Category: video

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hiking Angeles National Forest, California

Escaping the smog of LA is not so tough.

You could drive up to Mt. Whitney.

Or what about Timber Mountain via Icehouse Canyon in Angeles National Forest?

Modern Hiker posted a terrific trip report with photos, video, Google map, a flickr photo set, … (Is this blog GREAT, or what!)

Theirs was a challenging 10mi day hike with the wind blowing hard. But you could do a multi-day trip via Ice House Saddle if you prefer.

I opened the door to the Mount Baldy Visitor’s Center and walked inside. The warm, dark wood interior was a welcome respite from the howling winds outside. The rangers stood behind their desk – a bearded man and blond woman – smiling at me.

“Hi. I’d like a permit for the Cucamonga Wilderness.”

Still smiling, the woman said, “We are not recommending anyone go up there today.”

“Oh?”

The man chimed in. “We’re measuring wind gusts at 60 miles an hour. I almost got knocked down today.”

“But of course, we can’t do anything to stop you,” said the woman. Still smiles, that one.

I reached for a ballpoint pen and started filling out our Wilderness Permit. “I’m going to try for Ontario Peak. Is it more windy in the canyons, or on the ridge?”

“It’s windy everywhere.” The man with the beard was not smiling. All gravitas, he.

“What about ice?” …

Timber Mountain via Icehouse Canyon – Modern Hiker

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video – Huayhuash Circuit trek in Peru

by Rick McCharles, editor

When we named our top 10 hikes in the world, #11 was the Huayhuash Circuit.

Personally, it’s been my most dramatic, inspiring hiking adventure, of all.

While there my camcorder / camera broke half way around the 11-day trip. The tape was somewhat damaged, as well.

Happily, I’ve salvaged a few clips. (Featured are our pack horses and fantastic mule driver who spent his days worrying about getting us back alive.)

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Interested?

WHY WE LOVE HUAYHUASH

* PERU, all things considered, offers the best alpine hiking in the world

* the remote, forbidding Huayhuash range was made famous when Joe Simpson & Simon Yates climbed Siula Grande in 1985. The book & film Touching the Void were both hits.

* getting high at Punta Coyoc pass 5490m (18,012ft) !!

* Peru’s second highest summit, Yerupaja (6634m)

* non-stop vistas — entire Circuit is above treeline

* intensely glaciated, intensely beautiful

* condors and other wild birds

* fantastic natural hotsprings half way round the Circuit

* limited road access, few people

* travel in Peru for as little as US$20 / day

* a trip with pack animals is good value

* lifetime experience you will never forget

CONSIDERATIONS

Huayhuash is dangerous. Hikers have died there. This is arguably the best hike in the world but is appropriate only for robust, experienced high altitude trekkers.

The greatest danger is altitude sickness. We hired horses instead of mules so we could evacuate by horse, if necessary.

Huayhuash Circuit in Peru – besthike information page

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video – “Introduction to Technical Canyoneering”

So you want to start getting into the sport of Canyoneering? Well this month I’d like to give you some info to point you in the right direction. I’ll include links to websites with lots of detailed information about starting in the sport, but this should give you a place to start. I’ve also included a 10 minute compilation of various canyons in Utah to give you an idea of what kinds of canyons you can explore there.

Backcountry Blog: Introduction to Technical Canyoneering.

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tiny laptop, full keyboard, satphone

It’s tiny (although bigger than a PDA), it looks great for expedition blogging. Connect it up to a solar panel and a satphone/3G/GPRS/WiFi connection and you’re away. I like it and I like it allot!

There are no firm details yet other than it having a finger print reader for security.

Geared Up includes a video clip of how it works.

Team Geared Up Blog » Expedition Gadget: The Folding Laptop

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waterproof camcorder – Oregon Scientific ATC2K

For the second time in two days I hear raves for Oregon Scientific products.

Very nice new gadget for the holidays. The ATC2K is waterproof to 3 meters, shock resistant, and easily clips to your helmet, head or handlebars via an accessory kit made for action sports. So you can surf with this. Ski with it. Climb with it. Whatever, and you don’t have to worry about sweat, rain, snow, or water. It takes full color digital video in 640 X 480 VGA at 30 frames per second, which is fine for the web, because really where does anyone watch video any more? And at $130 retail …, it’s good value, especially compared to the only competitor it has, the Samsung SC-X205L Sports Digital Camcorder.

Get Outdoors – Oregon Scientific ATC2K Waterproof Camcorder – Getoutdoors.com Outdoor Blog

Oregon Scientific ATC-1000 Hands-Free Video Action Camera - Play Hard, Record Everything!

Oregon Scientific ATC-1000 Hands-Free Video Action Camera – Play Hard, Record Everything!

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if I could walk on water …

… I wouldn’t need a hiking kayak.

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Massachusetts inventor Yoav Rosen just received patents for these water walking devices. … Rosen’s company, Wavewalk, specializes in creating water craft that can be used standing up.

Walk the Atlantic – GetOutdoors.com GO Blog

Watch a demonstration on Google Video.

da Vinci forgot to patent it after roughing out the potential prototype.

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image – GizMag.com

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video – water filter race

bodiak filmed a pumpfight between his Pur filter and his hiking buddy’s MSR.

The MSR won.

Just for fun click PLAY or watch the video on YouTube.

When Katadyn (Pur) saw this clip they sent bodiak a free Guide Pro, their fastest pump, for a rematch. (Yet to be filmed)

Around the Campfire

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Banff Mountain Film Festival – world tour

These outdoor films shows are always fantastic. They present full features and “highlights” events — both are excellent.

Check the Banff Centre website for a showing in your region: Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour schedule.

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Banff Mountain Photography Competition winner – Andrew Querner of Canmore, Canada, awarded 2006 Grand Prize for his photo Cirque of the Unclimbables.

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Fundy Trail Footpath, New Brunswick

We would love to add this magnificent coastal hike to our list of the best hikes in the world. After all, the Bay of Fundy may have the highest tides in the world!

But the Fundy Trail is not ready — yet.

There is no public transport to any trailhead. Tourism New Brunswick is not promoting the trail actively.

EastLink Door-to-Door ShuttleExpress does offer private, charter transportation from Moncton to the trailhead and back. Contact them for a quote.

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But if you want to get in on a future “best hike in the world” early, check the official website:

The Fundy Trail Footpath at Fundy Trail Parkway St. Martin’s New Brunswick

Trail Description:

… Big Salmon River to the boundaries of Fundy National Park, a total distance of 41km (24mi). The rugged Fundy terrain leads up and down from an elevation of 0 to 300 metres across a dozen ravines.

The recommended travel time for experienced backpackers is estimated 4 to 5 days.

We ask if you could register by calling the Interpretive Centre at Big Salmon River 506 833-2019; fax 506 833-2028 or email fundytp@nbnet.nb.ca.

Fundy Footpath Map Kits and Emergency Maps with GPS co-ordinates are available at the Interpretive Centre on the Fundy Trail or by ordering from Friends of the Fundy Footpath, 24 Cherry Court, Riverview, NB E1B 4K2 or email footpath@nbnet.nb.ca. The cost of the maps are $12.00 plus tax ($2 for shipping if ordering by mail).

… The campsites are primitive, water treatment is necessary, fires are not permitted, and a backpacker stove is recommended.

… the Goose River presently can only be crossed at low tide. This is a wilderness trail and at certain points there are no residences within 15 miles. Cellular phones will not work in all areas, …

Access Points:

> Western Portion – Big Salmon River on the Fundy Trail

> Eastern Portion – Fundy National Park

> Central – Sussex-Waterford – trail is accessed by secondary and wood roads via the Catamount Trail

Video (.wmv) of the Fundy Trail area.

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INKAFEST Mountain Film Festival

From August 10th to 12th, Huaraz, Peru played host to the 2nd annual festival of movies about mountain sports and adventure. INKAFEST will then be coming to El Colegio de los Reyes Rojos in Barranco, Lima from the 24th to 26th of August; and Arequipa and Cuzco in September.

For further details check with South American Explorers.

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