Author: Rick Mc

Career gymnastics coach who loves the outdoors, and the internet.
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trekking the Drakensberg in South Africa

The best web overview of hiking in the land of the original “trekkers” is Safari Now.

With over 1,950 listed hikes, South Africa is a fantastic hiking destination.

… All laid out hikes are signposted, usually with painted icons on rocks, and most hiking authorities supply maps. Most multi-day hikes offer accommodation in basic, but clean and adequate, hiking huts that usually have a million-dollar view to go with the low rent facilities.

Hiking in Southern Africa – Safari Now

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The best region of all is the Drakensberg.

The impressive bulk of the mountains the Zulus called Ukahlamba – the barrier of spears – and the Voortrekkers called the Drakensberg – the dragon mountain – is an impressive rampart of sandstone and basalt that separates the well watered Indian Ocean coast from the dryer, harsher interior.

Most of the escarpment falls under the Ukahlamba-Drakensberg National Park. This beautiful montane grassland is bright green in summer after the rains and fades to a delicate blonde, often with snowy highlights, in winter.

It’s a great hiking destination with a range of trails from walks of an hour or two to long epics such as the Drakensberg Traverse, which takes about three to four weeks.

Drakensberg

maps of Drakensberg

Check this superb photo set on the Drakensberg Traverse:

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More photos from this set by Greg Fullard on flickr.

Greg says: “The Drakensberg (Dragon Mountain) is an incredible mountain range located in the centre of South Africa. It is my soul’s home ….”

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Lonely Planet author’s body found

Sad news.

Clem Lindenmayer is author of one of my favourite hiking guidebooks, Lonely Planet Trekking in the Patagonian Andes.

Clem Lindenmayer, 47, disappeared while hiking near Minya Konka mountain, also known as Gongga Shan in Sichuan province.

China’s official Xinhua news agency said villagers found his body on July 19.

Mr Lindenmayer’s family said they last heard from him on May 2 when he contacted his wife by email to tell her he was preparing for a hike around the mountain range, which lies in a rugged region that was once part of Tibet. …

The email stated his intention at that stage was to do a six-day circuit around Mount Gongga.

But by the end of May the family had still not heard from him, and a search was undertaken.

… rescuers searching for Mr Lindenmayer had earlier found a body believed to be that of a Japanese mountaineer who vanished 26 years ago. …

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Lonely Planet author’s body found – World – smh.com.au

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Wild Pacific Trail – actually quite tame

I recall when I first heard the name “Wild Pacific Trail”.

I conjured images of another West Coast Trail. Or at least Juan de Fuca Marine Trail.

Unfortunately, this “hike” would be more accurately called The “Ucluelet Municipal Walk”.

I feel the official website, brochure and other tourist bumpf misrepresent this hike (though at least it is along the coast, unlike the Sunshine Coast Trail):

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The Wild Pacific Trail located in the District of Ucluelet is a seven phase trail system skirting the rugged cliffs and shoreline of the west coast of Vancouver Island.

Overlooking Barkley Sound and the Broken Group Islands to the east and the open Pacific Ocean to the south and west, it offers spectacular shoreline panoramas and seaward vistas through ancient cedar and spruce-framed viewing platforms constructed on the best headlands along the route.

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Dian McCreary – photo

There could and should be a fantastic Trail here drawing tens of thousands of hikers every year. It’s planned to extend the trail to Halfmoon Bay in Pacific Rim National Park.

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In fact, one could get off the plane in Victoria, walk the Galloping Goose municipal trail, the Juan de Fuca, the West Coast Trail, catch the ferry Bamfield to Ucluelet, then walk all the way to Tofino. Now that would be one of the best hiking adventures in the world!

But I fear condo developments and real estate speculators will deny that glad day. I feel this way based on how construction already squeezes the existing trail.

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There’s no need for serious hikers to travel to Ucluelet. (Unless you want to get in on the real estate boom.)

more photos of my Ucluelet Municipal Walk on flickr.

Wild Pacific Trail – official website

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video – hiking Flat Top Mountain, Alaska

Alaska Podshow has introduced a Hike of the Week feature. It’s well done

To see a sample, check out the 7min video for Flat Top Mountain close to Anchorage, the most popular day hike in the State:

We take you to the famous Chugach State Park! This park offers 495,000 acres of forests, lakes, mountains and valleys located right at Anchorage’s doorstep – and the welcome mat is out.

Today’s Hike of the Week is just a 30-minute drive from downtown places you in prime Alaskan wilderness adventures, which offers the ultimate solitude and wilderness beauty in every season!

» Blog Archive » Show #155 “Flat Top Mountain / Hike of the Week”

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top 10 LEAST visited American National Parks

Since the relaunch of the National Parks Traveler blog, it’s become one of my favourite sites.

These bloggers are passionate about the Parks. Extremely knowledgeable. And the depth and breadth of coverage is amazing.

This recent post, for example, I found very interesting:

Top 10 Most Visited National Parks

Rank Park Name Visitation
1 Great Smoky Mountains NP 9,289,215
2 Grand Canyon NP

 4,279,439
3 Yosemite NP 3,242,644
4 Yellowstone NP 2,870,295
5 Olympic NP

 2,749,197
6 Rocky Mountain NP 2,743,676
7 Zion NP 2,567,350
8 Cuyahoga Valley NP

 2,468,816
9 Grand Teton NP 2,406,476
10 Acadia NP 2,083,588
These two ‘top ten’ lists look pretty similar to last year’s numbers, but there has been some movement in the bottom ten parks.

Want to avoid the crowds? Check out these least visited park units. Aniakchak had only 60 visitors last year! It has been noted though, counting must be tough at Aniakchak considering there are no permanent buildings (NPS or otherwise) at the monument. The only real way to get there is by float plane, and even that can be tricky I’ve been told.

Counting down from 10 …

Bottom 10 : The Least Visited Park Units

Rank Park Name Visitation
10 Noatak NPRES 3,272
9 Kobuk Valley NP 3,005
8

Cape Krusenstern NM

2,598
7 Salt River Bay NHP 2,526
6 Alibates Flint Quarries NM 1,882
5

Frederick Law Olmsted NHS

1,559
4 Bering Land Bridge NPRES 1,265
3 National Park of American Samoa 1,239
2 Rio Grande W&SR 135
1 Aniakchak NM & PRES

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It’s well worth the time to read the entire post written by Jeremy Sullivan: Top 10 Most Visited National Parks – National Parks Traveler

Now …

What about best hikes in those least visited Parks?

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Great Coastal Hiking Trails of the World


Richard Nichols of California Coastal Trail links to other great coastal walks including these:

* Olympic National Park, Washington: Coastal Trail

* Nootka Island Coastal Trail, Vancouver Island

* West Coast Trail, Vancouver Island

* Western Australia Bibbulmun Track, 600 miles

* South Africa, Tsitsikamma National Park, Otter Trail

* Oregon Coastal Trail, Gold Beach, Brooking, Boardman SP

* England, Cornwall, The South West Coast Path, 630 miles

* Cape Chignecto, Nova Scotia

* The East Coast Trail, Newfoundland, Canada

People around the world are attracted to the coast, and consequently one can find many noteworthy coastal trails on almost every continent. Here are links to a few.

California Coastal Trail

Quite a good list, actually. Thanks Richard. We would recommend adding:

* South Coast Track, Tasmania, Australia

* Queen Charlotte Track, New Zealand

* Abel Tasman Track, New Zealand

At besthike our favourite trail of all is coastal. And we have a great fondness for all of the other wonderful seaside walks.

Any other amazing multi-day coastal walks come to mind? Leave a comment.

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start in Seattle and walk NORTH

Married couple Erin McKittrick (Molecular Biologist turned jewelry artist) and Bretwood (Hig) Higman are incredible adventurers.

Where to begin …

Currently they are on a 9 month trip from Seattle to the Aleutian Islands in Alaska by human power:

Journey on the Wild Coast will be an unprecedented four-thousand-mile expedition along the northern edge of the Pacific Ocean, through some of the most rugged terrain in the world. No road or trail follows this steep and fragmented coastline.

We’ll be traveling through forests, between islands, around glaciers, and across the tundra – by foot, packraft, and skis. No one has done this before.

Journey on the Wild Coast

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more detailed itinerary

I’ve subscribed to their trip blog. It’s an expeditions to explore environmental issues.

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I’ve you’ve any doubt Sig and Erin have the ability to finish it, check their previous Alaska Treks. Wow!

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Blockade Glacier – 2005

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TV – Survivorman vs Man vs Wild

My hiking buddies prefer the TV show Survivorman over Man vs Wild.

200px-lesstroud-survivorman.jpgThe Survivorman — Les Stroud — is believable.

In comparison, the Man vs Wild — Bear Grylls — is untrustworthy. Some of his “feats”, we suspect, are faked. (Aside from the fact he “survives” with a camera crew at the ready.)

Higgins of Mental Floss magazine agrees:

One of my favorite TV shows is coming back for a second season in August, after a long hiatus.

Survivorman is a one-man survival show, hosted by Canadian survival expert/musician/TV producer Les Stroud.

Each episode finds Les completely alone in the wilderness for seven days, carrying his own cameras and recording himself on a seven-day survival trek. Let me emphasize that: this guy is alone, schlepping fifty pounds of camera gear himself, while devising his own food, water, and shelter (he typically brings the most absurdly minimal survival gear with him, like a single match, a candy bar, maybe a rusty tin can).

He’s hardcore. And he’s quite a nice guy, which makes you root for him as he survives the elements.

mental_floss magazine – Where Knowledge Junkies Get Their Fix

Leave a comment if you have an opinion. Check out both TV shows if you’ve not seen both.

UPDATE: Season 2 of Survivor Man Begins August 10th on the Discovery Channel. (via The Adventure Blog)

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world’s most southerly trek – Isla Navarino

Any arguments?

The Dientes Circuit is the most southerly track we can find listed in a hiking guidebook.

It’s in Patagonia, the jumping off point Puerto Williams, Chile.

From there you can circumambulate the jagged spires of Cordon de los Dientes with constant vistas as most of the route is above treeline.

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Nick & Jenni felt it was one of the big highlights of their round-the-world adventure. Certainly Jenni posted the best trip report we’ve yet seen:

From the Paso de los Dientes we had great views over the islands making up Cape Horn (about 150km further south). We wondered how many people there were further south than us at this point, not many – cruise ships in Antartica & the scientists on Antartica & not many others. …

… Apart from the tent on the first day, we didn´t see another soul until we hit the road on the last day. It was a really good walk & we both really enjoyed it. There was a lot of fresh snow on the Dientes and the surrounding mountains – making it all very picturesque.

Isla Navarino – the Dientes Circuit » TravelBlog Archive » Nick & Jenni’s Wanderings

How to trek Dientes Circuit – besthike information page:

  • 53.5km (33mi) plus sidetrips
  • 5 days, 4 nights minimum

Be ready for wind and rain!

Related post: Nick & Jenni’s Choquequirao to Machu Picchu trek

Check our Dientes information page.

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desert hiking tips learned the hard way

Will of the excellent Mental Wanderings blog posted some tips on river walking our favourite track in the Southwest USA.

If you are planning on hiking Paria Canyon sometime in the future, be sure to check it out. Here’s a summary:

Tip #1 – River Water Is Gross

Tip #2 – Filtering From Rivers In the Desert Sucks

Tip #3 – Bring Plenty of Water Bottles

Tip #4 – Wear Socks

Tip #5 – Bring Shoes or Boots

Tip #6 – Hiking Poles Help The Tired

Tip #7 – It’s the Little Things

Tip #8 – Take Lots of Pictures

Tip #9 – Finally, Get a Good Book Written By a Real Expert

Return to the Paria River Canyon: Desert Hiking Tips Learned the Hard Way

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source – more photos from Will’s 2007 Paria Canyon trip

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source – more photos from Will’s 2006 Paria Canyon trip

When planning your own adventure, be sure to check the besthike Paria information page.