Africa in Your Heart

Those who have been to Africa tell me that it "gets in" their heart. And Africa is difficult to extract from your heart once you've been there.

Do you have an "Africa in Your Heart" story? Add your comment below, we want to hear from you.

Thinking of going to Africa for a vacation or for mission work? Then beware! You can take Malarone (malaria medication) to keep malaria out of your blood, but there's no prophylactic for "Africa in Your Heart." Once it's in there, you'll have to keep going back.

Here's some unbelievable prices for you addicts returning to Africa, and the bravehearts going for the first time. The prices are available to "club" members who pay a small monthly membership fee. Just like a Sam's Club or Cosco membership. With bulk buying our travel experts can deliver these travel deals to you:

Kenya Dreamtrip June 3-7, 2010 5 day/4 night $159 pp
FIFA World Cup, South Africa 6 day/5 night $2290 pp
FIFA World Cup, South Africa 4 day/3 night $1250 pp.

Just ask me how to enroll in the club. Or click here for more details.

Extreme Snow Recreationists Lack Proper Permits

Low visibility and avalanche warning accompany severe winter storms in Flagstaff, AZ this month.

Flagstaff, AZ -- Recent search and rescue (SAR) operations in the Kachina Peaks Wilderness area remind snow recreationists that requisite backcountry permits can aid rescue efforts. Three Flagstaff residents attempting to summit Humphreys Peak during January’s severe snow storm were rescued by Coconino County crews and Arizona Snowbowl snowcat drivers.


Earlier that week, fifteen SAR personnel on snowshoes and snowcats searched outside ski boundaries on Agassiz Peak for an overdue snowboarder. The nineteen-year-old walked to SAR containment team on Friedlein Prairie Road. He was transported by ambulance to Flagstaff Medical Center.

The three Humphrey Peak hikers described themselves as experienced climbers reported the Arizona Daily Sun. They left the Arizona Snowbowl ski area at 11 a.m. and headed for the summit. They hiked past the WWII bomber at “Dutchman” and reached 12,000 feet before weather forced them back from their Arizona adventure. They were guided back by SAR’s snowcat lights at 10 p.m. after becoming disoriented.

None of those rescued had Kachina Peaks Wilderness permits.

The permit is required for persons accessing the Kachina Peaks Wilderness from the Arizona Snowbowl and two locations along Snowbowl Road during winter months only.

Steep slopes make the Kachina Peaks Wilderness susceptible to avalanche conditions and unstable snow. The Coconino National Forest Service (CNFS) hopes that the permit will inform snow recreationists about hazards of the winter backcountry. It is designed to assist the CNFS and the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office with SAR efforts when needed.

Hikers and snow recreationists using the backcountry during the winter should be trained in avalanche recognition and rescue techniques by certified instructors recommends experts at the CNFS. The CNFS also lists hiking safety tips at  13 essential equipment items for hikers using the backcountry.

Adventure girl, get your permit!
The fine for the first permit offense is $50. Violators are punishable by fines of <$5000 for an individual, or $10,000 for others, or imprisonment for Read more about the rules and regulations associated with the permit here.
 
Kachina Wilderness backcountry hikers and snow recreationists are required to register at Arizona Snowbowl’s Hart Prairie Lodge ticket windows or above the Agassiz Lift.

The free permit is available at Peaks Ranger District and Supervisor's Office in winter weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on weekends at Agassiz Lodge at the Arizona Snowbowl (when Snowbowl is open) from 9 to 11 a.m.

For more information, call (928) 526-0866 or click here.

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Adventure Girls Beware: The abyss could suck you in

Grand Canyon hiking tip: Don’t be mesmerized by the scenery and forget to watch your footing.

Grand Canyon, AZ -- “If you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you,” said German philosopher Frederich Nietzsche. The man whose body was found this week hundreds of feet below “The Abyss” in Grand Canyon National Park may have been gazing. Or perhaps he went over the steep edge intentionally.

On the afternoon of Tuesday, January 5, Grand Canyon patrol rangers noticed a light-colored passenger vehicle parked on Hermit Road at The Abyss. Upon returning the next morning to check on the vehicle and finding it still unoccupied, park officials called a search investigation and first used a spotting scope to glass the area below the rim. A helicopter reconnaissance crew was called in.

Grand Canyon National Park’s The Abyss is notable for its steep drop. The south rim comes to an end near the roadway and visitors report “there is only air in front of and below you.”

On Wednesday, January 6, the helicopter crew reported spotting the body of a lone male approximately 300 feet below the rim at the Abyss which is on far west end of the south rim. Search and rescue personnel then rappelled down to prepare the body for transport.  The body was transported to the rim by helicopter via long-line operation and then transferred to the Coconino County Medical Examiner.

The incident reminds girl adventurers to always be cautious when hiking canyon country. Girls Adventure Guide hiking safety tips include:

• Drink plenty of water; dehydration can cause dizziness and unbalance -- not good symptoms when hiking near the edge.
• keep pets on leash - jumping pets can create unbalance
• avoid hiking alone
• tell people where you will be, give them a phone number to call if you don’t check back in after your hike.

Always be alert of the dangers of falling. Don’t be mesmerized by the scenery and forget to watch your footing. Beware: if you gaze long into an abyss, the hypnotic effects of its beauty may cause you to forget your physical surrounds. The abyss could suck you in.

The Grand Canyon National Park Service is conducting an investigation into the incident.

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