Adventure Sports Journal // June/July 2018 // #103 by Adventure Sports Journal

E-BIKES AT MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN / GEAR WE LOVE / EVENT PROFILES / CALENDAR

June/July 2018 â&#x20AC;¢ ISSUE #103

Artist Mind

surf photographer trent stevens

9 TIPS FOR CLIMBING WITH KIDS

HIKING THE PCT WITH A CAT THE MATURING VOICE OF MOUNTAIN BIKING mbosc expands access

PROTECT AMERICAN RIVER CANYONS PREVENT KAYAKING INJURIES

HYDRATION, TRANSFORMED

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A L C P E S I H H O T M F E O ! H C N I Y R W H O E E S V C E O A L L H T R O

THE AWARD WINNING

BALTORO & DEVA LIFE-CHANGING COMFORT & ENDLESS OPPORTUNITY

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Table of Contents Photo: Phil Boyer

Photo: Bruce Willey

departments

7 8 10 22 30 32 38

features

Editor’s NotE

Is Facebook ruining my life?

iNbox

ASJ readers chime in

Ear to thE GrouNd News & notes

EPiC

Protect American River Canyons

EvENt ProfilEs

Featured upcoming events

12 14 16 18

Photo: Dusty Bermshot

Photo: Taylor St. John

E-bikEs oN thE biG MouNtaiN

Mammoth Mountain welcomes electric mountain bikes on trails

thE MaturiNG voiCE of Mtb

Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz

tiNy liviNG

Downsizing to live large

kiNdEr klEttEr

20 24 26

fEliNE hikiNG advENturE

Taking on the PCT with a cat

PayiNG to Play

Preventing kayak injuries

artist MiNd

Photographer Trent Stevens

Photo: Will Toft

Cover Vince Felix walks on water at First Point Malibu (Trent Stevens).

Nine tips for climbing with kids

CalENdar

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GEar WE lovE

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.

Directory of upcoming events Goodies for an active lifestyle

festival ready FIND ALL YOUR WENZEL FESTIVAL A N D C A M P I N G I T E M S AT:

wenzelco.com

www. advent ur espor t sjour nal. com

asj contributors what was your most memorable water adventure? PUBLISHING + EDITORIAL PUBLISHER Cathy Claesson cathy@adventuresportsjournal.com

leoniesherman

A disastrous sailing trip down the Big Sur coast involving a midnight rescue by the Morro Bay Coast Guard. Their captain puked 30 times during the six hour ordeal. Why do we feel most alive when we’re closest to dying?!

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Matt Niswonger matt@adventuresportsjournal.com MANAGING EDITOR Michele Charboneau michele@adventuresportsjournal.com

kurtgensheimer

The most recent and very memorable was whitewater rafting the North Yuba River between Goodyear’s Bar and Rocky Rest Campground last July. Maytag Rapid was awesome!

COPY EDITOR Jennifer Stein jen@adventuresportsjournal.com CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Leonie Sherman, Chris Van Leuven, Kurt Gensheimer, Haven Livingston, Bruce Willey, Michele Charboneau, Caroline Tillman CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Bruce Willey, Trent Stevens, Peter Morning, Haven Livingston, Phil Boyer, Brian Ginsberg, Will Toft, Lefrak Photography, Brian Leddy, Cathy Claesson, West World Images, Dexter Farm, John Peltier, Suzanne Steiner, Called To Creation, Satchel Cronk, Dusty Bermshot, Bruce Dorman, Emma Ussat, Bogdan Marion, Taylor St. John, Gary Hughes, Ryan Harrah

DON’T MISS AN ISSUE !

Subscribe to Adventure Sports Journal Whole Food Energy Bars I Big Wave Surfer Bianca Valenti I Event Profiles

Van Living I Laurel Mountain I Specialized Electric MTB I Event Profiles

Feb/March 2016

Aug/Sept 2016

Issue #89

from Sea Otter to 2018

Doug Robinson

a history of buttermilk bouldering

Carson City Singletrack

cross country skiing

the spinnaker cup

Clair Marie on bold living

classic vs. skate

preserving mono lake Krakauer’s Missoula

WINTER KAYAKING

pedaling the wild

gravel grinders

Mono Hot Springs I SUP Events I MTB Triple Crowns I Event Profiles

Issue #96

KEEPER CALENDAR

taking it to new terrain

snow biking

April/May 2017

Issue #92

Winter GeTS Real

Eastside Spring Skiing I Snowmaggedon I Runner’s High I Event Profiles

BASE Girl

bikes in the wilderness

vegan

Little Big

athletes

empowering women through bike skills

high school mtb tom frost remembers the golden age

the wildlands conservancy

Coastal Watershed Council I Warren Miller I Switchback I Event Profiles

kayaking big water

Endurance Race Training I Roy Tuscany I Event Profiles I Calendar

Oct/Nov 2016

June/July 2016

April/May 2017

Issue #93

Issue #91

Issue #96

chasing the shot fred pompermayer

rafting adventures festival guide

skyler

CANYONEERING

the surf dog

clean oceans international kayaking the rivers k kings, kaweah & kern

adventure in the lost sierra

women of the wild

PCT California

a life changing odyssey

BRAVE NEW WILD

bill lee & the merlin surf filmmaker kyle buthman

reel rock film tour

a n ew film a b o u t cl i m b e r s

the road to devils postpile

the lost sierra triple crown

& interview with Peter Mortimer

highlining

off season mtb

One Year Subsription $20 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

6 ASJ — June/July 2018

Sailing across the Indian Ocean! Living on the water, swimming in it constantly and eating from the sea took me to a new level of intimacy with mother ocean. It also showed me the damage we are doing to it.

chrisvanleuven When I was a boy, spinnaker flying in the San Joaquin Delta with the Cheoy Lee Cruising Club. A strong wind in the sail would carry me way up, and then I would fly down at top speed.

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

taking it to new terrain

ROLEX big boat series

havenlivingston

ADVENTURE SPORTS JOURNAL PO BOX 35, Santa Cruz, CA 95063 Phone 831.457.9453 asjstaff@adventuresportsjournal.com PROUD MEMBER

brucewilley

Water tasting while high as a kite in the Sierra, starting with a snow bank all the way down to the tap water in Bishop. We used terms normally reserved for wine (minerality, spice, fruit, fresh, open, muted aromas). We didn’t spit it out.

michelecharboneau

I’ll cherish the memories of kayaking with my dog Seabee, who sadly passed away recently. He was my constant companion and my best buddy. I’ll sure miss our adventures!

carolinetillman I spent three years of my adolescence sailing around the world with my family. Highlights of the trip were the South Pacific and Madagascar.

trentstevens

Spending three months as a photo/surf guide for Surf Tours Nicaragua doing my craft while enjoying perfect offshore barrels and cold beers.

Editor’s Note

Digital Apocalypse

Not all rabbit holes lead to Wonderland

early 9 in 10 teens are online either “almost constantly” or “several times a day,” according to a new report from Pew Research Center. Half of all teens say they feel addicted to their mobile devices. That’s right, 50 percent of teens actually admitted that they feel addicted in this major study that was just released. Not only do teens feel they can’t put their devices down, but their parents know it (59 percent) and many parents themselves can’t put their own devices down (27 percent), according to a Washington Post article published on May 31, 2018. “Generation Z” describes anyone born between 2000 and 2010. On behalf of Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, and the rest of the smartphone/social media pioneers from my generation who figured out how to highjack your brains, I would like to apologize to Generation Z. We built something more addictive than cocaine and put it in your hands. Now that the genie is out of the bottle people like Zuckerberg are grinning sheepishly and apologizing for their own success as billions of dollars flow into their bank accounts. This hits close to home because all three of my kids are on their phones constantly. I’m not exactly sure how concerned I should be, but any parent is worried when a child’s behavior changes so drastically. I have been warning them that big changes are coming, and new family policies are going to be

enforced using draconian methods, but they just groan and go back to YouTube and Snapchat. Outside of my own family, this same drastic behavioral change is happening everywhere. Everywhere I go, I see adults looking at little screens. You’d have to be blind not to see that we are in the middle of a vast, rapid change in social behavior. This behavior change also hits close to home, in a different way. Adventure Sports Journal is a free printed magazine that has been distributed for about 18 years now. Starting in 2010, we also duplicated our entire product online. With a tiny staff of hard working, underpaid people — which includes my wife Cathy who virtually runs everything, lays out the entire printed magazine, and sells most of the advertising — we basically publish every article three times: once in print, once on our website, and once on social media. We also go to outdoor festivals, races and tradeshows on the weekends. As a “mom and pop” business Cathy works more than full time on ASJ, and I also work a blue collar job on the side, which ranges from part time to full time, depending on the season. Needless to say, we are maxed out and probably close to burned out. We started ASJ to chronicle our lifestyle of outdoor adventure, but these days we are lucky to squeeze in a few bike rides a week, a trip to the climbing gym, a short surf session, or maybe just a spin class. I mention these personal struggles

sleep like you sleep at home - only better

back of a truck. friends floor. backcountry paradise. Lucky sunrise in Grand Junction, Colorado - Braden Gunem

because in both my parenting challenge of dealing with teens who are always online, and professionally where the workload is just simply not sustainable anymore, the bottleneck is the internet. Frankly, as a parent and as a publisher, the internet has not made my life any easier. Just the opposite, sometimes it feels as if the internet is ruining my life. Professionally I feel like a seventh grader who tries too hard to make friends. We work our asses off to put out this wonderful free magazine that inspires people to adopt a healthy lifestyle of outdoor adventure. We know we have a large following in print, because we get lots of emails, affirmation through our journalists and props from readers we see at events. Still, somehow this is not good enough. After producing an entire print magazine, we now must go hustle the same articles online, and promote ourselves twice as hard to get likes, comments and shares on social media. Again, it’s my same experience of seventh grade, where I spread myself too thin and chased “the popular crowd” when I should have just appreciated the handful of close friends I’d known for years. If you are reading this article in print, we appreciate that. You picked up ASJ in a coffee shop, or a climbing gym, or brought a copy home after shopping at REI. To me it’s a no brainer that you would enjoy these articles in a large printed format on paper instead of on a tiny smart phone screen, but apparently most “media experts” don’t see it that way. According to them, print media is going the way of the horse and buggy, and ten hours a day spent on a little screen is the new normal. We are lucky to have a core group of steady advertisers in our print magazine, but getting

new advertising customers is getting harder and harder. Potential advertisers have told me, “I know ASJ has a large following, but my hands are tied. The new corporate marketing manager says our entire ad budget is digital now …” In other words he wants their company represented in a series of tiny display ads that annoyingly pop up on your phone, and are highly “targeted” because your personal data profile has been bought and sold a thousand times without your knowledge or consent. Genius! That marketing manager must have gotten his degree at an online college. I could go on and on but here is the deal: If you like getting inspired to pursue a lifestyle of outdoor adventure in the old school printed magazine format, I need to hear from you. If you think print magazines are not going away because they offer a richer, more serene experience than clicking through articles online, then please let me know. We will share these emails with our readers in future issues. If on the other hand, you think print media truly is obsolete and you won’t miss it, I’d like to hear that argument too. If that’s the case, I’d rather quit now than die a long slow death. In the meantime, I am done trying so hard to gain digital followers. Honestly I am so over the internet I could just puke. In fact, if I read one more “Top Five Celebrity Diets” list I’m going to throw my phone in the ocean. Screw you Mark Zuckerberg and Steve Jobs! You made my life worse, not better. Comments? Send me an email (matt@ adventuresportsjournal.com) and we will print as many as possible in our “Inbox” section of ... you guessed it ... our print version!

—Matt Niswonger

The Doublewide Sentinel 30° sleeping bag, 3 lbs. 9 oz. bigagnes.com The Mother of Comfort

Campfire memories from Sea Otter, 2017. ASJ editor, Matt ur Niswonger on thenal. plasitc horn. 7 www. advent espor t sjour com

Letters to the Editor

INBOX

In response to Editor’s Note #102 The Fred Beckey Effect: Dirtbags will rule the future KEEP THE DIRTBAG DREAMS ALIVE! Hey Matt, I really loved the editor’s note “Dirtbags will rule the future.” As a student at a large public university I see that the pressure to perform well is constant and often has huge consequences for students ranging from anxiety, depression, sleep deprivation, and suicide. As university students, we are sold the idea that if we work hard we will be rewarded with the possibility of a better life. I can tell you that my student peers and I do not think that a better life should include a race to the bottom. We feel the progressive unraveling of all things that are meaningful to us. Screen free time seems to be a thing of the past and everywhere we go there is some propaganda telling us that this is the only way. I do feel a shift happening. On campus and in closed circles I am increasingly hearing the whisper “no more” and I hope it continues. For me I will be pursuing adventure through every avenue possible weather on rock, river, or snow. The best addition to that is to share it with as many people as possible. Keep the dirtbag dreams alive! — Kelly Habibi, Davis Editor’s Note: It’s great to hear some millenials are saying “no more,” embracing the adventure lifestyle and being screen-free. I hope the same will be true of my kids and their friends. It will make for a better quality of life.

NO ESCAPE Matt, I too believe 2018 will be the year of breakthrough. My name is Brian King and I am a nature/adventure junky, father, and educator, amongst the other 1,000 things that describe me. I have been a teacher for 13 years, ten of those in Santa Cruz, and the first three in Colorado. After years of teaching PE and health, then moving into the classroom for the last ten, I realized that I had regressed to who I was as a student many many years ago. I, like my students, found myself staring outside during class time thinking about what the surf was like or how tacky the dirt was on my favorite single track in town. I would talk with my students about this feeling and they would agree that yes, “we can’t wait to get out of class” but they wanted to hangout, vape, play video games and post on social media. I decided that these kids don’t know adventure and if they did, they would be charging and thinking more globally about conservation and healthy lifestyle. So I left the classroom and started MTNS2SEA — an outdoor adventure learning program for underserved youth. We contract with schools to take students adventuring and participate in stewardship projects for one day a week for the entire school year. Just like you I want to adventure everyday of my life. As a teacher, I want to continue to mold the minds of our youth, but in the best setting I know possible, — the outdoors! I too witnessed Fred’s commitment to adventure and it was more of a confirmation to my transition rather than a catalyst that you experienced. Matt, I salute your commitment to adventure and mountain biking. I too feel the need to adventure daily and wanted you to know that we are out there, everyday, a tribe of good people who are figuring out how to get wind in our faces daily. Keep charging and hope to cross paths in the great outdoors. Thanks for the Editor’s Note, I know I’m not alone! “If they don’t experience and play in nature, they won’t want to take care of it!” —Brian King, Santa Cruz Editor’s Note: Wow, Brian! I am inspired about you taking kids in the outdoors. I worked as a wilderness instructor and later became a teacher. Just like a lot of students, I didn’t like being in the classroom all day and had to find another career. TIED TO IT ALL I love what you’re saying here, all great ideas. And, you’re right, our country is in a breakdown mode right now. We need a breakthrough. I would love to drop everything – my mortgage, my family, my car, my job – and just ride! But, alas, I love my family – love the house I live in, like (not love – that would be too much) my job, and I NEED MONEY! We all do. To be single and able to just drop it all and go – that would be so epic! Unfortunately, I’m tied to all of it! I can’t do that. So – I do the best I can. 20 miles (minimum) on a road bike at lunch (weather permitting). I’m trying to adapt the gravel ride life – got a few rides lined up – but, it’s no “absolute escape.” I guess, you just gotta take it where you can get it. Oh – and I’m in Mobile Device Management. Mobile phones are my life, pretty much – but, I try to turn off and tune out as much as possible – because this “reality show” SUCKS!!! Peace be with you in your travels, and I hope that I’m doing all I can to cause a breakthrough as well! I’ll try to watch Dirtbag. — Jeffrey Gates Editor’s Note: Hi Jeff! Yes, I’m in much of the same boat as you are and use the idea of “Just riding” more as a metaphor for me to get away from the realities of being a father of three.

LET’S CUT THE CRAP While having a hot chai here in Truckee this morning I read with great interest your editorial about the Fred Beckey dirtbag paradigm, and I’m reminded of having met Fred back in the mid-1970s and having a lively chat with him. I was in my late-20s and he was in his early-50s at the time and he seemed old to me, yet here I am now at age 68 and I have had to shift my opinion of what is old. As a former hard-core mountaineer myself who quit climbing in 2000 after an epiphany during a free-solo of Tower Peak’s northeast face, I consider myself very fortunate to have interfaced as a young mountaineer with some of the legends like Beckey, Royal Robbins, Smoke Blanchard, Norman Clyde, Bob Kamps, and others who are all long gone now. With a compromised lower back and shoulders I am unable to do any high impact activities anymore. I had to quit running, mountain biking, bouldering, and backpacking, so now my main activity is long barefoot day hikes in the mountains around Truckee and Tahoe. Anyway, one fallacy of the dirtbag paradigm as any kind of Earth-saving thing is that all the equipment and clothing adventure sports people use are made either directly from petroleum (synthetics) or require massive investments of fossil fuels in their manufacturing. And then there’s all the fossil fuels used to get to wherever one wants to get to in order to pursue his/her chosen adventure sport. This is the glaring self-centered unconsciousness of those who on the one hand profess to be “green” while never giving a thought to how they are equally culpable in negatively impacting the global environment. Please don’t feel that I’m picking on you, Matt, as I’m equally culpable, but your beloved mountain bike and surfboard and climbing gear that you allude to in your editorial all required massive investments of fossil fuels, one way or another. Unless a person strips off naked and goes off into the wilderness to grow and catch his/her own food and make his/her own clothes from hides and makes his/her own implements and tools from native substances, it’s pure unmitigated hypocrisy to point a finger at anyone else for relying upon all aspects of fossil fuels. Driving a Tesla or Prius and shopping at Whole Foods and wearing Birkenstocks does not excuse anyone from still living in society and availing oneself of all aspects of the collective infrastructure. So let’s cut the crap and get real, ok? —Jeffrey Middlebrook, Truckee Editor’s Note: Thanks for your perspective on this. Even though I feel your viewpoint is too strident, I agree there is a lack of authenticity in the outdoor sports community when it comes to being green. For example if everyone in the outdoor community was to make just one fundamental change—to switch to a vegetarian diet—the positive effect on the planet would be huge. Yes we are all hypocrites, and we still need to get better. 8 ASJ — June/July 2018

Photo: GT Bikes

HEY MTB DAY DREAMER Yo Mr Niswonger! I recently picked up Adventure Sports Journal from my local store, and was intrigued by potential fun readings when quickly leafing through it. When I got home to read it more thoroughly however, I was disappointed (yet not surprised) by your editorial column. Usually, someone who has the responsibility to head up and lead an enterprise, whether a local rag, retail operation, or other corporate entity takes life’s challenges a bit more responsibly. They don’t run (ride) away from problems, but jump in to solve their community’s needs. However, I see you don’t see it, nor get it. Santa Cruz has one of the highest homeless and indigent rates in Santa Clara County. I would have thought someone with your “seemingly” responsibility would put your efforts and energy into helping those (much) less fortunate, instead of suggesting to your day-dreams of just riding your mountain bike all day, every day ... as in “heading off into the sunset”! Seems today too many people, whether they be millennials, those “Kardashianinspired,” a few “banana slugs,” or some mountain bikers, live a life “in the now” (how cool!), of “selfie-selfishness,” etc., instead of looking around and making an effort to improving the world. Sad sacks abound! —Mr. T, Sacramento Editor’s Note: Thanks for the feedback. I understand your frustration of what might be interpreted as me being lazy. Truth is, I’ve got two jobs, three kids and like so many others a lot on my plate. Biking is what keeps me from totally checking out and being availble to people who are counting on me. I do look forward to having more free time to take more action in my community (see next letter).

DEDICATED CITIZENSHIP Mr. Niswonger, I’m in full support of keeping the mania of the world’s stupidity from infecting my inner calm and peace. Fred Beckey chose his route, no pun intended. The notion of the drop out from the rat race is appealing on several levels. It etches through my consciousness in waves. I guess this notion, dropping out of the rat race, is something that, as much as part of me strives in this direction, desires this apparent freedom, another core value intercedes. I am a citizen, and as such, even a patriot. Not in an alt-right sort of way, but as an “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country” sort of way. This is not really idealistic but rather reality based, that nothing is accomplished without the needed work, and as a community is only as strong, or as healthy, as its members. That the “breakdown” requires a strong and firm resolve to place one both outside of it and in recognition that we are all as forced members of a prevailing culture and that I can have a role in shaping my community, my world. In researching my values, my commitment to be a citizen has led me to compartmentalize the things that are out of my control, ie: most of what goes on on a national level, and focus on what I both love and what I may be able to affect in a positive way. I don’t “drop out,” but more “drop away.” When the Vietnam war was first raging, as a young teen I walked precincts for the peace candidate Eugene McCarthy against LBJ. Later, as my values of a safe and clean world were threatened, I worked against the spread of nuclear energy as an unsafe power source, picketing at Diablo canyon and behind the scenes work on a national level. Lately I supported via my time and efforts the creation of our local new open spaces, Coast Dairies and San Vincente and created water oriented teach-ins educating as to alternatives to a local desal plant. When the multiple threats posed by the Trump administration began to affect me, I looked to what I love and care about, researched my values in light of these darkening conditions, and am now supporting and working towards the long view political process of our county and city becoming carbon neutral, and in this pushing back against the monstrous policies inclined to re-poison our air via the policies promoted by Scott Pruitt’s EPA. This also works as an alternative to me feeling totally disempowered. Added on to this on a personal level, I have contributed to the purchase of certified carbon credits to achieve my own carbon neutrality, something I would suggest everyone to look into. This was the easy part. I simply looked up, googled, the gold standard of carbon credit as listed in the VPS, the Verified Carbon Standard, and found the best way to personal carbon neutrality. All of this is not to toot my own horn. No, what it is to me is in my understanding of what you are calling the

“breakdown, my very own and deeply personal realization of this, and this mixed with my desire to ‘drop out’ of it,” and again, researching of my values, that out of this comes my only acceptable response, and that is to action. In a way, what one does is not as important as the simple act of doing is. I can help to support the creation of my inner peace through my actions, to assuage and pushback on the depression of people doing cruel and rapacious things. Within all of this, I am still charging up steep mt. bike hills, dipping into the cold ocean for swims with the porpoises and sea lions, wandering Death Valley and the Needles in Utah, taking my grandson out to see coyotes, mule deer and peregrines. In short, I am turning on, tuning in, and dropping out, all at once. I’m fortunate in that I haven’t been social media-ized, at least not too much. I mean, for god’s sake, shut off the phone sometimes, it won’t kill you and may even make you better. I am devoting part of my life to adventure, part of my life to my chosen roles as a citizen, and in fighting the good fight, am supporting my inner peace through positive action. All of this keeps me from wallowing in the world’s injustices while still aware of them, and oh yes, all “too” aware of them! After epiphany comes choice. Devoting our lives to adventures? You bet! And how about the less thrilling but equally adventurous “sport” of citizenship, of choosing when and where to put our focus to push back against the “breakdown,” to continue to help create the world vision we may have and share. What is it that you are doing in your one thrilling, exotic, and mundane life to support “all life”?

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—John Balawejder, Santa Cruz Editor’s Note: Thank you so much for your balanced perspective. You are absolutely right about being an active participating citizen. I promise I won’t just ride into the sunset.

In response to Adventure Sports Journal and the calendar of events YOU ARE APPRECICATED! I’m sending a BIG thanks for your continued success with your publication. I’m running the Avenue of the Giants marathon, because I read of it in your journal ... keep up the terrific work. You are appreciated! —Sandra Anderson

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We love hearing from our readers. Drop us a note and let us know what you like most about ASJ, what we can do better and if there is an article that has inspired you! asjstaff@adventuresportsjournal.com

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Photo: John Peltier

Speed Climber Hans Florine Injured in El Cap Fall

Ear to the Ground

News & notes from the outdoor industry

Photo: Suzanne Steiner

Southern California’s Big Rock Re-Opens to Climbing

After being closed to climbing for nearly four years, Big Rock at Lake Perris State Park is again open. Southern California climbers have visited the area since the 1950s, but it was closed to all forms of recreation during the Perris Dam remediation project. The Access Fund worked with Southern California Mountaineers Association (SCMA) and local climbers to ensure the integrity of the rock feature was maintained during the four-year construction project. In March, the organizations hosted an “Adopt a Crag” event to clean up trails prior to the area being reopened to the public. Over the course of this summer and early fall, a dedicated group of volunteers will work with Access Fund, SCMA, and American Safe Climbing Association to replace aging bolts at the historic crag. With this area being closed to climbing for several years, the current condition of bolts and rock is unknown. Climb and use bolts at your own risk, and use your best judgment. Bolt replacement is expected to be completed by this fall.

Mammoth Mountain Allows Full Access to E-Bikes

The United States Forest Service (USFS) has approved e-bike usage in the Mammoth Bike Park, making it the first bike park on USFS land to allow complete e-bike access on all trails, lifts and gondolas within the park. This historic turn of events will make the park more accessible to more riders. Learn more in our Q&A with Mammoth Mountain’s marketing manager Gabe Taylor on page 12.

10 ASJ — June/July 2018

World-renowned speed climber Hans Florine was rescued from Yosemite National Park’s El Capitan by helicopter Friday after spending a chilly night on top of the famous rock when he fell and injured both legs. Rescuers reached Florine and his climbing companions by helicopter Friday morning because it was too late and too dark to do so Thursday evening, Yosemite spokesman Scott Gediman said. Florine, 53, and partner Alex Honnold set a speed-climbing record in 2012 for ascending the vertical Nose route of El Capitan in two hours and 23 minutes. The record was beaten in 2017. “Hans taught me much of what I know about the Nose, and about speed climbing in general, and the idea of him being in so much pain on his most beloved route really saddens me,” Honnold wrote on Instagram. Follow Florine’s recovery at facebook. com/hansflorineclimbs.

Webber Lake Campground Opens to Public

Less than an hour north of the hustle and bustle of Lake Tahoe, the serene Webber Lake Campground is open to the public for the first time in many years. Quietly sitting unnoticed for a century, spectacular forests, meadows and wildlife thrive, and surrounding peaks and ridges give the small lake a secluded feel. The 45-site campground, now owned and operated by the Truckee Donner Land Trust, offers access to hiking, fishing, paddling and cycling. It’s the perfect base camp to explore nearby Perazzo Meadows, Mt. Lola, Independence Lake, the Pacific Crest Trail, Webber Falls and Sierra Valley. “Webber Lake is a really special place, and once you’ve spent a couple nights there, you’ll understand why,” said Perry Norris, executive director of the Truckee Donner Land Trust. “We’ve been eyeing this property for 20 years — we’d heard stories about it, but it was more on our fantasy wish list than a realistic acquisition.” Learn more at adventuresportsjournal. com/webberlake.

FUEL FOR EVERY DAY

High Fives Foundation Hosts Adaptive Mountain Bike Camp

Three miles of new public multi-use trails are coming to the western portion of the Glenwood Open Space Preserve in Scotts Valley. The Scotts Valley City Council recently approved a plan that will provide local schools and the community a new resource for recreation and connection with the environment. The Land Trust of Santa Cruz County, responsible for stewarding the property, has partnered with local mountain biking trail stewardship organization Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz (MBOSC) to perform the trail design and construction. “We are excited to bring new, fun, and sustainable trails to the Scotts Valley community,” says Drew Perkins, MBOSC Trails Program Director. “These trails will be a great recreational resource for local hikers, runners, and mountain bikers, and they will provide Scotts Valley High School with an ideal, safe place for their cross country and mountain biking teams to practice and train.” Trail work volunteers are welcome; training will be provided. Learn more at mbosc.org.

BEFORE. DURING. AFTER.

Hive athlete Patrick Nguyen hits the trail at the base of Mount Fitz Roy

Truckee-based High Fives Foundation hosted its first adaptive mountain bike camp in April, taking five adaptive athletes to Moab, Utah to ride the region’s renowned high desert terrain and slick rock. Each of the five athletes were paired with a coach who oversaw their safety. Jeff Robertson, High Fives Foundation’s camp director and founder of Le Grand Adventure tours, mapped out the rides and handled logistics. He says, “Our first Moab adaptive mountain bike camp was not only a huge success for the athletes but it opened up new doors for next year’s camp. Next year we’ll look to bring on more athletes and provide opportunities for new people to start mountain biking again.” In 2018, the High Fives Foundation will host ten camps helping up to 86 individuals get back to the following passions: mountain biking, surfing, skiing, snowboarding, fly fishing and camping. Learn more at highfivesfoundation.org.

Glenwood Preserve Trails Project Moves Forward

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REI to Donate up to $1 Million to National Forest Foundation

Photo: Called to Creation

Free Skills Clinics Offered at Enduro Race Events

California Enduro Series (CES) has teamed up with pro rider Brian Astell again this year to offer free skills coaching and course previews. Astell will lead group pre-rides of each course and help racers with line selection and riding technique. He will also advise on training, nutrition and fitness. Astell says, “I’m excited to be at all the CES races this season. Sharing the love of health, fitness, nutrition and the outdoors is what drives me everyday when I get out of bed. Conquering challenging terrain takes more than just skill and more than just fitness. It’s a precise combination of both. I can teach you how.” CES Director Steve Gemelos says, “Our series is all about getting more riders out racing enduro, and feeling confident in doing so. It’s great having Brian’s generous support at our races.” Learn more about California Enduro Series at californiaenduroseries.com and Astell’s mountain bike skills clinics at ridetrailworks.com.

As part of a multi-year partnership with the National Forest Foundation (NFF), REI will donate up to $1 million to the nonprofit in 2018. Funds will support 11 projects that steward the country’s National Forests and Grasslands and restore access in areas damaged by natural disasters such as wildfires and hurricanes. The partnership is part of a larger effort to invest in nonprofits and community organizations that share the REI mission to protect public lands and ensure access to the outdoors for all, said the retailer. In the past year, REI invested $8.8 million in 400 nonprofits across the country. “The National Forest Foundation is a vital partner in our work to invest in the future of the outdoors and to make our public lands more accessible for all,” says Taldi Walter, REI community and government affairs manager. “While our national forests are enjoyed by millions of Americans every year, trail restoration and maintenance can lag when natural disasters or other environmental factors cause damage. We’re grateful for partners like the National Forest Foundation who make trail maintenance, restoration and access a priority.” National forests offer more than 158,000 miles of multi-use trails and 4,300 campgrounds in 43 states. www. advent ur espor t sjour nal. com

Q&A with Gabe Taylor

Because, FUN

Mammoth Mountain becomes first-ever bike park to allow e-bikes By Michele Charboneau

The US Forest Service recently gave Mammoth Mountain the green light to allow e-bikes on its trails. We caught up with Mammoth Mountain’s marketing manager Gabe Taylor for the lowdown on this exciting new development.

Mammoth Mountain made history in 1986 when the resort became the first-ever liftaccessed bike park in the world. Now the resort is making history again by being the first-ever bike park to allow e-bikes. What drives Mammoth’s vision for and commitment to mountain biking in general, and now e-bikes specifically? In a word: FUN. Mountain biking is so much fun and we want to help more people experience how much fun it can be. You know those days when you come to a stop at the end of a ride and you just want to keep going? Yeah, it’s like that for us as well. And we want more people to experience that.

How difficult was it to get the US Forest Service to approve e-bikes? Not very. We sent a proposal to our district ranger last year and asked that the bikes be included into our operating plan. They reviewed the proposal for a few months and eventually agreed that these would improve our guests’ experience in the bike park.

Will the inclusion of e-bikes on the mountain change the riding dynamic? That remains to be seen, but I don’t think so. In addition to our downhill [DH] trails, we have some of the best cross-country [XC] riding in the world in our bike park. E-bikes will help more people be able to enjoy these

trails that are usually reserved for the super fit. The ability to explore more of the mountain is our goal with e-bikes.

Does Mammoth anticipate that allowing e-bikes will bring more attention to the park’s crosscountry trails? For sure. Some of the most incredible XC trails exist in our bike park. I know that sounds odd but many of the trails were built back in the 80s when DH didn’t exist. Everything was XC and these bikes will make these trails more accessible to more people. What are some route options for a pedal-assist climb to mountain top trails? Uptown climbs from The Village to the Adventure Center and is a really nice climb on a normal mountain bike, but it’s difficult. And when you add in our 9,000' elevation, it can be downright brutal depending on your fitness level. I rode it on a pedal-assist e-bike the other day and oh my! It was so fun. I was laughing most of the

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Your All Season Resort

Over the river and through the woods...

Opposite page and above: Gabe Taylor and Logan Eure are all smiles at Mammoth Mountain on electric mountain bikes (Peter Morning).

way. The trail became an incredibly flowy joy instead of the suffer fest I usually experience on it. Now that’s not to say I don’t enjoy the suffering sometimes, this was just a different experience. Other two-way trails that will take you up the mountain include Big Ring, Brake Through, Beach Cruiser (I cannot wait to try this trail on pedal-assist!), Bearing Straights and Gravy Train. Currently we don’t offer a two-way trail to the top of the mountain but it is something we’re working on.

Will all trails be open to e-bikes? All trails will be open to Class 1, pedal-assist e-bikes. Those riding e-bikes will have to follow all park rules including two-way traffic, right of way, etc.

Mammoth has added e-bikes to its rental fleet. What would you say to someone who hasn’t tried an e-bike to get them to come give one a try? For someone who hasn’t tried an e-bike, I’d say prepare to have your mind blown. I had expectations before riding the bike. Those were toast after a few minutes. It was so much fun, made me view the mountain in a different light. It definitely wouldn’t make DH trails more fun for me but being able to pedal up Brake Through with ease makes some of those sections of trail a lot more enticing.

Kamikaze Bike Games — Mammoth’s legendary cycling festival which returns to the mountain September 21-23 — has in recent years included an e-bike race. Are you planning any other e-bike competitions at Mammoth Mountain events? We are adding an E-duro to the enduro at this year’s Kamikaze Bike Games. Participants on e-bikes will be racing the same course as the rest of the enduro field but will need to keep track of their battery usage to ensure the pedal-assist is actually assisting and not weighing them down. It sounds cool and we’re all excited to see what it can become. We will also be running the Boogalloo, which is a group e-bike race on a pump track style multicircuit race course.

How do electric mountain bikes compare to traditional nonelectric mountain bikes? When you think of park riding, you think of gnarly, black diamond trails. Are e-bikes appropriate for these “bigger” trails? It depends on what model bike you’re referring to. Generally, they are much heavier. I would not recommend riding a rigid e-bike down anything other than the Discovery Zone, but that totally depends on the rider. I have a friend that does massive rides with us and locks his suspension to DESCEND. He opens up his front shock to climb. He’s a rare breed though and I’d encourage riders to slowly work their way through our trail progression when testing the limits of their bike’s DH capability.

What are the costs involved in riding an e-bike at Mammoth Mountain? You need a discovery ticket ($29) to ride a pedal-assist bike in the park. If you ride the shuttle or chairlifts a full price dayticket is required. Our e-bikes rent for the same price as our demo bikes.

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Lessons and guided tours are available at Mammoth. Do you have any other special offerings? You bet. For example, we offer a parent/ child special: Bundle your bike rental and tickets to get the full bike park experience together. Package includes 4-hour bike rentals and 1-day bike park tickets for (1) adult and (1) child (12 and under). You can up your skills together by adding on a 2.5 hour lesson.

Anything else you’d like to add? A few days ago I rode a Class 1 pedal-assist e-bike around the mountain for the first time and had an absolute blast. It totally blew away any preconceived notions that I’d had. Yesterday I went out on my personal, nonelectric mountain bike and had as much fun as I have ever had and cannot wait to get off work today and go ride some more. Riding that e-bike actually made me appreciate the subtleties of riding my non pedal-assist bike. Will I ride an e-bike again? You bet. I plan on jumping on any opportunity I have to ride one. Learn more at mammothmountain.com.

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The Maturing Voice of Mountain Biking

Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz creates model for new system trails and expanded access By Kurt Gensheimer Here’s a sobering fact: Of the more than 220 miles of official trail in Santa Cruz County, fewer than 40 miles are open to mountain bikes. But thanks to the proactive engagement from Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz (MBOSC), that number will change drastically in the next decade.

anta Cruz has long been a destination for mountain bikers across the country, offering year-round riding in a coastal climate with rich loam, towering redwood forests and miles of singletrack in all directions. But for mountain bikers in Santa Cruz, the elephant in the room has been that a majority of the best singletracks are illegal. Thanks to the exploding popularity of mountain biking, these ad-hoc trails that locals ride are now all over the internet, and as a result, traffic on these trails is greater than ever. There’s been very little enforcement against riding illegal trails, but according to Matt De Young, executive director of MBOSC, many of the trails that mountain bikers ride in Santa Cruz could be permanently shut down without warning. “A lot of mountain bikers take these trails for granted, or justify building new illegal trail because there’s not enough legal trail to ride,” said De Young. “Many folks who visit Santa Cruz might not even realize they’re riding illegal trails. But we as a community must realize that continuing to build unsanctioned trails is not sustainable in the long term.” MBOSC got its start in 1997, originally founded to raise funds for the expansion of Wilder Ranch State Park. Since then, the organization has grown significantly, maturing into a trusted and influential voice of mountain biking with land managers in the region. Mark Davidson, MBOSC’s president from 2002-2014, reflects on the progress made over his tenure on the board. “The previous board’s vision for mountain biking in Santa Cruz recognized the potential trail networks between open spaces and constructed a strategy for its implementation. We also redefined the perception of mountain bikers from a problem to be dealt with (as defined by opponents) to a community asset … an engaged partner in accomplishing shared values of land conservation, stewardship and access.” Davidson adds, “The current board has maintained this vision and has taken things a significant step further.” De Young became involved with MBOSC in 2012. He served on the planning committees for the organization’s Santa Cruz Mountain Bike Festival and Santa Cruz Super Enduro. He then turned his focus to trail building, and was a key trail worker on the Emma McCrary Trail Santa Cruz and the Flow Trail at Soquel Demonstration State Forest. 14 2018 22 ASJ — June/July Dec/Jan 2014

Along the way, De Young became aware that MBOSC couldn’t sustain itself as a purely volunteer-driven organization; it needed a full-time paid staff. Accepting a position with MBOSC as its very first executive director in 2017, De Young rose to the challenge, taking MBOSC from a volunteer group to a professional organization. Since making this shift, MBOSC is helping uncover many exciting new projects. North of Santa Cruz, San Vicente Redwoods and CotoniCoast Dairies National Monument are two large tracts of recently acquired land adjacent to Wilder Ranch that MBOSC has been involved with. MBOSC took a lead role in design of more than 30 new miles of multi-use trails in San Vicente Redwoods, and once connected with Wilder Ranch and Coast Dairies, will open up the most extensive network of mountain bike-legal trails in the county. “There are a lot of opportunities for new trail access in Santa Cruz County; greater than any point in recent history,” said De Young. “But in order to take advantage of this, every mountain biker needs to get engaged in the public process. Land managers have historically been slow to react, but they see the change happening and want to engage with mountain bikers now more than ever.” Establishing trust is essential in getting land managers to engage with mountain bikers, and that trust can be eroded when illegal trail building continues to happen. Between UC Santa Cruz and Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, numerous new unauthorized trails have been scratched into the mountainside, most of them unsustainably built. Both landowners recognize the issue and realize there’s a need for recreation, but neither has the resources to do enforcement or provide official recreation opportunities. In order to help bridge this gap, MBOSC is advocating for UCSC to include trail building and management in its 20 year development plan. And since State Parks has no playbook when it comes to mountain bike recreation, MBOSC is engaging with the agency locally to establish a management plan. When asked what he would say to those constructing illegal trails, De Young encourages folks to take a long-term view. “What do we want mountain biking in Santa Cruz to look like in ten years? Do we want to be battling inevitable trail closures, or do we want to come out of the shadows, unite and work together to build trails for all users? Of course there will be some sacrifices, but continuing to build rogue trails is unsustainable for our community.”

This page, top to bottom: Amanda Schaper and Scott Chapin on Engelsmans Loop Trail in Wilder Ranch (Satchel Cronk); Matt DeYoung, MBOSC Executive Director, preparing the work trailer for a volunteer Dig Day, which he says must be capped because they are so popular (Emma Ussat). Opposite page, clockwise from top left: Bruce Dorman at a Flow Trail Dig Day (Bogdan Marion); Emma Kelsey at a Flow Trail Dig Day (Bruce Dorman); Lesley Oley and Tom Wilson at the 2017 Old Cabin Classic (Dusty Bermshot).

De Young used the old Post Office Jumps in Aptos as an example of what can happen to unsanctioned trails. “Those jumps were an icon of the local community, but they weren’t built on permanent public land through an official process, meaning they weren’t protected. And when the jumps disappeared, so did the community that built those jumps. I don’t want to see that happen here with mountain biking.”

CHASING THE MONEY For any trail organization like MBOSC, the biggest challenge is usually finding money to build new trails. Finding money is even a bigger obstacle when an organization is fully volunteer operated. “MBOSC was having success, but it was burning out the volunteer base,” said De Young. “Organizations like Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship (SBTS) and Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance in Washington have proven paid staff models, so with MBOSC, we are working on recreating their models locally.” Soon after taking over as executive director, De Young

VOLUNTEERS STILL THE HEART & SOUL

“This volunteer energy makes me feel confident for the future of mountain biking in Santa Cruz County.” — Matt De Young

learned that organizations like SBTS rely heavily on California OHV funds for trail projects, and considering there are no motorized areas near Santa Cruz for trail building, De Young had to get creative, drawing funds from multiple sources. “We’re raising money through private donors, partnerships with industry brands, events and projectspecific fundraising,” said De Young. “One advantage of Santa Cruz is that we’re in one of the wealthiest parts of the world, and we need the help of private donors to fund these public projects.” In order to help attract more private donors, De Young and his staff have developed a 2025 Vision statement for mountain biking in Santa Cruz. The 2025 Vision addresses the lack of official system trails open to mountain bikes by pushing advocacy, trail construction and maintenance, partnerships and holding world-class events. De Young gives credit to local industry brands like Santa

Cruz Bicycles, Ibis Cycles, FOX, Specialized, Bell and Giro who have contributed in numerous ways to raise money for trails. The highlight is MBOSC’s annual Ante Up for Trails campaign that last year raised $68,140, giving away a brand new Santa Cruz mountain bike to winner Mike Block. Up for the win this year is an Ibis bike of choice, “spec’d to the nines.” Events have been another revenue producer for MBOSC. The organization put on the popular Santa Cruz Mountain Bike Festival for several years, and now produces the equally popular Old Cabin Classic at Wilder Ranch State Park. There is also an all-new gravel grinder at Big Basin Redwoods State Park in the works. Old Cabin is notable in that there hasn’t been a cross-country mountain bike race in Santa Cruz County in more than 20 years. “The Old Cabin Classic has been huge for the local mountain bike community,” said Amanda Schaper, MBOSC Marketing and Events Director. “We’ve sold the event out every year. It’s been a very productive partnership with State Parks and we’re raising money to build and maintain new trail.” De Young admits the organization is a bit light when it comes to finding and applying for grants, but it is an area of focus for MBOSC in the coming years.

Although MBOSC is celebrating their fifth full-time employee this spring, for De Young, the nucleus of MBOSC is still in its incredible volunteer base that shows up to all Dig Days in force. More than 300 volunteers put in more than 3,500 hours of labor on the Emma McCrary Trail, and more than 6,000 volunteer hours went into the Flow Trail at Demo Forest. “We had a Dig Day at Soquel Demonstration State Forest a few weeks back and seventy people showed up,” said De Young. “We usually have to cap our volunteer days because they’re so popular. This is what makes MBOSC so special, and it’s inspiring to see the enthusiasm. This volunteer energy makes me feel confident for the future of mountain biking in Santa Cruz County.” In order to utilize all that volunteer labor as efficiently as possible, MBOSC has a crew leadership training program; a six-part training class that educates on trail construction, design, maintenance and leadership. In four years, MBOSC has put 120 people through the program supported by Santa Cruz Bicycles, and many of the crew leaders show up on Dig Days to ensure volunteers do quality work.

LOOKING AHEAD Looking to the future, De Young would like to see local timber companies like Redwood Empire, Big Creek and Red Tree consider multi-use trails on their properties, which make up a significant portion of undeveloped land in the county. MBOSC has proven the model can work through its relationship with CAL FIRE and Soquel Demonstration State Forest. Although Cal Fire does not prioritize recreation, they partnered with MBOSC to conduct trail maintenance as well as construct the Flow Trail, one of the most popular trails in the entire region. “England and New Zealand have working forests that are open by default to public access. Here in Santa Cruz County, we have some of the most sustainable forestry practices in the country. I’d love to see local timber companies think about recreation as a new revenue source, offering an annual trail pass for a small fee. This would open up so many more trail opportunities for the public.” Learn more about MBOSC at mbosc.org.

www. advent ur espor t sjour nal. com

Living Tiny Downsizing to live large By Leonie Sherman

e’ve lived in tiny shelters for most of human history, but in modern times our dwellings have become status symbols. Downsizing is a relatively new concept. Susan Susanka’s bestselling book The Not So Big House, published in 1997, is often credited with starting the tiny home movement. The financial crisis of 2007 gave it an unexpected boost. Though tiny homes have been featured in films, TV series, newspapers and magazines, they still account for less than 1% of real estate transactions in the US. American culture glorifies excess and accumulation. Eighteen months ago we elected a man whose main claim to fame is his fortune. The average American single family home grew by a thousand square feet between 1978 and 2013, even as the average family size shrank. In a capitalist society, choosing to prioritize experiences over things runs counter to deeply-held, seldom-examined values. But like all great counter-culture, from Janis Joplin to slow food, California is fertile ground for radical acts of resistance. The soaring cost of living adds to the appeal of tiny living in the Golden State. The following Californians have made the move from bigger is better to less is more.

THE WILDERNESS ADVENTURER Ian Gillies’ tiny home and tricked out van, Biscuit, allowed him to quit his job. Ten years ago he was working as a graphic designer and living in a thousand square foot house in the Bay Area. Now that he calls 300 square feet home, he’s living the dirtbag dream. He spends half his time traveling the American west adventuring and the other half in his cozy cabin in Felton. He’s been living off savings for a year and a half. “Once the money runs out, I’ll worry about it then,” he says with a shrug. “I don’t have a kid or a mortgage or a car payment, so that removes a lot of stress other folks have.” His mother’s illness inspired his radical simplification. When she got sick, he moved to LA to take care of her. “Before I left, I looked around my place and realized I didn’t want all that crap anymore,” he says. So he put it all on the free section of Craigslist. “Within a week it all went to people who needed it more than I did.” The urge to purge only intensified after his mother passed. “I realized I didn’t want to be tied down by financial obligations. I wanted to look at pretty stuff more than a 16 ASJ — June/July 2018

computer screen. I didn’t want to do work I don’t enjoy to pay for the things I want to do.” He hasn’t looked back. “It breaks my heart to hear someone in their 40s or 50s say they spent all these years working a job they hated. You can always earn more money, but you can never get back time.” Gillies loves helping others simplify. “I get a little rush every time I help someone get rid of their stuff,” he confesses. “Sometimes people ask me ‘how do I know if I need something?’ I tell them to look at something they own and just ask if they need it. If it takes more than three seconds to decide, you don’t need it. When you realize that things aren’t adding much to your life, it’s easy to get rid of them.”

THE VILLAGE PERSON Getting rid of things was never an issue for Santa Cruz resident Vnes (pronounced Venus). As a child she spent six months of every year sharing a 32 x 8 foot sailboat with two cats, a dog, her brother, mother and step-father. “We had as much space as two VW buses!” she explains. “We were like hippies of the sea!” A visit to Santa Cruz and seven words changed her life. “25 years ago I saw that awesome bumper sticker, Live Simply So Others May Simply Live,” she recalls fondly. “I think it’s very greedy to have so much more

than you need when there are homeless people with nothing. I don’t own much, but I feel very wealthy. I’ve chosen to live in a tiny house and keep a tiny lifestyleeverything I need is within a mile so I don’t need a car. That allows me to work 30 hours a week at a really laid back job and maintain a wonderful lifestyle in this absurdly expensive place. My annual living costs are the same as some people’s annual property taxes!” After she fell in love with Santa Cruz she did the standard housing shuffle involving sun porches and substandard rooms before buying her own place in the cooperatively-owned low-income El Rio Mobile Home Park right downtown. Her home is 33 x 8 and reminds her of the beach cottages of her youth. “My place isn’t perfect, but it’s perfect for me,” she admits. “I know people who have these major responsibilities and so much stress.” She shrugs as she puts on a kettle of tea. “I like to keep it simple so I can enjoy life more.” Living small allows me to have little luxuries. I can still have a big screen TV, but it’s 40 inches, not 72.” She’s also had to give up scavenging yard sales, discourage gifts from family and rewire her consumer impulses. “I’ve trained myself not to want stuff,” she explains. “Sometimes I see the hot new thing, and I feel like I’ve got to have it! But I’ve found that if I wait two months, it turns out I didn’t want it anyway.”

“My place isn’t perfect, but it’s perfect for me,” she admits. “I know people who have these major responsibilities and so much stress ... I like to keep it simple so I can enjoy life more.”

— Vnes, Santa Cruz

Title image: Ian Gillies and “The Biscuit” — his tiny home away from tiny home (Will Toft). Trio to left: Gillies living the dirtbag dream. Above: Vnes is all smiles over her tiny lifestyle. Opposite page, left: Angie Christine in front of the tiny house she shares with son Tyler. Opposite page, second column: David Hicks and Sylvia Benson enjoyed the process of building their portable tiny home.

Tiny Houses for the Homeless

f the Santa Cruz County Office of Education has its way, a lucky homeless person may call a tiny house home, and local high school students will build it, gaining valuable skills. That’s what advocate and educator Les Forster is aiming for with an innovative collaboration between the Career and Technical Education Partnership and the COE’s Alternative Education Construction and Technology classes. They plan to start pounding nails in the fall of 2018. “We hope to purchase a 26-foot trailer, build a tiny house on it and arrange for an educator, veteran, single parent or homeless person to move in,” explains Forster. “This will be a collaborative effort among students from north and south county as well as a variety of local businesses who will provide materials and logistical support.” Over the course of a single year, for academic credit, students will participate in every aspect of construction from taking measurements, to installing plumbing, to interacting with the public and local businesses. And in the end they’ll produce a 200 square foot home that is habitable and meets a profound social need. Forster practically beams as he outlines the possibilities. “We just hope everybody can see how much of a win-win situation this is for everybody involved.” —LS

THE SINGLE MOM For Angie Christine, the decision to live tiny wasn’t about the hot new thing; it was all about her son. After a divorce, she faced the prospect of raising Tyler, on her own, in one of the most expensive places in the country. She moved through a series of shabby rooms, apartments and studios and was on the verge of relocating to Oregon when a 450 square foot home on three acres outside of Ben Lomond came up for rent. Downsizing her possessions and expenses has allowed her to be more present in her son’s life. “I didn’t want to move my son away from either one of his parents,” she explains. “I can take him to school, and pick him up, and encourage his passion for the ocean and surfing all because of this minimalist lifestyle.” Tyler was just signed to RipCurl as a team member. But the non-tangible benefits are most important to Christine and her son. “There’s so much less stress and so much more freedom in our lives for having only what we need. We let go of so much. The emotional piece is really the best part of tiny living and was totally unexpected!”

THE DIY COUPLE For David Hicks and Sylvia Benson, living tiny didn’t involve letting go of much. They shared an even smaller trailer before moving into their own tiny home. ”I lived in a shack in the woods for six years and on a sailboat after that. Our 30 x 8.5 foot home is the largest space we’ve ever shared!” explains Hicks. “I love that we built this ourselves. I know all the wiring and plumbing, everything that’s in the house and how it all works,” says Benson. “This was the only way we could build our own house and live in our hometown.” They can tow their place on a trailer and currently rent land in the Santa Cruz mountains.

“Our tiny home does not have a lot of storage,” Benson admits, when pressed to articulate the challenges of tiny living. So they built a small shed to store their biking, kayaking and backpacking equipment. “The shed has been crucial,” admits Hicks. Like Christine, the benefit to their lifestyle has been most important. “Spending less money allows us the flexibility to enjoy our lives more.” says Benson with a contented sigh. “I feel lighter. There’s less stuff to shuffle around and organize. I feel a lot less burdened by things because I have less things.”

Author Leonie Sherman is intimate with the joys and challenges of “living tiny.” She recounts, “Sometime in my 20s, I realized could focus on having time, or making money, but I wasn’t going to end up with both. I chose time. Then I gave away most of my stuff and bought a one-way ticket to Kathmandu. Between 1997-1999, everything I owned fit into a backpack. Then I moved into a 14-foot diameter yurt, followed by a cabin in Alaska. I put myself through grad school while living on a 23-foot sailboat. Now I share a 700foot trailer with a friend. It’s not exactly Walden, but simplifying my life gives me the freedom to pursue what I love. Living small allows me to live large.”

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Kinder Kletter

Nine tips for climbing with children from a semi-expert climbing parent Words and photos by Bruce Willey Becoming earth. Becoming animal. Becoming in this manner, fully human. —David Abram

f you spend a few hours outside with a child you quickly realize children are wild animals. They roll in the mud, dig holes, climb boulders and trees, rip their clothes off and pee in the open without shame, tapping effortlessly into our hunter/gatherer past with gleeful abandon. Of these aforementioned skill sets, climbing seems to be the one thing that saved our proverbial hides many an ancient time, whether it was to gather fruit and honey or escape a lion on a human hunt. Perhaps this is why climbing is so embedded in our DNA and why children are such naturals at it. And to take it a step further, why adults, when they are learning to climb, are simply relearning forgotten moves from their childhood. Still, there has yet to be a toddler ascent of El Cap in a day or even a month-long siege. It goes without saying: If you’re a climber, raising a child decelerates your climbing aspirations down a notch or three. No more allday multi-pitch ascents without procuring a babysitter.

No more climbing without worrying about the crux AND a diaper change, or the sudden hunger call, or even the child mistaking a rattlesnake for a jump rope as you pull a hold loose and yell “rock” at your un-helmeted youngster below. My wife and I climbed until we only had about five to ten minutes before we would both be infertile. Then, through the miracle of science and the science of miracles, we had Matilda. My wife climbed (on top rope and a full-body harness) up until two days before our daughter was born. And she was climbing within a week or so afterwards. That was all four years ago and we have the family climbing trip down to almost a science until all the best-laid plans are shot to hell—which still happens though with slightly less frequency than the past. Now, Matilda practically begs to get on the rock and it’s hard to peel her away when we want to have a a ride on the rope. The other day we forgot to pack her full-body harness: she had a meltdown for the ages. So with this I can dispel a bit of advice for expectant and current climbing parents.

WHEN YOU CLIMB, LOWER YOUR EXPECTATIONS. Succumb to mediocrity. And remember: the very notion that you have taken a baby/ toddler/child climbing makes you a better parent than 99.6 percent of all other parents on the planet. You have chosen to expose them to the wilds of nature instead of the Internet boondocks of screen time. Gloat on this fact for a few seconds and move on. Don’t let this go to your head because as a parent you have dispensed with 98 percent of your ego already. 18 2018 22 ASJ — June/July Dec/Jan 2014

WHEN YOU ARE FRUSTRATED AND LACKING PATIENCE WITH YOUR CLIMBING PRODIGY, think to the future when she/he will be your rope gun, floating up routes you will, from now on, only dream about. If you’re unable to summon your patience, your kid will probably hate climbing and become a millionaire professional video gamer instead of a dirtbag living out of an all-electric Sprinter van. Oh well. Such is life.

EMBRACE IMPROVISATION. Since you’re probably only cragging or bouldering with the tyke, seek places you both can climb. Children learn best by modeling behavior. When they see you having fun they’ll eventually want to join in the up and down antics.

DIVERSIONARY TACTICS. Be sure to bring plenty of nonclimbing activities. The base of the crag—away from any possible rock fall or anything else coming down—has everything to keep kids busy for hours. Sticks, rocks, dirt, lizards, plus a favorite toy will keep boredom at bay. For really young ones we found a small tent is handy for blessed naps.

Children are the original fun-hogs.

CHILDREN ARE THE ORIGINAL FUN-HOGS. They can also distinguish between someone just trying to have fun and those that are having fun. In this vein, if the kids aren’t having fun don’t push them. If they don’t feel like climbing that day let it rest. And when they want to go home, start packing. Nothing worse than a cranky child at the crag—which can quickly escalate to carrying that cranky child on a long walk back to the car with a loaded pack. Then everyone’s cranky.

COMMUNITY ACTION. Climbing with other parents is a lot easier than going as a solo family unit. Not only do you get to commiserate and share ideas, but also there are more adults to keep an eye on everything.

MITIGATING RISKS: Always saying “Be Careful” or “Don’t Do That” will begin to lose meaning. When you see your youngster on a sketchy highball boulder problem or about to climb out on a limb that won’t hold their weight, explain the dangers, ask them questions, describe why they need to be careful, and enlighten how they might get out of the dangerous situation.

TAILOR THE RISKS TO THEIR DEVELOPMENT. Unlike a playground or a theme park that has the age limits printed on a sign, the outdoors (thankfully) doesn’t have any guidelines. And the climbing ratings are useless. An easy 5.6 can be a hard 5.11 for someone half as tall as an adult. Climbing is risky. Over 200,000 children are admitted to emergency rooms each year from falls at playgrounds. A crag or bouldering area wasn’t designed by nature to be safe. Starting off in a gym can be a great place to get kids climbing but the same paradigm shift from indoor to outdoor climbing applies to kids’ climbing too.

NOT CLIMBING IS RISKY TOO. There’s a ton of research that points to growing sedentary time, “helicopter parenting,” excessive video gaming, and the like that have led to moribund play skills in kids that result in more injuries. Climbing not only teaches kids and adults alike how to embrace and moderate risk, but also instills “grit,” one of the most important factors in a person’s success in life. Learning to fail (and fall) and getting back on the rock is as important as reaching the top—if not more so. Bruce Willey is a full-time father, photographer, writer (in that order) living in Bishop. brucewilleyphotography.com

Fl y

Climbing Gear for Kids

After trying a bunch of different gear for children climbers, here are my personal recommendations. HARNESS: For age 2-6 the Edelrid Fraggle II Full-body harness is the bomb. Unlike a lot of other full-body harnesses it stays snug and doesn’t chafe their legs. For older kids the Black Diamond Whiz Kid harness is really nice and has the same features as adult harnesses including gear loops. SHOES: For really young climbers (age 2-5) the Butora Brava climbing shoe has a soft sole great for smearing and a comfortable and adjustable fit. When they start edging as they get older the Black Diamond Momentum or Evolv’s Ashima are good choices. CHALK BAG: Most kids probably won’t need chalk but they still have a lot of fun mimicking adults. Most of the climbing companies make kid-sized bags. PACKS: It’s important for kids to become responsible for carrying their own gear. Best pack we’ve found so far is Patagonia’s Bonsai Pack. It’s built like an old-school alpine pack with tie-offs for gear on the side if needed. The only quibble; it needs sternum straps to keep the shoulder straps on which we sewed ourselves. HELMET: Goes without saying; the most important gear to protect young brains is a helmet. We found the Petzl Picchu helmet to be multi-purpose: It doubles as a bike helmet. —BW

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Feline Trail Adventure Meet the cat who grew up along 1,600 miles of the PCT Words by Caroline Tillman Photos by Taylor St. John

It was early morning on the Washington section of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), and Taylor St. John, a young woman with fiery dreadlocks, was just beginning to break down camp. “Manzanita!” she called into the woods as she stuffed her tent into her backpack. A few moments later, a striped gray kitten leapt out from the brush, sauntered towards her, and rubbed against her legs. For 1,600 miles, this feline had been keeping Taylor company on her thru-hike, riding atop her pack by day and killing mice in camp by night.

hen Taylor began her hike at the Mexican border, she had already decided not to bring any pets along. The two cats she had adopted in her pre-trail life were safe and sound in Portland, where she had been living and working as a bartender for five years. Taylor didn’t think either of the cats were well trained enough to make the trip, and, as a first time thruhiker, she thought it wiser to tackle the PCT without the additional stress of caring for an animal on trail.

370 miles into the southern California desert, however, long distance backpacking began to take its toll. Taylor started experiencing pain in her calves and ankles, so in order to heal, she took a few days off at a hiker-friendly farm outside of Wrightwood. “I’d been at the farm for a few hours when someone told me there were five week old kittens living underneath the house,” she says. “I love cats, so it was natural for me to go find them.” Soon enough, she’d won over the kittens, but one, who she named

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Opposite page: Manzanita and Taylor hiking the Knife’s Edge in Washington. Above, clockwise: Taylor and Manzanita at the PCT’s northern terminus; Manzanita’s early days on trail in California; Manzanita and Taylor in Washington.

Manzanita, was particularly friendly. “I got her to come out pretty regularly, and I would nap with her in my sleeping bag,” Taylor explains. The farm owner told her that Manzanita’s mother typically has three litters a year, and most of the kittens are eaten by coyotes. Taylor was horrified at the idea of Manzanita succumbing to such a fate. She knew it would be impractical to hike with a cat, but Manzanita had formed such a close bond with her that the prospect didn’t seem unmanageable. Taylor decided to give it a shot. A friend built a box, similar to what vendors at baseball games wear, that tied around Taylor’s neck and waist and was capable of holding Manzanita. Armed with this makeshift kitten carrier and a three-pound bag of cat food, she set off down the trail with the kitten in tow. Manzanita adapted to life on the trail surprisingly quickly. While Taylor hiked, Manzanita rested in the box around Taylor’s neck without many problems, and was vocal about expressing her needs. If Manzanita was thirsty, she pawed at Taylor’s water bottle. When Taylor snuck Manzanita into hostels or restaurants, the kitten seemed to know to keep quiet and stay hidden beneath her jacket. At night, if Manzanita had to relieve herself, she’d meow and Taylor would unzip her tent and Manzanita would dig a cat hole nearby before returning inside. “I honestly just feel like I got a really intelligent kitten, because I don’t think either of my cats at home would’ve been so easy to train, even when they were younger,” Taylor admits. Nevertheless, hiking with a kitten had its challenges. Initially, Taylor was constantly nervous that a predator would attack Manzanita, and had to be vigilant about keeping her close at night. “I’d hear an owl in a tree, picture it swooping down and grabbing this tiny, teacup sized animal, and would ultimately pack up and go,” she says. During heat waves in the desert, Taylor was unable to walk for long periods of time during the middle of the day without Manzanita getting too hot. Instead, she’d sit in the shade and

JUNE 2, 2018

pour water over the kitten to cool her off. Given the cold temperatures, high snow year, and potential need to self-arrest in the Sierra, Taylor also had to skip 200 PCT miles, since she considered the conditions too dangerous for the cat. After a few months on the trail, Manzanita surpassed some of her earlier limitations. She outgrew her carrier and began to position herself on Taylor’s backpack or shoulders during hiking hours. In the evening when it got cooler, she’d often walk for five or ten miles, running ahead, climbing trees, and expertly scrambling over ice and loose rock. Instead of curling up next to Taylor, she braved the night in order to hunt mice and other small creatures; by the time they got to Washington, Taylor only had to carry one pound of cat food as a result. On October 3rd, Taylor and Manzanita reached the PCT’s northern terminus at the Canadian border. While Taylor had to skip parts of Oregon and Washington due to fire closures, she estimates that Manzanita traveled 1,600 miles with her. Now back apartment hunting and bartending in Portland, Taylor says Manzanita is still acclimating to normal life. “She keeps waking me up at 7am by biting my nose as if she’s telling me to get up and start hiking.” Taylor hopes to fit in an overnight backpacking trip every couple of weeks during the off season in order to maintain Manzanita’s hiking skill set. And come next summer, she has considered thru hiking the Appalachian Trail with the kitten. “Manzanita would have a heyday out there will all the mice in the shelters,” she says. Taylor asserts that if you can train a kitten when they’re young, and they have the right disposition, she recommends hiking with a cat. “Manzanita protects my food from critters, and is so funny to watch. Like a dog, she’s very alert, and will notify me if she hears something. And she’s a morale booster for me and everyone else who comes across her,” she says. Those sound like pretty good reasons to give hiking with a kitten a try. www. advent ur espor t sjour nal. com

EPiC: Environmental Partnership Campaign

Protect American River Canyons A river runs through it Words by Leonie Sherman Photos courtesy of PARC

At the western edge of the Sierra foothills, in the heart of Gold Country, Auburn State Recreation Area protects 48 miles of the North and Middle Forks of the American River and 30,000 acres of riparian, chaparral and coniferous habitats. More endurance races pass through here than anywhere else in the country. Over a million hikers, bikers, picnickers, swimmers, and whitewater enthusiasts visit every year. Though the site is owned by the Bureau of Reclamation and administered by the California Department of Parks and Recreation, the all volunteer group Protect American River Canyons (PARC) is its unofficial guardian. Originally formed to oppose construction of the Auburn Dam, PARC’s mission has grown to include education, outreach and political lobbying, all with the goal of increasing protection of one of the wildest rivers in central California.

n the 1970s, a group of locals coalesced around preventing the construction of the Auburn Dam and PARC was born. An earthquake at Oroville Dam in 1975 led to suspension of the Auburn project, which sits on the same geologic fault. The folks who started PARC were joined by their love of the river and decided to continue their work, even after the dam construction was halted. Though they continue to fight efforts to revive the dam, the groups main focus has shifted towards encouraging responsible recreation, educating the public, advocating for further protection and basically sharing their enthusiasm for their favorite place. PARC leads hikes and boating trips, always with the aim of increasing people’s understanding of the natural history and ecology of the area. They also collaborate with local groups to keep the Auburn State Recreation Area clean. “We have two really big annual clean-ups with hundreds of volunteers, every spring and fall,” says PARC board member Tony DeRiggi, a local physician who’s been involved with the group for over 30 years. “We fill a 30 cubic yard dumpster with trash every time!” PARC has also produced two movies, maintained miles of trails and they sponsor an annual Wild and Scenic Film Festival. The group wrote the American River Insider’s Guide, with detailed descriptions for 75 miles of river and over a hundred miles of hiking trails in the canyons, plus information about wildlife, ecology and gold mining history. They also sponsor an annual essay contest for 22 ASJ — June/July 2018

high school seniors, which has awarded over $14,000 to students. “We get these great essays from young people who never grew up with the threat of the dam,” says longtime Board Member Eric Peach with a smile. “They write beautiful essays about their connection to the river and the canyon and how their families go kayaking and trail running and exploring the river. They love the area, it’s a huge part of who they are. It’s their go to place to work out, or their go to place for peace and solitude, it’s an opportunity for them to connect with nature in a meaningful way,” he explains. “And we almost lost it all.” Though construction on Auburn Dam was halted in the 1970s, the battle to protect these sections of the North and Middle Forks of the American River isn’t over and PARC remains vigilant. “The threat of the dam has receded and our mission has expanded, but the project still has Congressional Authorization and our Congressman continues to push for it,” explains Peach. PARC keeps the river in the public eye with tireless political advocacy as well. “We’re currently fighting to get a 5.8 mile section of the North Fork, right at the boundary of the recreation area, designated a California Wild and Scenic River,” says Peach. “That wouldn’t stop the dam from getting built, because it’s upstream, but it would lower the height of the dam a little and prevent the state and local agencies from contributing to the cost of construction if the dam ever were to go ahead.” Peach

This page, top to bottom: The legendary Windy Point Meadow on the North Fork American River (Gary Hughes); Paddlers kayaking the North Fork American River Chamberlain Falls Run (PARC). Opposite page, clockwise from top: Kim Bryant and Eric Peach install a new map-historical interpretive panel at Maine Bar on the Middle Fork American River (PARC); PARC Board members Anthony DeRiggi and Eric Peach kayak out trash at the annual Great American River Cleanup (Gary Hughes); Nature at our fingertips: pipevine swallowtail butterfly (PARC); Rafting the Auburn Whitewater Park on the North Fork American River (Gary Hughes); Pointed Rocks Trail (PARC); Historic Mountain Quarries Railroad Bridge aka “No Hands Bridge” (Gary Hughes).

pauses. “But mostly it would protect this really gorgeous stretch of river up there.” For nearly 30 years there was no water flowing through a three quarter mile stretch of riverbed at the former dam construction site, in the heart of Auburn State Recreation Area. In preparation for dam construction, the Bureau of Reclamation diverted the main channel through an underground tunnel. When construction was halted, the tunnel remained, the river continued to be diverted, and nobody could use that part of the river since it was a dry bed. In 1999, PARC petitioned Bill Lockyer, the state Attorney General, to take action. Lockyer recognized that the Bureau of Reclamation was obligated to restore the river under the Public Trust Doctrine. He sent a letter to Bruce Babbitt, Clinton’s Secretary of the Interior, threatening to sue the federal

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government for abandoning the site and stopping people from being able to use a navigable water way. “There hadn’t been any measurable progress on Auburn Dam for almost three decades!” says Peach. That prompted the Bureau Of Reclamation to close the tunnel, restore the river, build a pumping station for Placer County Water Agency, and a create a sick set of rapids in the restored river bed for the recreational community. “We just put pressure on them to make a whitewater park out of the fish passage that was mandated,” explains Peach. “The fish can swim up and rest in the pools and then swim a bit more, that’s what fish like to do. They got a whitewater park guy who has designed Olympic courses on other rivers in the US, to lay it out. Our water agency is a good community player. They believed this recreational side benefit would be good for the community and they convinced the bureau that there was enough public pressure to make it happen.” Now there’s a five and a half mile section of river just three miles from downtown Auburn that has five drops of class 2 and 3 rapids that can be enjoyed all summer long. A kayaker can portage their boat back along a paved sidewalk and run the rapids again and again. “It’s called the Confluence Run, because it starts right at the confluence of the north and middle forks,” explains De Riggi. “It flows downstream for four and half miles to these exciting new

rapids. They’re probably the closest rapids to the Bay Area and Sacramento.” The rapids opened to the public on January 1, 2008. PARC won another major victory that same year when an effort led by Friends of the River led to the State Water Resources Control Board revoking the water rights for the Auburn Dam. “Water rights permits can’t exist in limbo, you have to show you’re making progress on putting those water rights to beneficial use,” explains Board Member Tim Woodall, a local attorney. “There was no evidence this project would go forward so the board agreed to revoke those permits.” Any resurrection of the dam would require a lengthy hearing process, and a new application for permits. As the recreation area becomes more popular, local enthusiasm for the dam is waning. “Back in the day, you’d see bumper stickers for the dam, but you never see that anymore,” says De Riggi. “The chamber of commerce, the Auburn City Council and the Placer County Board of Supervisors all recognize the benefits of river-based recreation as compared to the boom and bust of large construction projects.” “This is a much more positive outcome than we ever could have imagined or hoped for,” says Peach. “But along with all this access and beauty there comes a responsibility to respect and preserve this place so future generations — and not just humans — can enjoy it too.”

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Paying to Play Preventing kayak injuries By Haven Livingston

hitewater kayaking is not known to be the gentlest sport on the body. It’s closer to full contact rugby on a full speed treadmill with huge obstacles thrown in the mix. It sounds brutal, but the joy and love of the river far outweigh the risk for paddlers. From broken teeth and backs to dislocated shoulders and chipped elbows, if I haven’t experienced it first hand, I’ve had a friend who has. Without dedicated attention it’s easy to get hurt. With some forethought and good practice, kayaking does not have to result in a trip to the emergency room. Just like any other sport, kayaking has its own set of common injuries. Not all can be prevented - there is some degree of “pay to play” - but there is a lot you can do to reduce the risk. Three general categories of prevention include preparation, equipment and judgment.

Preparation includes strength and flexibility training and properly warming the body up before paddling. Take a ten-minute walk and loosen the joints before paddling but save the deeper stretching for afterwards. The root of a paddle stroke initiates in the torso and

continues through the shoulders and arms, so building core strength is key. Good paddling technique reduces strain on the shoulders and lowers the chance of a dislocation while strength training and physical therapy for the shoulder will help keep it in place. Switching the side you carry your boat on every time you pick it up maintains a balanced strength – and prepares you for those portages where you are forced to carry on only one side. It’s easy to see why back pain nags at many paddlers when we’re crammed into a tiny cockpit and dropping down rapids in a seated posture. Outfitting the inside of the boat with supportive foam helps maintain good posture and reduce

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Main Image: Livingston running one of the many falls at Kanawha waterfall in West Virginia (Phil Boyer.). Above: When an ill-fitting helmet rebounds into your face (Haven Livingston).

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DRY

the

Clockwise from top: Stretching it out after a long day on the South Fork Salmon, Idaho (Phil Boyer); Working on torso rotation after a paddle on Green River, North Carolina (Haven Livingston); Haven’s friend, Brian Ginsberg reconsiders his helmet choice after a run down Fordyce Creek (Brian Ginsberg); When your hand gets between a rock and a hard boat (Haven Livingston).

fatigue from body position stress. It also eliminates pinch points that make your feet go numb. Once a paddler begins to “huck waterfalls,” as we say, or make drops from any height, it’s crucial to train the upper body to come forward over the boat to avoid taking an impact from an upright seated position. Landing with bad body position will at the very least send shock waves through the spine and at worse will break your back by compression. Protective equipment starts with the right size boat, paddle and gear that fits your abilities and size. I’ll be the first to tell you that even the most expensive fullface helmet is still cheaper than dental work. Your face is priceless. An ill-fitting boat will add a constant strain to the body that may not show up for days or weeks but will accumulate into great discomfort. Eventually getting in your boat will sound like a chore instead of fun until your ride is properly pimped. To alleviate wrist strain and elbow tendonitis try out paddles of different length, blade size and straight or curved shafts. A smaller blade will put less strain on the arms and shoulders. Kayaking is definitely a combat sport with bumps against rocks and other boats. External hard-shell biking guards that cover the elbow and forearm are nice because they offer a durable surface to bounce and slide off of rocks without damaging a dry top. Lower profile gel pads that mountain bikers use can slide on under or over a dry top and are less bulky, but will still prevent a chipped elbow from impact. Good footwear is the most commonly overlooked item by newer paddlers. They think, ‘my feet are in my boat so why do

shoes matter?’ The second you step out of your boat you are going to be in a wet slippery environment that is usually rocky and steep. Slips and falls are the leading cause of ankle and foot injuries on the river. Solid sticky soled shoes are a musthave. Neoprene booties just won’t cut it. Not to mention that if you take an unintended swim out of your boat a high top shoe with laces will stay on your feet and protect the ankles.

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On the judgment side of injury prevention, it’s all about analyzing your

skills vs. the reach of river you want to run. Once you’re on a new run or rapid, there’s little chance of turning back. Reduce the risk of getting in over your head by getting the beta beforehand to make sure it’s a run you are ready for. If you’re not sure, ask a few friends who know your paddling level. But beware those who just say, ‘you’ll be fine, follow me.’ Those are known to be friendship ending words. Having the proper safety gear is only as good as your knowledge to use it and having a crew who knows how to work as a team. Being a beginner isn’t an excuse to pass the buck to a more experienced paddler. If you’re good enough to make it down a river, it’s time to take a rescue course. Contrary to common sense, harder whitewater does not equate to more injuries. Most injuries happen on “easy” sections where people let their guard down. So, pay your dues or pay attention! In the end you’ll have only yourself to answer the question, ‘is it worth it?’ And when you look back at all the sparkling diamonds of water flying in the summer sun and the exhilaration of bouncing down the rapids you will think, ‘indeed it is.’

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5/18/18 5:09 PM

Chasing Waves as a Channel for the Artist F Mind

Living in Ventura, Stevens keeps his eyes on the prize at all cost—to take the best surf photos he can.

Photographer Trent Stevens By Chris Van Leuven

26 ASJ — June/July 2018

lipping through a surf magazine, it’s easy to imagine the glorious world where everyone looks sexy—suntanned bodies in the glistening sand —that there’s plenty of money, and that life is easy. After all, these stories take place in paradise, like Oahu, Hawaii, an area that is known equally for its modern galleries and gourmet restaurants as it is for its powerful surf. For twenty-five-year-old Trent Stevens, who’s been chasing that dream since he was 13, ekeing out an exisitence as a photographer is rough. His images tell a different story: one photo is of a lone seagull on a black and white speckled rock; in the background a surfer is bombing down a wave on a big-wave gun. Another is a shot straight down a wave’s tube capturing the lively expression of the rider kneeling down on his banana-colored short board. A final one is of a bearded surfer in a shining black wetsuit, both his feet on the front third of his board as he leans back hard for balance. The image is framed in white: the top half is the sky, the center is the lime green ocean curling over the man, and below is sea fizz mixed with lens flare. Trent says he’s been living off discount mac ‘n’ cheese and packaged tuna for so long that on a recent night, after three bites, he spit it out because he was over it. Sitting in his hammock on the back porch he described his place over the phone—five dudes living in a three-bedroom house, including one guy in the garage and another on the couch. Broken-down gear fills his yard: a boat that won’t start, a motorcycle that won’t turn over and a damaged golf cart. They’re all too tight on funds to put money into fix-it projects so the stuff just sits there rotting. The inside of the house is filled with surfboard blanks, dishes and hanging wetsuits. Partially torn posters hang from the walls. STEVENS STRUGGLES TO PAY RENT much less pony up the coin it takes to get on a boat—between $50 and $200 for a day—and head out into the heavy surf where he takes photographs that end up in Surfer, Surfline, World Surf League, and Patagonia. He’s lived in his truck before to save money, his late father’s F-150. He’s considering going back to living in his truck again, at the beaches and near his job. Outside of working a retail position at Patagonia, “my world is about telling stories of the underdogs of the surf community,” he says. “And I do what it takes to deliver the

best product—three weeks ago I was in the water for five hours shooting video in Saladita, Mexico, doing daily recap videos for Mexi Log Fest.” Before his current place he lived nearby with Vince Felix, whom he found through a Craigslist ad. Felix, tattooed up to his neck, is a long board surfer just like Stevens and was happy to help him get connected with the international surf community and take him under his wing. Eventually, it was time for Stevens to move on, so at present, he’s trapped somewhere between making it as a pro photographer and folding shirts at Patagonia for a steady buck. “I hold myself to my highest standard because I’m so critical of my work,” he says. “I want to take the best photos I can. Otherwise, why bother?” The son of Mike and Susan, Stevens was raised in the coastal beach town of La Jolla. His older sister surfed too, but didn’t take to the water like he did. To support the family, his father ran one of the country’s first one-hour digital photo processing centers. At age eight, already submerged in photography so deeply that disposable cameras were his toys, Stevens began surfing. By 13, he was running a surf photography website. After school, his mother would drop him off at the beach and he’d later call from a pay phone to be picked up. There he’d be, cold, in a dripping wetsuit, with an expensive underwater housing setup in one hand, and the receiver in the other. ALL HE KNEW UP TO HIS TWENTIES WAS PHOTOGRAPHY. When his dad died of cancer, when Stevens was just 20, he scrambled to find meaning in his own existence. “I knew I could get the wife, the job, the dog, and not be spiritually fulfilled.” He had watched the documentary 180° South about surfer Jeff Johnson who retraced the 1968 journey by Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, and the late Doug Tompkins, founder of The North Face, who traveled from North America to the southern tip of Argentina to climb mountains. So inspired by the film, Stevens decided to embark on a mission like that of his own. He dropped out from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and joined NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School), where he mountaineered and experienced life in Chile for three months.

“Though terrified because of the storm and huge seas, I knew if I didn’t make it out there that day that I would regret it for a lifetime.” — Trent Stevens crossing firelines in Ventura and getting dangerously close to the Thomas Fire. He’d seen his town in flames, and captured it all. He described the scene as apocalyptic. In the aftermath of the fire and the mudslides that followed, he decided to take a month off and head north. It was his 25th birthday and he was alone in the back of his truck in Half Moon Bay harbor. It was raining and 50-foot swells were building in the ocean nearby— “possibly the Mavericks swell of the Opposite page, top to bottom: Joe Rickabaugh maintains a high line at Ventura Point during El Nino; Trent Stevens contemplating his next move (photo Ryan Harrah); This page, left & top to bottom: Sean Tully is always a pleasure to shoot with his extensive knowledge on light and positioning; Dylan Cotton, shot from the island, making the drop at Todos, only to snap his triple stringer gun; Unidentified rider on a bomb at Todos Santos, shot from the boat; Thomas Fire rips through downtown Ventura. His next move was to Ventura, where he attended Brooks Institute, which he described as a sinking ship, and studied visual journalism. To make it work he lived in his truck and cooked meals on the beach. The school shut down during his third year, “so I worked odd jobs and sold prints out of my truck; whatever it took to survive.” One day he stepped into a donut shop with Patagonia clothing on and went to fill his reusable coffee mug. There a stranger asked if he worked for Patagonia and he replied no, other than various photo contracts. But the seed was planted and Stevens walked down the street and applied for an entry-level position. “Once I got the gig, I got as immersed into the company as possible,” he says. AS WE TALKED, MORE THAN ONCE HE MADE SURE I DIDN’T THINK HE WAS CRAZY. Stevens says that when people do, he gets anxious and can unravel. He explained that his mind doesn’t work like others and describes his personality as passionate, perhaps unordinary. “I use my work to try to slow down life and be able to communicate better with

people. I’m at 1,000 words a minute; you should have called me last night, I couldn’t shut up,” he says. Responding, I described how an artist’s mind can work, how they see things differently than other people, often more intensely. That resonated with him. Some people do get him, especially when he’s totally focused on a shoot, but on dry land—at times—it can be a different story. All he can think about is getting back out into the water with his camera. Last year he had two surf videos go viral. The first one was of Jacob Ells of Jive Surfboards sharing a wave with his baby daughter, and the other was of Andrew Dorn capsizing in giant surf at Mavericks. Looking back to the events that drew him to Mavericks and the viral video of Dorn, for weeks before his “vacation,” he’d been

www. advent ur espor t sjour nal. com

Clockwise from top: Fabio Gouveia pulls into a tube in Northern Nicaragua; Tommy Witt and Benny Geren enjoy the nights entertainment in Baja; Max Caldwell makes the best of fading light at Mexi Log Fest in Saladita Mexico; Alec Ledbetter rides a classic 9'4" single fin noserider without a leash into some questionably heavy surf in Ventura County.

Seating

CrazyCreek.com 28 ASJ — June/July 2018

#sitthere

decade,” he says. He got a call that there was room for one more person on the next boat heading out. “Though terrified because of the storm and huge seas, I knew if I didn’t make it out there that day that I would regret it for a lifetime.” During his haste to gather his photo gear to head to Mavericks he’d locked his keys in his car and had to call roadside assistance. He barely made it on the boat. Conditions were severe that day, with waves breaking everywhere, including in the channel. It was also cold and winds were whipping. Before heading out into the choppy seas, fellow crewmember Kyle Thiermann said something about how it was life or death, but our lives are not even that significant in the grand scheme of time. Many clung to their lifejackets and compressed air vests. But Stevens didn’t get one. For protection from the pounding sea spray, he was wearing outerwear designed for mountains. He took stock of his camera gear; the captain revved the engine and powered the crew out to sea. Moments later, still in the channel, they paralleled a whaler and Stevens pointed his lens toward an incoming fifty plus-foot wave like a bulldozer clearing its path. Then another larger wave built up behind it and broke wider than before. Witnessing it from his viewfinder, he watched the wave break dangerously towards them. At this point everyone on board was

either grabbing the rail or getting ready to jump ship, half expecting their vessel to capsize but Stevens focused on getting the job done. Then the seas overcame the whaler, flipping it, tossing the captain and scattering his belongings into the water. Stevens’ crew rescued the man, and after that it was all about survival. When the chaos of the morning ended, with the wave chasing the crew back into the harbor, all that Stevens could think about was getting back on dry land to backup up his footage. “I was worried about losing my memory card to the dark seas,” he says. That night Stevens drove back to Ventura, released the footage, and by the next day it had gone viral on news sources and surf blogs alike. Reflecting back on his crazy year, he notes that the stakes have been raised. “Really, it’s fear of death that drives me,” he says. “But not death in the sense of drowning or fire, but fear of the constant marching of time that’s coming for us all.” To see more of Steven’s work, go to TrentCamera.com, or visit him on Instagram @ seawolfcollective, and hit up his monthly art show on the third Thursday of each month at Topa Topa Brewing Company in Ventura. The art show is open to the public and attendees are encouraged to bring their own work.

Event Profiles

Featured upcoming events

Photo: Brian Leddy

CARSON CITY OFF-ROAD

Photo: Cathy Claesson

Photo: West World Images

June 15-17, Carson City

June 16, Capitola

JAY RACE

DEATH RIDE - TOUR OF THE CA ALPS

The Carson City Off-Road is the third stop on the Epic Rides Off-Road series. Participants will climb their way into the eastern edge of the Sierra Nevada, take in huge views of Lake Tahoe, Washoe Valley and the Carson Valley while connecting some of the area’s favorite (and challenging) pieces of singletrack, double track, gravel roads and the occasional paved segment. The event spreads over three days of festivities. Mingle with bike-minded folks while appreciating the area’s silver mining heritage and feeling welcomed by its modern day appreciation for the outdoor enthusiast. The Carson City Off-Road has a 98% finish rate. Bring your climbing legs and you’ll do just fine. Each Epic Rides Off-Road Series event welcomes mountain bikers of all experience levels with three different length courses (15, 30, or 50-ish miles) that challenge the mind and body plus deliver inspiring views of nature’s beauty. With the Whiskey and Grand Junction Off-Road events done and dusted, the final event of the series — the Oz Trails Off-Road — takes place October 5-7 in Arkansas. epicrides.com

One of the most iconic paddleboard races in the world, the Jay Moriarity Memorial Paddleboard Race is held in honor of one of big wave surfing’s favorite sons – the late Jay Moriarity. Jay was known as much for his fearless big wave surfing as he was for his positive and always friendly attitude. To stay in shape for the winter big wave season, Jay became an avid paddleboarder and could regularly be seen logging countless miles on his paddleboard on the beautiful waters of Monterey Bay. Participants gather annually to remember Jay and paddle their hearts out in his honor. All proceeds benefit the Jay Moriarity Foundation (JMF) to raise funds for Junior Lifeguard programs to purchase equipment and provide scholarships in Jay’s name as well as other ocean related beneficiaries. Did you know you can watch the race (over 400 competitors!) from the sailing excursion yacht Chardonnay III? Proceeds benefit JMF. This year the race takes place on what would be Jay’s 40th birthday! jaymoriarityfoundation.org

Recognized as one of the premier endurance events on the West Coast, the Death Ride — presented by the Alpine County Chamber of Commerce — has welcomed riders from around the globe for the past 38 years, providing them with a challenging, memorable ride along the scenic roads of the Sierra Nevada mountains. The course takes riders on a 129-mile journey with 15,000 feet of climbing over Monitor Pass on SR 89 (8,314'), Ebbetts Pass on SR 4 (8,730') and Carson Pass on SR 88 (8,580'). Along the way, riders are treated to fully stocked rest stops and SAG support. Radio communications, technical and medical support are fully available as well. Be sure to visit the many booths at the Death Ride Expo. Sponsors/exhibitors will provide rider giveaways, products and services ranging from tech-support to souvenir items. The expo takes place on Friday July 13 and Saturday July 14 (race day). Plus, test your skills at Turtle Rock Park’s 18-hole disc golf course or the horseshoe pit. It’s free to play and open to all! deathride.com

SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS CHALLENGE July 21, Santa Cruz

This is a classic road cycling event hosted by the Santa Cruz County Cycling Club (SCCCC) and 2018 marks the 20th year of this event. There are four routes to choose from. All routes include stunning scenery, great food and awesome rider support. The route choices include: 45-mile / 2,900′ of climbing; 75-mile / 6,800′ of climbing; 101-mile / 10,100′ of climbing, or the crown jewel ride — a 135-miler with 13,200′ of lung busting climbing. All routes go through beautiful redwood forests, coastal bluffs and provide unparalleled Monterey Bay views. Proceeds go to local cycling education. Recent grant recipients include: Every 5th Grader Program by Ecology Action, the Bike Church Santa Cruz, Active Transportation Scotts Valley, UCSC Bike Maintenance Shop and Trips4Kids Santa Cruz and Watsonville, Santa Cruz Jr. Development MTB Team. santacruzmountainschallenge.com

Photo: Lefrak Photography

DONNER LAKE TRIATHLON

DOWNIEVILLE CLASSIC

2018 brings the 37th Donner Lake Triathlon (DLT) to Truckee California. For years the Donner Lake Triathlon Olympic and Sprint distances have been and remain the favorite triathlon of many. It’s no wonder as the event features an epic setting, a beautiful and challenging course, and is located very near Truckee and North Lake Tahoe. 2018 also marks the 8th annual Donner Lake Kids Triathlon and the 6th annual Donner Lake Half Triathlon. Be sure to plan to stay prior to or after so you can experience one of the world’s best sporting playgrounds: the Truckee/North Lake Tahoe area. The DLT is owned and operated by Big Blue Adventure, LLC. Also, check out the XTERRA Lake Tahoe off-road triathlon August 19th and the Lake Tahoe Triathlon August 25th and 26th. bigblueadventure.com

The Downieville Classic delivers a weekend of racing and partying in the Lost Sierra featuring a 29-mile cross country race and 15-mile downhill with a 5,000 vertical drop. Downieville is infamous for its racers, and riders come to prove themselves hardened and unbreakable. Race or ride the epic cross country to the Sierra Crest and back to town, or take in a double dose with the seemingly endless descents of the Downieville Downhill in the All Mountain World Championships. Or just come to enjoy the bike festival for the weekend. Either way, you win. The Downieville Classic is part of the Lost Sierra Triple Crown — a series of events presented by Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship (SBTS) that challenge athletes to the ultimate test of fitness and skill. The Lost Sierra Triple Crown also includes the Lost and Found Gravel Grinder, which took place in Portola on June 2, and Grinduro, coming to Quincy September 29. Proceeds go toward trail stewardship in Plumas and Sierra counties. downievilleclassic.com

July 21-22, Truckee

Stay in the Loop Subscribe to our monthly e-newsletter which includes a comprehensive

listing of adventure sports events throughout California and Nevada! Sign up at adventuresportsjournal.com. 30 ASJ — June/July 2018

July 14, Markleeville

August 2-5, Downieville

MENDO HOPPER

August 11-12, Mendocino

Photo: Tahoe Nalu

Photo: Dexter Farm

TA-HOE NALU

SALINAS VALLEY HALF MARATHON August 4, Salinas

August 11-12, Kings Beach

The Salinas Valley Half Marathon is run through the heart of the Salinas Valley next to flourishing vineyards and past fields of leafy green vegetables. The point-to-point, scenic 13.1-mile course begins at the historic Soledad Mission and encompasses rich agricultural lands. The finish takes place at Pessagno Winery along the River Road Wine Trail. Finish festivities include music, MY Museum activities for children, wine tasting for adults, and a fund-raising tri-tip barbecue catered by the Salinas Toro Bulls. As Salinas Valley Half Marathon runners take on the inspiring 13.1-mile course, another group of runners and walkers will be enjoying the final miles of the course on a newly-established 5K fun run. The Salinas Valley Half Marathon is organized by the Big Sur Marathon Foundation whose mission is to create beautiful running events that promote health and benefit the community. salinasvalleyhalfmarathon.org

The Ta-Hoe Nalu Paddle Festival is celebrating its 12th year as the oldest and longest running SUP race event in the world, on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe at Kings Beach. From the very first Ta-Hoe Nalu in 2007 to now, the event draws folks from all around the globe to the shores of Lake Tahoe to compete on SUPs, Prone and Outrigger canoes. Ta-Hoe Nalu has become a destination vacation family event for all ages and skill levels. The event embraces everyone from recreational, fitness paddlers, yoga, beginners, and elite athletes. This year the First Stroke non-competitive fun guided paddle tours will be back with more tours, along with a 4-person team Sprint Elimination Challenge, yoga paddles, free Starboard’s SUP Polo, live music and raffles each day at the Kona Beer Garden, and new, lowered event registration prices. Come and enjoy the fun, family, fitness and High Sierra Aloha at Lake Tahoe. tahoenalu.com

NAM

June 15 - 17 Epic Rides Carson City, Nevada

16 20 2017

E __ ___ events program_Adventure Sports Journal — California’s original ou _ A _ G magazine,Eunderstands the importance of_personally connecting with outdoor readers _ _ _ __roadshow __and_ sponsor products in the hands We developed our to get our magazines _ __and __roadshow athletes. Over the years_our program has grown travels to some of our _ _ _ EMmost ___working with us through our __events and interesting events. Consider program or _ A __print,S web and social media. ___ ILprograms integrated ___ that includes events, ___ TAT ___ E __ • 25+ ___ _ ___ ___ • 140 ___ ZIP attend C•OadDd ___ ___ • rack ___ ___ • prod __•_prod _ • lead

Do you have an event you’d like to see featured in this section? Learn about our event promotion packages by emailing us at info@adventuresportsjournal.com. PLUS — list your event for FREE on our on-line calendar at adventuresportsjournal.com/add-event.

R oad how

A Hopper like no other. This is your chance to ride little known dirt roads in remote Mendocino County. Over 25 years of riding and exploring in Northern California has led to the crazy combination of pavé, dirt and gravel roads that make up this two-day cycling adventure. By nature, Hoppers are demanding mixed-terrain adventure rides. These are not “gravel grinders.” There will be some gravel, and you will do some grinding. The course however is a mix between beautiful to horrible pavement; hardpack to super-chunky gravel; ripping buffed logging roads to rutted and dusted out dirt roads. grasshopperadventureseries.com

CALIFORNIA COAST CLASSIC

September 22-29, San Francisco to Los Angeles

The 18th annual Arthritis Foundation’s California Coast Classic (CCC) is a fully-supported boutique bicycle tour limited to 250 riders to raise funds for the Arthritis Foundation. Ride at your own pace along the iconic Highway 1 from San Francisco to Los Angeles among waves, woods, and wineries. You’ll pedal along coastal roads and camp or stay in hotels in areas not open to larger groups. The CCC covers over 500 miles over eight days during the best time of year in California. arthritis.org/CaliforniaCoastClassic

• cont

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Adventure Calendar Visit us online for more upcoming events. Go to AdventureSportsJournal.com and click on the EVENTS button.

BIKING JUNE 2 — Eastern Sierra Double Century / Bishop, Mammoth Lakes, Mono Lake & more / This is road bike heaven! / PlanetUltra.com 2 — Lost & Found Gravel Grinder / Lake Davis / 30mi, 60mi, 100mi / SierraTrails.org 2 -3 — Core Fundamentals / Santa Cruz / 1 or 2 day option, advanced techniques on day 2 / ASingleTrackMind.com 9 — Groveland Grind / Groveland / An adventure ride on mixed terrain in the Stanislaus National Forest with 3 routes to choose from for cyclists of all skill levels / grovelandtrailheads.org 9 — Incarnation 100 / Santa Rosa / A benefit for homeless services / 4 different routes / Incarnation100.org

more than just a climbing gym

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

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www.pacificedgeclimbinggym.com 32 ASJ — June/July 2018

9 — MTB Race Prep / Tahoe / Learn the skills to conquer the trail and learn the mental and competitive strategies to do your best. / ASingleTrackMind.com 15-17 — Carson City Off-Road / Carson City , NV / Three distance options to choose from / 15, 35 or 50 miles / carefully curated set of spectacular trails / EpicRides.com 16 — Mammoth Bar Enduro / Auburn / Round # 2 of the California Enduro Series / CaliforniaEnduroSeries.com 16 — CF Cycle for Life / Half Moon Bay / Fightcf.cff.org 16-23 — Sierra to the Sea Bicycle Tour / Lake Tahoe to Golden Gate Park / SierraToTheSea.org 23 — Berms, Rocks, Drops & Jumps / South Lake Tahoe / Learn to stay committed to the bike and trail in challenging terrain / ASingleTrackMind. com

JUNE 30, 2018

SANTA/CRUZ MOUNTAINS CHALLENGE ROAD/BIKE/EVENT Saturday/July/21/2018 45M / 75M / 101M / 135M

NORTHLANDEREVENTS.COM

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Adventure Calendar Visit us online for more upcoming events. Go to AdventureSportsJournal.com and click on the EVENTS button.

BIKING, CONT. JUNE 30 — Sully 100 / Diamond S Ranch, CA / This is all private land / Ride four 25 mile laps with about 3,500 ft of climbing per 25 mile lap / solo riders, 2- person teams & 4-person team categories / Showers, and plenty of camping for RV’s, tents, car camping./ NorthlanderEvents.com. 30 — Climb to Kaiser (plus Tollhouse Century & Millerton Metric) / Clovis / Rated as one of the 10 toughest rides in America / ClimbToKaiser.com 30 — China Peak Enduro / China Peak Mountain Resort in Lakeshore / Round # 3 of the California Enduro Series / CaliforniaEnduroSeries.com

JULY 14 — Death Ride - Tour of the California Alps / Markleeville / 5 pass ride, 129 mi, and 15,000 feet of lungbusting climbing / DeathRide.com

34 ASJ — June/July 2018

17 - 19 — Youth Summer MTB Camp / Truckee / Start your kids off on the right mountain biking track / ASingleTrackMind.com 21 — Santa Cruz Mountains Challenge / Markleeville / 4 routes, 45, 75, 101 & 135M / SantaCruzCycling.org 22 — Advanced MTB Skills Progressions / Tahoe / 7 hrs, set curriculum to master and improve your bike skills / ASingleTrackMind.com 28-29 — Crafts and Cranks Enduro / Snow Summit at Big Bear Lake / Round # 4 of the California Enduro Series / CaliforniaEnduroSeries.com 28 - 29 — Core Fundamentals / Marin / 1 or 2 day option, advanced techniques on day 2 / ASingleTrackMind.com

AUGUST 2-5 — Downieville Classic MTB Race and Festival / Downieville / All Mountain World Championships, XC Adventure Race, Downieville Downhill / DownievilleClassic.com

5 — Silicon Valley Tour de Cure / Palo Alto / Tour.Diabetes.org 25-26 — Northstar Enduro / Northstar California Resort, Truckee / Round # 5 of the California Enduro Series / CaliforniaEnduroSeries.com

SEPTEMBER 8 — Mammoth Gran Fondo / Mammoth Lakes / 42mi, 70mi, & 102mi races through beautiful Mono County/ MammothGranFondo.com 14-16 — Stetina’s Sierra Prospect / Northstar, Carson, Mt Rose / supports High Fives foundation, 2 routes – 44mi or 78 mi / SierraProspect.com 21-23 — Kamikaze Bike Games / Mammoth Lakes / Enduro - Round # 6 of the California Enduro Series / 4 stage Enduro for the Jr/Beg/ Sport Division and a 5 stage course for the Pro/Expert Division. KamikazeBikeGames.com 29-30 — Grinduro / Quincy / Gravel grinder plus MTB style enduro, 2 day festival / Grinduro.com

OCTOBER 5-7 — Levi’s GranFondo / Santa Rosa / 10th Anniversary! il Regno, Gran, Medio, Piccolo, Family Route, 5K, 10K / LevisGranFondo.com

6 — Ashland Mountain Challenge / Lithia Park in Ashland / Finale of the California Enduro Series / CaliforniaEnduroSeries.com 14 — Los Angeles Tour de Cure / Santa Fe Recreation Dam / Tour. Diabetes.org 14 — TBF MTB 50-Miler / Granite Bay, Folsom Lake SRA / 50mi, 25mi, solo and teams / TBFracing.com 20 — Solvang Autumn Double Century / Solvang / 193 miles with about 11,800′ of climbing, century option / PlanetUltra.com 20 — The Hammer Road Rally / Friant / 3 routes, food and music festival / HammerRoadRally.com 20-21 — Bike MS: Bay to Bay / Irvine to San Diego / 1 or 2 days and 4 routes to choose from / BikeMS.org

PADDLING Sea Kayaking and Stand Up Paddle Boarding /Santa Cruz / We offer the highest quality sea kayaking and standup paddle boarding instruction taught by friendly ACA- trained instructors / KayakConnection.com / 831.479.1121

JOIN US FOR THE ULTIMATE MTB EVENT BENEFITTING THE MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

Get up here for the bike bash of the year at this multi-disciplined event featuring some of the best enduro courses in the world and a brand new Megakami race. With music, great food, drinks and a kids enduro, there’s off-road fun for all. ENDURO • KIDS ENDURO • MEGAKAMI • E-DURO • BOOGALOO • EXPO AND MUCH MORE

FOR MORE INFO AND LODGING DEALS, GO TO KAMIKAZEBIKEGAMES.COM

Adventure Calendar Visit us online for more upcoming events. Go to AdventureSportsJournal.com and click on the EVENTS button.

PADDLING, cont. JUNE Sea Kaykaing Club 5 week club that meets on Sundays in Santa Cruz / kayakconnection.com 10 — Thunderbird Paddling Festival / Sand Harbor, Lake Tahoe / Epic scenery and miles of Tahoe’s classic shoreline sporting large formations of granite boulders and secluded sandy coves / LakeTahoePaddling.com 16 — 17th Annual Jay Moriarity Memorial Paddleboard Race / Capitola / We gather to remember Jay Moriarity and paddle our hearts out in his honor; All proceeds go to the Jay Moriarity Foundation / JayMoriarityFoundation.org

JULY 21 — Waterman’s Paddle Jam / Carnelian Bay Lake Tahoe / #2 of the Tahoe Cup Paddle Racing Series / TahoeCup.org

JULY

SEPTEMBER

4 — Run to The Beach / North Tahoe / 5K & 10K / TahoeTrailRunning.com

1 — SLO Ultra at Wild Cherry Canyon / Avila Beach / 50mi, 26mi XC, 13mi XC, 5mi / SLOUltra.com

AUGUST 11-12 —Ta-Hoe Nalu Paddle Festival / Kings Beach / World’s original SUP race - races, demos, clinics, expo / TahoeNalu.com

RUNNING

23-25 — Badwater 135 / Furnace Creek & Lone Pine / “World’s Toughest Foot Race” - 135mi from Death Valley to Mt. Whitney / BadWater.com

JUNE

AUGUST

3 — Truckee Running Festival / Riverview Sports Park / 5K, 10K, half marathon, kids race / TahoeTrailRunning.com 10 — Run to Squaw / Olympic Valley / 7.9mi run alongside the Truckee River / TahoeTrailRunning.com 10 — Squaw Valley Half Marathon / Olympic Valley / SquawValleyHalf.com 17 — Run in the Name of Love / Carmel-by-the-Sea / 5K run & 2K dogfriendly walk / Run4Love.org

4 — Salinas Valley Half Marathon / Soledad / bsim.org 11 — Marlette 50K and 10 Miler / Lake Tahoe NV State Park / RRCA Championships / TahoeTrailRunning. com 19 — XTERRA Lake Tahoe Trail Run / Incline Village, NV / 5K & 10K / TahoeTrailRunning.com 25 — Moonlight Madness / Cottonwood Valley, Las Vegas, NV / Half marathon with 1550’ vertical climb / DesertDash.com

24 — Burton Creek Trail Run / Tahoe City / 6K, 12K, Half Marathon, Kids / TahoeTrailRunning.com

1-2 — Headlands Marathon, 50, 75 & 100-Mile / Sausalito / PCTrailRuns.com 16 — Emerald Bay Trail Run / Lake Tahoe West Shore / 7mi mostly single track route with moderate climbs and descents / TahoeTrailRunning.com 16 — Whiskeytown Relays / Whiskeytown Lake / 19.9mi paved, dirt / SweatRC.com 22 — Big Sur Trail Marathon, Half Marathon & 5 Mile / Andrew Molera State Park / EnviroSports.com 22 — Lederhosen 5K & 10K / Squaw Valley / After the awards and raffle enjoy the annual Squaw Oktoberfest / TahoeTrailRunning.com 23 — Truckee Marathon / Truckee / Plus Half Marathon & Relay / TahoeTrailRunning.com

s U w o Foll

staff@adventuresportsjournal.com photo: vernonwiley

36 ASJ — April/May 2018

bike • paddle • run • swim • triathlon

72 miles of pure liquid fun

Learn the skills of a pro from a pro!

Lake Tahoe Water Trail

OCTOBER 6-7 — Bizz Johnson 10K, Half Marathon, Marathon, 50K / Susanville / Run through scenic Lassen National Forest / CoastalTrailRuns.com 7 — Urban Cow Half Marathon, Relay & 5K Run/Walk / Sacramento / UrbanCowHalfMarathon.com 7 — Great Trail Race / Truckee, Tahoe City / Bike or run / GreatTrailRace.com 21 — Surfer›s Path Hang 10/5 / Santa Cruz & Capitola / This event features a 10 mile and 5 mile course with scenic, beach front a coastal views. Come to Santa Cruz and Hang 10 or Hang 5! Surfs UP! / runsurferspath.com

SWIMMING JUNE 9 — 25th Annual Alcatraz Sharkfest Swim / San Francisco / 1.5mi from Alcatraz to Aquatic Park / SharkFestSwim.com 16 — Tahoe City Swim / Commons Beach, Lake Tahoe / 1/2mi, 1.2mi, 2.4mi / TahoeSwimming.com

JULY 1 — Dip & Dash Aquathlon #1 / Santa Cruz / Relay and Swim Only / FinishLineProduction.com 21 — Alpine Fresh Water Swim (FKA Truckee Donner Lake Open Water Swim) / Donner Lake / 1/2mi, 1.2mi, 2.4mi / TahoeSwimming.com 22 — Golden Gate Sharkfest Swim / Sausalito / 1.6mi open water swim, south tower to Horseshoe Cove / SharkFestSwim.com

AUGUST 18 — Lake Tahoe Sharkfest Swim / Incline Village, NV / Sand Harbor 1mi swim / SharkFestSwim.com 25 — Lake Tahoe Open Water Swim / Sugar Pine State Park / 1/2mi, 1.2mi, 2.4mi / TahoeSwimming.com

Triathlon/Duathlon JUNE 3 — Orange County Tri Series / Lake Mission Viejo / OCTriSeries.com 3 — Groveland Gears & Grooves Mini-Triathlon / Groveland / 1mi swim, 22mi bike ride, & 5.12mi run / GrovelandGearsandGrooves.com 9 — #1 Tri for Fun Sprint and Super Sprint Triathlon/Duathlon / Rancho Seco Park, Herald / TBFracing.com

10 — Rodney Strong Vineyards Monte Rio Triathlon / Sonoma / Olympic & Sprint / VineMan.com 16 — XTERRA Tahoe City / Commons Beach / Triathlon, Sprint Tri, Duathlon / BigBlueAdventure.com 23 — Summer Splash & Dash / Santa Cruz / FinishLineProduction.com

JULY 1 — Dip and Dash Aquathlon #1 / Santa Cruz / Short Swim - 750meter swim & 4mi run, or Long Swim 1500meter swim & 4mi run, or Swim only / FinishLineProduction.com 7 — June Lake Triathlon / June Lake / HighSierraTri.org 14 — #2 Tri for Fun Triathlon/DU for Fun Duathlon (Sprint & Super Sprint) / Rancho Seco Park, Herald / TBFracing.com 21 — Eppie’s Great Race / Rancho Cordova & Sacramento / 5.82mi run, 12.5mi bike, 6.1mi paddle / EppiesGreatRace.org 21-22 — Donner Lake Triathlon / Truckee / Half Tri, 70.3, Olympic Tri, Sprint Tri, Kids’ Tri, Aquabike / DonnerLakeTri.com

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AUGUST 12 — #2 Tri for Real Triathlon, Aqua Bike, 1.2m/2.4m Open Water Swim / Rancho Seco Park, Herald / TBFracing. com 12 — Dip and Dash Aquathlon #3 / Santa Cruz / International - 1500yd swim & 10K run, or Sprint - 750yd swim & 5K run, or Swim only / FinishLineProduction.com 12 — Tri Santa Cruz / Santa Cruz / International & Sprint Tri (& relay); Olympic and Sprint Clydesdale & Athena; International & Sprint Aquabike; Sprint Paratri; Dip and Dash / FinishLineProduction.com 19 — Oakland Triathlon / Jack London Square / OaklandTri.com 19 — XTERRA Triathlon / Lake Tahoe / Olympic, Sprint, Duathlon / BigBlueAdventure.com 25-26 — Lake Tahoe Triathlon Sprint / Tahoma / Half Tri , 70.3, Olympic Tri, Sprint Tri, Duathlon, Aquabike / LakeTahoeTri.com

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Gear We Love

Goodies for your active lifestyle

7 6

1. Light and Motion Rando Cycling Light If you’re a touring or adventure riding enthusiast, this is THE light for you. The Rando 500 features a host of safety innovations with the added perk of trickle-charge capability while being used. You get 500 lumen output in a waterproof design that provides allweather reliability. Charge on the go with the Rando micro USB cable. Pulse mode aids in motorist’s depth perception of an approaching cyclist, and amber side lighting increases visibility at intersections. A quick release handlebar mount and high/medium one touch toggle mode add to the light’s convenience. Handlebar mount and charging cable are included. You’ll never be left in the dark again! MSRP: $80.00 lightandmotion.com 2. Five Ten Sleuth Slip-On Cycling Shoe We were pleasantly surprised at just how versatile this shoe really is. You can literally go from office to trailhead in comfort, support and style. Where many slip-ons feel like, well, slip-ons, these aren’t going anywhere, no matter what you’re up to. Although marketed as a cycling shoe, the Sleuth is sticky enough to wear bouldering and playing on crags. But they aren’t so sticky that they are uncomfortable around the house! The Sleuth Slip-On features a woven upper that offers a snug, sock-like fit. Plus, the non-marking Marathon™ rubber outsole with Micro-Dotty™ tread offers a tuned grip for freedom of movement and increased durability. You just can’t go wrong with this shoe. MSRP: $80.00 adidasoutdoor.com 38 ASJ — June/July 2018

3. LOWA Innox Evo GTX Lo Ws Trail Shoe The next step in lightweight trail shoe design, this athletically inspired style is a great all-around fitness shoe. Set on LOWA’s proprietary DynaPU® PU midsole for lightweight cushioning, durability and comfort, it is durably waterproof and breathable. It’s made on a women’s-specific last and weighs just 1.27 pounds. The upper is made of microfiber and synthetic materials and the shoe features a GORE-TEX® lining. Comes in a variety of colors. MSRP: $175.00 lowaboots.com 4. Advanced Elements AirFusion EVO The AirFusion EVO’s revolutionary design brings hard-shell speed and directional control to a packable inflatable kayak. This kayak is perfect for paddlers who want to cover distance toward a horizon with friends paddling a variety of different craft, and also want something they can pack up and take to faraway places or store in limited space. You can take it on multi-sport journeys, on most types of water. Enjoy it on camping trips to the coast, remote lakes, and quick fitness paddles on the home water. At 13 feet long and weighing in at only 32 pounds, The AirFusion EVO packages incredible performance with a combination of high-pressure drop-stitch air chambers, an aluminum keel and a durable polyurethane outer skin. It’s fully skirtable for rough water. Payload is 235 pounds for paddler and gear. We were excited to learn that the traditional Advanced Elements carrying case has been updated and now comes with two adjustable shoulder straps, allowing one to use it as a backpack.

There are also two top carrying handles. Bag size is a generous 36 x 16 x 11 inches and seems roomy enough to house a pump and paddle. MSRP: $1,099.00 advancedelements.com 5. Big Agnes Pumphouse Ultra This multi-use sleeping pad inflation pump packs small and weighs next to nothing. Plus, you can use it as a roomy stuff sack, dry sack, pillow (when you pack some soft, cozy items in it), and even a backcountry shower! The Pumphouse Ultra drastically reduces sleeping pad inflation time by gathering a large amount of air at one time and easily pushing it through the sleeping pad in-valve. Constructed with durable, aviation grade ultralight fabric, the pump weighs just 2.9 ounces and measures 19.5 x 13.5 x 8 inches. It’s designed to fit best with Big Agnes’ Ultra, AXL Air, and Q-Core pads. MSRP: $34.95 bigagnes.com 6. Dynaplug Micro Pro Tubeless Bicycle Tire Repair Kit Tire punctures will no longer steal the joy from your cycling adventures when you bring along the Dynaplug Micro Pro. Founded in 1991, Dynaplug was designed as an easy-to-use solution for DIY tubeless tire repair, making fast, permanent repairs on tubeless punctures for a wide range of vehicle tires. Discovering a demand for tubeless bicycle tires, the company has crafted a plug specifically for that scale, resulting in an ergonomic, compact repair tool that is durable and efficient. Dynaplug doesn’t require any reaming, chemicals, adhesive or waiting time.

To make a repair, you simply thread the insertion tube into the end cap, then remove the puncture object, align the repair plug, push in the repair plug, and pull out. La voila! This Dynaplug kit is machined from solid billet 6061 aluminum and holds as many as four insertion tubes with plugs, air stopper and micro knife. Fully loaded it weighs only 1.5 ounces. MSRP: $54.99 dynaplug.com 7. Wenzel Shenanigan 5-Person Tent Made for weekend warriors and trend setters alike! The Shenanigan 5 is here to spruce up the camp vibes with two cool new patterns without compromising functionality. Easy one pole setup with fast feet make for a quick set up so you never miss a beat. The canopy is constructed from polyester, while the floor is made of welded polyethylene. Features include an inverted “T” style door with roll back flaps, three zippered windows with inside flaps, and two convenience pockets. Guy out rear vents and three peak vents provide hi-low air circulation. This roomy tent boasts a floor size of 11.5 x 10 feet (floor area: 86 square feet) with a peak height of 90 inches. It packs down to 27.5 x 7.5 x 7.5 inches and weighs 10 pounds 12 ounces. The Shenanigan also comes in an 8-person version for $159.95 (floor size: 14-foot x 12-foot, 2-inches; floor area: 127 square feet.) MSRP: $119.95 wenzelco.com

EXOS | EJA

Bridge crossings, sunsets with colors so rich they drip from the s k y, dinner w i t h c hipmunk s . T he lit tle things. T he E xos/Eja features uncompromised durabilit y in an u l t r a l i g h t p a c k a g e t h a t d e f i e s b e l i e f. The only way to discover wondrous moments is to get out there and find them. So grab your friends, pack your gear and make it happen.