A tempting alternative to my Hubba NX.
Less than 2 pounds.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
NEMO Hornet tent
Author: Administration
Lisbon, Portugal on Foot
I travelled to Portugal for bikepacking and to hike famed Fisherman’s Trail.
BUT I found myself walking further each day site seeing in Lisbon. There’s MUCH to see.
Click PLAY or get a glimpse of Lisbon on YouTube.
Sunshine to Mt Assiniboine – Canadian Rockies
One of our top 10 hikes in the world.
World Wild Hearts had gear problems. Some bad weather.
But they did get to the top of Wonder Peak.
Click PLAY or watch a 5 day adventure on YouTube.
To organize this hike for yourself, check our Sunshine to Assiniboine information page.
Campground reservations can be difficult to get.
Helly’s LifaLoft jacket – my review
Kraig Becker sent me an early prototype of a Helly Hansen LifaLoft jacket for my 2019 trip to Patagonia. I wore it non-stop for a couple of months cycling and hiking in wet, windy and sometimes cold weather.
LIFALOFT
is not down. It’s arguably lighter and warmer.
The idea is to trap a maximum amount of air in a small space. And due to the hydrophobic properties of LIFA®, LIFALOFT has an inherent water repellency that should keep you warm, even when wet.
It worked for me as advertised.
Glacier Vinciguerra, Ushuaia, Argentina
Cerro Guanaco trail, Tierra del Fuego National Park, Argentina under a rain shellThe best test came when I got caught in a surprise downpour while hiking without my shell. I was worried.
But next morning the LifaLoft looked and felt 100% perfect.
UPDATE: I bought two more LifaLoft jackest – in different colours and sizes. I often wear two rather than a heavier down jacket.
And I machine wash and dry these jackets like any other clothing. They come out perfectly.
Kraig sent me this to replace my FAILED Columbia OutDry down jacket. It was useless after 7 months.
The Helly Hansen is far superior. The Colombia failed — I think — because it couldn’t handle being frequently compressed into a stuff sack. The HH LifaLoft seems much more durable.
In Patagonia Helly Hansen is the go-to brand for serious sailers and outdoors-people. Developed in Norway, HH is tested under the worst weather conditions.
For future hikes in moderate weather where weight is a big consideration, I’ll be carrying the LifaLoft and just a waterproof ultra-light Frogg Toggs shell.
My new Jetboil Stash
I’m won over. I’ll take the Jetboil Stash over any of my other hiking stoves for any adventure where weight is a consideration.
What I like:
- weight 7.1 oz (without fuel)
- size ~ compact nesting design
- pot can quickly and easily be removed from the flame (in case of boiler)
- 100gm fuel canister snaps into the lid
Considerations:
- no auto-igniter
- you might need to carry an additional bowl for mixing your dinner with the boiling water
- 2.5 minute boil time seems a bit long for that volume of water
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
John Muir Trail Hiker’s Survey
I did the JMT in 2021 so was even more interested than usual in Mac’s data from surveying 119 hikers.
Average age 39.
78.5% white.
$1679 = cost for the adventure. Average 19.6 days.
Average pre-hike backpack base weight = 22.34 pounds.
Favourite section = Evolution Basin.
Read the full report:
John Muir Trail Hiker Survey (2021)
Stein Valley Divide hike, B.C.
Stein Valley is one of the best hikes in North America.
It’s high on my personal list of hikes to do … SOON.
Wild and remote, the “route” is about 90km and has a total elevation change of at least 4300m. High elevation is about 2150m.
It’s tough. You probably want to schedule 7 days. Perhaps 9 days to enjoy some side tripping. Carry ALL your food.
Click PLAY or watch it on Vimeo.
Without question you should purchase the only guidebook. And perhaps maps, as well.
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2nd edition 2013Kilimanjaro: To the Roof of Africa
Watch the great David Breashears documentary from 2002.
Guide Jacob Kyungai is excellent. Everyone on the team interesting. Including supermodel Heidi Albertsen. But for me the highlight were the two kids on the 45 mile hike: Hansi Mmari and Nicole Wineland-Thomson,
Dreaming of climbing Kilimanjaro is childlike. Full of wonder.
This short documentary is 90% on Rotten Tomatoes. Highly recommended for all.
Click PLAY or watch a trailer on YouTube.
You might be able to watch the entire documentary on YouTube.
related – Mark Horrell’s review
The Best Socks For Hiking in Winter
The Best Socks For Hiking in Winter
The best socks for hiking in winter should be warm and breathable. They should not be too thick or too thin, as they will cause your feet to sweat. Moreover, they should not have too many holes. They should be made of merino wool. Choose those with a high wool to synthetic ratio for better insulation.
Ensure that the fabric is made of recycled materials. And if possible, opt for those with no toe seam. These features will increase the comfort and warmth of your hike.
Depending on your preference, choose hiking socks with different levels of protection. For example, medium-pile wool hiking socks have the most protection and will limit the number of injuries caused by friction.
If you want to wear high-end footwear with thicker hiking boots, you need medium-cushioned wool socks. They are more comfortable, yet they may also restrict your toes’ range of motion.
The perfect pair of winter-weather hiking socks will keep your feet warm, wick away moisture, and keep your feet dry.
A good pair of hiking socks will be durable and comfortable. Choose the one with a lifetime warranty. Socks that are made of wool have a natural insulating ability. They are very warm and comfortable. Besides, they are very durable. You can wear them for long hours even when it is freezing outside. You can keep them on in your sleeping bag for extra protection. Just make sure to wash them once they get dirty.
Aside from being warm and comfortable, long socks also offer excellent shin protection. They are also great for hiking in cold areas. They also work well with rigid boots and provide great warmth. Their ribbed cuff prevents the shin from rubbing against the boot. In addition, long wool socks are also great for people with bunions. But if you want to avoid the risks of bunions, you should opt for waterproof ones.
When choosing hiking socks, make sure to choose a pair with the right cushioning and warmth ratio.
A good pair of wool socks will protect your feet and ankles from the cold. However, the right sock for your hiking activities will depend on the weather. A sock for winter use should be waterproof and have a high loop stitch count. If you are planning to go hiking in the colder months, the sealskinz sock is a great choice.
As far as technical performance is concerned, the best socks are made of wool. Wool socks are warm and moisture-wicking, while cotton socks don’t dry out easily and will remain wet.
Therefore, the best hiking socks are made of merino wool. They are also breathable and durable. So, if you want the best walking sock, you should choose a pair of merino hiking/walking socks.
For a warm-weather hike, you should choose a merino wool sock. If your feet are prone to blistering, you should opt for thicker socks. The Columbia Mountaineering sock is a good choice for people with delicate feet. In case you are hiking in colder climates, consider a pair of Smartwool Trekking Heavy Crew.
The weight of the socks is another factor to consider. These socks should be made of merino wool as it is the most effective material in the long run. A merino wool sock will be invisible when worn. In winter, a merino sock should be warm and have antibacterial properties. Socks made from merino wool are considered the best sock for hiking in winter.
The most important factor for winter hiking socks is the type of material used. Merino wool provides greater insulation than synthetic materials, and the best option for winter hikes is a wool pair. The Merino Hiking crew is the perfect option for those who are on a long hike. With a comfortable and snug fit, the Smartwool PhD Run Ultra Light Low Cushion is an excellent choice for warmer weather conditions. The price is competitive, at $17.
Panorama Ridge | Garibaldi Lake B.C.
I’m hooked on the videos produced by World Wild Hearts.
We counted 6 lakes on our way up to the Panorama Ridge viewpoint and also saw the black tusk to our left in all its glory.
The whole route was about 32 kilometers and took us just over 10 hours to complete. …
Overall it was one of the longest day hikes we’ve done, but the views from the top were worth it!
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. SUBSCRIBE.
