Category: health & safety

Posted on

$100 Million Donation to U.S. National Parks

Aug. 26, 2024

The National Park Foundation (NPF) today announced a historic $100 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.

This transformative grant — the largest ever received by NPF and the largest grant benefitting national parks — celebrates a pivotal moment in safeguarding the future of America’s treasured national parks. …

Lilly Endowment’s grant will serve as a catalyst to scale and accelerate NPF’s impact. Working together with the National Park Service and park partners, NPF will allocate the funds to four key priority areas:

  • Inspire the Next Generation of Park Stewards: Creating opportunities for youth and young adults that will foster a deeper understanding of history, appreciation for environmental stewardship, and connection with our natural world.
  • Conserve and Preserve Threatened Parks and Wildlife: Addressing critical initiatives that will ensure the health and longevity of the fragile ecosystems and diverse species that call our national parks home.
  • Ensure a World-Class Visitor Experience: Securing a future where national parks can accommodate unprecedented growth and leverage new technology, while remaining accessible and awe-inspiring for all visitors.
  • Tell a More Complete Story of America: Delivering a more comprehensive historical narrative, including the experiences of communities whose voices and contributions have not been fully told as a part of the American story. …

To learn more about the National Park Foundation’s mission and donate today, visit nationalparks.org.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Lilly Endowment Inc., headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, is one of the world’s largest private philanthropic foundations.

… historically focused on three primary grant areas: community development, education, and Christianity. …

It has given to some politically and religiously conservative causes, especially in the 1960s.

… Climate change denial …

Posted on

TOP 10 day hikes ➙  Zion Narrows, Utah USA

One of our top 10 day hikes in the world.

Why?

Best slot canyon hike in the world.

  • in Utah’s Zion National Park
  • 16 miles (25 km) from Chamberlain’s Ranch to Temple of Sinawava in the Park
  • June through October best months
  • usually closed from mid-March to mid-May due to spring snowmelt and runoff
  • in places chasm up to 1,968 ft deep and 20 ft wide
  • about a 1500 ft descent
  • walk in water up to half the time
  • 9 – 13 hours. Confirm the time of the last shuttle out of the park!
  • a long, tiring day or you can camp overnight. Be aware that there are only 12 campsites available and they book quickly. Start as early as possible if you are doing it in a day.
  • Permit is required

World → North America → S.W. USA  → Utah → Zion Narrows

Water walking shoes recommended.

For details click over to our Zion Narrows information page.

Posted on

Our #1 Day Hike ➙ Harder Ridge, Switzerland

One of our top 10 day hikes in the world.

photo – AlpsInsight

Why?

24km total … about 18km on a sharp ridge! Wow!

  • Yes, this is our pick for the very best day hike on Earth
  • Brienz to Interlaken Brienz Rothorn Railway up to the start
  • take the funicular from Harderkulm (Harder Kulm)  down to Harderkulm Station in Interlaken
  • logistics are much more difficult in the opposite direction. We highly recommend hikers start in Brienz
  • 10+ hours. Physically and psychologically challenging.
  • no water available. Carry all you need.
  • not an official trail, but it’s easy to follow in good visibility
  • about 1500m above the lake
  • permits not required
  • it’s popular with trail runners who do about 35km entirely on foot. They start at either end.
  • also known as Hardergrat (… grat is ridge in German)

World → Europe → Alps → Switzerland → Harder Ridge

Click PLAY or watch Jackson Groves on YouTube.

For details click over to our Harder Ridge information page.

related – The GoPro: ’22 Creator Summit was held in Interlaken. Some of this footage is shot on the ridge.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Posted on

Lightning Safety

I’m very relaxed out in the wilds.

One of the very few things that worries me is getting caught in a lightning storm.

I have a friend who was struck. Three of the 4 in their group survived.

  • find lower ground ➙ and get under uniform tree cover, if possible.
  • you can be struck by a storm still 10 miles away
  • lightning tends to strike the tallest object on a landscape. It’s not a good idea to stand under a tall tree.
  • lightning is not attracted to metal. Lightning is only attracted to 3 things: tall structures, isolated structures, and pointed structures. 
  • metal can conduct electricity, which can jump to a tent 10 to 20 feet away. So tent away from taller and/or metal structures like bear poles.
  • crouching to get lower is not recommended
  • sheltering in a cave not recommended

Backpacker has more:

Everything Hikers Know About Lightning Safety is Wrong 

Most backcountry lightning education—including what you may have learned as a kid—is antiquated. Here’s your overdue expert update.

Photo by Frank Cone on Pexels.com
Posted on

AllTrails+ Review 2024

I pay for the premium version of AllTrails.

I want the downloadable, offline maps.

Actually, I mostly use it for deciding what hikes I want to do in new locations.

The PREVIEW video feature is great, as well. It gives a quick overview of the entire trail.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Posted on

The DRAKENSBERG, South Africa

I’ve hiked the Drakensberg (Dragon Mountains) escarpment of South Africa only once. Fantastic.

For example, my Giant’s Cup Trail (2 days).

Logistics are easier than you might think.

I travelled solo with Bazbus. Stayed in their recommended hostels.

Not once did I ever feel unsafe traveling there.

Harmen Hoek was there, hiking solo for 8-days in March 2022.

World Wide Hearts traveled and hiked extensively in the Drakensberg. Here’s their advice.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

related – Our favourite hike in southern Africa is not here — but rather on the coast:

Otter Trail

Posted on

Why I Don’t Use Trekking Poles – But You Should

Like JupiterHikes, I don’t use trekking poles.

IF I hiked longer than 3 weeks, I would add them to my kit. But the longest I’ve done — so far — is 17 nights.

My knees and ankles are still good. No pain at all.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.