Asia
Baruntse
Baruntse (7220m) is a mountain in eastern Nepal, in the very remote Hunku Valley. A nice adventure away from the crowds. The corniced ridged proved to be a challenge, but we summited October 30. Read more »
Mera Peak
Mera Peak (6476m) is one of the most popular climbs in Nepal. We did this as an acclimatization climb before Baruntse (7220m), but I'm quite surprised and disappointed that we only aimed for the central summit (6461m), which in fact is the false summit. But so do everybody else, being fooled by Sherpas and other locals to believe that this is the highest point of Mera. Read more »
Kathmandu and my next 7000m climb
After having spent 10 lazy days in Kathmandu, we will now fly into Lukla to climb Mera Peak (6500m) and Baruntse (7220m). This wonderful trek and climb will take about one month. Watch the progress here: www.summitclimbnews.com
Mount Ararat
Mount Ararat (5137m), locally known as Agri Dagi, is a snow-capped, dormant volcanic cone in Turkey. Ararat is said to be the final resting place of Noah's Ark, but truth to be said, I did not expect to see any boats on the summit. Read more »
Mount Erciyes
Mount Erciyes (3916m) is a volcano in Turkey, revealing itself as a gigantic snowclad pyramid from most places in Cappadocia, and creating a nice backdrop to the city of Kayseri. It looks easy from below, but to get to its highest point requires climbing (III/IV) in dangerously loose rocks. Read more »
Cappadocia
Who have heard about Cappadocia in Turkey? I admit, quite embarrassed, that this wonderful place has never caught my attention before. In my search for the ultimate destination, I usually end up travelling far away from Europe to a completely different land and culture. But now I realize there are some hidden gems and interesting cultures within or close to Europe too, and Turkey contains many of them. Read more »
Negros Island
My last week in the Philippines was spent roaming around Negros, the third largest island in the country and prime producer of sugar. From Dumaguete and Sipalay in south to Bacolod and Silay City in the north. Read more »
Siquijor Island
Siquijor is a tiny island in the Philippines, and holds a reputation for being a place of sorcery, black magic, and generally strange people and rituals. But instead of hunting witches, we spent the entire time on Solangon beach. Read more »
Bohol
Bohol is the tenth largest island of the Philippines, but still large enough to offer a lot. We enjoyd the famous Chocolate Hills, a river cruise, spotting tarsiers (commonly dubbed the world's smallest "monkey") and finally a couple of days rest on Alona Beach. Read more »
Palawan
The island of Palawan, also dubbed "The last frontier in Philippines", is where Alex Garland found inspiration to write his book "The Beach". We spent 10 days exploring white beaches, hidden lagoons, razor-sharp limestone cliffs, spooky underground rivers....and horrible roads. Read more »