alpine season kickoff

Jascha kindly accompanied me this past Sunday on my first climb of the alpine season, the SE face of Mt Emerson, known for its short approach, high quality granite, occasional running water on the crux, and fun exposed ridge traverse. We were rewarded with breathtaking views of Piute Pass and the Evolution peaks, in addition to a few random snowflakes on the summit (odd because the nearest clouds were over Lamark Lakes). With the lingering snow on the S/SE chute, we avoided part of the normally annoying scree descent by glissading. The time savings made it worth enduring the discomfort of our frozen butts.

homage to l.a.

L.A. often gets an undeservingly bad rap. Being a former long-time Oakland/Berkeley resident I am guilty of being a one time L.A. hater, but a year plus of immersion helped me see the light. In honor of L.A. & vicinity here is my best of list (warning: heavy Los Feliz/E Hollywood slant):

Outdoors

• Echo Cliffs | Yes, I realize that technically it's closer to the Stepford community of Westlake Village than L.A., but you'd be hardpressed to find this quality & quantity of climbing as close to the E Bay.
  
• San Gabriels | miles of kickass singletrack that is mostly legal for MTBs
• Other amazing climbing areas within 4h of L.A. include Red Rocks, J-tree, Tahquitz, and my favorite playground, the High Sierra.
  

Food

• Alcove | Euro cafe with great outdoor seating and amazing desserts
  
• Cafe Tropical | popovers!
• Chosun Galbee | slightly upscale Korean with interesting modern architecture and excellent bibimbap, the standard by which I judge all K restaurants
  
• Cedar House | another great Middle Eastern place; combo plates highly recommended
• Hollywood Farmers Market | great place to spend a lazy Sunday morning and pick up some phenomenal produce and flowers
• Jitlada | great southern Thai food with unfortunately somewhat inconsistent service
• Kyushu Ramen | J comfort food, and yes, I like it better than Daikokuya
• Pollo a la Brasa | easily overlooked shack run by Japanese Peruvians with succulent anticuchos and aji
• Red Corner Asia | my favorite of the late night Thai restaurants, mostly b/c they have sticky rice
  
• Taco Zone Truck | mouth watering carnitas tacos for something like $1.25
• Village Gourmet (Vermont location) | The Petit Basque cheese is phenomenal. Helpful, non-snobby staff
  
• Zankou Chicken (Sunset x Normandie location) | For me it's the shish kabob that's the draw, not the chicken
  

Nightlife

• Das Bunker | Best industrial club around
  
• Dresden Room | Check out open mike night on Tuesdays hosted by local fixtures Marty & Elaine.
  
• White Horse | I'm not a big drinker, but I like the White Horse - great staff and a plethora of snacks just like grandma used to serve.
  

Health

• Pho Siam Thai Spa | Kathy and Lynn at Pho Siam have kept my TFL tendinitis in check as well as the Boulder Rolfers
  
• Dr. Frances Wang (acupuncturist; 4924 Hollywood Blvd, 323.913.0247) | Definitely one of the most competent and caring doctors I have met
  

Frivolous Stuff

• Faroh Hair Design | as previously noted in my blog
  
• Goodwill on Vine | best of the Hollywood Goodwills
• L.A. Flower Market | If you dig through the hoards of Phalaenopsis and Gladiolus there are hidden treasures to be found, like Brassia and Sarracenia.
  
• Wacko | my library and pop/folk art collection on steroids
  

bishop

Well, I am finally a Bishop resident and sitting in my room listening to my redneck neighbors blasting Foreigner's "I Want to Know What Love Is", something I've dreamed about for at least ten years (OK, maybe not the Foreigner part). I realize it's somewhat temporary, as I'm off to Asia in November, but I will take it for now. It's been a bit difficult trying to pace myself with the plethora of outdoor activities (and lack of a job). The high country is still a bit snowed in, but it's melting fast and the peaks are opening up for us fair weather alpinists. For the past week it's been bouldering, cragging, running, and flailing on my AT skis, but the SE face of Emerson is on the list for the weekend as the first peak of the season. Can't beat the quick approach even with the N Lake road closure.

san simeon

Headed up the coast this past weekend on the new (to me) bike to my friend Mike's wedding reception on Hearst Ranch in San Simeon. I met Mike back in 2003 on a mountaineering trip in Bolivia and have him to blame for my ill-fated and short-lived ultrarunning career (just kidding, blame it on my shoddy genetics/biomechanics). The reception was held in the lovely, Julia Morgan designed post and beam dairy barn (turned party room). Interesting variety of mounts, which of course I felt compelled to capture.

contours in google maps!

Yes, I'm a giant nerd when it comes to maps (among other things). I love topos. Big kudos to Google for adding contours to their Terrain maps. Score major points if you guess the traverse of which these peaks form the start.



View Larger Map

better late than never

Just heard at the dealer that BMW announced at their sales meeting the rerelease of the redesigned F650GS supposedly in Fall 2008. OK, so I may have jumped the gun and bought an 2003 when I heard they'd stopped producing them last year, but I couldn't imagine a summer in Bishop with no bike. Maybe when I get back from my travels I will look into an upgrade.

faroh (a.k.a. the best hair stylist in l.a.)

Firstly, let me just say that Faroh is into hair. His shop is filled with his hair competition trophies and numerous articles documenting his accomplishments in the world of hair design. How many stylists do you know that wear New Rocks and cut with five scissors at the same time? He's been cutting hair in N Hollywood and Los Feliz for ~25 years and is a staple in the Thai community. Call ahead to avoid the line. Who needs Rudy's when you've got Faroh?

Faroh Hair Design | 1656 N Harvard Blvd, L.A. 323.839.4856