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Mt. Cook in New Zealand

The classic hike close to the highest peak in New Zealand was the Copland Pass Track — but it has been closed to the general public for years. Landslide made it too dangerous.

The best alternative is the guided Ball Pass Trek, a 3-day trek spending two nights at Caroline Hut 1830m (6000ft).

Alpinists may prefer the toughter Fitzgerald Pass route (Jubilee Route from Mt. Cook to the Copland Valley).

Know that the weather is often horrendous. It may be days before you see the top of Aoraki (cloud piercer).

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Ball Pass route

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the changing of the Alpine Larch

Though I’ve lived most of my life in the shadow of the Canadian Rockies, I had never made the trip to see the season end changing of the Larch to golden yellow — one of the great natural displays in nature.

Until this Fall.

Friends had won a lottery for exclusive use of the Elizabeth Parker Alpine Hut close to Lake O’Hara. This is one of the very best spots in the world to see the changing of the colours. On the very best weekend of the year.

I tagged along as a guest, staying in the campground. And felt as if I won the lottery!

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more photos of this hike on Flickr

The Alpine Larch is a fascinating tree which helps hikers determine altitude. It grows only between 1800-2400m (6000-8000ft) in the Rocky Mountains of Idaho, Montana, British Columbia & Alberta — normally the highest trees on the mountain.

The needles are as soft as fur, lovely to the touch.

details on how to organize a hike to O’Hara – besthike.com

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hiking the Valencian country in Spain

Who wants to hike coastal Spain?

We do.

A website with a terrific name: TopWalks.net — (like BestHikes.com) — will steer you to the best hikes in the beautiful, historic Valencia region. The site is published in 4 languages.

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Of the 60 walks detailed, several are recommended as best hikes:

Aitana route 1

Aitana route 2

Laguart valley route 1

Laguart valley route 2

Those pages will give you an idea just how detailed a hiking resource this site offers. Check the wealth of information on flowers of the region. Amazing.

More information:

The Valencian Community (Comunidad Valenciana in Spanish, Comunitat Valenciana in Valencian) is an autonomous community in eastern Spain. … it has 518 kilometers of coastline on the Mediterranean …

Valencia – Wikipedia

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“drinking your water raw”

filter-water.jpgContributor George Novak normally hikes without water bottle or filter. He “prehydrates” — then drinks as much as he can if and when he finds good water. He has no more stomach trouble than the most careful hiker.

Everyone agrees the literature is hyper-cautious when it comes to water treatment.

Doc’s Rules for Sipping the Waters

Study the watershed you are in. Know what is there.
Look for water near to its source.
Try to take water from the sideslope streamlets.
Avoid water from the main valley stream.
Look for icy cold water.
Look for fast-moving water.
Study the area for the presence of large animals.
Ascertain whether numbers of elk have recently been in the area.
Avoid waters near beaver ponds or cattle grazing.
…

Two-Heel Drive: September 2006 Archives

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source

How careful are you with water treatment?

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best mountain photographs of 2006

Wapiti (elk) during the rut.

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Note: click the thumbnails on the left of this page to see the other winning pictures: National Geographic News Photo Gallery: Best Mountain Photographs of 2006 Announced

(via The Adventure Blog – 2006 Banff Mountain Photography Competition)

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introducing Jeffrey Poznanovic

We’ve linked to a number of Jeffrey’s impressive photo journals.

Check 9 months of 2006 adventures through South America and S.E. Asia on his travel blog. It links too to his pics from the Galapagos, the Amazon and much more.

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Jeffrey at Fitzroy, Argentina

Details on this trek — besthike.com Around Monte Fitz Roy

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California: Center of the Outdoor Universe

I am packing for the first ever meetup of outdoor activity bloggers. Not surprisingly, it is in California.

During my lifetime most of the great outdoor innovations began in California. The first mountain bikes were built there, for example.

Yet when the Get Outdoors blog called California “the center of the outdoor universe”, there was dissent. Even I chimed in claiming that Queenstown, New Zealand was a better outdoors base than anywhere in California.

But, on balance, I agree with Get Outdoors. California is awesome.

Unparalleled Breadth of Outdoor Activities

Ecosystem & Geographic Diversity

National Parks & Wilderness Areas

Environmental Stewardship

Outdoor Visionaries

Center of the Outdoor Universe – Getoutdoors.com Outdoor Blog

But since the California grizzly on the state flag has long been extinct, I feel a new image is needed.

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Sylwia Bukowicka – Dhaulagiri Expedition 2006

Is this a spokesmodel for an ice axe manufacturer?

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HiMountain Dhaulagiri Expedition 2006 – Now it’s Sylwia Bukowicka Time

No, it’s 28-year-old Polish climber Sylwia Bukowicka.

She’s headed for Dhaulagiri (8167m) this Fall.

She has already summitted two eightthousanders: Cho Oyu and Gasherbrum II.

And Ama Dablam, Alpamayo, and Khan Tengri.

And in August she summitted Korzeniewska Peak (7105m) with a sprained ankle.

What have you done lately?

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finally, a waterproof backpack – Arc’teryx Naos

I still chuckle thinking back to the hilarious A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson. His outrage at finding out he needed also buy a “pack cover” along with his new expensive pack is something to which many can relate.

The new Arc’teryx Naos packs are getting good reviews.

Arc\'teryx Naos 55 Backpack 3420 cu in - Men\'s Cobalt, Short
Arc\’teryx Naos 55 Backpack 3420 cu in – Men\’s Cobalt, Short