The Happiness Trick:
I am indebted for this to Randi Skaug the first Norwegian woman to climb Everest. First thing in the morning, clasp one hand over the other then raise your hands above your head – and smile. It is just about … Continued
Life in the Wild
‘When Miriam Lancewood and her partner Peter set off to live alone deep in the New Zealand wilderness, they told their families they’d be back in a year. But the couple came to enjoy their nomadic, off-grid lifestyle — foraging … Continued
Alex Honnold Free Solo Climbing Capitan
Just about impossible to watch – but then I’m not good with heights, or watching people die…The good news is he doesn’t. See video here: or here:
Riding on the Sheeps’s Back
posted in: Backpacking, Clothing, Farming, Home & Gardening, Hiking, Hunting, Inspiring People, Uncategorized | 0
Or vice versa. Patagonia’s Woolyester Fleece (US$139 – Oct 2018) might be a great mid-layer addition to your other wool clothing, your Kathmandu/Columbia thermal for example, and your Kathmandu or Columbia wool shirt. I rarely get cold enough (even in … Continued
A Sand County Almanac
“We reached the old wolf in time to watch a fierce green fire dying in her eyes. I realized then, and have known ever since, that there was something new to me in those eyes—something known only to her and … Continued
NZ’s South Coast Track: Westies Hut to Cromarty:
posted in: Backpacking, Bucket List, Fiordland, Hiking, Inspiring People, New Zealand, South Coast Track (Fiordland), Uncategorized | 0
After you have completed the wonderful journey on the South Coast Track from the Rarakau Car Park to the magical Westies Hut it is possible to continue the journey all the way to Puysegur Point Lighthouse, the Te Oneroa shelter … Continued
Amazing Lives: Jim Corbett and the Man-Eaters
For those of you who came in late Jim Corbett’s life and stories will still be an eye opener. During his ‘holidays’ he used to stalk and kill man-eaters. Some of them had killed and eaten thousands of people! Really! … Continued
How to Travel Around the World With Just a 20lb Backpack:
People carry too much gear. We are planning a trip to Scotland this year so we are working on how to fit everything we need into a couple of sub 500 gram backpacks such as these . For about a month … Continued
Thrilling Tales: 37 Days of Peril
You can survive: Truly alone in the wilderness: Lost in Yellowstone for 37 days pretty much without equipment, food, clothing or shelter. ‘After wandering away from the rest of the expedition on September 9, 1870, Everts managed to lose the … Continued
The Twelve Woodlores: Ray Mears.
Some sound advice from the introduction of Ray’s excellent ‘The Survival Manual’. If you have not caught up yet with Ray, you should. He is the original of those poor copies such as Bear Grylls having trained the SAS and … Continued
Thrilling tales: Erin McKittrick:
This young lady (accompanied by her husband, Hig) is amongst the greatest living explorers. Their 4,000 mile trek along the US Pacific Coast related in her book ‘A Long Trek Home’ is astonishing – but it proved to be only … Continued
Lost at Fromelles:
Just like thousands of other Australians I lost a relative at Fromelles a hundred years ago today. Private Joseph Leslie (Roy) Martin Number 1584, 30th battalion AIF, an ex cadet, single labourer from Grenfell NSW, an uncle who would never … Continued
Archaeology is exciting.
There is so much more to learn. Its secrets should never be locked away from us (eg by spurious claims of respect for remote ‘ancestors’). I have enormous respect for these ancient ‘Spaniards’ who were the first people into America … Continued
Thrilling Tales: The DIY Motorcycle:
Emile Leray built a working motorbike from a broken down car to escape the African desert: ‘A Frenchman has found fame over 20 years later after pulling off a remarkable escape from the Moroccan desert – by building a motorbike … Continued
Go Land Rover:
‘In 2013, three friends set off on a journey that they had been told was impossible: the north-south crossing of the Congo River Basin, from Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, to Juba, in South Sudan. Traversing two and … Continued
This Book May Save Your Life:
At very least it will make it enormously better. Enough that you can look forward to enjoying hiking in your 70s, 80s and 90s (coming up sooner than you think!) It will totally CURE Type 2 Diabetes in 8 weeks! … Continued
Thrilling Tales: Daniel Boone:
If Boone could do it, I can: ‘According to one story, in 1810 (at age 79) or later, Boone went with a group on a long hunt as far west as the Yellowstone River, a remarkable journey (from Missouri to … Continued
Hannibal Lektor’s hand:
posted in: Backpacking, Bucket List, Farming, Home & Gardening, First Aid, Hiking, Inspiring People | 0
So far (I think) it has not crept out at night to do mayhem on the innocent – but it’s sure looking impressive. I am now an amalgam of machine parts: you might like to tell anyone you know whose … Continued
Thrilling Tales: ‘The Road to Endor’
By E.H Jones is simply the most amazing true escape story, ever. I have been recommending it to people for fifty years but it has largely been out of print. I have not owned a copy myself for most of … Continued
Thrilling Tales: Lewis & Clark
A Film by Ken Burns 1997. About the first crossing of the American continent (by Europeans) in 1804-6. We have spent the last two nights simply mesmerised by this amazing documentary. Ken Burns is always such a treat! (You probably … Continued