Best hikes, treks, tramps in the world.
I heard Chris Townsend on a podcast recently championing wool over synthetics. Especially when worn under a garment. Especially on longer hikes.
On one of his reviews of hiking socks:
Smartwool Hiking is my first choice with the well-priced Fox River Trailmaster a very close second.
Townsend routinely wears a different sock on each foot in order to compare them.
You’ve probably heard of Pelton’s TV show or his books:
The World’s Most Dangerous Places
The Hunter, The Hammer, The Heaven
Come Back Alive
Three Worlds Gone Mad
Licensed to Kill : Hired Guns in the War on Terror
Pelton was the first Western journalist to meet with the Taliban after they set up offices in Peshawar, Pakistan. He simply walked in the front door with his cameras. When told the Taliban do not allow photographs because of the Koran …
I explain very carefully that only cowards do not show their faces and that in my culture a man who does not wish to be seen cannot be trusted. Just to make sure I get my point across I ask, “Must their leader hide as women must hide behind the veil?”
Pelton survived that time.
In fact, his most harrowing tales in the one I just finished are of an upbringing in a broken Canadian home. Good book.
A great site for anyone looking at Africa is AfricaTravelResource.com
They promote an excellent selection of activities including hiking.
Check their Kilimanjaro page, which advises against the Marangu Route (also known as the Tourist Route or Coca Cola Route) used by 80% of hikers.
I want to do this!
4-days helicopter supported bike, swim, sail, kayak, hike, bike, raft, Cessna, sail.
The guides calls it only “The Adventure”.
Journeys at the Edge “The Adventure”.
Climber Scott Whiteside who lives in the Crowsnest Pass recommends the Crowsnest Mountain scramble in the Canadian Rockies. It’s 4-7hrs return, 1100m (3609ft), non-technical. Good fun — but no mountaineering gear needed when dry.
No map needed, just Alan Kane’s book.
A group of us are planning to do it Saturday, June 17th. Email or leave a comment if you want to join us.
Amazon.com: Swiss Army Swiss Champ Pocket Knife (Red): Sports & Outdoors
I’m still lugging the 1lb ! (.45kg) biggest Swiss Army pocket knife made.
Heavy — but at least I’ve got the biggest tool in the woods!
32 stainless-steel tools with a lifetime warranty. Essential to me are the corkscrew, tweezers, nail file, pliers, and large knife (which should lock, but does not).
What’s your favourite camping knife? Leave a comment below.
On-line database of camping grub. No need to live on energy bars.
Camp Recipes – Camping never tasted so good!
Chris is one of the world’s leading long distance wilderness walkers.
In 1988 he was the first to walk the continental divide of the Canadian Rockies, a 1600mi challenge. The book is titled High Summer.
He published too his 2002 desert trek: Crossing Arizona
In 1996 he climbed all 517 summits over 3000ft in the Scottish highlands.
He has walked the 2600mi Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada, the 3000mi Continental Divide from Mexico to Canada and 1000mi south to north through the Yukon.
In Europe he has walked 1300mi end-to-end through Scandinavia and 1250mi from Lands End to John O’Groats in Britain.
If you buy only one how to hiking book, it’s his Backpacker’s Handbook.
Aside from his books, he’s authored hundreds of articles, and contributes regularly to TGO (The Great Outdoors) magazine. He’s their gear guru.
Hiking for years in the Rockies, I’ve still only seen two Grizzlies. Bear aware, they do not worry me.
But Parks Canada bear management is getting more savvy.
For the next two seasons (2006 and 2007) two specific areas will be closed during berry season where attacks have been frequent. Over the past 8 years, there have been 5 bear attacks in Banff National Park — 3 near Allenby Pass in the Bryant Creek area, and 2 on the Aylmer Pass trail near Lake Minnewanka. In all cases, the attacks were a result of hikers travelling alone or in a small group, who surprised female grizzlies with cubs during berry season.
If you want to hike in Australia, you want to know John Chapman. He is the hiking author down under.
John and his wife Monica authored the first 3 editions of the Lonely Planet bushwalking guides for Australia. When John decided to self-publish the 4th edition, Lonely Planet changed the title and focus of their guide, now more of a general overview: Lonely Planet Walking in Australia
Many hikers from abroad are unaware of John’s 4th edition. (Only the 3rd edition is listed on Amazon.com, for example.) Check John Chapman’s up-to-date list of his many published guidebooks.
For example, I will be buying his dedicated Overland Track guidebook for a planned pilgrimage to Tasmania in 2007.
besthike.com 