Archive for the ‘Hiking’ Category
Make your own homemade First Aid Kit to take on every hiking, camping or backpacking trek. All wilderness trekkers should carry one! Click HERE:
I live in Decatur, Georgia, next to Atlanta, and am planning a solo 5-day camping trip in early October within 100 miles of Flagstaff. My criteria are: –water –seclusion –much beauty –strenuous is OK, maybe preferred –bonus: good side trails, especially historic ones. I’ve looked at 3 AZ trail books, & narrowed my choices to 5: Fossil Springs, West Clear Creek, Secret Canyon, Bell, and Kelsey-Dorsey. (BUT, I’m VERY open to other suggestions.) I’m an experienced backpacker, with little experience in the West. Last fall, I spent 3 days with a buddy at Phantom Ranch–down North Kaibab, back up Bright Angel. 1st time at G.C. & 1st AZ trip ever. I understand that some of these 5 are popular, but secluded on weekdays, especially in Oct. True? I’d appreciate any suggestions you have–the more broad and detailed, the better. Thanks so much.
I’ve backpacked both Secret Canyon, Fossil Creek and West Clear Creek. Both are very pretty places and meet most of your criteria above. While Fossil Creek is one of the prettiest areas in the state, the distance from the trailhead to the springs is pretty short, so it would be more of a hike in and stay put for a few days trip – rather than covering a lot of ground. Also, Fossil Creek has got a LOT of attention lately due to a recent documentary about it. I don’t know about week days, but it is pretty popular on weekends. If you do go there, be sure to take a little side trip down to Verde Hot Springs which is just up-creek on the Verde from where Fossil Creek empties into it. When I backpacked West Clear Creek, it was by coming in the mouth of the canyon near Camp Verde (Bull Pen Ranch). There were a lot of day trippers (and trash) near the trail, but we had the canyon (which got progressively more pretty) to ourselves after a few miles. While I liked that route, the upper portions of the canyon (going in near Clints Well) are probably more pretty, dramatic and have more solitude (certainly more strenouous). I’ve only day hiked a small section of the upper portion, but it was great (by the way, this section of the canyon was recently featured in Arizona Highways – including the cover photo). Be warned, that the upper portions in particular require some deep wading in places which could be cold that time of year. One additional route that you should look into (it is on my list) is do a segment of the Highline Trail that runs just below the rim NE of the Payson area. It is one of the few that is long enough that you could do 5 days on the move. You will be moving from one spring or drainage to the next, so you need to plan camps around water. I have day hiked segments of it, and it looks like a great place for an extended backpack. Can’t tell you much about Bell or K-D. Enjoy! That is a good time of year to be hiking in AZ. Be warned that the northern parts of state will be getting cold (especially at night) by that time. Magnum Bear Spray and Hip Holster – 7.9 ounces by UDAP
ATTENTION Wilderness Trekkers – Hikers – Backpackers! Be Prepared in Bear Country! Bears attack for four main reasons: to protect their young, protect a food source, protect their territory, or they have become predatory. Many bears may and will false charge or bluff. This is their way of scaring off the animal or person who they consider a threat. The problem is how to tell a false charge from a real attack. The bear may stand up right on its hind legs and swing its head back and forth. This a clear sign of two things one its becoming stressed and two its attempting to see and smell exactly who or what has upset it. They do not have great eyesight but can smell very well. In any event regardless of the reason for the attack it is not advisable to play dead. If the bear is predatory it intends to eat you. Your nothing more then a fresh meal to it. And laying down simply makes it easier to enjoy a nice tasty warm meal. You should throw your arms in the air and yell as loud as you can scream stomp your feet kick up the surrounding area. In other words like a wild man. Make yourself look bigger and louder then the bear is. Convince it that your not worth attacking or the meal it wants. There are many great books on the subject of bear encounters and attacks. I suggest you find and read any of the one written by Mr. Gary Sheldon
I always carry my firearm….I’m not relying on some pepper spray while hiking to fend off a bear… I understand attacks are rare, but still…
Should I use costly down sleeping bag soap or “Green” soap or regular laundry detergent ? I used to manage a high-end backpacking gear shop so I know the manufacturers’ recommendations. Plus I have owned and washed down bags for years. You can safely use either regular Woolite or Ivory Snow (the detergent, NOT the dishwashing liquid.) Use warm, not hot water and a long gentle cycle. Reset the machine after the rinse cycle to run a second rinse cycle. It also helps to run a second spin cycle after the last spin to extract as much water as possible. Lift the wet bag out VERY carefully, supporting it underneath in a big ball — never grab one end and drag it out because the heavy wet clumps of down can tear loose the baffles that separate the down compartments. I usually find it best, if you have space for it, to leave the bag laid out flat on a beach towel or clean sheet, for a day or two to dry it a little more before putting in the dryer, but this is optional. Place in a dryer (don’t use a commercial coin-op dryer because they get too hot.) Dry on the lowest heat setting possible with NO softener sheet — you WANT static electricity because that fluffs the down. Put a couple of those knobby plastic dryer balls or a couple of tennis balls, even an old clean sneaker, tied inside of thin socks or pantihose and tumble them with the bag to break up the down clumps (these items beat up the nylon fabric too much if you don’t wrap them in the socks.) Be prepared for this to take a while. Depending on how much down is in the bag, it will take from 2 to 5 hours to dry. Great DOWN Jackets: Save on The North Face Denali Jacket Magnum Bear Spray and Hip Holster – 7.9 ounces by UDAP
“Between 1900 and 2003 there were about 52 recorded deaths due to black bears, 50 due to brown bears and 5 due to polar bears” Steven Colbert is constantly saying how dangerous bears are. POLES for Hiking, Trekking & Walking Get the DVD !
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Run? Stay put? Let the bear attack you? Help!? Thanks. In black bear attacks it is advised that you fight back. Fight as if your life depends on it.. gouge eyes, ect. Black bear attacks are often predatory and playing dead will be a fatal mistake because the bear wants you dead so it can eat you. I dont know of any competent wildlife expert that advises playing dead with a black bear. With all other bears it is advised that you hold your ground but if they start to attack you then you should play dead. Grizzly bear most often attack only to neutralize the threat and once you are down on the ground and stop moving then the attack will most likely end. Of course the best thing to do is to have a magnum revolver and know how to use it.
Here is a great Eureka tent Eureka Solo Backcountry 1 Tent In fact, here is a 5 star review from the Amazon website for customer satisfaction: By J Coveleski “Took a risk buying this tent Eureka Solo Backcountry 1 Tent And here is another review of 5 Stars: (By Wayne Angerame) “Bought this tent Eureka Solo Backcountry 1 Tent Had also wanted something light and sturdy enough for backpacking. Again, dissatisfied with cheap dome tents weighing over 7 pounds; this one is not much more than 3 pounds, being a “half” dome, and is very well constructed. The size is OK for one person; especially easy to get into with the wide side door. The poles and fly worked fine and set up quickly and easily by one person. The fly seems to be necessary for cold weather camping, otherwise there would be too much air flow; with the fly on it feels snug inside. Of course that air flow would be great for warm weather. The short pole for the fly was a bit tight – needed to “bow” it to get it to fit into its slots; may want to use a tube cutter to shorten it 1/4 inch or so. I like the color; it blends in nice with the woods. For backpacking, will probably replace the steel stakes with something lighter. Then again, I have yet to stake it out. It’s totally free-standing, and even in the wind just a few guy lines kept it in place.” |
A description of what I carry in my first aid kit.
News article done by Reece Stein in Salt Lake City about trekking poles, featuring Jayah Faye Paley – www.AdventureBuddies.NET With one exception/error (can you find it?) good info.
for a bike or backpacking trek. It is just the right weight at just over 3 pounds and all seams are factory taped making it very waterproof.