Recently I read the Williamson Herald article on Chris Hennig’s AT hike. Chris (Franklin, TN resident) is hiking the AT to raise awareness of hunger among children and encouraging others to sponsor children through World Vision. He is also videoing the experience for a documentary called “Road Less Traveled.” Chris’ website, 2200miles.com is so comprehensive I’m still trying to read all the blog entries and pages. Take a moment to read Chris’ recent answer to prayer for Trail Magic here. Knock it out Chris, we’re behind you!
I’ve been hitting ya’ll up on Twitter and Facebook to vote for my friend, Randy Elrod, for his dream job in a contest called A Really Goode Job. Many of you have asked me exactly what that is. In a nutshell, the Murphy-Goode Winery in Sonoma, California is looking for a wine lover and social media virtuoso to help them launch their Web 2.0 presence. In an innovative use of social media, they’re screening applicants using social media. Each applicant submits a 60 second video and solicits votes for their entry. While a high number of votes won’t guarantee the job, it will improve the chances of getting an interview.
That said, why did I vote for Randy and why should you? Read more HERE.
I’ve been meaning to sing my praises for Native Eyewear for a while now. I’ve had a pair of Hardtops for about 3 years and they are simply the best sunglasses I have ever owned. I bought mine from REI, but I see they’re also available at Amazon.com. They are designed with interchangeable lenses and temples. My pair came with a soft case, standard and sport temples (banded), one pair of polarized lenses, three pair of unpolarized lenses (clear, yellow, and amber) and a cleaning cloth.
The Hardtops are stylish, come in a variety of frame and lens colors and are perfect sunglasses for the outdoor adventurer. Whether I’m cycling, hiking, driving, or just working in the yard, my Hardtops have never let me down.
I’ve not had any problems with scratched lenses and I’m pretty rough on sunglasses. The only problem I’ve had is that I tend to be a bit aggressive when replacing the temples. But no worries, Native will replace the entire pair of sunglasses for $30 for any damage whatsoever. Unfortunately, I’ve had to do that twice, but I’ve never had problems getting a replacement. Native has a great product and great customer service. Love your sunglassess Native!
I love this time of year. The trees are blooming, the grass is greening, the weather is warm during the day, but still chilly at night, and the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour comes to Nashville. They are the heralds of the new springtime in Middle Tennessee. My friends Tabitha, Phil and his son Jacob joined a few hundred others at Paschall Theater at MBA for a delightful evening of adventure films presented by Blue Ridge Mountain Sports. Best of all, proceeds from the evening went to benefit the Warner Parks.
An animated film of an old man taking his trip in the mountains by Cable Car. Each time he uses his snuff, the old cable car falls more and more apart. Determined to control his fate, he used his handy roll of tape to patch up the old car. See the trailer for the Cable Car.
Building on last year’s feature, Journey to the Center recounts the story of 3 basejumpers on a mission. Their mission, should they choose to complete it, is to basejump Tian Keng (the Heavenly Pit), a 1/2 mile deep cave in Central China. The film follows Jeb Corliss, Chris “Douggs” Mcdougall, and Paul Fortun on their basejumping Journey to the Center.
The Red Helmet
An extreme outdoor sports film, from concept to screening, in 5 days. A well done selection of the Nissan Outdoor Games.
A sad commentary on the effects of man and his pollution on the Arctic and its villagers.
As always, had a great evening. Thanks to the World Tour crew and Blue Ridge Mountain Sports for bringing them to Nashville each year. Did you get to see the festival in your city? What selections most resonated with you?
Once again, Blue Ridge Mountain Sports brings this breathtaking series of short adventure film clips to Nashville.
When:March 30, 2009, 7pm
Where: Paschall Theater at Montgomery Bell Academy (4001 West End Avenue, Nashville, TN)
How much: $10, available at Blue Ridge Mountain Sports (108 Page Road Nashville, TN) benefitting the charity of MBA’s choosing.
Most of you know that I’m a huge fan of Les Stroud, creator of the Discovery Channel TV series Surviorman. Many of you don’t know that Les has passionately pursued the art and science of survival for years. When he and his wife were first married, they lived off the land in a primitive bush shelter for a year. Recently they built up a small compound in Ontario where all electricity is generated on site (he documented that experience in Off the Grid, worth the 1.5 hour watch). And now, Les has written THE quintessential guide to survival.
Les covers survival topics on survival kits and being prepared, setting priorities, finding water and food, starting firing, building shelters, signaling, navigation, and home bound survival and does so with simple, common sense suggestions. For example:
You sweat, you die
Eat snow if you’re out moving around and creating lots of body heat. It’ll help hydrate you and lower your core temperature.
If its between drinking contaminated water and nothing at all, drink the contaminated water. Parasites may take weeks to affect you, but dehydration can kill you in as little as 3 days.
Best of all, Les has DONE it for years. I consider myself blessed to study at the feet of this real survivor, even if through video and books. If I’m ever lost and in survival mode, I hope to remember the lessons I’ve learned from reading Survive! and watching Surviorman. Or at least have a few pages of Survive! with me. Thanks again Les!
I’ve recently discovered that one of my most popular posts is Hiking in the Rain. So, just having returned from the Great Smoky Mountains where I hiked in subfreezing temperatures for a few days, I thought I’d pass along what I learned.
Clothing. All of you just said “Duh!” Dress in lots of thin layers rather than fewer large ones. As you hike, your body will heat up and that really heavy parka that seemed like a great idea in the beginning will be coming off after about 30 minutes. At times in the Smokies in subfreezing weather, I wearing only my polypropylene underwear, a long sleeve tshirt and a light fleece. The key is to maintain your core temperature. If it drops much, your extremities respond by restricting the blood flow to conserve heat for the vital organs in your core. Your fingers and toes will start to go numb, followed by larger extremities unless your core temperature stabilizes. If it rises much, you’ll begin to sweat, leaving you wet and eventually cooler than before. Layers give you options, allowing you to customize your comfort.
Hat. Always bring a covering for your head. A ball cap is better than nothing, but a brimmed hat will keep falling snow off of you. I wear a beanie type hat than can cover my ears. I treat it like my very first layer. If I sweat, the hat’s off and if I’m cold, the hat’s on.
Gloves. If you keep your core temperature up, your fingers will still get cold so bring gloves with you. I take mine off and on as its comfortable. If it’s really cold, you may want to try layering gloves and liners or use heavier ski gloves. Hand warmers do work nicely and some gloves are made with pockets for them. Mittens are also an option, as they allow your fingers to warm each other. Fingers are colder in gloves because they are isolated. Mittens will obviously restrict what you can do with your fingers, so keep that in mind.
Footwear. When considering the location you’ll be hiking in, remember you may encounter snow, slush, and (even worse) ice. A trail that has a spring running down a length of it during the summer will probably be frozen solid and you’ll have to cross that. In extreme cases, remember crampons and snowshoes. At a minimum, wear sturdy high top waterproof hiking boots and bring your trekking poles for stability.
Food and water. Your food and water may freeze, so keep that in mind. Putting hot tea, coffee, or soup in a thermos makes for a nice lunchtime warm up. Consider keeping your water bottle and food close to your body to keep them from freezing. Nothing’s worse than trying to eat a frozen energy bar or drink frozen water.
Rain gear. Bring it and use it. You can use the jacket and pants as an extra insulating layer if needed. If you get wet with rain, melting snow, or sweat, you really add to the risk of hypothermia.
I’ve compiled these tips based on my own personal experience and it’s certainly not exhaustive. Think about your route and the conditions you will likely encounter and prepare for them.
It’s certainly easier to sit by the fireplace and drink hot cocoa on a cold day, but there’s a wonderful world outside that most people never get to see. What tips do you have for hiking in cold weather?
The 19th Annual Wildlife Wilderness Week is in the books and many of you have asked me more about it and what I do there. The week is a celebration of the wilderness and wildlife of Appalachia specifically and worldwide in general. Best of all, most of it is free, the lodging is very reasonable, and the crowds are low. Like any large conference, it is impossible to attend everything you would like, but here is a general list of officially sanctioned activities:
Lecture sessions given by world-class presenters on variety of subjects including plants, geology, wildlife, history, skills and techniques of outdoor activities, photography and photography shows
A Fundraiser Reception benefiting Friends of the Smokies, An Evening with John Muir and William Bartram and Great Smoky Mountains National Park Then and Now Photo Exhibit (at a price of $7.50, benefiting Friends of the Smokies)
Of course, I take a break to do a bit of shopping at the outlets and local outfitters. My favorite restaurant is the Smoky Mountain Brewery because of their execellent variety of great food (pizza and calzones, ribs and steak, sandwiches and burgers) and of course the beer (the Tuckaleechee Porter is my favorite).
That’s right, I met John Muir tonight. But John Muir is dead you say? Ok, you got me. But I did meet Lee Stetson who portrayed John Muir for three performances during Wilderness Wildlfe Week in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Lee has been performing as John Muir at Yosemite for 26 years.
Lee performed his original shows entitled
Conversations with a Tramp and an Evening with John Muir
John Muir among the Animals
The Spirit of John Muir
Lee regales his audience with stories of Muir and his expeditions throughout the Sierra and Alaska. He draws in everyone within earshot, and his storytelling commands one’s attention. His wit is appropriately timed; exactly as I would imagine Muir’s.
He just so happened to be mingling during the dessert reception fundraiser for Friends of the Smokies. That’s how I met John Muir.
Lee, thank you for three wonderful evenings and I look forward to your performances in the future.
I had a great day hiking today with Frank Carter in the Husky Gap area of the Smokies. Frank lives here in the mountains and hikes every week with the Retired Citizens of the Smokies and he knows his stuff. As I’ve said many times, my hiking experiences are always better when I have a knowledgeable local guide.
We were in for a frigid day today. We started on the Husky Gap Trail off Newfound Gap Road at around 10am and the temperature was only 25° F. We trudged through light to heavy flurries until around 1pm. Our first few miles on the trail were all uphill. Soon we were walking in about 2 inches of snow. We turned off trail and visited the sites of several old homesteads, the Husky Gap School and an old CCC camp. We finished by hiking back out to Newfound Gap Road along Sugarland Branch. When we reached the pickup point at around 3pm, the temperature was only 18° F. It was finally cold enough to break out the hand warmers I’d had in my pocket all week and they worked very well.
I’m not quite sure what it is exactly about hiking in the snow that charms my soul. I know it is not always the case with others, but for me falling snow brings to mind peace and tranquility. And with the hectic pace of modern life, I’ll take my peace and tranquility any way I can.
Distance: approximately 6 miles
Weather: cold, snow flurries, 25° F to 18° F
Elevation: moderate incline
Terrain: on and off trail, with an number of blowdowns to crawl under/over.
I’ve recently discovered that one of my most popular posts is 
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