Coastal Watershed Council I Warren Miller I Switchback I Event Profiles
Oct/Nov 2016
Issue #93
chasing the shot fred pompermayer
CANYONEERING reel rock film tour
& interview with Peter Mortimer
highlining taking it to new terrain
ROLEX big boat series
off season mtb
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Table of Contents
departments
6 7 9
14
Editor’s Note
Uncomfortably Numb
Inbox / Switchback Readers sound off
Ear to the Ground
News & notes from the outdoor industry
EPiC
Coastal Watershed Council
24
Event Profiles
25
Event Calendar
26
Photo:Bruce Dorman
A peek at some of California’s best upcoming events
Events at a glance
Gear We Love
Goodies for an active lifestyle
4 ASJ — Oct/Nov 2016
Photo: Fred Pompermayer
features
8 12 16
Ride Your Bike
MTB racers embrace the off-season
Daydream Highline
Peter Duin walks the line on Mt. Whitney
Log Rides
Canyoneering the South Fork of the Feather River
Photo:Sean Rick Jansen Ianiello Photo:
18 20 22
Big Boats & Big Winds Rolex Big Boat Series
Chasing the Shot
Fred Pompermayer Q&A
Photo: Larry Duin
Cover Photo Fred Pompermayer soaks in the view after climbing Cathedral Peak in Tuolumne Meadows. Photo by Nicola Martinez
Reel Rock
Climbing’s biggest film festival goes all out for 2016
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asj contributors sunrise or sunset? and where’s your favorite place to watch one? PUBLISHING + EDITORIAL
leoniesherman
Sunrise, for sure. I love watching the shifting morning light over the Glass Mountains, Mt. Dana and the tufas from a stand up paddle board on Mono Lake.
fredpompermayer
I’d go for the sunrise! I love the quickness of the sunrise, the sparkly moment, it’s magical. You can feel the energy of nature’s new beginning.
PUBLISHER Cathy Claesson cathy@adventuresportsjournal.com EDITORIAL/MARKETING Matt Niswonger matt@adventuresportsjournal.com EDITORIAL/LAYOUT Michele Lamelin michele@adventuresportsjournal.com INTERNS Joe Spota and Natalie Smith
petermortimer Sunset. Still caffeinated, well-slept, work is done, surfing a glass off as crowds slim down, knowing it’s food and drink after.
peterduin
laurengregg
WEBMASTER Brooklyn Taylor brook@adventuresportsjournal.com
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If we’re talking about photography, sunset, AKA the golden hour, tends to yield nicer images. And with beercan racing winding down, more sunset shots are on the horizon.
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CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Fred Pompermayer, Dave “Nelly” Nelson, Called To Creation, Martha Blanchfield, Bruce Dorman, Papa Gregg, Laurie Egan, David Casterson, Melissa Foley, Peter Duin, Larry Duin, Sadie Duin, Luis Barra, Josh Sawyer, Sandor Lengyel
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I love sunsets, but there is just no better way to start off your day than with a silent, peaceful sunrise. My favorite place to catch one is at the trailhead with a warm cup of coffee.
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There’s nothing like catching a beautiful sunset while floating atop a surfboard in the chilly oceanic waters of Arcata. I rarely watch the sun rise, I’m saving that for when I get old.
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Editor’s Note
..........
Van Living
Uncomfortably Numb The high cost of no risk
S
Sandor Lengyel
“Van living doesn’t have to be expensive. We started with a used Ford E-350 and built a great campervan setup for off grid boondocking for less than $15K (including van, solar, 25 gallon water tank, full queen bed, and cabinets.) Now we’ve moved on to a used sprinter for our dream DIY build.” Share YOUR story about living on the road. Email info@adventuresportsjournal.com.
Share this Wave
Fred Pompermayer
avage Arena is an autobiography about the life of In Savage Arena we are asked to confront the lack of passion, joy and risk in our everyday lives. Yes, we an extreme athlete who embraces a lifestyle of risk. The author, Joe Tasker, was training to be a priest wake up every day and go to school or work with a high degree of safety but are we truly alive or are we just when he discovered climbing in his twenties and never looked back. After groundbreaking ascents in both the numb and ambivalent and going through the motions? Alps and the Himalayas, Tasker lost his life in 1982 while In Issue #92 I wrote about a close call I had while attempting a new line on Mt. Everest. climbing with my two sons in Yosemite. Like any parent The book is an unforgettable look into the realities of I want nothing more than to keep my children safe and extreme sports. What’s powerful about Savage Arena so I wrestled with the idea of quitting rock climbing is that Tasker knows he is taking huge risks and heading with my kids. Ultimately I realized that this would be a down a path that will probably get him killed, and yet mistake. at the same time is completely comfortable with the At the end of the day, what I learned from this choices he is making. Joe experience is that besides Tasker discovers his own true safety there is something else potential through extreme I want for our children very mountaineering, and while much: to live a happy life filled dealing with the suffering with excitement and passion. and fear of hardcore climbing Clearly dying young while comes to appreciate his own climbing, BASE jumping or life as a precious gift worth surfing is tragic. However, in fighting for. In the process, Savage Arena, Tasker makes Tasker presents a convincing the case that it is possibly even argument that it’s the quality more tragic to grow old after a of life that matters most, not lifetime spent feeling depressed, the quantity. numb, and unfulfilled. In the pages of Savage As a parent, I can’t possibly Arena (and in his other book justify the risks taken by Joe “As parents we are full of advice Everest the Cruel Way), Tasker Tasker that led to his death on like ‘work hard’ and ‘study your describes in detail the path of Everest, or the risks taken by top the extreme athlete, a concept wingsuit flyers like Alexander math’ but what are we really Polli and Uli Emanuele, who died that didn’t even exist when telling our kids? That money and this summer while pursuing their both books were published passion. But I do not dismiss in the early 1980s. What’s security is all that matters? Why these athletes as silly adrenaline compelling is that Tasker is not not challenge our kids to chase addicts with a death wish either. advocating risk for the sake of the opposite, they loved risk, but for the passion and their dreams and live heroically?” Just life so much that they were joy that becomes available unwilling to accept anything to those who willingly put less than the most inspiring life themselves in the “savage possible. arena,” a place where survival itself is not a given. There is a popular saying among surfers that challenges For Tasker, living life as if survival were not a given is people to, “Live Like Jay.” Just about everyone knows the path to experiencing the sheer joy of being alive that Jay was a hard charging Santa Cruz surfer who died in the first place. The insights that Tasker shares in his at age twenty-two while free diving. Jay showed people books make it clear that he was decades ahead of his how to live life as if every day counts, and that’s why time. The savage arena now exists as a highly visible part he remains a hero to this day. His short life was a gift of surfing, rock climbing, skydiving, kayaking, skiing and to a world filled with uninspired, apathetic people who many more outdoor sports where extreme athletes are are living the very life that Joe Tasker rejected when he featured every day on the internet. For just about every embraced the savage arena. category of outdoor activity there is now an extreme As parents we are full of advice like “work hard” and version where elite athletes push the envelope and “study your math” but what are we really telling our stare down death on a regular basis. One thinks of Jay kids? That money and security is all that matters? Why Moriarity, Mark Foo, Dan Osman, Shane McConkey, not challenge our kids to chase their dreams and live Dean Potter, Graham Hunt, and most recently Alexander heroically? This is the lasting legacy of heroes like Joe Polli as high-profile extreme athletes who died while Tasker, Jay Moriarity, and Shane McConkey. They refused pushing the boundaries of their sport. to take their lives for granted and we shouldn’t either. Life For Joe Tasker the choice was easy. Living a “safe” life in is precious and every day is a gift. a state of numb ambivalence was not preferable to living What do you do to stay passionate about your life? an inspired life fighting for survival in the savage arena. Have you found a way to experience the sheer joy As he says in the book, “I could never again maintain that I was caught up in this game unwillingly. I knew now of being alive without assuming the risks that top extreme athletes face on a regular basis? Drop me what I wanted to do. I would accept the hardship and a line and let’s keep this conversation going: matt@ fear, the discipline and the sacrifices, if only I could be adventuresportsjournal.com. given back the chance to climb that mountain.” — Matt Niswonger 6 ASJ — Oct/Nov 2016
@sharethiswave is a collaboration between many of the top surf photographers in the world including Chris Burkard, Dave Nelson, Fred Pompermayer, Brian Bielmann, Ryan Craig and many more. In addition to professional photographers we feature our favorite shots from around the world from posted photos that are tagged @sharethiswave. Check out our Instagram and tag us when you post your favorite surf pics. Stay tuned for @sharethisride and @sharethisclimb for awesome bike and climbing photos – coming soon!
Submit Your Stories & Photos ASJ is here for YOU – our reader! We value your feedback and contributions, and appreciate you getting involved! Send us: Story ideas • Trip/race reports • Van living images • Shots of your favorite place to hang a hammock • Pictures of your adventure hound • Guide stories • Plus: Follow @ShareThisWave • Tell us how you “Earn Your Beer”• Respond to our articles and editor’s note Email: info@adventuresportsjournal.com adventuresportsjournal.com
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Fan mail, feedback, ideas & opinions Letters to the Editor
In response to “The Void” in ASJ #91
ROPE UP DOUBLE! I just finished reading your amazing article “The Void”, and just had to make a comment. I was looking at your son’s handsome face and thinking to myself there is no greater pleasure in this world than to look into our wonderful children’s eyes and feel blessed that we have them in our lives. Nothing and no thrill is worth risking their wellbeing and I do mean no thrill! Please take very safe measures when you climb with them again, they are just kids and they are trusting their parents with their life. Thank you for sharing this unforgettable and soul stirring story!
—Roya Enayati, Beverly Hills
CHILLS Wow! That story gave me chills! What a harrowing journey you all made and I’m so so glad you’re all ok. Thank you for sharing. Smart safety can be simple to implement, right? But being aware and prepared is challenging and I hope you guys will share more good tips on this. Great topic! —Alicia
NOT ROCKET SCIENCE A lesson learned there … so many of my friends have been killed when walking off climbs that I never hesitate to get the rope out when on any kind of exposed ground. I have always felt that hiball bouldering is just not worth the risk. I have seen reports of people falling six feet on a climb and been killed … so ... it isn’t rocket science.
REMARKABLE LESSONS I was reading this letter with vivid memories of a frightening free-solo I did of that climb back in 2004. There were many scary moments, but one of them was that thin portion of that trail down where I encountered a rattlesnake that didn’t seem to want to move from my escape route down. I remember the exposed sections of that hike down and recall thinking people could easily get in trouble there. I can’t help but attempt to relieve some of your guilt. While I agree, roping up is always a good idea no matter how technical the terrain (different people perceive danger in very different ways) I would like to remind you that for the small risk that an experience and safe climber/father puts their children in, there are remarkable lessons you are teaching your kids. Awareness of surroundings, awareness of themselves, technical problem solving and calm under pressure all get developed as a climber. These are lessons with life-long positive implications for young people. In 2007 at the Moto GP race at Laguna Seca, I was watching the best motorcycle racers in the world navigate corners at high speeds, and race down straightaways inches from each other at 150+ miles per hour. During one of the races, a man near me suddenly fell backwards unconscious. Overweight and sitting on a cooler full of beer, the word from paramedics was a heart attack. He was rushed to the hospital without having regained consciousness. A few days later I was telling my Mom about the race I attended and after describing what the riders do, she said without hesitation “That is crazy! How could anyone do something so dangerous!” I thought back to the race and the poor guy who suffered the heart attack and thought “Who is actually at risk here?” If I had to put money on it, the unhealthy spectator was at far greater risk than the guy speeding over a rise at 100mph. My point is, risky activities teach us about safety in the rest of our lives. They train us to be healthy and able, rather than the opposite. So long as the risks are controlled, the value far outweighs them. I learned a lot on that free-solo about risk, fear and personal control, but that is a much longer story. You strike me as an aware, competent and experienced climber. I would consider it a shame if you stopped exposing your kiddos to that side of you. Thank you for sharing! —Jesse Smith, CSU Chico
MAKING THE BEST CALL Thanks for sharing. I’m sorry for the close call with Lukas, but I am happy for the outcome. It is inspiring to know you take your kids climbing, as it is something I hope to do with my own someday. I don’t know what it is like to question continuing to climb with them, but I feel sure you’ll make the best call. I don’t think there is anyone your son would have rather wanted helping him but you. I am glad you all are safe! :) —Meggan Wenbourne, Santa Cruz
—Tom Evans In response to “Ear to the Ground” in ASJ #91
TROJAN HORSE It was disturbing to see the Human Powered Travel in Wilderness Act (S.3205) portrayed in a favorable light in the last issue. This misguided legislation is the result of an unholy alliance between the Sustainable Trails Coalition and Utah Senators Mike Lee and Orrin Hatch. No matter your take on bikes or chainsaws in designated wilderness areas, S.3205 is quite simply a Trojan Horse aimed at dividing the outdoor recreation community and weakening protections for the wild places we all cherish. But don’t take my word for it – a Google search will swiftly reveal Lee and Hatch’s platforms on public lands. Both would much prefer that USFS, BLM, FWS and even some NPS lands be transferred to states and private interests, and they are not alone. Numerous western Senators, Congressmen and industryfunded groups like the American Lands Council are working overtime on public land-transfer schemes, often disguised as short-term gains for unlikely constituents. If we are to stop them, it’s more important than ever that hikers, climbers, mountain bikers, kayakers and the rest of the outdoor community join forces, close ranks and speak with a unified voice against cynical efforts to undermine our national heritage. Thanks and happy trails, —Mike Splain, Executive Director, Ventana Wilderness Alliance
WE LOVE TO HEAR FROM OUR READERS! Feel free to write to editor Matt Niswonger (matt@ adventuresportsjournal.com) or any of our contributors who help make ASJ such a valuable part of our outdoor community.
SWITCHBACK
Aug/Sept Results To MORB or Not to MORB? How do you feel about electic bikes? 39% — they’re great as long as they are kept on legal moto trails 26% — no way • 19% — love ‘em • 16% — the jury is still out Read on for comments and our next switchback question.
I own both a muscle bike – (Cannondale Rise 1) and an e-bike (Specialized Turbo Levo.) In the last ten days I’ve ridden the muscle bike five times and the e-bike twice. There’s a place for both. Before getting the e-bike I’d average between 30 and 50 miles a week year round. I hope to do a little more now that I also own an e-bike. I use the e-bike when I’m riding with my kids who are in their 20s and 30s and when I want to do a long, adventure ride on tough terrain (many times at altitude – 6,000' to over 10,000'). My speed hasn’t increased but my ability to keep up and be social has. I hope to be mountain biking and adventuring with my family and friends well into my 80s. It’s really important to adjust the power output using the iPhone app. I generally ride the e-bike at 10% power on the flats and moderate climbs. I switch to 25% on long steep climbs and go to 40% on the steepest, rough climbs. I can do a 20- to 25-mile ride with elevation gains of 2,500' and more and still have 70% battery left when I finish. It just lets me keep up with the kids and ride the long rides I love to ride. —Jay Graham, Mill Valley
I did contract video work for US Electric Car in the 90s for its push to get ebikes spread in the US and China. I used to own an early model. I disagree with Kurt Gensheimer that those of us in Marin trying to protect many narrow sensitive trails from both horse and mountain bike travel are “eco-zealots” There are many trails unsuited to all but hikers and wildlife. Mountain bikers hurt their cause by trying to push beyond this. In the meantime, enjoy your ebike on legal trails. —John P.
I ride with an aging group of riders, several of whom were there when mountain biking started in Marin and e-bikes have been a godsend. These are riders who helped to create the sport and have reached a point in their late 60s and 70s where absent electronic assist they would not be able to continue to participate in a sport that they love and get out with friends with whom they have shared the enjoyment of the sport for 25-30 years. As for speeds on
the trails, the electric assist has not resulted in them going uphill any faster ... it’s a waste of battery power (i.e. you can’t go as long) and it means being separated from those in the group not on electric assist. Nor has it result in going downhill any faster… frankly, you can go faster on a non-assist bike. For my part I am all for it and am disappointed and dismayed with those in the mountain biking community that view them as a threat. As a community, we as mountain bikers need to work out our issues and stick together. —Fred Benz, San Francisco
Everybody doesn’t get to do everything everywhere forever. E-“bikes” are a serious threat to the access that many people have been fighting to increase/ maintain for decades. Shame on Specialized for pushing them into the market before most land managers have even come out with a policy – although almost everyone that has a policy regarding them has banned them. Also, calling the Marin anti-bike folks “eco zealots” is putting it nicely! They’re completely out of touch with reality and out of touch with how multi-use trails work in the rest of the country. —Doug Mann, San Jose
Personally I would never own one of these and I’m in my late 60s, so I qualify as one of the “older folks.” If the time comes when I can’t climb my usual trails, I’ll use lower gears or ride less steep climbs. If a person has health problems such as a heart condition, it would not be good to have their e-bike’s battery go dead and have to attempt to push their rig back up a long climb. I’ve seen four e-bikes on the trails all ridden by riders young enough to be my grandkid. —Jim Denton, Scotts Valley
SWITCHBACK Our next question is: The Van Life – Is It for YOU? Chime in about how you feel about taking life to the road at adventuresportsjournal.com/ switchback-vanlife.
www. advent ur espor t sjour nal. com
7
The Joy of Fall Riding MTB racers embrace the off-season By Lauren Gregg
T
he end of summer is a big deal for mountain bike racers, racing is always on our minds. What you eat, how you sleep, because contrary to the relaxed pace one typically thinks of how you train, where you go and how you ride is all dictated when contemplating the hotter months, summer brings quite a by racing during the summer. bit of pressure to competitive cyclists. But what about when that final race After preseason training in the spring, it creeps closer? Although we love the is full-on all summer. A ride is not a ride summer, when the weather starts – it’s training. The biggest days on the to cool, most riders start to itch in bike are when there is a number plate anticipation for the leaves to start strapped on. Racing is a lot of fun, but changing. The summer fades and the is also very intense, and it consumes bike parks close, but this bittersweet the summer. Many mountain bike end ushers in the best time of the racers start racing in March and won’t year – fall! Finally able to relax and cross their last finish line until the end have fun, all the joys of fall riding are of September. multiplied for racers. Trail conditions My own summer racing has been a are ideal once moisture hits the dirt. whirlwind. On April 1st of this year, I Cooler temperatures make long rides moved into my van to follow the pro more comfortable and enjoyable. The enduro race circuit. It has been an vibrant reds and oranges make the epic summer that I wouldn’t trade for scenery in the mountains even more anything, but it feels like I haven’t had breathtaking. a chance to come up for air. With races Fall is the ultimate time to ride bikes all over North America nearly every The summer fades and the for many reasons. For competitive other weekend, I’ve had the chance to bike parks close, but this riders, it’s the end of the ride in some amazing new places, but it’s PHOTO race season, when the not all for fun. It’s months on the road bittersweet end ushers in the pressure of training Out for an fall and away from friends and family. On trail pedal with Mom best time of the year – fall! results no longer matter rides, I don’t want to push it too much (Papa Gregg). and we can just ride our or have “too much fun” to avoid getting bikes for fun. We can injured before my next race. finally ride our brains out without worrying about recovery or Many times, when coming into a new town, I don’t get to check a training schedule. Getting to enjoy the ride (and the postout the local favorite trails because instead I need to practice the ride, guilt-free pumpkin spice latte) is a beautiful thing. race course. There just isn’t enough time to get in all the riding Read on to learn how a few of my race friends bring on when you are focused on racing. For many racers, racing is in our bones – it defines us, and under all other summer activities, the offseason.
Eliot Jackson
Teal Stetson Lee
After racing all over the world from March through September, California-based World Cup downhiller Eliot Jackson looks forward to the offseason. “We spend so much time away from home, friends and family that I always look forward to getting back to a somewhat normal life,” he says. “It’s also exciting to have time to work on and take from all of the lessons and experiences I’ve had over the year.” After his final race, Eliot takes some well-deserved time off the bike. “It’s so important to do things that you enjoy without thinking of a diet or training regime. I need it after all the months on the road.” After a break, he takes to the road bike during fall. “I think all of my favorite [off-season] rides are probably on my road bike! I can’t think of too many things that are more relaxing and satisfying than climbing up from the beach at sunset, and admiring all of the effort it took
Like most racers, Teal Stetson Lee, from Reno, Nevada, looks forward to an off-season break from racing enduro before starting up with cyclocross. “I can feel that my body and mind are tired from the season and I need some quality time at home to recharge and recover.” One of her favorite rides during the fall? “I love riding up by Marlette Lake on the Tahoe Rim Trail in the fall, the aspens are beautiful yellow gold around the lake and the trails are usually in great condition for fall riding.” After “a solid two weeks off the bike and catching up on rest,” Teal starts the transition into training for cyclocross and kicks off the season with her very own race and music festival, CrossReno. An all-day race and music festival held in Reno at Rancho San Rafael Park, CrossReno offers racing for all categories and plenty of onsite entertainment for the whole family. The event features a full music line-up with talented, diverse artists, a craft beer
8 ASJ ASJ—June/July — Oct/Nov 2016 2012
Called To Creation
and amazing views at the top.” Eliot also enjoys riding familiar downhill tracks to see how far he’s come. “I have a few local trails that I’ve been riding since the very first time I stepped on a downhill bike, so it’s awesome to get to ride those every year and see my progress.” When asked what he looks forward to the most about the offseason? “I look forward to the freedom the most. Traveling without a bike, going to a concert on a whim, visiting friends that I’ve made around the world. Letting loose and going with the flow, whatever that is, is the highlight of the offseason. Doing things for pure joy.”
Luis Barra
garden with over 15 breweries, a kids’ area, clinics, yoga boot camps, food trucks, and vendors. The race course includes exciting features such as a rideable flyover bridge, sand pit, hill runup, barriers, and the one-of-akind “Hayzing Pit.” Teal recommends that mountain bikers give racing cross a try, as it’s a great way to maintain and develop their fitness over the offseason. “I am an avid advocate for mountain bikers trying cyclocross; it is spectacular cross training for all disciplines. It’s one of the hardest cycling disciplines you can do because of the incredible high-intensity. It is essentially an hour-long sprint.”
Julie Kanagy
Bruce Dorman
An avid mountain biker and amateur racer based in Santa Cruz, Julie Kanagy loves the summer for mountain bike trips with friends, as well as for racing. “I find that races are a fun and social way to challenge myself to progress in my riding and fitness. This year most of my bucket list races were held in the spring. The highlight was the True Grit Epic in March, a 100-mile, very rocky XC endurance race in St. George UT.” Julie also raced the SoNoMas at Lake Sonoma, the Old Cabin Classic (put together by her local mountain bike club Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz), and two of the California Enduro Series events – the Battle Born Enduro in Reno and the Toro Enduro in Salinas. Her final race of the year took place in early June with the Boggs Surrogate XC race in Willits. During the race season, Julie uses technology to track her training and fitness. “I train with a Garmin, which reads data from my heart rate monitor and power meter on my hardtail XC race bike. Being a bit of a software geek, I find it useful to see my training load and fatigue levels on Trainingpeaks.com.” After all this training, she looks forward to the offseason. “I do tend to overdo things, so the offseason is a bit of a relief. It’s a great time to have some unstructured fun time on the bike and maybe focus on other things in life that don’t involve the bike! (Wait – is there more to life than riding ...?)” The cooler weather allows Julie to enjoy some of her favorite ride destinations during the fall, like Henry Coe State Park. “The steep climbs, fire roads and remoteness keep visitors to a minimum and sometimes it’s nice to just escape civilization.” Riding her bike during the offseason is a different experience than training during the season for Julie. “So much of my training is endurance focused, so riding for fun means I can actually turn on the gas a little bit here and there! I also plan routes for the sake of hitting the best downhills and get to ignore my heart rate.”
EAR TO THE GROUND
Outdoor News and Notes
Josh Sawyer
Mountaineer Kim Schmitz Killed in Car Accident
Kim in Nepal 1979 (John Roskelley).
Bell Seeks Joy Ride Program Ambassadors
The Bell Joy Ride Program is designed to inspire and enable female mountain bikers with regular, structured, fun and social rides that appeal to all levels of riders. This is a space where female riders can enjoy both challenge and camaraderie in a non-race oriented environment. After a hugely successful initial launch, Bell will be identifying five new ambassadors for 2017 to help achieve Bell’s mission to get more women riding on the dirt more often. You don’t have to be an awesome mountain biker — you just have to be passionate about women’s mountain biking. Applications will be accepted through November 15, 2016. Ambassadors will be announced in January. Learn more at bellhelmets.com.
Kim Schmitz
June 26, 1946 – September 19, 2016
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On September 19 legendary Yosemite climber and mountaineer Kim Schmitz died in a single car accident while returning to his home in Jackson Hole from a river trip in Idaho. He was seventy years old and still guiding clients and sharing his love for the mountains on a regular basis. Schmitz first came to Yosemite in 1965 and quickly became one of the leading climbers along with Valley legends like Royal Robbins and Yvon Chouinard. In 1967 he climbed El Capitan in the very fast time of two and a half days, a remarkable achievement for the late 1960s. After perfecting his big wall techniques in the Valley, Schmitz brought his skills to the Himalaya. In 1977, he made the first ascent of Great Trango Tower in Pakistan’s Karakoram range, describing it as endless Yosemite-style climbing in an alpine environment. Its unmatched wall of 4,300 feet of pure alpine granite has earned it the title of “the biggest big wall.” By the age of 54, Schmitz had had nearly 40 surgeries due to his accidents in the Himalaya and a serious fall while guiding clients. In 2015, he was awarded the Miriam Underhill Award from the American Alpine Club for his lifetime contributions to climbing. One of the most respected American climbers of his generation, Kim Schmitz is gone but not forgotten.
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EAR TO THE GROUND Outdoor News and Notes
Alpine World Cup Ski Racing Returns to Squaw Valley
Bear Valley Invests in Snowmaking and Grooming
Nor Cal SUP kicks off SUP GROMs program
On March 9-12, 2017, Alpine World Cup ski racing will return to Squaw Valley for the first time in nearly 50 years, sited on the legendary Red Dog run that hosted the 1969 World Cup and 1960 Olympics. The Audi FIS Ski World Cup at Squaw Valley marks the return of World Cup ski racing to California for the first time in 19 years, and adds to a total of 16 World Cup events scheduled to take place in the US for the 2016-17 race season, the second highest ever. Olympic champions like Mikaela Shiffrin and Squaw Valley’s own Julia Mancuso will compete in women’s slalom and giant slalom events. The schedule features concerts, fireworks and parties. Learn more at WorldCupSquaw.com.
Bear Valley announced more than $300,000 of improvements in its snowmaking and grooming operations in anticipation of the 2016-17 season. The enhancements include a better and more efficient snowmaking system along with new snowcats to groom the increased production of snow. As cold temperatures move in this fall and early winter, the resort will be more equipped than ever for its best snowmaking season ever. The snowcat fleet upgrade replaces several older machines with newer models. The resort will boast one of the cleanest, environmentally friendly, fleet of cats in the Central Sierra. The new fleet will include a 12-person Prinoth BR350 Cabin Cat to provide guests with comfortable access to the beautiful backcountry. This machine will better support the Bear Tracker Snow Cat Tours and service Ski Patrol for Avalanche control. Read the full story at adventuresportsjournal.com/ bearvalleysnowmaking.
Nor Cal SUP announced the official kickoff of the Northern California SUP GROMs (Juniors) program. This program is available to kids between the ages of 13-18 regardless of skill or experience with StandUp Paddleboarding. “We are lucky to live in an area with access to lots of great paddle spots.” says Shelly Alves-Churilo, owner of Nor Cal SUP. “Our program will work to help educate the kids on pollution prevention and water preservation that is essential to maintaining the waterways for generations to come.” The first meeting will be held in January 2017 in preparation for the 2017 season which will begin May and end in October. Meeting time and dates will be posted at norcalsup.com.
Website Tracks Arrival of California’s Fall Colors In 2005, Mono County publicist John Poimiroo launched californiafallcolor. com – a website for finding fall color in California – to draw attention to the eastern Sierra’s colorful foliage. Poimiroo points out that most Californians and visitors consider the Golden State as being “without seasons” seeing as there is so little autumn color throughout the vast Central Valley and along the coast. He seeks to dispell that notion, reasoning that “California is huge and within it are large pockets of fall color that are truly breathtaking to behold. You just have to know where to see it and when to go.” Volunteer “color spotters” submit photos and status of the fall color in their area. For instance, in Inyo County, where the state’s first burst of explosive fall color is found, they keep an eye on popular leaf-peeping spots as Bishop Creek, South Lake and Sabrina, and Aspendale. This local knowledge ensures up-to-date information on how quickly or slowly colors are turning, and also provides insights and tips about where the best color-viewing areas are located. Updates post as late as December. Inyo County helps sponsor the effort, along with other counties and fall color destinations across the state. Read the full story at adventuresportsjournal.com/ californiafallcolor.
STICK IT TO WINTER.
Sea Otter Survey Released
Squaw Valley | Alpine Meadows Launches New App Developed by the creators of the SkiLynx app, the new Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows app offers real-time lift, trail and snow data for iPhone and Android users along with unique new features including a one-touch easy “group” creation which allows users to stay automatically connected with friends and family on the hill, sharing location and messaging throughout their day at the resort. Other features include location-aware “Smart Messages” that auto-populate the user’s location into messages for easy communication with friends and family; performance dashboard with daily and season-long data including trails and lifts skied, vertical climb, miles covered, hours skied, average and maximum speeds, and the difficulty of trails skied, and a day-end performance recap; chairlift wait times to allow users to plan their runs and navigate the mountain efficiently; and lift ticket pre-purchase options. Navigation off of the slopes is also easy with maps pointing to key locations in relation to the user. Learn more at squawalpine.com.
According to the annual count released by the US Geological Survey and partners, the southern sea otter continues its climb toward recovery. For the first time, southern sea otters’ numbers have exceeded 3,090, which is the threshold that must be exceeded for three consecutive years in order for the US Fish and Wildlife Service to consider de-listing the species as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act. This year’s survey results suggest an increasing trend over the last five years of more than three percent per year. The growth is accounted for by an unexpected jump in numbers in the center of the sea otter’s range, an area that spans the Californian coast from Monterey south to Cambria. However, while the overall population index continues to trend upward, the northern and southern subsets of the population continue a negative five-year decline. Read the full story at adventuresportsjournal.com/ seaottersurvey.
$10 Off BSHM Entry Fee! ASJ readers – use code ASJHM16 when registering for the Big Sur Half Marathon, coming to the Monterey Bay November 12-13, 2016. Learn more at bigsurhalfmarathon.org.
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11
Daydream Highline Walking the line between the Keeler and Day Needles on Mt. Whitney By Peter Duin
W
e’re here, finally, the Whitney Portal. Our crew consists of my highline partner Robert Yuwiler, my sister and her boyfriend, my seven-year-old nephew, my dad, and girlfriend. We initiated our journey with heavy packs in the fresh air at 8,300'. Our goal is to walk in the sky, a highline above the entire Sierra Nevada range of California, between the Keeler and Day Needles, just south of Whitney’s summit. Movie-like memories rush me back to my first trip here ten years ago. Also I recall the three years of planning, preparation and training that led to this moment. My thoughts jump between anticipation, excitement, and fear. Suddenly, there they are: elegant, impossibly thin and beautiful ... terrifying. Four days have passed and high camp is established at 14,000'. We already endured thunder clouds and lightning during the grueling ten-mile approach. As usual, we have somewhat underestimated the difficulties and logistics necessary to achieve our dream
in this unforgiving place. Time to be strong. Keeler is higher than Day, so rigging begins with a steep rappel from the Keeler Needle summit, to a knife blade ledge with 1,500' drop offs on both sides. Our mission on the ledge is to install an allnatural cam-based anchor. Sometimes I feel great, but other times I feel dizzy and must close my eyes to block out the overwhelming exposure. After days of rigging, the line is finally up! My brother arrives from his own journey, just in time to join our crew at the summit of the Day Needle. My goal is to walk the entire line without falling. No highline of this length and altitude has ever been successfully walked in America, and possibly the world. Time to try.
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I slide out over the void, and I dare not look down. Instead I gaze across the 350' of slackline that lies between me and the Keeler Needle. I stand to my feet, force a few steps, and whoa! I fall back under the line to hang only by my arms, feet dangling. Third try yields true progress. As I move over the gap, intense stress builds in my lungs, magnifying exhaustion. Uncertainty begins to creep in while I tell myself, “remember your training, keep your wrists loose and let the movement flow through you. Don’t let your mind wander, keep focused on rhythmic breathing.” I continue to move across the gap until I am fifty feet from the Keeler Needle, I lose focus, and fall onto my safety leash, swinging in my harness above the immense drop. I force myself to quickly climb back up, stand, and finish the last fifty feet before taking a chance to catch my breath. During my rest, my bare feet begin to lose feeling in the cold wind and my nose becomes raw from heavy breathing in the cold air. Without leaving the line, I wrap my hands around my freezing toes to regain feeling, take a few deep breaths to regain control of my cardio, and after a short two minutes or so I turn around. I consider the calmness of the wind during this evening and think, “This may be the only chance you have to send this line, give it all you’ve got.” It feels like two years of obsessive effort has boiled down to this moment. Now, facing my friends and family gathered on top of Day, I begin to walk. This time, the inner dialogue has vanished and is replaced by intense focus. I soon find myself halfway across the line, which prompts anticipation in my mind. This anticipation grows as I walk further and further across the trembling slackline. Now, small gusts of wind that were non-bothersome before begin to throw me off balance. I lose hold of the silent flow state, and I enter back into a self-narrated journey in which uncertainty is the theme. The three quarters mark has arrived and I am now walking more slowly, exhausted, pausing more often for the passing of wind gusts. My pesky mind had interrupted my meditation, only to bring contemplation of the implications
PHOTOS Opposite, clockwise: Peter Duin, in balance and making progress (Larry Duin); Slackline stretching above a smoke-filled valley (Sadie Duin); Selfportrait (Peter Duin). Above, clockwise: Robert Yuwiler initiates a long journey across the sky (Sadie Duin); A natural and removable complex anchor on a ledge of the Keeler Needle ensures the safety of both walkers (Peter Duin); During an upside down fall, Duin reaches his hand back just in time to avoid weighting his harness (Sadie Duin); Duin and Yuwiler take a moment to enjoy the journey atop Day Needle (Larry Duin).
of two possible outcomes: a fall, or a completion of the walk. I continue with my steps, attempting to control my nearly maxed out breathing, pushing thoughts away. After three or four moments of great uncertainty and marginal balance, the steps begin to grow steeper. As I approach the anchor, I push forward until it’s so steep I can barely walk. So close to finishing a full crossing without a fall, yet I long for the moment to continue. I had reached a level of focus, endurance, and physical performance that I had not yet known, and so when I reached the terminal, ironically, it was difficult to exit. Still, I finish the walk, slide off the line and immediately well up in tears as my brother comes to share the energy of such a joyous moment. Tears flow uncontrollably, a response that I did not anticipate having. A result of the release of the pressure that I had assumed in preparation for this project, combined with the overwhelmingly good feeling of discovering a part of myself that I had not known before. A dream that had been so very unrealistic, was now accomplished. An experience that I will carry with me for the remainder of my life, and in sharing the story I can only hope to inspire others to test their own boundaries, by setting goals that are at the pinnacle of what they can imagine. I now can say that I believe that anything is possible. www. advent ur espor t sjour nal. com
13
A River Runs Through It Balancing access and conservation in an urban environment By Leonie Sherman
I
t can take years to get a stop sign installed in Santa Cruz. So nobody is surprised that the process of opening the San Lorenzo River to recreational boat use is a slow one. The section of river under debate is just over a mile long and can be paddled in about half an hour, but residents are resigned to a lengthy political slog before anyone can put in their kayak beneath the Soquel Avenue bridge. The trendy boutiques and microbreweries of downtown Pacific Avenue were once an alluvial floodplain. After a huge flood in 1955, the Army Corps of Engineers constructed levees along the banks of the San Lorenzo River, confining it to a concrete channel. This engineering feat created a stable riparian zone that hosts over a hundred species of birds. 90,000 people rely on it for drinking water. In the twenty-odd miles between its headwaters in Castle Rock State Park and the city’s northern boundary, anyone can jump in the San Lorenzo and play. The upper reaches are wild and churning and scenic and open for exploration. In the last few miles, however, where a placid river meanders through the heart of the city to the Monterey Bay, recreational use is prohibited. City officials want to change that. They have plans to integrate the riverfront into future downtown development and to encourage kayakers and paddleboarders to use the section of the river between downtown and the seasonal lagoon at the edge of the Boardwalk.
14 ASJ — Oct/Nov 2016
Pilot Program
“We’re trying to reconnect a healthy watershed to a vibrant community,” says Greg Pepping, Executive Director of the local non-profit Coastal Watershed Council (CWC). “One way we can do that is by paddling on the river.” Pepping worked closely with the city staff and Council to launch a pilot project in October 2013 to allow up to fifty people at a time to kayak, canoe and stand up paddle on the river. Twenty years ago, I kayaked the San Lorenzo from Felton to the ocean. The upper section featured class III rapids and a deep gorge; five hours passed in a blur of adrenaline and shivering. The lower section was immense and calm. Herons and snowy egrets stood sentinel
PHOTOS Main image this page and opposite: Permitted paddlers access the San Lorenzo River for the first time at an event hosted by the City of Santa Cruz and Coastal Watershed Council (Laurie Egan/CWC). Above: A paddler proudly displays the trash she cleaned from the river (David Casterson). Opposite, bottom: CWC Executive Director Greg Pepping paddles the San Lorenzo River (Melissa Foley).
on the banks. Homeless people waved from camp sites along the edges. I hardly recognized my hometown from such an altered perspective. The stillness stayed with me for days. So I happily joined the pilot paddling project in August of 2014. The company was fun and lively, and many didn’t notice when our chatter flushed a green heron from its perch. The bird fled, escaping downstream from the steadily approaching humans. Close to the river mouth, where cover is scarce, a hawk swooped out of the sky and grabbed the heron in mid-air. Good day for one kind of bird, bad day for the other. The intense reaction of local birders – along with some troublesome mats of algae – encouraged the city to cancel the final day of the pilot program. Few people had thought through how paddling activity might affect wildlife, or how to mitigate the impacts. “People don’t notice the birds unless they’re really looking for them,” explains long time river lover Barbara Childs. “But this river, from the highway to the ocean, is the fifteenth most bio-diverse birding spot in the county. Boating here would be an incredibly disruptive activity, at least for the birds.” The City Council commissioned a baseline biological study for the summer of 2015 to determine which birds were present, followed up in 2016 with a study of wildlife during paddling events. “I felt the need to tread cautiously and to have a clear understanding of the implications before making a decision on opening up the San Lorenzo to paddling,” said council member Richelle Noroyan. The council
“It’s a balancing act. This river is habitat, but it’s also a flood control project, and the longest city park in Santa Cruz.”
agreed to pay for the first year’s study; Pepping and CWC agreed to raise the money for the following year’s efforts. “It’s a balancing act,” admits Pepping. “This river is habitat, but it’s also a flood control project, and the longest city park in Santa Cruz.” He figures opening the river to recreational use will benefit the whole town, not just paddling enthusiasts. Pepping and city staff hope that increased use of the river will reduce the social problems associated with persistent illegal riverfront camping. “Paddling isn’t going to solve all that,” Pepping admits, “but it’s part of the solution.” Despite conflicting views on how to use the San Lorenzo River, everyone agrees that this rich natural habitat running through our town is a biological and cultural asset worth celebrating. Both sides see the value of interacting respectfully with the non-human world. “People are hungry for nature,” says Childs. “We need to preserve and protect that in urban areas.”
Coastal Commission
The final decision about what kind of activity is permitted on the lower San Lorenzo won’t be made by city officials, birders or advocates. The California Coastal Commission (CCC), a state-wide regulatory body, retains jurisdiction over the part of river subject to tidal influence, which is the entire section of river in question. “The city doesn’t have the authority to issue permits in that part of the river,” explains CCC Central Coast District Manager Susan Craig. “Any plan that involves a ‘change in the intensity of use of the water or of access thereto’ falls under our jurisdiction and will have to meet Coastal Act standards.” While the Coastal Act encourages public access to coastal resources, including recreational use, it also aims to preserve those resources – their beauty and their biodiversity – for future generations. “Before issuing a permit for that kind of activity, we’d want to know how many boats would be allowed each day, what type of craft, what kind of monitoring there will be for fish and wildlife impacts,” said Craig, “and of course how the city would manage and regulate all that.” Can we enjoy and protect the natural world at the same time? Can we allow recreational use of the San Lorenzo without negatively impacting the wildlife who live there? Well, not this year, anyways. “We are going to delay implementation at least until summer or early fall of 2017,” explains City Manager Martin Bernal. “We want to make sure we do this right.”
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15
Log Rides Canyoneering the South Fork of the Feather River Words by Leonie Sherman Photos by Rick Ianiello
I
shivered in my wetsuit and hesitated at the edge of a 25-foot cliff. Rick had already jumped, Cristina had rappelled, and Amanda was waiting for me to make my decision. Rick and Cristina’s bright helmets bobbed in an emerald pool fifty feet from the churning mess of white water I was preparing to leap into. The deafening roar of the Feather River filled my head. A slick sheen of water coursed beneath my feet over gleaming granite. The sticky rubber on my trail shoes had lost its grip after marinating in frigid water for over an hour and the mandatory running start looked dicey. My best friend Dianne’s favorite Eleanor Roosevelt quotation popped into my head and I heard her telling me, “Do one thing every day that scares you.” I shrieked and jumped. That wasn’t the first scary thing I did that day, or anywhere close to the last. In fact, all I did for eleven
hours while canyoneering the run called Log Rides on the South Fork of the Feather River was make scary decisions. Can I leap onto that boulder without fracturing my ankle? Is that pool deep enough for me to jump off this cliff? Will hundreds of cubic feet of waterfall dumping directly onto my head affect my ability to rappel safely? Can I slide down that chute or is there a rocky lip obscured by froth, waiting to inflict grave bodily harm? What’s the best way to down climb this chimney in a wetsuit with a bulky pack? I had no idea what to expect when I joined three friends for a day of western Sierra canyoneering. I just knew I loved them and they told hilarious stories about their adventures in neoprene. “All I need is a wetsuit, a helmet, a harness, water and some food, right?” I asked, while stuffing those items into a dry bag at the campground. We piled into
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Refresh your Mind, Body & Spirit 16 ASJ — Oct/Nov 2016
PHOTOS a dusty Subaru at 7am and picked our way up a rock Main image: Team Canyon, strewn dirt road. After from right to left, Rick less than a mile, two neon Ianiello, Amanda Guenther, cones straddled a fourLeonie Sherman, Cristina Hugi. Circle: Leonie Sherman foot bright orange sign on a natural water slide. reading “Road Closed.” We Opposite page, left to right: laughed, swerved to avoid The gang bounding down the obstacles and continued the river; Amanda Guenther seven bone-jarring miles up rappelling down a mossy the uneven track. Twenty waterfall. minutes on a faint trail across rotten logs through thorny underbrush brought us to the edge of the river. Everyone slithered into two layers of black rubber. The temperature on land might reach 95 degrees that day but we wouldn’t break a sweat. Amanda and Rick, who had descended hundreds of canyons, adjusted thick
webbing harnesses featuring rubber butt padding. They fingered spiky rappel devices with multiple arms. Cris and I glanced at our flimsy rock climbing gear and shrugged. We all fastened helmets and stepped into the river. Usually when I’m dealing with boulder hopping on a river, I try to keep my socks dry. I discarded a lifetime’s worth of training and plunged into the frigid sweeping current. Sloshing into a deep pool, I lost my footing and swam clumsily with a partially inflated wet pack. On the far side I fumbled with slick rock as I tried to hoist myself onto a sunny slab. Laughter echoed off the steep canyon sides as I reveled in the joy of being an amphibious creature and becoming one with the wide open gently descending river. Soon the canyon steepened and the real fun began. Turns out canyoneering the dramatic water of the western Sierra means running down a river, bouncing off rocks like a deranged pinball, sliding down chutes, traversing slippery logs, boulder hopping, down climbing, jumping off cliffs and rappelling down waterfalls. This is the most demanding relentless workout I’ve ever experienced, like navigating an endless steep talus field, partially submerged in frigid water, while being chased by a roaring bear. Muscles I’d never even thought about were sore for days afterwards. It’s also the most fun I can imagine. I wanted to do it all day long, every day. We passed through walls of sculpted granite and gardens of oddly stacked boulders worn smooth by the river. Moss clung to cliffs beside waterfalls and pools of jade water the size of baseball diamonds stretched before us. We gawked at ribbon-like waterfalls, twin waterfalls, wide waterfalls, short waterfalls and marveled at how few humans had ever seen the inner reaches of this river. Slick slides and chutes beckoned, creeks tripped down entrancing rock steps. There was so much to look at but no time to stop and stare; the threat of impending darkness dictated a frantic pace. The roar of the river is deafening and constant, a freight train of sound, an avalanche of noise, a helicopter hovering
“This is the most demanding, relentless workout I’ve ever experienced, like navigating an endless steep talus field, partially submerged in frigid water, while being chased by a roaring bear.”
in your brain. The thunder of water and the endless rumble scrambles any coherent thoughts. Conversation is clipped and infrequent. Everyone carries whistles to alert team members if there’s an accident, and signal when you’re off rappel. Rick demonstrated a meat anchor by crawling into a hole scooped out of a boulder, wrapping the rope around himself and letting us rappel off him down a treacherous short section. He and Amanda leapt and down-climbed with the grace of gazelles while Cristina and I struggled to trust our feet and stumbled like drunken teens. I lost two ATC devices in ten minutes. Both Amanda and Rick had extras; I guess dropping a critical piece of equipment into the rushing river is a common mistake for newbies. We convened on a sunny slab to share lunch. Apples, peanut butter, cheese, crackers and chocolate made the rounds. We laughed at how hard it is to stay hydrated when you’re immersed in freezing water. We hadn’t stopped moving for about five hours, so after eating, I stretched out for a lunchtime snooze. Rick and Amanda looked horrified. “We don’t want to do this in the dark,” Rick reminded me. “C’mon, let’s go!” Amanda crowed, slinging on her pack and barreling down the river. The first few hours in the river were pure full body bliss. The last four hours were pure full body exhaustion. All summer I’ve been testing what I can handle after a brush with breast cancer seven months ago; my stamina has suffered. I found my limits on the South Fork of the Feather River, and pushed right on through. I had no choice. I couldn’t stop or bail; the only was out was through. Every moment I hesitated or dragged my feet meant a greater chance my friends would get caught out in the dark. Canyoneering is a team sport. As the foliage along the banks lit up with the setting sun, Rick pointed to a distant forested blue ridge that intersected the hillside ahead. “That’s where we get out,” he informed the group. I lifted my sagging head and sighed. “So we still have quite a ways to go.” Cristina turned to me with an angelic smile. “It will go quicker if you have a good attitude.” She’s right, of course. I arrived at the campground three hours later with a smile on my face.
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Big Boats & Big Wind Rolex Big Boat Series delivers Words and photos by Martha Blanchfield
T
he annual seven race Rolex Big Boat Series was held in San Francisco September 15-18 this year. Contrasted to last year, where final day competition was aborted due to no wind and sailors opted for shirtless sun tanning and bottled brews, the final day rounded out things with steady 15+ knot sea breezes. In 1958, Rolex was among the first premier timepiece companies to begin supporting yachting events. Rolex maintains a global alliance with twelve prestige clubs, including the St. Francis, the Royal Ocean Racing Club, Royal Malta Yacht Club, Yacht Club Capri and Kieler Yacht-Club. Among the events the company sponsors are the Fastnet in Cowes/Plymouth, United Kingdom, the Sydney Hobart Race, the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup in Puerto Cervo, Italy, and the Giraglia Rolex Cup. At each competition, top honors go to a select number of yachtsmen who are bestowed a coveted Rolex Submariner timepiece. The 52nd annual Rolex in San Francisco saw a recordsetting 127 boat crews. Welcome to San Francisco Bay Racing Day one of racing rolled in with Mother Nature sending gentle westerly winds under 10 knots, plus flood conditions to all three scheduled 11am starts. By race two of day one, the tide had
18 ASJ — Oct/Nov 2016
turned – literally and figuratively. The wind had picked up with the marine layer visible and hanging just outside the Golden Gate Bridge. Capturing images from a photo boat gives a great point of view when scooting around the Bay. From the first Treasure Island course start we tracked the multihull division with the massive Orion Mod70 dwarfing seven other same-fleet vessels. Moments later we lined up to photograph the next start, then cut cross-bay to follow the fleet near the city front. En route, a report came in that one of the Marstrom 32 catamarans was in need of assistance: their mast had snapped. A little time later we observed an ORR A division boat motoring back to the club, sails down. Soon thereafter radio conversation revealed that Miller Racing, the other Marstrom 32, had been forced to retire from the event. By 3pm the ebb was moving and winds had built to 20 knots. As a final hurrah that day, the photo boat moved to observe the downwind run for the J/105 fleet as they turned round the inflatable, set the spinnaker, then bobbled and surfed to the finish line west of Alcatraz Island. Skies were gray and wave motion was impressive. Day two will be spent aboard Deception, a Santa Cruz 50 owned and helmed by local racer William Helvestine.
PHOTOS Main image: It’s a colorful run toward the San Francisco city front. Above: Full chute running cross-bay.
SAIL ABOARD THE
65' TEAM O’NEILL CATAMARAN
PHOTOS Main image: Snap! Marstrom 32 catamaran 13Fifty is forced to retire for the duration of the competition. Circle: Always inquisitive, a small observer was in good company aside racers and fellow mammals. Left: Trimming through tacks on Deception.
A New POV as Onboard Race Photographer This is Helvestine’s third year at the San Francisco regatta, and I was scheduled to shoot photos from his boat. Capturing images from aboard a race vessel requires awareness, knowledge of what’s to come, plus courtesy. Fortunately Deception has ample space at the aft, so for race one I successfully maneuvered to remain out of the way. From a photographer’s standpoint a back of boat position makes it hard to put faces into frames. Under less competitive conditions I will hop up on the gunnel (side of boat) and hold the backstay. It helped that I know most of the crew, and that I also race – although
OYC’s captains and the Team O�Neill are U.S. Coast Guard licensed, insured and inspected annually.
CATAMARAN SAILING IN SANTA CRUZ
Ecology, Wildlife & Racers Photography on Saturday was completed from the club’s observation deck, then dockside for candid racer portraiture. Sunday was the final day on the photo boat. With winds taking their time to fill-in and a race start delay, we opted to kill time with a zip to GGB for 30-minutes of marine life observation; surprise acts at this year’s regatta included a few breaching whales – both adults and juveniles. Following the slight delay, we headed back for starts then trailed the fleets. Sunday’s boat driver, a talented racer as well as navigator, put us that much closer to the action at marks roundings and ocean runs, so there were a few sneers and wave-offs when
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By race two of day one, the tide had turned – literally and figuratively. The wind had picked up with the marine layer visible and hanging just outside the Golden Gate Bridge. on other boats. I understand a crew’s hesitation over having an extra body intent on shoving a camera smack into the action. For race two I aligned to face the crew, shooting from the companion way as well as below deck. Great action shots happened when going through a tack or gybe – a few seconds energy burst with bodies scrambling, arms powering a hand-over-hand pull of the sheet, a rapid rotate on the winch to tighten, then (if heading to wind) a pronto hop to the high side.
racers perceived us to be too close. It also brings a smile when you look behind to see the yacht club full of race fans, cameras poised, but you’re out there on the water getting far better angles. At this year’s Rolex Big Boats Series a guest’s comment called out how satisfying it was to see so much wildlife return to the Bay. According to him, twenty years ago there was far less focus on conservation and species preservation for local marine life. 2016 racers were treated to the usual visits by seals, sea lions, pelicans and porpoises, plus those whales.
2016 Rolex Big Boat Series San Francisco Winners Circle Victor Wild: Fox Pac 52 in ORR A Tim Fuller: Resolute J/125 in ORR B Scott Kokka: Audacity Morris 52 in ORR Michael Shlens: Blade II California 40 onedesign Kame Richards: Golden Moon Express 37 one-design
David Halliwell: Peregrine J/120 one-design Philip Laby: Godot J/105 one-design Julian Fernandez Neckelmann: Flojito y Cooperando J/70 one-design Dan Cheresh: Extreme 2 C&C 30 one-design Paul Dorsey: Gentoo Soto 30 PHRF sportboat Tom Siebel: Orion MOD 70 multihull class www. advent ur espor t sjour nal. com
19
Chasing the Shot
Photographer Fred Pompermayer on capturing California big-wave surfing and losing friends to wingsuit flying By Chris Van Leuven Photos by Fred Pompermaye /theshot.com.br
C
ombine “extreme” with “sports” and many millennials think of busting aerials on dirt bikes and inflated egos. Gen X-ers may think of Mark Twight’s book Extreme Alpinism, which is hardly a cliché because it came out 17 years ago, and it was titled before “extreme” had been used for everything from bikini contests to Doritos. Los Angeles based photographer Fred Pompermayer thinks of big-wave surfing and proximity wingsuit BASEjumping. Originally from Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil, Pompermayer used that phrasing often as we talked over the phone in mid-August. When Pompermayer, 41, says that he captures action and extreme sports, it doesn’t sound like a cliché. Because that’s exactly what he does – whether he’s on a jet ski at Mavericks lining up shots between sets, or pointing his lens at a group of Yosemite’s climbing elite as they BASE-jump from Half Dome during first light. In either scenario – in the cold Pacific with a wall of water forming over the surfers, or watching trained athletes hurl themselves off a cliff – he says there isn’t room for egos. “They’re already doing what they love,” he says. “You don’t have to show it; you’re already doing it.” He also photographs highline slacklining and has dabbled in video work. Pompermayer first visited California for an extended period in 2001, when he took a year off from studying architecture at his home country, to surf, snowboard and explore. In the interview below, which we conducted soon after he dropped his daughter off to school, Pompermayer shares his early inspirations, fallen heroes, family and more.
ASJ
What inspired you to fly north and photograph big wave surfing on the California coast?
FP
I remember this photo of Jay Moriarity’s wipeout at Mavericks in 1994. I thought that place wasn’t real – it wasn’t typical to see people surfing these big, dark waves in magazines. It was very shocking. The big waves really attracted me. The plan was to spend a year up north. But I spent more. Then I went to Indonesia and Hawaii to see with my own eyes the perfect waves I’d seen in the magazines in Brazil.
ASJ
Tell me about your first day photographing at Mavericks. 22 ASJ — Oct/Nov 20 Dec/Jan 2016 2014
FP
I’d been monitoring the forecast on Surfline.com over the winter, 15 years ago, and one day I saw what I was looking for – big, purple shades on the screen heading toward northern California – the size of the swell predicted was enormous. I decided to go drive up from Los Angeles to Half Moon Bay, 25 miles south of San Francisco. Along the way, I asked people at various surf shops where Mavericks was and eventually I found it. Back then it was not as popular as it is today, and was not easy to find. November 21, 2001, ended up being called “100 Ft. Wednesday.” I still remember Carlos Burle won the XXL Awards for riding the biggest wave of the year. Witnessing the big wave surfers in action that day set me on a new course in life. I also met Mavericks’ legend Jeff Clark and to this day we remain friends. Soon I decided to change my career from being an architect to being a professional big-wave surf photographer.
ASJ What happened next? FP Because my departure date to return to Brazil
was coming up, I began preparing to go back. But two months before departing, I met my future wife Anna Meiners Morini and we stayed in touch. She visited me a few times in Brazil and once stayed with me for six months. After completing school and working as an architect – which I wasn’t fulfilled with – I decided to come back to California and follow my dream. Anna and I now have an eight-year old daughter. Ava Dora, our daughter, loves surfing but right now she’s into climbing. I took her to The Needles the other day. I also took her backpacking up to 12,000 feet in the Sierra. My wife likes the outdoors, but I climb and surf with just my daughter.
ASJ
Back to surf photography. What’s it like for you when you’re at Mavericks during a giant swell?
FP
It’s different than going to a surf contest. At the comps there are egos, but on big waves everyone is together as a family. After a day at a big swell at Mavericks, we all go to the bar together. The same with BASE jumpers and big wall climbers. They don’t have the huge egos that other people carry around. When you’re doing something extreme it’s different.
ASJ
I haven’t seen any recent BASE-jumping images from you. Can you explain why?
FP
My good friend, and professional wingsuit pilot, Fernando Goncalves died while opening an exit at Gavea, in Rio de Janeiro. He impacted the cliff shortly after he jumped. That was on July 24, 2015. Fernando was pushing the limits so hard but he was very cautious. I saw him turn around from exits several times if it didn’t
PHOTOS feel right. He didn’t put his life on the line every time. He Main image: Mavericks got recognition from all these – one of the best and guys, like Graham Hunt. [Hunt heaviest waves on the and his partner Dean Potter planet. Above: Self portrait died when they attempted to of the author on top of Cathedral Peak after clear a notch on Lost Brother, climbing it with his good in Yosemite, in May 2015.] friend Nicola Martinez, I still remember Fernando Tuolumne Meadows, asking me “Freddy, let’s go to Yosemite National Park. “I Europe.” Each year we made got butterflies.” Bottom plans to go there but it never left: Self portrait at work. happened because each time people in his group died while wingsuit-proximity flying. After I lost Fernando, I lost the desire to keep shooting this stuff. With wingsuit flying, the reality is that people only have a short time. My experience is that you have five to seven years of life in that sport before you die. I have friends who’ve surfed waves up to 70 feet and just because they do that, it’s not like they’re going to die.
ASJ Tell me about the big wave surfing tribe. FP I like how the big wave surfers are not in it for the
media attention; some don’t even care about it. They just want to surf the biggest waves. All my friends are these people – they don’t have to show off. They have different values. It’s not about how fancy your car is. On a big day at Mavericks, what are you going to do, put your tail between your legs? The situation will take the ego out of you.
ASJ
You’re in the water and right alongside the surfers. What’s that like?
FP
On the big days there is a lot of water moving around and you have to be on a jet ski to position yourself to get in a good spot. Sometimes, even on those
days, the waves can break too far out and I miss the shot.
ASJ Any close calls? FP I had some times where I’ve been tossed and a
few scary moments. Those were on big waves but not giant ones. And once the ski broke down in a big swell. Another time we got caught in fog so thick that we had to navigate by GPS. After many years in the water, you adapt and imagine the ocean area around you. I’ve learned to avoid the most dangerous situations.
ASJ What’s next? FP For the past few years I’ve just been focusing
on big wave surfing. If you don’t put yourself out there 100 percent, it won’t happen. But I also have to do things just for fun. This is why I’ve been going to the mountains. Recently I climbed Cathedral Peak, in Tuolumne, with my good friend Nicola Martinez. I got butterflies that day. It feels so good to go climbing. I love it. Love it!
ASJ Any thing else to add? FP It was not easy journey, but I feel so grateful for
all that I have accomplished and the amazing friends I’ve met on the road. And definitely for the support of my family and especially my wife. For better or for worse, capturing big wave surfing means I have no set schedule. It also means that no matter where I am or what I’m doing, I know I may have to get on the road – at any moment – to chase the next storm.
PHOTOS Top left and clockwise: Taft Point, Yosemite National Park. Caio Afeto keeping calm as he walks the line with 3,000 feet of air below his feet; The Needles: photographer Pompermayer climbing with his eight-year-old daughter Ava Dora; “On a big day at Mavericks, what are you going to do, put your tail between your legs? The situation will take the ego out of you,” Pompermayer says; The late, great Fernando Goncalves opening a new exit – in style – somewhere in Arizona.
See more of Fred Pompermayer’s work at theshot.com.br.
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21
Reel Rock
Climbing’s biggest film festival goes all out for 2016
By Rebekah Epstein
Reel Rock, the film tour infamous for hosting the rock climbing
Left to right:
community’s social event of the year — with its evening of short Matt Segal on film screenings and competitive activities, is expanding the scope Snowpatch Spire of its signature event this year in five pilot cities. For 2016, Denver, in the Bugaboos San Francisco, New York, Seattle and Washington DC will play host (Brett Lowell); Brette Harrington climbing to what REEL ROCK is calling FESTs, a weekend long series of wild the Shadow in events, sport education and good times. Squamish, BC (Rich In addition to the normal REEL ROCK film screenings, FESTs will Wheater); Scoping feature a speaker series with live presentations from iconic legends new routes in the from the rock climbing world, climbing competitions, athlete clinics Sam Ford Fjord of run by pros, a youth matinee profiling top REEL ROCK films from Baffin Island (Ben the past decade, a stewardship event hosted by Access Fund and Ditto). plenty of parties (and apparently a beer garden), making it easy to meet-up with fellow outdoor enthusiasts. There’ll also be live music, food trucks and gear giveaways from tour sponsors. And all this is spread out over the entire weekend, at multiple sites throughout the host city, making this blown-out version of REEL ROCK a true festival celebration of the sport.
REEL ROCK 11’s film line-up will feature the best climbing and adventure films of the year, produced by the leading outdoor film companies, Sender Films and Big UP Productions. Film screenings at FEST cities will be attended by the stars of the films and the filmmakers themselves. Here’s what’s on tap:
Brette
Young Guns
Lone wolf Mike Libecki travels to the most remote corners of the globe to find unclimbed walls and establish first ascents. When Mike becomes a father, he has a new challenge: to reconcile his life of adventure with the demands of parenthood, but he may also gain a new partner for his expeditions.
Meet the new faces of climbing: 15-year-old Ashima Shiraishi and 16-yearold Kai Lightner are the leaders of the next generation, already taking the sport to the next level. A trip to Norway puts their skills to the test, and Ashima attempts to make history on a V15 boulder in Japan.
Boys in the Bugs
Will Stanhope and Matt Segal are elite-level crack climbers and worldclass goofballs. Laugh along as they go for broke on an epic four-year battle to climb a forbidding 5.14 finger crack high in the Canadian alpine wilderness of the Bugaboos.
Follow rising talent Brette Harrington on a global journey from her hometown granite in Squamish to the big wall proving ground of Yosemite’s El Capitan and onto a landmark free solo in Patagonia.
Rad Dad
DoDo’s Delight
Pack your penny whistle and batten down the hatches for a madcap sailing adventure in the Arctic Circle aboard the good ship Dodo’s Delight. Join Sean Villanueva O’Driscoll, Ben Ditto, and brothers Nico and Olivier Favresse for a rollicking musical journey across open seas and up unclimbed big walls.
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Q&A with Peter Mortimer ASJ caught up with Reel Rock’s Peter Mortimer to talk abut the film festival, Tommy Caldwell, and his film Valley Uprising now available on Netflix. ASJ This is the 11th year of the Reel Rock climbing film tour. What movies are you guys featuring this year? Which film will connect most with a California audience? PM We’ve got five short films this year, each of which I’m really excited about. The films include a hilarious and wild expedition (Dodo’s Delight), journeys with up and coming climbers (Young Guns, and Brette), a mutli-year epic battle for a first ascent (Boys in the Bugs) and a look at an enigmatic climber and his unorthodox life (Rad Dad). There’s lots of humor as always, some heartbreak and drama, unexpected turns and of course the best climbing action you will find anywhere. We build the program so it plays well across the world, so I expect all the films will connect with California audiences, but for the local flavor I would single out Brette, since its star Brette Harrington is a young woman from Tahoe who is traveling the world, climbing big routes, turning heads and shaping up to be one of the best all around climbers out there. One of her featured climbs is an attempt on The Free Muir, a 3,000-foot difficult crack on Yosemite’s El Capitan. It’s good value. ASJ Because it was so successful, Valley Uprising brought the story of Yosemite climbing to a much larger audience. Can you describe some of the challenges of making the film? When did you and Sender Films first start working on it? PM The biggest challenge in making Valley Uprising was figuring out which stories and characters to focus on (and which to, painfully, leave out), and how to shape the overall arc of the film. We intentionally made a story that spans generations and has various people
Valley Uprising are working with Google on creative out-of-the-box projects and partnering with Red Bull Media House on some exciting feature film projects.
ASJ You are also working on the movie about Tommy Caldwell and the Dawn Wall. What is it about Tommy’s story and the Dawn Wall project that people find so inspiring? PM Tommy’s life story is incredible, he is a unicorn: he was captured by terrorists, chopped his finger off, went through a rough divorce and with each knock he learned and came out stronger. All of his experiences lead him to his obsession with the the Dawn Wall, and he dedicated the best years of his career to the climb while everyone had given up on him. He really could have come out empty handed after a decade of commitment. When Kevin Jorgeson joined the climb it took on a whole other life, where these two lovable but odd partners toiled for years together. That they stuck it out and made the final push is unbelievable, and that the climb became a real-time global media phenomenon adds this whole other element to the story. The Dawn Wall saga is this larger than life story, a stranger-than-fiction, inspirational journey that you wouldn’t believe is real,
“The Dawn Wall saga is this larger-than-life story, an inspirational journey that you wouldn’t believe is real, had we not captured the whole thing on camera.” share top billing, so that makes for so many options of where you can go with the film. That’s why it took us seven years in post-production to find our thread through this amazing 50-year history.
ASJ How has the success of Valley
Uprising changed your career? Are you now looking at major Hollywood type projects?
PM After Valley Uprising, I think
people have seen that we can put together a complex film with lots of moving parts and that we have our own voice and style. So Valley has lead us to some great opportunities and bigger projects, but we’re certainly still out on the fringe of Hollywood – probably where we belong. Some of the cooler opportunities that have come from
had we – my partner Josh Lowell and his brother Brett – not captured the whole thing on camera, filming with Tommy for years. It’s going to be our most exciting film yet.
ASJ What does a typical workday look like for Peter Mortimer these days? Are you behind the camera a lot or coordinating projects? PM The last few months I’ve been in full creative post-production mode on the REEL ROCK films and the Dawn Wall, working with my partners and with various editors. In another month or two I will emerge from the dark, go to some screening events, talk to people again, go out on some shoots and start thinking about our next round of projects. I like mixing it up for sure. www. advent ur espor t sjour nal. com
23
Event Profiles
a sneak peek at some of the season’s best upcoming events
TELLURIDE FILM FESTIVAL November 12, Santa Cruz
Hank de Vre
The Telluride Film Festival (TFF) brings inspiration and education about important issues to audiences around the world. TFF’s annual celebration of artistic excellence brings together cinema enthusiasts, filmmakers and artists to discover the best in world cinema. The tour screens a spectacular selection of feature films, short films and revival programs representing twentyseven countries, along with special artist tributes, conversations, panels, student programs and festivities. The tour soon visits Santa Cruz with documentary films that will explore the themes connected to Telluride Mountainfilm’s mission of exploring cultures, preserving environments and promoting adventure.
WARREN MILLER PREMIERE: “HERE, THERE & EVERYWHERE” This fall, Warren Miller releases its 67th film, Here, There & Everywhere. The 67th installment brings the thrill of action snowsports to enthusiasts everywhere, as the world’s most accomplished skiers and snowboarders scour the globe for untracked powder and the pursuit of adventure. Narration by Olympic gold medalist Jonny Moseley, and on-screen interviews with the legendary Warren Miller deliver the nostalgia of skiing’s roots and a zeal for discovering new terrain. Venture with world-renowned athletes JT Holmes, Jeremy Jones, Seth Wescott, Jess McMillan, Ingrid Backstrom, Marcus Caston, Wendy Fisher, Tyler Ceccanti, Kaylin Richardson and others as they push the boundaries of their talent on snowcapped peaks, vast glaciers and towering, big-air jumps. Globe-trotting from the U.S. and Canadian Rockies to sparsely populated lands like Greenland and the Swiss Alps, these skiers and snowboarders prove that the joy of winter can be found wherever you seek it. Here, There & Everywhere opens the door to showcase a progressive side of snowsports, from fat biking, backcountry snowmobiling and hill-climb racing (featuring Polaris pro Keith Curtis) to dogsledding and the ever crowd-pleasing pond skimming. And, as with every annual tour, the film awakens our desires to hit the slopes and sparks excitement for the coming winter season. The Warren Miller Film Tour for Here, There & Everywhere kicks off October 14-15 in Salt Lake City UT and will stop in cities in Northern California in November 2016. For more information see their ad on page 5 or visit warrenmiller.com.
ASJ is proud to sponsor the Santa Cruz screening at the Rio Theatre on November 12. For tickets and information visit riotheatre.com. For a full listing of tour dates and show times, visit mountainfilm.org.
BIKETOBERFEST MARIN
Eric Harger
October 15, Fairfax
With group road and mountain bike rides, cargo bike racing, 20 breweries tapping 35 different beers, great food, exceptional live music, and a comprehensive vendor expo, this year’s Biketoberfest Marin is not to be missed. Cyclists and west coast brewers alike join forces for this popular family-friendly bicycle expo and brewfest that raises funds for local cycling advocacy organizations Marin County Bicycle Coalition (MCBC) and Access4Bikes (A4B) in their work to continue improving on and offroad bicycling conditions and access in Marin county. As Marin County’s premier social bicycle event, Biketoberfest Marin draws over 5,000 brew and bicycle enthusiasts from throughout Northern California, and takes takes place at Fair-Anselm Plaza in downtown Fairfax, one of the Bay Area’s most popular bicycling destinations and home of the newly-opened Marin Museum of Bicycling. It’s a great way to have fun while helping a good cause. FREE Valet Bike Parking provided by MCBC. For more information, visit biketoberfestmarin.com.
SNOWBOMB SKI & SNOWBOARD FESTIVAL
October 29-30, San Jose • November 5-6, San Francisco • November 12-13, Sacramento In celebration of its 11-year anniversary, SnowBomb Ski and Snowboard Festival will offer free general admission to the public for their 2016 festivals. SnowBomb founder Jim McAlpine explains, “After numerous years of poor conditions in Northern California, we want to reinvigorate the skiers and snowboarders in the Bay Area and Sacramento. Our festivals are lifestyle events and we encourage anyone who enjoys actions sports to enjoy our festivals. By eliminating the entry fee we are opening the doors to all who have ever been curious about the event and to amp up the public for this year’s ski season.” An additional upgrade to a “Powder Pass” can be purchased at the door for $25 and includes three lift tickets to local resorts Sierra-at-Tahoe, Bear Valley, and China Peak for the 2015/16 winter season. A “VIP” upgrade is $50 at the door and includes the lift tickets in the “Powder Pass” as well as a 2-for-1 lift ticket to Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows. VIPs also enjoy weekend beer tasting sponsored by Lagunitas as well as other local vendors. snowbomb.com 24 ASJ — Oct/Nov 2016
MERMAID RUN SAN FRANCISCO November 13, San Francisco
Soak in the best views of San Francisco with the Mermaid! Choose from the challenging Sirena 10-mile run that crosses the Golden Gate Bridge or the flat and fast 5k, 10k that take you around Crissy Field. All distances include classic views of San Francisco Bay, Golden Gate Bridge, and San Francisco skyline. Register early to guarantee your spot at the start line. Can’t make it to the race but you still want to join in the fun? Check out the event’s Virtual Mermaid run options. Mermaids receive a stylish race shirt, finisher necklace, and medal. For more information, visit mermaidseries.com
Promote YOUR Event Do you have an event you’d like to see featured in this section? Contact us to learn about our event promotion packages – we specialize in raising visibility for YOUR events! asjstaff@adventuresportsjournal.com
Adventure Events Calendar SF BIKE EXPO Visit us online for a full listing of upcoming California events. Go to AdventureSportsJournal.com and click on the EVENTS button.
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Biking Miscellaneous The SF Bike Expo is all things bicycle! Founded in 2008Run/Walk, cont.
and produced by rideSFO, the San Francisco Bicycle Ski & interests Snowboard Festivals Expo represents the myriad of the Bay Area’s13 — Half Marathon on October San Jose, San Francisco vast cycling community, from fashion and apparel to Monterey bsim.org & Sacramento See event backyard bicycle fabrications. It is a local event that 8-9 — MTB Skills Core profile opposite page and ad happens annually and has been produced for cyclists of — Folsom Blues 23 Fundamental, Tahoe & on page 4. snowbom.com all types. Breakout Half Marathon, TMG Master and improve Whether you are just starting to ride or have been Folsom. FolsomBluesHalf.org your skills in this two day MillerExpo Filmis the perfect cycling your whole life,Warren the SF Bike course. CA/NV See event venue to support thoseFestivals who share the same interest 29 and— Stinson Beach ASingleTrackMind.com opposite page and ad kinds of passion for cycling. Theprofile SF Bike Expo caters to all Marathon, Half Marathon pagevintage, 5. warrenmiller.com cyclists, from mountain,onBMX, low riders, cargo, & 7k, Stinson Beach. 15 — Biketoberfest, fixie, cycolocross, commuter and road. Industry vendors Halfmarathons.net Fairfax. See event flock to SF Bike Expo from all over country. Find great Ski the Alpsthe — Europe profileon opposite page. See ad on this page. November biketoberfestmarin.com 844.LE-GRAND • 15 — Solvang Autumn Double Century, Solvang. PlanetUltra.com 29 - 30 — MTB Skills Core Fundamental, Santa Cruz Master and improve your skills in this two day course. ASingleTrackMind.com 30 — SLO Gran Fondo, San Luis Obispo Coastal and Wine Country. SLOGranFondo.com
November 5 - 6 — MTB Skills Core Fundamentals, Sac/Folsom Master and improve your MTB skills in this two day course. ASingleTrackMind.com
LeGrandAdventureTours.com Ski Depp Japan Powder See ad on this page. 844.LE-GRAND • LeGrandAdventureTours.com Hike and WIne Tours Napa and Sonoma Enjoy a few glasses of outstanding local wine, paired with a delicious lunc aftera beautiful hike. It’s more than just a wine tour, it’s an Active Wine Adventure!. activewineadventures.com Nov. 12 — The Telluride Film Festival (TFF) Santa Cruz See event profile opposite page.For Santa Cruz tickets and information visit riotheatre.com or go to the TFF website for other locations.
12 - 13 — MTB Skills Core Fundamentals, Marin See Nov 5 - 6 ASingleTrackMind.com
13 — Mermaid Run, SF. For novice or experienced runners. MermaidSeries.com
Tri(du)athlon October 1 — Mermaid Santa Cruz, Capitola. All women tri/du. MermaidSeries.com 16 — Annual SuperKid Triathlon, Santa Cruz. This event gives your children the opportunity to betriathletes! 14 and under. FinishLineProduction.com
10 — MTB Skills Core Fundamental, Sonoma See Dec. 3. ASingleTrackMind.com
Paddling Paddling, Santa Cruz or Elkhorn Slough.For first timers of folks looking to increase their SUP skills. KayakConnection.com
October 2 — Great Trail Race, Tahoe City/Truckee greattrailracecom 2— Urban Cow Half Marathon, Relay & 5k, Sacramento UrbanCowHalfMarathon.com 8 —Skyline to the Sea Trail Run, Boulder Creek, Marathon & 50k. PCTrailRuns.com
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Nov 12-13 - Women’s Wellness Weekend A complete weekend with 6 — Morro Bay Triathlon, exercise and lectures Moro Bay. Olympic and Sprint designed specifically for distances. Beautiful coastal women and brought to you December route with an alternative kayak/ by medical doctors, health SUP course. morrobaytri.com professionals and instructors. 3 — Flip MTB Skills Core to pages X &Book X now forat granlibakken. our 2016/17 Fundamental, Skyline/ com or contact Skeggs Point Master andcalendar Cyclocross and shawnalee@ mark your granlibakken.com improve your skills in this for an incredible one day MTBcalendars course. ASingleTrackMind.com cross season!
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Discover the best of
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Gear We Love
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1. Yeti Hopper Flip 12 Ice Chest Once in a while we prefer to stop dealing with ordinary and step up to extraordinary even if it costs more. Yeti makes rugged coolers of the highest quality and the Hopper Flip 12 is the Cadillac of personal ice chests. Like an oversized lunchbox on steroids, the Hopper will keep a 12 pack of beer plus sandwiches ice cold for days. At approximately 12” X 12” the Yeti is basically an indestructible cube that will go anywhere and hold anything for 1-3 people. Hint: this cooler would be an amazing Christmas gift for all the camping enthusiasts on your list. MSRP: $279.99 yeti.com 2. Slackline Industries SlackStand The SlackStand is a completely freestanding, portable structure allowing set-up indoors or out without the need for trees or other anchors. It includes a 12-foot slackline, making it the ideal system for schools, gyms or in-home use. Steel construction provides a solid base and sleek design keeps the unit as lightweight and compact as possible. It’s easy to assemble and breaks down into two sections for convenient storage. We actually keep the SlackStand in our living room. Kids love competing against adults because the SlackStand is easier for lighter bodies. This is the product to purchase if you are looking to get started with slacklining and don’t have any good anchor points. If you haven’t tried slacklining yet it is an absolute blast and builds balance and core strength at the same time. MSRP $299.99 slacklineindustries.com
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3. Sandwich Island Composites FLOW Inflatable 10.6 SUP If you are looking to purchase a touring SUP that is highly stable and beginner friendly then we highly recommend the SIC 10.6 FLOW inflatable. We have used this SUP in Lake Tahoe and for ocean surfing near Santa Cruz with fantastic results. The biggest advantage of an inflatable SUP is that everything stows neatly into a large backpack, including the adjustable paddle and pump. Probably the biggest advantage of an inflatable SUP is the total weight of just over twenty pounds, which is about onehalf to one-third of what a hard SUP of the same size typically weighs. At 34” wide and six inches thick this is a large board designed for beginners who want a stable platform and an easier learning experience. When fully inflated the board is very hard and comfortable to stand on. MSRP $999.00 sicmaui.com 4. Tat Towels Moisturizing Tattoo Wipes Keep your ink looking fresh and bright with these moisturizing tattoo wipes. Tat Towels instantly moisturizes your body art, enhancing the colors and creating a renewed look – an excellent option for keeping older tattoos bright and newer tattoos fresh. A great alternative to aftercare lotion, creams or oils, the non-greasy, unscented formulation doesn’t stain or become sticky after application and is safe to use on any tattoo. Stash a single-use packet in your vehicle, pack or purse for convenience. Made in the USA MSRP $6.95-16.95 bodywipecompany.com
5. Adventures Medical Kits Ultralight .5 Weighing just a scant 3.5 oz, the AMK Ultralight .5 is the perfect first aid kit to keep in the bottom of your pack for an all day adventure. We recommend this first aid kit for the minimalist who does not want to carry unnecessary weight. Nobody plans on getting wounded in the backcountry but it sure is nice to know you are covered when it happens. The Ultralight .5 comes with a basic supply of bandages, gauze, tweezers, and other essentials. The nylon bag is watertight and roomy enough to add other first aid and survival items and provides rugged protection for the DryFlex™ liner. Ideal for hiking, kayaking, backpacking, mountain biking, climbing and any other outdoor activity where every gram counts. MSRP $17.00 adventuremedicalkits.com 6. Katadyn BeFree Water Filtration System 0.6L This water filter is a must-have for adventurers on the go. With the BeFree filter, clean drinking water can be had just about anywhere ... and it’s remarkably easy to use. Simply fill the flask and let the easy clean membrane filter do the work. The filter is quick and easy to maintain as well. Fill the flask with water, attach the cover and shake free the debris. Or, remove the filter from the flask and swish in any lake, river or stream. When you’re ready to “hit the road,” the collapsible flask packs small to fit into tight spaces. MSRP $39.95 katadyn.com
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7. Advanced Elements Packlight Roll Top Dry+ Bag Set Every adventurer knows the importance of quality, well-designed storage products, and Advanced Elements delivers. Designed for ultra lightweight on-thego dry storage, the PackLite™ roll top dry bags come as a set of three sizes to provide a number of dry storage options. Set of three includes a 3, 5, and 10 Liter sized bag. MSRP $25.99 advancedelements.com 8. Chaco Brio Boot Chaco already makes one of our favorite technical sandles, so we always pay attention whenever they release a new line of footwear. The Brio is the kind of boot that can be worn with shorts or pants and even slightly upscale outfits for men. The casual but stylish look is a classic take on the whole urban outdoorsy trend. The boot features oiled full-grain leather uppers, a synthetic leather skeleton with polyester mesh linings, and a mid-calf height for a smooth, clean look. Its polyester mesh lining helps to move moisture away from your foot, while removable, mesh-lined footbeds offer comfort, support, and light cushioning. The non-marking, all-purpose tread with 3-3.5mm lug depth helps supply plenty of grip on sketchy terrain. MSRP: $135.00 chacos.com
HYDRATION, TRANSFORMED Introducing the extremely durable, ultra-light and leakproof Stash water bottle. 100% BPA free, easy to clean and packs down to less than a quarter of the filled size.
Smart, safe & reliable hydration Give one a twist at a dealer near you hydrapak.com