The Bear Grylls Story

One of the most important spokesmen for outdoor adventure.

Edward Michael “Bear” Grylls is a British adventurer, writer, television presenter and businessman.

He first drew attention after embarking on a number of adventures, and then became widely known for his television series Man vs. Wild (2006–2011).

He is also involved in a number of wilderness survival television series in the UK and US, such as Running Wild with Bear Grylls and The Island with Bear Grylls.

In July 2009, Grylls was appointed as The Scout Association’s youngest-ever Chief Scout of the United Kingdom and Overseas Territories at age 35, a post he has held for a second term since 2015. …

Click PLAY or watch his story on YouTube.

WHO is Hiking for Years?

Rebecca McPhee:

Long-Distance Hiking Roundup

  • Alexander Campbell – plans to walk 40,000km across 30 countries
  • Paul Salopek – possibly 15 years walking the original migration route of humans
  • Yann Busnel – 50,000km the southern tip of Africa, to Cape Horn, South America
  • Karl Bushby – Chile to England, around the world
  • Angela Maxwell –  32,000km across four continents and 14 countries
  • Juls Stoden – hiking to every bothy in the UK
Karl Bushby’s route so far

Chezwick – FASTEST Great Western Loop

Nick “Chezwick” Gagnon.

Thirteen pairs of hiking boots, 17 pairs of socks, and five headlamps. Nine U.S. states, six national parks, and 25 backpacker hostels. Approximately 15 million steps and 6,875.5 total miles.

These dizzying metrics come from hiker Nick Gagnon’s recent completion of the Great Western Loop, a massive thru-hike that links together sections of the Pacific Crest, Pacific Northwest, Continental Divide, Grand Enchantment, and Arizona trails in a nearly 7,000-mile circle.

Nobody knows how many hikers have completed the route, but only two others have documented their successful journeys: backpacker Jeff Garmire in 2018 and guide Andrew Skurka in 2007.

Garmier completed it in 208 days and 15 hours, while Skurka finished it in 213 days and six hours. …

Outside

Pa’lante V2 Backpack

I’m currently VERY happy with my Hyperlite.

Very!

But the Pa’lante V2 does have some features to envy.

And the $240 cost is very competitive.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Jupiter of JupiterHikes has used a series of Pa’lante packs on his thousands of miles of thru hikes. I found his personal review of the Pa’lante evolution both interesting and entertaining.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Constantine & Magpie – 30,000 miles

In six years, Constantine and Magpie have collectively hiked 30,000 miles. What do they do now that they’ve learned their lessons from—and found love on—the trail?

Their early November completion of the NCT (North Country Trail) also earned the duo five American hiking records in an instant. …

Constantine is the first person known to have thru-hiked the 11 National Scenic Trails, a gargantuan network that reaches almost every corner of the Lower 48.

His feat makes the Triple Crown of American hiking—the Pacific Crest, Appalachian, and Continental Divide Trails—seem like a Sunday stroll.

He believes he set an unofficial speed record on the 500-plus-mile Potomac Heritage Trail …

Outside – Meet the Couple Who Just Set 5 Long-Distance Hiking Records

R.I.P. Dervla Murphy

An Adventure Badass I much admired, I was sad to hear Dervla is gone.

Of her many travels, I think I liked best those she did with her daughter. Trekking Peru, for example, in Eight Feet in the Andes, over 1,300 miles high altitude with a mule.

Dervla Murphy (28 November 1931 – 22 May 2022) was an Irish touring cyclist and author of adventure travel books, writing for more than 50 years.

Murphy took a break from travel writing following the birth of her daughter, and then wrote about her travels with Rachel in India, Pakistan, South America, Madagascar and Cameroon.

…. In 2005, she visited Cuba with her daughter and three granddaughters.

Murphy normally travelled alone without luxuries and depending on the hospitality of local people. …

Cam Honan’s Himalaya Book

… Described by Backpacker Magazine as “the most travelled hiker on Earth”, Cam has trekked across 56 countries and six continents, logging more than 60,000 miles (96,500 km) in three decades. We sat down with him to discuss his experiences in exploring this region, and creating Wanderlust Himalaya in collaboration with gestalten. …

Q: What sets the Himalaya apart from other mountain ranges you have hiked before?

A: Apart from the fact that they’re higher, distinguishing qualities of the Himalaya include its iconic teahouses, Buddhist monasteries, and rich folklore. …

Q: Was there a specific moment or place during your hikes in the Himalaya that was memorable to you? And if so, why? 

A: I couldn’t pinpoint one specific moment or place. That said, among the standout features of all my journeys in the region has been the friendliness of the locals. Irrespective of the country, the hospitality I’ve encountered during my Himalayan treks is something I’ll never forget.  …

gestalten.com

Wanderlust Himalaya: Hiking on Top of the World is a coffee table photography book with route-plans for over 50 hikes.

This is the latest in a series. All excellent.

Wanderlust: A Hiker’s Companion (2017)

The Hidden Tracks: Wanderlust – Hiking Adventures off the Beaten Path (2018)

Wanderlust USA (2019)

Meet Superhiker J.R. Harris

To date, J.R. has circled the world some 13 times.

He has taken more than 50 multi-week trips in many of the most pristine places on the planet: the Andes, the Amazon, the Adirondacks, Alaska’s Yukon, Greenland, the Arctic Circle, Tasmania, you name it.

Wherever he goes—however he can—he embeds with the local population, bunking in homes that will have him and breaking bread in a language not his own. Otherwise, he is almost always alone.

It is no stretch to call him one of the world’s most prolific living solo explorers. …

The Greatest Traveler You’ve Never Heard Of
Colorado 1990
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