u/bones_and_barbells

I have ridiculously wide feet and most boot brands I've tried on are still too narrow - yes, even Keens!! I'm a women's size 8.5 to 10 depending on brand.

After much research, I came across Meindl boots, specifically the comfort fit model. But shipping to Canada is $100 and I can't even find anywhere in person to try them on. No passport so I can't drive to the states for REI or similar stores.

Any recommendations for similar boots available in the lower mainland? Need something super durable with a wide fit, where I can actually try them on in person. I had a pair of Altras that were so comfortable but they fell apart after one hike (Blackcomb peak). My men's Salomon's wore out after just 15 months; thankfully my warranty claim was accepted.

Oboz size 10/wide (women's) fit pretty well but I'm skeptical of their ability to last a while.

I've bought men's boots in the past for a wider fit, but many stores don't carry men's boots in a small enough size (equivalent to women's 8-10) for me to try on, so ordering online is tedious when I'm essentially just trying them on only to send them back if they fit weird.

I hear that boot quality has tanked in recent years across various brands so I'm pretty hesitant.

I'm staying in Whistler next week and plan on doing Rohr lake and mountain, midweek. I'm going solo. While I normally love quieter trails, and am no stranger to black bears, I am admittedly slightly nervous about grizzly bear activity in this area, and am curious how busy this trail is midweek during summer. I would actually be a bit relieved to know if this area still gets semi-frequented Mon to Fri.

I'm going solo as my hiking friend is out of town, and my husband will be with our baby. I don't want to hike with people I don't know, so I don't plan on finding a new hiking partner just for this outing.

Not really interested in other more frequented hikes in this area as I've either already done them (Joffre, Wedgemount lake, the usual Garibaldi trails, Nairn falls, all the Blackcomb/Whistler mountain trails, etc) and I don't have a 4x4 for other stuff like Watersprite. Also, the views on Rohr are majestic so I'm pretty keen lol. Semaphore/Locomotive is just a tad too far for the day otherwise I'd consider that one.

I'm confident in my bear encounter knowledge (make noise, carry and know how to use spray, bluff vs real charge, etc) but it's still spooky to go solo in grizzly territory, so it'd be nice to know that this trail is still frequented midweek! Thank you!

(Posted this in the Whistler sub but didn't get many replies)

I'll be doing a solo day hike to Rohr Lake and Mountain during the last week of July, midweek (depends on best weather window). Curious as to how busy I can expect the trail to be, both to the lake and past that to the summit.

I usually LOVE less busy trails, but, honestly, I am a bit concerned going solo in prime grizzly territory. I've been hiking in southwest BC for twelve years and have seen close to 20 black bears and, just once, I saw grizzly cubs (in manning park). Thankfully never had to spray any of them. So, I'm no stranger to bear encounters and I am very confident on risk management, but most of my encounters have been around the lower mainland and it would ease me if I knew id be seeing a good handful of other people on this trail midweek.

"Go with other people" - can't for various reasons. My one and only hiking friend isn't available that week, my husband will be with our baby, and I'm really really not a fan of hiking with people I don't know.

I dont have a 4x4 for other hikes, and I've done all the other well known spots around the area (Wedgemount lake, bunch of trails in Garibaldi, Joffre, etc). I'm pretty dead set on this hike unless there is something with comparable views closeby that is generally safer or less bear-y haha.

Thank you!

Hello! Very experienced hiker here who plans on doing a day hike to Golden Ears summit asap, once the snow melts more. Goal is for epic views, a good physical challenge, and building my photo albums and wall art of gorgeous mountains.

I would LOVE to go on a weekday to avoid the crowds and the pass system, however, for various reasons, it's looking unlikely for me. So, I'm stuck for going on a Sat/Sun, or a holiday long weekend, unfortunately.

Question: since the gate opens at 7am, and I'm doing just a day hike, I'm wondering how busy I can expect the ridge/summit to be. I know that dozens of people camp up there, but I will 99% be going at a quicker pace than those carrying overnight gear, so I expect to get there before the campers that day. I'm also guessing I'll be reaching the summit as the previous night's campers come down, since there is a checkout time (right?).

I absolutely don't expext a completely empty summit obviously. I'm assuming I'll be up there with other day hikers, as well as campers from Alder flat who would get a head start since they're not confined to the 7am gate hours.

My least favourite thing EVER on hikes is massive crowds (and clouds lol). Any "popular" hike i do (which is basically everthing in BC at this point lol), I usually start at 5 or 6am latest. And I'm very fast, so most big hikes, ive had the summit solo or close to it.

I've considered using an Ebike to get to the trailhead and parking outside the gate for an earlier start, but I don't have one and cant afford one.

I've also considered solo camping in the park but I have an 8 month old that is breastfed, so that introduces other complications.

Sorry for the long rant, basically im just trying to get an idea of how many tents/people i can expect in my pictures if I go on a Sat, and if sundays tend to be less busy due to many people working the next day. And no im not a hiking influencer, i just like pristine pictures and would prefer to not use AI to remove people from my pictures haha. I don't even like shelters, huts, helicopter landing pads, benches, or powerlines in my photos. Yes I have diagnosed OCD, leave me alone lol.

With the influx of tourists we'll have here over the next few weeks, I'm assuming many of them will want to explore our wilderness when they're not watching the games.

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Do you think this could possibly lead to more SAR callouts due to unfamiliarity with the mountains? Or possibly more litter along the trail? (Tourists aren't always super respectful of places they don't live in.)

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What's everyone's thoughts? Any ways to prevent this? Lol I feel like there should be extra signs at popular trailheads warning tourists of the potential dangers. "SANDALS ARE NOT ENOUGH. THERE IS SNOW AT THE TOP. BEARS ARE NOT CUDDLY. THIS HIKE WILL TAKE 1948492 HOURS."

I'm getting a hiking backpack carrier for my 7 month old son this weekend but am still sliiightly undecided.

For my needs, the Osprey poco premium features win by far (namely the sunshade, and storage capacity, and various pockets). I'm heavily leaning towards this pack.

HOWEVER, the Thule Sapling child seat looks more comfortable for my baby.

I want to ensure my baby is as comfortable as possible - has anyone used both bags with their kids and have any opinions? Any kids who obviously disliked the poco premium?

Thank you!