Best hikes, treks, tramps in the world.
Egg masala dosa, garlic naan and coffee.
The vegetarian restaurant at Pilgrim’s Book House. If you’re into trekking, climbing or spirituality, this is one of the best bookstores in the world.
I picked up a classic, Nepal Himalaya by H.W. Tilman (1952). Some reading to supplement my audio books. I’ll need it during my acclimatization days at altitude.
“dental tourism for hikers”
… I doubt anyone has ever strung those 4 words together.
In Nepal for trekking, I had a crown come loose.
Google results for “dentist Kathmandu tourist” were not all that helpful.
Still, I contacted 3 dentists by email looking for an appointment in the following two days.
Dental Spa gave me the most specific response, including expected prices. (US$20 if it was a simple recementing.) I like their website best, too. It had testimonials from other tourists and looked very good based on the photos.
In fact, they have a Dental Tourism page.
Dental Spa fit me in immediately. I had the crown attached and some additional cosmetic work fixing two chips.
That got me thinking, … hikers looking for an excuse to come to Nepal should schedule dental work months in advance. IF you can save on overpriced dentists in your own country, it will help subsidize your adventure in the world’s highest peaks.
Here’s my testimonial:
In Nepal for trekking I needed some dental work done fast. I was very happy with Dental Spa and the work they did on my teeth, short notice. There was no language barrier. The dentist speaks excellent English. I would recommend this office to any and all visiting the Himalayan kingdom.
Rick McCharles, Canada, editor BestHike.com
UPDATE: In the end I decided not to buy it. Too heavy. Too bulky when worn as a coat. … I’d really like something half as heavy, half as warm.
=== Original post:
Who would buy one of these things?
… I think I’m just about to.
I am looking at one right now. US$190.
I’ll use it as an extra layer with my fearfully thin and worn down bag.
I feel a little sheepish recommending a book glorifying what some would call industrial terrorists.
But I do.
Amazon.com Review:
Ed Abbey called The Monkey Wrench Gang, his 1975 novel, a “comic extravaganza.”
Some readers have remarked that the book is more a comic book than a real novel, and it’s true that reading this incendiary call to protect the American wilderness requires more than a little of the old willing suspension of disbelief. The story centers on Vietnam veteran George Washington Hayduke III, who returns to the desert to find his beloved canyons and rivers threatened by industrial development. On a rafting trip down the Colorado River, Hayduke joins forces with feminist saboteur Bonnie Abbzug, wilderness guide Seldom Seen Smith, and billboard torcher Doc Sarvis, M.D., and together they wander off to wage war on the big yellow machines, on dam builders and road builders and strip miners. …
–Gregory McNam
It’s offensive in many ways. But I enjoyed it thoroughly as many, many have before me.
Author Edward Abbey is a hero and inspiration to hikers.
The dangerous 800+mi Hayduke Trail in the American S.W. was named after the lead character.
I travelled and hiked over the past summer with 4 wicking t-shirts:
→ Patagonia
→ Adidas
→ Nike
→ MEC Rapidi-T
The best (and cheapest by far) was the MEC Rapidi-T.
On return to Canada I stocked up, buying 4 more short-sleeved. And 1 long-sleeved. (You never know when this product will be discontinued or the fabric changed.)
$18.00 CAD (US$16.80) – Made in Canada
Search the Mountain Equipment Co-op website (MEC.ca) for Product Number: 5014-990.
If you see me on the trail you’ll be near guaranteed that I’ll be wearing this shirt. MEC Breeze unlined nylon pants. And MEC Seamless Classic Briefs.
Be sure to check your policy when traveling out-of-country to ensure trekking is covered. I’m considering a trip to Hawaii and Asia.
I like World Nomads insurance. Here are the adventure sports covered and not covered for a Canadian:
Travel Nomads A-Z of Adventure Insurance
Hiking or Tramping is covered. But not Abseiling, Caving, Mountaineering or Rock Climbing.
The quote for me for 7wks is about US$200 anywhere in the world, including the USA:
A summary of the benefits are set out below. Please read the policy wording carefully for full details and age limits of any accompanying children.
Emergency Medical & Dental Coverage CAD $1,000,000Following an injury or illness during your trip your policy covers reasonable and customary costs for Medical, in-hospital, road ambulance and other treatment administered by a registered medical practitioner or paramedic.
Medical Transportation CAD $500,000If you require transportation to an appropriate medical facility to treat your injury or illness or to return you to your province or territory of residence, your policy will cover the reasonable and necessary transportation costs when pre-approved and arranged by World Access Canada.
Baggage Coverage CAD $2,500You are covered for accidental theft or damage to your luggage/personal belongings. Coverage is limited to $500 per item. Exclusions apply, including items left unattended in a motor vehicle.
Sporting Equipment Coverage CAD $2,500This policy provides coverage should your sporting equipment become lost by the Common Carrier, or damaged, or stolen provided you have taken all reasonable measures to protect, save and recover your property at all times. Coverage is secondary to any coverage provided by the Common Carrier.
Trip Cancellation CAD $1,000Trip Cancellation coverage reimburses you for the non-refundable portion of your pre-paid trip costs if you cancel your transportation/accommodation arrangements prior to your departure as a result of a covered reason.
Trip Interruption CAD $5,000Trip Interruption coverage reimburses you for covered losses you incur for trips that are interrupted or delayed after your departure date.
Travel Accident Coverage CAD $10,000This policy provides coverage should you suffer loss of life as the direct result of an injury while travelling as a ticketed passenger on a licensed Common Carrier.
Leave a comment if you have an opinion on this policy and price. Or if you know of better.
Oct. 31st – Nov. 8th, 2009
Speakers include Ultramarathon Man Dean Karnazes, Royal Robbins, climber Chris Sharma, speed climber Ueli Steck, and extreme skier / BASE jumper Karina Hollekim.
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I spent a week at the 2007 festivals. My review:
Good, not great.
I’ll likely never return mainly because hiking is very under represented in Banff. It’s all about mountaineering … despite the fact that most of those attending are not mountaineers.
No need to spend money traveling to Banff in November: … too late for hiking, too early for skiing.
Instead, I recommend you try to get a ticket for both of the two “World Tours”.
1) Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour
A selection of the winning films tour North America and abroad following the event. To find out when it’s going to play close to where you live, check the calendars linked from the official website.
2) Radical Reels
The Radical Reels Film Tour complements the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour, and focuses on dynamic, high-adrenalin films featuring sports such as skiing, climbing, kayaking, BASE jumping, snowboarding and mountain biking. …
Click PLAY or watch the 2009 trailer on YouTube.
Both are great. Super popular even with those who hate the outdoors.
Endurance Athletes To Pedal Hi-tech Boat Around Vancouver Island
Oct. 15, 2009 – One week from now, endurance athletes Greg Kolodziejzyk of Calgary and Jordan Hanssen of Seattle, WA will attempt a nautical circumnavigation of Vancouver Island, piloting the custom-designed, pedal-powered boat Within on its first long-distance ocean voyage. Greg and Jordan will launch Within on Friday, Oct. 23 from Comox, BC and will travel clockwise around the Island. If successful, this voyage will be the first-ever circumnavigation of the Island in a pedal-powered boat. …
read more – Endurance Athletes To Pedal Hi-tech Boat Around Vancouver Island
I’m actually close to Comox, B.C. right now, visiting my parents.
Unfortunately I’ll depart before the launch.
Good luck guys!
Fedak linked to an interesting post on the Fixing Your Feet (FYF) blog:
… I talk about moleskin because it has been around for so long. For years it was the standard hot spot and blister patching tool. In the next edition of FYF, I will make reference to moleskin as a product, which has seen better days.
Here are three reasons why:
Moleskin doesn’t stick
Moleskin doesn’t conform to the curves of the foot
Moleskin is too thick
read more – Moleskin Galore
No mention of my preferred foot repair product, Duct Tape.
That blogger likes (expensive) Drymax socks, by the way.
Have you seen the new tag line on Tom Mangan’s blog?
Two-Heel Drive is the Web’s oldest regularly updated hiking blog. Born as a general-interest hiking blog in the fall of 2005, it evolved into a Bay Area-focused blog in the summer of 2007. I had to shift focus again in the summer of 2009 because the job situation obliged me to relocate to the Triad region of North Carolina (Winston-Salem/Greensboro/High Point). …
I’m happy to see Tom still leading the way for hiking bloggers.
He’s a big part of a social networking website called EveryTrail.com:
EveryTrail Guides will lead you on your next adventure. Leave heavy guidebooks home – just print or download these guides to your iPhone or GPS to bring along with you. EveryTrail route maps and corresponding tips will be right at your fingertips wherever you travel.
Tom and Stuart Green of Trailspotting have expertly written a number of trail guides for the USA and Hawaii.
Users are adding more over time. GPS requested.
besthike.com 