India opens remote trekking and mountaineering routes

by Kraig Becker on

Adventure travelers were given even more incentive to travel to India recently when it was announced that the government would begin allowing access to previously restricted areas in the remote Jammu and Kashmir provinces. The move has both economic and political motivations that officials hope will provide benefits for the country in years to come, but trekkers and mountaineers will begin receiving benefits of their own beginning this summer.

In all, 104 new mountain peaks have been removed from the restricted list, and opened up to climbers for the first time. Most fall in the Leh and Ladakh regions, along India’s border with both China and Pakistan. Because of their close proximity to the disputed Kashmir region, only ten previous mountaineering expeditions, primarily made up of Indian climbers, have made their way into the region. This means that the vast majority of those mountains have not yet been climbed. Climbers looking to claim a first ascent will find plenty of altitude to challenge them. Many of the peaks top out above 22,000 feet, including Saser Kangri I, II, and III, which stand 24,327 feet, 24,649 feet, and 24,590 feet respectively.

Backpackers will find plenty to love in this remote and stunningly beautiful region as well. High altitude passes and trails that have previously been off limits are now open to foreign travelers, including a route that leads to the village of Turtuk in the Nubra Valley. The village played a historically important role in the region in centuries past when caravans traveling the Silk Road passed through the high altitude settlement, ferrying goods from East to West.

This move by the Indian government comes following a recommendation from the Ministry of Defense. The region has been a source of conflict for years between India and Pakistan, but tensions have now eased in the area, and this will signal a return to normalcy. The influx of climbers, trekkers, and other adventure travelers is likely to help the local economy as well.

A Kiwi Christmas

by Andrew Evans on


Christmas in New Zealand is so different than back home. For one, it’s hot–really hot, so people tend not to stay indoors around a fake pine tree. Instead, families head to the beach where they camp in droves, eat ham, play cricket, drink a bit of this and that and swim, swim, swim. Also, the endemic Pohutukawa tree is in bloom, painting bursts of bright red stamens all over the place–it’s absolutely beautiful and the quintessential sign that it’s Christmastime in New Zealand.

For a wee taste of Christmas down under, Kiwi-style, I wandered around this campsite on a beach in New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty with a video camera. It’s candid and random, but oh so real.

National Park Service pledges $875k for trails

by Kraig Becker on

The U.S. National Park Service has announced a number of updates and improvements to existing trails throughout the park system, and backed the plan by pledging nearly $875,000 specifically ear-marked to complete the initiative. The “Connect Trails to Park” project will be funded from a grant program created last year to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the National Trails System.

Created back in 1968 with legislation that mandated the Appalachian and Pacific Crest Trails, the system now consists of over 52,000 miles of trails. 11 of those are National Scenic Trails with another 19 being designated as National Historic Trails. Over a thousand other hiking routes are listed as National Recreation Trails as well.

All told, 17 projects will receive funding from the grant, which is designed to “restore or improve existing trails and trailhead connections, provide better wayside and interpretive services, encourage innovative educational services, support bridge and trailhead designs, and provide planning services for important trail gateways.” In other words, we can expect improved infrastructure on the projects that are receiving funding, which includes the Continental Divide Trail and the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, amongst others.

These infrastructure upgrades kick off the “Decade of National Trails” initiative that will see similar updates on a number of other routes in the years ahead, leading up to the 50th anniversary of the trail system in 2018.

To see the complete list of trail upgrades, and where the money is being spent, click here.

Seniors to lose camping discounts with US Forest Service proposal

by Alison Brick on

Wasn’t this supposed to be one of life’s fair trades? After you spend decades working hard, the US government treats you to a senior’s half-off discount at US Forest Service parks during your retirement.

Well, now the Forest Service is rethinking that.

Last week, it proposed cutting back the discounts for Senior, Access (permanent disability), Golden Age, and Golden Access to 10%, instead of the current 50% — a discount that has been in place since the mid-60s.

These changes would go into effect at the campgrounds operated by private concessioners, which make up 50% of National Forest camping capacity and 82% of reservable campsites.

Among the reasons for the change are (to quote the Forest Service) “application of the 50 percent discount to holders of Senior and Access Passes is unreasonable in view of the growing number of senior citizens in the United States.” Also, “the 50 percent discount requires concessioners to raise camping fees to compensate for the loss in revenue, thus increasing prices for non-seniors and discouraging a future generation of campers.”

Thankfully, the new policy is not set in stone quite yet. The public has until February 1, 2010 to dispute the proposal.

Those who wish to can submit comments via the website www.regulations.gov, or via mail to U.S. Forest Service, Attn: Carolyn Holbrook, Recreation and Heritage Resources Staff, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 1125, Washington, DC 20250–1125.

Classic Treks: Ausangate Circuit, Peru

by Kraig Becker on

Peru is an amazing destination for backpackers and trekkers, offering a great mix of culture, ancient history, and breathtaking scenery. The Andes mountains serve as a dramatic backdrop for some of the best hiking anywhere in the world, and although the Inca Trail is probably the best known hike in all of South America, there are other Peruvian treks that are more challenging, longer, and equally rewarding.

Take the Ausangate Circuit for instance, so named for the 20,905 foot tall mountain that dominates the region through which this trek passes. This hike requires roughly five days to complete, covering about 45 miles, most of it at high altitude in a remote area that remains sacred to the local Quechua people who inhabit the area. The trek is well known for stunning views and lots of solitude, as while most backpackers are busy with the crowded Inca Trail, this route remains quietly off the radar for most visitors to Peru.

Unlike the Inca Trail however, the Ausangate Circuit is free from any kind of infrastructure, which means you’ll find no established campsites, no park rangers roaming the trail, and certainly no toilets. This is remote trekking at its finest, without a support structure in place to hinder your exploration or bail you out when you get into trouble. In fact, those adventurous travelers who tackle the Circuit are completely on their own, without any kind of rescue service in place.Located near the mountain town of Cusco, the gateway to the Peruvian Andes, the Ausangate Circuit is a challenging trek meant for experienced backpackers only. The trail is designed for those who are comfortable hiking independently and self sufficiently, and is not recommended for beginners. In addition to the complications that altitude can introduce, the weather is often unpredictable, with snow a possibility year round. Big storms offer the potential to leave hikers confined to their tent for a day or two, and supplies are difficult to come by, with just a few small mountain villages along the route.

Those that do brave the trek however, are treated to some of the best views in the Andes, with the trail taking them well above 16,900 feet. The snow capped peaks will continually give hikers something to gawk at, while massive glaciers dominate the landscape, spilling into tranquil mountain lakes and feeding icy-blue streams. Wide open mountain meadows are filled with herds of alpacas and llamas, with local villagers, dressed in colorful garb, looking on. Best of all, natural hot springs at the beginning and end of the trek, allow backpackers to sooth their tired legs and feet.

For a trek unlike any other, with a high level of challenge, but an equally high level of reward, consider the Ausangate Circuit. It is an inexpensive, little known hike, along remote mountain passes that offer plenty of solitude and views that will remain with you for a lifetime. This amazing trek is just one more reason why Peru remains one of the top adventure travel destinations of all time.