Author: Rick Mc

Career gymnastics coach who loves the outdoors, and the internet.
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aerial photography of the Andes

Washington Post Staff Writer Marie Arana got the chance to fly over the second highest mountain range in the world.

What a stroke of luck! Or is it?

Bobby Haas, a seasoned aerial photographer, was on the seventh leg of a year-long project to take bird’s-eye views of all of Latin America for a lavish volume to be released in September.

When, in e-mail correspondence with him, I casually expressed an interest in seeing the mountains of Peru from that vantage, he invited me to go along. Now, I’m no high-risk adventurer and actually prefer the comforts of a good tub to the rigors of the road …

Winging It in the Andes of Peru – washingtonpost.com

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Katadyn Combi water filter – trashed

katadyn_combi.jpgI tried.

I tried to embrace the highly touted Katadyn Combi water filter.

But it is simply too “fussy”.

Something always goes wrong with this filter. It won’t pump. It won’t open. It needs cleaned too often.

I give up.

Many like the Combi, but I agree with this review:

I bought this because of its flow capacity, the dual filtering through carbon and ceramic elements, and its rugged appearance. I have taken it on three heavy-duty backpacking trips into the Adirondaks and the Laurentians of Quebec. The filter was quickly clogged by the dark waters in these regions. I was constantly scrubbing the ceramic element. Replacement elements are quite expensive. On the trail, its weight becomes noticeable. The casing of mine eventually broke. Maybe it works well on the kitchen tap, but it’s too expensive, too heavy, too much work, and not tough enough for the wilderness. I believe there are better values available.

rkylepalmer from Cranbury, NJ, USA – on OutdoorReview.com

Just bought a SweetWater – Microfilter on the advice of a local expert.

I’ll report back on how well it works after my next major hike.

SweetWater - Microfilter

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alternative trails to Machu Picchu

Not a bad article on Inca Trail Trek to Machu Pichu in the New York Times:

As it runs through craggy mountain passes and ancient Incan ruins, the fabled Inca Trail in Peru reveals surprise after surprise to travelers hiking its length to the lost city of Machu Picchu. But here’s a new one: To set foot on that fabled Andean footpath, you’ve first got to fight through a three-month waiting list. …

A few years ago, the Inca Trail was becoming the Long Island Expressway of central Peru, brimming with trash, tourists and growing concerns about overuse. So the Peruvian government began enforcing strict limits on the number of people allowed on the trail. Right now, only 500 people a day may enter — about 200 tourists and 300 guides and porters.

And so, “alternative” Inca Trails are gaining popularity with travelers unable or unwilling to book a slot three to six months in advance. These treks can be booked a day or two in advance and can cost less than half as much as a hike on the Inca Trail.

Taking the Back Roads to Machu Picchu – New York Times

We agree that most serious hikers would prefer one of the alternatives to the Inca Trail.

The standard is Salcantay which was good when we did it in 2004, but is degrading rapidly. And now also regulated.

Far better and far more difficult is Choquiquirao to Machu Picchu. Hurry on that adventure, however. Peruvian officials are already looking at it.

At besthike we have high hopes for Bolivia. Trekking there is as yet very little developed due to government instability. But one day …

Check our full list of the best hikes in South America.

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day 2 – Choquequirao to Machu Picchu – Zusk’s trip report

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heli-hiking Berg / Robson in Canada

One of the best hikes in the Canadian Rockies is Berg Lake / Mt. Robson.

Of many highlights, getting a shower under majestic Emperor Falls is special. I’d actually never heard of these Falls before I hiked Mt. Robson. The are the most impressive Falls in Western Canada.

Heli-hiking is the best way to do Robson. A chopper is available twice a week to deliver you to Berg Lake. From there you want 3 days to explore the high alpine and another day to walk out.

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Olivier George – Berg Lake from the Mumm Basin trail – Wikipedia

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when can I hike Wonderland?

I’ve wanted to hike the Wonderland Trail since first hearing of it from a Washington State friend.

One group took 12 days in 2005 to circumambulate Mt. Ranier 90mi (145km). But they planned for resupply by having a friend walk in to meet them from the opposite direction.

Good idea.

Summerland to Indian Bar was an “incredible scenic route”. And at Indian Bar they saw 3 black bears.

Sadly, terrible flooding in November 2006 wrecked havoc. Hopefully the trail will be passable by summer 2007. But damage had not even been assessed in December.

Check out the trip report and 65 photos from the Wonderland Trail.

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Wonderland Trail – besthike information page

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there’s no such thing as quicksand – right?

It’s just a movie invention.

That’s what I thought until I stumbled into quicksand in Paria Canyon, Utah.

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It sucked.

I had no problem getting out. Moving slowly, trying to float. But cattle regularly get trapped and die in the American canyon country.

More information:

Quicksand – wikipedia

Quicksand – How Stuff Works

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what’s with Dunham boots?

My favourite hiking footwear is made by Dunham. The last store selling Dunham in my city of a million people dropped the line.

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Why are the excellent Dunham products so poorly distributed?

Their “store locator” web page has been “under construction” for as long as I can recall.

When I phoned the customer information line I was surprised to get an immediate answer.

But was then directed to the “Canadian number” (877) 738-6426 where I was left hanging.

Dunham seems to have been acquired by New Balance. I hope retail distribution improves with new management. I like to try on new footwear, not buy it online.

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where to hike next?

where-001.jpgA good use of besthike.com is to get planning advice.

Start on our world map home page. Then narrow down your search geographically. Do you want a great hike close to home? Or are you willing to travel far?

You might click through to the Chilkoot Trail in Yukon / Alaska, for example.

On that page you’ll find specifics on how and when to organize a hike. Check first the “best months” to hike to see if you are available.

chilkoot.jpg

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2006 Photo Contest Winners @ National Geographic Traveler

Agh.

This photo freaks me out.

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John Dranchak, Long Beach, California

It was a Merit Prize winner in the most recent National Geographic contest chosen from 15,000 entries.

John Dranchak—until recently, an aerospace engineer in Long Beach, California—took this image in Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia, where he was traveling with friends. Dranchak says the guide is holding onto his friend’s belt to keep him from falling into the water.

“I was afraid to go down there and stand in that crevasse,” he says. “I walked up to the top of the ridge, and I thought, ‘This is just gorgeous.’ The colors of the image caught my eye.”

2006 Photo Contest Winners @ National Geographic Traveler

See the rest of the winning photos.

(via Adventure Blog)

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hiking Angeles National Forest, California

Escaping the smog of LA is not so tough.

You could drive up to Mt. Whitney.

Or what about Timber Mountain via Icehouse Canyon in Angeles National Forest?

Modern Hiker posted a terrific trip report with photos, video, Google map, a flickr photo set, … (Is this blog GREAT, or what!)

Theirs was a challenging 10mi day hike with the wind blowing hard. But you could do a multi-day trip via Ice House Saddle if you prefer.

I opened the door to the Mount Baldy Visitor’s Center and walked inside. The warm, dark wood interior was a welcome respite from the howling winds outside. The rangers stood behind their desk – a bearded man and blond woman – smiling at me.

“Hi. I’d like a permit for the Cucamonga Wilderness.”

Still smiling, the woman said, “We are not recommending anyone go up there today.”

“Oh?”

The man chimed in. “We’re measuring wind gusts at 60 miles an hour. I almost got knocked down today.”

“But of course, we can’t do anything to stop you,” said the woman. Still smiles, that one.

I reached for a ballpoint pen and started filling out our Wilderness Permit. “I’m going to try for Ontario Peak. Is it more windy in the canyons, or on the ridge?”

“It’s windy everywhere.” The man with the beard was not smiling. All gravitas, he.

“What about ice?” …

Timber Mountain via Icehouse Canyon – Modern Hiker

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