health & safety – Page 88

October 2, 2007

hike and bushwhack the Donjek Route, Yukon

Owen (the fool with wit) is a big time Canadian hiker.

His favourite Canuck hike is little known Donjek Glacier in Kluane National Park.

On a 2005 adventure during high season, Owen was told there were only 10 people in Kluane’s 22000 square kilometers!

… No signage. No one around but bears, wolves and mountains.

… creek crossings in frigid conditions. Pure good times.

Fantastic Donjek photos and video clips are posted on his unique website: eyecsed.com

eyecsed.com

After my own Tombstone hike in the Yukon this past summer, the Donjek Route appeals. It’s next on my list.

The Donjek is almost a loop if you access the trail off the Alaska Highway at Duke River and finish 11km (7mi.) south of where you started at Copper Joe Creek.

I’ll check these details with Owen:

The 96-kilometre (60-mi.) advanced wilderness trek requires map and compass abilities and good trail-finding skills. It takes you across rolling open meadows, up and down steep ridges and through deep gullies before arriving at the sprawling glacier mass.

Distance:100 km (approx.)
Time:8 -10 days
Maximum Elevation: (7100′) …

Note: A route is not a trail. Routes are not marked with signs or maintained in any manner. The route described here is only a suggestion that may help guide you on your trip. It describes only one of many options for hiking to the Donjek Glacier. …

Overview:

One of the most popular hikes for wilderness enthusiasts is the Donjek Route. Rising over the vast alpine of the Burwash Uplands and then descending to the toe of the Donjek Glacier, this hike typifies “pristine mountain wilderness“.

… The route follows creek and river drainage for the most part with some sections along an old road, horse and wildlife trails, and some sections, without any obvious trail at all. Route finding abilities and solid wilderness experience is essential …

Parks Canada – Kluane National Park and Reserve of Canada – Activities – Hiking – Summary of Trails and Routes – Donjek Route

If you need more inspiration, Patrick Verheyen also posted photos of his 2003 hike in the region: A walk in Kluane National Park – PBase

Ruth with her pack – larger original

UPDATE: Owen recommends Kluane National Park Hiking Guide by Vivien Lougheed. Check the COMMENTS on this post for more of Owen’s advice.

On Owen’s recommendation, we’ve added Donjek Glacier to our list of best hikes in North America.

October 2, 2007

video – climbing Half Dome, California

Includes a bear at Little Yosemite campground.

Description: For some people, it’s the hike of a lifetime. It’s 5000 feet straight up to an unforgettable view of the legendary Yosemite Valley. For the full travelogue on Yosemite Park’s Half Dome Trek, including related videos, interactive map, and useful links, visit WWW.OPENROAD.TV

Click PLAY or watch it on Travelistic.

Yosemite’s Half Dome: Everything You Need to Successfully Hike Yosemite’s Most Famous Landmark | National Parks Traveler

September 30, 2007

newfangled water purifiers – I am CONFUSED

I’m fed up with traditional water filters.

Are any of the too-good-to-be-true innovations worth trying?

If so, leave a comment below this post.

MSR Miox Water Purifier with Batteries – Amazon

iStraw – official website

SteriPEN products – official website

(via Darren Barefoot)

September 28, 2007

non-hiker tackles the West Coast Trail

Janet Wilson, as part of her 50th birthday fitness program, decided to walk our #1 hike in the World.

She did the research, bought the gear, finished a series of training hikes (adding 5lbs each time), grabbed her husband … and headed for the wild Shipwreck Coast.

… I suggested to my husband that for my birthday he give me, not some extravagant present or party, but his support and partnership in tackling a big physical goal: hiking the West Coast Trail.

It was something I had always wanted to do, but now I was not at all sure my aging carcass could withstand the training, let alone reach a point where it could carry a 40 pound pack over rough terrain for 7 days. But I decided to try. I read every book and web account on the trail I could find.

… we bought all the rest of our gear: the Mutha Hubba tent and footprint, Exped 7 Downmats (a bit heavy, but I knew I needed a great sleep to recover at nights), MontBlanc DownHugger sleeping bags, a SilTarp II for the inevitable rainy days, MSR’s Superfly stove and fuel canisters (3), hiking poles (purchased last and on impulse, but one of the best purchases we made) and a Katadyn Vario MicroFilter …

See Janet’s entire trip report – WesternWilson – The West Coast Trail, September 2007

Congratulations. We are proud of you Janet!

We’ve linked Janet’s trip report to our West Coast Trail information page.

September 28, 2007

TracMe Personal Locator Beacon

UPDATE: Check the comment by Kevin Stoltz. He is very negative on this device:

… how TERRIBLE this device is as an emergency rescue device. The ONLY positive thing is itâ€™s size. It is a low power radio beacon which means someone else has to initiate the search (whether or not youâ€™re actually in need of help). The TracMe is only useful once rescue parties get close. PLBs on the other hand are activated by the individual in distress and result in a distress signal (including location coordinates) being sent to satellites which in turn are relayed to the appropriate search and rescue organization. PLBs operate at 406MHz and have an extremely low false alarm rate.

=======

original post:

The Hiking Ideas – Wilderness Trailcraft blog is investigating methods of sending for help in case of emergency.

This is the first device small enough for me to seriously consider:

On Monday I posted a story about the Spot Satellite Messenger device and I got a comment from Kevin Stoltz from PLB Rentals. He helped differentiate the category of PLBs from other messenging devices by saying the PLBs have more transmitting power – therefore they are a better safety device.

He also mentioned to me to check out another device called TracMe.

So I did. Here is a shot of the TracMe and here’s what the TracMe website lists as the unique features of their device:

â€¢ Voice beacon – can be monitored by anyone on the existing radio emergency channel.

â€¢ Does not automatically instigate a search and rescue – about 98% of distress alerts detected from inadvertently activated beacons are false.

â€¢ Extremely small and light weight.

â€¢ Low cost – less than half the cost of existing beacons.

â€¢ Very low cost for the Search and Rescue (SAR) crews.

â€¢ A search can be performed with a single aircraft and one ground crew of 2 to 3 people.

â€¢ Will operate continuously for about 7 days – this gives the rescuers ample time to locate the beacon.

â€¢ Single use – once the unit has been activated, it can be deactivated but not reused.

â€¢ Shelf or storage life should be up to 10 years.

TracMe Personal Locator Beacon

– Hiking Ideas – Wilderness Trailcraft

September 27, 2007September 22, 2009

my gear 2007 – besthike editor

Rick McCharles

After being drenched several days in series on the John Muir Trail by the remnants of Hurricane Dean, I finally got a chance to dry out my gear in the hot morning sun.

It gave me a chance to take photos of my current gear set. This is about as light as I have ever hiked on a multi-day trip. I used everything I carried on big trips in the Yukon and the JMT.

Sleeping system: MSR Hubba tent, down sleeping bag, silk sleeping bag liner, 3/4 length therm-a-rest, dry bag stuff sack “pillow”, headlamp.

Tent and sleeping bag are stored in a kayak dry bag with purge valve. (Heavy, but worth it, I think.)

Outdoor clothes: unlined nylon pants, wicking t-shirt, ultra lightweight wind jacket, Gortex jacket, long brim baseball cap.

Tent and camp clothes: fleece pants, shirt and “touque” (hat), down vest, tent socks.

indoor-clothes

Shoes and socks. I, as usual, took only 1 pair of shoes and 1 pair of outdoor socks. Ultimately this turned out to be a mistake. Due to the unusual, unexpected amount of rain I eventually got blisters. (Very rare for me.)

Hydration: Nalgene water bottle, extra soft drink water bottle, MSR water filter. (I would use chemicals next time.)

Food: Large bear vault, spoon, JetBoil stove, extra fuel canister. (Started with 7 days grub.)

Navigation / Entertainment: Topo maps, hiking guidebook, novel, iPod Nano (books on MP3), All-in-one Map Tool. I know, this is VERY HEAVY and could be reduced.

Defecation: Toilet paper, lighter, disinfectant gel, Camp Suds, paper soap.

Personal items in hip pack: Cash, Swiss Army Knife, sun screen, note pad, pen, Tylenol, mini-toothpaste, mini-toothbrush, mobile phone, etc. Camera and extra batteries.

fanny-pack

Finally, and importantly, bandanas and a Buff. Multi-purpose.

bandanas

Everything fits into my lightweight Virga backpack by Granite Gear.

Virga

I will make very few changes for my next long hike. This works for me.

Compare this with Caroline’s gear list for the PCT: As The Crow Flies blog.

September 26, 2007

bag your poop on Mt. Whitney, California

UPDATE: Steve Sergeant posted a terrific Wildebeat audiocast on this last year – The Poop on Mount Whitney

Pack out what you pack in.

This is the age-old outdoor rule. And here, taking this decree to the extreme, is a good friend of mine who recently climbed Mt. Whitney in California.

I’ll let you guess what he’s packing out.

Photo of the Day (9/13/07) – Gadling

I hiked Whitney in 2006. Some of the pit toilets were still in place, though they stunk to high Heaven.

In 2007 you must bag it.

Pack-out kits are available at the InterAgency Visitors Center in Lone Pine, and at Crabtree Ranger Station. They are also available at many stores that sell hiking, backpacking and climbing equipment. You should also bring toilet paper and hand sanitizer. A kit will serve a person for 2 to 3 days.

Each kit contains two plastic bags for securely “double-bagging” your waste. The large inner bag contains a powder that absorbs liquids and turns into an odor-fighting gel. The outer zip-closure bag seals everything up for transport.

How to Use Pack-Out Kits

1. Find a secluded location.
2. Spread the large inner bag on the ground. Don’t spill the powder!
3. Crouch over the bag and relieve yourself. Dispose of toilet paper in the bag.
4. Tie a loose knot in the bag, and then seal it inside the zip-close outer bag.

Inyo National Forest

It’s no big deal. These pack-out kits work quite well.

Organize to hike Mt. Whitney, highest peak in the continental USA.

September 24, 2007

Mt Kenya – hike the OTHER Kilimanjaro

The Adventure Junkie of The Adventure Blog keeps close tabs on what’s happening in Africa (and the rest of the world).

His recent post Adventure On Mount Kenya caught my eye. It links to Matthew Power’s project to re-enact the Mt Kenya climb of British prisoners of war in 1943. (That “escape” was documented in the classic No Picnic on Mount Kenya: A Daring Escape, A Perilous Climb by Felice Benuzzi).

This got me thinking …

I’m interested in how to trek Mount Kenya independently. Or with a minimum of local support.

Of the eight standard walking routes, Naro Moru sounds appealing. It’s possible to ascend in only 3 days (unless the altitude gets you) and has bunkhouses at each camp so a tent is not required.

Africa’s “other Kilimanjaro,” 17,058-foot (5,199-meter) Mount Kenya, boasts all the virtues of its slightly loftier cousinâ€”glaciers, surreal landscapes, and cloud-carpeted vistasâ€”but with about half the hikers. Plus, it sits at the heart of the Kenyan Highlands, a patchwork of jungle and savanna where visitors can mingle with local tribes and track Africa’s Big Five on their own two feet.

Climbing:

While scaling the twin peaks of Batian and Nelion requires technical mountaineering skills and equipment, Point Lenana (16,354 feet or 4,985 meters), Mount Kenya’s third highest summit, can be reached with no specialized skills. The most popular trek is the 23-mile (37-kilometer) Naro Moru Route, which begins above Mount Kenya National Park headquarters. Plan to spend at least five days on the mountain. Porters are not required but are customary; they can be hired through Mount Kenya Guides & Porters ($10 a day; 011 254 062 62015).

Adventure Guide: Mount Kenya – National Geographic Adventure Magazine

Mt Kenya lies 150km (95mi) NE of Nairobi.

Bernd Reinkemeier posted a trip report and photos of his 3-day ascent on the Naro Moru route.

Mountain Club of Kenya – Hiking & Trekking

September 23, 2007

problems hiking the John Muir Trail, California

The JMT is our #2 hike in the World, about 220mi of trail without crossing a road.

I’ve been section hiking it over the past 3yrs. This summer I thought I’d try to knock off about 110 miles.

I brashly announced I’d hike 20mi / day from Bishop Pass to Tuolumne in 6 or 7 days.

It was not to be.

My first mistake was underestimating the difficulty of the required elevation loss and gain. This thing is a roller coaster!

larger map – PCT.org

I started from South Lake near Bishop after hearing great things about Bishop Pass and Dusy Basin. Both are gorgeous!

My favourite section of many favourite sections was Evolution Basin.

vista from John Muir Pass to Evolution Basin

But the BIG story of my hike was Hurricane Dean. More exactly, the remnant circulation of Dean which brought serious thunder storms to California and Nevada.

threatening skies

One day I was pinned down in my tent losing 5hrs of daylight. Here’s the hail outside my tent.

Another morning I awoke early to a cloudy day. A storm climbed up from the valley to pound me. (I hid in low brush to avoid death by lightning.)

When the storm finally cleared, I had been walking for days in wet socks and shoes. My feet, for the first time in many years, were blistered.

I love the JMT â€” but had to exit over 30mi earlier than planned, limping out at Red’s Meadow Resort.

My only complaint with the John Muir Trail is that it’s a horse track.

hiking pack animals

Historically it was pioneered for animals. The trail drops down to valley and water on regular intervals. Animals need grazing. I don’t.

I’d much rather stay HIGH on â€” for example â€” the Sierra High Route. This is a mostly off-trail adventure running in parallel with the JMT which tries not to drop down into the valleys.

Check out all my photos from the JMT on flickr.

If you might want to hike it yourself, check our JMT besthike information page.

September 18, 2007

Nepalese Government In Turmoil

BAD NEWS

… the Maoist faction has withdrawn from the provisional government in Nepal

Last year, the Maoist Rebels gave up their 10 year struggle, which was at times bloody, in order to take part in the process of forming a new government. They were one of eight factions that were trying to create a new system that moved away from the monarchy that has long been a part of Nepal’s history. Apparently, the discussions broke down when the Maoists accused King Gyanendra of attempting to influence and sabotage the elections, scheduled for November, in his favor. …

With the Fall climbing season upon us, any unrest now could be disastrous. In years past, trekkers and climbers were often beset by the rebels in remote areas and shook down for cash. With the signing of the peace accords last Fall, it looked like Nepal was finally going to have stability, allowing for safe travel once more. It also meant a likely end to the general strikes that plagued the country each year as the tourists and climbers arrived. Thankfully, most of the climbers have already left Kathmandu and are either on their respective mountains or at least en route.

Details – The Adventure Blog: Nepalese Government In Turmoil!