Overland Track, Tasmania

Posted on April 14, 2018 by Rick Mc

Mac posted an excellent overview on how to tramp one of our top 10 hikes in the world.

PROS

Beautifully maintained track
Plenty of water available on the trail
Great side trips (Cradle Mountain, Hartnett Falls, the Acropolis)
Can stay as many days as you choose out on the track
Climb Mount Ossa, the highest peak in Tasmania (side trip)

CONS

Expensive – A$230
Bookings required October 1 to May 31
Crowded during the high season
Can only be hiked one direction
Leeches

Guide To Hiking The Overland Track In Tasmania https://t.co/Iq26TCTf1u pic.twitter.com/imrCWB2j6S

— Halfway Anywhere (@HalfwayAnywhere) March 26, 2018

Based on Mac’s information, we’ve updated our Overland Track information page.

Mac actually liked Tasmania’s Western Arthur Traverse better than the Overland.

new in 2018 – MSR Hubba Tour tents

Posted on April 13, 2018 by Rick Mc

I’m super happy with my Hubba and newer Hubba NX 1 solo tents.

But if you want to keep gear in a big vestibule outside the tent, this might be a good option for you.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

4 Wheel Bob – the film

Posted on April 12, 2018 by Rick Mc

Having been on Bob’s support team for his 2007 ascent of 14,252-foot (4344m) White Mountain Peak, California, I can highly recommend his inspiring documentary.

Bob’s smiling here. But let me confirm that trip was bloody tough. I could never possibly have made it in his chair.

The new film covers his attempt to cross 11,845-foot Kearsarge Pass in the Sierra Nevada. It’s much rougher than White.

Click PLAY or watch the trailer on YouTube.

Click through for details.

4wheelbobfilm.com

protecting food from bears

Posted on April 11, 2018 by Rick Mc

Andrew Skurka:

Personally, I own a BearVault BV500 and Ursack Major. I use the BV500 when it’s required, and the Ursack Major in areas with bears and/or mini-bears but without canister regulations.

Buyers guide: Bear canisters || Comparison of volume per weight & cost

Good advice. I do the same.

I’m still using a clear BEARVAULT BV500. Or an Ursack.

The canister is a little better, but bulky.

I hang my Ursack, when I can.

But in areas with bears — and inappropriate trees — tying directly to a tree at eye level works too. I’ve never had a bear approach my food … though I did once have a mouse get inside the Ursack.

cycle / hiking the Carretera Austral, Chile

Posted on April 11, 2018 by Rick Mc

future trip planning by BestHike editor Rick McCharles

During my two months in Patagonia 2018 I did a fair bit of research on a future cycle hiking trip.

what bike? (Surly Long Haul Trucker with 40mm tires is popular)
buy, rent or bring with me from Canada?
exact route? (north to south via Chiloe sounds best to me)

I’d camp and hike en route.

The Carretera is far more popular now than when I did it in 2004 by bus / hitchhiking.

The Carretera Austral runs about 1,240 kilometers (770 mi) from Puerto Montt to Villa O’Higgins through (sparsely populated) rural Patagonia. …

This area is characterized by thick forests, fjords, glaciers, canals and steep mountains. …

Among the world’s finest road trips, the Carretera Austral – or “Southern Highway” – is a 1240km route through Chile that’s mostly unpaved. Winding through millennia-old forests, it visits dusty Andean hamlets and turquoise rivers spawned from landlocked glaciers. …

Cyclists should have the skills and materials to repair their own gear, and should plan on taking a solid month for the entire endeavor. According to Italian cyclist Tomas Balzk, the hardest part was not pedaling the terrain, but ingesting enough calories. …

Lonely Planet

new California hiking guidebooks

Posted on April 10, 2018 by Rick Mc

John Soars announced two books available for preorder.

Day Hiking: Mount Shasta, Lassen & Trinity Alps Regions

Available May 1

100 Classic Hikes: Northern California, fourth edition

Available June 1

details

Los Lagos Circuit, Pucón, Chile

Posted on April 9, 2018 by Rick Mc

Similar to Santuario El Cañi, the Lakes Circuit is another of the best hikes out of adventure capital Pucón, Chile.

Huerquehue NP is a hidden gem of Chilean Patagonia: in spite of its proximity to Pucón, it has frequently been overlooked in favour of the perhaps more dramatic Villarrica NP to the south. This is beginning to change, as more people recognize the spectacular walking to be had in this tiny park. …

walkopedia