Words about science and hiking
The RNA World hypothesis resolves the chicken-and-egg conundrum posed by the structure of growth shared by all living organisms. DNA encodes RNA, which directs the synthesis of proteins. Proteins do the biochemical work of capturing energy. This energy is directed into the synthesis of new copies of DNA, resulting in the growth of new cells Read More …
There is a lot that we don’t know about the microbial world, but we do know that it is rich and diverse and full of surprises. Nobody imagined that viruses could be as large as bacteria until somebody did and started looking for them. Before long, they found giant viruses. But although there are indeed bacteria Read More …
Two more miles to walk but I have reached the end of my journey. Sycamore Creek is not big enough to swim in, but I can sit on its sandy bottom and let the water flow over my legs and chest, washing the salt and grime from my skin, the ache from my muscles, the Read More …
Last camp, last full day of hiking. Started out with another steep climb, but the trail eventually leveled out as I crossed the east face of the Four Peaks. Although not so steep, the trail became completely overgrown and smothered in a tangle of oaks, manzanitas and hackberries. Mercifully few thorny plants but still scratchy Read More …
It’s time for a paradigm shift – to learn to live with our bacteria rather than nuke them indiscriminately with antibiotics. Link here (paywall).
Another brutal day. That word again. I seem to be using it much too often. Chris and I started with a pleasant hike down Cottonwood Canyon toward Roosevelt Lake on the Salt River. A red rock canyon in its upper reaches, it transitions abruptly to riparian forest, filled with Arizona Walnut and Sycamore trees, the Read More …
Just a few days left until I leave the trail and I am already starting to miss it. Although. Much more hiking like today and I may start feeling less nostalgic for the delights of the AZT. It wasn’t just the 4K or so of elevation gain, it was the steepness and roughness (bordering on Read More …
The waitress at the cafe last night said she’d give us a ride back to the trailhead, giving us her number and telling us to call at 6am. No answer. But no matter either as we got a ride within 5 minutes by hitching. The trail enters the heart of the Superstitions here, mounting them Read More …
Up and on the trail yesterday well before sunrise, hoping to beat the sun to the top of the divide a thousand feet and several miles above me. The ridge gained, I took a more measured pace down toward Picketpost Mountain and the town of Superior. Quite a few mountain bikers whizzed by me but Read More …
A hot hike today along the Gila River, winding for 15 miles in and out of washes, up and down over bluffs and ridges. The heat is wearing. I find it harder to hike 20 miles in the Arizona desert than 25 miles in the Sierras or Rockies, despite a relatively gentle trail. Went down Read More …