Get Your Paddle On!

 Bear PaddleFest is a festival of clinics, races and vendor expo for canoes, kayaks, and stand up paddleboards on the South Shore of Big Bear Lake, hosted by North Shore Trading Company.For two days in July, paddlers can test their stamina at 6700’, take beginner through advanced clinics, and learn about the latest in paddling gear from vendors and sponsors.Big Bear PaddleFest is a member of Open Air Big Bear and third in the Conquer the Bear/Conquer the Cub series of cross training races held throughout the year in Big Bear Valley.

 
The weekend event will offer pre-race-day activities on Saturday, July 9^th, including on-water clinics for beginner and advanced paddlers taught by local paddling instructors, boat and board demos with Seda and Necky kayaks and Hobie paddleboards, an outdoor-industry sports exhibit with Smith Optics, USARC, FRS, John Wayne Cancer Foundation, Clif Bar, Big Bear Vacations and more. 

The races, scheduled for Sunday, July 10^th, are open to all levels of paddlers. There will be 20K, 10K, and 5K canoe or kayak, tandem or solo races. The Kids’ Fun Paddle is free for 12-year olds and under. 

(Video by Scott Hoffman, website)

For more information Paddlefest or Conquer the Bear, including registration details, or contest information visit OpenAirBigBear.comwww.openairbigbear.com.

Big Bear Shootout

Mountain bike season is in full swing and there is nowhere better to ride than up here in Big Bear Lake. Amazing single track descents and oxygen sucking climbs ensure a challenge for everybody. Still one big race left for the season. Ride the Bear is happening in two weeks and is sure to be a great day of mountain biking. Check out this video from the May race which is the same course as Ride the Bear...then sign up and start training!

Open Air Big Bear and Big Bear Vacations area also teaming up to give one lucky group FREE lodging for race weekend. Only thing you need to do to be entered in the drawing is to sign up for the race. Check out all the details HERE!

San Gorgonio Hike Video

Onyx Crag Climbing

For me one of the most enjoyable parts of rock climbing comes in the discovery of new places climb. Each new area offering a different rock texture or unique setting. In Big Bear climbing comes in lots of shapes and sizes. While there are a few concentrated areas with a lot of established routes the majority of climbing is found on lone pinnacles or scattered boulders in the woods.
Onyx Summit is one of these stand alone rocks that is worth a visit. Located just of HWY 38 and at an elevation of around 8,500' this high crag has a few bolted routes ranging from 5.10 to 5.12 as well as a couple of easy trad lines. The climbing on this rock is highlighted by a fantastic headwall which offers steep climbing on bomber quartz. With bolted anchors making setting up a top rope simple this crag is a perfect destination when you have a short time to climb.
I made a brief visit to Onyx Crag today and was impressed by both the quality of the rock as well as the movement of the routes. We were able to climb (or at least attempt) 5 routes in just a short period of time and left with pumped forearms and a project for another time. Check out this quick video of the crag and see you out there!

 

(climbing at Onyx Summit in Big Bear Lake, CA)