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October 31, 2008

flying tents

Nothing like a good â€œMaytagâ€ tent photo.

This tent belongs to the West Virginia Civil Air Patrol … All the cadets placed their day equipment into this tent, but no one noticed that it was not staked down. When all the cadets removed their equipment, a gust of wind knocked the tent over. (The top of the tent is facing down.) At the top of the tent is a screen so the tent was more like a parachute. The tent was in the air for about 15 seconds and reached an altitude of 30 feet. Photo by Rocco S. Rossetti

(via EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2006 Photo Gallery)

And another:

… at Maker Faire Austin, the lights went out. All power was lost in one whole area of the fairgrounds. It turned out that a dome tent from the camping area had taken flight in a dust devil and crashed into the power lines. Fernando Rizo got a couple of great shots of the tent moments before impact.

MAKE

(via The Piton)

Leave a comment if youâ€™ve ever had your tent take flight.

October 30, 2008

every hiker should have a blog

If you hike, you should share your photos and trip report with the world.

Popular blogger Tom Mangan gives the pitch:

… Heck, if John Muir were alive to day, he would have a blog. How do I know? Because the only thing as voluminous as Muirâ€™s backcountry travels was the volume of his writings documenting them. Muir was eloquent, passionate and observant, and obsessive about writing it all down. If you are any or all of these things, why not put â€˜em to good use and share with the world? …

The case for starting your own hiking blog

Tom followed up with a second post: How to start a hiking blog

Read that. Or jump directly to WordPress.com.

It’s free. It’s easy. You will have your own hiking blog within 10min.

I’d recommend that blogging platform to John Muir too. It’s the same open source software running this site. And the same used by Tom.

Here’s a (somewhat dated) 4min introduction to how to start your own WordPress blog. Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

October 29, 2008

trek Bahia Lapataia – Tierra del Fuego

A coastal walk between two beautiful bays on the southern shore of the Land of Fire, one of the remotest regions on earth.

Hereâ€™s a good trip report from Khan on one of the southernmost hikes in the world:

Tierra del Fuego, the Land of Fire, is an island divided between Chile and Argentina at the southern tip of South America. Ushuaia, on the south coast of the island overlooking the Beagle Channel, is the base for all the best hiking on the island. It bills itself as la Ciudad del Fin del Mundo – the City at the End of World. Indeed, there is nothing below this windswept place but 650 miles of treacherous southern seas and the icy continent of Antarctica.

Just to the west of Ushuaia is Parque Nacional de Tierra del Fuego. Rich in forest, lakes and jagged mountains, it is a beautiful but tough landscape, tormented by unpredictable weather. When we hiked here in March we found it surprisingly warm – even turning to â€˜t-shirtâ€™ weather after the bitter cold of early morning. But we were lucky. In January, at the height of the southern summer, it had been cold and even snowed for several days.

This hike follows the Senda Costera – Coastal Path – from Bahia (bay) Ensenada to Bahia Lapataia, with beautiful views over the Beagle Channel. …

continue reading – Bahia Lapataia – Tierra del Fuego – Hiking Trailer

Iâ€™ve been down as far as Ushuaia. Bleak and beautiful.

larger version – flickr – lrargerich

There is another strange, confusing photo of the region on flickr. Check it out.

October 28, 2008

Paradise at Mt. Rainier

Sarah of the Trail Cooking & The Outdoors blog posted some terrific Fall photos.

It was a nice morning out. Just downright gorgeous as well!

See more photos. Read the post. – Morning At Paradise – Fall And Winter Twining Together

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 26, 2008

photos – Maroon Bells, Colorado

Mark posted photos of one of the best hiking areas in the world. And one that I’ve never visited.

The famous Maroon Bells near Aspen, Colorado. I’ve heard it said that this is the most photographed spot in Colorado.

larger version

Aspen-Maroon Bells-Independence Pass 2005 photos – flickr – markwgallagher

MAROON BELLS LOOP – besthike information page

October 25, 2008

book – Shadow of the Silk Road

Just downloaded an audio version (unabridged) of this book. I’ve always enjoyed Thubron.

Shadow of the Silk Road (P.S.)

… I’m contemplating a trekking trip in Asia, needless to say.

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)

first National Park in China

Good news.

Chinaâ€™s Environmental Protection Department and National Tourism Administration have been authorized to build the first National Park in Tangwanghe of Heilongjiang Province. …

(source via Camping Blogger on Twitter)

October 22, 2008

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