Category Archives: cost

U.S. National Parks: A Love Story

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I’ve long ago given up on Trump’s Swamp dweller Ryan Zinke, secretary of the Department of Interior.

In the comments True Brigand links to the many scummy things he’s done.

But he’s making the right noises here. Perhaps he’s learned something on the job.

The Restore Our Parks Act has a good chance to pass. Trump will sign it. I’ll take that as a win … if it happens.

Ryan Zinke:

Last year, our parks had 330 million visitors, with more visitors expected this year.

Unfortunately, our park system has been neglected and is in need of rebuilding. We are loving our parks to death. The backlog of critical maintenance and repairs in the National Park Service stands at $11.6 billion and until recently, addressing the backlog seemed to be out of our reach. …

A bipartisan bill that is now before the Senate would achieve this worthy goal. Thanks to the efforts of leaders like Sens. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Angus King (I-Maine), and many others, the bill has momentum as others join to show their commitment to our public lands. I commend every senator involved in this effort for recognizing that preserving our parks is not a Republican or Democrat issue – it is an American issue. …

Bipartisan bill would bring needed funds to deteriorating National Park Service infrastructure

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Nuk Tessli lodge north of Vancouver

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Oded Goffer sends a link.

Nuk Tessli is a remote lodge ideally situated for hikers.

You can fly in from Nimpo Lake, “Floatplane capital of BC”, near Tweedsmuir National Park.

30 years ago the first cabins were built by an amazing lady who lived here alone through winters and summers for 23 of those years.

Doron and Sela, the current owners of the cabins, have spent much time and efforts in the past 7 years in order to build and improve the cabins. In addition they made sure to explore this untouched natural resort, marking new trails without hurting the gentle environmental.

Click over to NukTessli.com for more information.

And costs. Room and board there costs $175 CAD / person / day in 2018. Price of the flight around $100 CAD – $150 CAD depending on number of people.

The Coast Mountains are the great, relatively unexplored part of Canada. So close to Vancouver yet so little visited. I can’t think of a better way to get there.

Jyrgalan Trek, Kyrgyzstan

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June 20 – September 20 is the hiking season.

Alesha and Jarryd:

Everything you need to know about the Jyrgalan trek, the newest adventure destination in Kyrgyzstan! …

jyrgalan-trek

As this trek is still brand new and under development, exact costs are

still being worked out. It really depends on how much support you are looking to take with you in terms of cooks and horsemen.

For a general idea though expect to pay around $50 per person per day, including a guide, basic food, a cook, pack horse and horseman to carry your gear. …

The trek we did was spread out over 3 days, 2 nights, but this can be personalized …

If you don’t travel with trekking gear this is not a problem, as you can rent almost everything from EcoTrek in Karakol, or pick up stuff in Bishkek. …

Breaking Trail On Kyrgyzstan’s New Jyrgalan Trek

kyrgyzstan

Republican Senator wants to sell off Federal Public Lands

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The GOP in the USA — in general — want the richest corporations and donors to get even richer. They have very little interest in protecting the environment nor encouraging outdoor recreation.

For example, Senator Mike Lee, R-Utah.

Senator Wants to Eliminate Federal Public Lands

If you love the outdoors campaign against Republicans.

Utah can blame Rob Bishop (R) and Jason Chaffetz (R)

In 2017, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert signed a resolution urging the Trump administration to rescind the Bears Ears National Monument. The resolution served as a flashpoint that ultimately reduced the size of both Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Escalante national monuments significantly.

It also triggered a backlash from the outdoor industry. The Outdoor Retailer convention pulled out of Utah in protest, moving the show to Denver.

find a trekking guide for Nepal

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Micah Hanson is an expert on independent trekking in the Himalayas (indietrekking.com).

In collaboration with a Sherpa friend from Nepal, Micah launched Sherpana.com.

There hikers who don’t want to go it alone can book trekking guides online and review the guides.

In addition the site allows people to join each others treks, if they choose, so that they can share the cost of the trip with other trekkers. (It reminds me of TrekkingPartners.com, a site I’ve used in the past.)

They’ve tried to make pricing as transparent as possible, and allow people to book only the guide and pay for the food and lodging directly to the lodge owners.

Prices do look competitive. For example, this upcoming trek:

Everest Base Camp Trek (13 days) 

Price for 2 hikers would be $352 (each) for 13 days, but you can add extra days and side trips like the Cho La pass to Gokyo, ect.  Extra days for 2 people, would be an extra $15.50 per person per day.

 


my hiking jacket – Columbia OutDry Ex Gold

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Hmm.

GearJunkie posted a sponsored ad from Columbia. This is the opposite of transparency in advertising. I’m disappointed. ☹️

The article, at first glance, looks a legit review.

Here’s my legit review. Columbia paid me nothing.

Top layer is the new Columbia Men’s OutDry Ex Gold Interchange Jacket. 

It’s fairly heavy with the removable Omni-Heat Reflective inner layer. For most hikes, I’ll leave that liner at home carrying only the 2 layer shell.

I tested it in the rain while cycling. With seam tape it feels entirely waterproof. And it’s reasonably light.

It has no pit zips.  Breathability is not nearly as good as Columbia claims. In fact, I’d say breathability is LOUSY.

I paired it with the new Columbia OutDry EX Gold Down Hooded Jacket. 

For most hikes I will bring this along, replacing my usual down hooded parka.

The most compelling reason I decided to go this direction is the OutDry™ EX outer layer. It seems obvious to me that down jackets should be waterproof. The down is not hydrophobic, but doesn’t need to be as it won’t get wet.

I’m confident I’ll never be wet nor cold with this system. The hoods are excellent.

Some feel the fit is boxy. I’d agree. But I like the extra room for more layers underneath.

For warm hikes I also picked up the Frogg Toggs Men’s Ultra Lite Rain Jacket as an alternative.

This is what the cool thru-hikers wear. It’s not breathable at all. But at US $14.22 you can’t lose.

All in all I’m very happy with my new OutDry system. It has got some bad reviews, however.

Gortex` wets out. Starts to fail after a few years. It’s the fabric of deceit. I’ve never trusted it.

Here’s how Outdry is supposed to work. Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

 

Trekking for Tips

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As I travel around the world I join many FREE city tours. If you enjoy the experience, you tip the guide.

One such company, for example – tours4tips.com

Because the guides only survive if they make good tips, the tours are (usually) excellent.

For the first time I saw offered in Valparaíso, Chile Trekking for Tips.

A minimum charge is fixed at the beginning, depending on the number of people in the group.

After that you can tip the guide additionally if you like the experience.

GREAT IDEA.