Tags: Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, hiking gear, spherical panoramas, Capitol Reef National Park, Utah family vacations, Utah national parks, Iguazu Falls, Argentina, South America
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10 Hiking Must-Haves That Can Save Your Life
Nothing quite matches the feeling of doing what you’re always wanted to do in life. And for more and more people, that means climbing a mountain. Whether that mountain is in your state or on the other side of world, the last thing you want to do is bail midway. Having climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro many times, Richard Wiese, former president of the Explorers Club and author of "Born to Explore," knows what it takes to be prepared. Here, he shares his top ten must-haves when embarking on any big climb.
Wool garments. It sounds low tech but wool is one of the most versatile fabrics on earth. It can get wet and still keep you dry plus it is anti microbial which means that you can wear the same socks or shorts without them smelling.
Warm sleeping bag. Nothing is better at the end of the day than crawling into an oversized warm sleeping bag. I once had a Kilimanjaro client tell me that he “slept warm” and a light sleeping bag would be fine. He wound up leaving the expedition after three cold nights on the mountain. It taught me a lesson as a guide, to be a bit more insistent that hikers have the right clothing and a warm bag.
Effective rain gear. Sure you have used garbage can liners at sporting events in the rain but on a big mountain where hypothermia can kill you at 50 degrees, it may not work as well. A well ventilated and proper fitting rain suit can save your life and make you more comfortable.
Duct tape. Books have been written about the versatility of duct tape. I always wrap my water bottle (to keep it cooler) and my walking poles with duct tape. It is great for putting over blisters or for sprained ankles as well as repairing equipment on the go.
Down vest. I find this item very versatile since you can put it over just about anything and it keeps your core warm. It stuffs small and is nice to wear around camp without feeling like the Michelin Man.
 Hand sanitizer. The fastest way to get a bug or dysentery is through hand to mouth contact. Enough said.
Strong Sunglasses. People underestimate how powerful the sun’s rays are at high altitudes. Many years ago on Kilimanjaro I was busy enjoying the summit and taking a lot of pictures without glasses. Later that night it felt as if someone had thrown sand in my eyes. I spend two uncomfortable days climbing down almost blind.
Pee bottle. Don’t laugh. Nothing is more miserable than getting out of your tent and going out to pee in the middle of the night. It can also be dangerous as most people are groggy and can trip and hurt themselves.
Walking poles. Walking poles have lots of uses but primarily help you with balance preventing ankle sprains or falls. Poles also take a tremendous amount of pressure off your knees. I like the ones that have an expandable telescope with shock absorbers.
Off the Radar: Capitol Reef National Park
By Susan Farewell
Finding a beautiful national park in America is not hard to do. But finding one that’s not crowded in the summer months can be challenging.
One to consider: Capitol Reef National Park in south-central Utah. Up until 1962, there wasn’t even a paved road leading to this area. Today, there are still only few paved roads, leaving the dramatic rugged landscape largely unblemished and the hiking blissfully serene.
The park protects the Waterpocket Fold, which is a 100-mile-long wrinkle in the earth’s crust that’s been weathered and eroded over millions of years. The area is magnificently scenic with nature-carved sculpture all around: sandstone cliffs, multi-colored canyons, towers, domes, and arches. But there are also suprising landscapes such as alpine forests and green valleys. Geologists say this “wrinkle” was most likely caused by the same colliding of the continental plates that created the Rocky Mountains.
Take a look at this spherical panaroma (click left) as well as the one on our home page beautifully created by Martin van Hemert. If these don’t get you packing your hiking boots and camera, nothing will.
Torrey, Utah is eight miles west of the visitors center on Highway 24. It has motels and restaurants. There is a campground within the park, but it fills quickly during summer weekends.
Open all year, though May through September are the most popular months.
Falling for Iguazu
By Oliver Hartman, www.oliverhartman.com
It was worth the 17-hour, overnight bus ride from Buenos Aires because when I arrived at Iguazú Falls I was blown away. Here, 270 cascades have formed a spectacular horseshoe of falling tributaries and sheets of water. Straddling the  border between Brazil and Argentina, the National park also boasts 2000 species of flora, 80 species of mammals (you’ll definitely run into a Coati or two – a long-nosed coonish, aardvark), and 450 species of birds, but let’s be honest: the falls are the main attraction.
The three things you have to do – a walk along the upper and lower trail systems; a visit to the largest individual cascade, Garganta del Diablo or “The Devil’s Throat “; and a ride in a speed boat that skirts you into the spray of some of the more dramatic falls. All of these can be done in one day. But, if you want to spend a second day you can easily explore more of the park, such as the 4.5 mile Macuco Nature Trail, or the park on Brazil’s side.
Lastly, if possible, coordinate your trip with a full moon because the park organizes a night tour that combines a ride on the park’s small ecological railroad with a stroll along elevated walkways that traverse the rivers to the silver-flecked spray of The Devil’s Throat. My trip was thoroughly unplanned, but I arrived the day of a full moon and found the experience eerie but incredible.
From Buenos Aires, Iguazú is a short 90 minute flight or a sluggish 17 hour bus ride. Entrance fee is $85 Argentine pesos/~$25 USD per person.
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