It never ever stopped raining last night. I hoped and hoped that it would do the same thing it had done in Namche and rain itself out so the skies might clear in the morning, but no luck. We dragged ourselves through breakfast and derped around while packing up our bags, but still, it didn’t … More Expedition Poke-Everest, Day 5: we get wet and don’t see any mountains
First Everest sighting today!! Rain and clouds moved in yesterday evening, and I heard it raining every time I woke up through the night, but happily the clouds had parted slightly by the time the sun rose. We were able to finally get a peek at some of the peaks that tower above Namche, which … More Expedition Poke-Everest, Day 4: to Tengboche
Today is an acclimatization day in Namche Bazar. We did a 2.5-mile hike up to the Tenzing Interpretive Center, just above 12,000 feet, but otherwise our assignment for the day is to rest, explore the town a little, and practice breathing at this elevation. Namche is an incredibly cool town. The only way to get … More Expedition Poke-Everest, Day 3: Namche Bazar
Today begins the upward trek! Getting out of town at 8am was a whole lot like joining rush hour traffic, if streets were muddy paths and cars were hikers wearing enormous packs and trucks were donkeys and yaks. I’d known these treks were popular, but seeing the body-jam in person is another thing. People found … More Expedition Poke-Everest, Day 2: Bistari, bistari
Here’s the best and most reliable tip I’ll have to offer for this whole adventure: hire a guide. If you hire a good guide, you can stand back and watch the guideless-tourists struggle to communicate and figure out all the red tape while your guide jumps to the front of the line and just makes … More Expedition Poke-Everest, Day 1: Get yourself a guide
“This is going to be a difficult hike for you,” our orientation guide said, looking at Dustin. “And it’s going to be an extremely difficult hike for you,” he said, turning his attention to me.
I wanted to be offended, but he was obviously not wrong. … More Expedition Poke-Everest, Day 0: I’m doomed.
I suspect you should not go to the Himalayas as unprepared as I am, despite all the reassurances the adventure guide companies offer about how any “reasonably fit” person can accomplish this trek without any specific training. … More Hummingbird Aims High
After all the (self-inflicted) stress and tears of planning this trip to America’s most Canada-adjacent National Park, the adventure itself went off entirely without a hitch, and it was a gorgeous, only slightly painful adventure. In this first installment, we make our way successfully to Kettle Falls. Or maybe one hitch? The night we spent … More Voyageurs National Park: A visit to Kettle Falls Hotel
This is a somewhat lengthy narrative about the trouble I had making plans to go canoeing and camping in Voyageurs National Park. If you have money burning holes in your pockets, you will not have the same trouble I had. If you’re trying to plan a canoeing trip in Voyageurs on a budget, this blog … More Planning a camping trip to Voyageurs National Park is not for the faint-hearted
“When I ask if you’d want to do this with us again,” I told Hobz, “what you should do is say, ‘of course I would! you guys are great hiking buddies!’, but then you should feel free to invent an excuse to be unable to meet us when it actually comes up next time. That way we can all stay friends.” … More Seven Days on the Appalachian Trail, Day 7: we arrive unscathed in Damascus!
Thither & Yon 