Friday 19/10/2018 Peyto Lake
Banff National Park, Alberta, CANADA
Participants: Sue Davies (Photos, Report), Beth Davies
The trailhead for this short but outstanding walk is at the Bow Summit car park, on the Icefields Parkway 42km north of Lake Louise.
Friday 19/10/2018 Wilcox Pass
Jasper National Park, Alberta, CANADA
Participants: Sue Davies (Photos, Report), Beth Davies
The trailhead for this scenic walk is located near the Columbia Icefields 100km south of Jasper at the entrance to the Wilcox Creek Campground. On a clear day you can expect to see expansive views of the Athabasca Glacier and the Columbia Icefields but be prepared to share the trail with wildlife including mountain sheep.
Thursday 18/10/2018 Valley of the Five Lakes
Jasper National Park, Alberta, CANADA
Participants: Sue Davies (Photos, Report), Beth Davies
The trailhead for this pleasant half day walk is located along the Icefield Parkway 9km south of Jasper. There are five scenic lakes with views of the surrounding peaks, varied vegetation and wildlife encounters along the route.
Monday 8/10/2018 Chester Lake
Peter Lougheed Provincial Park
Alberta, CANADA
Participants: Sue Davies (Photos, Report), Beth Davies
This out and back forested trail leads to an alpine meadow and lake (Chester Lake) below Mount Chester. Wildlife encounters can include bears, birds and rabbits. This is a year round maintained trail which would be a pleasant cross country ski during the colder months. In sections the trail is segregated for skiers. It is accessed via the trailhead on the Smith Dorrien / Spray Lakes road.
Sunday 7/10/2018 Ptarmigan Cirque
Peter Lougheed Provincial Park
Kananaskis Country, Alberta, CANADA
Participants: Beth Davies, Sue Davies (Report and Photos)
Ptarmigan Cirque trail leads to a high mountain bowl between Mount Arethusa and Mount Rae close to the Highwood Pass in Peter Lougheed Park near Kananaskis Country, Alberta, Canada. The Ptarmigan Cirque hiking trail is a short loop in the cirque. Possible wildlife sighting may include deer, bears and mountain sheep. There are wonderful panoramic views for relatively little effort.
Saturday 17/08/2018 Ghost Gum Walk, Ormiston Gorge
West MacDonnell National Park, NORTHERN TERRITORY
Participants: Sue Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Moore
Ormiston Gorge is one of several spectacular gorges along the Finke River which are easily accessible by two wheel drive vehicle from Alice Springs.
Tuesday 14/08/2018 Wangi Falls
Litchfield National Park, NORTHERN TERRITORY
Marranunggu country
Participants: Sue Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Moore
This short walk starts at the base of the Wangi Falls where there is a tempting plunge pool. The pool is surrounded by river pandanus which provides food for fish and turtles. Saltwater and freshwater crocodiles inhabit the pools during the wet season. The sun unfortunately was in the wrong position early in the morning for good photos of the falls.
Tuesday 14/08/2018 Tjaetaba Falls
Litchfield National Park, NORTHERN TERRITORY
Marranunggu country
Participants: Sue Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Moore
The walk commences at Greenant Creek picnic area which is difficult to spot when driving from Tolmar Falls as there is no sign on the side of the road. Driving back from Wangi Falls there was a sign for the picnic area.
18/4/2018 – 5/5/2018 Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley
NEPAL
Distance: 362km Total Ascent: 35,900m Total Descent: 34,800m Time: 123 hours
NB: The GPS tracking results of distance, ascents and descents on this trek with its very deep valleys and surrounding high peaks is highly exaggerated, see my Track Info!
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Kaka Dural (Porter), Emily Jayne, Prabin Kumar Karki (Guide), Ralston Keyt, Sarah Keyt, Pawan Nepali (Porter), Ravi Phuyal (Porter), Rosan Rai (Assistant Guide), Wendy Young
At 8,163m the impressive Manaslu is the eighth highest mountain in the world. Meaning “mountain of the spirit” it’s name is derived from the Sanskrit word meaning “intellect” or “soul”. This trek is considered to a less crowded alternative to the more popular Everest Base camp or Annapurna circuit treks.
As with most treks in Nepal, it starts and finishes in Kathmandu. It is mandatory to have a guide on the Manaslu circuit, we had a very positive experience with Kathmandu based Himilayan Encounters.
This trek provides geographical and cultural diversity and when also completing the Tsum valley, provides an insight into remote Nepali village life.
The diversity of the scenery was remarkable over the 18 days of the walk, from subtropical jungle to the desolate and cold Larkya La pass at 5,160m. Stunning alpine scenery, unique remote villages and beautiful Tibetan Buddhist monasteries all combine to make this one of the best treks in Nepal.
8/07/2018 – 13/07/2018 Lady Elliot Island
Great Barrier Reef, QUEENSLAND
Darumbal country
Participants: Paul Davies, Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)
We spent a wonderful five nights at the Lady Elliot Eco resort which is the only accommodation on this small coral cay. The island is accessed by a short scenic flight from Hervey Bay or Bundaberg.
When you first arrive you wonder how you will occupy your time on such a small island. It takes about a day to get into the island rhythm and then you don’t want to leave.
The snorkeling is excellent. On high tide you can snorkel in the lagoon which has an incredible variety of tropical fish, octopus, coral and abundant turtles. Swimming with turtles who appear to be unperturbed by our presence is such a beautiful experience. At low tide you can join a guided reef walk with the marine biologists who are part of the activities team.
Tuesday 17/07/2018 Stanwell Park – Sublime Point
Illawarra Escarpment, Austinmer, NSW
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Mel Brodie, Paul Brodie, Sue Davies (Report)
The walk combines several hiking tracks but is easily navigated. It offers scenic views of the stunning Illawarra coastline and beaches. It is best to have a car at each end making it a pleasant one way walk. Continue reading
11/07/2017 – 12/07/2017 Rifugio Pedrotti, Bocca di Brenta
Madonna di Campiglio, ITALY
Distance: 64km Total Ascent: 2620m Total Descent: 2620m Time: 15 hours
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)
This fantastic two day walk starts and ends at the lovely alpine town of Madonna di Campiglio, a summer and winter resort. Expect to be totally immersed and up close to the mighty Brenta Dolomite group, the Italian “Rocky Mountains”. This is one of the most scenic walks we have ever done. Continue reading