The accidental discovery of “ePTFE”

The following is an adaptation from Ramble On: A History of Hiking:

While working for his father’s start-up company in Delaware, Bob Gore accidentally discovered a new polymer known as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, or ePTFE, which would eventually become a crucial component in a wide range of outdoor gear and apparel products.

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), also known as Teflon, was originally discovered by a DuPont scientist in 1938. Convinced that there were many other opportunities yet to be discovered, Bob’s father, Bill, left DuPont in 1958 to pursue other applications for the new polymer. In 1969, in a bit of frustration while trying to make the polymer more efficient, Bob gave a swift yank to a heated rod of PTFE that unexpectedly caused it to stretch by almost 800%. This transformed the solid PTFE into a super-thin microporous sheet that was now roughly 70% air. Consequently, the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, or ePTFE, was also discovered to have billions of micropores that were 20,000 times smaller than a droplet of water. As a result, Gore would eventually come to realize that the new product could block rain if it were applied to a fabric. Additionally, since the micropores were still 700 times larger than a water vapor molecule, the product would allow perspiration, in the form of vapor, to pass through its membrane, thus making it a truly breathable material.

In 1971, the company began selling products under the trademarked name Gore-Tex. Though initially used in electronics, computers, and a variety of industrial applications, the company entered the outdoor retail market in 1976 when Early Winters began selling tents and rain jackets made with Gore-Tex. Later that same year, Marmot introduced the first down sleeping bag manufactured with Gore-Tex, while Synergy Works began selling parkas made with the new synthetic product. In 1980, Gore-Tex introduced a laminate for use in hiking boots. Today, there are dozens of outdoor brands that use Gore-Tex in a variety of products, including Patagonia, The North Face, Vasque, Merrell, Black Diamond, Outdoor Research and Arc'teryx.

This book on hiking history is now available on Amazon Kindle.

Did you know there was a golf course at Paradise in Mount Rainier National Park?

The following is an adaptation from Ramble On: A History of Hiking:

"Oh, what a paradise!"

That was Martha Longmire’s reaction upon seeing the lush meadows, spectacular wildflower displays and sublime scenery of Mount Rainier’s southern valley for the very first time in 1885. The name would stick. Today, the most popular area in Mount Rainier National Park is known as “Paradise,” and once you set your own eyes upon it you’ll understand why. In fact, I would rank the Skyline Loop as one of the best hikes I’ve ever taken.

Now, imagine a sprawling golf course marring this beautiful setting – or even worse, a motorcycle rally!

Paradise Park is widely recognized as one of the snowiest places on Earth. On average, the meadow receives roughly 640 inches of snow each year. During the winter of 1971-1972, it received a whopping 1122 inches (93.5 feet) of snow, which set a world record at that time. As a result of the extreme amount of snow that falls each year, the snow-free season at Paradise is quite short, lasting only three months or so. Because of the short tourist season, Mt. Rainier officials experimented with some highly unconventional tactics to attract visitors, thus hoping to raise more revenue for the park. This included opening a nine-hole golf course at Paradise in 1931. Horace M. Albright, the National Park Service Director at that time, rationalized the decision by stating,

Golf is a country game not a city one. It can be justified in parks easier than tennis. Anyway, I want to try out the thing and as the Rainier Company needs revenue more than any other Company I am disposed to let them try the experiment.

Fortunately, after the snow started falling in October of that year, the course was permanently closed. Perhaps the most egregious stunt ever employed by the National Park Service was the staging of a motorcycle hill climb at Paradise in 1922. The event was attended by more than 300 motorcyclists, but “came to a swift end when scars on the hillside became all too noticeable.”

This book on hiking history is now available on Amazon Kindle.

Vulcanization

The following is an adaptation from Ramble On: A History of Hiking:

Until the turn of the twentieth century, rubberized clothing was the most popular choice for staying dry in the outdoors. Hikers and outdoorsmen of all stripes used a variety of India rubber products to stay dry, or keep their gear dry. This included rubberized coats, ponchos, blankets and knapsacks.

India rubber was first used in textiles as far back as 1824. However, before Charles Goodyear discovered vulcanization in 1839, the first generation of India rubber products failed to perform as intended. The rubber coating on textiles from that period tended to melt in the summer and crack in the winter. A perfect illustration of the ineffectiveness of the product comes from a U.S. Naval officer who wrote a scathing complaint about this newly issued garment in 1835, exclaiming:

Oh! I wish the rascal were here, who sold it to me! I am up to my knees in water, it runs in, but ‘it won’t run out,’ and the caps leak through every seam, the jacket is not worth a groat.

After the discovery of vulcanization, it would take Charles Goodyear another five years to perfect the process of curing, which made rubber products more pliable, easier to meld, and far more durable. The process that developed from Goodyear’s invention involved mixing sulfur and chemicals with the sap of a rubber tree, which was heated to form a sticky mass. The mass was then rolled into thin sheets, which were then applied to cotton, wool or silk before being steam-heated and cut into garments.

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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

• Just released: Ramble On: A History of Hiking

Ötzi the Iceman

The following is an adaptation from Ramble On: A History of Hiking:

In 1991, the remains of an ancient rucksack were discovered in Tyrol, a historic region in the Alps of northern Italy and western Austria. Though it’s the oldest backpack ever found, this wood-frame pack certainly wasn’t the first. Archeological evidence shows that nearly every culture around the world has used some form of bag, sack or pack to carry heavy loads on their backs while traveling.

In September of 1991, two German tourists came across a frozen corpse while trekking off-trail along a glaciated ridge below the precipitous slopes of the Fineilspitze in the Ötztal Alps. Because of the location and the condition of the body, the couple assumed that the individual was the victim of a relatively recent mountaineering accident. Evidence, however, soon revealed that the victim was much older than originally thought. The corpse was actually the mummified remains of a Copper Age man who died around 3300 BCE. Among the artifacts found at the site were a copper-bladed axe, dagger, bow, arrows, two birch-bark containers, and the wooden frame remnants of a rucksack. Though all other evidence was long gone, researchers believe that an animal skin or a net was attached to the frame that would’ve allowed the late Neolithic man to carry his possessions on his back. As a result of being found in the Ötztal Alps, the man was given the name “Ötzi.” It’s believed that “Ötzi the Iceman” was roughly 45 years of age when he died. Moreover, an X-ray taken in 2001 revealed that a flint arrowhead was lodged in his left shoulder, which provided scientists with convincing evidence that Ötzi was likely murdered. The mummified remains of Ötzi and his artifacts are now on display in the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology in Bolzano, Italy.

The museum describes the remains of the rucksack as follows:

A U-shaped hazel rod (approx. 2 m long) and two narrow wooden boards (38-40 cm long) are the only surviving parts of Ötzi’s backpack. The wooden boards and the hazel rod were probably tied together with string, and a hide sack or net was attached to the frame. Backpacks made of wood have a long tradition in the Alps. They were used to transport firewood, for instance.

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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

• Just released: Ramble On: A History of Hiking

The Invention of "Carrarmato"

The following is an adaptation from Ramble On: A History of Hiking:

The first major improvement in mountaineering boots came about as a result of a deadly climbing accident in 1935. While descending Punta Rasica, a rugged peak along the Swiss-Italian border, an expedition led by Vitale Bramani was caught in an unexpected blizzard. Unable to descend along the icy rock walls, six members of his party ultimately succumbed to exhaustion, exposure and frostbite. As was the custom at that time, climbers wore heavy, hobnailed boots along the lower slopes of mountains. As they climbed higher, they would exchange their boots for lighter rock climbing shoes, usually made with thin leather and felt-bottom soles that offered little protection against cold temperatures or moisture. Though they worked well in normal weather, the shoes offered virtually no grip in icy conditions.

Convinced that inadequate footwear played the primary role in the deaths of his six companions, Bramani resolved to find a solution to the problem. Two years later he introduced a boot sole with an innovative tread design that he called Carrarmato, which means “tank tread.” The sole was made from vulcanized rubber, and featured heavy lugs that were designed to take the place of hobnails. The rubber lug pattern provided boots with outstanding traction, which allowed them to be used on a variety of surfaces, including uneven forest floors, bare rock, loose scree slopes, and hard-packed snow. Moreover, the rubber soles were highly durable, abrasion-resistant, waterproof, and provided far more insulation against the cold than leather soles. In 1937, with the financial backing of Leopoldo Pirelli, grandson of the founder of Pirelli Tires, Bramani launched his revolutionary new product. Taking the first two letters of his first name, and the first four letters of his last name, Vitale Bramani called his startup enterprise “Vibram.” Almost immediately, the lugged soles caught on with the climbing community, and eventually with hikers in the 1960s and 70s.



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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

New edition of "Ramble On: A History of Hiking" released!

Virtually no one went hiking before the 19th century. What occurred that inspired ordinary people to take a walk in the woods for pleasure?

While there are enough books about mountaineering to fill a small library, very little has been written on the rich and fascinating history of hiking. Ramble On: A History of Hiking is the first book to explore how hiking evolved into one of the world’s most popular outdoor recreational activities.

Extensively researched, this book provides a broad overview of the origins of hiking, as well as the cultural trends, movements, events, and innovations that spurred its growth and allowed it to eventually flourish.

This second edition of Ramble On: A History of Hiking builds upon the original to reflect additional research and to expand more broadly on a few key topics. For example, I wanted to provide a deeper understanding of how the Age of Enlightenment and the Romantic Era influenced art, aesthetics, literature, religion and thought, which in turn allowed hiking to bloom and eventually flourish. I also thought that it was important to chronicle in more detail the crucial role the multi-generational Crawford family of New Hampshire played in the development of hiking in America. This edition also explores how the term “hiking” surprisingly evolved after the Philippine-American War to assume the meaning we understand today.

Praise for the first edition:

"Doran weaves the social, cultural, industrial, and political milieu into this fascinating history. Amusing, astonishing, and sometimes alarming anecdotes .. make this a fascinating and significant account of the history of hiking."

- Priscilla Estes, Appalachian Footnotes, Winter 2018-2019, Delaware Valley Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club


Ramble On: A History of Hiking is now available on Amazon.

Reservations for Sperry and Granite Park Chalets open February 12th

Sperry and Granite Park Chalets just announced that reservations for the upcoming season will open on February 12th:

Reservations open February 12th

It's reservation week! Our reservation system is scheduled to open on February 12th at 8:00 am Mountain Time. Reservations are first come first serve so please familiarize yourself with the information on our website and in the FAQs. You can learn what info you'll need to have on hand to complete your Reservation Request as well as more about our amenities and offered services. Returning guests, please note some big changes this year on how room rates are calculated. All changes (new and upcoming!) are made with you in mind as we strive to provide you with an enjoyable and memorable stay at our Chalets. Questions? You can reach us at the email and phone number provided at the bottom of our Reservation page.

Abigail Bockus
Administrative Chalet Coordinator

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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

• Just released: Ramble On: A History of Hiking

Drone used to rescue hiker on Quandary Peak

An overdue hiker needed some help after wandering off trail while attempting to summit Quandary Peak recently. A blurb posted on the the Summit County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page stated that the Summit County Rescue Group used a creative solution to provide the hiker with some much needed light, after his phone battery almost went dead:

Cold, wet, and lost in the mountains? We’re here for you.

Last week, a deputy located a lost hiker and dropped a flashlight to him from a drone. That light guided him back to the trail and helped the Summit County Rescue Group locate him quickly — resulting in a safe outcome for all.

The Summit County Sheriff’s Office — Always Here for You.

Here's a report from CBS Colorado that provides a few more details:





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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Update: Treasury Department Cancels Contracts with Booz Allen Hamilton (Recreation.gov)

Earlier this week we reported that the Treasury Department had canceled their contracts with Booz Allen Hamilton, the government contractor that runs Recreation.gov, the website that facilitates reservations for timed entry permits, campsites, etc. Since then, no one has said anything with regards to the future of Recreation.gov - that includes the Department of the Interior, the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, Booz Allen Hamilton, or even Recreation.gov. The only comment I've seen on this topic comes from RVtravel.com. In an article they posted on Tuesday, they concluded:

Despite the headlines, Recreation.gov reservations aren’t in jeopardy. The contract news involves a different agency, a different system, and a different issue altogether.

Although they didn't provide any sources for this conclusion, it seems that they might be correct. If anything changes, I'll post something on this blog



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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Treasury Department Cancels Contracts with Booz Allen Hamilton (Recreation.gov)

The Treasury Department just announced that they have canceled its contracts with Booz Allen Hamilton, a government contractor and consulting firm that runs Recreation.gov, the website that National Parks and National Forests use to sell timed entry permits, campsite reservations and other services. According to a press release issued earlier today:

Today, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent announced the cancelation of all contracts with consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton. The Treasury Department currently has 31 separate contracts with Booz Allen Hamilton totaling $4.8 million in annual spending and $21 million in total obligations.

“President Trump has entrusted his cabinet to root out waste, fraud, and abuse, and canceling these contracts is an essential step to increasing Americans’ trust in government,” said Secretary Bessent. “Booz Allen failed to implement adequate safeguards to protect sensitive data, including the confidential taxpayer information it had access to through its contracts with the Internal Revenue Service.”

Most notably, between 2018 and 2020, Charles Edward Littlejohn — an employee of Booz Allen Hamilton — stole and leaked the confidential tax returns and return information of hundreds of thousands of taxpayers. To date, the IRS determined that the data breach affected approximately 406,000 taxpayers. Littlejohn has pled guilty to felony charges for disclosing confidential tax information without authorization.

Right now, it's not exactly clear what will happen to Recreation.gov. If you recall, there was a class action lawsuit that was filed against Booz Allen Hamilton in 2023, claiming that Recreation.gov was charging "junk fees" to consumers. Several months later, however, the lawsuit was dropped. Hopefully, we'll soon have a better understanding of the future of Recreation.gov, especially for those wishing to visit a park or area this year that requires a permit or reservation of some type.



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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Route improvement project coming to Delta Lake in Grand Teton

Grand Teton National Park Foundation posted this blurb on their social media yesterday:

Instagram’s favorite Grand Teton lake is getting some much-needed care. 💚

In partnership with Grand Teton National Park and Access Fund, Grand Teton National Park Foundation is proud to support a new project to improve access to Delta Lake this year.

After years of heavy use without a designated trail, erosion and informal 'social trails' have degraded the primary approach to the lake, creating safety concerns and causing environmental damage.

Beginning summer 2026, Access Fund crews will help stabilize the route while preserving the wild character that defines Delta Lake.

You can read more about the project on the Foundation's website.



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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Book pre-announcement

FYI, everyone: I'm excited to announce that a brand new edition of Ramble On: A History of Hiking will be released in early February! Please check back for more information!

What happens when wolves, coyotes, foxes and people share the same landscape?

Grand Teton National Park posted this earlier today:

Every year, scientists conduct carefully reviewed research in Grand Teton National Park to help us better understand and protect this place. One of those projects is the 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭, which is studying how gray wolves, coyotes, and red foxes interact with each other and with humans across the park.

Here’s why it matters 👇
• Wolves were absent from the ecosystem for more than 70 years
• Coyotes became the dominant canid when wolves were absent
• Red foxes were less prominent in the park during this period

Since wolves returned to the region in the late 1990s, those relationships have shifted again. Using GPS collars, remote cameras, genetic analysis, and even anonymous cell phone data, researchers are tracking how these three species move, compete, use the landscape, and react to human presence.

Early findings show:
• Larger canids have larger home ranges
• All three species expand their ranges in winter
• Coyotes overlap with other canids more than foxes or wolves
• Human presence adds both risks and opportunities for wildlife

The Canid Coexistence Project—led by University of Wyoming researchers in partnership with park and Wyoming Game and Fish biologists—is in the middle of data collection. Supported by @grandtetonfoundation, this research helps park managers anticipate conflict, protect habitat, and sustain healthy wildlife populations as visitation continues to grow.

Science plays a key role in keeping Grand Teton wild, resilient, and thriving. 🏔️
Thanks to the researchers helping us understand what coexistence really looks like.

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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

The Truman Everts Story

I ran into this Yellowstone National Park video about Truman Everts a few days ago. I was already familiar with this amazing story of survival, as I read a book about it several years ago. I thought you might be interested in it as well:





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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Yellowstone National Park seeks public input on environmental assessment for North Entrance Road Reconstruction Project

The National Park Service (NPS), in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), is seeking public input on an environmental assessment (EA) for the reconstruction of the new permanent North Entrance Road in Yellowstone National Park. Goals for the new road alignment include continuing to provide year-round access between Gardiner and Cooke City/Silver Gate, Montana, improving the road’s safety, and ensuring long-term visitor access while protecting natural and cultural resources.

Yellowstone experienced a 500-year flood event on June 13, 2022. The flood destroyed infrastructure in the northern portion of the park, including several sections of the North Entrance Road between Mammoth Hot Springs and Gardiner, Montana, and segments of the Northeast Entrance Road between Tower Junction and Cooke City/Silver Gate, Montana. Both roads are open year-round and serve as the only winter vehicle access in and out of the park. After temporarily closing to regular visitor traffic on June 13, 2022, a temporary North Entrance Road was constructed between Gardiner and Mammoth Hot Springs, which opened to the public Oct. 30, 2022. Although this temporary road has successfully provided visitor access to the park, it was not engineered for the long-term.

Public Meetings
Yellowstone invites the public to attend a virtual or in-person meeting to learn and ask questions about the road alignment options for the North Entrance Road Reconstruction Project. During each meeting, NPS and FHWA staff will present three preliminary road alignment alternatives, including a video fly-over of the preferred alignment, followed by a question-and-answer session. The same information will be shared in each meeting.

In-person meeting
* Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, from 4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. MST
* Location: Yellowstone Forever Institute Conference Room, 308 Park Street, Gardiner, MT 59030

Virtual meeting
* Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, from 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. MST
* Link to join virtual meeting
* If you plan to join the virtual meeting from your mobile device, we recommend downloading the Microsoft Teams app.
* This meeting will be recorded and posted to North Entrance Road Reconstruction Project and YouTube.

Public CommentThe public is encouraged to review the EA and other project materials at North Entrance Road Reconstruction Project. NPS will accept comments on the EA Jan. 5 - Feb. 4, 2026. The preferred method for submitting comments is online at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/NorthEntranceRoad. Comments may also be mailed to: Yellowstone Center for Resources, Attn: North Entrance Road EA, P.O. Box 168, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190. At the conclusion of the 30-day public comment period, NPS will analyze and consider all comments received. A final decision will be made in spring 2026.



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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Sperry and Granite Park Chalets announce opening date for reservations

Sperry Chalet posted this blurb on their website today:

Belton Chalets, Inc. Celebrates Successful Bid to Continue Operating Granite Park and Sperry Chalets in Glacier National Park

West Glacier, MT – The National Park Service has awarded Belton Chalets Inc., the opportunity to operate Granite Park Chalet and Sperry Chalet, historic backcountry chalets in Glacier National Park, for the next ten years.

“Belton Chalets Inc. has prided itself on providing outstanding hospitality and customer service to Chalet visitors, said Hannah Phillips, Operational Chalet Coordinator with Belton Chalets, Inc., “we are committed to continuing that legacy going forward.”

“We are thrilled to continue our work as stewards of Granite Park and Sperry Chalets,” said Abigail Bockus, Administrative Chalet Coordinator with Belton Chalets, Inc., “working in partnership with the National Park Service, we look forward to preserving the history of the Chalets while protecting them for future generations.”

2026 SUMMER SEASON: July 10, 2026 through September 13, 2026

RESERVATIONS (FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE) WILL OPEN FEBRUARY 12, 2026.

Our reservation process will be similar to prior years; however new and exciting changes are accompanying the start of the new contract. Additional information regarding rates and the reservation process will be updated on our website in a few days, with other important details (such as transportation and interpretive workshops) rolling out throughout January. Please check the website frequently to stay up-to-date before reservations launch on February 12th. We look forward to serving you in 2026!

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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Concessioner Selected to Provide Backcountry Lodging in Glacier National Park

The National Park Service has selected Belton Chalets, Inc. to provide backcountry lodging, food and beverage, and other services at Glacier National Park under concession contract CC-GLAC004-26. The new contract will begin on Jan. 1, 2026, and has a term of 10 years.

Belton Chalets, Inc. previously served as the concessioner under a contract that was effective Jan. 1, 2015 to Dec. 31, 2025. The public is not expected to experience any interruptions in services.

“Belton Chalets, Inc. has provided park visitors with exceptional and unique services at Granite Park and Sperry chalets for years. We know that their passion for the chalets and their experience will serve the public and the park well,” said Dave Roemer, superintendent of Glacier National Park.

Solicitation of concession business opportunities within NPS sites and the selection of best proposals are routine processes for the NPS, dictated by the 1998 Concessions Management Improvement Act. By law, all contracts are issued through a fully open and competitive process, awarding contracts to those with the best proposal. Additional information about the law, regulation, and policy governing the National Park Service’s Commercial Services Program can be found online at the NPS Concessions webpage.

Concessioners fill a vital role in helping the NPS carry out its mission by operating publicly owned facilities and offering high-quality, commercial visitor services at reasonable rates. Glacier National Park has six concession contracts that provide a variety of visitor services in the park.



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Glacier National Park preserves more than a million acres of some of the most spectacular scenery on Earth. With more than 740 miles of trails meandering throughout this vast park, how will you find and choose the most scenic and rewarding hikes?

Exploring Glacier National Park takes all the guesswork out by focusing on the most amazing hikes, and provides you with handpicked recommendations that will allow you to make the most of your trip to Glacier:

Update: Three hikers found dead on Mount Baldy in California

Because of the strange circumstances surrounding the deaths of three hikers on Mount Baldy in Southern California last week, I thought it was important to provide an update. Yesterday, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department provided this bit of information on their website:

On Friday, January 2, 2026, the Sheriff’s Coroner Division positively identified Juan Sarat Lopez and Bayron Pedro Ramos Garcia, two Guatemalan Nationals residing in Los Angeles, were among the three deceased males located at Mt. Baldy. Investigators believe Lopez and Ramos Garcia fell from the Devil’s Backbone Trail the same day they were found.

Additional updates will be provided as they become available.

Also, ABC7 out of LA added this piece of information:

Authorities said Lopez and Garcia were not hiking with Casanova at the time of the incident, but they believe they fell from the same Devil's Backbone trail.

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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Can Pole Walking Help With Weight Loss?

It's a new year, and if past is prologue, then we can probably assume that many of us are trying to figure out how we're going to lose all that weight we gained over the holidays. The solution might already be in our closets. Did you know that Nordic walking, or walking with poles, can burn as much as 20% more calories during the same amount of time that you normally spend walking or hiking? Honestly, this came as a bit of a revelation to me recently, but it makes complete sense. Using trekking poles while walking also gives your upper body a workout. Apparently, scientific research has confirmed this:



For more information, you can click here, here and here.



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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com