Rick Mc

Sunshine to Assiniboine is one of our top 10 hikes in the world.

Why?

Mt. Assiniboine Provincial Park accessed only on foot or by helicopter. The chopper flies to Canmore (more expensive) or Mt. Shark trailhead (less expensive)
good chance to see mountain goats, bighorn sheep, elk and mule deer, pikas, chipmunks & hoary marmots
you will see hordes of Columbian and mantled ground squirrels.
huge, heavenly alpine meadows
Assiniboine Lodge is a treat. The pub is open to all.
colourful wild flowers
walk the continental divide
Magog Lake (40 sites) is the most popular base campground for good reason. Easy access to many day hikes. But there is no longer any overflow area). Mule deer sometimes wander between the tents.
Wonder Pass to Marvel Lake is wondrous and marvellous

World → North America → Rockies → Sunshine to Assiniboine

Click PLAY or watch a 1-minute introduction on YouTube.

For details click over to our Sunshine to Assiniboine information page.

March 30, 2022March 19, 2022

Surviving Vancouver Island Wilderness – ALONE TV

Alone (TV series) … follows the self-documented daily struggles of 10 individuals (seven paired teams in season 4) as they survive alone in the wilderness for as long as possible using a limited amount of survival equipment. …
They may “tap out” at any time, or be removed due to failing a medical check-in. The contestant who remains the longest wins a grand prize of $500,000. …

Seasons 1, 2 and 4 were shot on Vancouver Island.

The first season premiered 2015.

They were dropped on Quatsino Sound in Northern Vancouver Island, Canada, only accessible by boat or float plane.

As I hike and cycle a lot on the Island, I was keen to see how mere mortals could live off the land in a remote rain forest.

Starting a fire was the first big challenge. EVERYTHING is wet all the time.

Food was the long term challenge.

Lucas was by far the most skilled in season 1. He built a boat, yurt and even a musical instrument.

But Lucas didn’t take home the $500K first prize. That went to the contestant that was psychologically strongest. I do believe he could have lasted weeks longer — though he lost over 60 pounds.

The 10 people selected for season 2 were better prepared. The challenge was the same — remote, wet Vancouver Island. Though the weather was better.

The final four all found ways to last a long time. But as winter approached, the food supply dwindled.

Nicole was one of my favourites. Marine biologist. Expert in intertidal zone ecosystem. Knows what plants to eat. What plants not to eat.

She had the luxury of letting a big salmon go free one day. Wow.

I was cheering Jose, as well, a Spaniard who had adopted the ways of the North American indigenous peoples. His kayak is amazing.

In the end, missing loved ones at home was the final reason to tap out.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Season 4 had seven teams of family members competing against one another.

Same geographical location.

Personally, I found the pairs stories less interesting. Did not finish the season.

March 28, 2022March 17, 2022

How much FOOD do you NEED on Long Hikes?

Andrew Skurka:

My experience is that most backpackers will be satisfied with 2,250 to 2,750 calories per day.
If you are young, muscular, larger in size, and/or on an intense trip, aim for the high end of this range. If you are the opposite of any of those aim for the low end of this range.
Calorie-counting is tedious, so you may find it more practical to weigh your food. In this case, aim for 18 to 22 ounces of food per day.
The average caloric density of your food is generally about 125 calories per ounce, so 18 ounces equals 2,250 calories and 22 ounces equals 2,750 calories. …
Food-Planning Basics for Backpacking

March 24, 2022March 12, 2022

Search & Rescue by DRONE

It’s 2022.

By now we should reduce dangers for search and rescue teams by using drones.

Here’s one example in Reno, Nevada.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

March 21, 2022February 26, 2022

VIDEO – how to “hike” Aconcagua

You don’t HAVE to climb the highest mountain outside Asia. Instead, you can HIKE to Base Camp without a guide.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

My 2018 trip report.
Our information page is a starting point for those who might want to plan their own Aconcagua adventure in future.

March 19, 2022March 18, 2022

River – Official UK DocumentaryTrailer

In my opinion, Robert Macfarlane is the smartest writer on our relationship with NATURE.

He wrote the words spoken in this movie by William Defoe.

His 2017 film Mountain was also read by Defoe, becoming the highest-grossing Australian documentary of all time.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

March 17, 2022March 12, 2022

Thru-hike the new 1,800km Transcaucasian Trail

We’re seeking intrepid, experienced hikers to be the first thru-hikers on the new 1,800km Transcaucasian Trail. Will you be one of them?
For the past 6 years, we’ve been stitching together routes, building trails, and putting new destinations on the map (literally) across the Caucasus. …
The route weaves between high alpine passes, red desert canyons, bucolic meadows, volcanic plateaus, and more– all while traveling through one of the most culturally and biologically diverse regions on the planet.
Now, we’re inviting the first cohort of intrepid hikers to hike the Transcaucasian Trail through Armenia and Georgia in summer 2022. …
transcaucasiantrail.org

March 11, 2022March 5, 2022

International Appalachian Trail Ulster-Ireland

We’ve added the IAT Ulster-Ireland to our list of the best hikes in Europe.

Traversing lush coastlines, rugged mountains, and everything in between, the Ulster-Ireland section of the International Appalachian Trail (IAT) takes hikers on a tour through some of the most stunning landscapes in the country.
The section’s governing body was established in 2011, and since then the organization has worked towards constructing this 279-mile trail, which runs from west Donegal in the Republic of Ireland to Larne, Co. Antrim in Northern Ireland. …
The Trek