alpine – Page 146 – besthike.com

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.

September 12, 2006

Switzerland – Gross Spannort

Gross Spannort – Wikipedia in German

Contributor Gregor Urni has been busy of late with new daughter Jessica, but managed to get out for a weekend hike and climb.

more photos and a trip report auf Deutche

More climbs and photos on the Swiss Alpine Club website.

September 12, 2006

Pioneer Basin, John Muir Wilderness

Wow.

Pioneer Basin Afternoon on Flickr – Photo Sharing!

September 8, 2006

Towers of Paine – best trek in the world?

Many proclaim the Torres del Paine Circuit in Chile the best hiking destination in the world â€” and we are hard pressed to argue.

It is unique & gorgeous in every way.

100km (62mi) Paine Circuit

shorter, easier 5-day alternative called “the W”

astonishing, jagged mountainscape

fantastic glacier views but no risk of altitude sickness

accommodates all levels of hiking ability & experience

easy to hike independently

no need to speak Spanish, though it helps

larger version of this fantastic photo – Baly

More details on the Paine Circuit.

September 6, 2006

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.

September 5, 2006

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 â€” Abisko Mountain Station to Kebnekaise Mountain Station â€” about 100 kilometers â€” “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.

photo – elfi kaut

more photos of Kungsleden on Flickr

September 3, 2006

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.

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 Augustâ€”or if you’re traveling with a large groupâ€”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