Adventure 16 Blog

Cold Water Campground–Mammoth Lakes Basin (Eastern Sierra)
By Jeanie Dessel, A16 Operations Manager

We spent two weeks car camping at the Cold Water Camp Ground. From this campground we hiked from the Duck Pass trail head to Arrow Lake, Skelton Lake, Woods Lake and Barney Lake, fishing the stream inlets and outlets with great success.

GEAR REVIEW
CLOTHING: Icebreaker BODYFIT320 and 260 tops were perfect for the trip. It performed outstanding and I was glad we had multiple pieces. I used the Marmot Precip jacket for one rainy day and wished my whole family had one. Great piece for the price.

KITCHEN:  Coleman 2-Burner Stove. Perfect for car camping. Used the adapter hose to hook up the stove and Coleman lantern to one propane bottle.

SLEEPING BAG:  Used the The North Face Cat’s Meow, which was not big enough for one person and a dog. The A16 down bag was more like a comforter - perfect for car camping.

SLEEPING PAD:  Both of my boys used the Coleman queen size air mattresses that were durable enough for them and their dog. No leaks!

TENT:  Coleman 4-person camping tent.  Great for two boys and their dog.

FOOTWEAR:  Vasque Blurs were outstanding for day hikes.  Offered great support and traction.

DAYPACK:  Gregory day and a half packs were large enough for all day supplies while in the backcountry.

ACCESSORIES:  Maglites, bug juice, Nalgene bottles for the entire family. Wish we had a water filter.

BOOKS / MAPS:  Used a USGS topo book specifically for the Mammoth Lakes area. Great information and was able to locate a lake that we never had hiked to before.

TIPS: Should have had a water filter. We had to carry 2 to 3 quarts of water in each daypack for our all day hikes. Streams were plentiful so a filter would have been a better choice.

HIGHLIGHT OF TRIP:  Fishing native trout (Browns, Brookies, and Rainbows) from the higher elevation lakes and streams.  Visiting my fathers resting place.  FAMILY TIME!

THINGS TO BEWARE OF OR TO AVOID: Bears like Nestle Ice Tea and Budweiser in the can. Should of brought Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and Starbuck’s Mocha drinks in bottles!

by Matt Duerr, Adventure 16 Sales Associate

I drove up early afternoon on Wednesday to the Mt. Baldy lodge in the San Gabriel Mountains to get settled in for the 8000 Meter Challenge hosted by Jansport the next morning.  The goal was to summit the following three southern California peaks:  Mt. Baldy, San Gorgonio, and San Jacinto all in the same day.

Given the 5 am early start time (and not knowing what I was getting myself into) I figured it would be just another long day of trekking.  Well, fast-forward 12 hours and I may have said things that would be better left untold.  Were it not for the fact that our team needed to get back to San Diego that night we could have accomplished the entire challenge just after nightfall but instead we just completed two of the three peaks.

Mt. Baldy was quick (about 3.25 hours) and four miles less than the San Gorgonian round trip BUT Gorgonio completely kicked my butt!  Holy moly!  It took me just a bit longer than twice as long to complete the very scenic Gorgonio hike.  Upon summiting Baldy, I was greeted by some chippy winds, which totally made my morning since it was the first bit of cold I had experienced in So Cal for about 5 months (such a blistering summer!)  What a relief.  Onward to the San Gorgonian summit…despite the fact the mtn had demoralized me by the time of summit, the view was amazing.  Knowing that our team would probably not have enough time to summit San Jacinto and descend before the last gondola, it was nice enough just to look across the valley let it know I’d come back to visit another day.

Given that it was technically just a day hike, no technical gear was necessary.  The night prior to the hike was fairly warm so I was half in and half out of my Marmot pounder +25.  I laced my Rucky Chucky’s the next morning wondering if I should wear some boots for the first mountain…after a total of 26 miles I realized that the Rucky Chucky’s were the best way to go.  Great shoes, highly recommend them.  My water two water bottles and 3 liter Camelbak reservoir were stored in my Gregory advent pro day pack.  Worked out very well, as did the Nuun tablets I snuck into some of my Nalgenes.

It was a great hike despite being torn by San Gorgonio, but with a little more training I’ll be back to attempt it again on my own.

By Noyan Suel, Adventure 16 Assistant Manager, Solana Beach

Location: Bishop Ranch Regional Open Space and Las Trampas Regional Wilderness. Both of these outdoor parks are located in San Ramon, CA. San Ramon is in the heart of the San Ramon Valley and is located about 30 miles east of San Francisco in the East Bay Area.

Description: Both Las Trampas and Bishop Ranch Regional Open Space are excellent destinations for a quick hike as well as an all day adventure. Both locations are masterfully disguised amongst urban sprawl. This means that with only a short drive from any surrounding town you quickly find yourself completely immersed in lush, native vegetation rich, preserve that seems almost endless.

I believe the vast majority of this illusion is created due to the location of these two parks. Both being located deep within the heart of two valleys, means no matter where you look, you’re guaranteed to only take in the grandeur of the great outdoors - with the exception of a broadcasting tower, which seems to be unavoidable this day and age.

Although I am an avid fan of both retreats, if one is pressed for time, I would recommend Las Trampas over Bishop Ranch. This decision is based entirely on the size of Las Trampas Regional Wilderness. Being the larger of the two parks, it contains a broader spectrum of activities to enjoy as well as a good amount of trails that seem to be worlds apart. I always find it surprising, that within such a small space, Las Trampas seems to have the perfect day hike for everyone.

Whether you prefer a slow stroll through rolling grass hills, a tranquil trip through a serene creek-side canopy, or a challenging trek across a jagged ridge line, Las Trampas is sure to satisfy that itch to just get out there. Lastly, the pinnacle of a trip to either park is unarguably their ridgeline views. From any Eastern ridge, the often times snow-covered peak of Mt. Diablo, looms menacingly in the distance. Of course there is then the view from the Western ridge of the valley; on a clear day, one can watch as the rolling foothills of Mt. Diablo, cascade down into the most beautiful and stunning view of San Francisco Bay and its magnificent skyline.

Gear Review:
Camelback Cloudwalker Hydration Pack: Great little pack. One of the very first pieces of outdoor Equipment I owned when I was in Boyscouts.

Tips: I don’t recommend going in the summer time, but if you do go then, bring a lot of water because it gets hot! However, if you plan on staying late, bring a good jacket. It gets very cold on the valley floor at night.

Highlight of trip: Simply being able to hike all the same trails I used to hike when I was a little kid.

Job Title: Retail Assistant Manager
Location: Costa Mesa
Status: Full-Time or Part-Time
Experience Required: Minimum 1 year previous management experience

Contact Information:
Adventure 16, Inc.
2937 Bristol Street
Costa Mesa, CA  92626

*Please apply in person at store location.

PRIMARY FUNCTION: To ensure the delivery of great customer service and efficient operation of the retail store.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responsible for opening and closing duties of the store, including counting currency, preparing the bank deposit, and securing the store.
• Supervise, motivate and evaluate Retail Sales Representatives to ensure the implementation of the 8 steps of selling.
• Answer customer questions and resolve concerns as needed.
• Delegate daily duties to employees and follow up when completed.
• Maintain open and consistent communication with Store Manager regarding any store issues.
• Control and manage payroll hours by understanding customer service needs based on sales.
• Promote a team environment with co-workers inside and outside of the department.
• Perfom other related duties as assigned.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to work well with others.
• Problem solving ability and ability to analyze information.
• Ability to effectively manage time and prioritize workload to ensure maximum effectiveness and efficiency.
• An excellent ability to resolve customer concerns while preserving satisfaction.
• Basic knowledge of computers and software.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to work nights, weekends, and during high seasons.

EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION:

1 year of previous retail management experience required.  A high school diploma, GED, or equivalent relevant experience required.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Prior industry experience and/or interest in the outdoors and wilderness preferred.

To provide exceptional customer service in the retail store.  Sell merchandise to the customer by answering questions, resolving concerns and making recommendations based on knowledge and expertise of merchandise.  Generate repeat business by exceeding the needs of the customer.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Sell merchandise to the customer by implementing the 8 steps of selling and provide an optimal customer service experience.
• Perform functions and operate equipment such as the cash register, the rental system, special orders, repairs and locating merchandise to effectively assist the customer.
• Place new merchandise on display racks and stock the store by opening shipment of merchandise and unloading the items and placing in the correct area.
• Ship merchandise out of the store as directed by the Buyers.
• Answer telephone calls from both customers and other sales representatives.
• Assist the customer in locating merchandise that is not available in the location which they are shopping, including calling other locations, requesting special orders or providing a referral to another retailer.
• Maintain inventory of area of responsibility and provide a list of items that need to be replenished.
• Promote a team environment with co-workers inside and outside of the department.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to work well with others.
• Problem solving ability and ability to analyze information.
• Ability to effectively manage time and prioritize workload to ensure maximum effectiveness and efficiency.
• Excellent verbal communication skills.
• Knowledge and use of appropriate telephone etiquette.
• Good PC knowledge.

EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION:

A minimum of 1 year of previous customer service experience preferred.  A high school diploma, GED, or equivalent relevant experience required.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Prior industry experience and/or interest in the outdoors and wilderness preferred.

To ensure the delivery of great customer service and efficient operation of the retail store.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responsible for opening and closing duties of the store, including counting currency, preparing the bank deposit, and securing the store.
• Supervise, motivate and evaluate Retail Sales Representatives to ensure the implementation of the 8 steps of selling.
• Answer customer questions and resolve concerns as needed.
• Delegate daily duties to employees and follow up when completed.
• Maintain open and consistent communication with Store Manager regarding any store issues.
• Control and manage payroll hours by understanding customer service needs based on sales.
• Promote a team environment with co-workers inside and outside of the department.
• Perfom other related duties as assigned.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to work well with others.
• Problem solving ability and ability to analyze information.
• Ability to effectively manage time and prioritize workload to ensure maximum effectiveness and efficiency.
• An excellent ability to resolve customer concerns while preserving satisfaction.
• Basic knowledge of computers and software.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to work nights, weekends, and during high seasons.

EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION:

1 year of previous retail management experience required.  A high school diploma, GED, or equivalent relevant experience required.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Prior industry experience and/or interest in the outdoors and wilderness preferred.

To provide exceptional customer service in the retail store.  Sell merchandise to the customer by answering questions, resolving concerns and making recommendations based on knowledge and expertise of merchandise.  Generate repeat business by exceeding the needs of the customer.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Sell merchandise to the customer by implementing the 8 steps of selling and provide an optimal customer service experience.
• Perform functions and operate equipment such as the cash register, the rental system, special orders, repairs and locating merchandise to effectively assist the customer.
• Place new merchandise on display racks and stock the store by opening shipment of merchandise and unloading the items and placing in the correct area.
• Ship merchandise out of the store as directed by the Buyers.
• Answer telephone calls from both customers and other sales representatives.
• Assist the customer in locating merchandise that is not available in the location which they are shopping, including calling other locations, requesting special orders or providing a referral to another retailer.
• Maintain inventory of area of responsibility and provide a list of items that need to be replenished.
• Promote a team environment with co-workers inside and outside of the department.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to work well with others.
• Problem solving ability and ability to analyze information.
• Ability to effectively manage time and prioritize workload to ensure maximum effectiveness and efficiency.
• Excellent verbal communication skills.
• Knowledge and use of appropriate telephone etiquette.
• Good PC knowledge.

EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION:

A minimum of 1 year of previous customer service experience preferred.  A high school diploma, GED, or equivalent relevant experience required.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Prior industry experience and/or interest in the outdoors and wilderness preferred.

To provide exceptional customer service in the retail store.  Sell merchandise to the customer by answering questions, resolving concerns and making recommendations based on knowledge and expertise of merchandise.  Generate repeat business by exceeding the needs of the customer.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Sell merchandise to the customer by implementing the 8 steps of selling and provide an optimal customer service experience.
• Perform functions and operate equipment such as the cash register, the rental system, special orders, repairs and locating merchandise to effectively assist the customer.
• Place new merchandise on display racks and stock the store by opening shipment of merchandise and unloading the items and placing in the correct area.
• Ship merchandise out of the store as directed by the Buyers.
• Answer telephone calls from both customers and other sales representatives.
• Assist the customer in locating merchandise that is not available in the location which they are shopping, including calling other locations, requesting special orders or providing a referral to another retailer.
• Maintain inventory of area of responsibility and provide a list of items that need to be replenished.
• Promote a team environment with co-workers inside and outside of the department.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to work well with others.
• Problem solving ability and ability to analyze information.
• Ability to effectively manage time and prioritize workload to ensure maximum effectiveness and efficiency.
• Excellent verbal communication skills.
• Knowledge and use of appropriate telephone etiquette.
• Good PC knowledge.

EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION:

A minimum of 1 year of previous customer service experience preferred.  A high school diploma, GED, or equivalent relevant experience required.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Prior industry experience and/or interest in the outdoors and wilderness preferred.

By: Jay Golien, Adventure 16 Art Director, Corporate Office

July 24th & 25th, 2008
I arrived at San Onofre on a Thursday and experienced light traffic on I-5 and a light crowd out in the line-up. (On weekends you can expect to wait 30 minutes to an hour just to get into the surf park.) A clean south swell was serving up 4′ - 6′ glassy reef break waves that San Onofre is famous for. Longboarders have been surfing there since the 1930’s. If you pay attention, you might see a famous or professional surfer out in the lineup. On this trip, legendary surfer/shaper Skip Frye was surfing. (Skip captured national titles and represented the United States team internationally in 1966.)
In addition to surfing, San O. offers three miles of beautiful sand beaches for hiking, beach-combing and tide pooling. There are fire rings, picnic tables and restrooms available making it family friendly.

After surfing I made the short drive to San Mateo campground and checked in. After I got set up at my campsite, I went back to San O. for my second paddle out. Sunny skies and no wind made it a perfect combo for fun surf. Just as I was getting out of the water two pair of Dolphins leaped and rode a few waves, giving the beach crowd a free show.

Back at camp I enjoyed a peaceful night by the fire. I checked out of the campground by 8am Friday and went for another surf before heading back to San Diego. As a surfer I realize how wonderful it is to live in Southern California. World-class waves are only an hour away!

San Mateo Campground is located at the southern edge of San Clemente. Take Interstate 5, turn off at the Cristianitos exit, go inland 1 mile and San Mateo Camping Area is on the right side of the road.

This campground is near full all summer, so you should reserve a spot online. San Mateo campground has four loops with sparsely landscaped sites. The main feature is the proximity to the beach; there is a 1-1/2 mile walking/biking trail to the beach from the campground.

This is the campground that would be shut down if the 241 toll road project gets approved. (The Transportation Corridor Agency is seeking to build a sixteen-mile long toll road highway that would connect the current terminus of the 241 Toll Road to Interstate 5. You can read more about this ridiculous proposal here: http://www.surfrider.org/savetrestles/blog/)

Gear Review:
Patagonia Wavefarer II Board shorts: Bullet proof board shorts that are durable, water repellent and fast drying. I like the self-draining side-zip pocket with key loop, keeps my car key safe while I surf. I wore these babies all weekend. (not the same pair)

Jetboil Personal Cooking System: A small self contained stove perfect for one person. Great for fast coffee in the morning.

Marmot Never Winter Long Sleeping Bag: The Never Winter is an ideal summer bag for camping and beach trips, but it also has enough down insulation to keep you warm when there is a nip in the air.

EXPED Comfort Foam Mat 7 DLX: Great mat for car camping. (and it uses recycled foam cylinders) There are two valves so inflation is super fast. You just open the valves and the matt self-inflates to about three-fourths capacity in about 30 seconds. A half dozen breaths of air and inflation to full comfort is complete. The pad deflates as quickly as it inflates: just pull both (rotating/locking) valves and roll away.

GoPro Digital waterproof camera: I love this new toy! It is small, yet shoots good quality video or still photos.

Leatherman Wave II Multi Tool: This is a great camp tool. I used it to change fins on my board, cut the bundle of firewood loose, and open my favorite beverage.

Tip:
Wear some sort of foot protection, such as 5 Fingers footwear, for walking on the rocks. Avoid campsites near the shower/bathroom building.

Highlight of trip:
6′ Waves, Dolpins

By Patti Kulesz, Adventure 16 Sales Associate, WLA Store

This hike-in trail camp, located on a 6-mile round trip section of the PCT, is my favorite overnight getaway when I only have one night to spend in the wilderness.

After driving to the trailhead, we backpacked down to camp, made dinner (fresh veggies and couscous), set up camp, and played checkers (3 games). The next morning after breakfast we hiked to the waterfall and spent the morning playing in the pool at the bottom of the fall. Then we hiked back to camp, picked up our packs and hiked out. We stopped at a deli in La Canada for lunch.

RECOMMENDED GEAR
The North Face Paramount Capris: I really love the fit and the comfort of these Capris. Even bending the knees to climb is easy with these on. They dry fast when wet and keep you cool when it’s hot. No searching around in the backpack for your camera with the big pockets on the legs, there is plenty of room to store and grab it quickly when needed. The TNF Capris are also very stylish, not granny style with the low cut hip band. They can be worn for everyday use as well.

Mountain Hardwear Ultra Lamina 32 Sleeping Bag: I love this bag. It got cooler out and we didn’t have any more layers to put on, so we stepped inside the tent and got in our bags. My friend was jealous when we were playing checkers and I unzipped the bottom half of the two arm zippers on my bag and stuck my arms out to play, still wrapped up warmly in my bag. This bag is also very light and small when compressed. I hardly noticed it in my 34 L pack–still had lots of space to spare.

TIPS
Take lightweight gear, as it’s uphill hike on the way out–two miles on the fire road and three on the PCT. Wear lots of sunscreen, hat, and long sleeves for sun protection on the fire road. For a longer trip, hike more miles on the PCT or head up to Buckhorn campground.

BEWARE OF: Possibility of Boy Scout troops there on weekends, but there is a secluded spot off to the right of the campground entrance.

HIGHLIGHT OF TRIP: Looking at all the stars at night, no rain fly, the beautiful trees, the peace and quiet, and waterfall. Found a cache stored down there…fun, fun!

By Eric Backous, Adventure 16 Outerwear Buyer

My girlfriend, Natalie, and I drove about 5 miles outside of Julian, CA to Pinezanita Campground. We were there for relaxation and a little hiking around the campground. The campground was very nice, and although it was really hot, we were surrounded by Green pine trees. It was a stark contrast to the landscape in Pacific Beach and San Diego. It reminded us of Washington. We ventured to Julian on our last day and tried some of the famous apple pie we’ve heard so much about. The camping was great, the weather was beautiful, and it was a great escape that was only about an hour away.

RECOMMENDED GEAR
Sleeping Bag: The North Face Beeline 900 down sleeping bag is a great bag for warm weather. It is a 35-degree bag, which is great in hot and dry climates. It also compresses small enough to fit in my sleeping pad’s stuff sack.

Sleeping Pad: Big Agnes Insulated Aircore pad is great because it is lightweight and slightly insulated. The insulation is nice because it keeps the air temp in the pad warmer at night when the air cools down. You can also adjust the amount of air inside for additional comfort.

Tent: Brand new Sierra Designs Anu 3 rental tent from A16 San Diego had enough room to sleep two comfortably with some gear. It got a little warm because the fly had very little venting, so we just took it off.

TIPS
Make sure to have plenty of ice. The beer got warm on the second day and the cheese started to melt. Bring lots of sunscreen and a hat, preferably with UPF protection. Drink lots of water, and have fun!

HIGHLIGHT OF TRIP
I really enjoyed the drive out after work on Friday the 13th. The landscape became very eerie as we drove through where the fires had burned in years past. It was a contrast of burned trees and new vegetation that was almost like looking at a living, breathing Dali painting.