alpine – Page 145 – besthike.com

October 2, 2006

the changing of the Alpine Larch

Though I’ve lived most of my life in the shadow of the Canadian Rockies, I had never made the trip to see the season end changing of the Larch to golden yellow â€” one of the great natural displays in nature.

Until this Fall.

Friends had won a lottery for exclusive use of the Elizabeth Parker Alpine Hut close to Lake O’Hara. This is one of the very best spots in the world to see the changing of the colours. On the very best weekend of the year.

I tagged along as a guest, staying in the campground. And felt as if I won the lottery!

more photos of this hike on Flickr

The Alpine Larch is a fascinating tree which helps hikers determine altitude. It grows only between 1800-2400m (6000-8000ft) in the Rocky Mountains of Idaho, Montana, British Columbia & Alberta â€” normally the highest trees on the mountain.

The needles are as soft as fur, lovely to the touch.

details on how to organize a hike to O’Hara – besthike.com

September 29, 2006

best mountain photographs of 2006

Wapiti (elk) during the rut.

Note: click the thumbnails on the left of this page to see the other winning pictures: National Geographic News Photo Gallery: Best Mountain Photographs of 2006 Announced

(via The Adventure Blog – 2006 Banff Mountain Photography Competition)

September 28, 2006

introducing Jeffrey Poznanovic

We’ve linked to a number of Jeffrey’s impressive photo journals.

Check 9 months of 2006 adventures through South America and S.E. Asia on his travel blog. It links too to his pics from the Galapagos, the Amazon and much more.

Jeffrey at Fitzroy, Argentina

Details on this trek â€” besthike.com Around Monte Fitz Roy

September 26, 2006

Sylwia Bukowicka – Dhaulagiri Expedition 2006

Is this a spokesmodel for an ice axe manufacturer?

HiMountain Dhaulagiri Expedition 2006 – Now it’s Sylwia Bukowicka Time

No, it’s 28-year-old Polish climber Sylwia Bukowicka.

She’s headed for Dhaulagiri (8167m) this Fall.

She has already summitted two eightthousanders: Cho Oyu and Gasherbrum II.

And Ama Dablam, Alpamayo, and Khan Tengri.

And in August she summitted Korzeniewska Peak (7105m) with a sprained ankle.

What have you done lately?

September 18, 2006

mountaineering clothing on Nanga Parbat

Patagonia sponsored Steve House and Vince Anderson climbed Nanga Parbat in six days in “pure alpine style. It was a new direct route on the Rupal Face, a wall with the largest relief of any wall in the world (14,000 feet)”.

For this they won the Oscar of Mountain Climbing â€” the Piolet d’Or (French for The Golden Ice Axe).

Patagonia posted some great photos, video and a detailed shopping list of Steve’s clothing. (All Patagonia, of course.)

Nice use of the internet! I like this company.

UPDATE: For a terrific article about the controversial Steve House, check The Devil Wears Patagonia – Outside magazine

September 15, 2006

planning for the Continental Divide Trail

Continental Divide Trail map – GORP

Southbound Or Northbound?

The choice between nobo and sobo may depend on snow conditions in a given year, and some experts feel sobo gives the best chance of completing a linear thru-hike. It’s important to know that there will be snow in Montana in May so sobo hikers should check with area rangers and land managers to see how deep the snowpack is before choosing this option. …

Backpacker

Now is the time to organize for 2007.

September 14, 2006

Santa Cruz Trek, Peru

Noel Wigdor is a 21-year-old Canadian doing South America right.

On his travel blog he posted a trip report of a rainy, problematic adventure on the Santa Cruz Trek out of Huaraz, Peru:

Trekking the Andes – Santa Cruz

This is by far the most popular serious hike in the region and is indeed, as Noel tells, one of the best hikes in the world.

Noel at the top of the pass â€” Punta Union 4760m (15,617ft).

If you are packing for a trip to the Andes check out besthike.com Santa Cruz for details. It’s 50km (31+ miles) plus sidetrips, 4 days recommended. Best months are May to September. Altitude is a factor.