Winter hiking to Black Mountain
Hiking is definitely one of my favourite pastimes. As I gained experience, it gradually expanded from a summer-only pursuit into one spanning three seasons. Finally, this winter, it was time…
Camping at Elfin Lakes
There are many popular hikes in Garibaldi Provincial Park, but one of the best is Elfin Lakes. The lakes, though pleasant, aren’t the main reason to make the trip up—it’s…
Climbing to Wedgemount Lake
Wedgemount Lake is a deceptively difficult hike located in Garibaldi Provincial Park, not far from Whistler, BC. I say “deceptively” difficult because the hike is only 6 kilometres long, one…
Hiking Manning Park’s Heather Trail
Every summer, from July through August, Manning Park in southwest BC erupts into a colourful display of alpine wildflowers. It’s not hard to find them—after all, you can drive right…
A food-themed trip to Bologna
Bologna is a city famous for its cuisine, which is something when you consider how highly regarded Italian cuisine is in general. I wanted to visit Bologna, but honestly knew…
Day tripping to Pisa
There may be no landmark in Italy so iconic as the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Are there any other things to see in the city of Pisa? Of course there…
3 days in Florence
Florence, Italy is a fun city to visit. There’s something for everyone, from very old statues to very old buildings (with statues in them). In all seriousness, I enjoyed Florence…
Visiting Partnachklamm and Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a town on Germany's southern border. I'd always wanted to visit, because it looks like a delightful place. It's surrounded by mountains, including Germany's tallest, Zugspitze. But, despite…
March backpacking in Juan de Fuca Park
Most of Canada is locked in winter’s icy grasp in early March, but not the BC south coast. Here’s the story of how four of us beat cabin fever with…
Hiking The Stawamus Chief in February
The Stawamus Chief (a.k.a. The Chief) is a popular hike near Squamish, BC. It’s possible to climb The Chief year-round, depending greatly on the weather and temperature. I did it…