Green Man Blog - Adventures

Featured Meetup Group: Hiking and Happy Hour Enthusiasts

nospam@example.com (Green Man) — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 14:58:45 -0700

We always try to feature stories about adventure and fun, and this time we are highlighting a group we found on MeetUp.com.

This group calls it itself "Hiking and Happy Hour Enthusiasts." The group's organizer, Scott, describes the group this way: "The origin of HHHE started with a small group of friends who enjoyed going out on a Saturday morning to challenging trails with waterfalls outside San Diego County and then relax afterwards with a drink. And each time we went out, it was an incredible liberating experience for the mind, body, and soul. So I figured, why not share this experience with others."

Readers who have seen some of the Green Man T-Shirts' videos know that we aren't too far from a beer or two ourselves. Sounds to us this San Diego group has a pretty good thing going on. The pictures below are from one of their first meetups. More info on this group can be found here.

A Desert Challenge

nospam@example.com (Green Man) — Thu, 20 May 2010 02:26:00 -0700

This illustration gives some idea of the terrain.

Here’s a challenge for you: a three-day desert scramble. We did this a few years back, traveling 25 miles through the Anza-Borrego desert.

Just head south. No trails, just head south.

We purposely picked a section where no trails existed, preferring to pick our way cross-country the best we could. Our trip started at the intersection of Borrego Springs Rd. and Highway 78, and from there we hiked 2.5 miles to Harper’s Canyon.

Exiting Harper's Canyon, tired. The packs, with all the water, were over 50 lbs.

Somewhere in Harper’s Canyon we camped the first night, then the next morning we hiked up and out of it into Hapaha Flat. The second night we camped near Split Rock. The third day we attempted to cross over the mountains near Whale Peak, but it was not possible.

Early morning in the desert.

So we worked our way east a bit and found another canyon that led us up over the hills and then down the other side. From there we hiked down June Wash another eight miles to County Road S2, and along that to Aqua Caliente campground.

These mountains can be crossed by bearing east a bit and finding a canyon to lead you up and through.

It took three days at a moderate pace, although it can be done in two long days. We carried 3 gallons of water each, and forego the tents to save some weight. The packs, with that amount of water, were heavy enough. Even in moderate weather (January), we drank all the water.

The sunlit hills (center) held a canyon that got us out of the flats and through the mountains.

If Harper’s Canyon, Hapaha Flat, Split Rock, Whale Peak, and June Wash are not familiar names to you, then you’ll need a good map and a compass. And don’t go if you feel uncomfortable off trail. The only essential point is to keep heading south, any way you can, until you hit Route S2, which will lead you to Aqua Caliente campground.

Just keep heading due south, through the canyons, across the flats, and over the mountains. You’ll make it.

The head of June Wash.

Don’t run out of water.

It’s a trek not many have done, but well worth it. It felt like we were the first men to see some of the areas we traversed; although we knew it couldn’t be true, the sheer isolation and lack of any sign of humans made it seem that way.

The Anza-Borrego map, and our approximate 25 mile route. There are several ways to make the trek. This just happens to be how we did it.

One last thing: you’ll meet our little friend, the Cholla cactus ball. Created by the Devil, or a cruel joke by God, the Cholla cactus will do its best to make your life miserable. We spent a few minutes each day using pliers to pull cactus spines from our flesh. Try as you might, the vicious little thug gets you every time when you’re off trail in the desert.

A Profitless Locality

nospam@example.com (Green Man) — Tue, 04 May 2010 02:33:00 -0700

In 1858, Lieutenant Ives took a 50 ft. steel steamboat, christened the Explorer, and steamed up the Colorado River.

The journey was difficult and the poor Explorer kept running aground, but eventually Lieutenant Ives made it into the Grand Canyon.

He explored the area on foot, commenting that “This region can only be approached from the South, and after entering it there is nothing to do but to leave. Ours has been the first, and no doubt the last party of whites, to visit this profitless locality.”

Well, Lieutenant Ives couldn’t have known that years later over 4 million people would be visiting his profitless locality each year.

Continue reading "A Profitless Locality"

How to Fish at the Best Time!

nospam@example.com (Green Man) — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 02:14:00 -0700

All right, here we go: an article giving away one of our best kept secrets on outdoor fishing adventures.

Fishing and adventure? In the same sentence? Yes, we answer…but we agree you have to love it to truly understand the unmatchable thrill of casting a line into the sea. It’s like surfing; you either get it or you don’t.

Continue reading "How to Fish at the Best Time!"

News From "The Orphan Ride!"

nospam@example.com (Green Man) — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 23:30:00 -0700

On 3 April, 2009, American brothers Andrew and Randall Leese embarked on a round-the-world bicycle trip to raise money for the relief of Indian orphans.

The Brothers invite you to experience their ride vicariously via their trip blog, and encourage you to do your part—by making a donation to the Orphan Ride Cause!