Category: alpine

Posted on

Everest Base Camp

Kristen on Barefoot Theory posted one of the best trip reports we’ve yet seen.

An Everest Base Camp trek offers the perfect trifecta as far as adventure travel goes. Big mountains, incredible culture, and for most people, a decent physical challenge that leaves you feeling proud and in better shape than when you started.

There are two ways to go about your trek to Everest Base Camp: Independent or Guided, and both options offer their pros and cons. …

I chose to do my Everest Base Camp Trek with the guiding company Anywhere Plus, and I was joined by 8 other Bearfoot Theory readers on this 11-day adventure. At the end of the trip, every person in our group agreed that it was one of the best trips any of us had ever been on – both due to the country and how well our trip was organized. …

PLANNING YOUR EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK: THE ULTIMATE LOGISTICS GUIDE

everest-basecamp-trek-planning-guide

above-treeline

Posted on

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”?! 

Posted on

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

Posted on

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

Posted on

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.

Posted on

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

Posted on

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)

Posted on

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.