Castle Peak

An easy local hike from the trail head off of highway 80 is just three miles to Castle Peak at 9,103 ft., partly via the Pacific Crest Trail. Along with being graced by the presence of a marmot, the summit afforded an excellent 360 degree view of the surrounding area's ranges, peaks, and mountain lakes. Mule's ears, Indian paintbrush, blue flax, lupine, larkspur and an array of other native wildflowers were in full bloom during the last week of Spring.

"In the Spring I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours." - Mark Twain (American author)

Collaboration 101

Sunny and 75 degrees made for fine weather to get outside and work in the wilderness last Saturday. That's exactly what a bunch of determined volunteers did in the Dog Valley Meadow area in the Toiyabe National Forest, just a few miles north of Verdi on the edge of the eastern Sierras.
 
The purpose of the project was to protect the natural yet fragile meadows from intrusive off-road use by irresponsible users. The delicate riparian area is vital to the ecosystem of the area and sustains a variety of wildlife including a large mule deer herd that utilizes the location as a major migration route.

The Nevada Four Wheel Drive Association, Hills Angels 4x4 Club, and Friends of Nevada Wilderness all joined together with the U.S. Forest Service to dedicate the day to restoring a vehicle trespass path into a single track hiking trail and building an extensive barrier on the road alongside the meadow to safeguard it from future abuse.













Camaraderie was in the air as Pulaskis and sledgehammers swung, picks and shovels broke ground, drills spun, levers worked, saws cut, dirt and dust flew, legs and backs lifted, jokes were told, and water gulped.

The current drought conditions were apparent as the constitution of the soil was extremely dry and hardened. But the workers labored through and ultimately placed and secured a total of 78 large wooden poles along the roadside, all contributed by NV Energy.

After the task was completed, everyone gathered for a delicious feast of foods and BBQ buffet, generously prepared by many of the volunteers.

Altogether, the hard work was accomplished by U.S. Forest Service staff and local volunteers which accounted for 36 heads, 8 dogs, and 4 youngsters. The forester leading the project estimated that the hours of labor donated by the volunteers equaled approximately $7500. Thanks to the efforts of volunteers and donations from other agencies and contributors, out of the $80K it cost for the grant of this project, a whopping $60K of those funds will be returned to go into the OHV Green Sticker Fund program. Not a bad day's work.

In the end, habitat was protected, trails and public access remained, money was saved, and people partnered in service to the community. Even the project's de facto mascots approved.

For video click: here.

"Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success." - Henry Ford (American entrepreneur)

Ignis Quo

So it's that time of year again. When precipitation and humidity decrease, heat and dryness levels increase, and these variables combine in orchestration to create the ideal conditions for rapid oxidation leading to combustion, i.e., wildfire. Nothing new here, this region is notorious for it. The fact is though, these conditions have been significantly heightened by the recent drought and by those severe effects in which it has had on the land locally, and on the entire American West.

While it only burned 760 acres, the recent fire in May of the Hunter Falls area marked an early start to fire season in the Reno/Tahoe area and gave a heads up as to what this coming summer might hold in store. We are currently under a red flag warning due to the weather and multiple conditions holding high potential for extreme fire behavior. Be attentive out there.

The Hunter Creek Trail has been reopened since the fire and is accessible for your recreational pleasure. It's a popular location for local hikers, runners, bikers, and equestrians. The trail, varying in spots from smooth to rocky, gradually wanders up through the base and walls of Hunter Canyon, alongside Hunter Creek, and eventually leads to Hunter Falls in the Mount Rose Wilderness.

The vegetation filling the canyon includes a variety of fir and pine trees, quaking aspens, willows, mountain alder, low sagebrush, rabbit brush, and some scattered cottonwood and mountain mahogany trees. You're likely to spot a variety of birds, including red-tailed hawks, ravens, Stellar's Jays, mountain quail, sparrows, wrens, and possibly an eagle at the right time of year. Other animals to spot are black-tailed jackrabbits, cottontails, a myriad of ground squirrels and chipmunks, coyotes, mule deer, and if you're lucky, a bobcat.

Not only do the fires threaten it as a favored recreational spot, the Hunter Creek area surely provides important habitat for wildlife as well. Luckily, there are dedicated citizens out there who have been working hard to maintain and keep healthy this esteemed spot in our backyard.

In particular, they have been focused on eradicating the invasive weeds that have established their way into the area. These weeds include the Musk thistle, an aggressive, biennial herb that dominates and eventually replaces the native grasses and forbs of the area. This growth compounds considerably after a fire, and turns around to create an environment which fosters conversion to a non-native landscape and ultimately increases the risk of future fires occurring.

The eradication of these invasive species is a timely process, but considering what is at stake, it is a meaningful one. Here's a glimpse at some of the stewardship efforts being done in the area to help prevent future fires. And here's a link to more info on how you can lend a hand with local efforts: Volunteer

Take some time and learn to understand the dynamics of the land, what it needs and what it doesn't, how it's effected by various conditions, get to know the wildlife that depend on it, and realize how much these natural resources provide for our own livelihood. Be grateful for those open spaces we have available, practice sound stewardship, reap the benefits, and pass the land down honorably to future generations.

“Protector and destroyer were two sides of the same coin. Who knew which one would come out in a toss-up?” - Mina Khan (American author)

Mountain Survival

Hard to believe this July will be 14 years since I attended the Mountain Survival Course at the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in Pickle Meadow, just outside of Bridgeport, CA. The location was originally used during the Korean War as a cold weather training regiment and later became a permanent station. For over 60 years the Marine Corps has partnered with the U.S. Forest Service and has been training U.S. and foreign service members to prepare them for operations in mountainous, high altitude, and cold weather environments.

Training was three weeks invested in the majestic and rugged eastern Sierra at elevations ranging from 7,000-10,000 ft. The area was lush with a variety of pines and an assortment of lakes and streams which are well known for trout fishing. The base also bounded the northern parts of Yosemite National Park, which as you can imagine, afforded some spectacular scenic views.

I remember there being a Chilean soldier in our class, standing no higher than 5' 6", whose abilities resembled that of a mountain goat as he had plenty of experience scrambling in his home range of the Andes. There was also a Swedish soldier who naturally wasn't disconcerted by frigid weather, but this was the summer course; some would say we were lucky.

We trained in everything from fire making, procurement of water, creating expedient shelters, foraging for plants and insects, use of game, survival fishing, animal habits, tracking, priorities of work, survival medicine, mountain weather, navigation, expedient tools, evasion, and signaling and recovery to name a few. A critical emphasis was also placed on a sound comprehension of the psychological aspects of a survival situation and how significant a healthy mental attitude is to life or death - lessons of which I'll keep for life. We trained in groups and individually.

I vividly recall the meditative time spent with self and with the mountain during the isolation phase. One of the days I had finished my wilderness chores for the morning such as fire-blowing a bowl from wood, gathering water, and boiling up some pine needle tea. Planning to conserve energy and escape the midday sun and heat, I later took refuge under some shade provided by a lodgepole pine tree on a hillside which was also well-suited to observe the animal behavior in the meadows below.

I found a comfortable spot and gladly lounged up against the hospitable pine's trunk. Just next to where I sat was a line of black ants, intently moving along their highway and getting things done, doing what ants do. This turned out to be a convenient food source as I sat there and casually plucked away at the ants, one by one, and acquired some much needed intake for the day. While they provided some minimal calories, it surely wasn't enough to tame the hunger.

A few hours had passed and I distinctly remember dreaming of more of those sought-after calories. I found myself staring at the mountainside in front of me about a kilometer away and it appeared that something was propped up on its slope. The image appeared to be a giant billboard glimmering the image of a juicy In & Out burger. Could this be heaven? After drowning in the dream for a moment or two, I snapped out of it, cursed my imagination for the momentary splurge, apologized to the stomach, and soon realized it would take a lot of ants to live up to this fantasy.

A few more days into isolation and the calories had picked up some. While traveling to and from different points of work, garter snakes had crossed my path many times and I had successfully caught and eaten four in just three days. There is a rule that nothing goes to waste in a survival situation. Although I remember when I caught the fifth garter I thought to myself, "I'm full and tired of skinning and eating snake today." So I released it back into its grassy labyrinth of a home. Nothing wasted - perhaps we'd cross paths another time when I'd really need it.

Those were just a few of the experiences. Three weeks later, along with some pounds lost, we came away more aware and skillful in the mountains. Pickle Meadow was a notable experience and valuable training for any service member who gets the opportunity to attend. Some timeless wisdom was passed on that can be hard to find elsewhere. Thanks to the Corps, my instructors, classmates, and of course the mountains for another treasured memory in the Sierra Nevada. Semper Fi.


"I learned how much of what we think to be necessary is superfluous; I learned how few things are essential, and how essential those things really are" 
- Bernard Ferguson (Chindit commander, Burma 1943)

Trek (and Ice) On

The weekend offered up a late Spring trek along the east rim of Lake Tahoe. The plan was to meet with other hikers at the Spooner Summit trail head. It was a late arrival and I had just missed the pack so I embarked on my own, figuring I would catch up with them later. I soon did and we continued onward north following the Tahoe Rim Trail.

The route took us in and out of forest canopy, principally of old Jeffrey pines, which kept us cool from the noon heat. As we steadily ascended, the canopy became more sparse and of course the air became naturally cooler. Six miles out we reached our objective, Snow Valley Peak standing at 9,214 ft. What an honor for a peak to be named such within the Snowy Range? Just sayin'. Although it barely got by with living up to its name, as there were only a few patches of snow still remaining above 9,000 ft.

The group planned to stop and rest, enjoy the view, and then head back down to the trail head. But it was still on the noon hour and I wasn't ready to call it a day just yet. Memory reminded me that the trail head map showed the trail continued onward north to Marlette Peak; not to mention the peak was in plain sight and staring right at me as it towered above Marlette Lake. So we exchanged goodbyes, I parted from the group, and decided to head towards the new objective.

With a few detours and random wanderings, it totaled about four miles down and up to Marlette Peak along a sandy trail that skirted via the southwest, with largely open and rocky terrain above 8,000 ft. An oasis of shade was found under an isolated grove of pines so I sat down and indulged in a sandwich while being entertained by a lone mule doe frolicking in the open brush 150 meters below.

When it was time to head out I decided to descend a mile into the Marlette Lake basin, skirt the east side of the lake, and lead directly south along a mountain bike path for another five miles down to Spooner Lake. Along with being passed by a few riders on the trail, the unique calls of a Northern Goshawk were heeded, a rare hawk species that utilizes the Marlette and Spooner basins as prime habitat. When I finally reached Spooner Lake, another mule deer was spotted as it sprinted through a lush aspen grove along the shoreline, startled by my presence.

Some exploring around Spooner Lake was had for a bit and I then headed back up to Spooner summit for another one and a half miles. Seven hours and 18 miles later it was back at the point of origin. As I drove home past Sand Harbor and spotted people on the beach and in the water, I thought to myself how enticing that sounded at the moment. So I pulled over, checked the trunk, and realized that a sin was nearly committed by failing to have an extra pair of swim trunks in the car. Note to self. Lesson learned.

I stopped and grabbed a glass of some savory lager and said hello to a friend at a restaurant on the north shore. As soon as I arrived home, pants turned into trunks and the new objective was to head five minutes away to Donner Lake. A jump in its cool waters followed and I swam out for some time and enjoyed the relaxation as others lounged on the docks and the sun ended its tenure for the day. It was like a natural ice bath and damn it felt good.

Late that night, as I awoke to the inflammation in the legs from trekking just hours prior, realization hit that perhaps I should've popped an ibuprofen during dinner. So I proceeded to take one more bath. With a half tube of Icy Hot. It did the job, sleep was regained, and now there exists a new aroma in the house to savor for a day or two.

"After a day's walk everything has twice its usual value." - George Macauley Trevelyan (British historian)

Rocky Allure

It was George Mallory, an early mountaineer who perished on a 1924 expedition to Mt. Everest, who was asked by a New York Times reporter, "Why do you climb mountains?" He simply responded, "Because they are there." Adding to the surplus of simplicity found in Mallory's answer, the reputable Sir Edmund Hillary once stated, "...you really climb for the hell of it."

This generic question has been asked many times before, and will surely be asked many more, yet the answers are bound to vary for everyone. Including both complex and simple answers, there's a good chance that there are as many reasons as there are people who long to climb mountains.

Some common justifications range from conquering the technical challenges the mountains present, dabbling in the mystery they exude, enjoying the outstanding opportunities for solitude, recreation, capturing that stunning photograph, testing oneself, or facing both the discernible and covert risks the peaks can bestow. World-class climber Conrad Anker explains more comprehensively how risk is a critical element for his motivation: http://vimeo.com/95029300.

The above photograph is of Mt. Morrison in the Eastern Sierra near Mammoth Lakes. This shot was taken during a science trip to the Mono Lake basin in the high desert on the edge of the Great Basin, an already desolate and austere environment. So what might draw someone to head a dozen miles west with the interest of ascending a landscape of pure rock? More desolation and austerity, of course.

My biology professor informed me that he nearly died on a trip to this mountain when his party began to uproot unusually large boulders while trying to scale the main face. Morrison is notorious for its composition of poor quality rock (choss) that is extremely loose and crumbly. One of the routes is even appropriately named the "Death Couloir".

As harsh as some peaks can be, they veritably accommodate life too, especially for those intrepid seekers of summits. Just take a gander at those rocky peaks and jagged ridgelines and witness the sun rise or set above them. What's not to love? At the very least, perhaps it can leave you humbled.

I gaze at you, Mt. Morrison, and you are there. I ask myself, not why, but when?


"Somewhere between the bottom of the climb and the summit is the answer to the mystery why we climb" - Greg Child (Australian-born rock climber, writer for Outside magazine and author)

The Outdoor "Bond"

It's that from which we originated. An unequivocal link to the universe. A valuable commodity underwritten, financed, and deposited directly from the Creator. It's likely to radiate the senses, enhance your cognitive state, and provide lifelong wealth. It's where not only gold, but all of the minerals and essential elements are available in one comprehensive package. An index fund designed to combine all of the world's indispensable resources. Ready to be breathed in and enjoyed. And it's absolutely free. Surprisingly enough, it generates eternal returns. Not a bad asset to have and maintain.

It yields abundant derivatives of vitamin D, fresh oxygen, wood, soil, and clean water (blue gold). Chances are high that it will partition off bonus shares, such as sighting myriad wildlife that you wouldn't have otherwise experienced elsewhere. It'll likely boost your immunity, your mood, lower your blood pressure, reduce stress, improve your sleep, and it might even help cure a disease. But don't take my word for it; take it from Harvard Medical School. Try it for yourself - with risk can come reward.

Humans held stock in it long before financial analysts or insider trading ever existed. It's been furnishing successful returns every day for tens of thousands of years. Its price, as well as its margins, are unquantifiable. Pure capital. It turns out plenty of space to roam around, explore, observe, discover, interact, harvest, and learn from. Need a bona-fide dose of freedom? Enhanced health? Strategize your plans and invest wisely in some quality time out in the natural world today.

Go outside. Find that bond. Get rich.


"Live from the internal foundation, and all will be well." - Vernon Howard (American philosopher)