For the past few, the trail crew at Mammoth Mountain has been hitting it hard building ramps, laying pavers and other features for the eagerly anticpated Pipleine Run.  Set to open this weekend, Mammoth posted at few photos on their FB page.  Click here to check out more.

Is anyone heading up this weekend?

CalPark Voices Blog, stories from California's State Parks, has begun tracking the closure status of California's State Parks.  It is a sad state of affairs.  While none of the parks have been completely closed, there have been many partial closures.

You can read more at CalPark Voices

A species of plant that thrives in areas scorched by wildfire, the lavender-flowered Turricula parryi packs a bite. Skin contact can cause rashes, blisters, swelling and general irritation - LA Times 

I hope we got it wrong.  It is all over the Internet "Beware of poisonous poodle-dog bush" - really?  The LA Times quoted Sgt. Rod Kirby a 30 year veteran of search and rescue, "I can't lower any of my medics into that stuff or they'll be in a world of hurt," the 30-year veteran said. "You have to identify it by air."

On Sunday, our big ride took us in a field thick with poodle-dog bush.  Just like all the warnings the sap is sticky and the flowers are bright lavender.  The sap is all over my jersey, my gloves, my camel back and that afternoon my skin.  Of course I came home and scrubbed down - so far so good but I cannot imagine I've dodged the bullet?

Check out my man Paul. This was the beginning of the field.  It took us 2.5 hours to climb down the side of the mountain chalk full of the poisonous bush.

Specifics are sketchy - reactions take 12 to 24 hours.  It has been 36 with no rash no itching.  Paul sent me a message earlier tonight describing the onset of itching.  Maybe I am slow to react?

Wish me luck!

In a previous life as a professional skydiver (camera flyer) I met Andy. A tall bald headed, ominous looking figure but with a heart of gold. He waas always aware of the commnity issues of San Francisco and of politics at large.  In 2007 his awareness and involvedness changed, he became invovled with Climbing for Kids and nothing has been the same.  He has climbed Cotopaxi, Rainer and this year is gonna second attempt Mt. Shasta.

For your consideration:  will you help him out?  Climbing for kids is a fund raising event for at risk youth living in urban environments.  Will you consider sponsoring him directly or taking up a Climbing for Kids campaign of your own?  To read more about my friend Andy Demars check out his BLOG or find him on FaceBook. Click here to donate  Climbing for kids web site is here.

In just a few weeks, I’m climbing 14,179′ Mt Shasta in Northern California to help raise funds and to create opportunities for at‐risk and urban youth to experience wilderness first hand. I have set a personal goal of raising $3200 by 6/17. I am 1/4 of the way there, and you can sponsor me by visiting my Climbing for Kids page HERE.

This will be my second time doing Mt Shasta and Climbing For Kids. The first time, we were turned back  a mere 400′ from the summit due to unsafe conditions on a more challenging route on the east side of the mountain. An exceptionally hot June that year had melted the glaciers, and successful summits were rare! After that first climb, I became hooked and have climbed various mountains including Mt Rainier in Washington and Volcan Cotopaxi in the Ecuadorian Andes, but I still strive to stand on the summit of Shasta. With record snowfall (still snowing in June as we speak!) the conditions look good for a second go.

So, have you seen enough of the so called mud runs?  Yes they are challenging and fun but you are looking for more.  Well how about longer, more diverse and perhaps Urban races?   Take a sec and check out the Oyster Run Series.  It travels the nation but only makes it to SF.  Apparently that town is a little more hip to urban adventure racing.  September leaves you plenty of time to plan and train and get your group together - so get on it.  Read more.

The Forest Service plans to reopen more than 100 miles of trails, various campgrounds, picnic areas and other facilities by Memorial Day.

The trails were shut down after being burned out in the Station Fire in 2009 and washed out in the subsequent winter flooding that resulted from the lack of vegetation on the hillsides.

According to the Altadena Patch, the Forest Service plans to have the trails open on Monday May 16, according to Sherry Rollman, a spokeswoman for the Angeles National Forest.  She said the organization will be releasing a full detailed map of what areas will be opened and which will remained closed by the end of the week.

Below are some of the areas closest to Altadena that the Forest Service has released information about: 

• Arroyo Seco area: The trails above JPL at the trailhead at Windsor and Ventura have mostly been closed since 2009.  A lot will now be opened.  The Upper Arroyo or Gabrielino trail will be opened for several miles above JPL up to the Paul Little Picnic Area.  The Gould Mesa Campground will also be reopened. At that point the trail will be closed up to its intersection with Bear Canyon trail.  In addition, the lower El Prieto Canyon trail will be closed up until the intersection with the Brown Mountain road, a popular mountain biking area.  The Brown Mountain trail/road will remain closed.
• Millard Canyon: The campground at Millard Canyon is already reopened, and the fire road to Mt. Lowe has also stayed open.  The Sunset Ridge trail will now also be reopened. 
• Switzer's Canyon/Picnic Area: This popular picnic area is accessed by Highway 2, but hikers and mountain bikers also could previously connect from this area to JPL via the Upper Arroyo/Gabrielino trail.  That segment is not entirely open yet, however.  The section from Switzer's Canyon to its intersection with Bear Canyon trail will be opened, but the section from Bear Canyon to the Paul Little Picnic Area will remain closed, as mentioned above.

Here is a short status recap of which trails  will be opened next week:

• Upper Arroyo/Gabrielino - open, but only up to Paul Little Picnic Area, or down from Switzer's Canyon to the intersection with Bear Canyon trail.
• El Prieto Canyon - open, but only to the intersection with Brown Mountain Road.
• Brown Mountain Road - closed
• Sunset Ridge Trail - open

For the full scoop, visit the Altadena Patch - thanks to Dan Abendschein for breaking the story!

Now Casting:

BBC Worldwide Productions – the producers of Dancing with the Stars,  Top Gear and What Not To Wear – is currently seeking fearless competitors for an original survival adventure series!

Are you a survival, endurance or outdoors expert, with a way above-average tolerance for all things adventure?
This new reality TV show takes mankind’s most intense instincts – survival, competition, adventure – and throws them all together to create the most exciting wilderness series ever seen!
This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your excellent mountaineering skills over a few weeks spent in a rugged, natural environment.  We are seeking men and women with expertise, passion, a whole load of energy, and no fear of taming the great outdoors.
Whoever you are and wherever you’re from, if you feel up to the ultimate challenge, get in touch with us now!


To Apply:  Please submit a few recent photos, bio, and any video links.  Please describe your relative wilderness experience, and be sure to tell us why you are perfect for this show!

Reference your first & last name and BBC ADVENTURE in the subject line…
SurviveOutside@gmail.com
310.284.5736, ext. 207
 

SCOA has been a big fan of brands that are active members of the community - that is not only do they supply great products but that they "give back" to the community as a whole.  Teva just announced "Pair for a Foot" program.  In short, for every pair of footware purchased, Teva will make dontations to protect one linear foot of water.

(Excerpt from the article) Throughout 2011, Teva® (a division of Deckers Outdoor Corporation, NASDAQGS: DECK) will continue its commitment to clean water through a new initiative called "Pair for A Foot." The program will help protect one linear foot of global waterways for every pair of Teva shoes and sandals sold in 2011 through donations to clean water non-profits including the Ocean Conservancy and long-time partner Waterkeeper Alliance. Teva estimates "Pair for a Foot" will help preserve 4.3 million feet of waterways in 2011.

“The Teva brand was born on the water and we feel a strong obligation to help protect our most precious natural resource,” says Joel Heath, Teva Global Marketing Director. “We’re proud to support organizations that do vital work to protect water for the environment.”  Read the full article

Hey Mt. Baldy people! 

You should know that SCOA has a lot of resources for you to consider regarding purchasing tickets.  First SCOA's own Brad Agron is a broker and can get you great deals on tickets and services provided on the mountain.  He can be reached here on SCOA -   .  Additionally, if you need a ticket or two Stephen Le always seems to have a few tickets in his possession so you can check with him.  Finally, there is a special today for $32 online:

For only $32.00 you can enjoy one of the nearest Ski Resorts available to us. TodaysNewDeal allows you and your family and/or close friends to enjoy a full day of Skiing and Snow Boarding in our beautiful local Southern California Mountains. If you have not been to Mt Baldy before you will certainly go back to this beautiful resort. Mt Baldy offers all levels of skiing and boarding from the very beginner to the steepest vertical drop in Southern California. 26 Runs Spanning 3 Mountains covering 800 acres with 2,100 Vertical feet. Only at Mt Baldy can you get the full experience. Wide open glades, tree runs, bowls, moguls, groomed runs, cornices and natural wave like quarter pipes. It is a common site to see many of the local riders toting a back pack and riding off into our famous tree runs to grab a bite and take in the views.

Regardless of where you purchase your ticket tell them SCOA sent ya!

Winter X Games will be streamed LIVE to your computer 27 - 30 Jan. Stay up to speed by following the link here - http://www.skinet.com/skiing/articles/x-games-streaming-live