Outdoor Sports Blog

10-plus Years Bio Diesel at Yellowstone National Park It’s a known fact that Yellowstone National Park was the world’s first established national park. Less known is the fact that Yellowstone also became the first national park to begin using biodiesel in diesel engines of park vehicles. Yellowstone National Park Environmental Manager Jim Evanoff said: “We’ve reduced by 500 tons the amount of carbon dioxide going into the atmosphere annually.” More information in by Ron Kotrba's article “Biodiesel celebrates 10-plus years at Yellowstone National Park”. (Update 2016-01-23: I removed the link since the article has been removed by the author).

Iron Curtain Hiking Trail A new 6,800 km (4,225 miles) hiking trail is in the works in Europe. The trail will lead from the Barents Sea to the Black Sea, following the “Green Belt” or “Iron Curtain” which once parted the Eastern Block countries from Western Europe. German politician Michael Cramer is the father of the Green Belt idea. “The Iron Curtain, which was the physical and ideological border between two hostile blocks, is no longer a means of division,” Cramer said. “Today it a symbol of a joint experience in a reunified Europe,” he added. Cramer also initiated the “Berlin Wall Trail”, a hiking trail which leads around former West Berlin. Twenty European countries take part in the project. Click here to read the full article by Michael Mueller (BudapestTimes.hu - in English) (Update 2016-1-27: The article has been removed from Budapest Times, therefore I removed the dead link as well).

North Carolina Hiking Do you live in North Carolina, WNC or anywhere nearby? Do you also love hiking in North Carolina in the fall without bugs and enjoy the fall foliage instead? Then the following article by Caren Chavéz is for you. You’ll find information on hiking trails such as *) Coontree Loop Trail (2hours, 3.7 miles round trip) Boogerman Trail (6.7 miles round trip) Devil's Courthouse Hike (1-mile round trip) Skyline-Cliff Trail (1.5-mile round trip) Shining Rock Trail (7 miles round-trip, 7 hours) Hickory Nut Falls Trail (1.5-mile round trip) Cold Mountain summit trail via the Art Loeb Trail (10.5 miles round-trip, 7 hours) Additional recommended resources: http://www.carolinamtnclub.org/ Hiking in Western North Carolina *) Update 2016-1-27: The article by Caren Chavéz has been removed by the Citizen-Times, therefore I removed the dead link as well.

Yosemite National Park I have to share this excellent article from Peter Fimrite (SFGate.com). Peter takes a very close look at the rock climbing scene in Yosemite National Park. Rock climbing has a long tradition in the Yosemite Valley. People go climbing in Yosemite National Park since the valley was discovered by white men in 1851. Read about the men and women who climbed the Nose on El Capitan and many other famous routes. Learn also about the lawsuit that led to Yosemite National Park Camp 4’s designation into the National Register of Historic Places. And finally watch the video of Dan Osman’s speed-climb of the 400 feet (approximately 122 meters) Lover’s Leap. And here are the links: Yosemite’s New Breed of “Rock Rats” – Article by Peter Fimrite of SFGate.com Yosemite Rock Climbing on Amazon.com

Black Diamond Equipment Ltd. of Salt Lake City , Utah voluntary recalled its “Speed Buckle Harness” for mountain and rock climbing as reported by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission. Black Diamond’s “Speed Buckle Harness” could be threaded incorrectly. If that’s the case the webbing starts slipping when loaded. Incorrectly threaded buckles can loosen and cause climbers to slip out of the harness and fall. So far no accidents have been reported. For more details visit: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml06/06234.html On this web page, you’ll also find information on how to contact Black Diamond Equipment Ltd. for a replacement.

Elk County Hiking Tip: The Elk Trail Today I present an article about the “Elk Trail”, a 16 mile (about 26 km) hike in Elk County in the PA Wilds. If you love watching wildlife this hike is for you. Expect to see elk, deer, bears, lots of birds such as pileated woodpeckers, hawks, ravens and others. Listen to the howling of coyotes and the bugling of elk – September is the best time. The following links provide more information: “Walk on the wild side” – Article by Gary Thornbloom about the Elk Trail in the PA Wilds (Update 2016-02-05 The article mentioned above has been removed by the author - therefore I removed the dead link as well. Sorry for the inconvenience). Elk County Hiking

Nepal still has virgin mountains Mount Fishtail (6,997 meters or 22,956 feet), said to be one of the world’s most beautiful mountains is located in Nepal. The attempt to climb the mountain by a British expedition in 1965 failed. Later the Nepal government banned expeditions from climbing the mountain. Mount Fishtail, who is called Machhapuchhre in Nepali because of its fishtail-like shape when looking at the mountain from the south, is still virgin territory. No man ever set foot on the summit. Not too long ago a delegation met the tourism minister of Nepal, urging him to open the mountain for expeditions. But the local population opposes opening Mt Fishtail. The reason is that expeditions carry all their gear and necessities from Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital, leaving little or no advantage to locals. In addition people from the Gurung community worship Machapuchhre as the virgin goddess. They’d prefer to see Mt Fishtail remain a virgin peak. Nepal tourism expert Jhalak Thapa s

The death rate on Mt Everest is still too high. According to the British Medical Journal, the death rate remains for many years at 1 death for every 10 successful attempts to climb the world’s highest mountain. Mount Everest is 8,848 meters or 29,029 feet high. An unofficial report states 15 deaths in 2006 season alone. Dr Andrew Sutherland, Oxford-based surgeon and Mt Everest expedition adviser said there should be a lot fewer deaths due to improved climbing gear, established routes and a better understanding of the need of acclimatisation. Sutherland, who climbed Everest this year from the northern side (Everestmax expedition), said most deaths are caused by injuries and exhaustion but a significant number of climbers die from altitude related illness. There are two major forms of altitude sicknesses, HAPE or high altitude pulmonary oedema and HACE or high altitude cerebral oedema. Both causes build up of fluid in lungs or brain and are potentially fatal. Andrew Sutherland

A BBC News report just came in. The body of two mountaineers who died in an attempt to climb Mont Blanc (4,572 meter or 15,000 feet) in the French Alps have been found – 17 years after. According to a member of the BMC (British Mountaineering Council), it looks like the climbing party sought shelter in a crevasse on Mont Blanc and then got covered with snow and ice possibly by an avalanche. The bodies of the British and German mountaineers had been preserved by the ice and now got freed due to the melting of the glacier. Click here to read the full story: Mont Blanc: “ Dead Climber Found After 17 Years ”