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Trekking The Lebanon Mountain Trail
Have you ever heard of hiking in Lebanon?
Is it safe?
What is the Lebanon Mountain trail?
The Lebanon Mountain trail is the first long distance hiking trail in Lebanon and the Arab world (www.lebanontrail.org). It extends 440km. from Qbaiyat in the north to Marjeyoun in the south. It traverses 75 towns and villages at altitudes from 600m to 1900m. The LMT showcases the natural beauty and cultural wealth of Lebanon’s mountains.
The Lebanon Mountain Trail Association organized the first complete thru-walk of the LMT during the month of April 2009. The core group of 7 hikers explored history and culture, as well as the natural beauty of Lebanon.
They blogged the journey, an interesting read with plenty of photos.
official trail website – lebanontrail.org
Time Magazine posted a short video on this Adventure.
This could be the start of something much bigger in the Middle East. Just as soon as Peace breaks out there.
Bibbulmun Track trip report
Only about 500 people have completed the Bibbulmun Track, nearly 1000kms (620mi) from Kalamunda in the Perth Hills to Albany on the south coast of Western Australia.
One of those is Dave Tomlinson who posted his 2007 trip report on Our Hiking Blog.
… When I reflect on the entire time I spent hiking the track, I think the first few days were the toughest of all. There is nothing quite like the challenge of carrying a heavy pack over difficult terrain in 40 degree heat. Although the track goes through eight towns, the first one is ten days from Perth. So, my pack was very heavy with supplies and I was stiff and sore during those initial stages. But as I progressed, my muscles began to get attuned to what was expected, my pack gradually lightened and things became easier. …
… Amazingly, I completed the whole distance without even a blister. Apart from some general soreness when I first started, I didn’t have any problems at all. There wasn’t a single day when I didn’t wake up and feel excited by what I was doing. Even on the most physically demanding days I embraced the challenge and never felt any doubt about reaching Albany in good health. The weather was generally very good and my Goretex jacket was often nothing more than my pillow at night. I only had rain on four days in the entire seven weeks. …
To learn more about this amazing tramp, here are the most important links:
» The Bibbulmun Track – a long distance hike – Trip Report – Part One
» Bibbulman Track – Southern Section – Trip Report – Part Two
» official website – Bibbulmun Track
climb Snow Mountain (Xueshan), Taiwan
An author of Lonely Planet Taiwan, Robert Scott Kelly also edits a blog called PASHAN HIKING THE MOUNTAINS, VALLEYS, RIVERS AND JUNGLES OF TAIWAN.
Taiwan offers more hikes, on more varied terrain, within one compact region, than almost anywhere else in the world.
In 2005 Robert and a friend climbed Snow Mountain (Xueshan, 雪山) and posted a detailed trip report on the standard 3-day hike.
I was particularly interested to read about his startling a bear.
Bears in Taiwan?
Yes, a few Asian Black Bears survive there.
I’m definitely planning on hiking Taiwan one day.
It’s a good read – Snow Mountain (Xueshan, 雪山)
this hiker staying with the Bear Vault
Sigh … Rocky Mountain National Park now requires Bear Canisters.
More and more Parks will be doing it in future. Best get used to hiking with one. …
Last summer I saw a bear vault with a night light attached so hikers could find it in the dark. Good idea.
details – Amazon
Despite the weight, I think I’ll stick with mine instead of buying an Ursack.
Here’s another happy camper:
… I found that the vault slipped in quite nicely to the top portion of my 60 liter pack. It was also great to have a waterproof container to put dry clothes in (in a zip-lock bag so they didn’t absorb food smell). Towards the end of longer trips its nice to have a waterproof place to put all of our garbage.
Around camp they are a godsend. I’ve used the vaults as stools, chairs, cutting boards, tables, water jugs, and hammers. Just having a flat surface in camp is a treat. Another handy feature is that they are transparent. You can see what you’re reaching in for. Other cannisters I’ve used are a solid plastic and you have to fish everything out/around to find what you’re looking for.
Now I know what you’re thinking. How can you do a good review of a bear cannister without having it attacked by bears? I’m way ahead of you.
While camping this summer by Lake Colden in the High Peaks region of the Adirondacks my BearVaults were put to the test. For those who don’t know, this area is notorious for its black bears. We placed our BearVaults a fair distance from our camp site. In the middle of the night I woke up to hear smashing sounds coming from the direction of our vaults. Thuds came from the vaults smashing into the soil. Loud bangs from the vaults hitting each other and hitting the fallen trees that we had placed them beside. For a good hour these sounds drifted over to our campsite. Then they stopped. In the morning I found the BearVaults 10-15 feet from where I had left them. They were dirty, one had a small scratch on it, but other wise they were intact and the food within in them untouched. …
silverorange stuff – BearVault Bear Canister Review
audiocast – Wildebeat – The Story of Bear Cans, part 2
Calipidder posted a terrific comparative review of all the available systems.
(via Two-Heel Drive)
do you understand Cap and Trade?
Not exactly hiking, but an important issue for all of us who want protection for the great outdoors.
Hank Green, the EcoGeek explains Cap and Trade in 3:30sec.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
( via Treehugger – Cap and Trade Explained in Under Four Minutes (Video)
Best hiking gear brands: Tom’s faves
Always a hot topic with hikers.
Tom Mangan got the raves flying the other day:
Who do I like? Vasque and Keen for shoes/boots. Gregory Mountain Products for backpacks. REI for backpacking tents. Columbia for pants. Wigwam for socks. MSR for stoves. …
Click through and read the details. Especially the COMMENTS on Two-Heel Drive – Best hiking gear brands: my faves
My current multi-day hiking gear is posted here – best hike editor – gear 2007. Little has changed since then.
I’ve switched to the new Therm-a-Rest NeoAir mattress.
I like MSR, Granite Gear, JetBoil … but am not loyal to particular brands, in general.
My favourite gear shop is Mountain Equipment Co-op in Canada. MEC is like REI in the States … only much better.
If you own children you might want to check out Outside San Diego’s Kids Gear in the Outdoors post.
It was inspired by: Kids and the Outdoors: 10 Tips from the Gear Junkie on REI.
Canadian National Park fees frozen
I’ve long complained that Parks Canada Fees are too high.
Some good news:
National park gate fees … are being frozen in a bid to entice cash-strapped Canadians to visit more often.
A two-year fee freeze at national parks and historic sites, described as”some of the most magnificent and fascinating places to visit in the world,” was announced Saturday by Environment Minister Jim Prentice.
“In this time of global economic recession, our government is doing what it can to encourage Canadians to enjoy these places,” said Prentice. “For many families, every dollar counts.” …Individual rates for 2008 will stay in place until April 1, 2011. For the travel trade, the 2009 rates now in effect will be frozen until April 1, 2012.
“This important economic decision will help make Canada’s best vacation destinations more affordable to Canadians, and will help make our parks more attractive worldwide,” Prentice said. …
The move comes in time for the unveiling of Parks Canada’s new national advertising campaign, designed to encourage Canadians to plan vacations to visit parks and sites. …
jocorvera/PINDUTERO – The Columbia Icefield – larger version
Annual Pass entry to 27 participating National Parks
Adult – $67.70
Senior – $57.90
Youth – $33.30
Family/Group – $136.40
best hiking clothing system
Frank in Oz is an expert Australian hiker. He’s co-author, with wife Sue, of Hiking the Overland Track – the downloadable book.
Frank wears mostly Mountain Designs togs. That’s an Aussie company, their gear not easily available in North America.
For warm weather:
For a particularly foul, wet adventure in Tasmania:
Click through to Frank’s excellent site for much, much more:
Our Hiking Blog – Best hiking clothes for a multi day hike – ideas, tips and suggestions
Ray’s recommended hikes
Ray Richardson from Phoenix took the time to send us some of his best hikes not yet added to our list of the best hikes in North Ameria.
Thanks Ray.
USA SOUTHWEST:
Havasupai
Rainbow Bridge
Escalante Route
Peralta Trail
West Fork of Oak Creek
West Clear CreekUSA ROCKY MOUNTAINS:
Chicago Basin
Mogollon Baldy
I’ve started by researching the Havasupai Trail. It leads to Navajo Falls, Havasupai Falls and Mooney Falls.
WOW.
Looks great. But I hear it’s a bit touristy.
The Adventure Life – much bigger version of Havasupai (Havasu) Falls
besthike.com 