Asking for a friend.
He’s thinking an N97 mask, two Buffs on top. Ski goggles. And face shield.
Abundance of caution.
He’s also wearing a condom while on the trail. Just in case.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Fastpacking Iceland
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
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.
Best Hike VIDEOS
A big goal for 2021 is to expand our hiking videos.
Subscribe on YouTube to get those as they are posted.
Click PLAY or watch the trailer on YouTube.
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.
Happy New Year from BestHike.com
All the best in 2021.
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.
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.
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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