50 Hot Spots and Free 411 Search

Check out a preview of the 50 best adventures towns to live in the September issue of National Geographic! Some may surprise you..particularly the top spot.....

On another note - check out 1-800-GOOG-411. Google is now giving you local business phone search and free connectivity (where many services charge - particularly my cell phone carrier). They'll even send you the details in a text message! Goodbye 411 fees.....I hope.

Bears and snakes.....in New Jersey????

So we have been training for our Kalalau trip for some time now and since we are based in New Jersey, there isn't much opportunity for alot of "total ascent" in your day unless you get really creative.

We have found that the Delaware Water Gap park off of Route 80 affords us New Jerseyans the best chance at having a decent training day. So, every Saturday we set out on the Tammany Trail for an 11 mile loop that takes us by Sunfish Pond (a nice glacial lake) through some of the most "remote wilderness" New Jersey has. Total ascent over this loop is about 2000' in what usually takes around 6 hours (including lunch and breaks) so it does afford a decent workout.

One of the things that strikes us most about this hike is how much danger can be present on such a seemingly innocuous trail. Many people day hiking seem to be lulled into a false sense of security; many hiking with children and pets with no regard for the wildlife that surely surrounds them. Case in point:

Now we knew there were bears around the woods in these parts, however 2 weeks ago we happened upon a 400 lb black bear meandering right along the trail. We saw two teenagers down the trail closer to the bear than we were and they were not performing any type of the recommended bear avoidance tactics. They were quiet and watching him, instead of making some noise and backing up the trail and away. They were within 50 yards..to us this was frighteningly close. We called down to them(we were about 100 yards from bear central) and suggested they back up on the trail and make some noise in the process. They chose to not heed our advise and instead headed DOWN the trail once the bear moved a few yards into the woods. They were lucky..we waited for the still docile bruin to move further down towards the water. Once he dropped to the ground and started rolling around to scratch his back, we made a hasty retreat down the trail. People 1, Bear 0.

This past weekends hike brought with it a different breed of danger. If you keep your eyes open and make some noise then bears will probably avoid you or you'll see them before you run into trouble. However, we were not prepared for the Timber Rattlesnake (Yellow Variation) we encountered as we cruised around a sharp bend in the trail. If it were not for a signal from the guy coming towards us, we would have been on top of the well camouflaged snake before we saw it. It was about 4 feet long and was stretched end to end across the trail..happily making it's way to a partially shaded rock. Luckily instead of a medical emergency, this siting resulted in a nice opportunity to take some pictures of a rarely seen endangered species .

What close encounters have you all had and how did you get out of your predicament? Maybe your story will help others whether it's a week long trek through the Cascades or a day hike through the local forest.

That's all for now..the Peru report is still slow in coming. Kalalau is coming up in a few weeks and it would seem like we are all set. Final packing list to come!

Product Review: Asolo Men's TPS 520 GTX Boot

So for our little 4 day excursion into Peru's Lares Valley, I decided to get myself a serious pair of hiking boots. Even though we would only be carrying daypacks, I needed a boot that could support my weak ankles, propel me up steep trails to 14,000 feet and withstand some extreme scree surfing. After months of research I decided on the Asolo TPS 520 GTX.

At first glance these boots are as attractive as they are formidable. Full-grain leather uppers with superior ankle supports, Vibram insoles and dual density soles at a total weight of almost 3.5 lbs. Putting them on felt like slipping into a pair of old sneakers.

Break-in was done along the Appalachian Trail at High Point, NJ and Delaware Water Gap trails. While not always the steepest of trails, they are known to be rocky and can put some serious wear on the best of boots. There is a stiffness in the shank of these boots that does not go away with break-in. Which is great with highly technical trails with heavy loads but makes for less comfort on the typical backpacking route. I would also recommend that, if you plan on wearing thick socks or have anything but the narrowest of feed, to get the wide cut version. Asolo by design seems to cut their boots narrow with a low volume toe box so the extra width will add to your comfort. All told, between training with a heavy pack through the trip I logged about 200 miles in these boots. To date it the mileage is approaching 350.

After continuing to use these boots throughout training and the trip, I can say that these boot performed superbly. They stood up to harsh Andean conditions and showed little signs of wear after 40 hard fought miles. My feet stayed dry in stream crossings (no gaiters, but the streams did not come over the boots). Minor point but if you bang your toes on alot of things like I do, then it would ahve been nice to have a higher toe guard as the leather takes a beating on rocks.

Overall, I would highly recommend for advanced hikes with medium to heavy pack loads. However, I would go with a boot with a bit more forgiveness in the mid-sole for less challenging hikes or treks where you are only required to carry a daypack.


Pros

- Top quality construction
- Excellent ankle support
- Rugged dual density soles hold up on rocks
- Effective waterproofing
- Seriously stiff mid-sole

Cons

- Price (Retail $215)
- Stiff midsole may not be to everyones liking
- Difficult to size due to narrow cut (particularly when your local store does not carry them)

Final Thought: World class boot for advanced hikes with moderate to heavy packs

Kalalau Permits - Easier Done than Said

Taking a breather from the "Peru Report" to fill everyone in on the Kalalau permit process. Check out the state-run web site for camping permits on the Kalalau Trail and you might get the feeling that there is no chance to obtain a permit for a date that you would consider traveling on. There is mention of applying for permits one year in advance and "walk-in only" pickup on the first day of issuance. Here's what we learned:

1. Ignore what the site says except for the costs and length of stay..they are accurate. Kalalau beach is always open but the other campsites (Hanakapi'ai and Hanakoa) are closed and re-opened on no particular schedule.

2. Definately call the Hawaii Parks Department, the people are exceptionally nice and will mail you what you need. We called a few months before the dates we wanted and we got the dates in September we wanted. Yes there is a peak season in the summer months, but for most dates you will not have to apply a year in advance.

3. Once you pay for and sign the permits, be sure to send back the yellow copy as your permit is not valid until the signed version is on file.

4. Be an experienced hiker! This is a dicey trail and parts of it can wash out or streams can rise without warning..safety first!

7 Wonders of the World Revealed

7 Wonders Revealed

http://www.new7wonders.com/


Well the vote is in and the "new" 7 Wonders have been revealed. The voting just recently ended..although the top picks were announced in June. The new list being:


• The Great Wall of China

• Petra in Jordan

• Brazil's statue of Christ the Redeemer

• Peru's Machu Picchu

• Mexico's Chichen Itza pyramid

• The Colosseum in Rome

• India's Taj Mahal


Most of the list seems fair enough, however, (just a personal opinion here), Christ the Redeemer seems a bit out of place. It is a compelling site for sure but to rank it in the class of other architectural marvels of the ancient world seems a little misguided. Stonehenge or the Acropolis may have been a bit more fitting. What do you think? How many of these have YOU been to?


Upcoming Posts

I know these have been slow in coming but the real world gets in the way of writing (particularly when your not a writer to begin with!)

1. The rest of Peru (Urubamba and Lares Valley, Machu Picchu..complete with stunning pics). Check out the pics we just posted from Day 1..

2. Kalalau - yes, we're still going to do it..just got the permits!

3. Upcoming trips....Kili and Acongagua (we'll see about that one)

Peru - Day 2 Touring the outskirts of Cusco

Still....acclimating..to the..altitude. Yes, Day 2 is all about relaxing and roaming around Cusco. Our guide company set up a comprehensive tour around the outskirts of town to see some of the Inca sites. It's our first glance at the scale at which the Inca's did things. So we piled into our private transport with our driver and guide (turns out we will come to rely on our driver more than we thought..sort of in a guardian angel sort of way!)

Sacsayhuamán

First stop was the The Fortress of Sacsayhuamán (located to the north of Cusco's main square, 1km away from the Church of San Critobal). Referred to as the Royal Houses of the Sun. The complex was for the Inca elite and was where they went to worship (you guessed it) the Sun. The fortress was set up like a small city, complete with running water. This is where you can get an up close view of the amazing stonework the Inca's were able to achieve without modern tools. Estimated weights of some of these stones is estimated between 90 and 125 metric tons. The sheer weight combined with the precision at which these stones were interlocked is in itself worth the trip to see this site. So much to say about this site so, instead of me rambling on, take a look at some of the pictures.

We spent about an hour here roaming the site with our knowledgeable guide. We are realizing at this point that booking a private trip was worth the extra few hundred bucks. The company we used (email us for the name) provided trained guides that spoke perfect english. It also allows you to move at your own pace and not be subject to 10 other people!

Q'enqo (Kenko)

Next stop is Q'enqo, an Inca temple which consists of two significant archaeological sites: Q'enqo Grande (closer to the road) and Q'enqo Chico (about 350 meters west of Grande, located on a hillside). Both are places of worship but their meaning has not been determined yet. Another example of fantastic stone work.Q'enqo Chico is a recent discovery and archaeological work is still going on. Our guide used to play "football" on the pitch that was above the site before it was found.

Facts of note are the amphitheater that surrounds the natural stone of Q'enqo Grande, the "ZigZag" Gutter (drainage for water/blood?). There is also an underground passage that is quite interesting with altars and niches carved into the stone (secret rituals??). Follow the slightly difficult staircase (or easy rock climb) to the top where rituals were performed at it's altar.

This turned out to be a quick stop but was well worth the time spent exploring. Again, your experience at any site is only as good as your tour guide. This site might have been a quick photo op of some more rocks had our guide not taken the time to explain its history and significance.

This short day ends with door to door service back at the hotel where we promptly headed out into the streets of Cusco to do some more shopping.


Meeting the Trek Guide

This evening we have a meeting with our trekking guide to go over trip details for our Urubamba/Lares Valley adventure. Our guide was an warm and endearing figure, however he tactfully made it clear that he would be in charge (this is a positive as long as it is communicated properly to the client). To hear his experiences over the years set us at ease that we had a seasoned veteran who was looking out for us. Outcome of our meeting:

Lesson 1 - Verify, verify verify. When booking through an outfit in the U.S., be sure that whichever company they "outsource" your trip to locally (and most will), knows everything you told the primary booking agency. Of particular note, communicate medical and dietary needs in writing and verbally to all agents and sub-contractors. We told the primary agent and assumed they would pass along the info, they did not. This was the the only major gaff by our booking company, but it's a big one.

Lesson 2 - Confirm every detail of trek itinerary. Our guide company told us 4-5 hours of hiking per day and to "bring a book!" for reading during down time. Our meeting in Cuzco revealed that we would be hiking between 6-9 hours per day at altitudes averaging 12,000 feet. No time (or desire) for reading...again, planning and coordination spectacular, minute details: a bit fuzzy.

Of interest: they say the coca tea helps you acclimate to the altitude and eases any stomach "issues" you may have with the food..we'll see...

Peru - Day 1


As we approach Cusco from the air, we feel as if we are going back in time, a city with mud brick homes and buildings which use Inca walls as part of their structure. There are many Spanish style churches and villas that intertwine with the mass of more modest buildings that cram the city. Cusco is in a valley the Incas believed was shaped like a puma. If you look closely you can talk yourself unto that that's what it looks like. This Old World feel is what we had been anticipating since we left..

So our plane lands and we make our way past the many drivers and tour companies vying for a piece of my American dream. We had instructions to collect our bags and proceed outside to the "pickup area, which turns out to be a guarded and fenced area that people meeting people line up at and yell for who they are looking for. So we listened..and heard a little voice repeating the name of our guide company. It was the wife of our main contact in Cusco! We felt lucky to have found someone, anyone so quickly. We shuffle our way past the throng and pile into our little transport. This was a private however to our (pleasant) surprise we discover that we have a private car and driver for our time in Cusco - nice! As we ramble towards the hotel Picoaga, we are told it is election time and the air is buzzing with the excitement that it brings. In Peru, voting is "mandatory" for their "democratic" elections so candidates pictures are plastered on every square inch of space on the tightly packed buildings along the street. There are rallies on many street corners with the local candaidate giving a passionate speech through a bull horn while standing on a box. Despite the electoral shortcomings, there is an unmistakable excitement in the air and the enthusiasm of the people is quite apparent.


On this barely 30 minute driver from the airport to the hotel, we had quite the entourage. We have a driver, guide from the company our trip was outsourced to, and the wife of our lead guide/main contact from the American company we booked through. All treated us as family from the moment we walked out of airport.

Our transport weaved between the hordes of traffic, around circles and through squares. Of particular interest were all the dogs that inhabit the streets of Cusco. These savvy locals are professionals at playing chicken with your vehicle and, from the looks of things..they rarely lose the standoff. Most roam the streets during the day, indifferent to what is going on around them. Seemingly well fed for the most part, we didn't have any problems with our 4-legged friends during our time in Cusco.

Our arrival at Hotel Picoaga went off without incident..thankfully our skilled driver got us there in one piece. We check in and immediately head downstairs to meet "McGyver", our lead guide and a character in his own right. By the time we leave we swear that he knows EVERY person in Cusco and is on a first name basis with all of them. After some instruction on acclimating to the altitude..Cusco being at 9k feet, we freshened up and received a personal walking tour (albeit a slow walk) around the sites in Cusco.

Plaza de Armas - the main square in Cusco. Great place to kick back on a bench and people watch. Be warmed you will be solicited about once every 2 minutes to buy something. Politely say "no, gracias" and most will be on their way. Also the site of may an election rally during our stay.

The Church of La Compañia - On the Plaza de Armas, this is a beautiful Spanish era chruch. The interior artifacts have not been maintained to the standards one would expect of such a site, however, the gold leaf alter is still breathtakingly beautiful..dust and all.

San Blas church - The colonial San Blas church, destroyed by an earthquake in 1650 and later rebuilt by successive parish priests. San Blas was one of the most important mestizo neighborhoods in colonial Cuzco and housed 4 different indigenous communities as well as several hundred Spanish colonist.

The best part of Cusco is just wandering around the Old World style streets and discovering the many shops, museums, churches and squares. Just be sure to move at a slow pace or the altitude will get you!

Coming Next - Day 2..Shoeshines and Touring the outskirts of Cusco!

A Reaslistic Take on Fitness

Quick one today - Laird Hamilton's 17 Commandments of fitness. For the most part we have taken this approach over the past few years and it has paid off. But no one could have put it in these words..check it out:

Laird Hamilton's 17 Commandments

Adventure Travel Conditioning

As an athlete most of my life, I have come to appreciate the benefits of going into any physical event in some sort of shape. When I started hiking (at the age of 32), I thought I was in pretty good shape. Being a competitive power-lifter for 12 years had given me the (false) sense of I was in peak condition.

Then we took our first hike...

That was the year we did the first 2 miles of the Kalalau trail hike on Kauai. Getting to the beach was a breeze..it was the trip back that wasn't so much fun. Dehydration and lactic acid were the culprits. Simply put - conditioning is the key...but not just running or walking miles on end. Targeted conditioning (something I had no clue about at the time), is what I needed.

So, after much reading and trial and error, here's what works for us. It's a combination of weight training, conditioning and core stengthening exercises. Not all of us have time to train like a professional athlete so the following is what produces the best results in the relatively limited workout time we have. Everyone should customize a workout to their needs and body type and by all means consult your doctor before trying any of this stuff if you haven't worked out in a while:

Monday

Weights:

Bench or Incline press - 4 sets of 8 (moderate wight)
Flyes (cable or dumbbell) - 4 sets of 10-12 repetitions
Tricep pushdowns - 5 sets of 8-10 reps (moderate weight)

Core Exercise:

Push-ups balanced on two medicine balls - 3 sets to maximum
Abdominal crunches (3 sets of 20, if your fit enough, hold a medicine ball on your chest)
Leg Raises - hang from the nearest pull-up bar and raise your legs out in front of you (3 sets x 20 repetitions)

Aerobic Exercise:

Stair stepper - 45 minutes, gradually increasing difficulty every 5 minutes (ie. start at level 3 increase 1 level every 5 minutes until complete)

Slow jog on treadmill for 15 minutes (incline: 1-3)

**This is a long one but if you include some light stretching, this workout should take no more than 2 hours


Tuesday

Aerobic Exercise:

- outside run, 4-5 miles at conversational pace (mixed terrain, ie. pavement and grass, hills and flat areas)

Wednesday

Weight Training:

Pull-ups - 3 sets of 10 repetitions (or as many as you can do)
T-bar rows - 4 sets of 8 (moderate weight)
Pulley rows - 4 sets of 10

Leg Squats (be careful with these!) - 3 sets of 10 repetitions, gradually increase weight by 10 pounds each week
Leg extensions - 3 sets x 10 repetitions
Leg curls - 3 sets x 10 repetitions

Core Exercise:

Bosu ball - start with 3 sets of 8 to 10 squats on the ball, work up to 3 sets of 50. For more of a challenge, work up to these rep numbers with a backpack on!


Thursday

Rest day (walk dogs)

Friday

Abdominal work
Light run (2-3 miles conversational pace)

Saturday

HIKE!! Living in to Mid-Atlantic region really doesn't afford us the luxury of any high peaks but, with the AT a few hours away, you can get in a serious day hike or a good overnight hike. We'll also head to NY and Pennsylvania for some steeper, higher trips. Some days we'll find the steepest 2 mile stretch and do 5 or 6 intervals up and down. Other days we'll just go out and back for a total of 10-15 miles.

Sunday

Hike (10-15 miles)

or

Run intervals at the local track. Jog 1 mile. We like doing 110 yd. sprints; work your way up to about 20 of them with minimal rest between intervals (10-20 seconds) and you will gradually bring your stamina up. Time your interval and try to beat your average time. Try longer intervals to mix it up (200 or 400 yard runs are great too).

End off with a 1 mile cool down.

or

Rest day if your feeling beat up.

Gear Review: Katadyn Pocket Water Filter

We always like to research (sometimes ad nauseum) the gear we buy, so this piece of equipment was no exception. Truthfully this was the first water filter we were going to buy so we wanted to do it right - get something that would survive being dropped on a rock or trampled by a pack horse. So, we settled on the Katadyn Pocket Water Filter.

First off - weighing in at a hefty 20 ounces (presumable not built for the "go lite" crowd), height of 10" and retailing at around $200 we're not sure why it is called a "pocket" water filter. However what this filter gives up in portability, it makes up for in durability. Made of heavy duty aluminum, this was the filter we were looking for.

Our first shot at using the Katadyn was on the shores of beautiful Lake Ontario. While the scenery was perfect the water was a bit murky so we figured what better place to break it in. We pumped greenish-brown water in and got clear, clean water out. Good start but who was going to take the first swig? We flipped a coin and Sunny came out on the short end...I drank and lived to tell ("tasted" like good, clean tap water). Note to self - when pumping murky water, use the pad to clean the ceramic filter each day. Whatever makes the water green (ie. algae) also clogs to tiny little pores in the ceramic.

So, off to Peru we go..surprisingly enough (or maybe not so much) we used our water filter more in the hotel than out on the trail. We were scared off drinking straight tap water by all the health warnings against nasty things like hepatitis...with bottled water in the fridge running $7 a bottle we decided to pump our own. On the trail, we plunged our filter into the cold streams of the Andes that all appeared beautifully pristine until you realized the valley floor was COVERED in llama, shall we say, droppings. So pump we did..

Manufacturer specs say with a clean filter you can pump 1 liter per minute which we found to be fairly accurate. You can pump as furiously as you like thanks to a solid, all aluminum handle that won't snap off like "lesser" filters. The technology behind the scenes is 0.2 micron ceramic depth filter, fine enough to filter out just about anything you can throw at it (however Lepro is still questionable and is purported to be able to make it through even .1 micron). I like this quote from the manufacturer but not sure how to confirm the stated fact that the "silver impregnated ceramic element is effective against bacteria and protozoa".

We liked the lifetime guarantee and the 13,000 liter capacity on the filter; ensuring you won't be running out to buy a new cartridge after every trip. The kit comes with a carry case, sterile and non-sterile tubing and a cleaning pad for the ceramic. All in all...if you are looking for an indestructible, reliable, high capacity filter....this will do it for you.

Pros:

• Katadyne - a leading name in water filtration
• Construction / durability
• High capacity

Cons:

• Cost
• Weight (about 20 ounces)
• Murky water can easily clog the ceramic filter (typical of any ceramic filter)

Kalalau Packing List

We love finding packing lists customized for a specific trip. We especially like seeing how the packing list worked out on the trip! One guide group told us to "bring a book!" because we would only be on the trail 4-5 hours per day. Much to our surprise, hike time was more like 8-9 hours /day at altitudes of 10,000 to 15,000 feet. Those added 2-3 pounds would have been better spent on an oxygen tank.....

Since our travels entail sticking to some kind of budget, we try to find good quality, relatively light gear for a decent price. It's easy to buy expensive/light gear..the challenge is finding cheap(er)/light gear.

Below is the first cut of our Kalalau packing list. This list will evolve so check back for updates. I'll be reviewing some of the gear we took on this trip in upcoming posts. But for now:

	Trail Weight - ounces (Sunny)	Trail Weight - ounces (Phoebe)
Water	64	64
Backpacks (Gregory Palisades and Deva60)	105	86
waterproof outer shell	16	16
hat (sun cover and skull cap)	5	5
fleece - 1	10	10
socks - 2 pair (high quality wool blend)	16	16
rain pants - 1	12	12
pants (zip offs) - 1 pair	40	40
shorts or bathing suit - 2 pair	20	20
underwear	20	20
t-shirts - 2	20	20
UV blocking shirt	5	5
water shoes or sandals	16	16
batteries (1 AA = 23 grams/.81 ounces)	10
Stove and fuel	15
fuel	12
headlamp	8	8
multi-use tool	8
books	16	16
Food and snacks (4 days - 272 ounces)	136	136
Fleece blanket	16	16
Sleeping Pad	20	20
First Aid Kit	32	0
Money Pouch	2	2
Camera	32	10
Trekking poles	16	16
Tent	72
Untensils	1	1
Cooking gear		20
Camp Towel - 2	5	5
water filtration (Filter AND tablets)	20	0
2 nalgene bottles w/ water	24	24
Camelback bladder
Toiletries	80
Sleeping Pads	20	20
Pack Weight (lbs.)	54.31	43.00

Safety Gear: What's In Your Backpack?

As amateur trekkers, we like to balance adventure with a good dose of safety. This means being ready for everything from a splinter to broken bones. We carry the usual first aid kit loaded with the typical array of splints, moleskin and antibiotic ointments. But what do you do if you break a leg, hypothermia is setting in and you are 2 days walk to the nearest road? Here's are an interesting product we found that can give you an edge when you are out of options.

PLB (Personal Locator Beacon)

The ultimate in safety gear - these beacons will provide authorities with your location down to a few feet. ACR Electronics (www.acrelectronics.com) looks to be the leading provider of these devices.

A little background: PLB's are part of the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) SARSAT (Search And Rescue Satellite-aided Tracking) system. When activated, a PLB results in a 406MHz signal being transmitted. The distress signal is received by the SARSAT system which uses NOAA satellites to detect and locate the source of the signal.

Initially, the satellites detect the signal and relay it to a network of ground stations and then to the U.S. Mission Control Center (USMCC) in Suitland, Maryland. The actual location of the transmitting PLB is then determined using Doppler technology from the satellites. This process can take up 45 minutes depending on the location of the receiving satellite in relation to the origin of the signal.

Each PLB is assigned a serial number used to track the device back to the registered owner. Higher end models allow for GPS postion identification, which can dramatically decrease the time it takes to identify the location of the signal as well as narrows the search area from an area of many square miles to within a few feet of origin (makes you want to spend the couple of extra bucks, right?).

The USMCC provides the location information to the local Search and Rescue authorities. In addition to the 406MHz transmitted signal used by the SARSAT satellites, the PLB devices also transmit a 121.5MHz homing signal that is used by Search and Rescue teams to locate the person in distress once they get closer to the immediate location of the unit.

Now the down side - price!! These units can cost anywhere from $250 for a "used" model to over $650 for a souped up version. The good news is that you can lease PLBs for about $60-$70 per week from specialized companies such as PLB Rentals LLC (www.plbrentals.com).

We'll be carrying one of these on our Kalalau hike but we're hoping we won't have enough experience using one to be able to write a review on it. PLB Rentals LLC has a few good success stories on their site; particularly one about it's first land based deployment of the device..great stuff.

Kalalau: The Plan

So were starting to plan for our first assault on the 11 mile Kalalau Trail (Kauai, Hawaii). In natural Hawaiian style, this hike is shaping up to be a "we'll get there if we get there" kind of trip. We've read a host of travel sites, blogs and trip reports that give you the scoop on what to expect. Sierra Club rates this thing a 9 and it seems like there is no good way to break up the trip over the 4 days we are planning to be on the hike. Your choices are hike 2 miles to Hanakapiai (too short) or stop in Hanakoa (closed campsite)...or....hoof it 11 miles to the end. Obstacles range from exposed cliff faces, raging streams, lepro bacteria and mosquitoes.

On a positive note, we've found that planning is everything. Every hike..whether it was 4 days in the Andes or 1 day on a stretch of the Appalachian Trail, having a solid plan made it safe and enjoyable. I always like reading people's packing lists so please do share if you've done this trip. We'll post ours once we figure it out..

Check out my favorite all around book on Kauai:

The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook (Kauai Revealed) at http://www.wizardpub.com/kauai/kauai.html


SHOPPING

....went shopping this weekend at REI..they are running their 20% off sale for members until May 13 and got a Gregory Palisades pack for myself and the Gregory Deva for Phoebe.

www.rei.com

The Trailhead

Our maiden post! We love adventure travel (although we're new to it..5 years and counting) and have had our fair share of experiences with trips, guides and equipment. Alot of "wish I had known that" type of things along the way..maybe you have some of those too?

In the end we are intending this not to be so much a technical, by the book "how to" site. What is lacking on alot of travel sites and in many of the books out there is personal insight. Getting the "inside scoop" on places we've been has been the key to getting the most of of your time there. Getting off the beaten path (safely!!) is the way to go home satisfied that you EXPERIENCED your time in another land. Sometimes the experience was not at all what we planned (see our soon to be completed post on Peru!) but satisfying nonetheless. We are not journalists, writers or even experienced "bloggers". We're two people who like sharing our travel experiences with others.

Being an active part of the adventure instead of a spectator, for us, is the ultimate vacation...