Ear To The Ground: Issue #113

News & Notes From The Outdoor Industry

 

Brad Gobright Dies in Mexico

On November 27, 2019 the climbing world lost one of its boldest members, the talented, hyper-driven Brad Gobright, who passed away in a rappelling accident on the 1,500-foot El Sendero Luminoso (5.12d) in El Potrero Chico, Mexico.

Gobright was in El Potrero Chico to do some guiding work and climbing for a short trip. Posting a message on the local climbing message board, Gobright had advertised the need for a climbing partner the next day. Using the controversial simul-rapping technique, something went wrong during the descent from high on the rock face, and Gobright fell to his death while his partner barely escaped with his life.

Known for his dry humor and total commitment to rock climbing, Gobright had become a household name in recent years for his audacious free solos, rapid ascents of El Capitan free routes up to 5.13, and ascents of tough, heady single-pitch routes up to 5.14 in Colorado. The California native and Yosemite local was 31 at the time of his passing.

Gobright was featured in our Feb/March 2019 issue in an article by Chris Van Leuven. Read it at adventuresportsjournal.com/climbing-yosemite-valley-free-soloist-brad-gobright/.

The National Park Service Announces 2020 Free Entry Dates

“Across the country, more than 400 national parks preserve significant natural and cultural areas, each one an important piece of our national identity and heritage,” said National Park Service Deputy Director David Vela. “Free entrance days serve as additional motivation for people to get outside and enjoy these places of inspiration and recreation.” There are five free entry dates in 2020, learn more at adventuresportsjournal.com/nps-entrance-fee-free-days-for-2020/.

 

Women on Waves 2020 Surf Contest Seeks Public Support for Venue Approval

Women on Waves Surf Contest (WOW) is a biannual amateur longboard surf event and a fundraiser that benefits women-focused non-profit organizations in Santa Cruz County. This unique surf contest is the only all women’s surf event in the area.

In 2018 Ola Chica Surf Company took over production of the contest and is looking forward to bringing it back in 2020, but they might be losing their venue.

Ola Chica founder Aylana Zanville says, “I am very passionate about bringing WOW back on a permanent biannual basis, but as much as the female surfing community and I want WOW to happen, we are encountering hesitation with the City of Capitola. Due to a high number of events in the city and ensuing resident complaints, the City of Capitola has limited the number of permits they will issue.”

You can help by attending the Capitola City Council meeting on March 12. To learn more, visit  adventuresportsjournal.com/the-uncertain-future-of-women-on-waves/.

Take Care Tahoe’s Billboard Stewardship Campaign

A new digital billboard campaign has been unveiled on behalf of over 50 partners who have collaborated on the “Take Care Tahoe” effort to encourage more responsible behavior while in Tahoe. Designed with humorous messaging, the campaign was created to capture the attention of visitors when they are en route to Tahoe to encourage stewardship and responsible recreation during their stay. Thanks to financial support from the Tahoe Fund on behalf of the Take Care Tahoe partners, digital billboards carrying the Take Care™ messaging are visible on I-80 Eastbound in Colfax, California.

“With the ‘Take Care Tahoe’ digital billboard campaign, our goal is to educate visitors before they arrive about how they can take care of the environment when they’re here,” said Amy Berry, Tahoe Fund CEO. “This includes things like cleaning up after their dogs, not leaving broken sleds behind, eliminating the use of plastic straws, and blazing a trail of kindness on public trails throughout the region.”

Read more at adventuresportsjournal.com/take-care-tahoe/.

Six Iconic Cycling Events Unite to Create the Nevada County Cycling Festival

2020 marks the 60th running of the Nevada City Classic ProAm Cycling Criterium, the second oldest continuously running ProAm Criterium in the US. This legendary race is joined by five other Nevada County cycling events the weekend of June 13-14 to create the Nevada County Cycling Festival. Other events include the Rotary Gold Country Challenge road ride, the Big Brothers/Big Sisters gravel ride challenge,  the Nevada City Fat Tire Festival, YBONC’s CA Dirt MTB Series and the Nevada City Brewfest — making for a cycling festival like no other. Learn more at adventuresportsjournal.com/2020-nevada-city-cycling-festival/.

New Mountain Bike Trail to Open in Groveland

Groveland Trail Heads, a non-profit mountain biking organization based in Groveland, has been hard at work building the first trail of the Ferretti Non Motorized Trail System in the Groveland Ranger District of the Stanislaus National Forest. The 1.3 mile loop is due to open at the end of March and will give riders a taste of all the forest has to offer. The trail ends with a bike optimized flow section. Groveland is located 22 miles east of Yosemite’s northern entrance.

Visit grovelandtrailheads.org for more information or to make a donation toward trail projects.

Sea Otter Classic Debuts Gravel Race for 2020

Sea Otter Classic will host a first ever timed gravel race on Sunday, April 19.

The inaugural grinder will feature a 40-mile course that will start at the Laguna Seca Recreation Area and quickly venture onto the roads and challenging trails of the Fort Ord National Monument. There will be UCI professional as well as amateur categories for women and men of all ages.

The 30th annual world-renowned festival celebrates all things bicycle from April 16-19, 2020 in Monterey.

Learn more at adventuresportsjournal.com/sea-otter-classic-registration-open/.

Alta Alpina Cycling Club Debuts Carson Valley Adventure Ride Series

Alta Alpina Cycling Club has put together a series of destination training rides in Carson Valley, NV. The Carson Valley Adventure Ride Series is designed to spotlight why the Carson Valley area is the ultimate destination for mixed terrain (aka gravel) riding. The series is based on five epic mixed terrain loops that surround Carson Valley: The Brunswick, The Leviathan, The Slinkard, The Tahoe Ridge, and The Powerline. Dates for the 2020 events will be announced soon, but you can come year-round to enjoy miles of training and preview routes. Learn more at CVAdventureRides.org.

Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Resort Voted #6 in North America   

Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Center was recently voted 6th Best Cross-Country Ski Resort in North America by USA Today. Located in Truckee, Tahoe Donner’s 62-plus miles (100 km) of trails wind through 2,800 acres of terrain. The resort, a favorite among Tahoe-area locals, includes five warming huts, a large variety of modern rental equipment, private and group lessons, and even some fat biking and dog-friendly trails. The resort is open daily to the public and offers private and group lessons, rentals and signature events throughout the season.

Learn more at tahoedonner.com.

The National Park Service Announces 2020 Free Entry Dates

“Across the country, more than 400 national parks preserve significant natural and cultural areas, each one an important piece of our national identity and heritage,” said National Park Service Deputy Director David Vela. “Free entrance days serve as additional motivation for people to get outside and enjoy these places of inspiration and recreation.” There are five free entry dates in 2020, learn more at adventuresportsjournal.com/national-park-entrance-fee-free-days-2020/.