S’lacio Bankston struggled on the icy pitch, lost his footing and backed off. Later, the 20-year-old refocused and invoked Mohammed Ali to pump himself up: “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee!” Bankston sent the frozen waterfall on his second effort as his friends erupted in cheers. If Black climbers are rare, African American… Continue reading ‘We’re going to change the world’
Author: Matt Johanson
2020’s good news happened outdoors
As the coronavirus sent people running for cover last spring, Joe Owen ran to help others. The Danville soccer coach trotted up Mount Diablo (13 miles and 3,400 feet of climbing) every day in April to raise more than $4,400 for a local food bank. “I am really proud of what this has accomplished,” he… Continue reading 2020’s good news happened outdoors
Bring on the map makeover
Before thousands of climbers ascended Mount Whitney every year, a group of Buffalo Soldiers reached the summit in 1903. The first African Americans to climb the mountain also built its first summit trail. Enthralled by the grand scenery, Captain Charles Young committed to “preserving these mountains just as they are.” Under Young’s command, Buffalo Soldiers… Continue reading Bring on the map makeover
California cyclists complete cross-country excursion
On the toughest bicycle trek any of them had tried, Day 7 ranked as the toughest day. As the team pedaled on State Route 375 through Nevada’s hottest desert, July temperatures soared well into triple digits. Four cyclists biked nine straight hours on a shadeless road. So relentlessly shone the sun that they used the… Continue reading California cyclists complete cross-country excursion
“Love the park you’re near”
Blue-green water greets me again as I start my run around Castro Valley’s Lake Chabot. Every time I run the nine-mile lap around it, I try to improve my time from the week before. That requires a good effort on the first segment from the marina to the dam on West Shore Trail, so I… Continue reading “Love the park you’re near”
Cyclists aim to inspire on cross country ride
A half dozen teenagers and one slightly-older teacher will bicycle out of San Francisco this June, on their way across the Central Valley, over the Sierra Nevada mountains and then all the way to New York City. These lucky seven cyclists from San Francisco’s Ruth Asawa School of the Arts call their upcoming journey “Pedal… Continue reading Cyclists aim to inspire on cross country ride
Challenge, camaraderie define 100-mile race
One hundred miles of murderous terrain stretches out the field of Western States Endurance Run, but the legendary race still sees an occasional photo finish. Those in Placer High School’s LeFebvre Stadium in the late hours of June 29 witnessed a sprint for the ages. After more than 18 hours of racing up and down… Continue reading Challenge, camaraderie define 100-mile race
Yosemite climbing movies reach new heights
A climber risks his dream to help a friend. Another risks his life for hard-to-fathom reasons. Yosemite big wall climbing comes alive on the big screen like never before in two new adrenaline-pumping films. Brilliantly filmed and produced, both stories will leave audiences awestruck and breathless. “Dawn Wall” shares the life of Tommy Caldwell, a… Continue reading Yosemite climbing movies reach new heights
Amazing trail, amazing people
John Muir Trail hikers rave about its extraordinary scenery, but perhaps for once we should rave about its extraordinary hikers. Among this year’s class are U.S. Army Sgt. Justin Bond and indigenous leader Jolie Varela. Bond, who served in Iraq and lost his left leg during the 2004 Battle of Fallujah, led a veterans group… Continue reading Amazing trail, amazing people
Yosemite ranger reflects on “the most beautiful place in the world”
Shelton Johnson, an interpretive ranger who’s educated visitors to Yosemite National Park for more than 24 years, shared these thoughts and insights in a special interview with Hayate Moro. Q: How did you come from Detroit to Yosemite? A: I think the more pertinent question would be how did I get from Detroit to working… Continue reading Yosemite ranger reflects on “the most beautiful place in the world”