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Man vs. Wild – Copper Canyon, Mexico

I’m on the record as boycotting Man vs. Wild, fearing that the TV show will encourage people to do things far more dangerous than those filmed by Bear’s crew.

But I found myself watching a full episode, lately:

In Mexico, Bear must find his way out of Copper Canyon, and his only supplies are a water bottle, a flint and a knife. Bear demonstrates how to build a simple compass and climb sheer cliffs safely. For shelter, he uses ancient caves and makes fire with a traditional “fire saw.” Bear also demonstrates techniques for finding scorpions or grubs and fishing without a rod or line.

Man vs Wild Episodes – Wikipedia

It’s hard to stay angry at Bear, his boyish enthusiasm is inspiring.

My real excuse for watching is that I’m planning a very similar adventure, dropping into Copper Canyon from the train tracks and finding my way to Batopilas village.

(To make up for my sin of watching Man vs. Wild I watched a full episode of a real Survivorman, Les Stroud. Much more impressive in every way.)

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original – flickr

more of Sam Meztli’s photos photos tagged Copper Canyon – flickr

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Kalalau Trail, Hawaii

Yet another “must-hike” on Kauai.

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Na Pali – the Cliffs in Hawaiian – is one of the most beautiful and remote areas on Kaua‘i. The strenuous eleven-mile Kalalau Trail winds along this rugged coastline, providing the only land access to legendary Kalalau Valley. The trail and facilities are rugged; some eroded areas are very narrow over cliffs that are hundreds of feet high.

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Kaua’i Explorer

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exploring coastal Patagonia

Cristian Donoso, a Chilean lawyer, has been exploring the remote western coast of Patagonia for over a decade. He won a 2006 ROLEX associate Laureate award.

His latest expedition is a 5 months journey, 1250 miles (2,039 km), using kayaks to reach inaccessible waterways, glaciers, summits, caves, underground rivers, and wildlife preserves.

The climate is harsh and unpredictable.

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Now this is ADVENTURE.

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Scroll down the trip website and you can quickly get an idea of what they face in that part of the world: transpatagonia expedition – official homepage

(via The Adventure Blog)

This journey reminds me of the concurrent Journey on the Wild Coast now in Alaska.

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5 of the Best Walks in Europe

The Rambling Traveler posted 5 major hikes he would like to do in future.

  • Italy- Alpe di Siusi in the Dolomites between Val di Fassa and Val Gardena (many day hikes)
  • Switzerland- Alpine Pass Route from Sargans to Montreux (350km/220 miles)
  • Norway- Hardanger Plateau DNT Trail from peak to fjord (5-7 day hike)
  • Scotland- West Highland Way from Milngavie to Fort William (152km/95 miles)
  • England- Coast to Coast Walk (C2C) from St Bees to Robin Hoods Bay (304km/190 miles)

    • If you have other recommendations, please share them in the comments on the Rambling Traveler blog post.

    Cabin in the middle of nowhere, Alpe di Siusi, Italy

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    original – flickr – Alaskan Dude

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    Kauai – Alaka’i Swamp Trail, Hawaii

    Stuart at Trail Spotting recommends the Kauai – Alaka’i Swamp Trail 11mi (17.7km). Hard.

    … Take a westerly drive around Kauai until you run out of road and you’ll find yourself overlooking the plunging cliffs of Kalalau Valley on the fabled Na Pali Coast.

    The only way to explore beyond this point by land is on foot, and the well-maintained Pihea trail leading to the Alaka‘i Swamp trail is an exhilarating way to do so. Hike along cliff edges, through jungle and across misty mountain-top swamps to reach the trail’s end and clifftop views over Wainiha Pali. …

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    Click through for photos and maps: Trail Spotting

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    Barbary Coast Trail, San Francisco

    Another recommended “urban walk”.

    This one I saw in the comments on a post on Modern Hiker.

    The southern end of the Barbary Coast Trail begins at the Old U.S. Mint in the heart of downtown. From there it heads north, weaving its way through San Francisco’s most vibrant and historic neighborhoods to Aquatic Park.

    Walking Length 3.8 miles (mostly flat or gently sloping).

    The trail is designated by 170 bronze medallions and arrows embedded in the sidewalk.

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    Trail Highlights

    • Birthplace of the Gold Rush
    • Largest collection of historic ships in the U.S.
    • Pony Express Headquarters site
    • WWII submarine
    • First Asian temple in the U.S.
    • Barbary Coast-era shanghaiing den
    • Old Mint, once the “Fort Knox of the West”
    • Gold Rush-era buildings
    • Oldest Catholic cathedral west of the Rockies
    • Gold Rush Museum, featuring stagecoaches and Gold Rush mining implements
    • Mansion built by Silver King James C. Flood
    • Hyde-Powell Cable Car Line

    Barbary Coast Trail – official website

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    Hiking and Backpacking in Hawaii Blog

    A Google search for “Hawaii Hiking Blog” gets you to the #1 site: the Hiking and Backpacking in Hawaii Blog.

    A place to read about hiking in Hawaii, backpacking in Hawaii, and trails in Hawaii. Read Hawaii hiking stories, Hawaii hiking information, information about Hawaii trail locations and conditions on the Big Island (Hawaii island), Maui, Oahu, Kauai, Molokai, and Lanai. Find out about the beauty of the Hawaiian Islands.

    It’s good. I’ve just started working backwards through the many posts, looking for the the best hikes in Hawaii.

    Dayle, the site editor, has great knowledge of the islands. He and his wife Jacqueline lead hikes for the Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club (HTMC).

    Of the best hikes in Kauai specifically, Dayle says most people name Kalalau and Awawapuhi-Nualolo.

    He posted another GREAT hike on that island that appeals to me:

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    Photo credits: http://www.ne.jp/asahi/fu-kei

    A lesser used trail but one that is equally fantastic is the Honopu Ridge Trail located in the Kokee area of Kauai. …

    Along with my wife Jacque, I did this a few years ago and the payoffs at the end were fantastic views of the Na Pali Coast far below plus some awesome ridge hiking on some thrilling sections of trail. A very interesting and unexpected finding at the end of the trail are benches and lounge chairs made of sticks and slats of wood that have been lashed together. If you are like me, you’ll be amazed to find something like those manmade benches there.

    This area is the domain of mountain goats (literally). Very likely, if you hike the Honopu Ridge trail you will encounter, or at least hear, these horned denizens of the cliffs. …

    If you are looking for an adventure off the well-trampled paths used by most tourists, then Honopu Ridge is for you.

    Honopu Ridge Trail on Kauai

    Of course I have subscribed by RSS feed.

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    East Coast Trail, Newfoundland

    Check this out …

    Located on the East Coast Trail between Port Kirwin and Aquaforte, Newfoundland

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    original – flickr – iJohn

    The 540 km East Coast Trail is located on the east coast of Canada along the scenic shores of the Avalon Peninsula in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

    220 km of the Trail have been hardened to a world class hiking standard. This section of Trail stretches from Fort Amherst, in historic St. John’s, to Cappahayden, on the beautiful southern shore. It is equipped with trail signage, maps and supporting trail information to enhance your hiking experience along our shores and through the wilderness. This section of Trail consists of a series of 18 paths each with a northern and a southern trailhead that is marked with distinctive signage. Each of these paths can be hiked as an individual experience. Some paths are easy strolls, and some are longer and more rugged. …

    320 km of Trail are under development and are not supported with trail maps and signage. This section of the Trail includes the northeastern tip of the Avalon, from St. John’s to Topsail Beach, as well as the southeastern tip of the Avalon, from Cappahayden to Trepassey. This section offers many hiking routes that have not been hardened or signed, presenting a greater number of hiking challenges. You should contact us directly, at eastcoasttrail@nfld.net, for specific information on trail conditions, description and access points.

    Our goal is to have the 540 km fully constructed, signed, with map and route descriptions available by 2016. The following outline provides a brief overview of our trail development schedule. This schedule is subject to funding and change. …

    East Coast Trail | The Trail Overview

    Since the West Coast Trail in Canada is our favourite hike in the world, we should get out to compare the East Coast Trail.

    Recommended guidebook:

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    Hiking the East Coast Trail Volume II Guide Book

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    best hiker messing with Texas

    For the first time ever, I made it to Texas for hiking.

    Adventure Blogger Kraig Becker, had recommended in 2006 the new Government Canyon State Natural Area which, very close to San Antonio, has 40+ miles of hiking trails, ideal too for mountain biking and trail running.

    Unbeknownst to Kraig and my good self, the Park is CLOSED in February except on weekends.

    The wilderness closed?

    That’s an oxymoron to a besthiker. I parked in a nearby residential development and headed cross-country to intersect with the official trails.

    Unfortunately, turned out I was bushwhacking through PRIVATE PROPERTY. This was my first clue:

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    original

    I had visions of dumb redneck Texans, fiercely protecting their fences with weapons. I kept one eye open for Dick Cheney.

    I did manage, finally, without getting shot, to reach the Park and had a great run on Lytle’s Loop Trail.

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    Tim and Karen Hixon Visitor Center – GreenSource

    Recommended – Government Canyon State Natural Area – official website