Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Elva Marcos Campos (guide)
This incredible day walk can be accessed from Huaraz by a four hour bus trip or three hours by private car. We chose the latter more expensive option along with a guide which was not really necessary. However, it enhanced our experience having a local give us information along the way. All the lakes in the Huascarán National Park are numbered and there are at least 300 of them. This is number 69.
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Elva Marcos Campos (guide)
Laguna Churup is a popular but relatively uncrowded walk which is reasonably close to Huraraz. It is not necessary to have a guide for this walk but a private car needs to be organised for drop off and pick up. National park entry fees of 30 soles (about $13) per person needs to be paid at the car park. The toilet costs 1 sole (about 40c).
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)
This walk was recommended as an initial acclimatisation walk after arriving in Huaraz at 3,092m as it reaches an altitude of just under 4,000m and is relatively flat. As there is no public transport available into the area we organised a private car to transport us each way from Huaraz.
2/07/2019 – 9/07/2019 Baltra – Santa Cruz – Floreana – Espanola – San Cristobal – Santa Fe – Sombrero Chino – Bartolome – James (Santiago) – Rabida – Seymour Island – Baltra
Galapagos Islands, ECUADOR
Participants: Alfredo Banguera (Chef), Cifredo Banguera (Bartender), Enrique Briones (Engineer), Jose Caicedo (Captain), Anavi Chitnis, Jay Chitnis, Maritza Chitnis, Chitnis, Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report),Morris Garcia (Guide & Naturalist), Greg Kato, Jeremy Kato, Ryan Kato, Janet Lindsley, Melissa Mccarthy, Arnaldo Muñoz (First Mate), Roberto Pazmiño (Dingy Pilot), Charlie Vandel, Ellie Vandel, Stuart Vandel
The Galapagos Islands are a bucket list destination for many people, us included. These volcanic islands which are part of the Republic of Ecuador straddle the equator nearly 1,000km west of continental Ecuador. The convergence of three major oceanic currents brings an incredible mix of marine life to these islands. The islands are estimated to be between 3 to 10 million years old.
Access is by air from Quito via Guayaquil. The islands are known for their large number of endemic species that were studied by Charles Darwin and which led him to formulate his theory of evolution through natural selection, published in 1859.
The Galapagos National Park and the Galapagos Marine Reserve are carefully managed by the Ecuadorian Government, visitor numbers are limited and a $US100 entry fee applies. The only islands that can be visited without a guide are Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, Isabela and Floreana.
More than 25,000 people live on the islands. In 1959 the Government of Ecuador declared all uninhabited areas of Galapagos a national park. In 1978 UNESCO designated Galapagos the first World Heritage site and the Galapagos Marine Reserve received the same status in 1998.
Thursday 21/3/2019 Whitehorse to Alaskan Border Sightseeing
Participants: Anne-Marie DaSilva, Walter Brennan, Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)
This was a driving tour from Whitehorse heading south towards the Alaskan border. Our first stop was Emerald Lake which was a stunning emerald colour, even though it was still partially frozen.
Participants: Anne-Marie DaSilva, Walter Brennan, Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)
The trailhead for this walk is a short drive from Whitehorse. We headed off on a stunningly clear day. The trail gradually climbed through forest until we were above the tree line. We kept climbing onto a rocky ridge with fantastic views of the frozen Fish Lake and surrounding mountains which appeared to go on forever. After a quick snack we descended via the same route.
Participants: Anne-Marie DaSilva, Walter Brennan, Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)
We enjoyed a half day walk with our hosts, Anne-Marie and Walter through the forest near their house. There was still quite an amount of snow on the ground but it did not create much of a problem for us.
Participants: Anne-Marie DaSilva, Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)
On our first day in the Yukon, Anne-Marie took us on a walk along the Millennium Trail following the mighty Yukon River. The river was in the early stages of the spring melt and the trail was somewhat icy in places. Along the way Anne-Marie pointed out their favourite kayaking spots.
Participants: Beth Davies, Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)
Beth took us for a drive to some scenic spots not too far from the Kananaskis Mountain Lodge, including the Upper Kananaskis Lake, Mount Kidd, Mount Lorette and Mount Sparrowhawk.
Participants: Dale Andrew, Beth Davies, Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)
I have visited Johnston Canyon in summer and the raging stream and canyon was very impressive. I was keen to see it at a different time of year, early spring.
