This wild places program looks at a proposal to provide artificial water sources for California desert bighorn sheep. Are we going to have to ruin a wilderness to save them? We hear from Steve Tabor, who taught us desert backpacking skills in edition 34, and helped introduce us to the Sheephole valley Wilderness in edition 81. Steve mentions a plan to build roads and dams in the Sheephole Valley Wilderness to provide water for desert bighorn sheep. Dan Abbe, a wilderness specialist from the Needles office of the Bureau of Land Management, explains these artificial watering holes for the sheep, which are called big game guzzlers. Brent Schoradt, the deputy policy director for the California Wilderness Coalition, explains why he thinks this plan is a bad idea. What do you think? Will it ruin this wilderness to save the sheep? We’d love to hear your comments. Show number 84 [MP3 format; length 9:55; 2,378,734 bytes] Show number 84 script JOIN NOW — We need your support to make future programs possible.

Summer OR 2007
This gear program is an overview of some of the new gear exhibited at the 2007 outdoor Retailer Summer Market. Steve intervews testers from BackpackGearTest.ORG in Salt Lake City, Utah. Andy Mytys comments on the SPOT Satellite Messenger, new tarps by Go Lite, and new products by Sea to Summit. Jennifer Koles comments on the Magellan Triton GPS receiver and National Geographic Topo! maps. Jason Boyle comments on a new eVent® jacket by Rab, new drinks by Cliff Bar, and jackets by Mont-Bell. Andy talks about the green trend he saw in new gear this year. If you’re interested in reviewing for Backpack Gear Test (BGT), read: How to become a tester. Manufacturers provide more gear than the volunteers at BGT can keep up with. By becoming a tester, you can get free gear, and help your fellow wilderness travelers evaluate what gear will work for them. Show number 99 [MP3 format; length 9:59; 2,398,205 bytes] Show number 99, high quality stereo version [MP3 format; length 9:59; 9,589,746 bytes] Show number 99 script JOIN NOW — We need your support to make future programs possible.

Thousand Lakes
This wild places program is part one of a visit to the Thousand Lakes Wilderness in the Lassen National Forest. This small, 25 square-mile wilderness shouldn’t be judged by its size. The Thousand Lakes Wilderness is just north of Lassen Volcanic National Park, which we explored in our edition numbers 96 & 97. While national parks are high-profile places that attract a lot of attention, nearby national forest wilderness areas are often overlooked. Steve talks with Jan Sorochtey, the recreation officer for the Hat Creek District of the Lassen National Forest. Steve hikes to the largest lake in the wilderness, Eiler Lake, with patrol ranger Don Mason. They encounter an over-used campsite on the lake shore. If you want to plan a trip to the Thousand Lakes Wilderness, you should start by contacting the Hat Creek Ranger District of the Lassen National Forest. Jan Sorochtey says that they don’t require any permits. But take note, there is a complete campfire ban for the summer and fall of 2007. Show number 100 [MP3 format; length 9:58; 2,396,559 bytes] Show number 100, extended stereo version [MP3 format; length 15:23; 14,773,696 bytes] Show number 100 script Show number 100, extended script JOIN NOW — We need your support to make future programs possible.

Using All Fours, part 2
This skills program is part 2 of our look at the science and skills, myths and fact around trekking poles. Is hiking with poles a trendy gimmick, or a valuable skill? Julianne Abendroth-Smith talks about the results of research into the effects on the body of hiking with trekking poles. She’s a biomechanics professor at Willamette University in Salem Oregon. We hear from Jayah Faye Paley, an author and educator, and co-host of an educational DVD, POLES for hiking, Trekking & Walking. Jayah’s web site, Adventure Buddies, provides more information about her educational products and services. Jayah describes basic skills for using trekking poles. Trekking poles can have a destructive effect on the trails that shoes alone don’t have. Ben Lawhon, the education director of the Leave No Trace Center for outdoor Ethics, talks about those effects. Members of the WildeBeat can download an additional bonus segment, featuring Jayah Faye Paley in a beginner’s tutorial about proper pole use. Look for the link in our insiders newsletter. Show number 87 [MP3 format; length 9:47; 2,350,799 bytes] Show number 86 & 87, combined version [MP3 format; length 17:44; 8,520,813 bytes] Show number 87 script Show number 86 & 87 combined script JOIN NOW — We need your support to make future programs possible.

Wool-Blend Socks
This gear program presents reviews of wool-blend socks. You probably don’t think much about socks, until you find yourself wishing you had different ones. Andrew Buskov reviews the Bridgedale X-Hale Socks. Pam Wyant reviews the Defeet Blaze socks. Kevin Hollingsworth reviews the Defeet Classico socks. Ray Estrella reviews the Wigwam Wool/Silk Hiker socks. If you’re interested in reviewing for Backpack Gear Test (BGT), read: How to become a tester. Manufacturers provide more gear than the volunteers at BGT can keep up with. By becoming a tester, you can help your fellow wilderness travelers find out what gear will work for them. Show number 93 [MP3 format; length 9:59; 2,399,736 bytes] Show number 93 script JOIN NOW — We need your support to make future programs possible.

What is a Recurve Bow?
A recurve bow is a more modern version of the traditional bow. Older recurves and some modern hunting recurves are one-piece bows. By far, the greatest number of archers choose to shoot recurve bows, the modern version of the traditional Longbow. What is a Recurve Bow?

Using All Fours, part 1
This skills program is part 1 of our look at the science and skills, myths and fact around trekking poles. Is hiking with poles a trendy gimmick, or a valuable skill? Steve talks to Julianne Abendroth-Smith of Willamette University in Salem Oregon. She’s a biomechanics professor studying the physics of hiking, and how hiking with various poles and walking sticks affect the body. Steve talks to Jayah Faye Paley, an author and educator, and co-host of an educational DVD, POLES for hiking, Trekking & Walking. Jayah’s web site, Adventure Buddies, provides more information about her educational products and services. We’ll hear more from Julianne Abrendroth-Smith and Jayah Faye Paley in part two. We’ll find out Jayah’s techniques for using poles, and about what science says about those techniques. Show number 86 [MP3 format; length 9:55; 2,399,454 bytes] Show number 86 script JOIN NOW — We need your support to make future programs possible.

The Art of Archery
The technique of using a bow to project arrows is called archery. Someone who constructs bows is known as a bowyer.  While someone who shoots the bow is called an archer. The bow and arrow is a complex technology.  Bows and arrows vary widely, but very little has actually changed in the architecture used for archery.    The Art of Archery

Ranger Changes, part 2
This wild places program is part two of an exploration on how the job of wilderness rangers is changing. (Listen to part 1 first.) Many people who worked for parks and forests when the Wilderness Act went in effect are still working. Last week, we started out by getting a look at the traditional skills and duties of a wilderness ranger. This week, we find out about the greatest changes affecting their jobs, and changes in the way we interact with them. We hear from: Gregg Fauth, Wilderness Coordinator for Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Laurel Boyers, Wilderness manager for Yosemite National Park. Don Mason, seasonal patrol ranger for the Lassen National Forest. Steve Zachary, the education specialist for Lassen Volcanic National Park. What do you expect from wilderness rangers? You can share your opinions with your fellow listeners anytime using our toll free comment line at 866-590-7373. Show number 103 [MP3 format; length 9:49; 2,386,826 bytes] Combined show numbers 102 & 103 [MP3 format; length 17:55; 8,608,132 bytes] Show number 103 script Combined script, show numbers 102 & 103 JOIN NOW — We need your support to make future programs possible.

Archery as a Sport
Archery is one of the most interesting of all sports, and one of the most varied. The sport of archery means many things to many people. To the hunter, of course, the sport of archery means tracking the biggest buck through the thickest woods. To the Olympic archery expert, the sport of archery means matching skills with the best archers in the country and the world. Archery as a Sport

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