Trailspace Blog March 2008
Earth Hour: Things to Do in the Dark
For those perpetually-plugged-in souls who have no idea what to do without power, there's a list of ten “fun” things you, your family, and friends can do to make a difference.
Now, I personally think that climate change is an extremely important issue and the suggestions are more than valid (reduce personal energy consumption and carbon emissions, unplug and chill out, etc.). But, c'mon, is talking to your friends about reducing your environmental footprint really the most fun they could come up with? The list doesn’t even include the most obvious ideas for fun in the dark (the most promising ones, like a backyard picnic, are left to the kids).
Next time they should ask some backpackers for suggestions. So, tell us, what will you do when the lights go out?
For more info: www3.earthhourus.org
Welcome Spring...Make That Mud Season
Today is the first day of spring, though you wouldn’t know it from the several feet of snow still on the ground here in Maine. But soon enough that melting snow will bring on mud season.
Muddy trail or access road, like above? Head straight through, not around mud or water.
Certain hiking trails should be avoided during mud season, especially more fragile terrain at higher elevations. Some trails may even be closed to protect them (Vermont, for example, closes trails on state land from mid-April until Memorial Day weekend). Even if a trail isn’t closed, consider whether you can hike it responsibly.
If you do encounter a muddy stretch, remember to stay in the middle of the trail and hike single file through the mud, not around it. Trying to keep your feet dry by circumventing muddy puddles just tramples vegetation, causes soil erosion, and spreads the mud—and trail—wider and wider.
If a trail is too muddy to travel straight through, consider turning back and hiking somewhere else, rather than causing irrevocable damage. Hikes at lower elevations and those with southern exposure are likely to have drier conditions.
Lastly, remember that that melting snowpack can raise stream crossings by several inches in a day. So carefully evaluate the safety of crossing a particular stream both heading out and returning, when water levels can be higher and currents faster. You may want to avoid trails with stream crossings during spring.
Be a safe and responsible hiker, but don't let a little mud or rain keep you inside this spring either. After all, you know what comes after mud season, right? Black fly season.
Humans to Become Majority Urban Species
While Trailspace is focused on getting outdoor enthusiasts into the backcountry, the following National Geographic News article caught my eye:
Humans are about to become a majority urban species for the first time. Does this trend mean poverty or prosperity for the world's urban dwellers?
A UN forecast released last week reports that half of all humans will live in urban areas by the end of the year—and 70 percent by 2050—even though cities occupy only about 3 percent of Earth's land surface.
Mumbai (Bombay), India, in a 2005 file photo by Aijaz Rahi/AP
What does this trend mean for each of us, the environment, and the future of outdoor recreation? The potential implications are interesting and unresolved. Whether this is a "good" or "bad" demographic trend depends on a myriad of variables and how individual cities manage their growth.
Part of me decries mass urbanization. After all, I believe that we all need regular contact with nature. But, on the flip-side, the ecological footprints of urban dwellers can be far smaller than those of their rural counterparts (though mileages vary widely worldwide due to many factors). Perhaps there is an environmental opportunity here for smarter, less sprawling, growth that protects natural places and resources.
“Contrary to what most policy makers have been saying, urban growth can be extremely positive for economic growth, social development, demographic stabilization, and even for environmental issues,” said George Martine, a demographer who wrote the UNFP’'s recent State of World Population 2007 report.
Read the full article at National Geographic News. Then tell us what you think.
Hike, Get Dirty, Give Back: Volunteer Vacations
Looking for a vacation that involves trails, getting dirty, and giving back? The American Hiking Society offers 75 trail stewardship projects in 25 states—and the U.S. Virgin Islands—now through November. Join a crew of 6-15 volunteers for a week of building and maintaining trails in locations like the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Mammoth Cave National Park, and the Mt. Whitney Trail.
Trips range from the very strenuous (such as backpacking into the Bob Marshall Wilderness) to more moderate day hiking with base or cabin camping. Volunteer vacations cost $245 for AHS members and $275 for non-members, with each additional trip per calendar year $175. Get more information or download a PDF with trip descriptions and application from the American Hiking Society.
Out of the Wilderness
The decreasing numbers of people getting outdoors is a topic of interest both here at Trailspace and farther afield. Last month Newsweek published the article “Out of the Wilderness" (February 18) with the subhead, "A new study says we’re not getting out into nature as much as we used to. Maybe that's a good thing.”
I was glad to see Newsweek covering the issue, but thought the author (who doesn't sound like he really likes the outdoors) missed the point. Between the extremes of playing video games daily and jetting to Patagonia for a once-in-a-lifetime trip, there's a wide range of regular outdoor activities available. People just aren't choosing to do them, and kids aren't being exposed to the outdoors.
Less people in the backcountry can sound like a good thing for those of us seeking its solitude. But, the trend is disconcerting. After all, who'll even notice, or care, that wilderness is disappearing if they don't experience it firsthand? This has implications for all of us who enjoy backcountry recreation.
I sent Newsweek the following letter to the editor in response:
I agree with Jerry Adler that nature has become “unimaginably remote from our daily immersion in climate-controlled, hygienic luxury” (“Out of the Wilderness” February 18, 2008). However, I think he missed the bigger picture.
It’s not only nice, but necessary, to get kids outside more often. And not just “to swat a mosquito.” Studies show that kids, and adults, who regularly get outside are physically and mentally healthier, more creative, and more respectful of the environment, themselves, and others. And those who have regular contact with the natural world are far more likely to care enough to protect it.
Restricting our relationship with the outdoors to an annual national park pilgrimage is not the answer. Parents and other adults can encourage kids to explore the natural world around them daily. That “unimaginably remote” nature is right outside your door. The National Wildlife Federation recommends children participate in at least one “green hour” of unstructured outdoor play each day. Sleep out in the backyard, take a hike at a local park, put up a birdfeeder, plant a garden, climb a tree.
And the next time you visit a busy national park, get out of the car, off the crowded park road, and beyond the usual photo ops. Take a walk deeper in the woods.
Have an opinion on this trend? Share your thoughts.
Parking Garage: Beyond the Limit
Need a good laugh? Watch the following spoof:
The full video also is posted on the Alpinist.com, with background info.
Yakima says, Make Monday the new Sunday
If you have a regular, work-a-day job, two-day weekends are rarely long enough to support an active outdoor lifestyle. Even if you head straight to the trailhead Friday afternoon or first thing Saturday morning, at the most you have 48 hours to climb, hike, run, ski, explore, and enjoy the outdoors with your friends and family before returning to work.
But just imagine having three days off every week instead of two. You could really start to do something with three days. Think of what trails you’d hike, what routes you’d climb, how much farther you could backpack every single weekend.
If you'd like to see Monday become the new Sunday, visit Yakima.com where you can join their campaign for three-day weekends, "because two day weekends don't cut it anymore." Print your own protest buttons, signs, and a boss convincer “fact sheet"—this will probaby be most effective for the self-employed. Or get a job at Yakima, I suppose. They can hardly say no to such a request, right?
Mountain Hardwear Ad Deadline Challenge
Mountain Hardwear is running an Ad Deadline Challenge (aka contest) now through April 6. Go to addeadline.mountainhardwear.com. Layout in the template a photo or two of your Mountain Hardwear gear in action. Add some copy.
You could win a $1,000 Mountain Hardwear shopping spree and see your ad in Rock and Ice magazine. Four first prize winners will get a $500 Mountain Hardwear shopping spree.
Entries will be posted for public review and comment, so you can also help judge the competition, though Mountain Hardwear will ultimately choose the winners.
On the right is my own, unsubmitted, mockup. Think you can do better (like actually showing some Mountain Hardwear gear in your pictures)? Try your hand at addeadline.mountainhardwear.com. Then you can print copies, pretend you're a Mountain Hardwear athlete, and impress your friends.
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