Gambolin’ Man sent me an e-mail the other day on behalf of a woman who is hoping to develop a “hiking hub” online community. I received an e-mail from the same woman a couple weeks back but never got around…
Blogs
Blackpacker revisited
by tom • February 20, 2009 • 2 Comments
Sean Spicer, AKA “Blackpacker,” is living in the woods of Mendocino County and recounting what he’s been up to at his Guerrilla Camping Blog. One recent post notes the existence of wild animals in his neighborhood: The Original Inhabitants I…
Gear
Next profile: ULA Equipment
by tom • February 18, 2009 • 5 Comments
My next cottage gear maker profile will be ULA-Equipment, run by Brian Frankle of Logan Utah. Henry Shires tells me he met Frankle on the Pacific Crest Trail, which they both through-hiked in 1999. (Hmm, wonder how many other PCT…
Blogs
Gambolin’ Man’s Jeopardy appearance
by tom • February 16, 2009 • 2 Comments
Too good to pass up! It’s in four parts. Watch ’em all and see how well you do.
Fitness
Avoiding post-hike pain: a primer
by tom • February 10, 2009 • 5 Comments
First thing you shouldn’t do: take two months off and think you can just charge up and down the Bay Area hills for five hours with no consequences. Come Tuesday you may equate climbing stairs with the fond thoughts normally…
Las Trampas Regional Wilderness
Muddy, damp day hike at Las Trampas Regional Wilderness
by tom • February 9, 2009 • 6 Comments
You’ve no doubt heard of the term “muscle memory.” I think it means, “what happens when your legs have forgotten how to go downhill.” I tested the concept Sunday at Las Trampas Regional Wilderness in Contra Costa County in the…
Hiking
Where to hike in the San Francisco Bay Area
by tom • January 25, 2009 • 10 Comments
Two-Heel Drive has chronicled my hikes throughout the Bay Area from mid-2004 to the middle of 2009. I’ve hiked pretty much every trail worth trodding, particularly in the hills around Silicon Valley. I’m not sure when I’ll get back to…
Mangan's memoirs
What’s up around here?
by tom • December 17, 2008 • 11 Comments
I know, not much of anything lately. Here’s the deal: as I noted on my personal page the other day, things are looking increasingly grim in the newspaper biz. While I’m not convinced people’s urge to be informed about what’s…
Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park
New trails at Pleasanton Ridge
by tom • December 15, 2008 • 3 Comments
Avid reader Keith Barlow sent this news tip along this morning: Heads up that there is some new hiking (& biking & running) mileage on the Pleasanton Ridge. http://www.pleasantonweekly.com/news/show_story.php?id=1048 http://ebparks.org/node/1006 The article says you can get there by starting at…