Category: health & safety

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Chile protects 10 million acres of National Park

GREAT news.

… more than three times the size of Yosemite and Yellowstone combined, or approximately the size of the country of Switzerland. …

Patagonia National Park Chile and Pumalín National Park will be key destinations in the network of parks of Chilean Patagonia. These parks are already open to the public …

President of Chile and CEO of Tompkins Conservation Sign Decrees Creating 10 Million Acres of New National Parks

 This includes Tompkins Conservation’s two flagship parks, Patagonia and Pumalín

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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hiking (not climbing) Aconcagua today

The standard itinerary: 3 days, 2 nights camped at Confluencia.

From there I’ll hike part way at least up both the Plaza de Mulas and Plaza Fancia routes.

Confluencia is at 3200m. There’s a mandatory medical check on arrival.

It wasn’t easy but I managed to get a permit to hike independently and alone. Nor was it cheap – US$180 for the 3 days.

Trip report coming soon.

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OK … I’ve downloaded Viewranger

Apps and maps. For the first time I’m going to try navigating with them on the trail.

First download was Viewranger. It’s free for basics. You pay to download specialty maps.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Unfortunately their shop offers none for Chile nor Argentina.

I’m really keen on augmented reality showing me peaks, towns, lakes, cliffs, ridgelines, mountain passes, and even glaciers up to 20 miles away. That’s the Skyline feature available from within ViewRanger.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

It works with my Apple Watch too, though I may never use that feature.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Click PLAY or watch Alastair Humphreys on YouTube.

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Adventure Podcast – Episode 2: 10 Essentials of Hiking

Dave Adlard and Kraig Becker talk gear on their new audiocast.

Dave referred to his 2003 edition of Freedom of the Hills. The Ten Essentials first appeared in print in the 1974 version of that classic.

He and Kraig added 3-4 more essentials, only briefly touching on the non-essential electronics most of us carry.

Check it out:

The Adventure Podcast – Episode 2: The 10 Essentials of Hiking

.Wikipedia:

  1. Navigation. Topographic map and assorted maps in waterproof container plus a magnetic compass, optional altimeter or GPS receiver.
  2. Sun protection. Sunglasses, sunscreen for lips and skin, hat, clothing for sun protection.
  3. Insulation. Hat, gloves, jacket, extra clothing for coldest possible weather during current season.
  4. Illumination. Headlamp, flashlight, batteries. LED bulb is preferred to extend battery life.
  5. First-aid supplies, plus insect repellent.
  6. Fire. Butane lighter, matches in waterproof container.
  7. Repair kit and tools. Knives, multi-tool, scissors, pliers, screwdriver, trowel/shovel, duct tape, cable ties.
  8. Nutrition. Add extra food for one additional day (for emergency). Dry food is preferred to save weight and usually needs water.
  9. Hydration. Add extra 2 liters of water for one additional day (for emergency).
  10. Emergency shelter. Tarp, bivouac sack, space blanket, plastic tube tent, jumbo trash bags, insulated sleeping pad.

The textbook recommends supplementing the ten essentials with:

 

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Sham Valley trek, Ladakh, India

Brown Gal Trekker recommended we add Sham Valley to our list of the best hikes in Asia.

We did.

It looks ideal for a first adventure out of Leh before continuing on to higher elevations treks like Markha Valley.

Sham Valley is an acclimatization hike.

Realizing that the area of Sham Valley is remote in some aspects, combined with my lack of language skills and the lack of a decent map to guide me along, I decided to have a guide with me as a safety precaution.  That turned out to be a good decision …

I then hired a female guide trainee, Yangdol, from the Ladakhi Women’s Travel Group …

 As a start, we visited the monastery before beginning our Sham Valley trek.

The Indian Himalayas: Sham Valley Trek

Click through for a detailed trip report including video.

related – Trekking the Sham Valley Ladakh: Really a “Baby Trek”?! 

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PCT Thru-Hiker Survey (2017)

It’s here.

Mac’s annual resource compiled from Pacific Crest Trail hikers.

  • 566 completed surveys (up 48% from last year)
  • 57% Male, 42% Female
  • AVERAGE AGE 34 
  • USA 67.44%, Canada 6.98%, Germany 5.9%

Essential reading if you are planning a PCT hike.

If not the most interesting statistics are on gear.

The Annual Pacific Crest Trail Thru-Hiker Survey (2017)

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Everest – Beyond the Edge [2013]

Beyond the Edge is a 2013 New Zealand 3D docudrama about Tenzing Norgayand Sir Edmund Hillary‘s historical ascent of Mount Everest in 1953.

As well as featuring dramatised recreations shot on location on Everest and in New Zealand, the film includes original footage and photographs from what was then the ninth British expedition to the mountain.

It also includes audio from interviews with Hillary and recorded narration by expedition leader John Hunt. …

Click PLAY or watch the trailer on YouTube.

You can watch the entire film online free on YouTube. (1hr 39min)

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Review: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm

Cam Honan:

I recently returned from a two month hiking trip to Peru and Bolivia.

Due to the subfreezing conditions I was going to encounter, before setting out I decided to leave behind my beloved Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite, and opt instead for its thicker and warmer cousin, the Thermarest NeoAir XTherm.

It turned out to be a good decision. …

Ausangate Circuit

Review: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm Sleeping Pad