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.

grand-canyon-leap.jpg

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.

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.

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.

    “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.

    nootka2.jpg

    Nootka Trail Hiking Adventure – Paul Talbot – Club Tread

    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:

    katahdin.jpg
    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

    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.

    trailstv_logo_hm_sm.png

    TrailsTV.com

    flying with trekking poles

    Should we try to carry them on to the plane taped up in a cardboard mailing tube?

    Here’s the reply from the Canadian Air Transportation Security Office:

    While hiking poles are not specifically listed on Transport Canada’s list of items prohibited in carry-on baggage, it is important to note that some items, depending on their size, shape or other characteristics, may be classified as penetrating objects and thus prohibited by the screening authority because of their possible adaptability and/or dual use.

    The air carrier also retains the right to refuse any item it feels could present a threat to aviation security. If a passenger is unsure whether an item will be permitted in their carry-on baggage, they should pack the item in their checked baggage and/or contact their air carrier in advance of their departure date for more information. …

    Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela forum

    Best pack them carefully inside your cargo luggage.

    It’s too risky to try to carry them on.

    Leki sells a Trekking Pole Travel Bag if a cardboard tube is too unfashionable for you.

    Trekking Pole Travel Bag

    Nude Mountaineering Society

    In 2006 a climber disrobed on the summit of Mt. Everest. Ang Tshering, president of Nepal Mountaineering Association, was not amused.

    I assume the highest nudist in history was inspired by the example of George Mallory.

    Howard Somervell (left), without trousers, Arthur Wakefield (centre) without boots and George Mallory (right) naked after fording a stream en route to Everest. Mallory was known by team members to favour nude bathing!

    nude-mountaineer.jpg

    Artist / photographer: George Finch. Date: 1922 – source

    Mallory was the inspiration for the Nude Mountaineering Society. Here’s the President, the unfortunately named Hank Wangford.

    hank460.jpg
    Wangford in Yosemite – Strippers with altitude – Guardian

    Actually, Wangford is a stage name for an English comedian and country and western songwriter. His actual name is Dr. Samuel Hutt.

    (via Get Outdoors)