The weather, however, did not get better. Showers started before our early alarm went off, and slowly but steadily increased. By the time we put on our backpacks, it was flat out raining. And by the time we reached our 30 foot scramble, the Papago Wall, thunder and lightning...
Grand Canyon Escalante Route: Part 2
After our rest-ish day, it was now time to start solving the problem of getting back to the car. It was time to get moving. The day was going to be long one, so we got up early, broke camp, shouldered our packs, and began walking downriver.
Grand Canyon Escalante Route: Part 1
We loaded our packs then ourselves into the taxi in the parking lot of Grandview Point, where we left our car. At 08:00 the taxi dropped us at Lipan Point, a few miles to the east. Our problem for the next 5 days would be getting back to the...
Maroon Peak
Before we hiked Maroon Peak, the folks who I asked about the climb all said, “It’s a long day.” Every one, exact words. Heeding their advice, we arrived at Maroon Lake Trailhead at 04:00. Marina, Kevin, and I camped at Silver Bar — down the road between Maroon Lake...
Crestone Peak
For Crestone Peak, I wanted to come in via the Cottonwood Creek approach. Why? Well, I’ll go to lengths to avoid people on the trail and the descriptions of this approach included such words as “arduous,” “difficult wayfinding,” and “testy sections with a heavy pack” — not words that...
Uncompahgre & Wetterhorn Peaks
For the first Fourteeners of the 2018 season we traveled across Colorado to the San Juan mountains. Uncompahgre & Wetterhorn Peaks are relatively close together and near the town of Lake City, which we had not visited. One of the reasons why I like to do Fourteeners is that...
Annapurna Circuit: How Much Does Trekking the Annapurna Circuit Cost?
Short answer: $1455 USD. That's for two of us with a guide and a porter for a 17 day Annapurna Circuit trek, inclusive of all food, lodging, transportation, entrance & trekking fees, starting and ending in Pokhara, with an exchange rate of 70 Nepali Rupees per 1 US Dollar in...
Annapurna Circuit: Should You Hire A Guide
In planning your Annapurna Circuit trek, you'll have to decide whether to hire a guide and/or porter? We opted for both a guide and a porter. Part of our foreign aid policy is to go to under-developed countries and pay locals for their services. I try to avoid going...
Annapurna Circuit: Part 6, Hot Springs and Pink Mountains
This was our bus/jeep day, so there's just not that much to comment on. We took a morning bus from Marpha to Ghasa, then a jeep from Ghasa to Tatopani. I would call this a rest day if Nepali transportation were comfortable and relaxing. But small seats, ad...
Annapurna Circuit: Part 5, Kali Gandaki
Ranipauwa is the last of the traveling trekking circus -- the group of fellow familiar travelers you've encountered on the trail and in the lodges leading up to the pass. On the AC before the pass you have no other options but to walk, but after the pass jeeps...
