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In Praise of Pampas Grass

in-praise-of-pampas-grass

Pampas grass or pampas-grass or Pap’s grass are common names for several similar-looking, tall-growing species of grass.

Cortaderia selloana is native to southern South America, including the Pampas region after which it is named. 

It is widely distributed throughout the world as a cultivated ornamental plant. And it is common in the yards on Vancouver Island where I’m at right now.

In fact, it’s my favourite of the ornamental plants here. Tall, impressive, and pretty.

Jindai Botanical Garden, Japan, height 4 metres (13.1 ft) and diameter 7 metres (23 ft)

That said, many gardeners hate the stuff, considering it an invasive weed. It’s difficult to manage.

Click PLAY or watch a short montage on YouTube.

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Valentine’s Day Hike

valentine’s-day-hike

Take your significant hiking parter on a trail today.

photo modified with Envato A.I.

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Trek Paine, Patagonia, via the Brush Variant

trek-paine,-patagonia,-via-the-brush-variant

If you’ve already hiked Torres del Paine in Chilean Patagonia on the Circuit or W routes, you might be interested in a new adventure called the Brush Variant.

A 7-day trek from Bernardo O’Higgins national park to Chile’s most legendary park — Paine.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. (Guided)

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Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival 2025

vancouver-international-mountain-film-festival-2025

Trailer by Tavi Parusel.

Shows Feb 21 in Vancouver & Squamish, as well as available to stream online. Get your tickets here.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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BestHike #10 – Overland Track, Australia

besthike-#10-–-overland-track,-australia

The Overland Track in Tasmania is one of our top 10 hikes in the world.

Click PLAY or watch a 1 minute introduction on YouTube.

Contents

Overland Track

The best & most famous walk in Australia.

Overland

AT A GLANCE

  • surreal, unique Tasmanian vistas
  • pretty lakes, tarns and waterfalls
  • exiting by ferry it’s minimum 62km (38.5mi) carrying a pack plus many possible sidetrips without a pack.
    • Elevation Gain: +4,793 ft / 1,461 m
      Elevation Loss: -5,160 ft / 1,573 m
  • 8000-9000 walkers / year in the past
    • 60 walkers start / day 2018 in high season
    • Oct 1 – May 31 Overland Track Pass reservations online
  • access by public transportation
  • easy-moderate hiking IF the weather cooperates
  • add challenging sidetrip peak scrambles if the weather is good
  • Nov – early May best months
  • possible to hike year round (snow travel during the winter)
  • 7-nights recommended. Start Ronny Creek. Finish Cynthia Bay.

Read more on our Overland Information page.

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#6 best hiking region in the world is the …

#6-best-hiking-region-in-the-world-is-the-…

Contents

Patagonian Andes

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.

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.

John Grey Pass, Paine Circuit – flickr – Patagonia set – Michael Bollino

See our Paine Circuit Information page.

Click PLAY or see how to trek Aconcagua Base Camp independently on YouTube.

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Hiking Music VIDEO – 10,000 Feet

hiking-music-video-–-10,000-feet

by BestHike editor Rick McCharles

Testing various new A.I. software products, I was impressed with their ability to create interesting songs.

This is the best of a number of original HIKING songs I prompted using Riffusion.com

Unlimited downloads for free. For now. It’s in BETA as I post.

The theme of this video is what to do when your true love dumps you. 😀

Head for the mountains. Solo !

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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Best Gear Shop in Canada – GearTrade.ca

best-gear-shop-in-canada-–-geartrade.ca

I was shocked on arrival at the GearTrade warehouse in Okotoks, Alberta near Calgary.

I made the trip to try on the new Hyperlite Unbound 55 Backpack.

Loved it. Bought it.

A big upgrade from my current Hyperlite 3400 Windrider.

Most of the GearTrade.ca business is done online. But you can make an appointment to visit in person if you want hands-on before making payment. It’s a terrific place to ask for advice.

Click PLAY or watch on YouTube.

Kane tours the store. And interviews Jesse on the most popular equipment they sell. And his recommendations for any new hiker who wants to get properly set up for overnight hiking.

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BEST Hikes in the World

best-hikes-in-the-world

According to one AllTrails list.

It includes both challenging multi-day and short single-day adventures.

Our favourites from this list are in bold.

These lists are far from definitive. They are more conversation starters to get you thinking where you might want to go next.

For example, the Tonquin Trail is a 4.0-km out-and-back trail near Tofino on Vancouver Island. I’m on the island right now and can name easily a dozen better hikes close by. 😀

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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Serious Hikes in Australia

serious-hikes-in-australia

Lonely Planet recommends:

  • Overland Track, Tasmania
  • Kosciuszko Walk, New South Wales
  • Larapinta Trail, Northern Territory
  • Three Capes Track, Tasmania
  • Great Ocean Walk, Victoria
  • Border Track, Queensland
  • Heysen Trail, South Australia
  • Thorsborne Trail, Queensland
  • Bibbulmun Track, Western Australia
  • Coast Track, New South Wales
  • Great North Walk, New South Wales
  • Australian Alps Walking Track, Victoria, NSW and the ACT

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.