Kraig Adams – September 2025 – 75 miles hut to hut alone on the Alta Via 1 in the Dolomites of Italy.
In and out of Venice airport.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Survival Thriller Film – Heart of the Beast
I saw Heart of the Beast (2026) in the theatre.
It stars Brad Pitt and an amazing dog called Odin, portrayed by a canine actor named Uber.
It’s worth seeing.
While the movie is set in Alaska, it was filmed on location across the remote South Island of New Zealand (primarily around Queenstown and Glenorchy). The crew flew via helicopter into untouched, glacial mountainous areas and dense forests that had never been captured on film before. Because they were shooting in actual wilderness, the crew had to physically haul heavy camera equipment through steep ravines and over hills in volatile weather.
Pitt actually swam in an isolated, freezing alpine lake that the crew could only access by helicopter.
HOWEVER, the wildlife attacks were entirely digital. They didn’t look realistic to me.
Reviewers like Mark Kermode noted that while the survival script format hits familiar narrative beats, the physical set pieces and the incredible performance of the dogs playing Odin make it a captivating watch. Crucially for sensitive viewers, reviews confirm early on that the dog does not die in the film.
Brad Pitt? … I’d better not say. 😀
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Camino del Norte, Spain
Arriving Bilbao, Spain on Oct. 1, 2026.
Planning on some days on the Camino del Norte (Northern Way): Irún on the French border back to Bilbao.
The red section on the map below.
That’s about 149 kilometers (92.5 miles) across rugged Basque Country.
Many feel this is the best and most scenic section of the Camino del Norte.
I’ll be an official pilgrim, using the network of of albergues (pilgrim hostels), hostels, and tenting.
I hope to visit Biarritz, France, as well. It’s close to Irún.
Quiraing Circuit, Isle of Skye, Scotland
Trip report by BestHike editor Rick McCharles.
It’s possible to hike both Old Man of Storr and the Quiraing Circuit on the same day by bus out of Portree, the main town on the Isle of Skye.
I decided to hike Storr. Then continue by bus to Quiraiing — tenting one night on the Circuit.
The scenery is similar to Storr. Towering basalt cliffs, jagged rock spires, and sweeping green terraces formed by ancient landslips.
More dangerous than it looks. Loose rock. Steep cliff drops. Mud.
It was a rare sunny day late September. No midges.
Sheep pay no attention to hikers.
I used AllTrails The Quiraing Circuit for navigation. Not needed, however.
It’s a simple loop ➙ half walking under the ridge. Half on top. About 7km return.
I opted to start under the ridge, planning to tent somewhere en route. I correctly figured it would be more sheltered for tenting.
Later in the afternoon, I got some terrific light.
This wedding photographer picked the perfect day and time.
This beastly spire is part of the section known as the Prison.
I found a spot for my tent — but climbed up to explore whether or not I might like a cliff edge vista.
Majestic views, but too exposed.
Bizarre pond down below.
I ended up in this lovely spot. No rain and not much wind all night.
Awaking in the morning, the downpour began.
Unfortunately, I had to climb up on to the ridge in howling wind to complete the circuit.
I took few photos. It was miserable on the return.
After the 2nd time I fell into the mud, I decided to flee to Inverness. Ending my Skye hiking.
Too bad. Just the day before I had resolve to try part of the famed Skye Trail for some days. NOPE. That’s just for hard men.
With this harsh climate, I don’t think I’d return to Skye without a motor vehicle. Here are some of the attractions I missed. Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Walking Newquay, Cornwall, UK
I really enjoyed my 4 nights in in Newquay. What a terrific tourist town!
See my PHOTOS.
I was here for hiking. Enjoying several walks a day up and down the coast.
Best was sunset over the Atlantic.
I uploaded video clips to the Vizard.ai web page. Here’s the edit it created including music. Not bad.
Their free-plan includes the small translucent “Made with Vizard Agent” mark in the top-right corner. I tried Microsoft Clipchamp as well, but it didn’t work for me.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Old Man of Storr – Isle of Skye – Scotland
Trip report by BestHike editor Rick McCharles.
The Old Man of Storr is a 55-metre-high basalt rock pinnacle standing dramatically on the Trotternish Ridge of the Isle of Skye in Scotland.
Created by an ancient, massive landslide, this striking geological landmark sits roughly 7 miles north of Portree and is the most popular hiking attraction on the entire island.
Easy and inexpensive bus access from Portree keeps this short day hike busy. In fact, all 300,000 visitors / year seemed to be out on the rare sunny day I was there. 😀
- Distance: 3.8 km (2.4 miles) round trip.
- Time: Approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.
- Difficulty: Moderate. The gravel trail is well-maintained but climbs steeply, gaining about 205 metres (700 feet) of elevation.
- Terrain: Mostly firm gravel paths and pitched stone steps. The final stretches up near the “Sanctuary” (the base of the spires) can become muddy, rocky, and slippery, so sturdy footwear and the balance of a mountain goat are recommended
- Aim to arrive before 8:00 AM or later in the evening to secure a parking space and enjoy a quieter hike
- Several buses a day can get you here
Here’s the start.
And here’s Storr, the main attraction.
Of course there are many more spires, some even more striking.
There are a number of viewpoints.
Follow the sheep along the roped off trail …
… or hop the rope and enjoy equally fantastic scenery on your own.
I had lunch and enjoyed the sunshine for about an hour without seeing any other people. I had plenty of time, waiting on the bus to my next hike.
A fantastic place.
Though it was a sunny day, we had some sun showers.
Highly recommended if you get to remote Isle of Skye.
I’d posted an A.I. modified image of myself — aged by the Scottish highlands. 😀
Though no app is needed once you get to the trailhead, I had AllTrails – The Old Man of Storr Loop open.
Click PLAY or watch some drone footage on YouTube.
Click PLAY or check out Portree on YouTube.
8 Best Multiday Hikes in California
As selected by Mary Andino on GearJunkie.
Multi-day
- Lost Coast Trail
- California Riding & Hiking Trail
- Trans–Catalina Trail
- High Sierra Camp Loop
- High Sierra Trail
- Camino de Sonoma
Multi-week
- Tahoe Rim Trail
- John Muir Trail
The Pacific Crest Trail extends through California, as well, of course.
Click over to the post for details:
The 8 Best Multiday Hikes in California
Learn more about Camino de Sonoma ➙ Meet the Thru-Hike That Explores California Wine Country
How to Hike Steep Terrain
Robert posted another deep dive on how we can best hike safely:
HOW TO HIKE STEEP TERRAIN WITHOUT WRECKING YOUR KNEES
Good advice.
Most critical, for me with bunions, is having oversized shoes with a wide toe box. Especially for the downhill sections. I tighten up at the ankle. But have plenty of space up front so I can’t jam the toes.
Mine look somewhat like a clown shoe.
On my recent Balkan Trails hike, we had about 1000m of vertical every day for a week.
My feet were perfect up and down wearing clown shoes. Many in tighter hiking boots suffered.
10 Hiking and Backpacking Myths
As explained by the world’s most travelled hiker, Cam Honan:
“A good lie can walk from Baghdad to Constantinople
while the truth is still looking for its sandals.”
~ Arab proverb
- You Sleep Warmer Naked
- You Need Boots to Hike
- Waterproof Gear Is Actually Waterproof (and Breathable)
- Washing Dishes and Bathing in a Water Source Is Okay if You Use Biodegradable Soap
- Never Hike Alone
- Toilet Paper Decomposes Quickly (Same Goes for Fruit)
- Metal Items Attract Lightning
- You Can Suck the Venom Out of a Snakebite
- “I’m Just One Person: The Shortcut Won’t Cause Too Much Damage”
- Climb a Tree when Confronted by a Bear
Click over to The Hiking Life for details.
10 Hiking and Backpacking Myths You Shouldn’t Believe
My Helinox Chair One for Camping
After being envious for years, I finally purchased a portable chair for camping in 2024.
I take it car camping and bikepacking.
LOVE IT.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
I opted for the smaller, lighter Chair One. But compare that against the High-Back option.
Both look extremely durable. I expect them to last for many years.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
My 2nd choice is the Crazy Creek HEX 2.0 Original Chair. NO legs. You can sit in it inside your tent.
