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Archive for 'January 2012'

It's Almost Glow Time at Yosemite's Horsetail Fall; What are 2012's Best Viewing Dates?

Once a year, for a brief period when just the right combination of circumstances align, Horsetail Fall in Yosemite National Park catches late afternoon light in way that transforms the waterfall into an apparent ribbon of fire. The challenge of seeing and documenting this elusive light show brings a swarm of photographers and videographers to the park each February, though the 7- to 10-day window of opportunity varies from year to year. When are optimal conditions anticipated in 2012? Veteran ...

Posted by T.D. Wood on January 31, 2012 7:04 PM & Tagged Horsetail Falls, Michael Frye, Yosemite, Yosemite Steve and national parks | permalink | Comments



Prepping for a Marathon: What's Been Your Experience with Carbo-Loading?

Got a marathon coming up? A century bike ride? A sunup-to-sunset day hike? If so, is carbo-loading a smart way to fuel your body for the challenge? In a column published last weekend in Canada's Globe and Mail, author Alex Hutchinson (Which Comes First, Cardio or Weights?; sweatscience.com) cites a recently released British study that tracked the training and dietary patterns of 257 participants in the 2009 London Marathon. "Sure enough," Hutchinson writes, "day-before carbohydrate consumption ...

Posted by T.D. Wood on January 27, 2012 12:54 AM & Tagged carbo-loading, carbs, exercise, gels, marathon and sports drinks | permalink | Comments



The Other-Worldly Side of Nature: Have You Ever Had a Close Encounter Outdoors?

Bigfoot. Vortexes. A hidden civilization. UFOs. All centered around one mountain? A detailed Los Angeles Times story takes an intriguing look at the folklore that surrounds Mount Shasta, a 14,162-foot peak that sits south of the California-Oregon border near the southern end of the Cascade range. People make interesting associations with standout natural formations such as Shasta. Sightings of unexplained phenomena seem to ramp up in beautiful outdoor places. The red-rock community of Sedona, ...

Posted by T.D. Wood on January 26, 2012 4:23 PM & Tagged Mount Shasta, UFOs and bigfoot | permalink | Comments



Fall 2012 Outdoor Gear: A Sneak Peek from the OR Show

What was the buzz at last week's Outdoor Retailer Winter Market show? Our roving reporter, Sara Lingafelter, recaps her experiences here. As North America's largest winter lifestyle and snow sports industry gathering, Outdoor Retailer attracts brands from all corners of the outdoor industry. Everyone from the largest established brands to first-time-exhibitor startups are here to share their wares. The show isn't open to the public, but credentialed members of the media are welcome, so for a ...

Posted by Steve T on January 25, 2012 2:10 PM & Tagged Arbor Collective, Columbia, LOLE, Outdoor Retailer, Scarpa, Vibram FiveFingers, or and prAna | permalink | Comments



Aurora Watch: Solar Flares Are Lighting Up the Northern Skies

Aurora fans, take note: What is claimed to be the largest solar radiation storm since 2005 has outer space sizzling, an event that in the days ahead may yield some dramatic displays of the Northern Lights. The impact of a large solar flare first reached earth on Sunday night, according to a Washington Post report, and will continue to bombard the planet through Wednesday. The article states that the flare's elevated radiation "is mostly a concern for satellite disruptions and astronauts in ...

Posted by T.D. Wood on January 24, 2012 9:53 PM & Tagged aurora and northern lights | permalink | Comments