Melissa got me one of these nifty satellite radio receivers, which could come in handy on hikes. Normally I prefer to hear the sounds of the outdoors but not every hike is going to be all that interesting, soundwise, so…
Hiking
Another harrowing Colorado fourteener tale
by tom • December 20, 2007 • 1 Comment
Two brothers’ luck almost ran out on Mount of the Holy Cross. This happened back in October. They got separated on the way back down from the summit; one of the brothers spent a scary night on the hill but…
What do you want for Christmas?
by tom • December 14, 2007 • 11 Comments
I, of course, want only peace and harmony for the world’s peoples. And stuff coated with Gore-Tex (or EVent, because I respect all faiths. Speaking of which, here’s a nice comparison of Down vs. Synthetics from the folks at Sierra…
Hiking on Christmas?
by tom • December 14, 2007 • 4 Comments
Hey, I’m tempted, but at least one day a year has to be invested in the interests of domestic tranquility. An essayist in the New York Times, being of the Hebrew persuasion, mentions how he wanted to have a little…
Park profiles from Merc columns coded up
by tom • December 12, 2007 • 0 Comments
The project I started yesterday is in pretty good shape today — I’ve taken all the Hikes columns I’ve written for the Mercury News and given each one a static page with a hike description, breakout box of essential park…
Cool socks report
by tom • December 7, 2007 • 2 Comments
Rick at HikeHalfdome.com writes up some very nifty hiking socks from Northern Ireland that are cut for right and left feet. Wool-synthetic blend with anti-bacterial treatment. Nice. (Field sobriety test for next wine-soaked overnighter: can you tell which feet your…
Hiking with dogs: everything you need to know
by tom • December 3, 2007 • 1 Comment
I found this page brimming with details on hiking and backpacking with dogs. It explains that the strongest breeds are slow walkers, and that hiking won’t necessarily ruin a dogs hips. It has tips on dog first aid, on whether…
More gift ideas for outdoors types
by tom • December 3, 2007 • 0 Comments
Last week it was Texas; this week it’s Iowa. The Des Moines Register sent out a scouting mission. I liked these: Books “Spooky Campfire Stories,” retold by S.E. Schlosser. $12.95. Sportsman’s. “Hiking Iowa: A Guide to Iowa’s Greatest Hiking Adventures,”…
Hiking socks for Christmas
by tom • November 29, 2007 • 1 Comment
A writer at the Dallas Morning News loves that Smart Wool: Smart Wool socks are pretty expensive (nearly $20 for the midcalf style that’s perfect for hiking or walking behind bird dogs), but they’re worth the money. When I bought…