I want to do this!
4-days helicopter supported bike, swim, sail, kayak, hike, bike, raft, Cessna, sail.
The guides calls it only “The Adventure”.
Journeys at the Edge “The Adventure”.
CONFIRMED – Crowsnest Mountain scramble
Climber Scott Whiteside who lives in the Crowsnest Pass recommends the Crowsnest Mountain scramble in the Canadian Rockies. It’s 4-7hrs return, 1100m (3609ft), non-technical. Good fun — but no mountaineering gear needed when dry.
No map needed, just Alan Kane’s book.
A group of us are planning to do it Saturday, June 17th. Email or leave a comment if you want to join us.
Bear attacks
Hiking for years in the Rockies, I’ve still only seen two Grizzlies. Bear aware, they do not worry me.
But Parks Canada bear management is getting more savvy.
For the next two seasons (2006 and 2007) two specific areas will be closed during berry season where attacks have been frequent. Over the past 8 years, there have been 5 bear attacks in Banff National Park — 3 near Allenby Pass in the Bryant Creek area, and 2 on the Aylmer Pass trail near Lake Minnewanka. In all cases, the attacks were a result of hikers travelling alone or in a small group, who surprised female grizzlies with cubs during berry season.
mountaineering ethics
In the death zone everyone is at risk. It’s not an Olympic yacht race. The same rules do not apply.
Anyone who climbs that high knows the risks.
As I write at least 10 have died during the 2006 Everest high season. Thomas Weber died on the way up at 8,700m. His partner David Sharp freaked out on the way down and died 300m below the summit. Perhaps 40 climbers passed unwilling or unable to save him.
They were criticized by Edmund Hillary — but I don’t judge them. I’m not sure what I would do.
Lincoln Hall, another day, was left for dead at 8,800m. He survived overnight, a miracle, and was helped down the mountain next day.
What I am saying is that this issue is more complicated than it seems. Read Beck Weathers uplifting book Left For Dead before you pass judgement.
website – Backcountry New Zealand
One of the best websites for Kiwi hikers is backcountryNZ.com
It is edited by Jan Robertson from Auckland. He is a conservationist who likes nothing better than to tramp and photograph the astonishing New Zealand outdoors.
BestHike.com links to many of his hiking pages.
The Milford Track, New Zealand
The Finest Walk in the World.
That’s the tag line inevitably associated with the Milford Track on the South Island of New Zealand. It’s almost always wrongly attributed to Kiwi Poet Blanche Baughan. Her original title — A Notable Walk — was changed by an editor when printed in the London Spectator, 1908.
Serious hikers often make the Milford pilgrimage so they can legitimately rank it below more favourite treks.
In reality, Milford is a wonderful hike. Lakes, crystalline rivers, huge waterfalls, kooky birdlife, rainforest, and, of course, arriving at fantastic Milford Sound.
Tongariro Crossing, New Zealand
The best day hike in the world, we reckon.
Especially if you have never hiked around active volcanos. It’s fascinating.
You can warm yourself at steaming vents, scree down volcanic scoria, marvel at aquamarine water filled explosion holes, tramp craters & puzzle at bizarre volcanic formations.
Wait for good weather before setting out. Wind & low cloud sometimes make this hike a miserable slog in the fog.
Angel’s Landing, Utah
The shortest hike deemed worthy to be listed on besthike.com is Angel’s Landing in Zion National Park, one of the best hiking destinations in the world.
When I climbed to the Landing I felt it should be restricted to experienced mountaineers! And angels.
This is one vertical and hairy ascent. It’s almost as steep as Half Dome in Yosemite in places. But what a view from the top.
Details: Angel’s Landing on BestHike.com
Needle Mountains Loop, Colorado
This hike has all the attributes of one of the best hikes in the world. It’s a circuit. It takes you to the base camp of the highest local peaks. Wildlife is not only visible, you may get chased by a mountain goat!
And you access and exit the trip by train.
Maroon Bells Loop, Colorado
One of the most accessible great hikes in the world, you can get to the trailhead on a shuttle bus departing Aspen every 20 minutes.
This is a great treat in a region where most trailheads are not accessible by public transport.
The 4-day circuit around the famous Maroon Bells (mountaineering peaks) is a classic. Most of the walking is above 11,000ft (3343m) so the views are magnificent.
besthike.com 