The WildeBeat

Wed, Nov 08, 2006

Vox WildeBeat for November 8, 2006

Posted at 23:00

/vox [link ]

Russel Nelson from Utah called to compare the human waste pack-out rules and systems between Mount Whitney, as we discussed in editions 62 and 63, and the narrows in Zion National Park.

• Vox WildeBeat 10 [MP3 format; length 2:02; 488,200 bytes]

Sun, Nov 05, 2006

Vox WildeBeat for November 5, 2006

Posted at 18:00

/vox [link ]

Frequent commenter John Trefethen called to tell a story about his experiences on Mount Whitney.

• Vox WildeBeat 9 [MP3 format; length 3:27; 828,837 bytes]

Sat, Nov 04, 2006

A Few Blogs to Check Out

Posted at 20:00

/blog/recognition [link ]

We want to thank several bloggers who regularly recognize our work.

Two Heel Drive, A hiking blog
Tom Mangan says he, scans the reams of hiking discussion boards, review sites, blogs and other places online, and posts links to the stuff he thinks other people might find interesting.

National Parks Traveler
Kurt Repanshek tracks news and political issues about the National Parks. He occasionally talks about his own outings and gear choices as well.

The Adventure Blog
Kraig collects comments and news about some of the more extreme and adventurous activities going on in the outdoors.

Thu, Nov 02, 2006

The Poop on Mount Whitney, part 2

Posted at 09:00

/shows/wild_places [link ]

This wild places program investigates an effect that 20,000 hikers and climbers a year have on the trail to Mount Whitney (14,498'). In order to preserve the environment and scenic beauty of that narrow, rocky canyon, the Inyo National Forest has had to take Leave No Trace a step further.

Steve tells the story with the help of:

• Erika Jostad, Wilderness Manager from Sequoia National Park.
• Brian Spitek, Wilderness Manager for the Mount Whittney Ranger District of the Inyo National Forest.
• Mike Miele, a wilderness ranger on the Mount Whitney Trail.
• David Ramierez, a 20-time hiker of the Mount Whitney Trail, from Palmdale, California.
• Sam Ungar, a hiker from Agora Hills, California.

Both the Inyo National Forest and Sequoia National Park issue Wag-Bags for hikers to use to pack out their waste. Other areas, including Mount Shasta and Mount Rainier have similar requirements but use other systems.

The bonus material linked below includes an additional interview clip from Brian Spitek and Mike Miele, and photos of a waste removal operation.

Photo credits: Brian Spitek, Inyo National Forest

• Show number 63 [MP3 format; length 8:34; 2,061,023 bytes]
• Combined shows number 62 & 63, high-fidelity stereo [MP3 format; length 15:48; 15,173,232 bytes]
• Show number 63 script
• Show number 62 & 63, combined script
• Bonus audio and pictures

Thu, Oct 26, 2006

The Poop on Mount Whitney, part 1

Posted at 09:00

/shows/wild_places [link ]

This wild places program investigates an effect that 20,000 hikers and climbers a year have on the trail to Mount Whitney (14,498'). In order to preserve the environment and scenic beauty of that narrow, rocky canyon, the Inyo National Forest has had to take Leave No Trace a step further.

Steve walks into the Mount Whitney visitors center, and hears about the new policies that affect every hiker and climber in the Mount Whitney zone. He talks to Deputy District Ranger Margaret Wood, and Wilderness Manager Brian Spitek to find out about the history of their policy.

Next week, in part two, we'll hear more about the surprising job of forest rangers, why this new policy was established, and what the hikers on the trail have to say about it.

• Show number 62 [MP3 format; length 8:59; 2,159,201 bytes]
• Show number 62 script

Thu, Oct 19, 2006

Mount Whitney for Beginners

Posted at 09:00

/shows/wild_places [link ]

This wild places program presents some tips for climbing the highest mountain in the continental United States, Mount Whitney (14,498').

Steve tells the story with the help of:

• Scott Morrow, a hiker from San Diego, CA.
• Mike Noone, a hiker from Huntington Beach, CA.
• Todd Vogel, the Wilderness Education Coordinator for Friends of the Inyo.
• Doug Thompson, an owner of the Whitney Portal Store.
• Stephanie Schmidt, a hiker from Lee Vining, CA.
• Dean DeBennedictus, a hiker from Los Angeles, CA.

You need a wilderness permit to climb Mount Whitney. The U.S. Forest Service provides general information about the Mount Whitney area, and more detailed information about the lottery for wilderness permits.

The bonus material linked below includes an additional interview clip from Todd Vogel about planning a Mount Whitney trip.

• Show number 61 [MP3 format; length 9:59; 2,397,855 bytes]
• Show number 61, extended high-fidelity stereo [MP3 format; length 10:25; 10,003,921 bytes]
• Show number 61 script
• Bonus audio and pictures

Wed, Oct 18, 2006

Article about Marijuana Raids

Posted at 22:45

/blog/outings [link ]

In our edition #19, Restoring a Park Gone to Pot, we spent a weekend at a former marijuana plantation in California's Big Basin State Park. We reported on the volunteer effort to restore the park after the law enforcement agency had removed the growers and their crops.

A local paper, the Silicon Valley Metro, published a detailed story about what went into the law enforcement raids, titled Dark Green.

Thu, Oct 12, 2006

Taking a break this week.

Posted at 17:00

/blog/news [link ]

We realized that we forgot to include the statement in edition number 60 that we're taking a break this week. We'll post our next edition of The WildeBeat on Thursday, October 19th.

Thanks to a couple of you who asked, "where's this week's show?"

Thu, Oct 05, 2006

Lightweight Solo Shelters

Posted at 09:00

/shows/gear [link ]

This gear program presents reviews of two lightweight solo shelters. The reviews are provided by volunteer reviewers from Backpack Gear Test.

Jason Boyle reviews the TarpTent Rainbow. Andrew Buskov reviews the Six Moon Designs Gatewood Cape.

Backpack Gear Test has more gear to review than reviewers. You can start out by reviewing gear you already own, and then you might be able to get other free gear to review. Read: How to become a tester.

• Show number 60 [MP3 format; length 9:38; 2,313,114 bytes]
• Show number 60 script

Sat, Sep 30, 2006

Vox WildeBeat for September 30, 2006

Posted at 08:55

/vox [link ]

Earl Burton and Allen Williams called to give their impressions on through-hiking the Tahoe Rim Trail on it's 25th anniversary.

• Vox WildeBeat 8 [MP3 format; length 4:29; 1,079,299 bytes]

Thu, Sep 28, 2006

All Around Lake Tahoe, part 2

Posted at 09:00

/shows/outings [link ]

This outings program is a follow-up with hikers on the Tahoe Rim Trail. The Tahoe Rim Trail Association celebrated their twenty fifth anniversary by leading fifteen people on a through hike of their 165 mile trail.

Steve talks to:

• Steve Andersen, the president of the Tahoe Rim Trail Association
• Nicole Anderson, the youngest member of the party
• Gary Hanneman, the eldest member of the party

The Tahoe Rim Trail Association organizes guided hikes of sections of the trail as well.

• Show number 59 [MP3 format; length 9:58; 2,396,640 bytes]
• Show number 59, extended high-fidelity version [MP3 format; length 12:29; 11,991,319 bytes]
• Show number 59 script

Thu, Sep 21, 2006

All Around Lake Tahoe, part 1

Posted at 09:00

/shows/outings [link ]

This outings program is a visit to the Tahoe Rim Trail. The Tahoe Rim Trail Association celebrated their twenty fifth anniversary by leading fifteen people on a through hike of their 165 mile trail.

Steve hikes from Echo Summit along a section of trail shared by the Tahoe Rim Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail. He meets the hikers at their mid-trip camp at Showers Lake. From there, he hikes with them to Echo Lake.

Steve talks to:

• Steve Andersen, the president of the Tahoe Rim Trail Association
• Nicole Anderson, the youngest member of the party
• Gary Hanneman, the eldest member of the party
• Nada Vogt, one of the support volunteers
• Lorenz Robinson, perhaps the participant with the least prior outdoor experience

Next week's show will feature wrap-up interviews with some of the trip's participants.

• Show number 58 [MP3 format; length 9:58; 2,394,864 bytes]
• Show number 58, extended high-fidelity stereo [MP3 format; length 10:27; 10,042,784 bytes]
• Show number 58 script

Thu, Sep 14, 2006

Reprise: Volunteer Trail Crew

Posted at 09:00

/shows/outings [link ]

This outings program is a reprise of show number 10, first posted on September 15th, 2005. Steve joins a work day with the High Sierra Volunteer Trail Crew, in the Jennie Lakes Wilderness of the Sequoia National Forest.

The crew was camped at Jennie Lake. They cleared fallen trees near Poop Out Pass, and added switchbacks to a steep and eroding trail descending from there to Jennie Lake.

Why join a trail crew? For the feeling of making a difference, to be with more experienced outdoors men and women, to spend time in the wilderness, for the fun and camaraderie, or perhaps just for the food!

• Show number 57 [MP3 format; length 9:10; 2,202,146 bytes]
• Show number 57, high-fidelity stereo [MP3 format; length 9:10; 8,809,034 bytes]
• Show number 57 script
• Pictures of the trail crew

Thu, Sep 07, 2006

Two Two-Person tents

Posted at 09:00

/shows/gear [link ]

This gear program presents reviews of two two-person backpacking tents. The reviews are provided by volunteer reviewers from Backpack Gear Test.

Kathryn Doiron reviews the Coleman Cloudview Two tent. Raymond Estrella reviews the MSR Fling tent.

Backpack Gear Test has more gear to review than reviewers. You can start out by reviewing gear you already own, and then you might be able to get other free gear to review. Read: How to become a tester.

• Show number 56 [MP3 format; length 9:59; 2,396,184 bytes]
• Show number 56 script

Thu, Aug 31, 2006

The Story of Bear Cans, part 2

Posted at 09:00

/shows/wild_places [link ]

This wild places program is part two of an exploration of the situation in the Sierra Nevada wilderness areas that lead to the development of the bear-resistant food canister. Who makes these things, and how do we know they work?

Steve tells the story with the help of:

• Calder Reid, wilderness manager for the Inyo National Forest.
• Harold Werner, a wildlife biologist from Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park.
• Allen DeForrest of Wild Ideas, manufacturer of the Bearikade.
• Tom Cohen of Ursack
• Jamie Hogan of Bear Vault.

Harold Werner and Calder Reid are members of the Sierra Interagency Black Bear Group (SIBBG), the standards-setting body for bear management in the major Sierra Nevada wilderness areas. Their group also performs the tests that lead to the approval of canisters for use in Yosemite National Park, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park, and the Inyo National Forest. Several other jurisdictions also require canisters from the SIBBG approved list.

Note: We'll have to delay posting the bonus audio we mentioned in the show until September 5th.

Photo credit: Calder Reid, Inyo National Forest

• Show number 55 [MP3 format; length 9:51; 2,367,240 bytes]
• Show number 55 script
• Bonus interview segments with bear can manufacturers (coming September 5th)

Mon, Aug 28, 2006

Review by a Podcast Fanatic

Posted at 23:15

/blog/recognition [link ]

Bernadette, from Adelaide, Australia is fanatic about podcasts. That means she listens to a lot of them. She also writes thoughtful reviews, and posts them to her web site, PodcastFanatic.com.

Last Sunday, Bernadette reviewed The WildeBeat. At the end of her review she concluded:

...As an example of niche or specialist podcasting this is the show others should be measured against. Steve's enthusiasm for his subject is palpable, his knowledge and experience evident and his overall approach is so positive and practical that even a half-fit, nearly-40 urban dweller like myself feels inspired to head off to the wilderness sometime soon.

Thanks, Bernadette!

Wilderness Dishwashing Science

Posted at 07:20

/blog/skills [link ]

Keeping your cooking and eating gear clean in the backcountry is a bit more difficult. The main limitation is that in the backcountry you don't have the liberally-flowing clean water you would have in civilization

An article in Science News Magazine reviews some recent science that sheds some light on this issue. In How to Wash Up in the Wilderness, microbiologist Joanna Hargreaves says that two and three bowl methods are ideal. The first bowl has grease-cutting detergent, the second bowl has water containing a strong disinfectant like chlorine bleach, and the third has clean, purified water. She says if water is scarce, you can skip that third bowl.

Thu, Aug 24, 2006

The Story of Bear Cans, part 1

Posted at 09:00

/shows/wild_places [link ]

This wild places program is part one of an exploration of the situation in the Sierra Nevada wilderness areas that lead to the development of the bear-resistant food canister. Why were they invented, who invented them, and how did that happen?

Steve tells the story with the help of:

• Harold Werner, a wildlife biologist from Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park.
• Tori Seher, a wildlife biologist from Yosemite National Park.
• Richard Garcia, the president of Garcia Machine, manufacturer of the Backpacker's Cache.
• Calder Reid, wilderness manager for the Inyo National Forest.

Harold Werner, Calder Reid, and Tori Seher are members of the Sierra Interagency Black Bear Group (SIBBG), the standards-setting body for bear management in the major Sierra Nevada wilderness areas.

Next week, we'll find out more about how the industry grew from these beginnings, and the effect all of this has had on parks, forests, bears, and wilderness visitors.

• Show number 54 [MP3 format; length 9:26; 2,264,735 bytes]
• Show number 54 script

Sun, Aug 13, 2006

Heavily into Stoves at Backpacking Light

Posted at 13:00

/blog/gear [link ]

We noticed that the people at Backpacking Light magazine have started to post audio stories along with their usual text articles. We congratulate Ryan Jordan and his Backpacking Light company for adding audio to their publishing offerings.

Their first audio piece (that we know of) is a 23 minute, in-depth exploration of canister-style stoves, and about the manufacturers working on the leading-edge to make them more efficient. They include recordings of trade show marketing presentations and informal on-site interviews.

To hear the BackpackingLight audio piece about stoves, see Integrated Canister Stove Systems.

As we mentioned in out edition #17 titled, Lighten Your Backpack!, BackpackingLight.COM is a great source of information for the experienced backpacker seeking skills and gear for more ambitious adventures.

Thu, Aug 10, 2006

Stuff We Left Out

Posted at 09:00

/shows [link ]

In this program we revisit some of the interesting people who appeared in earlier editions. We play some clips we left out of the earlier shows they appeared in. We were sweeping up our virtual cutting floor, and these were too good to throw out:

• Edition #10: Volunteer Trail Crew
  Ken Murray talks about the forest service's ability to maintain recreational trails.
• Editions #13 and #14: The Wilderness at Night
  Chad Moore talks about the equipment his night sky monitoring team uses to measure the darkness of the national park skies.
• Editions #15 and #16: A Winter Storm Warning
  Mike Bargetto talks about how he and his family fought to maintain their morale while stranded for a week by an early October snow storm.
• Edition #17: Lighten Your Backpack
  Ryan Jordan of Backpacking Light comments on the difference between packing light and poorly prepared.
• Edition #19: Restoring a Park Gone to Pot
  Naturalist Chris Spohrer answers my questions about the toxic chemicals that marijuana farmers used in Big Basin State Park, California.
• Edition #23: Drawing Lines in the Snow
  Paul Peterson of Bear Valley Cross Country explains one reason why backcountry skiers try to stay away from snowmobiles.

Thanks for joining us for this past year of shows. We look forward to bringing you many more.

• Show number 53 [MP3 format; length 9:59; 2,396,288 bytes]
• Show number 53 script

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License. (Details)