Category: health & safety

Posted on

Learn to LOVE Hiking in the Rain 😀

Hiking in the rain can be miserable.

AND hiking in the rain can be wonderful.

You can hike the Pacific N.W. every day of the year. BUT many of those days will have a threat of rain. 

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. The joys and challenges of … wet weather.

TIPS:

  • the RIGHT clothing (layers)
  • long brim cap under long brim hood
  • the RIGHT footwear
  • the RIGHT backpack
  • gear protected in dry bags
  • electronics protected from water
  • the RIGHT attitude

Having tried many systems over the years, I’m happiest now with …

No blisters. The shoes dry quickly. )My feet do get wrinkled after a couple of hours, however.)

If the rain really starts coming down, I’ll add an inexpensive Frogg Toggs waterproof jacket on top. 

Since I bought a Hyperlite 3400 Windrider backpack, I’ve not used a pack cover. It’s quite rain resistant. Everything inside is protected from wet and water.

Check this REI post – How to Go Hiking in the Rain

Of course if lightning and thunder threaten, take shelter immediately. 

Camping in the rain is definitely more challenging.

related – Miranda has some thoughts on Frogg Toggs. 😀

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Posted on

Running Stairs for Fitness

For me the best physical preparation for multi-day hiking is … hiking. 😀

On arrival at the trailhead, start with shorter, easier days. Work up to your normal pace. Progressively.

Off-season I cycle and run. 

BEST of all for me, however, is running stairs. I have done sets of 10 with a day pack in the past, as well.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

In Calgary, I often ran the stairs at nearby Glenmore Park.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Posted on

TOP 10 ➙ Overland Track, Tasmania

The Overland Track in Tasmania is one of our top 10 hikes in the world.

Click PLAY or watch a 1 minute introduction on YouTube.

Overland Track

The best & most famous walk in Australia.

Overland

AT A GLANCE

  • surreal, unique Tasmanian vistas
  • pretty lakes, tarns and waterfalls
  • exiting by ferry it’s minimum 62km (38.5mi) carrying a pack plus many possible sidetrips without a pack.
    • Elevation Gain: +4,793 ft / 1,461 m
      Elevation Loss: -5,160 ft / 1,573 m
  • 8000-9000 walkers / year in the past
    • 60 walkers start / day 2018 in high season
    • Oct 1 – May 31 Overland Track Pass reservations online
  • access by public transportation
  • easy-moderate hiking IF the weather cooperates
  • add challenging sidetrip peak scrambles if the weather is good
  • Nov – early May best months
  • possible to hike year round (snow travel during the winter)
  • 7-nights recommended. Start Ronny Creek. Finish Cynthia Bay.

Read more on our Overland Information page.

Posted on

$24 ➙ Gaia GPS Premium and Outside+

I’ve had a free Gaia account since 2018 — but have used, instead, a paid AllTrails account as it seemed to be better in my home region.

But with Gaia Premium and an Outside+ bundle at 60% off, I’ll compare these two hiking apps again for the coming year.

I’ll download both for offline use, and compare.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Posted on

Madonna di Campiglio, Italy – 5 Lakes Hike

Trip report by BestHike editor Rick McCharles

I’d hiked out of Madonna di Campiglio in 2009. Loved it.

The Dolomites are one of our top 10 hiking regions of the world..

Mid-June 2023 I returned, wanting — this time — to do some of the famed via ferrata routes there.

Sadly, the cablecars going up high had not started yet. In fact, Madonna di Campiglio doesn’t really get going 100% for summer hiking until the end of June.

Instead, I did the most popular lower level day hike as it was the best available the one day I ended up staying.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

I followed this route recommended on AllTrails:

5 Laghi: Ritort – Lambin – Gelato – Serodoli – Nambino

(AKA Giro dei cinque laghi)

This shorter (less expensive) Spinale cable car was running up from town. You loop 5 lakes in about 4-5 hours.

  • 11.91 km
  • 795 m elevation gain
  • starts at Mountain station 5 lakes 2065 m
  • medium difficulty due to rocky footing
Madonna di Campiglio

LAKES !

When the sun comes out, it’s lovely and warm in the Dolomites.

BUT both times I’ve hiked here, I’ve had afternoon rain almost every day — and sometimes lightning storms. Be prepared for bad weather.

I actually opted to hike all the way down past a sixth lake ( Nambino) — but would recommend the cable car both ways instead.

The hike was better than expected. A good workout with the next lake to look forward to around every corner.

Posted on

NEW VIDEOS – Laugavegur Trail, Iceland

I’m happy my edit shows the MAGIC and CHALLENGES of Iceland’s best volcanic hike in just 4 minutes.

Laugavegur Trail

I did it twice in September.

Trip report.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

A few hours after I posted that video, one of my favourite hiking vloggers — Harmen Hoek — posted his own.

He was there a few weeks before me. In August.

Harmen hiked in the opposite direction. And added the spectacular Fimmvörðuháls hike.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Posted on

#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.