As the first rains finally arrived on Thanksgiving weekend it appeared our hellish fire season was finally over. While the fire danger subsided many Californians still smoldered with anger in the wake of comments made by President Trump and Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke after both men toured the devastation.
Boise, Idaho-based Winter Wildlands Alliance (WWA), with staff members spread across the snowbelt from Idaho to California, is largely responsible for this monumental shift that will create more quiet places to play in winter.
As a teen, Adam Ü learned to navigate the inner circles of the Bay Area’s climbing elite who took him to competitions, provided places to stay when on the road, and showed him the finest crags around. Later he joined the elite world of backcountry skiing. Today he’s a marine biologist, pro skier, musician, and full-time globetrotter.
Thirteen is an impressionable age. It’s that time when adulthood is creeping up and decisions are being made that can affect the rest of your life. To Robbie Crawford, now 43, those were the days he found the local surf break near his home in Huntington Beach called the Wedge, a surf location that contains such beauty that he’s been photographing there for decades.
Four foot ten with sparkling eyes and an effervescent smile, Joanne Schwartz was the first person to leave the campground every morning and the last person to return.
Dwight Follien is all about giving back to the sport he credits for literally saving his life. Like many kids, Follien grew up riding bikes, but priorities shifted as he got older.
That donkey. That blasted donkey. Of course donkeys are known for being stubborn, but this particular donkey was downright iron-willed. I kept looking uphill through a dirt-hazed gaggle of crazy, costumed mountain bikers pedaling singlespeeds of different ratios, and all I kept seeing was the mane of that donkey continually gaining ground on me.
Hit the Slopes with Dodge Ridge`s 4 Day Pass! 🎿 Experience 1,600 vertical feet, 67 trails, and 862 skiable acres with NO blackout dates—including weekends and holidays! ❄️ For just $399, enjoy 4 days of unlimited access this winter season. @dodgeridge 🎁 Looking for a last-minute holiday idea? This pass is perfect for making winter memories! Secure your pass today and make this winter unforgettable! Click the link in our bio to learn more. ⬆️ ...
Bring joy to someone’s winter with a gift certificate to June Mountain! 🎁 Whether it’s carving turns with friends or exploring backcountry guided tours, there’s something for everyone. Plus, kids ski & ride FREE, making it a favorite for all ages. ⛷️❄️ See the link in our bio to learn more. 🔗 ⬆️ #GiftIdeas #JuneMountain #WinterAdventure #SkiSeason...
Coming to a local outdoor shop near you! 📖 Pick up your FREE copy of ASJ at your favorite shop or grab one at a California @rei, @trekbikes, @mikesbikes, or a @touchstoneclimbing gym near you. ✨
Independent media and brick-and-mortar shops are the backbone of our community. Let’s keep them thriving! 🏬❤️
🎁 Perfect for the Water Lover in Your Life! 🌊 Surprise your loved ones with a Kayak Connection gift certificate — perfect for exploring Elkhorn Slough or the breathtaking waters of Monterey Bay! From classes and rentals to guided tours, this gift opens the door to unforgettable adventures. 🚣♀️🐋 Keep an eye out for sea otters, harbor seals, seabirds, and even whales while paddling! 🐳✨ 📍 Learn more and purchase: @kayakconnection #GiftOfAdventure #KayakingExperience #WhaleWatching #ExploreMontereyBay #SupportLocal #HolidayGiftIdeas...
Looking for the perfect gift for the surfer in your life? 🌊🏄♂️
Moved By Bikes Surfboard Racks are the ultimate solution for easy, eco-friendly transportation to the waves. These sturdy and adjustable racks let surfers hit the road without the hassle of a car. Durable, sleek, and perfect for adventurers who value both style and sustainability.
Whether they’re cruising to a local break or navigating a bumpy trail, Moved By Bikes keeps the stoke alive, no matter the ride. 🚴
🎁 Add it to your gift list and give the surfer in your life the freedom to ride!
Explore redwoods like never before with Mount Hermon Adventures canopy tour. Complete with a ropes course, zip line and countless challenges for every level 🌲 this interactive tour lets you experience all that the Santa Cruz mountains have to offer ⛰️🌅
Use promo code ASJ15 for 15% off your next redwood adventure.
When the journey becomes home, where do you sleep? 🛻 Click the link in our bio to learn about sleeping setups for vehicle-based expeditions. What is your favorite way to sleep when adventure camping? - #AdventureTravel #OffGridLife #VehicleCamping #ExploreMore #RoadLife...
After a century of dams blocking the Klamath River, tribal teens are training to kayak 250+ miles from source to sea in June 2025, reconnecting with their heritage and revitalizing Indigenous stewardship.
As they navigate this powerful watershed, they’re not just paddling — they’re reclaiming tradition and honoring their ancestors.
⬆️ Click the link 🔗 in our bio to learn more about @riostorivers and the incredible work Paddle Tribal Waters is doing to support their journey. 🧡
Discover how @sustainsurf is driving positive change through innovative programs that protect our oceans. From eco-friendly surfboards to regenerative seaweed farms, they’re leading the charge for a greener future. 🌱♻️
Photos by @zorro_del_mar, @mikeborchard, @ocean_gardener, @talisalanoe and courtesy of @sustainsurf 📸🙏
Did you miss the Summer Issue? Click the link 🔗 in our bio, become a member, and have a copy shipped to your home! 📖🏡
🆓 We believe in the healing power of nature, and thanks to our partners, this issue is packed with outdoor inspiration — available for free!
📔 Our cover story explores the rich history of the south face of Yosemite’s Half Dome. This iconic wall has shaped climbing history with dramatic accidents, daring rescues, and legendary climbs by figures like Warren Harding, Galen Rowell, Steve Bosque, Mike Corbett, and John Middendorf.
📸 Cover photo of Tobias Wolf and Oliver Schmidt celebrating with a high five after the first free ascent of Karma on the south face of Half Dome. Photo by Tobias Wolf via time-lapse.
🧗 Also in this issue, Doug Robinson, known as the “Father of Clean Climbing,” returns with part two of his clean climbing manifesto. His revolutionary ideas, first introduced in the 1972 Chouinard catalog, challenge climbers to reflect on their impact on nature.
📜Building on this theme of responsible climbing, we also highlight the Yosemite Climbing Associations Climber’s Credo, a grassroots agreement developed to address the proposed nationwide fixed anchor prohibition in Wilderness areas. This initiative promotes ethical climbing practices and aims to influence future regulations to preserve access.
🌲 Other stories include the Inyo Mountain Wilderness, solo bikepacking in the Lost Sierra, the indigenous-led effort to restore and paddle the Klamath River, climbing Mexico’s volcanoes, and the return of great white sharks along California’s coast.
🏡 Love our content? A $5 monthly donation includes a subscription so you’ll never miss an issue. Help keep independent media alive in California’s outdoor community!
⬆️See link in our bio and click on Membership tab for more info or go straight to adventuresportsjournal.com/membership and have ASJ delivered to your home.
From preservation to expansion, @truckeedirtunion is all about protecting what we love. Explore their mission to safeguard Truckee’s outdoor legacy. 🏞️
👉”With any successful community-driven movement, being in the right place at the right time with the right message is everything. In the case of Truckee, California-based Truckee Dirt Union (TDU), all of those elements and more have lined up since its founding in 2020. A 501c3 non-profit focused on creating positive outcomes for mountain biking through collaboration and good times, TDU is an example of how a community can engage and help shape a vision for its own future.”
📝Words by Kurt Gensheimer @trail_whisperer
📸Photos by @gpmartinphoto and @ryansalmphotography
Get your hands on our recent issue📙to read the full article in our large format print edition, or click the link 🔗 to read it online.