Cordillera Apolobamba Traverse

The Apolobamba Traverse is a remote, high-altitude backpacking route in the northern Bolivian Andes. Spanning approximately 92km between the villages of Pelechuco and Curva, the trek crosses the ancestral territory of the Kallawaya people—traditional herbalists recognized by UNESCO. The route follows ancient stone paths and animal trails, staying almost exclusively above 4,200m. It traverses several high passes, including the 5,100m Sunchuli Pass, offering direct views of the 6,000m peaks of the northern Apolobamba range. Due to its distance from major cities, it remains one of the least-trafficked and most preserved regions of the Bolivian Andes.

Mount Huashan, one of China's Five Great Mountains, is often described in media as one of the most dangerous hikes in the world, although modern safety infrastructure significantly reduces objective risk. Rising dramatically from the plains near Xi'an, the mountain is essentially a massive solid block of sheer granite featuring five distinct peaks. The hike involves a steep ascent (or cable car ride) followed by traversing narrow ridges linking the North, East, South, West, and Central peaks. The mountain is most famous for the optional 'Plank Walk in the Sky' near the South Peak (2,154m), where hikers clip into a fixed steel safety cable while traversing narrow wooden planks bolted into the cliff. It is a demanding experience that blends Taoist religious history with extreme exposure.