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Time to take camping out of season

Sunday, December 13, 2009 By 3 Comments
Here's the accomodations.

If I told you I have been snow camping in Santa Barbara, would you think I'm crazy? Well, as luck would have it,snow adventures are very possible in the back country of the San Rafael wilderness. With winter right around the corner, it isn't the time to put away your camping gear, but instead, a chance to gain a whole new prospective on what the local outdoors have to offer.Born and raised on the beaches of Southern California, the world of snow and ice has always been intriguing to me. But … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Outdoors Tagged With: , , ,

Paddleboard racing makes its mark on S.B. coast

Wednesday, August 5, 2009 By 1 Comment

There’s a new game in town, as Saturday marked the first ever Pier-to-Pier stand-up and traditional paddle board race.In the men’s short course, James Donovan had the fastest overall time among stand-up races while Eric Mehlberg was the top finisher in the traditional paddleboard (laying flat). The fastest women’s short course finishers were Nicole Gutent in stand-up and Rosanna Sandoval in traditional.Decian Sacre was the fastest male stand-up on the long course and Tad Smyth was … [Read more...]

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Red Rock more than a just a spot to chill and grill

Thursday, June 4, 2009 By 4 Comments
Red Rock

Red Rock is known for its riverside parking and being perfect for BBQs as well as the epic – yet unadvisable – cliff jumping. However, this valley destination has much more to offer the casual hiker if they are willing to make a short expedition deeper into the wilderness. The parking areas can be crowded on the weekends with families cooking up burgers and college kids enjoying the sun. To enjoy the wilderness in peace, try taking a stroll down the trail at the final parking lot. … [Read more...]

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City hiking trails burned out, remain closed indefinitely

Sunday, May 24, 2009 By Leave a Comment
The Tunnel Trail hiking area has been completely burned out by the Jesusita Fire

To be sure, the city of Santa Barbara’s hiking-friendly front country has been transformed into a moonscape of desolate land and devastated trails as a result of the Jesusita Fire.As of Wednesday the US Forest Service lifted its closure of the burn area, yet the Jesusita Trail, Tunnel Road Trail, and Rattlesnake Canyon Trail - under the jurisdiction of the County Parks and Recreation Department - remain closed indefinitely. The County is keeping the trails closed due to fear of rock slides … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Outdoors, Sports

Coal Oil Point offers leisurely, interesting tour

Friday, May 15, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Coal Oil Point Lagoon

I woke up Saturday morning ready for some sort of adventure, although one which did not require a tremendous amount of exertion. My final quarter at UCSB is winding down, and I was in need of some outdoor activity to get me out of the library.After spending the last four years living in Santa Barbara — and no more then half a mile from the Coal Oil Point Nature Reserve — it occurred to me that I really knew nothing about it. So I signed up and headed out on one of the monthly guided … [Read more...]

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Patrick leads Owls to historic win over Cate

Friday, May 1, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Cate vs. Laguna Lacrosse

The lacrosse team at Laguna Blanca is twice as old as many of its players, yet in its 33 years of existence it has never beaten Cate.Until now.The Owls made history Friday with an 11–6 home victory against their archrival.“They out-hustled us, out-executed us, and deserved to win,” said Steven O’Neill, Cate’s head coach. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Lacrosse

Humans and their dogs compete at Gaucho Gallop

Sunday, April 26, 2009 By Leave a Comment

The 2nd annual Gaucho Gallop, hosted by Teva and the UCSB Alumni Association, gave everyone a chance at glory Saturday, including the racers' furry friends.In an unusual shift from the standard cross-country race, event organizers started the day off with a one mile “Doggie Dash.”“I wanted to do something a little different and involve the dogs,” event organizer John Lofthus said.  … [Read more...]

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Valaika grabs big hit, Gardner shines for Gauchos

Friday, April 24, 2009 By Leave a Comment
UCSB's John DeAlba

Thanks to Matt Valaika, UCSB's men’s baseball team stood victorious against Big West Conference rival No. 12 Cal Poly with a walk-off victory at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium Friday.“It was our biggest win of the year,” said junior infielder Gunnar Terhune. Valaika came to bat in the bottom of the ninth with the score tied, two outs and the bases loaded — every baseball player's dream. He promptly knocked base hit down the right field line, giving the Gauchos the win and a big … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Baseball, UCSB Baseball

Interference call halts Gaucho comeback

Sunday, April 19, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Senior Eric Oliver sure had a rough trip to the plate in the bottom of the ninth Sunday, as the UCSB men’s baseball team came up short with a 5-4 loss against San Jose State at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium.Oliver came to bat with one out and Brian Gump on first. With a two-strike count, Oliver swung and missed at a ball in the dirt as Gump tried to steal second. After being tagged out, Oliver inadvertently obstructed San Jose’s catcher from making the play at second, and umpire Rick Wilson … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Baseball, UCSB Baseball

Gaviota Peak offers breathtaking views, hot springs

Monday, April 13, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Gaviota Peak

A weekend with fair weather and a couple days off of work prompted my girlfriend and I to head north to explore the famed Gaviota Peak and its hot spring. While the spring may have been rather tepid, the hike was refreshing and the view gorgeous. The trail head is a short 30-minute drive north of downtown Santa Barbara on US 101. While this drive may seem like a stretch compared to the proximity of Seven Falls or other local hikes, it is well worth it. Not only is the hike beautiful, but … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Outdoors

Gauchos return home and crush Bruins, 13-1

Sunday, April 5, 2009 By Leave a Comment
UCSB Lacrosse

Returning to The Pit after a month of away games, UCSB men's lacrosse team stood victorious against UCLA Sunday with a 13-1 win.“We have had lots of ups and downs this season, but we are in charge of our own destiny now,” commented Gaucho head coach Mario Waibel. … [Read more...]

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