Don’t date a girl who treks

Brown Gal Trekker:

… For she lives life to the fullest

If you cannot catch up to her when she flies

Then don’t think she’d even shed a single tear

If you tell her goodbye

Don’t date a girl who treks

She will go exploring on her own when her heart so desires …

Don’t Date a Girl Who Treks

Click through to read the entire poem. It’s dedicated to all solo (or otherwise) female trekkers of the world.

gokyo-2

Makalu Base Camp trek

by site editor Rick McCharles 

As I’ve done most of the easily accessible major hikes in Nepal next time I’m planning on Makalu. Cost most likely between $3000 – $4000. I’m hoping to do it for less with one Guide and carrying my own pack.

Sathya did it independently in 2012.

Mountain IQ has a good overview.

Though not visited by many hikers each year, there are some tea houses available now.

Click PLAY or get a glimpse on YouTube. Two feet of snow on day 8 en route to Base Camp.

trekking the Huemul Circuit, Argentina

Steve Hänsch:

El Chaltén is the trekking capital of Argentina and I spent more than 2 weeks there to do exactly that: hiking.

The Huemul circuit in El Chaltén is a lesser known route for experienced hikers and absolutely worth the efforts as you are able to experience real adventures and see massive ice fields and panoramic views that will blow your mind! …

Trekking the Huemul circuit in El Chalten, Argentina

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

related – 2 Drifting CoconutsHuemul Circuit: Our Best Trek in South America

We’ve added this adventure to our list of Best Hikes in South America.

Hiking Crypt Lake, Waterton National Park

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

details

Epic Trip Adventures is a new hiking video series by friends Anderson and Matt.

Three hours from my home town Calgary, Waterton is my personal favourite National Park.

related – Hike365 Welcome to: Waterton Lakes National Park!

on bikepacking

I spent 10 days on the bike this summer camping illegally every night. It was wonderful.

The Guardian posted an excellent article on the pursuit.

Bikepacking: the perfect autumn adventure in the UK

A new fusion of wild camping and off-road touring, bikepacking gets you close to nature and far from the stresses of modern life. And autumn is the ideal time to go.

bike-hiking

Grand Canyon – Thunder River/Deer Creek Loop

Thunder River/Deer Creek Loop is one of the best hikes in North America.

Epic. 🙂

Click PLAY or watch a guided trip on YouTube. (8min)

Read the Backpacker.tv trip report.

This 21.5-mile clockwise loop in Grand Canyon National Park strings together faint trails and an Eden of waterfalls and swimming holes.

Backpacker

map

The biggest problem with this adventure isn’t the navigation, it’s getting one of the few permits available. 😦

independent trek – Huayhuash Circuit, Peru

Megan “Hashbrown” Maxwell did Huayhuash alone and independently. She’s one tough hiker.

Still … she felt Huayhuash was the toughest hike of her life.

The Huayhuash Circuit is a beast of a trek. I would only recommend it if you have done a trek before and have an idea of what you’re getting into. I would only recommend going guide-less if you are at a confident level of backpacking experience, have taken the time to acclimatize, and are physically fit and able to carry a pack loaded with a week of food.

The guidebook for this trail is Peru’s Cordilleras Blanca & Huayhuash, available on Amazon. I found this to have all the information I needed …

This circuit goes over a pass everyday, ranging from 15,400 to 16,500 feet (4,690 to 5,050 meters). This means you will be hiking slower than usual, due to the altitude, and the walking itself is physically taxing. This also means that you will have spectacular views of the Andes every single day. …

Cordillera Huayhuash Circuit: Planning and Preparing

Huayhuash
Huayhuash

Huayhuash map

That adventure was the best hike of my life. If you want know more, click over to our Huayhuash information page.

Paul’s Boots on the Appalachian Trail

He wore size 13 boots. Despite a job as draftsman in the big city, he was happiest out on the trail. When Paul was 42, doctors diagnosed his mom with Parkinson’s. He nursed her for four years until her death. By that time, his father developed Alzheimer’s. The gaps between hiking trips grew longer and longer. By the time his father passed in 2011, Paul had two heart attacks. His love for the outdoors never diminished.

Even as his body failed him, Paul started to pack for the trip he’d dreamed of completing—all 2,190 miles of the Appalachian Trail. At night, he’d recount to his wife, M’Lynn, all he’d learned in his research. His heart no longer allowed him to walk much further than the end of his block, but his soul was ready to go. Next to a full backpack, he left his three polished sets of hiking boots. Last July, Paul passed away. He was 53.

As M’Lynn moved through the stages of grief, it came time to tidy up Paul’s gear for a trip he wouldn’t take. She had an idea—one last gift to the man she loved. She needed help. Could we and our greater outdoor community get these boots out on the trail?

REI

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

(via Hiking in Finland)

attacked by a Grizzly

YEESH. 😦

Todd Orr:

I took an early morning hike in the Madison valley (Montana) to scout for elk. Knowing that bears are common throughout southwest Montana, I hollered out “hey bear” about every 30 seconds so as to not surprise any bears along the trail.

About three miles in, I stepped out into an open meadow and hollered again. A few more steps and I spotted a sow Grizzly bear with cubs on the trail at the upper end of the meadow. The sow saw me right away and they ran a short distance up the trail. But suddenly she turned and charged straight my way. I yelled a number of times so she knew I was human and would hopefully turn back. No such luck. Within a couple seconds, she was nearly on me. I gave her a full charge of bear spray at about 25 feet. Her momentum carried her right through the orange mist and on me. …

read more on Facebook

Click PLAY or watch it on Facebook.