Snowshoeing: More than just a trek through the snow by LJ Bottjer
Full moons have been reported in fact and fiction to make people dance under them and werewolves sprout hair. During the current lunar phase this Friday and Saturday night, Tahoe Adventure Company invites all to don a pair of snowshoes. Then atop a winter wonderland where moon rays cause the snow to glint and gleam, participants can tramp across the frozen paradise.
On the Friday, Jan. 29, the nocturnal expedition leaves at 5 p.m. from the North Tahoe Regional Park located one mile north of Tahoe Vista. The Saturday, Jan. 30 night journey in the Donner Lake locale also includes a dinner at the Cedar House in Truckee. Each tour, like the tours offered during the day throughout the winter months, offers more than just a trek through the snow.
Knowledgeable guides highly versed in the history and naturalist aspects of the region lead the tours. Often stories of long-ago Washoe Native Americans can be mixed with talks on the vast array of pine and fir tree forests surrounding the Lake. Astronomy, the study of all things celestial, will be a special highlight during the full moon tours. Mars, the red planet, is scheduled to make it's closest 2010 approach to Earth on Friday, according to The Old Farmer's Almanac.
Whether gazing skyward or looking in other directions, snow shoeing is an activity the entire family can enjoy, notes Tahoe Adventure's Kevin Hickey. "If one can walk, one can snowshoe," he said. He urges all participants be at least 10 years old. Following the initial meet-up, everyone will be outfitted with equipment and the basics of the sport will be covered.
Hot, non-alcoholic drinks and snacks will be available during the tour that ends at 9 p.m. The food and drink is included in the $70 tour price.
Future tours will occur in February and March. A sense of wonder is guaranteed to all who trek the Tahoe high country under the gaze of a full moon.
Visitors Love To Adventure With Us
I went kayaking today with a youth group I volunteer with, ages 10 to 14. We had a great time! The instructors were helpful and knowledgeable, and made everyone feel safe. We paddled out into Tahoe Lake individually, including a boat race, and then the kids got to swim (with their life vests) in the lake, or play games between the kayaks. The bottom wasn't more than 30 feet deep. We spent about 2.5 hours on the water. On the way in, we linked all the kayaks and paddled as a chain. Nice teamwork! Overall a great experience. I hope to return again. -Chris C.
"We did the Sand Harbor Kayak tour with Tahoe Adventure Company. Emma Hoffman was our tour guide. This tour was worth the money. Emma guided the tour well, was informative about the history of the place, friendly and kept us engaged. But what I am happy about is something bigger than that...Myself and my husband are beginners in kayaking. We were struggling with balancing the Kayak and suddenly our kayak toppled down. Emma took charge of this unexpected situation and immediately helped us! She stayed calm and guided us step by step as to how to get back on the kayak and got us back on kayak. Without her, I don't know how we would have managed! Because we are very new to this. Thanks, Emma! A guide's or Company's worth is known especially based on how they handle unexpected situations! Also, Emma helped our group Cliff jump by jumping along with us. Without her lead none of us had the guts to jump by ourselves. I am glad I chose Tahoe Adventure Company for this tour and glad that Emma was our tour guide. I’d come back to Tahoe adventure company again for both summer and winter activities. They ensure safety along with providing adventure." -Viv N.
I am Jeff's fiancé (I love saying that!!). We used your company Jan 9th on a Guided Snowshoe Tour. I wanted to personally thank you for doing the preparation & to Regan for adding the final touches to the proposal that Jeff had planned. Without both of your assistance, I possibly could have missed out on the BEST day of my life!! I will forever remember that day & everyone that helped it become reality. Simply said, it was PERFECT. Again thank you both!! -Robin
So, my wife and I did the kayak tour for 3 hrs. just the other day from Sand Harbor. Tahoe Adventure were great start to finish. Online registration is simple and was confirmed quickly. Reminders sent, directions and recommended list sent. Very professional. The day of the trip was simple. Sign up, travel and into the water. Kayaks were comfortable and clean, back support was excellent. Guides were great, knowledgably and easy going. The Lake is fabulous We had a wonderful day. We had first timers, on the trip that had no issues with the trip what so ever. If you want a fun day, this is your ticket. -Joe L.
-- Joe L.
I do wish to thank you for the GREAT time we had with your instructors up at Tahoe, we all had a blast. The Teambuilding events we all competed in were very fun and creative. The evolution game was a great way to loosen us up. And you were right, all those "blind" games were fun. Everything worked like clockwork and after each event there were great applications which Kevin mentioned we could use around the work place. In the future if we ever need to do more teambuilding in Tahoe we will consider using TAC again it was a great experience. -Josh, TCS Healthcare Technologies
-- Josh, TCS Healthcare Technologies
I just wanted to take a minute of your time to say thanks for a wonderful time. Micah was a terrific guide; he was really patient and thoughtful. My whole family had a ton of fun, and learned to love a new sport. We will definitely keep Tahoe Adventure Company on our short list of activities for our next Tahoe vacation, and have already referred your company to several others at our resort. Thanks again for your thoughtfulness, informative emails, and great tour. -Jean B.