Best hikes, treks, tramps in the world.
Due to the pandemic, I did a LOT of cycling and hiking on Vancouver Island in 2020.
One of the hikers I followed most closely — looking for inspiration — was David on the I’d Rather Be Hiking YouTube channel.
Check his I’d Rather be Hiking – Vancouver Island Group Facebook page, as well.
Click PLAY or watch David’s 2020 highlights on YouTube.
I FINALLY got a dedicated camera gear backpack. Paid CDN$ 150 for a LowePro Photo Sport 200. (Now discontinued.)
Easily fits my 3 small cameras and assorted add-ons.
As well as extra layers, snacks and water.
Click PLAY or watch it in action on YouTube.
There’s a larger version if you want more space. Also discontinued, so you’d have to shop around.
Click PLAY or watch a review on YouTube.
Click PLAY or watch the Lowepro pitch on YouTube.
Click PLAY or watch a review of the larger 300 on YouTube.
Dawn low tide at Rathtrevor Beach in Parksville on Vancouver Island.
I’ve been walking early morning at Rathtrevor for months during COVID lockdown. This edit gives you a good feel for the glorious setting.
I’ve not yet tired of taking a morning walk in exactly the same place each day. Every dawn is different.
Low tide here stretches nearly a kilometre out into the Strait of Georgia.
Thousands of birds are here Spring and Autumn during migration. This video shot in November.
Rathtrevor has a terrific campground, if you ever get the chance to visit.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Chill in the air. Sun low in the sky. Autumn colours.
September & October are my favourite months for hiking Vancouver Island.
This video is composed entirely of still images. Transitions turn it from a normal (boring) slideshow to something more entertaining.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
This video is the first seen by visitors new to the BestHike YouTube channel.
An introduction.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. And subscribe. 🙂 I’ve started over on YouTube from scratch, doing it right this time.
Kraig Adams hiked the Sawtooth Range in Idaho for the first time and was impressed.
Boise is the nearest airport.
Many hikers carry a fishing rod. Mosquitoes are a big problem here in 2020 as they are in much of the Pacific N.W.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Click PLAY or watch a trailer on YouTube.
Trip report by BestHike editor Rick McCharles
I tried and failed to do the Wesley Ridge traverse:
I started at the end closest to Parksville assuming it would be less busy than the Cathedral Grove trailhead.
I made a video of the BikePacking trip. Cycling to and from my parent’s place in Parksville qualifies this as a #MicroAdventure.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
I hid and locked my bike close to the trailhead. Transferred what I needed to my hiking pack — and headed up the railway tracks.
I missed the turn-off up mountain. It’s not obvious. On my return I flagged the start to make it more conspicuous.
Steep.
The strenuous 2km climb up to the telecommunications tower is called Wesley Tower Trail.
Many continue on to the first lake vista. It took me about 2 hours to get here. There are two benches, one named Forever Tuesday after the Tuesday Walkers Club in nearby Port Alberni.
Most turn back at this point. There’s no one path across the ridge from here.
I gave it a good try. You follow different (competing) sets of orange tape flags. Some lead to dead ends.
A bigger problem was scrambling hundreds of fallen trees. Not bringing long pants, I got quite scratched up. It was bushwhacking.
Another problem is water. I saw no flowing water — only remnant snow melt tarns.
With daylight failing, I finally decided to find myself a great tent site.
It doesn’t get much better than this. I had to HIDE in the tent at dusk, however, pestered by small non-biting flies.
From here I could see steam rising from Port Alberni.
Here’s where I stopped.
Good night.
Next morning, nearly out of water, I decided to hustle back the way I’d come. I’ll try the Ridge from the other end on some future trip.
related – Lonny Barr – Wesley Ridge Trail
trip report by BestHike editor Rick McCharles
St. George’s was the first part of Bermuda to be extensively colonized, and the town of St. George’s contains many of the territory’s oldest buildings.
It’s claimed to be the oldest continuously-inhabited English town in the New World.
While visiting I walked all parts of the island many times. Here are some highlights.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
That footage is shot using the Osmo Mobile 2 gimbal with an iPhone X.
Though the gimbal weighs 485g (17oz) I’ll be carrying it on many future hikes.
trip report by site editor Rick McCharles
Pucón is the adventure capital of the Chilean lake district. Climbing, cycling, hiking, skiing. You name it.
A super popular day hike is the private nature reserve El Cañi Sanctuary. It’s about an 8 hour day Pucón to Pucón for most people.
1240 metres (4068 feet) ascent.
Click PLAY or watch my trip on YouTube.
A highlight is the unique Araucaria (monkey-puzzle) forrest. Perhaps my favourite tree.
If weather is clear from the summit mirador, you see many volcanoes: Volcán Llaima, Volcán Villarrica, Volcán Quetrupillan and Volcán Lanin.
Almost everyone does this as a day hike. But it’s possible to tent at Laguna Negra or or at the Aserradero hut for about $13 if you prefer.
Another highlight is the add-on Lagunas del Cañi (lake circuit). Some trails are narrow and overgrown.
I reached the summit mirador with two trail runners from France. We took photos of one another.
It’s a long way down. Then back to town … or to one of many hotsprings near the trailhead, Termas Los Pozones was recommended. I rushed back to catch a 12 hour night bus.
_____
Most people do this hike independently taking the local bus 13 miles (20 km) themselves. But you can hire a guide in Pucón for about $100.
I got my information from ¡école! Hosteria and Restaurant in Pucón.
Click PLAY or watch Ernest Aymerich’s trip on YouTube.
besthike.com 