Tag: Hiking

The Scafell Pike Challenge

On By James HandlonIn Hiking Adventures5 Comments
Base Camp for Scafell Pike

A long while ago I decided upon a challenge that took several years to realise. The plan was a simple one, hike to the most remote area in the Cumbrian Mountains known as Great Moss, wild-camp out overnight, then in the morning have an attempt at the summit of England’s highest mountain Scafell Pike!

The theory was that by hiking in the day before and setting up camp at the foot of the mountain I would have dispensed with the long and tiring walk-in of around 7 miles and as an added bonus I would have spent a night camping in the wild in one of the most remote corners of England. Also to my advantage I figured would be the front row seat afforded me from my tent porch where I would be able to monitor the weather patterns swirling around the summit of Scafell Pike thus enabling me to make an informed decision whether or not to make  a dash for the summit on the day or cut my losses and head for home.

Continue reading “The Scafell Pike Challenge” →

The Laugavegur Icelandic Trek – Day 4

On By James HandlonIn Hiking The Laugavegur Trail1 Comment

Emstrur (Botnar) – Þórsmörk
Distance: 15 km | Estimated traveling time: 6-7 hours | Max Altitude: 545m
Elevation change: 300 m

The very wet trail on the final day

Our final day began with rain! Lots and lots of rain! We broke camp having packed away some very sodden tents. Donning our best waterproof gear we left camp following the crooked path down to the narrow and precipitous bridge over the Syðri Emstruá river. Continue reading “The Laugavegur Icelandic Trek – Day 4” →

The Laugavegur Icelandic Trek – Day 3

On By James HandlonIn Hiking The Laugavegur Trail2 Comments

Álftavatn – Emstrur (Botnar)
Distance: 16 km | Estimated traveling time: 6-7 hours | Max Altitude: 608 m
Elevation change: 40m

After yesterday’s long haul, today promised to be rather more pleasant and easy in comparison. First off we would make our way across the Brattháls hills and then head eastward towards the Hvanngil gorge. Eventually we would cross the Bratthálskvísl river on foot (a much anticipated and feared prospect), then further on the Kaldaklofskvísl river would be crossed by bridge, and finally the Bláfjallakvísl would be forded again on foot. One thing was for sure we were going to get wet today! Continue reading “The Laugavegur Icelandic Trek – Day 3” →

The Laugavegur Icelandic Trek – Day 2

On By James HandlonIn Hiking The Laugavegur Trail4 Comments

Landmannalaugar – Álftavatn
Distance: 26.7 km | Estimated traveling time: 8-10 hours | Max Altitude: 1,063 m
Elevation change: 900 m

The mountains surrounding Landmannalauger

Today was the day that the trek would begin for real. As we slowly to the awoke morning we were greeted with a damp and cloudy start to the day.

Breakfast was gulped back, tents taken down and after a quick pre-trek briefing from our Arctic Adventures guide we broke camp, tentatively we took our first steps along the 55km trail. Within a few metres of starting out along the trail we Continue reading “The Laugavegur Icelandic Trek – Day 2” →