Hiker Blog

"That was the most enjoyable year of my adult life"

Tim Westergren is due to take the stage in an hour, yet he seems half asleep. His shoulders are rolled forward, his hair floppy and unbrushed, and he's wearing loose blue jeans and scuffed hiking boots. via KVIA-TV El Paso

Filed under: Hiking, China

When a specific location proves to be the inspiration behind certain legends or works of art, it suddenly becomes all the more fascinating.

Of course, it helps if the product of this inspiration was, well, something inspiring itself; like Shangri-la, for example.

This mythical paradise was thought to have originated from an untouched section of China where the Himalayas thrust up towards the heavens and the natural beauty is said to be stunning and breathtaking. I have not had the good fortune to visit China's Yunnan province--the true inspiration for Shangri-la--but a rather enthralling article in the Telegraph now has me salivating at the prospect.

Sadly, what was once a long arduous trek to reach, is serviced these days by a local airport. As a result, the capital of Dayan now sees three million tourists a year. The good news, however, is that few venture into the wilds beyond as journalist Katherine Tanko discovers while gallivanting about the region. In the process, she also learns if the nature itself isn't paradise, the prices are. Tanko paid just $12 a night for room and board. Now that, folks, is my definition of Shangri-la.

 

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Trail hounds know that two of the most important aspects of backcountry camping are taking care of your feet on the trail, and getting a good night's sleep in camp. via Seattle Times

Visitors to the San Francisco Bay Area will no doubt stroll through Fisherman's Wharf, climb Coit Tower atop Telegraph Hill and view the Pacific Ocean from Cliff House. via CNN

If you've spent anytime hiking or camping you know the value of keeping your stuff dry. via Cool Hunting

Geri Koeppel Special for The Republic Oct. 24, 2007 08:27 AM Ah, the heat has finally broken, and that brings both good and bad to our idyllic community. via Arizona Republic

Filed under: Hiking, Stories, United States

Chris McCandless, the famous vagabond and subject of Sean Penn's new film, Into the Wild, is perhaps best known for living out of an abandoned bus in the Alaskan Wilderness in the early 90s. He hiked to the middle of nowhere of his own accord, despite warnings from concerned locals, and lived off the land for a number of months. On September 6, 1992, two hikers found the bus, and on the outside, a note that read:

 

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"And there were a lot of friends around us."

Ruby Jenkins on a hike up Sherman Peak Trail on her way to the mountaintop at close to 10,000 feet. via Bakersfield Californian

"I can't go on. I almost got killed."

Thirty-six women from around the nation set out to reach Mount Shasta's 14,162-foot peak on a July morning last summer to honor loved ones whose lives were taken or threatened by breast cancer. via Missoulian

A NAKED rambler has been cleared of causing distress to a fellow cliff-top walker after his case was thrown out of court. via This is Dorset