climbing Crowsnest Mountain

On July 4, 2006 By Rick McIn hiking, movies, traveloguesLeave a comment

15yrs or more since I had last seen Scott Whiteside from Lethbridge, we hooked up to scramble the most enticing peak in the Crowsnest Pass.

Originally a gymnastics coach, Scott now runs the climbing wall at the University of Lethbridge and has climbed the highest mountain in South America, Aconcagua. (Actually his group turned back before the top even though Scott was feeling great at the time.)

Scott and his wife recently purchased a holiday home in the Pass with a view of this mountain. To find out how we made it to the summit — check the comic video clip.

photo – George Novak

» next travelogue post on this trip – cycling Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

new website – besthike.com/blog

On May 20, 2006 By Rick McIn blogs, hikingLeave a comment

I’ve added a blog to my besthike website.

Go to the hiking blog for everything hiking.

That means I now have 3 blogs: hiking, gymnastics and this one.

for those who love to go barefoot

On May 17, 2006 By Rick McIn hiking, humourLeave a comment

Fivefingers are “shoes” designed to provide support and protection for your tender feets while still keeping the sensation of traipsing around barefoot.

shoe

Ted McDonald (aka “Barefoot Ted”) recently ran the Boston Marathon in Fivefingers.

2Dolphins.com Blog: Fivefingers For Your Ten Toes

Who wants to try wearing them on a multi-day hike?

Canadian campground reservation service

On April 28, 2006 By Rick McIn good news, hikingLeave a comment

If you are looking for good examples of how government bureaucratic monopolies do not work, try booking a campground at a National Park.

Websites are out-of-date, or URLs have changed. Telephone numbers changed. Emai ignored.

What incentive does an over-worked, under-paid seasonal employee have to help you get your campsite booked?

Well, the good news is that Parks Canada is finally trying to implement an on-line booking service.

Campground Reservation Service

So far, it mostly doesn’t work. It’s clumsy and inconsistent. But it’s a start!

hiking – Abbot Pass hut

On April 17, 2006 By Rick McIn hikingLeave a comment

Alpine Club of Canada – Abbot Pass Hut

At 9,598 feet, it is the second highest permanent structure in Canada. Built in 1922, how is it that I still haven’t been there. It’s just up the hill from Lake O’Hara.

Might be the extreme scree gully / avalanche shoot approach.

mountain and hut

More Alpine Club of Canada huts.

want to hike South America?

On April 15, 2006 By Rick McIn hiking, photos, travelLeave a comment

Next week I will announce the besthike.com South America page. A resource for any hiker wanting to get started organizing a trek.

Best hikes & treks in South America.

My favourite photo on it was professionally published by Radek Tezaur. This is the Dientes Circuit in Patagonia, perhaps the world’s most southern major hike.

tent and peaks

Bolivia

On April 10, 2006 By Rick McIn hiking, travelLeave a comment

I was twice so far frustrated trying to hike Bolivia, the poorest and most problematic of South American countries.

map of Bolivia

But I vow one day to do the long Transcordillera trek through the Royal Mountains. And return to the great salt flats.

cycling and hiking – Beat Heim’s amazing website

On March 29, 2006 By Rick McIn cycling, hiking, photos, travelLeave a comment

I’ve seen most of the popular hiking website / blogs on internet.

Beat’s Heim’s site is the best.

Great maps, great photos. Extreme travels!

You need a high speed connection as his stuff is graphic intensive.

Beat Heim

More pics like this at betzgi.ch

travelogue – Xela, Guatemala

On March 12, 2006May 11, 2015 By Rick McIn hiking, photos, travel, travelogues1 Comment

The most dramatic region of Guatemala is the Western Highlands: towering stands of pine, and every town and village tells a story.

Xela (shay-la) is the jumping off point for Highland adventures. It is also the home of the most important trekking organization in Central America, Quetzaltrekkers — a charity which raises funds by leading hikes.

Cool!

More than that, Xela is a unique, unforgettable city with a surprise on every street.