Events, News & Notes: 9/03/08

Published online on Wednesday, Sep. 03, 2008

On the Web
Capturing Midnight Lightning

What: Multimedia Yosemite rock-climbing demonstration

Web site: adventure.nationalgeographic.com (then click on video or photography links)

Located smack dab in the middle of Camp 4, the epicenter of Yosemite rock climbing, lies the apartment-sized Columbia boulder. And on that boulder lies a famous route called Midnight Lighting, perhaps the world's most famous boulder problem.

For generations of Yosemite climbers, Midnight Lightning is a rite of passage.

Now, thanks to National Geographic Adventure, even those stuck on terra firma can appreciate what it takes to climb this famous route. Adventure photographer Corey Rich and world-class climber Tommy Caldwell teamed to film a 5-minute video of the climb and produce stunning photographs by using a new Web tool called Photosynth that stitches together related images to create a 3-D affect.

No chalk bag or crash pad required.

Events

Celebrate Sequoias Festival

Where: Saturday

When: Princess Campground

Learn about giant sequoias through the eyes of naturalists, scientists and artists at this annual festival. Activities include guided walks through some lesser-known groves, artist booths and free kids' activities.

The Princess Campground is on Highway 180 near the Hume Lake cutoff in the Giant Sequoia National Monument. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Walks depart every 30 minutes from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Details: (559) 565-4307 or (559) 338-2251.

News & notes

• Kokanee Power is holding its annual Shaver Lake Kokanee Derby on Saturday at Camp Edison. Check-in is 4:30- 7 p.m. Friday and 5-7 a.m. Saturday. The first-place team gets a minimum $600 payout. Details: www.kokaneepower.org.

• The 26th annual Cross City Race returns to downtown Fresno on Sept. 21. Events include 2-mile and 10-kilometer run/walks and separate kids races, Details and registration: (559) 450-2040 or www.samc.com.

• Sign-ups are being accepted for a Sept. 20 team bass tournament at Millerton Lake that benefits the Clovis Police Reserve Mountain Patrol Unit. Entry forms are available at Valley Rod & Gun in Clovis. Details: (559) 280-9008.

• The High Sierra Equine X Games, a first-year equestrian event that combines off-trail riding skills and orienteering, is coming Sept. 27 to the Shaver Lake area. Details and registration: www.equinexgames.com.

• The High Sierra Volunteer Trail is continuing its restoration of Jackass Meadows near Florence Lake from Sept. 24-28. It's a great opportunity to work directly with Native Americans and help reclaim what was once a thriving ecosystem for sedge, a plant instrumental in basket weaving. Details: (559) 561-3351 or www.trailcrew.org.