Best hikes, treks, tramps in the world.
From 2009.
… When bush pilot Luke Miller, 28, made an overnight stop at a friend’s hunting lodge in Southwest Alaska … he had no way to know that a large and very dedicated menace would, under cover of night, chew and claw his plane to shreds. …
Alaska Dispatch – An appetite for revenge
Yikes.
Andrew Skurka is the world’s greatest hiker, famed already for his 6,875mi Great Western Loop.
That was nothing compared to his most recent achievement.
…his 4679 mile (7530km) Alaska-Yukon Expedition set a new standard for all others to follow.
The route passed through some of the most remote places in the U.S. and Canada, crossing eight national parks and several mountain ranges in the process. As is typical, Andrew went alone and spent 176 days on the trail hiking, skiing, and rafting his way through the unforgiving wilderness.
Now, his full story is finally being told in the pages of National Geographic Magazine, which will feature Skruka’s adventure in the March issue that will be hitting newsstands soon. …
It was harsh.
Nat Geo already has the article online – Alaska Yukon Trek
Check the cool interactive map.
Phil Armitage posted an excellent trip report of their 2010 adventures on the Slims West trail, 64km (40mi) return.
Here’s their view from Canada Creek campsite:
… From the campsite at Canada Creek it’s 19km (12 miles) roundtrip, with 1200 meters (3,900 feet) of climbing, to the summit of Observation Mountain.
That doesn’t sound like a particularly strenuous day hike, but there’s Canada Creek to cross (twice, with the second crossing likely be harder than the one on the way out, as the water level rises during the day) and no trail for most of that distance.
The summer days are long at these high latitudes but still, don’t underestimate the time required. Most of the parties we met found the hike to be harder and longer than they had anticipated. …
read more – hiking the slims river west trail to the kaskawulsh glacier overlook on observation mountain
Their photos are STUNNING.
… On my trip I never made it past the first creek crossing.
Route finding is tricky. You might need gills to cross some streams in flood. And know that there’s been at least one hiker killed by bear there. Parks Canada shuts it down when the bears are sighted.
Phil recommends special footwear for the water and mud.
I’ve linked to Casey Anderson before. But this is the best video I’ve seen yet.
800-pound grizzly bear Brutus is the curious best friend to renowned naturalist Casey Anderson, who has raised him since birth. Together, they’ve set out on a yearlong mission to chronicle the lives of Yellowstone’s vulnerable grizzly bears.
National Geographic TV – Expedition Grizzly
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Many predict that Brutus will one day kill him. … Could happen.
(via Trend Hunter)
A $2000 piece of hiking gear.
The Wildlife TASER electronic control device is a revolutionary new multi-shot ECD that can engage multiple targets, and deliver a calibrated Neuro Muscular Incapacitation (NMI) pulse from up to 35 feet away.
The Range Adjusted Dual Laser System increases effectiveness, while providing a more humane means of animal control for wildlife. These devices have been proven effective for wildlife and are available today for wildlife managers, field biologists and zoo caretakers.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA):
… calls the X3W inhumane
Tasers cause uncontrollable muscle contractions and overwhelming pain. Humans and animals on the receiving end have died as a result of the shock. For these reasons, the National Animal Control Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association both recommend against their use. Aggressive methods should be explored only if one’s life is truly in danger.
In extreme nuisance wildlife cases, large wild animals (without young) can be live-trapped and relocated. …
read more – ABC 15
My old biomechanics professor, Benno M. Nigg at the University of Calgary, says … not necessarily:
His overall conclusion: Shoe inserts or orthotics may be helpful as a short-term solution, preventing injuries in some athletes. But it is not clear how to make inserts that work. The idea that they are supposed to correct mechanical-alignment problems does not hold up. …
NY Times – Close Look at Orthotics Raises a Welter of Doubts
He’s about to release a new book titled Biomechanics of Sport Shoes.
Of course many people swear by them, including this guy.
A climber who fell 1,000ft (305m) down a mountain and survived was found by his rescuers standing up reading a map.
Adam Potter, 36, lost his footing at the summit of Sgurr Choinnich Mor near Ben Nevis and plummeted down the near-vertical eastern slope.
Lt Tim Barker, from the helicopter rescue crew, said: “It seemed impossible… he must have literally glanced off the outcrops as he fell.” …
read more – BBC – Climber found reading map after 1,000ft fall
As a follow-up to last week’s post on Trekking the Annapurna Sanctuary in Nepal
David DeFranza writes something new to me:
Permits, Porters and Guides
The Annapurna Sanctuary trek is largely contained within the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), a national park that covers 7,629 square kilometers. Entry into the park requires the purchase of an ACAP Entry Permit. The permit requires an application and two passport photos. It costs about $60 USD and can be obtained in a single day from offices in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
In addition to this permit, all trekkers in Nepal are now required to register for and obtain a card through the Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS). This new card has replaced the controversial TRC permit introduced in 2006 and is available for free through a trekking agency, the Nepal Tourism Board, or the Trekkers Agencies’ Association of Nepal. The card can be issued in either Kathmandu or Pokhara.
Although people still circumvent the system, trekkers are now required to hire at least one Nepali staff member (a porter or guide) per group.
Many independent travelers are initially upset by this proposition. However, almost everyone who finds a knowledgeable guide from a quality company comes away admitting that it improved the overall trekking experience. …
read more – Matador – Trekking the Annapurna Sanctuary in Nepal
Independent hiking is still allowed in the Everest region. If you want to go it alone, that’s a big reason to bypass Annapurna and head for Lukla, instead.
Leave a comment if you know more about the mandatory guide regulation. It’s not clearly stated on the official government website.
Here’s an independent 2008 Circuit trip report – No Guide, No Problem! – The Annapurna Circuit
Frazil ice is a collection of loose, randomly oriented needle-shaped ice crystals in water. It resembles slush and has the appearance of being slightly oily when seen on the surface of water.
It sporadically forms in open, turbulent, supercooled water, which means that it usually forms in rivers, lakes and oceans, on clear nights when the weather is colder, and air temperature reaches –6°C or lower. Frazil ice is the first stage in the formation of sea ice. …
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. The most amazing bit is seeing the creek STOP flowing at 1min 50sec.
Thank George for sending us the link to this natural phenomenon.
A prototype unit just shown at the Outdoor Retailers show in Vegas Salt Lake City.
… The Bearier 700 is two polycarbonate halves (production models will likely be a translucent color) that can be carried separately while hiking.
Backpackers can split them up between hikers, or carry the halves separately in or on their packs, for easier access and packing while hiking …
… at less than 2 lbs, if the Bearier 700 passes the National Park Service’s bear test, it could be a contender for the lightest canister, space-to-weight. …
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
You could see these on the market as early as May 2011.
If interested, click over to Trailspace for the specifics – Outdoor Retailer: Baffling bears with the Bearier 700
besthike.com 