besthike.com

March 20, 2008

rock climbing in Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree is NOT most famous for hiking. It’s set-up more so that casual day hikers won’t get lost and die of dehydration.

Nor is it most famous for Joshua trees.

JT is most famous for climbing. Photos I took close to Hidden Valley Campground:

larger version – flickr

Joshua Tree National Park is one of the most popular rock climbing areas in the world. More than 4,500 established routes offering a wide range of difficulty are concentrated within about 100,000 acres of park land.

Rock Climbing – National Park Service

Even for a manic hiker like myself, the most fun I had in the park was scrambling.

March 19, 2008

hiking the John Muir Trail in 2008?

I’ve been section hiking it for the past three years. Can I get there once again?

And I’ve got friends planning to honeymoon hike this coming summer.

If you are considering it yourself, check out this great new resource. It’s a virtual JMT hike via photo pages.

screenshot sample

Click through to the start page. And follow the links. Within 5min you’ll have a good overview of our #2 hike in the World.

If that’s too low tech for you, there is a .kmz file you can load into Google Earth for a fly over.

The site is called Hiking the John Muir Trail, a great starting point. It’s very professionally put together.

Mt. Whitney at sunrise from above 12,000′

Leave a comment if you plan on hiking the Sierras in California this year.

besthike information page – John Muir Trail

March 19, 2008

Parks Pass price hike 60% – How did that work out for them?

The demise of the beloved National Parks Pass cost the National Park Service more than $1.3 million last year, although agency officials expect revenues to rebound as folks grow accustomed to the America the Beautiful Pass.

According to Jane Moore, the Park Service’s fee program manager, 2006 sales of the $50 National Parks Pass, good for entrance into all units of the national park system, generated $22.1 million for the agency. During 2007, the first year of the $80 America the Beautiful Pass, the agency took in $20.79 million, a 6 percent dip in revenues.

Kurt Repanshek – National Parks Traveler

Who could have predicted a 60% jump would generate less income?

The full story is not in as yet, of course. I feel confident in calling the America the Beautiful Pass price a huge mistake.

I used mine recently in California. Many people were needed to check my Pass, especially the date punch, and it slowed down traffic every time I drove out of the Park. In Canada we hang our Park pass from the rear view mirror, a better system, much easier to police.

March 18, 2008

Lost Palms Oasis, Joshua Tree National Park

Almost everyone has heard of a small Park in California because of the hit album by Irish Rockers U2 called Joshua Tree.

Anton Corbijn photography December 1986 – via Brad Biringer

I’ve been wanting to get here for YEARS.

Best hiking destination in the Park, no doubt in my mind, is Lost Palms Oasis. That’s 7.5mi (12km) return from the trailhead to the Palms.

Count on at least another half hour wandering the Palm grove. And another half hour scrambling Mastadon Peak, a nice sidetrip. There’s the Cottonwood Spring campground as seen from the top of Mastadon:

The walk is scenic, varied desert environs, until suddenly a huge palm oasis appears far below trail level:

In early March, most everyone in the park was shooting Spring wildflowers. Including me.

more of my photos from this hike – flickr

March 17, 2008

walking Long Beach, British Columbia

One of the great coastal walks of the world is Long Beach on Vancouver Island. I try to get out there at least once every year.

It’s the gorgeous section of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve between Tofino and Ucluelet.

What do you think?

larger original – flickr

more amazing photos of this wonderland by Bravewest

My friend, journalist Kate Zimmerman was out last year for the first time en route to the Tofino Food and Wine Festival. Here’s what she wrote:

… Itâ€™s the beach, though, that cries out to you. One glimpse of its broad, silken sands, bracketed by rocky outcrops topped with bravely coping conifers, and staying indoors seems ludicrous. We dashed out to glory in the crashing waves and enjoy the driftwood seating so thoughtfully provided by nature. The boys danced in the surf while we shivered just watching them and we all tossed sticks, seaweed and even mussels for leash-free mutts who thought they were in paradise. Another day, at low tide, the small pools at one end of the beach were jeweled with anemones and starfish while crabs scuttled to safety as the dogs splashed about. …

Go West, Young Men, Dogs and Gourmands – Kate of Late

Leave a comment if you have your own fond memories of Long Beach.

There are many great hikes nearby, most famously the West Coast Trail.

March 16, 2008

Radical Reels video – Banff Mountain Film Festival

I attended the Banff Mountain Film Festival in November and gave it a mixed review.

It took until February before they posted the trailer for the current Radical Reels World Tour.

But, it was worth the wait. Very well edited … even if it is partly a commercial for the sponsors.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. It features sports including skiing, climbing, kayaking, BASE jumping, snowboarding and mountain biking.

(via Sierra Blogging Post)

If you ever get the chance to see the touring Film Festival, or the touring Radical Reels festival, do it.

Related: 2007 Radical Reels trailer

March 16, 2008

best hike out of Palm Springs, California

In winter, Mt. San Jacinto looks very appealing from down in the desert.

original – flickr – bossco

I’ve always loved mountain gondolas.

Instead of slogging hours up the hill, in just a few minutes, you can get to altitude.

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is one of the premiere tourist attractions of Southern California. A great experience for all. Tickets about $20.

If you have any kind of fear of heights, do not read this paragraph:

In October 2003, a steel cable broke and caused a mechanical failure that left more than fifty tram customers hanging in mid-air … During the crisis, tram officials sought a rescue helicopter but could not locate one. The obstruction was finally removed by a tram operator with no training in maintenance, utilizing a borrowed Leatherman utility knife. …

Wikipedia

My thinking was to make the first winter ascent of Mt. San Jacinto. By “first”, I mean “my first” as it’s highly likely people have been up there in the snow before me. And by “Mt. San Jacinto” I mean the lower peak on which I stand:

As you can see, the actually summit behind was not worthy of me. I ignored it, instead wandering around the sub-summit snapping photos of weird ice features sculpted by wind and sun:

My best fun that day was running and glissading down the steep sections:

On returning to the top of the tramway, I learned I had missed the San Jacinto summit completely. Zigged when I should have zagged.

Cannot imagine how I made this error. I tried to follow the signage:

more photos from this hike / scramble – flickr

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is recommended for all. Serious hikers (with 2 vehicles) should ascend by Tram, then overnight hike, exiting via Idyllwild.

March 15, 2008

take a Mcflurry spoon hiking

Currently I’m carrying only a light metal spoon as “cutlery”. (Once in a while I use my Swiss Army Knife in the kitchen, too.) But Mcflurry spoons have done the trick in the past for me.

Another great idea from As The Crow Flies:

read more – Mcflurry spoon doubles as long handled spoon and tent stake holder

March 14, 2008

hiking the Canary Islands, Spain

If I was flying there today, I’d head for the Island of Gran Canaria.

The Canary Islands are an African archipelago which are part of Spain and consist of seven islands of volcanic origin in the Atlantic Ocean. They are located off the north-western coast of mainland Africa (Morocco and the Western Sahara).

Wikipedia

That’s the home of Rambling Roger and his wife Eileen. They are super experienced hiking guides. Or they can set you up with the best guidebook and maps for your independent hiking.

The guidebook is self-published by Roger, available hard copy or PDF.

I don’t know much about Gran Canaria. Let’s see some “interesting photos” on flickr.

original – roca del cangrejo – flickr – maccanti

original – flickr – maccanti

Nice!

Will contact you when I get there, Roger.

March 14, 2008

walking Torrey Pines, California

Not the golf course, I’m talking about Torrey Pines State Reserve north of San Diego.

Everyone loves this area. It’s perfect for all levels of experience and ability.

Moon California Hiking recommends Razor Point and Beach Trail Loop as a “best hike”. But there’s no need to stick to that 2.5mi itinerary. You can wander this small park’s network of trails as you will.

Parking costs money at the trailhead. But is free (if you can find a spot) along the beach.

I was looking for a workout and decided on a trail run heading south down the gorgeous beach past this guy:

original