The WildeBeat

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

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

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)

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

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

Thu, Aug 03, 2006

Fueling Yourself, part 2

Posted at 09:00

/shows/skills [link ]

This skills program is part two of an interview with Mary Howley Ryan, the nutritional advisor for NOLS, the National Outdoor Leadership School. She's also the author of the NOLS Nutrition Field Guide.

Mary continues the interview, talking about how to plan food for a wilderness trip, and about some good choices for food. She pointed to a couple of resources, both in the interview and afterwards in e-mail, including:

• 24hourfitness.com offers a calculator to help you determine the number of calories you might need for a trip.
• caloriesperhour.com was mentioned in the interview, but it doesn't give the overall calorie needs for an extended period.
• The NOLS Cookery is used by NOLS outing leaders to learn about cooking in the wilderness.
• Gorp, Glop, and Glue Stew: Favorite Foods for 155 Outdoor Experts by Yvonne Prater is another wilderness cookbook that she likes. While it's out of print, Yvonne Prater's newer book, BEYOND GORP: Favorite Foods from Outdoor Experts, is available.

See below for a bonus clip from the interview. Mary answers some questions about people who don't feel like they can eat in the wilderness, and about the special problems of diabetics and people who suffer from wheat or gluten intolerance.

• Show number 52 [MP3 format; length 9:46; 2,356,059 bytes]
• Show number 52 script
• Mary Howley Ryan bonus clip [MP3 format; length 8:30; 1,020,993 bytes]

Fri, Jul 28, 2006

Fueling Yourself, Part 1

Posted at 13:00

/shows/skills [link ]

This skills program is part one of an interview with Mary Howley Ryan, the nutritional advisor for NOLS, the National Outdoor Leadership School. She's also the author of the NOLS Nutrition Field Guide.

Our body's the engine that powers our wilderness trips. How do we make sure the food we have is enough to support the strength and stamina we need for our travels?

Mary talks about why nutrition is important for wilderness trip meals, and about the most important considerations. She talks about the differences in requirements between shorter and longer trips. Why do people get food cravings on the trail?

In next week's edition, Mary will talk more about planning food for your trips.

• Show number 51 [MP3 format; length 9:52; 2,369,539 bytes]
• Show number 51 script

Thu, Jul 20, 2006

Pooch-Packing

Posted at 09:00

/shows/skills [link ]

This skills program is about taking man's best friend camping in the wilderness. Where can you do it, and what do you need to know before you do?

Steve gets advice from Charlene LaBelle, the author of the Alpine Publications book, A Guide to Backpacking with Your Dog. Charlene was joined in the interview by Iris, a very quiet and well-behaved Alaskan Malamute. She talks about how to know if your dog is suited to backpacking, how to train them, and what you'll need to take.

Ben Lawhon of the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics shares his concerns about problems with dogs in the backcountry, and Laurel Boyers of Yosemite National Park explains why dogs aren't allowed in National Park wilderness areas. Probably the best places to take your dog backpacking are in National Forests.

Another book on the subject is Gary Hoffman's, Hiking with Your Dog. There are several popular web sites on the subject, including Diane Blackman's Hiking and Backpacking with your Dog Links, and the Dog Scouts of America page on Backpacking with Your Dog.

• Show number 50 [MP3 format; length 9:59; 2,400,050 bytes]
• Show number 50, extended high-fidelity stereo [MP3 format; length 10:53; 10,463,735 bytes]
• Show number 50 script

Thu, Jul 13, 2006

Reprise: Wilderness Ranger Experiences

Posted at 09:00

/shows/skills [link ]

This skills program is a reprise of show number 11, first posted on September 22, 2005. It's about the job of being a backcountry ranger in national forest wilderness. It's a frequently romanticized job with lots of responsibility. Three rangers talk candidly about their experiences.

Sendi Kalcic and Brent Carpenter are professional backcountry wilderness rangers who have worked in the Desolation Wilderness of the Eldorado National Forest near Lake Tahoe, California. Amy McElvany is a volunteer wilderness ranger in the Sierra National Forest, working out of the High Sierra Ranger District.

National Parks, National Forests, and many state and local parks offer opportunities for you to volunteer for duty as a backcountry ranger. Amy McElvaney volunteered through a pilot program in cooperation with the High Sierra Volunteer Trail Crew. The site volunteer.gov is another good place to search for opportunities. But probably the best place to find out more is to contact your favorite park or forest, and ask about their respective cooperative volunteer association.

• Show number 49 [MP3 format; length 9:48; 2,355,850 bytes]
• Show number 49, high-fidelity stereo [MP3 format; length 9:48; 9,423,852 bytes]
• Show number 49 script

Thu, Jun 29, 2006

Keeping Bears Hungry

Posted at 09:00

/shows/skills [link ]

This skills program is a look at the arms race between campers and bears in Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. How should you protect your food from bears?

We include excerpts from interviews with Tori Seher, the wildlife biologist in charge of human/bear management at Yosemite National Park, and Laurel Boyers, the Wilderness Manager at Yosemite. They talk about the history of keeping bears from camper's food in the Sierra Nevada, and the destructive effect that human food has on Yosemite's bears. They also give advice on dealing with bear encounters.

You can find out more about bears in the Sierra Nevada and the site SierraWildBear.GOV, which is jointly operated by the park service and the forest service.

The interviews with Tori Seher and Laurel Boyers were recorded for a future show we're still working on. But we thought it would be a good time of the year to remind you to be bear-aware right now. We're taking a travel break, and the next show will be in at least two weeks from now.

• Show number 48 [MP3 format; length 9:57; 2,389,914 bytes]
• Show number 48 script
• Show number 48, extended version [MP3 format; length 11:02; 5,298,177 bytes]

Thu, Jun 22, 2006

Kid's Nature, part 2

Posted at 09:00

/shows/skills [link ]

This skills program is part two of a piece on kids in nature and wilderness. Specifically, why they need it and how to get them into it.

Steve continues an interview with Scott Graham, author of the book, Extreme Kids, How to Connect with Your Children Through Today's Extreme (and Not So Extreme) Outdoor Sports. Scott talks about how parents can get their kids into the wilderness.

Richard Louv, author of the book, Last Child in the Woods, Saving our children from nature deficit disorder, gets in the last word on why this matters.

See below for a bonus clip from the Scott Graham interview. Scott tells the story of a particularly exciting outing with his kids.

• Show number 47 [MP3 format; length 9:46; 2,356,059 bytes]
• Show number 47 script
• Scott Graham bonus clip [MP3 format; length 7:57; 955,830 bytes]

Thu, Jun 15, 2006

Kid's Nature, part 1

Posted at 09:00

/shows/skills [link ]

This skills program is part one of a piece on kids in nature and wilderness. Specifically, why they need it and how to get them into it.

We hear comments by Richard Louv, author of the book, Last Child in the Woods, Saving our children from nature deficit disorder. Richard describes how today's children are being raised mostly indoors, or without contact with the wild and natural world.

Steve begins an interview with Scott Graham, author of the book, Extreme Kids, How to Connect with Your Children Through Today's Extreme (and Not So Extreme) Outdoor Sports. Scott talks about how parents can get their kids into the wilderness.

Next week, in part 2, Steve continues his interview with Scott, and we hear more from Richard Louv.

• Show number 46 [MP3 format; length 9:00; 2,160,664 bytes]
• Show number 46 script

Thu, Jun 08, 2006

Rain Pants Reviewed

Posted at 09:00

/shows/gear [link ]

This gear program presents reviews of three different rain pants models. The reviews are provided by volunteer reviewers from Backpack Gear Test.

Brian Tannehill reviews the Red Ledge Full Zip Rain Pants. Pam Wyant reviews the Big Sky Products Warm-n-Cozy Epic Pants. Kathy Waters reviews the Integral Designs eVENT Rain Pants.

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 45 [MP3 format; length 9:59; 2,397,960 bytes]
• Show number 45 script

Thu, Jun 01, 2006

The Orestimba Wilderness

Posted at 09:00

/shows/wild_places [link ]

This wild places program explores the Orestimba Wilderness of California's Henry W. Coe State Park. This often overlooked state park wilderness is 23,000 acres, and is rarely visted.

Steve rides with backcountry ranger Cameron Bowers on a patrol trip to the wilderness. Volunteer park historian Teddy Goodrich rides along. Along the way they meet Bob Bambauer, a horse camper. They stop for lunch and to talk along Red Creek, in the heart of the wilderness area.

The Pine Ridge Association provides a lot of volunteer help to operate and maintain the park, and they maintain an excellent informational web site. Several years ago, the wilderness area was threatened by a proposal to route a high speed rail line through it.

Traveling into the Orestimba Wilderness is a challenging trip. But no where is California's inter-coastal range so well preserved and undeveloped. And you could have it all to yourself!

• Show number 44 [MP3 format; length 9:59; 2,399,214 bytes]
• Show number 44, extended high-fidelity stereo [MP3 format; length 11:28; 11,017,949 bytes]
• Show number 44 script
• Photo album

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