Wild From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed
A powerful, blazingly honest, inspiring memoir: the story of a 1,100 mile solo hike that broke down a young woman reeling from catastrophe--and built her back up again.
Aralia spinosa, devil’s walking stick: leaf buds and mature leaves are edible. Buds taste like broccoli/brussel sprouts (w/o bitterness), leaves taste like salad green + asafoetida. Dried berries give me slight allergic reaction but ppl use it as a pepper substitute.
The #Drakensberg#Mountains, meaning '#Dragon Mountains' in #Afrikaans, are the #highest mountains in #SouthAfrica, ranging up to 3,482 m (11,422 ft) in height.
In #isi-Zulu the language of the #Zulu People, they are called " #uKhahlamba ", the 'barrier of spears'. They are located in the eastern part of South Africa, running for some 1000 km (600 mi) generally southwest to northeast, with a northwesterly bend forming the northeastern border of #Lesotho with South Africa.
They are drained on the west by the Orange and Vaal #rivers, and on the east and south by a number of smaller rivers, the Tugela being the largest. The #range thus separates KwaZulu-Natal Province from Free State #Province, looming over the nearby coast of #Natal.
But don't let the formidable names put you off. Cosy inns, characterful #hotels and #wonderful#wayside pubs create an ambience of comfort and country homeliness in the shadow of the High Berg. The nearest major city to the Drakensberg is #Pietermaritzburg and #Durban is a drive of only a few hours away.
It's a popular #hiking destination. There are lots of lovely day #walks and the more #energetic could hike out for a few days or even a few weeks. The Drakensberg Traverse is quite difficult, but for those who have the time, inclination, energy and equipment, this 300km (180 mile) hike is a challenge and a delight.
2/ This snowshoeing trip marked a milestone for me—it was the first time that I have summited a mountain on snowshoes. It was only several years ago that I first hit the wintry mountain trails by snowshoe. Going solo and without formal instruction, I proceeded extremely cautiously, doing many repetitions on easier, moderate-slope trails and only going relatively short distances, turning around well before a summit. (CONT)
New #introduction post on changing instances: Hi all! I'm an English professor at a university in southwest #Japan. I've lived in #Fukuoka about half my life now. I'm married, with 3 grown stepkids and EIGHT grandkids, all living within a couple hours drive. I love walking and #hiking, playing #TTRPGs, #nature#photography, #dogs, #literature, #scienceFiction, and more. I've been on Mastodon for about 2½ years. Nice to meet you!
Trail Sense: Android Open-Source app for entirely offline use for hiking, backpacking, camping, and geocaching
Trail Sense is a tool, and just like any other tool that you bring into the wilderness, it’s essential to have backup equipment and skills. One of its goals is that its features should make use of the sensors on a phone rather than relying on stored ...continues
Hiked into/out of a volcanic crater today. It was raining (not unexpected in a rainforest), but it made it feel like Jurassic Park and I got some neat pictures :blobcatpuffyblush:
Explored the lower 14-mile section of the Deschutes River Trail. My first time hiking in a desert river canyon. I could have used more elevation gain but it was fun. I’ve become obsessed with canoe camping videos over the last couple months so I enjoyed being close to the river. Nothing more than a little light rain and I was dry by the end of the hike.
It’s amazing how being back in the forest and hiking straight up a mountain can put me in a great mood. I was prepared but I wasn’t expecting a few inches of snow at the top. The trail was closed for a few years but has been recently rerouted and cleared. Some new trees fell in the last few months but not that bad. Very steep though.