Best hikes, treks, tramps in the world.
… Tune in to bird songs by training yourself with this free app. Select your region to see the birds that are commonly heard there. You can sort the birds by name, how commonly they are seen, or their song style and listen to each bird’s unique tweets. The app also provides a picture of each bird to make spotting nearby tweeters easier.
Hate hats?
But need to shade your eyes …
What about a Bandana with a visor?
Perfect solution.
Watch a video.
I carry a regular buff but rarely seem to use it. For one thing, it’s shoddy in that only one side is “finished”. … This I might actually use.
by site editor Rick McCharles
I’ve done enough investigation this summer.
My first thru hike will be this:
… The CDT passes through many of the highest and wildest mountain regions of Colorado, such as the San Juan Mountains and the Sawatch Range. …
It is concurrent with the Colorado Trail for approximately 200 miles. The Continental Divide itself in Colorado meanders some 650 miles. There are many stretches of the Continental Divide in Colorado that have no distinct marked or named trail. …
All I need now is TIME one summer. And a solar powered, satellite blogging device.
Advice?
Leave a comment.
report by besthike editor Rick McCharles
I was a bit disappointed that you cannot hike to the “crater” of Sunset Crater near Flagstaff. It’s been off limits for decades due to erosion. The 1mi easy loop takes you only to the base.
Signage is interesting, though.
Sunset Crater Volcano was born in a series of eruptions sometime between 1040 and 1100. Powerful explosions profoundly affected the lives of local people and forever changed the landscape and ecology of the area. Lava flows and cinders still look as fresh and rugged as the day they formed. But among dramatic geologic features, you’ll find trees, wildflowers, and signs of wildlife – life returns.
NPS – Lava Flow Trail
I was first visitor early morning, keen to test my new camera / camcorder (Canon FS300). In sunlight and shade.
OK. … But not superb focus. … It’s still on all default settings.
trip report by besthike editor Rick McCharles
I couldn’t resist America’s Newest National Park (2004): The Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve in Colorado.
Explore any part of the 30 square mile dunefield you wish; there are no designated trails in the sand. …
… The “High Dune” is neither the highest in elevation nor the tallest in the park, but it looks that way from the main parking lot. It is about 650 feet (198 m) high. Cross the flats and zigzag up the ridgelines to reach it. The 360 degree view is inspirational. From High Dune, the largest dune you see to the west is the Star Dune, rising 750 feet (229 m). It is the tallest dune in North America, and is most dramatic when viewed from the park entrance. To reach it from High Dune, journey another mile and a half up and down across the dunes to its summit. …
I couldn’t tell which dune I climbed. … It looked to be the highest.
A few young people brought their own sand boards. Here’s one guy trying to get back up the steepest slope.
… My camera died on this adventure. Perhaps the blowing sand got into the moving parts.
See the last batch of photos ever (from that camera).
I find hiking canes too inconvenient. My hands need to be free to take a photo … or blow my nose.
But if I had poles that retracted mechanically whenever I wished, … I’d consider them.
Technology is getting closer. Shannon Davis reporting from the Outdoor Retailer show 2010:
Black Diamond’s Ultra Distance Z-pole. These things are unreal–eight-ounce carbon-fiber poles. They will be pricey ($149), and they will come in four fixed-length sizes. The poles fold like a tent pole with a protected inner bungie cord, and they snap to rigidity like an avalanche probe. The Distance model will be $20 cheaper, adjustable, and about and ounce heavier. …
Update: Similar technology in a walking stick. Thanks Daniel.
Chris Weiss:
… At this year’s Outdoor Retailer, one of the most hyped products around was Klymit’s Inertia X Frame camping pad. As you can see in the picture, the pad features a unique design with a variety of cutouts aimed at cutting weight and size. In fact, it packs down smaller than a soda can and weighs just 9.1 ounces. For comparison sake, the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir weighs 14 ounces and packs to the size of a one-liter bottle. …
The “lightest most packable camping pad in the industry” will cost $100 when it hits the market this fall, putting it well under the NeoAir.
Uncooped – Klymit Claims World’s Lightest Camping Pad
Sierra Trading Post:
In an attempt to educate us on what NOT to do outdoors, Teva’s The Naturist is back for season two of his hilarious web mini-series.
Much to our surprise, he is still alive and in one piece. Gavin McInnes is The Naturist…
… read more on the blog
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
GossamerGear Mariposa Plus
Golite Jam
ULA P-2/Catalyst
Mountain Laurel Designs Exodus
Mountainsmith Ghost
Jason Klass explains why in this video …
There are a lot of lightweight and ultralight packs out there and I’ve tried many of them. Here are my picks for the top 5 including their strengths and weaknesses.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
I’m sorry to say that my own pack, the Granite Gear Virga (VIDEO), did not make his list. He did choose it a number of years ago – best gear of the past 5 years.
related – Adventure Blog – The Best Backpack for Two Hours or Two Months (Sierra Magazine picks)
Guest post from Angie of Outdoor Look in the U.K.:
The English countryside, I would argue is the best in the world for walking and hiking.
With diverse scenery and terrain ranging from the magnificent sights of the Yorkshire Dales to the mountains and waterfalls of the Lake District, whether you’re after an adventurous hike up a mountain or a peaceful walk where you can take in some of the amazing sites, there’s something for everyone no matter what your time requirements of fitness levels.
With this in mind, I want to share with you 2 of my favourite UK walking holidays. So whether you’re after a full walking holiday, or a couple of days, please don your outdoor clothing and walking shoes and enjoy England!
1. Wainwright’s Coast to Coast – This is not an official walking trail, so not for the novice walker, but is one of the most beautiful walking holidays in the UK.
This walk starts in St. Bees on the Cumbria’s Western Coast and stretches across onto Robin Hoods Bay in the north of England, passing through three absolutely beautiful and picturesque national parks: The Lake District NP (pictured), The Yorkshire Dales NP and the North Moors NP.
This self guided walk which obtains its name from the well known travel writer, Alfren Wainwright, covers somewhere in the region of 200 miles of stunning and diverse terrain, which can be covered comfortably in 14 days – so you’ve got to be after a full walking holiday to attempt the whole of this walk.
There are also many alternative routes that are available if at two week walking trip is more than you are after in one go.
Most of the walking its self is not particularly demanding in this terrain, however, does have a few challenging areas along the way – all in all, the views and experience outweigh the effort by far. Normal hiking precautions should be taken, maps and compasses will be necessary along with good outdoor clothing and walking boots and a moderate level of fitness will be required. You’ll need to plan well before you go, to enable you to book suitable accommodation stops along the way.
More information can be obtained at: wainwright.org.uk/coasttocoast.html
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My second option is another one based in the North of England, sorry, I do live in the north so tend to go walking there more often, but there are many great places to hike in the south also.
The Cumbria Way – Starts off in Ulverston and cuts through Cumbria.
Passing through a lot of the Lake Districts most famous and spectacular scenery, so covers some of the same terrain as the previous walk, but is more manageable if you’re short of time. This walk is split up nicely into 5 manageable stages of approximately 14 miles each.
Some of the dramatic scenery you will encounter includes the famous beauty spot of Tarn Hows, the thunderous cascades of Slelwith Force, the delightful lake Elterwater and the extraordinary Langdale Pikes (pictured). Before ending in the historic Border city of Carlisle, you will walk along the valley to Derwentwater and pass through the quaint village of Caldbedk.
This walk can be comfortably completed in 7 days and requires a moderate level of fitness.
More information can be obtained at: thecumbriaway.info
Don’t hang about, get out your backpack, fill it with your favourite outdoor clothing, and walking shoes and head to the North of England for one or part of one of my favourite walks.If you’ve read this post and you’ve got any special places you like for walking or hiking in the UK, please share.
Check Outdoor Look for gear and hiking togs.
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