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SIERRA REC NOW | Your Guide to Sierra Adventures
Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine • Authentic Mountains
130 episodes
1 week ago
Sierra Rec Now, an Authentic Mountains Production, dives into the stories and adventures that define the Sierra Nevada. Hosted by Charlie Pankey, the show brings you trail discoveries, backcountry experiences, and conversations with the people who know these mountains best. Each episode blends inspiration with practical insight for exploring the range. If you love granite peaks, big landscapes, and real Sierra culture, this is your home. Let’s get into it.
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All content for SIERRA REC NOW | Your Guide to Sierra Adventures is the property of Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine • Authentic Mountains and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
Sierra Rec Now, an Authentic Mountains Production, dives into the stories and adventures that define the Sierra Nevada. Hosted by Charlie Pankey, the show brings you trail discoveries, backcountry experiences, and conversations with the people who know these mountains best. Each episode blends inspiration with practical insight for exploring the range. If you love granite peaks, big landscapes, and real Sierra culture, this is your home. Let’s get into it.
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Places & Travel
Society & Culture
Episodes (20/130)
SIERRA REC NOW | Your Guide to Sierra Adventures
Snow Has Arrived: Where to Play, Snowshoe & Explore the Sierra This Holiday Weekend

Snow has finally arrived across the Sierra Nevada, and holiday travelers are heading for the mountains. In this festive Sierra Rec Now update, Charlie Pankey shares his favorite non-ski winter adventures—from snowshoeing and sledding to quiet meadow walks and family-friendly snow play.

This episode is perfect for travelers visiting Lake Tahoe, Alpine County, and the Eastern Sierra who want to enjoy winter without battling resort crowds. Charlie highlights trusted snowshoe routes in Hope Valley, Tahoe Meadows, Spooner Summit, Silver Lake, and more—plus practical advice on winter safety, parking, and gear.

Whether you’re new to the Sierra or a longtime local looking for quieter places to explore, this episode will help you experience the magic of winter in the mountains.

❄️ No skis required—just fresh snow, good planning, and a love for the outdoors.

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1 week ago
14 minutes 54 seconds

SIERRA REC NOW | Your Guide to Sierra Adventures
Inside the 72-Mile Deep Dive to Clean Lake Tahoe | Clean Up the Lake

Clean Up the Lake is launching a bold new effort to clean Lake Tahoe’s deepest zones, and in this episode of Sierra Rec Now, we go underwater to understand why it matters.

Host Charlie Pankey talks with Jenny Uvira, Programs Manager at Clean Up the Lake, about cold-water diving, toxic debris, historic artifacts, invasive species monitoring, and how volunteers play a critical role in protecting one of the Sierra’s most iconic alpine lakes.

If you love Lake Tahoe, the Eastern Sierra, or conservation-focused adventure stories, this episode is for you.

This conversation goes beyond cleanup. We discuss:

  • Why tires and batteries are among the most toxic items found underwater

  • How underwater currents move debris into deeper zones

  • The role of diver propulsion vehicles (DPVs) and enriched air (Nitrox)

  • How Clean Up the Lake works with historians and archaeologists when artifacts are discovered

  • The connection between lake health, invasive species prevention, and Sierra stewardship

Jenny also shares how listeners can volunteer, even without scuba experience, and how everyday actions around docks, boats, and marinas can prevent future pollution.

This is a must-listen episode for anyone who loves Lake Tahoe, the Eastern Sierra, conservation, diving, or outdoor stewardship.

🔗 Learn more or get involved: https://cleanupthelake.org
📺 Watch Clean Up the Lake’s documentary series: Make A Difference Media

Sierra Rec Now explores the people, places, gear, and events that make the Sierra Nevada one of the most extraordinary outdoor regions in North America.

👍 Like, subscribe, and share to support Sierra-based storytelling.

🎙️ About Sierra Rec Now

00:00 Introduction & Episode Overview

01:18 Meet Jenny Uvira (Clean Up the Lake)

03:01 2025 Cleanup Projects Across the Sierra

05:19 First 72-Mile Tahoe Cleanup Explained

06:45 Why Deeper Water Holds More Trash

08:31 Cold-Water Diving Conditions in Lake Tahoe

10:17 Underwater Currents & Trash Movement

12:11 Historic Artifacts Beneath the Lake

13:26 Diver Propulsion Vehicles & Nitrox Explained

15:30 Dive Safety & Conservative Planning

16:56 Most Toxic Trash Found Underwater (Tires & Batteries)

19:49 Are People Intentionally Polluting?

20:12 What’s Next for Clean Up the Lake in 2026

22:00 Invasive Species & Lake Monitoring

24:12 How You Can Volunteer & Get Involved

27:21 Jenny’s Favorite Sierra Adventure Spot

27:45 Post-Adventure Food Picks Around Tahoe

28:57 Essential Gear Jenny Never Leaves Behind

30:16 Final Thoughts & 2026 Preview

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2 weeks ago
31 minutes

SIERRA REC NOW | Your Guide to Sierra Adventures
Discovering New Adventures: My First 30 Days in Washington’s Outdoor Paradise

Discovering New Adventures in Washington’s North Cascades | Sierra Rec Now

After nearly two decades of Sierra Nevada adventures, my family has officially moved north — to Mount Vernon, Washington. In this week’s episode, I’m reflecting on what it’s like trading Tahoe blue for glacial green, sunny granite trails for fern-covered rainforest slopes, and snowshoe days in Hope Valley for soggy boots in the Mount Baker foothills.

From a hilariously wet Christmas tree hunt in the Mountain Baker Recreation Area to discovering the emerald waters of Diablo Lake and the intense passion Washingtonians have for their public lands — it’s already been a month full of surprises.

Join me as I compare:

  • Sierra vs. Pacific Northwest winter recreation

  • Snowpack, trail access, and seasonal differences

  • New mountain culture in the Cascades and Salish Sea region

  • What I really miss about hiking and exploring the Sierra

  • Why Mt. Baker and North Cascades National Park are becoming my new backyard

Whether you hike, fish, ski, or just love hearing how outdoor life shapes our stories, this episode is for you.

And don’t worry — Sierra adventures continue. We’re expanding the journey, not replacing it.

🎧 Listen + Explore
New episodes every week featuring real mountain towns, local stories, and authentic outdoor experiences across the Sierra and the Pacific Northwest.

🌄 Learn more: https://sierrarecmagazine.com
📌 Follow on YouTube: Sierra Rec Now
📍 Instagram: @SierraRecMagazine

Pacific Northwest Outdoors, Mount Vernon WA, North Cascades, Mt Baker, Sierra Nevada, Christmas Tree Hunting, Outdoor Lifestyle, Hiking Washington, Tahoe to Cascades

Keywords for Search

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3 weeks ago
24 minutes 45 seconds

SIERRA REC NOW | Your Guide to Sierra Adventures
From Sierra Roots to Skagit Valley: Winter Sierra Updates and a New Mountain Chapter

This week on Sierra Rec Now, host Charlie Pankey brings listeners into a new personal chapter: a move from the Carson Valley to Washington’s Skagit Valley. Charlie reflects on nearly a decade documenting the Sierra Nevada and shares what this transition means for the podcast, the digital magazine, and future mountain explorations.

He also dives into early season Sierra Nevada conditions, ski resort schedule changes, backcountry reports, and winter destination ideas from Lassen to Tahoe. From discovering Ross Lake National Recreation Area to walking new forest trails filled with moss-covered cedars, Charlie outlines how the show will continue to highlight the Sierra while expanding its lens to include mountain culture across the West.

A grounded, authentic episode for anyone who loves mountain life, winter snow, and honest insight from the trail.

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1 month ago
20 minutes 49 seconds

SIERRA REC NOW | Your Guide to Sierra Adventures
Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail: Audrey Payne’s Story from Carson City to Canada | Sierra Rec Now Podcast

What’s it really like to hike from Mexico to Canada—alone, for six months?
In this episode of Sierra Rec Now, host Charlie Pankey welcomes back Audrey Payne, the first participant in the Capital to Canada Quest, who became the only hiker to complete the entire Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) in 2024.

Audrey shares the full story of her 2,650-mile journey—starting at the Mexican border, trekking through the Sierra Nevada, and finishing in the remote wilds of Washington State. From icy creek crossings and desert blooms to wildfire scars and trail magic, she opens up about the emotional highs, quiet moments, and lessons learned along the way.

💬 Highlights include:

  • Hiking 700 miles through the Southern California desert

  • Rediscovering joy in the Sierra after a terrifying 2023 JMT season

  • Stopping in Carson City, Nevada, to hike the new Cap to Tahoe Trail

  • Facing burnout and beauty across Northern California & Oregon

  • Finding solitude and meaning in Washington’s Glacier Peak Wilderness

  • Her must-have trail gear and the tent that failed (then redeemed itself)

📍 Destinations featured: Carson City, Desolation Wilderness, Tahoe Rim Trail, Goat Rocks, Glacier Peak, Bend, and more.

🔗 Learn more:
Read Audrey’s story and others at SierraRecMagazine.com
Watch the full YouTube interview → [link]
Listen to past Capital to Canada Quest episodes with Julianne Mahoney and Lydia Beck.

🎙️ Sierra Rec Now is the voice of the Sierra Nevada—where adventure meets storytelling.

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1 month ago
36 minutes 3 seconds

SIERRA REC NOW | Your Guide to Sierra Adventures
Carson City Winter Basecamp + Capital-to-Canada Quest Debrief with Visit Carson City

Carson City is having a moment.

Not only is it one of the most accessible winter basecamps in the Sierra — where you can ski Tahoe by day and come back to clear trails and small-town holiday magic at night — it’s also now stamped into PCT lore as the launch point of one of the most unique long-distance campaigns the Sierra saw this year.

Today, Lydia Beck of Visit Carson City returns to Sierra Rec Now to unpack both:

• What winter and early holiday season in Carson City actually feels like (Silver & Snowflake Festival, Kit Carson Trail, Polar Express + Santa Train, quiet winter dirt, dramatic cottonwoods along the Carson River)

• And a debrief of the Capital to Canada Quest — how this two-year idea became a real thru-hike launch from the steps of the Capitol, and how that “Carson Lasso” addition on the Tahoe Rim Trail is now becoming a trail legend on its own

If you want to experience winter in the Sierra — without winter congestion — this episode matters.
If you want to understand how the Sierra trail network is evolving in real time — this episode matters.

Carson City is no longer just where the PCT passes somewhere out there in the far distance.
Carson City is part of the long-trail story now — and the winter basecamp most people have been overlooking.


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1 month ago
30 minutes 12 seconds

SIERRA REC NOW | Your Guide to Sierra Adventures
Capital to Canada Quest: Inside Julianne Mahoney’s 1,600-Mile Pacific Crest Trail Adventure

This week on the Sierra Rec Now Podcast, host Charlie Pankey sits down with Julianne Mahoney, the first hiker to complete the Capital to Canada Quest — a 1,600-mile section of the Pacific Crest Trail starting in Carson City, Nevada.

Julianne opens up about the highs and lows of trail life: battling record heat in Northern California, hiking solo through Oregon’s berry-covered paths, and finding peace in Washington’s alpine wilderness. She shares how the journey reshaped her view of resilience, solitude, and community on one of America’s most legendary trails.

We talk about:
• The emotional challenge of re-entry after months on trail
• Hiking solo as a “lasher” (long-ass section hiker)
• Lessons from the burn scars of the Sierra and NorCal
• Trail magic moments and ultralight gear tips
• Why she’s already dreaming of her next big hike

🎥 Watch the full video episode on YouTube:
👉 https://youtu.be/ADD_YOUR_LINK_HERE

🎧 Brought to you by: Visit Carson Valley – Your Trailhead to the Sierra Nevada.

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2 months ago
43 minutes 43 seconds

SIERRA REC NOW | Your Guide to Sierra Adventures
Get Your Celt On: Inside the First-Ever Yosemite Celtic Festival & Highland Games in Oakhurst, CA

Fall meets Celtic heritage in the Sierra foothills!
Join host Charlie Pankey as he welcomes Kimberly Vaughan, director of the first-ever Yosemite Celtic Festival & Highland Games, coming to Oakhurst, California, on November 1–2, 2025.

Together, they explore what makes this new cultural celebration such a unique addition to Yosemite’s southern gateway — from Highland athletic competitions and Celtic music to living history, family-friendly fun, and the incredible community spirit that brings it all together.

Kimberly shares how Oakhurst’s creative energy and local pride helped launch this event, plus insider tips for visiting Bass Lake, Wawona, and Yosemite National Park during one of the most beautiful times of the year.

🎟️ Learn more at YosemiteCelticFestival.com
📍 Event Dates: November 1–2, 2025
📍 Location: Oakhurst Community Center

In This Episode:

  • What inspired the Yosemite Celtic Festival

  • The story behind the Highland Games in the Sierra

  • Family-friendly activities, music, and cultural experiences

  • Fall travel tips for Oakhurst and Yosemite

  • How local festivals strengthen Sierra communities

🎙 Also available on:
▶️ YouTube & 🍏 Apple Podcasts

Plan Your Trip to Oakhurst and Yosemite This Fall

Visitors coming for the Celtic Festival will find plenty to explore in and around Oakhurst — from Bass Lake to Wawona, and up into Yosemite National Park itself.

Festival events will be held at the Oakhurst Community Center, with easy access from Highway 41 and shuttle service via the Visit Yosemite Madera County Trolley and Bass Lake Shuttle.

Local hotels are offering discounted rates for festival weekend, and nearby lodging ranges from rustic cabins to lakeside resorts. For those who prefer to camp or RV, both Bass Lake and Sierra National Forest provide scenic options close to the festival grounds.

Don’t forget to stop by the Visit Yosemite Madera County Visitor Center on Halloween night for the Oakhurst Scavenger Hunt, a community-wide event with prizes and family fun leading into festival weekend.

Yosemite, Oakhurst, Celtic Festival, Highland Games, Sierra Nevada, family-friendly events, outdoor festivals, fall in Yosemite, Visit Yosemite Madera County, California travel, cultural heritage, Bass Lake


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2 months ago
28 minutes 53 seconds

SIERRA REC NOW | Your Guide to Sierra Adventures
Fall in Carson Valley – Trails, Festivals & the Ferris Fifty Endurance Run

This week on Sierra Rec Now, host Charlie Pankey sits down with Keith Lewis, Director of Visit Carson Valley, and Josh Rudelbach, endurance runner and community voice, to dive into what makes fall in Carson Valley one of the Sierra’s best-kept secrets.

From the Genoa Loop Trail and Pine Nut Mountains to Topaz Lake’s quiet shoreline and Main Street Gardnerville’s fall festivals, Keith and Josh share how this community balances small-town charm with big adventure.

They also reveal details behind the first-ever Ferris Fifty Endurance Run, happening November 8 — a 50-mile, 50K, and 15K race designed to showcase Carson Valley’s open spaces and outdoor spirit.

Tune in for local insight, trail talk, and event highlights that’ll inspire your next Sierra adventure.

🎧 Listen now and plan your fall trip:
VisitCarsonValley.org | SierraRecMagazine.com


Sign up for the Ferris 50 and discover more following these links:

https://visitcarsonvalley.org/ferris-fifty-endurance-run/

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=125798


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2 months ago
26 minutes 47 seconds

SIERRA REC NOW | Your Guide to Sierra Adventures
Finding Nevada Wild: Hidden Hot Springs, Dark Skies & Desert Secrets with Sydney Martinez

Nevada is full of secrets — and none of them are on the Strip.

In this episode of the Sierra Rec Now Podcast, host Charlie Pankey talks with explorer, photographer, and author Sydney Martinez, whose new book Finding Nevada Wild uncovers the true heart of the Silver State.

For nearly 20 years, Sydney has roamed Nevada’s vast open spaces — chasing dark skies at Massacre Rim, soaking in remote hot springs, hiking the Ruby Crest Trail, and documenting the Basque and Buckaroo culture that still shapes the region today. Her new book, published by Schiffer, captures the state’s wild beauty through 300 photographs and stories that challenge every misconception about Nevada being just “Vegas and desert.”

Charlie and Sydney dig into what makes this place so unforgettable — from quiet desert nights and star-filled skies to indigenous and Basque histories, and why Nevada’s freedom and solitude are unmatched anywhere in the West.

If you love exploring the Sierra, Great Basin, or high desert, this conversation will remind you why adventure often starts just beyond the familiar.

In this episode:

  • Discovering the real Nevada — beyond the city lights

  • Exploring Massacre Rim, one of the darkest skies in the world

  • How to find hot springs (without GPS coordinates)

  • Backpacking solitude on the Ruby Crest Trail

  • Experiencing Basque and Buckaroo culture in Elko and Gardnerville

  • The mysteries of Devil’s Hole and Ash Meadows

  • Why silence and solitude still matter in wild places

📖 Finding Nevada Wild: The Terrain, Culture, and People of the Most Mysterious State in the West
By Sydney Martinez | Schiffer Publishing, 2025
🔗 Learn more: FindingNevadaWild.com

🎙️ The Sierra Rec Now Podcast celebrates the people, places, and passions that define life in the Sierra Nevada and the Great Basin.
Hosted by Charlie Pankey — publisher, explorer, and storyteller behind Sierra Rec Magazine.

#SierraRecNow #SierraRecMagazine #NevadaWild #NevadaTravel #DarkSkyNevada #HotSpringsNevada #RubyMountains #BasqueCulture #GreatBasin #DiscoverMoreSierra

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2 months ago
34 minutes 2 seconds

SIERRA REC NOW | Your Guide to Sierra Adventures
Backpacking Sierra Secrets: Fishmas, Hidden Lakes & Family Legacy with Brian Martz

In this episode of the Sierra Rec Now Podcast, host Charlie Pankey welcomes explorer and lifelong Sierra adventurer Brian Martz. Known to many as the “Water Guy” in Southern California, Brian brings a unique mix of family tradition, personal exploration, and trail-tested wisdom to the conversation.

Brian shares stories of growing up in the Sierra under the influence of his Uncle Buster, who passed down a love of the mountains through generations. From early Boy Scout trips at Convict Lake to recent backpacking journeys in the Eastern Sierra, his adventures capture the heart of what makes these landscapes so special.

The discussion covers backpacking Virginia Lakes, Green Creek, Chocolate Lakes, and McCabe Lakes, as well as off-trail routes in Yosemite and Emigrant Wilderness. Charlie and Brian also reflect on Fishmas at Crowley Lake, ultralight backpacking lessons, and the importance of friendships made on the trail.

If you’re looking for inspiration for your next adventure—or simply want to hear how legacy and exploration connect in the Sierra—this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Timestamps
00:00 – Intro: Meet Brian Martz, the Water Guy
03:20 – Backpacking Virginia Lakes & Green Creek
06:00 – Ultralight Backpacking: Wants vs. Needs
10:20 – Uncle Buster & Family Legacy in the Sierra
13:00 – Childhood Sierra Adventures: Convict Lake & Lake Dorothy
16:00 – Off-Trail Yosemite Adventures: McCabe Lakes & Sawtooth Ridge
20:00 – Trail Friendships & Yosemite Sam Stories
22:40 – Must-See Sierra Destinations (Smedberg, Bernice, Granite & Thousand Island Lakes)
26:00 – High Sierra Trail Dreams & Challenges
29:00 – Emigrant Wilderness Off-Trail Struggles
32:40 – Hetch Hetchy Exploration & Cherry Lake
35:00 – The Magic of 20 Lakes Basin & McCabe Loop
37:20 – Remembering Uncle Buster & His Traditions
40:40 – Quickfire Sierra Questions (Fav Backpack Spot, Food, Gear)
44:00 – Closing: Adventure, Legacy, and Friendship

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3 months ago
45 minutes 2 seconds

SIERRA REC NOW | Your Guide to Sierra Adventures
Powering Adventure: Off-Grid RV & Overlanding with Dragonfly Energy

Powering Adventure: Off-Grid RV & Overlanding with Dragonfly Energy

How do you keep your RV, van, or overland rig powered up in the Sierra Nevada without relying on noisy generators? In this week’s episode of Sierra Rec Now, Charlie sits down with Jesse Asay and Tyler Bourns from Dragonfly Energy, the Reno-based team behind Battle Born Batteries®.

They dive into:

  • Why lithium batteries outperform traditional lead-acid in RVs and overlanding rigs

  • How solar, inverters, and Dragonfly Intelligence® make off-grid power simple and safe

  • Real-world stories of adventure rigs powered by lithium (yes, even Jacuzzis in the desert!)

  • Tips for handling extreme Sierra conditions — from Death Valley heat to snowy mountain nights

If you’re an RVer, vanlifer, or off-road adventurer looking to upgrade your power system, this episode is packed with insights to keep your adventures running smoothly.

🎙️ Subscribe to Sierra Rec Now for more Sierra Nevada stories, gear insights, and outdoor inspiration.

Read more about this story at www.sierrarecmagazine.com


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3 months ago
31 minutes 38 seconds

SIERRA REC NOW | Your Guide to Sierra Adventures
Candy Dance 2025: Genoa’s Sweetest Tradition & Sierra Weekend Guide

Every fall, a town of 225 swells to 40,000 for one of Nevada’s most unique traditions—the Candy Dance in Genoa.

This week on Sierra Rec Now, host Charlie Pankey talks with Town Manager Jody Brunz about:

  • The 106-year-old history of the Candy Dance

  • How this small-town event funds Genoa’s survival

  • Why 430+ vendors and thousands of visitors return year after year

  • Insider tips for parking, lodging, and exploring Genoa’s trails, hot springs, and history

👉 Candy Dance 2025 runs September 27–28. Free to the public, $10 parking.

🔗 Watch & Read More:

  • ▶️ [YouTube] https://youtu.be/CdMoyQLdYjE


  • 🍏 [Apple Podcasts] https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sierra-rec-now-your-guide-to-sierra-adventures/id1740191775

  • 📖 [Blog Post] https://sierrarecmagazine.com/sierra-rec-now-soundscapes/

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to follow, save, and share Sierra Rec Now!


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3 months ago
33 minutes 16 seconds

SIERRA REC NOW | Your Guide to Sierra Adventures
Secrets of the Sierra: Backpacking Stories & Trail Stewardship with Paul Wagner

Author, blogger, and wilderness volunteer Paul Wagner (BackpackingSierra.com) returns to the Sierra Rec Now Podcast! Paul and Charlie swap stories of hidden lakes, off-trail challenges, volunteering in Desolation & Emigrant Wilderness, and gear insights from the trail.

👉 Highlights include:

  • Off-trail adventures in the Sierra backcountry

  • Wilderness volunteering & trail etiquette

  • Backpacking routes from Emigrant to Yosemite

  • Paul’s wilderness-inspired book series


    00:00 Introduction to Sierra Adventures

    02:58 Exploring the Emigrant Wilderness

    05:34 Volunteer Work in Desolation Wilderness

    08:42 First Aid Experiences in the Wilderness

    11:26 The Importance of Trail Etiquette

    14:39 Restoration Efforts in the Sierra

    20:06 Exploring Favorite Backpacking Spots

    23:07 Adventures in Yosemite

    27:20 Paul's Book Series and Writing Journey

    34:14 Weekend Backpacking Plans and Gear Recommendations


🎙 Listen in for stories, tips, and inspiration to help you explore the Sierra Nevada more deeply — and responsibly.



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3 months ago
38 minutes 22 seconds

SIERRA REC NOW | Your Guide to Sierra Adventures
17,710 Miles of Free Camping in the Sierra Nevada with OnX Off-Road

Looking for wide-open spaces, hidden trails, and the freedom of dispersed camping in the Sierra Nevada? In this episode, we sit down with Chris Cordes from OnX Off-Road to dive into their new Motorized Dispersed Camping feature — a game-changer for campers, off-roaders, and outdoor adventurers.

From 17,710 miles of legal dispersed camping opportunities across California’s Sierra Nevada to navigating forest service regulations with confidence, Chris shares insider tips on how OnX is helping outdoor enthusiasts find the best spots while promoting responsible recreation.

Whether you’re planning a last-minute Labor Day getaway or your next overlanding adventure, this conversation will help you unlock the Sierra like never before.

🎧 Tune in to learn:

  • What dispersed camping really means and where it’s allowed

  • How OnX verifies and maps legal camping areas

  • Essential tips for exploring responsibly

  • Insights into shifting camping trends post-pandemic

📲 Try OnX Off-Road with a free 7-day trial and start discovering hidden camping gems today.

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4 months ago
32 minutes 46 seconds

SIERRA REC NOW | Your Guide to Sierra Adventures
Overlanding in Style: Travoca’s Rigel Cooler & Outdoor Living Gear | Sierra Rec Now Podcast

In this episode of Sierra Rec Now, host Charlie Pankey sits down with Stuart Rudolph, co-founder of Travoca, to explore how one brand is reshaping the overlanding and camping lifestyle. From the story behind Travoca’s beginnings to the innovative Rigel Electric Cooler, titanium drinkware, and off-grid power solutions, this conversation dives into the gear and mindset that enhance outdoor living.

Whether you’re a weekend camper or a dedicated overlander, you’ll hear how rugged design, practical innovation, and a passion for freedom fuel Travoca’s approach to the outdoors.

👉 Watch the full YouTube episode here: https://youtu.be/fzrXMSRxfsY
👉 Learn more about Travoca at travoca.com
👉 Explore more Sierra stories at Sierra Rec Magazine

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4 months ago
32 minutes 13 seconds

SIERRA REC NOW | Your Guide to Sierra Adventures
Tahoe Games Takes Over Lake Tahoe - Snow in September & X Games Vibes in Tahoe | Sierra Rec Now Podcast

What if we told you South Lake Tahoe will have real snow this September? And not just snow — but a snow sledding hill, rail jams, big air mountain biking, live concerts, DJs, food trucks, and activities for all ages.

In this episode of the Sierra Rec Now Podcast, host Charlie Pankey chats with Leslie Schultz, Marketing & Events Director for the inaugural Tahoe Games Mountain Sports Festival (Sept 27–28, 2025).

Discover how this free, high-energy festival came together, what to expect across the weekend, insider tips on where to stay, and why this could become Tahoe’s next signature fall event.

🎵 Featuring free performances by The Expendables and Jacob’s Castle.
🚵‍♂️ Professional & local athletes flying through the Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena.
🎯 Family-friendly fun including a kids’ bike jump jam, sledding hill, yoga, and an interactive vendor zone supporting the Kyle Smeen Fund.

📅 Dates: Sept 27–28, 2025
📍 Location: Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harveys (Caesars Republic)
💻 Details & Registration: tahoegames.com

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4 months ago
27 minutes 37 seconds

SIERRA REC NOW | Your Guide to Sierra Adventures
Inside the Grebe Festival: Birding, Conservation, and Wild Encounters in Plumas County

This week, we head to one of the richest birding regions in the Sierra Nevada — Plumas County — for a deep dive into the 2025 Grebe Festival and the incredible wildlife that calls this place home.

Liz Ramsey from the Plumas Audubon Society joins Charlie to discuss how Lake Almanor supports thousands of migratory grebes, what happens when boating and wildlife collide, and how science and community action are working to protect sensitive species like the Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog.

Episode Highlights:

  • 00:00 – Intro to Plumas County’s birding culture

  • 02:45 – The Grebe Festival: What to expect this year

  • 06:01 – Understanding grebes and their nesting habitat

  • 09:01 – Recreation vs. conservation: Finding balance

  • 11:59 – New science: Artificial grebe nesting platforms

  • 17:47 – The forgotten frog: Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog

  • 21:10 – Underrated birding hotspots in Plumas County

  • 24:01 – How to get involved and make a difference

Resources:
🪶 Plumas Audubon: plumasaudubon.org
🎟️ Grebe Festival: Event Info

#GrebeFestival #PlumasAudubon #LakeAlmanor #BirdingCalifornia #PacificFlyway #WildlifeConservation #SierraNevada #OutdoorStories #PlumasCounty #SierraRecNow

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5 months ago
32 minutes 17 seconds

SIERRA REC NOW | Your Guide to Sierra Adventures
Discover the Soul of Tahoe Through Artist Jennifer Haran |Tahoe Art League Studio Tour 2025 Preview

This week on Sierra Rec Now, Charlie sits down with South Lake Tahoe artist and photographer Jennifer Haran to talk about the upcoming Tahoe Art League Studio Tour, happening August 1–3. From capturing wild bear cubs to telling the Sierra's story through a camera lens, Jennifer shares what it means to be a local creative in a region that inspires so many.

🎨 Topics Covered:

  • The beauty of Desolation Wilderness

  • How the Caldor Fire changed her approach to photography

  • Her advice to new artists (Hint: shoot what you love)

  • Choosing between metal, acrylic, and canvas prints

  • Why Bridgeport is her dream spot for a photo day

🎟️ Learn more about the art tour: tahoeartleague.org
📸 Jennifer’s site: windowontahoephotography.com

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5 months ago
34 minutes 1 second

SIERRA REC NOW | Your Guide to Sierra Adventures
How the Sierra Institute Is Rebuilding Forests—and Teens—One Trail at a Time

Episode Summary:

What happens when you unplug a teenager, hand them a shovel, and send them into the backcountry for five weeks? You just might help grow the next generation of forest stewards.

In this episode of Sierra Rec Now, host Charlie Pankey speaks with Jonathan Kusel and Ariana Bernstein from the Sierra Institute for Community and Environment, a powerful nonprofit based in Taylorsville, CA. The Sierra Institute has spent more than 25 years linking healthy forests to healthy rural communities.

From post-Dixie Fire restoration to innovative wood utilization projects and landscape-wide partnerships, they’re helping rethink how we manage our public lands.

But the heart of this conversation is their transformative P-CREW Youth Corps—a wilderness-based summer program that takes 16–18-year-olds from across California and immerses them in real-world conservation. The teens live off-grid, work with Forest Service biologists, partner with tribal mentors, and come home changed.

Charlie and his guests explore the deeper impacts of wildfire, the importance of clean headwaters like the Feather River, and why collaborative land stewardship is more urgent than ever.

In this episode:

  • What the P-CREW Youth Program actually looks like

  • How teens gain confidence, job skills, and forest wisdom

  • The legacy of the Dixie Fire and how the Sierra Institute is responding

  • Tribal partnerships and cultural restoration in the Northern Sierra

  • Why healthy forests = healthy communities

  • How to support or get involved with Sierra Institute’s work

🟢 Learn more & support their work: https://sierrainstitute.us

📬 Subscribe to Sierra Rec Now for more trail-tested stories, local insights, and outdoor voices from the Sierra Nevada.

#ForestRestoration #YouthCorps #WildfireRecovery #DixieFire #P-CREW #FeatherRiver #RuralCommunities #SierraNevada #SierraRecNow #EnvironmentalEducation #TribalPartnerships #OutdoorYouthPrograms #ClimateResilience #ForestHealth


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5 months ago
36 minutes 20 seconds

SIERRA REC NOW | Your Guide to Sierra Adventures
Sierra Rec Now, an Authentic Mountains Production, dives into the stories and adventures that define the Sierra Nevada. Hosted by Charlie Pankey, the show brings you trail discoveries, backcountry experiences, and conversations with the people who know these mountains best. Each episode blends inspiration with practical insight for exploring the range. If you love granite peaks, big landscapes, and real Sierra culture, this is your home. Let’s get into it.