Giveaway ends 4/29. Enter here.
Outdoor Gear TV Patagonia Giveaway
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Family Fun Day, Sunday, April 28, 2013 at Patapsco Valley State Park
Patapsco Valley State Park is having a Family Fun Day on Sunday, April 28, 2013 in the Avalon Area of the Park. Coupon for free entry into the park here.
50 million Living Social Accounts Hacked
Living Social says 50 million accounts hacked encouraging users to change password.
Aside
<a title=”How to hike like a badass day hiker” href=”http://www.trailsherpa.com/how-to-hike/”><img alt=”How to hike: 8 steps to become a badass day hiker” src=”http://www.trailsherpa.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Day-Hiker-Infographic.jpg” width=”100%” title=”How to hike: 8 steps to become a badass day hiker Photo” /></a>
Various Gear Giveaways on Facebook and Elsewhere
Rothco: Win a Woodland Camo Messenger Bag. Enter here.
Eno: Win one of five t-shirts and one hammock. Like and share on their Facebook page here.
Planetshoes.com: Win Wigwam Merino Lite Hiker socks on their Facebook page here.
Yukon Charlie’s Winter Systems: Win Slipknot traction system for your boots on their Facebook page here. Click on the Win SLIPKNOTS photo.
Polar Explorer Eric Larsen has a DeLorme Gazetteer giveaway on his Facebook page. Comment to win on his Day 7 post.
Honey Cloud Pancakes
These are so pretty and great for a healthy Weekend breakfast treat:
A light as a cloud, honey pancake that has whipped egg white folded in for extra oomph.
This recipe, though simple, is proving to be THE most pinned and posted recipe that I have ever done. It seems to be very popular as a Gluten Free breakfast option. Just swap the plain flour for GF flour and souffle away!
This looks great.
Review and Giveaway: Scrubr Dishcloth and Trekr Self-Cleaning Travel Washcloth from Lunatec
Stick around for the giveaway at the bottom of this one, folks!
There's nothing quite like the thrill of cooking a meal in the backcountry. Even the simplest of ingredients becomes a divine concoction when you're hungry from hiking or paddling. You empty your bowl of macaroni and cheese, picking out the last noodle with your fingers, and then lean back on the soft earth with a deep sense of satisfaction.
Events happening in February at Patapsco Valley State Park and Soldier’s Delight
I just received an email listing some interesting events at Patapsco Valley State State Park and at Soldier’s Delight NRA. From the email:
February
February 2: Owl Prowl, Soldiers Delight NEA, 8-10pm
Participants will follow a naturalist on a one-mile hike and listen for and try to call out owls. Later we will discuss basic biology, habitat, diet, and conservation. Captive owls from our aviary will be on-hand for educational assistance. Suitable for families and individual adult patrons alike. Meet at visitor center. Rain or shine. For ages 16 yrs and up, unless accompanied by an adult. Please call 410-461-5005 to sign up. Cost: $5 per person.
February 9: Owls, Hilton, 11am-1pm
Bring your family out to the Hilton Nature Center to meet some live owls. Afterwards families will have the chance to build their own owl nesting box to attract owls to their own backyards. For ages 4 and up. Meet at the Nature Center. Please call 410-461-5005 in advance to register. Cost: $20 per family and space is limited.
February 9: Wildly Romantic Animals, Soldiers Delight NEA, 1-2:30pm
From bright colors, impressive homes and gifts, to wild dancing, animals come up with fascinating ways to attract a mate! Join a naturalist to learn more about how various animals attract their mates and make a Valentine’s Day card for someone special. Meet at the Visitor Center. For ages 5 and up. Please call 410-461-5005 to sign up or for more information. Cost: $3 per person.
February 9: Star-Gazing, Soldiers Delight NEA, 8-10pm
All programs rain or shine. Time machines will be provided by the Westminster Astronomy Club. February highlights: Saturn and Jupiter Battle the Moon for attention as each passes close by the other. Feb 15 Asteroid 2012 DA14 will pass by Earth at an altitude of 27.000 km. Stay tuned to this station for more info on a near miss program. More info about the asteroid is found at http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news174.html. Please call 877-794-0606 in advance to register if you are in a group of 10 or more, or for more information. Meet in the Visitors Center. Cost: Free! Donations welcome.
February 10: Yoga Hike, Hilton, 9-11am
Join us for a yoga hike at Patapsco Valley State Park! We will be hiking a 2-3 mile section of trails and doing yoga poses along the way. Bring water and wear comfortable clothes that will allow you to stretch and relax. All ages are encouraged to attend; however, keep in mind the trails can be steep and rocky. Meet at theHilton Nature Center. Please call 410-461-5005 to sign up or for more information. Cost: Free! Donations welcome.
February 10: Children’s Storytelling Hour, Soldiers Delight NEA, 1-2pm
A Volunteer Ranger will read short stories with a nature or animal theme in theSoldiers Delight Visitor Center. Suitable for younger children accompanied by an adult. Please call 410-461-5005 to sign up, and 410-922-9690 for more information. Cost: Free! Donations welcome.
February 13: Yoga Hike, Hilton, 4-6pm
Join us for a yoga hike at Patapsco Valley State Park! We will be hiking a 2-3 mile section of trails and doing yoga poses along the way. Bring water and wear comfortable clothes that will allow you to stretch and relax. All ages are encouraged to attend; however, keep in mind the trails can be steep and rocky. Meet at theHilton Nature Center. Please call 410-461-5005 to sign up or for more information. Cost: Free! Donations welcome.
February 16: Photography in the Park, Avalon, 1-4pm
This program will help photographers enhance their skill at shooting their camera in manual mode instead of always in auto mode. This will allow the user of the Digital SLR and the point-and-shoot camera to understand the uses of aperture and shutter priority settings. We will explore the trails along the Cascade Falls trails over the river and learn the advantage of how the aperture setting can capture the water, showing the effects like professional photos. Furthermore, with the possible cloud and sunset colors, learn about the effects of shooting with shutter priority. The photographer will learn how to capture the sunlight on the foliage. There is hiking involved where there are hills and steep terrain. Hikers need proper boot/shoes to travel rocky trails. Also be prepared to get wet if standing in the stream shooting water. Bring camera, polarizing lens, tripod (optional), water and snacks, and anything else you may need for the 3 hour hike. For all ages. Meet at Orange Grove swinging bridge parking lot. We will explore the streams and the Cascade Falls Trails. Please call 410-917-2239 to register and for more information. Cost: Free! Donations welcome.
February 23: February is for the Birds, Hilton, 10-11am
We’ll make bird feeders from everyday leftovers. Then you can take them home to lure the gorgeous winter birds to your yard! For ages 6-12 years. Meet at theNature Center. Please call 410-461-5005 to sign up or for more information. Cost: $2 per person.
Potomac Appalachian Trail Club is hiring.
PATC is looking for a new Executive Director to replace their current one who is leaving this month.
Appalachian Trail Conference is hiring.
The ATC is accepting applications for 2013 Ridgerunners and Crew Staff.
Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame Nominees Sought
Appalachian Trail Museum/Hall of Fame News Release below:
NEWS RELEASE ~ January 7th, 2013 ~ F. Y. I. :
Nominations for 2013 Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame Accepted January 7 through February 28.
GARDNERS, PA– Nominees for the Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame will be accepted today through Thursday, February 28, 2013, to recognize those who have made a significant contribution toward establishing and maintaining the 2,184 mile footpath that passes through 14 states from Maine to Georgia. ”This year, the third class to the Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame will be inducted,” said Larry Luxenberg, president of the Appalachian Trail Museum Society – the organization that oversees the Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame. “The induction of the first two classes included – Myron Avery, Gene Espy, Ed Garvey, Benton MacKaye, Arthur Perkins, Earl Shaffer, Emma Rowena “Grandma” Gatewood, David Richie, Frank Schairer, Jean Stephenson and Major William Adams Welch. All are pioneers. Without them, the Appalachian Trail probably would not even exist. Nominees for 2013 should be people who have unselfishly devoted their time, energy and resources toward making the Appalachian Trail a national treasure.”
Nomination criteria and the nominating and selection processes for the 2012 Hall of Fame are:
Criteria - Those eligible for inclusion include anyone who has made an exceptional and positive contribution to the Appalachian Trail or Appalachian Trail community. This could be by leadership, inspiration, service, achievement or innovation. This includes, without limitation, pioneers who conceived of and developed the trail; those who organized or directed major trail organizations like the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and Appalachian Trail clubs; maintaining clubs; longtime trail maintainers; leaders who promoted and protected the A.T.; hikers who have made significant accomplishments, and other persons who have enriched the culture or community of the Appalachian Trail by their association with it. Eligible persons can be living or deceased. The emphasis will be on persons who have made their contribution to the A.T. over a long period, whether or not they are still active. Six individuals were elected in the first year. The sizes of the succeeding classes will be gradually reduced to create the maximum degree of honor and exclusivity. The first few classes will be comprised primarily of important historical figures (living or deceased) rather than contemporary figures. Eligibility and selection will be determined without regard to race, creed, color, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin.
Nominations – Nominations will be solicited from throughout the hiking and trails community, by using the following online site: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BMVRMHX
A nominator need not be a member of any hiking organization to submit a nomination. A nominator may only make one nomination per election cycle. Nominators will be asked to justify their nomination in a brief statement not exceeding 200 words that describes the nominee and why he or she fits the criteria.
Deadline for nominations – Thursday, February 28, 2013.
Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame Nominations
Hall of Fame Committee; Election – An Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame Committee has been selected by the Appalachian Trail Museum Society Board of Directors to supervise the election process and to submit the finalists to the board. That committee is chaired by Jim Foster, a museum volunteer and 2007 thru-hiker of the Appalachian Trail. Other members of the committee are Noel DeCavalcante, Tom Johnson, Brian King, Gwen Loose, Larry Luxenberg and Bill O’Brien. The Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame Committee will deliver the slate of finalists to the museum board by March 15, 2013, for subsequent review and elections. The Appalachian Trail Museum Society Board elected six people to the 2011 Charter Class and five to the 2012 Class. Up to five may be elected to the 2013 class. The Committee and Board plan to gradually reduce the size of subsequent Hall of Fame classes.
Announcement and recognition of inductees – Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame inductees will be announced in early May and the induction ceremony will be on Friday, June 7, 2013, at the Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame Banquet at the Allenberry Resort in Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania. The inductees will be enshrined on an Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame Wall of Honor at the Appalachian Trail Museum. Located in Pine Grove Furnace State Park and at the midway point of the Appalachian Trail, the museum is across from the Pine Grove General Store on Pennsylvania Route 233.
About the Appalachian Trail Museum Society
The Appalachian Trail Museum Society, a 501-C-3 not-for-profit organization formed in 2002, organizes programs, exhibits, volunteers and fundraising nationwide for the Appalachian Trail Museum. The museum opened on June 5, 2010, as a tribute to the thousands of men, women and families who have hiked and maintained the 2,184 mile long hiking trail that passes through 14 states from Maine to Georgia. Located in the Pine Grove Furnace State Park inGardners, Pennsylvania, the museum is conveniently near Carlisle, Gettysburg and Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Additional information is available at www.atmuseum.org.
Anne Arundel County Parks and Recreation Public Meeting on Land Preservation Plan
Anne Arundel Parks and Recreation Department is seeking public comment on the 2013 Draft Land Preservation, Parks and Recreation Plan. There is a public meeting at Quiet Waters Park-Blue Heron Room on January 8, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. Among other things the Draft Plan mentions repaving the B & A Trail (rail to trail), adding as many as four dog parks and improving access to water. It also discusses making the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Park which at this point is a large undeveloped parcel on Rock Creek in Pasadena more of a park and connecting it with Fort Smallwood Park. H & J Park has at least 8,000 feet of waterfront and is heavily forested and has included a sign for quite some time that it is a future project. Fort Smallwood Park is one of my favorites in the area. It includes an old military battery (fort-like structure) and remnants of old amusement park buildings. The trails in Fort Smallwood Park are paved and fairly short but the beaches are nice to walk on. One beach facing towards Baltimore is well-known as spot to collect sea glass.
Assateague Island National Seashore Park Star Party
Assateague Island National Seashore Park is having a Star Party on January 13, 2012 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Visitors Center. Star gazing, making a planisphere and other activities. More information on their Facebook page.
College students carry classmate on 4 mile hike
Virginia Tech students carried a classmate four miles on a hike to see Cascades Falls
Lebanon Valley Rails to Trails to get money
Lebanon Valley Rails to Trails is getting some money from both Pennsylvania and the Lebanon County Commissioners to improve its website.
Recent Hiker Rescue or Recovery Stories. Should hikers pay when they need to get rescued?
Shoes not suitable for snow on Pacific Crest Trail?
Snow strands hiker in Lassen National Forest. Hiker survives only by breaking into cabin for shelter.
Arizona hiker breaks arm is rescued.
California hiker is sick and dehydrated and is rescued.
Body of hiker found in Angeles National Forest. Identity still not know.
Body of missing Alaskan hiker found on Mount Barometer.
Lastly, New Hampshire legislation to fine hikers for rescues anywhere from $350 to $1,000. New Hampshire spends $300,000 a year to rescue hikers and would like some of that money back. The Legislative Study Committee that was the impetus for the legislation noted in its report the following interesting facts 56% of all of the Fish and Wildlife rescues were hikers and 41% of the rescues occurred in White Mountain National Forest. The rescue fund ended 2011 with a whopping deficit of $166,992. The committee recommended and the near legislation seems to pick up on it a Hiker Safety Card with an $18 charge that guarantees you won’t pay rescue costs unless you are negligent.
Should hikers pay to be rescued? We (well most of us) pay taxes and often pay fees to use natural resources outside acts of gross negligence (not being prepared- -taking incredibly reckless action) should we have to pay when we are hurt? There is a cost to the public and some of these search and recovery efforts can run into the many thousands of dollars in a short period of time.
Hiker Rescue
Hiker rescued after a fall in Colorado’s Castlewood Canyon State Park.
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays for those who don’t celebrate it. Don’t forget about First Day Hikes. To find a First Day Hike in your State’s Park look here.
