Outdoor Blog

 Ever been really lost in the woods? Not fun. Several years ago I read a piece on the outdoors.org site and saved it. The story matched up two competitors – one with a then-current GPS device and the other with a quality compass and map. So which is best?

With a fully-charged battery, a strong signal and clear, unobstructed skyward line-of-site, there’s really no contest it’s the GPS device - and it’s not close. The GPS not only tells you where you are, but how you got there, your relationship with features, distance around you and the trail back. Electronic breadcrumbs. Their downside is dependency on current topographical information, electricity and micro-competence. (If you think GPS’ are bullet-proof, you may just be lucky)

In the compass-and-map corner are the simplicity and reliability of non-technical solutions, but it‘s a slower process subject map quality. The winner? If it’s to be you – take them both. If you like the full story, it’s still available at: www.outdoors.org/publications/outdoors/2009/features/gps-map-compass-challenge.cfm.

Summer is almost here and I practically have to tie myself to my chair here at work to get anything done. It is ATV season and all I can think about is hopping on my 4-wheeler and getting out in the hills. I am always amazed at the things I get to see while I am riding, not to mention the excitement of crawling through some very challenging terrain. I have also found that sometimes when they say expert only they mean it, but I do it anyways. Here in Montana we are very fortunate to have access to so much land for our outdoor motorized activities. But not everybody shares our enthusiasm for ATVs. We are definitely starting to see more of those signs that say “no motorized vehicles” and more permanently closed gates. The biggest complaint from the forest service is that motorists are venturing off and creating new trails instead of utilizing the existing ones. This misuse causes unnecessary erosion, kills vegetation and ruins the look of the land. I continually have to remind myself to get off the 4-wheeler to get into places when the trail ends or doesn’t go exactly where you want to. The forests are there for all to enjoy not just us motor heads so just a reminder to please remain on the trails and stay on designated roads so that we can continue to enjoy what many other’s may feel is a very obnoxious sport.  What do you think?  Weigh in at www.facebook.com/Cleanwasteoutdoor

 It’s that time of year when the temperatures rise and the winter snowpack starts to melt into the streams and rivers. This coupled with spring rain can create very dangerous flooding. In fact, in 2010 there were 103 fatalities in the USA due to flash floods and river floods. (http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/hazstats/flood10.pdf)
It is very important to recognize the risks, be prepared, and have a plan if a flood were to strike where you live or are visiting. Understand the risks by keeping up on weather forecasts and river levels. If water has overtaken a road, do not attempt to drive through it since a couple feet of floodwater can easily lift and carry a car downstream. (www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/pages/flood_facts.jsp)  Be prepared by having all of the essential supplies if disaster were to strike. A good place to find preparedness kits and supplies is Propac, www.propacusa.com.  They have everything you need for floods or any type of disaster. Finally, if a flood strikes where you are at then have a plan to keep everyone safe. It would also be worthwhile to look into flood insurance if available. This is something you would have to buy before the flood comes because it takes 30 days from purchase of the policy for it to take effect.  (www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/pages/flood_facts.jsp)  Stay informed, get prepared, and stay safe.

If you are interested in river levels in your area, then go to water.weather.gov/ahps/

 In honor of Earth Day, we are presenting our 3rd installment of our Leave No Trace Principles series.

Leave No Trace Principle 3: Dispose of Waste Properly

Disposing of waste properly is an important part of preserving the environment, as well as, leaving recreational areas user-ready. The heart of this principle is to pack out all trash, food and litter. This principle also focuses heavily on the proper disposal of human waste. Catholes can be used where possible but for maximum minimization of environmental impact, human waste should be packed out. Packing out human waste ensures that water sources will not become polluted and the potential to spread disease is greatly reduced. Additionally, packing out ensures that no one will have to deal with your “poo” but you.

Here are some quick tips on how to dispose of waste properly:
• Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods.   Pack out all trash, leftover food, and litter.
• Pack out human waste or deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches       deep at least 200 feet from water, camp, and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole  when finished.
• Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
• To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.

To learn how to dig a proper cathole here:
www.lnt.org/programs/principles_3.php

To learn about human waste pack out products here: 
www.cleanwaste.com/products

It's that time of year again!  the National parks service offers free admission to our national parks 5 times a year.  Back in January they offered free admisson for Martin Luther King Jr. Day and our blogger Tim talked about his favorite park.  I've re-posted his blog post below this one as it includes links you might want to check out.  We'll keep reminding you when these awesome events happen so you can take full advantage.  

This time the park service is allowing free entrance all week starting on the 21st and running through the 29th!  

Take advantage of this opportunity and explore one of our nations beautiful places!!  Enjoy!

 Did You Know? Participating national parks are having free admission days January 14, 2012 through January 16, 2012. A great opportunity to get away from normal daily routine and enjoy the great outdoors without shedding extra hard earned dollars.

Having lived in Montana my entire life, I have had the chance to visit several national parks in the Rocky Mountain region. Each of them offers something very unique, from the geysers shooting up from within the caldera in Yellowstone Park to the combination of beaches, mountains, and rainforests in Olympic National Park. But if I had to pick my favorite, it would have to be Glacier National Park in Northwest Montana. The turquoise glacial lakes surrounded by towering snowcapped mountains fill the entire park. A network of backcountry hiking trails, totaling over 700 miles, allows visitors to experience pure nature. Yet, one of the highlights of the park is not natural but the engineering marvel of the Going to the Sun Road. This 50 mile long road was constructed 75 years ago and twists through the interior of park ultimately connecting the West entrance to the East entrance. The road is usually open between mid June and mid September, so if you’re planning on making Glacier your destination for this free admission, you’ll have to remember to take your cross country skis or snowshoes. None the less, a great place to visit even in the winter.

I would love to hear about your favorite national parks, please tell me about them by posting on our Facebook page.

Here are some links you may be interested in:

2012 Free Entrance Days in the National Parks:
www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm

Participating Parks for free entrance: 
www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparksbystate.htm
Thanks for reading!
Tim

Yesterday, as I watched Bubba Watson win his first green blazer at The Masters, I started to feel an itch to get out there myself. Much to my delight I received an email from my local golf course today with notification they would be open for play this Wednesday! Montana winters can be long and dreary and by the time the sunshine returns my spring fever is almost critical! I love springtime and what it brings with it, for me spring means breaking out the hiking boots, pulling the clubs out of storage and last but certainly not least tuning up my shotgun and/or compound bow for some spring turkey hunting.

This weekend I was tantalized by the beautiful green fairways of Augusta National on the TV screen along with the sound of the gobbling tom turkeys strutting in my in laws field .










These represent the sights and sounds of a perfect spring time for me. This week I’ll be dusting off the golf clubs and pumping up the tires on my speed cart, sharpening the broad heads for my arrows and getting ready to kick off the season this coming weekend.

I’m so excited to get out there it’s hard to sit here at my desk and get any work done. In fact, it looks pretty nice out there…maybe I’ll take the afternoon off. Just kidding, (I’m sure my boss is reading this) I’m not going anywhere. However, since I am going to be here I would really like to hear about all of your spring plans and what spring means to you. Sign in on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/Cleanwasteoutdoor) and let me know, and if you have any tips for remedying spring fever let me know.

Get out there!
Marci

These days accidents can happen and there’s no time to wait for emergency assistance. You might be in the back country where there is no cell coverage or any way to communicate. You may find yourself as first on the scene of a car accident or in your home and the victims life rests in your hands until the ambulance arrives.

Be in the know, be a part of the new craze sweeping the nation! “Hands only CPR”, this isn’t your Grandfather’s CPR”! Call your local chapter of American Heart Association and find a class near you! Classes are about 30 minutes long, then you’re ready when someone needs help! You can do it, spread the word, the life you save maybe a friend or family member! So get out there and learn something fantastic!

• www.heart.org/HEARTORG/CPRAndECC/CPR_UCM_0


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Hey folks- it’s that time again- for Cleanwaste’s Outdoor Destination Top Picks!!

Little Wild Horse Canyon, near Goblin Valley State Park and Moab Utah

Little Wild Horse Canyon, near Goblin Valley State Park in Utah, is one of the coolest hikes I have ever experienced. Cut out of Moab’s famous red rock, this slot canyon hike features twist and turns with canyon walls 400 feet high and only two feet apart. The narrows on this hike are so close in some instances you have to side step through them. The canyon walls are immaculately sculpted. One park ranger explained that a prehistoric ocean once existed there and the ocean’s currents cut out the canyon over a million years. Not bad, mother nature, not bad. The hike it’s self is very easy and should take less than 4 hours. Make sure you take lots of water as southern Utah is hot, hot, hot.

For a sneak peak of Little Wild Horse Canyon click here and scroll about half way down in the page:  www.yellowecho.com/travel/goblinvalley.htm

cheers!

Reina

Spring time in Montana! This week celebrates the launch of the painfully-brief, snow-free (well, mostly) outdoor season. If you’ve joined me in carrying an extra 20 pounds, spring is the grim reminder that sweatshirts and down jackets will no longer conceal the obvious. So spring is the traditional time to dig out those chic $100 running shoes (got mine on sale – only $60, jumbled in the back of the closet with other near-new, unworn shoes, and wage the battle anew. Starting “tomorrow”, of course. :)

In November of 1988 after uber-successful media mogul Oprah had lost 67 pounds, she declared it “The greatest single accomplishment of my life.” It was an odd - but revealing - self-disclosure that resonated with millions of her viewers who celebrated with her. Is time to do a little retooling on our thought process? As a nation obsessed with hollow-cheeked gauntness, how much happier would we be dusting off those runners and enjoying the pleasure-pain of jogging – but without being haunted by the mirror?

Satirical 19th century journalist George Dennison Prentice famously commented, "What some call health, if purchased by perpetual anxiety about diet, isn't much better than tedious disease." Of course, Old George could probably see his feet to tie his running shoes without turning red-in-the-face. I’ll look great when I get back to 175. Onward to mythical gauntness!