Best hikes, treks, tramps in the world.
At 57 Rosie started running around the world. Solo, self-supported and on a very low budget.
Can she handle it?
She’s well over 2/3 finished.
Running for charity is the challenge Rosie set for herself after the death of her husband.
Run completed through February 2006
She was in the Yukon in July.
UPDATE: The concern below, originally posted July 5th, 2006, has been one of the most popular posts on this blog. Seems it strikes a sore point.
Over 2 months after my original complaint via the Parks Canada Listens page I finally heard back from them. With another survey on bears. No response to my original complaint.
Seems Parks Canada did not listen.
This time I will send the updated complaint to these email addresses:
support@parkslistens.ca
information@pc.gc.ca
And let you know if I get any official response to the original complaint.
Parks Canada is a government, bureaucratic monopoly with no real pressure to respond to customer (taxpayer) concerns. Don’t hold your breath.
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July 5th, 2006
My buddy George just purchased his annual National Parks vehicle passes for both countries:
Canada = US$111.35 (C$123.80)
USA = US$50
OK. So why is Canada over twice as expensive? Ah — here’s the rationale on the Parks Canada website.
I don’t buy it.
I have visited National Parks in both countries for decades and I prefer the American Parks. Regulations are much more reasonable in the States though the amenities are arguably better north of the border.
Once in the Parks, user fees are higher & more numerous in Canada, as well.
At these rates I feel the Canadian National Parks are starting to drive away visitors. Contrary to the objectives of the Park system.
I sent my concerns to Parks Canada at their join.parkslistens.ca website.
If you are deciding between Canada and the USA for your next hiking vacation — and cost is an important factor — we recommend the States.
We just added a link to SimpleHiker.com edited by Josh Wilkins who is into topics “Vegetarianism, Veganism, Gourmet, Green, Technology, Simplicity and Travel”.
You can find Simple Hiker under Blogs in the right hand navigation menu.
We feel the best shout out to good stuff on the web is a permanent link. Thanks Josh! Keep up the great posts.
We have also subscribed to the SimpleHiker.com RSS atom feed.
The SimpleHiker.com blog recommends this cool, lightweight (4.8 oz) product for emergency recharge of your cell while on a hike.
Good idea.
It uses a standard double AA battery.
TURBO CHARGE TC200 Electronic Reusable Portable Cellular Phone Charger
Many proclaim the Torres del Paine Circuit in Chile the best hiking destination in the world — and we are hard pressed to argue.
It is unique & gorgeous in every way.
… a site where backpackers evaluate new gear in the field over a six month testing period. We report to BackpackGearTest.org in a setting that encourages discussion.
For gear tests, manufacturers provide a set of gear to go to a broad range of testers. For other evaluations, we provide individual reports on our own gear with which we have had significant field experience. All of our reports are available to hikers seeking to make educated decisions about gear purchases and use, and to manufacturers and retailers seeking market exposure, recommendations from third party sources, as well as research and development feedback.
BackpackGearTest.org – Home Page
This site has great potential.
Yet another good reason to head for Washington State is the 2006 rollback of a $5 day use fee for hikers. After being implemented in 2003, research showed that “more than a fourth of the … fees … were swallowed up by administration of the parking-fee program itself.” And attendance dropped drastically at some Parks.
The Seattle Times: Outdoors: Parks are fee-free again, as they should be
We recommend hikers plan vacations in Washington State. Start with the Enchantment Traverse (Aasgard Pass to Enchantment Lakes), one of the best hikes in the world.
Our complaints about high fees in Canada have had no response from Parks Canada. Hiking in the USA is far better value.
Peter Potterfield is the author of Classic Hikes of the World.
He spent a week hiking a section of the Kungsleden — Abisko Mountain Station to Kebnekaise Mountain Station — about 100 kilometers — “some of the best scenery of the entire route, including Sweden’s highest mountain.”
Hiking Arctic Sweden page 1 – GreatOutdoors.com
Kungsleden: The Basics
The Trail: The 450-kilometer Kungsleden begins at Abisko, in the north, and continues south to Hemavan. Hiking the entire route takes a month, or more, figuring about 100 kilometers per week. …
When to Go: The huts on the northern section are open from mid-June to mid-September, when the trail is sufficiently free of snow to be hiked. The midnight sun shines from the end of May to Mid July. Expect a wet track but uncrowded huts until mid-July, when the month-long busy hiking season begins. Any hike in September comes with the risk of early season snow.
Trip Planning: Lappland is relatively remote, but surprisingly easy to reach from Stockholm if you know how. Kiruna makes a laid-back staging city, accessed by air, with convenient bus connections to and from the hike.
The STF, the Swedish Touring Federation offers basic information in English and Japanese, and much more in Swedish and European languages. STF volunteers answer email, so if you inquire in English about a travel detail or ask a question about Kungsleden, you usually get a response in English within a week or so.
photo – elfi kaut
Is there any better photographer of the John Muir Wilderness?
We don’t know of any, Ansel Adams included.
Buck Forester (Brian Ernst) is the best.
Check the rest of his fine pics on Flickr.
Via Alpina, 3100mi (4989km), is Europe’s best trans-Alps trail.
In the summer of 2005 signage was completed for the entire route. Start packing.
Hikers choose from 5 main colour coded routes. The Red Trail, for example, crosses borders 44 times and traverses the Alps in 161 distinct stages.
The Via Alpina includes some of the most famous hikes in the alps: the Tour du Mont Blanc in France, the Triglav Lakes Valley Circuit in Slovenia, and the Col du Grand-Saint-Bernard between Switzerland and Italy, among them.
The official website is excellent offering detailed information on trail stages, hiking distances, GPS coordinates, challenge levels, and lodging options from huts (or refuges, in Alpine parlance) to chalets. In 5 languages!
NEED TO KNOW: In June and September there’s usually ample space in the hut systems along the Via Alpina. In July and August—or if you’re traveling with a large group—it’s smart to plan ahead. The Via Alpina Web site (www.via-alpina.org) lists contact information for huts, lodges, chalets, and B&Bs along each stage of the trail.
Another good starting point is Alps Travel along the Via Alpina – National Geographic Adventure Magazine
besthike.com 