Tag: Camino

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Susan Alcorn’s Hiking and Backpacking Newsletter, April 2025

 

Susan Alcorn’s Hiking and Backpacking Newsletter#304 (April 2025)

  • Susan Alcorn’s Hiking and Backpacking Newsletter#304 (April 2025)

    Contents:
    #1. Bay Nature Magazine – Conservation Canines
    #2. THURSDAY, April 10. Camino 101: The Basics
    Everything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask
    #3. For women only: A special Zoom presentation, “Women on the Camino,” scheduled for THURSDAY, April 17.
    #4. Insect Repellents

    Articles:
    #1. Bay Nature Magazine – Conservation Canines. Join Bay Nature Magazine and researcher Karen DeMatteo for a virtual talk about how conservation scientists are teaming up with dogs and their acute senses of smell on Wednesday, May 7, from 12 – 1pm. Conservation detection dogs (CDD) are a valuable, noninvasive tool that has opened doors for ecological and environmental studies, allowing difficult to answer questions to be addressed in a data-driven manner. Come learn about CDDs and how they are driving change for conservation! This talk is free for members and $5 for nonmembers.
    Registration: https://baynature.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/baynature/eventRegistration.jsp?event=446

    #2. (Still Spots Open)
    Camino 101: The Basics
    Everything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask

    Thursday, April 10, 6:00 – 7:30 PM
    Virtual Zoom Presentation  by the Nor Cal Chapter of American Pilgrims
    Is your head spinning because you’d love to walk the Camino de Santiago but don’t know where to start (both literally and metaphorically)? We’ll screw your head on straight in just one hour. We’ll cover the What and the How, not to mention the Who, Why, Where, Which, and When, and by the time we’re done, you’ll be rearing at the gates, all primed to get started. Presenter: Andy Cohn, seasoned Camino trekker and Northern California Chapter Co-Coordinator

    Here’s what you’ll learn:
    What is the Camino?
    What’s its history?
    Who walks it?
    Why do they walk it?
    What makes it special?
    Overview of the Camino Frances
    Guidebooks / Apps / Websites
    Navigation (Even I can’t get lost)
    Eating (It ain’t about the food)
    Sleeping (Hostals vs. hostels)
    Gear: Going light
    The pilgrim passport and your merit badge (aka the Compostela)
    Shipping or transporting your extra junk
    Getting there and getting around
    Electronics and how to stay connected
    Reserving on the fly (or winging it)
    Money and costs

    There will be time for Q&A after the presentation. This presentation will be recorded and shared with our community.

    Nor Cal Chapter Calendar of Upcoming Activities: https://americanpilgrims.org/la-concha/inspire_events_categories/nor-cal/

    #3. Women on the Camino. Also coming up for the Nor Cal Camino Group, for women only: A special Zoom presentation, “Women on the Camino,” scheduled for April 17. Look for an announcement soon! Panelists to include Laurie Ferris, Susan Alcorn, and Laurie Reynolds. And the possibility that Kate Stewart will be joining in.

    Nor Cal Chapter Calendar of Upcoming Activities: https://americanpilgrims.org/la-concha/inspire_events_categories/nor-cal/

    #4. Insect Repellents: The CDC has recommended insect repellents containing one of the following active ingredients” that are EPA registered: Picaridin, DEET, IR3535,oil of lemon eucalyptus for its synthetic derivative PMD.

    Reminders:
    1.Apply sunscreen first, but be aware that the repellent will reduce the effectiveness of the sunscreen so reapply often.
    2. Apply the repellent lightly – no need for heavy application

    1. If you hands come in contact with the repellent, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly. After you are done with outside activities, wash skin thoroughly with soap and water.
    2. If traveling where mosquitoes carry diseases like malaria, wear long sleeved shirts and long pants tucked into socks. Stay indoors when insects are most active – generally Sleep under mosquito netting if possible.

    Summarized from August 2024 issue of the Wellness Letter. WellnessLetter.Online. com

    *************************

    Happy Trails
    Susan Alcorn

    Susan ‘backpack45’ Alcorn
    Shepherd Canyon Books, Oakland, CA
    https://www.susandalcorn.com
    https://www.backpack45.com

    Author of Walk, Hike, Saunter: Seasoned Women Share Tales and Trails; Healing Miles: Gifts from the Caminos Norte and Primitivo; Patagonia Chronicle: On Foot in Torres del Paine; We’re in the Mountains Not over the Hill: Tales and Tips from Seasoned Women Backpackers; and Camino Chronicle: Walking to Santiago.

    Thank you everyone. Stay well, keep hiking when prudent. I encourage you to send in items of interest to the hiking community to me at backpack45 “at sign” yahoo.com

    Hiking and backpacking can be risky endeavors. Surely over the last couple of months you have heard, or read about some wilderness rescues. Dayhikes can go bad – people get lost and have to spend the night (nights) outdoors. Always be prepared for emergencies and carry food, water, shelter (warm clothing, etc.), flashlight/headlamp, matches, first aid supplies, and maps. Cell phones don’t always work. Leave word where you are traveling and when you are due back.

     
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Susan Alcorn’s Backpacking & Hiking Tales & Tips, August 2024

Susan Alcorn’s Backpacking & Hiking Tales & Tips, August 2024

 

On the Camino del Norte

Contents:
1. Six Moon Designs: Backpacking, hiking, and travel-accessory company to introduce exciting new products on August 12th.
2. Camino interest: How to do the camino in a wheelchair
3. S.F. Bay Area Wheelchair-Friendly Trails 
4. Camino interest: How To Get to Saint Jean Pied de Port (to start your Camino)
5. Wildfires
6. How to select a tent site
7. Camino interest (Regional): Crying on the Camino Day in Sonoma
8. Reader Question: How can I safely hike through an area with grazing cows?

Articles:
#1. Six Moon Designs, a company specializing in backpacking/hiking equipment, is about to make an announcement about an innovative new set of products. Ralph and I were invited to try this new equipment—which we will carry when we walk our next Camino route (the Ingles). We are excited to be able to share the news. I plan to send photos and information about these new product in a special edition of this newsletter on August 12, the release date.  

While you are waiting for these new products to be launched, you might like to read about backpacks so that you can choose wisely. Backpacks (or daypacks) are not all alike and different kinds can be found to suit various uses whether it’s a few miles in the regional parks near you, a two-week backpacking hike on the John Muir Trail, a thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail, or a week or more on a Camino route through Spain, Portugal, France, and more. 

#2.Camino interest: How to do the Camino de Santiago in a wheelchair. Ivar Rekve is someone who most people interested in the Camino soon learn provides many services to pilgrims. He posts informative videos about what’s happening in Santiago, conducts interviews with pilgrims, runs a Facebook forum, and stores items at his Casa Ivar for pilgrims who want to ship items ahead to Santiago  rather than carrying them on their journey.

This summer, Ivar “had a nice conversation with Rob, Betsy and Menisha about their adventures on the Camino de Santiago, and how Rob and Betsy did it in a wheelchair” (actually two wheelchairs!).  You can watch here. 

Rob and Betsy, and Menisha (Betsy’s full-time caregiver) live here in Oakland. They have been active members of the Northern California Pilgrim group for quite some time.  At some of our events, Rob and Menisha have been able to share some insight–into the challenges and delights of Camino walks–with our local camino group. 

Mentioned in the video: DisCamino in Vigo: https://discamino.org.  https://pushbetsycom.wordpress.com Disability tag on the forum: https://www.caminodesantiago.me/commu…
Discamino’s write up about Rob and Betsy’s trip is here.
There services are free!

#3. Regional: East Bay Wheelchair-Friendly Trails. You may be familiar with a few–Mary Bowerman Trail on Mt. Diablo, Marsh Creek Regional Trail, or the new Marsh Loop in Martin Luther King Shoreline, but it might be helpful to know about other options. Look here for ideas.

 #4. How To Get to Saint Jean Pied de Port (to Start Your Camino). This link will take you to the website of American Pilgrims on the Camino where you will find the rest of their recent, excellent article about getting to and home from the best known route, The Camino Frances. 

“The Camino Francés is the most popular Camino route and Saint Jean Pied de Port, France is the second most popular starting point. Last year, over 30,000 people who ended in Santiago chose Saint Jean as the place to begin their pilgrimage.

“This cute little French village doesn’t have an airport and isn’t on a major rail line. In Camino forums and even our own Facebook group, the question of how to get to Saint Jean Pied de Port is frequently asked. If you’re also trying to figure it out, read on for advice on how to sort out your travel logistics.”

#5. Wildfires and information link here. As you know, there are hundreds of wildfires currently happening in the  U.S. — especially in the West. A link, from the federal government, for seeing where they are, how active the fires are, and more information, is here. Link  here

#6.  How to select a tent-site. Hints for selecting the best site and to follow Leave No Trace guidance. Avoid causing damage to the lovely place you just enjoyed. Pick a site that is:
1.Relatively flat (and not in a depression that will collect water), and off-trail. If there is a slight rise, be sure your head will be higher than your feet.
2.Convenient for water—but following any regulations. A food rule of thumb would be, generally, not within 200 feet of lakes, etc. This can also help you avoid insects such as mosquitoes that prefer still or stagnant water.  
3. Durable surface—think packed earth or a layer of pine needles or leaves rather than a fragile meadow.
4. Protection from weather. Consider from which direction the wind, rain, etc. are moving so that you can shelter. 
5. Forested areas can be great, but avoid solo trees that can be targets for lightning. Look up and see if the nearby trees have been struck previously.
6. Consider the temperature. The bottom of a canyon or valley will be colder than higher elevations.
7. Look at nearby trees, etc. for scratch marks that might indicate bears in the area. Similarly, keep your eyes open for scat.
8. Pick a dry spot—if that’s an option!

#7. Regional: Sonoma, CA. “Crying on the Camino” Day in Sonoma: Saturday, August 10, 2024. Sponsored by American Pilgrims on the Camino, this special day offers a blend of outdoor adventure, local culture, and captivating storytelling. The performance will be held at the historic Sebastiani Theater next to the Sonoma Plaza in the center of town.

The day’s optional pre-show events include:
10:00 AM — Caminata de Sonoma “Start your day with a 6-mile walk around historical downtown Sonoma and the nearby hills. Enjoy the scenic beauty and rich history of this charming town.
12:30 PM — Picnic and Wine Tasting: Gather for a communal picnic and wine tasting near the historic Sonoma Plaza. Relax and indulge in some of Sonoma’s finest wines while mingling with fellow pilgrims.
3:00 PM. The show: Crying on the Camino, a play written and performed by Celeste Mancinelli, a renowned storyteller and performer, brings to life the profound experiences of pilgrims who traverse this ancient path. Through a blend of heartfelt narratives, poignant reflections, and captivating dramatization, she explores themes of self-discovery, spiritual awakening, and the transformative power of the Camino.”

Although the name might make the performance sound sad, Martin Pena of the Nor Cal pilgrim group, who (with the help of Jeanne Wailes, and Laurie Ferris, Chapter Coordinator) has  pulled this day of fun, interesting, and exciting events together says, “I consider it a comedy.  The tag line is “A Journey of Hilarity, Hardship, and Healing.” The performance will be held at the historic Sebastiani Theater next to the Sonoma Plaza in the center of town.

*****Click here to reach the North California pilgrim groups page to order tickets and read more about the bonus (no extra charge) day’s activities. Also info on location, free parking areas, and more. 

**You can also order tickets to the performance here, as well as read more about both the performance and the theater. However, the previous link (above) has all the activities described. Theater info and alternative way to order tickets.  

Event Location and Parking Information: All events will take place adjacent to Sonoma Plaza and Sonoma State Historic Park.Parking: Free all-day parking is available at the public parking lot located at 335 1st St E, Sonoma. Carpooling: Registered participants will have access to an online “Carpool Bulletin Board” to post a message to request or offer a ride.
“Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with the pilgrim community, explore Sonoma’s historic sites, and experience a moving theatrical portrayal of the Camino. Mark your calendars and join us for a day filled with inspiration, camaraderie, and cultural enrichment.”

#8. Reader Question: How to safely hike through an area with grazing cows?  Mary, who lives in the S.F. Bay Area, recently wrote to ask how she could hike with cows nearby. Her background info:
“I recently had multiple bad experiences with cows locally at Lynch Canyon  [near Fairfield], and when I went to Switzerland, of walking through a field where the cows were blocking the hiking path.

“I understand that special caution is required if there seems to be a mother and calf. Regardless, I don’t think this was ever the case for me and I have never approached cows. Once a cow stamped and started running towards me – luckily, I got to the gate in time to let myself out and it followed me along the fence moo-ing and acting quite angry when I did nothing to it.

“In another instance the cows were all staring at me and seemed on alert when I was walking by and indeed started to follow me. At one point I had 12 cows surrounding me. They gathered around while I was hiding under a fence and eventually, they went away after 30 minutes, but they were quite close and trying to eat my bag. I know some people approach cows and pet them. My theory is this behavior is making cows unafraid of humans and they now approach humans (expecting food?).

“Anyway, my fear is genuinely debilitating and I’m fearful of hiking alone and meeting cows. I wasn’t this way until a few weeks ago when I had a series of unfortunate experiences while hiking alone in Switzerland. When I tell people, their first reaction is to laugh. And I agree, it is comical and silly. Then people recommend therapy – but how do I get therapy to cure my bovinophobia?”

“Thanks, Susan and deep appreciation for your work to encourage exploration of the outdoors by foot.”

SO, readers, do you have suggestions to offer for those who love to hike, but feel intimidated by cows?  If so, please send them to me at backpack45@yahoo.com

********

Susan ‘backpack45’ Alcorn
Shepherd Canyon Books, Oakland, CA
https://www.susandalcorn.com
https://www.backpack45.com

Author of Walk, Hike, Saunter: Seasoned Women Share Tales and Trails; Healing Miles: Gifts from the Caminos Norte and Primitivo; Patagonia Chronicle: On Foot in Torres del Paine; We’re in the Mountains Not over the Hill: Tales and Tips from Seasoned Women Backpackers; and Camino Chronicle: Walking to Santiago.

Thank you everyone. Stay well, keep hiking when prudent. I encourage you to send in items of interest to the hiking community to me at backpack45 “at sign” yahoo.com

Please note: Hiking and backpacking can be risky endeavors. Always be prepared for emergencies and carry food, water, shelter (warm clothing, etc.), flashlight/headlamp, matches, first aid supplies, and maps. Cell phones don’t always work. Leave word where you are traveling and when you are due back.

I’d be sad to see you go. But if you want to, you can unsubscribe from here: https://susandalcorn.com/?es=unsubscribe&hash=eyJtZXNzYWdlX2lkIjoiOTUiLCJjYW1wYWlnbl9pZCI6IjkzIiwiY29udGFjdF9pZCI6IjEzMzYiLCJlbWFpbCI6ImJhY2twYWNrNDVAeWFob28uY29tIiwiZ3VpZCI6Im91cXJhbC16dnBybXUtZXRnd3l4LWVza2NoZC10amJkc3oiLCJsaXN0X2lkcyI6IiIsImFjdGlvbiI6InVuc3Vic2NyaWJlIn0

 
 
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Susan Alcorn’s Backpacking & Hiking Tales & Tips, June 2024

Susan Alcorn’s Backpacking & Hiking Tales & Tips, June 2024
Contents:
1) Anish sets new record on the Arizona Trail
2) Camino de Santiago: Changes to AIRPORT BUS SANTIAGO
3) Do we really need 10,000 steps?
4) Video: Bay Area Ridge Trail (Tom Coroneos)
5) Ticks are at it again
6) Regional: S.F. Crosstown and Doublecross Trail—Updates/Guided walks


Welcome to our newest neighbor

Articles:
#1. Heather Anderson, Anish, now holds “the overall and only female unsupported FKT [fastest known time] for the 800-Mile Arizona Trail!” 24 days! The trail travels across the entire length of Arizona from the U.S.-Mexico border to Utah. Heather completed the trail unsupported—meaning she hiked end-to-end with all of her supplies–including food.  WOW!   

Heather wrote, “Trekking the entire length of AZ without resupplying or accepting trail magic, or utilizing water caches was incredibly challenging…physically, but more so mentally.” Among those challenges were falling and sustaining an injury to her head, encountering “killer bees, rattlesnakes and a mountain lion.”

One may think of the SW as being all desert and hot, but it varies from ice and snow and temperatures below freezing in the north and extreme heat in the south. This trek is known for its lack of water—finding a small puddle was a big deal.

Heather said, “This experience revealed to me a new appreciation for my backcountry skill set and confidence in myself. I also had quite a few very personal breakthroughs, which I attribute to prolonged time alone in nature.”
Sign up for Heather’s WORDS FROM THE WILD newsletter

If you want to learn from the experts, Heather and Arleen are offering a couple of backpacking retreats/classes: https://wordsfromthewild.net/trips/

1) Join us at the Quarter Way, which is in located a stone’s throw from the Appalachian Trail in Ceres, Virginia October 13th-16th, 2024. This 3-day retreat will include instructional sessions, Q&A, and a practical overnight backpacking trip to use your gear and practice your skills. All women+ are invited to join us. This is a safe and welcoming space.

Words from the Wild (Heather’s site) is going to Alaska and Costa Rica and has these limited! openings:
2) August’s inaugural WFW Trip to Alaska has had a cancellation, so there is 1 OPENING available! Snag it before someone else does!
3) The February 3-9, 2025 trip to Costa Rica still has 3 discounted spots available and 12 at full price.

 #2. Camino Info: Changes to AIRPORT BUS SANTIAGO. Not everyone takes the bus from Santiago airport, but for those who will–Facebook posting by JohnnieWalker Santiago on FACEBOOK May 15, 2024.  “Hi John. Important news about the bus connections between the airport and the city that will try to remedy the lack of direct connection some years ago. From next May 24 [2024] there will be two connection lines; one will be direct (without intermediate stops) and faster (along the highway) with only two stops: the airport and the intermodal station (bus station) already in the city. Likewise, the route between the intermodal station and the airport will also have only these two stops on this line.

“The second bus line will also connect the airport with the intermodal station, maintaining the current route that runs along the conventional road and different streets of the city, but now it will have new features. In order to optimize this line and avoid passenger overloads, on the route between the airport and the city it will not be possible to board the bus at the stops located in the urban area and it will only be possible to get off the bus at these urban stops.

“Likewise, on the route between the city and the airport, it will only be possible to board the bus at the stops located in the urban area and it will not be possible to get off the bus except at the few stops located in the rural area or, finally, at the airport.

“Therefore, passengers will not be able to use this bus to travel between stops located in the urban area of the city, which will lighten the service and facilitate its use for travelers who use this service between the airport and the various stops in the city. This will mean that it will not be possible to take the bus at Praza de Galicia to go from the city to the airport (as this stop will become “Arrival stop from the airport”.

“Each of these bus lines will have a frequency of 40 minutes alternating from the airport, so there will be a bus from the airport to the city every 20 minutes. From the 24th there will be an adaptation period of 15 days in which passengers will be informed about the new rules.” A session on video in Spanish is linked here:  

#3. 10,000 Steps a Day? The controversy continues. I personally consider it a worthwhile goal, but an arbitrary number. Here a bit of info from a recent study. “Do you really need 10,000 steps a day? Here’s what the science says. The average American gets about 4,000 steps a day—but how much is enough? A recent study offers some insights” Here are some excerpts from an article by Tara Haelle, March 20, 2024. National Geographic premium article.  

“Goodwin [Ashley Goodwin, an exercise scientist at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research in Manhasset, New York] found it especially interesting that the benefit differed so little between those who sat for long periods each day and those who sat less.

Goodwin continues, “That’s really great because it drives home the message that simply walking a little bit more than you usually do is going to confer some health benefits, no matter where you’re starting from.”

“’The average American gets about 4,000 steps a day,’ says Mario Garcia, a cardiologist at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City, so there’s plenty of room for improvement.” “… individuals over age 60 benefited most in the study, probably because people tend to decondition very quickly as they age.”

Matthew Ahmadi, an epidemiologist at the University of Sydney in Australia and one of the study’s authors wrote, “Past research had shown that higher step counts are linked to better heart health and a longer life, and a separate body of research has shown the increased risks of cardiovascular disease and death associated with more sedentary time. But this study brought those bodies of research together to learn whether extra daily steps could offset the risks of sedentary behavior even in those who spend much of the day seated.”

Columnist Tara Haelle added “In fact, highly sedentary people in the study began experiencing a heart benefit starting as low as 4,300 steps per day, when their risk of heart disease fell by 10 percent. Doubling that step count to 9,700 steps a day doubled the benefit.

Similarly, highly sedentary people began seeing a 20 percent reduced risk of death starting at 4,100 steps per day. Again, that benefit nearly doubled to 39 percent when their daily step count increased to 9,000. By about 6,000 daily steps, highly sedentary people got the same benefit as more active people.

Ahmadi says a key takeaway from the study is that people who cannot reduce their sedentary time can still benefit by boosting their daily steps.

#4. Devil’s Gulch Hike, Samuel P. Taylor SP. Tom Coroneos, who put this video with Platero music together, is one of the “team members” of our weekly Bay Area Ridge Trail hikes. Not everyone is lucky enough to have a friend who is a videographer and captures their adventures! This episode is an out-and-back walk in Samuel Pt. Taylor SP in Marin. One of the easiest of our outings—flat, on a well-maintained trail and surrounded by redwoods, ferns, wildflowers–and hundreds of butterflies also enjoying the sunny day.

An unexpected highlight was running into Rob and Kathryn Dunning, who have been volunteer hosts in the park since November. They will be leaving shortly to host at Eagle Point Campground, Emerald Bay State Park at Lake Tahoe, and will return to Samuel P. Taylor again in the fall.  What a life! Doing good, living in gorgeous places, meeting people from around the world, and enjoying great hiking!


Along the Bolinas Ridge Trail
#5. Watch out for ticks! On a recent hike along Bolinas Ridge Trail in gorgeous Marin County, we ran into a less wonderful sight! Ticks all over the dog we were hiking with—and while trying to remove them—climbing aboard our hiking partner, Patricia. The count was upwards of fifty. Being at the end of the line as we went through the tall grasses lining the narrow dirt trail, I ended up with only one minute critter. Luckily, none of the ticks had time to burrow in.

Katelyn Jetelina, in her State of Affairs: May 23, 2024 State of Affairs: May 23, 2024 Your Public Health Weather Report wrote: “Ticks thrive in the warm weather and lush vegetation of spring. Ticks can carry pathogens that cause over a dozen diseases, including Lyme disease. Lyme disease often causes flu-like symptoms and, if left untreated, can lead to more serious complications such as neurological and cardiac issues. 

“Today, emergency room department visits for tick bites are high. This seems to be a middle-of-the-road season compared to other years. Regardless, by the end of the year, more than 500,000 people will be diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease alone. 

“Not all ticks carry disease, and the risk of contracting a tick-borne illness depends on the tick species, geographic location, and how long the tick is attached. In general, tick diseases are more concentrated in the Northeast.  (Source: CDC; Annotated by YLE)

“You can do many things to protect yourself from ticks, such as applying DEET or picaridin, treating clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin, and conducting thorough tick checks after outdoor activities. Subscribe info here. 

This post was a team effort at YLE crafted by Andrea Tamayo, Sarah Gillani, Jessica Steier, and Katelyn Jetelina. Our main goal is to “translate” the ever-evolving public health science so that people will be well-equipped to make evidence-based decisions.” 

#6.Regional: San Francisco’s Crosstown and Doublecross walks. “Celebrate the 5th anniversary of the Crosstown Trail by getting out for a walk this June. We are offering over 15 guided walks and events you can choose from. See blurbs below or visit the event page to learn more and register. Link for remaining hikes here! 

“New Route & New Website: This year we are celebrating our anniversary with the adoption of a new route and website! The Double Cross Trail forms an “X” with the Crosstown Trail, and traverses the city from the southwest to the northeast. We’re tweaking the original Crosstown Trail route, highlighting new or enhanced trailside features. These changes are motivated in part by a diversion to see a new mural on a birthday hike for Bob Siegel, champion of the Crosstown Trails.” 

A few of the June guided hikes: Follow the link to see all and/or to register!!!! https://crosstowntrail.org/2024/05/16/crosstown-trail-5th-anniversary/

Wednesday, June 5 | 9 a.m. to noonish.The Midweek Up, Over, and Down Special: Start at Duboce Park, ascend to Twin Peaks, and descend to Glen Park BART by wandering back and forth from the Double Cross Trail to the Ridge Trail to the Crosstown Trail. The 6.5 mile walk will permit us to experience the splendor of trail connections in the heart of the city.

Saturday, June 15 | 9:30 a.m. to about 4:30 p.m. The BART-to-BART Crosstown Combo: This 10-mile walk features many iconic San Francisco landmarks. We start at Glen Park BART, walk Glen Canyon to the “Tri-Trail Junction” where the Crosstown, Double Cross, and Bay Area Ridge Trails meet. Then over Twin Peaks, through Tank Hill, Mt. Olympus, and Buena Vista Park. We then head to Nob Hill, Chinatown, and North Beach to descend the Greenwich Steps to Levi’s Plaza and continue to Embarcadero Station for a true BART-to-BART excursion.

Friday, June 21 | 9 a.m. to late afternoon. A Crosstown Solstice Walk: Borrowing from our new Double Cross route and the original Crosstown Trail, we will walk from the Embarcadero’s northeast tip to Lands End, a 16-mile meander through the heart of the city and out to the ocean. Highlights include Chinatown, Nob Hill, Alamo Square, Mt. Sutro, Lobos Creek Valley, and more.

Sunday, June 23. Sunrise to Sundown: The Joyful 5th Anniversary SFCT Free-for-All. Set out on your own or with as many friends as you gather to walk, ride, or run as many miles as your soles/souls permit. Members of the Crosstown Trail Coalition will be at the Tri-Trail Junction at Portola Dr. and Twin Peaks Blvd., (the convergence of the Crosstown Trail, the Double Cross Trail, and Bay Area Ridge Trail) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., to share your joy, whenever you stride through. No registration needed.

Saturday, June 29. 10 a.m. to about 4 p.m. Up, Down, and Around the Crosstown and Double Cross Trails. On this approx. 6-mile walk, we’ll trek up, down, and around San Francisco’s famous peaks on the Crosstown and Double Cross Trails. Explore different habitats, discover secret stairs, and take in the stunning views–while catching our breath!”

Remember, there are several more events this month; check the website for more hikes, info, registration. Mailing address: Crosstown Trail, 1074 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA 94103. https://crosstowntrail.org/

+++++
Susan ‘backpack45’ Alcorn
Shepherd Canyon Books, Oakland, CA
https://www.susandalcorn.com
https://www.backpack45.com

Author of Walk, Hike, Saunter: Seasoned Women Share Tales and Trails; Healing Miles: Gifts from the Caminos Norte and Primitivo; Patagonia Chronicle: On Foot in Torres del Paine; We’re in the Mountains Not over the Hill: Tales and Tips from Seasoned Women Backpackers; and Camino Chronicle: Walking to Santiago.

Thank you everyone. Stay well, keep hiking when prudent. I encourage you to send in items of interest to the hiking community to me at backpack45 “at sign” yahoo.com

Please note: Hiking and backpacking can be risky endeavors. Always be prepared for emergencies and carry food, water, shelter (warm clothing, etc.), flashlight/headlamp, matches, first aid supplies, and maps. Cell phones don’t always work. Leave word where you are traveling and when you are due back.  

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Susan Alcorn’s Backpacking & Hiking Tales & Tips, March 2024

Susan Alcorn’s Backpacking & Hiking Tales and Tips, March 2024
Walking on air or water is nothing as miraculous as walking on earth. 
-Thich Nhat Hanh

Contents:
1. How long does it take to get fit again?
2. Yellowstone’s “winterkeeper”
3. Should I use insoles with hiking shoes?
4. Accommodations on the Camino Frances
5. Regional: San Francisco Bay Area. Guided Hikes at Máyyan ‘Ooyákma!
6. Nor Cal Camino Chapter’s celebration March 16

Articles:
#1.How Long Does It Take to Get Fit Again? “Use it or lose it.” Most of us have experienced losing fitness to our cardiovascular health or muscle strength, or both, when not exercising for a period of time. Here are some findings on how fast we might lose it and how to get back in shape–excerpts from The New York Times article, by Knvul Sheikh.  Link here.  
a. Cardiovascular health declines more rapidly than muscle strength. About eight weeks out is the point when muscle strength begins to decline. But, decline is affected by age as well as many other factors. Studies show that older adults lose fitness at nearly twice the rate of 20- to 30-year-olds.
b. “You can regain approximately one-half of your fitness in 10 to 14 days with moderately hard workouts,” said Dr. Edward Coyle, professor of kinesiology and health education at the University of Texas at Austin.
c.  However, one study found that older adults, after a 12-week break, needed up to eight weeks of retraining. 
d. Hikers, when trying to get back into shape, can start retraining by walking, then jogging, then running. Many trainers suggest increasing your workouts by a bit less than 10% per week, but listen to your own body.
e. Suggestions for those who can’t get to the gym or trail for an extended period—use the stairs, do short interval workouts, use weights.

 Yellowstone, Fall 2023. Photo by Susan Alcorn

 #2.Yellowstone’s “Winterkeeper”. “Steven Fuller is a winter caretaker who has lived and worked at Yellowstone National Park for the last 50 years.” From the Guardian.com
George Mattson, a family friend, recently sent us the following link that takes us through the decades that Fuller has worked in the park. Mattson himself spent his early years with his family in Yellowstone National Park . Being there year round, he also experienced long Yellowstone winters. Enjoy the 12-1/2 minute video from The Guardian.com here.  

 
Yellowstone, Fall 2023, Photo by Susan Alcorn

#3. Should I use insoles with hiking shoes? Treeline Review gives suggestions and recommendations for using insoles. Click here for their report.  Susan adds: Because my hiking shoes (Altra) have minimal cushioning and I often walk on paved trails (rather than dirt, which has far less impact on feet), I wear Spenco Rx Comfort Thin Lightweight Cushioning Orthotic Shoe Insole. They are long-lasting and do not absorb water (the last thing you want is your insoles becoming sponges!) And, because I have had plantar fasciitis and prefer not to suffer from it again, I also replace my shoes’ original insoles and wear  orthotics for their greater support.

#4. Camino interest: Where to stay along the Camino Frances (the most popular of the pilgrim routes to Santiago). From Michael Matynka at Wise Pilgrim is this up-dated list of accommodations on the Camino Frances. Link here. 

#5. Regional: San Francisco Bay Area. Guided and Unguided Hikes at Máyyan ‘Ooyákma! Information from Open Space Authority.
This is a brand-new park. “Máyyan ‘Ooyákma (pronounced My-yahn Oiy-yahkmah) directly translates to Coyote Ridge in the Chochenyo language. Chochenyo is the language stewarded by the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe of the San Francisco Bay Area, whose members trace their ancestry to the Indigenous Peoples, or aboriginal inhabitants, of this region. The Open Space Authority is partnering with the Muwekma Ohlone to raise awareness about the importance of the protection of irreplaceable landscapes.”

Máyyan ‘Ooyákma – Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserve is 1,859 acres and connects over 1 million acres of important habitat in the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Diablo Range. It has five miles of trail, some of which was carefully constructed by hand in order to protect the fragile habitat. Three miles of it is designated as a portion of Bay Area Ridge Trail, a regional trail system that will someday stretch more than 550 miles along the ridge lines that encircle San Francisco Bay. The park is approximately 20 miles from downtown San Jose.

Visitors are required to carry a free “Butterfly Pass” for hiking, biking, or horseback riding on the trails located inside the Habitat Protection Area. The three trails in the Habitat Protection Area are the Serpentine Spring Trail, Tule Elk Trail, and Bay Checkerspot Trail. This is because the “unique landscape is a biodiversity hotspot for endangered plants and animals” – including the rare Mount Hamilton thistle, Western burrowing owls, the Federally protected Checkerspot butterfly and the rare serpentine grasslands.  

Spring is prime time to see the grasslands dazzling with California poppies, lupine, mariposa lilies, goldfield, tidy tips, and more. In the fall, visitors are likely to hear the male tule elk bugling during the mating season.

The preserve is temporarily closed due to the large amount of recent rain. Check the chart, link here, to see visiting days and hours. Reservations are required for guided tours to see the protected areas. The hiking trails do not require reservations.  Map and schedule for open times, click here.

Address: 9611 Malech Rd, Morgan Hill, CA 95037. Directions: From Hwy 101 or Hwy 85.  East on Bailey Avenue, Continue on to Malech Road.  Free public parking area on the right. No pets allowed. Phone: (408) 224-7476

#6. Regional: Northern California Camino Chapter’s Celebration March 16. Guy Joaquin, group co-cordinator, recently posted information about  the group’s upcoming Shell Ceremony & Potluck. Saturday, March 16, 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM in Oakland, CA.
“Help us celebrate our pilgrims heading out to the Camino this year at our annual Shell Ceremony & Potluck. We’ll be gathering at St. Augustine Church in Oakland with special guests to confer scallop shells (symbol of the pilgrimage) to outbound pilgrims as well as recognize departing volunteer hospitaleros. Please click the link below for the full announcement and to register for this event.

 

Lunch at an early Nor Cal Pilgrim fall gathering (2009). It has grown!

Schedule: Doors open at 9:30 AM. After the shell ceremony, we’ll have lunch then our breakout session. We plan to finish up by 3:30 PM. We always need help with cleaning up afterwards. All are welcome to attend.

Getting There: By Car: Use Google Maps or your favorite map app for directions. St. Augustine is located at 400 Alcatraz Avenue off of College Avenue in Oakland. The church is on the right side between Dana and Colby Streets when heading west towards the bay and the parking lot entrance is on the left side of the building. Meet us on the bottom floor of the gym/multi-use building across the courtyard on the right side of the church (follow our yellow arrows).

By BART/Bus/Foot: From Rockridge BART, take AC Transit bus 51B towards the Berkeley campus and offboard at College/Alcatraz (15 min). Walk west on Alcatraz to St. Augustine (0.3 mi). To walk from the station, head north along College towards campus and turn left on Alcatraz (0.7 mi).

Carpooling: Registered participants will have access to an online “Carpool Bulletin Board” to post a message if they need a ride or can give one.

What to Bring: Your favorite dish or drink to share. Extra points for something from the Camino. Wine counts, too! Here’s a request to cover our bases: If your last name begins with H-Z, bring a food dish (main, side, salad with serving utensils). If it begins with A-G, bring a dessert or beverage (coffee will be provided). We’ll have 3×5 index cards on hand to make a label for your dish.

Be Green! We encourage you to bring your own plates, cups and utensils to help us to minimize trash and reduce costs on disposable items. There is a kitchen to wash items after use.

El Rastro: El Rastro is a gigantic flea market in Madrid. Bring your excess gear, memorabilia, guidebooks and other good “junk” you thought you needed, but don’t anymore. There will be an area to display your items. This will be a “cash-free” zone. Bring it and forget it! See something you want? Take it.

Camino Market: We invite Camino authors, artists, creatives, and other vendors to display and sell your wares. There will be a table set aside for your use. Note: American Pilgrims does not endorse any of the products. We are solely providing a space to connect sellers and buyers.

Contributions: Please help us cover our event expenses (room, supplies) with a cash contribution to our donativo box at the check-in table. Your generosity allows us to devote more resources to our mission that includes supporting the Camino infrastructure through our Grants program.

Advance online registration is required. Click the Register Now button below to sign up by Friday, March 15.

Cancellation: If you are unable to attend, please email us at norcal@americanpilgrims.org so we can update our list.”

Register Now

Visit the Northern California Chapter page
Join the Northern California Camino Pilgrims Facebook group
Subscribe to our YouTube channel
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Thank you everyone. Stay well, keep hiking when prudent. I encourage you to send in items of interest to the hiking community to me at backpack45 “at sign” yahoo.com

Susan ‘backpack45’ Alcorn
Shepherd Canyon Books, Oakland, CA
https://www.susandalcorn.com
https://www.backpack45.com

Author of Walk, Hike, Saunter: Seasoned Women Share Tales and Trails; Healing Miles: Gifts from the Caminos Norte and Primitivo; Patagonia Chronicle: On Foot in Torres del Paine; We’re in the Mountains Not over the Hill: Tales and Tips from Seasoned Women Backpackers; and Camino Chronicle: Walking to Santiago.

Please note: Hiking and backpacking can be risky endeavors. Always be prepared for emergencies and carry food, water, shelter (warm clothing, etc.), flashlight/headlamp, matches, first aid supplies, and maps. Cell phones don’t always work. Leave word where you are traveling and when you are due back.

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Susan Alcorn’s Backpacking & Hiking Tales and Tips, July 2021

Susan Alcorn’s Backpacking & Hiking Tales and Tips, #265 July 2021

 

Wishing you a happy and safe 4th of July!!!

Contents:
#1. Yosemite’s new climbing exhibits — read more
#2. “Hiking the Appalachian Trail: A Beginner’s Guide” by Karen Berger
#3. Amanda Schaffer, the Pilgrim Pouch, and Susan Alcorn’s interview
#4. Six Moon’s description of trail on Mt. St. Helens
#5. We are changing newsletter hosts
#6. Lightning risk ratings
#7. Pilgrim Gathering — reminder
#8. John Ladd presents
#9. The ALDHA-West Gathering to be Virtual in 2021

Read More
 
 

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