alpine – Page 98 – besthike.com

February 18, 2011February 17, 2011

remind me never to hike with Skurka

Andrew Skurka is the world’s greatest hiker, famed already for his 6,875mi Great Western Loop.

That was nothing compared to his most recent achievement.

…his 4679 mile (7530km) Alaska-Yukon Expedition set a new standard for all others to follow.

The route passed through some of the most remote places in the U.S. and Canada, crossing eight national parks and several mountain ranges in the process. As is typical, Andrew went alone and spent 176 days on the trail hiking, skiing, and rafting his way through the unforgiving wilderness.

Now, his full story is finally being told in the pages of National Geographic Magazine, which will feature Skruka’s adventure in the March issue that will be hitting newsstands soon. …

It was harsh.

Nat Geo already has the article online – Alaska Yukon Trek

more photos

Check the cool interactive map.

February 17, 2011February 16, 2011

Yukon – Slims River to Kaskawulsh Glacier

Phil Armitage posted an excellent trip report of their 2010 adventures on the Slims West trail, 64km (40mi) return.

Here’s their view from Canada Creek campsite:

… From the campsite at Canada Creek it’s 19km (12 miles) roundtrip, with 1200 meters (3,900 feet) of climbing, to the summit of Observation Mountain.

That doesn’t sound like a particularly strenuous day hike, but there’s Canada Creek to cross (twice, with the second crossing likely be harder than the one on the way out, as the water level rises during the day) and no trail for most of that distance.

The summer days are long at these high latitudes but still, don’t underestimate the time required. Most of the parties we met found the hike to be harder and longer than they had anticipated. …

Their photos are STUNNING.

… On my trip I never made it past the first creek crossing.

Route finding is tricky. You might need gills to cross some streams in flood. And know that there’s been at least one hiker killed by bear there. Parks Canada shuts it down when the bears are sighted.

Phil recommends special footwear for the water and mud.

February 16, 2011February 13, 2011

via Ferrata – Leukerbad, Switzerland

I’m looking at blocking some time for via Ferrata next summer, likely in Italy.

… a mountain route which is equipped with fixed cables, stemples, ladders, and bridges. …

But this line in Switzerland looks like a great option, too.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

… Roughly 708 feet of ladders and over 6500 feet of steel cable have been installed in the rock face of the Dauberhorn. There’s also a 330-foot long natural cave that is traversed along the way …

Smoky Mountain Hiking Blog

February 11, 2011February 17, 2011

crowd free hiking USA … and Canada

Backpacker is recommending these destinations:

Lassen Volcanic National Park, CA | Pigsah National Forest, NC | Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, MT | Dome Land Wilderness, CA | Mahoosuc Mountains, ME | Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario | Owyhee Uplands, ID/OR

I know Lassen and the ‘Bob’, but not much about the rest.

Dome Land, with 94,695 acres at the southern tail of the Sierra Nevada, is markedly drier than Yosemite. This, plus the lower elevations (3,000 to 9,400 feet), makes it a good choice for spring and fall, when snow still clings to high-mountain locales. …

details

This high-desert region’s obscurity is a big selling point. Spilling out of southwest Idaho into Nevada and Oregon, the Owyhee Uplands comprise one of the least developed areas in the Lower 48. Juniper-covered plateaus set atop sagebrush tablelands create a sense of limitless open space.

Snowy mountains line the horizon, and the many-tentacled Owyhee and Bruneau Rivers groove the underlying basalt and rhyolite. “The Owyhee is as good as any desert landscape in the U.S.,” says Sheldon Bluestein, author of Exploring Idaho’s High Desert. “It’s national-park-worthy.” …

details

glenn_merritt photo — Bruneau River, Owyhee Uplands by Glenn Merritt

February 2, 2011August 3, 2014

trek Dientes Circuit, Patagonia

An agency in Puerto Natales, Chile called Dragon de la Patagonia is now offering a guided trip on the Dientes Circuit on Isla Navarino.

On our list of the established best hikes in the world, this is the most southerly. Independent hikers often get lost.

… off the beaten track and through unspoiled nature and wild landscapes of Tierra del Fuego, far away from civilization. From Puerto Williams on Isla Navarino we prepare ourselves for this unique hike around the “Dientes de Navarino” – mountain chain.

During this hike we will walk through mystical southern beech forests, cross vast snowfields and have an impressive view over the Beagle channel. Over and over again we find ourselves close to the rugged peaks that give this hike its name while passing through this rough mountainous landscape. The nights on the trek we spend in a tent in the great outdoors with view on snow-covered summits with small lakes at their feet. Before and after the hike we sleep in comfortable guesthouses. …

details – Dientes de Navarino

The 9 day itinerary starts at $1990.

Check our Dientes information page.

February 1, 2011January 31, 2011

guided treks in Nepal

Richard Tulloch spoke to the advantages of guided trekking in Nepal:

It’s pretty simple really. Lots of places have great hiking, but Nepal has the greatest treks of them all. I was privileged to be invited on this trip, and ‘voluntourism’ was an excellent way to start. I can’t gush about this enough!

… in 2006 the Kushudebu Medical Centre opened, with Ang Tshering as its president, and support from organisations including Australian schools, travel company World Expeditions and many individuals. It now treats over 10,000 patients a year, and pays for the medical training of young Nepalis who will be its future staff. …

Ten Australians and three Britons have come to Nepal to work on Ang Tshering’s next initiative, building incinerators to dispose of the garbage polluting land and waterways. Then he’s taking us on a nine-day trek. …

This site is mainly geared for independent hikers. But we love guided treks, as well.

They are much more social. And having local guides makes your adventure a much richer experience.

World Expeditions runs guided treks combined with community development projects in Nepal. Cost of $2790 includes 18 days accommodation (a mix of tents, lodges and hotels), all meals while on the trek, local flights and transfers, guiding and equipment.

worldexpeditions.com.au – Everest Base Camp

First published – Sun-Herald, Sydney

Read the very entertaining trip report on Richard’s blog –
TREKKING NEPAL – simply the best.

January 30, 2011

surviving a 1,000ft fall

A climber who fell 1,000ft (305m) down a mountain and survived was found by his rescuers standing up reading a map.

Adam Potter, 36, lost his footing at the summit of Sgurr Choinnich Mor near Ben Nevis and plummeted down the near-vertical eastern slope.

Lt Tim Barker, from the helicopter rescue crew, said: “It seemed impossible… he must have literally glanced off the outcrops as he fell.” …

read more – BBC – Climber found reading map after 1,000ft fall

January 29, 2011January 28, 2011

Annapurna now requires guides

As a follow-up to last week’s post on Trekking the Annapurna Sanctuary in Nepal

David DeFranza writes something new to me:

Permits, Porters and Guides

The Annapurna Sanctuary trek is largely contained within the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), a national park that covers 7,629 square kilometers. Entry into the park requires the purchase of an ACAP Entry Permit. The permit requires an application and two passport photos. It costs about $60 USD and can be obtained in a single day from offices in Kathmandu and Pokhara.

In addition to this permit, all trekkers in Nepal are now required to register for and obtain a card through the Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS). This new card has replaced the controversial TRC permit introduced in 2006 and is available for free through a trekking agency, the Nepal Tourism Board, or the Trekkers Agencies’ Association of Nepal. The card can be issued in either Kathmandu or Pokhara.

Although people still circumvent the system, trekkers are now required to hire at least one Nepali staff member (a porter or guide) per group.

Many independent travelers are initially upset by this proposition. However, almost everyone who finds a knowledgeable guide from a quality company comes away admitting that it improved the overall trekking experience. …

read more – Matador – Trekking the Annapurna Sanctuary in Nepal

Independent hiking is still allowed in the Everest region. If you want to go it alone, that’s a big reason to bypass Annapurna and head for Lukla, instead.

Leave a comment if you know more about the mandatory guide regulation. It’s not clearly stated on the official government website.

Here’s an independent 2008 Circuit trip report – No Guide, No Problem! – The Annapurna Circuit

January 27, 2011January 25, 2011

Annapurna Base Camp, Nepal

by besthike editor Rick McCharles

… I was inspired. The Annapurna Sanctuary is one of the most incredible glacier basins in the world, completely surrounded by huge peaks; Hiunchuli, Modi, Fang, Annapurna 1, Glacier Dome, Gangapurna, Annapurna 3.

These mountains are indescribably impressive. I won’t try.

The gate is guarded by everyone’s favourite peak, Machapuchare (Fishtail).

R E M I B R I D O T

Jimmy Roberts climbed, in 1957, to within 50 metres of the summit but turned back due to the steepness of the final ascent. On his return to Kathmandu he suggested to the Nepalese government that they keep at least this one peak unclimbed, a symbol of the inviolate. No permit has been issued to this day. …

That’s from my 1998 trip report.
_____

Here’s an independent trip report from 2010:

… A detailed route guide and tip list for hiking from Pokhara to Annapurna Base Camp.

What follows is the route we took, where we slept and ate along the way, the items we packed, and some general tips for taking on one of the world’s best treks. …

Only one trail leads up to A.B.C., but there are a couple ways to get to that single route (see below). Buy a map once you’re in-country, do a little research, and talk to locals and you’ll easily determine what works best for you. This is what we did: