Reposted by popular demand! It’s a well-known fact that the easiest way to reduce your base weight is by scrutinizing your Big 3. Tent, Sleeping Bag, Backpack. You might have just dropped $2,000 on the lightest, most badass Big 3. But then what? Are you just going to throw bulky clothes and giant tubes of … More Reducing Pack Weight After The Big 3 – Bag Of Magic Potions
Headwaters Forest Trail * 12.13 milesAll access paved walkway makes for easy walking for the first mile as we follow the South Fork of the Elk River. We stick with the river for another two miles as we walk out of the fog and into the sun. The trail passes under massive maples and we … More Summer 2023 Humboldt Hiking
Link to the gear I took to Nepal If you have any questions about gear or are wondering about something that I didn’t talk about here, be sure to leave a comment or send me an email! First, here’s a list of everything that I took to Nepal but had to leave at the hotel … More Gokyo – Cho La Pass – Everest Base Camp Gear Review
In 2006 I had a complete thyroidectomy and suffered some parathyroid complications. Read more about my thyroid story HERE. Pea-sized parathyroid glands (two on each side of your thyroid) sit directly adjacent to the two thyroid lobes in your neck. Parathyroid glands produce parathyroid hormone, which regulates calcium levels in the blood. Even small changes … More A Caution Story: Hypocalcemia and Diamox (Acetazolamide)
November 24, 2022Start: Kathmandu, Nepal Stop: Istanbul, Turkey It’s a reluctant wake-up since today is the day filled with many goodbyes and the start of a long trip home. There’s breakfast, last minute arranging of luggage, paying the hotel bill, tears. Tiger and driver arrive at 9am so I head back upstairs to get my … More The 19hr Istanbul Layover
November 23, 2022 We are up early and squeeze in some breakfast before meeting Tiger, who has arranged for a driver to take us to the Budhanilkantha Temple. It is a Hindu open air temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The Budhanilkantha Temple is located at the base of Shivapuri Hill at the northern end of … More Kathmandu: Budhanilkantha Temple
November 21, 2022 After another hearty buffet breakfast, we venture out and point ourselves in the direction of the Marriott Hotel and the Nimsdai Store. This isn’t your usual cultural stop in Kathmandu. Nimsdai Purja first launched onto the international scene with his Netflix film 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible. This film depicts his attempt … More Kathmandu: Nimsdai and Narayanhiti Palace
November 19, 2022 My sleep is so-so and I am awake by 6:30am. It would be nice to have a leisurely morning but we need to pack up and move across town to the Thamel District. Tiger has said that he will help us move to the new hotel and we ask him to come … More Kathmandu: Cross Town To The Thamel District
November 18, 2022Start: Lukla 2800m (9381ft)Via: Ramechhap 1416m (4646ft)Stop: Kathmandu 1324m (4343ft) The 4:20 wakeup is a bit rough given last night’s late repacking. After our slightly late 5am breakfast, each porter presents every client and Tiger with a white khata scarf. Bikram presents everyone with a red khata scarf and Dipak presents everyone with … More Day 15: Silent Five Hour Van Tour
November 17, 2022Start: Namche Bazaar 3440m (11,284ft)Via: Phakding 2610m (8,561ft)Stop: Lukla 2800m (9,381ft)Distance: 18km (11.2 miles) After the coldness of the past weeks, Namche Bazaar doesn’t feel that cold anymore. It’s almost in the realm of comfortable. Almost. We’re up by 5:30am for a long day of hiking back to Lukla. After a whole group … More Day 14: The Awe-Inspiring Khumbu Porters
Journey Return 