Cynthia DesGrange
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Art Room Organization

11/3/2014

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Inspired by Pinterest, I took a weekend to re-organize my art room supplies on the wall above my work table.

I used a 2' x 4' sheet of pegboard to hang my paints, and a few 1" x 4" x 4' boards with angle brackets to create shelf ledges below.  The acrylic paints came with hang holes, but the smaller watercolors have butterfly clips as hangers.  Harbor Freight has a cheap variety pack of pegboard hooks. To the right are tall plastic drawer bins that hold larger supplies and things I use less often.  I think it looks fantastic!
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Inspired by these pins:
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Hiking the Zion Narrows in Utah

4/5/2014

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The Narrows in Zion is an unforgettable hike for anyone up to the challenge, whether you're an experienced backpacker or a curious beginner. Although it's possible year-round, the best time to go is Summer and Fall, when the river flow is low and warm, and the risk of flooding is manageable.

Wade the Virgin River through a slot canyon 2000 feet deep, sometimes only 30 feet wide, past waterfalls and hanging gardens. For newcomers, a day-trip starting from the "bottom-up" could be as easy as 3-10 miles; the distance is up to you. For a serious trek, obtain a permit for "top-down" and commit to 16 miles over one or two days. Either way, good planning, proper equipment, and sound judgment are essential for a safe and successful trip.
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Twice a year, I teach a free class at REI called "Prep for Zion Narrows," where I describe the two routes, provide a checklist of suggested gear, explain the top-down permit process, and answer your questions about this amazing adventure. If you would like to see the slideshow I play during the talk, it's available online here.

When preparing your trip, read all the helpful info on the official Narrows website at NPS.gov. The research links we go thru in class are:

1. USGS Report on Virgin River near Springdale Utah The current discharge ideally should be between 25-75 CFS. The trail closes at 120 CFS.

2. Watch the weather in advance to judge if the ground is saturated from heavy rains, or baked from hot and dry spells. In those conditions, rain can't absorb as quickly, leading to more run-off into the river, potentially causing a flash flood. Plan your trip considering the average weather conditions, noting trends in temperature and afternoon thunderstorms.

3. National Weather Service - Flash Flood Potential Ratings for Southern Utah.

The rangers have also posted a 3-minute overview video on what to expect hiking the Narrows.

If you need to rent gear, there are several Outfitters in the city of Springdale, right outside the gate to Zion. Our group has used Zion Adventure Company, and Zion Rock & Mountain Guides for gear, guided tours, and shuttle service. The staff at REI is great for answering questions about gear, and they have some items available for rent.

If you plan on camping the night before, to be ready bright and early, I've also written an ­FAQ on camping in Watchman group campsites in Zion - which is technically for our group trip in the Spring and Fall, but has good info for your own trip too.
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Hiking: What is Scrambling?

3/1/2014

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When you read a hike description on VegasHikers.org, you might see the term "scrambling" to describe something between hiking and climbing.  In general, it means you'll have to negotiate your way around or over obstacles.  We rate the scramble difficulty in five levels, to help you decide if a hike is right for you.  These ratings are loosely based on the Yosemite Decimal System, the standard for rock climbers.

Scrambling Class 1

Class 1 is simply hiking over rocky terrain. No hands needed, just watch your step. We normally don't bother mentioning Class 1 since it's kinda implied in taking a "hike" versus a "walk".
Scrambling Class 1

Scrambing Class 2

Class 2 might use your hands, but just for balance. Imagine climbing on top of a picnic table -- some people will hop right up, others might rest a hand on the table to make the big step. Almost everyone can scramble Class 2, except maybe those with knee/ankle injuries, or vertigo/balance trouble.
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Scrambling Class 3

Class 3 starts to feel more like climbing. You'll use hands, feet, knees, butts, or any other body part to get the job done. These sections can be full-body workouts, and a lot of fun to figure out the best route for you ... whether you jump, crawl, crab-walk, or sit-n-scoot. ;-) Most hikers can handle Class 3 without much trouble, but check the "exposure" rating to predict whether a fear of heights may be an issue. Combine these factors with the hike's distance and elevation to determine whether you're fit for the challenge.
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Scrambling Class 4

Class 4 requires advanced skills and fitness, like lifting your weight with your upper body, or maneuvering in unusual ways. Examples include wedging yourself in a chimney, or climbing up a vertical wall with plenty of holds for your hands and feet. A rope would be helpful, but isn't required. Again, the "exposure" will make a big difference whether you enjoy this challenge at ground level versus dangling over a cliff.
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Scrambling Class 5

Class 5 is full-on rock climbing and requires ropes (*though if the climb is short enough, it could be tackled with the helping hands of your fellow hikers.) The scale continues up from here in the , with grades like 5.1, 5.2, 5.9, 5.10, etc. It's rare, but you might see Class 5 in our hikes with canyoneering, rappelling, or indoor rock climbing gym trips.
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Tips on Gear for New Hikers

2/1/2014

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Starting hiking can be as simple as gym shoes and a water bottle if you're sticking to easy trails. As you're learning the area and deciding what types of hikes you enjoy, you can add to your gear.  What you bring will be different for each category of hike: short day hikes, full day hikes, scrambling, or backpacking.  I started with cheap, used, or borrowed gear, then upgraded over time.  Here's a general list to get you started.
"The one thing that's more important
than any gear you carry is
good planning before you start the trip."


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Pack
A waistpack is lightweight and keeps your back free if you're scrambling. But a camel backpack carries more gear, and lets you drink hands-free, which is nice when you don't want to keep stopping for a drink. It's a chore to clean, so you might save it for longer trips or fast pace.

Shoes


Should have treads on the bottom to provide good traction on rocky terrain. Many people like the ankle support from boots, but some wear gym shoes (as long as the bottoms aren't flat or smooth.) Long hikes definitely need good foot comfort and protection, or you'll get blisters and endanger yourself.

Clothing
Wear layers so you can adjust your clothing based on the changing weather. A long-sleeve polyester shirt will protect you from UV, and act as a wind breaker if you're chilly -- or cool you off if you're hot (wet it, and the evaporation will chill you.) In cooler months, wear a wicking layer on your skin, then an insulation layer for warmth, and a waterproof wind breaker on top. For pants, wear something that doesn't rip easily, preferably a synthetic fabric since denim and cotton get cold and irritate skin if they get wet. Think about the possible changes in weather, and what might happen if you get delayed hours or forced to stay out overnight, or several nights. UV protection like a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, sunblock, and UV chapstick are essential, even on cloudy days. Gloves keep your hands warm, and help avoid sharp rocks when scrambling.

Food & Drink
Energy snacks with electrolytes are important for the desert. Sports drinks are full of junk sugar and contain only a few percent of what you need. Good things to target naturally are sodium (easy), chloride (salted snacks, olives, tomatoes, celery), potassium (banana, avocado, fresh or dried oranges, melons, raisins, prunes), calcium (milk, cheese, yogurt), and magnesium (leafy greens, whole grains, nuts, peanut butter.)

Always bring more water than you think you'll need. In fact, drink tons of water hours before the hike, because your body takes time to hydrate, and then you won't need to carry as much. If you "feel thirsty", you're already dehydrated!

Poles
Trekking poles come in handy if your trail crosses water or has loose footing on slopes. One is enough, but two provide better support.
Survival Kit
Base your kit on the terrain, possible weather, and the time or distance to get help. One example pack has a built-in whistle, a microlight clipped to your pack, a compass with signal mirror built in, and wear a bright piece of clothing. Then add a map, LED headlamp, pocket knife, foil blanket, fire-starter, rain poncho, toilet paper, small trash bag, paracord rope, construction pencil, and paper with your name, contact info and medical alerts.

First Aid Kit
This kit also varies on your terrain, possible weather, size of group, and the time or distance to get help.
Here's what I carry: Field guide to first aid, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic gel, large bandaid, rolled gauze, ace bandage, chemical ice pack, duct tape, moleskin, tweezers, non-latex gloves, tampon, hand sanitizer, safety pin, splint, and bug spray. Include medications for personal use only, such as ibuprophen, imodium, antacid, benadryl, chewable aspirin, epi-pen, albuterol, etc. Adjust for the trip, like more for scrapes if you're hiking across desert, versus more for sprains if you're scrambling.

It may sound like a lot, but you learn over time how to cut things down into travel sizes so you can pack tight and it all fits in little plastic box. Hiking with a group helps because people can pool their resources if trouble arises.

Read more about the Ten Essentials for Hiking to be ready for emergencies. I also recommend the Wilderness First Aid classes available through the Red Cross or at REI.

Overnight Trips
If you're backpacking, you'll need to add a bunch of stuff, but each trip I host usually comes with a suggested gear list. For example, here's our list for six days in Havasupai, Grand Canyon:

Backpack and small daysack, tent, sleep pad, sleeping bag, inflatable pillow, water filter, ready-foods or dehydrated meals, water shoes you can hike in, three outfits and six underwear, bathroom/hygiene products, backpacker stove and fuel, bowl and utensil, hat, sunglasses, sunblock, headlamp, bathing suit, first aid kit, dry-sack, trekking poles, and a camera.
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    About Cynthia

    I love board games, hiking, arts and crafts, thrift stores, and tacos.

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