Dan's Outside

Autumn colors and ridge-top clouds

Castillero Trail at Almaden Quicksilver County Park. November 15, 2003.
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November 16, 2003 Posted by gdanmitchell | Commentary | Comments Off on Autumn colors and ridge-top clouds

Lichen on Manzanita

&uot

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November 15, 2003 Posted by gdanmitchell | Commentary | Comments Off on Lichen on Manzanita

Rain and fall leaves at Almaden Quicksilver Park

(Those who are visually-oriented may recognize this particular spot on the trail from previous photos I have posted. :-)
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November 15, 2003 Posted by gdanmitchell | Commentary | Comments Off on Rain and fall leaves at Almaden Quicksilver Park

Disappointing outdoor websites that I still visit

You know the type of site I’m describing. You once found something really interesting there, or the concept of the site is great – but after visiting a few times you realize that it leaves you a bit disappointed. (Heck, you might even have that reaction to this site! ;-)

***Backpacker
(http://www.packpacker.com/) – I subscribe to the print version of this magazine, in which the writing quality ranges from juvenile to outstanding. There is enough of the good stuff to keep me subscribing. (See articles on Ansel Adam’s Sierra, backpacking in Alaska, etc.) Unfortunately, the web site mostly features reruns of cut-down versions of the same articles that appeared in the print version… sometimes years earlier. And, if you watch the site for a few months, you realize that the web versions of the articles are frequently recycled as well, maybe every few months. This is not the most productive way to position a magazine web site. Ideally, the print version should drive people to the web site… and the web site should drive people to the print version. To accomplish this, each version must complement the other one. When I go to the web version of Backpacker I should find something there that I have not already seen in print – perhaps reader-provided current conditions and news or features that are both compelling and not found in the print magazine. Why I keep coming back: I’m not sure. I guess I hope that Backpacker will eventually get it and provide something really exciting at the web site. Hint to backpacker: It won’t be one of your online contests, nor your online store.

***Joe’s Ultralight Backpacking
(http://www.ultralightbackpacker.com/) – It would be unfair for me to pick on Joe, since he is just one dedicated outdoor enthusiast who started a web site dedicated to the notion of going ultralight. I first discovered his site when I was beginning to work on lightening my backcountry loads, and I found useful information at the site along with links to other useful resources. But it turns out that Joe has a life beyond his web site and recent updates have changed from weekly or semi-monthly to semi-annual. Most of them begin with “Sorry I haven’t posted lately but here’s why…” Why I keep coming back: I like Joe’s site and his attitude about backpacking. Plus it doesn’t hurt that his home page features a picture of him in one of my favorite places on the planet. I enjoyed his descriptions of his adventures… and hope he’ll find a bit more time to post them on a more regular basis.

***Sierra Club Daily Scoop
(http://www.sierraclub.org/scoop/) – Great source of news on current environmental issues and a slash-and-burn approach to uncovering the anti-environmental policies of our current administration. But shouldn’t a web site called the Daily Scoop be updated… uh, daily? Why I keep coming back: It really is a great site and there are news tidbits there that I don’t get anywhere else.
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November 9, 2003 Posted by gdanmitchell | Commentary | Comments Off on Disappointing outdoor websites that I still visit

First "rain hike" of the season

Well, it drizzled anyway. Although it the rainy season did begin here about a week ago, today was the first time this season when I hiked in the rain. I did the mid-length version of my Almaden Quicksilver County Park hike and picked up some rain on the ridge and on my descent to the parking lot. I also noticed that, true to California form, one week after the first rain the new winter greenery is already starting to sprout. Soon the hills will be emerald green instead of their current dusty brown.
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November 8, 2003 Posted by gdanmitchell | Commentary | Comments Off on First "rain hike" of the season

Mine Hill Trail fall leaves

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November 8, 2003 Posted by gdanmitchell | Commentary | Comments Off on Mine Hill Trail fall leaves

New Almaden Quicksilver Park Leaves

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November 4, 2003 Posted by gdanmitchell | Commentary | Comments Off on New Almaden Quicksilver Park Leaves

The season changed

Just like that. Without warning. Early last week it was in the nineties in California and heat records were broken everywhere. Literally 48 hours later it was all over and record low temperatures were set around the state.

The change was apparent on my hike today. Last week’s dusty trails had been dampened by light rains and it was cool enough on the ridge at mid-day that I had to add an extra layer of clothing.

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November 3, 2003 Posted by gdanmitchell | Commentary | Comments Off on The season changed

Two hikes – one park

On this strangely hot last weekend of October I managed to get out for two hikes at Almaden Quicksilver County Park. Yesterday I did my shorter loop up Mine Hill Trail and then back down via Castillero and English Camp. Today I went further – speed-hiking out on the Randol Trail, up Prospect #3 to the ridge, then back via Mine Hill, Castillero, and the newly renovated trail that comes out in the overflow parking lot at the New Almaden entrance.

We’re experiencing what will hopefully be the last hot days of the year. Records were set around the Bay Area yesterday and it was at least 80 degrees when I started my hike near 9:30 – and much hotter when I crossed the ridge later on.
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October 26, 2003 Posted by gdanmitchell | Commentary | Comments Off on Two hikes – one park

Harder to find hiking time now

It seems that once a week is about as often as I can get off on a hike right now. Today I hiked up English Camp and Castillero Trails to Catherine Tunnel at Almaden Quicksilver County Park. I came back via the Mines Trail.
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October 19, 2003 Posted by gdanmitchell | Commentary | Comments Off on Harder to find hiking time now