Remote Places: the Nanda Devi Sancturary, India

by Kraig Becker on

Travelers have always been drawn to remote places. There is an undeniable lure to visit distant lands seldom seen by others. To trek through beautiful, untouched landscapes that allow us to escape the distractions of modern life, and get in tune with nature.

One such remote destination is the Nanda Devi Sancturary, located deep inside the Garhwal Himalaya of northern India. The lands surrounding the Sanctuary were established as a national park in 1982 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site six years later. The region is nearly 400 square miles of rugged wilderness that is renowned for its mountain meadows lush with wildflowers and diverse wildlife that includes the Asiatic black bear and the elusive, almost mythical, snow leopard. And while the entire park is remote, the Sanctuary itself takes it to an entirely different level.

Surrounded by a ring of mountains, ranging from 19,700 to 24,600 feet in height, it is a serous challenge just to get inside the Sanctuary itself. These incredibly steep and rugged peaks form a wall that is nearly impassable. In fact, they kept out all trespassers until the famous explorers Eric Shipton and H.W. Tillman found their way in through the Rishi Gorge in 1934, ending a fifty year search for an entrance. Once inside, they were greeted with breathtaking views of the Uttari Rishi and Dakkhni Rishi Glaciers, a sight never looked upon by human eyes before.

At the very heart of the Sanctuary is Nanda Devi itself, a twin-peaked mountain whose name means Bliss-Giving Goddess. Renowned for its beauty, legendary mountaineer Willi Unsoeld went so far as to name his daughter after the peak. The 25,643 foot mountain is considered to be one of the jewels of the Himalaya, attracting top climbers from around the globe who come to challenge their skills on the rocky prominence which was first conquered in 1936. While not as high as Everest or K2, Nanda Devi consistently makes the list for favorite mountains amongst climbers.

The Sanctuary is also a popular destination for trekkers who want to explore the unspoiled wilderness of the park. Popular trekking routes run along the same path that Shipton and Tillman took when they explored the region, crossing through deep valleys and mountain passes. Backpackers can spend anywhere from a few days to a few weeks hiking the area, which is held as sacred ground in the Hindu culture, with the central peak representing the patron-goddess of the local state.

When it comes to remote places, there are few as alluring and stunningly beautiful as the Nanda Devi Sanctuary. Visiting the region isn’t for everyone, but for those that do go, it can be a life altering experience.

Exploring Venezuela’s lost world

by Kraig Becker on

We told you about Roraima, the remote and rugged region along the border of Venezuela, Guyana, and Brazil last year. Known for its flattop mountains, called tepuis, Roraima was made all the more famous when it was featured prominently in last year’s Pixar movie Up. Now, U.K. newspaper the Guardian has discovered the allure of the place, posting a story of their own.

Known as the Lost World, Roraima is said to have inspired Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s book of the same name. Grainne Mooney, the travel writer for the Guardian, was similarly inspired when visiting the place, starting with the wildlife. The lowland areas are teeming with animals, including crocodiles, giant anteaters, monkeys, and capybara, the largest species of rodents in the world.

Eventually, the writer’s attention turned to the mountain itself, which towers more than 9200 feet above the jungle below. The entire trek would take six days to complete, including two nights spent on the flat summit. Beginning in arid grasslands, the hike eventually moves up into humid rainforests, before climbing above the tree line altogether. On top, the mountain seems like another world, and the rocky surface is often described like being on the moon.

Not only is this story a good overview of what it is like to visit Roraima, it offers plenty of insights into current conditions traveling through Venezuela as well. The writer notes that the capital city of Caracas is the most dangerous in the world after Baghdad and with inflation running wild, it is recommended that you exchange your dollars for bolivars on the black market, where the exchange rate is much better.

Seems like visiting Roraima isn’t the only adventure to be had in Venezuela.

All roads to Yosemite National Park closed

by Kraig Becker on

The National Park Service has announced that all roads leading into Yosemite National Park are currently closed due to excessive snow and ice, as well as fallen trees in the area. The roads were officially closed last night and will be reevaluated throughout the day today to determine when access to the park can be restored.

Winter storms hit the Yosemite region on Thursday dumping loads of fresh snow across the park. The valley floor reportedly received two feet of accumulation, which pales in comparison to other locations. For instance, Badger Pass received as much as eight to ten feet of new snow and Tuolumne Meadows also received six feet of fresh powder.

Those planning on visiting the park this weekend are encouraged to call the 24-hour road conditions hot line at 209-372-0200 to determine the current status of access to Yosemite. Additionally, all vehicles that do enter the park over the next few days are required to carry snow chains and be prepared to deal with rapidly changing conditions that could include more falling trees.

Yosemite National Park, located along the western slopes of California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains. It is a popular hiking and climbing destination throughout the year, offering more than 1200 square miles of landscapes to explore, including high peaks, remote valleys, and lush forests.

5 little-known, must-see sites on a Southwest road trip

by Darren Murph on

So, you’ve settled on the American Southwest as your next road trip destination. Congratulations — you’ve made a sound choice indeed. Picking one of America’s most storied regions to ramble around in is the easy part, but selecting the routes and spots to see is a bit more difficult. You’ve always got the obvious choices – Grand Canyon and Zion National Parks, for instance — but it’s the offbeat gems that really stick with you long after you dust off your boots, hang the cowboy hat and return the rental car.

We recently embarked on a 3,600 mile journey that crisscrossed the Southwest, touching parts of Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Texas. The cliché stops were nothing short of awe-inspiring, but we found five must-see areas along the way that showcased exactly what this region of the country is all about. Read on if you’re eager to get your wheels turning.

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Lake Mead National Recreation Area

When you think of beautiful sights in the south of the Silver State, you probably think of neon skyscrapers, or if we’re talking really south, the Hoover Dam. Frankly, there’s no need to fight the crowds at either. For just $5 per vehicle, the 40 or so mile drive from south to north of the park is a wild ride full of expansive views, a plethora of short (albeit rewarding) hikes and a relative lack of human life. Don’t be shocked if you find yourself atop a peak, overlooking miles of pristine desert mountains, with nary a soul in sight. If you’re looking to connect with nature (or just disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the real world), you won’t find a more stunning hour-long drive in Nevada.

Bryce Canyon City, Utah

Just a few short hours outside of desert lies a brisk, highly elevated region of Utah that few outsiders bother to explore. The minuscule town (or should we say village?) of Bryce Canyon City has but two real hotels, and one of those were constructed last May. This place truly shines in the winter; we checked in to the Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel to find an exceptionally friendly staff, a well appointed room, a steaming outdoor hot tub circled by snow and a hot breakfast that would make your local Shoney’s envious. Horseback rides overlooking Utah’s gorgeous orange rocks are but miles away, and the exceedingly underrated Bryce Canyon National Park is right next door. You’re also under two hours away from skiing at Brian Head, and better still, Scenic Byway 12 is just up the road. Speaking of…

Scenic Byway US 12

You’d be doing yourself a huge disservice by not traversing the entire 120 mile stretch of asphalt, which is known as Utah’s first all-American highway. Starting at Bryce Canyon City and terminating at Torrey, this sparsely driven gem carves through towering mountains, stunning monuments and a few towns in particular that are just oozing with character (Tropic and Escalante, if you’re wondering). We found dozens of scenic pulloffs that were impossible to pass by, and the dearth of other vehicles allowed for countless in-road snaps that truly demonstrate the magic of a road trip. For those with ample time, an off-road tested vehicle and plenty of spare gas cans, the 55.5 mile Hole-in-the-Rock Road at Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is the preeminent “road less traveled.”

Four Corners / Scenic Byway US 163

There’s really only one way to start the southbound journey down US 163, and that’s from the east after a jaunt down to the Four Corners of America. Sure, you could cut through Utah from the north, but where’s the fun in that? Stepping foot in four states simultaneously generates a feeling of pride and joviality that we have personally never felt in any other scenario — in a sense, it’s the ultimate travel accomplishment, or at least the one that you’ll never forget to tell your grand-kids about. Shortly after you pass Bluff, UT, US 163 begins; it takes but a mile to captivate. Sandwiched on both sides by towering rocks and colossal peaks, the town of Mexican Hat (and the aptly named rock to which the place owes its moniker) is a comedic break in the otherwise solemn excursion. Monument Valley State Park, just north of the Arizona border, is a satisfying conclusion to the buildup that precedes it. A seemingly never-ending expanse of otherworldly statues dot the roadside, inviting you to rest your laurels while soaking in the untamed southwest sun.

Pecos, Texas

If you notice yourself on I-10 heading east (which you won’t, given that Interstates are strictly forbidden ’round these parts), you’ll see a billboard or two beckoning you to visit Pecos. Unlike those signs coaxing you to break for “The Thing?,” this sleepy town of under 10,000 is certainly worth a look. As the story goes, the world’s first rodeo was held here in 1883, and by the looks of it, the weekend wranglin’ is still at the height of popularity over a century later. You’ll find wildly colorful buildings lining the generally wide-open downtown, more pick-up trucks and spurs than you could ever imagine, and beyond all of that, a real, bona fide taste of Texas. Without question, the essence of Texas is still alive and well in the far west of the state. If you dreamed of tumbleweeds and dusty streets but stumbled upon meadows and metropolises when you landed in central Texas, you’ll find the authentic Lone Star vibe you’re searching for just a few hundred (lonely) miles to the west.

[Images provided by Dana Jo Photography]

Return to the void with Simon Yates

by Kraig Becker on

Touching the Void is one of the most well known, and loved, mountaineering books of all time. It is so popular in fact, that it spawned a film of the same name. For those who aren’t familiar with the story, back in 1985 British climbers Simon Yates and Joe Simpson went to the Peruvian Andes to climb Siula Grande, a 20,814 foot peak. On the descent, Simpson fell, and broke his legs, which is usually a death sentence on a remote mountain. Yates did his best to try to bring his partner down, but eventually, thinking his friend was dead, he was forced to cut his rope while Joe dangled over a cliff. Simpson fell another hundred feet into a crevasse, but miraculously survived the fall. He then proceed to drag himself down the mountain over the course of the next several days, and in the process, spawned one of the great survival stories of the past 25 years.

Now, Simon Yates is heading back to the Andes as part of a trekking tour, and we’re all invited to go along with him. U.K. based adventure travel company World Expeditions is hosting two treks this fall along the legendary Huayhuash Circuit in Peru, with Yates serving as a guide. This will be the first time he has trekked through the region since that fateful trip back in 1985.

Some of the highlights of the trek include visits to ancient Inca ruins, an acclimatization day in Huaraz, and 13 days of trekking through the Cordillera Huayhuash and Blanca ranges of the Andes. Trekkers will climb as high as 16,400 feet while taking in spectacular views and absorbing plenty of local culture, in an area of Peru that still remains a bit off the radar of most travelers.

Of course, the real highlight for those making this trip will not doubt be the hike to base camp on Siula Grande, the very peak that made for such a dramatic backdrop for Yates and Simpson. We’re told that we can expect to hear first hand accounts of the events that took place on that mountain all those years ago, with Simon giving his personal account of what he saw and felt. It will no doubt be a moving and emotional experience for all, and a once in a life time opportunity for fans of the book.

The first trek, scheduled for September 4-22 is already sold out, but there are still openings to join the second trek, which runs from September 25 – October 13. To join the adventure, head on over to the Wold Expeditions trekking page to reserve your spot and to find out more information.