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R.I.P. Dervla Murphy

An Adventure Badass I much admired, I was sad to hear Dervla is gone.

Of her many travels, I think I liked best those she did with her daughter. Trekking Peru, for example, in Eight Feet in the Andes, over 1,300 miles high altitude with a mule.

Dervla Murphy (28 November 1931 – 22 May 2022) was an Irish touring cyclist and author of adventure travel books, writing for more than 50 years.

Murphy took a break from travel writing following the birth of her daughter, and then wrote about her travels with Rachel in India, Pakistan, South America, Madagascar and Cameroon.

…. In 2005, she visited Cuba with her daughter and three granddaughters.

Murphy normally travelled alone without luxuries and depending on the hospitality of local people. …

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Gocta Falls, Peru

Gocta (Spanish: Catarata del Gocta) is a perennial waterfall with two drops located in Peru‘s province of Bongara in Amazonas, …

… its existence was not made known to the world until after an expedition made in 2002 by a German, Stefan Ziemendorff, with a group of Peruvian explorers. …

Citing various encyclopedias, reference books, and webpages accessible through Google, Gocta Cataracts are unofficially listed as the world’s fifth-tallest, after adding Ramnefjellsfossen (Norway) and Mongefossen (Norway).

Furthermore, The World Waterfall Database ranks Gocta as the 16th tallest. …

Tourists can now hike the trails by foot or horse to the misty base of the waterfall. The nearby town of Chachapoyas is located at an altitude of 2,235 meters (7,333 feet). 

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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Pico da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro

Climbing Rio’s highest peak in Tijuca National Park reveals interesting rocky formations and viewpoints overlooking the city’s North zone, Guanabara Bay, Bico do Papagaio Peak, Pedra da Gavea, Maracanã stadium and Serra dos orgãos mountains.

Here’s the famous photo op on a steep section.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

related – trip report – Rio de Janeiro Pico da Tijuca Hike

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Zenbivy Bed 2.0 – a unique sleeping system

Kraig Becker on The Adventure Blog is one of my most trusted gear reviewers.

He’s been using this innovative sleeping system since 2018:

… The model I tested was rated for use in 10ºF (-12ºC) and the entire system (sheet and comforter) weighs just 3 lbs, 13 oz. (1.73 kg) for a large model. An equivalent-sized version rated for 25ºF (-4ºC) temperatures weigh more than a pound (.45 kg) less. Make no mistake, there are other sleeping bag options that weigh less, but few will deliver this much comfort. …

It looks great. Ideal for adventures where weight is not a major issue: Bikepacking, Kayaking, car camping, etc.

For long hikes I’ll stick with the lighter (more expen$ive) Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt.

Read Kraig’s review – Gear Review: Zenbivy Bed 2.0 10º Sleep System

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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Testing my NEW DRONE – Mavic Mini SE

The (Mavic) Mini SE is the entry level model. Only CAD $349.

It has no obstacle avoidance.

… How long before I break it? 😀

Al l footage is my own aside from one professional stock video clip. Can you guess which one I did not shoot?

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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Ammonite Falls the HARD WAY 😀

Trip report by BestHike editor Rick McCharles.

Keith and I headed out to Ammonite Falls near Nanaimo on Vancouver Island.

Having failed badly my previous time there 😀 out of the Weigles Road trailhead, this time I tried the Jameson Road trailhead. We immediately got lost.

Doh.

Happily, returning hikers explained how we could do a bit of road walking to get to the actual trail to Ammonite Falls.

A nice walk.

Below is my original trip report from January 2021:

Without checking in advance, I cycled out for my first visit to Ammonite Falls near Nanaimo on Vancouver Island.

Most convenient for me was the Weigles Road trailhead.

January 15th was the best weather we’ve had in 2021. A perfect day.

And it’s an easy day hike.

What could go wrong?

Turned out the BENSON CREEK trail to the Falls was closed for MAJOR improvements. I had to find another way.

Later I found out that other trails to the top of the Falls were open. 😀

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

related – Outdoor Vancouver – Ammonite Falls Hike

Click PLAY or watch the hike from the Jameson road trailhead on YouTube.

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Best Hiking Backpacks 2022

Adventure Alan posted a detailed review:

BEST BACKPACKING BACKPACK 2022

Best Overall: Hyperlite Mountain Gear 3400 Southwest
Best Value: REI Flash 55
Most Comfortable: M’s Osprey Exos and W’s Eja 58
Most Innovative: Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60L [‘Ultra’ fabric]
Best Super Ultralight: Mountain Laurel Designs Exodus 55L [‘Ultra’ fabric]
Best Budget: Osprey Rook 65

I’ve been using a Hyperlite since 2019.
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NEW – 3000km HexaTrek in France

HexaTrek is a 3034 km hiking trail, connecting 14 of the most beautiful nationals parks and crossing France from the Vosges to the Pyrenees.

The path follows the highest mountain regions of our country, often nicknamed “l’Hexagone” for its hexagonal shape, joining together some of the most emblematic summits, natural wonders and wildest places.

47 Great Hiking GR®  trails have been brought together in a single path to create this thru hike.

en.hexatrek.com

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

2022 is the first year of the thru hike. But they already have an app.

Wild camping in France is technically illegal. But you are allowed to … Bivvy. Tent only in the dark in certain areas.