Take Your Best Mate On The Backpacking Trail Too

We all have our particular styles when it comes to backpacking but I think one thing we all would find enjoyable is too take our four legged pal along with us.

Of course there are a lot of places he may not be allowed but there is still plenty of areas take we can take our dog so here’s a inspiring video I found about a guy and his best mate on there first trip together.

 

 

Backpacking With Your Buddy

There is plenty of good equipment on the market now for your dog so it pays to shop around and remember that he or she is going to be out of there comfort zone too so it pays to be careful and get good quality equipment just as you would for yourself.

Want to know more about backpacking with your dog? I found this great post on the Washington Trails Association site

Hiking with a dog can be an incredibly enjoyable experience. The dog is super happy – walking with her human, smelling new smells and getting tuckered out. And you – you have that extra incentive to get out of the house, hike to a beautiful destination and get great exercise.

Hiking with a dog is different than hiking with another person. There are several things to consider before you head out. The first is following the myriad of rules about where you can and cannot hike with your dog – and where you need Fido leashed. Then there is what you need to bring for your dog on a hike. And finally, there’s following some simple trail etiquette.

Below you will find the most frequently asked questions about dogs. Click on a link below to take you to the answer or scroll down.

Can I take my dog on a hike, and does she have to be on a leash?

Why should I have my dog on a leash?

What’s the best etiquette for dogs on trail?

What’s a good trail for dogs?

What should I bring for my dog on the hike?

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Can I take my dog on a hike, and does she have to be on a leash?
Rules for dogs vary from one land agency to another, but what doesn’t change is that dogs should always behave in a responsible manner. Even in areas where dogs are allowed off leash, your pet should always be under voice control – this means that your dog will come when called. If your dog does not come when called, you should keep your dog on a leash. And no matter where you are going, you should always bring your leash with you.

Here’s a rundown of some rules specific to certain lands across Washington:

National Parks – Dogs are prohibited on all trails in Mount Rainier and Olympic National Parks. They are also not allowed on trails (except the Pacific Crest Trail) in North Cascades National Park. In addition, dogs are not allowed on beaches in Olympic National Park, except Rialto Beach 0.5 miles north of Ellen Creek; all Kalaloch beaches (from Ruby Beach south to South Beach); and the Peabody Creek Trail.
National Forests – Dogs are generally permitted on U.S. Forest Service trails. There are several areas, however, where dogs are not permitted or must be on leash:

A harness leash is a great way to keep both of your hands free (and get a little extra tug up the hill). Photo by Julie Reimer.
Enchantments and Ingalls Lake Trail – Because of heavy hiker use and the fragile ecosystem of these areas, dogs are not allowed anywhere in the Enchantments Basin and on the Ingalls Lake Trail.
Alpine Lakes Wilderness – There’s no easy way to summarize, but a good rule of thumb is if the trail leads into the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, you’re generally required to have a dog on a leash. This includes most trails accessed along I-90 and on Highway 2 west of Stevens Pass. Leashes are also required on several popular trails in the Wenatchee-Okanogan National Forest. There are several exceptions to the above rules, including trails in the Middle Fork Snoqualmie area. A previous blog post lists the specific leash-only trails here.
Other leash-only trails – There are several other trails on the national forest where leashes are required. Always check at the trailhead and bring your dog’s leash.
Washington State Department of Natural Resources – Most Washington State DNR trails, including Mount Si and Tiger Mountain, require that dogs be on a leash at all times.
Washington State Parks – Dogs are welcome at state parks but must always be on a leash. Dogs are not allowed at swimming beaches.
King County Parks – Dogs must be leashed on all King County trails, including Cougar Mountain Regional Park.
Rules and regulations can vary from trail to trail, so check at the trailhead for posted information. Or call the local ranger station.

Why should I have my dog on a leash?
There are many good reasons to leash your dog on trail. Here are a few of the biggest ones.

For your dog’s safety – Leashed pups are safe pups. There are a lot of natural hazards out there – cliffs, sharp rocks, boulders, rivers and creeks to cross, wild animals. An off-leash dog is much more likely to be hurt off-leash than on-leash. Or get lost. It’s a wild country out there and a dog can easily lose its way.

And then there are other dogs – especially ones that are not on a leash. Will these canines like each other, or won’t they? If not, it is best if you can easily pull your dog away from the other one and continue hiking. Finally, there are wild animals. If your dog gets between a mama bear and her cub, it could develop into a bad situation.
To be courteous to other trail users – You may have the nicest dog in the whole world, but other people don’t know that. All they see is a dog, sometimes a big dog, come careening up a hill or around a curve. They think: Is it friendly? How is it going to react to meeting my dog? My kids? Where are the owners?

Hiking with a dog on a leash is especially important on busy trails and ones frequented by families with children. From their short perspective, dogs appear very big to kids. And the stakes are high. A frightening encounter with a dog on trail can lead to a life-long fear of dogs or of hiking.

Hiking with your dog on a leash is a simple, courteous thing to do – and the dog is still going to have a great time (and you might get a little extra help going up the mountain!).

Everyone, including the goats, are able to enjoy this scene. Photo by Wendy Wheeler.
To respect wildlife – Marmot, squirrel, deer, goat! There are few dogs that have the self-control not to dart off after one of these creatures. A leash protects these critters and makes sure your dog doesn’t get lost or hurt dashing off after them.
To protect the vegetation – Unfortunately, dogs – no matter how well-trained – are not as mindful of fragile mountain plants as hikers are. This can be the case on trail, when dogs veer off into the trees or romp in the meadow while bounding ahead of their owner. But it is particularly true at the hiking destination, especially lakes, when you stop to rest. These places usually get more impact from hikers anyway, and dogs simply compound that. The higher you travel, the more fragile the vegetation gets. So please, keep a close eye on your pets in these locations.
Because you’re following the rules – As mentioned above, dogs are required to be on leash in all parts of the Issaquah Alps trail system, on state park trails, DNR lands and on trails leading into the Alpine Lakes Wilderness – plus any number of other trails. Pack your leash and check the signs at the trailhead to see what the rules are and please follow them, even if other hikers are not.
What’s the best etiquette for dogs on trail?
As a hiker, you are responsible for your own actions. As a dog owner, you have an added responsibility: your dogs actions. By following these simple canine hiking guidelines, you will go a long way to making the trails enjoyable for everyone.

Shasta enjoys a hike on the ‘flexi’ leash. Photo by Katie Shurtleff.
Obey the rules specific to the trail you’re visiting. Some trails are closed to dogs and many require leashes. Check with the land manager before you head out or consult the signs at the trailhead.
Keep dogs on a leash or under strict voice control at all times. Strict voice control means the dog immediately heels, stays at heel and refrains from barking.
Yield the right-of-way to hikers. When dog owners meet other hikers, the dog and owner must yield the right-of-way, stepping well clear of the trail to allow other users to pass.
Yield the right-of-way to horses. When dog meets horse, the dog owner must first yield the trail. Make sure the dog stays calm, refrains from barking and doesn’t move toward the horse. If possible, move to the downhill side of the trail (so you don’t look big) and hold your dog close until the horse is well past.
Pick up or bury the poop. The only poop atop the forest floor should be from the animals who live there. Pack a trowel and bury the waste as you would your own, or better yet, pack it out in a plastic baggie.
What’s a good trail for dogs?
While most hiking trails allow dogs, that doesn’t mean that they’re dog-friendly. Obstacles that hikers may not find difficult can prove insurmountable for their dogs. Boulder fields, rooty and rocky trailbeds, cliffs, stream crossings and snow are all important features to take into consideration before heading out.

So how do you find a trail that is good for dogs? We recommend purchasing one or both of the Best Hikes with Dogs books by Mountaineers Books. There is one for the Inland Northwest and one for Western Washington. Each have 75 to 80 dog-tested hikes to try.

Many of WTA’s Trip Reports mention hiking with dogs. By doing an Advanced Search and clicking on the Hiked with a Dog box, you can read reports written by hikers who did that hike with a dog.

If you’re just starting to hike with your dog, try some easy trails first. See how your dog does crossing small streams, balancing on bridges and dodging big boulders. Determine how much water and food are required for a day hike, how well your dog adjusts to a pack and how she fares with elevation gain and mileage. As you get to know what kind of hiker your dog is, you’ll know what to look out for with the trails you choose.

What should I bring for my dog on the hike?
You know about the Ten Essentials you should always have in your pack. Here are the Essentials for Dogs:

Obedience training – Before you set foot on a trail, make sure your dog is trained and can be trusted to behave when faced with other hikers, dogs and wildlife.
Leash and collar – Always carry a leash, even when it is not required. Situations may arise that warrant leashing your dog.
Water and bowl – Don’t count on finding water along the trail. Pack enough for the entire day. A good rule of thumb is three liters of water for your dog’s day hike.
Dog food and treats – Keep your dog well fed on the trail, because she will burn more calories than usual. Bring extra snacks in case you get lost and need to spend the night in the woods.
Plastic bags and trowel – Be courteous and leave the trail as you found it. Packing out your dog’s poop is the best etiquette – or bury it as you would your own waste (200 feet away from the trail and water sources).
ID tag and picture identification – Make sure your dog is properly identified with tags should she become separated from you. Put a photo of your dog in your pack.
Doggy backpack – Let your dog carry her own treats and water. Check that packs have reflective areas for night hiking and are padded for a comfortable fit.
Basic canine first-aid kid – Includes gauze pads and tape in case of cuts, a couple of bouillon cubes to encourage the dog to drink if she’s getting dehydrated, and antibiotic cream for dressing wounds that might be infected.
Okay, enough of all of this! Head to the hills with your dog and have fun!

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I would love to hear from anyone who takes their dog along with them on hikes, any helpful tips or gear solutions would be would be fantastic

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More and more people are enjoying camping and we have been saying it for a long time and here is proof (well in NZ anyway)! New Zealand Camping and Caravaning on the rise and why are we not surprised. New Zealand is a beautiful country with dramatic landscapes that should be enjoyed.  Stuff.co.nz has published an article which explains some of the reasons why this is

Why New Zealand Camping and Caravaning is on the Rise

The return of the “old-school” caravan is part of a surge in interest from New Zealanders, particularly young families, in camping in New Zealand.

Department of Conservation Wellington visitor centre manager Wendy Challis said while the cost was appealing – as low as $6 per night to stay in a DOC camp ground – the surge was also being pushed by people “getting back to nature”.

The environmental benefits of camping were also appealing to people, she said. “It’s a greater awareness and appetite of what we have at our own doorstep.”

It was a secret long-known to overseas visitors, who had been camping in New Zealand in droves for years, as had retired New Zealanders.

“DOC campgrounds are a hot favourite,” Ms Challis said.

For Stokes Valley couple Naomi and Josh Cooper, the decision to camp at the Paekakariki Holiday Park this summer was partly driven by money but also as “an experience” for their daughters, Heilee, 10, and Jorja, 9.

The Coopers had not been camping since their early 20s and wanted their daughters to experience the camaraderie they remembered of children at camping sites. “Also, with adult campers, the adults are really friendly people,” Mrs Cooper said.

Paekakariki had the added bonus of welcoming their great dane-bull mastiff cross, Dodge.

Pukerua Bay woman Conor Twyford knows the benefits of camping well.

Camping in Paekakariki with her two twin sons, Joseph and Patrick Rockell, 7, only 10 minutes from home, she has the enjoyment of camping with the comforts of home. “My husband can go home and bring stuff we forgot. We love it. This is the fourth year we have done it.”

But, costing $90 just for three nights camping, the bargain aspect also played its part, she said.

“I haven’t got a lot of leave this year, so we can do something quickly and feel like we have had a proper holiday.”

Martinborough Top 10 Holiday Park owner Frank Cornelissen said while people were saving a bit of money by staying in campgrounds rather than resorts or hotels, they were not skimping on dining and drinking out.

“The whole family can go away for not a lot of money.”

There was a “definite” increase in people choosing to camp in recent years, with a noticeable increase in the return of “old-school” caravans.

As well as the classic family camping holiday, he was seeing a lot of younger groups of friends.

Top 10 Holiday Parks chairman Gerald Nolan said campgrounds were generally full at this time of year, but there had been a surge in people tenting.

New Zealand Motor Caravan Association general manager Bruce Lochore said membership in the last year had risen by 13 per cent – largely driven by baby boomers retiring. Those who would have retired to a $450,000 bach were now spending $150,000 on a mobile home, which was not only cheaper, but gave them more freedom.

Retirees these days also seemed to have more energy to travel.

“They want to make the most of it.”

We know now that New Zealand camping and caravaning is on the rise and we would love to hear from people from other parts of the world. If you are new to camping let us know and tell us about your experience. Leave a comment below.

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Ever thought about doing something completely different? If you like wild camping then I don’t think it gets much wilder than camping in Antarctica. The world property channel have posted an article on how you can experience the beauty and wonder of the antarctic.

Camping in Antarctica

Been everywhere? Done everything? Well…ever been to Antarctica? Ever camped in Antarctica?

Well, now’s your chance. Now’s your chance to sleep under the stars in Antarctica, taking in the summer night (and 24-hour sun) from a surprisingly-comfortable tent. A Norwegian company called Hurtigruten began taking customers on out-of-the-ordinary sea-cruise voyages in 1892, first in Norway, and now, with offices in a number of countries, to a variety of destinations. Hurtigruten isn’t new to Antarctica; it’s been sailing there for years. But now, its customers have the option to spend a night sleeping off the ship…which will probably be the most memorable night of their lives.

You’ll join the crew in pitching two-person tents on the frozen landscape of the White Continent…perhaps being watched by “locals” such as penguins or seals. You’ll lie down for the night in cozy, comfortable bedding materials. You’ll go to sleep and wake up to the sun. You’ll be enveloped in the sounds of silence, and by a sun-streaked sky so brilliant at some times and so subtle at others that you’ll probably keep waking up to see it. And, in so doing, you’ll get a glimpse of how it might have been for explorers such as Roald Amundsen and Earnest Shackleton (although, because of modern equipment and safeguards, you’ll be a lot safer than they ever were!).

You’ll be accompanied every step of the way by two experienced expedition guides for every 15 participants. And you’ll be supplied with all cold-weather needs (except pajamas!).  Depending on the weather, guides will take you out on short walks; give you fascinating discussions about what you’re seeing, hearing, touching and experiencing; show you how to listen for “polar sounds”; keep you supplied with hot drinks (and a cold-drink toast); and wake you up for the White Continent sunrise.

There’s a 13-day “Classic Expedition” and a ten-day “Polar Circle Expedition,” each focusing solely on Antarctica. You’ll sail through the dramatic Drake Passage, tracing the paths of those earlier explorers, and you’ll land on breathtaking spots filled with exotic wildlife.

On the 13-day “Weddell Sea Expedition,” you’ll follow the route of British Captain James Weddell, who managed to reach the 74º latitude in 1823 – the first one to do it. The 17-day “Christmas Expedition” celebrates the season with traditional carols, festive meals, Santa Claus visits and a New Year’s gala…and has two extra bonuses – the Falkland Islands and South Georgia. The longest expedition is the one called “In the Realm of the Great Explorers.” On this 19-day trip, you’ll trace the path followed by Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton in Antarctica in 1908-1909, and also visit the sub-Arctic eco-systems of the Falklands and South Georgia.
Antarctica is the only continent with no permanent human inhabitants. However, it doesn’t lack for non-human inhabitants. Its home to millions of penguins, thousands of seals, and large pods of whales who come here to feed in summer. It’s the coldest, driest, highest, and cleanest continent. And you’ll see sights such as giant icebergs (when they “calve,” or break up, the earth shakes and the air is filled with a thunderous roar), groups of penguins swimming out to sea to hunt for krill, and leopard seals patrolling the shorelines.

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Do you feel like doing something different this New Years Eve? Take a look at Lonely Planets take on the coolest places for New Years Eve Breaks and just get away from the ordinary. My personal pick would be the French Alps but there’s another four hotspots to choose from and I am sure that you will be able to find one that suits you.

The Best New Years Eve Breaks

Lonely Planet’s favourite New Year’s Eve destinations

It’s easy to be a cynic about New Year’s Eve, but let’s be honest – most of us will be joining in the countdown to 2013. Whether you’re hoping to gaze at fireworks, contemplate life at a tranquil hideaway, or fumble for someone to kiss at midnight, here’s our round-up of travel picks for New Year’s Eve.

Prague, Czech Republic, recommended by Tom Hall, Travel Editor at Lonely Planet

Prague makes for a superb New Year’s Eve break.The city stays open over the holiday, so there’s lots to do, and of course the Old Town looks fantastic in deep winter

New South Wales coast, recommended by Jane Atkin, Online Community, London

I’m a city girl through and through, but when it comes to New Year’s Eve there’s nowhere I’d rather be than by the seaside somewhere along the coast of New South Wales. Sydney can keep its fireworks, I’d rather have a bonfire on the beach and watch shooting starts while I shoot the breeze with my nearest and dearest. I’ve seen the ball drop in Times Square, but nothing beats the natural attractions of New South Wales coastline.

Chiang Mai, Thailand recommended by Tom Hewitson, Destinations Editor at lonelyplanet.com

Sick of freezing to death in hour-long queues and splashing cash on overpriced drinks? Why not take a post-Christmas trip to $1.50-a-beer, 27ºC Thailand? While the southern islands will be full of the inevitable ‘full moon’ parties bearing absolutely no relation to the lunar cycle, the northern city of Chiang Mai provides the perfect mix of cheap drinks and cultural adventures.

Dublin, Ireland, recommended by James Kay, Digital Editor at lonelyplanet.com

Dubliners are said to drink nearly 10,000 pints of beer each hour from Friday night to Monday morning. Make no mistake – this is a town that knows how to party. What better place, then, to spend New Year’s Eve than St Stephen’s Green, the lungs of the Republic’s rambunctious capital, which hosts an annual fireworks display amid the mother of all craics

French Alps, recommended by Anita Isalska, writer and editor on lonelyplanet.com

The antidote to New Year’s Eve mayhem is a blissful retreat to the French Alps. Clean mountain air eradicates the post-Christmas bloat, and rambling around snow-covered beauty spots like Lake Montriond is an invigorating build-up to the big night.

Check Out The Full Article At Lonely Planet

So what do you think?

Have you got a better spot picked out for New Years? then let us know in the comments below, oh and by the way where ever you happen to be have a safe and enjoyable time

Or why not check out an Antarctic Trip for a totally wild New Years Eve Break?

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In 2011 during the months of September and October, Jane Blanchard hiked the Camino de Santiago, a 500-mile journey that would take her from France, over the Pyrenees and across northern Spain. The pilgrimage  ends at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela where it is said the remains of the apostle Saint James are buried. Jane’s story, documented in the book Women of the Way: Embracing the Camino, tells of her personal journey, her encounters with the many women she met along the way and also the beauty she discovered. Her descriptions of the surrounding area have been described as breath-taking and her personal journey compelling.  Whilst many take the pilgrimage for religious reasons, Jane’s journey was one of discovery. Click the link to be taken to the website where you can find out more about the book.

The video below is the trailer for her book

Jane had kindly written a post about her experience on the Camino, The Camino de Santiago, a great first long walk. Click the link to read more about the great pilgrimage.

Author Bio

Jane was born in Hartford, Connecticut before moving to New Hampshire with her husband Dennis. After spending most of her adult life there, her and Dennis moved to Sarasota, Florida in 2003.

For 30 years Jane worked as a technical writer and Women of the Way is her first non-technical book. Jane is also an avid Mountain Biker, after taking up the sport at the age of 50, she went onto win second place in the Masters Division EFTA Championship Series.  She has also climbed 20 of the 4,000 feet mountains in New England.

One of Jane’s main aims was to create a lifetime of memories with her husband Dennis, they are both still doing that and when they are not hiking, climbing or riding they are writing and sharing their journeys with us.

For more information about Jane  please visit her website JaneVBlanchard .com

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There are many ways to get to Santiago de Compostela, the town which boasts having the remains of St. James the Apostle reposed in a silver coffin in the cathedral basement. For over a millennium, pilgrims set off from towns throughout Europe in hopes of arriving in Santiago. Among Christians, this is the third most popular pilgrimage, after Rome and Jerusalem. Nowadays, the Camino de Santiago is a European Cultural Itinerary, attracting over 140,000 pilgrims from around the world each year. Though people still walk it for religious reasons, many modern-day pilgrims hike for the adventure, health, and sport.

As with many pilgrims, this was my first long walk, though my husband had walked 2176 miles on the Appalachian trail. We hiked the most traveled route, the Camino Frances, crossing the Pyrenees from France to Spain, and then proceeding westward for 790 kilometers (500 miles). Many people walk the distance in thirty days; it took us forty-three days, though I often wish we had taken longer and seen some of the attractions that we rushed by. We are both in our 60s and met people younger and older than we. About forty percent of the pilgrims are female, most hiking alone, or at least starting alone before finding a Camino buddy.

The Camino offers a variety of terrain. The majestic Pyrenees in the east, the arid Meseta or central plain, then the Montes de León in the west with the highest elevation on the Camino at1515 m (4970 ft.). For most pilgrims on the Camino Frances, the eastern part is the most difficult. After the first week of walking up and down hills, the body adjusts and the aches and pains disappear. We went slowly that first week and by the end of the trip we were hiking 40 km (26 miles) per day.

Hiking the Camino differs from other hikes in that you only need to carry personal items, water, and perhaps a picnic lunch. In a day’s walk, you go through several towns where you can find food, water, and lodging. Additionally, taxis can take your backpack from one town to another. Those who use this service carry a minimal pack. I taxied my pack one day as I recovered from tendonitis.

Pilgrims are open and friendships develop quickly, perhaps because everyone shares a common goal, similar pains and aches, and, often, meals. It makes no difference if you are poor or rich, young or old, religious or not. Speaking a common language is helpful but not a requirement. I made friends with people from all over the world and still keep in touch with them more than a year after completing the Camino.

Accommodations on the Camino vary. Most pilgrims stay in albergues (hostels) that offer a bunk, shower, and a place to wash clothes. If you wish more private or elegant settings, you can stay in guest houses (pensiones), inns and hotels. Some albergues have kitchens available and pilgrims often pool resources to cook a communal meal. Some of my most memorable moments are associated with cooking and eating shared meals. Most restaurants feature a Pilgrim’s Menu, a specially priced meal. For about 7 to 10 €, you can choose from several options for the first and second dish, bread (without butter), dessert, and water or wine. The portions are ample and the wine superb. Of course, you can order á la carte, but it will cost more.

Dennis and I carried an MSR Hubba-Hubba two-person tent that weighed 3 lbs. 11 oz. We stayed on albergue grounds or in campgrounds. We took the tent because Dennis is a ham radio operator and wanted to make radio contact with other hams while on the Camino. Having the tent also provided a night away from the albergue’s night noises: snoring, people getting up to use the bathroom, people groaning or talking in their sleep. The foam earplugs kept popping out of my ears; before my next Camino adventure, I will visit an audiologist to be fitted for sound-canceling earplugs. In addition to having a reprieve from the noise, the tent provided us privacy and a chance for quiet time. The disadvantages to carrying the tent, aside from the extra weight, is missing the camaraderie that the albergue provides.

The Camino is stunning; photos do not capture its beauty: the formidable Pyrenees, with each switchback offering a more magnificent vista than the previous; the contrast of the Meseta’s parched soil with the green and purple of the vineyards, the gold of the sunflowers, and the deep blue sky; the western mountains, with its gnarly trees, green fields, and quaint farms.

Many people are changed by the Camino. I am not the same person I was prior to walking it. My values have changed. What was important before, no longer is, even after a year. The Camino is addictive. I long to return, but next time I will follow the Camino Portugués, the Portuguese Way.

There is the expression “the Camino provides.” If you are considering hiking the Camino de Santiago, go without expectations and see what the Camino provides you. You may be surprised by the outcome.

Buen Camino.

Jane V. Blanchard is the author of Women of the Way: Embracing the Camino. The book is available on most online stores. To order a signed copy, click here.

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When people backpack through Germany, the destination they usually head for is Berlin. Whilst Berlin is a beautiful place to visit, there are alternatives that offer culture, history and great beer! The city of Leipzig is a delight for those wanting to get off the backpacking trail and discover a hidden gem in Europe.

Gomio.com have published the following information for those who want to try something a little different whilst backpacking in Germany.

Backpacking in Germany: Leipzig

A center of trade from the start, Leipzig also grew into a cultural center with influential names like Goethe and Bach, as well as a center of the german liberal movement, and the birth place of the first, organized protests against the communist regime which ultimately culminated in the 1989 fall of the Berlin wall.  Today, Leipzig still has the spirit, motion, and pride that impassioned the political revolution, except now, all of that energy is being put toward its own evolution, toward continuing Leipzig’s legacy as a forward-thinking hub of art and culture with a young population and lively city life.

What to do?

There is a surprising, and somewhat eclectic, variety of things to do whilst backpacking in Leipzig, most of the attractions bearing titles like “the oldest” or “the first,” reflecting Leipzig’s character as a city of ingenuity and creativity.

History

Leipziger Messe – Leipzig Trade Fair:

The double “M” logo of the Leipzig Trade Fair (ger.: Leipziger Messe) marks the entrance to one of the oldest commercial trade fairs in the world.  Today, you can stop by to visit shops, supermarkets, events, and skating, and home for the second largest book fair in Germany, held every March, attracting almost 164,000 visitors last year. Compare the difference between the Leipzig New Fair, complete with five exhibition halls that is a new take on the medieval tradition.

Culture and Arts

Asisi Panometer:

If you’re looking for something unique, the Asisi Panometer offers the world’s largest 360 degree panorama.  With past themes like Mount Everest and ancient Rome, and the current theme as the Amazon Rainforest, stand on the raised, center platform to gawk at the spectacular, mystical recreations that will leave you in awe and wonder.  The light and sound effects, coupled with the towering amalgam of paint and photographic images, make you truly feel a part of the scene.

Beer

Yes, for Germany, “beer” gets its own category within a culture that can’t help but enjoy a good brew!

Honky Tonk Pub Festival:

You know what is great? Staying in a Hostel, meeting people, and hit the road! But here is one thing you will enjoy by backpacking Leipzig. Book your hostel in Leipzig and take part in the largest pub crawl in Europe and dive head-first into trying all of the pubs and bars that Leipzig has to offer.

Auerbachs Keller:

One of Germany’s oldest taverns dating back to the middle ages, this important pub, restaurant, and wine cellar holds its own flash of fame for being referenced in Goethe’s playFaust. Can’t get much more authentic than that!

There are many more wonders of Leipzig that are not included on this list and remain undiscovered to the everyday tourist.  A relic of the past, and a promise for the future, Leipzig offers backpackers a bridge between both old and modern-dayGermany, and an interesting view into how the two have created the German culture of today.

Hostels in Leipzig

Say Cheese Hostel Leipzig

The new Say Cheese Hostel in Leipzig is a fun hostel & hotelfor smiling people! We want you to enjoy and have an unforgettable experience with your friends!

Sleepy Lion Hostel Leipzig

The Lonely Planet said about the Sleepy Lion Hostel Leipzig “this playful hostel is the best deal in the center of tow”. Sleepy Lion provides you with information and help to discover the city of Leipzig, free Wi-Fi, cheap drinks etc. and that 24hours and 7 days a week!

Central Globetrotter Hostel Leipzig

The Central Globetrotter Hostel next to Leipzig main station features a fully equippedguest kitchen, free Wi-Fi and quiet yard in a relaxed atmosphere.

Read the entire article here

Take a look at the video to find out more about this historical city.

Backpacking in Germany doesn’t have to include all the usual haunts. Try something different Please share with your friends and click the like button

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Sometimes you come across a story that is worth sharing just for the sake of sharing and this is one of those times. If you have ever felt that something is just to hard then you should read this story about hiking the appalachian trail.

At 62 thats just what Tom McCarthy decided to do and you can read the rest of his adventures courtesy of the Tampa Bay Times

Hiking The Appalachian Trail

NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — Two years into retirement, Tom McCarthy felt like he hadn’t accomplished much.

At 62, he was standing at the end of a prosperous career as a business owner. There were family vacations and time with the grandchildren to look forward to. He lives in a comfortable house with his wife, but something was missing.

Hiking was sometimes the answer. He’d put in a few excursions here and there. They seemed to quell the feeling. Maybe he’d try the Appalachian Trail, he figured. He would give himself eight years of on-and-off hiking to do it.

Somewhere out in the rolling hills near Erwin, Tenn., about 250 miles up the trail, it hit him. McCarthy can’t quite articulate the feeling.

He knows the hiking gave him an “inner peace.” That there was a freedom to waking up in the morning, strapping his belongings to his back and marching off into the woods without an inkling of where he would set up his next camp, he said. That this remote strip, 2,184 miles long and a few yards wide, is a world of transient souls, all equal, bound by the journey. He liked that. “There’s just something about hiking long-distance that’s more spiritual,” he said.

McCarthy was scheduled to get off the trail last year in Damascus, Va., but something made him decide to stay. He hiked 1,275 miles between April and September 2011. He finished the last 909 miles between May and September this year.

The adventure urge came early for McCarthy. As a kid growing up in Lake Shore, Md., and Ravenswood, W.Va., he spent most of his time outside playing hide-and-seek, building forts and climbing fences.

The first purchase McCarthy made with his own money was a tent — the old kind with a canvas lining held up by wooden stakes — that he lugged into the woods to camp with his buddies.

He moved to St. Petersburg, Fla., with his parents in his senior year of high school, then went back to West Virginia to attend Marshall University. After graduation, he returned to the Tampa Bay area with his first wife. He met his second wife, Marlene, now 63, working at a medical-transcription service, which they went on to co-own.

McCarthy was never into serious trail-hiking until Christmas 1996, when Marlene bought him his first hiking backpack. After that, “I just got eaten up by it,” he said. “I wanted to hike as much as I could.”

But, he said, “Florida’s not a very good hiking place. To me, you need streams and mountains.”

He pushed for harder, more scenic trails in the Rocky Mountains. When he and Marlene sold their business in 2009, he had time and money for something bigger. That’s when he hatched the plan.

The Appalachian Trail — or AT, if you’re talking to a veteran of it — starts in Springer Mountain, Ga., and wanders north through 14 states to the northern terminus, Mount Katahdin, Maine. The AT draws a few kinds of people: day-hikers; section-hikers, who take the trail one stretch at a time, usually coming home between hiking stints; and through hikers, the people who manage to carve out up to a half-year to hike the trail in a single sweep.

McCarthy would be a section-hiker, taking the trail a few weeks, a few hundred miles, at a time, catching flights home to be a husband, a father, a grandfather.

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Certainly an achievement to be proud of at any age let alone 62 and it just goes to show that anything is possible if you have the desire and the courage to push yourself a little. Just maybe you will find that something you had been missing just as Tom McCarthy seems to have.

Check out this video compilation of some of the beautiful scenery that is part of what hiking the appalachian is all about

Hopefully you found this story as inspiring as I did and if so please share it with anyone else you think might be interested.

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Are you looking for an exhilarating challenge? Then how about the Deloitte Ride Across Britain, considered to be one of the best long distance, endurance cycling events in the UK. Covering 960 miles in 9 days. Yep over 100 miles per day. The ride is fully supported and will take you from John O’Groats to Lands End.  The event takes place in June 2013, s what are you waiting for get signed up! To get you in the mood, watch the video below for inspiration.

Deloitte Ride Across Britain 2013

Deloitte Ride Across Britain is the premier UK cycling challenge which sees over 700 riders take on the legendary ‘End to End’ each year. People enter to fundraise, to fulfil a lifelong ambition to complete the route, or sometimes just to get themselves into shape. Many are inexperienced cyclists when they sign up, but from the moment they are on board we take care of everything. Having looked after almost 1,500 on the Ride and ensured 94% have crossed the finish line we know what makes riders happy after a long day in the saddle.

Get you name down soon and get some extras for winter training!

You need the right combination of motivation and kit to train in winter. This is why we are offering a choice of an Elite Mag Turbo Trainer worth £140 or a men’s or women’s Brooks B17 saddle worth £65 for the next 50 people who register for a full course place and enter the codeHALFORDS2013 at checkout.

For 2013 we have the same incredible route as 2011, but more packages than ever to choose from

We are excited to launch some new options for 2013 to allow more people than ever to join us out on the road. You can now choose from the 9 day John O’Groats to Land’s End package, the 5 day England package or the 4 day Scotland package. They all have the same level of support and camaraderie, but if you are stuck for holiday or aren’t ready for the full 9 dayer yet then the shorter packages are the ones for you.

The 2013 ride is expected to be the most in demand yet as word spreads from those who have experienced the magic first hand. You can enter the ride by paying the deposit on your credit card here. However, if you have any questions get in touch. Like all big challenges you sometimes need  a reassuring voice to make that final leap.

Please share this with your Facebook friends and click the button. If you are looking for more challenges then check out our Get Outdoors section for inspiration

 

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Hikers are always seeking out new spots to spend a leisurely afternoon in and lots of areas go undiscovered and these always tend to be the hidden gems. The hiking trail in Byrne Forest, Corralitos is one such spot which thanks to Jeff Helmer is now open to tours for anyone who wants to find out more about this protected land.
 
 
 

Hiking Trail in Corralitos : Byrne Forest

Helmer’s backyard is the 406-acre Byrne-Milliron forest, protected by the Land Trust of Santa Cruz since 1984, and as the saying goes, he knows it like the back of his hand.

For the past 25 years, along with his recently-retired post at Antonelli’s Pond in Santa Cruz, Helmer has been care taking at the forest, which means visiting it almost every single day to maintain the 10 miles of trails and road—many of which he created himself.

Without Helmer, the trails would be overgrown, obstructed by fallen trees and invasive plant species, and washed out without proper drainage during the winter rains. So it makes sense that the friendly-faced, soft spoken Helmer is proud of the forest; in a way, it’s his masterpiece.

At 67, Helmer is still spry, leading me down the “Three Bear” Trail at a brisk and sure-footed pace.

“I used to run this when I was younger, until I was about 50. Then I just stopped one day. It was like Forest Gump,” said Helmer.

As we hike along the fern-covered banks of the stream, Helmer moves fallen branches off the trail and shows me the places where trees fell over the trail during earthquakes. He simply cut a segment away with his chain saw, leaving it as intact as possible.

We stop at an altar where he found a dead coyote, and where people have left all sorts of mementos for loved ones, and we pass a tree trunk where Helmer left his mother’s ashes.

The ten miles of road and hiking trails includes the “Great White” trail, which winds its way to a 250-foot tall redwood tree of the same name, estimated to be around 1,000 years old. The tree is one of the few first-growth redwoods that survived the logging sweep at the turn of the century.

“Back then they burnt everything after they wiped it out, just to clean everything up,” said Helmer, pointing to the blackened trunk of a massive redwood cut long ago.

We are on our way to Vista Point, a breathtaking opening in the trail which looks over the entire Pajaro Valley and bay beyond. When we arrive, there is a basket of apples he’s left from the orchard, a water station for humans and dogs, and several hikers taking in the view.

“I lived here my whole life before I knew this was here,” said one hiker, Julie Miller. “When a friend showed me and I couldn’t believe what a great hike so close to home.”

Sitting at a bench, Helmer cracks open a guest book which visitors sign, and we read a note to Helmer written in Spanish just the day before, thanking him for the work he does.

“I’m trying to get the latino population here, you don’t see a lot hiking, but this is theirs,” said Helmer, sweeping his hand across the view of the valley below.

The Byrne-Milliron forest is one of several lands protected by the Land Trust of Santa Cruz, and open to hikers who will respect it and enjoy it.

Visit the Land Trust website for more information on this or other protected lands, or email Jeff Helmer to set up a tour at jeff.helmer@landtrustsantacruz.org.

 

“The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.” 
― John Muir

The beautiful hiking trail in Corralitos is perfect for walkers or avid hikers. Please share on facebook with your friends. You might also like The Best Hikes in Americas National Parks. 

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