The WildeBeat

Thu, Jun 19, 2008

Bear Cans Revisited, part 1

Posted at 09:01

/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 give you updates about how the industry grew from these beginnings, and the effect all of this has had on parks, forests, bears, and wilderness visitors. This edition was originally presented on August 24, 2006.

• Show number 143 [MP3 format; length 10:40; 2,561,641 bytes]
• Show number 143 script

Thu, Jun 12, 2008

Modern Rain gear

Posted at 09:00

/shows/gear [link ]

This gear program presents reviews of two rain jackets and a poncho. An important part of keeping warm is keeping dry, and the first part you want to protect is your torso.

Steve Nelson reviews the Antigravitygear Poncho Villa. Gail Staisil reviews the Outdoor Research Celestial Jacket. Jim Sabiston reviews the Integral Designs eVENT Cruiser Jacket.

If you're interested in reviewing for Backpack Gear Test (BGT), read: How to become a tester. Manufacturers provide more gear than the volunteers at BGT can keep up with. By becoming a tester, you can help your fellow wilderness travelers find out what gear will work for them.

• Show number 142 [MP3 format; length 9:57; 2,389,850 bytes]
• Show number 142, extended version [MP3 format; length 12:22; 5,939,060 bytes]
• Show number 142 script

Thu, Jun 05, 2008

First Skills

Posted at 09:00

/shows/skills [link ]

This skills program introduces our series on primitive technologies. You always see cavemen portrayed as stupid and comical. But what do you suppose they knew that you don't?

We hear from Norm Kidder. He's the vice president of the Society of Primitive Technologies. He talks about the society's goal to re-learn, study, and teach stone age skills. Norm explains that using cutting edges and fire were the first technological skills developed by the earliest humans.

In addition to the Society of Primitive Technologies, another source of primitive skills education is the Northern California group, Primitive Ways.

We'll hear more from Norm Kidder in a future edition. The series will continue several weeks from now when we learn the specifics of several primitive skills.

• Show number 141 [MP3 format; length 11:04; 2,636,230 bytes]
• Show number 141 script

Thu, May 29, 2008

A Trace of Training

Posted at 09:00

/shows/skills [link ]

This skills program introduces the Leave No Trace traveling trainers. This couple spreads the word of Leave No Trace, but then they seem to leave a lasting impression.

The Leave no trace Center for Outdoor Ethics teaches skills to help you keep your parks and wilderness areas in their best possible condition. You can minimize your impacts on these place so that others can enjoy them more, and you can enjoy them in the future.

J.D. Tanner and Emily Ressler are this year's senior traveling trainers for Leave No Trace. They'll spend the year touring the country, attending festivals, and presenting classes on Leave No Trace principles to all kinds of people, from grade school students to professional mountain guides.

We'll hear more from J.D and Emily in several future editions.

• Show number 140 [MP3 format; length 11:04; 2,661,110 bytes]
• Show number 140 script

Thu, May 22, 2008

Reprise: Wilderness Deals for Wheels

Posted at 09:00

/shows/wild_places [link ]

This wild places program investigates the relationship of the popular sport of mountain bicycling to wilderness preservation. What do these groups want when they lobby for the protection of wild places?

Steve tells the story with the help of:

• Roger Abeh, a park ranger for the Department of Parks of the City of San Jose, California.
• John Kramer, the acting Wilderness Manager for the Pacific Southwest Region of the National Forest Service.
• Ryan Henson, the policy director for the California Wilderness Coalition.
• Mark Eller, Communications Director for the International Mountain Bicycling Association, also known as IMBA.

A recent point of contention between wilderness groups and mountain bicycling groups was over the establishment of the King Range Wilderness. This wilderness was established in October, 2006, as part of the Northern California Coastal Wild Heritage Wilderness Act.

WildeBeat members can download additional interview clips about responsible mountain bike riding in the backcountry from our WildeBeat Insider web pages.

• Show number 139 [MP3 format; length 12:04; 2,901,244 bytes]
• Show number 139, high-fidelity stereo [MP3 format; length 12:04; 11,601,795 bytes]
• Show number 139 script

Thu, May 15, 2008

Light Lights

Posted at 09:00

/shows/gear [link ]

This gear program presents reviews of LED lanterns and headlamps. In the past few years, the one piece of outdoor gear that's improved most dramatically in performance versus weight is lighting.

Larry Kirschner reviews the Coleman 4AA Pack-Away Lantern. Roger Caffin reviews the Princeton Tec Quad Headlamp. Tim Tessier reviews the Black Diamond Icon Headlamp.

If you're interested in reviewing for Backpack Gear Test (BGT), read: How to become a tester. Manufacturers provide more gear than the volunteers at BGT can keep up with. By becoming a tester, you can help your fellow wilderness travelers find out what gear will work for them.

• Show number 138 [MP3 format; length 9:53; 2,375,323 bytes]
• Show number 138, extended version [MP3 format; length 11:59; 5,760,797 bytes]
• Show number 138 script

Thu, May 08, 2008

Bad Fire, Good Fire, part 2

Posted at 09:00

/shows/wild_places [link ]

This wild places program is part two of a look at the effects of wild fires. Smoky the Bear says, only you can prevent wild fires. But sometimes you can't, and in some ways, that's not all bad. (Part 1 is here.)

Wild fires burned through three major wilderness areas in California late last summer:

• The Dick Smith Wilderness in the Los Padres National Forest was burned by the Zaca Fire.
• The San Rafael Wilderness in the Los Padres National Forest was burned by the Zaca Fire.
• The Orestimba Wilderness in Henry Coe State Park was burned by the Lick Fire.

Steve talks with fire ecologist Jon Keely of the United States Geologic Survey about whether fire irreparably damages wild lands. Winslow Briggs, director emeritus for the Carnagie Institute of Science, is studying the recovery of plants in Henry Coe State Park. He talks about what survived, what's coming back, and how he knows. Jon Keely talks about what to look for when you explore a place that has burned, and some things to discover and appreciate.

WildeBeat members can download extended bonus interviews with Winslow Briggs and Jon Keely from our WildeBeat Insider's web pages.

• Show number 137 [MP3 format; length 9:56; 2,386,410 bytes]
• Combined show numbers 136 & 137 [MP3 format; length 20:44; 19,910,396 bytes]
• Show number 137 script
• Show number 136 & 137 combined script
• Photo Album from Henry Coe S.P.

Thu, May 01, 2008

Bad Fire, Good Fire, part 1

Posted at 09:00

/shows/wild_places [link ]

This wild places program is part one of a look at the effects of wild fires. Smoky the Bear says, only you can prevent wild fires. But sometimes you can't, and in some ways, that's not all bad.

We play a part of a TV news report about a wild fire that burned about half of California's Henry Coe State Park. This park contains the nearest wilderness area to us, the Orestimba Wilderness.

Kathleen Good tells us about the largest of last year's wild fires in California, the Zaca Fire in the Los Padres National Forest, which burned both the Dick Smith Wilderness and the San Rafael Wilderness.

Steve tours the damage at Henry Coe State Park with ranger John Verhoeven.

Ben Lawhon, education director for the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, reminds us about responsible use of fire on backcountry and wilderness outings.

Next week, in part 2, scientists study what happens to a wild place after a fire.

• Show number 136 [MP3 format; length 9:54; 2,378,785 bytes]
• Show number 136 script

Thu, Apr 24, 2008

A Family Hike

Posted at 09:00

/shows/outings [link ]

This outings program tells the story of a 10 year old girl and her parents who went on a hike. With all the emphasis on getting more kids outdoors, it might be helpful to give them a role model. Listen to hear about a great one.

Mary "Scrambler" and her parents, Gary and Barbara, hiked the length of the Pacific Crest Trail in 2004. Their 2,650 mile journey started April 8th, and they were on the trail until October 25th. They talk about preparation for their journey, stories along the trail, and some of the more profound things they got out of the experience.

Barbara Egbert wrote about the adventure, and included photos, copies of Mary's journal, drawings, and more in her book, Zero Days. Gary maintains a web site at pctfamily.com.

• Show number 135 [MP3 format; length 9:58; 2,397,057 bytes]
• Show number 135, extended version [MP3 format; length 13:31; 6,490,972 bytes]
• Show number 135 script

Thu, Apr 17, 2008

Grizzlies in the Mist

Posted at 09:00

/shows/skills [link ]

This skills program takes a look at the latest in safety advice in grizzly bear country. What if the safest way to protect yourself from a grizzly bear was also safer for the bear?

Steve talks to Chris Servheen, the Grizzly Bear Recovery Coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Chris authored several fact sheets on bears, including the most recent, Bear Spray vs. Bullets—which offers better protection?

Chris refers Steve to a scientist who's doing the leading-edge studies on how to most safely handle yourself in grizzly bear habitat. Tom Smith, an Associate Professor of Plant and Wildlife Sciences at Brigham Young University, has studied the entire documented history of bear encounters in North America for the past 120 years. Tom explains why certain deterrents work better than others.

WildeBeat Members can download our entire 40-minute interview with bear researcher Tom Smith from our WildeBeat Insider web pages.

• Show number 134 [MP3 format; length 9:57; 2,391,840 bytes]
• Show number 134 extended version [MP3 format; length 10:53; 5,231,250 bytes]
• Show number 134 script

Thu, Apr 10, 2008

Enchiladas del Sol

Posted at 09:00

/shows/skills [link ]

This skills program is a wrap. Well, really it's about baking fresh enchiladas, in a backcountry 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 demonstrates a solar oven that portable enough to be carried in a backpack, and simple enough to build for yourself. She uses her solar cooker to prepare delicious fresh bean and cheese enchiladas with fresh tomatoes. She also mentions other things you can make with a clamshell solar cooker.

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

WildeBeat Members can download our entire collection of unedited sit-down interviews with Linda Frederick Yaffe, from each of the three shows she appears in, from our WildeBeat Insider web pages.

• Show number 133 [MP3 format; length 9:58; 2,396,540 bytes]
• Show number 133 extended stereo version [MP3 format; length 11:12; 10,769,628 bytes]
• Show number 133 script
• Supplemental information...

Thu, Apr 03, 2008

Flying Backpacks

Posted at 09:00

/shows/skills [link ]

This skills program looks at packing your gear for air travel to a distant trailhead. Air travel can be a hassle if you don't plan ahead and prepare.

We hear a phoned-in comment from listener Jeremy Sullivan. He relates a situation when he had difficulty traveling with his camping gear. Steve meets with Robert Cassidy, a hazardous materials specialist for the Federal Aviation Administration. Robert provides a lot of helpful information, but he explains that in the end the Transportation Security Administration has the final say at the security checkpoint about what you can take on an airliner. Steve talks to Nico Melendez by phone. Nico is the Pacific Region spokesman for the Transportation Security Administration.

You can find additional information to help you identify hazardous materials to avoid taking on an airplane on the FAA's Hazardous Materials Information for Passengers page. More general information on planning ahead and preparing for air travel with your backcountry gear can be found on the TSA's Air Travel Tips pages. In particular, they have a page devoted to traveling with camping gear.

WildeBeat members can download an extended interview with Robert Cassidy of the FAA, from our WildeBeat Insiders web pages.

• Show number 132 [MP3 format; length 9:57; 2,391,731 bytes]
• Show number 132, extended stereo version [MP3 format; length 11:49; 6,171,404 bytes]
• Show number 132 script

This edition was made possible by:

Thu, Mar 27, 2008

California Snowshoe Trails

Posted at 09:00

/shows/wild_places [link ]

This wild places program presents a guidebook author's favorite places to snowshoe in California. Yeah, it's spring, but there's still a lot of nice snow up there.

Mike White, author of Best Snowshoe Trails of California, tells us what he actually thinks are the very best snowshoe trails in California. He picks trails that start at this trailhead, and at this trailhead.

Mike introduced us to snowshoe hiking two weeks ago, in our edition number 129, A Snowshoe Primer. Mike also mentions the option of staying overnight in a backcountry hut; one of the places we mentioned in our edition number 111, a reprise of Indoor Snow Camping.

• Show number 131 [MP3 format; length 9:58; 2,397,070 bytes]
• Show number 131, extended version [MP3 format; length 11:18; 5,426,443 bytes]
• Show number 131 script

Thu, Mar 20, 2008

Skiing for Skiers

Posted at 09:00

/shows/outings [link ]

This outings program takes us on a patrol day with the Lake Alpine Nordic Ski Patrol. You can have a great time while helping others by joining a ski patrol.

Steve joins the patrol skiing in the backcountry near Bear Valley, California. We hear from Charles Schafer, the patrol director for the Lake Alpine Nordic Ski Patrol. His group is affiliated with the Far West Division of the National Ski Patrol. Charles talks about the reason they're out there skiing the backcountry: To provide assistance to backcountry skiers and to make their experience safer.

After the tour, Steve talked with Jeff Gurrola, the Nordic Supervisor for the Far West Division of the National Ski Patrol. Jeff talks about how you can join up with a backcountry ski patrol.

To join a ski patrol in your favorite backcountry area, you can start by contacting the National Ski Patrol and finding out about which areas near you have active patrols. Call their national office in Colorado at 303-988-1111.

• Show number 130 [MP3 format; length 9:58; 2,397,166 bytes]
• Show number 130, high-fidelity stereo [MP3 format; length 11:56; 11,460,931 bytes]
• Show number 130 script

Thu, Mar 13, 2008

A Snowshoe Primer

Posted at 09:00

/shows/skills [link ]

This skills program presents an introduction to winter hiking on snowshoes. If you can hike, you can snowshoe.

Steve takes a hike with author Mike White, who wrote the books, Best Snowshoe Trails of California, Snowshoe Trails of Yosemite, and Snowshoe Trails Tahoe. A couple of weeks ago, they hiked out and back a couple of miles in the Tahoe National Forest near Donner Pass in California.

Snowshoe hiking is the easiest way to start exploring the wilderness in the winter. Mike explains the gear you need, and how to get started.

WildeBeat members can download an extended interview with Mike White featuring more detailed tips for getting started, from our WildeBeat Insiders web pages.

• Show number 129 [MP3 format; length 9:59; 2,398,628 bytes]
• Show number 129, extended high-quality stereo version [MP3 format; length 12:16; 11,778,580 bytes]
• Show number 129 script

Thu, Mar 06, 2008

Skiing More of Utah

Posted at 09:00

/shows/wild_places [link ]

This wild places program provides a ski guide's advice on how to get away from the crowds at the very popular ski resorts in Utah.

Guest correspondent Kurt Repanshek visited the Mill Creek trailhead in the Wasatch-Cache National Forest near Salt Lake City. There he met backcountry ski guide and guide book author Tyson Bradley. Tyson wrote the book, Backcountry Skiing Utah.

Tyson talks about the many mountain ranges in Utah that provide a wide range of exceptional opportunities for backcountry and wilderness skiing, whether you're an advanced-beginner cross country skier, or you're an expert alpine or telemark skier. He points out that if you are comfortable on your skis, and you're fit enough to hike three miles and gain a thousand feet, then you're plenty fit to get into the backcountry on terrain appropriate for your skills.

Tyson also mentions that sometimes in the deep, dry snow of Utah, you might have a greater chance to be at risk from avalanches. Our edition number 74, Staying on Top of the Snow, provides an introduction to avalanche safety. One of the most important things to do before you go out is to check with the Utah Avalanche Center for the day's forecast.

Kurt Repanshek regularly writes and occasionally podcasts on his National Parks Traveler web-zine.

• Show number 128 [MP3 format; length 9:51; 2,369,060 bytes]
• Show number 128, extended high-quality stereo version [MP3 format; length 11:17; 10,836,502 bytes]
• Show number 128 script

Thu, Feb 28, 2008

Scared Indoors, part 2

Posted at 09:00

/shows/wild_places [link ]

This wild places program is part 2 of an exploration of how mass media might be affecting people's interest in getting into the wilderness. (Part 1 is here.)

They came, they saw, they almost bought it; are these the kind of stories that inspire you to get into the wilderness? Do they represent the normal experience of a wilderness visitor?

Steve answers this question with the help of:

• Fitz Cahall, creator and producer of the podcast, the Dirtbag Diaries.
• Tom Mangan, a newspaper editor, and hiking blogger.
• Scott Graham, author of the book Extreme Kids. (Scott also appeared in the WildeBeat editions 46 and 47.)
• Emily White, marketing and publicity specialist for Wilderness Press.
• Andrew Skurka, noted long-distance hiker, the first to hike the 6,875 mile Great Western Loop.
• Ryan Jordan, founder and publisher of Backpacking Light Magazine, and participant in the Arctic 1,000 Expedition.

Our thanks to Fitz Cahall for supplying the recording of his interview, and for permission to use an excerpt from his show, No Big Deal.

WildeBeat members can download extended bonus interviews with Andrew Skurka and Ryan Jordan from our WildeBeat Insider's web pages.

• Show number 127 [MP3 format; length 9:57; 2,391,424 bytes]
• Combined show numbers 126 & 127 [MP3 format; length 18:17; 8,777,628 bytes]
• Show number 127 script
• Show number 126 & 127 combined script

Thu, Feb 21, 2008

Scared Indoors, part 1

Posted at 09:00

/shows/wild_places [link ]

This wild places program asks how mass media might be affecting people's interest in getting into the wilderness. They came, they saw, they almost bought it; are these the kind of stories that inspire you to get into the wilderness?

Steve explores this question with the help of:

• Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods.
• Raymond Garcia, a summer visitor to Yosemite National Park.
• Fitz Cahall, creator and producer of the podcast, the Dirtbag Diaries.
• Ryan Jordan, founder and publisher of Backpacking Light Magazine, and participant in the Arctic 1,000 Expedition.
• Andrew Skurka, noted long-distance hiker, the first to hike the 6,875 mile Great Western Loop.

We'd like to include some of your comments in next week's part 2. Can you give us examples of mainstream media you've read, listened to, or watched that scared you away from trying what you saw? Better yet, how about examples of mainstream media describing wilderness adventures that seemed completely within your reach and looked like a good time? Let us know by calling our toll-free comment line at 866-590-7373.

Next week, in part 2, we'll try to answer the question that this week's program asks.

Our thanks to Fitz Cahall for supplying the recording of his interview, and for permission to use an excerpt from his show, No Big Deal.

• Show number 126 [MP3 format; length 9:58; 2,395,812 bytes]
• Show number 126 script

Thu, Feb 14, 2008

Forest Admission?

Posted at 09:00

/shows/wild_places [link ]

This wild places program examines proposed rules affecting outfitter guides in the National Forests. Will these rules make it harder, or more expensive, for you to get into Forest Service wilderness?

Steve explores the issue with the help of:

• Jim Bedwell, Director of Recreation, Heritage, and Volunteer Resources for the National Forest Service in Washington, D.C.
• Todd Vogel, Education and Stewardship director for the Friends of the Inyo, and co-owner of Sierra Mountain Center, a commercial guide service
• Dave Simon, Director of Outdoor Activities for the Sierra Club
• Matt Bloom, owner of the Kennedy Meadows Resort and Pack Station, on the edge of the Emigrant Wilderness in California's Stanislaus National Forest.

The Forest Service issued a proposed rule change titled, Proposed Directives for Forest Service Outfitting and Guiding Special Use Permits and Insurance Requirements for Forest Service Special Use Permits. This rule is open for public comments through February 19, 2008.

An Arizona-based group, the River Runners for Wilderness, sounded an ominous alert about some possible problems with this rule in November of 2007. Later, the Casper Star-Tribune published an article by Brodie Farquhar presenting the controversy.

We suggest you take a look at the revised rules yourself, and then make your own comments to the Forest Service if you think your access will be affected.

WildeBeat members can download bonus extended interviews from Todd Vogel and Jim Bedwell from the WildeBeat Insider web pages.

• Show number 125 [MP3 format; length 9:54; 2,377,417 bytes]
• Show number 125, extended version [MP3 format; length 13:49; 6,639,351 bytes]
• Show number 125 script

Thu, Feb 07, 2008

Getting Around GPS

Posted at 09:00

/shows/skills [link ]

This skills program discusses things you need to know before relying on a portable GPS receiver. Finding your way there and finding your way home is not always so easy in the wilderness.

Steve talks with author Stephen Hinch who wrote the book, Outdoor Navigation with GPS. Stephen is a high-tech executive with technical knowledge of the GPS system and a love of wilderness travel.

A GPS receiver can make navigaton easier, but what do you need to know to use it, and what do you need to know when it's not making it easier? What should you look for if you're shopping for one? What's the easiest way to use one in order to keep from getting lost?

Stephen also mentions orienteering as a great way to learn navigation skills to use when you can't use GPS. Through the U.S. Orienteering Federation, you can find a local club that can teach you more traditional navigation skills.

• Show number 124 [MP3 format; length 9:59; 2,398,734 bytes]
• Show number 124, extended version [MP3 format; length 12:11; 5,855,052 bytes]
• Show number 124 script

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