Wow!
Look what Tom picked as one of his Flickr Photos of the Day:
More links and details on hiking Haleakala National Park, Hawaii: Two-Heel Drive: March 2007 Archives
hiking New Zealand – North island
photo – Mt. Taranaki
We’ve just subscribed to Outdoor Video Magazine, a classy looking blog with quality posts some of which include short video clips.
Most people that go to New Zealand spend most of their time on the South Island, especially if they are outdoor enthusiasts. This is a mistake in my humble opinion. The North Island is almost equally cool, and it actually beats the South Island in terms of it’s variety of scenery and terrain, although it lacks the big mountain ranges obviously. It has spectacular volcanic scenery, crazy coloured lakes and rocks, a Mt Fuji look-alike to summit, beautiful coast, and tropical forest.
I wouldn’t normally recommend a Lonely Planet book, I don’t think they do the best travel guides. However, in this case I will make an exception and say the Lonely Planet’s Tramping in New Zealand is an excellent purchase. Its well written, really easy to follow and find tramps (that’s Kiwi for hikes by the way), and has a range of difficulty from easy to pretty hard (e.g. the 10 day North West Circuit on Stewart Island).
The ‘have to do’ hikes on the North Island in my opinion are: Tongariro Northern Circuit, Mt Taranaki and then something in the East Coast/Hawke’s Bay; either the Lake Waikaremoana Track or if you want something less busy and a bit wilder the Manuoha to Waikareti Track.
Hiking in New Zealand – North Island · Outdoor Video Magazine
when can I hike Wonderland?
I’ve wanted to hike the Wonderland Trail since first hearing of it from a Washington State friend.
One group took 12 days in 2005 to circumambulate Mt. Ranier 90mi (145km). But they planned for resupply by having a friend walk in to meet them from the opposite direction.
Good idea.
Summerland to Indian Bar was an “incredible scenic route”. And at Indian Bar they saw 3 black bears.
Sadly, terrible flooding in November 2006 wrecked havoc. Hopefully the trail will be passable by summer 2007. But damage had not even been assessed in December.
Check out the trip report and 65 photos from the Wonderland Trail.
Wonderland Trail – besthike information page
posing on Kilimanjaro
If you weren’t already excited enough about Kili, check this photo op on the way to the summit.
Nothing like getting above the clouds!
Thanks (and Merry Christmas) to Tom Mangan. I first saw this on Tom’s Two-Heel Drive hiking blog, one of his Flickr pic o’ the day selections.
#3 best hike in the world is …
Tongariro Northern Circuit
Our favourite hike in New Zealand.
A fantastic volcanic adventure!
Most trampers do only the Tongariro Crossing, one of the most popular day hikes in the world. That’s a shame. The Northern Circuit includes the Crossing and is a far richer experience.
The entire Circuit is 34+km (19+mi) mostly bizarre volcanic & desert scenery. The energetic hiker can sidetrip a volcano or two. Three days, two nights is perfect.
It’s accessible for all levels of hiking ability and fitness. (In fact, we met an elderly Kiwi couple who do the Circuit as a day hike once every year.)
The maximum elevation at Red Crater 1886m (6188ft) means there is no risk of altitude sickness. Some hike the Circuit year round, though Dec – Mar are the best months.
Happily, no reservation is required for huts! They are first-come, first-served. If you carry a tent there is no worry about the hut being full when you arrive. Tenters can still use all the hut facilities.
Why we love it:
- circumambulate active volcano Mt. Ngauruhoe
- boiling mud pools, fumaroles and craters!
- weird lava features, unique volcanic colours
- this park attracts over a quarter million trampers a year but most of the circuit is not over-crowded
- astonishing water-filled explosion craters called the Emerald Lakes
- Blue Lake (an old volcanic vent)
- manditory easy sidetrip to the top of Mount Tongariro 1967m
- difficuly, lengthy sidetrip scramble to the top of Mt. Ngauruhoe 2287m, an active volcano. You know it as Mt. Doom in Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings.
- scrambling huge volcanic formations in the Oturere valley
- the Tongariro reserve is a World Heritage Site
- New Zealand has the best hostels in the world
- the Maori cultural and spiritual associations
- the bleak, harsh volcanic landscape
- well signed, easy-to-follow trail
- the alpine huts are good: beds, mattresses, gas heating, gas stoves, water, and toilet facilities (during the main hiking season)
Considerations:
- on a busy day you will see hikers like ants on the Devil’s Staircase near the start
- many day hikers are under-dressed, under-prepared. You may be called upon for First Aid.
- strong wind & poor visibility may ruin this hike. Delay until another day, if possible.
- weather changes quickly. Be prepared for rain or even snow.
- carry enough warm clothing
- the few water sources on the trail all require treatment
- the ozone layer is thin. Use good-quality sunglasses, sun screen and wear a hat.
- sturdy shoes for rocky and uneven tracks advised
- howling winds atop Ngauruhoe even when it is calm below
- if you are climbing Ngauruhoe, consider bringing good boots and gaiters for the dangerous scree. The slope is filled with ankle-turning-sized rocks.
- off season, ice axe and crampons may be needed
- catch an early bird shuttle if you want to beat the crowds
Details on our Tongariro Northern Circuit information page.
Photo from the excellent trip report by Benjamin Jones.
#1 best trekking peak is …
Kilimanjaro
If you are going to Africa for just one climb, this is it.
The standard Marangu route is 64km (40mi) plus sidetrips if you make the summit. The majority of those who try, do not get to the top.
Technically the trek is not challenging. But anywhere between 2-10 hikers die each year from altitude sickness. It’s difficult to acclimatize while ascending 4,600m (15,000ft) from the plains to 5896m (19,344ft).
Why we (still) love it:
- the highest mountain on the continent
- no need for rope or technical experience
- one of the “seven summits”
- the most sought after trek in Africa
- the sense of accomplishment getting to Gillman’s Point on the crater rim. (Most turn back here.)
- few do the extra 2hrs or more to Uhuru peak to get a photograph with the sign “Highest Point in Africa”.
- on the Marangu Route you can sleep in huts or tents. (Other routes you must sleep in tents.)
- can be climbed year round
- enjoy almost every type of climate on one trip
- the summit actually has GSM mobile phone service for emergencies
Considerations:
- no independent hikers allowed since 1991
- minimum cost in 2006 is US$800 carrying your own pack.
- the Marangu route has been called filthy and overpriced
- Kilimanjaro often called the highest ‘walkable’ mountain in the world — not true. There are many volcanos higher that can be ‘walked’ in good weather and more than a few higher trekking peaks. Kilimanjaro must be the most popular of the high peaks, however.
- over 20,000 hikers in 2000
- even though the volcano is close to the equator, high up be prepared for rain, snow & bitter cold any day of the year
- warm sleeping bag needed
- you can tent instead of staying in the huts, but the cost is the same
- though technically not active, steam is released from the crater & there is a slight chance the mountain could collapse as did Mount St Helens
- normally the final climb is done at night as the scree is frozen. Many hikers start climbing at midnight. This can be a 16hr walking day!Sounds bad?There is a SMART way to go. Budget the money, then schedule a climb of lower Mt. Meru first followed by an immediate start on Kili. Use the Mt. Meru days for altitude acclimatization, not necessarily to get to the top.
If possible take one of the alternate (longer, more expensive) routes on Kilimanjaro to allow more days to acclimatize.
Details on our Kilimanjaro Marangu Route information page.
And get a good guidebook early. Over 80% of Kilmanjaro hikers book their trip from home, not in Tanzania.
Kilimanjaro: The Trekking Guide to Africa’s Highest Mountain – 2nd Edition; Now includes Mount Meru
#1 US National Park: Yellowstone
National Park Traveler’s reader poll named the world’s first National Park as still the best National Park in the States. (I voted for Glacier.)
Well, I suppose it’s really no surprise, but after a week of voting the park selected as most popular is Yellowstone. Out of the 131 votes cast, Yellowstone received 41, or 31.3 percent. And I can appreciate that, as Yellowstone long has been my favorite. What’s not to like? It’s got the world’s greatest concentration of geysers, it has an incredible wildlife reservoir, and the landscape beckons one to explore.
Still, Glacier National Park finished a relatively strong second, receiving 31 votes. From there, though, the challengers fell off quite a bit. Third place went to Sequoia National Park, which received 14 votes, while Zion National Park was fourth, with 13 votes.
National Parks Traveler: Your Favorite Park: Yellowstone
Yellowstone is fantastic. I was there in June cycling and day hiking. Next time I want to check out Mount Washburn and Bechler River, neither of which is yet on our list of the best hikes in the world. (Should they be?)
Hayden Valley, Yellowstone National Park. Mt. Washburn in the distance. Photo by Geyser Gary – flickr
Laugavegur trek, Iceland
Nordic Adventure Travel provides a nice interactive map of the Laugavegur trek, one of the principle attractions of Iceland.
The normal route is from the hot springs of Landmannalaugar to the glacial valley of Þórsmörk. That’s about 55km (34mi) over 2-4 days with potential stops at the mountain huts at Hraftinnusker, Ãlftavatn and Emstrur. By adding a day, you can continue over the Fimmvorduhals Pass to Skogar.
Any hike known as “The Hot Spring Route” goes on our list.
HIKING TREKKING TRAIL LANDMANNALAUGAR THORSMORK LAUGAVEGUR, HIKING TRAILS IN ICELAND
Mt. Rainier flooded – Wonderland Trail closed?
Nearly 18in (45cm) of rain fell over 36 hours in November.
After seeing the Images of the Flood on the Mt. Ranier National Park website, I’m worried about next season. Will Wonderland open in 2007?
With millions of dollars damage to Park infrastructure, it may be some time before we know.
photo – landslide damage to highway SR123
(Thanks Park Remark – The Great Flood at Mt Rainier National Park)
The Wonderland Trail around Mt. Rainier near Seattle, Washington is one of the best hikes in the world. Lets repair those trails as quickly as possible.
Leave a comment below if you hear anything the Wonderland trails.
Tramping in New Zealand
One of our favourite hiking guidebooks has been updated for 2006.
Hiking 3 months in New Zealand, this book was my bible.
Make tracks across the spectacular range of New Zealand landscapes. The deep valleys of Fiordland and Mt Aspiring beckon, the Marlborough Sounds call, the volcanoes of Tongariro are steaming … explore on foot the natural wonders of this country from coast to Cook. … 53 detailed trail descriptions for trampers of all levels
Amazon.com: Lonely Planet Tramping in New Zealand: Books: Jim Dufresne
For variety, trailhead transport, ease of access, cost — New Zealand is the best destination in the world for most hikers.
best hikes in New Zealand – besthike.com
besthike.com 