Category: uncategorized

Walking and camping the remote Scottish islands?

Are you crazy? The weather is TERRIBLE.

In September 2003, I started my attempt to become the first person to sleep on all of the 162 Scottish islands over forty hectares.

On 29 August 2007, I completed the UK’s greatest ever challenge, when I left Soay St. Kilda. …

I do not believe that what I have achieved will ever be repeated.

Island Man – Adventurer Exploring Scottish Islands | Island Man

Andy is planning an even bigger island adventure.

Decorator bags all 162 in four years – and throws down the gauntlet to others

After Munros, a new challenge: a night on every Scottish island – Guardian

Larry Smith of AeroVestâ„¢ asked me to test their ultralight, air inflated survival vest.

It works exactly as advertised. I highly recommend this product. And it’s very inexpensive at $15.

I tested it in the Tombstone mountains in the Yukon, not far from the Arctic Circle, inflating the vest in the evening and then sleeping in it all night. (This is me the following morning.)

As you can see, I survived.

AeroVest Survival Vest

The 2 oz. AeroVestâ„¢ is compact, lightweight and inexpensive insurance against emergencies. It packs up smaller than a deck of cards yet inflates into a full sized emergency vest that shields you from wind and rain. The silver lining refects radiated heat back to you while the 18 air pokets insulate you from the cold. …

* 18 air pockets help keep heat in, cold out.
* Your 98.6 degree breath provides instant warmth
* Bright Yellow/Orange exterior for increased visibility in an emergency
* AeroVestâ„¢ comes in a single size that can fit teens and adults up to XL (men’s 46 jacket)

PreparedPilot.com

It’s not necessarily something you need to add to your basic hiking kit — but the AeroVest would be ideal for a hiker to keep in the trunk of a vehicle, in a boat or at the cabin. Any place in fact where hypothermia is a risk.

Say that you’re planning to walk across Corsica and many assume that you’re heading for the GR20, a challenging 110-mile trail that bisects the mountainous island from north to south. As a relative beginner, I opted instead for the 50-mile Mare a Mare Sud, a gentler path that winds from Propriano in the south-west to Porto Vecchio in the south-east.

Where to stay:

Walker’s hostels called gites d’étappe provide basic but clean accommodation and decent food for about €35 per night.

In early May the hostels were half-empty and advance booking wasn’t necessary, but from June to August they can fill up quickly and reservation is recommended. Some of the hostels close from October to April. There are also some guest houses along the route, which need to be booked in advance as they may close without notice if business drops off. Each of the stop-off points has a campsite, but camping outside these areas is not allowed.

When to go:

Late spring and early autumn are the best times for walking. The route is passable for most of the year but is more difficult in the winter, when snow covers the higher stretches. In July and August the route is busy despite the heat.

Walking coast to coast across Corsica – Times Online

more information – Corsica.forhikers.com

Great Southeastern Hiking Festival Conference (fee)
May 3 – 6, 2007
Montreat, North Carolina

and

FREE Public Festival
Saturday May 5
From 9 AM – 7 PM
In Downtown Black Mountain, NC

American Hiking Society: Alliance: Southern Appalachians Initiative

(Thanks Sandra. Florida Hikes)

Appalachian Trail Days
May 18-19-20 2007
Damascus, Virginia

Trail Days celebrates the Appalachian Trail and the hikers, former hikers and aspiring hikers who converge there each year.

official website

It’s difficult to capture spectacular Multnomah Falls in one photo.

original – flickr – SqueakyMarmot

original – flickr – by righto…. 2005

more photos on flickr.

Multnomah Falls – Wikipedia

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the top 10 treks in the world – 5 months?

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Roraima

Originally uploaded by txago.

One day …

You too should climb to the Lost World, Roraima on the border of Venezuela, Brazil & Guyana.

It’s the highest “tepui” (flat-topped, cliff-edged mountain) at 2810m (9219ft). Recommended 6-day, 5-night round trip trek to the summit.

information page – besthike.com