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Cam Honan’s Himalaya Book

… Described by Backpacker Magazine as “the most travelled hiker on Earth”, Cam has trekked across 56 countries and six continents, logging more than 60,000 miles (96,500 km) in three decades. We sat down with him to discuss his experiences in exploring this region, and creating Wanderlust Himalaya in collaboration with gestalten. …

Q: What sets the Himalaya apart from other mountain ranges you have hiked before?

A: Apart from the fact that they’re higher, distinguishing qualities of the Himalaya include its iconic teahouses, Buddhist monasteries, and rich folklore. …

Q: Was there a specific moment or place during your hikes in the Himalaya that was memorable to you? And if so, why? 

A: I couldn’t pinpoint one specific moment or place. That said, among the standout features of all my journeys in the region has been the friendliness of the locals. Irrespective of the country, the hospitality I’ve encountered during my Himalayan treks is something I’ll never forget.  …

gestalten.com

Wanderlust Himalaya: Hiking on Top of the World is a coffee table photography book with route-plans for over 50 hikes.

This is the latest in a series. All excellent.

Wanderlust: A Hiker’s Companion (2017)

The Hidden Tracks: Wanderlust – Hiking Adventures off the Beaten Path (2018)

Wanderlust USA (2019)

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American Youth Outdoors are Happier

  • Among youth who spend only 1-5 hours outside per week, just 31% rated their happiness level in the 8-10 range on a 10-point scale. 42% put their stress level that high.
  • But among youth who spend 11 or more hours outside weekly, the results flip: 51% are in the 8-10 happiness range and stress drops.

As reported by Axios.

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#6 – Glacier North Circle, Montana, USA

Glacier North Circle is one of our top 10 hikes in the world.

Why?

  • 7 days, 6 nights recommended
  • 65miles (104km) plus side trips
  • best months July-Sept
  • well-signed
  • medium difficulty hiking
  • recommended for experienced multi-day hikers
  • Highline Trail
  • Ptarmigan Tunnel (120ft long)
  • Swiftcurrent Mountain Lookout
  • Iceberg Lake
  • wildflowers late June to early August
  • great day hikes elsewhere in the Park
  • likely to see elk, mule deer, moose, mountain goats & bighorn sheep. For wild life, this Park is second only to Yellowstone, in our opinion

World → North America → Rockies → North Circle

yellow marks the Highline Trail / Ptarmigan Tunnel, North Circle red arrows point to our recommended campgrounds

Click PLAY or watch a 1-minute preview on YouTube.

 

For details click over to our Glacier North Circle information page.

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Winter Hiking #FAIL

Sundance Canyon is a popular, easy day hike directly out of Banff townsite in the Canadian Rockies.

On a lovely Spring day in April I set off to enjoy the afternoon.

Some of the approach is along the lovely Bow River.

Everyone stops en route at the (now closed) Cave and Basin National Historic Site. And nearby boardwalk trails down to the river.

I popped into 3 Mile Cabin.

My #FAIL came when I reached Sundance Canyon itself. I’d forgotten to bring my Yaktrax® up to the mountains. They were essential this day. 😀

I was forced to quit.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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New Zealand’s Great Walks – Happy Birthday

New Zealand is our #1 hiking destination in the world.

Infrastructure is terrific.

The Great Walks of New Zealand are just a few of the terrific tramping adventures available.

The Great Walks network was established by the Department of Conservation in 1992.

North Island

South Island

Stewart Island / Rakiura

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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Continental Divide Trail in 4 Minutes

Mac from Halfway Anywhere traveling the length of the Continental Divide Trail from the US/Mexico border to the US/Canada border across 3,100 mi / 5,000 km or trail through New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. One second / day.

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Cooper’s Island, Bermuda

trip report by site editor Rick McCharles

The most famous walking in Bermuda is the Railway Trail.

But I prefer day hiking Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve out by the airport in tranquil St. Davids.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Cooper’s Island is no longer an island.

…thanks to reclamation work is now joined to St. David’s Island as a southeastern peninsula …

The island has been used by many United States government agencies (which relinquished the island in 1995), as well as previously being occupied by a NASA space tracking station. Until 1995, access was restricted, but it is now open to the public. …

Swimming, walking, picnicing, bird watching and snorkelling are all permitted within the reserve.

The Park opens at 9am. I was there close to opening and there was almost nobody else in sight. Dogs are not allowed. March is considered winter by locals. I was comfortable in shorts and t-shirt.

Clearwater beach

There are many short side trails to explore.

One highlight is an observation tower. Inside are historical signboards.

Schedule about 90 minutes to explore the park.

related – Bermuda Attractions – Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve

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Meet Superhiker J.R. Harris

To date, J.R. has circled the world some 13 times.

He has taken more than 50 multi-week trips in many of the most pristine places on the planet: the Andes, the Amazon, the Adirondacks, Alaska’s Yukon, Greenland, the Arctic Circle, Tasmania, you name it.

Wherever he goes—however he can—he embeds with the local population, bunking in homes that will have him and breaking bread in a language not his own. Otherwise, he is almost always alone.

It is no stretch to call him one of the world’s most prolific living solo explorers. …

The Greatest Traveler You’ve Never Heard Of
Colorado 1990
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VIDEO – Englishman River Trail, Vancouver Island

AllTrails calls this year round adventure close to Nanaimo the Englishman River Trailway.

But you don’t need follow the AllTrails 10.5km out and back route.

It’s a network of mountain biking / walking trails on the west side of the Englishman River. You can’t really get lost so long as you parallel the water.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.