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Adventure Podcast – Episode 2: 10 Essentials of Hiking

Dave Adlard and Kraig Becker talk gear on their new audiocast.

Dave referred to his 2003 edition of Freedom of the Hills. The Ten Essentials first appeared in print in the 1974 version of that classic.

He and Kraig added 3-4 more essentials, only briefly touching on the non-essential electronics most of us carry.

Check it out:

The Adventure Podcast – Episode 2: The 10 Essentials of Hiking

.Wikipedia:

  1. Navigation. Topographic map and assorted maps in waterproof container plus a magnetic compass, optional altimeter or GPS receiver.
  2. Sun protection. Sunglasses, sunscreen for lips and skin, hat, clothing for sun protection.
  3. Insulation. Hat, gloves, jacket, extra clothing for coldest possible weather during current season.
  4. Illumination. Headlamp, flashlight, batteries. LED bulb is preferred to extend battery life.
  5. First-aid supplies, plus insect repellent.
  6. Fire. Butane lighter, matches in waterproof container.
  7. Repair kit and tools. Knives, multi-tool, scissors, pliers, screwdriver, trowel/shovel, duct tape, cable ties.
  8. Nutrition. Add extra food for one additional day (for emergency). Dry food is preferred to save weight and usually needs water.
  9. Hydration. Add extra 2 liters of water for one additional day (for emergency).
  10. Emergency shelter. Tarp, bivouac sack, space blanket, plastic tube tent, jumbo trash bags, insulated sleeping pad.

The textbook recommends supplementing the ten essentials with:

 

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Pennsylvania’s Loyalsock Trail

Though it occasionally appears on lists of “short long trails” in the US, Pennsylvania’s Loyalsock Trail is still fairly unknown. That’s unfortunate …

Total Distance: 59.2 miles

Location: North-Central PA, between the towns of Williamsport and Dushore.

Western trailhead: PA-87, Williamsport, PA Eastern trailhead: Mead Rd., Dushore, PA

Time to Finish: 4-6 days, depending on fitness, desired pace, and arrival time

BRIAN CIPPERLY hiked it — Pennsylvania’s Loyalsock Trail: a Thru-Hiking Guide

Here’s the guidebook.

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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

 

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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

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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”?! 

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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!