The Green Hiker

Ask anyone what comes to mind with a mention of “Pikes Peak”, most will respond with “hill climb”, “mountain”, “race”, “cave of the winds”, or even “suzuki escudo”. (Look it up.)

Then ask, “What’s the best way around Pike’s Peak?” ….. and just wait for an answer.

Still waiting ….

Unless you live in Colorado or you’re one of the Friends of the Peak, it’s unlikely you’ll respond with, “Ring The Peak Trail”.

When completed, the almost eighty mile hiking trail will wrap around Pikes Peak snug as new engagement ring. You can experience the newest section between FourMile Creek and HorseThief Gultch. (Gotta love Old West history.) Detailed maps are here.

If you’ve got nine minutes, there’s no better Ring The Peak hiking trail preview than this fine video from Steve Bremner

Steve starts, “On Friday, Oct 23rd [2009] I set out with great optimism …. 25 miles later in deep snow ….

Additional Ring the Peak Trail info:

USDA Forest Service Decision Memorandum

Now Go Outdoors!

With the tag “Get Outdoors Wherever You Are”, the National Wildlife Federation’s Get Outside page sports the nifty Nature Find tool that allows you to find outdoor events and/or sites within one to 500 miles of any U.S. location.

Using Google Maps and a database of almost 30 site types including parks, aquariums, trails, and preserves, you can easily find a local destination no matter where you are in the country.

And you can filter your search to show only sites that include activities:  NWF events, camping, water sports, snow sports, cycling, walking, and nature events …. to name a few.

Check out my crude screen capture video to get a better flavor of this “you-have-no-excuse” Nature Find.

Nature Find Video

Now Go Outdoors!

Hiking Trail Maps For The Oregon Coast

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department has released ten hiking trails maps of their entire 382-mile Pacific coastline.

All ten hiking maps are now available in two pdf printer-friendly sizes.

Although the majority of the trails traverse public and private beaches, many hikes include state parks, forests, and county and city roadways.

Landowners provide trail easements for portions of trails on private property.

Now Go Outdoors!

Going out on an afternoon hike? Or maybe a three day walk-about?

What gear do you carry? What is your minimum pack?

Well here’s the list of ten essentials compiled by The White Mountain National Forest and New Hampshire Fish and Game as part of their  program:

• Map
• Compass
• Warm Clothing
  • Sweater or Pile Jacket
  • Long Pants (wool or synthetic)
  • Hat (wool)
• Extra Food and Water
• Flashlight or Headlamp
• Matches/Firestarters
• First Aid Kit/Repair Kit
• Whistle
• Rain/Wind Jacket & Pants
• Pocket Knife

Ok, confession time. I always carry a pocket knife. I don’t own a whistle. And I’ve never packed warm clothing while hiking in Southwest Florida. In any season.

But this is the list. And if any hike includes mountains, valleys, desert terrain … or where weather spits and spins on a dime, this should be your list.

Let us know what you carry. Your minimum and maximum. And why.

Now Go Outdoors!

Thinking about hiking as a healthy hobby? Start here …

Hiking is not for everyone but those that enjoy it are generally relatively fit as this recreation can be very strenuous depending on your route and how long you are out for.

Certainly, some hikes are that easy. And they should be. Not every hike has to be a three-day outing in the peaks of Colorado. Not every journey involves navigating through forests, across rivers and over mountain passes. Sometimes you just want some fresh air and a little exercise.

But once you expand your horizons, what do you do?

Are You In Shape? Well ….

First, get in shape. Take those shorter, more level hikes near your home or someplace a short drive away. Especially if you’ve been sedentary, work up to more rigorous hikes slowly. The single major reason for anyone to not stick with any kind of exercise plan is pain. They try too hard too soon and overdo it. That leads to injury and pain, and they give up.

Take a few short jogs to build up your cardiovascular and pulmonary (heart/circulation and lung) systems. You’ll need plenty of oxygen capacity and a stout heart to complement muscular stamina.

Get some basic gear. Get the right boots by researching online. Make sure they fit with some thick, sturdy socks that wick away moisture.

Buddy-Up

Try to hike with at least one other person unless you are familiar with the area and the terrain isn’t very challenging. GPS and other navigational tools can help, but if you injure yourself or become very ill that may not do you much good.

Stay on clearly marked or visible trails until you know the area or have more experience. Getting lost is one of the most common ways that amateur hikers turn a pleasant two-hour hike into a two-day search-and-rescue effort.

Maps can be helpful if you know how to read them, but these days a GPS is probably more useful for most people. But you need to spend a little time learning how to use it, but try not to rely on these too heavily and always take a map and compass as a back up.

Now Go Outdoors!

These backpacks use solar energy to keep cell phones (think hiking crisis) and other electronic gear fully charged. About three hours of sunlight on this outdoor gear should provide one hour of power.

The Voltaic backpacks use fabrics made from recycled soda bottles.

Voltaic Solar Battery Charger Backpack

If you’re on the go or have a kid who is, look at the Voltaic solar battery charger backpack. The solar panels on the Voltaic solar battery charger backpack connect to a battery to charge your iPod, cell phone or laptop. The Voltaic solar battery charger backpack comes with a phone adapter and a USB adapter so you can charge your batteries and gear.

Eclipse Solar Gear – KVUE Inteview

KVUE TV news clip interview about Eclipse Solar Gear’s innovative solar backpacks and solar chargers.