Hiker Blog

Dear Kristin: What causes -- and how do you prevent -- air bubbles from showing up in liquid-filled compasses? Just about every liquid-filled compass I have used usually gets a small air bubble in it.
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With the snow falling, it's time to put away those hiking boots and pull out the gaiters and snowshoes yet again.
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Dear Kristin: What causes -- and how do you prevent -- air bubbles from showing up in liquid-filled compasses? Just about every liquid-filled compass I have used usually gets a small air bubble in it.
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I was lucky. My parents were not hikers, but my dad loved the outdoors. When Edmonds was still a small town, we lived next to a forested lot and took seasonal walks in search of trilliums in spring or mushrooms ...
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Filed under: Cultures, Hiking, Learning, Asia, Afghanistan, Books

We're not shy about plugging audible.com. First, listening to books gives our computer-weary eyes a needed rest. Two, schlepping around an iPod is easier than a big, new hardcover. Third, often the authors themselves read the books, adding an extra dimension that reading can't touch. (audible.com version of Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential, anyone?)

We've been hearing about another book for a while and we mentioned it a few months ago, but hadn't picked it up until just now, because now we can hear it from audible.com: Rory Stewart's The Places in Between.

What makes this book special? Mr. Stewart walked across Asia solo. The book is about just a relatively small portion of that trip: walking--as in on foot--across Afghanistan during the war in 2002. He's a young, Farsi and Persian-speaking, former British diplomat and current resident of Kabul, and his tale is fascinating. He re-traced the steps of a 16th Century Muslim Emperor (Babur), straight across the country, across high mountain passes--in the middle of winter--from Herat to Kabul.

You'll definitely gain new insights into the culture and people of Afghanistan and hearing it directly from the author himself is well worth a listen. It's surprising and interesting, and you'll definitely learn a lot. We sure did.

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Filed under: Cultures, Hiking, Learning, Asia, Afghanistan, Books

We're not shy about plugging audible.com. First, listening to books gives our computer-weary eyes a needed rest. Two, schlepping around an iPod is easier than a big, new hardcover. Third, often the authors themselves read the books, adding an extra dimension that reading can't touch. (audible.com version of Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential, anyone?)

We've been hearing about another book for a while and we mentioned it a few months ago, but hadn't picked it up until just now, because now we can hear it from audible.com: Rory Stewart's The Places in Between.

What makes this book special? Mr. Stewart walked across Asia solo. The book is about just a relatively small portion of that trip: walking--as in on foot--across Afghanistan during the war in 2002. He's a young, Farsi and Persian-speaking, former British diplomat and current resident of Kabul, and his tale is fascinating. He re-traced the steps of a 16th Century Muslim Emperor (Babur), straight across the country, across high mountain passes--in the middle of winter--from Herat to Kabul.

You'll definitely gain new insights into the culture and people of Afghanistan and hearing it directly from the author himself is well worth a listen. It's surprising and interesting, and you'll definitely learn a lot. We sure did.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

The home treadmill provides the means to an effective workout in the shortest period of time.
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After a lost hiker on Vancouver Island called for help on his dying cellphone, volunteers spent Christmas Eve searching through bogs and heavy woods before rescuing him on Christmas Day.
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A hiker lost in a park on Vancouver Island managed to make a last call on his dying cellphone that brought searchers to his rescue on Christmas Day.
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More Current Affairs: Transcript This is a transcript from PM. The program is broadcast around Australia at 5:10pm on Radio National and 6:10pm on ABC Local Radio.
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