In today’s newsletter,

• Tesla Cybertruck shenanigans

• Another surf park (maybe)

• Jan Leno found by SAR

• VW camper vans

New biography explores the life of legendary SoCal climber

Tobin Sorenson, one of the legendary Stonemasters who pioneered climbing routes worldwide, was a star of his generation. A new biography by Rick Accomazzo dives deep into his life and influence on the sport decades after his tragic death.

Oceanside surf park in the works…maybe?

The long-awaited OceanKamp surf park in Oceanside, California, is reportedly progressing slowly. The artificial wave park on 92 acres that once housed a drive-in theater has been an on-again, off-again project over the past few years. But according to news reports, grading for the park began this summer. We’ll see…

Meanwhile, as we reported earlier, the Palm Desert surf facility is slated to open in 2025.

National Park Service citing AWD cars on off-road trails

In a recent move that’s catching some adventure-seekers off guard, the National Park Service (NPS) is warning drivers of all-wheel-drive (AWD) vehicles that they could face steep fines—or even jail time—if they attempt to tackle trails designated for four-wheel-drive (4WD) vehicles only. The confusion between AWD and 4WD systems has led to several recent citations, highlighting the importance of knowing your vehicle’s limitations before hitting the dirt.

Speaking of national parks, thirsty bees closed down part of Joshua Tree a few days ago.

PCT registration period coming up

Want to thru-hike a long stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail in 2025? If you plan to hike more than 500 miles, you’ll need a long-distance trail permit. Registration is open from from October 1 - 15.

Mountain rescue crew finds…Jay Leno

File under: Only in California. San Dimas Mountain Rescue Team joined the search for a missing 78-year-old hiker on Mt. Waterman last weekend.

After hours of hiking alongside other SAR teams and a brief run-in with Jay Leno at Newcomb’s Ranch, the team eventually located the hiker, dehydrated but safe, thanks to a tip from local hikers. After 30 hours in the wilderness, the hiker was airlifted out and reunited with his family.

REI struggles after post-pandemic Boom

I love some REI, but it wasn’t surprising to hear that the outdoor equipment co-op is struggling as outdoor equipment sales slump post-pandemic, per an article published by Fortune.

REI “feels” like a real outdoors store, not a soulless big box retailer or a faceless e-commerce store. But, as the article points out, the Green Vest expertise and insider vibe you get at an REI comes at a cost.

There has also been a lot of quality gear on sale lately. In fact, the price of outdoor gear, when adjusted for inflation, has been steadily decreasing in recent decades (the pandemic bump aside) — at least that’s what I tell my wife…

Hurricane Gilma Sending Surf to SoCal

Hurricane Gilma swell is peaking in SoCal today and then lingering over the weekend. Nothing too intense, but fun surf throughout the region.

What’s it like to camp in Mojave in 120-degree heat?

Camping in 120-degree heat is a bad idea, evident by plain old common sense and evidenced by the recent heat-related fatalities in Death Valley. But if you are curious what it’s like, this account in Outside is worth a read.

GEAR DEALS

Speaking of REI, their Labor Day sale starts today: