If you keep your eyes open, you will find great things to do at night at Lake Tahoe. One of the best is when you get the opportunity to take advantage of the great athletes of the world that come to Tahoe to tell their stories through the Alpenglow Sports Winter Film Series. The latest is Emily Harrington, climber extraordinaire, who will present, “The Long Way” on February 12th at 7 pm at the Olympic Village Lodge. It will document a National Geographic expedition of her adventure, suffering and ultimate reward found in the jungles and peaks of Myanmar.
Harrington has climbed all over the world, and has summited Mt. Everest. This past fall she was one of five members of The North Face/National Geographic Team which traveled to Myanmar to seek the summit of Mt. Hkakabo Razi, the highest peak in this remote and mysterious country. Myanmar has a brutal history of political upheaval, civil war and human rights violations. Even before climbing to the peak, the group had a 250 mile hike on foot through the dense, remote jungle to reach the Tibetan border and begin the ascent. They encountered challenging obstacles, and a great deal of physical suffering, yet emerged considering it a life altering experience.
“We’ve had a glimpse into Emily’s show and her tale is absolutely amazing,” says Brendan Madigan, owner of Alpenglow Sports. “She’s continually pushing the ceiling of possibility not only in women’s climbing, but in the sport as a whole. I don’t know of another athlete who excels at all disciplines and has the ability to weave their adventures into such a compelling tale. Her story is not to be missed.”
This is the 4th installment of this year’s Alpenglow Winter Film Series, now in it’s 9th year. All shows are free, and there is a raffle available with the proceeds going to various local non-profit organizations. This month’s beneficiary is the Tahoe Institute for Natural Science. The final installment of this year’s series is in March. For additional information, please contact Brendan Madigan at Alpenglow Sports 530-583-6917 or brendan@alpenglowsports.com.
THINK OF ME, LYNN RICHARDSON, FOR ALL OF YOUR LAKE TAHOE AND TRUCKEE REAL ESTATE NEEDS!
As I went for a walk along Donner Lake’s east shore through the Donner Memorial Park recently, I heard a strange bird call. Soaring overhead was a majestic Bald Eagle. It wasn’t the screeching yell a la the opening of The Colbert Report, but more of a sing song cooing, which is why the bird’s unusual sound caught my attention.
I’ve seen these beautiful birds fairly frequently along Donner Lake’s shores, either soaring over the lake looking for food – or once, just sitting in a pine tree in my yard.
As it turns out, Bald Eagles are making a slow but steady comeback on our Sierra Shores and every year volunteers gather in the area to try and get a head count of the local population. In addition, organizations like Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care rehabs injured animals and returns them to the wild.
As we here in snow country anticipate our winter recreation opportunities, it often surprises us when we discover that critters apparently just wanna have fun too!
Last year, I was one of the lucky folks to have seen a red fox just outside my back door. I had never spotted one in the area previously (although I had seen their tracks) and the sighting was a real treat. So when this photo showed up via Outside Magazine, it made my day.
Wheeeeeeeeee! A young fox rides a quarry conveyor belt
Apparently the fox took a couple runs down the chutes. You can read more about the story behind this photo here: The Animal Zone
This recent video of a crow having a fine old time using a plastic lid to sled down someone’s roof went viral last week. I have to admit, it gave me quite a chuckle. (turn the sound off, the background noise is distracting)
While having so much wildlife around us can be compelling, there is a downside too. Anyone who has ever had a bear break in can attest to that. In addition, being distracted while driving can have some tragic consequences as well. Coming home from Reno the other day on I-80, a whole pack of coyotes decided to try to make a mad dash across the freeway right in front of me. Mercifully everyone on the road could stop in time, and the animals soon discovered the folly of their choice of road crossing, but it could have been an ugly scene. Most of us are often witness to the aftermath of what happens when an animal has a close encounter with a vehicle. The car no doubt had plenty of damage as well, but it had already been towed away.
Local organizations like The Bear League take in injured animals, and as I write this, they are currently trying to save a bear cub that got hit by a car. Sadly, the car just kept on truckin’, leaving the poor creature still alive but severely injured and suffering. If you run across such an incident, contact The Bear League at 530-525- paws (7297). They’ll make every effort to retrieve the injured animal and get them to medical care and appropriate rehab centers.
With California’s drought still in evidence, wildlife is drawn closer to the lake and the Truckee River looking for food and water. In addition, with the days getting shorter, it’s important to slow it down on the roads at night and to be especially alert. It will be better for the health and well being of both humans and animals alike.
THINK OF ME, LYNN RICHARDSON, FOR ALL OF YOUR LAKE TAHOE AND TRUCKEE REAL ESTATE NEEDS!
When one is presented with a less then optimal winter in the snow department, it’s time to squeeze those lemons and make some lemonade. Within 45 minutes of Truckee several great mountain biking trails are in tip top condition and ready to ride. So get out there and enjoy the dirt until the snow flies.
Photos courtesy of Kelly Conley
Heading down Highway 20
Drive 25 miles west on Interstate 80, and then take Highway 20 towards Nevada City. The next 22 miles you pass through a deep forest of conifers, briefly interrupted by several awesome viewpoints. The second one, Alpha Omega Vista has restrooms and a view of the eroded hillsides that are the still visible impacts of the Gold Rush. Five miles east of Nevada City you reach the Harmony Ridge Market on your right. Park in the Trail Parking lot, and decide on your trail option: Pioneer Trail or the Scotts Flat Trail.
The Pioneer Trail starts on the Harmony Market side and follows the highway back the way you came. It’s a lovely gentle climb for five miles, all rideable for just about any mountain biker. At five miles the trail crosses the road, and begins to get more challenging and steep. This is a good turn around point for many. Eventually it reaches all the way back to the Alpha Omega Rest Stop, which would be a fairly lengthy adventure.
The Scotts Flat Trail sits across the highway, and about one hundred yards uphill of the Market. This trail, recently constructed for mountain bikers, begins with a rolling jaunt at the top of the hill before heading down a long series of fun switchbacks to Scotts Flat Reservoir. Strong riders will have a blast and can turn around and ride back up, while others can follow the more gentle paved road to climb back to the start.
Photos courtesy of Kelly Conley
Peavine
Take the first McCarran Exit off Interstate 80 at the eastern edge of Reno. Head north past all of the commercial hubbub for a mile or two to Keystone, turn left. You will find trailhead on your right. A map of the extensive network of trails sits at the beginning of the ride, the trick will be remembering this map once you’ve been riding for awhile. It’s a high desert romp on popular trails, sometimes rocky, but mostly quite rideable, with beautiful views of the Reno metropolis and the high desert.
Photos courtesy of Kelly Conley
THINK OF ME, LYNN RICHARDSON, FOR ALL OF YOUR LAKE TAHOE AND TRUCKEE REAL ESTATE NEEDS!
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