Hiking

SilverStar Mountain Resort has released its schedule for the 2023 summer season, which kicks off June 23. (Greg Huszar photo)

Full slate of summer events ahead for Vernon’s SilverStar Mountain Resort

The summer events schedule kicks off June 23 with the opening of the bike park

 

Chris Ford participates in a Sage orienteering course at Spion Kop in 2020. (Kevin Matrosovs photo)

Salmon Arm orienteering club helps nature lovers find their way into a new hobby

Sage Orienteering began in Kamloops; Revelstoke, Kelowna also have branches hosting training, events

 

The portion of BX Creek Trail between Tillicum Road and Star Road has been closed due to a washout. (RDNO photo)

Popular portion of Vernon hiking trail washed out

BX Creek Trail between Tillicum Road and Star Road in the BX closed after washout

 

Greater Vernon has officially been marked the trails capital of B.C., the Regional District of North Okanagan announced Wednesday, April 5, 2023. (Ribbons of Green Trails Society photo)

Greater Vernon is now officially the trails capital of B.C.

With an abundance of places to hike and bike, British Columbia’s Greater…

Greater Vernon has officially been marked the trails capital of B.C., the Regional District of North Okanagan announced Wednesday, April 5, 2023. (Ribbons of Green Trails Society photo)
A tiny tick is almost unnoticeable when it’s hidden by an animal's fur (or a human’s hair). It is important to check pets and yourself for the tiny blood-drinkers when returning from enjoying the outdoors. (File photo)

It’s officially tick time in the Okanagan

Blood-sucking arachnids are but there is no need to worry if you’re tick-checking regularly

A tiny tick is almost unnoticeable when it’s hidden by an animal's fur (or a human’s hair). It is important to check pets and yourself for the tiny blood-drinkers when returning from enjoying the outdoors. (File photo)
Three hikers and their dogs had to be rescued from High Rim Trail in Lake Country using a helicopter and snowmobile. (Photo/COSAR)

Helicopter rescue for hikers and their dogs stranded in Lake Country

Two men, a woman and their dogs were plucked from High Rim Trail

Three hikers and their dogs had to be rescued from High Rim Trail in Lake Country using a helicopter and snowmobile. (Photo/COSAR)
Melanie Vogel made it to point zero of the Trans Canada Trail with her dog by her side. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)

VIDEO: Woman completes five-year trek across the Trans Canada Trail in Victoria

Melanie Vogel becomes first woman to complete through-hike reaching three oceans

Melanie Vogel made it to point zero of the Trans Canada Trail with her dog by her side. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)
Emergency vehicles lined up below Dilworth Mountain Park after a woman fell from the park trail down the embankment on Sept. 27, 2022 (Brittany Webster - Capital News)

Quick rescue by Kelowna emergency crews after woman falls down mountain

It is unknown if she suffered any injuries

  • Sep 28, 2022
Emergency vehicles lined up below Dilworth Mountain Park after a woman fell from the park trail down the embankment on Sept. 27, 2022 (Brittany Webster - Capital News)
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

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
The lookout at the top of SilverStar Mountain Resort. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

SilverStar shines under snow in support of Vernon nature centre

Allan Brooks and resort team up to offer nature hikes with gondola rides

The lookout at the top of SilverStar Mountain Resort. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
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 Shuswap fire lookout destroyed by fire

Hiker finds part of Eagle Pass Lookout still burning

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)
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

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
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)
Ann Willsie winning artwork (Photo - Contributed)

Artists get creative juices flowing on Okanagan Rail Trail

Lake Country’s Ann Willsie took first place in the experienced category

Ann Willsie winning artwork (Photo - Contributed)
The Margaret Falls trail in Herald Provincial Park. (File photo)

7 ways to celebrate summer 2022 in the Okanagan

The Okanagan is a beautiful region of southern British Columbia defined by…

The Margaret Falls trail in Herald Provincial Park. (File photo)
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)
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.
Area where person was hiking on Monday. (Google)

Injured hiker rescued from trail in Kelowna

The hiker reportedly has injured their knee

Area where person was hiking on Monday. (Google)