"Dreaming in public is an important part of our job description, as science writers, but there are bad dreams as well as good dreams. We're dreamers, you see, but we're also realists, of a sort."William Gibson
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How To Select the Ideal Home Weather Station
Have you ever considered buying your very own home weather station? Not that I'm selling them, but I believe I may be able to help you decide what to look for. There are certainly many good reasons for having a modern weather station set up and working ...
Mike Kelsey: Steward of the Trail
With hair slightly unkempt, earnest eyes and a potentially roguish grin, Mike Kelsey has an air of unmistakable grit about him. An avid cyclist for close to 18 years and a lifetime outdoor enthusiast, he is no stranger to the danger of mountain bike ...
Rainbow Trout And Trout Flies
Alaska is home to many wonders of nature not the least of which is the rainbow trout. Trout fishing is a sport enjoyed by many anglers not only in Alaska, but all over the world. Rainbow trout are known to be quite aggressive and picky to boot. While it ...
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Getting to the summit is optional, getting down is mandatory. - David Breashears-
Extreme Skier Maegan Carney
Extreme skier Maegan Carney had made a bid to be the first woman, and second person to ski down the world's tallest mountain.
Because of the high winds of Mount Everest at that time, Maegan Carney abandoned her first summit attempt.
To find more information about Maegan's quest, go to
the mountainzone.com website.
Preparation Is The Secret:
Before you climb a mountain, you need some major preparations:
You definitely need to be physically and emotionally fit.
You should have people in the group who know first aid and of coarse you have a first aid kit.
Make sure you have a schedule set up, because of the dangers involved.
The mountain you're climbing, how long it should take, how many and who are going, and where will you start your assention.
Bring a camera for breath taking views and to record your trip. A cell phone for emergencies and to call someone to share your excitement when you make it to the top.
If you have the proper climbing gear with you, there's no worries about staying the night if you get lost.
Also you know you'll get rescued by morning because the proper people have been notified.
Some Guidelines For Climbing
It's not a good idea to be flown or driven to altitudes higher than 3000 metres. Begin your walk at below that.
Once over the 3000 metre altitude, travel up in 300 metre increments each day, thats it, no more than that.
Climb up high during the day and sleep at lower altitudes at night.
If high altitude symptoms start to affect you, stop climbing higher. If symptoms worsen, go down right away.
You will need to drink plenty of fluids, hiking dehydrates your body very fast when climbing at high altitudes and this increases as the temperature does.
Do the climb at a slow pace and you'll enjoy your climb more.
Stay away from alcohol, tobacco
and other vices that will play havoc with your body and mind at these high altitudes.
A high-carbohydrate diet will really benefit you here.
In the USA there are many resorts above the 3,000 metre level, meaning you will need to keep a watch out for mountain sickness.
Some Mount Everest Facts:
Historic Mountain Climbing Deaths:
George Mallory and Andrew Irvine on June 6 1924, made an attempt on the summit from which they never returned.
An eyewitness claimed he saw the group reach the summit.
A total of 808 climbers have reached and stood on the summit,
764 men and 44 women. There were 161 that died, 36 on the descent.
More About Mountain Climbing Deaths
In 1965, was the best year for climbing, nine climbers summitted and there were no deaths.
In 1996, the worst single year for deaths, 15 climbers died.
About Mount Everest Itself
The Highest Peak: At 29,035' (8850m), thats about five miles up, the highest summit in the world, and is close to the cruising altitude of a jet, or it is 23 times the height of the Empire State building.
Above 26,000, the body gets a third of the oxygen available at sea level.
Even after getting acclimated, the body starts to shut down, and if someone stays at that height long enough, they will die.
A lot of the climbers use oxygen here for climbing and sleeping.
The weather on Everest allows for climbing only in May and October between winter snows (December-March) and summer monsoons (June-September).
As you can tell, this article is just giving you the basics of what information you'll need to find your way to the top of the world's highest peaks. Amazon.com has a great source of books on this subject.
Val and Robin Shortt are experienced campers and own three outdoor websites For more tips like these and to register for their Free newsletter visit:Good Night Camping Equipment
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South Bend Tribune |
Outdoors: Reels need TLC, tooSouth Bend TribuneIt's mid-summer, you're on the lake, the fish are bitin' and your favorite reel begins to act up. Maybe it growls, develops a strange vibration with every turn of the handle, or the spool won't engage. Something like that happens to me every year. |
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Outdoors events, 2/5Lincoln Journal StarContact: Kevin, 402-821-2673; Russ, 402-821-2411; Chris,402-946-7191. Register online at outdoornebraska.org. Annual Outdoor Expo — 8:30 am-5 pm, Commercial Building, Hamilton County Fairgrounds, Aurora. Special appearances by Dick Turpin. Free. |
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Outdoors Notebook: Hunter contracts rabies from a deerPittsburgh Post GazetteBy John Hayes, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette A Lancaster County hunter has been treated for rabies after field dressing a deer Jan. 20 in Valley Township, Chester County. The deer later tested positive for rabies. "The hunter contacted us about his concerns ...and more » |
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