Just What Is Adventure Travel?

What is Adventure Travel? To some it used to mean travel reserved for thrill seekers -- shooting rapids, canyoning, zip-lining, glacier traversing. But, true adventure travel doesn't just embody the high-thrill mode.



True adventure travel is where your travel becomes an adventure. It is exploring something new. It is going places where the tour bus doesn't run. It is getting in touch with other cultures. To taste adventure, you don't need to hang over the edge of a cliff or rush pell-mell down a scree slope on a mountain bike. Instead, you need to open your eyes to the world around you. Slow down a bit and truly enjoy life and the adventure it brings us when we are receptive.



Look for the little things. The early morning mist over a Tyrolean village as you stroll across a picturesque meadow. The smell of fresh mown hay in the midday sun. The sound of cowbells tinkling on a nearby hillside. It's all an adventure.

An Expo In Seattle

This will only be of interest if you live in Seattle. Unfortunately, that's a bit far away for me. I just found out that they are holding a large adventure travel expo.

I have no idea if it's worthwhile going, but they are listing a number of attractions with some notable speakers and stage shows. Also, it's a great chance to shop the booths and see what's on offer. Lots of tour companies, of course, but also groups like NOLS and some countries' tourist information centers.

At: Washington State Convention & Trade Center, 800 Convention Pl, Seattle, WA

Time: Saturday, Sept 13 from 10:30 am to 5:30 pm. Sunday, Sept 14 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Admission: $12 and kids under 12 are free

Trekking Ireland's Dingle Peninsula With Its Magnificent Views

The spectacular Dingle Peninsula on the West Coast of Ireland, is a beautifully rugged coastline fringing incredibly green pastures that stretch as far as the eye can see. This wild, and often uninhabitable coastline offers complete solitude - with only the occasional small herd of sheep or goats to be seen.

Spectacular views of mist-covered mountains vie with the wild stretches of coastline where deep fissures have been carved by centuries upon centuries of pounding Atlantic Ocean. The Dingle
Peninsula is a great place to spend a week, walking and taking in the Irish air.



This is a stronghold of Irish language and traditions. It is steeped in history and mythology. Nowhere else in Europe will you find a landscape with such a variety of archaeological monuments - including the famed beehive huts. The remoteness and lack of any large-scale agriculture has preserved the Dingle Peninsula's archaeological heritage and provides a fantastic trekking experience.

This Year's Pushkar Camel Fair

The world's largest camel fair takes place every year on the edge of Pushkar Lake in the Rajasthan state of India. It's one of the most colourful fairs, with over 25,000 camels and five days of merry making. You'll see the arid desert landscape brought alive by the colourful veils and skirts of the women and the turbans of the men, as large crowds of devotees flock to the lake during a time when it is believed all the gods visit Pushkar and bless the devout.


Camels are brought from miles around and trading is brisk. The camels are washed and adorned, with some shorn in interesting patterns. Stalls sell finery and jewelry for camels, which may offer you a unique souvenier.

This year, the fair will run from November 10 to 13. This is a great time to experience a true rural bazaar, with stalls of all kind selling a cornucopia of goods and crowds milling about. The sounds of holy scriptures fills the air and camels race.

Get In Shape For Rugged Mountain Trail Hiking

When you head up into the mountains, you may not be doing the kind of climbing that requires ropes and pitons, but there's still a fair amount of scrambling over boulders and humping up steep inclines. And, anytime you change activities (this is a bit different from a flatland hike) your body gets stressed in a new and different way. Climbing up the uneven terrain of a mountain trail will work muscle groups that usually never get exercised.

Doing squats and other lower body strengthening exercises can help strengthen your supportive muscles and tendons that are around your knees and ankles - which will protect you from injury and reduce muscle soreness after a grueling climb. Using a stair climber in your local gym or doing step aerobics is a great way to get your body ready for the kind of hiking moves you'll experience, while yoga and stretching are a great way to limber your body up for a good climb.

Of course, before hitting more challenging mountain trails be sure to invest in good hiking boots. The hiker's most important friend, good boots will protect you from the elements and the rugged terrain that can twist a runner-clad ankle. Be sure to break in new boots before you go for a long hike.

Good Hiking Near Hollywood?

Nobody thinks of LA as a place to hike. After all, this is the city that worships the automobile. But, not far away lies the scenic wilderness of Topanga Canyon. Topanga State Park is one of the largest urban preserves in the world, bordered by the Pacific Ocean and featuring beautiful cliffs hanging over the canyon.

Topanga was named by a local Indian tribe and is believed to mean "A place above", which it certainly is if you feel the need to hike and escape LA. Within minutes you can be in the rolling landscape of the Santa Monica Mountains.

LA is not just a painted freeway!

Is This The Most Dangerous Trail In The World?

The dangerous trail on Mount Huashan in China - known as "Number One Precipitous Mountain Under Heaven" - will leave you with no argument against this bold statement. Although it is classed as hiking, you'll swear you are mountaineering - especially when you end up on a few rough planks over a drop to certain death, with only a chain to hold onto.



In fact, there are some stretches where only some footholds in the rock and a chain or cable keep you from plummeting. It is advisable to bring a climbing harness and strap yourself to the chains. Supposedly, there are about 100 deaths each year on this trail - mainly young daredevils.


The rewards are great though, with fantastic views on top of the exhilarating thrills.

Muddy Trails In Summer? Many Vermont Trails Closed

Seems that the heavy rains have caused some serious mud problems on the trails in the Green Mountain National Forest. This is a beautiful are to hike in, but right now it may be a bit tough to get where you want to go. A number of trails have been closed to preserve the trails and keep hikers from bushwacking around them - causing even more problems.

Closed are: Robert Frost Trail, Leicester Hollow Trail, North Branch and a number of camping spots.

Best to hold off on a Green Mountain hike for now.

See Behind The Scenes

One of the interesting things to see when you're hiking up in the Swiss Alps, is cheese being made at an alp. Throughout the summer months, Swiss cows are kept in the alp meadows - high above the village below - and they feed upon the rich alpine grasses. Most every alp has a cheese maker to turn the rich milk into delicious alp cheese.

When planning a trek through the mountains, find out if there is a Kaeserei (place where they make cheese) anywhere along your route. It's interesting to watch, but even more so it's delicious to taste.

A Steep Early Morning Climb

Leaving Meglisalp to head over to the next valley means a brisk after-breakfast climb. So, first fortify yourself with the fantastic breakfast buffet. Be sure to sample their own delicious alp cheese.



After your early morning climb, you'll come to a trail leading across an old scree slope. This barren section is a wonderfully restful hike in the alpine peace and quiet. After this, the rest of the day is hiking downhill as you slowly leave the Alpstein behind.



Coming out into the gentle meadows around Fallensee, wander on to the inviting terrace or stuebi of Plattenboedeli.

Up To A Cozy Alp

Once you leave Berghaus Forelle, you enter a cool forest and start zig-zagging up the hill. You soon rise high above the Seealpsee, and get a great view of the valley below (That's Forelle on the small spit of land sticking out into the lake).

Next, you end up on a narrow trail that passes under the cliff above. Only slightly rocky, this is a great uphill climb - with handholds anywhere that they are required.


A final climb and you come out onto the hanging valley that holds Meglisalp. The farm and mountain inn sit nestled in amongst the mountains in a very picturesque setting. There's even a pretty little alp chapel to explore.

Behind the cluster of buildings, you'll find the rocks alive with marmots. Go for a quiet afternoon walk and keep your eyes peeled for these shy creatures.



The view from the edge at Meglisalp is breathtaking. Here's a look back at the Seealpsee and the steep cliffs that make up the Alpstein.



Another great reason to spend a night at Meglisalp are the beautiful old-fashioned rooms. Pine paneled walls, old washstands, and soft lighting make this a very romantic inn. And, the restaurant is outstanding - with great meals being served and lots of camaraderie.

Down To The Seealpsee

The first hour after leaving Mesmer is a continual scramble down a rather rocky trail, but it soon levels out into a comfortable meadow leading to the beautiful Seealpsee (Lake Alplake). Just in time for a morning cuppa and some comestibles.


Sitting at the other end of the Seealpsee, the Berghaus Forelle gives you a great look back at where you came from. That steep cut towards the right is the path up to Mesmer. After tea, you'll be heading off along the left side of the Seealpsee and up, up, up to Meglisalp.


Here, you can see how Meglisalp sits far above the Seealpsee in a hanging valley. You'll be joining that climb that you can see zig-zagging up on the left side of the lake.

A Quiet Alp And Mountain Inn

After following along below the ridge, and scrambling up through a few cuts, you see the welcoming sight of Mesmer below you. A small alp (summer farm) and mountain inn run by the Mesmer family.

As with many of the mountain inns (Berghaus) in Switzerland, Mesmer is a working alp. Alps are situated amongst the high alpine meadows and allow the cows, goats, and sheep to graze the high meadows and produce rich milk for alp cheeses. After the Swiss mountains were "discovered" by British mountaineers, these alps also started catering to hikers and mountain climbers - giving us great places to overnight and enjoy hearty mountain meals.

Comfortable rooms and good, hearty mountain fare await you. While enjoying an alp dish like bratwurst smothered in onion gravy, and sipping a large glass of red wine, you see the beautiful sky as night falls on the mountains. Be sure to go for a postprandial stroll in the quiet of evening.

The next morning, large bowls of Milchkaffee (milk coffee) and a hearty breakfast will get you ready for the rocky trail down to Seealpsee.

It's A Long Way To The Bottom

After leaving Schaefler, you walk around the corner and are greeted by a large sign in German "Gefaehrlich!" It warns that the stretch of trail you are about to embark on is dangerous and should not be attempted in anything other than good hiking gear. Of course, I can't see how anybody in high heels would have ever made it this far ;-)

Around the corner, you discover that the sign was not exaggerating. If long drops make you quesy, this part of the route will be a trifle difficult. A narrow trail cut into the rock is made passable by a steel cable handrail. Funny how white your knuckles can get if you look over that edge.


Soon, you cross over to the other side - where the dropoff is less steep (there are no gentle grades on this leg of your hike). In the photo above, you can see the sheer drop on one side of the ridge, and the steep slope that you traverse for the next hour or two as you head to the welcoming inn at Mesmer.

A Thick And Tasty Gerschtensuppe

After slogging up that long hill, the reward is imminent as you step onto a sun terrace with a fantastic view of the Appenzell. My recommendation: The Gerschtensuppe - a wonderful, hearty soup of barley, vegetables, and meat. My favourite soup anytime I'm hiking the Swiss Alps, the one at Schaefler Huette ranks amongst the best I have ever tasted - and I grew up in Switzerland.


Here's a preview of the view you'll enjoy - although a photo can never do justice to actually being there.

Lunch And Great View At Schaefler Huette

Upon leaving Aescher, you go back up through the Wildkirchli cavern and back to the cable car station. Leaving the station, you soon see your destination - Schaefler Huette - sitting high up on a peak. Since it only takes less than 2 hours to get there, your first thought is that this distant building can't be your lunch stop.

After an easy hike along the ridge edge, you get to Chlus - which is a good spot to take a rest and brace yourself for the uphill slog. There's Schaefler, far up above you. We forced ourselves to go the ascent with no rest stops - that got the bellows pumping :-)

Through An Old Bear Cave And Along A Narrow Ledge

To get to Aescher, you drop down from the top station of the Ebenalp cable car and scramble down a slippery trail through the Wildkirchli Hoelle (Wild Church Cave) and onto a narrow ledge. The cave can be seen on the right in the picture above - along with a small chapel - and the trail leads along the rock face towards Aescher (just around the corner on the left). A small covered bridge (tan structure on the left) lets you get across the most treacherous part of the trail.

Not to worry! A stout handrail make this a very safe walk - just a bit giddy for those with fear of straight dropoffs. Well worth it once you get to Aescher.

The Wildkirchli cave itself once housed cave bears (about 90,000 years ago) and you can imagine the huge lumbering beasts in this large cavern. Later, it was inhabited by hermits and became a chapel in the wilderness.

A brief detour on your destination up into the Alpstein, the Wildkirchli Cave and Berggasthaus Aescher are well worth an hour of your morning.

Starting A Trek Of The Alpstein

Although Switzerland is a picturesque country no matter where you go, the Appenzell will astound you with its beauty. Well worth spending some time in the valley below, looking at all the painted houses, but first, let's grab a cable car from Wasserauen and take the ride high up to Ebenalp.

There, you must take the quick detour for a morning coffee at the cliff-hugging Aescher restaurant. Sitting on it's sun terrace under the looming cliffs is a great way to start a day of hiking, and the scramble through the Wildkirchli Cave is an interesting way to approach any restaurant.

To Go Where Buses Don't Go

I've always enjoyed hiking, mountain biking, or river rafting where the mainstream tourists are non-existent and I can truly absorb the environment around me. In this blog, I hope to share with you some of the wonders of adventure travel.