Posts

Posted on

Fitz Roy vs. Torres del Paine

Of the two best hikes in Patagonia, which should you trek?

… you can’t decide between El Chalten (Argentina) and Torres del Paine (Chile), the self-proclaimed “trekking capitals” of their respective countries …

The good news is you can’t go wrong. Both options provide incredible access to some of the most spectacular mountain scenery you’ll ever see.

We can’t really recommend one over the other purely based on natural beauty as they are both equally stunning national parks. However, there are definitely distinct differences between the two trekking meccas that may push you toward one or the other. Here are some things to think about based on our experience in both locations that will help you decide (although the best decision is to do both!)

The Best Trekking in Patagonia – El Chalten vs. Torres del Paine

Laguna de los Tres, El Chalten
Laguna de los Tres, El Chalten
Torres del Paine
Torres del Paine

Do both. With a sidetrip to the Perito Moreno Glacier.

perito-moreno-glacier

Posted on

High Coast Trail, Sweden

The High Coast (Swedish: Höga kusten) is a part of the coast of Sweden on the Gulf of Bothnia …

… since the last ice age the land has risen 800m, which accounts for the unusual landscape with tall cliff formations. The High Coast is part of the Swedish/Finnish High Coast/Kvarken Archipelago world heritage site (the High Coast was extended with Finnish Kvarken areas in 2006). …

The Höga Kustenleden is a 128 kilometer long trail along the High Coast. …

Hiking in Finland has a superb trip report of a late Autumn adventure:

The scenic trail passes through villages & towns, along the coast, through the forest and a beautiful National Park and if you have a free week makes for a great walk along the Swedish coastal hills. …

Högakustenleden – the High Coast Trail

16237534596_140c3a9356_b

Beautiful photos. 🙂

Click PLAY or watch a 3min clip taken during milder weather on YouTube.

Posted on

Charity trips: Machu Picchu and Kilimanjaro

If you’ve always wanted to get to either of these superb trekking destinations, check this opportunity.

June 2015: Inca Trail to Machu Picchu for Education

July 2015: Kilimanjaro Climb for Education

Make a Difference Now organizes trips to help raise funds and awareness for education in developing nations. 🙂

Mad Charity Kili Machu Picchu

details – gomadnow.org/get-involved

Thanks to Theresa Grant for the link.

Posted on

Greg Aiello – how to pack a pack

Star of Outside Television’s TV show Motion, Greg Aiello, demonstrates his system for packing a pack.

It’s not particularly light weight. 😦

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

More Outside Television videos.

related – REI’s Noelle Thurlow’s system for packing a pack (VIDEO)

Posted on

Grizzly Lake, Tombstone Mountains, Yukon

Hike Bike Travel:

If you’re looking for world-class mountain scenery, in an area that doesn’t get a lot of attention, then head to the Tombstone Mountain Range in the Yukon Territory. Starting at KM 58.5 on the Dempster Highway, the three to five day backpacking trip takes you first to Grizzly Lake, and then to Divide and Talus Lakes. It’s a wild, desolate, truly memorable landscape. …

The landscape though, is extraordinary – and I can safely say like nowhere else you’ve seen. 

Try to arrange your trip for  late August when the boreal forest and alpine meadows combine to deliver a rainbow of fall colours. But go prepared for cold temperatures and snow. I had both. …

Tombstone-backpacking-and-Dawson-City-008hsrs

Tombstone-backpacking-and-Dawson-City-053hsrs

A Hike to Grizzly Lake in the Tombstone Mountains

Posted on

Caminito del Rey – opens Feb 2015

Caminito del Rey footpath, Garganta del Chorro, El Chorro, Spain

The notorious Caminito del Rey footpath, known as one of the world’s scariest hiking routes, is opening to the public again after a multi-million euro restoration.

Skirting the Garganta del Chorro gorge, the original metre-wide white-knuckle path contoured across the sheer rock-face on a ledge 100m above the ground. Initially built in 1905 and traversed by King Alfonso XIII in 1921 (hence the name ‘Path of the King’), the path had fallen into severe disrepair by the late 1990s, finally closing following the tragic deaths of five walkers.

Fifteen years later, the route is reopening, allowing access again to one of Spain’s most spectacular walking trails. No longer the preserve of professional climbers and adrenaline-seekers, the damaged path has been fixed and reinforced, while a new handrail provides further support. The views however, continue to take your breath away.

Lonely Planet – The world’s hottest new travel experiences for 2015

Click PLAY or watch a scramble on the OLD route on YouTube.

Posted on

Luxury Mount Everest Base Camp Trek

Freya Render:

… Although I love hiking, I also love comfort so I started searching on-line for an “Everest Luxury Trek” and found the Yeti Mountain Homes, a group of luxury lodges located on the classic trekking route in the Khumbu area. I contacted them and as from that moment I was blown away by the Yeti Mountain Home experience … a lovely lady called Pasang patiently and very professionally answered all my questions and created a customized itinerary for us. …

Unfortunately there are no Yeti Mountain Homes (yet) all the way up till Everest Base Camp but Pasang made sure that we had the best possible accommodation in every place. …

Luxury Mount Everest Base Camp Trek 2014 (Yeti Mountain lodges)

YMH Monjo Bathroom

Everest Base CampOur Everest information page.

Posted on

Long Range Traverse, Gros Morne

Gros Morne National Park is a world heritage site located on the west coast of Newfoundland. …

Gros Morne is a member of the Long Range Mountains, an outlying range of the Appalachian Mountains, stretching the length of the island’s west coast. …

Hiking the trails is a popular activity at Gros Morne. There are about 20 marked day trip trails, exploring coastal and interior areas of the park. …

The interior of the park can also be accessed, notably through the multi-day Long Range Traverse between Western Brook Pond and Gros Morne Mountain. …

Leigh McAdam:

Before you even get a whiff of the Long Range Traverse, the premier backpacking trail on Canada’s east coast, you must pass a serious navigation test and get a full orientation by staff at the Gros Morne National Park Visitor Center.

The navigation test is nothing to sneeze at. You must understand declination and know how to take a compass bearing from the map. Although you can take along a GPS, and it might help in foggy situations, it’s your map and compass skills that are of utmost importance. It’s the only place in Canada that I am aware of that requires you to pass a navigation test. I guess what happened in the past, is too many backpackers set out, only to get lost – as there is no marked trail – and ended up needing a rescue.

Hike Bike Travel – Backpacking the Long Range Traverse in Gros Morne NP: Day 1

campsite night 1

Long-Range-Traverse-462hsrs

• Day 2

• Day 3

• Day 4

Long-Range-Traverse-481hsrs