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Inca Trail, Peru

No list of the great hikes of the world is without the Inca Trail. It may well be the single best known trek in the world.

But serious hikers are advised to take a close look at alternative routes to Machu Picchu. We much prefer Choquequirao and Salcantay.

Choquequirao is the better of these options — but longer. You need 7 nights minimum to visit both the Choquequirao ruins and Machu Picchu on one trek.

If you want to hike independently without pack animals, Salcantay is the best choice.

Get an overview of your options on this site. But wait until you get to Cuzco in Peru to book any specific trek. Do not hand over any deposit money until you are very confident in the agency. A personal, recent recommendation is best.

If you insist on hiking the Inca Trail, get the up-to-date details on besthike.com Inca Trail.

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Machu Picchu

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new ferry on Vancouver Island

Just got an email from Heather about a new service started June 24th:

Seaway Express ferry — BarkleySoundMarine.com

You can now boat from charming Ucluelet to Bamfield via the fantastic Broken Islands (the best sea kayaking destination in Canada).

For hikers, this is an ideal new way to get to or from the West Coast Trail, our favourite hike anywhere.

Ucluelet.jpg

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Chilkoot Trail, Alaska

Every man has a dream.

For one of our contributors, Kelly Mock from Whitehorse, it was to carry a “Bubba” (mini keg of beer) over the Golden Staircase to Happy Camp.

Arriving on the solstice, he bought a round for the house.

I hiked the Chilkoot with Kelly in the late 1990s and, at that time, I thought it was impossible to carry more booze (photo).

I stand corrected.

The Chilkoot is without doubt one of the very best hikes in the world. The trip to Skagway is half the fun.

Details on besthike.com Chilkoot

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the Golden Staircase – photo Kelly Mock

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Men Wanted for Hazardous Journey

Men wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages. Bitter cold. Long months of complete darkness. Constant danger. Safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in case of success.

Times of London in December 1901 (legend has it) posted by Ernest Shackleton for a journey to Antarctica.

Now that was adventure. Once, having his ship frozen in the ice, he was forced to sledge across the Weddell Sea pack, then boat to Elephant Island. Then sail to South Georgia Island. The greatest survival story of all time?

The Endurance - Shackleton\'s Legendary Antarctic Expedition

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Overland Track, Tasmania, Australia

In preparation for a Feb. 2007 trip to Tasmania, I’ve been consulting with John Chapman, by far the most authoritative author of Australian guidebooks.

I’ve decide to hike first the Overland Track, widely listed the best established walk in Australia. 65km (40mi) plus sidetrips, 5-6 days.

Overland Track on besthike.com

I’ll be using John’s dedicated Overland Track guidebook.

Time allowing, I want to do more in Tas. John suggests:

  • Walls of Jerusalem (2-4 days)
  • Pine Valley (2-3 days)
  • Walls of Jerusalem to Overland Track (6-8 days)
  • Cheyne Range (4 days)
  • Eldon Range (9-12 days)
  • Traveller Range (7-9 days)

    • John even spoke of a trackless bushwalk on the wild West Coast of Tasmania from Strahan to Port Davey. On his completely undeveloped route you must swim a 1km river.

    Cool!

    overland-tr.jpg
    More Overland Track photos by Paul Lenehan on Flickr

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    wildlife protection – Trailex.org

    Trailex encourages users to share information about trail safety in the Bow Valley (from Banff to Bragg Creek in Canada). The goal is to keep humans and wildlife safe.

    Examples of information you should post:

    * Bear, cougar, wolf, aggressive elk or moose sightings
    * Dead animal carcasses that may indicate a large carnivore is in the area
    * Grizzly bear diggings or other signs of large carnivores
    * Recent trail closures, bear or cougar traps, or bear aversive conditioning

    Trailex

    Good idea.