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win a trip for 2 – climb Mt Toubkal, Morocco

I did the Toubkal Circuit independently last year finishing with a climb to North Africa’s highest summit.

Closest international airport is Marrakesh.

In collaboration with Mount Toubkal Adventure, Bookatrekking.com gives away a complete trip to the highest mountain in North Africa.

The trip includes accommodation (2 nights in Marrakech), meals, luggage transport (on mules) and guides to the top of Mount Toubkal!

Flights are not included.

Apply here.

related – 10 Tips to Summit

NOTE: Two female Scandinavian hikers were killed by wannabe ISIS jihadists last year.

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15 iconic Oregon coast hikes

From towering Neahkahnie Mountain to the chasms of Cape Perpetua, there are hiking trails that run up and down our gorgeous coastline, exploring the forests, dunes, tide pools and beaches that make it up.

… One of the best things about hiking the Oregon coast is how easily you can access such incredible views …

OregonHikers.org

Blacklock Point from Floras Lake Hike
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Alberni Inlet Trail, Vancouver Island

trip report by BestHike editor Rick McCharles

Stage 1 – Port Alberni to China Creek

  • 15 kms one way (I stopped at 13 kms)
  • 6 hours (I took 4 hrs)
  • elevation gain 3937 ft
  • Ship Creek Road trailhead to China Creek trailhead
  • panorama of the city of Port Alberni
  • route options: Follinsbee Creek (easier) or Lookout and the old Copper Mountain Trail (harder)
  • moderate difficulty
  • plenty of ups and downs
  • some fallen logs to scramble

My Dad dropped me at the Port Alberni visitor centre. This was the start of my Pacific N.W. BikePacking tour.

For my first hike, I used the paid version of the AllTrails app. And I needed AllTrails as parts of the trail close to China Creek are overgrown and difficult to find.

Even better is the Relive app. Click PLAY or relive my hike on YouTube.

It was tougher than I expected with non-stop up and downs.

There are many bears in the area. This was the only sign I saw.

In fact, the only animal life of interest was the first Garter Snake I’ve seen this season.

Wild flowers lovely.

This trail is maintained. But the section closer to Port Alberni is in far better shape.

At times you have to rely on flagging tape to find the trail.

One highlight is a vista of Port Alberni from on high.

The coastal section is cool. Boom.

All in all, I’d recommend the Alberni Inlet trail.

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North America – Black Bear fatal attacks

Black Bears killed 25 people in 20 years.

About 1.25 fatal attacks per year in North America.

The most deaths have occurred in British Columbia, Canada (6), with Quebec, Canada (3) and Alaska (3) tied for second most.

LIST OF FATAL BLACK BEAR ATTACKS IN NORTH AMERICA OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS

Read about Brown (Grizzly) and Polar Bear fatalities on Wikipedia.

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Hiking Vancouver Island

Orca Books publishes some of the most popular day hiking guidebooks.

Hiking Trails 1 (Victoria area)
Hiking Trails 2 (south/central Vancouver Island)
Hiking Trails 3 (northern Vancouver Island)

I’ve been using Trails 2. It’s the 9th edition (2010) and has been well tested.

Maps could be better. But the information provided is clear and succinct.

Amazon.ca 

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Justin’s Pacific Northwest Trail

Justin:

The Pacific Northwest Trail resonated with me: rugged, rough, remote. I became somewhat (ok, totally) obsessed with the idea of hiking it. And in 2 weeks I’ll be starting the trail …

The PNT has all the things I love about backpacking: navigation challenges, undeveloped sections, bushwacking and solitude (I have a hiking partner, I won’t go full Castaway on you). The length is perfect for my three month timeframe …

(fewer) than 300 people have completed the trail since its inception in 1977. …

How Did I Get Here?