Tag: Jan/Feb 2009

An original, firsthand account of the remarkable first ski crossing of Tioga Pass

Editor’s Note: This account, previously never published, was written by Dennis Jones in the late 1950s, and is provided courtesy of Starr Walton Hurley, niece of Dennis Jones, and Norm Sayler, president of the Donner Summit Historical Society. The story below contains some added detail from that was merged into the story from another typed retelling of the adventure that Jones wrote some time later.

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The Truly Great Ski Race

So, Mr. or Ms. Backcountry Skier, you want to be a nordic ski racer, you say? Maybe you watched the last Olympics, and marveled at the athletes and their amazing oxygen uptake and strength. Or perhaps a friend dragged you over to your local cross country ski area, and you – with your mega-wide boards and heavy tele boots – kept getting buzzed by a bunch of folks wearing colorful skin-tight lycra, leaving you feeling like you were standing still as they powered up the hill. OK, maybe you can live without the spandex; but still, it looked like fun. Those skinny little skate skis can sure fly over the trails.

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A Slackcountry Attitude

Paul Oelerich slays the Mt. Reba slackcountry during last year’s Bear Valley Tele Fest. A lot of folks are taking issue with the label “slackcountry” recently for its derogatory attitude. Get over it. Keep in mind I say that with a full measure of self-deprecation. There’s no point in lying, it’s my favorite kind of tour. Usually. I still love revving the meter full tilt when the tilt is at the edge of reason, but not all the time, and admittedly, not at the same RPM as 20 years ago. You too? Thought so.

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Backcountry Skiers: Make Room on Your Bookshelf

In conversations the past month with avid local Sierra backcountry skiers about Dan Mingori and Nate Greenburg’s new guidebook Backcountry Skiing California’s Eastern Sierra, 166 Ski and Snowboard Descents in the Range of Light between Tioga Pass and Bishop Creek (Wolverine Publishing 2008) immediate comments from those newly aware of the book fell cleanly into two camps. A majority exclaimed, “Really? That’s awesome!” While others grumbled, “Really? That sucks!”

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C’mon in and Shut the Door!

Whether you’re a seasoned winter explorer or a four-season greenhorn, there are few feelings as joyous as skiing to the door of a snowbound backcountry hut. Just as the natural world is at its most inhospitable, wind and snow swirling in the air, here you are at the threshold of a magical landscape with little more than a sleeping bag, playing cards, and flask in hand. At night, you lounge under the coziness of a roof, warmed by a wood stove and shared with good friends. By day, you shred lonely backcountry peaks until exhaustion. Can it get any better?

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FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @ADVENTURESPORTSJOURNAL

Our writer’s (@ellasuring) adventure van is finished and she’s giving us a tour of the setup! 🚐

For more specs on the build you can see the full rundown on our website.

#californialiving #californiaadventure #vanlife
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Headlands Race recap! September 13-15 2024.

📸 credits: @ellasuring @alex.d.short

#trailrunning #california #californiaadventure
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✨Have you picked up our Fall Issue yet? ✨

🆓 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.

#California #CaliforniaOutdoorMagazine #Outdoors #Print #IndpendentMedia #Yosemite #Climbing #YosemiteClimbingAssociation #AdventureSportsJournal
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Join @ellasuring and @uponward as they discuss the upcoming Headlands 27K trail race in Marin, CA that’s part of the Golden Trail World Series. Head to our bio 🔗 to learn more about this race and the environmental and gender equity steps they’re taking along the way. ⛰️

#trailrunning #trailracing #goldentrailseries #california #adventure
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We caught up with Allyson Gunsallus to talk about her project Hand Holds — an interview series to help climbers understand the transition to parenting and parenthood. 🧗‍♂️

Though the series uses climbing as a lens, it is meant to be useful for all athletes and people transitioning into their new role as a parent. 🧑‍🧒

Click the link 🔗 in our bio to watch the full interview with @yosguns. 🎬
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Who else is already looking forward to the weekend? ⛰️✨

Mammoth Mountain offers the perfect weekend getaway! Enjoy breathtaking hikes, 80 miles of singletrack, guided roped climbs, kayaking, and more. 🚴‍♀️🧗‍♂️

Ready to plan your escape? Click the link 🔗 in our bio for tips on planning your perfect itinerary. 😎

@mammothmountain
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