Editor’s Note: Living the dream in Santa Cruz

Surfing with the kids in Capitola. Photo: Nelly/SPL Welcome to ASJ #75. Though it wasn’t really intentional, it’s fitting that much of the focus of this issue is on Santa Cruz. After all, ASJ was born here and our office is right in the municipal harbor on the east...

The Angry Singlespeeder

Singlespeeds are for Angry People The Angry Singlespeeder, AKA Kurt Gensheimer, is a syndicated columnist. Look for his contributions in future issues of ASJ and on our website. At least that’s what my buddy Todd told me one time. I was a little offended at first, but...

Life is a Thru Hike

Otter at the southern terminus. A thru hiking veteran describes his 2013 PCT odyssey from Mexico to Canada By Stephen Olshansky Hi, you can call me Otter, that’s my trail name. Everyone gets one when they become a thru hiker, going for the really big distances. I have...

Santa Cruz Bicycles

NHS pro skater Rob Roskopp brings the Santa Cruz brand to mountain biking By Matt Niswonger – Photos courtesy of Santa Cruz Bicycles Greg Minnaar winning the 2012 World Championships for Santa Cruz. From left to right: Kathy Sessler (team manager), Steve Peat...

Yosemite’s Forgotten Passage

Old Coulterville Road offers a Journey Through History Words and photos by Matt Johanson El Capitan & Half Dome Dawn arrived on a clear and chilly day, revealing a gentle stream, wooded hills and a dirt road that extends beyond the horizon. From this spot beside...

Fall Colors in the Sierra

Desolation Wilderness Words and photos by Tim Hauserman Outdoor exercise addicts are always looking for an excuse to get aerobic in nature. We sign up for centuries so we have to “train” by going on a series of great rides leading up to the event. We buy season passes...

Ticket to Ride

Scot Schmidt pioneered freeskiing in places like Squaw Valley and became the first professional skier who didn’t race for a living. Freeskiing legend and Santa Cruz local Scot Schmidt comes full circle in Warren Miller’s latest installment By Matt Niswonger •...

Tenaya

The peak, the canyon, the lake By Leonie Sherman The author cruising slab, still in approach shoes. Photo: Steve Moyles Sometimes you need more than vague plans to galvanize your Tuolumne weekend, lest you find yourself huddled in a parking lot talking more than you...

The Breweries of Santa Cruz County

By Derrick Peterman Say the word “Santa Cruz” and most people think of surfing, mountain biking, or good times at the beach. Now Santa Cruz is getting a reputation for great beer as well, thanks to a small but lively brewing community. Santa Cruz County had a couple...

Rad, inc.

Forty years of NHS By Neil Pearlberg • Photos courtesy of NHS A design collaboration in 1978 between Jay Shuirman and artist Jim Phillips (father of Jimbo), the red dot Santa Cruz logo has become nearly ubiquitous. Right before his tenth birthday, young Quintin...