Himalaya – Michael Palin

Just finished an excellent book, Himalaya by Michael Palin of Monty Python fame.

Palin is far better known now for his adventure travel documentaries on BBC TV. In fact, this book is the companion to Himalaya, the TV series available on DVD (2004).

Instead of reading the book, I bought it on Audible.com (about US$12) as Palin reads his own prose. And reads it very well. Both informative and amusing.

I recommend Palin to one and all. (The audio version is much lighter to take with you hiking.)

Himalaya

Himalaya – the book – Amazon

Michael Palin – Wikipedia

A second book was produced from Palin’s 6 month trip featuring the photos taken on the Himalayan journey by his official photographer:

Inside Himalaya

Inside Himalaya – Basil Pao

Benton MacKaye – the OTHER Appalachian Trail

American Hiking Society’s Jeffrey Hunter linked to a New York Times article: Appalachia’s Other Trail.

But what is the Benton MacKaye?

Seems I’ve just started hearing about it.

The Benton MacKaye Trail (BMT) is a footpath of nearly 300 miles (480 km) through the Appalachian mountains of the southeastern United States. It is designed for foot travel in the tradition of the Appalachian Trail (AT).

Running from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Davenport Gap on the northern edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (the Smokies), the BMT passes through some of the most remote backcountry in Georgia, Tennessee and North Carolina, including eight federally designated Wilderness and Wilderness Study Areas. For further information on the trail, visit the BMT Vital Info page.

For Hikers

There are numerous access points and trailheads along the BMT route creating many options for one-way and loop hikes, and several more in combination with local trails. Longer hikes are possible on the BMT by doing a partial or full thru-hike. And the longest walks are done by also using the three major intersecting trails, the Pinhoti, the AT, and the 900-plus mile Mountains-to-Sea Trail.

Because the BMT intersects the AT at each terminus and in the middle, three large hikable loops are formed in a figure 8: a lower circle of 364 miles, an upper Smokies-only walk of 158 miles, and ‘The BMT Loop’ – a complete circuit hike of over 500 miles. The Georgia Loop, “toughest hike in Georgia”, is a 55-mile triangle of the BMT, the AT and the Duncan Ridge Trail. In the Eastern Continental Trail; the 4400-plus mile route from Key West, Florida to Cape Gaspe, Quebec, Canada; the BMT connects the Pinhoti and Appalachian Trails. For more hiker information, check the Hiker Resources page.

Benton MacKaye Trail Assn. – BMTA Home Page

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(via American Hiking Society’s Southeast Trail Program – Benton MacKaye Trail Featured in NY Times)

Thunder River/Deer Creek Loop, Grand Canyon

Graywolf likes, as one of the best hikes in the world, the Thunder River/Deer Creek Loop in the Grand Canyon:

It is a very demanding and beautiful 26 to 43 (w/side trips) mile hike from the North Rim to the river and back. Awesome scenery, beautiful river, creeks, and falls and a wonderful play area in the Deer Creek narrows. To enjoy the fullest, plan on 5 night/6 day trip which would include a layover day in Deer Creek.

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Start from the north rim on the Thunder River Trail, descending about 4600′ (1400m) to the Colorado.

Return to the north rim via the Deer Creek Trail.

This hike is strenuous and can be dangerous: severe weather, over-exertion, dehydration. Even flash flood. Desert hiking experience essential.

No need to carry canyon climbing gear — though you can use it if you do.

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Deer Creek Narrows – larger original – flickr

Mike Miles posted a most entertaining trip report – Hiking Grand Canyon; an adventure on the Bill Hall, Thunder River and Deer Creek trails. They were physically challenged, injured and bothered by a marauding ring-trail cat.

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Colorado River mile 134 beach camp

We’ve added the Thunder River/Deer Creek Loop to our list of the best hikes in North America.

Trip Reports – hiking the Wave, Utah

Backcountry Blog just posted a trip report on one of the best day hikes in the known universe:

… I had always wanted to come here, but nothing had prepared me for what was in front of me.

This formation is one of natures’ most spectacular. The colors were so vivid, the waves of sandstone so perfectly formed. …

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… The beauty and vastness of this southern Utah desert always puts life in perspective for me. Out there you are one tiny person in this wilderness. Out there, you realize that you are but an infant in the sands of time. …

For details and more photos check the Backcountry Blog Wave trip report.

how to hike The Wave and Paria – besthike information page

hike in Tennessee

… Tennessee State Parks System has been named the best state parks system in the country by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration and the National Recreation and Park Association. …

Some of the key accomplishments of Tennessee State Parks since 2003 include:

* Immediately reopening 14 parks that had been previously closed;

* Removing access fees from the 23 state parks that had instituted them

read more … Tennessee State Parks System Named Best in the Country

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Hiking Trails – Tennessee State Parks

PCT late season hike – Freezer Bag Cooking

Sarah’s Freezer Bag Cookingâ„¢ | Outdoor Food Simplified site is #1 for hiking food in my opinion.

But Sarah’s a hard core hiker, as well.

Check these photos from her latest trip report:

My friend Steve and I set out to do the section hike of Chinook Pass to White Pass on the PCT here in Washington. We headed southbound on this section. It is roughly a shy 30 miles. …

We left Chinook Pass in a snowstorm, the only vehicle besides us up there was the snow plow.

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Would you go out this late in the year?

Snow on the PCT – trip report and more photos

FloridaHikes.com – new look

I like it. (The font could be larger, though.)

Congratulations Sandra!

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… hikes now have embedded Google maps, which you can print as you print off the hike information, and I’m learning how to embed my GPS tracks into the maps so they’re available too. The new website is more flexible, so I can post news snippets and articles as well as hikes, and I’ve added a much more robust forum for you to chat about Florida hiking.

Alas, because of the problems I had with forum spammers this summer, you must register to use the forum. However …. if you register, and send me a little detail about yourself (link to your own website, info about your hiking interests, etc), I will bump up your registration status to that of “author” so you, too, can submit your own pieces of content for the website: hikes, trip reports, articles, photos, whatever you like! You’ll see the option on the user menu after signing in.

floridahikes.com » Blog Archive » New season, new look!

I generally avoid hiking forums because of SPAM. Your new registration process will help.

Also DUMB. The misinformation posted by spelling-challenged morons. That is more difficult to restrict.

FloridaHikes.com

hike Pinnell Mountain Trail, Alaska

We’re still searching — not too successfully — for “best hikes” in Alaska.

This one sounds great. Some consider it the best long hike in the Fairbanks area.

And Alfred Cook has posted an amazingly detailed mile-by-mile website dedicated to the Pinnell Mountain Trail.

A better overview is posted on AmericanTrails.org:

… (begin) at Eagle Summit, 107 miles east of Fairbanks, Alaska, and follow the ridgelines above timber line and enjoy the vastness of Alaska. …

The trail is considered moderate to difficult with some short sections with gradients of up to 25 percent. Elevations rise to 4,872 feet. Climbing to the top of each ridge can be a challenge but the vast views of the Alaska Range, the White Mountains, the Crazy Mountains and the Yukon River valley are well worth the effort. …

AmericanTrails.org

It’s about 27mi (32km) long, 2-4 days.

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larger original – flickr

more photos from this hike Pinnell Mountain Trail Set – flickr – Sasha Ray-Ray

Banff Mountain Festival 2007, Oct 27 – Nov 4

I am planning to head out to Banff for the festival, my first time ever.

Though films are at the “heart of the festival”, there is much more happening. The Mountain Book events, for example. And the Adventure Trade Show for gear.

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The 32nd annual Banff Mountain Film Festival, presented by National Geographic and New Balance, brings you the world’s best mountain films and speakers. Experience the adventure of climbing, mountain expeditions, remote cultures, and the world’s last great wild places — all brought to life on the big screen. …

Banff Mountain FILM festival

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Banff Mountain Festivals 2007 SCHEDULE

I am still trying to decipher the ticketing page. They need fewer options.

Leave a comment if you are going to be there.

Autumn hikes in North America

The Adventure Blog links to a Backpacker Magazine article. And editor Kraig adds some recommendations of his own:

We’re into October now, and that means that Autumn is in the air and soon the green leaves of Summer will give way to the bright reds, oranges, and yellows of Fall. I know that it’s a perfect time to hit a trail and enjoy the cooler weather and stunning scenery, and so do the folks over at Backpacker Magazine where they’ve compiled a nice list of suggestions on where to go depending on how much time you have to spend.

… they recommend Lowe’s Bald Spot in New Hampshire, or Lost Maples State Natural Area here in Texas …

read more … The Adventure Blog: Autumn Hiking Suggestions

In Canada it is almost too late to see the larch trees turn golden at Lake O’Hara in the Rockies. I planned to head up there myself last week — but decided, instead, to fly to Mexico for dental work.

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more photos from our Fall 2006 trip – flickr