alpine – Page 144 – besthike.com

October 15, 2006December 29, 2014

Aconcagua in Argentina – highest peak outside Asia

Aconcagua is known mainly as one of the Seven Summits, a trekking peak for climbers. But we are recommending hiking in the region rather than climbing the peak.

This gets you up close and personal to the mountain without the danger of climbing to 6962m (22,841ft). And Aconcagua is dangerous due to altitude and volatile weather.

There are dozens of climbing companies which provide guides and pack animals. However, hikers with high altitude experience could do Aconcagua independently, carrying their own packs.

larger version of this photo – William Marler on SummitPost

October 14, 2006

confirmed – Tibetan refugees shot by Chinese army

I was hoping this terrible story would be disproved. Several of the outdoors blogs have been reporting on the rumour.

But a Romanian cameraman got video which seems conclusive. And hundreds of Western climbers and Sherpas witnessed at least one killing.

When I travelled in Tibet in 1997 I often dealt with Chinese military officials, often when I was trekking illegally. They treated myself and most other Western tourists with the greatest respect. Almost always young, the soldiers came to remote Tibet to try to better their lives.

Sadly, it seems Chinese policy is to shoot those fleeing over the mountains. (It’s very easy to cross undetected, by the way. I met Tibetans in India who commuted back and forth regularly in caravans.)

Xeni Jardin who just returned from Tibet has the best summary to date with the important links:

Boing Boing: Tibetan refugees shot by PRC forces, witnesses silenced: video

The secretive Chinese government must face the music this time. There is no chance this story will now be ignored by the traditional Western media once proven.

October 13, 2006

Maoist rebels still taxing Everest trekkers

Besthikes recommends you trek to the highest mountain on Earth via the Dingri to Everest Base Camp route in Tibet. The views of Chomolangma are far superior than those on the far more popular normal route out of Kathmandu, Nepal.

Many outdoor adventure blogs are quoting a German Press Agency report that Mt. Everest trekkers starting in Kathmandu are still being asking for a US$35 “donation” each from Maoist rebels. This despite that extortion being banned under the terms of the ceasefire agreement. There are hassles in Tibet too, but not extortion by armed gunmen.

… the Maoists collected the money from the tourists at Manjo, the main entry point to the Everest region.

… “Tourists pay 1,000 rupees (about 14 dollars) to the Everest National Park. In addition, they have to pay aircraft boarding taxes at Kathmandu airport. Tourists are being taxed at every point

… About 3,500 trekkers visit Everest in each of the three tourist seasons, making it the most popular trekking route in the Himalayan kingdom.

The Raw Story | Maoists intensify extortion from trekkers in the Everest region

photo from superb trip report by edMichel

UPDATE: Terrible breaking story in the region: China tries to gag climbers who saw Tibet killings (via GetOutdoors)

October 13, 2006

paper climbers

thanks Dana

October 10, 2006

photos – John Fedak

I met John at the bloggers meetup at Mt. Shasta.

He’s a blogger â€” Interesting to Cows (to opine is bovine) â€” but photography is his forte.

This is one of John’s favourite photos; near the summit of Tenaya Peak. He loves Yosemite.

see more of John’s favourite photos

John lists over 8500 in his photo archives! Check them out.

October 9, 2006

photos – Shasta bloggers meetup

It was an honour to hook-up with some of the top outdoor bloggers on the www, drink excellent wine and enjoy the lovely trails around Mt. Shasta, CA.

The highlight was the excellent campsite gourmet Thai meal prepared by Russ, the Wine Hiker.

78 more photos on Flickr

Check the trip photojournal posted by Tom Magnan on Two-Heel Drive.

We are already talking about a second annual meetup, perhaps in conjunction with Appalachian Trail Days, May 18-19-20 2007 in Damascus, Virginia.

October 8, 2006

hiking bloggers Ho Down

Just off the first annual outdoor bloggers meetup at Mt. Shasta, California.

This blog has already been scooped by the fishin’ magician â€” Tom Chandler. Photo by his wonderful wife Nancy.

A pride of Bloggers (note the handsome guy holding the dog).

As I write this, the outdoor bloggers attending the First Annual Ho Down are dragging their butts around Mt. Shasta – a worthy endeavor even considering the absence of trout. …

read more on Tom’s The Trout Underground blog

October 8, 2006

Banff Mountain Film Festival – world tour

These outdoor films shows are always fantastic. They present full features and “highlights” events â€” both are excellent.

Check the Banff Centre website for a showing in your region: Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour schedule.

Banff Mountain Photography Competition winner – Andrew Querner of Canmore, Canada, awarded 2006 Grand Prize for his photo Cirque of the Unclimbables.

October 6, 2006

this blogger gone to the Ho Down

Rick’s flying in from Canada, Szu-Ting’s flying over from Philly and a quartet of Bay Area bloggers are meeting Mr. Trout Underground near Mount Shasta around dinnertime for food, camping and chit-chat. Saturday we hike a bit of the Pacific Crest Trail, then it’s a gourmet dinner courtesy of WineHiker Russ, a campfire and more chit-chat (lubricated by some of Russ’s favorite wines) and …

Ho Down weekend is upon us – Two Heel Drive