While out on the Pacific Crest Trail for a weekend day hike with my dad, I was reminded of a press release I saw on Backpackinglight.com.The press release announced how Backpacking Light (BPL) and OHV/ORV groups were working together to preserve wilderness.
It seemed counterintuitive at first glance.Howard Zahniser, in the Wilderness Act of 1964, defines wilderness as “A wilderness, in contrast with those areas where man and his own works dominate the landscape, is hereby recognized as an area where the earth and community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain.”I know when I enter a Wilderness Area, as declared by an act of government, I am not allowed to have mechanized or motorized vehicles.So why on earth would an OHV/ORV group work to preserve wilderness?
What I learned is that the groups involved are looking for win-win solutions for OHV users and hikers/backpackers alike.One example of such a win-win solution is aiming for zero emission OHV’s that are noiseless.
Incase you are wondering what sparked these thoughts out on the trail, well it was a Saturday and people were out enjoying their weekend…I was looking for a quiet trail, which I got for most of the day, they were looking for tread for their non-noiseless OHV’s.
I was looking at Dicentra’s blog and noticed she has a good list of coloring pages for children. All of the pages relate to hiking and other outdoor activities. If you can’t get outside, you might as well be thinking about it and getting you child geared up for a great outdoor season. Enjoy her links and Happy Trails!
The American Long Distance Hiking Association-West (ALDHA-West) recently ran one of my posts on their front page. They added an intro and a few extra graphics (why didn’t I think of that?). I think it looks pretty good. Check it out when you have a change and while you’re over there, check out their website. I am a member of ALDHA-West and I think it’s a good organization.
I have been writing a short book about life lessons I’ve learned from backpacking.I have also given slideshow presentations on my lessons to middle school students.I thought I would take excerpts from my “book” (I use that term very loosely) and post them here since, this is a blog about the outdoors.So with out further ado here is the excerpt from…
Chapter 1, Lesson 1
Throughout life, I’ve always had this secret fear of letting people down.Sometimes that’s not a bad thing.It makes me accountable to those people.Sometimes it’s a really bad thing and I put my dreams and goals on hold to make sure that I don’t let someone else down.
I had one of those “a-ha moments”.An epiphany if you will.I realized that I had to set some goals, dream some dreams.They needed to be realistic but grandiose at the same time.It can be a difficult line to walk but I needed to be toeing the line.
The goal had to be lofty, worthwhile, something that I really felt passionate about doing.My goal was hiking.I wanted to be out there having an experience and by the time I finished the AT (and my now ex-boyfriend had finished breaking my heart), I knew my goal was to hike the PCT from Mexico to Canada.Now, walking even a few hundred miles is a pretty large undertaking but hiking a few thousand.That’s a pretty massive task.However, it was reasonable; I mean other people had done it so why not me?
So here is lesson number one:“Don’t be afraid to dream big.”In fact, you have my blessing, permission and my plea.DREAM BIG!Do it, give it a try.See how it feels.Do you feel empowered?Do you feel relieved to have finally allowed yourself the opportunity to let your mind wander?Go on, let your mind wander.Let it unlock your secret desires, goals and dreams.It can be a moment of clarity for some.For others, allowing their mind to dream big is a moment of catharsis.Whatever it ends up being for you, you must do it.How else are you going to know what “the thing you want most” is?
During the summer of 2008, I had the opportunity to do high elevation trail maintenance in Colorado.I was enthralled by the wildflowers.I thought I would highlight some of my favorites, one at a time, so that you could learn a bit about each one.The information comes from both my experiences and the book “Guide to Colorado Wildflowers” by G.K. Guennel.I really found this book helpful in unmasking the identities of these beautiful flowers.I took the pictures; they don’t do the flowers justice.If you think my picture is good, go out and see them in person, it’s a hundred times better.Happy Trails!
Rose Crown, also known as Queen’s Crown or Red Orpine is a member of the Stonecrop family.
The flowers of Rose Crown are in elongate, terminal cluster, with pink and white, pointed petals.
When hiking in the Subalpine and Alpine regions, elevations from 10,000 to 14,400 feet, one has a good chance to encounter Rose Crown.They like to grow in bogs, seeps, along streams and along pond shores so keep your eyes open in those areas.
Weather and conditions permitting, plan on heading to the high country from June through August to catch a glimpse of Rose Crown.
I have been writing a short book about life lessons I’ve learned from backpacking.I have also given slideshow presentations on my lessons to middle school students.I thought I would take excerpts from my “book” (I use that term very loosely) and post them here since, this is a blog about the outdoors.So with out further ado here is the excerpt from…
Chapter 0 (that’s right, Chapter 0)
During my formative years I felt a strong need to conform.I felt like I had to live up to other people’s perception of what I should do and how I should act.I felt incredible pressure to act like a perfect role model since I worked with kids.I wasn’t having fun.I didn’t like my life.But I lived it, because that’s what you are supposed to do.That’s how I was supposed to act.
Then I saw the light.I remembered this idea I had for the first time my senior year of college.I remembered about the Appalachian Trail.The Appalachian Trail (AT) is a National Scenic Trail as established by an act of Congress.It runs about 2,174 miles from Georgia to Maine.I had heard about people hiking it.They hike it end to end and I wanted to do give it a try.I read everything I could about it; I read memoirs and planned out schedules.It was my escape from an existence that was missing something, an existence that had begun to make me fairly miserable.I had to go do this, I had to go hike.The urgency was building; the only comparison I can possibly use to describe the feeling is the pounding, the hauntingly vivid, constant reminder of the tell-tale heart.In my case, the need for change, the need for adventure was pounding in my heart.I could hear it and feel it with every inch of my body.I had to get out there.
The AT was an interesting experience.I learned a lot.I learned a lot about me.It was 6 months with a steep learning curve.I found a boyfriend, I found a new hobby, and I discovered who I really am.After the trail, I learned more about me.I had my heart broken by said boyfriend and focused on my new hobby; at least I still had that right!This time I focused on the Pacific Crest Trail.The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is a 2,655 mile National Scenic Trail, also designated by an act of Congress, which runs from the California-Mexico border to the Washington-Canada border.It is a well maintained trail that highlights much of America’s western beauty.
So that brings us up to now, saving again for the next adventure. Once again here I am, shirking my American obligations to keep up with the Jones’ and to consume as much as I can and work long hours to do so.I work hard, so I can play hard.I like to play hard for 5 or 6 months.But when I do work, I want it to be enjoyable and rewarding.Is that so criminal?I know, I know, I can hear you saying it even as I type this “this girl wants her cake and she wants to eat it too”.But really, think about it…is that too much for a girl to ask?
This leads me into my premise, the underlying idea that governs what I do and why I work hard and why I play hard and why I hike for days, weeks and months at a time.My dad told me this once.He stole it from someone else but he didn’t know who.We’ll now I’m borrowing it (if you know who said it, please let me know so I can give them credit, it’s been life changing).“The reason most people fail, instead of succeed, is that they sacrifice what they want most for what they want at the moment.”
During the summer of 2008, I had the opportunity to do high elevation trail maintenance in Colorado.I was enthralled by the wildflowers.I thought I would highlight some of my favorites, one at a time, so that you could learn a bit about each one.The information comes from both my experiences and the book “Guide to Colorado Wildflowers” by G.K. Guennel.I really found this book helpful in unmasking the identities of these beautiful flowers.I took the pictures; they don’t do the flowers justice.If you think my picture is good, go out and see them in person, it’s a hundred times better.Happy Trails!
King’s Crown, also known as Roseroot or Western Roseroot, is part of the Stonecrop family.
On King’s Crown, flowers are in a terminal cluster and are small (about 1/8”) with 4 purple or reddish petals and a 4-lobed, purple or reddish calyx.
To find King’s Crown, look in the Subalpine and Alpine regions of Colorado, so anywhere from 10,000 to 14,400 feet in elevation.Check on lake shores and stream banks as well as in swales and rills on tundra since those are the best places to find them.
Conditions permitting, schedule a hike between June to August to see them in bloom.
the blogger asked about activities that a parent can do during the winter to keep their child’s interest in the outdoors and nature.The post got me thinking about how someone gets kids interested in being outdoors and how to foster that interest.
When I was in Texas over the Christmas holiday, my cousin Jordan wanted to go for a nature hike.He loves the outdoors and knew that I loved going hiking since I had sent him 20 or so postcards from my CDT hike.Since my plane didn’t leave until late in the afternoon, we went on an excursion.It was Jordan’s mom (my cousin), Jordan and his two brothers.We ended up going to a special place near their house, ok so maybe it wasn’t the most wild of all places but it had trees and mud and a stream.It was perfect.It was a drainage area put there to deal with rain water and has some designated green space on one side with a walking path to a park.
We had a great time crossing the water, walking along the bank, looking for animal tracks in the mud.It just goes to show you that you don’t have to spend tons of money on kids hiking equipment and tons of time driving to a National Forest or Wilderness Area.Sometimes the best thing is to just get out and make the most of the time you have.Engage their senses and let them play and discover what’s there.But, maybe the most important part is just spending quality time with the kids and the people who are important to you.
I think the best way to get a child interested and enthusiastic about the outdoors is to show them how excited you are about it.If you spend quality time doing something you enjoy with them, then they may grow to love it.It doesn’t have to be a major production you could go to an area like I described and look for animal tracks or hike around.You could do backyard camping trips so you get the feel of camping but without much planning.Those types of activities could pique their interests enough that when the time comes to go on a big trip, they are ready and willing.
So get out there, find a place close to home and explore it with those you care about!
I am frequently asked backpacking and hiking questions.Questions like “where should I go” and “have you been to…” and “what gear do you recommend” and “where can I buy…?”So to help answer those questions I thought I would put together my Top 5 Backpacking and Hiking Resources.I have divided up these resources into a few groups but I am only giving you 10.Here goes…
General Hiking and Backpacking
1.Backpacker Magazine and Backpacker.com :This package deal offers quite a bit of inspiration for me. I find that many of the articles give me great trip ideas and they usually include information on which maps to get, how to get to the trailhead, etc.There are also articles covering environmental issues, gear and outdoor trends.Although these are not the main reason I enjoy reading Backpacker, they are an added plus (even if the gear they usually review is not quite up my alley).
2.REI stores:Every time I have been to an REI store, I come back with trip ideas.Their staff is usually comprised of outdoor enthusiasts and if you chat with them long enough, then you get some great trip ideas.REI also offers programs to the public, sometimes free, other times for a minimal cost.I have learned a bit about GPS from one of their programs and have wanted to attend numerous other programs but my closest REI is an hour each way from my house.
The chain of stores, and their website, offer gear for purchase and an outstanding customer satisfaction guarantee.They also have a used gear sale a few times a year for their members.In addition, if you like other outdoor activities, REI has an array of gear for most outdoor pursuits.Finally, some stores rent gear, invaluable if you are trying to ease into an activity.
Lightweight and Ultralight Backpacking (LW and UL Backpacking)
3.Backpacking Light:widely regarded as the go to resource for lightweight and ultralight backpackers.Want to have a base weight of 5 pounds before adding in food, water and fuel?This is the place to come for info.Want to learn about some crazy trips?This is the place to search around.Try some of their podcasts or read some of their articles.Join in and garner new info from the forums.Like to make your own gear…then check out the MYOG forum.You won’t be disappointed.Just a warning, some of their content is for “Members Only”, but non-members can access quite a bit of free content and use the forums (you will have to sign up for an account but it’s free).
4.The Annual Day Zero Pacific Crest Trail Kick-Off Party (ADZPCTKO) and the PCTA’s Trailfest:These are two separate events but they are both the main way that LW and UL backpackers can see and try lightweight gear made by cottage manufacturers.Since most of our LW and UL gear is made by small organizations, they are tough (almost impossible) to find in stores, these events usually have a vendor section and guess who the vendors are…our cottage manufacturers.
Make Your Own Gear
5.Thru-hiker.com:This site is managed by AYCE (pronounced ace).AYCE is a wealth of knowledge about making your own gear.On his site he has info about making your own gear, has material and supplies available for purchase, and offers pre assembled kits that you can buy to make at home.This is a great way to stay involved with hiking and backpacking in the winter months, save money and get a better understanding of how gear is made.Although I haven’t made any of my gear, I have had many friends who have used AYCE’s kits and report them as being easy to follow but if they did have questions, AYCE was quick to respond to requests for help.
So those are my Top 5 Hiking and Backpacking Resources.I hope they help you in your endeavors to get outdoors.Please remember these are just my favorites right now, what are your favorites?
Welcome and thanks for reading.You have entered the world of “The Woman Gone Wild”.This is one article in a series written about women’s issues by a woman with issues.My issues stem from this deep down desire to be out in the wild, backpacking and hiking and now, I am finally going to put it to good use.Here I offer some of my best (and simplest) tips to help make women more comfortable and enjoy being on the trail.
Let’s get started at the beginning and assess the situation.Most people, when they go for their first backpacking trip, go with someone who has more experience and has been out before.It is also common to borrow or rent gear for ones first outing.That being said, it is important to take into consideration two key women specific issues to facilitate a positive backcountry experience:1) when possible, use women specific gear or at least try it out, and 2) distribute any group gear not by equal weight but by equal percentage of body weight.
Using women specific gear is important for two main reasons.First, it can be a huge weight savings which will make anyone more comfortable carrying their load.Second, it is made to better suit a woman’s specific needs.The best example is when a woman who is 5’6” tall or shorter is using a men’s size regular bag.It’s absolutely crazy to be carrying around an extra 6 inches of sleeping bag.Its extra weight (or weight that could be used for extra insulation) and its extra energy needed to warm that space.Plus, women’s bags are usually stuffed so that there is extra insulation in the foot box, the core and the hood, as women are typically colder in those places.Now you’ve got a cold woman, carrying around extra weight.Not the best way to get someone to come back out for trip number two.Other women specific features to be on the look out for include: extra padding on hip belts, a more “v” shaped hip belt, narrower shoulder straps (although some women are more broad shouldered and might not like that option as much), and smaller (and typically lighter) carrying capacities for packs.
Distributing group gear by percentage of body weight as opposed to equal weight is important as well.Many women are typically smaller and lighter than their male counter parts, which seems to be who women go out with for their first trip.It is silly to think that group gear should be split evenly by weight.Calculations should be made so that everyone carries an equal percentage of their body weight.It’s also important to make novice women backpacker’s feel empowered and by “carrying their own weight” you are making them feel like a capable member of the team.This is a critical point with not just women but will all novice backpackers.
When it comes down to it, with any novice hiker, the main goal is to get them to want to go on another trip.These tips will help them be more comfortable on their feet but it’s the leader’s job to make sure that solid planning and reasonable expectations are set ahead of time to ensure the success of the back country experience.
