Trailspace Blog April 2008
The 10 Essentials: Navigation
While a comprehensive packing list depends on many factors, certain outdoor gear is considered essential whether you’re heading off on an extended backcountry bushwhack or exploring the trails in your local woods. As part of a weekly series, here's a look at outdoor essential number one:
#1. Navigation
While the 10 essentials can vary depending on the trip you’re taking and whom you ask, a detailed topographic map and compass have been at the top of the list since its 1930s debut by The Mountaineers club. Now, navigation tools may also include a GPS receiver or altimeter, but those are in addition to a map and compass, which never need batteries and work even in dense tree coverage. Of course, these tools only work if you also have the know-how to use them. Consider signing up for a navigation course.
Tips:
- Store your topo map in a ziplock or other protective case or waterproof covering.
- A compass with a sighting mirror works as a signaling device in an emergency.
Have tips or suggestions for this essential? Share them with us.
Read the full "10 Essentials for Backcountry Travel" article in the Gear Guide.
Ways to Reuse Your Old Polycarbonate Bottles
If you’ve recently opted to replace your #7 polycarbonate water bottles with metal or non-BPA plastic ones, you’re probably wondering what you can do with all those old bottles (especially the more memorable ones), beyond recycling them.
Here are two ideas to get the creative juices flowing:
- For $19.95 you can buy a solar-powered LED LightCap200 from SolLight and turn any standard water bottle into a weatherproof lantern for the backyard, treehouse, boat, or wherever, no batteries required. If you wanted to string a bunch of Nalgenes around your yard that could get pricey pretty quickly though.
- I also came across this idea for using a bottle to store a first aid or emergency kit inside your car or to take along while traveling. Add a light cap and there's no need for a flashlight. Obviously this idea can be extrapolated for storing other non-liquid, non-food items.
Have an idea for turning polycarbonate water bottles into something safe, functional, and affordable? Musical shakers, perhaps? Share it with us.
It’s Arbor Day. Plant a tree.
Missed Earth Day earlier this week?
Join the Arbor Day Foundation and you’ll get 10 free trees to plant.
Or you can support their efforts to plant trees in National Forests that have been damaged by fire, insects, and disease.
For more information: www.arborday.org
REI Pulling Polycarbonate Bottles; U.S. Draft Report says BPA Might Present Risks
By now you probably know that “Canada is Likely to Declare BPA as Toxic” and “Nalgene will Stop Making Polycarbonate Bottles”. Now, REI is pulling the problematic BPA-containing water bottles from its shelves.
According to Sports One Source:
REI said it would begin pulling polycarbonate bottles containing the chemical bisphenol A, or BPA, from its store shelves and stop selling them on line
…
“REI is in the process of removing all water bottles made with BPA from its store shelves," REI Public Affairs Director told The BOSS Report late Friday. "These bottles will also no longer be sold on REI.com or REI-OUTLET.com. When the process is complete, we will offer only water bottles that have been made without BPA.”
Also, the April 18th Wall Street Journal article "Wal-Mart, Nalgene Move Away From Bisphenol A" states:
“...a few key dominoes fell this week: Canada moved toward declaring the chemical a dangerous substance, and a draft version of a U.S. government report said BPA might present risks.”
If you're among the many now looking for an alternative water bottle, read “Building a Better Water Bottle: Aluminum, Steel, and No BPA” in the Gear Guide first to see some of your options before rushing out for that new bottle.
Right about now, I'm pretty happy to have my SIGGs .
It's Eco-Outdoors Week: April 19-27
It’s a busy week for the outdoors.
April 19-27 is National Wildlife Watch Week, a chance for kids and adults to get outdoors and connect with nature in their neighborhoods and beyond. (www.nwf.org/watch)- It’s also National Park Week, with many parks celebrating National Junior Ranger Day on Saturday, April 26, along with guided nature hikes, bird watches, and other activities weeklong. (www.nps.gov/npweek/sched.htm)
- And, of course, there's Earth Day on Tuesday, April 22, and
- the venerable Arbor Day on Friday, April 25. (www.arborday.org)
One doesn't need a holiday proclaimed to celebrate or give back to the great outdoors though. It's open to hikers, backpackers, and climbers every day.
Nalgene to Stop Making Polycarbonate Bottles
Following yesterday's post on Canada potentially labeling Bisphenol-a (BPA) as toxic, come reports that Nalgene will no longer offer the popular polycarbonate water bottle.
From the April 18th New York Times:
Bottle Maker to Stop Using Plastic Linked to Health Concerns
Nalgene, the brand that popularized water bottles made from hard, clear and nearly unbreakable polycarbonate, will stop using the plastic because of growing concern over one of its ingredients.
The decision by Nalgene Outdoor Products, a unit of Thermo Fisher Scientific, based in Rochester, came after reports that the Canadian government would declare the chemical bisphenol-a, or BPA, toxic. Some animal studies have linked the chemical to changes in the hormonal system.
You can read the full article on The New Yorks Times site.
Or Nalgene's press release "Nalgene to Phase Out Bottles Containing BPA" in the News section.
Canada Likely to Declare BPA as Toxic
Bisphenol-a (BPA), an endocrine disrupting chemical found in polycarbonate plastic water bottles, has raised health concerns recently. Now, BPA soon may be considered toxic, at least in Canada, according to this April 16th article in The New York Times:
Canada Likely to Label Plastic Ingredient ‘Toxic’The Canadian government is said to be ready to declare as toxic a chemical widely used in plastics for baby bottles, beverage and food containers as well as linings in food cans.
A person with knowledge of the government’s chemical review program spoke on the condition he not be named because of a confidentiality agreement. He said the staff work to list the compound, called bisphenol-a, or B.P.A., as a toxic chemical was complete and was recently endorsed by a panel of outside scientists.
You can read the full article on The New Yorks Times site.
Looking for an alternative water bottle? Read “Building a Better Water Bottle: Aluminum, Steel, and No BPA” in the Gear Guide.
Committed to your Nalgene? The company recently launched NalgeneChoice.com to profile its full product line, which also includes polyethylene, stainless steel, and Eastman Tritan copolyester bottles, in addition to polycarbonate.
Do Campgrounds Need Wi-Fi?
From the April 10th USA Today:
State Parks Blaze Trails for Wireless Internet Service
Outdoor enthusiasts may dislike the idea of a laptop in every tent, but the number of state parks with wireless Internet service is growing rapidly.
State officials say park users want Wi-Fi, so parks are installing it in campgrounds, lodges and visitors centers. Some states, including Tennessee and Kansas, plan to equip every park with it.
The paper found that 28 states have installed Wi-Fi in at least one of their parks. Read the full article to see if yours is one of them.
Then, tell us what you think of this trend. Is it a sign of the outdoor apocalypse, or are state parks simply meeting the needs of more potential outdoor enthusiasts?
What’s Your Outdoor Story?
What inspires mountaineer Conrad Anker or climber Steph Davis to return to the outdoors? More importantly, what inspires you?
The Conservation Alliance, Anker, and Timex Expedition recently launched Return to the Outdoors, an effort to motivate everyone to spend more time outdoors and to raise awareness of the Conservation Alliance’s mission to help protect outdoor spaces (35 million acres so far).
In the campaign's first of two short films by Jimmy Chin and David Gonzales, Anker discusses some of his earliest memories from Wyoming’s Teton Crest:
The second features Davis base jumping in southern Utah’s canyonlands:
A third, featuring environmentalist and Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard, will be released next month.
Inspired to share your own outdoor story? Tell it in 500 words or less, or with video clips or a slideshow, and you'll have the chance to win gear from Timex Expedition, The North Face, Camelbak, and Ahnu, or an all-expenses-paid outdoor adventure vacation for two.
For more information: www.returntotheoutdoors.com
Good-bye, Mion and GoLite Footwear
According to outdoor industry news source SNEWS, “Timberland has begun notifying distributors and retailers around the globe of its intention to discontinue the production of GoLite footwear and Mion footwear beginning with the fall 2008 season.”
GoLite's non-footwear products—clothing, packs, shelters, and sleeping bags—will not be affected, and spring 2008 products will still be available for both footwear brands.
I don’t have personal experience with GoLite Footwear, but I’m sorry to hear Mion will end production. They’re an innovative, environmentally-committed outdoor footwear brand. I have a pair of their Pen Shell Clogs that are super comfortable and always generate interest from other outdoor enthusiasts when I wear them.
Why can't we stop the Crocs phenomenon instead?
Mountaineering and Climbing on Mars
Your mountaineering and climbing skills might be valuable for exploring beyond the usual terrestrial locations. “Mountaineering and Climbing on Mars,” an interesting and fairly comprehensive article by Keith Cowing on SpaceRef.com, attempts to determine what climbing gear and techniques would be needed to explore the dry Martian landscape.
Some good news: “Since all surface activities on Mars are going to require pressurized suits, the issue of altitude sickness during routine use is not of special concern.”
The bad news: “In a Martian surface suit, while urine could be handled for longer periods using tubes and cups, feces will likely force wearers to taken their suits off at least every day or so.”
More good news: climbing on a planet with a gravitational field of 0.38 g should be easier.
However: “While Mars will offer a two-thirds decrease in weight as perceived by an unencumbered human, this advantage will be almost instantly eclipsed when space suit and life support gear mass - plus adaptations to Martian conditions - are factored in.”
Read the full article for the author's take on logistics, shelter and food, first aid, climbing gear, ropes and belaying, Martian rating systems for climbs, and more.
Take Action to Protect 5,000 Miles of Trails
I received the following Action Alert from the American Hiking Society, which works to protect hiking trails, their surrounding natural landscapes, and the hiking experience:
The American Hiking Society needs your help today to urge Congress to pass the National Landscape Conservation System Act (HR 2016), an important bill that will permanently protect more than 5,000 miles of National Scenic and Historic Trails and 26 million acres of beautiful, unique western lands.
The Bureau of Land Management’s National Landscape Conservation System is a network of the last places to experience the history and wild beauty of the American West. Unfortunately, unlike other national systems of public lands, the BLM’s Conservation System lacks the official Congressional approval that its incredible resources deserve. Only Congress can permanently protect and recognize the National Landscape Conservation System for the enduring benefit of present and future generations.
Want to support the National Landscape Conservation System and tell your Representative why hiking is important to you? Visit the American Hiking Society’s site.
Into the Wild
I finally watched Into the Wild this past weekend. Despite the rave reviews, I had been avoiding the film, not wanting to get sucked into arguments about whether Christopher McCandless was an inspiring idealist for turning his back on civilization or an ill-prepared idiot who at least should have brought a map and proper footwear for his odyssey into the Alaskan backcountry.
After reading Jon Krakauer’s book back in the summer of 1997 I fell squarely in the latter camp. I had just graduated from college, was the same age McCandless had been, loved the outdoors, desired to go to Alaska myself (I would a year later). I should have been the perfect audience for Into the Wild, but while I found the book itself interesting, I had little empathy for the subject and what I thought were a few too many foolish decisions.
I was interested in his story, but I was not inspired.
So, despite the publicity, I avoided the film version for months. I didn’t want to watch poor preparation be romantically glorified. When I finally decided to watch the movie, I was surprised to discover how much I enjoyed it. Much of the credit goes to actor Emile Hirsch, director Sean Penn, the gorgeous locations, and an engaging narrative.
A decade later, I find myself far less judgmental of Christopher McCandless/Alexander Supertramp. His flaws are still there, albeit romantically, in the film. And he makes choices—many choices—I never would (donating money I understand, burning it I don’t). We are very different people, driven by different motivations to walk into the wild.
But, I’ve learned, by listening to the range of voices and experiences here on Trailspace, that there is usually more than one right way to approach the outdoors, and it’s not always the way I might choose. If you’re not hurting me, anyone else, or nature, I’ll try to listen first and let our differences go.
That doesn’t mean we must turn a blind eye to tragedy. Learning from others’ mistakes is a good thing. Judging people by their mistakes and speculation can be problematic though. It gives one a false impression of superiority, which can be dangerous.
Yes, McCandless could have used some caution and moderation (and a map, among other things). But, I’ll refrain from entering the idealistic-versus-foolish debate. Nothing’s ever that simple. And in reality McCandless probably fell somewhere in the human middle.
I’m now going to reread Krakauer’s original.
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