Drinking Local in the High Sierra: Mammoth Brewing

The tasting room. Photo courtesy of Mammoth Brewing Co.By Derrick Peterman, The Beer Runner Hearing the words “head for the mountains” brings back awkward college memories of swilling cheap Busch beer in college back in the ‘80s. Thankfully in our more enlightened times, heading for California’s Sierra Nevada mountains won’t lead you to a skunky brew, but to some fine beers, like those of Mammoth Brewing Company. Located in Mammoth Lakes on the eastern edge of Yosemite National Park, the brewery was founded by Sam Walker in 1995, who sold it to current owner Sean Turner in 2006. Turner explains that what makes his beer unique is that at 8,000 feet water boils at 198 degrees Fahrenheit, rather than 212 degrees at sea level, resulting in a softer flavor profile during the brewing process. He also adds that at 8,000 feet, the mountain water they use is as...

Family Shred Day

A terrain park experience for the whole family Story by Matt Niswonger • Photos by Cathy Claesson Burton Academy instructor Matt Majersky details the finer points of our next maneuver—the 180 to a switch landing. The idea sounded simple enough: hire some instructors from the Burton Snowboard Academy at Northstar to teach our family how to ride the terrain parks. I even had a “code name” for this particular idea — “Family Shred Day” (FSD). In the past, I have used code names effectively to manipulate my kids into certain behaviors. For example, “Operation Super Athlete” was somewhat successful in increasing the kids’ broccoli intake. With age, however, the boys have become increasingly wary of code names. Terrain parks look intimidating, and both boys expressed suspicion. Luckily, I was able to negotiate an agreement-in-principle and before anyone could change their mind, we started making phone calls and working out the...

Love in the Snow

Because shared adversity breeds intimacy, it’s hard to beat winter ski touring By Leonie Sherman Photo by Bill Pilling I have a friend who will not commit to a man unless she has beaten him at a game and deemed his reaction to losing satisfactory. She wants to make sure his ego is not too fragile to handle a strong, smart woman in his life. She wants to know how he deals with discomfort and embarrassment. She thinks this is the best way to test a guy for long-term potential. Me? I just take my prospective partners winter ski touring. Is there a better way to determine compatibility than to share a human-size zip-lock bag for 14 hours? Isn’t the true test of a man’s character the way he handles the task of melting snow for morning coffee? Can he maintain good cheer while chipping away at a frozen block...

Sandbagging an Olympian

Ski Racer Daron Rahlves dives head first into the Sierra backcountry with snowboarder Jeremy Jones Story and photos by Seth Lightcap You’re only a virgin once so we had to go big. Especially considering the man of the hour. The task at hand was to take former Olympian turned pro freeskier Daron Rahlves into the backcountry for his first overnight Sierra ski trip. Now, Rahlves had explored the backcountry near Sugar Bowl on Donner Summit, but he had never been winter camping, nor had he explored the towering peaks of the High Sierra. That all was to change when he accepted my invitation to join pro snowboarder Jeremy Jones and me for an adventure in the Sierra last January. Of course, Rahlves is one of the strongest skiers on the planet, so despite his inexperience in the skintrack, this was not your average rookie outing. We needed a worthy...

SUPathlon

A Colorado transplant gets his feet wet and more in his first – if not the first – “SUPathlon” By A.J. Johnson Exiting the water after the paddle. Photo by Courtney JohnsonFor the past 10 years I lived in the Denver area and during that time I did a lot of several types of athlons: triathlons, duathlons, aquathalons and even winter and summer biathlons. I recently relocated to Ventura and have enjoyed all that the California coast has to offer. While in Malibu taking a cruise from the guys at the Malibu Surf Shack, I saw a flyer that would introduce me to another athlon — SUPathlon. Being completely new to the water and stand up paddling, this event seemed perfect for my novice experience. The SUPathlon was part of the Malibu Half and Full Marathon on Nov. 13. We would run the first six miles of the...

The Comforts of Ski Camping

Tips for keeping warm, hydrated and frost-bite free Winter ski touring doesn’t have to be a sufferfest. In fact, with knowledge, preparation and the right gear, backpacking on skis in the dead of winter can be quite comfortable, says Mike Schwartz, an experienced winter camper and owner of The BackCountry store in Truckee. “I think ski touring in winter is actually a lot more comfortable than people think. Usually you don’t have to ski very far to feel like you’re deep in the wilderness — although skis can get you back to the car quickly if you do. Then you climb into your tent and sleeping bag and you’re warm and comfortable.” Hot Water Bottles The key is staying dry, Schwartz says, or if that’s unrealistic, knowing how to get dry. He recommends putting wet socks and gloves into your down jacket pockets and then your sleeping bag. “Filling...

A Royal Opportunity

Photo by Tim Hauserman What is the future of Royal Gorge, America’s largest cross-country ski area, after bankruptcy? By Tim Hauserman At Royal Gorge Cross-Country on Donner Summit, you can wind your way past the Snow Mountain hut to the jaw-dropping views from Point Mariah, ski along the edge of the ridge on Stage Coach, or catch the prevailing winds and fl y across the flats of Van Norden. For 40 years, Royal Gorge has given Nordic aficionados something to smile about. But in August, after the owners of Royal Gorge defaulted on a $16.7 million dollar loan, a receiver was appointed to maintain Royal Gorge’s assets and prepare the 3000-acre property for sale. What does this mean for the future of one of America’s largest cross-country ski areas? David Achey, general manager of Royal Gorge, is optimistic. “We are definitely open this winter, six days a week, seven...

Gift Giving Guide

Holiday Gift Ideas for the Adventure Sports Enthusiast on Your List!...

Bicycle Dreams

The award winning film “Bicyle Dreams” (featured in our Dec2011/Jan2012 issue) has recently announced their national winter big screen tour, with the following California locations & dates: Jan. 26, 2012 Oakland Feb. 2, 2012, San Diego Feb, 5, 2012 Clovis, Feb. 5 Feb. 9, 2012 San Luis Obispo For more information go to www.bicycledreamsmovie.com To read ASJ’s interview with Bicycle Dreams filmmaker, Stephen Auerbach click here...

Bicycle Dreams, A Documentary

Photo by: Chris Miliman, www.bicycledreamsmovie.com The True Story of the Race Across America The Race Across America is an epic, 3000-mile bicycle race from the Pacific to the Atlantic. First held in 1982, RAAM is considered one of the most challenging sporting events in the world. Top riders finish in less than 10 days, riding over 300 miles per day and sleeping only a few hours per night. Amid the sleepless grind, riders must endure the searing heat of the Mojave Desert, the agonizing climbs of the Rockies, the driving winds of the Great Plains, and the twisting switchbacks of the Appalachians — before the final sprint to the finish line in Atlantic City. With little prize money at stake, the fundamental goal of the race is simply to finish, a challenge half of all riders fail to meet. The film Bicycle Dreams, which won a number of film...