Category: cost

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adventurer rewarded for stupidity?


map-of-brooks-rangeDavid Roberts was air rescued in Alaska this past summer at a cost of over $90,000.

Though he had a lot of experience with arctic wilderness in Saskatchewan, the media is reporting that he was totally unprepared, and a “goofy guy”.

Roberts, a 54-year-old Australian, was trying to walk almost 100 miles across the Brooks Range wilderness when he set off a long-distance distress call on Friday. He’d been out there alone for two months.
…

He hauled a 140-pound sled full of supplies behind him, he said. A persistent stomach bug left him dehydrated while frequent, stabbing pains pierced his cold feet.

He traveled fewer than 40 miles in two months — far less than he’d expected.

…

Alaskans have little patience for seemingly ill-prepared adventurers, and news of the rescue prompted comparisons to another explorer who trekked into the wilderness 16 years ago — Chris McCandless. McCandless starved to death after trying to survive on his own for more than three months near Denali National Park.
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Roberts didn’t know who would have to pay for his rescue when he made the decision to get help, he said. “I didn’t presume that somebody else was going to pick up the tab on that.” …

Anchorage Daily News – Adventurer’s wilderness trek ends with air rescue, free hotel

Roberts will not be billed for the rescue costs.

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57,000 New Jobs in US National Parks?

As reported in Treehugger:

57,000 New Jobs Could Be Created in US National Parks

With the economy foundering at the moment, it’s not surprising that many people are proposing projects to the incoming Obama administration that will create new jobs and benefit the economy as a whole. A new report from the National Parks Conservation Association does its part for promoting reinvestment in the US National Parks system as another worthy area for green investment.

The report says that they are $2.5 billion worth of job-creating projects in the National Parks, and furthermore that for every dollar invested there it could bring back four dollars in value to the public. …

… read more

Certainly spending money on infrastructure is a good strategy for economic recovery over the coming years.

I’d be thrilled if building up the National Parks infrastructure is part of that. In the USA and around the world.

Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado
Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado

larger version – flickr – SC Fiasco

Next … we need to convince State governments to invest in State Parks. Florida, for example.

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scrambling Annapurna Base Camp, NEPAL

My old hiking buddy from South America 2004, Canadian Grant Assenheimer, just climbed down from the high Himalayas. He was on a “holiday” between assignments for Doctors Without Borders.

From Grant’s email:

Just got back from ABC and had a fantastic time. The ‘scare’ tactics used by the tour companies almost had me convinced that I should take a guide but it is TOTALLY NOT NECESSARY. Pass the word! Even if you are only moderately fit, you can easily do any of the teahouse trekking without a guide or porter.

grant.jpg
larger version – flickr

My favorite day was a scramble up from the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC). Although most people stop at ABC, I rounded up a couple of New Yorkers and the 3 of us did this great day trip UP to the base camp for Tent Peak, one of the smaller ‘trekking peaks’ in the area. We started at 4100 m, went down and crossed the stone-covered glacier and then climbed to 4800 m via a steep morrain, icy river through a narrow gorge and finally a bit of a slog through steep high-altitude grassy slopes. This gave us GREAT views of the Annapurna Range, Machapuchre and some other ‘lesser’ 5 and 6 thousand meter peaks. The way UP was a bit challenging (ie. GREAT) because we didn’t see the PATH until we were already pretty much at the top. Lets just say that the way down was MUCH easier and didn’t involve navigating that icy river in that steep canyon or the 60 degree grassy slopes…

I also read Annapurna by Herzog during the hike. Wow. All I can say is that the Nepal of today is NOTHING like the Himalayas of the early mountaineers. I mean, they actually walked in from India. No apple pie or internet cafe waiting at 4000 m for them. What a story.

I started in Phedi, walked to ABC and then came out via Gorenpani and Poon hill. Truly spectacular and worth putting up with everyone else for the views. Definitely NOT a wilderness experience but if you go in without expecting one, its a great time.

nepal.jpg
larger version – flickr

Thanks Grant.

The Base Camp is the best side trip off the famed Annapurna Circuit.

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an elephant in the lobby

A regular occurrence at the Mfuwe Lodge in the South Luangwa National Park in Zambia where the lodge was unwittingly built on the Elephant’s traditional path through to some wild mango trees on the property.    The herd of a dozen or so elephants walk through the lodge’s reception area at least twice a day for about 4 weeks and then sporadically for about another 3 weeks to feed on the trees.   No incidents reported to date! 

elephant-in-lobby.jpg

more photos – Elephants march through hotel lobby after it was built on their migration trail – Gossip Rocks

I’d love to spend a night there. ($300 / night during high season.)

mfuwe-pool.jpg
larger original – flickr

Thanks Rocco.

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hiking Hawaii on the cheap

I hiked Hawaii for the first time this past Spring. And it’s been much on my mind since.

When can I get back for more?

My friends Lexi and Kelly hiked in Kauai this past year too. They very much liked Polihale State Park:

kauai-kelly.jpg

Also the Nualolo and Awaiawaipuhi trails:

nualolo.jpg

We agreed that Hawaii can be VERY inexpensive. You only need a tent, a rent-a-car and hiking packs. Beach campsites in Kauai cost $3-5 / night.

My inexpensive lunch with a view:

hawaii-on-the-cheap.jpg

  • related besthike posts tagged “Kauai”
  • related article: Hawaii on a Dime – NY Times
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    Grand Traverse, New Zealand for $100

    The Grand Traverse starts on the shores of Lake Wakitipu and stretches the length of the Greenstone and Routeburn Valleys, crossing the main divide twice in the process. The Greenstone and Routeburn Tracks have long been New Zealand’s most accessible and popular routes into the spectacular South Island high country.

    The Grand Traverse passes through two national parks: Fiordland and Mount Aspiring, and is part of Te Wahipounamu, South West New Zealand World Heritage Area. The pristine bush is home to a myriad of native birdlife: the Robin; Kea; Fantail; Parakeet; Bellbird; and Yellowhead, just to name a few. The sheer isolation and raw beauty of the Greenstone provide the perfect stage for the breathtaking scenery of the Routeburn. An unsurpassable combination to make a memorable walking experience. …

    Ultimate Hikes – Official Booking Site – Milford and Routeburn Tracks, Fiordland New Zealand – Ultimate Hikes

    =====

    Sure you could sign on with the tour (above). It costs between $1,600 and $2,500 New Zealand, depending on what optional extras one prefers. … Or you could do it independently like Scottwoz for about $100.

    Here’s his independent trip report:

    manmeetsworld1114389900dsc00868.jpg

    … Most of the scenery and landscape we covered was nothing short of spectacular and over the course of the five days we got to see a lot more than we should have, certainly more than the law of averages would normally allow. We hiked, on average, around six hours each day and covered an incredibly diverse terrain. …

    In the Thick of it … The Grand Traverse, New Zealand – trip report

    Sign me up.

    I’m planning a return to New Zealand in 2011.

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    hike the West Coast Trail Aug. 23rd

    From email:

    I have a two-person permit for the West Coast Trail for park entry from Port Renfrew on Saturday August 23rd, 2008. Unfortunately I have broken my ankle and will not be able to make the trip. I am also no longer able to obtain a refund as I am within the 21 day cancellation window. I thought that you might be connected to a network of folks who may be interested in using my reservation as I know they are difficult to come by. My cost was $300 US, but I would consider any reasonable offer. Thank you for your time.

    Nick Juhle

    734.717.7294

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    Alpacka Raft for hiking

    AT bought an Alpacka Raft.

    I’m jealous.

    alpackaraft-66-3.jpg

    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:

    calgary-waterton.jpg

    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 #5 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 #2) best hike in the world — the John Muir Trail, in California.