Adventure Sports Journal // Fall 2025 // Issue #138
PUBLISHING + EDITORIAL
PUBLISHER
Cathy Claesson cathy@adventuresportsjournal.com
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Matt Niswonger matt@adventuresportsjournal.com
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Justin Olsen, Dave “Nelly” Nelson, Itzel Roman, Sam Fish, Sammy DeLeo, Henri de la Vega, Catalina Island Conservancy, Samir Nafez, Neil Satterfield, Sasha DiGiulian, Matt Johanson, Sarah Spolgaric, Visit Tuolumne County, Surfrider Foundation, Anthea Raymond, Southern California Outrigger Racing Association (SCORA)
COVER DESIGN
Lauren Worth
INDUSTRY NEWS & SOCIAL MEDIA news@adventuresportsjournal.com
EVENTS MARKETING & DISTRIBUTION
Krista Houghton & Lee Houghton events@adventuresportsjournal.com
ADVERTISING
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Cathy Claesson I 831.234.0351 cathy@adventuresportsjournal.com
DESTINATION MARKETING MANAGER
Pamela Coffey I 619.887.9937 pamela@adventuresportsjournal.com
EDITORIAL + LEGAL
Opinions expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Adventure Sports Journal or our advertisers. We usually agree with our articles, but sometimes we don’t. We welcome all contributions.
Adventure sports are inherently risky. Adventure Sports Journal and its contributors assume no responsibility for injuries, accidents, or damages resulting from information published herein. Participate at your own risk and always use proper training, judgment, and safety equipment.
Our office resides in Aulinta (‘place of the Red Abalone’) in the larger region called Popeloutchom (‘paradise’) by the Amah Mutsun Tribe.
ADVENTURE SPORTS JOURNAL PO BOX 35, Santa Cruz, CA 95063 staff@adventuresportsjournal.com
Are hard, scary adventures still worth it?
leoniesherman
Motivation matters. Wild challenging adventures can help us grow, build resilience, and humble us — but when motivated by ego or bragging rights they’re worthless.
chrisvanleuven
Hard and scary, yes. Dangerous? That’s not required. I’d rather prepare well, stay open to retreat, and move forward only when it feels right — because sometimes stepping back matters as much as pressing on.
anthearaymond
Yes, they’re worth it — especially since “scary” can mean many things. Physical, emotional, and intellectual challenges can all feel scary, and it’s wise to keep a mix of them in your life.
mattjohanson
It depends — what’s hard for some may be easy for others, and what I find scary might not be to you. Adventure rewards those who manage risk carefully and take proper precautions. precautions.
jamesmurren
Hard is worth it, scary isn’t. The adrenaline rush from challenge, not fear, is the best part.
The appeal of scary has definitely waned as I’ve gotten older, but hard I am still up for. Without the sour you can’t taste the sweet. Doing hard things makes me feel alive and healthy.
I think hard, scary adventures are still worth pursuing — as long as they’re approached with meticulous planning and thoughtful risk assessment.
8 Editor’s Note The hidden realm // 10 Ear to the Ground News & notes from the outdoor industry // 12 Earn Your Beer Santa Catalina by land and sea // 36 Event Calendar Upcoming races and events // 38 Gear We Love Goodies for your active lifestyle departments
14 Saving Our Surf Protecting California’s surf breaks // 18 Heart of the Sierra Adventures in Tuolumne County // 22 Eastern Sierra Conservation Corps Building inclusive trail crews // 26 Moderate Climbs A path to flow and lasting memories // 28 Photographer Justin Olsen Documenting Yosemite’s grit from El Cap to the Valley floor // 34 Outrigger Paddling Blending tradition, competition, and community
ON THE COVER: Ryan Sheridan on a highline near Glacier Point, overlooking Yosemite Valley with Half Dome in the background. Photo by Justin Olsen
PHOTO CREDITS: (14) Dave “Nelly” Nelson; (28) Justin Olsen; (22) Eastern Sierra Conservation Corps; (34) Southern California Outrigger Racing Association
THE HIDDEN REALM Using Adventure to Access Our Blissful Beginner’s Mind
Adventure trains us to cut through the noise and lock into the present moment. When we hike, climb, ride, or paddle, the world quiets. The body moves, the breath steadies, and the mind clears. This is Zen in practice — nothing added, nothing taken away.
Zen master Shunryu Suzuki taught that when we see with beginner’s mind, everything is alive and full of possibility. Adventure is how we remember this. The rock is rock. The river is river. The wave is wave. When we stop chasing and simply meet what is before us, the hidden realm appears. This hidden realm is both outer and inner. In the outer world, it’s rivers that gleam with mystery, cliffs that stretch toward the sky, and magical ocean breaks that leave us humbled and renewed. It is also found in the communities that rise up around adventure — the people who challenge and heal us, who remind us that the journey is never solitary. In the inner world, the hidden realm
emerges as a wellspring of creativity. Music and art come alive in ways that pierce the mask we wear. Beginner’s mind opens a gateway to holotropic imagination — where rhythm, color, and expression flow effortlessly and adventure becomes a canvas for the soul.
It is not a distant place. It is here, now, in every pedal stroke, in every cast of the fishing rod, in every gust of wind on the ridge line. Adventure keeps us grounded. It reminds us that the present moment is enough. We don’t always live this way. The gaining mind — the constant urge to get more, be more, prove more — pulls us out of balance. But adventure calls us back. It strips away pretense and leaves us with the simple truth: to be present is to be free.
For a quarter century, ASJ has been dedicated to this path. Not chasing trends, not pretending to have all the answers, but practicing. Showing up. Sharing stories of people and places that reveal the beauty of the ordinary and the extraordinary.
And here’s a concrete way to keep the circle strong: support your local guides and outfitters. Book the course. Tip well. Hire the guide who taught you to move safely in the mountains or read the river. These mentors hold knowledge that keeps our community alive and keeps us coming home. Their work turns curiosity into competence — and fear into respect.
If you have any extra money, spread it around to the nonprofits doing the quiet, essential work: trail alliances,
surf and river keepers, access funds, adaptive sports programs, searchand-rescue teams, and youth organizations opening the door to first-time adventurers. Donate, volunteer, share their posts, show up for trail days and beach cleanups. These groups are healing the world — one path cleared, one kid stoked, one watershed restored.
But we can’t do this work alone. The wild places we cherish need all of us — readers, communities, and storytellers — pulling together to protect them. Supporting ASJ is one way to be part of that effort. Every subscription, every ad, every shared story helps keep the conversation alive and ensures that future generations can hike, climb, ride, and paddle in thriving landscapes. Your presence here matters. Together, we can make a difference.
We are grateful for every reader who has walked this path with us. Thank you for choosing to be here, in this moment, with us.
When the mountain is the mountain, Zen is Zen. When the adventure is the adventure, life is whole.
MattNiswonger
matt@adventuresportsjournal.com
HELP SUPPORT INDEPENDENT MEDIA
Cliffhanger Guides
At , we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to ALL the incredible nonprofits that champion outdoor recreation and advocate for sustainable practices on our public lands.
A special shoutout to some of the many organizations we’ve proudly partnered with throughout our 16-year journey:
Together, we share a common goal: preserving the wild spaces we all love. We believe it’s essential for every outdoor enthusiast to take part in protecting and sustaining public lands.
Find a nonprofit that aligns with your passion—and get involved. Your voice and actions make a difference. See you out there!
With gratitude, The Cliffhanger Gang Joshua Tree, CA
P.S. With an extra special thanks to Cathy and Matt for their tireless work with Adventure Sports Journal, keeping independent print media alive since 2001
EAR
THE GROUND
YOSEMITE FACELIFT GEARS UP FOR ANNUAL TRASH CLEANUP FESTIVAL
The largest volunteer cleanup in any national park returns September 24–28, 2025. Thousands of climbers, families, locals, and park enthusiasts will converge in Yosemite Valley to clear trash, restore trails, and protect habitats while celebrating climbing culture and National Public Lands Day. Founded in 2004 by Ken Yager and the Yosemite Climbing Association, Facelift has grown from a modest grassroots effort into a much-anticipated annual festival of service and solidarity. “When we did the first Facelift, I had no idea what this event would become. We the people are realizing that the best way to protect public lands is to come together,” said Yager. Along with hands-on conservation, participants enjoy educational programs, evening gatherings, films, and raffles designed to inspire a culture of stewardship. yosemiteclimbing.org/facelift.
RANGER DISMISSED AFTER PRIDE FLAG DISPLAY
Shannon “SJ” Joslin, a nonbinary ranger and wildlife biologist at Yosemite, was dismissed this spring after helping display a transgender Pride flag on El Capitan as an offduty act of visibility and solidarity. The action drew both support and criticism. The National Park Service responded with a new ban on large banners in wilderness areas. Joslin argues the firing violates their First Amendment rights and is preparing legal action. The case has drawn attention beyond Yosemite, highlighting the tension between free expression, inclusion, and how public lands are managed.
ISLA HARDY AND RIVI HUNTER BRING NATIONAL TITLES HOME TO SANTA CRUZ
Santa Cruz surfers Isla Hardy and Riviera “Rivi” Hunter made waves at the 2025 NSSA National Championships in Huntington Beach, each bringing home a national title. Hardy, just 14, captured the prestigious Open Women’s crown, establishing herself among the top female surfers in the country. Hunter, competing in the Explorer Girls division, claimed gold in her age group with powerful, polished surfing. Their victories mark a proud moment for Santa Cruz’s next generation, carrying forward the town’s rich surf legacy.
ANCESTRAL ITEMS RETURNED TO POMO TRIBE IN LAKE COUNTY
California State Parks has repatriated 21 baskets, regalia, and other cultural items to the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians, returning them from the State Indian Museum in Sacramento. The transfer, completed on July 23 in full compliance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), brings ancestral objects back home to Lake County.
“It is an honor to be able to bring home items that our ancestors have touched and held … Through our oral history we know who they are,” said Tribal Chairman Flaman McCloud Jr., reflecting the deep significance of the return.
$21.7 MILLION FOR HABITAT PROTECTION
California’s Wildlife Conservation Board awarded $21.7 million in grants this summer to support 16 habitat protection and restoration projects across 11 counties, safeguarding nearly 14,000 acres of ecologically vital lands. Among them, a $559,000 acquisition in Humboldt County will protect a critically imperiled peat fen wetland — a rare cold-water habitat vital to endangered summer steelhead trout and worth nearly 1,000 tons in carbon storage. Other funded efforts include forest and aquatic restoration in Nevada County’s Middle Truckee watershed, a new ADA-accessible trail in Rio Dell, habitat protection in San Diego’s coastal scrublands, and marsh restoration in Upper Newport Bay — each advancing Governor Newsom’s 30x30 initiative to conserve 30% of California’s lands and waters by 2030.
ACCESS TO STATE PARKS FOR CALIFORNIA YOUTH
As the school year begins, California’s First Partner, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, joined California State Parks to
spotlight free access and educational programs bringing parks into classrooms and communities. Fourth graders can now receive a California State Park Adventure Pass for free admission to 54 state parks, while library-card holders can check out Parks Passes (valid at 200+ parks) from public and tribal libraries. Also available are PORTS (Parks Online Resources for Teachers and Students), offering live virtual programs, and the revamped Adventures in Learning portal connecting K–12 students with nature. The initiative reflects the “Outdoors for All” mission to make parks more accessible.
CANNABIS REVENUE HELPS RESTORE COHO SALMON
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Cannabis Restoration Grant Program awarded $3.9 million to the Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project. The grant, funded by cannabis tax revenue, supports the Kingfisher Flat Conservation Hatchery — the only Coho salmon conservation hatchery south of San Francisco Bay. Since 2002, the hatchery has produced up to 32,000 Coho smolts annually, helping sustain critically endangered stocks at the southern edge of their range. The new funding will also repair infrastructure damaged by the CZU Lightning Complex fire and expand education, outreach, and monitoring.
TRIBAL VOICES CENTRAL TO NEW JOSHUA TREE PROTECTION PLAN
Threatened by climate change, wildfire, and development, California’s iconic Western Joshua tree now has a new conservation blueprint. The Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan, approved by the California Fish and Game Commission in August, outlines habitat protection, wildfire risk reduction, and long-term monitoring. It is the first plan created under the 2023 Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act, which also calls for tribal co-management, relocation of trees to tribal lands upon request, and the use of traditional ecological knowledge. “The Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act is the first state law for an iconic species that expressly directs CDFW to create a conservation plan that includes co-management with California Native American tribes,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham.
NEW DIGITAL TOOLS TRACK BARRIERS TO WILDLIFE MOVEMENTS
A new interactive toolkit now lets planners, conservationists, and the public visualize over 200 high-priority wildlife connectivity barriers across 3,000 miles of California’s roads and infrastructure. It includes a searchable database detailing species affected — from deer and mountain lions to amphibians and reptiles — plus tools to export, zoom, or print key areas. Developed by California Department of Fish and Wildlife and launched this August, the platform builds on earlier statewide assessments and aligns with efforts like the Annenberg Wildlife Crossing to reduce barriers to animal movement and enhance road safety.
COTONI-COAST DAIRIES OPENS TRAILS TO THE PUBLIC
Public access is now open at Santa Cruz County’s Cotoni-Coast Dairies, part of the California Coastal National Monument. As of mid-August, visitors can explore about nine miles of new multi-use trails through redwood forests, marine terraces, and riparian canyons. Managed by the Bureau of Land Management with support from partners including Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship and tribal representatives, the 5,800-acre property is now protected for both recreation and conservation, adding a major new resource to the region’s outdoor landscape.
BLM GEOTHERMAL LEASE SALES NET $2.7 MILLION
Geothermal lease sales on public lands in Imperial, Lassen, and Modoc counties drew $2.7 million in high bids this summer. Thirteen parcels covering more than 22,000 acres received winning offers that give companies the right to explore for renewable energy. Before leases are issued and funds distributed to the U.S. Treasury, the State of California, and local counties, the Bureau of Land Management must complete environmental reviews and finalize payments.
Scan the QR code and keep up with the latest news and information from our industry partners.
Santa Catalina by andLand Sea
From ocean coves to rugged trails, this island serves up adventure worth raising a glass to
By James Murren
THE EARNING
Santa Catalina Island — that “Europeanlike” escape just off the Southern California coast — has long been known as a playground for the rich and famous. But beyond the history and glamour, it’s also a haven for outdoor adventure.
Kayakers and paddleboarders can launch right from Avalon’s beach, or, with a little planning, set off on a multiday circumnavigation of the island, camping at remote sites along the way. From town, it’s a short walk to Lover’s Cove, where snorkelers float among bright orange garibaldi and, on rare days,
glimpse leopard sharks gliding by. SCUBA divers can head to Catalina Divers Supply or Scuba by Design, both located near the Catalina Casino, with options ranging from beginner to advanced dives. The island’s rugged interior is a hiker’s paradise. The 38.5-mile Trans-Catalina Trail is the crown jewel, but shorter day
hikes abound. Shuttle services make trailheads accessible, and reserving a campsite turns a day trek into a starry overnight.
If you’d rather pedal than hike, Avalon offers rentals, including tandems for an unforgettable ride along the back roads. Bikepackers can push deeper, camping
TAHOE KEEPERS
1. . Opposite page: Hikers pause along the Trans-Catalina Trail to take in the view of a secluded cove (Catalina Island Convervancy). This page, clockwise from top: American bison on Catalina Island are descendants of a herd originally brought over for a film in the 1920s. (Catalina Island Conservancy); Gear-packed bike ready for adventure on Catalina Island (Sammy DeLeo); Paddling along Catalina’s coast (Catalina Island Conservancy); Flx Biergarten brings a lively outdoor atmosphere to Avalon’s main street (Catalina Island Company); A hiker passes a trail marker on the Trans-Catalina Trail, which spans 38.5 miles across the island (Henri de la Vega / West Mountain Guide Co.).
at spots like Little Harbor on the remote west shore. Another favorite option: ride the 10-mile route from the airport back to town — a breezy, mostly downhill glide that pairs perfectly with a morning hike and lunch at the airport café. With a little planning, Catalina serves up adventure in every direction — from ocean coves to shoreline bluffs to the bison-dotted highlands. While exploring Catalina, keep an eye out for the island’s
endemic fox and the bald eagles that soar above its cliffs and coastline.
THE BEER
After earning your adventure, Avalon provides a few choice spots to toast your efforts. Catalina Brewhouse, a cozy cafébrewery hybrid, keeps a couple of house beers on tap alongside coffee and light fare.
The Lobster Trap — a beloved local hangout — pours a lineup from Lost Coast Brewery in Eureka, pairing well with their hearty seafood offerings.
New on the scene, Flx Biergarten brings a lively outdoor vibe to Avalon’s main street. Catalina’s first and only biergarten, it invites beer lovers to sample a variety of styles with tasty flights. Paying tribute to the island’s past, Flx takes its name from the classic ’50s Flxible buses that once carried visitors through Avalon and into the island’s rugged interior.
On Catalina, the formula is simple: paddle, hike, dive, or ride hard. Then sit back, raise a glass, and savor the taste of adventure.
PLANNING TIPS: Permits are required for trails and campsites — start at the Catalina Island Conservancy. Getting there is easy: take the Catalina Express from San Pedro, Long Beach, or Dana Point, the Catalina Flyer from Newport Beach, or save time with Maverick Helicopters from Long Beach.
CATALINA EXPRESS
relaxation and fun
Saving Our Surf
California’s iconic breaks need protection, and surfers are leading the fight
by Krista Houghton
There’s a magic to paddling out at first light, when the ocean lies calm, the wind hasn’t stirred, and the only sound is the rhythmic dip of hands through cold water. For me, and for many others, surfing is more than recreation. It’s a way of life, a tether to nature, a daily grounding ritual. But in recent years, California’s surf breaks — iconic, cultural, and ecological treasures — have faced mounting threats. As a lifelong California surfer, I’ve seen firsthand the mounting pressure on these places, and now more than ever we need to save our surf.
To the uninitiated, a surf break might seem like just a good place to catch a wave. But for those of us who’ve spent years in the lineup, these places are sacred.
Malibu, Rincon, Trestles, Steamer Lane — these aren’t just dots on a map, they are living ecosystems, cultural landmarks, and stages for shared human experience. Each has its own rhythm, cast of characters, and delicate environmental conditions. Some waves
peel perfectly over cobblestone reefs. Others explode over sandbars sculpted by winter storms. Many are sustained by natural processes — sediment flows, kelp forests, offshore reefs — that take decades, even centuries, to form. Yet all can be destroyed by shortsighted development, pollution, poor coastal planning, or the crush of crowds drawn by Instagram. One of the gravest threats is the spread of coastal armoring — seawalls,
riprap, and other hard structures built to shield property from erosion and sea level rise. From San Diego to Pacifica, cities are fortifying the shoreline, often in emergencies that prioritize rail lines or homes over the natural dynamics of the coast. But seawalls kill waves. They stop beaches from migrating naturally, cutting off the sand supply that feeds our breaks. Their backwash can disrupt wave patterns, creating chaotic, unrideable, and even dangerous
conditions.
Thankfully, there’s precedent for protecting waves. The Surfrider Foundation, founded in Malibu in 1984, is a central force in surf break defense, leading campaigns like Save Trestles — one of the most powerful, successful movements of surfer-led activism to date.
Developers once planned to run a toll road straight through San Onofre State
Opposite page: Always searching for uncrowded lineups, Timmy Reyes scores at a fickle, rarely breaking California spot — a reminder of how precious and fleeting surf breaks can be (Dave “Nelly” Nelson). This page, clockwise from top: Waves like these are natural wonders — powerful, fragile, and shaped by the constant motion of the sea (Dave “Nelly” Nelson); San Onofre State Beach, with the decommissioned San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station in the background (Courtesy of California State Parks, 2025); Rincon, one of California’s most famous surf breaks, located right beside Highway 101 at the Ventura–Santa Barbara County line (Yujie Chen).
Beach, threatening one of the most pristine, consistent wave zones in the state. Years of grassroots organizing, legal action, and political pressure culminated in Assembly Bill 1426, signed by Governor Newsom in 2020, permanently protecting Trestles from such development. This kind of vision is what we need now — coastal policy that acknowledges the ocean’s constant motion, and embraces alternatives like living shorelines and dune restoration. Ventura’s Surfers’ Point Managed Shoreline Retreat Project proved it can
be done: infrastructure was moved inland, dunes restored, and the wave preserved thanks to collaboration between Surfrider, the Coastal Commission, the Coastal Conservancy, and local agencies.
Climate change is already reshaping our surf zones. Stronger storms are eroding cliffs faster than ever. Warming seas are decimating kelp forests, which soften wave energy and nurture marine life. Sea level rise is pushing high tides into places we once thought untouchable.
Faced with these accelerating changes, protecting our surf breaks requires more than local fixes — it calls for statewide vision and policy.
“Coastal armoring is the biggest quiet threat to our beaches, exacerbated by sea level rise,” says Jennifer Savage, California Policy Manager for the Surfrider Foundation. Coastal conservation, she reminds us, is never about a single factor — it’s an interconnected, complex system.
Still, there’s hope on the horizon. AB 452, introduced in early 2025 by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D–Thousand Oaks and herself a longtime Malibu surfer), sought to protect California’s most iconic waves through the creation of state surfing reserves. The bill stalled in committee this year but is expected to be reintroduced next year.
Had it advanced, the bill would empower local governments to identify and safeguard the ecosystems around surf breaks, integrating surf conservation into California’s broader “30×30” goal of conserving 30% of coastal lands and waters by 2030. If passed, AB 452 would establish formal
One of the gravest threats is the spread of coastal armoring — seawalls, riprap, and other hard structures built to shield property from erosion and sea level rise. From San Diego to Pacifica, cities are fortifying the shoreline, often in emergencies that prioritize rail lines or homes over the natural dynamics of the coast.
surf reserves at legendary breaks like Malibu, Rincon, Trestles, and Mavericks, making California the first state to legally recognize surf breaks as ecological and cultural resources worthy of protection.
Save the Waves Coalition played a vital role in promoting AB 452, working daily with members of local government and surf industry leaders. O’Neill has been among the strongest supporters, underscoring how both advocacy groups and iconic brands see the urgency of protecting surf breaks for the future.
“We are going to lose waves to sea level rise, placing more stress on the remaining surf breaks, so the need for statewide protection is vital. Waves bring more than just surfing to a community — they also offer a tremendous economic impact,” says Donna Meyers, Save the Waves’ Director of Conservation Impact.
Legislation like AB 452 is a powerful step, but laws alone won’t protect our waves. Real protection also depends on how we treat each other in the water and how we share these breaks as a community.
Surfing’s history is steeped in localism, a long-standing part of surf culture where regulars intimidate or block outsiders from paddling out. I’ve seen it, and I’ve probably even participated in it — but in today’s crowded lineups, localism is outdated and unworkable. There are simply too many people in the water at our iconic breaks. Plus, it’s unwelcoming and unnecessary.
“One of the biggest things we do is
educate communities to understand what surfing brings to a city economically,” Meyers says. When the coastal road near Steamers Lane in Santa Cruz was heavily damaged and needed repair, Save the Waves worked with city officials on the West Cliff Drive rebuild to make sure the importance of protecting the surf was part of the engineering. Meyers described it as a negotiation: some battles were won, others lost, but surfers helped ensure the redesign took the coast itself into account.
The truth is, surfing brings people, and people bring money. So, how do we co-exist? As local surfers we need to maintain surf etiquette in the lineup. Lead by example and educate when needed. Take the time to smile, initiate a conversation, and help when a beginner is struggling. This also means reminding surfers to “know their zone” — beginners at advanced breaks only create dangers for themselves and others. Respect surf rules and etiquette. That’s the bottom line.
I don’t surf to escape the world; I surf to connect with it. That connection comes with responsibility — to the waves I ride, the beaches I walk, and the ecosystems that sustain them. Encouragingly, surfers are more politically active than ever: attending town halls, submitting comments to the Coastal Commission, organizing cleanups, fundraising for legal challenges, and teaching the next generation how to be ocean stewards.
“Anyone who loves the beach and
The Surfrider
founded in Malibu in 1984, is a central force in surf break defense.
ocean has a vested interest in it; we are your voice,” says Savage. “The ocean is the lungs of the planet, and the coastal environment is our primary concern. We are really good at protecting it, so please consider supporting local surf protection efforts.”
California’s surf breaks are beautiful, but they are also fragile. They face threats from armoring, overdevelopment, overcrowding, and climate change. None of these challenges are insurmountable — but they require the same patience, timing, and respect that surfing itself demands. The ocean has always been our teacher. Now it’s time to apply its lessons to how we care for the coast. If you’re a surfer, a coastal resident, or simply someone who loves California’s natural beauty, get involved. Support local surf-protection efforts. The waves we save today will be the ones our children ride tomorrow.
This page, above: Surfrider Foundation advocates during the 2023 Coastal Recreation Hill Day in Washington, D.C., and the launch of The Ocean Needs More Friends campaign to rally one million voices against plastic and water pollution (Surfrider Foundation).
Heart of the Sierra
Adventure flows through the trails, lakes, and high passes of Tuolumne County
By Matt Johanson
Adventure runs deep in Tuolumne County. From lava-carved tablelands to High Sierra summits, this rugged corner of California offers a lifetime of outdoor exploration. I first fell in love with the area in 1994, when I moved here for my first reporting job at The Union Democrat. Covering local stories helped me discover a treasure trove of recreation — and occasionally, I even got to write about it for a paycheck.
One of my most unforgettable stories involved gripping an oar and plunging down the wild Tuolumne River, heart pounding as our raft charged through Class V whitewater. But not every adventure here requires a helmet or a life jacket.
I’ve returned almost every year since, and I’m still uncovering new places to explore. Here are a few of my favorites.
TABLE MOUNTAIN AND THE GROTTO
Near the town of Jamestown, lava flow dating back millions of years formed a fascinating formation now called Table Mountain. Its flat top resembles a
table more than a mountain, making a moderate and unique hike.
From Highway 49 in Jamestown, turn north onto Rawhide Road, cross a bridge and drive two miles. Turn left onto Shell Road and continue another 1.7 miles past a few homes as the pavement ends and the road becomes dirt. Make sure to park only in designated areas to avoid disturbing residents. Low-clearance vehicles should park here at the start of the dirt road, while high-clearance vehicles can continue farther on the now-rough route.
Table Mountain stands east of Shell Road and a marked trail starts about a mile south of the first parking area.
The path climbs about 500 feet to the “summit,” which is more of a tabletop than a pointy peak. Enjoy a rewarding view of New Melones Reservoir.
Rock climbers love the nearby Grotto, an enclosed area full of sport and trad routes between the difficulty grades of 5.8 and 5.13. This is where I learned to climb, and 30 years later, I’m still a lot closer to 5.8 than 5.13.
To reach the Grotto, keep walking south on Shell Road for another half mile beyond the summit trail and take an eastbound use trail. The path will lead uphill and then across a boulder field until reaching a third-class drop into the bowl-like Grotto; the crag’s basalt
columns are unmistakable. Sidesaddle and Bandito are the best starter routes here.
PINECREST LAKE
For an easy day hike, take a lap around Tuolumne County’s most popular high-
Top to bottom: Wildflowers line the trail to Table Mountain, a striking lava formation above New Melones Reservoir (Sarah Spolgaric); Climber AnaLisse Johansson enjoyed an ascent in the Grotto near Table Mountain (Matt Johanson).
country lake. Encircling Pinecrest Lake is a four-mile trail which most hikers can complete in two hours; enjoy the scenery and exercise. As an added bonus, hikers can cool off on hot days by taking a dip in the lake. Pinecrest offers fine swimming, boating and fishing. The lake sits right off Highway 108, about 30 miles east of Sonora, making it one of the easiest alpine escapes in the county. Because summer can bring heavy crowds, especially on weekends, Pinecrest is an especially rewarding
destination in late summer and early fall when the pace slows and the weather is still beautiful.
SONORA PEAK
Near Sonora Pass in summer, hikers ascend Sonora Peak. Only two miles and 2,000 vertical feet separate its summit from the Saint Mary’s Pass trailhead, marked by a road sign about a mile west of the highway’s 9,643-foot summit. A well-marked trail covers most of the route, and those who reach the summit
enjoy a terrific High Sierra view. Snow typically still covers this mountain and area when Sonora Pass reopens each spring, normally in May. The Saint Mary’s Pass trailhead is located directly on Highway 108, just west of Sonora Pass.
DARDANELLES
Lava flow from about ten million years ago followed by centuries of erosion created the tall volcanic formations now known as the Dardanelles. The
This rugged corner of California offers a lifetime of outdoor exploration.
most easily reached of these peaks is Dardanelles West.
From Highway 108, turn left onto Clark Fork Road (about three miles east of Donnell Vista or three miles west of the
Left to right: Pinecrest Lake attracts hikers, swimmers, boaters and anglers (Visit Tuolumne County); Reasons abound to climb volcanic Sonora Peak: an easy approach, a short climb, a high summit and an incredible payoff view (Matt Johanson); Sonora Pass marks a launching point for adventure in summer and fall (Matt Johanson collection).
Tuolumne County provides an unparalleled blend of adventure and natural beauty during the locals’ favorite season—Fall. Vibrant scenery and crisp air set the stage for unforgettable experiences, whether hitting the trails or the water. There’s no boundary for capturing the outdoor spirit, so lace up and set your compass to Tuolumne County, just 2.5 hours east of the San Francisco Bay Area. Call or go online to
Get Ready for Winter
Fresh snow, zero hassle—Dodge Ridge Mountain Resort is the Bay Area’s closest skiing and riding destination. With slopes for every skill level, plus warm hospitality and family-friendly fun, it’s the perfect winter escape.
Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias, Yosemite National Park
OF THE TRAIL
the bridge, turn left onto Forest Road 6N06. The road goes from well paved to roughly paved to dirt as you pass a winter gate. A high-clearance vehicle is preferable. Continue about six miles to Sword Lake trailhead.
A well-traveled trail leads to the base of the mountain; from there, climbers must navigate and scramble on thirdclass terrain to reach the summit. For those wishing to try their skills on a seldom-attempted and undeveloped mountain, Dardanelles West provides a good learning opportunity.
WINTER OUTINGS
After snow closes Highway 108 to through traffic over Sonora Pass, Tuolumne County’s high country becomes a winter wonderland. The road remains open up to the Dodge Ridge Mountain Resort turnoff, keeping the ski area and nearby snow-play areas easy to reach. Downhill skiers appreciate the resort’s affordable prices, while snowmobilers enjoy motoring along the snow-covered sections of Sonora Pass. Cross country skiers and snowshoers happily explore other areas. Consider the 4.2-mile Crabtree Loop. From Dodge Ridge Road, take the last right before the resort towards Crabtree Road. Park and find the trail leading from the south end of the lot. The loop leads through lush pine trees and meadows, with a few rolling ups and downs but no big
hills. There’s also an option to extend the loop to about six miles.
RAFTING & OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
Tuolumne County boasts too many adventures to describe here, but consider a few other ideas. Sonora Pass to Ebbetts Pass, about 30 miles, makes an excellent starter segment of the Pacific Crest Trail, taking two or three days. Similarly, Sonora Pass to Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite affords a rewarding 70-mile backpacking trek, taking about five days.
Want to bag more summits? Check out Pinecrest Peak, Leavitt Peak or Night Cap, all achievable in a day without much gear, conditions permitting. The Sonora Pass area offers hundreds of technical climbs for all abilities. For a scenic overnight or weekend backpacking trip, hike to Kennedy Lake in Emigrant Wilderness and enjoy stunning views of Kennedy Peak.
Lace up your shoes or saddle up and discover the magic of the new Capital to Tahoe Trail
Hike or bike through breathtaking landscapes and create lasting memories.
This stunning trail offers a unique opportunity to explore the beauty of the region as Carson City’s first single-track connection to Lake Tahoe.
And yes, the thrills run deeper still. After experiencing the “Main T,” I once returned to tackle its even wilder sibling: the Cherry Creek/Upper Tuolumne route. With nine miles of continuous Class 4 and 5 rapids, the “Upper T” felt like a non-stop thrill ride with more exciting rapids than all my previous rafting trips combined. River rafting isn’t for amateurs but several professional outfitters provide safe and thrilling experiences, like OARS, ARTA and Sierra Mac. Don’t forget to tip your guide.
Clockwise from top: Kennedy Lake reflects Kennedy Peak in Emigrant Wilderness (Matt Johanson); A third-class scramble leads to the top of Dardanelles West (Matt Johanson); Near Clavey Falls on the Tuolumne River (ARTA).
Eastern Sierra Conservation Corps
Building inclusive trail crews that care for both land and people
By Leonie Sherman
Those sinuous ribbons of hard-packed guidance that allow us to access the mountains, meadows, forests and lakes that open our hearts, soothe our minds and challenge our bodies. How often do we spare a thought for the trail crews that make it all possible?
Agnes Vianzon thinks about them all the time. She knows that while trails provide access to the outdoors, trail crews provide access to the outdoor industry. Most trails on public lands in California were built by young people working for state and federally funded conservation corps. Those transformational experiences of living in the backcountry for a summer doing hard manual labor are often the launching pad for outdoor careers.
Vianzon followed that same trajectory, joining a trail crew fresh out of college. Originally she thought it would be a pause before she began her “real career”, but she kept returning year after year. As a queer Filipina woman, she didn’t always feel comfortable or understood in what has traditionally been a male dominated environment. So in 2017
she founded a non-profit called Eastern Sierra Conservation Corps, with the aim of creating an inclusive space to nurture the outdoor leaders of the future — especially female, queer, transgender, gender non-conforming and BIPOC.
“When I started ESCC, I had no business or non-profit background,”
Vianzon laughs. “I figured if I started with one crew, that was OK.” Their first season ESCC had five employees and an operating budget of $55,000. Nine years later they run four trail crews all over the state, employ almost 40 people and have an annual operating budget of over a million dollars.
Though ESCC welcomes people from all ethnic, gender and socio economic backgrounds, Vianzon’s first crew was all-female. “Right out of the gate that felt better, it just felt good,” explains Vianzon. “The first year the park service
asked us for an all women’s crew, and the next year they said they weren’t allowed to provide an all women’s crew. It’s been a roller coaster.”
But due to their structure — a private fund-raising non-profit that signs contracts with public organizations — they’ve been able to thrive even in challenging times. “We are able to choose our projects instead of taking whatever work we can get,” Vianzon says. Their trail crews work from San Jacinto to Humboldt, the Sierra Nevada to Big Sur.
ESCC focuses on developing the whole person, teaching soft skills like conflict resolution and community living, along with hard skills like operating a chainsaw, brushing, rock work, water diversion and changing the oil on a company vehicle. “We create community through stewarding land,” explains ESCC Field
page, top
Conservation Corps crew members heading into the high country for trail work in Kings Canyon National Park (ESCC); Founder Agnes Vianzon with an ESCC crew during a season of trail work (Selfie). Opposite page, left to right: ESCC crew members gather for a group photo (Itzel Roman); Trail crews combine skills, teamwork, and a connection to the land (Sam Fish); The simple tools of trail work — worn, trusted, and ready (Sam Fish). Operations Logistics Coordinator Micah Craig, in his fourth season with ESCC. “Our trail crews learn hard skills while finding paths to benefit Mother Nature.”
This
to bottom: Eastern Sierra
ESCC’s next major shift was compensation. Offsetting low wages by offering scholarships upon completion is a common practice in entry level outdoor positions, but Vianzon recognized that college is not for everyone. Some folks need the salary for basic survival. ESCC is dedicated to creating a system that benefits trail crew members from all walks of life. “I’ve had people actually tell me we pay our core members too much!” she laughs. “We keep up with the California minimum wage and pay $18-20 an hour. Our trail crews are so much more than cheap labor.”
The ESCC program is sober and completely immersive. “Folks don’t go home on the weekends, they have to
fully commit for four months,” Vianzon explains. “Our curriculum includes who am I, why am I here, members get evaluated on how they are living, if they are grumpy all the time. A healthy community is going to be more productive and get more work done. This is the elevation of everyone. We have the resources to support everyone.”
Those resources include making a therapist available to the trail crews throughout the season. “In our leadership program folks are filling out daily logs, food orders, asking partners about work, practicing all these skills throughout the season,” Vianzon says with pride. “We are all about facilitating an experience and elevating our young people.”
“I’ve never been in a work space like this before. I feel more seen and taken care of than I ever have in my life,” says 28-year-old Minoli De Silva, a queer Sri Lankan in their first season with ESCC. “Agnes is very into taking care of us while pushing us. This season has definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone, but I feel physically stronger, I feel connected with the land, I feel community every day. This is what it looks like to take care of each other and the land.”
First generation Mexican-American Tayi Ramirez is the youngest person on the ESCC crew this year and amazed at the world that’s opened up for them. “In a lot of work situations folks are like ‘that’s on you,’ everyone for themselves, sink
“This is all about making change one crew at a time, one person at a time.”
— Agnes Vianzon,
ESCC Founder and Executive Director
or swim,” they say softly. “But here at ESCC it feels like we are all in it together, people are really looking out for each other.”
Like all the best caretaking, this extends to when people mess up. Roxanne
The Defend Our Parks apparel collection is a rallying call for everyone who values our public lands. With increasing threats of privatization and exploitation, these shirts, hats, and totes are more than just gear — they’re a statement.
Inspired by vintage conservation posters, the bold design reminds us to stand up for what matters: wild rivers, granite cliffs, ancient forests, and the freedom to roam. Whether you’re hiking a backcountry trail or grabbing coffee in town, your voice can be heard — loud and proud.
Every purchase supports preservation efforts. A portion of proceeds goes to the Yosemite Climbing Association, a nonprofit that protects Yosemite and other public lands in California.
Wear the Message Fuel the Movement
Rosalie Anastasia Rox came into her first season with ESCC navigating addiction and mental health challenges, and had to leave early. “ESCC helped me get home quickly, they made me feel like it was OK to take care of myself, there was no shame,” Rox explains.
And they welcomed her back for a second season. “Folks at ESCC were happy to see me healthy, ready to grow and take on a new season. Their expectations are a little higher because they see my potential. I want to live up to those expectations because I know they care about me.” Her pride is audible. “This is by far the best place I have ever worked, the best treatment I’ve ever experienced at work. The only other place I feel this welcome is among close friends and my partner.”
ESCC’s Instagram feed features women, non-binary and BIPOC, and they are promoted and supported by queer activists like Patty Gonia. Therefore, ESCC gets loads of applicants with minimal advertising. “We are changing the face and demographics of land management,” says Vianzon. “We don’t do a lot of posting. We are developing a reputation and the people who need us find us.”
After almost a decade of service, ESCC is ready to export their model to create
an impact beyond their immediate trail crews and employees. “This is literally access-opening work,” explains Vianzon. “We know what we are doing. We are trying to raise a million dollars to spread and teach this model. We can teach it virtually or on the ground. We just want folks to take it and bring it home and implement it.”
Although ESCC focuses on creating safe inclusive trail crews, their ultimate goal involves social transformation. “There are enough resources for everyone to live well,” Agnes declares. “At the risk of sounding ridiculous, it literally starts with the simple act of being kind, being nicer. Be nicer to the person next to you on the bus, the car that cuts you off in traffic, the people who work for you, the people you work for. This is all about making change one crew at a time, one person at a time.”
Vianzon knows a better world is possible. “When we wonder how to bring about the changes we want to see, we need to ask everyone in the room. We need to ask who is not in the room,” she insists. “Don’t keep your stuff secret, share what you know with others so everyone can enjoy it. Share your pro tips about gear, where to go, all that stuff. Examine your privilege. We can make this easier and more accessible together. Being nicer and better humans is how we are all going to get through this.”
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This page, clockwise from top: Crew members at Forester Pass celebrate with a Trans Pride flag (ESCC); Smiles carry through the hard work and weather in the field (Sam Fish); Shovels, saws, and hammers — the tools of trail work, ready for the next project (ESCC).
TheCaseforModerateClimbs
Finding meaning in flow, friendship, and long days on the rock
By Leonie Sherman
“How have
you climbed
so much more than me this summer when you’re not
even a real climber?”
demanded
an
acquaintance as we shared a soak at
Hilltop Hot Springs under a pale crescent moon.
I’d
just finished a breathless recap of half a dozen multi-pitch backcountry peaks I’d summited in the past few weeks, none of them harder than 5.8. His attitude is common — the idea that “real” climbing means pushing the grade, pulling harder, taking repeated whippers and working a single problem for hours.
Why does everything need to be bigger and bolder to be worthy? I love the flow of moving gracefully with ease and creativity, enjoying views, rock quality and my partner’s company as I climb. Life is hard enough, I don’t need my climbing to be hard too.
So imagine my relief when my postcancer nutritionist told me my diet was great, but I needed to avoid stress. Doctor’s orders: I’m not allowed to flail frantically, reaching for crimpers while balancing on a nub the width of a dime. If I want to continue life at the end of a rope, I need to chill. Moderate climbs are better for my health and my personal anti-capitalist praxis. Here are three of my favorites and what they taught me.
MT. STARR KING
Rising like an ice cream scoop of granite, the bulk of Starr King sparks debate: is it a dome or a peak? Whichever it is, the west face features a featureless
5.9 friction climb. My El Cap-climbing boyfriend was intent on the route but could not explain how to protect a long slab in the backcountry. His indifference to my concerns and ridicule of my insecurities was a bummer, so I bailed to climb it via an easier route with my buddy Bob and his wife Dawn.
At 60, Bob was still putting up bold 5.11 first ascents. Dawn rarely climbed anymore but happily joined for backcountry expeditions. “Can you believe how lucky I am that my wife of over 25 years still wants to climb with me?” Bob asked as we approached the base of the climb. “I mean, how many people get to share something they love so much with the person they love most in the world? I don’t even care if we summit, I just want to have a great day out here with my amazing wife!”
My hotshot climber boyfriend used to yell at me when I struggled; I thought that was normal. I watched in amazement as Bob encouraged and
gently guided his wife past her fear and into the joy of climbing. At one point I belayed her while Bob downclimbed without protection to be by her side as she worked through a challenging section.
After summiting Starr King by the Southeast Face, I vowed to put teamwork and my teammates above our objective, grounding our experience in caring for each other. I still occasionally succumb to the siren call of a ridiculous adventure in bad company, but I always regret it. At the risk of parroting Che Guevara and sounding ridiculous: the ‘real’ climber is motivated by a great feeling of love.
BEAR CREEK SPIRE
In the wake of a crushing climber breakup, I convinced an old friend to climb Bear Creek Spire in early season, via the prominent Northeast Ridge. Rated between 4th class and 5.6, this climb offers astonishing views and the option to finish with the 5.8 North Arete, for
those who need a bit more spice.
I’ve learned that sleeping out is as important as climbing, so we camped on snow under the ridge. Early season means early starts while the snow is still hard, so we left camp at 6am, ice axes in hand, with a 60-foot scrap of rope and a tiny rack of static gear.
The lower reaches of the ridge are fun physical Class 3 scrambling, but as the climbing got more technical, we started to rely on each other instead of our rope and rack. He’d offer a boost, I’d offer a hand; we spotted each other across challenges, searching for the sharpest point of the ridge, the most difficult moves. We climbed in complete concentration, each handhold and foot placement deliberate. Thoughts faded away as we trained our full attention on each other, the granite, the movement,
page:
the flow. We didn’t set out to free solo the climb, it just happened.
Relief and pride washed over us as we pulled the final summit mantle at 10am. The agony of my break-up, the rejection and failure, was a distant memory. While we climbed, all that mattered was the rock beneath us and not plummeting to our death. When we summited all that mattered was the expanse of bluebird sky above us, the jagged peaks stretching to the horizon, the barren distant desert to the east.
Climbing without a rope is a shortcut to mindfulness. Bear Creek Spire reminded me that being present in the here and now is our ultimate goal in life and climbing; our only job is to enjoy each moment to the best of our ability. Sometimes we can conjure that attentiveness with a single breath. Sometimes it requires hours of meditation. And sometimes all it takes is the willingness to risk your life on a long moderate climb.
ROYAL ARCHES
At 8am, the February morning had not yet cleared freezing so Steve and I were enjoying the warmth of Yosemite Lodge’s cafeteria when we ran into an old buddy of his. “You guys are planning to climb Royal Arches today?” he asked, surprised. “You better get going.” He watched with concern as we lazily gathered our belongings. “Do you have a lighter? You’re going to want a lighter.” We shrugged and tucked the proffered gift into our bags. Then we set off to enjoy the mellowest route from the Valley floor to the rim, 1,400 vertical feet of 5.6 cruising. Two pitches up we stalled out behind the slowest couple in climbing history. They didn’t want to let us pass, and Steve was too polite or too laid back to press the issue. So
Whatever the grade, if you’re having fun, it’s real climbing.
my most lasting memory of climbing Royal Arches is relaxing on sunny belay ledges, admiring the view, while they worked through some couple drama and crawled their way up.
I guess we did some climbing, because we topped out just after sunset, onto a tiny flat area climbers call the Jungle. Mercifully the couple had disappeared into the night. Lights from Valley hotels, restaurants, and stores taunted us, glittering in the icy darkness below. We deemed the 4th class descent down North Dome Gully too dangerous for darkness and settled in for the longest night.
Though the rope failed as either a pillow or a blanket, a nearby spring provided water, my emergency jar of peanut butter kept us in calories and that lighter allowed a tiny fire which provided light and the illusion of warmth as we tossed and turned through an uncomfortable night. Royal Arches taught me to work out your relationship drama before attempting 16 pitches, let others pass when you’re holding them up, and always bring a lighter.
Even if you love the tricky technical challenge of bouldering, I challenge you to try a long moderate route; you may be surprised at the sheer joy of it. No matter your preferred climbing style, life’s too short to waste judging the value of other people’s climbing. Whatever the grade, if you’re having fun, it’s real climbing.
Editor’s note: Free soloing is extremely dangerous and not recommended. The experiences described here are Leonie Sherman’s own and are shared for storytelling, not as guidance.
Opposite
Mt. Starr King, a remote granite dome in Yosemite’s backcountry, is characterized by sweeping slabs, sustained friction, and expansive views of Half Dome and the Clark Range (Samir Nafez). This page, left to right: April Howard cruising through fun terrain on Bear Creek Spire (Neil Satterfield / Sierra Mountain Guides); Regular ASJ contributor and owner of Yosemite E-Bikes, Chris Van Leuven on Royal Arches (Sasha DiGiulian).
From
In the Footsteps of Glen Denny
El Cap free climbs to highlines stretched across the Valley, photographer Justin Olsen’s images carry the same grit that made Denny the voice of Yosemite’s Golden Age
Story by Chris Van Leuven • Photos by Justin Olsen
Some photographers arrive in Yosemite with climbing resumés, sponsorships, and a plan. Justin Olsen showed up with none of that. He came in 2016 for what was supposed to be a threemonth winter job shoveling snow in Curry Village. He had never ascended a rope, never shot from a hanging belay, never envisioned himself in the middle of Yosemite’s climbing scene.
Four years later, Olsen had photographed some of the most accomplished climbers of his generation — Kevin Jorgeson on a new El Capitan-scale free route on Higher Cathedral Spire, Sasha DiGiulian on an unrepeated El Cap free climb, Molly Mitchell dancing across a delicate granite face — and had carved out a reputation for capturing the Valley’s vertical life from the inside.
It’s a path that recalls another photographer’s unlikely rise: Glen Denny, the Golden Age documentarian whose black-andwhite images of Royal Robbins, Yvon Chouinard, and Chuck Pratt remain definitive. Like Denny, Olsen took humble concession jobs in the park, met climbers through chance conversations, and learned rope craft and exposure on the job — without any prior climbing background. The parallel isn’t about style or era; it’s about starting at the bottom rung and climbing, camera in hand, into the
heart of Yosemite’s culture.
A CHANCE ENCOUNTER IN CURRY VILLAGE
Olsen’s shift from seasonal worker to climbing photographer began in the most ordinary way. One hot summer afternoon, in the old community hall behind the Curry Ice Rink, he noticed a young man hunched over a piece of paper, sketching a route topo. That man was Ryan Sheridan — Yosemite local, master rigger, and a climber with deep connections in the Valley. Sheridan, without revealing that the project was for Kevin Jorgeson, told Olsen it was a personal goal. When Olsen mentioned his interest in photography, Sheridan asked a simple question: “Can you jumar (ascend a rope)?”
Olsen didn’t know the word, but he said yes anyway. He figured he could learn on the fly. Days later, he was trudging up Spires Gully, hauling gear toward Higher Cathedral Spire. Static ropes hung from the wall. Sheridan pulled out his jumars and gave Olsen a crash course in ascending fixed lines. Minutes later, Olsen was inching up hundreds of feet of rope into open air — his first time ever suspended on a wall — camera dangling from his neck. The climb was Blue Collar, a 1,200-foot 5.13d first free climbed by Jorgeson. Olsen split his time between late-night bar shifts and
predawn photography missions, learning to manage batteries in varying conditions, keep his lens free of condensation, dust and chalk, and work unobtrusively while climbers fought for tiny edges and invisible holds.
FINDING A VOICE
When the images from Blue Collar reached adidas TERREX, they took notice. Olsen’s work stood out — not just for technical clarity but for its feel. He favored natural light, wide compositions that placed the climber in the sweep of the landscape, and moments that hinted at the work and risk behind the send.
That same eye drew other climbers in. Sheridan introduced him to Sasha DiGiulian, and soon Olsen was traveling north for her Canadian Big Wall Trilogy: The Shining Uncut on Mount Louis, Blue Jeans Direct on Yamnuska, and War Hammer on Castle Mountain. The conditions were harsh: steep, loose limestone approaches, freezing winds, cramped bivouacs.
“He captured the essence of the climb without interfering,” DiGiulian says. “He worked in tough alpine conditions without complaint — like on The Shining Uncut, when we endured a heinous bivy on Mount Louis. When it’s time to send, he just turns it on.”
LIFE IN THE VALLEY
Olsen’s photographs have an authenticity that comes from living the same rhythms as his subjects. Like some concession workers, he split his time between physically demanding jobs and the adventures those jobs made possible. In winter, he shoveled snow in Curry Village. In summer, he hauled rafts for Merced River trips. The work was exhausting, but it kept him close to the walls and the people on them. When he wasn’t shooting or working, he was often at his cabin with friends — sharing meals under pine trees, listening to the Merced in spring flood, or wandering meadows at golden hour, watching the shadows climb El Capitan. Quickly, the climbing world stopped seeing him as “the guy with the camera” and started seeing him as part of the team.
That acceptance didn’t come without cost. Years of heavy labor and long days carrying camera gear up approaches wore down his body. He blew out his shoulder from slinging rafts and spent years unable to climb but he continued to shoot on the walls. As of August 2025, he says it’s finally healing, and he’s back on rock — favoring long, remote alpine routes in the Sierra Nevada.
BEYOND YOSEMITE
Eventually, Olsen left year-round park life, much as Denny did decades before. Today, he’s based in Cottonwood, California, where he and
Opposite
his brothers run the OK Corral bar. It’s a far cry from the granite walls of Yosemite, but the saloon has its own community energy. They’ve hosted live music, supported local causes, and recently held a fundraiser for a close friend and former collaborator facing serious health challenges.
Even from outside the park, Olsen’s work remains steeped in the places and people of Yosemite. He returns regularly to shoot — not only climbing, but also highlines over alpine lakes, rodeo arenas in rural towns, motocross tracks, and Castle Crags’ jagged granite spires. His subjects may change, but his
approach is constant: immerse first, then photograph.
A QUIET PARALLEL
The Glen Denny comparison is best understood not as a direct line but as a quiet echo. Denny’s path in the Golden Age — taking a wine steward and bartender job at the Ahwahnee Hotel, learning rope techniques from climbers, and embedding himself in their lives — has elements that mirror Olsen’s journey. Both of them came to Yosemite without climbing backgrounds. Both entered the scene through humble work, not sponsorship or resume. Both learned
the craft of vertical photography alongside the climbers themselves.
But Olsen’s story is very much his own. His Yosemite years unfolded in a different era, one where climbers balanced social media and sponsorships with the same hunger for bold lines. His images reflect that blend of modernity and timelessness — sunlit granite, chalked hands, the quiet moments before a big move.
THE WORK IN FRONT OF HIM
Olsen insists he’ll never “master” photography. He says that’s part of the draw — there’s always a new way to see, a new challenge to solve. This
He didn’t come to Yosemite as a climber — he left as something more than a photographer.
Clockwise from top: Sasha DiGiulian on lead going up Cat Squirrel 5.12 at Pat and Jack Pinnacle; Molly Mitchell on Largo Lunge V0 — easy but beautiful movement and rock to photograph; Kevin Jorgeson ascending up the Mother Earth wall to scope out a possible new free climb variation; Jorgeson looking at a hand drawn topo by Ryan Sheridan of an extention of the Mother Earth wall.
humility shapes how he works: he shows up ready to learn, whether it’s rigging on an unfamiliar formation, adapting to bad weather, or figuring out how to shoot highliners over a remote lake.
“During my time in Yosemite, I was constantly surrounded by people who were world-class at what they did,” he says. “That forces you to keep
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Clockwise from left: Three high liners on The Lost Arrow Spire; Chris Burkard squeezing himself up The Generator Crack 5.10c; Ryan “Captain” Sheridan midroute on Central Pillar of Frenzy.
improving, because everyone else is pushing themselves. You don’t want to be the one holding anyone back.”
The result is a body of work that, like Denny’s before him, is inseparable from the life lived to create it. The trust of the climbers, the long hours in the field, the willingness to step into something unfamiliar and figure it out — these are the real through lines between them.
Justin Olsen may not have come to Yosemite as a climber, but he left as something more than a photographer. He became part of a lineage of people who embedded themselves in the Valley’s climbing life, who learned the culture from the inside, and who used the camera not just to witness, but to belong.
To view some of Glen Denny’s classic Yosemite photos check out the Yosemite climbing museum in Mariposa. Denny and other seminal Yosemite photographers are featured alongside climbing artifacts from the late 1800s to present. Check out Yosemite Climbing Association’s website at yosemiteclimbing.org for info on museum visiting hours and location.
Clockwise from top: Jon Appleberry on Straight Ahead V9; Justin Olsen rappelling in Moab to capture people doing a massive rope jump into a canyon; Sasha DiGiulian on the overhung climb Meltdown 5.12c at the knobby wall.
SEASONS OF THE CANOE
California’s outrigger clubs blend Polynesian tradition, competition, and community
By Anthea Raymond
On quiet mornings in Marina del Rey, the harbor echoes with a single rhythm: paddles striking water in unison. Paddlers launch brightly colored outrigger canoes from the beach and power down the channel to the Santa Monica Bay, where waves and wind can add to the challenge. Somewhere behind it all, a man gives subtle cues to those newest to the sport.
That man is Calvin Hirahara, beloved novice coach at Marina del Rey Outrigger Canoe Club (MDROCC). For 44 years, Hirahara has quietly shaped the sport he loves as a paddler, coach, trainer, and builder. He grew up in his family’s woodworking shop, LA Shoji, where he and his father crafted delicate sliding doors of wood and paper. Those skills translated naturally into canoe fabrication after a chance encounter with legendary Hawaiian designer Sonny Bradley. Hirahara helped arrange for the first fiberglass Bradley canoes to be built in California, forever altering the state’s racing scene.
Hirahara is proud of his longevity as a coach. “If you think I’m a good coach, then I am. If you think I’m a bad coach, then I’m not,” Hirahara jokes, reflecting his humble style. When a newcomer struggles, Hirahara avoids singling them out. Instead, he climbs into the seat behind them and makes corrections in real time. Even if you don’t see him on the beach, his influence is felt in the hundreds of paddlers he has guided over the years.
A CLUB THAT REFLECTS THE COMMUNITY
At MDROCC, Hirahara is one strand in a broad web. Club secretary George Durzi, who joined three years ago, notes the club’s 150-plus members span youth, parents, competitive athletes, and even people recently displaced by the Palisades wildfires.
Outrigger canoeing, he says, can be “cradle-to-grave.” Grandparents sometimes paddle alongside their grandchildren, and athletes cross over from other sports after injury. Newcomers, says Durzi, should expect to spend a lot of time in six-person boats learning timing — entering and exiting the water exactly with their crewmates. “It takes a while to understand that,” he says.
For more advanced competitive paddlers, training and racing vary by season. In spring, the “iron season” brings shorter, no-change races that test speed. By summer, endurance takes center stage with long-distance events such as the Dana Point Whitey Harrison Classic in August, Oceanside’s Paopao in late August, and the 32-
mile Catalina Channel Crossing each September. In these longer races, nine paddlers rotate in and out of the six-person canoe. The fall and winter months shift focus to off-season training and preparation for the next year.
CULTURE ON THE WATER
Cultural traditions remain important to the club. Rooted in Hawai‘i, where outrigger canoe voyaging has been practiced for centuries, today’s California clubs carry that heritage forward — blending Polynesian traditions with local community life. MDROCC president Angie Miles, a 38-year veteran, insists outrigger is more than racing. She recently helped organize a Hawaiian-style blessing, or Ho‘ola‘a Wa‘a, of the club’s newest boat. Christened Kāholo, it is a sleek fiberglass Malama model built by ER Canoes.
The ceremony at Mother’s Beach in Marina del Rey was led by Kama, who guided the community in prayers and helped decorate the canoe with leis and other blessings before its launch. Several novice paddlers were among
This page, top to bottom: The Marina del Rey Outrigger Canoe Club men’s OC6 on the water at the 2025 Iron Champs (Southern California Outrigger Racing Association / SCORA); Calvin Hirahara with wife Ona after his 24th Molokai Hoe, a 41-mile crossing from Molokai to Oahu (George Durzi collection). Opposite page, clockwise from top left: A traditional Hawaiian blessing by Kumu Kapena, with Lehua Hulihe‘e and Patty Ana-Rashid, opens the 2025 Crystal Pier Race (SCORA); Paddlers and supporters gather to bless Kāholo, MDROCC’s newest canoe (MDROCC) Teammates welcoming paddlers back to shore after they competed in the first adaptive division race for SCORA at Crystal Pier (SCORA); Women’s and coed crews navigate a turn in the ocean during the Crystal Pier long course race (SCORA).
those paddling it for the first time.
“People show up looking for a reprieve, and paddling gives them that,” Miles says. “Competitiveness is great, but events like this remind us of how it all began.”
The club’s largest annual gathering is the Kahanamoku Klassic, held the first weekend in June. Hundreds of paddlers from the region — and occasionally Tahitian teams — fill the shore along Mother’s Beach. The fundraiser supports programs for novices, youth, and masters and helps maintain the fleet as well as purchase new canoes like Kāholo.
A COAST-WIDE NETWORK
MDROCC is just one of many outrigger canoe clubs along the California coast, stretching from San Francisco to San Diego. Each has its own rituals, training methods, and community flavor. Together, they form a vibrant network where competition, camaraderie, and culture intermingle.
Most outrigger clubs, like MDROCC, offer the curious a chance to get on the water, either through a structured training program or some practice paddles. Fall and winter are the best times to get started, before training for racing season begins.
To find a club near you, visit the Southern California Outrigger Racing Association at scora.org or the Northern California Outrigger Canoe Association at ncoca.com
SUP & KAYAK TRAILER
RACE & EVENT CALENDAR
Go to the EVENTS page on our website for more information and direct links to events.
Go to the EVENTS page on our website for more information and direct links to events.
CONFIRM DATES AND DETAILS WITH EVENT PRODUCERS.
CONFIRM DATES AND DETAILS WITH EVENT PRODUCERS.
BIKING
SEPTEMBER
6 — The Lost Coast Hopper / Rockport / GrasshopperAdventureSeries.com
12-14 — Mountains to Meadows and Grinduro / Quincy / QuincyMountainsToMeadows.com
20 — Gold Rush Growler MTB / Granite Beach, Folsom Lake SRA / TotalBodyFitness.com
27 — Ashland Mountain Challenge / Ashland, OR / CaliforniaEnduroSeries.com
OCTOBER
4 — Sacramento Century / Sacramento / SacramentoCentury.com
11 — Granite Head Trails & Ales / Granite Bay / GraniteHead.com
11 - 13 — California MTB Triple / Nevada City / UCI & USAC short track and XC racing / ybonc.org
11 — The 3F Century (Flat Fast Fun Bike Ride) / Colusa / 3FCentury.com
18 — Ride Santa Barbara 100 / Santa Barbara / RideSB100.com
18 — Tour de Lincoln / Lincoln / TourDeLincoln.org
18 — Heart of Gold Gravel / Nevada City / heartofgoldgravel.com
12 — Lake Evans Triathlon / Buena Vista / SierraCascades.com
19 — Ironman California / Sacramento / Ironman.com
Gear We Love
Goodies for your active lifestyle
1
O’NEILL HYPERFREAK 4/3+ MM CHEST ZIP FULL WETSUIT
The O’Neill Hyperfreak 4/3+ MM is built for those who want warmth, comfort, and flexibility in one dependable wetsuit. Using O’Neill’s TechnoButter 3 neoprene through the body and ultra-stretchy TB3X neoprene in the arms and shoulders, it delivers feather-light insulation with an incredible range of motion. The “+” adds an extra half millimeter of thickness — just enough to keep you warmer on chilly days without taking away from the suit’s famously lightweight, flexible feel.
O’Neill’s F.U.Z.E. (Front Upper Zip Entry) system makes the chest-zip easier to get in and out of while sealing out water. A 360° anti-flush barrier with drain holes and fully taped GBS (glued and blind-stitched) seams provide extra protection, all without adding bulk. Long sessions in cold California surf can be challenging, but the Hyperfreak’s weightless feel and quick-drying materials help conserve energy and keep you comfortable from start to finish. From paddling out to popping up, the Hyperfreak moves with your body — so comfortable you might forget you’re wearing it.
MSRP: $419.95 • us.oneill.com
2
QEJA RACE DAY CREW SOCK
QEJA’s Race Day Crew Sock is built with cyclists in mind, offering a lightweight, supportive fit designed for long rides. Made from 93% Q-CYCLE® recycled nylon — a yarn created from repurposed car and bike tires — plus 7% elastane for stretch, the sock provides gentle compression and a close fit that reduces friction. The seamless construction and left/right foot-specific design deliver a closer fit that minimizes pressure points, keeping feet comfortable for mile after mile.
Founded in 2021, QEJA (“kay-jah”) is a family-owned and operated brand, majority women-led. The name itself is an acronym of the founding family members, all of whom are active skiers, runners, and cyclists. Their vision was simple: create a high-performance cycling sock that’s sharp enough to wear every day. To bring that
vision to life, they partnered with a small Italian factory known for both athletic performance and the refinement of fine dress socks.
QEJA also takes a thoughtful approach to production. The socks are made with OEKOTEX certified materials — which means every thread has been independently tested and verified free from harmful substances. They also incorporate silver-ion technology for odor resistance and ship products in recycled paper packaging, reducing their overall footprint.
Available in black or white, these socks offer a clean, simple design that pairs well with any kit. Designed primarily for cyclists, these socks also work well for running — or simply as an everyday go-to when comfort matters.
MSRP: $24 • qejasocks.com
3
PINTER HOMEBREW SYSTEM
The Pinter makes brewing fresh beer at home simple, compact, and approachable. Instead of bulky equipment or endless bottles, the Pinter is a sleek countertop system that produces up to 12 pints of fresh draft beer directly from your fridge. Here’s how it works: add the brewing ingredients and water, let it ferment at room temperature for four to seven days, then chill in the fridge for a few more days to carbonate naturally. When it’s ready, just tap and pour. The closed system keeps beer fresh for up to 30 days.
What sets the Pinter apart is its all-in-one design — brew, ferment, condition, and pour from the same unit. Compact and fridge-friendly, it’s ideal for anyone who wants fresh beer without the fuss.
The system works with a wide variety of Fresh Press® beer kits, ranging from crisp lagers and golden ales to pale ales, IPAs, and even ciders. Available in several modern colors, the Pinter offers a clean, convenient way to keep great beer on tap at home.
MSRP: $149 • pinter.com
4 METOLIUS WOOD GRIPS II TRAINING BOARD
The Metolius Wood Grips II Training Board is an easy way to bring a bit of the climbing gym into your home. Made from smooth alder wood, it feels natural under your hands and is gentler on skin than resin boards — so you can train longer without shredding your fingertips.
This updated version comes in two sizes — Deluxe (24" × 8.5") and Compact (24" × 6.2") — and mounts cleanly above a doorway or on a training wall. Installation is straightforward with included hardware and
instructions, and Metolius even provides a training guide to help you get started. With a mix of jugs, slopers, pockets, and edges — 11 on the Compact and 15 on the Deluxe — the Metolius Wood Grips II Training Board offers plenty of variety whether you’re new to hangboard training or just looking to sneak in extra sessions at home.
Built from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood, it’s not only durable and good-looking, but also responsibly sourced. Fun to use and easy to stick with, this board makes finger training less of a chore and more of a routine you’ll actually look forward to.
MSRP: $109.95 –$129.95• metoliusclimbing.com
5 KLEAN KANTEEN RISE TUMBLERS
The Klean Kanteen Rise Tumblers are designed for everyday hydration, recovery drinks, and trailhead coffee alike. Available in 26 oz and 36 oz sizes, both feature a sturdy handle and a straw lid for easy sipping on the go. They’re just as functional without the straw for coffee, tea, or other hot drinks.
Generous capacity and a wide opening make them perfect for smoothies, iced tea, cold brew, or a post-ride shake. Double-wall vacuum insulation keeps drinks hot or cold for hours, and the durable powder-coat finish stands up to daily use.
True to Klean Kanteen’s mission, the Rise line is crafted from 90% recycled stainless steel and is both BPA-free and dishwasher safe, making it as practical as it is sustainable. The modern, clean design means it looks just as at home on a desk as it does clipped into a gear bag.
