Destinations & Things To Do
A mixed-style free ascent of the Diamond in winter, sans crampons
Colorado climbers Jesse Huey, Matt Segal and their Canadian friend Quentin Roberts recently completed a winter, mixed-style free ascent of D7 on the Diamond of Longs Peak (Neniisoteyou’u, 14,255′). Though they used ice axes to drytool the thin cracks of the 5.11+ route, they did not use crampons to avoid leaving scratch marks on one of the state’s most classic alpine climbs. There were also short sections that required bare hands to climb. All three climbed the ca. 600-foot route without jumaring to clean and follow the pitches.
“A team free ascent was really important to all of us,” Huey told Alpinist over the phone. He said that style was much slower than having a dedicated supporter following on jumars. “Transitioning from freezing at the belay to climbing took time,” he said. A key strategy was carrying down booties on their harnesses to change into at belays, rather than lugging up heavy boots.
Besides that, they made extra accommodations to include photographer Jon Glassberg.
They set out March 11 and summited March 13 after spending two nights on Broadway ledge, which sits at about 13,000 feet at the base of the Diamond. Huey said that they had reached the top of the crux pitch at around 4 p.m. March 12. With two pitches remaining, they could have likely finished the remaining two pitches and summited late in the day, Huey said, but they decided to rappel and re-lead the pitch for top-down photos. They jumared to their high point on March 13 and finished the climb in time for sunny summit photos. Huey expressed mixed feelings about the compromised style for the sake of documenting the climb.
Huey has made at least one attempt each calendar winter since 2018 to free climb D7, with Segal joining him since 2020. When Roberts agreed to partner with them for this season’s attempt, they had a team with substantial experience on extreme alpine routes.
In 2023, Huey, Segal and California granite ace Jordan Cannon completed the second free ascent of Cowboy Direct (VII 5.13) on Trango (aka Nameless) Tower in Pakistan. The conditions for free climbing at 6251 meters (20,509′) in summer were significant, not unlike what they recently encountered at nearly 14,000 feet on the Diamond in winter.
As for his part, last November Roberts and his partner Alik Berg received a Piolet d’Or for their 2022 ascent of a new route, Reino Hongo (M7 AI5+ 90°, 1000m), on the south-southeast spur of Jirishanca (ca. 6094m), Cordillera Huayhuash, Peru. (An interview with Roberts about his career was recently published on The Enormocast podcast.)
Huey said that having a third person to share the load and the chores, such as melting snow for water, made a huge difference.
On December 21, 2024, the first calendar day of winter, Chris Deuto completed a rope-solo free ascent of the Casual Route (IV 5.10a). He climbed bare-handed and sustained some frostbite. (A interview with him can be found on The Runout Podcast.)
“It’s been a low-snow year, for sure,” Huey said. Good winter free-climbing conditions on the mountain translated to highs above 70°F around Boulder, he added. “It was so much more tempting to just enjoy fun, sunny conditions around here.”
But Huey has been feeling the clock ticking to finish his bucket-list objectives because his wife is expecting to deliver their baby this spring. “I’m trying to get it all done!” he said.
Destinations & Things To Do
Escape the summer heat by traveling to top bucket-list destinations | Latest Weather Clips
Escape the summer heat by traveling to top bucket-list destinations
It’s not too late to plan the perfect summer trip. Travel expert Dayvee Sutton spoke about how airfare is actually dropping for some destinations, which destinations are particularly in-demand for travelers and where to find the best travel deals.
Luxury travelers to Japan often stick to well-known destinations: Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Niseko for skiing. But there are hidden gems all over the country. High-end hotels and ryokans (Japanese inns) that cater to the domestic market have been built in rural areas and tiny villages—and rarely get international travelers. Here are 20 lesser-known towns, prefectures, and islands in Japan with top-tier accommodations and authentic experiences .
Sean Pavone/iStockphoto/Getty Images
Atami
This coastal town is known for its beaches in the summer and onsens (hot spring baths) in the winter. It’s home to Atami Kaihourou, a four-room luxury resort with a stunning glass design by renowned architect Kengo Kuma.
Awaji Island
In Japanese mythology, Awaji was believed to be the first island created by the gods. Visitors today can tour the island’s many structures and gardens designed by Kuma and Tadao Ando, another famous Japanese architect. Awaji Hamarikyu, a vintage western-style beachfront resort, is beloved by Japanese families.
Chiba
This small city is the eponymous capital of Chiba Prefecture, known for its charming canals lined with cute little shops and cafés. Stay in Nipponia Sawara Merchant Town Hotel, a centuries-old merchant’s house.
Dazaifu
Looking for a short trip outside of Fukuoka? Visit the Dazaifu Tenmangu Shinto shrine. Walk around the stunning gardens and grounds, and then stay at Cultia Dazaifu right across the street.
Gotō Islands
These islands off the coast of Kyushu are dotted with dozens of historic small churches built by early Christians fleeing the shogunate. Book a room at the Gotō Retreat Ray for a wellness-focused stay.
Hamamachi
Onyado Fukuchiyo—one of Japan’s finest sake breweries—has its own fabulous two-bedroom villa here. Don’t skip the sake pairing with your kaiseki dinner.
Izu Peninsula
Ochiairo, a hot-spring inn built in 1874, can be found along a riverbank in this picturesque mountain landscape.
Cassandra Lord/iStockphoto/Getty Images
Karuizawa
Known as “The Hamptons of Japan”, Tokyoites spend weekends here soaking in the onsens and hiking through the mountains. High-end accommodations include Hoshinoya Karuizawa, Hiramatsu Karuizawa Miyota and Fufu Karuizawa.
Kirishima
Book your stay at Tenku No Mori, 150-acre mountaintop retreat with just 5 villas in this nature-filled area. Each villa is made of glass and has its own private onsen.
Kinosaki
The main activity in this ultimate onsen town is hot spring-hopping in your yukata (a light weight kimono). Stay at Nishimuraya Honkan.
Kumano
After hiking along the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trails, unwind at the Resort Kumano Club, a 38-room all-inclusive stay with unlimited beer and sake.
Korekore/iStockphoto/Getty Images
Kurashiki
I call this charming town the “Bruges of Japan” for its narrow streets, cute bridges and canals, and world-class art museums. Ryokan Kurashiki is a tiny gem of a ryokan.
Lake Kawaguchiko
Hiking, biking, boating, and wine tasting are some of the popular activities in this resort town. I love staying at either Hoshinoya Fuji or Fufu Kawaguchiko , and waking up with Mount Fuji directly in front of me
Lake Shikotsu
I visit this lake during the summer to escape the heat and stay at Mizu no Uta, conveniently located near Sapporo’s New Chitose airport.
Shodoshima
The Setouchi Triennale Art Festival is held every three years on this island, but it’s a wonderful destination to visit at any time for its olive trees and soy sauce factories. Shimayado Mari is my preferred ryokan here.
Matsuyama
Setouchi Aonagi—originally designed by Tadao Ando as a private museum—is now a hotel with extraordinary architecture in this castle town that claims the oldest onsen in Japan.
Mount Zaō
Visit this range of volcanic mountains for its exciting views and outdoor activities, then stay in Chikusenso Mt. Zao Onsen Resort and Spa.
Naruto
The Shikoku Pilgrimage, which includes 88 temples, starts here. Stay at Hotel Ridge, an 11-room luxury hotel with views of Naruto Bridge and Awaji Island.
Uda
Spend a night at Sasayuri-Ann, a 200-year-old thatched-roof villa overlooking tranquil rice terraces in this small town in Nara Prefecture.
Sankara Hotel & Spa
Yakushima Island
Book a room at Sankara Hotel & Spa on this island known for its sacred forest of 1,000-year-old sugi cedar trees.
Catherine Heald is a member of Travel + Leisure’s A-List and specializes in trips to Japan and Southeast Asia. You can create a tailor-made itinerary with Heald at [email protected].
Meet the couple behind Hiking with Hykes social media accounts
Trevor and Riley Hykes are content creators from Northeast Ohio focused on hiking. Riley Hykes talks about why the region is fun to hike.
- Riley and Trevor Hykes are a married social media team who post hiking and adventure content.
- The two advocate for followers to experience the natural beauty around them.
- They aim to post on their socials every day, making videos and posting breathtaking photos.
“This is everyone’s space,” content creator, Riley Hykes, told a passing hiker on the Ledges Trail who had paused while she and her husband, Trevor Hykes, set up their tripod camera to take photos and videos for their social media @hikingwithhykes.
The Hykes, a married-duo who have gained a following on Instagram, Facebook and other sites, carry a backpack full of camera equipment on their hikes to make Ohio and Midwest hiking and adventure content for their social media.
But the couple firmly believes that the trails and outdoor spaces are for everyone and advocate for their followers to take advantage of the local beauty and diverse experiences available to them.
“I grew up in Ohio, so I know the mindset is the only thing to do in Ohio is leave,” Trevor, originally from Youngstown, explained, highlighting a common mantra for many Ohio natives.
“There’s so much to do here that you don’t realize because you’ve been told that your entire life,” Trevor, 24, said. “So you just kind of believe it.”
How @hikingwithhykes was born
Both University of Akron alumni, the couple met in college, where Riley, originally from Pittsburgh, studied civil engineering and Trevor studied financial management.
After graduation in 2021, Riley moved to Charlotte, North Carolina. Trevor began the account — @hikingwithhykes — in February 2023 to hold himself accountable for getting back into some of his old hobbies like hiking and photography. Riley, who used social media in a similar way to hold herself accountable for half-marathon training, loved the idea.
“When you’re like saying to a whole bunch of people, ‘Hey, I’m gonna go do this.’ Showing up for it online — it’s just another check of here I am showing up,” Riley, 27, said.
Now, they take their camera with them on hikes and trips to make content to post. They aim to post every single day. They have gained nearly 100k followers on Instagram and over 200k followers on Facebook.
When Trevor would visit Riley in Charlotte, they would check our nearby hiking spots, making Riley a regularly scheduled addition to the account.
“So it was Hiking with Trevor Hykes, and then I would just be the camera girl in some ways,” Riley said. “Not that I’m that good at being the camera girl,” she added, laughing.
When Riley moved back to Copley with Trevor in June 2024, Hiking with Hykes became a couple account.
Finding time for it all
While Riley works as a construction manager, Trevor recently quit his job in finance to do social media full time. To keep up with their work, social media and their lives, they schedule their time carefully to squeeze it all in.
“If you really want to do something, you’ll find the time to do it,” Trevor said. “So it’s kind of just prioritizing, when are we going to travel and then when are we going to find the time to make all the content that we post.”
Though Trevor initially focused on photography, he and Riley have created an entire network of hikingwithhykes content, including blogs, newsletters, Instagram reels, YouTube videos and more.
They have learned a lot along the way.
When they got started, Trevor said they were recording basically the entire hike, leaving them tired and not enjoying their experience.
Now, they figure out what shots they want, get their content quickly and then relax and enjoy the rest of the hike, taking the time to get away.
Every time they finish getting their content, Riley and Trevor take a few minutes to pause and enjoy the scenery and the moment — acting as a buffer between the work and the relaxation on the hike.
“A lot of times I feel like I remember them more,” Riley said. “Because we’re visualizing shots, we’re looking at what would be cinematic, and then also taking in how beautiful these spaces are, and finding beauty in trees and pathways.”
Riley said she appreciates that taking pictures and videos while on her adventures with Trevor helps her to remember the beauty and her experiences.
What are the local advantages of Northeast Ohio adventure?
In October 2024, Riley and Trevor eloped in Kanab, Utah, with just their immediate families in the middle of a family vacation. They visited Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks, a couple of the Grand Staircase of Escalante lakes and the Coral Pink Sand Dunes — where they had their ceremony.
While the two love finding solitude and adventure in the expansive U.S. West, they agree local, urban parks, like the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, have something to offer that larger parks can’t.
“One of the coolest features about the CVNP is you don’t have to drive an hour outside the park to go to really great local businesses and restaurants and enjoy a full experience,” Riley said.
She referenced her own family, who enjoys hiking but doesn’t want to do it all day. She said the beautiful part about CVNP is the outstanding nature that is so accessible for people in nearby cities.
Some of their favorite local favorites are Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream, Portal West Coffee and Peninsula Coffee House — all less than a 15 minute drive outside the park.
Ohio through the seasons
The two find it easy to fall in love with Ohio. Riley’s favorite time of year in the CVNP is fall, but she has a soft spot for summer.
“I think Ohio summers always trick me and be like, I love Ohio so much,” she said. “It’s just a extra love for Ohio in the middle of summer.”
Since the two still need to make content in the winter, their social media has challenged them to bundle up and still do their favorite hikes in the snowy months, Trevor said. It has given them a chance to see the spaces in a different light and enjoy the natural beauty differently through each season.
“You can see animals and stuff really well in the snow,” Trevor said.
“And the frozen waterfalls are always the best,” Riley gushed.
Making time for weekend travel
The Hykes — self-described “weekend warriors” — also try to make the time to explore outside of the local area and outside of Ohio as much as they can.
A few of their driving-distance favorites are Hocking Hills State Park in southern Ohio, Letchworth State Park in upstate New York and the Finger Lakes region.
Most recently, they went on a longer trip to Glacier, Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Parks, resulting in series on their pages about travel tips for out-West travelers.
To keep their trips affordable, Riley and Trevor try to car-camp with an air mattress in the back of their SUV. Campgrounds usually provide the most affordable lodging, they’ve found, so they tend to opt for that.
“It’s taking that opportunity on a Friday night, driving to the location you want to be at for that weekend,” Riley said. “A lot of people struggle with that idea, but in my opinion, it’s very worth the opportunities to go ahead and go for a weekend adventure.”
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