October 30, 2009 - Posted by Eric - 0 Comments
America the Beautiful – the National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Annual Pass
Previously this was called the National Parks Pass, basically a get out of jail free card you could hand to any park ranger so you didn’t have to pay entrance fees to national parks. In those days the price was $50 per year. A great deal considering Yellowstone charges you $25 for a 7 day pass. Visit a couple parks in a year and you’re easily over the $50 cost of the old pass.
The new pass is $80, but it covers more than the old parks pass did. The new pass allows access to BLM areas like Cedar Mesa, without the day pass fees. If you only visit national parks you may cringe at the price increase, I end up on all sorts of federal lands and love the one pass fits all approach.
When you get your pass, remind the park service employee that you also want the window placard. It’s a paperboard pass holder that you can hang in your window when on remote federal lands and avoid some avid ranger giving you a ticket for not paying your fee. When you buy your pass the park attendant will punch it, and it’s good for 12 months after it’s been punched. In the past I’ve bought passes online and they were unpunched, so their 12 months didn’t start until I went into a park and had it punched.
To use the pass, you just need to have a photo ID that matches the signature you’ve put on the back. There are two separate signature places, presumably you and a spouse. I’ve had friends or family sign on mine and use it without problem (though they were all female, two guys signatures might raise a question or two).
The pass covers entrance for a single vehicle and it’s occupants. There are some restrictions, such as the idea that a normal vehicle only holds so many people. If you show up with a large van or bus, it covers the first 5 people and then everyone else has to pay a per person park fee.
If you’re planning to visit more than one national park this year, plan ahead and buy the pass. You’ll save money and since the parks will basically be free for the next year, you’ll also have no excuse not to go more often.
October 30, 2009 - Posted by Eric - 0 Comments
The Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
While en route to Bandelier, I decided to detour over to the Great Sand Dunes. This massive formation is just west of Walsenberg in the San Luis valley. The main attraction are the massive dunes, though Zapata Falls and San Luis State Park are also nearby. Camping is available at the dunes or at the state park. The visitors center has good information and a small shop with books and educational materials. Just south of the park was a closed lodge. The closest food is in Alamosa, about an hours drive away.
If you don’t have a National Parks Pass, the entrance fee is $3 per person. The cheapest park I’ve ever come across (though I have a parks pass)
The dunes rest in a pocket of the Sangro de Christo Range. The wind blows them into the pocket, Medano creek washes the sand back down into the valley. It’s a cycle that’s been going on for thousands of years. In order to reach the dunes, you park on one side of the creek bed and hike across the creek (dry in October) to the dunes. There are restrooms and sand removal stations in the parking lot. Sand can and will get into everything you take to the dunes.
The tallest dunes are over 750′ above the valley floor. There are a couple unmarked but easy to find trails that go into the dunes. While the top inch of sand is dry and blowing, the lower layer is damp and seems to stick in place. I found it was easier to follow the crest of the dunes for my short hike, some people tried hiking in the valleys but that inevitably leads to a very steep and slippery slope.
The best time to visit the dunes is the spring. Medano creek is flowing and the area has a rich green color. Summer is too hot, the temperature of the sand can easily burn your feet. Fall and winter offer peace, but at the 8,000′ elevation it gets cool very quickly. We’ll likely have a trip to the dunes in the spring. Camping at Pinon Flats is $14 per night, but keeps us within walking distance of the dunes. The side hike to Zapata Falls is also worth it (didn’t have time on this trek). That trail is 4 miles south of the park and goes up to a 30′ waterfall.
October 22, 2009 - Posted by Eric - 0 Comments
Searching for Petroglyphs in Big Dominguez Canyon.
Trip Report from October 17, 2009
In the middle of September, the Colorado Paddlers/ Canoe Colorado paddled down the Gunnison River from Delta to Westwater, Colorado. This overnight trip stopped at Big Dominguez Canyon to camp along the river. An afternoon hike brought us to three distinct petroglyph panels. On the second day of the trip, various discussions ranged around going back into the area to see what else could be discovered. This hike into Big Dominguez Canyon was part of the second trip. While additional petroglyphs were also discovered in Escalante Canyon, we’ll just stick to Big Dominguez for now. Everything in this hike can be reached via road, no canoe or kayak is needed for access.
Pictographs, Petroglyphs and Gringoglyphs (aka Pricktographs)
Pictographs and Petroglyphs are both ancient artistic remnants, but the method used is a little different. A pictograph is a drawing made from pigments, painted on a rock or wall. A petroglyph is an etching made by cutting into a rock or wall and exposing the underlying layer. Pictographs are a treasure to find, but they don’t age very well. Petroglyphs are much more common since there is no paint to wash off.
Gringoglyphs and Pricktographs are modern works. Some are very good, most are just assholes marking up the ancient sites with their initials, gunshots, or doodles. Because defacing these prehistoric remains is such a common practice, I’ll only give the locations of obvious and well known works. Some of the best stuff is hidden, but keeping it hidden also keeps it from being destroyed.
The hike begins from the Bridgeport Access roughly halfway between Delta and Whitewater, Colorado. Driving south on hwy 50, it’s easy to see. There are only a handful of cross roads in 30 miles, and Bridgeport is clearly marked. I think it’s the third road on your right as you leave Whitewater, 15 miles or so out of town. Drive west off the highway down a twisty narrow dirt road until you reach the parking lot. There will be a trail sign, boat access (through the tamarisk), and the train tracks. Conflicting signs say either hike down the train tracks or no trespassing, you can only reach the canyon if you walk south and next to the train tracks. After what feels like a mile you’ll come to a bridge, cross the river and start to enter the canyon proper. Almost an hour from Whitewater the real hike begins.
For those who like Google Maps, the trailhead/ Bridgeport road can be found at:
http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=38.84803,-108.363776&spn=0.022193,0.045447&t=h&z=15
Big Dominguez Canyon gets it’s name from Father Francisco Domínguez, who along with Father Silvestre Velez de Escalante, lead an expedition in 1776 from Santa Fe in modern New Mexico to Monterey, California. Their goal was to establish an overland trade route. Escalantes journal is the first recorded information on the great basin and many areas of the southwest. For more information on their journey, visit DesertUSA’s site at http://www.desertusa.com/mag99/sep/papr/escalante.html
Although Father Dominguez never actually visited the canyon that bears his name, there is a great deal of history to be found. Some Freemont petroglyphs indicate the area has been occupied for well over 1,000 years. More recent Nuciu (aka Ute) markings reflect both pre-european and post-european (horses) occupancy. Miners and homesteaders from the mid 1800’s have also left their mark. Walking up the canyon is like jumping into a timewarp of different cultures.
Geology buffs will enjoy the non-conformity that exists along the base of the canyon. Ancient metamorphic rock is covered up by much newer sandstone. The trail stays on the sandstone, and all the petroglyphs I’ve found are in the sandstone, but the dark gneiss makes for an awesome contrast. The hiking trail follows the north side of the creek, branching off for Little Dominguez Canyon a mile or so upstream from the Gunnison River.
Big Dominguez Canyon is part of a BLM Wilderness Area. Hikers and Horses are the only things you’ll find along the trail. Bikes and motorized traffic is not allowed. I felt out of place being the only hiker without a dog on the trail, but the horses seemed to appreciate that they could pass me without worrying about fido coming over to play. The BLM maintains a website about the wilderness area, including rules and regulations at http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/gjfo/recreation/wsa/dominguezwsa.html
The first set of petroglyphs are about an hour and a half up the trail. A boulder with some modern initials sits on the north side of the trail, and on the western face of the boulder are some very faint glyphs. Both sets appear to be hunting scenes, with bighorn sheep and similar animals being hunted by humans.
Although we can enjoy a vegan lifestyle, our ancestors didn’t have that luxury. From my observations hunting gylphs come in two categories, bragging rights and hope/ magic. Bragging glyphs read like a “we killed 10 sheep here”. Hope/ magic glyphs have a different feel and the animals in those glyphs often have stab marks in them, where a hunter ceremonially killed the animal in the hope of getting a good hunt. When you stand in front of a glyph, you’re standing in a sacred place. Respect them, don’t touch or otherwise damage them.
The second set on the boulder is very faded.
Almost due south of this first boulder is a 60 foot waterfall. The boulder with the first set of glyphs can be seen as the big red rock along the top left of the photo. The waterfall is seasonal and I was surprised to find it running in the fall.
The crusty looking dirt above is cryptogamic soil. The dirt is actually a biological colony of algae, lichen and similar growths. Please stay on the trail or walk on rocks. Stepping on biocrust is destructive and your footprints will annoy visitors for many years.
A few hundred feet further down the trail is a sign along the trail asking people to respect historic relics. Visible behind the sign is the largest panel in the area, partially damaged by idiots.
Just north of this rock are two somewhat cool things. A small shelter and a second panel.
The small shelter is probably modern, but it’s a neat little thing to look at.
Can you see the second panel? I’ll give you a hint, look to the left of the tree.
Closer
And closer. It’s a short/ steep climb up to this panel.
Bullet holes are annoying, but they’re often an easy way to find a panel. Some people scribble over ancient art, others just shoot at it.
You can see two hikers reading the BLM sign by the large panel/ boulder. This is also what the trail looks like going up and down the canyon.
A minute or two up the trail are two more boulders with additional glyphs. Some are modern, others are unknown. A few hunting scenes are scattered on the rocks (note the horses on these), but the other shapes are more interesting.
From these panels, it’s about an hour of hiking up the canyon before finding any petroglyphs. The canyon itself was showing it’s fall colors. A very pretty walk over rolling bumps and small hills.
A knocked down sign on the south side of the trail notes another boulder with markings.
Imagine an old cowboy sitting under this rock 150 years ago. The land was rugged, the natives were restless, and the North Branch of the Spanish Trail was miles away (now modern day hwy 50). To put things in perspective, Denver was still a tent city on the bank of the South Platte River and Abraham Lincoln was still two years away from being elected President.
15 minutes past the 1858 panel is a small hunting panel. I hiked an additional 20 minutes up the trail from here, but did not come across any more artwork. Since I was over 3 hours from the trailhead and sunset was 3 hours away, I decided to turn back.
Rock shelters are common along the trail. They’re poorly built so I believe they are modern. Considering that very well built ruins that are only 400 years old have crumbled, these might be miners or cowboys, but they might also be bored rafters hiking up from the river.
The best gringoglyph I found on the trip. This artwork, if it’s still around in a hundred years, will be well respected. It’s along the train tracks and far from anything ancient.
October 22, 2009 - Posted by Eric - 0 Comments
Meetup.com is a social networking site designed to help people find others who share their interests. You just visit the site, type in what you’re interested in with your zip code, and Voila! You’re either directed to groups that have your interest or a page of people who are waiting for a group to form.
For vegans it’s a very quick way to connect with others for potlucks, restaurant outings, and other people who are interested in the varying aspects of veganism. I’m not a potluck guy, but since I was looking to connect with fellow outdoorsy vegans, I started a group just over a year ago. The Vegan Outdoor and Adventure Meetup lets outdoorsy vegans in the Denver/ Boulder, Colorado area connect for various trips and events. We’re basically a hiking group that’s very veggie friendly.
Outdoorsy Vegans can also use the group to plan for trips!
One of the best aspects of Meetup from an outdoor vegan perspective is not just the local group, it’s the national base of vegan members. When I’m planning a trip into another part of the country, I can go to Meetup, type in a local zip code, and instantly find local vegan groups in the area I’m planning to visit. A few e-mails to group organizers and I’m rewarded with information about where I can get good groceries, great restaurants, and local travel tips. An example of such a response can be found on the Vegan Outdoors Board at http://veganoutdoors.com/index.php?topic=6.0
Meetup does have some quirks and limitations.
It is important when using Meetup to remember it’s a SOCIAL networking site. It’s all about getting together and socializing. Trying to do anything hardcore outdoorsy gets very poor results, but short easy hikes followed by lunch fill up quickly. Remember that first and foremost it’s about meeting people.
If you haven’t looked at Meetup, type in your zip code and your interests and see what shows up. Membership is free, most groups don’t charge anything to join (they may charge to attend an event), and it’s a great way to expand your vegan circle. If there aren’t any vegan groups in your area, feel free to start one!
October 21, 2009 - Posted by Eric - 0 Comments
Rifle Falls State Park – Rifle Colorado
From an October 16, 2009 visit
I like to stumble across the little gems that dot our landscape. Rifle Falls is one of those places you’d normally drive past, but when you stop and visit you wonder why you haven’t spent time there before. It’s a small state park, 30 minutes from the nearest town, whose main attraction is a set of three waterfalls that jump off a cliff.
What’s often skipped in the information about the park is the raw energy that seems to radiate from the area. It’s a place you can just sit back and relax, feeling at ease with the world. The trails are short, they pass in front of, behind, and over the falls. Often detouring to small caves that line the cliff. It’s possible to walk everything in the immediate area in under an hour, but why hurry when you can enjoy the energy and recharge.
The waterfalls are just past the campground. Park near the restrooms and follow the clearly marked trail past a great picnic area to the falls. Just before crossing the creek, a side trail cuts up and allows you to walk behind the first waterfall. A calcium crusted bench sits behind the falls, but sitting on it might result in a wet behind. The whole area is sprayed in mist, giving the plants a deep green hue.
The whole area is dotted with little caves. Most are short, almost alcoves, but lacking a good flashlight I was unable to explore them. The above section is just behind the first waterfall.
Crossing the stream past the first waterfall leads to a trail that goes past two larger caves before climbing to the top of the falls. This trail loops back to the first falls, allowing you to see all the features without getting detoured. The trail is misty and wet near the water but dries out as soon as it re-enters the dryer climate.
An informative sign lets you know you’re about to see something a little different. There are two “caves” along the trail past the waterfalls. The first seems rather small, but lacking a flashlight I didn’t explore past the entrance. It looks like the perfect place for a kid to explore, I doubt they go in very far and it’s small enough to make a tight fit for adults.
The second “cave” is larger, and in the back of the room is a series of steps. Likely carved for photo ops, or to let groups sit, this room has some stalactites and flowstone along the roof and back wall.
Past the large cave, the trail goes up a small canyon before arriving at the top of the falls.
A plank with handrails lets you jump out above the falls and follow the water straight down. It’s directly above the shortest fall.
The middle waterfall can be approached from the trail.
The first waterfall, the one with the calcium crusted bench under it, is also easily approached. Don’t look down if you’re afraid of heights. The rushing water creates an awesome vertigo, pulling you towards the edge.
The view down the valley isn’t bad either. The trees make up part of the picnic area and the campground further down.
More information can be found on the Rifle Falls State Park Website at http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/RifleFalls
The trail map for the area can be found at http://parks.state.co.us/NR/rdonlyres/2774D175-B90F-4D7D-857A-0A34D46B3D76/0/riflefallsAreamap.pdf
Google Maps shows the area at http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=39.675873,-107.69847&spn=0.005128,0.011362&t=h&z=17
October 19, 2009 - Posted by Eric - 0 Comments
Hanging Lake Trail – Glenwood Canyon Colorado
From an October 16, 2009 visit
Hanging Lake is a gem of a hike, located just off the I-70 corridor east of Glenwood Springs. The lake gets its name from the fact that it hangs to the side of the canyon, basically a large pool in a series of waterfalls.
The hike is roughly 1.5 miles one way, with over a thousand feet in elevation gain in that same distance. Yes it’s steep, but it’s well worth it. The round trip took me roughly 2 hours, but included a fair amount of time at the lake and sprouting rock.
The trail begins at the Hidden Lake rest area. The rest area is I-70 exit 125, but can only be reached on eastbound I-70. Westbound visitors will drive west to the Grizzly Creek Rest Area at exit 121 and turn around, backtracking the highway to exit 125. Park in the lot along Shoshone Lake and follow the bike path past the rest area and up the canyon.
The trailhead itself is about a 1/4 mile upstream of the parking lot. Here the bike path passes the trail marker where Dead Horse Creek flows into the Colorado River. Dogs are not allowed on the trail.
The first few feet of the trail give an accurate impression on what to expect for the hike. In 1.2 miles the trail climbs 1,020 feet. Think of the trail as being one big long staircase.
Our trail will follow Dead Horse Creek up the canyon. The creek is basically a series of cascades and waterfalls, it’s beautiful to watch but reminds us that we have to keep going up and up and up.
Switchbacks along the trail help. While teenagers like to cut them off, it’s easier and faster to follow the trail back and forth for its elevation gains.
About a mile up the trail is a small wooden shelter. It would be better than nothing in a rainstorm, but more than anything it marks the “you’re almost there” point on the trail. Look for the waterfall, directly above it will be Hanging Lake.
The last 100 yards of trail get steep with a serious dropoff. A handrail provides some protection, in addition to letting you know you’re almost there.
The last leg of the trip involves a steep climb up stairs blasted into the rock. The view from this section of the trail is great! It also serves to remind just how high up you’ve come.
The lake is fed by a waterfall, and leaves via another waterfall. It’s a beautiful pool in a series of cascades.
A boardwalk allows visitors to walk around the lake, without getting their feet wet or falling off the cliff.
People who are scared of heights probably won’t like the trip. However there are rails on the boardwalk to keep you from falling off.
The popular view of the lake. This photo is taken from the information station along the boardwalk.
Small trout fill the crystal clear water of the lake. Swimming is not allowed.
Someday this little guy will grow up to become a Spotted Tussock Moth.
There is a trail just as the boardwalk begins that lets visitors hike above the lake. This little side hike is worth it.
Spouting Rock is the source for the water in Hanging Lake. As you hike above the lake you’ll come to this wall, and the waterfall that comes from the middle of it.
My favorite photo of the trip. Dead Horse Creek just above Hanging Lake with the fall colors in full bloom!
Google Maps has the Hanging Lake Rest Area, Shoshone Lake, and the trailhead on Dead Horse Creek at: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=39.589799,-107.187424&spn=0.010666,0.022724&t=h&z=16
September 27, 2009 - Posted by Eric - 0 Comments
After blowing out my last pair of trail shoes on the Heart Lake trail in Yellowstone National Park, I decided it was time to upgrade. My old trail shoes were already running thin tread, but when the side seam ripped open, in two years they had already lived a long life.
In comes in the Garmont Men’s Kiowa Vegan GTX Hiking Boot as my next replacement. I tend to prefer lower cut shoes for trail use, but with some backpacking trips planned, it made sense to go ahead and get something that works for all. I’ve already used these boots on a couple of trips, they have around 50 miles under them (yep, still new, but enough for a review), so it’s time for feedback.
Construction seems good, nothing stuck out as being odd, and so far they’re holding up very well. I know some others who use the womens version of this boot, and they seem to be holding up very well. Unlike solid leather boots, made from a single wrapped hunk o hide, vegan shoes have lots of seams. Seams = weak points, but since there aren’t other vegan options we just live with that part of it. The GTX in the name stands for Gore-Tex, they’re the waterproof version. The non-GTX is cheaper and would work except that I have a habit of hiking in wet conditions and streambeds. Dry feet = happy feet.
Fit is quirky. These run a half-size small. I normally wear size 12 boots and shoes, but had to go with a 13 for the Garmonts (no 12.5). That put them a half size too large, better than smooshed toes, but still slightly uncomfortable. I played around with thicker socks, but eventually settled on adding some Superfeet Green Insoles
into the shoes. Removing the stock insoles was still a bit large, I played around with putting the Superfeet on top of and below the stock insoles. Currently the Superfeet are below the stock insoles, that little added foam on top makes for a more comfortable fit.
The boots also have a break in period. They fit ok out of the box with the Superfeet modification, but expect a few sore spots compared to out of the box trail runners. It’s nowhere near as bad as old school hiking boots that had to be wetted down, shaped, worn for weeks and moleskinned before they are usable, but I wouldn’t plan on a 15 mile hike the first time you put them on. Start slow, 5-10 miles at a time to give the boots time to break in.
Traction and waterproofness of the boots seems to be good. I’ve had no problem in mud or walking through shallow streams. Breathability is excellent, even after 10 miles my feet are comfortable and dry. Almost everything inside the boots, including the stock insoles, is a wicking layer, and the combination works perfectly for all day comfort. The only place I’ve felt iffy was on wet muddy rocks, of course everything feels iffy there. On sandstone I’ve had fair traction up to a 45 degree pitch, the soles aren’t sticky rubber but they’re not too bad.
Ankle support on higher boots tends to be more than I like without a backpack, and these are no exception. It’s not annoying, but my feet can’t scramble as easily in these boots as I could in my other trail shoes. I still have one pair of non-waterproof trail runners that get used, but when they start to show their wear, I suspect they’ll be replaced with the low cut version
of these hiking boots. Where I notice the support most is in scrambling, where my ankles need a degree of flex. For general trail use, the added support doesn’t get in the way, and if you slip and twist it does keep the ankles from getting bent out of shape.
September 27, 2009 - Posted by Eric - 0 Comments
On Saturday September 26, 2009 a group from the Vegan Outdoor and Adventure Meetup joined the WRV to help restore Carnage Canyon from being a makeshift offroad vehicle playground back to a somewhat natural habitat. This controversial move took away one of the most difficult offroad trails along the Front Range, but it will also keep tons of mud and debris from washing into the watershed with each rainfall.
Offroad websites chronicle the challenges of driving up Carnage Canyon. The name itself comes from the damage that vehicles suffer, not any geographic marker or designation. The road began years ago, someone decided to drive up the streambed, then another one followed and another, until the whole canyon bottom was smashed by offroad traffic.
Closing the canyon took years of work, my understanding from talking with the group organizers was that they’ve been at it since 2003. Erosion was so bad from the area that a 6′ diameter culvert had to be installed at the bottom of the canyon, because the normal culvert would choke almost instantly with each rain and the highway would be buried with debris.
Our goal with the restoration project was to replant and reseed the canyon floor. Hundreds of volunteers gathered together and by the end of the day we’d covered over a mile of the canyon bottom.
Before the WRV Crews Arrived: Trailhead and Tools
Laura P and I drove to the trailhead after passing the mess of volunteers that were staging a carpool at McGuckins warehouse north of Boulder. We figured that since we were already carpooling, and that many volunteers would be joining the after event party (something neither of us planned to attend due to other obligations), it made sense to head straight to the site. The good news was we got an awesome parking spot. The bad news is that we missed Caitlyn, our Defenders of Wildlife contact who hooked us up with the WRV. We spoke with the Forest Service, Ed with the WRV, and decided to join a trail crew anyway.
The tools were simple. Rakes, Picks, Shovels, and the McLeod which is a heavy duty fire fighting tool. We strapped on backpacks with flat platforms for hauling up plants, and with tools in hand marched up the canyon. Spreading seed, we didn’t need most of those heavy tools, but hey if they didn’t get to go they would have felt left out.
Carnage Canyon Before Restoration
The canyon wasn’t pretty. In order to restore the streambed to something that kind of looks like a stream would floe through it, heavy equipment had been brought in before the event to do some heavy earthmoving. Rock dams and stream meanders were forced back into the creek, slowing the force of the water that will flood down next spring.
Restoration in Progress
Trail crews started from the very top of the canyon, working our way down to the bottom. The morning was off to a slow start while we learned how to prepare the ground, measure and spread seed, distribute straw to help protect the seed, and then cover everything with branches and limbs to keep it all in place. While we worked with ground prep, a second part of our group began planting choke cherries and willows on the outside of the streambeds to help further slow erosion.
Lunch Stop in Carnage Canyon
By the time lunch came around, we had covered over 300′ of canyon bottom. We were getting good, we were in our groove, we realized that exact precise measurement of seed and straw wasn’t critical and in fact defied natural chaos. Our next few sections went much faster, much smoother, looked exactly the same and will probably grow better than our first overly cautious area.
At the end of the day, our small group had personally restored over 700′ of canyon, the whole volunteer effort had covered most of a mile. It will be great to visit the site in a few years and see how many of our plants survived, how much seed sprouted, and the impact we had in restoring this area.
Myrtle Spurge Alert:
While looking for sticks to help hold down our straw, we found large plots of Myrtle Spurge growing along the sunny slopes of the canyon. Myrtle Spurge is a class A weed, Colorado is trying to eradicate it. We pulled as much as we could, but it had already gone to seed by the time we arrived. More information on Myrtle Spurge can be found on the Colorado Weed Management website at http://www.cwma.org/nx_plants/ms.htm
Myrtle Spurge - If you see it, pull it out!
September 27, 2009 - Posted by Eric - 1 Comment
Viewing the world through a Vegan lens.
It’s easy to find information about the outdoors. There are thousands of websites devoted to hiking, backpacking, camping, climbing, kayaking, you name it. There are also tons of sites for vegans. Unfortunately when it comes to finding vegan friendly information about outdoor activities, you can hear the crickets chirp.
The Outdoor Vegan blog documents my adventures, experiences and exploration as viewed through a vegan lens. I’ll discuss gear and equipment, various vegan friendly destinations (and how to cope with those that aren’t), along with postings about my various trips and events. You’ll find this blog cross referenced with two of my main vegan outdoor groups, the Vegan Outdoor and Adventure Meetup and the Vegan Outdoors Board. Whenever I’m planning a trip or event, odds are it will be posted with one of those groups.
This isn’t a blog about veganism as such. I have no intention of seeking converts to my way of life. Instead I’m going to assume you’re already vegan, or can otherwise find this information useful, and we’ll just skip the whole vegangelical nonsense. If you want to discuss veganism as such, I’m sure there are plenty of places on the web you can do that.
Welcome to my journey, it’s going to be one heck of a ride!