP) is the planet’s 4th-largest public health threat after malaria, clean water and HIV-Aids.

Changing the World One Cookstove at a Time –

Click PLAY or watch one of the clearer technology stoves on YouTube.

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Mt Kilimanjaro Rongai route

Ahmed Almaziad from Saudi Arabia started hiking 2011. And is now addicted.

Ahmed Almaziad

I found his Mt Kilimanjaro Rongai trip report useful.

(I’ve still not climbed the highest mountain in Africa.)

Check his Corsica GR 20 2013 (north) trip report, as well.

Like me, Ahmed found the start of the GR 20 very difficult. In face he backtracked to town to lighten his pack. And start fresh the next morning.

His blog is SaudiHiker.com.