My Outdoor Adventures

Mt. Rainier Training

Justin Poehnelt — Tue, 27 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700

This article can be found at: Mt. Rainier Training

I've been in the Mount Rainier area for two days now in preparation for the arrival of my crew and an eleven day training. It has been great but it will take a little time to adjust to the humidity and rain; hopefully Mt. Rainier will peak out of the clouds during the next couple weeks. I am definitely excited and anxious to finally meet my crew on June 3rd!

Frank Church: Lower Loon to Meyers Cove

Justin Poehnelt — Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700

This article can be found at: Frank Church: Lower Loon to Meyers Cove

I just went through seven of the most physically challenging days of my life in the most remote place in the lower 48, the Frank Church Wilderness in Idaho. Ben, a forest service employee, and I were dropped off by plane on a short dirt landing strip at the confluence of Lower Loon Creek and the Middle Fork of the Salmon River.

Our mission was to clear rock slides, cut trees that had fallen over the trail, and make the trail passable by human and horse. We had a rough twenty-five miles of trail to cover in just seven days; it should have been eight days, but our flight was canceled the day earlier due to a snowstorm and whiteouts. If successful, we would find a forest service rig waiting for us at Meyer's Cove, the trailhead to Camas Creek. The first ten miles of work would be on the Middle Fork trail and the last half would be on the Camas Creek trail, this is excluding a steep jaunt up Dry Gulch for a few miles.

The Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness is one of the most rugged places I have ever been. The trail is often hanging on the edge of a cliff or on a fire-burnt slope that is ready to slide into the river. At some of these points the trail has sections missing that required Ben and I to try to cut a solid tread into the hillside that would still hold the weight of a horse. I definitely had the thought, "don't look down," going through my head as I was putting my weight into the swing of a pulaski.

Beyond the ruggedness, the pure physical challenge of carrying seven days worth of food and gear including the multiple tools is nearly overwhelming. At one point I had all of my normal backpacking gear for an extended trip, but also had a rock bar and pulaski attached to my pack in addition to the crosscut saw in my hands.

But at the end of the day, I would wash some of the black off from the burnt areas and the plain old dirt from everywhere else and look up at my surroundings. I would see a herd of elk moving across the hillside, a group of deer coming out of the cover to feed or an amazing mix of colors as the sun set over the mountains. No matter how exhausted I was or how difficult it was to pump water, it was all worth it to me. Although I may have captured some of these scenes with photographs, I will always remember moments such as these.

Home for the Summer: Wildhorse Guard Station

Justin Poehnelt — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0700

This article can be found at: Home for the Summer: Wildhorse Guard Station

I will be spending my off time out of the backcountry at Wildhorse Guard Station between Ketchum and Mackay, ID. It's a remote location and over 30 minutes from services of any kind, including cell service. It will be interesting to see how the crew handles the isolation on off time. Here is a picture, the road was still snowed over when I checked it out last...

Horse Creek Trail Maintenance - Frank Church Wilderness

Justin Poehnelt — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0700

This article can be found at: Horse Creek Trail Maintenance - Frank Church Wilderness

I recently spent an eight day work hitch clearing brush and cutting blowdowns with crosscuts on the Horse Creek Trail in the Frank Church - River of No Return Wilderness. Horse Creek empties into the Salmon River about five miles down river from the confluence of the North and Middle Forks of the Salmon River. We cleared brush for a little over 6 miles and my arms haven't been so sore for quite awhile. It was still a great time and we saw a ton of wildlife; elk herds daily, black bears, mountain goats within a couple hundred yards, and a wolf.

The elk herd was on the ridge in the distance.

Horse Creek

Lower Loon, Frank Church Wilderness

Justin Poehnelt — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0700

This article can be found at: Lower Loon, Frank Church Wilderness

On Wednesday, April 29th, I will be flying into Lower Loon Creek in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. I will be working with one of the backcountry patrols clearing a trail that was covered by an avalanche slide. I will be in the middle of the largest wilderness area in the lower 48 for 8 days. It should be a great plane flight!

Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness

Justin Poehnelt — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0700

This article can be found at: Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness

On Wednesday I will be flying with two Salmon-Challis National Forest trail crew employees into the middle of the largest wilderness area in the lower 48, the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. I will be spending seven days clearing trails and doing basic trail maintenance along the middle fork of the Salmon River.

I'm excited to head into the wilderness and I hope I will handle it alright for my first backpacking trip of the year. At the very least, I should have some great photos to share when I get back!

SCA Project Leader Training

Justin Poehnelt — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0700

This article can be found at: SCA Project Leader Training

I have spent much of this week in Boise, ID for the Student Conservation Association's project leader training. We have been covering topics ranging from conflict resolution to defensive driving and the 26 project leaders have had the opportunity to share experiences, challenges, and concerns about the upcoming season. I am always amazed by the growth and leadership that can be fostered in the SCA experience.

I am one of the trail project leaders(trail crews rock), but there are many other crews working in the SCA Native Plant Corps, Wildland Fire Corps and Desert Restoration Corps. Next Tuesday I will be heading off to the Salmon - Challis National Forest to meet with the forest staff and plan for the summer. Hopefully I will have the crew hired by May and ready to begin crew member training in June at Mt. Rainier. I'm excited!

I have also been given some cool toys to play with. Who would have guessed a trail crew leader would be getting a Blackberry with an unlimited data plan and a laptop? It makes sense though since internet access will be difficult at times and it does not make sense to drive somewhere to get internet access.

Anyway, this must be one of the best jobs working outdoors. The pay is great, the people are great, and the experience cannot be beat.

Pictures Featuring My Tent

Justin Poehnelt — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0700

This article can be found at: Pictures Featuring My Tent

When showing pictures from my many backpacking trips, one of the parts I like to point out is my campsite location and what I wake up to in the morning. Here are some of my backpacking photos featuring a tent:

Washakie Pass in the Wind River Range

Another picture from the Wind River Range in Wyoming

Joshua Tree National Park after a little snow

Caramba Point Overlook near San Jacinto in southern California

My sleeping spot for nearly 8 months in the Yuha Desert in far, far southern California. Mt. Signal in the background is in Mexico.

Here is the rest of our camp in the Yuha Desert.

Thanks to TwoHeelDrive and Backpacker.com for the ideas.

Too Much Backpacking Gear

Justin Poehnelt — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0700

This article can be found at: Too Much Backpacking Gear

As I pack to fly out to Idaho for my job as a trail crew leader it has become obvious that I have way too much backpacking gear. While I often justify certain items for specific situations, such as a 32 degree sleeping bag for summer and a 0 degree bag for colder times, having to fit all of my gear into one checked luggage bag has forced me to realize what I actually need.

I'm only bringing one sleeping bag, one backpack, one shelter, one sleeping pad, one stove etc... Although I have four sleeping bags, my 15 degreee synthetic is best for an all purpose bag that can take a beating. It's much the same for backpacks, my Granite Gear Latitude Vapor may be lightweight, but my Arc'Teryx Bora 80 won't leave any question about having enough room.

Anyways, isn't backpacking about carrying only what is needed and maximizing the use of that gear? I think this experience may be a turning point in my gear addiction and if anything, I might be more inclined to create, modify or fix gear to get the most out of the least. My homemade alcohol backpacking stove may be just the start!

My Favorite National Parks

Justin Poehnelt — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0700

This article can be found at: My Favorite National Parks

I have traveled to many different national parks in my lifetime and some have definitely made the list for return trips. Here are my favorite national parks in order.

1. Death Valley National Park, CA - I love the desert and this park has amazing contrast from Badwater Basin(lowest point in western hemisphere) all the way to Telescope peak(highest point in park at 11,000+ feet).

2. Wrangell - St. Elias National Park, AK - I didn't spend much time in this park, but the isolation and vastness are overwhelming.

3. Sequoia National Park, CA - Car camping among the giants and then backpacking out of Mineral King put my size into perspective.

4. Kenai Fjords National Park, AK - Waking up and see Exit Glacier glowing in the morning sunshine for 30 days was worth the back-breaking labor I did building a part of the Harding Ice Field Trail.

5. Yellowstone National Park, WY - I have a weak spot for wildlife. I need to return to this park now that I love backpacking.

6. Shenandoah National Park, VA - Great and easy backpacking. Working there for three months gives it a little boost.

7. Great Smokey Mountains National Park, TN - Only stayed in the campgrounds, but would have loved to get into some more remote areas.

8. Denali National Park, AK - I visited in late September after season and didn't see any wildlife, but greatly enjoyed the vastness.

9. Mojave National Preserve, CA - Is there anything cooler than a joshua tree forest?

10. Rocky Mountain National Park, CO - Had a great drive through, need to get away from the people and roads though.

Others not making the list that I have visited: Badlands National Park, Redwood National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Picture Rocks Lakeshore, Sleeping Bear Dunes Lakeshore, Grand Canyon National Park, Arches National Park, Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Top on the list for me to make my first visit: Glacier National Park, Zion National Park, Yosemite National Park, Olympic National Park

No More Nalgenes For Me

Justin Poehnelt — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0700

This article can be found at: No More Nalgenes For Me

I have recently switched away from Nalgene to SIGG water bottles. I did this for a couple reasons and am glad that I did even though it cost me my old, seasoned nalgene and a little over $20.

The main reason is that I would like to move away from using plastic in anything that touches food or water. Although it may be convenient and cheap, many plastics leach toxic chemicals over time, especially when heated. In the case of Nalgene water bottles, the chemical is Bisphenol A, which is disruptive to hormones and carcinogenic. If you do not wish to give up your nalgene water bottle, you can reduce the amount that is leached by keeping it away from heat, keeping out acids and replacing it frequently.

The other reason that I switched to a SIGG water bottle is that it doesn't leave a taste like my nalgene bottle did. It is quite the difference and is quickly noticeable. I recommend trying it for the taste alone.

Another brand besides SIGG that I would like to suggest is Klean Kanteen, the difference being a SIGG bottle is aluminum and a Klean Kanteen bottle is stainless steel. Both brands come in various sizes, shapes, and lids.

Update: Be sure to check out some great information posted in the comments below!

Inov8 Roclite 295 Trail Shoes - Gear Review

Justin Poehnelt — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0700

This article can be found at: Inov8 Roclite 295 Trail Shoes - Gear Review

I recently purchased some shoes from Innov8. I selected the extremely lightweight ROCLITE 295. I was immediately impressed with the weight of the shoes, a little under 12 ounces for a size 11 mens on my scale for one shoe. I have never had anything so light that wasn't a sandal.

I quickly put them on and took off for a short run/hike and am happy to report the flexible, but supportive feel that I prefer in my hiking shoes. The shoes allow me to feel the trail unlike hiking boots. The sole of the Inov8 Roclite 295 is very aggressive and will do great in muddy and slippery conditions; although, I haven't tested them out on wet rock so far. One negative is that they are not non-marking soles.

The shoes have a very breathable mesh upper that should strike a good balance between breathability and keeping rocks and or dirt out. These shoes are not goretex or waterproof.

Overall, I am extremely pleased with these shoes. The Inov8 Roclite 295s will be put to the test as I try to find an ultralight hiking shoe for my thruhike of the continental divide trail in 2009.

Backpacking and Hiking Podcasts

Justin Poehnelt — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0700

This article can be found at: Backpacking and Hiking Podcasts

Now that I have an Ipod, I have discovered the wealth of resources available as podcasts. I have also found several podcasts talking about the outdoors, backpacking, hiking, thruhiking and many other related topics and thought I would share these with you.

My Backpacking and Hiking Podcast List:

1. Wildebeat - The audio journal about getting into the wilderness.

2. Trailcast - Podcasting on foot.

3. Backpacking Light - Backpacking Light Podcasts introduce you to the gear, the people, and the stories that define the best of today's wilderness experience!

4. Practical Backpacking - Watch out for the ads!

5. Anthony's Audio Journal - Hiking and Backpacking podcast of Anthony's personal journals from hikes and backpack trips in and around the Southern California area and the Eastern Sierras.

6. Hike It All - Video Podcasts

7. SouthEastern Backpackers - Watch out for the ads!

8. ARHiker Trailcast - Descriptions of trails hiked.

Using the MSR Whisperlite Backpacking Stove

Justin Poehnelt — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0700

This article can be found at: Using the MSR Whisperlite Backpacking Stove

Understanding how a MSR Whisperlite stove works is essential to reducing flareups and effectively priming the stove prior to lighting. The most important part of the process is how the fuel, white gas, changes from liquid in the bottle to a gas that burns with an intense flame. New users are often intimidated by the MSR Whisperlite, but if taught properly, there should be no problem lighting the stove.

Pressurizing the Fuel Bottle
White gas is stored as a liquid and put under pressure in the fuel bottle. The pressure, created by the fuel pump, forces the liquid white gas through the metal tube into the stove. Pumping the fuel bottle until resistence is felt will result in adequate pressure. The number of pumps will depend upon the amount of fuel in the bottle.

Heat Feedback
If you look closely at the path of the white gas, you will notice a loop that takes the liquid fuel above the flame

when the stove is operating. This is an essential stage called heat feedback. Heet feedback means that when the stove is burning, the flame heats the white gas up to the point that it turns from liquid to gas, much like water changes to steam at water's boiling point. Here is a diagram of that change from liquid to gas.

This process occurs when the stove is already started and burning. But how do I get to that point, where the gas is hot enough that it changes from liquid to gas?

Priming the MSR Whisperlite Stove
This is where the primer cup comes into play. If the white gas is still in liquid form when it makes it through the fuel line, it will collect in the primer cup. The liquid white gas in the primer cup then should be lighted with the fuel valve on the bottle closed. Lighting this heats up the very end of the fuel line and some of the remaing fuel in the line, creating enough heat to change the liquid to gas. This heated gas rises up through the stove and starts making a slight hissing sound. You may have to experiment with how much fuel is allowed into the primer cup to do this.

Lighting the MSR Whisperlite Stove
The next step, lighting the stove, is often made much more difficult than is necessary. The easiest method is to simply wait for all the fuel in the primer cup to burn up, turn the fuel valve back on, and light the stove at the top, much like lighting any gas grill. The stove may burn with an intense blue flame right away, but sometimes the heat feedback, mentioned earlier, needs a little longer to be completely effective. The more difficult method is to turn on the fuel while there is still liquid white gas in the primer cup, but enough heat to for the hissing sound to be started. It is a matter of timing.

Advanced MSR Whisperlite Techniques
Simmering can be achieved by reducing the pressure in the fuel bottle after the stove has been started and heated up. Turn the fuel off, let the flames burn out, and twist off the fuel pump until pressure is relieved. Afterwards, simply pump the bottle fewer times than you normally would and light the stove again.

MSR Whisperlite Maintenance
The most effective and common maintenance for the MSR Whisperlite is to simply shake. At the very end of the fuel line is the shaker jet, a tiny needle that is free to move up and down. By shaking the stove, carbon buildup is removed. The shaker jet should make a slight rattling sound.

The second most effective and common maintenance for the MSR Whisperlite is cleaning the fuel line. Cleaning the fuel line consists of pulling out and pushing in the cable that is within the fuel line. This removes the carbon buildup that limits the flow of fuel. You can use different tools for this, but the one that comes with the stove

works well. If this is done regularly, it is a simple task and the cable will freely move. If not, it may take considerable effort to get it all the way back in, repeating the in and out until all carbon has been removed. Be careful not to damage the cable.

Safety Considerations
1. Watch for leaks from the fuel pump and check o-rings.
2. Do not step, lean, or reach over the stove.
3. If there is too much fuel in the primer cup, leave the stove and let some evaporate prior to lighting.
4. Always handle boiling water carfully.
5. Do not use water to put out white gas fires, smother the fire with whatever is available; dirt, aluminum wind screen, pot/pan, etc..
6. Keep food and fuel separate. Some fuel will remain in the fuel line after the stove is out and needs to be drained appropriately.

What Next?
If you have mastered the workings of the MSR Whisperlite stove, I suggest you try making a pop can alcohol stove that weighs about one ounce!

Arc'Teryx Bora 80 Backpack - Gear Review

Justin Poehnelt — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0700

This article can be found at: Arc'Teryx Bora 80 Backpack - Gear Review

I have owned my Arc'Teryx Bora 80 backpack for over a year and am satisfied with the pack. It has met all of my expectations and then some in terms of durability, quality, and load bearing. I purchased the pack not for a desire to be ultralight, but for my job leading trail crews. I often have a huge load, well over 50 pounds, and I need a backpack that would handle the beating. I have also been using the pack on shorter backpacking trips where I was not concerned about the extra size and weight. It is an indispensable part of my collection of backpacking gear!

What do I like about the pack? The pack itself is of the highest quality. I have no rips, tears, holes or any other signs of wear. This durability is after I have slid the pack down a scree field in Death Valley NP, used it to carry various trail tools to job sites, and regularly used it as my checked luggage on cross-country flights. The attention to detail is what separates the Arc'Teryx Bora backpack from others. The quality zippers are just one example of that.

I find the large outside pocket extremely useful for keeping anything that I may need quickly or need to keep out of the main compartment; for example, a wet rain-fly. The 'brain', top compartment, is also large enough for my 'necessities'.

The most important quality of this pack has been that it performs exceptionally when loaded with a huge load. I can easily adjust the weight how I want and can transfer it to my hips without any problems. On a trips in the southwest US and due to water weight, I have carried 70-80 lbs as if it were only 40 lbs.

What don't I like about the pack? Not much really. I never use the side zipper. The shoulder straps and hip belt are a bit stiff. It is heavy, but that is expected and needed for a pack of this size and durability. Price. All of my complaints are relatively minor in my opinion.

This pack has seen some beautiful places... Lost Lake, Chugach NF, Alaska...

Granite Gear Latitude Vapor Backpack - Gear Review

Justin Poehnelt — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0700

This article can be found at: Granite Gear Latitude Vapor Backpack - Gear Review

The Granite Gear Latitude Vapor Backpack has been my lightweight backpack of choice for a couple years now. It weighs in at 2lbs and 10 oz and while not ultralightweight, it is respectable. It is a very simple pack that doesn't have a bunch of unnecessary pockets, straps, or loops.

Specs:
Weight: 2lbs 10oz
Capacity: 3800 cubic inches
Load Capacity: 30lbs
Retail: around $190

The backpack has decent support given its weight and I have carried much more than the maximum 30 lb capacity that is specified by Granite Gear... more on this in a bit. One feature I greatly enjoy is the full length double zipper that allows me to access the entire contents of my backpack compared to the standard backpack that is top loaded.

I have had some problems with this pack in terms of durability. I have busted the hip belt buckle and have noticed some serious tears that would render the pack useless without some repair. Some of the durability issues are my own fault as I have had more than the specified weight capacity in the pack; however, in my opinion it is still unacceptable. The most serious tear is where the padding on the back connects to ripstop nylon near the top of one of the shoulder straps. You can see it in this picture...

That is a very important spot and will be a pain to repair. Since this is my first lightweight backpack, I think I have learned some valuable lessons about not abusing my gear and selecting gear that will meet the demands I have of it. Thus is my reason for purchasing an Arc'Teryx Bora 80!

Here is a picture of me with this pack in the Gila National Forest on spring break. Gila Wilderness Backpacking Trip Report, Trip Info and Gila NF Slideshow. Overall, would I buy this pack again. Probably, but I would seamseal those corners with silicone.

MSR Denali Classic Snowshoes - Gear Review

Justin Poehnelt — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0700

This article can be found at: MSR Denali Classic Snowshoes - Gear Review

I purchased my first set of snowshoes, the MSR Denali Classics, this winter and and have enjoyed many miles of snowshowing. Luckily, Wisconsin had a far above average snowfall and over three feet of snow in many places. I also tried them out while I was in Montana in February in the Gallatin National Forest.

Overall, I am very satisfied with my purchase and the MSR Denali Classics perform at or above any other snowshoes I have tried. These snowshoes are tough, supportive and versatile. Perfect for the all purpose snowshoe with a great price.

I am most satisfied with the bindings on the MSR Denali Classics. I can easily attach the snowshoes with gloves or mittens. It is very easy to adjust the tightness and I have never had them come off. After watching others in cheaper snowshoes with poor bindings in Montana and experiencing the same problems with my father's old snowshoes, I think that bindings are the most important aspect for snowshoes and I couldn't be happier about the MSR Denali Classics.

After the bindings, the most important factor to me is the durability. The MSR Denali Classics are unlike many other snowshoes and have exceeded my expectations. The MSRs are formed out of a one piece molded plastic. Other than a few scratches, I have had no problems and expect them to last me many years.

Other bonuses: crampons and traction for icy hardpack sidehills, price, versatility with floatation tails.

Complaints: heavier than some snowshoes the same size, do not work well with small boots.

Specs: 3lbs 10 oz(manufacturer's weight), retail price $139.

Buy MSR Denali Classic Snowshoes - Backcountry.com affiliate link

Trail Building Job with the SCA

Justin Poehnelt — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0700

This article can be found at: Trail Building Job with the SCA

The SCA is taking applications for trail crews on the Salmon Challis National Forest including the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. I will be leading one of the crews! Here is the position summary from the SCA:

Help restore, protect, and enhance recent burned areas in the central Idaho mountains. SCA is looking for 10 energetic, adventurous, hard working, high spirited, individuals interested in getting their hands dirty completing a vast array of trail projects in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness and surrounding areas. Project location will be the Salmon Challis National Forest. Term of service is 3 months and much of that time will be spent in various backcountry and front country settings, camping and living in a tent. Hiking and backpacking required. Plan, manage and complete trail construction projects, 80%; prepare for field hitches, 20%. A community spirit and teamwork is paramount to the success of the project.

I know that after looking at some of my trail work pictures, I can't wait to get back out there and do some work! I think it has to do with the incredible amount of effort and attention to quality that I put into these projects and the awesome results, not to mention the location of the work!

A rock staircase constructed on a hiking trail off of the Blue Ridge Parkway

New trail for the Harding Ice Field trail at Kenai Fjords National Park

Homemade Pressurized Alcohol Stove For Ultralight Backpacking

Justin Poehnelt — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0700

This article can be found at: Homemade Pressurized Alcohol Stove For Ultralight Backpacking

In the last few days I have been researching how to build a homemade alcohol stove out of pop cans for backpacking. I found directions for several different designs at zenstoves.net and decided to try making the pressurized type. Here are some specs and the pictures documenting the process.

Specs:
2 cups time to boil: ~5 minutes
time to prime: ~10 seconds
weight: < 1 ounce
capacity: 1.5 ounces
full capacity burn time: ~8 minutes
fuel used: denatured alcohol

The two cans that will eventually become my alcohol stove.

Tool used to quickly cut the root beer cans for my alcohol stove.

The three primary pieces to my alcohol stove. The top and bottom parts with the inner wall that helps hold it together.

A completed pressurized stove that burns denatured alcohol and weighs approximately ONE OUNCE! It has an inner wall, is approximately 35 mm tall and holds a little under two ounces of alcohol. I used jb weld to attach the bolt and nut, the fiberglass wick and the top and bottom pieces of the can. I finished it off with some paint that can handle temps up to 1200.

The stove in action boiling two cups of water in a titanium pot:

Travel, Change and the Outdoors

Justin Poehnelt — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800

This article can be found at: Travel, Change and the Outdoors

A week and a couple days ago I left the stability and familiarity of a home in rural Wisconsin for a place I had never been. Although I was excited to live somewhere new and work doing something I loved, I had little idea of where I might live and who I would be working with for much of the next year.

As I sat behind the wheel of my car on the way to Bozeman, Montana, my anxiety grew as I was focused on finding a place to live. The plan was to meet my fellow coworkers at a backpackers hostel the weekend before our work began with the Montana Conservation Corps. Not one of us had spent any significant time in Montana, let alone Bozeman, but we were counting on finding a place in a day to call our own. While some, especially my mother and my girlfriend, thought the five of us were being careless, I had eventually decided that everything would work out just fine. After three nights at the hostel and one in a two bed hotel room, our luck finally began; if you do not count the fact that none of us snore.

My first impression of Bozeman was that I fit in far too well. It was an unusual feeling and I was almost disappointed. It seemed as though everyone went hiking, skiing, hunting or fishing in their free time. Fortunately, these concerns quickly dissolved as I was told about future MCC work projects across the entire Greater Yellowstone Region and how little I would be spending my time in Bozeman; although, today I find myself avoiding these activities for my own solitude as all my roommates and coworkers enjoy hiking in the nearby snow-covered mountains.

As I sat in our upstairs apartment last night as I watched the movie Into the Wild, I reflected on my own place in life and quickly built a desire to be free of paying rent and returning to a place of relative solitude in nature. As today progresses, I find myself anxiously awaiting my first work project with a crew in the backcountry of the Yellowstone region. I once again I do not know where I may be sleeping or who I may be working with, but I cannot wait for that day to arrive.

A Summer Building Trails

Justin Poehnelt — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0700

This article can be found at: A Summer Building Trails

The Mojave National Preserve, Blue Ridge Parkway, and Kenai Fjords National Park are three of the places I have spent much of my summer working for the Student Conservation Association. I was a coleader for two crews and a member of one of the SCA staff crews. I built a bridge, designed new trail, chopped out that trail, moved huge rocks for a rock staircase and pulled hundreds of alder roots. These experiences have taught me quite a bit about trail work and a whole lot more about myself.

My first project early this summer was as a coleader of a 6 student SCA high school crew in the Mojave National Preserve. Our work was to be concentrated on new trail construction as much of the trail had been wiped out by fire and floods. We built over one mile of new trail and fixed the tread of almost another two miles in 21 days of work. The desert heat wasn't too bad and we only had a few days where it became an issue. Here are some photos of our work showing the new construction of trail:

For our recreational trip after the work, we traveled to Sequoia National Park. It was a long drive but I felt as though we needed to get out of the desert and find some water and trees. The crew also had a great time in the mountains and climbing up to high passes. Here is a picture of the crew:

After my crew in the Mojave National Preserve, I flew back home for a day and the flew out to Roanoke, Virginia to lead my second high school crew with my girlfriend, Ashley. This crew was going to be working much more frontcountry and deal less with the harshness of the environment I had in the Mojave, but we had terrific projects with the Blue Ridge Parkway NPS unit. The first and main project was replacing an old 26 foot bridge with a new, wider, and stronger bridge. The bridge took a little over a week to finish and was a terrific project. Here are some of the pictures at different stages:

After completing the bridge, we found another project building a rock staircase on a steep section of trail. The 16 step staircase took 5 days to build but should last for years. The crew did a great job making crush around the stairs and using heavy and appropriate rocks for stairs. Here are a couple pictures:

I am very proud of this staircase and think the crew did a tremendous job and put a lot of effort into a very difficult project. After completing these two projects, Ashley and I took the crew to the Great Smokey Mountains and Shenandoah National Park for environmental education and recreation. The crew participated in fish shocking in the Smokeys, backpacked in Shenandoah, and traveled much of the Blue Ridge Parkway. It was a great experience for all of the members.

When I started my first two high school crews, I was unsure what I would be doing when fall came around. One opportunity that Ashley and I had was to be a member of a staff crew working at Kenai Fjords National Park. The staff crew would be made up of six crew leaders from the summer and we would be putting in 1500 feet of new trail to relocate part of the Harding Ice Field Trail. The project would require working in temperate rainforest removing hundreds of alder stumps, walking through devil's club, and swatting biting red flys. Here is a picture showing the vegetation after a chainsaw had already gone through:

We worked extremely hard and made great progress. We knocked out 1500 feet of new trail and removed hundreds of stumps with nothing but a pulaski, pick mattock and loppers. However, I greatly enjoyed the lack of responsibility of being a crew member and being allowed to concentrate on work for several hours at a time. It was also a great opportunity for me to enhance my trail building skills, specifically designing trails. Here are some pictures of completed trail:

The opportunity to work in Kenai Fjords National Park was amazing. Every morning we had a view of mountains and glaciers such as this, taken 100 yards away from the cabin we were staying.

Working in Alaska also afforded us the opportunity to see much more of the state than Kenai Fjords National Park. Ashley and I made a week long road trip through Alaska traveling to places like Denali National Park and Wrangell St. Elias National Park. These two parks were two of the most beautiful places that I have ever been to. Snow covered mountains and wide open spaces could be seen in the distance at any point along our route. Here are a few of the most beautiful photos.

Overall, I had an amazing time and traveled to awesome places this summer and fall. I definitely think I could continue doing this for a few years as I have no expenses while doing these jobs. The projects are also extremely fulfilling, especially when I had an opportunity to make an impact on a high school crew member. There isn't a much better feeling.

Going To Alaska

Justin Poehnelt — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700

This article can be found at: Going To Alaska

Tomorrow morning Ashley and I will be flying to Anchorage, Alaska to work on a month long Student Conservation Association trail crew at Kenai Fjords National Park. Afterwards, Ashley and I will be road tripping through Alaska for another seven days.

I just finished leading two high school trail crews yesterday with the SCA; one at the Mojave National Preserve in California and the other on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia. Projects ranged from new trail layout and construction to building a bridge and rock staircase. Pictures from the crew on the Blue Ridge Parkway can be seen at sca.justinwp.com.

At Kenai Fjords, we will be rerouting a section of trail that was badly damaged and constructing retaining walls with rock. It's an adult crew with crew leaders that all just finished leading high school crews in the last week. Hopefully we can all work together and not be stuck doing things the way we as leaders have always done them.

Oh and we will be cooking and sleeping behind an electric fence while camping. So don't worry about the bears, but hope for good weather!

Desert Backpacking Gear

Justin Poehnelt — Sat, 17 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0700

This article can be found at: Desert Backpacking Gear

I was reading a forum discussing what to bring backpacking in the desert and felt as though I had some useful knowledge to share since I am often sleeping on sand. Here is what I wrote:

I'm lucky enough to get to camp out in the desert for 10 day intervals as part of my job. The challenging part is that I must camp 3 miles from the border in the Yuha Desert in southern California. My habits may vary based upon the fact that the Yuha is lightly vegitated and extremely windy.

What I have found is that the best way to sleep in the desert in the wind is without a tent. I just lay right down on a tarp and crawl into my bag. I have never had a problem with any type of animal. Sometimes I may opt for a bivy if it is cold and windy.

For clothes, I just make sure I have pants that will not get snagged by the desert flora. Lightweight ripstop nylon works great. I am a little lazy when it comes to shirts and often end up in a cotton tshirt. I do recommend a long sleeve shirt though.

My footwear has recently been limited to my keen sandles. I have strong ankles and have worn them for almost every backpack trip this past year in the southwest; the exception being the grand canyon due to the cold(snow). I have no problem with sand and sandles; although when I went hiking in the Algodones Dunes Wilderness, I went barefoot. The only scorpion sting there was from my friend sitting on one.

Again, this may vary for you depending upon which desert.

Saguaro National Park

Justin Poehnelt — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0800

This article can be found at: Saguaro National Park

Ashley just returned from a trip to Saguaro National Park near Tucson, Arizona. Here is a picture of her with a Saguaro Cactus.

Outdoor Books

Justin Poehnelt — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0800

This article can be found at: Outdoor Books

I definitely have an expanding library of books on the outdoors; from wilderness management to guides on national parks and I thought I might share some with you.

How to Rock Climb!, 4th (How To Climb Series)

Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills

Wildland Recreation: Ecology and Management, 2nd Edition

Where the Waters Divide: A 3,000-Mile Trek Along America's Continental Divide

Lightly on the Land: The Sca Trail Building And Maintenance Manual 2nd Edition

A Sand County Almanac

Nols Cookery (National Outdoor Leadership School)

North Algodones Dunes Backpacking

Justin Poehnelt — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0800

This article can be found at: North Algodones Dunes Backpacking

This afternoon I will be heading out to the North Algodones Wilderness area to go backpacking for 2 and a half days. My base pack weight is 11 pounds and my total pack weight is 35 pounds, almost all water. I'm skipping the tent, sleeping pad, stove and most of the other usual items and going back to the basics, water and snicker bars. The only route plan I have is to hike north for a day and a half and then hike back south on the last day. I'll see how that goes... but right now it's very windy in El Centro, CA so I will probably be wearing my sand goggles every minute I am out there. Wish me luck!

Joshua Tree National Park Backpacking and Rock Climbing

Justin Poehnelt — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0800

This article can be found at: Joshua Tree National Park Backpacking and Rock Climbing

Ashley and I just got back from 4 days in Joshua Tree National Park; one day climbing and three days of backpacking.

Climbing at Joshua Tree National Park: Being relatively new to climbing, we spent the first day just toproping with friends on some easier routes and did some scrambling on boulders later in the trip. Here are a few pictures of Ashley, Matt and Courtney from the PCT crew, Steve our guide friend and me:

Backpacking at Joshua Tree National Park: The second day, Matt, Ashley and I made our way to Queen Mountain from the Pine City Trailhead.

The first challenge we had was finding the Old Queen Valley Historic Road trail which was more of a straight line between plants that was visible in certain spots. It definately was NOT a trail. Eventually we got far enough west that we found a trail up a wash to Queen Mountain. The first part of this trail was easy, just walking in a wash, but the second part was a difficult scramble up with heavy packs. All three of us had 2+ gallons of water that adding 15-20lbs to our pack weight. It was well worth the climb since we saw a big horn sheep on the way up, atleast Ashley and I did; Matt was further up the trail and his view was blocked by a boulder.

That night we went to sleep at our usual 7 pm outdoor bedtime.

The next day we woke up to a one inch mixture of snow and hail with the entire mountain top enveloped in clouds. For some reason, the desert is absolutely beautiful when it is covered with snow.

We spent the entirety of that day scrambling on boulders looking for some crash pads that someone told us were stashed in a hidden cave. Unfortunately, we were looking for treasure without a treasure map, but we enjoyed our time and everyone survived. It was great weather for being active and jumping on and off of boulders all day, but a bit chilly when we sat around to enjoy the view.

The last morning we woke up to frozen water bottles and a beautiful and sunny day. We hadn't planned on staying long since Matt and the PCT crew were heading for the Cleveland National Forest that afternoon so we began our hike out to the car early on. The final day was great and was evidence of the temperature variation in the desert as I finished the morning hike in shorts and a tshirt.

Overall, Joshua Tree National Park is a fabulous place for backpacking and climbing. Ashley and I can't wait to load up on some climbing gear and find our way back to some great walls.

A Day in the Yuha Desert

Justin Poehnelt — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0800

This article can be found at: A Day in the Yuha Desert

Sunrise over Mount Signal

A lithic reduction site; the reason for restoration.

A beautiful day in the desert.

The most useful wheelbarrow, one of our many tools.

Nearly complete restoration work close to a geoglyph.

Night in the Desert

San Gorgonio Wilderness Backpacking

Justin Poehnelt — Sat, 04 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0800

This article can be found at: San Gorgonio Wilderness Backpacking

Just got back from a 4 day backpacking trip in the San Gorgonio Wilderness of the San Bernardino National Forest. We covered over 40 miles and more elevation than I want to even think about. We started at Momyer Creek Trail and climbed almost straight up the mountain towards San Bernardino. We then went back east towards Dry Lake and then up to San Gorgonio as we began heading back. Overall, we had a wonderful time and the views were great (minus the smog) from the many peaks we climbed including San Bernardino, San Gorgonio, Charlton, Anderson etc... Here are some of the pictures.

San Jacinto Peak, where we went on the last backpacking trip.

Our car is down there somewhere!

San Jacinto Backpacking

Justin Poehnelt — Sun, 22 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0700

This article can be found at: San Jacinto Backpacking

The past three days, myself and two others from my crew went backpacking in the
San Bernardino National Forest and the San Jacinto State Park Wilderness. We
started our journey from Humber Park near Idyllwild, CA at one in the afternoon
on Thursday. I think we hiked approximately 7 miles that first day to Caramba
Point Overlook in the national forest. The next day we hiked to the Round Valley
designated camping area in the state park and stayed at the Lotus Camp, which
was an awesome campsite with great views from the boulders. On our third day
we hiked up to San Jacinto Peak and finished off the trip with a 16 mile hike.
I thought this was a great route as we covered almost 30 miles with a bunch of
elevation change. I also tried something completely new on this trip as I hiked
in my Keen sandals and left my boots in the trunk of my car. It really is amazing
how much I have adjusted to the temperatures of the Yuha; what I normally wear
for 0 degrees, I now have to wear for 40-50! Here are some of the pictures I
took... More here.

San Jacinto Peak

First Week of Work in the Yuha

Justin Poehnelt — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0700

This article can be found at: First Week of Work in the Yuha

Just got back from our first week of work in the Yuha Desert. Here is a picture of the entire Yuha SCA Desert Restoration Corps Crew in front of the Yuha Desert welcome sign. It was a windy and dirty seven days.

Here I am running the restoration project for the day, 2 connected hill climbs that are now gone.

Where I have been sleeping the past week. It was a challenge keeping my gear on the right side of the cliff in the 30 mph plus constant winds.

Can't beat waking up to this every morning.

Another picture of a flattailed horned lizard.

We went for a short road trip to the US border a couple miles from where we work; it took the border patrol under 3 minutes to get to us once we got in sight of their cameras... If you look at a map of the US, I really am living and working on the line between the US and Mexico. As the crow flies, our camp is under 3 miles from the border. It's definately an interesting experience having border patrol check out your camp every day.

A picture of the Yuha Basin. This was once all water and the reason for the archeological significance of the area.

Our simple base camp. The large white tent feels like paradise in the windy evenings.

Looking for seeds to put around some of the dead plants we plant.

A bug...

Playing with the camera and GIS.

Learning to Surf in San Diego, CA

Justin Poehnelt — Wed, 11 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0700

This article can be found at: Learning to Surf in San Diego, CA

I've spent the last two days trying to teach myself how to surf and I have to say I'm pretty damn good for a beginner without any instruction. Yesterday we were out for almost 4 hours straight and I finally started to learn some tricks, like how to move my feet on the board. Surfing is definately a challenge and the waves pounded me all day long, but it gets more and more fun as I get better. Here are some action shots from a wave that already had breaked that I decided to float in on. I wish I had some pictures when I caught the bigger waves.

Pictures From the Desert

Justin Poehnelt — Wed, 11 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0700

This article can be found at: Pictures From the Desert

A flat-tailed horned lizard that lives in the desert where we work and is one of the primary reasons we are here.

The crew talking with Bureau of Land Management biologists about lizards and other desert wildlife.

Some Yuha Desert Pics.

Desert Restoration Corp Training

Justin Poehnelt — Sat, 07 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0700

This article can be found at: Desert Restoration Corp Training

I just got back from a little over two weeks of training for the SCA Desert Restoration Corps along with 50 others at Mission Creek Preserve near Palm Springs, CA. We covered everything from the why and how of desert restoration to an 8 day wilderness first responder(WFR) course... and we did this without showering for the entire two weeks! Fortunately, it was a great group of individuals that didn't mind a little dirt and sweat, especially during the WFR scenarios and patient assessment.

I definately think the highlight of the two weeks was the WFR training, specifically the multiple casualty incident(MCI) we participated in on the last afternoon of training. I was actually the incident commander for the MCI and was basically in charge of 23 other people. Our scenario was based around 6 wildland firefighters who received various trauma injuries(femur fractures, head/spine injuries, impalements etc.) from a rock fall. We ended up calling one patient DOA(dead on arrival) and lost another that had signs of a severe head injury. Overall, the scenario was great and I kept everything running smooth even though I only had 30 minutes to lay out an organizational structure prior to the event. I find that I definately prefer the leadership role rather than just doing patient care. I really wish I had some pictures for this!!

We also did a service project for the Wildlands Conservancy at Pipes Canyon Preserve on our last day to thank them for allowing us to close down Mission Creek Preserve for two weeks. Pipes Canyon was burnt by a wildland fire this past summer and since desert ecosystems cannot handle fire, we were there to perform some simple restoration work.

And some pictures...

Before restoration...

After restoration...

Cholla Cacti, nothing like doing WFR scenarios and falling on these.

And some fun in the water half way through training... It was COLD!

On the Road Again: SCA Desert Restoration Corps

Justin Poehnelt — Fri, 15 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0700

This article can be found at: On the Road Again: SCA Desert Restoration Corps

Making a quick stop at an Iowa wayside with wifi on my way to El Centro California to work as part of the Student Conservation Association Desert Restoration Corps from now until the end of May. I'm looking forward to this job and experiencing the desert ecosystem. I'm not sure how I will handle the heat, but I survived the 90 degree 70+ humidity days in Virginia this past summer.

Updates:
1. Desert Restoration Corps Training
2. First week of work in the Yuha Desert
3. Yuha DRC Photo Album
4. Pictures from a day in the Yuha Desert in southern California

Backpacker Hygiene and Illness

Justin Poehnelt — Fri, 15 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0700

This article can be found at: Backpacker Hygiene and Illness

I remember hearing somewhere that many gastrointestinal illnesses while backpacking are not caused by water but by poor hygiene; not washing hands or cookware. I finally read an actual research paper on this topic that confirms what I had heard.

Conclusions: Lack of hygiene, specifically handwashing and cleaning of cookware, should be recognized as a significant contributor to wilderness gastrointestinal illness. Hikers should routinely disinfect water and avoid untreated surface water.

I am kind of obsessive about using hand sanitizer while backpacking and I guess it is definately worth it as I have never been sick. I'm also careful about not reaching my hand into bag of trail food if I can pour it out instead when I'm on a group trip. Little things probably ake the difference.

Some More Pictures

Justin Poehnelt — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0700

This article can be found at: Some More Pictures

Some random pictures I have that I wanted to share...

and a little photo manipulation with photoshop(click for full effect)...

Backpacking in Shenandoah National Park

Justin Poehnelt — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0700

This article can be found at: Backpacking in Shenandoah National Park

Eight things to know before backpacking in Shenandoah National Park:

1. A free permit is required for overnight use, but you may camp almost anywhere in the park. Permits can be obtained at entrance stations, visitor centers, both ends of the Appalachian Trail in the park, and Old Rag fee station.

2. Open fires are not permitted in the park. Although you may enjoy the experience of a fire, fires are restricted for ecological reasons to protect the park.

3. The most popular backpacking areas are the Appalachian Trail and Jeremy's Run. The AT accounts for over 50% of backpacking use and Jeremy's Run consistently leads all non AT trails for destinations. If you want to avoid crowds, check out the south district of the park.

4. Several areas are off limits to backpacking including the Whiteoak Canyon Trail, Limberlost Trail, Old Rag and Hawksbill Summit, and Big Meadows. Backcountry regulations stipulate that you also camp a quarter mile from Skyline Drive and the park boundary. You also must camp one half mile from park structures such as Rapidan Camp.

5. Shenandoah National Park has undergone significant ecological change in the last few years as hemlocks continue to die and the forest recovers from the 2000 fire which burnt over 20000 acres. Many parts of the park may appear to be great campsites according to a topographical map, but the lack of a forest canopy has drastically changed many areas. Instead of open forest understories, you now find thick mountain laurel and new growth. You've been warned, now don't forget about those widow makers either.

6. Less popular but great trails can be found. Examples include White Rocks, Thorton River, and Big Run. You really can't go wrong with any trail you pick in the park.

7. Bears, snakes and poison ivy. While working in the park for the last summer, I was far more concerned about where poison ivy was than bears or snakes. Although the bear population is very high, most of the bears are well behaved. The nuisance bears are quickly relocated and are often found at the frontcountry campgrounds anyhow. For snakes, there are a few spots in the park where you are likely to come across a few copperheads or a rattler, but sightings are usually limited to snakes sunning themselves. Just go around them when you see them. Watch out for poison ivy!!

8. Although these aren't the highest mountains, most hikes usually begin from Skyline Drive and head down the mountain and then back up. Just remember that it's a lot more work going back up than it is down, especially on a hot and humid summer day.

If you have any questions about the park, I'll be happy to answer them, just leave me a comment.

Northern California Wildland Forest Fire

Justin Poehnelt — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0700

This article can be found at: Northern California Wildland Forest Fire

During the first couple weeks of August, I had the opportunity to go to northern California as part of a multi agency type 2 firefighting crew. A crew is made of 20 people with a crew boss, assistant crew boss, and 3 squad bosses. My crew flew from Knoxville, TN to Redding, CA in the last week of July and rode by bus to Covelo, CA near the Mendocino National Forest. At that time, the Hunter Fire as it was called was only 200 acres in size.

When we arrived, we were told the terrain was very steep and difficult and that it was a fuel model 10, which means there is stuff to burn from the ground all the way to the canopy basically. One of the first things I noticed about the area was how dry it was; after living in Virginia for the summer I had become accustomed to high humidities.

Throughtout the entire 2 week assignment, the crew's basic duties were fuel reduction along control lines and mopup. This involved cutting brush one chain length(60 feet) in and moving it from the black(fire) side to the green side. Crews working at night would come through and then create a backfire to fight fire with fire. After they did this, our crew would go back through looking for hot spots that may cause trouble. We repeated this process for miles as the fire continued to grow and jump direct attack lines.

When our 14 day assignment was up, the fire had grown to 16000 acres and was nearly contained. It was an exciting experience, not to mention that I put in 270+ hours in 18 days. I definately want to go on a few more firefighting assignments and may even do it for a summer sometime. Here are some of the pictures that I have from the fire...

Patrolling the fire line...

My squad minus one...

The Student Conservation Association

Justin Poehnelt — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0700

This article can be found at: The Student Conservation Association

I would like to recommend the Student Conservation Association to anyone that wants to work for the National Park Service, Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management or Fish and Wildlife. At the very least, the internships are a great way to build experience, meet new people, and see great places.

I just completed a 3 month internship through the SCA at Shenandoah National Park. I spent the three months working in the Backcountry, Wilderness, and Trails Branch of the park with my duties being monitoring and restoration of backcountry impacts. I enjoyed my time at SNP so much that I have decided to do another SCA during the winter months and hopefully get a seasonal position for the NPS or USFS next year.

My second SCA will be part of their Desert Restoration Corps in southern California. I'll be working out of El Centro, CA in the Yuha Desert monitoring and restoring backcountry areas. This position is very similar to the one I had at Shenandoah National Park, but I will deal with a much wider range of uses besides day hikers and backpackers.

Again, I want to recommend the Student Conservation Association for any college student with an interest in the outdoors and resource conservation.

Student Conservation Association

Weirdest Thing I Have Ever Seen On Weather Radar

Justin Poehnelt — Sat, 08 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0700

This article can be found at: Weirdest Thing I Have Ever Seen On Weather Radar

And I'm really glad I wasn't at school in La Crosse...

A large mayfly hatch occurred along the Mississippi River Friday evening, June 30th. The hatch began just after sundown, around 9 PM, and continued through the early morning hours. Those with plans outdoors Friday evening on and along the Mississippi River certainly noticed the huge swarm of mayflies, and their attraction to light. Some roads across the Mississippi River in and around La Crosse were covered with bugs, piling into "drifts" on bridges over the Mississippi River and its tributaries. Local businesses with high intensity lighting soon found large piles of dead mayflies accumulating under the lights by midnight. Below is a radar loop from the National Weather Service?s WSR-88D Doppler Radar in La Crosse. Notice the rapid increase in radar echoes along the Mississippi River channel...occurring simultaneously the entire length of the channel. The ambient wind flow was from the south on Friday evening, with the entire swarm of mayflies drifting north with time. The radar loop starts just before 9 PM CDT and ends around 1030 PM CDT.

Shenandoah National Park AT Hike

Justin Poehnelt — Sat, 01 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0700

This article can be found at: Shenandoah National Park AT Hike

Now that I'm getting in shape from hiking every day, I'm thinking about taking up the "SCA(Student Conservation Association) Challenge" in Shenandoah National Park. This challenge began last year when two SCA's tried to hike the entire 107 miles of the Appalachian Trail in Shenandoah National Park in under 48 hours. They failed miserably...

One of the seasonals working and I think that we can do better and possibly make the entire hike. So far we have everything planned from when we will rest to where we will get water/food. We would be attempting this with a daypack that basically holds some water and a couple powerbars/gels. No tent or sleeping bag, but don't worry, I'll be bringing my park radio.

We will be attempting this in the first part of August or at the end of this month. I think we have a fair chance of doing this as long as we prevent blisters and intake enough food and water. I think I'm going to try a few night hikes and 30 mile days to get in shape first. I'll let you know how those go.

Shenandoah National Park Pictures

Justin Poehnelt — Sat, 01 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0700

This article can be found at: Shenandoah National Park Pictures

Here are some more pictures that I have taken of Shenandoah National Park in the last month. All of these are from the central district.

LNT Trainers Course

Justin Poehnelt — Sat, 17 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0700

This article can be found at: LNT Trainers Course

On Tuesday/Wednesday I went on a overnight Leave No Trace trainers course put on by some park employees for park employees, including the superintendent. In the morning, we had a discussion on ethics and covered the basics of each principle.

At noon, we hiked out a couple miles to Nicholson Hollow. We spent the majority of the afternoon discussing the specifics of the LNT principles and covered the history of Shenandoah National Park's backcountry management plan.

The park regulations have been swinging between strict dispersal camping with a large trail to camp distance requirement to heavily concentrated camping where you must camp within sight of one of thirty-five large poles in the park. Today, the backcountry management plan is based upon some research by Jeffrey L. Marion which you can view here. Since campsites show significant usage after only 10 nights and it may take years to recover, the park has decided that it will try to find a happy medium between dispersal and concentrated camping regulations and guidelines.

The current distance regulations, ie 20 yards from trails and 10 yards from water were based upon a campsite survey and selected so that approximately 60 percent of campsites would be "legal". Park staff also strongly encourage visitors to use preexisting campsites. Part of what I do at the park now is that I rehabilitate those campsites that are too close to trails or water or those that are too heavily impacted. I thought this discussion on backcountry management was one of the more interesting topics in the course, especially with the SNP's superintendent providing his views.

In the morning we covered some more on the principles of LNT and finished up with a discussion and activity on Authority of the Resource. We generally discussed how to approach visitors about LNT or any other issue.

Overall, I got a lot out of this LNT trainer course and having the superintendent of the park added quite a bit to the workings of the National Park Service and the decisions that are made.

Chainsaw Training

Justin Poehnelt — Fri, 02 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0700

This article can be found at: Chainsaw Training

I spent all day yesterday going through chainsaw training so that I can use a saw in the park. Unfortunately it wasn't the formal sawyer class for interagency type work, but it's a good start. We spent about 3 hours in the morning going over the job hazard analysis(JHA)and a little bit about the saws. We then spent approximately 3 hours bucking some trees along Pass Mountain Fire Road in SNP. Nothing too difficult, but it was a good opportunity to get some experience and practice what I was taught.

I will be spending all of next week at Prince William Forest Park near DC for wildland fire training. Looking forward to this opportunity as I may pursue it for a couple years while I am still younger.

I hope to get out for a couple hikes this weekend but will be working at Big Meadows in the park helping out the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club for trail days. Next weekend I am going backpacking or floating down the Shenandoah River. We haven't decided which yet.

Day 1 SNP SCA

Justin Poehnelt — Wed, 31 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700

This article can be found at: Day 1 SNP SCA

5/19/06

Today, I got a quick orientation to Shenandoah National Park and was introduced to more people than I could possibly remember the names of. In the morning, Steve and I also finished up some paper work and outfitted me with some gear; radio, corona saw, first aid, etc?

Steve has been the man in charge of everything backcountry; trails, visitor impact, shelters, and much more. He has a few employees working under him including 3 trail crews, and several others responsible for various aspects of the backcountry.

At about mid morning, we drove out to Front Royal at the northern end of the park to check a self registration station half a mile into the park on the Appalachian Trail. Quite a fancy setup compared to other registration stations I have seen in national forests out west. We posted a bear poster and collected the filled in registration forms. Shenandoah National Park requires all backcountry campers to fill out free registration forms and attach a copy to their pack.

After hiking back to the truck, we drove into the park at the Front Royal entrance station and began the scenic tour of the park on Skyline Drive. A few miles later, we drove down a fire lane to Gravel Springs Hut on the Appalachian Trail. A log across the trail was my first chance to try out a corona saw. Tomorrow I?ll be helping the north district trail crew clear some trails with similar but larger corona saws and crosscut saws. Steve gave me a little information on the shelter and pointed out a marking left by the civilian conservation corps from the 1930?s. A thruhiker named Riverside who started on April 1st was resting near the shelter.

We also checked out the three nearby campsites and removed a fire ring that was only a few feet from a ?no fires? sign. A little later, Steve explained to me how creating campsites on a slope was much more effective than they had anticipated. Since the only flat spots were established campsites created by park staff, campsite expansion was greatly reduced and the impact was contained to a few spots. There was also less chance of disturbing archeological artifacts since few people lived on such steep slopes.

A few more miles down Skyline Drive we checked on a volunteer group from the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club that was rerouting a section of the Appalachian Trail away from some radio towers. The PATC does quite a bit of work on the AT in the park and maintains the AT shelters. The group was moving along well and Steve explained to me how often the most expensive and time consuming part of a project was completing the archeological survey before any soil can be moved.

We kept on moving south along Skyline Drive, checking backcountry registration stations along the way until we reached Thorton Gap, eventually making our way back to park headquarters. Steve had me log into the park intranet and begin entering the registration forms into a database program. This enables the park to identify heavily used trails and campsites and check to see why a vehicle might be parked in the same place for a week. It only took me a few minutes to get a feel for the program, but it will probably be a month until I can identify all the place names. At about 4:30, I was finished for the day and made my way back to my house. Tomorrow will be a long day as I start at 7 and will be working with the trail crew.

Day 2 SNP SCA

Justin Poehnelt — Wed, 31 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700

This article can be found at: Day 2 SNP SCA

5/19/06

Today I helped two of the north district trail crew guys clear the Pine Hill Gap Trail from the park boundary to a little past Short Hot Mountain Trail. The access road to the park boundary in the valley was quite a culture shock the way some people lived there. The one place was full of trash and basically a collection of tarps hung over a vehicle that an old man lived in...

We parked the truck on edge of this single lane road and began the day hiking up a steep trail. We had two corona saws, an axe with a wedge and a large crosscut saw that was probably 100 years old. Since this was wilderness area we couldn?t use chainsaws.

We made slow but steady progress up the trail a couple miles gaining something like 1200 feet elevation. The final count was approximately 60 trees that we cleared with some a couple feet in diameter. Right now, my arms and shoulders are dead, but at least it was a good time and I gained some experience with a crosscut saw. Luckily, I have three days to explore the park before I start work again on Tuesday.

Old Rag - Shenandoah National Park

Justin Poehnelt — Wed, 31 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700

This article can be found at: Old Rag - Shenandoah National Park

5/22/06

This afternoon I climbed up Old Rag Mountain and I definately mean climb, not hike. This is a class four climb if you go up from Ridge Trail. Above 2800 feet the trail basically winds up and around large boulders that often require you to use "all fours". Definately not a route for anyone that can't lift their own weight with their upper body or is afraid of heights. To me, that just made it all the more fun and rewarding.

With the large boulders and rock outcroppings, there were also some great views of the entire Shenandoah Ridge. Old Rag Mountain actually sits off by itself from the rest of the ridge. Here are a couple pictures I took:

I was also lucky enough to see one of the bears of the park on the way out. The bear was about 50 yards away moving through the woods. It didn't seem to mind me too much and I really wish I had my other lens along.

Leaving For Shenandoah National Park

Justin Poehnelt — Tue, 16 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700

This article can be found at: Leaving For Shenandoah National Park

Later this afternoon I will be leaving for my Student Conservation Internship at Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. I am not sure how often I will have access to the internet, but hope to keeping updating this site. I guess this is what RSS feeds work best for. I really can't wait to get out there!!

The Problem with the Lightweight Backpacking Attitude

Justin Poehnelt — Fri, 05 May 2006 00:00:00 -0700

This article can be found at: The Problem with the Lightweight Backpacking Attitude

Tom from Two Heel drive has some criticism of a gear question and answer from Outside Online.

I'm recovering from a ruptured disc and have an extended backpacking trip planned this summer, with doctor's approval granted! What's your opinion on the best packs for those of us with back problems; if not specific models, maybe manufacturers that build the best support systems?

Well, I don't think anybody is making a Ruptured Disc Edition Backpack, but certainly some are going to be better than others. I worry about the weight you'll need to carry for a long trip?more than 40 pounds, I would imagine. In my view you'd be well advised to take your pack in to see your doc, just so he/she is perfectly aware of what you propose...

Here is what Tom has to say about the answer:

This is a good start, but of course he recommends a bunch of really expensive -- and heavy -- packs and doesn't even broach the idea of looking into the whole light-weight movement. Kind of a blindered view of things, which, come to think of it, is probably what gets Climb_CA so worked up all the time.

To me, and I'm sure many other backpackers, 40 lbs for an extended trip of say 10 days is not that heavy. Heck, if you calculate how much the food alone will weigh, 1.5lbs x 10 days, you end up in the range of 15lbs. Since this is an extended trip, you will also bring additional first aid, fuel, clothing, and repair items that could easily add 2-5 lbs more. So now you have something like 10-20 lbs that you wouldn't be bringing on a short overnight hike.

So unless a backpacker make significant sacrifices, their total weight will reach approximately 40 lbs for an extended trip of about 10 days. Now when you consider that most lightweight backpacks stop working at around 30lbs, Outside Online provides exactly the answer needed. I would never suggest a flimsy lightweight backpack to someone with back problems unless the total weight was under 20lbs. Lightweight backpacks generally lack the support necessary to transfer weight to the hips. I own both the 5lb pack that can carry 60 pounds and the 2lb pack that can carry 30lbs.

Basically, Outside's answer is realistic and fits the balance most backpackers have chosen between comfort and weight. If the backpacker with the bad back wanted a summary of the trade offs, he would of asked that question.

I find it annoying on forums or anywhere else when someone starts pushing their lightweight gear and methods assuming that I haven't already considered them. Most of these people seem oblivious to the fact that lightweight backpacking involves significant sacrifices. Anyways, that's my counter rant to Tom's.