Eric Hanson of BackpackingTV describes WHY he hikes.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
HOW to Hike Huayhuash, Peru
The best hike in the world for me personally was the Huayhuash Circuit,
We did rent a cook tent and hire a mule driver, but decided on our route independently.
Huayhuash is dangerous. Hikers have died there. This is arguably the best hike in the world but is appropriate only for robust, experienced high altitude trekkers.
The greatest danger is altitude sickness. We hired horses instead of mules so we could evacuate by horse, if necessary. Smart trekkers do some acclimatization treks out of Huaraz before catching the bus to Huayhuash.
Click PLAY or watch tips and gear recommendations on YouTube.
400km on the Cordillera Blanca Traverse, Peru
This is a route invented by Cam Honan 2014.
- 400 km (249 mi)
- 16-22 days
- more than 20 mountain passes ranging between 4,347 m and 5,201 m (14,262 ft-17,064 ft)
- 4 stages for resupply
The jumping off point is Huaraz, Peru, one of our top 10 hiking towns in the world.
If interested in being one of the first to complete this high alpine traverse, check Cam’s post:
A Quick & Dirty Guide to the Cordillera Blanca Traverse
To get an idea of the challenge, watch Austin Lillywhite’s CBT Video from 2017. (10min)
Mt Albert Edward, Vancouver Island
One of the best hikes in Strathcona Provincial Park on Vancouver Island, is Albert Edward, 2093m (6867ft).
Well known because it’s visible from Mount Washington Alpine Resort.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Read my trip report hiking up early morning from Circlet lake campground.
Mount Albert Edward is one of our best hikes in North America.
Kraig Adams does Laugavegur Fimmvörðuháls, Iceland
His most EPIC video yet, I’d say.
Plenty of drone footage.
River crossings were his greatest challenge. Happily, Kraig had comparatively good weather.
This is definitely the BEST and most POPULAR trek in Iceland.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
NEW smaller Bear Canisters
Mac:
BearVault has just released two new products, the BV425 “Sprint” and the BV475 “Trek“.
Both bear canisters meet Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC) grizzly bear testing standards as of May 2022 and are approved for use on the John Muir Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail.
… hikers now have twice as many options on offer from BearVault to help protect their food (and protect the bears) in the backcountry. …
Halfway Anywhere
Though canisters are bulky, I certainly do appreciate having a CAMP CHAIR when I carry one. 😀
#8 – Everest Base Camp / 3 Passes, Nepal
Everest Base Camp via 3 Passes is one of our top 10 hikes in the world.
Why?
Of dozens of fantastic treks in Nepal, the 3 Passes route is best of the best.
- October to November best months
- beginning of March to mid-May next best
- 16-18 days minimum for 3 Passes. 21 days would allow for rest / illness / sidetrip / and other unanticipated delays.
- if you don’t have time, it’s recommended 14 days just to get to Base Camp and back safely.
- wonderful photographic opportunities
- it’s fun to leave the main trails, take to the paths less traveled
- very little gear is needed
- you can easily get pack weight down to 10kg (22lbs)
- walk with no tent, stove or food. Stay in lodges, eat in simple restaurants. Books are often available for rest days.
- safe and easy to hike solo
- no need to speak Nepali, only English
- food is good and quite safe (compared with Kathmandu)
- Everest is the goal. But our favourite peak is Ama Dablam, much more visible en route.
World → Asia → Nepal → Everest Base Camp
Click PLAY or watch a 1 minute preview on YouTube.
For details click over to our EVEREST BASE CAMP / 3 PASSES information page.
ANYmal – the Hiking Robot
… scientists and engineers at ETH Zurich, a university in Switzerland, announced they created a fully autonomous robot that’s able to hike. The implications may be a bit frightening to some, but they’re also super-exciting, as they may have extremely useful implications for what hiking and national park trips look like 20 or 30 years into the future. …
Scientists Taught a Robot To Hike. Here’s What That Means for Future Adventure Travel.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
#7 – Otter Trail, South Africa
The Otter Trail is one of our top 10 hikes in the world.
Why?
Lush forests, rugged shorelines, river crossings, waterfalls and fragrant fynbos make this adventure at the southern tip of Africa unique. It’s strenuous, with lots of ups and downs …
- non-stop superb hiking
- one of our top 10 coastal hikes in the world
- Storms River Mouth to Nature’s Valley
- 42km
- 5 days, 4 nights
- huts or tenting
- permits are difficult to get as only 12 hikers start each day. December and Easter holidays are highest demand.
- Recommended to book 12 months in advance. (Because folks book so early, it’s often possible to get a last minute cancellation spot.)
World → Australasia → New Zealand → Tongariro Circuit
Click PLAY or watch a 1 minute preview on YouTube.
For details click over to our Otter Trail Information page.
Jet Suit Mountain Rescue
We proved you can scale a Lake District Mountain (3100ft Helveylln) in 3mins 30 seconds, despite very poor visibility that would have grounded a HEMS Helicopter.
The Mountain Rescue foot response is over 70 minutes typically.
The route was 1.2 miles and 2200ft of height gain.
This is the latest in a series of Paramedic Response Exercises to prove capability in parallel with training up real Paramedics to provide first response Critical Care in hard to reach geographies.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
