Adam Broderick manages the web content at Tahoe Mountain Sports. When he is not in the office, he tries his best to be in the field doing something awesome.
I brought my girlfriend backcountry snowboarding. She blew my mind. She’s athletic to begin with and she rips on a snowboard, but this being her first tour out I didn’t expect her to do as well on the uphill. I called back to her as I searched for an alternate route around the steep, slick and sun-crusted skin track, “This is like an advanced skinning course on beginner-to-intermediate terrain!”
“What!?” she hollered back through the wind.
“Nevermind! Just keep your head up and put one foot after the other. Exactly like that!”
Coming from someone who has trouble getting comfortable in no-fall-zones and sketchy terrain, I expected her to complain and lag a lot more. I gave her a crash course on the basic climbing tips when we first popped up our heel risers, and I never had to repeat myself. Not once. Occasionally I would glance back to see how she was handling the side-stepping, weight-displacement or slippery surface crust, and she was usually steps ahead of my (unnecessary) guidance. She even figured out ‘different pole lengths on steep traverses” on her own and learned to use her pole to initiate her heel risers without my instruction. I repeatedly glanced back to catch her not struggling, but inhaling a deep breath of fresh mountain air and smiling out toward the wild world around us. She concurred with my appreciation for an aerobic workout while skinning up a mountainside: ”I can definitely see the appeal here.”
The only thing she wasn’t prepared for was bitter cold finger tips after going gloveless during the summit switchover, but she’s not to blame for that one. I told her she’d be cool with the pair of spring mid-weights she had, although they lacked the dexterity needed to handle some of the splitboard hardware, then I expected her to be fully engaged during the switch from touring to ride-mode. That was just me wanting her to get the maximum experience from an outing I’ve been praising since we met. I reassembled the first half of her board for her while she took notes for the second half, and I was happy to do so. She had impressed me plenty by this point. Plus, she’s really cute so it’s hard to let little things get under the skin. Especially something as minor as not fully sustaining yourself on your very first backcountry snowboarding adventure. She finished the switchover and we ripped back down the mountain.
Not many people have an extra splitboard setup lying around. Fortunately, I do, however (more…)
This post courtesy of Luke Mehall and Deuter USA. Luke is the publisher of The Climbing Zine, and author of Climbing Out of Bed, a definitive collection of climbing and mountain town stories, available as an e-book on Kindle and Nook. If you’d like to read the original post on Deuter’s blog, click here: http://blog.deuterusa.com/blog-posts/birthday-challenge
This past winter was rough for many regions that were expecting higher snow accumulations, but the dry season made for better rock climbing and other outdoor sports. Thankfully Tahoe Mountain Sports is an all-encompassing gear shop, so they outfit athletes of many disciplines that train in all climates. Get gear for climbing, cycling, trail running, skiing, paddling…you name it. Deuter also makes gear for a multitude of sports, and several Deuter products were used in the making of this story.
My favorite thing about climbing is that if you try hard enough you can always be a champion. It doesn’t matter if you are the best, it matters how it feels.
The Birthday Challenge is a concept passed from climber-to-climber. The format is simple: climb as many routes as the age you are turning.
I’ve always been psyched on the concept, but my birthday is in December, a month when rock climbing and weather don’t always align.
Last spring, while climbing with a relatively new but equally psyched climbing partner, Jonathan “Badger” Mitchell, we discovered our birthdays were three days apart. To top this off, we are only a year apart in age. I told him about The Challenge, and he thought it was super cool. We decided we would do one together, except we’d bend the rules a bit and complete it in the summertime; with longer days and more sunshine it would be easier to achieve.
We immediately began training for the challenge, doing extra pitches after we’d normally retire for the day. At the peak of the summer we reached 20 laps at our local sport climbing crag, The Golf Wall, an overhanging wall of limestone. Then like the summer does it faded away and we’d yet to do The Birthday Challenge. Our dream continued into the fall, but both of us hit the road more to climb. When I returned from my climbing trip I was beat up and had a couple nagging injuries. The Challenge seemed it would have to wait until next year.
But as our birthdays approached The Challenge still lingered in the back of my mind. (more…)
This post comes from Matt Lucas, an avid explorer who, when he’s not guiding trips for Brooklyn Outfitters, adventures around the country and beyond. His writing and photography on travel and skiing has appeared in many places online and in print. Based out of New York City, his addiction to clean alpine air keeps him both sane and on the move. There is no mission too small, far, or silly that he won’t consider.
Hulk Hogan in all his glory
For those of us not lucky enough to live in Tahoe, the lake and its personalities may have an even larger presence than in reality. There’s always been something that resonated with me about it. While the area is not as “extreme” as Chamonix, in which local hero Glen Plake chooses to make his home part-time, or as fancy as Jackson, the home of top notch athletic talent in many disciplines, it has always seemed to have a certain amount of more fun to it. Maybe even American-ness, which to me is way more important, anyway.
Snowlerblading in America
Maybe it’s the unpretentious way the log cabin architecture and the roadside stands ground the area, bearing witness to a lifestyle past that was brought to us by the promise of refrigerators and automobiles that make it so approachable. It certainly was not only the ski industry that delivered tourists to the shores here, even if the 1960 Winter Olympics brought athletes of the highest level to compete on the snowy slopes, some sticking around and many others migrating soon afterward.
If one man was to ever embody dual ethos of talent and levity, or at least populism, it surely would have been Shane McConkey, who was honored by Squaw Valley Ski Resort in the third annual Pain McShlonkey Classic weekend at the end of March. For me, this would be an opportunity to make a pilgrimage to Tahoe, and to take an account of his influence on skiing today. It was also an opportunity to say goodbye to the winter season, as unpredictable temperatures and lower elevations on my native east coast will close most resorts by April Fools. (more…)
Spring weather means losing the layers and getting out into the sun and fresh mountain air! Whether you’re a Tahoe local or visiting for the weekend, there’s a ton for everyone to do in Tahoe. I took the liberty of compiling some photos from our favorite activities in the area, everything from spring skiing and mountain biking to fly fishing and disc golf. With such a beautiful landscape to explore and endless recreational opportunities, you don’t want to miss out on all the fun associated with spring in Tahoe.
Of course, there’s the beach and the lake:
Miles and miles of sandy beaches
Kite Surfing on the lake
Running on the beach, stand up paddleboarding and kayaking are great ways to enjoy Tahoe’s endless miles of secluded lakefront. If you’d rather more social interaction, you can find more sunbathers and waders on the public beaches on the North and South sides of the lake. Many public beaches allow dogs, including the Coon Street Boat Launch just east of our store in Kings Beach. Kite surfing, paragliding and other airborne adventures are also becoming more popular each year, and the warm air combined with cool breezes makes good wind for flying. It’s not uncommon to count a handful of thrill-seekers charging through the waves on windier days.
The amount of options for overnight camping in Tahoe are ridiculous. From state parks with facilities like bathrooms and boat ramps to National Forest land where you can choose your own adventure and wilderness camp, it doesn’t take much effort to find a place to pitch a tent. Just pick up a map of the Lake Tahoe Basin and drop your finger somewhere in the woods – chances are you can camp there.
Many campsites are near freshwater tributaries that flow into Lake Tahoe. You know what else goes on at those creeks and rivers? Some of the best fishing in California, that’s what! The Brown Trout in the Truckee River (and Little Truckee River) are known for their elusive nature and stamina during a fight, and if you can pull one out you can consider yourself a truly skilled fisherman. Or just really, really lucky.
If you’re into backcountry skiing you know that spring is prime-time for bagging the steeper couloirs and peaks you’ve had your eyes fixed on all season. You won’t need a warm winter jacket because you can get away with shorts and a t-shirt, just be sure to lube up with (more…)
This guest post comes from Robyn Embry, a local pro downhill racer living in Kings Beach, California, for the past seven years. She can be found climbing rocks and skiing powder when not enjoying life on two wheels; her blog http://therobynator.blogspot.com contains the extended version of this and other adventures, including the fun and tribulations found within a season of mountain bike racing.
Whitney Portal – granite as far as the eye can see
Less than two weeks after returning from a mountain bike race in Las Vegas, Kit and I were back on the road again toward Fontana, CA, for yet another race. That went well and I walked away with the win, ready to enjoy some more Southern California sunshine during a week of visiting friends, climbing, surfing and riding bikes. One of our first stops was Pirate’s Cove by Newport Bay for some bouldering. Here, a crash pad is not totally necessary because of the soft sandy landing, but a pair of slip-on or Velcro climbing shoes and some Reef sandals are nice and easy to trade off between problems. There are some climbs in the shade, but the sun gets intense at the boulders directly on the beach, making a good sunscreen like Sierra Summits Adventure Sunscreen a great idea. Sun hats are good too; a ball cap just doesn’t cut it in strong sunshine. This I’ll remember next time. Something like the Prana Sally hat looks cute and protects your ears as well.
Pirate’s Cove
After the fun bouldering session our friend offered to shuttle us on the San Juan mountain bike trail, located up in the Santa Ana Mountains. One of Southern California’s premier single tracks, this trail is way the heck out there (more…)
I took all the following photographs with my iPhone. I was naked when I took one of them. And one video. My phone lives in a protective housing called a LifeProof case. It’s waterproof, shockproof, dustproof, basically everything proof. If you haven’t used a LifeProof case, you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the quality of footage taken with one.
To start things off on a high note, I drove a half-hour west in the wrong direction. By the time I reached my “destination” it was 11:00 p.m. and a damp fog had set on the Lower Yuba River. I put “destination” in quotes because I didn’t really know where I would be sleeping. I had more or less dropped a finger on a map in the general vicinity of an area I’d heard had “good camping along the river, and it’ll be warm down low”.
The air temp couldn’t have been below 50, and the smell of a wet lawn beneath my feet rejuvenated the senses. I had been day-dreaming of summer camping and backpacking lately, so with two days off work I loaded a bag and drove down out of the hills in search of warm weather. That night I didn’t bother pitching a tent. The moisture in the air would lead to a wet shelter in the morning, and sleeping in the back of the station wagon seemed much more practical.
The next morning we set off on the South Yuba Trail from the bridge at Poorman’s Creek, and we were lost within two minutes. Someone had mined for gold over winter and completely covered the start of the trail, so it took a few minutes navigating the brush (and lightly panicking as I brushed ticks off my arms and neck) to find the path we came for. So far we had been lost on the drive in, and lost within the first minutes of the hike. This was not the best prelude to an adventure.
But things picked up from here on out, and our walk rewarded us time and time again with beautiful views of the river we paralleled, hillside pools and moss-rock waterfalls, and rolling hills topped with infinite pines. The only sounds I heard for two days (besides Rowdy sounding off, of course) were echoes of wind through the canyon, birds and insects coordinating among themselves, and water slowly clearing its way through stones. Nothing more, nothing less. This was the perfect escape. Not that I have anything to escape from, but if someone wanted to escape I would recommend this location as a noteworthy contestant.
Dry up high and lush in the brush. The Lower Yuba Trail takes you through various micro-climates.
On a side note, on the drive in I passed (twice) signs that warned drivers not to pick up hitch-hikers. There must be a prison somewhere nearby. So, if any prisoners happen to be on ‘good-behavior’ and are reading this right now while simultaneously planning an escape, I suggest you head toward the river. There you should find solace, waterside camping, good fishing, and possibly even a young man skinny dipping with his dog. **Please do not approach the young man or his dog. Enjoy your new freedom and let them enjoy theirs. (more…)
The Tahoe doldrums had set in and we were ready to hit the road. Zach rallied the troops, we jumped in the Subaru and off we went to the North, the zone where the Sierras end and the Cascades begin.
We B-lined it for the Bunny Flat trailhead, which is the highest you can drive on Shasta in the winter months, and found ourselves alone at about 1am. Bust out the tent, sleeping bags, water bottles in the bags (hot water in a bottle + bottle in bottom of sleeping bag = warmth), and we were off to sleep in sub 10-degree temps. At this point, the wind was not nuking but it was blowing steadily.
We woke with a plan to camp on Shasta and summit on Sunday, but from the wind clouds and blowing snow that we woke to, that plan quickly changed to a day assault on the mountain and summit goals were left for another trip. You can see the howling winds in the pics below and bottom right:
When we returned to the car that day and checked some remote wind meters, we saw crests of about 65 mph at 9,000 ft. Considering we made it to 11,000 ft, we were judging the winds consistently at 40-50 with gusts to 80-100 mph at times. We made it above Lake Helen, dug ourselves a little trench so we could get a little shelter before heading back down. The views and our time up there were beautiful and we were all bummed to have to leave so quickly. The picture below and left is the trench we dug that pretty much filled right back in within minutes of us digging it:
This guest post comes from Josh Whitney, a Boulder, CO-based pro mountain biker, cyclocrosser and lover of all things alpine. He’ll be sending Tahoe Mountain Sports his trip reports, reviews and inspired mountain ramblings from the Rocky Mountain West throughout the winter. His blog at josh-whitney.com blends bike racing and mountain adventures with musings on his day job in business, technology and sustainability.
Well, you and I both hoped the next Trip Report from the Rocky Mountain high country would be full of face shots and powder beards, but alas, old man winter continues to remain elusive and sequestered in small nooks and crannies, points North and West of here. It hasn’t been a complete loss, however. In fact, on the holiest of days the lordeth delivered a most-needed sign that our prayers were not in vain. Christmas morning, the entire region awoke to a bounty of snow and for those not obligated by family, religion or tradition to be stuck in their pajama’s rummaging through gifts under a tree, there was a real present outside just waiting to be unwrapped. (more…)
Tahoe Mountain Sports Blog Contributor and avid skier, Kirsten Alburg, had the opportunity to be a part of the 25th Annual Hartford Ski Spectacular at Beaver Run Resort and Breckenridge Ski Resort in Colorado this past December 2-9th. Today she gives us a summary of this life-changing event.
The Event
Disabled Sports USA (DSUSA) hosted the 25th annual The Hartford Ski Spectacular at Beaver Run Resort and Breckenridge Ski Resort in Colorado. The eight-day event was the nation’s largest winter sports event for individuals with physical disabilities. More than 800 participants, ranging in ability from first-time skiers to members of the U.S. Paralympics Alpine Skiing National Team and more than 160 wounded warriors and their families came together in Breckenridge.
TMS Blog Contributor Kirsten Alburg and Alaska Adaptive USA E-Ski Team Member Moriah Maybry.
The Hartford Ski Spectacular strengthens and expands adaptive snow sports programs in communities throughout the U.S.; identifies and trains youth, wounded warriors, and others with disabilities including those who strive to be winter Paralympians; and helps local DSUSA chapters improve their services. A week of ski and snowboard race training, sponsored by U.S. Paralympics, prepares athletes for national and international competitions, including the upcoming 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.
TMS Blog Contributor Kirsten Alburg and Tyler Ryan of East Patchogue, New York.
Partnerships
The goal of partnerships with DSUSA and U.S. Paralympics is to increase awareness about the achievement that’s possible when you focus on ability versus disability. Inspiration is everywhere!
Photo: Ski Spectacular Participants Photo Op.
Many Different Programs
The Professional Ski Instructors of America – American Association of Snowboard Instructors (PSIA-AASI) is offered training for instructors in the latest and safest adaptive ski techniques for skiers with disabilities. “Learn to” programs in alpine and Nordic skiing, biathlon, sled hockey, curling and snowboarding were also offered.
What It’s Really All About
Some people think that this is just another ski event but it’s about so much more than skiing – It is life-changing! The relationships, the smiles, the positive energy, the mentors, and the exposure to sports for people with physical disabilities are what it’s really all about!
This timely post comes from Lis Korb, Tahoe Mountain Sports’ previous Web Content Manager turned Adventure Traveler Extraordinaire. Lis doesn’t dilly dally when it comes to making the most of her day, as you can see by her following suggestions for a healthier New Year’s Eve spent outdoors.
Forget crowded bars, sweaty dance floors and TV screens broadcasting shiny dropping balls… this New Year’s Eve do something active or outside to really set 2013 off on the right path. Here are my top five picks for the Tahoe area. Don’t live here? Use these ideas as jump-off points to create your own adventure.
1) YOGA w/ a DJ This event is on my agenda for the last night of 2012! I’m going to sweat it out in a rocking flow class set to live DJ music at Tahoe Yoga Institute in Tahoe City.
2) FULL(ISH) MOON SNOWSHOE OR SKI The moon will be just past full, so there will be plenty of light for some nighttime outdoor fun. Find the nearest meadow or overlook and tromp or ski there. Bring a thermos w/ a hot toddy and you’re set! For those cold weather drinks I recommend a double-walled, insulated stainless steel bottle like a Hydroflask, which keeps hot liquids hot and cold liquids cold.
3) WATCH FIREWORKS AT SQUAW OR NORTHSTAR Fireworks go off at 9 p.m. at both resorts. It will be a pretty cool site as fireworks reflect off the snow. Night skiing at Squaw Valley is closed for the night, but you could stroll around the village and hang around the fire pits for warmth. The Northstar Village also has awesome s’more kits available, which make for a fun family treat or a romantic snack around the fire.
4) BUILD AN EPIC SNOW FORTRESS & BONFIRE With all this newly fallen snow, this is prime-time for backyard sculpting. Dig out a pit for a well-managed fire. Around it, carve out of the snow a circular bench for your guests to sit on. If you want to get crazy, build an igloo for the kids to play in, a luge course for sledding or a rail to practice freestyle tricks on. Warm winter boots like the Chilkat II are insulated, hike well and have great traction on the soles. My girlfriends and I love these boots for any outdoor winter activity.
5) PARTY OUTSIDE AT THE SNOWGLOBE FESTIVAL This outdoor winter festival in South Lake Tahoe is one of a kind. The lineup this year includes Deadmau5, Wiz Khalifa, Beats Antique, Big Gigantic, Laidback Luke, MiMosa, Madeon, Polica, Flosstradamus, Minnesota, and many more, with Gramatik and Chromeo headlining on New Year’s Eve. The Snowglobe main stage is completely outdoors (some stages are under tents) so you will have to party in your puffy. How fun would this be if snow were falling?!
A full moon provides great light for outdoor adventures.
