Veterans’ Day Sale!

Where do I recycle compressed fuel canisters in Ventura?

To recycle empty, compressed fuel canisters in Ventura, drop them off at Gold Coast Recycling on Colt Street.

Gold Coast Recycling
5275 Colt Street
Ventura, CA 93003

Compressed Fuel Canister

Gold Coast Recycling, Ventura

Ian Usher at Real Cheap Sports

Ian Usher shared photos and stories of his adventurous life doing things such as swimming with whales in Japan, running with bulls in Spain, and hiking to the summit of eight fourteen thousand foot peaks in Colorado. He is attempting to complete 100 goals in 100 weeks. He completed Goal #62 while at Real Cheap Sports. He memorized and recited the poem, “If,” in front of an audience of people he doesn’t know.

36West is a new Real Cheap Sports private label. 36West clothing includes fleece tops and bottoms for men and women. Each piece is made from fabrics that are soft, lightweight, double-faced, and eco-friendly; useful and cozy.

Women's Heathered Hoody, $49.00

Women's Fleece Pants, $36.00

Men's Full Zip Fleece Jacket, $59.00

Men's 1/4 Zip Fleece Top, $35.00

Men's Fleece Pants, $36.00

Film, ‘A Sea Change’

Showing:
Channel Islands National Park Visitor’s Center
Wednesday, October 14th, 7pm

The Environmental Defense Center presents a showing of the film, A Sea Change, which explores an urgent but little-known global crisis known as “the other carbon dioxide problem” – acidification of the world’s oceans, and its implications for marine life, and ourselves. The Environmental Defense Center is leading national effort to garner more attention to the threat of rising ocean acidification. Acidification is caused by increasing levels of carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere, that result in higher levels of pH in the world’s oceans and impair the ability of several marine organisms (including urchins, abalone, lobster) to grow shells and skeletons.

This new feature film follows retired educator and concerned grandfather Sven Huseby around the world on his mission to learn more about the effect of excess carbon dioxide on the ocean, wrestling with the possibility that his grandson will inherit an ocean without fish.

A panel of experts will follow the film..

Film, 'A Sea Change'

Hiking Mt. Whitney

Mt. Whitney is the highest mountain peak in the lower forty eight states.  It reaches an elevation of 14,496 feet.  It is located in a wilderness section of the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains and is very accessible to any person who would like to hike to its summit.  Preparation and safety precautions are crucial for a successful trip.  We have outlined some things to think about here, but be sure to do your own research.  We don’t cover everything you need to know before taking this trip.  When prepared, hiking to the top of Mt. Whitney can be an extremely rewarding experience and a recommended “Bucket List” item.

Mt. Whitney from the trail above Trail Camp. August, 2009.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS  Whitney Portal is 237 miles from Ventura.  From the city of Ventura take the126 fwy east to the 5 fwy south to the 14 fwy north to the 395 freeway northy to Lone Pine.

Trail between Outpost Camp and Trail Camp. August, 2009.

CAMPING  Whitney Portal is a campground a half mile from the start of the Mt. Whitney trail.  This campground has family and group sites.  It is 13 miles from the town of Lone Pine, California.  Restrooms at Whitney Portal are primitive pit toilets, but roads are paved and sites each have a picnic table, drinking water, a firepit, and a grill.  Campers are required to put all food and scented items in bear boxes to avoid bear break-ins.  Sites at this campground must be reserved ahead of time.  Reserve online: Recreation.gov There is fishing adjacent to the campground in Whitney Creek and there is a small store at the Whitney trailhead.  The store sells t-shirts, and Mt. Whitney memorabilia, camping necessities, cold drinks, and hot food.

Lightweight, fair weather set-up; tarp with ski poles. Trail Camp. August, 2009.

WEATHER  Weather in the mountains can be unpredictable.  As a general rule, it is advisable to be off the summit by noon on any given day, but keeping an eye on the sky is wise.  When clouds build, a storm is on its way and it is very dangerous to be on the summit of Mt. Whitney during a storm, especially when there is lightening.  During summer months the Whitney trail can be very, very hot during the day, especially at the lower elevations.  Often, nighttime temperatures drop drastically, so it is important to be prepared!  Also, if there is snow, be prepared to travel safely on it.  Snow travel requires specific equipment.  Take a look at the Mt. Whitney webcam to get some idea of what it going on on the mountain right now!   Mt. Whitney Webcam

Mt. Whitney Trail between Outpost Camp and Trail Camp. August, 2009.

HIKING/BACKPACKING  Hiking to the summit of Mt. Whitney can be done in a day…a very long, difficult day, or as an overnight backpack trip.  The trip is 22 miles round trip.   Because Whitney Portal is at about 8,000 feet elevation, the affects (affects?) of altitude are felt from the beginning.  The first established backcountry camp, Outpost Camp, is at around 10,000 feet, and the Trail Camp is at around 12,000 feet.  Planning for a three day trip is a nice way to do this.  One idea is to hike in 6 miles and camp at the higher Trail Camp the first night, hike 12 miles via the summit the next day, camping at the Outpost Camp the second night.  The third morning, hike out the remaining three miles.

Purifying Water at Trail Camp. August, 2009.

Keep in mind that hiking at altitude can make a person feel sick.  Eating little bits at a time and sipping water can help ease the symptoms of altitude sickness.  Common symptoms include headache, nausea, and fatigue.  From the start of the trail at Whitney Portal, the trail to the top of Mt. Whitney is steep, rocky in many sections, and exposed in others.  Some months of the year, there is snow on the trail, but in later summer months, the trail is clear and water is plentiful.  It is essential to purify any water before you drink it, of course.  Also, wilderness regulations require that every hiker carry out their solid human waste.  Bags are provided for this purpose at the Visitor Center when you pick up your permit.  Also, keep in mind the bear situation.  Wilderness regulations require every backpacker to carry bear canisters for food, trash, and toiletries storage at night. These can be purchased at outdoor stores (I can think of one that carries them!….Bear Vault Solo, Bear Vaults) or rented at the Lone Pine Visitor’s Center.

Mt. Whitney Summit View. August, 2009.

To hike or backpack in the Mt. Whitney backcountry zone, a wilderness permit is required from the InterAgency  Visitor’s Center one mile south of Lone Pine.   Because this area has quotas, the number of permits issued are limited.  The best time to secure a permit is in February.  The Mt. Whitney lottery is for those wanting a day use or overnight use permit in the area between May 1st and November 1st.  Some walk-in permits are held aside and can be obtained the day before or the day of a trip, but there is no guarantee.  Check in with the Lone Pine Visitor’s Center for walk-in permit availability.  Day use permits allow hikers to start hiking before dawn and finish on the same calendar day.  Overnight permits are required for trips that will last one or more nights. For each day, 100 people can obtain a day permit and 60 can obtain an overnight permit.  Wilderness Permit Information

Would you like to contribute information or photos to this trip report?  Write and submit a trip report of your own?  We’d love it!  Email:  customerservice@realcheapsports.com

Critical Coastal Issue – Ormond Beach, Oxnard

Ormond Beach is an important coastal wetland area located in South Oxnard, between the Port of Hueneme and the Point Mugu Naval Base. The State Coastal Conservancy, non-profit organizations, and private citizens are working to ensure the area is protected, restored, and a safe, accessible destination for our community and visitors to our City. A fully restored Ormond Beach and a completely cleaned up Halaco site will provide economic and health benefits to the City and County, and especially South Oxnard.

Terns at Ormond Beach, Oxnard. Photo by Alan Sanders

Ormond Beach is a renowned destination for scientists and nature lovers. It supports many rare native plants and over 200 species of migratory birds, including the endangered California least tern and the western snowy plover.

The State Coastal Conservancy has purchased significant acreage to permanently protect areas of Ormond Beach, and is also developing a restoration plan for the entire area. If successful, Ormond Beach could be one of the largest coastal wetland areas in Southern California.

Unfortunately, planning decisions made early in the history of the City of Oxnard also marked Ormond Beach as the destination for heavy industry.  The legacy of industrial operators that failed to safely dispose of their hazardous waste remains to this day. In 2007, the Halaco Engineering Company properties were added to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Superfund National Priorities List. Until Halaco is cleaned up, it remains a burden to the community and a threat to the Ormond wetlands.

Currently, the City of Oxnard is on the verge of several major planning decisions that could degrade the wetlands and interfere with efforts to restore and expand the wetland area.

The City is considering allowing residential, light industrial, and commercial development on at least 700 acres of currently undeveloped agricultural land adjacent to the Ormond Beach wetlands. If approved, these projects would introduce significant urban impacts intothe already severely degraded wetland area and eliminate the possibility of significantly expanding the current wetland area.

The City is also considering a major overhaul to its General Plan, a document that lays out the future vision for Oxnard and guides its growth and development. This is an opportunity for the City to identify meaningful steps toward protecting and restoring the Ormond Beach wetlands. Yet there is little in the draft Plan to suggest the City intends to ensure the successful protection and restoration of Ormond Beach.

The Environmental Defense Center represents the Los Padres Sierra Club and the Environmental Coalition of Ventura County on this critical coastal issue. Please join their efforts to protect Ormond Beach.  edc@edcnet.org  edcnet.org

CAMPING in MONTANA DE ORO STATE PARK, California

 

Montana de Oro is a little known secret on the central coast.  My dad takes a camping trip to this place every year for his birthday.  He’ll probably be somewhat upset that I am giving away his secret spot, as it is rarely very crowded there and he likes it that way.  I will say that the campground is considered “primitive,” and that will keep visitors to a minimum, anyway.  Montana de Oro means Mountains of Gold in Spanish and was named so for the gold-colored wildflowers that bloom in the spring.   Little beach coves are easily accessed by trails and are a beachcombers paradise.   This area is beautiful, and perfect for nature-lovers and outdoor activity enthusiasts.  Well worth a visit.

 

GETTING THERE

Montana de Oro is situated in San Luis Obispo County.  The park is located seven miles south of Los Osos and six miles southwest of Morro Bay on Pecho Road.  

 

Driving Directions

From Ventura:  Take the 101 freeway north towards San Luis Obispo.  Exit Los Osos Valley Road.  Follow this road 12 miles to the entrance to Montana de Oro State Park.

 

 

LOGISTICS

 

Camping

Montana de Oro State Park primitive and equestrian campsites.  Translation:  non-flush pit toilets, piped water comes out of a spigot for drinking and cooking.  These campsites allow a capacity of eight people and two vehicles.  The sites accomodate trailers and motor homes less than or equal to 27 feet long, but there are no hookups.  In addition, there are four hike-in only campgrounds without water, where neither campfires nor pets are allowed.  Call Parknet at (800) 444-7275 to reserve a  hike-in site and pay the nightly fee.  Finally, there are two Horse Camps for groups up to 50 people in size.  In these sites there is water available for horses, only.  People must bring their own water. 

 

To get to hike-in campground Deer Flat, drive to the Park Headquarters and continue 1.25 miles.  Park at the gated dirt road on the left.  Do not park at the Coon Creek Trailhead.  This is too far and may get you a ticket for overnight parking.  From the car, hike for about 15 minutes up the dirt road to the top of the bluff.  Once you get to an outhouse, table, trashcan, and flat spot meant for tents, you know you have arrived.  Access Deer Flats Campground from the same spot.  Hike up the trail with a sign labeling Badger Trail.    The camp is just before the intersection with Rattlesnake Flats Trail.  You’ll see it.  

 

Campgrounds are open year round and reservations can be made through Reserve America.  

 

 

Weather

The weather in this area is very changeable.  It can be quite warm and sunny, or very foggy, cold and damp.  It would be wise to be prepared for this range of conditions, as it is hard to tell ahead of time what it will be like.

 

 

Hotels

I have not stayed in any of the hotels in Morro Bay, but here is a list of what is available.  I would appreciate any recommendations, if anyone has any.  http://www.totalescape.com/lodge/california-hotels.php?group=M#Morro%20Bay

 

 

ACTIVITIES

 

Hiking

Spectacular wildflowers bloom in the park between February and May.  The Bluffs hiking trail follows the bluff along a steep drop off to the ocean.  Below, at the shoreline, hikers will find a rocky coast and an occasional colony of sea lions.  Another destination is Valencia Peak, 1,347 feet elevation.  This hike includes 1,100 feet of elevation gained over two miles.  Also, it can be very hot, so bring water.  It is worth it, though.  Views of the coast are spectacular.

 

Bluff Trail

 

Beach Exploration

Spooner’s Cove is located right across from Visitor Center turnoff and an excellent place to enjoy the beach.  Check the Visitor’s Center for a schedule of tide levels.

 

Spooners Cove

Backpacking

There are four backpacker’s campgrounds: Hazard Grove Camp, Bloody Nose Camp, Badger Flat, and Deer Flat.  Each one requires a couple of miles of hiking to reach.  Badger Flat and Deer Flat are the two best camps, each sitting on bluffs overlooking the ocean. Because they are high on the bluffs, they are an uphill hike.  USGS topo maps can be found at the Visitor’s Center. 

 

Horseback Riding 

Equestrian trails are found throughout the park and some equestrian campgrounds are available.

 

Mountain Biking

There are numerous beginner and moderate level mountain biking trails.

 

 

Would you like to contribute information or photos to this trip report?  Write and submit a trip report of your own? We’d love it! 

Email customerservice@realcheapsports.com