Category: cost

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State Of The USA National Parks

hiking-big-bend-national-parkKurt Repanshek posted a comprehensive overview:

The arrival of 2017 has opened a new chapter for the National Park Service and the National Park System, one that in the first days of the Trump administration and the Republican-controlled Congress is fraught with concern over both the stability of the agency and the health of the parks.

  • The administration wants to reduce the size of the federal workforce.
  • Nominees for key agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy could support initiatives detrimental to natural resources.
  • Republicans in Congress are pushing to limit, if not entirely do away with, use of the Antiquities Act by presidents to designate national monuments.
  • Budget increases for the Park Service, feeble during the past eight years, could be even more meager.

It’s too early to say how these will play out, but they all bear watching. …

National Parks Traveler 

Personally, I’m very worried for ALL the American Parks. Republicans are not often friends of outdoor recreation. 😦

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West Coast Trail reservations start Jan 9, 2017

Our #1 hike in the world is the West Coast Trail.

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AT A GLANCE

  • wctma75 km (47 mi), 5-7 days traditional route
  • 3-5 day routes possible via Nitinat
  • southwestern edge of Vancouver Island
  • Pacific Rim National Park
  • Permits required May 1 – September 16 September 30
  • extremely rugged, requires a high level of fitness
  • 6,000+ backpackers / year
  • permits limited and in high demand — WCT Trail reservations
  • … most expensive hiking permit in Canada
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West Coast Trail, Canada

Mike and Lara are MB Guiding.

They’ll organize your hike to many different destinations in B.C.

For example they’ll guide you on the West Coast Trail for C$1650 in 2017.

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The West Coast Trail is our #1 hike in the world. A life changing adventure.

Experienced hikers can easily do it independently, however. The MB WCT information page is an excellent resource for everyone.

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Thanks Hendrik.

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U.S. Sr Parks fees go up. Canada free in 2017.

National Parks Traveller – UPDATED: Price Of Senior Pass Going To $80; Buy It Now For $10

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Canada’s National Parks Are Free in 2017:

In honor of Canada’s 150th birthday, all 47 of Canada’s diverse national parks will offer free Discovery Passes for any and all visitors—Canadian or otherwise …

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Nepal – Dhaulagiri Circuit guided

This is a challenging trek around Dhaulagiri the world’s seventh highest mountain crossing two Himalayan passes. …

There is an option to climb Dhampus Peak at an altitude of 6,060m for those with previous mountaineering experience. If you like to climb Dhampus Peak there is an extra charge to cover the cost of the climbing permit.

The Mountain Company has organised eight successful treks around Dhaulagiri Circuit since Spring 2008 …

The Mountain Company

Cost about $150 / day for 20 days out of Kathmandu = US$2,895. Budget flights to and from Kathmandu plus extras.

Click PLAY or watch highlights of a 2013 Circuit on YouTube.

MountainIQ has independent information on this trip.

Compare Dhaulagiri to the rest of our best hikes in Nepal, many of which you can do independently for far less cost.

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Why spend MONEY on a hiking holiday?

Psychology Professor Thomas Gilovich from Cornell University has made four studies on the subject over decades and came to the conclusion that happiness is derived from experiences, not things. …

Experiences also reflect more of who we really are. They are closer to our inner selves as we are, according to Gilovich, “the sum total of all our experiences.” And as such, when they are shared, experiences allow us to get closer to others in a way impossible with inanimate objects that we can buy. …

Want Happiness? Buy Experiences, Not Things, Says a Cornell Psychologist

A couple of tourists walk on a trail below the Matterhorn mountain in Zermatt on June 30, 2015. The resort celebrates this year the 150th anniversary of the iconic Alpine mountain's first climb. AFP PHOTO / FABRICE COFFRINI (Photo credit should read FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images)
A couple of tourists walk on a trail below the Matterhorn mountain in Zermatt on June 30, 2015. The resort celebrates this year the 150th anniversary of the iconic Alpine mountain’s first climb. AFP PHOTO / FABRICE COFFRINI 
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Makalu Base Camp trek

by site editor Rick McCharles 

As I’ve done most of the easily accessible major hikes in Nepal next time I’m planning on Makalu. Cost most likely between $3000 – $4000. I’m hoping to do it for less with one Guide and carrying my own pack.

Sathya did it independently in 2012.

Mountain IQ has a good overview.

Though not visited by many hikers each year, there are some tea houses available now.

Click PLAY or get a glimpse on YouTube. Two feet of snow on day 8 en route to Base Camp.

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independent trek – Huayhuash Circuit, Peru

Megan “Hashbrown” Maxwell did Huayhuash alone and independently. She’s one tough hiker.

Still … she felt Huayhuash was the toughest hike of her life.

The Huayhuash Circuit is a beast of a trek. I would only recommend it if you have done a trek before and have an idea of what you’re getting into. I would only recommend going guide-less if you are at a confident level of backpacking experience, have taken the time to acclimatize, and are physically fit and able to carry a pack loaded with a week of food.

The guidebook for this trail is Peru’s Cordilleras Blanca & Huayhuash, available on Amazon. I found this to have all the information I needed …

This circuit goes over a pass everyday, ranging from 15,400 to 16,500 feet (4,690 to 5,050 meters). This means you will be hiking slower than usual, due to the altitude, and the walking itself is physically taxing. This also means that you will have spectacular views of the Andes every single day. …

Cordillera Huayhuash Circuit: Planning and Preparing

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Huayhuash

Huayhuash map

That adventure was the best hike of my life. If you want know more, click over to our Huayhuash information page.

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Roraima trek, Venezuela

Stingy Nomads:

Mount Roraima is the highest of the many Table Mountains (tepuis) scattered over the grasslands of The Grand Sabana. The strange rock formations, quarts fields that look like a diamond encrusted fairy land, insect eating plants and many high waterfalls gives the whole area unreal feel and have been an inspiration to writers and movie makers. It is thought to have inspired Arthur Cone Doyle’s book ‘The Lost World’, published in 1912 …

Tours are normally 6 to 8 days, taking three days to reach the top, then one to three days exploring the top and it takes two more days to come down the same trail. You cannot hike this route independent since a guide is compulsory. There are many companies in Santa Elena that offers all-inclusive tours; you can also try to find an independent guide to lead your trek. …

Roraima trek on a budget

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GRANITE GEAR – VIRGA 2 backpack

I bought the Virga 2, my 3rd Virga since seeing it recommended by gearjunkie in 2007. It is  lightweight at 1lb 3oz. But not all that durable.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

You can  buy directly from Granite Gear or Backcountry Gear.

Granite Gear does not seem to want to know me unless I live in the United States. In the end I bought from Amazon.com and had it shipped to an address in the States.

REI lists this pack, but does not have it in stock in many stores. 😦

Granite Gear truly does have crappy distribution.