WWMD: Send me anywhere you like in Summer 2006!

[Franz Klammer]

Maggots,

I am about to start planning my summer vacation. After last year in Pakistan (see this thread) I fear that Summer 2006 may not live up to this year's mind-blowing experience so I'd be glad to hear some feedback - there is no limit on $$$, but it should fit into a 3-4 week timeframe in June/July for my brother.

To put it into more concrete terms: from which place on this planet would you like to see a TR when I return in late July?

Places I have already been to:
- pretty much everywhere in Europe
- Iceland
- Greenland
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Indonesia
- India
- Pakistan
- South Africa
- North Africa

Places that are conspicuously absent from the above list:
- Canada/Alaska
- South America
- Vietnam/Cambodia/Burma
- China
- Middle East (except for a stopover in Dubai ...)
- Central Africa (my brother is a bit scared of rampant HIV)
- Pacific (though I've been to Hawaii and New Zealand)
- Antarctica (but that's not going to happen at that time of the year)

I'd prefer something that is not completely over-run with tourists and also offers a bit of a physical challenge (though it doesn't have to be as hard as the Karakorum).

[Beaver]

Kamchatka

[alto]

You're going to be a tourist until the day you die. And probably for quite some time after.

[Speedfreak]

Kamchatka seconded.

[adam]

Kamchatka thirded.

[surfsnowywaves]

While Kamchatka would be ill...

Try maybe a tour of western China/Kyrgystan/Uzbekistan/Turkmenistan/those stans you havent visited.
Or maybe a mountain tour starting in Nepal, going to Tibet, and through India into Bhutan? You know, for the buddhist in you.

[hemas]

Kamchatka or Patagonia, you could even ski at Patagonia.

If the latter, mebbe around Torres de la Paines (or how ver it is spelled) for some mountaineering (has everything from relatively easy to freakkin' hardcore climbing/mountaineering).

[belgian]

Russia

(basically a fourth for Kamchatka)





789

[nhtele]

Mongolia? Alaska/Yukon?

[Tectonically_Neglected]

Florida

789

[gebbers]

bhutan (padding because at least 8 characters needed)

[ill-advised strategy]

ELAINE: Mr. Peterman, you can’t leave.

PETERMAN: I’ve already left, Elaine. I’m in Burma.

ELAINE: Burma?

PETERMAN: You’ll most likely know it as Myanmar, but it’ll always be Burma to me. . . . You there, on the motorbike! Sell me one of your belts!

TR: It'll always be Burma to me.

The Horror, The Horror...

oh yeah.

[snow_slider]

Trek the Silk Road. You can start in either New Deli - India, or Xi'an - China. Follow it all the way to Rome (but maybe skip the Bagdad section for personal safety reasons).

[Franz Klammer]

Good stuff, guys. Keep the ideas coming! I am intrigued by the Mongolia proposal, but could be tempted by Russia as well.

[vertigo]

Trek from Luton to Hull. Via Coventry.

[shmerham]

Galapagos Islands: I saw some amazing pics of the place and now I want to go there.

Dominican Republic: The natives don't hike, but there are some big mountains there; one over 10000 ft and there is a guide company. Might be really hot though.

I was also thinking Patagonia.

[road trip]

Germany

(World Cup 2006 related)

[mattitude]

Nepal. Not the best season but you will find some cool stuff on the Anapurna Circuit.

[cj001f]

Anapurna Circuit.

2ndhand I've heard things are really not good there right now. I'm tentatively going there for Xmas, but we'll see.

If you've the $$ Bhutan would be interesting.

For S. America the weather would be perfect for trekking in Peru during the summer. Search for Wills trip report and your destination will be picked. Patagonia will be short daylight and shitty weather, but good for skiing (maybe)

[Franz Klammer]

Thanks again for all the suggestions.

We've decided to travel to Peru (and Will's photos certainly helped!) and hope to climb some peaks in the Cordillera Blanca and Cordillera Huayhuash. Chopicalqui here we come.

[vano]

As a proud Georgian my vote goes to Georgia and the Caucasus mountains. Try to go summit Ushba and just walk up Kazbeg. Once you have done Georgia, you could always head north over the border to Russia and hang out with some Chechen rebels or, even better, summit the tallest mountain in Europe - Elbrus. Yes, thats right, contrary to what the French and the western Europeans might say, Elbrus in the Caucasus range is the tallest in Europe. I think this would be a nice summit to have under your belt. A nice perk is that Elbrus has a 3 stage ski lift that operates well into the summer.

Just read your response - maybe do Caucasus in 2007.

[edg]

Yes, thats right, contrary to what the French and the western Europeans might say, Elbrus in the Caucasus range is the tallest in Europe.

Wowza, someone's got a bit of a height complex.

edg

[vano]

Wowza, someone's got a bit of a height complex.

edg

I am well over 5".... trust me, I don't have anything to worry about.

[edg]

I am well over 5".... trust me, I don't have anything to worry about.

Being more than 5" tall isn't something to be especially proud of.

edg