Adventure travel.Bpacking/biking/expeditions/Trekking

[Detroit Blues]

16 hours ago, Lionator said:

Girlfriend dumped me 2 months ago, booked myself a trip to the North East of the USA then into Canada, it's only a 3 week solo trip as I work but it's something I always wanted to do. Could be the maddest thing I've ever done and I have no idea what it'll be like but there's no harm in finding out.

Depends when/where you go. Right now it'll be cold and snowy, they just got hit with a huge winter storm. During the summer/fall I'm sure it's beautiful.

 

[VLC86]

14 hours ago, SystonFox said:

Shag everything that moves

Good life advice in general really.

[Buce]

4 hours ago, Line-X said:

 

 

10 minutes ago, David Guiza said:

That is a fantastic read - still haven't watched the film yet though. If I had to live the way he did I would almost certainly last around 3 hours before becoming hungry and eating something toxic. 

 

What am I missing here?

 

 

[VLC86]

17 minutes ago, Col city fan said:

Bollox to back-packing, hosteling and all that game. I’d like to see more of the world but when I do it will be staying in nice hotels, eating great food and flying on smart aircraft

Broaden your horizons Col, you haven’t lived till you have shit in a bush and wiped your arse on a gofer.

[David Guiza]

Just now, Buce said:

 

 

What am I missing here?

 

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Into_the_Wild_(book) 

[Buce]

18 minutes ago, Col city fan said:

Bollox to back-packing, hosteling and all that game. I’d like to see more of the world but when I do it will be staying in nice hotels, eating great food and flying on smart aircraft

 

Nothing wrong with that, Col, if that's what floats your boat.

 

As they say in the hiker community - hike your own hike.

[SpacedX]

I go into alpine style climbing which took me to some beautiful parts of the world. Aside from Mount Aspiring National Park NZ, my fondest memories come from tackling some of the peaks in the North American Cascades. Mt.Rainier, Mt Shuksan, Mt Shasta, Forbidden Peak and Eldorado. 

 

In the Sierra's, I would love to hike the entire John Muir Trail one day. 

[fuchsntf]

2 hours ago, Costock_Fox said:

Broaden your horizons Col, you haven’t lived till you have shit in a bush and wiped your arse on a gofer.

I Reckon @col would rather wipe his arse over a Golfer,and Shit in the Caddy..

[Buce]

11 minutes ago, Line-X said:

 

 

In the Sierra's, I would love to hike the entire John Muir Trail one day. 

 

That would be cool. I still have the ambition to do it (or most of it) as part of the PCT. How realistic that is, I’m not sure, as I will be in my sixties before time allows. 

[Bobby Hundreds]

Done the old backpacking for 6 months round SE Asia and Australasia. One of the best things I ever did was trekked through Tongariro national park in NZ, fairly well trodden but it's the most beautiful place I've ever clapped eyes on.

[SpacedX]

2 minutes ago, Bobby Hundreds said:

One of the best things I ever did was trekked through Tongariro national park in NZ, fairly well trodden but it's the most beautiful place I've ever clapped eyes on.

Beautiful isn't it...

 

So you went to Mordor and survived to tell the tale. 

[Bobby Hundreds]

6 minutes ago, Line-X said:

Beautiful isn't it...

 

So you went to Mordor and survived to tell the tale. 

Even got up Mount Doom!

[Buce]

10 minutes ago, Line-X said:

Beautiful isn't it...

 

So you went to Mordor and survived to tell the tale. 

 

Yeah, but he's only got nine fingers now...

[SpacedX]

2 minutes ago, Bobby Hundreds said:

Even got up Mount Doom!

I did the Tongariro crossing but would have loved to have climbed Ngauruhoe. 

[fuchsntf]

2 hours ago, Col city fan said:

Bollox to back-packing, hosteling and all that game. I’d like to see more of the world but when I do it will be staying in nice hotels, eating great food and flying on smart aircraft

There are quite a good few adventure Travelling,hikes/cycling,comfort breaks.short and Long.

around the world,or Just Europe,Your baggage is looked after.Your night Stops are looked after.

So you Take daily hiking/cycling/canoeing /culture or Mixed days.

Some Drop you Off,then you Work yourself Back,or you get an Internary,with BnB or hotel

Stop overs.Its quite suprising where they can lead,or Take you.

Plus there are some good medium term boating Breaks,

withYour own  Stop Offs,for canoeing/hiking etc

Not forgetting Airbnb,gives more variants today.

Another Organisation is the Studienreisen or Studiosus-reisen/travel.

 

I travelled when there was No Internet,with the above you have a Base and Platform,

where you can use their Suggestions or plan own internaries.

 

My Daughter with Kid and hubby,with time Back in Europe,at the end of a year Out(again)

Covering S.Korea,China Japan,Taiwan,then NZealand+Australia...mixing,Bus/train/Hired Car or Camper,

Local flights, then Taking Airbnb,Chalets,Hotels.With a mixture of Semi-Package or self Planning,while

Already underway,and parts planned before flying Out.

They mixed it with  Basic cabin,wild adventure,roughing it,with easy comfort and Wellness/spas.

So there are all the variants Out there. Yes some effort in Planning and forethought is needed,but

today, IT aint Rocket science.

 

If one doesnt want to "drop-out" for a while,there are great Breaks,

where you only need to Invest, 3,6,or  12weeks. Many companies are Open for one to Put,

in a requests for Short term Long Holiday Breaks together..

For Younger people Like 2 of my daughters, one used her Baby-Break-entitlement,the other

took recognised/accepted practicum overseas during her studies.

 

2 seperate ex-Work colleages  went to Namibia,and Botswana for 6 weeks.

One self-planned-internary, the other with a planned and daily organised internary.

Both Spent for themselves and Partner, €6000.including flights Safaris,lux-camp-lodges,

Bnbs and hotels. One with Travel-coach the other with rented car.

That was 3+4 yrs ago respectivelly.

If must be said,both are mortgage-free,Payed Off ca 4yrs before the Namibia experience.

 

If I could still Trek and hike,the old Russian-block eastern European countries,I would Love

to do,or Just a Motorscooter/Motorbike Tour.

I had Started to plan for my now early retirement,to travel through those countries,with a

Horse drawn Romany-wagon.But my health and Walking disabilities Put paid to that.

Hey-ho, If anybody fancies IT,it would be great to read on foxestalk of their Experiences..

 

 

[fuchsntf]

3 hours ago, Costock_Fox said:

Cool link, lovely hyroglyfics (I think I’ve spelt that so wrong that my phone has no idea what I mean either)

Could If be Cyrillic writing Style  you are looking for,or hieroglyphics ..pictographic Script...

[Lionator]

5 hours ago, Detroit Blues said:

Depends when/where you go. Right now it'll be cold and snowy, they just got hit with a huge winter storm. During the summer/fall I'm sure it's beautiful.

 

I'm going at the start of May so hopefully it'll be a bit warmer. Hitting NYC, Boston, Montreal and Toronto and a bit of the rural area of New England.

[Milo]

Great idea - enjoy!

 

I travelled a bit in my teens and early 20's...did about 2 years around Europe and ended up living in a cave in Vai beach in Crete (I think it's the place they used to film the Bounty adverts, but might be wrong!). Was an excellent little bat-cave type thing and had a Spar supermarket about 5 minutes away 

 

Had/have a couple of travelling ambitions when I was younger:

 

Hitch hike around Europe (done)

Fly on Concorde (didn't do, and might now be a bit tricky)

Sail around the world (done - 5 times) 

Hike part/all the Appalachian Trail (didn't do, and highly unlikely to do now) 

 

Recommend anyone not yet bogged down by marriage/kids/life to get out and do it... 

[fuchsntf]

4 minutes ago, Milo said:

Great idea - enjoy!

 

I travelled a bit in my teens and early 20's...did about 2 years around Europe and ended up living in a cave in Vai beach in Crete (I think it's the place they used to film the Bounty adverts, but might be wrong!). Was an excellent little bat-cave type thing and had a Spar supermarket about 5 minutes away 

 

Had/have a couple of travelling ambitions when I was younger:

 

Hitch hike around Europe (done)

Fly on Concorde (didn't do, and might now be a bit tricky)

Sail around the world (done - 5 times) 

Hike part/all the Appalachian Trail (didn't do, and highly unlikely to do now) 

 

Recommend anyone not yet bogged down by marriage/kids/life to get out and do it... 

Dont let the Kids Stop you...sell 'em..!!

Seriously Take the wife and  Kids.I was lucky ,my wife was/is also adventurous.

Having a Family shouldn't hold one Back..

[Milo]

39 minutes ago, fuchsntf said:

Dont let the Kids Stop you...sell 'em..!!

Seriously Take the wife and  Kids.I was lucky ,my wife was/is also adventurous.

Having a Family shouldn't hold one Back..

Agree..

 

But in some cases, it does!!  

[Buce]

8 hours ago, Milo said:

Great idea - enjoy!

 

I travelled a bit in my teens and early 20's...did about 2 years around Europe and ended up living in a cave in Vai beach in Crete (I think it's the place they used to film the Bounty adverts, but might be wrong!). Was an excellent little bat-cave type thing and had a Spar supermarket about 5 minutes away 

 

Had/have a couple of travelling ambitions when I was younger:

 

Hitch hike around Europe (done)

Fly on Concorde (didn't do, and might now be a bit tricky)

Sail around the world (done - 5 times) 

Hike part/all the Appalachian Trail (didn't do, and highly unlikely to do now) 

 

Recommend anyone not yet bogged down by marriage/kids/life to get out and do it... 

1

 

7 hours ago, Milo said:

Agree..

 

But in some cases, it does!!  

 

Your kids won't be young forever, Milo.

 

And if you want inspiration - around 700 people have thru-hiked the AT in their sixties, 50 in their seventies, and the oldest to do so was eighty-two.

[fuchsntf]

10 hours ago, Buce said:

 

 

Your kids won't be young forever, Milo.

 

And if you want inspiration - around 700 people have thru-hiked the AT in their sixties, 50 in their seventies, and the oldest to do so was eighty-two.

Even though I did my Major Long hauls travels,between ages 18-42,with children 34-42yrs old.

I am now 64,now with disabilities,I am envious of the older folk,who at 65+ can still do trekking and

Hiking.,but I am also excited for  them. I was Trekking in the northern Hills and Himalayas of India,

and came across ,2-4 small groups of 70+ on 2-3 month Breaks,great travel banter,AS much as I

was suprised by Meeting them,they were in Turn astounded,by my 4-6yr old Kids,doing Long

ardious treks.I did explain we calculated,more night Stop overs because we simply had the time.

 

So you See,If fit ,age is Not an Handicap .

 

[Buce]

1 hour ago, fuchsntf said:

Even though I did my Major Long hauls travels,between ages 18-42,with children 34-42yrs old.

I am now 64,now with disabilities,I am envious of the older folk,who at 65+ can still do trekking and

Hiking.,but I am also excited for  them. I was Trekking in the northern Hills and Himalayas of India,

and came across ,2-4 small groups of 70+ on 2-3 month Breaks,great travel banter,AS much as I

was suprised by Meeting them,they were in Turn astounded,by my 4-6yr old Kids,doing Long

ardious treks.I did explain we calculated,more night Stop overs because we simply had the time.

 

So you See,If fit ,age is Not an Handicap .

 

 

My heart goes out to you, mate, though no doubt you have some fantastic memories to look back on. We seem to have had similar lives (though being a few years younger, I didn't have the pleasure of travelling through Persia like you did). I'm hoping my hiking and trekking days are not yet behind me - I just need to be lucky with my health long enough for my daughter to grow up.

 

I can't speak for others but I'd love it if you'd care to share some more of your experiences with us.

[fuchsntf]

3 hours ago, Buce said:

 

My heart goes out to you, mate, though no doubt you have some fantastic memories to look back on. We seem to have had similar lives (though being a few years younger, I didn't have the pleasure of travelling through Persia like you did). I'm hoping my hiking and trekking days are not yet behind me - I just need to be lucky with my health long enough for my daughter to grow up.

 

I can't speak for others but I'd love it if you'd care to share some more of your experiences with us.

I am Not a braggart,its Just an Exchange of Experiences...

So a reasonably Short outtake/excerpt..from Trekking to Nanga Parbat( death mountain)Pakistan.

Which some mountainiering greats,considered from all the top peaks in this Range,including Everest

the Most Dangerous and unpredictable. I wasnt a Climber but a trekker, going for the different

1st and 2nd original Base camps.,or circuits around or through the various Ranges.

 

I was fortunate to travel through Pakistan,Taking on the Trek to fairy meadow,when only from a Distance, Hiking there was the only possibility by foot..Late 80s,early 90s.

Today Fairy meadow,I have been told can be easily approached,by a new jeep track.
I had an expeditions Truck AL28,and took my wife and 4 + 5 yr old kids around

India/Pakistan/Nepal/ China/ Autonomous regions.Before the Taliban had really got going.We were the Last of a few in Kasimir,and karakourum districts, before the upheavel.

Probably the Last issued travel permits,and Last before
Complete closure..for quite awhile.
We drove from Gilgit to Raikoht Bridge,leaving our Truck,with the pioneers,..the Soldier unit,that protected and repaired,with the various villagers the Karakourum and Branch roads.We got to Know them over Months of driving/Trekking through the area,so they were always welcoming.our two Kids always helped us to break the ice,so to speak.

 

We had a 4 day Trek around Fairy meadow,and Nanga Parbat Base Camp.Locals took to us because of the Kids,and we  did it without , neither Sherpas ,Guides.nor Rangers.Like all our Indian-continent mountain treks.

The karakourum.rifles unit,(related to the famous  Afghani.rifles)

guided us to the Major trunkTrail ,I believe just so they could Play with our Kids.

They had got to Know me,because my Orientierung skills with Army survey Maps, it impressed them,plus occasionally,

I could actually Help them!!
 

We only have positive words,for the Army,pioneers,local Herders around the Karakourum + Fairy meadow,when we came across them sometimes Sharing Exchanging Food and ideas. 

Those days were some of the best on our travels,lovely,lovely welcoming Peoples. 

Considered to belong to  the algamated  Tribes of Alexander.
 

The high Hill and Mountain people,and believe me Young Girls had Schooling,and Suprising,quite a few of These folk spoke some English.So including our Smattering of Urdu ,Communication with the Hill folk,was at the time not an hindrance.

 

We moved openly and Free around local Bandit/smugglers Country,Most villages were Into/Part of it.

It was These ' warlords' (actually ,village/town mayors)who knew of our travels,kept a protecting eyeo over us.  If local troubles were brewing, they Asked/guided us to Compounds in their villages,o oreven advised us where to get to protected overnight stops,on some Roads,even had theirP Peoplessleep around our Truck,again just to Play with the Kids.

 

Insome cases ,even though the Police mountain Stations and guards,and the villages,had local differences,many were relatated so humour/truces/purges/amnesties/raids were the Mixed accepted norm. Both the regional police and Village Peoples,would advise us on Long Trips,what Station or Village, were 'safe' usually one of them offering a Second thought ....

'bad area/Village or corrupt Police,but hey-ho, Hes my brother/Uncle/Cousin etc,so your ok there". 

 

Let me say We were Not  naive ,but Not once did we feel unsafe,or in danger.

One Major Credit,we wore salwar-kameez + we always Stopped to Help broken down Trucks,used local Markets /truckstops/Garages, taking time with the locals..

.Word spread overb1000s of kilometers. We Hit a Village for the 1st time,occasionally people waved,and Stopped For conversation. 

This was Long before mobile Phones/social Media...but a rifle

and bandolier was not an uncommon companion,on some folk...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 25 March 2018 by fuchsntf

[fuchsntf]

On 25.3.2018 at 21:31, Buce said:

 

My heart goes out to you, mate, though no doubt you have some fantastic memories to look back on. We seem to have had similar lives (though being a few years younger, I didn't have the pleasure of travelling through Persia like you did). I'm hoping my hiking and trekking days are not yet behind me - I just need to be lucky with my health long enough for my daughter to grow up.

 

I can't speak for others but I'd love it if you'd care to share some more of your experiences with us.

Hanomag AL28 built 1954.our kids christened her "Hani"

 

The expeditions wagon,we built out ,and travelled through Pakistan/Afghanistan/India/Sikkim and N.India autonomous regions/Nepal/Autonomous regions of China. 1989-91.

Allowed uso ur own space,also to get off the beaten track, sleep in some great wild

Places,or pull Into city/town foreign camp lots, no matter where, enjoying great nights

of information-exchange at various stopovers , on/through  the various breathtaking areas + Routes

When the occasional neccesity of needs cropped up feeling more  than safe with local/national co-truckers.

 

We could either cook ourselves,at truckstops or chose great eateries underway.

Over long treks likeours,one might crisscross and meet 2-3 months later

the same driver.So from the Start,info exchange ,aid and help was a prudent action and Dialog.I carried all the necessary tools and high-jacks, so I could help accident/broken down trucks.Friendships were invaluable.

especially on the adventurous wild stretches.lonesome garages you never knew before,or the community

end-of-town Workshops,even other drivers you never met before,had heard of us. More than welcoming and useful when we needed repairs or just parts.

New contacts  were ready and willing,because we ourselves were open to interface and became part of their lives.

A repair might cost 100-300 pounds in Europe,on the Indian Continent it cost us 10-20pounds. Parts,cost a few rupees.Their Tahta/Nissan lorries,had simularities, which in turn the old/new technology

was compatable,for Hanomag/Mercedes/Bedford platforms.

So it was easier and cheaper  to let the locals occasionally do the wear n tear repairs and exchange.

Leaving us time to sight-seeing+ marketshopping.

Hanomag had 5 belts, often it was one of the last 2 bloody belts,that

would rip,meaning before replacing,it is necessary to take off the 1st 3-4 belts first,

then after repair, the  routine of re-torquing.

In the middle of a high jungle road,or Mountain road,somewhat hairraising

and monotonously frustrating,leading to the odd "fawlty-towers" moments.

 

"Hani," became a campanion,friend,helper ,and protector.

In the next post,I will give you an excerpt of when Hani,escorted us in

Some of our Tiger/Elephant/Lion tracking escapades,our kids

becoming themselves decent observers ,trackers and spotters.