IF you are considering signing up for Kili yourself, be sure to watch this video first.

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Short montage from my unexpected visit to Malta in the Mediterranean, March 2026.

Great destination for a day hiker. I walked a lot both on the pretty coastline and in the ancient cities. Malta is particularly spectacular at night.

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Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Gear looks great, but not inexpensive. You can pay by the piece if you don’t want the entire system.

In the era of Trump, many are trying to avoid purchasing from American companies. This is an alternative.

I’m looking forward to real world reviews.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

related – Bikepacking.com – THE MEC 2KILO PROJECT IS A COMPLETE ULTRALIGHT SYSTEM

In 2004, the Great Ocean Walk opened, connecting 104 km of walking trails that follow the coastline near the Great Ocean Road, stretching from Apollo Bay to the 12 Apostles.

Parks Victoria Great Ocean Walk

Plenty of koalas.

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What: The Alpine Passes Trail is the longest, wildest, and most challenging of the Swiss National Trails (Route 6).

David fastpacked the 695km route in 15 days but the recommended, and more sane approach, is a 39-day itinerary starting at St. Moritz and finishing at St. Gingolph on Lake Geneva.

Although not technically difficult, the 49,000m of ascent and sometimes exposed nature of the trail make it one of the most vertiginous and demanding long-distance trails in Europe.

When: The best time to walk is June-September but keep an eye on potential snowfall at the end of the season and any lingering snow in June. Although fully signed in both directions, navigation aids are essential.

Read David’s trip report:

Alpenpässe-Weg: walking the Swiss Alps wildest trail

The biggest impact of the wall is not on immigration, but on the environment, and wildlife that use the mountain corridors as a key migration corridor.

It’s one of the most important places in the US for biodiversity. This video explores the way the wall will impact the wildlife and the ecological impacts of the border wall.

Many experts conclude that a physical wall is the most expensive, least effective way to reduce illegal immigration and drug smuggling.

U.S. taxpayers on the hook for billion$. I predict future governments will give up on walls. Abandon the white elephant for satellite and drone border protection. And — hopefully — open the wall for wildlife.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

I used inexpensive frameless Granite Gear Virga backpacks for many years.

Switched to the Hyperlite 3400 Windrider in 2019. A BIG upgrade. Almost indestructible.

After hundreds of days with the Windrider, I splurged on the Hyperlite Unbound 55 Backpack based on an Adventure Alan review.

Love it. Zero complaints. Better than the Windrider, in my opinion.

Here I am with the Unbound lightly loaded on Kilimanjaro summit rim.

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Here I am with the Unbound maximally loaded on the Quilotoa Loop in Ecuador.

Both my Hyperlite packs are in great shape. Very little wear and tear showing, so far.

I hiked it in 2013. And it instantly went on to my list of top 10 hikes in the world.

Darren Solomon loved it too.

The biggest challenge is creek and river crossings. And scrambles. I got lost and made a BIG scramble myself. 

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. (2022)

If you get to South Africa, don’t miss this unique adventure.

Number 1 on our top 10 list.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.