An article on how people survive long term traumatic events such as the miners recently trapped in a Chile mine tells the story of Randy Knapp who at 18 was trapped 13 days in a whiteout over New Years on Mount Hood in 1976. Knapp said “We trusted God and we talked about what we would learn from it all. We finally got to the place where we never doubted that God would have the ability to see us through and to give us a way out of it.” Knapp in still climbing
Survivors of Long Traumatic Events Say “Trust in God”
September 4th, 2010A Plant Thought Extinct Found on Mauna Kea
September 4th, 2010
Nature Conservancy and Parker Ranch report they have found a Clermontia peleana singuliflora plant on a ohia tree on Mauna Kea. The plant had thought to be extinct was last seen on the Big Island in 1909.
Fatal Highpointing Accident Mentioned in Article on Extreme Sports Risks
September 4th, 2010The accident last week in which a 13-year-old was killed in a motocross event in Indianapolis prompted the Arlington Heights, Illinois, Daily Herald to discuss the risks in extreme sports on their impact on adults and children. The article says this, “Jim Nasti of Naperville was 51 when he died last year trying to climb Mount McKinley in Alaska in his effort to reach the high point in all 50 states. A triumph and a tragedy, but each the result of choices by adults with the capacity for mature thinking.”
Clingmans Dome Closed (again) Sept. 13-18, 2010
September 4th, 2010Clingmans Dome Road is going to be closed (again) on Sept. 13-18 to conclude the final paving and striping on the large parking lot that serves visitors to the observation tower, and will re-grade the gravel shoulders.
Lava Flows in Hawaii Originall Called Pyroduct
September 4th, 2010An article on the history of volcanology notes that Titus Coan, a Christian missionary in Hilo between 1835 and his death in 1882, who theorized how lava could travel so far from its vent. Coan was one of the first to document lava flows as he climbed up Mauna Loa and noted openings (now called skylights) through which they could see a molten lava stream below, flowing at a rate of 20 miles per hour. Coan said “As these lower branches [of the flow] were pushing slowly along upon level ground, and as the feeding flood had ceased to come down upon the surface from the … vent, but flowed in a subterranean duct or ducts …” and he called them “pyroduct” His observations were later challenged but are now accepted although pyroduct hasn’t quite caught on.
Wheeler Peak’s Enchanted Circle
September 1st, 2010
An article focuses on skiing the resorts around Wheeler (Taos Ski Valley, Angel Fire, Red River, and Sipapu) notes the highlights of the 80-mile Enchanted Circle Scenic Drive that circles the mountain.
Vermont Seeks Endangered Species Status for Bicknell’s Thrush
September 1st, 2010Vermont has requested that the Bicknell’s thrush be listed as an endangered species. The thrush is found at higher elevations of Mount Mansfield and other northeast peaks. The state notes that global warming is destroying its balsam fir habitat. There are 95,000 to 126,000 of the birds but their numbers are dramatically decreasing.
Parkinson’s Victim Climbs Granite With Film Crew
September 1st, 2010Brandi Roman climbed Granite on August 15 to support the fight against Parkinson’s. She was accompanied by a film crew donated by Azilect, a Parkinson’s disease medicine Roman takes.
Foot of Snow Forecast for Mount Rainier
September 1st, 2010The forecast for Mount Rainier today is a foot of snow. Summer’s over.
Don’t Try to Find Baxter State Park’s Office on Your GPS
September 1st, 2010Here’s an amusing tale of the pitfalls of commercial GPS — specifically for people looking for the headquarters of the Baxter State Park. The units try to send them to Katahdin summit!