Backcountry Radio – July 29, 2010

by Dave Pidgeon on July 29, 2010

Algonquin, N.Y.

Standing on the slope of Algonquin in the Adirondacks, N.Y. (Compass Points Media / flickr)

You probably hate it when someone asks, “Hot enough for yah?” But this year, 2010, there’s a new bit of irony to that question. That’s because we’re dealing with heat of historic proportions, which means hydrating is more important than ever.

This week’s Backcountry Radio looks at staying hydrated on the trail and the warning signs of heat illnesses.

Backcountry Radio also focuses on a proposed service corps of workers for national parks and public lands, and the featured hike of the week sets out for arctic-alpine zones in the Adirondacks.

Backcountry Radio comes to you every Thursday morning, and you can subscribe to it at iTunes.

Hike on, hike on!

Backcountry Radio – July 29, 2010

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What’s New With Compass Points

by Dave Pidgeon on July 27, 2010

Compass Points TV

Alison Pidgeon helps film a segment of Compass Points TV. (Compass Points Media / flickr)

Compass Points Media released Friday on its Backcountry Radio feed the latest episode of Compass Points TV, a segment about the Cedar Run-Whiteoak Canyon loop in Shenandoah National Park, Va. The release represented two new shifts in our popular hiking video programming.

The first shift could be immediately noticeable. The format is new as we attempt to make Compass Points TV more personable. The previous format had a narrator explain how to see specific trails, parks, mountains and other locations, but now, I want you to feel as if you’re on the hike with Compass Points TV while also bringing you the information you need to see the hike on your own.

The second shift has to do with broadcasting. The original seven episodes appeared every Thursday night during the spring, but now, Compass Points Media will publish Compass Points TV as the videos are published. Honestly, while I enjoyed producing the first seven episodes, the practice of hauling a camera on every hike sapped some of the joy out of hiking.

When you’re concentrating on video composition, you tend to miss the wilderness experience, know what I mean?

After I finished the first seven episodes, I determined to get back to what made hiking enjoyable in the first place — experiencing the fresh air of the woods, chasing vistas, searching for wildlife and so on. Having a video camera on every hike takes that away. I found that I love the mapping, photography and (naturally) the writing parts of this job more, which is what I always loved.

Compass Points TV will still be a strong part of the Compass Points Media programming, but production will be more periodic, once a month or so. And you will be able to download each episode on the Backcountry Radio feed.

One thing that won’t change — Compass Points TV will continue to help you “find your direction.”

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Compass Points TV: Cedar Run-Whiteoak Canyon

July 26, 2010

The eighth episode of Compass Points TV airs with a 7.6-mile Shenandoah National Park loop through a pair of watery ravines.

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Backcountry Radio – July 22, 2010

July 22, 2010

Yeah, New Hampshire and Vermont deserve their accolades for epic backpacking opportunities, but Maine? Oh yeah, Maine ranks up there too. This week on Backcountry Radio, we welcome Chris Cavallari, author of PartTimeVagabond.com and a Maine resident, and he’s going to share insider knowledge about the best hiking, paddling and cycling to be done in [...]

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Best Beach Hikes On The East Coast

July 20, 2010

If life’s a beach, then there better be a trail. Compass Points directs readers to three places perfect for beach hiking.

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DAY TRIPPER: Huntington Beach State Park, S.C.

July 19, 2010

DAY TRIPPER explores Huntington Beach State Park, an outstanding bird and beach location along the South Carolina coast, with this 6.2-mile day hike.

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PICS: Mount Mansfield, Vt.

July 9, 2010

Today’s slideshow takes readers to the top of Vermont at Mount Mansfield.

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Backcountry Radio – July 8, 2010

July 8, 2010

State parks from West Virginia to Maine have experienced deep budget cuts. What state parks are closed and what’s the future for state park funding? … Author Jason Stevenson drops by to share his tips on building the perfect camp fire … The featured hike of the week takes listeners deep into the ghostly heart of Shenandoah National Park, Va.

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The Peanut Butter Trash Can

July 6, 2010

A tip for how to carry out trash – use a peanut butter jar.

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Help Make It Grand

July 5, 2010

Compass Points seeks suggestions for an spunky week-long trip to Grand Canyon National Park, Ariz.

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