Our next hike will be a backpacking trip Saturday, February  20th through the 21st to the Baylor Pass camp site. Baylor Pass is a nice easy backpacking trip for newbies. Close enough to home, but far enough into the wilderness, so you can truely get a taste of the adventure of backcountry camping.  Need some great tips on backpacking?  Then check out BackPacking 101; it has trip-planning tips, gear lists, safety advice, and other essential wisdom every hiker and backpacker should know.  Need gear?  Then call Carol Brown at 915-630-1424.  We have some loaner tents and backpacks.

UPDATE: One backpack is loaned out, and we have one more loaner pack.

Backcountry Dining Etiquette

One of the greatest things about eating in the wilderness is that a lot of the traditional dining rules are abandoned. Pants become excellent napkins. Almost anything is finger food. But there is the little problem of bears and rodents in the woods that requires some backcountry dining diligence. And then there's the matter of sharing tight quarters with close, or not-so-close, friends. So, to help solve these and other problems, here is an article from Backpacker Magazine with several dining rules to consider on your next outing.

Tour of the Northern Portion of the Chihuahuan Desert

Picture this. You are stuck at home, knee deep in household chores. Your mind wanders from taking out the trash to hiking on a scenic trail with heart pumping terrain. You are an avid hiker and yearn to strap on your hiking gear and hit the trails. Unfortunately, hiking a scenic trail is not in the cards for you today, but you can find the next best thing by logging onto your computer, and taking a tour of the area where we hike the most - the northern portion of the Chihuahuan Desert.  So put on those hiking boots, grab a canteen full of water and let's get started!  Along the way, will be listening posts, just click on the little speaker    sit still, and enjoy the sounds of the desert wildlife.  So, just CLICK HERE to get started on your tour.

When you get back, dust off your boots, have yourself a cold one, and stop by the Chihuahuan Desert Wildlife Rescue and let the good folks there know that you enjoyed the tour.

One more thing --- don't forget to take out the trash.

Stay Comfortable in any Weather

Sunny and 70 degrees is nice, but makes for a mighty short hiking season. Hit the trail all year long by learning how to thrive–not just survive–in wet, cold, hot, and windy conditions. Here are 115 guide-approved tips.

7th Annual Camp Furlong Day

Join the festivities as the United States and Mexico commemorate the 1916 raid into Columbus by the Forces of General Francisco "Pancho" Villa.  Up to 100 riders on horseback from Mexico cross the border at Palomas, Mexico and are joined by American riders as they parade through the village of Columbus and into Pancho Villa State Park for food, drink and entertainment.  Enjoy American and Mexican musicians, actors, folklorico dancers, special speakers, local artists, food vendors, Loretta's Barbedwire Band, trick horse rider Carlos Herrera, military re-enactors, the Park's museum with military equipment used by General John J. "Black Jack" Pershing, exhibits by the El Paso Railroad & Transportation Museum.  All of this and more is happening on Saturday, March 6th 2010 from 9:00am to 4:00pm.  Admission is free.

For more information, call the Poncho Villa State Park at 575-531-2711.

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.

The Mexican Revolution - 100 Years Later

The sister cities of El Paso and Ciudad Juarez played a significant role in the Mexican Revolution that began on November 20, 1910. The sister cities were hosts to events instrumental in shaping the course of the revolution. This year, as part of the Centennial Celebration, many partner organizations will host public events special to the El Paso area as they relate to the Mexican Revolution. Download a brochure for a schedule of celebrations from January through May. The brochure is divided into sections including education, lectures, performances, and exhibits.

El Paso Community College Observatory

Mark your calendars and reserve February 25th to view the conjunction of Mars and the Moon.  This event is free to the public, and more of these events will be held in March and April.  More information coming soon!

Coming soon: Spring 2010 Back by Noon Outings

The good folks at the Southwest Enviroment Center has been hard at work putting together the Spring 2010 schedule of guided Back by Noon Saturday morning natural history outings. The new line up includes a mix of old and new, featuring more dates, new outings, and terrific guides. Back By Noon hikes is scheduled to begin on March 6th, so stay tuned for more details.

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 7th Annual Camp Furlong Day and Cabalgata Binacional -- Pancho Villa State Park
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 Possible Backpacking Trip

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