We have two candidates for the world’s most dangerous hike. First is Mount Hua or Mount Huashan in China. Watch the video below. It’s pretty awesome!

Next candidate is the El Camino del Rey in Malaga, Spain. Just watching the video below gives me goosebumps. I think this one takes the cake. It hasn’t been maintained for quite a long time and that’s why I think it’s far more dangerous. The guy is not even wearing a harness. Enjoy!

I wanted to show this because it really is mesmerizing. Imagine you’re there. I’ve been to Scotland before and the sights are simply breathtaking, perfect for backpacking and it’s pretty safe too. You’re not likely to encounter a bear. Taken from Cottages Scotland.

Dennis Quinn is a 24 year old graduate of Kutztown University who is preparing to hike the entire 2,175 miles of the Appalachian Trail as a tribute to his brother Kyle.

Dennis and Kyle Quinn are brothers who love the outdoors. They started at an early age as Indian Guides. Unfortunately, Kyle was murdered at the college they were both attending on September 2007. He was only 19.

Just four days before Kyle’s death, the brothers had trekked to a popular part of the Appalachian Trail called the Pinnacle, in Hamburg, Berks County. Dennis had been thinking about hiking the whole of the Appalachian trail for about five years now but he got more serious about it after his brother’s untimely death.

Dennis says that while he’s not a religious person, he’s  a spiritual person who finds the spirit outside. I’m  not sure what he means exactly but he adds that the minimalistic way of life on the trail, with nothing more the gear on your back, is kind of a romantic idea.

Dennis hopes to end his journey by September 7, the anniversary of his brother’s death. His trip is scheduled to start on March 28, from Georgia to the trail’s northern terminus on Mount Katahdin in Maine. Quinn estimates that the trip will cost $4000 and made thorough preparations to increase his chances of success.

Quinn will be traveling with longtime friend Geoff Grandfield for the first month. His Kutztown graduate friend, Brett White will join him part of the way. His family and friends will be able to see his progress with the help of a small satellite tracking device Quinn will be carrying. His goal is to hike 20 miles per day, depending on the terrain.

The series of white blazes painted on the trees that mark the way will guide Quinn through the Appalachian Trail. He also plans to use the three side shelters located at various stages in case of bad weather but he will also  carry a sleeping bag to get the whole experience.

According to Quinn, it’s more about the journey than the destination. He was in the middle of helping troubled youths see the beauty of the outdoors during the trial of the murder case.

The Appalachian Trail is known to be a tough trail to hike the whole way. According to the stats, 20 percent barely make it out of Georgia, only 10 percent make it halfway and out of that, only 10 percent finish.

I hope Dennis Quinn does go through to the end. If he does, I wonder what he’ll do next.

I just read a lovely  article published by the New York Times.

It was written by Keith Mulvhill who tells a story about his experience hiking Mount Washington.

Mount Washington is the highest peak in the Northeast at 6,288 feet. It’s a popular destination for mountain hiking in the summer. Hikers usually start at the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Pinkham Notch Visitor Center on the east side of Mount Washington. It’s a four-mile hike to the summit and each mile is about a 1000 feet of elevation.

It gets quiet in winter because the weather up there can get quite nasty. Mount Washington is famous for winds that reach 100 miles per hour and comes at least weekly. The fastest wind speed recorded was 231 miles per hour. It’s the fastest wind speed ever recorded on the earth’s surface. Winter season starts in October and ends in May.

Despite the nasty cold weather, hiking up Mount Washington in winter can be very satisfying. With less people and no mosquitoes to worry about, you truly experience what Mount Washington has to offer.

The weather actually enhances the experience and it was reported that many people come back disappointed when the winds were relatively gentle and the skies blue.

Keith goes on to tell his story about hiking up Mount Washington. You may learn something about mountain hiking if you go to the New York Times article.

Important tips to learn from the experience include the importance of the right clothing so you don’t risk hypothermia, how to conserve energy and what hiking equipment you should have. Crampons, balaclavas, goggles and sunglasses are a must.