Enjoy your next adventure!
]]>Determine your fitness level: It's important to choose a hiking trip that matches your fitness level. If you're a beginner hiker, you might want to start with an easier hike or a shorter trek. If you're an experienced hiker, you might want to choose a more challenging route.
Think about your interests: Consider what interests you most in a hiking trip, such as wildlife spotting, scenic views, or cultural experiences. Choose a hiking trip that aligns with your interests to make it more enjoyable.
Determine your budget: Hiking trips can range from budget-friendly to luxurious. Determine how much you're willing to spend and choose a hiking trip that fits within your budget.
Consider a guided trip: If you're new to hiking or unfamiliar with the destination, consider booking a guided hiking trip. A guided trip can provide you with a knowledgeable guide, safety equipment, and access to remote areas. If you prefer self-guided, be prepared to navigate with maps or GPS on your own.
Check for permits and regulations: Some hiking trails require permits or have regulations that must be followed. Make sure to research any necessary permits or regulations before booking your hiking trip. By considering these factors, you can choose a hiking trip that matches your interests, fitness level, and budget, ensuring that you have an enjoyable and memorable experience on the trail.
Happy and safe hiking!
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We trekked for eight days in July across rugged terrain with stunning views. There were high temperatures and drought conditions, which is why we would recommend trekking in Spring or early Summer. Here are a few highlights and tips:
High points: EBC and Khumbu icefall, the beautiful Himalayas, sunset on Everest, quiet trails, Nepali friendliness & our team!
Challenge: managing altitude sickness/staying hydrated and avoiding the Khumbu cough!
Top 5 must haves/bring:
Recommend: It can be a wonderful, unforgettable experience, but please do exhaustive research before you plan a trek to EBC.
]]>It’s never too soon to start planning a hiking trip for the summer. This is one you won’t want to miss. What’s not to love about walking across the beautiful Alps of three European countries in a little over a week? We chose to hike self-guided with small daypacks and unabashedly had our suitcases transported from town to town. We loved this route that ended in Chamonix on Bastille Day – it was perfect. The photos below don’t begin to capture our adventure, but will give you a feel for the trip. Choosing to hike in early July was truly a wonderful choice and you’ll have much of the trail to yourself. Enjoy!
Day 1: Arrive Les Houches, France
Day 2: Walk to Les Contamines
Day 3: Walk to Refuge des Mottets (Vallee des glaciers) or Les Chapieux
Day 4: Walk to Courmayeur
Day 5: Extra night in Courmayeur
Day 6: Grand col Ferret (2537m) – Ferret (1740m) - Champex
Day 7: Champex, Les Bovines (2050m) Trient (1280m)
Day 8: Col de La Balme (2191m) Montroc – Chamonix
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The skiing at Cerro Catedral is exceptional. It feels like the Alps in Europe with a big mountain feel. Navigating the mountain can be tricky and many say it’s best to get a guide the first day. There are some ravines and you could find yourself at the end of a trail next to a stream. On windy days, it’s always best to check which lifts might be on wind hold. All that said, the views are spectacular and the skiing is divine. The refugios on the mountain provide a much-needed place to have lunch, a snack or a beer. The combination of it all makes Cerro Catedral in Bariloche a must-ski mountain.
The place to stay is Club Hotel Catedral and choose between the main lodge or the apartments. You get a picture-perfect view of the mountain and village and enjoy the comforts of a Tyrolean style resort. The indoor/outdoor pool is great, après ski is festive and the food in the dining room is delicious. We met the chef, who travels between a few fine restaurants in France and Argentina. Head down to the village for a number of other restaurants and late-night disco and bars. It’s a quaint and simple village and feels a little like what Vail could have been 30 years ago.
We are sure to travel back to South America to do more skiing in Argentina and try Chile someday. We enjoyed the people, the relaxed vibe and the breath-taking scenery. We'd recommend adding it to your bucket list.
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New York got snow for the first time this season. It seems that the Northeast has been much warmer than last winter. The moderate winter could take a change late this week in parts of the Ohio Valley, Appalachians, mid-Atlantic and Northeast as various predictions are showing the potential for accumulating snow, which in some areas could be significant. Will the Northeast start having a series of storms now that El Nino is settling in?
Enjoy the winter weather - stay warm and happy!
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Vail Mountain turns 50 this year!
It goes without saying that Vail is a remarkable resort and it is already experiencing a great season with all the early season snow. Over 50 years ago, Pete Siebert, an Army veteran of the 10th Mountain Division who trained south of the mountain had a vision to develop a resort. Pete and Earl Eaton, a local ski racer, first climbed Vail mountain in 1957 and agreed it would be perfect. Over the years, Vail has expanded with back bowls and China bowl in 1988, making it the largest ski area in North America. You cannot easily find the opportunities for wide open and light powder skiing in the bowls like Vail offers. In 2000, Blue Sky Basin opened and it remains one of my favorite parts of the mountain. Moving around the mountain is relatively easy and Vail offers all sorts of terrain. I continue to believe that Vail has the best grooming of any mountain I have ever skied. It’s fun to ski the corduroy snow after a big night of mountain grooming. There are plenty of steeps and bumps, if that’s your interest and loads of intermediate and cruising runs. The village extends from Lionshead to Golden Peak and offers a plethora of restaurants and shops in between. Be sure to check out Bol, a cool bowling alley that offers some of the best appetizers in Vail. You don't have to bowl to enjoy it! One of my favorite places to stay is Manor Vail in the Golden Peak part of Vail. It is convenient, somewhat affordable and a nice place for a family. Check out VRBO or book directly.
Squaw Valley is awesome
Although the adult lift ticket price has escalated to $119 a day or more during the holidays, it’s worth finding a discounted ticket and spending a few days on the mountain. Squaw Valley was the host to the entire 1960 Winter Olympic Games. Since Squaw joined forces with Alpine Meadows in 2012, the resorts offer joint access to over 6200 acres, 43 lifts, and 270 trails. High camp has an elevation of 8200 feet and the mountain tends to get some of the best snow in Tahoe if you are fortunate to time your stay with a storm. The Funnel off of Emigrant chair and Broken Arrow are my two favorite black diamond runs. For cruising and enjoying the sun, I continue to enjoy trails at Shirley Lake chair. There is something for everyone at Squaw. After a long day of skiing, it’s fun to enjoy the bars and restaurants the village has to offer. Bar One remains a tradition at Squaw and often times Johnny Mosley will stop by to say hello. Rent a house or condo in the village or stay in Tahoe City, which is not far away. You may want to enjoy drinks or a meal at the River Ranch at the entrance to Squaw. It's always a treat.
Mammoth Mountain is friendly and fun
I finally had the chance to ski Mammoth this season! It has been on my bucket list since high school. The area has 3,100 feet of vertical, rising to an elevation of 11,053 feet and enjoys a long ski season. The resort was founded in 1953 by Dave McCoy. In 1936, McCoy became a hydrographer for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, which involved skiing up to 50 miles per day. He also joined the Eastern Sierra Ski Club and at age 22, he became the California State Champion in skiing. He was later set back by a serious ski injury while racing and was originally told they needed to amputate his leg. Fortunately a doctor from San Francisco saved his leg and eventually he was able to ski again. Dave set up a rope tow on Mammoth in 1942, continued to develop the resort and ran Mammoth for 68 years, including raising six children with his wife, Roma. Mammoth has some amazing trails and an expanse of land that extends almost 360 degrees. My favorite run is Dave’s, named after Dave McCoy. It has a perfect fall line and holds snow for days. There are plenty of intermediate runs and incredible opportunities for advanced skiers, too. The panoramic views are exceptional and Mammoth seems like an entirely different world. The range is part of the Sierras, yet is reminiscent of mountain ranges in Canada. The people are incredibly friendly and are serious about skiing and enjoying the mountains. The original Mammoth Mountain Inn at the base of the Main Lodge is a perfect place to stay. Walk out the lobby and you are a stone’s throw from the gondola. Also across the street is the Yodler Restaurant & Bar, which is legendary with authentic Bavarian food and drink. You won't want to miss Mammoth - it's worth the trip!
The news of El Nino is generally good for California with the odds slightly better there will be above average rain for Southern California and equal odds for average rain in Northern California. With a weak El Nino, there is not a strong connection to rain totals in Northern California but at least nobody is calling for below-average rain based on what's being observed in the tropics.
The Farmer’s Almanac is calling for a big winter for 75% of the country. In the coming weeks, we will have a better indication regarding optimism for increased snowfall. More rain for California and snow in the mountains sounds good to me. Whether you are planning to be in the mountains or you want to be ready for your local storms, please prepare to stay warm and happy with Powpow neck warmers. www.powpow.com
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It was an amazing, carefree day. Fresh tracks. One of those days when every run is a great run. We’d started early and skied hard all morning. Everybody met at the mid-mountain lodge to beat the lunch crowd. The sun came out. The whole group, including our sons, urged us to finally start a company and sell Powpow neck warmers for cold, snow and chilly days.
We hope that Powpow neck warmers will keep you warm and happy while you enjoy the great outdoors and all it has to offer.
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