End Pavement

Today marks the second birthday of End Pavement, or at least of the domain endpavement.com. The first “real” post (after “Welcome to…”) was on December 21st, 2006: “Winter Solstice”, in which I wrote,

As winter weather goes, Southern California isn’t exactly the most wintery place in the world. In fact, as I write this, it’s partly sunny with the temperature in the low 50s and an expected high of 66°F. The “Winter Hike” means something very different than what folks in most of the country are used to.

I’ve done virtually no hiking this year so far, though I have done a fair amount of cycling. I’m hopeful of increasing both as November arrives. Coincidentally, October 2008 has been one of the warmest and driest on record, according to this LA Times story “October shaping up as L.A.’s lost summer”:

With eight scorchers over 90 degrees this month, Los Angeles has been in the midst of the second-hottest October since 1877, according to climate records.[...]

“We’ve had essentially eight months of no rain, and we’re having one of the driest falls,” [JPL climatologist William] Patzert said. “Either we’re getting our quota of Santa Anas out early or this is a preview of coming attractions, which is scary because right now there is no rain on the horizon.”

When humidity here inland drops to single digits and temps spike, it’s hard to remember what month we’re in, never mind the approaching holidays.

Also coincidentally, Tom Mangan at Two-Heel Drive has written a couple of posts this week on beginning a hiking blog — “The case for starting your own hiking blog” and “How to start a hiking blog” — that have been nice reminders of why I got started doing this in the first place. I love what he said here,

Heck, if John Muir were alive to day, he would have a blog. How do I know? Because the only thing as voluminous as Muir’s backcountry travels was the volume of his writings documenting them. Muir was eloquent, passionate and observant, and obsessive about writing it all down. If you are any or all of these things, why not put ‘em to good use and share with the world?

But no matter the blog motivation and whatever the conditions, let’s hope to get out and about, get that oxygen, make the muscles work. Get off the pavement or at least out of the cars.

Happy Birthday, EP!

Stories from the news and around the outdoorsy blogosphere…

Modern Hiker - “L.A. Maps Unfolded”:

The L.A. Public Library’s Central Branch is opening a new exhibit on Wednesday, called “L.A. Maps Unfolded.”

At the library’s Getty Gallery, a series of historical maps will be on display, ranging from 1900s classroom maps to topographical maps, gold claims, and a Spanish map of the California coast from 1791.[...]

NY Times - “A ‘Dose of Nature’ for Attention Problems” (Via Tom Managan):

Parents of children with attention deficit problems are always looking for new strategies to help their children cope. An interesting new study suggests that spending time in nature may help.

Sure seems to help me. ;)

The Press-Enterprise - “Clean air isn’t around the corner, Inland progress reports show”:

Southern Californians weathered another year of stagnation in the battle against air pollution, and healthy skies still appear to be decades away.

So far this year, the region experienced 118 days with outdoor ozone pollution measurements above the level the federal government says is healthy to breathe. This summer residents in the Inland area, where winds and geography make the smog worse, had only a few days of healthy air.

Commute by Bike - “Commuting 101: Carrying Your Laptop”:

Assuming that you have no choice but to lug an expensive, fragile piece of equipment with you on a daily basis, there are plenty of things you can do to make sure your hardware makes the journey as safely as possible.

C.I.C.L.E. - “Metro Makes More Space for Bikes”

Yesterday afternoon, the Metro Operations Committee announced a trial program to remove nearly 1,100 seats on all Metro Rail vehicles to accommodate the needs of bicyclists, luggage holders, persons in wheelchairs and others with increased space demands.

And one more for good measure:

Inland Empire 24/7 - “San Bernardino National Forest preparing for Santa Ana winds this week”:

The San Bernardino National Forest is preparing for weak to moderate Santa Ana winds Wednesday and Thursday.

[...] Go to the forest’s Web site for more information.

Though it sadly isn’t a surprise, mountain lions aren’t the only species you have to be careful of while riding your bike. Streetsblog LA has the story on yet another attack/mugging on a cyclist along the Ballona Creek Trail, “Not Again! Another Story Tells of Attack on Ballona Creek Trail”:

[...] they ambushed me into the rail and I flew over the rail on the crew side. they started beating me up and wanted everything I had. I was in shock at first and did not know what happened. They kept shouting at me in foul language and asked from my IPod and anything else I had they continued to beat me until I realized what was happening and I finally shouted 911, 911, 911 and they ran away. All they got my $2500 bike. They wanted other stuff in pockets but they could not get into my pockets. I could not move much and stayed down until they left. It was near the McConnell Ave. entrance less then a block west near the building.

Via LAist, who point to other attack stories.

Via Amsterdamize

Thanks to IE Breaking News for the story on a “Mountain lion spotted in Claremont Wilderness Park”:

Hikers said they spotted an aggressive mountain lion protecting her cubs in the Wilderness Park on Cobal Canyon trail at the 3-mile marker, according to the city’s Web site.

I’ve not been there that I can recall, but looking at the Claremont city website it’s also referred to as the “Claremont Hills Wilderness Park.”

This wilderness park is located north of the city, with an entrance at the north end of Mills Avenue. It is primarily a wilderness preserve with rugged inaccessible terrain. A system of fire roads provides for hiking, biking, walking leashed dogs, and horse riding. There are no other improvements within the park.

Keep an eye out!