GOT LOST?
Never again with these resources...

August '07 Backpacker (one of our fave mags) appeared in the mailbox like 2 weeks ago. Has summer passed or what? Anyway...more great articles. We like many of their bite-size info boxes because we otherwise bore easily over too-long, run-on articles.
On P.66 of this issue is a tight column titled START SMART, Find Great Maps. We totally love maps here and have listed the Go online sites the article provides, this being an online format. As the internet has evolved per freebie info, there's still some of that here; nevertheless, good $$$map offers are out there dependent on your must-have needs.

Click here: Customized Topo Maps and Aerial Photos - myTopo.com
Click here: Trails Topo Maps Hiking Mountain Biking - Trails.com
Click here: Gmaps Pedometer
Click here: Backpacker Magazine - Your Backpacking, Camping, and Hiking Magazine.www.backpacker.com On the Backpacker site, plug "maps" into there search engine for a plethora of links.

THE SYMBOL OF THE JAPANESE SOUL
"Fuji-San" - a mountain of trash?

IS NOTHING SACRED?! A recent AP article reports that the forested base of Mt. Fuji has for some time evolved into a garbage dump. The mountain paths are also littered with trash, motivating concerned citizens to remedy this trend which has continued for 20-30 years. The debris isn't just candy bar wrappers and other easily picked-up paper scraps, but it's microwaves, refrigerators, tires, etc. Blame is placed on the high cost to formally dispose of appliances, furniture, and household trash generated in this highly industrialized and densely populated island nation.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/CLEANING_UP_FUJI?SITE=WIFON&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6901.html