That was the walk that was! I almost didn't do it this year. The day before our flight to San Jose I spilled boiling water on my left foot. That left a nasty blister the size of a silver dollar which of course popped the minute I put socks on. But I coated the wound thickly…Read more Bare to Breakers 2018 – final (NSFW)
Hiking
Fish Canyon Narrows (NSFW)
Just north of Castaic Lake is a hike that takes one from pavement to spectacular wilderness in just a few miles. Let's head north on I-5 from Los Angeles. We leave the San Fernando Valley and climb through Newhall Pass. We continue beyond, passing through Santa Clarita and Magic Mountain and then Castaic Lake. The freeway starts to…Read more Fish Canyon Narrows (NSFW)
Staying Alive in the Wild for Long Distance Trekers
If you are in a true survival situation in the wild, odds are a hundred to one you screwed up badly and in multiple ways. It is easy to say "Never screw up and you have nothing to worry about." Everyone screws up once in a while. However, it takes a chain of screwups to cause…Read more Staying Alive in the Wild for Long Distance Trekers
Saline Valley
Back in late October 2016, I went with a group to Saline Valley Hot springs. This is quite possibly the most remote location in California that can be reached by vehicle. There are several ways to get there but the only two I'd dare try without a full-up 4WD truck caravan are the North and…Read more Saline Valley
Bare to Breakers 2018 – preliminary (NSFW)
Once again I'm going to do the annual Bay to Breakers run/walk/parade and, of course, I'll be nude. (The very best of all possible costumes!) This post is just some thoughts about what I'll be expecting. For a detailed description of last year's event, click here: Bare to Breakers 2017 There is a semi-almost-not-quite informal Bare…Read more Bare to Breakers 2018 – preliminary (NSFW)
Mojave Desert Park
Note: If I have posted a link here, please click on it. If I were to try to detail all the features of the area, this post would end up book length. We have a vast preserve out here in SE CA called Mojave National Park. It is a pretty cool place, easily accessed from I-15…Read more Mojave Desert Park
A Rainy Day
So, one weekend, I was off on another solo trip, this time with Avery the trail dog. The plan was from the Mutau Flats trailhead at about 5200 ft. down an 8.5 mile trail to Sespe Hot Springs, deep within the Sespe Wilderness. Another mile beyond that is my water resupply at Sespe River. Two-thirds of…Read more A Rainy Day
