Here's another take on a geology video. Instead of just voiceover, in this video I'm actually in it. For the next one, however, I'll be in it much less. I found out how difficult it can be, being on both sides of the camera. This one is longer, too -- about 20 minutes. Take a watch and let me know what you think.

The Kali Gandaki river is on the western side of the Thorung La Pass. And for most trekkers, this is the descending part of the Annapurna Circuit. The river flows through a large valley that starts in Tibet and cuts through the Himalayan mountains. At one point the river is 18-20, 000 feet below the mountain on either side, making it the world's deepest gorge. Continue reading »

Short answer: $1455 USD.

That's for 2 of us with a guide and a porter for a 17 day Annapurna Circuit trek (days 4-20 on this itinerary), inclusive of all food, lodging, transportation, entrance & trekking fees, starting and ending in Pokhara, with an exchange rate of 70 Nepali Rupees per 1 US Dollar It DOES NOT include any transportation costs getting to Pokhara or any lodging or food in Pokhara.

Long answer: Continue reading »

It's been 30 years since the eruption of Mount St Helens. And as my tribute to this anniversary, I give you Mount St Helens soap. I'm not sure of many things here. Not sure why they made it. Not sure why my friend Brian Mathieson gave it to me. And I'm even less sure why I held on to it.

It's a take-off of 'Lava' soap -- and neither of which was made from actual red-hot, bubbling lava. They both have pumice -- volcanic ash -- to help you scrub away your filth using just the soap itself and no other potentially more useful cleaning implements. Continue reading »

A brief video using shots I took during our 2009 Yellowstone trip.

A little reflection on our Yellowstone transport/lodging. Music: Good Old Mountain Dew by Tony Rice, David Grisman from Tone Poems

The thermal features of Yellowstone, in addition to all their science coolness, have a beauty that always surprises me. Check out the little gallery after the jump. Continue reading »

We're back from our travels in Wyoming. We went to Yellowstone, flying in & out of Jackson or Jackson Hole (not quite sure which). Everything went well, no particular crises arose. The RV thing was, uh, an experience -- one which I shall detail in a few days. Continue reading »