https://amzn.to/3x6zxGN Safety first, get a sat beacon if you leave cell reception. In this video I give five trip examples from my own experience where you need to make the choice: will I hike off or on trail? Even if there are no trails, please remember that you don't have to hike off trail there: You can just go somewhere else.

My message is: don't first decide you want to go to the most remote backcountry parts of Canada, THEN conclude there are no trails there and THEN conclude that your skills are not up to par yet. Make smart decisions on where you want to hike. Obviously, there is great attraction in trekking through untracked terrain. However, first build your confidence on a complicated trail, then later do shorter off trail sections in an area with cell phone reception, and only then do you promote to remote areas.
Example 1: small, vulnerable area, lots of trails that are meant for you as a hiker.
Example 2: connecting two trails via an off trail section, above tree level.
Example 3: hike-in towards a backcountry area, through a low elevation area, where there is an existing trail.
Example 4: above treeline area, where off trail hiking is totally fine, but there just happens to be a convenient trail. Do you take it?
Example 5: remote difficult area, no trails, no cell reception, far away from rescue. YOU DO NOT HIKE HERE UNLESS YOU ARE CERTAIN OF YOUR SKILLS AND GEAR. And bring a sat beacon if possible.

Follow me on facebook!   / papahiker  

The music in this video is home made :-) and is called "Toe rub" by papa hiker. I figured out how to work with the rhythm track only after I added it to the recording program, which is why the timing is so awful. Just deal with it.

The lyrics are:

Behind your computer you are nice and warm,

But I’m freezing my ass off in a winter storm

For you… for you… just for you…

Man I’d give you a toe rub,

If you just like and sub



Woke up this morning, my sleeping bag was wet

When I went to bed, it was still wet

Hiked all day, my socks and shoes were wet

That’s what it takes, for a video to get

To you, to you, yes to you….

Man I’d give you a toe rub,

If you just like and sub

Yes man, do it,

Push the button, join the club.

Just sub

Please note that I make a small commission if you buy something through the links I place.