Video: Trekking The Great Himalaya Trail in Nepal

Looking for your next big hiking adventure? Than consider the Great Himalaya Trail in Nepal, which runs for more than 1700km (1056 miles) through the High Himalaya. The video below was created by someone who hiked the trail and gives a great indication of what to expect while on it. It looks like an amazing hike.

Thanks to Julian Monroe Fisher for sharing this on his Facebook page.

NY Mets Pitcher To Climb Kilimanjaro Against Team's Wishes

R.A. Dickey, a pitcher for the New York Mets baseball team, will set off tomorrow to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa, despite the wishes of the ball club. Dickey will be making the climb as part of a fundraiser for Bombay Teen Challenge, organization dedicated to rescuing and saving young sex slaves that are put to work in brothels in India. He will be joined on the trek by Dave Racaniello, a bullpen catcher for the Mets, and Colorado Rockies pitcher Kevin Slowey, who is a former teammate.

When the Mets got word of Dickey's intentions, they sent a letter to his agent objecting to the player's plans to climb Kili, the tallest mountain in Africa at 5895 meters (19,340 ft). The team wanted to go on record with their concerns in case something were to happen to Dickey, which would prevent him from playing for the team next season – a season in which the 37-year old pitcher is scheduled to earn $4.5 million. In the letter, Met's management stated that they reserve the right to terminate his contract should something go wrong while on the climb.

Of course, this is mostly just posturing on the part of the Mets, who don't want to see one of their players injured and unable to play before Spring Training even gets underway. But climbing Kilimanjaro isn't exactly fraught with dangers. Yes, it can be a physical challenge, and yes there are some risks involved, but thousands of people climb the mountain each year without any problems, and the likelihood of anything happening to Dickey is remotely small.

As the Adventure Journal points out, the Mets are actually missing out on a good opportunity for PR with this climb, and instead are coming off looking a bit like jerks. Professional sports are always about the money of course, and as I mentioned, they're out to protect their investment. It just seems like they could have found a better way of handling the entire situation.

Apa Sherpa To Hike Great Himalayan Trail

Two famous Sherpa mountain guides are preparing to embark on another epic adventure in mid-January, when they set off to hike the entire length of the 1700km (1056 mile) Great Himalayan Trail. Starting on January 15th, Apa Sherpa and Dawa Steven Sherpa will begin the trek, which is expected to take roughly 120 days to complete.

Touted as the highest altitude long distance trail in the world, the GHT isn't likely to pose much of a problem for these two men. Apa has reached the summit of Everest an astounding 21 times, while Dawa has been to the top of the world's highest peak on two occasions himself. They've chosen to undertake this latest challenge in an effort to raise the profile of the trail and bring economic investment to its development. They'll begin their journey in eastern Nepal in the village of Ghunsa and will march west until they reach the town of Darchula. Along the way, they'll pass through 20 different districts, surrounded by the unmatched mountain landscapes of the Himalaya.

Along the way, Apa and Dawa will also be looking to raise awareness of the impact of global climate change on the region as well. That has been a particularly important topic with the Sherpas over the past few years, as mountain glaciers retreat, taking their fresh water supply with them. This is an important issue for Nepal, particularly in remote rural areas, where villagers often have to walk for hours each day just to collect fresh water.

Hopefully the two men will post updates along the way and will share their journey online. In the past Apa has often posted about his Everest climbs online, and if he does something similar with this trek, I'll post regular updates on their progress here.

The GHT sounds like an amazing experience and I hope that it garners more attention amongst trekkers and backpackers.

Nat Geo's Adventure Travel Destinations For 2012

As 2011 grinds to its inevitable end, it is now time to start looking forward to 2012 and making plans for our adventures in the year that is ahead. With that in mind, the National Geographic Adventure blog has shared their picks for the top destinations and activities for 2012.

Some of the places earning a spot on the list include Mammoth Mountain in California, which is famous for its great snowboarding and skiing. Those looking for a different kind of mountain experiences are encouraged to travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina for a mountain biking adventure or visit China to take on the 7498 meter (24,600 ft) tall Mustagata. Paddlers will have plenty to choose from as well, as the list provides kayaking opportunities in Idaho and Rhode Island, as well as an epic canoe trip through the Allegheny Mountains of Pennsylvania.

All in all, a pretty great list of suggestions for making plans for next year. I'll be writing my own top ten travel list for Gadling.com soon, and this year I'm going to take a slightly different tact. Instead of listing a specific destination, I'm going to list a specific adventure from a specific travel company that can help you get the most out of your travels. So, rather than saying go to Nepal because its great for the following reasons, I'm going to instead recommend trekking the Annapurna Circuit with a specific adventure travel company. This is just an example, but I'll be sure to share my list here once it goes live over at Gadling too. I think you'll like some of the suggestions.

Until that time, be sure to read Nat Geo's list, as it does have some great suggestions, not all of which will destroy your bank account.

Walking Home From Mongolia: A Month In!

Way back in August, I told you about the Walking Home From Mongolia expedition, which would put adventurers Rob Lilwall and Leon McCarron on a 5000km (3106 mile) journey from Mongolia to Hong Kong, in the dead of winter no less. The plan was to travel both on foot and by kayak, and the entire trip was expected to take roughly six months. The boys hit the trail exactly one month ago today, and have been making excellent progress since.

Their journey began in the village of Sainshand back on November 14th, when Rob and Leon started their march into the Gobi Desert. Ahead of them was more than 200km (124 miles) of one of the harshest environments on the planet, and when the began, over night temperatures were hovering around the -18ºC/0ºF range. The plan was to hike across the Gobi, then cross the Chinese border at a city named Datong. From there, they would follow a stretch of the Great Wall for another 200km, continuing their slow, methodical walk south. On November 24th, the duo crossed the border after just 12 days of hiking. It turned out that the actual distance was closer to 250km (155 miles), but they managed to cover it at a good pace none the less. Temperatures got even colder however, reaching -30ºC/-22ºF at times, and knocking their comm units out of commission until things warmed up a bit.

Two days ago, Rob and Leon reached the town of Chahar Youyi Houqi, where they report that they are now entering a more heavily populated area of China, and they are encountering settlements with more regularity. Leon notes that many of them are ghost towns, so their interaction with the people there remains scarce. Still, they are seeing a definite change in the landscapes and are their brushes with modern life.

The weather, as you would expect at this time of year, remains quite cold and there is plenty of snow falling around them. Keep in mind however, that winter doesn't officially begin until next week, which means there are some very long and cold months ahead before they reach Hong Kong. If they are dealing with snow and sub-zero temperatures already, it is probably only going to get worse moving forward.

Follow Rob and Leon's adventure on their website and Facebook page for further updates and images from the field.

New Long Distance Trekking Trail Set To Open In New Zealand

Long distance hikers looking for a new challenge will have one starting December 3rd. That's when the Te Araroa foot trail opens in New Zealand, offering a  route that is more than 3000km (1864 miles) in length, stretching from north to south across the entire country.

Te Araroa, which means The Long Pathway, stretches from Cape Reinga, in the northernmost tip of New Zealand's North Island to Bluff, located in at the southernmost end of the South Island. Walking the entire length of the trail will take backpackers through thick forests, past verdant farmland, up volcanoes and mountains, and across open meadows. The trail even passes through seven cities, which will serve as great starting and ending points or places to resupply.

Building this epic trail was no small feat, as it was mainly accomplished by volunteers who worked many long years to link up a series of trails and fill in open spaces on the map. In fact, it took more than 17 years to complete this project, with all kinds of legal, technical, and physical challenges that had to be overcome in order to bring it into existence.

The official opening ceremony will take place at 10 AM local time on December 3rd in Wellington, which is almost exactly the middle point of the trail. After that, it'll be officially open for long distance hikers, and the countdown will begin as to who will be the first to trek it end-to-end.

Cool story and a great new trail. Thanks to Lou-Phi for sharing. I'm sure you're already plotting your adventures on the Te Araroa my friend.

Ski The Himalayas S3E10: Trekking The Annapurna Circuit

Ben Clark and Jon Miller continue their Himalayan adventure in Episode 10 of Season 3 of Ski the Himalayas. In this video, the boys and their rest of their team, climb up above 16,000 feet and play in the Himalaya snow a bit. In this latest video of the series, we get a good look at the Annapurna Circuit, one of the more popular treks in Nepal and one of the best routes in the entire world. The scenery is simply gorgeous in this episode.

Ski The Himalayas S3E9: Modest Mountain Accommodations

Acclimatization is the word of the day in the latest episode of Ski the Himalayas. With the team on their way to Base Camp at last, acclimatization becomes an important consideration as they plan their climb and eventual ski descent, on Thorung Peak. In this edition of the show, the team actually stops in a small Nepali teahouse on their route, and give us a guided tour at the same time. If you haven't ever seen one this is your chance to scope out the accommodations while trekking through the Himalaya. They are very modest to say the least.

Soldier Told He'd Never Walk Again Now Trekking To Everest Base Camp

In 2007, British solider Jonathan La Galloudec was wounded in combat while serving in Iraq. The young man was hit in the spine by gunfire, and doctors told him that he would never walk again. Not taking no for an answer however, Jonathan continued to work hard, rehab from his injuries, and focused on getting his life back to normal. His hard work paid off, and while he remains partially paralyzed, he did learn to walk once more.

Now, the former solider is making the trek to Everest Base Camp as part of an expedition to support the Help For Heroes organization, a non-proft dedicated to raising money to help servicemen and women who have suffered injuries in the line of duty. A few days back, Jonathan and his team began the trek, which will take him up to 5364 meters (17,600 ft.), the location of Base Camp on the world's tallest mountain. You can follow his progress by clicking here.

The expedition is sponsored by Energizer, who have pledged to donate £100,000 ($160,000) to the H4H organization, plus an addition £20,000 for reaching specific targets in Facebook likes. The overall goal is to raise £500,000 ($800,000) total. You can aid in that cause by going to the Everest Hero Diary page on Facebook and clicking the "Like" button.

According to the PR on this trek, since being wounded, Jonathan has struggled at times just to go for a walk in the rain, as the conditions made it difficult for him to get around. Considering that weather conditions in the Himalaya have been less than ideal lately, the young man could be having a rough go of it on this hike. Even in the best of conditions however, the trek can take its toll on those who aren't prepared. When I did it last year, I saw perfectly healthy people struggle with the altitude and steep climbs. Still, La Galloudec seems determined to reach his goal, and if everything goes as planned, he should be in EBC by November 22nd.

Learn more about Jonathan and this trek in the video below.

Hiker (and his dog) Completes Cross Country Journey

Sometimes you just have to take a hike.

That's what Tyler Coulson thought when earlier this year he quit his job as a Chicago lawyer and decided to walk across the U.S. with his dog Mable. Their journey came to an end yesterday when Tyler and Mable arrived at the Pacific Ocean in San Diego California. 

The trek, which would ultimately cover more than 3000 miles, started back in March, when Couslon and his pup set out from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, where they were able to gain access to the American Discovery Trail. It wasn't easy going at first (his pack weighed 90 pounds!), but the pair soon found their rhythm and were off on a cross country odyssey that would take nearly eight months to finish. Along the way, Tyler chronicled his adventures on his blog, sharing news and wisdom from the road. He also used Twitter to stay in touch, and sent out an image from the beach yesterday, indicating that he was done. 

Who hasn't considered chucking their day job and heading out on some fantastic adventure? Major congratulations are in order for Tyler, who not only accomplished this massive cross-country trek, but also gave up his corporate job to follow his dreams. Reading through his blog entries, it seems he had a lot of ups and downs along the way, but came away a different person, with different goals for the future. I imagine it is nearly impossible to undertake a journey like this and not come away unchanged, but it seems he and Mable really did have a life altering experience. 

Thanks to Erich for sharing this with via Facebook. Much appreciated and good luck on your own hike along the John Muir next year!

Bad Weather Strands Trekkers In Lukla Again

Efforts to evacuate trekkers from Lukla, Nepal are underway today after bad weather has left many stranded for the past six days. The small mountain town has one of the few airports in the High Himalaya,  and is the starting point for most climbers and hikers who are making the trek to Mt. Everest. Rain and fog have made it impossible for planes to land at the airport, which is already amongst the most dangerous in the world, preventing anyone from returning to Kathmandu.

All told, about 2000 travelers have been stranded in the village since last week, although CNN reports that some left yesterday on foot for the town of Jiri. It is a four day hike to that location, but once there, the trekkers will be able to board buses back to Kathmandu. Meanwhile, helicopters have begun shuttling people back to Nepal's capitol, with most expected to be evacuated today and another 500 or so taken out tomorrow.

You may recall that hundreds of trekkers were stuck in Lukla last November as well, as poor weather can be a real issue this time of year in the Himalaya. Compounding the issue, Lukla isn't exactly set-up to house large amounts of people for days at a time, as there are limited rooms available in the tea houses and food needs to be delivered on the incoming planes.

On my visit to the village last year, we stayed over night in Lukla on our return trip from Everest Base Camp. It was one of the more well stocked and comfortable locations along the trek, but that still isn't saying much. Most people come and go very quickly from the town and I suspect with 2000 people stranded there, they had to resort to setting up tents where ever possible and rationing food and drinks to a degree. Fortunately, it seems that the issues are finally being resolved.

The other side of this story is of course the people that are stranded in Kathmandu who were hoping to go on their trek right now. They haven't been able to fly out to Lukla for the past week either, so I'm sure they are more than eager to hit the trail. No word on when that will start happening, and while the weather is improving, it hasn't gotten dramatically better just yet.

Canadian Man Completes 11-Year Walk Around The Globe

A Canadian man who has spent the last 11-years walking around the world, completed his march yesterday, arriving back home in Montreal. Over the course of his journey, he covered more than 75,500 km (46,913 miles) and burned through 54 pairs of shoes.

The 56-year Jean Béliveau began his World Wide Walk back in August of 2000 as an attempt to not only circumnavigate the globe under his own power, but also promote peace and non-violence as a way of making the world a better place for children. His route first took him south across North and South America, where he then jumped over to Africa and began heading north once again. From there, it was on to Europe, before turning east to cross Asia to Japan, then down to Australia and New Zeland, and finally returning to Canada.

For the most part, Béliveau traveled alone, pushing a three wheeled cart that carried his gear. Over the course of the trip, he pushed that cart through 60 different countries, where he often stayed in the homes of the people he met along the way. He said that one of the most rewarding parts of the journey was experiencing the cultures in those nations first hand and embracing as much as he could along the way.

According to the story I linked to above, Béliveau hadn't been home to Montreal since he embarked on his walk a decade ago. In fact, he met his five year old granddaughter for the first time upon his arrival back to the city, where he was greeted by his wife as well. The journey began out of what he describes as a mid-life crisis, but now he's ready to be home, where he intends to write about his travels, do some public speaking, and continue to promote the cause of peace.

Pretty impressive hike this guy went on. Even more impressive his how understanding his wife must be!

CheapTents Interview: Adventurer Leon McCarron

The gang over at CheapTents.com have posted another one of their excellent interviews today, this time with adventurer Leon McCarron. If that name sounds familiar to you, it may be because he is one of the two men who are planning to walk from Mongolia to Hong Kong, a journey of 3500km (2175 miles) that will commence in November.

In the interview Leon discusses a previous cycling adventure, during which he rode more than 22,500km (14,000 miles) from New York to Hong Kong, passing through a number of countries along the way. He also gives insights into the inspirations for going on these adventurers, and his favorite pieces of gear as well. Perhaps most of interest however, is his thoughts on the upcoming Mongolia to Hong Kong expedition, how he is preparing for it, and what he expects that trek to be like. As someone who has cycled more than hiked (and paddled) he thinks it could be a real struggle at first.

Leon also happens to be a filmmaker, and he has used that skill on his previous cycling journeys, so I would expect we'll see some interesting videos from Mongolia and China once he and his traveling companion, Rob Lilwall, hit the road in a few months.

Alan Arnette's Kilimanjaro Climb Begins

Last week I posted a video of Alan Arnette sharing his gear for Kilimanjaro with the rest of us. At the time, Alan was busy preparing to leave for Africa, where he would be climbing that mountain, which is the sixth of his Seven Summits for Alzheimer's expedition. After spending a few days in Europe, Alan arrived in Tanzania a few days ago and began his Kili climb in ernest today. He also started blogging about his adventure, giving us all the opportunity to follow along as he heads to the Roof of Africa over the next few days.

Today's entry is a brief one, but brings back quite a few memories for me. When climbing Kilimanjaro you actually pass through five different climate zones on the way to the summit, and today Alan hiked through the Could Forest. In his update, he notes that it felt more like Costa Rica or Hawaii than Africa, and when I did this leg a few years back, I thought the same. It was warm and humid and it didn't take long for me shirt to get soaked in sweat. That shirt wouldn't dry until I returned to Arusha at the end of the climb.

Alan his trekking the Machame Route, which is considered one of the more challenging, but scenic. I took the same route when I was there, and as he describes the trail, I can remember it well. It was a steep ascent, gaining more than 3800 feet of altitude on the first day, but by the time you're finished, you've arrived at camp, which sits on the edge of the next climate zone, an alpine marshland. Alan will hike through that tomorrow.

For anyone considering a Kilimanjaro trek, you'll definitely want to follow along with Alan's blog over the next few days. I'm sure he'll be posting regular updates on his progress, and he'll likely be sharing lots of information from the trail. It could also be insightful for those considering the adventure, as it is more challenging than what some would lead you to believe. That said, it is also amazingly beautiful and one of the top treks in the world.

Alan was more fortunate than I was on my first day on Kili. I didn't see any wildlife of note that day, but he reports that his team was shadowed by Blue Monkeys at one point. I had to wait until I was on safari to see the wildlife, and if you're going to Tanzania to do Kili, you owe it to yourself to stay a few days longer to visit the Serengeti as well. It is one of my favorite places in the world, easily living up to, and exceeding, all expectations.

Gear List For Kilimanjaro

As many of you know, mountaineer Alan Arnette is in the midst of his Seven Summit Climbs for Alzheimer's during which he hopes to reach the top of the highest mountains on each of the seven continents in an effort to raise money and awareness of the Cure Alzheimer's Fund.  He has already completed four of the climbs (Vinson, Aconcagua, Everest, and Elbrus) and was denied a summit attempt on Denali due to persistent bad weather, and in a few days time he'll leave for Africa, where he'll attempt Kilimanjaro.

Over the weekend, Alan posted an update to his blog sharing the gear that he'll be taking with him on this climb. As he notes, Kili is a different kind of climb, as it is actually a "hike-up" mountain that includes a lot of altitude, but not much technical challenge. The result is that it isn't as gear intensive as some of the other big peaks, although Summit Day does require warmer gear than most of the rest of the trek. Alan also included a video showing off his specific gear and sharing the items that he's taking with him. You'll find that video below.

I know that Kilimanjaro is is a popular destination for many adventure travelers, and I regularly get e-mails regarding the trek. I thought that Alan's blog post and video would come in handy for anyone planning their own trip to Kili as it will help you to know what exactly you should be taking with you when you head to Tanzania. There is no need for a bulky down suit on this expedition, although you do pass through five climate zones from the base of the mountain to the summit, so you still need to bring plenty of gear along.

After Kili, Alan will next head to Indonesia to climb Carstensz Pyramid and then on to Australia for Mt. Kosciuszko, the tallest point on that continent.

Adventurers Plan To Walk From Mongolia To Hong Kong

Two adventurers are preparing for an epic expedition that will have them traveling on foot and by kayak from Ulaanbaator, Mongolia to Hong Kong, China. The journey will cover more than 3500km, and because it wasn't challenging enough on its own, they've decided to do it during the winter.

In November of this year, Rob Lilwall and Leon McCarron will set out on a self supported expedition that begins in Outer Mongolia and travels south through the Gobi Desert. From there, they'll cross into China and follow the Great Wall to the Yellow River. Once they arrive at the river, they'll use inflatable kayaks, which they'll carry in their backpacks, to paddle to the city of Xi An, a city whose history dates back more than 3100 years. From there, they'll get back on land and finish their expedition with a trek through the mountains of central China, before ultimately reaching the finish line in Hong Kong. If all goes as planned, that should happen sometime in March of 2012.

The journey will be chronicled and eventually turned into a television series for National Geographic, but will also serve as a vehicle to raise funds for the Viva organization, a non-profit charity that works to provide educational opportunities for underprivileged children across the globe.

No strangers to adventure, Brit Rob Lilwall once rode more than 48,000 kilometers on his bike, starting in Siberia and ending in London. Along the way he visited Tibet, Afghanistan, and a number of other out of the way places. Irishman Leon McCarron is a documentary cameraman who has worked on five continents and has put in a fair share of time on the bike as well. McCarron recently rode more than 23,000km from New York to Hong Kong while shooting footage of the people he met along the way.

Be sure to drop by their website at WalkingHomeFromMongolia.com for more information on their expedition and to follow along when they get started in a few months time. Good luck boys!

Jennifer Pharr Davis Sets New Speed Record On The Appalachian Trail

Way back in early June I posted a story about Jennifer Pharr Davis, who held the women's speed record for thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, but was just about to set out on an attempt to break her own record. Now, just a couple of months later, she's completed the hike and set a new record in the process.

Jennifer first hiked the AT end-to-end back in 2008, completing the 2200 mile (3540km) trek in 57 days, 8 hours, and 35 minutes. The record she established yesterday, upon reaching the top of Springer Mountain in Georgia, shaves more than ten days off that mark, as she finished the entire hike in 46 days, 11 hours, 20 minutes. For those doing the math at home, that means she averaged about 47 miles per day. This time out she not only set the speed record for women however, but for all hikers. She beat the old record, held by Andrew Thompson, which was set back in 2005 and was 47 days, 13 hours, 31 minutes.

Setting out on June 15th, Jennifer had planned to walk for longer days than she did on her 2008 AT hike. She began at the trail head on Mount Katadin in Maine and kept chugging along south until she reached the end in Georgia over the weekend, where she was met by about 50 people, who were on hand to welcome her to the finish line.

The full story of her trek will probably come out once she's had time to rest and recover, and I'm sure she has some interesting stories from the trail. Along the way, she had to deal with some nagging injuries, intense heat, and plenty of other obstacles, and yet she stayed focused, hiked 15-16 hour days, and averaged about 3 miles per hour while on the move. Not bad all things considered.

Congrats to Jennifer on this impressive feat. The AT is no easy trail to tame and to do it in a month-and-a-half is really amazing. Well done!

Trekkers Complete First Thru-Hike Of Great Himalaya Trail

Two trekkers, Australian Greg Babbage and Brit Toni Wilson, have walked their way into the record books by becoming the first people to hike the length of the Great Himalaya Trail in Nepal end-to-end in a single season. The pair began their walk back in February and finished up just a few days ago, covering more than 1700km (1056 miles) in the process.

You can read all about Greg and Toni's adventure on TrekTheGreatHimalayaTrail.com, which is where they posted updates about their journey over the past few months. The duo began their excursion in the eastern part of Nepal, near Kanchenjunga and wandered west to Humla, in the Yari Valley, where the borders between Nepal and China meet. Along the way, they passed over 25 high mountain passes, reaching a maximum altitude of 6200 meters (20,341 ft) in the process. All told, the entire trek took 157 days to complete.

When it is completed, the GHT will be the longest and highest trekking route in the world, stretching for more than 4500km  (2796 miles) from Nanga Parbat in Pakistan to Namche Barwa in Tibet. The proposed final route will pass through Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet, with the splendor of the tallest mountains on the planet as a dramatic backdrop.

For now however, the route across Nepal is the only section that is completely open for trekkers to hike, and Australian adventure travel company World Expeditions offers travelers the opportunity to take it on – either in sections or as one massive hike. The company is already organizing excursions for 2012, preparing a great trip for anyone looking for a Himalayan experience that is unmatched by any other trek through the region. If you have 157 days of vacation to burn, then I'd recommend you take this walk.

Gear Box: Hiking Socks From Keen and Dahlgren

Remember the old days, when we'd head out on a hike in a pair of basic leather boots and tube socks? At the end of the day, we'd be so happy that we reached our destination, simply so we could kick of our shoes and air out our tired, sore, and usually stinky, feet. A lot has changed since then. Our boots have certainly improved, becoming more comfortable and durable at the same time. Hiking shoes have become high tech wonders, mixing the latest waterproof and wicking fabrics, with Vibram soles and comfortable padding. As a result, our feet are more protected, and pampered, than ever, making it even more enjoyable to be out on the trail.

But boots aren't the only thing that have gotten better, as hiking socks continue to evolve as well. Now days, there are a wide variety of socks to wrap your feet in and keep them well protected from the rigors of the trail. They come in a variety of weights for trekking in the summer heat all the way up to the icy cold of the polar regions, with every conceivable environment in between getting covered as well. I recently had the opportunity to test out new hiking socks from two different companies, and I came away quite impressed with both.

First, I received a pair of Boulder Canyon Lite Sox from Keen. Made from soft, comfortable Merino Wool, these socks were a joy to wear from the moment I slipped them on. They offer a snug fit, in the best possible way, without feeling restrictive in the least. You'll find the usual Keen attention to detail is alive and well in the Bolder Canyon socks as well, as their seamless design ensures that they don't irritate your feet on long hikes either.

One interesting design element in these socks is that there is actually a left and right designation to them. Keen designed them to be extremely comfortable, and that means building them specifically for each foot, and when you have a sock on the wrong foot, you can definitely tell a difference. (I know this because I tested them, not because I wasn't paying attention and put them on the wrong feet. I promise! *Ahem*) Fortunately, Keen was smart enough to put a little "R" and "L" on the socks to help me keep them straight, and when they're worn correctly, they just might be the most comfortable hiking sock I've ever used.

The Boulder Canyons stood up well on my trail tests, keeping my feet comfortable and dry, even in the heat of the Texas summer. And as we all know, dry, comfortable feet don't get blisters and at the end of the day, they're more weel rested as well. After putting in a few miles on a local hike, I was still able to go for an evening run without missing a beat. I think these socks are the just another ploy by Keen to make sure I never put anything on my feet that isn't from their catalog. It might be working.

The Keen Boulder Canyon Sox have an MSRP of $16.95 and they're worth every penny.

The other hiking socks I've been testing are the Ultra Light Trail and Light Hiking socks from Dahlgren. Like their Keen counterparts, these socks also use Merino Wool, but they also mix in fabrics made from the fur of an Alpaca as well. This blend results in a super-soft, yet incredibly absorbent sock that also kept my feet cool and dry on hot weather hikes. I was especially impressed with the "ultra light" version of the socks in this regard, as they are incredibly thin and lightweight, yet still comfortable to wear and just as protective of your feet as the medium weight offerings. Both version breathed well and did a good job of  preventing blisters, although I admittedly rarely suffer from blisters in the first place.

Dahlgren is a company that is serious about socks. In fact, it is the only product they make, and it shows. Their products fit very well, are super comfortable, and definitely do what they're designed to do – namely keep your feet dry. Whether you're on a day hike on a local trail or heading to the Himalaya for a weeks long trek,  Dahlgren has the perfect sock to keep you moving along. The Ultra Light Trail socks carry an MSRP of $18.45, while the Light Hiking Socks will run you $21.45. That may seem a bit on the high side, but these are high quality adventure socks that will last you for a very long time, and they are definitely worth the money as well.

So, if I had to recommend to pick one of these pairs over the other, what would it be? There is no easy answer to that. The Dahlgren Ultra Light socks were absolutely perfect for the triple digit heat we've been experiencing all summer here in Texas, while the Keen Boulder Canyons are super comfy for trails in moderate temperatures. Either way, you can't go wrong, and once you try these socks, you'll wonder why you'd ever use anything else again.

Equatoria Update: The Walk Across Africa Is Done

Explorer and anthropologist Julian Monroe Fisher has completed his Equatoria - A Walk Across Africa expedition a few days back, reaching the coast of Angola after weeks in the field. Monroe Fisher made the walk in support of the Mines Advisory Group, an organization dedicated to removing explosives and other weaons left over from conflicts, and ultimately it was those very devices that had an impact on the final stages of the trek.

Monroe Fisher set off on his journey back in April, departing from the town of Pemba, located along the east coast of Mozambique. The plan was to travel 4000 miles from the Indian Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean, completely on foot, but at various stages of the journey, Julian was forced to travel under other means for safety reasons.

He had hoped to end the expedition in Angola, in the village of Lobito, after crossing through Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, and Malawi. Unfortunately, he was forced to alter his plans to a degree, ending the trek a bit early in the Angolan village of Lucusse. The decision was made out of concerns for Julian's safey, as he was hiking through the province of Moxico, which is amongst the most heavily mined regions in all of Africa. Just how bad is it there? Just a few days prior to his arrival, a MAG team removed eight land mines that they had discovered in the area. The devices had been in place since the early 1980's.

After ending his trek in Lucusse, Julian did visit an Angolan beach along the Atlantic Ocean, where he was greeted by Antonio Lemos, Country Office Manager for MAG Angola. That meeting officially brought an end to the journey. Reflecting on the expedion,  Monroe Fisher said: "Africa is a complexmixture of beauty and ugliness all wrapped up into one vast space. What MAG is doing is trying to reduce that ugliness and allow the opportunity for that natural beauty to shine! I applaud MAG Angola’s work and I am ever grateful for the warm hospitality they and the people of Angola have extended to me along with the amazing experience MAG Angola has provided me with.”