Click PLAY or watch the teaser on YouTube.
The 2021 Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival is happening virtually and in-person this year from Saturday, October 30 to Sunday, November 7!
Featuring over 75 films, live events in Banff and Canmore, and 30 virtual programs to watch from the comfort of your home over nine epic days. Get your festival passes, Tuesday, October 5—available to purchase only until November 2
Cicerone is by far the best publisher of guidebooks for hiking Europe.
Podcast episode 28 gives an overview of their 162 guidebooks to Europe.
Too many good choices in that continent. This is a good place to start.
Listen here.
1800m elevation gain. Beast of a day hike.
The hike to the summit of Mount MacFarlane is steep, difficult and requires some scrambling. However, the hike can be shortened by stopping at Lower Pierce Lake or Upper Pierce Lake. Both lakes are worthwhile objectives of their own.
About 10 hours if all goes well.
Details on Outdoor Vancouver.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
One of my favourite outdoors podcasts is 10 Adventures.
Check it out.
A good starting point is their interview with Jim Kern on how to Save America‘s Outdoors.
… As the founder of the Florida Trail, co founder of the American hiking society, and president of Big City Mountaineers, Jim has led an awe-inspiring life and career that has gone far beyond the scope of just his own adventures, helping at-risk youth by introducing them to the outdoors and inspiring real change. …
The biggest surprise for me on the sunny 
John Muir Trail 2021 was the number of hikers wearing sun-hoodies rather than the more traditional button down shirt, buff and/or bandana (that I was wearing).
Sun-hoodies are particularly popular with the ladies.
Should I switch?
Click PLAY or watch a review on YouTube.
Julie has been wearing the Columbia Hiking Sun Shirt. Her daughter thinks she should switch.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
I’ve customized my NEW 2021 Checkpoint ALR 4 for Bikepacking.
Transportation to-and-from hiking trailheads. (VIDEO)
BUT … occasionally I’d like to take off the panniers and use the aluminum gravel bike for single track.
So far, so good. So long as I keep my tires on the ground. The suspension is … not great.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
BestHike editor Rick McCharles.
In the Himalaya, porters build benches at regular intervals so they can easily rest while carrying heavy loads.
I do the same — when I can — on logs and rocks.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
By BestHike editor Rick McCharles.
I’m considering FUTURE trips to Iceland, Norway, northern BC and/or Yukon. Great hiking. Bad weather.
For transport to trailheads, I’ll fly with my own touring bike.
Though it wasn’t easy during the pandemic, I did locate an appropriate ride IN STOCK. For the past week I’ve been testing my 2021 Trek Checkpoint ALR 4.
So far, so good.
This gravel frame is aluminum, not steel. Base weight 10.12 kg / 22.3 lbs — though I’ve already customized it with a number of add-ons.
The fewer flats the better. SO added heavier Bontager HARD-CASE ULTIMATE tires.
Having had racks fail in the past, I added Bontager DELUXE MIK pannier racks front and back.
Good lights. Fenders and kickstand.
Click PLAY or check it out on YouTube.
Our top multi-day hike in Switzerland is the Haute Route.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Our #1 day hike in the world is Harder Ridge. In Switzerland.
Here is a list of more fantastic walks as posted by Lonely Planet:
I hiked the West Coast Trail twice in 2021. And watched plenty of videos while putting together our own “How to SURVIVE the West Coast Trail” playlist.
BUT was still blown away by Rudy D’Alessio’s cinematic edit — only 11 minutes long. It sums up the challenge and grandeur of our #1 hike in the world with no excess. No voice over.
Shot on an iPhone 12 Pro Max with a Moment macro lens for the closeups.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
I’ve subscribed to his YouTube channel (Ratatrail) and will be watching MORE starting with Pacific Crest Trail thru hike.
