#Alpine Lakes Loop

[thorsenmark]

Getting Out What One Puts in with Things Natural (Great Basin National Park) by Mark Stevens Via Flickr: A setting looking to the southwest while taking in views around Stella Lake in Great Basin National Park. This is while walking the Alpine Lakes Loop. My thought on composing this image was to angle my Nikon SLR camera slightly downward and include some of the fallen deadwood in the foreground leading up to the lake waters. I felt the foreground with deadwood interest helped to create more of a layered look to draw the viewer into the image.

[bandofchimeras]

I have autism and mood disorder and ADHD and PDA and OCD and chronic fatigue &illness. that means everything stops for emotions &feeling Bad. everything. even food and water and hygiene and rent and job and friend. it always has but the more shit happens the more intense the Stopping is emotions backlog. I am tired. I keep trying. I could process for a century. I have been in therapy for so many years. being wrapped in cedar branches and floating in an alpine lake until this body turns into a fish is my only desire. lease God just let this round of medications work. 🅱️lease. I am so tired of feeling impossible and hopeless and frozen in time loops and bad at connecting. today I give up. I play video games. the problems of this world, will not be solved by me. not tonight.

[cedarboughs]

Hiking Journal: Waterton Lakes NP,

Bauerman/Blakiston Valleys Loop Part II, July 22

We ate our largely flavourless protein-rich oatmeal with its nicer chunks of freeze-dried fruit by the lake as dawn fell down along the east aspect of Avion Ridge. The most ambitious plan for the day had been 10km of up-and-over alpine walking along the top of the ridge, descending via the Castle River Divide to Snowshoe campground. But as morning winds rose, hesitancy prevailed and we opted to return to the low valley road. In the morning light, the unnamed middle peak between Anderson Peak and Mount Bauerman made a cool sight as we came down from Goat Lake the way we’d come up the afternoon before.

Back in the valley floor it was hot again, but thankfully we quickly passed the end of the 2017 burn so the forest was more shaded. I’d almost forgotten what real trees with wide green boughs looked like. We arrived to Snowshoe in time for lunch.

After pitching camp, it was agreed we could try tackling Avion Ridge from the other side, which seemed to be the more popular direction anyway. Some other campers from Goat had taken the ridge and we re-encountered them, telling of a good traverse. So we made our way gradually up through the trees to the Castle River Divide, the edge of the park and border of less-regulated Castle country. From that subalpine saddle the trail up the side of the ridge turned steep, and hot. The views were alright, but it was a slog. We turned around well before the summit and returned to a lazy camp dinner.

[naturalswimmingspirit]

pnwjordyn

Last week Bho and I hiked a segment of the Blue Lake Trail 3422, From the Marion Lake junction, up to the Bowerman/Duffy Lake junction. Initially we wanted to do the 16 mile lollipop loop but read that Minto pass trail back to Marion lake is mostly blowdown from burned trees and un-maintained trail. We hiked 18 miles all in all, and it was so diverse. So many alpine lakes, (Ann Lake, Marion Lake, Blue Lake, Jorn Lake, Tito Lake, Melis Lake, Jenny Lake, Bowerman Lake, Little Bowerman Lake, and several no name lakes) tons of tiny baby frogs all over, Mt Jefferson, Three Finger Jack, Saddle Mountain and Marion Mountain, huckleberries everywhere (I made a pie with the berries we picked) old growth patches, and then spots that had been completely decimated by the 2020 fires. It was one of the longest but most exciting trails Bho and I have been on together. Here’s my crispy man taking a dip in the nameless lake that sat below the Eight Lakes View base. (Which I still prefer Mt Krumpet vs Eight Lakes View)

[trainsinanime]

I'm starting to warm up to Train Sim World 3, a game I got via Microsoft's game subscription model. A huge part of that is because it has a lot of good tutorials for all the very non-obvious parts of it. Those non-obvious parts are there for realism, to be clear; most trains aren't designed to be obvious, they're designed to be run by trained personnel who got special training for all the details of each train they're on.

Anyway, the basic tutorials are all set in a fantasy location, the Training Center. It's a magic place where you will find German, British and American trains all next to each other on decidedly German infrastructure.

The setting is all over the place, with some alpine stuff, a lake, several station platforms, and the whole thing is notably not an A-to-B line. Instead it's a combination of different loops and sidings for shunting around that feels more like a model railroad than a real thing.

Clearly this is completely made up, right?

Well, no. While all the scenery is purely fantasy and quite a bit of the details are wrong, the track layout is in fact a real piece of railroad infrastructure. Specifically, this is the track layout of the Siemens Test Centre in Wegberg-Wildenrath, Germany, near… well, not really anything, but Mönchengladbach is the closest city.

This facility, built on the site of a former British airfield, is where Siemens (and to a small extent other manufacturers) tests new trains, both prototypes and sometimes individual ones. All the tracks are for testing trains at different speeds and in different conditions, and a lot also for storing trains. There are also big workshops, used for finishing touches, indoor tests, but also as an independent repair and maintenance facility, and to assemble trains built in other places.

According to its own description, it's the most modern of such test centres. I have no way of checking that. It is definitely not the biggest, that is VUZ in Velim in the Czech Republic, which has a much bigger outer loop allowing for higher speeds, but less other equipment and tracks as far as satellite images say. VUZ is still seeing a lot of use, though. Maybe they'll use that one as the training centre for Train Sim World 4.

Access to the Wegberg facility is difficult for rail fans. It isn't hidden by any means, it's about an hour's drive from where I live, but all the really fun parts are hidden behind gates and fences, and security patrols the area. They held I think like two open days for the public, in total, and the last one as far as I can tell was in 2012.

And of course I was there.

Hey, remember those days when the Vectron was fresh and new, and Siemens was still actively selling the class 189 (ES64F4) and that in-between generation they only ever sold to Portugal, Belgium and Lithuania? That sure was a while ago, now they've sold well over a thousand Vectrons and those beasts are everywhere.

First big difference between video game and reality: In reality, the outer loop is only single track, while the video game has it double-tracked.

The video game also gives me a top speed of 300 km/h for this outer loop. In reality, as far as I know the limit ist 160 km/h. Apparently the track gets checked and realigned weekly, to be sure that the measurement results are all accurate.

Yes, that is an Uerdinger Schienenbus. Yes, that did retroactively become a Siemens product, because the Uerdinger Waggonfabrik that built this dinky little rail bus ended up becoming Siemens's Krefeld plant (specifically the Uerdingen part of Krefeld, no longer an independent town), where they build all their high speed trains among others. Surprised the hell out of me too.

In the game, all lines are electrified and have British style third rail power. In reality, that is actually fairly close. Many tracks are not electrified, though (they have diesel shunters to deal with that, including some hilariously old ones). Even fewer have the British style third rail, although that is in use because Siemens does sell a lot of trains to Britain. Instead, some tracks, such as the inner loop, feature Berlin style third rail, raised, with a plastic cover and designed for bottom contact.

And in fact there's a fourth rail here, which the video game doesn't have. This is to test meter gauge trains; generally speaking that means trams. However, for the opening ceremony 25 years ago, they apparently did have a steam train from nearby historic steam railroad Selfkantbahn. Definitely the second-greatest historic steam railroad around Aachen.

Anyway, the point of this is… none whatsoever. I just thought it's funny. The makers of the game aren't hiding that they just took the Wildenberg-Wegrath track layout, you can find a number of news articles referencing this. But if you just downloaded the game because you got Game Pass and it says "train something", as you do, then you may never notice unless you're already aware of this test centre.

[redsbrainrot]

An extremely controversial ranking of Mariokart 8’s 95 courses.

I know there’s 96 but I’ve missed one and can’t figure out for the life of me which one it was. Please help.

Wii rainbow road - nostalgic banger, made easier in this game tho

3DS rainbow road - fucking beautiful, was my number 1 but wii just had a special place in my heart

Big blue - a masterpiece

Mount wario - another masterpiece

Coconut mall - let down by its remakes but still a classic

Maple treeway - pumpkin spice latte

Waluigi stadium - it’s fucking waluigi stadium

Daisy circuit - a beautiful and classic course

Sunshine airport - the star cup in 8 is just the best cup

DK’s snowboard cross - prefer Wii’s but I still love it nonetheless

Waluigi pinball - DS had me in a chokehold

Daisy cruiser - mesmerising

Squeaky clean spirit - probably the best new course out the whole pack

Bowser’s castle 3 - simple but fucking amazing

Bowser’s castle - a banger

Mute city - speed

DK mountain - why are the turns harder to pull off in 8

Peach gardens - was my favourite as a 6 year old

Excitebike arena - carnage

DK Jungle - the great banana

Dolphin shoals - George Michael

Electrodrome - boing

Singapore speedway - shiny

Moonview highway - wii nostalgia

Merry mountain - um overhated it’s fucking Xmas themed

Wario stadium - again, loved it on DS and 8 did it justice as a remake

Koopa cape - the most butchered wii remake

Rosalina’s ice world - SUPER OVERHATED IDC I LOVE IT THE MUSIC WAS BEAUTIFUL IN 8 DEFINITELY A STEP UP FROM 3DS SUCK MY DICK

Royal raceway - pretty pink

Yoshi valley - playing this with noobs is the best

Melody motorway - 3DS nostalgia

Grumble volcano - meh

Mushroom gorge - best on wii

64 rainbow road - meh, still fun

Wario’s goldmine - prefer it on 8 cause wii was just rage inducing

SNES rainbow road - shroom high

Shy guy falls - mew woosh

Kalimari desert - meh

Piranha plant cove - ooh pretty :0

Hyrule Circuit - dun duuuun dun dun dun dun dun duuuuun

Cloudtop cruise - meh

Mario circuit - can’t even remember which one this was

Toad harbour - used to love it but now I get bored

Yoshi’s island - never played it so don’t really care

Boo lake - good remake

Tick tock clock - got bored of this one

Cheep cheep beach - loved it on DS

Vancouver velocity - music is alright

Mario kart stadium - boring

Ribbon road - pretty good (would swap rankings but I cba)

Rainbow Road 8 - I wanna like it but it’s just so meh

Moo moo meadows - fight me

Piranha plant pipeway - alright I guess

Baby park - mehhhhhhhh

Mario circuit DS - mehhhhhhhh

Alpine pass - done dirty

Sydney sprint - eh

Toad circuit - get fucked

Sweet sweet canyon - cool aesthetic lame ass gameplay

Paris promenade - alright

Choco mountain - overhyped

Thwomp ruins - not keen

Mario circuit - again I don’t know which one this is

Sherbet land - no

Snow land - no

Koopa city - I like the vibe but I hate it online

Animal crossing - mEh

Riverside park - a let down

Donut plains 3 - heheheheheb 69

Athens dash - alright

Bangkok rush - mEh

New York Minute - eh?

Berlin Byways - music is good but it’s boring

Tokyo blur - for Tokyo this sucks

Toad’s turnpike - womp womp

Water park - water who

Twisted mansion - just put luigi’s mansion in instead and we’ll all be happy

Madrid drive - this comes up like 50 times online and I hate it

Sunset wilds - boring

Dry dry desert - I hate the desert ones

Ice ice outpost - wouldn’t pick it

Super bell subway - liked it at first but it got old quickly

Wild woods - sick of it

Sky High Sunday - an eyesore

LA laps - not enough shit

Shroom bridge - had enough shit

Sky garden - let down

London loop - easy, boring

Rome avanti - the city tracks just flop huh

Ninja hideaway - I HATE IT I HA IT HATE IT

Mario circuit 3 - why is this in every game

Amsterdam drift - I hate the dutch

Dragon driftway - I cant stand it

Bone dry dunes - worst track ever

Cheeseland - wait no, this is. I hate cheese land. It makes me feel sick. I’m lactose intolerant but I love cheese. But I hate cheese land. Whenever anyone picks it I officially hate them as much as I hate this course. Kill it. Burn it. Erase it. Get rid of it.

[toointojoelmiller]

please don't go: a last of us fic

chapter 10

after David / Silver Lake / post-episode 8

angst, Joel & Ellie bonding, 99% canon compliant

rating: mature - content warnings re: s/a, violence, more

ch 1 | ch 2 | ch 3 | ch 4 | ch 5 | ch 6 | ch 7 | ch 8 | ch 9 | ch 10 | ch 11

link to whole story (work in progress) on AO3

-----

Joel’s been ignoring it for too long, now, and his body is screaming it at him - he's freezing.

He makes sure things are in order quickly - pistol next to Ellie - still just lying there, looking at nothing - he’s got his knife on him, rifle in reach. Flashlight. The first aid kit container - a bit more melted - not nearly enough, since he keeps forgetting to actually put it under the blanket with him, goddammit. He takes a few gulps from the thermos - pacing himself still so he doesn’t get sick - the nausea is constant. Needs to keep enough on hand for Ellie, today, anyway.

He takes one of the paper maps from under the shelf before he settles, groaning again, down on the floor in front of the door like he had been all night. Knees bent up, feet flat - wraps the blanket around himself so he’s huddled in it - shivers starting to run through him and settle in deep. He tucks the first aid kit under his knees, close enough to his body it might stand a chance to thaw more.

He needs to take a few deep inhales, waiting for the lightheaded feeling to fade a bit. After a few minutes - feeling less at risk of passing out again - he flips on the flashlight again and unfolds the map.

Crimson Ridge runs across the top. It’s a campsite map - “Crimson Ridge Campground & Park” - a few loops of road that connect with each other, dozens of little rectangles marking off sites. Near the bottom corner of the map there’s a box that reads “Ride the Shuttle!” next to a little bus symbol, and a few destinations listed out: Golden Ascent Trail. Alpine Serenity Reservoir. Silver Lake Resort.

There are two little squares marked near the road leading in to the campground - Registration Office & Outfitters Store. The odds of anything being there still, untouched after 20 years, are slim to none - the remoteness of this little outpost they had come across was all that kept it from being wiped clean years ago, he’s sure. He has no doubt that people in the area would have fled to the campground at different times over the years after the outbreak - maybe trying to get away from other people, knowing they couldn’t make it trying to survive in the actual wilderness. Might have met a quick end, if they were lucky.

Most weren’t.

But, even if there’s nothing inside - could be four walls and a roof. Could be another place for them to shelter - if it’s close enough to where they are now to make it on foot. And where they are now is… where, exactly? - he scans his eyes around the map - glances up at the one on the wall - considers standing to look at it closer but still a bit too shaky - needs a minute to work up to that. He looks back to the map in front of him, and sees a little arrow, pointing along the main road and off the edge of the map, labelled “Hiking and Backcountry Camping access point (4.6 m.)”

He takes a guess and flips the map over - there we go.

It’s like the one on the wall. A park map, alright - plain to tell from up close, now that’s he really paying attention to it. Colour coded trails weaving out in different directions from a little red building symbol marked Trail Information / Overnight Registration - right beside the little yellow star marking their spot.

So - about 5 miles, then, to get from here to that campground, if that’s the right way to go. He doesn’t like it - the snow is going to make it hard enough, all on it’s own. With how hurt Ellie is - and him, still so fucking weak - they were going to be slow.

If this building worked as a registration office for campers and hikers, it must mean there’s a parking lot somewhere, right? Would have to be walking distance, if this is the check-in point - maybe used to be a trail for visitors to trek on the way.

He’s right - finds a “P” symbol on a beige rectangle. There’s a faint line trailing from it - the parking area at the end of some side road, maybe? - eventually it connects to a sliver of the main road, just barely included at the bottom corner of the map. The same main road shown on the campground map.

About two miles, maybe, from here to that road. Bit less.

Hmm.

He looks up, finds Ellie is still laying awake and looking at the wall.

“Ellie?” She turns her head to look at him. “Can - d’you feel a map in the coat pocket?”

She stares at him for a few seconds before she starts to feel around the jacket. Pulls out the state map from one of the interior pockets - thank god he hadn’t lost it - imagine that being how he got them killed. 

“Thanks - toss it here?” He asks, but she doesn’t move.

He waits a few seconds, and then feels a bit uneasy as she continues to stay still and quiet.

“You - ok? I’ll - I can come get it, it’s alright,” he says, starting to push himself up to his feet, clenching his teeth as he feels the hurt throb in his gut. It’s getting fucking old.

Standing, now - and she’s still not moving. He tries not to look overly concerned but feels the worry starting to build.

She bites her lip and looks down at herself.

“I - have your coat?” It comes out as a question.

“Uh - yeah, it’s - s’alright, Ellie - just -”

She’s dropped the map and is shrugging her way out of the coat already. When she gets it off she throws it towards him, but doesn’t say anything.

He’s a bit baffled, here - not sure what is going on and afraid to say the wrong thing.

But she breaks the quiet first. “Why? All night?”

Oh. This, again.

“Yeah - these sleeping bags are plenty warm enough. You don’t h-”

“You went - outside, before - without a coat?” There’s a bit of an angry edge to her voice.

He responds in a slow, quiet tone - “Yeah, baby - it was -”

“Why would you do that, Joel -” she almost whines at him - “I don’t want -” looks for all the world like she might start to cry again, “it’s - you need a coat, I don’t - because of me -”

“It’s ok, Ellie - I was fine, you needed it more -”

“Not the whole time!” She says, exasperated. Then continues in a quiet, stubborn sounding voice, “Don't. That's fucking stupid. We both need a coat. If - if we have one - we share it. ”

She’s nearly glaring at him as she says it, and he wants to tell her how wrong she is - he would never wear it if it meant she would suffer without it - but he’s died on enough hills to know this one isn’t worth it. Surrenders.

She’ll wear it when they’re out. As long as she’s tucked in the sleeping bag like this she should be ok with her sweater - he’ll make sure she is.

“Alright,” he says. Goes to pick up the coat from where she tossed it, biting back another groan.

“What are you doing?” She asks.

“Just - takin’ a look at the map - tryin’ to see where we might - get back on the road, when we do.” She looks at him with a bit of a cloudy expression.

Ellie always wanted to be included - help out. He’d learned that about her time and again since they’d met, and she’d always enjoyed looking over their maps in the truck, on the road - running her fingers along different routes, trying to pronounce the names of different cities, asking him if she got it right.

He worries that it might upset her - seeing the resort location, wrapping her head around where they were - where she’d been taken - the distance from here and where they had come. But he knows her well enough to guess that she’ll ask soon anyway - probably just take the map and figure it out on her own when he’s sleeping. It’s not something he can keep from her.

And she should know, anyway. Needs to know - if something happens to him.

“Did you - d’you wanna look with me?”

She nods with no hesitation.

“Mind if I come over?” He asks, and she shifts up off of his pack to sit more upright - almost looking eager.

Map and flashlight in one hand, coat in the other - he uses a foot to roll the thermos over to Ellie’s, kicking his sleeping-bag over too. Trying to minimize the amount of times he’s bending and standing - Jesus he’s in rough shape - hopes she doesn’t notice. He carefully slides the first aid kit over so it’s near where he’s going to sit - then he does one last scan of the tiny space, decides to nudge a few of the remaining glucose-tubes over from the first-aid-kit-supplies pile - makes sure they're within reach of Ellie (careful to avoid the little pile of spit and water she’d puked on the floor - stomach clenching with a pulse of guilt when he sees it.)

He can’t hold in another grunt as he sits next to her and she gives him a worried look that he ignores.

He tugs the blanket up to cover him again - makes sure it’s overlapping plenty onto her, too - she’s still in the sleeping bag but her upper body is uncovered with the way she is sitting up now. He slides the first aid kit safely under the blanket next to his legs - and then he gives the coat an exaggerated shake before draping it onto them both - half on her (she’s so small it easily crosses her whole torso), half on him.

“Sharing - see?” He says pointedly, raising his eyebrows at her. Gets an actual eye roll from her, and she wiggles closer, leaning into his side a bit. He feels warmer.

“Ok,” he holds up the paper map of the park - finds he doesn't really need the flashlight over here, with the sky brightening by the second and more light coming in the window. He points out the star marking their location - has to awkwardly worm his arm out from under the bottom of the coat to point, trying not to jostle it off of her. She holds onto it a little from the inside, keeping it in place.

“Crimson Ridge,” she says, reading from the top.

“Mhm,” he confirms, “guess this building was, ah - a place to register for camping? If people - took a trip. People would drive and park, and then walk a bit to get here. So -” he points to the little “P” on the beige rectangle - “this is a parking lot, and a road - probably the easiest way to get back onto a main road from here. If - if that’s what we do.”

“How far is it?” She asks him.

“Mile or two.”

She nods, says quietly, “Ok - and then… where… does the road go?”

He flips over the map to show the campground side - she furrows her brow a bit.

“Well, some old campground for sure - but that’s far as I got - gotta look on the other map and see if we can figure that out.”

She nods a little, then asks, “How far is - this?”

He’s struggling to get the state map unfolded to the section that he needs - it’s gotten badly creased and the folds aren’t cooperating.

“The campground?” He asks to clarify, and she nods again. “About - little under 5 miles.”

She twists her mouth a bit at that. “Not far - but - far,” she says.

He thinks that sums it up perfectly.

“Here -” he shakes the park map at her a bit, and she reaches her arm out to take it in her hand. "Hold this - need both mine for a sec.”

Finally he gets it open to the section he needs. He points it out to her, and she’s looking at it with curiosity.

He clears his throat. “Ok,” - it takes him a second to find it - “The - the university. Here.” He touches the spot on the paper, throat feeling a bit tight. He glances at her face, trying to gauge her reaction. She doesn’t say anything - just looks where he’s pointed.

He leans over to look for a road number on the park map, and then returns to the state one, scanning his eyes over it.

He sees the blood before he remembers it - and then it’s too late to try to hide it from her. The little dots smeared around, marking the resort. Marked by a dead man. The blood has dried, brown more than red, at least - he hopes she won’t notice it.

The blood spots narrow his search zone, though - he finds the road number easily. Puts a finger on it, and traces it. And there it is - a faint, dotted line mapping the border of the park - Crimson Ridge.

“Here,” he says, voice tight. “We’re - somewhere here.”

She looks at the spot he’s pointing to, and he sees her eyes flicks back to the university.

And then she asks, because it’s Ellie - “Where did … you find me?"

He slides his finger back to the blood spots. Barely has to move it.

His brain is doing the work automatically - no longer half frozen to death, the “couple of miles” he had taken note of when he first checked out the wall map yesterday seems horrifyingly, dangerously small. It took him and Ellie hours - four, maybe longer, he guesses, in their state - impossible to really tell with how panicked and cold he’d been -

If anyone from that resort was coming - and he can think of more than one motive that might be sending men after them, all shards of fear pushing into him - revenge, for whoever’s blood was all over Ellie, and for the blood he’d sprayed too - hunger, for fucks sake - and reasons he can’t let his mind go to but that feel like jaws snapping at their fucking heels - 

They might have taken the rest of yesterday to lick their wounds, too - but anyone who wanted to tail them would be heading out today, no doubt, he thinks. They wouldn’t be injured - moving faster. They could get here - to them - at any time - probably wouldn’t even hear them coming from in here.

It makes him feel like he’s drowning.  

“Get some water down, Ellie,” he says. “And - another of those sugar things, too - if you can.” He feels like he’s hearing himself on a couple-seconds-long delay.

He needs to move - do something. Now. He pushes himself up to his feet quickly, a bit recklessly - Ellie leans back to avoid getting jostled by his sudden shift.

“I think -” he says, “We should get some ice on you - that ok? If - if we get ahead of the swelling a bit it’ll - it’ll help.”

If it comes to it - if there’s a threat - she needs to be able to move - there’s no way she can move.

He feels paralyzed.

She looks up at him, says, “Ok.”

He almost takes a step forward before he says “I’m - I’m going to get snow - make a bit of, ah - an ice pack thing. I’ll just - be out for a second. That alright?”

She hesitates, then nods - reaches her arm out, handing him the coat.

----

link to whole story (work in progress) on AO3

[gifjakes]

I think it's Summer (or at least Spring)

The snow is finally, finally starting to melt out here in the PNW. That means it's been adventure run time.

A couple weeks ago I had an epic weekend -- I started by running up and down three close by peaks on Saturday: Mount Tenerife, Mount Si, and Little Si. All said and done I had about 7K vert, and 16 miles under my belt. A beautiful day to get out, move and have fun.

The Monday after, a friend and I tried an even more daring loop circumnavigating Granite Mountain on foot, connecting a bunch alpine lakes on the way (the original plan was to go up to Kaleetan Peak but it was too snowy to get there safely in just running shoes). It was beautiful, but grueling. We ended up doing about 22 miles and almost 9K of vert that day, the first bit moving really slowly with our detour to Kaleetan.

Happy for the change of seasons!

[wherespaulo]

Hiking in New Zealand’s South Island

Feb 11-18, 2023

I’d booked a trail racing week with Race2Adventure in New Zealand’s South Island so thought I’d do a week’s hiking and exploring first. I’d already just spent two weeks traveling around Australia so was almost in the right time zone. The last time I’d been in the South Island was over the New Year between 2014 and 2015 although I’d been in the north island more recently in 2017.

As on my previous visit to New Zealand’s South Island, I was immediately mesmerized by its beauty – a wilderness of glaciers, beech forests and alpine lakes, only the south coast of Iceland, another volcanic island, coming close. It’s easy to get blasé once you’ve been there a few days but make no mistake, mere words will never convey the shear magnificence of this place. I’d live there if it wasn’t so far away from everywhere else.  

My plan was to stay in Queenstown, rent a car and drive to the trailheads, while my hotel, the Holiday Inn, Frankton Road, was two miles from the town center, so some evenings I’d bus it in for dinner, other times I’d walk. Queenstown, with its low rise buildings surrounded by vistas of lakes and mountains in every direction, is one of my all-time favorite towns. It has the feel of a frontier town, bustling with restaurants and bars but unfortunately seems to have grown exponentially over just eight years since my last visit in 2014/15 – I sincerely hoped they were starting to apply the brakes on any further significant development. Pog Mahones, a friendly Irish bar with live music, became my go-to place for dinner and its fine Irish fayre.  

In between hiking the Big Hill Walkway, the Big Hill Loop and the Master’s Traverse Loop I explored a number of interesting small lakeside towns -- the drives alone were worth it for the panoramic views. Arrowtown was one of my favorites and I’d be here a few times during the week. A quaint old low level gold rush town like something out of the wild west. Settled from 1862 with the first discovery of gold in the Arrow River, a number of Chinese arrived shortly after. Wanaka, last visited on my 2014/15 trip, is a bustling ski and summer resort town on the shore of Lake Wanaka. It seemed every kind of outdoorsy adventure activity was going on here. I did start to wonder where the eight years had gone since my last visit there, and mused that although Wanaka had not changed much, in many ways my journey had. On the shore of Lake Wakatipu the much smaller towns of Glenorchy, famous for its Lord of the Rings filming locations, and Kingston, most notable for its renovated steam railway and station, were also worthwhile detours for a quick visit.

Big Hill Walkway

Normally an 8.8 mile out and back from Arrowtown, up and down, I extended it a tad by including the final ascent to the Big Hill summit at 3730 ft elevation. 

My favorite part was the mountain beach woodland – located about halfway to the summit, it extended for about a mile on a level section of the trail. 

Dark, dense, silent and mysterious with reddy colored bark and a mildly funky smell from the soft carpet of decaying leaves underfoot, there seemed to be magic about in here. Indeed, on the return leg through the wood, a New Zealand fantail seemed intent on getting my attention – a native, small black and white bird with an oversized fanned tail, it futtered around my head with a persistence about it, a sense of urgency. I’m always on the lookout for signposts from the connected universe and attempted to understand its purpose, but to no avail.  

Big Hill Loop

The first 4.6 miles of this 10.7 mile clockwise loop followed the Big Hill Walkway route to the summit of Big Hill.

Then a one mile open meadowland section along a ridge with amazing views followed by a 1.5 mile steep downhill to the Arrow River.

The last 3.3 miles, which followed the Arrow River back to Arrowtown, started in the upper reaches as a narrow stream in a small, steep craggy valley where I had to constantly fight my way through spikey bushes which scratched my arms and legs. As the river started to level out and widen there was a chance to cool my feet down in numerous shallow river crossings before a final section high up alongside an enormous gorge leading back in to Arrowtown.

Masters Traverse Loop

Normally a 7.3 mile anticlockwise loop from the Remarkable’s Ski Area, crisscrossing a 7000 foot mountain, I had to extend it by five miles due to the top 2.5 miles of road to and from the ski area being closed due to repairs.

Once on the ridge after a long, steep climb, the trail followed an ill-defined track along the top of a fine line of scree, no more than a faint outline of dust left by fellow crazies, just below the rocky outcrop at the very top of the mountain. I envisioned putting a foot wrong, sliding down the scree and off the steep cliff just below, and wondered how long it would take for someone to find me given the lack of other souls up here. At some point the track seemed to disappear, even my All Trails app not helping, and for some inexplicable reason I started to scramble up the rocky outcrop, almost to the very top of the mountain! Under normal circumstances I don’t consider myself afraid of heights but the close proximity to the sheer drop, just beyond the slippery scree, made my hold on life seem tenuous. I felt very exposed, clinging to terra firma for dear life on all fours. I’ve realized over the years that in situations like this I seem to have some kind of intuitive early warning signal that stops me taking one more step before getting into a much more serious situation. So I did stop and take a deep breath. Then the only sounds in this thin air were the tinkling of falling rocks under my feet, my heavy breathing and mantras spoken out-loud to stop myself making a mistake or freezing -- ‘stay focused Paul, stay focused Paul, stay focused Paul’ and ‘fuck, fuck, fuuuuuuuck’! And, as always, the universe immediately spoke and pointed me in the right direction, the trail magically materializing as a thin line in the scree 20 feet below. 

I breathed a sigh of relief as I scrambled back down to it, thinking there’s a parallel with life here – yeah, live life to the full and go headlong into the lion’s mouth by all means, but always stay alert to squeezing the brakes if and when needed.

The scary ridge was followed by a time consuming, gradual two mile descent through a vast bolder field – rocks between five and 15 feet in diameter were generally too large to jump over so required much scrambling around and over them. I wondered when it would end and remembered thinking this is the very first hike I’d ever experienced where it seemed impossible to estimate the time it would take.

The bolder field gradually gave way to a lower lying area where silence surrounded a still turquoise lake. Bounded by a grassy meadow it was a rare moment of serenity within the midst of the soaring, wild grey rocky landscape.

Just after spotting some rare wildlife, a pair of colorful, mating native paradise shelducks, I bumped into the only other humans crazy enough to hike in this area – two 20 something seasonal workers, Tom from Hungary and Christian from Argentina. They didn’t fancy walking the 10 miles back from whence they’d come, so, with my car being a bit nearer, we agreed to walk back to my car together, then I’d give them a lift back to their car. I was grateful for some fast company as we raced over yet another bolder field, bouncing from the top of one bolder to another back to the saddle of the ridge.

I was now on my way to do a week of trail racing on the island with the Race2Adenture crew, but I knew I’d be back sometime soon for some more extra serious hiking in these magnificent mountains.

[fikri-46]

Top 8 places to visit in Switzerland

Switzerland is a land of breathtaking beauty, blending majestic mountains, serene lakes, and charming towns steeped in history. Known for its pristine landscapes, Switzerland attracts travelers year-round with experiences ranging from adventurous alpine skiing and hiking to cultural explorations in medieval towns and cities. Each destination offers unique attractions, from world-renowned landmarks like the Matterhorn to the picturesque shores of Lake Geneva and the Rhine Falls. With efficient public transportation and scenic train routes, exploring the country’s highlights is both convenient and memorable.

Beyond its natural wonders, Switzerland’s rich cultural heritage and multilingual charm add another layer to its allure. In cities like Bern and Lucerne, visitors can stroll along ancient streets lined with architectural marvels, while in regions like Ticino, they can experience the warmth of Italian-inspired lakeside towns. For travelers seeking both outdoor adventure and cultural immersion, Switzerland’s diverse destinations make it a top choice for unforgettable journeys.

Here are some places to visit in Switzerland.

1. Bern

As the capital of Switzerland, Bern boasts a medieval charm with its UNESCO-listed Old Town, which is exceptionally well preserved. The cobbled streets are lined with beautiful sandstone buildings, historic fountains, and clock towers that transport visitors back in time. The 15th-century Bern Cathedral (Berner Münster) is a highlight, featuring intricate Gothic architecture and Switzerland's tallest church spire. Bern boasts numerous museums, including the Einstein Museum, showcasing Albert Einstein's life and work. The Bundeshaus, Switzerland’s Parliament building, represents the country’s political center. Don’t miss the Aare River, looping around the city and offering scenic spots for picnics or summer swims.

2. Jungfrau Region

The Jungfrau region is ideal for adventure and nature lovers alike. Located in the Bernese Alps, it offers year-round activities, including hiking in summer and skiing in winter. Jungfraujoch, the "Top of Europe," is reached by a scenic train ride to one of Europe's highest points, offering views of the Aletsch Glacier. Nearby towns like Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, and Wengen are ideal bases for exploring the area. Paragliding over the valleys and hiking trails, such as the Eiger Trail, provide unforgettable experiences. With breathtaking views at every turn, the Jungfrau region is a must-visit for outdoor enthusiasts.

3. Lake Geneva

Lake Geneva, a crescent-shaped lake on the border between Switzerland and France, is surrounded by vineyards, castles, and charming towns. Geneva, on the lake’s western shore, is known for its lakeside promenade, the Jet d’Eau fountain, and rich cultural scene with museums. Montreux, another lakeside town, is famous for its jazz festival and Château de Chillon, a medieval castle with towers and rooms. The nearby Lavaux Vineyard Terraces offer scenic wine tours with breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding Alps. The lake itself provides ample opportunities for boating, swimming, and lakeside relaxation.

4. Zermatt

Zermatt, in the heart of the Alps, is a scenic Alpine resort famed for skiing, mountaineering, and the iconic Matterhorn. Car-free and peaceful, the town offers winter skiing for all skill levels and summer hiking and climbing. The Gornergrat Railway provides stunning Matterhorn views, and adventurers can explore the scenic Hörnli Ridge trail. Zermatt's charm, mountain views, and outdoor activities make it a must-visit for nature lovers.

5. Swiss National Park

In eastern Switzerland's Engadine Valley, the Swiss National Park is the oldest in the Alps, covering 170 square kilometers. Home to ibex, marmots, chamois, red deer, various birds, and wildflowers, it offers hiking trails through forests, meadows, and rocky landscapes. With a strict conservation focus, it provides a rare chance to experience untouched nature.

6. Lucerne

Lucerne is a charming city with a stunning mix of history and scenic views. The Chapel Bridge, a 14th-century wooden bridge over the Reuss River, displays paintings of Swiss history. The Lion Monument, honoring Swiss Guards who died in the French Revolution, is another highlight. Lake Lucerne offers boat cruises with Alpine views, while nearby Mount Pilatus and Mount Rigi provide cable car rides and hiking trails. Lucerne is a perfect spot for culture and outdoor adventure.

7. Rhine Falls

Located near the town of Schaffhausen, Rhine Falls is Europe’s largest waterfall, measuring 130 meters wide and 25 meters high. The power of the falls is breathtaking, especially during the summer when the snowmelt increases water flow. Viewing platforms bring you close to the roaring waters, with boat tours for added thrill. Nearby Laufen Castle offers panoramic views of the falls. Rhine Falls is a stunning display of Switzerland’s natural power and beauty.

8. Lugano

Lugano, in Ticino’s Italian-speaking region, blends Mediterranean flair with Alpine charm. Set by Lake Lugano, the city has elegant piazzas, lakeside promenades, and lush parks like Parco Ciani. Nearby Monte Brè and Monte San Salvatore offer scenic hikes with stunning lake and mountain views. Lugano’s Italian influence shapes its cuisine, architecture, and language, giving it a distinctive southern European vibe in Switzerland.. Lugano is a vibrant city perfect for leisurely explorations, boat rides on the lake, and sampling local Ticinese delicacies.

Conclusion

Switzerland is a captivating blend of natural beauty and cultural richness, making it a dream destination for travelers worldwide. From the stunning Jungfrau peaks to the serene shores of Lake Geneva, each Swiss destination offers unique experiences for adventurers, history buffs, and relaxation seekers. Explore Bern’s medieval streets, marvel at Rhine Falls, or ski in Zermatt with the Matterhorn as your backdrop—Switzerland promises unforgettable memories.

For those planning a visit, understanding the Switzerland visa process is essential. Switzerland is in the Schengen Area, allowing travelers from many countries to enter with a Schengen visa, which also grants access to other countries in the zone. Apply for the visa early, providing a valid passport, travel itinerary, and proof of accommodations. With the visa requirements met, travelers can embark on an incredible journey to explore Switzerland’s awe-inspiring landscapes and cultural gems.

[thorsenmark]

Get Yourself to Great Basin National Park by Mark Stevens Via Flickr: A setting looking to the south-southeast while taking in views up a mountainside leading up to Wheeler Peak. This is in Great Basin National Park while walking the Alpine Lakes Loop.

[theghostpinesmusic]

Desolation Wilderness Loop (1/4)

There were times when this trip felt like an exorcism first and a hike second.

Lindsey and I's 2022 hike of this same loop through the Desolation Wilderness features prominently in the second chapter of the actual book I'm currently working on, so I've already written a lot about it elsewhere and I don't want to make this trip report excessively long by rehashing the story in detail here. For anyone who's interested in the full story, though, I'll likely share some bits and pieces from the book here in the near future anyway, and I'll be sure to include that story.

For now, suffice to say that we'd had a hard couple of COVID years coming into the summer of 2022, but had had a lot of reasons to think that things might finally be getting a little better. On the top of the list for me was a trip to Ohio and Arkansas that we'd planned for late August. Though I live far away from my family (me in Oregon and them throughout the south and midwest), I've usually been able to travel to see them at least once every year or two since 2005, but of course COVID had put a stop to that. What had made it worse was the fact that my brother and his wife had had their first daughter a few weeks before COVID lockdown had begun, so by August of 2022 she was already two-and-a-half years old and I hadn't met her yet, except over Zoom. This trip was meant to "fix" all that, and help get things back to "normal" after the craziness of the previous few years.

Of course, Lindsey and I got COVID for the first time two days before our flight.

Once we were done spending a week staggering feverishly around our house in the August heat, we spent some time trying to figure out a way to reschedule the trip before work started in September, but there wasn't a way to make it work. Hoping to end the summer on some kind of high note, at least, we ended up planning a week-long trip to Lake Tahoe instead, with a four-day hike in the Desolation Wilderness bookended by a few days spent relaxing in South Lake Tahoe and Truckee.

To make a long story short, unbeknownst to us, the soon-to-be 85,000 acre Mosquito Fire started just west of Lake Tahoe on the night we arrived, and so by the time we were two days into our hike, we were choking on noxious wildfire smoke that made it impossible to see across to the other side of the lake we were camped at. For the next two mornings, we had to wake up and brush thick piles of ash off of the tent and the rest of our gear before we could start our day. We hiked like that for most of three days, and it was one of the most miserable experiences of my life. We spent two days afterward in an AirBnB in Truckee, and it wasn't much better, though we were at least able to sleep inside of a building.

In theory, Desolation Wilderness was and is a beautiful destination for a backpacking trip, and its granite blocks and deep blue alpine lakes are basically my ideal hiking environment, so I left that summer hoping to come back as soon as possible to "redeem" our exceptionally bad experience. "As soon as possible" turned out to be the middle of this past August, when I'd had to pivot at the last second after cancelling hiking plans elsewhere due to wildfire smoke (for what felt like the hundredth time in the last ten years). So it was that I found myself parked for the second time at the Echo Lake Trailhead, just southeast of the Desolation Wilderness boundary.

The Desolation Wilderness requires you to reserve a permit that specifies a particular "zone" that you are then required to camp in for your first night in the Wilderness. For our 2022 trip, we'd spent the previous night in South Lake Tahoe, a few miles from the trailhead, so we'd gotten a permit that allowed us to camp at Clyde Lake, a granite-enclosed pond ten miles and one crossing over Mosquito Pass away from the trailhead. This time, I knew I'd be getting to the trailhead after a nearly six-hour drive from Klamath Falls, so my itinerary couldn't be nearly as aggressive. Instead, I'd gotten a permit that would allow me to camp at Lake Of The Woods on the first night, partly because it was a short hike from the trailhead, and partly for sentimental reasons: camping at that lake was one of my few fond memories of our previous trip, as we'd spent a lazy afternoon swimming among its weird granite islands and then watched the smoke-smeared sun set behind Pyramid Peak before settling into the tent for the night amidst another rain of ash.

This time, the air was clear (if a bit cool for August) as I stepped out of the car at the trailhead and walked half a mile down a paved road to the trailhead at the edge of Lower Echo Lake. Here you can take your first look into the heart of the wilderness area from a dam at the east edge of the lake.

It was hard to stand here again and not remember our excitement at the beginning of a new adventure back in 2022, as well as how quickly that excitement had curdled, how twenty-four hours later we'd been choking on wildfire smoke while climbing up to the Fontanillis Lake basin, with two more days of traversing a landscape straight out of Dante still ahead of us.

But, as I said, this was supposed to be an exorcism. I took a deep breath of clean air and started down the path, traversing above Lower Echo Lake to the north. The first two-and-a-half or so miles of this lollypop loop aren't technically in Desolation Wilderness. This becomes clear very quickly, as the north shore of both lakes are dotted with small cabins and the sounds and smells of boat motors fill the air. It's a gorgeous hike nonetheless, with the lakes spreading out blue beneath you to the south and the granite cliffs that make up so much of the wilderness already towering over you to the north, but the character of the landscape definitely changes noticeably as soon as you leave the Echo Lakes behind and climb briefly up to the wilderness boundary.

There's actually a water taxi you can pay for to take you from the trailhead to the boundary to cut out this bit of the hike, but I'd driven six hours one-way to exorcise some demons, and I wasn't going to do that by riding on a boat.

Above the Echo Lakes, beyond the boundary, the wilderness very quickly starts to look, well, desolate. Shortly after the boundary, a use trail descends to Tamarack Lake and, for the enterprising bushwhacker, Ralston and Cagwin Lakes. This area is awesome, and would be a great first-night camp spot for anyone starting very late in the day. I bypassed it on my way in, though I would drop down and explore it a little on my way back to the car three days later, as I'll write about eventually.

You climb slowly but steadily once past the boundary, and as you climb, there is less and less shade to be had; however, in spite of it being mid-August, the temperature was unseasonably low and the wind was gusting, so the sun didn't feel as oppressive as it might have otherwise. I passed through the Haypress Meadows, dotted with the remnants of wildflowers that must have been vibrant just a few weeks before, then struck a left-hand turnoff toward Lake Of The Woods. This is the sharpest climb yet, as this side trail climbs and then descends down off the northern shoulder of Ralston Peak, but it's over quickly.

Switchbacking down into the lake basin from the east, I was suddenly overcome with emotion as Lake Of The Woods came into view. After a moment, I realized why: we'd descended this exact same way in 2022, but the smoke had been so thick that the lake had been obscured and nearby Pyramid Peak had been rendered invisible. Now, looking down on the lake glittering in the sun with the silver mountain hanging over it under clear skies, it felt like a weight had been lifted off of my chest. As silly as it might sound, I felt like I was seeing Desolation Wilderness as it "should" be for the first time.

I dropped down into the lake basin to find it much busier than I'd expected for a weekday. Since the area requires you to camp in an established, numbered site, I worried for a moment about finding an available spot: I wasn't sure where else I would be able to camp near a water source that was also in my permit area if every site was already taken.

I needn't have worried, though: appropriately enough, the only spot still available on the north shore of the lake (clearly the best side) was the same site Lindsey and I had camped in last time. I gladly took it and set up camp. There had been a strong, cold wind blowing all day, and it continued blowing from across the lake as I settled in for the night, but I tried to angle my tent in such a way that would minimize my exposure throughout the night.

With a few hours until sunset, I somehow got the idea in my head that I should reprise my 2022 swim amidst the granite islands. I'm not going to say this was a mistake, but it was...let's just say it was an experience. For one thing, it was much colder this time than it had been last time. For another, once I psyched myself up to jump into the water, it felt (at least temporarily) warmer to be in the water than to be in the cold, wind-chilled air. So I went on a bit of an expedition, not only swimming out to and around what Lindsey and I had decided was "my" island two years ago, but also swimming into and out of a number of weird little inlets and bays formed by the tumble of granite that mazes the lake.

By the time I pulled myself back out of the water, my arms and legs were completely numb from cold, and the sun was just getting to the point where it was threatening to disappear for the night behind the mountains. I spent a few minutes sitting on a dry rock, trying to avoid putting on (and thus soaking) my dry, warm clothes until the wind had dried me off, but eventually I came to realize that the wind was going to freeze me to death well before it dried me off.

On the heels of that realization, though, I also remembered that even if the sun wasn't shining on the surrounding rocks anymore, it had been for the last twelve or so hours. So I spent fifteen or so minutes moving from rock to rock like a lizard, laying belly-down on each one until I'd sucked all of the warmth from it before moving on to another. Eventually, I'd warmed and dried up enough to put my shirt and long pants back on, and then I waddled up the hill back to the tent and curled up into my quilt (this was the summer of discovering the backpacking quilt for me) until I could feel my hands and feet again. By the time I crawled back out, it was almost night.

While the sunset wasn't nearly as spectacular as the fire-mottled one Lindsey and I had watched two years before from the same spot, I still enjoyed watching the alpenglow slide across the top of Pyramid Peak before heading back to camp to make and eat dinner.

Often, when I eat dinner just after sunset on a backpacking trip, one of two things happens: I either fall into a deep sleep pretty much immediately, or the warmth and calories imparted by the food wake me up to the point that I spend another hour or two messing around before grudgingly climbing into bed. This time, the latter thing happened. So, I spent awhile taking some night photos of the lake, the trees, the stars, and Pyramid Peak.

These were "marred" a little bit by the moon rising brightly behind me in the east shortly after full dark had settled in, but even if the photos aren't that great, the real-life effect was gorgeous.

Eventually, after I'd gotten tired of rock-hopping and photo-taking (and the neighbor's dog had finally stopped barking at whatever it'd been barking at for the last three hours), I settled in under my quilt for the night. Blocked from the wind by my tent's fly, it wasn't really that cold, and the wind itself trailed off significantly as the night wore on. I slept the sleep of a guy who was reasonably sure that his luck was going to hold this time around.

[jayantitravels]

From Arrival to Adventure: Bagdogra Airport to Darjeeling

Bagdogra Airport offers you a ticket to explore the misty hills, majestic mountains and monasteries of Darjeeling. Bagdogra International Airport to date stands as the only international airport in North Bengal that allows easy access from any part of the world.  With around 67km distance from Bagdogra airport to Darjeeling, the place is recognized as the best gateway to explore the magical beauty of Darjeeling.

Although, you will have to embark on a 3 hr of journey you will also be able to explore the beauty of the surrounding valleys and hill stations until you reach the city of Darjeeling. This article will present all the necessary details that you might need if you have been planning to reach Darjeeling from Bagdogra Airport.

The best way to reach Darjeeling

Darjeeling is one of the prominent hill stations of North Bengal that boasts its beauty with heritage sites, iconic landmarks and several attractions sites. Although there are a variety of transportation options to reach Darjeeling from Bagdogra Airport, renting a car is one of the fastest and best options to reach the city. Numerous tour operators offer affordable and quality car rental services from Bagdogra airport. You can book from a wide range of cars based on your travelling needs and budget for your hassle-free journey.

Apart from rental cars, tourists can also reach the city of Darjeeling with shared taxis, state buses and trains. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is among the most favoured transportation modes. Recognized as the heritage of Darjeeling, the DHR will take you on a memorable journey that includes travelling through the dense forest and some of the tourist attractions sites including Batasia Loop.

Arrival from Bagdogra

Bagdogra International Airport is located in the Darjeeling district along National Highway 31, which offers one of the best places to start your journey. You can get to witness the misty hills, lush green mountains and dense alpine vegetation within a few minutes of the journey that you will be noticing throughout your journey. Multiple routes can be used to reach the city of Darjeeling which include Rohini route, Tindharia to Kurseong and Dudhia-Mirik route. Each of these routes offers a unique journey that can be chosen with consultation from your driver and tour operator. Out of the multiple routes, the Rohini route is the shortest one that takes around 3 hr to reach the city of Darjeeling. While the Tindharia to Kurseong is the longest route, it will let you travel through diverse landscapes offering breathtaking views of the Himalayas.

Adventures during your journey

Darjeeling is also known for its wide range of adventure offerings that can be experienced along your journey. Travelling to Darjeeling with a rental car therefore comes in handy when you want to indulge in various adventure activities. On your way to Darjeeling, you can get to witness the true beauty of the hills through vastly spread tea gardens, lakes, viewpoints, bustling markets and heritage sites.

Travelling through the misty hills, while listening to the honk of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and admiring the majestic beauty of the monasteries, the journey is sure to give you the travelling experience of a lifetime. Batasia Loop, Dali Monastery, Makaibari Tea Estate, and Happy Valley Tea Estate are some of the popular tourist attractions sites that can be visited during your journey.

The city of Darjeeling is among the best hill stations in the country and has been a must-visit place in North Bengal. Whether you are travelling with a rental car or a shared taxi, you will get to witness the true beauty of the hills offering you a travelling experience of a lifetime. The journey from Bagdogra Airport to Darjeeling is popular among tourists due to its ease of accessibility and better transportation options. However, you might need to consider the mode of transportation and routes as per your travelling needs.

[travelwithz]

Barb and I just finished a challenging 8 day backpacking trip in Yosemite, led by the Sierra Club. We hiked The Matterhorn Loop, 55 miles starting from Twin Lakes, near Bridgeport. We had excellent weather and beautiful alpine vistas. I’m grateful to be able to visit these remote and beautiful places.

[wildtasmaniatours]

Cradle Mountain Guided Walks: Experience Nature Up Close

Cradle Mountain, located in the heart of Tasmania, Australia, is one of the most iconic and breathtaking destinations for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Renowned for its rugged wilderness, stunning landscapes, and diverse wildlife, Cradle Mountain offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in nature. One of the best ways to explore this pristine environment is through guided walks, which allow you to experience the beauty of the area up close while gaining insights from knowledgeable guides. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or a casual walker, Cradle mountain guided walks offer something for everyone.

Why Choose Guided Walks at Cradle Mountain?

Cradle Mountain is part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, a region celebrated for its natural beauty and ecological significance. The area is home to ancient rainforests, glacial lakes, alpine heathlands, and diverse flora and fauna. While exploring Cradle Mountain on your own is possible, joining a guided walk provides several advantages:

Expert Knowledge: Guided walks are led by experienced guides who are well-versed in the history, geology, and ecology of Cradle Mountain. They provide valuable insights into the area's natural features, helping you to appreciate the environment more deeply. You'll learn about the unique plants and animals that inhabit the region, the geological forces that shaped the landscape, and the cultural significance of the area to the Aboriginal people.

Safety and Comfort: The weather in Tasmania can be unpredictable, and the terrain at Cradle Mountain can be challenging. Guided walks ensure that you are well-prepared and safe throughout your journey. Guides are trained in first aid and are familiar with the trails, ensuring that your experience is both enjoyable and secure.

Tailored Experiences: Guided walks cater to different fitness levels and interests. Whether you're interested in a leisurely stroll around Dove Lake or an adventurous trek to the summit of Cradle Mountain, there's a guided walk to suit your needs. Guides can tailor the experience to match your pace and preferences, making sure you get the most out of your visit.

Group Camaraderie: Guided walks often involve small groups, allowing you to share the experience with like-minded individuals. The camaraderie and shared excitement of exploring Cradle Mountain together can enhance your overall experience.

Popular Guided Walks at Cradle Mountain

Cradle Mountain offers a range of guided walks that showcase the area's natural beauty. Here are some of the most popular options:

Dove Lake Circuit: The Dove Lake Circuit is one of the most popular walks in Cradle Mountain, and for good reason. This 6-kilometer (3.7-mile) loop around Dove Lake provides stunning views of Cradle Mountain reflected in the water. The trail is relatively easy, making it suitable for walkers of all ages and fitness levels. Along the way, you'll pass through lush rainforest, see ancient King Billy pines, and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. A guided walk on this trail will enrich your experience with information about the area's unique ecosystems and history.

Cradle Mountain Summit: For those seeking a more challenging adventure, the Cradle Mountain Summit walk is a must. This 12.8-kilometer (8-mile) round trip takes you to the top of Cradle Mountain, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding wilderness. The walk is steep and rocky, requiring a good level of fitness and stamina. However, the reward of standing on the summit, with the vast Tasmanian wilderness stretching out before you, is well worth the effort. A guided summit walk ensures that you are well-prepared for the journey and can safely navigate the challenging terrain.

Marion’s Lookout: If you're looking for a walk that offers stunning views without the full summit challenge, Marion’s Lookout is an excellent option. This 8-kilometer (5-mile) return walk takes you to one of the best vantage points in the park. From Marion’s Lookout, you'll have sweeping views of Cradle Mountain, Dove Lake, and the surrounding landscape. The walk is moderately challenging, with a steep ascent towards the end, but the views are truly spectacular. A guide can help you pace yourself and provide fascinating details about the landscape you're traversing.

The Overland Track: For the ultimate Tasmanian wilderness experience, the Overland Track is an iconic multi-day trek that takes you through some of the most remote and beautiful parts of Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. This 65-kilometer (40-mile) trek typically takes 6-7 days to complete and offers a true wilderness adventure. While the Overland Track can be undertaken independently, joining a guided trek ensures that you have expert support, logistical planning, and safety measures in place, allowing you to focus on enjoying the incredible scenery and unique wildlife.

What to Expect on a Guided Walk

When you join a guided walk at Cradle Mountain, you can expect a well-organized and informative experience. Here’s what you can typically expect:

Preparation and Briefing: Your guide will provide a detailed briefing before the walk, covering the route, expected weather conditions, and any safety precautions. You'll be advised on what to bring, including appropriate clothing, footwear, and supplies.

Interpretation and Insights: Throughout the walk, your guide will share their knowledge of the area, pointing out interesting features, identifying plants and animals, and explaining the natural and cultural history of Cradle Mountain.

Support and Safety: Your guide will ensure that the group stays on track, adheres to safety guidelines, and enjoys a comfortable pace. They are trained to handle emergencies and are equipped with first aid kits and communication devices.

Environmental Stewardship: Guided walks at Cradle Mountain emphasize the importance of responsible tourism and environmental stewardship. You'll learn about the conservation efforts in place to protect this fragile ecosystem and how you can contribute to its preservation.

Cradle Mountain guided walks offer an unparalleled opportunity to connect with nature in one of Australia’s most stunning wilderness areas. Whether you're seeking a leisurely walk around a pristine lake, a challenging climb to a mountain summit, or a multi-day trek through untouched wilderness, there’s a guided walk that can cater to your needs. With expert guides to lead the way, you'll gain a deeper appreciation for the natural beauty and ecological significance of Cradle Mountain, making your visit a truly memorable experience.

For more details, visit us:

Small Group Tours Tasmania

Personalised Tasmanian Day Tour

Wildtasmaniatours

[tuulikki]

And like… maybe the expectation difference is that 3–4 hours is a baseline for getting views for high-elevation ranges? That’s getting to the top then turning around. If you want to get up and then loop around an alpine lake or something, that’s going to put you at 5–6. So that becomes the baseline for a “great” hike. You eat lunch at the top and are back in time for dinner.

I wouldn’t usually do a valley or foothill hike that took me 6 hours, because that begins to feel like a not a lot of bang for a lot of buck.

when i say i like hiking, i don’t mean “eight mile backpacking trip with special gear and an emergency beacon” sort of hiking, i mean a three mile loop to go look at pretty things and then a huge brunch after.