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hiker Brian Frankle of ULA

Tom Mangan— I’ve heard that name before … somewhere — published an article on hiking guru Brian Frankle of ULA-Equipment.

Frankle’s ULA-Equipment essentially goes out of business every fall, when he shuts down his garage-based backpack factory in Logan, Utah, and hits the trail, typically for weeks or months along little-known routes like Utah’s Hayduke Trail or Idaho’s Centennial Trail.

Then it’s back to the sewing machines.

“Basically, from the day that I reopen in November until all the way to the day that I close, it’s full-on,” Frankle says. “I’m in here 10 to 12 hours a day, seven days a week.”

Sounds like a crazy workload, but Frankle’s grown into it over the decade since he completed the Pacific Crest Trail in 1999. He started ULA-Equipment in 2001 to bridge a gap: commercially built backpacks were too heavy, and ultra-light packs were too bare-bones.

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Trailspace – Gear Maker Profile: Brian Frankle of ULA-Equipment

(via Two-Heel Drive) … and Facebook

I am looking for a new multi-day hiking pack this season. My beloved Granite Gear Virga is getting “holey” and is somewhat underfeatured to carry my preferred gear list.

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NEW – Sierra Summits Sunscreen

I’ve often doubted the effectiveness of expensive sun block.

Here’s a product even I will pay big bucks for ….

Sierra Summits High Altitude Adventure Sunscreen, a zinc oxide mineral blocker for face and body. Oil free and Fragrance free, SPF 40, won’t burn eyes, has light elegant feel on skin. Formulated for sensitive skin types to perform and protect at altitude, on water, and closer to the equator, where UV rays are more intense.

melanoma

For shipping only, they will send you a free sample.

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top 10 treks in the World

As chosen (and marketed) by Adventure Center.


Mont Blanc Highlights

Kilimanjaro Climb – Rongai Route

Toubkal & the High Atlas

Everest Base Camp and Kala Patar

The Inca Trail

Walking the Great Wall

Ladakh: the Markha Valley

Ethiopia: The Simien Mountains

Torres del Paine Trek

Bhutan – The Snowman Trek

Not a bad list.

We’d replace the Inca Trail with one of the better treks in the Andes.

For details – Adventure Center

Personally, I’m looking at trekking Ladakh … independently. I can’t afford these tour prices. My budget is $40/day.

Ladakh: The Markha Valley
15 Days – from $2367

A classic trek in ‘Little Tibet’, combining stunning mountain panoramas and barren hillsides with pretty villages and lush meadows

Isolated for many months of the year by snow, Ladakh remains one of the best places to experience the unique culture of the High Himalaya. Crossing the Ganda La we follow the Markha River, climbing through gorges, barley and mustard fields and picturesque Ladakhi villages. We hope to spot blue sheep and Ibex scrambling over the rocky slopes, with the stark peaks of the Stok, Matho and Zanskar ranges towering above.From the high-altitude yak pastures we have time to explore some of the surrounding peaks, and from the top of the highest pass, the Gongmaru La (5200m) we can enjoy incredible views of the Karakorum, the Himalaya and into Tibet. We end the trek with a spectacular walk down a gorge to Hemis, the largest and most famous of the Ladakhi monasteries.

Exodus

markha-river

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bald eagles in Comox, B.C.

UPDATE: Actually, these photos were taken near Homer, Alaska. That makes much more sense.

My Mom emailed me these pics of an unusual gathering of eagles near my parent’s home town, Parksville, British Colombia.

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I’m not sure what was attracting them together.

But it sure reminds me of scenes in Alaska.

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trek Kaieteur Falls, Guyana

Have you ever heard of this magnificent waterfall?

… Kaieteur National Park, Guyana. Kaieteur Falls has none of the tourist facilities of the other great wonders of the world, not even handrails or fences to protect you from the drop which, apparently, lasts 7 seconds. As such it is a truly wonderful, undiscovered gem.

flickr - David Johnstone
flickr - David Johnstone
flickr - codiferous
flickr - codiferous

map

… The Falls are accessible both by air and by land. By air, it is an hour’s flight from Georgetown, the Capital of Guyana. By land there is a popular adventurous wilderness trek that requires 3 to 5 days to complete.

official website – Kaieteur National Park

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National Park or Disney World?


I’ve never entered Disney World.

Since I’ve never owned a house, I could not spend the “profit” on rapidly escalating market value on a holiday.

Now many others in North America join me in comparative poverty.

Kurt Repanshek on National Parks Traveler posted on this topic – With or Without a Stimulus Package, National Parks Can Be Economical Vacation Destinations.

… If you take a family of four (three members age 10 or more, one under 10), to Disney World for one day, you’ll pay nearly $300 (you can do the calculations at this site) for the privilege of passing through the gate. The Universal Studios theme park in Orlando, Florida? Buy online and one park for one day will only cost you $73 per ticket.

How much more you’ll spend on hotels and meals, well, you can imagine. …

Now, if you go to Yellowstone National Park, it’ll cost that same family of four just $25 to pass through the gate — and that entry pass is good for seven days. Go to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and it won’t cost you anything, as there are no entry fees at that park. …

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read more – With or Without a Stimulus Package, National Parks Can Be Economical Vacation Destinations

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Roraima Trekking, Venezuela

I just got a recommendation from Andreas for a German / Venezuelan trekking guide company Kamadac based out of Santa Elena in the Gran Sabana.

Looks good.

For those who love to hike, the Roraima Trekking is one of the highlights of Venezuela. The tablemountains belong to the oldest rock formation in the world. During millions of years they have been formed. Most of the vegetation you find there, grows only at the table mountains.The Roraima tepui is the highest in Venezuela. Bizzare stone formations, barren rock landscape and unique plants shape the landscape. A three day tour brings us up to the Roraima. On the top we make a day excursion and visit the valley of crystals and the place where three countries meet “Brasil, Venezuela and Guyana.”

This tour can made any time of the year. During the rainy season we recommend it in combination with a boat trip to the Angel Falls.

Duration: 6 days

Daily walks: 3 to 7 hours

PRICE PER PERSON : 520 EUR (2 persons), 470 EUR (3 persons), 295 EUR (4 persons), additional day 50 EUR

roraima

kamadac.de

besthike Roraima information page

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7 trekkers die in the mountains


Himalayas?

Andes?

Nope. The UK.

Icy conditions in the fell country lead to seven trekker deaths on Wales’ Mt. Snowdon and the English Peak and Lake Districts.

Terrible.

I had no idea that winter walking in the United Kingdom was so dangerous.

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The lesson here? Easy is all about conditions. When the slopes and trails are wet, or muddy, or icy, or the lightning’s flying and the wind’s howling, your easy hike just turned into a big deal. Whenever you go into the woods in winter, never scrimp on safety and travel equipment like poles, crampons, axes, skis, snowshoes, gaiters, goggles, bivy gear and clothing.

You have two choices out there: If you’re ready for the conditions, have fun. If you’re not, turn around. It’s a simple decision, but one that people often have a hard time making. If you let desire pull you onward when you’re not prepared….well, you can learn from the examples above, or learn it on your own. Always do your suffering vicariously.

Hike safe. – Steve Howe

Backpacker – Danger in the British Isles