Hiking Lady's Corner

Hiking Quick Tip by Sharrie

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 10:28:17 +0000

Extremely fun when in countries like Switzerland, Norway, Canada and the U.S. Awful in Asia, especially South East Asia! Temperature and the lack of hiking trails have a little to do with that.

I love hiking with a camera and especially if I'm not rushing to finish a trail! Hiking alone does pose some degree of dangers, especially for woman and older people.

Having said that, hiking in national parks is one of the best experiences of life! Just so long as you're not caught in the rain ;-)

Canyonlands National Park Quick Tip by Sharrie

Sun, 1 May 2011 14:12:52 +0000

It is vast, expanse, a little remote and less well know. It can be all yours! You and the nature, at one, on your own in solitude. What a great feeling!

One of America's most spectacular national park! I had great fun driving around it!

Eagle Lake: Great Family Hike

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 17:05:44 +0000

I recently took my 3-year-old on his first real hike. A quick trip to Lake Tahoe and we did the short hike to Eagle Lake via the Eagle Falls trail head near Emerald Bay. The trail is out and back and about 2miles total with an elevation gain of several hundred feet with a slight decent into the lake. This trail is really easy to do and has pretty heavy traffic, so watch out for kids running up and down the trail without too much regard for manners.

The 1st half of the trail is a somewhat steep ascent via stone steps to a bridge that crosses Eagle Falls and a vista point of Emerald Bay and Lake Tahoe. From there it is a nice gentle ascent through the woods alongside the creek from Eagle Lake to Eagle Falls with some views of the creek along the way. When you finally get to the lake it is a beautiful place to take in a picnic, depending on how busy they are it may be difficult to find a spot, especially if school hasn't started yet. And if you don't mind chilly waters the lake has been untouched by any boat motors and is very nice and clear. The hike back is pretty easy and the total trip time if you pace yourself to take in some nature and enjoy some lunch at the lake is about a couple hours.

The parking fee is $5.00 and an early start is recommended. Since the elevation is about 6,500 ft sunblock is definitely recommended as is bug spray if you are popular with the mosquitoes.

Fascinating documentary

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 07:12:05 +0000

For thirteen summers, Timothy Treadwell lived among the wild grizzly bears of Alaska. An untrained but fervent bear-lover, he took his videos and message of bear preservation to schools during his off-season. This documentary alternates Treadwell's footage with interviews of his friends, family, and co-workers.

The result is a portrait of a man with a childlike enthusiasm and certainty that he could live with the bears as one of them. He also comes across as a grandstanding showman determined to make himself immortal. This documentary has done that much, although Treadwell and his girlfriend were killed and eaten by one of his beloved bears. Though the bears showed only indifference to him, Treadwell endlessly proclaimed his love for the grizzlies and said he would willingly die for them. One can only imagine the horror of it.

The Alaskan footage is lovely and one is impressed with the power and size of the bears. Unfortunately, the pristine beauty is usually interrupted with Treadwell's showboating antics. I think he was delusional when it came to his safety and I feel sorry for those who mourn him. Heartily recommended for nature lovers and those interested in a man recklessly pursuing a bizarre lifestyle.

The fox was friendly; the bears, not so much.

Into the Wild (book) Quick Tip by nateandersen

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 02:56:16 +0000

Intriguing investigation of a young man in search of an old ideal. Doesn't give easy answers, but illuminates the situation.

Fabulous, insightful and eye opening

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 20:31:54 +0000

This is a true story about how a mountain climber having lost his way, is rescued by the people from an obscure and isolated village high in the mountains of Pakistan. As Greg Mortenson was nursed back to health, the village chief showed him where the children had their school lessons. It consisted of a bare plot of dirt where they scratched their lessons into the dry soil. Greg was so moved that he promised he would build them a proper school. Upon returning to his home in the United States, he began a journey that has not only changed his life but the lives of many thousands of people, all thru the sharing of a cup of tea and the book that resulted there from.

This book taught me about the Pakistani and Afghan people in a way that I had never understood. It described the isolated villages scattered throughout the tall, sharp peaks of the mountain ranges that make up much of their countries. As I read, I understood why simply employing force and firearms will not bring understanding nor peace to these regions.

Over the many years since first stumbling into the village of Korfu, Greg has now built hundreds of schools in villages scattered throughout both Pakistan and later Afganistan. His quiet manner has enabled him to bring schools to areas deep in Taliban strongholds with little opposition. His philosophy that by understanding the people, and helping them to reach goals that they set for themselves is the way to achieving peace and understanding.

I am a believer and you will be too.

Three Cups of Tea Quick Tip by kaleigh

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 02:37:30 +0000

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/18/world/asia/18tea.html?th&emc=th

Into the Wild (book) Quick Tip by iamstepha

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 18:54:43 +0000

A fast read and a very interesting look into the victim of Alaska's bush psyche. And a good mix of the stories of other people as well.

Three Cups of Tea Quick Tip by iamstepha

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 18:35:50 +0000

Inspiring. I heard Greg Mortenson speak at BYU last year and he is an incredible person.

Into the Wild (book) Quick Tip by SirNate

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 17:28:35 +0000

Really well-written nonfiction book. The writer makes you really care for Chris McCandless, while simultaneously disdaining him.

Into the Wild (book) Quick Tip by kara_telfer

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 21:43:29 +0000

Excellent book! I loved the message that Alex Supertramp was trying to get across. I think he went on the ultimate adventure, and I only wish I had the guts to try something like that. Tragic ending.

Three Cups of Tea Quick Tip by RACEDR

Thu, 8 Jul 2010 22:37:50 +0000

This should be mandatory reading of every high school student. You want to understand this poorly understood part of the world? Here is a good start.

Three Cups of Tea Quick Tip by tfrasch

Thu, 8 Jul 2010 04:45:16 +0000

Reading this made me feel frustrated and tied in knots because of all the struggles he went through to finally reach his goal.

Three Cups of Tea Quick Tip by JulieBMack

Tue, 6 Jul 2010 18:27:18 +0000

An amazing true story of a man's unselfishness to help build school's in Afghan and Pakistan

Into the Wild (book) Quick Tip by marysan

Mon, 5 Jul 2010 20:01:48 +0000

Found myself feeling less than sympathetic toward the protagonist.

Into the Wild (book) Quick Tip by josheklow

Fri, 2 Jul 2010 16:46:15 +0000

I was forced to read this in high school and absolutely hated it. I had very little sympathy for McCandless, but perhaps others might.

In through the wild

Thu, 1 Jul 2010 19:33:06 +0000

This is one of my Favourite books. I love wild life and when I saw the name into the wild I really wanted to watch the film. I saw the ratings of the film and decided to watch thinking it would be about wildlife. But after watching it, I wasn't disappointed. Even though it wasn't about wildlife I really enjoyed it. I love it so much that I googled it and found out that it was a true story and there was a book written about it, I went straight to amazon and ordered a book. After reading it I really enjoyed it. I got to know a lot more about Christopher McCandless. I love the book so much and I really want to do the same thing that he did, try to live in Alaska, but in a more planned way. The book is about the journey of a boy Christopher McCandless, who after graduating with a degree decides to escape from his parents (whom he is really angry with) by going on a journey without telling anybody about it. His eventual plan was to go and live in wild Alaska. He burns up all the money and ID's and donates 24,000 dollars to charity and runs away. His plan was to live without any money and start making his own money from scratch and start living in the wild away from people. Its also about the various people he meets on his journey. Its a very sad story, but when you read it you get a great sense of freedom and adventure. It makes me want go on a journey similar to his.

Into the Wild brings you right there...Into the Wild!

Thu, 1 Jul 2010 17:56:14 +0000

(Note: Personal info) I work at Outside Magazine (where this story was first published as an article) and received this book from my father back in 1990. When I applied for my position at Outside, my high school english teacher based his recommendation for my position here, by way of a comparison between myself and McCandless. I think many of us can relate to the experience of finding ourselves, often in the most extreme and dangerous of situations. (In my case, I was one of the few students in my high school who left the safety net of my family and friends in RI, to attend school in VA, and ultimately move more than half-way across the country to NM.

The emotional reaction I had to this book was very personal and charged. I felt that the strength and perseverence it took for McCandless to make this journey (although naive and fully irresponsible) was very powerful nontheless. When McCandless was going through his time at the end "on the bus", it was so grueling to 'witness'...as if again, I were personally experiencing this. Emotionally, it is such a coming of age, though iconic tale of dying before 'ones time' though experiencing a 'condensed life version' to almost make his life seem fully lived and realized...

I would recommend reading this book to children coming into their teenaged years, as well as people who really enjoy a good adventure and who enjoy the great outdoors. It is a great story for those who love a compelling drama, and excellent writing.

The setting so perfectly depicts the feelings of isolation and loneliness which was the backdrop of McCandless's experience. It is almost as if the setting were a character in and of itself, which provided much of the emotional intensity of this beautiful, heartwrenching tale.

I feel that McCandless was so very angry and agitated in his home life, suffering something of an "Iron John Syndrome", though throughout his adventures and mishaps, he surrendered to a place of peace and near-enlightenment.

In my opinion, the movie adaptation was well cast and executed. Of course, like most adaptation films, it is challenging to capture the literary detail on film, however, since the setting played such an important role, it seemed to soften the edge of the adaptation process.

Into the Wild (book) Quick Tip by ryanrevolver

Thu, 1 Jul 2010 02:45:32 +0000

Good read, proof that some cannot survive with just smarts.

Into the Wild (book) Quick Tip by farnorthgirl

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 05:54:16 +0000

John Krakauer is excellent and also wrote Into Thin Air about a disastrous Mt Everest Expedition

Into the Wild (book) Quick Tip by mauverneen

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 22:04:51 +0000

If you like adventure stories and survival stories - you'll like this.

Truly Wild

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 17:48:20 +0000

What a fascinating book! John Krakauer is a literary genius. The story of Chris McCandless will live on in everyone's heart and soul. A young college graduate who decides there has got to be more out there goes on the adventure of a lifetime. A grippping novel that opens your eyes to a whole new world. I read this book when it was first published and years later it was turned into a movie, which was surprisingly as good as the book itself! The way the author researches this mans past and then pieces it all together in such a short book is phenomenal. This book gives you hope and inspiration, that there are truly good people out there. That is what the hero of this story is about. He gave up all his wealth to travel and see how he could survive on nothing, traipsing the United States and meeting all these amazing people along the way. He shows how Chris touched each of their lives and left a lasting mark on their soul, just as the book will do for you. SPOILER ALERT You also feel peoples pain when you hear of his passing, his pain and the craziness he encountered in the Alaskan wild. To get so far and then pass away just days before possibly hving been rescued. It shows true courage and strength. We need more people like Chris in this world. I feel like I knew him!

Three Cups of Tea Quick Tip by onestormymonday

Sat, 26 Jun 2010 20:28:05 +0000

I love this concept, this book, and this writer!

Into the Wild (book) Quick Tip by Helensbooks

Sat, 26 Jun 2010 19:18:55 +0000

Interesting life experience

Into the Wild (book) Quick Tip by runGreen08

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 19:15:14 +0000

Well written, and a fascinating story. It really brings to light problems with our society, and provides insight into the need for a simpler life.

Three Cups of Tea Quick Tip by sunflag

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 18:20:00 +0000

Wonderful story of a man's trip into the world of poverty who makes a change! Inspiring

Three Cups of Tea Quick Tip by h0mersimps0n

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 03:28:41 +0000

Not the greatest writing, but what a story!!! This guy lives in Bozeman, MT where I went to college and his life story will inspire the hardest heart to do SOMETHING positive for others in need. This guy is someone I truly admire. Bono has nothing on him.

Three Cups of Tea Quick Tip by simplytrece

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 18:53:21 +0000

I searched until I found this book, because I felt the author's message is simportant.

Into the Wild (book) Quick Tip by flyingwitheagles

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 00:22:11 +0000

Real but almost too graphic for me!

Three Cups of Tea Quick Tip by sally83

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 15:07:45 +0000

inspiring!

Three Cups of Tea Quick Tip by RichardG

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 17:55:41 +0000

Awesome

Into the Wild (book) Quick Tip by aztec13

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 21:16:11 +0000

Ok, this was a good book and I know I'm supposed to be more sympathetic to the main character, but I found him to be self-righteous without reason and misguided in his attempts to prove his point.

Hiking Quick Tip by CampingDog

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 23:01:14 +0000

If it's a long hike, a dog backpack works great -- the dogs get tired and they just LOVE to carry their own gear

Three Cups of Tea Quick Tip by petemckelvey

Sat, 12 Jun 2010 23:08:38 +0000

Fascinating and inspiring, a good, easy read.

Three Cups of Tea Quick Tip by parma_bookworm2010

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 23:08:11 +0000

it was horiible

Great Book, Sure To Be A Classic

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 18:24:56 +0000

This book really and truly was heart-wrenching. I cannot imagine the kind of love Mortenson had for the people in Pakistan. This book really makes a person stand back and look at what they have done with their own life. This is a good book for anyone high school age and older. It teaches a great lesson in humanity. Three Cups of Tea is not a hard read, but a good one.

No Martyr

Sat, 5 Jun 2010 14:22:53 +0000

Into The Wild is an informative and interesting book. I read it quickly, if not exactly easily, and I learned a lot about wildlife and survival in a part of America I was not familiar with. It painted a vivid portrait of the outdoor world. For those reasons I did enjoy the story. It was not, however, entirely enjoyable for me, and in fact the main character infuriated me so much that I often had to put the book down to rant at my fiance about it.

I felt guilty about this, because the main character was a real person, not exactly a product of the author's mind. It was also difficult to come to this conclusion because of the great lengths the author went to to glorify Chris McCandless.Since the character in this book is a fictionalized version of a real person, I will discuss him as if he is merely a fictional character here.

Despite this, I couldn't help but feel enraged at his selfishness. Chris McCandless left to go live in the woods without telling his parents where he was going, without bothering to inform his loved ones of anything at all. He had problems with his parents, yes, but the book's account of them was not one that, to my mind, justified putting the people he loved through such hell. Besides that, he was remarkably disrespectful of nature and what it is capable of, leaving his home with the barest of provisions and expecting to be just fine. It's one thing to try and get closer to nature, but to totally disregard your own safety and to essentially ruin the lives of your family and loved ones is selfish and stupid in my opinion. I have a distant relative who froze to death on a mountain because he chose to go climbing without researching the conditions of the mountain. I have seen the impact that had on his parents, siblings, wife and young daughters. Chris McCandless didn't have a wife or child, but he had others who were just as devastated by his disappearance. The author attempted to glorify him, making him sound like a martyred pioneer. He wasn't.

Three Cups of Tea Quick Tip by Lindsaylou

Thu, 3 Jun 2010 14:24:36 +0000

i enjoyed this book, although the writing style was sometimes annoying

Into the Wild (book) Quick Tip by s16t18

Wed, 2 Jun 2010 18:33:08 +0000

Amazing story!!! It's incredibly emotional.

Into the Wild (book) Quick Tip by peoplepowergranny

Wed, 2 Jun 2010 17:00:10 +0000

A great movie. I am yet to read the book.

Into the Wild (book) Quick Tip by winniecooper

Wed, 2 Jun 2010 05:37:02 +0000

a very thorough account. hard to put down, and doesn't glorify McCandless too much.

Into the Wild (book) Quick Tip by Sheena4ya

Fri, 21 May 2010 15:45:14 +0000

I really liked this book based on a true story

Yosemite National Park Quick Tip by devora

Wed, 31 Mar 2010 20:36:52 +0000

Breathtaking park as well as the site of my first camping experience & some of my favorite Ansel Adams photos.

Johnson Ranch: Perfect Trail for a Spring Stroll

Sun, 21 Mar 2010 04:34:27 +0000

The Johnson Ranch trail is peaceful. Right now, in March, it's showing off just how many shades of green there are in nature. At a glance, it's just rolling grasslands spotted with a few trees, but as you walk the trail and look closer, you see all sorts of plants and wildflowers. Even though part of the trail provides a view of Highway 101, it's still beautiful.

The trail winds up and down, so even though there are hills, it never feels too steep or challenging. You also never feel like you quite arrive anywhere. It just meanders.

There are bridges over numerous creek crossings.

It's a popular place in the evenings. There's a definite after-work crowd that strolls and runs along the paths. While this makes it feel less isolated and private, it also makes it feel safer.

Hazards:

A sign at the trailhead warns of wild pigs, but if you good midday, you won't likely see them. They're active at dawn and dusk. You will see the evidence that they've been there -- the earth uprooted from their digging.
There are small patches of poison oak. If you bring a dog, make sure it doesn't run off into these spots.
After a rain, there are some muddy spots.

Hiking Quick Tip by Bethany_K

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 16:07:23 +0000

I grew up hiking with my family every Fall. I love the exercise and the chance to soak up the beauty of nature.

Three Cups of Tea Quick Tip by trailblazer

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 05:51:46 +0000

Greg Mortensen is speaking in Santa Barbara on May 4, 2010. Three Cups of Tea is a great story.

Snyder Trail: A Scenic Workout with Wildflowers

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:56:07 +0000

Snyder Trail is an ideal day hike. It's long enough and challenging enough that you feel like you really got away from the city, but it's not intimidating.

The trail is an out-and-back, or more appropriately an up-and-down, route from Paradise Road to the ruins at Knapp's Castle. Want to tone your legs? Hike this trail!

During the spring, the wildflowers are abundant. There's enough variety of color and flowers to give your macro camera lens a good test. They're just one of the rewards for the continuous uphill trek, which includes a lot of switchbacks.

Another reward is the view. You can see across to the next ridgeline and, from higher up, parts of the Santa Ynez Valley.

At the top is Knapp's Castle, another phenomenal photo spot. More importantly, it's a greta place to stop and enjoy the picnic you should have packed. The roundtrip is between 6 and 7 miles, so you'll want snacks.

There are two things keeping this hike from getting a 5 rating:

It's a popular trail for mountain bikers, which means you need to be alert and sometimes hop out of the way. That keeps it from being as peaceful as it could be.
It's not a loop. Hikes that require backtracking lose points with me.

Don't start on this trail without:

water
shoes with good traction
a camera
snacks
some idea of where you're going

After the hike, I recommend turning off Paradise Road near Highway 154 and stopping for another meal or just a drink at Cold Spring Tavern.

How to ice-axe self arrest Quick Tip by HikingLady

Sat, 6 Mar 2010 04:47:14 +0000

Definitely a skill EVERYONE that hikes mountains in the winter need to learn.

Man vs. Wild Quick Tip by HikingLady

Sat, 6 Mar 2010 04:46:05 +0000

I really like this show! I know that he's got an entire crew with him, but show is still great! Good episode is the behind the scenes show

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve Quick Tip by HikingLady

Sat, 6 Mar 2010 04:45:11 +0000

Yep Torry Pines State Reserve is a great place for an easy hike or run. Just be sure to take a jacket - it gets windy!