Category: Backpacking

Nepal Trekking Permit Fees

Permit fees in Nepal are pretty complicated. The people over at the Great Himalaya Trail just published a list of permits in the Himalaya.

I have finally been able to compile a list of current trekking permit fees, especially since the many changes in Nepal – I’m beginning to think there isn’t anywhere you can trek without a piece of official paper!!” – Robin Boustead

Soldier logging my permit in 2009.

American Discovery Trail Society Annual Meeting

I attended the ADTS Annual Meeting this morning. It was nearby and I love long trails. It’s always so nice to see passionate people doing good work. Highlight? Heading outside to chat trails while we watched the space shuttle Endeavor fly over. Brian Stark and I talked about identifying and contacting private land owners while on long distance hikes. He recently ran into problems on the Oregon Trail. He has the email “runforrestrun”.

Backpacking food plan

This level of planning for a hike is impressive.

This was pulled out of a hiker box at Muir Trail Ranch. I didn’t eat it, but I did have the person’s repackaged Kung Pao Chicken. I think I boiled water and let it sit for a few minutes. 0.333 cups of water??

American Marten on Mt. Whitney!

I spent fifteen minutes with two social American Martens on the summit of Mt. Whitney! We were the only ones up on the summit at a half an hour before sunset. It was one cool wildlife experience.

Staring contest with an American Marten playing in the boulders on the roof of the lower 48. Sierra Nevada, CA.

Food Caches in National Parks and Forests

I frequently hear about people leaving food caches in the backcountry. A few times, I’ve even found caches. That bucket of nails, drink mix, tape, bullets and other survivalist stuff is now sitting in a dump in the central valley.

It is illegal to leave caches on most (all?) public lands in the lower 48.

This cache was confiscated on the west side of Kearsarge Pass. PITA for all parties. They’ll also confiscate caches left in wilderness bear boxes.