Trail Guides, Gear Reviews, and Backpacking Tips
The Colombian Andes. The most northern part of the world’s longest mountain range. The hiking highlight of this month’s trip to the region was a circuit of the Sierra Nevada del Cocuy, a sub-range of the Andes situated approximately 300 Read More …
High mountain ranges such as the Rockies, Andes and Himalaya offer some of the most spectacular hiking opportunities on the planet. However, walking at high altitude brings with it certain inherent risks, the most common of which is altitude sickness, Read More …
Summer in the Colombian Andes can be a meteorological crapshoot. Dry and clear periods, mixed with torrential rain, snow and high winds. Temps often hover around freezing during the day, but subsequently drop well below zero (celsius) at night. Virtually Read More …
On my first day in Bogota, Colombia, I decided to go for a hike. Just for something different. 😉 Specifically, a relatively easy climb up to the summit of the city’s most famous mountain, Monserrate. Rising to some 3,152 metres Read More …
Monsoon season is just around the corner in the southwestern United States. That means plenty of thunderstorms. However, when it comes to hiking in lightning-prone areas, most problems can be avoided by planning ahead, staying alert to changing weather conditions, Read More …
The Hiking Life website has undergone a complete overhaul. After two months of rewriting, resizing and refreshing, the new and improved version is now up and running! The Hiking Life 2.0 contains many new “how to” articles, a backpacking resources guide, loads Read More …
In 2012, the PCT represented the 10th of the 12 Long Walks series. It was the only one of the dozen hikes that I had previously done (2007). It was a trek that turned out to be a lot more Read More …
Distance: 60 miles (96.6 km) approx. Avg.Time: 4 days Start / Finish: The Grotto Easy access via the shuttle system which departs regularly from the Zion NP Visitor’s Center. Season: All year. For more moderate conditions, Spring and Autumn are Read More …
Below is a slideshow from my 2014 Wonderland Trail Hike. I was joined on this trip by Greg “Malto” Gressel, Joshua “Bobcat” Stacy & Elizabeth “Snorkel” Thomas. The hike took us three days, and much of the walking was done Read More …
Glissading is fun, exciting & potentially hazardous to your health. Six points for hikers to remember in regards to glissading: 1. Never glissade if you are in any doubt as to the safety of a slope (e.g. crevasses, avalanche potential, Read More …
On the morning of December 12, 2013, Justin “Trauma” Lichter and I reached the ‘Cumbres de Sinforosa’, the finishing point for our 381 mile (613 km) traverse of Mexico´s Copper Canyon region. To the best of our knowledge, it was the first Read More …
Note: The following story took place during my 2011 thru hike of the Pacific Northwest Trail. The Tungsten Mining cabins are situated in Washington’s Pasayten Wilderness. After a long day’s walk in the rain, I arrived at the Tungsten Mining Read More …
Since 2009, OPSAK bags (made by LOKSAK) have been an integral part of my backpacking kit. Irrespective of the season or environment, I’ve carried these odour proof storage bags for more than 900 nights in the backcountry, including the entire 18 month, 14,300 mile, 12 Read More …
At a Glance Distance: 2181 miles (3510 km) Avg. Time: 5 – 6 months Start / Finish: Northern Terminus: Mt. Katahdin, Baxter State Park, ME Southern Terminus: Springer Mountain, GA Season: Regular hiking season for northbounders runs from March through Read More …
At a Glance Distance: 2,500 miles – 3,00 miles | Depending on route choices. Avg. Time: 5 months Start / Finish: Southern Terminus: Crazy Cook Monument, NM (official), Antelope Wells and Columbus, NM (alternates). Northern Terminus: Waterton Lake, MT or Read More …
The following events took place in May, 2009, during a hike of Ireland’s Wicklow Way. Stretching some 130 km from Marlay Park in Dublin to the village of Clonegal in County Carlow, since being established in 1980, the Wicklow Way has Read More …
Distance: 743 miles (1196 km) approx. Avg. Time: 45 – 50 days Start: Cap Gaspe, Quebec, Canada Finish: Mt.Katahdin, Baxter State Park, Maine, USA Maps / Information: In October 2011, I hiked from Cap Gaspe, Quebec, via New Brunswick to Read More …
Recently I’ve come across various articles relating to long distance hiking on a budget. There was 18 Ways To Prepare Your Wallet For Your Thru-Hike, How to Thru Hike on a budget and The Frugal Backpacker – The $300 Gear Challenge. Although all Read More …
The following short story took place during a trip to Pakistan’s Karakorum range in 2008. Click here for more trekking notes and logistical information from my various hikes in the region: There is a timeless quality to the Shimshal Pamir; which Read More …
This is the gear list from my recent traverse of southwest Tasmania’s Arthur Range. Driving rain, high winds and temps just above freezing (dipping below at night) were the order of the day. In regards to possible tweaks I would Read More …