"Into the Mind" - An Upcoming Film From The North Face

Later this fall, The North Face and Sherpas Cinema will debut their upcoming film "Into The Mind," which looks to be a simultaneous exposé on the factors that drive us into the mountains in search of adventure and the cultures that call those mountains home.

Resolving to explore as much of the philosophical as the aesthetic, the film's website ventures the questions: "What drives us to overcome challenge? How do we justify risk? What forces are at the core of a mountain addiction?"

The footage in the trailer is truly spectacular, showing a mix of pristine mountain environs, a slew of The North Face's athletes in action, and the mystique of Himalayan life. Per the website, "Unique athlete segments over a multitude of mountain sport genres, depict the connectivity of Earth and window into never seen before moments."

There are a lot of big-name sponsors attached to the film in addition to The North Face, including GoPro, Recco, Black Diamond, Arc'teryx, and Mammut, so there's no doubt that "Into The Mind" will be an experience worth waiting for.

World's Best Hikes According to National Geographic

Though it's just a tease for many, National Geographic has put out a list of "epic trails" to hike.

Santa Cruz Trek in Peru's Cordillera Blanca 

National Geographic - World's Best Hikes: Epic Trails

Hey, it can't hurt to dream, and with a little planning, it's not hard for you to take the initiative to turn your dream into an epic hike!

Tibet Travel: The Qinghai-Tibet Railway

In 2006, China made possible a new way for trekkers and adventurers to get to the "Roof of the World" - a high-elevation railway that connects the Chinese province of Qinghai with Lhasa, the capital of Tibet.

Covering over 1,200 miles across the Tibetan Plateau, the Qinghai-Tibet Railway passes some of the most beautiful scenery in Asia.

From the windows of the train, it is possible to take in some of Tibet's most pristine vistas and natural wildlife as the train rolls across the highlands. In the summer, it is possible to see herds of yaks or, if you're lucky, Tibetan antelopes roaming. In the winter, there is a good chance you will roll through at least one blizzard along the way, the route rising as high as 16,640 ft. (5,068m) as it crosses the Tanggu Pass. A winter view from the window makes it easy to see why Tibet is called "the Land of Snows."

Biking Ganden Monastery - Tibet

Tibet is one of those places on earth that is a must-visit at some point. A land of obscurity and mystique, with a colorful history and beautiful landscapes, a Tibet trek is absolutely worth the not-insignificant hoops that generally must be jumped through to gain access to the region.

Entering the Ganden Monastery complex

Beyond the oft-visited tourist sites, there are a wealth of unique and superb treks and day-trips that would certainly afford once-in-a-lifetime memories. One such pursuit is a day-long bike ride to Ganden Monastery (sometimes written Gadan), one of Tibet's "great three Gelukpa monasteries."

The monastery is just over 30 miles from Lhasa, making it every bit of a rigorous one-day ride, not to mention the final approach up the mountain, an elevation gain of 2,000ft.

Pass by Tibetan villages and towering mountains as you ride

All that notwithstanding, the ride is beautiful and straightforward. The first 30 miles, from the city to the base of the mountain, are flat and pass through the beautiful central Tibetan countryside, surrounded by mountains on all sides.

Swithbacks carry you high
above the Lhasa River

Once you arrive at the turnoff for the monastery at the base of the mountain, begin climbing the grueling collection of switchbacks, rising ever closer to your goal. As you ascend, your view of the Lhasa River, the valley floor, and the adjacent mountains gets increasingly breathtaking, until you reach Ganden and a commanding view of the surroundings.

A walk through the monastery complex and a rudimentary meal in the monastery cafeteria make for a fine respite before heading down the mountain and back to Lhasa.

Dine alongside monks in the monastery cafeteria

See Guides We Trust to help arrange your Tibet trek.