Tobin AkehurstExplorer

Mt Ritter is a long climb, but it is worth the effort. Start out by establishing camp at Ediza Lake prior to your ascent. The SE Glacier route (first ascent by John Muir) follows the path of least resistance up the SE side of Mt Ritter.The route first gains a broad bench below Ritter and Banner Pk., then climbs through a band of cliffs, then over ledges and ramps before arriving at the edge of ...

Start at the Agnew Meadows Trailhead. You will need to arrive before 7:30AM or take the Shuttle from Mammoth Mountain. Start out by heading north on the John Muir Trail. You will pass Shadow Lake; walk around the south side of the lake for mountain views. Then, follow the trail up Shadow Creek until you reach the junction with the Ediza Lake Trail, and continue east. The trail follows Shadow C...

Park at the well marked Saint James Walkway Car Park. You will find the Lewis Pass Tops Trail Head across the street. The trail begins by climbing steeply through beech forest and then breaks through the tree line before arriving at the ridge crest. The maintained trail ends here but the route is fairly easy to follow. Continue following the ridge crest past several ponds for a few kilometers.O...

Medicine Bow Peak (12,014ft) is the highest summit in the Snowy Range of Wyoming. There is a network of quality alpine trails leading around the mountain and up to the summit. Stop in at the Visitor Center in Centennial for a free map of the area and pick your route. Options exist from a direct 1.6 mile route, to an incredible 7.5 mile loop.The Four Trailheads are as follows:Lake Marie Trailhea...

Begin by parking at Barlow Pass and following the Gothic Basin Trail to Foggy Lake. Most of the trip's mileage is consumed by just getting to Foggy Lake, from here, the summit sits about 3/4 of a mile distant and over a thousand above you.Face the mountain and identify the obvious leftward trending ramp. Follow this ramp until you reach the prominent coulior leading to the notch separating the ...

From the parking area at La Sal Creek, just east of Medicine Lake examine the mountain and identify the prominent gully which feeds into La Sal Creek. Follow the old road bed north until its end and then travel cross country. Ascend the gully the the summit ridge between the northwest peak and the main peak and then bear south east along the summit ridge to the summit where you will find a cair...

From the parking area at La Sal Pass, follow a well defined but unmapped trail though meadow, brief forest, and then switchbacks up the prominent ridge just east of the summit ridge of Mt Tuk. Once on the ridge bear west (climbers left) along the ridge as it narrows. Depending on conditions the ridge could vary from an unenjoyable heap of rubble to an exposed knife edge of hard snow. From the s...

Buckskin Gulch is a natural wonder. At 15 miles long it is the longest slot canyon in the world. It sometimes is as narrow as 2ft. Because of the nature of this canyon and Utah topography this canyon is subject to deadly flash flood if it rains anywhere along the headwaters. Be sure to check in with local Rangers about current flash flood predictions.Starting at the Wire Pass Trailhead gives yo...

This short and easy trail to the summit of Big Baldy in Kings Canyon National Park is not to be missed if you are in the area.The trail winds through forest and boulders as it climbs the north shoulder of Big Baldy. When you think you have reached the end, and you see people sitting down with their lunch, KEEP GOING! The trail continues beyond this popular break spot a little farther before it ...

From the car park follow an old road track / stream bed until it narrows into a scenic walking track. Cross the swing bridge and ascend the south side of the mountain to its picturesque summit. Alpine views abound in all directions. It's easy to see why it was selected as a LOTR set location.This short track requires very little preparation and no special abilities to enjoy. Just bring your sen...

If you're in Wanaka, you cannot miss this hike. If the ski area is closed for the season you can still hike there but please check in with the Treble Cone Office in Wanaka. Begin at the ski field parking area and climb among snow slops and service roads, alternatively ascend the ridge on the far right edge of the ski area.When you get close to the summit you will see that it is made up of a con...

From the parking lot walk along any paved walkway until you spot a posted map (they're all over the place) then plan your day's adventure around the parks many attractions. Some of my favorite places to visit include the Cunningham House, the Heritage Rose Garden, the New Zealand garden area, and the Avon River bank.Look out for a variety of really impressive old growth trees.

Park at the trailhead and begin the trail by crossing through farmland. As always be respectful of the property owners and animals, and close any gates you walk through.After a long walk up Kaituna Valley you will arrive at the Packhorse Hut, a great place to stay the night and enjoy the views of Lyttelton Harbour and the Ocean.From the hut, if you head west for 10 mins you will be taken to The...

This is a popular and crowded route in summer months, but in winter you could have this 28 bunk hut with a stove all to yourself!Begin by climbing switchbacks to the summit of Mt Roberts and then following the crest of Robert Ridge. The route is exposed in a few places and an un-checked fall on snow could have serious consequences, but if you are competent with an ice axe and crampons passage a...

From the car park follow the old road grade which eventually narrows into a hiking path. At about the halfway point you will pass the Mt. Fyffe hut, a popular overnight destination. Track continues ever upward in a north-easterly fashion until you arrive at the broad summit where views to east fall away in a profound void before reaching the bright green peninsula and the ocean. To the west vie...

The Grand Wash is a canyon in Capitol Reef National Park featuring several-hundred-foot-tall sandstone walls. The canyon walls are, for the most part, widely spaced, except for a half mile long section of scenic "narrows". Hike to nearby Cassidy Arch if you have extra time. Beware of potentially deadly flash floods, get a flash flood report from a ranger.

From Queenstown drive to the Remarkables Ski Field. The road features incredible views of Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, Shotover Canyon and the Southern Alps. The road takes you far above tree line into alpine high country.From the parking area it is a short (30-45 min) walk along a pleasant trail through alpine scrub and boulders to the lake. In summer the trail is uncrowded, but in winter this i...

Immediately upon arriving, secure a permit to scramble down 1,800ft in one mile to the Gunnison River. There are no hiking trails below the rim of the canyon, and because of its relentless steepness and rock exposure, the only existing routes are incredibly steep and loose. To protect the delicate environment only 12 people are allowed per day.The route down to the river is a steep, vegetated r...

The trail starts out poorly, following a jeep road under high-tension wires. Shortly, though, the trail begins to switchback up the south face of Rock Mountain and the views, as well as the wildflowers, are remarkable.After switchbacking up the mountain, follow a ridge-line towards the upper basin. Once in the upper basin you are in an alpine playground. Visit Rock Lake, wander around, or go fo...

The hiking trail first ascends a hillside to about 1,500 meters. It then follows the crest of a ridge in a southwest direction until you reach the "trig", a marker used in geographical survey. The maintained track ends here but hikers wanting more can continue traveling cross country to Rabbit Hill. Return the way you came.In winter this trail makes for an ideal snowshoe route. The terrain is n...

Global climbing legend Fred Beckey once said, "[Mount Stuart is] without a rival as the crown peak in the central Cascades of Washington, Mount Stuart has been pronounced the single greatest mass of exposed granite in the United States".To ascend the mountain by is easiest route, the Cascading Couloir, one must be prepared to gain 8,300ft over what is often rugged, loose, exposed and remarkably...

The typical approach to the SE Buttress is from Indian Basin, probably because it is easier, provided you plan on going to Indian Basin anyway. However, if you plan on visiting Titcomb or climbing Gannett peak via Bonney Pass, I suggest approaching from Lower (Southern) Titcomb Lake. I thought it was more fun, challenging, and scenic.The first step is to hike to 14 miles to Titcomb Basin. From ...

To begin this hike park in the lakeside lot on the west edge of town and begin walking counter-clockwise around Lake Wanaka. The first destination you will reach is the famed Wanaka Tree, which is easily recognized by the crowds of people around it taking photos. A few tips for maximizing your opportunity to photograph this surreal and fanciful tree:a) Sunrise is the time to be there, there are...

This world class hiking route circumnavigates Chesler Park by way of open meadows, slots, subterranean alcoves, stairways and slick rock.Begin at the Elephant Hill Trailhead and head south following signage for the Joint Trail / Chesler Park along the way. Once you arrive at Chesler Park turn left to loop the park clockwise, eventually meeting the legendary Joint Trail and then returning the wa...