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One of the great innovations in my lifetime was the Tikka headlamp. Good illumination for reading, astonishing battery life, and so lightweight I actually carry 2 in my pack. Of course there are many good competitors.
Tip — install fresh batteries at the start of the trip.
Amazon.com: Petzl E43P2 Tikka LED Headlamp

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In the death zone everyone is at risk. It’s not an Olympic yacht race. The same rules do not apply.
Anyone who climbs that high knows the risks.
As I write at least 10 have died during the 2006 Everest high season. Thomas Weber died on the way up at 8,700m. His partner David Sharp freaked out […]

For years we have been waiting for the opening of the North Coast Trail on Vancouver Island, an extension to the existing Cape Scott Trail. It seems we cannot book in for summer 2006, however.
May 11 2006

The province should ante up for the North Coast Trail. A real, long-term sustainable project, the North Coast Trail […]

Boing Boing: Animal overpasses enable critters’ “sex across the highway”

We have had the overpasses in the Canadian Rockies for 9 years. Collisions with animals were reduced by 80%. Over 70,000 large mammals have crossed in that time. But is that enough to maintain a healthy gene pool? A genetic research study is planned.
stats from Parks […]

In a brilliant marketing strategy, New Zealand promotes 10 Great Walks.
It’s a bit of a laugh for Kiwis, actually. For one thing, one of the Great Walks is a river paddle.
Many Kiwis avoid the Great Walks because they are crowded with foreigners. They know other hikes that are just as good — but not […]

In 2006, the first place we go to look at gear is GoLite.com
GoLite Innovative, functional, and lightweight outdoor clothing and lightweight equipment
Their very professional website offers some excellent articles in their newsletter archive.

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I often listen to books on tape on my Rio MP3 player while exercising.
When the going gets tough, I switch to my favourite high energy music for a jolt.
The next step?
Lance Armstrong has already endorsed a unique wireless connection between your Nike shoes and an iPod. It has a number of cool features […]

One of the best websites for Kiwi hikers is backcountryNZ.com

It is edited by Jan Robertson from Auckland. He is a conservationist who likes nothing better than to tramp and photograph the astonishing New Zealand outdoors.
BestHike.com links to many of his hiking pages.
New Zealand Backcountry Hikes on backcountryNZ.com
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I am a big fan of coastal hikes. In fact, I rank the best hike in the World the West Coast Trail on Vancouver Island, in Canada.
To me coastal hiking is like mountain hiking, with the added treat of the ocean! Since I grew up 12hrs drive from the sea, perhaps it is still a […]

Fivefingers are “shoes” designed to provide support and protection for your tender feets while still keeping the sensation of traipsing around barefoot.

Ted McDonald (aka “Barefoot Ted”) recently ran the Boston Marathon in Fivefingers.
2Dolphins.com Blog: Fivefingers For Your Ten Toes
Who wants to try wearing them on a multi-day hike?

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