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Category Archives: Outdoors
Book signings
Matt will sign copies “Game of My Life: San Francisco Giants” and “Yosemite Epics” at the main San Francisco Public Library on Aug. 23 at 6:30 p.m., at the Lafayette Public Library on Sept. 30 at 3:30 p.m., at BookSmart … Continue reading
Posted in Baseball, Outdoors
Tagged Game of My Life San Francisco Giants, Giants, Yosemite, Yosemite Epics
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Rafting the Tuolumne: “Each visit changes your life forever”
As we headed towards a raging Clavey Falls, I took a deep breath and gripped my paddle with white knuckles. During the biggest runoff in a decade on the Tuolumne, the steepest drop on the state’s wildest river looked like … Continue reading
Posted in Features, Outdoors, Travel
Tagged Marty McDonnell, matt johanson, river rafting, Sierra Mac, The T, Tuolumne
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Peak-bagging, paragliding highlight Bavarian trek
Though we’ve climbed our share of mountains, we’d never ascended one like this. Instead of trudging uphill for days in boots and backpacks, my brother Dan and I didn’t even break a sweat in the hour it took to reach … Continue reading
Walk back in time among ancient pines
A great attraction of touring the mountains is their sense of timeless beauty, offering visitors a window into the land’s distant past. California’s peaks and valleys have changed little since the United States annexed the future state from Mexico in … Continue reading
Posted in Outdoors, Travel
Tagged Bristlecone pines, Inyo National Forest, White Mountain
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Utah: Desert, sandstone, canyoneering and polygamy (sort of)
Zion National Park boasts awesome scenery, like Yosemite Valley painted cherry red. But for climbers, sandstone doesn’t compare to Sierra Nevada granite, and the desert sun burns hot enough to melt rocks. Share this:
Posted in Outdoors, Travel
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Cycling through snow in a Yosemite spring
Exploring Yosemite’s snowbound high country, quiet and deserted, richly rewards hardy trekkers who labor to reach it in winter. Though there’s also much to like about the easy access mountain roads provide in summer. These two elements come together for … Continue reading
Imperiled rock climb offers lessons for state crisis
Near the top of Mt. Diablo stands a challenging rock climb called Amazing Face. Climbers who wish to scale it had better go soon, as the state may close the park and hundreds of others. But those who do ascend … Continue reading
Posted in Commentary, Outdoors, Politics
Tagged budget crisis, California, Johanson, Mt. Diablo, state park
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German mountains, culture reward visitors to Berchtesgaden
Even before the party started, our Bavarian trek was proving worthwhile. Few mountain ascents feature hot sausages and cold beer in a comfortable cabin, but my brother and I ordered just that on one of Germany’s highest peaks. Share this:
Actor’s shows bring Muir to life
John Muir never wanted for words when it came to protecting the wilderness, especially his beloved Sierra Nevada mountains. But what would the father of American environmentalism say if he were alive today?
“I’m back, and I’m really ticked off!” Muir might roar. “I’m back to track down Lord Man, to make him a better beast, because California, the home that I love, is on the brink of being lost.” Continue reading
End the tyranny of hiking fees
An awesome view of the snow-capped Sierra Nevada range rewards visitors to the summit of Mt. Whitney in Sequoia National Park. Each time I visit this treasure, it rewards and exhilarates me. Yet every time I’ve gone lately, I’ve had … Continue reading
Posted in Commentary, Outdoors, Politics
Tagged fee demonstration program, hiking, national forests, national parks
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Bachar lived with risks shared by many
Ascending a sea of knobs on the steep west face of Yosemite’s Fairview Dome, John Bachar was enjoying a fine autumn day, cool and quiet without another climber in sight. As usual, he was free soloing: climbing without a partner, … Continue reading →