Went for a solo hike today in Saxon Switzerland (Germany) to the Bastei Bridge: Started in Wehlen, there’s a small ferry to the other side of the Elbe, and then it’s about 290m ascension over the Mahlerweg until you reach Bastei Bridge. Beautiful scenery, perfect weather for it today 👌🏻

It was an icy hike up. I didn’t bring crampons cause I didn’t think I’d need them but it would have been a million times more enjoyable with some. I would have turned around if I didn’t bring my trekking poles though. The wind at the summit was intense so I only stayed about 15 minutes but it was incredibly beautiful 💜

I went on a trip a few weeks ago and my filter wasn’t sealing well on a smart water bottle. It dripped stream water into my clean bottle a few times which I assumed
(Hoped) wouldn’t be a problem. Few days after I got home my stomach started hurting and I got the squirts for 3 days. I went 32 hours without food as a result.

Be careful about even a small amount of unfiltered water getting in your drinking supply. You may get the squirts like me. Happy trails.

These are some of highlights on the high route of the "Alay Traverse" across southern Kyrgyzstan (not to be confused with the "Heights of Alay" 100km trek). The area has very diverse geography and the usual unpredictable mountain weather. The highest pass was about 4300 meters (14,000 feet). But overall it was not a hard route thanks to shepherd resupply caravan trails through all of the high passes.

This landscape is on the way to the Acsibi Caves—a wonderful place that looks like it’s from another planet. It is not a demanding hike, nor does it present many difficulties; it is ideal for older adults.

I did EBC + Gokyo in the last week of September 2026 with a group of 3 people.

We did EBC first and had Cho La Pass in our original plan. But after finishing EBC, we were already exhausted, so we ended up taking a helicopter to Gokyo instead of crossing the pass.

There was snow around Gokyo, and hiking up to Gokyo Ri was really hard. But the views from the top were incredible, and seeing Everest from that side was one of the best parts of the trip. We eventually took a helicopter back to Kathmandu from Gokyo.

Personally, I'd recommend doing EBC first and seeing how you feel. Cho La Pass is challenging, especially when there's snow, so don't underestimate it. If you skip the pass, you'll need to retrace your route to reach Gokyo, which takes extra time.

Overall, Gokyo was absolutely worth it, even though things didn't go exactly as planned! 🏔️

South West Coast Path from Heddon's Mouth to Lynton (12 miles/19km)

The pictures are one night apart. Yesterday’s hike was in the Hochkönig region. Today‘s in Großarl.
I love Austria, its beautiful nature, our tap water, the cleanliness and safety.

this is a short hike to Morteratsch glacier. to get close to the glacier it‘s better to bring micro spikes during this time of the year.

Heads up, hikers: today, Tuesday, October 27, 2026, is a fee-free day at every U.S. national park that charges entrance — it's Theodore Roosevelt's Birthday. A few things worth knowing before you head out:

• Entrance fees are waived, so the per-vehicle fee at the gate is $0 today. In 2026 the waiver applies to U.S. citizens and residents, so bring a photo ID — rangers may check.
• Camping, tours, separately-charged parking, and reservation fees still apply — only the entrance fee is waived.
• This is the second-to-last free day of 2026; Veterans Day (November 11) is the last one.

If you're in the Mid-Atlantic and want to get on trail at peak fall color today, three solid options:

1. Great Falls Park ($20 saved) — Walk the short, flat boardwalk trail to Olmsted Island for the best views of the falls, about a quarter mile. Arrive before 9 a.m. if you can; lots fill fast on free days.

2. Harpers Ferry ($20 saved) — Climb to Jefferson Rock for the classic view over the river confluence, or do Maryland Heights (about 4.5 miles round trip) for the postcard view of Lower Town. Park at the visitor center and ride the free NPS shuttle into Lower Town.

3. Shenandoah — Skyline Drive ($30 saved, the biggest discount) — Enter at Front Royal and drive south. Stretch your legs on Stony Man, a short, gentle walk to a rocky summit at 4,011 feet, or Bearfence, a 1.2-mile circuit with a fun scramble and a true 360-degree summit view. The speed limit is 35 mph, so plan a full day for the Drive.

General free-day tips: arrive early, pack food and water (in-park dining is limited in late October), and check each park's alerts on nps.gov for trail or hunting-season closures before you go.

Enjoy the free day out there!

Went backpacking on Mount Wutai in China with a full pack, and somehow still found myself logging what I ate throughout the day.

Apparently I can take a break from my usual routine without taking a break from this particular habit: Eat something, open the log, carry on walking. Even out on the trail, there’s something satisfying about having it all written down.

This is what a day of food ended up looking like. Looking back at it afterward, it feels like a different kind of hiking diary. The photos show where I went; the food log shows what kept me going.

Anyone else still log their food on hiking trips, or do you completely switch off?

I just got this email. What a bummer! My mom loves the map link :(

The Maryland Heights trail climbs through Civil War earthworks to the classic overlook above Lower Town and the Potomac-Shenandoah confluence. It's about 4.5 miles round trip to the overlook and back, moderate to strenuous with a rocky upper stretch. Park at the Visitor Center and take the free shuttle or walk in from town; start early on weekends and bring layers, since the overlook runs colder and windier than town.

These photos are all from the same hike across three seasons: winter (Jan 2023), summer (Jun 2026), and fall (Oct 2026).

Went on an overnight trip to Middle Fork Lake, NM with a sort of “vintage” gear theme. I rocked my $2.50 late 70s Jansport D3 and my wife used her $7 early 80s Kelty Sonora III, both for the first time. I’ve been doing some minor repairs and getting the packs ready to go, trying to keep to materials and techniques used when they were newer. We had an absolute blast, despite the intense hail and snow, haha.

Loved using the old gear, it was awesome talking to my dad about how he would’ve setup his gear like this and his own backpacking trips, and just gave me more respect for the older gear. I’ll absolutely be using this on some future trips.

Went on a little weekend backpacker with my dog. Had to deal with some pretty crazy wind chill, but managed to stay warm. The sunsets and sunrises were incredible, and looking over the morning fog was genuinely transcendent.

Jeep track of 2.5 hours and 30 minutes hike to the andrab lake...first snowfall of the season... witnessed the most beautiful snowfall ever

I have visited a few Middle Eastern countries now - and I have to say Oman for hiking is one of the best out there!

These treks were very empty though - literally no one there when I visited. Loved it!

Hi! I’m fairly new to hiking/backpacking, one concern I have is how I will store/filter water. Sorry if this is dumb but any recommendations you guys have? In a week I’m going to loyalsock trail in pa, which is pretty rich in water sources. Not sure how I wanna pack water for an overnight backpacking trip, also have never filtered natural water before but very open to doing so, any tip? Thank you!

I have a 17-year-old son who has recently decided he likes to hike and he didn’t start off really slow with hills, his first hike was starting at 4600 feet elevation and hiking up to about 6500 feet. His second hike was to 9700 feet and his third hike was to 11,033 feet. That is his only experience and I am terrified of him getting hurt so I want to build him some sort of a safety pack to carry with him, but I don’t know what to put in it. I don’t know what type of shoes he needs. I don’t know if he needs trekking poles. I don’t know what to do to give him the best leg up, but I do know that hiking in tennis shoes and basketball shorts with a couple peanut butter and jelly sandwiches probably isn’t the safest route. I don’t want to discourage him. I think it’s a really healthy habit and I love that he’s adventurous and being in Utah, we have amazing places to hike, but I definitely want him to be safe and I want him to come home from every single trip.
I’d appreciate some insight on basics so that can send him shopping with someone who will sell him proper gear and not oversell for a fat commission.

Deep in the heart of southeastern Tibet, the Gangrig Garbo mountain range stands in silent majesty. A forest of snow-capped peaks rises above a complex network of deep ravines—a hidden realm that feels as though it has remained untouched since the dawn of creation. It is a place rarely trodden by human feet, where only the whispers of the wind and the shifting shadows of snow reside. It is within this pristine, forgotten wilderness that "Qiancuo Qianxun" (A Thousand Lakes, A Thousand Quests) finds its origin. The name itself is poetry; the atmosphere, a dream—a vast expanse where countless lakes lie scattered like stars, and myriad waters beckon one to follow. It is a geographical labyrinth, and, more profoundly, a pilgrimage for the soul.

Is the out and back possible in one day? I know it isn't easy and is a long hike. I'm not asking that. In good weather, how hard is it for someone in very good cardio shape?

Started at 3 AM from Osaek in fog and rain. The summit (Daecheongbong, 1,708 m) was completely whited out, but around 7 AM the clouds started clearing and these ridges appeared out of the mist.

Route: Osaek → Daecheongbong → Socheong → Bongjeongam Hermitage → Gugokdam Valley → Baekdamsa Temple

19 km, 1,716 m of elevation gain, 10.5 hours total, with peak fall colors on the way down.

Happy to answer any questions about hiking in Korea!

I just got back from Nepal, and honestly, I don't even know where to start. It was my first time in the country and my first proper multi-day trek. As a solo traveler, I was a bit nervous about taking on something like the Annapurna Circuit, but I'm so glad I did.

The drive from Kathmandu to Dharapani was an adventure on its own 😂. The roads were something else, but seeing the scenery slowly change made it worth it.

Manang was one of my favorite stops. I never expected to find a bakery up there, and sitting with a coffee and cake surrounded by those mountains was such a nice break from walking. Crossing Thorong La Pass was probably the biggest highlight, though. It was tough, and I definitely felt the altitude, but the feeling of making it across was incredible.

Muktinath was another special place. After all those days in the mountains, visiting the temple was a completely different experience. And finding the Bob Marley restaurant there was something I didn't expect! Marpha was also beautiful, with its traditional whitewashed houses and peaceful little streets. I could have spent much longer wandering around.

I finished the trip in Pokhara, which was the perfect place to relax after all those days of walking. Sitting by the lake and looking back at the mountains felt surreal.

Since it was my first time in Nepal, I also had to figure out Kathmandu, airport transfers, hotels, and transportation. I booked a package that included a guide, porter, meals during the trek, accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara, and the main transportation arrangements. Honestly, having those things sorted beforehand made traveling alone much easier. I could focus on the experience instead of worrying about every little detail.

Nepal completely exceeded my expectations. The mountains were amazing, but it was also the people, the food, the little villages, and all the unexpected moments that made the trip special.

Already missing it. Not sure which trek I'll do next, but I know I'll be back! ❤️

India himachal pradesh kareri lake also called frozen lake at winter season

(I'm a beginner, but I'm definitely physically fit for this)

I'm trying to climb Mt St Helens on November 8th with my dad. I'm stuck because I don't know these things:

Whether I should take the Climber's Biovauc Route (Moniter Ridge) or the Worm Flows Route

What gear I need: crampons, spikes, or nothing at all (i hear it depends on the route)

And will it be snowy? It seems like the mountains (especially mt hood) are getting a lot less snow so far. I hear it's a good first climb, and I want to do it. If someone could give me this info I would really appreciate it