In August 2018 I visited Patagonia, a bucket list location for me. I was in Buenos Aires for work with a few extra days. I researched the most beautiful and accessible places in Argentina & Chile. Bariloche is the largest…
Mexico City Ajusco Climb
Parque Nacional Cumbres del Ajusco protects Cerro Ajusco at 12,894. The highest point in Mexico City, forms an excellent day hike/climb. I recently climbed both Ajusco during a free morning in Mexico City. On a clear day, it offers excellent…
Flattop Mountain Hike in Rocky Mountain National Park
Flattop Mountain is an excellent introduction to Rocky Mountain National Park. The 8.8 mile out and back trail passes a bit of everything including alpine lakes, forest, treeline, and tundra. The trail starts at the Bear Lake Trailhead at 9475…
3 International High Altitude Climbing Tips
Early in February, I climbed above 5000m on Izta near Mexico City. Here’s some tips I learned the hard way from my Mexico trip and recent adventures in China, Japan, & Netherlands. 1) Carry exact change for bathroom access Staying…
Media Review: Myanmar: Bridges to Change
Myanmar – Bridges of Change is available on Amazon Videos for Prime Members. This excellent 44 minute movie chronicles an epic 2013 Himalayan Expedition to Gamlang Razi. Gamlang Razi is one of the most remote places on Earth and arguably…
My Exceptional Arc’teryx Customer Service Experience
Arc’teryx jackets are known for their exceptional quality. In 2006 I purchased a black Arc’teryx Theta Hardshell. This jacket lasted longer than any other shell I’ve had. The jacket protected me from rain on the Milford Track, hail the Inca…
Best Planning Sites for California Alpine & Mountaineering Climbs
California offers many of the best American alpine & mountaineering objectives. One of the biggest challenges is where and when to climb. Fortunately, California (CA) has many resources to help mountaineers find the next climb. Here are a few of…
Heather Lake Snowshoe in Sequoia National Park
Adventures that often do not go according to plan make for the best memories. In late May, Mark my frequent adventure partner and I visited Sequoia National Park. Heather Lake, Pear Lake, and Alta Peak (11,204 feet) were our destinations…
Why live a life that’s perceived as mad – #questionmadness
Why live a life that’s perceived as mad? This summer I stood at over 15,000 feet in a thunderstorm on a Mexican volcano. Twelve hours previously, I slept soundly in my Bay Area home at sea level. With thunder cascading…
Climbing Ixta & the Mexican Volcanoes
Mexico City has the best high mountain access in North America. Three volcanoes over 15,000’ lie within 50 miles of Mexico City: 1) Nevado de Toluca at 15,390 feet, 2) Iztaccihuatl (Ixta) at 17,159’, and 3) Popocatepetl (Popo) at 17,887 feet. Orizaba,…