Tag: climbing

World Class Adventure: On Top of the Drakensberg Amphitheater
Photo Galleries, Travel Guides

World Class Adventure: On Top of the Drakensberg Amphitheater

Where else in the world can you climb a chain ladder, bolted into a vertical, basalt rock face, starting in one country and ending in another? Where in Africa can you dip you bottle directly into the river and drink deeply without purification? Where else can you have a 4,000 foot cliff to yourself, to watch world class sunsets and sunrises? Atop the High Drakensberg, in the alpine nation of Lesotho, endless adventure awaits, you just need to choose your path! Continue reading World Class Adventure: On Top of the Drakensberg Amphitheater

The City of The Mountain: Cape Town, South Africa
Photo Galleries, Travel Guides

The City of The Mountain: Cape Town, South Africa

There is perhaps no more dramatic a city than Cape Town, South Africa. Rising out of the clotted fogs of the western cape like a lurking leviathan, stands the iconic Table mountain. Endemic flora and wildlife live side by side with a bustling metropolis, where life fights for it’s small piece of land under the mountain or along the spiny Cape Point Peninsula. In such a place, a thriving city burns with a furious energy. Continue reading The City of The Mountain: Cape Town, South Africa

Lower Drakensberg Grasslands, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
Photo Galleries, Travel Guides

Lower Drakensberg Grasslands, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

Under the shadow of the Wall of Spears, Dragon Mountains, or Drakensberg, the alpine grasslands ebb and flow like the bushveld so commonly found there. Wildlife abounds in the big sky country of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and the night sky is one of the most dazzling that can be found on Earth.

This gallery is a series of shots from the Drakensberg lowlands around the area in which I lived for three months. The nearest towns would be Winterton or Bergville, but most of my time was spent in the bush or in unmarked farmland. Enjoy. Continue reading Lower Drakensberg Grasslands, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

Gear

GEAR REVIEW: Ultralight Adventure Equipment Circuit Backpack

OVERVIEW:

Here at Trail Lives, we absolutely love Cottage Gear Shops. Some of the best gear tested has come from these unlikely and relatively small companies, which are usually run by hikers like you and I. Founded in 2001 by a fellow thru hiker and located in Utah, Ultralight Adventure Equipment (ULA) offers some amazing ultralight gear, especially backpacks. Today, many consider ULA as cottage shop royalty, as their packs hold a standard of excellence by many long distance hikers. Within ULA packs, testers and ULA alike, report the Circuit as the most used on trail. I will be taking my ULA Circuit with my on my PCT Thru Hike this April.
Continue reading “GEAR REVIEW: Ultralight Adventure Equipment Circuit Backpack”

Gear

Pacific Crest Trail Gear List: Mexico to Kennedy Meadows

Section: Mexican Border to Kennedy Meadows

SYSTEM GEAR CARRIED WORN
BACKPACK SYSTEM
Pack ULA Circuit Pack (XL) 40
Pack Liner Trash Compactor Bag 2.3
SHELTER SYSTEM
Tarp Cuben Tarp w/ guy lines 8.14
Bivy Ptarmigan Bivy 5.9
Ground Cloth Gossamer Gear Polycryo 2.95
SLEEP SYSTEM
Isulation Top Enigma Quilt 22.75
Insulation Bottom Thermarest NeoAir Xlite 15.59
CLOTHING SYSTEM
Socks 2 REI Lite Hiker Socks 1.6
Underwear Patagonia Underwear 4.7
Hiking Shorts NYU Basketball Shorts 11
Hiking Shirt Marmot LS Shirt 7
Insulation  Top Montbell Down Jacket 6
Wind Shell Bottom Montbell Dynamo Wind Pants 3.1
Wind Shell Top Montbell Tachyon Anorak 2.6
Rain Shell Top DriDucks Poncho 8
Insulating Hat Outdoor Designs Hat 0.74
Bandana Bandana 1.29
Sun Hat Baseball Cap 2.82
FOOTWEAR
Shoes New Balance Trail Runners 23.52
Socks 1 REI Lite Hikers 1.6
COOKING SYSTEM
Stove Snow Peak Giga Power 3.71
Cook Pot Imusa Pot with DIY Lid 4.05
Utensil Spork 0.54
Towel Paclite Towel 0.45
HYDRATION SYSTEM
Water Filter Sawyer Mini 1.62
Water Scoop DIY Scoop/Adapter 0.59
Water storage x4 Platypus 2.4L Bladder 5.16
Water Bottle Smart Water Bottle 1.29
Water Bottle Smart Water Bottle 1.29
SURVIVAL
Light Petzl Tikka Head Lamp 2.86
Fire Starter Mini Bic Lighter 0.4
First Aid First aid kit 2.86
Toothbrush Portable Toothbrush w/ toothpaste 0.85
Toilet Paper Small Roll of TP 2.23
Soap/Toothpaste Dr. Bronners 2.71
Line 25 feet MSR Utility Line 0.54
Repair Kit sil tape/needle/thread 1.28
Cash/Credit Card cash/Cards/ID/Permit 0.54
Stuff Sack Cuben Fiber Stuff sack 0.22
ELECTRONICS
Phone Galaxy s4 6.27
Charger iPhone/gopro Charger 2.45
Camera GoPro Hero 3 10.51
ITEMS CARRIED
Trek poles Black Diamond Trek Poles 20.22
Base Weight 165.82 78.42

 Conditions Faced:

The first 702 miles to Kennedy Meadows are mostly desert, with the odd foray into higher, and cooler elevations. Distance between water sources is a serious consideration, while rain/snow were pretty much a non factor (2014). Continue reading “Pacific Crest Trail Gear List: Mexico to Kennedy Meadows”