Dan's Outside

2003.07.31

***New plans for my Sierra adventure
now include 7 days (instead of 10) on the trail and a new location. I’ll be heading over Mono Pass and into the Pioneer Basin and Recesses area. I like this idea because this is perhaps the area of the Sierra that I know the least. (I know most of the Yosemite backcountry quite well, and I’ve covered the entire Muir Trail in Kings Canyon – Sequoia (parts of it several times) and many of the lateral trails.

As it stands now we plan to take two days to get into a suitable basecamp. Then we’ll have three fairly unscheduled days to explore, hang out, move to a new camp site, etc. before we use the final two days to exit back to the trailhead.
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July 31, 2003 Posted by gdanmitchell | Commentary | Comments Off on 2003.07.31

GreatCentralLakeRelaxing

Relaxing on the Great Central Lake, Vancouver Island, BC. July 2003.
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July 30, 2003 Posted by gdanmitchell | Commentary | Comments Off on GreatCentralLakeRelaxing

DellaLakeMorning

Early morning on upper Great Central Lake, Vancouver Island, BC. July 2003.
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July 30, 2003 Posted by gdanmitchell | Commentary | Comments Off on DellaLakeMorning

Canada Photographs

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Early morning on upper Great Central Lake, Vancouver Island, BC. July 2003.

Lunch break on the Great Central Lake, Vancouver Island, BC. July 2003.

Relaxing on the Great Central Lake, Vancouver Island, BC. July 2003.

Flock of birds over Yukon River near Whitehorse. June 2002.

St. Elias Range near Haines Junction, YT. June 2002.

The Beast and cyclists on a 2002 Skagway to Anchorage bike trip. Photo on the Canadian side of White Pass. June 2002.
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July 30, 2003 Posted by gdanmitchell | Commentary | Comments Off on Canada Photographs

2003GreatCentralLake

Lunch break on the Great Central Lake, Vancouver Island, BC. July 2003.
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July 30, 2003 Posted by gdanmitchell | Commentary | Comments Off on 2003GreatCentralLake

2003.07.30

&t***Breaking for lunch
on the Great Central Lake, Vancouver Island, BC. July 2003.

***What to do?
We had a large group of people ready to go on our big 10-day Sierra pack trip next week, but all but three have now backed out. Now I’m trying to decide whether to do the full trip (including car shuttle logistics, etc.) with three or find a shorter trip.

***Ozone hole’s growth rate slows down: Scientists credit refrigerant ban
– “Almost 30 years after scientists discovered that common industrial gases were destroying Earth’s protective ozone layer, satellite readings and ground observations show for the first time that the dangerous rate of ozone loss is finally slowing.” [SFGate]

***Farmed Salmon Is Said to Contain High PCB Levels.
The levels, found in 10 samples, are in excess of the guidelines set by the E.P.A. for recreationally caught fish. By Marian Burros. [New York Times: NYT HomePage]
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July 30, 2003 Posted by gdanmitchell | Commentary | Comments Off on 2003.07.30

2003.07.28

***Back from British Columbia
– more on the Talusdancers web site.

***Bay Trail Adventure
– SFGate publishes a multip-part series on this around-the-bay trail, with stories, guides, and downloadable maps.
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July 28, 2003 Posted by gdanmitchell | Commentary | Comments Off on 2003.07.28

2003.07.15

***Administration Plans to Exempt Alaskan Forest From Road Act.
The Bush administration set out a proposal to exempt the Tongass National Forest in Alaska from the Roadless Rule, potentially helping to clear the way for 50 pending land sales. By Jennifer 8. Lee. [New York Times: Science] Sheesh!
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July 15, 2003 Posted by gdanmitchell | Commentary | Comments Off on 2003.07.15

2003.07.13

***Critics Say E.P.A. Won’t Analyze Some Clean Air Proposals.
In the last several months, the E.P.A. has delayed or refused to do analysis on proposals that conflict with the president’s air pollution agenda. By Jennifer 8. Lee. [New York Times: Science]

***Mount Shasta No Longer Secret – Latest Overcrowded Destination
– Tom Stienstra writes in SFGate: “In the past two weekends, more than 500 people have used the primary trailhead at Bunny Flat on single days. Hundreds have tried to reach the summit using the same route at the same time in what appears a parade as dawn breaks. At a small flat spot at 10,440 feet called Lake Helen, an ideal bivouac for a summit attempt, there have been nights where 100 to 150 tents are jammed together, with space enough for about 10.”

***One year ago today
I had just completed the Alaska Cycling Trip with the parents and students of the Hoover-Lincoln Hiking-Biking club: 1100 miles from Skagway to Anchorage via Whitehorse, Yukon Territories and Fairbanks and Denali. What a trip that was!
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July 13, 2003 Posted by gdanmitchell | Commentary | Comments Off on 2003.07.13

2003.07.10

***One year ago today
I camped at Denali Vista in Denali State Park. I was on the last leg of my 1100-mile Alaska/Yukon bike trip.

***Today I’m planning for Canada again
– this time for my upcoming canoe/backpack trip to Della Falls on Vancouver Island.
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July 10, 2003 Posted by gdanmitchell | Commentary | Comments Off on 2003.07.10