Southern California Outdoor Adventurers - SCOA

Chantry Flats single track loop

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 17:15:02 -0700

6 September 2010 - The loop is approximately 6 miles mostly single track. The trail is fairly technical and best done on a full suspension bike. There are 3 miles of climbing so I wouldn't suggest a big heavy bike. This ride will be entirely in the shade. We should easily be able to finish this ride in under 2 hours.

Pasadena Mudrun

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 17:12:38 -0700

An inside look at the Pasadena Mudrun. Well actually there wasn't a lot of mud but it looks like fun anyway. Next season, SCOA will have a comprehensive 'Mudrun' events from San Diego to San Francisco.

Snorkeling at Casino Point

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 17:12:15 -0700

Catalina has some amazing snorkeling. I know I know it is kitchy too but get over it - snorkeling at Casino Point is pretty cool. I am digging this video of padora808 and friends freediving (snorkeling) Casino Point. Check out the Garibaldi the goldfish looking thing.

Catalina with pandora808

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 17:11:38 -0700

Check out the photos from pandora808's Catalina adventure. There's some snorkeling and sea kayaking

A different path

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 01:51:08 -0700

SCOASNAPS - PeterPorras83 and friends take an unusual path through a rock slid tunnel to get more biking in

Lead Climbing in the Angeles Forest

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 01:41:13 -0700

4 September 2010 - Lead Climbing in the Angeles Forest, Tunnel Crag - look it up on mountainproject.com, Lead climbers only. Bring your rope(s) and gear. 5.10+ only. Adventure pass required. Enter from the west via Big Tujunga (or check on the 2 for closures) Three brand new routes were bolted last weekend! Again, no hand holding, lead climbers only :)

Thursday Night Paddle and Bonfire with FIREWORKS!

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:39:27 -0700

2 September 2010 - THIS IS THE LAST THURSDAY NIGHT SUMMER FIREWORKS DISPLAY UNTIL NEXT SEASON. THEY ARE AT 9:50 P.M. THIS WEEK. DON'T MISS THEM! Bring your own kayak to Bahia to enjoy a casual paddle on Mission Bay at a social pace. Usually 90 minutes and about 4 miles.

Photos of Catalina with pandora808

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:38:43 -0700

Check out the photos from pandora808's Catalina adventure. There's some snorkeling and sea kayaking

Survival Class

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:53:55 -0700

13 November 2010 - After coming back from SCOA's Ecuadorian Rain Forest Expedition, I reevaluated my survival skills and experience level. Sure I went through the US Navy's Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape program which is

Kernville Fat Tire Festival

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:53:12 -0700

22-24 October 2010 - SCOA is super excited to announce our sponsorship of the Kernville Fat Tire Festival October 22-24, 2010! Imagine riding epic mountain biking trails all weekend long with shuttle service! That is right trails like the Cannell Plunge, Kern Canyon Trail and Alta Sierra will all be open and shuttle serviced with a professional mountain bike guide.

Rock climbing and mountaineering Zion part 1

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:52:38 -0700

Trip to Zion. Driving, food, and hitting the trailhead the next day for Spry Canyon

Cool new photos and video from this weekend

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:52:13 -0700

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?

Chantry Flats single track loop

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:51:25 -0700

30 August 2010 - The loop is approximately 6 miles mostly single track. The trail is fairly technical and best done on a full suspension bike. There are 3 miles of climbing so I wouldn't suggest a big heavy bike. This ride will be entirely in the shade. We should easily be able to finish this ride in under 2 hours.

Sam Merrill 4, mountain biking

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:50:31 -0700

If you haven't checked out the 5 part Sam Merrill video you should do so. 2300' and 93 degrees at 6am. We were baking and the climb took a great deal out of us. Enjoy.

Monrovia Night Rides!

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:49:31 -0700

1st of September 2010 - Meet on the street a few blocks away from Monrovia Park. Suit up, gear up and group up. We will take a head count and make sure our gear is good. We will start our roll at 7:05 PM or so. If you have a radio bring it. Depending on group size there will be at least two radios. No one gets left behind.

Chaney Trail C L I M B

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:48:58 -0700

2nd of September 2010 - Thursday's meet us at the bottom of Chaney Trail @ 7AM. We will climb Chaney Trail to either: 1)Lower San Merrill cut-off (very close to Sunset, which is still closed)

Lower Sam Merrill Part 1 - The Top

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:47:17 -0700

The Sam Merrill trail is all that. 2300' of senuous, delictable delight. This day at 6 AM is was already 93 degrees. We were baking and the climb took a great deal out of us. But here is the video in 5 parts top to bottom. Enjoy.

Mountain Biking this week

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:46:44 -0700

Tons of mountain biking going on during the week and on the weekends. You game? Are you looking at our mountain bike calendar? Did you see that there is a shuttle happening at Nobel Canyon on Sunday?

Katoomba Falls

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 16:46:14 -0700

What an amazing place. SCOA member Danarchy took this video from his last vacation and all I can say is wow and ask, 'hey Dan did you go swimming here too?' Katooma is aboriginal for shiny tumbling waters' - you don't say.

Noble Canyone Ride with Shuttle

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 16:47:25 -0700

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.

Idyllwild camping, climbing and hiking

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 16:48:37 -0700

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 ...

Hike San Jacinto - 28 August

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 16:47:00 -0700

28 August 2010 - 11 miles roundtrip, 2300' elevation gain, approx 6 hours, labeled as moderate intensity, START TIME: be at trail head no later than 8am, cost to take the tram: approx $20-$25 round trip, no adventure pass needed when taking the tram

Discover Scuba diving & BBQ

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 16:49:06 -0700

29 August 2010 - Meet new dive buddies !! The BBQ and dive discovering is FREE FREE !! You always wanted to try it, but never had the time or were unsure about a full certification course ? Or you haven't been diving in a while, Will have instructors in the pool for a scuba diving refresher course ...

Intermediate Full Moon Mountain Bike Ride in Limestone Canyon

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 01:35:50 -0700

25 August 2010 - You must sign up by 4 p.m. the day before the ride at irlandmarks.org Please be on time by 6:45 and ready to roll by 7 p.m. Jenn K. will be sweeping the ride. Four other docents will be attending and will be spread out within the group.

Sam Merrill Swtich Back mountain biking

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 01:39:39 -0700

Sam Merrill is an amazing trail. It is twisty - check. Its got e x p o s u r e - plenty of it. But it also has some pretty cool views at 7AM on a Tuesday. Today it was hot too. After the 2300' of climbing, we were drenched. You can access this trail from the top of Mount Wilson but due to the Station Fires top access is closed. If you wanna hit the trail you have to earn your turns.

Thursday Night Paddle and Bonfire with FIREWORKS!

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 01:39:10 -0700

26 August 2010 - Bring your own kayak to Bahia to enjoy a casual paddle on Mission Bay at a social pace. Usually 90 minutes and about 4 miles. Into the Blue fireworks will brighten up the sky. Summer Nights fireworks take place Aug. 29, and back again from Sept. 4-6.

Kids and climbing walls

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 01:38:31 -0700

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. In the age of 'THINGS' kids remember experiences over things.

Aqua Adventures Social Paddle

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 01:37:43 -0700

26 August 2010 - Aqua Adventures social paddles are very similar to our Wednesday night paddles, that you may have been to before. It's at the same place, the same time, and the same price. The pace is easy. Some people are beginners, and some are regulars. I've attended a couple of these events beore, enjoyed it, and met some really nice people.

Crankworx Whistler - Mike Montgomery Slopestyle

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 01:36:52 -0700

Mike Montgomery's seamless 2nd place run at the 2010 Crankworx Whistler mountain bike contest. Unbelievable. Learn about the new GoPro HD HERO® camera at http://www.gopro.com.

Random Riding - a local mtb perspective

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 18:58:51 -0700

This is my favorite video of the summer. Why? This guy is passionate about his riding. It is real. It is completely home grown from the music, titles and riding. Teeter toters, tree obstacles, steep drop ins and urban riding. Dang - I "caint" wait until the next installment.

Canyoneering picking up for August

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 17:03:20 -0700

Canyoneering kicks up in earnest this weekend. Our first event, designed to get the newbie started is a guided event up in the Baldy area. After attending an event like this, most attendees are ready to go on one of SCOA's free canyoneering events usually located in the San Gabes.

Canyoneering Scool Class 1

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 17:02:50 -0700

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. . .

Canyoneering for Beginners

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 17:02:19 -0700

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. . .

Under Water Photography Ocean Art Photo Competition 2010

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 17:01:50 -0700

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.

Whiteney Mountaineering Trail

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 17:01:25 -0700

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.

Wednesday Night Kayaking

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 17:00:49 -0700

Come join us for our traditional Wednesday night social paddle. Even if you don't own a kayak, this is your chance to come out and paddle with the group. Beginners are welcome. Meet here at Aqua Adventures for an evening paddle. You don't have to own a kayak to participate in this event. We have rentals available: kayak, paddle, PFD, all the gear you will need..all for $15!! We will be launching dockside here at 6:00 pm for about 1.5-2 hours.

Adventure Movie Screenings, BBQ and mini bonfire! - Single Track Focus

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 17:00:22 -0700

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.

Sea Kayaking with Sea Lions

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 16:59:43 -0700

On Sunday, 16 SCOA members took the opportunity to sea kayak with the sea lions. The paddle took them from the public boat ramp to Mother's Beach and to the breakwater where they saw 70+ sea lions lounging. The weather was perfect: not too hot nor too breezy.

Group Sea Kaayking

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 16:58:59 -0700

On Sunday, 16 SCOA members took the opportunity to sea kayak for with the sea lions. Coordinating a group photo on the water is not easy. First you have the ocean breeze then you have all the boats coming in and out of the harbor - there was a sail boat race going on!

Walking the St. Lucia Rainforest

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 16:52:59 -0700

A wonderful video from producer KrystalD. Shot in the pristine rain forest of St. Lucia, the viewer is taken on a walk seeing and hearing what the rain forest has to offer. We are digging the steadycam work too. We do not see much of that in our video archives. . . Look out for other titles from KrystalD here and in on her website.

My butt is Big!

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 16:52:30 -0700

Brilliant are the folks at NIKEWomen. Don't get me wrong, I am not a fan in any shape or form of Nike, however it is about time someone address the stereotypes women have to deal with. If you run, mountain bike, ride/ski you need powerful legs. Powerful legs require muscles. Imagine that? Now if only the athletic ladies buy that line of thinking. I think they should.

Outdoor Rock Climbing - on the beach!

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 01:54:07 -0700

Wanna rock climb? Wanna climb on real rocks outside? What about on the beach? How about at Zuma? This is not a class, not a guided event and all climbers are on the waiting list until I add manually. The ropes will be hung at about 9am and taken down at about noon or 1pm. All climbers must have their own gear and be belayed checked. Also, all climbers must pay the annual SCOA rope fee of $10 or bring a rope for group use.

Indoor Rock Climbing!

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 01:53:39 -0700

This is the class you take if you are interested in learning to rock climb. Learning to safely belay is a crucial first step to becoming a rock climber. SCOA has teamed with The Rock Gym to get our members off to a great start. Not only will you learn to belay but you'll also learn some killer knots and climbing commands. Expect to have an amazing experience as you learn, pull plastic and explore The Rock gym's expansive climbing areas.

Rock climbing - technique clinic

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 01:53:03 -0700

OK, so you've taken the intro class, now what? How about going to The Rock Gym in Signal Hill to work on lock offs, foot switches, crossovers, crimpers, pockets and all the things that are holding you back. This clinic is a fantastic way to get yourself ready for the real thing! FOUR members only. $35 for two hours.

Free Activity 08 Aug. What do you want to do?

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 01:52:38 -0700

Hey SCOA members. You know that from time to time SCOA tries to give back by providing premium events like: mountain biking and sea kayaking for FREE . It is time to do it again. This time, we are asking you, the active SCOA member what do to. August 8 is the date. What do you want to do?

Wednesday Night Kayaking

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 01:52:06 -0700

Canyoneering for Beginners

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 01:51:39 -0700

Canyoneering Scool Class 1

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 01:51:14 -0700

Bommer Canyon Open Access Day

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 14:24:27 -0700

The plan for the day will be to check out all the trails mountain bikers normally don't get to ride. Count on about a 3-4 hour ride with a lot of steep climbs and some cool single tracks. This is an exploratory ride, and as such, you should be ready for a long ride.

Chaney Trail to Sam Merrill. . .

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 12:06:01 -0700

MTBers just love Chaney Trail. It is the glue that connects mountain bikers with some of the best single-track riding in the San Garbriels. It comes at a cost though. You either climb it from the front side about 1800 of vertical in less than 2 miles more you drive some 60 minutes on highway. We chose the climb this morning. . .