Seeking the thrill: Extreme hikers go the distance

They had been in Nepal for a week trying to reach Thorong La Pass, 17,769 feet above sea level, when they were caught in a snowstorm, unable to make it to the nearest village.

Avalanches roared down the mountain.

Jeremy Aerts and his girlfriend May Wong pressed on: Extreme hiking enthusiasts, they had committed to making it all the way through.

For some people, the idea of facing such obstacles – especially voluntarily – seems crazy. And yet many in the extreme hiking community wouldn’t have it any other way.

The new film “Wild,” based on the memoir by Cheryl Strayed, chronicles a grueling solo hike along 1,100 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, on the border with Mexico, after Strayed’s divorce and the death of her mother.

The movie, which hits theaters Friday, might encourage more travelers to try extreme hiking.

Aerts, 30, a GIS analyst from Pittsburgh, describes that night in Nepal this past spring as the closest he has ever been to death.

Despite being unable to see 10 feet ahead of them, Aerts and Wong continued.

“At one point the wind was so strong it knocked me off my feet,” said Aerts. “We had to break into an abandoned cabin just before dark to spend the night with our guide and another trekking group.”

The payoff came the next day when the couple reached the tiny village of Muktinath, surrounded by Himalayan peaks.

“It was one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever had the chance to see,” he said.

And that, in a nutshell, is why Aerts hikes.

Extreme adventure at the edge of the word: sail and ski in Norway

There are few more thrilling places to ski tour than the Lyngen Alps, a 55-mile chain of peaks that punctuates Norway’s fragmented northerly fringes. ​

“Sometimes you have to do things you’ve never done to get to places you’ve never been.” These are the words of wisdom offered by our mountain guide, Espen Minde, as we take a break from climbing 1,000 metres on skis up an unnamed peak in Norway’s Lyngen Alps. Something, indeed, I’d never done before. We’re also climbing straight into a blizzard. Normally, in conditions like these, I’d have turned back or maybe not even set off in the first place. But Espen, being a Norwegian mountain guide, isn’t put off by driving snow, howling winds and zero visibility. And as our group — comprising six other skiers — has every confidence in Espen’s years of experience touring these wild, often unnamed mountains, we plough on.

Ski touring in the Lyngen Alps isn’t always like this, of course. Aboard the Arctic Eagle catamaran, the comfy floating accommodation for our ski and sail trip around Norway’s northeastern shores, we’ve seen all weathers. On the first day, having sailed for three hours from its base in Tromsø, Arctic Eagle anchored off the coast of Vanna island, afternoon sunlight glinting on the waters of the fjord as our captain, Håkon, ferried us to the rocky shoreline.

Once on dry land, we start our 1,031-metre ascent of Mount Vanntinden. The snowbound peaks of the Lyngen Alps bear down on us from all quarters, rising majestically up into a baby-blue sky. There’s not a soul to be seen and not a sound to be heard other than the gentle lapping of sea against shore.

Espen leads us at a gentle pace, with breaks to take in the view. It’s late April and we’re well north of the Arctic Circle so we have plenty of daylight. The views as we ascend become more spellbinding, the slowly sinking sun casting an increasingly golden glow across mountains and sea. By the time we reach the summit, the sun is just above the horizon and we’re on top of the world in every sense. It’s high fives all round, a fast round of photos, then we need to get moving to get back to the boat before dark.

We remove the climbing skins from the base of our skis (the sheathes that allow you to ascend without constantly slipping backwards), flip our ski touring bindings to ‘descend’ mode, don a couple of warm layers, tighten up rucksack straps, clip into our skis again and set off downhill.

We’re able to spread out and enjoy big, swooping turns across huge snowfields almost all the way back down to the fjord, skiing into the setting sun, a glorious landscape of deserted mountains and dark-blue sea spread before us. Whoops and hollers of excitement are inevitable and why not? There’s no one else around.

Back aboard Arctic Eagle, everyone is ready for a beer, but not before one unavoidable Arctic ritual: a quick dip in the icy Norwegian Sea. With the water temperature at around 5C, no one stays in for long. Warm and buzzing after a hot shower, we gather in the catamaran’s galley around the large table to enjoy freshly caught cod and cold beers, before Captain Håkon, who’s sailing us east to anchor off the coast of Arnøya island for the night, shouts: “Quick! Come up on deck!”

The Northern Lights are doing their thing in the starlit skies above. A relatively muted display of pale-green swirling waves passing over us, but it’s a winning finale to the perfect day. Not every day is so blessed, of course. This is Arctic Norway and the only predictable thing about the weather is its unpredictability, but over the course of the trip we get to ski amid the most incredible scenery, in everything from sunshine to mist, sleet and snow. Eventually, six days after setting sail from Tromsø, Arctic Eagle returns us to its home port. Exhausted, sunburnt, weather battered and happy, we step ashore and say a sad farewell to Captain Håkon and Espen, safe in the knowledge that it’s absolutely worth doing things you’ve never done to get to places you’ve never been.

By Alf Anderson, National Geographic

For more information and details : https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/extreme-adventure-sail-ski-in-norway

 

Port Mac to Sydney Through the Backroads

Hey folks, this week on Pat Callinan’s 4X4 Adventures we’re taking you through the last chapter of our epic Brisbane to Sydney adventure. We’re kicking things off from the stunning Lighthouse Beach in Port Macquarie, all geared up to navigate our way to Sydney, sticking to the dirt roads as much as we can. It’s gonna be a bit of a test as we edge closer to the city, but trust us, we’ve got some top-notch tracks and hidden camping spots to show you.

Our journey from Port Macquarie dives straight into the adventure, cutting through the back of Wauchope, and making our way into the majestic Barrington and Gloucester Tops. It’s about soaking in the Aussie bush, sneaking through wine country near Branxton, and winding up on the outskirts of Sydney, with a final stop at Pat’s all-time favourite local spot. Warhope quickly jumps from tar to dirt, proving you don’t have to stray far from town to get a taste of the wild.

This episode is all about capturing the essence of the Aussie adventure lifestyle, taking the odd detour to explore the best the local areas have to offer. The tracks near Warhope are a real treat – close enough to town for convenience but challenging enough to keep even the most seasoned four-wheel drivers on their toes.

Pat and the crew are loving the switch from beach to bush, with the uphill tracks offering a whole new level of excitement. Warhope is a hidden gem for off-roading enthusiasts, with top-notch tracks practically on its doorstep. And if you happen to have a mishap, well, it’s comforting to know you’re not too far from a helping hand.

As the crew push towards Sydney, it’s about embracing every part of the journey, from the technical climbs to the serene moments in the bush. This last leg is a celebration of the great Australian outdoors, the bonds formed on the road, and the simple joy of exploring our own backyard.

So, join us as we wrap up this incredible journey from Brisbane to Sydney, taking the road less travelled. It’s been a ride full of discovery, camaraderie, and a healthy dose of Aussie adventure. Whether you’re a hardcore four-wheel driver or just love the idea of escaping the city, there’s something in this journey for everyone. Let’s get into it!

Find more information and details : https://mr4x4.com.au/port-mac-to-sydney-through-the-backroads/