by Paul Haan, edited by J.H. Young
used with permission, from greatlakeshikes email group, and including additional information from various responses.
I stumbled across something this weekend that really set my teeth on edge. Our trail crew with the Western Michigan Chapter NCTA was out mowing back the bracken ferns along the trail in northern Newaygo County on cool, beautiful, breezy Sunday morning. Shortly before noon, I decided to bushwhack back from the car towards the mowing crew for which I was waiting. On my way through the brush, I stumbled across a recently vacated backpacker campsite. There, in the middle of it all, was an unattended, smoldering pile of ashes.
I couldn't believe my eyes. The wind was blowing at a good 25 mph, and some knuckleheads didn't have the common sense to put out their campfire before leaving?
With the windy conditions that morning, I would say the odds would have been pretty good for a forest fire had I not found their leavings. Perhaps they "thought" it was out, but it certainly wasn't. This location was a mere 2 miles south of where a couple of careless backpackers burned up 40 acres just a few years back.
Thankfully, their Leave No Trace practices weren't much better than their fire dousing skills, making it easy for me to trip across the smoldering ashes. They also left a wad of duct tape, a ziplock bag, and the matted down ferns . The fire was only about 60" off the trail and about 100" from the Cedar Creek drainage.
In response to this posting, other reported coming across campfires blazing high, less than three feet from stacked woodpiles with no human anywhere in the vicinity. Two of these instances were in the northern Manistee Forest, near Coates Highway, and one other one near Newaygo.
It's beginning to seem quite miraculous that we still have the Manistee National Forest intact to recreate in.
PLEASE, if you find it necessary to build a fire in the back country, make sure it is good and out before you leave. And while you're at it, PLEASE try to camp at LEAST 200" off trail and away from the water sources upon which we all depend.
See Great Lakes Hikes email group
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Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Monday, July 14, 2008
Frida Gets Off the Couch - Way Off!
Frida Waara courtesy photo |
Skis? “Check.” Poles? “Check.” Seventy-five pounds of gear? “Check.” Satellite phone? “Check.” Helicopter ride? “Hey, where in the world are you going, Frida?”
Frida Waara of Marquette, Michigan wants to become one of the few women on the planet to have visited both of the Earth’s poles. She’s halfway there.
I recently had the opportunity to share my hiking adventures at one of the DNR’s popular Becoming an Outdoors Woman weekends. While chatting with two ladies, one of them displayed a yellow WomenQuest patch on her jacket, pointed at the other gal and asked, “You know who you are talking with, don’t you?” Suddenly it clicked, and I was jumping up and down yelling “You’re the Frida who skied to the North Pole with Sue Carter!” Indeed, she is just that Frida.
The twelve women who reached the Pole (on my birthday, no less) in 2001 never received the publicity they deserved. No one died, lost body parts, was attacked by a polar bear, or even fell through the ice. Frida, who was also the group’s videographer, commented dryly, “If nothing goes wrong, TV stations just won’t air your film.” Trek leader Carter wrote about the expedition and titled the book “Ordinary Women,” probably another ho-hum to the news media. Yet that was the whole point– to put together a group of adventurers who were not world renowned explorers and prove to a younger generation of girls that dreams are meant for them too. Any woman who applied, who could master the training regimen and come up with the cash, was accepted. The only reason they got there without me was that I knew nothing about the expedition until after the fact.
But back to Frida. “Snow is my favorite toy!” she chortled. She grew up in an active family whose vacations included swimming, canoeing, biking and skiing. She was encouraged to be comfortable in the out-of-doors and in her own body. Visiting France with her family as a young teenager, she was separated from the others when the ski run she took deposited her in a completely different town. But having been taught to be independent and resourceful she managed to find her way back to the ski area. Not the typical actions of a young lady, a continent away from home, several decades ago.
Frida Waara skis her way to the North Pole in 2001 courtesy photo |
She is attracted to people with the same spirit of adventure, and loves to help other women learn how to become comfortable in the outdoors. “ When we are taken away from our normal work mode, we must learn to make decisions and solve problems.” She encourages everyone to “do something that no one can take away.”
And that other Pole? She’s gearing up to make a film called “Condition One,” about the Antarctic. Condition One is the term for weather so bad that humans are not allowed out of the base camps. “Um, I guess that means you’ll be out in it if you plan to film it,” I said. I could hear her smiling right over the phone line.
Frida Waara will be in Ludington, Michigan, sharing more about her adventures, on the evening of September 13, 2008. Save the date! (For more info contact Joan Young)
These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid
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See Skiing
Monday, February 18, 2008
Michigan's Recreation Treasure Chest
Nordhouse Dunes photo JHY |
"Aye, aye, my friend, t'is real, and we've got the treasure map!" (Now I'm talking.) That's the amount of money distributed since 1976 for approved recreation projects in the state of Michigan from the Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF). Over thirty years that's an annual average of $20 million! In recreation circles, that's a huge pile of coins and jewels. The entire 4600-mile North Country National Scenic Trail limps along on an annual budget of under $1 million.
If your eye pauses at articles about recreation projects as it slides across the printed word, you've noticed lately that a number of governmental units have been spiffing up their five-year master recreation plans. Mason County and Manistee County each have whole web pages devoted to keeping the public informed about those documents (masoncorec.wordpress.com/ and manisteecorecreation.wordpress.com/) The City of Scottville recently amended theirs in order to add purchase of riverfront property and development of recreation facilities on the old Mason County Landfill site. And Hart is working hard on theirs in order to refurbish John Gurney Park.
Those plans are the key to the treasure chest– no plan, no chance to dip your hands into the chest full of gold doubloons.
How did the chest get so full of loot? The coffer is filled by annual revenues from the development of State-owned mineral resources, largely oil and gas. The Fund is governed by a board of trustees which meets six times a year, and the meetings are open to the public.
Pirate chests are seldom filled by taking a vote, but that's how this treasure came to be replenished, by law. The Michigan legislature created a fund, the Kammer Recreational Land Trust Fund, in 1976 which received a portion of revenue from state-owned mineral rights. But if you remember voting in 1984, the public– you and I– passed Proposal B to establish the MNRTF I vaguely remember punching my ballot card and cynically thinking, "right... I wonder where this money will eventually be sidetracked." But I was wrong to be so wary.
Over the thirty years, Mason County has benefitted to the tune of $7.7 million, Manistee County– $10.9 million, Lake County– $145, 000 and Oceana County– $888,000. Familiar local projects which have received funds include the Hart-Montague Rail Trail, Ludington Waterfront Park and Scottville Riverside Park. Manistee's downtown Riverwalk, and Lake County's Shrine of the Pines have also benefitted. The big local winner was the settlement with Miller Brothers for the acquisition of Nordhouse Dunes, over $4 million for that project alone. And various other projects in the four counties, 23 in all, have received grant money.
Twice each year, projects are approved to receive funding. Three-quarters of the projects are required by law to be for land acquisition, with the rest allowed to be for recreational development. Only one third of the fund's revenue each year can be granted out, with the rest going to build the principal until a cap of $500 million dollars is reached. The trust fund board estimates that will happen in 2016. After that, available revenue will come from investment income.
Next time you read about a Master Plan for Recreation, perk up and consider participating in the public portions of the process. X marks the very real spot for the treasure to build the park or trail you dream of. That's worth a hearty "Aaaaargh!"
by Joan H. Young
These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid
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See Nordhouse Dunes
See Hart Montague Rail Trail
See Get Off The Couch
Techno-Hostage?
The following is an excerpt from a story which we believe is worthy of reading, but would lose too much of its charm if it were re-written for presentation on this blog. Please link through for the rest of the story, but hurry back! ... Editor
by Charles Slat
"Whether they're cell phones, laptop computers, video games or HDTVs, we Americans love our gizmos.
Although the cost of electronic wizardry is falling, the Consumer Electronics Institute recorded an 8.2 percent increase in sales for 2007, totaling $161 billion. And that's projected to rise another 6.1 percent this year.
About $2.2 billion in HDTVs were sold this year alone in advance of the Super Bowl.
At our house, we have our share of technology. During that heavy snowfall last week, two of my kids came home from school and cozied up in front of the computer while I fruitlessly tried to keep snow from piling up on the porch and steps outside.
After nightfall when the snow slackened, I did some cross-country skiing on a little trail cut through the small meadow out back. It was one of those nights when the snow had blanketed whiteness and silence over everything, muffling distance sounds and amplifying closer ones.... "
finish the story at the Monroe News - see FAIR USE notice.
These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid
Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch
by Charles Slat
"Whether they're cell phones, laptop computers, video games or HDTVs, we Americans love our gizmos.
Although the cost of electronic wizardry is falling, the Consumer Electronics Institute recorded an 8.2 percent increase in sales for 2007, totaling $161 billion. And that's projected to rise another 6.1 percent this year.
About $2.2 billion in HDTVs were sold this year alone in advance of the Super Bowl.
At our house, we have our share of technology. During that heavy snowfall last week, two of my kids came home from school and cozied up in front of the computer while I fruitlessly tried to keep snow from piling up on the porch and steps outside.
After nightfall when the snow slackened, I did some cross-country skiing on a little trail cut through the small meadow out back. It was one of those nights when the snow had blanketed whiteness and silence over everything, muffling distance sounds and amplifying closer ones.... "
finish the story at the Monroe News - see FAIR USE notice.
These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid
Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch
One Pair at a Time
The following is an excerpt from a story which we believe is worthy of reading, but would lose too much of its charm if it were re-written for presentation on this blog. Please link through for the rest of the story, but hurry back! ... Editor
by Sam Cook
"Joe Prijatel had no choice but to build himself a pair of snowshoes. He couldn’t afford the $5 to buy a pair.
The year was about 1938, and Prijatel was working in a Civilian Conservation Corps camp near Ely, Minn. If a guy wanted to get around in the woods, he needed a good pair of snowshoes.
Prijatel has never stopped making snowshoes. At 88, he’s been at it for 70 years. But the price of snowshoes has changed some... "
finish the story at the Duluth News Tribune - see FAIR USE notice.
These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid
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by Sam Cook
Joe Prijatel photo Duluth News Tribune |
The year was about 1938, and Prijatel was working in a Civilian Conservation Corps camp near Ely, Minn. If a guy wanted to get around in the woods, he needed a good pair of snowshoes.
Prijatel has never stopped making snowshoes. At 88, he’s been at it for 70 years. But the price of snowshoes has changed some... "
finish the story at the Duluth News Tribune - see FAIR USE notice.
These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid
Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch
Fighting Non-Native Plants
The following is an excerpt from a story which we believe is worthy of reading, but would lose too much of its value if it were re-written for presentation on this blog. Please link through for the rest of the story, but hurry back! ... Editor
by John Hogan
" Take a walk through a neighborhood park or nature preserve, and you likely will see fast-food wrappers, maybe shreds of yellowed newspapers wedged beneath a tangle of branches.
Unattended shrubs and plants that sprouted on their own often create an impenetrable mat where lawn meets woods. It's a familiar sight in home landscapes as well.
The average homeowner probably can't identify these densely branched bushes, but appreciate the fact they thrive on neglect.
Cheryl Tolley's property in northeast Kent County has the same thing going on, but the native plant expert knows her plants... "
finish the story at the Grand Rapids Press - see FAIR USE notice.
These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid
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by John Hogan
invasive spotted knapweed photo from bwca.com |
Unattended shrubs and plants that sprouted on their own often create an impenetrable mat where lawn meets woods. It's a familiar sight in home landscapes as well.
The average homeowner probably can't identify these densely branched bushes, but appreciate the fact they thrive on neglect.
Cheryl Tolley's property in northeast Kent County has the same thing going on, but the native plant expert knows her plants... "
finish the story at the Grand Rapids Press - see FAIR USE notice.
These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid
Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch
Hamlin Township Hoping for New Playground Equipment
Hamlin Township (Mason County, Michigan) Supervisor, Nancy Vandervest reports that the board will review a grant application for new playground equipment.
A company called Game Time, of Alabama, offers the grants in cooperation with the Trust for Public Land. The township would need to provide 50% of the money for the equipment. The goal is to replace older metal-frame swings and slides with newer equipment.
The exact units to be replaced has not been determined, but Wilson Hill and South Bayou Parks are being discussed. Vandervest says that their choices range from $6000 to $100,000 for play structures, giving them lots of options.
Volunteers would probably be called upon to help assemble the structures.
New grills for the parks is also being discussed.
from the Ludington Daily News, "Hamlin Looking Into Playground Equipment", by Brian Mulherin, Feb 14, 2008, article not available on line
These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid
Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch
A company called Game Time, of Alabama, offers the grants in cooperation with the Trust for Public Land. The township would need to provide 50% of the money for the equipment. The goal is to replace older metal-frame swings and slides with newer equipment.
The exact units to be replaced has not been determined, but Wilson Hill and South Bayou Parks are being discussed. Vandervest says that their choices range from $6000 to $100,000 for play structures, giving them lots of options.
Volunteers would probably be called upon to help assemble the structures.
New grills for the parks is also being discussed.
from the Ludington Daily News, "Hamlin Looking Into Playground Equipment", by Brian Mulherin, Feb 14, 2008, article not available on line
These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid
Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch
Forest Service Working On New Planning Rule
The U.S. Forest Service has moved one step closer to finalizing a new planning rule that will engage the public in the development, implementation and monitoring of forest plans. The release of the agency's Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the 2008 Planning Rule identifies the Forest Service's preferred alternative and is a procedural move towards the implementation of a new planning rule.
The planning rule is important because it brings people together with the Forest Service to develop land management plans which provide the framework for all resource and recreation management on national forests and grasslands nationwide.
"The process of developing a forest plan is a public service that ensures a great future for national forests on behalf of the American public," stated Joel Holtrop, Deputy Chief of the National Forest System. "We're proud of this vitally important planning process and yet we recognize that improvements were needed to emphasize more public collaboration, to be more adaptive to changing environmental conditions, and to ensure the protection of wildlife. The preferred alternative encompasses all of these elements."
After receiving and considering over 79, 000 comments on a draft environmental impact statement, the Forest Service developed 'Alternative M' as their preferred alternative. The alternative is based on public comment and builds on the 1982, 2002, and 2005 Planning Rules and years of professional forest planning experience. The preferred alternative provides extensive public participation and offers an approach to quickly respond to changing natural resource conditions.
"This preferred alternative expands public involvement by requiring early and frequent public dialogue in all phases of the development, implementation and monitoring of land management plans," stated David Dillard, Director of Ecosystem Management Coordination. "This exceeds National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements for public involvement. Our goal is to create strong, relevant conversations that address local issues as well as incorporate the latest available science and technology in the plans. Additionally, all plans and projects developed under those plans are expected and required to comply with NEPA."
The preferred alternative is responsive to changing conditions because adaptability is built in the approach. Plans will be able to adjust more quickly to changing conditions such as those brought about by climate change. By doing so, they will better protect resources of the forest and address the concerns of the surrounding communities.
Alternative M requires improved monitoring and sustainability standards for wildlife protection as well as the requirement for an Environmental Management System to be in place prior to the implementation of approved projects. In addition, Forest Service Timber Policy will not be affected by the preferred alternative because resource protections for timber management activities have not changed.
The FEIS will now be sent to the Department of Agriculture for a decision on a final rule for forest planning. The Record of Decision and final rule will be published in the Federal Register in approximately 30 days. Additional information on the planning process can be found at: http://www.fs.fed.us/emc .
a news release of the USDA Forest Service, Feb 7, 2008
These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid
Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch
The planning rule is important because it brings people together with the Forest Service to develop land management plans which provide the framework for all resource and recreation management on national forests and grasslands nationwide.
"The process of developing a forest plan is a public service that ensures a great future for national forests on behalf of the American public," stated Joel Holtrop, Deputy Chief of the National Forest System. "We're proud of this vitally important planning process and yet we recognize that improvements were needed to emphasize more public collaboration, to be more adaptive to changing environmental conditions, and to ensure the protection of wildlife. The preferred alternative encompasses all of these elements."
After receiving and considering over 79, 000 comments on a draft environmental impact statement, the Forest Service developed 'Alternative M' as their preferred alternative. The alternative is based on public comment and builds on the 1982, 2002, and 2005 Planning Rules and years of professional forest planning experience. The preferred alternative provides extensive public participation and offers an approach to quickly respond to changing natural resource conditions.
"This preferred alternative expands public involvement by requiring early and frequent public dialogue in all phases of the development, implementation and monitoring of land management plans," stated David Dillard, Director of Ecosystem Management Coordination. "This exceeds National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements for public involvement. Our goal is to create strong, relevant conversations that address local issues as well as incorporate the latest available science and technology in the plans. Additionally, all plans and projects developed under those plans are expected and required to comply with NEPA."
The preferred alternative is responsive to changing conditions because adaptability is built in the approach. Plans will be able to adjust more quickly to changing conditions such as those brought about by climate change. By doing so, they will better protect resources of the forest and address the concerns of the surrounding communities.
Alternative M requires improved monitoring and sustainability standards for wildlife protection as well as the requirement for an Environmental Management System to be in place prior to the implementation of approved projects. In addition, Forest Service Timber Policy will not be affected by the preferred alternative because resource protections for timber management activities have not changed.
The FEIS will now be sent to the Department of Agriculture for a decision on a final rule for forest planning. The Record of Decision and final rule will be published in the Federal Register in approximately 30 days. Additional information on the planning process can be found at: http://www.fs.fed.us/emc .
a news release of the USDA Forest Service, Feb 7, 2008
These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid
Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch
Saturday, February 16, 2008
How Readers Enjoy the Winter
The last poll here got a few more responses, 13 in all. Still a very small sample. The question was: "What is your favorite winter exercise?" Over 50% said they prefer cross-country skiing for their winter exercise, and two people admitted to being winter couch potatoes! No one said that they moved their exercise to indoor gyms for the winter. Perhaps outdoor folk just prefer to stay that way.
One person liked downhill skiing, and another chose "other outdoor activity." No one who responded marked snowboarding, but two people liked to snowshoe.
So, for the next unscientific poll let's find out how far you have trekked on your longest hike. Look to the right and participate. It's just for fun!
by Joan H. Young
These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid
Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch
One person liked downhill skiing, and another chose "other outdoor activity." No one who responded marked snowboarding, but two people liked to snowshoe.
So, for the next unscientific poll let's find out how far you have trekked on your longest hike. Look to the right and participate. It's just for fun!
by Joan H. Young
These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid
Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch
Snowshoeing the North Country Trail
The following is an excerpt from a story which we believe is worthy of reading, but would lose too much of its charm if it were re-written for presentation on this blog. Please link through for the rest of the story, but hurry back! ... Editor
by Dave Alexander
"The creative marketing genius who developed the "Pure Michigan" tourism campaign surely must have snowshoed the North Country Trail as it winds through Newaygo County.
Nothing is more "Pure Michigan" than a pristine snowfall on a hiking trail that links West Michigan pine groves, hardwood forests and creek valleys.
I explored the West Michigan portion of the North Country National Scenic Trail recently while introducing Chronicle colleagues Lynn Moore and Cory Morse to snowshoeing.
One day this January provided a perfect afternoon of cool temperatures, an overnight blanket of new snow, intermittent snow showers and sunshine so typical here of the lake-effect snow pattern.... "
finish the story at the Muskegon Chronicle - see FAIR USE notice.
These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid
Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch
by Dave Alexander
Muskegon Chronicle Cory Morse |
Nothing is more "Pure Michigan" than a pristine snowfall on a hiking trail that links West Michigan pine groves, hardwood forests and creek valleys.
I explored the West Michigan portion of the North Country National Scenic Trail recently while introducing Chronicle colleagues Lynn Moore and Cory Morse to snowshoeing.
One day this January provided a perfect afternoon of cool temperatures, an overnight blanket of new snow, intermittent snow showers and sunshine so typical here of the lake-effect snow pattern.... "
finish the story at the Muskegon Chronicle - see FAIR USE notice.
These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid
Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch
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