Category: alpine

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Sham Valley trek, Ladakh, India

Brown Gal Trekker recommended we add Sham Valley to our list of the best hikes in Asia.

We did.

It looks ideal for a first adventure out of Leh before continuing on to higher elevations treks like Markha Valley.

Sham Valley is an acclimatization hike.

Realizing that the area of Sham Valley is remote in some aspects, combined with my lack of language skills and the lack of a decent map to guide me along, I decided to have a guide with me as a safety precaution.  That turned out to be a good decision …

I then hired a female guide trainee, Yangdol, from the Ladakhi Women’s Travel Group …

 As a start, we visited the monastery before beginning our Sham Valley trek.

The Indian Himalayas: Sham Valley Trek

Click through for a detailed trip report including video.

related – Trekking the Sham Valley Ladakh: Really a “Baby Trek”?! 

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Goat Range Provincial Park, B.C.

I grew up in Calgary. Had a summer home near Nelson, B.C. for 30 years … yet couldn’t recall any Goat Range Provincial Park.

Have you heard of it?

It’s remote.

Hiking
This park has some rugged possibilites but few developed trails. There is one short but awesome old growth cedar walking trail, and one short hike to a spectacular waterfall. …

B.C. Parks

Field and Forest made a trip. Posted some wonderful photos.

BACKCOUNTRY CAMPING IN BC’S GOAT RANGE

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Lake O’Hara (CAN) Hiking and Camping Guide

Clever Hiker posted the best information page we’ve yet seen for Lake O’Hara in the Canadian Rockies.

Though Sunshine to Assiniboine is our favourite hike in those mountains, Lake O’Hara is the most spectacular.

It’s extremely difficult to get a reservation for O’Hara due to popularity. We try EVERY year by phone on the start date (around April 20th).

Clever Hiker succinctly tells you how to do O’Hara …

Lake O’Hara Hiking and Camping Guide

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La Luz Trail, Albuquerque, New Mexico

The La Luz Trail is a well-known hike in the Cibola National Forest just outside of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The trail climbs ~8 miles up the West face of the Sandia Mountains and ends at the Sandia Peak Tramway observation deck. …

… up 3,800 feet with a starting elevation of 7,000 feet and a peak elevation of 10,350 feet. Highlights include views of the Sandia Mountains and expansive views of Albuquerque and the Rio Grande Valley. We completed this hike in the second week of October 2017 during the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta. …

LA LUZ TRAIL – CIBOLA NATIONAL FOREST (8 MILES)

related – I failed to find the trail up on one of the snowiest days of the year. It’s possible to get lost even this close to Albuquerque.

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Skyline Trail Backpacking Guide, Jasper

Clever Hiker:

Of the 44 kilometers of trail, nearly two thirds is above treeline with sweeping mountain views in all directions, beautiful glacial lakes, and wind-swept ridges.

Usually completed in 2-4 days, the trail climbs over three mountain passes, though the route is moderately-graded. You’ll encounter diverse flora and fauna (and a beautiful wildflower display in August), as well as vast meadows great for wildlife viewing.

Obtaining a permit for this trail can be tough, but if you’re lucky enough to get one, you’re in for a fantastic high alpine adventure. ….

Skyline Trail Backpacking Guide, Jasper National Park

 Our two favourite hikes near Jasper Alberta are Berg Lake, Mount Robson and the Skyline Trail.

Your best starting point for organizing Skyline is the Clever Hiker page…

Skyline Trail Backpacking Guide, Jasper National Park

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Everest – Beyond the Edge [2013]

Beyond the Edge is a 2013 New Zealand 3D docudrama about Tenzing Norgayand Sir Edmund Hillary‘s historical ascent of Mount Everest in 1953.

As well as featuring dramatised recreations shot on location on Everest and in New Zealand, the film includes original footage and photographs from what was then the ninth British expedition to the mountain.

It also includes audio from interviews with Hillary and recorded narration by expedition leader John Hunt. …

Click PLAY or watch the trailer on YouTube.

You can watch the entire film online free on YouTube. (1hr 39min)

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2018 Inca Trail permits available Oct 1, 2017

… for the first time the Ministry of Culture is releasing all permits for 2018 on 1 October 2017.

With only 500 permits available per day, tour operators are urging travellers to book the trek, which ends at the 550-year old Incan citadel of Machu Picchu, as soon as they can. “Tickets usually sell out almost immediately for the peak trekking months of April, May and August,” …

Travellers who miss out on Inca Trail permits can still trek to Machu Picchu on an alternative route – the Salkantay trek for which no permit is needed. “On the Salkantay trek, you pass through small communities and farmsteads, and approach Machu Picchu from the other side. …

Inca Trail permits to be released four months early

No panic. We like the Salkantay (Salcantay) better in any case. And you can do the Salkantay independently if you prefer. The over-popular Inca Trek must be guided.

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hiking Mt Assiniboine, Canada

trip report by site editor Rick McCharles

One of our top 10 hikes in the world is Sunshine to Mt Assiniboine in the Canadian Rockies.

Nine of us made it to the top of Nub peak for the solar eclipse.

2017

Our trip was nearly cancelled due to forest fire. Assiniboine opened up on the Wednesday before our Sunday start.

Three hiked up on the Assiniboine trail because Sunshine Meadows was still under closure.

Six took the helicopter in from Shark trailhead.

When you chopper in you can bring heavy food. And too much alcohol.

Happy hour at Assiniboine Lodge was 4-5pm.

Click PLAY or watch some highlights on YouTube.

Great trip. The big downside was the hike out.

I told the group we’d be 8-9 hours on the 26 km hike out via Wonder Pass & Bryant Creek. I’d forgotten about the extra 2.5 km to the campground. Due to missing signage at the Wonder Pass turn-off we got lost for another hour or more. In the end it was 32.2 km for the day.

Everyone except for myself suffered a lot of foot pain.

In retrospect I wished I’d scheduled one night in a campground on the descent.

Details on our 3 day hike.