Not long ago, I read a post in another thread, -explaining that the Pennines or a similar range, -are similar to Wyoming's Bighorns, (or was it another such Wyoming range?). With the exception of comparative altitudes, -as such post did mention.

Before my posting presently, -I looked thruout *this* thread, -to see if this was where I've previously seen it. It is not. But if you can find it, -that may be a good post / thread to read as well.

Also, -I'd advise Pre-Practice hikes, -as others here have also advised. Especially for a complete, self admitted "Newbie" at it, -as you. I'm sure Sir Edmund Hillary first climbed many Appalachian / Pennine type mountains, -long before he ever attempted tackling the Himalayas. Just as say Key West's "Mt Trashmore" to Everest is not advised, -Neither is Zero Hiking to 15 miles a day over some two weeks, -as you're talking of. That said, -I *Do Not* mean to sound as if you were a complete "No Nothing Newbie Novice"!

I've read that many of your native, nearby, (unless you're in Manaus or somewhere!), Brazilian mountains, -have quite lousy weather as well! Such as the higher, Mountainous and Plateau areas of your Minas Gerais Province. I'm sure that this would also apply to many other Serras in the Southeast of your Country. Being that you're Brazilian, -Get some good Pre-Practice Hiking in, in such nearby areas!

In this regard, -I've often read of Hiking Info and Trails, -in the Lonely Planet series of Travel Books, -including their one on Brasil. Especially in your Country's Great National Parks. Some of these of course are quite close to places like Rio.

One doesn't think of lousy Paramo type weather and Brazil in the same thought, -but the general elevations of places like Minas, -much of the year, -are a lot like that! Get some Experience with that! *Then* go off to Merry, Jolly Old England!

Also, -there is, -or was, -at least one other Brazilian here, -by the name of Pict.Try reaching him for some further Advice. Pict, -if you will come to see this, -Try reaching Gord here as well.

And to the one in this thread who recommended Miami for it's Beach, -Brazilians "Already have Enuff of that" <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> ! Thats, as you know, -as Central to the Brazilian Lifestyle, -as Carnaval and Soccer! One could just as well stay in Brasil for that!

At least the Pennines are Markedly Different, -if many of your own Serras are Surprisingly Much the Same!

(For the Benefit of most *Non*-Brazilians here, -"Serra" = "Mountain(s) And "Paramo" (Spanish) = the Most Miserable of Scottish and Irish Highlands / Heath and Heather Lands! ). [color:"black"] [/color] [email]gordonstoun[/email]