Pyramid Ale Cap, Photo Richard Elliott

Hidden in a sandy pocket of the Mojave Desert lies this unusual bottle cap (see above photo).  This curious looking cap, with its strange emblem, appears like it belongs to some secret society or was left by some thirsty aliens from space.  To those in the know, the cap is from a bottle of premium ale, known as Pyramid Ale.  Obviously some thirsting hiker or 4 x 4 explorer in Death Valley’s Wood Canyon had a special, demanding taste for exceptional beer.  The interesting thing is that Pyramid Ale is no longer available to the public.  So, when might this desert relic of the hops have been tossed here?   Time for a quest on Google.

The Google search led to a Wikipedia source, showing that Pyramid Ale does not date too far back in time.  According to Wikipedia, Pyramid Breweries, Inc. is headquartered in Seattle, WA.  It was founded in Kalama, WA, in 1984, as Hart Brewing, Inc.  In 1994, Hart Brewing developed an Apricot Ale, introducing the tasty brew at the Great American Beer Festival, taking a Gold Medal.  This honor christened Hart Brewing as an innovator in the fruit beer category.  In 1996, “Hart Brewing changed its name to Pyramid, after its best known brand,” according to Wikipedia.

In 2008, Pyramid was acquired by Magic Hat Brewing Company and no longer serves as a public company.  Today, Pyramid Breweries operates 4 restaurants called “Alehouses” in Seattle, WA and the California cities of Berkeley, Walnut Creek and Sacramento, according to Wikipedia.  To learn more about their breweries, visit their website, http://www.pyramidbrew.com/.

Now we know this Pyramid bottle cap was probably tossed onto the sandy desert sometime between 1996 and 2008.   Although its presence in Death Valley National Park does not qualify it for protection under the Antiquities Act, and rather may be considered “litter,” I left it there for someone else’s curious discovery and to perhaps one day have it become an antiquity.

Map & Compass, USGS map, photo Richard Elliott

“Where am I?”  Hikers and backpackers may ask themselves, when trekking in unfamiliar territory.  The tools to help answer that question are a topographical map, often called a TOPO map, and a compass.  These tools require a little training to use properly and effectively.

TOPO maps provide an aerial view of the terrain, with interval contour lines depicting the elevation gain or loss between lines, usually 40 feet or 80 feet between contour lines.  The maps also show special visible features, such as water features, roads (highway or dirt) and many other symbols for key points of reference, helpful in positioning oneself on the map.

Distances are shown in feet or miles.  Accurately understanding how to read and interpret a TOPO map can save your life, or help make a hike easier, safer, and is helpful in figuring out just where you are “in the field,” in relation to the map.  Knowing how to use a compass, along with the TOPO map, will help in pinpointing exactly where you are.

TOPO maps are printed with “North” being the top of the map.  The map is named after a prominent  feature of the terrain,  located approximately in the center of the map.  An example is the New York Butte Quadrangle, California-Inyo Co., 15 minute series, for New York Butte in the Inyo Mountains (pictured above).  The map may be aligned to true north or magnetic north, both shown on the bottom border of the map.  Understanding how to figure this out with a compass, will help to show exactly where you are on the map.

A 15 minute series (no longer available from USGS and replaced by the 7.5 map) TOPO map covers approximately an area 14 miles by 17 miles.  Maps are available through the USGS (United States Geological Survey), local outdoor and outfitting stores, or Ranger Stations at national or state parks and souvenir shops.

Learning to use a map and compass is not that technical.  There are books, videos, and courses designed to teach the proper use of these vital tools.  An easy step-by-step guide to using a map and compass is detailed in a 35-minute DVD called, “Finding Your Way in the Wild.” It is an excellent learning source.  Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) offers a map and compass course for a minimal fee, from $35-$65.  The course is guaranteed, too!  These tools will help in staying found and give peace of mind.  For the peace of mind for those back home wondering where and how you are, consider purchasing the SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger.

Whether hiking, biking, boating and more, the SPOT allows you to stay found to friends and loved ones, via satellite transmission of your pre-set custom messages, and provides your GPS coordinates to those wondering how and where you are.  The messages and coordinates are sent to email addresses or cell phones, giving peace of mind to the worried folks back home.  Also, they will feel as if they are along with you by watching your progress via Google Earth Maps.  The best part–should you need rescuing, the SPOT has a 911 button, which transmits your GPS coordinates to a Message Center, which will dispatch emergency rescue  responders to your location! 

So, stay found with these profound tools.