Most of these have been day hikes, and most have been at a location near the WFA site.

E-mail me if you are interested in a hike at the WFA in 2010. How's the hiking on Vancouver Island, anyway?

Here are a few hikes from previous years:

2009:

•  Mt Ulriken and the path over the Vidden to Mt Floyen, Bergen, Norway

Took about 8.5 hours in all, about a 2,000 foot gain in elevation, not sure about the distance. 

Wildlife: Several sheep, some with bells.

• San Gorgonio, near Los Angeles, California

12 hours, 5,500-feet elevation gain, about 17 miles in all. Long, and steep in parts.

Wildlife: some rather well-fed squirrels.

• Mt Yishay, Ein Gedi National Park, Israel.

Total elevation gain may be about 2,000 feet, but you start well below sea level (Ein Gedi is next to the Dead Sea). Distance is not too great, but it was hot, I was jet-lagged, and I kept falling asleep on the way down.

Wildlife: Some creatures that may have been Cape Hyraxes.

2008: Mauna Loa, Hawaii.

3 1/2 days, 43 miles, 7,000 foot gain in elevation from trailhead to summit. Gentle slope, but the lava goes on forever. And some. Spectacular caldera at the summit. Hike diary.

2007: Lone Peak, Big Sky, Montana

Approximately 4 miles (the peak is right at Big Sky resort), about 3,500 foot gain in elevation. Hike report.

Wildlife: A brown bear, at some distance, down the slope on the way back, almost near the hotel, and a limping fox.

2006: Mt Gray's and Mt Torrey's, Colorado.

Approximately 7.5 miles, a 3,000 foot gain in elevation. The first 14ers I managed to make it up. Hike report.

Wildlife: mountain goats.

2005: Mount Defiance, Columbia River Gorge, Oregon (yes, this was the famous "lost" hike).

Approximately 8 miles, a 5,000 foot gain in elevation.

2003: North of Seattle. Burton Hollifield, Bryan Routledge, and I went on this hike. Unfortunately, I don't remember too many details. We finally turned back because there was too much snow on the mountain. 

Approximately 6 miles, a 2,000 foot gain in elevation.

2001: Pioneer Cabin, Sun Valley, Idaho.

Approximately 7.5 miles, with about a 2,400 foot gain in elevation. Spectacular view of the Hyndman peaks. A ranger at the park service office nearby assured me this was the signature hike in that region. 

Wildlife: An elk with magnificent horns.