The first thing I do when I go for a hike somewhere new is check out all the trip reports I can find. Others that have gone before often have great recommendations on what to see and do and what to avoid. Sometimes they’ll have… Read More »Cape Scott Trip Reports
The first thing you notice when you start researching backpacking stoves is there are 2 main categories. You have canister stoves on one side that are small and light and burn an iso-butane mix from a metal canister. The canisters can’t be refilled and often… Read More »7 Stoves that can burn liquid fuel and iso-butane gas
They’re not quite the real thing but at least you can get the picture.
Is there a right answer?
The LiteMax is a small canister stove from Snowpeak, a company that makes lightweight backpacking stoves, cookware and other accessories. The LiteMax is one of the lightest canister stoves I’ve ever seen. It’s easy to carry because of that. Pair it up with a small… Read More »Review: Snowpeak LiteMax Canister Stove
The Great Trail (Trans Canada Trail) sections on Vancouver Island offer so much variety. I’m always keen on new trails that are different than anything I’ve experienced before. Yes, most of the sections around Nanaimo are still dirt single track with trees around. Most trails… Read More »Extension Ridge from Extension Road, Nanaimo [Trip Report]
Backpacking stoves can be complicated little beasts. There are many different types each type, each with their own wide variety of specs, pros and cons. You’ll need to know some of the lingo before you go anywhere. Here’s a glossary to get you started. Alcohol… Read More »Backpacking Stove Glossary
Being part of hiking groups online is a mixed blessing. On the one hand there’s a constant supply of assistance, inspiration and motivation to get outside. On the the other hand, there’s a steady stream of beautiful trail pictures streaming by making it difficult to… Read More »Nanaimo Lakes Road to Whisky Lake
In my ongoing search for sections of the VI Spine Trail to hike, I wanted to find out more about the south end of the Alberni Inlet trail. It’s being built in 3 stages and while all the stages are there for the trail, they… Read More »Albert Inlet Trail north from Franklin River [Trip Report]
I paced up and down the river trying to find a shallower spot the cross. The water wasn’t moving quickly but it was deeper, and colder, than I wanted to wade through. Turn back? Wade through? I was on the shores of the Nitinat River… Read More »Wading through Nitinat River on the Spine Trail