Archive for 2010
Oops! Pot growers busted by game wardens
Two men were arrested this week after they mistakenly identified a game warden’s pick-up truck as a truck belonging to their supplier. The men were caught by two California Fish and Game wardens when they were found tossing bags of marijuana into the back of the truck. The game wardens were scouting for deer poachers [...]
Human and environmental factors threaten National Parks
Recent studies of our National Parks have exposed a wide range of threats that can (and most likely will) have a serious impact on the conditions of the land. Climate change, increased visitors (and the foot traffic that comes along with them), air pollution from vehicles, and litter are all threatening to destroy the beauty that many are trying to preserve for generations to come.
Mountaintop mining operations feeling the credit crunch
Earlier this year, Science published a paper outlining the impacts of mountain top removal (MTR), more commonly referred to as mountaintop mining. Surprisingly, the practice of mining the surface of mountaintops is completely legal and fairly common in the Appalachian Mountains, and has gone on for quite some time without major opposition until this year. Now, MTR companies are feeling the pressure from another source–banks.
Hiker shoots himself in the butt
When on the trails, we have a multitude of factors that can affect our own safety: trail conditions, weather, wild animals like bears or bobcats, etc. Usually “other hikers” doesn’t make it on to that list very often. However, in a strange incident that occurred this weekend at Blewett Pass that makes me rethink whether or not I need to worry about other hikers when hiking the trails.
Canadian hikers find body of long lost mountaineer
Over twenty years ago, William Holland, a 38 year old from Gorham, Maine, was in the Jasper National Park in the Canadian Rockies ice climbing Snow Dome with a partner. He had reached the summit and was taking a break on an outcropping of snow. Unfortunately, the cornice wasn’t strong enough to hold him and [...]
Montana ranchers uniting against National Monument designations
Earlier this year, a document from the Interior Department was revealed, containing a list of proposed National Monument sites. Many of the locations were in the western part of the country; a total of 14 sites across nine states. One site up for consideration was an area of 2.5 million acres in northeastern Montana, with [...]
Trail Report: Snow Lake
Looking for a fairly easy hike to a nice cool alpine lake? Add in some decent fishing and you have Snow Lake.
New restrictions for off-road vehicles in Mt. Hood National Forest
Last week, the US Forest Service announced a decision to restrict OHV (off-highway vehicles) access to only four areas of the forest. The decision was in direct response on countering erosion, noise control, and overall environmental impact that vehicles like dirt bikes and four-wheelers have in the national forest.
Wildfire allowed to burn in Crater Lake National Park
The Phoenix Fire has been burning for over a week in Crater Lake National Park, but fire crews won’t be extinguishing the fire. Instead, they will be continuing to monitor and manage the fire while allowing it to continue burning. Started by a lightning strike on August 17th, the fire is estimated to be about 200 acres in size and is burning in an area about 7 miles southeast of Diamond Lake.
Montana firm wins deal to remove two dams on the Elwha River
After decades of discussion about removing two of the dams on the Elwha River on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington, the National Park Service has finally signed a contract to do just that. The firm that won the contract, and signed the deal this week is Barnard Construction out of Bozeman, Montana.
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