USA
21 interesting facts about Denali | Atlas & Boots
I was planning my climb of Denali, in Alaska, USA, for over 18 months. Between training sessions, I spent swathes of time pouring over maps of the route and reading reports on previous expeditions, all in an attempt to absorb as much information about the mountain as I could. The post 21 interesting facts about Denali appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
How to climb Denali: all your questions answered | Atlas & Boots
Whenever I get back from a big climb, I invariably receive an array of questions about the expedition via email and social media. As usual, I’ve collated them all below in a detailed Q&A that includes all my tips on how to climb Denali. If I've missed anything, please do get in touch. The post How to climb Denali: all your questions answered appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
Denali gear list: the kit that got me to the top | Atlas & Boots
Denali in Alaska, USA, at 6,190m (20,310ft), is North America’s highest mountain and one of the seven summits (the seven peaks that make up the highest point on every continent). I recently returned from climbing Denali with American Alpine Institute (AAI). Any good guiding company will issue you a detailed kit list, but I always like to see what others have used. As such, I thought it would be helpful to share my complete Denali gear list for future climbers to reference. The post Denali gear list: the kit that got me to the top appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
Steep dreams: my tried and tested sleeping system for Denali | Atlas & Boots
The coldest I have ever been in my life was while climbing Denali – hardly surprising considering it's one of the coldest and windiest places in the USA. During the expedition, there were several times when I felt the cold intensely, so much so that I even suffered some mild frostbite on my fingers after we were delayed on the fixed ropes for several hours. That said, I was never cold when safely cocooned in my sleeping bag. The post Steep dreams: my tried and tested sleeping system for Denali appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
Climbing Denali: a dream almost slips through my fingers | Atlas & Boots
At around 6.30pm local time on Tuesday 28 May 2024, six grown men stood on the summit of Denali, the highest peak in North America, crying their eyes out. Among us was a triathlon athlete, a veteran of the Marathon des Sables and an Everest summiteer who was returning to Denali for his second attempt. One of our group, a Californian who regularly climbed in the Sierras, was on his knees sobbing over his ice axe. The post Climbing Denali: a dream almost slips through my fingers appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
10 famous trees cut down by humans | Atlas & Boots
It was an act of vandalism that scandalised a nation. Britain’s iconic Sycamore Gap tree was cut down with a chainsaw in the early hours of 28th September 2023. The senselessness of the act was particularly poignant. There have been many famous trees cut down by humans, but there has usually been a reason: accident, protest, exploitation. In the case of the Sycamore Gap tree, it appears to be sheer malice. The post 10 famous trees cut down by humans appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
The most stunning natural phenomena on Earth | Atlas & Boots
As Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken made history as the first astronauts to launch to orbit on a privately-owned spaceship, the world took pause to watch. Given the turmoil of our times, one observer quipped, 'Congratulations to the Astronauts that left Earth today. Good choice.' The post The most stunning natural phenomena on Earth appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
Atlas & Boots’ top 10 posts of 2023 | Atlas & Boots
There’s a slight break from tradition this year here at Atlas & Boots. Our top posts of the year are usually a balanced mix of articles by me (Kia) and Peter. This year, however, all but one are by Peter thanks to my hiatus from the blog. I had to take a step back this year as I’ve been busy with my main hustle. The post Atlas & Boots’ top 10 posts of 2023 appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
Not for novices: America’s most dangerous hikes | Atlas & Boots
While most will – and do – complete these hikes unscathed, the trails can be perilous enough that a spot of bad luck, small mistake or slight miscalculation can leave you seriously injured – or even dead. Exposure, crevasses, avalanches – all the usual threats can be found on America's most dangerous hikes. But there are also a few wildcards in here that can turn a walk in the park into a dice with death. Huckleberries anyone? The post Not for novices: America’s most dangerous hikes appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
Not for novices: America’s most dangerous hikes | Atlas & Boots
While most will – and do – complete these hikes unscathed, the trails can be perilous enough that a spot of bad luck, small mistake or slight miscalculation can leave you seriously injured – or even dead. Exposure, crevasses, avalanches – all the usual threats can be found on America's most dangerous hikes. But there are also a few wildcards in here that can turn a walk in the park into a dice with death. Huckleberries anyone? The post Not for novices: America’s most dangerous hikes appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
Most active volcanoes in the world | Atlas & Boots
Nature has many fearsome wonders – earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis – but none so fearsome as the most active volcanoes in the world. These hellish peaks feature in tales of ardour and heroism, loom over humble settlements and whisper threats of violence and destruction. Though potentially lethal, they hold a magnetic beauty that thrillseekers find irresistible. The post Most active volcanoes in the world appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
20 most stunning big wall climbs from around the world | Atlas & Boots
It was five years ago that I first came across a big wall climber. A tiny speck on the side of a gigantic granite wall, the climber was bivvying in Yosemite National Park, the Holy Land of big wall climbing. I couldn't comprehend how someone could sleep tacked onto the side of a wall, suspended thousands of feet above the ground, sometimes in treacherously windy conditions. I was reminded of this special breed of people by the recent film Meru which follows three world-class climbers on their efforts to scale the mountain's imposing Shark's Fin. The high-altitude and Alpine climbing on display is impressive of course but it's the big wall climbing on the near-featureless Shark's Fin that is really mind blowing. The post 20 most stunning big wall climbs from around the world appeared fir...
