Outdoor Sports Blog

Hiking footwear lightens up By Chris Shaffer, Special to the Daily News The outdoor industry is constantly striving to design hiking shoes that offer the most comfortable, lightweight and sturdy boot available to outdoor adventurers. For the past several years, that trend is racing toward lightweight shoes. Although there's still a need for heavy, durable boots, many hikers and manufactures are jumping on the bandwagon of creating light and fast hiking boots. Some question the durability, comfort and stability of these boots in adverse conditions, but they are guaranteed to treat you well anywhere in the mountains, hills and valleys of Southern California and on day hikes in the Sierra. "The question is not one of advantage and disadvantage. It comes down to what the boots are going to be used for," says Peter Sachs, general manager of LOWA. "What kind of terrain, how heavy a pack, etc. A lightweight hiking boot will not work with a 40-pound pack. At the same time, a

Korean climber to clean 14 highest peaks By: Agencies Kathmandu: A veteran South Korean mountaineer has launched a cleaning campaign in all the 14 top mountains of the world above 8,000 metres. Han Wang-Yong, the eleventh summiteer in the world to conquer all the 14 top peaks, is currently busy scrubbing the areas around Mt Annapurna (8,091m), the 10th tallest peak in the world, Nepal Mountaineering Association sources said. Concerned by the degrading environment in and around top mountains of the world, Han embarked on the ambitious cleaning campaign from the base camp of the Mt Everest (8,848m) and its surroundings in 2003. Han has already cleaned the base camps of Mt Manaslu, Mt Dhaulagiri, and Mt K2 of Pakistan besides the Everest. Out of a total 14 peaks above 8000 metres, eight lie in Nepal. Mountaineers from Japan, Korea, France and Nepal have joined Han’s noble cleaning campaign. “I led this cleaning campaign with a view to handing over the beauty of nature to the coming genera

Here's an interesting article about the K2, second highest peak on earth and a major climbing challenge. Is it big enough to turn hard core enemies into climbing mates? Read more...

Finally, Katahdin Dover thru-hiker completes amazing 2,175-mile journey By FRANK BODANI Daily Record/Sunday News ALONG THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL — He stepped out of the thick tangle of shrubs and pines and into a strange, cold world. Winds blew 25 mph and more. Wispy, white clouds blew right through Smiling Joe McMaster and then disappeared, like haunting ghosts. He was so high in the mountains, above the tree line even, that clouds actually blew below him. The Dover hiker pulled himself over boulders and walked through a giant field of rocks. He brushed past small clumps of red and green grasses and tiny white flowers, the only things that seemed to live on this blustery mountain in central Maine. It was cold enough — on Aug. 17 — to numb hands and sting ears on the top of Mount Katahdin, the 5,267-foot-high peak that marks the final steps of the Appalachian Trail. McMaster pushed up one last hill and then he was there, at the wooden sign that greets those who have hiked all 2,175 miles o

Seven Summits Here's the remarkable story of Danielle Fisher, 20, who summited the Seven Summits. Young climber modest about her feat in expedition climbing By MELANTHIA MITCHELL Associated Press Writer SEATTLE (AP) - The climbers who routinely rack up firsts on the world's tallest peaks are an elite group, grounded by memories of those whose lives and hopes were lost on snowy summits. But the petite woman who this summer became the youngest person to scale the highest peaks on all seven continents did so almost on a whim. Danielle Fisher, 20, summited Mount Everest in the early morning hours of June 2, conquering the Seven Summits in three years. The soft-spoken redhead is modest about her feat, but veterans of the sport say she's spearheading a new generation of female climbers. ``I definitely think she's more of an inspiration than she thinks,'' said David C. Morton, a mountain guide with Seattle-based Alpine Ascents International, which led the expeditions o

Hitting the John Muir Trail By MIKE MORRIS On our way to hike Mount Whitney last summer, a friend and I picked up a hitchhiker in Bishop, on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada mountains. "Whatever you do, don't ever hike the JMT," warned Pete, the exhausted hitchhiker. Known among backpackers as the JMT, the 212-mile John Muir Trail runs from Yosemite Valley south to Mount Whitney — the highest point in the contiguous United States. The trail goes through three national parks, two national forest wilderness areas, a national monument and seven California counties. >> More

Here's an article by the Associated Press where they announce that outdoor sports enthusiast in New Hampshire may soon have to pay for their activities. Hikers, birders may pay in N.H. September 18, 2005 The Associated Press CONCORD, N.H. — Hikers, kayakers and bird watchers in New Hampshire soon may have to pay fees to help the Fish and Game Department raise $5 million and avoid a fiscal crisis. For decades, the agency has financed its operating budget solely on revenue from hunting and fishing licenses, but Executive Director Lee Perry said fewer people during the last 10 years have been hunting and fishing, while more are kayaking, hiking, birdwatching, and doing other outdoor activities that carry no fees. Fish and Game officials and the Fish and Game Commission are reviewing several possible options, including assessing new fees for answering bear nuisance calls to asking the Legislature to appropriate more money in the state budget, said Fish and Game Commissioner Ted Tichy o

Another bear attack! The two hikers were lucky, only one of them got relatively minor injuries. When the grizzly attacked they did the right thing. The incident also shows how important it is to carry bear (pepper) spray in a holster on the belt. Erich A. Bear attacks Bismarck man Two hikers attacked by Yellowstone grizzly BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) - A grizzly bear attacked two hikers in Yellowstone National Park, but the men escaped serious injury, the National Park Service says. Pat McDonald, 52, of Bismarck, N.D., and Gerald Holzer, 51, of Northfield, Minn., were hiking on a trail near Shoshone Lake in the park's southern section Wednesday when they noticed fresh bear scat, officials said in a written statement. They decided to continue, but were charged by a grizzly bear "at full stride" about a quarter-mile further along the trail, the release said.Holzer, who was in front, sidestepped the bear. McDonald stepped behind some trees and dropped to the ground, officials said.

I just updated the news section of my web site OutdoorSportsAdviser.com. Read more about one of the scariest backpacking related movies coming up. Erich A.

Recognition for Bob Pettigrew Congratulations to Bob Pettigrew, who has received the CCPR Emeritus Award for a lifetime’s contribution to mountaineering and recreation, both through service to the CCPR and other bodies, and as a participant. He was presented with the award by His Royal Highness Prince Philip at St. James’ Palace. Bob is an Honorary Member of the BMC, and was BMC President from 1976 to 1979, helping to establish it in Manchester following its move from London in 1975. He is also the current President of the UIAA Access & Conservation Commission. Click here for more info.

Jim Fitzpatrick LTVNews.com Monday, September 12 2005, 3:04PM The Voyageur Trail Association is bringing a key component to its operation into the 21st century. MPP David Orazietti announced that the Association will receive a $25,000 grand from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to support the revision of its Trail Guidebook. The one-year funding will help produce fully digitized maps of the trail route, set up a website, produce CD’s containing maps and trail coordinates and cover printing costs of the 4th edition of the Association’s Guidebook. The new edition is scheduled for release in spring 2006. Click here to read full article.

Hiking with Rover Hitting the backcountry with dogs may be fun, but owners have some responsibilities as complaints increase By J.K. Perry EAGLE COUNTY - Murphy, a yellow Labrador, fell into the mouth of an abandoned well two years ago hiking a snow field near Camp Hale. The dog, now 4 years old, disappeared 40 yards ahead of master Kam Rope. Murphy had crashed through pieces of timber before splashing into the icy water below. Rope rushed to the well, dropping to her stomach to rescue Murphy. >> More

Hiking Gear: Packing Tips Hiking is simple, affordable, healthy and emotionally rewarding way to spend a vacation or a long weekend – and you don't need to visit a travel agent. More and more people enjoy the simple, wholesome fun of hiking. Hiking is simple, affordable, healthy and emotionally rewarding way to spend a vacation or a long weekend – and you don’t need to visit a travel agent. Experienced hikers will always tell you that there are no little or disregarded details when you pack the hiking gear, especially tents and camping stoves. Even the little mistake in your hiking equipment may result in injury or at least in discomfort and general negative experience. To fully enjoy your hiking trip you must prepare beforehand. Right hiking gear and clothing, properly and economically packed backpack, positive mood and good fitness – all these elements of a hiking trip are equally important. Click here to read full article.

Itching to get active? Join the club. Kayaking, hiking, skydiving and more await Jeff Gaer steadies a kayak, encouraging a fledgling paddler into the teetering plastic craft. "The big thing is get your butt in the boat first," he coaxes. "If you put your feet in first, you'll kick the boat out from under you." The rookie paddler swings aboard, grabs her double-bladed paddle and glides away from the Texas Rowing Center. In another half-hour, she's lolling under the Congress Avenue Bridge, one of 15 kayakers from Hill Country Outdoors who have opted to mix exercising and socializing, watching a stream of flapping bats emerge. Austin is a great place for people who are active and love the outdoors. But what if you don't know anyone who wants to get out and enjoy the city the same way you do? You join a group like this, which offers an ever-changing menu of muscle-flexing activities. Click here for full article

A backpacking journey with friends and family helps Anne Arthur realize a dream she shared with her late husband. By David Barton -- Bee Staff Writer When she set out to hike 200 miles of the John Muir Trail, Anne Arthur, 57, wasn't aiming to make a statement. She just wanted to go on a hike, the kind she and her husband had planned to do. "We'd been trying to get back to backpacking," she says of her hiking plans with her husband of 22 years, Jeff. "It was an activity in which we both felt alive; it was something that we shared." But that was before Jeff, 58, died unexpectedly last November. And before Anne was forced to think about her life and her dreams in a new light. "When you lose somebody, you start acting on your dreams," she says at her home in midtown Sacramento. "It refocuses everything in your life, and you decide, 'If I'm going to do it, I'm going to do it now.' Because you don't know how you're going to f

Canton Observer - Tracy from Port Huron e-mails asking whether hiking downhill has any real known health benefits. Did you know that taking a downhill track can actually help you gain momentum on several important health fronts? Downhill hiking is especially effective at reducing blood sugar levels while also lowering glucose tolerance, which in turn helps lower bad cholesterol levels. On the other hand, uphill hiking is great for lowering body fat and dangerous triglycerides. Click here for full article.

Here's a story about a hiker whos last request was that his cremated remains get spread across 315 peaks. Charlie Whitmore died of pancreatic cancer, he was 79. The story touched me since my father died of the same desease two years ago. Like Charlie he too was a lifelong outdoors man and avid alpinist. Erich A. ************** Hiker works to fulfill friend's dying wish Club member had wanted his cremated remains spread across 315 peaks Doug Kreutz Arizona Daily TUCSON - Charlie Whitmore, lying on his deathbed, pulled his old hiking buddy close and made a last request. It was a doozy. "Charlie got this sly look on his face," said Richard Kane, a longtime friend who had trekked to many summits with Whitmore. "And then he said, 'I want you to put my ashes on all the original 315 peaks I climbed.' " >> Click here for full article >>

Today I post a report from my wife, Gina. I’m proud that she and thousands of other women and men walked two days and 60 kilometers (that’s more than 37 miles) through the streets of Montreal, Quebec, for a good cause: To raise money for The Week-End to End Breast Cancer. You’ll find some great tips on how to avoid getting blisters on your feet. And what you can do after getting blisters. If you’d like to make a donation, just click on the headline or click the link on below the article. Erich A. The Walk of My Life Copyright 2005 By Gina Abate-Angermayr Boy, did I learn a valuable lesson. This past weekend, I walked the Walk to end all walks. In 48 hours, I walked 60 kilometers (37 miles) through the neighbourhoods of Montreal, Quebec with 3,000 (!) other women & men. We had all committed to raise a minimum of $2000.00 each. Proceeds went to the Montreal Jewish General Segal Cancer Institute to help find a cure for breast cancer. It was the Week-End to End Breast Cancer . It was

An exclusive interview Newlyweds were first to discover, treat, bear victims By CHRIS PETERSON Hungry Horse News As Jim and Kathy Knapp hiked up the Grinnell Glacier Trail last Thursday, the honeymooners thought they heard the cry of a distant bird. Or perhaps a coyote or other creature. It sounded like a screech at first. As they made their way up the trail the sound came clearer. More distinct. More true. Bone chilling. >>Full Story>>