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which is the largest U.S. National Park?

An interesting graphic posted by ParkRemark.com, “News and Views on the National Park Service” in the States, puts things into perspective.

(via Gadling)

On a possibly related note, George Novak uses the U.S. National Park Service website to research future trips. For example, check out Wrangell-St. Elias in Alaska, a World Heritage Site.

If you like freedom, know that Backcountry permits are NOT required to hike there. But travelers are encouraged to complete a “Backcountry Itinerary” available at any park office.

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gear – “Ursack” – bear and bullet resistant food bag

tko_72_smlr.jpgHard to believe, but here’s a food bag a bear cannot penetrate. Amazing.

No worries at all about rodents and other pesky varmints.

Ursack – bear-resistant containers

A 10.5 litre Ursack is now in stock in a gear shop in my town for about US$65. Price seems a tad steep. But I’ll likely get one before my next major hike. This is a big improvement over the sturdy kayak bag I use now to hold food.

You can also buy an aluminum liner for extra protection, but the weight is prohibitive, I feel. (For example, “the Ursack TKO 2.0 weighs 6.2 ounces. The aluminum liner adds 14.2 ounces.”)

The Ursack alone sounds like it will turn away all but the most persistent bear.

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Parks Canada … listens?

I was very pleased to get a personal email from Frank Grigel, Social Science Specialist, Monitoring, with Parks Canada.

He was responding to my complaints about the Parks Canada Listens program.

Seems Parks Canada really is listening.

Here’s the gist of my email reply to Frank:

… I understand much better your Parks Listens surveys — after your explanation. Thank-you.

Next time be sure to explain it from the start. For example, I did not know how many surveys would be happening. How LONG they would take.

The questions seemed well constructed but certainly the process could be improved.

I would suggest an on-going feedback online instead. As you know, government organizations are infamous for spending money on a one shot research project. Then shelving the report. Sometimes this is “theatre”. Politicians stalling to avoid actually making painful improvement.

I would suggest a more open, transparent, interactive process. It is better for Parks Canada to have a place where people can vent. (Every major corporation at this very moment is adding bloggers as they learn this lesson the hard way.)

The alternative is for Parks Canada to get the same feedback from independent sites.

I subscribe to these two blogs in the USA, for example:

  • National Parks Traveler
  • Park Remark

    • Certainly I would subscribe and contribute to a Parks Canada watchdog site. Even start one myself.

    The internet, I believe, will force Parks Canada to be more responsive to taxpayers.

    Regarding the surveys, people were frustrated not having more information. They wanted to be involved but could not easily find out how.

    Look at your website: ParksListens.ca

    No “about” link. No “contact” link. All I can do is download a .pdf file.

    All in all, it looks pretty intimidating. A “secret” contest of some kind.

    I dislike everything about your site … except the name: Parks Listens

    That is perfect.

    Good luck with the project, though.

    I really hope it results in positive change for Parks Canada.

    If I believed things were getting better for our National Parks, I would encourage people to pay for an annual pass — rather than go to the States instead, as I do now.

    I encourage Frank and anyone else to leave a comment below. This rant of mine then becomes a conversation: open, transparent, interactive, on-line.

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    tiny laptop, full keyboard, satphone

    It’s tiny (although bigger than a PDA), it looks great for expedition blogging. Connect it up to a solar panel and a satphone/3G/GPRS/WiFi connection and you’re away. I like it and I like it allot!

    There are no firm details yet other than it having a finger print reader for security.

    Geared Up includes a video clip of how it works.

    Team Geared Up Blog » Expedition Gadget: The Folding Laptop

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    camp free in B.C.

    Want a wonderful camping / hiking holiday on a very low budget?

    We recommend beautiful British Columbia, Canada. (Summer only, of course.)

    The best guidebooks are the Camp Free in B.C. series by Kathy and Craig Copeland.

    They guide you to the best B.C. Forest Service and community group campgrounds, the majority of which are free.

    Expect just the basics — pit toilets and drinking water. But some of the best, least visited hikes and paddles in Canada are accessible.

    The only downside is that normally you need your vehicle to get to them. Public transport and hitchhiking are poor in the wilderness areas of B.C.

    Central British Columbia

    Camp Free in B.C. Vol. Two: Central British Columbia

    Camp Free in B.C. – Vol. One: Trans-Canada Hwy to US Border, Vancouver Island to Rocky Mts.

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    Mt. Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

    UPDATE:

    Ruhaizad Daud contacted us with excellent information. He’s a Malaysian doctor from Sabah who is passionate about Mount Kinabalu.

    Ruhaizad is also the editor of Mount-Kinabalu-Borneo.com, a content rich site with everything you could possibly need to plan a trip. He confirms that "Anybody, I repeat anybody – can reach the summit – provided that they have the best information and preparation."

    We’ve subscribed to his blog and newsletter. Ruahizad even publishes a .pdf guidebook which you can download for a small donation.

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    St. John’s Peak 2005 – photo Ruhaizad Daud

    We’ve added Mt. Kinabalu to our list of best hikes in Asia and linked to Ruhaizad’s site.

    However, this is just the kind of adventure which tends to attract beginners who may get hurt or killed. A British teenager died there in 2001. Guides are mandatory but the quality of those guides is suspect.

    On the other hand, I really want to go to Kinabalu myself.

    At over 4000m (13,123ft) it’s South-East Asia’s highest mountain. The photos look very appealing.

    Malaysia is the most under-rated country in Asia, in my opinion. I definitely want Kinabalu on my own list of the best hikes in the world.

    kin.jpg
    photo – zbjernak

    more great Kinabalu photos on flickr

    ( via Adventure Blog)

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    Tramping in New Zealand

    One of our favourite hiking guidebooks has been updated for 2006.

    Hiking 3 months in New Zealand, this book was my bible.

    lpnzlarge.jpg

    Make tracks across the spectacular range of New Zealand landscapes. The deep valleys of Fiordland and Mt Aspiring beckon, the Marlborough Sounds call, the volcanoes of Tongariro are steaming … explore on foot the natural wonders of this country from coast to Cook. … 53 detailed trail descriptions for trampers of all levels

    Amazon.com: Lonely Planet Tramping in New Zealand: Books: Jim Dufresne

    For variety, trailhead transport, ease of access, cost — New Zealand is the best destination in the world for most hikers.

    best hikes in New Zealand – besthike.com

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    “adventure travel” insurance

    nomad.jpgEvery time I shop for travel insurance it hurts my brain.

    There are so many different options. Agents always try to up-sell me with cautious concern whether all my adventure activities will be covered.

    No more.

    We’ve affiliated with World Nomads, an on-line company out of Australia catering to the active traveller.

    Of the many different policies I checked for a 2007 trip to Australia, World Nomads was the least expensive and clearest in what is covered and what is not. Buying took just a couple of minutes. It could not be any easier.

    Prices are kept low because World Nomads is internet only with all referrals coming from sites like this. To sweeten the deal they offer additional benefits like free iPod language lessons and on-line travel journals.

    Check it out for yourself – World Nomads.