There’s nothing worse than getting rubbed raw in your nether regions, which can happen (especially on hot days) on long hikes, especially if you’re wearing the same cotton briefs you wear in your non-hiking life. Synthetic, boxer-style briefs fit snug…
Monthly Archives: October 2007
6. Something to keep crud out of your shoes
by tmangan • October 13, 2007 • 0 Comments
A constant annoyance is having to stop what you’re doing, find someplace to sit down, take off your shoes and dump whatever bits of dirt, gravel or whatever has insinuated into a place seemingly calculated to cause the most discomfort.…
7. Nylon hiking pants
by tmangan • October 13, 2007 • 0 Comments
A couple years back I bought a pair of nylon hiking pants with the zip-off lower legs. They have a bunch of pockets for maps and other stuff, weigh practically nothing and have worn like iron. Also: extremely comfortable. When…
8. Something to block the sun
by tmangan • October 13, 2007 • 0 Comments
I never hike without my floppy hat and sunglasses. Ultraviolet rays from the sun are almost perpendicular to the top of your head, which means if you go around with no hat on you’re essentially asking nature to grant you…
9. Nourishment
by tmangan • October 13, 2007 • 0 Comments
Always take some food along — it keeps your energy level high and means less of your hike will be spent wishing to hell it was over. You don’t need much: an apple, an energy bar, some dried fruit, homemade…
10. The real 10 Essentials
by tmangan • October 13, 2007 • 1 Comment
This story at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer describes the so-called 10 Essentials for Wilderness Survival. On day hikes in good weather in the Bay Area you won’t need most of them, but it’s important to understand them. You can also buy…
Author’s event: “Grand Obsession: Harvey Butchart and the Exploration of Grand Canyon”
by tmangan • October 12, 2007 • 0 Comments
Elias Butler of Flagstaff, Arizona, has co-authored this book about a guy who spent a lifetime exploring the nooks and crannies of the Grand Canyon (nooks-and-crannies capital of the known universe). He’ll give a hiking slide show at the REI…
Latest Hikes column: Henry Coe
by tmangan • October 11, 2007 • 2 Comments
The format of the column essentially forbids giving proper credit to the greatness that is Henry Coe, so this piece is not among my favorites, but I’m hoping it’ll get a few first-timers out to the park who might’ve had…
For all you high-pointers
by tmangan • October 10, 2007 • 0 Comments
Random Curiosity topped the towering Jacks Peak (elev. 1,068), which he describes as the highest point overlooking Monterey Bay. It’s about a third of a mile from the parking lot. Because such a short hike was hardly satisfying, I continued…