2009 January

I had dim memories of this book from grade school, and the outdoor theme brought me back to it. The premise is simple: a boy runs away from his home in New York city to survive in the wilderness, and succeeds.

I wasn’t disappointed. This is one of those books written for kids that has plenty of insight for adults too, which is probably what keeps it around. It is getting dated, but in a good way, marking the way our cultural perception of wilderness is changing.

Near Santa Fe, NM

Ann and I go up to the ski basin to hike up together for a run. It’s misty, ethereal, and surreal up high. The trees are covered in windblown ice that looks like wings, claws, or coral. Ann works hard to make it and enjoys the supreme satisfaction of a fully earned run. No downhill footage today, but a few clips worth enjoying.

Also posted at EveryTrail.

Near Santa Fe, NM

One of the attractions of our location is its proximity to Arroyo Chamisa, an artery that acts as a natural pathway through southern Santa Fe. I set out today from my doorstep to find out how far I can follow it. I’m so pleased with the results that I make stupid mistakes on the way back, resulting in a longer hike than I anticipated. It also extended the video to a brisk 4 minutes.

Also posted at EveryTrail.

Near Santa Fe, NM

The nice weather has made choosing an outing difficult! We start the day thinking of a hike up Tetilla Peak, and end up somewhere else entirely. Today’s video is only 2.5 minutes, so it’s easy to find out where.

Once again our life takes an unexpected turn. Ann’s job with Peter is great, I like it here in Santa Fe, and Peter needed a bigger office. Voila, we have swank new home office digs in The Lofts, which are right next door to the campground we stayed in last summer. The camper and trailer are now parked 100 yards from where they were before, we just don’t sleep there.

Future plans still include a hike across Wyoming this summer, but we’ll come back to the loft when we’re done. If you’re Ann’s friend on Flickr, you can see some pictures. Here’s my little clip:

Near Santa Fe, NM

The weather has been nice, nice enough to worry me a little about the snowpack. It offers good conditions for playing with the camera, though, so I try out lots of ideas on a backhill run from the Aspen Vista trailhead. The result is my favorite video effort so far! If fourteen minutes is too much, flip to the six minute mark and watch a bit of my run. (Well, this player doesn’t do fast forward from the start. You can pause it while it loads, then go to minute 6).

Also posted at EveryTrail.

Near Santa Fe, NM

Ann scores a free lift ticket today, so I climb the ski basin while she practices her turns. It’s a clear, gorgeous day with just a little wind up high. I make two laps, and my fantasies of a third by moonlight dissolve when Ann and I collapse at the bar after the lifts close. We’re both wiped out.

I experiment with taking some hand-held video on one descent. It doesn’t work very well, but has some amusing moments:

Also posted at EveryTrail.

I’ve stopped eating animal products this year. I’ve been mulling over what to say about it for some time, because while I’m excited about the change, I’m also apprehensive.

The exciting part is that I seem to have a natural affinity for this diet, and I think it’s the single most effective action I can take to preserve my health and the outdoor environment I love. Nutritionally, The China Study by T. Colin Campbell has been my greatest influence. It’s largely the story of a farm boy who, after becoming an influential nutritional scientist, drastically changed his views about the great American diet. It’s packed full of insights about the role of nutrition in our government, industry, health care, and educational systems. If The Omnivore’s Dilemma opened my eyes to my role in our food chain, this book revealed the forces that created that food chain.

My apprehension comes from the fact that even more than the outdoors and my health, I value the people in my life, and this decision will probably present a challenge to many of my relationships. Vegans are impossible for most people to feed or even go out to eat with. By rejecting a nearly universal value of our culture, we project a “holier-than-thou” fundamentalism that alienates us even further. If we try to share our enjoyment of our choice, we just sound like dietary evangelists sitting in judgement over our friends and loved ones.

I don’t know what the social toll will be on my already reclusive lifestyle, but it feels like the right time for me to take this step to remain true to myself. I hope you’ll believe I still love and respect you, and stick with me as I become an ever greater pain in the ass!

Near Santa Fe, NM

The walk from Rancho Viejo to Second Street is pretty nice, especially at sunset. After dark a very cold wind picks up and gives me rubberface.

Near Bandelier National Monument, NM

The Pajarito web site says the area has lots of new snow, but it’s closed. Since I don’t need lifts on the split board, I head up anyway. When I get there I see a lot search and rescue vehicles. Someone tells me a snowboarder has been lost since yesterday, and to keep my eye out. I do, but I see nothing but nice snow. The top of the mountain is eerily quiet:

When I get down the light is fading, and still no sign of the lost snowboarder. I leave in a somber mood, thinking that a second night out will probably do him in, but after dark he’s rescued by a Blackhawk helicopter with infrared equipment.