Male lion - Serengeti National Park, Tanzania ©theexplorerslens.com

Morning rush hour exiting Everest Base Camp - Sagarmatha National Park, Nepal ©theexplorerslens.com

Here’s a list of ten(ish) trivia tidbits that are bound to cross your mind at some point during your journey to Everest Base Camp:

There’s Something Odd About that Flag

The Nepali double pennant is the worlds only non-square/rectangle national flag.

World’s Highest…
In additional to claiming the title of the earths tallest peak (29,035″/8050m), the Everest region also boasts the worlds highest:

Glacier, (Khumbu) originating at 24,900″/7,600m;

Weather Station, located on the Southern Col (~26,250″/8,000m) and;

Webcam, located atop Kala Patthar (18,192″/5,545m.)

Summit Statistics

Apa Sherpa has summitted Everest an astounding 21 times!

The oldest person to summit Everest – Min Bahadur Sherchan age 76. It was his first attempt.

As of the end of the 2010 climbing season Mount Everest has been ‘conquered’ 5,104 times by 3,142 individuals.

Surprisingly only 219 climbers have lost their lives on the mountain (2011 data). 1996 was the single worst year with 15 fatalities.

In 2005 a modified AS350 B3 helicopter touched down on the summit. These advanced performance helicopters are now seeing increased use on the mountain.

If you’re feeling spry, only 17km of ice, rope, and ladders separates the Nepali Base Camp from the summit.

Yakkity Yak

Most yaks on the trail are not true yaks, they’re dzo a yak-cattle hybrid.

Your ‘Yak-Burger’ is most likely water buffalo. Yaks are too valuable to the locals.

Ten(ish), no one said we could count.

Le Tigre, Ferrari, and Blue Steel sailing off the coast of Cozumel - Quintana Roo, Mexico ©theexplorerslens.com

Fort Bokor (Zvjezdan) - Dubrovnik, Croatia ©theexplorerslens.com

Walking the fortified walls of Dubrovnik was a pleasant surprise and highlight of our trip to Croatia. If you had to do one thing in Dubrovnik we’d recommend spending the 10 euro per person and take your time exploring the city’s history and archecture along this 2 kilometre wall walk.

Bonus Tip: Hold on to the ticket you receive for the wall walk, it also allows you to enter the St. Lawrence Fortress opposite the fortified city free of charge. Great views overlooking old Dubrovnik.

Mount Oberlin at Logan Pass - Glacier National Park, MT ©larry fuaco

Mount Gould as viewed from the Granite Park Chalet - Glacier National Park, MT ©theexplorerslens.com

The link to the full-sized image that can be used as your desktop wallpaper can be found here – Mount Gould Glacier National Park desktop wallpaper.

Fireweed along the Icefields Parkway - Banff National Park, AB ©theexplorerslens.com

Overlooking Jasper townsite from atop the Whistlers - Jasper National Park, AB ©theexplorerslens.com

The days are growing longer and warmer.  Time to start thinking about our favourite summer hang out – Jasper National Park.

Here’s Ten Free Things to do in Jasper Nation Park this summer.

1. Go for a Hike

With 1200km of hiking trails Jasper National Park offers something for everyone of all abilities.  The Parks Summer Trails Guide is a good place to start.

2. Visit the Jasper Information Centre National Historic Site

Loacted off the main drag, across from the train station, this building is not only an architectural gem, it also is home to one of two Parks information centres within Jasper (the other is located within the Columbia Icefield Visitor Centre). If you’re looking for information about the Park this is where you want to be.

3. Watch Wildlife

While not as easy as a safari, most wildlife within Jasper National Park can be viewed from the comfort and safety of your car. Bighorn, elk, mountain goat, black bears and deer are often found roadside foraging. A visit to the aforementioned Information Centre will give you an ideal of where the critters are ‘hiding’. Safety first – please drive carefully and obey posted warnings – Keep the Wild in Wildlife.

4. Climb a Mountain

Our favourite – Mount Wilcox

5. Photograph Wildflowers

We consider the Edith Cavell area as one of the best areas for stunning wildflower photography opportunities within the Park.

6. Watch a Glacier Calve

Watch Angel Glacier along the Cavell Meadows Interpretive Trail calve house sized chunks of ice. Don’t get too close!

7. Take in the Local Art Scene

A number of truly remarkable artist take inspiration from Jasper’s beauty. Check out their work at the Jasper Artists Guild.

8. Go for a Swim

Horseshoe Lake, approximately 25km south of Jasper offers tranquil blue waters with a bit of a twist for the adventurous… cliff diving. Adult supervision highly recommended.

9. Spend a Night Star Gazing

If the daytime views aren’t enough look skyward after dark. Jasper National Park is the worlds largest dark sky preserve. Great for smores and star gazing. The Park operates special programs May through December with the Jasper Dark Sky Festival showcased in October – Parks Canada/Jasper National Park website

10. Touch a Glacier

The toe of Jasper’s Athabasca Glacier is easily accessible from the Icefields Parkway at the Columbia Icefields Interpretive Centre. Please take care and DO NOT climb on the glacier itself.

Bonus – Go for a Pinic

A hot summers day and Lake Annette go together like peanut butter and jam sandwiches. Located less than 10km from Jasper townsite, adjacent to the Jasper Park Lodge.

Cameo following a faint trail above Grinnell Glacier, Glacier National Park MT ©theexplorerslens.com

We Don't Climb Sign at the base of Uluru - Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, NT Australia ©theexplorerslens.com

Our traditional Law teaches us the proper way to behave. We ask you to respect our Law by not climbing Uluru.

What visitors call ‘the climb’ is the traditional route taken by ancestral Mala men upon their arrival at Uluru in the creation time. It has great spiritual significance.

After reading the above message Cam was quick to remind me that I tend to get a little curmudgeon-like when kids walk across our lawn, and it has no spiritual significance. Needless to say the decision not to climb Uluru (Ayers Rock) was made then and there.

The one thing we’d recommend to those visiting Uluru is do some research and soul searching before arriving and decide whether or not climbing is for you. It’s far too easy to show up and convince yourself that you’ve travelled too far and spent a considerable amount of money to be ‘denied’ by ‘someone else’s superstitions’. Enjoy the natural wonder that is Uluru for what it is.

Our two cents: It’s about respect. Please stay off our lawn and don’t climb Uluru.