Gambling with gear … It’s the the night before your big backpacking trip. You’ve been a good camper and packed all of your 10-plus essentials, checked the seals on your water bladder and made sure you have enough chocolate Goo packets to feed a small nation. While test-hefting the final weight of your pack, your…
So, you’re lost. You’re not quite sure where you got turned around, but if you just keep going, you’ll probably figure it out, right? Maybe if you follow this stream downhill … didn’t Bear Grylls say something about water leading to civilization? The shadows start to grow around you and the trees that seemed so…
With crisp fall days on the way in the high country, cooking up a mug of some steaming hot coffee on my little MSR stove is pure backpacking heaven. However, a camp stove can also be very dangerous if used carelessly. Here are a few strategies to keep you safe and your tummy satisfied. Check…
The days are still deceptively warm, but the night air carries a crispness that speaks of snow and ice to come. It’s the perfect season for hiking our San Jacinto mountain trails. Here are a few tips that will enhance your enjoyment and safety: Weather Woes A mild autumn day hike can turn uncomfortably cold…
When I started backpacking over two decades ago, I was convinced that packing fresh food was “verboten.” The colossal weight of several extra ounces of avocado on your back were just not worth the delight of savoring it’s creamy green goodness. The hiking gods would never allow such a sin to go unpunished. If you…
It’s getting hot. I noticed this obvious little fact on the Fourth of July as we were running litter races up and down North Circle Drive in all our call-out gear with litters full of girl scouts throwing candy. After the parade we were covered in sweat and very happy to enjoy a cold beverage…
Over the years, we hikers all accumulate a closet of gear that we know we can depend on. The obvious items are pretty much standard, but what about those cool bits of gear added to our arsenals from outside the normally sanctioned realm of “backpacking gear”? Here’s a list of my own most tried and…
Planning on heading out on a hike? Great! Just one thing I’d like you to do first. Look in the mirror. You are looking at the person responsible for your own safety. Got it? Good. Any good Girl Scout knows that the hike starts before leaving the house. Whether it’s a quick trail run, bagging…
Many times when the Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit (RMRU) gets called out, it is in conjunction with the California State Park for a situation that has taken place in its area. Over the past year, we have seen a steady decline in rescues within the state park. A new program, which Ranger Sue Neary started,…
In this column, my Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit teammates and I usually focus on safety on the trails and the overall beauty of the high country. Never have we talked about the safety aspect of the core sport that makes Idyllwild a destination for people from around the world — climbing!
