Tag Archives: Hike

Upper Mustang Valley – NEPAL

Leave a Reply

2/5/2019 – 11/5/2019  Kagbeni – Chele – Syanboche (Shyangbochen) – Ghami (Ghemi) – Chrang (Tsarang) – Lo Manthang – Choser – Ghami (Ghemi) – Samar – Kagbeni

                                         Upper Mustang Valley, NEPAL

Distance: 177 km   Total Ascent: 10,050m   Total Descent: 10,050m   Time: 46 hours

Participants: Subin Basnet (Porter), Pawan Dai (Assistant Guide), Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Giorakh “Kaka” Dulal (Porter), Prabin Karki  (Guide), Saideh Kent, Ralston Keyt, Sarah Keyt, Mohan Khaimrange (Porter),  Ravi lal Phuyal (Porter), Kerrie Stewart, Lisa Stewart

Mustang, formerly the ancient Kingdom of Lo is a remote and isolated region of the Nepalese Himalayas. The Upper Mustang was a restricted demilitarised area until 1992 and is one of the most preserved regions of the world with a predominantly Tibetan culture. It’s status as a kingdom ceased in 2008. The influence of the outside world, especially China is leading to changes in the lives of these previously isolated inhabitants. 

The region is cool and semi-arid being in the Himalayan rain shadow. Tourists have been allowed in the region since 1992 but visits remain highly regulated. It is considered a rare privilege to trek in this region and to experience the way of life of the true mountain people.

Continue reading →

Loading

The Annapurna Circuit – NEPAL

Leave a Reply

22/04/2019 – 1/05/2019   Jagat – Dharapani – Chame – Upper Pisang – Manang – Yak Kharka – Thorong Phedi – Thorong La Pass – Muktinath – Kagbeni

                                             Annapurna Circuit, NEPAL

Distance: 172km   Total Ascent: 10,400m   Total Descent: 8,670m   Time: 68 hours

Participants: Subin Basnet (Porter), Pawan Dai (Assistant Guide), Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Giorakh “Kaka” Dulal (Porter), Prabin Karki  (Guide), Ralston Keyt, Sarah Keyt, Mohan Khaimrange (Porter), Sonaiya Magear (Assistant Guide), Amanda “Mandy” Menheere, Ravi lal Phuyal (Porter), Kerrie Stewart, Lisa Stewart, Kaitlin “Kitty” Travers

The Annapurna Circuit is considered one of the world’s best long distance treks. It is located within the mountain ranges of central Nepal and it encircles the Annapurna Massif. It offers a wide variety of climatic zones from tropical vegetation at 600m to the chilling alpine conditions of Thorong La pass at over 5,400m. There are cultural varieties from the Hindu villages at the lower elevations to the Tibetan culture of the Manang valley. 

We travelled with the assistance of guides and porters from Himalayan Encounters, a company based in Kathmandu. 

Expect stunning high altitude scenery, comfortable tea houses and delicious (mainly vegetarian) freshly cooked food.

Map of our planned trek from Jagat to Jomsom at Tilicho Hotel & Restaurant

Continue reading →

Loading

Santa Cruz Hike – Corderilla Blanca – PERU

Leave a Reply

25/6/2019 – 28/6/2019    Vaqueria – Quebrada de Paria – Taulipampa – Llamacorral – Cashapampa

                                             Santa Cruz Hike, Corderilla Blanca, PERU

Distance: 82km   Total Ascent: 8,500m   Total Descent: 9,300m   Time: 25 hours

(Inaccurate distance & ascent/descents due to gps reception errors during day 3)

Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Elva Marcos Campos (guide), Emilio Gloria Arevalo (cook) Javier valdivia Melo (donkey driver)

This is a popular walk in the Corderilla Blanca and can be organised through several trekking companies or walked independently. There are buses that travel to the trailhead. This is a stunning mountainous area of Peru yet it is in the tropics about 9 degrees south of the equator. 

Continue reading →

Loading

Fish Lake – YUKON

1 Reply

Tuesday 19/3/2019   Fish Lake

                                      Whitehorse, Yukon, CANADA

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.

Continue reading →

Loading

Whitehorse – YUKON

Leave a Reply

Sunday 17/3/2019   Whitehorse

                                     Yukon, CANADA

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. 

Continue reading →

Loading

Millennium Trail – YUKON

Leave a Reply

Saturday 16/03/2019   Millennium Trail, Yukon River

                                          Whitehouse, Yukon, CANADA

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.

 

Continue reading →

Loading

Johnston Canyon – ALBERTA

Leave a Reply

Saturday 13/03/2019   Johnston Canyon

                                         Alberta, CANADA

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.

Continue reading →

Loading

Kananaskis Mountain Lodge – ALBERTA

Leave a Reply

Tuesday 12/03/2019   Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge

                                        Kananaskis, Alberta, CANADA

Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)

This short walk around the nature loop from the Kananaskis Mountain lodge was scenic and snowy!

Continue reading →

Loading

Lynn Canyon – British Columbia – BRITISH COLUMBIA

Leave a Reply

Saturday 9/03/2019   Lynn Canyon 

                                      Vancouver, British Columbia, CANADA

Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Jay Macarthur

We enjoyed a short walk in Lynn Canyon in North Vancouver with my friend from the 1980’s, Jay. North Vancouver had received a considerable amount of recent snow which made for scenic conditions in the 1,000 year old forest. Highlights were the suspension bridge, the ancient forest and the stunning 30 foot pool (a great spot in summer apparently!). 

Continue reading →

Loading

Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park – BRITISH COLUMBIA

Leave a Reply

Sunday 24/02/2019    Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park

                                       Vernon, British Columbia, CANADA

Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Cal Stewart, Kerrie Stewart, Lisa Stewart

Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park encompasses a preserved area of natural grasslands in the Okanagan area of British Columbia. This scenic walk on snow was to a lookout with great views of Lake Kalamalka. 

Continue reading →

Loading

Kumano Kodo Trail – JAPAN

Leave a Reply

22/03/2018 – 26/03/2018      Kumano Kodo Trail

                                                   Nakahechi Imperial Route, Kansai Region, Honshu, JAPAN

Distance: 96km   Total Ascent: 8,880m   Total Descent: 8,710m   Time: 28 hours

Participants: Bethany Davies, Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)

The Kumano Kodo is a pilgrimage route that has been used for over 1,000 years by people from all levels of society including retired emperors and aristocrats. The Nakahechi route has a rich history and is characterised by Oji shrines along its length. The route has been used since the beginning of the 10th century and it is considered an isolated sacred site of healing and salvation. 

This walk is located in the isolated Kii peninsula known for its steep lush mountains. The sacred sites and pilgrimage routes were world heritage listed in 2007. From Kyoto or Tokyo the train can be taken to Kii Tanabe and then a local bus takes 40mins to reach the start of the walk.It is important to know which stop to alight the bus though!  Bus and train transport is available at the end of the walk. 

 

Continue reading →

Loading

Nakasendo Highway – Magome – Nagiso – JAPAN

Leave a Reply

Sunday 18/03/2018   Magome – Nagiso   

                                       Nakasendo Highway, JAPAN

Participants: Bethany Davies, Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)

The walk from Magome to Nagiso is part of the Nakasendo, one of the old roads made during Japan’s Edo Period (1603 to 1867). It started from Edo (present day Tokyo) reaching Kyoto via the Kiso Valley. Magome and Tsumago are both post towns (juku) which has stone paved streets with well restored and preserved buildings in keeping with the style of the Edo Period. 

Continue reading →

Loading