Alex Verheul and her family had just finished their first tramping New Zealand’s Kepler Track.
The son put the GoPro on a railing — and the cheeky Kea took off with the camera. Happily, he quickly recovered it.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Visiting Northern California Towns
To stay alive, some small towns are promoting connected trails.
Part of that is NEW – the proposed “Lost Sierra Route”.
It’s multiuser, including motor vehicles. 😕
Personally, I’d like to cycle some of that. Easy resupply in all the small towns.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Video Highlights 2021
by BestHike editor Rick McCharles
With much more home time during the pandemic, my main hobby was improving my video editing and (expensive) video gear.
I put together a short highlights reel from 2021. And plan on doing the same each year forward.
This one includes some bikepacking and travel scenes, as well. Two of my other personal interests.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
In 2021 the most watched video on the BestHike YouTube channel was a short teaser for my SURVIVE the West Coast Trail playlist.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
#3 – Tongariro Northern Circuit, New Zealand
Tongariro Northern Circuit is one of our top 10 hikes in the world.
Why?
Our favourite multi-day tramp in our favourite hiking region of the world — glorious New Zealand. 😎
- non-stop superb hiking
- mostly volcanic & desert environs
- 45km (28mi) depending on route plus sidetrips
- 3-days, 2-nights recommended
- option to climb a volcano, or two
- Mt Doom
- medium difficulty hiking, with challenging sections
- wonderful variety of scenery
- Dec – Mar best months
- maximum elevation Red Crater 1886m (6188ft)
World → Australasia → New Zealand → Tongariro Circuit
Click PLAY or watch a 1-minute introduction on YouTube.
For details click over to our Tongariro Northern Circuit information page.
Magnetic Cutlery for Travel
Full Windsor sent me a sample set of their Magnetic Flatware.
And I’m impressed.
High quality. Durable. And the magnetic coupling is super slick.
There’s no way I could possibly bend or break the spoon as I’ve often done in the past with metal and titanium. The knife has a serrated edge that could cut wire!
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
I’ll be doing a detailed video review on my next multi-day adventure.
PCT Hiker Gear 2021
I did the John Muir Trail in 2021 and had a good chance to check out thru hiker’s gear in person.
Most surprising to me were the increased number of sun hoodies.
Mac posted his annual Pacific Crest Trail Hiker’s Survey, interviewing 654 thru hikers.
- Average backpack size 53.9 litres
- Average sleeping bag rating 16.8°F (-8.44°C)
- Most popular app ~ FarOut Guides (formerly Guthook)
Most Common PCT Backpacks
Most Common PCT Shelters
Most Common PCT Sleeping Bags/Quilts
Most Common PCT Sleeping Pads
Most Common PCT Insulated Jackets
- Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2 – Hooded (Men’s/Women’s)
- Enlightened Equipment Torrid Apex (Men’s/Women’s)
- Arc’teryx Cerium LT Hoody (Men’s/Women’s)
Most Common PCT Shells
- Outdoor Research Helium II (Men’s/Women’s)
- Frogg Toggs Ultra-Lite 2
- Montbell Versalite (Men’s/Women’s)
Click through for details.
10 Best Hikes In Kananaskis, Alberta
I was born and raised in nearby Calgary. This is an excellent list.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Cycling / Hiking Iceland
by BestHike editor Rick McCharles
Pandemic willing, I’m planning Norway ➙ Faroe Islands ➙ Iceland summer 2022.
Bikepacking. Tenting most nights. Hiking along the way.
My favourite bikepacker is Lael Wilcox.
A new documentary features her adventures in Iceland.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
How to Film Yourself
by BestHike editor Rick McCharles
I’ve worked pretty much every day during pandemic on improving my video creation skills.
And learned a lot. It’s an art and science.
Here are my TIPS for taking video of yourself when solo adventuring.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Some of gear included:
If that video helps, subscribe to our YouTube channel. 📽
Hiking Prince Edward Island
Everyone loves PEI, one of the Canadian Maritime provinces.
Population only about 165,000.
Nora, Marian, Danny, and Bryson were first to do the NEW Island Walk as a thru hike.
- 700 km
- 32 sections
- one month
- easy compared with most other thru hikes
A detailed guidebook is available:
Digital: Etsy
Paperback: The Bookmark
I’ve cycled a lot of PEI myself. As it’s quite flat, I’m predicting cycling the Island Walk will be even more popular. Alasdair Veitch cycled it.
Details on theIslandWalk.ca
besthike.com 