coastal – Page 48 – besthike.com

March 14, 2008

hiking the Canary Islands, Spain

If I was flying there today, I’d head for the Island of Gran Canaria.

The Canary Islands are an African archipelago which are part of Spain and consist of seven islands of volcanic origin in the Atlantic Ocean. They are located off the north-western coast of mainland Africa (Morocco and the Western Sahara).

Wikipedia

That’s the home of Rambling Roger and his wife Eileen. They are super experienced hiking guides. Or they can set you up with the best guidebook and maps for your independent hiking.

The guidebook is self-published by Roger, available hard copy or PDF.

I don’t know much about Gran Canaria. Let’s see some “interesting photos” on flickr.

original – roca del cangrejo – flickr – maccanti

original – flickr – maccanti

Nice!

Will contact you when I get there, Roger.

March 14, 2008

walking Torrey Pines, California

Not the golf course, I’m talking about Torrey Pines State Reserve north of San Diego.

Everyone loves this area. It’s perfect for all levels of experience and ability.

Moon California Hiking recommends Razor Point and Beach Trail Loop as a “best hike”. But there’s no need to stick to that 2.5mi itinerary. You can wander this small park’s network of trails as you will.

Parking costs money at the trailhead. But is free (if you can find a spot) along the beach.

I was looking for a workout and decided on a trail run heading south down the gorgeous beach past this guy:

original

Here’s the access point to the cliff top reserve:

original

Your reward at the top are a number of Pacific Ocean overlooks from the “eroded coastal badlands”. Very scenic!

original

more photos – flickr

Torrey Pines State Reserve – official website

(Note: This is not the Torrey Pines Trail in Channel Islands National Park)

March 2, 2008

Kalalau Trail, Hawaii

Yet another “must-hike” on Kauai.

Na Pali – the Cliffs in Hawaiian – is one of the most beautiful and remote areas on Kauaâ€˜i. The strenuous eleven-mile Kalalau Trail winds along this rugged coastline, providing the only land access to legendary Kalalau Valley. The trail and facilities are rugged; some eroded areas are very narrow over cliffs that are hundreds of feet high.

Kaua’i Explorer

March 1, 2008

exploring coastal Patagonia

Cristian Donoso, a Chilean lawyer, has been exploring the remote western coast of Patagonia for over a decade. He won a 2006 ROLEX associate Laureate award.

His latest expedition is a 5 months journey, 1250 miles (2,039 km), using kayaks to reach inaccessible waterways, glaciers, summits, caves, underground rivers, and wildlife preserves.

The climate is harsh and unpredictable.

Now this is ADVENTURE.

Scroll down the trip website and you can quickly get an idea of what they face in that part of the world: transpatagonia expedition – official homepage

(via The Adventure Blog)

This journey reminds me of the concurrent Journey on the Wild Coast now in Alaska.

February 26, 2008

Kauai – Alaka’i Swamp Trail, Hawaii

Stuart at Trail Spotting recommends the Kauai – Alaka’i Swamp Trail 11mi (17.7km). Hard.

… Take a westerly drive around Kauai until you run out of road and you’ll find yourself overlooking the plunging cliffs of Kalalau Valley on the fabled Na Pali Coast.

The only way to explore beyond this point by land is on foot, and the well-maintained Pihea trail leading to the Alakaâ€˜i Swamp trail is an exhilarating way to do so. Hike along cliff edges, through jungle and across misty mountain-top swamps to reach the trail’s end and clifftop views over Wainiha Pali. …

Click through for photos and maps: Trail Spotting

February 21, 2008

Hiking and Backpacking in Hawaii Blog

A Google search for “Hawaii Hiking Blog” gets you to the #1 site: the Hiking and Backpacking in Hawaii Blog.

A place to read about hiking in Hawaii, backpacking in Hawaii, and trails in Hawaii. Read Hawaii hiking stories, Hawaii hiking information, information about Hawaii trail locations and conditions on the Big Island (Hawaii island), Maui, Oahu, Kauai, Molokai, and Lanai. Find out about the beauty of the Hawaiian Islands.

It’s good. I’ve just started working backwards through the many posts, looking for the the best hikes in Hawaii.

Dayle, the site editor, has great knowledge of the islands. He and his wife Jacqueline lead hikes for the Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club (HTMC).

Of the best hikes in Kauai specifically, Dayle says most people name Kalalau and Awawapuhi-Nualolo.

He posted another GREAT hike on that island that appeals to me:

Photo credits: http://www.ne.jp/asahi/fu-kei

A lesser used trail but one that is equally fantastic is the Honopu Ridge Trail located in the Kokee area of Kauai. …

Along with my wife Jacque, I did this a few years ago and the payoffs at the end were fantastic views of the Na Pali Coast far below plus some awesome ridge hiking on some thrilling sections of trail. A very interesting and unexpected finding at the end of the trail are benches and lounge chairs made of sticks and slats of wood that have been lashed together. If you are like me, youâ€™ll be amazed to find something like those manmade benches there.

This area is the domain of mountain goats (literally). Very likely, if you hike the Honopu Ridge trail you will encounter, or at least hear, these horned denizens of the cliffs. …

If you are looking for an adventure off the well-trampled paths used by most tourists, then Honopu Ridge is for you.

Honopu Ridge Trail on Kauai

Of course I have subscribed by RSS feed.

February 20, 2008

East Coast Trail, Newfoundland

Check this out …

Located on the East Coast Trail between Port Kirwin and Aquaforte, Newfoundland

original – flickr – iJohn

The 540 km East Coast Trail is located on the east coast of Canada along the scenic shores of the Avalon Peninsula in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

220 km of the Trail have been hardened to a world class hiking standard. This section of Trail stretches from Fort Amherst, in historic St. John’s, to Cappahayden, on the beautiful southern shore. It is equipped with trail signage, maps and supporting trail information to enhance your hiking experience along our shores and through the wilderness. This section of Trail consists of a series of 18 paths each with a northern and a southern trailhead that is marked with distinctive signage. Each of these paths can be hiked as an individual experience. Some paths are easy strolls, and some are longer and more rugged. …

320 km of Trail are under development and are not supported with trail maps and signage. This section of the Trail includes the northeastern tip of the Avalon, from St. Johnâ€™s to Topsail Beach, as well as the southeastern tip of the Avalon, from Cappahayden to Trepassey. This section offers many hiking routes that have not been hardened or signed, presenting a greater number of hiking challenges. You should contact us directly, at eastcoasttrail@nfld.net, for specific information on trail conditions, description and access points.

Our goal is to have the 540 km fully constructed, signed, with map and route descriptions available by 2016. The following outline provides a brief overview of our trail development schedule. This schedule is subject to funding and change. …

East Coast Trail | The Trail Overview

Since the West Coast Trail in Canada is our favourite hike in the world, we should get out to compare the East Coast Trail.

Recommended guidebook:

Hiking the East Coast Trail Volume II Guide Book

February 18, 2008

best hikes on Kauai, Hawaii?

Friends just confirmed today they are spending 2wks on Kauai the end of March.

Of course, that got me thinking. …

This is the guidebook my friends are using. It has a pretty good overview of hikes on the island.

The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook: Kauai Revealed

Other resources include this DVD: Hiking Hawaii: Kauai

And these guidebooks:

Kauai Trailblazer: Where to Hike, Snorkel, Bike, Paddle, Surf

Kaua’I Trails: Walks, Strolls, and Treks on the Garden Island

Day Hikes on Kauai, 3rd

At first glance, looks to me the best area is Waimea Canyon State Park. Dubbed the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” by Mark Twain. It’s close, I think, to the famed Na Pali Coast. (Got to kayak there, too.)

Na Pali Coast – Wikipedia – Julius Silver

The most interesting website looks to be Waialeale Basecamp. Their trails page has some extreme off-trail trip reports.

Mike (volcantrek8) from that site has a flickr page dedicated to hiking photos from Kauai. Some samples:

Gazing into Olokele Valley – flickr

Mount Waialeale – flickr

Leave a comment if you have any advice regarding hikes on this beautiful isle. (I’m looking for cheap airfare next.)

February 14, 2008

warn LOVED ONES – the dangers of coastal hiking

(… trying to tie-in a Valentine’s Day theme. Pitiful.)

The “dangers of hiking” are almost always exaggerated in my opinion. Not so the dangers of coastal hiking.

I have a friend who was once caught in a surge channel, lucky to survive.

Uncooped has a good post on the hazards of California coastal hiking including this warning:

Never turn your back on the ocean. I have a good friend who got slammed by a freak wave while hiking on a coastal trail. When she regained consciousness, she needed over a hundred stitches in her face to repair the damage. Now she’s got hella cool scars, but still – that’s no fun. So watch your back.

more tips – Uncooped

Reminds me of the terrible Lost Coast Trail school trip where two students and a parent chaperone drowned in 2000.

Coastal hiking can be VERY dangerous. Experienced hikers need educate the general public. And boneheads like the guy in the photos below:

close-up screenshot

a photographer risking his life at the inland side of the jetty to get a close shot… rogue waves at this time of the year can completely cover the spot where he is standing.

original – flickr – Mike Baird