Frazil ice is a collection of loose, randomly oriented needle-shaped ice crystals in water. It resembles slush and has the appearance of being slightly oily when seen on the surface of water.
It sporadically forms in open, turbulent, supercooled water, which means that it usually forms in rivers, lakes and oceans, on clear nights when the weather is colder, and air temperature reaches –6°C or lower. Frazil ice is the first stage in the formation of sea ice. …
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. The most amazing bit is seeing the creek STOP flowing at 1min 50sec.
Thank George for sending us the link to this natural phenomenon.
A prototype unit just shown at the Outdoor Retailers show in Vegas Salt Lake City.
… The Bearier 700 is two polycarbonate halves (production models will likely be a translucent color) that can be carried separately while hiking.
Backpackers can split them up between hikers, or carry the halves separately in or on their packs, for easier access and packing while hiking …
… at less than 2 lbs, if the Bearier 700 passes the National Park Service’s bear test, it could be a contender for the lightest canister, space-to-weight. …
Of the 7 excellent films we saw last night, one stood out for originality and attention to detail.
Life Cycles tells a spectacular story of the bike, from its creation to its eventual demise. A visually stunning journey, with thought provoking narration, Life Cycles uses Ultra HD to document the many stories surrounding the mountain bike and its culture. …
Terrible terrible news. I’m still bewildered, angry and in denial.
Lifelong friends, Rob and Mark Glaser, were killed in an avalanche on Saturday, January 15, 2011 in the area of Burstall Pass, Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, Kananaskis Country, Alberta.
Here’s the official notice:
The families of Mark and Rob Glaser are in deep shock at the news of their tragic passing. Both were loving husbands and fathers and will be greatly missed by their families and legions of friends. Both were seasoned back country hikers and skiers who shared a deep passion for the outdoors.
Mark lived in Calgary and was in the oil and gas industry for over 25 years including senior management positions in recent years. Rob lived in Bragg Creek and was a captain in the Calgary Fire Department.
The family respectfully requests privacy at this time. Please direct all media contacts through Ed Glaser (brother) at 403-470-3904.
Phone Ed or contact me. I’ll post updates here.
Mark Glaser
On this trip a few years ago Mark and Rob trained me in snow rescue techniques.
Rob was a firefighter, expert in all things backcountry. They had left their avalanche beacons in the car making family speculate that this ski was intended to be simply a short warm-up.
Saskatchewan Glacier
Over 30 years (1978–2007), avalanches have been responsible for 329 deaths in Canada, with a recent rate of 14 deaths per year. …
Avalanche accounts for over 90% of outdoor recreation deaths, most of those in Alberta or B.C.
Kachina Peak is a picturesque mountain located in the Wheeler Wilderness Area of the Sangre de Cristo Range. It is best known as the summit of Taos Ski Valley.
This peak is most often climbed during ski season when powder seekers can hike from the top of lift # 5 via Highline Ridge.
This peak is not crowded during hiking season due to it’s close proximity to Wheeler Peak. The ski area makes Kachina Peak easily accessible, but above timberline this mountain becomes quite challenging. The route along the ski area boundary is class 3+ climbing to the summit. …
Lake Fork Peak (left) and Kachina Peak (right) from Bull of the Woods Trail Oct, 2004 - vinnypapa
I took a close look at Nordic Walking by Malin Svensson. (2009)
Paperback and Kindle editions.
… Yet I’m still not convinced I’d benefit from hiking canes. I’m still suspicious Nordic Waltzing is a bit of a fad, especially in Europe.
… On the other hand, I don’t see the popularity of poles on the trail in decline. There are more & more each year.
Perhaps I need to get injured before really giving poles a fair try.
🙂
One similar book is Nordic Walking for Total Fitness by Suzanne Nottingham & Alexandra Jurasin
UPDATE: Check the comments for advice on poles from people who have actually used them. Buzz points out that almost all long distance hikers consider them essential, … the same guys who sometimes feel that toilet paper is a luxury.
The Pacific Crest Trail … follows the highest portion of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Range, which parallel the Pacific Ocean by 100 to 150 miles (160 to 240 km). The Pacific Crest Trail is 2,650 miles (4,260 km) long …
In 1970, Eric Ryback, a 17-year-old student, was credited as the first thru-hiker on the trail and his 1971 book The High Adventure of Eric Ryback: Canada to Mexico on Foot focused public attention on the PCT.
Wilderness Press, publisher of guide books “The Pacific Crest Trail: Volume One and Volume Two”, raised in those books specific doubts about Ryback’s claim and produced evidence that he accepted rides for some of the journey. Ryback and Chronicle Publishers sued Wilderness Press but the suits were dropped in 1974.
The first person confirmed to have thru-hiked the entire PCT, as well as the first person to hike from south to north, was Richard Watson, who completed the trail on September 1, 1972.
The first woman was Mary Carstens, who completed the journey later in 1972 …
besthike.com 