Pacific Crest Trail Gear List (2012)
This is the gear list from my 2012 thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail. It represented the tenth hike of the 12 Long Walks series. I began at the Mexican border on May 6 and finished on July 29. In Read More …
DriDucks Ultra-Lite 2 Rain Jacket Review
The perfect rain jacket is waterproof, breathable, lightweight, durable and affordable. Unfortunately, it doesn’t exist. Bummer. Choosing a rain jacket basically comes down to two main criteria: Suitability for the conditions into which you are venturing. Something that is in Read More …
Cordillera Blanca Traverse (CBT) Gear List
I hiked the CBT in August/September, which is “dry” season in the Central Andes of South America. It is also winter,however, due to the fact that the Cordillera Blanca is situated so close to the equator, temperature fluctuations are relatively Read More …
Cordillera Blanca Traverse – Stage 2 – Pompey to Pitec
Distance: 65 miles (105 km) Time: 5 days (including a rest day in Huaraz) Start: Pompey Returned to the CBT via a colectivo minibus from the town of Chacas. Finish: Pitec From Pitec, I got a 1 hr ride down Read More …
Five Tips for Watching Wildlife
“ Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) Viewing wildlife is one of the primary reasons many of us head out into the wilderness. However, with hiking numbers increasing with each passing year, Read More …
Montbell & the CDTC
One of the coolest things about my recent trip to Colorado, was having the opportunity to sit down and chat with the folks from Montbell and the Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC). The Japanese based gear company will be entering into a new and exciting Read More …
Gear Review: Tarptent ProTrail
A few months ago I posted about a prototype tent that I was taking to the Peruvian Andes. The ProTrail is a one-person, single wall silnylon shelter. It represents the latest offering from Henry Shires and the folks at Tarptent. Read More …
Cordillera Blanca Traverse – Stage 1 – Hualcallan to Pompey
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 …
Pacific Northwest Trail
The Pacific Northwest Trail (PNT) stretches from Montana’s Rocky Mountains to Washington’s Olympic Coast—two geographically distinct termini separated by three national parks, seven national forests, and 1,931 km (1,200 mi) of some of the finest mountain scenery in the United Read More …
Cordillera Huayhuash Circuit
Peru’s Cordillera Huayhuash Circuit is one of South America’s premier multi-day treks. Turquoise lakes, high altitude passes, hot springs, towering snow capped peaks; all packed into a compact range that measures only 30 km (18.6 mi) long and 15 km Read More …
Cordillera Blanca Traverse (CBT) | Peru, 2014
Between August 21 and September 6, 2014, I completed a traverse of Peru’s Cordillera Blanca, one of the world’s highest and most beautiful mountain ranges. To the best of my knowledge, it was the first time that such a trek Read More …
Benton Mackaye Trail | USA, 2011
Distance: 288 miles (463.5 km) Start: Davenport Gap, TN Finish: Springer Mountain, GA For trailhead access details, see the BMTA hiker resources page. Avg. Time: 18 – 20 days Season: For my money, spring & autumn are ideal. Comfortable temps Read More …
Foothills Trail | USA, 2011
Distance: 76 miles approx. (122 km) Start: Table Rock State Park, SC Finish: Oconee State Park, NC Avg. Time: 5 days Maps & Info: I used the trail map and guidebook available from foothillstrail.org. Foothillstrail.org: Online source for up-to-date information Read More …
Lowest to Highest Route | CA, USA, 2014
Death Valley to the summit of Mt.Whitney. From the lowest spot in North America (280 ft below sea level) to the highest point in the contiguous United States (14,495 ft). The brainchild of Brett “Blisterfree” Tucker (creator of the Grand Read More …
Continental Divide Trail Coalition
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 …
“Moonlight” Mags & the Blowdown Blues
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 …
Walk 2 Connect
The primary goal of The Hiking Life website is to encourage and enable folks to put on a pair of shoes, grab a pack and go for a walk. Walk2Connect, a Colorado based social enterprise that organises local walking trips, Read More …
Wonderland Trail
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 …
The Wisdom of Samwise
“It’s like being at home and on a holiday at the same time.” Thoreau, Emerson, Muir and……………..Sam The Gardener. Say again? Yep, the above quote is from none other than Samwise Gamgee, my favourite character from JRR Tolkien’s, The Lord Read More …
Cordillera Huayhuash Circuit – Trip Report
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 …