Your Bio

Michael Alti, born in Aleppo, Syria; raised in Pacific Palisades, CA; living in Newport Beach, CA.
Email: mjalti@yahoo.com

I love traveling, learning about different cultures, climbing mountains, and all types of outdoor adventures that get my heart racing and stimulate my mind and soul. I feel especially blessed to live in California filled with awe-inspiring scenery and natural and cultural diversity.

This is me at the top of Mt. Baldy, highest point in Los Angeles County.

Featured Galleries

Tannourine, Becherre and Surrounding Mountains : On December 28, 2008, I decided to hike a portion of the Lebanon Mountain Trail (www.lebanontrail.org) located between Ehden and Qannoubine, passing through the Qadisha Valley, a World Heritage Site famous for its historic monasteries. However, because I could not find the trailhead, I instead ventured out on a driving tour of the Tannourine area, Becherre, the Cedars, and all the beautiful villages in between. Although I didn't hike, it was an amazing day thanks to the picturesque villages, spectacular mountains, and the Khalil Gibran monuments in Becherre.

Tannourine, Becherre and Surrounding Mountains

On December 28, 2008, I decided to hike a portion of the Lebanon Mount ...

Updated: May 15, 2009 9:09am PST

Petra : I have read and seen pictures about Petra my whole life, but was clearly unprepared for the sheer magnitude of the awesome site, the spectacular natural setting, and the harmonious juxtaposition of human and natural elements. Photos really do no justice to Petra, as this is a place that must be experienced. We've all seen pictures of Petra's famous "Treasury" but seeing it in person causes your imagination run wild, dream about its 2000 year history, and appreciate its location nestled at the end of the narrow "Siq." Beyond the Treasury, Petra features the even larger "Monastery," hundreds of varied tombs, a Roman-style theatre, a Roman Road, and countless other treasures. Arriving in the evening on New Year's Day 2009, our first experience of Petra was through the "Petra by Night" experience, where the entire Siq is illuminated with candles and literally thousands of tourists stroll down through the canyon to their first encounter with the Treasury. On January 2, we had a full day tour of Petra, and I fortunately had several hours to venture off on my own to experience the Monastery, get off the beaten path, and consider the paradox of how significant and insignificant man really is. Settlements arose in Petra around 1500 BC, and it became the capital of the Nabataean kingdom around the 6th century BC. It was absorbed into the Roman Empire in 106 AD under which it continued to flourish until a major earthquake struck in 663. After Saladin conquered the Holy Land in the late 12th century, Petra was completely abandoned. Three decades after the Nabataean capital was "rediscovered" by the Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt, the English divine John William Burgon wrote the following poem about Petra in 1845: It seems no work of Man's creative hand, by labor wrought as wavering fancy planned; But from the rock as if by magic grown, eternal, silent, beautiful, alone! Not virgin-white like that old Doric shrine, where erst Athena held her rites divine; Not saintly-grey, like many a minster fane, that crowns the hill and consecrates the plain; But rose-red as if the blush of dawn, that first beheld them were not yet withdrawn; The hues of youth upon a brow of woe, which Man deemed old two thousand years ago, match me such marvel save in Eastern clime, a rose-red city half as old as time.

Petra

I have read and seen pictures about Petra my whole life, but was clear ...

Updated: Jan 14, 2009 10:11am PST

Paris : A beautiful day walking around a magical Paris under a blanket of fresh snow.

Paris

A beautiful day walking around a magical Paris under a blanket of fres ...

Updated: Jan 15, 2009 11:31pm PST

Adventure to Thousand Island Lake and Many More Gorgeous Lakes : One of the most beautiful hikes I ever had the privilege of enjoying. 20.5 mile loop in the Ansel Adams Wilderness outside June Lake. Scenery was simply unparalleled: so many amazing lakes, gorgeous colors, glaciers, ragged Sierra Peaks. The hike starts from the Rush Creek Trailhead near June Lake and climbs to a beautiful wonderland full of water and incredible mountains. The highlight of the day was clearly Thousand Island Lake and Banner Peak with its glaciers. One of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. August 31, 2008 Starting elevation: 7200 ft. Highest elevation: 10,200 ft at Island Pass. Elevation gain: 4000 ft.

Adventure to Thousand Island Lake and Many More Gorgeous Lakes

One of the most beautiful hikes I ever had the privilege of enjoying. ...

Updated: Aug 31, 2008 11:04pm PST

Gallery Categories

California Hiking Adventures

45 galleries with 1806 photos

Updated: Nov 02, 2009 11:01pm PST

Other

2 galleries with 89 photos

Updated: Nov 02, 2009 7:43pm PST

House of Lebanon

4 galleries with 146 photos

Updated: Oct 05, 2009 2:42am PST

Foreign Travel

37 galleries with 1314 photos

Updated: May 28, 2009 3:48pm PST

Thanksgiving 2007 in Arizona

5 galleries with 126 photos

Updated: May 28, 2009 3:16pm PST

Nature

2 galleries with 13 photos

Updated: Apr 08, 2009 10:50pm PST

Hiking with Rocky

7 galleries with 131 photos

Updated: Nov 29, 2008 3:36pm PST

Weekend Getaways in California

4 galleries with 94 photos

Updated: May 25, 2008 11:24pm PST

Utah, Memorial Day 2007

5 galleries with 158 photos

Updated: Jan 20, 2008 10:55pm PST

Washington and British Columbia

1 gallery with 157 photos

Updated: Jan 15, 2008 8:22am PST

Tetapalooza and Christmas 2007

4 galleries with 98 photos

Updated: Jan 03, 2008 11:43pm PST