besthike.com

March 17, 2008

walking Long Beach, British Columbia

One of the great coastal walks of the world is Long Beach on Vancouver Island. I try to get out there at least once every year.

It’s the gorgeous section of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve between Tofino and Ucluelet.

What do you think?

larger original – flickr

more amazing photos of this wonderland by Bravewest

My friend, journalist Kate Zimmerman was out last year for the first time en route to the Tofino Food and Wine Festival. Here’s what she wrote:

… Itâ€™s the beach, though, that cries out to you. One glimpse of its broad, silken sands, bracketed by rocky outcrops topped with bravely coping conifers, and staying indoors seems ludicrous. We dashed out to glory in the crashing waves and enjoy the driftwood seating so thoughtfully provided by nature. The boys danced in the surf while we shivered just watching them and we all tossed sticks, seaweed and even mussels for leash-free mutts who thought they were in paradise. Another day, at low tide, the small pools at one end of the beach were jeweled with anemones and starfish while crabs scuttled to safety as the dogs splashed about. …

Go West, Young Men, Dogs and Gourmands – Kate of Late

Leave a comment if you have your own fond memories of Long Beach.

There are many great hikes nearby, most famously the West Coast Trail.

March 16, 2008

Radical Reels video – Banff Mountain Film Festival

I attended the Banff Mountain Film Festival in November and gave it a mixed review.

It took until February before they posted the trailer for the current Radical Reels World Tour.

But, it was worth the wait. Very well edited … even if it is partly a commercial for the sponsors.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. It features sports including skiing, climbing, kayaking, BASE jumping, snowboarding and mountain biking.

(via Sierra Blogging Post)

If you ever get the chance to see the touring Film Festival, or the touring Radical Reels festival, do it.

Related: 2007 Radical Reels trailer

March 16, 2008

best hike out of Palm Springs, California

In winter, Mt. San Jacinto looks very appealing from down in the desert.

original – flickr – bossco

I’ve always loved mountain gondolas.

Instead of slogging hours up the hill, in just a few minutes, you can get to altitude.

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is one of the premiere tourist attractions of Southern California. A great experience for all. Tickets about $20.

If you have any kind of fear of heights, do not read this paragraph:

In October 2003, a steel cable broke and caused a mechanical failure that left more than fifty tram customers hanging in mid-air … During the crisis, tram officials sought a rescue helicopter but could not locate one. The obstruction was finally removed by a tram operator with no training in maintenance, utilizing a borrowed Leatherman utility knife. …

Wikipedia

My thinking was to make the first winter ascent of Mt. San Jacinto. By “first”, I mean “my first” as it’s highly likely people have been up there in the snow before me. And by “Mt. San Jacinto” I mean the lower peak on which I stand:

As you can see, the actually summit behind was not worthy of me. I ignored it, instead wandering around the sub-summit snapping photos of weird ice features sculpted by wind and sun:

My best fun that day was running and glissading down the steep sections:

On returning to the top of the tramway, I learned I had missed the San Jacinto summit completely. Zigged when I should have zagged.

Cannot imagine how I made this error. I tried to follow the signage:

more photos from this hike / scramble – flickr

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is recommended for all. Serious hikers (with 2 vehicles) should ascend by Tram, then overnight hike, exiting via Idyllwild.

March 15, 2008

take a Mcflurry spoon hiking

Currently I’m carrying only a light metal spoon as “cutlery”. (Once in a while I use my Swiss Army Knife in the kitchen, too.) But Mcflurry spoons have done the trick in the past for me.

Another great idea from As The Crow Flies:

read more – Mcflurry spoon doubles as long handled spoon and tent stake holder

March 14, 2008

hiking the Canary Islands, Spain

If I was flying there today, I’d head for the Island of Gran Canaria.

The Canary Islands are an African archipelago which are part of Spain and consist of seven islands of volcanic origin in the Atlantic Ocean. They are located off the north-western coast of mainland Africa (Morocco and the Western Sahara).

Wikipedia

That’s the home of Rambling Roger and his wife Eileen. They are super experienced hiking guides. Or they can set you up with the best guidebook and maps for your independent hiking.

The guidebook is self-published by Roger, available hard copy or PDF.

I don’t know much about Gran Canaria. Let’s see some “interesting photos” on flickr.

original – roca del cangrejo – flickr – maccanti

original – flickr – maccanti

Nice!

Will contact you when I get there, Roger.

March 14, 2008

walking Torrey Pines, California

Not the golf course, I’m talking about Torrey Pines State Reserve north of San Diego.

Everyone loves this area. It’s perfect for all levels of experience and ability.

Moon California Hiking recommends Razor Point and Beach Trail Loop as a “best hike”. But there’s no need to stick to that 2.5mi itinerary. You can wander this small park’s network of trails as you will.

Parking costs money at the trailhead. But is free (if you can find a spot) along the beach.

I was looking for a workout and decided on a trail run heading south down the gorgeous beach past this guy:

original

Here’s the access point to the cliff top reserve:

original

Your reward at the top are a number of Pacific Ocean overlooks from the “eroded coastal badlands”. Very scenic!

original

more photos – flickr

Torrey Pines State Reserve – official website

(Note: This is not the Torrey Pines Trail in Channel Islands National Park)

March 13, 2008

things white people like – Outdoor Performance Clothes

This blog is going crazy on the interwebs right now:

#87 Outdoor Performance Clothes

… When white people arenâ€™t working, they generally like to wear Outdoor Performance Clothes. …

When you see white people wearing these, it is important that you do not discuss business matters. Instead you should say things like â€œwhere did you get that fleece?â€ and â€œwhatâ€™s that thing holding your keys to your shorts?â€ White people will be more than happy to talk to you about their sustainably produced possessions.

The main reason why white people like these clothes is that it allows them to believe that at any moment they could find themselves with a Thule rack on top of their car headed to a national park. …

If you plan on spending part of your weekend with a white person, it is strongly recommended that you purchase a jacket or some sort of â€œhigh performanceâ€ t-shirt, which is like a regular shirt but just a lot more expensive.

things white people like

Faux outdoors people.

What are you going to do?

March 12, 2008

best California hiking guidebook

Once again I went to California, unsure where to hike.

There are too many choices. Too many good guidebooks. Here’s the one I ended up buying:

One of the authors is Tom Stienstra, sometimes called “the other Tom” in relation to Tom Mangan of Two Heel Drive. (Mangan reviews hikes on the San Jose Mercury News. Stienstra does the same for the San Francisco Chronicle. Both are Bay Area papers.)

Turns out Stienstra is the “best-selling hiking guidebook author in America”. It says so on his book, so it must be true.

AND Stienstra’s in the stars with John Muir:

Tom Stienstra inducted into California Outdoors Hall of Fame in 2003

I don’t want to downplay the co-Author’s contribution:

Ann Marie Brown has lived in and explored the San Francisco Bay Area for 15 years. A hiker extraordinaire, she has logged more than 10,000 miles exclusively on California trails. …

GORP

Anyhoo, if you are looking for the best overview of hikes in California, this is it. Theyâ€™ve divided California into 16 hiking zones.

I wanted to hike the “Southern Deserts”. For that region â€œbest hikesâ€ are recommended including:

Tahquitz Canyon
Ryan Mountain Trail
Mastodon Peak
Lost Palms Oasis

I did 3 of these. All excellent

This guidebook has the guts to recommend “best hikes” in categories including:

Best Beach and Coastal Walks
Best Butt-kickers
Best Desert Hikes
Best Hikes with a View
Best for Kids
Best Summit Hikes
Best for Wildlife
… and many more

The best overview of California: California Hiking (Moon Handbooks)

March 11, 2008

Warren Macdonald – double amputee climber

Inspiring.

Warren Macdonald became trapped beneath a one tonne slab of rock while climbing Queensland’s ~~Hinchcliffe~~ Hinchinbrook Island. Two days later he was rescued only to have both legs were amputated. Ten months later he climbed Tasmania’s Cradle Mountain using a modified wheelchair and the seat of his pants. In 1999 he reached the summit of Federation Peak on an epic 4 week journey using a pair of prosthetic legs. …

Warren inspires audiences to believe in themselves, demonstrating through action that “nothing is impossible if we dare to face our fears and believe in ourselves.” That achieving success requires taking positive steps forward, and that each step we take, no matter how small, moves us closer to our goals. His presentation reinforces the importance of recognizing change as an opportunity to transform our lives and turn negatives into positives.

Saxson Speakers Bureau