Anderson gets stuck in quicksand. Don’t miss that bit. 😀
Also, light sabre battle.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
The Subway, Zion National Park
Another misadventure with Mattson and Anderson. 😀
Subscribe to their YouTube channel.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Maligne Canyon, Jasper, Alberta
One of the must do day hikes in the Canadian Rockies is Maligne Canyon close to Jasper, Alberta.
… the canyon measures over 50 metres (160 ft) deep. Popular for sightseeing and exploration, the area contains waterfalls, underground stream outlets, birds and plant life. …
Best is to start from the main parking lot close to the tea house and the Hi Maligne Canyon Lodge.
The canyon is deep here.
The canyon was named by a zealous Jesuit missionary, who called the canyon “la traverse maligne”, after his horses were swept away by the swirling waters. There are six bridges built across the canyon to help one explore this magnificent work of nature : the first bridge was built in 1914.
I’d recommend you hike at least to the point of seeing the 5th bridge. From there you could loop back on the cycling / horseback trail.
There are interesting interpretive displays en route. This hike is great for kids.
With each bridge, you get closer and closer to the water.
When the river freezes over in winter, the experience is completely different. If you are one of the brave venturing to Jasper National Park in winter, consider doing a guided ice walk in Maligne Canyon in winter. It is an out of this world experience.
Stingy Nomads do Fish River Canyon, Namibia
We based our Fish River information page much on Stingy Nomad’s trip report:
Some guide books says this is the toughest hike in Africa …
Fish River is definitely a hike to add to your must do hiking list.
Total distance of Fish River canyon hike 86km, the river itself is longer but due to many shortcuts your walking distance is about 14km less. …
Fish River canyon hike, Namibia. Itinerary, tips, map
Click PLAY or watch some drone footage on YouTube.
top 10 hikes – Zion Narrows, Utah
One of our top 10 day hikes in the world
Zion Narrows Top-Down
AT A GLANCE
in Utah’s Zion National Park- 16 miles (25 km) from Chamberlain’s Ranch to Temple of Sinawava
- June through October best months
- in places chasm up to 1,968 ft deep and 20 ft wide
- walk in water about 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
- water walking shoes, long hiking stick and dry gear recommended
- National Park Service closes the hike when flow rate is over 150 cubic feet per second (cfs). And might close it at any time in case of Flash Flood Warning.
Read more on our Zion Narrows Information page.
hike Virgin Narrows, Zion
Click PLAY or watch it on Facebook.
Vintgar Gorge, Slovenia
Trip report by BestHike editor Rick McCharles.
The Vintgar Gorge or Bled Gorge is a 1.6-kilometer (0.99 mi) gorge in northwestern Slovenia four kilometers northwest of Bled. …
The sheer canyon walls are 50 to 100 meters (160 to 330 ft) high …
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. The boardwalks make it easy.
You can do a half day hiking circuit from Bled. But I was riding with a tourist agent from Belgium who was doing research on the area. She had a rent-a-car.
In October near end of day, it wasn’t particularly crowded. Nor was Bled During July and August you may have trouble finding a place to park. And all accommodation can get booked out.
The water is so clear you can watch fish waiting on food to drift down.
We caught a terrific sunset after finishing our hike.
related – trip report – Ultimate Guide to Visiting Vintgar Gorge in Slovenia
Zion Narrows Backcountry Trek closed
If there’s one iconic backcountry trip at Zion National Park in Utah that lures visitors from around the world, it’s the 16-mile hike through the Zion Narrows. On Tuesday, however, that trek was put out of reach when a private landowner closed his property as an access point to The Narrows. …
It’s still possible to wade / walk part of the Narrows, but not the traditional route.
Hielo Azul circuit, El Bolsón, Argentina
trip report by site editor Rick McCharles
Click PLAY or get a glimpse of my 3 day circuit on YouTube.
Getting to the trailhead at Camping Hue Nan is the most challenging navigation challenge.
You can road walk from El Bolsón as I did — 3 boring, dusty hours — or ask for bus directions to Camping Hue Nan. That trailhead may be changing. Check before you go. It was open to me February 2018.
Look for the Acceso Refugio Hielo Azul sign.
I used the free Maps.me app and it worked perfectly for the entire circuit. On the other hand, I wished I’d hired a taxi or found the bus rather than done 3 hours of road walking.
Alternatively, there’s a way to start and finish a circuit by bus at Warton. The most popular trailhead.
You could reverse my route too, of course.
El Bolsón, population 19,000 plus tourists is an excellent hiking town. It’s only 2 hours by bus from Bariloche, the bigger hiking destination in Argentina. Many hike both towns on the same trip.
Free registration is required. You don’t need to stick to your planned itinerary.
There are gear shops with camping fuel and fairly large grocery stores in town.
At the Mountain Information Office I bought a $4 amateur hiking guide partially translated to English. It’s not enough to navigate, but did provide some background information.
I was shocked to see some of the bridges here.
They are slowly being replaced by modern metal alternatives.
It was at least 1000m ascent and 4 hours up to Hielo Azul Refugio. My favourite alpine hut by far.
I was so happy to get there — and felt so warmly welcomed by the woman who greeted me — that I signed up for an 8pm $20 stew meal. My most expensive dinner in Argentina. (I brought my own wine.)
It really is paradise up here just below the glacier.
I paid $5 to tent.
Next morning I first registered at the mountain hut then scrambled the steep, 90 minute route up to the glacier. Beautiful.
I had some lunch on my return. Then set off on the clearly marked trail to Refugio Lago Natacion. An easy add-on.
From Natacion down to the Azul Canyon, however, was surprisingly steep and overgrown. Not many people do the circuit, I suspect, because this one section is quite challenging.
The canyon is impressive once you finally get there.
At one point you can straddle the gap, a long way above the crystal clear water!
I was reminded of Tiger Leaping Gorge. A tiger could easily leap this gorge, but not the one in China.
Tired, I decided to illegally wild camp by the river rather than walk the extra hour down to my designated refugio campground.
The trail out to Warton is a road accessible to motor vehicles. Swimming this river is the attraction, not the trail itself.
If my directions sound too sketchy, consider buying a map for about $10.
Aoneker 1:50,000 El Bolson
(covers the following refuges: Co.Lindo, Hielo Azul, Natacion, Atillio & El Reramal)
Aoneker 1:120,000 Comarca Andina del Paralelo 42°
(covers all the refuges in the El Bolson region)
Buckskin Gulch / Paria Canyon, Utah and Arizona
Clever Hiker posted the best information on this classic hike we’ve yet seen.
Located in the Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness of Utah and Arizona, this spectacular and unique hike winds through one of the deepest and longest slot canyons in the world.
Wavy sandstone walls twist their way to the sky for nearly thirteen miles, creating surreal patterns of light and sound. The canyon walls often soar hundreds of feet above the wash, and are sometimes only a few feet apart. Buckskin Gulch is truly an amazing place …
Quick Facts
- Distance: varies, 21-51 miles depending on trip
- Days Needed: 2-5 days
- Elevation Gain/Loss: varies, 500-1500 ft, depending on trip
- Best Travel Time: April-June or September-November
- Permits: Yes, very competitive
- Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
- Shuttle: Yes, unless doing an out-and-back hike
