DESTINATIONS

Ever wanted to hike to the summit of Ben Nevis? Is it achievable for even a casual hiker? All the answers are in this full guide on hiking Ben Nevis, the UK's highest peak, at winter. The journey begins at Glasgow Queen Street railway station before travelling to Fort William and then hiking to the summit of the mountain including directions, tips, incredible scenery and blizzards. ------------------- HI! I'm Tom Bushell, welcome to the Planet Playground YouTube channel. If you liked this video I would love you to click the SUBSCRIBE button and follow my journey as I tell the story of our world through sport & adventure in a post lockdown world. -------------------------- Other Planet Playground videos you may like: HOW TO HIKE TO THE HIGHEST PUBLIC POINT IN THE UAE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nky5JCl9mIY&t=427s EDINBURGH'S BEST HIKE? AN EXACT GUIDE TO WALKING THE SEVEN HILLS OF EDINBURGH: https://www.youtube.com/@OurPlanetOurPlayground/videos CONQUER 5 PEAKS ALL IN ONE DAY ONLY 40 MINUTES FROM EDINBURGH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiBzPXiv1Zg HIKE THE STUNNING HUDSON HIGHLANDS 90 MINUTES FROM MANHATTAN: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUmA1... ----------------------- The Sports Explorer on social media, follow and join the community: Website: https://www.thesportsexplorer.com/​ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamthesport... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSportsExp​... ____________ Having recently relocated to Scotland, Ben Nevis was on the top of my list for my The Sports Explorer journey's and it didn't disappoint. I started my journey from Glasgow Queen Street, at this is the only main terminus direct trains depart from. There are 3 trains a day. The summit sits at a height of 4,411 feet and is not only the highest point in the United Kingdom, but also until you reach Norway. Thankfully, it is a fairly straightforward climb, with it's well laid out mountain path guiding hikers to the summit. You will start at the Glen Nevis Visitor Centre, where there is a gift shop and snacks and drinks to be bought. The Visitor Centre is a short taxi ride from Fort William. Once you are on the mountain trail, you'll head uphill in a southbound direction climbing out of the Glen. The path on this stretch is the steepest you will encounter. After around 2 hours, you will reach Lochen Meall, known as 'halfway lake', it is here the path offers it's only moment of flat walking so enjoy it! For the next phase, you will hike away from Lochen Meall and continue upwards before entering a switchback section. Whilst this is not the steepest section, it is tough going, especially in winter conditions. Finally, you will make a left turn and follow the path (and cairns) all the way to the summit - don't stray form the path as the summit is surrounded by deep gorges that would be deadly if you were to fall. As you pass the old Observatory and the emergency shelter, you will see the summit a few feet away. If you are to hike Ben Nevis in the winter, make sure you take plenty of supplies, and wear the correct clothing. The proper layers, water, a hot drink and food are all required. And whilst you may not need hiking polls going up the mountain, they are a great help coming down. Thank you for watching this latest video. The Sports Explorer channel is all about telling the story of our world through sport & adventure, so I hope you have fun on the mountain when you do the hike.

The Sports Explorer talks to Barbara Rubenstein, the 91-year old women who has greeted runners at the finish line at over 30 the New York Marathon's. In 2021 she was inducted into the New York Roadrunners Hall of Fame and named New Yorker of the Week, and can't wait for the 50th running of the event. ------------------- HI! I'm Tom Bushell, The Sports Explorer. If you liked this video I would love you to click the SUBSCRIBE button and follow my journey as I tell the story of the USA through sport & adventure in a post lockdown world. -------------------------- Other The Sports Explorer videos you may like: NEW YORKERS GIVE THEIR BEST TIPS ON ATTENDING A YANKEES GAME: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0Mcw8tMVrw&t=5s TRY THIS INCREDIBLE HIKE ONLY 90 MINUTES FROM MANHATTAN: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUmA1SCBykw&t=4s NEW YORK'S BIGGEST SOCCER GAME AND HOW TO ATTEND: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzKeuggXGPg&t=1s ----------------------- The Sports Explorer on social media, follow and join the community: Website: https://www.thesportsexplorer.com/​ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamthesport... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSportsExp​... ______________ During the summer of 2021 when I was in New York, TV news was celebrating Barbara Rubenstein, she had just been made 'New Yorker of the Week' for her service to the New York Marathon. For over 30 year's she has stood at the finish line congratulating runners as they finish. At 91 years of age, she is still as passionate as ever about the event and today, November 7th will be at the finish line for yet another New York Marathon greeting the thousands who cross the line, even more excited after the cancelation of 2020's event. 2021 marks the 50th running of the New York Marathon, an event which is known to be the world's most famous Marathon and the characters involved deserve to be celebrated. None more so than Barbara, who's love for New York, the Marathon and the people who compete is long standing. I hope you enjoy hearing from Barbara, a wonderful lady and a great example of how sport brings us all together.

The Sports Explorer's complete guide to hiking South Lake Tahoe's Van Sickle Trail. This is a hike that is walking distance from Heavenly Village and is a perfect way to explore Heavenly Mountain. ------------------- HI! I'm Tom Bushell, The Sports Explorer. If you liked this video I would love you to click the SUBSCRIBE button and follow my journey as I tell the story of the USA through sport & adventure in a post lockdown world. -------------------------- Other The Sports Explorer videos you may like: HOW TO CONQUER EMERALD BAY IN SOUTH LAKE TAHOE IN ONE DAY: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDH41-VkV0s A COMPLETE GUIDE TO HIKING THE BREAKNECK RIDGE HIKE IN NEW YORK'S HUDSON HIGHLANDS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUmA1... YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO HIKING THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL APPROACH ROUTES: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZfm6... ----------------------- The Sports Explorer on social media, follow and join the community: Website: https://www.thesportsexplorer.com/​ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamthesport... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSportsExp​... ______________ South Lake Tahoe is no doubt a wonderful hiking location, but the Van Sickle Trail has one great advantage, it is within walking distance of the Heavinly Village so therefore most likely within easy reach of your hotel. It is a moderate hike, that weaves through alpine forests, offers plenty of stunning vista areas and includes a waterfall in which many make the half-way point before walking back down the mountain. The start point is behind the Raley's store in the Heavinly Village shopping complex. There are plenty of coffee shops that provide a good source of caffeine before you get going. You'll find the start as you enter the Van Sickle State Park, you'll then walk up a service road underneath the Gondola before you reach an information point which has pocket maps, restrooms and information about the area. Head left continuing up the road before you reach the official trailhead, again marked with a map. It is here you'll turn onto the trail properly and then follow the orabge markings. You'll walk through the alpine forest and eventually come to a VIsta sign which marks a route up some boulders. It is well worth taking this to reach a high point where you get the most stunning of views across Lake Tahoe. Once you decide to carry on, you'll keep following the orange markings, also marking the Lake Tahoe Rim Trail before you begin to come out of the alpine forest and then climb the mountain on a well maintained switchback trail. You'll get to the small waterfall when you reach the bridge. This is a perfect location for lunch and to cool the feet off with a little dip in the water. Here you can either carry on another 3.5 miles to reach the Rim Trail or use this as your turnaround point and head back down the trail the same way you came up. The Van Sickle Trail is a great one day adventure whilst in South Lake Tahoe. The whole hike shouldn't take you more than 3 hours, but don't forget to take your time to soak up the views. You could also combine the trail with a trip up the mountain on the less active, but no less spectacular Gondola ride. Thanks for watching the video. In next week's video, I'll showcase my top 5 hikes to do in South Lake Tahoe.

The Sports Explorer's complete guide to hiking Lake Tahoe's Rubicon Trail, kayaking Emerald Bay to Fannette Island and exploring the Lower Eagle Falls trail near South Lake Tahoe. ------------------- HI! I'm Tom Bushell, The Sports Explorer. If you liked this video I would love you to click the SUBSCRIBE button and follow my journey as I tell the story of the USA through sport & adventure in a post lockdown world. -------------------------- Other The Sports Explorer videos you may like: HOW TO HIKE TO THE UAE'S HIGHEST PUBLIC POINT AT JEBEL JAIS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nky5J... A COMPLETE GUIDE TO HIKING THE BREAKNECK RIDGE HIKE IN NEW YORK'S HUDSON HIGHLANDS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUmA1... YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO HIKING THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL APPROACH ROUTES: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZfm69kRGjg&t=473s ----------------------- The Sports Explorer on social media, follow and join the community: Website: https://www.thesportsexplorer.com/​ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamthesport... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSportsExp​... ______________ In the first of my feature videos based around Lake Tahoe, I'm showcasing to you how to hike the glorious Rubicon Trail at Emerald Bay in California. The trail begins at the Eagle Point campground and stretches all the way around to Rubicon Point, 13 miles away. As it is a turnaround trail however, you can switch back on yourself whenever you feel like. In the above video I guide you on hiking to the beach area, where the Vikingsholm estate is located, take a kayak on the water to Fannette Island and also hike the short route to the Lower Eagle Falls. The Rubicon Trail to the beach is easy-moderate. You'll start with a downward stretch all the way to the bridge area, with Lake Tahoe on your right. On a clear day, you'll experience the most amazing views and landscapes from the mountains to the lake itself. There a few seating areas on the trail where you can stop and soak it all up. You'll eventually cross the bridge that crosses the Lower Eagle Falls ridge, where you'll turn right towards the beach. Here you will find the Vikingsholm estate and visitor centre. You'll be able to read about the history of Vikingsholm, and its founder, Lora Knight who built the area up to be an outdoor adventurers playground. You can also get a tour of the mansion. It is also from the beach area where you can rent a kayak. You'll pay $35 for an hour, which is enough time to kayak over to Fannette Island and back. Once at the island, you'll also have time to stop for lunch, or take a hike around the island. As you return towards the start point at Eagle Campground, you can take a right as you get to the Lower Eagle Falls bridge and head up the short path to the Lower Eagle Falls. The best time to see the falls in full flow is in Spring when the winter ice melts, but it is still worth a visit at any time of the year. You'll then walk back down to the bridge before you begin the return leg, uphill on the Rubicon Trail back to the start point. There is a car park at the start point, but it does get busy so you might might like to consider getting a taxi to the start point. Once you complete your hike, you can walk through the campground to the welcome hut where you can use their wi-fi to order a ride home. I hope you enjoy the video, and are inspired to visit Emerald Bay at Lake Tahoe. It's an incredible place.