Category: alpine

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hike “free” in Washington State Parks

Yet another good reason to head for Washington State is the 2006 rollback of a $5 day use fee for hikers. After being implemented in 2003, research showed that “more than a fourth of the … fees … were swallowed up by administration of the parking-fee program itself.” And attendance dropped drastically at some Parks.

The Seattle Times: Outdoors: Parks are fee-free again, as they should be

We recommend hikers plan vacations in Washington State. Start with the Enchantment Traverse (Aasgard Pass to Enchantment Lakes), one of the best hikes in the world.

Our complaints about high fees in Canada have had no response from Parks Canada. Hiking in the USA is far better value.

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hiking arctic Sweden – Kungsleden

Peter Potterfield is the author of Classic Hikes of the World.

He spent a week hiking a section of the Kungsleden — Abisko Mountain Station to Kebnekaise Mountain Station — about 100 kilometers — “some of the best scenery of the entire route, including Sweden’s highest mountain.”

Hiking Arctic Sweden page 1 – GreatOutdoors.com

Kungsleden: The Basics

The Trail: The 450-kilometer Kungsleden begins at Abisko, in the north, and continues south to Hemavan. Hiking the entire route takes a month, or more, figuring about 100 kilometers per week. …

When to Go: The huts on the northern section are open from mid-June to mid-September, when the trail is sufficiently free of snow to be hiked. The midnight sun shines from the end of May to Mid July. Expect a wet track but uncrowded huts until mid-July, when the month-long busy hiking season begins. Any hike in September comes with the risk of early season snow.

Trip Planning: Lappland is relatively remote, but surprisingly easy to reach from Stockholm if you know how. Kiruna makes a laid-back staging city, accessed by air, with convenient bus connections to and from the hike.

The STF, the Swedish Touring Federation offers basic information in English and Japanese, and much more in Swedish and European languages. STF volunteers answer email, so if you inquire in English about a travel detail or ask a question about Kungsleden, you usually get a response in English within a week or so.

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photo – elfi kaut

more photos of Kungsleden on Flickr

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Via Alpina – Europe’s best long distance hike

Via Alpina, 3100mi (4989km), is Europe’s best trans-Alps trail.

In the summer of 2005 signage was completed for the entire route. Start packing.

Hikers choose from 5 main colour coded routes. The Red Trail, for example, crosses borders 44 times and traverses the Alps in 161 distinct stages.

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The Via Alpina includes some of the most famous hikes in the alps: the Tour du Mont Blanc in France, the Triglav Lakes Valley Circuit in Slovenia, and the Col du Grand-Saint-Bernard between Switzerland and Italy, among them.

The official website is excellent offering detailed information on trail stages, hiking distances, GPS coordinates, challenge levels, and lodging options from huts (or refuges, in Alpine parlance) to chalets. In 5 languages!

NEED TO KNOW: In June and September there’s usually ample space in the hut systems along the Via Alpina. In July and August—or if you’re traveling with a large group—it’s smart to plan ahead. The Via Alpina Web site (www.via-alpina.org) lists contact information for huts, lodges, chalets, and B&Bs along each stage of the trail.

Another good starting point is Alps Travel along the Via Alpina – National Geographic Adventure Magazine

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blog – Waterton Scrambling

We just discovered a cool new blog, 6-months-old, devoted to adventure in Waterton National Park. Eight contributors are participating, so far.

Good job guys!

Waterton Scrambling is a model for localized adventure sport blogs.

We have linked to you from our Blogs category (right-hand navigation) and subscribed to your RSS feed.

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photo contest winner – Custer – Blair Piggot

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Colca, Peru: The grand, GRAND canyon

This is real adventure. Not for the faint hearted.

Colca is a 5-day trek (difficult & dangerous) over a 5100m (16,732ft) pass. It’s only 60km (37mi) but you will likely need to hire pack animals due to the rugged, remote terrain. And altitude.

Noel Wigdor posted one of the best trip reports we’ve seen in a while.

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Wow what a week.

Exactly a week ago I left for Colca Canyon for what is considered one of the hardest, but most rewarding, hikes in South America. Here is the breakdown of one of the most amazing, exhausting, and trying experiences of my life. Day 1 Ohad, my Israelli hiking partner, and I woke at 2:45 to catch a 3:30 bus to Cabanaconde, the starting point for our hike. Although we were both very nervous about this hike (we had both read that it is extremely hard), I was especially nervous because I was starting the whole thing with a bad case of diarrhrea … read more

Colca Canyon: The grand, GRAND canyon

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If you are up for this kind of challenge, check out the details on besthike.com Colca Canyon.

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Patagonian Adventure

This Patagonia guided adventure is recommended by South American Explorers. That’s good enough for us.

Sweet itinerary:

Santiago Night Train
Pucon
Pucon
Ensenada
Villa La Angostura
Bariloche
Bariloche
Los Alerces National Park
Los Alerces National Park
Bajo Caracoles
Chalten / Fitz Roy
Chalten / Fitz Roy
Chalten / Fitz Roy
Calafate
Calafate
Torres del Paine Nat’l Park
Torres del Paine Nat’l Park
Torres del Paine Nat’l Park
Punto Arenas

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Salcantay Trek, Peru now (over) regulated

As reported by South American Explorers:

The Instituto Nacional de Cultura (INC) has instituted new rules for the Salkantay trek. Now it is only possible to do this trek with an agency and additionally, they have implemented a new change of 120 soles ($36), therefore expect the price of the trek to increase accordingly. There have been other price changes. For entrance to Machu Picchu, the price is now 118.50 soles ($36).

… It is expected that in the next year, there will be similar changes to other alternative inca trails. For up to date information, please contact the Cusco Clubhouse, cuscoclub@saexplorers.org.

What a drag.

Our advice is to avoid the Machu Picchu treks and hike out of far-less-regulated Huaraz, Peru instead.

UPDATE: Jesse posted a 2006 trip report.

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INKAFEST Mountain Film Festival

From August 10th to 12th, Huaraz, Peru played host to the 2nd annual festival of movies about mountain sports and adventure. INKAFEST will then be coming to El Colegio de los Reyes Rojos in Barranco, Lima from the 24th to 26th of August; and Arequipa and Cuzco in September.

For further details check with South American Explorers.

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climbing Mount Whitney, California

UPDATE: Just posted over 100 photos of the hike.

I was for a few seconds the highest man in America when I stood atop Mt. Whitney.

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Mount Whitney – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mt Whitney is the highest point in the contiguous United States at elevation 14,505ft (4,421m). It’s just 76mi (123km) west of the lowest point in North America, in Death Valley (282ft (86m) below sea level), and rises over 2mi above the valley floor.