Backpacks and blisters - the walking thread

[S. aureus]

Though somebody had left a champagne bottle where that photo was taken, in spite of the recycling bin being a few feet away.

[S. aureus]

10 miles around Arastradero (the peninsula’s most phallic park) and Foothill parks this morning.
View across the Bay:

[Jobi1]

Had a lovely little circular stomp on Thursday out from Castleton, up Cave Dale then around and up Mam Tor, before descending a bit along the ridge. The Peak District really is quite impressive.

[jameswba]

I also think the Sands news fits better here.

I've thought about him quite a lot in recent days, and especially since I was out (though at much lower altitudes) in not the best winter conditions on Sunday. I love winter hiking, but I have a lot of limitations ; I wouldn't go anywhere I'm unfamiliar with, or where I might be completely alone for long periods, wouldn't walk along exposed ridges etc. I was watching a video last night with a guy reflecting on the disappearances in California. His conclusion was to encourage people not to go up mountains in winter at all, however experienced they (think they) are. The dangers are clear ; the cold, avalanches, poor visibility, the tiredness brought on by trudging through deep snow that can quickly lead to exhaustion, and so on. And other lives get put at risk too. If someone goes missing or gets injured, mountain rescue have to come and look for them, and they are no more immune to the dangers of the mountains than anyone else.

The advice makes objective sense but is never going to work in my local area. People will always go out, and at least that means you get the sense of reassurance, camaraderie etc from seeing others.

Whatever, mountains of all shapes and sizes need a lot of respect.

[Moonlight Shadow]

Ah, did not check that forum, figured it would fit better in here, my bad...

[Nocturnal Submission]

(Likely) hiking tragedy involving cult actor....

https://www.theguardian.com/film/202...nters-11th-day

In a neat inversion of convention, Guy has already started a thread about this: https://www.onetouchfootball.com/for...e-of-the-sands

[Moonlight Shadow]

(Likely) hiking tragedy involving cult actor....

https://www.theguardian.com/film/202...nters-11th-day

[Jobi1]

Did a decent chunk of the Monsal Trail in the Peak District today. Lovely day for it. Here are the opposite views I got looking down from and then up at the Monsal Head viaduct...

[jameswba]

I'd like to see those MS, but I'm not on Instagram. I can sometimes upload on this site, sometimes not.

[Moonlight Shadow]

I was tramping the moors above Hebden Bridge and Todmorden Saturday, fog in the valley, sun up hill and just enough snow to give that satisfying crunching sound without making it a nasty slog...

Can't seem to be able to upload pics here anymore, pics on Instagram if you know me there (or ask me)

[jameswba]

It was like that here till a week or so ago. Yesterday's hike reminded me of why I should only go to areas I'm familiar with in snow and poor visibility. It's only 400 metres from the top treeline (where the path is clearly marked on trees) to the peak, but it felt like ten times as much.

[ad hoc]

Still no snow here. It's miserable. And hiking is basically not fun because everything is just mud

[jameswba]

[jameswba]

Managed to hike up our nearest peak yesterday, but took a good hour longer than usual after recent heavy snow. No view at all from the top, and visibility was poor. But a winter wonderland in the woods below.

[Sits]

The Farallons in the distance

HOORAY

[S. aureus]

There’s a trail here.

[S. aureus]

The Farallons in the distance:

[S. aureus]

Looking South along the Marin coast:

[S. aureus]

Some views from today’s hike.
Point Reyes:

[jameswba]

Thanks Sits, and Happy New Year. I don't know if winters ever going to properly start here. Yesterday's walk felt like it could have been in late March.

[Sits]

jameswba I had missed all yours since the start of December so it’s been a treat catching up.

[jameswba]

And the cottage below Suchy. Food never tastes better than here.

[jameswba]

Suchy from below.

[jameswba]

A couple of contrasting mountain hikes around New Year. First, my tenth successive New Year's Eve trip to Velky Rozsutec. It always come high in the list of Slovakia's most beautiful peaks, but had nothing to show us this day, due to the utterly dismal conditions. It was muddy lower down, mild and wet higher up, just generally dismal. Still a sense of achievement in making it all the way up though.

Yesterday, I went to Suchy at the opposite end of the range. Still no snow but a nice frosty day, with fairly clear skies above the lower valley cloud.

[jameswba]

View of Mincol (left) and Krizava, two of the highest points in the southern half of Mala Fatra.