While it’s all well and good to try to cut back on gas consumption in the car, people everywhere are starting to realize that more of our economy is built on oil and petroleum than we’d ever imagined. As the cost of a barrel of oil rises, so does everything that’s made of that oil or dependent on that oil for transport. The first hobbyists to feel that pinch? Surfers.
It turns out the tag on a new surfboard is more closely tied to the price of sweet, light crude than I’d ever imagined. A new AP story says that the prices of some surfboards — made of synthetics and coated in oil-based waxes — have doubled. Other merchants bemoan resin price increases and lagging sales as surfers hang up their boards ’cause they can’t pay the bills.
We hikers are a bit more insulated than surfers, I suppose — really, the only supplies I need to refill every week are Clif Bars and tap water for my CamelBak — but I have definitely been more reluctant to drive 50+ miles to a trailhead lately. And that’s AFTER factoring in that I bike to work during the week.
What do you think? Have gas prices encouraged you to explore more of your local hiking areas? Do you give up the trails for a poolside lounge chair during the summer to avoid the highest gas prices? Or do you just make your wallet suffer your outdoors addition, regardless?
Image by solarbob99
Web Hosting by ReadySetConnect
With the heat lately the only bareable places to hike are the spots that require some gas guzzling. It is certainly taking its toll on me. I bit the bullet last weekend and did some Sierra hiking (Mono Pass & Paradise Valley). I figure if I am going to pay for gas I am going to get somewhere worth paying for. $120 r/t in gas to Bishop area for the weekend. Money well spent.
I have gone hiking 3 of the past 4 weekends…it is getting expensive, even when the car is full and we split the bill. On the other hand I think it is building camaraderie in a way because I wouldn’t think for a second about driving somewhere to hike by myself. We HAVE to carpool with a full car :) Builds community!
We’ve been doing the same hike all summer - the closest hike (10 min drive! We have a winner!). We haven’t even been to Angeles in months, it’s too expensive.
Well, there is public transportation. I just did it. I took the number 534 bus, which runs along PCH and got off at Corral Canyon. I had a great hike in Solstice Canyon. The “commute” wasn’t easy, but it is doable.
The bus ride took a total of 2 hours each way (1 transfer from Culver City Bus #1), driving would have taken me maybe 45 minutes. And the bus is crowded with inner city workers going to their jobs in Malibu.
But YES, I will do it again.
A while back the Santa Monica Mountains park had a hikers’ shuttle. I admit I never did use it. But I sure would use it now, if it were available.
I am looking for other ideas on how to get to trail heads (southern California or Sierras) using public transportation. If anyone out there has an idea, please share.