World ExpeditionsBig Adventures. Small Footprint.https://assets.worldexpeditions.com/BlogMeet the team: Shelby Pinkerton, Tasmanian Operationshttps://assets.worldexpeditions.com/Blog/PostId/3618/shelby-pinkerton-tasmania-team-on-the-couchCommunity,Guides and staff,Destinations,Australia, New Zealand &amp; the Pacific,AustraliaTue, 17 Nov 2020 03:02:00 GMT<p><strong>When she's not scouting for new routes, refining our itineraries and making sure everything is smooth sailing for our trips to operate, Shelby Pinkerton likes to hit the trails herself – the longer and more challenging the better! Read on as she shares the places that shaped her, what she can never leave behind on a camping trip and why preparation is key when on a trek.</strong></p> <p>Like many of us, Shelby had a case of itchy feet and went on a mission to work in a different US state for every season, ultimately travelling across 28 states in the USA. (At one point she had seven jobs in one year!) Her travels eventually landed her in the Australian state of <a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/australia/best-tasmania-walks" target="_blank">Tasmania</a> where she guided for three seasons, before taking the reins of Operations and Logistics Manager for our Tasmanian programs.</p> <blockquote> <p><span style="color:#949e17;"><strong>Expanding my hiking resume is what gets me giddy... Some of my highlights would be walking the <a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/advanced-search?searchKeywords=camino+de+santiago" target="_blank">Camino de Santiago</a>, the <a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/Japan/Adventure-Touring/Kumano-Kodo-Self-Guided-Hike" target="_blank">Kumano Kodo</a>, the Appalachian Trail, the <a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/activities/trekking-hiking/larapinta-trail-treks-australian-walks" target="_blank">Larapinta Trail</a> and the <a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/Jordan/Trekking-Hiking/Jordan-Trail-Highlights" target="_blank">Jordan Trail</a>.</strong></span></p> </blockquote> <p><img alt="Shelby on the Larapinta Trail" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="755841" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1600" src="/croppedImages/Blogs/WEX/Shelby-Pinkerton-Tasmanian-Operations-755841-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Blogs/WEX/Shelby-Pinkerton-Tasmanian-Operations-755841-###width###px.jpg" /></p> <p>While Shelby holds a strong passion for long-distance trails, you'll often find her climbing up crags when she gets the chance. A hiker at her core, Shelby's love for the outdoors is fuelled by a sense of responsibility to protect it.</p> <h2>What inspired you to pursue a career in adventure travel?</h2> <p>I got my foot in the door back in 2014. I studied Entertainment Business Management at uni and was working as a travelling popcorn maker for Cirque Du Soleil. The travelling awoke the adventurous side of me and I became an enthusiastic rock climber.</p> <p>I fell deeply in love with climbing that I wanted to do it 24/7 and so the logical step was to turn it into a job. I started out guiding at Via Ferrata in West Virginia, USA and somewhere along the line, my passions turned to hiking and so I reflected that in my pursuit of my ideal career.</p> <p><img alt="Walking out to stunning coastal views | <i>Shelby Pinkerton</i>" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="755838" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1600" src="/croppedImages/Blogs/WEX/Shelby-Pinkerton-Tasmanian-Operations-755838-1600px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Blogs/WEX/Shelby-Pinkerton-Tasmanian-Operations-755838-###width###px.jpg" /></p> <h2>How do you assess and manage the risks involved in an adventure trek?</h2> <p>I personally get a lot out of a trek if, at some point along the way, I feel like I may not be able to complete it.</p> <blockquote> <p><span style="color:#949e17;"><strong>When the option is to give up in the wilderness or to keep going the mantra by Kurt Hahn echoes: ‘<em>There is more in you than you know’</em>. </strong></span></p> </blockquote> <p>I find that taking on a challenge brings out a new level of resilience and strength that I thrive on.</p> <p><img alt="Plenty of laughs and smiles guiding a group in Tasmania's east coast" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="755836" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1600" src="/croppedImages/Blogs/WEX/Shelby-Pinkerton-Tasmanian-Operations-755836-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Blogs/WEX/Shelby-Pinkerton-Tasmanian-Operations-755836-###width###px.jpg" /></p> <p>In terms of assessing the risk involved, preparation is key.</p> <blockquote> <p><span style="color:#949e17;"><strong>Knowing you can ride a storm, as well as having strong navigation and back up communication allows you to push your limits a little bit more each trip, which will expand your capabilities continuously.</strong></span></p> </blockquote> <p>I am not one to recommend going from zero to a hundred, however, I think you should always assess your risk based on the ability of your least experienced group member; allowing for them to feel challenged but not overwhelmed, and having the means to de-escalate a situation.</p> <h2>What are your favourite gear items?</h2> <p>Most of the personal travel I do these days is based around distance hiking, so I like to keep it light. A couple of simple items I would never leave behind are my camping pillow (I know! Total sucker for comfort!) and my insulated mug.</p> <h2>What's a destination or adventure that has shaped you and why?</h2> <p>In 2016 I thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail solo. Those six months on the trail changed me irrevocably and I find it is a difficult experience to summarise.</p> <blockquote> <p><span style="color:#949e17;"><strong>It taught me so much about community, how a shared experience can bind you closely to a stranger and how willing people can be to offer kindness and help for no gain. </strong></span></p> </blockquote> <p>It also taught me, as a young woman, to embrace myself and celebrate my body for its physical capabilities and achievements instead of picking it apart for superficial flaws.</p> <p><img alt="Taking on a long distance trail not only builds experiences in the natural world, but opens up a chance to learn about yourself" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="755837" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1600" src="/croppedImages/Blogs/WEX/Shelby-Pinkerton-Tasmanian-Operations-755837-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Blogs/WEX/Shelby-Pinkerton-Tasmanian-Operations-755837-###width###px.jpg" /></p> <p>I gained a lot of satisfaction and self-confidence from the experience as well as a connection to nature and simplistic living that I have strived to maintain through my subsequent adventures and lifestyle.</p> <h2>What are your favourite Tasmanian trips?</h2> <p>I just love the <a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/Australia/Trekking-Hiking/The-Overland-Track" target="_blank">Overland Track</a>, it was my first experience of <a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/australia/best-tasmania-walks" target="_blank">Tasmania</a> and I think everybody should get out to see it for themselves.</p> <p>My first trip on the Overland (though, I've done it a dozen times by now) was with my closest friend who loves being in nature but is not a strong walker. She would take the day ambling to the next hut taking rests and photos and I would go climb the mountains on the side trails and meet her at camp, both of us exhausted at the end of the day.</p> <blockquote> <p><span style="color:#949e17;"><strong>I think that the Overland Track is an amazing trail for all levels of experience and physicality, it would also be impossible to spend a week in those mountains and not feel a sense of responsibility to protect it.</strong></span></p> </blockquote> <h2>How would you best describe Tasmania?</h2> <p>For me, it is a place to discover your limits and significance.</p> <h2>What are some preparation tips you can offer to someone interested in taking on a more challenging trek?</h2> <p>Being physically fit is always going to be important, but being mentally prepared for a challenging trek is just as paramount.</p> <blockquote> <p><span style="color:#949e17;"><strong>Be prepared to be uncomfortable and pre-plan your solutions to common problems. </strong></span></p> </blockquote> <p>For instance, it is likely you will get blisters and sore knees, so pack some first aid and use hiking poles. Having easy solutions to common problems once you are in the field will give you a sense of control over a situation rather than feeling helpless. This will help you keep your head in the game and your morale high for the challenges ahead.</p> <p><strong>Be supported by a team that will make your adventure special. <a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/advanced-search?pageNumber=1&pageSize=30&categories=AUS&searchMonths=Jan%2CFeb%2CMar%2CSep%2COct%2CNov%2CDec&searchKeywords=Tasmania" target="_blank">Browse our range of active Tasmanian holidays.</a></strong></p> <p style="margin-left: 40px;"><a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/advanced-search?pageNumber=1&pageSize=30&categories=AUS&searchMonths=Jan%2CFeb%2CMar%2CSep%2COct%2CNov%2CDec&searchKeywords=Tasmania"><button class="btn btn-borders world-ex mr-xs mb-sm" type="button">Find your Tasmanian adventure</button> </a></p> 3618How to Choose the Right Activity Levelhttps://assets.worldexpeditions.com/Blog/PostId/2491/choose-the-right-activity-levelAdventure Travel,Trekking/Walking,Destinations,Middle East,Gear and Training Tips,ActivitiesMon, 13 Aug 2018 03:01:00 GMT<p><strong>Adventure travel will encompass a wide and varied range of activities and experiences; some are soft, while others are extreme. So, choosing a trip with the right activity level is one of the most important factors to consider to fully enjoy your journey.</strong></p> <p><strong>Adventurers Larissa and Michael Milne, who have travelled across six continents, have learned a few tricks on how to select an adventure and ensure the most rewarding experience – they share some great tips below.</strong></p> <p>The Monastery at Petra awaited: only 432 more steps to go... and we had already climbed about 400. Whose brilliant idea was this, anyway?</p> <p>We had expected to channel our Indiana Jones. We trekked several kilometers through sandy slot canyons exploring the <a href="http://www.worldexpeditions.com/index.php?section=trips&id=285330" rel="noopener" target="_blank">wonders of Petra</a>, Jordan. But the ancient World Heritage site was even more vast than we had realized. Climbing up the side of a mountain at the far end of the national park was going to take a bit more stamina than our 50+ year-old bones had reckoned with. The alternative didn’t appeal; however, we didn't like the option of teetering atop a donkey as four rickety hooves plodded up the edge of the abyss. It was going to have to be our own two feet. Onward and—after a short break every now and then—upward.</p> <p><a href="http://blog.worldexpeditions.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Petra-_Jordan-medium.jpg"><img alt="Petra, Jordan" class="responsiveImage" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/Petra-_Jordan-medium-1024x683-200px.jpg" variablesrc="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/Petra-_Jordan-medium-1024x683-###width###px.jpg" width="1024" /></a><span class="blogImageCaption">Photo Credit: Joel Young</span></p> <p>Travel to exotic destinations and immersion in new cultures can be a dream vacation. But too much – or too little – activity can turn that dream into a nightmare. The definition of an “expedition” varies for everyone. For some it might be scaling a rock wall in the Andes, while others might relish haggling over rugs in a Middle Eastern souk. Both are memorable experiences that require stamina and a willingness to step outside your comfort zone. However, they each require different skills and temperament.</p> <p><a href="http://blog.worldexpeditions.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Valleys_and_hills_on_the_Inca_trail-_Peru-medium.jpg"><img alt="" class="responsiveImage" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/Valleys_and_hills_on_the_Inca_trail-_Peru-medium-1024x681-200px.jpg" variablesrc="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/Valleys_and_hills_on_the_Inca_trail-_Peru-medium-1024x681-###width###px.jpg" width="1024" /></a><span class="blogImageCaption">Valleys and hills on the Inca trail, Peru</span></p> <h2>Top tips to find the right adventure activity for you</h2> <p>The key to enjoying a destination is finding a trip with an activity level that matches your interests and abilities. A few points to consider:</p> <h3>1. Be sure to include enough activity</h3> <p>Don’t pick a trip with too little activity, thinking “I’ll squeeze a run in at some point.” That opening may never come, and spending hours in a museum or market will make you fidgety and grumpy. Instead of trekking or scaling a cliff, the only thing you’ll be climbing is the walls. Be sure to book a trip with daily activities built into the itinerary. Then you won’t have to carve out exercise time on your own.</p> <p><a href="http://blog.worldexpeditions.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Hecktic-WE-Milne-Larissa-giraffe-walk-Namibia-1024x760-copy.jpeg"><img alt="Walk in Namibia" class="responsiveImage" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/Hecktic-WE-Milne-Larissa-giraffe-walk-Namibia-1024x760-copy-1024x760-200px.jpeg" variablesrc="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/Hecktic-WE-Milne-Larissa-giraffe-walk-Namibia-1024x760-copy-1024x760-###width###px.jpeg" width="1024" /></a><span class="blogImageCaption">Larissa enjoying a leisurely walk in Namibia</span></p> <h3>2. Be brutally honest with yourself about your capabilities</h3> <p>For folks with less trekking experience, the reverse of the above tip is true. Don’t book a trip where you will exercise more than you’ve ever done before. If you don’t spend a lot of time hiking or cycling while at home, it’s unlikely you’ll enjoy spending entire days doing so on vacation. You’ll run yourself ragged and drag your more active trip mates down in the process. While we try to stay fit, since we’re in our 50s it takes us a bit longer to recover from rigorous physical days. Now we choose travel itineraries with a lower level of daily activity, or with rest days built in (or hot showers/tubs nearby!).</p> <p><a href="http://blog.worldexpeditions.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Accommodation_at_Mt_popa-medium.jpg"><img alt="Mount Popa, Myanmar" class="responsiveImage" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/Accommodation_at_Mt_popa-medium-1024x680-200px.jpg" variablesrc="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/Accommodation_at_Mt_popa-medium-1024x680-###width###px.jpg" width="1024" /></a><span class="blogImageCaption">Go for a refreshing swim with spectacular views on Mt Popa, Myanmar</span></p> <h3>3. Do your homework</h3> <p>Most tours provide an extensive description about the amount of activity in a given itinerary. Often you trek or cycle from one town to the next. Perhaps you’d rather spend your time at a museum or watching the world glide by from the deck of a ship. If so, seek an itinerary with more culturally-oriented activities. A recent excursion to the Galápagos Islands involved a fair degree of hiking, swimming and snorkeling. One of our fellow passengers suffered from a bad knee and couldn’t navigate stairs or climb in or out of a panga (dinghy). This was an integral part of our visit to each island. Had he chosen a trip better suited to his abilities he would have gotten much more out of this incredible destination.</p> <p><a href="http://blog.worldexpeditions.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Galapagos_Islands_scenery-medium.jpg"><img alt="Galapagos Islands, Ecuador" class="responsiveImage" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/Galapagos_Islands_scenery-medium-1024x683-200px.jpg" variablesrc="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/Galapagos_Islands_scenery-medium-1024x683-###width###px.jpg" width="1024" /></a><span class="blogImageCaption">The stunning landscape of the Galapagos Islands</span></p> <h3>4. Be prepared</h3> <p>You can't get into shape on the plane ride to your destination. While you’re not training for the Olympics, it’s wise to ensure you engage in daily activity leading up to your trip. Even low-activity vacations generally involve more exercise than your normal routine. Hoisting and wheeling suitcases through the airport and touring cities and museums can be taxing. If you haven’t been walking at home, you'll feel it early in the trip. Follow the recommendations provided in your travel documents. You'll then be able to enjoy the new experiences without fatigue.</p> <p>World Expeditions offers an excellent <a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/Resources/Trip-Gradings?utm_source=Blog&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=WE%20Blog&utm_content=Grading" rel="noopener" target="_blank">grading system</a> that ranks each of its trips. This gives you a snapshot of just how much activity to expect. Once you’ve determined an activity level that matches your ability, search for destinations that pique your travel bug.</p> <p>And the Monastery at Petra? Seeing that massive temple carved out of a stone cliff was definitely worth the climb, even if it did take us a while to get up there. Fortunately, the 5K trek back to town was (mostly) downhill, and we had a warm shower back at our hotel.</p> <p><a href="http://blog.worldexpeditions.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Monastery_Petra_Jordan-medium.jpg"><img alt="Petra Monastery, Jordan" class="responsiveImage" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/Monastery_Petra_Jordan-medium-1024x768-200px.jpg" variablesrc="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/Monastery_Petra_Jordan-medium-1024x768-###width###px.jpg" width="1024" /></a><span class="blogImageCaption">The Monastery at Petra, Jordan</span></p> <p><em>Guest blog post by global nomads Larissa and Michael Milne, who are a 50-something couple that have been global nomads since 2011. They chronicle their journey at <a href="http://www.changesinlongitude.com" rel="noopener" target="_blank">ChangesInLongitude.com</a>. #BestMountainTrek stories.</em></p> <p><em><strong>What's your ideal kind of adventure activity?</strong></em></p> 2491Photography Tips for Mountain Hiking from Sherry Otthttps://assets.worldexpeditions.com/Blog/PostId/2384/photography-tips-for-mountain-hikingAdventure Travel,Photography,Trekking/Walking,ActivitiesFri, 09 Dec 2016 14:59:00 GMT<p><strong>Hiking among majestic peaks, scrambling up mountainsides, ‘sliding’ down a scree slope, AND capturing the moment. How do you balance mountain hiking and do great photography? </strong></p> <p>One of the hardest types of photography is trying to get great shots as you are on the trail. After all, your first priority when you’re hiking should always be safety, and when you are trying to also photograph the mountains and landscapes, it can become a lot to juggle, not to mention that it’s a lot of extra weight to carry in an already heavy pack. Plus, when you’re hiking (especially with a group) you don’t have the luxury of hanging out until the light or scene is ‘just right’ for the photograph, you have to keep going along the trail to reach your destination.</p> <p>These mountain hiking photography tips are mainly for people who want to go beyond a snapshot and actually tell a story or evoke a feeling of place with photography in the mountains. The tips shared are primarily for photo enthusiasts and amateurs carrying a DSLR or mirrorless camera; one that has interchangeable lenses. However, these tips and techniques can apply to smart phones and compact cameras.</p> <h2>On the trail</h2> <h3>Time of day</h3> <p>Photographers always talk about how important time of day is when it comes to shooting. They tell you to go out at dusk and dawn and shoot with the favorable light. Or they will recommend to go out and scout a location for the best light and shadows and then come back and shoot at the most optimal time. However, one of the hardest things about shooting while hiking for multiple days is that first and foremost you are there to hike and get from point A to point B. That means that you have a schedule to keep and typically a group to follow. The idea of putting yourself in the right place at the exact right time for photography isn’t really possible; so you have to take what Mother Nature gives to you and work with it the best you can.</p> <p><a href="http://blog.worldexpeditions.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/mountain-photography-shadows-nepal-7518.jpg"><img alt="There was no time to stick around to capture this mountain hut without shadows as we had to get on the trail that morning and start hiking. So you work with what you can and keep moving" class="responsiveImage" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/mountain-photography-shadows-nepal-7518-1024x683-200px.jpg" variablesrc="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/mountain-photography-shadows-nepal-7518-1024x683-###width###px.jpg" width="1024" /></a><span class="blogImageCaption">There was no time to stick around to capture this mountain hut without shadows as we had to get on the trail that morning and start hiking. So you work with what you can and keep moving.</span></p> <p>Of course try to get an early start hiking to take advantage of the good light, and shoot more towards the beginning and end of the day. However if you come across a great scene in the mid day harsh light, don’t skip the photo, take it and consider these tips:</p> <ul> <li>Underexpose the image a bit as you may be able to edit those dark areas in post processing.</li> <li>Use a polarizing filter to help filter the light and reduce lens flare.</li> <li>Compose the shot so there is not as much sky in the photo, cropping in and filing the frame with more mountain or tree details instead of the bright contrasting sky.</li> </ul> <p><a href="http://blog.worldexpeditions.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/hiking-photography-Time-of-Day-Turkey-21.jpg"><img alt="If you shoot in the midday sun, consider only showing a sliver of sky as it will be too bright for the rest of the picture" class="responsiveImage" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/hiking-photography-Time-of-Day-Turkey-21-1024x748-200px.jpg" variablesrc="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/hiking-photography-Time-of-Day-Turkey-21-1024x748-###width###px.jpg" width="1024" /></a><span class="blogImageCaption">If you shoot in the midday sun, consider only showing a sliver of sky as it will be too bright for the rest of the picture.</span></p> <ul> <li>If you are photographing a person, see if you can move them into the shadows or under a tree to diffuse the harsh midday light.</li> </ul> <h3>Be Ready</h3> <p>When hiking you have to be ready for the scene and be able to pick up your camera and shoot quick before the object or opportunity passes. This normally means that you don’t want to be fumbling around trying to get your camera out of your pack as the wildlife wanders off or the interesting person hikes past you. When possible on the trail, have your camera out and ready, with the appropriate settings (ISO, aperture, and shutter) for the mountain scene.</p> <p><a href="http://blog.worldexpeditions.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/mountain-photography-be-ready-thirdsnepal-.jpg"><img alt="A little girl passes me on the trail to Nepal, I had to be quick with my camera to get this picture!" class="responsiveImage" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/mountain-photography-be-ready-thirdsnepal--1024x683-200px.jpg" variablesrc="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/mountain-photography-be-ready-thirdsnepal--1024x683-###width###px.jpg" width="1024" /></a><span class="blogImageCaption">A little girl passes me on the trail to Nepal, I had to be quick with my camera to get this picture!</span></p> <p>Hiking with a camera around your neck though all day can be a pain, literally. You want to take advantage of your backpack design and try to disperse the weight of the camera on your hips instead of your neck or shoulders, which will likely become sore after a while on the trail. Consider taking your camera and putting the strap around your neck, then take both of your arms and put them through the straps too. Since you have a backpack on, this means the camera strap will now be resting on your backpack putting the weight all onto your shoulders and hips like the backpack already is designed to do. The camera will rest on your torso nicely. Plus, it will be easily available to pick up quickly and get the shot of the wolf crossing the trail!</p> <p><a href="http://blog.worldexpeditions.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/mountain-photography-carrying-equipmnet-095145.jpg"><img alt="How you can carry your camera on your front, draped over your backpack straps, and have easy access to your equipment." class="responsiveImage" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/mountain-photography-carrying-equipmnet-095145-1024x768-200px.jpg" variablesrc="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/mountain-photography-carrying-equipmnet-095145-1024x768-###width###px.jpg" width="1024" /></a><span class="blogImageCaption">How you can carry your camera on your front, draped over your backpack straps, and have easy access to your equipment.</span></p> <h3>Brace Yourself</h3> <p>As you hike, you’ll likely be breathing hard from the effort of hiking, this means you have the potential of adding in camera shake and ultimately blurriness to your photos. To combat camera shake and blurriness, be sure to brace yourself when you take the photo. Lean on a tree, a rock wall, or anything that can steady you.</p> <h2>Composition</h2> <h3>Rule of Thirds</h3> <p>Don’t put your subject (mountain peak, tree, trail) in the center of the picture. It is the simplest thing you can do to change a picture from ok to great. The concept is called Rule of Thirds:</p> <p>“An image should be imagined as divided into nine equal parts by two equally-spaced horizontal lines and two equally-spaced vertical lines, and that important composition elements should be placed along these lines or their intersections. It is believed that by aligning a subject with these points creates more tension, energy and interest in the composition than simply centering the subject would.”</p> <p>This rule applies to your horizon line too! Avoid putting your horizon in the middle of the photo and follow the rule of thirds instead.</p> <p><a href="http://blog.worldexpeditions.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/hiking-photography-rule-of-thirds-Patagonia-9931.jpg"><img alt="The mountain peaks in the rule of thirds." class="responsiveImage" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/hiking-photography-rule-of-thirds-Patagonia-9931-1024x683-200px.jpg" variablesrc="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/hiking-photography-rule-of-thirds-Patagonia-9931-1024x683-###width###px.jpg" width="1024" /></a><span class="blogImageCaption">The mountain peaks in the rule of thirds.</span></p> <h3>People Perspective</h3> <p>Mountains are often huge, steep, and daunting; however, if you just take a typical landscape only photo you may look at it and think, “It felt bigger and steeper in person”. Often what we see is different than what the camera sees. One thing that really provides a perspective of size or inclines is to take a photograph with a person in the scene so that you can get a better perspective of the size of the landscape. In addition, adding people to your pictures (maybe of them hiking on the trail) gives the trail more life and transports the viewer to the scene. And finally, try to find people who are wearing colors who will show up in the scene; people wearing brightly colored gear is best.</p> <p><a href="http://blog.worldexpeditions.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/hiking-photography-include-people-Patagonia-9928.jpg"><img alt="People can help you show how steep a trail is." class="responsiveImage" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/hiking-photography-include-people-Patagonia-9928-1024x683-200px.jpg" variablesrc="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/hiking-photography-include-people-Patagonia-9928-1024x683-###width###px.jpg" width="1024" /></a><span class="blogImageCaption">People can help you show how steep a trail is.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://blog.worldexpeditions.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/hiking-photography-people-alaska-54.jpg"><img alt="People used to show how big a glacier is." class="responsiveImage" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/hiking-photography-people-alaska-54-1024x683-200px.jpg" variablesrc="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/hiking-photography-people-alaska-54-1024x683-###width###px.jpg" width="1024" /></a><span class="blogImageCaption">People used to show how big a glacier is.</span></p> <p> </p> <h3>The Perfect Landscape</h3> <p>Landscape isn’t just about a big, wide shot of land and sky, the best landscape shots normally have an object or something in the foreground that it interesting too. Choosing a foreground object is maybe the most creatively important part of taking a great landscape shot.</p> <p><a href="http://blog.worldexpeditions.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/hiking-photography-foreground-06598.jpg"><img alt="Flowers in the foreground create a better landscape photo." class="responsiveImage" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/hiking-photography-foreground-06598-1024x683-200px.jpg" variablesrc="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/hiking-photography-foreground-06598-1024x683-###width###px.jpg" width="1024" /></a><span class="blogImageCaption">Flowers in the foreground create a better landscape photo.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://blog.worldexpeditions.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/hiking-photography-foreground-thirds-peru-34.jpg"><img alt="Put a person in the foreground to create a more dynamic and personal look at the mountains." class="responsiveImage" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/hiking-photography-foreground-thirds-peru-34-1024x768-200px.jpg" variablesrc="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/hiking-photography-foreground-thirds-peru-34-1024x768-###width###px.jpg" width="1024" /></a><span class="blogImageCaption">Put a person in the foreground to create a more dynamic and personal look at the mountains.</span></p> <h3>Get Low</h3> <p>When you put the camera close to the ground you create interesting perspectives. You’ll definitely get much bolder lines and compositions which objects in the foreground appearing bigger and more dynamic. Most of us see something we want to photograph, put the camera up to our eye level and click. However photography is about moving; crouching, standing on things, putting your camera on the ground and changing perspectives.</p> <p><a href="http://blog.worldexpeditions.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/hiking-photography-get-low-pyrenees-spain-1917933.jpg"><img alt="Get low and capture hiking boots on the trail." class="responsiveImage" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/hiking-photography-get-low-pyrenees-spain-1917933-1024x683-200px.jpg" variablesrc="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/hiking-photography-get-low-pyrenees-spain-1917933-1024x683-###width###px.jpg" width="1024" /></a><span class="blogImageCaption">Get low and capture hiking boots on the trail.</span></p> <p>Use these photography tips on your next mountain hiking adventure and you’ll come home with an oooohhh and ahhhhh worthy portfolio you’ll be proud of!</p> <p><strong>About the author:</strong> <a href="https://plus.google.com/103115118174711820529">Sherry Ott</a> is a long term traveler, blogger, and photographer with one goal in mind - to make you wish you were somewhere else. She writes about her nomadic lifestyle and around the world adventures on <a href="http://www.ottsworld.com">Ottsworld.com</a>. She has hiked the Annapurna Circuit, walked the across Spain on the Camino de Santiago, kayaked in Antarctica, and drove a auto rickshaw across India for charity. She continues to seek out adventurous unique opportunities to challenge herself and inspire people to overcome their fears and reap the benefits of travel.</p> 2384Tips for Communicating in Remote Areas of Nepalhttps://assets.worldexpeditions.com/Blog/PostId/2292/tips-for-communicating-in-remote-areas-of-nepalNepal,Gear and Training TipsThu, 11 Feb 2016 23:21:14 GMT<p>About to embark on a trek in the remote areas of Nepal and not sure what devices to use for communicating with family and friends back at home? Or are you itching to blog about your experience but you don’t want to wait until you reach the next internet café to share your incredible experiences?</p> <p>World Expeditions Himalaya expert Gavin Turner has shared his top tips for communicating in remote areas of Nepal. Gavin has spent almost 18 years studying and working in the Himalaya and has completed 30 treks and climbs across the region.</p> <p>So, whether you are someone who wants occasional contact to the outside world, or someone who wants 24/7 access, Gavin has shared a number of options available to you!</p> <p><a href="http://blog.worldexpeditions.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Gokyo_lake_Himalayas_Nepal-small.jpg"><img class="responsiveImage" src="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/Gokyo_lake_Himalayas_Nepal-small-1024x254-200px.jpg" alt="Gokyo Lake, Nepal - Photo by Ray Mustey on the Great Himalaya Trail" width="1024" dynamiccroppedimage="1" variablesrc="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/Gokyo_lake_Himalayas_Nepal-small-1024x254-###width###px.jpg" largestloadedsize="200"></a><span class='blogImageCaption'>Gokyo Lake, Nepal - Photo by Ray Mustey on the Great Himalaya Trail</span></p> <h2><strong>For those who want occasional phone usage...</strong></h2> <ol> <li> <h3><strong>Pre-Paid Ncell SIM card (limited access to reception)</strong></h3> </li> </ol> <p>For those who are after occasional phone usage, I recommend purchasing an Ncell pre-paid SIM card in Kathmandu.</p> <p>NCell is a local telecommunications company and their SIM Cards are easy to arrange. Use it in an unlocked iPhone or similar smartphone and you have the functionality of your phone (calls and data) wherever there is cell phone reception. The stronger the reception the greater the likelihood that data will work. Weak reception = no data.</p> <p>There are various rates and packages available with NCell and you should enquire to make sure they are on a package with lower data and phone charges. World Expeditions staff members are available to support where necessary.</p> <p><a href="http://blog.worldexpeditions.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Dolpo_Region_Himalayas_Nepal-small.jpg"><img class="responsiveImage" src="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/Dolpo_Region_Himalayas_Nepal-small-1024x297-200px.jpg" alt="Lovely verdant landscape within Kali Gandaki valley - Dolpo Region, Nepal" width="1024" dynamiccroppedimage="1" variablesrc="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/Dolpo_Region_Himalayas_Nepal-small-1024x297-###width###px.jpg" largestloadedsize="200"></a><span class='blogImageCaption'>Lovely verdant landscape within Kali Gandaki valley - Dolpo Region, Nepal</span></p> <ol start="2"> <li> <h3><strong>Buy plenty of recharge cards</strong></h3> </li> </ol> <p>Purchase ample recharge cards (either the Rs500 or Rs1000 cards) to last the duration of the trek. Buy plenty if you think you’ll be using lots of data. Again, enquire locally in Kathmandu.</p> <ol start="3"> <li> <h3><strong>Be aware that reception will not always be available</strong></h3> </li> </ol> <p>Be aware that your unlocked smartphone with a local NCell SIM card will only work where there is local cell phone reception. For much of the <a href="http://www.worldexpeditions.com/index.php?section=countries&id=250491" target="_blank">Great Himalayan Trail</a>, trekking through isolated mountain regions, there will be no reception. Other areas, like <a href="http://www.worldexpeditions.com/index.php?module=we_trip_search_results&keyword=everest&x=0&y=0" target="_blank">Everest</a> and <a href="http://www.worldexpeditions.com/index.php?module=we_trip_search_results&keyword=annapurna&x=0&y=0" target="_blank">Annapurna</a>, cell phone reception is widespread, but unreliable and prone to issues.</p> <p><a href="http://blog.worldexpeditions.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Parchemuche_Tsho_Himalayas_Nepal-medium.jpg"><img class="responsiveImage" src="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/Parchemuche_Tsho_Himalayas_Nepal-medium-1024x768-200px.jpg" alt="Icy mountain side while trekking towards Tashi Labsta - Parchemuche Tsho, Nepal" width="1024" dynamiccroppedimage="1" variablesrc="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/Parchemuche_Tsho_Himalayas_Nepal-medium-1024x768-###width###px.jpg" largestloadedsize="200"></a><span class='blogImageCaption'>Icy mountain side while trekking towards Tashi Labsta - Parchemuche Tsho, Nepal</span></p> <h2><strong>For those who want 24/7 access to the outside world...</strong></h2> <p>Having been on a number of long expeditions I can attest to how good it feels to make a call back home. Nowadays, with satellite technology widely available, that is always possible. For people intent on blogging or who simply want to be able to make a call to their family whenever they want, one of these two options are the way to go.</p> <ol> <li> <h3><strong>Purchase a satellite phone</strong></h3> </li> </ol> <p>For Nepal, both Thuraya and Motorola satellite phones have good coverage.</p> <ol start="2"> <li> <h3><strong>Purchase a </strong><a href="http://www.thuraya.com/SatSleeve"><strong>Thuraya SatSleeve</strong></a><strong> that turns your iPhone into a satellite phone.</strong></h3> </li> </ol> <p>This cool device gives you all the functionality of your iPhone via satellite, which means you are not waiting for the next village on the trail, maybe days away, to access the internet, update your blog, or make a call back home.</p> <p><a href="https://media.optus.com.au/media-releases/2015/turn-your-iphone-6-into-a-satellite-phone/">Find out how to turn your iphone into a satellite</a>.</p> <p><a href="http://blog.worldexpeditions.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Annapurna_Range_Himalayas_Nepal-original.jpg"><img class="responsiveImage" src="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/Annapurna_Range_Himalayas_Nepal-original-1024x765-200px.jpg" alt="Beautiful rocky landscapes while crossing Thorong La - Annapurna Ranges, Nepal" width="1024" dynamiccroppedimage="1" variablesrc="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/Annapurna_Range_Himalayas_Nepal-original-1024x765-###width###px.jpg" largestloadedsize="200"></a><span class='blogImageCaption'>Beautiful rocky landscapes while crossing Thorong La - Annapurna Ranges, Nepal</span></p> <h2><strong>Useful hint - bring your own solar charger.</strong></h2> <p>If charging devices is important to you, there is no substitute for a solar charger. Electricity supply can be unreliable in remote parts of Nepal, and unavailable for the majority of some treks like the Great Himalayan Trail.  Prices have dropped considerably on portable solar charges in recent years. I recommend <a href="https://www.goalzero.com.au/">Goal Zero</a> which you will see on major expeditions throughout the Himalaya and elsewhere.</p> <h2><strong>Do your research and weigh up what will work best for you.</strong></h2> <p>The bottom line is, do your research, consider your options and make sure you bring all the different plugs and adapters that are necessary for maintaining their digital devices out on the trail.</p> <p><a href="http://blog.worldexpeditions.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Ghunsa_Himalayas_Nepal-medium.jpg"><img class="responsiveImage" src="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/Ghunsa_Himalayas_Nepal-medium-1024x768-200px.jpg" alt="Trekking the snowy fields back towards Ghunsa on the Great Himalaya Trail, Nepal." width="1024" dynamiccroppedimage="1" variablesrc="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/Ghunsa_Himalayas_Nepal-medium-1024x768-###width###px.jpg" largestloadedsize="200"></a><span class='blogImageCaption'>Trekking the snowy fields back towards Ghunsa on the Great Himalaya Trail, Nepal.</span></p> <h2><strong>Trekking in Nepal With World Expeditions</strong></h2> <p>World Expeditions has been <a href="http://www.worldexpeditions.com/index.php?section=countries&id=99" target="_blank">operating in Nepal</a> since 1975, and we have pioneered unique and unrivaled trekking and touring itineraries for all fitness levels that showcase our experience and speak to our reputation as the Himalayan trekking specialists. We are committed to sustainability and strive to keep our environmental footprint as small as possible.</p> <p>To ensure we are sustainable as possible, we have built <a href="http://www.worldexpeditions.com/index.php?section=responsible_travel&id=2829850" target="_blank">permanent eco campsites</a> in the Everest and Annapurna regions of Nepal. These campsites give travelers a truly unique and comfortable experience, while also minimising our footprint.</p> <h4><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.worldexpeditions.com/index.php?section=countries&id=99" target="_blank">Find out more about trekking in Nepal with World Expeditions </a></span></h4> <p><a href="http://blog.worldexpeditions.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Annapurna_Himalayan_Region_Nepal-small1.jpg"><img class="responsiveImage" src="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/Annapurna_Himalayan_Region_Nepal-small1-1024x683-200px.jpg" alt="World Expeditions private eco campsites at Landruk in the Annapurna region, Nepal." width="1024" dynamiccroppedimage="1" variablesrc="/Portals/World Expeditions/LiveBlog/WP-Images/Annapurna_Himalayan_Region_Nepal-small1-1024x683-###width###px.jpg" largestloadedsize="200"></a><span class='blogImageCaption'>World Expeditions private eco campsites at Landruk in the Annapurna region, Nepal.</span></p> <p><strong><u>About The Author</u></strong></p> <p><strong>Gavin Turner, World Expeditions Himalaya Operations Manager</strong></p> <p>Gavin has spent much of the last 18 years travelling, studying and working in the Himalaya. He has completed more than 30 treks and climbs throughout the Himalaya, where he also has many years experience as a trekking guide and director of study abroad programs for overseas university students.</p> <p>Highlights have included several visits to Tibet, multiple visits to the classic Everest, Annapurna and Langtang regions of Nepal, and countless rugged journeys through the stunning landscapes of the Indian Himalaya. Gavin is also an accomplished high altitude mountaineer, and has climbed widely in the great ranges of the world, including reaching the summit of 8201m Cho Oyu, the world’s 6<sup>th </sup>highest mountain.</p> 2292