What is the difference between hiking, and back-country backpacking? The backpack of course! Now, I’m not qualified to tell you how to physically train to survive your backpack: each body is different, and has different needs. You should go to a professional. Also, I’m barely qualified to tell you how to eat with a spork, […]
hiking
- Backpacking
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What was the Big Brown Creature?
Update You asked for it, yes you did, remember? Now behold the Monster and tremble!!! Illustrated by Maxime, I give you the Big Brown Creature, aka Hundreds of Squirrels Wearing the Skin of a Grizzly Bear. And yes, if you look carefully, they are pooping in the bushes.We will never again look at squirrels, or […]
- Backpacking
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Kananaskis Highlands
Here, dear Reader, is the story of my Kananaskis Highlands trek (still in the Canadian Rockies) in August 2018 with Yamnuska, guided by Marc. Everything went splendidly well: I was in better shape (thanks, InspireA+ 😉 I didn’t even feel my backpack! ) I slept every night, warm and cosy, like a particularly comfortable log, […]
- Backpacking
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Three ways to cross a creek
When hiking in the mountains, you will come along quite a number of streams, streamlets, brooks, brooklets, creeks, runnels, and such like. Sometimes, they are small enough that you can just jump them. We are not talking about those. Sometimes, they are so big that you’ll need either to find a bridge, or to walk […]
- Backpacking
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Alternative Banff Highline
I vividly remember that moment, where, in Yamnuska’s headquarter, Alison told us: “It’s going to be rather cold, up there. Snow, and -10.” My blue gear was scattered on the ground as I looked confidently at it. “Are you sure you’ll be ok?” asked Alison, looking doubtfully at my small layers and my very light […]
The 12 Stages of Hiking Mount Washington in Winter Conditions
1-Going up to Hermit Lake with the Tuckerman Ravine trail I think my backpack is trying to murder me. I tried a lot of different configurations, with little success. It’s poking me in the back, and not in a very nice way. Also, my legs refuse to understand they cannot go at the same speed […]
Alpine Hiking Initiation
Dear Reader, I once again interrupt the tale of my quiet travelling to the West Coast to tell you of a more immediate adventure. A few weeks ago on a sunny sunday, with the same team who took me ice climbing a few weeks ago, I learned the ropes of alpine hiking (ahah, learned the […]
Farewells
It’s the last day. The universe understands how I am feeling, thinks it’s sad, and wraps us in a deep fog to match my mood this morning. The guides explain the schedule to me: jeep, walk, separation, walk, jeep, separation. Alain and Claude, the remaining clients, have another two weeks of trek remaining. Two weeks! […]
Landmannalaugar
The day didn’t start very auspiciously: after the first climb, I didn’t feel very well… Cold ? Strange yogurt ? I don’t know, but Mathilde earned my eternal gratitude when she stayed with me and kept me company, and then to top it all, gave me her last stomach medicine… After the medicine, I […]
Crossing the Moon
The day started in the rain. It was a perfect opportunity for me to put on my blue cap and look even more ridiculous than I usually do. Yes dear reader, I know you imagine your favorite Owl looking all daring and fabulous, and I am sorry to disappoint you: I look ridiculous. Blue, with […]