Trailspace Blog
Watch the UIAA test climbing equipment
Here’s something interesting I hope none of you ever see in real life: the UIAA (International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation) testing mountaineering equipment to the point of failure.
If the above video didn't turn your stomach, you also can check out parts 2 and 3 on YouTube. It would be nice if the videos also included the forces at which equipment broke, but maybe that would be a liability.
The UIAA tests climbing and mountaineering equipment in test laboratories for its safety label. For more information on UIAA Safety Standards, advice on climbing techniques and equipment, and equipment advisories, visit www.theuiaa.org/act_safety.html.
This 2007 video’s been around: via The Goat, Backpacker, Outside
EU to Ban Iodine for Disinfecting Water
From a June 16th SteriPen press release:
The European Union (EU) has announced that iodine will no longer be sold or supplied for use in disinfecting drinking water after October 25, 2009. This announcement directly impacts all 27 countries in the EU and can potentially set global precedents regarding the safety of using chemical-based water treatment products.
Using iodine to disinfect drinking water is a long-standing practice throughout the world, routinely used by outdoor enthusiasts, travelers, military personnel, disaster survivors and emergency respondents. When used for short periods, and with the correct dosage, it has been considered safe. However, the U.S. Center for Disease Control advises against consuming iodinated water for more than a few weeks. Pregnant women, those with a history of thyroid disease, and those allergic to iodine should not drink iodinated water.
More information about the new EU Directive is available at:
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/biocides/pdf/list_dates_product_phasing_out.pdf
Appalachian Trail Festival July 17-24
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s Festival and Biennial, a week of celebrating and learning about the 2,170-mile Appalachian Trail, will be held July 17-24 at Vermont’s Castleton State College.
Events include more than 60 guided hikes, workshops on subjects from hiking the AT to natural history to LNT, trail work, exhibits, evening speakers and entertainment, and a keynote speech and preview by Dayton Duncan, co-producer and writer of the upcoming Ken Burns/Florentine Films series, “The National Parks: America's Best Idea.”
Register or see the full schedule of events at www.vermont2009.org
Harvard study links BPA levels to drinking from polycarbonate bottles
If you’re still drinking out of your old #7 polycarbonate water bottle, read the results of a new study from the Harvard School of Public Health before your next fill-up. The study is the first to directly show that drinking from polycarbonate bottles raises BPA levels in urine.
Participants (77 Harvard students) first spent a week drinking only cold beverages from stainless steel bottles, which are BPA-free, as part of a “washout” phase to minimize BPA exposure. They used 27-ounce Kleen Kanteens by the way.
The following week, participants drank only cold beverages from new polycarbonate bottles (32-ounce Lexan Nalgenes). After one week of polycarbonate use, the concentration of BPA in participants' urine increased 69 percent.
According to the Harvard press release, exposure to BPA has been shown to interfere with reproductive development in animals and has been linked with cardiovascular disease and diabetes in humans.
It’s important to note that participants didn’t drink hot beverages from their bottles, wash them in dishwashers, or use old ones. BPA levels could have been "considerably higher" if the bottles had been heated.
"This study is coming at an important time because many states are deciding whether to ban the use of BPA in baby bottles and sippy cups" said researcher Jenny Carwile. "While previous studies have demonstrated that BPA is linked to adverse health effects, this study fills in a missing piece of the puzzle—whether or not polycarbonate plastic bottles are an important contributor to the amount of BPA in the body."
Read the full study on the website of the journal Environmental Health Perspectives (pdf).
via Treehugger
What’s in a name? Robber tries to steal diamonds from BD headquarters
A robber looking for actual diamonds entered Black Diamond Equipment headquarters in Salt Lake City early on Saturday, June 13, threatened the shift manager with an ice pick, and demanded "the
precious metals and the money."
From the June 13, Salt Lake Tribune:
Salt Lake County sheriff's deputies are looking for a man who robbed a climbing and skiing equipment manufacturing company early Saturday morning, police said.
About 3:15 a.m., a night shift manager and another employee were working at Black Diamond Equipment, located in the 2000 East block of 3900 South, when the shift manager confronted a strange man walking around in the plant, said Salt Lake County sheriff's Lt. Don Hutson. He had apparently entered through a door left unlocked for contractors to enter and exit.
The man threatened the shift manager with an ice pick and demanded "the precious metals and the money," Hutson said. The manager explained that the company does not really deal in diamonds or precious metals, and the man instead demanded anything of value.
Threatening the employees and their families, he loaded up a cart with company computers, climbing ice screws and other miscellaneous items of value.
First, I'm sorry Black Diamond was robbed and that employees were threatened. That's unfortunate.
Second, here are some insider tips for the robber. Horny Toad does not sell amphibians and Granite Gear is not made from heavy rocks.
National Get Outdoors Day June 13
June is Great Outdoors Month, and here's the latest effort to get people outside and active:
The second annual National Get Outdoors Day will be held this Saturday, June 13, with events across the country. Events are open to all, but especially target urban families and youth who rarely engage in outdoor activities, and other first-time visitors to public lands and waters.
Families and kids can try activities like orienteering with a map and compass, geocaching, casting, pitching a tent, and testing sleeping bags. Participants will be invited to follow-up events this summer, including wildlife hikes with rangers, introductions to mountain biking and fly-fishing, and kayaking and rafting. Any equipment needed will be provided.
National Get Outdoors Day event sites are located across the country, including metropolitan city parks, where access by public transportation and walking is widely available.
Information about volunteerism on public lands and job opportunities through AmeriCorps and Forest Service hot-shot fire crews also will be available.
For more information: www.nationalgetoutdoorsday.org
Body of 2nd Missing Climber Found in China
The body of a second, missing Boulder climber has been found on Mount Edgar (6,818 meters/22,368 feet) on the Minya Konka massif, Western Sichuan Province, China. Jonathan “Jonny” Copp, Micah Dash, and Wade Johnson embarked from base camp on May 20 and were reported overdue when they missed their June 3rd flight from Chengdu, China.
Copp’s body was found by Chinese searchers in avalanche debris at 4,000 meters on the mountain and positively identified yesterday. A second body was reported found today and is believed to be Johnson, a photographer with Sender Films, who was accompanying Dash and Copp.
In 2008, Copp and Dash received the Mugs Stump Award grant for this climb from the American Alpine Club but had to delay travel until now, due to political unrest in the region.
We extend our condolences to the families and friends of all three climbers.
For more info or to donate toward the search fund visit www.adventurefilm.org/blogs/adventure_blog.aspx
National Trails Day Event: Naturalist Hike
Today—Saturday, June 6—is National Trails Day.
Find local events, like the one below, at the American Hiking Society’s website.
Cranberry Glades Naturalist Hike
Richwood, West Virgina
The event will consist of a nature hike on the Cow Pasture trail which borders the Cranberry Glades Botanical Area and the Cranberry Wilderness.
The 7.8 mile Cow Pasture trail loop is of moderate difficulty and the terrain is characterized by birch and hemlock forest, old pasture, and river crossings. There will be a brief history about the glades, and while hiking we will do some easy trail maintenance (removing limbs and brush from the trail). (U.S. Forest Service)
For more info and events: www.americanhiking.org/NTD.aspx
National Trails Day Event: Trail Re-Route
Saturday, June 6, is National Trails Day.
Find local events, like the one below, at the American Hiking Society’s website.
Bus Trail Re-Route
Fairbanks, Alaska
Clear trees and brush to re-route a trail from private land to State of Alaska DNR land. Wear work clothing, sturdy boots, and gloves. Bring tree and brush cutting tools. If you bring a chainsaw, please bring safety equipment such as hard hat, safety glasses or face shield, and protective chaps. The work site is about one mile from the trailhead. (Interior Trails Preservation Coalition)
For more info and events: www.americanhiking.org/NTD.aspx
National Trails Day Event: Dawn and Dusk Trail Walks
Saturday, June 6, is National Trails Day.
Find local events, like the one below, at the American Hiking Society’s website.
Dawn and Dusk Trail Walks
Cerrillos Hills, New Mexico
Two cool guided trail walks. The first will be an early morning trail hike, concentrating on the beautiful flora that grace the hills, but also watching for early birds and late moths.
Then join us for a twilight-to-night walk in the hills. We'll 'listen' for bats with a special device and use our five senses to discover the nightlife in the hills and the heavens above. (New Mexico State Parks)
For more info and events: www.americanhiking.org/NTD.aspx
It's National Running Day
It’s National Running Day today.
Want to participate? Lace (or Boa) up your trail runners and get out for a trail run. Goal accomplished.
For more info: www.runningday.org
National Trails Day Event: Map Making
Saturday, June 6, is National Trails Day.
Find local events, like the one below, at the American Hiking Society’s website.
Making Maps with GPS and GIS
Cumberland, Maine
Learn to use the equipment of GPS and GIS at one of three locations. Led by experts from the Center for Community GIS, the trainings will offer indoor and outdoor hands-on experiences. Data you gather will help our trail mapping efforts. (Chebeague and Cumberland Land Trust)
For more info and events: www.americanhiking.org/NTD.aspx
National Trails Day is Saturday, June 6
Mark your calendars for this coming weekend. Saturday, June 6, is National Trails Day.
Nearly 1,500 events will take place around the country and most are free and open to the public. Whether you like hiking, trail running, walking, paddling, biking, horseback riding, trail maintenance, or nature walks, there is outdoor fun for every age.
You can find local events at the American Hiking Society’s website. I just counted more than 50 events happening here in Maine, including trail maintenance projects, informative nature walks, and a map making event, in addition to many hikes.
(Some events may take place on dates other than June 6. So visit the website to find out about your local happenings.)
If you’re planning an event on National Trails Day, be sure to register it on the AHS site for other folks to find.
For more info: www.americanhiking.org/NTD.aspx
Alpinist Magazine is Back
Back in October we reported that Alpinist—the magazine, website, film fest, and more—had shut down. Last winter it was bought by the publishers of Backcountry Magazine, and now the quarterly print magazine dedicated to world alpinism and adventure climbing is back, with Issue 26.
Via Wild Snow
Valuing Your Time
The long weekend has come and gone, and I hope you took advantage of it by doing something you enjoy.
If not, if you felt guilty about taking time for yourself, had the compulsion to stay virtually connected to work, or if you always feel like you can’t really get away, then read Michael Hodgson’s recent SNEWS blog, “Whatever Happened to Valuing Time Away From Work?”
As Hodgson writes so well:
If your days are so full that you feel you cannot carve out time to listen to birds, watch a sunset, revel in the sound of a bubbling stream or the laughter of little ones, walk with a loved one, or simply sit and let your mind wander creatively, then your days are too full of things that don’t really matter in the long run. ...
Another weekend approaches, and with it another chance to spend our limited time wisely.
Hike. Backpack. Climb. Bike. Build a sand castle. Sleep in a hammock. Make cookies. But do that thing, with the ones who matter, without trying to do ten other things at the same time.
The SNEWS View: http://snewsview.blogspot.com/2009/05/whatever-happened-to-valuing-time-away.html
« Previous blog posts | Later blog posts »
Subscribe