Your Online Resource for Hiking, Backpacking, Cross-Country Skiing, and Snowshoeing at Lake Tahoe
Ski bindings, whether they be for Nordic skis, Alpine skis, Telemark skis, or Randonee skis (Alpine Touring), are the unsung heroes of the world of skiing. Without bindings, skis are rendered useless for they’re the direct interface between human and technology (skis). Their purpose is to enable us to exert control over the skis. Pretty…
There are countless variations of classic cross-country ski boots in circulation. At one end of the spectrum are vintage patent leather shoes designed for use with an old 3-pin binding system (NN), and will most likely be found in a thrift store or at a garage sale! On the other end are high-tech/high-top styles of…
I’m often met with disbelief after handing first-time cross-country skiers their ski poles at the rental shop where I seasonally work. Those same customers then ask, “These are so much longer than my alpine ski poles. Are they supposed to be so long?” Or, they make some related statement about the length of the cross-country…
Recreational cross-country skiers rejoiced many years ago thanks to the introduction of “waxless” cross-country skis. No more sticky kick wax to deal with, particularly of the klister variety! And, no more trial and error to achieve the ideal grip for diagonal striding! These waxless cross-country skis featured a fish scale-looking pattern in the grip zone/wax…
Presented to you in this article and collection of videos are some basic lessons on waxing your waxless cross-country skis. I prefer to use the term “functional” when describing my style of waxing. This is because I aim for function rather than high-performance results. I cross-country ski for enjoyment, exploration, and exercise (not racing), so…
Don’t get me wrong. I have absolutely no problem with Lake Tahoe’s scenery during the fall. The views are as idyllic as any mountainous locale in the world. Really, I’m not complaining. It’s just that I have this one minor, teeny-weeny, itsy-bitsy gripe. And this is coming from an artist, mind you, so take it…
The Rubicon Trail is a picturesque hiking trail located on the southwest corner of Lake Tahoe. It contours the shoreline from Emerald Bay to D.L. Bliss State Park and boasts long, continuous panoramic views of Lake Tahoe. From aspects of the trail you can see many prominent locations of South Tahoe, such as: ***Please note…
Freel Peak is the highest peak in the Lake Tahoe Basin, standing at 10,881 feet. It sits on the border between the Lake Tahoe Basin and the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. As such, Freel Peak offers unparalleled 360 degree views of the entire region. In addition to panoramic views, you’ll find a variety of Sierra Nevada…
Hiking Freel Peak, Jobs Sister, and Jobs Peak in one shot is a goal shared by many Tahoe locals and weekend visitors. It’s an arduous but relatively safe route. It’s mostly above treeline, so it offers 360 degree views for miles in all directions. Each of the three peaks featured in this hike sit above…
Many people who come to Lake Tahoe plan on hiking bigger and more iconic trails such as Mount Tallac, Freel Peak, or Mount Rose. However, those hikes are all-day affairs. And sometimes you just don’t have the time or energy to tackle the longer hikes of Lake Tahoe. Or, there’s too much snow in the…