health & safety – Page 79

October 27, 2008

hiking in Lebanon?

Not once have I heard of any hiking in Lebanon.

Yet before the Lebanese Civil War started in 1975 it was called the “Switzerland of the East”. Beirut the “Paris of the East.”

Even today Lebanon has six ski resorts. It’s a beautiful country.

larger version – flickr – LLP

Guided walks are advertised: Hiking and Trekking – LebanonTourism.com

There’s even a long distance trek: Lebanon Mountain Trail – 44okm (275mi)

Fareed Abou-Haidar suggests that this country could be a major draw for hikers. (If only their security could be ensured.)

larger version – flickr – LLP

See more gorgeous photos of Lebanon on the Dark Roasted Blend blog.

October 24, 2008

climber found alive on Mt Adams

We climbed Mt Adams this summer. It was a walk in the park.

Not so for Derek Mamoyac who fell when snow gave way under his feet.

A 27-year-old Oregon climber who survived five days on southern Washington’s Mount Adams with a broken ankle told rescuers he ate centipedes and drank water from creeks as he tried to crawl to safety. …

… ate centipedes and other bugs after running out of food early in the week. He drank water from creeks.

He was wearing water-resistant pants, insulated boots and gloves but was still very cold. …

Missing climber found alive on Wash. mountain – AP

Thank God for the search dog.

(via Sierra Blogging Post)

hike Cougar Creek, Canmore, Canada

I posted a few photos from our Saturday Autumn day hike.

larger version – flickr

We walked to this spot in less than half an hour out the door of Kelly and Lexi’s new home in Canmore, Alberta. Very close to the headquarters of the Alpine Club of Canada. Canmore is one of the best outdoor adventure towns in the world.

It’s ideal for dog walking … except that Cougar Creek is named such for a reason. Pets are at risk in this part of the mountains.

Ash

Fall is my favourite season for mountain walking. No bugs. Crisp, clean air. Magical.

see all my photos – hiking Cougar Creek, Canmore, Alberta, Canada set

October 20, 2008

Taiwan ridge walk – Bijia Shan

I did some research on hiking in Taiwan earlier this year.

Here’s a trip report on the Pashan blog called Bijia Shan: A Ridge Walk from Maokong to Shiding.

larger version

I particularly liked this photo:

He collected about 20 leeches en route.

I’ve only had leeches once on a hike (Sri Lanka), but it was a very interesting experience.

Check the rest of the photos from Robert Scott Kelly – Bijia Shan: A Ridge Walk from Maokong to Shiding

October 14, 2008

trekking the Rwenzori Mountains, Uganda

I would love to have joined in on this 2005 guided trip in the Rwenzori Mountains:

The plan is simple. 6 days total: 3 climbing, 1 day at the top, 2 days to go down. 3 huts. 8 trekkers, 15 porters, 2 cooks and 2 guards.

The second hut marks the end of rivers. At 3500 meters, we are above the evening clouds. …

… surrounded by three park guards and our two cooks.

see the rest of the photos posted by Canadian Kim Gjerstad now living in Uganda.

Easier, perhaps, though you still need armed guards, would be trekking the Central Circuit:

The main trail, known as the Central Circuit, can be completed in about 4-10 days, depending on the itinerary one chooses. …

Renzori.com hiking

September 28, 2008

rescuing a drowning bear

… Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission biologist Adam Warwick just couldn’t let the bear drown, so he took off his shirt and dive after it. The 375 lbs black bear had been spotted in a residential area, obviously looking for food, and was shot with a tranquilizer dart. Unfortunately, before it went under, it jumped in the water of the Gulf of Mexico. …

click through for more photos and a video – Man Saves 375 lbs Black Bear from Drowning – Treehugger

September 19, 2008

first bear attack on Vancouver Island

Hikers of the West Coast Trail and other great walks on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, take comfort that there are no Grizzly Bears on the island. And that the Black Bears are famously non-aggressive.

Until this attack on fisherman Blain Pharis:

… A black bear swam across Gordon River and climbed up onto the wharf as Pharis neared his vessel, said Hitchcock. The bear followed Pharis onto his boat and mauled him.

Four men armed with fishing gear including a filleting knife, gaff and hammer swarmed the bear and killed it.

The animal’s internal organs were examined in a necropsy and it was found to be elderly, at more than 10 years of age, and in poor health. …

Bear attack a first for the Island, expert says – Vancouver Sun

This was at Port Renfrew, the trailhead for the WCT.

Since 1986, eight people in B.C. have been killed by black bears and 75 have been injured.

September 15, 2008January 15, 2010

GPS for (hiking) Dummies

Trailspotting has a superb post for the GPS illiterate like myself:

Your new handheld GPS might seem complex, but in truth it’s very simple to use. This quick article will show you how easy it is to get started, by using the Trailspotting recommended Garmin eTrex Venture HC GPS as an example. In next to no time you’ll be showing off your latest expedition on Google Earth. …

… click through to read the entire article: First Steps with your new GPS – Trailspotting

I’m convinced. It takes 2 AA batteries.

I assume the MapSource Trip & Waypoint Manager software is Windoze only. (I am a Mac guy.)

But posting my hikes to EveryTrail.com looks to be very easy.

September 15, 2008January 15, 2010

Garmin eTrex H Handheld GPS

Fred Theilig of Rhode Hikes would not buy the minimalist Bushnell BackTrack GPS.

For only a few dollars more â€” $89.00 right now on Amazon â€”Â he’d recommend a Garmin eTrex. This one is waterproof. And gets up to 17hrs on 2AA batteries. Editors of Trailspotting and Take a Load Off agree.