Friend of the site and local hiker Alana Semuels lays out the differences between carriers in the area. Short story: T-Mobile? Sucks. AT&T? Not bad, in spots. Maybe that 3G GPS-enabled iPhone is worth it after all.
I tried to do my duty as a Responsible Hiker to offer some sound safety advice, as well as take digs at Runyon Canyon Blackberry Hikers. Guess which made it into the Pulitzer prize-winning paper’s story.
Anyone out there have some love ‘em or leave ‘em stories about cell phones in the wild? I used to keep mine on during a hike to use as a watch, even when I lost reception. But after getting a few “urgent” messages from friends and family without being able to call back for 5 or 6 hours, I started stowing it in the OFF position and have never turned back.
Last March, I dismissed an idea from some colleagues to do “urban hiking” — a trek through the streets of Los Angeles with my CamelBak, GPS, and camera, treated like a regular hike write-up. I thought it’d be boring and unfulfilling — and was worried someone would try to gank my GPS.
Now, it seems like someone’s taken me up on that. Kind of.
The business manager for stalwart uberblog Boing Boing has started “urban hiking” in San Francisco as a way to get exercise and networking opportunities.
Eww.
Well, I guess I’d be reluctant to call it hiking — strolling, maybe — but these tours are definitely good ways to learn more about your city and keep in touch with friends and colleagues. Whenever I try to get a professional colleague on a hike, I scare them off with large-sounding distances and early starting times on the weekends.
Maybe I should look into this networking thing. Or I’ll just check Walking in L.A. every once in a while and keep going into the mountains on the weekends.
Over the sweltering weekend, I suited up, packed plenty of water, and drove out to the Devil’s Canyon Trailhead for some creekside hiking and cool-pool soaking.
Unfortunately, when I got to the trailhead, I noticed my camera felt a lot lighter than it usually does. The reason? I left the battery in the charger at home.
After yelling at myself and thinking about getting back in the car, I instead made the right decision and went ahead with the hike anyway, making it a “non-working hike.”
The good news? I had a wonderful, relaxing hike in a beautiful area I hadn’t seen yet. The bad? No write-up for the site. Oh well. There’s always next week.
Or, I could spend a few minutes later this week and make some Crow-style trail illustrations …
If there was ever a gadget for this site to endorse, it’s this — the 4GB Brando USB carabiner thumb drive.
For 32 bucks, you can get yourself some stylish and outdoorsy flash storage in one of six colors. And it weighs just 32 grams, so it won’t weigh down your shoulders when you’re liveblogging your backpack of the John Muir Wilderness on a Macbook Air.
If you’re like me, you’ve been thinking about picking up one of those
SPOT Emergency Beacons. They’re more versatile, reusable, and way cheaper than other satellite beacons on the market, and have gotten rave reviews from everyone who’s tested one out.
But there’s one problem — no one’s ever had to use them in an actual emergency yet. Or at least, until now.
The fine folks at Backpacker.com have posted a very well-written, real-life account of an emergency distress call from the slopes of Mount McKinley. It’s a great read, and highlights some of the unit’s shortcomings when needed out on the trail.
I’m still planning on buying one this year — but maybe I’ll wait a bit to see if they’re planning on doing any sort of redesigns or updates. Anyone out there have ‘em? And what do you think?
A 6+ mile, moderate loop on and off-trail in the middle High San Gabriels. While low on sweeping vistas, this hike features large stands of incense cedar, boulder formations typical of the area, ski slopes, and a great sense of remoteness.
I’ve long-been a believer in economics being the best motivator for mass environmentalism. I bought CFL bulbs for my apartment a long time ago to reduce my energy consumption, but most people I know bought them because they tear up big electric bills.
I’ve only been biking here in L.A. for a few months, but over that short period, I have definitely noticed a very large increase in the amount of bikes I see on the road. The LAist recently posted a picture of the jam-packed bike rack outside my office (where, incidentally, it was stolen) — and there were definitely less than half those bikes when I first started locking up there.
Of course, all of these changes pale in comparison to George Calvarescu, who ditched his auto-based commute from the Valley to Long Beach for a river-based route. He says he does get pretty dirty by the end of his commute, but his company has a shower — and he’s lost 100 pounds since he started paddling to the office.
Can’t argue with that. And it’s nice to see someone using the L.A. River for something other than a garbage bin or action scene backdrop.
Not sure about the early parts of his route, though. I know I’d need a lot of head bandages after going under that first bridge:
Over the weekend, I was quoted as part of an L.A. Times story on cellphone reception in the wilderness areas around the Los Angeles Metro area.
Over the sweltering weekend, I suited up, packed plenty of water, and drove out to the Devil’s Canyon Trailhead for some creekside hiking and cool-pool soaking.
Tomorrow is the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year — so be sure to get outside and enjoy it!
If there was ever a gadget for this site to endorse, it’s this — the 4GB Brando USB 
If you’re like me, you’ve been thinking about picking up one of those 
A 6+ mile, moderate loop on and off-trail in the middle High San Gabriels. While low on sweeping vistas, this hike features large stands of incense cedar, boulder formations typical of the area, ski slopes, and a great sense of remoteness.
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