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Switchback Travel

David Wilkinson and his wife Samantha have a snazzy new international adventure travel site. They already have some great content featuring New Zealand, Norway, and Nepal. But there’s much more to come.

Switchback Travel is an informational site—not a booking site—and provides comprehensive coverage of the world’s most extraordinary outdoor destinations. Given the desire to avoid the narrow and beaten path of existing travel information, the site is comprised not of sterile, exhaustive lists but instead offers an abundant collection of essays, photographs, maps, user input, and other helpful tools. …

I’m subscribed to Switchback Travel.

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new Ulster Way, Ireland – 625mi

A very good looking website.

… the new Ulster Way – a 625 mile (1000 km) circular long distance walking route that is one of the longest in the United Kingdom and Ireland. …


The revised Ulster Way was officially launched on 16th September 2009. This website is designed to help you plan ahead so you can be one of the first to walk the new route! Please Note: All signposts and waymarkers may not yet be in place.

Walk Northern Ireland – Ulster Way

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new Half Dome permit system

Remember the good old days when no Yosemite permit was needed?

… Since the permit system for climbing the cables on Half Dome was established two years ago, there has been quite a bit of conflict and frustration around the “first come, first serve” system. After the initial balking at the “reservation fee” required for permits, the attention soon shifted to the larger problem: permit scalpers. …

… the park service will be implementing a new strategy for Half Dome permits this year. Rather than a first come, first serve situation, those hoping to climb the cables this summer will be able to submit their name (and up to 6 guests) into a lottery for $4.50 online (or $6.50 over the phone). This reservation fee is non-refundable.

… The other major change is that the permits will no longer be transferable. …

Daily Hiker

It’s worth it if you’ve never been. Click PLAY or watch an awesome time lapse video on Vimeo.

(via Yosemite Blog)

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on Google Privacy

You may have been contacted by Google:

We’re getting rid of over 60 different privacy policies across Google and replacing them with one that’s a lot shorter and easier to read. …

These changes will take effect on March 1, 2012.

details

Some are freaking out.

That’s dopey. Not much is changing. Here’s a much more measured assessment:

Read Write Web – Tech World Overreacts to Google’s New Privacy Policy – How Does It Affect You?

… You know what you can do? Stop sharing things you don’t want tracked. …

Before and after March 1st best advice is not to do anything online you’ll regret in future. Somebody, somewhere could be tracking it. And it probably won’t be Google. They’re one of the least evil players.

If you want to dig into this deeper, the best authority is Jeff Jarvis. He’s the author of:

• What Would Google Do?
• Public Parts

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Trails360.com

I’m liking the layout.

Mostly Utah. But looking to expand to the best western States.

Check a sample – Mt Timpanogos Summit (via Aspen Grove)

Stats, Elevation Profile, Popularity, “Followability”, Photos, Directions.

Not bad. 🙂

There are some dead end pages. (e.g. Idaho) … I could do without those.

And there’s no RSS feed. So no easy way for me to know about new hikes. I’m not likely to return very often.

Thank Adam Gilbert, James Meyer and Donna Coleman for the new online resource.

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barefoot to Kilimanjaro

The barefoot movement is going too far with this project.

Ross on Science of Sport:

Only 3 days to go before I jet off to Kilimanjaro to tackle Africa’s highest summit, and the world’s highest free-standing mountain…barefoot…

My mission is to help get ONE person to the top barefoot, and to do it safely. …

The Barefoot Kilimanjaro Challenge

It’s an attention getter, that’s for sure. Funds raised go to the Red Cross Children’s Hospital in South Africa.

related – Killian Jornet record for summitting Kilimanjaro in light shoes – 7 hours 14 minutes return. (VIDEO)

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Skurka – How I Make a Living as an Adventurer

You’d think the greatest hiker all-time would be able to make a reasonable living off it.

Nope.

I live on little. When I first became a full-time adventurer, my finances dictated that I do. Now, I’m stuck firmly in my frugal ways. I only buy what I need, usually only when it’s on sale. I rent month-to-month so I can avoid paying rent when I’m gone for extended periods. All of my possessions can be transported in my Pontiac Vibe (with roof rack and box). And I have intentionally avoided costly “grown up” responsibilities like mortgages, a spouse, kids, and pets.

Because I don’t need much to be comfortable and happy, I don’t need to earn much either.

details

andrewskurka.com

(via TrailSpace)

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1700mi 90lbs lost in 3min

I’ve been following Kolby Kirk — the Hike Guy — for some years. This is his best work yet.

Recorded on the Pacific Crest Trail during the 2011 thu-hiking season. 159 days, 1,700 miles hiked, and ninety pounds lost. Make sure you watch it all the way to the end.

Click PLAY or watch it on Vimeo.

I’m thinking to do a week or two on the PCT in 2012. I’ll need Kolby’s top 5 PCT NECESSITIES.

(via BuzzFeed)