The WildeBeat

Thu, Nov 09, 2006

Fast Food for the Backcountry

Posted at 09:00

/shows/skills [link ]

This skills program is a look at the dehydrated food options for backcountry travelers. What goes into making these things? Are they real food? Are they good food and good for you?

Steve talks to three manufacturers of dehydrated meals:

• Don Gearing, president of TyRy, Inc. They manufacture Alpine Aire, Richmoor, and Natural High brands of dehydrated meals.
• Melanie Cornutt, assistant manager of retail products for Oregon Freeze Dry. They manufacture the Mountain House brand of dehydrated meals.
• John Garrett, a co-founder of Enertia Trail Foods.

Mary Howley Ryan, the nutritional advisor for NOLS wraps up the story with her take on the value of fast food for backcountry travelers.

Other dehydrated food manufacturers include (in alphabetical order):

• Adventure Foods
• Backpacker's Pantry
• Cache Lake
• Mary Jane's Farm

Many of these companies use the freeze drying process to preserve their foods. It's a rather complicated, energy-intensive process requiring expensive equipment. Other manufacturers use a more simple heat and dehumidified-air dehydrating process.

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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]
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• 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]
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Thu, Jul 20, 2006

Pooch-Packing

Posted at 09:00

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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]
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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]
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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]
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• 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]
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• 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.

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Thu, May 11, 2006

Getting Fit Feet, part 2

Posted at 09:00

/shows/skills [link ]

This skills program is part two of an interview with John Vonhof, the author of Fixing Your Feet. Your feet are your main means of transportation on most wilderness adventures. Some people suffer after a relatively short distance, while others have walked thousands of miles without problems. So how do you keep your feet in top working order?

John explains how to manage hot spots before blisters appear on your feet. In case that fails, he goes into quite a bit of detail about how to treat blisters after they appear. He talks about the article he wrote for Backpackinglight magazine about his 1.5 ounce foot care kit. He talks about people who have been very successful at walking thousands of miles without foot problems, and talks about a forthcoming update of his book.

If you want to know more, John publishes the Fixing Your Feet E-zine, and maintains the Happy Feet weblog.

• Show number 41 [MP3 format; length 9:46; 2,346,551 bytes]
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• John Vonhof extended interview [MP3 format; length 39:01; 4,683,465 bytes]

Thu, May 04, 2006

Getting Fit Feet, Part 1

Posted at 09:00

/shows/skills [link ]

This skills program is part one of an interview with John Vonhof, the author of Fixing Your Feet. Your feet are your main means of transportation on most wilderness adventures. Some people suffer after a relatively short distance, while others have walked thousands of miles without problems. So how do you keep your feet in top working order?

John talks about what motivated him to write his book. He talks about how to choose and fit your shoes properly, how to tell if a shoe is going to cause you problems. He talks about some of the foot problems you can prevent from the start.

In next week's edition, John will talk more about fixing particular problems you might have with your feet.

• Show number 40 [MP3 format; length 9:46; 2,345,853 bytes]
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Thu, Apr 27, 2006

Birdwatching 101

Posted at 09:00

/shows/skills [link ]

This skills program is an introduction to birdwatching. The wildlife you're most likely to see on any wilderness outing are birds, and they're certainly more interesting if you can tell them apart.

In this edition, we hear from Shana Stearn of BirderBabes.com. Shana taught Birdwatching 101 at the Godwit Days Spring Migration Bird Festival in Arcata, California. Arcata can claim to be one of the top birding locations in the country.

Shana talks about her Seven S's of bird identification: Shade, shape, silhouette, signs, sounds, sweep, and surroundings. She explains the gear you need to get started, and some other tips for beginning birdwatchers. Shana's web site, BirderBabes.com has large collection of bird watching reference information.

• Show number 39 [MP3 format; length 9:30; 2,281,767 bytes]
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Thu, Apr 13, 2006

Calling for Help

Posted at 09:00

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This skills program is an overview of some of the ways you can call for help from the wilderness. Have you ever thought about how you'd get help if you needed it? Out of all the different ways you could let somebody know about your situation, some of them work better than others.

Steve talks about simple signaling techniques, like whistles, signal mirrors, and smoke signals, and then discusses various phones and radio technologies. He talks to Caroline Semerdjian at Sprint-Nextel. She mentions a page to find out their network coverage by zip-code. We replay a comment by Sgt. Phil Caporale of the Fresno County Sheriff's search and rescue unit from A Winter Storm Warning (our editions #15 & #16), where he talks about problems with satellite phones.

Steve talks to Bill Jeffrey about amateur (or "ham") radio. Bill created and maintains a web site called the Pacific Crest Trail Repeater Guide. Bill talks about a time when amateur radio communications saved him from a difficult situation in Kings Canyon National Park.

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• To find out more...

Thu, Mar 23, 2006

Desert Backpacking Tips

Posted at 09:00

/shows/skills [link ]

This skills program is an introduction to desert backpacking skills. Steve talks to Steve Tabor of the Berkeley, California based group, The Desert Survivors.

Steve Tabor dispels some of the fears people have about desert wilderness travel. He shares his considerable experience about gear, water management, and plants and animals in the desert. We'll hear more from Steve Tabor in a future program.

• Show number 34 [MP3 format; length 9:55; 2,381,346 bytes]
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Thu, Mar 16, 2006

Wilderness Rescuing

Posted at 09:00

/shows/skills [link ]

This skills program explores opportunities to volunteer as a wilderness search and rescue responder. Steve interviews John Chang of BAMRU, Tim Kovacs of MRA, and Kathy Miller of NASAR. They talk about how you can make a rescuer's job easier if you should ever need them. They talk about the challenges and rewards of joining a search and rescue team. (Hint: There are few better ways to build your wilderness skills.)

If you're curious about technical mountain rescue, take a look at the Mountain Rescue Association (MRA). Their Team Information page lists all of their affiliated teams.

If you're not in a mountainous area or are curious about less technical search and rescue teams, take a look at the National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR). Many of their affiliated units are listed on their Links page.

In our edition #16, there's an interview with Sergeant Phil Caporale of the Fresno Country Sheriff's search and rescue unit. He gives some additional advice on being better prepared in case you ever need to be rescued.

• Show number 33 [MP3 format; length 9:58; 2,395,452 bytes]
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Thu, Feb 09, 2006

Wilderness First Aid Training

Posted at 09:00

/shows/skills [link ]

This skills program is a mini wilderness first aid class. Bobbie Foster of Foster Calm is a wilderness EMT and professional first aid trainer. She talks us through the most common health problems people encounter on backcountry trips, and what to do about them. She explains the different levels of wilderness first-aid training of interest to non-medical professionals.

Standards for wilderness first aid courses is established by the Wilderness Medical Society. To find wilderness first aid training near you, look for wilderness first aid or wilderness first responder using your favorite search engine. Although there are a lot of good books on wilderness first aid, the most up-to-date volume we know about for non-professional users is Wilderness 911 by Eric Weiss, M.D.

• Show number 29 [MP3 format; length 9:59; 2,396,288 bytes]
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Thu, Feb 02, 2006

Staying On Top of the Snow

Posted at 09:00

/shows/skills [link ]

This skills program is an 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.

• Show number 28 [MP3 format; length 9:59; 2,400,154 bytes]
• Show number 28, extended version [MP3 format; length 12:43; 6,110,063 bytes]
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• To find out more...

Thu, Jan 26, 2006

Really Cool Camping, part 2

Posted at 09:01

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This skills program is an introduction to snow camping by Mike Clelland. Mike is a winter camping instructor for the National Outdoor Leadership School. He's also the illustrator and co-author of Allen & Mike's Really Cool Backcountry Ski Book.

In this part, Mike talks about kitchens, cooking and nutrition, and staying warm at night. Ben Lawhon from the Leave No Trace Center gives some additional tips for low-impact snow camping.

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• To find out more...

Thu, Jan 19, 2006

Really Cool Camping, part 1

Posted at 09:00

/shows/skills [link ]

This skills program is an introduction to snow camping by Mike Clelland. Mike is a winter camping instructor for the National Outdoor Leadership School. He's also the illustrator and co-author of Allen & Mike's Really Cool Backcountry Ski Book.

In this part, Mike talks about clothing, camp site selection, and shelter. Next week in part two, he'll tell you the rest you need to know to get started.

• Show number 26 [MP3 format; length 8:51; 2,125,032 bytes]
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Thu, Dec 01, 2005

Sierra Backcountry Ski Trails

Posted at 09:00

/shows/skills [link ]

This skills program is an interview with Marcus Libkind. Marcus wrote the most comprehensive and widely used trail guides for backcountry ski tours in the Sierra Nevada:

• Ski Tours in the Sierra Nevada, Volume 1: Lake Tahoe
• Ski Tours in the Sierra Nevada, Volume 2: Carson Pass, Bear Valley, Pinecrest
• Ski Tours in the Sierra Nevada, Volume 3: Yosemite, Huntington and Shaver Lakes, Kings Canyon, Sequoia
• Ski Tours in the Sierra Nevada, Volume 4: East of the Sierra Crest
• Ski Tours in Lassen Volcanic National Park

If you want to explore the backcountry on skis, Marcus recommends getting lessons and practice at groomed-track cross-country ski resorts first. The Cross Country Ski Areas Association has a directory of them. One good beginner's guide to winter backcountry skills is Allen & Mike's Really Cool Backcountry Ski Book.

• Show number 21 [MP3 format; length 9:50; 2,360,239 bytes]
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Thu, Nov 03, 2005

Lighten Your Backpack!

Posted at 09:00

/shows/skills [link ]

This skills program explores lightweight backpacking. Ryan Jordan of Backpacking Light: The Magazine of Lightweight Hiking and Backcountry Travel talks about the lightweight backpacking movement.

Steve interviews Don Ladigin, the author of Lighten Up! (A complete handbook for lightweight and ultralight backpacking.).

Here are some other useful sources of information about lightweight backpacking:

• Book: Allen & Mike's Really Cool Backpacking Book by Allen O'Bannon
  If you're new to backpacking, read this before Lighten Up!.
• Book: Beyond Backpacking by Ray Jardine
  The original guide to lightweight backpacking, by one of it's earliest proponents.
• Mailing List: Backpacking light Yahoo Group
  A high-traffic mailing list with a very large subscriber list.

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