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  Some really cool photos and video coming out of this weekend. The first comes from the Cannell Plunge in Kernville. Above you can clearly see that the trail burned just a few weeks ago. Why is it this trail is open but so many of the burned trails are closed in the San Gabriels? Check out the whole photo spread HERE.I got this email from Stephen Le this morning: " This is on top of pitch two. Kurt is almost at the roof which is the crux of this section. Brandy just finished it and i gave her control of Kurt's belay while I video the footage. At this point, we're about 300+ off the deck with about another 200+ feet to the end of the climb. Then we come off rope and scramble about 300 feet to the summit. " Check out the video  Of the summit push Stephen writes: "Here is the last 50 feet of the summit push. We've already come off rope and many of the sections are exposed with the no fall option in full effect. After we top out and sign the summit registry, we then down climb, scramble and hike out the about 1,800 feet back to terra firma." Check out the videoAs you know Stephen and a few others are going to climb Kiliminjaro in October. SCOA has some questions for Stephen, lets see if we can get an interview. Until then - Blue Skies
Chris Ashford
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 We have a hero within our midst! Last night in Marina Del Rey, Garrett Adventuer Brigade, whitnessed a hit-and-run accident. Instead of sitting back and saying something like "bummer" he followed the perpitrator to the point where hte perp abandoned his car. . . Pretty brave dude - eh? Staying with the car enabled the police to ID the now felon. Hip Hip Horray to Garrett for going above and beyond the call of duty!   EVENT - 24 Aug 2010 29 August 2010 - This is the infamous Noble Canyon in Pine Valley, a downhiller's dream! I would call this an Advanced/Hard category. Total bike mileage is about 9-10 miles. Switchbacks, technical descents and other obstacles all come into play.  EVENT - 24 Aug 2010 27 August 2010 - Friday night, we'll camp at Idyllwild Campground in the San Jacinto SP and chill by the fire. Early Saturday, head out to Humber Park and rock climb Tahquitz Rock. After a few pitches of ... If you haven't met Garrett, this weekend would be a great opportunity. He is setting off on a Santa Barbara Hot Springs Adventrue. If you haven't seent the photos from last time - wow check them out.    Regardless of what you decide to do this weekend, take pictures and share with the rest of SCOA on Monday by uploading them. Blue Skies
Chris Ashford
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Tons of mountain biking going on during the week and on the weekends. You game? Are you looking at our mountain bike calendar? Mountain Bike Activity Calendar 69 events this month. . . Chantry on Monday, Lower Sam Merrill, Limestone and Black Mountain on Tuesday. Cannell Plunge today and on Sunday. If you cannot make those, did you see that there is a shuttle happening at Nobel Canyon on Sunday? For those of you that have not been able to make Lower Sam Merrill Tuesdays or Thursdays, we started putting up video of the whole trail. Sharing is caring right? Sam Merrill video (in four parts) Lately it has been warm at 6:40 the start of the Chaney Trail climb. Stay hydrated and happy - ey? Here is a reasonably comprehensive article on staying hydrated. Don't let the hiking title fool ya - http://www.howtodothings.com/sports-recreation/how-to-stay-hydrated-while-hiking.
It should go without saying you need to bring a bladder of some sort. While mountain biking or adventuring. If you are wanting to keep your money local, check out a new company Vapur . Consider 'liking' them. They are having a contest for free bottles today. 
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While I like most of you enjoy the heat, when we are out adventuring in it common sense must prevail. Several LA and San Diego hiking groups canceled their evening hikes yesterday and today due to heat. We snuck in a long mountain bike ride this morning and I am here to tell you at 6:40 it was 85 and we suffered. (Check out the video.) The So.Cal. forecast calls for a cooling trend this weekend - still be heads up.
Here is a reasonably comprehensive article on staying hydrated - http://www.howtodothings.com/sports-recreation/how-to-stay-hydrated-while-hiking.
It should go without saying you need to bring a bladder of some sort. If you are wanting to keep your money local, check out a new company Vapur . Consider 'liking' them. They are having a contest for free bottles today.
Speaking of cool things to do, this weekend do not miss the FrogTown Art Walk . SCOA's very own Matt Jones is one of the featured artists. Check out his work and keep an eye on this guy. Earlier this year he was on the short list for this year's Glow. Remember the night time art exhibit in Santa Monica two years ago? Well it is back!
Last fall we did several mountain bike shuttles at Nobel Canyon. Located between the cool, gorgeous coastline of San Diego and the searing heat of El Centro. It is a gorgeous place to ride it is just hot at times. Dan Chusid and Julis from SD MTB have a shuttle on Sunday. If you cannot make Cannell go check this one out! Nobel Canyon MTB Shuttle
Finally, thanks for posting the amazing photos of your adventures. If you haddn't noticed already - we change the photos almost daily. Who knows maybe your talents are being highlighted today?
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They say when it rains it pours. Our cat Gorgie died this weekend. Thanks so much for your wonderful emails of support. It made the weekend bearable. Social Networking is amazing. I never knew so many SCOA Members and friends had pets!   I have a favor to ask. As challenging as this weekend was for me, in a more serious matter SCOA member 'Caritta' aka Critter was in a car accident. TO BE PERFECTLY CLEAR - she is okay! She still may be in the hospital however. If you know her status drop me a line. SCOA would you send her some love? If you are on meetup click here or send her a note on FB. Just a note or a kind post will suffice. We've got some amazing events coming up this week. I'll have some updates for you tomorrow. Until then, enjoy the heat, stretch, eat well and be outdoors! Blue Skies
Chris Ashford
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Category:
Raising Awareness
 Just got this great email from my favorite Adventure Nephew - 4 years old and climbing REI's rock wall.
The take-away from this post should be, expose your kids to well supervized activities. Get them out there they will surprise you. We see kids all the time at the top of Mammoth on mountain bikes or in Moab or Sun Valley river rafting. In the age of 'THINGS' kids remember experiences over things. Do you remember getting your 2nd bicycle? I do not but I certainly remember backpacking Mono Pass as a 10 year old. . . 
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The week has been amazing! Super cool, almost chilly mornings make the afternoons perfect for extended mountain biking. Last week we got in over 50 miles on the dirt and over 10,000 of elevation gain. My times aren't getting any faster but I am eating and sleeping like a Tour de France Champ!
We are super excited about Saturday's guided canyoneering event with ATS. It is gonna be an awesome day on the mountain. If you are still interested sign up. Friday AM is the last time to do so. Don't wait. . . Stephen Le and his band of expeditionaries are off to Whitney tomorrow. I for one cannot wait to see the photos and video from the peak. Stay tuned. For those of you who have not had a chance to see the video and photography albums on www.SCOAOutdoors.net go take a look. We have some amazing artists in our midst! To show case the content, we are having a bbq at SCOA HQ next Saturday. Just upload your favorite adventure video and bring your food for the grill and stop by. Everyone will have a chance to talk about their photos and video - relive if you will your adventure. This is the second time we have done this. The first time was a total blast! This Weekend  Event - 14 Aug 2010 Imagine hiking up a mountain trail that parallels a deep canyon, where down below you hear water flowing over the rocky canyon bottom. You reach a point where the trail crosses the stream. After dressing for the descent, you begin following the watercourse down canyon, dealing with obstacles as they come. Ropes, harnesses and specialized training become the method of travel as you rappel off waterfalls. You may swim, wade or downclimb as you hike. . .  Event - 21 Aug 2010 NEXT Weekend - This class is intended to provide a 'buck' beginner the basics to successfully safely canyoneer with canyoneering guides or experienced canyoneering persons who know how to set ropes. In most cases, at the completion attendees will have the skills and confidence to join SCOA on local canyoneering events. You know all the events with all the great pictures and video. . .  EVENT- 12 Aug 2010 Stephen Le has a big one on the boards this week - Mount Whitney. Last month he was able to obtain a permit because of many cancellations with the forestry service. Someone's loss is his gain - eh? He and a handful of SCOA members will be traveling to Whitney Portal on Friday. If you have what it takes to be successful on Whitney, sign up. Video and Photography Showcase  BLOG - 10 Aug 2010 Scott Gietler my former neighbor and good buddy owns and operates UWPG. He is a great guy and runs a fabulous organization. If you shoot underwater photos do sign up and participate. It is free and fun! Consider joining their mailing list too.  Event - 10 Aug 2010 Take a break from your normal to the 'club' routine and come watch your favorite videos under the moonlight at SCOA HQ. We will provide the screen, the projector, the grill and a fire pit. You upload your favorite video to SCOA, bring a beach chair, some grillables, your favorite beverage and of course your appetite for food and adventure video. Are you prepping and ready for the weekend? Blue Skies
Chris Ashford
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Category:
Raising Awareness
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Category:
Raising Awareness
 I receieved the following email yesterday from a well known member of the San Gabriel mountain biking community. If this email resonates with you drop me a line and I'll see if I can connect you to this weekend's effort.
_+_+_+_+_+_+ Trail Work Volunteers
I’m going to start working on El P this weekend, Sunday for 4 or 5 hours. I’m not inviting everyone who has offered to help since so many have offered and I can’t supervise too many at once. Let me know if you’ll be there, and if you have an earth or rock moving tool you can bring.
(- Signature Snipped)
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Here’s my theory:
Because we have a lot of time before El P will be officially opened up – probably till next spring - and before then I’ll put in many days and will be able to organize a couple MAJOR trail days with lots of people to do the easier stuff like brush clearing, for now I’m going to concentrate on the more difficult spots that need rock work or mild re-engineering – and which will need more quality control.
On Sunday I plan on beginning repair at the very bottom of the trail on the first switch backs; maybe clean it up with some better retaining wall and make it look really good to impress the Forest Service, and work up from there, picking and choosing what to tackle and trying to do a good thorough job that will last a long time.
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