Of all my hiking gear, the item I would rave about first is my Hubba.
This coffin-sized, 1-person sanctuary weighs (maximum) 3.5lbs (1.6kg) and yet is fully functioning protection. I wouldn’t trade it for a 1lb bivy or tarp.
Product details on the MSR Hubba at MEC.ca
I just posted a new website describing the trekking route to Machu Picchu via the little visited ruined Inca city of Choquequirao. We were the only people in Choquequirao when we visited June 2005.
Click on the link below to see the new site. Then PHOTOS.
Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu – Hiking Peru
Pack mule and our female guide.
My latest hiking website (an outline of things to come) showcases my commitments to hiking, lists and hyperbole!
Finally!
Libraries where I live offer books on .mp3 on a CD disk.
I love listening to audio books when I travel. I am loading up now for my next trip (Mexico & Central America). Three books ready for upload to my mp3 player:
Ripping books from CD, in comparison, was slow & painful. Death to the audio CD.
Use the IMPORT function on your iTunes (or other inferior) music software to get the track order sorted correctly.
I am very happy with my Rio Cali waterproof mp3 player — but the way to go today is with the iPod Nano, the first good iPod.
Very likely the best hike in the world — 11 days, 2 horses, 1 Peruvian guide, 2 Canucks. We thrived but 4 Israelis were shot, one dying of blood loss before rescue.
My camera broke en route, but to see a few photos jump to the permanent webpage in Rick’s photo archive. 
ET, Gregi, Kelly & I enjoyed the historic Klondike trail from Alaska to the Yukon. It was a wonderful trip, one I will never forget.
To see photos of our drunken hike jump to the permanent webpage in Rick’s photo archive. 
Rick’s Sept. 2005 solo late season 7-day hike through Glacier National Park, Montana.
To see all annotated photos, jump to the permanent webpage in Rick’s photo archive.
I am a world expert in this, one of the best hikes in the universe. But it was blunder after blunder when I guided Rocco & Brian …
To see over 100 annotated blunder photos jump to the permanent webpage in Rick’s photo archive.
An annual tradition since 1982, friends from Calgary hike the Canadian Rockies. Rob Glaser is the principle organizer.
To see a brief history of THE HIKE jump to the permanent webpage in Rick’s travel archive.
Rick McCharles 