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Trends in Hiking Gear

Lisa Pulsifer posted an interesting article:

Mummy Bag to Sleeping Quilt

External/Internal Frame to Frameless Packs

Polyester to Dyneema Tents

Leather Boots to Lightweight Runners

Synthetic Fiber to Merino Wool

Hand Pump to Squeeze Filter

The Evolution of Backpacking Gear

Quilt
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Walking Rail Lines on Vancouver Island

Very popular on Vancouver Island is walking alongside the disused (in 2011) Southern Railway. It’s dry. It’s flat. It’s straight. Often the shortest distance between two points.

Click PLAY or get a glimpse on YouTube. 30km between Nile Creek and Englishman River including 3 high trestles.

The British Columbia government now calls it the Island Rail Corridor. Approximately 289 km Victoria – Courtenay with connections between Parksville and Port Alberni and to the Nanaimo waterfront.

Though there’s still talk of restoring rail service, co$t looks prohibitive. Hikers want more of the corridor to be converted to non-motorized trail.

Of greatest concern are the 48 bridges and trestles that need ongoing repair.

With no maintenance, sections can be slippery. Overgrown.

These rail lines are old. Dating back to the 1800s.

At various times it’s been called the Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway, E & N Railfreight and E&N Railway Co.

Wikipedia has a list of rail trails around the world. British Columbia has some of the best.

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I’d Rather Be Hiking Highlights 2020

Due to the pandemic, I did a LOT of cycling and hiking on Vancouver Island in 2020.

One of the hikers I followed most closely — looking for inspiration — was David on the I’d Rather Be Hiking YouTube channel.

Check his I’d Rather be Hiking – Vancouver Island Group Facebook page, as well.

Click PLAY or watch David’s 2020 highlights on YouTube.

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NEW – New River Gorge National Park

As coal declines , outdoor recreation has stepped up to fill the gap in recent years, bringing $9 billion annually to West Virginia.

Heart this on Twitter.

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Top Bridge Trail, Parksville B.C.

Trip report by BestHike editor Rick McCharles.

A surprisingly rugged and interesting 5km day hike connects the town of Parksville with Top Bridge.

It’s official name is the Top Bridge Regional Trail.

In good weather, the bridge is a popular swimming spot.

Click PLAY or watch a December hike on YouTube.

If you have time, I’d strongly recommend continuing past the bridge on to the Englishman River Trail.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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Jack Point Trail, Nanaimo

Trip report by BestHike editor Rick McCharles.

Click PLAY or watch a Christmas Eve hike on YouTube.

Jack Point is a 5.1 kilometer moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels.

The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and trail running and is accessible year-round.

AllTrails

Biggs Point is the name of the park along one side of Duke Point, leading to Jack Point, the park that covers the tip of the peninsula. Everyone knows the Duke Point Ferry Terminal, the run to Tsawwassen in Vancouver.

YES all those names for the same place is confusing. Trail signage says Jack Point.

In fact, if you are ever having to wait for the ferry, hiking Jack Point would be an ideal nearby diversion.

This short trail is fascinating: arbutus trees, boardwalk, wooden staircases, weird and wild erosion, sand-stone caves, small light house. Plenty of wildlife.

Excellent views of the Nanaimo River estuary, dowtown Nanaimo, Protection Island and Gabriola Island.

related – sea2peak trip report

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Rees-Dart Track, New Zealand

Though not on the short list of Great Walks, Rees-Dart is epic.

One of the tougher major hikes in our #1 hiking destination worldwide.

travel2walk was there January 2020.

The Rees-Dart Track … mainly follows the Rees River drainage and the Dart River drainage circling Mount Earnslaw and the Forbes Mountains.

An optional side trip during the hike is to visit the Dart Glacier or further to Cascade Saddle. Being the major highlight of our hike, I consider this side trip as part of the hike. …

  • distance: 53.7 miles (86.5 km)
  • elevation change: 10,850 ft (3,307 m) ascent & 11,240 ft (3,426 m) descent
  • time: 5 days (24:59 hours moving)

There are 3 different DOC operated huts located along the Rees-Dart Track …

… NZD$15 per night per person (DOC).

The huts had running water, bathrooms, mattress, and a stove for heating. However we carried our own stove, gas, and sleeping bags.  …

If interested, read their detailed trip report:

New Zealand – Rees-Dart Track, January 2020

If still keen, best watch the video. There are some challenges.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

See more of our best hikes in Australasia.