We park at the put-in on the Sacramento River near downtown Redding and unload our river craft, two slick Brit-style composite sea kayaks owned by Garth Schmeck, patriarch of the local paddle club and shop, Penguin Paddlers.
Living at the forehead of the Central Valley, four-plus highway hours from the coast, Garth keeps his fitness and rough-water touring skills honed on the swift green water and Class II riffles of the lower Sacramento between Shasta Dam and Red Bluff.
Playboating is a sub-discipline of whitewater kayaking that focuses on doing tricks and maneuvers in the river. It can take many forms, from the casual boater doing a stern squirt, to spending an hour cutting up a wave on the way down the river, to dedicated play missions, where challenging a specific play feature is the entire goal for the day. Playboating can be done on flatwater and in eddylines, as well as on waves and in holes
Push off from a sandy beach or paddle out of a protected harbor along the coast and you are physically no longer a resident of California, but of the eastern Pacific, at the edge of a vast wilderness.
Thereโs nothing quite like spending a week on a desert island surrounded by turquoise water to recharge your batteries, recenter your priorities, and lighten your soul.
Throw in the adventure of getting there by sea kayak, camping on remote beaches, lots of Vitamin D sunshine, and a margarita or two, and youโre just about guaranteed one relaxing, memorable winter/spring escape.
Greg Speicher watches as C-1 paddler Norwood Scott runs a rapid in Devilโs Canyon.
We are dragging Tecate. There is so much beer in the raft โ as well as a cooler of frozen red meat and bacon โ on our first day on the Middle Fork of the Feather River that the back end keeps hanging up on shallow rapid entrances.
Tahoeโs Karen Rogers out for a multi-mile swim in glassy Tahoe conditions. Rogers plans on swimming the length of Lake Tahoe in August 2009 after three years of training.
At 6225 feet and holding a colossal 122 million acre feet of sapphire blue water, Lake Tahoe is not only the crown jewel of the Sierra but also the largest alpine lake in North America and the eighth deepest in the world.
Eric Strittmatter lines up for the first of two consecutive 50-footers at Heath Springs.
For such a benign particulate substance a water molecule sure does pack a punch when itโs rolling with a posse. Collect and confine them in a steep canyon and the power of the assembled molecules can be more intimidating than any gang that ever walked the streets.
The link between sports and beer is well established. But in the adventure sports community, weโre not talking about sitting on oneโs kiester, sipping over-priced beer from a plastic cup while watching overpaid professionals have all the fun.
For the most part, our beers are earned. For us, beer is the reward at the end of a long backcountry journey, a relaxing capper at the end of a high-intensity effort, the liquid gold at the end of a sweat fest. Not only does it help replace lost calories and soothe from the bloodstream out, it provides a prism of perspective to share and relive our adventures with friends.
Thereโs a reason they call it the โBay Area,โ ya know. Because it ainโt Phoenix, it ainโt LA, it ainโt Dallas, and it sure as hell ainโt Des Moines โ not that thereโs anything wrong with those places!
From pioneering adventure travel to river glamping, Jerry Ashburnโs legacy continues to shape the experience along the South Fork of the American River. ๐
Click the link in our bio to read Anthea Raymondโs latest article about the story behind EarthTrek Expeditions and discover the journey that began over forty years ago. ๐ โฌ๏ธ
Story by @lariverbeach ๐
Photos by Jerry Ashburn, Dylan Silver and James Kaiser at @oars_rafting ๐ธ
Last weekend our writer @ellasuring joined @envirosports for a trail marathon in the Marin headlands! Filled with breathtaking views, single track trails and a supportive community, the event offered so much.
Thanks so much to @anavi._.d for capturing these amazing photos, and to @envirosports for making it happen. You can find more of these events at the link in our bio ๐...
Spring brings warmer days, but the skiing stoke doesnโt have to end! โ๏ธ
Dive into the heart of Nevadaโs Great Basin with @joshdaiek and his film โMountain State.โ From daring couloirs to remote ghost towns, this film covers the highs and lows of skiing in Nevada. ๐ป
Click the link ๐ in our bio to read Kurt Gensheimerโs article and discover the untamed beauty of Nevadaโs hidden ski gems.
OR watch โMountain Stateโ and โMountain State 2.0โ on @salomon TVโs YouTube channel. ๐ฝ๏ธ
All State Parks in Big Sur Area Closed Due to Highway 1 Road Slip Out ๐โ โ Due to the road slip out on Highway 1 at Rocky Creek in Monterey County, all State Parks in the Big Sur Area are now closed to day use and camping. โบ๏ธ That includes Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Andrew Molera State Park, Limekiln State Park, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park and Point Sur State Historic Park. โ โ State Parks will continue to work closely with Caltrans and CHP to assess impacts to the highway and will update closures as road conditions allow. ๐งAll camping reservations will be cancelled, and refunds will be processed. โ โ An exact timeline on when these parks will reopen depends on road repairs. For more on those repairs, please contact Caltrans. ๐ฅโ โ ๐ธ Road Closed by Sundry Photography & Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, California Martina Birnbaumโ ------------...
Looking to beat the crowds this season for some spring skiing? Just 3 hours from the Bay is Bear Valley Mountain Resort. Our writer @ellasuring explored the area this weekend and was greeted with short lift lines and friendly faces to share in the stoke!
@bearvalleyresort is located between Tahoe and Yosemite and is the perfect casual ski destination for friends and families. With a variety of terrain levels, rentals, a lodge and lots of dining options, itโs the perfect winter getaway.
Weโre teaming up with @elevationoutdoors_mag @out_there_outdoors_magazine @biolite @lectricebikes @orukayak @geticybreeze @unchartedsupplyco @hollywoodracks @bearpawshoes @theprobar @luno.life to send one lucky winner home with an epic set of outdoor gear. If youโre ready for adventures this spring, visit the link in our bio to enter for a chance to win the prizes below.
Lectric eBikes XP 3.0 Oru Kayak โLakeโ Icy Breeze Platinum BioLite FirePit+ Outdoor Adventure Media Magazine Subscription Uncharted Supply Duffel, First Aid Plus, and Donโt Die Hat Hollywood Racks Destination E Bearpaw $300 Gift Card PROBAR $300 Gift Card Luno $300 Gift Card
Must be 18+ and a resident of the USA to enter. Winner will be contacted via email within one week of the close of the giveaway. This giveaway is not endorsed, promoted, or sponsored by Instagram. Visit the giveaway page for all rules....
Make your spring backcountry travels count! โท๏ธJoin @communitysnowobs to measure and report snow depths while adventuring. Urban snow data is equally crucial! โ๏ธ
Click the link ๐ in our bio for more information and learn how you can get involved.
Anytime, anywhere, your measurements contribute to real-time snow condition modeling.
๐ธ Embrace the vibrant magic of spring in California`s desert state parks! ๐ผ Get ready to be amazed by a sea of rainbow colors as the wildflower season blooms in all its glory. ๐โจ Don`t miss out on this impressive display of nature`s artistry! ๐บ๐ตโ โ โ Learn more about the bloom at the link in our bio!โ โ ยฉ California State Parks, all rights reserved. 2024.โ โ โ #SpringinCalifornia #WildflowerSeason #NatureAtItsFinest...
๐๏ธ As the popularity of dispersed camping grows, an increasing number of campers are leaving the beaten path. Picture the disappointment of arriving at your chosen adventure spot after hours of planning and travel, only to find it strewn with litter. โ โ ๐ฟ Let`s safeguard the unspoiled magnificence of our natural surroundings! โ โ Click the link in our bio ๐ for five essential tips to ensure your next outdoor escapade respects and preserves the beauty of our wild spaces. โ โ Photo and story by Krista Houghton...
Disconnect to Reconnect: James Murren shares his annual tradition of a โDigital Detoxโ in this issueโs Earn Your Beer column. ๐ต
This year, he turned to the deserts of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park to reset. Read about his soul-refreshing experience. Cheers to adventure and unplugging! ๐ต
Featured Brews โ The Butcher by @societebrewing and Bigfoot Barleywine-Style Ale by @sierranevada ๐ป
The grand finale of the 23-24 @alpenglowsports Winter Speaker Series is THIS Thursday. Dave Nettle concludes the series with his presentation, โSki Touring the Tyrol.โ
๐น Event Details: ๐ Date: Thursday, March 7th ๐ Time: Doors open at 6pm, Show starts at 7pm ๐ Location: Palisades Tahoe Olympic Village Events Center ๐๏ธ Admission: FREE for all ages! ๐บ Livestream: Tune in via Alpenglow Sportsโ Youtube Channel
๐ See link in bio for more info.
Prepare to be transported on a journey through the stunning Tyrol region, filled with humor, expert tips, and breathtaking adventure. Plus, enjoy the lively atmosphere with bar offerings and giveaways, with proceeds benefiting @slowfoodlaketahoe, the nonprofit beneficiary for the evening.
Donโt miss your chance to be part of this unforgettable event and support a great cause! RSVP for the livestream or join them in person!