Rock climbing will be making its Olympic debut in 2020, leaving many younger climbers across the nation vying for a spot on the team. Among them is Utah’s own Sami Singleton—an up-and-coming athlete worth watching. Utah’s Rocky Mountains offer some of the best in the world for rock climbers. But oftentimes, the mountainous state often produces its own star climbers. Starting … [Read more...]
Archives for January 2018
Scheff’s Table: Seafood Fideuà
During the Christmas holiday season, my wife and I enjoyed an excellent dinner at Café Madrid restaurant. One of the dishes we especially liked was called fideuà. It’s a Spanish dish that uses fideo – vermicelli-style pasta cut into short pieces. This is my take on the seafood fideuà, which is sort of like Spanish paella, but made with fideo pasta rather than … [Read more...]
Triple Crown of 200’s—Ben Light, Third-Place Finisher
ultra adjective / ul-tra Going beyond others or beyond due limit : EXTREME —Merriam-Webster Dictionary This fall, Utah ultra runner, Ben Light, finished three 200-mile races: Bigfoot 200, Tahoe 200, and the Moab 240; and he did it in less than three months—running a total of 645.8 miles in 225 hours, 53 minutes, and 58 seconds. Ben’s efforts were rewarded by placing … [Read more...]
A Different Kind of Rock Star—Justin Wood
When he’s not setting up store openings and trade shows displays as a visual designer for outdoor retail giant Patagonia, you can find Justin Wood hanging by his fingertips at the world’s most renowned bouldering competitions. As a bouldering guru, Justin is a known quantity in the climbing community, especially in Utah. Bouldering is a sport in which climbers scale boulders … [Read more...]
Steve Maisch Climbing Training Tips
If hanging by your fingertips from a sheer rock face sounds daunting and completely intimidating, there is a way newbies can safely train from the ground up. Indoor climbing gyms have made it possible for anyone who wants to partake in this type of “outdoor” adventure to gain some valuable and safe experience before heading out for the real thing. Fortunately, there are … [Read more...]
Bears Ears National Monument—Two Million Acres of Utah Land Out of Federal Control—Should We Be Worried?
At the behest of Orrin Hatch, Rob Bishop, and Interior Secretary, Ryan Zinke, President Trump made the right choice to return portions of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase to local control. How could an environmentalist editor believe such a thing? Let's examine the facts. Moab touring companies have been offering guided recreation on these lands since the 60s. I've had the … [Read more...]
Utah Opera Celebrating 40 Years with a Towering Production of Moby-Dick
Forty years ago Glade Peterson had a dream. An internationally known singer who spent 12 years as the principal tenor for the Zurich Opera, wanted to bring opera to Utah. Inspired by what Maurice Abravanel did with the Utah Symphony and William Christensen did with Ballet West, Glade knew that Salt Lake City could support a major opera company. His daughter, Michelle … [Read more...]
How Utah’s Wild Places Provide a Unique and Effective Adventure-Therapy for Troubled Youth
Despite the sweeping advancements in medical technology over the past century, there is one therapeutic modality gaining monumental popularity due both to its proven efficacy and unique use of a timeless medicine: Nature. Often referred to as adventure therapy, outdoor youth programs, outward bound, or simply wilderness programs, these programs are designed for at-risk youth … [Read more...]
When Worlds Collide—Climbing Through Parenthood
One of the few things I feel I can say with a secure declarative is this: Climbers of all abilities are the most dedicated, spiritual, and philosophical athletes in their "sport." I quotate that word because to any climber, the word "sport" undermines the legitimacy of their life because, well, climbing is their life. Climbing transcends such a trivial attribution—it is an … [Read more...]
Utah January Happenings—Staying In or Getting Out
Things to do in January: January 5–February 25: Lucy Peterson Watkins Fiber Art Exhibit at Red Butte Garden Visit the garden and stroll through the art exhibit. Red Butte Garden features half-price admission during January and February. January 10—Learn to Cook Israeli Food A hands-on evening learning how to make an Israeli/Eastern European dish. Enjoy the three-course … [Read more...]