June 26, 2009 | Field Reports >
Nanaimo, Ziplining & Bungee Jumping
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The Harbour City Nanaimo in the Vancouver Island region is home
to the first bungee jumping operation - WildPlay Element Park - in
North America. BC Field Reporter Chris Wheeler hits the zipline and
throws himself off a 140 foot bridge during his first time Bungee
Jump... what a rush!
Share your secrets about Nanaimo by submitting your Youtube videos & Photos for a shot at getting some great prizes: http://www.secretnanaimo.com
June 24, 2009 | Field Reports >
Sidney, Attractions
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The Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre in Sidney, BC showcases the
marine life of the Salish Sea! Tourism British Columbia Field Reporter
Chris Wheeler attended the opening day and journeyed from "seafloor to
seashore"! You'll love the sea elevator and all the spectacular marine
life in the Gallery of the Salish Sea!
June 17, 2009 | Field Reports >
Nanaimo, Parks
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Welcome to the jewel of Nanaimo, Newcastle Island! British
Columbia Field Reporter Chris Wheeler jumps aboard the "pickle boat"
and takes a stroll on the sandstone beaches of Newcastle Island. Rich
in natural and cultural history, Newcastle is a fascinating BC
Provincial Park that has many activities to check out! From the moment
you step off the dock, you start to feel a unique vibe of both
relaxation and awe.
Find out more at: http://www.secretnanaimo.com
June 14, 2009 | Field Reports >
Vancouver, Dining
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Vancouver is a great place to watch hockey even if you don't have
tickets to the game. Tourism British Columbia Field Reporter Ivan
Hughes takes a tour of some Vancouver sports bars to see what it might
be like in 2010 when the Olympic hockey finals are being played.
June 11, 2009 | Field Reports >
Nanaimo, Diving
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British Columbia Field Reporter Chris Wheeler snorkels with the
seals in Nanaimo! This is on the top of the list of outdoor
eco-adventures in Nanaimo. You get to take a 15 minute boat ride from
beautiful Nanaimo harbour to Snake Island which is home to a bunch of
friendly harbour seals!
Find out info and share your photos/ videos at: http://www.secretnanaimo.com
June 01, 2009 | Field Reports >
Port Moody, Hiking
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View a larger image on flickr.com
I hiked the permetre of this lake on the Buntzen Lake trail and loved every minute!
Although this lake is man-made and maintained by BC Hydro, I couldn't tell for a second this beautiful site was crafted by anyone other than Mother Nature, herself.
The four-hour hike starts near South Beach where you're welcomed by a large parking lot and clean bathrooms. Going counter-clockwise around the lake, you travel along a very wide, easy well-beaten path. There are many opportunities to pop off the trail onto a dock you can enjoy all to yourself. In other places, you can right up to the water and even take a dip. The lake is certainly warm enough for it in the summer but keep your eyes open for the signs. BCHydro has signs indicating where it is unsafe to swim and warnings where there is a strong undercurrent.
Part of the hike goes out of the forest and onto a trail for about 10 minutes. Though you're more exposed to the hot sun here, it's also an opportunity to see the vegetation along the side of the mountain.
But before long, you've reached North Beach where there are more washrooms, picnic tables and benches. This was a great picnic spot before heading along the suspension brige and back to South Beach.
The last half of the hike has more up and down and is slightly more demanding. The paths are still very hiker friendly and well taken care of. The private nooks to take a dip are still ample along this side.
Finally, the trail takes you across a floating bridge and back to where you started. Each stage of this hike offers a slightly different terrain - from rainforest to rock face to bog.
It was a great four-hours spent on a beautiful day!
June 01, 2009 | Field Reports >
Squamish, Hiking
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In the two years I've lived in the area, I've done a lot of hiking. I kept hearing about the Chief. I decided the time was right and I'd give it a try. I drove up to Squamish from Vancouver (about 60km) with some friends. We went past the Shannon Falls parking lot entrance to the next parking lot just off the highway on the right.
This parking lot leads into two more that have bathrooms and trail maps. We walked straight into the rock face following some small trails and found a bunch of hardcore rock face climbers. It was really cool to watch, but clearly we were in the wrong place. We followed the wide path past some camp sites and to the trail head.
The trail head is a HUGE boulder and is a true indication of what's to come. Up we went... The first part of the hike follows a water path (fall?) that runs from the top of the mountain. It's a great view as you climb the steps. The steps are really well taken care of and look fairly new.
If there are no wooden steps, rocks serve the same purpose as you climb, climb, climb. The tall trees shelter you from the sun but you're plenty warm with the workout you get.
The climb up is challenging but so rewarding. We chose to go to the second peak and near the top there are several rope or chain-assisted climbs. Although I'm a hiker and not a rock climber, I felt like I took a step toward being one.
And when you reach the top, the view is amazing. It's well worth the last hour-and-a-half of a literal up-hill battle. The snowy peaks seem within reach and the wide expanse of nature is breathtaking.
Although it was a very challenging hike for me physically, I would do it again in a second!