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Hiking North, Middle & South Sister Experiences You Should Have Podcast Show Notes Nestled in Central Oregon near Bend and Sisters are three breathtaking mountains, South Sister, Middle Sister, and North Sister. Each of these mountains are over 10,000 feet and for many Oregon climbers, it is a dream to climb all of them.  Listen above to this podcast episode on Experiences You Should Have we are talking about climbing the 3 Sisters mountains. I interviewed four athletes, three of whom are brothers: Jon, Dave, and Joe Rasca as well as their close friend, Ken Reed who in 2021 set out to climb the 3 sisters mountains… in 24 hours. Hiking the 3 Sisters Mountains in Central Oregon Climbing and Hiking North Sister, Middle Sister & South Sister in 24 Hours The Rasca brothers and Ken Reed set out to hike the 3 Sisters in 24 hours. It was a dream that started when they were boy scouts and in the Summer of 2021, they achieved their dream. They started with North Sister as that requires more technical knowledge followed by middle sister then South sister. The 3 Sisters mountains are really unique from each other. North is extremely jagged, Middle is a perfect cone and then South is a huge behemoth with giant ridges on it. The full distance is close to a Marathon, around 25 miles, which is why this is dubbed the 3 Sisters Marathon. Note that there are 10,000 feet of elevation up and down 3 times. They hiked it in this order, knowing that South Sister was the easiest of the three and would be easier to come down at night after a long day of hiking. They started the trek at 3:45 in the morning feeling great, started below the timberline, with a few switchbacks, and gave their bodies a chance to wake up. Started out freezing cold, but knew what was ahead of them, so they were wearing shorts and light clothing.  They ended the hike around 2 AM, about 23 hours later. After summitting South Sister (their last mountain) they took their time coming down in the dark. Dave Rasca, Jon Rasca, Joe Rasca, and Ken Reed hiking the 3 sisters mountains Climbing North Sister North Sister is considered a technical climb and this shouldn’t be done blindly. Ken and the Rasca brothers decided to do an approximate or “almost” summit where they hiked just below (in view of the summit) as they didn’t feel good about ascending the Bowling Alley, the final steep loose scree approach to the final summit. Many choose to hike North Sister with ropes for additional safety. Anyone doing this section should wear a climbing helmet and have experience in mountaineering. Additional information can be found at Summitpost. Climbing Middle Sister This is the shortest of the 3 Sisters with an elevation of just over 10,000 feet. Hiking middle sister doesn’t require technical skills, but you should be familiar with mountaineering and hike at your own risk. Additional trail information can be found from Alltrails. Hiking South Sister South Sister is the most popular of the 3 sisters to hike as it doesn’t require technical skills and provides jaw-dropping views. It’s the third tallest mountain in Oregon, coming in at 10,358 ft. If hiking the 3 sisters sounds too daunting, then South Sister would be the one to hike. It is 11.6 miles round trip with 4,900 feet in elevation gain but can be done in one day on its own. Recommend starting this hike early if you aren’t a seasoned hiker and bring plenty of water, food, and a headlamp. The top of South Sister may have snow, so keep in mind there may be steep temperature variances. Best Time to Hike the 3 Sisters Mountains The best time to hike North, Middle, and South Sister is usually from August to September. Be prepared to abort if bad weather comes in and note that this time frame is also peak fire season for Oregon. Traversing the 3 Sisters Mountains Permits to Hike South Sister, Middle Sister, & North Sister Wilderness permits are required for visiting the 3 Sisters Wilderness. Permits will be issued in two rolling windows, 10 days before the trip date and 2 days before the trip date. Get more permit information here. What to Add to Your Backpack Yak Trax for Walking the Snow Fields Sunscreen 2 Water Bottles Water Filter Blister Treatment (moleskin) Multitool Knife Gloves for Bouldering Long Sleeve Base Layer Windbreaker Jacket Phone (there is intermittent cell reception throughout the hike) Map Phone Charger & External Charging Device Headlamp w/ Extra Batteries First Aid Kit Plenty of Food, Trail Mix, Energy Bars, Gels Electrolyte Tabs What to Wear Climbing Helmet Trail Running Shoes (Recommended Shoe: Nike Wildhorse 7) Running Gaitors Wool Socks with Polypro Liner Socks Tee and Shorts Hat Sunglasses Additional Logistics If you’re hiking the 3 Sisters, you will need to think to leave a car by Devil’s Lake then start at Pole Creek trailhead. This car shuttle may take a few hours, so take that into consideration. It’s not recommended to take a long drive after an almost 24-hour hike, so look into local accommodations in Bend such as Waypoint Hotel. Waypoint Hotel in Bend, Oregon Top Tips and Skills Needed It’s best if hiking the 3 sisters isn’t your first mountaineering experience. You should have experience mountaineering, have local knowledge of the mountains, and consider hiking each of these mountains one at a time before hiking all 3 in 24 hours. Remember to stay hydrated, don’t be afraid to end the hike due to poor conditions, be positive and mentally strong to complete a bucket list hike like the 3 Sisters Marathon. Related Episodes: Climb Mt. Rainier Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro

Oregon Coast Trail Thru Hike Experiences You Should Have Podcast Show Notes Brian Tanzman is a serial hiker and hiked very well-known thru-hikes like the PCT and CDT as well as lesser-known hikes. A hike that many hikers may not know about is the Oregon Coast Trail or also known as the OCT. Brian hiked the OCT in August of 2019 and came onto Experiences You Should Have podcast to tell his story and provide helpful tips for those considering taking on the Oregon Coast Trail. Listen above to the full episode (or wherever you listen to podcasts) or read on for top tips and information about this hike. Brian Tanzman hiking the Oregon Coast Trail (OCT) Oregon Coast Trail Length and Time to Hike the Trail The Oregon Coast Trail is about 382 miles long and takes about 25 days to hike if you average 15 miles per day. Brian is an experienced thru-hiker and averaged 17 mile days and was able to complete it in 23 days. A little known fact is that if fire season has smoked out the Oregon section of the Pacific Crest Trail, some years, hikers will head to the Oregon Coast and hike the Oregon Coast Trail (OCT) in lieu of the Oregon section of the PCT. Not everyone has copious amounts of time off to hike a longer distance hike, so the Oregon Coast Trail is a great alternative. It starts at the Oregon/Washington border and goes down to the Oregon/California Border. Below is an overview of the Oregon Coast Trail map but highly recommend checking out detailed maps of the Oregon Coast Trail that you can download if planning on hiking this trail. Oregon Coast Trail Map North, Central and South Oregon Coast The northern part of the OCT was Brian’s favorite part of the trail (the first week). It was a stunning combination of beach trails and forested trails and he loved coming upon the wreck of Peter Iredale in Hammond, Oregon. The middle part of the hike on Oregon’s central coast felt more urban and it included more road walking (see below). The bottom third of the hike was much more remote and the beach sand changed as it was more gritty and harder to walk through. Wreck of Peter Iredale on the Oregon Coast How Does the OCT Differ From Other Thru Hikes This isn’t your typical thru-hike. By the name, you may think that the hike is mostly on the coast or beach walking, but about 25% of the OCT is road walking. Therefore it may not be right hike for everyone. Brian and his partner hiked about 43 miles on Highway 101 and got creative to avoid some road walks. There are many obstacles along the Oregon Coast Trail which is why a quarter of the hike is on roads and some parts you can ferry across to save yourself walking on the road. Note that walking on the road can be a safety issue so it’s recommended you use some of these transportation options when available. Brian suggested taking a packraft if you are familiar with packrafting as this could reduce some road walks and help you get across estuaries. Tides are the other tricky part of the Oregon Coast Trail that you don’t have to think about with other thru-hikes. The tides may affect your hiking schedule and is something you need to be aware of. Recommend using the Tides Now Or App for planning your walks on the sand and river crossings during low tide times. Camping is the other difficult part of hiking the OCT. For instance camping can be tricky because it’s not allowed on the beach within city limits. Brian and his partner had a map of city limits; therefore they would find a very small area that they could camp in. One way of doing this hike would be to stay in hotels in small towns, but that can get expensive quickly. Read Brian’s tips on Postholer for handling camping, tides, and road walking. Hike the OCT NOBO or SOBO? Hiking the Oregon Coast Trail SOBO (southbound) is the recommended way to hike. This is due to the winds consistently blowing southbound, which makes the hike easier if you are hiking with the wind instead of against it. Brian’s partner, Heather hiking the OCT Best Time to Hike the OCT The best time to hike the OCT would be late spring through early fall. Winter on the coast can be quite stormy and wouldn’t be a pleasant hike. Note that the high season for the Oregon Coast is summer; therefore it may be hard to find accommodations unless you have planned far in advance. What to Include in Your Pack that You May Not Think About Sunscreen Flip Flops Reflective Umbrella Hat Ultimate Guide for Hiking the OCT Brian’s top recommendation for hiking the OCT is to get the book Day Hiking the Oregon Coast by Bonnie Henderson. She originally wrote this book as a guide for hiking the OCT, but later rebranded it for a larger population. This book essentially breaks down the Oregon Coast Trail into sections that were a fantastic guide for Brian and Heather. Additional Tip In conclusion, plan to hike an additional week or so down into California as the views are stunning and well worth it. Related Episodes Hike the Florida Trail Te Araroa Thru Hike Hike to Machu Picchu Via Salkantay CDT (Continental Divide Trail) Thru HIke AT (Appalachian Trail) Thru Hike Hike the Camino de Santiago Hike the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail)

While cross country skiing in Bend during the full moon, it dawned on me that some of my favorite experiences around the world happen at night. It inspired me to create a podcast episode (and accompanying show notes) of my favorite adventures at night that I have experienced personally or interviewed other adventurers about. Top XX Experiences at Night Black Water Diving If you’re an avid Scuba Diver and haven’t experienced Black Water Diving, then this is a bucket list adventure you should add to your list. Every single night the largest migration of biomass occurs vertically, called the diurnal migration. Essentially creatures that live at the depths of the ocean rise up to recreational diving depths, so that you can drop down to 10-50 feet or so and experience amazing siphonophores, beroe, salps, and more. Some of these creatures have thousands of cilia that when the light from your flashlight catches it, it creates a prismatic effect, which ensues rainbow colors in front of your eyes. This is my absolute favorite experience at night. My favorite places for black water diving are in Kona, Hawaii (where you are tethered to the boat), and West Palm Beach, Florida (drift dive at night where you are not tethered to the boat). If you want to geek out on a black water diving book, check out Jeff Milisen’s book, A Field Guide to Black Water Diving in Hawai’i (affiliate link). Larvae Cusk Eel Photo by Jeff Milisen Skydiving at Night Skydiving at night is one of the most exhilarating experiences I’ve ever had. This is not something you can do as a tandem skydiver, but you can go skydiving at night if you hold a B-license as a skydiver, which is a minimum of 50 jumps. I loved ringing in the New Year at Skydive Sebastian on a night skydive and can say that this is a bucket list experience you should have if you’re into night adventurers. Full Moon Cross Country Skiing There’s something about skiing at night during the full moon that is truly magical. Plan a cross-country ski trip during the full moon during good conditions. Don’t forget to bring snacks, water, a toasty drink, and a friend for an experience you will never forget. Night Skiing at Meissner Nordic Ski Park at Night Dive or Snorkel with Manta Rays in Kona One of the best night dives and night snorkels in the world is the manta ray night snorkel or dive in Kona Hawai’i. Almost every night, divers sit on the bottom (25 feet deep) and snorkels float on top of the water, each shining lights up or down. The lights attract plankton, which then attracts beautiful manta rays that will come in and dance in front of your eyes. This is a great dive for a new or seasoned Scuba diver and is also an excellent snorkeling experience. Highly recommend booking this experience with Kona Honu Divers. Hike the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) Many hikers or hike the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) hike during the night to avoid overheating on the trail. Angie Holbrook shared her experience of hiking the PCT and describes hiking at night on the trail. This is an episode you have to listen to to get the full experience. Other Notable Experiences in the Dark Diving the Cenotes in Mexico While diving Mexico’s cenotes is typically done during the day, it is a dark experience as you are diving in Mexican caverns that may seem like it’s nighttime. The only difference is that beautiful sun rays may come flooding into the cavern which makes it an otherworldy experience. Black Water Rafting in a Glow Worm Cave in New Zealand This is truly a bucket list adventure that happens in the dark… rappelling and tubing adventure in glow worm caves in New Zealand. While this is done during the day, you wouldn’t know it as you are in a cave. If jumping into 57 degree F water and ziplining through glow worm caves sounds like you’re thing, then you should look at booking this experience ASAP. glow worm cave in New Zealand Related Episode: Bucket List Experiences You Should Have Post Pandemic

Experiences You Should Have Podcast Show Notes Tucked away in Baños, Ecuador is a scenic swing you have to try, called The Swing at the End of the World (or La Casa del Arbol). Full-time travel blogger, Jen Ruiz, shared her experience of swinging at the end of the world in Ecuador on Experiences You Should Have Podcast. Listen above to hear the full experience or read through the show notes below. Swing at the Edge of the World (La Casa del Arbol) in Baños, Ecuador Swinging at the End of the World is a Must-Do activity when visiting Baños. What is the Swing at the End of the World Like? There’s a treehouse at La Casa del Arbol and there are two swings available there. There’s a belt on the swing and you can stop yourself with your feet when you swing back, which gives jaw-dropping views of mountainous terrain below. It’s run by locals who work for tips, who can keep you swinging on this scenic swing. La Casa Del Arbol gives the perception of swinging into the end of the world with a steep drop under you and it is an experience you should have. Pro Tip #1: If you’re one who doesn’t like spinning, then tell the swing operators to not spin you when leaving the platform. Pro Tip #2: If you go earlier in the day, or later in the afternoon–you’ll get more time for swinging. The longer the line, you’ll probably be on the swing for 2-3 minutes. You can get back in line for as many times as you want. Pro Tip #3: Bring cash (currency is US dollars) as it was about $1.50 plus tip for the swing pushers. Over 2600-m above sea level, a swing was hanging over a steep rock face in Baños, Ecuador Why go to Baños, Ecuador & How to the Swing at the End of the World Baños boasts a population of 14,000 people and it is known as a very safe and friendly town in Ecuador. It’s an adventurer’s dream as it offers bungee jumping, paragliding, and many other adventure sports for a fraction of the price you’d pay elsewhere in the world, as well as swing at an iconic scenic swing. It’s about 190 km from Quito Ecuador, which is one of the main hubs for flying in and out of Ecuador. It’s not easy to get there; once you get to Baños, you need to take a bus or get other transportation up to the higher elevation. A lot of tourists are now traveling just for that, so there’s more accessibility. If you can go to the Swing at the End of the World (Casa de Arból), take the blue bus that leaves from the corner of Vicente Rocafuerte and Calle Pastaza every 6 am, 11 am, 2 pm, and 4 pm. It comes back the same way at 8 am 1 pm, 4 pm, and 6 pm. It costs $1/pp (US dollars) and takes approximately 40 minutes from downtown. Note that these times may have changed, so check the bus schedule. Accessibility & Other Restrictions There isn’t really an age or height restriction, you’ll need to have the child understand the gravity of what they’re doing and be able to hold on and take it seriously. It’s a rocky, rough terrain. Cars can go up to the very top, there is a ramp that isn’t necessarily wheelchair friendly, and there is about a minute or two of walking. Jen Ruiz, swinging at the end of the world Traveling to Ecuador in the Times of Covid At the time of this podcast, you have to show a negative COVID test within three days. Most of the activities in Baños are outdoor activities, which is a plus during a global pandemic. Check out Ecuador’s Covid travel guide for more up-to-date information. Tip from Jen when Traveling Be bold with your options when you travel somewhere new, especially if you’re by yourself. Don’t be afraid to try something unique on your own! Travel is not guaranteed and you should take any opportunity you have to try and see more of the world. Jen Ruiz is a lawyer turned full-time travel blogger and author. She is a #1 Amazon bestseller, 3-time TEDx speaker, and 2-time award winning travel journalist. She has been featured in The Washington Post, Forbes, and ABC News. Planning a Trip to Ecuador? Learn about Diving the Galapagos

Experiences You Should Have Show Notes Dr. Kate Russo, experienced Eclipse Chaser, from Being in the Shadow, shared her knowledge of eclipse chasing on Experiences You Should Have Podcast. Kate is a recognized authority in the total solar eclipse experience and brings her story to life in this episode. She has experienced 12 total solar eclipses over a period of 20 years from six continents and she isn’t stopping. Eclipses have become her life obsession and she uses her academic and experience as a clinical psychologist to delve into the stories of people’s eclipse experiences. Listen to my conversation with Kate on the podcast episode above or read on to learn more. Dr. Kate Russo, Eclipse Chaser What is a Total Solar Eclipse and What Makes It Special? A total solar eclipse is when there is a perfect alignment of the sun, moon, earth, and you in the shadow. During a total solar eclipse, the moon will hide the solar surface of the sun, leaving a bright corona that can be viewed that is absolutely astounding. It is about a 3-hour process to see the moon take a bite of the sun, reach totality, then move across the sky. Total Solar Eclipse phases Why You Should Experience 100% Totality and Not Partial Totality It is an extremely special moment as you see the moon slowly taking a bite of the sun (while viewing with your solar filter glasses). When it gets to 80-90% you start to feel the effects of the eclipse as the colors become muted, birds start their sunset patterns, you can start to hear the quintessential night sounds, and that’s when the goosebumps start to rise. When you are in the path of totality, you get to see the moon cover up the sun completely, and that’s when you can take your glasses off and stand in complete awe as you can see the corona shining around the moon and it is a life-changing moment. If you view the eclipse and see only partial totality, you miss that awe-inspiring moment of totality and you leave your glasses on the whole time. Viewing Total Solar Eclipse Annular Vs Total Solar Eclipse If given the choice between witnessing an annular or total solar eclipse, then you should experience a total solar eclipse. An annular solar eclipse has a similar positioning in the sky as a total solar eclipse, but the moon is further away so it doesn’t completely cover the sun, so you must wear your solar filters the whole time. It’s still a special event and worth seeing, but if you want the full experience, then make sure you have added a total solar eclipse to your bucket list. When is the Next Accessible Total Solar Eclipse? While there is an eclipse in December of 2021, this is not an accessible eclipse as it is in the Antarctic region. The next accessible total solar eclipse will be April 20, 2023. The path of totality is the western tip of Australia into parts of Indonesia; there are limited resources in these areas. Logistically it will be difficult, so plans need to be made in advance. There will be cruise ships that will be in that path, yet it’s hard to plan logistics currently due to COVID. More research can be done as borders open and change. The Next Total Solar Eclipse in North America The next total solar eclipse in North America will be April 8, 2024. The path of totality will go over parts of Mexico, the United States, and Mexico. The path is wider and many communities will be in the path of totality. Many people will be able to go outside and lookup. As long as you can see the horizon, and the weather cooperates, you will be able to see it. If the weather gets in the way, you won’t be able to see the total eclipse; look at the weather averages to determine where you’ll want to be. For the eclipse across North America, the more east you are, the higher chances of rain. If planning to travel for it, plan to go to a drier region like Mexico or parts of Texas, but do your homework as the date gets closer and book your accommodations in advance! 2024 Total Solar Eclipse Path of Totality Map Source: Xavier Jubier Interactive Solar Eclipse Maps How Long Does Totality Last? On average it lasts 2-3 minutes but can last up to 7 minutes. Kate’s shortest eclipse lasted 28 seconds. The time totality lasts depends on the distance between the moon and Sun;  which impacts upon the path width;  which impacts upon the time during totality.  Why Become an Eclipse Chaser? Every 375 years in any given place on earth there will be one eclipse. There is a total solar eclipse somewhere around the world every 18 months. The travel that comes when being an eclipse chaser takes you into remote locations, where you get to experience new cultures and new people, which is a part of the whole totality experience. If this is something you want to do, check out Kate’s Facebook page as she sets up tours and also follow Jay Anderson’s site as he is an expert in the field. Ready to Learn More? Buy Kate’s Book Note that the above link is an affiliate link. Need Help With Community Planning for a Future Solar Eclipse? Dr. Kate Russo is an expert in helping communities plan for a total solar eclipse based upon her evidence-based research and white papers on the topic. Contact Kate for help with your total solar eclipse community planning. Related Episode: Perseids Meteor Shower

Experiences You Should Have Podcast Show Notes If you’re thinking about going wine tasting, the usual suspects might pop in your head like Napa, Sonoma, or Sicily, yet most don’t realize there is an amazing wine region in northern Baja Mexico known as the Valle de Guadalupe. Listen to the podcast episode above featuring Griselda Beck from Latina Boss Coach of her experience wine tasting at the Valle de Guadalupe. Wine Tasting in the Valle de Guadalupe in Baja What Makes the Valle de Guadalupe Special? The Valle de Guadalupe is where you can go, let your hair down, and feel like family. It’s not a pretentious experience, most of the year it doesn’t have large crowds and you can taste amazing wines, even with grapes brought to the region from Italy, the Nebbiolo, which has a deep red berry flavor. This region is also known for its red blends. It is a beautiful, rustic experience, where you can meet the owners of these vineyards, learn their story and truly live in the moment. Imagine arriving at an exceptional winery, without crowds, and being greeted with homemade food from the winery’s family, and having a moment to breathe in the Valle’s fresh air while sipping on bold reds. That is an experience to remember and embrace. Valle de Guadalupe Winery How to Get There & Where to Stay The Valle de Guadalupe 90 minutes south of the San Diego/Tijuana U.S. Border. If you want to make the border crossing quickly, it’s recommended that you have Global Entry. While you can make a very long day trip out of it from San Diego it’s suggested to stay in Rosarito, Ensenada or stay at a secluded boutique hotel in the Valle. Rosarito Beach Hotel is a highly recommended hotel that has stunning views of the ocean. Pro Tip: sign up for their newsletter for great deals throughout the year. Top Wineries to Visit in the Valle de Guadalupe If you’re looking at going wine tasting in the Valle, two wineries you can’t miss are Vina de Frannes and Vinos Pijoan. It’s highly suggested to arrange a driver/tour for your day of wine tasting that way you can taste more along the day without the worry of drinking and driving and go with a knowledgeable guide. Griselda and her friend highly recommend using Israel with Vinalia Tours as a driver and guide for a day of wine tasting. Pro-tip, when wine tasting, swirl to get the aromas, and the legs (streaks) that it forms, the thicker, the more full-bodied the wine. The flavors are deeper. Tilt it back and take a sip! Wine Tasting in Valle de Guadalupe Best Time to Go Wine Tasting in the Valle de Guadalupe Honestly, you can’t go wrong as the weather is very palatable year-round, yet note that Fall and Spring have the best weather. If you’re in for a party, lots of people, music then consider going during the Harvest Festival time, which is the last week of July through the 3rd week of August. If you are planning on going during this time, make sure to book your accommodations well in advance. Current COVID Restrictions (2021) You don’t need to have a COVID test or show vaccination to enter Mexico by car (as of October 2021). Some of the larger wineries will be stricter around masking and social distancing, while smaller wineries are more relaxed. Go with your comfort level in mind and don’t travel if you’re experiencing symptoms or have been exposed. Are the Wineries Accessible? The larger wineries have more accessible walkways and this can absolutely be an accessible experience. Recommend working with a local tour guide like Vinalia Tours who can advise on the most accessible locations. Dress and Tipping The wineries in the Valle are more relaxed than what you would find in Napa, so you can dress more casual (or as fancy as you’d like). Use the opportunity to let your hair down, relax, and get to know the locals. Tipping is recommended $1-$2 per glass and to tip more if the winery gives additional information like driving directions, recommendations, etc. Griselda Beck Wine Tasting in the Valle Where to Eat? Hacienda de Guadalupe has an amazing breakfast and if you’re into seafood, check out Las Brisas. See Griselda’s complete guide on where to eat and additional wineries to try. Fun Things to Do When Staying in Northern Baja Check out Fox Studios in Rosarito where part of the Titanic was filmed. Encinada has a place called “The Blow Hole.” The waves come in and the tide erupts in such a beautiful way. Want More Recommendations on Visiting the Valle and Rosarito? Get Griselda’s Complete Guide Related Episode: Stay at Playa Viva Resort in Mexico

The host of Experiences You Should Have Podcast tells her story on how learning how to Scuba dive changed her life. Listen to the above podcast episode to hear her story on how she got into diving as a teenager in Tennessee. Gail on her first dive trip as a teenager off the coast of North Carolina on the Spar wreck Diving is How the Podcast Began In 2017, when Darwin Arch was still an arch, Gail set out to dive the Galapagos and dive with schooling hammerheads. She started interviewing divers on the boat with the idea to start a podcast. In the middle of nowhere, in shark-infested waters, the podcast was born. Listen to this episode on how Experiences You Should Have podcast began for the full story. Essentially, diving is what created this podcast, and is what kickstarted Gail into dreaming big and working to create her own reality. How Do You Get Certified to Dive? You need to be at least 10 years old, have signoff from your doctor if you want to learn how to Scuba dive, and pay for an open water certification through a reputable dive shop. The most popular dive companies out there are PADI and NAUI. Back in the day, you did your bookwork in person, but now you can do that online and go at your own pace. You will then practice your skills in a pool (or in an ocean with pool-like conditions) and then complete 4 check-out dives. Do You Have to Do Your Open Water Checkout Dives locally? This is completely up to you. Most people don’t live near-pristine dive conditions and may not want to dive in a cold lake with no visibility. If that doesn’t sound great to you, you can plan to do your check-out dives in warm water on a dive vacation like Kona HI (where you should plan to dive with manta rays at night after your check-out dives), Florida (highly recommend the Blue Heron Bridge), or a family-friendly place like Bonaire. However, doing the cold lake dive is like a right of passage as you will greatly appreciate warm water dives after diving in terrible conditions. Adaptive Scuba Diving Absolutely! People with limited mobility may still be able to get their normal open water dive certification. However, if the skills are too hard on their own, adaptive divers can go through an adaptive dive program with specialized training. More info at Adaptive Diving Association, Denver Divers, and Dive Pirates. Interested in Diving Adventures, Check Out These Podcast Episodes Dive the Blue Heron Bridge Dive the Galapagos Manta Ray Dive (or Snorkel) in Kona Black Water Diving in Kona Black Water Drift Diving in Florida Dive Between Tectonic Plates in Iceland (Silfra) Go Cenote Diving in Mexico

Experiences You Should Have Podcast Show Notes Listen to the above episode on Experiences You Should Have Podcast on hiking to Machu Picchu via the Salkantay trail. Many have heard of the Inca Trail to hike to Machu Picchu, but it is extremely hard to get a permit. Rob Wisnouckas was a guest on the podcast and shared his experience of hiking the Salkantay as he tried to get a permit to hike the Inca for a year and couldn’t obtain a permit. Instead of canceling the idea of trekking to Machu Picchu, he went the alternative route and hiked the Salkantay trail, which doesn’t require a permit to get to Macchu Picchu. Listen above or read on for Rob’s full experience. Salkantay Vs the Inca Trail The Salkantay trek is less known than the Inca trail, and therefore fewer people. It’s a trek you can do at your own pace as you don’t need a guide, whereas the Inca Trail requires a guide. The Salkantay Trail to Machu Picchu doesn’t require permits, while the Inca Trail does, giving you greater availability to hike the Salkantay. The Inca Trail permits are hard to come by. The Salkantay Trek is about 46 miles long, while the Inca is 25 miles long. The Salktantay will take about 4-5 days to hike, while the Inca trail will take about 4 days. The Inca is known to have better views, but the Salkantay trek has something the Inca trail doesn’t, Humantay Lake, and is completely worth the detour. The colors and backdrop of this lake is worth going to and is a lake you should add to your bucket list. How to Get to the Salkantay Trail Fly into Cusco (CUZ) from Lima (LIM) then catch a bus to Mollepata, then head to the Salkantay trailhead. Top Tips for Hiking the Salkantay Trek Plan to hike it September or October for great weather. Get a permit to hike into Machu Picchu Hit up a hut on the Salkantay at night to rent a blanket as it gets cold. If hiking isn’t your thing or if you need accessible travel, plan to take the train to Machu Picchu instead. Don’t miss out on Lima and Cusco as there are great museums, cultural opportunities, catacombs and amazing things to see (and eat) What to Bring in Your Pack Sleeping Bag Mattress Pad Tent Jetboil Sleeping Gear Thermals Change of Clothes Camera Phone Locator Beacon Spork Backpacking on the trail leading to Machu Picchu on the Salkantay Trek, Peru How to Budget to Hike the Salkantay Rob knows how to stay on budget and he spent about $2,000 on flights (from the US), lodging and food. Note that the cost does increase if you choose to hire a guide, but if backpacking, this is a budget-friendly trip. Remember to bring extra money to give a tip to bus drivers and/or hired tour guides. Love Hiking? Listen to these other podcast episodes Hike the Appalachian Trail Hike the CDT (Continental Divide) Hike the PCT Hike the Camino de Santiago Hike the Florida Trail Hike Angels Landing in Zion

Experiences You Should Have Podcast Show Notes The Camino Santiago is one of the most well-known pilgrimages, spanning 500 miles (825 km). It starts in France and ends in Northwest Spain at Santiago De Compostela. Listen to the above episode with Rob Wisnouckas (also featured on the CDT Thru-Hike episode) or read the show notes below to learn more about this incredible trek. Rob Wisnouckas Walking the Camino de Santiago History of El Camino de Santiago Its history is rooted in the discovery of Saint James the Apostle in a field in Galacia, 800 years after his death. Legend says that his body was transported to Galacia by two disciples in a boat led by angels. El Camino de Santiago is translated as “The Way of Saint James” and is a pilgrimage to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, where the remains of Saint James lie. Historically, the pilgrimage would start wherever you resided, but now the official route begins in the town of Saint Jean Pied de Port. The Camino de Santiago became quite popular in the Middle Ages with over 250K pilgrims every year. In pre-pandemic times (aka 2019) the Camino de Santiago had over 350,000 people walk the Camino de Santiago. From past times to today, pilgrims would carry a scallop shell with them as a symbol of their pilgrimage, and the shell was also used as a tool for collecting water along the way. To this day, the shell points the way to Santiago. Pilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago with the scallop shell pointing the way Why Hike the Camino? It is one of the most famous pilgrimages and with over a quarter-million pilgrims walking it, it truly is an experience you should have. It’s hiked for many reasons whether religious or a personal challenge, but it will give you amazing views and require less time than a thru-hike like the PCT or the AT as you can finish it in as little as 30 days. Plus you get to explore amazing towns, meet new people and the Camino is not extremely physically challenging. Highlights of Walking the Camino Walking a historical path with deep significance Gorgeous architecture Masses for pilgrims in beautiful churches Getting out into the countryside with beautiful flowers and vineyards Pamplona was the top highlight because of the cobblestones, beautiful stone bridge, and see where the Running of the Bulls takes place. Cathedral de León by Rob Wisnouckas Top Tips for Walking the Camino de Santiago Pack light. Bring a sleeping bag, 2 sets of clothes, phone, earplugs, phone, toiletries and charging devices. Leave your hiking boots at home and bring your most comfortable running shoe for this rail. Download the Digital Camino Passport App before you start. Learn a little Spanish to help you along the way when talking to locals. Be prepared to hear Galician in the Basque country Take the extra 3 days and hike beyond Santiago, where you will end up at the ocean in Fisterra. 100% worth it. Get the book, Pilgrim’s Guide to the Camino de Santiago You can buy the book below on Amazon. Accommodations & Food Along the Santiago There are places to stay in each town where you come to; some churches have places for you to stay. Albergues offer simple stays and communal bathrooms that average $10-$20 a night. You don’t want to forget your earplugs as multiple people sleeping in a room can get quite loud. Many locals like to open their homes up for pilgrims on the trail. Remember to have your Camino Passport with you (which may be digital) so you can get the best rates when staying along the trail. Many restaurants will offer pilgrims a dinner for fairly cheap. Depending on your budget, they will have something for you whether it’s bread and cheese or a full on meal with a glass of wine. Be prepared to budget about $30 a day when walking the Camino de Santiago to cover a nice dinner, snacks, and a place to rest your head. Accessibility and the Camino Many people bike the Santiago and this could be done in a wheelchair. There are I’ll Push You Accessible Camino Group Trips and additional resources from SantiagoWays that can help you trek via wheelchair on the Santiago de Camino. Disclosure We sometimes use affiliate links in our content. This won’t cost you anything but helps us to offset the costs of producing show notes and this podcast.

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