HikingWithLee FAQ
How first-hand guides, cost tools and trek films work — and what HikingWithLee does not sell.
Planning treks
How do I choose between routes like TMB and Alta Via 1?
Start with days, season and hut culture. I hiked both self-guided — Alta Via 1 is shorter, one country and rifugio rhythm; Tour du Mont Blanc is longer, three countries and heavier booking pressure. Read AV1 vs TMB, then run the Trek Finder with your month and fitness.
Are the distance and cost numbers accurate?
On first-hand guides, distances and hut prices come from trips I finished — often with receipt tables (see TMB cost guide). Hut menus, park fees and exchange rates still change; use the Trek Cost Calculator as a model and verify on official sites before you pay deposits.
What is “first-hand” vs “bucket list” on this site?
First-hand means I walked the route and label it clearly — e.g. Laugavegur, Otter Trail, Bernina. Bucket list pages (GR20, Haute Route, etc.) are research snapshots for comparing ambition — not trail beta. Look for the badge on trek hubs and guides.
Do you offer commercial guiding?
No. HikingWithLee is self-guided planning — permits, hut bookings, stage plans and kit lists. Hire licensed guides where the land manager requires it (e.g. some high routes or regulated peaks).
Gear and packing
What gear do you recommend?
Gear on this site is labelled so you can see the evidence:
- Used by Lee — I personally own or have used the product.
- Trail tested — I personally used it on hikes or treks.
- Researched — a buying-guide or catalogue recommendation based on documented research, not personal trail use.
My gear is first-hand kit only. Packing notes for specific treks still come from packs I carried — e.g. Alta Via 1 and TMB. Buying guides may include researched alternatives next to first-hand picks. Start with the gear hub, editorial policy, or Packing List Builder.
Are affiliate links biased?
I disclose them on every page that uses them. The programme currently in use is Amazon Associates — see the affiliate disclosure. Affiliate links do not decide which products are recommended or how they are ranked. They also never create a Used by Lee or Trail tested label by themselves. Full rules: editorial policy.
Using the site
- Pick a trek overview or destination.
- Read the complete guide and watch any linked trail film.
- Open the satellite guides — food, huts, itinerary, navigation, cost.
- Run Packing List Builder and Trek Cost Calculator when dates are firm.
- Book permits and huts before non-refundable flights. Check typical booking windows when relevant.
Still stuck?
Read about Lee for how I write and film, or contact me with a specific trek and month — corrections welcome.
Common planning questions
How do I choose a trek? Start with season and days available, then use the Trek Finder. Read the complete guide and check official park sites for permit rules before booking flights.
Are costs on the site accurate? Use the Trek Cost Calculator as a model, then verify hut and park fees on official portals — prices change seasonally.
Do you guide commercially? No — these are self-guided notes from my own trips. Hire licensed local guides where the land manager requires it or where your experience is not yet matched to the terrain.
Official resources
- SANParks — South African national parks
- Ferðafélag Íslands — Icelandic trail association
- Dolomiti UNESCO — Alta Via region context