Tag: Hike

First Woman Completes The Calendar-Year Triple Crown Hiking Trip

Posted on by Jane Simpson

Only five men have ever managed to complete the adventurous Triple Crown of hiking—the longest, most treacherous hike of all time—in less than 365 days. For many, traveling across the globe in this short length of time is an impossible feat, but the first woman has just completed the Triple Crown, in a record-breaking 251 days.

The Most Gorgeous, Intense Hike Ever

The Triple Crown is the most intense hike ever invented. In order to complete the journey, one must hike the 2,190-mile Appalachian, 2,650-mile Pacific Crest, and 3,100-mile Continental Divide trails. Each trail normally takes five or six months to complete, allowing the average hiker up to three years to attempt the Triple Crown.

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But the most adventurous hikers, they attempt to walk each trail in one year—a challenge known as the Calendar-Year Triple Crown. This would be one of the most gorgeous travels, and on November 8, the first woman, Heather “Anish” Anderson, became the sixth person to complete this feat.

Famous For Her Hikes

Anderson is a recognizable name with hikers. Before her recent trip, she’d already attempted the Trip Crown two times. She broke the record for Fastest Known Time (FKT) for the Pacific Crest Trail and the Appalachian Trail.

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But she wasn’t going to stop there. She was determined to complete the Triple Crown in less than a year to honor the 50th anniversary of the National Trail System Act, an act to establish trails in urban and rural settings for people of all ages, interests, skills, and physical abilities.

Anderson said, “These trails have been really important in my life and in my hiking career.”

A Question Before She Left

Anderson’s hiking trip began on the Appalachian Trail on March 1, 2018. But before she could begin her journey, her boyfriend had an important question for her.

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He proposed to her on Springer Mountain right when the couple reached the top. He had to ask her to marry him before the dangerous trip, and she happily said yes.

Beginning The Long Trek

After the proposal, Anderson started walking, first north on the Appalachian Trail until May, exiting at the Connecticut River in New Hampshire. Then, she spent a few weeks on the Continental Divide trails before starting on the Pacific Crest Trail, where she walked with her fiancé as he worked to complete his first Triple Crown.

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In August, the couple continued south in Glacier National Park to northern Colorado. Then, in October, they were back to the Appalachian Trail to walk south from Maine to New Hampshire before making her way through the Midwest to Colorado again.

Then, Anderson hiked her last few miles on November 8 to her final destination: Grants, New Mexico.

Overcoming The Challenges

Anderson’s trip wasn’t easy. While you would think the terrains would be dangerous (and they were), the real challenge was the severe weather conditions. Spring and fall months are hazardous seasons in the mountains. Anderson faced icy rain, flooding, thunderstorms, and more.

But no matter what conditions she faced, Anderson successfully completed the Calendar-Year Triple Crown on November 8, in a record-breaking 251 days, 20 hours, and 10 minutes. She was obviously relieved to accomplish her goal.

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Now, she can enjoy controlled climates, regular showers, write a book, and start planning her wedding.

The 5 Most Terrifying Hikes in Hawaii

Posted on by Brittany Lockheart

Hawaii is undoubtedly the hub for some of the country’s best hikes, with an abundance of waterfalls, unique flora and fauna, and views that look like they came straight off of a postcard. However, it has also become notorious for having some of the scariest and most dangerous hikes. In face, several popular paths in the islands of Hawaii have been shut down due to deaths and serious injuries. Even more have signs leading to the path, warning hikers that they are not liable for these risks. Still, the brave souls continue on, searching for the best thrills the island have to offer. Without further ado, here are the 5 most terrifying hikes in the state:

5. Queen’s Bath

This tempestuous spot comes in at number five only because the hike itself is pretty short. At a brief 0.6 miles, the walk to this deceivingly peaceful-looking cerulean tide pool will not wear you out, but it brings its own horrifying challenges. The path is often so muddy and slippery that hikers can barely walk. Once you get to the lava rocks, it’s easy to slip and slice open your leg. The destination is the most frightening part, though. The tide is unpredictable, and huge waves could come crashing down any minute. In fact, several tourists have been swept up in these rushing, intense waters. Now, Queen’s Bath has planted signs on the way down warning people about the tide and absolving the state from blame. This is definitely one to be avoided in the winter, when tides are at their worst.

4. Haiku Stairs (aka Stairway to Heaven)

These stairs were never meant to be a hike: in fact, that were only built during World War II to access a radio station antenna. The now-metal stairs are nerve-wracking. Some parts of the path require climbing straight up, while other stretches go along the narrow side of a cliff. This nearly 4,000-stair hike (3.922, to be exact) is also daunting because it’s actually illegal to complete. Already dangerous, the Haiku Stairs have been damaged in a storm, so portions are missing. Brave hikers must sneak in-often through drainage ditch- to avoid the guard. To make things even more terrifying, many people start the Stairway to Heaven climb at night to avoid said guard and watch the sun rise. This is definitely not a hike to try if you do not have sure footing!

3. Bolohead Ridge

If barely scooting along a crumbling, six-inch wide, steep path to a mountain sounds like a good time, then you might enjoy Bolohead Ridge. This rare hike has actually only been attempted two recorded times by humans. Apparently, goats often use it as an alternative path to Mount Ka’ala. The first brave souls, Dayle Turner and Steve Rohrmayer, named the ridge for its likeness to a bald man’s head. Their copycats spent a few days attempting to cross the ridge and even these fearless men ultimately concluded that it was “stupid.” Not even the thrill-seekers should go after this hike, which could fall apart at any moment.

2. Kalalau Trail

This 11.2-mile hike sounds terrifying enough in length alone! However, the real challenge comes at mile seven. Crawler’s Ledge, which is named after the fact that people get so scared while hiking this portion of the trail that they literally crawl, is narrow, rocky, and on the edge of a cliff. One wrong step or loose footing could mean almost certain death. Unlike some of the other hikes on this list, it’s pretty accepted and 100% legal, but that does not mean it is without incidents. People fall around the Crawler’s Ledge portion fairly often, and unpredictable flash floods have led to hikers getting stranded or else drowning.

1. Sacred Falls State Park

Don’t let its beauty fool you. Hawaii Department of Land & Natural Resources has created loads of images like this to dissuade curious hikers.

On Mother’s Day in 1999, Hawaii suffered a great tragedy. A mudslide in this beautiful state park led to 8 deaths and over 30 injuries. Now, it is illegal to hike Sacred Falls because of mudslides and falling rocks, which could hit an innocent hiker at any moment. Despite the illegality, many hikers go for the beautiful waterfall and stunning views- or to check it off a bucket list. However, the state continues to warn people against it, and reiterated in a video in 2015 that the park is off-limits. The scariest part of this hike is how normal it seems until rocks being to fall.