Yesterday I saw that a hiker died on Mt Rainier. The circumstances surrounding this hiker’s death act as a good reminder that you should always be prepared for the worst weather that you might encounter whenever you go out for a hike. Right now, in the NorthWest that means being prepared for a late blizzard. In the SouthEast you should be ready for blazing hot temperatures and torrential downpours with thunder and lightning. If you are in tornado alley, you might want to brush up on your “What to do in a tornado” skills.

The Sierra Trading Post blog has posted an article about hiking in high altitudes.

It may be June, but three hikers were caught in a blizzard on Mt. Rainier yesterday. Rescuers saved two of them, but the third hiker has, sadly, passed away.

It’s hard to believe something like that could happen during a summer day hike. It’s yet another reminder that when hiking high-altitudes, even in the summer months, you need to be prepared for sudden changes in the weather. Sometimes you don’t have much notice before an alpine storm hits.

click here for full article

I just saw this on the outside blog:

You’ve seen the tag on your high-tech camping gear from brands like Mountain Hardwear, Marmot, and The North Face: Made in China. SNEWS reports today that as part of its disaster relief efforts, the Chinese government has seized control of all Chinese-owned tent factories and existing stock. The report puts Chinese army soldiers on factory floors for at least a month, maybe more. The move may have some effect on US suppliers gearing up for the outdoor season, and could bottleneck production into the spring of 2009.

Seems like prices on everything are going crazy. Now you won’t even be able to afford a tent to sleep in. Unless of course you decide to make a tarptent.

I am glad that this option is available for temporary shelter for people who have been left homeless due to the recent earthquakes.