I’ve been following former elite gymnasts Matt and Anderson as they launched a hiking YouTube channel.
Click PLAY or watch a year 1 wrap-up on YouTube.
To see more click over to their website EpicTripAdventures.com for VIDEOS and HIKING BOOKLETS.
Rattlesnakes and Bald Eagles by Chris Townsend
When I was first getting into serious hiking one of my gurus was Chris Townsend.
And he’s still one of my gurus today.
Understated. Informative. Interesting.
He hiked the Pacific Crest Trail in 1982 averaging only 15 miles a day with the heavy equipment of that era.
In 2015 Chris published his account of that trip. I highly recommend it.
related – Keith Foskett – Chris Townsend Interview
7 great hikes S.W. USA
1. BUCKSKIN GULCH AND PARIA CANYON | 31 MILES | 4 DAYS
2. GRAND CANYON – DEER CREEK/KANAB CREEK LOOP | 55 MILES | 8 DAYS
3. GRAND CANYON – NANKOWEAP TRAIL | 40 MILES | 7 DAYS
4. ZION NARROWS | 14 MILES | 2 DAYS
5. COYOTE GULCH | 25MILES | 4 DAYS
7. ARIZONA’S GALIURO MOUNTAINS, THE PLACE TIME HAS FORGOTTEN | 32MILES | 4 DAYS
details – Take a Hike: 7 of the Grandest Adventures in the Southwest
PCT statistics 2016
381 completed surveys
HIKER DEMOGRAPHICS.
- SEX | 67% Male, 33% Female
- AGE | 2% <20, 18% 20-24, 27% 25-29, 18% 30-35, 10% 35-39, 11% 40-49, 10% 50-59, 5% 60-69
- AVERAGE AGE | 34 (σ = 11.8)
- AVERAGE BASE WEIGHT (START) | 19.57 lb / 8.88 kg (σ = 9.4 lb / 4.3 kg)
- AVERAGE BASE WEIGHT (END) | 16.51 lb / 7.49 kg (σ = 6.4 lb / 2.9 kg)
- AVERAGE AMOUNT SPENT ON GEAR | $1,647.35 (σ = $1,245.86)
- FINISH – PAIRS OF SHOES USED (AVERAGE) | 4.2 (σ = 1)
- FINISH – AVERAGE AMOUNT SPENT ON ENTIRE HIKE | $6,053.75 (σ = $2,573.66)
What resource did you find MOST VALUABLEwhen planning your hike?
Secretary Zinke, Stand Up for Public Lands
On August 24, Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke will reveal which national monuments he’ll recommend to reduce in size or abolish. …
Last week, the national hunting advocacy group Backcountry Hunters and Anglers launched a new television ad that’s running in Montana, the Secretary’s home state. Featuring scenes of general outdoor recreation and hunting, the ad uses Zinke’s own quotes to illustrate his hypocrisy—saying he’s pro-public lands, comparing himself to Roosevelt, and threatening jobs in the hunting and fishing industry. …
Hunters, the Surprising Saviors of Our Public Lands
The GOP’s war on public lands threatens to alienate a key part of its voting base—sport hunters
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
The 400 mile Jordan Trail
Though segments of the 400-mile trail have existed for decades, the official “Jordan Trail” was announced earlier this year …
It’s the most epic, most ambitious trail in the region, stretching from Umm Quais in the north, passed 52 villages (including well-known Wadi Rum and Petra), before terminating at the Red Sea in the south. The 40-day hike was inspired by Petra’s architects, the Nabataeans, who used the route primarily for the spice trade. It follows King’s Highway (a trade route mentioned in the Bible), plus ancient Roman roads. …
The 55-mile stretch that connects Wadi Rum to Petra is among the most popular. …
In some sections you may have to carry 5 litres of water.
We’ve added the Jordan Trail to our list of best hikes in Africa and the Middle East.
A Walk with Mud – PCT north to south
I rated this trip journal 2/5 on Amazon.
Not enough hiking detail. Too much on the weird, strained relationship of Mud and Bug.
By the end I mostly felt sorry for Mud who seemed to be simply dealing with PTSD with marijuana and thru-hiking.
He might have been better off hiking alone.
It was the first north to south trip report I’d read. Sounds much more difficult than the usual south to north.
If you are vegan or vegetarian you might be interested. Both tried to observe a vegan diet on the trail.
A Walk with Mud: a story of two friends hiking from Canada to Mexico on the Pacific Crest Trail
Adventure Racing World Championship, Wyoming
August 10–16th. 60 teams from 20 countries will have 6 days to cover 450 miles.
The first time Worlds has been held in the United States .
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
70-years-old on the PCT
DAMI ROELSE:
No one tells me I’m too old to do this when I’m on the trail. Young hikers on the trail talk to me and don’t ask how old I am. We talk about trail details, such as upcoming snowfields, water sources, exposure to sun. Every passerby greets me, often taking time to chat …
Society puts us in categories, age related categories, status related categories, place related categories, skin color related categories. On the trail you’re part of the trail society as long as you can walk and carry, no matter what your age, your skin color, or your financial circumstances. …
How to Lose Your Age on the Trail
Garibaldi Lake hike, Whistler B.C.
• 7.5km to Taylor Meadows campground one way
• 920m elevation gain to Garibaldi Lake
• #1 hike in Garibaldi Provincial Park
• option to climb Black Tusk
I tented free north of Whistler on the river at the Wedgemount turn-off.
After a Tim Horton’s stop, I drove south to the easily accessible, always crowded, Rubble Creek parking lot trailhead.
Minutes after starting up the switchbacks you can no longer hear highway traffic. The big trees of the temperate rain forest are tranquil.
It’s a long easy climb to Taylor Meadows campsite. I had a choice of platform or gravel pad choosing the gravel since it was dry.
You must book online or by phone. I paid C$16.30 total.
After touring the large campsite and some relaxation time in the tent, I headed up towards Black Tusk, another 5km up and up.
The trails are excellent.
Many come for the wildflowers.
Nice. But I’d recommend they book a trip to the Rockies instead. Waterton National Park, for example.
I love alpine meadows. These are terrific.
There’s the big attraction.
At this point I was still considering trying the summit. A 100m scramble up a chute, easier up than down. Weather was perfect for it.
Though this hike is called Garibaldi Lake, I didn’t actually get to the lake.
I could have called it the Black Tusk Viewpoint hike.
Here’s the final approach to the Viewpoint.
People were up top.
One group coming down told me they’d started up the chute and climbed most of the way up … before opting to descend. Sketchy was their opinion.
It was late in the afternoon. So I decided to stop here at the Viewpoint.
I have an excuse to return.
So … I enjoyed the unbelievable vista around Garibaldi Lake. Then headed back to camp with plenty of daylight to spare.
See all my high resolution photos on flickr.
For more information click over to Outdoor Vancouver – Garibaldi Lake Hike near Whistler
See MUCH better photos on HikingPhoto.com.
besthike.com 