We’re hoping it will be warm enough to climb outside today, and it’s perfect! The river rock is a little busy but mellow enough, and it feels great to climb a bit outside. Wes comes along with Ann and I for a few blissful routes. wes on Karl's crack Routes: On Safari 5.7, Africa Flake…

I’ve been wanting to experience Lassen Volcanic National Park in the winter ever since I hiked through in the summer of ’96 on the Pacific Crest Trail. It does not disappoint – it’s a spectacular place when snowbound. We start by discovering that the fresh water tank in our camper no longer holds water. When…

The terrain east of Castle peak has always intrigued me with its ruggedness and complexity. Today I join Gabe, Mike, and Kim to explore and ski some of it. The snowmobile access ensures that there are plenty of visitors, but the featured landscape hides plenty of treats for everyone. Our timing is fortunate and we…

All five of us present have tried and failed to climb Tule Peak in the past, so it is with particular relish that we now join forces and do the job right. Given proper respect, good companions, and decent weather, it’s a fun outing! Small rocks Ascent Summit time baby Us on Tule peak Tule…

On our way back from a family funeral in Ripon we decide to sample some of the California central valley outdoors on our way home. I choose “training hill” outside Auburn, which looks like it gets some good elevation in quickly. The American river is an amazing deep azure here. There is green grass and…

I haven’t practiced much at hitting the melt-freeze cycle in our area with the correct timing. Of course we all want it not too hard and not too soft, right? Surely. It’s a mystery to me how to time it, so I go a for a nice comfy 11 am start for me on the…

Ann and I have never been sure how to find Pig Rock, a little crag near Pyramid Lake. We need a hike, so we set out on foot to remedy that. We pass someone shooting, but otherwise it’s quiet enough to catch a jackrabbit watching us. Ann Blacktailed Jackwabbit Pig Rock looks like it probably…

Ann, Colin and Steve show up for a romp up Incline peak. The day is warm, the sky is blue, yet there’s almost no one around. Maybe that other super thing. I enjoy the company on the climb up and get a couple of nice runs on spring style corn snow. Ann gave us a…

Gabe and I test some Peavine trails today, and while there’s still a good bit of mud and snow to contend with a lot of trail is dry and enjoyable. We hit more of the Halo trail than I’ve run before, and make a nice loop.