I came across this website that provides trail profiles to many of the popular trails across the US. http://parkaymaps.110mb.com/ has links to elevation profiles, maps and google earth files that have been created by Chris Johnson aka Mr. Parkay.

The elevation profiles are a great resource for planning your trip and are fun to look at! Enjoy his work.

See you on the trail, Peter

As we prepare for our back country excursions this is the time of year to pack some of the most important items, mosquito control and prevention items! I carry at least a head netting and a good DEET formula. I have tried may and have found for me that the 3M Ultrathon works best.

Below I found this article from an unknown source about mosquito preparedness. I hope it helps you in the backcountry and see you on the trail, Peter

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Mosquito control for severe conditions

Encountering and suffering from mosquitoes seems to be part of the Sierra experience, especially in early summer. Severe conditions can range from the annoying, to producing actual danger from skin infections resulting either from the bites themselves, or from secondary scratching. Under the worst conditions, people can experience thousands of bites, and the incessant buzzing can make grown people cry.

Each year, those highly experienced on the trails encounter numerous people who are learning, the hard way, that many things touted for mosquito control do not work for most people.

Comparison of various repellents:

http://bexar-tx.tamu.edu/IPM/Landscape/F2/InsectRepellents.htm

Beyond any question or debate, DEET (N,N-Diethyltoluamide) is the best product available to place on the skin that consistently works well. Frequently heard is concern that DEET may be a toxic chemical, but this is far from true. DEET is one of the most-used chemicals in the world, and it has been among the most-tested chemicals that exists. WHEN USED AS DIRECTED, it is very safe. The very rare situations in which side effects have occurred, it has been when the directions were NOT followed, such as immersing a child in it. Picardin and Oil of Eucalyptis are other options, although they are not as strong, don’t last as long, and are not studied anywhere near as much.

A newer product for mosquito protection, is permethrin, a product that has been used for the treatment of lice for decades. In it’s mosquito usage, it is applied ONLY to clothing and allowed to dry. It works best when the material is saturated. Unlike DEET, which is only a repellent and does no harm to the insect, permethrin BOTH repels mosquitoes and also kills them!! It will remain active through at least 5 washings, or several months. There have been virtually no reactions reported worldwide after decades of use. Ths standard use for lice is to coat a child in permethrin, at ten times the clothing dose, for 8 hours. This is so safe, it is over the counter treatment.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as the World Health Organization both recommend the use of BOTH permethrin and DEET for maximal protection, especially in regions where mosquito disease transmission exists.

Those who have used the combination in bad mosquito areas find the combination remarkable at keeping the bugs at bay. Additionally, the permethrin eliminates biting through treated clothing.

For those who are afflicted by these insects, this represents a major step forward.

First off, I want to say that I am back from a month and a half sabbatical from my blogging. I have been busy with packing, moving, fixing and painting a newly acquired home. Unpacking, finding things that I swear were packed in a certain box, but can’t be found. Painting (did I already say painting), installing a couple new doors, fixing a leaky toilet, learning how to maintain and care for a pool, the list goes on.

A few days ago I began subscribing to newspapers from around the country on my Kindle. I have found it interesting to follow some of the local news around the country. I did come across this article in the Anchorage Newspaper and wanted to pass it along.

The West is really dry and fires of course are bad in my home of Southern California. I have even heard of outbreaks up and down the Pacific Crest Trail. Now I am learning that even Alaska is having a real bad time.

So, be careful out there. Make sure you follow safe and proper fire regulations!

See you on the Trail, Peter

Anchorage Daily News
Wednesday, June 02, 2010

Alaska wildfire activity called unprecedented The Turquoise Lake fire burning along the South Fork of the Kuskokwim River has already consumed 57,000 acres and several structures, including the Farewell Lake Lodge.
By JAMES HALPIN and BLAIRE MALONEY Anchorage Daily News

Faced with 95 active wildfires and lightning bolts by the hundreds, Alaska wildfire officials Tuesday called fire activity for the month of May "unprecedented" and warned that the risk of more wildfires is high and that their resistance to control is nearing extreme. Thirteen of the fires were staffed with 1,467, firefighters, including some 900 people from the Lower 48, while others were burning unchecked in what has to date been an uncommonly hot and dry Alaska spring. The fire activity Tuesday prompted the National Interagency Coordination Center to elevate Alaska to Preparedness Level IV, topping every other region in the country. "We are now the national priority, which is good because that helps us in terms of getting resources, both people and equipment," said Pete Buist, a spokesman for the Alaska Interagency Coordination Center. The National Weather Service was predicting some respite in much of the state — cooler temperatures and some precipitation — but at the expense of accompanying thunderstorms. More than 2,000 lightning bolts snapped down on Alaska on Monday, with more lightning expected through the week, according to the interagency fire center. Near Anchorage, a wildfire burning about two miles south of Eklutna Lake, fueled by whipping winds Monday, exploded from 300 acres 1,300, fire officials said Tuesday. Cooler temperatures and more cloud cover helped firefighters hold a critical defensive line constructed during the night. But firefighters were bracing for strong afternoon winds that would put them to the test. There were 110 firefighters on the blaze, but they were hampered by steep canyon walls and thick smoke. The fire was considered uncontained Tuesday morning. The East Fork Trail has been closed until further notice, but the Eklutna campground remains open. Thick smoke prompted fire officials to advise people sensitive to smoke to stay indoors and avoid strenuous physical activity. Near McGrath, the Turquoise Lake fire was burning uncontrolled on 56,000 acres in a remote area. Last week it destroyed four cabins, the Farewell Lake Lodge and several outbuildings, and on Tuesday the fire was continuing to threaten 12 cabins in the vicinity, said Gary Lehnhausen, a spokesman for the state Division of Forestry. "I know they went out there to do structure protection and the fire was some of the most extreme conditions that people around here had ever seen," Lehnhausen said. "They basically had enough time to pick up the caretaker and leave before the fire overran the whole place." Crews on Monday attempted to drop a load of retardant on the holdover fire, but smoke was so dense they couldn’t see to drop it, he said. Crews Tuesday concentrated on several high-profile fires that have consumed vast quantities of forest acreage. The largest among them was the Eagle Trail fire, burning 13,200 acres about a half mile south of Tanacross, which is staffed with more than 500 firefighters. Crews say it is 15 percent contained. The Gilles Creek fire, burning about 20 miles north of Delta Junction, had consumed 16,400 acres of wildland growth and was staffed by more than 252 firefighters. The Toklat fire, about 25 miles southwest of Nenana, had burned 127,176 acres and was staffed by nearly 200 firefighters. The small McClain Lake fire continued to burn in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on the east side of Swanson River, according to fire information officer Brian Ballou. The fire covered 40 acres. "No immediate structures seemed to be threatened" Ballou said. So far this year, 276 wildfires have burned through an estimated 353,000 acres statewide. Find James Halpin online at adn.com/contact/jhalpin or call him at 257-4589.

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.