Archive for October, 2007

Best … Write-up … Ever

Published on October 30, 2007 in Geek Stuff and Web Sites and Apps. 0 Comments

Of Tom Bissell’s climb of Kilimanjaro, for the New York Times.

It’s got 3-d animated maps, elevation charts, levels of heart rate and blood oxygen, and audio and video from the author, which include his detailed description of what it’s like to get Altitude Sickness. It’s a multimedia-stravaganza, and it makes me want to spend a lot of money for an on-trail video camera.

And an iMac.

From Besthike.com.

The Skies Are Clear

Published on October 30, 2007 in Angeles National Forest, City Life, Cleveland National Forest, National Forests and Recreation Areas and fires. 1 Comment

… Well, relatively clear, that is.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued a statement today saying the air quality has improved to the point where they’re no longer recommending limiting your outdoor activities. They note, however, that there are still some fires burning, and several areas that still have smoke advisories in effect. (Here’s a clue - if you smell smoke or see ash, you’re still in a smoke advisory area).

Don’t lace up those boots just yet, though - the National Forests are still closed due to extreme fire hazard. Here’s hoping we can get back to the mountains by the weekend!

Anza-Borrego State Park: Calcite Mine and The Slot

Published on October 30, 2007 in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Excursions, State and Local Parks, Trail Write-Ups and hiking. 2 Comments

Two short hikes in some of the best Slot Canyons in Southern California. Lots of squeezing through walls, scrambling in and out of canyons, and generally feeling like you’re in an Indiana Jones movie. The Calcite Mine area is also home to a historic WWII-era mining area, with other man-made features to explore.

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Anza-Borrego Desert State Park: Wind Caves (Adjacent)

Published on October 29, 2007 in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Excursions, Trail Write-Ups, climbing and hiking. 3 Comments

A short, off-trail mountain scramble and climb near the Wind Caves area of the park. We didn’t go all the way in because my Accord was probably not meant to be on the sandy dirt road leading to the caves.

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Anza-Borrego Desert State Park: Hellhole Canyon

Published on October 29, 2007 in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Excursions, Trail Write-Ups and hiking. 1 Comment

A short hike from the hot, dry desert flat into a narrow canyon and to a hidden waterfall oasis, full of mosses, vines, and trees. A surreal arid experience that is not to be missed if you’re in Anza-Borrego.

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Bad Air

Published on October 27, 2007 in Angeles National Forest, City Life, Cleveland National Forest, National Forests and Recreation Areas and fires. 2 Comments

While the fires are getting under control in (most of) Southern California, the air here is still pretty nasty. According to an MSNBC story, officials recommend limiting strenuous outdoor activity for at least 7 days after the fires are quelled.

My allergies have been going at full blast all week - sore throat, burning eyes, runny nose - the total package. Way worse than the 2003 fires. Normally I’d retreat to the mountains to get away from air like this, but right now the only option I’ve got is hiding inside my apartment with my Xbox and air conditioner.

Oh well. I’m still fortunate enough to have a place to sleep. I can’t wait for this smoke to clear so I can at least see my San Gabriels again.

The Forests Are Closed

Published on October 25, 2007 in Angeles National Forest, Cleveland National Forest, National Forests and Recreation Areas, fires and hiking. 1 Comment

The Angeles, San Bernardino, Cleveland, and Los Padres National Forests are all closed until further notice. The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is also closed, although the visitor center in Thousand Oaks is still operational. Violators are subject to fines and imprisonment.

Not that you really want to be hiking in the smoky air, anyway.

Google Maps of the California Wildfires

Published on October 25, 2007 in Web Sites and Apps and fires. 2 Comments

Leave it to Google to take a regional disaster and make a slick web 2.0 web app about it.

The Big G is working with the L.A. Times and Twitter to highlight the billions of fires in the area. The map has clickable fire icons for the L.A. and San Diego area, each showing the percent containment, damages, possible origins, and other pertinent information.

The information’s useful, and the map helps put into perspective just how far-reaching these fires are.

Our weather…

Published on October 23, 2007 in fires. 0 Comments




Our weather…, originally uploaded by iwriteplays.

A telling weather forecast snapshot, from the Flickr pool of HikingLA.

It Seems Like

Published on October 22, 2007 in fires. 2 Comments

Disaster is one step ahead of me. I fly home to New England for 80-degree temperatures, drought conditions, and sub-par foliage.

Then I fly back to L.A. just in time to see the southern California engulfed in flames. And just after recommending the Mishe Mokwa trail to my row-mate!

With fires in just about every metropolitan mountain range near L.A. and San Diego, and Santa Ana winds expected to continue for a few more days, be sure to stay safe if you’re headed out onto the trail.

Also, you should probably check to make sure the trail you’re headed for still exists.