The sand dune is untouched as I tentatively step onto the dune. My biggest concern is the thought of having to retrace my steps on this steep hillside.
Read MoreBen Lomond - New Zealand
We break through the forest trees onto the grassy hillside to get our first real look at Ben Lomond. It is a stunning peak, as tiny wisps of clouds cross in front of it. Ben Lomond has over 600 meters of Prominence and is ranked number 36 on peakbaggers.com list of New Zealand Peaks with 600 meters of Prominence.
Read MoreGemstone Beach - New Zealand
Gemstone beach is a beautiful beach. A small stream enters the ocean and becomes the source of rocks swept into the sea during rainy periods. The wave action, along with the sand, shapes the stones into beautiful oval and round shapes polished smooth by the sea.
Read Morevia Ferrata - New Zealand
The waterfall is located on private land several miles north of Wanaka and it takes about 20 minutes to arrive. It is still a drizzle, but the clouds have moved high enough to get a view of the waterfall route in its entirety. It is stunning.
Read MoreMount Iron - New Zealand
Our wipers thump to the beat of the steady stream of rain as we make the hour drive to Wanaka and our meeting with the Wild Wire tour group
Read MoreCoronet Peak - New Zealand
We had visited Coronet Peak ten years ago on our first visit to New Zealand, and I was anything but impressed. It looked like a bunny hill of rolling peaks. Now that we start our hike, I realize how wrong I was.
Read MoreAngels Landing - Zion National Park
Angels Landing is not unlike other popular adventure hikes. Deaths have occurred over the years and the trail is listed on almost every "Top Ten" list you can find on the internet. This has resulted in - quite literally - hordes of people coming to climb Angels Landing. During peak summer months it is not unusual to see a line of humanity along the entire ridge line to the summit. Today thankfully, I nod at the occasional hiker as we pass on the trail.
Read MorePeak 3022 - Mountain Sheep Springs - AZ, quad
This is stunning country. The hike up the wash ended near a high saddle splitting the water flow north and south. A dark rocky outcropping which can be seen from the campground is a rocky ridgeline containing a beautiful arch.
Read MoreDestination Point - Springdale East - UT quad
September is one of my favorite times of the year in Zion, summer crowds start to thin and the monsoon rainy season comes to a close. These desert parks are always desperate for rain, but Zion backcountry is not generally conducive to safe travel during a heavy rainstorm.
Read MoreLower Calf Creek Falls - Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Like all waterfalls, you can hear it before you see it, and I catch my first glimpse above the trees. Memories flood back as I walk through the trees into a small wooded grove surrounding the plunge pool.
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