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Articles by Seth Lightcap
Squatters, Exotic Dancers and Brave Pioneers - Tahoe Quarterly
Allison Lightcap descends Mount Tallac, with Angora Ridge, Freel Peak and Trimmer Peak on the horizon, photo by Seth Lightcap Squatters, Exotic Dancers and Brave Pioneers Posted at 05:05h in Outdoors, Winter 2024-2025 Tallac, KT, Maggies and Rose. When snowflakes start flying, the names of Tahoe’s mountains start ringing out in conversations everywhere from the lift line to the grocery store.
Weather Whiplash in Death Valley
Allison Lightcap enjoys a hard-earned view of Death Valley National Park from the crest of the Panamint Range, photo by Seth Lightcap Weather Whiplash in Death Valley Posted at 06:28h in Features, Winter 2023-2024 Backcountry snowboarding in Death Valley National Park was not on our bingo card at the start of winter.
Pollinators in Peril - Tahoe Quarterly
Pollinators in Peril Posted at 02:20h in Environment, Fall 2023 Imagine a baby-pool-sized bowl filled with food so irresistibly delicious that you were enticed to crawl inside and start eating it by the handful. Welcome to the messy, but undoubtedly delectable, life of a bee. With flowers as their dinner table and nectar as their main course, bees live out a full-body feeding experience like few other organisms on earth.
California’s Killer Plants - Tahoe Quarterly
The Sierra Nevada is home to numerous species of carnivorous plants, many of which can be found in the forested wetlands of the Tahoe region Hunger is one of nature’s most potent motivators. Just ask the Donner Party. But while these starving settlers might be the most famous Sierra residents to seek out “alternative” food sources to survive, they were not the first.
Don’t Count Out the Bristlecone
As the world’s longest-living tree faces new perils in a warming climate, scientists remain cautiously optimistic that this gritty species will endure Hard to comprehend how many stunning sunsets, torrential blizzards and cold, windy nights a Great Basin bristlecone pine tree sees in its lifetime. These remarkable trees, found only on high mountain ridges in Utah, Nevada and eastern California, are some of the longest-living organisms on earth, surviving for nearly 5,000 years.
Strange Tales from the Toiyabe
A backcountry snowboarding adventure in the Arc Dome Wilderness inspires a reflection on some unusual history in a remote Nevada mountain range The washboard-infested road demands attention, but I can’t help but stare in the rearview mirror. The eastern horizon is on fire with the last rays of sunlight. Crimson clouds hang above a dramatic mountain crest glowing in bubblegum pink light.
California’s Lurking Lava - Tahoe Quarterly
Formed by volcanic activity only 700 years ago, the Mono Craters are the youngest mountains in North America, photo by Seth Lightcap California’s Lurking Lava Posted at 02:40h in Environment | Features | Summer 2022 0 Comments In a state shaped by its explosive past, the eight active volcanoes from Mount Shasta to Salton Buttes pose distant yet significant threats to their local communities, infrastructure and resources California is no stranger to natural disasters.
Igloos, Ice Palaces and Quinzhees: The Improbable World of Snow Structures
Posted at 02:50h in Features, Mountain Home Awards 2022, Outdoors | Written by Seth Lightcap 0 Comments From elaborate hotels to rudimentary survival shelters, dwellings made of ice and snow continue to serve a purpose around the world Reason number 767 why Tahoe kids are super lucky: We live in a world-class region for building snow forts. If you grew up in a snowy climate, you probably have fond memories of playing in a snow fort.
Thacker Pass: The Crossroads of Lithium, Wild Snow and Sacred Land
Plans to construct one of the world’s largest open-pit lithium mines in Northern Nevada raise difficult questions about what local sacrifices must be made to support the global transition to clean energy Allison Lightcap explores a little-known land of untold alpine beauty near Thacker Pass in March 2021.
The Switzerland That Never Was
From early-day aspirations to replicate the ski resorts of the Alps to its modern-day status as a forgotten world of snow-starved extreme skiing, Yosemite Valley boasts a storied history of winter sports Taylor Carlton hovers through a rock garden riding a gully across from El Capitan, photo by Seth Lightcap Ecstasy or terror? The appropriate emotion is a tough call. Feelings are not a priority at the moment, though.
The Bravest of All Mountaineers
Nearly decimated by the settlement of the West, bighorn sheep in California and Nevada face a complex fight to regain their historic stomping grounds At ease above exposure, a Sierra Nevada bighorn ewe searches for her next grassy meal, photo by Steve Yeager Humans love to consider themselves “king of the mountain.” But the claim is really just an ego trip. The true king of the mountains in North America is without a doubt the bighorn sheep.
The Hunt for Sierra Smokys
Written by Seth Lightcap Posted at 03:00h in Best of Tahoe 2021, Features 0 Comments Buried treasure and the thrill of the chase inspire Tahoe rockhounds to search for stunning quartz crystals Most are small, some are big, many are nearly black and a rare few are a rich purple. But no matter their size or color, these coveted specimens are not to be mistaken for your average Tahoe rock.
Ancient Ice’s Last Stand
01 Dec Ancient Ice’s Last Stand Written by Seth Lightcap Posted at 04:55h in Features, Winter 2020-2021 0 Comments Glaciers have shaped the Golden State like no other natural force, but their days are dwindling Turquoise blue, soft gray, iridescent silver, pearl white… There’s something sublimely magical about the rich hues found in the ice layers of a glacier.
Magic in the Mask
Allison Lightcap wears her favorite Burning Man mask on a snowboarding mission above the Black Rock Desert 24 Sep Magic in the Mask Written by Seth Lightcap Posted at 03:45h in Out & About, Ski & Ride 2020 | Photography by Seth Lightcap 0 Comments A Burning Man snowboarding fantasy comes to life above Nevada’s Black Rock Desert Sitting in the shade of a makeshift awning made out of an old vinyl billboard, we’re poured into our camp chairs like melted cheddar.
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