Adventure Sports Journal // Aug/Sept 2019 // #110

THE TAHOE FUND / WESTERN STATES 100 / EARN YOUR BEER / EVENT CALENDAR

AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2019 ISSUE #110

DAKOTA SNIDER

THE

VISIONS OF YOSEMITE & MAMMOTH

YOSEMITE ISSUE MYTHIC BIG WALLS AND EPIC WATERFALLS AT THE WELLSPRING OF ADVENTURE

Ken Yager

The Long Game

Climbing Towards Justice

EMILY TAYLOR

+ MTB Alabama Hills + Paddle Lake Tahoe

VISIONS OF YOSEMITE & MAMMOTH DAKOTA SNIDER

CONTENTS Aug/Sept 2019 #110

features

regular departments

12 LP

ake Tahoe by

6E

addle

ditor’s

72 miles of blue water bliss

14 CJ

limbing Towards

7I 8E G 10 EP C // 24 E Y B nbox

Readers chime in

ustice

Emily Taylor

Note

American Jedi Bodhisattvas

Photo: Becca Skinner

Photo: Tahoe Fund

ar to the

round

News & notes

Photo: SUP Tahoe

i

Tahoe Fund

16 YE

osemite

Climbing

xhibit

Ken Yager

20 D

akota

Snider

Images of Yosemite & Mammoth

Photo: Michael Estrada

Photo: Dakota Snider

ON THE COVER Each year a select few individuals get the opportunity to bound off Glacier Point and glide down to the valley below. Photo: Dakota Snider

Photo: Parker Amstutz

23 H

igh

Sierra MTB

Alabama Hills

26 W100

estern

States

Challenge and camaraderie

arn our

28 30 34

Photo: Luis Escobar

eer

Gooseberry Mesa, UT

Event Profiles

Featured upcoming events

Event Calendar

Adventure event calendar

Gear We Love

Goodies for an active lifestyle

DON’T MISS AN ISSUE – Subscribe to ASJ Mail a check for $20 to PO Box 35, Santa Cruz, CA 95063 along with subscriber name and address, or order online at adventuresportsjournal.com/subscribe.

ENDLESS ADVENTURE Our rooftop tents are made to get way out there. Mount it on top, carve out your new trail, then crash in elevated comfort.

#GETLOST

4 ASJ — Aug/Sept 2019

asj contributors what’s the gnarliest accident you’ve had while playing outdoors, and what did you learn?

leoniesherman

I’ve had so many gnarly outdoor accidents I can’t rate the worst. But the most recent was ripping my hamstring from groin to mid calf while solo backpacking in Utah.

Sandstone has a lot less friction than granite.

chrisvanleuven

My worst accident happened in the middle of the night when I was rope soloing a big wall in Yosemite. I was moving too fast, made an error and fell. I hit my face against the rock and broke my nose.

johnmiddendorf

Probably both the gnarliest and the dumbest was in Chamonix when I was testing a new paragliding cliff launch technique intended as a descent method off big walls. I crashed onto a cliff below and somehow survived.

dakotasnider

When I was 18, I broke my sternum and hyper extended five discs in my spine. It took over a year to use my core muscles again.

I learned that nature is my element, and I’ll never ride a mechanical bull in Montreal, Canada again.

mattjohanson

Once when I was trailing a rope, it came unclipped from my harness and fell from a multi-pitch climb.

Now I always use a locking biner.

parkeramstutz A full speed MTB wipeout that broke my handlebars, took some skin, and forced me to donate my dinner to the bushes. I learned to always scope a new trail before giving it your all.

jamesmurren

A few bike crashes here and there, but nothing too serious. I experienced rhabdomyolysis while bikepacking in Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, though!

trevorhusted

One of the gnarliest accidents I was involved in resulted in two broken legs, a compound tib-fib and a broken opposing ankle. I guess calling “last run” as well as building a kicker into a heavily tree-laden zone isn’t the best idea.

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, John Middendorf, Doug Robinson, Matt Johanson, Parker Amstutz, James Murren, Trevor Husted CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Dakota Snider, Kasey Carames, Menka Belgal, Luis Escobar, Michael Okimoto, Dave Schultz, Jim Campbell, Kern Ducote, Ken Yager, Becca Skinner, Steve Wunsch, John Harpole, Parker Amstutz, James Murren, Trevor Husted, Michael Estrada, Taylored Fit Solutions LAYOUT Cathy Claesson & Michele Charboneau

BOOKING WILDLIFE TOURS NOW Kayak & SUP Rentals • Tours • Classes

Two Great Locations in Monterey Bay! Santa Cruz Harbor 413 Lake Ave. 831.479.1121

Elkhorn Slough Moss Landing 831.724.5692

kayakconnection.com

COVER DESIGN Lauren Worth 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 2019.

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

www. advent ur espor t sjour nal. com

5

Editor’s Note

American Jedi bodhisattvas Nobody wins until everybody wins

A

n important conversation is happening within the outdoor industry right now, and this conversation revolves around outdoor inclusion. Simply put, outdoor inclusion means opening the benefits of the outdoor lifestyle to everyone. For decades the outdoor industry has been recognized as a leader in the area of environmental sustainability, but when it comes to diversity there is much less to get excited about.

In my mind, the first step towards inclusion is stepping back to see exactly who gets to participate in the outdoor lifestyle. When I paddle out to my favorite surf break in Santa Cruz, who do I see? When I go to the climbing gym, who do I see? When I stand in line for a lift ticket at a ski resort, who do I see? When I go mountain biking, who do I see? Mostly I see other white people just like myself, and that’s a problem. In order for the outdoor industry to thrive and reach its potential in the coming decades, this needs to change. We need to make other groups feel welcome.

In the last issue I talked about my yearning for an updated version of Jesus, a “Green Jesus” who comes to save nature and tells humans to spend more time playing outside. This version of Jesus is all religions, all races, all genders and all body types and s/he is pissed off right now because all we do is hang around indoors and make each other wrong on social media. Instead we need to challenge ourselves in the great outdoors and climb, bike, ski, and surf until we reawaken our natural sense of awe. Only then will we be in a position to save nature; when it comes from the heart. If only white people feel comfortable playing outside, then everyone

6 ASJ — Aug/Sept 2019

else is cut off from the simple joy of reconnecting with nature.

The message of Green Jesus is that outdoor adventure is a basic human need, and the current dysfunctional state of humanity can be traced back to the fact that so many humans have been cut off from their truest selves. Through Green Jesus we see that inclusion and environmental sustainability are two sides of the same coin. In other words, in order to save nature we also need to save humans.

Inclusion is the right way to approach this problem, and that presents the outdoor industry with an important responsibility. That said, we can’t just give lip service to this issue and pat ourselves on the back. We need to start asking tough questions and we need to start having some difficult conversations. For example, why aren’t more white CEOs of large outdoor companies stepping aside to allow more diversity in leadership positions? Why are all the outdoor clothing catalogues filled with skinny people and no plus-sized athletes?

Right now, sincere efforts are being made to invite women, persons of color, the LGTBQ+ community, plussized individuals, and non Judeo-Christian faiths into the great outdoors. That said, we are only at the beginning of this process and it’s already difficult. Not everyone agrees that inclusion is the right way forward. Some people say that public lands are already too crowded and all the conversations about racism and white privilege are just making things awkward.

In Buddhism, bodhisattvas are enlightened beings who

Cathy and Matt at the base of Lower Yosemite Falls.

postpone their own salvation in order to help others achieve enlightenment. Here at Adventure Sports Journal we are American Jedi bodhisattvas designing a life that revolves around outdoor adventure. We were lucky enough to discover the adventure medicine at a young age, but we are not content to live a life of joy and freedom while others wallow in misery. We seek inclusion because one of the hallmarks of authentic happiness is also wanting happiness for others. We seek inclusion because nobody wins until everybody wins.

Do you believe the outdoor industry should work for inclusion or do you believe opening the outdoors to everyone is unrealistic, utopian, and possibly dangerous?

If you have an opinion either way, please drop me a line at matt@adventuresportsjournal.com. We value your input and try to include as many letters as possible in every issue.

—Matt Niswonger

Campfire memories from Sea Otter, 2017. ASJ editor, Matt Niswonger on the plasitc horn.

INBOX

Fanmail, Feedback, Ideas & Opinions In response to Editor’s Note #109 Green Jesus AWE IN NATURE Great editor’s note in the current issue. Ever since my early 20s, I have felt that nature IS my religion. I don’t subscribe to any one anthropomorphized dogma. Nature is awe-inspiring, calming, reassuring, interesting, life-giving. I have taught my child this, and she thrives.

Yosemite is great of course, but even just pondering weeds in my garden. Start young, and the wonder is everywhere in nature, even in the cracks in the sidewalk.

— Julie, Santa Cruz IT’S MY CHURCH Just read your Green Jesus column while on vacation here in Ashland, Oregon, and bravo, spot-on! I find the divine when I’m outside in nature, hiking, camping, backpacking, and especially mountain biking. It’s my “church” and I like to worship every day.

Your column reminds me of my favorite Edward Abbey quote (below) which I know you’re familiar with.

I’m wearing my Earn Your Beer t-shirt right now. We leave Ashland today for McKenzie River where I’ll ride the MRT tomorrow while my wife and daughter go whitewater rafting.

— Rich Schwerin, San Carlos

GREAT MESSAGE I really enjoyed the Editor’s Note about Green Jesus. I especially think it’s cool that you were willing to write about a conversation you felt/had with Jesus, even though it sounds fantastical. I too am seeking a relationship with God, and have felt touched by Jesus/God a couple times.

(One in particular outdoors, near Shelf Road, CO.) However, I have a really hard time talking about it with others, partly because I feel like I sound so ridiculous when I try to put the experience into words. It was cool to read what you had to share when you shared it unashamedly.

Also, the message is great, especially about not going out to prove others wrong. And very cool how you alternated describing Jesus as a he or a she. I’d thought of Jesus as being different races before, but never as a female.

I also enjoyed the Outdoor Afro article.

Cool to see how people are working to make outdoor adventure sports less homogenous. I haven’t finished the rest of the magazine, but I’m sure I will enjoy more as well.

I’m from Colorado, and just happened to pick up ASJ from an outdoors/gear shop in Mammoth Lakes while I was out in CA on a road trip. I’m glad I did!

— Edward Abbey

We love to hear from our readers! Send us feedback on any of the articles or ads you see in this issue. And please remember to support our advertisers. Without them ASJ isn’t possible.

one year

DON’T MISS AN ISSUE! FREE

Solo alex honnold

THE LAKE TRAIL a dirt lap around Lake Tahoe for TAMBA

CHANNEL ISLANDS

audrey sutherland

WEST COAST BOARD RIDERS

COME ABOARD THE 65' TEAM O’NEILL Afternoon & Sunset Sails Local Wine & Beer Tastings Wed. Night Regatta Sails Seasonal Firework Sails S C H E D U L E & T I C K E TS AVA I L A B L E O N L I N E

MTB RACE TIPS | PACIFIC YURTS | GEAR WE LOVE | EVENT PROFILES | CALENDAR TAHOE ADVENTURE THERAPY / GEAR WE LOVE / EVENT PROFILES / CALENDAR

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2018 ISSUE #104

OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2018 ISSUE #105

PADDLING HER OWN CANOE

C ATA M A R A N SA I L I N G I N SA N TA C RUZ

six issues $20

Subscribe to Adventure Sports Journal PRINT VS. DIGITAL / GEAR WE LOVE / EVENT PROFILES / CALENDAR

mounthermonadventures.com

— Rick, Colorado

“One final paragraph of advice: do not burn yourselves out. Be as I am — a reluctant enthusiast... a part-time crusader, a half-hearted fanatic. Save the other half of yourselves and your lives for pleasure and adventure. It is not enough to fight for the land; it is even more important to enjoy it. While you can. While it’s still here. So get out there and hunt and fish and mess around with your friends, ramble out yonder and explore the forests, climb the mountains, bag the peaks, run the rivers, breathe deep of that yet sweet and lucid air, sit quietly for a while and contemplate the precious stillness, the lovely, mysterious, and awesome space. Enjoy yourselves, keep your brain in your head and your head firmly attached to the body, the body active and alive, and I promise you this much; I promise you this one sweet victory over our enemies, over those desk-bound men and women with their hearts in a safe deposit box, and their eyes hypnotized by desk calculators. I promise you this; You will outlive the bastards.”

THE COURAGE PROJECT / GEAR WE LOVE / EVENT PROFILES / CALENDAR

$ 20 OFF Weekday Canopy Tours ! Use Code: ASJRCT

April/May 2018 • ISSUE #102

February/March 2018 • ISSUE #101

YURI hauswald

the adventure path MING POON

gravel grinder

RIDING THE

REDWOODS FOR THE LOVE OF CLIMBING seth zaharias CLIMBING INJURY PREVENTION

KEEPER ISSUE

OUTRIGGER GOLD AT AGE 76 barbara leites KIM MORIARITY making a difference

CHANNEL ISLANDS RESTORATION

FRIENDS OF THE INYO DAVID ALLFREY from Yosemite to Baffin Island

+ LOW EXIT BASE 20 ASJ—June/July 2012

SEVEN WINTER DAY TRIPS

+

MILLS PEAK MTB TRAIL OPENING SBTS celebrates a milestone

+ THE OLD CAZ & SON + FATHER BIKEPACKING something for everyone

MAVERICKS

women who ride mountains

CHRIS SUMMIT

first ascent bouldering 20 ASJ—June/July 2012

EASTERN SIERRA AVALANCHE CENTER MOJAVE ADVENTURES FEARS, TEARS & BEERS

Mail a check for $20 to PO Box 35, Santa Cruz, CA 95063 along with subscriber name & address, or order online at

adventuresportsjournal.com/subscribe

$25 1- H R S A I L S • $39 1. 5 - H R S A I L S • $5 0 S P E C I A L E V E N TS

O N E I L LYAC H T C H A R T E R S .C OM

(8 31) 818 - 3 6 4 5

Taxes and fees collected at checkout.

The Team O’Neill is U.S. Coast Guard licensed, insured, and inspected annually. Aerial Imagery ©Archer Koch of MultiRotorCam.

www. advent ur espor t sjour nal. com

7

Ear to the Ground

News & notes from the outdoor industry

Photo: Menka Belgal

Groveland Receives Grants for Mountain Bike Specific Trails Photo: USFS

Tahoe National Forest Expands Pedal Assist eMTB Access

ASJ Partners with Four Wheel Campers for Roadshow

After ten years of traveling to events and races in our trusty 2008 Toyota, we are excited to announce that Four Wheel Campers of Woodland has signed on to be the official vehicle sponsor for the ASJ Roadshow. Keep an eye out for the ASJ/FWC branded truck at events and online as we share pictures via our social media channels.

“This truck and pop up camper will help take our roadshow to the next level,” says ASJ editor and roadshow manager Matt Niswonger. “We appreciate the opportunity to be brand ambassadors for a new model of pop up camper that carries more stuff.”

Additional details on the model are forthcoming, but basic features include plenty of space for mountain bikes and other equipment in the collapsed position while still leaving room for a king sized bed in the popped up position.

If you see us at events stop by and ask for a tour.

Dierdre Wolownick Launches Sharp End of Life Book Tour

Alex Honnold’s adventurous mom Dierdre became the oldest woman to climb El Capitan at age 66. Her new book The Sharp End of Life is the story of her journey as a mom, a professional, and an athlete. See our calendar and check out sharpendoflife.com.

Tahoe National Forest will expand access for pedal assist (Class 1) electric mountain bikes (eMTBs) to include “recommended non-motorized trails across the forest.”

The list of previously “non-motorized” trails now accepting pedal assist bikes can be found on the Tahoe National Forest website, and includes classics like Hole in the Ground and Bullards. This policy shift falls in line with recent decisions at Mammoth Mountain, also within TNF boundaries.

A Class 1 eMTB or “low-speed pedalassisted electric bicycle” is a bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.

For more information about which trails will specifically allow Class 1 eMTBs but not other eMTBs (Class 2 and above), check the USFS website at fs.usda.gov.

Groveland Trail Heads (GTH), a nonprofit mountain biking organization based in Groveland, was recently awarded a grant from the Sonora Area Foundation, through one of its donors, in the amount of $30,000. Funds are earmarked for the first trail of the first phase of the Ferretti Non Motorized Trail System, a mountain bike-specific trail network. GTH founder Dwight Follien says, “The Sonora Area Foundation does so much good for so many and we are very honored to be part of this.” He adds, “This project is a solution to so many issues rural communities face.

Getting our youth involved is a big priority and this trail system will help keep our local businesses in business.”

This grant was soon followed up by another $1,500 grant, also courtesy the Sonora Area Foundation, with the Tuolumne County Transportation Council, through the Trail Me About It Fund.

Groveland Trail Heads is seeking volunteers for its trail building project.

Contact dwight@grovelandtrailheads.org for more information. Read our profile on Follien at adventuresportsjournal.com/ dwight-follien.

From seaside getaways to mountain retreats the Pacific Yurt goes where you want to be.

Call today • Comfortable • Affordable • Easy to Set Up • Eco-Friendly 8 ASJ — Aug/Sept 2019

800-944-0240

Design & price your yurt in 3D at

www.yurts.com The Original Modern Yurt

TM

The Original Modern Yurt

TM

Yosemite Wins Lawsuit; Gets Historic Names Back

The National Park Service recently settled a lawsuit over the ownership of popular Yosemite landmark names, allowing for a number of historic establishments throughout the park to reunite with the names they are best known for.

Former park concessionaire Delaware North filed the lawsuit in 2016 after losing its contract to Aramark, alleging it owned the trademarks to these landmarks.

According to Yosemite spokesman Scott Gediman, the settlement covers the value of the names, logos and other branded content. $8.16 million of the settlement will be paid by Aramark while the government is slated to pay $3.84 million.

BIKECA Pre-Order Your CA Bike Plate

The California Department of Public Health, along with a select group of cycling supporters, is sponsoring a new special interest bicycle theme license plate for DMV registered vehicles.

Plate sales will generate funds for youth programs, cycling advocacy, rider and driver education, biking for transportation and other bike focused programs.

For complete details and to purchase plates, visit calbikeplate.com.

GU Energy Labs Trash Brigade Makes a Difference

GU Energy Labs takes trash, and protecting the places we play, seriously.

In recognition that its products create a fair amount of trash, the athletic nutrition company partners with TerraCycle, an upcycling and recycling company that collects difficult-to-recycle packaging and products and repurposes the material into affordable, innovative products.

GU’s Senior Brand Experience Manager Celia Santi says, “There is nothing more deflating than seeing spent gel packets on the road or trail during a run or ride. We encourage all athletes to stash their trash, and we are excited and proud to offer our community a way to reduce all of our impacts on the beautiful places we play.”

GU’s Community Development Manager — and pro rider — Yuri Hauswald does his part to clean up, too. He, along with a dedicated crew of volunteers, has picked up litter after the Death Ride course for the past five years. And it’s not just GU packaging they find. Hauswald says, “The crews on Monitor and Carson encountered more outdoor user litter than sports nutrition and came away with piles of trash that had been left/ thrown intentionally.”

Learn more about GU’s partnership with TerraCycle and sign up for the GU Trash Brigade at guenergy.com/join-the-brigade.

BVAC Welcomes Aaron Johnson

Photo: Kasey Carames / CES

EWS Comes to California

The seventh round of the Enduro World Series (EWS) will take place at Northstar California Resort in Truckee on August 24. Northstar, affectionately known as “Gnarstar,” boasts some of California’s most challenging and technical trails.

EWS showcases the world’s best mountain biking venues, with stops made already this year in New Zealand, Tasmania, Portugal, Italy, and France. The series will hit North America August 11 at Whistler in Canada before its penultimate round in Truckee. EWS wraps up in Zermatt, Switzerland on September 21.

Northstar EWS is also the fourth round of the California Enduro Series (CES).

After Northstar, CES heads to Big Bear Lake September 14 for the Fox US Open Enduro. CES will wrap its 2019 season with the Ashland Mountain Challenge in Ashland, OR on October 5.

Learn more at enduroworldseries.com and californiaenduroseries.com.

Bear Valley Adventure Company (BVAC) is excited to have Aaron Johnson join its ranks as its new Marketing and Events Manager.

Johnson is no stranger in Bear Valley as he was the founder of Mountain Adventure Seminars and most recently the Director of Snow Sports at Bear Valley Mountain. BVAC was recently purchased by the Bear Valley Mountain Cooperative, a community-oriented group of Bear Valley enthusiasts. Johnson says, “Making the move to BVAC is a return to the Bear Valley community and an opportunity that I couldn’t pass up”.

The first item on Johnson’s list is the Ebbetts Pass Century (EPC), a demanding road cycling event based in Bear Valley.

The EPC offers four ride lengths (100, 65, 50 and 35 miles) which challenge a variety of riders and showcase some of the best road cycling terrain in the country. “Funny how I started this event 14 years ago, sold the company, and now it’s back on my plate.”

For more information about BVAC, visit bearvalleyxc.com. And if you’re in the neighborhood, stop by the store and ask Johnson what the best adventure on tap is that day.

Be prepared with surgical quality wound care-to-go.

• Non-invasive, easy to use • Avoid pain, hassle and cost associated with stitches

TM

No needles. No stitches. No hassles.

Get 20% off ZipStitch.

Use offer code 20Adventure at zipstitch.us.

Offer expires 10/31/19

CALIFORNIA’S TOP 25 ADVENTURES:

ON THE MIDDLE FORK OF THE AMERICAN RIVER

“The highlight of our summer!”

Read more reviews at TripAdvisor.com

RUNNING TUNNEL CHUTE ON THE MIDDLE FORK OF THE AMERICAN RIVER WITH OARS COMBINES HIGH ADRENALINE AND GOOD TIMES FOR A REFRESHING SUMMER ADVENTURE!

EXPLORE MORE AND SAVE 10% AT OARS.COM/MFA www. advent ur espor t sjour nal. com

9

EPiC: Environmental Partnership Campaign

The Tahoe Fund Raising money to improve Lake Tahoe

By Leonie Sherman

When then President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore visited the sparkling shores of Lake Tahoe in 1997, they kicked off a frenzy of interest in protecting the largest alpine lake on the continent. Residents have loved and worked to preserve the clear waters, glaciated peaks and surrounding magnificent forests for millennia.

T

hough 80% of the land surrounding the iconic lake is federally owned, most environmental efforts had been at the local or state level. Federal involvement kicked off the coordination of hundreds of lake improvement projects, including healthier forests and lake clarity initiatives, the removal of invasive aquatics, and the enhancement of outdoor recreation and beach access. Over the next 20 years, between state and federal investment, almost a billion dollars poured into the Tahoe Basin for improvements.

And then came the financial crash of 2008-2009.

Funding dried up. A group of local leaders got together to determine where the next source of funding to continue these important projects would come from. “There were already 51 public and private organizations doing environmental work in the basin,” says Amy Berry, CEO of the non-profit organization that emerged from those conversations. “The real need wasn’t for more groups doing more great work, but for raising money to fund more of the great work already going on.”

So they started the Tahoe Fund, the area’s first non-profit dedicated solely to raising money for environmental projects. Their first task was to create a high powered volunteer board with diverse interests. “They recruited folks from Nevada and California, from the north shore and the south shore. Between them they’d owned ski resorts, gotten the first sidewalks installed in Tahoe City and headed state conservation organizations,” Berry reports with pride.

“A lot of local environmental groups are politically charged. The Tahoe Fund doesn’t take political stands. They see the Tahoe Basin as a national treasure to preserve and enhance. My wife and I are just interested in helping the Tahoe Basin without some of the divisiveness that can come with political engagement, especially in this day and age, so their attitude really resonated with us.”

— Marty Putnam, Donor 10 ASJ — Aug/Sept 2019

The newly formed organization recognized that there had been a lot of contention among lovers of the Tahoe Basin. “This model of raising private funds for public projects, creating a culture of collaboration and quieting discord by focusing on the common goal of preserving Lake Tahoe had never been tried before,” explains Berry.

“The question was: what can we get done if we all work together?” The answer turned out to be a lot more than expected. The Tahoe Fund aimed to raise $100,000 in their first year; they ended up raising a half a million dollars.

Clearly they needed staff to spearhead their community outreach efforts. Amy Berry, a dynamo from New York City with a background in marketing and renewable energy, proved the ideal candidate. She joined the Tahoe Fund as their first full-time staff member in 2012. Berry worked together with consultants and eventually held the title of CEO. They brought on an operations manager last year.

“This is literally my dream job!” she gushes. “The board tells me: go find ways we can help get things done around the Tahoe Basin. Donors tell me: we love this place, how can we help? Project partners raise their hands and say: we need help,” she giggles like a kid in a candy store. “My job is to sit in the middle of all that and make connections.”

“Amy is pretty contagious,” says donor Marty Putnam, who lives in the Bay Area. “She sponsors tons of community events and we participate in all of them we can. Like, she got Tamara McKinney and Jonny Moseley to ski with us at Squaw! Levi Leipheimer rode mountain bikes with us! It’s so easy to stay engaged with the Tahoe Fund. Amy’s enthusiasm and love for the lake rubs off on everyone she interacts with.”

But the Tahoe Fund is impressive for more than just a dynamic CEO. Their ability to remain politically neutral, dedication to environmental projects, and solid results attracted Putnam. “A lot of local environmental groups are politically charged. The Tahoe Fund doesn’t take political stands. They see the Tahoe Basin as a national treasure to preserve and enhance. My wife and I are just interested in helping the Tahoe Basin without some of the divisiveness that can come with political engagement,

Top to bottom: The new bridge on the Tahoe East Shore Trail (Michael Okimoto); Hundreds join Governor Sisolak for the ribbon cutting of the East Shore Trail which took place on June 28, 2019. especially in this day and age, so their attitude really resonated with us.”

“The other thing is they fund hands-on, boots-onthe-ground late stage projects and that appealed to us immensely,” explains Putnam. The Tahoe Fund has supported 35 projects since their inception nine years ago. “They get more done with less than any organization I know!”

One of their goals is to reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfire. “The forests here were clear cut in the 1860s, then they grew back with the wrong diversity and density,” explains Berry. “Now we just have too many trees around Tahoe. Our forest needs thinning.” She is hoping a private organization with fund-raising clout can bring innovative ideas to help the public agencies.

The Tahoe Fund’s most visible projects are less controversial than removing trees. Their most recent victory was creating a bike and pedestrian path from Incline Village to Sand Harbor. In order to access the

Clockwise from upper left: New overlook at Taylor Creek that Tahoe Fund helped fund; Trail crew out on the Incline Flume; Johnson Meadow that Tahoe Fund helped acquire; Putnams and other donors with Levi Leipheimer.

lake, locals would park along the highway and then cross with kids and coolers, creating a traffic and safety hazard.

The dream of creating a path to improve access, safety and storm water drainages goes back over four decades.

“The first line on a map for this path was drawn in 1987,” explains Berry. By 2013, the entire path and cooperation from all 13 involved agencies was in place — they just needed money.

The Tahoe Fund secured a $12.5 million grant that required a $500,000 match. “Our board members saw a

Made you smile.

gorgeous path, safety and environmental improvements and decided to take this on,” says Berry. “We started a campaign in 2014, with the aim of raising $750,000, so we’d have some money for a maintenance fund as well. We reached that goal in six weeks.” Everyone who donated over $100 got their name on a donor wall and big donors were able to sponsor vista points. All told, the Tahoe Fund raised more than $1 million in private funding which allowed them to secure over $20 million in public money for the project. “The impossible trail is now

possible,” says Berry with a sigh of satisfaction.

The trail’s grand opening on June 28, was a large community celebration with a huge turnout. “We gave out 800 t-shirts!” Berry says with a grin. “The governor of Nevada showed up, we walked three miles chatting with him! This was day one of years of memories that will be created out there.”

The bike path epitomizes Tahoe Fund’s work- cooperation and leverage. “We recognize that the Tahoe Fund doesn’t do anything on its own. We are just one of many who made this project happen. This was a tremendous collaboration between public and private sectors.”

Through the bike path and dozens of similar projects, the Tahoe Fund is living up to its motto: Together Creating A Legacy.

Learn more about the Tahoe Fund and how you can get involved at tahoefund.org.

Hiking or running around Tahoe with some epic views will do that for you. It sure does it for us. So, we’re here to make sure our lakes, trails and forest stay this incredible for years. Recently, we helped our partners at the Tahoe Rim Trail Association, the Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association (TAMBA) and the U.S. Forest Service build and restore trails around Tahoe with the generous support of Big Blue Adventure and our donors. When we see people enjoy Tahoe this much, it gets our endorphins up, too.

TAHOEFUND.ORG

www. advent ur espor t sjour nal. com

11

Lake Tahoe BY Paddle 72 miles of blue water bliss

By Trevor Husted Navigating the crystal clear waters of Lake Tahoe by paddleboard or kayak is as much of a good time as it can be an endurance test. The nation’s second deepest alpine lake provides paddlers with delightful mountain views, aquatic beauty, and plenty of challenges. Paddling the entire 72 miles around the lake

by SUP or kayak is an extreme endeavor and is only appropriate for highly experienced and fit individuals. That said, you can work your way up to a complete circumnavigation by getting familiar with the numerous day trips described below.

A Word on Safety Do not underestimate the serious nature of exploring Lake Tahoe by paddle. It’s a large alpine lake that can have big water conditions. There have already been a few rescues this year. Sadly a few people drown every year in Lake Tahoe and almost all these deaths could have been prevented by using a simple lifejacket. Law enforcement around Lake Tahoe has zero tolerance for paddlers lacking life jackets and they will issue fines.

Always check the weather report with the understanding that things can change quickly and unexpectedly. Typically morning is the best time to go as winds can come up quickly in the afternoon.

Experienced paddlers know the saying “less than three shall never be.” Meaning people should paddle in groups of at least three. Ideally each paddler has taken some paddling and safety classes from a reputable outfitter.

If SUPing, we recommend mixed parties that include at lease one sit-on-top kayak.

There is strength in numbers, kayaks hold more food and gear, and people can trade off if the SUP becomes too exhausting.

While it may be hot outside, the water is cold and hypothermia can disable you quickly. Dress for the temperature of the water, not the weather.

Always wear a PFD and make sure to have a whistle and/or other signaling device handy. If SUPing, wear your leash at all times. Bring water, sunscreen and hat/ glasses. Wearing a UV surf shirt or rash guard, and surf booties or water shoes is recommended for longer trips. If it is a full day or overnight trip don’t forget to include a headlamp, multi-tool, duct tape, bug spray and extra layers/change of clothes in a properly sealed drybag that is securely fastened to your boat/board.

CHOOSING your craft

Closed deck kayaks should only be used by experienced paddlers who have been 12 ASJ — Aug/Sept 2019

trained and have the gear for self-rescue.

Sit-on-top boats are the only option for beginners, and fun for more experienced paddlers as well.

When picking your SUP, surfing and racing boards will not be your best option for a lake paddle. Instead, consider an all-around or flatwater style SUP as they are quite adaptable. The all-around style is thick and wide which helps for balance and can be versatile in a variety of conditions. Flatwater boards are similar in characteristics, but tend to have a more accentuated tail and a sharper nose that is helpful in cutting through bellowing whitecaps as well as moving more quickly.

Determining whether to go with an inflatable or hard paddleboard is an easy decision: if you are not planning on hiking too far from the lakeshore then stick to a hard paddleboard set-up.

Also, a board with lashing hooks and a bungee is essential for strapping down your dry bags. And again, always make sure to wear your leash.

DAY TO OVERNIGHT TRIPS

Below are some possible day trips that would require lodging or a shuttle at the end of the day. Once you have done each section of the lake and are fully familiar with the challenges and protocols for each section you will be in a position to evaluate your ability to do a full circumnavigation in one push. Remember this is just a brief guide where 10 – 15 miles per day is about the average so if you want to go more or less each day that’s where the research comes in. >> SECTION 1: ZEPHYR COVE TO CAMP RICHARDSON – 10 MILES Starting in Zephyr Cove and moving to South Lake, you will be indulged in the urban side of Lake Tahoe. Around every inlet you may not even realize there is a city up ahead as you paddle past the sandy beaches and pine covered hillsides. Paddling past Round Hill, the views of the downtown casinos with the Heavenly Gondola as a back drop

Top to bottom and left to right: Robin McElroy paddles around the rocks on Tahoe’s North Shore (Tahoe Adventure Company); Taking in the beautiful view while SUPing glassy alpine waters (Mariusz Blach); Sit-on-top kayaks and SUPs are a great paddling combination (Ashley Wiley); Jack Derham prepares for another day of paddling (Trevor Husted).

Opposite Page: Enjoying the crystal blue waters of Lake Tahoe (Vernon Wiley). come into sight. Make your way through the mountain hustle to the intricate canals and pristine homes of the Tahoe Keys before entering into Camp Richardson, established as a timber holding before becoming a resort in the early 1900s. >> SECTION 2: CAMP RICHARDSON TO MEEKS BAY – 13 MILES Getting an early start on day two can put you into Tahoe’s pristine Emerald Bay just in time for sunrise. Here you encounter Lake Tahoe’s only island, Fannette Island — which has had many other names throughout the years —adorned with rocks, trees, and the ruins of a tea house built by landowners of the nearby Vikingsholm estate. The paddle up the west shore from here gains some more scenic views through D.L. Bliss and the craggy rock formations that form around the area’s Jeffrey, lodgepole, and sugar pines. The rejuvenating pine scents will hopefully give you that extra boost of energy to make it to the gorgeous water of Meeks Bay. >> SECTION 3: MEEKS BAY TO TAHOE CITY – 12 MILES As you continue north along the west shore you will paddle past the splendid sights of Sugar Pines State Park and through some of the lake’s smaller towns as you enter into the North Lake section of the journey. Passing Tahoma and onwards towards Homewood Ski Resort you will start to notice the ample opportunities to visit lakeside restaurants to grab a drink, lunch, or dinner. >> SECTION 4: TAHOE CITY TO INCLINE VILLAGE – 15 MILES Winding around Dollar Point you will start to notice some of the lake’s finest homes as you continue north to Kings Beach and Crystal Bay, which at one point was the party of choice for Frank Sinatra and the rest of the Rat Pack in the early 1960s. You are now in Nevada and the delightful views and the serenity of this bay will lead you to Incline Village. There is no camping in or around Incline Beach, however there is the option to stay at the HyattRegency which is right on the waterfront offering gallant views of the lake from its northern most point.

NEW WATERPROOF MAP & ACCESS GUIDE HELPS PADDLERS NAVIGATE LAKE TAHOE

S

>> SECTION 5: INCLINE VILLAGE TO ZEPHYR COVE – 21 MILES There are no lodging or camping options along the gorgeous and desolate east shore, so this requires a 21-mile push to Zephyr Cove — a challenging and committing endeavor. This section offers up some of the most beautiful and secluded beaches that the lake has to offer.

It is best to get an early start so you can stop to enjoy the many sights along the way. Paddling through Incline you will soon meet the tropical shores of Sand Harbor and from here you will encounter no towns until South Lake. Bask in the sun and soak up the views of the lake, the bundled granite stones stacked like pebbles, and the singular trees jutting out across each point. This is a big day so plan on being exhausted when you make it to Zephyr Cove.

ierra Business Council has just released the Lake Tahoe Water Trail Map & Access Guide to help paddlers safely find their way along the 72-mile water route. This 24” x 36” waterproof guide pinpoints 37 public launch and landing sites including 20 trailhead sites with wayfinding signage, restrooms and parking.

The guide also features mapped paddle routes with public beach access, campgrounds, water safety and conservation tips to help paddlers have a safe and fun adventure while practicing good stewardship that protects the watershed.

With safety top of mind, the guide is intended to be used with the Lake Tahoe Water Trail website – laketahoewatertrail.org – that includes an interactive wayfinding map to identify launch and landing sites from land and the water, real-time wind and weather conditions, downloadable mapped routes, and an easy-to-use File a Float plan tool to inform others about your planned paddle trip.

Guides can be purchased at Tahoe paddle shops and locations listed on laketahoewatertrail.org and on the website. Proceeds from the guide sales help Sierra Business Council develop paddle education programs and materials.

KAYAK/SUP EMERALD BAY Rentals • Lessons • Tours • Sales

A Word oN LODGING

Reserving lodging in advance is crucial, especially during the summer months, which are very busy. Typically things start slowing down in Tahoe after Labor Day and the weather can remain nice into October, making fall an ideal time to visit. Camping is only allowed in developed campgrounds with a reservation. Fires are only allowed in developed campgrounds with permanent fire rings. The sometimes challenging logistics of camping, make one of the many lodges along the water trail a better option for those with little overnight paddling experience.

• Begin and end your kayak or SUP rental or tour in Emerald Bay. • Explore Eagle Falls, Vikingsholm, and try kayak camping.

• Tahoe’s only island steeped in history and mystery, bald eagle & osprey nests.

Please remember, if you are paddling or boating on Lake Tahoe do your part to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species — complete the Tahoe Keepers online training program (tahoekeepers.org).

kayaktahoe.com // 530-544-2011

3 steps closer to fun CLEAN

DRAIN

DRY

Become a Tahoe Keeper and learn how to self-inspect for aquatic invasive species.

Lake Tahoe is a national treasure. Help protect it.

TahoeKeepers.org • 888-824-6267 www. advent ur espor t sjour nal. com

13

Climbing Towards Justice

The first black woman to climb El Capitan

By Leonie Sherman

In 2003, Emily Taylor became the first black woman to climb El Capitan. There were no camera crews or journalists waiting to interview her. “The weekend I summited El Cap, there was tons of buzz about the Huber brothers, two big German dudes, freeing the Zodiac,” Taylor explains. “They got all the media attention.” Only one other black woman, Chelsea Griffie, also located in the Bay Area, has ever climbed El Cap...and very few people know her name either.

T

aylor is a black queer professional climbing coach.

She trains athletes while working to dismantle oppressive systems that make it so hard for people who look like her to thrive in the field of outdoor recreation. She’s trained over two thousand people in a career spanning over two decades. She’s worked with adaptive and spectrum climbers, consulted for companies, been a team-building facilitator, writer, and designer. She was the first black female climbing coach in USA Climbing, the first out queer coach in USA Climbing, and the first queer coach to be pregnant in USA Climbing.

“When you’re black you have to do better than what most folks think is the best possible, especially in a white male dominated industry like rock climbing,” she explains. “You have to do twice as well to even get to the starting line, to even get on the field. Then being female and being queer? That’s like a trifecta. It’s hard.”

Fortunately, her father raised her to take on the world.

“Mom had substance abuse issues, so she was in and out, mostly out, of my life as I was growing up,” Taylor explains. “My dad raised me on his own.” His military career meant they moved frequently, but her father’s love was constant. “My dad taught me I could do anything I wanted to do, I just had to do it the best I possibly could,” she recalls. “He always told me, ‘you have two strikes against you, you’re black and you’re female. Don’t let that be an excuse.’”

She still remembers sitting in the meadow and looking up at El Capitan ...

“I remember I whispered to the wind, ‘I want to be the first black woman to climb that.’ Then I had to do it.” — Emily Taylor “My father was the love of my life,” she admits. “I buried him on my 21st birthday.” The last thing he said to her was “I’m so proud of you.” With his passing, Taylor took on a house and care of her grandmother. A college counselor noticed her stress and suggested she get away for a bit. Taylor picked up an Outside magazine, saw an ad for Outward Bound and embarked on a two month long multi-activity expedition where she discovered the second love of her life: rock climbing.

“My first time out I was climbing a 5.10 in hiking boots!”

Taylor explains with a laugh. “Climbing was a fun, natural thing for me.” The Charlotte Climbing Gym was close to her college, so she joined after she got back from Outward 14 ASJ — Aug/Sept 2019

Bound. “It happened to be run by a black guy. I thought ‘yeah, let’s do this!’ At the time I didn’t know there were no other black people climbing or in the industry.” She immersed herself, training, watching other people climb and trying to understand what happened when young people started climbing.

“I would watch these kids come in to climb and at first they’d be awkward and impulsive, but they were transformed on the wall,” she explains. Her major in sociology made sense once rock climbing came into her life. After graduation she took a job in a residential psychiatric hospital in Atlanta as an experiential therapist working with young people who’d been abused. She taught traumatized kids how to ride horses, kayak, and rock climb. She put together teaching modules and outdoor units and learned how to manage trips. Most importantly she showed these young people how to face themselves and heal from trauma.

“As brown and black people we often don’t recognize the trauma we are living with because we’ve been experiencing it for so long. It’s like we have such deep calluses we aren’t even aware when we are being cut,” Taylor explains. “It’s the spaces between the trauma, where we find laughter and happiness and joy that allows us to heal, to exist, to continue, better prepared for the next trauma.” After three years of heartache and laughter, healing and trauma, Taylor realized her calling was to help kids before they got to the hospital.

So she moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan and began working for Planet Rock, the largest climbing gym in the country at the time. The owner recognized her talent and fire and gave her the freedom to develop videos for the hearing impaired, curriculum for the visually impaired, a teaching manual for staff members, and the gym’s program for young people.

She found that she bonded particularly well with young people who were somewhere along the spectrum. “I understand the obstacles, challenges and transitions of prepubescent to young adulthood, because I’ve worked with climbers through all of those milestones in their lives,” she explains. “I’m not just a climbing coach, I’m a life coach. I show them how to climb from their hearts.

But climbing is maybe six hours a week. It’s the stuff you do with your life in those other hours that determines your success as a climber.”

The owner of Planet Rock also shut down the gym for a week to take employees on a weeklong outdoor climbing trip. The destination Taylor’s first year was Yosemite and

Top to bottom: Emily Taylor points to the Nose route on El Capitan in Yosemite; Taylor topping out in Yosemite; Resting with the late Jim Bridwell on a portaledge during Taylor’s ascent of El Capitan (Photos courtesy of Taylored Fit Solutions).

Tuolumne Meadows. She still remembers sitting in the meadow and looking up at El Cap. “You see a photo in a book as a kid and you’re like, whatever, rocks,” she laughs at the memory. “But then you see it as a climber ...” her voice trails off. “I remember I whispered to the wind, ‘I want to be the first black woman to climb that.’ Then I had to do it.”

A client at the gym had climbed the Nose on El Cap with Jim Bridwell and put Taylor in touch with him. “Jim just said, ‘Sure, let’s do it!’” Taylor remembers. “He told me what I had to do to get prepared and then I met him in J-Tree and he put me through four grueling days of what I needed to learn, and get over, and how to prepare and basically smacked me down.” She’d moved back to Georgia to be closer to her grandmother and trained through the summer, through heat and mosquitos, joining Bridwell at Camp Four in October.

“Nobody had told me how to poop and pee in my harness! That was quite an experience on day one,” she admits. “I kept thinking people in the meadow were watching me because I was the darkest thing on the rock, so I would wait until dusk to pee.”

Taylor led the sketchy pitch off Sickle Ledge. Their team of three swapped leads up to the Great Roof. “I didn’t lead any pitches after that,” says Taylor. “I was just

This page, clockwise from top: Coach Taylor teaching passionately about big movements to her climber/daughter; Brown Girls Climbing, the first all selfidentified Black & Brown climbing team; The unapologetically bold and intense coach is also shy and humorous (Photos by Michael Estrada).

mentally exhausted.” After six brutal days on the wall, rationing food and water, the summit itself was anti-climactic. “I just wanted to be the first and get it done, I wasn’t really mindful enough to notice how it felt,” she admits.

After El Cap she fell in love, married, and conceived a child. “Yosemite came back into my life when I was about to give birth,” she says. “Somebody told me to visualise El Cap as I was giving birth; you rest, rest, rest and then when it’s time you push, push push. Remembering El Cap, how to cope, the loneliness, the belaying blind, waiting for your turn, that helped me through giving birth.”

Their daughter was born in 2009. They decided to homeschool her, and she started her life in climbing gyms, on Taylor’s chest or being held by another parent. After success coaching, she was ready to pursue her deeper goals. “I had a vision to help kids who didn’t have access, didn’t have it easy, and I was spending all my time with affluent kids who just wanted to win. I was ready to close the chapter on Atlanta.” Six years later she moved out to the Bay Area where she was gratified to find a community that embraced her.

“My Instagram is flooded with fat women, black women, indigenous women; we are all facing the same obstacles in a white dominated industry. Once we find each other, it’s really healing, but we are all talking to each other, almost in an echo chamber,” Taylor says. “How do we take our experiences out there to a wider audience in a safe way? Are white folks willing to hear this message, to see it, to really understand what’s going on?”

She explains that initially she loved how

climbing felt in her body. She contacted a mystery in herself and learned to be vulnerable through climbing. But where could she find a climbing partner who looked like her? After over twenty years of climbing, her first experience climbing outdoors with a black female as equals or partners was last year.

She’s working to change the dynamics and create more opportunities for black and brown people, especially females, to thrive in the climbing world. A few years ago she started a black and brown climbing collective, and she runs a nonprofit called Brown Girls Climbing. She is teaching her daughter to use her voice for herself and others, to lead through life with compassion, love and empathy for others. But she still returns to engage with the challenge of dismantling oppression.

“Bringing these issues to the climbing industry is my calling, it’s my purpose.

I’m here to be the bridge between these worlds,” she says with confidence.

“We have to expose, deconstruct and dismantle the systems of oppression, and white supremacy that exist in our industry by starting with healing and liberating our bodies from rope held by white people.” Taylor pauses to gather her thoughts. “Until we can have honest and true conversations about black and brown bodies in this industry, this industry will continue to stumble upon that fragility that binds it.”

Admiring Taylor’s stamina and fire means embracing those difficult conversations in our own lives. Let’s start today.

Emily Taylor is a consultant, climbing coach and athletic trainer based in Oakland. For more information check out tayloredfitsolutions.com.

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

831.454.9254

104 Bronson St. #12 Santa Cruz

www.pacificedgeclimbinggym.com www. advent ur espor t sjour nal. com

15

The Long Game

Ken Yager’s multi-decade quest to establish a permanent climbing museum in Yosemite

By John Middendorf

The Yosemite Climbing Exhibit, 27 years in the making, is at last being allocated a long term location in the visitor center at Yosemite National Park. It has been a long process. In 1992, Mike Corbett and Ken Yager, both long time veterans of Yosemite, began preserving some of the past, realizing the rich history of Yosemite climbing was gradually becoming forgotten. The early tools and artifacts of vertical ascent were being lost as Yosemite climbing pioneers drifted further and further from the Valley.

C

orbett was “Mr. El Cap” back in the day, holding the record for routes climbed (over 30) by a wide margin.

Corbett has always been an out-of-thebox thinker, and his many new routes in Yosemite are pioneering and imaginative.

In 1985 we attempted the first one-day ascent of the Shield, only to be stopped by failing headlamps at Chickenhead Ledge, 300 feet from the top. During the long ensuing night, clad only in t-shirts, I shivered and suffered sleeplessly, while Corbett snored through the night, unfazed by the cold and wind.

Corbett’s toughness and determination were also exposed during our epic on the South Face of Half Dome, where we got

caught halfway up in one of Yosemite’s worst spring storms. He required hospitalization during his hypothermic recovery, but was climbing walls again within a month. I on the other hand, gave it up for many years.

In 1989 and 1991, Corbett climbed El Cap and Half Dome with Mark Wellman — a paraplegic climber. Some of these ascents were televised, a rare event in the pre-MTV days of film. This media coverage provided Corbett with valuable connections.

Combined with the same creative vision and persistence applied to big wall climbing, the concept for a Yosemite climbing exhibit became firmly established. NBC’s Tom Brokaw and Disney’s Frank Wells became

Grant Hiskes once found an old block of wood at the base of El Capitan’s Excalibur route decades after the first ascent. To anyone else, it would only appear to be a decent firewood find; to Grant, who thrived on climbing stories around a campfire, the block of wood held magic and inspiration and recalled Steve Sutton and Hugh Burton’s inventive solution to overcome the impossible wide cracks on a mythical new route on El Capitan’s southwest face. These fierce “off-widths” had repelled many other suitors of that spectacular line in those pre-cam days, and the wood blocks (probably offcuts from one of Hugh’s carpentry jobs) were at the time a wild idea that succeeded. Then again, just maybe, those guys knew about the coins de bois used on much earlier first ascents in the Alps. Is there a historian in the house?

16 ASJ — Aug/Sept 2019

public supporters, and Corbett and Yager were given national publicity in a New York Times article in 1993 about their growing collection of climbing history.

The rescue team

But at the time the park service was not amenable to a climbing exhibit in the Valley.

In the 1990s many in the park service still considered climbers to be undesirables.

“Climbers were still kind of hated back then, and the park just wasn’t ready for it,” Yager recently reminisced. For example, in 1984 Charles Cole and I were involved in a clash with Curry Company security guards: quietly playing chess in the Mountain Room, a public area at the Lodge, we were told to leave because we weren’t paying guests. Climbers generally laid low around authority in those days, fearful of getting evicted from the park, but we surprised the guards by peacefully refusing, and rangers soon arrived. The rangers were sympathetic as we had recently worked an all-day technical rescue together, but we still got kicked out. A few weeks later, I met with Ed Hardy, the head of Curry Company, with a few other rescue team members, and we negotiated a “Privilege Card”, a photo ID which saved 10% off purchases

Top to bottom: Ken Yager on Half Dome’s notoriously bold route, Karma (Dave Schultz or Jim Campbell); Yager at the 2018 Facelift (Kern Ducote).

Valley-wide and granted access to Lodge showers. This official acceptance of the rescue team was a long time coming, but unpleasant harassment by a few gungho rangers toward the rest of Yosemite’s climbing population continued. This reached a peak during the “Chongo era” in the late 1990s, where ever more risky cat and mouse games with the rangers became the norm. I once had a ranger’s gun pointed at my head after trying to break up a fight between two climbers arguing about bolting in the parking lot.

Clockwise: Tom Frost, Ken Yager, and Royal Robbins in front of the Ansel Adams Gallery in 2011 (Becca Skinner); The Granite Frontiers exhibit at the Autry Museum of the American West in 2008 (Ken Yager); John Salathe’s drill and handle (Ken Yager); A clean climbing catalogue with articles describing the art of piton-less climbing (Steve Wunsch).

saving camp 4

In January 1997, the Merced River flooded. Pressure from the commercial concession, which had lost some prime real estate near the river, led to a rushed plan to replace Camp 4 with luxury fourplex condo accommodations, clearly highlighting the insignificance of climbers in the park’s eye at the time. The Access Fund, perhaps seeing resistance as futile, had effectively signed off on the plan in return for access to Columbia Boulder, home to the world-famous boulder problem Midnight Lightning. But a small

group of us ramped up efforts to prevent any such development in Camp 4 (Tom Frost later called me the “Chief Architect” of the fight to save Camp 4). In addition to suing the park service to do a proper Environmental Impact Statement on the plan, we also nominated Camp 4 for the National Register of Historic Places. The collection of gear that Corbett and Yager had been accumulating provided key evidence for the process of proving the significance of Yosemite climbing history, and Camp 4 was placed on the register a few years later. A small group of us,

including Tom Frost, Jim McCarthy, and Yvon Chouinard, met with the heads of NPS in San Francisco to discuss the lawsuit.

After the meeting, John Reynolds, the head of the Pacific West National Park Service (NPS) region, pulled Frost and me aside and privately thanked us for our legal action, as he unofficially supported our claim for traditional use over commercial development. He told us, “climbing is important, after all.” Another step toward climber acceptance accomplished.

Corbett left the valley about that time, leaving Yager the reins, which continued

the museum dream and kicked the idea into a higher, continuously grinding gear.

After the meeting in San Francisco, Yager realized that the external support for a climbing exhibit was all there, but the final obstacle was to firmly establish climbing as a valid and historic activity in the eyes of internal Valley authority figures. Given the history of conflict between rangers and climbers, Yager knew this was a tall order. He also had an ace up his sleeve: the patience of a big wall climber and a burning desire to preserve and show Yosemite’s priceless climbing artifacts.

www. advent ur espor t sjour nal. com

17

Above: Yager working on a stunt for a movie in the late 1980s. Dave Schultz was paid to take a 120-foot fall off the top of El Capitan and Yager was a safety advisor (Dave Schultz or John Harpole). Below: Yosemite Facelift about ten years ago (Ken Yager).

A short history of Ken Yager Yager was once the epitome of the “Valley Dirtbag.” He arrived in 1976 with a few hundred dollars in his pocket and quickly learned the means to remain in the Valley in order to pursue his passion for climbing.

He lived in caves under boulders and constantly evaded the rangers, some of whom considered it a personal mission to evict as many as possible “non-traditional users of the park” by citing them for the most trivial misdemeanors, resulting in unaffordable fines for a cash-poor climber.

Although the rescue team was an option, where full-time Valley residence was thinly accepted and earnings from rescues could provide enough pasta and oatmeal to survive (if combined with “scarfing” abandoned scraps left on tourists’ plates in the cafeteria). But Yager felt the rescue team’s requirements of frequent training and being on call 24/7 would cramp his style, and needed to find alternative means of making enough money to reside in the Valley. During the cold winter of 1977, after an airplane crashed with three tons of marijuana in the High Sierra, Yager sensed opportunity. The crash was known to the FAA, DEA, NTSB and other federal agencies, and the NPS did what they could to secure the site, but a severe Sierra storm curtailed their efforts, and word got out among the climbers that the coast was clear. A gold rush soon followed. Yager became part of a team that included the leading Australian climber of the day, and headed up to extract a bale of high quality cannabis from the frozen lake. But exchanging the bale for money became a living nightmare.

These were not professional drug dealers after all, they were just climbers looking to fund their Yosemite climbing habit. They borrowed fellow climber John (“Yabo”) Yablonski’s old VW Bug and traveled cross country searching for a buyer for the jetfuel-soaked weed, which involved several close encounters with the law and suspicious motel managers in cheap roadside dives. After securing a room, they attempted to dry out the stinky weed with heat lamps before it got too moldy.

The adventure of exchanging pot for cash got too intense for Yager and he bailed somewhere in the middle of California, abandoning his treasure, with only bus fare to get him back to Yosemite. He was used to risking life and limb on the big walls of Yosemite, but risking ten years in jail was 18 ASJ — Aug/Sept 2019

not his cup of tea. The dirtbag lifestyle was wearing thin. He took up a seasonal approach, gaining a respectable presence by working part-time for the Valley utility company, Westcon, and for winters joining the night crew at Mammoth Ski area.

During those years, Yager maintained a full climbing schedule: Yosemite big walls and free climbs in the spring and fall, and prolific new routes in the cooler Eastside and Mammoth areas during the hot California summers. Yager’s solid approach to climbing, now called the “traditionalist” style, has been consistent even to this day.

“Ground up routes have a personality, and are just that much more memorable when you run it out and stance it on lead,” said Yager during a recent phone interview. Even at the height of the divisive controversies during the dawn of Yosemite sport climbing in the late ‘80s, definitely the most contentious and uncomfortable era during my own time in Yosemite, Yager somehow remained neutral and continued to be close friends with all. He was known for soothing flare-ups in the community, and setting the best example by simply and steadfastly continuing his own style of climbing by establishing quality new routes enjoyed by all. His desire to contribute in a meaningful way has never faltered, and over the years he has continuously earned community respect with his consistently positive and inclusive attitude.

the facelift

Though the NPS’s allocation of any space for a permanent climbing exhibit continued to stall during those years, the collection expanded. Yager cold-called the families of past heroes of climbing such as Raffi Bedayn, Dick Leonard, and David

earned him the coveted AAC David Brower Award for conservation and preservation of mountain regions, and he has also been inducted into the Hall of Mountaineering Excellence for his significant contributions to climbing history.

Left to right: Talking to Warren Harding at a party for the late Yosemite legend in 1993 (Errett Allen); Yager belays on El Capitan’s Muir Wall (Craig Perkins); A hook presumed to be forged by John Salathe that was found by Glen Denny at the base of the Lost Arrow Chimney (Ken Yager).

Brower to solicit items. Active climbers from the ‘60s such as Glen Denny and Jerry Gallwas also contributed and reached out to old friends. And anyone with significant climbing memorabilia trusted Yager with their treasures, knowing that he was focused on the long game of creating an exceptional exhibit.

But Yager’s desire to contribute expanded into a new idea in 2004: instead of fuming about the increasing trash and raw feces around the Valley like many other visitors, he spontaneously organized a massive cleanup, recruiting hundreds of climbers and dubbing the event the Yosemite “Facelift.” Facelift has since become a model of cooperative user group action in

shared public lands, and is being expanded to other parks. Facelift has also created new breakthroughs in climber relations.

One participant stated, “Facelift is a gift to climbers. What I discovered at last year’s Facelift is that picking up trash in the Valley makes me happy. Part of Ken’s legacy is making other people happy.”

Happy climbers make for good citizens.

Tommy Caldwell once introduced Yager to some visiting European climbers as “the guy who started Facelift,” but received a muted response as they had not yet heard of Facelift, so Tommy clarified as “the guy who made rangers like climbers,” which was much better understood and appreciated. Yager’s work in Yosemite has

priceless artifacts

In the past decade, climbing has transformed in the public eye from a wild card extreme sport to a legitimate athletic pursuit, with the top climbers receiving national accolades and features in Oscar winning films. Meanwhile, from the inside, Yager has been developing his skills as presenter-in-chief, as curator and exhibit designer. Though there had been a few public showings of the collection in the early years, in 2008 Yager ramped it up with a major exhibit called “Granite Frontiers” at the Yosemite Museum, which had averaged over 500 people a day, and over 70,000 visitors in total, studying and browsing the collection. And since then he has organized shows in many other venues to wide acclaim. Yager has a knack for presentation, using a variety of multimedia and hands-on exhibits, including

hand and finger cracks for visitors to crank their fingers in, portaledges to experience the restful times, and a Camp 4 picnic table where all good big wall plans begin, complete with “topos” (maps of climbs), and buckets of weird looking gear and mechanical devices.

The permanent Yosemite Climbing Exhibit is scheduled to open at the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center by Memorial Day 2020, and will certainly stand as the most significant proxy for the acceptance of Yosemite climbing as a valid part of American history. This was thanks to Yager’s persistence, combined with the creation of strong partnerships with the Yosemite Conservancy, the American Alpine Club, and of course the National Park Service. I look forward to at last seeing hand forged big wall tools from the 1940s like John Salathe’s hook, lost during the 1946 first ascent of the Lost Arrow chimney near Yosemite Falls. I also look forward to seeing some of Doug Robinson’s “stoppers,” the first experimental clean climbing gear designed to eliminate the damage caused by pitons. This gear was featured in a 1974 National Geographic article celebrating the first clean ascent of a major big wall in Yosemite.

For Yosemite climbers, the significance of presenting these priceless artifacts in one permanent exhibit within Yosemite Valley cannot be overstated. Like the sword of Aragorn in JRR Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, these tools reveal a mythic history that the general pubic is just starting to understand. Thank you Ken Yager for playing the long game.

A NEW DAWN IN PORTALEDGE DESIGN

D4 Designs • BigWallGear.com John Svenson art www. advent ur espor t sjour nal. com

19

Dakota SnideR Yosemite lured him in; death and conflict drove him away

by Chris Van Leuven

As a freelancer published in the New York Times and other publications across the country, Snider’s job is to capture America’s faces and landscapes. But his work in Yosemite came with too high a price.

Y

osemite Facelift is an annual five-day event that draws visitors from all over the world to enjoy the Yosemite National Park, attend events and, most importantly, pick up trash. Mixed in with the throng of visitors are locals, like photographer Dakota Snider who runs around the park capturing the action with his camera.

It was here during last October’s event that he snapped a shot of professional climber and longtime local Beth Rodden, right after she’d chased down her four-year-old son Theo. That image later ran as the opening shot in the story she wrote for the New York Times called “I’m a Climber, and a Mother, and Doing Great, Thank You.” In the photo, the crow’s feet wrinkles around her eyes magnify the fatigue she’s experienced as a parent. She’s holding her son close, his arm wrapped around her neck, his ear pressed up to her forehead. A spot of food stains her gray t-shirt.

“Theo was running around in circles and she had just picked him up,” Snider explains from his home in Mammoth Lakes, California, where today he works as the digital marketing coordinator for Mammoth Lakes Tourism.

He’s responsible for taking all the photos on the website and capturing images for their social media channels.

“The spill on her shirt is natural,” Snider says. “I like to keep the photos as original to what you see as possible.

That shot’s a representation of what I do.”

Landing a single photo in the Times is a dream for thousands of photographers, many who’ve immersed themselves in the trade for decades. But it was the third time for 25-year-old Snider, whose work is also in the Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times and Outside magazine.

“With my photos, I’m telling a story of what that moment might have been. I want it to make you think I’ve never seen it like that before. If my photo gives you a different view, then I’ve done my job.”

His posts on social media are also beautiful: a waterfall outside of Mammoth Lakes with a rainbow of light shooting through it; a cloud burst over Mono Lake; a paraglider buzzing toward Half Dome; a man in bright yellow swim trunks diving headfirst into a frigid alpine lake.

22 ASJ — Aug/Sept 20 Dec/Jan 2014 2019

Snider says what sets his work apart from others is “that level of authenticity that is developed and earned by spending time with these people and these places. Since I was a kid it was all about these connections.”

Born in the sprawling city of Las Vegas, Snider was raised in the small city of Kingman, Arizona, where his father commuted to Nevada to work as a fire captain, as well as in search and rescue, for 30 years. His mother was a contemporary artist who made three-dimensional abstract collages. The family escaped Vegas so that Snider and his sister Tenaya (18 months older) could explore quiet mountains and wild places far away from the chaos of “Sin City.” Kingman is 100 miles southeast of Vegas and is also south of the Hualapai Indian Reservation; Kingman has no nearby towns, just a tongue of highway pavement stretching from one horizon to the next. Sandstone plateaus surround the population of 28,000. The house he was raised in was up high, at 5,000 feet, tucked in pine trees and surrounded by granite boulders near Route 66.

Here his childhood was spent exploring the nearby Forest Service land and surrounding Hualapai Mountains.

Even as a young kid Snider always had an intuition for making connections. Once he had a camera in hand, during high school, he knew “when things were going down on campus. I always had a sixth sense of what people wanted to see,” he says. In high school he fell in love with photography and he tinkered with film and exposure in the darkroom for several years. He learned video on the side.

During his youth Snider and his family frequented Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada mountains. Both his parents were drawn to the park as climbers, where they’d spend days and weeks climbing with friends and family during visits. His father has reached the top of El Capitan.

While attending Arizona State, Snider continued to study film and also the art of storytelling. Midway through college, he took a class on wilderness parks in America, which led him toward studies in sustainable tourism and planning in natural places. He graduated in three years after studying film and media studies and parks and protected areas management.

Top to bottom: Exploring the Merced River near Nevada Falls; Portrait of Dakota Snider by Mitchell Quiring.

Three days after earning his degree, Snider moved to Yosemite, driving the bright yellow Ram truck he had since he was 16. During college he was tipped to a job there after a chance meeting with the manager of marketing in Yosemite; she helped him secure a position for the concessionaire as a naturalist. Though two-thirds of concession workers leave during the winter, he chose to stay and he picked up hours as a ski instructor. He also took photos on the side, which slowly turned into his job there.

The concessionaire paid him to take photos in the park and post shots to social media to help drive tourism.

“I just knew I wanted to be there. Yosemite was calling me,” he says.

His schedule required that he work four days a week, ten hours a day, which provided him plenty of free time to develop his photography skills. As the years passed and his photos improved, he was able to take on less naturalist work and pile on more photo work, eventually reaching equilibrium. His last year in the park he worked 20 hours a week doing photography and 20 hours with ski patrol.

He also got onto the Associated Press contact list, positioning himself as a Yosemite correspondent, which led to additional freelance opportunities. He’s since been published nationwide, but he’s most pleased with his three shots in the New York Times. His other two shots in their publication — all captured in Yosemite — include one taken during a search and rescue operation of a patient being loaded into a helicopter in El Cap meadow; the other

Top, left to right: Brave swimmer Quiring jumping into the partially thawed Tioga Lake near Yosemite National Park; A highliner walks a line at Taft Point with Upper Yosemite Falls seen in the distance; Hanging in the Yosemite Wilderness at Matthes Lake during a summer sunset. Right: The photo of professional rock climber Beth Rodden and her son Theo that appeared in the story she wrote in the New York Times called “I’m a Climber, and a Mother, and Doing Great, Thank You.” is a shot of the iconic Firefall, Yosemite’s natural phenomenon. That’s the name given to El Capitan’s Horsetail Fall when it catches last light during late February as light hits the water cresting off the rock’s summit. The droplets that are wisping from the rock burn a deep orange. Thousands of people line up to get this shot annually.

The lifestyle came with its pros. It also came with its cons.

Working for the Yosemite concessionaire, Snider explains, is like going to an adult summer camp or a college in the mountains, but instead of going to class you get paid to go to work. Employees are crammed two to three into small canvas tent cabins or into studio apartments. Drinking cheap malt liquor and rolling cigarettes by the river is a ritual for many seasonal workers.

Many workers stay in their same position for decades, and those that don’t leave earn the title “Lifer,” which is as much a life sentence as it is a blessing.

“I was never a Lifer,” Snider says. “That was never my calling.”

Last autumn when I met Snider, he’d just finished up a day shooting one of the top climbers in the area on a difficult climb near Vernal Fall. We met at night while volunteering for

Facelift, where we raised stage lights for an upcoming dance party.

After that night on the stage, he disappeared.

When we caught up months later he said he was leaving the park and that his best friend and partner for five years passed away in a motorcycle accident. Breanne was in a hit and run, he said, and she had been his closest person for the last five years. They met during Snider’s sophomore year in college and traveled all around the world together. They worked side by side together in Yosemite.

“She believed in me so much,” he says.

“She believed I could do better than teaching skiing and shooting on the side.”

But there was something else driving him away too. As the seasons change, Yosemite can be a damp, lonely place. In winter, due to the orientation of the sun over the narrow valley, parts of the park only receive one hour of direct sunlight per day.

Brown liquor not included New Tiger Wall 2 Platinum, 1lb 15oz TIGER WALL TENTS AVAILABLE IN THREE MODELS CRAZYLIGHT PLATINUM, ULTRALIGHT AND MTNGLO

The Mother of Comfort bigagnes.com

A little extra comfort on the Continental Divide Trail, Colorado. Noah Wetzel www. advent ur espor t sjour nal. com

21

Have you been to The Other Side?

Sand Dunes, Death Valley

The Owens River

The Other Side Of California.

Where today’s adventurers find their edge. Death Valley and the Eastern Sierra encompass more dramatic mountain and desert scenery than any region in North America. The timeless towns of Big Pine, Bishop, Death Valley, Independence and Lone Pine offer endless backcountry, camping, mountaineering, and majestic mountain vistas.

www.theothersideofcalifornia.com

22 ASJ — Aug/Sept 2019

That’s where Snider lived. “It becomes a trench in winter. That takes a huge toll on your mental health.”

“The final straw came during the government shut down in December and January when the concession told me it was ‘business as usual,’” he says.

Having a background in protecting park resources put him at odds with his employer who expected him to put his moral views to the side and encourage visitation despite the massive reduction in park service personnel who would normally be there to help protect the park from the people. The trash piled up on the trails, areas were damaged, but he was told the show must go on. Since all concession workers have to sign a form when hired saying they won’t talk with the media, he was unable to share his frustrations with the greater public.

“I tried to hold myself to the level Bre would have held me to, but it came to the point of working for a for-profit company in a preserved area that I recognized that the morals I had were not in alignment with the corporation. I knew I couldn’t do what I was tasked to do.”

“Living in Yosemite is one of the most amazing experiences you could ever have, but it comes with sacrifices.”

He started a job search, and following his networking senses, he landed his position in Mammoth Lakes. Today his images are used as inspiration for guests planning their visit. Mammoth draws people year-round for skiing and snowboarding, downhill mountain biking, climbing, and sightseeing.

Unlike Yosemite, it’s not a national park.

“Now, out here, I can still do what I did in Yosemite on a daily basis and I have new subjects. And I have the White Mountains and Sherwin Mountains and the entire Sierra in my backyard,” he says.

Though he moved to Mammoth in the dead of winter (one that brought 200 percent of the annual snowfall), his recent shot of his friend diving headfirst into a clear blue mountain lake on Tioga Pass — the surface of the water half covered in snow with the other half clear and reflecting the open sky above — symbolizes his transition.

“I still wanted to be in the heart of preservation and to be in the Sierra Nevada, and when this job opened up in Mammoth, it felt like the perfect thing.”

Top to bottom: Capturing the true vastness of the south rim of The Grand Canyon is never an easy task; Henry Feder on the first ascent of his new Yosemite route, Killa Beez 4 pitch 5.12a.

Now in a town of 8,000 year-round residents instead of the 2,000 in Yosemite, he has more options to live his life, grow his work and follow his passion. And instead of sharing an 11-foot by 11-foot cabin, he’s in his own home on a quarter-acre lot. “I wouldn’t trade that time in Yosemite for anything. But now I have my own place, my own property, and that feels good,” he says.

“My job here requires that I take photos of every event. And when wildflowers are blooming, I’m taking pics of them all day.

Last week was chaos. It was the 4th of July and I had to be in a million places at once taking photos.”

Today his Instagram page remains filled with Yosemite shots, but also the Tuolumne high country, Mammoth Lakes and Mono Lake. A recent post shows clouds whipping around Half Dome, the dome’s visor and its south face poking out from the white exposing the rock’s iconic curves.

“In one sense my art has changed,” he says. “Today I take landscape, adventure, action shots, commercial photography work and everything in between.”

To learn more about Dakota Snider, follow him on his website dsniderphoto.com and on Instagram @dakotasnider.

MOUNTAIN BIKING ALABAMA HILLS Nearly 15 miles of High Sierra views and Wild West terrain Photos and words by Parker Amstutz A climber’s paradise and one of Hollywood’s favorite backdrops, Alabama Hills doesn’t typically come to mind when you think about your next destination for mountain biking.

You might be surprised, though. With its close proximity to Highway 395 and legendary backdrop of High Sierra fourteeners, the Alabama Hills Loop is definitely worth a ride.

WHERE TO START

Just outside of Lone Pine on the Whitney Portal Road, you’ll see a sign reading “Alabama Hills Information Next Right” with an arrow. Follow the sign and park in the small parking lot along the main road. This is the traditional starting point for your ride, but the loop has strong “Choose Your Own Adventure” characteristics.

Parking anywhere (legal) along the side of Whitney Portal Road is a viable starting point. For those taking advantage of Alabama Hills’ dispersed camping, riding from your campsite is more than likely your best option, as the loop passes through the Mobius Arch Loop Trailhead and continues along Movie Road at one point. More on that later.

The route begins with a steady climb up the Whitney Portal Road. The first 4.4 miles utilize the pavement for nothing more than gaining elevation. If you prefer to suffer less and have a willing friend, you can shuttle this portion of the route and skip about 1,400’ of climbing.

At an altitude of 5,200’ and approximately 4.4 miles from the informational parking area, a small dirt road heads off to your right at a 45 degree angle. Say goodbye to the pavement and ride about 100 yards on the dirt road where you’ll come to a break in the fence. If you’re on Whitney Portal Road and you come to Olivas Ranch Road, you’ve gone about 0.4 miles too far.

Head through the break in the fence, across the bridge, and get riding. Bask in the incredible views of Lone Pine Peak and Mount Whitney. Stay on this until a singletrack crosses the trail about 4.8 miles from the bridge. Take this singletrack, aptly named Sandy Trail, to the right. You’ll encounter significant sand here and eventually be spit out at the Mobius Arch Loop Trailhead. From there, make a left onto Movie Road.

After about 0.5 miles, the Movie Road makes a sharp left. As you make the left, look for a trailhead marker signifying the start of the Horse Trail. Continue on the Horse Trail until you descend beneath the iconic “LP” made of white rocks high above on the hills. Be sure to look back periodically as the views of iconic fourteeners are breathtaking. Follow the dirt road out to Whitney Portal Road. This may be the end of your ride (if you parked a car or have a friend shuttling you), or you may need to climb up Whitney Portal Road if you’re headed back to your campsite.

HELPFUL TIPS Sand can be prevalent along certain parts of the trail.

Skinny tires are not recommended (especially along Sandy Trail). If you’re planning to tackle this route during a warmer part of the year, be sure to start early as there is essentially no shade along the route during midday, and the heat can often linger into the evenings. It is highly recommended to download the route on MTB Project to avoid any wrong turns. Signage along the route is extremely limited, so having smartphone guidance is invaluable. The ride itself is not technical, though the climb up Whitney Portal Road can be a wind-sucking experience if you’re coming from sea level.

Regardless of how you string together this route, cutting through Alabama Hills on two wheels is an experience every mountain biker should have at least once.

Top to bottom: Dropping Sandy Trail toward the Mobius Arch Loop Trailhead; Descending the Horse Trail towards Lone Pine; Crossing Lone Pine Creek and finally hitting the dirt.

www. advent ur espor t sjour nal. com

23

EARN YOUR BEER MTB Gooseberry Mesa, UT

G

By James Murren

ooseberry Mesa in southwestern Utah is one of those places that has been on many a mountain biker’s bucket list for decades. Its fame and desire-to-ride has endured longer than most marriages. I’m not sure what that means, other than the relationship between a dream mountain bike ride and the terrain living up to expectations has lasted a long time, long enough to keep riders happy and coming back to red rock country, as well as telling friends to go and ride the Goose.

The locations >> Gooseberry Mesa Nearly a mile high in the sky, with views that elicit all kinds of adjectives that attempt to describe the massive scale of wonder and beauty that lives there, Gooseberry Mesa sits less than an hour’s drive east of the St. George/ Hurricane, UT region along State Route 59.

The long dirt road approach can be good, if it’s recently graded. If not, and if rains recently fell, you might need four-wheel drive and high clearance. Forget about biking in such conditions, the dirt/mud there will drive you mad, peanut butter and cement getting gummed up in your drivetrain.

For this particular trip, I slept in one of Kenny’s Gooseberry Mesa Yurts. This time around, I had yurt #3, or Zion View, as it’s known. Morning sunrises coming up over the red and white rock walls of Zion National Park warmed my being in preparation for rides, while the sunsets behind the yurt over the Pine Valley Mountains put me in a tranquil mood later in the evening, the long light of early summer putting on a show across the way on Zion’s walls.

The trails >> SOUTH RIM Hop right on Windmill Trail from the yurt road > Bowls and Ledges > Practice > left on White to the parking lot > South Rim to the point/lookout > head back off the point and on to White > North Rim > Practice > Bowls and Ledges > Windmill.

For me, the highlight of the route is South Rim. There is technical riding in there that when cleaned, puts me in a happy place of yesterday, when “cleaning” something meant more than how fast you can ride a bike on a trail. I grunted up one of the steep slick rock climbs, making it for the first time ever without a dab. The other two, forget about it. I cannot do them.

Out on the point, I ate lunch and chatted with fellow riders. One of the absolute best things about riding Gooseberry is that you meet people from all over the world, 24 ASJ — Aug/Sept 2019

testament to the power of riding a bike on such a landscape. This time, what was equally as cool is that I saw several families riding the mesa. Easily, more than fifteen young people, aged 10-18 I would guess, were mountain biking, and seemingly having a great time. Moms and Dads were too. Rad!

The beers >> Edge of the World BREWERY Kenny alerted me about a new brewery — Edge of the World — in Colorado City, AZ, a mere 20-minute drive on State Route 59. The town’s historical infamy comes with its polygamous past.

Anyway, I simply wanted to taste a local high-point beer, as Utah has that 4% ABV packaged beer thing going on, and I did not make the effort to stop at a state liquor store to get heavy beer, as the state’s website calls it. In my cooler were some cans of San Diego IPAs (Pizza Port Tie Dye and Pizza Port Palapa) and Second Chance Tabula Rasa, but they were for chilling out on the yurt deck.

Off to Edge of the World Brewery, I went.

Their porter was on the thin side with some hints of caramel. It needed more roasted notes to fit my liking, but the setting and crowd was great. Tiny, with a mellow vibe and seemingly locals and passers-through coexisting with ease made for a nice outing.

Chips/guac/salsa with a side salad helped the porter go down. When the pizza arrived, I ordered an IPA I knew well: Lumberyard Brewing Company Flagstaff IPA. A multiple GABF and World Beer Cup award winner, the 6.1% ABV, 90 IBU pint poured the color of fresh straw bales that have been sitting in a barn for seven hours and the hops lightly bit my tongue as they filled my taste buds with hints of pine cones that have been laying on the forest floor for three days of dry weather, meaning not wet weather. I am pretty sure I tasted some citrus notes while eating the chicken alfredo slices, which were delicious. Balanced, is how I’d wrap up this IPA discussion.

Sustainable apparel & accessories made with 100% recycled materials.

Custom branded designs and prints.

Rethink with Recover.

LEAR N MO R E - re cove rb ran d s .com

www. advent ur espor t sjour nal. com

25

Western States 100 Challenge and camaraderie

Words by Matt Johanson Photos by Luis Escobar

O

ne hundred miles of murderous terrain stretches out the field of Western States Endurance Run, but the legendary race still sees an occasional photo finish. Those in Placer High School’s LeFebvre Stadium in the late hours of June 29 witnessed a sprint for the ages.

After more than 18 hours of racing up and down Sierra Nevada mountains, top competitors Camelia Mayfield and Kaytlyn Gerbin raced the final quarter mile neck and neck. The pair electrified the midnight crowd with dueling kicks down the homestretch.

As cowbells clanged and fans screamed, Mayfield edged Gerbin by a fraction of a second.

Then the two exhausted rivals joined the joyful post-race celebration that delights as much as the race demands, as euphoric athletes embrace family, their crew members and each other.

At Western States, challenge and camaraderie go hand in hand, and both in mountain range-sized quantities.

“At the start of the race I found myself surrounded by a bunch of badass women,” recalled Gerbin, 30. “We were chatting about how strong the women’s field was this year, and someone joked about it ‘coming down to a sprint on the track.’ I laughed and said ‘There is absolutely no way I want to sprint on a track against any of you ladies!’ One hundred miles and many mountains later, there I was, leaving every ounce of energy out on that track in a 200 meter sprint over fifth or sixth place. What a race!”

Western States starts at Squaw Valley each June, climbs 15,540 feet and drops 22,970 feet on the way to Auburn. Nearly all of the race takes place on trails in Granite Chief Wilderness and Tahoe National Forest, often miles from the nearest town or road. The grueling event began in 1974 and has grown into the most prestigious 100-mile trail race in the world. In 2019, 5,862 runners from more than 25 countries applied to compete. A lottery each December determines just 369 entries.

“They say there are three types of runners at Western States: the survivors, the runners and the racers.”

— Jim King, three-time champion

26 ASJ — Aug/Sept 2019

“They say there are three types of runners at Western States: the survivors, the runners and the racers,” professed three-time champion Jim King.

Taking those groups in reverse order, let’s start with the “racers,” and there’s never been another one like two-time champion Jim Walmsley. The 29-yearold triumphed in the men’s division in 14 hours, 9 minutes and 28 seconds, destroying his own course record by more than 20 minutes. Jared Hazen, Walmsley’s training partner and best friend, finished second in 14:26.46, also beating the previous course record. Tom Evans took third in 14:59.44 as the three men beat 15 hours together for the first time in the race’s history.

“There is such an overflowing satisfaction that comes from going to the well and knowing you gave everything,” shared Walmsley, who skipped and danced through the finish line in ecstasy. “Thank you to everyone for your overwhelming support and good vibes.”

Clare Gallagher won the women’s division in 17:23.25, fighting off a fierce challenge by runner up Brittany Peterson, who clocked 17:34.29. Kaci Lickteig took third in 17:55.55.

Gallagher, 27, had just returned from a two-week Arctic climbing expedition and shocked herself with her victory. “Never

in my wildest dreams while traipsing through tundra just weeks ago did I think this would happen,” she reflected.

“Then the race between Brittany and me happened and my feral instincts kicked in.

Those last six miles were the most intense miles of my life!”

If King’s “racers” are the elite competitors, those he described as “runners” would be those fighting for sub-24 hour finishes.

This year 130 broke the one-day barrier, earning coveted silver belt buckles for their performances.

Among them was Addie Bracy, who raced to a 19:53.38 finish and credited not just her crew but also race organizers and volunteers.

“Being the runner is the easy job when it comes to just how much goes into these races,” claimed Bracy, 32. “It makes me tear up to think about my crew out there doing everything possible for me to be successful, all the race organizers who put such a huge event on, and the hundreds of volunteers out on the course, just to help others achieve their dream. If that doesn’t tell you just how special ultra running is then I don’t know what will.”

King’s “survivors” would be the majority of participants who finish between 24 and 30 hours, when the race officially concludes. Earning bronze belt buckles in 2019 were 189 such fighters, including

Top to bottom: Competitors running across snow for miles in the race’s early hours; Heat challenged the field later in the day; A greeting party awaiting the first runner at the finish line; Champions Jim Walmsley and Clare Gallagher celebrating their victories. Left: Sharron Sullivan of Great Britain (#329) was one of 80 international runners, nearly a quarter of the field.

Chris Sipe, who overcame a fall and injury to finish in 28:07.40.

“I wanted to quit at Michigan Bluff (mile 55),” admitted Sipe, 38. “I had fallen 4.5 miles into the day when I slipped on icy snow. My quad slammed into the ground causing pain and spasms the rest of the race. Gordy Ainsleigh (the first person to run Western States) pulled me aside and gave me a back adjustment and basically told me to get back out there. I’m glad I did. I still finished over an hour faster than last year.”

Completing this race at all marks the pinnacle of many runners’ careers and their abundant joy is heartwarming to see. Those who visit the finish area quickly learn why stadium announcer John

cheered on his competitors for five hours.

Defending champion Courtney Dauwalter, 34, led the women’s division at record pace until a hip injury struck at mile 66. She fought for 13 more miles before it forced her to stop, but graciously congratulated Gallagher, the new champion.

And Dave Mackey, 49, nearly finished the run on a prosthetic leg. A runner up from 2004, Mackey suffered an accident in 2015 when a boulder crushed his lower left leg, requiring multiple surgeries and eventually amputation. He still completed 93 miles of the course. “I left it all out there and I’m super proud of my effort,” he declared.

Western States seems to showcase such positive-thinking people who express

Completing this race at all marks the pinnacle of many runners’ careers and their abundant joy is heartwarming to see.

Clockwise: A racer catching her breath at an aid station; A runner showing off his flag of Singapore, one of more than 25 countries represented in the race; Competitors powering their way up a hill.

Medinger described it as “the happiest place on Earth.”

Yet spare a moment to recognize those whose considerable efforts fell short. Fifty runners, or 14 percent of the field, did not complete the race in 2019. That figure has exceeded 50 percent in other years. Even though these competitors’ races ended in disappointment, their stories can still inspire.

Kyle Robidoux, 43, attempted to become the first blind runner to complete the race. He fell more than a dozen times in the snow and had to drop out, but then

sportsmanship and find silver linings despite events others would regard as soul-crushing setbacks.

“Every Western States is full of stories, emotions, hope, heartbreak and redemption. Many had their day, and many didn’t. Such is the nature of the Western States 100. It is a monster of a course,” reflected ultra runner Nick Errol, a 2017 competitor. “This race provides the greatest point to reflect, grow, learn and an opportunity to come back and get it right. Such is the beauty of ultra-running that heartbreak can turn into a powerful point of redemption over time.”

MY LIGHT MY WAY

© Matt Charland

BRANDON // It’s important to do outdoor activities with your kids because it’s where meaningful experiences happen, the ones that mean the most to them. #petzlnightlife

ACTIK® CORE

Rechargeable, compact multi-beam headlamp with red lighting, designed for outdoor activities. 450 lumens. www.petzl.com/nightlife

www. advent ur espor t sjour nal. com

27

Event Profiles Featured upcoming events

TOUR DE TAHOE

EDIBLE PEDAL 100

Bike the West and the Reno Tahoe Territory of the Nevada Commission on Tourism invite you to experience the incredible adventure of cycling aroud Lake Tahoe’s 72-mile shoreline.

The 17th annual Tour de Tahoe is your chance to ride around “Big Blue” — North America’s largest alpine lake — at summer’s end. Enjoy fresh mountain air, incredible scenic beauty, great food, and wonderful entertainment.

The Tour de Tahoe course circumnavigates the highways clockwise around Lake Tahoe in both Nevada and California. It includes a challenging 800-foot climb to a rest stop overlooking Emerald Bay and a 1,000-foot climb to Spooner Junction. There are also many short rolling ascents and descents totaling over 4,024 vertical feet of elevation gain. The altitude ranges between 6,300 feet and 7,100 feet above sea level and the ride is recommended for conditioned recreational bicyclists, not beginners.

Limited spots are available for a unique and shorter ride option, the 35-mile Boat Cruise.

Bike the West also produces America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride and OATBRAN (see event profile below).

Learn more at bikethewest.com.

The Edible Pedal 100 is a fun-oriented cycling event featuring several rides of varying distances (ten to 100 miles). The event is sponsored by the Reno Sunrise Rotary Club to benefit numerous northern Nevada nonprofit organizations and groups.

Choose from three fully supported courses. Families with young children and cyclists seeking a taste of an organized ride will enjoy the leisurely 10-mile route through picturesque Washoe Valley. Those interested in a longer, more challenging ride will like the 50-mile course that features scenic country roads through rustic towns. Serious roadies ready for a solid challenge will be thrilled with the 100-mile ride, which features a lungsearing, thigh-burning climb up Kingsbury Grade from Carson Valley to Lake Tahoe. Ride stops include historic Carson City, Genoa and Gardnerville.

Participants will savor mouthwatering local food and drink. Local farmers, ranchers, vintners, brewers, bakers and other food artisans contribute to the event.

Summer is a great time to enjoy the outdoors and celebrate the unique power of the bicycle and the many reasons we ride. No matter what type of cycling you enjoy, there’s something for everyone at this event.

Learn more at ediblepedal100.org.

CALIFORNIA COAST CLASSIC

OATBRAN “ONE AWESOME TOUR BIKE RIDE ACROSS NEVADA”

September 8, Lake Tahoe

TA-HOE NALU

August 10-11, Kings Beach

Ta-Hoe Nalu is celebrating its 13th year on the north shore of Lake Tahoe at Kings Beach State Recreation Area. Join the reunion to celebrate with all those who created the great sport of stand up paddleboard (SUP) racing.

Ta-Hoe Nalu offers several high level competitive races for SUP, Prone, and Outrigger, with categories for age/ gender and skill levels.

There will also be two 2-hour guided paddle tours just for the fun of it. These include a picnic lunch and a historical and geological talk about Lake Tahoe.

The Ta-Hoe Nalu festival has become a family vacation destination, offering events for all ages including a sandcastle building contest. Enjoy the food and beverage court along with live music from 2 to 5pm each day.

Free demos, raffles, and prizes will add to the fun.

Come and enjoy the party at the oldest and longest running SUP race event in the world.

Learn more at tahoenalu.com.

BANFF CENTRE MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL WORLD TOUR - RADICAL REELS & ADVENTURE NIGHT September 20, Santa Cruz

Ignite your passion for adventure, action, and travel.

Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour will exhilarate you with amazing big-screen stories when it comes to the Rio Theatre in Santa Cruz. Journey to exotic locations, paddle the wildest waters, and climb the highest peaks.

The 2018/2019 World Tour brings films from the 43rd annual Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival to about 550 communities around the globe. From an exploration of remote landscapes and adrenaline-fueled action sports, films in this year’s World Tour are sure to captivate and amaze the explorer within you.

This year’s line-up boasts an incredible selection of cycling, climbing, skiing, running and horse racing films.

Before purchasing tickets be sure to check out the film ratings if this is a concern for younger audience members.

Learn more at riotheatre.com.

28 ASJ — Aug/Sept 2019

September 21-28, San Francisco to Los Angeles

The California Coast Classic (CCC) is an eight-day, 525mile, self-paced pedaling adventure from San Francisco to Los Angeles that is open to cyclists of all levels. It follows a coastal route along, and parallel to, California’s iconic Highway 1, and is capped at 250 riders.

2019 marks the 19th year of this boutique, bucket list ride, which is named by Outside magazine as one of “The 30 Best Road Biking Trips.” While it attracts many repeat riders, it also maintains a friendly and welcoming vibe and is open to riders from novice to experienced.

Participants ride along coastal roads among waves, woods, and wineries, and camp or hotel in areas not open to larger groups. The ride covers over 500 miles during the best time of year in California, late September.

Arthritis is America’s number one cause of disability.

Join the “Ride of a Lifetime” and make a difference by supporting the mission of the Arthritis Foundation to pursue a cure and provide life-changing resources, science, advocacy and community connections.

Use code ADVENTURE to save $25 on registration.

Learn more at arthritis.org/californiacoastclassic.

September 15, Reno NV

September 22-28, Reno to Stateline NV

A lone rider stares out at the horizon and contemplates the route ahead. It will be a long day of climbing and descending summits, challenging the elements, and facing the solitude of the wide-open spaces. He takes a long drink of water as a welcomed breeze greets the beads of sweat on his brow and the fragrant smell of sage and juniper fills the air. As far as he can see, he is surrounded by the awesome beauty of the Great Basin … massive mountain ranges that rise from wide valley floors. It is this panorama that reminds him of what it was that brought him west in the first place. As he rides out, he thinks of the hearty meal, cold drinks, and rider camaraderie that cap off each day.

This annual epic cycling journey — dubbed “America’s Loneliest Bike Tour” — across the Silver State is a personalized vacation tour offered to cycling enthusiasts from all over the world. Produced by TGFT Productions and Bike The West, this ride promises to be one of the best fully-supported multi-day tours you will ever experience.

Learn more at bikethewest.com.

PROMOTE YOUR EVENT

YOSEMITE FACELIFT

Photo: Dakota Snider

September 24-30, Yosemite National Park

Do you have an event you’d like to see featured in this section? Learn about our event promotion packages by emailing us at events@adventuresportsjournal.com.

GRINDURO! CALIFORNIA

Photo: SBTS

September 28, Quincy

For over a decade now, Yosemite Facelift has been making a remarkable difference in the amount of trash left behind in Yosemite Valley after the tourist season.

The event offers a fun, community-building opportunity to give back to the incomparable Yosemite Valley.

Many participants are surprised to learn how fun it is to pick up trash in Yosemite. It’s one thing to visit the Valley and take pictures of the scenery, but joining Facelift’s efforts connects people to the Valley as stewards, not just as tourists.

Come volunteer for an hour or everyday; any amount of time you can spend volunteering is appreciated. In 2018, there were 11,700 volunteer hours logged — this would take one person working full time more than 5.5 years!

Camping spots fill fast; inquire about availability. Keep in mind you aren’t required to camp for the event. Feel free to show up the morning of to pitch in.

Can’t make it to the event? You can help by making a donation, by telling your friends, and by being a good steward cleaning up other areas you love.

Learn more at yosemiteclimbing.org.

In 2015 the Grinduro event concept was brought to life in a joint venture between Giro Sport Design and Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship (SBTS).

Grinduro! California is one of four Grinduro events this year. The Scotland Grinduro took place on July 13, while upcoming events in Canada and Japan will take place August 17 and October 12 respectively.

The unique format of Grinduro combines the best elements of a mountain bike enduro with a gravel grinder-style road race. Festivities include two days of excellent food, a handmade bike show, an art exhibit, live music and camping.

Although race entries for the uber-popular Grinduro!

California are sold out, the festival is open to the public.

Come cheer on the racers and soak up the Grinduro! vibe in the beautiful northwestern Sierra mountains.

Grinduro is supported by Giro Sport Design, Rapha, Maxxis, Fabric, and Cannondale.

Learn more at grinduro.com.

NEVADA COUNTY WOMEN’S MOUNTAIN BIKE SKILLS CLINIC & CAMP

November 2-3, Nevada City

Join Jet Lowe, founder of YBONC (Youth Bicyclists of Nevada County), along with Paige Ramsey and Jeni Bolthauser, creators of Women’s MTB Experience, for the 4th annual Nevada County Women’s Mountain Bike Skills Clinic and Camp. Enduro racers Amy Morrison and Rachel Kirk Kagan are also scheduled to teach.

This two-day event is for women of all ages and skill levels, and teaches the basics through advanced techniques. Building skills and shaking bad habits not only strengthens confidence but makes you a better and safer rider. Skills covered include correct body position, cornering and braking techniques. More advanced skills such as front and rear wheel lifts, bunny hops, drops, high speed cornering and more will also be taught.

Whether you ride for fun, fitness or race your mighty steed, all riders regardless of experience can benefit from a skills clinic. Limited to 50 women. Camping, glamping and gourmet meals available.

Learn more at ybonc.org.

Enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving Dinner anywhere, anytime.

@angulife

Adventure Meals

®

Now Introducing Fusilli Pasta We pity the Fusilli who misses out on this restaurant quality dish!

www.MountainHouse.com

NO

Artficial Flavors Artficial Colors Artficial Preservatives www. advent ur espor t sjour nal. com

29

ADVENTURE EVENTS CALENDAR List your event for FREE! AdventureSportsJournal.com/ add-event Check with race producers to verify fees, times and events.

ADVENTURE RACING SEPTEMBER 14 — Tahoe Big Blue Adventure Race / North Lake Tahoe / Teams and individuals kayak or SUP, MTB, trail run, and navigate to the finishline / BigBlueAdventure.com

BIKING AUGUST 1-4 — Downieville Classic MTB Race and Festival / Downieville / All Mountain World Championships, XC Adventure Race, Downieville Downhill / DownievilleClassic.com 2-4 — A Singletrack Mind / Truckee / 3-day Extended Core Fundamentals / ASingletrackMind.com 11 — A Singletrack Mind / South Lake Tahoe / Technical Terrain / Rocks, Drops, Jumps & Berms / ASingletrackMind.com 17-18 — A Singletrack Mind / Sandy, OR / 2-day Core Fundamentals (wheel lifts and cornering are on day 2) / ASingletrackMind.com

24-25 — Enduro World Series / Northstar, Truckee / CES #4; EWS #7 / The only US host for the 2019 Enduro World Series / Check out the course and ride all season long at Northstar Bike Park / CaliforniaEnduroSeries.com & NorthstarCalifornia.com

15 — A Singletrack Mind / Truckee / Technical Terrain / Rocks, Drops, Jumps & Berms / ASingletrackMind.com

SEPTEMBER

21-28 — Arthritis Foundation’s California Coast Classic Bike Tour / San Francisco to Los Angeles / Ride the iconic Highway 1 fully supported and at your own pace / Events.Arthritis.org

8 — Tour de Tahoe - Bike Big Blue / Lake Tahoe / 72-mile road ride around Lake Tahoe; Boat Cruise/35-mile option available / BikeTheWest.com 8 – Race The Rails / Ely, NV / Train vs Bicycles / MTB and road bikers race against the train on a challenging 10 mile course through the mountains surrounding Ely / ElyNevada.net/RaceThe-Rails 14 — A Singletrack Mind / Truckee / Women’s Core Fundamentals MTB Skills Clinic / ASingletrackMind.com 14 — Fox US Open Enduro / Snow Summit, Big Bear Lake / California Enduro Series #5 / CaliforniaEnduroSeries.com 15 — Edible Pedal 100 / Reno NV / Ride Hard, Eat Well, Give Back / EdiblePedal100.org

21 — Gold Rush Growler MTB Race / Folsom / TotalBodyFitness.com 21 — Stetina’s Sierra Prospect / Mt Rose / SierraProspect.com

22-28 — OATBRAN (One Awesome Tour Bike Ride Across Nevada) / Lake Tahoe to Baker, NV / Epic cycling journey across Nevada / BikeTheWest. com 28 — Grinduro / Quincy / Gravel grinder plus MTB style enduro, 2 day festival / Grinduro.com

OCTOBER 5 — Ashland Mountain Challenge / Ashland, OR / CES Finale / CaliforniaEnduroSeries.com 6 — Great Trail Race / Truckee /Tahoe City / MTB or run / GreatTrailRace.com

OAT BRAN SEPTEMBER 8, 2019 LAKE TAHOE, NEVADA

30 ASJ — Aug/Sept 2019

One Awesome Tour Bike Ride Across Nevada

SEPT. 22 - 28, 2019

For a complete list of events please visit AdventureSportsJournal.com .

12 — Usal Hopper / Humboldt & Mendocino Counties / 60, 43, & 32mi options, mixed terrain; camping included / GrasshopperAdventureSeries.com

MISC

13 — TBF MTB 50-Miler / Granite Bay, Folsom SRA / TotalBodyFitness.com

SEPTEMBER

19 — Solvang Autumn Double Century & Solvang’s Finest Century / Solvang / PlanetUltra.com

6 — Presentation and book signing with The Sharp End of Life author Dierdre Wolownick / Mariposa Museum & Visitors Center / 5119 Jessie St., Mariposa CA / 6pm / sharpendoflife.com

23 — Death Valley Century / Death Valley National Park / PlanetUltra.com 26 — Filthy 50+ / Escondido / Fast, flowy 30mi & 50mi courses. Kids’ course, raffle, awards & more / QuicknDirtyMTB.com

NOVEMBER 2-3 — Nevada County Women’s Mountain Bike Skills Clinic & Camp / Nevada City / YBONC.org

Your next Big Blue Adventures: & 10 miler

TA H O E

LAKE TAHOE

9

7 — International Ocean Film Tour / Santa Cruz / Presented by Patagonia Santa Cruz - the ultimate film event for all who love the sea / RioTheatre.com 15 — Interview with The Sharp End of Life author Dierdre Wolownick / KDRT Radio (Davis CA) / 1pm / sharpendoflife. com

DECEMBER

20 — Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour - Radical Reels and Adventure Night / Santa Cruz / Ignite your passion for adventure, action, and travel / RioTheatre.com

8 — Dirty 30 / Poway / Fun and challenging 30(ish)mi XC race in Sycamore Canyon / QuicknDirtyMTB. com

24 – 29 — Yosemite Facelift / Yosemite / The largest organized volunteer cleanup of any national park / yosemiteclimbing. org/facelift-2019-1

T R I AT H L O N

Marlette 50K &10 Miler Aug 11 XTERRA Lake Tahoe Aug 17 Lake Tahoe Triathlon Aug 24-25 Great Trail Race October 6

BigBlueAdventure.com

!

T I H CRUS

19 0 2 , 2 .

V O Y, N A D R U .

T A S in the U.S e terrains

NOVEMBER 10, 2019

HALF MARATHON• 5K • BEER GARDEN • AWARDS

ique rac . e most un h t f o out again e k n c a o b e c b n m ie li  Exper ry and c rock quar a o t in p e r (10k)  Run de le Crushe b u o ation D & ) r (5k off registr e h % s 0 u 2 r r C fo  out NTURE ode ADVE C t n u o c Use Dis

at check

n at istratio m g e R d n a un.co Details usherR

Cr Quarry

Visit our website for reduced hotel rates offered by our Marriott Hotel partners.

REGISTER TODAY at montereybayhalfmarathon.org

Benefiting

www. advent ur espor t sjour nal. com

31

ADVENTURE EVENTS CALENDAR MISC, cont.

PADDLING

OCTOBER

RUNNING AUGUST

Kayak and SUP Rentals, Sales, Lessons & Tours / Santa Cruz & Elkhorn Slough 7 — Presentation and book signing with / Two locations / Convenient launch sites 3 — Twilight Trail Adventure / Auburn The Sharp End of Life author Dierdre at both locations / See ad on page 17 / / 5K & 10K options / NorCalUltras.com Wolownick / Point West Rotary / 53333 kayakconnection.com Marconi Ave., Sacramento CA / 7am / Naturalist Lead Kayak Tours / 4 — Truckee Half Marathon / Truckee / sharpendoflife.com Monterey and Beyond / Bioluminescence Half, 5K & Kids’ Distances / A loop course that starts and finishes in downtown 15 — Presentation and book signing with and full moon trips / Whales and wildlife Truckee / TruckeeMarathon.com The Sharp End of Life author Dierdre / bluewaterventures.org Wolownick / Sacramento Rotary / 1451 11 — Marlette 50K and 10 Miler River Park Dr., Sacramento CA / 12pm / (50K RRCA Western Region sharpendoflife.com Championship, 10 Miler RRCA NV 10-11 — Ta-Hoe Nalu Paddle Festival State Championship) / Lake Tahoe’s 26 - 27 — SLO ULTRA / San Luis / Kings Beach State Park, Lake Tahoe East Shore / Choose the 50K or 10 Obispo / Two-day outdoor adventure / World’s original SUP race, all ages Miler, both feature amazing Tahoe trails & festival / Obstacle and crossfit-style and skill levels, clinics and demos / and scenery / TahoeTrailRunning.com competition / SLOultra.com TahoeNalu.com 17 — XTERRA Trail Run 5K & 10K (10K RRCA NV State Championship) / Incline Village, NV / TahoeTrailRunning. com 9 — Mountainfilm on Tour / Santa Cruz 15 — Tahoe Cup Lake Crossing / Featuring the best short films from the / El Dorado Beach, South Lake 25 — Good Dog - Dirty Dog 5K/10K annual Mountainfilm festival in Telluride, Tahoe / 22 Mile Tahoe Crossing / / Granite Beach, Folsom SRA / Colorado / RioTheatre.com Tahoepaddleracing.com TotalBodyFitness.com

AUGUST

NOVEMBER

SEPTEMBER

Roadshow Tour Come by and see the latest news from our sponsors & enter to win great prizes.

Aug 1 - 4 Downieville Classic Downieville, CA

Aug 10 - 11 Ta-hoe Nalue Kings Beach, CA

Sept 20 Radical Reels Santa Cruz, CA

Sept 24 - 30 Yosemite FaceLift Yosemite, CA

Sept 28 • Grinduro • Quincy, CA

32 ASJ — Aug/Sept 2019

SEPTEMBER TBD — Truckee Marathon / Truckee / Plus Half Marathon, 50K, & 10K / TruckeeMarathon.com 8 — Delta Harvest Run / Brentwood / OnYourMarkEvents.com 8 — XTERRA Laguna Beach Trail Run & Triathlon / Crystal Cove State Park / TrailRace.com 14 — Headlands Hundred / Sausalito / 100mi, 75mi, Triple Marathon, 50mi, Marathon / PacificCoastTrailRuns.com 15 — Emerald Bay Trail Run / Lake Tahoe West Shore / TahoeTrailRunning. com 21 — Gold Rush Growler 10 Mile & 5K Trail Runs / Granite Beach / TotalBodyFitness.com 21 — Lederhosen 5K / Olympic Valley / TahoeTrailRunning.com 28 — Big Sur Trail Marathon, Half Marathon & 5 Mile / Big Sur / EnviroSports.com

MARKETPLACE

For a complete list of events please visit AdventureSportsJournal.com Check with race producers to verify fees, times and events.

OCTOBER

TRIATHLON

5-6 — Skyline to the Sea Marathon, Half Marathon, & 50K / Saratoga / PacificCoastTrailRuns.com

AUGUST

12 — Ruth Anderson Memorial Endurance Run / Lake Merced, San Francisco / UltraSignUp.com 26 - 27 — SLO ULTRA / San Luis Obispo / Two-day outdoor adventure & festival /Five distances to choose from / SLOultra.com

2 — Quarry Crusher Run / Chula Vista / Unique race with varied terrain through an active quarry / quarrycrusherrun. com/san-diego 10 — Monterey Bay Half Marathon / Monterey / Out and back along Cannery Row and Pacific Grove / MontereyBayHalfMarathon.com

DECEMBER 7 — Death Valley Trail Marathon & Half Marathonn / Death Valley / EnviroSports.com

10 & 11 — TRI for FUN / KIDS / REAL Triathlon #3 / Granite Beach, Folsom SRA / TotalBodyFitness.com 17 — XTERRA Lake Tahoe / Incline Village, NV / The all time classic XTERRA that features some of the best trails in Tahoe / BigBlueAdventure.com 24 — 22nd Annual Granite Bay Triathlon / Granite Beach, Folsom SRA / TotalBodyFitness.com 24-25 — Lake Tahoe Triathlon / Tahoma / Spint, Olympic, 70.3, Duathlon and Aquabike / LakeTahoeTri.com

SEPTEMBER 6-8 — Graniteman Challenge / June Lake, Mammoth Lakes, Lee Vining/ Yosemite / 3 Days of Multi-Sport: Friday Swim • Saturday Bike • Sunday Run / HighSierraAthletics.com/graniteman

SWIMMING

7 — Women’s Triathlon Festival / Granite Beach, Folsom SRA / TotalBodyFitness. com

AUGUST

8 — Xterra / Long Beach / Long & sprint courses, relays, open water swim, aquathlon, 13K & 6K trail runs / XterraLagunaBeach.com

18 — Lake Tahoe Sharkfest Swim / Incline Village, NV / SharkFestSwim. com 22 — Golden Gate Bridge Swim / San Francisco / WaterWorldSwim.com 24 — Alcatraz Swim with the Centurions / San Francisco / WaterWorldSwim.com 24 — Lake Tahoe Open Water Swim / Tahoma / TahoeSwimming.com 25 — Golden Gate Sharkfest Swim / Sausalito / SharkFestSwim.com

SEPTEMBER 7 — Alcatraz Invitational / San Francisco / 1.27-mile open water swim from Alcatraz Island to Aquatic Park Beach, presented by South End Rowing Club / SERC.com/Alcatraz-Invitational

28 — Pacific Coast Triathlon/ Duathlon / Crystal Cove State Beach / OCTriSeries.com 29 — Golden State Triathlon & Super Sprint Triathlon / Granite Beach, Folsom SRA / TotalBodyFitness.com

View & list events for free on our website Adventure SportsJournal. com

KAYAKING OUTFITTERS

Naturalist-Led Kayaking Trips BlueWaterVentures.org 831•459•8548

aska Bike Al

dv

A

NOVEMBER

10 — 39th Annual Alcatraz XXXIX “Escape from the Rock” Duathlon / San Francisco / Swim from Alcatraz with a seven mile run to Fort Point and back to Aquatic Park. / Register today / EnviroSports.com

e

s

6 — Great Trail Race / Truckee / Tahoe City / Mountain bike or run / GreatTrailRace.com

BIKE GUIDES, SCHOOLS, SHOPS & OUTFITTERS

entur

ALASKA IS JUST A FLIGHT AWAY. MOUNTAIN BIKE WITH US!

SINGLETRACK HALF & FULL DAY GUIDED RIDES

Kayak Tahoe (see pg 13) Emerald Bay • (530) 544-2011 kayaktahoe.com Liquid Fusion Kayaking Mendocino • (707) 962-1623 liquidfusionkayak.com

OVERNIGHT BIKEPACKING GUIDED TRIPS FULL SUSPENSION BIKE, HELMET, SNACKS, PLANNED ROUTE & EXPERIENCED GUIDES

Kayak Connection (see pg 5) Santa Cruz • (831) 479-1121 Elkhorn Slough • (831) 724-5692 kayakconnection.com

MISCELLANEOUS

ALASKABIKEADVENTURES.COM INFO@ALASKABIKEADVENTURES.COM (907) 903-9596

Ride With Us. Ride Better.

Massage Face.

Because You’re Worth It MTB Skills Coaching • Groups • Private • Teams Certified BICP 3, NICA, NASM, Betterride, USA Cycling, & WFR 4,500+ pro hrs of coaching

Book Today.

122wst.com 831.247.1253

RAFTING OUTFITTERS asingletrackmind.com • (209) 662-5392

Bicycle Trip Santa Cruz • (831) 427-2580 bicycletripsantacruz.com Capitola • (831) 226-5050 bicycletripcapitola.com

OARS (see pg. 9) California & Beyond • (800) 328-0290 kayaktahoe.com Raft California (see pg. 23) California Rivers • (530) 626-7385 raftcalifornia.com Sierra Mac Tuolumne & Merced • (209) 591-8027 sierramac.com

www. advent ur espor t sjour nal. com

33

ZPACK FRONT UTILITY PACK ACCESSORY

The Zpack Front Utility Pack Accessory, aka FUPA, is one of those backpack accessories that enhances your adventure with added convenience but virtually no added weight (2.8 ounces with the optional webbing belt).

Backpack hip belt pockets can be somewhat challenging to access on the move, but this little front pack makes it a breeze to grab essentials such as your phone/camera, snack, bug net, and/or beanie. With the included adjustable webbing belt, this roomy 1.7 liter-capacity pack turns into a stand-alone fanny pack while you bag a peak or enjoy a zero day in town. An interior mesh pocket is ideal for storing your ID, cash, cards and/or keys, and an exterior rear pocket makes it especially easy to access your map. A padded back adds superior comfort, while its waterproof zipper and water resistant seams keep most water out when you’re caught in the rain. Made in the US. MSRP: $65 • zpacks.com

Gear We Love Goodies for your active lifestyle ENO LOUNGER DL CHAIR

We are crazy about ENO’s new Lounger DL chair and have them on the road with us for the ASJ Roadshow. When you sit in this chair, you can rock back and forth which gives the feeling of being in a hammock — no trees needed!

The Lounger DL’s effortless shock-corded assembly makes this lightweight chair ideal to take along to your favorite festival or sporting event, and is also perfect of course to set up around the campfire.

This nap-worthy chair comes with adjustable leg heights, a cup holder, two cargo pockets, and an integrated pillow. Holds up to 250lbs and is made out of 210D Ripstop Nylon / 6061 Anodized Aluminum.

MSRP: $124.95 •eaglesnestoutfittersinc.com

GRANGERS ACTIVEWEAR CARE KIT The Grangers Activewear Care Kit is a godsend when it comes to dealing with all the smelly clothing and gear that seem to go hand in hand with an adventurous lifestyle.

The kit includes Active Wash for apparel and Odour Eliminator for unwashable items. Active Wash removes dirt and lingering odors from your base layer items, and it also improves wicking properties and reduces drying times. Odour Eliminator keeps items such as boots, gloves and helmets fresh. The kit also includes a handy, hardy mesh bag which is great for storing gear and also perfect for delicates in the washing machine.

MSRP: $20.00 • grangers.co.uk

THERM-A-REST NEOAIR UBERLITE MATTRESS

THERM-A-REST VESPER 20F/-6C QUILT

At a mere 19 ounces, this sleeping quilt is a backpacker’s dream, and its incredible packability makes for a much less bulky pack. The quilt is designed with thermallyefficient box baffled construction which maximizes warmth and comfort. Only the best quality materials are used, including 900-fill Nikwax Hydrophobic Down. This down fill stays drier and maintains loft 60 times longer than untreated down, and the down itself is “Responsible Down Standard Certified,” ensuring humane treatment of the waterfowl in the supply chain. Removable SynergyLink Connectors allow for the the bag to be integrated with a mattress for optimal efficiency and comfort. We love how you can kick a leg out on warmer nights, yet you can snug yourself up when it’s colder.

MSRP: $369.95-$389.95 • thermarest.com 34 ASJ — Aug/Sept 2019

The UberLite is a big hit with adventure-seekers from alpinists to thru-hikers due to its ultralight weight (just 8.8 ounces!), superior packability, and remarkable 2.5 inches of NeoAir comfort.

This insulated air mattress is currently the lightest of its kind, and Therm-A-Rest’s proprietary construction ensures the warmth needed in the backcountry. With an R-value of 2.0, it boasts more insulation than any other sub 10-ounce mattress.

The materials used are chosen for durability in the backcountry, as well. The mattress compresses compactly enough to fit into your pocket with the included stuff sack. Repair kit also included.

MSRP: $139.95-$209.95 • thermarest.com

URSACK ALLMITEY BEAR BAG The Ursack AllMitey bear bag is a game-changer for backpackers. This food storage bag is made of material that is not only tear-resistant, but virtually puncture-proof as well. Used properly, the bag thwarts all creatures great (bears!) and small (mice, raccoons, squirrels, etc.) from ripping into your food supply, and the best part about it is that you don’t have to deal with the hassle of hanging it high in a tree.

The bag does come with an integrated six-foot, high tensile strength cord which both secures the opening and allows for tying to a stationary object so it doesn’t get carried off. A hook and loop fastener within the bag offers an additional element of protection.

Ursack recommends using its Odor Barrier Bag to keep the forest’s curious inhabitants from nosing around it. The company also offers an aluminum liner for crush-resistance, but be aware that if you use this, you won’t be able to utilize the hook and loop fastener closure, resulting in less protection.

Backpackers who normally use a hard-sided bear canister will be glad to ditch the added weight. Although the AllMitey’s particularly heavy-duty fabric construction causes it to weigh more than Ursack’s other food bags (Major and Major XL for bears only and Minor for sharp toothed smaller animals), at 13 ounces, it still comes in significantly lighter than any hard-sided canister. It holds 650 cubic inches (10.65 liters) of food, which boils down to about 35 single serving dehydrated meals.

Ursack is optimistic that the AllMitey will be approved for use in areas that currently require hard canisters, but until then, be sure to check on current requirements wherever you adventure.

MSRP: $134.95 • ursack.com

COMBAT FLIP FLOPS WOMEN’S RISE & SHINE The Rise & Shine women’s flip flop from Combat Flip Flops is the perfect post-hike, post-climb, post-paddling, post-whatever-adventure-you-were-slaying footwear. A natural rubber outsole offers durability and traction rarely found in a flip flop, while its midsole offers cushioning that doesn’t pack down after a few uses. A terry knit deck makes your foot feel like it’s slipping into a spa robe, instantly relaxing you after a long day of activity. Finally, the microfiber upper is backed with cushioning that provides a smooth grip and the ideal amount of stretch.

Combat Flip Flops was founded by special operations veterans whose motto now is “Business, Not Bullets.” Its mission is “to create peaceful, forward-thinking opportunities for self-determined entrepreneurs affected by conflict.” Purchasing Combat Flip Flops products supports entrepreneurs in conflict areas, helps to strengthen communities, and funds women’s education in those conflict zones. Each pair of Rise & Shine flip flops sold funds a day of education for a young Afghan girl with Aid Afghanistan for Education.

MSRP: $39.99 • combatfipflops.com

GEAR CHECK | TRAIL RUNNING HYDRATION

Cool Runnings Wait a six-minute mile...you’re not still trail

IT 500 ml flexible bottle—which keeps liquids

running with bike water bottles bound to your

cool by preventing heat transfer from body

hands are you? If so, the pack has left you far

to bottle. But the feelgood trail story of the

behind when it comes to hydration. Leading

year is their coast-to-coast collaboration with

the charge is HydraPak, who have taken hard

The North Face Endurance Challenge Series

bottles out of the mix with flexible TPU flasks

on utilizing the 200 ml, reusable SpeedCup to

that are durable and lightweight—the exact

eliminate paper cup waste at aid stations and

same tech Nathan and market-leader Salomon

save some trees in the process.

integrate into their high-mileage running vests. This season’s innovation leap comes from IsoBound™ technology—available in the Velocity IT 1.5 L reservoir and the UltraFlask

Salomon S/Lab Sense Ultra 5 Set with 2 SoftFlask Speed 500 ml

GU Energy Flask 150 ml

SpeedCup 200 ml

SoftFlask 500 ml

UltraFlask IT 500 ml

Velocity IT 1.5 L

From Your Daily Driver to

Off-Road Conqueror Park in your driveway, carport, or side yard.

With the roof down our pop-up truck camper is so stealth it looks cool and fits most anywhere. Heck, the neighbors are more likely to be jealous than to object.

Cruising down the highway or rambling off the grid is such a breeze, you’ll forget your camper is along for the ride. It’s low profile, low weight, and mega durable. After 47 years, five continents, and thousands of harsh customer adventures our campers

have earned their off-road cred.

When you reach your destination, you’ll have the top popped up in less than two minutes, creating a large space with a minimum height of 6’ 4”. Add solar, racks for bikes and paddle sports, queen or king size bed, refrigerator, furnace, sink, toilet, stove, and much more.

We invite you to talk to us about trucks, campers, and adventures.

Visit our new website with 3D video tours

www.fourwheelcampers.com