The TransRockies Run just posted their 2007 photo gallery.
To see it go to:
http://transrockies.com/PhotoAlbums/album_1191687940/
The photos give you a pretty clear snapshot of this 5 day stage run. I would die to be a part of this.
Wanna be runner,
Andy B
outsideallday.com
I was driving to meet Brian Morales for lunch at Chipotle when he called and cancelled. Typical. I deceided to change up my lunch plans and got a Juice It Up instead. As I was driving back to the office I knew I had a few extra minutes and did a detour to see the fire damage. I stopped at a park that overlooked all of Whiting Ranch. On a normal day this view would have been amazing: clear skys, beautiful greens trees, and snapshots of my favorite trails hidden by the brush and wild flowers. Today was different though, the sky was filled with smoke and the beauty of Whiting Ranch was hidden by black ash with no sign of any living plant life.
As I walked back to my car an older woman drove up in her Camry and asked me how bad the damage was. I explained to her that everything in Whiting Ranch and along the Modjeska Grade was destroyed. Her response back was interesting. As she pointed to her house that was directly next to the fire break she said, “So by all of this being destroyed I’m able to still have my house. I’ve evacuated 3 days ago and I’m glad to be home.” We then parted ways.
The take away from this conversation for me was that people matter so much more than anything else. As sad as I am that Whiting is gone, I am so happy that this woman still has a home to live in.
Andy B
outsideallday.com
Julie and I did a little driving today to get a better view of the fire. From our perspective Whiting Ranch is 100% whiped out. It did not appear to have a single patch of unburned vegatation. It also appears that the Modjeska Grade (Old Camp and the Luge) is getting hit pretty bad. I don’t know this for sure and I could be wrong but from where we stood it appeared to be getting hit.
This fire is larger than I ever imagined, it has destroyed hundreds of homes and peoples lives. Its very sad.
Andy B
outsideallday.com
Below is a mass email that I received from my friend Kimberlee Staff. She is a docent for the Irvine Land Conservancy and leads regular rides through parks in Irvine.
Aside for the obvious pain that the fires have caused people in our community much of the land that we use everyday for riding/running/hiking is now destroyed. Please read her last paragraph as it is something that we can help assist with.
Andy B
outsideallday.com
———————–
Hi Everyone-
I just got off the phone with the Irvine Land Conservancy who
manages Limestone Canyon for the Irvine Company. IRC said Limestone
is pretty much a complete loss as far as fire damage. There may be
some pockets remaining inside, but until all the fire is out, they
will not know for sure. The fire has also spread into some areas of
Whiting – as much as 1/3 is what they estimate right now. As you
may or may not know, Limestone and Whiting back right up next to
each other.
The fire started up by the spur gate area around where Santiago and
Silverado meet and went up Hicks Haul Road. It eventually jumped
the 241 and then spread south consuming all of Limestone as it
burned. All future activities in Limestone for the next two or
three months have been put on hold until the damage can be
assessed. New vegetation may need to be planted, i.e. seedlings and
seeds to assist in regrowth.
We can only hope the animals found safer places to be with all
this. Cameras will be set up again as soon as possible to monitor
activity. There were at least four active mountain lions in the
area, including one mother with two cubs.
Please check with the rangers at Whiting on when the park will open
again and do not ride in there until the park is open and ready for
us. If it ends up getting burned anywhere near like Santiago Oaks
did a few months back, it could be quite a while before it is open
to the public again.
Thanks,
Kimberlee Staff
Trails.com has delivered another new deal. This is a great site to use for trails wherever you are for hiking, riding, etc.
Check out the email they sent:
Dear Dave,
For the first time in our history, Trails.com is offering an UNLIMITED Trails subscription! In the past, members of Trails.com could use the service to find up to 50 great hikes. Now, with Trails.com Unlimited, you can discover as many trails as you can handle!
To mark the launch of Trails.com Unlimited, for the next four weeks we’re extending our best offer ever: A full one-year, unlimited subscription at half price – just $24.95! Hitting the trail is a great way to stay in shape during fall. Discover ALL the fantastic hikes and outdoor adventures in your own backyard now!
-DSheek
FInd a trail and get outside!
Check out the products from our supporter Bonk Breakers energy bars. These little peanut butter and jelly bars are delightful.
If you need any other convincing that they’re good look on the cover of this months Triathlete Magazine. And a little heads up for the future they have a new peanut butter and chocolate-chip bar that is perfectly sweet. The bar is so good that when I see one, I feel like a cast member on Survivor that has not eaten in three days and I must do whatever it takes to eat the bar!
-DSheek
Eat One!
I have been traveling around riding and hiking in Mammoth and Tahoe since last Thursday. I have used the trails.com website twice on this trip to pick out Mountain Bike trails that are specific to my needs (length of travel, difficulty, elevation gain, etc.). If you’re taking a trip try it out to find that perfect hike or ride in an area you are not the most familiar with, or instead of listening to some shop employee explain directions to a hidden trail head that is, “two clicks past the old dog and left at the street light.” That was a past mistake.
Click the banner to visit their site and sign up for a free account:
I found the Castle Rock Trail in Lake Tahoe, Flume Trail, and the Tyrolean Trail (my favorite for the downhill). Check them out on the site under North Lake Tahoe, CA- Mountain Biking.
-DSheek
Thanks trails.com!
Tonight’s post is about the
Patagonia Lightweight R4 Jacket
This is a product I had been eyeballing all winter until one day down in Encinitas on vacation Julie finally let me make the purchase. I have found this fleece to be almost perfect in everyway. Last winter it was worn over 70 times including multiple trips to Colorado and Alabama for work. That means hours of keeping me cozy in airports and on planes. I can think of 3 times that I spilled Starbucks on my sleeve and each time I wiped it off without a problem. If I am going to spend that much on a fleece I want to know that the product is going to hold up and with Patagonia’s life time repair/return policy you can’t go wrong. I am a fleece ho.
Backcountry.com offers free shipping on this product along with a $20.00 discount off what I paid. Click the banner’s below for more info.
Patagonia Lightweight R4 Jacket – Men’s
Andy B
outsideallday.com
A few friends of mine are climbing Mt. Whitney, California in August. After registering for their forest service passes and training for the three day hike they have come to me with a few questions about some gear. So, I recommended a few items that I saw as sound products from companies you can trust. Also, as any normal (questionable) person would I also suggested comfort. When buying new equipment make sure you understand your size and if something is not right send it back or exchange it for another product.
Backpacks:
The North Face Skareb 55 Backpack
$169.00
http://www.usoutdoorstore.com/outlet/weekend-packs-3000-4500-cu-in/?&page=2
Boots:
Lowa Tanark Mid Boots
$190.00
http://www.usoutdoorstore.com/outlet/lowa-tanark-mid-boots.html
I love Lowa boots they break in well!
I am recommending them to US Outdoor because they great customer service and have experts in every department to answer the questions they will need in their selection of gear.
-DSheek
Happy Trails!
