Posts

Posted on

day hike Glacier National Park, Montana

The Curious Cat posted an excellent Photo Travelogue of his holiday. I love this succinct format for a trip report. One page with photo sets linked to thumbnails.

We’re always raving about the best multi-day hikes in Glacier. But most people prefer to hit the best day hikes, covering more territory by starting at a new trailhead each day.

I planned my hikes largely using Best Easy Day Hikes: Glacier National Park (which I recommend) and by talking to the rangers.

The first night I slept in the main lodge. I spent my first day in the Two Medicine Lake area and settled into the Swift Motor Lodge for 3 nights. I enjoyed ranger talks each evening in the Many Glaciers lodge. The second day I hiked in the Saint Mary Lake area (Piegen Pass). Day three I hiked Apikuni Falls. Day four I walked the Swiftcurrent Lake Trail and then a ranger lead hike to Redrock Falls.

glacier.jpg

Day five was a magical day. I started with a great ranger led hike to Iceberg Lake (I kept waiting for good weather which we finally got). Then I drove up to Waterton International Peace Park in Canada. The scenery at several overlooks on that drive were amazing. I then hiked the Bear’s Hump trail and stayed at the Prince of Wales Hotel which was quite nice.

Day six was great also. I drove back and hiked the Hidden Lake trail. Several days earlier I had driven to Logan Pass (where the trailhead is) and literally you could not see 15 feet in any direction. I ended up at the Lake McDonald Lodge (which is “just” a motel but with a view that is amazing. I read American Gods sitting on the balcony looking at at this view – incredible. A great way to end my stay.

Curious Cat Travels – Photo Travelogue Essay: Glacier National Park, Montana pictures and photos on hiking trails

Best Easy Day Hikes Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks, 2nd (Best Easy Day Hikes Series)

Best Easy Day Hikes Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks, 2nd (Best Easy Day Hikes Series)

Posted on

#3 best hiking region in the world is the …

Rockies

Spectacular vistas, frequent wildlife encounters, the best wild flowers we’ve ever seen. Hot springs, quaint mountain towns, perhaps the best long distance hikes on the planet.

There are options to scramble ridges and peaks virtually everywhere.

“You can’t lose in the Rockies.”

… so says frequent contributor Rob Glaser who has hiked here all his life.

rockies.jpgTrails are safe and well managed. The infrastructure excellent. (In fact, it’s hard to imagine there are two regions in the world we rate better.)

The weather and conditions are variable to say the least, but in many parts of the Rockies Aug-Sept are the best months. A very short window! On the other hand, if you ski or board, you’ll never lack for adventure in the Rocky Mountains.

More information on our new Rockies information page.

Our favourite trip in the Canadian Rockies is Sunshine to Assiniboine, our #5 hike in the world.

Anemones and Assiniboine, Alberta, Canada

Our Assiniboine Information page.

Just a short drive away is our favourite trail in the USA Rockies, Glacier North Circle, our #6 hike in the world. One of the best places in the world to see wildlife.

Our North Circle Information page.

Leave a comment if you have your own favourite hike in the Rockies.

Posted on

honeymoon on the John Muir Trail

Just learned that contributor Dave Hayley (who organized our Tombstone, Yukon hike last summer) is proposing to honeymoon on the JMT.

The ideal wedding present:

Jeff Alt convinced his wife (Beth), a woman raised with the belief that vacations include hot showers, beaches, and warm beds, to chuck her domesticated amenities and “Take a Hike” to help her overcome the loss of her brother.

Jeff had to spend quite a bit of time convincing Beth that the hike would be romantic, skillfully leaving out some minor details about the journey.

They walked the 218-mile John Muir Trail across California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range as a depression awareness campaign, carrying all their supplies on their backs and sleeping on the ground for weeks on end.

Jeff Alt – Motivational Speaker and Two Time Award Winning Author

An Uplifting Adventure Across the Sierra Nevada for Depression Awareness

A Hike For Mike: An Uplifting Adventure Across the Sierra Nevada for Depression Awareness

Our John Muir Trail information page.

Posted on

#4 best hiking region in the world is the …

Sierra Nevada

The longest, highest, most diverse mountain range in the continental United States is not the Rockies. It’s the Sierra Nevada range in California.

Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Yosemite … everyone loves these mountains.

In the summer of 2007 we met a hiker there who enjoyed 41 days in a row of perfect weather. Where else in the mountains can you get that? (Starting day 42 he had pounding hail and was at risk of death by lightning.)

The range is about the same size as the Alps, 430mi long, 40-80mi wide. It’s all great.

Many come here specifically to climb Mt. Whitney, the highest peak in the contiguous States. Others come to see astonishing Yosemite Valley. And to scramble Half Dome.

Lower elevation hikes are accessible year-round. The Parks are within easy driving distance of major urban areas and, unusual for the USA, have good public transportation. Kids love this region.

In fact, everyone leaves John Muir’s “Range of Light” elated.

More information on our new Sierra Nevada information page.

Our favourite hike in the Sierra Nevada is the John Muir Trail, our #2 hike in the world. (Every photo of the JMT is a postcard.)

See our JMT Information page.

A good starting point is the somewhat dated Lonely Planet Hiking in the Sierra Nevada – Mock & O’Neil, 2002. There are many other good guidebooks for this region, however.

Lonely Planet Hiking in the Sierra Nevada

Posted on

Life and Teaching of the Masters of the Far North

Istvan Hernadi has travelled over 30,000 kilometers in Northern BC, Yukon, NWT and Alaska during the last 3 years to the most remote and desolate places of the Far North in search of the Masters, in order to meet them and to learn their teachings.

He sought out mountains, trails, rivers and lakes for hiking, biking, and paddling his small Alpacka packraft. He met strange characters during his wild adventures, people who live amazing lives in these remote places.

photos – flickr

the author’s blog

Istvan’s even published a book of photos:

masters.jpg

Life and Teaching of the Masters of the Far North – $20

Posted on

#5 best hiking region in the world is the …

Central Andes

Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia

Hiking holidays in Peru are hot right now. More popular than ever. Political stability since the leader of the Shining Path terrorist group was captured in 1992 resulted in a booming tourist industry.

The second highest mountain range on Earth is fantastic. Broad valleys and endless vistas. You are always above the tree line. Arid desert to the west, Amazon jungle to the east.

Our contributors have hiked most of the major treks in Peru the past few years. The peaks, glaciers and canyons are outrageous. Everyone is thrilled with the Andes.

Unfortunately, management of treks is atrocious, the Peruvian government seemingly bent on ruining their fantastic tourist draw. Do your homework before booking a flight to Lima. Or sign on with a trekking company with which you have had a strong, recent recommendation.

Ruminahui in Cotopaxi National Park, Ecuador

The weather in the Andes can be deadly, of course, but sometimes you get weeks of sunny blue skies, especially in the Cordillera Blanca out of Huaraz, Peru. The best weather for the high peaks out of Huaraz (the best jumping off point for hikers in the Central Andes) is the drier “Andean summer”: May-Sept.

In fact, there are good hikes somewhere in this region year round.

More information on our new Central Andes information page.

Our favourite hike in the Central Andes is the little known Ausangate Circuit in Peru, our #4 best hike in the world. Quite a few trekkers have decided on Ausangate (instead of the over-hyped Inca Trail) based on our recommendation. And all have been happy with that decision.

See our Ausangate Circuit Information page.

The best guidebook for the Central Andes, by far, is Lonely Planet:

Lonely Planet Trekking in the Central Andes

Lonely Planet Trekking in the Central Andes

Note that Bolivia is not nearly as popular as it should be due to lack of infrastructure for tourism, security concerns and political instability. Honestly, unless you know the language and culture well, it’s better to hike Peru. Or much neglected Ecuador.

Posted on

trek Torres del Paine with a guide – Chile Nativo

Looking for a reputable guide for Paine in Chile?

Jim Pierce had a great experience. By email:

We had two experienced, English-speaking guides, good food, and pre-arranged lodging in refugios (7 nights) and 2-man expedition tents (3 nights). The cost was $2,195 per person. Porters were hired by some at a cost of $60 per day, shared between two persons. Chile Nativo has an American administrator in their office in Puerto Natales who promptly answered all our questions. I highly recommend Chile Nativo.

Here’s their site:

chile-nativo.jpgTrekking

We invite you to experience, by way of daily walks, the principal attractions of Torres Del Paine, located in the heart of Patagonia; visiting glaciers, native forests, turquoise lakes and impressive views of the granite towers, sleeping in comfortable campsites, cozy mountain lodges, or modern hotels. …

Patagonia and Torres del Paine Travel Agency – Chile Nativo

Posted on

#6 best hiking region in the world is the …

Patagonian Andes

Patagonia is massive and bleak. Yet we love the Patagonian Andes, 2000km (1243mi) in length, but averaging less than 100km (62mi) in width. You could take years exploring just the eastward (drier) side of the mountains.

Towering granite peaks, untouched lakes, massive glaciers, huge volcano trekking peaks. This land is phenomenal.

Trekkers target five areas:

  • The Araucania
  • Lakes District
  • Central Patagonia
  • Southern Patagonia
  • Tierra del Fuego

    • Start in Mendoza, Argentina and visit the highest mountain outside Asia, Aconcagua. Next bus to the Switzerland of South America (Lake District). Some of the highest volcanoes of the world are here. Finally, work your way south by air and ferry to the granite spires at the south tip of the continent.

    Trekking season here is Nov-Apr. (Feb-Mar often the best weather) That said, the wind and weather in Patagonia is notorious. Independent hikers need be prepared for anything and everything.

    Conversational Spanish highly recommended for those travelling independently.

    More information on our new Patagonia information page.

    Our favourite hike in the Patagonian Andes is the Paine Circuit in Chile.


    John Grey Pass, Paine Circuit – flickr – Patagonia set – Michael Bollino

    See our Paine Circuit Information page.

    The bible is Lonely Planet Trekking in the Patagonian Andes:

    Lonely Planet Trekking in the Patagonian Andes

    Posted on

    hike through Britain with Daryl May

    mug.jpgA 63-year-old American hikes “end-to-end” — from Land’s End to John o’Groats — and reflects on Britain now and in his youth.

    A “typical” thru hike:

  • 928 miles, in 56 days
  • Average of 16.6 miles per day
  • March 20 to May 16, 2007
  • Alone, carrying 23 lb backpack and bellypack
  • Stayed at B&Bs, inns, and youth hostels
  • 12 blisters, aching shoulders, sore knees, sore ankles, sunburn
  • Lost 13 lb, grew new muscles
  • Developed a large hernia
  • Ended nearly broke

    • home-map-one-with-text.jpg

    Congratulations Darryl!

    Read his trip report – Hike through Britain with Daryl May

    Posted on

    #7 best hiking region in the world is …

    NEPAL

    A trip to The Kingdom of Nepal may well be the best hiking holiday of your life.

    It’s the abode of the Gods.

    The exotic Buddhist and Hiindu culture is as fascinating as are the world’s highest peaks.

    Most trekkers are set on Everest or Annapurna, but there are many other great choices, especially if you sign on with a trekking company that can get you into restricted areas like Mustang.

    Tourism is important to the Nepalis. Foreign hikers feel welcome as soon as they arrive. And hiking in the world’s highest mountains can be “easy” on “tea house” treks where you stroll with just a day pack.

    Or, if you want the full mountaineering experience, sidetrip up, up, up towards the clouds.

    The weather and conditions are much milder than you might expect. Best months to trek are Oct-Nov (post-monsoon) and April-May (pre-monsoon).

    More information on our new Nepal information page.

    Our favourite hike in Nepal is the Annapurna Circuit. It’s our #8 hike in the world, as well.

    See our Annapurna Circuit Information page.

    Some feel Annapurna is in decline as roads and motor vehicles are degrading the Circuit. That won’t happen to the Mt. Everest region. Check out the Nov. 2009 16-day Everest trip report by besthike editor Rick McCharles.