Adventure Sports Journal // Winter 2021/2022 // Issue #121

LEKI, CELEBRATING WINTER SINCE 1948.

“WINTER IS NOT A SEASON, IT’S A CELEBRATION.”

Anamika Mishra

Photo © Stephen Shelesky

Madison Rose Ostergren

Photo by Ming Poon

PHOTO CREDITS: Lacey Dippold

Photography (18); Martin Gollery (22); Ming Poon (26); Scott Williams (30).

Photo: Gibson Pictures

PUBLISHING + EDITORIAL

PUBLISHER

Cathy Claesson cathy@adventuresportsjournal.com

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Matt Niswonger matt@adventuresportsjournal.com

EDITOR

Michele Lamelin michele@adventuresportsjournal.com

COPY EDITOR

Jennifer Stein jen@adventuresportsjournal.com

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

Marissa Neely marissa@adventuresportsjournal.com

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Leonie Sherman, Kurt Gensheimer, Chris VanLeuven, Brennan Lagasse, Matt Johanson, Krista Houghton, James Murren

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Ming Poon, Scott Williams, Lacey Dippold, Martin Gollery, Hannah Hoekstra, Jannette Pazer

LAYOUT

Cathy Claesson

COVER DESIGN

Lauren Worth

ADVERTISING

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Cathy Claesson I 831.234.0351 cathy@asjmag.com

ADVERTISING REP

Krista Houghton I 831.332.7188 krista@asjmag.com

EVENTS & DISTRIBUTION

Matt Niswonger matt@adventuresportsjournal.com

Jennifer Stein jen@adventuresportsjournal.com

Opinions expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Adventure Sports Journal or our advertisers. We usually agree with our articles, but sometimes we don’t. We welcome all contributions.

All content © Adventure Sports Journal 2021 / 2022. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission of the editors

ADVENTURE SPORTS JOURNAL

PO BOX 35, Santa Cruz, CA 95063 Phone 831.457.9453

asjstaff@adventuresportsjournal.com

contributors how will you challenge yourself in the great outdoors as we head into the winter and the new year?

asj

leoniesherman

I hope to climb some hideous loose carnivorous limestone on my way to descend sketchily anchored Death Valley canyons this winter. And I aim to sleep on the ground minimum two nights a month.

mattjohanson

I’ve got nine California 14ers left to climb and 2,000 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail to hike, so I’ll be working towards those goals this winter.

kurtgensheimer

By being smart about making good, safe decisions when skiing in the backcountry.

chrisvanleuven

I am going to challenge myself by doing triples: write, climb and bike daily.

brennanlagasse

Keep skiing. Sticking to a daily practice can be challenging. It’s easy to skip a day because of poor conditions, fatigue, or a full schedule. But outdoor time is good medicine, and anytime in the skin track is a day not wasted.

jamesmurren

2022 will likely be the year to get back out there on a more regular basis and experience new places, mostly on a mountain bike. With new terrain usually comes new challenges. Also, maybe/ possibly/perhaps ... I’ll finally bodysurf Boomer.

kristahoughton

It’s always a challenge to surf in Santa Cruz in the winter months. Mentally to face the bigger waves and physically to endure the numbing cold water!

mingpoon

I challenge myself to get outside with my family more each year as my son (17 months) gets older. Through his eyes, the world is new and I’m completely invigorated with energy and stoke for life.

Racing professionally since 2001. Professionally coaching since 2009. Gold standard of certifications: USA Cycling, BICP level 3, BetterRide, NICA, NASM, WFR.

The Digital Dopamine Detox

Our fight for survival is ongoing and unrelenting

The reason is simple. Reading Adventure Sports Journal, an old school outdoor magazine on printed paper, is not addictive in the way smartphones are. Reading this magazine is an act of defiance. You come here for the substance, not the dopamine. You come here to learn about Cody Townsend, questing to descend the fifty classic ski lines, or Dierdre Wolownick still climbing El Capitan at age 70. You come here to learn about Booomers Bikes, hand made of bamboo in Africa. You come here to learn about Clint Claassen, climbing one million feet on a mountain bike in one year. You come to ASJ because this is the only place in the world where you can read the combined works of hardcore outdoor journalists like Leonie Sherman, Kurt Gensheimer, Chris Van Leuven, Matt Johanson, Krista Hammond, and Dierdre Wolownick. Our journalists don’t just tell the story, sometimes they ARE the story. Still it’s hard to compete directly with your smartphone. We don’t offer a surge of dopamine to reward you like your phone does. We are not addictive like your phone. Instead we simply point the way towards your best self. A self forged by nature, not addiction.

Why resist the smartphone paradigm and insist on printing old fashioned magazines that don’t reward people with a surge of dopamine?

Why work for hundreds of hours every issue trying to compete with smartphones? We ask ourselves the same question every deadline.

“What the fuck are we doing?”

It’s like David vs. Goliath but in this case your phone is Goliath and he destroys us every single time. Sometimes when we ask outdoor companies to help us with advertising support, they question whether we have any relevance or value at all. “Does anyone read printed magazines any more? Isn’t it better for the environment to go 100% digital?”

After twenty years of working our asses off I have to admit it hurts. We have thousands of loyal readers, but somehow that’s not good enough. We are expected to compete directly against Facebook and Instagram or else put our tail between our legs and let the smartphone industry win. When outdoor companies refuse to support us we can read between the lines of their semi-polite rejection emails. “Sorry. No one ever said business was fair.”

Which brings me back to dopamine. Because of addictive smartphones most of

us are getting way too much dopamine and that’s a problem. By flooding our brains with dopamine our tolerance to dopamine has gone way up. Like drug addicts seeking their next high, we are not fully present for the people, places, and challenges of real life. Now we need more and more dopamine just to feel normal. Walking in nature, drinking tea with family, writing in a journal — all these activities seem boring because the amount of dopamine they produce doesn’t even move the needle anymore. Everything feels boring, just like Adventure Sports Journal. Forget life. All we want is our phones.

I’m saying we are at a crisis point but you don’t have to take my word for it. Read Dopamine Nation by Dr. Anna Lembke. Or go to YouTube and watch Better Than Yesterday: Dopamine Detox. The experts agree that smartphones are turning us into childish addicts, incapable of handling life without getting high first. The experts are saying that in order to bring our dopamine tolerance back to healthy levels (AKA “homeostasis”) we must do a digital detox at least one day per week. These days should be spent exercising outdoors, reading old fashioned printed books, doing yard work

THANK YOU!

and cleaning our houses. Most importantly these detox days need to be spent away from phones and laptops.

If you are still reading these words without being totally bored, congratulations. You are not a digital zombie. If it’s not too much to ask I need a favor. Please help keep us in print by supporting the outdoor companies that advertise in the pages of ASJ. Find an ad you like and choose to support that company. Buy their products or better yet send them an email straight to the CEO. Thank them for supporting Adventure Sports Journal, a familyowned printed outdoor magazine.

Another way to help us is to become a member. Go to adventuresportsjournal. com/membership and choose whatever level of support you can afford. Without people like you all hope is lost. So thank you from the bottom of our hearts. It costs more than $20,000 to publish each issue of ASJ. Without community support we will be forced to go out of business. Before that happens we will fight tooth and nail until blood and sweat drips from our bodies. This is our life’s work and we won’t give up easily.

The digital age is coming to an end because people are realizing it’s just not sustainable to spend hours every day on a little screen we carry in our pockets. Dopamine addiction makes you weak. Be strong. Stand up straight and look to the horizon. Resist your phone. Make eye contact. Test yourself in the great outdoors. Read ASJ and help us live another day. With your help we can have a breakthrough. With your help we can get the support we need to thrive.

— Matt Niswonger matt@adventuresportsjournal.com

For 20 Years

CONTRIBUTORS, ADVERTISERS, VENDORS & READERS

Thanks

possible without you. It hasn’t always been easy, but your help keeps us going.

EVENT PRODUCERS

Thanks for the fun times and opportunities to collaborate. We can’t wait to be together again.

BUSINESSES

Thanks for making room on your shelves to share ASJ with your customers.

With your support we can continue to inspire adventure, event participation, exploration and environmental stewardship. — Matt Niswonger & Cathy Claesson

If you are reading these words I probably have less than a second to grab your attention. That’s because words on printed paper simply cannot compete with the digital stimulation offered by your smartphone. Compared with Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, email, and texting I have little chance of keeping you interested.

WINTER COVER CHOICE

With three amazing cover options, it was difficult to choose which was best for our winter issue. We put it out to our friends, family, readers and contributors. Though most readers chose number two on social media, the folks who chimed in for number one made good arguments as to why their choices were the best. In the end we chose number one because we felt the image makes a better personal connection to Cody Townsend and will inspire more people to pick up this issue.

— ASJ Staff

HANG IN THERE

It was great seeing you at Sea Otter again this year. I love your Earn Your Beer t-shirts and that I can read ASJ in print. When it comes to reading, I 100% prefer print over digital media. I use your events calendar to plan my race schedule and pay attention to your advertisers. Please hang in there.

Lisa Flores, Berkeley

DOWNWARD NECKED FOLKS

Thanks for the article about digital addiction. I am a 50 year old who never had Facebook and quit Instagram two years ago. Loved your magazine from the get go. I have been preaching this to all the downward necked youngsters and adults alike.

—

Daniel Gutgesell, Santa Cruz

We love hearing from our readers. Drop us a line at: staff@adventuresportsjournal.com

Ear to the Ground News & notes from the outdoor industry

VENTURA RESIDENTS DEMAND NEWSOM AND EPA TO STOP SOCALGAS

Ventura residents are appealing to Governor Gavin Newsom and US Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan to stop SoCalGas from expanding a natural gas compressor that’s footsteps away from an elementary school and Boys & Girls Club. A coalition of community members, nonprofit organizations, and businesses — known collectively as the Westside Clean Air Coalition — are concerned about the environmental impacts of SoCalGas’ proposal to expand the Ventura Compressor Station, a natural gas compressor station at 1555 N. Olive St. in Ventura, CA. The site is directly across from the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Ventura’s Robert Addison Center and the E.P. Foster Elementary School, and less than a block away from the West Ventura neighborhood — home to approximately 13,000 people.

The proposed gas expansion project raises significant environmental justice issues for the residents of Ventura. The smell of fumes is a regular occurrence in the West Ventura neighborhood. Compressors and pipelines are prone to ruptures, leaks and explosions. This site is a prime example of why oil and gas infrastructure should be included in Governor Newsom’s draft 3,200-foot setback rule which currently only applies to oil and gas drill sites. Learn more and read the letters to Gavin Newsom and the EPA at asjmag.com/stopsocalgas

Ear to the Ground, cont.

News & notes from the outdoor industry

CES ANNOUNCES 2022 SCHEDULE

California Enduro Series – now in its 10th year running — is thrilled to announce the 2022 mountain bike race schedule with six exciting events lined up including a brand new venue.

The all-new Georgetown Enduro, presented by MTB Experience and California Expeditions, will kick off the 2022 season on May 21. The Mammoth Bar Enduro, is set to follow just two weeks later on June 4 in Auburn at the Auburn SRA and Mammoth Bar OHV.

The China Peak Enduro, will lead a trifecta of big mountain action into the mix on June 25 in Lakeshore, followed by the Mt Shasta Enduro in July, followed by the Northstar Enduro in August.

The 2022 season will wrap up as usual with the Ashland Mountain Challenge, just over the California/Oregon border in Ashland on October 1.

CES Director Steve Gemelos says, “With the addition of Georgetown to our line up of favorite regular events, 2022 promises to deliver some seriously good times on the bike. Here’s to a safe, fun and challenging upcoming season – we’re looking forward to seeing you out there!”

Read more at asjmag.com/ces-2022

TAHOE FUND LAUNCHES CALDOR TRAILS RESTORATION FUND

While firefighters were able to successfully keep the Caldor Fire from claiming homes and businesses in South Lake Tahoe, the fast moving wildfire laid waste to some of the region’s favorite trails. As the US Forest Service, Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association (TAMBA) and the Tahoe Rim Trail Association continue to assess the extent of the damage, the nonprofit Tahoe Fund has launched the Caldor Trails Restoration Fund to aid in the extensive trail restoration work that will be required.

“Based on early assessments, there’s no question that there is going to be a lot of trail restoration work in our region’s future,” said Amy Berry, Tahoe Fund CEO. “We’ve pledged to our trail building partners that through the establishment of the Caldor Trails Restoration Fund, we will be ready to help support this important work as they are able to get crews out to rebuild some of Tahoe’s most beloved trails.”

Read more at asjmag.com/caldor-trailsrestoration-fund

CHINA PEAK RAISES ITS MINIMUM WAGE

China Peak, one of the two remaining privately owned ski resorts in California, became the first ski resort in California to raise its minimum wage to $17.50, which is nearly 17% over the new minimum wage in California. As the ski industry as a whole

is actively battling for seasonal staff more than ever, this is a fantastic way to recruit prospective teammates and potentially introduce them to a rewarding career.

“Compounding the problem in many ski resort communities is the lack of affordable housing, and in many cases, a lack of housing altogether at any price,” said Tim Cohee, the CEO of the resort since 2010. “While China Peak isn’t immune from this challenging situation, we are better off than most as we provide on-site housing for well over 50% of our staff, we need under 200 seasonal staff to provide full operations (compared to 1,0002,000 for many California resorts), and we operate five days a week (except Christmas) which further reduces our staffing needs by another 30%.”

Read more at asjmag.com/china-peakwage

DECREPIT TELEPHONE CABLE TO BE REMOVED FROM LAKE TAHOE

AT&T’s PacBell subsidiary will pull eight miles of decrepit telephone cable out of Lake Tahoe, where it has been leaching toxic lead into the lake’s water for decades, under a settlement agreement finalized in federal court in Sacramento.

Local divers discovered the abandoned cables years ago while removing other trash from the lake bottom, and the non-profit California Sportfishing Protection Alliance (CSPA) brought suit under federal law and California’s Proposition 65. “We submerged a three-foot length of the cable in a plastic

tub full of Lake Tahoe water,” said attorney Bill Verick. “After one day, the test results showed 600 micrograms of lead per liter in the water. After three more days, it was up to 1200 micrograms per liter.” A concentration of a quarter microgram per liter would be enough to require consumer warnings, and discharging that concentration into a California source of drinking water is legally forbidden.

The cables contain approximately three pounds of lead per foot, and extend for eight miles along the western shore of Lake Tahoe from Baldwin Beach to Rubicon Bay, including across the mouth of Emerald Bay.

Read more at asjmag.com/tahoe-cable

BREAKING TRAIL AT COTONI-COAST DAIRIES

Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship (SCMTS) recently announced their new fundraising campaign, Timeless Trails. This will fuel the thousands of hours of trail work ahead to build new trails at Cotoni-Coast Dairies (a unit of the California Coastal National Monument). This will transform trail access in the Santa Cruz mountains.

This project will open 7,000 acres of the never-before-accessed land to the public. The SCMTS team is breaking ground on these 19 miles of brand new trails for hikers, cyclists, and equestrians to enjoy. A portion of trails will be ADA-accessible, and the first nine miles on the northern section of the Cotoni-Coast Dairies property are expected to open by the end of 2022.

Read more at asjmag.com/timeless-trails

MINISTERING TO THE FUTURE

Kim Stanley Robinson’s Latest Visionary Novel

By Leonie Sherman

Rebbie had just finished paring my pack down to the bare essentials for a five-day backpacking trip through Sinkyone Wilderness State Park when she looked up and bolted for her car. “I brought you a book!” she exclaimed, producing Kim Stanley Robinson’s latest from the trunk.

At 562 pages, Ministry for the Future is not an obvious choice for an ultra lite backpacking expedition. Published less than a year ago, it’s only available in hardback, the size of two pavers, and weighs about three pounds. I happily added 10% of my pack weight to my load. It was worth every ounce.

Inhaling the fumes of California wildfires, reading about climate refugees, and watching floods inundate Europe and Asia, I’ve often wondered: how bad does it have to get to before humans act decisively on climate change? Ministry for the Future offers a possible answer: the book opens with a vivid description of a heat wave in northern India that kills 20 million people in a week. The year is 2025.

During the summer of 2021, I watched many of my favorite wilderness areas burn. The flames were doused by an atmospheric river that wreaked havoc across California. As we barrel towards the sixth mass extinction, I often wonder: can we pull out of our nose dive towards ecological Armageddon? Ministry for the Future proposes that we can change course. We will need to act together, across every field of human endeavor in unprecedented and occasionally illegal ways. To explain these complex and varied possibilities takes 106 chapters, some of them less than a full page. This book is written for the American attention span.

India responds to the deadly heatwave by breaking the Paris Agreement prohibition against atmospheric intervention without consultation and agreement. “It was Europe and America

During the summer of 2021, I watched many of my favorite wilderness areas burn. The flames were doused by an atmospheric river that wreaked havoc across California. As we barrel towards the sixth mass extinction, I often wonder: can we pull out of our nose dive towards ecological Armageddon? Ministry for the Future proposes that we can change course.

and China who caused this heat wave,” says the head of India’s delegation to the Paris Agreement. “Everyone knows, but no one acts. So we are taking matters into our own hands.” In an effort to mimic the temperature reducing impact of a volcanic eruption, their fighter jets seed clouds with sulfur dioxide, day after day, for seven months.

And then they eject the nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and usher in a coalition government of rich and poor, across all castes and religions, united by their determination to find a new way. The nation gets to work shutting down coal plants, building wind and solar facilities, and dismantling the caste system. Unlike past efforts, they act as though their lives depend on it. A radical splinter group threatens the wrath of Kali on those who are slow to change their ways.

Just before the fictional Indian heat wave, in response to the actual failure of nations to reach the carbon reduction targets set at the Paris Agreement, the UN establishes a commission tasked with “defending all living creatures past and present who cannot speak for themselves.” An Irish politician named Mary Murphy becomes the first person to head this (fictional) agency, nicknamed Ministry for the Future by the press.

Murphy’s progress, her interactions with an Indian heat wave survivor named Frank, and his response to trauma anchor the book as it explores legal, economic, social, military and technological responses to climate change that span every continent and three decades.

There is a massive effort to drain the meltwater from beneath Antarctic glaciers. Regenerative agriculture becomes the norm. When bankers continue to prioritize profit over the planet, an alternate carbon coin is introduced, funneled through a crowdsourced social media. Cooperative economies scale upward. The participants of the World Economic Forum in Davos are subjected to a

forced re-education camp. Hot air balloon tourism blossoms. Employees seize the means of production at a mine. Populations are concentrated into urban areas so that vast swaths of the planet can be set aside for wildlife. US students deliberately default on their loans, triggering nationalization of finance as the government demands an ownership share in every bank they bail out. The African Union ushers in an end to neoliberal neocolonialism by refusing to pay all debts to the World Bank and the Chinese government.

There are also targeted assassinations of arms dealers and the worst polluters. Deadly riots at refugee camps. Private jets are blown out of the sky. Container ships are sunk off-shore where they can contribute to reef restoration. Los Angeles is inundated and abandoned. Millions of cattle around the world are injected with mad cow disease so people are forced to stop eating beef.

Most climate change non-fiction recites a litany of horror but offers little hope for salvation. Post-apocalyptic fiction tends to feature a devastated distant future. Simply put, these books can be a major bummer. Ministry for the Future manages to thread the needle, providing robust scientific information but leaving the reader energized, inspired, and ready for action.

Carl Sagan traces the first science fiction book to Johannes Kepler, who wrote it to popularize ideas and innovations that were only accessible to the elite. Robinson continues in this tradition, with meticulous explanations of each radical or mundane change required to bring about a healthy future for carbon-based life on planet Earth. Readers can expect to learn a little bit about a lot of things as they follow characters on a wild romp around the globe.

Chapters take a range of forms, from fictional eyewitness accounts to meeting minutes, from riddles to scientific lectures, from dialogue to descriptive narratives. The book is fastpaced, wide-ranging and varied so a reader is drawn through complex ideas with pleasure as each event unfolds.

Ministry for the Future was released seven months into the COVID-19 pandemic. A year later, at least five million people are dead. A microscopic virus inspired the planet’s entire population to make significant behavioral changes. A single climate event which took millions of lives might inspire the profound economic, legislative, technological and social engagement required to combat climate change effectively. Such a climate event is entirely possible in the next decade. Or year. Or month.

Though Ministry for the Future occasionally reeks of despair, it ultimately offers a hopeful vision of the best possible outcome for the Anthropocene Epoch. Unlike many speculative fiction books, it is set in such a near future as to offer immediate solutions for all readers.

And critics are raving. Jonathan Lethem calls Ministry for the Future the best science fiction non-fiction novel he’s ever read. Barack Obama says it’s one of his favorite books of the year. Bloomberg News and the Wall Street Journal asked Robinson to write guest editorials. And he was invited to speak in Glasgow at the COP26 meeting (global climate summit).

After he returns from Glasgow to his home in Davis, he’s agreed to let Adventure Sports Journal interview him. Look for an article in our next issue about Robinson’s upcoming non-fiction book about the Sierra Nevada, his time at COP26 and his thoughts on our best hopes to thrive in the coming decades.

In the mean-time, go find a copy of Ministry for the Future. Share it with friends and loved ones. Remember, we are the ministry for the future. Let’s get to work.

THE REASON FOR GIVING

By Krista Houghton

With the season of Christmas upon us, have you ever wondered why we give presents? Is the tradition of giving objects to each other possibly outdated?

Recently, I asked my son what Christmas means to him. What is the best way for an outdoor lover to give back? He thought for a minute and answered, “The gift of your time to help pick up trash on trails and beaches. Also, to volunteer for trail maintenance and workdays to help maintain our local parks, lakes, and beaches." He added, "We should donate to organizations and charities that help the land and encourage people to go outside and have fun.” Pretty smart kid, I thought.

We all need to recognize that our world is struggling with climate change. The 2021 fire season in California included four blazes that ranked in the top 20 largest wildfires on record. They include the Dixie, Caldor, Monument and River Complex fires. These wiped out not only homes and communities, but miles upon miles of loved and established trails. We also saw vast devastation to Big Basin and the Santa Cruz Mountains with the CZU Lightning Complex fire in 2020. So why not this year focus on giving back to the places that have given you your best outdoor adventures and need donation money to help restore what was lost by fire?

In keeping with the wise recommendations of my nature and adventure loving 14-year-old son, here is a list of some local organizations that would greatly benefit from a gift of your time or money. This year let’s show our feelings of appreciation

SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS TRAIL STEWARDSHIP santacruztrails.org

Established in 1997, Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship (SCMTS) is a 501c3 nonprofit that builds and maintains great trails for everyone and connects communities to nature through responsible outdoor recreation. Timeless Trails is their latest and largest endeavor. Timeless Trails is dedicated to transforming trail access in the Santa Cruz Mountains and has pledged to build, maintain, and restore more than 60 miles of trails over the next three years. This also included the opening of a the new Cotoni-Coast Dairies National Monument, with over 7,000 acres and 19 miles of new trails! “With $100,000 of matching funds

TOP TO BOTTOM: A TAMBA VOLUNTEER MOVES DIRT DURING A TRAIL DAY AFTER THE CALDOR FIRE (ANTHONY CUPAIUOLO/ FIRST TRACKS PRODUCTIONS).

available to us to unlock, now is the best time to give. Thanks to generous donors, your dollars will be doubled and so will the amount of trail we can build. We’re grateful for your support as we dig into this once-in-a-lifetime project.” – Matt De Young, SCMTS Executive Director.

TAHOE AREA MOUNTAIN BIKING ASSOCIATION tamba.org

Founded in 1988, TAMBA is dedicated to the stewardship of sustainable, multiple-use trails and to preserving

HELP US REBUILD SOME OF TAHOE'S MOST BELOVED TRAILS

The Caldor Trails Restoration Fund will support the rebuilding of trails that were destroyed during the devastating fire. There is a lot of work to be done, and we need your help to do it. We are partnering with the Tahoe Rim Trail, TAMBA and the US Forest Service, so one day we can cross paths again on our favorite South Lake trails.

Donate at tahoefund.org.

access for mountain bikers through advocacy, education, and promotion of responsible riding. They are a volunteerbased nonprofit organization that works to maintain more than 100 miles of trail per year. The monumental devastation to the Tahoe trails area, due to the Caldor Fire, left dozens of popular trails inaccessible. These include the iconic Toads, Corral, Sidewinder, Connector, Cedar, Hawley Grade, Powerline, Cold Creek, Christmas Valley, and Railroad trails. TAMBA relies on donations and would not exist without public support. TAMBA volunteers helped to reopen most of the areas outside the burn scar this fall and donations made now will help to restore trails in 2022 that are within the fire scar. There is still a lot of work that needs to be done, so please donate today and help restore some of Tahoe’s best mountain biking trails.

SIERRA BUTTES TRAILS STEWARDSHIP sierratrails.org

Formed in 2003, the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship (SBTS) is a volunteer driven 501c3 non-profit, with the mission of building sustainable recreation-based communities through stewardship, job creation and world class events. SBTS provides quality outdoor experiences through trail construction and maintenance in the Lost Sierra. The Dixie fire devastated the Lost Sierra area and SBTS is dedicated to reviving it with the Connected Communities Project, a visionary effort led in partnership with the US Forest Service, SBTS, and community partners to connect 15 mountain towns for economic prosperity through outdoor recreation. The end goal is to build the proposed Lost Sierra Route, which will link over 600 miles of multi-use trails and will benefit the economically disadvantaged communities in California’s Plumas, Sierra Butte, and Lassen Counties. This new trail will allow for all dirt travelers, including hikers, mountain bikers, moto riders, equestrians, trail runners, hunters, fishermen, and wildlife, creating a trail for everyone.

TAHOE FUND tahoefund.org

Founded in 2010, the Tahoe Fund's mission statement is clear: “To use the power of philanthropy to improve the Lake Tahoe environment for all to enjoy.” The organization has specific strategic goals, such as forest health, lake clarity/quality and health, aquatic invasive species control, sustainable recreation, and stewardship. The Tahoe Fund is the first and only nonprofit dedicated to supporting environmental projects in the Tahoe Basin. The Caldor Trails Restoration Fund was created to help rebuild the damaged trails, bridges, and infrastructure, and well as mitigate the potential for increased runoff by installing erosion control measures. With a broader eye on the overall environmental health of Tahoe Basin’s Forest, lake and trails; Tahoe Fund is an excellent organization to donate to as they are dedicated to improving the Lake Tahoe environment for the next generation, which my 14-year-old son will certainly appreciate.

OUTRIDE The Power of Two Wheels

The mission of Outride is simple: Bikes have the power to make kids better and they have the science to prove it. They are harnessing the power of cycling to help children stay focused, active, and engaged. I'm married to a man who plainly states that bikes saved his life growing up; I believe him and now, Outride is proving why.

Outride was started by Specialized Bicycles Founder and CEO, Mike Sinyard in 2012, in partnership with RTSG Neuroscience Consultants. Having suffered the symptoms of ADHD himself, and the sobering fact that 1 in 9 schoolchildren are diagnosed with the disorder, Sinyard set off on a mission to prove cycling could help. He was right; the results from a one-month study of 47 students aged 11-14 were indisputable. They clearly demonstrated that even after just one ride, riding bikes increased attention span, boosted moods, and positively altered brain activity.

Encouraged by these impressive results, Sinyard launched the Specialized Foundation in 2015. In 2019 the Specialized Foundation separated from Specialized and became Outride, a 501c3 nonprofit organization. The goal is still the same: They are committed to breaking down the barriers so that all kids have access to bicycles and safe places to ride.

Outride’s primary activities focus on three areas: scientific research, schoolbased cycling programs, and the creation and support of cycling communities. Their main program “Riding for Focus” has been implemented in nearly 200 schools across the nation and provides cycling education and access to bikes (generously supplied by Specialized) to 50,000 students annually. Outride also primarily serves and focuses on low-income communities, where the need for bikes and cycling education is highest.

Locally, Riding for Focus has been set up in dozens of in-need schools across California. They are currently working with the Community Bike Collective, located in Watsonville and partner organization Bike Santa Cruz County to design and implement life-changing bike programs for Watsonville youth. In addition, Outride partnered with Dr. Allen Reiss and his team at Stanford Medical School. Over the past few years, they have launched a research study to better understand the effects of cycling on brain function and cognition in children with ADHD.

“During the pandemic people began to (re)discover the joy of cycling, for many reasons: getting off screen, experiencing nature, being able to safely exercise with family or friends on group rides. We also saw the biggest increase in applications for our programs, far beyond our capacity to fulfill. Every dollar that we receive and all in-kind equipment donations go directly to our school and community partners, enabling us to increase access and support thriving and inclusive cycling communities,” explains Skye DeLano, Outride Executive Director.

Please consider a donation this Holiday season, as our children need it. The power to change lives from the seat of a bike is just a click away. outridebike.org

Trails

THE BEST GIFTS THIS YEAR

Give the gift of adventure this holiday season.

AE 5-GALLON SUMMER SHOWER

Designed with an efficient 4-layer construction for optimal heat retention and performance, simply fill and lay out in the sun and you will have a hot shower in no time!

Whether it’s in camp, at the end of a long trail, or on the deck of your boat, a hot shower is a pleasure to have.

AdvancedElements.com/summer-shower

ONEWHEEL

If you're trying to put a smile on someone's face this holiday season, get them the all-new Onewheel PintX. With up to 18 miles of range, you can hit just about every third-wave coffee shop in town and still have enough juice to shred the trails. Start riding now.

Onewheel.com

HERO10 & ENDURO

Pair the latest HERO10 Black with GoPro’s allnew, cold-weather performance battery, Enduro, to give the gift of ultimate performance and maximum power this holiday season. HERO10 features the new GP2 processor and shoots 5.3K video, 8X slow-mo and 23MP photos. Enduro’s revolutionary technology dramatically improves HERO10 (and HERO9) performance in cold temperatures.

GoPro.com

KLEAN KANTEEN

Designed to last a lifetime, these minimalist bottles have kept people hydrated and happy for years. Our vacuum-insulated Classic is the solution for both cold and hot beverages on the go. Our 12oz sizes now feature a new narrow profile. This iconic bottle is proof that reusables never go out of style.

KleanKanteen.com/collections/insulated-classic

KAYAK CONNECTION

Give the gift of wildlife, salt water and magic this year. Surprise your loved one with a gift certificate good for rentals, tours, classes, and gear. With two waterfront locations to choose from — Santa Cruz Harbor and the Elkhorn Slough — Kayak Connection is the favorite gateway to explore the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary. Come paddle with us today!

KayakConnection.com

THE NEW CONTOUR RS

The Contour RS (reduced size) is a slightly smaller version of the original Contour. Featuring a refined silhouette, it is made for skiers and snowboarders who have smaller-than-average faces and still want premium performance. The EXV+ Technology delivers the widest field of view on the hill and the Vivid Technology provides unmatched clarity and definition.

Giro.com

KULA CLOTH ™

Kula Cloth™ is the first of its kind — an antimicrobial pee cloth for all the places you "go." No more drip drying or hauling in and out a ton of toilet paper on adventures.

Kula makes the perfect gift for all of your adventurous friends. (And maybe even get one for yourself!)

KulaCloth.com

FOUR WHEEL CAMPERS

ELEVATE YOUR CAMPING ADVENTURES

Project M Topper Starts at $10,200

Stay warm and dry, and sleep in a large comfy bed. A 6’ 4” ceiling creates an open feeling and space for bikes and gear.

Add portable comforts like solar, a cooler, fridge, and heater.

A SINGLE TRACK MIND

Give the Gift of MTB Skills and Confidence! Choose from a group session or 1:1 private. Master, refine and build your mountain bike skills to ride with confidence and efficiency! Learn from our highly qualified and certified coach that has been professionally coaching for 13 years and racing professionally for 20+. RIDE WITH US. RIDE BETTER. Call us at (209) 662-5392.

ASingleTrackMind.com

BOIRON ARNICARE® GEL

Shred the trails and not your muscles with Boiron Arnicare Gel. Arnicare is powered by the Arnica plant to provide the relief you need for muscle pain and stiffnessm swelling from injuries, and bruises.* This unscented, nongreasy formula absorbs quickly into skin so you can feel better faster.

*Claims based on traditional homeopathic practice, not accepted medical evidence. Not FDA evaluated.

Arnicare.com

Watch videos, check out accessory options, and see all of our campers online, at fourwheelcampers.com

World’s Leading Pop-Up Truck Camper. Please contact us and we can talk adventures, trucks, and campers!

Visit

• SoCal – Rancho Cucamonga, (909) 870-1610

• NorCal – Woodland, (530) 666-1442

FourWheelCampers.com

GIFT GIVING GUIDE

VISIT BISHOP

Did you hear? Fly direct into Bishop, California this winter from LAX, SFO or DEN.

If you've been dreaming of fishing, climbing, trail running or an epic ski trip to Bishop, call your buddies, now you’re closer than ever.

BishopVisitor.com

SKIING AT PALISADES TAHOE

Give the gift of skiing at Palisades Tahoe (formerly Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows). The Tahoe Super 4 Pack includes any 4 days on the mountain this winter season – including weekends and holidays at a discount! It’s the perfect way to easily access Lake Tahoe’s most iconic terrain and stunning scenery.

PalisadesTahoe.com

BEAR VALLEY ADVENTURE COMPANY

Give the gift of adventure at the Bear Valley Adventure Company. Year-round recreation abounds with cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, and tubing in the winter, then kayaking, paddleboarding, mountain biking, and road cycling in the summer. Gift cards are available and make great stocking stuffers for your special adventurous person.

BVAdventures.com

EVERGREEN LODGE AT YOSEMITE

A Frommer’s Guide ‘Favorite’ and ‘Highly Recommended’ by Fodor’s, the Evergreen is an idyllic mountain resort with cozy cabins in the woods, indoor/outdoor dining, tavern, pool/hot tub, daily activities, guided recreation, massage and wellness programs. For best rates, book direct online and receive two complimentary welcome drinks upon check-in. (209) 379-2606

EvergreenLodge.com

RUSH CREEK LODGE AND SPA

A relaxed, yet sophisticated experience at the Highway 120 West entrance to Yosemite National Park — featuring Lodge Rooms, Suites and Hillside Villas, restaurant, tavern, saltwater pool, hot tubs, recreation guide service, daily activities, massage and wellness programs. For best rates and service, book direct online and receive two complimentary welcome drinks upon check-in. (209) 379-2373

RushCreekLodge.com

MANTRA WINE CLUB

MANTRA Wines is dedicated to producing wines that reflect the unique characteristics of their high elevation vineyard sites of Alexander and Dry Creek Valleys located in Healdsburg, Geyserville and Cloverdale. Their wine clubs make a great gift idea. Select from one of four clubs to have delicious California wines delivered to that special someone on your list.

MantraWines.com/join

Photo: Fred Marmsater

MOUNT HERMON

Give the gift of adventure this holiday season! Choose from the Redwood Canopy Tour or Sequoia Aerial Adventure for an unforgettable adventure high up in the redwoods. Each gift box contains a voucher for two guests, coffee mug, ornament and sticker pack for the perfect holiday package. Visit our website to purchase online.

MountHermonAdventures.com/gift

OUTRIDE

Bicycles have the power to improve lives. And Outride is making cycling more accessible and inclusive. Since 2014, we’ve partnered with 250 schools, reached 50,000 students every year, and granted over $1M to youth cycling organizations. Donate today and help kids experience the freedom, joy, and community that riding provides!

OutrideBike.org

EARN YOUR BEER SHIRT

With different designs and colors to choose from, an Earn Your Beer shirt is a perfect gift for the outdoor enthusiast in your life who enjoys a good beer after earning it outside.

These shirts are comfortable and very popular, so don't be surprised to see other people wearing the same design!

EarnYourBeer.com

earn your beer

COSTANOA

Receive a voucher for a one-night stay in a Cypress Bungalow.

* One-night passes must be used December 1, 2021 through March 11, 2022. Accommodation pass will expire on March 11, 2022.

** Gift certificate must be purchased by December 31, 2021. Vouchers must be used before March 11, 2022.

ENO FIELDDAY BLANKET

This holiday season, ENO is releasing three new landscape inspired FieldDay Blankets, including the Mountains to Sea print. You could be among the first to cover up in this cozy, fleece-lined blanket.

Take a journey from rugged ridgelines to rolling waters without ever leaving your couch or hammock.

ENONation.com

Not valid on holidays. Non refundable. Not valid with any other special or offer. Not valid for groups.

Pricing does not include tax and fees. Black out dates and certain restrictions may apply.

CALL (877) 262-7848

Reserve your gift certificate or get away today!

Costanoa.com

BOOOMERS BAMBOO BIKES

It takes a village

It takes a village to make a Booomers Bamboo Bike, or three villagers eight hours, to be precise. This year a fleet of Booomers Bikes traveled from the Asante Region of Ghana to the Sea Otter Classic in Monterey for the second time. They showcased a hybrid city bike, two models of electric bike, a gravel bike and a mountain bike, all handmade in a factory in Apaah, Ghana from locally sourced bamboo. Proceeds fund scholarships for underprivileged youth at one of the best primary schools in the district.

“That event was mind blowing, the whole bike industry, they are so open and friendly, you don’t see that in many other industries,” says Ernest Osei, North American Director for Booomers Bikes. “The reception we got from cyclists was overwhelming. It is such a good product, people may have read about bamboo bikes, but once they see it and touch it, they get so passionate.”

California adventure riders may have seen bamboo bikes before. In 1995, after wrestling over a bamboo stick with his 60-pound dog, Craig Calfee built a bike frame out of bamboo as a publicity stunt. It garnered a quarter page spread in Bicycle magazine. A later version won the People’s Choice Award at the first Handmade Bicycle Show. “Plus the bike was super smooth,” Calfee laughs. “So I started building them.”

Calfee also starting exporting his idea to Africa in 2007. Two years later, while doing a bamboo bike training in Ghana, he met Booomers Bikes’ founder, Kwabena Danso.

Danso grew up in the Asante Region of Ghana, in a rural village with few employment opportunities. Like many other young people from the villages, he was drawn to the country’s capital, Accra, seeking a better life. Unlike many, after completing university, he returned to his home village, determined to find ways to break the cycle of poverty and empower his community.

Thanks to friends in Vermont, California and Oregon, Danso was able to raise funds for micro finance programs to begin business development in the Asante region. But none of his programs generated enough income to be financially sustainable.

After completing the training with Calfee, Danso began a non-profit building bamboo bikes. But five years of struggle led him to abandon the project in favor of a for-profit enterprise with a social mission. “We realized we could generate more income, which would allow us to secure investment and guarantee higher quality bikes,” explains Danso. “That stability allows our project to focus on addressing four main problems: rural unemployment, poverty, climate change and rural urban migration.”

Booomers Bikes combats rural unemployment and rural urban migration by operating a factory in a small Ghanaian village that employs 40 people from the community; almost a third of them are female. “We actually recruit poor people for six months and train them on the job,” explains Danso. After six months they evaluate and determine if the person is ready to join the factory; if not, they offer an additional three months of training before re-evaluating.

“We give a stipend during the training period, so they can be comfortable and have full focus on learning skills,” explains Danso. “Once employed we give a full high wage, provide transportation, give health insurance and provide social security. We also feed them lunch every day and give them trainings on how to build their assets and savings. We want to empower workers so they can live above the poverty line and take care of their families.”

Many of the workers are high school drop outs who have never worked in a formal setting before. “They find many of the rules and policies very challenging,” admits Danso. Mandatory protective gear, work place behavior standards and even taxes can be confusing, and bring conflict between management and workers. Despite the difficulties, Danso loves his work. “For me, the most important thing is that we

THIS PAGE, TOP TO BOTTOM: STAFF FILING A BICYCLE FRAME JOINT MADE WITH LOCAL SISAL FIBER; DRIED TREATED BAMBOO READY TO BE PROCESSED INTO BIKES; BOOOMERS BIKES FOUNDER, KWABENA DANSO, INSPECTING A BICYCLE FRAME AT THE FACTORY IN GHANA. OPPOSITE CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: HARDTAIL BAMBOO MOUNTAIN BIKE; THE BOOOMERS BIKE FACTORY; ONE OF THE FIRST BAMBOO E-BIKES DEVELOPED BY BOOOMERS.

“We want to create change makers who can challenge the status quo and provide true leadership by improving the lives of the people they lead.”

— Kwabena Danso

Words by Leonie Sherman with photos by Lacey Dippold Photography

are able to engage these young people without them migrating to the cities,” explains Danso. “We make it possible for them to build their lives where they are most comfortable and happy – in their community.”

But Danso is not satisfied to raise 40 factory workers out of poverty; he wants to change the very fabric of society. “For many people, there is

a perception that Africa is a place of corruption, famine and war. Some of these perceptions are true; we do have a high rate of corruption, for example,” Danso says. “But if we can train the next generation to think of leadership as a position of service, not just a way to amass wealth and personal gain, then we can change the status quo after two or three generations.”

Using proceeds from Booomers Bikes, Danso has provided scholarships for 400 students to receive a world class primary school education in rural Ghana. Two hundred fifteen of those students are female.

“Through the school, our focus is on changing the mindset of how young people view the world,” Danso says. “We want to create change makers who can challenge the status quo and provide true leadership by improving the lives of the people they lead.” There are currently 41 children participating in the scholarship program.

“Every child on scholarship gets free tuition and free books,” Danso explains. “We have two tiers of scholarships, partial and full. Full includes 100% tuition, books and computer studies, food and transportation. Those on the next tier get free tuition and books, but they pay for their food and transportation. Currently we are about half and half with our scholarship tiers.”

“A lot of these children would have dropped out of school without our support. But because of the scholarships we offer, many have been

able to realize their dreams. Some are teachers, some are nurses, some are lawyers,” says Danso. “This would not have been possible without our school.

I am so proud of the impact our bamboo bike project has made through this school.”

Their impact on climate change comes from reducing carbon in the atmosphere. “Bamboo absorbs more carbon and emits more oxygen than any other plant,” explains Danso. “Our frames are stronger and lighter than steel and also absorb shocks much better.” By offering a high end, affordable, attractive bike, Booomers encourages people to get out of their cars and burn less oil.

Booomers Bikes has sold 8,000 frames over the past decade, mostly in Europe. Last year, for the first time, a US customer could order one through the website, and anticipate a 14-21 day wait. This year a US customer can get a bike at the Calfee Design warehouse in La Selva Beach, where Booomers shipped an entire container of them during the Covid pandemic.

“We now serve as the US order fulfillment and distribution point for Booomers Bikes. We will handle any warranty problems, and service the bike as needed,” Calfee says.

Osei encourages folks to make an appointment for a test ride. “People at the Sea Otter Classic went nuts once they rode our bikes,” he enthuses. “And we’re just like, yeah, welcome to the movement. Enjoy it, love it, ride it!”

ACE YOUR AGE

By Matt Johanson

“I turned 50 recently and I’m grateful to still enjoy outdoor activities that I picked up in my youth. Following are lessons I’ve learned over the years. This installment, the last of of five, focuses on acing your age.”

Interviewing climbing pioneer Royal Robbins ranks among the best experiences in my writing career. Arthritis led Robbins to shift from climbing to kayaking in his 40s but he later enjoyed both because his arthritis improved. Positive thinking promoted that, he believed. “My improvement coincided with my decision not to let arthritis rule my life,” Robbins said. “The more optimistic you are, the better things go for you. I’ve been able to achieve things most people consider extraordinary by the power of that principle.”

Now 50, I’m also trying to share lessons I’ve learned outdoors. Earlier columns covered winter outings, running, climbing and backpacking. I encourage you to ace your age, not act your age, in this fifth and final segment.

1LIVE YOUR DREAM NOW.

This is the best time to climb your mountain, run that race or hike that trail. Why wait? I’ve got my third marathon, California 14ers and the Pacific Crest Trail on my agenda. How about you?

2TRY A NEW ACTIVITY.

I loved running first but I’m deeply grateful I branched out to climbing, backpacking and ski touring. In fact, I’m overdue to pick up another hobby, like bicycle touring.

3ACCEPT YOUR CHANGING LIMITS. Time catches all of us but don’t give up! After running seriously in my youth, I eased up in my 30s because running slower times didn’t motivate me. Thankfully, I got smart enough in my 40s to enjoy competing in middle age.

4ENJOY THE JOURNEY.

Setting goals motivates us to improve, but if you set challenging goals, you’ll fall short sometimes. Relish the effort anyway.

5USE YOUR WISDOM.

I’ll never again start a long multipitch climb in mid-afternoon (which “benighted” me in Yosemite) or race at high elevation without acclimating (which crushed me at Lake Tahoe).

6PASS ON YOUR KNOWLEDGE.

Older athletes may not lead the pack as we once did, but we can become voices of experience. This

makes us feel valued and educates the young.

7TAKE MORE CARE OF YOUR BODY. As we age, we lose muscle mass and flexibility, so emphasize exercise and stretching to slow your body’s decline.

8TAKE MORE REST AND RECOVERY TIME AND AVOID OVERTRAINING. Cross training can help older athletes maintain a high level of fitness while avoiding injuries.

9WATCH YOUR DIET. Pizza, beer and ice cream make no mark on younger athletes, but older ones should enjoy indulgences in moderation.

10GET PROFESSIONAL HELP FOR BIGGER MEDICAL PROBLEMS. Your health plan probably includes this care, even if you need a referral and a few appointments to get it.

At age 49, running was going great. Then one day I could barely bend my left knee. My doctor informed me that I had arthritis.

Several months of trial-and-error followed. There were painful days and setbacks. But I remembered Robbins, vowed to remain positive, kept trying and I ran my second marathon.

I’ve treasured the outdoor experiences and lessons of my first half-century, and relish those still to come. I hope this series has inspired you to pursue your dreams.

EARN YOUR BEER

The Valley of the Moon

By James Murren

By James Murren

THE EARNING

East of San Diego, out in the desert along the border with Mexico, is the Valley of the Moon. It’s an off-thebeaten path place, where climbers looking for solitude go. Some say it’s like Joshua Tree without the famous trees. Bouldering opportunities abound, as do sport and trad climbing options.

Not much of a climber, the Valley of the Moon is, for me, perfect for loading up the fat bike and getting away. What I find is silence, sand and rock, cacti and other succulents, bird songs and vigorous breezes, and sometimes lashing winds and wintry rain.

There are no real trails, per se. Instead, you simply ride where there’s twotrack, sometimes spotting paths that wander off here and there, which are great for meandering while pedaling.

The climb up from the parking lot is steep. At the intersection after the climb to the saddle, the primary area is off to the left, though if you go

right, there is a lot out that way to explore. With patience, a willingness to be adventurous, no real agenda, and a map, you can make it an all-day outing.

Better yet, load up your backpack or bike and spend a few nights. If you have a 4x4 vehicle with high clearance, you might be able to drive in, setting up camp for a longer stay. The Valley of the Moon sits on BLM land, and there is no water so you do not want to go during the summer. Fall through early spring is perfect, with warm afternoons and chilly nights.

THE BEER

Tabula Rasa Porter. Second Chance Beer Company, San Diego. Great American Beer Festival Gold Medal winner in the Robust Porter category (2016, 2017, 2019, 2020).

Porters are my go-to campfire beer on chilly evenings. When the weather turns cold, a variety of porters are in

Porters are my go-to campfire beer on chilly evenings. When the weather turns cold, a variety of porters are in my fridge. Fortunately, San Diego has one of the best porters you can find anywhere in the

my fridge. Fortunately, San Diego has one of the best porters you can find anywhere in the country. The Tabula Rasa porter is exactly what I want in a winter beer. There are no added flavors. It is not thin. It has girth. The roast and toast profiles are there. It even has a bit of a silky smooth feel as it goes down. The color is dark, deep brown-to-black. On the nose, you might sense chocolate or espresso, with some biscuit in the background.

Tabula Rasa means “blank slate.” That’s how I feel about Valley of the Moon. You just find it on a map and go. It’s a bit like those books where you choose your own adventure. The possibilities are endless: hike,

backpack, climb, boulder, scramble, bike, bikepack, bird watch, star gaze, or whatever adventure is calling you.

country.

DIERDRE WOLOWNICK

How Alex Honnold’s mom is setting an example for all of us

By Chris Van Leuven

Ifirst met Dierdre Wolownick in Smugglers’ Notch, Vermont for climbing on the rugged cliffs. It was 2015, and we met halfway up the narrowing paved road that climbs up and over Mount Mansfield, an area flocked yearly by tourists who come to see autumn foliage explode with color. But we’re here in late fall, under barren trees and gray skies.

I pull over to her lone car in the parking lot, and we slowly make our way to a short, low-difficulty rock climb. She’s slower footed than me but determined as we ascend the steep and rugged trail, and her steady pace continued as we climbed. Throughout that overcast day in the Northeast, Wolownick filled me in with every detail she could about her son Alex Honnold: what films he starred in (this was before Free Solo), his upcoming projects, their outings together. She told me how climbing, which she picked up at 59, helped her understand his world. In the years since that day, she’d become fascinated by the sport. Though I could tell she was incredibly proud of her son, she also had her own story to tell, one she chronicled in her memoir The Sharp End of Life: A Mother’s Story. That day on the rocks we chatted for hours, discussing writing, climbing and Honnold’s incredible feats. Thus began my friendship with Wolownick. In the subsequent five years, we’ve climbed from the scraggly crags in Vermont to the great rock slabs of Yosemite. Over this time, I’ve watched her strength and confidence on the rock grow. These changes continued despite invasive foot surgery leading to chronic pain in her opposite knee, and the general aches and pains she suffers from just turning 70.

Over our years together, Wolownick has shared how she grew up in New York City where she roller skated and ice skated. She’s taught foreign languages since 1971, completed half and full marathons, founded and conducted the West Sacramento Orchestra, and she’s climbed in France, Greece, and Mexico (to name a few). She and Honnold have climbed long routes in Tuolumne Meadows, California and Red Rock, Nevada. Wolownick is also a longtime writer and has published many books. In 2018 she simultaneously wrote two books: her memoir and a French textbook. Her memoir has been translated into foreign languages, most recently in Italian, French, and Spanish. For 44 years she was a professor and mother who raised Honnold and his sister Stasia Honnold. Her former husband died in 2004.

I’ve written about Wolownick for publications ranging from Men’s Journal to Outdoor Retailer Magazine to here at Adventure Sports Journal. She’s a friend of mine and a friend of many others; she’s a strong-willed, determined, and inspiring person who is always up for a day of climbing.

I’ve had a blast belaying Wolownick up various routes in Yosemite, including the introductory lines at Swan Slab, multi-pitch routes up the glistening stone at the base of Glacier Point Apron, moderates at Parkline Slab near the park’s west entrance, and the 50-foot descent route on the iconic Rostrum formation.

I’ve packed picnics and we’ve taken in the views of Yosemite from high ledges over tri-tip and corn on the cob, washing it down with iced drinks. When we climbed the Pine Line variation start to the Nose, I packed boiling water and cups of Ramen soup and used snapped twigs as makeshift chopsticks. When Honnold and Jared Leto came around the corner and greeted us, Honnold looked down at us eating our soup in the dirt and uttered one word: “Rugged.”

Another time at the base of El Cap, Wolownick, Pearl Johnson (age 9), her mom Janet Johnson and I ascended fixed ropes partway up the Heart Ledges hauling route that connects to the upper two-thirds of Freerider on El Cap, the route Wolownick’s son famously free soloed in 2017. Climbing with other friends, Wolownick once attempted the South Face of Washington Column in Yosemite but retreated partway up the wall due to overcrowding.

We also traveled through Denver during the annual Outdoor Retailer tradeshow, where she posed for photos at The Pulse booth for my profile on her, and we shared dinners with editors and publishers. And we’ve helped one another with our stories, where I reported on cutting edge ascents and she focused on reaching and inspiring senior citizens. She writes with the intention of becoming a beacon for older climbers and seniors like herself. It’s impressive how many titles she appears in, from digital publications to international TV to major newspapers, including USA Today. Her success is due to hard work, hustle, and diligence, just like how she climbs.

BECOMING THE OLDEST WOMEN TO CLIMB EL CAP

Four years ago, Wolownick made history when she ascended fixed lines set by Honnold and his climbing partner Samuel Crossley on Lurking Fear on El Cap. With them leading above, she ascended her way up the ropes, topping out in 13 hours and returning to

the Valley floor in a little over 19 hours, earning her the title of the oldest woman to climb El Capitan.

The oldest person male or female to climb El Cap is Gerry Bloch, 81, who ascended the Aquarium Wall in 1999. Once he reached the top, “we were stunned at how frail he looked,” wrote Glen Martin for SF Gate “He was not an old man who had an anomalous physique, a superb constitution that had somehow resisted the erosions of time. He was just an old man — but one with indomitable will.” That year Bloch bested his previous record, which he set in 1986 when he became the oldest person to climb the formation at 68. Bloch started climbing in 1934, at age 16; Wolownick started climbing in 2009 at 59.

For his ascent of Aquarium Wall over ten days, Bloch made his way up the giant monolith by ascending ropes set in place by Mike “Mr. El Cap” Corbett and Craig White. In comparison, when Wolownick ascended Lurking Fear in 2016, she followed the fastest rock climber in the world — her son — and his friend Crossley. Both senior citizen climbers — Wolownick and Bloch — ascended El Cap Grade VI routes (requiring most teams several days to complete), earning them the title of oldest to ascend the Big Wall.

ASECENDING ROPES VS. TECHNICAL CLIMBING

Some naysayers discredit Wolownick’s ascent of Lurking Fear, arguing that ascending ropes isn’t climbing El Cap (they also discredit the youngest people to have climbed El Cap for similar reasons), but most I’ve talked to agree that climbing is simply going up. On El Cap, the walls are polished smooth, cracks are sharp and often minimal, and wide chimneys and everything in-between rise two-thirds of a mile to reach the top. The biggest difference between climbing rock and ascending ropes, called jumaring (or jugging), is that the latter is a physical skill that can be picked up quickly, though it is strenuous and complex. Building the skills to lead technical climbing pitches up an El Cap big wall takes years of practice and preparation.

Though ascending ropes isn’t in the same category as free climbing or aid climbing, there are also no rules stating that it doesn’t qualify as climbing. The first paraplegic to climb El Cap was Mark Wellman, in 1989, when he ascended ropes set in place by Corbett on The Shield, which required eight days. Their ascent dominated the news and earned them an invitation to the White House. “That’s something I’ll always remember. It was a huge accomplishment

This autumn for her 70th birthday, Dierdre Wolownick spent the night out under the stars atop El Capitan, absorbing the view high above the Valley floor.

for both Mike and me,” Wellman said during a visit to the Oval Office in the No Barriers Podcast.

RETURNING TO EL CAP FOR HER 70TH BIRTHDAY

This autumn, Wolownick returned to Yosemite for her 70th birthday, and with support from climbers and visitors alike, she ascended ropes that lead up the El Cap descent route, East Ledges, which requires hiking up an increasingly steep gully to reach 500 feet of fixed ropes that lead to steep, exposed hiking. From the top of the lines, she followed a strenuous climber’s trail to reach the top of the world’s most famous route, The Nose. With the friends who accompanied her, she toasted the event with champagne, shared cake, and snuggled into her sleeping bag for the night.

“I had a group of supportive people all around me,” she says. “We had people watching out for us as we went up the East Ledges; there were 11 of us and we were widely spread out. Four were young people carrying 90-pound packs.”

By climbing with partners all over the world, most commonly in Yosemite, Wolownick’s built a crew who supports and encourages her. This includes Janet Johnson — mother of Pearl Johnson, who at age 9 was the youngest person to climb El Cap. Mother and daughter joined Wolownick on her recent venture up the East Ledges. So did a handful of others, including the director of the Gunks Climbers Coalition, Jannette Wing Pazer. Some went up in advance and strung fresh ropes up the route she followed, others carried packs weighed down with equipment, food, water, and camping gear (and champagne and cake!).

As Wolownick descended El Cap’s East Ledges after completing her goal of sleeping on top, a group of us waited on the Valley floor to greet her when she got down to celebrate her accomplishment. Some of us were seasoned climbers, where others hardly knew what climbing was, but they’d seen Free Solo. Her enthusiasm was contagious.

When Wolownick stepped off the trailhead, she was brimming with confidence and dehydrated, sore and hungry. I gave her ice packs, iced cranberry water, hot soup, Almond Rocha and cheese sticks. Others contributed electrolytes and more food. From there, Wolownick headed back to a friend’s house to shower and regroup and we met up again that afternoon at the Curry Pizza Deck, where drinks flowed and she bought everyone dinner. There she recounted her night under the stars on top of El Cap, where she nestled in a sleeping bag but did without a tent as it would block her view of the evening sky. At

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: JANNETTE PAZER AND DIERDRE WOLOWNICK LIFT A GLASS OF CHAMPAGNE TO DIERDRE’S 70TH, ON THE SUMMIT OF EL CAPITAN; WITH THE TEN FRIENDS WHO MADE WOLOWNICK’S BIRTHDAY ON EL CAP SO SPECIAL. CREDIT (HANNAH HOEKSTRA); PIZZA IS WOLOWNICK’S

the Deck there were toasts, laughter and she was surrounded by her climbing partners, new friends, and old ones. That’s what stays with me: how she fostered community, put her head toward the goal, and saw it through.

IN A CATEGORY OF HER OWN

The news of her ascent bothered some technical climbers, but similar to how many people say they climbed Half Dome when they ascend the Cables Route, the same can be said about Wolownick going up the East Ledges to reach the top of The Big Stone. People have different opinions about this. She’s heard from other climbers that the long yet moderate Royal Arches route is a big wall, even though it gets a Grade II rating (taking most parties less than half a day). These rating details may mean a lot to seasoned climbers like me, but Wolownick is in a different category. She aims to reach those in her age bracket, people over 60, over 70, and those who have never heard of rock climbing. She’s told me she wants to inspire people who never get off the couch to get out and walk around the block, those who’ve never hiked to explore the outdoors by foot, to see the world in new and exciting ways.

In a recent YouTube video interview, Wolownick says, “It [climbing] may seem risky or dangerous to other people, but the key to it is to simply keep increasing your comfort zone.” This is the message she reinforces in the Feeding Curiosity podcast called “Dierdre Wolownick: Stewardship, Traveling and Listening to Yourself.”

RATING DETAILS

The day after her birthday, Wolownick woke early and returned to El Cap, back to the fixed lines leading to Heart Ledges, where photographers and journalists she’d contacted joined her. “I’ll be in a feature article in a special section of the New York Times,” she tells me, “in a section on people who have reinvented themselves later in

life. That’s become my specialty. I saw a post online from the Times and shot off an email to them. A half-hour later they wrote me back.”

With so many articles coming out about her success in the vertical, I was curious if she talked about her notable climbs with her son. She replied, “We talk, of course, often when he’s in an airport going on an expedition to somewhere in the world. When we talk, it’s family stuff, not this.”

As her rapid pace and increased relationships with the media grow, Wolownick may become the most famous senior climber on the planet. Considering her son is the world’s most famous rock climber, perhaps it’s fitting that she gets to share the limelight, in her way and on her terms. After all, he introduced her to the sport, supported her progression and inspired her to get out and try.

“I’m on television in Taiwan and Madrid, and across the US,” she says. “People enjoy success stories where they can say, ‘maybe I could do that.’ I’m out there doing these feats, and to other people, this is inspiring, and I love bringing that to people.”

And that’s the message she gives — you can achieve anything if you put your mind to it. Kudos to Wolownick for spreading that message. As the sport of climbing grows and reaches new audiences, thanks greatly to the success of Free Solo, it’s good to have Wolownick at the table to share her experiences and inspire seniors and others to get out and be more active.

“I don’t feel old,” she tells me, “but my foot doesn’t point downward anymore due to surgery. My whole foot was taken apart and put back together and apparently, there was nerve damage, and it will never get any better. It’s very limiting for climbing. So I have to figure out other ways to navigate these things. As you age, parts of you decline and you have to decide if you will let that stop you. I’d love to keep going up, as long as I can. We’ll see.”

COMFORT FOOD, ESPECIALLY AFTER AN ADVENTURE LIKE EL CAP (CHRIS VAN LEUVEN); BIRTHDAY CUPCAKES WERE ENJOYED AT THE TOP OF EL CAPITAN (JANNETTE PAZER).

“As you age, parts of you decline and you have to decide if you will let that stop you. I’d love to keep going up, as long as I can. We’ll see.”

— Dierdre Wolownick

‘Tis the Locals Winter Season!2021/22

NEW RESTAURANT MENUS

SEASONAL PACKAGE OFFERS WINTER GROUPS MEETINGS

LOCALS KNOW THAT THE NORTH COAST IS OUR GORGEOUS WINTER SECRET

Sure, we love Summer but nothing beats a cozy fire, a glass of local wine, and those perfect & clear winter sunsets. Whether you are joining us for a weekend getaway or a romantic dinner at Cascade, Costanoa has many new Winter offerings from accommodation deals, new restaurant menus, and seasonal activities.

CODY TOWNSEND

Fifty classic ski descents

If you identify as a skier, chances are you know the name Cody Townsend. Maybe you caught wind of the Lake Tahoe based skier in his formative years as a decorated ski racer, or later in one of his many starring roles in modern ski films, such as those produced by Matchstick Productions.

If neither of those are true then it’s likely you know his name because of The Fifty, a recent multi-year project to ski each of the fifty classic lines featured in the book, The Fifty Classic Ski Descents of North America. The Fifty’s YouTube Channel now has almost 100K subscribers, and is arguably the most viewed ongoing ski media of our day. With anticipation and stoke high for Season 4 of the project, ASJ caught up with Townsend in his Tahoe City, CA home to check in about the project, and see what the ski community has to look forward to in the coming year.

ASJ: Before we get going here, a HUGE congrats to you and Elyse Saugstad on becoming parents! How have the first few weeks been?

CT: Well I’d say there is a lot of similarities to our typical “Type II Fun” mountain sufferfests. It’s exhausting, challenging and patience testing but man are the moments of pure joy totally worth it. It is a different kind of joy and love though, something I didn’t know was in me and it’s truly a one of a kind gift.

ASJ: How do you see being a father impacting your work as a professional skier? Do you have other skiers/mentors who are also fathers that you look up to, or have gleaned advice from?

CT: There are aspects of travel, time away and expeditions that are gonna be tough on two

professional skiers balancing their careers with raising a child. At the same time, I think it’s going to be so amazing to introduce my son to the mountains, to the outdoors and to the sport which has brought me so much happiness in life. I’m definitely picking the brains of people like Chris Davenport, Jeremy Jones and others who balance their unique careers with raising kids.

ASJ: Where do you get most of your ski days in these days?

CT: 80% of my days on snow are in the backcountry these days. Whether it’s the local jaunts around Lake Tahoe or on the road across the West, I’m finding a strong majority of my skiing is done via human power. That other 20% is at the resort and despite my focus on the backcountry, the days ripping around the resort, banging laps out with your friends are so sick. I’m so backcountry focused I sometimes feel this sense of wonder at these flying chairs that dump you off at the top of the mountain in minutes and let you just play the entire day. Resorts truly are modern marvels.

ASJ: How do you feel about the Palisades Tahoe name change? Are there any eco-social advocacy/ stewardship projects you’re especially interested in, or currently a part of?

THIS PAGE, TOP TO BOTTOM: CODY TOWNSEND AND BJARNE SALEN DESCENDING THE SPHINX, CHUGACH MOUNTAINS, AK; STUDIO PORTRAIT OF TOWNSEND.

Words by Brennan Lagasse • Photos by Ming Poon

ASJ: Were you in Tahoe at all this summer for the smoke/fires? Can you share your thoughts regarding the exacerbation of wildfire in our backyard due to climate change, and how climate change is impacting the craft of sliding on snow?

CT: The fires in California have been downright awful the past decade, making home at times unlivable simply because the air quality is so hazardous for your health. It feels like there are two seasons now, winter and fire season. Ultimately it’s a problem created by a hundred plus years of human and governmental decisions from poor forest management decisions to delaying any action on combatting climate change. The main impact on skiing is the livability of our mountain communities and the desire to live through fire season in order to be close to the snow. It’s making me even question my family’s future here.

ASJ: What gets you stoked outside of skiing?

CT: I am deeply supportive of the name change. The most basic reason is that the more I learned about the old name, that term, and the history of the area the more I realized just how horribly offensive the

THIS PAGE, TOP TO BOTTOM: NORTHERN LIGHTS DANCE OVER THE CHUGACH MOUNTAINS AND THE ORCA INLET OF CORDOVA, AK. WHEN THE AURORA BOREALIS LIGHTS UP LIKE THIS, IT’S ALWAYS WORTH THE LOST SLEEP AS THERE’S NOTHING LIKE IT; CODY TOWNSEND APPROACHING THE RED BANKS AFTER DESCENDING FROM THE SUMMIT OF MT. SHASTA. THIS PARTICULAR OBJECTIVE WAS DONE WITH A LARGE GROUP OF HOMETOWN FRIENDS ON A PERFECT DAY WITH SMOOTH CORN FOR THOUSANDS OF VERTICAL FEET. right direction to acknowledge colonial history and allow indigenous peoples into the forefront of society. Personally, my goals as an outdoorsman are just to lift other people up that haven’t had a voice, that want

CT: Surfing is definitely my other sport of passion. Sure I climb, mountain run, bike and all that to pass the non-snowy months but ultimately, surfing and the ocean have had my heart since I was 10 years old. But beyond sport, I think trying to be a better relative to other humans and our natural world is what I’m focused on most outside of skiing. To give back and

Family Mountain

Featuring 1,500 acres of spacious slopes and plenty of beginner terrain for the whole family, June Mountain’s easy-going atmosphere and breathtaking views make for the perfect Eastern Sierra ski day.

Photo: Eric Sales/Giro

Jackson MIPS (men’s)

Terra MIPS (women’s)

protect what has made my life so enjoyable.

ASJ: Your roots are in Santa Cruz, do you make it back there often? Do you still have family in the area? Do you still surf your childhood break(s)?

CT: Born and raised on the East Side of Santa Cruz and luckily still have family close to Pleasure Point which makes it very easy to come home, see old friends, get in the water and connect back with my hometown. It’s also nice because I can paddle out to a crowded break like Sewer Peak and still get waves because I know everyone out there … something that’s hard to do in California these days! Ha.

ASJ: How’s van life and how has that style of living influenced The Fifty Project?

CT: After two seasons in the back of a truck, I can say van life is everything it’s cracked up to be and also may have made me a bit soft. Cooking breakfast in my underwear in a heated van at the trailhead just feels like 5-Star living. It makes it hard to leave the van on a brutally cold morning. I feel like I have to do a few nights in a freezing tent just to make sure I don’t get too soft!

ASJ: Can you share any plans about the Fifty Project for this upcoming season?

CT: For 2022, the plan is to continue with the project and mainly base myself up in Canada where I haven’t been able to go for the past two years due to COVID related travel restrictions. There are nine lines up in Canada still to do so

putting the focus on those lines and the expedition style trips up in AK are where my primary focus is.

ASJ: Obviously, the global pandemic threw The Fifty off its intended trajectory as a three-year project. What else has the pandemic brought to light for you? What have been the biggest challenges? How far has COVID put you behind with the project? Has COVID offered you a new perspective at all?

CT: The past two years for The Fifty have been tough because of COVID and the impact it had on the world. From cancelling all travel in 2020 right before the primetime ski mountaineering season to being limited to only traveling in the US in 2021, COVID was a major disruption. So for the episodes of 2021, we really focused on quality over quantity. Our episodes are all over 20 minutes long, show far more of the process of what it takes to ski these lines and give viewers more of a behindthe-scenes look. Overall, COVID has done two things for the project. First it has forced me to be more patient and second, it also shows how minor skiing and my project is in the grand scheme of things. Sure this project is a life focus for me, but ultimately, there are far more important things in life and giving focus to those aspects is important.

ASJ: Thanks for your time, Cody! We all look forward to following The Fifty project this Winter! Can you share any final parting thoughts for our readers?

CT: Thanks Brennan and ASJ. Ultimately my only thought to end on is that we

THIS PAGE, TOP TO BOTTOM: CODY TOWNSEND DESCENDING THE SPHINX, CHUGACH MOUNTAINS, AK; TOWNSEND WITH HIS WIFE ELYSE AND THEIR NEW BABY INDIANA (JUST A FEW DAYS OLD) AT THEIR HOME IN TAHOE CITY, CA. are really lucky as skiers and outdoors people. We’re in a time in history where play, adventure and connecting with the outdoors in a recreational spirit has allowed for a type of fun that is incredibly life fulfilling. Making sure we know that this lifestyle isn’t available for millions of others and helping others to get to this quality of life isn’t just a good idea, it’s something we should prioritize as a community of humans in order to make this world a better place for people and the places we love.

AN UPHILL STRUGGLE

Clint Claassen climbs 1,000,000 feet on backyard trails amidst their loss to developments

By Kurt Gensheimer

There’s “Everesting” – the act of riding a bicycle up the same hill until reaching the height of Mount Everest at 29,035 feet — and there’s Clint Claassen, who has climbed more than 35 Everests since the beginning of 2021, surpassing 1,000,000 vertical feet of climbing, equivalent to 190 miles of pure uphill.

After learning of Claassen’s feat, I decided to join him on November 18 on his backyard trails in El Dorado Hills, the day he attained the six zeroes of climbing. Considering I haven’t even climbed a tenth of that elevation in 2021, I knew just one ride with Claassen was going to sting the legs and lungs something fierce, and it delivered as promised.

“My ride profile looks like a sawtooth blade,” said Claassen as we rolled out of his driveway onto New York Creek trail, referencing the sharp ups and downs in each ride, the only way he could attain one million feet of climbing without riding thousands of extra miles.

His ride profile also felt like a sawtooth blade running clean across my legs as I fought bouts of cry breathing while attempting to keep Claassen in sight. My plan was to ask him questions about his million foot quest as we were climbing, but it’s hard to ask questions when you’re hyperventilating.

It’s already challenging enough climbing one million feet on as much dirt as possible, but doing it in 2021 made the feat even more formidable. In a “normal” year, Claassen would have to balance three hours of riding a day with his wife Jen and seven-year-old son, along with the events management business and non-profit he and his wife operate full-time, Clipped In

Races and Clipped In For Life; organizations loved by the local community hit hard by the pandemic.

But 2021 added some unique headscratchers, like the pandemic-induced global supply shortage that made replacement bike parts impossible to find at times. Climbing one million feet also comes with the resulting one million feet of descending, consuming a small mountain of chains, chainrings, cog sets, brake pads, tires, grips and pedal bearings; all of which were difficult to find on short notice.

“Some mornings I would get on the bike, hit the brakes and hear the screeching sounds of metal on metal,” said Claassen. “I turned around and had to grab a different bike to ride until I could find brake pads for the first bike. I couldn’t have completed this challenge without having multiple bikes.”

Claassen has a stable of Santa Cruz bikes he rode in the million-foot quest, including a Megatower, Tallboy, Blur and Stigmata, all of which got use in reaching the goal. He also put in elevation by riding with his wife on the family tandem and towing his son on a trailer bike.

“I was his turbo,” Claassen’s son said with a huge smile after hugging his dad in congratulations.

Aside from the parts supply shortage, 2021 was one of the worst wildfire seasons on record in California, with toxic smoke filling the air for a solid two months

THIS PAGE, TOP TO BOTTOM: AN OMINOUS BULLDOZER THREATENS ANOTHER NEIGHBORHOOD TRAIL IN EL DORADO HILLS (KURT GENSHEIMER); AFTER 618 HOURS IN THE SADDLE, CLINT CLAASSEN SURPASSES HIS STRAVA GOAL OF 1,000,000 FEET OF CLIMBING (CLAASSEN COLLECTION).

of the summer. Claassen was on his bike by 5:30AM every day and returned home by 8:30, arriving in time to find his son walking to school. Claassen rode as long as the AQI (air quality index) was 200 or less, but some days he simply couldn’t ride because the smoke was too thick.

And if those unforeseen variables weren’t challenging enough, there were other issues that could have completely derailed his million-foot quest, like a

dislocated shoulder that slowed him down, a sprained thumb that still hasn’t healed correctly because Claassen had to keep riding and having a GPS that wasn’t accurately tracking elevation.

“If it was wet or rainy out, my Garmin wouldn’t log elevation for that day,” said Claassen. “But because I was doing all my climbing on the trails in El Dorado Hills, I knew exactly how much elevation each climb was, so I kept track manually.”

Claassen emphasized that attaining this goal wouldn’t have been possible without backyard trails, both for the knowledge of exactly how much vertical he was climbing and the routine of knocking out 4,000 to 5,000 vertical feet every day at 500 vertical feet per lap, but also because of the proximity of trails to his home near New York Creek Nature Area.

“I owe all of those million feet of climbing and descending to the community trail builders here in El Dorado Hills,” said Claassen. “I wouldn’t have taken on this challenge without the fun, steep singletrack that enabled me to get the vertical I needed in the short time I had each day.”

THIS PAGE, TOP TO BOTTOM: CLAASSEN SPENT A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF TIME IN HIS GARAGE THIS YEAR MAINTAINING FOUR BIKES THAT GOT HIM TO THE MILLION-FOOT GOAL (KURT GENSHEIMER); A FLAT TIRE IS ONE OF MANY MECHANICAL ISSUES CLAASSEN FACED IN QUEST OF HIS CLIMBING GOAL (SCOTT WILLIAMS).

“Some mornings I would get on the bike, hit the brakes and hear the screeching sounds of metal on metal ... and had to grab a different bike to ride until I could find brake pads for the first bike. I couldn’t have completed this challenge without having multiple bikes.”

— Clint Claassen

Steep and fun are definitely good descriptors of the social trails in El Dorado Hills near the Ridgeview Village neighborhood. Featuring berms, jumps, rock drops and steep, chunky technical

THIS PAGE, TOP TO BOTTOM: THE CLAASSEN FAMILY ENJOYING A WEEKEND OF MOUNTAIN BIKING TOGETHER IN MAMMOTH; CLAASSEN’S EARLY MORNING RIDES WOULD ALWAYS CONCLUDE JUST AS HIS SON WAS WALKING TO SCHOOL.

bits that get your attention, there was never a dull moment following Claassen downhill, who rolled through them with the fluidity of water, which makes sense considering he rode them thousands of times just this year. After only five laps of the same trails, I had a new appreciation for Claassen’s dedication to the quest.

“I rode almost all of this elevation alone,” said Claassen after reaching the top of the final climb where a small group of his friends gathered with champagne and a giant “Finish” banner, throwing a celebration for him. After completing the 17-mile ride with 3,500

feet of climbing, I understood why. Few people would subject themselves to that kind of repetitive suffering.

During the course of his daily rides Claassen saw a lot, including deer and turkey migrations, the ripening of fig trees that fueled him, high school kids joyriding and crashing their parents’ cars, a big rig that lost an excavator bucket into a row of parked cars and accidentally scaring away a family of turkey moments before a mountain lion was about to pounce on them. But what Claassen saw most was the weekly disappearance of open space and neighborhood trails due to development.

El Dorado Hills is in the midst of change, and especially since the pandemic, the influx of Bay Area money and new residents has hyper-charged the desire to develop new mega-mansion neighborhoods. Since the start of 2021, Claassen said the community has already lost at least three high quality singletracks to bulldozers and graders, clearing land for the next multi-million dollar home.

“I’m not against development,” said Claassen as we stared at a pair of Caterpillars shaving off the top of a mountain behind a wall of cyclone fencing. “But I just wish these developers and the El Dorado County commissioners would have more vision around prioritizing recreation and building actual singletrack, not just a ten-foot wide gravel path.”

For Claassen, a co-founder of Mother

Lode Trail Stewardship and Executive Board vice president, a big part of attaining this million-foot goal was driving awareness around the existing trails in El Dorado Hills, and getting county leadership to recognize that trails are essential to a healthy community, and that they need to be preserved, not bulldozed.

“Since the pandemic started, trail use by local residents has skyrocketed,” said Claassen. “Add that increase in usage with the decrease in trails due to development, it’s not a good combination. We need more trails in El Dorado Hills, not fewer.”

Claassen went on to say that for El Dorado County, the South Lake Tahoe area is the crown jewel of recreation for the county, but places like El Dorado Hills seem like an afterthought.

“I love going to Lake Tahoe as much as anyone else, but I also need a place in my neighborhood where I can get outside each day and ride with my family,” said Claassen. “We would like to see officials put more priority on recreation where most county residents live.”

It remains to be seen if getting county officials to recognize, preserve and build trails in El Dorado Hills will be a bigger challenge than climbing one million feet in a year. What’s not in doubt is the vision and resolve of the Claassen family, along with the respect and devotion the local recreation community has for the Claassens in their mission of getting more kids on bicycles, while providing them more backyard places.

Cookie cutter is fine, if you’re making cookies.

The last 18 months have taught us plenty. Importantly, that one size does not fit all and it’s critical to have options. To that end, we’re working harder than ever to bring you an inspiring collection of bicycle brands. We’ve set the stage, so get out there! Do it now, and do it with style.Your style.

ADVENTURE EVENTS CALENDAR

Check with race producers to verify fees, times and event info.

BIKING

December

4 — Dirty 30 / Barona Oaks MX, Lakeside / QuicknDirtyMTB.com

5 — E-Dirty Cross / Barona Oaks MX, Lakeside / QuicknDirtyMTB.com

January

16 — MTB Kickstart - XC MTB Race / Folsom Lake SRA / TotalBodyFitness.com

15 — Winter XC Series #1 / Barona Oaks MX, Lakeside / QuicknDirtyMTB.com

22 — Winter XC Series #2 / Barona Oaks MX, Lakeside / QuicknDirtyMTB.com

30 — MTB Classic / Folsom Lake SRA / XC MTB race / TotalBodyFitness.com

February

5 — Winter XC Series #3 / Barona Oaks MX, Lakeside / QuicknDirtyMTB.com

12 — Rock Cobbler & Pebble Cobbler / Bakersfield / Gravel / RockCobbler.com

19 — Camino Real Double Century / Lake Forest / About 11,700’ of climbing / PlanetUltra.com

Huffmaster

— Feb 27, 2022 — Huffmaster / Maxwell / Stunning rolling gravel roads tucked between Hwy 5 and the Mendocino National Forest. / Two ride options / GrasshopperAdventureSeries.com

13 — MTB Showdown / Folsom Lake SRA / TotalBodyFitness.com

19 — Solvang Double Century / Buellton / 200 mi & 200 km / PlanetUltra.com

Sagebrush Safari

— March 26 – 27, 2022 —

Sagebrush Safari / Campo / Cross country MTB 19 & 27 mile & kids race on Sat / Gravel 40 mile race on Sun. / QuicknDirtyMTB.com

27 — MTB Throwdown / Folsom Lake SRA / TotalBodyFitness.com

King Ridge Dirt Supreme

22 miles of rugged NorCal pavé / Followed by 22 miles of ripping dirt and gravel / 43 mi, 5,600 ft / GrasshopperAdventureSeries.com

27 — MTB Madness / Folsom Lake SRA / XC MTB race / TotalBodyFitness.com

March

5 —Shasta Gravel Hugger / Montague / GravelHugger.com

— March 27, 2022 — King Ridge Dirt Supreme / Duncan’s Mills / King Ridge with Willow Creek Rd. dirt descent / Kruse Rd. dirt climb / Two timed segments to keep things fun / GrasshopperAdventureSeries.com

April

Sea Otter Classic

—April 7 - 10, 2022 —

Sea Otter Classic / Monterey / World premier cycling festival / Races, events, vendors, camping and more / SeaOtterClassic.com

10 — MTB Mayhem / Folsom Lake SRA / TotalBodyFitness.com

Lake Sonoma

— April 16, 2022 — Lake Sonoma / Lake Sonoma / 22 miles of rolling and flowy single track / A classic big loop MTB race /Single Speed State Championship / 24 mi. 3500ft. / GrasshopperAdventureSeries.com

23 — Tierra Bella Bicycle Tour / Southern Santa Clara County / TierraBella.org

24 — MTB Championship / Folsom Lake SRA / TotalBodyFitness.com

29 - May 1 — Belgian Waffle Ride California / San Marcos / Expo & races / 200+ miles, 132 miles, 70 miles, 35 miles / BelgianWaffleRide.bike

Sherwood Adventure

— May 15, 2022 —

Sherwood Adventure

/ Fort Bragg / Epic coastal roads. / half gravel and half pavé / Finishes with 40 miles of gravel back to Fort Bragg / 88 mi. 8500 ft. / GrasshopperAdventureSeries.com

Georgetown Enduro — May 21, 2022 —

Georgetown Enduro (all-new) / Georgetown / Presented by MTB

Humboldt

— June 5, 2022 — Humboldt / Weott / Series Finale / Two timed segments / Two dirt sections / Redwoods, river crossings, remote coastal roads / Best 100 mile ride in NorCal / GrasshopperAdventureSeries.com

China Peak Enduro

— June 25, 2022 —

December

11 — Hark the Herald Angels Half Marathon & 10K™ / Tiburon / Angel Isand State Park / EnviroSports.com

January

15 — IPA Trail Runs / Folsom Lake SRA / 5K & 12K / TotalBodyFitness.com

29 — The Gumby Trail Runs / Folsom Lake SRA / 5K & 12K / TotalBodyFitness.com

26 — Golden Gate Headlands

Marathon, Half Marathon & 10K™ / Sausalito / EnviroSports.com

SNOW

February

Bjornloppet — TBD —

Bjornloppet XC Ski Race / Bear Valley

February

June

4 — Lost & Found Gravel Grinder / Portola / 30, 60 & 100 mi /SierraTrails.org

Experience and California Expeditions / CaliforniaEnduro Series.com Mammoth Bar Enduro —June 4, 2022 — 4 — Mammoth Bar Enduro / Mammoth / Presented by TBF Racing and The Hub Roseville / CaliforniaEnduro Series.com

China Peak Enduro / Lakeshore / Presented by China Peak Mountain Resort / CaliforniaEnduro Series.com

July

Mt Shasta Enduro — July 30 -31, 2022 — Mt Shasta Enduro / McCloud / Presented by Mt Shasta Ski Park / CaliforniaEnduro Series.com

5 — Death Valley Marathon, Half Marathon & 10K™ / Death Valley / EnviroSports.com

26 — Lost Trail 5K & Half Marathon / Folsom Lake SRA / TotalBodyFitness.com

March

5 — Way Too Cool 50K / Cool / NorCalUltras.com

12 — Chanoko 50K, 31K, 5-Mile Trail Runs / Folsom Lake SRA / TotalBodyFitness.com

19 — Napa Valley Trail Marathon, Half Marathon & 10K™ / Calistoga / EnviroSports.com

19 — She is Beautiful / Santa Cruz / 5K & 10K / RunSheIsBeautiful.com

/ The oldest race in the West. 5K / 10K & 20K courses; skate & stride / BVadventures.com

March

The Great Ski Race — March 6, 2022 —

The Great Ski Race / Tahoe City / New Race Course / Mt Watson loop / 26 KM (16.2 miles) / $80 through March

3 ($30 kids ) / $120 on race weekend ($60 kids) / TheGreatSkiRace.com

FREE ONLINE LISTINGS

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2022 RACE SCHEDULE

July