September 2023

In this month's cover story, Dr. Michael Habicht writes about traveling halfway around the world and discovering there's no place like home.

a look inside

News Briefs

Camp Rich future up in the air

Spoke Junkie

Gary gets in the way back machine

Tahoe Dad

We did it!

Dr. Michael Habicht on the edge of Ama Dablam.

Serving Lake Tahoe’s South Shore Since 1994

The year was 1978 and my mom and my classmate’s mom were co-leaders of my Girl Scout troop. A young man named Virgil (last name lost to history) approached all the Girl Scout leaders in our town and offered to teach rock climbing at a nearby geologic formation. Only our troop took him up on his offer. I’m not sure why. Maybe a single male seeking the company of young girls seemed a little creepy, though Virgil was nothing but earnest and sincere. I asked my mom why she and our co-leader decided to engage Virgil. She said it seemed like a new, fun, outdoor activity for girls and then revealed the most important reason: the meetings taken up by Virgil were that many fewer meetings that the leaders had to figure out an activity for the troop.

I wish I could say that early exposure to rock climbing led to a lifetime of enjoyment scaling heights, but I can’t. While other troop members scrambled to the top of this rock and that, I remained near the bottom, barely able to get a leg up. About the only thing I remember is the instruction “nose over toes,” and even that simple edict was beyond me.

So, when Tahoe Dad suggested a story by his friend, local ER Doc Michael Habicht, about scaling

Ama Dablam in the Himalaya, I was personally less than enthused (though ascending a peak of that magnitude requires more mountaineering skills than just rock climbing.) But the Mountain News can’t be all about me and I know there’s a sizeable climbing community in town, so I agreed.

I was pleasantly surprised. I found the piece engaging and informative, eminently readable and not at all too technical. It didn’t make me want to run right out and conquer a mountain, or even a small hill, but I learned a lot about mountain climbing and the mental as well as physical resources required. Those of us in Tahoe also can relate to the parts of the story about unprepared people in what is likely the most remote backcountry on the planet.

I keep forgetting to mention it, but for the past two months, the Mountain News has been back online in a basic form. I intend not only to post our archive, but to make the site more interactive and timely, hopefully not too far in the future. For now, you can find each issue of the paper at a slightly different website than before, tahoemountainnews.net.

I haven’t covered the affordable housing issue in a few months, though I plan to pick it up again in

the future. On September 13 at 6pm at South of North Brewing, the group Tahoe Vacancy Tax will be hosting a party to kick off a voter’s initiative and screen the film, Room and Board shot on Tahoe’s North Shore, about the lack of affordable housing. I am not endorsing the event, nor am I endorsing a vacancy tax. (I’m not not endorsing it either), but I thought this event around an important community concern would be a chance to engage and dialogue.

We have all our great, local columnists this month as well as some other great pieces. Kae Reed answers our “Since” question this month and we already have a question lined up for next month. If there’s something you’ve been wondering about our community, submit a question for November . or beyond. Kae also writes about the future of Camp Rich as the concession was awarded to another company and not Bob and Tammy Hassett, who have operated it for decades and who have appealed the decision. If you haven’t had a Rum Runner in a while, now might be the time.

-Heather

Michael

David

Kathleen

Kathryn

In our city’s 58-year history, we have elected some qualified council members (winners), and we have elected some self-serving losers. The city has employed some unprofessional, duplicitous city managers and some dedicated public servants. We’ve had incompetent city attorneys who make one wonder how they ever graduated from law school or passed an ethics class, and the current city attorney who is the opposite of incompetent.

Our legacy is the long-term debt obligations of bungled financial deals and corruption. There were sweetheart deals and costly contracts born out of desperation to finish redevelopment and save face. The people who move and shake the South Shore made a mess of what could have been a transformative endeavor, but instead left the community with a hole in the ground and the need to pay back the almost $200M (not a typo) that was borrowed to facilitate redevelopment. Today the debt balance (more than 30 years later) stands at approximately $80M and the payments are being subsidized

by taxpayers. The city uses creative accounting practices to obscure that fact.

Despite the failures of our past and the persistent level of voiced dissatisfaction, there is reason to believe that things are improving. Our elected officials and city management have gotten better at holding their own in negotiations with TRPA, TTD, Caltrans, EDC, Heavenly and sleazy attorneys who endeavor to roll over the city. Speaking softly and carrying a big stick seems to be working. After years of squabbling with El Dorado County (EDC) over the shared ownership of the 56 acres, the city was able to negotiate an equitable lease agreement for the future. The attempt by the Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) to put a five-lane highway (Loop Road) through a poor neighborhood was shut down by council members Bass, Friedrich and Wallace (Cristi Creegan and Devin Middlebrook voted to approve the Loop Road).

The new rec center is finally under contract to be built despite

an eye-watering price tag of $80M and concerns by seniors over the agreement between EDC and the city to provide seniors with 9,000 square feet of space in the new facility.

More money is being dedicated to road repairs, which unfortunately will take decades to complete.

Snow removal equipment has been replaced and staffing problems are being addressed. And, for the first time, there is a proposal to annex Heavenly’s Cal Base Lodge into the city. This matters because Cal Base is currently in EDC outside the city’s planning and taxing authority.

OUR JOB

Holding our elected officials accountable while offering ideas and solutions for consideration is

our responsibility. We will win some battles and lose others, but living in a democracy requires participation and a reminder that the people we elect work for us.

As citizens we will find the need to bring our pitchforks to city hall from time to time, but we also have an obligation to acknowledge when they get things right. When bitching, we need to make sure we are directing our complaints at the responsible party. The city gets blamed for things they have no control over, and we need to know whom to blame and whom to thank.

The list of things that still need to be done is daunting and frankly unattainable with the revenue the city currently has available. A group of young community leaders are proposing a so-called “vacancy tax” on the more than 7,000 houses that are not occupied in our neighborhoods. If an initiative qualifies for the ballot, the voters will decide that issue.

TRASH TALK

South Tahoe Refuse (STR) has unveiled its new trash collection

policies set to start in late 2024. Four council members agreed to the changes by voting to approve a new franchise agreement.

Before anyone calls this a dumpster fire, just know that the new rules were mandated by a new California law (SB 1383) and STR is taking steps to comply, while navigating our area’s unique trash pickup obstacles. That said, there are legitimate concerns that could have been addressed before the council inked the deal. Firewise advocates are crying foul because STR plans to pick up fire fuel (green waste) only twice a month, undermining the city’s strategic plan for fire resiliency.

NEVER FORGET

August 30 marked the twoyear anniversary of the Caldor Fire evacuation. Our charred forests bear witness to the fate we thankfully avoided.

To be continued….

Vehicles that no longer run, have windows smashed out, tires missing or are a general eye-sore can all be towed whether they are on private or public property.

However, South Lake Tahoe officials for the most part only deal with cars and trucks in the public right-of-way, as in city streets, or ones that would be deemed a public hazard. The junker in a driveway is likely to stay there without intervention from the police.

El Dorado and Douglas counties also have rules pertaining to abandoned vehicles.

The general rule of thumb is set by the California Vehicle Code’s allowance for any vehicle to be parked on a street for 72 hours. If it doesn't move, it can be towed.

Snow removal adds another layer of regulations and enforcement.

Then there is abandoned vehicle abatement (AVA), which provides more options for officials on private and public property.

“AVA is allowable on private property, but we don’t focus on it unless it is egregious or a safety concern There are certain things a car has to do to qualify for AVA. It has to look inoperable, or being wrecked or junked,” explained South Lake Tahoe Police Chief David Stevenson.

Community service officers in Stevenson’s department handle these cases. A

– Linda Spivak

notice is taped to the vehicle citing the violation, with a certified letter sent to the registered owner reiterating the infraction and what needs to be done to correct the matter. Included is a notification that the vehicle

which (involves) another certified letter. Eventually, they are legally disposed of by the tow companies,” Stevenson said.

The Abandoned Vehicle Joint Powers Authority, which is comprised of reps from the South Lake Tahoe City Council (Scott Robbins), El Dorado County supervisors (Wendy Thomas), and Placerville City Council (Kara Taylor), oversees the pot of cash the state allocates to local jurisdictions to combat abandoned vehicles.

The committee convenes once a year; the last meeting was in November 2022. The JPA has an annual budget of about $40,000. Money comes from state vehicle registration fees.

In South Lake Tahoe in 2022, there were 23 AVA complaints, with 11 resulting in tows. Through mid-August, there have been 52 AVA notices, with 25 ending in tows.

Stevenson attributes last year’s lower numbers to staffing shortages.

Most complaints come from citizens as opposed to officers out looking for these vehicles.

something the city has to contend with on occasion.

Other vehicles the city can have towed are ones parked on a street with expired registration of more than six months.

When it comes to commercial vehicles on city streets, it’s the Development Services folks who are in charge.

“Businesses are required to maintain their parking and equipment storage on their property unless there has been specific permitting to utilize street parking. (City Code 6.10.340.H.3 handles this issue.),” says Hilary Roverud, director of Development Services. “Home occupations are not allowed to store equipment outdoors.” (For more info, see City Code 6.55.280D.)

Who to contact about abandoned vehicles:

• South Lake Tahoe—530-542-6136

• El Dorado County—530-621-6600

• Douglas County—775-782-5126.

GOT A QUESTION?

will be towed in 10 days if it is not removed.

“Tow companies go through a process to get a lien on the cars and junk the cars,

Motor homes can be tricky to tow, according to Stevenson. Public Works officials are called out to drain the tanks to make them safe before the tow company comes in. While these encounters aren’t common, it is

Email: mountainnews2@gmail.com

Mail: P.O. Box 8974, South Lake Tahoe, CA 95618.

Dear Editor:

The new proposed contract with South Tahoe Refuse has me concerned. I am the vice president of the Al Tahoe Forest Homes Association (ATFHA) which encompasses 120 homes. The ATFHA with the assistance of Al Tahoe Firewise has performed outreach efforts to our homeonwers to educate them concerning the risk of leaving combustible fuels, i.e. pine cones, pine needles, and fallen branches on their properties. I can attest to the diligent and conscientious efforts the majority of

our homeowners have made in clearing the fire fuels from their yards. The great success of our fire mitigation efforts has been greatly aided by South Tahoe Refuse collecting the numerous bags and cans of the pine needles and cones that the homeowners place in front of their properties each week for collection.

The loss of this convenience could severely impact our fire mitigation efforts. If the City goes forward with the new contract, it is imperative that the contract stipulates the exact dates when fire fuels will be collected.

These days should be numerous and their current policy of collecting multiple bags and cans should remain. Our homeowners have done great work in decreasing the risks of wildfires. The work not ony helps protect their homes and the Al Tahoe neighborhood, but the entire community of South Lake Tahoe.

Sincerely, Robert Lynch

I felt compelled to write a rebuttal to the venomous book review in your newspaper from somebody who doesn't know me and yet judges my character.

Furthermore, this person who calls me “Thomas,” not even “Mrs,” didn't mention that the photo in question on page 122 was of myself in my booth doing an art show in Tahoe where I resided for more than 20 years selling first my

homemade jewelry, then my photos, and finally the unique mobiles that I created from people’s trash, recycling.

I truthfully had no clue that the photo was copyrighted as it was in the newspaper with the photographer's name underneath. I did apologize to him.

I also want to clarify this article. I never used people as implied.

I wrote about my life adventures specifically to help women become more independent and free from men’s power. I understand my book cannot appeal to everybody, but this critic didn’t give me the benefit of the doubt and got personal.

Poupine Thomas

Are there any city codes that make it illegal to leave non-working cars parked on the street? Also, can companies park their heavy equipment on city streets for the summer?

Tahoe Arts Project Presents

The Golden Gate Austin Healey Club will be hosting California Healey Week in South Lake Tahoe, September 18 to September 22. Attendees will be putting these British cars through their paces around Tahoe highways and presenting a free car show at Heavenly Village on September 19 from 10am to 2pm.

The Tahoe Sierra Club and the Lake Tahoe Community College Geology Club will be hosting a talk by renowned Tahoe scientist Dr. Charles Goldman on September 20 from 6:30pm to 8pm. Goldman’s pioneering research has earned him the honorary title, “Godfather of Limnology,” which will be the focus of his talk. Beginning in the 1960s, Goldman partnered with the League to Save Lake Tahoe

to advocate against massive development plans that were poised to destroy the Lake’s health and natural beauty. Goldman has won numerous scientific awards, including the Dianne Feinstein Lake Tahoe Award. Register at https:// act.sierraclub.org.

The local favorite Dancing with the Tahoe Stars, a fundraiser for the Tahoe Arts Project, will be held on October 14 at Bally’s at 6:30pm. The contest features local contestants from all segments of our town strutting their stuff on stage. Tickets available at tahoeartsproject.tix.com.

On September 29, also at Bally’s, the Tahoe Arts Project presents Dance of Hope a Ugandan youth dance troupe. Expect a transformational performance of music and dance, capturing

messages of hope and resilience. Doors open at 5:30pm. Cost $10, adults/children, free.

Local Leon Malmed, 85, won the road, time trial and criterium events at the Masters Road Cycling National Championships in Albuquerque and is headed to the world championships in Europe. He began cycling at age 66 when a friend invited him to participate in his cycling club, though Malmed’s initial thought was, “why are grown men wearing spandex?” But he liked the camaraderie, kept coming back and began competing at age 78. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Vitalant will be hosting a blood drive on September 22 from 11:30am to 5pm at the Rec Center on Rufus Allen Blvd. Donors must be at least 16 years of age. Visit donors.vitalant.org to register using code SMFM062.

Since 1987

Steve Kurek ~ Piano Tuner/Technician (530) 577-5067

tahoepiano@gmail.com

Crawl Space formerly the Mommy and Me Support Group, meets virtually on Wednesdays from 1pm to 2pm for new babies and their parents. Featured speakers plus a chance to share with other parents. Visit bartonhealth. org/mommyandme.

The three winners of Wordwave, Valhalla’s oneact play competition, will see their scripts produced as staged readings at the Boathouse Theatre on September 30. Audiences will meet a speed dating couple that

puts new meaning in "it’s never too late" in Curt Strickland's "Speed Dating;” a mother and son's journey through life at different ages, all connected through art in "5 Views of David Hockney's The Arrival of Spring in Normandy, 2020,” by Amy Crider and a couple celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary or the end of their marriage in "Sam & Flo," by Gordon Farr

AARP Tax-Aide in South Lake Tahoe plans to expand its free tax preparation program next tax season and is recruiting new volunteers to serve the local community. Two types of volunteer positions are available: client facilitators, who complete an intake interview with taxpayers when they arrive at the Senior Center; and tax counselors, who complete tax returns after the intake interview and submit the return to the IRS for the taxpayer. Training for both positions is provided—no prior tax experience is necessary!

Interested in joining next tax season? Contact SouthLakeTahoeLC@gmail.com for more information.

The trail to Vikingsholm will be closed for repairs for a few weeks beginning September 18.

Construction is expected to run through mid-October.

Comedy, music or whatever. Locals can showcase whatever entertainment they have up their

sleeves at the Boathouse Theatre

Open Mic night on October 2. Doors open at 5:30pm, be ready to perform at 6pm!

Various agencies will be hosting FireFest 2023 on September 30 from 10am to 2pm at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Smokey Bear, burn house, helicopters and more for all ages.

The Nevada Department of Transportation is inviting the public to take part in an online survey to provide feedback about proposed future improvements to U.S. 50 on Tahoe’s East Shore, including potential temporary test restriping of a section of highway lanes from Zephyr Cove Resort to Round Hill Pines Beach Resort Members of the public can visit dot.nv.gov/US50EastShore by September 30 to participate in the survey.

Dr. Ryan Gaw has joined D’Ascoli Orthodontics Gaw earned his degree in dentistry from UCLA and completed a residency in Henderson, Nevada and is described as “bright, talented and energetic.” With Gaw on board, D’Ascoli Orthodontics will be able to expand its days and hours at its various locations.

Have a community item for Heard Around Town? Email mountainnews2@gmail.com, subject line “Heard.”

NYPD Detective Dan Crane is looking forward to just one thing: retiring in Nevada to be closer to his only brother. When Jay, a radar scientist employed by a major defense contractor, is murdered in his secure laboratory compound, Dan will cross the country, shredding the Department’s policy that stops a cop from working a case WHEN IT’S PERSONAL.

“WHEN IT’S PERSONAL is a first-rate thriller, masterfully woven with an insider’s knowledge of police procedure and resourceful detective work. Robert Max keeps you riveted once again, from the very first page to the last.”

—Terry Daniels, Chief of Police (Ret.), South Lake Tahoe, CA

 “I had to wait 3 years for this book to come out, and it was worth the wait! It has everything Crime/Thriller readers could wish for: including car chases, exciting story line, wonderful characters, high body count and even a little romance to even things out. This book is one of those ‘couldn’t put it down’ reads, so don’t miss it.”

—Mary Ann H.

South Lake Tahoe, CA

Local biker Leon Malmed, 85, won three gold medals at the Masters Road Cycling National Championships.

PILATES Mind/Body

Lower your pay ment for a whole year

Pets and death – a eulogy of sorts

The cat finally passed at home and with us, as opposed to being “put to sleep.” Not sure I’ve ever experienced it this way, given that most of my childhood pets got road-killed, and recent pets went by way of coyote and the aforementioned needle. In this case, he seemed relatively content right up to his last night, which isn’t to say he wasn’t suffering at all—just that he made a better case for being alive than not . until those last couple hours.

It wasn’t a long and painful death, but still hard to witness at the end, which I won’t detail here. It’s those brief, final moments you wish people and animals alike could be spared.

When we’re young and we experience the death of a pet, it teaches us a little bit about death and dying that comes to our aid later in life when we lose people we care about. We don’t realize it at the time, but even as a child, we witness that suffering pet, and aside from the compassion it elicits, we are forced to wrap our head around that concept of something (or someone) being there one day and then not there the next—or any day to come. It shifts our existential perspective somewhat, and with each passing of a pet—or a grandparent or uncle and so on—we are brought a little more into that mystery of loss and grief.

Even much older, a pet’s suffering and dying expands our empathy and forces us to think about our own eventual suffering and dying. How will we approach that experience? Will resentment and fear overtake us? Will we rail against God or fate? Will we go in the way we imagine we should? And more important, are we doing what we could and should be doing with our relatively limited time here?

And if there’s meaning to be found in suffering and death, maybe it’s at least partly in these types of questions.

All deaths add to our insight and wisdom and humanity. One more example: As this loss of the beloved “Boof” was still fresh, Anne suddenly reflected on how her dad (who passed years ago) would admonish her and her siblings, “It’s just an animal . . save your love for people” when they would emotionally grieve a pet’s passing. I get what he was trying to emphasize—that human life has a higher purpose and value (I know some of you would disagree!)—but it also became clear to Anne

that he was saying this at least partly to “harden” his own heart to protect himself from that same grief. After all, he was a softie—especially when it came to the cats that would sit on his lap, and cats do know whom they can trust.

We do this with pets sometimes; we know we’re (generally) going to outlive them, and we know it’s going to hurt at least somewhat. It’s understandable.

And yet, ultimately, we do need to experience loss and grief of various kinds in order to grow—and also to properly value its opposite, love and life.

On a side note, there will have to be a change in our house going forward. I mean for Anne, of course. See, she does this thing where she’s talking and I ask, “Are you talking to me?” and she says, “No, I’m talking to the cat.” So now, she’s not going to be able to pretend that she’s talking to the cat instead of to herself like a crazy person. So that’ll be an adjustment and I’ll have to keep you posted.

The Annual Race against the Changing Seasons

Summer means projects around the house and this summer meant more projects for most folks after the winter we just had.

This time we got ourselves into a project that grew beyond the imagined scope, an experience that I’m sure sounds familiar to many. After we got going, it grew in complexity, which is another way of saying time and money.

Then there’s the annual wood gathering, chopping and stowing process that’s always a good time . . or multiple days of good time. Oh, and the painting needed here and there . and don’t forget the driveway patching and re-sealing. Suddenly the season seems tighter and the to-do list more pressing than it did on a warm July evening.

Related to the projects, I’d like to give a shout-out to a couple former students and allaround awesome people that Meeks is lucky to have—Chris Thorne and Jodi Motta. Also to Zeke, another former STHS grad, small engine service magician at ACE Hardware.

As always . . . feel free to email MikesMutterings@gmail.com

Dr. Michael Habicht has been guiding, climbing, and adventuring in the mountains for the past 30 years, often with his wife Monique and their two sons, Logan and Connor. In addition to working as a local emergency room physician, teaching wilderness medicine and founding the Tahoe Climbing Coalition, Dr. Habicht recently traveled to Ama Dablam, a nearly 7,000-meter peak in the Himalaya, one valley away from Everest. What follows is his story.

It is 1am and Brad, the Australian, was getting up again to urinate in our tent vestibule. Gross. It was never clear to me who had the rights to the tent I share with Brad. The Sherpa guides had set up a collection of tents at Camp 2 early in the season and they were available on an informal first-come, first-camp basis. Not carrying my own tent saved me about four pounds. I thought that was worth it. I was wrong.

Brad also had a nasty “Khumbu cough” and no etiquette about which way he sprayed his sickness in our tiny nylon enclosure. It was hard to blame the guy; he was out of his depth like almost everyone here, he really didn’t know any better, had likely never peed into a bottle before and our tent was perched along a snowcapped knife ridge where you can’t walk more than five steps in any direction without encountering a 2,000-foot fall. He would leave tomorrow. I would push on. I had known Brad would be bailing as I watched him waddle alone and cold into camp as his Sherpa was helping (or really hauling) another client from Thailand through a section called the Yellow Tower—a section I broke trail through earlier that day.

What was I doing here among the tallest mountains in the world with an older divorce lawyer from Sydney with bad health and hygiene? Like most things in life, it seemed like a good idea in the abstract. I was turning 50 in a few months and I felt this was my chance before getting too old to push myself in the mountains. This was my chance to accomplish something grand. Ama Dablam is a striking peak; most people know it as the Paramount movie mountain seen in the title sequence of a film.

At this point, I’d been on Ama Dablam for three weeks waiting for a weather window, passing the time moving up and down the mountain for exercise and reading 11 books on my phone. The window opened. This was it. I started from base camp four days ago. This would be my final push. Now or never, I had to get back to work and life and family at some point.

The plan was for me to break trail from Camp 1 to Camp 2. Well, that’s not

quite accurate… the Sherpa guides volun-told me to go first. It had snowed 10 inches in the last 24 hours; we had to create a new trail in the snow as no one had summited for several days and Camp 2 was empty. I would follow fixed ropes until a lead Sherpa caught me halfway and took over. I didn’t see him or anyone for 11 hours.

I plowed into unfamiliar terrain along a jumble of fixed ropes for hours. This included airy traverses where I had no idea if the snow below me was a rocky ledge or just 1000' of air. Turns out it was mostly air. I must have slipped a dozen times catching myself or just falling onto ropes with my ascender. This never would have happened in good conditions. Normally this is supposed to be a lovely two-hour romp in lightweight shoes of 5.7 climbing at 20,000 feet. Instead, this was a snowy death crawl in heavy boots that took me four hours to reach Camp 2 where I waited for another five hours until anyone else arrived. I was able to rest and was ready to make a summit push that night, but I really didn’t want to break trail solo to the summit. So, we decided as a group to take a rest day at Camp 2, which is how I ended up spending the night with the great Australian cough and pee machine.

I wanted others to break trail this time. Here’s the roster of climbers who slogged through the snow to Camp 2: John and Elery, a lovely couple from the Netherlands; Olga, a Bulgarian lady who looked like she could run an ultramarathon without breaking a sweat; Mew (“Like

a special heat conduction base. I gave up trying to keep it separate from the Sherpa gear because I would wake up and find it in use with parts scattered everywhere. When you melt snow for 10 people and you have a stove that can do it in half the time, you become a very popular guy. My stove ran for about 10 hours straight.

Everything at that altitude takes time, lots of time: hot drinks for 10 people, hot soup for 10 people and hot instant meal for 10 people all on a single (my) stove. At dusk, I felt great. No effects of altitude at all except any effort whatsoever winded me; just crawling over Brad piss was exhausting.

We napped and relaxed the next day until 10PM. Then it was time to go. It took about an hour to get dressed and ready: four layers on bottom, five on top, head gear, gloves, helmet, harness, boots, crampons, hot water and snacks. Tip: keep your water and snacks in a deep pocket. Everything freezes.

Terrified, I calmed myself and waited until the rope in front of me was empty. Safer (never safe), I felt ok. Besides insta-princess was next in line below me and if I let her pass again my night was over. Now with only Pengba, his client, Bart and Ethan in front of me, it was moving much faster. I would lose them, then catch them every time a steeper section caused a bottle neck. It went on like this for hours.

When we were in sight of the summit, the rope vanished. The last 200 meters of fixed ropes were wiped out by an avalanche sometime during the past week of storms while I waited for this one precious weather window.

ly stopping you and possibly exploding with the force of a 30mph car crash into your waist. So, you ask why wouldn’t you just safely rappel every rope every time?

Speed. Rigging every rappel takes an extra few minutes and some ropes are only 10 feet to the next anchor, requiring a few extra minutes of effort to go the next 10foot section. There are a hundred sections of rope to pass through. The longer it takes, the more likely you are to die from avalanches, ubiquitous rock and ice falls from the climbers above, cold, fatigue, altitude. Speed is safety. It keeps you warm and moving and alive.

a kitty cat,” she told me) from Thailand, who had essentially no skills; Brad, my aforementioned Australian Ebola carrier who left; me, and Ethan, the other solo climber. Each of the remaining “clients” (John, Elery, Olga, and Mew) had a Sherpa guide, which meant there were 10 of us attempting to capitalize on this break in the weather.

The one unquestionable advantage of my forced hiatus at Camp 2 was the setting: with a full moon, I was fully encircled by jaw-dropping cliffs, glaciated basins, and magical, silhouetted mountain ridge lines, punctuated every few hours by avalanches. At first, I’d just hear a low thunder and then I’d scan the horizon for the telltale puffs of snow. From afar, they’d look innocent, almost soft, not the freight trains of snow and ice I knew them to be.

Mealtime came and I was integrated into the group as a pseudo-client. I guess the Sherpa guides thought I didn’t have any food, or they felt guilty for all my trail breaking or more likely, they wanted my stove. I had (past tense on purpose) the best stove-pot combo at camp. It was a MSR universal with a Primus 2L pot with

When the time came, the 10 of us who remained prepared to make for the summit. I was among the first ready to go, but as I didn’t want to break trail for a second time, I waited for the client groups to get going. The Bulgarian lady was slow,

eo while her guide put on her boots for her. I’m not kidding—she just sat in her brandnew down suit while her boots were placed on her feet and laced up.

It was decided that the insta-footgram-kitty-cat-princess and her guide were to start first because they would be slow. I chose to hitch myself to Pengba and Bart who were likely to be fastest along with Ethan. We watched as Mew and her Sherpa guide started off about an hour ahead of us. They made it maybe 200 vertical feet in that time before we caught them. Then we couldn’t pass them on the fixed ropes for over an hour. We watched, horrified, as Mew was pushed, pulled, and hauled inchby-inch. As a 30-year climbing veteran and wilderness first responder, I had witnessed some head-scratchers in the mountains, but this was next-level irresponsibility. She had no business being on this mountain. Mew was literally risking the lives of nine other climbers.

As I didn’t have a partner, a rope, ice screws and anchors, I couldn’t continue the last bit to the summit in “alpine style.” We were climbing a route that relied entirely on fixed ropes established at the beginning of the season and none of us had the requisite equipment. When the lead Sherpa Pengba came to a shredded rope with an anchor dangling from it, unsure if anything was anchoring us to the mountain, he wisely turned around and advised us all to do the same. Sherpa guides are supposed to get a $1,000 summit bonus, so we were pretty sure this was the right call.

Pengba, Bart and Ethan and I all knew this and all made efficient progress down the mountain. Efficient until we caught up to Mew and Olga. They both required guides to lower them through every difficult section. It took us over four hours to get to our high point and over six hours to get down. We were at 21,000 feet on a windy, knife edge ridge. Two of the Sherpa left their clients to help Olga and Mew. Now four of us were just standing still while they were lowering these two ladies inch by inch down 2,000 feet of rock and ice. People were getting cold. Hours of stillness. Only one person can be on a rope at a time during a rappel. Olga came to an anchor, then the next rope moved sideways in a traverse. She called up in broken English, asking what to do next.

“Help I’m stuck.” Ethan and I were at the anchor 200 feet below. We called back several times and all we could hear was “Help!” John had stopped moving. John's Sherpa was 200 feet below helping lower Mew. Abandoned, John needed us to go back up. Because he was last in the chain, he had been waiting the longest and gotten the coldest. His hands, no longer functioning, could not unclip his carabiner or set up his rappel. He was stuck hanging from a rope shivering. Sunrise was still two hours away and John was in a life-threatening situation. It was decided that I would go up to help and Ethan would remain as a relay since we could barely hear each other. I raced back up the 200 feet of fixed lines to John. I moved as fast as possible at 21,000 feet and I estimate it took me nearly 20 minutes. Once reaching John, all I could do was breathe for five minutes. We just had to wait until I was capable of functioning. John probably would not acknowledge this, but he was confused, hypothermic and incapable of following instructions at first. He was trying to speak Dutch to me, after all, we had spent a week at base camp together without speaking Dutch and had become friends. He is a 20-something medical student about to join the Dutch navy for his residency, stuck on a rope at

but moving; Ethan, the solo guy, was much like me; the couple from the Netherlands was ready to go, but Mew was taking vid-

Eventually we were able to pass just before a steep vertical ice climb. We moved by, climbing the ice with our crampons and sliding a one-way device (jumar) up the fixed ropes. If you’re good at this, you put a light pressure on the rope and climb mostly with your legs. If you’re bad at this, you pull completely with your arms and weight the rope fully with every step. Most clients are bad at this. At one fateful moment, I realized that there were four people fully weighting a single rope while “jumaring,” something the rope manufacturers never intended and the questionable anchors in the snow and ice were, well, questionable. This was nuts. You wouldn’t do this on perfect rock anchors rated to 10,000 lbs with new ropes and never on older ropes anchored into ephemeral ice with razor blades on your toes. This was my personal low point the whole night.

I am satisfied that I gave 100 percent effort on this adventure. The mental fortitude to wait out illness and weather, the physical strength to carry my own equipment (minus tent) and the emotional capacity to calm myself at 21,000 feet at midnight with no partner to discuss the situation—all were oddly what I wanted out of this experience. I’m sated. The high point just below the summit is all I will ever know of Ama Dablam. I’m not coming back. If you were only curious to see if I summited and read this far, congratulations, you can stop. I didn’t summit and at this point in the story, all I wanted in the world was to go home. I still had two days of trekking and a flight back to Kathmandu. If you want the rest of the story, keep reading. It gets worse.

As is often said, the summit is only halfway. Down is more dangerous than up. Once the decision was made, I turned and began the long process of down-climbing and rappelling. If you’re efficient at this, you end up making some really hard decisions about safety versus speed. You can hand-over-hand down the ropes, but if you fall, you will likely be severely injured. While you’re still clipped into a rope, you will free fall slide until the leash and carabiner catch the next anchor, abrupt-

The Sherpa who lowered her told her to wait. I interrupted “you must keep moving —this is getting dangerous.” The Sherpa who was 30 feet below me gave me a look and grunted a “tsk tsk” noise at me. I started to lose my patience but instead of trying to force anything, I went back to my mantra of being a leaf in a stream. I was warm. The sun would be up in four hours, I was safely clipped into an anchor, I could wait. But not everyone was doing so well. I was near the end of this human chain and every time I would complete a section of rope, I’d call up that it was safe to descend. Somewhere at hour four of minimal movement, I called up to John above and heard back,

21,000 feet, incapable of using his thumbs to untwist the locking mechanism on a carabiner. One of the most capable people on

Dr. Michael Habicht acclimates during the climb to Camp 1.

Starting up the mountain in the jumble of ice and snow with Pengba and John in front. Fixed ropes guide climbers along a knife's edge ridge.

M OUNTAIN N EWS C OVER S TORY

Continued from Page

the planet thwarted by cold thumbs.

I rigged a dual rappel system, clipped John and the rope into me and I rappelled with him 100 feet to the next anchor. Ethan had climbed up to that point, offering help. We secured John into the anchor and rigged a way to get him down the next two sections, helping him with what’s called a fireman belay so if he lost control, we could stop his descent safely.

By this time the sun was just coming up and the movement warmed John back into a functional state.

John, got him back to helping himself and we still caught up to the useless clients below. Two hours of effort with the people and guides below us blissfully unaware of the drama above.

Now, I was livid. Watching Mew and Olga being pushed and pulled over every inch of difficult terrain should make every climber wish for more regulation, more training and more personal responsibility.

to Camp 1 by 1pm and napped for a bit and moved on.

Waiting to rappel down the mountain.

Remarkably, I ascended, rescued

After 13 hours of effort, we were back at Camp 2. Some decided to nap but most of us wanted to just get down. I rested for two hours and gathered the parts to my stove and decided to get down that day. Ethan and I left camp at the same time and headed out. Around 10:30 we caught up to Mew again. She had left with her Sherpa guide almost immediately after getting to camp. It was bright, sunny and safe around noon. I just said, “You must let us pass” in my most commanding voice, and it was done. I made it

I made it to base Camp 5 hours later, just in time for dinner. The season was wrapping up. The base camp staff packed away all the tents but mine. I got the hint. Time to go home. I had my first beer in three weeks as a celebration. Staff made a little cake for me. I gave away my pot and stove to Pengba. I offered him a tip or the stove. He wisely chose the $400 stove/pot combo as I had no more cash at camp. But he didn’t know that. Thrilled in Sherpa-speak is a nod of gratitude.

I acknowledge that I climbed in a mixed self-reliant and “guided” fashion. I learned a lot about fixed rope climbing in the Himalaya. I still would not want to be guided. I like being able to make my own decisions, which I think was critical in helping my fellow climbers. I still have a lot of selfdoubt about my skills and experience but now I know I’m capable enough. I confirmed on this trip

Seeing the Forest Fire for the Trees

This month's guest column is by Dr. Kathleen McIntyre, the forest health and Envionmental Improvement Manager for the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency.

Tahoe’s forests influence our lives in many ways. They perfect Tahoe’s scenery, offer peacefulness on a hike, and form the cornerstone of a functioning ecosystem where a healthy forest supports a healthy lake. The ever-growing threat of wildfire in the basin has become just as much a part of our life in the forest.

For thousands of years, the forests in the Lake Tahoe Basin took care of themselves. Low intensity fires crept through the forests, clearing underbrush and thinning tree stands. In the 19th century, pioneers clear-cut the basin’s forests, responding to a need for timber in the silver mines of the Comstock Lode. Today, Tahoe’s forests are overcrowded and littered with dead and dying trees, making them an easy target for catastrophic wildfire.

Changing this is a massive undertaking in which everyone plays a role, and incredible progress is being made at all levels. Following the devastating Angora Wildfire in 2007, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) has maintained a sharp focus on helping improve basin-wide coordination, streamlining policies, and significantly ramping up public funding for forest health projects.

To date, Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team (TFFT) partners have reduced forest fuels across more than 92,000 acres, with 71,000 acres of that since the Angora Fire. Some of these projects helped firefighters save Lake Tahoe from the 221,000-acre Caldor Fire just 24 months ago. Since the Caldor, there is a new tempo, advancements in strategy, and expanded coordination around evacua-

Blue Lake Animal Care Center looks forward to providing quality, compassionate care for your furry friend.

Mon-Fri 8-6 • Sat 8-4:30

(530) 600-3911

1154 Emerald Bay Rd. www.bluelakevet.com

tion preparedness that are leading the basin forward.

Forest Resilience

As climate change continues to alter Tahoe’s ecosystem, traditional fuel reduction is being scaled up. TFFT partners continue to plan and prioritize fuels treatments in the wildland-urban interface, where neighborhoods meet forests. Together we are more than halfway to their goal of completing an additional 22,000 acres of treatments in these areas by 2025.

Strategies are also being broadened in alignment with the National Cohesive Fire Management Strategy to include more use of prescribed fire, among others. Over the past two years, 2,100 acres have been treated by prescribed fire, including understory burns and burn piles.

Power Line Resilience Corridors

In the era of mega-fires and increasingly powerful storms, utility providers on both sides of the lake are working with public land managers to increase clearance around high-voltage lines while also conducting fuels treatments in the same zones. Last year, utility companies worked with TFFT partners to treat 570 acres of power line resilience corridors in Nevada and more than 300 acres in California, where an additional 500 acres are planned. This new partnership and innovative approach to forest resilience requires seeing the forest fire for the trees and recognizing that safety goals can be achieved while also improving and protecting the integrity of the forest.

Homes and Neighborhoods

Removing excess vegetation on individual lots is also an important piece of the puzzle. Fire agencies conducted a record 7,960 defensible space inspections last year to give homeowners a plan to make their properties safer. Since 2008, inspectors have conducted a whopping 63,000 evaluations. Public agencies have finished initial treatments on more than 7,000 conservation lots spread throughout Tahoe neighborhoods and continue to actively manage these open spaces. More property owners are acting together as well. The Tahoe Network of Fire Adapted Communities has grown to 24 neighborhoods that are coordinating defensible space and evacuation preparedness, with some getting access to better insurance rates.

Evacuation Preparedness and Coordination

Concerns about emergency preparedness and evacuation are reverberating throughout Lake Tahoe communities. Our hearts go out to the residents of Lahaina, Hawaii and the many others affected by recent disasters. The tragedy on Maui hit especially close to home with the Caldor evacuation so fresh in our memory. Earlier this year, TRPA joined regional emergency response and fire agencies to improve evacuation coordination and learn where we can provide the greatest assistance.

To help get people out of the basin safely in an emergency, TRPA is learning that we must maintain our supportive role

working with local law enforcement. We will also continue working with partners to secure funding to keep up forest fuel reduction work along evacuation corridors and around critical utility and communications infrastructure. Upgrading water infrastructure to improve fire suppression is also a major priority of the Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program.

Increasing Capacity for a Healthy Forest

TFFT is focused on increasing capacity to continue to improve forest health and address the worsening impacts of climate change—not only through additional funding, but also by finding more solutions for biomass utilization and material transport, expanding the use of prescribed fire, and increasing investment in the local fire and forestry workforce. Examples of these can already be seen in the new sawmill in Carson City, the successful 13-acre understory burn conducted in June by the USDA Forest Service on South Shore, and the new forestry program at Lake Tahoe Community College that is guiding graduates to high-demand jobs in the region.

TRPA and our partners are committed to reducing wildfire risk and restoring our forests to a safer and more natural condition. With everyone’s help, we can preserve the best traits of Tahoe’s forests while keeping communities safe and protecting the lake. Find out more at tahoelivingwithfire.com.

SCAN FOR OUR CURRENT SPECIALS

NATURALFOODS MARKET

Groceries, dairy, bulk food, organic beer and wine, coffee, energy bars, cereal, snacks, body care products

PRODUCE DEPARTMENT

One of the largest selections of organic produce at Tahoe

NUTRITIONCENTER

Complete selection of vitamins, supplements & herbs

Kathleen McIntyre, Ph.D.

Dr. Neil Powell • Dr. Ellen Sears

Limbo. That is the space in which Camp Richardson Resort exists.

That’s because after 23 years of locals Bob and Tammy Hassett running the resort, which includes the Beacon restaurant, 38 cabins, the 27-room hotel, campgrounds, general store, ice cream parlor, and mountain sports center, the U.S. Forest Service has awarded the special use permit to a company out of Kansas.

The Hassetts have lived at Lake Tahoe a combined 90 years, with years of operating the facilities at Round Hill Pines Beach Resort in Nevada, as well as being former operators of Lakeside and Timber Cove marinas in South Lake Tahoe. Advenco, the company taking over, will be new to the Lake Tahoe market. No one from Advenco returned multiple calls.

But the Hassetts aren’t ready to relinquish their hold just yet. On Aug. 30 they filed an appeal with the U.S. Forest Service, which owns the Camp Rich facilities. That’s why the resort is in limbo.

“We want to make sure the process was done correctly,” Bob Hassett told the Mountain News “We want to make sure all facts were considered. We also want to make sure they know how important it is for the marina and resort to be operated together.”

The appeal will be reviewed by Regional Forester Jennifer Eberline. The regional office is in Vallejo.

Daniel Cressy, public services staff officer in the South Lake Tahoe office, said, “The appeal process has some fixed timeframes and some discretionary timeframes. We would work to resolve any appeals ahead of the Oct. 31 expiration of the current special use permit.”

He didn't elaborate on what fixed and discretionary timeframes mean, nor was a more precise date for a decision forthcoming.

Application process

Four entities applied to be the concessionaire. The Forest Service, though, said it would not release the companies’ names until at least the appeal process is over. Nor would the public agency provide any details about the applications—like what each company proposes to do to the site, nor the financial agreements.

The Forest Service requested a minimum eight percent of gross sales, though an applicant could offer more. That figure is more than what is in place today.

The Forest Service has also failed to explain what led it to pick Advenco over the three others.

Cressy said, “The forest supervisor reviewed all submitted

proposals and selected the proposal that best serves the American people into the future.”

Starting Nov. 1, the special use permit is valid for 20 years, with the possibility of a 10-year extension. (The stables have never been part of this deal.)

This was the first time the Hassetts had to apply for renewal of the permit.

“Basically, it called for a very extensive business plan, as well as an operating plan,” Hassett said. “Our plan was to invest millions of dollars into the resort to make improvements to the facilities, but without expanding it. Over the years there have been millions of dollars invested into the property.”

He would not give specifics about improvements.

The Hassetts had no warning they would not be continuing on as operators at Camp Rich.

“We have been told by the Forest Service we have done a good job. They gave us Round Hill (Pines) nine years ago because we had a done a good job. That’s part of the reason we were somewhat shocked,” Hassett said. “We are very concerned for our 200-plus staff, and we are concerned for the guests who have literally been coming back for decades.”

He is left with endless questions. They don’t even know what the transition, if there is to

But not all of the property in the area is publicly owned.

Camp Richardson Marina is owned by Camp Richardson Resort Inc. Specifically, the Hassetts own the marina, the 800-foot-long pier, and the 110 buoys registered with the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency; however, because the state owns the land under them, the Hassetts have a long-term lease with the California State Lands Commission for the pier and the buoys.

In all, the Hassetts own almost two acres at the water’s edge. This includes a warehouse “which supports the whole resort” and the walkway from the restaurant to the marina office.

So, the marina and pier have been part of the overall resort operations for at least 38 years.

If Advenco retains its rights to the special use permit, it means the resort and marina will have different operators.

It also puts a question mark on whether the marina name would need to be changed. Hassett does not believe he will have to change it.

Facts v. rumors

The prospectus also said it wants the next operator to relocate the ice cream parlor, coffee shop and Mountain Sport Center to the lake side of Highway 89 in order to minimize congestion.

planning would seek to minimize disruption to public service,” Cressy said.

However, the prospectus said operators could upgrade the commercial kitchen to meet

codes, or start from scratch. Bottom line is a restaurant must be part of the resort. A demolition and rebuild means the TRPA would be involved.

be one, would look like. At least the Forest Service hadn’t had a conversation with them by the first week of September.

Hassett, though, has had conversations with Advenco, however he would not say who initiated them. He hopes for a smooth transition if operations do change hands.

Not knowing who will operate the facility makes it hard for either entity to make concrete plans, and leaves workers

However, the USFS in documents about the resort says it owns the name Camp Richardson Resort.

“The facility has operated as Camp Richardson since the 1920s. The Forest Service intends for the facility to operate as Camp Richardson Resort,” the USFS said in responding to applicants’ questions.

Camp Richardson got its name from Alonzo Richardson who bought much of the acreage

In 2000, the Hassetts bought Camp Richardson Resort Inc. from a South Korean company for an undisclosed amount of money. This gave them sole ownership of the marina and pier. They also took over the special permit, with the Forest Service’s approval, of the entire resort.

How the Hassetts run the combined interests at Camp Rich is as though it’s all one seamless business. Buoys are held for lodging guests. Some are set aside for those boating in for the day. The Hassetts would not have to do any of that going forward. With the pier and buoys being private, they don’t have to make them available to the public. An option would be leasing the operation to Advenco. Or they could sell the marina and pier to the Forest Service or someone else. Many possibilities exist. What the Hassetts are actually contemplating is unknown.

Then all the people at the tent campgrounds (which have 100-plus sites) and the RV park (with 100-plus hookups) would have to cross the road, so whether moving the amenities from one side of Highway 89 to the other would really lessen foot traffic is an unknown. Plus, these people are already crossing the highway to get to the lake and restaurant.

(There are another 100 tent sites on the lake side.)

While Facebook chatter says the Beacon is going away, the Forest Service says that is not true.

“The restaurant at Camp Richardson Resort will not close. Depending on the nature of the future remodel, all or portions of the restaurant may temporarily close during renovation; project

current public health and safety codes and standards, and improve facilities to meet today’s building

As for who owns the name Beacon Bar and Grill, the Forest Service isn’t sure. Or if it has figured this out, it’s not telling the Mountain News.

In answering questions to the bidders, the USFS said, “Changing the name of the restaurant may be considered.”

Camp Richardson Resort Inc., not the Forest Service, has the rights to the secret mix of the Beacon’s signature drink, the Rum Runner. So, if the Hassetts aren’t operating the resort, Oct. 31 might be the last day to get a Rum Runner at the Beacon.

wondering if they will have a job going forward.

Possible complications

The Hassetts’ business name is Camp Richardson Resort Inc. It has been registered with the state since 1985, but has only been in the Hassetts’ name for 23 years.

in the 1920s. He is the one who had the hotel and some other buildings constructed.

In the late 1960s, Richardon’s son-in-law, Ray Knisley, convinced the Forest Service to take the land and keep the area public from Taylor Creek/ Baldwin Beach to Pope Beach, including Camp Richardson.

The Forest Service wants the ice cream store moved to the other side of Highway 89.

The beach at Camp Richardson is popular with locals and tourists.

The Rum Runner is the Hassetts proprietary cocktail at the resort.

I confess. I really did have the best intentions. The vacuum fully charged and humming in my ear, the mop pouting in the corner, pleading for attention. But my little dictator had other ideas. And she let me know in her subtle manner, pouncing on the vacuum, snarling and running in circles around me, yipping and leaping in to attack again. So I immediately did what any responsible dog owner does. I completely relented to her demands. Dropping the vacuum, I grabbed her highly decorative and completely underutilized leash and headed out into the woods.

As anyone who has mangled their brain cells living at altitude knows, the forest is always waiting. Its sweeping evergreen arms embrace us the moment we cross meadows saturated by rivulets of natural springs and carelessly tossed in rainbow-hued tangles of wildflowers. We enter the pines and find sanctuary in the sun dappled shade. I do this daily . . often more, if the dog battles persist, forcing the vacuum to sur-

Easy Come, Not So Easy Go

render and the mop to call a truce. So with the firm conviction that I will clean the house another day, perhaps this week or maybe next month, we head into the solace of the woods. I amble dreamily along the trails as my doggie-warlord bounds over sagebrush, chasing imaginary vacuums. The river’s current swiftly catches and guides paddle boarders and drunken sailors partying in their steadily deflating rafts. Guttural clicks vibrate the summer-soft air as two eerily prehistoric sandhill cranes cross the rose and apricot clouds in a sun-fading sky. And then my little despot stiffens in alert, hackles raised in a furious spiky crown. She’s prepared to defend me from an invisible enemy, whether it be coyote, bear or vacuum. Alarmed, I stop . . and hear . . music? The strum of guitar strings . . . a rich, warm, masculine voice floating on the afternoon breeze. Each note of his song pitch-perfect and hypnotic. And even though my hormones left town years ago in search of

someone new to torture, it’s a— dare I say sexy?— come hither, universal plea of love. You would have to be filled with ice cubes from frost-bitten ears to frozen toes to resist the musical lure of Julian. Yes, that’s his name. A young Spanish man, with a richly accented voice and the welcoming openness of a plate of warm cookies and chilled shots of Tequila. Between bits of conversation, he continues to strum, weaving his song into magnetic magic. Don’t just take my word for it. After Julian introduced my tyrant-dog to his guitar, she kissed his outreached hand.

Always take time to embrace the spontaneous gifts along a forest trail. They are easy come.

Sometimes gifts arrive in a different way. Perhaps by way of a man in a Dickensian frock coat, wearing a mop of white hair. Which is actually a mop. And he will recite the story of Christmas by memory, with drama and flair. Or he’ll insist that everyone gather on the beach to celebrate the rising of the supermoon. And the sky fills with dense clouds, obscuring the event, but everyone sings and dances, eating with sticky, sandy fingers, passing the bottle with abandon. We tell stories and lies and try to recall memories and names obscured by the dense clouds of age.

This was my friend, Tom McGowan—first to rise on a summer morning to scull, reverent as he crosses Tahoe’s cobalt waters, rising in winter to nab first chair at Heavenly and first to throw an end-of-season celebration for the lifties.

Never afraid to show up in costume, whether an Elvis wig or a pirate’s patch, he was the creator of poems and songs, from rap to the blues, which he sang at the

drop of a pirate’s hat. Always the instigator of a spontaneous party because he believed fun should be taken seriously. The main rule being, there are no rules when it comes to having fun.

Tom loved family, friends and his beautiful life partner. He never called anyone a stranger, but a potential lifelong friend. And he made it his mission to celebrate the people in his life, support them through the hard times, make them laugh. He had gratitude for friendships, as they are life’s true treasure bounty.

Tom never hesitated to remind us, “If there’s anything you really want to do, today’s a very good day to start”—because he grabbed each day and squeezed the sweet essence of life from every moment until the end. He graced us with his joy for living, his honesty, generosity and kindness. He was a gentleman. He was a gentle man. And he was deeply loved by all who were fortunate to know him.

Easy come. Not so easy go.

We did it! Thank you. Thank you to all who came out to “Slow Down in Our Town,” the Critical Mass bike event last month. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it’s safe to say that this event exceeded whatever expectations I had: sheer numbers, spirit, diversity of riders, and police support. Just wow!

Critical Mass events around the world typically are done in opposition to or defiance of the laws and rules that local jurisdictions enforce. This defiance is done to draw attention to the inequities and lack of safety designed right into our streets and sidewalks. Inequities like repaving Pioneer Trail, but not the shoulder of Pioneer Trail, forcing cyclists into the traffic; lack of safety, such as the glaring absence of a designated school zone at South Tahoe Middle School.

What happened on Friday, August 25 between 6pm and 7pm, would not be characterized as defiance and rule breaking, though.

It was a celebration—a celebration

of bicycle power and the right to exist and share the streets with cars, a celebration of the fact that after public pressure and local government support, Caltrans backed off their ill-conceived plan to raise our local speed limits. It was also a celebration of teaching kids about civic engagement—that their voices and concerns matter.

I personally feel that the police presence during our ride

a productive, supportive, and safe way. Lieutenants Liles and Miller blocked the major intersections for the 100-plus horde of cyclists and held the intersections until we were all safely through. This was invaluable. It kept our group together and helped convey a spirit and purpose of safety to the many parents and families who rode with us.

I know that there are many

“I personally feel that the police presence during our ride made all the difference . . we citizens of South Lake Tahoe are lucky to have local police that are willing to engage with community activism like this in a productive,supportive, and safe way.”

made all the difference. It is unusual to have local authorities supporting a mass demonstration aimed at disrupting a town’s flow of traffic. I think that we citizens of South Lake Tahoe are lucky to have local police that are willing to engage with community activism like this in

folks locally who would like to see additional Critical Mass bike rides in South Lake Tahoe and beyond. Councilman Robbins suggested at the event that we look at pushing across the state line as there have been recent decisions by the Nevada Department of Transportation that have made it more dangerous to be a cyclist in Nevada. Other folks would like to keep events centered locally around schools and our South Tahoe neighborhoods. Regardless of what happens in the future, I feel that we owe it to the South Lake Tahoe Police Department to continue to engage with and get feedback from them on how to keep any rides or demonstrations safe and family friendly.

When Matilda and I met with Mayor Creegan earlier this

summer, we discussed all the steps that our community has taken to improve the bicycle infrastructure we know and love. We do have a multitude of fantastic, segregated bike trails and a veritable cornucopia of world-class mountain biking opportunities.

TAMBA and the Lake Tahoe Bike Coalition are amazing advocates for our rights and our access. What we lack is a cohesive pedestrian and bike-centric orientation for our town. Too many of those fantastic, segregated paths deadend or abruptly cross a highway.

Too many kids on bikes cluster on narrow three-foot sidewalks waiting for a light to change while cars and semi-tractor trailers zip by at 40-plus miles an hour inches from their front tires. And most glaring, our central artery, Highway 50, remains as poorly planned and discombobulated as ever, with speed limits jumping up and down, with a center suicide lane that sees regular violent accidents, with whole stretches of road lacking crosswalks or anything to keep kids and cyclists safe.

The other goal of any Critical Mass event is to flip the paradigm from cars to bikes, to allow cyclists the fleeting feeling of power on an asphalt world designed to make them feel exposed and vulnerable. It was a momentous thing, especially for all the kids in attendance to ride confidently and at their own pace down the center of a road without fear of speeding vehicles, protected by

the sheer number of their fellow cyclist protestors. That feeling of power is what civic activism, and sometimes a smattering of non-violent civil disobedience is all about. I feel humbled and grateful to our community, to all those individuals and families who decided to be there, who decided to not sit this one out, who decided to take a stand for safety and children, who decided to be engaged citizens and not bystanders, who decided that democracy only works when your voices are heard and your bikes and bodies are in the streets making a difference! Again, thank you, thank you.

I’d like to keep our momentum going. I’d like California Assembly Bill 43 to pass so that our local leaders can set our local speed limits, instead of leaving it up to Caltrans and asinine machinations like the 85th percentile. I’d like to do another ride, but I’d like to talk to our local police first and make sure that they are on board with whatever path we decide. More is accomplished when we come together with a shared vision.

MC Behm is a full-time resident of South Lake Tahoe and author of “Once Upon a Quarantine” and “The Elixir of Yosemite.” To learn more or respond to columns visit www.behmbooks.com or email mcbehmbooks@gmail.com.

It’s the afternoon before Thanksgiving Day. I load my sleeping bag and bike in the back of my car. I head over Echo Summit for Marin County with one big thought in the back of my mind: “I hope my car will make it!” Four hours later and with little more than a burp or two from my little old Vee Dub, I roll into the cool little town of Tiburon. First things first, a beer with the boys at the Cove Bike Shop. What? Where?

Oh, I guess I forgot to mention it is 1980, the Vee Dub is my old 1969 Volkswagen Squareback, and I am headed to Fairfax for the Appetite Seminar on Mount Tamalpais. But back at the Cove Bike Shop, this shop, run by the Koski family, was the nation’s first mountain bike shop. The three brothers there—Eric, Don and

Dave—were the ones I went to drink a beer with, although Don, the consummate tinkerer, was who I was more interested in as he was the creator of that bike I had stuck in the back of my Squareback.

Don Koski and motorcycle racing legend Mert Lawwill, along with Terry Knight, custom motorcycle frame welder, had built the Pro Cruiser bike at a time when all these folks around that area were creating some exciting and rebellious ideas about what a bike could do. People like Joe Breeze, Charles Kelly, Gary Fischer, Alan Bard, Otis Guy, Charlie Cunningham and others were all

there riding these bikes we called Clunkers or Klunkers, I guess depending on which letter you liked best. Originally made from old balloon tire bike frames, their favorite was the Schwinn Excelsior modified with parts to make them more suitable for offroad riding.

A couple friends and I were even building and selling some here in the Tahoe Basin during the late seventies. A Klunker built by us would cost you about 600 bucks, but we were never cool enough to find any Excelsior frames to build on.

At some point, those old frames just weren’t enough anymore, and those aforementioned names started to make custom frames. Mostly it was a few frames for some friends, but it was Don, Mert and Terry who built the first production bike. They built right around 500 of them and I was lucky enough to get one, and that

was the bike I had come to ride in the Repack downhill race.

Ah yes, the Repack. We would meet at the Fairfax Theater parking lot. About 30 riders and a few dogs showed up. A flatbed truck with stake side boards—you know, like for carrying cattle—showed up and started shuttling riders up Mount Tam. They got us to a point and we rode the last bit up on Pine Ridge, the starting line.

This race started in 1976 rather informally after riders had been doing the 1,300-foot, 2.1-mile-long drop for fun, which of course always turns into a race and so it did. At first there were races every week, then monthly and eventually just one bigger event a year. The course was fire road, plenty steep and with lots of sharp turns, some banked and some off camber. Lots of turns and rough sections had names and whenever trails have named parts, you had better be on it!

Another important thing to understand is the reason for the name “Repack.” Remember that most of the earliest Klunkers only had a rear coaster brake and by the time you reached the bottom of the mountain, the brake would have gotten so hot, the grease in that rear hub was cooked and smoking like a meteor falling from the

sky. So the next morning, you had to repack the rear hub with fresh grease.

Back in 1980, at the starting line up top, I’m fired up, a little nervous but ready because I have my new Pro Cruiser all built up and ready for a fast drop. You see, this is my second Repack. My first was on one of my homemade Klunkers, alright but not quite what the Marin crew was riding so . . I just enjoyed the drop. Crashes were frequent, and past races had been won by the only rider that didn’t go down! And remember, this was before helmets were the norm, and Levis were good protection.

The start is time trial style, one at a time, two minutes between each rider. My turn: this bike feels good, stiffer, better brakes, gears, yeah! I’m feeling pretty fast until some maniac comes up behind me, really fast, misses the turn, goes by me on the outside, in the ditch, on the front wheel as he almost goes over the bars, pulls it off and is gone! Oh sh*#, that was Gary Fisher! I guess I am just enjoying the ride.

The race continued until 1984. The last two years were sanctioned by NORBA, which just made the event too big and with too much commercial influence; I guess it started to lose its soul but Repack was the first downhill race in the country.

I don’t even know who won that race but it sure was fun, and I still have both bikes I rode there, restored back to exactly how I rode them then. I love jumping on them for a ride now and then. Boy, have things changed, and then, nothing has changed; sleeping bag, bike, go ride!

Let’s play!

Gary Bell (18th from left) and company pose for the Appetite Seminar Ride on Thanksgiving morning 1980.

Jessica Michelle M Jessie

I thought I would take some time this month to catch you up on some films streaming that you might not know about. Here are three recent films I think are interesting. Oh, and sorry, but I caught all these while Teresa was at work, so no Teresa recommendations.

The first, Lola is a unique mix of history with a sci-fi twist, on Amazon Prime. In 1939, Sisters Thom and Mars have built a special type of receiver they call LOLA. What makes it special is that LOLA can intercept radio and TV broadcasts from the future. This allows them to listen to music, see TV shows, newscasts and commercials from any period. Watching and listening, the sisters latch on to the music of David Bowie and the early punk movement among other things.

But when the Second World War breaks out, they decide to use the machine for good to intercept information from the future that could help military intelligence

against the Germans. LOLA initially proves to be a huge success, rapidly turning the tables against the Nazis. However, like all things that mess with time, one action can create another, which can move things in different directions and take a disastrous turn.

What also makes this film unique is that it is created in the style of Blair Witch. The premise is that someone in 2022 has discovered a bunch of old film footage from the ‘40s in an old house, and all that we see are the various clips that were discovered linked together. Director Andrew Legge also shot most of the black and white footage on vintage cameras of the time, making it look like it was actually shot during the �40s.

Using LOLA to see the future eventually messes with the present and changes the very future they were watching. The film explores not only the unplanned results of messing with the future, but also shows how small things

Trumbly Tattoo Removal

can completely change society. The alternative history that unfolds is chilling, to say the least.

Like all time alteration stories, you do have to suspend a lot of disbelief, but it doesn’t ruin the fun. Overall, Lola is an imaginative, unique film that provides a break from typical summer releases.

Another new film out on Netflix also has a sci-fi flavor with a twist and it’s called They Cloned Tyrone Start with a drug dealer, a pimp and a prostitute in a rundown black neighborhood called the Glen. Everyone is doing business as usual when the drug dealer, Fontaine, crosses a line and is shot and killed by a rival dealer. This is witnessed by the pimp, Slick and one of his girls, Yo-Yo. Next thing you know, Fontaine is waking up in his bedroom, no gunshot wounds apparent and he goes to visit Slick and Yo-Yo to try and find out what happened. They understandably freak out, and at this point the inner-city tale of desperate people stuck in a rut changes gears.

The trio, trying to figure out what happened, discover an elevator that leads down to a giant laboratory, and things get much more complicated on a level way beyond their small neighborhood. Besides being a sci-fi mystery, They Cloned Tyrone is also a comedy, not always overt, but very much a comedy. In essence, it is a satire of all the tropes of black

life in the inner city as well as an homage to blaxploitation. Some of the humor is simply having three characters who could have come right out of Boyz in The Hood trying to solve a mystery that is way beyond their worldview. Add to this some excellent performances by Jamie Foxx as Slick, John Boyega (you know, Finn from Star Wars) as Fontaine, and Teyonah Parris as Yo-Yo.

On another level, the film also operates as a giant metaphor for how black communities are controlled by the forces around and outside of them. Overall, They Cloned Tyrone is a clever, offbeat, sci-fi comedy with unique characters and settings and some great performances from the talented leads.

There is also a new take on a classic story with the film Carmen now showing on Prime.

Carmen writer-director Benjamin Millepied, who choreographed the film Black Swan loosely adapts the 19th century story into a gritty modern-day tale. It starts with two characters, Carmen, a fierce young woman fleeing her home in the Mexican desert after a gunman kills her mother, and Aiden, a former marine suffering from PTSD who becomes a volunteer guard at the Mexican border looking for illegal immigrants.

After his partner commits cold blooded murder, Aiden takes things into his own hands and is forced to flee with Carmen, who

is trying to make her way to Los Angeles to find an old friend of her mother with the police on their heels. Right off the bat, the film is filled with haunting landscapes, striking visuals and mysterious images while maintaining a gritty sense of life barely above the poverty line.

The overall feel reminds you of a David Lynch film, complete with symbolic imagery and dream sequences. About a third of the way in, those dream sequences come in the form of dance. From this point on, dance becomes the central expression of both Carmen’s and Aiden’s fears—and their connection to each other.

The choreography, mostly modern ballet, is very expressive and beautiful within the stark settings.

Carmen is a fable of love and loss with dance, music and mysterious imagery. The story is not complex, but with all the dance and symbolism, it is also not linear.

As with a lot of art on film, sometimes it moves a little slowly, giving in to style over substance. And that’s what the film is, an art piece about passionate love and loss, expressed with music and dance, set in the gritty reality of those who live at the bottom of the economic ladder.

Benjamin Millepied's Carmen is a new take on an old classic.