HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: pggreen@juliet.caltech.edu (Green, Peter G.)
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
Subject: Re: Altitude sickness preparation
Date: 11 Jan 1993 14:41 PST
Organization: California Institute of Technology
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: juliet.caltech.edu
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41    

>There is an article in the latest American Health magazine on AS.  It 
>seems that aerobic capacity does not lessen your chances  of being stricken.
>Athletes in good shape are just as susceptible as anyone else.  I haven't
>had time to read the article fully, I suggest that you may want to pick
>up a copy.
> 
>Cheers....Stuart
Altitude sickness certainly is complicated and unpdedictable.  The
most important thing is to pay attention to your own body.  (In
serious mountaineering situations, of course, keeping an eye on
your compnaions is a good idea, too.)  Advice earlier to ascend
slowly is correct, but don't just sit around!  Light exercise is
the best way to acclimatize (and to see how you're doing before
trying something more strenuous.)  Also, ascend higher during the
day and then return low to sleep for the night.  This is a long
wll-known technique for acclimatization.  Being in shape may help
by letting you do more without being overly fatigued.  However, I
read once that on Nepal treks, young helathy people get sick more
often than the average visitor; apparently by going at it too hard.
Just take it easty, and be ready to m odify your plans as needed.

-Peter
pgg@chemsys.caltech.EDU
From: johnf@Auspex.COM (John Fereira)
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
Subject: Re: Bay Area Skiing?
Date: 7 Jan 93 01:41:28 GMT
Distribution: ba
Organization: Auspex Systems, Inc.

In article <1993Jan6.214730.9227@pasteur.Berkeley.EDU> stanley@mercedes.CS.Berkeley.EDU (Kendall S. Stanley) writes:
|I realize that I am nuts, but I have always wanted to ski in the 
|bay area just to say that I have done it.  Every third year or so
|one gets reports of 4 to 6 inches at around 2000 to 3000 feet which
|makes me think that it should be possible if one got up early 
|enough in the morning to ski on roads that had not yet been destroyed
|by cars.  Part of the challenge would be getting there.  Many roads get
|closed at the first dusting.  I know that is the case for Mt. Hamilton
|and Mt. Diablo.
|
|Has anyone done this?  Surely there has been a ski descent of Mt. 
|Hamilton and Mt. Diablo - hardly a technical challenge, but an oddity 
|nonetheless.  One could certainly park ones car wherever they 
|force you to do so and walk, though this might mean as much as ten 
|miles of hiking each way for a short and lousy ski.  But, surely there
|must be roads that they leave open at least to locals and those of
|us willing to lie (and put on chains).  
 
While I can't make any specific recommendations I have skied in the bay
area.  It was about six years ago, and in August.  The company I worked
for used as their theme for the company picnic that year, "Ski The Basin".
They have property near Big Basin and some company came out some a kind
of snow machine (basically just crushed ice) that they blew onto one of
the hills.  A lot of people were sledding on it and a few die-hards brought
their skis.  I've still got a picture of me from the company newsletter.

I've also done a bit of hiking to the top of an recetntly closed ski resort
in the town of Jackson Hole with a friend.  We took up our downhill skis,
sat and "listened to the town" for awhile and then skied down.  You could
see our figure-8's for a week and a half after we did it.  The locals thought
we were nuts.  

Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
From: afd@bellcore.com (Alex F. Dietz)
Subject: Re: Sierra Club Outings
Reply-To: afd@bellcore.com
Organization: Bellcore
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 93 22:08:20 GMT

In article 19784@sunfse.ese.lmsc.lockheed.com, tilley@fsh.UUCP (Tom Tilley) writes:
>In article <1993Jan7.082010.22847@nas.nasa.gov> eugene@wilbur.nas.nasa.gov (Eugene N. Miya) writes:
>
>>Remember when the bear comes, you only have to walk faster than your wife.
>
>Indeed, the age of chivary is long dead!  :-)
>
Of course!  Natural Selection, via the hand of the bear, eliminated all
the chivalrous males.  ;-)

-A Dietz
Bellcore, Morristown
afd@cc.bellcore.com
From: RiViT@cup.portal.com (Russell Michael VanTassell)
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
Subject: Re: Bay Area Skiing?
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 93 23:21:02 PST
Organization: The Portal System (TM)
Distribution: ba
  <16265@auspex-gw.auspex.com>

> I've also done a bit of hiking to the top of an recetntly closed ski resort
> in the town of Jackson Hole with a friend.  We took up our downhill skis,
> sat and "listened to the town" for awhile and then skied down.  You could
> see our figure-8's for a week and a half after we did it.  The locals thought
> we were nuts.  

<GRIN>

Sounds too cool to be true... neat!  I would have laughed that one up
myself!!!
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
From: paynter@bnr.ca (Stuart Paynter)
Subject: Re: Anyone climb Mt. Washington recently?
Reply-To: paynter@bnr.ca (Stuart Paynter)
Organization: Bell-Northern Research Ltd.
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 93 13:16:15 GMT

|> 
|> My .02 cents...
|> 
|> The latest AMC Appalachia includes a story of a man who died of "sever
|> cold" (one of many on the mountain) on a Mt. Washington winter climb.  
|> It is not to be attempted without proper gear and even with proper gear 
|> it can be risky.  Winter climbs should be attempted by _experienced_ 
|> people only!  
|> 
|> BTW: I can speak from experience.  I got hypothermia on Mt. Washington
|> about 15 years ago.  And we were prepared for a winter climb (in the fall).
|> 
|> 
|> John Richardson                |  "the more we live, the more we learn, 
|> jrichard@cs.ulowell.edu        |   the more we know... for each of us the road
|> jrichard@dragon.ulowell.edu    |   is clear, and life has just begun" -- Yes
|>                                   


This is taken from the 1993 edition of The Canadian Global Almanac (A book
of facts).

Highest average  ------- Mt Washington N.H. 56.3km/h
annual windspeed (US) 

Highest windspeed ------ Mt Washington N.H. 362.0 km/h (1934)
for 1 hr (US)

Couple those into wind chill factors and you could have some really cold
climbing.


Stuart
From: jthoj@lhdsy2.lahabra.chevron.com (Chris J. Thompson)
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
Subject: Telemarking in S.Sierras
Keywords: telemarking,skiing,Sierras
Date: 5 Jan 93 20:26:04 GMT
Distribution: ca,nv

I'm looking for information on backcountry telemark terrain in the Southern
Sierra Nevada. The range is looking very "nevada" these days, and thoughts 
move to freeheel turns, but I'm relatively new to the area and would like some
input on where the best places are. Preferably within a couple hours of the road,
Yosemite or Mammoth and south, but any info would be much appreciated!
Thanks,
            Chris

*****************************************************************************
*   Chris Thompson               Chevron Oil Field Research Co.             *
*   tel (310) 694-9139           1300 S Beach Blvd. La Habra, California    *
*   fax       694-7063     Mail:   P.O. Box 446, La Habra, CA 90633-0446    *
*   e-mail:  jthoj@lhdsy1.lahabra.chevron.com                               *
*****************************************************************************


Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
From: stgprao@st.unocal.COM (Richard Ottolini)
Subject: Re: Sierra Club Outings
Organization: Unocal Corporation
Date: Thu, 7 Jan 1993 17:19:23 GMT


>> From Tim Steele <tjfs@tadtec.co.uk>:


> how does one find out about trips offered by the local chapters?

Generally call them up.   Other avenues depend on your local chapter.
LA prints a booklet every four months.  This is free to members and sold in camping stores.
Perhaps only half of the LA trips appear in the booklet.  You have to suscribe to newsletters
of the 20-some specialty groups.  These specialty groups are regional (e.g. Santa Monica),
special interest (e.g. Peak Climbing), or social (e.g. Sierra Singles).
From: broder@src.dec.com (Andrei Broder)
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
Subject: Re: Altitude sickness preparation
Date: 12 Jan 93 01:04:28 GMT
Reply-To: broder@src.dec.com
Organization: DEC Systems Research Center

In article <29521@optima.cs.arizona.edu>, evans@cs.arizona.edu (Richard C. Evans) 
writes:
> Altitude sickness is wierd and very difficult to anticipate or prevent.  The
> best preventitive measure is good physical conditioning (regardless of the 
> activity).  I have never heard of anyone getting altitude sickness at 8500 ft
> before, although I guess it's possible.  To what extent did the sickness 
> develop (ie:headache, nausea, edema).  It may have been something else, such
> as food poisoning or flu, but mistaken for altitude sickness.

There are studies that show that AS can happen as low as 5500ft.
Besides subjective symptoms, there are objective indications of AS
related to blood oxygenation, so misdiagnosis in these studies is
quite unlikely.  Good physical conditioning if anything is weakly
positively correlated with AS. 

AS is rather unpredictable.  Tiredness and lack of sleep prior to arriving 
to high altitude might be predisposing an attack.

I can dig some references if anyone cares.

> 
> If possible, a time-proven technique is gradual acclimation.  Just go to a set
> altitude (say 7500 ft) and sit for a few days.  Then move up and sit some more.
> Obviously, the problem with this technique is that it is time-consuming and
> a real drag.

Correct.

> 
> One method I strongly discourage is the use of medicines to offset the effects
> of altitude.  These are diuretics, and can therefore increase the possibility
> of dehydration.  Very, very scary.

The standard treatment is Diamox (acetazolamide) slow release.
Dosages of 500mg to 1g/day are usually sufficient to cure most/all
subjective and objective findings.  The mechanism of action is not
really understood.  The diuretic effects are minimal, but some
individuals are more susceptible than others.  Most common side effect
is an unnerving tingling in the extremities.  Nothing to be scared
about.  But Diamox might interfere with other medications and is not
suitable for people with certain medical problems.  Talk to your
doctor.  (I am very susceptible to AS.  Diamox works fine for me,
except for the tingling.  Almost no diuretic effect.)

- Andrei
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
From: sutton@lamar.ColoState.EDU (Rich Sutton)
Subject: Re: Looking for best prices on tents, bags, stoves, etc.
Date: Fri, 08 Jan 1993 15:29:17 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO  80523

In article <1993Jan4.093510.15352@hellgate.utah.edu> allen%asylum.cs.utah.edu@cs.utah.edu (Allen Sanderson) writes:

>Be aware that none of the articles sold through the NF Outlet carry a
>warrenty.  I had a rather heated argument with them because the hang tag
>that came with my bibs had a warrenty on it.  A first they were not
>going to honor it but I politely reminded them that most states carry
>laws which would force them to.  They fixed my bibs free of charge after
>that and were very good about it.

I worked retail for TNF for about two years. Items that have the "O" in
"North" colored in with magic marker do not get warrantied. We used to
pick through seconds shipped in for sales to buy the ones that slipped
through with "clean O's".
From: jamiller@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
Subject: Re: More Water Filter questions
Date: 12 Jan 93 15:07:27 CST
Organization: University of Kansas Academic Computing Services

In article <1iut56INNlh6@elroy.jpl.nasa.gov>, alan@elroy.Jpl.Nasa.Gov (Alan S. Mazer) writes:
> In article <1993Jan9.162650.46266@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu> jamiller@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu writes:
>>Are water filters likely to *freeze*? And if so are there suggestions
>>on whether there are safe uses under such conditions or ways to *thaw*
>>them?
> 
> Yes, water filters freeze.  I left my MSR (outside) on top my pack one night
> and when I got up in the morning it was frozen solid.  I just let it warm up
> enough that I could disassemble it and then I thoroughly cleaned the ice out

I would assume that it freezing detracting from the life of the unit.
The only real fear I would have is that the unit might crack or break.
-- 
jamiller@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu
James Miller

_chicchai .sig no ho ga ichiban iin janai ka..._
             Enlightenment Happens?
From: tucker@shiva.edsg.hac.com (George Tucker)
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
Subject: Re: North Face sleeping bags /PAcks
Date: 5 Jan 93 20:33:17 GMT
Reply-To: tucker@shiva.UUCP (George Tucker)
Distribution: na
Organization: Hughes Aircraft Co., El Segundo, CA

In article <C0DAx4.HC3@news.udel.edu> sex@chopin.udel.edu (Martin Solo Schamis) writes:
>As far as the bag goes. I have slept comfortable in it with minimal sleepwear
>on as low as 15 degrees (minimal sleepwear includes a teeshirt and long john
>pants and wool socks). Below 15 degrees, I need a turtle neck, and a hat at 

If that is your definition of "minimal", you belong in Congress.
Minimal sleepwear is zero.  

	 George Tucker        tucker@shiva.hac.com
	Signature line awaiting FDA approval.
From: ed@titipu.resun.com (Edward Reid)
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
Subject: Re: Sierra Club Outings
Date: Thu, 7 Jan 93 14:32:22 EST(-0500)
Organization: Accuracy, Ltd.
Reply-To: ed@titipu.resun.com (Edward Reid)
X-Mailer: uAccess - Macintosh Release: 1.6v0

jones@pyrite.cs.uiowa.edu (Douglas W. Jones,201H MLH,3193350740,3193382879) writes:
> He said that
> another group, the national walking society or something, has far more
> intensive trail maintenance groups where they put in a full day's work
> for each day out.

The American Hiking Society organizes a variety of volunteer work trips,
including trail maintenance trips.  Perhaps that is what he was talking about. 
I don't know how the workload compares.  The AHS work trips require a much
smaller fee than the Sierra Club service trips.

The following info is from an old posting but is probably still correct:

The American Hiking Society sponsors "volunteer vacations", which were most
recently listed in the Winter 1991 American Hiker.  Or write to AHS Volunteer
Vacations, PO Box 86, North Scituate MA 02060.  You pay only $30 (and your own
expenses, of course) per trip.

AHS also publishes "Helping Out in the Outdoors", which lists a much wider
variety of volunteer possibilities, including campground host, recreation
planner, fire lookout, and history interpreter.  For a copy, send $5 to AHS,
1015 31st St NW, Wash DC 20007.

Edward Reid  (8*}>
  eel:   ed@titipu.resun.com  or  nosc.mil!titipu.resun.com!ed
  snail: PO Box 378/Greensboro FL 32330
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
From: lrosenwald@pattie.wellesley.edu
Subject: hiking from inn to inn
Organization: WELLESLEY COLLEGE
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1993 18:21:47 GMT

Hi - please excuse me if this is an inappropriate question - I'm new.
I live outside of Boston and have four days or so in March or May
for a hike - but prefer inn-to-inn, British style, to camping.  Anybody
have information about this?  Thanks - Larry Rosenwald.
From: pgf@cayman.com (Paul Fox)
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
Subject: Re: Food Dehydrators and Food for Backpacking
Date: 11 Jan 93 18:47:58 GMT
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL8]

Peter Beckman (beckman@cs.indiana.edu) wrote:
: jamiller@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu writes:
: >Has anyone used dehydrators to do dried foods for backpacking?  I've
: >thought about getting one seen in a Damark catalog for about $50 [...]

: The Harvest Maid dehydrator (about $75) is FAR better.  It has a fan
: to circulate air, and a variable temp control.  You can also get a
: plastic tray to make fruit leathers (roll-ups) easier.

I second the recommendation -- it's a very good product.  We've had great
success with meals and desserts using re-hydrated broccoli, strawberries,
cantelope, not to mention dried apples, bananas, etc.  for lunches and
snacks.  We haven't done it, but we once camped with someone who on the
fifth day of the trip pulled out a pouch of dried chili, which they
had made at home and dried out -- it was like fresh when re-hydrated.

The trick to re-hydrating veggies and fruit is time -- start them soaking
as soon as you get to camp -- don't wait 'til you're lighting the stove
and really hungry.

paul

--
		paul fox, pgf@cayman.com, (617)494-1999
		Cayman Systems, Inc., 26 Landsdowne St., Cambridge, MA 02139
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
From: trzyna@CS.ColoState.EDU (wayne trzyna)
Subject: Re: Sierra Club Outings
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1993 21:03:16 GMT
Organization: Colorado State University, Computer Science Department

In article <1993Jan8.202259.27880@guinness.idbsu.edu> jahn@guinness.idbsu.edu writes:
>
>It's not really a critical issue, but, my only encounter with the
>Sierra club was following their pack train up a trail ... I'm afeard
>that I eventually gave up trying not to step in horse shit because I
>noticed I was watching the trail far more than enjoying the country.
>At least the horses weren't wearing lycra.  :)

Poor, poor, Greg.  Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide.  Even Idaho isn't safe
from the great wave of lycra wearing, club-joining humanity, like a swarm
of locusts, unquestioning, multiplying, consuming everything in sight.

Don't worry, Greg.  Plagues come, and plagues go.

-- 

-Wayne Trzyna
 trzyna@CS.ColoState.EDU
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
From: johnn@eskimo.com (John Navitsky)
Subject: Thoughts on Vasque boots and Dana Design packs?
Organization: =>ESKIMO NORTH (206) 367-3837 SEATTLE, WA.<=
Date: Sun, 10 Jan 1993 05:13:59 GMT

Hello,

I was wondering what experience people might have with Vasque's Sundowner
boots.  My wife and I are fairly moderate hikers.  I typically rebell against
heavy boots but my wife contests that I need a boot that gives good ankle
suport, something bore out by my attempts at getting lightweight boots.
We live in the Seattle area so water-proof-ability is a major concern.  I
stumbled upon the afore named boots and they seem to be a decent comprimise
between light, yet sturdy boots with good ankle support.  Any thoughts?

Also, we have a old (day-pack-size) Dana Design pack which I quite like.
I recently found a shop that carrys their larger packs and was wondering
what experience people have had with these packs.  How do these packs 
compare with others?

Thanks for your assistance!

-john

-- 
   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    ||   John Navitsky   `,`,`,`,       e-mail >>  johnn@eskimo.com        || 
   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
From: stgprao@st.unocal.COM (Richard Ottolini)
Subject: Re: binary elevation maps
Organization: Unocal Corporation
Date: Mon, 4 Jan 1993 05:43:24 GMT


Samples of various formats are at anonymous ftp spectrum.xerox.com cd pub/map.
They may have an area you are interested in.  Otherwise pay big bucks to get it
from the government.
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
Subject: Re: Anyone climb Mt. Washington recently?
From: wbaker@miavx1.acs.muohio.edu
Date: 6 Jan 93 11:41:13 -0500
Organization: Miami University Academic Computer Service"

In article <1993Jan5.223443.23203@walter.bellcore.com>, cindy@kolob.NoSubdomain.NoDomain (Cindy Lee) writes:
> Hi folks,
> Some friends and I are headed to Mt. Washington (New Hampshire) on January 16th
> to take a peek from the top.
> I just wanted to know what the general conditions have been, 
> e.g. lots of snow, wind, etc.
> 
> Any information would be helpful.
> 
> Thanks
> Cindy
> 
> -->>>>cnorman@bellcore.com
> (ignore whatever return address this crummy news reader of mine puts at the top..sorry)
The January 1993 issue of Outside magazine has an article on "Mt. Washington's
Wilder Season" on page 77.  Brrrrrrr!
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
From: flb@lune.berkeley.edu (Frederick Lee Burghardt)
Subject: Kauai update requested
Organization: UC Berkeley, Electronics Research Laboratory
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1993 21:43:08 GMT

I'd like to get some up-to-date info on how Kauai is recovering
from Iniki, from a tourists point of view.  Lodging, camping,
getting around, that sort of general stuff.

Thanks

Lee Burghardt
UC Berkeley

Newsgroups: rec.backcountry,rec.climbing
From: whitney@isi.edu (Richard Whitney)
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry,rec.climbing
Subject: Re: Big new landfill next to J-Tree?
Date: 8 Jan 93 18:37:53 GMT
Reply-To: whitney@berio.isi.edu (Richard Whitney)
Organization: USC-Information Sciences Institute

In article <1993Jan8.102619.18586@hellgate.utah.edu> allen%asylum.cs.utah.edu@cs.utah.edu (Allen Sanderson) writes:
>  <stuff deleted>
>Let the big the cities stew in their own shit for once, build the dam
>landfill right in the middle of LA so everybody living there can wake up
>and smell the roses so to speak.  Utah and many other western desert
>states are becoming the dumping ground for other states. 
>  <more stuff deleted>
>Allen R. Sanderson
>
>Salt Lake City, Oootah

Do that and many more will leave for pristine Oootah and of course in
the vanguard will be the wilderness-oriented climbers seeking the
wildness & beauty of your backyard.  The western desert states are the
"dumping ground" for people as well as trash...Nature abhors a vacuum!

Richard Whitney
USC/Information Sciences Institute

Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
From: allen@tessi.com (Allen Warren)
Subject: Re: Anyone climb Mt. Washington recently?
Organization: Test Systems Strategies, Inc., Beaverton, Oregon
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1993 23:52:29 GMT

cindy@kolob.NoSubdomain.NoDomain (Cindy Lee) writes:

>Hi folks,
>Some friends and I are headed to Mt. Washington (New Hampshire) on January 16th
>to take a peek from the top.
>I just wanted to know what the general conditions have been, 
>e.g. lots of snow, wind, etc.

>Any information would be helpful.

>Thanks
>Cindy

Going to Mr. Washington in the summertime is best recommended.  In January, I
would have extremely STRONG reservations having anyone go to the top.

I have no idea as to the experience level of you and your friends, but the
tone of your posting suggests a casual approach about climbing to the top.
Due to the usual high winds and unpredictable storms which can blow up without
a moment's notice, I would strongly, STRONGLY recommend that you please NOT
go to the top.  There is a lot of danger up there this time of year.

allen
From: klee@wsl.dec.com (Ken Lee)
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
Subject: Re: Sierra Club Outings
Date: 6 Jan 93 19:04:58 GMT
Reply-To: klee@wsl.dec.com
Organization: DEC Western Software Laboratory
NNTP-Posting-Host: alhambra.pa.dec.com

|> Does anyone have any experiences (good/bad) with the Sierra Club Outings 
|> that they could share?  Some of the trips seem to reasonably priced and exciting.
|> 
|> I have planned/taken my own trips in the past, but with responsibilities at work
|> I don't have time to do extensive planning for an out of state trip.  Also, on
|> my last trip, my wife accused me of leading a death march (well, the first day
|> was a little much :-)).
|> 
|> Suggestions on value, leaders (ones to stay away from or good leaders), 
|> general trip info, etc.?  
|> 
|> Also, what is an average age for participants?  The local chapter is mostly 
|> 40+ (nothing wrong with that) and don't have a lot in common with late-20yr
|> olds.

I've gone on a couple of Sierra Club backpacking trips.  They were
about 10 days each, both in the Sierras and both rated "moderate".  I
think the group of participants affects the trip as much as the leader,
and the groups on my trips varied quite a bit.  One group was young,
with most participants in their 20s and early 30s.  The other group was
much older, averaging around 40.  Both times, most participants were
singles or couples, few knowing each other before the trip.

Both trips were fun.  The scenery was great and followed
non-traditional routes, including several days of cross country.  My
only complaint would be with the size of the groups.  Both groups were
about 15 people, making it a little hard to have a real "wilderness"
experience.

-- 
Ken Lee
DEC Western Software Laboratory, Palo Alto, Calif.
Internet: klee@wsl.dec.com
uucp: uunet!decwrl!klee
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry