Author: Rick Mc

Career gymnastics coach who loves the outdoors, and the internet.
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hiking La Gomera, Canary Islands

by site editor Rick McCharles

I’m off to Europe on Sept. 30th. Where should I hike?

Here’s one option. …

… This varied guided walking holiday lets you discover the breathtaking natural beauty of the subtropical island of La Gomera.

Together with experienced Headwater guide, Neil Flynn, in our air-conditioned minibus we take you to the starting points of the most exciting trails. The walks lead you through a bewildering variety of landscape, from the misty heights of the Garajonay peak, to fertile terraces dotted with palms, and rugged ravines. We follow goat herder’s tracks and ancient paths lined with tall palms, linking almost inaccessible villages and hermitages perched above dramatic gorges. A plantlover’s paradise, we may spot many endemic – sometimes rare – species like fleshy stonecrop, yellow jasmine or pink mallow. …

Headwater – Walking on La Gomera

more La Gomera photos

(via the the Headwater Swap Snow for Sunshine page)

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Takhini Hot Springs, Yukon

There’s nothing better than finishing a hiking day with a hot soak.

Takhini Hot Springs has been providing that hot soak for over 100yrs. (See historic photos.)

The legendary pool is still going strong, open year round in 2010.

TripAdvisor ranks Takhini as the #7 most popular attraction in Whitehorse.

When I asked the desk for “best hikes” nearby, however, I got only an orienteering map of walking trails adjacent to their (excellent) campground.

My advice: drive to Takhini on your return to Whitehorse from any hike in the Territory. It’s about 30km (18mi) north of town.

You won’t regret it.

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future hike – Cottonwood, Yukon

I’ve only hiked once before, years ago, out of Kathleen Lake in Kluane National Park. My memories are of distant views of Mt. Logan, alcohol buzz and lower body nudism on the summit of the King’s Throne.

Pantless.jpg

Next time to the Yukon I’ll budget 4 days for this, perhaps the best hike of all in the Park.

The Cottonwood Trail is a difficult alpine route finding adventure that sees more Grizzlies than people.

• 85km (53mi) loop
• 520m (1700ft) elevation gain

Here’s the pretty Kathleen Lake trailhead:

Kathleen Lake, Yukon

Kathleen Lake, Yukon

More Cottonwood Trail photos on Webshots.

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how to ruin something funny

Bloggers can’t win.

If they say something cryptic, ironic or sarcastic … some reader won’t get it. … There’s a time wasting exchange in the comments.

But here’s what you get if you explain every video, post or story for slow people …

… ya can’t please everyone, so ya got to please yourself …

Thanks Jason.

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Lost City trek, Colombia

Best write-up ever. Very funny.

The Lost City is accessible via a challenging but picturesque five-day trek that can be organized in the nearby tourist towns of Santa Marta and Taganga.

Several companies operate tours to the ruins, including the highly-recommended Magic Tour and Turcol. (Incidentally, Edwin Rey, a guide for Turcol, was one of the people kidnapped by the ELN in 2003. He’s the one holding up the sign in the photo below. He’ll be happy to show you newspaper clippings about his improbable escape through the thick forest after only one day in captivity.) …

Your group could contain anywhere from six to twenty-two people; friends are easily made by all but the most awkward. …

Gadling – Ciudad Perdida: The spectacular five-day trek to Colombia’s Lost City

The Lost City is one of the best treks in South America. Check our besthike information page – Lost City.

Very inexpensive.

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WordPress still best blogging platform

Paul Carr of Tech Crunch was frustrated that his WordPress blog is “lousy for maintaining a conversation“.

But after researching the alternatives, especially Tumblr, he’s sticking with WordPress.

If you want a conversation, go to a forum. If you have something to say, post it on WordPress. Simple.

Get your free blog at WordPress.com … or leave a comment if you have an option you like better. (Yes, I recognize the irony of that last sentence.)

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… hiking Akamina Ridge, Waterton

Tomorrow.

Part of the Triple Crown of Waterton challenge.

Wish me luck. … It’s late in the season. But the weather forecast looks pretty good.

Akamina Ridge is a round trip hike of about 20km and the maximum elevation is 8600ft. …

Triple Crown of Waterton – Akamina Ridge

related – TrailPeak – Akamina Ridge

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hike Alaska or Yukon?

I’ve been several times to both.

I’d recommend Yukon over Alaska for most serious backcountry hikers:

A. Fly into Whitehorse, Yukon.

B. hike #1 – Chilkoot Trail (permit required)

C. hike #2 – Slim’s River (trip) or Cottonwood, Kluane National Park

D. hike #3 – Tombstone (besthike video)

That would be a fantastic 2wk hiking holiday with very little time lost to travel or logistics. Yukon is dryer than Alaska. Has a better infrastructure. … In fact, you might even be able to do this itinerary on public transport.

Best weeks would be August / mid-September.

Leave a comment if you can dream up an itinerary as good in Alaska.

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best hikes Kluane National Park, Yukon

The two most popular trailheads are:

1. Kathleen Lake
2. A’äy Chù Trailhead on Kluane Lake

A larger version (PDF) with established trails is available via the Parks Canada web page. Here’s a screenshot:

Best established hikes are:

1. Kathleen Lake
– Cottonwood Trail
– King’s Throne

2. A’äy Chù Trailhead
– Slim’s River West (trip)
– Sheep Creek
– Bullion Plateau

I drove out to look at the Dän Zhu (Donjek Route) trailhead. It looked pretty harsh. (Trip report.) I’m not so sure I’m up for that.

kluane-hiking-guidebook

Kluane National Park Hiking Guide by Vivien Lougheed.

Leave a comment if you have other best hikes in this Park.

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West Coast Trail video

Eric from Scenic Travel Canada linked to a superb video of our #1 hike in the world.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Great edit. Those lads are from my home town Calgary, I believe.

… To hike the West Coast Trail may be one of the most challenging outdoor wilderness experiences in your life. It’s tough yet scenic, beautiful yet wild. If you want to see how mentally & physically tough you are, consider challenging yourself on this 75 kilometer backpacking hike. …

Don’t miss the bottom of this post → Recommendations from Those who’ve Completed the WCT → Scenic Travel Canada

Friends who hiked the WCT this past summer didn’t have a drop of rain. Nice.