Author: Administration

Quincy has the best trip report I’ve seen on this excellent, STEEP lake vista climb close to famed Cathedral Grove on Vancouver Island.

Wesley Ridge is one of my favourite Vancouver Island hikes. The views from the top are incredible, and unlike many of Vancouver Island’s best hikes, the trailhead is easily accessed from the highway. …

WESLEY RIDGE ROUND TRIP DETAILS

DISTANCE: 7.2 KM / 4.5 MI

ELEVATION GAIN: 555 M / 1821 FT

HIKING TIME: 3 HRS

The Wesley Ridge hike starts by plodding along train tracks next to the highway. Don’t worry, they’ve been abandoned for years. …

After no more than five minutes, the trail breaks off …. Keep your eyes peeled, as it’s not marked. This fallen tree makes for a pretty good landmark, but there’s no guarantee it will be here forever. ..

Seeing the Elephant – Wesley Ridge

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I once climbed up to the Ridge viewpoint — then tried to traverse to the other end of the lake.

#FAIL.

1. Editor’s Choice: ULA Equipment ULTRA Circuit
2. Lightest Weight: Zpacks Arc Haul 60
3. Best Value: Durston Kakwa 55

According to the very reliable Adventure Alan and Co.

BEST ULTRALIGHT BACKPACK 2024

Honorable mention — Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 55.

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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Top 10 Hikes on Earth

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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