In this solo episode of the Sierra Rec Now Podcast, Charlie Pankey shares updates from the trail, insights from the outdoor industry, and practical advice for planning your next Sierra adventure.

Charlie recently returned from the Outdoor Media Alliance (OMA) event in Denver, where outdoor brands gather with media to showcase upcoming gear and innovations shaping the 2026 season. In this episode he shares early impressions from the event, including new backpacking gear, sustainability trends in outdoor apparel, and the kinds of product innovations that may soon show up in your pack.

The episode also dives into a topic that comes up every year among hikers and backpackers: how to actually secure wilderness permits for Yosemite National Park.

Many people believe Yosemite permits are nearly impossible to get, but Charlie explains the planning strategies he uses each season when applying through Recreation.gov. From choosing flexible entry dates to selecting alternative trailheads, these simple adjustments can dramatically improve your chances of landing a permit and getting into the Yosemite backcountry.

Along the way, Charlie also reflects on outdoor culture, the evolving gear industry, and what it means to continue sharing Sierra stories while exploring new trails in the Pacific Northwest.

Topics covered in this episode include:

• Highlights from the Outdoor Media Alliance gear event
• New outdoor gear trends and innovations for 2026
• Sustainability shifts in outdoor clothing and materials
• Bear canister and backpacking stove developments
• How the Yosemite wilderness permit system works
• Tips for improving your odds on Recreation.gov
• Planning backpacking trips in the Sierra Nevada

Whether you're planning your first Yosemite backpacking trip or simply looking for inspiration for your next adventure, this episode offers insights from years of experience exploring the Sierra.

Watch the full episode on YouTube and follow Sierra Rec Magazine for more outdoor stories, gear reviews, and trail inspiration.

What does it really mean to be “trail ready”?

In this episode of the Sierra Rec Now Podcast, Charlie sits down with Liz and Paul, the founders of the Trail Ready Program, to talk about hiking preparedness, real-world mistakes, and the small decisions that can make a big difference in the backcountry.

The conversation begins with a powerful story from Cathedral Lakes in Yosemite — a reminder that even a short hike can turn serious when preparation is overlooked. From there, we explore altitude lessons from Mount Whitney, communication strategies, trail awareness, and how training can help prevent avoidable search and rescue situations.

Whether you’re new to hiking, returning after time away, or training for bigger Sierra objectives, this episode offers practical insights to help you head into the mountains with more confidence and responsibility.

https://youtu.be/-wqcitj2Fms

▶️ Watch the Full Episode on YouTube

In This Episode

• Why many hiking emergencies are preventable
• The origin of the Trail Ready Program
• Lessons from Mount Whitney and high-altitude hiking
• Situational awareness and navigation basics
• Communication tools every hiker should consider
• How training can shift trail culture

Trail Ready Program
https://trailreadyprogram.com

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Sierra Rec Now explores the people, places, and stories that connect us to the mountains — from trail wisdom and gear insights to conversations with the outdoor community shaping the future of recreation.

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The Lost Sierra is one of California’s most breathtaking — and least understood — mountain regions.

In this episode of Sierra Rec Now, Charlie sits down with Greg Williams, founder of the Connected Communities initiative, to explore how a bold vision for trails and recreation is helping rural mountain towns build a sustainable future.

From the economic power of outdoor recreation to the realities of rebuilding after the Dixie Fire, Greg shares how connecting communities through trails is creating new opportunities for residents, visitors, and future generations alike.

This conversation is about more than trails — it’s about stewardship, resilience, and why the future of the Sierra may be unfolding north of Truckee.

• What the Connected Communities initiative is
• Why trails are key to rural mountain economies
• How the Dixie Fire reshaped the region
• The role of recreation in conservation
• How visitors can support small Sierra towns

Sierra Rec Now explores the stories, people, and places shaping outdoor recreation across the Sierra Nevada and beyond — from trail insights to conservation conversations and travel inspiration.

In This EpisodeAbout Sierra Rec Now

Car camping and dispersed camping are exploding across the Sierra Nevada — and for good reason.

In this episode of Sierra Rec Now, Charlie Pankey sits down with Emma from Napier Outdoors — one of the original innovators behind truck tents and SUV tents — to break down what vehicle camping really means, why it’s growing so quickly, and how families are using car camping to explore the Sierra.

If you’ve been curious about:

• Car camping in the Sierra
• Dispersed camping on BLM land
• Truck camping setups
• SUV tents and vehicle tents
• Camping with kids or first-time campers
• Camping near Yosemite, Mammoth, Bishop or Death Valley

This conversation walks through real-world setup, beginner tips, and the evolving camping trends reshaping outdoor recreation.

Charlie also shares his own experience sleeping out of his truck across the Sierra and why adding an SUV tent is opening up new possibilities for family camping and trailhead access.

Whether you’re new to camping or looking to expand into dispersed camping and vehicle camping, this episode will help you simplify your setup and get outside.

Sierra Rec Now is your weekly podcast covering hiking, camping, backpacking, gear, and exploration across the Sierra Nevada. #napiernation

Today’s conversation is one I’ve really been looking forward to. A few weeks ago, I watched a new North Face Documentary film called TRANGO and it stayed with me—not because of how steep or extreme it was, but because of how thoughtfully it approached the mountain. Today, I’m joined by Jim Morrison and Christina “Lusti” Lustenberger to talk about their first ski descent of the West Face of Great Trango Tower in Pakistan’s Karakoram Range. This story isn’t about chasing a record. It’s about trust, restraint, and a deep personal connection to a place that demands respect. I’m grateful to sit with them and explore that mindset today.We all have a mountain story to share, in the Trango project Jim and Christina share their personal experiences with our host Charlie Pankey before the final release of the TRANGO Documentary to VOD Feb 13th. Directed by Leo Hoorn, Trango follows ski mountaineers Christina “Lusti” Lustenberger and Jim Morrison as they attempt the first ever ski descent of Great Trango Tower in Northern Pakistan’s Karakoram Range. On May 9, 2024, the team successfully climbed and skied the 20,000 foot West Face of Great Trango Tower, navigating extreme exposure, physical risk, and the emotional weight of high altitude decision making. The film is as much about partnership and trust as it is about the objective itself. Jim Morrison has also been widely covered in recent weeks for his historic ski descent on Everest, providing timely context for Trango and his ongoing work at the highest level of the sport.Check out the official Trango trailer here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnaDjlqNRdw

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.

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

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

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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.

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.