Dramatic landscapes provided us a continual Kodak moment throughout. It is late spring in the region and the weather was cooperative with a lot of sunshine. This however is a land where the unexpected is the norm, so we came prepared for occasional wind and rain. After a rest at the lovely Hotel Neruda and a city tour in Santiago, we flew south to Punta Arenas. There we transferred 2 hours by coach to Puerto Natales at the Patagonia steppe. We … [Read more...]
AFS December Christmas Markets Germany
We arrive in Munich and our guide makes it clear this is Bavaria. This trip Bavarians favor autonomy from Germany and even have their own language. I've been here many times but looking through sober eyes now, I find it more vibrant, clean and sophisticated. We spend 2 days with Nancy, an excellent guide who has already emailed me to remain in touch. I have a mini-group of just 26 so this is like a vacation for me. It's a first time abroad … [Read more...]
Mt. Rainier, WA – Pre-Climb
Rainier as seen from start of trail on the way to Camp Muir, and Bergshrund above Ingraham Flats A note regarding the National Park Service links listed on this page. The National Park Service is the most unorganized department for constantly changing links and NOT updating old URL's to point to their new URL's. We like to point our users directly to the correct information and this is a nightmare to keep updated across the articles posted on … [Read more...]
Mt. Rainier, WA – Equipment List
The following are important items that you will want to take to Mt. Rainier if you are planning to climb to the summit via the standard Disappointment Cleaver router. Also, there may be additional items you will want to bring not listed here. This list assumes 2-3 days on the mountain and it assumes you will experience below freezing temperatures and strong winds. For reference, Dave's climb was in late June. Other routes may require more … [Read more...]
Mt. Rainier, WA – The Climb
Introduction We stayed one night at Camp Muir, then crossed the Cowlitz Glacier to Cathedral Gap (10,640 ft) and continued along the rock and scree ridge to Ingraham Glacier and Ingraham Flats at 11,100 ft. We spent the rest of the day here, caught some Z's until just past midnight - then left for the summit, reached the top and returned to Ingraham Flats. At this point due to exhaustion we caught some more Z's and then packed up the tent and … [Read more...]
Mt. Rainier, WA – Seattle
Seattle is a young, vibrant and modern city. It boasts the second tallest building west of the Mississippi. It is a city of coffee shops (not just Starbucks), twenty and thirty "somethings", parks, an intimate relationship with water, and mountaineering & high tech companies. Due to its proximity to the Olympic Peninsula, Cascade Mountains and Puget Sound, Seattle is a city that loves to be outdoors. Numerous outdoor destinations are within a … [Read more...]
Mt. Rainier, WA – More Info
More Information Click on the tabs below for additional Mt. Rainier and Seattle resources: … [Read more...]
Mt. Rainier National Park, WA – July 2006
Mt. Rainier National Park - If you are in the great state of Washington, USA consider a visit to its most famous mountain, Mt. Rainier. This mountain is one of the tallest mountains in the lower 48 states, topping out at 14,410 feet under its huge jagged upper glacier covered slopes. If you plan on climbing to the top, having a guide is recommended unless you have prior roped up experience with glaciers, crevasses and rock falls. For the less … [Read more...]
Choquequirao – the Real Lost City of the Inca
Machu Picchu is one of those things you can't miss, even if you hate crowds and band wagons. It is undoubtedly gorgeous and profound. However, all that 'lost city' stuff sounds like a cheap cliche these days. What is so lost about a shiny train, a bunch of new coaches, international cuisine, inflated tourist trap prices, tactical formations of retired Japanese and millions of North-American kids screaming for mommy? Machu Picchu is a Very Much … [Read more...]
Language Abroad: When Your French is Bad, An English-Speaking Stranger Can Become an Intimate Friend
It was five days into my research trip to Rennes-le-Chateau, a village in the French Pyrenean foothills, and I was lonely. Gathering details for my novel, I had hiked the hilly red dirt of the countryside dotted with helm oaks and dry broom, had walked the narrow roads of the village to the accompaniment of squawking roosters, and had admired the humble stucco houses. I stood in the rooms of the presbytery where my characters -- a priest and his … [Read more...]
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