Some Snow? Could It Be?

Summary:

Howdy folks!  We’ve made it to hump day and it’s time to start thinking about the weekend.  Weather for the rest of the week looks good, but expect some cooler weather and breezy conditions coming in from the Bay all the way up to Tahoe.  Around the beaches waves are coming down in size and will get chopped up from the coming onshore winds.  

Hike and Bike Conditions Around the Bay:

Highs in the mid 60’s around the Bay today and tomorrow are going to give way to some cooler temps Friday and into the weekend with highs in the upper 50’s.  Sunny skies will prevail, but winds will pick up a bit on Thursday evening before backing off on Friday.  Looking at the weekend ahead, temperatures are going to remain mild, but there is a slight chance of a shower or two on Friday and Saturday.  Don’t forget that this weekend I’m leading a camping and hiking trip up on Mt. Diablo, come on out to see the amazing vistas, hike amongst wildflowers and sleep under the stars!

Yusef practices standing up on the shore at Lindamar, Pacifica.

Surf Around the Region:  

Short period swell in the chest high range will dominate the beaches over the next few days.  Onshore winds with the coming cool front are also going to chop up the surf a bit.  If you head out, get at it early to ensure the lightest winds.  Interested in learning to surf?  Come join us next month in Bolinas for the second installment of the “Learn to Surf Series” or sign up to travel with me to Baja in April for the UD Baja Surf Safari.   

Around Tahoe:

Mild weather in the 50’s today and tomorrow is going to give way to cooler temps with even a chance of snow going into the weekend.  I wouldn’t expect huge amounts of snow--or anything close to what we need to help out the water/snowpack situation--but it is something.  Nice powder stashes are possible on the higher peaks.  The southern Sierra got some snow earlier this week near Mammoth.  Check out the blower pow!  Head on up to the Tahoe Cabins this weekend and try to get your skis and boards on the snow.

Colorado?  Nope, the Eastern Sierra 

For more Tahoe snow details, check out the Tahoe Daily Snow and follow Tahoe Weather on Facebook.

Big Dreams Lead to BIG Adventures

We constantly dream about travel & adventure.

We subscribe to National Geographic online, we flood our Instagram with inspiring pics and are always on the hunt for off-the-beaten path locations to explore.  And every once in a while we get lucky enough to turn our dreams into reality and act on our travel impulses.

This year the travel gods were awesome to us and we ventured to Peru for the trip of a lifetime.

Macchu Picchu!  Bucket List Achievement Unlocked!!

And when we say trip of a lifetime... we mean a 5 day trek on the Inca Trail into Machu Picchu, venturing to Colca Canyon in Southern Peru to watch the (almost extinct) Andean Condor soar gracefully over our heads at dawn, ride in the grass canoes on the floating islands in Lake Titicaca and learn to roast & eat Guinea Pig in the Peruvian Highlands, get our spirituality on with the Amazonian shaman.... our minds were constantly blown by how friendly the Peruvian people were and how much variety the country had.

As professional adventurers- we get super stoked on how great the country is and the experience... but what makes us happiest is all the awesome Urban Diversion members that came with us on this trip of a lifetime.  Our dynamic group trekked up the Inka Trail with the passion of a seasoned mountaineers- despite the crazy elevation (15,300ft) and the (occationally) snowy weather- sharing this journey with each other was not only the highlight of the trip but its also what pushes us to keep the adventures coming.   Check out our adventure pics HERE.

UD Adventure Crew 2015

While we are very excited to have checked this item off the bucket list- we cant help but get anxious about keeping the dream alive and searching for our next international adventure.  So... help us stoke our next adventure- perhaps one we can all share- and tell us WHERE you want to do and WHAT adventure is on your "dream big list.

Maybe together- we can make it happen!

Keep Dreaming BIG friends!

The Secret (not so) Creepy Crawlies of Mt. Diablo

There are two kinds of hikers.

Those that hike to pack on the miles and those that hike to experience amazing things.

We usually fall into the latter- we love to hike to waterfalls (preferably ones we can swim in), we kill for amazing photography viewpoints, we get up at 5am to win permits to the most sought after wilderness destinations..... and this weekend, we learned that the Tarantulas of Mt. Diablo are totally worth the hike.

Tarantulas?  Mt. Diablo?  What? Are we crazy?
Before you judge us as nut jobs.... a few quick facts:
    1. Tarantulas are pretty harmless (and not poisonous to humans)
    2. They dont bite and wont kill you
    3. They are easy to pick up, easy to pet and easy to put down



So- this weekend, we set out to see the sunset over the gorgeous Mt. Diablo hills and cure our (mild) arachnaphobia by mingling with the East Bay's most misunderstood arachnid.
Check out our pics HERE and how about you join us next week for SUP classes in Sausalito with the sea lions!  Much less creepy and always good for a laugh!

No Water- No Problem

Its no secret that California is in the middle of its worst drought in 100 years- the lake levels are low, the waterfalls have slowed to a trickle, rivers and creeks have become exposed gravel beds.... things are looking mighty dry here in the Golden State.

Unless you know where to look.

We love whitewater rafting, kayaking, house boating, hiking to the waterfalls and appreciating the lush greenery of the redwoods and trust us.... a drought wont stop us.  The last 3 years have taught us to look outside the ordinary places to do the things we love.  Just because there is a drought, doesn't mean that we have to go home- so we are letting the cat out of the bag and sharing our secret drought-busting recreational activities.

Urban Diversion's Top 3 Places To Get Wet & Wild This Summer

1. Whitewater Rafting- Shhhhh.... There is a large part of the Delta Basin that is "dam controlled"... this means that there is still a volume of water escaping down the rivers that is completely raft-able. We have checked with some of the operators, water districts and those-in-the-know and most bets for the best rafting this year is on Cache Creek.  Check out our mid-Summer Splash Series Rafting Trip here!

2.  Waterfall Hiking- Ok... this is a bit more of a challenge.  If you're up for it- a nice 5 mile hike will take you to Fontanillis Lake Falls- accessible from South Lake Tahoe/Emerald Bay area.  It does require a wilderness permit, but the hike is well worth it and the falls will most likely be flowing for months to come despite a lackluster snowpack.  Pack a picnic and watch for those thunderheads- but enjoy one of the few falls in the vicinity!

3.  House boating- We tricked you.... there are no lakes that have houseboats that aren't horribly depressing this year (sorry- we gotta be honest), but our great substation pontoon boats just 30 minutes from the city.  We love Lake Del Valle- a large lake, great camping grounds & have great boats to rent.  Why not skip the hassle of renting a boat and synching your schedule with all of your friends and join the Urban Diversion's Pontoon Party Boat & Hot Summer Nights Party.  Its certainly the highlight of our summer and we would love to share the fun with you!

Beat the Summer Heat with Summer Tahoe Cabin Shares

The beach is 5 min away

When the dog days of summer hit and you feel like you need a little fresh air- wouldn't it be nice to escape to the mountains without all the hassle of searching, haggling security deposits and booking a vacation property? What if you could have your own spacious retreat without all the commitment of a long-term lease or a time-share?  Do you want to spend more time in South Lake Tahoe?

Now you can!

Due to popular demand- we now have a South Lake Tahoe cabin share!

Our awesome condo

A cabin share is a great way to have a "go-to" property and use it like you own it.  With a UD cabin share- you have unlimited access and guest privileges to a spacious condo with a hot tub, pool and ample parking all in a highly desirable South Lake Tahoe location.  The best thing about the cabin share?  It costs less than you spend on coffee each month!

Hiking trails from the deck of patio

The best thing about a cabin share is you use it like you own it!

• Want to stay the entire 4-day weekend?  No problem!  
• Want to leave your mountain bike on the patio?  No problem!
• Want to invite a few people over for a BBQ?  No problem!
• Want to leave the city and arrive in Tahoe after 3am?  No problem!
• Want to have a place where you dont worry about utilities, paying the cable bill, taking out the garbage or cleaning the toilets?  Then THIS IS YOUR CABIN!

So maximize your summer fun this year and get in on a cabin share!

Ski season may be over.... But Tahoe lives on

We say Tahoe.... You think snow, ski, tire chains and lift tickets- right?

Yes.... But Tahoe is so much more than a winter destination for the powder hounds.  Durring the summer months, the western Sierra Nevadas turn into a massive open playground playing host to every different type of interest imaginable. 

Like to get away from the crowds? Plenty of room to get out and backpack in Desolation Wilderness. Feel the need for speed?  Rent a jetski or powerboat. Enjoy the tree filled trails via hiking or biking? Plenty of options there! Wild night out with live music & a lively nightlife scene?  Check out the South Shores of Tahoe.  Even relaxing around the fire pit or crystal clear lake with a glass of California's finest vino.... Yup- you're covered there too. 

Tahoe has something for everyone and the vast size of the national forests, sheer number of recreational areas and usually favorable weather makes Tahoe a giant playground for summer fun.  So beat the Bay Area crowds this summer and head East to Tahoe!

This year, Urban Diversion is offering summertime unlimited access to the South Shore Tahoe cabin for less than $75/mo!  That's like having a vacation home for less than the cost of your daily coffee! 

How to gear up for summer adventure like a pro

Summer is finally here in the Bay Area and that means its time to think about hiking, kayaking, camping, boating, road trips and fun galore!

But wait- you can only find one hiking boot, the cooler has suddenly disappeared and those tent poles seem to have bent in an odd way.... this means its time to get some new gear.  But dont break out that credit card and go deep in debt just yet- we have a few GREAT ideas if you are looking to replace missing gear, upgrade your old gear or even gear up for the first time!

The newbie: Getting Your First gear
So you're going to the Urban Diversion Yosemite trip and camping for the first time.... we know the tendency is to run out and buy a tent, a sleeping bag, a mattress, a cooler, a chair, cooking stuff, etc....  the list could be endless and very expensive.  Dont put yourself in debt just to get a bunch of gear you will only use 1-2 times a year and have to store in your already cramped apartment!  Buy the basics first- a department store sleeping pad and bag and a camping chair will work just fine for your foray into the wild outdoors.  The rest, you can borrow from a friend or rent from Urban Diversion.

Upgrading: Going Pro
If your well-loved gear has worn itself thin or your ex took the rainfly and left you with the tent... then its time to replace and/or upgrade.  Our favorite tip is to make a pro/con list about what you liked & didnt like about your old gear.  Keep those things in mind and try some online shopping sites that allow you to compare items side-by-side.  We also love taking advantage of last seasons gear at online retailers (like sierra trading post & campmor) and you get deep discounts on brand new gear. Also- make sure you try out your gear BEFORE you take that big Tahoe Backpacking trip!

The Bottom Line
Gearing up for an active & outdoorsy summer can be an enjoyable experience that doesnt have to cost a fortune.  Give the UD crew a shout if you have any questions about gear we lend & rent, need advice on what to buy or have questions about any of our Summer 2015 camping & backpacking trips.