We didn’t have the chance to ski in the backcountry as much as we would have liked this winter due to the lower than average rainfall/snowfall in Southern California. However, Mother Nature seems to have been making up for it recently with some particularly heavy storms. The irony is that we have had to cancel or change several of our rock climbing trips this spring due to snow in the high country. This past weekend was a perfect example: it snowed 2 feet in Idyllwild, where we were planning on climbing! While it would have made sense to simply seize the opportunity and ski powder, we were excited to rock climb and have been training particularly hard lately. So, we visited some nearby crags in the Santa Ynez Mountains and camped at the beach instead. After a weekend of roped climbing at Gibraltar Rock, swimming in the waves of El Refugio Beach and a morning of bouldering at Lizard’s Mouth above Santa Barbara, we really couldn’t complain with how our plans had changed. We were treated to remarkably clear views of the Channel Islands (including the often obscured San Miguel Island!) and . . . the perfect climbing conditions we had hoped to have. I love our weekend trips!

All Thacher students have ridden a horse over the ridge (the Nordhoff Ridge that is) and camped in the Sespe at some point during their Thacher career. This past weekend we did a variation of this excursion, also riding, but under full human power – on mountain bikes!

Adam Silberberg (CdeP ’15) joined my twin brother (Kevin Pidduck), Bruce Rogers (brother to Karleanne Rogers) and I for an 11 AM departure from the Sisar Canyon Trailhead in Upper Ojai. Together we climbed up and over the ridge and descended the Lion Trail (passing faculty member William Okin with several freshmen on their horseback ride back to Thacher after a night at Patton’s Cabin) to the Sespe River and our home away from home – Patton’s Cabin. The cabin is a remarkable refuge for trail weary travelers, whether on foot, hoof or by bike wheel. It is rustic yet comfortable, spartan yet remarkably functional. What a superb backcountry cabin we have for our use! We at Thacher are very fortunate.

The next morning we were met by Bo and Julie Manson, Bonnie LaForge and Bob St. George (faculty at Thacher) as well as sophomores Grant Ellman and Jamie Rush (CdeP ’14). Bo, Julie and Bonnie graciously carried our gear back out to the trailhead for us while we mounted our chromoly and carbon fiber steeds for an ascent back up the ridge via Henry Canyon. After admiring the view of the Channel Islands from the ridge top, we zipped down Gridley Canyon and were back at Thacher by 1:30 PM. It was a fantastic tour of the backcountry and a wonderful opportunity to share in the delights of bikes and trails with students and faculty. All of us can’t wait until the next mountain bike adventure we can cook up. It is remarkable to consider the potential for mountain adventures immediately out our back door at Thacher.

All Thacher students have ridden a horse over the ridge (the Nordhoff Ridge that is) and camped in the Sespe at some point during their Thacher career. This past weekend we did a variation of this excursion, also riding, but under full human power – on mountain bikes!

Adam Silberberg (CdeP ’14) joined my twin brother (Kevin Pidduck), Bruce Rogers (brother to Karleanne Rogers) and I for an 11 AM departure from the Sisar Canyon Trailhead in Upper Ojai. Together we climbed up and over the ridge and descended the Lion Trail (passing faculty member William Okin with several freshmen on their horseback ride back to Thacher after a night at Patton’s Cabin) to the Sespe River and our home away from home – Patton’s Cabin. The cabin is a remarkable refuge for trail weary travelers, whether on foot, hoof or by bike wheel. It is rustic yet comfortable, spartan yet remarkably functional. What a superb backcountry cabin we have for our use! We at Thacher are very fortunate.

The next morning we were met by Bo and Julie Manson, Bonnie LaForge and Bob St. George (faculty at Thacher) as well as sophomores Grant Ellman and Jamie Rush. Bo, Julie and Bonnie graciously carried our gear back out to the trailhead for us while we mounted our chromoly and carbon fiber steeds for an ascent back up the ridge via Henry Canyon. After admiring the view of the Channel Islands from the ridge top, we zipped down Gridley Canyon and were back at Thacher by 1:30 PM. It was a fantastic tour of the backcountry and a wonderful opportunity to share in the delights of bikes and trails with students and faculty. All of us can’t wait until the next mountain bike adventure we can cook up. It is remarkable to consider the potential for mountain adventures immediately out our back door at Thacher.

Early on Thanksgiving Day I participated in a 15k trail race in Topanga Canyon of the Santa Monica Mountains (part of a series of XTERRA trail races in Southern California). While jogging in place and attempting to stay warm prior to the event I was surprised to see a competitor stroll in to the starting area wearing Thacher sweatpants – it turned out to be Liz Mahoney, fellow faculty member and avid runner and triathlete. What a pleasant surprise! It was fun to talk about how our individual families were preparing for Thanksgiving and how we each had snuck out of our houses early in the morning to avoid waking anybody.

The course was fantastic: steep climbs with tremendous views of the San Fernando Valley and precipitous drops and switchbacks on highly adventurous singe-track (reminiscent of the trail to Twin Peaks above Thacher!). The best part of the event, however, was simply being out on the trails with like-minded runners and giving thanks in our own unique way. Even though I was in the Santa Monica Mountains, I felt distinctly thankful for the natural environment that surrounds where we live and teach at Thacher, not to mention all of the hard work that goes into maintaining the trails that allow us to enjoy it. In short, Thacher is located in a beautiful and inspiring landscape and for that I am deeply thankful.

Students in AP Environmental Science recently completed an assessment of the quality of Reeves Creek (near Thacher) by sampling for the macroinvertebrates that inhabit the substrate. Based upon the relative dominance of the species, students were then able to calculate a water quality index. The field work involves using the kick-seine technique (a lot like what it sounds!), handling of the macroinvertebrates (Stonefly larvae, Caddisfly larvae, Dobson Fly larvae and the common Giant Water Bug!), identification and then calculations. This fieldwork also has the benefit of getting the students out of the typical science classroom and into the greatest science classroom we have – our surrounding environs!