Famous Sherpas to hike the length of the Great Himalaya Trail

by Kraig Becker on

Two famous Nepalese Sherpas are preparing to hike the entire length of the Great Himalaya Trail in an effort to raise awareness of the effects of climate change on the region. The duo will set out on January 15th and hope to encourage economic development along the new trekking route as well.

Apa Sherpa and Dawa Steven Sherpa will begin their journey in eastern Nepal in the village of Ghunsa and will travel 1056 miles west until they reach the town of Darchula. The entire hike is expected to take roughly 120 days to complete, passing through 20 different districts along the way.

While the GHT is an impressively long trek, it is the altitude that presents the biggest challenge for most hikers. It is considered the highest long distance trail in the world, rising above 18,880 feet at its tallest point. That altitude isn’t likely to be a problem for these two men however, as they have both climbed Everest multiple times. In fact, Apa holds the record for most successful summits, having scaled the highest mountain on the planet 21 times. Dawa Steven has stood on the summit of the mountain twice as well, giving the men plenty of experience at high altitude.

In addition to the altitude, the GHT is known for its incredibly scenic vistas as well. The Himalayan Mountains make a breathtaking backdrop for the trek, but climate change is having a dramatic impact on that place. As the planet has warmed, the glaciers throughout the region have gone into retreat, severely limiting the amount of fresh water that is available to the people who live there. Even now, many of those people have to walk several hours each day just to collect water for their daily use. The two Sherpas hope to spread the news on this impending crisis in their home country.

Climate change isn’t their only priority however, as they hope to encourage economic development along the Great Himalaya Trail as well. The route opened earlier this year, and while hikers have begun walking the route, the infrastructure to support them is not fully in place yet. Apa and Dawa Steven hope that their hike will help bring attention to the trail that will also inspire new restaurants and inns to open along its length, making it easier for adventure travelers to undertake the long distance trek.

New Zealand to open new trekking route

by Kraig Becker on

New Zealand, a country that is already established as one of the best adventure travel destinations on the planet, is preparing to open a new trekking route that will run the entire length of the country. Dubbed Te Araroa, the trail is the result of a massive volunteer effort that has come together over the past two decades.

Te Araroa, which means The Long Pathway in the language of the Māori, will officially open with a ceremony to be held in Wellington on December 3rd. The city is the approximate middle point for the new trail, which runs for more than 3000km (1865 miles) starting at Cape Reinga in the north and ending in Bluff in New Zealand’s extreme south. The trail essentially runs the entire length of both the North and South Islands, and is made up of about 300 sections that vary in length from a few hours to a few days. The route passes over snow capped peaks, through thick forests, and past lush farmland, showcasing some of the stunning scenery that New Zealand is so well known for. It also wanders through seven different cities, which will likely become popular places to start and stop, as well as resupply along the way.

This new trekking option is the result of many years of hard work and perseverance. Over the past 17 years, Te Araroa has been built by a very dedicated group of volunteers who have linked-up existing trails, and built completely new ones, in an effort to build this one major path. Now that it is finished, and preparing to officially open, long distance hikers are no doubt already preparing to walk its length. It is estimated that it will take roughly 4 months to hike it from end-to-end.

For more information on the Te Araroa visit the trail’s official website.

[Image courtesy of teararoa.org.nz]

REI Adventures announces new options for 2012

by Kraig Becker on

REI Adventures, the travel subsidiary of outdoor gear retailer REI, has announced a host of new options for travelers looking to for a once in a lifetime experience in 2012. The new trips expand an already impressive array of adventure travel opportunities that deftly mix active excursions with culture, history, and fine cuisine.

Among the new itineraries for 2012 is a guided hike along an ancient route between Umbria and Rome that was once used by Christian pilgrims. The trek takes hikers through idyllic Italian countrysides, putting the art, architecture, and history of that country on display. Those looking to rough it a bit more, may want to check out the option to visit an EcoCamp in the heart of Chile’s Patagonia region, while families looking for a unique escape should consider the Machu Picchu Adventure. REI didn’t forget about the active traveler either, as the new trips include options to go snowshoeing in the Adirondacks, ice climbing in the Catskills, or hiking through Yosemite. To learn more about these trips, or review all of the other new options for 2012, click here.

Of course, if you’re going on trip like one of these, you’ll invariably need some new gear as well. To help you shop for that equipment, REI is currently offering a $50 gift card to anyone who signs up for one of these new 2012 trips before December 31st of this year. This is your opportunity to not only go on the trip that you’ve always dreamed of, but also get some free gear too!

Whether you like to hike, backpack, cycle, climb, or paddle, REI Adventures has a trip that will satisfy your wanderlust. Obviously 2011 is quickly coming to an end, and it is never too early to start planning for next year.

[Photo courtesy REI Adventures]

Trekkers stranded in Lukla, Nepal again

by Kraig Becker on

Bad weather in the Himalayas has left many travelers stranded in a remote village in Nepal this past weekend, stretching supplies and accommodations to the limit. Fortunately, improving conditions allowed for many of them to be evacuated yesterday, with those remaining are expected to return to Kathmandu today.

Last week, heavy fog and rain descended on Lukla, a small village located at 9383 feet in the Himalayas. The village has one of the few airports in the region and serves as the main gateway for adventure travelers and climbers headed to Mt. Everest and other major peaks. That airport is considered to be amongst the most dangerous in the world during the best of conditions, and the heavy fog grounded all incoming and outgoing traffic starting on October 31st. With no planes getting in or out, trekkers completing their hikes were left stranded, and by the weekend, nearly 2000 people were stuck in the mountain town.

The fog and rain finally lifted yesterday, allowing aircraft to start shuttling trekkers out of the mountains at last, but the final groups weren’t expected to be airlifted until today. Other travelers elected to continue their hike on to the village of Jiri, a four day journey that would allow them to return to Kathmandu via bus and thereby avoid any further weather delays.

This is the second year in a row that the weather has left travelers stranded in Lukla. In November of last year thick fog prevented planes from getting in and out of the town as well, forcing the Nepali army to eventually use helicopters to facilitate the evacuation process. Fall in the Himalaya is a popular time for trekking, but the weather can be a bit unpredictable as the region transitions from the summer monsoons to the clear, cold of winter.

Having visited Lukla in the spring of 2010, it boggles my mind to think that there were more than 2000 people stranded there. The town is meant to be a brief stop over for those coming and going from Everest, and really isn’t set-up to accommodate that many visitors at one time. Judging from the reports, it seems everyone made it through just fine, but I’m sure there were some cramped quarters and cozy accommodations for a few days.

Mountain bike the Himalayas

by Kraig Becker on

Mention the Himalayas to most adventure travelers, and they will immediately think about the multitude of great mountain treks that are available there or even the unparalleled mountaineering opportunities. What most people don’t know however is that there are some fantastic opportunities to mountain bike through the region as well, and adventure travel company Ace the Himalaya offers some epic itineraries to do just that.

Starting in March of 2012, Ace the Himalaya will offer four different cycling itineraries ranging in length from 12 to 21 days. Those options include the classic Annapurna Circuit, a long distance ride from Lhasa, Tibet to the city of Kathmandu, a roll along the Kathmandu Valley Rim, and a scenic journey from Muktinath to Pokhara. Riders will have the opportunity to explore seldom used trails, while taking in the dramatic landscapes of the tallest mountains on the planet. They’ll visit remote villages and soak up the local culture, while spending the night in traditional tea houses.

Travelers who choose to join one of these adventures will definitely want to be prepared for the altitude however. On the Annapurna Circuit they’ll be riding at an average altitude of more than 17,700 feet and the Lhasa to Kathmandu itinerary averages 17,125 feet. For a bit less altitude, the Kathmandu Valley only averages around 7100 feet, while the ride to Pokhara is a modest 12,170 feet. No matter which option you go with however, the air is going to be thin, and acclimatization could take a few days.

Having trekked through Nepal in the past, I can attest to how beautiful and magical the place is. But I’m intrigued by these opportunities to mountain bike through the country as well. It seems like a really interesting, albeit physically demanding, way to explore the region.