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American Hiking Society Recipe Contest
The American Hiking Society is searching for the best frontcountry and backcountry recipes for its new Volunteer Vacations cookbook. Submit your recipe with a photo and a short story about the Volunteer Vacation or outdoor excursion where you made your masterpiece (no more than 300 words please).
Volunteers across the country will test recipe submissions throughout the summer and fall, and winners will be included in the American Hiking Society cookbook, printed in 2009. The top camp cook will receive an Outback Oven from Backpacker’s Pantry.
Deadline for submissions is July 31, 2008. E-mail entries to Volunteer@AmericanHiking.org.
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.
Ansel Adams Photography Collection for Sale
gelatin silver mural print, printed 1970-75, estimate $250,000-350,000
Get out your over-endowed checkbooks and no-limit credit cards. The largest collection of Ansel Adam’s works in private hands, including all of his most-sought after images, will be sold through Christie’s on Friday, April 11. Can't get to New York? You can submit your absentee bid online or by phone up to 24 hours prior to the auction.
The 122-lot collection, amassed from 1969-1975, decorated the walls of a California company. Adams worked closely with the company director, visited the building, and even advised on lighting, color schemes for walls, as well as the placement and spacing of the photographs. His entire career is captured in this collection, with many of his most iconic images reproduced mural-size. The sale is expected to realize $3 to $5 million.
Oh, to have a spare few thousand dollars and a mural-sized wall in need of a photograph...
For more info: Photographs By Ansel Adams From A California Collection
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?
Paradox Sports: Pushing Forward
It's not what you can no longer do. It's what you can do now.
Malcolm Daly climbing in Ouray.
Photo: Kitt Daly
I read and was pondering this sentiment recently, seven months pregnant, unable to ice climb with my husband, downhill ski with my son, or bag winter Presidential peaks. I admit, I was feeling a touch sorry for myself.
Then I saw the press release for Gimps On Ice and got over myself.
Next weekend, March 8 and 9, athletes who are missing limbs, eyes, or the use of their legs will travel to Ouray’s famed park to climb vertical ice. The event is organized by Paradox Sports, a non-profit started last year to help integrate the physically disabled into the human-powered outdoor community.
The organization, led by executive director Malcolm Daly—founder of Trango, climber since 1968, and below-knee amputee since 2001—also recently announced the development of a prosthetic climbing foot in conjunction with Evolv and TRS Orthotics.
Paradox poster of Warren Macdonald.
Paradox Sports was co-founded by D.J. Skelton, an Army captain wounded in Iraq in 2004, and professional climber Timmy O'Neill, who has climbed El Capitan with his paraplegic brother, Sean.
After reading clips about some of the athletes and volunteers involved in Paradox Sports I felt inspired, not sorry. These are hardcore individuals climbing ice and rock, kayaking the Grand Canyon, reaching the top of the world’s highest peaks.
As co-founder D.J. writes in his story, “once you get over the fact that life is not supposed to be, but just is as it is right now, life becomes too easy. Deal with it and keep pushing forward.”
He's right. I'm going cross-country skiing.
For more info:
Paradox Sports: www.paradoxsports.org
Paradox Sports also will be at the Red Rock Rendezvous, March 28-30.
No Barriers: www.nobarriersusa.org
A similar organization, No Barriers will hold its annual festival July 10-13, 2008, in Squaw Valley, Calif.
Seize the Leap Day
So often we think, “if only I had more time, I’d do this or that.” Well, guess what. You do. A whole day in fact, because Friday, February 29, is Leap Day, and you don’t need to be a Leap Day baby to celebrate (though if you are, happy birthday, leapling).
So, what have you been wanting to do outside all winter, but haven’t gotten around to yet? Snowshoeing a certain trail? Bagging a favorite peak? Trying something new like ice climbing? Winter camping with friends?
There are only three more weeks of winter, officially. So use your extra day wisely. It won’t come around again for four more years.
Summit for Someone and Climb for Kids in 2008
Want to climb a classic peak, help kids get into the wilderness, and earn free gear at the same time? Consider a Climbing for Kids or a Summit for Someone charity climb.
The Summit for Someone fundraiser for Big City Mountaineers offers guided climbs up a range of North American peaks. You pick a climb that fits your interest (alpine rock, glacier, or expedition) and ability level (non-technical beginner to advanced) from the likes of Whitney, Hood, the Tetons, and Orizaba.
Raise money to support Big City Mountaineers, which provides challenging and safe wilderness experiences to urban teens in need of positive adult mentoring (pledge amounts depend on the climb). Train. Then summit for someone. This year they’re also offering three celebrity climbs.
Depending on which climb you choose and how much money you raise, you can receive free gear—like backpacks, helmets, sleeping bags, ice axes, clothing, and more—as a thank you. Climbs start in April and go through November. Space is limited.
Following the same format (and many of the same peaks) is Climbing for Kids, which additionally offers bi-weekly Bay Area group training hikes. Fundraising for these climbs supports Bay Area Wilderness Training, which create opportunities for urban youth to experience wilderness firsthand and helps more than a thousand kids get outside every year. You could walk away from a climb of Mt. Whitney, Shasta, or Grand Teton with more than $1,500 worth of mountaineering gear.
For more Summit for Someone info: www.summitforsomeone.org (warning: avoid opening this site in front of your boss as the intro page plays music)
For more Climbing for Kids info: www.climbingforkids.org
Gourmet Chocolate for the Backcountry Set
In case you’ve missed the hoopla, it's Valentine’s Day, and for many that means chocolate. Of course to some of us every day can mean chocolate, and we’d never consider heading out on a hike, ski, or climb without some of the dark stuff along for its “energy” and “health benefits.”
If you want to avoid melted chocolate in summer or less-than-decadent energy bars anytime, try Backpackers Gourmet Chocolate Bars by Hammond’s Candies. Each 4-ounce “weatherproof” bar comes encased in hand-dipped colored wax, which makes it waterproof, heat-tolerant, and rather pretty.
In the selfless interest of our Trailspace readers, I've sampled four of Backpackers Chocolate’s five flavors, all made with dark chocolate from organic butter and half and half:
Dark Chocolate—unfortunately, the straight dark chocolate was sold out on me, but as the basis for the other bars, it has a very rich, dark, creamy flavor.- Dark Chocolate Nuts & Berries—bits of cherries, cranberries, pineapple, figs, pomegranate juice, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, and ginger are mixed into the dark chocolate, very flavorful.
- Dark Chocolate Raspberry—a strong, classic pairing of raspberry coulis and dark chocolate, you really can’t go wrong with this one. It’s my favorite of the bunch, followed by nuts & berries.
- Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter—another classic pairing, it includes bits of organic peanuts, but don't expect a typical creamy peanut butter-chocolate candy consistency. This is more robust.
- Dark Chocolate Orange Chili—for the more adventurous palette, those who like some zing in their food will love the orange-chipotle chili flavor combination.
MSRP: $9.95 per 4-oz bar
For more info: www.hammondscandies.com
Snoway!: Ski/Snowboard Lingo Contest
Shusskiboarding? Skoarding? Planking? There’s no one word that describes both skiing and snowboarding. But now through March 4 you can give it a try.
Ski Utah and Winter at Westminster have teamed with The Addictionary, an online dictionary of made up “werds,” for the 2008 Ski/Snowboard Lingo Contest.
Grand prize for the best new catch-all word for “skiing and snowboarding” is an April 2008 spring ski trip for two to Utah. You also can add to the general glossary of skier and snowboarder lingo. The best new general ski/snowboard word could earn you two day passes to The Canyons Resort in Park City and 10 T-shirts featuring your winning word.
Winners will be chosen by a panel of celebrity judges. For more information or to enter the contest, visit http://addictionary.org/Browse/ContestWords/19.
(via Base Camp Communications)
Complete American Alpine Journal Collection Online
The entire collection of The American Alpine Journal (AAJ), the premiere annual record of significant mountaineering and long rock climbing ascents worldwide, is now available online and searchable by key words.
The AAJ Online debuted in 2007 with 40 years of editions, from 1966 to 2006. In January 2008, online access was expanded to include the entire 78-year history of the Journal, from 1929 through 2007.
This research tool is offered free to climbers worldwide. Users are requested to join the AAC or make a donation to support the club’s information resources.
The current edition of the AAJ is indexed but not available for free to the public. American Alpine Club members may read the 2007 AAJ online. The complete AAJ collection also is indexed; the index may be downloaded in PDF format.
Via American Alpine News
The 10 Deadliest Mountains
#1: Annapurna (26,545 ft.)
Apparently there is a Men’s Vogue magazine. Somehow that’s never made it to our mailbox. The December 2007 issue has two articles of mountaineering interest though.
“The 10 Deadliest Mountains” is a slide show rating mountains by fatality rates among summit attempts. Number 1 is Annapurna (26,545 ft.) with a 41 percent fatality rate. Everest (29,029 ft.) is number 7 with a surprisingly low rate of 9 percent. It’s followed by our good old Northeastern peak Mount Washington (6,288 ft) at number 8.
Unfortunately the magazine doesn’t list fatality rates for every mountain, leaving me with some questions (I'd like to see a list with more stats). And you have to flip through the slide show to get what basic info there is on each mountain. Oh, and the site has a lot of annoying ads.
But the list itself is interesting. Here it is, in case you can't stand the pop-ups either:
- Annapurna (26,545 ft.)
#2: Nanga Parbat (26,657 ft.)
- Nanga Parbat (26,657 ft.)
- Siula Grande (20,814 ft.)
- K2 (28,251 ft.)
- Kangchenjunga (28,169 ft.)
- The Matterhorn (14,691 ft.)
- Everest (29,029 ft.)
- Mt. Washington (6,288 ft)
- Denali (20,320 ft.)
- Mt. Fuji (12,388 ft.)
The issue also has an article, “All-Time High,” on the Alpine Club’s first 150 years.
Sir Edmund Hillary Dies at 88
photo:Graeme Mulholland
From the AP:
Sir Edmund Hillary, the unassuming beekeeper who conquered Mount Everest to win renown as one of the 20th century's greatest adventurers, has died, New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark announced Friday. He was 88. »
Read the full AP story on CNN.com or at The New York Times.
Climb Some Ice... Ouray and Other Fests Get Underway
Comp Climber at 2006 Ouray Ice Festival
(photo credit: Lora Slawitschka)
Tomorrow the famed Ouray Ice Festival begins four days of clinics, gear demos, climbing, slacklining, slide shows, parties, and competitions with the world’s best ice and mixed route climbers.
Won’t be in Ouray, Colorado, January 9-13? Check out our listing of 2008 ice climbing fests for an event near you. Did we miss your favorite ice fest? Tell us about it.
You can also watch the video below from last year's comps for some climbing inspiration.
Toyota Trundling Ad Irresponsible
Do not attempt this Toyota ad.
Over the holidays I caught a Toyota ad on TV that disturbed me. In the spot, three people push a very large boulder down a steep hill, destroying a truck below—ostensibly so they have a reason to go out and buy a brand new truck.
Ignoring the ad’s obvious wastefulness (nothing new there), I find it deeply disturbing to see such an inherently dangerous activity promoted. In case Toyota hasn’t heard, in August climber Pete Absolon died in Wyoming’s Wind River Range after being struck by a small boulder pushed off the cliff above. (If you haven’t yet, read “Dropped” in January’s Outside for a full account of that tragedy.)
Yes, I know the Toyota bit is "just" an ad, complete with a “do not attempt” footnote, but it’s still extremely irresponsible and troubling. While no one should be getting their outdoor education from TV advertisements, I can’t see this spot without thinking of the potentially deadly and tragic consequences of another person making the same mistake. I hope Toyota gets some sense and pulls the ad, lest anyone else think this is a good idea and another person gets hurt.
You can see the ad—"Toyotathon Phenomenon Commercial (Rock Drop)"—on YouTube.
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