besthike.com

June 8, 2008

Trailspotting does Hawaii

I often ask, why is Trailspotting better than Besthike?

Quality control.

Simple.

… Every trail you find on Trailspotting has been hiked, charted and photographed by us, which is how we can provide you with the most accurate and comprehensive information possible. After returning from our recent trip to Maui, we’re now proud to be able to boast about our coverage of three major islands in the Hawaiian chain. …

Still my favourite format for a hiking blog, I’m pleased to see Trailspotting doing the advance footwork for me in Hawai.

Before I went to Kauai, Trailspotting had been there.

Now I’m looking towards a hiking vacation in Mauai. Trailspotting has already scouted the island.

If you are thinking about Hawaii too â€”Â here’s the Trailspotting overview post: Hawai Trails Special Feature

June 7, 2008

trekking the Simien Mountains, Ethiopia

A hiking buddy from Peru, Grant Assenheimer, is off to work for Medicines Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) in Ethiopia.

His partner Chantelle is going to visit in December. There they will head for one of my most sought after future hiking destinations. Click through to see the pics.

Martin Wierzbicki

more Photos by Martin

UPDATE: Grant emailed from … Bangladesh. What’s with that? Someone tell him the hiking is better in Ethiopia.

UPDATE 2: Grant emailed again to confirm he was reassigned due to RAT INFESTATION. Yup. The last rat plague was in 1959. They are back.

Villagers must eat the rats as they have very little other food. Grant must hike many miles, actually, as 3 of his assigned villages are accessible only by foot.

June 6, 2008

Welcome to Vancouver Trails

Vancouver Trails is a new site (no RSS feed) in Canadia.

Panoramic mountain top views, tranquil lakes, thick west coast rain forests, beautiful waterfalls, and breath taking alpine scenery are just a few of the many spectacular outdoor experiences along the hiking trails near Vancouver, British Columbia.

Hiking is the perfect way to enjoy the nature and beautiful scenery that Vancouver has to offer. Vancouver Trails has a range of trails from easy to difficult, from half day to full day hikes, each divided amonst several regions and each with their own unique terrain.

Start planning your outdoor adventure by viewing the list of trails or use the regional map as a reference point to where each trail is located. …

Vancouver Trails

A good sample hike to check out is Black Tusk:

The dark, jagged edges of Black Tusk make it one of the most scenic and unique hikes in southwestern British Columbia. Located in Garibaldi Provincial Park, Black Tusk is the most spectacular mountain in the area.

Region: Whistler
Difficulty: Difficult
Time: 11 hours
Distance: 29km
Elevation Gain: 1740 meters
Season: July – October
Camping: Yes
Transportation: Car
Estimated Driving Time from Vancouver: 1 hour 45 minutes

Black Tusk

(via BluePeak)

June 5, 2008

wading and trekking Paria Canyon, Utah

My favourite hike in the S.W. USA is Paria Canyon. It straddles the border between Utah and Arizona.

In my trip report, I called it the best canyon walk in the world.

Andrew and Sheila posted some wonderful photos of their March 2008 trip.

… we backpacked the 62km length of the Paria canyon. Although wet and somewhat cold so early in the season (we waded in the river proper for at least half the hike, and encountered 1 freak snowstorm on the second day), the scenery was spectacular and well worth the effort. What’s more, the snow seemed to have scared a good many hikers away, and we saw only 3 others on the trail in the 5 days of hiking!

Brilliant!

Sheila

They added the sidetrip to Wrather Arch, one of the world’s largest.

See the rest of their photos on Pbase

our Paria Canyon information page

June 4, 2008

hiking Stone Mountain, Georgia

I heard the best hike close to Atlanta was Stone Mountain.

Stonewall Jackson, Robert E. Lee, Jefferson Davis

Some say this is the largest exposed granite ‘stone’ in the world.

LOVED it.

Started with a climb 825ft (251m) to the summit.

Continued with a 5mi (8km) trail run around the varied, pretty base of the rock.

I made good time as I was desperately late trying to catch a flight at the airport.

all my Stone Mountain photos on flickr

June 3, 2008

best camera bag on the hiking trail

Me, I’m a slave to fashion.

My palmcorder / camera is well hung from my fanny pack â€” like batman’s utility belt â€” at all times.

But if you are not quite so cool as I. Or have a bigger equipment than I … check out this variation of a bicycle messenger bag recommended by Trailspotting.

Kata T-214 GDC Torso-Pack

… We’ve been testing out Kata’s T-214 Torso Pack for the past six months we love how rugged, secure compact and comfortable it is, plus it’s easy to swing it around from back to front for easy access to the double-zippered top. Much better than other sling-bags we’ve tried. …

Trailspotting

Related: Two-Heel Drive – Fanny packs: whoâ€™s got one?

June 3, 2008

trek the south Sinai Mountains in Egypt

Pierre Dehaene wrote to tell us of an EU supported local trekking company.

Sheikh Sina offers hikes and excursions in the Deserts and High Mountains of South Sinai. With 25 different routes to choose from, there is something for all levels, from adventure seekers to leisure vacationers. Customers may enjoy 10 day, 5 day and 3 day excursions in various regions.

Sheikh Sina, a Bedouin run trekking company, strives to offer the best hiking and trekking experience in the South Sinai Mountains. We remain sensitive to the local environment and its people by promoting responsible travel in protected areas that have been selected as World Heritage sights by UNESCO.

Start on their Treks page. It details options in the Galt Region and the Umm Shomar Region. Some are open year round.

Sheikh Sina Bedouin Treks

I was there once in 1994 and â€” foolishly â€” went snorkeling and scuba diving instead of hiking. Friends set off to Saint Catherine’s Monastery. I went to the beach.

I love the desert.

June 2, 2008

the top of Angel Falls, Venezuela

I’d love to get to the top of the world’s highest waterfall.

original – flickr – MaurÃcio Marques

Two teams at least have climbed the Rainbow Jambaia route up behind the Falls.

Far easier would be to hike up, rapel down.

more photos of this adventure – flickr – Cathy Beloeil

Cathy did climb nearby Roraima (photos), as well, on that same trip.

Need additional incentive to book a flight to South America? See more wonderful Angel Fall photos on Dark Roasted Blend.

May 31, 2008

solo speed record trek to the South Pole

A great video previews Todd Carmichael’s November 2008 attempt alone over the “cruelest territory on the planet”.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Expedition Earth Mission 2008 The South Pole – blog

May 31, 2008

hike while working on your computer – Walkstation

Perfect for the hiking blogger.

… It’s a stand-up desk integrated into a treadmill. …

I tried it and it’s not as awkward as you might think. You have to get the speed on the treadmill just right, so you can walk without thinking, but once you do it is actually possible to read and type while walking.

Addicted to the Web? Walk it off