Author: Rick Mc

Career gymnastics coach who loves the outdoors, and the internet.
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Helly Hansen LIFALOFT™ Hooded Insulator Jackets.

My favourite layer for hiking — and almost anything. I wear this jacket most days of the year.

I bought 2 MORE Men’s Helly Hansen LIFALOFT™ Hooded Insulator Jackets.

I fear Helly might stop making them one day.

The LIFALOFT™ jackets have been my favourite since 2019 when Kraig Becker sent me one.

LIFALOFT™ is not down. It’s arguably lighter and warmer.

The idea is to trap a maximum amount of air in a small space. And due to the hydrophobic properties of LIFA®, LIFALOFT™ has an inherent water repellency that seems to keep me warm, even when wet.

And I’ve drenched these jackets over the years.

They are light. Durable. Machine washable.

And relatively inexpensive. About half of what I would pay for a Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 Hoody.

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Wanderlust: A Hiker’s Companion by Cam Honan

I finally got my hands on a copy of Cam’s excellent coffee table book from 2017.

It’s only available in hard copy. Inspirational.

Highly recommended as a gift for a hiker.

Wanderlust: A Hiker’s Companion

It includes 32 of the BEST HIKES from around the world. A quick summary. A starting point for those planning future adventures.

I’ve done all or parts of 19 of those 32 — and found the description very accurate.

The list in this book is a mixed selection of some of Cam’s favourites. It includes thru hikes like the Appalachian Trail and Great Divide Trail. Some classic multi-day hikes like Laugavegur and Walkers Haute Route. And even some shorter walks like Zion Narrows and Tongariro Crossing.

In my opinion, Cam Honan is the greatest hiker of al time. He’s done more of the BEST HIKES in the world than anyone else.

2015

I interviewed him in 2015.

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2023 Banff Mountain Festival – Teaser

The 2023 Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival is in Banff, Alberta, from October 28 to November 5.

… 84 films from 13 countries.

Online film screenings during the Festival are also back, bringing on-demand films to your homes in Canada/USA from October 28 through November 5, plus some award-winning films online from Nov. 6-8.

Get your tickets for events in Banff or your Online Film Pass today 👉 https://www.banffcentre.ca/film-fest

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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Tour du Mont Blanc: France, Italy, Switzerland

Perhaps the most famous multi-day route in Europe.

MtBlanc
  • Alpine charm: valleys, lakes, glaciers
  • great food, history, culture
  • circumambulate Mont Blanc, the highest peak in Europe (4810m, 15,781ft)
  • 9-14 days
  • 170+kms (106mi)
  • best months June-Sept
  • gains 10,000+m (32,800ft) elevation
UTMB_profile
tmb-map

Check out our TMB Information page.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. (39min)

related – the main alternative to the TMB is the Chamonix-Zermatt Haute Route.

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I’m BOOKED ➙ Faroe Islands, Summer 2024

by BestHike editor Rick McCharles

Postponed in 2023 … this time I made my reservations 10 months in advance to get the ferries I wanted. And inexpensive accommodation.

I can cancel accommodation at no cost.

If I eventually have to cancel the ferries, I’ll pay 10% of the € 337 total cost for me, my bike, and a bunkbed on the ship.

The Faroe Islands are expensive and in high demand, high season. Far less so if you book long ahead of time.

Mulafossur waterfall in Gasadalur

July 27th – depart Hirtshals (Denmark) on the Smyril ferry

July 28th – arrive Tórshavn (Faroe Islands)

Aug 7th – depart Tórshavn

Aug 8th – arrive Seyðisfjörður (Iceland) at 8:30am

That gives me 9 full days for cycling and hiking. Weather is a factor, of course. Faroe Islands are just south of the Arctic Circle.

Cycling Faroe Islands – Generated with AI ∙Dall-E 3

The more days, the more opportunity for clear skies. 😀

I booked during the Olympics.

IF it rains 😀, I’ll instead be following the action in Paris online. Indoors.

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Hyperlite Unbound 55 Backpack

If I bought a new pack today — it would be the Unbound 55.

It’s similar to my current Hyperlite 3400 Windrider, but I like the pockets and boxier shape even more.

I want a huge pack for 5-6 days without resupply, but one that I can get on to the plane as carry-on luggage.

I prefer the black as it’s not going to show the dirt nearly as much.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

related – Adventure Alan review

Alan recommends the Unbound 55 over the Unbound 40 for 99% of people. It only weighs an ounce more.

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#2 day hike – Zion Narrows, Utah USA

One of our top 10 day hikes in the world.

Why?

Best slot canyon hike in the world.

  • in Utah’s Zion National Park
  • 16 miles (25 km) from Chamberlain’s Ranch to Temple of Sinawava in the Park
  • June through October best months
  • usually closed from mid-March to mid-May due to spring snowmelt and runoff
  • in places chasm up to 1,968 ft deep and 20 ft wide
  • about a 1500 ft descent
  • walk in water up to half the time
  • 9 – 13 hours. Confirm the time of the last shuttle out of the park!
  • a long, tiring day or you can camp overnight. Be aware that there are only 12 campsites available and they book quickly. Start as early as possible if you are doing it in a day.
  • Permit is required

World → North America → S.W. USA  → Utah → Zion Narrows

Water walking shoes recommended.

For details click over to our Zion Narrows information page.