“We haven’t met anyone who’s logged more miles than Cam Honan.”
~ Backpacker Magazine (March 2014)
Planning to hike the Appalachian, Pacific Crest or Continental Divide Trails? Looking for first hand information on the Himalayas, Andes, Alps or a multitude of other trekking destinations around the globe? If so, you have come to the right place.
The summit of Tsergo Ri, Nepal (2008).
Since the early 1990’s I’ve had the good fortune of hiking more than 60,000 miles (96,561 km) in 61 countries and six continents (see 100 Classic Hikes for some of my favourites). Exploring the world on foot is my passion, and I’d love to help you realize your own hiking dreams, with experience-backed advice tailored to your individual needs.
What’s on Offer?
- Trip itineraries.
- Environment-specific gear suggestions.
- Logistical advice (e.g. Trailhead transport, resupply options, permits, visas, park regulations, etc.)
- Cultural considerations for the area in which you are interested.
- Regional-specific health & safety tips.
Pre-Consultation Email
In order to get your money’s worth, before our consultation I suggest sending me through a brief message addressing the following points:
- A few sentences describing your backpacking experience & current fitness level.
- A ballpark figure of your budget.
- How much time do you have available?
- What are your principal goals for the trip?
Prices
Consultations can either be via email, video/phone (Skype or Google Chat) conversation or a combination of the two. Prices include pre-consultation time spent by yours truly preparing relevant trip information (i.e. based upon your initial email):
1 Hour: US$70
2 Hours: US$120
Most week-long (or less) trip itineraries can be done within the hour time frame.
(Note: Payments are made via Paypal).
Before Forking Over Your Cash……..
Check out the hundreds of pages of free information contained in the drop down menus on the top navigation bar. Whether your inquiries are trip, skill or gear related, chances are you might find what you’re looking for. If that doesn’t do the trick and/or you are looking for more personal attention, drop me a line ([email protected]) and we can set up a time.
Cheers,
Cam “Swami” Honan
Yours truly at the beginning of my Triple Crown hikes in 2012 (L to R / Clockwise – PCT, CDT, AT).
Testimonials
“So there I was with a mere 10 days to prepare for my first winter backpacking experience, a southbound winter thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail starting on December 4th from Baxter State Park in Maine. Being that I had literally zero winter backpacking experience prior to this, I knew that it would be vital to my survival that I seek the council of someone who has had some serious backpacking experience in all seasons. The first person I could think of was none other than the great Swami. He was able to give me a ton of the necessary advice with gear and safety and overall accounting for what the experience was going to be like for me on that cold and lonely trail. I applied much of the advice he gave to me and was extremely successful in my attempt as I completed my thru-hike that year. He is someone that I would recommend anyone go to for advice in any season or climate as he has a wealth of knowledge in places all over the world. Last but not least, he is a very humble man for all the experiences and accomplishments that he has attained. His ethics and character take a back seat to nobody.”
Thomas “The Real Hiking Viking” Gathman
“We have been getting input on backpacking from Cam for three years now and his input has been amazing. He’s helped us to reduce our gear weight significantly while increasing functionality and comfort. He’s given us great advice on everything from navigation to campsite selection to packing technique and tent organization. We’re far more confident backpackers and we’ve extended the range and duration of our adventures significantly. We couldn’t have even contemplated doing the CDT without his sage counsel!”
~ Al & Joyce Beedie, Colorado
“Cam Honan is truly one of the world’s hiking superstars. The Hiking Life has been a constant source for knowledge and inspiration for me over the years, from gear choices, to wilderness skills, to routes and destinations. This year I decided to hike Cam Honan’s Cordillera Blanca Traverse. Located in one of the highest and most beautiful mountain ranges in the world (and the highest range in Peru), and involving many miles of rugged off-trail navigation and treacherous scrambles over passes up to 17,500 ft in elevation, this hike would be my most ambitious thru-hike to date. My trip consultations with Cam proved absolutely indispensable for my successful thru-hike. Cam provided an in-depth route guide for me, that included not only a detailed description of the route, but also included detailed, personally-tailored guidance based on up-to-date weather conditions, GPS coordinates to all the off-trail passes, as well as guidance for how to navigate travelling through a foreign country–including stellar recommendations for transit, accommodations and restaurants. This trip was nothing short of being the trip of a lifetime. And there’s no way I would have been able to do it without the consultation I received from Cam. Always humble, helpful and funny, getting the chance to know Cam through trip consultations was a sheer delight, and one of the best and most memorable aspects of my entire trip in retrospect.”
~ Austin Lillywhite, New York (https://austinlillywhite.wordpress.com/trip-reports/)
Even though he is one of the world foremost hikers, Swami never makes you feel like you don’t know what you are doing, he is helpful, friendly and always giving positive reassurance of what you are doing so when you hit the trail you’re prepared mentally and physically.”
~ Whitney “Allgood” LaRuffa, Oregon (President ALDHA-West, Allgood’s K9 Adventures)