Tag: nature

Humboldt Redwoods Day 1: Bull Creek Flats Loop and Johnson Camp to Grasshopper Peak

June 11, 2025

Wednesday, June 11Humboldt Redwoods State ParkUnceded land of the SinkyoneStart: Bull Creek Flats Trailhead (western most starting location)Stop: Grasshopper Peak via Johnson Camp19.73 miles3,965′ ascent1,104′ descent I depart home after 7 am and pull into the Albee Creek Campground about 8:40 am. There is no one at the welcome booth and the campground host is … More Humboldt Redwoods Day 1: Bull Creek Flats Loop and Johnson Camp to Grasshopper Peak

Ausangate Day 2: Apacheta And Warmisaya Passes, Windy Rainbow Mountain And A Hail Storm

May 24, 2025

Saturday, May 24Start: Pucacocha 15,214′ (4637m)Via: Abra Apacheta 16,184′ (4933m)Via: Abra Warmisaya 16,462′ (5018m)Via: Surine Cocha 15,768′ (4806m)Via: Vinicunca or Montaña de Siete Colores 16,532′ (5039m)Stop: Surine Cocha 15,768′ (4806m)8.18 miles3,103′ ascent2,480′ descentO2 87%46% acclimated to 15,768′, fully acclimated to 8,694′ I fall asleep about 8:30 pm. I resist as long as possible before I … More Ausangate Day 2: Apacheta And Warmisaya Passes, Windy Rainbow Mountain And A Hail Storm

Ausangate Day 1: Upis Qocha, Roaming Alpaca Herds, Chirping Viscacha And Pucacocha Camp

May 23, 2025

Friday, May 23Start: Cusco 11,384′ (3458m)Via: Tinqui, Upis 12,766′ (3891m)Stop: Pucacocha 15,214′ (4637m)7.48 miles1,860′ ascent1,243′ descentO2 average 86%42% acclimated to 15,214′, fully acclimated to 7874′ It’s closer to 10 pm than 9 pm when I finally fall asleep. My alarm goes off at 3:30 am and I snooze it for 10 minutes. Despite the short … More Ausangate Day 1: Upis Qocha, Roaming Alpaca Herds, Chirping Viscacha And Pucacocha Camp

Cusco Zero

May 22, 2025

Thursday, May 22San Blas, Cusco2.44 miles270′ ascent209′ descent It’s a fitful night of sleep. Struggle and unrest. No air. I’m out of breath. It’s gotta be the room. It can’t be the elevation because I was absolutely fine when I arrived nine days ago. I’m used to the early wake-up routine and try to force … More Cusco Zero

Inca Trail Day 5: Descent To Wiñaywayna Lunch And A Grand Entrance At Intipunku Sun Gate To Machupicchu

May 20, 2025

Tuesday, May 20Start: Phuyupatamarca 12,040′ (3670m)Via: Wiñaywayna 8694′ (2650m)Via: Intipunku Sun Gate 9005′ (2745m)Via: Machupicchu 7972′ (2430m)Stop: Aguas Calientes 6693′ (2040m)7.41 miles1,114′ ascent4,879′ descentO2 average 89%100% acclimated to 6939′ and fully acclimated to 7217′ In an effort not to have to get up in the middle of the night, I make a late trip to … More Inca Trail Day 5: Descent To Wiñaywayna Lunch And A Grand Entrance At Intipunku Sun Gate To Machupicchu

Inca Trail Day 4: Salud To Warmiwañusca Pass, Yo-Yo Through Runquraqay, Sayaqmarca, And Phuyupatamarca Cloud Camp

May 19, 2025

Monday, May 19Start: Llulluchapampa 12,407′ (3781m)Via: Warmiwañusca Dead Woman’s Pass 13,898′ (4236m)Via: Runquraqay Pass 13,025′ (3970m)Stop: Phuyupatamarca 12,040′ (3670m)6.82 miles3,398′ ascent3,868′ descentO2 average 87%46% acclimated to 12,038′ and fully acclimated to 6889′ I drift off to sleep just before 9 pm. I do my usual tossing and turning but sleep pretty well until about 2 … More Inca Trail Day 4: Salud To Warmiwañusca Pass, Yo-Yo Through Runquraqay, Sayaqmarca, And Phuyupatamarca Cloud Camp

Salkantay Inca Day 3: Paucarcancha Ruins, Jungle Flower Parade, Joining The Inca Trail At Huayllabamba And Llulluchapampa Camp

May 18, 2025

Sunday, May 18Start: Paucarcancha 10,270′ (3130m)Via: Huayllabamba/Inca Trail 9,706′ (2958m)Stop: Llulluchapampa 12,407′ (3781m)~3.5 miles2,701′ ascent618′ descentO2 88%37% acclimated to 12,415′ and fully acclimated to 6233′ I sleep as well as possible and better than the night before. Our extra miles yesterday translate into a leisurely morning and I get to sleep in until 6 am. … More Salkantay Inca Day 3: Paucarcancha Ruins, Jungle Flower Parade, Joining The Inca Trail At Huayllabamba And Llulluchapampa Camp

Salkantay Day 2: Sunny Incachiriaska Pass And The Long Descent Of Pampacahuana Canyon

May 17, 2025

Saturday, May 17Start: Ichupata 13.55274 S, 72.553491 W 14,768′ (4,502m)Via: Incachiriaska Pass 16,278′ (4962m)Via: Sisaypampa ~14,000′ (42670m)Stop: Paucarcancha 10,270′ (3130m)O2 average 81%11.65 miles1,633′ ascent6,036′ descent It’s always hard to fall asleep after a full day of hiking. I toss and turn and eventually fall asleep. I kinda wake up and work hard to convince myself … More Salkantay Day 2: Sunny Incachiriaska Pass And The Long Descent Of Pampacahuana Canyon

Salkantay Day 1: Sweaty Humantay Lake, Chilled Terminal Moraine Lunch And A Pachamama Offering Ceremony

May 16, 2025

Friday, May 16Start: Soraypampa via Cuzco 12,361′ (3,850m)Stop: Ichupata 13.55274 S, 72.553491 W 14,768′ (4,502m)Acclimated to 4,429′ and O2@85%5.85 miles3,248′ ascent1,145′ descent I awake at 3:30 am, far earlier than body and mind are ready. I take my last shower for 5 days and pull the final threads of my shit together. Just after 4 … More Salkantay Day 1: Sweaty Humantay Lake, Chilled Terminal Moraine Lunch And A Pachamama Offering Ceremony

King Crest Lost Coast Day 3: The Early Bird Gets The Lost Coast Serenity

May 1, 2025

Thursday, May 1King Range Lost Coast LoopKing Range National Conservation AreaUnceded lands of the Sinkyone, Cahto and Yuki Coast people18.71 miles3,833′ ascent1,080′ descent I awake several times during the night. What is that I feel? Yep, sure enough, it’s a tick crawling on my neck. Unable to crush it to death, I put it outside … More King Crest Lost Coast Day 3: The Early Bird Gets The Lost Coast Serenity