Category: cost

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Alpacka Raft for hiking

AT bought an Alpacka Raft.

I’m jealous.

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Alpacka rafts are ultra-light inflatable rafts designed for wilderness boating. They are ightweight (about 2kg), very durable, repairable in the field, and suitable for running whitewater. In certain terrains (such as Lapland), packrafts tremendously expand your exploration options. The unique virtue of the packraft is its portability. Alpacka Raft is designed to be carried for extended distances, along with its propulsion system (usually collapsable paddles or lightweight oars).

Wanderlust

Ouch. $790 retail. I still can’t afford one.

Alpacka Raft – official website

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public transport to best hike trailheads

Do you hate parking a rental car at the trailhead?

glacier-wiki.jpgThanks JTownshend for pointing us to a website which clearly explains transportation options from my home town — Calgary, Alberta, Canada — to Waterton National Park on the U.S. border.

Why is this such valuable information?

Because that’s how you can most easily access our #6) best hike in the world: Glacier North Circle, Montana, USA, at least from Canada.

If you do not have your own vehicle, here’s how to get to one of the trailheads from the Calgary airport:

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Airport Shuttle Express – Calgary to Waterton

(I’d skip the airport taxi, instead taking the public bus downtown for $2.50.)

If you have not yet decided on what BIG hike to do this summer, consider the North Circle. It’s awesome.

And — as a bonus — out of Calgary you could add our best hike in the world — Sunshine to Assiniboine — in the Canadian Rockies. No personal vehicle needed for that adventure either, assuming you start and finish at the Sunshine Village trailhead.

Another great option is our ) best hike in the world — the John Muir Trail, in California.

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Democracy comes to Bhutan

Will this help open up the country to independent hikers?

A political party seen as the more royalist of two groups seeking power swept the first parliamentary elections ever held in this secluded Himalayan kingdom, Bhutan’s election commissioner said Monday.

The Bhutan Peace and Prosperity Party took 44 of the 47 seats in the new parliament, Election Commissioner Kunzang Wangdi said. …

Turnout was slightly more than 79 percent of the 320,000 registered voters, Wangdi said. Even in remote corners of the largely rural country — in tiny hamlets where voting machines were delivered by yak — the election went smoothly, officials said. …

The vote ended more than a century of absolute monarchy in the mountainous land long known as a quirky holdout from modernity, allowing television and the Internet only in 1999.

The election came with a twist: It was the king, not the people, who pressed for democracy. …

Royalist Party Wins Election in Bhutan – AP

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photo Paula Bronstein/Getty Images – About.com

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cost of trekking in Bhutan increasing

Bad news for me.

I’ve been waiting on Bhutan to open up for independent trekking. Planning on being one of the first to get a hiking permit.

It was Rogier Gruys of BluePeak.net who first got me interested in hiking Bhutan.

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original – BluePeak on flickr – more photos

Now Kira Salak penned a wonderful Snowman Trek trip report / article for National Geographic.

A small excerpt:

… Then I saw the tiny fortress, Lingshi Dzong, sitting on a hilltop before the great audience of the Himalaya. I stopped. For some reason I never quite understood, I sat down and wept. Maybe it had something to do with the starkness of the distances, with the dramatic vying of sunlight and storm. Or perhaps it was subtler, harder to explain. As if, in that ancient dzong—that speck of human proclamation sitting before the indifferent valleys and rise of the Himalaya—it was my own voice calling out into the void. I found myself making an appeal of grief about my brother, who’d had his own history, his stories. What would happen to them now? Where do they—where do any of our stories—go? …

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Lingshi Dzong – larger version – flickr – reddoggirl01

read the entire lengthy, intense travelogue – Trekking Bhutan’s Higher Planes

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VISITING BHUTAN: Though there is no cap on the number of annual visitors, the Bhutanese government charges at least $200 a day for any in-country travel, and all tourists must book trips with one of 77 government-approved outfitters. Once you’re there, a guide accompanies you at all times.

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National Geographic Bhutan Adventure Guide

In her article, Kira Salak states that she’s heard price will double in the near future. Go from $200 to $400 / day.

Leave a comment if you can confirm that rumour.

(via The Adventure Blog)

Related posts:

trekking in Bhutan

Snowman Trek, Bhutan

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Parks Pass price hike 60% – How did that work out for them?

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The demise of the beloved National Parks Pass cost the National Park Service more than $1.3 million last year, although agency officials expect revenues to rebound as folks grow accustomed to the America the Beautiful Pass.

According to Jane Moore, the Park Service’s fee program manager, 2006 sales of the $50 National Parks Pass, good for entrance into all units of the national park system, generated $22.1 million for the agency. During 2007, the first year of the $80 America the Beautiful Pass, the agency took in $20.79 million, a 6 percent dip in revenues.

Kurt Repanshek – National Parks Traveler

Who could have predicted a 60% jump would generate less income?

The full story is not in as yet, of course. I feel confident in calling the America the Beautiful Pass price a huge mistake.

I used mine recently in California. Many people were needed to check my Pass, especially the date punch, and it slowed down traffic every time I drove out of the Park. In Canada we hang our Park pass from the rear view mirror, a better system, much easier to police.

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hike and hot springs – Banff, Canada

When up in Banff, Alberta for the Mountain Festival, I was trail running around town each day. I had no vehicle.

Sulphur Mountain from the Upper Hot Springs is normally regarded to be the best hike within walking distance of Banff. The view is spectacular from the top. But much of the 2hr walk up is tree locked.

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larger photo – flickr – D’Arcy Norman

My advice is to instead take the Gondolla to the top of Sulphur mountain and — starting from this viewpoint — to do some ridge walking. You will likely go off-trail or even scramble at some points.

Many, many years ago I recall a friend Pat McRoberts accidentally dropping his camera off the mountain while up here. (Hang on to yours.)

It’s a wonderful thing to be delivered to the top of a mountain for $25. You’ll need another $7.40 at the bottom of the Gondola for …

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Banff Hot Springs

PS

When we were kids we loved hiking up Sulphur Mountain because the ride down on the Gondola was FREE. That’s not the case in 2007 — though they still do not check your ticket on the way down.

I’m just saying …

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trek the Himalayan kingdom of Mustang

Ever since I looked down the forbidden valley from Kagbeni while trekking the Annapurna Circuit, I’ve wanted to hike Lo Mustang in Nepal. Sadly, no independent hiking is allowed.

Kagbeni at 2810 m, spectacularly situated atop a cliff overlooking the confluence of the Kali Gandaki and the Jhong Khola rivers, is the last village in Lower Mustang and guards the entrance into Upper Mustang, visible across the Kali Gandaki riverbed. It is the northernmost village that can be visited without a permit to continue on to Mustang.

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Northwards into Upper Mustang – larger photo on flickr – Claudia

Footprint Tours is one of the few companies who offer trekking trips:

… Until 1992 less than a dozen foreigners had been to Mustang. Now, in an effort to protect this culture, access is limited with less than 800 trekkers making the journey each year. The requirement to pay high restricted-area fees, travel with an organised group and take a Liaison Officer, together with difficult access continue to make the Kingdom of Lo an uncommon destination. …

A trek to the Himalayan kingdom of Mustang in the restricted regions of Nepal

That same site has a nice overview of Himalayan trekking for those who have never been:

tr02.jpgIn 1965 Colonel Jimmy Roberts introduced the world to trekking. As a former Gurkha Officer and Military Attaché at the British Embassy in Kathmandu he had spent years of his life walking the hills of Nepal. His idea, revolutionary for the time, was to provide tents together with Sherpas, to guide and cook.

This made Nepal and the Himalaya available to a wide community and was an immediate success.

Nowadays the formula is well established; groups travel through the hills, walking for five to six hours each day with all their equipment carried by porters or yaks; good quality meals are provided along with warm sleeping bags and comfortable tents; the trekker carries a personal pack with camera, day clothing and snacks. …

photo – Jimmy Roberts in 1996 a year before his death.

read more – What is Trekking?

At this rate, I may need to wait until independent hiking is allowed.

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the Ipsos-Reid Parks Canada $1000 prize muck-up

If you follow this blog, you know I have no confidence in Parks Canada.

Love the Parks, distrust management.

In fact, I recommend hikers go to the American National Parks instead if they want best value. (And I live next to the Canadian Rockies.)

Yet, I credit Parks Canada for at least making the appearance of listening to the taxpayers who pay their salaries. Ipsos-Reid was hired to do a survey.

angrygif.gifIt’s been a mess. I’ve been in the survey process for months, yet I have no idea when the thing will end. Is Ipsos-Reid simply milking Parks on this? What does this survey cost?

Worst of all, Ipsos-Reid managed to further disgruntle users of the Canadian National Parks when they decided to dangle a $1000 / month prize for those taking part in the survey.

Many who received an invitation to join the survey were confused when trying to log-in to the website.

I could go on-and-on … (Backtrack through earlier posts on this issue if you are interested.)

Finally today I got this email from Ipsos-Reid which clarifies some things. And leaves many other questions unanswered:

Dear Mr. McCharles,

Thank you again for bringing this issue to our attention. There are two separate links:
www.join.parkslistens.ca is the official website for individuals who have received an invitation card to join the Parks Listens panel

www.parkslistens.ca is the login webpage for individuals who have already registered with the Parks Listens panel.

In order to clarify eligibility to participate in the Parks Listens panel and the prize draw contest, we have added more information to both web pages.

If you receive any further communication from visitors who are having technical difficulties on the http://www.join.parkslistens.ca website, please direct them to our email address parkslistens-parcecoute@ipsos-reid.com and will assist them.

Sincerely,

The Parks Listens Panel Team

You cannot join the survey without an invitation. Those you can only get by visiting the Canadian Mountain National Parks and being randomly selected.

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Red’s Meadow – Mammoth, California

When I staggered into Red’s Meadow off the John Muir Trail I had — like most hikers — a wide grin on my face.

What’s not to love?

The well-stocked General Store has groceries, sporting goods, fishing tackle, sundries and souvenirs. If you’re hiking the back-country, you can have a supply package sent to yourself at The Resort.

The Mule House Cafe serves up delicious home cooked meals. Both open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. … The resort is located at the comfortable elevation of 7,500 feet.

Red’s Meadow Pack Station and Resort – A Sierra Nevada Vacation Paradise

I had dinner at the Mule House with two grizzled thru-hikers named Bigfoot and Captain America.

My only complaint — why the $18 / site camping fee at nearby Inyo National Forest Reds Meadow Campground? The night I was there every thru-hikers site had only 1 person.

Inyo has a designated camping area for thru-hikers. But it’s with the car campers!

Why not have a walk-in backcountry camp for hikers? Note that the designated hiker’s sites in Glacier National Park near the Swiftcurrent Motel are free. The camping near the hot springs at Muir Ranch is free.

If Inyo wants to encourage people to walk — reducing environmental impact — why are they not encouraging self-sufficient, low impact thru-hikers?

Why are they catering to, even subsidizing, car camping?

I’ll contact Inyo with my “suggestion”.

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Inyo National Forest

PS — Hikers generally do not complain because they are so happy with the wonderful natural hot spring showers at that campground. For some, $18 is a small price to pay.

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Best National Parks Lodges USA

If I won a million dollars I’d take a tour of the great wilderness lodges of the World.

If I won only a hundred thousand dollars I’d start with a tour of the American lodges.

Here’s the top 10 in the States as selected by Sherman’s Travel:

  1. The Ahwahnee
  2. Big Meadows Lodge
  3. Camp Denali & North Face Lodge
  4. Crater Lake Lodge
  5. Jenny Lake Lodge
  6. Maho Bay Camps
  7. Many Glacier Hotel
  8. Phantom Ranch
  9. Volcano House
  10. Zion Lodge

10 Best Lodges in the National Parks | National Parks Traveler

National Geographic chose these five:

  1. The Ahwahnee – Yosemite National Park, California
  2. Old Faithful Inn – Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
  3. Big Meadows Lodge – Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
  4. Kennicott Glacier Lodge – Wrangell–St. Elias National Park, Alaska
  5. Sperry Chalet and Granite Park Chalet – Glacier National Park, Montana

National Geographic

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Big Meadows Lodge, Shenandoah National Park – Travelocity

Yes, these lists are very subjective. More conversation starters than anything else.

On my grand Lodges tour I’d put together my own definitive top 10 list.

Any other great Park hotels you would include on your own list? Worldwide? If so, leave a comment below.