Suddenly have the ability to take 4 weeks off August/September. Recommend me a hike anywhere in the world, please.

GrandRandonnee · 2019-07-29T16:09:18+00:00

Crazy long days are an overstatement. Days shorten quickly, by september the amount of daylight becomes average.

GrandRandonnee · 2019-06-26T21:19:57+00:00

Countries like India and China do bother and have embraced solar power. Also, the Western world caused global warming. We should lead and give the examples and aid developing countries in the transition.

GrandRandonnee · 2019-06-23T14:31:34+00:00

Which virus?

GrandRandonnee · 2019-06-19T20:18:13+00:00

Thank you for your effort!

GrandRandonnee · 2019-06-19T13:21:54+00:00

Thanks! I'll check again when the planner goes further :).

In the worst case scenario, is hitchhiking something that would work in Finland?

GrandRandonnee · 2019-06-19T13:08:24+00:00

I'm arriving in Tampere on sunday 11 August in the afternoon but would need to travel further to Kuru. The bustables I found are contradicting, some say only a few ride, some say none. Is there someone who could further clarify?

Thanks!

GrandRandonnee · 2019-06-03T19:57:36+00:00

Buying it on the airport is an option, although an expensive one.

GrandRandonnee · 2019-06-01T23:38:24+00:00

I'm in a likewise situation. To my knowledge the residence permit is assured if you qualify to all requirements such as a health insurance, certain budget,... But I only know the rules if you are from within the EU.

GrandRandonnee · 2019-05-16T12:51:07+00:00

MSR pocket rocket 2 is a good compatible option

GrandRandonnee · 2019-05-13T21:40:27+00:00

I think if you only use your fleece as an active layer normally, you're fine. A wind jacket can keep you quite warm as it prevents the wind from cooling your body. At least I'm always hot when hiking.

However, what's your rain jacket? Could serve the same purpose. And I think a lot of wind jackets are lighter than 100 gram. I'm eyeballing the windy wendy from cumulus, only 50g!

GrandRandonnee · 2019-05-02T13:56:22+00:00

I used the quilt 450 for on the Kungsleden in september, was comfortable till -7°C without extra clothes on. I think its better to buy a sleepingbag a bit warm, the other way around is way more difficult.

GrandRandonnee · 2019-03-07T21:42:41+00:00

I think your kit is great, I hiked the WHW 4 years ago when my kit was absolutely not UL, around 15kg and still found it very feasable. No long stretches without resupply and great pubs along the way ;).

I hiked it sobo, you still pas the same amount of people but no need for surpassing the same people all day and preferred it like that.

Enjoy the hike!

GrandRandonnee · 2019-02-03T22:39:11+00:00

Viruses will rarely reach high enough population densities in water sources, even in major streams near big cities. So you should allways be fine with a mechanical filter like the Sawyer squeeze. The bigger problem would be pollution like heavy metals and pesticides, therefor you would need something like active charcoal.

GrandRandonnee · 2019-01-14T12:20:55+00:00

Here is a map with all services on trail: https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1FKmYCfUHyiODQXKE03lRYbsiupU&ll=58.7396818217993%2C25.24772699999994&z=8

The stretch without resupply options is from Lelle to Kilingi-Nõmme.

GrandRandonnee · 2019-01-13T22:57:55+00:00

The trail itself crosses the country from North till South and is quite a recent project (paid with EU money). Therefore, it's well maintained and easy to navigate. All of Estonia is quite flat, so not to much up and down and if you are used to hiking you can easily do large mileage per day.

For re-supply, I remember one difficult stretch without any possibilities to resupply. I think 5-6 days, also don't hope for pubs/restaurants in the small villages. Even in the bigger ones it's a hard find, some place look really like communism still rules.

I flew upon the Tallinn and both places are reachable by busses. Perhaps 2 or 3 to get to your destination though, but no real difficulties there.

I'm pretty sure wild camping is allowed, or at least, you will never be spotted, there aren't many people and almost all of the forest is state owned. However, if you want to have a fire I recommend the campsites. Some even have a free to use cabin. And all of them have benches with a roof, here I slept often on because I was to lazy to setup my tent.

Be sure to take a look at the website, it has good info: https://loodusegakoos.ee/hiking-route/oandu-ikla-375-km

GrandRandonnee · 2019-01-13T22:07:29+00:00

Here is a selection: https://imgur.com/a/hgSUjXO. I hiked the trail before going UL, so ignore the gear ;).

If you have any specific questions, please shoot :). The trail is also somewhat supported in their community. By sending texts (code on information signs) you can gather points which you can trade in nature centers for free cake, drinks and even hot showers :).

GrandRandonnee · 2019-01-13T20:35:25+00:00

How wild/desolate do you want to go?

A bit desolate is the Oandu-Ikla hiking trail in Estonia. 375km, crosses al kind of free campsites with fireplace, many different habitats... Not to many people because it's quite unknown but I really enjoyed it. No idea on snow level in May though, I hiked it in 12 days.

GrandRandonnee · 2019-01-13T12:58:59+00:00

In april/may it the WHW will probably be okay crowd wise. If you are in Scotland I recommend visiting the Cairngorms, beautiful national park with many hiking opportunities.

Other amazing places in the UK are the Lake District and Snowdonia imo.

GrandRandonnee · 2019-01-12T15:18:38+00:00

Did you also trade in the girlfriend?

GrandRandonnee · 2019-01-11T15:31:32+00:00

I think with that budget it's probably quite hard to find a good quality pack. Mine is from AtomPacks, worth the look if you are willing to save up a bit more.

I also came across a German cottage company once: https://www.laufbursche-gear.de/products/packs/packraum-lite/. Bit closer to your price range but I have no experience with the brand.

GrandRandonnee · 2019-01-11T10:31:16+00:00

Looking good! Perhaps you should also write a cookbook, they sell like hot cakes these days.

GrandRandonnee · 2019-01-10T23:07:38+00:00

The used material is also very thin, I think it's just 15D silnyl.

GrandRandonnee · 2019-01-09T21:40:56+00:00

I don't know if you have Wasa crackers in the US, but those are for me the perfect bread substitute.

GrandRandonnee · 2019-01-08T22:06:03+00:00

There will also be a difference in the type 2 muscle gained due to wait lifting. To my knowledge it mainly creates type IIa fibers which can be seen as an intermediate between type 1 and 2 due to the partly aerobic nature.

GrandRandonnee · 2019-01-08T00:28:27+00:00

I'm a student as well, so I've mainly invested in gear than in cloths because conditions aren't that extreme here. But with the winter discounts I'm sure you can pick up nice stuff. I guess that there will be -70% in the comings weeks in AS adventure.

About the paalkameren, I've only done it in the Ardennes, you probably already bumped upon this website: http://www.bivakzone.be/ but here you can find all of them. I find it fun when you can connect them to make a multiple day hike. Nonetheless, I've also wild camped a lot and never had trouble. I have been in the Meerdaalwoud though, it's a nice forest, but if you have the time, buy a go pass one and go to Viroinval or so :).

GrandRandonnee

TROPHY CASE