Soker Grrl's in Backpacker!

Pick up the April issue of Backpacker magazine, turn to page 64, and feast your eyes on the lower left corner. A photo I took on a pack trip to Skillern Hot Springs last June has been published. With great excitement I invite you to take a peek, and keep an eye out on Backpacker's website for Soker Grrl as well.

Thank you to everyone who shares in my adventures. I look forward to many more treks in the future.

In Peace,
~Soker Grrl

Menstruation while backpacking: Not a problem

The snow is melting exposing dormant grasses. Trees are beginning to bud, flowers open their petals like sleeping children, and the squirrels are actively teasing my dogs again. These are all signs that spring is knocking at my door. Every morning I awake thinking and planning my next backpacking trip. While sharing my past adventures with friends, a couple questions continually arise, "What do you do when you're on your period?" and "Won't bears be attracted to the smell of blood?" While I know my preferred method, I decided to do some asking around. This was a much more common question than I thought, as I found it in multiple forums and bulletin boards. The best general consensus for dealing with your monthly visitor, and the one I agree with is:

• Use tampons over sanitary napkins
• Use unscented accessories
• Pack it in, pack it out, freezer zip-loc bags and double up the bag
• Hoist with all other food/garbage that you want to keep away from critters
• Sanitizing hand gel, it's very important to keep as clean as possible while dealing with sensitive areas

That's it, it really is this simple!

You shouldn't bury the used accessories because animals could smell the blood and try to dig them up. Some burn their tampons. If this is something you decide to do remember that a very hot fire is needed, and a good bit of time to completely destroy them. You'll need to pack out the remains.

In the case of the myth that bears will be drawn to menstruating women, I have found this to be MYTH.

Several studies have been done and the results show that bears are NOT attracted to menstruating women any more than another person. For more information please visit www.nps.gov.

My fellow adventurous women, please go into the wild with ease knowing that our monthly friend does not have to put a damper on anything that we love to do. All we need is to be prepared for the journey.

Call to Action!

If there has ever been a time when we need to unite and speak up, that time is now. Idaho's roadless areas are on the chopping block once again (or still depending on how you look at it). Anyone and everyone who appreciates the wilderness, or wants it to be around for future generations, please take part and submit your comments. When we unite as one our voice may be heard!

The following is an email from the Idaho Conservation League. This decision effects not only Idaho residents, but the entire nation. I urge you to take a stand and speak out. I will be at the Boise rally on February 28. Hope to see you there!

Dear Friends (Please spread this email widely)-

The Forest Service has released a Draft Plan that threatens to allow new roads, logging, mining and other forms of harmful development in the majority of Idaho's 9.3 million acres of pristine, backcountry national forests. The proposal contradicts then-Gov. Risch's commitment to protect 95% of Idaho's roadless forests when he testified in Washington, DC in November 2006.

If you care about about ensuring that future generations of Idahoans can experience Idaho's majestic backcountry, the time is now...Let's Keep Idaho, Idaho.

We can't do it alone though, WE NEED YOUR HELP!


BACKGROUND:
We are blessed in Idaho with over 9.3 million acres of backcountry national forest areas. With one of the fastest growing populations in the country, Idaho's rugged, natural areas are becoming more important for preserving opportunities for outdoor recreation, hunting, fishing and our way of life.

In 2001, protections were developed to protect all remaining national forest roadless areas around the country. That rule REMAINS THE LAW OF THE LAND.

In September 2006, then-Governor Jim Risch petitioned the Forest Service to allow for some development in Idaho's pristine forests. In November 2006, he "clarified" that he was willing to accept protections equivalent to, or stronger, than the 2001 Rule on 8.8 million acres. Now the Forest Service has developed a draft plan that would weaken protections for 7.6 million acres of Idaho's backcountry forests.

These backcountry areas are the source of Idaho's clean water, critical wildlife habitat and offer the opportunity for solitude, a dwindling resource as Idaho continues to grow.

THE TIME TO SPEAK OUT IS NOW!


PUBLIC MEETINGS:
The Forest Service will be hosting 16 public meetings across the state beginning January 22 and continuing until February 28. A FULL LIST of the meeting locations and times is attached (in PDF format) AND is pasted below in this email. It will be CRITICAL for Idahoans to show up at these meetings and voice their support for maintaining current protections for the backcountry roadless areas we cherish.


GET INVOLVED:
Along with a number conservation groups from across the state, we will be hosting presentations and meetings in communities around Idaho to let YOU know about the draft plan, and what YOU can do to protect these special places. If you would like more information about attending a meeting, or scheduling a meeting for any group you're involved with (fishing, hunting, conservation group, audubon, sierra club, or even a group of friends!) please contact TOM SCHWARZ at tschwarz@wildidaho.org or toll-free at 877-345-6933 ext. 27. Tom will also be coordinating transportation to public meetings if you live in a community not served by one of the public meetings ( i.e. Moscow, McCall, Sandpoint).

We are also encouraging supporters to submit LETTERS TO THE EDITOR to your local paper AND the Idaho Statesman (editorial@idahostatesman.com) encouraging attendance at local meetings and raising concerns with the draft plan.

Finally, please make sure to EMAIL YOUR COMMENTS to IDcomments@fsroadless.org

MORE INFO:
You can get more information, points to comment on, the Draft Idaho Roadless Rule, the Draft environmental analysis, and links to more at
www.wildidaho.org/update.php

You can also get load of info at www.roadless.fs.fed.us/idaho

Thanks you for your support!


Jonathan Oppenheimer
Senior Conservation Associate
Idaho Conservation League
PO Box 844, Boise, ID 83701
208. 345.6942 x26
Fax 208.344.0344
Cell: 208.867.3505
joppenheimer@wildidaho.org
http://www.wildidaho.org

The Idaho Conservation League preserves Idaho's clean water, wilderness and quality of life.

--------------------

IDAHO PUBLIC MEETINGS

NORTH IDAHO
January 22, 2007
Bonners Ferry
Kootenai River Inn
7169 Plaza St. Bonners Ferry, ID 83805
7:00 PM

January 23, 2007
Coeur d' Alene
Kootenai CountyCourthouse
451 Government Way Rm 1A/1B
Coeur d' Alene, ID 83816
6:00 PM

January 24, 2007
Kellogg
ID Dept. of Healthy and Welfare Office
35 Wildcat Way
Kellogg, ID 83837
6:00 PM

NORTH CENTRAL IDAHO
January 28, 2007
Orofino
Clearwater County Courthouse
150 Michigan Avenue
Orofino, ID 83544
7:00 PM

January 29, 2007
Lewiston
Red Lion Hotel
621 21st Street
Lewiston, ID 83501
7:00 PM

January 30, 2007
Grangeville
Super 8 Motel
801 SW 1st Street
Grangeville, ID 83530
7:00 PM

CENTRAL IDAHO
February 11, 2007
Salmon
Brooklyn Annex
200 Fulton
Salmon, ID 83467
7:00 PM

February 12, 2007
Challis
Custer County Courthouse
Main Street
Challis, ID 83226
7:00 PM

February 13, 2007
Hailey
Blaine County Courthouse
206 South 1st Avenue, Ste 200
Hailey, ID 83333
7:00 PM

February 14, 2007
Mackay
Mackay City Hall
203 S. Main Street
Mackay, ID 83251
7:00 PM

SOUTHEAST IDAHO
February 20, 2007
Idaho Falls
Shilo Inn
Grand Teton Rm
780 Lindsey Blvd
Idaho Falls, ID 83401
6:00 PM

February 21, 2007
Pocatello
Holiday Inn
1399 Bench Road
Pocatello, ID 83201
6:00 PM

SOUTHWEST IDAHO
February 25, 2007
Cascade
Valley County
Courthouse
219 N. Main Street
Cascade, ID 83611
7:00 PM

February 26, 2007
Council
Adams County Courthouse
201 Industrial Ave Council, ID 83612
7:00 PM

February 27, 2007
Twin Falls
Twin Falls City Council Chambers
305 3rd Avenue East
Twin Falls, ID 83301
7:00 PM

February 28, 2007
Boise
Boise City Hall
150 N Capitol Blvd Boise, ID 83702
7:00 PM

A New Year Brings New Escapades

As 2008 begins our eyes, ears, and minds are flooded with the message of resolutions. What are we going to do this year to improve ourselves and our quality of life? I am viewing this new year as an opportunity and a challenge to have as many adventures as possible. I want to explore new regions, climb mountains, backpack the FCRNRW, and all the while refocus on my writing. I yearn to discover the desert in more detail, to encounter new experiences in the forest, and all the while do what I can to protect and preserve these precious places. I anxiously await what 2008 will bring. This new year will be everything I make of it; excitement, adventure, and new challenges!

Leave No Trace

It never hurts to have a refresher on how we should treat our environment. Here are the basic principles of the Leave No Trace concept, which should be followed by anyone who has thoughts of enjoying the outdoors. It is my wish to have the forest, deserts, wetlands, tundra, and all wild lands around for my great great grandchildren's children to experience and treasure as I do. We must all work together to conserve, preserve, and educate!

1. Plan ahead and prepare
2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces
3. Dispose of waste properly
4. Leave what you find
5. Minimize campfire impacts
6. Respect wildlife
7. Be considerate of other visitors

Don't forget to always pack it out, leaving everything more pristine than how you found it.
For more information:

www.lnt.org/main.html

www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leave_No_Trace

www.girlscouts.org/for_adults/volunteering/articles/leave_no_trace.asp

Trail Recipe

When backpacking season comes around I begin to think about all of the delicious food that can be brought. I'm not big on dirtying dishes while out and about, so I take advantage of freezer bag cooking. Here's one my favorites that is easy to prepare before the trail. All you'll need to do is add boiling water, eat, and enjoy!

Pasta w/Meat Sauce
At Home
Dehydrate your favorite pasta sauce to the point it looks like leather. Be sure to put plastic wrap on your trays, or a rather large mess will be made.

Dehydrate 1/4 pound lean hamburger or turkey per person. Brown meat, rinse until as much of the grease is gone, pat dry, and your ready to dehydrate. I suggest using the plastic wrap trick here also, as the meat dries it turns into gravel and falls through the holes of the trays.

Cook pasta until aldente (use your judgement on amount, remember when it dries it looks like much less than what it will reconstitute to). I like rotini or penne pasta.

Rip sauce into smaller pieces and place in sandwhich baggie. In a gallon size freezer bag put dehydrated meat, noodles, and sauce pouch together. I also like to add a packet of parmesean cheese.

On the trail
Remove sauce pouch, add about 1/3 cup water, not boiling, mush around. Water from your bottle is fine.
Boil aproximately 1 1/2 cups water. Add boiling water and sauce mix to meat/pasta mix. Stir well, place in foil cozy and let sit for 10 minutes or until pasta is tender. Stir well again, add your parmesean and have a delightful dinner on the trail.

A Sleeping Beast

The Grand Canyon is pristine, breathtaking, awe inspiring, and most definitely a true wonder to this world. At nearly a vertical mile drop in elevation, the Colorado river snakes through the Canyon, carrying rafters and immense beauty. It lulls you with unlimited horizons and jaw dropping views, until it wakes. The grandeur remains throughout the unrelenting heat, throughout the brutal pack trip. It endures from top to bottom, and back up again. It has not claimed another victim. It rests, so peaceful, so serene, until we meet again.

Skillern Soaking

On the edge of the Sawtooth National Forest, 60 miles from Fairfield, ID lies Skillern Hot Springs. For 2.8 miles you'll hike above and along Big Smokey Creek, enjoying beautiful views.

I took along my trusty pack and a few friends for an overnighter. Primitive camping was abundant, and only 1/4 mile from the pool! We found two pools along the water, one was definitely soakable clocking in at 102 degrees. The other waterside pool was not as warm since creek levels were still high from winter run off. Perched upon a cliff edge, slightly tucked into a small cove, the main soaking pool was a toasty 104 degrees. Slight improvements had been made since my last visit in September 2006. Logs had been placed as a wind break, and the pool appeared to be slightly wider. The minature hot waterfall still cascaded into the pool lightly splashing its soakers. The water was clean, clear and free of algae. Tiny spiders scurried across the rocks throughout the source and hot overflows. I even saw a poor snake that had curled up to get warm, but alas, the water was too hot for it. The entire area was green and bursting with spring time life.

Skillern is a wonderful spring or autumn day hike or pack trip. Keep in mind that this area gets very warm in the summer months, the trail has little to no shade, and a great portion of the trail follows a ridge with no trees. This is a family friendly area, and you'll more than likely run into people throughout the weekend. We saw a few Saturday on our way out. Though the trip was short, the hike was great, the pool relaxing, and the company enjoyable.

Idaho's Roadless Areas Need Your Support!

The Forest Service is accepting comments on Idaho Roadless Areas.

Idaho has more than 9.3 million acres of unprotected backcountry National Forests, more than any state in the lower-48.In 2006, then-Governor Risch asked the Forest Service to protect 8.8 million acres of Idaho’s backcountry roadless areas. His proposal would open over 525,000 acres to mining, logging, and roadbuilding. Most of these so-called “General Forest” areas are located on the Caribou-Targhee National Forest.Main Points
The comment period should be extended, and public meetings should be held at this stage. The analysis must evaluate the potential impact to the 525,000 acres designated as “General Forest.” *This is now at 900,000 acres*

No roads should be constructed in these areas for commercial purposes. What You Can Do: Use your own words to discuss these main points in a letter to the Forest Service. To make sure your voice is heard, you must comment by May 10, 2007.

Additional Points:
Talk about specific roadless areas that are special to you.
Discuss how Idaho's best fishing and hunting opportunities are located in roadless areas.
Mention that Idaho's forests already have over 34,000 miles of road and a $660 million backlog of needed maintenance.
Ask that all roadless areas be protected from mining. Use our form on our website to send your comments right away, or:Email your comments to: IDcomments@fsroadless.orgMail to:Roadless Area Conservation – IdahoPO Box 162909Sacramento, CA 95816-2909Fax to: 916.456.6724For More InfoGo to www.wildidaho.org/update.php to download the Forest Service notice, Risch Petition, maps and other files.Latest Roadless Area Update Courtesy Jonathan Oppenheimer of the Idaho Conservation League

Thank you Hot Springs Guy for sharing this with all of us!

Outdoor Cooking

With backpacking season approaching, it's time to start thinking about food. What to bring is always a huge concern. There are so many things to ask yourself; Does this have enough calories? Does this have enough nutrition? Will this sustain me? How hard is it to put together? How about the weight? How difficult is it to make on the trail? Does this taste good? There are endless questions when it comes to prepping for your pack meals. I would like to share one of my favorite recipes that is a main staple on my pack trips. Everything is prepared before hand, placed in a freezer bag, and is ready to go! Just add hot water. I hope you enjoy!

Fiesta Taco
makes 2

Ingredients:
hamburger 1/2 pound (aprox)
onions
olives
instant rice 1 cup divided
taco seasoning 2 - 3 tsp. or to taste
salt (to taste)
pepper (to taste)
tortillas - optional
freezer bags 2-1 quart
Heavy dut aluminum foil

You will need a dehydrator to prepare this.

*Brown hamburger until fully cookes. Rinse and rinse hamburger to remove as much grease as possible. Pat dry.
*Slice olives and dice onions. The amount you use will be to your liking.
Put hamburger, olives, and onions in dehydrator on seperate racks and dry until ready.
*In your freezer bags mix half the hamburger, olives, onions, seasonings, and rice. Voila! Your meal is prepped. Take the heavy duty foil and fold it into a pouch shape, making sure the edges are tight, leaving an opening at the top to slide in your freezer bag meal.
At camp, boil water, about 1 - 1 1/2 cups
*Place freezer bag meal inside foil pouch and pour in boiling water. Close freezer bag and fold over top of foil pouch. Give everything a good squish around to mix. Let it sit for about 10 min, then you're ready to eat. You can scoop the mixture into tortillas if you like. I usually just eat as is. The foil pouches can be reused many times. When you're done with it just fold it back up and put with your food items.

I hope you all enjoy this. I will be sharing recipes that I have tested throughout this blog, and encourage all of us to share and share alike.