@edelliot Thanks for pointing out corals should not be touched. Please also realize the context of the dive where the drift was very strong through the pass and our guide instructed us to hold on at points so our group didn't get completely separated.

@@travel2walk That's too bad. Enough people dive these places to kill a lot of coral and as you know it takes many years to regrow. The fun of drift diving is going with the flow not hanging on for dear life against the current and people in the video were touching coral or hitting with their fins when they didn't need to. I've been diving since 1975 and most places I go now are totally trashed by bad divers.

Thank! Glad you enjoyed it.

Yea, this area I think was hit pretty bad by bleaching.

Thanks! Glad it was helpful. There are several other places in Yellowstone I'd recommend backpacking, but this was one of the more accessible areas early in the season.

Thanks Chris! This means I'm chugging toward our trip video... at the same slow molasses speed. lol

Thanks for the feed back Bruce. I'm working on adding some camping related material, but having others in the video really depends on the others I hike with. I'm not going to ruin or make a point to force a video camera on them at camp, especially if they don't want it. To add to the story, I have tired to add more voice over and narration to the videos as I've progressed with my editing skills. But I think the feature of my videos will always be the scenery.

Yes, this video was made from the many times I've hiked it. It's one of my go to local hikes for me.

It seemed pretty nice with several rock seats and a fire ring. When we were there in July, it was very buggy though since it was close to the creek.

Do you have favorite hike or backpacking section you'd recommend for the next time I visit? I've only visited Camel's Hump and Mansfield during my visits.

@@travel2walk Haven’t been there in years but I'm sure there are many options to chose from.

I brought a couple power banks. A 10000ma power bank is prob enough for 3 days. You can find our full gear list here: travel2walk.com/2020/03/18/trip-report-canadian-rockies-august-2019-decision-planning-getting-in/#crequip

We camped at each spot with our own tent. At certain campgrounds where there is a bathroom, a local may come by and ask for a small fee. There is also a fee collected by locals at the beginning of the hike. In my detailed trip report, I included the places were we were asked to pay fees. (travel2walk.com/2019/07/03/trip-report-ausangate-circuit-august-2018/#ausangatetr) Honestly, the people there are very friendly and I would have gladly paid more for if it help them build more hiking and camping infrastructure around the mountain. Especially since some of the trails were starting to get very muddy and dangerous from overuse by the horse packs tour groups use.

There were no parking fees at either ends. However, there is a fee to take the Ski lift from Sunshine Village up to Mt. Standish.

White Mountain Shuttle runs a shuttle that typically goes from Mt Shark to Sunshine Village, Canmore, or Banff. I have their rates from 2019 listed in my trip report here: travel2walk.com/2020/05/13/trip-report-mount-assiniboine-august-2019/#crmtassiniboinetrails However a quick look at their website showed they only ran private shuttles in 2021 due to COVID. I would inquire with them on their plans for 2022.

Thanks!

Thanks Simon for the sub. The mountains across the pond in Wales and the Appalachian Mountains were part of the ancient Central Pangean Mountains (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Appalachian_Trail#Extension_to_Europe_and_North_Africa). But I'd say, going up Crib Goch was much harder or at least breath taking than this route on Mansfield (our trip report there should you want to remanence - travel2walk.com/2018/10/05/trip-report-wales-may-2018/#snowdon). But if you love Wales, you'd love the mountains in the Northern Appalachian Mountains.

@@travel2walk yes it’s fascinating to think the Appalachian’s and the Scottish highlands and indeed the mountains of Norway where once joined imagination runs wild with what they would if looked like😊👍🏔 all the best Simon

It sure was. Thanks!

Looking forward to the leaves changing soon.

Thanks!

@@travel2walk you're welcome 😊

There are outhouses at all the campsites along the trail.

Thanks! My favorite local area to go camping.

Yea for sure. It is among m favorite hikes I've been on.

@@travel2walk Hwy, what about the JMT? Just kidding!

Yea Chris, the JMT through hike is an experience all in itself.

Thanks!

With all the mountain laurels, azaleas, rhododendrons, and many other wild flowers I've seen in the region over the last couple of weeks, you'll have a wonderful trip in in there. Have a good hike!

Yea, it was the highlight of the hike and a favorite swimming hole. I think this hike really captures the spirit of Shenandoah very well.

Definitely worth the visit

It's a nice hike in the DC area

Roughly 6-8 hours, the shuttling took a bit also and we stopped for lunch before the bridge to bridge section.

Thanks. I'm not sure what your exact question is referring to. For the Sugarloaf Summit, it is only a short distance from the parking lot.

@@travel2walk I was referencing the White Rocks, south outlook area. How far is that in terms of mileage?

Sorry for the late response, I missed your comment. The White Rocks were 4 miles along the direction we were going and just under 3 from the end of our hike.

@@travel2walk Awesome! Thank you for the info. There is a ton of places to hike and explore on my channel that might interest you. Would love to hear your feedback! Cheers

@@MetroOnTheMove No problem. And gladly support fellow hikers, I'm subscribed to your channel already and it will be useful for when I visit Georgia.

Don't forget uphill both ways in the snow. ;) I joke. Hard to imagine how bad the bushwhacking through those jungle sections would have been. That's got to be quiet the different experience of getting to the middle of no where. Sounds like you know plenty of off trail opportunities in New Zealand. Do you know have suggestions of other hikes or routes I should look into for the next time I'm back? I'd greatly appreciate the insight.

@@travel2walk Did it in 1984 ...ditto what Graham said

There are definitely sections, especially on the Northern Peaks Trail. However being close to D.C., the trails are pretty busy.

Glad I could bring you back to your hike! On our previous visit to the West Matukituki Valley, we tried for the Pylon from the Aspiring Hut, but turned around about half way between the Pylon and the brushline. I didn't except having to make the a climbing move and kinda lost confidence, so we made the safe decision to turn back. I did learn that y'all don't kid around with your expert rated routes. However, we did have a great view already toward the head of the West Matukituki Valley and Mt. Aspiring. I do look for returning and doing that Cascade Saddle traverse at some point in the future now that I have more climbing experience.

@@travel2walk Yeah, we’d actually been living in NZ for a while at that point, so had a good amount of climbing experience. Weather is absolutely key. We had excellent weather but as you know, stuff can move in really quickly down there! I actually wonder if the track may have shifted some since we were there because the degree of climbing they show in the official NZ gov’t videos now doesn’t really match my memory. There were a good deal of scree slopes, and a few very narrow bits that would have landed you down into the glacial bed if you weren’t careful. But now they show some vertical ascents and that I don’t recall. (But I am old and in my dotage lol. And if they were very short I might have just taken them in stride at the time.) Of course due to global warming there have been significant changes to the geography around the glaciers there in recent decades.

@@sal8527 Perhaps the difference is the direction the DOC has been recommending hikers to reach the pylon. Most of their material recommend from the West Matukituki side, which has some very steep vertical sections. If you were hiking the Rees-Dart to the Pylon like the hike in this video, then you wouldn't have encountered those vertical sections.

@@travel2walk That’s the most plausible explanation. Although my late husband planned our tramps and knowing him he might well have ignored the guidance. Got us into trouble more than once!

@@sal8527 Sounded like he was a pretty cool guy and that y'all had a lot of fun adventures together.

Yea, early last year at the beginning of the pandemic, there were less people out and about. So I saw a couple of bears on these hikes when they typically are further away from the trail. But yea, pretty cool always.

@@travel2walk for sure !!

It is indeed, I love the different colors each season brings.

This is among my favorite spots for that in Virginia. The sun location is better later in the year when it sets behind McAfee Knob.

It was definitely among my favorite campsites I've ever stayed at. And no problem, let me know if you have any questions about getting there.

@@travel2walk of course thanks so much!

Yea, the uphill can seem daunting but the overall distance covered isn't that long. So it's over faster than you think if you keep a steady pace and just concentrate on a step at a time. Especially with a backpack, don't worry about others. The Kea were super cool and I was surprised they let me come so close. But then again, they don't have any natural predators there so they don't have reason to fear us. In fact they get pretty aggressive toward anything plastic and rubber like, such as tents if they are left unattended.

@@travel2walk that’s a great philosophy. I find that one step at a time approach especially helpful when things are steep or scramble or even a little sketchy! Did you carry ice axes and crampons etc?

@@TrailOff Yea, I think New Zealand has some of the sketchier routes I've seen. No Ice axe or traction for this hike, there was only one small section of snow last year when we went. But check with the DOC.

Thanks! Fingers crossed that it isn't good enough to get me a copyright strike. lol. Some scenery out there have just built in soundtracks. i.e. tall grass = gladiator and high meadows = sound of music.

@@travel2walk Lol, truth about those copyright infringements. Whistle one note and yt picks up on that. And yeah, I know what you mean about the perfect landscape/music match/reference. I've been there too :)

These mountains were indeed so, probably one of the favorite camps we've done in the world. And thanks, I wasn't sure if people like it since most good videos have more of just a teaser clip. I also just like large title screens. lol.

Thanks! Happy to support everyone!

It was probably the most unique environment I've ever dove. Do you have favorite dive sites?