Archive for the 'animals' Category

Sliding Sands trail, Maui

November 16, 2009

Trip report by site editor Rick McCharles.
I’m happy to report that the most popular hike on Maui is one of the best walks in the world. Greeting the dawn atop this volcano is one of the ultimate Hawaiian experiences.

I tented at nearby Hosmer Grove Campground so to not need to drive far [...]

up the Kaupo Trail, Maui

November 6, 2009

Trip report by site editor Rick McCharles.
I did an unpopular route listed in Maui Trails by Kathy Morey, but not in any other hiking guidebook.
She calls this the “Kaupo to Halekala Park Boundary“, an awkward moniker it seemed to me.

A far more common use of this trail is as the Kaupo Gap [...]

19yr-old killed by coyotes

October 28, 2009

What?
I’d never before heard of an attack on humans by coyotes, never mind a death.
This tragedy in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada.
… Up-and-coming singer-songwriter Taylor Mitchell was “an old soul” despite her young age …
… Mitchell, hiking alone on the Skyline Trail, was attacked by coyotes Tuesday afternoon. According to park officials, other hikers [...]

Grizzly Bears in Vancouver, Canada

October 19, 2009

I was surprised to see two male orphaned Grizzly Bears on display at the top of Grouse Mountain, very much in the city.

Grinder was found orphaned June 5, 2001 in Invermere, British Columbia. He was wandering alone on a logging road, dehydrated, thin, weak and weighing only 4.5 kg. His mother was never found [...]

stupid bear can’t drive …

October 17, 2009

Bears aren’t so smart.
We’re going to need some backup here: Car thief turns out to be… a hungry bear

hiking Picos de Europa, Spain – day 4

October 8, 2009

Trip Report – Picos de Europa Circuit – by site editor Rick McCharles

Here I am, elated to have tented rather than staying under roof at the Collado Jermoso refugio.

It’s a long, slow, pretty 1200m (3937ft) descent. Check out the wall looking back up from the valley.

My 4km return detour along the river [...]

hiking Picos de Europa, Spain – day 3

October 7, 2009

Trip Report – Picos de Europa Circuit – by site editor Rick McCharles
This was the most photogenic day. Amazing.
I started by climbing up from Bulnes La Villa through high pasture land towards the central summits.

I was looking forward to the iconic peak of the Picos, Naranjo de Bulnes.

It’s a world class climbing [...]

hiking Picos de Europa, Spain – day 2

October 6, 2009

Trip Report – Picos de Europa Circuit – by site editor Rick McCharles
The morning dawned clear. Quickly I climbed up above the valley cloud.

I met one of the alpine hut guards … with his free running dogs.

Here’s the large sign posted at his refugio, Marques de Villaviciosa:

National Park regulations are somewhat flexible in [...]

hiking Picos de Europa, Spain – day 1

October 5, 2009

Trip Report – Picos de Europa Circuit – by site editor Rick McCharles

An unforgettable (91.5km) route covering the … most extaordinary limestone landscapes – river gorges, alpine lakes, depressions, dense beech woods, narrow canals, cliff hanging trails and peaks with breathtaking views
MAGIC …

The rain in Spain
falls mainly
… in the NORTH.

Green Spain, it’s called, [...]

hiking Banff Tuesday …

September 28, 2009

Indian Summer is fading rapidly.
But we’ll try to squeeze in one more hike (at least) before the snow flies.
If you are one of the few people left who do not know the story of this photo, click through to one of the links.
The Banff Lake Louise Tourism Board has set [...]