fabiochiu/medium-articles huggingface dataset:
My First Vacation in Bear Country
By: Joseff Kolman
Tags: Travel, Glacier National Park, Hiking, Bears, Fear

A grizzly bear killed a cyclist yesterday morning near the southern edge of the Flathead National Forest, some 200 miles south of where I am camping in Glacier National Park. I didn’t read that story until my mom shared it early this morning.

Yesterday, some five hours after that attack happened, I was passing the time on my 40-minute drive to Many Glacier quickly approaching the precipice of petrification just thinking about the threat of bears. I would only overcome that solidifying aversion by taking a leap of faith on how to approach the unknowns of a bear country hike.

The only deep-rooted strategies at my disposal to face that particular unknown before reaching the trailhead for Grinnell Lake were primeval: flight, fight, and freeze. And you can guess which of those three I was leaning towards at that point.

In the month leading to that drive, however, I had slowly accumulated thoughts, perspectives, and stories to consider death by bear mauling as less of an inevitability. I had listened to Headwaters, Glacier National Park’s podcast, twice through, where they both repeatedly brought up how serious the threat is while also describing the best deterrents:

practice food storage safety, remove the element of surprise by calling and clapping as you go, and, as a last resort if a bear is charging you, carry bear spray.

I felt comfortable with food storage since I did not need to cook on a two- to three-hour hike. I had practiced regularly calling out to my surroundings on a 26-mile bike ride to Canada the day prior. And I bought bear spray from one of Glacier’s stores. On top of getting those steps out of the way, I continued communicating to nearly anyone I could about my trepidation. A more experienced hiker even provided an effective reframing of bear sightings in an attempt to calm my nerves. He said it’s actually much more akin to seeing a cow minding its business and trying to find food. I am surprised to this day how effective that comparison is at alleviating my discomfort.

As the drive concluded, these observations led me to finally deprioritize my base instincts and go on my first hike. Seeing the national park was the reason why I had gone through so much planning, so I had to at least try, right?

So I parked at the Grinnell Lake trailhead, ensured my bear spray was in a readily-accessible spot on my person, and was excited that two other young hikers let me join them for the ascent.
Guava Nutrition — What’s it all about?
Tags: Nutrition, Nutritional, Guava, Hiking, Nutritional Guidance

Guava is often referred to as a ‘superfruit’. What that means is that guava has a bunch of health benefits and is packed full of vitamins and minerals, making it one of the healthiest options out there. The goal of this article is to teach you about the nutritional benefits of the fruit to showcase why it makes up the backbone of our product.

Vitamins

Guava contains a large amount of 2 key vitamins in vitamin A and C as well as being a good source for B vitamins. Vitamins A and C are antioxidants which means they help keep you safe and reduce your risk of developing or catching illnesses such as heart disease. Vitamin C, in particular, is a strong antioxidant and Guava is a strong source, having 4 times more than an orange per 100g. There is some evidence that this could also help improve heart health, which is obviously important in all sorts of exercise and leisure based activities.

Minerals and Nutrients

Continuing on, guava is a good source of soluble fibre. Along with the digestive positives, this also means that our guava-based snacks are filling. Combine this with guava being a strong source of vitamins and it being low in calories, you have a healthy but fulfilling snack that can help with weight loss. Guava also comes packed with Magnesium which helps regulate blood pressure as well as relax muscles. This makes them ideal for a refresh after a workout as an energy boost.

So, basically Guava is really awesome. It contains tons of vitamins and minerals that help give you the following benefits :

High rates of Vitamin A and C help with potential heart issues which is important for a variety of exercise and leisure activities

Good source of fibre which makes it filling while still being low in calories

Contains good amounts of magnesium which help with muscle relaxation

If you’d like to learn more about guava, check out the link below. Also, if you like to check out our guava-based range of energy blocks, check out the link to our store.
Haunting Hiking Stories
By: Batty Bad
Tags: Hiking, Hiking Stories, Scary Horror, Horror Stories, Scary

It was pretty dark in the night because of the dark moon. Me and my friend started hiking in the morning, started in one direction and finally lost our way in the woods, lost GPS as well.

Batty Bad Hiking Stories

Watch the video

As it was our first time hiking. We are planned and had backpacks with us, plenty of water, a whistle, and one knife. It started raining heavily and we found a small place to hide for a while till the rain stops. It started with big and loud thunders and eventually, it cooled down and is drizzling. We thought That this is the good time to start, we heard a voice very slowly “Help…”. It is echoing.

We both looked into each other and were shocked for a second. I thought it’s some kind of animal that might be sounded weird and started walking for a minute, I then hear it ‘please… help me….’, the voice is bit clear than the previous one. This is not a joke and some one is in danger. We started walking towards the voice. But deep inside, a fear is rushing what if it is a trap and we might be in danger. I stopped suddenly and held my friends hand asking, some how I feel like we have to go back, we might be in danger. With me completing what I wanted to say, we again heard the voice…, “Please help me… we are stuck here..” heard few children cry as well.. I’m unable to decide what to do. Should I go help them? Or go back? Why would children come to this place at this time? We didn’t want to take chance on this and went ahead…. After 2 minutes of walking we saw a white thing 100 meters from us. We stood there for a second, immediately we heard 2 kids crying and another 2 more white things did appear…

We were scared to death and started running away from them without looking back… as we are running the voices are also slowing down “Please don’t fear, come save us…” After running for few minutes, my buddy suddenly felt like someone caught his leg and shouted with great fear and pain. When he looked down, a small branch of a tree pierced into his leg. We slowly pulled the branch out of his leg and started again.

When we thought that were not in its sight, we slowdown and when checked for the signal, got the GPS connection back. Reached the place where we parked our car and went back home.

Story 2 to be continued or you can watch my video in my channel @ Batty Bad
Wounded Mountain
By: M.T. Bennett
Tags: Poetry, Hiking, Pollution, Environment, Nature

Photo by M.T. Bennett

Wounded Mountain

I saunter through the woods

Slowly ascending the mountainside.

Peace clothes me like a warm blanket

As Nature and I spend time alone.

I note how the snow shows so much life

Bobcat prints, deer scat, a rabbit trail,

Tall brown grasses resist the winter weight

Trying to shake off the snow and stand tall.

I inhale the crisp cold clean air,

As condensation freezes on my beard,

And push further up the trail.

Eager to see the view

And to sit and ponder a while,

I crest the summit.

My ice caked boots freeze in place

As I see the unexpected horror

Of the valley below.

In the years since last I took this hike

That viral infection, Homo sapiens,

Has spread with horrific results.

I came to this place seeking solitude,

Yet far below me lies a freeway

Whose roar of wheels and automobiles I clearly hear

As loud as ocean waves crashing onto rocky shores.

An oil refinery belches smoke into the sky

Which mixes ubiquitously with the overcast clouds and fog

Sinisterly showing what I’ve been breathing.

A quarry carves at the mountain face

Revealing the red rock beneath

Like some hideous bloody gash.

Snow packets form a purulent growth

And large trucks seem like parasites crawling in the wound,

Forming, for the imagination, a festering infection

Which vows to spread.

I become polluted with sorrow at the loss

And I do sit down and ponder,

Then leave more troubled than before.
66 Hikes on Route 66 — #8. Route 66 State Park, Missouri
By: Kaye Rayee
Tags: Travel, Hiking, Route 66 State Park

Route 66 State Park, Missouri

Travel through history on the mother road at Route 66 State Park. Route 66 captured Americans’ imagination and exposed millions of citizens to small towns across the county. Sample a slice of that at the visitor center, which has displays showcasing the road and is the former Bridgehead Inn, a 1935 roadhouse that sat on the original Route 66. The park has more than 40 types of birds and encompasses 419 acres abounding with field of wild grass and brush. Trails are sprinkled throughout the park. It sits on the Meramec River at the site of the former town of Times Beach, Missouri. The Meramec River is one of the longest free-flowing waterways in the U.S. state of Missouri.

Meramec River

The once Historic Route 66, of the most famous roads in the United States that ran from Chicago, Illinois, through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona and ended in Santa Monica in Los Angeles County, California, covered a total of 2,448 miles. It has always been iconic for roadside stops….dinners…antiquing…and many historical sites. Although it longer exists, you can still “get your kicks” on the path it took through the United States on other highways and roads. In this series, I will highlight the many places you can stop to explore nature along this route….focusing on spots in the Midwest. Looking for more stops…. check out this guide.

And here are a few other great resources.

America’s Best Day Hikes Great Hiking Trails of the World
IT IS COLD AT THE TOP, DON’T ABANDON YOUR WARM CLOTHINGS
By: Oluwaseun David Adepoju
Tags: Travel, Friendship, Hiking, Relationships, South Korea

IT IS COLD AT THE TOP, DON’T ABANDON YOUR WARM CLOTHINGS

Circa 2016, I had my first mountain hiking experience. I was in the company of roughly 400 friends and colleagues as we began the journey from the bottom of the mountain.

As we began hiking, we were in big clusters and it was interesting in the first 20 minutes. Eventually, we got to a point where the mountain got steeper, the temperature started changing and the terrain starts getting rough. The big clusters started reducing to mostly 4 to 5 persons as many began to get tired and rest on the way.

I was in a cluster of 5 and we began to encourage one another. We were joking. We held hands. We were singing. We helped one another to endure the pains and rigors of climbing. It was getting cold as we approached the topmost part of the mountain but we were not really feeling it because apart from the fact that we wore thick clothing, we also experienced the warmth and care of friendship.

When we got to the top of the mountain, it dawned on me that I would not have been able to get to the top of the mountain alone without the encouragements and warmth from my cluster. Guess what, when we arrived at the top, it was really cold but two out of my 5 members cluster gave me a hot balm and hand glove respectively. I was not alone. The top is the worst place to feel lonely because everyone was busy dealing with their cold temperature. I received warmth from those I helped on the way up.

What are the lessons here;

1. Don’t be too busy climbing that you forget to lend a helping hand to the people you are climbing with in life. You will need them when you get to your destination.

2. It is not about who gets to the top first, it is about the family you arrived with at the top.

3. The top is not sweet without the warmth and care from friends( they are your warm clothing)

4. Don’t be too confident in your strength, we all get tired at some point. The people you raised up on the way up will come through for you in your tired moments.

Don’t climb alone.

The top is cold.

You will need the warmth of others when you arrive.

Thanks

Oluwaseun David ADEPOJU

My warm clothings here is Ngane Mpengula and Luke Zulkifly.
Sibling adventures: Lillian and Lian take Cusco
By: Lillian Hsu
Tags: Travel, Adventure Travel, Hiking, Cusco, Macchu Picchu

Lian arrived in Lima on a Saturday morning. I dragged him to CrossFit Altair and he, too, felt his soul leave his body for an hour. Yes, I made him get on a plane for 8 hours only to land in his first South American country to enjoy a good old American workout. It’s fine. He’s fine. It was a Machu Picchu jungle trek warm up. He will (and did) thank me for it.

The very next day, we flew to Cusco in the early afternoon and landed a few hours later at Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport, from which we took an Uber 25 minutes to our hotel in Central Cusco. We decided to arrive in Cusco a few days before the start of our jungle trek to 1. explore Cusco a little bit and also 2. get adjusted to the altitude. Looking back, we’re really glad we did.

We stayed the first two nights at the Niños Hotel, an establishment created by Jolanda van den Berg 20 years ago. Originally from Netherlands but settled in Cusco, Jolanda wanted to help the underprivileged children of the city. She goes on to later adopt twelve children and started the Niños Hotel to provide a steady income to her family and dozens of other children as well. The hotel became such a success that she later went on to open a second Niños hotel just two blocks away, and even a few restaurants. Your (our) stay at the Niños Hotel supports the Niños Unidos Peruanos Foundation, which provides underprivileged children of Cusco with healthy meals, medical and dental care, academic support and a caring environment for both basic needs but also to develop their individual creativity.
#2 Alpriate to Vila Franca de Xira (dirt roads, boardwalks, roads, wetlands)
By: Sarah Williams
Tags: Travel, YouTube, Hiking, Vlogs, Camino Portugués

September 13th — Alpriate to Vila Franca de Xira

#2 Alpriate to Vila Franca de Xira (dirt roads, boardwalks, roads, wetlands)

☀️It is 33 degrees outside and I love it! The heat and the sun makes me so happy!!! Had a very chilled start to the day, the hostel provided breakfast (bread rolls, cheese, yogurt) so I also made lunch! Which is always a good way to save some cash! I left the hostel around 10am. It was then straight back to the coast and following the water all the way, seeing more graffiti artwork, statues, and amazing bridges.

👉 The yellow and blue arrows then led me across a bridge and out into the countryside, just open blue skies with a few planes passing overhead.

🛣 There was some motorway walking, but it wasn’t for long and it wasn’t too bad! It was nice to reach the town where I’m staying tonight and my first albergue — Albergue de Peregrinos de Alpriate, Largo de Alpriarte (€10 euro) which is super clean and nice, it has 10 bed and is run by volunteers who are doing a fab job!

I also got my first stamp! Progress is being made! Im now stretching out in the sun and just enjoying life!

🎥 I am vlogging the trip and will be sharing the vlogs on YouTube. Make sure you subscribe to the tough girl YouTube channel so you don’t miss out!

🥾 My hike is being sponsored by @ciceronepress

#challengewithcicerone #caminodeportuguese #boncamino

Watch the vlog now!!!
#2 — Final food resupply & leaving Fethiye & walking through Kayaköy ghost town!!!
By: Sarah Williams
Tags: Travel, Adventure, Hiking, Vlogs, Lycian Way

🇹🇷 10th November — Fethiye to Ölüdeniz 🇹🇷

🥾First day walking with full packs. A little heavier than the Camino as having to carry a tent (@terranovaequipment), an air mattress (@thermarest) plus food and about 2 litres of water (water is heavy to carry!). I’d say all in my pack weights… 13kg (food and water included)!

🕌We left Fethiye around 10.30am after getting some money out and buying some food at the local supermarket. Fethiye is the unofficial start point of the Lycian Way. It’s a great place to start from and easy to get to from Dalaman airport.

�� The big site to see today was the Kayaköy Ruins (Ghost Town)

In Kayaköy. The entrance fee was 7TRY (£1). It was so beautiful to walk through the ruins. There was a stunning church, the High Church — which had beautiful mosaics and carvings!

👉Total 17k, about 6hr 30 mins walking!🇹🇷Tomorrow we start on the official Lycian Way. 😀

Kat Blog Post — https://followingthearrows.com/2020/01/08/lycian-way-day-1-fethiye-to-ovacik-17-1km/

Komoot Route Information — Day 1 — https://www.komoot.com/tour/102951110?ref=wtd

Komoot Route Information — Day 1

Watch the vlog now!!!
Friends in high places, literally
By: Goda Linkute
Tags: Life Lessons, Friendship, Hiking, Self Improvement, Mountains

“You won’t make friends in the mountains, you should spend more time on the ground.” That was the worst piece of advice I have ever received. Believe it or not, you shouldn’t take a bit of advice from somebody who never hiked a mountain.

Growing up in a small town, countless of my childhood memories were made on the top of the only hill in the entire town. There was something magical about this tiny hill that made my friends and I always feel the urge to come back. People say mountains are calling and you must go. When I look back, I can tell there was something that we couldn’t say no to our childhood hill which felt like a really big achievement at the time. However, a proud feeling wasn’t the most important thing. My biggest pleasure, above all, was gained in being fully surrounded by nature with my best friends. This was when my love for the mountains and nature started.

We all see these stunning pictures of spectacular mountains and even more amazing views on top, but actually doing the work to get to these places cuts many out of the crowd. We find ourselves wondering what motivates people to get up early in the morning and get lost in a moment when adventuring to an unknown territory. I didn’t go on my first real hike until I moved to Vancouver. I could blame it on the fact that I grew up on the land of flat surfaces and mountains have always been out of reach, but having never gone I just didn’t know what it’d feel like to stand on top of the world. Deep inside I knew that high places make every single experience exceptional.

Spending time out in the mountains really takes things back to the basics. There is no need to check what’s going on on social media, you are able to disconnect and feel the most authentic and true at the same time. It’s only you, nature and your buddies who went on a hike with you. I have to admit, it brings people together in special ways.

Every time I stand on top of the mountain I feel thankful for every single friendship that I made on my childhood hill and all the mountains I’ve climbed so far. I call them friends in high places.
Four Best Hikes For De-Stressing Before Finals Season
By: Shun Hing College
Tags: Hiking, Shc, Hong Kong, Hku, Hong Kong Hiking

1. Dragon’s Back

This is by far one of the most popular hiking trails in Hong Kong, and for good reason. The trail is surrounded by beautiful greenery and takes about an hour and a half to finish (depending on how many pictures you take). At the end of this hike, you can enjoy a great seafood meal at one of the many restaurants by the beach. Don’t miss out on this great hike while the weather is still nice!

How to get there: Take the MTR to Shau Kei Wan Station and then take a double-deck bus 9 to to Tei Wan. The trip from Shun Hing College should take about an hour and a half.

2. Lion Rock

This trail is probably one of the most Instagram-med hikes in Hong Kong because of the spectacular view of the city. The hike will take about two hours to finish. If you can, try to visit on a weekday because the trail is packed on the weekends. To experience the Lion Rock hike, take the MTR to Diamond Hill Station and then either walk or take a taxi to the trailhead. Don’t forget to tag @shunhingcollege if you’re going with your SHC friends!

3. Ping Shan Heritage Trail

Ping Shan Heritage Trail covers various places including — the Shrine of the Earth God, Tsui Shing Lau (Hong Kong’s oldest pagoda), a 200-year-old village, and other small temples. With so many cool historic buildings along the way, it barely feels like you’re hiking! In order to experience this trail, take the MTR to Tin Shui Wai Station and then take exit E. You can tailor this hike to be short or long — it all depends on how many historic sites you would like to visit on the day. If you do decide to see all the historic sites, it will take around half a day.

4. Yin Tsz Ngam

Yin Tsz Ngam means Swallow Cave in Chinese and is by far the most unique trail on this list. This 8km trail is definitely for those looking for a challenge. It takes about five hours to finish due to volcanic rock columns and sea caves. Many of its trails follow the coastline — presenting a beautiful scenery. But make sure to go with an experienced hiker because waves nearby can be dangerous. While many people book boat rides to get there, bus 94 (which leaves from Tai Po Centre) can also get you to the trailheads. Again, please be careful and come well-prepared for this hike!

References and Picture Credits

Graham, Holly. “The Best Hong Kong Hikes.” Time Out Hong Kong, 10 Apr. 2018, www.timeout.com/hong-kong/sport-and-fitness/best-hikes-hong-kong.

Getting Stamped, 19 Aug. 2018, www.gettingstamped.com/lion-rock-hike-hong-kong

Lukaszewicz, Hannah. “Best View Of Hong Kong | Lion Rock Hike.” Getting Stamped

**

Written by Sheila Alizadeh

Edited by Jun Takazawa
What is paragliding ?
By: Adventure Of Life
Tags: Sky, Adventure, Hiking, High, Paragliding

Some consider paragliding to be an extreme sport that can open up a whole new world of incredible experiences. A paragliding flight can range from riding to the top of your favourite hill or from trekking to taking off on a mountain top and gliding smoothly to the desired landing zone. Adventure seekers can explore alpine locations in Europe and Nepal for epic and impressive mountain flights.

A paraglider is an aeroplane that is small enough to fit in a large backpack and easy to carry on your shoulders. A complete platform weighs between 8 kg and 16 kg. It is so portable that you can take it with you almost anywhere. After completing a training course to acquire your flight qualifications, you will be able to launch your paraglider from flat slopes to steep slopes. Unwrap the kite, put it on your harness and helmet, inflate the kite to let the breeze in, then turn around, and with a few steps, the ground falls, and the sky is yours.

The direction switches make it easy to control the direction and speed of your aircraft. After a little extra training and experience, you can begin to use the air’s upward movement (thermal or ridge rise) to stay in the mood for hours. When it is time to get out, landing can be just as smooth and easy. All ages can practice paragliding from 16 years of age (per local regulations) to 85 years of age and older. It is fun for both women and men, and many women do well at cross-country skiing competitions.
98.7 : ‘2 days on the Great ocean walk’
By: Scott Griffiths
Tags: Tourist, Oceans, Hiking, Walking, Great Ocean Road

Day1:

Apollo bay to Joanna

We ended up starting from the Marengo Holiday Park after some confusion with AllTrails stated the walk started here. We later found out that some start from the visitor centre in Apollo bay

Fairly easy walk along the coast, some ascent before heading back into the forest area. Though nothing to challenging aside from the duration and the distance

We all took a fair bit of water, I had like 4.5L in 2 bladder packs. We also had to carry food for Lunch, Dinner, breakfast and another lunch. Think the pack must of been weighing around 15kg with all the clothes, toiletries, headlamps etc.

We saw a Koala (First time since arriving to Aus 10 years ago), it was the only one we saw on the way. Though we did see a couple of Echidna on both days and a bunch of Wallabies on and off the track

It got dark around 8.30pm (early March) and we still had around 18.5km to get through until the accomodation and we had been told about a river crossing just prior to getting into Joanna bay and this was said to be between half to 1 meter in depth!. Night time water crossing were not something we had experience before so we were all a little dubious about what was likely to come.

River crossing that wasn't, we got to the crossing between tides and it ended up being about 5cm at most.

The ‘River’ crossing

Day2:

Leaving Joanna Seaside cottage

Joanna to 12 Apostles car park

As soon as you Get to the other side of the camp ground gentle ascent from about sea level up to just over 300 m. Some decent views over the farms though on the way up then the coast as you

Just West of Joanna

Then it was a load of fire trail and road before getting back onto the trail again, We did manage to find this on the way where we could refill our water, Not something you would generally find in the middle of no-where

Loads of stairs on the 2nd half though, lucky it was dry otherwise they would have been as slippery as hell. There must have been around 10 ascents and descent into the bays before heading back into the bush where we got dive bombed by bats or birds (it was hard to tell)

bombarding bat

And the weather stayed pretty decent until we reached the end of the trail walk (start of old coach road, about 7km). The heavens opened and the wind blew up a storm, Kind of expected this in Victoria though and it helped us pick up the pace for the final leg

Day3:

Recover and be tourists for the day and checking out ‘Bay of Islands’, ‘The Grotto’, ‘London Bridge’, ‘Lock and Gorge before finally checking out the 12 Apostles which was the first time we saw them on the whole walk.

London Bridge

Bay of Islands

The Crew

Distance covered 98.7km

Duration (moving) 27.5h
Activities in Kathmandu before and after Trekking.
Tags: Travel, Adventure, Hiking, Culture, Trekking

Kathmandu is known as city of temple, which holds most important shrine of Hinduism and Buddhism. It is capital of Nepal, which located in South Asia and covers highest Himalayas in the world. The country is well known as bucket list for trekkers as well as culture explorer where different culture found in this small territory. Kathmandu is the initial place before going to trekking and preparing for the destination in addition, visiting some UNESCO world heritage site improvise cherish about this beautiful city.

This valley is the perfect place to warm up before intense trekking to highland because it is necessary to more familiar with the landscape of Nepal. So, trekkers can get many choices of short hiking near Kathmandu and the route provide magnificent scenery of valleys, monuments, mountains and experience of culture. Kathmandu offers some popular hiking route such as Shivapuri hiking, Chisapani hiking, Nagarkot hiking, Sangha Panauti hiking, Namobuddha hiking, Dhulikhel hiking and other hiking, these destination could be fruitful before moving to trekking.

Kathmandu valley has ancient history and monuments, which attracts those who really have interest on archeology and ancient architecture. This capital city holds several site those are related to the history likewise, Pashupatinath temple, Boudhanath temple, Swyambhunath, Basantapur durbar square, Patan Durbar square, Bhaktapur Durbar square, Changunarayan temple (Best for hiking). It could be the opportunity to know the history of Kathmandu valley during the trekking, it is more like taking down two prey by one arrow.

Shopping is most essential before trekking because it is important to have some necessary gear. Kathmandu has very verities of shopping areas which offers trekking and other stuff according to the need. Thamel is famous market with verities of product and it is more popular for trekkers who are looking for trekking gear, handicraft, souvenir and several things.

Nepal is second richest country for fresh glacier river and of course, famous for several adventure sports along. Travelers can go for the rafting, bungee jump, paragliding, zip flyer, canoeing, kayaking and so on. If anyone want to blend some adventure during their visit in Nepal, it is perfect to have experience of some adventure sport which are organize in safest way.

Mountain bike riding is also special in Kathmandu, trekkers can go for mountain bike ride and visit some stunning hill side situated nearby Kathmandu. Actually, the hillside offers the mesmerizing view of mountain to north part of the Kathmandu valley. It gives more relaxation for those who love to ride in peace areas.
COMING on 2nd July!
By: Sarah Williams
Tags: Hiking, Walking, Podcast, Vlogs, Camino De Santiago

Jessica “Dixie” Mills — Thru-Hiker & Vlogger walking 500 miles on the Camino de Santiago (the French Way)!

We have been following Jessica (Trail name — Dixie) since 2016 when we first spoke with her about her thru hike of the Appalachian Trial, we then caught up with Jessica in Feb 2019, when she shared more about hiking the Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Divide Trail.

During this episode, Jessica shares more about her most recent challenge — walking 500 miles on the Camino de Santiago, which is also know as the the French Way. The journey begins at Saint Jean Pied de Port, in France, and goes through four of Spain’s 15 regions, ending at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.

Jessica shares more about her experiences of this walk, what she wanted to learn and what made it such a special journey. She also shares more about future challenges, and provides top tips and advice for your next hike!

You can listen to the Tough Girl Podcast on the go via iTunes, Soundcloud & Stitcher!

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/tough-girl-podcast/id1024977070 https://soundcloud.com/toughgirlchallenges/tracks http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/tough-girl-podcast
Hump Day
By: Sam Harrison
Tags: Tramp, New Zealand, Tramping, Hiking

Our route soon took us off the beach and into the bush along an old 4WD track. This cut a path through gentle regenerating forest and we clocked up several more kilometres in great time. This speed came at a cost, both Jakob and I were still feeling the pain from the Kepler, not in any way assisted by the 8 days worth of food we were carrying. The road soon turned from a ‘the rolla could take this’ to a ‘bugger that’ as mud dominated the wheel ruts. A solitary orange triangle was spotted on a tree, suggesting that somewhere in that steep forested hill side behind it there would be a track. I knew this would be where the tramp would really begin. The route climbed steeply, with our altitude having a direct positive relationship with the amount of sweat that was pouring off my face. Worse still, my legs were starting to feel a bit jinky… not a good way to start a week of walking. The pain only intensified as we approached the Hump. Kerry tried to motivate us with a bag of cookies, which in part worked. In the interests of reaching the hut that day, and in some walk-able condition I offloaded my food off on Kerry the mountain goat. Lightened I felt a little better but each step still undermined my confidence in my legs.

When the track’s gradient lessened it was transformed into a mire of shin deep mud. This made for a fun ascent. There were a couple of near face-plants but by some miracle we all avoided that fate. Kerry still not slowed by the counter-weight I had given him decided to get out his trusty silky saw and do a bit of track maintenance whilst we walked. It was a little embarrassing watching him as I hobbled after trying my best to keep up. Jakob, the trooper that he is, didn’t whinge and soldiered on fully ladened behind us. My discomfort began to increase exponentially and I began considering if I had made a terrible mistake. The only distraction was emerging briefly above the bushline and being rewarded with views down the South coast.

This was just a glimpse as we were soon down in the bush and mud again, with one last slog up onto the ‘Hump Ridge’. By this point it was every man for himself. Kerry was wondering what all the fuss was about as I struggled up the hill behind him. On the ridge I collapsed in a heap on my pack, very sure that this had been a big mistake. We called a meeting and several options presented themselves. First option, we could turn around (no one wanted to do that). Second option, we could continue on to Teal Bay Hut and see what happened. Third option, traverse the ridge and stay in Okaka Lodge for the night. The pain in my leg screamed for option three, but the others outvoted me. And so with that I began limping up the hump of humps. Kea circled me like vultures, I shot them glances daring them to try me.
#3 From Vila Franca de Xira to Quinta da Burr (beach life, pilgrim dinners, sunshine!)
By: Sarah Williams
Tags: Travel, YouTube, Challenge, Hiking, Camino Portugués

#3 From Vila Franca de Xira to Quinta da Burr (beach life, pilgrim dinners, sunshine!)

⏩Day 4 on the Camino Portugués!

Leaving Vila Franca de Xira around 8.45am ish — heading 19.5 km going past Carregado and Vila Nova da Rainha to end up in Azambuja!

🛣 Previously the Camino was along the highway — no more it has been re routed to a gravel track which runs parallel to the train tracks.

🔥 My calf’s are burning, I’m still wearing the knee support and making sure my glutes are being engaged- which is not as easy as it should be…

💥I was super organised this morning and made myself breakfast at the hostel, really simple food a cheese sandwich, plus a slice of chocolate cake and an apple. I find making lunch in the morning, when the food is there the best thing to do as it’s a super cheap meal and a great way to keep costs down. Plus it’s so nice to stop out on the walk and eat outside enjoying the view!

🐂 Azambuja is a cute little town, the albergue has got 12 beds and opens at 3pm — it is first come first served and when they are full, they are full — no more room! Therefore you do want to make sure you arrived in plenty of time. The places are simple but it has a shower, kitchen facilities and a place to wash your clothes — hand wash!! No WiFi — but that probably a good thing!

🎥I am vlogging the trip and will be sharing the vlogs on YouTube. Make sure you subscribe to the tough girl YouTube channel so you don’t miss out! The link is in the bio!

📚 My hike is being sponsored by @ciceronepress.

Cicerone has also got an awesome guide book about hiking the Camino Portugués which was written by the awesome Kat Davies @followingthearrows who has been on the tough girl podcast to share more about her walking adventures — she has done the Camino Portugués 3 times and has done the PCT and a bunch of other hikes! Well worth following 😀

#challengewithcicerone

Watch the vlog now!!!
What my Self-Quarantined Life Looks Like in a Series of Images
By: Sarah Knieff
Tags: Umdjour, Hiking, Covid 19, Minnesota, Cats

I am back in my childhood bedroom right now and that called for a redecoration moment. I needed my space to feel more like my current self and the childhood posters of Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe weren’t cutting it. I painted my ceiling with a simple white to cover up the spray painted sky my dad made when I was five. Then I added a tapestry and adhesive butterflies.

Spreading love and positivity

My next door neighbor is an older woman who lives alone. Her family has been delivering groceries to her to help limit the amount of times she needs to go out in public. The family also made hearts to decorate her window to show that they love her and that she isn’t truly alone.

Bike riding

I have been doing a ton of bike riding to fill up my time and to stay active. My old bike had too many problems with it, so I got a new one as shown in the photo. Rose gold is my favorite color and this classic cruiser is just my style.

Hiking at William O’Brien State Park

William O’Brien is one of my favorite places to go hiking in Minnesota because of all the gorgeous paths and Lake Alice. My dad and I go hiking together a lot when it is sunny. The past few days have been filled with beautiful weather and we tried to stay outside as much as possible.

Social distance meet-ups

My friends and I like to meet up in empty parking lots to see each other while still practicing social distancing. It actually works out a lot better than expected and brightens my week to be able to see them. We have all missed each other so much, so this is a great compromise.

Reading with my kitty

Charlie is the purrfect reading buddy because he likes to sleep on my lap while I read. He is always trying to snuggle even when I need to conduct a meeting or write an article, so this is a great option for both of us. I am currently reading The Fates Divide by Veronica Roth. I highly recommend it!

Facetiming people I miss
#4 Our first Wild Camp on the Lycian Way! STUNNING VIEWS!!!
By: Sarah Williams
Tags: Travel, Adventure, Hiking, Vlogs, Lycian Way

12th November — Kabak to a wildcamp half-way between Gey and Bel, 18.1km

Stats 18.1km 8hr 19 mins walking

Uphill 780 m

Downhill 590 m

Average speed 3.7 km

⛰Lots of steep descents and ascents as we left the village, passing large rockslides and walking through forests, pine needles on the floor and blue skies out to sea.

🥾Focused hiking today, lots of care with foot placement needed. But we took the time to stop and look around to appreciate the moment and the location. It really was stunning! I hope it comes out on camera….

👋 We are meeting lots of locals and they are so lovely & very friendly, they all want help. I’m getting to practice the few words (ok 1 word) that I know -hello! (Merry Ba) 🐑 Passing through lots of olive groves, seeing the sheep and baby lambs scrambling over the fields and rocks without a care in the world.

⛺️ Wild camping, overlooking the sea and mountains. Stars in the sky, very peaceful, no phone reception!

🌓 Hiker midnight in full effect! Ready for bed by 7pm… Still awake at 10pm due to the wind and the glowing full moon which is shining down brightly!

Kat Blog Post — https://followingthearrows.com/2020/01/11/lycian-way-day-4-wildcamp-between-gey-and-bel-to-patara-green-park-17-3km/

Komoot Route Information — Day 3 — https://www.komoot.com/tour/103198433?ref=wtd

Komoot Route Information — Day 3

Watch the vlog now!!!
The Best National Parks to Visit This Spring
By: Chris Plaford
Tags: Outdoors, National Parks, Hiking

In the spring, the US National Parks start to put on a show with incredible blooming trees and wildflowers, rushing streams and waterfalls, wildlife, and beauty. While some parks are still closed, the ones that are open offer great springtime activities. Check with the National Park Service before you make plans to visit any National Park.

What are the best parks to visit this spring?

Yosemite National Park, California

Yosemite National Park is a must-see destination if you’re on the West Coast. With Yosemite Falls thundering through the Valley, you shouldn’t miss this beautiful National Park. Bridalveil Falls is spectacular, and you can see Ribbon Falls and Horsetail Falls only in the spring. The dogwoods are blooming, and the wildflowers are dotting the hillsides. The weather is pleasant. There is no better time to see Yosemite.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee

The Smokies have over 1500 species of flowering plants. In the spring, they call the park the ‘Wildflower Park.’ The Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage runs April 11–15, and the park will be packed. Another week might be better. But the mountain laurel, dogwoods, redbuds, rhododendrons, magnolias, tulip trees, and a thousand wildflowers are waiting for you.

Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado

Despite an eerie landscape with some of the tallest sand dunes in the country, up to 700 feet high, this park is not generally crowded. Yet, it is full of adventure and excitement. There is sandboarding and sledding, hiking on the dunes or through forests, playing in the water of Medano Creek, staring at a night sky as you’ve never seen before. And it’s one of the best parks for dogs!

Big Bend National Park, Texas

On the Mexican border, where the Rio Grande makes a huge turn, lie the 800,000 acres of wilderness known as Big Bend National Park. Limestone canyons, cut by rivers, soar above you as you hike through deserts or mountains or kayak along the river. One of the best birding destinations, the park hosts 450 bird species. Sit out at night to watch the amazing Milky Way and listen to the coyotes serenade you. You can get away from everything here, finding solitude and peace.

No matter which park you choose, be sure to call the National Park Service first for updates. Enjoy this spring.

Originally published: https://chrisplaford.com/the-best-national-parks-to-visit-this-spring/
Solar Eclipse 2021 | Catskills Astronomy
By: Mountain Hiking
Tags: Hiking, Astronomy, Outdoors, Eclipse, Mountains

Nothing beats watching the sun come up from a mountain summit — except maybe walking into the woods in the dead of night, alone, to catch an eclipse.

It’s been a while since I did a sunrise hike. In mid-June, as the shortest night of the year approaches, sunrise is not long after 5:00 am. This makes the get-out-of-bed logistics pretty rough.

I set my alarm for 1:00 am and was in my car before 2:00 am.

By 3:00 am, I was hiking briskly past the first trailhead signpost.

The sky was almost cloud free. Jupiter and Saturn were both bright in the southeast. Overheard, the summer Milky Way was clearly visible — I grew up in suburban Dublin, Ireland, and never saw the Milky Way until I first came to The Catskills.

The sky before dawn puts on a truly amazing show. For this shoot, I planned to arrive at my viewpoint at least 30 minutes before sunrise.

This is my favorite time of day. The colors are always bananas.

That pre-dawn light, though…

I was glad to see I wasn’t the only lunatic hiking at this hour. By the time I arrived, a young botanist and a family group of five or six were all already on the summit.

Long before sunrise, a very clear sun pillar was visible with sun dogs on either side. Sun pillars are created by the reflection of light from tiny ice crystals that are suspended in the atmosphere. Sun dogs are made via refraction.

Dawn June 10, 2021

A line of clouds along the horizon delayed us from seeing the sun for a few minutes.

I started stopping down my cameras so the sky in the following photos looks darker…

Cloudy Sunrise

Eventually the moment arrived — almost…

Sunrise through clouds

Disclosure: Links to external products and websites on this page may be affiliate links. This means, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Solar Eclipse 2021

Reminder: Yes, you do absolutely need an effective filter to view any kind of eclipse. And, no, your shades do not count. A pack of cheap solar glasses runs about ten bucks on Amazon.

At last, the sun rose above the cloud line. I managed to score one shot of the eclipse by closing down my DSLR as much as possible and by holding my shades in front of the lens…

Partial solar eclipse 2021

Welp, looks like I should order some cheap solar filters for next time.

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Hiking Trails Remain Busy in the Winter
By: Chris Rechen
Tags: Hiking

While the introduction of the winter season might put a damper on some outdoor activities, there is one in the Hudson Valley that remains unaffected- hiking.

A visit to the Dutchess Tourism website will yield results about hot air balloon tours, activities on the Hudson river, and visits to local parks and gardens, all of which are unavailable in the colder months. However, an abundance of hiking trails remain as one of Dutchess County’s attractions year-round. Mary Kay Vrba, President of Dutchess Tourism, says that she is happy that the trails stay relatively busy all year long. “This is such a great place to be outdoors, and such a unique place to hike, it would be a shame if they weren’t being used for half of the year,” Vrba says.

View from one of the Schunnemunk Mountain peaks

From expert to novice, Dutchess County has numerous peaks for hikers of all skill levels to summit. In Dutchess alone, there are 21 unique trails up various mountains, all with unique attractions. One of the most popular local trails spans across 30 miles and 4,000 acres of the Appalachian Trail in Pawling. Christian McDermott, a Poughkeepsie local and avid hiker, says he loves being outside this time of year. “It’s hard to believe, but the area almost gets prettier with snow,” McDermott says. Even though the hiking can sometimes be more difficult and more dangerous due to adverse conditions, it is also a great experience. “It is like hiking a different trail, you look out for different things,” says McDermott.

Challenging rock face on the Schunnemunk Mountain trail

Not only is the hiking better, but winter weather also introduces new activities to some of the mountain trails- snowshoeing and cross country skiing. While not available at all 21 locations in Dutchess county, snowshoeing and skiing have also become staples in the local community, and continue to be encouraged. “We just want people outside looking at the beautiful Hudson Valley, however they please,” says Vrba.

Dutchess Tourism is a local function of I Love New York, a statewide promotion for all kinds of recreation. Dutchess Tourism’s vision statement is to become the premier destination choice of travel in the Hudson Valley and one of I Love New York’s targeted areas across the whole state. With activites limited in the winter, promoting local hiking, skiing, and snowshoeing becomes more important in developing the tourist scene in the coming months. For more information about local hikes and other attractions in Dutchess County, visit dutchesstourism.com, or for statewide attractions visit iloveny.com.
50 Bird Species and the Sounds They Make
By: Joy Churin
Tags: Hiking, Birds, Outdoors, Nature, Birding

Are you longing for Spring? This infographic explores 50 bird species and the unique songs and sounds they make.

Interactive version found here. Hear the birds by clicking on them!

Have you ever wondered why birds chirp, tweet, sing, chatter, and screech with such conviction? Bird vocal communication is a multi-faceted function. The primary function is to attract a mate. Researchers have discovered that a bird’s song quality may be indicative of their physical strength. Therefore, potential mates are often drawn to strong, steady, varied songs.

Another key function of vocal communication is protection of one’s territory. Birds will call out to threats, staking claim to a particular area. The invader is able to interpret the vigor of the protector’s call and determine if fighting will be prudent.

Birds also call out to rally forces if a predator, such an owl, is present. These are called “mobbing calls”. Mobbing calls may even gather birds across species, as it is in their best interest to scare off a pesky predator!