From the lunar landscapes of Cima Rosetta to the striking tower of Cima Canali, the Palo di San Martino are on full show today as you journey towards Rifugio Pradidali. There are several sections of cable along the standard AV2 route, as well as a quick side summit to enjoy, making this another exc[...]
Following what may have been a large day yesterday, day 7 is short and undemanding as it journeys through the Pale di San Martino to charming Rifugio Mulaz. Aside from a few short trails you might wish to scamper up, there isn’t much in the way of extension or side-trips (and only a short, e[...]
Today’s recommended route features a wonderful via ferrata just out the door of Rifugio Castiglioni Marmolada. Ascending and eventually wrapping around the distinctive Padon Ridgeline, its volcanic rock at immediate odds with the limestone (dolomite) that dominates this region, Via[...]
Drop from the highest point on AV2 to the shores of Lago di Fedaia beneath Marmolada, the tallest mountain in the entire range and aptly named Queen of the Dolomites, enjoying spectacular views and flower-filled meadows en route. The day has a wonderfully scenic lunch spot and an exciting alternati[...]
Following the traditional AV2 route, day 4 is very short and not terribly remarkable, but there’s a wonderful addition that might just change that— Piz Boè. Rather than stopping in the midst of the barren, lunar landscape of Rifugio Boè, ascend further to the summit of Boè and[...]
Day 3 is where via ferrata along AV2 really take centre stage, with three excellent climbs possible throughout the day. Even if you aren’t tackling my “adventure route” on your own hike, you’ll still have some unavoidable via ferrata cables today and may just find that i[...]
The second day on AV2 is incredibly scenic and features some of the best views in Parco Nazionale Puez-Odle within the first couple hours. If you’re looking to add a bit of extra adventure, there are also 3 short side trips and a great via ferrata easily incorporated into the day’s itinerary as[...]
The first day of Alta Via 2 is one of the longer stages of the trail— although not overly demanding, it racks up nearly 20km with an easy via ferrata taking you up your first summit for amazing views of Puez-Odle Nature Park. It’s an excellent introduction of what’s to come over the next two[...]
There's a common fantasy among vanlifers about opening your doors to a private sandy beach and running into crystal clear water while colourful fish leap around you and a local man cracks open a fresh coconut. It's the kind of easy living that has made vanlife into the instagram sensation it is now[...]
On 4 May, 2022, after a year and a half of living on the road, I walked out of my van with the essentials crammed into 2 backpacks and said goodbye to the place that has felt more like home than anywhere I’ve ever lived. I spent the last decade shifting constantly between countries and state[...]
Back in Central Mexico, we spent this week skirting Mexico City to visit 2 of the most spectacular attractions in the country: the sprawling pre-Aztec city Teotihuacán in the State of México and the jaw-dropping network of hot springs and limestone caves that comprise Grutas Tolantongo in nearby[...]
As we continue our journey north through Mexico, we spent this week exploring a new and surprisingly wonderful state, Veracruz. Long and slender, it occupies an enormous swathe of the Gulf Coast, while also containing some of the country’s densest jungle, best coffee regions, and even the highest[...]
Our final week in Chiapas was spent chasing countless waterfalls and generally attempting to avoid the sweltering jungle heat of Palenque and surrounds, before heading somewhat spontaneously through the neighbouring state of Tabasco. Alongside Oaxaca and Baja, Chiapas has turned out to be one of ou[...]
By our third week in Chiapas, we’d made it down to the Guatemalan border (and even managed a few day-trips across), but rather than continuing south through Central America as we'd once intended, we instead drove a wide loop around the perimeter of Chiapas. Often within spitting distance of her i[...]
Although punctuated by another visit to the emergency room, this week also featured some major highlights, both in terms of culture and natural beauty— San Cris may just be our favourite town in Mexico and El Chiflón takes the cake for most spectacular waterfalls! San Cristóbal de las Ca[...]
Finally leaving Huatulco National Park after an extended stay, we made one final stop in Oaxaca and then headed across to Chiapas. Mexico’s southernmost state is also the farthest south we’ll be going on the trip and we intend to squeeze all of our magical jungle fantasies out of its many natur[...]
After several months of exploring the forests, mountains, and magical inland towns of Mexico, we’re finally back on the Pacific Coast and living our best beach life here in Oaxaca. It doesn’t get much better than sandy feet, salty hair, a deep tan— and our van! We spent this week hopping b[...]
Our incredible journey through Oaxaca continued this week as we ventured to yet more mezcal palenques and then into the mystical pine forests of the Oaxacan Sierra, swapping hot afternoons spent among the agave for crisp sunsets at elevation. Everywhere we go, I am overwhelmed by the beauty of this[...]
We’ve spent the last several months listening to foreigners and Mexicans alike saying that their favourite place in the entire country, the “best of everything” that Mexico has to offer, is Oaxaca. No other city or state has received even a fraction of this hype, nor such consistently glowing[...]
Cruising out of Mexico City after an extended stay, we headed south this week into Puebla, a truly beautiful state dominated by the country’s tallest volcanos and home to one of the greatest inventions of the 17th century: Mole Poblano. Although our travels didn’t take us to every corner, I fou[...]