WIDOWMAKERS

     Just like lightning strikes, falling trees can’t be prevented, only avoided. Fortunately, trees near the breaking point – known as widowmakers – offer many warning signs before they come crashing down. Here’s how to diagnose a hazardous tree from root to crown.

Roots. Decayed roots account for  the majority of tree falls. Look for raised mounds of soil or exposed roots at the base – both indicate instability. Above ground symptoms include wilted leaves or dead branches in the crown.

Trunk. Watch for evidence of decay such as fungal growth, large cracks, cavities and soft, crumbly wood. Forked trunks are weaker than those with single stems.

Branches. Beware of cracked and snagged limbs that can fall without warning. Dead branches are more likely to break loose, so be vigilant in windy conditions.

Leaves. Wilted or smaller than average leaves indicate disease. Don’t assume that green foliage guarantees a healthy tree; consider all of the above hazards before pounding in the first tent stake.

      It’s still cool enough for desert travel, so this month we again feature Joshua Tree National Park peaks on the Mini-Peakbgger List. Three peaks are relatively close together and easy climbs so hiking all three (Ryan Mountain, Inspiration Point and Lost Horse Mountain) can be accomplished in a weekend. There is a park entrance fee for each car so ridesharing is advisable.

Joshua Tree Mini Peaks

      Probably the best place to camp is Sheep Pass Group Camp. You can make a reservation ( online at recreation.gov) up to a year ahead of time and any place in the park is popular so get a reservation at the earliest possible date. No water is available at any of the campsites so bring plenty for the weekend. All three peaks are on the Keys View 7 ½ minute topo. The Indian Cove topo covers the area to the north, the Queen Mountain topo covers the area to the northeast and the Malapai Hill topo covers the area to the east.

      To reach the trailhead, take the Harbor Freeway to the San Bernardino Freeway to Route 62 (beyond the Palm Springs exit). Follow Route 62 through the towns of Morongo Valley and Yucca Valley to the town of Joshua Tree. Turn right (south) on the Park Road (just beyond the sign “Joshua tree National Park” ) and drive into the park where the road is called Loop Road. Drive 16 miles to the intersection of Loop Road and Keys View Road. Continue on Loop Road for two miles to a large paved parking area on the right. This is the Ryan Mountain trailhead. Continue a couple of miles to Sheep Pass Camp. The sign comes up suddenly on the right – if you get to the Geology Tour Road you have gone too far.

      Return to the Ryan Mountain trailhead to begin the hike. Here the trail to Ryan begins and goes for 1.5 miles gaining 1100 feet of elevation to the summit (5461 feet). Allow about three hours. (Using Naismith’s Rule, the time would be 3/3+1100/2000=1.55 hours).

      Next, return to the intersection of Loop Road and Keys View Road and drive south 2.5 miles to the Lost Horse Mine Road on the left (east). Drive in one mile to a parking area at a locked gate. Hike east up a wash about 100 feet to a sign “trail”. Turn left and follow the trail, actually an old road, to where it goes up a gully below the Lost Horse Mine  building and comes out on a saddle SSE of the mine. Here, leave the road and go up the ridge on the right (SE) to the summit (5313 feet) On return, you may want to visit what is left of the mine. The total distance is 5 miles, the elevation gain is 920 feet. Again allow 3 hours even though Naismith’s Rule gives 5/3+920/2000=2.13 hours.

      To hike Inspiration Point, return to the Keys View Road and continue south another 3 miles to the Keys View parking area (this is 5.6 miles south of the Loop Road/Keys View Road junction. Hike up the ridge to the north , following  a faint use trail  to the first bump. As you ascend, two other high points become visible to the west. The summit (5575 feet)  is behind the farthest  of these. Keep hiking along the bumps and the saddles between them  til you get there. The total distance is 2 miles with 700 feet of elevation gain and will take a good two hours as it is cross country hiking. Naismith’s Rule would calculate 2/3+700/2000=1+ hours but it assumes a reasonably graded trail. Plus some time will be required to make sure you are at the right place.

      There may be registers at each of the peaks but don’t count on it as these are often visited peaks and the registers are often vandalized.

      The world’s flashiest animal migration might also be its quietest. Every September and October, tens of millions of monarch butterflies unfurl their4 inch wide wings to fly south in a snowy parade of orange and gold that hardly makes a sound.

      Leaving their breeding grounds in Canada and the northern United States, monarchs migrate via two routes. Those west of the Rockies head for the central and southern California coast, while the larger eastern population cruises through New England and the Midwest. A small group winters in Florida, while the majority follows the Gulf coast of Texas before arriving at a chain of mountainous forests in central Mexico. Numbering as many as 4 million per acre, the butterflies stay there for 3 to 4 months.

      The eastern wave makes the 2500 mile journey to Mexico by riding high speed air currents, which can propel them more than 75 miles per day at a cruising altitude of 1,000 to 7,000 feet. You won’t see monarchs while they’re airborne; it’s when they descend  for pit stops  that you may spot as many as 300 per hour.

      Starting September 1, visit learner.org/north/monarch to track migration routes, estimate peak arrival times at monarch havens , and record your sightings. Follow these tips for better spotting:

wLook for monarchs along lakeshores and riverbanks. The Great Lakes, the Mississippi and the waterways of the Plains states down to eastern Texas are prime gathering spots.

wPredict the butterflies’ approach by tracking seasonal winds. Autumn’s first cold blast in the north triggers the departure, and monarchs will only follow a south-blowing breeze.

wMonarchs won’t fly when temperatures dip below55 degrees F. On chilly mornings, look for butterflies clustered on tree branches, typically eucalyptus in California and cedar in Florida.

      Hike to see monarchs in California at Point Mugu State Park from early October through mid November. Thousands of monarchs congregate in the Malibu coastal canyon to sip nectar from the native mulefat shrubs lining the 8 mile  Big Sycamore Canyon Trail. Butterflies also cluster at the trailhead campground, clinging to the lower branches of the canyon’s namesake trees on colder mornings before fluttering off in search of food. (818)880-8359, parks.ca.gov.

      You can anticipate weather changes by watching for these atmospheric hints.

Cumulus. They look like white cotton balls, and signal fair weather, but if these innocent clouds swell into flat-topped towers, watchout. They may become cumulonimbus thunderheads

Stratus. These very low, gray layers blanket the sky and make drizzle and fog. If they vanish by noon, your day will likely be clear and dry.

Stratocumulus. Light-gray waves or ribbons with patches of blue sky between, these clouds bring light rain, but usually rise and evaporate.

Nimbostratus. A dark gray, soggy sheet that blocks out the sun and signals a day of rain.

Contrails. When jet trails disappear quickly, fair weather can be expected. But when they persist or expand into high-level cirrus clouds, more moisture is on the way.

      Whether it’s from a pinprick or a major malfunction, a busted bladder can turn  a day hike into thirsty misery –or worse. Luckily, you can patch most leaks with glue, tape and cannibalized parts. Here’s how to deal with the most common breakdowns.

Bite valve. To secure a loose bite valve, snip off a quarter inch of the worn hose and attach the valve to the new, safer end. Still leaking? Clamp the joint with a plastic zip tie. Prevent bite valve drip in the first place by blowing water from the hose into the bladder after each drink and air pressure should hold it back.

Screwtop. Clean the grooves with a toothbrush and screw the cap in squarely. If it continues to drip, replace the rubber gasket.

Zipper-lock seal. Need gorilla strength to zip your Platypus shut? Use Vaseline or olive oil to lubricate the track for an easy closure.

Hose. Fix punctures with bike-tire patches or epoxy. If the hole is near one end, cut off the ruptured segment and reattach the slightly shorter hose. Keep a frozen hose from cracking by gently tucking it under the front of your jacket. To keep it from freezing in the first place, get into the habit of purging the hose of water as described above.

Busted seam or bladder puncture. Seal split side joints with SeamGrip and cover punctures with a urethane/PVC patch kit, using an alcohol wipe as a pre-repair cleaner in either case.

      That’s Chris Carr’s top goal for his clients attempting to summit 14,162 foot Mt Shasta. The co-director of Shasta Mountain Guides knows how demanding it is for a lowlander to ascend 7,000 feet in a weekend, but he says you can prevent or diminish altitude sickness – which typically occurs above 8,000 feet – if you follow this advice.

Rest up. Get at least two 8 hour nights of sleep, and make sure you’re well hydrated before you start. You can also acclimatize by camping at the trailhead.

Don’t race. Climb slower than your normal walking pace. If you need to rest after ascending only 20 yards, you’re flirting with exhaustion and need to dial it back.

Dig deeper. When your legs turn to stone or you feel nauseous, try pressure breathing. Take a deep breath, then force air out through pursed lips like you’re blowing out a candle. Do this 3 to 4 times a minute. Vigorous respiration pushes more oxygen from the lungs into the bloodstream.

Treat early. Altitude sickness typically starts with nausea, lethargy, headache, irritability and/or loss of appetite. Take immediate action: slow your pace, hydrate, practice pressure breathing – or just take a rest. If your condition doesn’t improve, there’s one simple surefire solution – descend.

      Excellent advice! Your editor used similar techniques on weekend and long term peakbagging hikes with great success. We slept at the trailhead to acclimatize, hiked slowly, especially for the first hour and stopped often for short breaks.

      You can avoid uncomfortable extremes with expert layering. Like flossing and chicken soup, layering is good for you – everyone knows that. But did you know that the insulation and outerwear that keeps you comfortable on a ridgeline traverse could also keep you alive? Here are three sets of threads you need for proper layering, all of which should be breathable.

l A base layer to lift moisture off your skin

l At least one insulating middle layer that can also work as an outer layer

l A windproof and/or waterproof (depending on conditions) outside shell

      Layering is all about anticipation. You should act before you get sweaty or a chill wind cools you down. Think of your body as a 98 degree F candle exposed to the elements, and follow this advice to keep your frame from flaring up or going out.

Start out cool. The right layers for standing in a parking lot can feel like a mink coat after 10 minutes on the trail. Start your hike dressed for exertion, and you won’t need to stop too soon and shed a layer.

Make the call. If you’re hiking in a group and feel the need to adjust layers, don’t wait for a formal rest break. Chances are others need to make changes, too, and will be glad you spoke up.

Plan ahead. Make layering changes in advance, and you’ll avoid those uncomfortable shiver and sweat transitions. Pull on a shell before reaching a windy ridge, and pack away your fleece on the verge of a big climb.

Think in Zones. Sweat-soaked clothes in freezing conditions can drop your body temperature from pleasantly cool to a dangerously chilled. Avoid overheating by checking key sweat zones such as neck and armpits. As you start to warm up, peel away outside layers without delay. You can also regulate big temperature swings with small clothing changes; removing a hat or gloves can make all the difference.

      Spines, thorns and splinters have a way of getting your attention quickly, but they’re also gifts that can keep on giving. Left embedded, a foreign object can fester for years, so it’s important to remove it quickly and completely. Here’s how:

Extract

l Sterilize tweezers and a needle by holding their tips in a flame for 30 seconds. Clean the skin around the splinter with an alcohol wipe (don’t use iodine, which obscures tiny splinters by staining the skin).

l Enlarge the splinter opening with the needle, teasing away the layers of skin until you can grab the splinter with tweezers.

l Press your thumbnail against the embedded base of the splinter to push it toward the opening. Meanwhile, hold the tweezers parallel to the skin and grasp the splinter close to the wound and extract it. Forgot tweezers? Use the edge of a knife blade.

l For deep, vertically embedded splinters, get a grip with a multi-tool’s pliers. Apply pressure around the wound as you remove the sliver to reduce pain and bleeding.

l If you can’t locate a splinter after 20 minutes, stop searching to prevent further damage. Wait until it’s covered by scar tissue, then remove both scab and splinter.

lRemove a splinter under a fingernail by cutting a small v-shaped  notch out of the nail to expose the splinter and then pull it out with tweezers.

Disinfect

lWash the area, apply an antibiotic ointment and cover with a sterile bandage.

lTetanus from a splinter is rare, but if the wound is very dirty and you haven’t had a booster in 10 years, see a doctor within 72 hours for an evaluation.