PCT-John Muir Trail Deemed Impassable

From my Facebook updates, I read this article : http://thesheetnews.com/archives/12565 about severe distruction due to high winds and downed trees in the Seirras. Alternate routes are being planned, be aware if you're heading out on any trail, especially something as magnificent and remote as the Pacific Crest Trail, alternate routes are always a possibility.

I was very fortunate to hike through the Sierras, snow pack was low that year, yet still, in early June, a very wonderful challenge.

In terms of trails status, Morse said the 9 trailheads in Reds Meadow valley all have debris. The PCT has been deemed “impassable,” with lots of climbing required. One hiker who emerged from the trail not long after the event said it took his group about 25 minutes to go a half-mile in some parts. Officials are working with the PCT Association on alternate routes. The official kickoff of the PCT hiking season is April 30, but most hikers don’t arrive until late June. This quote is from his post at the above link. Andy Geisel

They are calling for volunteers who can handle chain saws, and those who know how to fall trees.

How About Driving?

Is the All American Road Trip about to go belly up, with the price of gas taking food our of our mouths?

Well, its really not that bad, Americans are still eating pretty good. My online friend has a blog about her trip from Florida to Alaska. She drove all by herself, meeting cool people all along the way.

Now, if your car gets decent mileage, and you do like she did, camping and having a blast, the rewards would greatly outweigh the gas money.

http://trackertravels.blogspot.com/

I've already bought my round trip tickets to Bozeman for my summer job in Yellowstone National Park. I'm going to see what its like to be afoot. Actually, it will be very easy, long as I get to and from the airport ok. I'll walk to work, have tons of trails to choose from, take the occasional employee trip.

My friend and I have a hike planned for March, several nights on the AT in Georgia. I'm looking forward to that, thinking can it get much warmer this spring. Of course, trail gods being like they are, we'll probably end up with a blizzard about the time she arrives.

gotta love the trail gods

Photo Essay Spot On

A friend posted this at Facebook, and it's spot on.

How my friends see my experience (the griz)
How my mom sees my experience (rescue helicopter)
How society sees my experience (homeless woman)

How dayhikers see my experience (massive pack)
How I see my experience (day pack-ultralighter)
My actual experience (crashed sideways in a blue tent)

A photo, or series of photos is worth a ton of words!

Happy Trails. If perception were reality, we'd all be gorgeous fools.

Dream Time 2012

Every new year, before its warm enough to actually get on a plane and go do something, the maps come out, the guide books are spread on the table, and I begin asking myself, where to now?

We ponder not whether to wander, but where.

While I do have a great job lined up in Yellowstone this summer, the early spring calls for action. Maybe not enough time to check out Alaska, right up at the top of my bucket list, but maybe enough time for the Georgia AT, reliving some cool memories, meeting some early backpackers heading for Katahdin.

A person has to want it, want it more than a soft pillow at night or variety of foods, more than hot showers and Internet. We get our gear to the summit, the will deep inside that laughs off aches and pains like a bad cup of coffee.

In all my travels, there's nothing, no one thing, like the comradeship of hikers on a trail, enjoying life, chucking all the fo-fo competitions instilled from kindergarten up.

In the end you find, no one wins, and the race is only with yourself. I've got a new camera, and it needs some trail time.

Going MainStream How to Soda Can Stove?

I'm Friends with Treehugger on Facebook
Today they posted this link which takes you to an article and video clip on how to make the soda can stove. I'm loving it.

http://www.treehugger.com/gadgets/how-build-light-weight-9-gram-alcohol-stove-old-drinks-cans.html#mkcpgn=fbth1

Ultralight backpackers carry them exclusively, religiously. I saw a guy making one with just a jack knife at a picnic table in 2001 at the Annual Zero Day Kick Off Party.

I carried a very streamlined cook set on my Appalachian Trail Thru hike. It weighed only 3.5 ounces, all of it nesting into the plastic container. Its seen a lot of use, and looking pretty scroungy. I post it here for your inspection.
I still have and use this stove. It cost nothing but a labor of love from my friend, and some really decent heat resistant tape.

He also made the pot support. The "pot" is made from a aluminum large Vienna sausage can. All recyclable stuff.  As you prepare for your adventures this summer, check out the do it yourself gear. It will last a long time. This stove has hundreds of meals under it's ultralight belt.

An Ultralighter's True Trail Stories-Beyond the Journey

Just released! I finally have my second trail book done and uploaded for Kindle or Nooks.

 

I've been working
on this book for quite some time. It has photos, lots of stories, and how to stuff. Check it out at:

An Ultralighter's True Trail Stories-Beyond the Journey  Stories and overviews of the Pacific Crest Trail, Appalachian Trail, Colorado Trail, John Muir Trail and more.

Pacific Trail Guide Parody: Directions to Our Room

I wrote this parody back in 2000, when Rainmaker and I arrived at a sweet motel, just out of Ashland, Oregon. For those of you who have read and loved the trail guide for the best of all long trails (your opinion may vary), you'll soon see the humor. This is absolutley how the guide discribes the trail.


A PCT GUIDE BOOK version of:

Directions To Our Room

From the dining area cross a table and chaired saddle (.002m) turn west until you see a ladies room. There you'll find a refreshing faucet, although late comers may find it seeping (.00012m).

Descend north on an east facing staircase. Pass a room. Pass another good room. Pass an old abandoned room (.0035m).

On an east facing west rising door you'll note the number 24 which has been posted since the new easier route was established in 1983. Head north. Open door. Close door. However, this won't get you to the Post Office. So, if you need to go to the Laundry Room, head east from your saddle.

Those who complete this section may want to celebrate at the liquorish bowl, (4,290-.003m)a seven way junction where intense PCT Register Logging is going on.

* * * * * * *

Good luck to all who venture
Brawny

Cannon Camera Review

My new camera is 12 mega pixels, 1080 HD video, 4 zoom and cost $118.99 on sale at Walmart. It weighs only 5 ounces, and is slim and sexy.

My other camera has bit the dust after 5 faithful years. It has served well, but had only 1/4 the definition. I am now taking closeups of my trail photos taken years ago with a disposable camera. Up til now, unless I used somebody's scanner, I could not share them.

Photos of people, hikers and locations remain the most popular. Scenery is always wonderful, but the actual human quotient is intriguing. What is that hiker doing? This photo of Rainmaker in a tiny room in Sierra City is one of my favorites. He is working on a resupply, first checking out the stash in his bounce box.

We are waiting for the bus in Manning Park, one week after 9-11-2001. The borders have just been reopened and after a successful crossing, we've finished the trail and heading back to Georgia.

This camera is very user friendly. I am happy with all its capabilities. The price is amazing. Right now electronics are on sale. I have 15 days to play with this before my option of returning it for a full refund runs out.

For my initial review: Its a keeper!

Continental Divide Trail Stuff

This is just part of the trail information on hand for the CDT. We used Delorme Atlas for alternate water and routing in Montana. A long distance hiker recommended them. Good stuff, it breaks the entire state into grids, showing every back road, contour line and water source.

Then, there are maps for various National Forests and Parks. It is said one can never have too much info for this mother of all challenges.

A bear canister and viable packing option is essential for Montana and into Yellowstone. There are enough griz in those areas to keep you on your toes.

They make great camp stools, too, but at nearly 1 pound 11 ounces, way heavy for an ultralighter. A person does what they got to.
This external frame pack was stripped to basic shoulder and hip belts, then custom fitted with an over size silnylon pack by yours truly. Its seen a lot of use. Remarkably light at under 2 pounds for this "retro" backpack.

Unless you've carried an external frame pack, you probably aren't aware of their versatility. They're also incredibly strong, sustainable, easily adjusted for growth.

More popular in the west, you'll see external frames on the JMT, Sherpas on Everest, and youth in "high risk" remedial programs.

With the new year underway, gear heads are out in force. Take a look at some retro stuff to keep in budget.

Why Go Out There?

My Daughter put this on her facebook status:

Family hike up Badger Mt. today. Thought it was pretty sad that I've lived here 6 years and haven't done any real hiking, but my dear husband has lived here most of his life and has never hiked any of these hill/mountains either (why would you hike when you own a car??) lol

I was stunned~ Where had I gone wrong? I posted my status:

You got me wound up! Why would you hike up a remote mountain, to look over a gorgeous valley, why would you sleep in a tent 50 miles in the wilderness, why would you cross a glacier melt? Holy cow, because you can, because its there, because its so fantastic, because when you're stuck in a wheel chair or nursing home and you can't  ...at least you DID.

Of course, comments flowed that Mom was right, they were hikers, and really, of course it was worth the effort. I love my family, but the most powerful times of my life have been on the trail. When Rainmaker and I hit the Canadian Border on the Pacific Crest Trail, I knew nothing would ever be the same.

I wrote this little poem while hiking in the Northern Cascades, August 29:

Up In the heights I walk the ridge,
Look way below and see the bridge,
I crossed that log this early morning,
In spite of all dayhiker warnings
Wind blowing through my hair,
an eagle cries.
I'll soon be there.
Never be tame Again.

So There, People!

My New Years Goal: Do something Memorable.