Posts

Posted on

John Muir Trail Speed records


Reinhold Metzger’s record of 5 days 7 Hours 45 minutes without being resupplied was shattered by Michael Popov. We’ve updated our JMT information page.

Speed record

The speed record for fastpacking the John Muir Trail without resupply (as of 2007) is held by Michael Popov, who completed the trail in 4 days, 5 hours, and 25 minutes. Popov carried all of his equipment and received no outside assistance.

On August 26, 2007 Sue Johnston arrived at Happy Isles trailhead in Yosemite Valley, having run from Whitney Portal in 3 days, 20 hours. Total distance 218 miles (351 km).

Wikipedia

Popov was pushed by racing Aaron Sorensen for the record, though Aaron was forced to quit after 120mi due to foot problems.

start-mt-whitney-r

That’s Aaron Sorensen on the left, Michael Popov on the right. They posted accounts of the “race” on Southernmostrunners.com

I don’t recommend you try to best the Popov record. Take it slow. Enjoy the JMT.

Posted on

Kilimanjaro climbing video

It’s the world’s highest free-standing mountain, one of the seven summits and the highest peak in Africa. While a host of celebrities gear up to set foot on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro for Comic Relief, TRAIL magazine – the UK’s best-selling hill-walking magazine – has just got home from the mountain.

Click PLAY or watch the promo video for the climb on YouTube.


official website of TRAIL and Country Walking magazines – Live for the Outdoors

To see a 6min highlights clip of Day 1 and Day 2 of the Machame Route, click through to The Adventure Blog.

best hike – Kilimanjaro information page

Posted on

Alternative Treks to the Inca Trail

That’s the title of a post by Kraig Becker on my favourite travel site, Gadling.

gadling

The Inca Trail, one of the best known and most popular treks anywhere in the world, culminating with hikers arriving at Machu Picchu following a stunning four day journey through the Andes. Unfortunately the popularity of the trail is also one of its drawbacks, with literally hundreds flocking to it on a daily basis during the high season. Those crowds can deminish the experience for those who prefer solitude on their adventures.

Fortunately, there are some excellent alternatives to the Inca Trail that offer more challenging hikes, little to no traffic, and scenery seen by only a select few. Here are three of the very best of those alternatives:

  • Salcantay Trail
  • Choquequiro
  • Cordillera Huayhuash

    • Gadling – Alternative Treks to the Inca Trail

    Click through for details on each.

    Our own list of best hikes in Peru:

    * Ausangate Circuit
    * Huayhuash Circuit
    * Alpamayo
    * Santa Cruz Trek
    * Inca Trail
    * Salcantay to Machu Picchu
    * Choquiquirao to Machu Picchu
    * Ticlla Circuit
    * Colca Canyon
    * Misti
    * Gran Vilaya (Kuelap)

    our best hikes in the Central Andes page

    Ausangate and Huayhuash are the best for hard core hikers willing to trek at high altitude. The Inca Trail is often a disappointment to serious hikers.

    Jake G - Cordillera Huayhuash Trek, Peru Sept. 2003
    Jake G - Cordillera Huayhuash Trek, Peru Sept. 2003

    You can always visit the famous ruins by train, a wonderful trip on its own.

    flickr - Carnaval King 08
    flickr - Carnaval King 08

    Posted on

    10 Days, 24 Races, 1 Big Party!

    The latest update on my Adventure Racing Team’s BIG event for 2009.

    Adventure Sports Week is a 10 day long festival of 24 outdoor races, contests, clinics and social events taking place at Farragut State Park, 30 miles north of Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho, June 5—14, 2009.

    The motto of this year’s event is “10 Days, 24 Races, 1 Big Party!” and the organizers and the surrounding communities are working hard to make that a reality. …

    Atop Chilco Mountain, Idaho
    Atop Chilco Mountain, Idaho

    larger original – flickr

    Local hospitality is only one of the things racers should expect at ASW 2009:

    “We’re actually pretty pleased with how the many races are shaping up,” said event director Dave Adlard. “The
    courses have all been set, and we’ve had marvelous response from celebrity and pro athletes including Ian Adamson, Mike Kloser, Rebecca Rusch, Robyn Benincasa and even Ultramarathon Man Dean Karnazes. I think between the festive atmosphere, great awards and gear and the amazing scenery, this is going to be one of the highlight events on the national racing calendar.”

    Adventure Sports Week was also recognized in the recent National Geographic “Adventure” Magazine as one of the
    top racing events in the US.

    Online registration is now open at www.adventuresportsweek.com for all races.

    Posted on

    climbing Island Peak, Nepal

    intights from March 2008. Some nice trekking footage. Great music.

    Compilation of short video clips and some stills taken on Trek from Lukla to Gokyo, over the Cho-La, to Gorak Shep, Everest base camp, then with an Ascent of Island Peak (Imja Tse). Includes additional photos/footage of Kathmandu and flight to/from Lukla.

    Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. (8min)

    The rest of this Aussie travel blog posts are well worth a browse.

    Posted on

    World’s Best Glacier Treks

    As chosen by My Several Worlds:

    … Glacier treks come in a range of exciting opportunities for beginners and experienced climbers. Experienced climbers who are looking for something more challenging than a standard day hike can try an introduction to the sport of ice climbing on the ice walls of a glacier. You can even combine the thrill of a helicopter ride with the opportunity to explore a remote part of the glacier on foot. A helicopter can take you on a scenic flight over the glaciers and surrounding region, and then drop you off for some intensive hiking and climbing. If you’re looking for an unforgettable travel experience, there are few things more rewarding or satisfying than spending a full day on ice.


    1. The Franz Josef and Fox Glacier in the Southern Alps of New Zealand

    2. Snæfellsjökull Glacier in Iceland

    3. The Icefields Parkway in Canada

    4. Kennicott, Alaska’s Root Glacier

    5. The Swiss Alps, Switzerland The Aletsch Glacier

    6. Patagonia, Argentina and Chile The Southern Patagonian Ice Fields

    7. Bolivia

    8. The Peruvian Andes

    9. Nepal and the Indian Himalayas

    10. Bhutan.

    For photos click through to My Several Worlds – The World’s Best Glacier Trekking Getaways

    The Perito Moreno Glacier in Argentina is the BEST I’ve visited.

    larger original – flickr – Matito

    <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rickmccharles/sets/72157612420033468/">my Perito Moreno photos</a>

    Posted on

    sleeping bag – bear costume

    Cure your fear of bears by pretending you are the mighty hunter and have slayed the terrifying bear. Then strut around the room wearing the huge bearskin to show off your prowess. OR take the sleeping bag camping and you can scare the be-jezuz out of your friends when they wake up next to you.

    Both are possible with this incredible new sleeping bag by artist Eiko Ishizawa. This fun design is so cool (and a little creepy looking) that we just had to share it with all of our readers. …

    the-sleeping-bear-1

    My Bad Pad

    (via campingblogger on twitter)