Wilderness Stories
Trujillo and La Libertdad, Perú
Story & photos © Raghbir Jin
Part four: The Incan Empire
Moving onward from the megalithic stone structures and Andean mountain backdrop at the centre of the old Incan empire to the adobe-built marvels of Trujillo and Huanchaco on Perú's northern desert coast is like shifting to a different world entirely. Story
BC's Wild West Coast
Story & photos © Editor
The West Coast of Vancouver Island has its own unique ecosystem. The trees are shorter and sturdier than their interior cousins because the wind is harsher, and the rain and storms more violent during winter months. It is a rugged albeit beautiful part of British Columbia and the seas are extremely hazardous. Story
Touring Lake Titicaca
By Raghbir 'Raggy' Jin. Part three: The Incan Empire.
A man clad in decorative clothing paddles a small boat constructed of reeds across the water's pristine, blue surface as our own vessel rumbles noisily past. Passengers scramble to the deck to take photos of the man, pulling their scarves tighter to fend off the morning chill and speaking amongst one another in an assortment of languages as colourful as the ancient culture of Lake Titicaca... Full Story
The Alberni Valley
Latest News: Port Alberni is having one of the best Sockeye Salmon runs in years!
Port Alberni is one of the most over-looked places on Vancouver Island as a base location to do wilderness adventures. Yet it's in the centre of Vancouver Island, joined to the Pacific coastline via a long 48 kilometre inlet, has great fishing and access to good hiking, canoeing and kayaking.... Full Story
The Incan Capital of Cusco
By Raghbir "Raggy" Jin Part two: The Incan Empire
Stepping into the historic downtown district of Cusco feels like stepping out of a time machine. Dogs pass as I walk through one car-less neighbourhood, stretching my arm out every now and again to brush the large stone walls left over from Incan times. Ladies in traditional Quechua clothing walk llamas over the cobblestone sidewalks, past open-air markets that give an equally powerful feeling of nostalgia. ...Full Story
You Aren't Supposed to See Cougars
Story & photos © Elise Mallory
This is the first thing that people usually tell me every single time I tell this story. “A cougar could be stalking you as you hike in the bush and you will never even know!” - another very popular statement that seems to attach itself to tales of cougar encounters (or lack thereof). This animal seems to be a ghost on Vancouver Island. Everyone I talk to has never actually come across one while camping or hiking, but everyone knows the eerie feeling of wondering if something is watching you in the dense environment of BC’s wilderness. Full Story
The Incan Empire in South America
Part One of a series by Raghbir Jin
When people hear about the Incan empire, usually the first thing that comes to mind is the stone city of Machu Picchu nestled high in the Perú's Andean mountain range. Sadly, this is often the only thing that comes to mind. The sanctuary of the city, built around 1400 A.D., exemplifies the extraordinary craftsmanship and architecture of the time and remains one of the leading tourist destinations on the continent at 858,000 visitors per year. Full Story
Beyond The Surf
Story & photos © Elise Mallory
Tofino feels like it is on the edge of the world. Like if you drive through the quaint, enclosed town and just keep going you will eventually tip off the end of the map into oblivion. Once you drive through the pass just beyond Port Alberni and begin snaking along the coastline, going through what we call the ‘angry 30s’ feeling like you cannot possibly get further along the rugged west coast by car, you come to Tofino... Full Story
Memories of the Mountains
Story & photos Beth Bower
When I was a little kid the build up of excitement before a big camping trip was almost as good as Christmas Eve. There was the tent to pack, sleeping bags to stuff, and fleece pants to dig out of the very back of the closet. There were rogue pairs of Wigwam socks to track down... Full Story
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