In California we are experiencing a real deficit crunch. The State is broke and everything is being affected. One of those is the California State Parks. I received an email a few days ago about a new initiative for raising revenue to “save the parks” I have strong feeling about the states and countries current state of affairs, but I will not get into that here.

Two weeks prior I got an email asking me to donate my time to help the Parks, which I replied with a yes. I have yet to hear back about how I can donate my time. Below are the details about the current plan. To cut to the chase, we will charged a fee of $18 annually to save the parks. I will do this, I love our State Parks, I know our government. I hope the money gets to the parks….

Here are the detail from the California State Parks Website:

A Bold New Plan to Save Our State Parks

On November 3rd, CSPF took the first of a series of formal steps toward a long-term, sustainable funding mechanism to keep state parks open and accessible for Californians.  Along with our partners in a campaign committee, we filed a proposed statewide ballot measure to try to put the State Park Access Pass on the ballot in November 2010. The measure is called the "California State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund Act of 2010" and calls on Californians to support their state park system and wildlife conservation areas by paying $18 annually for a State Park Access Pass surcharge on vehicle license fees.  

You know that for the last year and half, we’ve tried to work with the Legislature and Governor to Save Our State Parks. Although we staved off the closure of 80% of the system (proposed by the Governor), and elimination of all core state funding for state parks (also proposed by the Gov), it’s clear that the powers that be in Sacramento aren’t riding to the rescue for state parks. Well, we’re done trying to convince them and we’re taking our case to the people. CSPF is actively working to put the State Park Access Pass on the ballot in November 2010 and will be spending this Fall and Winter gathering public support.

In the coming months, there will be many ways to support this effort. This is an exciting step forward for all state park advocates, and there are many additional steps ahead as we explore the feasibility of getting in front of voters next November. Right now, we’re organizing volunteers to gather signatures to help qualify the initiative for the ballot. Not only are park supporters the most passionate voices on this issue, but using volunteers will be a great cost-savings for the campaign. If you’re willing to commit to helping put the State Park Access Pass on the ballot, please click here to join our team. Thank you for your support!

I have been contemplating climbing Indianhead Peak in the Anza-Borrego Desert for a few years. But this year everything came together and the summit bid was on! Friends of Debbie and myself were going out to work on their home in Borrego Springs and asked if we would like to stay in their bungalow for the week. The weather has been cool and wet on the coast and sunny and in the 80’s in the desert. How could we decline!

Here is a little information about Anza-Borrego SP from the California State Parks Website:

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is the largest state park in California. Five-hundred miles of dirt roads, 12 wilderness areas and miles of hiking trails provide visitors with an unparalleled opportunity to experience the wonders of the California Desert. The park is named after Spanish explorer Juan Bautista de Anza and the Spanish name borrego, or bighorn sheep. The park features washes, wildflowers, palm groves, cacti and sweeping vistas. Visitors may also have the chance to see roadrunner, golden eagles, kit foxes, mule deer and bighorn sheep as well as iguanas, chuckwallas and the red diamond rattlesnake.

Here is some of the park history from the DesertUSA Website:

• California State Park Commission created by State Legislature: 1927.
• Guy L. Fleming of La Jolla and Clinton Abbott of San Diego submit first plans for Anza-Borrego Desert State Park: 1928.
• All Federally-owned lands north of Highway 78 acquired as park land by State of California: 1933.
• First California State Park Custodian assigned to Anza-Borrego Desert: 1933.
• Filing completed on Park lands south of Highway 78: 1941.
• Construction of Palm Canyon Campground completed: 1949.
• Borrego State Park and Anza Desert State Park consolidated to form Anza
• Borrego Desert State Park: 1957.
• Dedication of Visitor Center: March 16, 1979.

We spent the first few days exploring the vast activities and destinations available to us in this desert resort. We hiked the Yaquitepec Site on Ghost Mountain, saw the Petroglyphs above Little Blair Valley, climbed into Smuggler Canyon. We drove out to Fonts Point to view the Borrego Badlands and a trip to Alcoholic Pass. All this activity was secondary to getting ready to do one thing, climb Indianhead.

Indianhead Peak sits to the northwest of downtown Borrego Springs. The profile of the summit ridge resembles a face with an Indian headdress looking to the heavens. It rises from the Borrego Palm Canyon some 3000 feet in 1.2 miles from the canyon floor.

The evening before summit day, Deb and I prepared our packs and got to bed early. After some additional reading about climbing this peak, I decided to leave around 7 am instead of 8 am. The alarm went of at 6 am and after the morning preparations, Debbie decided not to go. She did not sleep well and was concerned about slowing us down. I am not crazy about going into the mountains alone, but in this case, I thought it best too.

Debbie dropped me off at the Palm Canyon Trailhead around 7 am…

Next edition of OTT Blog to continue the trek accounting!

It was bound to happen, day use limits on the chains to climb Half Dome. Here are some of the details from the National Park Service website:

“Permits to hike to the top of Half Dome are now required on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays when the cables are up.  This is an interim measure to increase safety along the cables while the park develops a long-term plan to manage use on the Half Dome Trail.

Beginning in 2010, all people using the Half Dome Trail above the subdome must have a permit in possession on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays when the cables are up. A maximum of 400 permits will be issued each of these days. (Before the permit system, fewer than 400 people used this trail on weekdays, while about 800 people used this trail on weekends and holidays, on average.)”

Read all the details here: Half Dome Permits

Enjoy your climb, Peter

If you are interested in climbing and mountaineering you probably have heard of the AAC(American Alpine Club). Well, the AAC now also publishes many of their articles online at the American Alpine Journal. This publication is the “journal of record” for the documentation of significant climbs. The reports from North America can be found here. I

From the AAJ website: “The AAJ is published by the American Alpine Club. Founded in 1902, the AAC is the leading national organization devoted to mountaineering and rock climbing, the conservation and study of mountainous regions, and representing the interests of the American climbing community.”

I am a member of the AAC for a number of reasons. One of the reasons is the Global Rescue Service. This service is a $5000 rescue benefit, no elevation limitation and not just for climbing. If you spend as much time as I do in the mountains, this coverage is a good idea. The other benefits can be found on the AAC Website.

Well, since I am not on the trail today, I think I am going to spend a little time in the journals at AAJ!

Hope to see you on the trail, Peter

One of the most commonly found stoves carried by long distance backpackers is a cat stove. This stove is light and is usually home built! Some of the other reasons for its popularity are simplicity, availability of fuel and low cost. This stove is powered by alcohol. Fuel sources include denatured alcohol, grain alcohol, methanol and/or isopropanol. Most  backpackers will purchase “HEET” in the yellow bottle(methanol) to fuel their stove.

This little stove has many advantages, just be careful not to crush or step on it. There is a price for ultralight! So here are some of the disadvantages: no adjustable heat, no shut off, unable to cook lots of food, melt or cook in the snow.

Find all the information you could ever want on the building, use and specs for this amazing stove at zenstoves.net.

Be safe and see you on the trail, Peter

As I plan and pack for a small winter mountain excursion, I double check one key item in my pack. A reliable fire starter! I have read many journals that end in near tragedy or a trip account that ends in death when it could have been averted. It is easy to have hind sight. But with a little preparation and a few key bits of information, you may just save yourself and not become a statistic.

Being able to start a fire when needed is a life saver. I have been so wet and cold, had I not been able to start a fire, I am sure it would have been a lot more miserable if not fatal. With a fire I was able to dry my clothing and sleeping gear. I was able to get some warm food and liquid into my shivering body. All this kept me from falling into the grips of one of the greatest outdoor threats, hypothermia.

To make sure I can start a fire I carry three forms of fire starters. In fact, my stove has a “click” spark mechanism, so I guess I have four. I carry matches, a lighter and a flint. All of these are in a heavy zip-lock baggy and the matches are in a water tight case. With all of these at my disposal, I have never been with out fire if needed.

This brings me to most important bit of advice. You need to know the signs of hypothermia so you can avert it before you are in its grips. If you are traveling solo and become fully involved by hypothermia, you most likely will perish. The fist sign is uncontrollable shaking; this is the body attempting to warm itself. It is time to find or set up shelter and get warm. If you are traveling in a group, identifying the signs in others can be life saving.

The following is the list of hypothermia’s signs:

• Shivering
• Clumsiness or lack of coordination
• Slurred speech or mumbling
• Stumbling
• Confusion or difficulty thinking
• Poor decision making, such as trying to remove warm clothes
• Drowsiness or very low energy
• Apathy, or lack of concern about one’s condition
• Progressive loss of consciousness
• Weak pulse
• Shallow breathing

If one or more of these symptoms are evident, take action! Get out of the cold, get out of wet clothing, get warm fluids, get warm by shelter, sleeping bag, and/or sharing body heat with another. This may just save someone’s life, maybe yours!

Be safe of the trail, Peter

Here is a list I came across on the National Geographic Adventure Blog. I am not sure it would be my top ten adventure list, but I still like it!

Top 10 American Adventures

10. Shipwreck diving in Lake Superior, Minnesota: Shipwrecks that rival anything you’ll find in the ocean can be found in the waters off Grand Portage, Minnesota, near Isle Royale National Park. The freshwater keeps them incredibly preserved, too.

9. Hiking the Sierra High Route, California: The 195-mile stretch between King’s Canyon and Yosemite National Park is not for the faint of heart. This trail, through the country’s most rugged terrain, is challenging to say the least.

8. Surfing ‘The Lost Coast,’ Humboldt County, California: If you’re looking for epic surfing, look no further than Humboldt County, where 80 miles of serious surf combines with coastal redwoods and gorgeous cliff walls.

7. The Tour de Heartland – Biking RAGBRAI, Iowa: Every summer, 10,000 fun-loving bikers ride across Iowa in ‘Register’s Annual Bike Ride Across Iowa.’ This year, the Barenaked Ladies are kicking the race off with a concert in Council Bluffs.

6. Watching the Caribou Migration, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: Hike to the Kongakut River in ANWR to watch one of the world’s largest migrations. You’ll see lots of other large wildlife, too.

5. Canoeing the Adirondacks, New York: One of the most serene parks in the country, Adirondacks Park is perfect for paddling. Drop in at Little Tupper Lake and paddle the million-acre circuit of pristine lakes and streams.

4. Climbing Mount Rainier, Washington: Mt. Rainier may only be the 22nd highest peak in the country, but its technical climbing difficulty makes it one of the premier mountains for daring climbers.

3. Rowing through the Grand Canyon, Arizona: Row a dory (a traditional rowboat with a narrow prow) through the rapids of the Colorado River for ultimate thrills you won’t find on a raft.

2. Kayaking Lake Yellowstone, Wyoming: Paddling the Thorofare region of Yellowstone (where Yellowstone River meets Lake Yellowstone) will allow you to see the park in a whole new way. Laden with wildlife but lacking in crowds, Lake Yellowstone is teeming with bison, grizzlies, wolves, eagles and more.

1. Biking the Continental Divide Trail: If you’re looking for a challenging and epic cycling trip, pedal the Continental Divide Trail from northern Montana to southern New Mexico. 2,490 miles of trail take you up a total of 200,000 feet in elevation through desert, prairie and mountains.

Well, if the rain stops here is Southern California it will be time to get out and start exploring more of the Desert Ranges of California and the Southwest. I have been climbing the desert peaks for many years. Recently I stumbled upon the Sierra Clubs Desert Peaks Section. The DPS as they are know has compiled a list of the “best” 99 peaks in the deserts of the Southwest. This is a great place to start to plan your trips to the desert region. I would have never gone into some of these regions had I not been prompted to do so by this list of mountain peaks.

The desert can be deadly in the summer, but remember it can be very nasty in the winter too. Be prepared for cold and dry conditions. But if the rains do move in, flash floods can be very dangerous! Not only can they swell and fill a canyon, but could block your path back to the trailhead leaving you stranded for an unknown period of time.

The desert offers its own set of beauty that many people miss by not actually taking a trek into it and exploring it for an extended period of time. I have seen some of the most spectacular scenery and natural beauty in the desert!

The next on the list for me is Indianhead in the Anza-Borrego Desert. This peak is an awesome sight from Borrego Springs and gets its name because, you guessed it, looks like an Indian head. Check back for planning strategies and maps for this upcoming trip.

See you on the trail, Peter

This is a little different from my usual post but I wanted to get the word out.

OnTheTrail.org Blog is now available via your Kindle! I would like to welcome any new readers that are getting OTT via Kindle. I would like to invite you to also visit our website at www.onthetrail.org. You will find lots of trail information for trails like the Pacific Crest Trail, the John Muir Trail, the Sierra High Route and more.

In my daily readings at Kindle Nation Daily I came across some helpful information on using your Kindle and wanted to pass it along. If you are experiencing any trouble with your subscriptions downloading or syncing, follow these instructions before you contact support:

Step-by-Step: Kindle System Restart

   1. Make sure your Kindle is on.*
   2. Disconnect the Kindle from the USB or Power Adapter cable.
   3. Press the Home button on the right edge of the Kindle.
   4. From the Home screen, press the Menu button on the right edge of the Kindle.
   5. Select "Settings" from the Home Menu.
   6. From the Settings page, press the Menu button again.
   7. Select "Restart" from the Setting Menu.
   8. Wait a couple of minutes for your Kindle to Restart, then give your Kindle another few minutes to update files, blog posts, etc.

*If your Kindle does not come on, or seems frozen, connect it via its Power Adapter to a wall outlet and give it an hour to re-energize itself.

See you on the trail, Peter

I have read many articles and emails about trekking poles or hiking poles. This is not going to be a pro/con article on why or why not you should use them. There are many articles related to the benefit of poles from a physical aspect. There are just as many articles about the types of poles to use and how to use them. This is just going to be my narrative on moving from no poles to poles.

I have been hiking, backpacking and trekking some 35+ years without trekking poles. I am a downhill and nordic skier for that same amount of time and have used poles. It was not until last year did I resort to using poles while out on a 4 day backpacking trip. By the third day my knees were starting to get stiff and give me a little bit of pain. Debbie my partner has been using poles for some time now, she said I should give her poles a try, I declined.

When I am backpacking, I always consider every item that I wear or carry for functionality and weight. My biggest protest against the use of poles was the weight. Even the lightest pole out there are around one pound, and this to me, was excessive.

Anyway, back to my story. By the third day we had a long downhill that was to last almost the entire day. By mid-morning my knees were screaming. I even was having thoughts that I may not be able to continue. Out came the ibuprofen and I was able to continue but was starting to lag behind the group. I was at a point where I had to try something.

I broke down and asked Debbie if I could use her poles. This was a changing moment. I will have to say that it did not take all the pain away, but I was able to continue and keep up with the group, in fact, I led the last section as we headed to the trail head.

Since that time, I bought some poles and I use them. It has change the way I hike. I especially love the assistance they give me on the downhills, but have found they give me a rhythm on the flats kind of like nordic skiing and I really fell in tune. On the uphills, I shorten them up a bit and get my arms involved in the climb. I feel they really get my whole body into the act.

I could go on about the benefits for me, but this is something that every individual will have to try out for themselves. My suggestion is to give them a try on your next multiday trek to really give them a full testing. Remember you do not have to use them every step of the way. There are situations when I collapse them and strap them to the back of the pack. But for the most part, I have them out and they are part of me…

See you on the trail, Peter