I had the opportunity to take some folks down the Rio Grande through White Rock Canyon last weekend from the Site Steward Foundation located in Santa Fe. There is always a feeling of excitement and adventure that I get as the boats push off into the river. I was working as a guest guide with Los Rios River Runners out of Taos. A wiley group of seasoned and first year guides put on a good trip for archeologists and guests. We came to see the ruins and petroglyphs left behind by the ancient pueblo people that lived and farmed along the Rio Grande  over 500 years ago. What struck me most as I struggled to row out through miles of flatwater, was the utter isolation of this piece of forgotten wilderness. The harsh environment that both the Ancients and Hispanic shepherds encountered here hasn’t changed much. With all of our advanced technology the same thing holds true down in the canyon, “don’t step on a rattler and don’t break no legs”. Jon Asher, web developer for sdcmountainworks.com and part time river guide. Photos by Isabel Carvalhal.

A few months back we did an article in our newsletter about Quincy Conway, a ten year old boy who was raising money to attend a national climbing competition. At that time Santa Fe Climbing Center had only a few climbers attending competitions.

Today the team has grown to more than a dozen members. Many of these climbers started in after school or summer programs at the center. All of these young people are learning lifelong skills that include leadership, problem solving, focus, survival, safety, and team building. Once they head outdoors, they combine everything they have learned in the gym and add it to a healthy dose of respect and appreciation for themselves, each other, and the environment.

For more information contact the Santa Fe Climbing Center:  505-986-8944

If you are already an avid climber, don’t forget to stop by SDC Mountain Works to stock up on everything from climbing gear to sunscreen. Article and photos by Cinema Jones.

Using an avalanche beacon to find another one is a combination of science and art, as is snow analysis and winter backcountry travel in general.  Avalanche awareness and training classes are invaluable information sources for people that want to get out into the backcountry during winter and there are a number of good primers and tutorials online.  Links to some of those can be found at the end of this piece.

But what I want to write about here is a problem with older or traumatized beacons that many users may not be aware of – frequency drift.  First, a little background: The earliest avalanche beacons came on the market in 1973 and transmitted a signal at 2.275kHz.  For a while 2.275 kHz was the North American standard and 477 kHz was the standard in Europe.  In 1997, the 2.275 kHz frequency was totally abandoned in favor of the current 457 kHz standard,  The two frequencies are not compatible and any 2.275 kHz beacons still in use are obsolete and need to be retired immediately.

Currently there are two modes of beacons.  Analog beacons use an audible beep and (usually) a visual display that get stronger as the receiving beacon approaches the transmitting beacon.  Digital beacons use multiple antennas and digital processing for a display that shows the direction and distance to a buried beacon.  Some beacons combine both analog and digital modes to make use of the benefits of each – analog signals have more range, digital processing helps to locate victims more quickly.

Back on the issue of frequency drift, a fairly recent study by Bruce Edgerly and John Hereford – linked below – found that modern digital beacons may not be able to receive signals from older and heavily used beacons because 1) the older beacons may be transmitting signals that have “drifted” off from the designated frequency and 2) the demands of digital signal processing require some “narrowing” of the range of frequency a digital beacon can receive.  The study can be found at:
http://beaconreviews.com/transceivers/pdfs/Frequency_BCA.pdf

A somewhat less scholarly (and easier to read) version of the same study can be found at:
http://www.backcountryaccess.com/english/research/documents/FreqDrift.pdf

The important message to winter backcountry travelers is that older avalanche beacons, especially analog ones, may not be capable of having their signals received by the newer digital units.  Older beacons can be returned to the manufacturer to be checked, or if you have access to a newer Pieps DSP beacon it has a feature that can check other beacons for frequency drift:
http://beaconreviews.com/transceivers/Specs_PiepsDSP.asp

Bottom line: if you have an older beacon – such as the Ortovox F1 or M1/M2, the SOS F1-ND, or the Pieps 457 Opti 4 – I strongly urge you to have it checked or consider replacing it.  Extra strong urging if the older beacon has ever been dropped or tumbled.  New beacons aren’t particularly inexpensive, but peace of mind, as they say, is priceless.

Links:
Northern New Mexico avalanche training:
http://www.nnmae.org/edu.html

Backcountryaccess.com learning and education:
http://www.backcountryaccess.com/english/education/learning.php

Backcountryaccess.com research:
http://www.backcountryaccess.com/english/research/index.php

Beacon reviews and information:
http://beaconreviews.com/transceivers/

Here is a new trail runner from New Balance that can navigate through the slop with speed and stability. I found them to be really comfortable right out of the box. Plenty of features for the mountain runner.  Come in and try on a pair today! Check them out here.  Also available for Women too.

Maybe it seems like summer’s all played out for you.  You’ve hiked to Lake Katherine and Williams Lake, done the Borrego-Bear Wallow and Bull of the Woods trails, and been chased off of Lake Peak and Deception Peak and Wheeler Peak by lightning.  You might be getting little tired of long hikes through the dense mixed conifer and aspen forests that cover the mountains of northern New Mexico.  The good news is that September is here and the weather is bluebird.  Days are cooling down and the monsoon season is waning.  It’s time to consider setting your sights on some different territory.

During the height of summer the low country and canyons around northern New Mexico are just too hot and dreary for words. The idea of dropping down into a sun-blasted canyon sounds like torrid torture.  But now that the sun is a little lower in the sky and the days are a little shorter, the lowlands and canyons of northern New Mexico are in their prime.  The open country affords grand long-distance views unimpeded by dense trees.

I recently made the drive north past Taos and Questa and into the BLM-managed Wild Rivers Recreation Area.  Parking at the overlook of the confluence of the Red River and Rio Grande, I took up a pack full of fishing gear and hiked down La Junta trail to the rivers.  The trail winds along a south-facing precipice that would have been broiling misery in July, but on this early September day weather was perfect – low 80s and sunny – and the hike was a pleasure.  

The first part of the well-maintained trail descends steeply through a basalt cliff via a number of switchbacks and even a stairway or two.  There is a certain amount of loose material on the trail so it’s a good idea to have shoes with an aggressive tread and maybe a hiking pole or two to help you keep your feet under you.

The views of the Rio Grande Gorge and Red River Canyon from this part of the trail are spectacular.  As you near the bottom of the steep part, you’ll come into lovely open stands of gnarly junipers and fragrant Ponderosa and Douglas-fir.  The trail levels out around .8 miles from the rim and follows the crest of a finger between the Red River and Rio Grande as it passes through open woods and sagebrush and native grasses and wildflowers.  The BLM maintains a tidy campground along the river with shade shelters and picnic tables.

The fly-fishing for rainbows and brown trout is both challenging and rewarding around the confluence.  This area is designated as Special Waters with regulations designed to protect the fishery.  Be sure to check the current regulations if you plan to fish.  The river is low this time of year, and it’s nice to wade in and splash around.

If you go, take plenty of drinking water and be sure to save some for the stout hike back to the rim.  It’s only 1.2 miles from the river confluence to the rim, but you gain 800 feet in elevation.  It took me about 45 minutes to hike down and about an hour to hike out.  I didn’t take any long breaks so adjust that time if you plan on stopping for a bit on the way up.  You’ll want to pause and admire the scenery (and catch your breath).  

There are a number of other hiking trails in the Wild Rivers Recreation Area.  The BLM has done an excellent job of developing and maintaining the site.  You can read about it here:
http://www.blm.gov/nm/st/en/prog/recreation/taos/wild_rivers_rec_area.html

Whether you go to Wild Rivers or another open sunny area, get outdoors and enjoy the great weather, it may not last forever.

Bob

Listen to this Hike of the Week >>>

with Kent Little of Sangre de Cristo Mountain Works

Hike Rating : Moderate/Difficult

Round Trip Hiking Distance: 7 Miles round trip

Time To Hike: 4 to 5 hours

Altitude Range 10,252 ft to 11,400 ft.

Drive Time 30 Miles round trip 1.5 hours round trip drive time.

Drive Directions: From the Plaza drive North on Washington Avenue. Turn Right on Artist Road and follow approximately 14 miles to the ski basin. Stay to the left as you enter the parking lot as the trail-head is in the lower area of the parking lot. Look for the Winsor Trail sign as this is where you will begin the hike.

Maps: Aspen Basin USGS 7.5 Minute Series or Pecos Wilderness Map available from the US Forest Service Headquarters. Bill Drake Map of Santa Fe NM. Available at Sangre de Cristo Mountain Works.

Guides : Day Hikes in the Santa Fe Area . The Santa Fe Sierra Club.

Hey this is Kent from Sangre de Cristo Mountain Works bringing you the hike of the week. This week’s hike is a great alpine adventure that will take us high into the backcountry to visit Nambe Lake. At nearly 11,500 feet it is the closest alpine lake to Santa Fe. Nambe Lake is located just behind the Santa Fe Ski Area in the basin below Deception Peak and Lake Peak. The Nambe Lake Hike is a seven mile round trip from the ski basin parking lot providing a moderate high alpine day hike for those really looking to get out there. Most of this hike is at altitude and can be strenuous at times.

Hiking to Nambe lake is fairly straight – forward but there are some steeper gradients in sections of the trail climbing up to the lake. To complete the hike follow the Winsor Trail 254, out of the ski basin parking lot. Following the trail across a small wooden bridge , turn to your right following the steep switchbacks of the Winsor Trail one half mile to the gate and wilderness entry. This is your jump off point.
Follow trail 254 through forests of Aspen and Spruce keeping a close eye for the many wildflowers that thrive in these high alpine forests. You will pass through the fence and continue downhill following the trail for 1.25 miles to Nambe Lake trail. Hikers should beware not to follow trail 403 the Nambe River Trail as this descends a long steep trail to the Nambe River. Stay ahead until you see the Nambe Lake Sign. You will know you are there when you reach Nambe Lake Creek.
The Creek will serve as a great marker for where to ascend.

Follow the network of braided trails up the creek to Nambe Lake. A hiker that follows the creek will ultimately arrive at Nambe Lake . After enjoying the beautiful alpine basin and lake, retrace your course safely back to the ski basin parking lot. Traveling in the mountains in summer can expose the hiker to extreme weather and temperatures so some precautions should be taken.
Remember ……. always be prepared even when hiking close to home, there are a few pieces of gear that will make every hikers life better: always wear proper footwear and socks , always take food and water and always have a plan for where are going to travel. Rainwear,GPS and a Compass, a lighter,a Map and a Whistle could save your life if you get lost. For more great local hiking tips check out the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Works Hike of the Week at project 101.5.com or drop by Sangre de Cristo Mountain Works at 328 S Guadalupe Street and let our local experts help you get geared up to hit the trail.
Sangre de Cristo Mountain Works, where our work is your play everyday.

Where are these gems? If you look hard enough, you too will find them-just go the opposite direction from the crowds.

Jon