Why live a life that’s perceived as mad? This summer I stood at over 15,000 feet in a thunderstorm on a Mexican volcano. Twelve hours previously, I slept soundly in my Bay Area home at sea level. With thunder cascading…
Halloween Themed Hike: Caves, Crags, Spiders, & Bats at Pinnacles National Park
Outdoors California is a treasure trove with coastal mountains, redwoods, the Sierra/Cascades, and the desert. People often drive past the Central California on their way to somewhere else. Pinnacles National Park, about 30 miles South of Hollister, is an excellent…
Climbing Ixta & the Mexican Volcanoes
Mexico City has the best high mountain access in North America. Three volcanoes over 15,000’ lie within 50 miles of Mexico City: 1) Nevado de Toluca at 15,390 feet, 2) Iztaccihuatl (Ixta) at 17,159’, and 3) Popocatepetl (Popo) at 17,887 feet. Orizaba,…
Art of the 24 Hour Trip & Microadventures
The outdoor industry is recognizing that unfortunately, most folks do not have the free time to take off three months to hike a long distance trail or cycle across a continent. Responsibilities and real life intrude – especially as folks…
The Art of the 24 Hour Trip
Getting outside and exploring a new place energizes me. There is no replacement for exercise, fresh air, and pushing boundaries in the mountains. Caring for two young boys and a demanding career make it difficult to escape for long periods. …
Sub 24 Hour Trip: Climbing Mt Reba
Only five roads cross the Sierra south of Lake Tahoe, and I had only explored four of them until March 6. On that Friday my friend Mark and I climbed Mount Reba along Route 4. Our climb started at the…
Backpacking with Kids: Angel Island State Park
Backpacking in Angel Island is special: Sports one of the best urban camping areas in the nation with world class views of San Francisco, Marin & the Golden Gate Bridge Acts as a portal into SF history. Chapters include the…