Hiking News - March 2009

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Ground Support for Appalachian Trail Conservancy

Monday, 30 March 2009

Boulder, Colo. — La Sportiva N.A., makers of technical climbing, mountaineering, Mountain Running® and hiking footwear is supporting the Appalachian Trail Conservancy's 2009 Ridgerunner and Caretaker program. Specifically, they are providing ATC Ridgerunners with La Sportiva hiking boots including the Cypress, Cascade, and any model from the FC series.

"We are extremely grateful fo r the support that La Sportiva has dedicated to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy's Ridgerunner & Caretaker Program," says Amy McCormick, Corporate and Foundations Manager for ATC. "The Ridgerunner program helps promote a quality recreational trail experience by talking to visitors about the A.T. and its intended primitive experience, its location, regulations, and traditions, as well as ways they can minimize their impact on the Trail. Our ridgerunners monitor 40-100 miles of the A.T. apiece, so they will be very appreciative that La Sportiva is on our team again for 2009."

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy hires approximately 35-40 ridgerunners and caretakers every summer. The ridgerunners serve as "mobile caretakers" who camp out along the Trail, conducting environmental education to ensure that day hikers, backpackers and Trail neighbors will have a positive experience along the Trail's most heavily traversed sections. Ridgerunners also help protect the trail's 280,000-acre land base, acting as liaisons for the ATC, local trail clubs and public land management units traversed by the Trail.

Product highlights from the La Sportiva/ATC sponsorship program include the FC 3.0 GTX, which is a lightweight, versatile, flex friendly, mid-height fabric and leather waterproof hiking boot for day hikes and moderate backpack loads, perfect for conditions along the A.T. The Flex Control technology is designed to allow maximum energy transfer and comfort, while providing support and cushioning on diverse terrain. The FC 3.0 GTX was recognized in Backpacker's 2009 Gear Guide as a "Best Buy" product for the year and is also a select product of the La Sportiva/Grassroots Outdoor Alliance 2009 "Giving Greenback$ (www.givinggreenbacks.com)" campaign. The Backpacker recognition comes on the heels of La Sportiva receiving a "New & Notable" award from Climbing Magazine for their new TC Pro and a "BIG (Best in Gear)" award from Rock & Ice for their Miura VS.

Source: www.outdoorindustry.org

The Camping & Caravanning Club Reveals New Book

Friday, 27 March 2009

The latest edition of The Camping and Caravanning Club's 'Your Big Sites Book' has been unveiled. The UK's most comprehensive campsite guide, exclusive to Club members, is packed with almost 4,000 sites across the UK and Ireland.

Whether your preference is for a full facility site or something a little more remote, Your Big Sites Book will have a pitch to suit all tastes.

Th e widely-recognized guide includes all 109 UK Club Sites, 1,350 Certificated Sites, 21 Forest Holiday Touring Sites and some 2,500 Listed Sites.

The Club's new collection of Family Friendly Certificated Sites is also incorporated into the edition. Exempted Camping Manager Darren Whittington said: "The Club is proud to say this year that we have more Club and Certificated Sites than ever before, meaning that the camper has even more options when looking for that perfect break."

"We have also catered for different tastes by providing details of sites with fishing lakes, pubs and those with other accommodation, giving individuals the chance to get away with non-camping friends and family."

For more information on this news, visit www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk.

Trek Kilimanjaro - Roof of Africa

Thursday, 26 March 2009

SHEFFIELD, UK -- Many Britons will have followed the news of nine celebrities who made the trek up Kilimanjaro last week in support of Comic Relief (Red Nose Day). Among them, Chris Moyles, Fearne Cotton, Alesha Dixon, Denise Van Outen, Ben Shephard, Kimberley Walsh, Ronan Keating, Cheryl Cole, and Gary Barlow.

Aim 4 Africa have been following their progress with much enthusiasm; the celebrities have between them have raised over GBP1.5 million, much of which is going towards much needed treatment and prevention of the deadly tropical disease - Malaria.

More than 5 million people die of Malaria each year and these celebrities have shown that in the face of hardship (and Kilimanjaro is no easy hill climb!), they have pledged their hard work and determination to ensure that those under-privileged people in developing countries like Tanzania, will benefit from their fund raising.

Well Done Guys - Hongera Sana! - for making more people aware of the plight of thousands of children dying from Malaria each year, especially Fearne Britton who recently visited a hospital in Uganda and saw first hand the drastic effects this deadly disease has particularly on vulnerable young children.

Aim 4 Africa has pledged to donate GBP10 for every Kilimanjaro trek booked between now and 31st December, to Comic Relief, and a further GBP10 to its own private charity - two local schools and a hospital at the base of Kilimanjaro.

The phones have been ringing at Aim 4 Africa Ltd since the BBC Television Documentary following the Celebrity Red Nose Day Trek on Thursday night. There is another showing on Sunday 15th March, 1:30pm BBC1 for those who missed the opportunity. Join others to scale Africa's highest peak and highest volcano in the world, and feel the same sense of achievement as those brave, determined young celebrities!

Aim 4 Africa Ltd is based in the United Kingdom but have offices in Arusha, Tanzania - 80 kms from Kilimanjaro and base to Northern Tanzanian safari circuit. The company was founded by Tanzanians, and has a strong ethos to helping local community development in the area.

Join a group trek on one of three of Aim 4 Africa's favourite routes and get your friends and family to join you whilst raising funds for much needed charities. It can be your own personal charity or Comic Relief. If you wish to emulate The Red Nose Day Celebrity Trek, then opt for the Lemosho (Shira) route option below.

(i) 6 day Rongai route trek: June 2nd-9th 2009 AND 1st-8th October 2009; GBPGBP1275per person
(ii) 6 day Machame route trek: 2nd-9th July 2009 AND 30th August - 6th September 2009; GBPGBP1200 per person
(iii) 8 day/7 night Lemosho/Shira route trek: 26th Juy - 4th August 2009; GBPGBP1580per person

Prices are based a minimum group size of 4 persons. For more information on the above treks or to arrange a private trek for you and your friends/family, visit www.aim4africa.com/Kilimanjaro.htm or telephone (+44) 114 255 2533 from outside the UK or 0845 4084541 or 0114 255 2533 from within the UK.

Treks up Kilimanjaro can be combined with a safari to Northern Tanzania's famous parks of Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, or a relaxing beach holiday in Zanzibar.

Visit www.aim4africa.com for more information and special offers.

Source: www.24-7pressrelease.com

'Mini Annapurna Circuit Trek' Launched

Wednesday, 25 March 2009

'Responsible Adventures,' in order to expand the view and adventure of Himalayan mountain range, has launched a new trekking campaign, 'Mini Annapurna Circuit Trek', in Nepal. 'Mini Annapurna Circuit Trek' has been specially organized to explore the dramatic mountain scenery on the Annapurna Circuit. In this campaign, trekkers will set on the path of one of the great walks of the World, making a complete circuit of the huge Annapurna Massif in central Nepal.

'Responsible Adventures,' an ecological trekking organization, was created and developed by a group of young environmentally and culturally conscious Trek leaders. The Trek leaders have more than 18 years of experience in leading treks throughout the Himalayas, The Alps, The Great Dividing Range and The Rockies. Responsible Adventures campaigns are designed to protect and preserve the environment of the Himalayan mountain ranges. This is an organization always discovering the new treks for trekkers.

To explore the new heights of adventure, and observe the beautiful panorama of mountains, 'Mini Annapurna Circuit Trek' has been skilfully carved to remove all boundaries between man and nature. This campaign allows one to perceive the splendor of nature whilst trekking past steep monastic walls, across high passes and into thin air. A connection between man and nature, which is only available in the lofty heights of the Himalayas, is the thing to be experienced in this, 'Mini Annapurna Circuit Trek' campaign.

'Responsible Adventures' is in this field from the past many years providing the best trekking facilities and guidance for the trekkers. It caters for all ages and any group size, ranging from family trekking holidays to school educational trips. This organization tailors your holiday into the most unforgettable trekking experience.

The founder of Responsible Adventures Raj Tamang said: It is like a dream come true with the launching of 'Mini Annapurna Circuit Trek.' Successfully organizing various trekking campaigns, Raj Tamang enthusiastically added, "This 17 days shorter campaign is specifically organized for those who don't have time to complete the full Annapurna Circuit to trek."

Source: www.24-7pressrelease.com

CSPF Declares 2009 "Year for Park Protection"

Tuesday, 24 March 2009

As part of its Seventh Annual Park Advocacy Day, the California State Parks Foundation (CSPF) issued an ambitious policy challenge to state policymakers and advocates. Declaring 2009 as the "Year for Park Protection," CSPF President Elizabeth Goldstein called on state lawmakers and park advocates to pass legislation that will protect state parks from inappropriate development and damaging infrast ructure.

This announcement comes three years to the day when CSPF, other environmental groups, and the state Attorney General filed California Environmental Quality Act lawsuits to protect San Onofre State Beach from a proposed toll road.

"The lawsuits three years ago today were an important milestone in the fight to protect state parks, but it is a fight that continues today," declared Elizabeth Goldstein. "We filed those suits not just to protect San Onofre State Beach, but as a means to protect all state parks and we're here in Sacramento today to lobby the Legislature to keep that work alive. On December 18, 2088 the state parks movement won important victories for park protection outside the legislative process and we're here to capitalize on that momentum."

On December 18, two major decisions were announced that protected San Onofre State Beach and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. After ten months of review, the U.S. Secretary of Commerce upheld a February 2008 decision by the California Coastal Commission to protect San Onofre State Beach and deny building a toll road through the heart of the park. On that same day, the state's Public Utilities Commission voted to allow a new electricity transmission line in San Diego County, but specifically selected a route that would avoid Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

"The elation that park advocates felt on December 18 from protecting these important resources was tempered by the fact that these aren't the only parks in jeopardy," said Goldstein. "Major campaigns were mounted to prevent the toll road and the power line from being built, but more than one quarter of the rest of the state park system are under threats of their own. Californians need better protections to safeguard these important resources. We have invested in state parks through bonds and state funding, we rely on them to serve as economic engines to many local communities, and now, more than ever, we need our state parks to be protected and available to all of us for affordable vacations and destinations."

As part of its Seventh Annual Park Advocacy Day, CSPF is hosting more than 160 advocates from around the state lobby of the legislature for better protection for state parks. Specifically, advocates are pushing for support for Senate Bill 679 (Wolk), sponsored by CSPF, and Senate Bill 372 (Kehoe). Both bills will enact greater statutory protections for state parks and preserve the integrity of California's state park system. CSPF's sponsored bill, Senate Bill 679, requires that no land acquired for the state park system may be used for non state park uses without the express authority of an act of the Legislature and the substitution of other lands of equal value.

In conjunction with Park Advocacy Day 2009, CSPF is also naming California State Treasurer Bill Lockyer and Senator Lois Wolk as 2009 Legacy Award recipients. CSPF is honoring Treasurer Lockyer for his dedication to defending San Onofre State Beach from the proposed Foothill-South toll road. CSPF is also recognizing Senator Wolk's leadership in advocating for funding, policy protection and preservation of California's state parks. Since 2003, CSPF has honored legislative leaders who have done exemplary work for state parks. Honorees will be recognized during a legislative reception at the close of Park Advocacy Day.

"Treasurer Lockyer and Senator Wolk have proven to be strong advocates for the entire California state parks system," said Elizabeth Goldstein. "We commend these leaders for their commitment to state parks and in particular their leadership and advocacy in protecting California's state parks and making them available and accessible to the public. Both Treasurer Lockyer and Senator Wolk have shown a continued understanding of the value of our state parks and the need to protect them for future generations."

Source: www.calparks.org

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