SierraDescents | Page 21
September 20, 2013
Sunset at Plateau Point
From camp I looked at the sky and it didn't look too promising. My feet were sore, my back was sore. We'd already been out to Plateau Point that morning. I was happy to just (more)
September 6, 2013
The Well-Cooked Andy
First of all, I apologize. I knew writing about our record-cool first two weeks of August was just asking for trouble, and I did it anyway, and of course mere days later Los (more)
August 29, 2013
Look Pivot
Where Alpine equipment is concerned, I generally believe nearly all modern bindings are safe and effective. That said, there is still variation in performance and durability. (more)
August 19, 2013
A Very Cool August
I do like to check in on the weather now and then for the archives, and 2103 has been an unusually cool August for us here in the Los Angeles basin. I can't find any hard sources (more)
August 16, 2013
House of Pain
Olancha Peak has long commanded my attention. First of the Southern Sierra's big mountains, Olancha can be thought of as the range's regional ambassador. Drive Highway 395 north (more)
August 13, 2013
La Sportiva Xplorer Mid
La Sportiva's lightweight Xplorer Mid is not at all the shoe I was expecting. In terms of weight, stiffness, and structure, the Xplorer is almost an anti-boot. The Xplorer Mid is (more)
August 3, 2013
What The Heck Happened to Windsurfing?
At one time I was a windsurfer first and a skier, believe it or not, a very distant second. My dad and I caught the leading edge of the windsurfing phenomenon way back in the (more)
July 23, 2013
Olancha Peak Panorama
Man, did I underestimate this one. Trevor and I buzzed up San Gorgonio Mountain a few weeks ago with relative ease, and based on that speedy little jaunt I was expecting Olancha (more)
July 16, 2013
Airhead Na Pali
If you've ever driven up to a scenic mountain lake and found yourself wishing you had a paddleboard or a sea kayak, Airhead's inflatable Na Pali is worth a look. When not in use, (more)
July 15, 2013
Summer Ski Tips
Waterskiing, that is. Ironically of course when I lived in Arizona, I was out on the water all the time, but now that I live two miles from the Pacific Ocean, I basically never (more)
July 11, 2013
The West’s Fiery Future
If you want a canary in the coalmine for climate change in the western U.S., try Northern Arizona's Coconino National Forest. The forest features the world's largest contiguous (more)
June 27, 2013
Trust Issues: Steripen Freedom
I've been twice burned by Steripen's Adventurer hydrophoton water purification device, so forgive me if I'm a little less than glowing in my comments. No, the problem wasn't that (more)
June 26, 2013
The South Fork Loop
"Don't tell me how far it is," I say. I don't want to know. We're at the Mill Creek Ranger Station, waiting for it to open so we can get hiking permits. You need permits to enter (more)
June 16, 2013
San Gorgonio Panorama
At just over (or maybe under) 11,500 feet, San Gorgonio Mountain is Southern California's high point, considerably eclipsing rivals San Jacinto Peak and Mount San Antonio. This (more)
