Since the permit system for climbing the cables on Half Dome was established two years ago, there has been quite a bit of conflict and frustration around the “first come, first serve” system. After the initial balking at the “reservation fee” required for permits, the attention soon shifted to the larger problem: permit scalpers. Those…
This week we’ve partnered with Leave No Trace to share some of their top tips for your outdoor adventures. One of the most commonly debated topics is trail etiquette–who yields to who when you’re hiking, biking, or trail running? LNT breaks it down for us with a few different scenarios and what to do in…
We’re still digging out from under the ice in Seattle. So, today we’re featuring a guest post from David Wilkinson over at Switchback Travel. He recently headed out to Methow Valley in Washington for a cross country ski trip and sent us his thoughts. The Methow Valley in the North Cascades is just beyond the…
For the past two years, local biologists near Point Reyes National Seashore have been trying to free a young male elephant seal from a tight packing band around his neck. The entangled seal was first noticed about two years ago, and biologists have been trying to safely capture the seal to remove the packing strap….
This past weekend, a lost hiker, while awaiting rescue inadvertantly sparked a brushfire in Australia’s Alpine National Park over. The hiker, from Melbourne, Australia, was on an overnight hike on Mt Bogong when he became turned around. According to police, the hiker then climbed to high point while his wife notified emergency services. What he…
In a landmark decision made this week, the Obama administration has formally banned new hard rock mining claims near the Grand Canyon for the next twenty years. The area of roughly one million acres is sought after by mining companies because of the high-grade uranium ore reserves. While the ban is seen as a win…
The common misconception about waxing skis is that it will only make you ski faster. While waxing skis does improve the performance and speed on the slopes, regular waxing will also give you more control, provides the base of your skis an extra level of protection, and greatly extend the life of your skis. Plus,…
On Thursday, December 15th, both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks will be open to the public for winter season activities. In Grand Teton NP, the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center (12 miles north of Jackson, Wyoming) will be open for winter hours (9am-5pm daily). For winter-sports enthusiasts, there is plenty to do, from…
Columbia Sportswear made a big push this year with the introduction of their Omni-Heat line of clothing and gear. Unfortunately, now they are facing a major setback, as they have issued a recall of some of their Omni-Heat Electric jackets. Why? Apparently, the battery-powered line of Omni-Heat apparel has been known to catch fire. According…
Whenever I go hiking, I am always carrying a light source of some sort. It’s usually a headlamp since they are lightweight and compact (and hands-free), but after testing the Primetorch 1010 from Primus, I know it will always be in my bag. While it may look like a miniature flashlight, it’s a lot more…