Seven Summits Group Hike – Butler Peak

Part of the Seven Summits of Big Bear Challenge.  Free.

Be sure to be prepared with plenty of water, snacks, proper footwear, sunscreen, and a hat.  Maps and directional devices are strongly encouraged.

For more information go to sevensummitsofbigbear.org

Seven Summits Group Hike – Delamar Peak

Part of the Seven Summits of Big Bear Challenge.  Free.

Be sure to be prepared with plenty of water, snacks, proper footwear, sunscreen, and a hat.  Maps and directional devices are strongly encouraged.

For more information go to sevensummitsofbigbear.org

Seven Summits Group Hike – Gold Mountain

Part of the Seven Summits of Big Bear Challenge.  Free.

Be sure to be prepared with plenty of water, snacks, proper footwear, sunscreen, and a hat.  Maps and directional devices are strongly encouraged.

For more information go to sevensummitsofbigbear.org

Seven Summits Group Hike – Grays Peak

Part of the Seven Summits of Big Bear Challenge.  Free.

Be sure to be prepared with plenty of water, snacks, proper footwear, sunscreen, and a hat.  Maps and directional devices are strongly encouraged.

For more information go to sevensummitsofbigbear.org

Conquer Seven Summits in Big Bear

Big Bear, Ca May 21, 2011 12:00 pm – Local teenager Jordan Romero is close to completing the seven highest peaks in the world.  He hopes to inspire others to find their personal Everest, to challenge themselves to reach new heights.  The Seven Summits of Big Bear is Southern California’s equivalent.  With many of Big Bear’s mountains the highest in the area, the local Seven Summits challenges hikers and fitness enthusiasts to reach the top of each of these peaks.  Hikers can complete all or some of the peaks on their own, or join guided group events scheduled between Memorial and Labor Day Weekends.  The group hikes begin with lowest of the seven, Gray’s Peak at 7,920’ near the west end of the lake, next Saturday.  The series finishes up with an all-day expedition to reach the top of San Gorgonio, the highest peak in Southern California at 11, 502’.  “The Seven Summits of Big Bear gives participants an opportunity to set attainable fitness goals, and they get to see some of the most remarkable panoramic views ever!” says Heather Devito, lead guide and owner of Mountain Fitness Center.  The group hikes are free.  For dates and information about each of the Seven Summits hikes, go to sevensummitsofbigbear.org.

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Summer Fun Begins at Big Bear Mountain Resorts

Big Bear, Ca May 15, 2011 12:00 pm – Next weekend Big Bear Mountain Resorts opens for summer activities.  The Scenic Sky Chair will begin to take visitors to the 8,200’ summit on Saturday.  Hikers, mountain bikers, and guests looking for a big view and a tasty BBQ lunch can ride the chair weekends until June 18, when daily service begins.  The 15 minute ride up the mountain leaves from the Snow Summit parking lot at the top of Summit Blvd.  Friday the Bear Mountain Golf Course is scheduled to open.  The 9-hole course located across from the Bear Mountain Ski Resort on Goldmine Drive includes a pro shop and driving range.  The Club House Grill serves a full breakfast and lunch 7 days a week.  Call (909) 585-8002 for golf reservations, tee times, and season passes.  Activities at the Bear Mountain Resorts are weather and conditions permitting.  Go to bigbearmountainresorts.com for the latest information.

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Big Bear Sierra Club Meeting

Speakers:  Ed Wallace – backpacking and climbing essentials, George Carver – pictures from 2010 backpacking trip in the Sierra’s, Pete Fulkerson – Equada Outfitters new indoor climbing facility.  At the Big Bear Discovery Center, 40971 North Shore Drive, Fawnskin, CA  Call Christy for additional information at 909-866-5006 or go to the club’s website at sierraclubbigbeargroup.org

Take a Hike–But, First, Prepare for the Unexpected; Group Hikes Available in Big Bear

Big Bear Valley, CA — With summer finally upon us (as we had a blizzard just a month ago), there are many opportunities and places to hike in and around the Big Bear Valley, including group hike opportunities through the Mountain Top Hiking Club and the Seven Summits of Big Bear series. Before you take a hike, however, the volunteers of the Bear Valley Search and Rescue Team suggest that you prepare for the unexpected, and remind that self-reliance is the key to the backcountry. Hikers should always remember to carry the following essentials: to find your way, a map, compass and flashlight; for your protection, sunglasses, extra food, plenty of water, sunscreen, and extra clothing (suitable for the changing climate); and, for emergencies, waterproof matches, a candle or fuel tablets, pocket knife and first aid kit. Jim Lyon, a member of Bear Valley Search and Rescue team says, “A GPS is also nice, if you can afford it, but don’t give up on the map and compass. The batteries can go on a GPS, so be up on your map and compass before you go.” And, whatever supplies you pack, his SAR teammate Peter Fulkerson recommends, “It’s always smart to have more than you think you need, in case that one hour hike becomes two hours.” Before embarking on a hike in the woods, be sure to let someone know where you are headed and when you plan to return. Weekly group hikes are an option; as posted on MountainTopHiking.com, the Sierra Club hosts a Castle Rock hike on Thursday morning, as well as a full moon walkabout through Holcomb Valley on Saturday evening (group departs from B’s Backyard BarBQ at 5:30pm). More rigorous opportunities are offered through the Seven Summits of Big Bear group, which plans four more in the series this summer, the next of which is Delamar Mountain on July 10.

Team Jordan Romero Returns to Big Bear, Two Months Later, After Record-Breaking Climb of Mt. Everest; Welcome Home Celebration on June 9

Team Jordan Romero returned to the United States on Wednesday, after accomplishing their amazing feat, in summiting Mt. Everest, the tallest peak in the world at 29,035’—and breaking one record and making a new one. Thirteen-year-old Jordan Romero is the youngest person ever to reach the peak of Everest and, as accompanied by dad Paul Romero and his partner Karen Lundgen, they are also the first family to be atop Everest together. When, nearly two months later, the now world-renowned trio returned to the U.S., Jordan’s mom LeighAnne Drake and younger sister Makaela were there to surprise them for a big hug, as this has been the teen’s longest time away from home ever (though he had been gone for as many as three weeks at a time in climbing other peaks of the world). Since arriving in New York City on June 2, Jordan, Paul and Karen have been on a media blitz and, this morning, were featured on NBC’s “Today Show.” In their interview on the couch with Matt Lauer, Jordan explained how the altitude, at over 20,000’ for weeks, did prompt minor headaches and, he said of Everest, “Climbing Everest is only 10 percent climbing, the rest of it is resting and acclimating.” Paul notes that though there were some bluebird days on the mountain, they also braved “major snow dumps” and temperatures as low as -60° degrees below—and coupled with winds! Still, they were happy just to be there, and as Karen noted on TV, Jordan had said, “If this is all we do, look at the mountain, I’m happy.” And yet, they are happier still, as their goal has been accomplished. According to Jordan this morning, “It was a very, very hard mountain, and it took lots of dedication and time preparing for it.” Now, the trio prepares for their return back to Big Bear, and are scheduled to fly into LAX tonight, and greet friends at Nottingham’s in the Village of Big Bear Lake on Saturday at noon. A community-wide welcome home celebration will be held on Wednesday, June 9 at Big Bear Middle School. The event, billed as “Welcome Back Jordan and Live Your Dreams Fair,” will be from 4:30pm to 8pm at the BBMS field (off Big Bear Boulevard at Jeffries Road). There will also be a dinner opportunity at 5:30pm ($8 for adults, $5 for children), to be followed by a slide show at 7pm. For more information on this event, including fair booth and volunteer opportunities, contact the Big Bear Chamber of Commerce at 866-4607. For more information on Jordan, click on the “Jordan Romero” tab at the end of this story.

Seven Summits of Big Bear Climb

Ted and Heather Devito, the team behind Mountain Fitness Center, invite climbers of all abilities to join them in the Seven Summits of Big Bear, a series of climbs that have become annual outings here in the Big Bear Valley. Hikes start with the easier of the peaks and progress to the biggie, Mt. San Gorgonio. Most hikes begin at 8am, though climbers will definitely want to visit SevenSummitsofBigBear.com for specifics on where to go, what to bring, and what to expect in terms of hikers’ responsibilities. Hike dates are as follows: Bertha Peak on May 29, Grey’s Peak on June 5, Gold Mountain on June 19, Delamar Mountain on July 10, Sugarlump/BearPeak on July 24, Sugarloaf Mountain on August 7 and San Gorgonio on August 28.

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