Category: hiking

arrived Himalayas

On By Rick McIn hiking, travel, travel IndiaLeave a comment

I flew north out of Delhi over the Himalayas. Leh in sparsely populated Ladakh is in the rain shadow, not affected much by monsoon.

This is one of the very best hiking destinations in the world in September. Spectacular arid, jagged mountains.

I’ll walk the most famous trek for sure – Markha Valley. Perhaps another after that.

I’m staying at Hotel Chube for the first 3 nights. Will likely leave my luggage there when I go off trekking.

Everything fantastic so far. Bright sunshine. Warm weather. Gorgeous vistas. 🙂

leh

flying to India in September

On By Rick McIn hiking, travel, travel India1 Comment

Though I’ve spent well over a year traveling the subcontinent, I’ve never been to the hiking mecca of Ladahk.  I land in Leh September 11th, 2015 to do Markha and more.

LehAT A GLANCE

  • Markha Valley is the most popular hike in Ladahk, northern India, bordering Tibet
  • easy access out of Leh
  • 6-8 days
  • 111km (69mi)
  • early June to mid-October
  • moderate-demanding
  • big risk of altitude sickness
  • 2-3 high passes (4900m-5200m)
  • several nights at very high altitude

This is the Tibet of India. 🙂

by lupus alberto
by lupus alberto

 

hiking Colorado Trail via Silverton railway

On By Rick McIn hiking, travelLeave a comment

I’ll be back to civilization around Aug 2nd. 🙂

One of the most unique mountain backpacking treks in the U.S. starts aboard a coal-powered steam locomotive and ends among a herd of mountain goats grazing at 14,000 feet. This trip isn’t for the faint of heart, but if you’re down for busting a sweat and can swallow any niggling fears of heights, you’re in for an unforgettable experience.

The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad departs each morning from the southwestern Colorado city of Durango, on the edge of the San Juan Mountains. You’ll load all your camping and hiking gear onto the 100-year-old train and ride in an open-air car as you ramble up a steep, winding track that, at times, practically clings to the cliffside high above the Animas River. …

Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

618_348_rocky-mountain-rails-to-trails

farewell Carbondale, CO

On By Rick McIn cycling, friends, hiking, travelLeave a comment

Thanks Brion and Betsy for hosting. I had a great time hiking and biking out of your mountain town.

Nepal restaurant

We met in Nepal 2013 trekking the Manaslu Circuit.

Since then they’ve added a new hiker to the family. 🙂

Julius hiking

night walk in Costa Rica

On By Rick McIn hiking, travelLeave a comment

My first night in the cloud forrest I signed up for a 2 hour night hike.

I’d done something similar twice in the past: 1) Amazon and 2) Nepali jungle. Both were terrific. This one was too.

There are a number of choices. But Kinkajou Night Walk seems to be the most popular.

We saw a kinkajou. A sloth. Tarantula, sleeping toucans, frogs, snakes and huge insects. I’d not imagined a cockroach that large. Not even in a nightmare. The Walking Sticks are cool.

Somebody forgot to email me the memo reminding to wear long pants and long sleeves when walking through a jungle at night with a flashlight. I was the only person wearing shorts.

It’s spooky enough to keep your adrenaline high. One beetle or another is regularly flying at your head.

red-eyed frog

Trip Advisor

Recommended.

South America next winter

On By Rick McIn cycling, hiking, travelLeave a comment

I stayed in Canada this past winter. What a mistake. How can people live in this frozen wasteland? 🙂

January I’m tentatively (again) planning to travel to Patagonia for hiking and cycling. Here’s some inspiration.

Click PLAY or watch it on Vimeo.

That stunning footage was taken over a 5 week trip through Chile | Bolivia | Ecuador | Brazil | Argentina | Peru.

(via Adventure Blog)

Texas, Panama, El Salvador, Costa Rica

On By Rick McIn gymnastics, hiking, travelLeave a comment

Tickets booked.

NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championships 2015 in Fort Worth.

Then in April returning to Panama City and San Salvador as a volunteer for the International Gymnastics Federation. And adding a new nation (to me) on the same trip – Costa Rica.

Central America

As driving might take 97 hours, I’ll fly. 🙂

I’ll stay in Costa Rica an extra week or so to do some hiking.

NEPAL – Never Ending Peace And Love

On By Rick McIn hiking, travelLeave a comment

I depart Nepal today. Another memorable hiking adventure completed, this time the Langtang, Gosainkund and Helambu.

Rick farewell Nepal

I’m already planning what to do on my next (6th) trip to N.E.P.A.L. 🙂

Makalu Base Camp, I’m thinking.

NEPAL

to Ethiopia – Land of BBC Documentary

On By Rick McIn hiking, travelLeave a comment

I’ll be a tourist in Ethiopia Dec 1-14th.

The main goal will be trekking the highlands. The famed Simien traverse.

Ethiopia looks GREAT. 🙂

Land of Extremes

BBC documentary showcasing a glimpse of the natural serenity Ethiopia has to provide. From the magnificent, Semien mountains often called the roof of Africa to the lowest place on earth or the erta-ale which contains the only active volcano in the world. From Axum, capital of the great Axumite kingdom, hailed as one of the four super powers of the last millennium to the sturdy tribes men of the south. One of the best documentary about Ethiopia. Definitely a must visit place for every one.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.