An avid hiking enthusiast
I recall my first hike, charging up the mountain in old trainers only to slip, blister my feet, and end up utterly bedraggled. That experience taught me: proper hiking boots aren’t mere gear, but an extension of your body into the wilderness. This guide will cut through the confusion, helping you find that first pair …
Treading in the Footsteps of the ‘Father of the National Parks’ John Muir, the great naturalist, once wrote: ‘To go into the woods is home.’ The John Muir Trail, named in his honour, embodies this philosophy perfectly. This long-distance route traversing California’s Sierra Nevada mountains is hailed as ‘America’s most beautiful hiking trail,’ offering an …
Headlamps are essential safety gear for outdoor activities, freeing your hands while guiding your path through the night. Black Diamond and Petzl stand as the two giants in the headlamp industry. This guide uses the popular Black Diamond Spot and Petzl ACTIK CORE models to clarify your purchasing considerations. I. Core Feature Comparison Black Diamond …
Minor injuries are no trifling matter; prompt and proper treatment is essential. Blisters, sprains, and abrasions are the most common injuries encountered during hiking. While rarely life-threatening, improper management can escalate into serious complications, potentially forcing trip cancellation. Part One: Blisters – The Hiker’s Primary Enemy Part Two: Sprains – Sudden Trip Killers Part Three: …
At the southernmost tip of the Earth lies a wild land called Patagonia. Within it, Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park shines as its most dazzling jewel. The W Trek offers the quintessential way to experience its essence. Here, you shall dance with biting gales, shifting weather, and some of the most breathtaking vistas on …
Journeying to the Third Pole For trekkers, EBC transcends mere acronym—it embodies a symbol, a pilgrimage site. This route to the base camp of Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak, plunges you into the Himalayan heartland. Here, you’ll gaze upon Earth’s most majestic snow-capped mountains, immerse in Sherpa culture, and test your personal limits. Route …
You might splurge on premium footwear, only to have it undermined by a cheap pair of cotton socks. Hiking socks serve as both a buffer layer and a management system between your feet and boots. We selected four top brands—Smartwool, Darn Tough, Bridgedale, and X-Socks—and put them through 500 kilometres of hiking to determine their …
Walking in the Land of Ice and Fire If you seek the most otherworldly landscapes on Earth, Iceland’s Laugavegur Trail stands as one definitive answer. This 55-kilometre route traverses from searing geothermal zones to the foot of glaciers, from vibrant rhyolite mountains to pitch-black deserts. Its extraordinary diversity and surreal beauty crown it among the …
The Call of Europe’s Summit In Russia’s Caucasus Mountains stands a white giant—Mount Elbrus. At 5,642 metres above sea level, it stands as Europe’s highest peak and features prominently on mountaineers’ bucket lists as one of the ‘Seven Summits’. Ascending Elbrus is not merely a technical climb; it is an ultimate test of willpower against …
Entering a Magical Wilderness Off Scotland’s west coast lies the island of Skye, hailed as ‘the closest place to heaven in Scotland’. Its most extreme wilderness resides within the Cuillin Mountains – a range of ancient volcanic rock forming a black mountain chain. Its jagged ridges, deep gorges and unpredictable weather combine to create one …
