besthike.com - the blog

There’s only one cook who will be highlighted on besthike.com, my culinary travel hero Anthony Bourdain.
I recently got the chance to see Bourdain at a Vancouver book flogging event. He was irreverent, controversial and extremely entertaining. I got an autographed copy of his most travel related book — A Cook’s Tour — companion to the […]

During a one night stop at the luxury ski resort I took the opportunity to research the hiking opportunities in these fantastic mountains close to Vancouver.
I was shocked at how little hiking is being promoted. A visit to tourist information will get you only a list of short day walks appropriate for non-hikers.
Why? The […]

A highlight of my recent stop at Whistler Ski Resort was being entertained by a local bear, right beside the Creekside lift.
Click play on the video below or watch it on YouTube.

Nobody called the police. No one got excited. This bear appears under the luxury hotel balconies almost every morning in the Spring.
I am impressed […]

2006 Outside Buyer’s Guide Gear of the Year | Outside Online recommends the Black Diamond Skylight — the perfect two-and-a-mutt tent. 4.2lbs (1.9kg)

We would compare it against the double wall MSR Hubba Hubba at about the same weight.

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Canadian international mining company Barrick Gold wants to “relocate” three glaciers in the mountain range between Argentina and Chile to gain access to 17.6 million oz. of rich gold and silver deposits.
Chilean farmers and residents of the surrounding Huasco Valley are strongly opposed. Glacial water is used for irrigation.
Urban Legends Reference Pages: Politics […]

I heard Chris Townsend on a podcast recently championing wool over synthetics. Especially when worn under a garment. Especially on longer hikes.
On one of his reviews of hiking socks:
Smartwool Hiking is my first choice with the well-priced Fox River Trailmaster a very close second.
Townsend routinely wears a different sock on each foot in order […]

You’ve probably heard of Pelton’s TV show or his books:
The World’s Most Dangerous Places
The Hunter, The Hammer, The Heaven
Come Back Alive
Three Worlds Gone Mad
Licensed to Kill : Hired Guns in the War on Terror
Pelton was the first Western journalist to meet with the Taliban after they set up offices in Peshawar, Pakistan. He simply […]

A great site for anyone looking at Africa is AfricaTravelResource.com
They promote an excellent selection of activities including hiking.
Check their Kilimanjaro page, which advises against the Marangu Route (also known as the Tourist Route or Coca Cola Route) used by 80% of hikers.

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I want to do this!
4-days helicopter supported bike, swim, sail, kayak, hike, bike, raft, Cessna, sail.
The guides calls it only “The Adventure”.
Journeys at the Edge “The Adventure”.

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Climber Scott Whiteside who lives in the Crowsnest Pass recommends the Crowsnest Mountain scramble in the Canadian Rockies. It’s 4-7hrs return, 1100m (3609ft), non-technical. Good fun — but no mountaineering gear needed when dry.
No map needed, just Alan Kane’s book.
A group of us are planning to do it Saturday, June 17th. Email or leave a […]