The WildeBeat

Thu, Dec 20, 2007

Baking in the Sun

Posted at 09:00

/shows/skills [link ]

This skills program is a piece of cake. Well, really it's about baking a cake, in camp, without a fire or a stove.

Steve returns to visit the kitchen of backcountry cooking author Linda Frederick Yaffe. Ms. Yaffe is the author of the books Backpack Gourmet, Solar Cooking for Home and Camp, High Trail Cookery, and The Well Organized Camper.

Our guest backpack gourmet gives us an introduction to baking a cake with a homemade solar oven. Without fuel or fire, she bakes a delicious gingerbread cake. Find out how you can make these kind of fun foods yourself on your backcountry trips. She offers to tell us about a more packable solar oven in a future program.

Ms. Yaffe mentions the non-profit organization, Solar Cookers International, which she recommends as a source for appropriate cook pots and pans. Follow the supplemental information link below to get the complete recipe and pictures of her cooker and the cake.

• Show number 117 [MP3 format; length 9:51; 2,369,058 bytes]
• Show number 117 extended stereo version [MP3 format; length 10:23; 9,981,774 bytes]
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Thu, Dec 13, 2007

Camping Together

Posted at 09:00

/shows/skills [link ]

This skills program provides some ideas on how to have a romantic camping trip. Outdoors folks have this image of being tough, and of facing risky challenges in adverse situations. But there's also a softer, warmer type of outdoor adventure.

Steve talks with Michelle Waitzman, the author of the book, Sex in a Tent: A Wild Couple's Guide to Getting Naughty in Nature. Michelle talks about how to look for an outdoorsy partner. She tells the story of author Kathleen Meyer's search for the perfect match.

How do you get a less outdoorsy sweetie into your tent? And what are some of the benefits to your relationship if you do? Michelle retells some of the stories she gathered for her book.

We had to edit out some of the interview from this G-rated version. WildeBeat members can download those portions from our WildeBeat Insiders web pages.

Michelle invites you to share your stories about romance in the wilderness on her blog, Love in a Tent. We invite you to share your wilderness love stories by calling our toll-free comment line at 866-590-7373.

• Show number 116 [MP3 format; length 9:53; 2,373,759 bytes]
• Show number 116, extended version [MP3 format; length 11:31; 5,531,133 bytes]
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Thu, Nov 29, 2007

Urban Girls Gone Wild

Posted at 09:00

/shows/skills [link ]

This skills program is an introduction to how life-long urbanites can discover camping. What happens when you take a city girl to the woods?

Steve interviews Heather Menicucci, the author of Let's Get Primitive, The Urban Girl's Guide to Camping. Heather talks about the boyfriend who seduced her with the outdoors, how she made the transition from neurotic New Yorker to nature girl, and some of the things you need to know to get out of the concrete jungle and into the primeval forest.

What is pastoral paranoia, and how do you cure it? Heather Menicucci says that it's all in getting a dose of nature and discovering what you've been missing.

Heather invites you to share your fears about getting out of the city and into the wilderness at her blog, Let's Get Primitive. We invite you to share your story about how you got out of the city and discovered camping and nature by calling our toll-free comment line at 866-590-7373.

• Show number 114 [MP3 format; length 9:54; 2,380,451 bytes]
• Show number 114, extended version [MP3 format; length 15:15; 7,326,689 bytes]
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• Show number 114 script, extended version

Thu, Nov 08, 2007

Reprise: Indoor Snow Camping

Posted at 09:00

/shows/skills [link ]

This skills program presents a way to try snow-camping without actually sleeping on the snow, but rather in a rustic backcountry ski hut. This is a reprise of our program number 69 of December 14, 2006.

Steve starts out at a volunteer maintenance work-party at the Sierra Club's Bradley Hut in the Tahoe National Forest. We hear from Dick Simpson, the volunteer coordinator for the four huts in the Sierra Club's system.

Steve then talks to Howard Weamer, the Hut Master of the Ostrander Lake Hut in Yosemite National Park. He wraps up by talking to Ben Dodge, the Executive Director of the Tenth Mountain Division Hut Association in Colorado. Ben mentions Vance's Cabin as being a typical hut in the system.

• Show number 111 [MP3 format; length 9:59; 2,398,848 bytes]
• Show number 111, extended high-fidelity stereo [MP3 format; length 11:41; 11,220,616 bytes]
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Thu, Nov 01, 2007

Creatures of the Night, part 2

Posted at 09:00

/shows/skills [link ]

This skills program is part 2 of a look at how to appreciate bats in the wild. (Part one is here.)

We hear from Curt Black, a technical advisor for the nonprofit group, Bats Northwest. We join Curt on one of his evening bat walks, recorded in Seattle's Green Lake Park, on August 11th, 2007. Curt demonstrates the electronic equipment he uses to listen to the ultrasonic echolocation calls that bats produce. He identifies the call of a silver-haired bat. Afterwards, he talks about how we can watch and listen to bats on our own wilderness adventures.

Curt indicated that the level of environmental threats to bats are unknown. We don't know enough about them to know whether they are endangered. We do know that forestry practices and pesticide use is adversely affecting their populations. You can find more information on the web site of the Bat Conservation International organization.

WildeBeat members can download a bonus recording of an entire evening bat walk from the WildeBeat Insider web site.

• Show number 110 [MP3 format; length 9:57; 2,391,327 bytes]
• Combined show numbers 109 & 110, high-fidelity stereo [MP3 format; length 18:25; 17,695,627 bytes]
• Show number 110 script
• Show numbers 109 & 110 combined script

Thu, Oct 25, 2007

Creatures of the Night, part 1

Posted at 09:00

/shows/skills [link ]

This skills program is part one of a Halloween look at how to appreciate those mysterious flying, furry mammals that dominate the night sky. What do we really know about them, and how can we learn more about them?

Steve talks with Curt Black from Seattle, an expert on certain mammals of the order Chiroptera, who tells us why they're fascinating. Curt dispels some common myths that often cause people to fear them.

We also hear briefly from Dave Smith, an expert on safety around animals such as bears and cougars, who we interviewed in our show number 80, Fighting Animal Terror. Dave has his own reaction to these nocturnal creatures.

How can you go bat-watching? What's the best way to watch bats in your own favorite wilderness? Find out next week, in part two.

• Show number 109 [MP3 format; length 9:59; 2,390,801 bytes]
• Show number 109 script

Thu, Sep 20, 2007

It's Soup

Posted at 09:00

/shows/skills [link ]

This skills program is a guide to cooking and dehydrating a gourmet bouillabaisse soup for your backcountry trips. A lot of people think you can't take food this good on the trail.

Steve visited the kitchen of backcountry cooking author Linda Frederick Yaffe. Ms. Yaffe is the author of the books Backpack Gourmet, Solar Cooking for Home and Camp, High Trail Cookery, and The Well Organized Camper.

Our guest backpack gourmet gives us an introduction to dehydrating our own meals from gourmet recipes and ingredients. Listen to this show, and learn how to make four servings of delicious soup fit in a small plastic bag weighing four ounces per serving.

Follow the supplemental information link, below, to get the complete recipe, and pictures of the soup.

We'll hear more from Linda Frederick Yaffe in a future program. WildeBeat members can download a longer extended version of the interview from the WildeBeat Insider web site.

• Show number 104 [MP3 format; length 9:54; 2,380,776 bytes]
• Show number 104 extended stereo version [MP3 format; length 12:59; 12,472,408 bytes]
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• Supplemental information...

Thu, Aug 09, 2007

What's in Sierra Water?

Posted at 09:00

/shows/skills [link ]

This skills program is an interview about backcountry water quality in general, and about California's Sierra Nevada in particular.

Steve interviewed Dr. Robert Derlet. Dr. Derlet is a professor of emergency medicine at the University of California Davis Medical Center in Sacramento. Dr. Derlet is also a recognized researcher and expert on the quality of backcountry water in the Sierra Nevada. His latest paper on the subject is titled, Coliform bacteria in Sierra Nevada wilderness lakes and streams: what is the impact of backpackers, pack animals, and cattle?.

In this interview, Dr. Derlet talks about how he tests water quality, what kinds of problems lurk in our water, about the various purification treatments for backcountry water, and some tips on choosing a good water source.

We'll hear more from Dr. Derlet in a future program. WildeBeat members can download a longer extended version of the interview from the WildeBeat Insider web site.

• Show number 98 [MP3 format; length 9:45; 2,341,326 bytes]
• Show number 98 script

Thu, Jul 19, 2007

Leave No Trace Revisited

Posted at 09:00

/shows/skills [link ]

This skills program presents the Leave No Trace skills for minimizing our impact on wilderness areas. This is a remix of our show number 4 of July 18, 2005.

Steve encountered hikers on the trail last week in the Lassen National Forest, and tested them on their knowledge of Leave No Trace principles. Then we replay portions of our 2005 interview with Ben Lawhon, the education director of the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. Ben quizzes Steve on his low-impact wilderness skills.

The Leave No Trace organization offers hundreds of training classes around the country, ranging from two hour introductions to week-long master classes. They have partnerships with parks, equipment manufacturers, commercial outfitters, major media outlets, and small non-profit organizations like ours. Check the training schedule on their web site for opportunities to learn these minimum impact skills from a qualified volunteer.

• Show number 95 [MP3 format; length 9:53; 2,372,217 bytes]
• Show number 95, high-quality stereo version [MP3 format; length 9:53; 9,485,681 bytes]
• Show number 95 script

Thu, Jul 12, 2007

Reprise: 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? This is a reprise of our show number 48, first presented on June 29, 2006.

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.

• Show number 94 [MP3 format; length 9:55; 2,383,824 bytes]
• Show number 94, extended version [MP3 format; length 11:09; 5,361,265 bytes]
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Thu, May 24, 2007

Using All Fours, part 2

Posted at 09:00

/shows/skills [link ]

This skills program is part 2 of our look at the science and skills, myths and fact around trekking poles. Is hiking with poles a trendy gimmick, or a valuable skill?

Julianne Abendroth-Smith talks about the results of research into the effects on the body of hiking with trekking poles. She's a biomechanics professor at Willamette University in Salem Oregon.

We hear from Jayah Faye Paley, an author and educator, and co-host of an educational DVD, POLES for Hiking, Trekking & Walking. Jayah's web site, Adventure Buddies, provides more information about her educational products and services. Jayah describes basic skills for using trekking poles.

Trekking poles can have a destructive effect on the trails that shoes alone don't have. Ben Lawhon, the education director of the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, talks about those effects.

Members of the WildeBeat can download an additional bonus segment, featuring Jayah Faye Paley in a beginner's tutorial about proper pole use. Look for the link in our insiders newsletter.

• Show number 87 [MP3 format; length 9:47; 2,350,799 bytes]
• Show number 86 & 87, combined version [MP3 format; length 17:44; 8,520,813 bytes]
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• Show number 86 & 87 combined script

Thu, May 17, 2007

Using All Fours, part 1

Posted at 17:00

/shows/skills [link ]

This skills program is part 1 of our look at the science and skills, myths and fact around trekking poles. Is hiking with poles a trendy gimmick, or a valuable skill?

Steve talks to Julianne Abendroth-Smith of Willamette University in Salem Oregon. She's a biomechanics professor studying the physics of hiking, and how hiking with various poles and walking sticks affect the body.

Steve talks to Jayah Faye Paley, an author and educator, and co-host of an educational DVD, POLES for Hiking, Trekking & Walking. Jayah's web site, Adventure Buddies, provides more information about her educational products and services.

We'll hear more from Julianne Abrendroth-Smith and Jayah Faye Paley in part two. We'll find out Jayah's techniques for using poles, and about what science says about those techniques.

• Show number 86 [MP3 format; length 9:55; 2,399,454 bytes]
• Show number 86 script

Thu, Mar 15, 2007

Fighting Animal Terror

Posted at 09:00

/shows/skills [link ]

This skills program looks at how to handle potentially dangerous animals in the wilderness. How afraid of them do you really need to be? Is this something that should prevent you from getting into the wilderness?

Steve interviews Dave Smith, a former backcountry caretaker at Yellowstone National Park, and the author of two books, Don't Get Eaten, The Dangers of Animals that Charge or Attack, and Backcountry Bear Basics, the Definitive Guide to Avoiding Unpleasant Encounters. Dave talks about ways to handle bear, cougar, and large herd-animal encounters.

Two great sources of information about bears are the Sierra Interagency Black Bear Group, and the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee. Also, check out our earlier edition titled Keeping Bears Hungry.

• Show number 80 [MP3 format; length 9:59; 2,399,454 bytes]
• Show number 80, extended version [MP3 format; length 15:53; 7,627,402 bytes]
• Show number 80 script

Thu, Mar 08, 2007

Counting Up Essentials, part 2

Posted at 09:00

/shows/skills [link ]

This skills program is the second half of a look at the ten essentials. Are there ten, and why are they essentials?

Since it's mysterious introduction by the Mountaineers early in the twentieth century, the 10 Essentials have been the list that everyone should know, and few could recite with certainty. In this edition, Doug Ritter, the executive director of the Equipped To Survive Foundation, and Amy Racina, author of the book Angels in the Wilderness, compare notes on some of their ideas of the 10 essentials. Amy finishes her story about her rescue from a life-threatening emergency in a remote location of Kings Canyon National Park. Doug completes his list of the Ten Essentials.

There's additonal information about the ten essentials, and a bonus audio clip, under the To find out more... link, below.

• Show number 79 [MP3 format; length 9:57; 2,391,427 bytes]
• Combined shows number 78 & 79, high-fidelity stereo [MP3 format; length 20:47; 19,968,905 bytes]
• Show number 79 script
• Show number 78 & 79, combined script
• To find out more...

Thu, Mar 01, 2007

Counting Up Essentials, part 1

Posted at 09:00

/shows/skills [link ]

This skills program is the first half of a look at the ten essentials. Are there ten, and why are they essentials?

Since it's mysterious introduction by the Mountaineers early in the twentieth century, the 10 Essentials have been the list that everyone should know, and few could recite with certainty. In this edition, Doug Ritter, the executive director of the Equipped To Survive Foundation, and Amy Racina, author of the book Angels in the Wilderness, compare notes on some of their ideas of the 10 essentials.

Next week, in part two, we'll finish Doug's list, and you'll find out what happened to Amy.

• Show number 78 [MP3 format; length 9:48; 2,354,179 bytes]
• Show number 78 script

Thu, Feb 01, 2007

Reprise: Staying On Top of the Snow

Posted at 09:00

/shows/skills [link ]

This skills program is a reprise of our February 2nd, 2006 introduction to avalanche safety.

Gary Bard, an avalanche safety instructor for Mountain Adventure Seminars, talks about easy ways to stay out of avalanches, and describes a rescue. Brandon Schwartz of the Sierra Avalanche Center talks about avalanche forecasting and the Snow Condition Report. Tom Murphy, of the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE), talks about avalanche safety education.

There's a lot of additonal information about avalanche-related organizations, and avalanche safety, under the To find out more... link, below.

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• Show number 74, extended version [MP3 format; length 12:55; 6,203,212 bytes]
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• To find out more...

Thu, Jan 18, 2007

History of Backcountry Skiing

Posted at 09:00

/shows/skills [link ]

This skills program is a look at the evolution and history of the sport of backcountry ski touring in California.

Howard Weamer, who also appeared in edition #69: Indoor Snow Camping, has been the keeper or master of the backcountry ski hut at Ostrander Lake in Yosemite National Park for 33 years. Over that time, and in his formative years before, Howard saw tremendous changes in the sport of backcountry skiing. Howard talks about some of those changes, and his experiences in the early days of backcountry skiing in California.

• Show number 72 [MP3 format; length 9:45; 2,342,058 bytes]
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Thu, Dec 14, 2006

Indoor Snow Camping

Posted at 09:00

/shows/skills [link ]

This skills program presents a way to try snow-camping without actually sleeping on the snow, but rather in a rustic backcountry ski hut.

Steve starts out at a volunteer maintenance work-party at the Sierra Club's Bradley Hut in the Tahoe National Forest. We hear from Dick Simpson, the volunteer coordinator for the four huts in the Sierra Club's system.

Steve then talks to Howard Weamer, the Hut Master of the Ostrander Lake Hut in Yosemite National Park. He wraps up by talking to Ben Dodge, the Executive Director of the Tenth Mountain Division Hut Association in Colorado. Ben mentions Vance's Cabin as being a typical hut in the system.

• Show number 69 [MP3 format; length 9:53; 2,373,823 bytes]
• Show number 69, extended high-fidelity stereo [MP3 format; length 11:35; 11,123,274 bytes]
• Show number 69 script

Thu, Nov 30, 2006

Reprise: A Winter Storm Warning

Posted at 09:00

/shows/skills [link ]

This skills program is a reprise of show numbers 15 and 16, first posted on October 20th, 2005. It's the story of backpacker Mike Bargetto and his three relatives, who started out on a casual autumn backpacking trip in October of 2004. The weather was pleasant when they arrived at their Rae Lake camp site, in California's John Muir Wilderness.

Unfortunately, the weather changed drastically, and their only hope was a rescue. The rescue team was lead by Lieutenant Phil Caporale, of the Fresno County Sheriff's Search and Rescue unit. He and Mike tell the story of the rescue from both perspectives.

See the supplemental information link, below, to learn about how you can be better prepared for unexpected mountain storms, and how to stay safe in such conditions. Follow that link, as well, for a bonus audio clip of our interview with Lieutenant Phil Caporale, with his final analysis of Mike and his companion's predicament.

• Show number 67 [MP3 format; length 9:51; 2,367,487 bytes]
• Show number 67, extended version [MP3 format; length 11:47; 5,660,704 bytes]
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• Supplemental information

Thu, Nov 16, 2006

Backcountry Home Cooking

Posted at 09:00

/shows/skills [link ]

This skills program illustrates how easy it is to prepare your own home-cooked meals in the backcountry. Though the commercially-packaged foods are very convenient, you could save money and get exactly what you like by making your own.

Steve demonstrates how to make one of his favorite pre-packaged dried meals, a vegetarian spaghetti. We also hear from:

• John Garrett of Enertia Trail Foods.
• Roberta Cobb, who also appeared in our edition number 2, A Gathering of Long Distance Hikers.
• Mary Howley Ryan, the nutritional advisor for the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). She also appeared in edition numbers 51, 52, & 64.

See the supplemental information link, below, for the text of that recipe, and links to sources of dried ingredients. If you're looking for more recipes, Backpack Gear Test reviewed backcountry cookbooks in our edition number 9, Backpacking Cookbook Reviews.

• Show number 65 [MP3 format; length 9:58; 2,396,648 bytes]
• Show number 65, extended high-fidelity stereo [MP3 format; length 10:49; 10,388,822 bytes]
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• Supplemental information

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License. (Details)