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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

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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

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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!

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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.

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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)

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trek Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

… widely considered the crown jewel in the extensive system of national parks and biological reserves spread across the country. The ecological variety is quite stunning. National Geographic has called it “the most biologically intense place on Earth”. Not only is the park very popular with tropical ecologists, a visitor can expect to see an abundance of wildlife. …

Wikipedia

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Wikipedia

Simon Thomsett posted a terrific trip report with photos:

Five of us, led by Guido Sabario, walked 18km into Corcovado National Park, to stay 2 nights at Sirena, the park’s central HQ. I was impressed by the lack of vehicle access to the park. It was only accessible by foot, or by boat or plane, no cars. To back-pack without park or local community guides among potentially dangerous wildlife is a luxury these days and virtually unacceptable in now over-regulated Africa. …

The reptiles had their fair share of lethal contenders, first and foremost the dreaded Fer-de-Lance, a pit viper responsible for more deaths than any other animal here. You do not mess with the Fer-de-Lance because it lies like a Puff Adder and chases like a Mamba. It strikes readily and boots are the formal wear. Being an old bush hand familiar with snakes, I wore sandals at first and scoffed at the chances of being hit. But as the days went on, I saw more snakes than one ever would see back home. I began to notice that macho young men strode about in gum boots and wore a huge panga (Machete) that hung from the belt almost to the ground. “Good for whacking the Fer-de-Lance” said Juanky. We were up in the hills one day and I was briefly allowed to lead the way when I saw, to my horror, that my left sandal was coming down in slow motion upon the back of a Fer-de-Lance. God intervened and I was able to …

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Fer-de-Lance – larger image – flickr – puroticorico

read the rest of the trip report – Trekking through Corcovado NP

related sites:

  • Corcovado National Park
  • Trekking, Hiking and Camping information
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    Grab-and-Go hikes in Florida

    Guidebook author Sandra Friend has done it again. Added another cool online feature.

    A new free resource for hikers: head on over to the Florida Trail website to download yourself a set of Grab-and-Go Hikes. … These are mini-guides to popular day hikes (many with opportunities for camping) along the Florida Trail, and include mileages, directions, and a map.

    Quality is excellent. Here are screenshots from the Big Oak Trail PDF download:

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    Florida Trail Association – Grab-and-Go Hikes

    Check out, too, Sandra’s main website: FloridaHikes.com

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    Chimney Pond Trail, Mt Katahdin, Maine

    Aaron Doody points out our list of the best hikes in North America is missing Mount Katahdin, in Maine’s Baxter State Park.

    He’s right. We’ve added it.

    The hike up Katahdin, preferably via the Chimney Pond Trail, to Cathedral, and across the Knife’s Edge climbs one of the most prominent peaks (4,292 ft) in the Eastern US, and has been blessed with a glacial history that’s created several steep-walled cirques and the corresponding alpine lakes.

    The fact that the peak is located in a north woods wilderness region adds to the allure, because access to services (such as the gift shop on top of Mount Washington) is non existent. A week long stay in Baxter Park, listening to the call of the loons (and buzzing of mosquito’s in the ear) will help anyone get back to nature.

    Thanks Aaron.

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    Knife’s Edge, Mount Katahdin

    Katahdin – SummitPost says the summit is even higher: 5267ft / 1605m

    Chimney Pond Trail – Katahdin Wiki