Adventure Sports Journal // Feb/March 2018 // #101 by Adventure Sports Journal

TAHOE ADVENTURE THERAPY / GEAR WE LOVE / EVENT PROFILES / CALENDAR

February/March 2018 • ISSUE #101

the adventure path MING POON

SEVEN WINTER DAY TRIPS MAVERICKS

women who ride mountains

CHRIS SUMMIT

first ascent bouldering 20 ASJ—June/July 2012

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Table of Contents

Photo: Sweaty Sheep Collection

departments

6 7 9 16 23 25

Editor’s Note

Self Care: the power within

Ear to the Ground News & notes

Gear We Love

Goodies for an active lifestyle

EPiC

Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center

Event Profiles

Featured upcoming events

Calendar

Directory of upcoming events

features

8 10 12 14

Photo: Jerry Dodrill

Adventure Therapy

Rethinking the homeless crisis

One Foot in the Barrel

Biana Valenti on riding mountains

Chris Summit

First ascent boulderer

Mojave National Preserve

Delightful desolation in Southeastern California

18 20 22

Photo: Josh Feinberg

Photo: Matt Johanson

Ming Poon

From businessman to pro photog

Fears, Tears and Beers

An enduro benefiting MTB trails

Magnificent Seven

Winter daytrip adventures

Photo: Chris Summit Collection Photo: Yosemite Hospitality

Cover Athletes Jamie McJunkin and Jillian Raymond hiking to the top for one more run in Lake Tahoe, NV. Photo: Ming Poon

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mounthermonadventures.com 4 ASJ — Feb/March 2018

asj contributors what’s the most scared you’ve ever been while participating in adventure sports?

leoniesherman

The rise of Donald Trump scares me more than any of my sporty misadventures including looking at my own exposed bone or sailing a boat into a violent storm with no map, lights or motor.

chrisvanleuven

Many years ago, my friend Matt Childers and I were pinned down in a snowstorm while climbing the south face of The Minotaur in the NW Territories. We shook violently while wrapped in a tarp and bivy sack.

kurtgensheimer

Getting caught on the inside of a 20-foot wave, getting tossed for what seemed like forever, then surfacing and having it happen again.

havenlivingston

Trapped upside-down in my kayak in an undercut rock on a river with my spray skirt pinned against a rock. When I escaped my boat, I was dragged deeper along the bottom of the river for about 100 feet.

mattjohanson

When I was learning to climb, my first rappel scared me because I didn’t trust the rope or the anchor bolts yet. I still don’t like rappelling from tall, steep climbs.

mingpoon

Trying to climb and ski/ snowboard Mt. Hunter in the Alaska Range with Kip Garre. Terrible snow conditions and rope team swallowing crevasses that we had to navigate with large hanging seracs above. We bailed!

sarahmarschall

Years ago, I followed a guide deep into the tropical rain forest. People started to get sick and I became aware of how isolated and vulnerable we were. I made it back with a new commitment to self-reliance.

juliannklein

The most scared/ exhilarated I have been was in Moab this year riding down a rock face at a 45 degree angle. To keep from grabbing a handful of brakes I kept running “commit” through my brain. It was crazy!!!

PUBLISHING + EDITORIAL PUBLISHER Cathy Claesson cathy@adventuresportsjournal.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Matt Niswonger matt@adventuresportsjournal.com MANAGING EDITOR Michele Charboneau michele@adventuresportsjournal.com COPY EDITOR Jennifer Stein jen@adventuresportsjournal.com CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Leonie Sherman, Chris Van Leuven, Kurt Gensheimer, Haven Livingston, Matt Johanson, Sarah Marschall CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Leonie Sherman, Fred Pompermayer, Ming Poon, John Shafer, Rebecca Smith, Jerry Dodrill, Nate Greenberg, Clancy Nelson, Chris Summit Collection, Matt Johanson, Adam Clark, Nate Christenson, Keith Ladzinski, Tresa Black, Sarah Makarewicz, Chris McNamara, Pedro Bala, Sean Brady, Brennan Lagasse, Clayton Boyd LAYOUT Cathy Claesson & Michele Charboneau COVER DESIGN Juliann Klein WEBMASTER Brooklyn Taylor brook@adventuresportsjournal.com

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ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Cathy Claesson I 831.234.0351 cathy@adventuresportsjournal.com EVENTS & DISTRIBUTION Matt Niswonger matt@adventuresportsjournal.com EVENTS MARKETING Michele Charboneau michele@adventuresportsjournal.com Jennifer Stein jen@adventuresportsjournal.com Opinions expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Adventure Sports Journal or our advertisers. We usually agree with our articles, but sometimes we don’t. We welcome all contributions. All content © Adventure Sports Journal 2018. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission of the editors. ADVENTURE SPORTS JOURNAL PO BOX 35, Santa Cruz, CA 95063 Phone 831.457.9453 asjstaff@adventuresportsjournal.com PROUD MEMBER

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Editor’s Note

Self Care The Power Within

unning a small business as a married couple is not for the faint of heart. You have to constantly switch back and forth between family issues and business issues as seamlessly as possible, without getting caught up in any drama. Cathy and I started Adventure Sports Journal, got married, and started a family all at the same time. Seventeen years later we have two teenagers, a pre-teen, a dog, four chickens, multiple bank accounts, multiple social media accounts, three cars, and the list goes on. I also work as a high voltage lineman, one of the most dangerous professions in America. Needless to say, our life sometimes feels a bit complicated. We deal with a steady stream of problems and minor crises pretty much from the moment we wake up until we go to bed at night. Our kids play sports and have to be shuttled around, the house needs constant cleaning, and every two months we publish a magazine about climbing, surfing, mountain biking and snow sports. Our commitment is that each issue is a little bit better than the last. One of the things I’ve learned over the years is that in order to function well, I need to stay 100% committed to my own happiness. Simply put, in order to be effective and helpful to the people around me, I need to be selfish sometimes. I learned this powerfully when I completed a 21-day Outward Bound course in May of 1989. During the course,

Think of your bike, your surfboard, and your climbing shoes as tools for happiness in a world that wants to distract you from what really matters. Our group process broke down when everyone as individuals failed to drink water, eat food, and put on warm clothes. Because we failed ourselves, we couldn’t help the group. Twenty-eight years later the same lesson applies to my life. If I don’t take care of myself, I’m ineffective as a father, a husband, an employee, and a business partner. Without good sleep, nutrition and exercise the machine grinds to a halt and I become a burden to others, just like my Outward Bound patrol group. That’s why self-care is priority number one for anyone who loves the people around him or her. Adventure Sports Journal is a manual for self-care and that’s why we exist: to inspire readers to play outside more. I personally mountain bike, climb, surf, hike, and snowboard to recharge my batteries and get present to the sheer joy of being alive. In 2018 my goal is to add yoga and disc golf to the list. As I have touched on in previous articles,

Tom Moulinone way to describe happiness is the

more than just a climbing gym

Yoga drop-ins welcome Climbing Weight Room Cardio Deck go online or come by to check out this fantastic gym

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www.pacificedgeclimbinggym.com 6 ASJ — Feb/March 2018

we traversed the heart of the Sierra Nevada mountain range from Sequoia National Park to Yosemite. I was twenty years old and it felt like the hardest thing I had ever done. About ten days into the backcountry, my group had a meltdown and the situation became scary. Everyone was exhausted after hiking for many hours in thigh deep snow. All the participants including myself were borderline hypothermic. We were also dehydrated and hungry. We couldn’t build a proper snowcave and people were starting to feel miserable and panicky. Some people started arguing and others simply threw down their sleeping bags directly onto the snow and attempted to go to sleep. Simply put, we stopped functioning in our own best interest. Our instructors helped us get safely to bed that night (in tents instead of a snowcave), but without their help we would have surely perished.

process of connecting with the people in our lives while we simultaneously discover our own potential. Here at Adventure Sports Journal we promote a lifestyle that rejects the quest for money in favor of the quest for happiness because we honestly believe that’s what the world needs right now: dedicated human beings who joyfully uncover their own capacity to help others. In other words, think of your bike, your surfboard, and your climbing shoes as tools for happiness in a world that wants to distract you from what really matters. Until you truly commit yourself to your own happiness, you will be less than helpful to the people around you. Specifically this means a commitment to self-care so you are more available to your family and friends. Do you agree that adventure sports like surfing, climbing, mountain biking, yoga, and disc golf can be a path to happiness or is this all a bunch of new age malarkey? Send me an email, I’d love to hear from you: matt@adventuresportsjournal.com.

During our debrief the next day, the instructors told us that our small group broke the golden rule of survival: we stopped administering self-care. —Matt Niswonger Campfire memories from Sea Otter, 2017. ASJ editor, Matt Niswonger on the plasitc horn.

Ear to the Ground

News and notes from the outdoor industry

Epic Rides Off-Road Series Registration Now Open

“People remember their first day on skis because it comes as such a mental rush. When you come down the mountain from your first time on skis, you are a different person. I had just now experienced that feeling, if only for half a minute; it was step one in the direction I would follow the rest of my life.” Warren Miller, 1924-2018

Warren Miller’s Legacy The adventure world has lost one of its original patriarchs. On January 24th Warren Miller passed peacefully into legend at the age of 93. Like Jack O’Neill’s contribution to the sport of surfing, Warren Miller’s influence on skiing cannot be overstated. His humor and adventure-seeking spirit forged the legacy of a genre and a passion for freedom. Fortunately his work will live on through Warren Miller Entertainment, with a continuation of the trademark feature length movie coming out every year.

Bishop High Sierra Ultras to Benefit Eastern Sierra Youth Outdoor Program The Bishop High Sierra Ultra Marathons returns in 2018 with a 20 mile “fun run,” a 50k, a 50 miler and a 100k. These are high altitude races, with a great deal of climbing, in the scenic foothills of the Eastern Sierra Nevada above the small town of Bishop. The race is produced by non-profit Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association (ESIA) under the new direction of Eastside Sports co-owner Todd Vogel The event benefits Inyo County Search and Rescue as well as the Eastern Sierra Youth Outdoor Program, a free outdoor program for youth ages 12 – 18 offering rock climbing, backpacking, teambuilding and related skills, of which Vogel is a leader. Learn more at bishopultras.com.

Tahoe Donner Voted #2 Cross Country Ski Resort in N. America The results are in for USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Award contest and Tahoe Donner was voted number two for Best Cross Country Ski Resort in the U.S. and Canada. Tahoe Donner rose one spot from its ranking in 2016. “It’s a real honor to be recognized as one of the best cross country ski centers by such a prestigious panel of Nordic experts for the second year in a row,” said Sally Jones, Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Center manager. Tahoe Donner was also voted Best Nordic/Cross Country Ski Center in North Lake Tahoe and Truckee in 2016 and 2017 by readers of the Sierra Sun and North Lake Tahoe Bonanza — proving it’s a locals’ favorite in addition to being an international destination for cross country enthusiasts. Located 18 miles north of Lake Tahoe, the Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Center offers over 100 kilometers of skillfully groomed trails prepared for classic cross country striders and skate skiers of all abilities.

Wildflower Returns to Celebrate 35th Anniversary After a one-year haitus, the much-loved and anticipated Wildflower Triathlon Experience returns for 2018 to celebrate its 35th anniversary on May 4-6 at Lake San Antonio in Central California. The full triathlon race lineup is back, including the Long-Course, Olympic, Sprint and Mountain Bike, plus new events and activities for participants and spectators. The “Woodstock of Triathlon” will resume with the iconic festival environment participants have grown to love and there will be enhancements to the “Wildflower Experience” enjoyed by friends, family and racers alike. Registration for all events is open at wildflowertriathlon.com.

From beginners to seasoned weekend warriors and full-time pros, each Epic Rides Off-Road Series event welcomes mountain bikers of all experience levels with three different length courses (15, 30, or 50-ish miles) that challenge the mind and body plus deliver inspiring views of nature’s beauty. Each event offers three days of mountain bike culture, (including a massive industry expo), live music and world class singletrack, and boasts its own unique flavor and character thanks to the vibrant host cities that value the importance of healthy living and outdoor recreation. The 2018 Epic Rides Off-Road Series includes the following events: The Whiskey Off-Road April 27-29 in Prescott, AZ; The Grand Junction Off-Road May 18-20 in Grand Junction, CO; The Carson City Off-Road June 15-17 in Carson City, NV; The Oz Trails Off-Road October 5-7 in Bentonville, AR. Register at epicrides.com.

“National parks connect all of us with our country’s amazing nature, culture and history,” said National Park Service Deputy Director Michael T. Reynolds. “The days that we designate as fee-free for national parks mark opportunities for the public to participate in service projects, enjoy ranger-led programs, or just spend time with family and friends exploring these diverse and special places.”

Yosemite Legend Jim Bridwell Dealing with Health Issues Yosemite big wall legend Jim Bridwell has been dealing with serious health problems. According to his son Layton Bridwell, the official diagnosis is most likely liver and kidney failure as a result of Hepatitis C. Bridwell thinks he may have contracted the blood disease when he got a tattoo from a rainforest tribe during an expedition to Borneo. As of press time, about $30K was raised to help cover his considerable medical expenses. For more information, visit gofundme.com/help-jim-bridwell-withmedical-care and check out ongoing coverage on our ASJ Facebook page.

Airbnb Launches Hawaii Experiences Airbnb recently announced the launch of experiences in Hawaii, the latest market to join the ranks of an array of other global Airbnb Trips destinations. Airbnb Trips allows visitors to experience a side of a destination they couldn’t see from typical tourist districts and attractions. Visitors and locals alike can now book over 100 experiences across the Hawaiian islands, offering the opportunity to explore the people and places that make Hawaii a truly unique and special place. From learning the ancient art of hula and chants with a revered Kumu to setting sail aboard a handbuilt traditional outrigger canoe with a local waterman, Airbnb experiences allow visitors to immerse themselves and celebrate Hawaii’s unique history and culture.

NPS Announces Fee-Free Days The National Park Service has invited the public to experience all national parks, without entrance fees, on four days in 2018. The free days started on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (January 15); remaining days are: April 21 – First Day of National Park Week, September 22 – National Public Lands Day, and November 11 – Veterans Day.

Family-Friendly 5K Added to Salinas Valley Half Marathon As runners wind through the flourishing vineyards and past fields of leafy green vegetables along the Salinas Valley Half Marathon on August 4, another group of runners and walkers will be enjoying the final miles of the course on a newlyestablished 5K fun run. The inaugural event will offer family members and others the opportunity to be a part of the action. Geared to both fast runners and families with children, the 5K features a scenic out-and-back route from the half-marathon finish at Pessagno Winery. Finish festivities will include music, MY Museum activities for young children, wine tasting for adults, and a fund-raising tri-tip barbecue. The Salinas Valley Half Marathon, now in its ninth year, is organized by the Big Sur Marathon Foundation. Register at salinasvalleyhalfmarathon.org. www. advent ur espor t sjour nal. com 7

Adventure Therapy Taking risks and breaking down barriers

By Sarah Marschall

ast September, a unique journey took place. Ryan Althaus of Sweaty Sheep Ministries, River Krimmer of Living Evolution, and Elijah Cooper of Shared Adventures, joined forces to find new ways to help those suffering from trauma due to homelessness or a disability. The plan was to take people from a full spectrum of living situations in Santa Cruz to Lake Tahoe for a week of community building, risk-taking, and adventure therapy. In the last days before they were scheduled to leave, the pieces came together. Second Harvest donated healthy food. Patagonia came through with clothing. Zeeba Rentals provided a discounted rate on a van. Other organizations and individuals stepped forward to help — and all just in time. On Sunday, September 24, 2017, the group of travelers arrived at Tahoe. The retreat was dreamed up in a backyard among friends, but in no way on a whim. Each of the organizers — Althaus, Krimmer, and Cooper — have passion and considerable experience in healing through outdoor adventure, sports, and recreation. The retreat brought together participants who were homeless, people with disabilities, and some experiencing both homelessness and disability. There were youth and adults, men and women. Participants had some connection to an organizer, but only a few knew each other. A few homeless participants were recruited the day the group left Santa Cruz. “We started the trip by agreeing that true community must acknowledge authentic diversity ... thus each and every one of us offered one unique part of a greater whole,” says Althaus. I had been invited to cover the retreat for Adventure Sports Journal and met them on their first night at Zephyr Point near South Lake Tahoe. There was only moonlight when I arrived. Two tall men stood outside of the lodge. I noticed one of the men’s bare feet. He asked me if I needed help with my bags. In this simple question, I could see that while I had come to be in service of others, I would also need the humility and openness to be served myself. And, I would need to leave any preconceptions at the door.

8 ASJ — Feb/March 2018

“Adventure is what separates being alive from living ... simple as that. The greatest gift we can give ourselves or others is simply the opportunity to ‘wake up’ to life.” — Ryan Althaus That night, I met Andrea. As we sat in a circle in the pine-walled cabin looking over the lake, she shared some of the situations and circumstances that culminated with the loss of her housing and her recent life on the street. She appeared younger than me, but apart from that, the differences between us seemed small. I found myself admiring her bravery, but I also felt another overwhelming emotion being shared by the group — fear. Looking around the circle at others who nodded, who fidgeted uncomfortably in details of her story, and through both pauses, and tears, I could feel their fear. I could glimpse at the danger that Andrea and others who are homeless faced on many days, and every night. I could imagine myself, exhausted, and facing the night with no door to close and no shelter for protection. This was the reality of homelessness that many of them shared. One of the simple gifts that this retreat offered was for participants to experience safety and the opportunity to rest body and mind, if only for a few days. I had only planned to stay for a night. After it was over, I was eager to hear what had happened during the week. Althaus and Krimmer described many adventures, planned and unplanned: People created art. They practiced yoga. They went horseback riding and hiking. A kayak capsized in the unforgiving water, making loss of life a very real possibility. Life prevailed. One of the men said he felt hope, for From kayaking, horseback riding and the first time that he could remember. yoga on the beach to art sessions and A 26-year old, living with a traumatic inspiring walks, the retreat held at Zephyr Point brain injury, climbed (with help) atop Presbyterian Conference Center at Tahoe offered a rock overlooking the lake — the first a unique opportunity to rest body and mind for time since his accident that he was its homeless and disabled participants. able to have an experience like this. Krimmer described this as one of his best moments, “Seeing the light in his eyes and the smile on his face that he was up there was truly a highlight for me.” People played. They shared. They ate healthy food. They watched sunsets. And they rested. “This retreat mattered to me because it served as an opportunity to show

individuals who had been beaten down by debilitating labels, that there was a reason to live! It was an opportunity to address the ‘quality’ of the lives that our society haphazardly and superficially seeks to serve,” Althaus says. Althaus, Krimmer, and Cooper are planning more adventures. Their strengths are synergistic, and they attract and recruit other people who are oriented toward generosity. They also keep things in perspective. Says Krimmer, “Anything is possible if you believe. There were so many pieces to this retreat. Without expectations, everything was a blessing.”

Do you want to help others experience healing through adventure? Contact these organizations to donate gear, time, or talent. Sweaty Sheep: Utilizing recreation to break down social, economic, and faith barriers in the creation of a more holistic community. sweatysheep.com Living Evolution: Using nature as a median for healing and connecting. livingevolution.org Shared Adventures: Providing lifeenriching recreational and social activities for people with special needs. sharedadventures.org

Gear We Love

Goodies for your active lifestyle 1

1. MSR Lightning Explore Women’s Snowshoes Take on the most challenging of winter treks with MSR’s Lightning Explore women’s snowshoes. These snowshoes integrate all the latest technologies, offering reliably stellar performance, comfort and ease. MSR 360° Traction™ frames feature advanced, edge-to-edge grip, and the all-new HyperLink™ bindings implement a fast, simplified ratchet system and EVA foam cushions that cradle the foot for all-day comfort. In addition, Ergo™ Televators — engaged with a flick of a pole grip — make easier work of steeper slopes, and Modular Flotation tails allow for the maneuverability of a smaller snowshoe while optional, five-inch tails can be added on for more versatility. Made in the USA of domestic and imported parts. msrgear.com MSRP: $279.95 2. Chums Upcycled Cotton Eyewear Retainer Wow, here’s to you, Chums! We love a company that has our environment in mind. The Chums Upcycled Cotton Eyewear Retainer is constructed from a high-performance blend of 52% upcycled cotton and 48% post-consumer recycled PET bottles. AND it’s made right here in the USA ... in Hurricane, Utah. Demonstrate your commitment to sustainability while rocking your eyewear in style. It’s worth noting that no matter what product you choose at Chums, you are supporting a green business. The company believes in acting responsibly and ethically in all aspects of its business, supporting green initiatives and buying power using Blue Sky Renewable Energy. All cardboard, aluminum, paper and

plastic are recycled. Incoming and outgoing shipments are bulk packed using a minimum of filler and cartons. Catalogs, flyers and brochures are printed on recycled paper. Lastly, local manufacturing also reduces transportation, lowering its carbon footprint. chums.com MSRP: $8.99 each / $53.94 for a six-pack 3. RinseKit Portable Shower Adventurers rejoice! Rinse your gear, pet(s) and own sweaty self with this unique pressurized shower/clean up system. The RinseKit is the only portable shower to boast the pressure of a garden hose without pumping or having to use batteries. After that rigorous mountain bike ride or peak bagging day, enjoy up to four minutes of spray to rejuvenate you back at camp. Cyclists can also use the RinseKit to give their bikes some postride love! Water conservation is naturally important to many an adventurer. With the RinseKit’s pressurization system, water usage is extremely efficient allowing you to use only the water you need for your rinse. Want a warm shower? The RinseKit is insulated, so just fill up with hot water from your home tap using the Hot Water Sink Adapter. The RinseKit hose quickly attaches to your water spigot with a quick connect coupler and fills the two gallon pressure chamber with approximately 65 psi of water pressure (standard home pressure) in 20 seconds ... and it can hold that pressure for up to one month. Come rinse time, simply attach the spray nozzle to the RinseKit hose with the quick coupler, select one of the seven spray settings and shower on! rinsekit.com MSRP: $74.95

4. Big Agnes Cabin Creek 15° Double Bag There’s nothing quite like getting cozy with your honey in the backcountry. With the Big Agnes Doublewide Series you get a roomy sleeping space without adding bulk. We love the Cabin Creek 15 as our adventures take us into some pretty cold temps. Boasting Hotstream® insulation along with Big Agnes’ softest technical sleeping bag fabric, this bag is soft and smooth to the touch. So dreamy! The bag features an integrated full pad sleeve design (which accepts a double wide pad or two single pads side by side). Stretch fabric panels on the side of the pad sleeve accommodate pads of different thicknesses. No more pads slipping and sliding from under you! Use the top corner hand pockets to wrap the bag around your shoulders like you do with your comforter at home. For further comfort, the Free Range Hood design gives you the freedom to lift your head while snuggled in the hood; and the low profile cordlock lets you un-cinch the hood with one hand. Additionally, the Cabin Creek Pillow Barn keeps your pillow tucked in tight all night. Other cozy attributes include a No-draft collar, No-draft wedge, No-draft zipper, and No-draft center flap. Double zippers allow entry from either side of bag and when unzipped allows top of bag to be used like a comforter. Ahhh, sweet dreams. bigagnes.com MSRP: $269.95 5. Body Glide FOR HER Balm Ladies, we found it — that perfect all day protection you’ve been searching for! Body Glide FOR HER anti chafing moisturizing balm’s vitamin enriched formula helps retain skin moisture with a dry, invisible barrier against chafing, irritation and raw skin caused by rubbing. And it never feels wet or greasy!

Before you don those running tights or cycling chammy, just apply with the easy stick to inner thighs, around your sports bra, and wherever else your skin is sensitive to rubbing. Body Glide FOR HER is effective and longlasting for daily use in demanding conditions. No petroleum, lanolin or mineral oils. Made with allergen free, plant-derived ingredients, this formual is vegan approved and never tested on animals. It’s rich in Vitamins A, B, E and F to help hydrate skin and retain moisture. Ideal for sensitive, dry, cracked skin. Sweat resistant. Child safe. bodyglide.com MSRP: $4.99 - $9.99 6. Montem Ultra Strong Trekking Poles Quality, comfortable trekking poles for under $50? Huh? But it’s true. Montem takes pride in designing exceptional gear while successfully keeping the price down without cutting costs on production. Not only are the poles well crafted out of sturdy materials, they are extremely comfortable in hand. The extension mechanisms are easy to use — even with cold fingers! — and firmly keep their position as you move along on a wide array of terrain. Set up couldn’t be simpler, with easy clasps and clear numbering. The oh-so-soft wrist strap is also simple to adjust. Who has time to waste messing with adjustments when there is trail to explore? The Ultra Strong poles we tested are made of extra durable aluminum, but the company also offers a carbon alternative. Grips are made with nonslip EVA foam for optimum grip. Add carbide crafted tips, with interchangeable mud baskets as well as rubber tips, and there’s a superior pole for any adventure. montemlife.com MSRP: $49.99 www. advent ur espor t sjour nal. com

One Foot in the Barrel Bianca Valenti and the women who ride mountains By Haven Livingston

It’s 2018 and women have finally gotten their foot in the door of big wave surf contests. Gaining tenure in that arena, however, is a work in progress. The world has seen women compete at Jaws and Nelscott Reef, but we are still waiting to see them compete at the most notorious big wave location in California ... Mavericks. The competition has until February 28th to make it happen.

ig wave women surfers have been working for years to make their participation in the Mavericks event a reality. The six contestants who have been invited to the 2017/18 event are thrilled. They are Paige Alms (HI), Bianca Valenti (CA), Keala Kennelly (HI), Justine Dupont (France), Emily Erickson (HI), and Sarah Gerhardt (CA). All of them have played key roles in pushing the visibility of big wave women surfers to the surface, but Valenti has by far been the most outspoken about being allowed to compete at her back yard big wave, Mavericks. “It’s a lot harder for women to access this sport than men. From the beginning, a 12-year-old girl is discouraged from ‘dangerous’ sports, while a 12-year-old boy is encouraged,” said Valenti. Women, who have to put in more training for the physical readiness of big wave surfing, also continue to struggle to gain the acceptance in the big wave line up. While comments like, “you should be in the kitchen baking cookies” that Hawaiian big wave pioneer Betty Depolito got decades ago are less common, there is still subtle, and not so subtle, pushback from male counterparts. 10 ASJ — Feb/March 2018

“It’s awesome to see how many people are inspired by what we’re doing,” said Valenti. “The more support we get from the men in the sport the faster we can excel in the sport. We need to welcome people and make them feel like they belong. It’s all about working together – the men and women.” The first opportunity for women to compete against one another in a fully sanctioned big wave contest came in 2016 With the Pe’ahi Challenge in Hawaii. Conditions at Pe’ahi (aka Jaws) were less than ideal for the 12 women who charged during the two 45-minute preliminary heats and hour-long final, but, as we say, they persisted. Alms walked away with the top prize that day, something she would repeat in 2017. All the women came away feeling like they had won that day just because they were there. Stand-out moments that have led to women’s acknowledgement as top big wave surfers include: Paige Alms becoming the first woman to get barreled at Pe’ahi in 2015. After being the first woman to tow-in surf at Teahupoo in 2005, Keala Kennelly won the open-gender category of barrel of the year at the XXL Big Wave

Awards in 2016 for getting barreled at Teahupoo, one of the heaviest breaking big waves in the world. Sarah Gerhardt was the first woman to charge Mavericks back in 1999, and she still charges it nearly two decades later. In between the glory drops on big waves are grueling hours dedicated to cardio and strength training, juggling families, careers and finding time to surf. Nobody becomes a big wave surfer for the fame and fortune, though many, including Valenti, would at least like the opportunity to become a career athlete. It’s clear that the women who have made their way to competition level have done it out of a pure love of the sport. “Any time I get to surf big waves, that’s when I feel most alive,” said Valenti. Event organizers hold the women accountable to keep on proving themselves, but these women know that their surfing speaks for itself and will keep getting stronger. One thing is certain, if Mavericks gets the green light this winter, we’re going to see the best of women’s big wave surfing that Mavericks has ever seen.

Opposite page, top to bottom: Bianca Valenti drops in at Mavericks on a perfect day (Pedro Bala); Portrait of Valenti (Sarah Makarewicz). This page, clockwise from top left: Valenti and Andrea Moller having fun while paddling out (Fred Pompermayer); Valenti in perfect position near the signature Mavericks peak (Fred Pompermayer); Valenti in the channel on a foggy day (Fred Pompermayer); Valenti and Keala Kennelly sharing a Mavericks bomb (Fred Pompermayer).

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Forever in a Candy Shop First ascent boulderer Chris Summit By Chris Van Leuven

Summit, a climber of nearly 30 years, practices his trade close to home, scrubbing endless rocks and exposing clean lines for others to follow.

’m behind the wheel somewhere outside Santa Rosa, blindly following fanatical rock climber and guidebook author Chris Summit’s directions to the rocks. We crest a small hill then drop over the other side, the car’s body lifting slightly before settling back onto its shocks. Golden fields of wild grasses and oak trees cover the hillsides. My rig is filled to the brim with giant foam crash pads, some torn at the edges, others stained with I don’t know what. Summit is so excited about the treasure hunt he can barely contain himself—he’s buzzing and talking non-stop how incredible the climbing will be. We pull up to a lone roadside bloc framed by barbwire fencing on one side. To most drivers passing by the rock, what we’re visiting is nothing to look at. And at first glance it’s nothing of value to me either; the holds have sharp edges that will surely cut into my fingers when I grab them, the footholds are crumbly piles, and the landing is a mix of broken glass and gravel. The chunk of stone looks like something that was plucked from the bottom of the ocean and plopped down in this valley. It resembles packed mud that’s been cooked by the sun for thousands of years. The vibe is uninspiring, at least at first. But I try anyway, make a few moves over the prickly stone and then snap! A bulbous plate rips off in my hand and nearly

This page, top to bottom: Chris Summit on the Goldbergs traverse V3FA, May Lake in Tuolumne (Tresa Black); A gorgeous view on Blue Heron 5.10FA Twin Coves CA (Jerry Dodrill); Testing pads for Outdoor Gear Lab in Mt. Tamalpais (Chris McNamara) Opposite page, Left to Right: Anticlimatic Traverse V5FA, Pinnacles National Monument (Chris Summit collection); Bouldering on the Eel River in Mendocino (Chris Summit collection); The bat rest in a top secret Sonoma County cave (Sean Brady).

Northern California is his home and he wants to touch every climbable chunk of rock in his backyard. He even has a bit of a cult following, with young climbers inspired by his routes and tales of his adventures. Some visit his narrow paths through the woods with hopes of finding his unveiled creations. “I’ll probably never leave Santa Rosa,” the 45-year old tells me, divulging in the same breath that he still lives with his mom.

I’ve been around him long enough to know he likes drinking cheap-ass vodka out of a plastic bottle with no chaser. But most of all he loves thrashing through poison oak, scrub brush and thickets to find previously unclimbed rocks. He believes he’s authored 1,000 first ascent boulder problems in Northern California, a number rivaled by few others, except maybe the most recognized name in modern bouldering, John “Verm” Sherman, who has put up thousands of boulder problems. To put those numbers in context, it’s rare that the most avid of climbers—especially gym rats found in ascent boulder problems in Northern scattered gyms throughout the States—will be lucky enough to author a single new route.

He believes he’s authored 1,000 first California, a number rivaled by few others, except maybe the most recognized name in modern bouldering, John “Verm” Sherman, who has put up thousands of boulder problems. smacks me right in the face before I land flat on my back on the crash pads. But Chris’ contagious attitude and sheer love for our surroundings don’t wane. So I try again, this time following his directions regarding what to grab and where to stand, and it’s suddenly fun again. It’s then that I remember that nothing’s changed since I met Summit in a dusty, cramped climbing gym in San Rafael some 25 years ago. Though I’ve gone on to explore big walls and venture on expeditions near both poles, Summit has remained content with climbing within a two-hour drive from his home. He’s an explorer just like any other, but 12 ASJ — Feb/March 2018

Summit documents each of his new climbs in a notebook and often these notes make it into one of his many climbing guides. To date, he’s put out seven books: Bay Area Top Ropes, Bay Area Bouldering, Tuolumne Bouldering, NorCal Bouldering, NorCal Climbing (with Marty Lewis and Tom Slater), Wine Country Rocks, and a staple-bound guide to Mount Saint Helena, which he printed up at Kinko’s when he was 20. Today he ekes out a living as a route setter at Bridges Rock Gym in El Cerrito and as a climbing coach at the Airport Health Club in Santa Rosa. My earliest memories with him date back to my early teens, when he mentored me and a small crew of my high school buddies on the rocks around Marin County. He taught me how to belay, how to read the rock and how to appreciate every bit of stone, whether it was coated in pine needles and inch-thick carpets of moss and sticks, or whether it was marble smooth, with jutting prows and impossibly long moves to connect grips. That’s what he’s dedicated his life to: exposing young climbers to his favorite spots. And these young people carry his teachings with them through life. For example, I recently met up with the manager at The Spot bouldering gym in Boulder, Colorado, and we spent the afternoon reminiscing about our lively times with Summit. Then we got in a car and drove along a canyon road in search of unclimbed rocks, just like Summit showed us how to do during our youth. At every pullout we’d hop out of the car and examine an overgrown river rock upwards of 20 feet tall, looking for weakness and sequences for us to follow, our creativity bubbling out.

Vans Shoes & Christmas

His mother gifted him a pair of climbing shoes 28 years ago, when summit was 17, and that’s the day he “officially” became a rock climber. Up to that point, he’d been scrambling in his skateboarding footwear, a pair of Vans with faded canvas uppers and broad, gummy soles. His buddy Marcos Nunez wore rigid mountain biking shoes. Despite their unfit footwear, the two were able to edge and smear their way up hard routes. He and Nunez spent a year climbing that way, top roping the scrappy rocks near their homes before getting proper climbing shoes. Summit was an angsty teen that liked skateboarding and also causing trouble. He met his biological father only a few times even though the man lived only an hour away in Ukiah. Summit’s stepfather was a journalist and helped him publish his first books. Summit has two stepbrothers and is “12 percent Cherokee Choctaw Indian; I’m proud of that,” he says. After causing a ruckus, he got kicked out of regular high school and attended the secondary school, Ridgway High School in Santa Rosa. Around the same time his mother gave him climbing shoes, he and Nunez connected with Jason Campbell, a climber who would go on to be one of the stronger faces to come out of the Golden State. Nunez and Summit marveled at his footwork and tried to emulate his moves. College wasn’t in the cards for Summit. As the years progressed, he found he was more drawn to unroped

climbing—bouldering—preferring to be close enough to the ground when he fell so he wouldn’t get injured. Bouldering is climbing distilled to pure movement, and Chris liked the simplicity and challenge of it. Though some climbers—myself included—competed at regional and state-level events, Summit never liked competing against others. “To me, comps are a fleeting thing,” he says. “Climbing on rocks is never ending and it’s an openended scale.” “I had friends winning competitions and I was a little jealous,” he says. “I wanted to be that rad too. But my specialty was finding rocks and so I did that. There were so many for the picking.”

Sharing the Love

When Summit and I caught up over the phone last week, we talked for close to two hours. We shared our favorite climbing stories, reminisced about our lifelong friends, and he talked at length about his fascination with authoring dozens of new boulder problems at Pinnacles National Park. As the call continued, he got to the meat of what climbing locally meant to him, weeping out of joy mixed with nostalgia. “First ascents are weird,” he shared. To get the line ready to climb, he’ll carry a ladder and get up on it with giant brushes to scrape off every bit of dust from the rock. Sometimes he’ll drill a bolt on top of the stone so he can rappel in and clean off what he can’t access from below. To get the route just right, he’ll spend hours, sometimes

days, preparing it so that when he’s done members of the community will get a kick out of it after he’s climbed it. Even after all the hard work, holds still snap off unexpectedly. “I’m fine with plates hitting me in the face. That’s a proud day,” he says. “Cleaning shit is a gamble. If you win the gamble, you get a classic. If you don’t and the holds just keep breaking off you go home and try again.” “Sometimes I’ll spend hundreds of dollars on a new climb [factoring in gas and food]. Then I remind myself that it’s about sharing and giving back. It’s a full value thing.” Along the lines of giving back, Summit has his eyes set on starting a business using climbing as a treatment to help youth and adults overcome depression and also build self-confidence. He’s started a Facebook page called Rock Climbing Therapy. Visit it at facebook.com/ rockclimbingtherapy. To follow Chris Summit on social media and check out his writings on the web, Google “Summit or Plummet.”

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Mojave National Preserve Delightful desolation in a forgotten corner of southeastern California By Leonie Sherman • Photos by Rebecca Smith

ucked away in a forgotten corner of southeastern California, spanning the desolation between US interstates 40 and 15, halfway from Sin City to the City of Angels, north of Joshua Tree and south of Death Valley, the Mojave National Preserve is as noteworthy for what it lacks as what it contains. No gas stations. No convenience stores. No hotels. No restaurants. No bars. No supplies. No entrance fees. No public showers. No roving bands of jargon-and-beta-spewing climbers. No ranger campfire talks or guided strolls. No hordes of selfie-stick-wielding drive-through tourists. As Ed Abbey says about his favorite haunts, “There’s nothing out there. Nothing but the desert. Nothing but the world.” The world of Mojave National Preserve includes a wealth of superlatives: the world’s densest Joshua Tree forest, California’s second biggest sand dunes, the most difficult limestone climbing in the nation, the third largest unit managed by the National Park Service in the contiguous US. From the park’s eastern edge the largest thermal solar plant in the world is visible, responsible for the deaths of an estimated 6,000 birds annually.

The 1.6 million acre preserve encompasses an astounding diversity of animals, plants and habitats. Desert tortoises, kangaroo rats, kit foxes, three kinds of rattlesnakes, mountain lions and bighorn sheep all call this place home. Pinyon pines, junipers, Joshua Trees, creosote, cholla, ocotillo, and barrel cacti thrive here at elevations ranging from 800 to almost 8,000 feet. Sand dunes, alkali plains, ancient basalt flows,

desert washes, cinder cones, enchanted volcanic canyons and granite peaks invite exploration and contemplation. The preserve’s nine mountain ranges include the two and a half mile long Beale Mountains, one of the nation’s smallest, as well as Clark Mountain, which Chris Sharma put on the map when he bolted the country’s most challenging limestone climbs there. If you’re just passing through and wondering what to do, consider the

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words of long-time Yosemite ranger Carl Sharsmith. When questioned by a tourist about what he would do if he had only a single hour for exploration, he replied, “Ma’am, if I were in that position I’d sit down and have a good cry.” So forget about driving through and plan to stay at least one night. The preserve hosts two developed campgrounds. Sites are on a first come, first served basis and cost $12 per night. The Hole-in-the-Wall campground sits at the base of a volcanic rhyolite cliff at 4,400 feet; several popular trailheads are close by. The Mid Hills campground is 1,200 feet higher and many of the sites are tucked into the shade of pinyon pines and junipers. Camping at the Kelso dunes is popular and over 700,000 acres of wilderness offer unlimited primitive camping options. The entire preserve is home to the threatened desert tortoise. For tens of thousands of years these creatures roamed the harsh landscape, surviving

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Room to Exhale…

Opposite page, clockwise: The author about to climb the Kelso Dunes at sunset (Rebecca Smith); The author illuminated in a subterranean lava tube (Rebecca Smith); Paul Carlson attempting to climb out of a subterranean lava tube (Rebecca Smith). This page, left to right: Rebecca Smith climbing the ring trail (Leonie Sherman); Granite outcroppings beg to be explored (Leonie Sherman).

summer temperatures over 140 degrees and freezing winter nights by spending 95% of their lives in burrows. This subterranean inactivity preserves precious water, but puts a crimp in their social lives; as a result reproductive rates are low. When highways and humans intruded on the preserve a profusion of ravens followed, attracted by new sources of food and water. The savvy corvids prey heavily on vulnerable juvenile tortoises, whose shells don’t fully harden for the first four years of their lives. The Desert Tortoise Juvenile Survivorship program, located near the preserve’s northeast entrance, nurtures young tortoises until their shells harden to reduce predation. The least a visitor can do is tread carefully to avoid caving in a burrow, and drive with caution. Even if you’re not fortunate enough to see an elusive desert tortoise or a fully curled bighorn ram, you’ll leave with memories that inspire you to return. Booming vibrating sand dunes at sunset. The echo of a haunting melody in a lava tube. Scrambling up a windy desert peak. Strolling through a Joshua Tree forest. Meandering up a vast desert wash. Bouldering on granite outcrops. Pioneering routes on fragile volcanic rhyolite. Crawling around searching for the tiny elusive desert night lizard. It’s impossible to take the measure of the place or exhaust the thrill of discovery here in a day, or a week, or a month, or a lifetime. But one can always try.

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The Legacy of the Hunt Saboteurs In 1873, the state of California outlawed hunting bighorn sheep; habitat loss, disease from domestic animals and hunting had pushed this timid desert icon to the edge of extinction. In 1986, with around 3700 bighorn eking out an existence in the least populated areas of the state, the California Department of Fish and Game reintroduced managed hunting of bighorn sheep, which continues today at two locations in the Mojave National Preserve. When DFG announced plans to auction a tag to the highest bidder and release seven more tags through a lottery system, a group of environmentalists, anarchists and deep ecologists sprang into action. Calling themselves hunt saboteurs, they camped in the mountains and stalked the hunters, blasting air horns to frighten away the sheep and thwart the kill. When bighorn hunters first encountered the idealists on foot, they brandished weapons, attempted to stomp them with their horses (the horses balked), broke one man’s nose and imprisoned four of them in a horse trailer for 11 hours while loudly discussing the possibility of killing them. The hunt saboteurs were not deterred; they filed a lawsuit and continued their cat and mouse game in the wilds of what would become Mojave National Preserve. They were inspired by a British tradition where roving bands make a picnic and sport of messing with aristocratic fox hunts. The American hunt saboteurs generated massive media coverage – in their first season the LA Times wrote four articles about the dedicated activists and their tactics, and over the next five years they were profiled in alternative weeklies, national magazines and newspapers as well as many hunting publications. They also inspired three pieces of anti-hunt-harassment legislation. Though the hunt saboteurs may have saved individual bighorn and pissed off a lot of hunters, their most lasting contribution lies with the debate they sparked, still simmering three decades later. What is the proper relationship between humans and wild animals on a rapidly urbanizing planet? Does the money raised by wealthy trophy hunters and funneled towards conservation justify the killing of wild animals? Do humans own this planet? Or can we learn to share it? — LS www. advent ur espor t sjour nal. com

EPiC: Environmental Partnership Campaign

Saving Lives

Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center teaches skills and vigilance By Leonie Sherman

Veteran ski patroller Josh Feinberg didn’t really understand avalanches until he triggered one that killed a close friend. While backcountry skiing north of Yosemite, he and two companions, all well-versed in avalanche safety, decided they needed to traverse a windloaded ridge. The avalanche Feinberg started knocked him unconscious before completely burying him. One of his companions was swept through trees and rocks and the other clung to a small whitebark pine while the wave of snow flowed over him. After the dust had settled, the tree hugger retrieved the woman who’d been swept through the trees before digging Feinberg out. He left her in Feinberg’s care while he skied out to initiate a rescue. She died in his arms. “That was by far the worst day of my life,” says Feinberg quietly. “After that, I just wanted to do whatever I could to help others avoid a similar tragedy.” The next season, Feinberg started working for the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center (ESAC), a grassroots, community-funded nonprofit whose only goal is to provide information to backcountry skiers so they can make safe decisions in avalanche terrain. Founded in 2005, ESAC collects data on snow conditions for the most popular backcountry ski areas in the Eastern Sierra. Its crew typically patrols an area that spans over 80 miles of Sierra crest, from Virginia Lakes to South Lake. In big snow years, like last season, they cover terrain from northern Yosemite to the Whitney zone. ESAC advisory warnings and outreach efforts save lives and ultimately save money by reducing Search and Rescue operations. But avalanche study, by its very nature, is mired in tragedy. Just a year after ESAC issued its first advisory, one of the founders died trying to rescue two others who had fallen into a fumarole outside of Mammoth. “Walt Rosenthal was not only incredibly well respected in the local community, but he was also an incredibly astute, brilliant guy,” explains co-founder Nate Greenberg. “He had this amazing ability to process huge amounts of data and balance hard science with wisdom and grace. Losing him was a huge blow.” Rosenthal continued to guide ESAC’s growth and development after he passed. “A lot of times, in those early days, when we’d be making a big decision about 16 ASJ — Feb/March 2018

where we were headed or how to handle a situation, we’d ask ourselves ‘What Would Walt Do?,’” admits Greenberg. Rosenthal is still listed as President in Memoriam on their web page. He’d be proud of the organization’s growth and the work it carries out in his memory. For its first decade, ESAC worked in conjunction with the National Forest Service, and issued three advisories a week with a bare bones staff of one or two forecasters. This year it’s expanded to three forecasters, who spend about 60% of their time in the field and 40% of their time in the office. The goal is to issue a daily top-quality advisory with danger assessments for the entire season. The length of that season is increasingly unpredictable because of the widely fluctuating weather patterns brought on by climate change. In the past five years California has experienced the driest year on record as well as the wettest; warming temperatures mean more of the precipitation falls as rain. These huge swings make funding unstable, as donations decline when it doesn’t snow. Three years ago ESAC split from the Forest Service and began operating independently. The board is all volunteer and most of ESAC’s operating budget comes from community contributions, including a seasonal kick off event that includes daytime seminars and a big evening shindig. This year the organization raised $20,000, almost a third of its annual budget, in a single day. It also receives some support from foundations, Inyo County and the town of Mammoth Lakes.

Main image: Josh Feinberg, one of ESAC’s three forecasters, tests the sensitivity of a recently deposited snow layer with an Extended Column Test (ESAC). Above: Brett Lotz and Andres Soleman skin up the South Face of Split Mountain with Cardinal Peak in the background (Nate Greenberg). Opposite page, top row: Kim Havell booting the North Couloir on Norman Clyde Peak in The Palisdes, Big Pine CA (Nate Greenberg); Forecaster Clancy Nelson shows layers of wind slab found in the Mammoth Area (ESAC); Study pit along San Joaquin Ridge in late Novembe 2017 (Clancy Nelson).

“One valuable thing about being independent is that we can all fundraise,” says Greenberg. “We are a small collaborative team and painfully aware of the budget. As a result, our forecasters are some of our best fundraisers!” Though locals are ESAC’s biggest contributors, people from out of town may benefit most from its advisories. The alpine vistas, abundant hot springs, epic spring corn and vast terrain of the Eastern Sierra are within a day’s drive for millions of people who lack the intimate knowledge of storm systems and snowpack that local backcountry skiers accumulate over the season. ESAC’s advisories are a critical tool for coastal ski bums.

To cover so much terrain with such detailed reports, ESAC relies on not only their three paid forecasters but an extensive network of trained observers and enthusiastic backcountry skiers. Recruiting and training locals generates enthusiasm for backcountry travel and loyalty from the community. It also attracts world class skiers and forecasters to the tiny organization. Doug Lewis began as lead forecaster for ESAC three years ago. He fell in love with winter and snow as a child, walking home alone in a snow storm and marveling at the hushed stillness and magic of fat flakes falling from the sky. He’s devoted 25 years to studying snow, teaching and working in avalanche conditions as a guide and forecaster, from Antarctica to Alaska. “I love working with ESAC, because we are really driven by the backcountry community,” explains Lewis. “There’s a lot more direct contact with folks than when I was working for the Department of Transportation in Valdez, Alaska, for example. And we get to tell folks about where snow conditions are good, not just where to avoid. We really encourage folks to get out there and develop their relationship with these mountains.” Forecaster Clancy Nelson grew up in Mammoth. He left for school but his love of the Sierra brought him back. He started volunteering with ESAC as an observer in 2007, while working ski patrol for Mammoth Mountain. “Nowhere else has terrain like this, that’s so accessible

and this empty, really,” he explains. “I remember teaching a forecasting class in Jackson Hole where we spent a lot of time looking at maps and talking about how weather rolled over various ranges in Colorado or the Wind River or Bridger Range. Then I pointed out California and the Sierra and everyone was just amazed. I mean, this range is 400 miles long and there’s hardly anyone skiing in the backcountry.” Though a forecaster’s work is grounded in hard science and data collection, Feinberg believes learning to assess avalanche danger is as much about self-awareness as deciphering snow pack. “Understanding conditions is really important, but understanding yourself and your personal motivation for being out there is even more important,” he explains. “When people are really goal-driven, it’s easy to look for what you want to see and rationalize to justify sketchy decisions,” he continues. “Snow sports involve varying levels of risk tolerance. You see people in a snowboard park doing huge jumps and triple back flips. For some people that’s insane, but if you have a certain skill level it’s totally reasonable. Backcountry skills are quite different,” he concludes. “When it comes to avalanches we’re talking about conditions beyond your control. Physical skills are a small part, understanding the snow is a much more important part, but the biggest part is putting your desires aside for a moment so you can make a rational decision based on what you’re looking at.”

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Ming Poon:

the Path from Beijing Businessman to Pro Photographer Tahoe-based athlete and cameraman Poon applies the hard-work ethic he learned in China’s capital to his photography business By Chris Van Leuven 18 ASJ — Feb/March 2018

t wasn’t long ago that Vermonter turned Tahoe resident Ming Poon, 34, lived in Beijing, a bustling city of 21 million people, hashing out business deals. Though today he’s found the balance of work and play as a professional photographer — even winning Powder magazine’s prestigious Photo of the Year — if it weren’t for a death in the family, he may have ended up in a much different place. He was 26 when his father died and he was asked to take over the family business overseas. Up to that point, his days were filled with rock climbing, backcountry snowboarding, and mountain biking. He got outside at least 150 days a year. He also photographed Phish (the Vermont jam band) shows with his mother’s Minolta film camera, took trips with his girlfriend Mollie, and, to make money, worked as a server at a restaurant and as a librarian at Sierra Nevada College where he studied international business. A few months after his father passed away, Poon got on a plane to China to take over his business affairs. As the Boeing 747 descended into a thick wall of smog, the reality of his surroundings began to settle in. He was scared, overwhelmed, having no idea what he had signed up for; luckily he had the love of his life, Mollie, by his side. The young man was thrown into a business he knew nothing about: distributing high-end electronic components, such as capacitors and resistors. I had a “super steep learning curve,” Poon says, but he stood up to the challenge. Within weeks, he took charge of buying the highest quality components on the market from outside China and selling them to manufacturers in China and Hong Kong; out of necessity, he learned Mandarin. He grew increasingly concerned over the effects of pollution in the air and in his food and worried that he or Mollie might get sick. But he carried on and soon he was negotiating million-dollar deals. With the responsibility came long hours, an increasingly unhealthy diet and escalating stress levels Poon had never experienced. But on every weekend and for every holiday, he and Mollie traveled all over Asia to go climbing. It was within the surroundings of steep mountains that he felt most like himself. “I got fed to the wolves for a year and a half in Beijing,” he says. Poon finally reached a breaking point and began his plan to get back home to Tahoe. He pinched his trunk sides and felt muffin tops where once there were strong muscles. He looked at Mollie — whom he aimed to marry — and decided he owed her more than the life they started in China. The gears began to turn. He had a laundry list of connections to tap back in Tahoe: world-class athletes including Cody Townsend, JT Holmes, Jeremy Jones and Michelle Parker, and adventure photographer Corey Rich. He also worked closely with Pulitzer prize winning journalist Jonah Kessel. He called them up and asked if they could help him get on his feet when he arrived back in the States. Not only did they agree to help him, they said they’d also take him under their wings. They knew he had a unique skill set as a top-end

rock climber, splitboarder, and mountain biker, and he could access spots few other pro photographers could reach, including steep ridgelines high in the alpine. All Poon had to do was take his photography skills to the next level; his plan was to mentor under his friends— to fast track his way to the top — rather than attend college courses. So he and Mollie took the leap of faith, flying back to the States and settling in Tahoe City. “I need stress and challenge to be my best,” Poon says. “I love adventure and I’m not afraid of the unknown because I’m a climber. Not knowing if I could succeed or not was never something I was afraid of.” But he didn’t leave everything behind in Beijing; the painfully long days, the great responsibility ... he kept those, as he knew applying a similar mindset would allow him to get things done and negotiate big deals. He set a goal: go pro within two years. “I went out and shot everything. I also focused on the business side,” he says.

The Call Poon picks up on the first ring, with passion and drive pouring out through his voice. There aren’t breaths; I can’t slow him down and for an hour I don’t even get the chance to get to my list of questions. He talks about how crazy his life is: what it was like buying his house in Tahoe; marrying Mollie; the mountain bike ride he took that afternoon. It’s like a train chugging along and I think, immediately, that he applies this motivation to everything, from relationships and family, to work, climbing and snowboarding. He tells of his childhood, growing up with his mother and older sister in Shelburne, Vermont; occasionally with his father in Stowe, Vermont. Then Poon details his teen years, when he connected with his dad and all the teachings he picked up from him. Your All Resort Then he shares what he learned from hisSeason mother. “My mom is super loving and nurturing

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and encouraged me to be healthy and happy. The only thing she said to me when she dropped me off at school was ‘be kind to people today.’ I’ve always wanted to be kind. In Chinese business that was hard.” Today Poon shares everything with Mollie. “She draws my purpose too,” he says. “She’s first; we’re first.” The two want to start a family. He says his philosophy of life and love comes from his Chinese culture and Confucianism, which focuses on duty and community. “Last winter was bonkers. It was so good,” he continues. “I made a goal to get published in the biggest publications, with an eye on Powder first.” He says he also nailed a feature story for Vermontbased Backcountry Magazine’s 2018 Photo Annual. Additionally, he has covers on Tahoe

Quarterly, Tahoe Weekly, and features in Standup Journal, Backcountry Snow Journal and Vermont Life Magazine. He also works with brands Hestra, Jones Snowboards, Intuition Liners and Protect Our Winters. Then he draws everything we talked about together. “Poon Ming-Tung,” he says, emphasizing that in Chinese, Poon comes first. “My full name means ‘Remember the East;’潘銘東. My family never wanted me to forget where I’m from—the Far East. As a kid, I didn’t like being so different. Then I embraced it.” “My dad taught me that your mind is the most important thing. Protect your mind ...” Check out some of Poon’s latest work in TGR’s ski/ snowboard film, Rogue Elements. In the video, Poon teams up with Mike Hatchett in a Tahoe segment featuring Jeremy Jones and Sammy Luebke.

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Opposite page, top to bottom: Brennan Lagasse captures Poon and Jeremy Jones at the office on a particularly beautiful sunrise (Brennan Lagasse); Black and white portrait of Poon (Clayton Boyd of The North Face). This page, far left: Brennan Lagasse skiing Lake Tahoe, NV on another bluebird powder day (Ming Poon). This page, middle two: Jeremy Jones riding Lake Tahoe, NV (Ming Poon). This page, right, vertical: Jeremy Jones and Jim Zellers nearing the summit of Mt. Whitney (Ming Poon).

Sorensen’ssCountry daily Sorensen’ CountryCafe Cafeisisopen open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Your All Season Resort

Over the river and through the woods...

. . . to Sorensen’s Resort you’ll go for fishing, skiing, hiking, biking or just plain relaxation. Our cozy log cabins are nestled in dense aspenSorensen’ groves. Country Cafe is s Country Cafe Sorensen’s is open daily ... to Sorensen’s Resort you’ll go for ... for winter pampering andlunch outdoor for breakfast, and dinner. fishing, hiking, biking or just plain open daily from 7:30 until 8:30 14255 Highway adventures such as a.m. snowshoeing andp.m. serving relaxing. Our cozy log cabins 14255breakfast, Highway88, 88,Hope HopeValley, Valley,CA CA are nestled in dense aspen cross-country skiing. Visit the nearby lunch and dinner. Come and enjoy our hospitality. We’ll groves in beautiful and (530)694-2203 or (800)423-9949 (530) 694-2203 or (800) 423-9949 www.sorensensresort.com serene Hope Valley, just www.sorensensresort.com hot springsyou! and enjoy delicious meals 16 miles from South pamper Just 14255 16 beautiful, scenic miles away. Highway 88, Hope Valley, CA Lake Tahoe. ... to Sorensen’s Resort you’ll go for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing or a visit to the nearby hot springs. Our cozy log cabins are nestled in dense aspen groves in beautiful and serene Hope Valley, just 16 miles from South Lake Tahoe.

Sorensen’s Country Cafe is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

14255 Highway 88, Hope Valley, CA at our country cafe. Our cozyoror(800)423-9949 log cabins (530)694-2203 (530) 694-2203 (800) 423-9949 are nestled dense in Pass and cross over the Carson From Meyers, headinsouth on aspen Hwy. 89groves over Luther beautiful and serene Hope Valley, just River. Turn left on Hwy. 88 and into the aspen groves at Sorensen’s. TAHOE DONNER CROSS COUNTRY SKI CENTER 16 miles from South Lake Tahoe.

Sorensen’ssCountry daily Sorensen’ CountryCafe Cafeisisopen open daily

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14255 14255Highway Highway88, 88,Hope HopeValley, Valley,CA CA (530)694-2203 (530) 694-2203 or or(800)423-9949 (800) 423-9949

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FEARS, TEARS & BEERS

the oldest mountain bike enduro in America By Kurt Gensheimer

20 ASJ — Feb/March 2018

ucked far away in the east central part of Nevada, the small town of Ely stays under the radar of most outdoor enthusiasts. Many have passed through Ely while driving Highway 50, aka “The Loneliest Road in America”, but passing through is about all most out-of-towners do in Ely. It’s a shame, because for those passers through, they completely miss some absolutely outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities. Mountain biking is especially good in Ely, with an extensive network of singletrack right from town that winds its way up to peaks like Ward Mountain towering 5,000 vertical feet above Ely at nearly 11,000 feet elevation. The backcountry of Nevada rewards those who venture off the beaten path; rewards like lush aspen groves, wildflowers, ice cold streams, abundant hot springs and singletrack. Lots of singletrack. Ely might not be on the level of places like Moab or Crested Butte, but locals are just fine with that, as they can go out and ride all day long on a high quality network of trails and never see another human. Showcasing the impressive amount of trails that are rideable right from downtown Ely, the Fears, Tears and Beers is the oldest mountain bike enduro event in America. Started in 2006 by a couple of moto riders and modeled after a motorcycle enduro, the Fears, Tears and Beers (FTB) was enduro well before the format ever became popular in mountain biking. The 2017 edition of FTB celebrated its 12th running on June 10 with nearly 100 participants. FTB is grassroots mountain biking at its best; there’s no flashy sponsors or website, no attitude and no wait list. There’s also no course map, no GPS coordinates of the routes and no high tech microchip timing systems. You simply prepare for a big day on the bike, secure a number plate that volunteers hand write your segment times on, follow the course markings and ride with a smile. If you get lost, it’s nobody’s fault but yours, so pay close attention. And the highlight for many participants in FTB ... everyone starts the day by riding their bikes through both the Jailhouse Casino and the Hotel Nevada, slapping high fives with locals trying their luck on slot machines. FTB hearkens back to an earlier time when mountain bike events were simpler and really showcased the vibe of the local community. Whether signing up as a Beginner, Sport, Expert or Pro rider, each category navigates a physically demanding

course with lots of vertical, with Beginners riding 17.5 miles and 2,300 feet of elevation gain/descent over three timed sections, Sport covering 26.6 miles and 3,500 feet over four timed sections, Expert pedaling 33.3 miles and 5,400 feet over six timed sections and Pro knocking out a massive day on the bike with 40 miles and 6,000 feet of climbing with 7,000 feet of descending over seven timed sections. For some Pro riders, the 2017 FTB event was an all-day affair, starting at 9AM and finishing at 6PM. Because of Ely’s high elevation, weather in early June can range from low 90s and sunny to snowing. In 2016 the event had to be delayed a day because of high elevation snow. Last year the weather was ideal, mid-80s and sunny with a pretty stiff afternoon breeze that made matters interesting for riders, especially for Expert and Pro riders who descended the infamous Whorehouse Hill trail, named after the active brothels where the trail ends on the west side of town. Whorehouse Hill is definitely a highlight of FTB. After gutting out a huge climb to Squaw Peak at just over 8,000 feet elevation, the two-mile, 1,600 vertical foot plunge starts out flowing and somewhat friendly. But that friendly flowiness doesn’t last long, with the final mile careening into town on a very steep, loose

The backcountry of Nevada rewards those who venture off the beaten path; rewards like lush aspen groves, wildflowers, ice cold streams, abundant hot springs and singletrack. Lots of singletrack.

and rocky doubletrack that really only has one clean line. And the best part of Whorehouse Hill is the spectating, as the entire final half-mile of rowdiness can be watched by anyone right from the heart of town. Not only does FTB deliver a rootsy, family-friendly vibe, but the event also raises funds for the Great Basin Trails Alliance, the local trail advocacy group that does much of the trail work and maintenance in the region. FTB organizers Kent Robertson and Kelly Ernest are also the brains and brawn behind the Great Basin Trails Alliance, and over the last 12 years, the event has raised enough money for the organization to considering purchasing a trail dozer to help make building new trail more efficient and easier on the body. FTB is an event every type of rider can enjoy. It’s a low pressure atmosphere that welcomes all styles from firsttimers to seasoned racers. The inclusive and laid back spirit of FTB is the heart and soul of mountain biking, and its unique, old-school feel makes it a truly unique event that is well worth the journey to eastern Nevada. For more info look up @FearsTearsBeers on Facebook.

R oad how

February 22 – 25 Banff Film Festival Rio Theatre, Santa Cruz

16 20 2017 NAM

E __ ___ events program _ Adventure Sports Journal — California’s original o _ A _ G magazine,Eunderstands the importance of_personally connecting with outdoor readers _ _ _ __roadshow __and_ sponsor products in the hand We developed our to get our magazines _ __and __roadshow athletes. Over the years_our program has grown travels to some of ou _ _ _ EandMmost ___working with us through our __events interesting events. Consider program o _ A __print,S web and social media. ___ ILprograms integrated ___ that includes events, ___ TAT ___ E __ • 25+ ___ _ ___ ___ • 140 ___ ZIP atten C•OadD ___ ___ • rac ___ ___ • pro __•_pro _ • lead Opposite page: Nathan Bake of Yerington leading a group of riders towards Ward Mountain; This page, clockwise from top left: 4th place women’s pro finisher Abby Grimmer. FTB is the only mountain bike race that goes right through a casino; Named for the working brothels just below it, Whorehouse Hill is the nastiest part of FTB. Here pro rider Shane Thoreson makes it look easy; Kent Robertson, a longtime force behind FTB mtb enduro; FTB co-organizer Kelly Ernest with his son Kason.

• con

March 4, 2018 The Great Ski Race Tahoe CIty

March 9 The Legend of Fred Beckey Rio Theatre, Santa Cruz April 19 – 22, 2018 Sea Otter Classic Monterey May 20, 2018 Surfer’s Path Marathon Capitola

À la ca advert availab Come by and see the latest news from our sponsors & enter to win great prizes.

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Magnificent Seven

Near Truckee, Andesite Peak

delivers a sweeping view of the Northern Sierra. From I-80, take the Castle Peak/Boreal Ridge Road exit and park south of the freeway. You will need a Sno-Park pass. Hike under the overpass to Castle Peak Road north of the freeway. Find a well-traveled winter trail leading through Castle Valley with Castle Peak looming above. After climbing to Castle Pass (which may be difficult), turn left toward Andesite Peak, where you’ll see snow-capped peaks in all directions. This makes for a round trip of about five miles and may entice you to return for the more challenging Castle Peak.

Winter daytrip adventures Words & photos by Matt Johanson

ost people avoid Sierra Nevada travel in winter, with the exception of visiting crowded downhill ski resorts. But the first snows turn the mountains into a winter wonderland, and a wide variety of day trips offer adventure to outdoor enthusiasts of all abilities. Here are some favorite day trips on the west side of the range that will reward cross country skiers and snowshoers. Our magnificent seven are arranged from least to most challenging.

In Kings Canyon National Park,

In Calaveras, Big Trees State Park ON HwY 4,

trek to grand Panoramic Point. Park in Grant Grove Village and walk to John Muir Lodge. A snowcat-groomed path leads from a gate beside the lodge toward Park Ridge Lookout. Be careful because the groomed path might turn sharply right before reaching Panoramic Point. If so, leave the groomed path and continue on ungroomed (but probably well-traveled) snow north and east to the vista. A round-trip to Panoramic Point is five miles long. The ambitious can extend the outing to Park Ridge Lookout and back for a ten-mile adventure.

North Grove Trail leads visitors through a magnificent cluster of giant sequoias in just 1.4 miles. The mostly flat loop does not necessarily require skis or snowshoes; with light or compacted snow, hiking boots will do. Giant sequoias are among the largest and oldest living things on earth. Come meet your elders.

On Highway 4 near Bear Valley, take Spicer

Reservoir Road into the beautiful and scenic Stanislaus National Forest. This is one of few mountain roads that’s usually snowcat-groomed for skiers and snowshoers at no charge, except for the Sno-Park pass required to use the parking lot ($5/day or $25/season, available at www.ohv.parks.ca.gov/ snoparks). Choose your own turnaround point to make a trip as long or short as you like. 22 ASJ — Feb/March 2018

In Yosemite National Park,

explore Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias. A gentle path leads to dozens of the beautiful redwoods in a two-mile loop. From the parking area near Crane Flat, go north past a gate and down a forest road. The first sequoias come into view after a sharp turn. Be prepared to hike uphill on the way back.

Near Dodge Ridge Ski Area off HWy 108,

discover the 4.2 mile Crabtree Loop. From Dodge Ridge Road, take the last right before the resort towards Crabtree Road. Park and find the trail leading from the south end of the lot. The loop leads through lush pine trees and meadows, with a few rolling ups and downs but no big hills. There’s also an option to extend the loop to about six miles.

Back in Yosemite, Dewey Point

rounds out our magnificent seven. A marked, well-traveled trail from Badger Pass Ski Area leads to a spectacular viewpoint. Start east on the often-groomed Glacier Point Road. About a mile from the parking lot, look for Dewey Point Meadow Trail on your left, breaking from the road and heading north. The next mile is easy going through the flat meadow along a creek and framed by lodgepole pines. Then trail drops, curves and becomes more difficult, joining with the Dewey Point Ridge Trail as it passes through denser trees before emerging for a final climb to the rim. You’ll feel like you’re looking off the edge of the world. This seven-mile round trip takes between four and six hours. Of course, snow conditions vary and a recent storm can make any of these pleasant journeys into an epic ordeal. But those who time their winter adventures well will enjoy a California that few ever see.

Matt Johanson’s books include Yosemite Epics and Yosemite Adventures. His writing can be found at mattjohanson.com.

Event Profiles

Featured Upcoming Events

Photo: Scott Rokis Photography

Photo: Erik Boomer

Photo: Troy Corliss

ALPENGLOW MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL

BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL February 22-25, Santa Cruz

March 4, Tahoe City to Truckee

Alpenglow Sports has announced its fifth winter Alpenglow Mountain Festival, presented by Outdoor Research and DPS Skis. The nine-day festival in North Lake Tahoe is a celebration of human-powered mountain sports, events, clinics, equipment demonstrations, critically-acclaimed film and more. The fifth iteration of the Alpenglow Mountain Festival showcases over 75 individual events from February 17-25, 2018 and is almost entirely free. Geared toward beginner and intermediate winter recreation enthusiasts, the Alpenglow Mountain Festival showcases some of the best activities Lake Tahoe has to offer: backcountry skiing and splitboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, natural history, yoga, live music, educational workshops, social gatherings, and more. Space is limited and participants are encouraged to register online to secure spots. Registration for most events requires a deposit that is refunded upon participation. alpenglowsports.com

Ignite your passion for adventure, action, and travel. The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour will exhilarate you with amazing big-screen stories. Journey to exotic locations, paddle the wildest waters, and climb the highest peaks. The 2017/2018 tour brings films from the 42nd annual Banff Mountain Film Festival to about 400 communities around the world. From an exploration of remote landscapes and mountain cultures to adrenaline-fueled action sports, films on this year’s lineup are sure to captivate and amaze the explorer within you. The Santa Cruz stop is hosted by the UC Santa Cruz Recreation Department, showing at the Rio Theatre. The event benefits the UCSC Wilderness Orientation Scholarship Fund which provides full and half scholarships to dozens of first-year students, affording them the chance to experience the shared magic of the wilderness before beginning life at UCSC. Be moved. Be inspired. Reserve your tickets today. recreation.ucsc.edu

The Great Ski Race is the main fund raising event for the Tahoe Nordic Search & Rescue Team, a non-profit all-volunteer organization. Team members, along with community supporters, organize The Great Ski Race, which continues to be one of the largest Nordic ski races west of the Mississippi. The 30-kilometer (18.43-mile) course begins at Lake Tahoe, climbs out of the Tahoe Basin over Starratt Pass, and heads to historic Truckee on a long downhill run along Sawtooth Ridge. It covers magnificent terrain and offers spectacular views of Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada. Panoramic views of Squaw Valley and the Sierra Crest are seen from the top of the course just before an exhilarating downhill run. Race proceeds are used primarily to purchase equipment for the Team, and to support winter survival and avalanche education programs sponsored and conducted by the Team. thegreatskirace.com

THE GREAT SKI RACE

March 4, 2018 · 9am Tahoe Nordic Search + Rescue Fundraiser 30 km Cross Country Ski Race For All Ages + Abilities

Shelley Fallon 2010

February 17-25, Tahoe City

THE

41TH ANNUAL ®

TAHOE CITY TO TRUCKEE www.TheGreatSkiRace.com

Continue checking the GSR website & Facebook page for details and current information on this years event. www. advent ur espor t sjour nal. com

DIRT BAG: THE LEGEND OF FRED BECKEY March 9, Santa Cruz

Fred Beckey is the original American “Dirtbag” climber whose name has evoked mystery, adulation and vitriol since the 1940s. Beckey’s stubborn, singular quest to conquer peaks meant a solitary life on the road, where he left a long trail of scorned climbing partners and lost lovers in his wake. The groundbreaking life story of this rebel athlete, who inspired generations of climbers to head for the mountains with his monumental first ascents and eloquent books, is told for the first time in this exclusive documentary film. Presented by Rio Theatre and sponsored by Patagonia Santa Cruz. riotheatre.com

SEA OTTER CLASSIC April 19-22, Monterey

Renowned as the world’s premiere cycling festival, the Sea Otter Classic attracts professional and amateur athletes alike who make the annual pilgrimage to participate in some of the sport’s most competitive and enduring events including an array of mountain bike and road cycling races as well as non-competitive events. Sea Otter hosts the largest consumer bike expo in North America, and features an international food court, entertainment, bike demos, stunt shows, and carnival activities for children. seaotterclassic.com

24 ASJ — Feb/March 2018

CALIFORNIA ENDURO SERIES

GRASSHOPPER ADVENTURE SERIES

The California Enduro Series (CES) is primed to present another great year of enduro racing. CES is a for riders, by riders non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to promoting world-class Enduro events that everyone from amateur to pro can enjoy, at a geographically diverse range of venues. Toro May 26 // Mammoth Bar June 16 // China Peak June 30* // Kamikaze July 14* // Crafts & Cranks July 28-29 // Northstar August 25-26*† // Ashland Mountain Challenge October 6

This year, Hopper Adventures celebrates its 20th annual original gravel, mixed-terrain adventure series. Located in West Sonoma County in Northern California, each Hopper is unique in its route and terrain and will challenge the rider and equipment like no other race series in the world. Come to adventure and explore or come to race and shred, it’s up to you. Prizes and cash will be awarded to top three male and female overall for each race. Prizes for top three male and female will be awarded in each category for the series. Series winners must compete in five of the six Hoppers and MUST do King Ridge Dirt Supreme. Winners will also receive a custom Capo jersey and be crowned “Adventure Champion of the Universe.” A portion of the proceeds goes to: El Molino HS MB Team, Matt Wilson Memorial Scholarship, Ross Dillon Fund. (Old Caz January 27) // Chileno Valley February 10 // Super Sweetwater March 17 // Lake Sonoma MTB April 21 // Skaggs and Super Skaggs May 5 // King Ridge Dirt Supreme May 19 Plus ... coming August 11-12: The Mendo Hopper, a two-day epic adventure on little known dirt roads in remote Mendocino County. grasshopperadventureseries.com

*CES Golden Tour stops †EWS North American Continental Series

californiaenduroseries.com

EPIC RIDES OFF-ROAD SERIES From beginners to seasoned weekend warriors and full-time pros, each Epic Rides Off-Road Series event welcomes mountain bikers of all experience levels with three different length courses (15, 30, or 50-ish miles) that challenge the mind and body plus deliver inspiring views of nature’s beauty. Whiskey Off-Road April 27-29 // Grand Junction OffRoad May 18-20 // Carson City Off-Road June 15-17 // Oz Trails Off-Road October 5-7 epicrides.com

Logo

Adventure Events Calendar Upcoming events, trips and classes

Visit us online for a full listing of upcoming California events. Go to AdventureSportsJournal.com and click on the EVENTS button. Make sure to confirm event dates and details with event producers.

BIKING February 10 — Grasshopper Adventure Series #2 Chileno Valley Classic / West Sonoma Co. / Opt 1: 80 mi, 6,384' / Opt 2: 53 mi, 4,947'. All the best roads west and south of Occidental; Coleman Valley, Dillon Beach, Marshall, Chileno Valley, Joy / grasshopperadventureseries.com 10-11 — MTB Skills Clinic Core Fundamentals / Oakland / Set curriculum to master and improve your skills in this one or two day clinic; for all abilities; cornering, braking, slow speed, balance, body position, and more / ASingleTrackMind.com 24-25 — MTB Skills Clinic Core Fundamentals / Morro Bay / See Feb 10 – 11 / ASingleTrackMind.com

March 3-4 — MTB Skills Clinic Core Fundamentals / Palo Alto / See Feb 10 –11 description / ASingleTrackMind.com

17 — Grasshopper Adventure Series #3 Super Sweetwater / West Sonoma Co. / Opt 1 (Mixed Terrain/Adventure): 70 mi, 9,000' / Opt 2: (100% pavé) 78 mi, 7,163'. One of the craftiest, hardest & most beautiful Grasshoppers possible, and it’s “only” 70 miles! / grasshopperadventureseries.com

RUN BIG SUR

BE A PART OF THE MARATHON ACTION: RUN OR WALK THE 12K OR 5K ON RACE DAY

24 — MTB Skills Clinic Core Fundamentals / Marin / See Feb 10 – 11 description / ASingleTrackMind.com 25 — Tackling Technical Terrain & Flow Trail / Marin (Tamarancho) / Emphasis on progression in technique with more advanced maneuvers of skills learned from Core Fundamentals. Gain skills & confidence to ride more challenging trails. Cornering, braking, slow speed, balance, body position, wheel lifts, variance of skills, switchbacks, basic drops, vision & more / ASingleTrackMind.com

April 19-22 — Sea Otter Classic / Laguna Seca, Monterey / Premier bicycling and outdoor sports festival and exposition that attracts families and pros / seaotterclassic.com

APRIL 29, 2018 SIGN UP TODAY! BSIM.ORG

2018 SCHEDULE

✶CES Golden Tour Events

✶EWS North American Continental Enduro Series

MAY 26 Toro Enduro JUN 16 Mammoth Bar Enduro JUN 30 China Peak Enduro JUL 14 Kamikaze Bike Games JUL 28-29 Crafts & Cranks AUG 25-26 Northstar Enduro ✶OCT 6 Ashland Mtn Challenge

✶ ✶ ✶

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MISC., continued

February

March

25 — Surfer’s Path 10K & 5K / Santa Cruz / Run or walk this scenic coastal course passing world famous breaks. Surfboard medals, event shirts and Capitola beach front finish / runsurferspath.com

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3 — Blood, Sweat & Beers / Bootleg Canyon, Boulder City, NV / Lil’ Dashers 2K Kids’ Run, 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, 30K, Marathon. We’re kicking off 2018 with lots of fun, lots of beer, and lots of great trails! Come out for the first of our Dirty Double series for the year on some of the best trails Las Vegas has to offer in Bootleg Canyon / desertdash. com/races/blood-sweat-and-beers 18 — Go Green St. Patrick’s Day Run / San Jose, Hellyer Park / 5K, 10K, Half Marathon / There isn’t a better way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day! Our beneficiary for this year will be Team Challenge of the South Bay, supporting the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation / finishlineproduction.com 24 — California Warrior Experience / Camp San Luis Obispo Military Base / 5K & 10K, Challenge Obstacles, Little Warrior 1 mi run, Cerro Romauldo Enviro-Hike / raceslo.com

April 3 — Big Sur International Triathlon / Big Sur / World famous marathon, PLUS Marathon Relay, 21-Miler, 11-Miler, 12K & 5K / bsim.org

SNOW February 17-25 — Alpenglow Sports Mountain Festival Winter / Tahoe City / Lake Tahoe’s premier mountain lifestyle festival - a 9 day celebration of humanpowered mountain sports. Backcountry tours, yoga, education, gatherings, natural history/snowshoe tours, Nordic / AlpenglowSports.com

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About our marketing packages We offer a wide range of promo tools to boost your business’ visibility. We’ll customize a plan that’s just right for your budget and objectives! staff@adventuresportsjournal.com 26 ASJ — Feb/March 2018

4 — The Great Ski Race / Tahoe City to Truckee / One of the largest Nordic ski races west of the Mississippi and the fundraising event for the Tahoe Nordic Search & Rescue Team, a non-profit allvolunteer organization / thegreatskirace. com

MISCELLANEOUS FEBRUARY 22-25 — Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour / Santa Cruz / Ignite your passion for adventure, action, and travel. Hosted by the UC Santa Cruz Recreation Dept. recreation.ucsc.edu

9 — Dirtbag: The Legend of Fred Beckey / Santa Cruz / Groundbreaking life story of the original American “Dirtbag” climber. riotheatre.com

LOOKING AHEAD Apr 21 — Grasshopper Adventure Series #4 Lake Sonoma MTB / West Sonoma Co. / MTB. 25 mi, 3,900' / grasshopperadventureseries.com May 5 — Grasshopper Adventure Series #5 Skaggs & Super Skaggs / West Sonoma Co. / Opt 1 (Skaggs/ road): 96 mi, 9,325'; Opt 2 (Super Skaggs/gravel & dirt): 96 mi, 10,525' / grasshopperadventureseries.com May 19 — Grasshopper Adventure Series #6 King Ridge Dirt Supreme / West Sonoma Co. / Road/Cross. 80 mi, 8,176'; Option 2: 62 mi, 7,026' / grasshopperadventureseries.com May 20 — Surfer’s Path Marathon, Capitola Half Marathon & Relay / Santa Cruz & Capitola / The majestic courses travel the Surfer’s Path, featuring amazing coastal views of world famous surf breaks. Surfs UP! / runsurferspath.com May 20 — Strawberry Fields Forever XXIX / Santa Cruz County / Fundraising bike ride for Cyclists for Cultural Exchange. Each 30/65/100 mile route includes rest stops with food & beverages / cyclistsforculturalexchange.org/sff June 16 — Bootleg Beatdown / Bootleg Canyon, Boulder City, NV / Traverse the most technical trails and toughes climbs as you test your legs and your resolve. Three courses to choose from / desertdash.com June 15 – 17 — Carson City Off-Road / Carson City, NV / Three different distance options of 15, 35 or 50 miles; each consisting of a carefully curated set of spectacular trails / epicrides.com June 30 — Sully 100 / Diamond S Ranch, CA / This is all private land / Ride four 25 mile laps with about 3,500 ft of climbing per 25 mile lap / solo riders, 2- person teams & 4-person team categories / Showers, and plenty of camping for RV’s, tents, car camping./ northlanderevents.com. Aug 11-12 — Mendo Hopper / Mendocino CO / 2 days of epic 2-wheel adventure! Day 1: 75 mi, 6,500'; Day 2: 79 mi, 7,990' / grasshopperadventureseries.com Aug 25 — Moonlight Madness / Cottonwood Valley, NV / A half marathon on mildly-to-moderately technical trails under the sky of a full moon in beautiful Cottonwood Valley / desertdash.com Sept 22 – 28 — California Coast Classic Bicylce Tour / San Francisco to Pacific Palicades of LA / A scenic bike ride that takes place over 8 days and covers 525 miles along the coast on HWY 1 / californiacoastclassic.org

May 4-6, 2018 WildflowerExperience.com

BUILD YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE AT THE ALL NEW WILDFLOWER! WE’RE RAISING THE BAR ON THE FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE WITH NEW EVENTS INCLUDING: • New for 2018: 5k, 10k, Trail Run, Stand-up Paddleboard & Yoga Events! • Don’t Miss our Iconic Off-road & On-road Sprint, Olympic and Long Course Triathlon Distances • More Music & Entertainment • New Luxury “Glamping” Options • Bigger & Better Wildflower Wellness Tent featuring Yoga, Massages, Fitness & Training Clinics Register Today for a Race or Festival Pass @ WildflowerExperience.com