dissed hiking the American southwest

by site editor Rick McCharles

Am I just being defensive, or is this desert monument flipping me the bird?

June 13, 2016June 9, 2016

hike the Salkantay Trail to Machu Picchu

Salkantay is the most popular alternative to the Inca Trail.

Here’s a sample itinerary:

Day 1 Soraypampa – Huayracmachay

Day 2 Huayracmachay – La Playa

Day 3 La Playa – Aguas Calientes

Day 4 Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco

Salkantay is great. But not perfect.

Note that the hike ends at the town of Aguas Calientes, not Machu Picchu. You enter the ruins the same way as those who take the train.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

June 10, 2016June 5, 2016

what is your Base Pack Weight?

Base Pack Weight = Everything in your pack except consumables (food, water and fuel).

Here’s how Hike Minded got to 6,6 kg for a 1 month trip in Spain – The Ultralight Dilemma.

June 8, 2016June 5, 2016

best places to set up your tent

ramblin’ boy is fussy about his campsites. As we all should be. 🙂

Click through to read his advice.

Finding A Good Place To Pitch A Tent

June 6, 2016June 5, 2016

Santa Monica Mountains ‘Backbone’ Trail

MATT TINOCO:

It’s taken decades for the National Park Service (NPS) to purchase the land needed to build an uninterrupted hiking experience through Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. However, it’s now possible for Southern Californians to hike 67 complete mountainous miles across the range on the Backbone Trail, according to the L.A. Times. …

If you are interested in hiking the trail, as this writer is, you can learn more about the process at the National Park Service website. …

The Santa Monica Mountains’ 67-Mile ‘Backbone’ Trail Is Finally Complete

June 4, 2016May 30, 2016

where to hike?

I’m brainstorming where to hike in North America this summer.

6 Best Hikes Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro may be famous for it’s beaches, but it’s so much more than that- the city is also home to the Tijuca National Forest, the world’s largest urban forest full of hiking trails, breathtaking views and endless rainforest terrain to keep you busy off the beach.

If you’re coming to Rio, you won’t want to miss hiking at least one of these trails so you can see the other half of Rio de Janeiro’s beauty. There’s something for everyone here, so whether you’re a dedicated mountain climber or just a curious traveler ready to wander off the beach for the day, you won’t be disappointed. …

Borderless Project

If you don’t speak Portuguese, logistics are more complicated than expected. Asking a bus driver to let you off at the correct stop not easy. GPS advised.

Hiking is not yet much developed in Brazil. 😦