Bart Jordans updated his guidebook on Bhutan. (April 2008).
(via bluepeak)
Nepal popular again with hikers
Despite the turmoil and controversies of the Olympic Torch being carried up Everest, it’s been a relatively “good” year for successful climbs from the Nepal side. And comparatively few deaths.
I have no interest in climbing the world’s highest peak myself. But hiking in Nepal is back in full swing.
The peace accord signed by Maoist rebels seems to be holding.
Here’s the kind of articles that are being posted in 2008:
… The tourism industry has much to celebrate as foreign travelers are reappearing in the once almost deserted mountain destination with the return of peace.
Consider this. It is late night at the Shisha Bar in Thamel. The band is playing at full blast rocking the tightly packed dance floor. Tourists could be seen swaying to the music, dragging on hookahs or swilling exotic drinks. Thamel, the major tourist hangout, was in an upbeat mood. And so are Kathmandu’s restaurants, shopping districts and cultural and heritage sites as the tourists are coming back.
Nepal’s tourism industry is seeing a return of the good old days. Tour operators, trekking agencies and handicraft sellers are doing increased business. Hotels are reporting a surge in bookings. And foreign airlines are crowding into Nepal’s skies with the growth in tourist traffic.
Nepal’s tourism industry bounces right back
In fact, Nepal’s government has announced a public holiday for three days, from May 28th to May 30th, to celebrate the country becoming a Republic. They’ve abolished the monarchy that had reigned for 240 years.
I’m looking for my next chance to get back to Nepal, the favourite country I’ve visited. … OK, tied with New Zealand.
Gandruk – flickr
from the top of Gokyo Ri – flickr
best section of the Tahoe Rim Trail?
I’m looking at Tahoe in California for a September hike.
But NOT the entire 165mi loop.
TahoeRimTrail.org posted a poll: “What’s your favourite section to hike?”
If you have any advice for me, please leave a comment.
Democracy comes to Bhutan
Will this help open up the country to independent hikers?
A political party seen as the more royalist of two groups seeking power swept the first parliamentary elections ever held in this secluded Himalayan kingdom, Bhutan’s election commissioner said Monday.
The Bhutan Peace and Prosperity Party took 44 of the 47 seats in the new parliament, Election Commissioner Kunzang Wangdi said. …
Turnout was slightly more than 79 percent of the 320,000 registered voters, Wangdi said. Even in remote corners of the largely rural country — in tiny hamlets where voting machines were delivered by yak — the election went smoothly, officials said. …
The vote ended more than a century of absolute monarchy in the mountainous land long known as a quirky holdout from modernity, allowing television and the Internet only in 1999.
The election came with a twist: It was the king, not the people, who pressed for democracy. …
photo Paula Bronstein/Getty Images – About.com
Highest Elevation Tornado Ever Observed in U.S.
Tornado, Rockwell Pass, Sequoia National Park, California, July 7, 2004.
Elevation at Rockwell Pass: ~11,600 feet. Base of tornado at ground level probably at least at 12,000 feet.
Scott Newton, 2004
Scott Newton, 2004
details and more photos
We had hail and lightning on the John Muir trail in 2007 at very high elevations. But certainly nothing like a tornado.
Scary stuff.
Thanks Rocco for forwarding the link.
hike the Chilcotin Mountains in Canada
Bluepeak recommended a terrific site: Chilcotin Mountains Trail System
As a start, check out the fantastic Photo Gallery. Some samples:
Tatlayoko Lake
Lower Taseko Lake
Jamison Creek Valley
Wilderness Mountain
more photos like these – Chilcotin Mountains Trail System Gallery
Here’s the Chilcotin, surprisingly little hiked.
Chilcotin Mountains Trail System – homepage
cost of trekking in Bhutan increasing
Bad news for me.
I’ve been waiting on Bhutan to open up for independent trekking. Planning on being one of the first to get a hiking permit.
It was Rogier Gruys of BluePeak.net who first got me interested in hiking Bhutan.
original – BluePeak on flickr – more photos
Now Kira Salak penned a wonderful Snowman Trek trip report / article for National Geographic.
A small excerpt:
… Then I saw the tiny fortress, Lingshi Dzong, sitting on a hilltop before the great audience of the Himalaya. I stopped. For some reason I never quite understood, I sat down and wept. Maybe it had something to do with the starkness of the distances, with the dramatic vying of sunlight and storm. Or perhaps it was subtler, harder to explain. As if, in that ancient dzong—that speck of human proclamation sitting before the indifferent valleys and rise of the Himalaya—it was my own voice calling out into the void. I found myself making an appeal of grief about my brother, who’d had his own history, his stories. What would happen to them now? Where do they—where do any of our stories—go? …
Lingshi Dzong – larger version – flickr – reddoggirl01
read the entire lengthy, intense travelogue – Trekking Bhutan’s Higher Planes
VISITING BHUTAN: Though there is no cap on the number of annual visitors, the Bhutanese government charges at least $200 a day for any in-country travel, and all tourists must book trips with one of 77 government-approved outfitters. Once you’re there, a guide accompanies you at all times.
National Geographic Bhutan Adventure Guide
In her article, Kira Salak states that she’s heard price will double in the near future. Go from $200 to $400 / day.
Leave a comment if you can confirm that rumour.
(via The Adventure Blog)
Related posts:
hiking the John Muir Trail in 2008?
I’ve been section hiking it for the past three years. Can I get there once again?
And I’ve got friends planning to honeymoon hike this coming summer.
If you are considering it yourself, check out this great new resource. It’s a virtual JMT hike via photo pages.
screenshot sample
Click through to the start page. And follow the links. Within 5min you’ll have a good overview of our #2 hike in the World.
If that’s too low tech for you, there is a .kmz file you can load into Google Earth for a fly over.
The site is called Hiking the John Muir Trail, a great starting point. It’s very professionally put together.
Mt. Whitney at sunrise from above 12,000′
Leave a comment if you plan on hiking the Sierras in California this year.
besthike information page – John Muir Trail
best hike out of Palm Springs, California
In winter, Mt. San Jacinto looks very appealing from down in the desert.
original – flickr – bossco
I’ve always loved mountain gondolas.
Instead of slogging hours up the hill, in just a few minutes, you can get to altitude.
The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is one of the premiere tourist attractions of Southern California. A great experience for all. Tickets about $20.
If you have any kind of fear of heights, do not read this paragraph:
In October 2003, a steel cable broke and caused a mechanical failure that left more than fifty tram customers hanging in mid-air … During the crisis, tram officials sought a rescue helicopter but could not locate one. The obstruction was finally removed by a tram operator with no training in maintenance, utilizing a borrowed Leatherman utility knife. …
My thinking was to make the first winter ascent of Mt. San Jacinto. By “first”, I mean “my first” as it’s highly likely people have been up there in the snow before me. And by “Mt. San Jacinto” I mean the lower peak on which I stand:
As you can see, the actually summit behind was not worthy of me. I ignored it, instead wandering around the sub-summit snapping photos of weird ice features sculpted by wind and sun:
My best fun that day was running and glissading down the steep sections:
On returning to the top of the tramway, I learned I had missed the San Jacinto summit completely. Zigged when I should have zagged.
Cannot imagine how I made this error. I tried to follow the signage:
more photos from this hike / scramble – flickr
The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is recommended for all. Serious hikers (with 2 vehicles) should ascend by Tram, then overnight hike, exiting via Idyllwild.
Warren Macdonald – double amputee climber
Inspiring.
Warren Macdonald became trapped beneath a one tonne slab of rock while climbing Queensland’s
HinchcliffeHinchinbrook Island. Two days later he was rescued only to have both legs were amputated. Ten months later he climbed Tasmania’s Cradle Mountain using a modified wheelchair and the seat of his pants. In 1999 he reached the summit of Federation Peak on an epic 4 week journey using a pair of prosthetic legs. …Warren inspires audiences to believe in themselves, demonstrating through action that “nothing is impossible if we dare to face our fears and believe in ourselves.” That achieving success requires taking positive steps forward, and that each step we take, no matter how small, moves us closer to our goals. His presentation reinforces the importance of recognizing change as an opportunity to transform our lives and turn negatives into positives.
Later Warren wrote this article: ‘Prosthetics helped me beat Kilimanjaro’ – CNN
Need more inspiration?
Check this article: Paradox Holds “Gimps On Ice” March 8-9 in Ouray, Colorado.
(via Trailspace)
besthike.com 