Author: Rick Mc

Career gymnastics coach who loves the outdoors, and the internet.
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WHY WALK?

One of the few good things about the pandemic is the number of non-hikers rediscovering the pleasures of walking.

It’s healthy, too.

Around 8,000 steps a day was linked with a 51 per cent lower risk of death from any cause compared with taking 4,000 steps.

Taking 12,000 steps a day was linked with a 65 per cent lower risk than taking 4,000 steps a day.

CBC
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Nile Creek waterfalls in Winter

Nile Creek Trail is at least 10km (6mi) out and back near Qualicum on Vancouver Island.

AllTrails does not recommend it November through March as it’s very wet and muddy during winter.

Slippery too. Many rough boardwalks and log bridges.

On the other hand, water is high. The waterfalls and cascades even more impressive than in summer.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. Starting from Charlton Drive, Qualicum Beach.

related – trip report of the second half – Get out and Play – Nile Creek

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Trends in Hiking Gear

Lisa Pulsifer posted an interesting article:

Mummy Bag to Sleeping Quilt

External/Internal Frame to Frameless Packs

Polyester to Dyneema Tents

Leather Boots to Lightweight Runners

Synthetic Fiber to Merino Wool

Hand Pump to Squeeze Filter

The Evolution of Backpacking Gear

Quilt
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Walking Rail Lines on Vancouver Island

Very popular on Vancouver Island is walking alongside the disused (in 2011) Southern Railway. It’s dry. It’s flat. It’s straight. Often the shortest distance between two points.

Click PLAY or get a glimpse on YouTube. 30km between Nile Creek and Englishman River including 3 high trestles.

The British Columbia government now calls it the Island Rail Corridor. Approximately 289 km Victoria – Courtenay with connections between Parksville and Port Alberni and to the Nanaimo waterfront.

Though there’s still talk of restoring rail service, co$t looks prohibitive. Hikers want more of the corridor to be converted to non-motorized trail.

Of greatest concern are the 48 bridges and trestles that need ongoing repair.

With no maintenance, sections can be slippery. Overgrown.

These rail lines are old. Dating back to the 1800s.

At various times it’s been called the Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway, E & N Railfreight and E&N Railway Co.

Wikipedia has a list of rail trails around the world. British Columbia has some of the best.

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I’d Rather Be Hiking Highlights 2020

Due to the pandemic, I did a LOT of cycling and hiking on Vancouver Island in 2020.

One of the hikers I followed most closely — looking for inspiration — was David on the I’d Rather Be Hiking YouTube channel.

Check his I’d Rather be Hiking – Vancouver Island Group Facebook page, as well.

Click PLAY or watch David’s 2020 highlights on YouTube.