MARCH 9, 1956

David Brower's proof of deception (the Bureau of Reclamation’s budget sheet was not balanced) leads Congress to drop the dam projects in Dinosaur National Monument on March 9, 1956. That same day, Secretary of the Interior Douglas McKay resigns.

For the first time in American history, conservationists halt a major governmental development project.

TWO YOSEMITES

Two Yosemites is an 11 minute short film by famous environmentalist David Brower for the Sierra Club in 1955.  It is a "Passionate portrayal of the beauty of Yosemite Valley contrasted with the ugliness of the low-water Hetch Hetchy Reservoir."


This film is included in the special features for the documentary called Monumental: David Brower's Fight for Wild America, which is available on Netflix.  I highly recommend it!

Hetch Hetchy Valley 1906 (pre-reservoir)

HUCKLEBERRY SEASON AT GLACIER NATIONAL PARK

In late summer wild huckleberries grow on both sides of the Continental Divide.  So, if you are in or around Glacier National Park it is legal to pick and personally consume huckleberries, as long as you pick only 1 quart per person, per day.

WILDERNESS LETTER, 1960

Wallace Stegner was a writer, historian, and most importantly (in my opinion) an environmentalist.  In 1960 he wrote the Wilderness Letter to the Outdoor Recreation Resources Review Commission.  This essay later helped win the passage of the Wilderness Act of 1964.  The full text of the letter can be found here.  An introduction to the letter, written by Stegner in 1980, can be found here.

Wallace Stegner packing his horse, Vermont 1938

Wallace Stegner with Ansel Adams

FOR SALE: 2 SQUARE MILES OF GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK

If you have $125 million burning a hole in your pocket you might be in luck.  Governor Dave Freudenthal is threatening to sell two square miles of Grand Teton National Park if the federal government doesn't give Wyoming what he says is market value.  I am very doubtful this would ever happen.  The locals and conservationists worldwide would protest until their blue in the face. Read more here and here.

YOSEMITE'S FIRST PARK RANGERS

Blessings on Uncle Sam's soldiers! They have done their job well, and every pine tree is waving its arms for joy.
-John Muir

Buffalo Soldiers, 24th Infantry, in Yosemite National Park 1899

The United States Army served as the first "park rangers" for Yosemite and Sequoia national parks (as well as Yellowstone).  Their duties ranged from evicting poachers and timber thieves to extinguishing forest fires.  The troops essentially comprised a roving economy—infusing money into park and local businesses—and thus their presence was generally welcomed. The presence of these soldiers as official stewards of park lands brought a sense of law and order to the mountain wilderness.

GEAR TEST: JACKS 'R' BETTER SHENANDOAH QUILT

A few weeks ago I was able to sneak away for a solo, one-night, backpacking trip to try out my latest purchase, the Jacks 'R' Better Shenandoah rectangular down quilt.  I have been doing a fair amount of research on summer-weight sleeping bags for the past year or so.  I was about to pull the trigger on a Western Mountaineering Caribou MF but went the quilt route at the last minute and I am extremely happy with my decision.  I saved some weight, money, and remorse.

Quilts vs. sleeping bags is a popular debate within the backpacking community.  The argument is mainly based on the fact that loft creates insulation.  When using a sleeping bag you crush the insulation beneath you, thus eliminating loft.  Quilt users see this bottom portion of the sleeping bag as a weight penalty and depend on sleeping pads for insulation from the ground.

I went with a JRB quilt, as opposed to a sleeping bag for 4 main reasons:

1. Versatility.  I get very hot in the summer months and a quilt's versatility was a perfect solution for me.  I can drape the quilt over me like a blanket.  I can use the omni tape and draw string to create a cozy footbox when temperatures dip down at night.  I can easily open it up and only cover certain parts of my body depending on the climate.  I can also tie the loops together and have it wrap around me like a full bag. (Don't forget your sleeping pad!)

2. Weight and compressibility.  The Shenandoah quilt weighs a remarkable 15 ounces and compresses down to the size of a melon with ease.

3. Price.  The price was right compared to a Western Mountaineering bag.

4. Customer Service.  I initially sent JRB an email before making my purchase.  They answered my questions but also asked if they could give me a call.  I sent along my phone number and I received a call the very next day.  When I picked up I was amazed to find out that owner/founder Jack Tier (aka Peter Pan) was on the other end.  Let's see if you get the owner the next time you call North Face or Osprey with some questions.

 So, as you would guess my first night out with my quilt was terrific.  I was hot for most of the night and the freedom of movement I had made a big difference.  Typically I would be using my North Face Cat's Meow sleeping bag, but I find myself sweating all night and leaving the bag wide open.  Now whenever I feel hot I can slide the entire quilt out of the way and get much more comfortable.  No buyer's remorse here.