We Expand the Blog With Trail Maps! Today’s subject is trail mapping apps in particular. But first, let’s digress for a bit and discuss maps in general. Back in Brian’s days as a hiker in the White Mountains, he never left home without one of his set of excellent maps published by the Appalachian Mountain Club. In fact, he […]
Patagonia (or Bust): Staying Safe
Surviving Patagonia: Staying Safe Means Staying Warm and Dry Once the logistical challenges of hiking in Patagonia are settled (which remains very far from being the case for Brian and Sylvia) one must turn to the actual physical challenges of the hike itself. Fortunately, altitude will not be one of these. On all three of our Peru expeditions, at least […]
Hawksbill Mountain Y’all!
Time for Fall Maneuvers!!!! October is finally upon us, our favorite time of the year for hiking! The end of summer means the end of heat, haze and humidity, the beginning of crisp, cool, clear fall days, and the arrival of fall colors. Well, at least it usually does. For the second straight year, fall has arrived late to NC.North […]
Is the TMB for me? How to Hike the Grand Circle
Tour du Mont Blanc: Can I hike the Tour du Mont Blanc? Can I complete the Grand Circle of the Tour du Mont Blanc too? This may be the question you are asking yourself. The celebrated tour of Western Europe’s highest peak is the single most rewarding thing that Brian and Sylvia have ever done. But it is also without […]
Storm Warning: Hurricane Florence Approaches the Carolina Coast
From the Eye of the Storm…Florence Bears Down on Raleigh ***PLEASE BE AWARE: IF YOU LIVE IN COASTAL VIRGINIA OR CAROLINA and are NOT thinking about evacuating right now, then you are in very serious danger. Turn on the news or click the links below.*** Looks like a direct hit is coming. Sylvia and Brian, the cast and crew of […]
Tour du Mont Blanc: And We’re Just Getting Started(?!)
TMB Day Two: Refuge de Truc to Refuge du Bonhomme *The Tour du Mont Blanc is the most famous and celebrated hike in Alpine Europe and is the fifth Bucket List Hike that Brian and Sylvia have completed together. It is also our first hike together of any kind in Europe.* Day two got off to a gray and drizzly […]
Oh Goody! Site Updates!
New updates to Becauseitzthere.com! In addition to some changes to the look and feel designed to make the viewing and reading experience a little better, we are busy building new landing pages for each of our hikes pages with all the details in one concise summary! The landing pages will still link back to the blog posts. You can view […]
A hundred Miles of Up and Down
Countdown to the Tour Du Mont Blanc… The TMB — one of our Bucket List Hikes — and the majestic French Alps are looming close, and we’ve been busy getting ready for what promises to be the adventure of a lifetime. This means physical, mental and practical preparation. It also means spending a lot of money on things like this…a universal […]