great website for hiking Paine, Chile – Vertice Patagonia

From our last post on Paine:

But organizing an independent hiking adventure in that far off part of the world can be frustrating. Management of the Park is convoluted & confusing. Two private companies (Andescape & Fantastico Sur) share responsibilities with the federal government & run the mountain huts (refugios). A third company Vertice Patagonia runs one large Lodge and campground. Pathagone has some role, as well.

Some of these companies have websites, but none are particularly helpful — unless you want to sign on for a guided trek.

planning for The Towers of Paine

Alex von Bischhoffshausen took the time to write and point out that their site — Vertice Patagonia — is never down.

When I went to take another look, I was impressed. So impressed that we are now going to recommend Vertice Patagonia as the first site hikers check when booking on-line.

Published in German and English, it could not be more clear on how hikers can book accommodation. Rates are clearly posted and very competitive.

I’m personally embarrassed because in 2004 I actually toured their immaculate Paine Grande Mountain Lodge and had lunch in their terrific campground facilities. Everything was first class.

Vertice Patagonia rents all the gear you could possibly need to hike Paine. In fact, Vertice Patagonia is all you need to get organized.

My apologies Alex for slighting your fine organization. I have Canadian friends looking to come down for the 2007 season and I will recommend they contact you first.

details on how to get to Paine – besthike.com

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“the most shameful act in the history of mountaineering”

It was the most shameful act in the history of mountaineering: 40 climbers, including a large number of guides and clients from a team offering climbs for profit, stepped over a dying independent mountaineer en route to summit. On their way down from the top, they stopped and video filmed a chat with the fading climber, for an upcoming documentary.

Everest – Mount Everest by climbers, news

exploring the world by internet




Capo Testa 12

Originally uploaded by ANTONAMON.

ANTONAMON from the Netherlands loves to photograph mountains and rivers, rocks and sea. He says at 73 he is now too old for hiking trips but he browses the internet to see what’s out in the world.

“I stay at the coast and try to picture the eternal struggle between rocks
and waves.”

web search: Google, Live, Yahoo

Hoo hoo!

First time ever besthike.com has reached #1 on any of the 3 major search engines.

Microsoft Live ranks us #1 for the search term “best hikes”. Google #9 and Yahoo #2.

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Our list of the best hikes in the world is the best we know of on the web. It’s nice to know people can find us.

Antelope Canyon, Arizona – polluted

I love the Colorado Plateau in the Four Corners region of the American Southwest. It’s arguably the best hiking region in the world.

The Navajo Generating Station is a coal-fired powerplant on the doorstep of Page, Arizona. The three 236m chimneys loom over the “most-visited and most-photographed slot canyon in the American Southwest” — Antelope Canyon.

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What a shame!

Disclosure — I live in Alberta which is a heavy coal-burning part of the world. But we hide our plants away from tourist sites.

the changing role of the Park Ranger

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an end-of-the-season post from a park ranger, who has some interesting insights into the changing role of the Park Ranger.

They’ve gone from being naturalists to cops, and they’re more likely to be responding to a domestic dispute at a campground than caring for the park or its inhabitants.

A pet peeve? The people that can’t get away from it all without bringing it with them. Leave the big-screen TV at home, it’s the outdoors…

Trout Underground » Ranger Gord’s Ranger Rant…

US hiking in decline?

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… according to an annual survey by the Outdoor Industry Foundation, a Boulder, Colo.–based nonprofit affiliated with the Outdoor Industry Association … while backpacking is still a vital activity, with an estimated 13.5 million American participants last year, that figure represents a 22.5 percent decline since 1998.

… More disturbing yet to backpacking enthusiasts, young people are snubbing the backcountry in even bigger numbers, evidenced by a 32 percent drop in backpacking among 16- to 24-year-olds since 1998.

Packing It In. A great Northwest pastime—backpacking—is getting a little too gray. – Seattle Times

Is hiking really in decline? Is it changing?

Hikers I know are doing more ridge walks and scrambles. Others are planning thru hikes.

Worldwide I’m certain hiking is on the increase. The internet is making it easier to plan, communicate and organize hikes.

These stats are a blip, I reckon. Hiking everywhere, including the States, will become more popular in the future.

(via The Adventure Blog)

Mt. Cook in New Zealand

The classic hike close to the highest peak in New Zealand was the Copland Pass Track — but it has been closed to the general public for years. Landslide made it too dangerous.

The best alternative is the guided Ball Pass Trek, a 3-day trek spending two nights at Caroline Hut 1830m (6000ft).

Alpinists may prefer the toughter Fitzgerald Pass route (Jubilee Route from Mt. Cook to the Copland Valley).

Know that the weather is often horrendous. It may be days before you see the top of Aoraki (cloud piercer).

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Ball Pass route

Ready to fly to Fiji? – update

The adventure begins.

So far, 937 people from 28 countries have signed on. The first have arrived in Fiji.

Wish I was there with them.

Video clips on USA Today.

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First posted May 30, 2006:

This is not reality TV – this is real life. Be part of a real adventure. Join the tribe.

TRIBEWANTED is looking for 5000 people from around the world to camp on an island, building a sustainable eco-community.

Cost: Flight plus memberships — Nomad ($220), Hunter ($440) and Warrior ($660) — entitles you to 7, 14 or 21 days on the palm-fringed 200-acre oasis. Fees cover food, lodging and local airport transfer.

Details at tribewanted.com

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