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Articles by Jeff Hester
New study sheds light on elusive blue whale births
To date, humans have only managed to record two blue whale births – and both of these events took place decades ago – despite hundreds of thousands of blue whales roaming the oceans before commercial whaling started. With around 10,000 to 25,000 blue whales left today, and an increasing number of researchers out looking for the species that gives birth every two to three years, researchers have asked themselves why has there has such little documentation.
Dolphin dialect: Machine learning tool has an ear for accents
Experts at the University of St Andrews Scottish Oceans Institute are harnessing machine learning to break new ground in dolphin communication and develop a tool that can identify different species based on their calls. Written by Rob Hutchins Photograph by Lewis Burnett Additional photograph by Jeff Hester Share With 42 different species of dolphin using hundreds of different sounds to communicate, you’d think researchers would have their work cut out enough discerning one voice from another.
People vs orca: How Rosebank affects marine animals
Conservation In 2023, as oil projects like Rosebank got the green light, the human race continued to introduce new ways to challenge marine animals further, writes Chloe Lummis. Words by Chloe Lummis Photographs by Vincent Kneefel, Ana Purcari, Pedro Carvalho and Alfredo Rodrigues Video by Jeff Hester Share Words by Chloe Lummis Long have I dreamt of seeing orcas in the wild. My fascination with the seas has been a part of my DNA for as long as I can remember.
Hike the Bridge to Nowhere
The Bridge to Nowhere hike is a quintessential SoCal trail. The trail criss-crosses the East Fork of the San Gabriel River many times. In the spring, the water can run fast and deep. Sometimes it’s waist high in places, making crossing a wet proposition. The river crossing make this trek more fun, and on a hot summer day, cooling off in one of the pools at the turnaround point is a perfect respite. But this hike has a bonus history lesson.
DIY Hike-a-Week Project
Looking for the perfect last-minute gift for an avid (or budding) hiker on your list? This do-it-yourself project fits the bill and you can easily put it together in about an hour. It’s inexpensive, and will inspire your friend to explore new trails — 52 of them to be precise — one per week for an entire year! The Hike-a-Week in a Jar kit is free at A16 stores throughout Southern California. Just stop in and ask a cashier for the kit.
Cogito, ergo sum?
You sit down at your computer to buy a telescope. A beautiful page pops up, promising hours of wonder that await you. You ponder a menu of nifty gadgets and finally click “buy.” A few days later, boxes arrive at your doorstep. Your significant other watches as you spread the contents out on the living room floor and, with a shake of the head, wonders about this person with whom they share a life. You sit down in a restaurant to buy a meal.
No crystal balls
Has it really been 30 years? Looking back, I was just a kid. Granted, I was a kid with three kids of my own, but I was still wet behind the ears. I had come to Caltech fresh from graduate school to take a postdoctoral position that paid $22,000 a year. With over half of that destined for rent, the numbers added up to “poor,” but we convinced ourselves we wouldn’t be there for long. I’d spend a year helping get ready for the launch of our space telescope, then a year or two getting some science done.
King Tut's dagger
Often referred to as “thunderstones,” meteorites were thought by some to come from “igneous clouds” in the sky, sent hurtling toward the ground by lightning. The idea seemed far-fetched even at the time, but it was still more believable than the ridiculous notion that they arrived from space! Antoine Lavoisier, the great French chemist known for his many contributions to science, including the discovery of oxygen and the explanation of the process of combustion, wasn’t having any of it.
Is Theism Rational in an age of science?
Those who wrote the Bible imagined a small world, with God and the heavens above and the underworld below. Lacking other explanations, they saw themselves as products of divine creation in a world shaped by God’s whim. A lot has changed since then. Enjoy the discussion. And please reach out if you or your organization are looking to up your game, or if you need an impactful speaker.
Our roots in the cosmos
By Jeff Hester | Published: Monday, April 27, 2015 Count yourself lucky! Not everyone can say they were present at the moment humankind’s conception of itself changed. But you can. Since the dawn of history, humans have built whole civilizations around myths and fables linking our existence to a mystical celestial realm. And yet in the end it took less than a lifetime to overturn that whole framework and replace it with something radically different: real answers.
BOOK REVIEW: Epic Hikes of the World
What hiking adventures are on your “life list?” What the heck is a life list? Many people have a bucket list, filled with things they’d like to do before they “kick the bucket.” I prefer a list that helps me plan a full and satisfying life. I call it my life list. With each year of experience I gain (I’m now up to Level 56!) my life list grows, even as I plan, go and complete previous list goals. The new book, Epic Hikes of the World just made my list even longer.
Register Now for the New England Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge
Register Now for the New England Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge The Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge comes to the east coast for the first ever New England Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge! This challenge is a great way to flex your adventure muscles. Our motto? Hike more. Get strong. Do good. You can do all of that when you register for our inaugural 2018 challenge. What's the Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge about?
Hike to Stanley Peak at Daley Ranch in Escondido
Everyone needs a peak in their backyard, and 1,975′ Stanley Peak in Escondido’s Daley Ranch makes a great go-to hike that you can finish before lunch. This loop route gives you a fine overview of historic Daley Ranch, with sweeping views over much of north San Diego County. The trail itself has very little shade, so it’s best to hike this early in the day and avoid those hot summer days altogether. And of course, wear a hat. Daley Ranch can be reached at 3024 La Honda Drive, Escondido, CA 92027.
10 Orange County Hikes to Take You From Sea to Summit
Orange County has many outdoor trails to explore. Discover ocean vistas at sunset, waterfalls in the wilderness,and wind-swept mountain peaks with 360-degree views. Photograph by Sean Tiner Sitton Peak Cleveland National Forest Distance: 10 miles Elevation gain: 2,150 feet Difficulty: Moderate Dogs: On leash Best time: Fall to spring Need to know: An Adventure Pass is required for trailhead parking. This hike gives you a double-digit challenge on well-marked trails off the Ortega Highway corridor.
Book Review: Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail: Southern California
My longest thru-hike (so far) is the 211-mile John Muir Trail, which I’ve hiked twice. The Pacific Crest Trail beckons me, but at 2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada, it would take a five-month commitment to thru-hike, and that’s if I were lucky enough to avoid calamity along the way. Fortunately for those of us who don’t have five months to go for a walk, there is another way–section hiking the PCT.
Interview with Shawnté Salabert, author of Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail - Southern California - SoCal Hiker
Recently I received an advance copy of Shawnté Salabert’s new book Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail: Southern California: Section Hiking From Campo to Tuolumne Meadows. Shawnté has been active in the SoCal hiking community, and we were lucky to chat with her about her experience writing the book. Shawnté: I discovered hiking during my first trip to summer camp (the Milwaukee Boys’ and Girls’ Club’s Camp Whitcomb/Mason in Hartland, Wisconsin) at eight years old.
Fahrenheit 105 - Bikram Yoga Studio Heat Safety
Sometimes it’s possible to have too much of a good thing. Heat in a Bikram Yoga studio comes to mind. Bikram yoga means a lot to me. That doesn’t have anything to do with New Age “Oneness with the Universe,” whatever that means. I’m an astrophysicist, for crying out loud! My thoughts about Bikram are really kind of prosaic. My practice has helped me to feel better physically, mentally and emotionally.
Thru-Hiking the JMT: Little Yosemite Valley to Sunrise Camp - SoCal Hiker
It’s day two on the John Muir Trail. We woke up feeling creaky but confident. Hiking up Half Dome on day one tested our mettle. Today, we planned to hike 10.4 miles to the Sunrise High Sierra Camp. We ate our super-charged oatmeal breakfast and broke camp. As we were getting ready to leave, we saw a bear wandering near the western edge of the camp. Black bears are common along the JMT, especially in the more popular areas such as Little Yosemite Valley.
Socially Driven Collaboration Research Study 2014
What happens when Marketing and IT unite to tackle the escalating challenges that today’s rapidly moving digital, social and mobile world bring? Collaboration brings both Marketing and IT the potential to influence management decisions while, in tandem, add business value. When Marketing collaborates with IT, the possibility exists for Marketing to make an impact beyond raising awareness to improving speed to market for new products and services while reducing project costs.
Backpacking the Trans-Catalina Trail
Santa Catalina is a beautiful island located only 27 miles off the coast of southern California. Though Catalina is a short 90 minute boat ride away, it feels like another world. There are two small, quaint towns on the island — Avalon and Two Harbors — and the remainder of the island is primarily wilderness managed by the Catalina Island Conservancy. The 37.2 mile Trans-Catalina Trail traverses the entire island, from Avalon on the eastern tip to Starlight beach at the western end.
December 2016 | Astronomy.com
The world's best-selling astronomy magazine offers you the most exciting, visually stunning, and timely coverage of the heavens above. Each monthly issue includes expert science reporting, vivid color photography, complete sky coverage, spot-on observing tips, informative telescope reviews, and much more! All this in an easy-to-understand, user-friendly style that's perfect for astronomers at any level.
October 2015 | Astronomy.com
The world's best-selling astronomy magazine offers you the most exciting, visually stunning, and timely coverage of the heavens above. Each monthly issue includes expert science reporting, vivid color photography, complete sky coverage, spot-on observing tips, informative telescope reviews, and much more! All this in an easy-to-understand, user-friendly style that's perfect for astronomers at any level.
Inspiration Point and Muir Peak
Hiking toandfrom the Cobb Estate in Altadena is challenging. The 11 mile trail climbs over 2800 feet, gives you a taste of LA history and some really great views. Even with a coastal haze, we spied Catalina Island poking up in the distance. I hiked this with the Sierra Club as part of their introduction to the Wilderness Travel Course they hold each year beginning in January. I have several friends who have taken the WTC class, and I don’t know a single one who didn’t enjoy it and learn a good deal.
The Lost Coast Trail: An Overview
We arrived at Mattole Beach early in the evening. The trailhead has a scattering of car campsites, which we were eager to leave behind. We donned our backpacks, hit the trail, and promptly lost ourselves in the vast beauty of the coast. It feels somehow primal; the convergence of sea and land on this solitary, rugged section of the Northern California coastline. There are no roads on this section of the coast–the terrain is too rugged. There is no cell phone coverage. And we saw very few people.
The San Clemente Beach Trail
The San Clemente Beach Trail extends from the Metro Station parking lot at North Beach to Calafia State Beach in the south. It is basically a flat, fairly smooth crushed granite trail that’s shared by walkers, runners, bikers, dogs and strollers. Because it’s a flat out-and-back trail, you can make it as easy or challenging as you want. I like it because (for me) it’s nearby. I can walk to it from my home. There are restrooms and water located along the trail and food is available at the pier.
Hiking Angels Landing
We ascended Walter’s Wiggles, the 21-switchbacks carefully engineered and reinforced with sandstone blocks and were standing atop Scout Lookout, with awe-inspiring views down into Zion Canyon and over the Virgin River. Looming before us was a slender finger of red sandstone leading to Angels Landing. I have been up Half Dome several times. I’ve sat atop Banner Peak and dangled my feet over Thousand Island Lake. And I’ve climbed to the top of Mt Whitney in the darkness of night.
Hiking the Limekiln Falls Trail
Hiking the Limekiln Falls Trail is like a walk through another world. It is dark — even on a cloudless day — and verdant green. The trail dives deep into the steepest coastal canyon in California, reaching an impressive 100 foot split waterfall. This is an easy hike, and worth a stop to stretch your legs and marvel at the towering redwoods as you make your way up the Big Sur coast. Limekiln Falls State Park is located 94 miles north of San Luis Obispo and about 55 miles south of Carmel.
Hiking the Ewoldsen Trail
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park has everything that Big Sur is known for — dramatic old growth coastal redwoods that tower above you; streams dancing through steep gorges lined with colorful wildflowers; stunning views of the rugged coastline; and photogenic waterfalls. The 5.9 miledelivers the goods. We tackled this scenic loop in the afternoon, after the morning haze had burned off, and it was a perfect grand tour of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.
Hiking to Condor Gulch in Pinnacles National Park
Pinnacles National Park is a gem hidden in plain sight. It’s one of the youngest National Parks in the system–having been promoted to NP status in 2013–yet many of the trails date back over a hundred years. Back then Schuyler Hain — the “Father of Pinnacles” led tours up Bear Valley to the caves. He spoke out in support of preserving Pinnacles, and in 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt established Pinnacles as a National Monument.
Hiking Runyon Canyon Park
Runyon Canyon Park gets a bad rap. The park lies just beyond Hollywood Boulevard, and attracts a steady stream of dog walkers, hikers and trail runners. It’s not unusual to overhear a conversation about script development or a new pilot. It’s not a wilderness trail. You won’t find solitude here. But if you live in the area, Runyon Canyon is a great place for a mid-week hike, with a lung-busting climb, good views over LA and convenience.
Hike to the Griffith Park Teahouse
A collective of artists serruptitiously erect a teahouse on the side of an obscure peak in Griffith Park, and you get the zen moment. The Griffith Park Teahouse was assembled on the side of Mt Taco at the end of June. The teahouse was constructed from redwood scavenged from the 2007 Griffith Park fire, thoughtfully designed and fabricated atop an existing concrete pad. It’s a wonderful little reminder of what makes LA special, and you should hike to it while you can.
Aspen Grove in San Gorgonio Wilderness
Spectacular fall color in Southern California? It exists! Just a short distance from Big Bear we found the southernmost aspen grove in California. The quaking aspen (populus tremoloids) are readily identified by the disc-like leaves about the size of a silver dollar. The slightest breeze sets these leaves in motion, leading to that “quaking” effect. It’s beautiful to see and a delight to the ears. Our first encounter with an aspen grove was coming down from Bear Ridge on the John Muir Trail .
Exploring South Carlsbad State Beach
I have fond memories walking along the beach in Carlsbad. My grandparents retired to Carlsbad, and I’ve been there first with them, and later with my own kids. South Carlsbad State Beach is a great stretch of bluff-lined beach that makes a beautiful place to amble about, exploring the beach, enjoying the sunshine and the ocean breezes. At low tide, the beach becomes a broad, almost level expanse of sand strewn with seaweed, sea shells, well worn beach stones and other treasures.
Thru-Hiking the JMT: Over Pinchot Pass to Woods Creek
We awoke just before sunrise, with frozen beads of condensation clinging to outside of our tent. It was chilly. Boil water! Make coffee! Stat! Most of this trip, we were spending all day in shorts and short sleeves. I put on my knit cap at night to keep my head warm, but rarely needed more than my Marmot fleece jacket after sundown. This morning was an exception. I had the fingerless wool gloves on, the knit cap, the fleece and my shell on. It was cold.
Thru-Hiking the JMT: Tuolumne to Upper Lyell Canyon
I was looking forward to this day. The mileage was a little easier, and the first nine miles were up the almost imperceptible incline of Lyell Canyon. Getting in later than expected on Day Three meant hanging around until the Tuolumne Meadows Post Office opened so we could pick up our resupply package. While we waited, we feasted on tasty breakfast burritos at the café.
Thru-Hiking the JMT: Mono Creek to Rosemarie Meadow
With our packs on our backs, our bear canisters filled and our bodies rested from our zero day, we settled up at VVR and took the ferry back to the east end of Lake Edison. From the ferry landing on the northeast shore, we hike about 2 miles to rejoin the John Muir Trail near the Mono Creek bridge. We followed the signs toward Seldon Pass, and about 100 yards past that we saw an impressive bridge. On the other side, Bear Ridge loomed over us, taunting with its gnarly switchbacks.
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