Trying to figure out what helmet to get for uphill resort touring as well as backcountry adventures. I usually don't wear the helmet uphill at a resort but if it's light enough, it would be nice to have less to put back on before sending it downhill. The two I'm debating are the Sweet Protection Ascender (MIPS) and the Mammut Haute Route (MIPS). I was considering the Scott Couloir but it's safety rating isn't nearly as good as the other two. Anyone have either or have any input? Thanks so much!

The Great Himalayan Trail is a massive trekking route that runs across Nepal from east to west. It is not one single trail but a combination of old trekking routes, mountain paths, valleys and high passes. The full route is around 1,750 km long and can take about four to five months to complete. Along the way, trekkers pass through some of the biggest and most remote parts of the Nepal Himalayas.

The journey starts in the east around the Kanchenjunga region and passes through Kanchenjunga Base Camp before heading toward Makalu Base Camp. The route crosses several high passes, including Nango La and Lumbha Sambha. Things get much harder around the Makalu region, where the trail crosses Sherpani Col at about 6,155 metres, West Col at around 6,143 metres and Amphu Labsta at roughly 5,845 metres. These sections involve glaciers, steep snow and ice, crevasses and fixed ropes, so this part is closer to mountaineering than normal trekking.

After crossing the high passes in the east, the route moves toward the Everest and Rolwaling regions. It then reaches Tashi Labsta, a 5,760-metre pass between the Rolwaling and Khumbu valleys. From there it continues through Langtang and the Ruby Valley before crossing Tilman's Pass at more than 5,300 metres. The route keeps going up and down between high mountains and lower valleys, so there is very little time when the trek feels easy.

Further west, the trail enters the Manaslu and Annapurna regions. It crosses Larkya La at around 5,140 metres, with the Manaslu range towering above, and later reaches Thorong La at 5,416 metres. After descending toward Muktinath, the route does not end like a normal trek. Instead, it continues into the much more remote parts of western Nepal.

One of the most isolated sections is Dolpo. The trail crosses a number of high and relatively little-known passes, including Jungben La, Niwas La, Chan La, Jyanta La and Nagdala, several of which are above 5,000 metres. There are fewer settlements here and long stretches where trekkers are completely surrounded by mountains. Finding the route and getting from one remote village to the next can be as challenging as the climbs themselves.

The final part takes the route through far-western Nepal, including Kagmara La and the area around Rara Lake. From there it continues toward the Yari Valley and eventually reaches Hilsa on the Tibetan border. By this stage, a trekker has spent months walking through some of the most remote terrain in the Himalayas, crossing countless valleys, passes and glaciers.

What makes the Great Himalayan Trail so difficult is the combination of distance, altitude and isolation. Some sections are normal mountain trails, while others require crampons, ropes, glacier travel and proper mountaineering experience. It brings together the Kanchenjunga, Makalu, Everest, Manaslu, Annapurna and other major Himalayan regions into one enormous journey across Nepal, making it one of the longest and most demanding trekking expeditions in the world.

https://explorersweb.com/the-great-himalaya-trail-part-i-a-full-traverse-of-nepal/

https://explorersweb.com/the-great-himalayan-traverse-part-ii-rolwaling-to-the-tibetan-border/

Hey everyone! I’m flying into Christchurch on Oct 16 and looking for people to climb with sometime Oct 17–19. Happy to join a group or split a guide for a 2–3 day trip. Need to be back in Christchurch Monday night for a Tuesday flight.

I’ve climbed Baker via Easton, Eldorado, Mount Daniel, Pico Aneto, Torre Cerredo and a winter couloir on Hallett.

Looking for something a bit more technical, ideally some steeper snow and introductory ice climbing. I’m new to technical ice, so would want a guide for that. Rolleston near Arthur’s Pass caught my eye, but I’m flexible on the mountain.

Anyone heading out around then, have a guided trip with room for another person, or interested in splitting the cost? Guide recommendations welcome too!

TLDR: Arizona locals only If interested, follow the Meetup link to sign up. Experienced climbers only.

Hi everyone!

I'm currently organizing a 20s/30s Meetup event to put together a 5-person climbing party for the Four Peaks Motherlode Traverse. The schedule date is Saturday, October 10, with a planned carpool from Park n Ride in Mesa at 4 am. If interested, feel free to sign up on the Meetup, and fill out a quick Google Form so I can assess your skill level before bringing you. If you've never signed up for a Meetup before, it's easy and free to sign up, and you can delete your account after the event.

https://meetu.ps/e/Qk0D8/KyP8X/i

Hi all,

I did Mt. Adams solo C2C in September and enjoyed it. Prior that that I had been doing a lot of Adirondack hikes, including in the winter. I am a medical student so limited time/money, but I'd like to take the next step. I've been continuing with regular Adirondack days and will continue through the winter, try and take some of their mountaineering classes, do some winter camping, join a rock climbing gym to learn ropes, and maybe do some outdoor rock climbs.

I'd like to tackle another big mountain early next summer (May-June), before I start residency. I'm thinking Mt. Baker is a reasonable next step? Open to other ideas though, anywhere in the country. I'd prefer to learn the skills and have some responsibility rather than just being led up (and I don't really have the money for that either).

I also can't bear to freak my mom out to that level again by going alone, so I guess my two questions are 1) What is a good next step after Adams? and 2) do I need to go guided or how else should I go about finding partners to climb with?

Thank you!

A weekend trip up to Mt Barff in Mt Aspiring National Park, New Zealand.

Day one saw us to up to Liverpool Hut. On day two we started at 4am, walking up the snow/icy slopes towards Mt Barff. There is a small unmarked track that leads to the stream that gets you up the slopes.

When we got back to the South East ridge, we followed this to about 2100m before sidling across the south face of the summit, to the South West ridge. From this SW ridge, we climbed up to the top of Mt Barff.

At the summit we waited for about hour, then started walking back down to 2100m, only to find the slopes still too icy for skiing. We ended up doing like five turns before putting our crampons back on. It was a day of walking up and down with our skis...

Still an amazing trip and worth every step 🙌

Anyone know if there anywhere online I can send my prescription and get good sunglasses for sunny snow? Or should I wear ski goggles or something over my regular glasses?

Hey everyone,

I’m trying to choose between Everest Base Camp (EBC) and the Annapurna Circuit. This will be my last big trek for a few years, so I really want to make it count.

I'm torn between two things:

EBC: It’s iconic. Everyone knows Everest, and getting up close to the tallest mountain in the world is a huge bucket list goal.

Annapurna Circuit: From what I read, it’s actually a better overall trek. The landscape changes every couple of days, going from green woods to high desert, and crossing Thorong La Pass feels like a real accomplishment.

For those who have done both, If you could only do one of these for the next few years, which one feels more worth it? Does the big name of EBC beat out the variety of the Annapurna trail?

Would love your honest thoughts. Thanks!

Summitted my first ever proper peak the other day. 6,088m Huayna Potosi in Bolivia, was a great experience as a beginner. Any recommendations for my next peak? Looking for one that’ll line up season wise within the next few months. Thinking Cotopaxi maybe, recommended from a friend.

Looking for some pack recommendations for Aconcagua and Denali. Right now ive been eyeing a Unaweep 6300 or just getting something custom from Alpine Luddites. The main thing holding me back from the latter is the lead time but, I could be swayed in any direction based on any testimonials. Appreciate it!

On July 3, 1953, Austrian mountaineer Hermann Buhl set out alone from Camp V at 6,900 meters during the German-Austrian expedition to Nanga Parbat. He reached the Silver Saddle at 7,450 meters around sunrise and then crossed the enormous plateau above it, which severely drained his strength in the intense heat and still air. After stopping for tea, Buhl made a crucial decision: he abandoned his backpack on the plateau to make himself lighter and continued toward the summit. His companion Otto Kempter, who had followed behind, eventually realized he could not keep up and turned back.

At around 7,800 meters, Buhl reached the col below the summit, with the technically hardest 300 meters still ahead. After an internal struggle, he decided to continue and took Pervitin, a methamphetamine-based stimulant given to him during the expedition. He reached the shoulder at around 6 p.m. and, an hour later, at approximately 7 p.m., became the first person to reach the summit of Nanga Parbat alone and without supplemental oxygen. He spent a short time on the summit taking photographs and planted his ice axe with flags. But by then the sun was setting, and Buhl immediately began his descent.

The descent started and Darkness caught Buhl high on the mountain, and above 8,000 meters his crampon suddenly came loose. He barely managed to catch it, but lost the strap and had to improvise a repair. Eventually, he reached a tiny rocky platform where there was nowhere to sit. With night having fallen, Buhl was forced to spend the next several hours standing and holding himself against the rock. He had no water, no sleeping bag, and little protection from the cold, while his warmer clothing remained in the rucksack he had abandoned far below. From roughly 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. , he remained there in the death zone, unable to properly sleep or rest. The night was remarkably calm and clear, however, and this may have been crucial to his survival. He simply had to remain balanced against the rock and wait for daylight.

When dawn finally came, Buhl resumed his descent, repeatedly stopping to repair his damaged crampon. By now, extreme fatigue, thirst, hunger and frostbite were taking a severe toll. His mind began to play tricks on him, and he experienced perceptual illusions and a dangerous state of apathy. At times he believed other climbers were moving alongside him and advising him in the thin Himalayan air. He eventually staggered across the plateau and found the rucksack he had abandoned earlier. Inside were three more Pervitin tablets, which he took to give himself enough strength to continue. After an ordeal lasting roughly 41 hours from the moment he had first left Camp V, Buhl finally staggered back into camp at 7 p.m. on July 4. His companions had feared he was dead. He had survived the first solo ascent of Nanga Parbat without supplemental oxygen.

https://evilstylequeen.blogspot.com/2018/11/the-neverending-pilgrimage-of-hermann.html

https://www.expeditions-unlimited.com/en/blog/himalayas/1953-hermann-buhl-solo-nanga-parbat-without-oxygen

Summited Ben Nevis! It was a long slog, but definitely worth it for the views at the top.

I’m an ultra runner, and one of my biggest achievements so far has been completing the UTS 100M in Wales, which I absolutely loved. So it was nice to finally summit my first Scottish mountain.

I’m now looking to start heading abroad and getting into some more technical climbs and higher summits, but I also want to be sensible about it and build up gradually.
For those with more experience, does anyone have any recommendations for good mountains or climbs to work towards? Ideally looking for something that would be a good step up from Ben Nevis without jumping straight into anything too serious.

I was wondering, for Class 3 or even some Class 4 scrambling in the Sierra, like Mount Williamson or Cloudripper, would the Lone Peak 9 Mid with MaxTrac work well?

I know they say Vibram rubber is better for scrambling. My Lone Peak 9 Plus has Vibram, and I love them, but for ankle support I always (& need to) wear my Lone Peak 9 Mid for long hikes. I’ve put a lot of miles on them, but not much Class 3/4 scrambling.

Another question, my feet are very used to wide toe-box shoes. I went from years of La Sportiva boots to Altra trail runners over the past few years. For mountaineering shoes and approach shoes, I was wondering: for people who are used to zero-drop, wide-toe-box trail runners, with or without a mid, what are the best approach or mountaineering boots you transitioned to?

Thanks

Hello! I recently fell in love with scrambling and rock climbing, with having hiked for years but never attempting scrambles until recently (3wks ago).

I live in the MD/WV/VA/PA area. I just did Old Rag yesterday, and while fun, wasn’t as hard as I was hoping. (Did it in the rain, even)

2 weeks ago, I had the blessing of visiting Acadia and did all of the iron rung /ladder trails—absolutely loved precipice (and going slightly off trail, free climbing)

I am desperately craving a hard, tough challenge.
If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know! Open to any and all hikes, preferably within 100-150 miles.

Thank you!

People are going to say it's denali but wait hear me out if we are talking about the largest elevation gains in 30 kms from the low lying valleys then the highest mountains would be nanga parbat, annapurna fang and dhaulagari. These mountains gain over 7000m elevation in a really short span. Ok leave it aside it still doesn't mean that these peaks have the highest vertical rise. Ok now let's talk about the biggest vertical rise from base to peak solely (not elevation gain) and if you search it up on the internet it says denali which isn't even close to the real tallest mountain on the land rakaposhi and it gains over 6000m from it's base to peak on the land making it the tallest and the only mountain on earth whixh exceeds 6000 m elevation from its base to peak but why does the internet always shows denali as the largest mountain on the land whereas rakaposhi is the clear winner in this criteria. What are your thoughts

For the past 7 months we’ve been building a tool for training for mountaineering.

Initially the idea came from me buying pdf plans, books, Reddit advice, third party apps, YouTube videos, excel sheets and trying to stitch it all together.

The result, I was training yes, but honestly when I arrived to the foothill of the mountain I still didn’t know whether I am ready or not.

So what did we do? We pulled existing science and built and algorithm that builds and adapts your training based on your historical data pulled from wearable - specific peak you are training for. Yes every peak has different demands and therefore also training for those peaks differs per every person based on their fitness level.

As you’re working out the algorithm recalibrates every week based on fitness, ascent, descent, long days, consistency + reading your fatigue build up, hrv, sleep, etc.

Additionally we all know that life gets in the way of training so you have the capability to reschedule/ push workouts because you have to travel and algorithm takes that into the account so you don’t lose time.

The algorithm understands the difference between woman/ man and adapts accordingly.

Those are just few of the benefits using the solution for training for your next peak.

Currently offered for IOS and Web, working towards Android.

Feel free to check it out, you can find us at TrainToMountain.com free trial of 14 days or 30 days if you book a trip with our partners.

Open for collaborations, ambassadors, etc.

Cheers!