A terrific, tranquil glimpse of the Portuguese islands about 1,400 km (870 mi) west of Lisbon,

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

One of our top 10 day hikes in the world.

Only 64 hikers / day are allowed access.

Getting a permit is the BIG problem.

• on the Utah-Arizona border, halfway between Page, Arizona and Kanab, Utah in the Paria Canyon/Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness
• Wire Pass trailhead located in North Coyote Buttes permit area of the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument
•  5.2 miles return
• you can go any month of the year, if you can tolerate the heat

Wave information page.

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For the past 4 years I’ve made the pilgrimage to Banff, Alberta in the Spring.

I alternate one day of downhill skiing — with one day of winter hiking.

Weather-wise, you have to be ready for anything. Carry Yaktrax.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

related – Winter walking in Rathtrevor Park, Vancouver Island (VIDEO)

There is no lighter backpack in the universe.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Like JupiterHikes, I don’t use trekking poles.

IF I hiked longer than 3 weeks, I would add them to my kit. But the longest I’ve done — so far — is 17 nights.

My knees and ankles are still good. No pain at all.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Keen hikers should definitely SUBSCRIBE to The Trailwalkers.

Click PLAY or watch a teaser on YouTube.

Patagonia is massive and bleak. Yet we love the Patagonian Andes, 2000km (1243mi) in length, but averaging less than 100km (62mi) in width. You could take years exploring just the eastward (drier) side of the mountains.

Towering granite peaks, untouched lakes, massive glaciers, huge volcano trekking peaks. This land is phenomenal.

Mirador del Pliegue Tumbado, Fitz Roy, Argentina

Trekkers target five areas:

• The Araucania
• Lakes District
• Central Patagonia
• Southern Patagonia
• Tierra del Fuego

Start in Mendoza, Argentina and visit the highest mountain outside Asia, Aconcagua. Next bus to the Switzerland of South America (Lake District). Some of the highest volcanoes of the world are here. Finally, work your way south by air and ferry to the granite spires at the south tip of the continent.

Trekking season here is Nov-Apr. (Feb-Mar often the best weather) That said, the wind and weather in Patagonia is notorious. Independent hikers need be prepared for anything and everything.

Conversational Spanish highly recommended for those travelling independently.

More information on our new Patagonia information page.

Our favourite hike in the Patagonian Andes is the Paine Circuit in Chile.

For hiking summer 2024 I upgraded my drone from the DUMBEST in the DJI Mini line-up to the best.

DJI Mini 4 Pro

As I’m often alone on the trail, I wanted “follow me” features as well as the best obstacle avoidance I could get.

First flight I was impressed.

BUT trying to hand catch the Mini 4 — I crashed it.

Oops. Not a good start.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Now have the DJI RC-N2 controller with the built-in screen. No longer need to hook up my phone. 

I got the full Fly More Kit which includes 3 batteries, charging hub, carrying case, and extras.

Not inexpensive at CAD $1500 including tax.

Of course buying a warranty is essential. I paid CAD $170 (USD $125) / 2 years. I can replace the drone carcass up to 3 times. But IF I lose the drone, no warranty coverage. 

I bought some accessories, as well:

• BRDRC Mini 4 Pro ND64 Lens Filter CAD $25
• Lanyard Neck Strap for DJI Mini 4 Pro CAD $18
• STARTRC Propeller Holder CAD $16

I could have gone for the slightly less expensive Mini 3, but decided on the 4 for these features:

• 360 degree obstacle avoidance
• better low light video
• it has a built-in light, so I can see the drone in the sky at dusk or dawn
• more Quickshot options

Most importantly, super powerful Activetrack.

The drone will follow-me wherever I go, avoiding obstacles so I need not manually watch it every second

The kea is a species of large parrot found in the forested and alpine regions of the South Island of New Zealand. …

Kea are known for their intelligence and curiosity, both vital to their survival in a harsh mountain environment.

Kea can solve logical puzzles, such as pushing and pulling things in a certain order to get to food, and will work together to achieve a certain objective.

They have been filmed preparing and using tools. …

Called “the clown of the mountains”, it will investigate backpacks, boots, skis, snowboards, and even cars, often causing damage or flying off with smaller items.

Beware.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

The Otter Trail on the Garden Route out of Capetown is arguably the most famous in Southern Africa.

Click PLAY or watch a 1 minute introduction on YouTube.

Otter Trail

Lush forests, rugged shorelines, mountain streams and waterfalls and fragrant fynbos make this a unique coast adventure.

Book 12 months in advance to get one of the exclusive permits. .

South Africa Tourism

AT A GLANCE

• one of our top 10 coastal hikes in the world
• Storms River Mouth to Nature’s Valley
• 42km
• 5 days, 4 nights
• clean huts, no tenting
• gorgeous cliff tops, returning to sea level to cross rivers

Read more on our Otter Trail information page.