Recent content by markv

Apparently police have been fining hikers. I don't know if anyone here participates in the mooning tradition, but i thought you might care to be warned, since it seems the police didn't bother to warn anyone. Here are the threads i read about this...

stoves I've flown at least 30 or 40 flights with my stove in checked baggage, and haven't had a problem yet. I always try to bury it as deeply in my luggage as possible. (If i'm using a bear can, it goes in the bottom of the locked can.) It's not like this will fool anyone who knows what...

Hikes, food, etc For hikes, i'd recommend the Triple Falls Trail and the Eagle Creek Trail in the Columbia River Gorge. Both are within an hour of downtown, and both have multiple waterfalls and views, so turnaround time can be flexible. Between those and the Timberline Trail around Hood, and...

Hi. I read once somewhere a reference to dispersed camping (x ft. from the trail and from water) in the area of the Amon. Ravine and Jewell trails. Does anyone know if this is truly legal? What part? Where is best? And if not, is there a place nearby to camp from one's car as a (distant)...

a little uncouth I have no pride. I'll tell you my version of a great Washington loop: 1) Up the Great Gulf trail and headwall. 2) Down the road, via illegal hitchhike. Great day, and easy on the knees too!

2nd week in June, high peaks area (Lake Colden, Algonquin): Is there any chance this year the flies will be gone by then?

close to Portland If you don't mind people, the Eagle Creek Trail east of Portland is memorable. Slightly less crowded and less dramatic, but still full of waterfalls and rainforest is the Triple Falls Trail also in the Columbia River Gorge east of Portland. Both have plenty of elevation gain...

Paria camping Hey Edelweiss, with your Buckskin/Paria itinerary, i'd recommend for nights #2 and 3 going a short distance (perhaps a mile or less) upstream from the Confluence. On a bench on the left as the river takes a sharp turn, there is a campsite perhaps 15 ft. or so above the river. I...

lots of duds I wouldn't bother carrying the weight if they aren't pretty close to new. The only ones i've had that have worked have been less than a year old.

why not I'll play along. I would like to die on a mountain on which i would decompose well. One with soil, and plenty of rain. So that would be just 'bout ANY mountain in New England that's not in the Presis or Baxter, right? I'll choose the Porcupine Mountains in Michigan. I would not...

markv Heading to the JMT? Feel free to email me with any questions. Or you can check out my '06 journal and pics, along with all sorts of other people's, at trailjournals.com Great trip... http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?trailname=4773

"wild" animals 14 days visiting with 3 small children? Methinks you will be seeing a few animals. I think all 3 (the Zoo, the Wild Animal Park, and Seaworld) are all wonderful in their own way, but i would not see any of them within a few days of the others, or it becomes overkill. If you're...

part time part time I'm not a real VFTTer...just an occasional poser. Er, poster. I lived the past two years in Kailua, but this year i'm leading the double life with another job in Arizona, so i'm just staying with my girlfriend in Honolulu when i'm on-island. I'm gonna guess from the...

I type too slowly Hunter you posted while i posted. For Maui, Haleakala is kinda cool, but it wouldn't be my first choice for 2 days on Maui. I'd book something (or ideally camp at Waianapanapa State Park, reservation required...way cool black volcanic beach area) near Hana, and do the Hana...

Another "kama'aina" I've been out here for 3 years now, hiking way more than i ever have before. Consider me a resource, and if you are in Oahu in March, i can keep you posted on where we'll be hiking. markvotapek "at" netscape "dot" net What gear you need is completely dependent on what...