This outings program takes us on a campout with the Sierra Club’s Inner-City Outings (ICO) section. This part one of two is a follow up to our original program on ethnic diversity among wilderness users. Steve visits a campout led by the ICO at the Arroyo Seco Campground in the Los Padres National Forest. We hear from: Gabriella, a campout participant and four-year veteran of ICO outings Larry Volpe, a fifth-grade teacher and ICO leader Sergio, a campout participant Graciella, a campout participant Debra Asher, the national administrator of the Sierra Club’s Inner-City Outings So what do the kids think of the Inner-City Outings program? How does it affect them and their parents? What’s it like to be an ICO outing leader, and how can you become one? Find out next week, in part two. Show number 107 [MP3 format; length 9:59; 2,390,801 bytes] Show number 107 script JOIN NOW — Help us help more folks to appreciate our wild public lands.

Ticket to Half Dome
This wild places program examines whether the hike to Yosemite’s Half Dome has become too popular to be considered wilderness. Is this national park attraction too attractive? Steve tells the story with the help of the following voices: Thomas Herrera, a Half Dome climber from Stockton, California. Rick Deutsch, author of the book, One Best Hike, Yosemite’s Half Dome. Scott Gediman, spokesman for Yosemite National Park. Karen Hamilton, a Half Dome climber from Cobb, California. Laurel Boyers, retired wilderness manager of Yosemite National Park. Francis Engler, a backpacker from Oceanside, California. The steel cables, which make the climb possible for most people, are down for the season. So at this time, the park highly discourages trying to climb the peak. The cables are usually reinstalled by the end of May. While climbing Half Dome may be an adventure and a proud achievement for many, some people feel the popularity of the route takes away some of its wilderness character. Scott Gediman recommends planning your climb on a weekday, perhaps a Tuesday or Wednesday, to avoid crowds. Former wilderness manager Laurel Boyers goes further, and says that the best wilderness experiences in Yosemite are away from the crowds that often fill the Half Dome Trail. Yosemite has Web pages devoted to planning wilderness trips. Show number 112 [MP3 format; length 9:57; 2,392,048 bytes] Show number 112, extended version [MP3 format; length 10:39; 5,120,908 bytes] Show number 112 script JOIN NOW — Help us help more folks to appreciate our wild public lands.

Reprise: Really Cool camping, part 1
This skills program is an introduction to snow camping. Snow camping is really cool, but it doesn’t have to be cold if you know what you’re doing. This is a reprise of our program number 26 of January 19, 2006. Steve interviewed Mike Clelland, a winter camping instructor for the National outdoor Leadership School. He’s also the illustrator and co-author of Allen & Mike’s Really Cool Backcountry Ski Book. In this part, Mike talks about clothing, campsite selection, and shelter. Next week in part two, he’ll tell you the rest you need to know to get started. Show number 119 [MP3 format; length 9:43; 2,335,118 bytes] Show number 119 script JOIN NOW — Help us help more folks to appreciate our wild public lands.

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