Best hikes, treks, tramps in the world.
The Gear Junkie researched a terrific post – Origins of the Swiss Army Knife.
It’s essential hiking gear, for me.
At the Calgary airport you can buy confiscated knives (and many other items) every Tuesday morning starting at $2 each. It’s a charity fund-raiser.
Check your local airport to see if they do the same thing.
… 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)
