Losing GPS signal is a common and frustrating problem for hikers who regularly use their GPS receiver to track progress – yours truly included. We all know that narrow canyons and thick tree canopy can cause signal loss, but other times it can go out even if you have a clear view of the sky. I’ve previously written about this loss of accuracy problem, and how the government was a bit behind on their satellite maintenance, but now it seems like someone’s pushed enough paper to get things moving.
Spurred by GPS signal issues in the rugged terrain of Afghanistan, the military’s Strategic Command has ordered a “satellite surge,” calling for three new GPS satellites in orbit, bringing the total number to 27. The first one has already been launched, and the remaining two are slated to launch by next January – a full year ahead of schedule.
Civilian GPS enthusiasts use the same network of satellites the military does, albeit with a limit on its accuracy, so we outdoorsy types may see an improvement in reception over the next year as the new satellites are brought online.
I’m still neck-deep in New Zealand photos, and it will be a little while before I can give a full update, but I just wanted to remind everyone about the free Anza-Borrego event at the West LA Adventure 16 tonight at 7PM.
The night will start with a wine and cheese happy half-hour, then show three short films highlighting the beauty of that amazing desert park to our south. A16 says the films will definitely inspire you to start planning a trip – and they’ve also just posted a comprehensive wildflower-viewing tips page, with tons of information, gear lists, contact numbers, and everything else you’ll need to get a perfect desert wildflower bloom trip!
Tomorrow, I’ll be boarding a flight to spend two weeks on the South Island of New Zealand.
Obviously, I won’t be updating Modern Hiker or responding to emails during this time, but should have plenty to talk about when I get back. I may be able to send updates toTwitter if I’m near any WiFi, but that’s not what I’m going there for in the first place, so don’t expect much!
You guys have been great in the comments lately, helping out other hikers and having some good discussions, so I think I’m going to leave the comments open. Please excuse any spam that gets through. I don’t know why term paper plagiarists think hikers are in their market, but oh well.
See you all when I get back! Happy hiking and take care on the mountains for me!
A 22-episode webshow called “The Season” hit the internets on the Arc’teryx website. It’s just a teaser trailer, but it seems pretty interesting – following 5 different outdoor athletes through a single season in the Pacific Northwest as they attempt to conquer their various realms of expertise.
In case you missed the last Whitney clinic at REI, our local outfitters at Adventure 16 will be holding their version in the West LA store on Friday, February 5th. Whitney expert Kurt Wedberg will be leading the informational session in store, and they’ll have permit applications on hand just in case you get extra inspired.
If the desert’s more your thing, be sure to head back on February 24th, when they’ll be serving up wine, cheese, and popcorn and screening three short films showing off the beauty of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.
Anza-Borrego is one of my favorite areas in all of California, and it’s definitely worth a visit – especially during the spring blooms. See below for a few recommended hikes in the area.
The Backbone Trail runs 67 miles through the Santa Monica Mountains, from the Pacific Palisades to the Pacific Ocean north of Malibu. When it’s completed, it will be a fantastic backpacking route, but as it stands right now there’s only one campground on the trail, and a few sections of unfinished trail that require walking along streets.
From May 1-8, the group will take a very leisurely approach to the trail, but provide some trail-creature comforts, like shuttles from the trail to nearby camp sites, some food and water, and a car shuttle back to the beginning of the trail when you’re done.
That pace would probably be a bit slow for me, but if you’re just interested in getting acquainted with the area or have some time to kill in early May, I’ve heard good things from people who’ve been on previous Treks. The fee for the event is $350. More information and a contact for questions can be found on their official registration site, along with some photos from past Treks.
Just a quick reminder – if you’re considering hiking Mount Whitney this year, Feburary 1st marks the official beginning of “Permit Season.”
All completed permit applications need to have a February postmark, so get your group together, get that envelope in the mail this week, and cross your fingers for the first drawings on February 16th.
More information on the permit process is available here. Good luck everyone. Hope to see you up there!
When I was at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, I met some representatives from Trimble Outdoors, who were kind enough to let me in on a review copy of their iPhone App, AllSport GPS. While I think it has a few shortcomings for hikers, its features really shine as a fitness app, which could be more appreciated by trail runners or mountain bikers.
In 2010 and 2011, if you want to hike up Half Dome on a weekend or holiday when the cables are up, you’re going to need to do some serious planning-ahead, because now you need a permit to do so.
Beginning in 2010, all people using the Half Dome Trail above the subdome must have a permit in possession on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays when the cables are up. A maximum of 400 permits will be issued each of these days.
The Park says that, on average, fewer than 400 people hike to Half Dome a day during the weekdays, while on weekends and holidays that number can double – leading to congestion, trail over-use, and dangerous crowding conditions on those perilous chains.
For now, you will have to use Recreation.gov to get a day-use permit, from four months to a week in advance of your trip. No permits will be issued day-of, or on a first-come-first-served basis, although climbers who make their way up to the summit can hike down without a permit, and backpackers with the proper wilderness permit can pick up a Half Dome permit without any additional reservations.
This permit system is currently only scheduled to last through 2012, when a new management plan for Half Dome is expected to take shape.
This sort of move always ends up being controversial in the outdoor community. One school of thought says permits (and things like Adventure Passes) cause unnecessary difficulty for those trying to enjoy the outdoors, and can prevent people from getting outside. Nature should be free for everyone at their own risk, and all that. Another school says these popular trails need this sort of regulation, both for human safety and to reduce the impact on the environment.
Even though some permit applications can be logistical headaches, I tend to side with the second camp for the most part. I have never done the Half Dome Trail myself, and one of the big reasons is that I don’t want to get to the end of a hair-raising trek and have it look like a tour bus just made a stop there. Maybe with this new system in place, I’ll be able to climb up those cables without worrying about the crowds.
Or I’ll just enjoy the view from North Dome or Cloud’s Rest, where I’ve got a pretty good chance of having the place to myself!
Via Calipidder, a great source for NorCal hiking news and all sorts of other great outdoorsy info!
If you’ve heard me rattling on and on about how you should give snowshoeing a shot, and were wondering what all the fuss was about, you need look no further than this incredible set of photos taken by Keegan Uhl in Icehouse Canyon last week.
keeganuhlphotography.com
Looking through that gallery, you will instantly want to run to the nearest store to buy snowshoes and tire chains. Lucky it’s Friday!
Your one-stop shop for hiking in Los Angeles and the rest of Southern California. Find a trail. Download a Google Earth file. Charge your GPS' batteries, then get outside and charge yours.
Losing GPS signal is a common and frustrating problem for hikers who regularly use their GPS receiver to track progress – yours truly included. We all know that narrow canyons and thick tree canopy can cause signal loss, but other times it can go out even if you have a clear view of the sky. I’ve previously written about this loss of accuracy problem, and how the government was a bit behind on their satellite maintenance, but now it seems like someone’s pushed enough paper to get things moving.
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