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Rivers, culture and sunshine await us in Ecuador this January!

For more information visit http://www.endlessadventureinternational.com/RuthGordon.html

For the past 37 years (at least that is what I’m told) Toby has been organizing an annual trip to the coast on Nevada Day: The VG Surf Fest (curious about what VG stands for, you’ll have to ask him yourself). Basically it’s just a bunch of friends camping and surfing near Salmon Creek California.

This year we were blessed with FOUR days of great surf, great weather and fun times.

Some highlights:

-         Full moons

-         Toby making the late night drive so we could enjoy Friday morning surf

-         Four/Five star surf = Four/Five star workings

-         A late night hike through the dunes and on to the moonlit beach for a campfire

-         Pumpkin cookies

-         Ocean surf rookies Newt and Rita

-         Only a one out of four dogs getting skunked

-         Sunburns and sandburns

-         No sharks

-         Newton Debardelebendebenenenenen and his love of picnics

-         Breakfast al a Manny

Thanks to Stephen and Jessica for the good photos… the rest are from my cheesy waterproof.

Sad water days in Reno. The Truckee has seen some scary lows lately that have left the south channel of the whitewater park without a trickle. That’s right, not a drop of flowing water. Sad times, very sad times.

Without our backdoor paddling outlet, Stephen, Jason and I have taken to the mountains. Mountain biking has become our new past time, cross training and way to, ‘get the runnies out.’

Here are a couple shots from a ride in north Reno called Bobsled.

This weekend I joined five skilled climbers on a trip to Owens River Gorge. Found just east of the Yosemite Valley, the Owens River Gorge is one of the city of Los Angeles’s water sources. Deep in the river valley you’ll find a climber’s paradise.

The gorge is stunning volcanic rock.  Broken into six sections and hosting a lifetime of climbs; we focused our time in the Central and Upper Gorge areas. I think I climbed 8 routes during the two days all of varying abilities and with varying success.

Having only been on rock a handful of times I had no idea what to expect. The gorge is beautiful, access is easy, climbs are plentiful. If you climb and haven’t been…go! I know I look forward to my next climbing adventure at the gorge.

Thanks to Lucas, Mickey, Tom, Newt and Toby for all your kind words and support.

You can take the girl out of the country but you can’t take the country out of the girl.

I suppose I grew up on dirt roads and driving in less than desirable weather conditions but I was always intimidated and never actually knew what I was doing. This week I finally learned how to drive ‘off-road’. Reno local Rod Hall and his racing team supported athlete/driver Emily Miller host their first ever all women’s off-road driving course.

The group of women was diverse including athletes, test drivers, writers, technicians, tire sales etc. with equally varying backgrounds. The twelve of us were broken into team of two and split between three Ford Explorers and three Hummer H3’s. Through each exercise we would rotate vehicles allowing us a chance to try both and with different types of tires: pavement, all terrain and mud. My partner in crime, Lori, was an experienced technician, teacher, business owner and general joker. We were laughing before we even made it out of the parking lot.

Our goals for the course were to learn throttle control, accuracy and line choice. Through a series of exercises we were put to the test. Starting on the pavement we sped our way through a slalom course of cones. At the starting line my heart was racing, I wanted to go fast, but I really didn’t want to hit the cones. Looking where I wanted to go, keeping even throttle and accelerating through the corner I felt great. But by the time I screeched the brakes to a halt I couldn’t wait to get back up to the line to try again…and faster!

Done with the pavement the rest of our drills would be in the dirt. Next we went through a course working on tire placement. As a shorter person it was obvious this was going to be a challenging exercise since seeing over the hood of either vehicle was unrealistic. In an off-road situation it would be likely both driver and passenger would get out and scout the obstacle and then the passenger would verbally help to guide the driver. We were locked between boulders and poor placement would certainly end in a dent or scratch. My passenger provided me days worth of entertainment but when it came to communicating about where I needed to go her words turned to grunts. Unfortunately when she finally did spit out something comprehendible… I didn’t listen (the ‘control’ in me, sorry Lori). Luckily our truck made it through unscathed.

For the remainder of the day we worked on traction and torque. We climbed hills, worked through a mud pit and drove a short course through some loose sand. By the end of the exercises I was confident in the 4×4 capabilities of the vehicles and my abilities as a driver. Even stopping mid-way up a hill and regaining throttle control or while crossing a hill at a steep angle I was at ease. But the one technique that I still struggle with is left foot braking! What a challenge!

The highlight of the course was to be passenger to Emily Miller in an H1. We each had a chance to don a helmet and get buckled in to a four point harness for the ride of our lives. Emily took us on a quick course at rally speed so we could feel what it would be like to race off-road. In just a few short minutes we went up, down and all around flying through turns at high speed. Dropping down and coming out of the hill through a deep sand corner I was amazed at the drift and stability of such a huge truck! On the straight away Emily says ‘I wonder how my jump is today?” Before I can even process the word ‘jump’ we are soaring through the air, all four tires off the ground! YAHOO!

Rounding out the day Sue Mead, driver and auto industry icon lead a discussion on the automobile industry and the environment. I was both surprised and happy to learn that companies are still working on solutions to our petroleum dependency issues. And although the Prius might be an answer today the future will hold many exciting options. 

The following day we took to the hills north of Reno. What I would call my back yard, our team of trucks climbed up Peavine, winding our way up steep hills, over washed out roads and down loose terrain. With my new found skills the trail ride felt like I had come home… back to the country…. only this time I wasn’t scared, I was prepared!

            A bit about Emily Miller. She learned to drive under Rod Hall after turning 40 (not long ago) and has since had many podium finishes, recently winning TSCO Vegas to Reno race. She has been driver and navigator on many races and earlier this year spent 9 days on course in Morocco where racers were only allowed to use a compass and map! www.teammillerfisher.com, www.rodhallracing.com

A little video so you can appreciate the diversity of a whitewater park: Kayak – Jim, SUP – Ruth, Surf – Mar

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJu7GEWDt9M

5 days at home and we pack up and head to the coast for the weekend. The next three weekends are going to be dedicated to our UNR whitewater class so I had to agree an adventure to Monterey was a good plan.

With three days to fill we managed to visit the Monterey aquarium, paddle up elk horn slough, and head north to enjoy kayak surf on some excellent waves at Salmon Creek.

Highlights

-         sea horse exhibit and the sea dragons

-         jelly fish while sea kayaking

-         shaky Fiji excited about sea otters and birds

-         waking up to a buck rubbing it’s horns on the tree outside our truck

-         Dinner at TV show host chef’s restaurant

-         Four star surf at Salmon Creek

-         Visiting Lagunitas

Here are a couple of pics from our weekend away.

It’s a weird feeling when the event you’ve spent the last days, weeks, months, years of your life training for is suddenly over. I needed a vacation. I thought of a beach, reading a book, drinking margaritas and floating in the ocean. Toby had other ideas.

I was given a one day pass to rest (which meant packing and driving in the car to Geneva) and then it was game on. We had five days to find as much adventure in Switzerland as possible.

Day one and two were spent on road bikes climbing the foothills of the French Alps. We rode north and east from Geneva along the France border. By the sixth hour of the first day I was ready to call it a day. We stopped at the only hotel around for miles: $200/night. I blinked but exhaustion overcame me, ‘I’ll take it.’ ‘Sorry, we’re full.’ Now why would you tell me the price if you’re FULL!! Back on the bike for another hour, ouch. By the time we arrived at the next hotel I was spent. It was slightly cheaper (and I mean only slightly) but it was comfortable and the view was nice. By seventh hour of the second day I was physically finished riding, our pace had been reasonable but prior this trip I had only been on a road bike once before: I was sore and tired. As planned we found the train and took the ride all the way back to Geneva. Yes, travelling in Switzerland is easy.

Day three took us to the Interlaken area. After enjoying a view of the Stockhorn Mountain from my window in Thun I was keen to see the top of this mountain looking back at Thun. We arrived early afternoon and agreed that taking the gondola to the mid-station would allow us to hike to the top and then ALL the way to the bottom before the sunset (yes, all the way past the mid-station and down). We made good time to the top, the views were excellent, and the food was the cheapest of the entire trip! The top portion of the way down was littered with blackberries so we took our time enjoying a little dessert here and there. Reaching the mid-station we watched the last gondola go down, down, down and disappear into the trees. It was then we noticed the dark clouds coming in from behind the peak. Now it was time to hustle. The trail from the mid-station down was basically stairs… straight down. Hours later we reached the car just in time for the rain to begin.

Awaking on Day Four our legs were burning from the hike down. I was hurting but when Toby admitted his soreness I knew it was serious. Now we had to find an activity we could we do that our legs could handle. We decided we would join the tourist band wagon and jump on the train to the ‘Top of Europe.’ The Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau are three of the highest peaks in Europe, famous as climbing destinations; they were developed into a tourist destination over a100 years ago. A brilliant engineer decided he would put a train through the Eiger and Monch so that tourists could get to the top of the mountains and out on to the glaciers. It is quite an experience. The train to the top takes over an hour and climbs over 9000 feet. Unusually the train stops twice; once in the middle of each the Eiger and the Monch. The train stops and you have a chance to look out through the mountain. Crazy. Basically they’ve cut holes in the side of the mountain as viewing.

At the top the views are plentiful and stunning. We walked through the ice castle for the classic ‘Top of Europe’ photos and then made our way out onto the walkway that takes you out along the glacier. The sun was shinning and at 11 000 ft the air was thin. Add some sore legs and our walk was slow and steady. The viewing tower is an amazing architectural feat and standing on the outer platform made me want to cling to the railing – scary!

Our fifth and final day in Switerland was another BIG adventure day. We joined Outdoor Interlaken for their advanced canyoning. I had been on this trip two years ago but was excited to share it with someone else. Toby was the perfect victim. Geared up in wetsuits, helmets, lifejackets and harnesses we hiked deep into the Chli Schlieren canyon. We spent the day experiencing a new way of looking at a river: jumping into small pools, sliding super fast waterfalls, and rappelling over drops. This level of canyoning is a kayakers playground or adult waterpark, we had a blast!

Switzerland is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream vacation location. Hiking and biking trails are well marked all over the country. Every corner has a new adventure; paragliding, bungee jumping, rafting, sky diving etc. Only downside would be the high cost – bring a tent and some camping gear and you’re good to go (just avoid campsites beside train tracks…right Toby?).

Back home in North America, I now feel like I need a vacation from my vacation.

Photos weren’t uploading so check out this site for a taste of our adventures

http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=7k3svi7v.5ss2gf3n&x=0&y=tv4ixd&localeid=en_US 

What happens when you’re at the top? Well, one of two things can happen: you can stay there or move down. And other than EJ’s amazing string of titles, the odds are tough. Finishing in second place at the World Championships this year was still a great accomplishment for me. The field of K-1 women was strong and those vying for top seed were all at a level of skill that could have put anyone in position for gold.

I was proud to sit in the eddy with the likes of Tanya Faux, Emily Jackson, Mariann Saether, Ingrid Schlott, Emily Wall, Fiona Garvie etc. Looking around the line-up of women it’s interesting to think about everyone’s background, training ground, strengths and weaknesses. There were waterfall hucksters, small hole experts, big wave ladies and everything in between.

So what is the best combination? I don’t think there is any one answer but I do know that playing the scoring game is very important: knowing the points of each move, knowing how many points your best ride can get you etc. Competition is a game and the best player holds the most knowledge.

I paddled well, I was prepared, I was strong and competitive. I held my position near the top throughout the entire competition, but came up short on the final day. It just wasn’t my day. It was great to see Emily take top honors. She is an excellent paddler who had an excellent winning ride. The combo of her and Nick with dueling gold medals is pretty amazing.

Highlights of the Competition:

-         instant replay on the big screen

-         jam session with the ladies after the semi-finals

-         watching Jason Craig take the Jr Men’s Gold

-         having Toby show up seconds before my first ride of the competition

-         being part of a great Canadian team

The whirlwind tour of the World Championships is over….for now, for 2009.

Thanks to Karen Craig for the pics.

Interview Billy Harris took as Emily and I got off the water…

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