As a teacher I enjoy a large chunk of time off in the summer months. Currently, I am looking for suggestions or ideas for how to spend July 2010. My climbing/travel partner will not be able to join me so I am looking for a trip that could be done on my own. I am open to pretty much anywhere in the world if the idea is badass enough.

A ton of stuff in the Canadian Rockies. Pick you grades from easy to super difficult.

If you've already climbed in Bolivia, then: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock ... angri.html

Do the Appalachian Trail!

Damien Gildea wrote:If you've already climbed in Bolivia, then: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock ... angri.html

+1 to Stok

http://www.summitpost.org/article/550129/Easy-Access-Himalaya.html

I took a big chunk of time off some twenty years ago and went to Nepal, India, Thailand, etc., but never made any serious efforts to climb much when I returned to the States (in early June of that year) since all my usual partners were busy working. I did some easy solo stuff in the Sierra but, in retrospect, I wish I would have found a partner and gone to the Andes, the Canadian Rockies, Ruth Gorge, pretty much anywhere that would've required a month off to climb. I'll never get that much time off again. You may or may not, but the opportunity is going to become more infrequent as you get older and acquire more responsibilities. In other words, go find a partner, go someplace cool and climb all those routes you've dreamed about. Sure, Mt. Haeckel was fun, but I'm sure Alpamayo would have been awesome too.

You want ideas for one month, July 2010. Here are a few in the 2-4 week range:

1. Go to Europe and make one of the long-distance hut-to-hut treks, such as (a) the GR20 running the length of the spine of Corsica; (b) circumnavigation of Mt. Blanc; (c) Dolomites high route from Braes to Belluno. These trips are safe, spectacular, and you will meet people. Side trips to cool peaks are possible, including some reasonable solos.

2. Hike the continental divide route the length of the Wind Rivers, doing side trips up peaks.

3. Come to Alaska, drive to Atigun Pass on the crest of the Brooks Range, and make a long cross-country-circuit. This would be quite intense due to weather, wildlife, and terrain. No people. Or (less intense, but still pretty hard core), do a cross-country traverse of a 50 or 75-mile swath of the Talkeetna Range. Both have some very nice summits.

4. Go to Vietnam, rent a vespa or a touring bike, and wander the highlands north of Hanoi (taking a few days off to climb 10,000' Fansipan).

As a teacher myself, last summer I spent my time trolling around leadville and hitting up the 14ers in the area. I had planned on heading on the way to Rainier as well but while I was in CO, I actually changed teaching jobs and had to head back home a month early. Originally I had left my teaching job in Montreal to work in the Middle East as I had a job in Dubai, however turned it down for a job in the Canadian North instead. With the extra benefits that I receive etc, I have a whole year sabatical coming up in 3 years which is one reason I turned down Dubai to hit up the things in the southern hemisphere as well.

CO is a great place to spend the summer solo as I drove cross country from montreal to climb around there. This upcoming summer, I'm in Africa on Meru and Kili, and really hoping to do Mt. Kenya as well, but my sister had to go ahead and plan her wedding for this summer so she guilted me in to spending less time in Africa so Kenya may have to wait.

Tons of possibilities as a teacher and if you're not attached to an area with family etc, you can easily move to another area to be closer to new objectives. Tons of international possibilities!