Patagonia Video

So while on my trip I took some timelapse as well as some video via a chest harness with my GoPro. I wanted to share the compilation of all of this with you. Feel free to share it!

And please give if you can! Even a five dollar donation would mean the world!

Snow Leopard news

First of all, thanks for taking the time to view this. So far no donations - outside of one generous 40$ donation from a guest at my bar - but it's all good!

Read this story about how the Stone Zoo up here in Stoneham, MA is trying to help the cause!

New pics are up! Site updated!

Hey guys! I have added a tab above with pictures from the latest trip. Also, there is no longer a tab for donations to the World Wildlife Fund. You will notice that there is a tab that shows how you can donate to the Snow Leopard Trust.



The above button will now be added to all future posts and will link directly to the Snow Leopard Trust's donation webpage. Thanks for your patience and I hope to help raise a good amount of money for these awesome big cats!

Raising money for Snow Leopards? Yep! And Patagonia pics soon!

Soon I will be switching who I help to fundraise for. For about two years I've worked to raise money for the World Wildlife Fund. To coincide with my trip next fall to trek in the Everest region in Nepal I will be working to help raise money for the Snow Leopard Trust. Hopefully within two to three weeks I will have this switch made completely. Not just on here but on our Facebook page.

As of now the Snow Leopard Trust doesn't have individual fundraising pages like the World Wildlife Fund so it may be a bit harder to update how much any of you would donate as a whole but perhaps we will figure out a way. Perhaps a referral note? I will look into this. In any case I want to thank everyone that has been supportive of what I've tried to do. It's only a small thing but if everyone did just a couple of small, helpful things? The world would be so much better off. Don't get discouraged or overwhelmed - just act!

Also! I will soon be adding a tab where pictures from my recent trip to Patagonia will be located. Perhaps I will try to use the sale of prints of some of these pictures as a way to help garner donations. Again, the idea stage is a work in progress. Keep checking back!

Off to Patagonia!

Off to Patagonia!!!

At the time of this post being published, I will be on a plane heading out of New York City on my way to Punta Arenas, Chile. A long layover in Lima, Peru will be included. The destination for trekking will be Patagonia to trek the Torres Del Paine Circuit, around Mount Fitzroy and other short treks. Lucky doesn't even begin to describe how I feel. I will be taking notes of my daily hikes and give detailed posts when I return in early March.

Again, please help me with my fundraising effort for the World Wildlife Fund if you can!!!

Annapurna Circuit Trek: Day 16 - Final Day!

DAY 16: Ghorepani to Naya Pul
Bittersweet ending to the trek. I awoke at about 4:30am and since I had put together the things I needed the night before I was set and ready to go. Following a trail of people up to the viewpoint at Poon Hill was done in complete darkness. Most everyone had headlamps on so following the trail was as simple as following the lights.

The sunrise view can be hit or miss. It's also quite cold so bring layers! Initially the clouds were obscuring the view but with a little patience we ended up with a great view of the sunrise over the Annapurna Himal and Dhaulagiri. A once in a lifetime event that I'm so beyond lucky to have experienced! The picture below doesn't do justice to what I bore witness to. Awe inspiring and humbling. One that I hope to see again in the future.

My view from the viewpoint above Ghorepani. Astounding!


After breakfast I hunkered down and after checking in at the police checkpost, continued on. Whereas the previous day was the single largest ascent, this day was the largest descent at about 1800 meters. Midway through the day I reached Ulleri and the dreaded "Great Stone Staircase". This stairway takes just shy of an hour to go down and at best guess has approximately 3300 steps. I timed it this time around and made it down in approximately 53 minutes.

Crossing the suspension bridge after resting some weary knees, I walked through the pleasant village of Tikhedhunga and enjoyed the fact that finally it wasn't a very chilly afternoon! Another two hours were ahead of me and by this point I was quite ready to rest my feet and ankles and just get a hot shower in. Initially I was debating simply staying the night in Birethanti. After initially refusing a cab ride to Pokhara I ran into the same driver ten minutes on and he lowered the price. It's hard to resist an approximately 20 dollar cab ride to go 45 miles! By just before 3pm I was in the Lakeside area of Pokhara and checking around for a room. The next four days were for relaxing and reveling in the accomplishment of having done the Annapurna Circuit Trek a second time.

Next for my series of hikes I will be down in Patagonia. I hope that this blog up to this point has helped give you the push to find your own adventure - big or small - and just jump right on in! Thank you and I hope to keep your readership!

Annapurna Circuit Trek: Day 15

DAY 15: Tatopani to Ghorepani
My poor ankles! Bandaged up tightly and ready to go I started off at around 7:30am. This wasn't one of the longer days at 14 km but it was the day with the single highest altitude gain at between 1700-1800m difference.

It started almost instantly as once we crossed a suspension bridge we hit a series of switchbacks that had us gain about 400m in only a two kilometer travel distance. Once at the top I re-bandaged my ankles and was in pretty obvious pain. Two men from China came over and offered a spray that helped alleviate the pain. They then proceeded to GIVE me this treatment. The kindness you find from people - regardless of where they are from - is amazing.

Pushing on I tried to avoid further damage by trying to stabilize the ankle and just go at a slow and steady pace. This meant that the day's trek wouldn't end until about 5pm, but it is worth it not to rush. The mountain views about an hour after reaching the top of the set of switchbacks is incredible. Stop and just take it in and see if you can identify the peaks!

After reaching Chitre I was faced with the second large ascent of the day. This one covered about another 300m in a two kilometer hike. The difference being that it is through a beautiful forest and due to the elevation difference is quite a bit cooler! I eventually got to Ghorepani and found a room at the Hill Top Guesthouse. While having dinner I noticed a young man outside taking pictures. It was 6pm and pitch black. When I focused my view I noticed I could clearly see some of the peaks. When I went outside to ask what he was doing I found that he was taking long exposure pictures. I immediately went to get my tripod and tried taking some before the clouds rolled in and obscured the view.

Annapurna I (left); Annapurna South (right)

After about an hour of photos and talking with the young man, whose name was Ben, I had to get upstairs and get some sleep. The next day required getting up at 4:30am to see the sun come up!

Cost: Approx. 2200 Rs
Approx distance trekked: 14 km
Next up: The last day of the trek!