Susan Alcorn's Backpacking Tales and Tips Newsletters for 2012

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Susan Alcorn's Backpacking/Hiking Tales & Tips #161, March 1, 2012

1.      The demise of king-sized candy bars?
2.      ADZPCTKO 2012
3.      Andrew Skurka's presentations
4.      Victories for land conservation groups
5.      Portuguese albergue reopens
6.      Camino gathering: "Roads less traveled"
7.      Story of the Yellow Arrows
8.      Camino stats at Wikipedia
9.      Travels with My Donkey
10.     Mountain Lions and You
11.     Boots McFarland
12.     Regional: Bellevue
13.     Regional: S.F. Bay Area
14.     Regional: Bay Area: "Walkabout Northern California - Hiking Inn to Inn"

#1. Demise of king-sized candy bars

Rats, what will they do next! The Mars Company--manufacturer of such treats as Snickers, 3 Musketeers, and Milky Way bars--are going to reduce the calories in their bars to 250 or less. That means that their king-sized bars are going to disappear from backcountry stores, convenience stores, etc. This doesn't seem like a huge loss, and it isn't under most circumstances--but what are we long-distance hikers going to do for sustenance (only kidding!) Actually, they can consider this more rational approach. "You'll see 'how to optimize nutrient quality, while minimizing the weight/bulk of both the food and fuel carried,' a look at how the body's requirements change and at the nutritional needs when backpacking (particularly when hiking long distances) http://thru-hiker.com/articles/PackLightEatRight/snacks.htm#table1

#2. ADZPCTKO 2012

Important dates for hikers: The ADZPCTKO (Annual Day Zero Pacific Crest Trail Kick Off) will be at Lake Moreno County Park, near Campo, CA. April 27-29, 2012. This is a great opportunity to meet new and old friends of the PCT. Many of the participants are there to get last minute information and to begin their thru-hikes of the 2,650-mile trail ahead! Registration is required and will begin in early March. http://pct77.org/adz/ Other calendar items: PCTA Trail Fest - Northwoods Resort - Big Bear Lake, CA - July 27-29, 2012. ALDHA-West Gathering - Welches, OR - Sept. 28-30, 2012.

#3. Andy Skurka's presentations

Andrew Skurka's (excellent) website) gives these dates and places for his presentations and book signings for this spring. www.andrewskurka.com Andrew Skurka is an accomplished adventure athlete, speaker, guide, and writer. The 30-year-old is most well-known for his solo long- distance backpacking trips. He is the author of "The Ultimate Hiker's Gear Guide".
Monday-Tuesday, March 5-6. Sunrise Mountain Sports, 2455 Railroad Ave., Livermore, CA. Mon, 7pm: "Circling Alaska & Yukon/ Tues, 7pm: "Ultimate Hiking Gear & Skills". $5 admission, $2 for Boy Scouts in uniform. Wednesday-Thursday, March 7-8. Sports Basement - Bryant Street (in the Presidio), 1590 Bryant Street, San Francisco, CA. Wed, 7pm: "Circling Alaska & Yukon"/Thurs, 7pm: "Ultimate Hiking Gear & Skills". Free admission Mon & Wed, April 16 & 18. The Mountaineers, 7700 Sand Point Way Northeast, Seattle, WA Mon: "Circling Alaska & Yukon/." Wed: "Ultimate Hiking Gear & Skills" $8 for members, $10 for non-members, $5 for Boy Scouts in uniform.
You get the idea--Skurka is making a nationwide tour in March and April. Other venues--too many details to post here--are in Bellingham, WA; Hood River, OR; Golden, CO; Boulder, CO ( 2 venues); Minneapolis, MN; Pinellas Park, FL; Louisville, KY; Lafayette, LA; Knoxville, TN; Asheville, NC; Winston-Salem, NC; Lexington, VA; Paramus, New Jersey; Seekonk, MA; Tyngsboro, MA; Kirkwood, MO; Iowa City, IA; Kalamazoo, MI; Portage, MI;  Go to Skurka's website for details. www.andrewskurka.com

#4. Victories for land conservation groups

One of the interesting things that seems to have occurred during our economic slump is that various trail organizations have been able to acquire new parklands because of reduced land costs. Here are three examples:
The Pacific Crest Trail Association and the Anza-Borrego Foundation are pleased to announce the joint purchase of 40 acres within the Anza- Borrego Desert State Park. The once privately held parcel, located next to the Pacific Crest Trail in Section B at the top of Nance Canyon near Anza, CA, will be preserved as open space and set aside for public use.
The efforts of two non-profits--the Sonoma Land Trust and Land Paths have led to the protection of the Bohemia Ranch, in western Sonoma County (No. CA), from development. They have struck a deal to create a conservation easement and plan to provide public access with trails, camping, educational programs and so forth.
Sempervirens Fund has protected 412 acres of redwood Forest, 1,400 old-growth trees, and two Girl Scout Camps in the redwood forests of the Santa Cruz Mountains. This is also an example of purchasing conservation easements. Here's how Sempervirens explains the process: "A conservation easement is a valuable tool for land conservation groups. It is a legal agreement between a landowner and a land trust or government agency that permanently limits uses of land in order to protect its conservation values. It allows landowners to maintain ownership and use of their land and to sell or pass it on to heirs if they choose to do so. Even if ownership of the land changes, however, the easement remains in place, assuring that the resources on the land are protected..." http://www.sempervirens.org/news.php

#5.  Portuguese albergue reopens

Helena had sent news that the Albergue de S. Pedro de Rates in the Portuguese Camino closed, but that closure was brief. On Feb. 17th, she sent word that it had reopened--but not with the volunteers who had run it for years. For more info:  https://www.facebook.com/Alberguederates

#6. Camino gathering: "Roads less traveled"

The 2012 Gathering of Pilgrims, with the theme of Roads Less Traveled, still has openings.  The gathering will be Tuesday, March 27 through Monday, April 2, 2012 at the San Pedro Center, Winter Park, Florida. The gathering is composed of three components. The hospitalero Training will be Tuesday, March 27 - Thursday, March 29, 2012. The 2012 Gathering of Pilgrims will be Friday, March 30 - Sunday, April 1, 2012. A Spiritual Retreat will be held Sunday, April 1 - Monday, 2, 2012.
Just a taste of what will be offered, "This year's Opening Reception, on the evening of Thursday, March 29, will feature a Spanish tapas menu with a Valencian flavor. The reception will be followed by a performance of classical Spanish guitar music played by Joshua Englert. Friday evening sees the debut of a new attraction, the Pilgrim Open Mike session: with a few pictures to illustrate your story, tell us in five minutes about your best--or worst--Camino experience. And, of course, Camino Cabaret returns on Saturday night."
The last day to register is March 12, 2012. http://www.americanpilgrims.com/events/events_national.html

#7. The Story of the Yellow Arrows

(reposted with permission of Paul Baumann). When you are on the way [the Camino de Santiago] there are 100.000s of "fleche amarillos" or yellow arrows, who guide you to Santiago and on to Finisterre and Muxia. Everybody knows them, but not many people know where the idea for these arrows came from. In the 12th or 13th century there were millions of pilgrims on the way, but the number decreased by the division of Catholics and Protestants in 15th Century, wars in 16th and 17th century, the big world wars I and II and the time after them. In 1970 68 pilgrims arrived in Santiago, in 1971 (Holy Year) 451, 1972 67 pilgrims, in 1977 only 31, and in 1978 there was the absolute minimum, only 13 pilgrims arrived in Santiago. Many people were thinking about this, one of them was Don Elías Valiña Sampedro, the priest of the church on O Cebreiro. He wrote the first modern Pilgrim's Guide Guia del Peregrino in the 1980s, and he had the idea with the yellow arrows. In the beginning he went himself with a bucket of yellow paint and a paintbrush. There is a story reported that he was asked by the guardia civil what he was doing, and he said: "I am making way for a giant invasion!" Don Elias was right, the pilgrims' office in Santiago counted about 272.000 pilgrims in the Holy Year 2010 - one of them was me :-) When you are on O Cebreiro beside the church there is a statue of Don Elias, who died in 1989. Make a rest and say "Thank you!" to him! (posted Feb 10, 2012)

#8. Camino stats at Wikipedia

Camino numbers continue to rise. You can find the official statistics (and lots more) on Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Way_of_St._James

#9. Travels with my donkey

Camino read recommended by Terry Sweetland. "My wife and I are going for a second time to do the Camino this April. I am reading a very funny book on the Camino and would like to recommend it to everyone who would like to see the humor of this British writer.  It's irreverent and funny.  "Travels with my donkey" by Tim Moore. [I agree! ed.]

#10. Mountain Lions and you.

Mountain Lions are not just found in the wilderness. I recently saw photos with of a cougar at the visitor center of a nearby reservoir. Interestingly, the lion was perched in a tree, not lurking in the grass or hiding behind rocks! What to do and what NOT to do if threatened: Face the lion, yell loudly while raising your arms (with your hiking poles if you have them) above your head in order to look large and unafraid. Do NOT run. If you are attacked, FIGHT as hard as you can. Do NOT play dead. Info from Sierra Magazine, M/A 2012. Andrew Hughan, wildlife specialist, with CA Fish and Game.

#11.Boots McFarland

Sign up to receive a free cartoon adventure from PCT hiker Geolyn every week. Follow Boots McFarland. www.bootsmcfarland.com/Join.html

#12. Regional: Bellevue

Seattle area, WA Six Million Steps invites you to "Pacific Crest Trail Film Night." Pacific Crest Trail Film Night. Friday, March 9 at 7:00 p.m. Location: South Bellevue Community Center. Are you attending? The South Bellevue Community Center at Eastgate Park will have an evening showing of a Pacific Crest Trail hiking documentary- Six Million Steps: A Journey Inward. Tickets are $8 General admission, $7 Mountaineers Members and Bellevue Residents, $10 day of event (cash only). Doors open at 6pm and the film starts at 7pm. The crew will not be in attendance for this event but come out, bring your friends and have a good time.

#13. Regional: San Francisco Bay Area.

This is the time of year when the hiking season opens. A great way to learn about new trails is by taking on the East Bay Regional Park's Trail Challenge. It's a self-directed challenge to hike 26.2 miles (or 5 of the featured trails) and you'll find hikes suitable for everyone in your family. www.examiner.com/hiking-in-san-francisco/susan-alcorn

#14. Regional: S.F. Bay Area.

Tom Courtney, author of Walkabout Northern California - Hiking Inn to Inn, will be speaking at three REIs this month.  The events are free, but they may fill up, so check out the storess websites and register in advance. All of the presentations go from 7-8:30. March 6, Tues. REI Saratoga; March 15, Thur. REI Brentwood; March 27, Tues. REI Fremont. www.rei.com
Happy trails,
Susan "backpack45" Alcorn

Susan Alcorn’s Backpacking/Hiking Tales & Tips #160, February 1, 2012

1.      ALDHA-West preliminary info on Fall 2012 gathering
2.      Camino gite in Pyrenees
3.      Camino gatherings national and Bay Area
4.      CDTA has to close up shop
5.      Animal profile: Wild pigs
6.      Shoes with GPS!
7.      Celebrity wolf website
8.      PCT Trailfest announced
9.      Regional: Napa Valley Vine Trail (NVVT)
10.     Regional: Ken and Marcia Powers present: On the Colorado Plateau
11.     Regional: Ridge Trail happening: Ridge to Bridge

#1. ALDHA-West preliminary info on Fall 2012 gathering

Just wandered over to the ALDHA-West (American Long Distance Hikers Assoc.) site and noticed that the gathering this year is September 28-30 in Welches, Oregon (about halfway between Mt. Hood and Portland, OR). Ralph and I are planning a slide presentation on one of our international trips, details will come later. http://www.aldhawest.org/

#2. Camino gite in Pyrenees

Camino accommodation between St.-Jean-Pied-de-Port and Roncesvalles. Luiza Garner “The Hunto Gite is about 6 kms uphill from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, France. The pilgrim office in SJPP will call ahead and make a reservation for you. Hunto Gite has many spaces so you need not worry. This gite has offered its services to pilgrims for decades and serves a delicious evening meal. You can form friendships here that will continue on as you walk the way ....” Heather Knight “…try to stay at Espirit du Chemin in SJPdP your first night. Reservations can be made online and be sure to do the dinner/ breakfast option. They'll even pack a lunch for you too, for extra, of course. It was one of the best places I stayed at and a great way to start my Camino.”

#3. Camino gatherings - National and Bay Area

Camino happenings: The annual (U.S.) Gathering of Pilgrims this year will be held Tuesday, March 27th through Monday, April 2nd.  If you’ve been to a Gathering of Pilgrims, you know it’s a fantastic experience.  Don’t miss this one!  Mark your calendar and plan to attend.  Information, visit: http://www.americanpilgrims.com/events/events_national.html Locally, the northern California group is having a potluck and annual meeting on February 18, 2012 in Pleasant Hill. Potluck lunch at 11:30.  “This is a great opportunity to meet and share experiences with your fellow pilgrims.  If you are yet to travel the Camino, bring your questions.  If you are an experienced pilgrim, bring your photos and memories to share. Please accept this invitation to participate. Rennie Archibald and Bob Holm, Chapter Co-Coordinators. Go to http://www.americanpilgrims.com/about/local_northern_california.html and email NorCalChapter@americanpilgrims.com if you want to attend the Feb. 18th event.

#4. CDTA Closed

The Continental Divide Trail Alliance (CDTA) has closed its doors, primarily because of a lack of revenue. This is sad when you consider the tremendous amount of time, money, and energy that volunteers, staff, and agencies have put into creating new data books and maps, building and maintaining portions of the trail, and providing support to hikers. Each year increasing numbers of hikers have discovered the trail’s existence (it runs from Canada to Mexico – Montana to New Mexico.), but it seems that this “new kid on the block” (compared to the better known Appalachian and Pacific Crest trails) has run up against our challenging economic times. However, such sites as http://www.cdtrail.org/page.php and Lynne Whelden’s http://www.lwgear.com still have information available and we hope that hikers will be able to find needed resources to tackle this extremely challenging National trail.

#5. Wild pigs

The wild pigs that can cause so much damage to some of our regional parks, golf courses, farmlands, and woodland are found in most of California, except the highest mountains. According to the CA Dept. of Fish and Game, the Spanish and Russian settlers introduced domestic pigs to California as livestock in the early 1700's and many became feral. Then, in the 1920's a Monterey county landowner introduced the European wild boar, a wild subspecies of Sus scrofa into California, which bred with the domestic pigs. The result of these introductions is a wild boar/feral domestic pig hybrid.” Wild pigs forage for grass, acorns, berries, bulbs, bird’s eggs, carrion, and small vertebrates. They commonly have two litters per year, each of 5-6 young. Predators for the young include mountain lions, bobcats, and coyotes; the adults can be seasonally hunted.

#6. Shoes with GPS

Not sure what I think of this, but it might have its uses.  There is now a shoe with a built-in GPS device that will keep track of a person’s whereabouts. The shoes come in both men and women’s styles and retail for $299 (plus month service charge). I don’t expect to see these on the major trails, but the families of Alzheimer’s patients who wander off might find the shoes a worthwhile investment. http://www.aetrex.com/aetrex-gps/

#7. Celebrity Wolf website

You can follow the movements of the celebrity wolf, OR-7, on a website established by California Fish and Game. You can find more info in our previous newsletters or our website, but basically OR-7, a two-year old male, began his journey in NE Oregon, entered California in December 2011, and is now hanging out east of Redding in  Lassen County, CA.   http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/nongame/wolf/

#8. PCT Trailfest

Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Trailfest will be in Southern California this year. It’s at the Northwoods Resort, Big Bear Lake, CA. July 27-29.  www.pcta.org

#9. Napa Valley Vine Trail

The Napa Valley, world-renowned for its wine, is constructing a 44- mile multi-modal trail (NVVT) through the valley. It will start in tiny Calistoga and reach the Vallejo Ferry Terminal, where users can catch a ferry to San Francisco.  Efforts are ongoing to raise funds through private and federation sources.  http://vinetrail.org/2012/01/winter-newsletter-2012/

#10. Ken and Marcia Powers present on the Colorado plateau

Regional: S.F. Bay Area. Ken and Marcia Powers are doing several presentations on their latest adventure-exploring the red rock canyons of the Colorado Plateau. From the REI description: “Since 2000, Ken and Marcia Powers have walked most of our country's premier long- distance trails-Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, Appalachian Trail, American Discovery Trail, Grand Enchantment Trail, Arizona National Scenic Trail, and more. Join this intrepid duo for a digital presentation of their latest adventure-exploring the red rock canyons of the Colorado Plateau. Ken and Marcia will take you on some canyon hiking classics, including a backcountry loop in Bryce Canyon National Park, a rim-to-rim day hike in Grand Canyon National Park, and a photo tour of Antelope Canyon. They'll also show you the rich hues and fantastic sculpted walls of some of the more challenging and remote slot/river canyons, such as Round Valley Draw, Dark Canyon, Buckskin Gulch, and Paria Canyon-all in Utah. Learn what it takes to safely explore the red rock backcountry, where drinking water is scarce, rain leads to quicksand and flash floods, and temperature swings are the norm.”

Note: If you register for this free presentation at www.rei.com/stores, REI will hold a seat for you until the scheduled start time. Seating may be available at the door, even if registration is closed.” Register for one of their free talks/slideshows at the REI stores. To register, you need to go to the individual store’s website and enter the requested info. All start at 7 pm. START here to enter your address or zip code of the store you want to visit: http://www.rei.com/map/store Dates: Fremont - 2/7; Brentwood 2/9; Concord 2/15; Dublin 2/23; Corte Madera 2/29; Mountain View 3/15; and Berkeley 3/22.

#11. Bay Area Ridge Trail annual Ridge to Ridge

Regional (S.F. Bay Area). The Bay Area Ridge Trail is having their Annual Ridge to Bridge 2012 on Saturday, April 28th. You can enjoy an invigorating day hiking, biking, or riding your horse in Marin County with spectacular views of the pacific, Marin Headlands, Golden Gate Bridge, etc. Go to RidgeTrail.org for details on this fundraising event.

Happy trails,
Susan “backpack45” Alcorn

Susan Alcorn’s Backpacking/Hiking Tales & Tips #159, January 1, 2012

Happy New Year!

1.      Wolf on the move
2.      Prime time for a wilderness first aid class?
3.      Camino and other travelers heading to Paris
4.      Payback time on the trail?
5.      Sierra Club Ntl. outings
6.      Acorn Woodpeckers as model citizens?
7.      Regional: S.F. Bay. East Bay Regional Park District’s Free Trail Challenge
8.      Regional: Richmond plans link in the Bay Trail
9.      Regional: Point Reyes, Marin County Environmental classes
10.   Best Hikes with Kids: San Francisco Bay Area
11.     Do you have questions, comments, or stories to share?

#1. Wolf on the move

In case you missed the latest on gray wolf # R7, he has now crossed over into California south of Klamath Falls, OR. Reportedly, conservationists are happy, farmers apprehensive about this event—the first wild wolf in the state in almost 100 years. The mother of this lone male was seen in Wallowa County (NE Oregon) in 2009. She was part of a pack that lives in that live in that area. There are four packs in the area that made their way to that corner of Oregon from the release of Canadian wolves into Yellowstone and Idaho in the mid-1990s. R7 left his pack in September 2010 and his whereabouts have since been tracked with a GPS collar. Wolves are protected by the endangered species act. Although many ranchers, and others, are nervous about wolves returning to California, many experts believe that the degree of concern that many people have about wolves is excessive. R7 appears to have been living on carcasses rather than livestock and they’ve never been known to hunt humans. For now, we can be thrilled that the northern part of our state is wild enough that a wolf can survive here, but since there aren’t any other wolves in the area, R7 will probably move back north to find a pack and mate.

#2. Prime Time for a Wilderness First Aid Class

If your hiking is curtailed during the winter, you might use some of the time for learning wilderness first aid. The Sierra Club, Berkeley Chapter, is offering a class on January 28-29, 2012 at the Chapter Office, 2530 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley. Fees start at $50 and vary depending on whether you are a member, which sessions you want to attend, etc. Call Office manager Deirdre Ashby at 510-848-080 ext. 315, or email questions to wfa@sfbaysc.org  If you’re interested in classes elsewhere, check with your local Sierra Club chapter, REI, or similar organization to see if you can find a course.

#3. Camino and other travelers to Paris

Camino hikers or other travelers planning to visit Paris and who want to know how to get from the Charles De Gaulle airport to the center of Paris—you have a choice (in order of increasing cost) of: train, bus, taxi. The train is a bit complicated, but at ParisbyTrain.com you can get the low-down. The train is apparently twice as fast as the bus, and slightly cheaper (about 9 euros). The bus to L’Opera is about a 60-minute ride and costs about 10 euros ($13). www.ratp.fr (click to the English translation). Taxi is about 50 euros.

#4. Payback time on the trail

American Hiking Society, the nonprofit that promotes and protects our U.S. trails, has lots of opportunities to “give back.” There are presently about 57 volunteer vacations scheduled, most lasting about 5 days. Trips are rated easy to strenuous because you could be doing trail maintenance while staying in a cabin, or sawing downed trees while staying in a backpacking camp. Meals are included in your fee. Contact: American hiking.org or 800-972-8608 X206 for info.  Examples: Sky Meadows State Park, Virginia in April, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie Ntl. Forest in July, Either Denali (Alaska) or Hawaii in August; or Appalachian Trail in September.

#5. Sierra Club outings for 2012

The outings schedule is online at www.sierraclub.org/outings or call 415-977-5522. Examples include Arctic Refuge on a Budget, Arctic Ntl. Wildlife Refuge. Alaska, June 5-17. Backpacking in a beautiful region with grizzlies, wolves, Dall sheep, and caribou. $2,495. Rated 5, most difficult, 12011A Women’s Backpacking in the Grand Canyon, AZ. April 1-7. Descent into the canyon on the Tanner Trail and travel along the Colorado on the Escalante Route. Rated 4. $995. 12041A Basecamp—hike, soak and float in Big Bend Ntl. Park, Texas. March 3-10. 12445A. $1,045. Service—Big Sur, Julia Pfeiffer Burns state Park, CA. March 31-April 6. $515. 12441A International— Tuscany and Umbria, Italy. A Creative Experience for Women. June 11-21. $3,195-$3,895 depending on number of participants. 12620A

#6. Acorn Woodpeckers - model citizens?

Acorn Woodpeckers. Zoologist Walt Koenig, who has studied acorn woodpeckers for 35 years, says that acorn woodpeckers have a remarkably complex social structure—perhaps the greatest of any of the vertebrates, humans included. “They do all the important stuff—food, marriage, sex, and childrearing as a community.”(Oct. /Nov. issue of Bay Nature). Their preferred food is flying ants and other insects, but when those disappear in the fall, the woodpeckers start collecting acorns. They pull the acorns off the branches and stick them, pointy end in first, into a snag (commonly oak or conifers). All members work together on this project and the granary may have up to 50,000 acorns, which will be shared by all.

#7. Regional: S.F. Bay. East Bay Regional Park District’s Free Trail Challenge.

An excellent way to follow through on your intentions or resolutions to maintain or improve your fitness is through hiking some of the featured hikes in this annual “challenge.” You do this at your own pace and on your own schedule. This is the 19th year of this program, a partnership with Kaiser Permanente. I don’t know the specifics of this year’s “challenge,” but previously it has been to complete 26.2 miles (the length of a marathon) on featured trails within the year. Find complete information and online registration beginning January 18th.  www.ebparks.org #8. The Bay Trail, the concept of which is simple, the implementation of which is a formidable project—to circle San Francisco, San Pablo, and Suisun bays with a 500-mile network, has a go-ahead to add an important 11-mile link. Point Richmond and Point Molate will be officially connected rather than requiring bicyclists and hikers to go through a maze of city streets to get from one area to another. Bruce Beyaert, chairman of the Trails for Richmond Action Committee, says that users will be able to walk or bicycle “three miles of vacant shoreline with spectacular views of Mt. Tamalpais and the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge. You can follow the progress at http://www.pointrichmond.com/baytrail/trail.htm

#9. Point Reyes Field Institute schedule out

Point Reyes Field Institute (Point Reyes National Seashore Assoc. in Marin County) has their new schedule out. Winter offerings include kayaking, birding, wildlife tracking, poetry and photography courses. For example, Winter Wildlife Tracking at Abbot’s Lagoon with Richard Vacha is offered on January 15th; Jayah Paley is offering “Fitness for the Trail & for Life, on February 26. www.ptreyes.org/fieldseminars or 415-663-1200 x 373.

#10. Best Hikes with Kids - San Francisco Bay Area

If you like to hike with kids, check out my interview with Laure Latham, author of "Best Hikes with Kids: San Francisco Bay Area". http://www.examiner.com/hiking-in-san-francisco/latham-s-best-hikes-with-kids

#11. Items of interest

. I’d love to include your success stories and other items of interest with the hiking/backpacking and Camino communities. I encourage you to send them to me at backpack45@yahoo.com for consideration.
Susan “backpack45” Alcorn