Trail Guides, Gear Reviews, and Backpacking Tips
Note: Twenty minutes before beginning the Cordillera Blanca Traverse (CBT) in Hualcallan, I had the following conversation with an inquisitive local with a very dry sense of humor. It has been translated from Spanish to English. “Where are you headed?” Read More …
I returned home last Sunday after having spent a very busy fortnight in Colorado. Meetings, fundraisers, podcasts and presentations; there wasn’t a lot in the way of down time. That being said, I did have the chance to catch up Read More …
8.30am, October 11. Decked out in blaze orange and fuelled by a combination of “Mickey C’s” Bagels and multiple cups of coffee, Paul “Mags” Magnanti (The Trail Show) and I set off with the intentions of doing a 25 mile Read More …
I first hiked the Wonderland Trail back in 2003. A 93 mile circumnavigation of Washington’s iconic Mt.Rainier, it was a stunning trek through glacial valleys and alpine meadows. With an impressive array of flora and fauna, the Wonderland passed by Read More …
In September, 1996, three friends and I were ready to hike Peru’s Cordillera Huayhuash circuit. Supplies and maps had been bought, transport to the trail arranged. The night before we were due to leave Huaraz (the regional capital), news came Read More …
The first multi-day trek of my recent trip was a 5 day circumnavigation of the Cordillera Huayhuash. Prior to beginning the circuit, I decided to overnight in the little visited mountain town of Chiquian. Gorgeous setting, great variety of street Read More …
The day after arriving in Huaraz, Peru, I met a sprightly 83 year old local woman by the name of Dolores. We struck up a conversation about trekking, and upon hearing that I planned to do a day hike to Read More …
Just arrived home after spending the past five weeks in Peru. It was my second visit to the Andean nation and the first time I had been back since 1996. Whilst that previous journey was focused more on interests such Read More …
On an upcoming trip to Peru, I’ll be taking along a prototype from Henry Shires at Tarptent. Weighing in at just over a pound and a half (including stakes), the front end is similar in design to the Tarptent Contrail. Read More …
In the relatively short space of 135 miles, the L2H goes from the salt flats of Death Valley (280 ft below sea level) to the summit of Mt.Whitney (14,490 ft). From a gear perspective, this means packing for everything from Read More …
I met Ryan “The Tourist” Choi on the Pacific Crest Trail in 2012. As soon as he introduced himself, I recognized the name. Ryan, along with Ben Deumling, was one of the first people to ever complete the Hayduke Trail Read More …
I’ve always loved the ocean. Growing up on the east coast of Australia, it has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Swimming, fishing, diving, and yes, walking along its shores. Waves rolling in, Read More …
At a Glance Date: December 6-12 ( 6 days) Start: Batopilas Finish: Cumbres de Sinforosa Distance: 130.5 miles (210 km) Daily Average: 21.7 miles (35 km) Total Distance: 381 miles (613 km) The Highs and Lows of the CCT We reached Read More …
At a Glance Date: December 2-5 (3.5 days) Start: Divisadero Finish: Batopilas Distance: 65.9 miles (106 km) Daily Average: 18.8 miles (30.3 km) Total Distance: 250.4 miles (403 km) Urique High Route Leaving Divisadero, our route skirted the western rim Read More …
At a Glance Date: November 27 – 30 (3.5 days) Start: Creel Finish: Divisadero Distance: 41.5 miles (67 km) Daily Average: 11. 8 miles (19.1 km) Total Distance: 184.5 miles (297 km) The Junkie Whilst hiking out of Creel at Read More …
Date: November 19 – 26 (7.5 days) Start: Basaseachic Falls Finish: Creel Distance: 143 miles (230 km) Daily Average: 19.1 miles (30.7 km) Total Distance: 143 miles (230 km) The Beginning Our trip began at Basaseachic Falls (246 m / 807 ft). Located in Read More …
The Wave is one of the geological highlights of the southwestern United States. Located at Coyote Buttes near the Arizona/Utah border, it is a multi-coloured rock formation that is comprised of interconnected sandstone gullies. Situated amongst sentinel-like conical domes, the swirling strata Read More …
July 2, 2011 to December 28, 2012……………..14,302 miles, 29 states, 4 provinces, 28 pairs of shoes…………..I originally planned on having the 12 Long Walks overview map ready in June……………2011……………timing never was my strong suit. Big thanks to Brian “Beardoh” Ristola Read More …
On August 4 and 5 I did a couple of presentations for the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) at Pinkham Notch, New Hampshire. Both talks, the 12 Long Walks and Going Lighter without Compromising Safety were well received………………at the very least no Read More …