Glacier Glove – The Perfect Curve Glove – Review and Giveaway
A week or so ago the kind folks over at Glacier Glove sent me a couple of pairs of the Perfect Curve Gloves to review. These gloves are designed for cold water kayaking, fishing, and similar sports. I took the gloves with me on a trip to south central Texas to one of the only rivers in the state that is flowing right now to see how the gloves would do. The gloves are made from 2 mm Yamamoto Neoprene,
Guadalupe Peak – Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas
This summer I am taking a group of teenagers Backpaking in the Arapaho National Forest outside of Denver Colorado. We plan to spend 3 nights in the backcountry and summit a 13,000 foot mountain. Many of these young people have never been backpacking, or camping and some have never even been hiking. I knew many of them had signed up without knowing what they were getting themselves into. So as a “warm-up” hike we headed out to Guadalupe Mountains National
Week in Review – May 1st, 2011
My schedule lately has made it hard for me to keep up with what's going on with the blogosphere. As a result my "week in review" posts have been suffering. But non the less
TNC’s Davis Mountain Preserve Changes Open Day Schedule Due to Fire Danger
The Nature Conservancy's Davis Mountain Preserve has an open weekend scheduled for May 13-15. With the Rockhouse Fire still threatening the area it is likely the preserve will be closed that weekend. On May 4th the preserve will decided weather or not they will open.Should conditions allow for an open event in mid-May, the open weekend scheduled for May 13th through 15th will be shortened to an open day on Saturday, May 14th only, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Suicide in Big Bend National Park, Texas
It seems all I have been writing about lately are the wildfires currently burning in Texas and New Mexico. Today I take a break to write about a sad fatality in Big Bend National Park.Big Bend National Park released this tragic news yesterday afternoon.Jasbo Jerome Whitfield, 29, of of Boerne, Texas took his own life by a self inflicted gunshot wound on the road between Castolon and Santa Elena Canyon at 6:00 PM on April 21, 2011. Big Bend
Fire destroys Parts of Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Area
The Last Chance Fire continues to burn in the steep, rocky, inaccessible terrain of the Guadalupe Mountains. Thanks to a comment from an anonymous reader I have just discovered the Fire has also burned areas of Sitting Bull Falls including picnic pavilion overhang covers, electrical poles, associated trail systems, and climbing area at end of Forest Service Road 525A.Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Area before the Last Chance FireAs I posted earlier this week the recreation area is closed for the
Balmorhea State Park Closed Due to Fire Danger
Monday afternoon Balmorhea State Park was ordered closed just in case winds send the Rockhouse fire (aka Fort Davis Fire) to the northeast. Even though the town is not currently being threatened by fire, TPWD is trying to stay two steps ahead of the danger. "The evacuation is meant to clear the area of non-residents in the event of an emergency situation."Balmorhea State Park - Photo credit: Fliker User: Princess Stand in the RainShifting winds are expected to push the
Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Area Closed Due to Last Chance Fire
Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Area is closed until future notice due to fire activity in the area. The Last Chance fire began Sunday near the area of the Falls and has spread across 39,000 acres. The fire is currently 20% contained in steep and rugged terrain. Air Tanker Over Last Chance Fire. Photo courtesy of inciwebHWY137 is closed at 408 (Dark Canyon Road) by State Police blockadeDark Canyon Road is closed at Hidalgo RoadSitting Bull Falls Road is closed. Last
Wildfire Hiking Safety – What to do if Caught Outdoors in a Wildfire
With all the fires burning and trails closing I started thinking about what I would do if caught hiking in a wildfire. I did a little research, consulted the US Forest Service, and a local fire marshal to find out what is the appropriate course of action when caught outdoors in a wildfire. Be Aware of Active Fires and Fire Danger:Before you set out to go hiking, camping, or backpacking check local conditions for fire danger and active fires in
Last Chance Fire Burns in the Guadalupe Mountains
A fire has started in the Guadalupe Mountains north of Guadalupe Mountains National Park. The fire began in the steep, rocky and inaccessible terrain of the Guadalupe district: Lincoln National Forest and has spread across 10,000 acres into Bureau of Land Management and private lands. The "Last Chance fire" is so named because it started near the Last Chance trail. I was in this area just a few weeks ago visiting Sitting Bull Falls. The cause of the fire is