Our next hike will be Saturday, February 6th.  This is our annual Marathon PLUS Hike.  Each year we hike the Sierra Vista Trail from end to end in one day.  That is a bit over 28 miles.  Last year Xochitl set a wicked pace and the crew did the full 28+ miles in about eight hours.  Can we beat that time this year? Xochitl, are you ready?

The Sierra Vista Trail is on mostly level to gently rolling terrain.  Because of the length, this hike is rated strenuous, so make sure that you are in good condition for this hike.

The weather conditions for this weekend is expected to be most sunny, 65 degrees, with northwest winds at about 8 mph.

We will have support vehicles at each trail head with ice chests to hold your excess water, snacks, and extra stuff.  There will be champagne, cheese and crackers at the end of the hike for everyone to enjoy.

Please register early and call Charlie Topp no later than Thursday, February 4th if you plan to hike the full 28+ miles so that we can determine how many support vehicles that we will need.  Charlie's phone number is 915-253-7086

Superbowl Sunday

We have a nice easy hike scheduled for Superbowl Sunday.  This will be a leisurely stroll along the scenic Montoya Canal.  We will meet at the State Line Cafe at 7:45am and depart at 8:00am.  This hike will be an out and back hike -- no car shuffle required..  Distance will be approximately six miles.  Bicycles are welcome.  Dogs are welcome -- please bring a leash.  Superbowl fans, you will be back by noon, and you will not miss a thing.

Texas Master Naturalist

Attention Hikers!  The next Texas Master Naturalist class will start February 10, 2010 and run through the middle of May.  The classes will be on Wednesday from 6:00pm to 9:00pm with four or five field trips on various Saturdays which will be announced. They will be held at the Garden Center 3105 Grant Ave. in Memorial Park.

For mor information, please contact Matt Santillan at the Texas Agrilife Extension office via email or phone at 915-860-2515.

El Paso Marathon

On Sunday, March 7, 2010 the streets of El Paso will become the sight of a 26.2 mile fiesta. Over 2,000 runners are expected to take part in the 2010 Michelob Ultra El Paso Marathon, Spira Half Marathon, and the Jarritos 5K, drinking in the sights and sounds that are El Paso!

Accompanying them on their journey will be more than 700 runners at COB Ader in Tallil, Iraq. At 0500, soldiers with the 4/1 Armored Division out of Ft. Bliss will lace up their running shoes to run the First International Michelob Ultra El Paso Marathon and Spira Half Marathon.

Visit race360.com for more information and to sponsor a soldier in the race!

Bataan Memorial Death March

The 21st Annual Bataan Memorial Death March will be held on March 21st. The Bataan Memorial Death March is a challenging march through the high desert terrain of   White Sands Missile Range, N.M., conducted in honor of the heroic service members who defended the Philippine Islands during World War II, sacrificing their freedom, health and, in many cases, their very lives.  There two route to choose from.  The GREEN route is 26.2 miles, and the BLUE route is 15.2 miles.

Topo Maps

If you're planning a serious hike or backpack, you need topography maps. It used to be a lot harder to obtain specific mapping information, but in today's digital age, it's easy, and free!

Created in 1879, the United States Geological Survey has cataloged all topography for the United States. You can search for and download PDF files of your next hiking destination, and print your own maps.

However; for a couple bucks, you can order a paper version.

Hiking For Every Interest

Hiking is a year-round treat in El Paso, and southern New Mexico. We try to offer hikes that appeal to different people. Finding intersting trails each week can be daunting. Here at the El Paso Ridgewalkers, we try to offer hikes that are anywhere from really easy, to the challenging Off The Beaten Path Adventures. Likewise with our monthly camping trips, some are easy like the upcoming Balyor Pass trip, to the more strenuous Rancherias Loop Trail in the Big Bend Ranch State park. All our hikes are dog-friendly hikes, except the trails that prohibit dogs. So dust off your boots, grab your water bottle and sign up for a hike that fits your stride.

Staying Hydrated

Staying hydrated no matter the season is always of prime importance, but as summer approaches, knowing how much to drink, and what to drink could save your life. Some hikers walk for 3 hours, sip a few ounces on a rest break, and pay for it at the end of the day, instead, drink 4 to 6 ounces of liquid every 20 minutes; it'll help you feel strong, even on the last hill.  Backpacker Magazine has more tips on How to stay Hydrated.

Getting Help

Hiking is adventure travel at its finest. Just you, the trail and a new experience around every bend. Leaving everything behind and getting away is one of the greatest forms of adventure. Rays of sunshine beaming down, breathing in the fresh air, unforgettable sights and a connection with the land is what draws you to get out there. Away from it all. Sometimes, far, far away, out of cell phone range. You do everything right. You tell people where you are going and when you will get back. But how do you summon help when you need it? Unfortunately, accidents do happen, the weather turns nasty, you become disoriented, and lost. Now, there is an easy way to to provide peace of mind without interrupting the hike. With the push of a button, SPOT’s “check-in” function sends a message with your exact coordinates to your loved ones. In the event you are face d with a real emergency, SPOT sends location-based satellite messages to your loved ones or an emergency response center. SPOT provides safety and peace-of-mind. Unfortunately it can’t help you with your last climb.

Read the accounts of how people got out of tough situations by using their SPOT.

Tents 101

There's a bewildering array of tent options available, including hundreds of three-season tents and specialized models built for hot deserts, Arctic summits, and steamy rain forests. Your first consideration when choosing a tent should be whether it will suit your seasonal backpacking needs. Not sure?  Well, Tents 101 from Backpacker magazine will help you sort through the maze, and help you select the tent best suited to your needs.

Upcoming Hikes

Here are the proposed hikes for February and March.  We will be having more easy hikes for those that are not yet ready for the more challenging hikes.  Please keep in mind that this schedule is not engraved in stone, and is subject to change.  Remember, the only thing in life that is constant, is change.

Jan. 30 Thousand Steps trail up to the tramway and back.
Feb. 6 Marathon PLUS Hike - 28+ miles
Feb 7 A nice easy stroll along the Montoya Canal
Feb.13 North end of Franklin Mountains,  reverse of what we did last time
Feb. 20-21 Backpack Baylor Pass  Aguirre Springs
Feb. 27 hike to B-24 crash site on east side of mountains and up to tramway (not to be confused with B-36 crash site on West side  of mountain)
March 6 easy hike on river levee
March 7 El Paso Marathon - 26.2 miles, and Half Marathon - 15.2 miles
March 13 Meet Chuck Heinrick Park and explore some bike trails on east side of mountain, level of difficulty - easy to moderate.
March 20 Shaefer Shuffle in Tom Mays Park
March 21 Baatan Memorial Death March -- choice of 26.2 miles or 15 miles
March 27 North Mount Franklin

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