Category Archives: Adventures

Activities, Adventures, National Forests, National Parks

Wells Fargo Foundation funds NatureBridge’s Yosemite Summer Field Research Course

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

The Wells Fargo Scholars program, generously funded by a grant from the Northern and Central California Region of the Wells Fargo Foundation, gives students from Kings, Fresno, Tulare, Madera, Merced, San Joaquin, and Stanislaus counties an opportunity to attend NatureBridge’s Summer Field Research Course in Yosemite National Park.

Students have the chance to receive a full or partial scholarship based on the strength of their application, recommendations from supportive educators and community leaders, and the individual’s financial need.

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Activities, Adventures, Conservation

Trail Life USA and Tread Lightly! announce outdoor preservation partnership

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Trail Life USA (TLUSA) takes another major step in building its outdoor adventure program by announcing a partnership with Tread Lightly!.  Together, Tread Lightly! and TLUSA will promote outdoor education, awareness, and habitat restoration projects that will preserve wilderness lands and teach environmentally friendly practices for all outdoor activities.

“Our partnership will teach outdoor stewardship and provide lasting benefits to our communities,” said Mark Hancock, Chief Operating Officer of TLUSA. “‘To be a good steward of creation’ is a key tenet of our Trailman Oath.”

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Activities, Adventures

Loss of a truly great magazine – Sea Kayaker’s last issue

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

I’ve only been a kayaker (kayakist? yaker?) for a decade, but one of my favorite magazines about the sport has been Sea Kayaker.  I’ve yak’d the shores from San Diego to L.A., taken a trip (alone and stupid) from Newport Beach to Catalina, and chosen my gear based on personal recommendation and from what I’ve read in the pages of this magazine.

It’s unfortunate the the tides have turned for Sea Kayaker, and I can only hope that there’s some out there than will be able to fill the void left now that this magazine is no longer available to the sea kayaking enthusiast.

Fair winds and following seas, Sea Kayaker.

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Adventures, National Parks

Snowshoe Yosemite: Mariposa Grove

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Even though we’re experiencing a kinda dry winter, Yosemite Conservancy is hosting a shoeshoe event early in February, and it seems like a fun (if exhausting) event.  From the event page:

See giant sequoias in a way few visitors have on this fun and informative day of snowshoeing into the Mariposa Grove. Winter offers the rare opportunity to feel as if you have this ancient grove all to yourself. Naturalist Shirley Spencer will enhance this trip with her creativity and extensive knowledge. You’ll learn about the natural history of the grove, as well as the plant and wildlife species that call it home. If you’re looking for an unforgettable Yosemite experience, don’t pass this one up. This excursion is recommended for adults and mature teens. This trek will begin Saturday morning at Yosemite’s south entrance gate on Hwy. 41.

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Adventures, Hiking - General, Interesting Places

The Hike: John Muir in a week

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Michael Lanza posted a great article back in 2007 on the Backpacker Magazine website about hiking the John Muir Trail.  I’m thinking about doing this same thing; Hiking the JMT in a week.  How hard could it be?  I’ve always wanted to see how many blisters I can get on my feet…

From the article:

Got a few days off, a pair of healthy feet, and a pain threshold higher than Dean Karnazes? You can (possibly) blaze the length of America’s Most Beautiful Trail.

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