One Tough Trail: California
When you reach the sign that reads, “If you slip and fall, you will die,” you pretty much get it – don’t get too close to the edge. This simple warning is posted beside the Nevada Falls bridge on the hike up Half Dome in Yosemite National Park, the perfect place to pretend you’re Ansel Adams and take snapshots of the classic stone monoliths and waterfalls. And if you want the best photos, scramble your way to the top of Half Dome’s sheer face.
Another five miles and lots of trail mix later, you’ll come upon the back shoulder of the Dome. The switchbacks here are steep and short–daring you to continue up to the bald head of the valley’s eternal watchman. Once you reach the final pitch and look up, you’ll understand the additional warnings about lightning during summer storms. There are steel cables laced through steel poles running the entire length of the incredibly steep arch–the perfect lightning rod. Grit your teeth and put on a pair of common-use gloves and start the terrifying and exhilarating climb. Anyone can do it, as long as you don’t slip and fall...
by Rich Steel
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Getting High on the Inca Trail: Peru
When you cross Dead Woman’s Pass, nearly 14,000 feet, don’t be surprised to hear this complaint: “Damn Incans … should … call it … Dead … Man’s Pass … too.” With Machu Picchu’s perfect stone ruins almost 20 miles away, the reward of the Inca Trail seems impossibly distant. But after you’ve climbed approximately one zillion stone steps and reached the Sun Gate overlooking the great Incan city caressed by cotton-candy clouds below you, you’ll have forgotten the high-altitude headaches (cured by chewing coca leaves … yes, those coca leaves, given out by friendly porters) and be high on the rush of one of the greatest climbing treks in the world. And maybe the after-effects of the leaves.
Due to environmental concerns, all trekkers must go with an approved guided group ($170 - $300, depending on season, a four-day trip with companies like SASTravel.com and UnitedMice.com), but don’t let that scare you off—you’re still carrying most of your gear and no one has called Dead Woman’s Pass easy.
by Jeff Booth
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Faking the Pharaoh: Egypt
You’ve made it through Cairo airport, been hassled incessantly for taxi fares, fought off touts and hawkers, braved impossibly crowded Egyptian streets, even beat the heat. Finally you reach the oldest tourist destination on Earth, the Great Pyramids, and you want up—bad.
It used to be de rigueur to climb the pyramids, but it’s not allowed anymore—so don’t even think about it, or at least, think long and hard about the consequences of trying (or the best plan to sneak in). There are guards at all four corners to enforce the no-climb policy, and with nothing to do all day, these guys would be more than happy to bust your foolish ass the second you tried.
So you can’t go up, but how about in? Buy your tickets early (about $6.60)–they go fast. Once you have a ticket, you are allowed to play pharoah (or slave) and climb up about four easy tiers on the outside of the great pyramid to the entrance. From there, it’s an up and down journey in claustrophobia-inducing tunnels, and the only relief comes upon reaching one of the magnificent chambers.
Whether or not you climb around inside or somehow sneak past the guards to summit, there is no doubt you will be awestruck at these manmade mountains. Remind yourself of the saying, “Man fears time, time fears only the pyramids.”
If you want to be shown the best of Egypt, call Intrepid Travel toll free at (866) 847-8192 or email brochure@intrepidtravel.com. They really know how to show you the country in a responsible, fun way.
by Rich Steel
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