Archive | August, 2009
The Hunt
A wolf hunt is set to begin in Idaho on Tuesday if a federal judge does not stop it. It would be the first time in decades that hunters have been allowed to pursue the gray wolf, an animal that has come to symbolize tensions over how people interact with wilderness in the West.
On Monday, the judge, Donald W. Molloy of Federal District Court, will hold a hearing to determine whether to issue an injunction sought by wildlife advocates against the hunt and reopen the question of returning the wolf to the endangered list.
Gray wolves were taken off the list five months ago, after being protected under federal law for more than 30 years. More than 6,000 hunters in Idaho have bought licenses for the chance to participate in the hunt, in which wildlife officials will allow 220 wolves to be killed. In 2008, the population stood at about 850. Montana will allow 75 animals to be killed, starting Sept. 15.
Sing!
Just try not to be the dude with the Martin Backpacker Guitar strapped to your pack.
Learn how to play “The Water Is Wide” and many others here
26.
TURN THE VOLUME AS HIGH AS IT CAN POSSIBLY GO AND WISH ME A HAPPY FUCKING BIRTHDAY. I AM OLD AS FUCK.
Sounds Of The Everglades
As I’m sure you know, each Sunday Closet Of Curiosities posts the audio of an environmental tape from yesteryear. This week was the Sounds Of The Everglades.
Righteous.
Have You Seen This Bird?
BirdLife International is launching a campaign to confirm the existence of 47 birds that have not been seen in the recent years. Above is the ivory-billed woodpecker, or “flying elvis,” which has not been seen since 2005 and is considered perilously close to extinction. The sighting four years ago surprised ornithologists, who compared it to the rediscovery of the dodo.
Slide Mountain, 2008
Camping on Slide Mountain, the Catskills’ highest peak. Some serious scrambles, great views, and huevos rancheros with lots of green chile for breakfast.
The National Parks: America’s Best Idea
Just watched a 30 minute preview of Ken Burns’ upcoming PBS documentary about the National Parks. It seems to be a little cheesy and a lot dramatic, but I suppose that’s the point. Check it out after the jump.
The Long Trail
Built by the Green Mountain Club between 1910 and 1930, the Long Trail is the oldest long-distance trail in the United States. The Long Trail follows the main ridge of the Green Mountains from the Massachusetts-Vermont line to the Canadian border as it crosses Vermont’s highest peaks. It was the inspiration for the Appalachian Trail, which coincides with it for one hundred miles in the southern third of the state.
Although the Long Trail is known as Vermont’s “footpath in the wilderness,” its character may more accurately be described as backcountry. As it winds its way to Canada, the Trail climbs rugged peaks and passes pristine ponds, alpine bogs, hardwood forests and swift streams. The Long Trail is steep in some places, muddy in others, and rugged in most. Novice and expert alike will enjoy the varied terrain of the trail as it passes through the heart of Vermont’s backwoods.
With its 270-mile footpath, 175 miles of side trails, and nearly 70 primitive shelters, the Long Trail offers endless hiking opportunities for the day hiker, weekend overnighter, and extended backpacker.
Backpacker.com has mapped out the Long Trail for your hiking and camping needs. Click here to check it out.
John Wesley Powell
It was 1869. Ten men in four boats were about to embark on a journey that would cover almost 1,000 miles through uncharted canyons and change the west forever. Three months later only five of the original company plus their one-armed Civil War hero leader would emerge from the depths of the Grand Canyon at the mouth of the Virgin River.
Thirty five-year-old Major John Wesley Powell was that expedition’s leader. From early childhood Powell manifested deep interest in all natural phenomena. Original and self-reliant to a remarkable degree, he early undertook collecting and exploring trips quite unusual for a youth of his age, and studied botany, zoology, and geology wholly without the aid of a teacher.
