April 27, 2012: ADZPCTKO

    In just a few short hours I will be making my way down to Lake Morena in southern California to attend the ‘Annual Day Zero PCT Kick Off’ Party. It will be great to catch up with some old friends and see how the PCT trail culture has changed since I hiked it in 2004. My plan is to then hike out of Lake Morena on sunday and head north for 10-14 days, Hoping to put in 300-400mi and kick start the training season for this summer’s attempt at the colorado Trail speed record. While I’m out I’ll also be testing some key pieces of gear I plan on using for the speed attempt; namely Granite Gear new Crown pack, Mountain Laurel Designs Cuben Fiber Poncho Tarp, and Klymit’s Inertia x-lite Sleeping pad. Full reviews to follow.

April 26, 2012: ‘I Hike’ by Lawton Grinter

    Another great book will be hitting the shelves any day now from my Good buddy Disco. Pulling from over 10,000mi of long distance hiking, Disco recollects nearly 10 years of life on the trail. Be sure to check out his documentary called “Walkumentary” while you’re at it. Probably one of the best short films on the CDT, it also features some footage of your’s truly :)  Looking forward to getting my hands on a copy of this!

                                   

April 6, 2012: Trail Tested via Trauma Tested

    After nearly 2 years of constant work, my buddy Trauma finally sent off his new book to the printers this week! Focusing on Ultralight techniques and gear, there’s also sections devoted to international travel and hiking with dogs. Regardless of what your skill level currently is you’ll find something of interest in this book. If not anything, the layout and photography are stunning and even have me wanting to hike some areas he’s been. Copies will be available in about 4 weeks time so get ready!

March 14, 2012: CT Gear List

    I’ve put together a tentative gear list for my planned unsupported hike along the colorado trail this summer. I may change a few things here and there, but I feel like I’ve struck a good balance between comfort, weight,  and my ever changing capacity and volume due to the amount of food I’ll be carrying at the start. Please feel free to shoot me an email if you have any suggestions or comments on the list.

    Click here to view: Tentative Gear List Sheet1.pdf.

March 11, 2012: ASC NYT!

        Congrats to Gregg Treinish, founder of Adventurers and Scientist for Conservation, and his recent article in the New York Times! Trauma and I worked with his organization on our Great Himalaya Trek and it was an enriching experience; one that brought greater meaning to our travels. If you are headed somewhere off the beaten path and would like to learn more about the issues concerning the areas you’ll be traveling through, get in touch with Gregg and he’ll connect you with a scientist that would love your help!

March 3, 2012: Dolpo Article

        Check out this article I put together on the remote and wild section of Dolpo in Nepal for the folks over at Swoop. Their UK based operation tailors to travelers looking for anything from itinerary planning, self guided logistics, or full service guided expeditions. Focusing primarily in Patagonia, Swoop will be hoping to offer opportunities in Nepal in the near future for those intrepid trekkers. Stay tuned.

     Check out their website at www.swoop-patagonia.co.uk

February 7, 2012: Exciting Mail

  

    Just received some exciting pieces of mail today. Check out the new pot I’ll use for my Colorado Hike this summer! Available through Zelph’s Stoveworks, at just a hair over 1 oz, this will be the perfect pot for boiling up 2 cups of water to add to my AlpineAire freeze-dried meals.

    Even more exciting is the long awaited map set I ordered up from the Colorado Trail Foundation. Now to finally start pouring over the maps, adding water and route beta and trimming this thing down from it’s portly 11.5 oz self.

January 24, 2012: New Sponsors

    I’d like to welcome a few new companies that will be helping me out this summer with my attempt at the unsupported speed record. I’m always so grateful when companies get as excited as I do about outdoor pursuits. Please check out my latest blog and sponsors page for more information on these exciting new companies!

January 18, 2012: Tahoe Rim Trail trip Report

    I finally put together a trip report of my recent hike along the Tahoe Rim trail. Feel free to check it out in my blog section of this site.

   

January 14, 2012: GHT Technical Passes Info

    I’ve been getting a lot of emails and requests for information on the technical passes encountered along the Great Himalaya Trail. I’ve gone ahead and put together a working document with as much information as I have or could collect at the time on the subject. Please contact me further if something is not clear or you would like to discuss things in detail. Check out the planning section for more info.

   

January 7, 2012: Tahoe Rim Trail

    Well it seems like no amount of ceremonial dancing, ritualistic sacrificing, pessimistic cursing, or desperate praying is going to change that fact that we are still snow free out here in Tahoe, which is quite the contrast to last year epic season.

    With too much time with two thumbs and wondering where to put them, I’ve decided to head out for some fresh air and perspective along the 165 mile Tahoe Rim Trail starting on monday. Looking for a way to stretch the legs and ultimately kill some time, given the fact that the 10 day forecast is still calling for 10 feet of sun and unseasonably warm temps, a nice leisurely stroll along some high country will serve me well. Look for a write -up sometime next weekend.

January 2, 2012: New Year plans updated!

        The New Year is always a great time to think and plan, dream and challenge one’s self. Added some concrete goals I’d like to accomplish throughout the New year on my Current trips page.

November 11, 2011: Yo-Yo a Success!

     

           Just getting back in from my hike of the Devils Path. Feeling sore but elated, it was good to get out there and push myself again. Check out the latest blog entry and video for more details.

November 5, 2011: Devils Path 24hr Yo-yo

      Planning on heading to upstate New york into the catskill mountains next week to have some quick fall fun. Recently saw a write up about the devils path as the ‘hardest trail in the east’. Totaling 24mi and 16,000ft in elevation gain and loss. I hoping to double that and see if I can tackle  an out and back ‘yo-yo’ of the entire trail in under 24 hours.  I figure this will be a good way to remember the hardships of Nepal earlier this year, even if the scenery won’t be a grandiose. I’ll have a more detailed write up of the hike and gear list posted in my ‘current trip’ section, along with some pics and video footage if all goes well. wish me luck!

November 4, 2011: Planning Resources

      Just posted some logistical information for some of the hikes I’ve done. There’s tons of great information there if you are planning a Great hImalaya Hike of your own. My friend Justin Lichter and I have collaborated over the years on some of the routes and trails we’ve done concerning mapsets, trail descriptions and logistical write ups. Please feel free to email either one of us for a CD-rom of the maps and details to print at your convenience.  Any donation you provide will help offset our time and effort.

October 16, 2011: Lizzy Hawker

      Thoughts go out to Lizzy Hawker and her Skydance attempt of the Great Himalaya Trail. Lizzy had to discontinue her attempt of the GHT a few days ago do to some logistical matters concerning safety. For a full read please visit her website. It sounds like she has some great alternate plans to entertain and challenge herself while still in the himalaya. Go Lizzy! Hopefully another attempt will commence sometime in 2012.

October 15, 2011: photo albums added to site

   Finally got around to adding some photo albums to the site. Check them out either by clicking on my albums or find them linked to my previous hikes page.

September 15, 2011: A quick fix into the high sierra

    Just got back from a quick hike through the high sierra with friend and fellow Oboz athlete Fern Ritchie. following my Buddy nacho’s wedding , we Covered about 160 miles between Mammoth Lakes and Kearsarge Pass. by Following a variation of the JMT and the sierra high route. Highlights Include heading across Alpine col and Italy pass, Two areas I’ve been wanting to explore for awhile.

July 10, 2011: Great Himalaya Trail Interview

   Had a chat with Richard Bull over at the GHT.org the other week regarding our experience on the Nepal portion of the trail. Thanks again Richard for your questions and efforts.

interview

June 15, 2011: Video Posted

       

        I finally got around to putting a rough draft of our film together for some friends and it actually came out well enough to post. This is my first foray into film making so feedback is welcome. Still lots of editing and reformatting to be done as well as compiling the India footage when Trauma returns. Still hoping to have something formal together by winter, but here’s a little teaser video of things to come. Video is posted on my blog page as well as here on Vimeo.

June 1, 2011: Blogs entries posted, What’s Next?

       Just arriving back into the United States after finishing up the Nepal section of the great Himalaya Trail on the 27th of May. It’s Been a whirlwind of travel transplanting myself from trails end back to the US. Been working on posting some photos and journal entries from the trip and hoping to put together a logistics page for other folks wanting to plan a similar (or shorter) trek through the Himalaya Range, So check that out. Also, if things fall into place, Trauma and I will be putting together a short film covering the trip through video and photographs. Hoping to have that completed by winter at the latest.

March 21, 2011: Blog Updates

   In the interest of time and efficiency, Trauma and I will be updating our whereabouts through one singular update being posted on his site. We will be carrying a satellite phone and sending weekly updates from the field, twitter style. Every few weeks when we enter a larger town with internet access we will post a more thorough synopsis of how the trek is going. Please visit www.Justinlichter.com and follow along!

March 20, 2011: Off to Kathmandu!

   Well it’s been a hectic few months of planning for this latest trek to say the least. Visas have been a headache, gear was shipping up until the last postal hours, and maps and route information has been delayed,  but come tuesday morning I begin my 32 hour marathon flight to KAthmandu. Time to toss all those weeks of planning and prepping out the window and let the real chaos begin! Stay tuned

March 19, 2011: Winter Recap

   The winter mushing season is finally winding down for me, even given the fact that the Tahoe area is currently getting buried with another Seven foot + storm cycle. Many hours spent blowing and chopping, but it’s been another great season running with some dogs. Check out the latest blog entry.

December 18, 2010: Adventures for 2011: Nepal, India and Pakistan

    2011 is shaping up to be another exciting year! Tentative plans are to link the eastern most 8000M peak inthe world, Kangchenjunga, with the western most 8000m peak, Nanga Parbat. IN doing so we would pass within eyeshot of all 14 of the world’s 8000M peaks including, Everest, Makalu, Manaslu, Lhotse, Annapurna, and K2, just to name a few. Fellow hiker and good friend Trauma (Justin Lichter) and I are scrambling to get visas, permits and a route in line for a spring departure. Too much to think about! Stay tuned.

December 1, 2010: Fall Recap

   

    Check out the latest blog entry for a brief recap of the fall and what it’s like settling back in after 66 days on the trail. Highlights include spontaneous Marathon runs, taking urban youth out of the city for their fist time ever and getting to meet my newest best friend.

        

March 27, 2010: Bora Bora is on Board

    

   bora bora bars has agreed to sign on as my sole energy bar sponsor for the hike this season. I’m super excited to be able to use their products given that they are both nutritious, calorie dense and convenient. Most of my meals I eat throughout the day I try to consume on the go, so these will keep me fueled up and ready to put in the miles ahead. It’s not too often I get excited about energy bars, but between the abundant, delicious flavors and Pure simple ingredients I can actually understand, my mouth is already salivating for the summer to come!

    Please see my sponsors page for more information on Bora Bora.

                   

February 28, 2010: Sponsorship update

    I’m pleased to announce my partnership with a few companies for my hike this summer, Oboz and Kaia Foods. Not only do these two companies provide great products, they also give back to their communities.

  

    I’ve been hearing a lot of buzz surrounding oboz and their shoes in the hiking community, and I’m excited to be able to try them out this summer. Their shoes will see just about every condition on my trek.; Off trail, on trail, high water crossings, glacier travel, sandy beach, talus and boulder fields. I’m currently testing out the hardscrabble and feel they will hold up great to the conditions they will see.

    I found out about Kaia foods from a gluten free care package my good friends justin and april sent me. Once I tasted Kaia foods granola and found out more about their story, I was eager to partner up with nick at kaia foods. He is a hiker himself and is aware of the  nutrition and convenience a hiker is looking for.

    To find out more about these two wonderful companies, check out my sponsors page.

    

   

February 16, 2010: Blog Added

    I Just added a blog section to my site in an effort to maintain a connection with friends, family, and fellow readers. I will be attempting to update the blog weekly once the hike begins, so check back often for the latest news.

January 27, 2010: GDT map set

   I currently have a complete map set for the great divide trail that I put together on disc. They are formatted as a PDF file and are set up to print on 11x17. I also have the raw file included so you can modify the maps to your liking. If interested, please feel free to contact me.

January 25, 2010: Outdoor retailer show

   This past weekend I had an opportunity to attend the outdoor retailer show held in salt lake city. It was cool to see some of the new gear and products that will be coming out sometime next winter.  I was able to hand out a few of my sponsorship proposals and chat with some companies about my upcoming trip this summer. It was nice to be able to put a face to the company as I met some really nice folks that really care about the outdoors and the products they provide. so Presently I’m excited at the prospect of working with some like-minded outdoor enthusiasts in the future.

Adventures for 2010: Great Divide Trail and Pacific Northwest trail

    This summer I will be attempting to Link two long distance trails; the Great divide trail in Canada and the pacific northwest trail here in the us. Glacier National park is sort of a crossroads in the long distance hiking community. The terminus of nearly four major trail systems coincide at this geographic point, them being the Continental Divide Trail, The great Divide trail, the Pacific northwest trail and the North county trail (as part of the c2c route). By linking two of these great treks, I will be able to connect the highest point in the Canadian Rockies (Mt robson) with the pacific ocean. I have spent some time in the canadian rockies previously and they are probably one of my favorite mountain ranges in the world. along with Exploring more of the north cascades as well as the Olympic peninsula , this hike will take me through new and varied terrain that I’ve been wanting to explore for awhile.