IN this adventure Dave, Gerry and I embark on a four day adventure into the Hilton Lakes Basin where we set up a base camp at Hilton Lake #2 before exploring Davis Lake, a hidden waterfall and Lakes No. 3,4,5 6 and 7. Along the way we take in some amazing scenery and dodge 3 thunderstorms. 

In this episode I take a solo hike out to Chiquito Falls hidden deep in the Cleveland National Forest. I also talk about kilts, their history and Naked Hiking day along the Appalachian Trail. I even do a little naked hiking myself. 

LINKS:

• Chiquito Falls Trail - SiCal Hiker
• Chiquito Falls - Sun Kissed HIker
• Chiquito Falls Video - CA Hiker
• Naked hiking day- Youtube
• Naked Hiking Day - The Trek
• Wierd News - Naked HIking Day MSNBC

In this episode Dave, Gerry, Mike and I explore Joshua Tree National Parks interior and visit the Cholla Garden, Arch Rock, Skull Rock, Cap Rock, Keys View, Barker Dam and the Wall St. Mill.

In part one of a two part episode Dave, Gerry, Mike and I spend a few days in Joshua Tree National Park and camp out at Indian Cove and explore Rattlesnake Canyon.

In this episode Lindsey and i take a drive up through Malibu California to the Los Liones Trail and reach the Parker Mesa Overlook, one of the best scenic viewpoints along the California Coastline.

In part one of our adventure in Big Bear we begin our trip at the Big Bear Discovery Center and hike up the Cougar Crest Trail to the Pacific Crest Trail before heading northbound toward our first nights destination at the Little Bear Springs Trail Camp

Trip Video - Big Bear Day One

Trip Photos - Big Bear to Lake Arrowhead

LINKS:

• Big Bear Recreational Activities
• Pacific Crest Trail Assoc

In this episode I go on an adventure to find the perfect outdoor hat

LINKS:

• Real Deal Brazil Tarp Hat
• Akubra - Snowy River Hat
• David Morgan - Hat Dealer
• Stormy Kromer
• Buff USA Headwear
• O.R. Research - Seattle Sombrero Hats

Videos

• Jeff Daniels takes an RV to Stormy Kromer Factory
• Story about an Akubra hat
• Stormy Kromer Testimonial

In this episode I talk a little about what type of edged tool to use in the wilderness

LINKS:

• An Axe to Grind - U.S.Forest Service
• Knives JMHO - From Wilderness Outfitters
• Mel Gibson's The Patriot Tomahawk Scene

In this episode I talk about what's in my  fire kit and common ways to light a fire in the back country. 

LINKS:

• Bowdrill - Wilderness Outfitters
• Hand Drill - Pathfinder School
• Andy Tran - Hand Drill Step by Step

In this episode I take a 15 mile solo hike along the Dripping Springs Trail in the Cleveland National Forest just a few miles east of Temecula California.

In this episode we take a quick day hike up to the second tallest summit in San Diego County to see Cuyamaca Peak.  Along the way we hike through regrowth from the 2003 Cedar Fire, the largest wildfire in California History and visit the site of one of the last fatal Mountain Lion attacks.  

LINKS:

• Cuyamaca Peak Hike on YELP
• Cuyamaca Rancho State Park - Official Site
• Mountain Lion attacks in California - Fish & Game Site
• Cedar Fire - Wikipedia General  Information

In Part One of my series about the Basics of Backpacking I talk about the backpack. I discuss what features you'll most likely need for a multi day outing and what has worked or not worked for me in the past.  

LINKS:

• R.E.I's Backpack Selection Guide
• Backpacker Magazine's Backpack Guide
• Sierra Trading Post's Backpack Selection Guide
• Ultra Light Adventure Equipment's Backpack Guide
• Mariposa Plus Backpack review from Section Hiker
• U.L.A. Circuir Review from GlacierGuide
• R.E.I. Backpack inventory

Photos:  Backpacks and My inventory in the field

This episode is a remastered edition of Anthony's Audio Journal, "Episode 10" Death Valley Adventure.  The original episode was tragically lost on a server but I recovered an earlier version and remastered i

In this episode I pick up where I left off at the top of the Half Dome Trail near the bottom of the sub dome.

In this episode of Anthony's Audio Journal Troy and  Larry accompany me to Yosemite National Park and I try, once again, to hike up to the summit of legendary Half Dome. Along the way we learn just how volatile the weather can be in the high sierras, meet some interesting people and test my strength and determination against one of America's classic hiking challenges, all coming up in this edition of Anthony's Audio Journal, "The Conquest of Half Dome".

Video Journal in HD

Trip Photos

LINKS:

• Yosemite National Park
• Half Dome - Your Hiking Guide - Planning and Info
• Hiking Half Dome - Excellent Video from the National Park Service

In this episode I take a solo hike along the Pacific Crest Trail just outside of Warner Springs California to see Eagle Rock, a unique rock formation shaped amazingly like an eagle with its wings spread.

Trip Photos

Trip Video

LINKS:

• Luna Sandals
• Every Trail - GPS Routes, photos, trail descriptions
• Pacific Crest Association

In this episode I headed out to Agua Dulce California and explored the Vasquez Rocks Natural Area before taking an unusual drive down a Magical Musical road.

You've probably never heard of the Vasquez Rocks before but I guarentee you've seen them.  Used as a backdrop for many television shows commercials and feature films, the jagged up-tilted rocks resemble the great desert sougthwest or alien planet landscapes.

LINKS

• Trip Photos
• Trip Video

TV, Film and Commercial Links

• Star Trek - Captain Kirk V Gorn Commander
• Star Trek - Another good Kirk V Gorn Scene
• Duel - Starring Dennis Weaver

In this episode Dave, Gerry, Mike and I head up to Yosemite National Park and explore the magnificent valley before setting up camp at the Upper Pines Campground. Along the way we check out Bridleveil and Yosemite Falls and Yosemite Village.  Rain pounds our camp but doesn't damper our enthuiasm while we prepare for our hike up Half Dome.

Trip Photos

Video in High Definition

LINKS:

• Yosemite National Park - Official NPS Site
• Upper Pines Campground - From NPS
• Half Dome Hiking Guide 

 II wanted to get in one last tough trail to better prepare myself for Half Dome and in this episode I decided to head off to the Elfin Forest Recreational Preserve's Way Up and Lake Hodges Overlook Trails. 

One of San Diego County’s most precious natural resources, the Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve offers approximately 11 miles of hiking, mountain biking, equestrian trails, as well as primitive picnic areas and scenic mountain viewing points. In addition, the natural beauty of the Reserve includes such native plant communities as oak riparian, oak woodland, coastal sage scrub and chaparral. 

In this episode I hike up to the Lake Hodges Overlook and check out the sights along the way. I experiment with my new Canon Camera and GoPro HD Helmet rigged up with a Chesty harness.

TRAIL PHOTOS

TRAIL VIDEO - shot in High Definition

LINKS:

• Elfin Forest Recreational Preserve - Olivenhain Municipal Water District Official Site
• Local Hikes - Elfin Forest Recreational Preserve 
• Trail Map and Botanical Guide  - Download Trail and Plant Guide

A few years ago, National Geographic Magazine printed a list of their 100 greatest adventure novels based on input from their subscribers of their “Adventure Magazine”.  I remember seeing this list and was surprised just how many of the top 100 book I had read over the years. On days when I can’t get out into the wild I find it relaxing just sitting back reading a book about some of the most famous exploits of some of the greatest explorers the world has ever known.  Some folks are just born explorers while others just happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and miraculously survive their ordeal and it makes for terrific reading.  I said that I enjoy a good book now and then to relax, well, some of this stories had me so knotted up, sweat rolled off my forehead while I read the horrifying accounts of mountaineers, artic explorers, sailors or jungle travelers.  In this podcast I take you along with me while I organize my book shelf. 

Maybe you’ve got some of these terrific adventures too, let’s go check it out.

LINKS:

• National Geographic's 100 Greatest Adventure Novels
• Worst Journey in the World
• Adrift - 76 Days adrift at sea
• Into This Air

In this episode Gerry, John, Aaron and I head out to the Anza Borrego Desert State Park in inland San Diego County to visit the historic Goat Canyon Trestle, the tallest and longest curved wooden train trestle in the world, hidden away in the desolate Carrizo Gorge section of the desert.

Trip Photos

Video of our adventure in HD

Rattlesnake Encounter Video

LINKS:

• "Impossible Railroad" by Richard Dodge
• Carrizo Gorge Railway
• Stowell.Org - Maps, photos, trail notes 
• Miles Todd Crash Video - Excellent video of a mountain bike crash near the trestle

In this episode Dave and I take a scenic stroll through a magnificent 7,000 acre ecological preserve and explore its rare Vernal Pools, the Genesis of life for many endangered species.  We also check out the small Juan Moreno Adobe, the oldest building in Riverside County.  Along the way we enjoy a warm spring day and sprawling views over a grass covered mesa.  We also check out some of the last remaining Englemann Oaks in Southern California; All coming up in this episode of Anthony’s Audio Journal, The Santa Rosa Preserve.

Trip Photos

HD Video 

Trail Map

Links:

Santa Rosa Plateau

Vernal Pools

Engelmann Oaks

In this final episode about our Dinkey Lakes adventure we continue our day hike down Dinkey Creek and visit scenic Mystery Lake, Swede Lake and South lake as the threatening clouds thicken and swirl around the basin.  We also find ourselves off trail and meet up with some interesting fisherman and have a wildlife encounter.  Toward the end of the episode we pack up our camp and head out.  Along the way we finally meet the llamas and have an interesting conversation with the Llama Lady.

LINKS:

• Llama Packing
• Fly Fishing Dinkey Creek
• Clyde Pack Outfit