LAZAROW WORLD HIKE-ABOUT

Nepal: Evening below Annapurna.

'LAZAROW WORLD HIKE-ABOUT: WHAT IN THE WORLD IS HIKE-ABOUT?'

Hike-about is an adventure that commenced June 2010. After storing our household movables, ridding ourselves of a house but retaining our 'home' together, we set off with the purpose of hiking in different parts of the world, not forgetting the home country, the USA.

Our primary focus is hiking to mountain peaks but any challenging hike will do just fine. Extended stays enable us to enjoy and experience living in various places amongst differing cultures. Hike-about has evolved into a way of life. It's also a process of discovery, both the world and ourselves.

We work and live 'on the road' but return to the city in which our grandchildren reside, every couple of months. This provides us the wonderful opportunity to be with them as well as a child or two, even three and of course, friends.

By the end of 2023, the blog contained over 1,560 hikes (less than that actually undertaken), each a set of pictures with stories and anecdotes from the trails. An index to the right allows the viewer to identify earlier experiences.

Finally, we are often asked about the journey's end.
O
ur reply, as accurate as we can state, is: "When we are either forced to cease through health issues or the enjoyment level no longer reaches our aspirations, we will hang up the boots."

"A Life Experience As No Other: Dare to Seize the Day Together", published by Fulton Books, depicts our life on the road and mountains until the beginning of 2017. It has developed 'exponentially' since then.

Jenni and Jeffrey Lazarow

Whereas we continue to update the blog regularly, we circulate email notifications infrequently.

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

33.02 South Africa: Camps Bay: Twelve Apostles to Cable station, a memorable journey.


An extraordinary day, an extraordinary hike, an extraordinary set of views, (sights rather than opinions). While our vocabularies may be found wanting, we cannot think of a better day than Tuesday, September 26th. The primary reason, an unemotional one, is that everything about the day was near perfect. We awoke in the same bed, set off for Camps Bay by car, began the hike in light rain, climbed to the top of one of the buttresses that form the Twelve Apostles (although there are in fact 17 of them, but then who's counting). We crossed part of the western Table through the valley of the Red Gods, passed the reservoir on the mountain, took a wrong turn which put us in marshes but arrived at a wonderful position across the valley from the upper-cable station, returned to our point of erring, climbed some more, continued to absorb the stupendous sights including the reservoir which is magnificent to view and realize it exists up on a mountain top, gained views of Camps Bay and the ocean, Lions Head in changing weather patterns, Chapman's Peak and many other edifices situate amongst glorious flora with yellow the dominant color land-wise and ocean blues providing a pleasing contrast, all elements united to keep us spellbound. (I tend to write short sentences so I just rebelled). We did not seem to tire from a hike that was many miles, 3,000 feet of cumulative elevation gain including rock scrambling, ladder and chain climbing, playing (climbing) boulders and the odd walk or two.

We did mention the non-emotional aspect of a delightful day. If that's not at least partially emotional then what is. Therefore, one should deduce there's more to come. Forty-eight years ago, Jenni and I went on our first date, a school dance (prom) at Highlands North High. The year was 1969. I was probably a lot more nervous then than I was today although we experienced a few interesting incidents on wet and slippery rocks as we ascended what has been awarded the title 'One of 7 wonders of the natural world'. Who would have known what would follow from that momentous first date? For me, a wonder!



"An English country garden, somewhere on the 'Western Table'."



The day before, alone on the 'Table'. You have to wonder what could have been so amusing in such conditions.




Our first hurdle, the western buttresses.




Looks like someone is not expecting much of a challenge.



Weather takes a turn for the worse.




Not getting any better as we approach higher terrain.




Really getting high but her spirits continue to soar. (Must be the company).




Editor takes a short leap. Camps Bay below.




Going up at an interesting juncture.




Jenni approaching the 'valley of the red gods'.




The rain ceases, we finish brunch and the sun warms us and shows off the beauty.



Lion's Head across the way. It is a dominant feature in the region. Robben Island at rear.




Jenni takes to a ladder as we come up from the valley.




We come across the reservoir...never knew it existed.




Two favorite shots follow, simple but stunning.








Getting a little higher.




Chapman's Peak, looking away from the cable station.




Wonderful vantage points and areas to explore.




Cable station and car viewed from the Pipe Track, close to the base on our return.




Bringing it closer and getting 'rid of the flowers'.




A shot of some trees and ...a mountain, Lion's Head, of course.




Some color at the cable station, after a glorious hike. Jenni is given a 'heroine's welcome'.




The reward of the hike, tea and coffee and views of Cape Town and yet another of the Lion (next photo).




Our commencement point below, Camps Bay.




Cheers,


Jenni and Jeffrey



Lion's Head was impressive from the different angles.

32.09 Chamonix Valley: Bellevue Col, amongst the rugged beauty that epitomizes the region.



Once again, a little effort was rewarded with a great workout, crisp mountain air and sights to retain in one's memory for years to come. It's not possible to express appreciation easily for the wonders that cover this magnificent region so we are fortunate the camera acts as a great backup and recorder of our experiences.



The region of Chamonix nestled between spectacular mountains as we rise to reach a top.



'Sitting on a railway station, a ticket to my destination' with Paul and Art on the top of a mountain: huh! We accumulated 3,000 feet by the end of the hike. Imagine trains and cable cars covering these mountains.





Another view from a different place of the amazing Aiguille Du Midi—an absolute wonder. A cable car is approaching the station.



Reaching the peak we sought and the views of real peaks. Mont-Blanc to the left of Aiguille de Bionnassay, an incredible peak with 'differing shapes' depending from where it is viewed.




Colorful flora with staggering backgrounds.



Hmm!





Jagged and rounded mountains cover the region.



A final look at a glorious sight from our peak.



Cheers,


Jenni and Jeffrey

Saturday, September 23, 2017

32.07: Le Tour: Aiguillette des Posettes: Another wonder in snow, ice, rain and with joy. 32.08 Le Buet to Refuge de la Pierre a Berard: Lousy weather, a grand hike...yet again.



A glimpse into the distance, setting the scene for the day.




A wonderful concept is that of shared memories. Add to it an idea we explored in our book, (click) "A Life Experience As No Other..." that is, of bonding. When a person sweats together with another or to put it in a more refined manner: When people endure struggles together, it builds a strength of relationship and unity that is remarkable. Well, a walk in some snow, plenty of rain, cold weather and up rugged, steep slopes is an example of relationship building. Such was our hike of some 2,600 feet vertical gain in difficult conditions.

But for a short stretch when we wondered why we were walking in freezing conditions with light flurries, and rain when we were at lower altitudes, we enjoyed the outing immensely. Many of the views were blocked and we were disappointed not to see into Switzerland and the immediate surround. However, for a short spell after about twenty minutes below the peak, the 'miracle' we were hoping for occurred with the clouds and mist dissipating for a few minutes. This gave us a glimpse of some of the treasures that had been hidden. Both hikes took place in inclement weather which in the end, provided different perspectives and 'toughened' us just a little.


On our return, we needed to eat as breakfast had come and gone and lunch time had arrived without morsels passing our lips. Fortunately, we tacked the wind and found a place behind an appropriate boulder allowing us to eat in relative comfort. Meals taste wonderful when a person is hungry and the atmosphere is unique and attractive. It's another of the many advantages we derive from eating on and in the mountains. Besides, the editor never has to reprimand me for messing the table.



Loved the colors even in dull conditions.



Ice formations on the flora indicative of the temperature.




Looks like a wonderful path to...somewhere.




More mystery yonder and nice color to the fore.




A glimpse of one of the towns below.




Mystery at height created by the clouds.





Before a large decline, the atmosphere and sights were far better than anticipated.


The second hike in wetter conditions but less cold.



Freezing the cascades.




Jenni heads toward the wonderful backdrop.




The Hunchback of Notre-Dame or maybe just a bad dresser.





Some funny looking people in blue on this trail amongst the colorful flora.








Having reached the pass, we head down a little before the final climb to the refuge.



Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

32.06 Chamonix: Chalet Des Pyramides, another great climb to unusual and staggering sights.


We had accumulated elevation gain of 2,600 feet so we could stand in awe and gaze at magnificent sights
surrounding us. We have mentioned frequently how stunned we are at the engineering feats all about. This is
Aiguille du Midi, situate at about 12,500 feet. It is the highest station in the world, housing a whole complex.
No wonder we walk around the valley in awe.




Our first sighting on trail of Mont-Blanc; glistening and wind swept.




It's not always good to look up. A fine perspective of the town of Chamonix Mont-Blanc below.




One of us stood in awe at this sight and I think we captured it on camera.



After a cup of tea at the refuge, we sought a comfortable spot for brunch. We had difficulty deciding which view
to select. It's not easy!





We settled for this one.



Then changed our minds and position while in "glacier land".





Another position change.





Unusual shapes on the glacier Bossons, known as ice pyramids.



The choreography was stunning. We were fortunate because a little later, the clouds dropped lower,
blocking many sights, so we went home. 'Spoilsports are us'.






Facing another way, changed the lighting and therefore, color but not our fascination.



Is it any wonder that a person stands with utmost humility in situations such as these and those?




"Levelling out".




Tea-for-two, the reward after a stiff climb.



Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey