Winter Hiking can be MAGICAL ❅❅❅

For the past 4 years I’ve made the pilgrimage to Banff, Alberta in the Spring.

I alternate one day of downhill skiing — with one day of winter hiking.

Weather-wise, you have to be ready for anything. Carry Yaktrax.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

related – Winter walking in Rathtrevor Park, Vancouver Island (VIDEO)

CRASHED my NEW DJI Mini 4 Pro Drone 😢

For hiking summer 2024 I upgraded my drone from the DUMBEST in the DJI Mini line-up to the best.

DJI Mini 4 Pro

As I’m often alone on the trail, I wanted “follow me” features as well as the best obstacle avoidance I could get.

First flight I was impressed.

BUT trying to hand catch the Mini 4 — I crashed it.

Oops. Not a good start.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Now have the DJI RC-N2 controller with the built-in screenNo longer need to hook up my phone. 

I got the full Fly More Kit which includes 3 batteries, charging hub, carrying case, and extras.

Not inexpensive at CAD $1500 including tax.

Of course buying a warranty is essential. I paid CAD $170 (USD $125) / 2 years. I can replace the drone carcass up to 3 times. But IF I lose the drone, no warranty coverage. 

I bought some accessories, as well:

I could have gone for the slightly less expensive Mini 3, but decided on the 4 for these features:

  • 360 degree obstacle avoidance
  • better low light video
  • it has a built-in light, so I can see the drone in the sky at dusk or dawn
  • more Quickshot options

Most importantly, super powerful Activetrack.

The drone will follow-me wherever I go, avoiding obstacles so I need not manually watch it every second

Adventure Racing World Championship 2025

The extremely harsh World Championships of Adventure Racing will be hosted by Canada in British Columbia. Host city Penticton.

Adventure Racing World Series Announces Canada as the 2025 World Championship Destination

I’d love to be involved somehow as a volunteer. Perhaps roving VIDEO crew.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Here’s a good documentary of the 2023 Worlds in South Africa.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. (41min)

180km Torres Del Paine, Patagonia – SOLO

Harmen Hoek captured the best video I’ve seen of the famed O-trek (including the W-trek).

It’s wonderful. And yet provides clear warning of the drastic, quickly changing weather.

Expect some of the heaviest rains and strongest winds of your life. Even if the first few days are sunny.

Getting bookings for this adventure is super challenging. Check our Paine Information page for details.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. (27min)

0:00 Puerto Natales
0:50 Mirador Base Las Torres (1st time)
3:40 Day 1 – Glacier and Camp Dickson
10:06 Day 2 – Glacier and Camp Los Perros
13:46 Exploring the Puma Glacier
15:45 Day 3 – Glacier Grey and Paso John Garner
21:08 Day 4 – Storm to Mirador Británico
24:35 Day 5 – Sunrise at Mirador Base Las Torres
26:38 Outro with photos

BestHike TOP 10 Videos

These are our TOP 10 Videos as of December 31, 2023.

First, check the introduction for the BestHike YouTube channel.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.


#10 Cycling, Hiking Lofoten Islands, Arctic Norway

HIGHLIGHTS of 2 weeks on the Lofoten Islands. Summers of 2022 and 2023..

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. Details.


#9 Hiking Valencia, Spain

One of the best urban hikes anywhere is right through the heart of Valencia, Spain.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. Details.


#8 West Coast Trail TEASER

The West Coast Trail on Vancouver Island, Canada is our #1 hike in the world.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. Details.


#7 Cycling / Hiking Arctic Norway ➙ Lyngen Alps to Lofoten

Starting from Tromsø, Norway — well above the Arctic Circle. Footage from summers 2022 – 2023.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. Details.


#6 Bermuda Rail Trail

A unique walking adventure way out in the middle of the Atlantic.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. Details.


#5 Laugavegur – Iceland – Solo Tenting Late Season

Laugevagur Trail is the BEST HIKE in Iceland. This footage from mid-September while huts were already shutting down for the season.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. Details.


#4 John Muir Trail, California

First 5 days with two good friends. Solo for the final 2 weeks ending at Mt Whitney.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. Details.


#3 Fisherman’s Trail, Portugal Alone. Late in the year – November.

Fisherman’s Trail is the BEST section of the longer Rota Vicentina route in Portugal. And the BEST section of Fisherman’s is Porto Covo ➙ Zambujeira do Mar

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. Details.


#2 BestHike BEST VIDEO Highlights 2022

An inspirational montage from our best hikes of that year.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.


#1 Top 10 Hikes on Earth

The best of the best.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. Details.


If you like those, SUBSCRIBE to the BestHike YouTube channel.

Three Fingers Lookout, Washington State

Three Fingers Lookout  is a historic fire observation building on one of the summits of Three Fingers Mountain in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National ForestSnohomish County, Washington.

Built in 1930 in an extremely challenging location, it is one of the oldest surviving observation posts in the forest. …

Kraig Adams posted a lovely video on his overnight trip.

Kraig must be the most popular hiking vlogger. His video editing style has been emulated by many others.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

BestHike VIDEO Highlights 2023

Some of the BEST video clips captured by BestHike editor Rick McCharles in 2023. 

Iceland, USA S.W., Norway, Bermuda, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, finishing in British Columbia.  

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

For comparison, here’s his 2022 Highlights VIDEO. 

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.