From the Facebook album: Hiking 2010 by Anna Glaser
This is Lake O’Hara in the Canadian Rockies.
Archive for the ‘photos’ Category
double rainbow at Lake O’Hara
Monday, August 23rd, 2010Lava Flow Trail, Sunset Crater Volcano, Arizona
Saturday, August 21st, 2010report by besthike editor Rick McCharles
I was a bit disappointed that you cannot hike to the “crater” of Sunset Crater near Flagstaff. It’s been off limits for decades due to erosion. The 1mi easy loop takes you only to the base.
Signage is interesting, though.
Sunset Crater Volcano was born in a series of eruptions sometime between 1040 and 1100. Powerful explosions profoundly affected the lives of local people and forever changed the landscape and ecology of the area. Lava flows and cinders still look as fresh and rugged as the day they formed. But among dramatic geologic features, you’ll find trees, wildflowers, and signs of wildlife – life returns.
NPS – Lava Flow Trail
I was first visitor early morning, keen to test my new camera / camcorder (Canon FS300). In sunlight and shade.
OK. … But not superb focus. … It’s still on all default settings.
trekking the Tour de Mont Blanc
Thursday, August 19th, 2010Another great Photodiary of a Nomad trip report from June 2010:
… A 170 km circumnavigation of the highest mountain in the European Alps, it is truly one of the classic treks, not only for its splendid scenery and demanding geography, but for its history.
For thousands of years, people have been passing through this region for trade or conquest, Celts, Romans and others. The common historic and franco-provencal linguistic origins of the region and its people are implanted in the valleys of Savoie, Valdôtain and Valais, coloured by their relatively recent associations with France, Italy and Switzerland, respectively – three countries, but one overarching culture. …
There’s a LOT of snow this early in the summer. The photos look very dramatic, the trail much less crowded than it will be later in the season.
But, of course, it was wildflower season:
read it all – Tour de Mont Blanc
And check our besthike information page on the TMB
climbing Longs Peak, Colorado
Tuesday, August 17th, 2010People get hit by lightning here all the time. Brendan Baker was struck Aug. 4th.
13.6mi (21.9km) – Longs Peak ranger station trailhead
Longs Peak is the most climbed 14,000er in the Rockies. … I’m surprised to hear that. The ascent of almost 5000ft (1500m) is tougher than expected.
Recommended is a 4AM start with headlamp. The goal is to flee the summit by Noon, as afternoon lightning storms are frequent. … I did not start until after 6AM. …
It took me 5hrs to get to the top moving as quickly as I could. Weather was perfect.
Here’s the first view of the summit from the trail:
There are a few backcountry campgrounds en route, but they’re heavily booked. Most people do it as a long day hike, as I did.
If you’ve a weak bladder, know that there are many pit toilets en route. Here’s the Goblin’s campsite toilet throne:
And modern solar composting toilets higher up:
Many hikers turn back at the Keyhole.
They vist the Agnes Vaille Memorial Hut there.
After you climb through the Keyhole it gets tough. Here’s the view into Glacier Gorge, still cold as the sun has not yet reached the trail.
It gets hairy, quickly. Exposure. Potential rockfall. … Many have been killed on this mountain.
I slipped badly on black ice here, the rock still frozen.
The Narrows. The Homestretch. All challenging.
I never did find the register book. This photo is all the evidence I have that I was there.
I left a Summit Stone in this cairn.
Climbing Longs Peak is only recommended for hardy adventurers, agile with no fear of heights.
see all my photos from this scramble
