backpacking Archives - crunchy kat explores

backpacking: lost creek wilderness

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distance: 30 miles (loop) | elevation: 6,152’ (8,600’ starting) | difficulty: strenuous

You know those holidays that have expectations? Birthdays, New Year’s Eve… That holiday for me last year? Memorial Day weekend. Kinda weird, yeah? Well, with Covid-19, I barely left my house for over two months (tbh, I still barely do). That included hiking, which I normally do at least every other weekend. That means when I decided to finally leave my house I wanted an epic adventure, but also as few people as you possibly could on a holiday weekend.

What fit the bill? A 30-mile backpacking loop through Lost Creek Wilderness.

Colorado, Mountains, United States

backpacking: high lonesome loop

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distance: 16 miles (loop) | elevation: 3,162’ (8,988’ starting) | difficulty: strenuous

After last year’s stressful (but beautiful) sprint up Lone Eagle Peak the first weekend after permits were no longer required, I decided to pick random summer weekends on January 2nd and reserve some permits in Indian Peaks Wilderness. First up? The High Lonesome Loop.

Open meadows, top-notch views, alpine lakes… what else could ya ask for?! I know I say it about almost every hike in Colorado, but this backpacking loop is another beaut that left me saying I’d put this on my list again next year.

Colorado, Mountains, United States

backpacking: lone eagle peak (crater lake)

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distance: 14.9 miles (out & back) | elevation: 2,693’ (8,350’ starting) | difficulty: moderate/strenuous

Colorado seriously spoils you because almost every hike you go on could become a new favorite.

Lone Eagle Peak had been on my list for a while. Lone Eagle Peak (or Crater Lake) is located on the western side of Indian Peaks Wilderness – one of my favorite places in Colorado (hard to pick a fav!). If you’re a camper and a fan of eating freeze-dried food, you may have eaten Backpacker’s Pantry… and ya might notice a familiar view.

Chile, Mountains, South America

torres del paine, patagonia: views from the o circuit

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Torres del paine o circuit lago grey mountain

Torres-del-paine-o-circuit-Dickson-to-Los-perros-view-2

By the time I got to Santiago, it seemed everyone I met had already been to Torres del Paine, and it started to feel a little less special that I was going because it felt like the entire world had already been there. But the fact is, less than 300,000 people visit the park every year. Planning and reserving all the campsites may be a hassle, but there is a reason for all the hype surrounding Torres del Paine – it is absolutely beautiful.

After reading my previous post, it is probably clear that if you have the time, I 100% recommend doing the full O circuit in Torres del Paine. Need proof as to why? Check out the pictures below!