News and notes: Climbing for beginners, skier death on K2, and readers react to dogs hiking and camping
News and notes from the outdoors…
Places to break in to mountaineering
Mount Baker (USGS photo)
Ever thought about going into mountain climbing, but don’t know where to start? Outside Online has some suggestions. The catch: These are all suggested guided climbs, and many of them involve international travel. But they all look pretty cool. One of them is in the U.S., Mount Baker in Washington.
Here’s a link: http://outsideonline.com/travel/travel-ta-mountaineering-argentina-tanzania-russia-mongolia-sidwcmdev_150766.html
If you want to practice higher-altitude backpacking and/or climbing, there are also plenty of places closer to home in Colorado and New Mexico, though you won’t find any glaciated peaks in those states.
Extreme skier dies on K2
Some tragic news from the Himalayas. Extreme skier Fredrik Eriksson has died. He was attempting to climb K2, the world’s second-highest peak, and then ski down. He died while attempting the climb up. Here’s a link: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/outposts/2010/08/extreme-skier-fredrik-ericsson-dies.html
Fredrik Ericsson (courtesy fredrickericsson.com)
Sympathies go out to this renowned skier and adventurer. Had he succeeded, it would have taken ski mountaineering to a new level.
Reader reaction on dogs hiking/camping
Finally, some reader reaction to a post last week about taking dogs hiking and camping. In addition to comments on the blog, here’s some more via Facebook:
From Paula of Duncan: “I leave my little guy at home if it’s more than just a nature trail walk. Overnight camping trips are a stay-at-granny’s night for Simon. I can’t control nature and don’t want to risk him running off, over heating or getting hurt! But to answer your question, he stays on a leash when he does come with.”
From Ian in Tecumseh: “No, and it can be a bad thing in the wilderness. Dogs have been known to wander off and come running back to there masters with a bear chasing them. and they can be yipey all night and day. Nope no dogs please!”
From Byron in Dallas: “People will always bring their dogs camping as well as their boom-box with ‘All Skynyrd, All The Time’ playing. Neither can be helped or avoided. My 120# Chocolate lab Ruger stays at home, though. He prefers Zeppelin under the A/C.”
Friendly campanion, or nuisance to others on the trail? (PAUL B. SOUTHERLAND/THE OKLAHOMAN)
And from Scott of OKC: “If they are VERY well trained or on a leash, I guess they can serve as a distraction to the bear so you can get away. However, some dog owners would want to fight off any predator to protect the dog like a momma bear would protect a cub. I vote with Ian …no dogs.”
Thanks to everyone for their responses. You can read the original post here: http://blog.newsok.com/outthere/2010/08/04/hiking-and-camping-with-dogs-good-or-bad-idea/
Bob Doucette
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