Barefoot on Kilimanjaro!

Posted on September 22, 2011 by Adventures Within Reach

Sonnet Baker (barefoot) in Colorado before her Kilimanjaro Climb

We recently met with Sonnet Baker who is planning to climb Kilimanjaro barefoot. Sonnet prefers to go barefoot whenever possible and she is an avid barefoot hiker.

Living in Colorado allows Sonnet to get in plenty of barefoot hiking on tough trails. As a barefoot hiker this summer she successfully climbed Longs Peak at 14,259 feet above sea level! Sonnet told us that she has prepared for Kili with regular hikes in Colorado and walks across snow fields in the late spring and early summer.

We all went barefoot for this shot!

Sonnet is bringing shoes! She will do as much hiking as possible barefoot, but she is willing to put on her hiking shoes if it is necessary to reach the summit.

Posted in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania | 1 Comment

Things to do in Tibet: Jokhang Temple in Lhasa

Posted on September 12, 2011 by Adventures Within Reach

Jokhang Monastery, Lhasa, Tibet

Located in Lhasa’s Barkhor Square lies the sacred, golden-domed Jokhang Monastery, also referred to as the Jokhang Temple.

Jokhang is considered to be the location of Tibet’s spiritual core, and dates back to the middle of the seventh century.

Millions of Tibetans have made pilgrimages to the monastery over the centuries, and today, Jokhang is thought of as the most sacred and important of all the Buddhist temples.

During your visit, it is easy to spend hours admiring the gilded bronze tiled roof, world-famous statues, and amazing shrines in this four-story, iconic historical center.

Visitors may access the temple by walking, bus, or even tricycle is not a bad choice. At 2:00pm, novice monks meet on the balcony of the second floor to debate religious doctrines.

The temple is open all day, including access to the rooftop, but the Lonely Planet guide suggests going in the morning instead of the afternoon, when visitors “have to enter via the side door to the right of the main entrance, and interior chapels may be shut.” Those traveling to the temple later in the day can spend time exploring the temple until sunset, and may be able to enjoy the sound of monks chanting prayers on the roof around 6:30pm.

Those traveling to Jokhang will be delighted by its rich history of fascinating stories, including statues that were given as part of intricate dowries, tales of the structures (and statues hidden inside) withstanding attacks from the Mongols, and the belief that the temple was built over a pool that the Chinese Princess Wencheng firmly believed to be an evil witch’s heart.

Visitors may photograph the inside halls for a fee, but taking photos of the exterior and rooftop areas are free. Locals also ask that photographs not be taken of “those stretched out in prayer” as a consideration for those worshiping at the temple.

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Adventure Travel With an iPad

Posted on September 9, 2011 by Adventures Within Reach

By TILDEN DANIELS

I was recently asked by a client whether it was a good or bad idea to travel with an iPad for her upcoming trip. Of course the iPad and other small tablet computers are great for traveling and are much more convenient than a “bulky” laptop, but what about using an iPad during an adventure travel trip? Is it okay to bring one along to a developing nation? Is it better to just bring along a book?

I was able to answer the question with some authority because I had taken an iPad with me on a trip to climb in the high Atlas mountains in Morocco. My answer was affirmative, it is fine to bring one along. Here are some notes from my travel experience with an iPad.

  • Books: the iPad was great for bringing along a variety of books. I downloaded some free e-books that I wouldn’t have brought otherwise, including John Muir’s Yosemite and A Thousand and One Nights. They were great books, one about the grandeur of nature and one a classic of “oriental” literature. You can also purchase specific chapters of many guide books such as the Lonely Planet.
  • Apps: Apps are great. There are many good travel Apps out there including maps and travel guides; however, most of them require an internet connection. A lot of places, especially anywhere synonymous with “adventure,” don’t have wifi internet (there isn’t a Starbucks on every corner!).
  • Internet: When you do want to check your email or surf the web, having an iPad is great. Most of the airports I visited, including the Marrakesh Menara airport, had free wifi. The only airport without free wifi was in Frankfurt, Germany. Note that some airports in Europe require you to have a cellphone to access the internet and you receive an access code in a text message to your phone. This was the case in Geneva, Switzerland. I also found free wifi in a few Marrakesh cafés.
  • Music and video: it was great to have music and video on long flights and during down time.
  • Photos: with the right adapter you can load your photos and videos from your digital camera right to your iPad. It can be fun to share them with your travel companions or even with your guides. I even composed a few blog posts from the road, but I found it difficult to upload photos. I was able to upload them to a flickr account using an App (but only 5 photos at a time!), and then I had to copy the link of the photo in order to post it on my blog entry.
  • Notes: Notes is one of the built-in Apps on an iPad. I found that it was a great way to keep a trip journal.

There are some considerations:

  • You might need or want to leave your iPad in a bag at a hotel or at the trailhead. I certainly didn’t want the extra weight in my backpack when I climbed the Jbel Toubkal! Make sure you are comfortable leaving it behind or else you should be prepared to carry it in your pack.
  • Power is also an issue. Make sure you bring the correct power adapters for your country of travel!
  • Depending on where you travel you might want to be discrete about your fancy device! Don’t pull it out somewhere you might be a victim of theft.
  • If you need to take the iPad on your trek or tour, consider the potential climate conditions. It would probably be a good idea to invest in a small dry bag in order to protect the tablet from moisture.
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84-Year-Old Set to Become Oldest to Summit Mt. Kilimanjaro

Posted on September 9, 2011 by Adventures Within Reach

Dick Byerley

Kilimanjaro Summit

Richard Byerley wants to go where no one else his age has gone before: to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro!

The 84-year-old is seeking to earn a spot in Guinness World Records™ as the oldest person to summit Africa’s highest peak on foot.

Ngorongoro Crater

Byerley and his two grandchildren, Annie, 29, and Bren, 24, will begin their six-day trek on the Machame Route in late September 2011. They will cap their African climbing adventure with a two-day safari to Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Crater.

The active octogenarian, who divides his time between Sun Valley, Idaho, and Walla Walla, Washington, where he owns an alfalfa farm, is training for the climb by hiking mountains in both Washington and Idaho, bicycling, running and occasionally moving 40-pound pipes in the fields on his farm. He has already bagged Mount Whitney in California (the tallest mountain in the lower 48 states, at 14, 495 feet) and Mount Rainier in Washington (the most heavily glaciated peak in the lower 48 states, at 13, 211 feet) and has skied for 44 years, a pastime he took up at the tender age of 40. But his physical pursuits are not limited to land. He and his wife Beth are both avid sailors; their voyages have included a trip from Seattle to Tahiti on their 50-foot boat.

Beth summited Kilimanjaro 30 years ago, so Richard figures “it’s high time to catch up.”

His attempt to complete this feat may have gone unrecognized, if not for the trained eye of Robin Paschall, founder of Adventures Within Reach.

While arranging his trip, Robin realized that a successful ascent would land Byerley a place in Guinness World Records™. AWR is arranging to document Byerley’s climb in order to fulfill the stringent criteria required by Guinness World Records™.

Byerley won the Adventures Within Reach trip at a charity auction for the Galena Lodge, located near Sun Valley, Idaho.

Conditions for their journey look good. The weather is typically great at that time of year, and the Machame Route is our most popular because of the high success rate. The route offers a continuous scenic show, but to top it off, Richard and his grandkids will be summiting right before a full moon, which will reveal a brilliant night sky.

Note: The current oldest Guinness World Records™ holder to summit Kilimanjaro on foot is British retired professor George Solt, who earned the title in 2010 at age 82. It is purported that 87-year-old Frenchman Valtee Daniel reached Kilimanjaro’s apex, but his ascent was not documented.

Posted in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, Travel Advice | Leave a comment

Southern France River Trip: May and June 2012

Posted on September 9, 2011 by Adventures Within Reach

The "Pont d'arc" on the Ardèche River

Richard Carrier, a guide who runs some of our Chilean Lakes District kayaking and rafting trips, is a native of southern France. Richard moved to Puerto Varas, Chile in 1998, but every year he returns to his homeland during the river season to run trips that go down three well-known French rivers: the Ardèche, the Allier and the Drôme.

Paddling the Ardèche is extremely popular, and this trip allows participants to experience an amazing river just before the peak season and the large crowds.

The itinerary begins and ends in Marseilles, giving trip participants a chance to get a healthy dose of Mediterranean sun. With a combination of southern French hospitality, scenic rivers, limestone cliffs, fine wines,  great food, and overnights in farmhouses and small inns, this trip is ideal for river enthusiasts who would like to experience Provençal French culture.

This trip includes 6 days of paddling in canoes, 2 days of hiking, and visits to villages and wine country.

Highlights of the trip include:

  • The “Pont d’Arc” on the Ardèche: an impressive natural limestone arch
  • Paddling on the Drôme river in the Alps
  • Hiking and/ or swimming in the Calanques, amazing limestone cliffs along the Mediterranean near Marseilles
  • A visit to “Châteauneuf du Pape,” one of the best wine regions in the Rhône valley
  • Historic French villages
  • The mountains in the Massif Central of Auvergne
  • French food
  • Overnights in small inns and authentic farmhouses

Sainte Marie des Chazes chapel on the Allier River

We recommend that participants with extra time schedule visits to some of the area’s cities after their trip: Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, Nîmes and Nice are all within a few hours of Marseilles.

The full itinerary can be viewed on our website.

Price: $3095 per person for select dates in May and early June 2012. 12-day itinerary begins and ends in Marseilles. Contact us for more information.

Posted in Alps, Europe | Leave a comment

Kilimanjaro Porters

Posted on September 6, 2011 by Adventures Within Reach
Kilimanjaro Guides and Porters

Kilimanjaro Guides and Porters

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro promises the adventure of reaching the highest point in Africa, the thrill of summiting a volcanic rim at sunrise in one of the most beautiful places on earth, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience a trek that ranges from lush Tanzanian rainforest to tundra and ice fields.

But what many don’t know about climbing Kilimanjaro is the story of those who climb the mountain for a living: the porters who accompany guides and climbers on every climb.

Porters and Their Gear

Porters are responsible for carrying each climber’s gear, food, and their own gear, in addition to climbing every step of the trip along with the group. Porters are essential members of each climb, but sadly, many of them are treated poorly and paid poverty-level wages by the companies they work for.

Adventures Within Reach has partnered with the Kilimanjaro’s Porters Assistance Project (KPAP) to support the ethical treatment of these incredibly hard-working people.

According to the KPAP website, many porters do not have the basic essentials when it comes to proper shoes, clothing, sleep accommodations, and food rations for their climbs. And while it may be easy to assume that these hard-working men (and, occasionally, women) have an “easier” time summiting Mount Kilimanjaro than us mere mortals, the truth is that porters are susceptible to the same risks as anyone else, including fatigue, altitude sickness, dehydration, injuries, and life-threatening hypothermia.

In an effort to make any money they can in order to take care of their families, porters will risk their health and well-being to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, even if the working conditions are unsafe.

If you’re planning an adventure-filled trip to Kilimanjaro, you can make a world of difference for these porters by doing the following:

  • Research travel companies carefully in terms of how the porters are treated and paid on their sponsored trips.
  • Visit the International Mountain Explorers Connection’s website (www.mountainexplorers.org/club/partners.htm) for an updated list of international companies that are committed to the ethical treatment of mountain guides
  • Only travel with tours that are transparent with their tipping and payment guidelines, and value the health and safety of their porters as much as anyone else.
  • Ensure that your gear is equal to or less than the maximum weight restrictions listed by KPAP.
  • Find out how much money you will need to bring for tipping, and include this money in the budget (and checklist) for your trip.
  • Remember to treat your porters with kindness and respect! You never know what you might learn about the remarkable crew who you will be sharing this amazing adventure with.

Visit the KPAP website, www.kiliporters.org, for more information, including valuable tips about how to make your trip as porter-friendly as possible!

Porter with Kilimanjaro in Background

Porters, Clients and Guides After a Trek

Posted in Kilimanjaro, Sustainable Tourism, Tanzania, Travel Advice | Leave a comment

2-for-1 Luxury Fly-In Safari in Tanzania

Posted on August 1, 2011 by Adventures Within Reach

Experience the ultimate African safari experience with 7 unforgettable nights in 4 iconic safari camps on this Tanzania safari.

The camps include:

We are delighted to offer this discount for select 2011 and 2012 dates.

AUG SEP SEP SEP SEP OCT NOV JAN 2012
27 2 10 14 22 26 1 and 11 2 and 4

Tarangire Treetops - Lodging in the Tarangire National Park

This trip includes 2 nights at the Serengeti Migration Camp voted one of the TOP 10 HOTELS IN THE WORLD 2011 by Travel and Leisure readers.

All transfers between camps and parks are by aircraft. Enjoy the beauty of Tanzania’s great wildlife camps in style!

View the complete itinerary: 8-Day Fly-in Luxury Tanzania Safari

Note: Park fees are not included in this offer.

Posted in Luxury, Safari, Tanzania | Leave a comment

Great Group Departures

Posted on July 29, 2011 by Adventures Within Reach

Joining a Group for the Haute Route Ski Tour in the Swiss Alps

For most of our destinations we offer custom departures for your private group. A few select destinations are best visited by joining a group with set dates – by joining a group we can offer you the best value and also accommodate single travelers. Groups can also be great to join for travelers looking to meet others on their next great adventure.

Here is a list of some great destinations that can visited as part of a group.

Argentina and Chile Kayaking and River Trips

Peninsula Valdés Sea Kayaking

There are great kayaking and river trips in the northern areas of Patagonia in both Chile and Argentina. These trips include:

  • 7-day Peninsula Valdés Sea Kayaking, October 17-23, 2011. This trip visits the Atlantic coast and includes kayaking among whales and sea lions.
  • 7-day Rio Puelo Trip, departures from November 2011 through March 2012. This trip descends the Rio Puelo from the Argentina-Chile border down to the Pacific. It passes through amazing scenery as you kayak, hike and raft from the mountains down to the ocean.

Aconcagua Climbs

Aconcagua

Aconcagua - 6,962 m (22,841 ft)

We have several set departures for expeditions to the summit of the highest mountain in South America. Consider joining our December 20, 2011 to January 5, 2012 departure for the normal route! There are more groups to join listed on our website for the 2011-2012 season with departures running through February 2012.


Ski Touring the Haute Route and Hiking Tours in the Alps

The Mont Blanc - 4,810 m (15,774 feet)

Joining a group for the Haute Route Ski Tour (departures from March through May) in the French and Swiss Alps offers a great value. We also offer groups to join for long distance hiking tours and for Mont Blanc Climbs.

  • Haute Route Ski Tour: departures from March through May.
  • Hiking Tours and Mont Blanc Climbs: departures from July through September.
  • Coming soon: Southern France River Rafting in the Ardèche and Drôme in the foothills of Alps, April-June 2012.

Kilimanjaro Climbs and Safaris in Tanzania

Client on the summit of Kilimanjaro - 5,895 m (19,341 ft)

While most of our climbs and safaris are private departures, we also offer select group dates for Kilimanjaro and Tanzania Safaris.

You can also see more groups to join for other destinations including Inca Trail Treks to Machu Picchu in Peru and Ecuadorian Volcano trips.

Please contact us for 2011-2012 dates for these group departures if not listed above. We can arrange for private departures for any of these destinations upon request and we can create a group around your dates.

Posted in Aconcagua, Alps, Argentina, Chile, Europe, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania | Leave a comment

Meet Our Team: AWR Staff Profiles

Posted on July 27, 2011 by Adventures Within Reach

Robin and Dean Paschall

Our adventure specialists have traveled the world and are ready to share their knowledge and years of experience with you!

Find out where we’ve traveled and why we are passionate about helping others with their adventures around the globe! Discover some of our favorite travel moments including reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and snorkeling with sharks in the Galapagos.

Visit our website to read about our staff.

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Last Minute Gorilla Permit Availability!

Posted on July 18, 2011 by Adventures Within Reach

UPDATE (August 1, 2011): Rwanda has just added 2 new Gorilla Families to trekkers! The original information is still valid for Uganda AND we have increased availability in Rwanda!

Mountain Gorillas

Gorilla permits for the summer months of 2011 have been almost completely sold out for many months now, but AWR has some permits available for last minute bookings on the following dates both in Uganda and Rwanda!

Do not miss out on this unique opportunity to trek the gorillas during June, July and August 2011!

Available dates:

Uganda:

July 22nd

August 12th, 17th, 26th, 27th, 31st

September 12th, 17th, 20th, 25th, 30th

Rwanda:

July 27th, 31st

August 19th

September 23rd, 29th, 30th

Posted in Safari, Trekking, Uganda / Rwanda | Leave a comment