Tayson Whittaker has some ideas new to me.
To enjoy tenting, it’s essential you find an optimal way to sleep.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Fairy Creek Falls, Fernie, B.C.
Trip report by BestHike editor Rick McCharles
I ended up staying in Fernie, British Columbia, for the first time because my bike broke down nearby.
Fernie is a fantastic hiking mountain town!
There are over 300 kilometers of multi-use recreational trails accessible without a vehicle.
I walked to the Fairy Creek Falls trailhead while drinking a Tim Hortons coffee. 😀
Only 4.8km there and back, it’s super popular with families and dog walkers.
It follows the creek up to a pretty waterfall.
Expect mud on the trail, even in summer.
Here’s your destination.
Be bear aware. They are frequently spotted, even on this busy path.
In fact my Fernie friend G-Money had to deploy bear spray on the day I arrived in Fernie. They were mountain biking on a nearby trail when Momma Bear decided to protect her 2 cubs.
Fernie B.C. – GREAT Mountain Town
Though I’ve driven through Fernie, British Columbia, at least 100 times, I’d never before stopped as a tourist.
It’s fantastic.
A year round outdoor recreation mecca.
Hiking. Mountain biking. Rafting. River tubing.
Not to mention world-class fly fishing on the Elk River for cutthroat and bull trout.
Fernie is most famous for Alpine Skiing and Snowboarding.
There are over 300 kilometers of multi-use recreational trails accessible directly out of town.
The owner of Edge of the World snowboard shop pointed out that he can hike or bike in any direction from town — and be on a fantastic trail in minutes. (He also had to deploy bear spray to dissuade a Black Bear on the day of my arrival. There is plenty of wildlife around Fernie.)
There are 4 dedicated bike and outdoor shops in a town of less than 6500 locals!
I only ended up exploring Fernie because I broke down my Bikepacking trip nearby.
I’ll be back for sure.
North Coast Trail – Vancouver Island, Canada
A shortened version of the trail over 4 days and 3 nights.
This backcountry trek is not for the first time hiker. The trail is in a remote area, and there are many opportunities to get hurt. Do your homework and make sure you are prepared. …
North Coast Trail is an adventure for the hard core.
A much easier itinerary — in our opinion — is starting at Cape Scott Trail parking lot (getting there by personal vehicle or Shuttle Van) -> hiking as far into the North Coast Trail as you wish -> then backtracking to the parking lot.
IF you insist on doing the full bushwhack, watch this video. 😀
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Cycling Kettle Valley Trestles & Tunnels
The Myra Canyon section of the historic Kettle Valley Rail Trail is one of Canada and the World’s most iconic rides.
Located just southeast of Kelowna, this flat, wide gravel path crosses 18 historic wooden trestle bridges and 2 cliffside rock tunnels over a 12-kilometer span.
I’m cycling the Trans Canada Trail to Calgary for the second time. But this was my 3rd time riding Myra Canyon. In fact, I did it both ways this time. Twice the fun.
Click PLAY or get a glimpse on YouTube.
Hiking / Travel Vancouver Island
I’ve spent many months hiking Vancouver Island out of my parent’s home in Parksville.
BEST is the climate. You can hike year round.
This is not true in most of the rest of the Great White North. Winters are harsh.
Gemma and JR posted a terrific summary of what to do when on Vancouver Island.
My favourite weeks are September to early October. The crowds are gone. But the weather still (usually) quite warm.
Read more:
Best Time to Visit Vancouver Island: A Seasonal Breakdown
NEW Bear Bag – “Ultralight Bear Locker”
Adotec is selling a NEW lighter weight competitor to the Ursack.
Interesting. But more expensive.
Read the Gear Junkie review.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Tyler Campbell’s Kilimanjaro Photos
I hiked Kilimanjaro February 2026 on the Machame Route organized by Eric Hanson.
Tyler Campbell was on that adventure, as well. Here are a few of his excellent photos.
Follow him on Instagram.
Day Hiking Kelowna B.C.
By BestHike editor Rick McCharles
In 2025, visiting friends in Kelowna, British Columbia, I saw the Knox Mountain via Apex Trail listed #1 for the city on AllTrails.
It was my first hike in the city of Kelowna.
Back again in 2026 for a reunion, we did plenty of day hiking.
Early morning I climbed Mount Knox Summit, enjoying the vista.
I made a SHORTS video.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Of course we did a number of walks on the lovely Okanagan Lake waterfront.
We got a close-up view of an Osprey nest.
Most often, however, were a number of day hikes through Knox Mountain Park.
Visiting Lesotho 2014
Repost from 2014. The only time I ever visited Lesotho.
trip report by site editor Rick McCharles
The landlocked mountain kingdom of Lesotho is an enclave completely surrounded by South Africa.
Population just over two million, about 40% of the population lives below the international poverty line of US $1.25 a day. It’s one of the poorest nations on Earth.
The easiest way to hike Lesotho is by guided day tour ($50) out of Amphitheater Backpackers in the northern Drakensberg.
Our first stop was at Mafika-Lisiu school, the only one for many miles. Amphitheater Backpackers built a classroom.
One of the teachers joined us as an assistant guide. Local information, first hand.
This teacher has been waiting nearly 2yrs for a visa that would allow him to visit South Africa as a tourist.
Lesotho once had the opportunity to join South Africa, but the leaders — considered very corrupt — declined.
Many families here are self-sufficient, not much using currency. Maize is the primary crop. 75% of the population is rural.
No electricity. No formal shops. The school does have a football field.
From the school we hiked up to see some of the famous cave paintings.
Sadly, many had been defaced.
Again we saw plentiful bird life, but no wildlife. This was the wildest creature en route.
From the caves our group had the option to extend the hike up on to a ridge.
Hans loved the tranquility of the valley.
There are “roads” in Lesotho, but most are awful.
Hans signed on for the tour because he wanted to see a traditional African healer.
She’s entirely self-taught. Her healing ability is a “gift” first revealed in dreams.
Here is her home.
I’m a skeptic of natural medicine. But most people in Lesotho do not have the money nor transportation to make the long trip to a clinic or hospital. She is all they’ve got.
Her bedside manner is excellent. Warm and charismatic.
One tidbit we learned is that the traditional round houses with thatched roofs are slowly being phased out. Thatch is expensive in 2014. And must be replaced regularly.
Children here do not have much. The healer married at age-20 and had had 8 children.
Kids seem to roam about unattended by parents. They are raised (and disciplined) by the village.
AIDS infects about ⅓ of the population. But we heard nothing of that on the tour.
Theft of animals is the most worrisome “crime” in Lesotho. Though the kids are ignored, valuable stock animals are watched closely.
One local man was trying to chase down a young cow while we were there. 🙂
Full disclosure: I had been booked on a serious 8hr mountain climb for this day. But opted out, switching to the Lesotho cultural tour instead. After only one day in the summer sun, I was too sunburned to risk a tough climb.
