ASJ Summer Hit List – Reader Picks!

Transcription

combination known as scrambling. I’m a
peakbagger first, climber second. I learned
climbing skills only to help me get to the
summit of some of the harder peaks. My
passion is for day hikes, the longer, more
remote, or more obscure, the better. I have
a conjecture that every peak in California
can be reached as a day hike, and I’m
diligently working to prove that out.
FAVORITE PLACE TO DO THEM:
My favorite places are the eastern trailheads
of the High Sierra, from Twin Lakes in
northern Yosemite to the Cottonwood
Lakes trailhead just south of Mt. Whitney.
These trailheads lead in quick fashion
to the highest peaks in the range with
stunning scenery nearly the entire way.
LASTING MEMORY: I was rogue
camping in Yosemite Valley with my
hiking partner one winter evening. At
two in the morning he woke me up and
said, “Can you come look at my head? I
think I just got hit by a bear.” A curious
juvenile had swatted his head before
running off, leaving a quarter-inch wide,
6-inch long gash on the back of his skull.
Matthew got seven stitches at the Yosemite
Infirmary and we got little sleep the rest
of the night. But we still went out to
scramble Cathedral Rocks the next day.
FAVORITE PLACE TO RELAX/
REFUEL AFTERWARD: Hands down
the Whoa Nellie Deli (in the Tioga Gas
Mart, where Tioga Pass meets Highway
395) is the finest refueling establishment in
the Eastern Sierra. It’s proximity to Tioga
Pass means I can enjoy a great meal both
coming and going to that side of the range.
Photos courtesy of writers.
ASJ Summer Hit List – Reader Picks!
FROM THE BACKROADS TO THE BACKCOUNTRY, THE SIERRA TO
THE SEA, FAVORITE WAYS AND PLACES TO SPEND THE DAWG
DAYS OF SUMMER
A
hhh, July and August, the height
of summer. Perhaps no other
time of year is the richness of the
California landscape so evident, accessible
and inviting to outdoor pursuits.
From blistering backcountry marathons
to lazy days on the river, from howling
winds on the bay to howling at the moon
from desert hot springs, there’s an endless
smorgasbord of places to enjoy outdoor
activities in the California region during
the leggy days of summer. No matter
what your preferred level of exertion/
adrenaline happens to be – low rpm or full
throttle – everyone has their favorites.
To pay tribute, we thought we’d celebrate
the season by inviting a cross-section of
active outdoor people from a variety of
sporting interests – cyclists, climbers,
paddlers, runners, hikers, surfers,
sailors – from around the northern
California/Nevada region to give us
their summer picks, mild and wild.
From well-known hot spots to more obscure
localized pockets, here’s a backyard
potluck of ideas on what makes summer in
California special. Feel free to poach ideas
from their contributions. Just remember to
tip your hat to them when the sun falls after
another long, memorable summer’s day.
– Pete Gauvin
14 ASJ—July/August 2006
Bob Burd
Vince Darwood
AGE: 45
AGE: 46
OCCUPATION: Engineer
OCCUPATION: Futura Surfskis R&D,
Marketing, Sales, and Distribution
RESIDENCE/STOMPING
GROUNDS: San Jose / Sierra Nevada
FAVORITE SUMMER ACTIVITIES:
Hiking/climbing, preferably the
RESIDENCE/STOMPING
GROUNDS: Benicia / San Pablo Bay
Surfing (paddling ocean swell or bay
wind swell) a strong down-wind with
friends in my favorite surfski.
From wherever the wind is blowing
in San Pablo Bay to the West 9th
Street boat launch in Benicia.
LASTING MEMORY: From time to
time we all get what I call a spiritual
moment when we’re out paddling where
the Sacramento River empties into San
Pablo Bay. It is not the most beautiful
place on earth, nor is it the cleanest water.
And it certainly doesn’t enjoy the most
comfortable weather. Yet, what strikes me
is the way the wind, current and volatile
skies take my breath away every sunset.
I’ve watched friends gasp in awe of
these sunsets. Sharing that with friends
is very special and never gets old.
downhills seemed to take me just as long to
ride as the uphills did. Tim, an accomplished
rider and crazy downhiller was probably
ready to cut off my cables if I did not let go
of the brakes. It took us about seven hours
to make the ride, but Tim and I are still
together … a good sign of his patience?
REFUEL AFTERWARD: Sunnyside in
Tahoe for amazing view, phenomenal
burgers and fries; Seabright Brewery
in Santa Cruz for great turkey burgers
and beer; and Palapas in Aptos for
their great nachos and margaritas!
REFUEL AFTERWARD: Kinder’s
Deli at 333 First Street or Randy’s
Mexican Restaurant at 727 First Street
in Benicia. Randy’s has great food,
beer and 101 different tequilas to
taste. My face arrives pre-salted.
Larry Laba
AGE: 54
Birgit Johnston
AGE: 38
OCCUPATION: Freelancer
RESIDENCE/STOMPING
GROUNDS: Los Gatos
Mountain biking, road riding, trail
running, golf, tennis, hiking, and
hanging out by the ocean with the kids.
Mountain biking and trail running anywhere
in Lake Tahoe – nothing like the fresh
mountain air and the beauty of the lake.
Hiking down to Emerald Bay and then
dipping in the coooold water. Mountain
biking in Santa Cruz, especially UC Santa
Cruz and Wilder, is also phenomenal, with
lots of little trails that you never know
where they are going to take you (or drop
you!). Seascape in Aptos is one of the best
beaches. Great views, clean, not too many
people, miles and miles of beach and fun
to be had by all – kids, adults and dogs.
LASTING MEMORY: My second
road bike ride was riding around the lake
in Tahoe with my boyfriend Tim (now
husband) using my former roommate’s road
bike that was a bit too small for me. I kept
thinking how skinny the front tire seemed
and wondering why my hands hurt so bad
while I was squeezing the brakes for as
long as possible while riding downhill. The
OCCUPATION: Owner of SOAR
Inflatables and Russian River Adventures
RESIDENCE/STOMPING GROUNDS:
Healdsburg / Russian River
I love multi-day paddling trips on northern
California rivers, but I am also thrilled to
spend a day floating on the Russian River.
Both the Trinity and Klamath Rivers
offer outstanding multi-day runs with
fun rapids, great camping, and good
wildlife throughout the whole summer.
And, I’m lucky that I work on the Russian
River, so I get to enjoy the beauty of this
treasure that is so close to the Bay Area.
LASTING MEMORY: I’ll always
remember the first time I ran Hell Hole on
the Trinity River. The hole at the bottom
of the falls was totally aerated, and my
SOAR canoe was sucked underwater
until the water was at my chin level. Then
I slowly floated back to the surface.
FAVORITE WAY TO RELAX/
REFUEL AFTERWARD: At the end
of a day of paddling, a good cold beer
at river’s edge is as good as it gets!
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www.adventuresportsjournal.com
15
Everything outside … I’ll spotlight
open-water rowing, but I also love to
run, ride road and mountain bikes, and
swim. Catching up on projects around
the house and enjoying BBQs with
friends and family are also favorites.
Amy Draut
AGE: 30
OCCUPATION: Geologist
RESIDENCE/STOMPING
GROUNDS: Santa Cruz
Backpacking, river trips, and field work
Anywhere on the Colorado Plateau. Within
California, the Owens Valley from Lone
Pine up through the Bishop/Mammoth
area is my favorite. Why? Great hikes in
the High Sierra (access to the John Muir
Trail/Pacific Crest Trail via Kearsarge
Pass from Onion Valley) and White-Inyo
Mountains (Bristlecone Pine Forest to
name one reason). For high peaks with
no crowds, go to the Whites near Big
Pine. Plus, there’s scenic car camping
almost anywhere (especially Alabama
Hills), mellow tubing on the Owens
River, climbing in the Owens Gorge near
Bishop, late-season skiing at Mammoth,
hot springs, and incredible geology
(check out the 15-foot high earthquake
scarp that crosses the L.A. aqueduct near
Whitney Portal Road outside Lone Pine).
LASTING MEMORY: Putting out a brush
fire near Bishop that got started by an overly
enthusiastic July 4th fireworks aficionado.
FAVORITE WAY TO RELAX/REFUEL
AFTERWARD: Hot springs. There’s
free access to pretty good hot pools just
south of Bishop on the west side of the
valley (which was also the site of the
brush fire incident mentioned above).
Although it’s an activity that is somewhat
dependent on the surf and wind conditions,
open-water rowing in the ocean around
Santa Cruz is a hoot! It is convenient,
too, since the Santa Cruz Rowing Club
(www.scrowing.org), located in the
harbor, maintains a fleet of boats for
use by members. The bay provides us
with awesome scenery. It is best to row
in the morning before the wind kicks
up. Lighthouse Point shelters portions
of Monterey Bay located adjacent to
the harbor, allowing opportunities for
rowing on most days. On days when the
ocean is calmer, we can easily venture
further out past the Mile Buoy or around
Lighthouse Point. I enjoy doing a few
of the local triathlons and rowing is
a really fun way to cross-train.
LASTING MEMORY: Once you get used
to moving in the opposite direction of where
you are looking, open-water rowing is an
amazing adventure and each outing seems
to generate grins and lasting memories. We
seem to be part of nature, and see otters,
jellyfish, all sorts of birds and dolphins,
and we are regularly followed by curious
sea lions. The views of Santa Cruz and the
surrounding mountains from the ocean are
amazing and inspirational. My most notable
memories include having a birthday party
in one of the boats, surfing the huge winter
swells back to the harbor from Lighthouse
Point, and attempting to slither back into
the boat after getting rolled by a wave.
REFUEL AFTERWARD: I really
enjoy a mellow bike ride to work after
an early morning outing on the bay.
Jon Fairchild
AGE: 27
OCCUPATION: Outdoor
Retail/Kayak Instructor
RESIDENCE/STOMPING
GROUNDS: Reno, Nevada
1) Kayaking (playboating and river
running) the many marvelous Sierra
Nevada rivers and creeks. 2) Early
morning mountain biking. 3) Recreational
adventure sports racing/competing.
Mike Erbe
AGE: 50
OCCUPATION: Manager,
Plantronics, Inc. in Santa Cruz
I live in Santa Cruz, work in Santa
Cruz, and like to play in Santa Cruz.
Out of the very many favorite kayak runs
in the Tahoe area, I would have to say that
Fordyce Creek is probably my favorite.
Located right near Donner Summit, Fordyce
has some of the greatest whitewater and
most spectacular views around. Highway
49 to Bridgeport on the South Yuba River
and Devils Canyon on the Middle Feather
are a couple of other classic stretches of
whitewater that I enjoy extremely. Early
morning mountain biking rides on Peavine
Mountain just out of Reno are some of my
favorite rides—awesome lengthy trails and
beautiful wildflowers. The Reno-Tahoe
Odyssey Race is my favorite summer event.
LASTING MEMORY: My first time
experiencing the Trinity Alps we were
looking for whitewater. After a fairly
mellow day on the Pidgeon Point stretch of
the Trinity River, my friend and I decided
to put-in on the more aggressive section of
the river called Burnt Ranch Gorge. The
river was rushing at about 2800 cfs, a juicy
level for a two-person blind descent down
the gorge. With 100- to 200-foot vertical
walls to either side, the whitewater drops
were inescapable. After about eight miles
of wide-eyed, white-knuckled paddling
we came out of the gorge unscathed.
REFUEL AFTERWARD:
Tacos Jaliscos in Truckee.
much to the backpackers’ astonishment. Sitting
in the stream bailing water over my head, I
offered one word of explanation, “Training.”
FAVORITE PLACE/WAY TO RELAX/
REFUEL AFTERWARD: Bring some
spare clothes and stop at the Highlands Inn
on your way back to Monterey. You can
sit high above the ocean in air-conditioned
luxury and sip a designer martini.
John Benedetti
AGE: 33
OCCUPATION: Web designer
RESIDENCE/STOMPING
GROUNDS: Santa Cruz
Surf, backpack/camp, canoe, fish
Gary Dudney
AGE: 53
OCCUPATION: Technology
Project Manager
Monterey County / Big Sur Coast
FAVORITE SUMMER
ACTIVITIES: Trail running, trail
running AND trail running.
Garrapatta State Park, Soberanes Point,
Andrew Molera State Park, Old Coast Road,
Pfeiffer … all epic Big Sur trail runs through
redwood forests over massive wildflower
covered ridges above the deep blue Pacific.
But the jewel in the crown is the 10-mile
single-track from Big Sur Station along
Pine Ridge Trail to Sykes Hot Springs on
the Big Sur River. The rock-strewn trail
climbs, dips, and rolls up a rugged canyon
into the heart of the Ventana Wilderness. Hot
spring jacuzzis built along the river’s edge,
enjoyed au naturel, cap off the run, followed
by a cold plunge in the Big Sur river.
LASTING MEMORY: The return leg from
the hot springs wasn’t going well. Out of
water, no chlorine tablets, the summer heat
going through the roof along with my core
temp, we were sixteen miles into the run,
my fun meter had pegged out, and I needed
to cool down quick. We caught a group of
six backpackers just as the trail turned down
toward a rushing stream. Eschewing any
ceremony, we both collapsed into the icy
water—shoes, shorts, running packs and all—
Surfing, fishing and canoeing in the
Monterey Bay is the way to go. Dragging
a halibut into my 17’ Mad River Canoe is
an adventure for sure; better be prepared
to hitchhike back from Carmel if it’s a big
fish. We usually get in a trip or three to Kirk
Creek down in Big Sur, and we head up to
a high country lake out of Bend, Oregon
every August for a week or two of camping
– not going to name it, though! Oh yeah,
Mexico … I just got back from there.
LASTING MEMORY: Surfing a summer
morning at Sand Dollar Beach down in
Big Sur. The porpoises were hanging out
in the lineup with us, not really moving,
just hanging out. You had to paddle around
them. We were bumping into them while
we waited for waves. You could just reach
out and pet them. We probably should have
let them be, but the waves were good.
REFUEL AFTERWARD: The restaurant
at the Davenport Cash store if I’m
coming back down the coast. Otherwise,
my couch is the best bar in town.
Jerry Sprout
AGE: 48 years, 20,000 miles
OCCUPATION: Co-Author &
Publisher, Trailblazer Travel Books
(Kauai, Maui, Oahu, Big Island,
Golden Gate, Alpine Sierra)
STOMPING GROUNDS:
Markleeville/Hope Valley, San
Francisco/Marin, and Hawaii
FAVORITE SUMMER ACITIVITY:
Getting up with Janine at blue dawn
and nursing a big mug of coffee while
driving to a trailhead in the Alpine Sierra
– somewhere from Tahoe to Yosemite.
Then stepping out to hike some place
high and covered with snowmelt and
wildflowers, that’s maybe 10-to-15 miles
roundtrip with 2000-3000 feet of ascent.
Afterwards, chasing the blood-red sunset
of a long Sierran day on the drive home,
and then sleeping like tired dogs while the
day’s journey replays itself in our dreams.
Based in Markleeville, our day hikes
can range from Tuolumne Meadows to
the Tahoe Basin. Closer to home, we
can choose from among the granitic
west slopes of the Sierra and the Pacific
Crest, the sage-and-volcanic landscape
of the Great Basin, and the high alpine
meadowlands of the eastern Sierra
watershed. Markleeville is a geographic
crossroads, within an hour’s drive of
five of the passes that cross the Sierra.
LASTING MEMORY: Last August, in the
dead heat of the day, I recall humping a 50plus-pound pack about a dozen miles down
though the Roughs into shadeless Buckeye
Canyon, on the last leg of a six-day pack
trip. I had contracted a virulent stomach
bacteria that wanted out both ends and
caused a feverish chill. I was battling gravity
with every step. I didn’t have the strength to
veer off the trail to the creek to pump water.
My day went from bad to worse when the
shoulder strap on my pack tore loose. My
four buddies, who didn’t realize how sick
I was, were up ahead. They missed a trail
junction and I made it to the trailhead first.
The worst experiences make the best stories.
FAVORITE PLACE TO RELAX
AFTERWARD: The deck at Sorensen’s
Resort in Hope Valley is shaded by
quaking aspen. Their bottled beer – an
esoteric selection – is faithfully chilled
to 40 degrees, just right to quench thirst
and numb muscles. When trekking the
high country of Yosemite, we love to chill
with a beer or ice cream at the Tuolumne
Store and check out the comings and
goings of hikers from around the world.
David
AlthausCressman
AGE: 37
OCCUPATION:
Co-Director
Sierra Wilderness Seminars, Inc.
RESIDENCE/STOMPING
GROUNDS: Mt. Shasta
Skiing on Mt. Shasta, mountain biking on
Mt. Shasta, rock climbing in the Sierra,
swimming in Lake Siskiyou, watching
my son Jerrod play soccer and fly fishing
on the upper Sacramento River.
FAVORITE PLACE TO DO
THEM: Skiing in the late spring and early
summer, especially in a heavy snow year
(like this one!), on the flanks of Mt. Shasta.
My favorite place to ski is Hidden Valley
on the west face of the mountain. I enjoy
an early morning departure from my home
(6:30 a.m.) while I catch the early morning
thaw between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., back to
the office by 12:30 p.m. or 1 p.m. to book
some clients for climbs and adventure on
Shasta or the eastern Sierra Nevada.
LASTING MEMORY: The time I was
helicoptered to the summit plateau of Shasta
to assist a successful search and rescue and
then snowboarded down Avalanche Gulch.
REFUEL AFTERWARD:
Billygoat Tavern in Mt. Shasta.
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Seth Lightcap
AGE: 29
OCCUPATION: Quality Control
Manager, Santa Cruz Bicycles
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RESIDENCE/STOMPING
GROUNDS: Pleasure Point, Santa
Cruz / Cascade volcanoes, Tahoe
singletrack, and High Sierra granite.
Six-thousand foot corn harvests on Shasta.
Riding granite slickrock on Donner
Summit. Craggy days at the Dike Wall
in Mammoth. Shredding the Wahoo
Gully on Mt. Locke or Bloody Couloir.
Making love on top of Tuolumne domes.
Swimming at the Octagon. Lapping up the
sweet singletrack around UC Santa Cruz.
A perfect day is action-packed start to
finish and leaves every muscle and neuron
satisfied. One-day snowboard descents
of Shasta always do the trick. Climbing
an arête on Temple Crag is pretty surefire
as well. But sometimes your soul needs
mid-day diversity, ya know? Head to
Donner Summit. Start an epic Donner
day with a mountain bike ride on the
Hole-in-the-Ground trail. Watch for crazy
slickrock lines just off trail. Move quick
and have a picnic lunch on the docks of
Donner Lake. Recharge your battery with
a swim, then jaunt back up Old Highway
40 and gear up for a late afternoon ascent
of the classic Black Wall route, One
Hand Clapping (5.9, four pitches).
LASTING MEMORY: One crazy
weekend we left Santa Cruz at 5 p.m. on
Friday headed for Mt. Shasta. Arriving
at midnight, we had hoped to get a wink
or two of sleep before a 3 a.m. alpine
www.adventuresportsjournal.com
17
start. But despite the seven-hour traffic
infested drive, we just weren’t tired. The air
smelled too good. Our night vision was too
focused. Next thing you know we started
climbing. I still got my nap—a gorgeous
hour-and-a-half snooze on the summit,
as we waited for the snow to soften.
REFUEL AFTERWARD: Epic Saturdays
in Tahoe usually end at Tacos Jaliscos in
Truckee or Lanza’s Italian Restaurant in
Kings Beach. Sundays … Ikedas in Auburn!
Dennis Judson
AGE: 62
OCCUPATION: Sports Entrepreneur
RESIDENCE/STOMPING
GROUNDS: Davenport
FAVORITE PLACE TO DO THEM: I
have so much fun in the Monterey Bay in
the summer. I love to be in the ocean, and
most of the time I can trunk it. I swim the
Capitola buoys a few times a week, and
paddle up to the point (Pleasure Point).
Capitola is also fun to surf on south
swells. Hopping on a sail boat during the
Wednesday night sail races from Santa
Cruz Harbor is a blast and, of course,
the sunsets are beautiful. I’m excited to
share Soquel Creek with my daughter,
Linnea, and the swimming hole where
I grew up playing. Camping in Big Sur
is one of my favorite places to go, either
for backpacking or searching for surf.
FAVORITE SUMMER ACTIVITIES: Dive
kayaking is simply a revolution. Shore diving
off our coast can be the best in the world. We
have a deep sub-aquatic trench that comes
within 100 feet of our shore. The trench that
is in Carmel/Big Sur is granite and when you
dive on it you feel as if you are flying through
Yosemite Valley. Deep chasms are surrounded
by chiseled blocks of rock. There are miles of
wonderful topography to explore. The problem
is that much of this underwater seascape
is at least a mile offshore and off some
pretty difficult rocky entries. Fortunately,
Highway 1 follows the coast and access can
be found dive kayak launch, which provides
the ability to reach these most awesome
spots. Kicking out from shore can be a
heart-pounding drag but kayaking can be as
much fun as the dive itself. A total win.
One of my favorite spots to dive kayak is
one of the premier dive spots (I believe) on
this planet. It is south of Point Lobos near
Garrapata State Beach. The beach access is
locally dubbed “Waterfall Beach” because
of an 8-foot fall into a cup of granite deep
enough to provide a great soak. It provides
access to one of the most complex underwater
biospheres imaginable. Those granite cliffs
and valleys loaded with color are mine!
LASTING MEMORY: Too many to choose.
FAVORITE WAY TO RELAX/REFUEL
AFTERWARD: The post-dive contemplation
can be had with an exotic liquid in the
pool carved by the 8-foot waterfall.
Nikki Brooks
AGE: 28
OCCUPATION: Photographer
RESIDENCE/STOMPING
GROUNDS: Capitola
FAVORITE SUMMER
ACTIVITIES: Ocean swimming,
long paddles, surfing south swells,
sailing, creek walking, camping
LASTING MEMORY: Every time I go
camping there is a funny incident—too
many to tell! Oh, maybe all the years
camping in Baja without a tent paid off;
one time a few of us were sleeping outside
at La Fonda, and my friend woke up
in the middle night with a strange man
crouched down beside her watching her
sleep. Anyway, we learned our lesson
and got a tent after that. Tents are great!
REFUEL AFTERWARD: Indulging
at O’Mei Chinese restaurant in Santa
Cruz followed by a scoop of Mexican
Chocolate ice cream from Marianne’s.

ASJ Summer Hit List – Reader Picks!

Transcription

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