Palm Springs 2018

Sending some sun time February and March in Palm Springs.  One of the best things for us is the number and proximity of quality day hiking trails.  

Some of the days hikes we enjoyed this time...

  Pushawalla Palms Trail - three times

Pushawalla Palms (with Gina and Michael)

Lykken Lookout Trail

Lykken trail lookout above Palm Springs

McCallum Oasis Loop, Coachella Preserve

Coachella Prevserve Oasis

Owl spotting

Art Smith Trail

Art Smith Trail

Barrel cactus flowering

 Cross Trail 

Starting on the Cross Trail

Cross above Palm springs

Nice view of Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley

Kim Nicol Loop

Kim Nicol loop - dark clouds and some rain

Horned lizard blocking our path

Dog friendly trail

Tired Farley get a lift through the soft section

Mission Creek Reserve 

Mission Creek Reserve is dog friendly

visitor centre


San Jacinto Perserve and Sunnylands Estate Birding Walks

Birders

Palm Oasis Trail and Slot Canyon Loop - Anza Borredo 

Systems

Packing up for our Grand Canyon trip I came to realization that my kit is really a collection of systems...


Cooking and Dining -
Kettle (more fuel efficient than pot and we will not be cooking), fuel and mini stove, cup, spork

Emergency -
This is a small emergency kit that comes along on all trips - day or muti-day.  Contains, fire making supplies, compass, emergency bivy, reading glasses, paracord, knife, whistle.  pencil, etc.

Light -
Headlamp and extra set of batteries, candle and lighter.

Toilet Kit -
Self explanatory

Toilet Kit #2
Trenching tool, TP and a whimsical zip lock to carry used TP out.

Camera -
My trusty Olympus Tough shockproof and water proof camera and neoprene case, extra battery and mini tripod.

First Aid -
For cut and blister repairs

Shelter and Sleeping
New MEC Spark 1 tent, Theromrest waffle foamy, inflatable pillon and my ancient Camp 7 Polar Fill over bag/ light weigh sleeping bag.

Toss in packpack, food and water and should be good to go!

Opinel Knives - Two Generations

As a teenager I purchased my first Opinel knive at Carlton Sports in Vancouver.  This was the classic wooden handled non stainless steel blade model.  It served me well over the years.

Two years ago while on a cycling trip through Brittany I bought my second one.  This is forty years after the first purchase!  The new one is the 'Marine' version and retains the same basic shape and rotating blade lock but the handle is some sort of plastic (with a built in whistle and lanyard) and the blade is stainless steel.

The antique and the new kid.  Both very cool.