Recent content by pudgy_groundhog

We've been to those parks multiple times - have hiked the Teton Crest Trail, have done three backpacking trips in the Wind River Range, various dayhikes/sightseeing around the Tetons, Yellowstone, and Beartooth Mountains. As for adding on the Wind River Range, you could swing a short trip. Two...

Sounds like you have a good plan! On our last trip to that area we visited Zion and Valley of Fire. Depending on your time heading back, you can also add on Snow Canyon State Park. Small park, but some cool spots there. I have trip report and pics posted: Zion, Snow Canyon, Valley of Fire

Nothing more than what you would normally wear on a hike. This hike is inundated with hikers on the weekends (many from NYC - this hike is directly accessible from a special train stop on Metro North) and has exploded in popularity in the past 5 years or so. With the huge number of people hiking...

I think the Canadian Rockies are well suited for more of a tourist mountain vacation. Some places like Glacier NP are beautiful, but aren't close to a major city like you desire (being close to a major city reduces the list a bit).

Yellowstone is a great idea; there is a lot you can see by short walks/hikes and the geothermal features are especially a treat since they are not something you see here. The chance to see wildlife is also great. The drawbacks are crowds, need to book lodging well in advance, and depending on...

I'm sorry for your loss. :(

We did the TMB many years ago for our honeymoon and we used the Kev Reynolds guide - it's very good. We did the TMB in about ten days or so, then spent some time in Zermatt. We've looked at the Haute Route too, but haven't done it (we can't seem to get away from the Dolomites - I strongly...

When we visited Glacier NP in 2006 we hiked to Iceberg Lake, the Highline Trail (utilizing the shuttle and a side hike to Grinnell Glacier overlook), and Siyeh Pass (again utilizing the shuttle). We had planned more, but weather wasn't optimal (and we were carrying our daughter in a backpack, so...

Thanks for the responses everyone. I'm not keen on using her school backpack because it's kind of bulky and seems to shift around a lot when scrambling. Also I like having a good setup to use a water bladder, which isn't ideal with her school pack. I think we'll look into some of the Osprey or...

Up until now our daughter (age seven, ~ 48 inches tall, ~ 50 lbs) has carried a small Camelback or has not carried a pack at all. We'd like to get her a good daypack (not sure of capacity yet) so she can start to carry a little more weight. Any recommendations on packs your kids have used and...

I always enjoy these threads and seeing the beautiful pictures. bikehikeskifish, very cool shot of your dog. Brambor, great set. I especially like "Valley near Lago di Youla" and the group returning from Mt. Blanc. SherpaTom, neat shot. Love the clouds and the mountain tops peeking out. Sierra...

We've visited the Dolomites several times now and the WWI history of the region is very interesting. There are artifacts in museums, but you also come across old tunnels, via ferrate routes, barbed wire, and forts while hiking. I can't even imagine fighting a war in these areas. Last year we...

This is very sad. :( They should not have split up or run. Even if the bear was attacking, their odds were better in a group. But I can say that from the comfort of my desk. Even if you know what you are supposed to do in a situation, when the time comes sometimes you just react and fight or...

Definitely doable! It's one of my favorites and we most recently did it this early summer with our daughter. We like starting at Wittenberg. Enjoy your hike!

From the nps site: The North Rim has a short season. Lodging and food services within the park are open from May 15th through October 15th each year. North Rim off-season: After October 15, there is a period when the North Rim is open for day use - through December 1, or until snow closes...