Category — Travel

Sunday we set out to hike 14 miles with a 20 lb pack in Pinnacles National Monument, California, USA.

We ended up in a bit ‘deeper’ than anticipated. Here are the technical logs. Photos and writeup to come.

Download 2012-02-19 Elevation Map (PDF)

Off trail elevation & distance estimate (Above)

Our total route (Below) & Some Numbers:

• 24.48 Km;
• Moving Average: 2.9 kph;
• 8:33 moving, 17:04 total.
• GPS on: 0852;
• GPS off: 0150;

2012-02-19 Pinnacles NM KML file or GPS file also available.

Hiked the southern side of Hetch Hetchy, Yosemite National Park, from Mather Station along the Smith Meadow to Smith Peak and back.

Vistas, Views, Environment

Weather: clear and beautiful

Trail Conditions: over grown

Trail Traffic: very low

Water: moderate

Animal Count: low

Record Keeping:

Hiking Yosemite Photos: not public :(

2011-07-11 Yosemite, Smith Peak Route – kind of fucked up. :(

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (7.7MB)

Kira and I flew out to Colorado to celebrate Holly’s birthday. We didn’t have much time before leaving to put together a present for her, so Kira picked up a tent from REI and I, well, royally slacked.  Just before leaving the house I felt perhaps I’d get a break while we were there and I could put down a couple of tracks and some lyrics to celebrate her 20th.  Sadly I learned, after talking with Kira, it seemed we wouldn’t get much of a break from any of the weekend excitement once we landed and recording was going to be futile.

However, we’re not considered the quitting type, usually. So, within the confines of an Boeing 737 300 series aircraft, in seat 13 D & E, and somewhere over Nevada at 30,000 feet, I set up shop. I expected this was the most privacy I would get throughout the next four days.

Ultimately, the song could use some work, BUT I think this could turn into something quite remarkable. I saw Apogee is making a XLR to iPad interface and I could see mile high recording incorporating the sounds of flight, passenger AC, and the unpredictability of *DING* resonating through the microphone, accompanied by the inability to truly master tracks and massive feedback potential. I like to think of it as the recording parkour.  It’s going to be HUGE! mark my words.

Enjoy -

An interesting site on .. place hacking :)

http://www.placehacking.co.uk/

Today we explored the science of mycology – or fungi.

Photos from the walk

Our very first Berkeley mushroom hunt has led to a few things:

1. A high amount of contact with poison oak with our feet,
2. Several instances of collateral damage to the local Banana Slug population,
3. An overwhelming ‘earthy’ smell throughout our house,
4. The purchase of a $30 book titled, Mushrooms Demystified by David Arora in an effort to educate ourselves before our next outing.

We think, in our infancy, we were able to identify at least ONE of our collection of Berkeley mushrooms as a Russula. (The one with the red cap)

Also, because of their supposid commonality, we think we found at least one Chanterelle – but the jury is still out.  Here’s it our assortment of fungi splayed for identification..

Current List of Mycology Links:

Our Bay Area Brethren: http://www.bayareamushrooms.org/index.html

For VERY Important information regarding the DEATH CAP: http://www.bayareamushrooms.org/mushroommonth/amanita_phalloides.html & http://pluto.njcc.com/~ret/amanita/species/phalloid.html

Highly Informational Site: http://www.mykoweb.com/

And More: http://www.mykoweb.com/boletes/index.html