MEC Spark tent vs Hubba

I first posted this in 2016. And did buy another Hubba. My third. I do love that tent.

Next time I will go for the MEC Spark, I think. It’s cheaper. And has far better waterproofing ratings.

___ original post:

I’m a Hubba guy. Hundreds of nights in the iconic one man tent and I’ve no complaints.

Hubba

Slightly lighter, slightly cheaper is the new MEC Spark.

Spark

 

Everest Base Camp

Kristen on Barefoot Theory posted one of the best trip reports we’ve yet seen.

An Everest Base Camp trek offers the perfect trifecta as far as adventure travel goes. Big mountains, incredible culture, and for most people, a decent physical challenge that leaves you feeling proud and in better shape than when you started.

There are two ways to go about your trek to Everest Base Camp: Independent or Guided, and both options offer their pros and cons. …

I chose to do my Everest Base Camp Trek with the guiding company Anywhere Plus, and I was joined by 8 other Bearfoot Theory readers on this 11-day adventure. At the end of the trip, every person in our group agreed that it was one of the best trips any of us had ever been on – both due to the country and how well our trip was organized. …

PLANNING YOUR EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK: THE ULTIMATE LOGISTICS GUIDE

everest-basecamp-trek-planning-guide

above-treeline

Sham Valley trek, Ladakh, India

Brown Gal Trekker recommended we add Sham Valley to our list of the best hikes in Asia.

We did.

It looks ideal for a first adventure out of Leh before continuing on to higher elevations treks like Markha Valley.

Sham Valley is an acclimatization hike.

Realizing that the area of Sham Valley is remote in some aspects, combined with my lack of language skills and the lack of a decent map to guide me along, I decided to have a guide with me as a safety precaution.  That turned out to be a good decision …

I then hired a female guide trainee, Yangdol, from the Ladakhi Women’s Travel Group …

 As a start, we visited the monastery before beginning our Sham Valley trek.

The Indian Himalayas: Sham Valley Trek

Click through for a detailed trip report including video.

related – Trekking the Sham Valley Ladakh: Really a “Baby Trek”?! 

Walking Norway: Skjeggedal to Trolltunga

The Michelin company created a ‘content hub’ called Sole Power, which regularly creates and shares inspiring and helpful content for sports people into their hiking, trail running, snowboarding etc.

Amy Chetwynd sent a link to their interactive map of 10 superb European hikes.

On my request Michelin Lifestyle put together a more detailed guest post on one of those ten. It includes some links they wish to promote. All good.

Snaking from the North Sea to the northernmost point of Scandinavia, Norway has always been known for its diverse landscapes and epic wilderness. One of the most geographically unique countries in the world, it’s home to icy blue fjords, expansive alpine tundra and palatial mountain networks.

For hikers it’s a take your pick and run with it kind of situation. There’s so much out there to explore. From Vest-Agder to the farthest reaches of Trom, trails and adventure appear wherever you look, and no two hikes are ever the same.

However, if we’re talking about one particular Norwegian pilgrimage that’s caught fire over the last decade (not literally), it’s Skjeggedal to Trolltunga.

EXPLORE 10 EPIC EUROPEAN HIKING ADVENTURES HERE [INTERACTIVE MAP]

Situated 25km northeast of Odda, in the county of Hordaland, is the famous protruding cliff edge, Trolltunga (Troll Tongue). Knowledge of this natural landmark has grown tenfold thanks to the globetrotting Instagram generation. Once a little-known locals’ secret, now a bucket-list destination, Trolltunga welcomes more than 80,000 people every year (that’s up from just 800 in 2010, by the way).

Eye-watering backdrops and a daredevil shuffle out onto the cliff edge, which juts out from bedrock at altitudes of over 1000m, are the pull of this place for most tourists. But for dogged hikers the journey is just as important.

The 10-12 hour hike takes you from an unassuming parking lot in the tiny village of Skjeggedal, up stone steps, out into the vastness of the Norwegian high mountains, through winding paths, and all the way to the northern side of lake Ringedalsvatnet.

It’s a tough trek that demands plenty of prep and caution from even the most the hardiest of hikers. This isn’t a countryside stroll, expect technical ascents and challenging scrambles throughout. Proper hiking gear is definitely a must.

It shouldn’t be a solo adventure either. For those with less experience, we recommend you enlist the help of a guide to get you there, although this isn’t essential in the summer months.

Be sure to visit at the right time of year, or risk serious disappointment.

When winter rolls around, this hike becomes perilous. High winds, ice sheets and heavy snowfall transform the route into a real no-go danger zone. Due to seasonal changes, it’s pretty much completely off limits between October and March, so plan your journey with this in mind. Mid-March to June is prime time.

Get it right and you’ll find out what it’s like to walk in the skies.

Skjeggedal to Trolltunga has it all, stunning panoramic views, mixed challenges and the freshest air that’ll ever hit the back of your lungs.

Looking for accommodation? There are a few AirBnB properties in the area. You can also book into a hotel in Odda, although rooms are in high demand in peak season, so get your name down early.

Key information:

Terrain type: Mountain

Highest altitude: 1,100m

Time to complete: 10-12hrs

Total distance: 27.5km

Average temperature:

  • Summer: 12°c
  • Winter: -5

Difficulty: Advanced

Want to explore more European destinations like this one? Click here to jump into Sole Power’s interactive hiking map and take the tour. It’s one hell of a journey!

Double Triple Crown – Craig Fowler

Craig Fowler hiked AT, PCT, and Continental Divide and pedaled Tour Divide, the Colorado Trail Race, and the Arizona Trail Race.

Meet The First Person To Complete The Double Triple Crown

 

Hike

  • Appalachian Trail – 2168 mi – 2001
  • Pacific Crest Trail – 2655 mi – 2007
  • Continental Divide Trail – 2751 mi – 2015
  • 7574 Total Miles Completed

Bike

  • Tour Divide – 2732 mi – June 2017
  • Colorado Trail – 539 mi- July 2017
  • Arizona Trail – 757 mi – Oct 2017
  • 4028 Total Miles Completed

Project Total

  • Human powered adventure
  • 11,602 Total Miles 

oneofsevenproject.com

Amatola Trail, South Africa

“The Toughest (hutted) Hike in South Africa”

Stingy Nomads:

Amatola trail is an amazing hike near Hogsback, a small town in Eastern Cape province, South Africa.

The trail length is 100 km …

… 6 days and 5 nights

… rain forest, mountains and fields, pass many waterfalls, pools and look outs on the way. …

It’s hut-to-hut hiking so you can keep your pack weight down.

Gwili Gwili hut

Amatola trail hiking guide. 6-day hike near Hogsback

related – Hiking South Africa – Amatola Hiking Trail