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The Hiking Story

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HomeSierra High Route (2017)

Sierra High Route (2017)

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A weekend away bouldering in my favourite National Park in Victoria, The Grampians, has left me sore and lacking skin on my fingertips. This rugged range is home to some of the best climbing in the world. Less than 3 minutes walk away is the home to three V15 Boulder problems, and the cliff to the left is Taipan wall, another classic destination for pro climbers. My T-Rex hiking arms need to get with the program so I can even consider climbing the easiest route on Taipan... p.s In 2006 a huge fire burn over 50% of this beautiful landscape. I have not been back since and I was incredibly surprised to see how quick the flaura has recovered. In celebration of the parks recovery, I am looking into the possibility of hiking the length of the range.
I started back at work a couple of weeks ago and have been missing trail life. My simple life is now upside down. My endless day dreams has gone, spotting shooting stars as I drift if to sleep has gone, watching wild animals go about their lives has gone, and the endless wonder of what is around the next corner has gone. Unfortunately it is a hard transition from a free roaming life to the pressures of meetings, deadlines and commitments. It is a slow change but I've already noticed it happening; my body has finally adjusted from endless exercise to sitting behind a desk. There are benefits to this change, I am not constantly in a fatigued state and it is nice to strain my brain with some solid critical thinking. I deal with this change in small ways. I exercise as much as possible. Last weekend was my first trad rock climbing lead in almost 2 years, and I will be in back in the mountains this weekend for some spring hiking through the snow. Another way is planning a few medium length trips to look forward to. I have finished planning a 2 week hike through Tasmania's remote and beautiful South West during my Christmas break (does anyone want to join?) And I'm putting together a month long hike next year along the Pyrenees Haute Route with @evancharlton. Here is to replenishing bank accounts and dreaming of our next big adventure.
The one and only Zion NP. The main valley is down right incredible. It is one of my favorite places. However there are other areas nearby that equal this astounding beauty and have the added benefit of tranquility by escaping the crowds. The East Folk of the Virgin River is another branch to the mighty river that carved out Zion's iconic valley. Over the millennia the East Folk has carved out similar features. One of the highlights is the Barracks which is a slot canyon with the same wading through water as it's more famous sister of the Narrows. Exploring this folk takes a little more effort, but can offer a true wilderness experience. There is a great 20 mile hike down the combined and flowing river that would make an epic multiday trip. No permits are needed for that added bonus.
Goat Rocks Wilderness; in 2015 I was looking forward to this section with the huge glacial valleys, Old Snowy and the knife edge pointing toward Mt Rainier above all others. As luck would have it I went through in a storm and 20ft visibility. I vividly remember waking up in my shelter and then waiting for a couple of hours in the hope the clouds would clear. Eventually my meager foodbag convinced me to pack up and push through without seeing the beauty. It was disappointing. 2 years later I was back again, this time with perfect weather. I got up early and was in awe as I crossed snow while walking up to the pass, but it was something else when I finally reached the pass and Old Snowy. It was eye candy in every direction, and so much better than I ever imagined. And the view from the top of Old Snowy of the surrounding peaks is beyond description for me. This section was so good even breaking my camera could not diminish my excitement. What is your favorite section of the PCT? This or Forester, Glen and Rae Lakes might be my other contender.
The Dunning Kruger Effect in backpacking is becoming more and more noticeable these days as the quality of new hikers continues to increase. First off, it is fantastic to see the interest in outdoor activities, and in particular long distance hiking, continue to grow. Being outdoors is a hobby that can have far reaching benefits. Unfortunatly starting any new endeavor has it's learning curve. I did a number of things when I first started hiking that I look back on and shake my head. It is a continuous learning curve, and we should be willing to research, learn from others and reevaluate after each trip to progress. The Dunning Kruger effect refers to a psychological bias we all have that makes us over estimate our abilities. Also, the more you know about a subject, the more accurate your self evaluation will be. Swipe right to see a cheesy graph someone else created to demonstrate. The Dunning Kruger effect chart shows: . “Peak of Mt. Stupid” – when experience is virtually non existent there is a tendency to exaggerate the level of the abilities. . “Valley of dispair” – while more and more things are learned, you realize that there are a lot of things still to learn. . . “Slope of enlightenment” – with more and more experience and things learned you slowly advance until you know what you don’t know: you recognize your own limitations.
Sick of what you are eating on trail and looking for something different for the night? Here are 4 easy meals that could shake things up a bit. Smashed Avocado with 3 or 4 Hard Boiled Egg. This is one of my favorite meals to enjoy on the first night out of town. It is healthy and delicious with enough calories to satisfy that all consuming hunger. Adding basil can take this dinner option to the next level. Frozen Burritos and Pies These tasty option is a popular choice to add a little variety with Thru Hikers and can be found in almost all resupply towns. I let them defrost for a few hours or overnight, either in the outside mesh pocket or against the top of the pack. Thru Hiker Fondue Melt 8oz / 250g chocolate bar and then mix it with ~3oz / 100g coconut cream (packed in your drink bottle). Then dip dried fruit and / or croutons for a much needed desert. An added bonus is drinking the extra coconut cream on the way to camp. Camp Stove Pizza This can be created with pancake mix (aka Bisquick). Mix the pancake mix with a little water to create a dough. After adding oil to lubricate the pot, spread the dough thinly across the bottom. Add whatever sauce packets you have managed to procure, cheese and pepperoni. Cook on a low heat for about 7 minutes. Share your favorite hiking meal hack below 👇!
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