This gear program presents reviews of LED lanterns and headlamps. In the past few years, the one piece of outdoor gear that's improved most dramatically in performance versus weight is lighting. Larry Kirschner reviews the Coleman 4AA Pack-Away Lantern. Roger Caffin reviews the Princeton Tec Quad Headlamp. Tim Tessier reviews the Black Diamond Icon Headlamp. If you're interested in reviewing for Backpack Gear Test (BGT), read: How to become a tester. Manufacturers provide more gear than the volunteers at BGT can keep up with. By becoming a tester, you can help your fellow wilderness travelers find out what gear will work for them. Show number 138 [MP3 format; length 9:53; 2,375,323 bytes] Show number 138, extended version [MP3 format; length 11:59; 5,760,797 bytes]Show number 138 script JOIN NOW -- Help us help more folks to appreciate our wild public lands.

This wild places program is part two of a look at the effects of wild fires. Smoky the Bear says, only you can prevent wild fires. But sometimes you can't, and in some ways, that's not all bad. (Part 1 is here.) Wild fires burned through three major wilderness areas in California late last summer: The Dick Smith Wilderness in the Los Padres National Forest was burned by the Zaca Fire. The San Rafael Wilderness in the Los Padres National Forest was burned by the Zaca Fire. The Orestimba Wilderness in Henry Coe State Park was burned by the Lick Fire. Steve talks with fire ecologist Jon Keely of the United States Geologic Survey about whether fire irreparably damages wild lands. Winslow Briggs, director emeritus for the Carnagie Institute of Science, is studying the recovery of plants in Henry Coe State Park. He talks about what survived, what's coming back, and how he knows. Jon Keely talks about what to look for when you explore a place that has burned, and some things to discover and appreciate. WildeBeat members can download extended bonus interviews with Winslow Briggs and Jon Keely from our WildeBeat Insider's web pages. Show number 137 [MP3 format; length 9:56; 2,386,410 bytes] Combined show numbers 136 length 20:44; 19,910,396 bytes] Show number 137 script Show number 136 & 137 combined script Photo Album from Henry Coe S.P. JOIN NOW -- Help us help more folks to appreciate our wild public lands.

This wild places program is part one of a look at the effects of wild fires. Smoky the Bear says, only you can prevent wild fires. But sometimes you can't, and in some ways, that's not all bad. We play a part of a TV news report about a wild fire that burned about half of California's Henry Coe State Park. This park contains the nearest wilderness area to us, the Orestimba Wilderness. Kathleen Good tells us about the largest of last year's wild fires in California, the Zaca Fire in the Los Padres National Forest, which burned both the Dick Smith Wilderness and the San Rafael Wilderness. Steve tours the damage at Henry Coe State Park with ranger John Verhoeven. Ben Lawhon, education director for the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, reminds us about responsible use of fire on backcountry and wilderness outings. Next week, in part 2, scientists study what happens to a wild place after a fire. Show number 136 [MP3 format; length 9:54; 2,378,785 bytes] Show number 136 script JOIN NOW -- Help us help more folks to appreciate our wild public lands.

This outings program tells the story of a 10 year old girl and her parents who went on a hike. With all the emphasis on getting more kids outdoors, it might be helpful to give them a role model. Listen to hear about a great one. Mary "Scrambler" and her parents, Gary and Barbara, hiked the length of the Pacific Crest Trail in 2004. Their 2,650 mile journey started April 8th, and they were on the trail until October 21st. They talk about preparation for their journey, stories along the trail, and some of the more profound things they got out of the experience. Barbara Egbert wrote about the adventure, and included photos, copies of Mary's journal, drawings, and more in her book, Zero Days. Gary maintains a web site at pctfamily.com. Show number 135 [MP3 format; length 9:58; 2,397,057 bytes] Show number 135, extended version [MP3 format; length 13:31; 6,490,972 bytes] Show number 135 script JOIN NOW -- Help us help more folks to appreciate our wild public lands.

This skills program takes a look at the latest in safety advice in grizzly bear country. What if the safest way to protect yourself from a grizzly bear was also safer for the bear? Steve talks to Chris Servheen, the Grizzly Bear Recovery Coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Chris authored several fact sheets on bears, including the most recent, Bear Spray vs. Bullets which offers better protection? Chris refers Steve to a scientist who's doing the leading-edge studies on how to most safely handle yourself in grizzly bear habitat. Tom Smith, an Associate Professor of Plant and Wildlife Sciences at Brigham Young University, has studied the entire documented history of bear encounters in North America for the past 120 years. Tom explains why certain deterrents work better than others. WildeBeat Members can download our entire 40-minute interview with bear researcher Tom Smith from our WildeBeat Insider web pages. Show number 134 [MP3 format; length 9:57; 2,391,840 bytes] Show number 134 extended version [MP3 format; length 10:53; 5,231,250 bytes] Show number 134 script JOIN NOW -- Help us help more folks to appreciate our wild public lands.

This skills program is a wrap. Well, really it's about baking fresh enchiladas, in a backcountry camp, without a fire or a stove. Steve returns to visit the kitchen of backcountry cooking author Linda Frederick Yaffe. Ms. Yaffe is the author of the books Backpack Gourmet, Solar Cooking for Home and Camp, High Trail Cookery, and The Well Organized Camper. Our guest backpack gourmet demonstrates a solar oven that portable enough to be carried in a backpack, and simple enough to build for yourself. She uses her solar cooker to prepare delicious fresh bean and cheese enchiladas with fresh tomatoes. She also mentions other things you can make with a clamshell solar cooker. Follow the supplemental information link below to get the complete recipe and pictures of her and the enchiladas. Ms. Yaffe mentions the non-profit organization, Solar Cookers International, which she recommends as a source for appropriate cook pots and pans. WildeBeat Members can download our entire collection of unedited sit-down interviews with Linda Frederick Yaffe, from each of the three shows she appears in, from our WildeBeat Insider web pages. Show number 133 [MP3 format; length 9:58; 2,396,540 bytes] Show number 133 extended stereo version [MP3 format; length 11:12; 10,769,628 bytes] Show number 133 script Supplemental information... JOIN NOW -- Help us help more folks to appreciate our wild public lands.

This skills program looks at packing your gear for air travel to a distant trailhead. Air travel can be a hassle if you don't plan ahead and prepare. We hear a phoned-in comment from listener Jeremy Sullivan. He relates a situation when he had difficulty traveling with his camping gear. Steve meets with Robert Cassidy, a hazardous materials specialist for the Federal Aviation Administration. Robert provides a lot of helpful information, but he explains that in the end the Transportation Security Administration has the final say at the security checkpoint about what you can take on an airliner. Steve talks to Nico Melendez by phone. Nico is the Pacific Region spokesman for the Transportation Security Administration. You can find additional information to help you identify hazardous materials to avoid taking on an airplane on the FAA's Hazardous Materials Information for Passengers page. More general information on planning ahead and preparing for air travel with your backcountry gear can be found on the TSA's Air Travel Tips pages. In particular, they have a page devoted to traveling with camping gear. WildeBeat members can download an extended interview with Robert Cassidy of the FAA, from our WildeBeat Insiders web pages. Show number 132 [MP3 format; length 9:57; 2,391,731 bytes] Show number 132, extended stereo version [MP3 format; length 11:49; 6,171,404 bytes] Show number 132 script This edition was made possible by: Producing a range of natural, gourmet freeze-dried foods for over twenty-five years, Alpine Aire features ready-to-eat instant meals for your outdoor adventures, available at www.aa-foods.com. JOIN NOW -- Help us help more folks to appreciate our wild public lands.

This wild places program presents a guidebook author's favorite places to snowshoe in California. Yeah, it's spring, but there's still a lot of nice snow up there. Mike White, author of Best Snowshoe Trails of California, tells us what he actually thinks are the very best snowshoe trails in California. He picks trails that start at this trailhead, and at this trailhead. Mike introduced us to snowshoe hiking two weeks ago, in our edition number 129, A Snowshoe Primer. Mike also mentions the option of staying overnight in a backcountry hut; one of the places we mentioned in our edition number 111, a reprise of Indoor Snow Camping. Show number 131 [MP3 format; length 9:58; 2,397,070 bytes] Show number 131, extended version [MP3 format; length 11:18; 5,426,443 bytes] Show number 131 script JOIN NOW -- Help us help more folks to appreciate our wild public lands.

This outings program takes us on a patrol day with the Lake Alpine Nordic Ski Patrol. You can have a great time while helping others by joining a ski patrol. Steve joins the patrol skiing in the backcountry near Bear Valley, California. We hear from Charles Schafer, the patrol director for the Lake Alpine Nordic Ski Patrol. His group is affiliated with the Far West Division of the National Ski Patrol. Charles talks about the reason they're out there skiing the backcountry: To provide assistance to backcountry skiers and to make their experience safer. After the tour, Steve talked with Jeff Gurrola, the Nordic Supervisor for the Far West Division of the National Ski Patrol. Jeff talks about how you can join up with a backcountry ski patrol. To join a ski patrol in your favorite backcountry area, you can start by contacting the National Ski Patrol and finding out about which areas near you have active patrols. Call their national office in Colorado at 303-988-1111. Show number 130 [MP3 format; length 9:58; 2,397,166 bytes] Show number 130, high-fidelity stereo [MP3 format; length 11:56; 11,460,931 bytes] Show number 130 script JOIN NOW -- Help us help more folks to appreciate our wild public lands.

This skills program presents an introduction to winter hiking on snowshoes. If you can hike, you can snowshoe. Steve takes a hike with author Mike White, who wrote the books, Best Snowshoe Trails of California, Snowshoe Trails of Yosemite, and Snowshoe Trails Tahoe. A couple of weeks ago, they hiked out and back a couple of miles in the Tahoe National Forest near Donner Pass in California. Snowshoe hiking is the easiest way to start exploring the wilderness in the winter. Mike explains the gear you need, and how to get started. WildeBeat members can download an extended interview with Mike White featuring more detailed tips for getting started, from our WildeBeat Insiders web pages. Show number 129 [MP3 format; length 9:59; 2,398,628 bytes] Show number 129, extended high-quality stereo version [MP3 format; length 12:16; 11,778,580 bytes] Show number 129 script JOIN NOW -- Help us help more folks to appreciate our wild public lands.