Der Yodelblog

A photo preview from our latest Editor's Choice testing junket to Switzerland

Dusk near the top of Hannamoospass

Well, I'm still tired. All my stinky gear is STILL in the duffle it was hastily crammed into whilst leaving Grindelwald. I've got a wicked chest cold (again). And I've barely left the couch -or set down the remote control - since returning to Rancho Elvis. Sounds like my typical post-trip chaos and sloth.

I have, however, edited my way through most of the 2,000 keeper photos I shot. So it's time for a virtual field trip, kiddies.

Enjoy this peek into Switzerland  - an unbelievably awesome country. My application for cultural asylum is still in process. Stay tuned. -- Steve Howe Read Full Story...

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Friday, November 06, 2009 in: Survival
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Off to the Alps

A few Alaska photos, an expedition website, and a quick update on Editor's Choice 2010

Sorry I'm late again teacher. No unique excuse, just got big-time busy turning around a bunch of article re-writes, editing all my Alaska slides, and getting ready to jet off in about five minutes on our annual Editor's Choice testing trip.

This time it's the Alps. The location's still kinda secret, but let's just say it's a place with lots of chocolate, discreet bankers, and cute little pocket knives

So, for eight days your tireless Backpacker testing crew is going into full yodel, splitting into two groups that will each backpack half of a long-distance alpine trek, meeting in the middle. Enroute we'll be shooting photos and video while lab-hamstering new standout gear that testers and staffers have nominated for 2010 E.C. .

Now, conventional wisdom might dictate that we'll just be junketing from beer hall to beer hall, waiting for payola to dictate our award  choices. But the sad reality is that we'll just be humping too-large loads of superfluous consumer goods on a magnificent high Alpine trek, and then arguing into the wee hours about our choices. Read Full Story...

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Sunday, October 25, 2009 in: Survival
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Grand Canyon Summer

The Big Ditch had its share of rescues and deaths this season

As of press time, at least six actual hiker/backpackers had died in the canyon. Here's a brief recap of the more interesting incidents. Common themes  were solo travel, and/or lack of advance preparation - such as obtaining current information, carrying enough water, leaving a route itinerary, or getting a required permit. I hope these brief sketches will help others avoid similar mayhem, but I'm buried with magazine work right now, so visit the Grand Canyon National Park's Hike Smart page for specific tips.


April 30th: Three young men, Mark Merril (16), Joey Merrill (22), and Saif Savaya (16),  jumped into the spring-swollen Colorado River at Boat Beach near Phantom Ranch, where the main corridor trails cross on the Silver Bridge at River Mile 88, and attempted to swim across the swift current that runs through Granite Gorge. The trio were visiting the park in a 30-person Baptist church group on their annual Grand Canyon hiking retreat. All three were swept into Bright Angel Rapids, a swiftwater section that runs beneath the Bridge. Mark Merrill's body was found a mile downstream on May 1st. The other two weren't located until May 15th, below Boucher Rapids, over ten miles downriver from where they jumped in. Read Full Story...

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Thursday, October 15, 2009 in: Survival, Skills & tips
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Smarten up

A smarmy checklist of 8 steps that would prevent most searches, rescues and deaths in the woods

Hey campers, I've been reviewing the summer's more interesting and/or instructional rescue incidents and basically yawning over 95% of them. Not to minimize the pain, suffering and pathos of the several dozen unfortunates who died or were injured by falls, heat stroke, hypothermia, or kayaking accidents this summer, but the vast majority of mayhem was caused by what park rangers call 'vacation brain', and what outdoor writers call 'the naturalist's trance.'

Basically, you're in the glorious outdoors, ecstatic to get away from urban or career hell, and you relax, watching the clouds, listening to bird calls, rippling water, and wind blowing through the pines. And then suddenly it's dusk, you're not sure where you are, the temperature's dropping, and it's started to rain. All of a sudden nature's not so fun.

This does not just occur to urban refugees btw; The modern ski-town crop of lycra-sheathed hardbodies has had their share of 'training mishaps' this summer, setting off on hammer trail runs without map, compass or awareness, and scrambling peaks in ultralight, ultra-clueless style.

Since survival is all about avoiding survival scenarios, not perservering through them, it's fairly easy to stay out of trouble (most of the time) using a few simple measures. This is not rocket science: Read Full Story...

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Tuesday, October 06, 2009 in: Survival, Skills & tips
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The Guiding Life: Part III

Thoughts on leading a dozen guests through big, bad wilderness

Yo Campers. I've returned from guiding and am back in magazine mode (i.e. stuffed in a closet, pounding keyboard). But here's a a quick recap of my last foray through Zion and Bryce before I dive into assignment catch-up lest the editor's spank me.

Leading a 12-person group was awesome, and demanding, even with a solid assistant guide and a full compliment of upstanding, understanding hikers. For one, with any large group there will be differences in athleticism, pace, temperament and desire. Some people want to hammer. Some want to contemplate. Some are curious about geology and natural history, while others just want to ogle pink rock and blue skies. More people equals more variation in said parameters, but  you've got to keep everyone reasonably together, happy, interested, involved, and last but definitely not least, safe.

This can be a balancing act, and it requires reading each person subtly, especially when high temperatures and sun suddenly make a straightforward hike rather trying, as they did in Bryce. Taken as a whole, the week reminded me forcefully that leading groups is all about fun, but it's no simple walk in the park. Read Full Story...

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Wednesday, September 30, 2009 in: Survival, Skills & tips
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The Guiding Life Part II

Escape from Zion -- with a 100% survival rate!

Greetings campers,  from Las Vegas, Sin City, Glitter Gulch, the Entertainment Capital of the World - if you're a male with weaning issues, anyway. I wanted to blog some from Zion and Bryce, but with a schedule that ran non-stop from 6:30 a.m to 9:30 p.m., that just wasn't gonna happen.

Now all the clients/guests/friends from our trip have bolted for the airport, and most of the post-trip chores are done - the food inventoried, the checklists checked, the expense report reported, the 15-passenger van cleaned and gassed - so I'm temporarily stored here with the rest of the equipment, awaiting the arrival of Lynn Gordon, my assistant guide for Round II, and the next dozen weary, interesting metro refugees yearning for blue skies, red rock and sore muscles.

I'm left with little to do but lounge poolside, just across Tropicana from the Hard Rock Cafe, working hard to tan some pasty body parts between neck and knees, and trying with modest success to think pure and wholesome thoughts. The square miles of racy billboards and acres of tanned flesh here at poolside do not make that easy. But I can always think of Mistress Betty's flashing blue eyes and the fact that I possess no Kevlar underwear, and voila! improper thoughts wilt faster than asparagus after a frost. Read Full Story...

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Saturday, September 19, 2009 in: Survival, Humor/funny
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The Guiding Life

Wherein I return to a former profession, and invite you to join the fun.

I know you're all tired of hearing how manic my life can get, but GAAAAH! I've just finished a preliminary  draft of Alaska and honed the track logs. I've begun editing the photos. I'm getting ready to do re-writes on three separate features. I'm talking with the eds about another one. I've just unpacked all my stinky AK gear, washed it, and thrown it right back in the same duffle. Now, in moments I'm hopping into my ancient truck ("Yota") and taking off for two weeks of guiding in Zion and Bryce.

The half-dozen of you out there who actually read this blog might recall that I was a mountaineering guide in the late 1970's and early 80's. And I liked it a lot...most of the time...unless I had a demanding Type A client or someone who was just a natural born hazard. But that stuff comes with the territory, so I quit after a near-death experience involving guest-propelled rockfall.

Still, over the years I've occasionally enjoyed leading more pedestrian trips. I've taught whitewater kayaking, avalanche safety, backcountry photography, and led remote XC backpacks. I always find it rewarding to pass on skills, tales, and natural history to those who are sincerely interested, and motivated enough to value the experience. So I'm diving back into seasonal guiding in my Southern Utah backyard, leading trips through Zion, Bryce, Escalante and Capitol Reef with experienced outfitter Steve Kasper and REI Adventures. Read Full Story...

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Wednesday, September 09, 2009 in: Survival
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Heroic Headgear: Cold Weather Fashion for the Fearless

Winter's almost here. Time to get your cool on.

I don't know about your neck of the woods, but nights are getting chillier here in Torrey, Utah, and the aspen are beginning to turn gold. That means it's time to check your winter gear and fill in any gaps for the coming arctic months.

Of course, since we're still in economic recession, you'll probably make do with your pre-existing shells, parkas and skis. But recession or not, fashion marches on, and one of the most potent statements one you can make is in the headwear department. Let's face it kiddies; wear the wrong chapeau, and you might as well have a giant L for loser branded on your forehead.

In days of yore, a basic knit cap or Peruvian flap hat earned you cred, but that was sooooo pre-Twitter 2008. Now you've got to get creative.  So, to keep you campers warm and up to date, here's a selection of distinctive cranial coverings. Warning! Fashion wimps  need not apply. Read Full Story...

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Tuesday, September 08, 2009 in: Survival, Humor/funny
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Out of the Wild

An ode to the joys of sloth, and tonza photos too

Greetings earthlings. I have returned from Planet Alaska where I spent the last month bothering bears, chowing berries, hopping boulders and drowning alarm clocks. I am now dedicated to getting my business back in order, eating anything BUT noodles or energy bars, and clearing the backlog on my Tivo.

Ah contrast! The spice of life! There's nothing like a month of healthy living, fresh air, and killer scenery to make you appreciate the fleshy corruptions of civilization. The differences lend perspective and context to life. Everything becomes clearer. I now understand - truly understand - that nachos are the pinnacle of human achievement.
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Friday, September 04, 2009 in: Survival, Humor
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Quickpost from Alaska

A peek behind the curtains at the glamorous life of an outdoor journalist

Greetings from the Sea Bean internet cafe in bustling downtown Seward! Sorry for the slow post. I actually spent most of my flight time up here composing a rather brilliant blog post, but had DNS server complications getting it out from Anchorage. Tragic, really. You'll never know what you missed.

Dang, I need a shower, and badly. Life's been a scramble since I first landed at Ted Stevens International Airport in Anchorage. Grabbing a rental car, finding a throwdown campsite, trying to sort and ready all my camping and media gear amid torrential rain.

Really, what's wrong with the people up here!?! You can't find a decent overhanging roof anywhere in this state! Not even out in front of the Safeway grocery! Baseball dougout sheds at the local city park? All locked. What's a dirtbag journalist supposed to do? Spend money!?! Sorry, that's verboten by my publishing overlords. YOU try sorting a month of camping, photo and video gear inside of a rapidly steaming reantal car while it pours outside. Makes groping high school sex in the back of a VW bug seem straightforward.

After one night I was forced to capitulate and get a cheap motel room to organize. But in the Last Frontier (tm), where a Motel 6 can set you back $140, cheap motel rooms can be alarming places.
Read Full Story...

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Tuesday, August 04, 2009 in: Survival, Humorous/funny
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