This weekend Friday and Saturday nights July 29 and 30th 2012 marks the beginning of the Perseid and Delta Aquarid meteor showers. Coupled with the new moon (no moon) It should be a nice little light show not to be missed.
The Earth in its orbit travels through two large asteroid belts every year. We will soon be traveling thru near center of the largest one The Persieds.
Last year I took a large group of people to the top of Lover’s Leap just above Strawberry. We used the Strawberry Lodge as a staging point for the hike. We brought wine and cheesecake to enjoy the night sky in deluxe splendor.
Better yet finding a kayak in campground like the ones in Lake Sonoma and Cherry Lake, Wright's lake, Echo Lake and Fallen Leaf Lake are best for this but any area clear of trees and lights can make this an unforgettable show. Lake Oroville has floating campgrounds that you kayak to.
Maybe a fire look out station for those who don't like water. We use satellites now so many of them have turned into remote camping destinations. http://www.buckrock.org/
I suggest using google maps to find local airstrips if you are not near a granite peak void of trees. http://www.maps.google.com/
Observatories like the one on top of Mount Livermore are also perfect places to stargaze.
Bring warm layers, flashlights, mosquito repellent, a thermos of Vietnamese or Japanese noodle soup and down load google sky map or similar star chart on your smart phone.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/07/110725-double-meteor-shower-sky-show-space-science-perseid-aquarid/
http://www.blogger.com/goog_15511046
Squaw Valley will be hosting an annual meteor shower campout event at high camp just above the tram ride: on August 12th with the full moon.
http://www.theskichannel.com/news/skinews/20110725/Campout-for-the-Perseid-Meteor-Shower-at-Squaw-Valley-USA
***Bonus information: when to look for satellites (an hour after sunset)
We (the earth) is in the shadow. The Satellites are still in high orbit and reflect the suns rays down to us via their solar wings because high up, they are still in the sun's direct path.
And finding constellations (often too difficult due to the shear number of stars above) can now be done thru apps such as starwalk for iphones and google skymaps for androids. It took me twenty years to learn what Kasey downloaded in 8 seconds for free
http://www.theskyscrapers.org/me
http://stardate.org/nightsky/meteors/
http://www.moonconnection.com/moon_phases_calendar.phtml
I have now put this information as easy links on my facebook. Feel free to find me via my email address
outsidejay@gmail.com
Enjoy and thanks!
26 July 2011
24 July 2011
Berkeley Kite Festival 2011, July 31 and August 1
http://ellen.warnerbros.com/show/respond/?PlugID=433
I have made it super easy. Just click on the above link and put www.RozSavage.com in the comment section of the narative.
Here's what's coming up...
see http://www.highlinekites.com/ (Highline Kites)
for the Berkeley Kite Festival. a free and must see event. This year will have over 100 house size kites (as big as parade baloons and derigibles) Free shuttle and easy to take public transportation... bring windbreakers and an extra layer.
Upcoming posts will have the Bats of Davis and the beginning of migration patterns including the monarch butterflies, salmon as well as tule elk. Fleet week and how to bike around San Francisco Bay in one day.
It is time to start planning your adventures in autumn. you should know of the fire look out stations and light house hostels that you can stay at.
All free information if you would support my friend Roz.
Roz is halfway through her Indian Ocean row and can be easily found on facebook, her website or via twitter.
more fun stuff on the way!
I can be now found on facebook under
Jay Go outsidejay@gmail.com
I have made it super easy. Just click on the above link and put www.RozSavage.com in the comment section of the narative.
Here's what's coming up...
see http://www.highlinekites.com/ (Highline Kites)
for the Berkeley Kite Festival. a free and must see event. This year will have over 100 house size kites (as big as parade baloons and derigibles) Free shuttle and easy to take public transportation... bring windbreakers and an extra layer.
Upcoming posts will have the Bats of Davis and the beginning of migration patterns including the monarch butterflies, salmon as well as tule elk. Fleet week and how to bike around San Francisco Bay in one day.
It is time to start planning your adventures in autumn. you should know of the fire look out stations and light house hostels that you can stay at.
All free information if you would support my friend Roz.
Roz is halfway through her Indian Ocean row and can be easily found on facebook, her website or via twitter.
more fun stuff on the way!
I can be now found on facebook under
Jay Go outsidejay@gmail.com
04 July 2011
Rock Wind and Very Hot Air
Rock, wind and very hot air
“The wind in San Francisco doesn’t blow it sucks”
The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer’s day in San Francisco. (Wrongly attributed to Mark Twain)
Hot air rises. If you think about hot air balloons, and sky lanterns, this phenomenon is easily understood.
From Redding all the way to Mexico is a desert. In summer time hot air rising (over the desert) sucks in cold air from the sea. Even before the Golden Gate Bridge was built, two mountain tops created the perfect funnel for cool air mass. Mount Tamalpais to the north, in Marin County and Twin Peaks, the top of San Francisco, direct this air towards Berkeley and up the delta while simultaneously squeezing the cool air mass as it passes the narrow channel between Fort Point and East Fort Baker. Squeezing is synonymous with condensing and therefore condensation, more locally known as fog.
June, July and August are not good for being a tourist in San Francisco. September and October, due to the lack of temperature gradient are far better times to view the incredible sights in The City. However, if you are into wind sports like sailing, para gliding, kite surfing, wind surfing, kite flying, hang gliding, etc. This is the time of year to blossom.
Wind travels in circles too. Picture the arms of a hurricane with “s” shaped patterns coming out from the eye. Sometimes you are able to work yourself up(north) or down(south) the beach to catch off-shore or on-shore winds. If you are a surfer, winds can help you or make your day more challenging. An offshore wind blows out to sea from the beach and holds up a wave when it breaks forming better curlers. It may also blow your kayak out to sea so pick your toys wisely today. An onshore wind blows from sea to beach and “blows down” a wave pushing it down instead of holding it up.
Gusty winds are more difficult to learn sports like windsurfing and kite boarding. You will want consistent winds of about 10mph. You will want a beginner board that is wide and long and a beginner sail that is small and light. Pack plenty of energy and hydration. The learning curve is pretty steep.
Winds can affect your touring kayak greatly and is often more dangerous than the cold water. Most people think that wind will turn your kayak into the wind or away from it. That is, so that you are either getting a face full of wind or the opposite, you are getting slapped squarely in the back between your shoulder blades with each gust. However, wind actually turns your kayak sideways to it. Wind will then be coming from directly left or right depending on which side of the boat the wind is on. At about 15mph you will want to be thinking about another plan as you will be spending some energy paddling against the wind that wants to turn you sideways to it. At 20mph you will want a rudder. (more on this on kayaking blog) At 25mph you will be seeing whitecaps where there is no current. The wind is actually picking up water and dragging it around with her. An astute paddler can see wind gusts do this over the surface of the water. Hint: if you see the windsurfers unfurling their sails, you might want to keep your kayak close to land. I can almost always expect the wind trying to push me back up river at the take out after a day of river paddling. It usually gets stronger until the sun goes down and then disappears quite rapidly with nightfall. Again, it is the remnants of hot air rising and the Delta Breeze
My learning how to surf blog has more information about beaches and wind.
Other stuff:
Hot springs are geothermal activity that happens in volcanic areas throughout the world. They are common in the Sierra Nevadas. Links Below.
http://www.hotspringsenthusiast.com/California.asp
http://gocalifornia.about.com/od/topcalifornia/a/ca_hot_springs.htm
http://gocalifornia.about.com/od/casierraseast/a/hot_springs.htm
Teepees and Victorian homes:
The native American Indians knew about hot air rising and had built it into their teepees. They had very tall 18-25’ teepees. They would build a small fire in the middle, and then open up the bottom side vents causing a “venturi” effect.
If you go to the old Victorian homes in the southern states like Mississippi and Alabama you will notice the domes with the turret of windows up top. Then look lower, at the base of the dome, you will see gas jet nipples all around. If you ask a docent what they are for, they will tell you that they light them in the summer time, like the teepees, the hot air rising sucks cold air from the base level windows. The shrubbery around the base of the house is a source of cold air coupled with the morning dew that rests on the leaves, it creates a swamp cooler effect, through convection and evaporation.
Fort Funston:
Where hang gliders and para-gliders literally jump off a cliff and are swept up by the winds. It is also a very large dog park, for the large and not so large breeds and although has incredible expanses of beaches, rarely do people make the 10 minute walk down to the beach.
Head North to Novato or West to Walnut Creek:
Almost always where the fog stops and the sunshine persists. Fog is always in battle with the sun as evaporation and higher in-land temperatures will ultimately be the cloud’s demise
Delta Breeze:
The after effect of strong fog is a back lash. It is the after effect from the fog and winds caused by the hot air rising. The Delta Breeze often rolls in during early evening times here in Sacramento becoming the welcome rescue from very hot days. I always recommend spending your days in coastal or river waters or up at cooler elevations and heading back to the valley for an evening in the garden or patio.
++++++++++++++++++
The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer’s day in San Francisco. (Wrongly attributed to Mark Twain)
http://www.snopes.com/quotes/twain.asp
Link: Reno hot air balloon festival
September 9-11 in Reno
http://www.renoballoon.com/
Link: Sky lantern festival; I don’t think they will fly in the US
http://youtu.be/4tHphYapiUs
Don’t miss the free Berkeley Kite Festival, it’s just one of those things that are too huge to get pictures of. It is an all day event. Bring backpacks and wagons!
http://www.highlinekites.com/pages.php?pageid=21/
Chrissy Field, in particular the warming huts that you should know about.
http://www.parksconservancy.org/our-work/crissy/
Fort Funston, hang gliding and dog park
http://www.parksconservancy.org/visit/park-sites/fort-funston.html
Crawdad fishing; tie a piece of bacon to a rock and have a kid’s blast!
http://www.azcentral.com/families/articles/0819fam_waystoplay1.html?&wired
Days are starting to get shorter so you better jump on in it!
After the summer solstice sunlight begins to diminish. So plan your trips now! It is your last chance before winter time hits and you will have not ventured much.
Do your own youtube or google searches on these:
Concerts in the park, dive in movies, swimming pools and swimming holes, escape the heat. Remember these are just starters for your imaginary pleasure. There are so many things out there to do. Get out there!
Today Roz is a little over two months out at sea, alone and self supported she continues to battle rogue waves and equipment issues. I started this blog so that you may support her in her mission to spread awareness and continue to do small actions to reverse some of the ecological blights we have unleashed onto the world. Here is a quick link to help me out. All you have to do is put www.RozSavage.com in the comment section. Thanks, it is worth a go!
http://ellen.warnerbros.com/show/respond/?PlugID=433
“The wind in San Francisco doesn’t blow it sucks”
The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer’s day in San Francisco. (Wrongly attributed to Mark Twain)
Hot air rises. If you think about hot air balloons, and sky lanterns, this phenomenon is easily understood.
From Redding all the way to Mexico is a desert. In summer time hot air rising (over the desert) sucks in cold air from the sea. Even before the Golden Gate Bridge was built, two mountain tops created the perfect funnel for cool air mass. Mount Tamalpais to the north, in Marin County and Twin Peaks, the top of San Francisco, direct this air towards Berkeley and up the delta while simultaneously squeezing the cool air mass as it passes the narrow channel between Fort Point and East Fort Baker. Squeezing is synonymous with condensing and therefore condensation, more locally known as fog.
June, July and August are not good for being a tourist in San Francisco. September and October, due to the lack of temperature gradient are far better times to view the incredible sights in The City. However, if you are into wind sports like sailing, para gliding, kite surfing, wind surfing, kite flying, hang gliding, etc. This is the time of year to blossom.
Wind travels in circles too. Picture the arms of a hurricane with “s” shaped patterns coming out from the eye. Sometimes you are able to work yourself up(north) or down(south) the beach to catch off-shore or on-shore winds. If you are a surfer, winds can help you or make your day more challenging. An offshore wind blows out to sea from the beach and holds up a wave when it breaks forming better curlers. It may also blow your kayak out to sea so pick your toys wisely today. An onshore wind blows from sea to beach and “blows down” a wave pushing it down instead of holding it up.
Gusty winds are more difficult to learn sports like windsurfing and kite boarding. You will want consistent winds of about 10mph. You will want a beginner board that is wide and long and a beginner sail that is small and light. Pack plenty of energy and hydration. The learning curve is pretty steep.
Winds can affect your touring kayak greatly and is often more dangerous than the cold water. Most people think that wind will turn your kayak into the wind or away from it. That is, so that you are either getting a face full of wind or the opposite, you are getting slapped squarely in the back between your shoulder blades with each gust. However, wind actually turns your kayak sideways to it. Wind will then be coming from directly left or right depending on which side of the boat the wind is on. At about 15mph you will want to be thinking about another plan as you will be spending some energy paddling against the wind that wants to turn you sideways to it. At 20mph you will want a rudder. (more on this on kayaking blog) At 25mph you will be seeing whitecaps where there is no current. The wind is actually picking up water and dragging it around with her. An astute paddler can see wind gusts do this over the surface of the water. Hint: if you see the windsurfers unfurling their sails, you might want to keep your kayak close to land. I can almost always expect the wind trying to push me back up river at the take out after a day of river paddling. It usually gets stronger until the sun goes down and then disappears quite rapidly with nightfall. Again, it is the remnants of hot air rising and the Delta Breeze
My learning how to surf blog has more information about beaches and wind.
Other stuff:
Hot springs are geothermal activity that happens in volcanic areas throughout the world. They are common in the Sierra Nevadas. Links Below.
http://www.hotspringsenthusiast.com/California.asp
http://gocalifornia.about.com/od/topcalifornia/a/ca_hot_springs.htm
http://gocalifornia.about.com/od/casierraseast/a/hot_springs.htm
Teepees and Victorian homes:
The native American Indians knew about hot air rising and had built it into their teepees. They had very tall 18-25’ teepees. They would build a small fire in the middle, and then open up the bottom side vents causing a “venturi” effect.
If you go to the old Victorian homes in the southern states like Mississippi and Alabama you will notice the domes with the turret of windows up top. Then look lower, at the base of the dome, you will see gas jet nipples all around. If you ask a docent what they are for, they will tell you that they light them in the summer time, like the teepees, the hot air rising sucks cold air from the base level windows. The shrubbery around the base of the house is a source of cold air coupled with the morning dew that rests on the leaves, it creates a swamp cooler effect, through convection and evaporation.
Fort Funston:
Where hang gliders and para-gliders literally jump off a cliff and are swept up by the winds. It is also a very large dog park, for the large and not so large breeds and although has incredible expanses of beaches, rarely do people make the 10 minute walk down to the beach.
Head North to Novato or West to Walnut Creek:
Almost always where the fog stops and the sunshine persists. Fog is always in battle with the sun as evaporation and higher in-land temperatures will ultimately be the cloud’s demise
Delta Breeze:
The after effect of strong fog is a back lash. It is the after effect from the fog and winds caused by the hot air rising. The Delta Breeze often rolls in during early evening times here in Sacramento becoming the welcome rescue from very hot days. I always recommend spending your days in coastal or river waters or up at cooler elevations and heading back to the valley for an evening in the garden or patio.
++++++++++++++++++
The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer’s day in San Francisco. (Wrongly attributed to Mark Twain)
http://www.snopes.com/quotes/twain.asp
Link: Reno hot air balloon festival
September 9-11 in Reno
http://www.renoballoon.com/
Link: Sky lantern festival; I don’t think they will fly in the US
http://youtu.be/4tHphYapiUs
Don’t miss the free Berkeley Kite Festival, it’s just one of those things that are too huge to get pictures of. It is an all day event. Bring backpacks and wagons!
http://www.highlinekites.com/pages.php?pageid=21/
Chrissy Field, in particular the warming huts that you should know about.
http://www.parksconservancy.org/our-work/crissy/
Fort Funston, hang gliding and dog park
http://www.parksconservancy.org/visit/park-sites/fort-funston.html
Crawdad fishing; tie a piece of bacon to a rock and have a kid’s blast!
http://www.azcentral.com/families/articles/0819fam_waystoplay1.html?&wired
Days are starting to get shorter so you better jump on in it!
After the summer solstice sunlight begins to diminish. So plan your trips now! It is your last chance before winter time hits and you will have not ventured much.
Do your own youtube or google searches on these:
Concerts in the park, dive in movies, swimming pools and swimming holes, escape the heat. Remember these are just starters for your imaginary pleasure. There are so many things out there to do. Get out there!
Today Roz is a little over two months out at sea, alone and self supported she continues to battle rogue waves and equipment issues. I started this blog so that you may support her in her mission to spread awareness and continue to do small actions to reverse some of the ecological blights we have unleashed onto the world. Here is a quick link to help me out. All you have to do is put www.RozSavage.com in the comment section. Thanks, it is worth a go!
http://ellen.warnerbros.com/show/respond/?PlugID=433
18 April 2011
Kayaking and Whitewater boating: Into the Flow, Immersion!
Into the flow, sometimes immersion is the only way to learn.
Precipitation is a wonderful thing and is very closely related to the amount of my salivation. When it's snowing up top it's probably raining down low. Moisture to a kayaker is like dreams to an insomniac.
Upper Elevations, Snow:
The upper Sierra Nevada begin to collect the year's worth of snow pack to supply the cities with power and fresh water. Kayakers and Whitewater rafters gather their gear to grab the most of the pristine river and creek runs. But the short daylight hours and the cooler temperatures in the upper elevations as well as labile wind and precipitation will need to be mitigated. Also, beware that the higher and/or new run-off may change river features. Most notable of changes to beware of are the river's edges may be high and therefore in the the trees or brush; erosion may change the river banks them-selves; and coupled with the erosion as well as recent weather, trees fall and become strainers (to be discussed in next blog).
Lower Elevations, Rains:
While it's snowing on the summits, it will be raining in the lower elevations. For simplicity's sake I call all of the mountains along the coast the Coastal Mountain Range(there are many, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mountain_ranges_of_California) as opposed to the Sierra Nevada Range and who you ask... The Coastal Mountain Range(s) are lower in elevation and generally warmer. Whitewater boaters wait for hard rains to come in and get their gear (as well as proficiency) up to par. Depending on how high or how low the water shed is according to the gradient... yada yada yada... let's just say some rivers flow depending on WHEN it rains.. for instance some creeks such as Cazadero will flow during a hard rain. But some rivers will start to flow some time after a hard rain. The Smith and Eel rivers generally flow between one and three days after a hard rain. Beware, brush and fallen trees are high danger during these early season runs.
What did the fish say when he hit a wall? ... Dam!
Kayakers, Rowers and Paddle Guides have a love-hate relationship with dams. Dams are bad because they "drown" the valley that they involve, suffocating the natural resources. There are many considerations to contemplate but a good start is reading the Cadillac Desert, http://www.amazon.com/Cadillac-Desert-American-Disappearing-Revised/dp/0140178244.
You never want to build the gutter to your house at the top of the roof. It will never collect the amount of water that you want to collect. And if you build your gutter around your property, then you will need a heck of a lot of bricks and will need to check on them often. Like-wise the best place to build a dam is at the Sierra Foothills. The deep valley walls coupled with the relatively small amount of bricks make collecting in these cisterns much simpler. Building a dam in the delta would be unthinkable as current levy systems are not able to be maintained as of this writing. The good thing about dams is that there is a guy sitting in the dam that quite literally dials up the flow. This means that I know exactly what the flow is. This consistency makes it a whole lot easier, especially when I take beginners on their first rafting adventure. The South Fork of the American River is the perfect example of this as it runs both above and below dams(six of them).
I touched upon the above, regarding sunlight... The longer sunlit days as summer approaches make getting further from home easier. Often with the ability to set up camp without the use of headlights. Although I always pack my tent, sleeping bag and flashlight last, just in case. The canyon walls in a river valley often obscure sun so that the only times that direct sunlight warms you is during the noon to immediate after noon hours. Time going on side-hikes to waterfalls accordingly. Not paying attention to this means that arriving at a waterfall when the afternoon sun no longer is visible and swimming in its pool is no longer as desirable.
Natural Phenomena: Bears and Snakes and Poison Ivy
The flowers aren't the only things that bloom around here. Watch out for the waking bears, snakes warming themselves on rocks and the blossoms of poison ivy. Snakes don't like people, they can detect our hard foot steps from about a quarter of a mile away by sensing vibrations through their body and tongue. All you have to do is step harder than usual and you will almost always not see them. (consider mountain bikers and rock climbers with a much more delicate footprint here)
Go fly a kite!
Wind tends to pick up (explained at summertimes' blog) later in the afternoon. When rafting, at the reservoir at the end of most days, approaching take-out may become a challenge. Reserve some energy to argue with this wind at the end of the day. It still beats a session at 24hr fitness, so take it in stride.
Ever Hit a Bubble?
A bump or bubble is slang for the release of a dam and therefore a dramatic rise in water flow. Rafters want to be at the beginning or during this "bump or bubble" to catch the release of fun. Too late in the day and the drop in water causes the rocks to make the travel challenging at best or worse, impassable at the shallower reaches.
Unlike the ocean when there is a lul between waves and a lull between sets of waves, the river is often relentless... please manage risks well. My next blog will cover several safety issues to consider when running rivers. Please stay tuned :)
Below are some websites that I use to check on river flows and conditions as well as beta (second hand information) about current ongoings with a particular level or run. These guys have been giving free information and in my opinion have been not only saving lives and limbs but also making boating so much enjoyable for as long as I have been boating. They deserve whatever kudos you can offer.
ca creeks: http://www.cacreeks.com/
dream flows: http://www.dreamflows.com/
cfs: http://www.cfsonline.org/
peak adventures: http://peakadventuresoutdoors.blogspot.com/2010/06/rafting-opener-for-2010.html
sierra rescue: http://www.sierrarescue.com/
waterfallswest: http://www.waterfallswest.com/
california canoe and kayak: http://www.calkayak.com/
I started this Blog a year ago, please look back at the Wildflowers and Waterfalls post as this year will be even more dramatic than last year due to the snow-pack. Note that I remember being excited about the waterfalls LAST year... this year will be even better... don't miss out!
Today, Roz has been out at sea for six days near Austrailia where she launched. On Sunday April 24th 2011, (Easter Sunday) she will have spent a total of 365 days alone at sea. This information is freely given to you in hopes that you will find a way to support her valiant and honorable efforts... www.RozSavage.com
Row Roz Row!
Precipitation is a wonderful thing and is very closely related to the amount of my salivation. When it's snowing up top it's probably raining down low. Moisture to a kayaker is like dreams to an insomniac.
Upper Elevations, Snow:
The upper Sierra Nevada begin to collect the year's worth of snow pack to supply the cities with power and fresh water. Kayakers and Whitewater rafters gather their gear to grab the most of the pristine river and creek runs. But the short daylight hours and the cooler temperatures in the upper elevations as well as labile wind and precipitation will need to be mitigated. Also, beware that the higher and/or new run-off may change river features. Most notable of changes to beware of are the river's edges may be high and therefore in the the trees or brush; erosion may change the river banks them-selves; and coupled with the erosion as well as recent weather, trees fall and become strainers (to be discussed in next blog).
Lower Elevations, Rains:
While it's snowing on the summits, it will be raining in the lower elevations. For simplicity's sake I call all of the mountains along the coast the Coastal Mountain Range(there are many, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mountain_ranges_of_California) as opposed to the Sierra Nevada Range and who you ask... The Coastal Mountain Range(s) are lower in elevation and generally warmer. Whitewater boaters wait for hard rains to come in and get their gear (as well as proficiency) up to par. Depending on how high or how low the water shed is according to the gradient... yada yada yada... let's just say some rivers flow depending on WHEN it rains.. for instance some creeks such as Cazadero will flow during a hard rain. But some rivers will start to flow some time after a hard rain. The Smith and Eel rivers generally flow between one and three days after a hard rain. Beware, brush and fallen trees are high danger during these early season runs.
What did the fish say when he hit a wall? ... Dam!
Kayakers, Rowers and Paddle Guides have a love-hate relationship with dams. Dams are bad because they "drown" the valley that they involve, suffocating the natural resources. There are many considerations to contemplate but a good start is reading the Cadillac Desert, http://www.amazon.com/Cadillac-Desert-American-Disappearing-Revised/dp/0140178244.
You never want to build the gutter to your house at the top of the roof. It will never collect the amount of water that you want to collect. And if you build your gutter around your property, then you will need a heck of a lot of bricks and will need to check on them often. Like-wise the best place to build a dam is at the Sierra Foothills. The deep valley walls coupled with the relatively small amount of bricks make collecting in these cisterns much simpler. Building a dam in the delta would be unthinkable as current levy systems are not able to be maintained as of this writing. The good thing about dams is that there is a guy sitting in the dam that quite literally dials up the flow. This means that I know exactly what the flow is. This consistency makes it a whole lot easier, especially when I take beginners on their first rafting adventure. The South Fork of the American River is the perfect example of this as it runs both above and below dams(six of them).
I touched upon the above, regarding sunlight... The longer sunlit days as summer approaches make getting further from home easier. Often with the ability to set up camp without the use of headlights. Although I always pack my tent, sleeping bag and flashlight last, just in case. The canyon walls in a river valley often obscure sun so that the only times that direct sunlight warms you is during the noon to immediate after noon hours. Time going on side-hikes to waterfalls accordingly. Not paying attention to this means that arriving at a waterfall when the afternoon sun no longer is visible and swimming in its pool is no longer as desirable.
Natural Phenomena: Bears and Snakes and Poison Ivy
The flowers aren't the only things that bloom around here. Watch out for the waking bears, snakes warming themselves on rocks and the blossoms of poison ivy. Snakes don't like people, they can detect our hard foot steps from about a quarter of a mile away by sensing vibrations through their body and tongue. All you have to do is step harder than usual and you will almost always not see them. (consider mountain bikers and rock climbers with a much more delicate footprint here)
Go fly a kite!
Wind tends to pick up (explained at summertimes' blog) later in the afternoon. When rafting, at the reservoir at the end of most days, approaching take-out may become a challenge. Reserve some energy to argue with this wind at the end of the day. It still beats a session at 24hr fitness, so take it in stride.
Ever Hit a Bubble?
A bump or bubble is slang for the release of a dam and therefore a dramatic rise in water flow. Rafters want to be at the beginning or during this "bump or bubble" to catch the release of fun. Too late in the day and the drop in water causes the rocks to make the travel challenging at best or worse, impassable at the shallower reaches.
Unlike the ocean when there is a lul between waves and a lull between sets of waves, the river is often relentless... please manage risks well. My next blog will cover several safety issues to consider when running rivers. Please stay tuned :)
Below are some websites that I use to check on river flows and conditions as well as beta (second hand information) about current ongoings with a particular level or run. These guys have been giving free information and in my opinion have been not only saving lives and limbs but also making boating so much enjoyable for as long as I have been boating. They deserve whatever kudos you can offer.
ca creeks: http://www.cacreeks.com/
dream flows: http://www.dreamflows.com/
cfs: http://www.cfsonline.org/
peak adventures: http://peakadventuresoutdoors.blogspot.com/2010/06/rafting-opener-for-2010.html
sierra rescue: http://www.sierrarescue.com/
waterfallswest: http://www.waterfallswest.com/
california canoe and kayak: http://www.calkayak.com/
I started this Blog a year ago, please look back at the Wildflowers and Waterfalls post as this year will be even more dramatic than last year due to the snow-pack. Note that I remember being excited about the waterfalls LAST year... this year will be even better... don't miss out!
Today, Roz has been out at sea for six days near Austrailia where she launched. On Sunday April 24th 2011, (Easter Sunday) she will have spent a total of 365 days alone at sea. This information is freely given to you in hopes that you will find a way to support her valiant and honorable efforts... www.RozSavage.com
Row Roz Row!
11 February 2011
Springtime Blooms and Cascades Galore... and more!
Just a little reminder of the wonderful things mother nature has in store for us this next few months....
I write in haste as I am planning to teach some friends how to snowboard at an INDOOR snowboarding facility in Sacramento! Included is some balance and core excercises for off season or off summit training. Rush Training Center, http://www.rush-tc.com/site/
Coming soon... Kayaking!!!
Here are some pointers for wildflower hikes and waterfall hikes
www.waterfallswest.com
www.trails.com
http://yosemitefun.com/yosemite_best_time_to_visit.htm
the best times to be in Yosemite
http://www.frogtown.org/
may 19-22 2011 Calaveras Jumping Frog Jubilee
wild flower hikes
http://www.wildflowerhikes.com/
http://www.everytrail.com/guide/bay-area-wildflower-hikes
http://www.weekendsherpa.com/newsletter/wildflower-hikes-bay-area-mount-tam-las-trampas-russian-ridge/201
http://www.7x7.com/travel-active/behold-wine-country-wildflowers
http://www.renyswildflowers.com/guide.html
note some other things to do such as
wine tasting
caving and ziplining at moaning caverns
http://www.caverntours.com/MoCavRt.htm
Rivers are starting to plunge (my river kayaking season is upon me) The lakes are filling up for kayak touring. Email me for push in the right direction...
Stand-up paddleboarding is now mainstream!
Mountain and Road Biking are now widespread!
My favorite little lake is Lake Amador for hiking, biking, kayaking, swimming, near Calaveras Big Trees National Park, don't forget about Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon Nationl Park
Roz is still looking for sponsorship and is actively fundraising at ...
www.RozSavage.com
Cheers!
I write in haste as I am planning to teach some friends how to snowboard at an INDOOR snowboarding facility in Sacramento! Included is some balance and core excercises for off season or off summit training. Rush Training Center, http://www.rush-tc.com/site/
Coming soon... Kayaking!!!
Here are some pointers for wildflower hikes and waterfall hikes
www.waterfallswest.com
www.trails.com
http://yosemitefun.com/yosemite_best_time_to_visit.htm
the best times to be in Yosemite
http://www.frogtown.org/
may 19-22 2011 Calaveras Jumping Frog Jubilee
wild flower hikes
http://www.wildflowerhikes.com/
http://www.everytrail.com/guide/bay-area-wildflower-hikes
http://www.weekendsherpa.com/newsletter/wildflower-hikes-bay-area-mount-tam-las-trampas-russian-ridge/201
http://www.7x7.com/travel-active/behold-wine-country-wildflowers
http://www.renyswildflowers.com/guide.html
note some other things to do such as
wine tasting
caving and ziplining at moaning caverns
http://www.caverntours.com/MoCavRt.htm
Rivers are starting to plunge (my river kayaking season is upon me) The lakes are filling up for kayak touring. Email me for push in the right direction...
Stand-up paddleboarding is now mainstream!
Mountain and Road Biking are now widespread!
My favorite little lake is Lake Amador for hiking, biking, kayaking, swimming, near Calaveras Big Trees National Park, don't forget about Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon Nationl Park
Roz is still looking for sponsorship and is actively fundraising at ...
www.RozSavage.com
Cheers!
03 February 2011
Blubber Wars, Sausage Parties, Fishmash, Blowholes and Shark Bait...February and March
February and March on the Northern California Coast
Blubber Wars and Sausage Parties, Fishmash, Blowholes and Shark Bait…
The beaches and coves all along the Northern California coast all of a sudden come to life as the marine mammals begin their annual antics during mating and pupping season. Magnificent Gray Whales migrate north and have to circumvent the outermost point of the historic Point Reyes Light House, not coincidentally the best place to view whale migration from land.
But while you are there you may want to visit the dramatic increase of the Elephant Seal population on Limantour Beach. The old historic and by some accounts haunted (with good spirits) life boat station has now been renovated into a hostel. Ano Nuevo further south near Half Moon Bay is another wonderful destination spot. Learn about these magnificent creatures as they batter themselves in a fight for the harem. They can get to be the size of an SUV and watching two of them go chest to chest is more enticing than watching a crash derby.
Back up north at The Marine Mammal Center in the Marin Headlands just north of Sausalito, volunteers are grinding herring into fish-mash and tubing sick young elephant seals using a funnel and a silicon tube the diameter of your thumb to “milk” the fish mash into the esophagus of these unwilling to eat creatures. But first you have to separate and tackle them into submission using only planks, towels and your body weight. The medications go in the food. Well all except for the breathing treatments. Yes, seals get athsma and pneumonia oddly enough. It may be a stress related immune response. Never the less, dividing and coaxing one into a cage, covering up the holes and nebulizing albuterol and atrovent into the enclosure is a site to see.
But if you have a few hours a week to help volunteer, the true fun is teaching a baby harbor seal how to swim!!! First the preface. Mom harbor seal leaves baby on beach to hunt for food. Unsuspecting humans hear the quite litteral “MA, MA” guttural sounds from the baby, approach it or worse touch it, (they are not born with an immune system they get their immunity from mother’s milk) and now the mom will abandon the baby in fear for her own life. The TMMC will then watch and make sure that the baby is in fact abandoned, capture it and bring it back to a special quarantined unit. Baby harbor seals do not know how to swim. So a docent will submerge the baby in a tub, wait for a stress response and gently bring the baby to the surface. After about three to five times, the baby harbor seal quickly realizes that air is UP there! And tada, you have taught a harbor seal how to swim!
I recommend staying at one of the many hostels in the area. The Point Reyes Hostel is especially primed for groups and two hostels Point Montara near Pacifica and Pidgeon Point are renovated light houses!
Also while you are there... check out the giant redwoods in Muir Woods National Monument, Tidepools, see Drakes Bay Oyster Farm, and don't miss out on the beautiful small towns from Iverness to Fairfax, San Anselmo, Olema, Novato, Mount Tam, etc.
Bring your mountain bikes for the many trails there, or bring your road bikes for a tour in the wine country.
Elephant Seals
The Marine Mammal Center
Harbor Seals
http://www.marinemammalcenter.
California Sea Lion
Whale watching and whales
More to come!!!
Support my friend Roz, catch up with her on facebook (Roz Savage) or find www.RozSavage.com.
16 December 2010
Roz Running for Nat Geo People's Choice Adventurer of the year
The informaition that I have accumulated over the years, I have been happy to keep to myself. The sole reason to begin this blog was to promote two things that are important for me. Preserving the beautiful outdoors and promoting my fellow adventurer and dear friend Roz Savage. (She can scream louder than me).
I believe that if people do not enjoy natural beauty and be in awe of some of the spectacular things that happen on any given day outside, that it will become unimportant. Once set aside, the outdoors will perish to people who pollute, poach, encroach, landfill, drill, hunt and net in our name due to our lack of awareness of where it comes from and where it goes to. Something pretty short sighted for a "intelligent" culture.
She is currently making much headway in making the 2012 London Olympics Plastic Bag Free.
see www.messageinthewaves.com for more information about our plastic pollution.
Roz has an international acclaim and a pretty sweet record being the first solo woman to row across that Pacific Ocean. Please read the link below and vote for her.
I plan on keeping this blog filled with lots more information about enjoying the great, yet pivotal times that we live in, and hope that you will return the gesture by being aware that we collectively have a price and a carbon footprint.
Please vote for my friend Roz. It would make her message of inspiration and ecology so much easier to spread. It costs nothing and no information from you is needed. Thanks, Happy Holidays
http://adventure.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/adventurers-of-the-year/roz-savage-2010/
National Geographic encourages you to visit and vote daily.
I believe that if people do not enjoy natural beauty and be in awe of some of the spectacular things that happen on any given day outside, that it will become unimportant. Once set aside, the outdoors will perish to people who pollute, poach, encroach, landfill, drill, hunt and net in our name due to our lack of awareness of where it comes from and where it goes to. Something pretty short sighted for a "intelligent" culture.
She is currently making much headway in making the 2012 London Olympics Plastic Bag Free.
see www.messageinthewaves.com for more information about our plastic pollution.
Roz has an international acclaim and a pretty sweet record being the first solo woman to row across that Pacific Ocean. Please read the link below and vote for her.
I plan on keeping this blog filled with lots more information about enjoying the great, yet pivotal times that we live in, and hope that you will return the gesture by being aware that we collectively have a price and a carbon footprint.
Please vote for my friend Roz. It would make her message of inspiration and ecology so much easier to spread. It costs nothing and no information from you is needed. Thanks, Happy Holidays
http://adventure.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/adventurers-of-the-year/roz-savage-2010/
National Geographic encourages you to visit and vote daily.
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