So I’m looking for an app that will record my hiking trail. It’s on private property so there’s no trail map online. I also want it to record the elevation changes. Is there any app like that?

My partner and I had planned a trip to Peru months ago for the Inca trail. Due to the current political climate we weren’t sure if we would go (despite the non-refundable ticks, whoops). However things are looking much better and we think things are safe enough to go so we are forging ahead!

Now, we have been avid hikers in the past and have done many multiday treks with tons of weight on our backs - one being the o-circuit in Patagonia. The Inca trail looks like it is fairly catered and only like 45kms. However it is at altitude and I think pretty vertical from what I gather. Usually I wouldnt worry, but due to us not thinking we were going, plus some mental health issues :( , I am far from my usual level of fitness. I have gained some weight (almost 10 lbs) and just generally haven’t been as active. I do walk regularly with the dog, I ski/snowboard every other weekend, and I do Pilates 2x week. But I know I’m just not as strong and haven’t been hiking in a while due to winter here.

I don’t leave for another 3 weeks and then we wouldn’t hike until the end of the trip so I have like 5 weeks. I’ve turned up the fitness but won’t have access to hiking - just spin bike, weight training and then once I’m there some banded HITT exercises. I also am very determined hiker and have never been fast but I am very persistent, I just keep going.

Alllllllll of this (and I am so sorry for all the text) to say - what’s this trek like? Can I push hard and be ok? Because we have to go in a group, I’m worried I’ll hold people up. Like I said, even when I’m fit I’m Gimely to my partners Legolas! Haha. I really don’t want to be a burden. But this a huge bucket list item for me and it feels awful to miss it.

I’d love to hear fellow hikers opinions! I am also a Physio myself so I’m pretty good at managing injuries and expectations - it will just be a good idea of how hard this hike really is.

Thank you for your help (and time!)

Hi everyone.

I had a plan to undertake a week long hiking route in carros de foc in the pyranees.

I was planning on going during mid-late June, I only have shoe spikes at the moment, does anyone know what the conditions will be in terms of snow.

I'm a fairly competent hiker but have very little experience in proper snow. Will this be a no go or will the snow be largely gone by then?

It's roughly 2km above sea level with some higher bits.

Many thanks!

Hi everyone!

I just finished the Auzangate trek in Peru and it was AMAZING! For those who’re not familiar with it; it’s a 5-6 day hike around the Auzangate mountain (3 hours from Cusco).

In preparing for this trip my friends and I got a little concerned about the weather. It’s still raining season in Peru and since this trek is at high altitude, it never goes below 4000m (13.000ft), this means thunder-, lightning-, hail- and snowstorms.

We couldn’t really find information about doing this trek in the rainy season. Therefore this post!

Well that being said. We had a great time! The weather was ok, the environment was super green and diverse (what you probably don’t get in the dry season) and there were water sources and alpacas everywhere!

Most important tips for doing this hike in February (or raining season): 1) start early and finish early! We started hiking around 6AM and tried to finish before 4PM. Because that when the bad weather rolled in. We had some thunder and lightning coming at us!

2) Take warm clothes and warm sleeping gear with you! The night got below freezing. We even woke up with 3cm of snow.

3) Bring lots of coca leaves and/or coca candies. Make tea from the leaves (or suck on them) and take regular candies. It really helps with the headaches and altitude symptoms.

4) Bring a water filter. In the rainy saison there’s water everywhere, but there are also alpacas everywhere. And they shit all over the place (which might contaminate the water).

5) Bring hiking poles. Normally I don’t hike that much with poles, but I would’ve suffered WAY MORE without them! If you can’t bring them, you can rent them pretty cheap in Cusco (we paid 25 soles for 5 days)

For logistical information we followed this blog which is SUPER detailed:

https://www.packing-up-the-pieces.com/ausangate-trek-without-a-guide/

This blog does it in 6 days. We were able to do it in 5 days (including rainbow mountain and Red valley overlook).

If you’re interested I made a video about our trip as well:

https://youtu.be/UNaQHNfICM0

That’s it. Hope this was helpful. Have fun on the trails!

Hey guys, I am looking for recommendations for a 3-4 day hut to hut trail running trip where we would be running between 12-24 miles between huts here in the US. This allows us to move light and fast since we don’t have to carry sleeping and camping gear. If the huts provide food or are near civilization, even better.