Preparing to go on a Hike

When heading outdoors it is very important to take some time and learn about those things you will need.  Preparation before a trip will save you and possibly your family a good deal of worry while you are on the trail. Here is a good video about some of the very basic equipment needed by any hiker.

Preparing for a hike

Here is a video about how to prepare for a hike.  The day hike is one of the first skills every outdoor adventurer should learn.  It is also a good way to get out of the house for a day and see what I would call untamed places.  There is just something to be said for seeing creation before man's order is put to it.

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Since the most dangerous trails is a very popular segment on this blog I thought I would post a video of the Hua Shang trail in China.  If the video does not give you vertigo and make you feel extremely uncomfortable you should get out and try the trail yourself.  As for myself this video gives that deep sinking feeling of, "I'm gonna fall so stop pushing me".

Walking the Amazon

An adventure to rival the great Percy Fawcett, Ed Stafford walked the entire length of the Amazon river some 4000 miles taking 859 days.  Ed began his journey with a friend who dropped out to return to his family leaving him to complete the journey more or less alone. Ed picked up a local forester to help him through a difficult section, who ended up walking the rest of the way with Ed.  They faced hostile tribes who threatened them with bows and arrows, walked across drug cartel lands, avoided poisonous snakes, ate piranha, got eaten by 50,000 mosquitos, and stung by nests of wasps.  If this sounds like a walk in the park it was not, at least 1000 of those miles was done while wading through the flooded low lands surrounding the Amazon basin.

This was truly an epic adventure.  The video is a portion of an interview Ed did for Sky TV.

Selecting the Proper Hiking Shoe

Now for a little education.  If you want to get outdoors and explore some local sites a good pair of hiking boots is a must so below is a superb video put up on youtube by outdoorherbivor.

 

Angel's Landing - A Video Adventure

Photo by Mark Roberts

Here is a video I found on Vimeo demonstrating why Angel's Landing in Zion National Park is so hair raising.  The music definitely add to the dramatic impact of the short film.  If you would like to see it click on Angel's Landing and enjoy.  This certainly demonstrates how exciting the trail is and now has caused me to put this hike onto my list of if I am there I will be doing it.

Six of the World's most Adrenaline Pumping Hikes

For those who wish to go on a hike with a little more...err great deal more excitement try putting these six under your boot.

El Caminito del Rey in Spain (The king's little pathway) - This trail was built to access a dam at the beginning of the 20th century.  At it opening the king of Spain walked it, which is why it is know as the king's pathway.  The trail has unfortunately fallen into disrepair explaining the poor state and dangerous conditions found along the way.

Mount Hua Shan - The trail travels thousands of feet above the valley floor and is one of the routes to the top where a Daoists temple resides.  The temple is an ancient one and after traveling this trail anyone could see why thanking a god, even if he is made of stone and is deaf, would be an emotional one.

Mount LeConte, Tennessee - This route is found in the great Smoky Mountains and along with the scenery presents a series of lodges to stay in once you have reached the summit.

Machu Picchu - Many people travel this trail to the every rewarding site of Machu Picchu an ancient Incan stronghold and one of the few city to never fall to the Spanish Conquistadors, they never found it.  

Angel's Landing, Utah - This trail is in Zion National Park running about 2.4 miles from the valley floor to the top.  A couple of places along the trail provide chains bolted to the cliff wall to help you stay on the trail and not the valley floor, not everyone has successfully navigated the route.

Mount Pinatubo, Philippines - Pinatubo had been know as an inactive volcano, no one could remember when it had erupted last, until 1991.  Before the eruption is was covered with a lush green forest now it is a dusty ash covered cone and still active.  

Five Adventures for Fall

Always looking for  adventures to do during every season of the year I thought I would create a list of fall activities.

1) Go for a hike - This is number one and really can be done during any season of the year all that is required is the proper set of clothing and footwear.

2) During the fall a bike ride is still possible and even enjoyable so long as it is done during the warmer hours of the day.

3) The waterways are still accessible and setting a kayak in for a quite day paddling along the shore of a peaceful lake gives a lot of time to reflect or enjoy the company of others.

4) Get out with your camera and take pictures of the spectacular display of fall colors, who knows maybe you will get a picture worth framing and placing on your wall. 

5) Go for a drive to a small town near you for a walk down main street and a sit down meal at the local diner or restaurant.  Usually the small town has a wonderful mom and pop joint.

Some of these adventures can even be combined like the hike and photography expedition or the kayak and a meal at mom and pop's.  The point is getting out will make Fall an enjoyable and adventuresome season.

Columbia Plateau Trail - Martin Rd to Lamont.

Photo by D. McMillin

Starting at Martin Road about 20 miles SW of Cheney, Washington, the Columbia Plateau Trail travels over a massive man made land bridge.  Most of the bridge was cut from the surrounding land and the massive cuts can be clearly seen both up close and from the other side of the valley.

From the Land bridge the trail cuts almost straight to the little farming community of Lamont, a community of 70 people and a large grainery next to the old track, now the trail.  About halfway down the trail a local farmer has piled a very large stack of fence posts.  If you have a long enough lens you may even be able to take some excellent photos.  

This trail is only good for walking on as the railroad grade gravel make riding a bike almost impossible.  In many place walking beside the trail is possible and can be navigated with more ease than the trail.

Previous section

The Eskimo Roll - How to do it

This is an excellent teaching video.  The instructor breaks the Eskimo roll down into it individual pieces, a method called part-whole, and shows you how it is done.  The last time I tried to learn this skill, without taking a course, all I could do was flop around in the water while my friends laughed at me from the shore.

 

Musical Spelunking

I found this on Vimeo.com.  When on an adventure good friends around the proverbial campfire singing a song is about as old as recorded history.  This is the modern rendition.  Watch and enjoy.

Adventures On Tap: Acoustic Spelunking from kristi flango on Vimeo.

The Trails of Glacier National Park

I found this in an online Missoula, Montana online newspaper.  Jake Bramante set himself a goal of hiking all 734 miles of Glacier National Park in one year, 2011.  What I like about this blog is Jake talks about all his hikes and you can get a pretty good idea of what the trails are like.  

Jake has yet to complete his goal but is within 20 miles of the finish line.  If you are interested in finding adventure in Glacier National Park and would like to either see pictures or even some video blog information you can check it out at Jake's blog Hike 734.

It is always exciting to dream about doing something that possibly no else has ever done.  And as far as anyone knows Jake is the first to do all the miles in one year.

The Great Corn Maize Capper

Photo from LA Times

This has been in the news the last couple of days but it is just too funny to pass up. A young family found themselves lost amongst the sway stalks of scrumptious fresh rows of golden corn in Danvers, Massachusetts.

The sun was setting on this adventuresome couple as they wandered lost. What did they do? Call 9-1-1. Out come the local police with a K-9 unit to look for them. What do you suppose happen, the dog found them about 25' from the exit. They question begs to be asked, why didn't they just walk through the corn until they hit the edge of the field and walk around? I suppose that question will not get answered by the unidentified couple but the farmer is getting great publicity for his Maze. Both Leno and Letterman are looking for an appearance.

This is a great example of, think instead of panic, it will you from unnecessary embarrassment and tie up local authorities with something they will end up laughing about for many weeks.

Biker vs Antelope

Evan van der Spuy

This is going around the internet.  The mountain biker is participating in a mountain bike race in South Africa.  It appears the antelope had it in for the biker a one Evan van der Spuy as it intentionally dropped its head to clobber Evan.  This is a great helmet promotional and should be a warning to all who forgo the wearing of a melon bucket.  

 

Aasgard Pass

Aasgard Pass - Photo provided by Summit Post.org

Here is a hike that I think is worth taking but is not for the out of shape or faint of heart.  Aasgard Pass can be reach by two routes.  The first is through Snow Lakes, a much longer route but not as steep and possible less dangerous.  The second route is up through Lake Colchuck, this is the quickest route to the top but certainly not the safest.  People have died in Aasgard Pass. 

The trail to Lake Colchuck is about 5 miles long and the last mile or two climbs through the trees in a punishing series of switchbacks.  Lake Colchuck is a beautiful turquoise colored body of water the color is much more noticeable from the heights of Aasgard.  

Climbing, and I mean climbing, Aasgard Pass takes time and commitment.  The trail starts at the end of Lake Colchuck and winds its way along the left side of the pass, the right side has a stream flowing down it and should be avoided especially when there is snow over it, a lady died in 2010 when she fell through the snow and into the stream.  The trail is marked by a series of cairns, a man made pile of rocks.  There is no exact route and many people have built their own cairn, just make sure to stay on the left side of the pass and keep moving upward.  

Aasgard pass is the high point along the trail to the Enchantments and also requires a permit to access.  Make sure to get a pass because the wilderness rangers will find you.  This is definitely a worth while hike and you will get, in my opinion, one of the best scenic views in the Pacific Northwest.

Extreme Kayaking - A New Video

Here is a very well put together video of some extraordinarily exciting kayaking and rafting.  Instead of saying any more let's just allow the video to say it all.

Essential gear for Biking

For biking there are things to bring along, especially if you are traveling outside of walking distance from your home or car.

1) Helmet - This really is a necessary item.  Everyone crashes from time to time and the helmet can prevent serious injury to the control center of the body.

2) Mirror - All summer I rode my new road bike without one of these and a couple of times drivers, who feel they do not need to give a bike room, whizzed by me and almost sent me into the ditch.  The rear view mirror has decreased the amount of times that has occurred.

3) Spare tire and repair kit - You never know when you will have a flat, they always seem to occur at the most inopportune time.

4) Pump - If you get a flat you better have a way of pumping it back up.

5) Multi-Tool - Other things do go wrong with bikes while on the road and a tool in the tool bag can make the difference between thumbing a ride or finishing the ride.

6) Water

7) Headlight and Taillight - If you are riding before or after the normal hours of daylight you certainly want to be seen by the bigger less maneuverable motorized vehicles.

8) Bike lock (U-bolt type) - Because people really can not be trusted, leaving ones bike unlocked is a sure fire method for getting that newer nicer bike.

9) Gloves - A good set of padded gloves really cut down on the numbness in the hands and make long rides much more comfortable.

10) A little food

Taking Time Out

Photo by D. McMillin

Today I went for a six mile hike out of a need to just get out and enjoy a nice warm but not hot day.  I brought along a kite with me because the wind was blowing and the location, Turnbull Wildlife Refuge has some very open spaces.  

About two miles out I stopped and pulled out the kite for a little fun, the kite is a stunt kite I purchased at REI.  After a couple of minute of painting circle, lines, and other odd shapes across the sky I began to really enjoy a time of standing still and laughing when the kite crashed into the ground, just like a child at play.  This is one of the reasons I get out, to stop and remember what it is like to enjoy life like a child does.  Seeing and doing new things is exactly what children do.  

Though this is a not quite what Jesus meant when he said, "you must be like a child to enter the kingdom of heaven," life is found much more livable when we learn how to enjoy it like a child.  

Walking the PCT

Photo by Noah Strycker

The Pacific Crest Trail is a trip I have always wanted to do myself after having done some of the very scenic sections around Glacier Peak (The most remote of the Cascade Volcanoes and the most unknown).  

Noah Strycker an ornithologist (someone who watches and studies birds) has completed one of my dream trips in 123 days averaging 21.6 miles a day.  He began the trip at the border of Mexico on May 19 and finished four months later.  According to Noah more than 300 people started the trip and only about 30 or 40 will finish this year because of the deeper then usual snow pack.  

Noah also walked through five pairs of running shoes, not really my choice of hiking shoes because of the lack of ankle support, but they worked well for him.  He did however walk the last 100 miles of the Sierra Nevada's with holes which his toes had worn through.  

If the chance to either make enough money to be independently wealthy and therefore have the time or retirement, I once met a 60 year old couple doing the whole trail, I will be strapping on my backpack for a long summer of hiking along the PCT in the footsteps of Noah, because this is an adventure worth having.  If you would like to read more about Noah's and his trips you can pick up his story at Noah Strycker Birder at Large.

Laura Dekker's Sailing adventure

Photo by Laura Dekker

Laura Dekker, the 16 year old sailing around the world, has completed her traverse across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.  She has just left Darwin, Australia and is now crossing the Indian Ocean.  This will probably be one of the most dangerous legs of the journey.  Not because of the weather, even though that does play a part, but because of piracy.  

This only goes to show that adventure can have a price most would be unwilling to pay.  And even though the age of piracy; Captain Kidd, Blackbeard, etc.. is gone, there are those still willing to take part in a crime that is hard to prevent and even harder to capture and prosecute.  

Laura, however, has a team of people working with her to help keep her safe.  And currently her exact location is not posted, a wise decision.  

Here is hoping and praying Laura makes it across the Indian ocean safely.  Only one leg left, to travel either through the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean Sea or around the Horn of Africa up to the Straits of Gibraltar, probably the safer of the two routes.