The WildeBeat

Thu, Jun 26, 2008

Bear Cans Revisited, 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. (Part one is here.) Who makes these things, and how do we know they work?

Steve tells the story with the help of:

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

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.

This edition was originally presented on August 31, 2006.

Photo credit: Calder Reid, Inyo National Forest

• Show number 144 [MP3 format; length 10:50; 2,603,437 bytes]
• Combined show numbers 143 & 144, exntended version [MP3 format; length 21:13; 10,189,501 bytes]
• Show number 143 script
• Combined show numbers 143 & 144 script

Tue, Jun 24, 2008

Introducing Kate Taylor

Posted at 16:10

/blog/news [link ]

We'd like to welcome Kate Taylor to the WildeBeat project as our new Assistant Producer. In addition to producing entire editions by herself, she'll also help Steve and Jean research and edit other stories in progress.

You can look forward to hearing Kate's voice and creative work in future editions of the show.

Thu, Jun 19, 2008

Bear Cans Revisited, part 1

Posted at 09:01

/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 give you updates about how the industry grew from these beginnings, and the effect all of this has had on parks, forests, bears, and wilderness visitors. This edition was originally presented on August 24, 2006.

• Show number 143 [MP3 format; length 10:40; 2,561,641 bytes]
• Show number 143 script

Sat, Jun 14, 2008

Women of Color 4-Day Backpack

Posted at 11:00

/blog/outings [link ]

Chelsea Griffie wrote to tell us about an outing she's leading for the Balanced Rock Foundation. Chelsea is the program director for Bay Area Wilderness Training. Chelsea appeared in our editions 91 and 92, Bay Area Wilderness Training, part 1 and part 2.

Chelsea writes:

Announcing our Women of Color backpacking trip from the evening of July 16 through July 20. If you are a woman of color, please join us! This trip is a super fun way to recharge your batteries.

Event: Women of Color Backpacking Trip
"The only one in the country!"
What: Camping Trip
Host: Chelsea Griffie / the Balanced Rock Foundation
When: Wednesday, July 16 at 6:00pm
Where: Yosemite National Park

Official information for this trip, as well as the registration form is on the Backpack Trips page of the Balanced Rock Foundation.

Thu, Jun 12, 2008

Modern Rain gear

Posted at 09:00

/shows/gear [link ]

This gear program presents reviews of two rain jackets and a poncho. An important part of keeping warm is keeping dry, and the first part you want to protect is your torso.

Steve Nelson reviews the Antigravitygear Poncho Villa. Gail Staisil reviews the Outdoor Research Celestial Jacket. Jim Sabiston reviews the Integral Designs eVENT Cruiser Jacket.

If you're interested in reviewing for Backpack Gear Test (BGT), read: How to become a tester. Manufacturers provide more gear than the volunteers at BGT can keep up with. By becoming a tester, you can help your fellow wilderness travelers find out what gear will work for them.

• Show number 142 [MP3 format; length 9:57; 2,389,850 bytes]
• Show number 142, extended version [MP3 format; length 12:22; 5,939,060 bytes]
• Show number 142 script

Tue, Jun 10, 2008

Vox WildeBeat for June 10, 2008

Posted at 11:58

/vox [link ]

Listener Adam Fox called to report on his experiences as organizer of the West Coast Tracker Roundup, an event dedicated to learning and practicing primitive survival skills.

• Vox WildeBeat 16 [MP3 format; length 9:56; 2,387,564 bytes]

Thu, Jun 05, 2008

First Skills

Posted at 09:00

/shows/skills [link ]

This skills program introduces our series on primitive technologies. You always see cavemen portrayed as stupid and comical. But what do you suppose they knew that you don't?

We hear from Norm Kidder. He's the vice president of the Society of Primitive Technologies. He talks about the society's goal to re-learn, study, and teach stone age skills. Norm explains that using cutting edges and fire were the first technological skills developed by the earliest humans.

In addition to the Society of Primitive Technologies, another source of primitive skills education is the Northern California group, Primitive Ways.

We'll hear more from Norm Kidder in a future edition. The series will continue several weeks from now when we learn the specifics of several primitive skills.

• Show number 141 [MP3 format; length 11:04; 2,636,230 bytes]
• Show number 141 script

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