….or “ taking a little hike off the beaten path and into the weeds of our federal budget.” My favorite federal employee was Jock Whitworth, a Park Ranger at Theodore Roosevelt National Park. During the summer of 1986 Ranger Jock was my boss. He did not supervise me, but instead mentored me. He was the […]
Read more "My Favorite Federal Employee"This special report comes to us from Sugarbush, Vermont where Lucy provides the daily snow report. March 1st, 2025, 6:49 AM: Today of all days, I would like to reflect on what Sugarbush means to me. This mountain has brought me endless days of joy, adventure, challenges, new experiences, beauty, community, and peace. I’ve found […]
Read more "Special Snow Report from Lucy Welch"On February 14, 2025 (Valentine’s Day), Claire Murphy was critically injured in an avalanche inside Mammoth Mountain ski resort. She would die of her injuries a few days later. Her fellow patrolers did everything within their power to save her life. Soon after the accident, ski patrolers from across the United States converged on Mammoth […]
Read more "Sad News from Mammoth"One of the National Parks Service employees who was recently fired was Education Park Ranger Brian Gibbs. He writes: “I am absolutely heartbroken and completely devastated to have lost my dream job of an Education Park Ranger with the National Park Service this Valentine’s Day. Access to my government email was denied mid-afternoon and my […]
Read more "A special Trail Report from Ranger Brian…"Day One (10/17): Iconic New York view from Renee’s apartment on the Upper East Side. Jim and Renee bought two apartments in the same building and combined them. (Their neighbor Madonna bought three townhomes on the same block and combined them.) Here, Karen can be seen pointing to Madonna’s roof. Nearby Central Park. Day Two […]
Read more "New York Highlights: 2024"This Trail Report is dedicated to The Peaceful Warrior. Dates: September 10 to 14, 2024 Trailhead: Mosquito Flat (Inyo National Forest) Nearest Town: Half way between Mammoth Lakes and Bishop, California Distance Hiked: 8 miles (1,000 feet of elevation gain) Native Land Territories Visited: Eastern Mono and Northern Paiute Reading Companion: Squeeze Me, by Carl […]
Read more "Trail Report: A Special Place"Dates: August 19 to 23, 2024 Trailhead: Lyell Canyon Nearest Town: Lee Vining, California Distance Hiked: 22 miles (3,000 feet of elevation gain) Native Land Territories Visited: Western Mono / Monache, Me-Wok (Central Sierra Miwok), Numu (Northern Paiute) Reading Companion: Finding Everett Ruess by David Roberts (recommended by The Documentarian atop Kearsarge Pass in June […]
Read more "Trail Report: “Unfinished Business in the Yosemite High Country”"Dates: July 16 to July 20, 2024 Trailhead: Cottonwood Pass (Golden Trout Wilderness, Inyo National Forest) Nearest Town: Lone Pine, California Distance Hiked: 28.5 miles (5,787 feet of elevation gain) Native Land Territories Visited: Newe (Western Shoshone), Tübatulabal Hello and welcome to another Trail Report! I am glad you could join me! Here we have […]
Read more "Trail Report: “Sky Blue Lakes and Pikas”"Here we have a 13 mile sojourn into the eastern Sierra beginning in Onion Valley and going over Kearsarge Pass. (Fun Fact: On June 19, 1864 the U.S.S. Kearsarge sank the C.S.S. Alabama. Chalk one up for the union!) I revisited Onion Valley and its trailhead as it is one of my favorites. This was […]
Read more "Un Cuento del Camino: Some Sierra Place Names"Skiing is stupid. I love it anyway. Most skiers I meet also love the sport deeply. A skier has to be in love with the sport to endure all the hassle the pursuit of skiing requires. As evidence of skiing’s stupidity, may I submit actual drawings from Gwyneth Paltrow’s ski collision trial. Thank you Gwyneth […]
Read more "Road Trip Report: A Stupid Miracle"
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