Tag Archives: backcountry

The Ice Can Stove: A Brief History

Posted on November 7, 2012 by Jack Elliott

An uncommon version of an ice can stove fitted with a large chimney cap and a damper on the flue. In backcountry campsites scattered throughout the Los Padres National Forest in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties lie the rusty remains … Continue reading →

Posted in Santa Barbara County, Ventura County | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Project Sespe Creek: Stage III, Piedra Blanca Beyond Devil’s Gate

Posted on October 20, 2012 by Jack Elliott

Coltrell Flat beside Sespe Creek “Free is the bush, and the desert, and the woods, and the mountain ranges for whoever likes to camp there.” B. Traven, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre I plod along the dirt footpath of … Continue reading →

Posted in Ventura County | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Stumbling Upon Chumash Bedrock Mortars

Posted on July 5, 2012 by Jack Elliott

Chumash bedrock mortar grinding stone in the Santa Barbara County backcountry. There are four different mortars visible in this photo, although hard to see except the deepest one at center frame. “In certain almost supernatural states of the soul, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Santa Barbara County | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Alcove Falls

Posted on March 21, 2012 by Jack Elliott

Alcove Falls, San Rafael Wilderness, Santa Barbara County.

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Desperate Fight with Condors: Narrow Escape of Santa Barbara Man (1899)

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Jack Elliott

A front page illustration on San Francisco’s The Call newspaper from April 30, 1899 showing two condors attacking a ledge-bound man wielding a club in defense. (Click to enlarge.) The illustration above accompanied a harrowing tale of two Santa Barbara … Continue reading →

Posted in Santa Barbara County | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments