Posts

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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. …

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

Garmin eTrex Venture HC High-Intensity Color Mapping Handheld GPS

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.

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Garmin eTrex H Handheld GPS

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

For only a few dollars more — $89.00 right now on Amazon — 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.

GARMIN ETREX H HANDHELD GPS

GARMIN ETREX H HANDHELD GPS

Many are confused by GPS feature sets. (Including me.) We might want to buy a Garmin GPS Etrex Instructional Video at the same time.

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death leap at the Grand Canyon

Did you get the email showing an amazing sequence by “Dutch photographer Hans van der Vorst”?

It’s been circulating since 2006.

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You probably guessed the photos were staged. You were right.

There’s a connecting ledge between those rock formations. The fall is much shorter than it appears.

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Details on Snopes.

Thanks Dana.

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review – Mtn Hardwear Sub Zero Parka

I’d been shopping for a hooded down jacket for months on a recommendation from Rob Glaser. Could not resist this one at the bargain sale price of $107.

Mountain Hardwear Sub Zero SL Down Parka - Men's

Mountain Hardwear Sub Zero SL Down Parka – Men’s

Actually, only the women’s version was on sale. It fits me great.

I’ve used it several times now, even sleeping in it on our Mt. Adams climb.

I’ll carry a relatively light sleeping bag to offset the weight of this relatively heavy jacket.

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Bushnell BackTrack GPS

A GPS Unit Even Your Mother Could Use

  • 5.6oz
  • 2 AAA Batteries
  • $78.30 right now on Amazon

    • Finally, a SIMPLE GPS.

    Bushnell 36-0050 BackTrack GPS Navigation System

    Bushnell 36-0050 BackTrack GPS Navigation System

    (via Popgadget to Ohgizmo to The Goat to Adventure Blog)

    I’ve added this to my Christmas wish list. I could certainly have used one in the past.

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    “extraordinary year” for Canadian Parks

    Kurt Repanshek from the States reports:

    … Imagine if the National Parks Conservation Association, or the Sierra Club, or The Wilderness Society reported that the U.S. government deserved credit for an “extraordinary year” in protecting the National Park System. That would be some news, wouldn’t it?

    Well, that’s not the case. However, the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society did have that to say about the Canadian government. In looking back over the past 12 months (from July 2007 to July 2008), CPAWS reports that “Canada’s federal and provincial governments deserve credit for ‘an extraordinary year’ of progress in protecting the country’s parks and wilderness areas.”

    Why the praise? Well, there are several reasons. …

    National Parks Traveler

    Much more is left to preserve in Canada than the U.S.A.

    I wish the B.C. and / or Canadian Government would do something to protect the coastline of Nootka Island.

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    Nootka Trail Hiking Adventure – Paul Talbot – Club Tread

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    check this site: mntnLIFE.com

    The Adventure Blog gave a shout out to an outdoor adventure site called mntnLIFE.com.

    It’s social networking where content is mostly generated by users.

    I clicked through the “earth” section to see what hikes had been added so far. Here’s a sample page for the excellent Mt Katahdin, Maine scramble we posted recently:

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    screenshot

    See the original page.

    Looks good.

    I’ve joined as a member. (Free)

    Check it put using the powerful search functions starting from the home page: mntnlife.com

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    Top 10 Lake Tahoe Dayhikes

    A list from TrailsTV.com:

    Eagle Falls / Eagle Lake

    Emerald Bay – Vikingsholm

    Glacier Meadow Loop

    Loch Leven Lakes

    Lower Lola Montez Lake

    Marlette Lake

    Rubicon Trail

    Shirley Lake

    Summit Lake

    Tunnel Creek Station

    Top 10 Lake Tahoe Hikes

    Nice looking site. I’ve just subscribed.

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    TrailsTV.com