Author: Rick Mc

Career gymnastics coach who loves the outdoors, and the internet.
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Chilco Mountains hike, Idaho

Conner and Dave Adlard look down on their cabin home from atop Chilco Mountain between Sandpoint and Coeur d’Alene. (Close to Athol, specifically.)

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This was their first trip up the mountain.

We carried on “jiking” (running the flats and downs, walking the ups) to South Chilco Mountain hoping for a good view of Lake Coeur d’Alene, as promised by our guidebook. We never did find that vista.

The view of Lake Pend Oreille was FABULOUS, however.

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We hiked in from the trailhead at the junction of Forest Roads 332 and 385. Moderate difficulty. About 9mi return to South Chilco Mountain summit.

Views from the closer (2mi) Chilco Mountain top were better. We will give the further South peak a miss, next time.

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more photos from our hike on flickr

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hike the Rubicon Trail, Lake Tahoe

… NOT to be confused with the Rubicon four-by-four trail.

We were looking for a good trail run close to Squaw Valley. A local Adventure Racer, Todd Jackson, sent us to cross the Rubicon.

Good call.

In the 1880s, a Sacramento newsman compared Lake Tahoe’s sapphire depths to bluing solution, so astonishing was the color. Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) said Lake Tahoe’s air was pure enough for angels. Clear sky and water still startle the senses here, especially when you spend the day close to shore on the 6 1/2-mile Rubicon Trail. …

Lake Tahoe trail casts a spell – Laura Read

It was crowded with families, hikers, leashed dogs. But gorgeous.

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vista from high on the trail

I loved it.

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Adventure Racers cooling off after the run

Kevin Gong has an excellent trip report with photos: Rubicon Trail, D.L. Bliss State Park and Emerald Bay State Park

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hike the West Coast Trail Aug. 23rd

From email:

I have a two-person permit for the West Coast Trail for park entry from Port Renfrew on Saturday August 23rd, 2008. Unfortunately I have broken my ankle and will not be able to make the trip. I am also no longer able to obtain a refund as I am within the 21 day cancellation window. I thought that you might be connected to a network of folks who may be interested in using my reservation as I know they are difficult to come by. My cost was $300 US, but I would consider any reasonable offer. Thank you for your time.

Nick Juhle

734.717.7294

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bear visits U.S. Senior Open Golf

The Broadmoor’s East Course was quite a bear Friday.

Difficult pin placements and faster, drier greens flustered the field and only five golfers managed to shoot below par, including Fred Funk, whose 1-under 69 gave him the lead at the halfway point of the U.S. Senior Open in Colorado Springs, Colo. …

Stealing the show, however, was a black bear that ambled out of the mountains in the morning and crossed the 13th fairway before checking out spectators outside the ropes.

Nobody was harmed, and neither was the bear.

“(Jack) Nicklaus isn’t here, so I guess that’s a substitute,” cracked Funk. …

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Associated Press

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Llama trekking in the Alps

Mellow mountain walking. But be careful not to get a stream of llama spit in the eye while on a narrow trail.

… The Eagle Way is a 1,480km trail through some of Europe’s most heart-stoppingly glorious scenery: distant clutches of chalets and spires engulfed by manicured, velvety meadows, verdant hillsides veined with tumbling glacial brooks and iridescent bursts of midsummer Alpine flora. And above it all a rearing backdrop of jagged, piebald peaks, among them Austria’s highest, the mighty Grossglockner. The sky was huge and blue, the air as crisp as apple strudel; it could not have been more Sound of Music. High on the hill with a lonely Guy-herd. …

read the article – Stick your neck out, Llama trekking in the Tyrol may sound like a joke but it’s seriously good fun, says Tim Moore -The Guardian

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Tim and his new friend go for a stroll in the Alps. Photograph: Jan Erik Burger

Dolomiten Lama Trekking … dolomitenlama@aon.at) runs three day llama treks with half-board accommodation in mountain huts from €240pp for a group of seven minimum. Day trips from €38pp.

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$40k prize money – climb Mt Washington, NH

Where do I sign up for the Seek the Peak fundraiser for the Mount Washington Observatory?

I could handle the media interview at the top:

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larger version

… Hikers came in droves to support the non-profit Mount Washington Observatory during Saturday’s annual Seek the Peak hike-a-thon, making the 2008 edition the most successful event in its eight-year history. 250 hikers from as far away as Texas, Colorado, Florida and the Carolinas, ventured to the summit of the tallest peak in New England, raising a total of $97,000 for the Observatory. That sum fell just short of the event’s ambitious $100,000 goal, but surpassed the event’s 2007 fundraising totals by more than $33,000 and more than doubled the 2006 effort.

Despite its reputation for being home to some of the most extreme conditions on Earth, Mount Washington was rather tame on Saturday, with sunny skies and pleasant hiking conditions. This was a welcome sight, after a week’s worth of torrential downpours and strong thunderstorms in the area.

…

Presented by Subaru and L.L.Bean, Seek the Peak is Mount Washington Observatory’s largest annual fundraiser. All proceeds from the event benefit the 76-year old organization’s ongoing efforts in weather observation, education and research. The cumulative total that this specific event has raised over its eight year history is now over $377,000. …

Mt Washington Observatory

Seek the Peak – official site of the fundraiser

unrelated post: walk up, ride down – Mt Washington, B.C.

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hike the Forbidden Plateau, B.C.

Easiest access to Strathcona Provincial Park on Vancouver Island.

I finally found the time to hike this very popular destination, only 1hr from my parents house in Parksville, B.C.

… The gently sloping sub-alpine terrain is broken by small, rugged hills and pitted with small lakes. Much of it is contained within Strathcona Provincial Park, and a network of trails facilitate hiking, cross country skiing, and access to Mount Albert Edward.

wikipedia – Forbidden Plateau

Highlights include lakes and alpine meadows (former lakes). In fact, the most popular trailhead is Paradise Meadows at Mount Washington Alpine Resort ski hill. Most famous for ski and mountain bike trails, the Forbidden Plateau draws thousands of hikers each year, as well.

I camped at Circlet Lake. This is the best campground basecamp for those who plan to scramble off-trail routes in Strathcona. (The most popular being Albert Edward and Castle Crag.)

I feared the trails would be tree locked. Not so. The views are quite open. It’s consistently pretty. A section close to the ski resort is even wheelchair accessible. There are good options here for hikers of all ability levels.

See the rest of my annotated photos on flickr – hiking Forbidden Plateau, B.C.

related post: walk up, ride down – Mt Washington, B.C.

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Therm-a-Rest NeoAir

I gots to get one of these.

neoairpad1w_2.jpgFor the past month, rumors have circulated among the outdoor-gear cognoscenti about a new minimalist air mattress that’d pack to the size of a one-liter Nalgene bottle while providing nearly as much warmth as a bulky pad stuffed with goose down.

Indeed, the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Mattress, announced officially on July 17, is now touted as the “world’s lightest, most advanced three-season air mattress.” Manufacturer Cascade Designs Inc. cites the inflatable pad as being approximately three times warmer than any other un-insulated air mattress on the market.

While the pad isn’t yet available for testing — and it won’t ship to stores until April 2009 — …

WHAT! … WHY so long?

NeoAir pads will come in four sizes, but the smallest iteration — which measures 20 x 47 inches unrolled and packs to the size of the aforementioned Nalgene bottle — will weigh a scant 9 ounces, or less than the average trail-running shoe. …

NeoAir debuts next year for $120 – $170, depending on size. If all is as the company claims, this pad could be a panacea for backpackers looking to cut bulk and save weight while still sleeping cozy in a bag on the cold hard ground.

The Gear Junkie Scoop: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir – Outside

I’m loving my ExPed 7 — but it weighs 27.9oz (790gms). I usually leave it at home.

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walk up, ride down – Mt Washington, B.C.

I had a great half day on Vancouver Island. (Not at the much more famous Mt Washington in New Hampshire.)

Mt Washington is the home of the excellent Mount Washington Alpine Resort. It’s 25km from the Comox Valley, close to good hostels in Courtenay.

In summer the chair lift carries hikers and bikers. The view from the top is awesome.

The real highlight are the cheeky ‘Whiskey Jacks’ (Gray Jays) who happily alight on your hand, hoping for crumbs. (Don’t feed them.)

If you climb the mountain (45min) you can ride down for free. Otherwise, a trip is a reasonable $15.

Highly recommended.

more photos – flickr

Nearby is Paradise Meadows Trailhead, the best jumping off point for hiking the Forbidden Plateau. This is also the most popular trailhead of all in massive Strathcona Provincial Park.