A very old list (2004 was like centuries ago!) from National Geographic Adventure (which exists, near as I can tell, to stick it to Outside) profiles the top 100 adventure books. A few I liked: 7. Desert Solitaire, by Edward…
Faves, Gear
Hiking in the rain: How do you stay dry?
by tom • February 20, 2008 • 13 Comments
Beyond staying indoors, that is… I’m pretty much convinced there is no such thing as a “breathable waterproof” outer shell, though perhaps there are miracle products out there I haven’t been apprised of. For my money there’s no substitute for…
Fedak.net
Fedak’s Henry Coe pictures posted
by tom • February 19, 2008 • 2 Comments
He camped out at Mississippi Lake, saw much evidence of last year’s fire.
Tom's travels
A White Mountain memory, rekindled
by tom • February 19, 2008 • 4 Comments
Before dawn on the 22nd of August last year, I got up early to catch the sight of the sun illuminating the peaks of the High Sierra just west of Bishop. Here’s one of the pictures I took: I stopped…
Fitness
Energy bars: any worth eating?
by tom • February 19, 2008 • 12 Comments
I used to be a fan of PowerBars but have stopped eating them since my wife started baking me her trademark oatmeal-walnut-chocolate chip cookies. Most energy bars compare so closely to a sawdust sandwich that I’d just as soon avoid…
In the news
RIP, Mel Cotton
by tom • February 18, 2008 • 3 Comments
Forgive my not posting this sooner: Mel Cotton, scion of the downtown San Jose sporting goods store, died last Friday. Mercury News columnist L.A. Chung wrote a nice farewell: “Wow, he just died?” asked Rick Lares, 32, who was buying…
Blogs
Well-heeled: a story of absurdity and e-commerce
by tom • February 18, 2008 • 3 Comments
Google’s search ‘bots have been lecturing me of late. They’re telling me all the big money’s in mending people’s aches and pains, vs. doing things that cause them, like, say, walking over jagged terrain all day. Bottom line: I should…
Joseph D. Grant County Park
Latest hike: Joseph D. Grant County Park
by tom • February 17, 2008 • 2 Comments
Grant Ranch wasn’t much to look at when I got there Sunday morning. All the better because it gave me an excuse to listen. The bird calls are remarkable when there’s no other distractions beyond the sound of the breeze…
Backpacking, Henry W. Coe St. Park
Henry Coe backcountry reopens Saturday
by tom • February 15, 2008 • 4 Comments
Coepark.org reports that all fire-damaged areas have been declared open again. Hat tip to Fedak for passing the news along; he’s packing his gear for a couple days of backpacking.