Race in the Backcountry
This wild places program asks why ethnic minorities are even more in the minority in wilderness recreation areas. Steve interviewed Nina Roberts, Ph.D., in November 2005. Dr. Roberts is an assistant professor at San Francisco State University in the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies. An expert on the demographics of National Park visitation, she previously worked for the National Park Service as an education and outreach specialist. The National Park Service has this web page on diversity issues and resources that Dr. Roberts originally developed while working with the NPS. She also conducted a major study of diversity issues in Rocky Mountain National Park, published in 2004. Update: (1/29/2007) Listen to Vox WildeBeat number 11 for some updated information provided by Dr. Roberts. Show number 73 [MP3 format; length 9:59; 2,399,945 bytes] Show number 73, extended version [MP3 format; length 11:58; 5,753,061 bytes] Show number 73 script
Winter OR 2007
This gear program is a report on the Winter 2007 outdoor Retailer’s Expo. When the outdoor industry gathers, it’s a major expedition for the folks at Backpack Gear Test; but it isn’t all about the toys. Jason Boyle1, Raymond Estrella2, and Rebecca Sowards-Emmerd3 report on the most interesting gear they hope to test for BackpackGearTest.ORG. They comment on products by: GoLite1, Snow Peak1, MSR1, Primus1, Fox River1, Injinji1, Sierra Designs2, Osprey Packs2, Blue Desert3, MontBell3, and Go Pro3. Backpack Gear Test has more gear to review than reviewers. You might be able to get free gear to review. Read: How to become a tester. As a wrap-up, we invited Kurt Repanshek to comment on a larger issue facing the outdoor industry. His commentary includes a statement by Peter Metcalf, president of Black Diamond Equipment. More of Kurt’s commentary is available on his web site, National Parks Traveler. Show number 75 [MP3 format; length 9:42; 2,331,316 bytes] Show number 75, extended version [MP3 format; length 11:16; 5,416,178 bytes] Show number 75 script Bonus segment, original reports from BGT [MP3 format; length 14:22; 1,724,628 bytes]
Fighting Animal Terror
This skills program looks at how to handle potentially dangerous animals in the wilderness. How afraid of them do you really need to be? Is this something that should prevent you from getting into the wilderness? Steve interviews Dave Smith, a former backcountry caretaker at Yellowstone National Park, and the author of two books, Don’t Get Eaten, The Dangers of Animals that Charge or Attack, and Backcountry Bear Basics, the Definitive Guide to Avoiding Unpleasant Encounters. Dave talks about ways to handle bear, cougar, and large herd-animal encounters. Two great sources of information about bears are the Sierra Interagency Black Bear Group, and the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee. Also, check out our earlier edition titled Keeping Bears Hungry. Show number 80 [MP3 format; length 9:59; 2,399,454 bytes] Show number 80, extended version [MP3 format; length 15:53; 7,627,402 bytes] Show number 80 script
