chickadee
By ccrossen | June 30, 2009
Still in semi-recovery mode from the Truckee Chickadee ride, aka, as a fun-fest, training push for Cyclepaths, assorted pro triathletes, and other hardcore riders from the area who like to push things a bit. This ride did not disappoint, nor did it lack in punishment. The course started in Truckee, rolled up to the 06 road, hooked into some singletrack over to Northstar, then climbed up the backside to the 06 road again, where we then rode to the TRT and down Missing Link/Western States. From there we hit 89, moved over to Alpine, climbed back up to the TRT, then down to Tahoe City. Then the big climb back up the Fiberboard freeway and the TRT, linking it back up with the 06 road and into a few sections of singletrack all the way back down home. 52 miles, 6,500′ vert, give or take, depending on how many wrong turns you made. Temps were hot, it was a sweat-fest, and I suffered most of the day. I also had a few mechanicals, namely with my legs and heart, but also some shock problems. The actual riders who raced the course were sub-five hours for the whole thing, many on singlespeeds. Very impressive riding, fitness, and vision. I think I was DFL, but was glad to have done it, though it took me a while to rehydrate and get enough calories on board to become a half-way functioning person again. The route is truly a great link-up, with lots of shorter and longer possibilities.
Topics: Introduction | No Comments »
jackson
By ccrossen | June 25, 2009
Just returned from a trip to Jackson; fairly hard to return to Tahoe without envy. Wow. I hadn’t been back in a long, long time, since my brother Sean worked at Conrad Schwering’s house, in the park, directly across from the Grand. One day, we went for a ride on Shadow Mountain, Sean’s old daily ride; pretty good views.
Topics: Introduction | No Comments »
death in the mountains
By ccrossen | June 13, 2009
Yet another friend has left us for much higher ground … Andrew Swanson, surgeon, climber, friend of many fell to his death the other day on Denali. It’s been a tough year for losing friends and friends of friends to the mountains and the wild places we love to explore. There really is nothing to understand when it comes down to it; we explore, we push the envelope, we make riskier decisions than most. Death happens, and it happens more frequently when you’re truly out there. Sad is the word, sad that these friends are gone, that we will not have the opportunity to venture out there with them, hear, read, or see their exploits and wanderings again. It is sad that these amazing, talented people are gone.
The thing that made these people amazing was the very fact that they got out there. That they pushed the envelope, that they strived to climb, and ski, and explore those wild places and share their experiences. It is impossible to remove the mountains and slopes from their personalities, their very make-up. These losses are not tragic; rather, beautiful in a way, beautiful in their commitment and ability to lose themselves in the effort and push.
This concept remains a difficult one for many to understand, for they don’t get out there, they don’t explore the heights and live in a world where the threat of bad-luck or the unknown takes on different significance. But it is precisely the challenge of facing that unknown that draws so many. Wild places are often tough, and they demand rigor, expertise, training, and luck. Sometimes luck goes your way, other times not. There is often little margin for error and bad luck in these places, but training to walk on that margin is often a huge aspect of getting out there.
I salute these friends and their efforts, while I also cry for their/our loss. Hopefully there are many more mountains to climb for all.
Topics: Introduction | No Comments »
weather: what’s going on?
By ccrossen | June 10, 2009
Wondering what the heck has happened to the brain-less, super-sunny, ever clear Tahoe weather we usually enjoy during the summer? Seems like we’re in for cool, wetter weather until July, thanks to an active Pacific and a lack of typical high pressure that sits over us this time of year, forcing moisture north.
From Sheckter:
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS TO CONTINUE EACH DAY…..THERE IS PLENTY OF MOISTURE FOR THE VERY STRONG JUNE SUN TO ACT ON. HIGH TEMPS WILL CONTINUE TO BE SOME 10 DEGREES BELOW NORMAL….TEMPS AT NIGHT SO FAR ABOVE FREEZING……EXPECT A COLDER TROF TO INVADE THE AREA NEXT WEEKEND FOR MORE ACTIVE WEATHER.
LATEST FULL DISK SATELLITE IMAGERY SHOWS A LARGE REGION OF TROPICAL FORCING CENTERED ABOUT 15 NORTH/125 TO 145 EAST. THIS IS FROM SOUTHERN INDIA INTO THE WEST CENTRAL PACIFIC, SOUTH OF JAPAN. THIS FORCING IS ALSO ASSOCIATED WITH ANOMALOUS TWIN UPPER TROPOSPHERIC ANTICYCLONES CENTERED ABOUT 140EAST (WESTERN PACIFIC) AND A WELL DEFINED ROSSBY WAVE ENERGY DISPERSION, ARCING FROM THIS FEATURE. THIS APPEARS TO BE THE MAIN DRIVING FORCE TO THE MID LATITUDE WAVE TRAIN AS A “VERY UNUSUAL” FOR JUNE, THERMAL GRADIENT IS FOCUSED FROM THE WESTERN PACIFIC…..SPINNING UP THE JET IN QUASI EL NINO FASHION WITH THE DOWN STREAM EFFECT OF WEST COAST TROFING AND THUS UNSETTLED WEATHER FOR CALIFORNIA. A LOOK AT THE WHEELER AND HEDON PHASE SPACE THIS MORNING WAS PRETTY SUPPORTING SHOWING A STRONG PROJECTION INTO PHASE #7 WITH A GREATER THEN 2 SIGMA PROJECTION OF MJO ON THE 9TH OF JUNE. THE STRENGTH OF THE CONVECTION HAS BEEN GROWING STRONGER SINCE JUNE 1ST AND IS IN A SECTOR SIMULATING A QUASI LIKE EL NINO ATMOSPHERIC COUPLING. THE PERSISTENT HIGH LATITUDE BLOCKING RIDGE OVER WESTERN CANADA AND ALASKA IS ANOTHER CLUE. OF NOTE…THIS PROJECTION HAS BEEN LOOPING BACK THROUGH THE PHASE 6-8 SECTORS OF WHEELER-HEDONS CHART SINCE LAST APRIL. ANOTHER LOOP COULD CREATE ANOTHER STRONG PERIOD OF THUNDERSTORMS DURING THE SUMMER.OUTLOOK:IT IS NOT VERY PROMISING TO SEE ANY CHANGE ANYTIME SOON TO THE PATTERN. THIS MAY GO ON WELL PAST THE SOLSTICE….WITH AFTERNOON RAINS AND COOLER THEN NORMAL TEMPERATURES FOR SOMETIME TO COME.
EL NINO:
ALTHOUGH THERE HAS BEEN CHAT ABOUT ANOTHER EL NINO DEVELOPING IN THE PACIFIC, IT IS WAY TOO SOON TO START BEATING THAT DRUM. CPC IS SAYING THAT ENSO NEUTRAL CONDITIONS PERSIST.
Topics: Tahoe Snow Report | No Comments »
gear review: black diamond alpine carbon cork trekking poles
By ccrossen | June 8, 2009
Guest review by Kelly Boire, a naturalist/guide in the Lake Tahoe area.
The best way to describe the Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Solo Trekkers are great, sturdy poles, well-suited for the serious hiker or backpacker that travels rough and rugged terrain; for a day hiker on more moderate ground they probably would be overkill. The great thing about these poles is that they are versatile enough to use all year round — refit them with a wider basket, and they would become quite suitable for back country skiing, snowboarding, or snowshoeing. In particular, the hand strap is well designed, with comfortable padding all around, especially a small circular shaped piece where the crook of the thumb rests. This pad relieves the pressure on that part of the hand that recieves the most force on the downward stroke when poling. The strap adjustment is very easy to work and does not require any parts to be pulled out or clicked in to cinch it to the desired length.
I also really like the light cork material used on the grip, which fits the fingers nicely, but overall, the width of the grip is rather large. If it could be less wide to accomodate smaller hands, I think it would be more comfortable, especially if they are used on a long or extended trip. The addition of the secondary grip for side hilling is a nice extra, but I have to wonder how neccesary it actually is for most conditions, especially basic trekking in the Sierra. With cold, wet weather though, the insulation would make a difference.
One of the best features is the FlickLock system for adjusting the length of poles. FlickLock’s are really easy to use and hold the desired length much more solidly than traditional twist pole systems. the plastic used seems to be strong and not likely to break with use over time. With two FlickLock adjusters it is easy to disperse the weight over the poles and maintain that sturdy feel even under pressure. These poles collapse down to a convenient size for travelling or storing on or in a pack when not in use. The reinforced plastic surrounding the rod at the pole end is a good feature, as it offers protection against any bending or warping of the metal under weight or pressure. The small tip size and its blunted end make it safe and less likely to cause injury or damage while the poles are being used, adjusted, or stored. the down side is they are a little heavy, but that seems to be the trade-off for their stability and sturdiness. All in all, these poles are well-made, with a lot of thought going into their design, and perfectly suited for hard and rugged use.
From BD:
Alpine Carbon Cork
An ultra-compact, supremely damp trekking pole, the triple-
sectioned Alpine Carbon Cork is also our lightest, thanks to its 100% carbon fiber shafts. The natural cork grip, 360-degree Nubuck webbing, dual-density top and foam extension all ensure a sweat-free grip with maximum comfort and control on the up and the down. Double FlickLocks provide fast and easy adjustments, and a Long Flex Tip, with either the low-profile, non-snagging trekking or powder baskets, allows year-round snowshoe and hiking versatility.
With 3 vibration-absorbing carbon fiber sections and natural cork grips, the exceedingly light Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork trekking poles provide support, stability and effortless swing.
Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Poles - Pair Specs
Weight (pair) 16 ounces
Shaft material Carbon fiber
Maximum length 51 inches
Minimum length 25 inches
Shock absorbing No
Grip material Cork
Price: $140.00
Topics: Gear Reviews | No Comments »