The WildeBeat

Thu, Jan 05, 2006

Riding Outside the Lines

Posted at 09:00

/shows/wild_places [link ]

This wild places program is about motor vehicle intrusions into National Forest wilderness. This additional story came out of the interviews for our previous program number 23, Drawing Lines in the Snow.

The National Forest wilderness near Bear Valley, California, has a problem similar to a lot of wilderness areas. Some motorized recreation users, in this case snowmobiles, don't respect wilderness boundaries. This kind of thing happens with different kinds of vehicles year-round, but it's especially difficult to police in the winter. Find out how big this problem is, and what you can do about it.

• Show number 24 [MP3 format; length 8:14; 1,979,374 bytes]
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Thu, Dec 15, 2005

Drawing Lines in the Snow

Posted at 09:00

/shows/wild_places [link ]

This wild places program is about conflicts over the use of winter recreation areas in national forests. Backcountry skiers and snowshoe hikers can be disturbed by snowmobilers. But are they actually seeking such different things?

Bear Valley, California, is popular with snowmobilers, skiers, and snowshoe hikers alike. The National Forest and the community are looking for ways that they can all get along. Find out what happens next...

• Show number 23 [MP3 format; length 9:56; 2,384,272 bytes]
• Show number 23, high-fidelity stereo [MP3 format; length 9:56; 9,537,537 bytes]
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• To find out more...

Thu, Dec 08, 2005

The Year in Gear

Posted at 09:00

/shows/gear [link ]

This gear program might give you some holiday shopping ideas. Steve asked three volunteer editors from Backpack Gear Test to pick their favorites: Rick Allnutt¹, Jim Sabiston², and Edward Ripley-Duggan³. Out of thousands of reviews published on BGT this year, they recommended these:

1. Orikaso Fold Flat Picnic Set¹
2. Outdoor Research Airfoil Gloves²
3. Princeton Tec EOS Headlamp³
4. Vargo Jet-Ti Stove¹
5. Bozeman TorsoLite Sleeping Pad²
6. MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoe³
7. Tilley TH4 Hemp Hat¹
8. Black Diamond Lighthouse Tent²
9. Western Mountaineering Antelope Sleeping Bag³
10. Gossamer Gear Lightrek PLUS Poles¹

You can provide gear reviews as well. You'll 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 22 [MP3 format; length 9:49; 2,359,194 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 24, 2005

The Cucamonga Wilderness

Posted at 09:00

/shows/wild_places [link ]

This wild places program explores Southern California's most undiscovered National Forest wilderness, the Cucamonga Wilderness. The Cucamonga straddles the border between the San Bernardino National Forest, and the Angeles National Forest. It's the least-visited wilderness in the greater Southern California region.

Steve got into the wilderness with wilderness ranger Sharon Barfknecht, and district ranger Gabe Garcia. They met at the Lytle Creek Ranger Station, and then day-hiked from the Middle Fork trailhead. They hiked a few miles up the canyon of the middle fork of Lytle Creek.

There's another trailhead on the west side in the Angeles National Forest. This trailhead is in Ice House Canyon. It's a much more popular way to access the Cucamonga Wilderness.

The California Wilderness Coalition has proposed some additions to the Cucamonga. They publish a map of their proposed additions. Gabe Garcia provides some news on that effort.

• Show number 20 [MP3 format; length 9:57; 2,389,311 bytes]
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Thu, Nov 17, 2005

Restoring a Park Gone to Pot

Posted at 09:00

/shows/outings [link ]

Photo by Paige Falk

Marijuana cultivation is a growing problem in public lands, especially in the Pacific west. Marijuana demand is increasing, our borders are tightening, and budgets for managing our public lands are being cut. National Parks, National Forests, and State Parks are increasingly attractive to organized crime for use as cultivation sites.

You can help in two ways: 1) By refusing to fund the black market for marijuana production, and 2) by volunteering for or donating to volunteer organizations who provide labor to restore these damaged ecosystems.

• Show number 19 [MP3 format; length 9:58; 2,392,317 bytes]
• Show number 19, extended high-fidelity stereo [MP3 format; length 13:22; 12,844,848 bytes]
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• Supplemental links and information

Thu, Nov 10, 2005

Lightweight Stove Reviews

Posted at 09:00

/shows/gear [link ]

This gear program presents reviews of three lightweight camp stoves. The reviews are provided by volunteer reviewers from Backpack Gear Test.

Rebecca Sowards-Emmerd reviews the Jetboil Personal Cooking System. Will Rietveld reviews the Brasslite Turbo II-D alcohol stove. Leesa Joiner reviews the Brunton Raptor stove.

• Show number 18 [MP3 format; length 9:51; 2,367,344 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.

• Show number 17 [MP3 format; length 9:53; 2,375,808 bytes]
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Thu, Oct 27, 2005

A Winter Storm Warning, part 2

Posted at 09:00

/shows/skills [link ]

This skills program tells the rest of the story of backpacker Mike Bargetto and his three relatives, who were caught in an unexpected snow storm in October of 2004. The story describes their rescue from their Rae Lake camp site, in California's John Muir Wilderness.

The rescue was lead by Leutenant Phil Caporale, of the Fresno County Sheriff's Search and Rescue unit. He and Mike tell the story of the rescue from both perspectives.

Steve wraps up the show by talking about how you can be better prepared for unexpected mountain storms, and how to stay safe in such conditions. See the supplemental links, below, for lots of additional information.

• Show number 16 [MP3 format; length 9:41; 2,328,821 bytes]
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• Supplemental links and information

Thu, Oct 20, 2005

A Winter Storm Warning, part 1

Posted at 09:00

/shows/skills [link ]

This skills program tells the story of backpacker Mike Bargetto and his three relatives, who were caught in an unexpected snow storm in October of 2004. The story describes their hike in California's John Muir Wilderness from Courtright Reservoir to Rae Lake, and the conditions they encountered there.

In part two, we'll present the rest of Mike's story, and some advice for safely enjoying late season wilderness travel.

• Show number 15 [MP3 format; length 7:33; 1,814,593 bytes]
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• Map of Mike's route [PDF format; 3,653,574 bytes]

Thu, Oct 13, 2005

The Wilderness at Night, part 2

Posted at 09:00

/shows/wild_places [link ]

This wild places program is about the science of night time in wilderness. How does the sky glow from cities, and light pollution in general affect wilderness areas?

Steve interviews Chad Moore, a physical scientist with the National Park Service, and leader of their night sky research team. He talks about measuring light pollution in the parks.

Steve talks with Dr. Travis Longcore, the science director of the Urban Wildlands Group. Along with Catherine Rich, they edited a book, Ecological Consequences of Artificial Night Lighting, which contains the definitive collection of scientific papers on the subject.

Both Chad Moore and Dr. Longcore mentioned that the International Dark Sky Association is a good place for all kinds of information related to light pollution, it's prevention, and dark-sky science in general.

• Show number 14 [MP3 format; length 9:49; 2,358,881 bytes]
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• Supplemental links and information

Thu, Oct 06, 2005

The Wilderness at Night, part 1

Posted at 09:00

/shows/wild_places [link ]

This wild places program is about places where the wilderness is particularly good at night. Steve talks to some amateur astronomers about their passion for the darkness of the backcountry.

Chad Moore, a physical scientist for the National Park Service, tells us about National Parks where the sky is really dark:

• Natural Bridges National Monument (Utah)
• Bryce Canyon National Park (Utah)
• Capitol Reef National Park (Utah)
• Death Valley National Park (California)
• Great Basin National Park (Nevada)

Mike Koop, president of the San Jose Astronomical Association, gives us some tips for exploring the night sky. He suggests printing a star chart from SKYMAPS.COM, and using binoculars.

Part 2 will be about the science of darkness in The Wilderness at Night.

• Show number 13 [MP3 format; length 7:17; 1,748,765 bytes]
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Thu, Sep 29, 2005

Ventana Vox Pop

Posted at 09:00

/shows/outings [link ]

This outings show is our first Vox Pop. Does the average person value getting into the wilderness?

Steve recorded the candid thoughts of these hikers on the Pine Ridge Trail, in the Big Sur River Canyon of California's Ventana Wilderness. They hiked ten miles each way to visit the popular hot springs at Sykes Camp.

• Show number 12 [MP3 format; length 7:45; 1,864,017 bytes]
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Thu, Sep 22, 2005

Wilderness Ranger Experiences

Posted at 09:00

/shows/skills [link ]

This skills program is 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.

At the end of the show, there's a correction from last week's show, and a request to offer your feedback and suggestions for the show.

• Show number 11 [MP3 format; length 9:55; 2,383,854 bytes]
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Thu, Sep 15, 2005

Volunteer Trail Crew

Posted at 09:00

/shows/outings [link ]

This outings program is a work day with the High Sierra Volunteer Trail Crew, in the Jennie Lakes Wilderness of the Sequoia National Forest.

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 10 [MP3 format; length 9:06; 2,187,726 bytes]
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• Pictures of the trail crew

Thu, Sep 08, 2005

Backpacking Cookbook Reviews

Posted at 09:00

/shows/gear [link ]

This gear program presents reviews of two backpacking cookbooks. The reviews are provided by volunteer reviewers from Backpack Gear Test.

Jim Hatch reviews The Hiker's Guide to Preparing Home Cooked Meals on the Trail, by Steven Mroz. Steve Nelson reviews Lip Smackin' Vegetarian Backpackin', by Christine and Tim Connors.

• Show number 9 [MP3 format; length 8:51; 2,125,868 bytes]
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Thu, Sep 01, 2005

Ishi's Wilderness, part 2

Posted at 09:00

/shows/wild_places [link ]

This wild places program is part two of Steve’s exploration of the mysterious Ishi Wilderness. This wilderness is in the Lassen National Forest, in northeastern California.

Steve started hiking from the Deer Creek trailhead, and explored a couple of miles into the wilderness. He feels a heightened appreciation for the way the Yahi lived, and discovers another, a modern mystery.

• Show number 8 [MP3 format; length 6:58; 1,675,099 bytes]
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• Pictures from Steve’s hike

Thu, Aug 25, 2005

Ishi's Wilderness, part 1

Posted at 09:00

/shows/wild_places [link ]

This wild places program is part one of Steve’s exploration of the mysterious Ishi Wilderness. This wilderness is in the Lassen National Forest, in northeastern California.

Steve learns about Ishi from Ira Jacknis, the Research Anthropologist from the Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology at the University of California at Berkeley. He tells the story of Ishi, for whom the wilderness is named, and talks about how he lived. (Ishi’s life was best documented in a book, Ishi in Two Worlds: A Biography of the Last Wild Indian in North America, by Theordora Kroeber. There is also an excellent documentary available on video.)

Steve calls the Lassen National Forest to find out about visiting the wilderness. In part two, he’ll report on his trip there, and in the process discover another mystery.

• Show number 7 [MP3 format; length 6:40; 1,600,076 bytes]
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• Ira Jacknis Unedited Interview [MP3 format; length 20:57; 2,512,794 bytes]

Thu, Aug 11, 2005

Wild but not Wilderness, part 2

Posted at 14:00

/shows/wild_places [link ]

This wild places program is part two of an exploration of unprotected, potential wilderness areas in California. Steve talks about the Northern California Coastal Wild Heritage Wilderness Act. He quotes a statement by Congressman Mike Thompson, and a Sacramento Bee editorial about the act.

Steve interviews Ryan Henson, the policy director for the California Wilderness Coalition (CWC). Ryan talks about some areas which would become wilderness under the act, including Cache Creek, the lost coast of the King Range, and proposed additions to the Trinity Alps Wilderness.

• Show number 6 [MP3 format; length 7:42; 1,847,926 bytes]
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Tue, Aug 02, 2005

Wild but not Wilderness, part 1

Posted at 17:00

/shows/wild_places [link ]

This wild places program is part one of an exploration of unprotected, potential wilderness areas in California. Ryan Henson, the policy director for the California Wilderness Coalition (CWC), talks about their Citizen Wilderness Inventory project. Steve mentions the California Wild Heritage Act, and talks about the development threatening some proposed wilderness additions to Joshua Tree National Park.

Steve interviews Bryn Jones, the desert program director for the CWC, to find out some special desert wilderness areas to visit. Bryn talks about the Avawatz Mountains, some additions to Death Valley National Park, and the Soda Mountains.

Part 2 of Wild but not Wilderness will continue with descriptions of unprotected wilderness areas in coastal northern California.

• Show number 5 [MP3 format; length 8:09; 1,957,849 bytes]
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• Supplemental pictures and information

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