Crazy though it may sound, my coldest memory ever is from Maui. Yes, the island鈥檚 shores are gloriously sunny and warm, but temperatures drop as you ascend the slopes of Haleakala, an active volcano currently in a non-eruptive state whose name means 鈥渉ouse of the sun.鈥� Haleakala has become synonymous with sunrise, and like many visitors, I was originally drawn to seeing the dawn up there, nearly 20 years ago. I rallied a crew of friends to set out at 2 a.m. for the winding 50-minute drive from the town of Haiku up to Haleakala National Park. As we entered the park gates, the weather changed from mild into something reminiscent of a Scottish mizzle. By the time our car reached the 9,800-foot lookout, just past 3 a.m., we were bundled in fleeces and blankets and pouring thermoses of hot tea.

We stood out on the viewpoint eagerly awaiting the first hues of golden light to peek past the crater鈥檚 edge. Crater is a misnomer鈥攖he massive valley was carved by water erosion, not a volcanic explosion. In the dark, it looks like a vast black hole, but sunlight reveals swirls of obsidian lava flows layered with red, orange, and green cinder cones. I zipped up my fleece and snickered when I saw other visitors bundling up in hats, gloves, and even snow pants, as if a blizzard were coming. Five minutes later I regretted laughing when the clouds rolled in to dump a bone-chilling hail on us. My teeth chattered and my fingers went numb, but we stuck it out for another two hours only to realize the sun had already risen behind the thick wall of clouds. We鈥檇 been skunked. Despite my failed first visit, I went back a few months later to score my first sunrise (the weather was dry this round) and have returned many times since, for everything else the park offers.

When people tell you to anticipate all weather in Haleakala National Park, they mean it. Your preparedness can be the difference between a miserable and magical experience. And to avoid disappointment, don鈥檛 plan a trip solely around sunrise. Yes, watching those first rays burst through sherbet-hued clouds is a somewhat spiritual experience. But now I always line up an adventure or great meal afterward, be it a hike or trail run in the park or an indulgent breakfast just outside of the gate, to justify the drive.

Haleakala commands attention. Occupying nearly half of the sky, the volcano feels omnipresent. You see it through the airplane window when you approach the island, from your car while driving, out in the lineup surfing. The more time you spend on Maui, the more you feel its pull. Haleakala beckons to be explored but also understood, present and past. According to Hawaiian legend, the demigod Maui stood on the volcano鈥檚 summit and lassoed the sun from its journey across the sky, slowing it down to increase the growing season.

With stunning hiking trails, dramatic waterfalls, spectacular stargazing, and bucket-list birdwatching, you鈥檒l want to tick off more than the summit. Most people don鈥檛 realize the park is divided into two completely distinct districts, each with its own entrance separated by miles of dense forest. A visit to Maui feels incomplete without spending time exploring both sides.The lunar-like Summit District, which contains the dormant volcano, comprises a massive valley (what most incorrectly call a crater) carved by water and landslides and dotted with rust-hued puu (cinder cones). It鈥檚 a geological wonder and home to rare species like the extraterrestrial-looking silversword, a plant you鈥檒l only find here, and endangered endemic birds such as the 驶akohekohe, or crested honeycreeper. On the island鈥檚 east side, the Kipahulu or Coastal District, is trapped-in-time Maui, with its verdant gulches, bamboo forests, and cascading waterfalls.听

What You Need to Know Before Traveling to Haleakala National Park

Figure Out Your Logistics

To go from one district to the other, you need to exit out of the park and drive around the island to the other entrance.

Stop in at one of the park鈥檚 (all wheelchair accessible; more accessibility info can be found听), particularly the one on the edge of the crater, to learn about Haleakala鈥檚 native lore and mythology, as well as its native birds and 850-plus species of plants鈥攎ore than 300 of which are found nowhere else in the world.

Make a Reservation to Watch Sunrise

One of Maui鈥檚 bucket-list activities, sunrise viewing was drawing such large crowds that the park now requires advance , which often sell out. Reservations cost $1 per vehicle and can be made online up to 60 days ahead. A portion of reservations for any given day is also set aside and released 48 hours in advance. Yes, people do arrive when the park opens at 3 a.m., to score a prime spot in one of four viewing locations.

Prepare for All Weather

If you think you don鈥檛 need a jacket in Hawaii, think again. It may be sunny and 80 degrees by the beach, but the temperature drops about three degrees for every 1,000 feet of elevation gain. Year-round summit temps range between subfreezing to highs of 65 degrees, and windchill and overcast conditions often make it feel colder. The weather is also completely unpredictable. The park鈥檚 offers a live feed of conditions, but they can change quickly. I鈥檝e started many hikes and runs on the Halemauu Trail, which descends to the crater floor, in blazing heat only to have clouds roll in minutes later: the temperature dropped and low clouds drenched me in rain. The high elevation means intense solar rays, so pack sun protection (sunscreen, hat, shades).

国产吃瓜黑料rs Mike Chambers and Jason Antin offer their gear recommendations for an active trip in Maui. (Video: Courtesy 国产吃瓜黑料 TV)

Fuel Up in Advance

Pack enough food for the day, because there is no food for sale within the park, and the only drinking water available is at the visitor centers, so make sure your water bottles are full. There are no gas stations inside the park, either. The last chance for gas on the way to the Summit District is the town of Pukalani, 18 miles before you reach the park. For the Kipahulu District, the last chance for gas along the Hana Highway is the town of Pa驶ia, 45 miles before the destination. Electric-car users take note: the park has no charging stations, and most electric vehicles with a full charge have been unable to make it to the summit of Haleakala. See driving information .

How to Get to Haleakala National Park

The more remote Kipahulu District of Haleakala National Park can be accessed by driving 12 miles past the town of Hana, on the famous Hana Highway that circumscribes the northeast coast of the island of Maui. The 64-mile infamously narrow and curvy Road to Hana begins in the North Shore surf town of Paia and can be jammed with traffic, so leave early and build in time to stop for banana bread鈥攕tands are ubiquitous. I personally like the loaves from Aunt Sandy鈥檚 in Ke鈥橝nae because they鈥檙e served warm. To reach the Summit District entrance, it takes between 50 and 90 minutes from Maui鈥檚 main tourist areas听via the Haleakala Highway.

If you love a grind, you can cycle to Haleakala鈥檚 summit via what Strava has deemed 鈥渢he world鈥檚 longest paved climb.鈥� From Paia, the road climbs 10,000 feet over 36 miles and reaches gradients of 18 percent. The ascent typically takes six to eight hours. rents road bikes ($65 a day) and hosts weekly guided rides ($250) with a support vehicle leaving from its shop in Paia and concluding at the park entrance at 6,500 feet.

There鈥檚 no shame in requesting a ride back down to town. You鈥檒l be exhausted at the top, and when the weather is wet and bone-chilling, I鈥檝e found my frozen hands barely able to squeeze the brakes on the steep descent. If you鈥檙e super hardcore, you can break from the group and continue to the top for Strava bragging rights.

The Best Time of Year to Visit Haleakala National Park

Winter and summer are typically the busiest seasons on the island, and a trip to Haleakala National Park is on most visitors鈥� agendas. However, if you visit during off-peak hours (anytime other than sunrise and sunset), with the exception of the summit the park rarely feels crowded. I always recommend late fall, when temperatures range between 50 to 60 degrees鈥攑erfect for hiking. You鈥檙e also more likely then to spot the circular rainbow at Rainbow Bridge, a viewpoint along the Halemauu Trail. This natural occurrence, known as the Brocken Spectre, takes place in just three places in the world鈥攐n Maui and in Germany and Scotland. On Maui, it only shows up in the late fall to early spring because of the direction the sun rises in the sky.

Where to Stay In and Near Haleakala National Park

Campgrounds

The campground in has a dreamy perch on ocean cliffs so you wake up to the sound of crashing waves and the smell of salty ocean air. Located a short distance from the visitor center, the grounds have 20 sites鈥�15 for car camping and five walk-ins. are required ($20 per night with a three-night max stay). Sites have picnic tables, charcoal grills, and pit toilets, and drinking water can be collected at a filling station outside of the visitor-center restrooms. If you need basic supplies, two general stores are a 10-mile drive away. The campground鈥檚 proximity to some of the area鈥檚 main natural attractions, including ‘Ohe’o Gulch, which is a 10-minute walk, makes it a perfect base.

Less than a five-minute drive from the Summit District entrance, is the only wheelchair-accessible campground in the park, reached via a paved path. The campground is set at nearly 7,000 feet in a cloud belt, so again be prepared for the elements. If you have the right gear, the misty mornings in the forest are straight out of a storybook, and a mellow, self-guided approximate half-mile nature loop through eucalyptus and cedar stands begins right from camp. Six designated sites have picnic tables, grills, and access to potable water, and there are pit toilets in the parking lot. 听are required ($20 per night, three-night cap). Also be aware that just because you鈥檙e already in the park doesn鈥檛 mean you can drive to the summit for sunrise. You鈥檒l still need a sunrise reservation.

There are two primitive within the park, both of which require ($20 per night, maximum of three nights). The easiest to access, Holua, is 3.7 miles one way down the Halemauu Trail. The other is the often rainy, 9.3-mile one-way hike to the Paliku campsites via the . You鈥檒l need to be a strong and fit hiker with backcountry experience to attempt that one.

You don鈥檛 need to be a mathematician to guess there is only a small probability of scoring an overnight in one of three 12-person wilderness cabins in a park that welcomed 853,000 visitors in 2021. book up six months in advance ($75 a night). But sleeping under a glittery star-filled sky is worth the constant effort to score a spot, as well as the strenuous hike in鈥攁 minimum 3.7-mile effort.

Hotels

Hotel-Maui Resort

The only hotel on Maui鈥檚 east side, the historic Hana-Maui Resort, was recently taken over by Hyatt and is a convenient and cushy base for exploring the Kipahulu District. All 74 rooms have lanais (verandas), and it鈥檚 worth splurging for an ocean view. The resort has two huge pools; a fantastic, albeit pricey, spa; free hatha-based yoga classes; and mostly complimentary cultural activities, like spear throwing and lei making. The complimentary cruiser bikes are my favorite way to reach Hamoa Beach, a slightly hilly 3.3-mile ride from the hotel. Two on-site restaurants can feel redundant and expensive after a few nights. Rooms have mini fridges, so I buy breakfast basics and snacks in Paia, where prices are lower and choices more extensive. Food trucks dominate Hana鈥檚 limited dining options and only stay open for lunch; all are walking or biking distance from the hotel (most park across from the hotel鈥檚 Hana Ranch Restaurant). In the past, I鈥檝e requested a microwave in my room so I can reheat food for dinner, and the hotel has accommodated.

Price: From $409

Kula Lodge and Restaurant

Just a 30-minute drive from the Summit District entrance, five cabin-like cottages at Kula Lodge and Restaurant have ocean views, and all are surrounded by gardens (from $310).听 This is an amenity-rich lodge for exploring the park and upcountry region.

Price: From $310

Malu Manu

For something more remote and romantic, and a similar distance from the park, book a few nights at Malu Manu, a one-bedroom log cabin set at 4,250 feet with a wood-burning fireplace鈥攜es, you鈥檒l need it at this elevation鈥攁nd what in my opinion is Maui鈥檚 best sunset bicoastal view.

Price: From $395

Lumeria

A bit further away from the park, yet closer to the shops and restaurants of Paia, is Lumeria, a 24-room retreat in Haiku with a holistic spa, saline pool, and gorgeous landscaped grounds featuring a meditation garden, Buddha statues, and views of the West Maui Mountains.

Price: From $449

What to Do in Haleakala National Park

Hiking

This is a hiking paradise, with over 30 miles of trails for all fitness levels. If you鈥檙e looking for more than a workout and awesome photos, I highly recommend booking a hike with a local operator like . Knowledgeable guides pack in three hikes over seven hours and will school you in all kinds of subjects, from endangered species, like the fiery red 驶颈驶颈飞颈 bird and nene (Hawaiian goose), to geology trivia about the dormant volcano. Fun fact: standing 28,000 feet above the sea floor, it鈥檚 the third-tallest mountain on earth.

is a low-effort hike that delivers big rewards. Parking for the trailhead is just a quarter mile from the Summit District entrance, and the half-mile loop is lined with aromatic pine, eucalyptus, and pine forest. It is home to the native Hawaiian honeycreeper, found nowhere else on earth.

The 听(Gaia GPS trail seen below) sits at 8,000 feet and is named after the rare Hawaiian fern species found here. This path requires steady footing and stamina, as it descends 1,400 feet over two miles of switchbacks, and the climb back out at altitude can be challenging. If you鈥檙e feeling fatigued early on, it鈥檚 smarter to stop half-way down just past the first viewpoint to Rainbow Bridge. Go early for the best chance of seeing the famed rainbow halo that forms just below the bridge as the clouds come up the valley to your left.

If you continue on the steep ridge to the crater floor (proven by scientists to be the quietest place on earth), you鈥檒l reach Holua, on the park鈥檚 three . Just keep remembering that you鈥檒l have to trek back out and up.

or Sliding Sands is my favorite hike for its otherworldly landscapes of technicolor lava and always-changing light. If you want to do the full 11.2 miles you have two options. You can make it an out-and-back and descend 5.6 miles straight down into the Martian-like floor of the crater (or however far you choose). Be warned: the hike back up is a calf-burner. You can also combine it with the Halemauu Trail for an 11.2-mile point-to-point trail across the crater floor. You鈥檒l just need to arrange for someone to pick you up, as the park doesn鈥檛 offer shuttles.

Hikes in the Kipahulu District offer completely different scenery. The four-mile round-trip is a quintessential Hawaii hike, winding through bamboo forests and with multiple views of waterfalls. Download the NPS App to take a self-guided tour of the Kuloa Point Trail (see map below) so you can learn about plants brought by Polynesian voyagers and observe hale (houses) built by early people, en route to the stunning 驶Ohe驶o Gulch.听

Sunrise and Sunset

When I鈥檓 on Maui, I typically watch the sunrise while catching waves at my favorite surf spot. But I鈥檝e rarely regretted skipping a dawn patrol session to glimpse the first golden rays spill across the crater鈥檚 summit. Scoring a reservation can feel like playing the lottery, but persistence pays off. There are four viewing locations in the park. The Puu Ula is the highest at 10,023 feet and often fills up first. The Leleiwi Overlook is accessed via a ten-minute hike from its parking lot. I like to arrive early and head here first for my pick of viewing options. Despite the hype of the summit, I think the best sunrise position is just below at Haleakala Visitor Center. If you can鈥檛 score a reservation for a DIY visit, book a sunrise tour through the local operator 听($209).

Locals consider sunset even more colorful than sunrise. You don鈥檛 need a reservation and it can be bookended with a hike in the park and stargazing. The sunset view is great from nearly anywhere in the park, but if you鈥檙e set on a summit vista, park in the lot below the summit. The uphill walk to the top is just ten minutes and lets you avoid the inevitable Summit lot traffic jam once the sun goes down.

Stargazing

The high altitude and minimal light pollution at the summit often makes it look like someone tossed a sequined scarf across the night sky. The stars dazzle, the Milky Way shines, and meteor showers dance above. Simply staring and taking it all in is wondrous, but if you鈥檙e a nerd like me and want more context, book a tour with 听(from $235). Five-hour tours begin at sunset. As the sky darkens, your guide uses a super-strength Dobsonian telescope to zero in on planets, nebulae, star clusters, and even other galaxies.听

The Best Places to Eat and Drink Around Haleakala National Park

While the park itself doesn鈥檛 offer any type of food services, there are a handful of fantastic, farm-fresh restaurants and markets upcountry. If you plan to pack a lunch, Hosmer Grove, in the Summit District, has a covered picnic area with grills. On Saturdays, I love to hit the Upcountry Farmers Market in Pukalani ahead of a hike in the park. You鈥檒l find every imaginable fruit (lilikoi, mango, pineapple), hand-crafted kombucha, and prepared foods, like red pumpkin Thai curry and empanadas.

, a working farm specializing in honey with a bountiful stand and coffee bar, sells produce as well as homemade foods, including peanut butter-energy bars (sweetened with honey, of course), Ayurvedic balance bowls with mung beans and kale, and hand pies. It鈥檚 worth planning ahead and booking a reservation to attend one of Maui Bees鈥� weekly farm dinners. The communal event kicks off with a farm tour at 4 p.m., followed by a six-course meal featuring inventive dishes like rhubarb banana curry with ono and kabocha squash. The farm鈥檚 high perch offers bicoastal views of neighboring islands including Koho鈥檕lawe and Lanai, and the West Maui Mountains, and dessert is timed to sunset.

Located outside of the park on the slopes of Haleakala, is a casual local spot with Italian trattoria vibes. Breakfast hits include mahi eggs Benedict and loco moco, a hearty Hawaiian staple of eggs, a beef patty, and steamed rice smothered in a rich gravy. Lunch and dinner menus offer a little of everything, from Caesar salads and turkey and avocado paninis to Bolognese and chicken parm.

The aforementioned Kula Lodge and Restaurant has a beautiful garden terrace. The signature goat cheese and caramelized onion quiche is my go-to post-sunrise breakfast. At lunch, I like to order healthy and get the grilled fish sandwich (usually ono) with a harvest salad, so I can justify a slice of lilikoi pie for dessert. Next door, Kula Marketplace is stocked with locally made crafts, like hand-thrown pottery, honey and jams made from island bees and fruits, and quick grab-and-go drinks and snacks.

After a big effort in the park, treat yourself with a Neapolitan-style pizza and beer from the restaurant . The chef, Jeff Scheer, does everything from scratch, from milling whole wheat berries for the sourdough crust to hand-stretching the mozzarella and growing the toppings. You can eat in the Scandi-minimalist dining room, or Scheer鈥檚 menu is also available next door at , and the tap room regularly hosts live music. My perfect pairing: the Idaho Hazy IPA and Arrabbiata pie topped with shaved Parmesan, garlic, and Calabrian chili.

If You Have Time for a Detour

If you鈥檙e planning on visiting the Kipahulu District, consider spending a night or two in the town of Hana to truly sense Maui鈥檚 slower pace. Day trip from Hana to nearby , a photo favorite for its black-sand beach and blowholes, and hit up some of the area鈥檚 fantastic food trucks, which serve everything from mahi mahi tacos to BBQ ribs. You鈥檒l want to arrive early at Thai Food by Pranee, as the fresh-catch curry specials often sell out before noon.

The upcountry town of Makawao provides a glimpse of Maui鈥檚 paniolo (cowboy) past and boasts some of the island鈥檚 best indie boutiques, such as Holoholo Surf and the Monarch Collective, and beloved bake shop, Maui Cookie Lady. It鈥檚 also home to the 2,093-acre Makawao Forest Reserve, my go-to spot for and .

If you鈥檙e into wind sports, tack on a few days on Maui鈥檚 North Shore. Ho鈥檕kipa beach is the windsurfing and wing-foil mecca, drawing talent from around the world. , Maui鈥檚 oldest and largest water-sports school, offers lessons for windsurfing, kiting, stand-up paddling, and wing-foiling. And when it comes to one-on-one kitesurf instruction, Brett Sheerin, owner of , is worth booking in advance. If you鈥檝e already mastered the basics and came to play, you can rent gear at . The nearby artsy town of Paia is packed with funky shops, like Mick鈥檚 House of Fleetwood, an eclectic boutique opened by, and namesake of, the music legend; surf shops; and locally loved healthy food spots like Choice Health Bar and the natural grocer Mana Foods.

Maui boasts some of Hawaii鈥檚 most spectacular beaches, and its resort enclaves hug most of them. On the island鈥檚 southwest side, Wailea is known for its designer shops and beachfront resorts, including Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, where the hit series White Lotus is filmed. It鈥檚 also near my favorite beach, , or Big Beach. This wide, 1.5-mile swath of sand rarely feels crowded and has a serious beach break for surfing.

Continue south of Wailea and you run into La Perouse Bay, an awesome snorkel spot. Rental packages at in Wailea Village include fins, goggles, and even a fish I.D. card. The parking lot at La Perouse is also the start of or the King鈥檚 Trail, an ancient footpath created by King Pi鈥榠lani that once stretched around the entire island of Maui. If you鈥檙e interested in the history, book a guided photography , a local photographer who authored a book on the historic highway.

On the west side, the surf is up in summer. You can hole up in a five-star resort at the exclusive and .

In the winter, Maui鈥檚 warm waters welcome so many migrating humpbacks that you鈥檙e nearly guaranteed to see some serious tail-splashing. uses small rafting vessels capped at 18 passengers, and a portion of each ticket sale goes back to whale research. If you want a more lounge-y experience aboard a catamaran that includes snacks and cocktails, book with .

How to Be a Conscious Visitor

Ever since Covid-19 restrictions were lifted, Maui has been overwhelmed by tourists. Island life runs at a slower pace than the mainland. Be patient and respectful. Roads to and within the park are winding, and the views can be spectacular. Locals and others on the road will appreciate it if you pull over in designated pull-outs to take photos or, if you鈥檙e driving slowly, allow other vehicles to pass. While driving in the Summit District, be extra careful of wildlife, such as nene (Hawaiian goose), on the roadways. When hiking, stay on the trails. They鈥檝e been designed to protect visitors from cliffs and rockfall danger, and to protect cultural sites and native species. Please never take anything, whether lava rocks or silversword plants, out of the park.

If you鈥檙e booking a tour, consider first inquiring how the operator gives back to the region. Humble Tours, for example, donates a portion of its profits to a local nonprofit that supports conservation internships for Maui鈥檚 youth. And if you鈥檙e lucky enough to have a local share a secret spot, be it a beach or surf break, please keep it a secret by skipping the social media posts and geotags.

The post The Ultimate Guide to Exploring Haleakala National Park appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

In mid-July, a massive southerly swell pounded Hawaii with once-in-a-decade waves that prompted some surfers to label it the best of all time. Aboard his custom-built survival craft, surfer and ocean adventurer Chris Bertish got an up-close view of the heaving ocean.听

Bertish was in the final stretch of his , a historic 2,465-mile solo crossing from California to Hawaii in a small survival craft powered by a handheld wing. He was rounding the island of Molokai, in the final stretch of his voyage, when he encountered the most radical ocean conditions of his life.听

鈥淚 was taking off down waves on a craft that wasn鈥檛 meant to surf, and I was going like 16-18 knots,鈥� Bertish said. 鈥淎t one point the craft broached (an abrupt change in course) when I was inside the cabin, causing me to hit my head, concuss myself and start bleeding.鈥澨�

Inside his 20-foot craft, called the ImpiFish, Bertish pushed on across the Molokai channel to Oahu in waves that were even bigger than those he experienced that day. The terrifying journey was an appropriate final leg of what had been a punishing test of skill and nerve. He had crossed 2,400 miles of open ocean from California to Hawaii in just over 48 days.听

Bertish already has a long history of weathering high seas. The 48-year old South African vaulted onto the international surfing stage in 2010 when he won California鈥檚 famed Maverick鈥檚 International big-wave tournament. Bertish surfed 50-foot waves on a borrowed board to win the event.听

Then, seven years later, Bertish again generated international acclaim for recording听the first-ever crossing of the Atlantic aboard a stand-up paddleboard. His 4,050-mile journey from Morocco to the island of Antigua took 93 days to complete, and he did it aboard the ImpiFish, a custom-built SUP designed by naval architect Phil Morrison and inspired by elements of open-ocean rowboats. At four feet wide, 20 feet long, and 1,350 pounds unloaded, it took four months to build and cost nearly $100,000.听

Bertish says that expedition was a valuable stepping stone for his biggest project yet, the Trans-Pacific wing voyage.听

鈥淧eople forget when something’s never been done before, you’re pioneering and having to create new systems,鈥� said Bertish. 鈥淚 was able to apply all the knowledge and insights I learned from the transatlantic crossing to upscale, upgrade, and remedy my ImpiFish, enabling me to deal with the new challenges I faced in the Pacific.鈥�

The Pacific crossing from California to Hawaii is notoriously one of the most difficult in the world鈥攑articularly for small vessels like the ImpiFish. To date, sea kayaker Ed Gillett is the only person to successfully paddle across in a kayak, a 1987 crossing that took 63 death-defying days鈥攔ecounted in harrowing detail in Dave Shively鈥檚 gripping book, . Others have tried, sometimes suffering tragic fates. In 2020, Paralympic rower Angela Madsen died while attempting to cross the Pacific on her rowboat听Row of Life, a project that was supposed to inspire others and produce a documentary film.听

Currently, Frenchman Cyril Derreumaux is amid his quest to become the second solo kayaker to make the crossing. In late July, for the fastest four-rower team in the Great Pacific Race鈥攁n annual 2400-mile rowing race from California to Hawaii.

A wing-foil is an entirely different craft with an entirely different set of challenges. Bertish first attempted the crossing last year, but an electrical malfunction forced him back to shore after completing only 212 miles. To put into perspective just how new wing foiling is, Bertish鈥檚 failed attempt last year was still enough to claim a world record for longest distance traveled on a wing-foil, solo and unsupported.

In preparation for his wing-powered voyage, Bertish had to upgrade the ImpiFish craft. He added a series of metal foils to the side and bottom of the craft to increase its speed and stability in the water. He also added various apparatus and harnesses to help secure him to both the vessel and his handheld wing, which he used to power through the surf.听

鈥嬧�嬧�淚 had eight wings that were built specifically for this journey by Armstrong,鈥� said Bertish. 鈥淭hey were Carbon Mylar-reinforced and ranged in size from 5.5 meters down to 1.25 meters. There鈥檚 not even a training wing that exists on the planet that鈥檚 1.25, but I used it all the time.鈥�

But those upgrades couldn鈥檛 prepare Bertish for some of the challenges he faced on the high seas. He departed Santa Cruz, California on May 31st and immediately found himself amid cold, foggy, and overcast conditions. The miserable weather lasted for the first three weeks of the journey, slowing his progress as Bertish inched towards better conditions created by the trade winds.听

Bertish spent roughly 12 hours a day 鈥渨inging鈥濃�攁n enormously challenging task requiring him to balance on the deck of the ImpiFish while contracting and tweaking a handheld wing to catch wind and propel his craft forward. When Bertish wasn鈥檛 winging, repairing his craft, or catching a couple hours of rest, he managed to send out several social media updates with .

Bertish also endured a series of technical calamities that nearly ended his journey. During his time at sea, he battled countless systems failures, nearly lost all communications, and narrowly avoided serious injury during multiple falls鈥攊ncluding one that took out his VHF radio antennae only three days into the trip.

At one point, his 鈥攁n underwater generator that uses a propeller to produce energy and recharge the craft鈥檚 battery banks鈥攂egan to separate the base plate off the transom and cause a leak into the stern of his craft, where all his main electronic systems were located.

鈥淚f I hadn鈥檛 checked and just went another night with that issue in place, it would鈥檝e flooded my back compartment without me even knowing,鈥� said Bertish. 鈥淭hen that would have shorted all of my systems and I probably would have sunk.鈥�

Bertish found the issue during his daily maintenance check and after a quick repair job鈥攗sing an emergency underwater epoxy repair kit鈥攈e averted disaster.

Not everything went wrong. His food situation was 鈥渓ike cordon bleu compared to the transatlantic.鈥� He lived for two months on a backpacker鈥檚 diet consisting of nuts, dried fruit, supplements, and freeze-dried meals that had to be prepared inside his tiny cabin.

鈥淲hen you鈥檙e in a cabin as wide as your shoulders and the craft is getting bashed around by waves, it鈥檚 challenging to hold a Jet Boil with a live flame and pour boiling water into a pouch,鈥� he said. 鈥淔ortunately, I鈥檝e been doing this for quite a long time.鈥�

Nothing comes easy on the high seas but reaching the trade winds put the wind at his back. Bertish tied off his wing like an 鈥渋nverted Spinnaker鈥� and managed to enjoy a few days of hands-free winging. It would prove to be the calm before the storm, the punishing southerly swell served up a daunting final test once he reached the Hawaiian Islands. Bertish leaned on his most valuable asset to navigate this perilous final leg鈥攁 lifetime of experience in heavy ocean conditions.听听

Once he finally docked at the Hawaii Yacht Club in Honolulu on July 17th鈥攁fter spending 48 days, 15 hours, and 15 minutes at sea鈥攈e didn鈥檛 stay on land for long.

鈥淎bout three hours after I landed, I managed to go out and get a couple waves with Jamie Mitchell at one of the outside reefs. That was pretty epic.鈥�

Following the massive accomplishment, Bertish鈥檚 work is only just beginning. The Trans-Pacific Wing Project was dedicated to raising both money and awareness for ocean conservation, with proceeds from the journey going to ,, , and .

鈥淚 had several very scary situations that I encountered on my journey, but the most terrifying thing I saw was the amount of plastic pollution.鈥�

Bertish said he only saw five fish, compared to 67 pieces of floating plastic debris. The contrast was shocking, and it inspired him to release an in hopes of raising awareness of an ocean pollution problem growing by the day.

鈥淲hen all you鈥檙e seeing is ocean pollution, in a place where people would expect the ocean to be in its most pure and abundant state, that鈥檚 terrifying.鈥�

He鈥檒l be taking that message on the road to support his new book coming out鈥斺�攚hich recounts his transatlantic expedition experience. The book is slated to hit bookshelves in January here in the States, with South Africa seeing a November release. At the end of his tour, Bertish plans on auctioning off the ImpiFish at the Miami Boat Show next April.

The ImpiFish may be headed towards a much-deserved retirement, but Bertish is already well underway with planning his biggest expedition yet: , a听sailing expedition around the world that will raise awareness for ocean education, conservation, and sustainability. The project is inspired by the United Nation鈥檚

鈥淚t will start at the end of 2025,鈥� said Bertish. 鈥淚t will go around the world and will probably be five to eight times bigger than all of the other projects I鈥檝e done, put together.鈥�

While many of the details are under wraps, one thing is certain鈥擝ertish will push the boundaries of human endurance and willpower, yet again.听听听

The post Chris Bertish Fought Through Raucous Waves and a Head Injury on His Historic Trans-Pacific Trek appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Robby Naish doesn鈥檛 know what he鈥檚 going to do today. The 56-year-old might grab his shortboard and find a lonely break off Maui鈥檚听Honolua Bay. He might hook up the kiteboard and search for strong wind or windsurf Hookipa Beach. It all depends on the swell, the听wind, the weather. The听important thing is that Robby Naish鈥斺�攈as options.

The first professional windsurfer, Naish听dominated the sport for two solid decades beginning in the late seventies.听He then transitioned into kiteboarding and quickly rose to the top of that field, too. Later听he helped pioneer stand-up paddleboarding, becoming one of the first people to surf Maui鈥檚听Jaws听on one. Along the way, he earned 30 world-championship titles, started his company,听Naish Sails, in 1998, and helped define what it means to be a听waterman. But his ability to evolve is what鈥檚听most impressive, the way he moves听effortlessly between disciplines, always an early adopter of the next wave of board sports. 鈥淚 want to surf my whole life,鈥� Naish says. 鈥淭here will be some point where my body or mind won鈥檛 allow me.听Until then, this is what I鈥檒l do.鈥�

Today, it鈥檚 not unusual for a watersports athlete to be proficient in a variety of activities;听, Naish鈥檚 prot茅g茅, is skilled at SUPing, big-wave surfing, and kiteboarding. But when Naish, inspired by new challenges and innovative technology, started picking up new skills in the eighties听and nineties, he was an oddity. 鈥淎ll my contemporaries thought I was crazy when I got into kiteboarding, but it鈥檚 been fun to reinvent myself and be involved with these sports on the ground level,鈥� Naish says. 鈥淜iteboarding was a complement听to windsurfing, and so was SUP. You鈥檙e riding waves a little different, sure, but you鈥檙e still riding waves.鈥�

This preternatural ability to evolve could be exactly why Naish鈥檚 career has lasted so long. Not only has he been able to stay in the thick of things competitively (he鈥檚 been sponsored by Quicksilver since 1982 and ), but he鈥檚 managed to avoid some of the physical and mental burnout that鈥檚 often associated with purists sticking to one sport. 鈥淎thletes will get to a certain point where they鈥檙e over it. They get disinterested and no longer put in the time to be competitive,鈥� he听says. 鈥淔or me听there鈥檚 no way to get bored, because the environment is always changing, and the equipment is always changing.鈥�

To stay in shape for this shifting landscape, Naish听adheres to the same fitness principles he developed as a teenager. 鈥淭he modern approach to fitness is different than what I鈥檓 used to. I鈥檝e never had a trainer and never really had a set plan. I鈥檓 not into yoga,鈥� Naish says. 鈥�I don鈥檛 want to go to the gym, but I make sure I do certain things throughout the day.鈥� This includes听several hundred push-ups, pull-ups, and sit-ups,听broken into five-minute sets wherever he has the time, whether that鈥檚听in his office or hotel room. 鈥淎nd I鈥檒l curl whatever desk chair is near me,鈥� he says. With some TRX work and jump-rope for cardio, Naish鈥檚 routine keeps him fit for long days on the water, regardless of what board he鈥檚 using at the time. 鈥淚t鈥檚 created a balance between the power of wind sports and the endurance of SUP. I鈥檓 probably in better shape now than when I was in my twenties听because of it,鈥� Naish says.

The latest piece of equipment to catch his听eye is the hydrofoil, a blade at the bottom of a board that raises it above the surface of the water.听The technology was first developed for the Navy in the fifties听and then adopted by competitive sailors in the seventies听and eighties, but Naish Sails and other brands are听finding new听applications for the blades, using them as a way to go faster and longer on SUPs and surfboards. Naish is most excited about the opportunity these blades present to recreational athletes. 鈥淲e鈥檝e been focused on making that gear as accessible as possible,鈥� he听says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 surprising. You鈥檒l see guys that can鈥檛 surf their way out of a paper bag get on a foil and just rip.鈥�

Almost 40 years after he jumped on a board, Naish is still innovating鈥攚ithout a听hint听of slowing down. 鈥淚 turned pro when I was 18听and didn鈥檛 know if it would last six months,鈥� Naish says. 鈥淚 deferred admissions to college and hoped I would get a solid year out of windsurfing. The first year ended, and I hoped I鈥檇 get another year. It鈥檚 still going like that.鈥�

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Ditch the paperback and lounge chair for one of these off-the-beaten-path beach adventures, from surfing rowdy East Coast breakers to fishing among tiny African islands.

Perch Over the Pacific in Mendocino, California

At the , the ranch part is meant literally: the new luxury property is part of a 2,000-acre working cattle operation, one that just happens to abut 50-foot cliffs plunging into the Pacific near Mendocino.

Since this is cowboy country, start the day off with a hearty western omelet, then run, mountain-bike, or ride horseback on 30 miles of trails built from a network of old logging roads. Return for an evening soak in the roof-top hot tub as the sun dips into the ocean, then enjoy the ranch鈥檚 homegrown vegetables and local Dungeness crab for dinner. There鈥檚 an inn with three guest rooms, but you should splurge on the entire , with four bedrooms and a private deck overlooking the sea. From $300.

鈥�Stephanie Pearson

Knock a Few Back in Douglas, Michigan

Good beachfront dives offer a magic combination of cheap, strong drinks, access to water, and a crowd that transcends demographic categorization. So even if the is on Saugatuck Harbor, where the Kalamazoo River enters Lake Michigan amid towering dunes, we say it qualifies.

The yellow shack looks like it could collapse at any second, a condition made worse by the weight of the signs, stickers, and hippie detritus covering every available surface. The patrons are a mix of Chicagoans, kayakers, and the occasional Birkenstock-wearing poet, all ordering the same high-octane rum punch and singing along to whatever band is playing that night. In short, it鈥檚 like somebody extracted the best parts of Key West鈥攖he mellow vibe, the come-as-you-are attitude鈥攅xcept you鈥檙e wasting away on Lake Michigan. So expect more plaid.

鈥�Jonah Ogles

Go Like the Wind in Squamish, British Columbia

In British Columbia, surfers head to Tofino, skiers drive up to Whistler, and kiteboarders go to Squamish. The town鈥檚 name comes from the First Nations word for 鈥渕other of the wind,鈥� and nowhere is that more apparent than the Spit. This narrow piece of land juts into the salty water where the Squamish River enters Howe Sound and creates a natural launchpad for wind sports, blasted by strong thermals from downvalley.

It regularly draws hundreds of kiteboarders and windsurfers, their colorful rigs racing through the shadow of Stawamus Chief, the iconic granite dome towering 2,000 feet above the water. will get you going with lessons from $250. They鈥檒l supply all the gear you need, including a wetsuit鈥攖his isn鈥檛 the Caribbean.

鈥�Cheney Gardner

Explore the Rowdy Atlantic in听North Carolina’s Outer Banks

Drive Highway 12 from top to bottom鈥攆rom Kitty Hawk to Ocracoke鈥攁nd you can surf overhead barrels, dive for shipwrecks, explore deserted islands, and wander the East Coast鈥檚 most pristine beaches. Here鈥檚 how to do it right.

1. The local delicacy is the soft shell crab sandwich, and the best one is at , in Kitty Hawk. Be sure to pick up a souvenir T-shirt for your most obnoxious friend.
2. The in Kill Devil Hills is the country鈥檚 first wind-powered brewery. Get the Lemongrass Wheat Ale and grab some cans to go.
3. Get your Wright Brothers on by launching a hang glider from the tallest sand dune on the East Coast at Jockey鈥檚 Ridge State Park. Call for a lesson (from $99).
4. is home to two apex predators. Paddle the marshy inlets by day and you鈥檒l see gators; at night you鈥檒l hear red wolves howl.
5. S-Turns, just north of Rodanthe, is the best surf spot on the Outer Banks, with big, powerful barrels that break close to the beach. Rent a board and get advice at (rentals from $15).
6. In the small hamlet of Hatteras, head to the for a pulled-pork sandwich and hush puppies.
7. The Graveyard of the Atlantic, off Cape Hatteras, hides more than 2,000 shipwrecks (plus myriad sharks that now call them home). has trips to check out both.
8. Ocracoke Island, accessible only by ferry, has the best car camping on OBX. Pitch your tent in the sand at the National Park Service鈥檚 ($28), right by some of the emptiest, most wide-open white-sand beaches we鈥檝e ever laid our eyes on.
9. Portsmouth Island is home to an eerily preserved ghost town鈥攖he last residents left in the 1970s鈥攁nd the only legal beach camping on OBX. Hearty souls kayak the six miles from Ocracoke. The rest catch the ferry in the town of Atlantic ($14 round-trip).

鈥�Graham听Averill

Stop Overthinking It and Learn to Surf in Santa Cruz, California

To the landlocked, surfing Northern California brings to mind big, cold waves and surly locals. But it鈥檚 an ideal destination for beginners. The important thing is to stop making excuses and paddle out.

When my boyfriend finally agreed to teach me to surf on a trip to Santa Cruz, everyone we knew warned us that it was a bad idea. An uncannily timed post on the surf website Beach Grit cautioned against schooling one鈥檚 significant other. (Headline: 鈥�.鈥�) But Matt was a patient instructor, and when he pushed me onto my first tiny wave, I rode it all the way to the beach. A light rain was falling, a nice Australian woman cheered me on from the lineup, and a rainbow arced over the set.

Book a room at the oceanfront (from $225), fuel up with a sour beer at the in nearby Capitola, and head out into the sea. offers lessons ($90) at the beginner-friendly break of the same name, but don鈥檛 be afraid to play around on your own. Rent a wetsuit and a board at 颁辞飞别濒濒鈥檚 (or invest in an inexpensive foam board like Costco鈥檚 $100 ) to get started鈥攗ntil the day comes when you graduate to a shortboard, head into bigger waves, and stare down out-of-town kooks like me.

鈥�Meaghen Brown

Land a Big One in the Seychelles

The view from the air makes it clear that the Seychelles, an island nation of about 90,000 located 800 miles off the east coast of Africa, are less an archipelago than a sparse collection of outcroppings spanning an area practically the size of the American Midwest.

The outer atoll of Cosmoledo鈥攁 coral reef that formed on top of a collapsed, seven-mile-wide volcano鈥攈as lately become the world鈥檚 most coveted spot to fly-fish for giant trevally. A ravenous three-foot-long gangster of a fish, the GT lives in deep water but provides the ultimate sight-casting target when it cruises knee-deep flats on the changing tides hunting for bonefish and other prey. Even the reef鈥檚 tiger and lemon sharks won鈥檛 mess with it.

Cosmoledo is an untouched wilderness鈥攖he same as it was when it emerged from the sea. But development is imminent. The atoll will likely see construction of a small lodge within a few years, making it more accessible and a little less wild. For now anglers pay nearly $15,000 per person for a week to live aboard the , a 150-foot retrofitted research vessel that anchors off Cosmoledo and sends its outboard skiffs into the flats and the jade-colored lagoon. The season runs from about November until April, with no more than a dozen clients booked per week.

鈥�Grayson Schaffer

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Does dawn patrol have you throwing on whatever鈥檚 at hand on your way to the office? Give yourself more time in the water with a 听from Quiksilver Japan.

True Wetsuits look like normal business attire: ties, shirts, jackets, and pants. The color options are equally听tame, with a navy or black single-breasted jacket, and, for more formal occasions, a . But the jackets and pants鈥� construction from two-millimeter-thick neoprene, just like a traditional wetsuit, traps body heat in the water. The dress shirt is made from a water-repellent fabric. Even the design is geared toward surf-performance, including flat-sewn pockets so you don鈥檛 fill up on a wipeout.听

Though Quiksilver Japan is taking orders on the True Wetsuits, it's not planning on shipping until mid-summer. Until then, you鈥檒l just have to get out of the ocean a little earlier.听

$2,511,

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One may not think about environmental sustainability when selecting a wetsuit, but Patagonia would like to change that. Their 听is made predominately out of plant-based biorubber.听

Most wetsuits are built from petroleum-based neoprene. But Patagonia’s biorubber is made from the guayule plant, a hearty desert shrub native to the Southwestern United States. Guayule rubber is softer than traditional wetsuit materials, and its production is 鈥済reener鈥� than neoprene because it uses less water.

In addition to owning something that will make you feel good on the inside, the front-zipping 听works well, too, and is designed to keep you warm in 55 to 60-degree water temperatures (a 2.5-millimeter thickness throughout). Its big brother the听 is even toastier, with a 3.5-mil chest and 2.5-mil arms and legs that can take you as low as 48 degrees. And unlike traditional听wetsuits, where you lose mobility the thicker you go, the softness of the biorubber gives you increased flexibility鈥攁 welcome feature when attempting those critical drops.

Finally, though Patagonia pioneered their biorubber and by all rights could squat on the patent, amazingly, they didn’t. Instead, they flung the doors open to the surf industry, making the tech available to all. Why? ,听“When more surfers can choose less harmful wetsuits, we all win.”听

From $529,听

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Sure, the wetsuit looks like its designers took cues from a prisoner uniform, but don鈥檛 be fooled by the wacky stripes: this product could save your life. Maybe.

SAMS (or ) makes wetsuits designed to deter sharks by using patterns and colors that allegedly make the wearer look less like a tasty snack and more like a poisonous one. The folks at SAMS teamed up with the to figure out the best colors, shapes, dimensions, and contrast to keep sharks at bay.

They came up with two wetsuits, one intended for surfers and the other for divers. You can also buy a sticker with the same stripes to attach to the bottom of your surfboard for extra protection.

Now, scientists don't know exactly what repels sharks, a fact SAMS makes quite clear. (Its site warns 鈥淎ll sharks are dangerous and unpredictable creatures. It is impossible for SAMS to guarantee that 100% of sharks will be deterred under all circumstances with the SAMS technology.”) Current test are ongoing and still in their early stages, according to the company.听

The takeaway: if you鈥檙e in the water and you see a shark, you'd best still exit quickly, no matter what wetsuit you鈥檙e wearing.

$438,

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CONFLICT: Hang Gliders vs. Paragliders
EPOCH: 1980鈥�1990
RESOLUTION: Safer wings make paragliding explode in popularity.

CONFLICT: Snowboarders vs. Skiers
EPOCH: 1999鈥�2006
RESOLUTION: The advent of park and pipe makes skiing cool again.

CONFLICT:听Skateboarders vs. Rollerbladers
EPOCH:听1993鈥�1999
RESOLUTION:听Rollerblading dies an ignoble death.

CONFLICT:听Windsurfers vs. Kitesurfers
EPOCH:听2000鈥�2011
RESOLUTION:听The Olympic committee nixes windsurfing for kitesurfing for the 2016 Games.

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This is a quaint town with seemingly perfect summer weather (June to September can see 100 bluebird days in a row, with temps in the eighties and nineties), a 1950s five-and-dime facade, and a hardcore endurance sports scene. Set on the north end of a 30-mile-long lake offering 200-plus miles of protected shoreline, Coeur d’Alene hosts an Ironman, its biggest event all year. Road cyclists from all over come to ride the 112-mile, up-and-down route to Hayden Lake, while mountain bikers head for the extensive trail network in the Idaho Panhandle National Forest. “Lance Armstrong told me this was the best mountain biking he had ever seen,” said Michael Radovan, a local triathlete and salesman.
NUMBERS: Small homes within walking distance of the lake start at $165K.
INTEL: You can rent your place out for more than double the usual weekly rate during June’s Ironman.
ACCESS: Seattle and Portland are five-to-six-hour drives; Spokane is 35 minutes west.

Vacation Homes: Shasta Cascade Region, California

Trinity River, California

California's Class V Trinity River

This vast wilderness playground is perhaps the most overlooked adventure destination in the lower 48. Hard to understand why. The 30,000 square miles contain alpine peaks, serious whitewater, glaciers, and even volcanoes. The main attractions are 14,162-foot Mount Shasta, with excellent skiing and winter mountaineering, and the Klam颅ath River, which has more than 100 miles of navigable rapids as well as exceptional steelhead and trout fishing.
NUMBERS: A cabin on ten wooded acres can be had for $150K. Full-featured homes on 40 acres start around $250K.
INTEL: Siskiyou County has plenty of affordable options within an easy drive of Shasta and the Klamath.
ACCESS: Sacramento (south), Reno, Nevada (east), and Eugene, Oregon (north), are the nearest airports. Each puts you within four hours of the Shasta Cascade region.

Vacation Homes: Ely, Minnesota

The gateway to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, which includes thousands of lakes and more than 1,500 miles of canoe routes. The main drag, East Sheridan Street, is lined with outfitters, gear retailers, and eateries. But Ely has a countercultural flair and is famed for its music festivals, wacky Internet radio stations, and eclectic 3,500 residents, including polar explorer Will Steger.
NUMBERS: This is cabin country. Small waterfront places can be had for $200K.
INTEL: Grand Marais, an alternative option three hours east, offers access to both the Boundary Waters and Lake Superior, but prices run about $50K higher than in Ely.
ACCESS: Two hours north of the Duluth airport, four-plus from the Twin Cities.

Vacation Homes: Big Sky, Montana

No, Big Sky is not the billionaire’s Montana. OK, so Ted Turner has a ranch in the area, and two exclusive communities, the Yellowstone Club and Spanish Peaks, are also here. But Big Sky itself is a tiny (pop. 2,200), old-school skiers’ destination with a base area sporting 1970s condos and nothing remotely resembling a “village.” There are never crowds on the slopes, and a $94 combo lift ticket includes access to adjacent resort Moonlight Basin and the largest contiguous ski area in the U.S., with Jackson Hole聳worthy extreme terrain on Lone Peak. When the snow melts, runoff feeds nearby trout-choked rivers, including the blue-ribbon Gallatin.
NUMBERS: Slopeside condos fetch $100K聳$300K. Walking-distance condos start at $80K.
INTEL: The best values are on the mountain, but the really cheap stuff is around the nordic center, seven miles east.
ACCESS: One hour southwest of Bozeman.

Vacation Homes: Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Cape Cod

The Cape has 560 miles of coastline, much of it protected national seashore, and the hundred-plus beaches face the open Atlantic (surfing), windy Nantucket Sound (sailing), and shallow, protected Cape Cod Bay (kayaking). Fishing can be fantastic on all sides, and there’s glorious (if flat) road biking. And, yes, there’s a lot of mini golf. But the 15 towns on this twisting peninsula offer a much less tacky version of the coastal Americana found from Atlantic City to Myrtle Beach.
NUMBERS: Highly variable depending on location, but you can now find simple ranch homes starting at $250K.
INTEL: Two places to find bargains: inland (prices drop just blocks off the water) and close in to the mainland.
ACCESS: The Cape starts about 60 miles from Boston.

Vacation Homes: Lake Placid Region, New York

The Northeast’s best hiking? Check. Sweet road and mountain biking? Check. Alpine and nordic skiing? Check. But you come mostly for the water聴not just Placid itself but 3,000 other lakes, plus thousands of miles of rivers and streams (some offering Class V rapids). The town of Lake Placid sits in the middle of six-million-acre Adirondack Park, one of the largest protected public areas in the lower 48. Canoeing and kayaking are huge here, and larger lakes allow motorized watercraft. If your vacation fantasy includes a vintage mahogany runabout, welcome home.
NUMBERS: Waterfront homes on the region’s smaller lakes start at $500K, small cottages and in-town condos at $200K.
INTEL: “Prices on surrounding lakes are a third less than Lake Placid,” says Robert Politi, town supervisor and a realtor with Merrill L. Thomas.
ACCESS: About two hours from the Albany, New York, and Burlington, Vermont, airports; five hours from New York City.

Vacation Homes: Islamorada, Florida

Not only the best fishing in the Keys, but an honest fishing-and-boating-village aesthetic, with roadside stands that have been pretty much unchanged for decades. You can cast near-shore flats for bonefish and tarpon or troll open waters for wahoo, yellowtail, and mahi-mahi. There’s also wilderness kayaking in lush mangrove forests, great windsurfing and kitesurfing, and arguably our best domestic scuba, in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, 20 miles north.
NUMBERS: You can get a maintenance-friendly condo off the water, with strong rental-revenue potential, for less than $150,000.
INTEL: Islamorada is both a village and an island group, not a single key, with four “major” islands. The farther you get from town, the more off the grid you’ll feel.
ACCESS: About 90 minutes from Miami’s airport, 45 minutes farther to Fort Lauderdale.

Vacation Homes: East Bench of Salt Lake City, Utah

A true metropolitan city with a year-round mountain playground and arguably the best resort powder skiing in the world. But with abundant hedge trimmers and bike-riding paper boys, this isn’t everyone’s idea of a ski town. Think split-level suburban ranches with big ol’ garages聴which is to say it’s perfect for families or entourages. The East Bench district starts at the base of Little and Big Cottonwood canyons, eight miles from Alta/Snowbird and just a tad more to Solitude and Brighton. “You’re on the slopes in 20 minutes,” says Scott Beck, CEO of the Salt Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau, “but instead of hot wings afterwards, there’s opera, Jazz games, and gourmet restaurants.”
NUMBERS: 4颅5-bedroom homes for $275K聳$500K. Condos from under $200K.
INTEL: Salt Lake’s real-estate slide came late, so the bargain sale is in full swing: East Bench medians are off 6聳12 percent from December 2008.
ACCESS: 20 minutes southeast of Salt Lake City’s airport.

Vacation Homes: Southwest Colorado

If your favorite gear includes avalanche beacons or fat tires, this is your place. While the four counties of Montezuma, Dolores, La Plata, and San Juan make up a tiny slice of the state, they’re packed with some of its best adventures: guided backcountry skiing at Silverton, backcountry ski touring along the San Juan Hut System, and epic mountain biking all over. “My friends in Moab come here to ride,” says Chris Strouthopoulos, a Durango resident and an assistant professor at San Juan College, in Farmington, New Mexico. “That says a lot.” Second-home options range from modern houses on the periphery of larger towns to true ranches reached by dusty dirt roads. Still, you’re never far from outposts like Durango, Telluride, and Montrose.
NUMBERS: Three-bedroom places on 40 to 100 acres start at $500K; rustic homes on smaller lots abound at $200K-plus.
INTEL: The best deals, biggest acreages, and most seclusion are in western Montezuma and Dolores counties, near the Utah state line.
ACCESS: Durango (south) and Montrose (north) both have decent small airports that put you within two hours of most of the region.

Vacation Homes: South Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada

Tahoe offers a rare combination of omnipresent sunshine (three out of four days) and some of the nation’s deepest annual snowfalls (40-plus feet). There’s also exceptional road and mountain biking and, of course, watersports. The trade-off for buying on the affordable South Shore? A strip of minor-league casinos and no real community spirit. But change is coming. A prime 12-acre lakefront parcel of tacky motels was just razed to make way for a parklike village project, and three LEED-certified residential developments are under way. Meanwhile, California’s largest ski resort, Heavenly Mountain, poured half a billion dollars into improvements. “The South Shore is reinventing itself,” says realtor Elaine Casteleyn, of Exclusively Lake Tahoe.
NUMBERS: Entry-level homes on the California side begin at $200K. Nevada prices run about 25 percent more, but property taxes are low.
INTEL: There are great deals in Tahoe Keys, a water-centric development with canals leading to the lake.
ACCESS: Sixty miles west of Reno, 3.5 hours east of San Francisco.

Vacation Homes: Buy or Rent?

The Dilemma

There’s no easy answer聴until now. Respond to these questions honestly and the numbers won’t lie.

How many weeks per year will you realistically be there?

Less than three (聳2)
Three to four (+1)
Four-plus (+3)
A season (+4)

Will you rent out your vacation home when not in use?

Yes (+2)
No (0)
Of course聴that’s why I’m doing this (聳3)

How long do you see yourself owning this property?

Until I can trade up (聳3)
Maybe five to ten years (0)
I’m gonna retire there (+4)
It will go to my children (+5)

When spending big money, you:

Break out in hives (聳2)
Lose a little sleep (0)
Feel like a god! (+3)

Which best describes a dream week at your new pad?

Spending every minute possible outside (聳1)
Cooking big meals and chilling on the deck (+1)
Planting tomatoes and chopping wood (+2)
Framing out the new barn (+4)

Your favorite outdoor gear:

Fits in your daypack (0)
Requires special handling at the airport (+1)
Barely fits in your garage (+3)

What your score means:


6 or under: You should rent

7聳10: You could go either way

11聳17: Time to apply for that pre-approved mortgage

18-plus: This is your third home, isn’t it?

Vacation Homes: Real Estate Tips

Buyer be wise.

[HOMEWORK]

and : For-sale listing, price estimates, and sales histories, plus community statistics, including population, median prices, and recent activity. (Note: Both can be incredibly useful or frustratingly out of date, depending on location.)
: Profiles of popular second-home communities, with links to multiple brokers.
: Site of the National Association of Realtors; offers a wide range of information and tools.
: Local and national mortgage rates, plus tons of financing advice and information.
: Reality check, please.
: Ranks individual addresses and communities based on their walkability.
: The “street view” option lets you virtually drive around, though it can be limited in rural areas.

[STRATEGY]

A coach for the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association in the 1990s, David Baldinger Jr. has also been a realtor in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, since 1993. As a top performer at Steamboat Village Brokers, he sells property in a prime second-home market that’s enjoying an $18 million urban-renewal project despite the economic downturn. Here, his prescription for buyers anywhere.

1. Pick Your Spot

Multiple visits is the single most important thing. Get the whole family there in different seasons and weather. Ask yourself, Is it easy to get here? Do I know anyone who owns here? Will I really like it?

2. Pick Your Agent

You want a broker with at least three to five years’ local experience who both lists and sells properties, plus multiple references you can talk to. And get someone in your own age group who understands your needs.

3. Know Your Limit

Have a preliminary conversation with a lender. The most disappointing thing is shopping way above your price range without knowing it.

4. Develop Good Taste

Establishing your own criteria is harder than you think. Everyone does research online, but you can’t appreciate distances or views or features or neighborhoods until you touch them. In a mountain town, everyone thinks they want ski-in/ski-out, but they end up saying, “You mean if I walk two blocks, I can get a garage?”

5. Go All In

Buy the best house you can afford within your budget. Those are the ones that hold value. Don’t buy the “really good deal”; buy the home you like. Chances are the next buyer will like it, too.

The post Vacation Homes: Buy Low, Sell Never appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

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