Search found 808 matches

by vibramhead
January 20th, 2017, 12:55 pm
Forum: Trail Q&A
Topic: Chains on AWD
Replies: 18
Views: 13161

Re: Chains on AWD

I'm not sure about other AWD vehicles, but do not put chains on a Subaru. I had heard that, but called a Subaru dealer and spoke to a mechanic who confirmed not to do so. He said it wasn't because of clearance issues, but because of the transmission. Putting chains on can cause damage to the transm...
by vibramhead
January 5th, 2017, 3:18 pm
Forum: General Hiking Topics
Topic: Recreation Fees and Reforms
Replies: 107
Views: 24994

Re: Recreation Fees and Reforms

I want to feel free to use the porta-potties without guilt. So, after a couple of years of passive resistance, I buy my NWFPs now. Well, good news on that front, then! Porta-potties don't meet the requirements of the law ... (D) that contains all of the following amenities: (i) Designated developed...
by vibramhead
January 5th, 2017, 2:38 pm
Forum: General Hiking Topics
Topic: Recreation Fees and Reforms
Replies: 107
Views: 24994

Re: Recreation Fees and Reforms

In 2014, in Fragosa v. Moore , 17 F. Supp. 3d 985 (C.D. Cal. 2014), a federal district court in California considered a challenge to a Forest Service recreation fee program and said the following regarding the Ninth Circuit's ruling two years earlier in Adams v. U.S. Forest Service : Adams is quite ...
by vibramhead
December 22nd, 2016, 1:11 pm
Forum: Hiking in the News
Topic: Judge dismisses lawsuit over wilderness shelters
Replies: 7
Views: 3107

Re: Judge dismisses lawsuit over wilderness shelters

Good news indeed! With all the genuine threats that wilderness faces, I'm mystified that some groups want to make a federal case out of a few rustic log shelters.
by vibramhead
November 18th, 2016, 3:37 pm
Forum: Lost & Found
Topic: Lost: Black Diamond trekking pole at Siouxon Ck trailhead
Replies: 1
Views: 3396

Lost: Black Diamond trekking pole at Siouxon Ck trailhead

Hiked Siouxon Creek today (Fri. 11/18) and had a fine hike. When I got back to my car, I paused and put down my pole to clean up a load of garbage that someone had left at the trailhead. The task distracted me enough that I forgot the pole: a carbon-fiber Black Diamond Ultra-Distance Z pole, marked ...
by vibramhead
November 14th, 2016, 3:56 pm
Forum: General Hiking Topics
Topic: Finding a body while solo hiking
Replies: 22
Views: 10797

Re: Finding a body while solo hiking

Now I'm wondering if I should be looking into emergency beacons or something else. I mostly hike solo. In addition to always telling my wife where I'm going, I carry either a DeLorme Inreach Explorer satellite messenger, or an ACR Microfix PLB. The former requires a monthly fee, so I only activate ...
by vibramhead
October 27th, 2016, 10:06 am
Forum: Hiking Health & Safety
Topic: DO I NEED TO TREE MY FOOD?
Replies: 7
Views: 17541

Re: DO I NEED TO TREE MY FOOD?

Where approved hard canisters aren't required, I carry an Ursack, which is sufficiently bear-proof that hanging is not required. You just tie it to a tree. They cost $70, but they're lighter & cheaper than a canister.
by vibramhead
October 26th, 2016, 6:06 am
Forum: General Hiking Topics
Topic: Finding a body while solo hiking
Replies: 22
Views: 10797

Re: Finding a body while solo hiking

That's 16 people per year in Oregon that are never found. Is this really correct? Yes, I had the number wrong for total missing for that period. It's not 150, it's 240. As for whether that means 16 people in Oregon are never found every year, here's the Oregon SAR report for 2014 , which shows on p...
by vibramhead
October 25th, 2016, 3:44 pm
Forum: General Hiking Topics
Topic: Search for lost hiker still going on
Replies: 26
Views: 9110

Re: Search for lost hiker still going on

it seems like it would be very difficult to get permanently lost out there. I have a different impression. There are many places in the gorge where trails skirt big drop-offs, and one stumble could launch you into a long fall to a place where it'd be mighty hard to find you. Eagle Creek is one exam...
by vibramhead
October 25th, 2016, 6:25 am
Forum: General Hiking Topics
Topic: Finding a body while solo hiking
Replies: 22
Views: 10797

Re: Finding a body while solo hiking

If one were to die hiking the trails in the gorge--where even the more remote trails see somewhat regular use, at least the day-use-accessible ones--how likely is it that your body actually would be found? According to this 2013 article in the Oregonian : While more than 89 percent of those sought ...