An expedition towards the high-end of Himalayas is just like following the path to Heaven. None of us can deny to have spend childhood without hearing fairy tales, which says that God reside in the unending sky. Our religious scripture has also highlighted great Saints, who have spend their time in the icy peaks of Himalayas. Therefore, in order to find as what lies up, many has made their mind to explore her beauty, annually in moderate climatic pressure.

The mighty Himalayan ranges spreads over southeast to northwest part of Asia and separates the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau. Across the many hilly regions, the pious Ganges and the Brahmaputra makes the way to cascade, all the year round. Besides, the silent flow of Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej demarcates the valley’s beauty from other wonders in the world.

Himalayan Trekking Destinations:

Ladakh:
The sought after adventure destination-Himachal Pradesh is trekkers’ paradise. The Lahaul & Spiti district offers some high altitude trials, which remain snowy in extreme winter days. Miyar Valley, Darcha-Baralacha Pass, along the Manali-Leh highway, Palemo, Ladakh-Zanskar trek are some most popular trekking routes in the state.

Garhwal:
The mighty Himalayas in Garhwal measures about 3566 meters in altitude and suggest many trekking routes like, Har Ki Doon Trek, Roop Kund Trek, Nanda Devi National Park Trek, Valley of Flowers Trek and Gangotri Tapovan Trek.

Kumaon:
The Kumaon region is home to some of the best-known hill-stations in India. The magnificent beauty of Himalayas can be enjoyed with exploring Pindari Glacier Trek, Namik Glacier Trek, Kafni Glacier Trek, Sunderdhunga Glacier Trek and Sinla Pass Trek.

Sikkim:
A wonderful trekking experience can be grabbed with visiting the north-eastern state of Sikkim. The grandeur beauty of Himalayan pumps up the spirit of adrenaline lovers and indicate them to walk through the treks like, Yuksom to Dzongri, The Goecha La, Singalila Ridge, kanchenjunga base camp trek etc.

The religious Amarnath Yatra is performed by almost all Hindu devotees, during the month from July to August. The task of trekking begins from Pahalgam to Chandanwari to Sheshnag to Panchtarni and finally to the holy Amarnath caves.

Trekking is one of the most preferred activities for the adventure enthusiasts. It gives great adventure and great pleasure. But the interest gets doubled when you learn that you can trek the youngest and highest mountain system of the world. It will be really a lifetime experience to trek the Great Himalaya. Himalaya is also called as ‘abode of snow’ as the mountains remain covered with the snow.

Himalaya, the pride of Nepal holds eight of fourteen highest mountain peaks of the world. Such peaks include Mount Everest, Makalu, Lhotse, Chooyu, Kanchenjunga, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and Manaslu. The mountain ranges of Himalaya great trekking trails to the tourists to enjoy the trekking experiences. The Himalayan ranges of Nepal are great theatre where you can enjoy many mountainous activities and see the still cinema of beautiful landscape. Mountain climbers, trekkers, hikers and other mountain lovers visit Nepal frequently to get the great lifetime experience.

Along with trekking mountain trails, tourists can also see the breathtaking beauty and unique culture of Nepal. Tourists have a wonderful opportunity to explore the culture and natural wealth of the mountain land. Besides trekking, tourists can also enjoy adventure games like sky diving, river rafting, hiking, mountain gaming, peak climbing Nepal and others.

In the course of trekking Himalayas, you will pass through many mountain villages and will get opportunity to interact with local innocent people dwelling life there. You can also meet tribal people there on the altitude. Himalaya is itself a big base for wonderful ecology. Varied species of flora and fauna survive in the foothills of Himalaya. Visit Nepal and explore the exotic species of flora and fauna.

However, it is important to inform you that if you are planning to climb on high altitude, you must undertake the daring challenge under the guidance of an expert trek guide. You can easily get a guide with consultation with a trekking agency in Nepal. There are many agencies in Nepal that provide guide and trekking equipment. They guide the tourists to make the trekking tour safe and interesting. An expert guide has idea regarding dangerous trails and landslide areas. Landslide is very common in hilly and mountainous area. You must protect yourself from natural calamities like landslide, mountain storm, etc. So, you must begin your journey accompanying a trekking guide. Do not forget to carry compass, map, first-aid kit, stick and other equipment required on the trip. Do not make your bag too heavy. You have to walk long. Follow these tips and make your trekking tour to Himalaya a great experience for lifetime.

Southwest Australia is one of the worlds 25 biodiversity hotspots and this walk will take you through many of the habitats that make this region so spectacular and world renowned. The entire walk takes six to eight weeks to complete or can be done in shorter stages and is exclusively for walkers only, if you are interested in mountain biking please see the Munda Biddi trail article. The Munda Biddi trail takes a similar course and runs from Kalamunda to Albany as well.

Towns along the trail can be days apart, the longest being 12 days walk so it is important that you carry plenty of food and water. The only source of water on the track is at the campsites which are located a days walk apart, the rain is collected in rainwater tanks which are not filled by any other means. Water may be limited after summer so if you are planning on walking in April/May keep this in mind.

Unlike other famous trails the Bibbulmun is not very crowded and it could be days between seeing other hikers. But it can get busy on long weekends and holidays particularly at the campsites that are easily accessible.

When to go:

Temperatures in the region varies during the year, summer (December – March) is hot and dry with bush fires being a real threat. So the track should be walked in the cooler months (notice cooler- don’t be surprised if in the middle of winter there is at least a few days with temps above 25OC) any time between April and November. October and November can be really hot and dry, and nights get cold in late winter and early spring. Most rain falls in July and August and the southern half of the trail tends to get more rain.

The wildflower season peaks in September and October, can vary based on rainfall and temperatures. The bush comes alive with hundreds of different flowers and colours and should be seen.

Mosquitoes are found throughout the year on the track and the open shelters don’t provide protection from them so a mosquito net is recommended to prevent possible infection with River Ross Virus, some walkers will use the shell (sealed inner) from their tent for protection.

Route:

The track can be walked in both directions, with walkers choosing the direction that suits them or is easier to travel too (more on this later). The most common way to walk is from north to south. The track passes through the towns of Kalamunda, Dwellingup, Collie, Balingup, Pemberton, Northcliffe, Walpole, Denmark and Albany where hikers stay for one or two nights to resupply, wash their clothes and enjoy the hospitality.

The track is well marked with triangular markers with a snake on it, although snakes are commonly found in the bush it is not a warning to walkers, the snake is the Waugal which is a mythological rainbow serpent from the Aboriginal dreamtime. The track is broken down into 9 sections with 8 maps:

Getting There:

If you are walking the entire track you will need to get to/from Kalamunda and Albany. The northern trailhead is on the corner of Mundaring Weir Road and Railway Road, Kalamunda. From the Esplanade busport in Perth you can catch the 282, 296, 299 buses. Check out Transperth for timetables and fees. A taxi from Perth cbd to Kalamunda cost approximately Aud$55, and Aud$36 from the Airport.

The southern trailhead is 409km south of Perth at the Old Railway Station on Proudlove Parade, Albany. Transwa provides buses between Perth and Albany for Aud$59.90 one way. Skywest provides flights to and from Albany for min $186.

Transwa also offers buses from many of the towns along the track to Perth if you want a shorter walk.

Accommodation:

For the majority of the walk you will be camping. There are 49 campsites spaced a day’s walk apart and each has a three-sided timber shelter and are designed to sleep 8-15 people. They are free and offered on a first come first served basis so you should be bring a tent for times when the shelter is full. Each campsite also has a sit-down pedestal pit toilet, rainwater tank, picnic tables and tent sites.

In the towns there are no campsites so you will need to stay in alternative accommodation,

Costs:

Their are no fees to walk the track and stay at the campsites, you will need to pay for accommodation in the towns, food, maps and equipment. There are 8 water resistant rip-proof colour maps that cover the entire track and are essential when taking on the Bibbulmun track as well as 2 compact guidebooks which show car access points, campsites, terrain profiles and distance tables. These are available here, and at some visitor information centres.

Individual maps (1-8) cost Au$11.50 each ($92 total)

or

Northern half map pack (1 to 4) cost Au$42

Southern half map pack (5 to 8) cost Au$42 ($84 total)

Northern Guidebook – covers Kalamunda to Donnelly River Village and includes map 1 to 4 cost Au$35

Southern Guidebook – covers Donnelly River Village to Albany and includes map 5 to 8 cost Au$35

Guided or Solo:

This is a walk that is best done at your own pace and with your own itinerary, if you want to stay a couple of days in a town go ahead or want to skip one you can. But because of the length of time required (not many people have 8 weeks free), or lack of hiking experience there are tours along the track that take in the best sections. The foundation offers tours in May and September that run for 9 days.

When you venture out in to the county side or mountains to go hiking what equipment do you take? You are advised to take equipment like warm layered clothing, wet weather gear, something that can be used as a shelter, extra food ration, etc.

It pays to plan well, so some precautions you might want to take are

• Check the weather forecast,
• Let someone know where you intend to hike and how long you expect to be away,
• Check you gear to make sure you have packed it,
• Make sure nothing is damaged,
• Take a couple of lighters, or some sort of fire starter,
• Take a GPS if possible,
• An up to date map,
• Make sure you have a personal first aid kit,
• Take a fully charged phone or a couple if you have a spare one,
• Try to hike with some else so you are not alone,

Why are you advised to take the precautions above, because unintentionally it is easy to get lost while out hiking. According to an article published by the Wilderness Medical Society from 1992 to 2007 there were 78,488 people involved in 65,439 search and rescue incidents, this includes 2,659 fatalities.

So you are out hiking and it starts to rain heavily, you have your wet weather gear on, but what about the other things you are taking with you like your GPS, Mobile Phone, and Maps? Are they protected from the elements?

Rain water tends to get into everything especially if you are out in the open and the rain is heavy. It tends to find it way through wet weather gear and could damage you electronics. A cheap and effective way to protect your electronics is to look at buying a waterproof phone case, the type I’m talking about is a PVC vinyl case with interlocking latches.

The waterproof phone cases are multifunctional and as well as protecting your phone they can be used for your GPS, lighters, credit cards, cash, batteries, maps as well as anything else that is phone sized. Yes Maps, because they have a clear vinyl window so that when you place your map in the pouch you will still be able to view it. Mobile phones and other touch screen electronics are still functional while in the waterproof phone case and you can still read and write texts, open programs and use the touch screen just like you would if it wasn’t in the case. The cases are strong enough to take the knocks and bump associated with been outdoors and come with lanyard so you can wear it around your neck making it easily accessible. If you enjoy other outdoor activities along side hiking, you will be able to make use of the waterproof cases, for instance use them while diving as the cases are waterproof to 100 feet.

Spring offers some of the best weather in Southern California and with the spring-break crowds back in school, the perfect time for an “outdoorsy” weekend getaway. Some of the most scenic, yet easy-to-get-to hiking and biking trails in California are found in VenturaCountyWest.

Start a relaxing bicycle or hiking adventure at the mouth of the Ventura River (there is free parking on Main Street) and head south. You will pass the Ventura County Fairgrounds, a bird sanctuary and then ride along a path with magnificent ocean views. Choose to stop at the historic Ventura Pier where you can eat lunch or travel a little farther and picnic at a grass-covered area at San Buenaventura State Beach.

For those that aren’t part of the beach crowd, hikers and bikers can travel along the Ventura River Trail. The trailhead is at the intersection of Rex and Dubbers streets and follows the old Southern Pacific Railroad right-of-way. It is an easy 6.3-mile hike or bike ride to Foster Park where you can picnic under the shade trees. Be sure to stop at the interpretive signs along the path to take in the trail’s rich history.

Enjoy a four-mile hike from McGrath State Beach to McGrath Lake and try to spot some of the more than 245 bird species that make the park one of the best birdwatching areas in California. The trail takes you along the beach to enjoy the sun and surf and then you wind along the riverbanks of the Santa Clara Estuary Natural Preserve. To make a day of it, start from the McGrath State Beach trailhead and go all the way to Channel Islands Harbor, a worthwhile 12 mile round trip to relax at one of the waterside restaurants or walk along the marina and take in the outstanding views.

Bike rentals are available on Ventura’s Main Street at Ventura Bike Depot and at Wheel Fun Rentals, with locations at the Ventura Beach Marriott, Embassy Suites Mandalay Beach Hotel & Resort, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Ventura Harbor, Hampton Inn Channel Islands Harbor, Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach and Four Points by Sheraton Ventura Harbor Resort.

Near the base of the Conejo Grade is Camarillo Grove Park, which features easy to moderate hikes with panoramic views of valleys and hills. Hikers will come across a multitude of plant life including oak trees, sage and cactus. The area is a favorite location for birdwatching.

Channel Islands National Park

For a truly inspirational and freeing day, take an 11-mile boat trip with Island Packers and hike on one of the islands in Channel Islands National Park. Besides the breathtaking views of the ocean and coastline, the islands feature unique animals and plant life not found anywhere else in the world. Every level of hiking trail is available. Park rangers also offer guided tours.

To have an enjoyable hiking experience, you need to prepare adequately to make sure that you have all you need for your expedition before embarking on it. Furthermore, there are some precautionary measures that you can take to make sure that you are safe all through the hiking duration. It is advisable to hike in a group to make sure that in the case of any incident or accident, you have somebody else to help you out. Hiking in groups assists in the passing of knowledge between members of the group.

Also, when you hike in groups, there is the distribution of common group gear loads; hence you will not be tired from the overloads. Group hiking allows you to meet new people or deepen your relations and in the case of injuries you are assisted accordingly. Drink enough water to stay hydrated all through the day and have small snacks often to keep your energy levels up for an enjoyable hiking experience.

Carry some surplus food ready for any emergency cases and leave no traces in your trails to maintain the natural feeling for other hikers in the future. For safety purposes, leave your hiking plan with someone at home and if you get off the trail, you can contact them for guidance promptly. Plan a hike suitable for all members of your group and let the slowest member to be the pace setter. Also, make sure that your pack is well organized for easy and quick access to any items you need.

To avoid sunburns, carry sunscreen creams and a functional hat and also repackage to reduce weight in your backpack. Before starting a long hike, it is a good idea to lose some of your body weight for easier movement. Carry and use rain gear in case it rains while you are on your hike. Make use of trekking poles to keep your hands elevated a bit to avert any cases of swelling while hiking.

Always make sure that you have a backup plan in case you are lost during your hiking expedition. There is nobody who plans to get lost, but it happens in some cases. Avoid making shortcuts and bushwhacking to reduce chances of getting lost. Additionally, as you move along pay attention to trailblazers and landmarks and avoid climbing on waterfalls. In cases of bad weather, it is highly advisable to turn back right away to minimize cases of accidents and other undesirable incidents.

Always dress in layers and avoid cotton clothes. Choose the fabrics that easily and quickly wick moisture, dry quickly in case they are wet, and conserve heat during cold weather conditions. If you are rained on, strive to get warm and dry quickly to avoid hypothermia. Carry a whistle that can be heard from long distances for use in case you become lost. It is universally understood that three short blasts are a sign of distress.

Always wear bright colors so that in case you are lost the search party can easily find you. Each hiker in your group must have a whistle, a small flashlight with extra batteries, water, energy food, a trash bag, a brightly colored bandana, and a first aid kit. In case you are lost, don’t wander any further, but instead you should make a shelter to keep you warm and dry.

Make sure that you are visible and heard. In the case of an air search and rescue, get to open spaces and lay flat on the ground so that you may appear bigger for the searchers in the air to locate you easily. If you have children hiking, make sure that you teach them the simple strategies to use if they get lost. Failing to prepare is preparing to fail. Thus, be adequately prepared for your hiking expedition to enable you to have a good time while keeping safe all through the journey.