Category: alpine

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Cam Honan’s Himalaya Book

… Described by Backpacker Magazine as “the most travelled hiker on Earth”, Cam has trekked across 56 countries and six continents, logging more than 60,000 miles (96,500 km) in three decades. We sat down with him to discuss his experiences in exploring this region, and creating Wanderlust Himalaya in collaboration with gestalten. …

Q: What sets the Himalaya apart from other mountain ranges you have hiked before?

A: Apart from the fact that they’re higher, distinguishing qualities of the Himalaya include its iconic teahouses, Buddhist monasteries, and rich folklore. …

Q: Was there a specific moment or place during your hikes in the Himalaya that was memorable to you? And if so, why? 

A: I couldn’t pinpoint one specific moment or place. That said, among the standout features of all my journeys in the region has been the friendliness of the locals. Irrespective of the country, the hospitality I’ve encountered during my Himalayan treks is something I’ll never forget.  …

gestalten.com

Wanderlust Himalaya: Hiking on Top of the World is a coffee table photography book with route-plans for over 50 hikes.

This is the latest in a series. All excellent.

Wanderlust: A Hiker’s Companion (2017)

The Hidden Tracks: Wanderlust – Hiking Adventures off the Beaten Path (2018)

Wanderlust USA (2019)

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#6 – Glacier North Circle, Montana, USA

Glacier North Circle is one of our top 10 hikes in the world.

Why?

  • 7 days, 6 nights recommended
  • 65miles (104km) plus side trips
  • best months July-Sept
  • well-signed
  • medium difficulty hiking
  • recommended for experienced multi-day hikers
  • Highline Trail
  • Ptarmigan Tunnel (120ft long)
  • Swiftcurrent Mountain Lookout
  • Iceberg Lake
  • wildflowers late June to early August
  • great day hikes elsewhere in the Park
  • likely to see elk, mule deer, moose, mountain goats & bighorn sheep. For wild life, this Park is second only to Yellowstone, in our opinion

World → North America → Rockies → North Circle

yellow marks the Highline Trail / Ptarmigan Tunnel, North Circle red arrows point to our recommended campgrounds

Click PLAY or watch a 1-minute preview on YouTube.

 

For details click over to our Glacier North Circle information page.

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#5 -Sunshine to Assiniboine, Alberta, Canada

Sunshine to Assiniboine is one of our top 10 hikes in the world.

Why?

  • Mt. Assiniboine Provincial Park accessed only on foot or by helicopter.  The chopper flies to Canmore (more expensive) or Mt. Shark trailhead (less expensive)
  • good chance to see mountain goats, bighorn sheep, elk and mule deer, pikas, chipmunks & hoary marmots
  • you will see hordes of Columbian and mantled ground squirrels.
  • huge, heavenly alpine meadows
  • Assiniboine Lodge is a treat. The pub is open to all.
  • colourful wild flowers
  • walk the continental divide
  • Magog Lake (40 sites) is the most popular base campground for good reason. Easy access to many day hikes. But there is no longer any overflow area). Mule deer sometimes wander between the tents.
  • Wonder Pass to Marvel Lake is wondrous and marvellous

World → North America → Rockies → Sunshine to Assiniboine

Click PLAY or watch a 1-minute introduction on YouTube.

For details click over to our Sunshine to Assiniboine information page.

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VIDEO – how to “hike” Aconcagua

You don’t HAVE to climb the highest mountain outside Asia.  Instead, you can HIKE to Base Camp without a guide.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

related:

  • My 2018 trip report.
  • Our information page is a starting point for those who might want to plan their own Aconcagua adventure in future. 
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#4 – Ausangate Circuit, Peru

Ausangate (or Auzangate) is one of our top 10 hikes in the world.

Why?

Our favourite multi-day tramp in our favourite hiking region of the world — glorious New Zealand.  😎

  • circle sacred Ausangate massif (6372m, 20,905ft), the highest peak in southern Peru
  • 4 high passes between 4757m – 5165m!
  • 70km (43.5mi) plus sidetrips
  • almost everyone does Ausangate with a guide, but it’s quite doable independently if you are acclimated 
  • many options to extend this trek
  • best months are the May-September dry season
  • Tinqui is 5-8 hours now only about 3.5hrs by bus on a new road, about 100km S.E. of Cusco
  • sidetrip to the “rainbow mountains” of Vinicunca

World → South America → Central Andes → Peru → Ausangate

Click PLAY or watch a 1-minute introduction on YouTube.

For details click over to our Ausangate Circuit information page.

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#1 Day Hike in the World – Harder Ridge

Harder Ridge in Switzerland, also known as Hardergrat (… grat is ridge in German) is our pick for the very best day hike on Earth.

  • 24km total … about 18km on a sharp ridge
  • 10+ hours. Physically and psychologically challenging.
  • no water available. Carry all you need.
  • not an official trail, but it’s easy to follow in good visibility
  • about 1500m above the lake
  • permits not required
  • it’s popular with trail runners who do about 35km entirely on foot.


Check our Harder Ridge information page.

let’s go outdoors is posting flyovers of some of the world’s best hikes on YouTube.

Click PLAY or watch one route on Harder Ridge on YouTube.

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14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible

Kraig Becker followed this project from the beginning on the Adventure Blog.

Kraig said most mountaineers thought it was impossible — but hoped they were wrong.

Kraig noted that Nims didn’t have enough money to see the project through, even after mortgaging his house.

Must Watch

14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible is a 2021 documentary film …

… Nepalese mountaineer Nirmal Purja and his team as they attempt to climb all 14 eight thousander peaks within a record time of under 7 months. (The previous record was over 7 years.) …

Purja was supported by a rotating team of Nepalese climbers, several of whom are introduced in the film, including Mingma David Sherpa, Geljen Sherpa, Lakpa Dendi Sherpa, and Gesman Tamang, however, only Purja would complete the summit of all 14 eight-thousanders …

K2

I liked the film much more than expected.

The video editors did a terrific job putting together something so good from mostly bad GoPro footage.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Nims wife Suchi Purja is a treat.

He’s super talented, of course. Yet irreverent, profane, and funny. A great leader in the face of life and death.

Nims reminds me of a young Mohamad Ali. So confident. So cocky. 😀

Mountaineers might be even more impressed with his later winter summit of K2.

His team consisting of Mingma David Sherpa, Mingma Tenzi Sherpa, Geljen Sherpa, Pem Chiri Sherpa, Dawa Temba Sherpa and himself, joined by the team of Mingma Gyalje Sherpa (Mingma G), Dawa Tenjin Sherpa and Kilu Pemba Sherpa, and Sona Sherpa from Seven Summits Treks.

Nims was the only one to summit without the use of supplemental oxygen.