Hiking

Greg Barber, formerly of Montrose, took four months to complete the 4,200-km hike of the Pacific Crest Trail. Turn to page 10 to see more photos of his epic journey. Photo: Submitted

Kootenay native reflects on 4,200-km trek on pacific trail

Greg Barber hikes from Mexico to Canada over Sierra and Cascade Mountains

 

Hiker Jason Reedyk found the rehabilitated historic Eagle Pass Lookout destroyed by fire, part of it still burning, on Tuesday afternoon, Aug, 2, 2022. (Jason Reedyk photo)

‘Rehabilitated’ historic Eagle Pass Fire Lookout in Shuswap destroyed by blaze

Hiker finds part of Eagle Pass Lookout still burning

 

Marie-Pier Desharnais is shown atop K2 in this July 2022 handout photo. Marie-Pier Desharnais reached the top of K2 - renowned as one of the toughest mountains on earth - becoming one of the only women in Canada to summit the 8,611-metre monolith on the China-Pakistan border. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Marie-Pier Desharnais

Mountaineer Marie-Pier Desharnais is among only Canadian women to summit K2

Desharnais describes hours of inclines so steep just the tip of her crampons were holding on

 

This image released on Sunday, July 3, 2022, by the Italian National Alpine and Cave Rescue Corps shows the glacier in Italy’s Alps near Trento a large chunk of which has broken loose, killing at least six hikers and injuring eight others. Alpine rescue service officials, which provided that toll Sunday evening, said it could take hours to determine if any hikers might be missing. The National Alpine and Cave Rescue Corps tweeted that the search of the involved area of Marmolada peak involved at least five helicopters and rescue dogs. (Corpo Nazionale Soccorso Alpino e Speleologico via AP)

Alpine glacier chunk detaches, killing at least 6 hikers in Italy

The area has been identified by U.N. experts as a ‘climate change hot spot’

This image released on Sunday, July 3, 2022, by the Italian National Alpine and Cave Rescue Corps shows the glacier in Italy’s Alps near Trento a large chunk of which has broken loose, killing at least six hikers and injuring eight others. Alpine rescue service officials, which provided that toll Sunday evening, said it could take hours to determine if any hikers might be missing. The National Alpine and Cave Rescue Corps tweeted that the search of the involved area of Marmolada peak involved at least five helicopters and rescue dogs. (Corpo Nazionale Soccorso Alpino e Speleologico via AP)
Mark Pavesic reels in a small mouth bass from Elk Lake, near Victoria, BC. Kelsey Pavesic photo

Let Outdoors West be your guide to the great outdoors this summer!

Magazine shares the how-to and where-to of exploring Western Canada’s natural spaces

Mark Pavesic reels in a small mouth bass from Elk Lake, near Victoria, BC. Kelsey Pavesic photo
Tim Sangha, a member of the Nanaimo-based business partnership that has owned the Scarlet Ibis Pub and Restaurant since November 2020, presents a carving by woodcarver Rick Rotar of the Ibis business logo to Patricia Gwynne who owned and operated the Island’s most remote pub for more than 40 years. (Scarlet Ibis image)

New business partners breathe new life into Vancouver Island’s most remote pub

Scarlet Ibis Pub and Restaurant in Holberg is edge of civilization for wilderness adventurers

Tim Sangha, a member of the Nanaimo-based business partnership that has owned the Scarlet Ibis Pub and Restaurant since November 2020, presents a carving by woodcarver Rick Rotar of the Ibis business logo to Patricia Gwynne who owned and operated the Island’s most remote pub for more than 40 years. (Scarlet Ibis image)
Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park. Due to cold temperatures and persistent snowpack, avalanche hazards persist throughout the mountain national parks, such as in Banff, Yoho and Kootenay, with access roads and camp grounds having delayed openings to start the season. (Claire Palmer file photo)

Hikers beware: Avalanche hazards persist in mountain national parks

Due to an above average snowpack and a cold spring, be safe and aware when heading to the mountains

Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park. Due to cold temperatures and persistent snowpack, avalanche hazards persist throughout the mountain national parks, such as in Banff, Yoho and Kootenay, with access roads and camp grounds having delayed openings to start the season. (Claire Palmer file photo)
Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks Guardians Riley Caputo, left, Jeff Frank, and Tommy George stand on the new viewing platform constructed beneath the Cedar Tree of Life along the Big Tree Trail on Meares Island. (Nora O’Malley photo)

Tribal Parks Guardians improve access to Big Tree Trail near Tofino

Trail improvements include a composting toilet, new dock and refurbished boardwalk

Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks Guardians Riley Caputo, left, Jeff Frank, and Tommy George stand on the new viewing platform constructed beneath the Cedar Tree of Life along the Big Tree Trail on Meares Island. (Nora O’Malley photo)
Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks Guardians Riley Caputo, left, Jeff Frank, and Tommy George stand on the new viewing platform constructed beneath the Cedar Tree of Life along the Big Tree Trail on Meares Island. (Nora O’Malley photo)

Tribal Parks Guardians improve access to Big Tree Trail near Tofino

Trail improvements include a composting toilet, new dock and refurbished boardwalk

Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks Guardians Riley Caputo, left, Jeff Frank, and Tommy George stand on the new viewing platform constructed beneath the Cedar Tree of Life along the Big Tree Trail on Meares Island. (Nora O’Malley photo)
Two teenage girls are safe after being rescued by Arrowsmith Search and Rescue on a trail near Bowser on May 11, 2022. (ASAR/Facebook photo)

2 young hikers found safe by SAR crews after getting lost on Vancouver Island trail

Teens wet and cold, but other otherwise OK

Two teenage girls are safe after being rescued by Arrowsmith Search and Rescue on a trail near Bowser on May 11, 2022. (ASAR/Facebook photo)
Surrey-based sitar player Sharanjeet Singh Mand on Mt. Everest in Nepal, in a video posted to his Facebook page.

Watch B.C. sitar virtuoso play at Mt. Everest base camp in ‘special’ trek up famous mountain

Surrey’s Sharanjeet Singh Mand has done ‘what others can’t even imagine,’ his proud sister says

Surrey-based sitar player Sharanjeet Singh Mand on Mt. Everest in Nepal, in a video posted to his Facebook page.
From hunting and ice fishing to snowshoeing and hiking, this new must-read guide from Black Press Media and WestCoastTraveller.com will inspire plenty of winter pursuits.

Enjoy the great outdoors this winter with Outdoors West!

Magazine shares the how-to and where-to of exploring Western Canada’s natural spaces

From hunting and ice fishing to snowshoeing and hiking, this new must-read guide from Black Press Media and WestCoastTraveller.com will inspire plenty of winter pursuits.
Sport fisherman hunting predator fish. Outdoor fishing in river during sunrise. Hunting and hobby sport.

Head outdoors this summer with Outdoors West!

New magazine shares the how-to and where-to of exploring Western Canada’s great outdoors

Sport fisherman hunting predator fish. Outdoor fishing in river during sunrise. Hunting and hobby sport.
A Campbell River SAR member climbs up a steep section of terrain on Golden Hinde Mountain during a rescue on Wednesday, Aug. 4. Eric Teramura photo

Campbell River SAR perform overnight rescue on Vancouver Island’s tallest mountain

Three climbers were under-prepared for backcountry adventure

A Campbell River SAR member climbs up a steep section of terrain on Golden Hinde Mountain during a rescue on Wednesday, Aug. 4. Eric Teramura photo
Halfmoon Bay in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and Ucluelet First Nation’s traditional territory. (Parks Canada photo)

Injured hiker rescued, wheeled out on stretcher in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve

“The visitors were well prepared for their trip”

Halfmoon Bay in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and Ucluelet First Nation’s traditional territory. (Parks Canada photo)
Day-use passes for specific trails within Stawamus Chief and Garibaldi parks along the Sea-to-Sky corridor will be among the measures to address the surge in visitors while protecting the environment. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Day-use pass initiative for 5 busy BC parks to address safety, protect environment

The second phase of its free day-use pass pilot program rolls out June 22 in five provincial parks

Day-use passes for specific trails within Stawamus Chief and Garibaldi parks along the Sea-to-Sky corridor will be among the measures to address the surge in visitors while protecting the environment. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Little Maddox and dad Aaron Turner take on Tofino’s Tonquin trail. (Marcie Callewaert photo)

Families take to BC trails as hiking hits a stride

Creator of tofinohiking.com and vancouvertrails.com says hiking is at an all time high

Little Maddox and dad Aaron Turner take on Tofino’s Tonquin trail. (Marcie Callewaert photo)
Nancy Bright presents an envelope to Grayson Magee containing $50 in appreciation for helping her after a fall in Askew Creek in Chemainus. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Vancouver Island senior rewards student saviour

Cash reward provided for assistance beyond the call of duty in a Chemainus park

Nancy Bright presents an envelope to Grayson Magee containing $50 in appreciation for helping her after a fall in Askew Creek in Chemainus. (Photo by Don Bodger)
The Pacific Rim National Park Reserve’s ʔapsčiik t̓ašii pathway connecting its northern and southern borders is currently 95 per cent paved and construction is expected to wrap up by next summer. (PRNPR photo)

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve’s $51M path project on pace for summer 2022 unveiling

25-kilometre path nearing completion between Tofino and Ucluelet.

The Pacific Rim National Park Reserve’s ʔapsčiik t̓ašii pathway connecting its northern and southern borders is currently 95 per cent paved and construction is expected to wrap up by next summer. (PRNPR photo)
Visitors relax at the natural hot springs located within Maquinna Marine Provincial Park. (tofinohiking.com photo)

Maquinna Marine Provincial Park boardwalk project on track

“The walk down the two-kilometre boardwalk to the springs itself is by far one of the most incredible experiences.”

Visitors relax at the natural hot springs located within Maquinna Marine Provincial Park. (tofinohiking.com photo)