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

Out in front on the PCT
This wild places program presents an interview with the first of the class of 2007 through-hikers of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) to reach Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park. Charlie Guyer and his companions Ryan Kern and Lee Neil started on their hike of the entire length of the trail on March 9th. The majority of PCT through hikers usually start later, around the end of April. These guys are far ahead of the pack, and so they have helpful news on conditions for the hikers who will come after them. A long-distance hike like this is a major undertaking. It requires considerable planning and preparation. A lot more information about the Pacific Crest Trail, and planning for a long-distance hike, is available at the Pacific Crest Trail Association. Many long distance hikers on the trail maintain journals on the site, Trailjournals.com. (Charlie and his group are not maintaining online journals.) Members of the WildeBeat can download an additional bonus segment, in which Charlie and his companions tell about some of their most harrowing incidents. Look for the link in our insiders newsletter. Show number 88 [MP3 format; length 9:58; 2,396,670 bytes] Show number 88, extended version [MP3 format; length 11:26; 5,492,916 bytes] Show number 88 script

Sheep Watering Holes
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

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