“I don’t know how else to explain … it’s CRAZY.”
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. Expedition Alaska 2015.
Snowman Trek, Bhutan – Fastest Known Time attempt
Wow. This looks epic.
A team of Ultra-marathon runners (Benjamin Clark, Timothy Olson, Anna Frost, & Matt Trappe) journey to Bhutan to set a speed record on the world’s hardest trek.
But Bhutan’s Himalayan landscape isn’t welcoming to athletes unused to the conditions, and it’s inhabitants must be persuaded to let the runners pursue their dream.
The result is a shared accomplishment and an adventure that constantly teeters on the edge of total failure.
It’s going to be launched in select U.S. theatres May 17, 2018.
Click PLAY or watch a trailer on YouTube.
North Coast Trail, Vancouver Island
My Feet Hurt:
I hiked the North Coast Trail from August 27 to September 1 in 2014. I spent 5 nights and 6 days on the trail.
The North Coast Trail might be very, very tough.
We recommend easier alternatives to the standard route. There are other similar hikes on Vancouver Island of course, all easier than the NCT.
4 Wheel Bob – the film
Having been on Bob’s support team for his 2007 ascent of 14,252-foot (4344m) White Mountain Peak, California, I can highly recommend his inspiring documentary.
Bob’s smiling here. But let me confirm that trip was bloody tough. I could never possibly have made it in his chair.
The new film covers his attempt to cross 11,845-foot Kearsarge Pass in the Sierra Nevada. It’s much rougher than White.
Click PLAY or watch the trailer on YouTube.
Click through for details.
4wheelbobfilm.com
protecting food from bears
Andrew Skurka:
Personally, I own a BearVault BV500 and Ursack Major. I use the BV500 when it’s required, and the Ursack Major in areas with bears and/or mini-bears but without canister regulations.
Buyers guide: Bear canisters || Comparison of volume per weight & cost
Good advice. I do the same.
I’m still using a clear BEARVAULT BV500. Or an Ursack.
The canister is a little better, but bulky.
I hang my Ursack, when I can.
But in areas with bears — and inappropriate trees — tying directly to a tree at eye level works too. I’ve never had a bear approach my food … though I did once have a mouse get inside the Ursack.
North American Avalanche Danger Scale
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
BEST pit toilets – Ecodomeo
- toilets work completely without water
- do not require any additional material (chemicals, saw dust, etc.)
- less odour than traditional pit toilets
- far less maintenance
I learned about this system from the Outside magazine podcast –
Ep. 19: An Amazingly Crappy Story
Canadian researcher Geoff Hill is now putting the French design into National Parks in North America.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
related – Williams, Brennan – Risks And Benefits of the Use of Urine-Diverting Vermicomposting Toilet Systems
Cam Honan – Arthur Range Traverse, Tasmania
Cam Honan has hiked everything. Everywhere. But for me his most impressive trips have been his extreme Tasmania epics.
Floating rivers on his NeoAir mattress, for example.
For us mere mortals, he summarized his advice on a route called Arthur Range Traverse.
It’s only 48 miles (77km) but will take you 10-14 days, on average. With no resupply. You carry all that food on your back.
If not already decided there’s no way that sounds like fun, click through to …
Arthur Range Traverse Planning Guide
how to cross rivers safely
The Pacific Crest Trail Association posted a terrific, thorough summary.
Stream crossing safety while hiking and backpacking
Nahuel Huapi Traverse – day 4
trip report by site editor Rick McCharles
Refugio Segre (Italia) to Bariloche
day 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | video | info page
After surviving day 3 I assumed day 4 would be a breeze. A stroll down to the lake.
No. ☹️
It’s very difficult and perhaps the most dangerous section of all.
It’s another early morning scramble to navigate along the far side of Laguna Negra. Some fixed ropes help on the downclimb.
Alone I was following the Lonely Planet route on my phone, increasingly distancing myself from all the day hikers heading a different direction up to a famed ridge lookout.
Very unsure, I changed heading and followed them up to a fantastic vista.
Turns out there are at least 2 routes out of Laguna Negra. Almost nobody does the LP variation any more.
From the ridge it turned out I’d be the only one that day trying for Lopez hut and Bariloche. Everyone else decided to take the easy way down including the big guided hiking group.
I was feeling fit and healthy. The weather perfect. Again.
I had to go for it.
Next — what else — a scramble along another ridge.
The views were beautiful today. Prettiest yet.
I came to the long, painful scree descent to another green, boggy valley. I crawled under a scrub tree at the bottom just to get some shade.
The similarly long ascent is on large, loose, sharp frost shattered rock. Going up is dangerous. I met 2 Argentinians descending there. SUPER dangerous. The worst of many bad slopes.
It took me about 2 hours of steady climbing to finally gain the ridge. It wasn’t until this point that I was convinced I would make the Traverse. The lake looked very close.
This was my final pass. It’s all downhill from here.
How to descend? Both left and right looked possible, but neither was appealing.
Turns out the trail takes you directly over the top of the rocks blocking the route.
There’s Lopez hut way below. Hours below.
It’s all scrambling to get there.
This seasonal snow melt tarn is one of the water sources for the hut.
I was getting close to civilization, however.
Here’s a water catchment pond at the hut. Not looking potable.
I got bad vibes in every way from Lopez hut. It’s privately run. Avoid it if you can.
I had lunch. Then headed down a likely looking trail with an escort.
Turned out I’d chosen a disused path on the wrong side of the creek.
Once we crossed to the true right, I quickly found the main trail down.
It was about a 2 hour wait for the next bus to town.
Jumping off close to my hostel I ran into British friends who had just returned from a different hike. We enjoyed a big carne and red wine feast at a Parilla restaurant on the lake.
Celebration. 🍷
day 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | video | info page
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