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Re: Long distance hiking thread
Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2019 9:48 am
by Pat the Ex Mat
happyhooker wrote:danny_fitz wrote:Okay, not quite long distance but doing the Snowdon horseshoe this weekend and for a change the weather looks like I might be able to see something from the summit.
Crib goch's no fun if you can see and it's not snowing.
Despite having lived one Mountain along, I've never actually done it due to the weather not cooperating on days I climbed
The last time I was there, my ankle was still to weak to risk it
Re: Long distance hiking thread
Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2019 10:21 am
by happyhooker
HKCJ wrote:frillage wrote:HKCJ wrote:I'm doing the Yorkshire three peaks on Saturday. On my stag do so likely dressed as a gimp after a Friday night out in Blackpool. I'm feckin terrified.
which way walking?
if can time it right get the train. It feels and sounds like a cheat, in reality you just miss out a boring flat slog.
HH - and I have a feeling a mutual Friend of ours will very much want to take his revenge after his stag in Thailand a few years back.
I have no idea to be honest.. best man is in charge of it all. Half the group will probably stay in the pub. I think we have a coach so maybe we are missing out the slog by taking he coach.
Oh you poor cûnt. Mike will make you suffer.
Say hi from me
Re: Long distance hiking thread
Posted: Tue Jul 02, 2019 2:46 pm
by HKCJ
He did indeed make me suffer over the course of the weekend. Only ended up doing one peak though in the end as we actually had to drive from Blackpool then when we got there it was some 3 Peaks charity event so there was literally hundreds of other walkers and not exactly the peace and solitude we were after. Managed a decent amount of Jura on the way round but declined the offer of doing a yard in the Old Hill Inn. I'm gonna sound like the Harry Enfield character who says everything is better in Scotland but there is no doubt that our countryside makes those wee English hills look pretty piddly.
Re: Long distance hiking thread
Posted: Tue Jul 02, 2019 2:52 pm
by danny_fitz
Pat the Ex Mat wrote:happyhooker wrote:danny_fitz wrote:Okay, not quite long distance but doing the Snowdon horseshoe this weekend and for a change the weather looks like I might be able to see something from the summit.
Crib goch's no fun if you can see and it's not snowing.
Despite having lived one Mountain along, I've never actually done it due to the weather not cooperating on days I climbed
The last time I was there, my ankle was still to weak to risk it
It was carnage in the mountains this weekend with progress even along Crib Goch being painfully slow due to sheer numbers. The summit of Snowdon was like the sermon on the mount, there were hundreds of people, mostly 'charadee' walkers clogging up the place and flying drones all over the place. There would have been more solitude at Liverpool St station on Monday morning.
Re: Long distance hiking thread
Posted: Tue Jul 02, 2019 3:03 pm
by HKCJ
sounds like you had a similar experience to us Danny. I'm not knocking these charity walkers, good for them getting out and all that but fk me some of them were hilarious they take it so seriously. Energy gels, putting compeeds on blisters like they were doing the MDS, stopping every few kms.. I mean its not even a marathon.. and you're walking. Think they were a bit annoyed as our stag group dressed as Snow White and dwarves overtook most of them swigging cans of Asahi.
Anyway I shall stick to walking up here in future. Even in touristy areas like Glencoe you never get scenes like that.
Re: Long distance hiking thread
Posted: Tue Jul 02, 2019 3:17 pm
by happyhooker
danny_fitz wrote:Pat the Ex Mat wrote:happyhooker wrote:danny_fitz wrote:Okay, not quite long distance but doing the Snowdon horseshoe this weekend and for a change the weather looks like I might be able to see something from the summit.
Crib goch's no fun if you can see and it's not snowing.
Despite having lived one Mountain along, I've never actually done it due to the weather not cooperating on days I climbed
The last time I was there, my ankle was still to weak to risk it
It was carnage in the mountains this weekend with progress even along Crib Goch being painfully slow due to sheer numbers. The summit of Snowdon was like the sermon on the mount, there were hundreds of people, mostly 'charadee' walkers clogging up the place and flying drones all over the place. There would have been more solitude at Liverpool St station on Monday morning.
Snowdon is a pain nowadays unless it's poor weather (which I quite enjoy)
Did you manage tryfan? Cader Idris was quite empty last time I went up it.
But yeah, hkcj the peaks and certain of the wainrights are often too busy for fun nowadays
Re: Long distance hiking thread
Posted: Tue Jul 02, 2019 3:22 pm
by danny_fitz
HKCJ wrote:sounds like you had a similar experience to us Danny. I'm not knocking these charity walkers, good for them getting out and all that but fk me some of them were hilarious they take it so seriously. Energy gels, putting compeeds on blisters like they were doing the MDS, stopping every few kms.. I mean its not even a marathon.. and you're walking. Think they were a bit annoyed as our stag group dressed as Snow White and dwarves overtook most of them swigging cans of Asahi.
Anyway I shall stick to walking up here in future. Even in touristy areas like Glencoe you never get scenes like that.
I ended up picking up about a dozen of those empty energy gel packs off the path, scumbags.
Re: Long distance hiking thread
Posted: Tue Jul 02, 2019 3:24 pm
by danny_fitz
happyhooker wrote:danny_fitz wrote:Pat the Ex Mat wrote:happyhooker wrote:danny_fitz wrote:Okay, not quite long distance but doing the Snowdon horseshoe this weekend and for a change the weather looks like I might be able to see something from the summit.
Crib goch's no fun if you can see and it's not snowing.
Despite having lived one Mountain along, I've never actually done it due to the weather not cooperating on days I climbed
The last time I was there, my ankle was still to weak to risk it
It was carnage in the mountains this weekend with progress even along Crib Goch being painfully slow due to sheer numbers. The summit of Snowdon was like the sermon on the mount, there were hundreds of people, mostly 'charadee' walkers clogging up the place and flying drones all over the place. There would have been more solitude at Liverpool St station on Monday morning.
Snowdon is a pain nowadays unless it's poor weather (which I quite enjoy)
Did you manage tryfan? Cader Idris was quite empty last time I went up it.
But yeah, hkcj the peaks and certain of the wainrights are often too busy for fun nowadays
We had Tryfan pencilled in for Sunday but the wife was stiff as board after the horseshoe and didn't fancy it which was a shame.
Re: Long distance hiking thread
Posted: Wed Jul 03, 2019 10:01 am
by Pat the Ex Mat
danny_fitz wrote:Pat the Ex Mat wrote:happyhooker wrote:danny_fitz wrote:Okay, not quite long distance but doing the Snowdon horseshoe this weekend and for a change the weather looks like I might be able to see something from the summit.
Crib goch's no fun if you can see and it's not snowing.
Despite having lived one Mountain along, I've never actually done it due to the weather not cooperating on days I climbed
The last time I was there, my ankle was still to weak to risk it
It was carnage in the mountains this weekend with progress even along Crib Goch being painfully slow due to sheer numbers. The summit of Snowdon was like the sermon on the mount, there were hundreds of people, mostly 'charadee' walkers clogging up the place and flying drones all over the place. There would have been more solitude at Liverpool St station on Monday morning.
Where do you go to school? Friars?
Mate of mine just did a charity thing - up and down 6 of the paths in 12 hours
He's nuts
Re: Long distance hiking thread
Posted: Wed Jul 03, 2019 10:08 am
by slick
HKCJ wrote:Currently lying in my tent with the rain pissing down and forecast to rain all day. A small price to pay however for yesterday which was the best days hike I think I’ve ever done. After an initialeasy 15k warm up on Thursday around Rubha Hunish where we got soaked we had far too many beers in the Flodigarry Hotel and set off late at about 9am.. walked the entire Trotternish ridge with a couple of stops on the way and barely a cloud in the sky. The views were just incredible. Has to be the best day of hiking you can do if you get good weather. Quite a few tourists around the Quiraing but once we were past that we didn’t see a soul. Saw a golden eagle and a sea eagle cruising around. Took a detour off to get a better view of Old Man of Storr. Got to campsite in Portree too exhausted to go for dinner.. the Garmin says 4500 calories and 37k so am off for a massive fcuking fry up.
HKCJ, I meant to ask you a bit more about this. I remember you saying earlier that you were more of a hiking man than a balancing on one toe across a tiny ridge type. Was this not fairly brutal in places? After my experience on Bidean (not enjoying some of the heights) I've decided not to put myself through that all again if I can avoid it but obviously still want to get up the hills.
Re: Long distance hiking thread
Posted: Wed Jul 03, 2019 11:43 am
by danny_fitz
Pat the Ex Mat wrote:danny_fitz wrote:Pat the Ex Mat wrote:happyhooker wrote:danny_fitz wrote:Okay, not quite long distance but doing the Snowdon horseshoe this weekend and for a change the weather looks like I might be able to see something from the summit.
Crib goch's no fun if you can see and it's not snowing.
Despite having lived one Mountain along, I've never actually done it due to the weather not cooperating on days I climbed
The last time I was there, my ankle was still to weak to risk it
It was carnage in the mountains this weekend with progress even along Crib Goch being painfully slow due to sheer numbers. The summit of Snowdon was like the sermon on the mount, there were hundreds of people, mostly 'charadee' walkers clogging up the place and flying drones all over the place. There would have been more solitude at Liverpool St station on Monday morning.
Where do you go to school? Friars?
Mate of mine just did a charity thing - up and down 6 of the paths in 12 hours
He's nuts
St Davids in Llandudno, so spent my formative years crawling around in caves, multi pitch climbing, canoeing, sailing and generally 'enjoying' the outdoors. In hindsight it was mental what the staff were getting us to do in the mountains in the middle of winter, sleeping in snowholes and iceaxe work, all character building I guess.
Re: Long distance hiking thread
Posted: Wed Jul 03, 2019 11:50 am
by danny_fitz
HKCJ wrote:. the Garmin says 4500 calories and 37k so am off for a massive fcuking fry up.
[/quote]
That the problem with 'calories burned' measurements , I use it as a target for how much I can eat and drink afterwards. Burned 5300 calories at Reading the regatta the other week which roughly translated into a very large curry and a skinful of pints!
Re: Long distance hiking thread
Posted: Wed Jul 03, 2019 12:00 pm
by Pat the Ex Mat
danny_fitz wrote:
St Davids in Llandudno, so spent my formative years crawling around in caves, multi pitch climbing, canoeing, sailing and generally 'enjoying' the outdoors. In hindsight it was mental what the staff were getting us to do in the mountains in the middle of winter, sleeping in snowholes and iceaxe work, all character building I guess.
Ah, Clwyd then
Yep - we used to go into the old Copper mines without supervision
Great place as a teenager though
Re: Long distance hiking thread
Posted: Wed Jul 03, 2019 1:55 pm
by HKCJ
slick wrote:HKCJ wrote:Currently lying in my tent with the rain pissing down and forecast to rain all day. A small price to pay however for yesterday which was the best days hike I think I’ve ever done. After an initialeasy 15k warm up on Thursday around Rubha Hunish where we got soaked we had far too many beers in the Flodigarry Hotel and set off late at about 9am.. walked the entire Trotternish ridge with a couple of stops on the way and barely a cloud in the sky. The views were just incredible. Has to be the best day of hiking you can do if you get good weather. Quite a few tourists around the Quiraing but once we were past that we didn’t see a soul. Saw a golden eagle and a sea eagle cruising around. Took a detour off to get a better view of Old Man of Storr. Got to campsite in Portree too exhausted to go for dinner.. the Garmin says 4500 calories and 37k so am off for a massive fcuking fry up.
HKCJ, I meant to ask you a bit more about this. I remember you saying earlier that you were more of a hiking man than a balancing on one toe across a tiny ridge type. Was this not fairly brutal in places? After my experience on Bidean (not enjoying some of the heights) I've decided not to put myself through that all again if I can avoid it but obviously still want to get up the hills.
No it was fine. Trotternish ridge is a different beast to the Cuillin ridge. I mean my mate was going right up to the cliff edges and leaning right over whilst I crawled up to them on my hands and knees to have a peak. I’m not great with ledges but I guess I could be worse. With the trotternish ridge there is only a drop on one side so you can stay quite a way from it easily enough. As far as I know the only really tricky bit is the ‘Bad Step’ on the trail which you can see videos of online. I wouldn’t fancy doing that when it’s wet but you can easily take an alternative route to avoid it like we did. Oh there was a pretty daunting couple of km just after the Camasunary bothy if you are walking South. It is a coastal path and was pretty scary in places but thankfully it was only for half an hour. The vast majority of the trail you are walking through glens, forest or can avoid the ledges.
Re: Long distance hiking thread
Posted: Thu Jul 25, 2019 1:44 pm
by danny_fitz
Well managed to get to the top of Grand Paradiso with Mrs Fitz which was pretty cool. Sadly had to sack in my Mt blanc plans as conditions are awful at the moment due to the current heatwave. 0 degrees at 5000m
Re: Long distance hiking thread
Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2019 9:51 pm
by Zakar
I did a hike in southern Iceland in winter. Beautiful, but I'm glad I packed ski Goggles.
Re: Long distance hiking thread
Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2019 1:55 am
by massive_field_goal
looks like a fun little walk. got lucky with the weather though.
Re: Long distance hiking thread
Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2019 1:43 pm
by slick
Taking the day off work on 1st November for a hike in Glencoe or Cairngorms if any local, or not local, boardies fancied a day out. Could be tempted into an overnighter.
Re: Long distance hiking thread
Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2019 1:29 am
by kiwigreg369
Slight update.
Mini-KG has 6 day trek in Dec including Poon Hill, followed by 3-4 community work. Trek is slightly less than he would like (max 3500m I think) but overall looks great.
I think it will give him a good taste of things.
Spoke to another parent last night with kid on same trip - they did Kokoda this year which I think is meant to be 1) excellent, 2) tough.
Quite an Aussie thing to do - anyone done it? What’s the overall experience like?
Re: Long distance hiking thread
Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2019 2:22 am
by massive_field_goal
Humid, muddy, tough is what I have heard, but usually you have porters I believe.
Re: Long distance hiking thread
Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2019 4:10 am
by Caley_Red
kiwigreg369 wrote:Slight update.
Mini-KG has 6 day trek in Dec including Poon Hill, followed by 3-4 community work. Trek is slightly less than he would like (max 3500m I think) but overall looks great.
I think it will give him a good taste of things.
Spoke to another parent last night with kid on same trip - they did Kokoda this year which I think is meant to be 1) excellent, 2) tough.
Quite an Aussie thing to do - anyone done it? What’s the overall experience like?
Prepare for many steps, that's all I'll say
Re: Long distance hiking thread
Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2021 12:03 pm
by danny_fitz
Looking at a trekking holiday in Nepal next year (Annapurna region)and need some recommendations for some trekking companies. Not seeking anything super high end, but a decent midrange outfit who have got their shit together.
Re: Long distance hiking thread
Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2021 5:54 am
by Pat the Ex Mat
Looking at surgery in late January to fix up my troublesome ankle.
My plan is to climb Mt Fuji from sea to summit for my 50th.
Re: Long distance hiking thread
Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2023 9:30 am
by danny_fitz
Thought I would resurrect this thread.
Doing the Chamonix Zermatt Haute Route next month. Managed to luck out and get bookings in all the mountain huts. Should be epic.
Re: Long distance hiking thread
Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2023 10:42 am
by grievous
Just did a short sprint the other week at Cradle Mountain, Tasmania. Would be interested in doing the overland trek when more time but just did Dove Lake circuit. In between two weather fronts and some snow dumps, a hiker got caught up there the same week, sprained ankle, set off her personal alarm beacon and was rescued.
Re: Long distance hiking thread
Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2023 12:50 pm
by iarmhiman
I did the overland trek after a recommendation by hong kong cockney jock.
Best hike i ever did. Possums freaked me out though when they were rummaging through by bag every night.
Lots of leeches as well.
Beautiful trek though, beautiful island, incredible country is Australia
Re: Long distance hiking thread
Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2023 6:37 pm
by dantedelew2
iarmhiman wrote: ↑Mon Jul 03, 2023 12:50 pm
I did the overland trek after a recommendation by hong kong cockney jock.
Best hike i ever did. Possums freaked me out though when they were rummaging through by bag every night.
Lots of leeches as well.
Beautiful trek though, beautiful island, incredible country is Australia
I'd agree with all the above. A great walk and lots of leeches. Awesome scenery, felt properly away from everything.
Re: Long distance hiking thread
Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2023 6:58 pm
by mikeyboy123
danny_fitz wrote: ↑Mon Jul 03, 2023 9:30 am
Thought I would resurrect this thread.
Doing the Chamonix Zermatt Haute Route next month. Managed to luck out and get bookings in all the mountain huts. Should be epic.
Just had a look at that. Looks amazing.
Re: Long distance hiking thread
Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2023 10:53 pm
by Murdoch
danny_fitz wrote: ↑Mon Jul 03, 2023 9:30 am
Thought I would resurrect this thread.
Doing the Chamonix Zermatt Haute Route next month. Managed to luck out and get bookings in all the mountain huts. Should be epic.
The walkers route or the original?
Either looks brilliant but the non-technical route certainly looks slightly more appealing.
Re: Long distance hiking thread
Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2023 1:16 am
by LandOTurk
Re: Long distance hiking thread
Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2023 10:11 am
by danny_fitz
Murdoch wrote: ↑Mon Jul 03, 2023 10:53 pm
danny_fitz wrote: ↑Mon Jul 03, 2023 9:30 am
Thought I would resurrect this thread.
Doing the Chamonix Zermatt Haute Route next month. Managed to luck out and get bookings in all the mountain huts. Should be epic.
The walkers route or the original?
Either looks brilliant but the non-technical route certainly looks slightly more appealing.
There are so many variations on the walk its hard to keep up. I think I am doing the original. Have combined the first two days into one as they were otherwise quite short.
Chamonix - Argentiere to Col de Balme
Col de Balme to Champex-Lac
Champex-Lac to Le Chable
Le Chable to Cabane du Mont Fort
Cabane Mont Fort to Cabane Prafleuri
Cabane Prafleuri to Arolla
Arolla to La Sage/Les Hauderes
Les Hauderes/La Sage to Cabane de Moiry
Cabane de Moiry to Zinal
Zinal to Gruben
Gruben to St Niklaus
St Niklaus to Europahutte
Europahutte to Zermatt
Have not told Mrs Fitz about this bridge on the last day yet. She is a bit twitchy with things like this.
Re: Long distance hiking thread
Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2023 12:23 pm
by massive_field_goal
I have a friend that crossed that very bridge not two days ago, but heading in the opposite direction to yourself. Says it is not as high as it looks, so she will be fine.
Re: Long distance hiking thread
Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2023 1:26 pm
by danny_fitz
massive_field_goal wrote: ↑Tue Jul 11, 2023 12:23 pm
I have a friend that crossed that very bridge not two days ago, but heading in the opposite direction to yourself. Says it is not as high as it looks, so she will be fine.
In her head she will visualise something like this:
Re: Long distance hiking thread
Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2023 6:26 am
by moosehead
A hike I really enjoyed....
West Coast Trail
Vancouver Island in British Columbia Canada. Trail access is from the remote villages of Port Renfrew, Bamfield, and Nitinaht. The entire trail is inside Pacific Rim National Park.
Indigenous Land: The entire West Coast Trail is on the traditional territory of the Huu-ay-aht, Ditidaht, and Pacheedaht First Nations. The trail also passes through several First Nations reserves. These areas are private property, so be respectful.
Distance: Officially, 75km. But unofficially it’s at least 10km longer.
Difficulty: Challenging due to the technical terrain.
Time: Around 7 days.
It consists of rough trails in the forest, boardwalk sections, ladders in and out of deep gorges, and coastal walking on sand, gravel, boulders and smooth sandstone shelf. There are bridges and cable cars across the major waterways, but some of the smaller ones must be forded
Re: Long distance hiking thread
Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2023 6:30 am
by moosehead
Forgot to post a photo of West Coast Trail here in BC...
Re: Long distance hiking thread
Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2023 7:26 am
by Big Nipper
Going to do the Otter Trail in the Garden Route, South Africa. Next year April
Beauty: The definitive 5/5
Difficulty rating: 7/10: The Otter might not be as demanding as some other longer trails, like the Amatola or Outeniqua, but it should not be underestimated. It has some steep climbs and descents, as well as technical river crossings.
Technical rating: Mostly standard trail walking interspersed with “walk-through” river crossings. However, the main technical difficulty of the trail is the Bloukrans River crossing which involves swimming across the river and climbing up steep terrain by use of a rope.
Duration: 45km
The distance is below average for 5-day hikes (just about 45km) but the variety and splendour of the landscapes make it truly mesmerising. Any fit hiker will probably be able to finish each day before lunch time, but the trail offers so much to savour along the way that days are blissfully spent swimming in rivers and streams, walking through dense coastal forest, relaxing on beautiful beaches, gawking at huge waves crashing into the shoreline, enjoying the rich floral, insect and bird life, exploring the underwater world in tidal pools, or gazing at dolphins playing in the waves.
Re: Long distance hiking thread
Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2023 7:29 am
by Gordon Bennett
moosehead wrote: ↑Wed Jul 12, 2023 6:26 am
A hike I really enjoyed....
West Coast Trail
Vancouver Island in British Columbia Canada. Trail access is from the remote villages of Port Renfrew, Bamfield, and Nitinaht. The entire trail is inside Pacific Rim National Park.
Indigenous Land: The entire West Coast Trail is on the traditional territory of the Huu-ay-aht, Ditidaht, and Pacheedaht First Nations. The trail also passes through several First Nations reserves. These areas are private property, so be respectful.
Distance: Officially, 75km. But unofficially it’s at least 10km longer.
Difficulty: Challenging due to the technical terrain.
Time: Around 7 days.
It consists of rough trails in the forest, boardwalk sections, ladders in and out of deep gorges, and coastal walking on sand, gravel, boulders and smooth sandstone shelf. There are bridges and cable cars across the major waterways, but some of the smaller ones must be forded
Sounds great! I've been to Vancouver Island before, but only really to Victoria. On this walk, what do you stay in overnight - taking a tent, or are there huts to stay in or something.