Mind the Track

As meteorological Fall and the “ber” months arrive, the boys play some bike polo and continue talking about El Niño, with the hopes of a wild and wet winter. Meanwhile, in the absence of any rain, the Hawk Fire in Reno scorches 15,000 acres on Peavine Mountain, burning trails and 40+ homes. A woman swimming in Lake Tahoe is attacked by a river otter, a group of hikers become Dumb Ass Rescued Persons after asking AI to plan their ill-fated ascent of Mount Shasta and Vail Resorts faces a third anti-trust lawsuit alleging ski pass price fixing. Big Sally calls in with an Edward Abbey quote, Trail Whisperer rants about being a part-time crusader and the boys chew on a few DOPE or DERPs including taking home restaurant leftovers, fasting, paying to park and ride mountain bikes and Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline. 3:00 – The boys play bike polo at The Backcountry in Truckee 9:00 – The beginning of meteorological Fall has arrived on Sept 1 11:20 – Wet weather is coming to Tahoe? More super El Nino hype 14:15 – Devastating flash flooding in Grand Canyon, Zion National Park and in Nepal 17:45 – Preparing for a 3-day bikepacking adventure with big mountain bike rides 21:30 – The Hawk Fire in Reno burns a lot of Peavine Mountain and 40+ homes lost 30:20 – A woman was attacked by a river otter while swimming in Lake Tahoe 33:35 – Dumb Ass Rescued Persons on Mount Shasta after asking AI how to hike the peak 41:45 – Vail Resorts is now facing a third anti-trust lawsuit, brought by a shareholder 45:50 – Big Sally calls in with an Edward Abbey quote putting life into perspective 52:00 – Lee from Marin County calling to say The Crooked Stuff is DOPE. 55:00 – DOPE or DERP – Not eating all your dinner at the restaurant and taking home leftovers 1:03:00 – DOPE or DERP – Fasting 1:11:30 – DOPE or DERP – Paying money to park then ride mountain bike trails 1:18:30 – DOPE or DERP – listening to podcasts in 1.5x or 2.0x speed 1:19:35 – DOPE or DERP – Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline 1:22:00 – Ski Bowl Songs – Top 40 songs listened to over and over again at Tom’s childhood ski hill 1:25:45 – ON A MUSICAL NOTE - talk about Def Leppard, The Osees, KEXP and All Them Witches 1:30:00 – Mount Rose Meadows – solving the ongoing winter parking issues along the highway 1:35:45 – Going on a road trip and joining Harvest Host – service for 10,000 places to boondock

Wildfires, triple digit temperatures and dusty, blown out trails – it must be the middle of August in Tahoe. Episode 94 features a grab bag of topics including the relationship between dogs and bears, magicians and the ice cream man, new Tahoe trails, Heavenly opening its gondola to mountain bikes, Palisades Tahoe offering a midweek pass for $699 while Alterra gets sued for price fixing, poisoned trees in Incline Village and the development of the largest El Niño in recorded history. Also, the 888 COR LORD hotline blows up with voicemails, Trail Whisperer gives his initial impressions on his new Aventon Current EXP, issues a call to action in Nevada to stop Greenlink North and the boys shout out Kyle and Jessica Aster for donating $250,000 to TAMBA for finishing Meeks Ridge Trail. Throw in a couple DOPE or DERPs and On a Musical Notes, this is a variety-packed episode. 3:00 – Buy a Mind the Track hat at Start Haus in Truckee! 4:10 – Downieville Classic Recap – Tobin Ortenblad and Marco Osborne winners! 6:50 – Cosbey witnesses carnage on Baby Heads 8:30 – Big fires in Reno/Tahoe area – Bug Fire, Stallion Fire and Talbot Fire 14:25 – Pow Bot’s two brothers visit from Michigan and ride Tahoe 16:00 – Trail Whisperer gives his initial impressions on the new Aventon Current EXP 20:00 – Core Lords Call In – Josh from Loyalton – Tahoe Donner, Glizzys and Bike Polo 25:40 – Lauren – Picking up a new truck camper while listening to truck campers. 26:40 – We have female listeners, Glizzy Gauntlet results and 7-Eleven is lame 34:13 – Jon calls in and praises Gordo as well as prioritizing play over work 41:17 – Eric calls in and shares a funny ice cream man story 46:36 – Magicians are like the ice cream man – people don’t like either 49:10 – Stop the Greenlink North power line from running along Highway 50 in Nevada 53:00 – Does your dog make you safer in bear country? 58:15 – Someone is poisoning and killing dozens of trees in Incline Village 1:04:00 – Huge shout out to Kyle and Jessica Aster – THANK YOU for donating $250k to TAMBA 1:06:50 – The new Panorama Trail at Heavenly opens, as well as the gondola opening to MTBs 1:11:20 – Palisades Tahoe bringing back midweek season pass for $699 1:12:30 – Class action lawsuit against Vail, Alterra, Powder Corp and Boyne for price fixing 1:15:05 – The Super El Nino of 2026-27 seems to be a certainty at this point 1:22:15 – DOPE OR DERP – Cell phone mounts on bike handlebars 1:28:40 – DOPE OR DERP – Hand guards on a mountain bike 1:35:50 – ON A MUSICAL NOTE – Organically Good Trio 1:39:05 – ON A MUSICAL NOTE – Genesis Owusu 1:40:30 – ON A MUSICAL NOTE – The Crooked Stuff 1:49:20 – Sept 11-13 – Mount Hough Enduro and Grinduro. Be there! 1:51:07 – The Crooked Stuff – Waking Alive

Regardless of whether you have a van, a pop-up camper, an RV, a rock crawler or just a basic old pickup truck, the vehicles we own help facilitate the adventures we want to have. In Episode 93, we camp at White Rock Lake with Harry Wagner of @harrysituations and KP Pawley of @zerodeclination and talk all about adventure vehicles and what set-ups are best suited for different purposes. Both Harry and KP have vast experience traveling around the globe and living in different rigs, gaining unique insights on what works – and more importantly – what doesn’t work. They’ve built, driven and seen nearly everything and share with us their experience. Topics include roof top tents, if you need a winch, diesel versus gas, traction boards, the best tires and the most common modifications that make people’s vehicles worse, not better. We also discuss the astronomical cost of new vehicles and some of the best used vehicle values that make for great adventure builds on a budget. Whether you have a six-figure build or just an old beater and a tent on the ground, you can learn a lot in this episode. 2:30 – Recording from White Rock Lake near Mount Lola 5:00 – The legend of the Warren Lake trail 8:00 – All About Adventure Rigs with KP Pawley and Harry Wagner 16:02 – Old and new Toyota Trucks – slow and expensive but reliable 19:00 – How Harry and KP know each other 21:05 – Universal hatred for UTVs and side by sides 24:08 – The difference between people who want a van vs a pickup with a camper 26:20 – Pow Bot’s Ford Bronco he grafted a fiberglass camper onto 29:25 – How important is the pass-thru from cab to camper? 30:20 – A brief background on Harry Wagner’s 4x4 adventure career 31:40 – A brief background on KP Pawley, living full-time in his camper 33:20 – Taking 3 years to drive the Pan American Highway in 2016 34:50 – What was your biggest breakdown on the Pan American Highway trip? 36:47 – Was there a piece of gear that saved your trip? 39:00 – Have you ever been extorted by law enforcement? 42:10 – Is a gray market import from a foreign country a good adventure vehicle? 44:50 – What was Harry’s favorite overlander/adventure vehicle he owned? 46:40 – What is your most essential creature comfort in an adventure vehicle? 49:40 – Roof top tents – Harry is not a fan. Why? 54:00 – The rise of the six-figure adventure vehicle 58:20 – Everything you do to your truck makes it worse 1:01:20 – Why have Toyota Tacomas become so popular? 1:02:10 – Harry is driving a 2015 Mercedes GL550 he bought for $10k 1:05:40 – The astronomical cost of new vehicles 1:08:30 – What are some used trucks that are reliable and affordable? 1:13:35 – The shortsightedness of gas prices and old V8s versus new EVs and hybrids 1:14:35 – Diesel vs gasoline – what’s more reliable? 1:21:00 – Zero Declination – building a full-size truck camper that fits gear like a van. 1:26:20 – What is it that pulls you away from the pavement? 1:27:45 – Advice of what not to do, winches, traction boards and Hi-Lift jacks, best tires 1:33:40 – The “power move” – one thing on your rig that makes other people jealous? 1:35:45 – How important is a shower or a toilet? 1:38:30 – You have $10,000 to go adventuring, what are you going to buy? 1:40:40 – What does Mind the Track mean to you?

When it comes to mountain bike races, nothing captures the essence of the sport better than the Downieville Classic. Since 1995, the Classic has evolved with mountain biking’s growth, challenging riders with soul crushing climbs and rocky, rugged descents pushing both rider and bike to their absolute limits. As one of the only point-to-point races left in America, the Downieville Classic is the ultimate test of what it takes to be a well-rounded mountain biker. Add in a historic Gold Rush-era town perfectly preserved in time, the Classic is as unforgettable to spectate as it is to participate. In Episode 92, the boys sit down once again with Marc Cosbey, aka Uncle Coz, who first arrived in Downieville with a mountain bike in 1990, helping make the Classic what it is today. Not only has the Downieville Classic made a huge impact on the sport of mountain biking, but thanks to the efforts of people like Coz, the event has helped keep this small town of 250 people from losing its identity long after the booms of gold and logging played out. 5:35 – Cosbey gets his first mountain bike in 1990 and his first clipless pedal experience 12:00 – Discovering Downieville and meeting Greg Williams for the first time 14:55 – Cosbey’s first experience riding the Downieville downhill from Packer Saddle 18:00 – What was Cosbey’s first impression of Greg Williams? 20:30 – In the early days, mountain bikers in Downieville were considered outsiders 22:30 – Working at Yuba Expeditions and driving mountain bike shuttles 28:00 – Mike Ferrentino entering the Downieville scene and doing trail work 30:50 – Starting the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship (SBTS) in 2003 38:05 – Shoveling more than a mile of snow that almost canceled the race in 2011 45:26 – 15 year-old Henry O’Donnell beating Mark Weir in the Downieville Classic 49:33 – The legend of Mark Weir and his reign of domination in Downieville 53:48 – What impact has Downieville had on the sport of mountain biking? 57:38 – The story of “Taze Bro” and winning “That Guy” award in Downieville 1:02:20– “Ron’s House of Big Air” River Jump, “Cozmo’s Wild Island” and the Log Pull 1:09:15 – Who was the most badass woman in the Downieville Classic? 1:10:43 – The 2002 Single Speed Mountain Bike World Championships in Downieville

Ten years ago, Kurt the Trail Whisperer and four friends rode the 32-mile non-Wilderness portion of the Toiyabe Crest Trail, the longest trail in Nevada, about 30 miles south of Austin and Highway 50. The 13-hour adventure was ripe with bushwhacking and overgrown trail that hadn’t seen maintenance in 40 years. After the adventure, Kurt thought to himself if the TCT was maintained, it could be one of the greatest mountain bike epics in the country, so he bought himself a reciprocating saw and got to work in 2018. Eight years later, after thousands of hours of labor with friends cutting 32 miles of brush, the TCT is clear from Ophir Pass to Kingston Canyon. Last weekend, Kurt, Pow Bot and a cast of friends including Chad Kelly and Dean Kemp from @battlebornadventures shuttled to Ophir Pass to celebrate the achievement by riding the 32-mile maintained stretch of the TCT. It was a historic ride, reaping all the benefits after eight years of labor. Because of its high elevation, staying in the alpine between 7,500 and 10,500 feet, Pow Bot considers the TCT one of North America’s greatest mountain bike epics, calling it the closest thing to a long-distance, point-to-point ski traverse you can do on a bike. In Episode 91, the boys recap an unforgettable weekend spent in the remote wilds of Nevada, and dream about what’s next for this iconic landscape few humans ever set foot on. 2:35 – Introducing Guillermo – the new canine co-host of Mind the Track 9:45 – It’s July and it rained hard in Tahoe. Super El Nino is living up to the hype 13:50 – All three of the 10% off CORE LORD new bike discounts at Start Haus are claimed 17:00 – Greg from Start Haus drops knowledge on disc brake maintenance 19:15 – Mind the Track Deso Supply hats are in stock. Reach out to us if you want one or purchase one at Start Haus 21:30 – Trail Whisperer orders a new Aventon Current EXP 23:25 – Trail Whisperer buys Swan John an e-bike and it’s been an amazing investment 26:00 – 4th of July mob of TikTok teenagers take over King’s Beach 27:14 – Remembering the life of David Page – Executive Director of Winter Wildlands Alliance 28:55 – Colin – come participate in the Glizzy Gauntlet on August 16 – Sky Tavern 30:55 – Stu wants to shout out Land Trusts in the Tahoe region and how important they are 33:22 – Carlorado – imagine everyone getting along on trails, making room for each other 35:15 – Big Sallie – believes we need to use chainsaws in wilderness and some forestry wisdom 38:30 – Tell us your diarrhea story and what you did on your day off from work 39:15 – Ripley V5 wants to hear some exploits about the wilds of Nevada, the 10 Shredmandments for MTB and an angry trail builder who destroys bridges 43:25 – Riding the Toiyabe Crest Trail in central Nevada from Ophir Pass to Kingston 45:30 – What was it about the Toiyabe that drew Trail Whisperer to spend 8 years cutting brush 50:55 – How many volunteers have helped in resurrecting the Toiyabe Crest Trail? 54:00 – Recapping the weekend and the logistics of completing the Toiyabe Crest Trail ride 1:00:34 – Yuri Hauswald and Chris Brown recount their 2011 TCT ride 1:09:45 – TW recounts his ride of the TCT in 2016 with Yuri, Chris and Scott Markewitz 1:11:45 – Pow Bot’s experience riding the TCT – like a backcountry ski adventure on a bike 1:17:30 – The concept of “A Third Place” – coined by Ray Oldenberg 1:21:10 – Pow Bot’s story of losing his rear brake on the final descent and crashing 1:25:25 – What was the feeling of completing the ride after 10 years of trail work? 1:31:21 – Lightning round questions about the TCT 1:34:30 – The TCT project has been a spiritual experience that has real meaning and impact

His co-workers know him as Gordon, but when he’s not working – which is often – his secret alter ego is Gordo, and all Gordo wants to be is outside. Whether it’s sailing, surfing, foiling, skiing, running, biking, swimming 22 miles from Catalina to San Pedro or hiking 2600 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, Gordo Clute has never in his life worked more than he can play. Over a successful 30 year career in shipping sales, Gordo elaborately lived a lie, being perceived as a dedicated hardworking employee when he was instead outside playing, his real dedication focused on finding the flow state we all seek. Gordo’s dedication runs so deep that he secretly moved his entire family to Mammoth for three years when his boss thought he was living 10 miles across town from work headquarters in Orange County. In Episode 90, we chat with ultra-Core Lord and Mind the Track superfan Gordo Clute, and the many life hacks he’s developed in shirking work to prioritize play, time with family and putting his mind in the track. 3:00 – Summer shenanigans and tourist dodging in Tahoe 5:30 – Introducing Gordo Clute core lord superfan of MTT 10:20 – The benefits and drawbacks of riding dirt bikes 14:30 – Learning about Gordo’s background in sailing, ship captaining and becoming a ski bum 17:00 – Solo endurance swimming 22 miles from Catalina to San Pedro starting at midnight and swimming solo 12 miles across Lake Tahoe 23:30 – Who is Gordo Clute? There’s no information on the internet about him. Man of mystery. 26:30 – Secretly moving his family to Mammoth from Orange County without his boss knowing 29:00 – Gordo’s secrets to slacking success so he could be outside playing instead of working 33:30 – “Diarrhea” – the magic word to get you out of any work jam 37:00 – Coping with the redundancy of doing sales to make it work for an outdoor lifestyle 40:10 – Buying ski resort lift tickets with the work credit card and expensing season passes for clients that he could end up using 44:00 – Training clients, playing offense versus defense and using procrastination to your benefit 46:00 – The “Action Required – Not Really” flowchart – using procrastination to test importance 49:20 – Shirking work and getting paid to do as little as possible 52:10 – Time is the most valuable thing in existence. The only thing you can’t buy back. 53:50 – Getting into mountain biking in the 1970s in Marin County at the dawn of the sport 55:30 – The stress of crafting a life built around lies and being busted while caught in a lie 1:02:00 – Two years into “funemployment” without a full-time job 1:04:00 – Using Waymo as a wing foiling shuttle 1:11:00 – Uphill vs downhill trail traffic – who has the right of way? 1:21:10 – Lightning round questions with Gordo 1:23:30 – Gordo’s ice cream man story, except he’s the propane man in Mexico 1:25:55 – Burning Man – Gordo went from anti to pro Burning Man 1:29:00 – Attempting to through hike the Pacific Crest Trail 2600 miles 1:37:00 – Mountain biking the PCT with a permit after having to drop out with foot issues 1:47:30 – DOPE or DERP – fireworks on the Fourth of July 1:48:50 – What does Mind the Track mean to you?

The pollen is thick, kids are out of school, the tourists have invaded Tahoe and temperatures are soaring, which means only one thing – summer is here. In Episode 89, Trail Whisperer recaps a mountain bike road trip out to the California coastal town of Eureka while Pow Bot fun hogs on Lake Tahoe with his wing foil. The boys stand corrected by listeners about their Strava rant, California considers instating an official Bruce Lee Day, people are dying from foraged mushroom poisoning, the Ice Cream Man is back again, and TW recommends seeing Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience. The boys also tackle the “Bieber-ification” of trails, aka, making them lame by dumbing them down, and how this act of Bieber-ing trails is a microcosm of society at large getting dumber, as evidenced by how easy Jeopardy questions have become. Also, TW ASS rants about preservationists protesting efforts to allow chainsaws in Wilderness areas so volunteers can clear a maintenance backlog many thousands of fallen trees deep. Plus – only two 10% off coupons for any new bike at Start Haus in Truckee remain! Just use the password CORE LORD and save. 2:20 – What are we going to do when we hit episode 100? 3:00 – For newer listeners of MTT, go back and listen from Episode 1. 5:00 – The pollen is thick. The tourists are here. It’s hot out. It’s SUMMER. 7:45 – Recapping the Lost and Found Gravel Bike Event in Portola. 8:55 – Drop into the Start Haus – 2 CORELORD 10% off a new bike discounts remaining! 12:00 – Recapping a road trip to Eureka, California and riding Hatchery Ridge trails. 22:15 – Foil Bot has been local fun hoggin’ and finally wing foiling properly. 28:00 –Marlette Flume trail and Chimney Beach is back open after 5PM on weekdays. 31:00 – Follow up on Strava – Pow Bot shares a Strava confessional. 34:30 – How you can shut off the heat map on Strava so it isn’t shown publicly. 38:00 – “Bumblies” is what they call clueless city people in the mountains in the UK. 39:30 – California State Assembly bill will potentially create an official Bruce Lee Day. 41:20 – Mind the Mycelium – 50 cases of mushroom poisoning including 4 deaths. 44:10 – 2N Benn calls in with a PSA – don’t make new trails going around snow and down trees. 46:50 – Don’t shortcut the trail or make it easier or more lame – aka – “Bieber-ing” the trail. 53:20 – American culture is getting dumber and Jeopardy questions are getting easier. 58:00 – Another ASS Rant about the Ice Cream Man. 59:30 – ON A MUSICAL NOTE – Seeing Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience. 1:05:50 – The Grit podcast having their intro song being flagged for copyright infringement. 1:09:10 – Forest Service is considering allowing chainsaw use in federal Wilderness areas. 1:16:00 – Motorized users are most often hated because of the noise factor, not the act itself. 1:17:40 – Support your local non-corporate ski hill this winter and buy a non-Mega ski pass. 1:21:55 – Met a welder who builds cloud seeding machines to increase winter snowpack.

Amidst the best spring ever, in episode 88 the boys recap Memorial Day weekend filled with skiing Lassen and Shasta, riding moto out in the Toiyabe and Toquima ranges of central Nevada and digging dirt with the Truckee Dirt Union. Memorial Day was also highlighted by stupid people doing stupid things, including a grown man taking his 18-month old son on an ebike ride that ended at 10,000 feet in snow, darkness and a helicopter rescue. The boys also make a huge announcement – their first sponsorship with a local business, the Start Haus in Truckee! To celebrate, the first three people to who walk into Start Haus and drop the password CORE LORD will get 10% off any new bike of their choice. Speaking of Core Lord, in the spirit of Jeff Foxworthy, the boys run through a “You Might be a Core Lord if…” exercise. Got more? Call or email us! Plus Mark Weir rants about Strava, we DOPE or DERP Hypershell Exoskeleton legs and more Mind the Track hats made by Deso are coming, so get your pre-order in if you want one. 3:00 – Best spring ever? Blessed rain and cool temps 4:28 – Truckee Dirt Union Trail Day and Loam Masters Rally recap 9:00 – The legend of Pow Bot the bartender and the power of being a conversation starter 16:40 – Memorial Day weekend recap – TW rides moto in NV, PB skis Shasta/Lassen 28:00 – Memorial Day stupidity - Dad and his 18-month old son getting airlifted off Freel Pass 37:10 – Words of wisdom from Mark Weir about Strava and Strava users 40:38 – We misspoke about a trail system and mentioned trails we shouldn’t have 41:45 – Bike parks, Vail Resorts, Heavenly and Northstar 45:05 – Mind the Track announces a sponsorship with Start Haus! 48:48 – The first three listeners to drop CORELORD as the secret password – 10% off a new bike 51:08 – All about the new Aventon Current ebike – available at Start Haus 57:00 – More Mind the Track Deso hats coming! Reach out to us if you want to pre-order 59:30 – Carlorado - You might be a Core Lord if…. 1:10:20 – Downhill Phil calls in and asks – do you watch motocross or supercross? 1:13:10 – Watching professional extreme sports and 100 Foot Wave documentary 1:16:45 – Gordo calls in but gets cut off twice 1:19:00 – DOPE or DERP – Hypershell Exoskeleton Legs. The ebike of backcountry skiing? 1:25:00 – Meeting a legend while riding mountain bikes on Prison Hill in Carson City

Since 2016, more than two million acres of Northern California have been torched by devastating wildfires, leaving vast tracts of previously forested land nothing but black matchsticks. As the landscape recovers, efforts are being made to ensure forests regenerate so massive brush fields don’t take the place of trees. As staff chief for CalFire’s Wildfire Resilience Program, Stew McMorrow has more than 30 years experience climbing trees, falling trees, planting trees, funding agencies in reforestation, as well as working as a Registered Professional Forester (RPF). McMorrow is also an avid outdoorsman and mountain biker, and understands the value of balancing recreation with forestry, serving on the executive board of the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship. In Episode 87, we join McMorrow planting seedlings on Mount Hough near Quincy, California, heavily impacted by the Dixie Fire, then chat with him about forestry, pinecones, growing trees, reforestation and how recreation plays a role in all of it. We also talk with Michael Hall of Feather River Resource Conservation District and fellow RPF, Jason Moghaddas, about the recent controversial news around glyphosate – aka Round Up – being sprayed on public lands. 2:00 – Pow Bot forgets his mountain bike helmet on the Mt Hough shuttle. 5:00 – Introducing Stew McMorrow – forester for CalFire leading reforestation efforts. 8:15 – All the new amazing trails on Mount Hough including Upper Tollgate trail. 13:20 – Stew McMorrow and Michael Hall describing reforestation on top of Mount Hough. 21:50 – Stew McMorrow interview in the back of the Toyota Sunrader. 23:20 – Stew’s upbringing, going to school and working as a sawyer on a fire crew. 26:40 – Getting his Registered Professional Forester (RPF) license and working in Lake Tahoe. 32:05 – Running the CalFire Wildfire Resilience Program and Reforestation program. 37:35 – Climbing trees and collecting pine cones for tree seeds and replanting. 43:10 – Dropping his phone out of a tree and getting attacked by bees. 45:35 – What is the plight of the Pinecone Cowboy? 50:50 – What would the landscape look like if a forest isn’t replanted? 57:45 – Balancing the element of playing God with nature and letting nature do its thing. 1:01:00 – Home hardening and creating defensible space around communities. 1:04:30 – Millions of dollars in state money available for reforestation on federal land after fires. 1:10:23 – The spraying of herbicides like glyphosate on public lands to control brush regrowth. 1:18:39 – Michael Hall and Jason Moghaddas talk about glyphosate spraying on public lands. 1:28:50 – Being on the board of Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship – forestry and recreation. 1:42:20 – Talking about the rescinding of the Roadless Rule. 1:50:40 – Being in the zone, what Stu calls the Quiet Room. 1:53:00 – What does Mind the Track mean to you?

Spring is in full swing and Tahoe trails are opening for business quickly. In Episode 86, as the snow vaporizes, the boys chat about a bunch of trail tales, some funny, others concerning. After an extended Rumspringa on the ebike, Pow Bot returns to the traditional “Amish” mountain bike, but will he be Sin Bot for still occasionally riding his ebike? The boys share four-wheeling stories with their in-laws, talk about new trails being built, trails north of Truckee being closed for the season and some trails in burn zones being sprayed by the Tahoe and Lassen National Forest with glyphosate, aka Roundup, known to cause cancer. Trail Whisperer asks is it dope or derp to go on a road trip when gas is $6/gallon, jokes about Breckenridge opening local trails to ebikes (only with a medical condition) and a Core Lord calls in with a rant that South Lake Tahoe doesn’t have any cool, progressive mountain bike trails. 2:40 – Everything in Tahoe is a month early – riding hero dirt and Pow Bot hanging up his snowboard. 3:45 – A recap on Winter 2025-26 – Ended up at average snowfall for the season. 6:15 – Pow Bot comes off the ebike Rumspringa and returns to the Amish bike community. 11:20 – Early season Tahoe trail conditions – Riding the Tahoe Rim Trail and Flume Trail. 12:40 – Trail Whisperer building new trail on Verdi Ridge. 16:15 – Tahoe National Forest has closed trails in and around Emigrant Trail, Prosser, Boca. 20:00 – Shout out to Tahoe Mountain Sports – helping TW out with a ski binding issue. 20:50 – The Truckee Follies – Rated X fundraiser for Downtown Merchants Association. 23:15 – Truckee Dirt Union Loam Masters Rally happening May 29-30. 24:08 – Sugar Bowl is selling off all their vintage 1950s gondolas for $10k a piece. 28:40 – Randy Robbins thinks snowboard beaver tail slapping is DOPE. 29:45 – Parkhill has some thoughts about hallowed vs hollowed ground and gatekeeping. 31:02 – Reno Tahoe tourism blowing up a sensitive hot spring on social media. 33:00 – Gatekeeping – don’t blow up the spot when its firing. 34:10 – Chris has a rant about public versus private property. 40:30 – Jacob really enjoyed VCGP episode – big divide between motorized and non-motorized communities. 44:00 – Breckenridge is finally legalizing ebikes…but you have to have a doctor’s note. 45:40 – Moab allows ebikes on some trail but not all, but Jeeps and side-by-sides are all over. 47:55 – Pow Bot’s story of four wheeling in Telluride in a rental Chevy Blazer with his in-laws. 50:40 – Trail Whisperer’s 4x4 story of getting stuck in a Land Cruiser and spending the night in it with his ex father-in-law. 58:15 – DOPE or DERP – going on a road trip when gas is $6/gallon. 1:00:54 – Tahoe National Forest and Lassen National Forest spraying toxic Roundup weed killer on public lands. 1:10:18 – Big Sally calls in with a trip report from Lost Cannon Loop MTB and Sonora Pass ski. 1:13:20 – Chad wants to know why there aren’t more progressive MTB trails in South Lake Tahoe. 1:27:20 – If you get baptized for coming back to the Amish bike, then you ride the ebike, are you a sinner?

Twenty miles east of Lake Tahoe, high up in the Virginia Range at 6,500 feet elevation is one of the best preserved Old West towns in America, Virginia City. Known to locals as VC, in the 1860s, it was once the richest city in the world, home to the Comstock Lode, one of the largest silver strikes in history. In fact, the gold and silver from VC in the 1860s built all of San Francisco. Today, VC still has wooden boardwalks on C Street, ornate Victorian-era homes, two dozen saloons, a cemetery almost as large as the town itself and an Old West vibe that’s admittedly a bit touristy, but undeniably genuine. VC also has the Grand Prix, a 55-year long tradition of dirt bike racing, as wild and rugged as the town itself. Episode 85 documents this year’s Grand Prix, in the field on race day, talking with event volunteers and racers with different experience levels to really understand what this race is all about and how compares it to another legendary race on two wheels in a Gold Rush town, the Downieville Classic. 3:00 – Introducing the Virginia City Grand Prix. 9:05 – Larry Sussman – getting peer pressured into racing dirt bikes. 10:40 – How does the Downieville Classic differ from the VCGP? 12:30 – What’s more intense, the chaos of a mountain bike race or a moto race? 14:20 – Thomas Lay – growing up in Virginia City, getting into dirt bikes and organizing the event. 16:50 – How long has the Virginia City Grand Prix been happening? 19:00 – How many people race in the VCGP and where do they come from? 23:00 – Who owns the land the event is on? 27:30 – How long is the race and how are people staged at the start line? 30:20 – Talking with Darcy about course design. 31:20 – What’s the hardest part of this year’s course? 32:55 – Moving from Truckee to Virginia City and becoming a Nevadan. 34:40 – What got Darcy into riding dirt bikes? 38:30 – What’s the secret to surviving the VCGP? 39:31 – Talking with the local legend Josh Wilson about the moto community. 44:30 – Talking with Ryan Downing about the racer who passed away on course. 46:10 – What’s the secret to surviving VCGP? 48:04 – How does mountain biking compare to dirt biking? 49:30 – How do they stage racers at the start? 52:00 – Catching up with Pow Bot and talking about the start of the race. 56:10 – Reporting from Chaos Hill on course in the middle of the race. 1:01:00 – Would Trail Whisperer ever do the VCGP? 1:03:30 – Seth Johnson goes from last to 9th place, passing 400 racers. 1:05:15 – Missing the race by a month on Seth’s first attempt. 1:08:50 – Catching up with Thomas after Day 1. 1:13:30 – Beginner riders biting off more than can chew attempting the VCGP. 1:17:40 – How did the electric dirt bikes – a Stark Varg – do in the race? 1:20:45 – Running into Tobin Ortenblad after the race. 1:22:15 – How was the race course and how does it compare to bicycle racing? 1:25:55 – What was the start of the race like? 1:28:50 – Garmin stats: 20,000 feet of climbing! 1:30:00 – How do the Downieville Classic and VCGP compare and differ? 1:36:00 – Is there anything the bike community can learn from the moto community? 1:44:20 – Is Tobin doing the Lost and Found Gravel Festival?

With five feet of new snow on the Sierra Crest in April, Tahoe is finally getting the snow we should have gotten in March. As a result, the boys are back to skiing, with a couple days at the resort and a backcountry mission to the Eastern Sierra for the annual Green Creek Chute-Out. The boys talk about the concept of hallowed ground – places with spiritual significance and importance, and how social media has led the charge in exploiting these places, resulting in “hollowed ground”. The concept of gatekeeping is also discussed, and asking, is gatekeeping actually a bad thing when you are trying to protect hallowed ground from abuse of the masses? Other topics include new ebikes launched at Sea Otter, lift line DOPE or DERPs, is AI music a plague that should be resisted, upcoming events to check out, discovering the original ice cream man song has racist affilations, and CALL US BACK, GORDO! 2:30 – Winter isn’t over yet – recapping a busy late season Palisades pow day 11:25 – DOPE or DERP – The Rogue Single in the lift line 16:20 – DOPE or DERP – Smacking your snowboard off the ground to remove snow 18:08 – Pow Bot went wing foiling and Trail Whisperer got some hero dirt 19:28 – Skiing the east side of the Sierra Nevada – Green Creek Chute-Out 29:20 – The concept of hallowed ground and respecting special places 35:45 – The Jackson Hole Air Force – the first JH skiers to ski out of bounds 39:00 – White Man Hallowed Ground vs Native American Hallowed Ground 42:40 – Gatekeeping and protecting Hallowed Ground 44:50 – Hallowed Ground vs Hollowed Ground 49:20 – Downhill Phil calls in – POP-CORN was the phone number, prefers the original theme 52:44 – Colin says AI music is DERP. AI is a plague 54:15 – Seeing the band DEVO in RENO – the importance of the band and their art 1:02:50 – Discovering that the original Ice Cream Man song is super racist 1:05:45 – Call back GORDO! 1:08:40 – Amery wrote in about Russell, the Canadian snow Yoda, and his funny words 1:11:45 – Clark wrote in about the reintroduction of grizzly bears 1:16:55 – Lots of new ebikes introduced at Sea Otter Classic 1:24:00 – The value of ebikes in making you a better rider in less time 1:30:00 – Upcoming trail work days in the Reno/Tahoe area 1:32:30 – Going to the Virginia City Grand Prix 1:36:05 – May 15-17 – Spring Epic Trail Work/Ride in Quincy

After two weeks of bi-polar weather in Canada chasing pow and getting rained on, aka a “dog’s breakfast”, the boys recount the trip to Ice Creek Lodge and the wisdom gained from the jedi master of snow, Russell Hulbert. Meanwhile, back home in the Sierra, a dismal March left zero inches of snow on Donner Summit, the first time in recorded history, capping off a Winter to forget. Moving on to Spring things, the boys chat about a variety of topics including DOPE or DERPs on 32” mountain bike wheels, uphill or downhill traffic having the right of way on trails and reintroducing grizzly bears into the Sierra Nevada. Other topics include introducing a new AI-generated Mind the Track theme song, Trail Whisperer almost getting maced by a hiker while logging out a trail with his chainsaw, Lost Sierra trail conditions updates, a class-action anti-trust lawsuit against Vail Resorts and Alterra and has social media ruined April Fools Day? 2:10 – New intro song for Mind the Track created by AI. Maybe AI is good for something. 4:30 – Recapping a wild Canada ski hut trip to Ice Creek Lodge. 8:00 – Watching avalanches come down all around the crew at Ice Creek Lodge. 9:00 – Russell Hulbert, owner of Ice Creek Lodge, is a jedi of snow. The snow Yoda. 13:50 – Learning everything you’d ever want to know about avalanche beacons – Mammut Barryvox versus the BCA Tracker 4. 17:50 – Is all the risk, variables and dangers of pow skiing worth it? Should we just ski corn only? 21:50 – Shout out to the crew of Ice Creek – Benny, Brodie and Hannah. 25:05 – Jerry of the Day awards from the trip. 28:14 – Skiing Kicking Horse in Golden, BC and attending the “State of the Snowpack”. 35:25 – March closes out with zero inches of snow on Donner Summit all month – the first time in recorded history. 38:20 – Has social media ruined April Fools? 40:45 – A few LOST and FOUND stories – leave it where you found it. 43:10 – Anti-trust lawsuit against Alterra and Vail Resorts regarding a duopoly and inflating the price of day pass tickets. 49:50 – Update on the Downieville mountain biker getting lost. It’s way dumber than expected. 52:20 - DOPE or DERP from Stu – 32” wheels on a mountain biker. 54:30 – DOPE or DERP/RANT from Lee – Uphill traffic has the right of way. 1:02:45 – TW almost gets bear sprayed by a hiker while cutting out a log with a chainsaw. 1:04:55 – DOPE or DERP – reintroduction of grizzly bears into California. 1:12:55 – Update on the Ruby Mountains ski resort near Lamoille Canyon. 1:16:35 – Listener feedback about the Frog Lake avalanche accident. 1:18:40 – The Durand Glacier accident in 2003 changed guiding in Canada. 1:23:50 – Spring corn skiing missions to Shasta and Lassen. 1:25:55 – Calling 311 to complain about the Ice Cream Man 1:28:30 – Trail Whisperer’s story about being a cold calling headhunter machine. 1:35:15 – Lost Sierra trail conditions update – Mount Hough completely open! 1:39:10 – Weather forecasters calling for Godzilla El Nino!

On February 17, nine backcountry skiers were taken by an avalanche at Frog Lake, in the Northern Sierra Nevada near Truckee, California. Since then, the sense of loss and confusion over what happened has been overwhelming. This accident has impacted everyone in the Truckee and Lake Tahoe community on some level. Because of pending investigations, there are so many unanswered questions that will remain unanswered for a long time. As the community struggles to understand, people around the world continue to die in avalanches, including our friend, Stratton Matteson, who was taken by an avalanche in British Columbia a week after the Frog Lake accident. A gut punch made worse by finding out only minutes after we recorded the recap of our trip to Frog Lake. A trip to Frog Lake ending only 48 hours before the accident. Losing Stratton as we recorded made us realize it was too early to share. We needed more time to look inward and reflect. This episode is our second attempt, focused on the realizations we’ve had in the 18 days since the incident, and what we can all personally do to honor the lives lost, as well as move forward with compassion and a commitment to being safe and making smart decisions every time we step into the backcountry. We send our deepest sympathies to everyone involved in this tragic accident, and we encourage you to consider making a contribution to Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue. We also urge you to not forget the names of those lost: Carrie Atkin, Lizabeth Clabaugh, Danielle Keatley, Kate Morse, Caroline Sekar, Katherine Vitt, Nicole Choo, Andrew Alissandratos, Michael Henry. 2:10 – 75 percent of this winter’s snow came from 2 storms. 8:00 – Reflecting on the moments leading up to the avalanche near Frog Lake on February 17. 9:00 – Being pulled into the media frenzy in the hours after the avalanche. 10:20 – Why we decided to speak up to the media about the avalanche. 11:30 – The major red flag: the snowfall forecast. 15:35 – Trail Whisperer issues an apology to families of the victims regarding our story in the New York Times. 18:50 – The 8 Cs of dealing with a community tragedy. 22:30 – The culture of judgement of avalanche accidents in the U.S. 27:00 – Tom’s sobering realization skiing on the Tuesday of the avalanche. 32:15 – It’s ok to not travel on high avalanche danger days. 35:00 – Pow Bot shares his revelations from soul searching after the accident. 37:20 – The Normalization of Deviance 42:45 – Reviewing the Sierra Avalanche Center report of the avalanche below Perry’s Peak. 49:45 – Reviewing the human factor in avalanches from Bruce Tremper’s book, Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain. 53:50 – Accountability – know what you’re stepping out into, even if you are with a guide, and don’t be afraid to speak up. 55:40 – Planning around safety and implementing processes to eliminate group think. 59:50 – Knowing your team, their specialties and how you can leverage them. 1:02:20 – “Stick with the plan” versus “sick with the plan” and establishing the leader. 1:04:35 – The importance of the debrief at the end of the day. 1:06:10 – Matteo – East Coast Matt – calls in on the COR LORD hotline. 1:08:20 – DOPE OR DERP – East coast backcountry skiing. 1:09:30 – The importance of hiring a guide to help you learn the backcountry. 1:12:00 – The assumption of risk and respecting people’s differing levels of risk. 1:13:50 – The boys get fired up for their trip to Ice Creek Lodge in British Columbia, Canada. 1:18:00 – Honoring the life of Stratton Matteson – a legend taken way too early. 1:22:50 – The funny story of Pow Bot’s incident command rescuing a family member.

Amidst a sudden return to winter with 5 to 8 feet of new snow after a 5 week dry spell, on this two-part episode, in the first half the boys cover the start of the 2026 Winter Olympics, seeing a Lake Tahoe Knight Monsters hockey game and field some listener calls on the COR LORD hotline. With big avalanches a near certainty, Pow Bot advises people to be smart during this stormy period, give the snowpack time to heal and abide the F.A.C.E.T.S. snow safety acronym. The second half is a discussion with Christopher Brown and Rick Reed of Sky Tavern, talking about the history of the largest and longest-running community non-profit ski program in America, why the operation recently implemented a no uphill access policy and some exciting news coming for the 2026 mountain bike season. 2:50 – PB drives to Santa Barbara for a surf/mountain bike trip, TW goes to Santa Cruz. 5:50 – Hasn’t snowed in a month but a huge storm is incoming. 7:30 – Skiing on dirt across the American West – one of the worst winters ever on record. 9:30 – Recording at Sky Tavern – discussing uphill policy – no uphill ski access currently. 11:30 – Going to see the Lake Tahoe Knight Monsters in South Lake Tahoe. 13:50 – Going roller skating in Santa Cruz. 15:00 – The 2026 Winter Olympics are underway in Milano Cortina. 16:12 – Ryan Wedding – Parallel Giant Slalom Olympian who turns Mexican drug cartel kingpin. 19:40 – Breezy Johnson got checkers in the downhill and Lindsey Vonn went wreckers. 20:40 – Czech Republic is now known as Czechia. 21:15 – Nordic skier wins bronze in Nordic skiing then confesses to cheating on his girlfriend. 22:00 – Weinergate – Olympic long jumpers injecting their dongs with fluid for more surface area. 24:30 – Downhill Phil is angry about the ICE CREAM MAN! 26:40 – Boyerman calls in with a report about wolves, localism, volunteering and the Olympics. 29:00 – Localism and giving back to the community – a true requirement of a local. 29:50 – Confirmed report of a gray wolf spotted in Truckee. 32:20 – Gordo talks about localism and people who brag about how local they are. 35:50 – Gordo calls in again – buy Indy Pass or buy the Mt Rose Double Down pass. 39:25 – On a Musical Note – PB recommends songwriter Josh Ritter and Royal City Band. 41:15 – PSA – 17 people have died in avalanches in Europe this season. Slow down and be careful during this next incoming storm cycle. 45:05 – Human factors with avalanches, abide the acronym FACETS – Familiarity, Acceptance, Commitment, Expert Halo, Tracks, Social Proof. 50:00 – Chatting with Christopher “Toph” Brown and Rick Reed about Sky Tavern. 50:45 – Toph grew up skiing Brian Head ski resort in Utah. 53:50 – New man-made snowmaking systems implemented in the last year. 55:45 – Sky Tavern Learn to Ski and Ride Program – longest running youth ski program in the country. 58:55 – Working to get more people involved, reduce costs for members and offer more programs. 59:30 – Is there a season pass that adults can purchase to ski at Sky Tavern? 1:06:35 – Why there is currently no uphill ski access allowed at Sky Tavern. 1:16:45 – Operational season at Sky Tavern is mid-December to mid-March. 1:18:25 – Is there avalanche terrain at Sky Tavern? 1:23:50 – What’s coming up for the summer mountain bike program at Sky Tavern.

In this how-to episode, the Professori of the Pow, Mr. Dr. Pow Bot teaches Trail Whisperer how to set up his new Jones splitboard. Never having snowboarded in the backcountry before, Trail Whisperer learns a lot about proper body positioning, stance, and the finer details of making sure your split board is dialed. So if you’re new to the backcountry and wondering if your split board is set up correctly, this episode is 100 percent for you! We will return next week with our somewhat-regularly scheduled programming, but in the meantime, enjoy this tutorial on proper split board setup. AND PRAY FOR SOME DAMN SNOW!!

As a dirty high pressure ridge sits over the West, sending all the cold and snow to the east coast, the boys recount the past month and how it feels like an entire ski season has transpired. A grab bag of topics is covered this week including a Downieville mountain biker somehow getting lost on an out-and-back, the dying dream of the ski bum and instead take up wind sports in Florida, I-80 from San Francisco to Nevada ranking as the 8th most deadly highway in America and the ski patrol strike in Telluride ending with a whimper. Pow Bot asks, how long do you have to live somewhere to be considered a local? Core lords call in with some finders keepers stories and aggro locals in the lift line. A few DOPE or DERPs including drop bars on mountain bikes, Leadville 100, driving to the trailhead in ski boots, waxing your split board in one piece and poaching backcountry freshies at Sky Tavern. Also, Pow Bot pays tribute to the passing of Bobby Weir with the story of his very first Grateful Dead show at 16 years old. 3:00 – The last 25 days feels like the entirety of a full winter ski season, base build, pow, corn, melting and thinking about bikes again. 5:30 – Colorado off to its worst winter snowpack in recorded history. Crazy dry across the American West. 7:30 – Lack of Colorado River runoff could be devastating to the Southwest. Lake Powell and Lake Mead could go below minimum power pool, aka dead pool. 11:45 – Mountain biker in Downieville gets lost riding and has to get helicopter rescued by CHP. 13:00 – Pow Bot gets lost on an epic mountain bike ride in Montana. 15:30 – Search and Rescue is getting overwhelmed by ill-prepared people who get lost. 17:25 – Pow Bot’s Florida Man adventure – don’t move to an expensive ski town, move to an affordable place like Florida and get into wind sports. 22:00 – The ski bum dream is dying, and season ski passes have become DERP. 24:25 – Sugar Bowl mid-mountain lodge catches on fire. 25:35 – Telluride ski patrol strike is over and patrollers did not get what they wanted. 29:05 – Interstate 80 from San Francisco to Nevada is 8th most deadly highway in America. 31:30 – Forest Service in Lake Tahoe legalizes 110-miles of non-motorized trail for Class 1 ebikes. 32:50 – Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead passes. Tom tells his first Grateful Dead show story. 45:45 – Core Lord Call-ins – Lee recommends Bridger Watches – Tom recommends OutMap. 50:22 – More Finders Keepers in the backcountry. 54:30 – Aggro local yelling at people in the lift line at Heavenly. 57:00 – How long do you have to live in a place before you are considered a local? 1:02:15 – Fritz comments on Sugar Bowl. 1:06:20 – DOPE OR DERP – a packable backcountry rescue sled the size of a camping hammock. 1:12:20 – DOPE OR DERP – waxing your split board in one piece. 1:19:15 – DOPE OR DERP – driving to the trailhead in ski boots or snowboard boots. 1:23:40 – DOPE OR DERP – poaching backcountry freshies at Sky Tavern. 1:28:30 – DOPE OR DERP – drop bars on mountain bikes. 1:36:30 – Making sure your feet are dialed in your ski boots on big hut trips. 1:38:00 – How to set up a split board special mini-episode coming next week.

In today’s world of the mega pass like Epic and Ikon, small independent ski resorts are struggling to survive. But one of the oldest ski resorts in America – in one of the snowiest places on Earth – is thriving. Founded in 1939 by Hannes Schroll and funded by Walt Disney, Sugar Bowl Resort on Donner Summit has welcomed both families and hardcore skiers for generations, offering a friendly, laid back vibe and expert terrain. In Episode 78, we spin yarns with Sugar Bowl CEO, Bridget Legnavsky – a CEO who absolutely shreds on skis – discussing a recent $100 million investment, helping “The Bowl” stay competitive against Epic and Ikon resorts while honoring its blend of European and American traditions. We also chat about why Bridget thinks Sugar Bowl is one of the most unique resorts in the world, the differences between her home country of New Zealand and America, the future sustainability of skiing, why Lake Tahoe isn’t more of an international ski destination, and if Summit Chair will spin more than 3 days this year. 2:30 – Recording from Sugar Bowl Resort. 4:30 – Last episode, zero snow. This episode, 10+ feet of snow. Instant winter. 7:00 – Dangerous snow conditions – lots of avalanches. Inspecting a slide at Latopie Lake near Sonora Pass with Bridgeport Avalanche Center. 11:30 – Fatal snowmobile-triggered avalanche on Castle Peak. Reel the program back. 14:25 – Ski Patrol fatality at Mammoth Mountain during the post-Christmas storm. 15:20 – Telluride ski patrol went on strike and are still on strike. 17:30 – Interviewing Bridget Legnavsky, CEO of Sugar Bowl Resort. 19:50 – If you’re a snowmobiler – get educated. Understand the risks of the backcountry. 21:40 – New amenities at Sugar Bowl – new deck, locker room, restaurant and Ratskeller area. 25:13 – What are some of Bridget’s favorite Kiwi slang words? 26:05 – What words do New Zealanders use to describe snow conditions? 27:30 – Sugar Bowl community is heavily into performing music. 29:20 – Bridget’s first winter was the winter of 2022-23, one of the biggest in Sierra history. 30:45 – Working as a ski instructor in Japan, Europe, Breckenridge and Aspen, Colorado. 33:50 – What makes Sugar Bowl unique in the ski industry? 35:30 – How did Bridget find Sugar Bowl? 37:30 – The unique structure of Sugar Bowl – owned by homeowners. 43:30 – Replacing the village gondola – a $50 million project. 48:30 – Misconceptions about mountain operations and ski patrol. 54:04 – The rising operational cost of running a ski resort. 58:20 – Are the Vail Epic Pass and Alterra Ikon Pass the biggest threats to the future of Sugar Bowl? 1:05:45 – What’s the difference between Kiwis and Aussies? 1:07:45 – How has the family adapted to American life? 1:09:00 – Are there things Americans can take from New Zealand culture and vice versa? 1:12:30 – Are you a shoveler or a packer? 1:14:30 – What is the vision for the future of Sugar Bowl? 1:19:00 – Listener questions: What’s up with Summit chair lift? 1:21:20 – What is Sugar Bowl doing to keep skiing affordable for families? 1:23:30 – Paying more for a season pass but getting a lesser experience. 1:25:40 – Why is Lake Tahoe not an international destination ski market? 1:32:00 – Ease of access to skiing in the Tahoe region is second to none. 1:35:15 – Where do you see Sugar Bowl in 20 years? 1:39:40 – Dope or Derp Sugar Bowl report card. 1:48:30 – Why has the season pass purchase turned into a March thing instead of fall? 1:50:40 – Does Sugar Bowl have plans to expand mountain bike trails in the summer? 1:54:00 – What does Mind the Track mean to you?

After a month of being ridged with displeasure and no snow, a series of atmospheric rivers dumps buckets of rain before changing to snow, finally delivering major dumpage to Tahoe just in time for Christmas. In the final episode of Mind the Track’s third season, in Episode 77 the boys recap a month of inversions, brown pow and Tule Fog, contemplate chasing snow up into Canada, shout out the core lords for their 10th Shredmandment recommendations and DOPE or DERP making sound effects when riding your bike or filling uncomfortable silences. Pow Bot gives a gray wolf update, SKI BORG makes an appearance and the boys ask listeners to send in their questions for an upcoming interview with the CEO of Sugar Bowl resort. 2:10 – SKI BORG vs POW BOT 5:00 – No snow in Lake Tahoe with a huge storm a-coming just in time for Christmas chaos. 8:50 – On an airplane - window shade open or window shade closed? 11:00 – Trail Whisperer still hasn’t bought a ski pass for the season. 13:55 – All the different taglines describing the snow dry spell in Tahoe. 15:20 – Gnarly Tule Fog in the Central Valley of California for the last month. 16:10 – Washington State flooding – Stevens Pass, Crystal Mountain and Mount Baker roads blown out. 18:14 – Vail Resorts discounting ski lift tickets and medium range lodge bookings are way down. 22:50 – Pow Bot is finally maturing – he isn’t frothed out on chasing pow. 25:35 – DOPE or DERP – Do you chase the pow north to Canada right now? 27:15 – Alpenglow Winter Speaker Series Opener – Truckee Dirt Union raises $120,000! 30:40 – Spotify year-end wrap-up statistics for Mind the Track podcast. 32:20 – Shout out to Core Lord listener Stavros on Mount Hough in Quincy! 35:20 – HOT TIP: If you have poison oak, don’t scratch it, use the hottest water you can tolerate to flush the histamines. 38:10 – DOPE or DERP – Humming or whistling to fill an uncomfortable silence. 42:00 – DOPE or DERP – Making sound effects when you ride your bike. 46:10 – Listener Feedback – Finders Keepers stories. 49:25 – Atlanta, Georgia is the most surveilled city in the World. 50:45 – Pow Bot uses his Garmin watch to find his lost smartphone. 56:20 – Listener Feedback – Grocery gear baskets. 57:30 – Kurt Refsnider mountain bikes the whole Orogenesis Route – 4,275 miles in 135 days. 59:25 – Sugar Bowl asks if Mind the Track would like to interview the CEO of the ski resort. 1:01:40 – Listener Feedback on the 10th Shredmandment. Steve says respect the trailhead. 1:05:16 – Liz and Cam – Always be learning and avalanche education. 1:06:45 – Stu – Be a capable backcountry skiing partner. 1:09:30 – Tony from Lee Vining – Observe, consider and decide. 1:12:30 – Alex – Keep your gear tight. Know how to use a first aid kit. 1:13:00 – @patagonia_snow Instagram shouts out Mind the Track and the Butt Vest. 1:15:55 – Wolf pulls a crab pot out of water with the buoy and rope to eat the bait. 1:20:30 – Gray Wolf is de-listed by the Endangered Species Act. 1:25:00 – Cam says Snack Man is DOPE. 1:26:30 – Telluride Ski Patrol is threatening strike, could shut the whole season down. 1:33:00 – The unsustainable game of buying a season’s pass at a ski resort.

There may be no other person in Northern California more in touch with the behavior of wildlife than the award-winning nature photographer Randy Robbins. Based in Susanville, Robbins’ images of bald eagles, mountain lions, bears, bobcats, foxes, and hundreds of other species have helped both the public, and wildlife biologists, better understand the animals in our own backyards that we never see. Robbins snapped the very first high resolution photo of a Lassen Pack Wolf in 2021 in the ashes of the Dixie Fire, captured the first known image of the rare and endangered Sierra Nevada Red Fox and was the first photographer to ever be awarded by the Natural History Museum of London for an iPhone image. Robbins’ photos have been featured in media outlets worldwide, winning dozens of prestigious awards in only seven years of work. In Episode 76, we chat with Robbins at his Susanville photo gallery – A Thousand Windows – about his path to being a wildlife photographer, his relationship to God, both as a pastor and an outdoorsman, and the public criticisms he faces from all sides for simply capturing beautiful portraits of animals in the wild. 2:50 – PowBot and Trail Whisperer photograph wildlife. 4:50 – Recording from Susanville, California, riding the Bizz Johnson Trail. 6:25 – Introducing Randy Robbins, award-winning wildlife photographer and trails advocate for Susanville Area Bicycling Association. 8:30 – California Wildlife Photo of the Year Award - Bald Eagle called “Fly Fishing”. 10:00 – Natural History Museum of London Wildlife Photographer of the Year – “Full Circle”. 10:50 – Getting the very first high resolution photo of the Lassen Pack Wolf. 15:00 – 800 Main Street, Susanville, California originally built in 1901, now home to A Thousand Windows – Randy Robbins’ photography gallery. 18:50 – A Thousand Windows – a John Muir quote. 20:00 – Randy is a former teacher and part-time pastor at a Christian church. 21:30 – What’s the difference between finding God in the outdoors and finding it in church? 23:25 – How has your photography influenced your faith? 25:00 – After 2 years, getting a camera trap image of the Lassen Pack Wolf after the Dixie Fire. 26:00 – The patience required to be a good photographer 27:10 – Taking 3 years to get a photo of the endangered Sierra Nevada Red Fox. 30:00 – Lassen Volcanic National Park as a habitat for wildlife, and getting a permit to photograph in a National Park. 32:20 – Social media influencers, YouTubers and filming permits in National Parks. 35:30 – How did Randy get into photography? 39:25 – The highs and lows of social media, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook in promotion. 43:35 – Dealing with the haters on social media. 44:50 – Is taking a photograph of an animal compromising the animal’s habitat? 48:45 – Do animals like trails? 50:10 – Winning a Natural History Museum of London award for taking an iPhone photo, and then being criticized for it. 54:05 – Setting up an effective camera trap in the forest. 58:00 – Waiting in the woods for hours, days sometimes years before getting the right shot. 1:00:00 – Getting the award winning Bald Eagle shot in a kayak on Antelope Lake. 1:04:00 – The wolf discussion – Is the reintroduction of wolves in California good or bad? 1:08:25 – The criticisms Randy receives for simply taking a photo of a wolf. 1:11:45 – The Beyem Seyo Pack of wolves attacking and killing dozens of cattle in Sierra Valley. 1:14:45 – Has Randy ever been a hunter? As a photographer, would he be able to hunt? 1:16:30 – What has photography taught you most about animal behavior? 1:21:00 – How have the massive wildfires of the last few years impacted wildlife? 1:25:50 – Tracking animals and learning the different animal paw prints. 1:29:45 – Why isn’t Susanville more popular as a mountain town? 1:40:40 – Would John Muir have ridden a mountain bike or a split board? 1:44:00 – What does Mind the Track mean to you? 1:49:08 – Get Randy Robbins’ prints – Randyrobbinsphotography.com and athousandwindows.com