When I lived in Santiago, Chile, I made it down south to ski a bunch of times and found the Andes a superb place to
hit the slopes. The winter was a bit dry when i was there, but I did manage to get in some fine days at
Portillo and Valle
Nevado. So it was a nice surprise to see
this piece in the Guardian
celebrating these places. As you probably know, the Chilean ski season runs from mid-June to early October, opposite
what it is in the Northern Hemisphere. Around that time there is usually an eight/nine foot base for some solid
shredding.
Photo of the Day: (5/31/05)
Climber/outdoor photographer Rich Wheater shoots out of Vancouver BC and
has got a gallery of climbing photos to get you pumped up for some summer scrambles. This
photo from Climbing Magazine is a
particular beaut.
Hiking the CA Cascades
Another nice article on
what the rains have wrought here in the Golden State. Hikers are blessed with some amazing opportunities right now. The
waterfalls in places like Big Basin State Park in Santa Cruz
County are gushing, making hiking and photo opportunities some of the best in recent memory. The
article highlights some of
the fine hikes to take to reach and see the falls in all their cateractful splendor. And for Yosemite fans, the
falls in the valley are equally
magnificent.
Switzerland’s Top Adventures
I haven’t posted very often here about Switzerland. Sure, it’s small…a wee country, as a Mike Meyer’s character
might put it…but for outdoor and adventure buffs, it’s a bit of a Valhalla. Skiers love Switzerland, parapenters dig
it’s jagged peaks which they soar over, and even bunjee jumpers find gravitational satisfaction from it’s bridges.
That’s a couple suggestions for things to do there, and now
here is a list of lots more…20 to be precise. Twenty Swiss-based adventures from ballooning in
Chateau d’Oex, to hiking the Bernese Oberland, and strolling the Glaciers at Jungfraujoch. The list goes on,
check it out.
Bryce Bryce Baby
is one of the country’s most beautiful national parks. Located in Utah, the rock formations there have been the
inspiration and subject of many a painter and photographer. But it is also the place where they run the annual
Bryce Canyon Half-Marathon. This year’s half-marathon
(that’s 13 miles instead of 26 for the arithmetically-disinclined) takes place on July 11 and is sure to draw a big
crowd of hard-core running types. It’s a popular run, so if you are interested in going, book your hotel or campsite
now.