Frank Wall on Facebook, linked (I think) to this great platypus pic.
These are difficult to spot in the wild. AND they are one of the few venomous mammals.
Samuel H Gardner All-out
Sam set out in January on a 12,500mi proposed route he called the “All-In Trek”.
Many were dubious he’d be able to complete such an ambitious project without much previous experience.
He even suffered scorn and abuse on White Blaze.
On March 6th, day 64:
Today I made a very hard decision. I have chosen to leave the trail to seek medical care.
He’s currently documenting his recovery and formulating a plan.
Torres del Paine: Photo Essay
by Kristin Tennessen and Danny Milks
We discovered why Torres del Paine, Chile is the poster child for Patagonia’s wilderness playground.
See all their wonderful pics on Backpacking Light
I’m debating whether the Paine Circuit should be added to our list of the top 10 hikes in the world.
Google Street View Trike
Google will soon be mapping your favourite hiking trails with this rig.
(via MSNBC)
Google Street View expanding its reach to include more trails
donate to Nature Conservancy
Alan Parker sends this appeal for donations:
Help Andrew Liveris plant a billion trees by donating $1 to the Nature Conservancy to plant 1 tree.
The Nature Conservancy is a US charitable environmental organization that works to preserve the plants, animals, and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive.
Founded in 1951, The Nature Conservancy works in more than 30 countries …
check out peakery.com
Scott announced the cool new site – Peakery.com
Featuring over 150,000 peaks from around the globe. Find peaks by browsing lists, maps, and photos.
Use peakery to envision your next peak objective with photos, trip reports, stats, and maps. Then get out there and bag it.
peakery is the place to log your summits. Add trip details, triumphant summit photos, and get summit badges.
Check it out – Peakery.com
Half Dome sells out in 23min
Yosemite, California.
If you were planning on climbing Half Dome this summer, you’ll have to wait until the next batch of permits (for July climbs) become available on April 1. This year, permits for climbing Half Dome are required on ALL days, not just weekends and holidays like last summer.
The first round of permits (for May and June climbs) went on sale on March 1 and sold out in twenty-three minutes. And that was just the permits for weekdays. Saturday and Sunday permits sold out in only ten minutes. …
original photo on flickr
top 10 hiking blogs
As chosen by Tom Mangan:
What’s a hiking blog need to make my personal top 10? Let’s start with:
Timeliness: Newsy, relevant, plugged in to the latest doings and technology.
Stamina: We’ve all got a few blog posts in us, but the best bloggers keep at it for years.
Trail-tested authority: These folks never come home clean on a Sunday night.
Compelling personal testimony: Full of stories that bear repeating.
read the list on Two-Heel Drive.
… I’m a bit partial to #6.
Hey … Three of those I was not yet subscribed to by RSS in Google Reader. Thanks Tom!
Note: Tom’s got the most complete list of hiking blogs online. (The main reason I don’t keep one.) … But he’s recently moved it to the bottom of Two-Heel Drive.
trekking the ice fields of Patagonia
Following Dan’s terrific 3 days at Fitz Roy, they immediately headed for the Ice Fields:
… At 16,800 square kilometers, the Ice Field is the second largest in the world and I’m completely awe-struck when we arrive at the high point of the ominously named Paso Del Viento (Pass of the wind). The view in every direction is pure ice, with amazing swirls and patterns …
Crossing a glacier-melt river was their biggest challenge.
read the blow-by-blow … Hiking to The Southern Patagonian Ice Field
Photos by SAULIUS DAMULEVICIUS.
GORE-TEX® fabric of deceipt
Super hiker Andrew Skurka:
Least favorite gear piece.
Waterproof/breathable fabrics are not very waterproof, at least in real-world conditions. And they’re not very breathable, either. Unfortunately, the alternatives aren’t any better: Waterproof/non-breathable fabrics cause excessive sweating; a wind-shell with more clothing is not as warm; and ponchos and umbrellas are not good in wind or when bushwhacking.
on Gear Junkie
I’m shopping for a new “Gortex” shell.
Seems to me any of the light weight $100 shells are equally good. Equally water resistant.
Disabuse me in the comments if I’m wrong.
besthike.com 