besthike.com

May 21, 2021May 17, 2021

The Adventurer’s Son by Roman Dial

A good book. And important look at the role of parents in the raising of their children.

The Adventurer’s Son is Roman Dial’s extraordinary account of his two-year quest to unravel the mystery of his son’s disappearance in the jungles of Costa Rica.
… Before he left, Cody Roman Dial emailed his father: “I am not sure how long it will take me, but I’m planning on doing 4 days in the jungle and a day to walk out. I’ll be bounded by a trail to the west and the coast everywhere else, so it should be difficult to get lost forever.”
They were the last words Dial received from his son.
… Roman had raised his son to be fearless, to be at home in earth’s wildest places, travelling together through rugged Alaska to remote Borneo and Bhutan. Was he responsible for his son’s fate? Or, as he hoped, was Cody Roman safe and using his wilderness skills on a solo adventure from which he would emerge at any moment?
Amazon

You might have seen the documentary Missing Dial on National Geographic channel.

The parents agreed to participate out of desperation to continue the search for their missing son. They are disappointed in how it turned out. Wild hyperbole and speculation.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

May 20, 2021May 20, 2021

Hiking Vancouver Island North

A pandemic is a good time to stay local.

And physically distance from strangers outdoors. 😀

The only hiking I’ve done atop Vancouver Island is famed North Coast Trail.

In early July, I’m hoping to bikepack trailhead-to-trailhead.

There’s much to see. And a touring bike looks to be good transport in this remote area.

I’d get a ride to Port Hardy. Then cycle to as many of Gregg Strong’s recommended areas as possible.

I’d navigate with apps and the Vancouver Island Backroads Mapbook.

Click PLAY or watch some highlights on YouTube.

Check a map of trails and attractions.

May 19, 2021June 30, 2022

Witchcraft Lake to Mt Benson, Nanaimo

Trip report by BestHike editor Rick McCharles

Mt Benson looms over Nanaimo on Vancouver Island.

Though folks make this climb year round, I waited for great weather in May. 😇

Click PLAY or get a glimpse on YouTube.

There are several routes to the summit, but quickest and most straightforward begins at Witchcraft Lake.

Knowing that the summit is busy on a nice day, I camped on Crown Land the night before. Was first starting up the trail in the morning.

I used AllTrails for navigation and only managed to detour on to a side trail one time. 😀

It’s a steady climb. Interesting terrain with a number of viewpoints on the way up.

From the summit most cameras take in the panorama over Nanaimo. Here’s the OTHER vista — looking inland.

Watch a LIVE STREAM of the Benson summit on YouTube.

related trip report – sea2peak

8km round trip
730 meter elevation gain
3-5 hours
difficult
dogs allowed on leash

May 19, 2021May 13, 2021

Hiking Alone

Nicole Qualtieri:

I embarked on my first solo backpacking trip in 2014. It’s no small admission to say that the effort changed the course of my life.
That trip was — perhaps — overkill for my first shot at backpacking solo. I completed 150 miles, combined over multiple trips on the Continental Divide Trail in Montana and Wyoming. But I dialed in my system and wilderness skills, powered through blisters, and faced my fears over the course of those miles.
In a world filled with noise, constant companionship, phones that never power down, and internet advice coming at us incessantly, here’s one more bit of advice I’d like to impart — turn it all off. Take a walk in the dirt.
This summer, go backpacking alone. …
Backpacking Alone Is for Everyone

May 17, 2021

Va’ Sentiero – 7000 km through Italy

Va’ Sentiero is a grassroot project, thanks to the spontaneous contribution of thousands of people.

Three friends — Yuri, Sara, Giacomo — invented the route.

Today they are documenting the adventure with a team of seven.

So far, at least 1500 hikers have joined them at various stages. It’s open to all.

details – asentiero.org/en

Click PLAY or watch a promotion on Vimeo.

Thanks Jeff.

May 17, 2021May 13, 2021

May 12, 2021May 11, 2021

Zpacks Free Duo Tent 2021

Though it’s more expensive than my Hubba™ NX Solo ( 1.12 kg / 2 lb 7 oz.), I would love to try the 2-person Z packs Free Duo as a shelter for just myself.

I could keep everything inside, this way.

I don’t hike with poles so will always need a free standing tent.

$699.00 – Weight 30.1 oz / 852 g

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.