besthike.com

September 20, 2008

top 50 walks on Earth

The world’s 50 best walks is a terrific article posted by The Times Online from the U.K.

Most of the “world’s __ best walks” lists we see are cliche, if not laughable. But this one is well researched with many interesting, original choices. Links are included to recommended guiding companies.

Their 5 most difficult treks are all excellent choices:

Bright Angel Trail, Grand Canyon

Choquequirao, Peru (the â€œnewâ€ Inca Trail) – info page

Fish River Canyon, Namibia

Tour du Mont Blanc – info page

Snowman Trek, Bhutan

The world’s 50 best walks – page 8 – Times Online

Read the entire list from the beginning.

(via The Adventure Blog)

September 19, 2008

first bear attack on Vancouver Island

Hikers of the West Coast Trail and other great walks on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, take comfort that there are no Grizzly Bears on the island. And that the Black Bears are famously non-aggressive.

Until this attack on fisherman Blain Pharis:

… A black bear swam across Gordon River and climbed up onto the wharf as Pharis neared his vessel, said Hitchcock. The bear followed Pharis onto his boat and mauled him.

Four men armed with fishing gear including a filleting knife, gaff and hammer swarmed the bear and killed it.

The animal’s internal organs were examined in a necropsy and it was found to be elderly, at more than 10 years of age, and in poor health. …

Bear attack a first for the Island, expert says – Vancouver Sun

This was at Port Renfrew, the trailhead for the WCT.

Since 1986, eight people in B.C. have been killed by black bears and 75 have been injured.

September 18, 2008

paddle hiking in Alaska

The Backcountry Blog inspires me to plan future paddle / hike adventures.

I recently did the Sanctuary River loop with my friend Sherrie. We took 3 days so we could hang out in the high country and explore. The route is from Cantwell to Denali Park, where you catch the bus back to the park entrance. It’s about equal parts hiking and floating . . . enjoy the view! …

more photos – The Sanctuary River . . . an Alaskan packraft classic!

I’d prefer an inflatable kayak over a packraft, however.

September 17, 2008

Top 10 U.S. Hikes

Click through for details on these great walks selected by TrailsTV.com.

Glacier Gorge – Estes Park Colorado

The Bright Angel Trail – Grand Canyon, Arizona

The Tahoe Rim Trail – Lake Tahoe, California and Nevada

Half Dome – Yosemite, California

Enchantment Traverse – Seattle, Washington

Chimney Pond Trail – Baxter State Park, Maine

Kalalau Trail – Kauai, Hawaii

Denali National Park – Denali National Park, Alaska

Breakneck Ridge Trail – Beacon, New York

Furnace Mountain – Waynesboro, Virgina

Top 10 U.S. Hikes – TrailsTV.com

Breakneck Ridge Trail – larger original – flickr – Pianoman75

September 15, 2008January 15, 2010

GPS for (hiking) Dummies

Trailspotting has a superb post for the GPS illiterate like myself:

Your new handheld GPS might seem complex, but in truth it’s very simple to use. This quick article will show you how easy it is to get started, by using the Trailspotting recommended Garmin eTrex Venture HC GPS as an example. In next to no time you’ll be showing off your latest expedition on Google Earth. …

… click through to read the entire article: First Steps with your new GPS – Trailspotting

I’m convinced. It takes 2 AA batteries.

I assume the MapSource Trip & Waypoint Manager software is Windoze only. (I am a Mac guy.)

But posting my hikes to EveryTrail.com looks to be very easy.

September 15, 2008January 15, 2010

Garmin eTrex H Handheld GPS

Fred Theilig of Rhode Hikes would not buy the minimalist Bushnell BackTrack GPS.

For only a few dollars more â€” $89.00 right now on Amazon â€”Â he’d recommend a Garmin eTrex. This one is waterproof. And gets up to 17hrs on 2AA batteries. Editors of Trailspotting and Take a Load Off agree.

GARMIN ETREX H HANDHELD GPS

Many are confused by GPS feature sets. (Including me.) We might want to buy a Garmin GPS Etrex Instructional Video at the same time.

September 14, 2008

death leap at the Grand Canyon

Did you get the email showing an amazing sequence by “Dutch photographer Hans van der Vorst”?

It’s been circulating since 2006.

You probably guessed the photos were staged. You were right.

There’s a connecting ledge between those rock formations. The fall is much shorter than it appears.

Details on Snopes.

Thanks Dana.

September 14, 2008

review – Mtn Hardwear Sub Zero Parka

I’d been shopping for a hooded down jacket for months on a recommendation from Rob Glaser. Could not resist this one at the bargain sale price of $107.

Mountain Hardwear Sub Zero SL Down Parka – Men’s

Actually, only the women’s version was on sale. It fits me great.

I’ve used it several times now, even sleeping in it on our Mt. Adams climb.

I’ll carry a relatively light sleeping bag to offset the weight of this relatively heavy jacket.

September 13, 2008January 15, 2010

Bushnell BackTrack GPS

A GPS Unit Even Your Mother Could Use

5.6oz

2 AAA Batteries

$78.30 right now on Amazon

Finally, a SIMPLE GPS.

Bushnell 36-0050 BackTrack GPS Navigation System

(via Popgadget to Ohgizmo to The Goat to Adventure Blog)

I’ve added this to my Christmas wish list. I could certainly have used one in the past.

September 12, 2008

“extraordinary year” for Canadian Parks

Kurt Repanshek from the States reports:

… Imagine if the National Parks Conservation Association, or the Sierra Club, or The Wilderness Society reported that the U.S. government deserved credit for an “extraordinary year” in protecting the National Park System. That would be some news, wouldn’t it?

Well, that’s not the case. However, the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society did have that to say about the Canadian government. In looking back over the past 12 months (from July 2007 to July 2008), CPAWS reports that “Canadaâ€™s federal and provincial governments deserve credit for ‘an extraordinary year’ of progress in protecting the countryâ€™s parks and wilderness areas.”

Why the praise? Well, there are several reasons. …

National Parks Traveler

Much more is left to preserve in Canada than the U.S.A.

I wish the B.C. and / or Canadian Government would do something to protect the coastline of Nootka Island.