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Tag: Latino Outdoors

Meeting Mt. Tumanguya

por Elias Naser


On July 1, 2024, six Latinx individuals, led and organized by Latino Outdoors’ Los Angeles outings leader Elias Naser, began their ascent up to Mt. Tumanguya (aka Mt. Whitney). Tumanguya is the name given by the Northern Paiute tribes, in rough translation, “old man” or “guardian spirit”, of the highest peak in the lower 48 states of the contiguous United States sitting at 14,500ft (4419.6m). It is situated inside the Sierra Nevadas and the Great Basin Divide in California. 

The six explorers, Elias, Remigio Mateo (LO Los Angeles), Ruby Aguirre-Gutierrez (LO San Francisco Bay Area), Rosa, Alonso, and Danny, set foot at the Whitney Portal the day before ascending (June 30, 2024) to acclimate at approx 8,333ft (2540m). The portal serves as an entrance into the “guardian spirit.” The six explorers on day zero also recognized and acknowledged the lands home to the Northern Paiute and Shosone peoples who were there, are still there, and forever will be the original stewards of this beautiful and prosperous landscape.

Mt. Tumanguya can be summitted in a day, yet Elias was able to secure the overnight permits after years of applying for the US Forest Service lottery. At the Portal Campground, Ruby (LO San Francisco Bay Area) expressed thoughts and feelings of excitement, nervousness, and anxiety, yet feeling grateful for the adventure. The party ate in the town of Lone Pine, right below Mt. Tumanguya, gathering there prior to the ascent up to the Portal campground. The sound of the rushing water of Lone Pine Creek next to the party provided soothing white noise. The smell of an extinguished campfire where they all gathered to express their gratitude for being present with one another on an incredible journey they would all share and never forget.

Day 1 (July 1) was full of excitement, and they all made a plan to rise by dawn and get moving with all their equipment. Many of them had an average of 35 lbs on their backs while ascending approximately 3800 ft (1158m). The first day they passed by Lone Pine Lake as their first stop, then “Entering the Whitney Zone” to ascend to take a break at Outpost Camp. They made their way to Mirror Lake, dipping their feet or body to freshen up. Danny and Ruby enjoyed the dip in cold clean water, looking up they were able to witness the peak’s edge of Tumanguya. This location was the last of the trees before the ascent up to Trailside Meadow, which had water rushing down with beautiful Sky pilot plants growing adjacent to the water melt coming up from Trail camp. The granite slabs of Tumanguya were caused by a fault system that runs along the Sierra’s eastern base, which felt like being on a lunar landscape. The last 2 – 10 million years of this granite rose underneath what is now the “guardian spirit”, enabling glacial and river erosion to reveal what they saw.

The temperature conditions were perfect all the way up. Remi was the first to make it up to Trail camp, our most experienced hiker ascending Tumanguya multiple times, with Alonso was right behind him. Elias and Rosa were at the back of the group enjoying the views. The stars came out, showcasing the Milky Way clearly near midnight. The 7.5 miles (12.1km) were not easy, especially with the backpack weight, yet Elias described the satisfaction of being at Trail camp as an accomplishment in itself. He expressed the sights of snow along the peaks leading up to Tumanguya. With food in their belly, they hit the sleeping sacks, ready to rise when Sol showed its face. Alonso was able to stay up snapping great pictures, with his media-rich equipment, of those hiking through the night on their one-day excursions (typically between 12-16 hours). 

Day 2 (July 2), was a split party up to Tumanguya, with Remi, Ruby, and Alonso leading the way at sunrise, Elias, and Danny right behind. Rosa’s main goal was to make it to Trail camp where she heard the “old guardian spirit” call her name to make it up for the ultimate goal. Upon the ascent known as the 99 switchbacks that rose 1700 ft (518 m) in about 2 miles at about 13000 ft (3962 m), the air was a lot thinner yet they witnessed some spectacular sights. Remi described viewing Guitar Lake about a mile to the summit, 

“we are quite a special life form on this planet, where we are able to live and experience such beauty and share it with great amigxs!” 

Ruby described Day 2 going up in elevation surprised by her own body’s strength. Danny and Elias made their way up the 99 switchbacks, as the two have been friends since high school, sharing stories of their youth playing music in a band together, and discussing their next adventure in Mt. Rainier National Park. As all party members summited Tumanguya, all felt the energy radiating from this amazing source, believing great weather conditions throughout the trip were in part from the positive energy placed on day zero (June 30). 

The sights from the top were nothing but spectacular, imagining what the first peoples of this land may have witnessed and experienced when up there. One can only imagine as well how far Nuestra Madre Tierra heals herself, while human-made climate changes are affecting her without a solution in sight from our “progress” in human development. Chief Seattle of the Duwamish and Suquamish peoples, who Seattle, WA is named after, once stated,

“The earth does not belong to man; man belongs to the earth. All things are connected like the blood that unites us all. Man did not weave the web of life, he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself.” 

Upon this reflection, Elias came to the conclusion that, although this moment in time, however short or long it is, we will need to protect our sacred earth for generations to come, in urgent speed. The mandated use of wag bags which they abided by, was simply one piece in the solution to respect the “old man”, yet the urgency to preserve nuestra madre tierra is even more prevalent as human-made climate change is affecting so much and for generations to come. 

Upon their last night at Trail camp before finishing out the trip, rest was a priority but so was celebrating the ascent up the tallest peak in the lower 48 contiguous states. LO leaders and party members were humbled, fatigued, and excited to get back to “civilization” all while reflecting on the strength and resiliency of what their bodies just went through. 

Day 3 (July 3) back to the Portal campground from Trail camp, they hit the ground running at sunrise, ready to witness the trail coming down. The Tumanguya portal store was their reward where they had a real cooked meal. They were grateful to come back unharmed, confident, and with a sense of accomplishment in their hearts. This was something special for Elias, who had a vision and organized a party worthy of Tumanguya’s spirit.

They couldn’t have done this without our collaborated support for one another to push through, and for the help Latino Outdoors, as an organization, provided this party of six explorers. They are forever grateful to experience meeting Tumanguya with their tired yet strong feet.

Elevation Gain: 6769 feet (2063.2 meters)

Distance Hiked: 22.8 miles (36.7 kilometers)

Cute Pikas Spotted: Six

Trails Rx: Healing Under Redwood Groves

por Veronica Silva-Miranda

For about three years now, my primary care physician has been trying to put me on high blood pressure medicine. I politely declined every time until last month; I woke up in the middle of the night from heart palpitations, I just laid in bed, focused on my breathing, and my mind started to drift off into a redwood grove. I’ve known for years that I struggled with high blood pressure, I would feel a pressure in my arm or my hands would start to throb or go numb. I learned to step away from what I was doing at that time and sit in a quiet space, close my eyes and think about what brings me peace; the redwood forest. 

There is a special bond I have created with redwood trees, they give me strength, put me at ease when I smell the fresh scent of new growth and stress instantly releases out of my body as I spend time amongst redwood groves. It’s one of the reasons I often visit redwood parks in California. 

One of my favorite parks to visit is Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, located in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The redwood grove in the park has a beautiful accessible trail that is great for families with small children, elders, and people with mobility limitations. The trail has an interpretive walk and people can learn more about the amazing redwood trees and why they are so important to our environment. On this visit I learned that redwood trees produce both male and female cones that can provide between 60 to 120 seeds which is incredible and a valuable source for preserving redwood tree growth. There is also a visitor center with tons of information on the park, redwood trees, wildlife and often there are activities for youth to participate in and information on park programs for families, school groups and visitors.  

For me, having an accessible trail is important because of my limitations at the moment. My high blood pressure makes it hard for me to walk on trails with more than a 250 ft incline. I’m also learning to navigate an injury from a fall that has made my mobility limited, and I’m listening to my body when it needs to rest. I’m finding that slower movement has made me appreciate nature so much more. It’s easier to spot wildlife, observe moss up close, feel the soft bark on trees and hear the wind blow within the trees. It’s truly a remarkable feeling to spend some time in a redwood forest. 

I’m so grateful for parks like Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park that offer trails like the Redwood Grove Loop. The grove provides a place of exploration, healing, learning and gives that WOW feeling. The loop will have you looking up at these beautiful towering trees that are so tall you cannot see the top from the ground floor.

I can honestly say that spending time underneath redwood trees has helped me adjust to the high blood pressure medication I was prescribed. I think the benefits of spending time amongst these ancient trees is beneficial to everyone, but especially important to those that have had to transition to taking medication, overcoming an injury or finding a balance for one’s mental health. Visiting redwood parks definitely helps me gather my thoughts, have deep conversations with friends and family. When I’m alone sometimes I find a place to sit and write in my journal or jot down notes of things to accomplish or changes to be made.

At the end of my walk on this visit, I felt grateful for my family, close friendships, and the ability to visit this special park not too far from my home in San Francisco. As I learn to work with a new medication and continue healing from a back injury, I know places like Henry Cowell State Park can provide a place of healing and wellness not just for me but many other people as well. 

Then & Now: Una Conversación con André Sánchez

por André Sanchez y Christian La Mont

In this interview, André Sanchez offers a firsthand account of his powerful journey in connecting to Latino Outdoors and with nature. Join us in celebrating the past ten years of Latino Outdoors through the eyes of one of its leaders, André Sanchez.

Please note that this interview has been thoughtfully edited for clarity and conciseness, ensuring a comprehensive yet succinct representation tailored to fit into this blog.

Latino Outdoors (LO): Let’s get into it! To kick off, can you share a bit about yourself, including your name, background, and perhaps a glimpse into your heritage?

André: I’m André Sanchez, I’m a first-generation Mexican American, born and raised in Madera, California, in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley. While my family has ties to la Ciudad de Mexico as that’s where my mother and her siblings were born and raised before migrating, we have roots in Oaxaca. My grandparents are originally from Villa Alta en la Sierra Norte region. Growing up, I embraced my Mexican heritage and an Indigenous perspective, though I didn’t necessarily know that’s what it was rooted in and simply viewed it as my grandmother’s and family’s teachings.

Way back when it was still referred to as D.F., my abuela, mother, and two of my uncles migrated from the growing city to the San Joaquin Valley and became migrant laborers. My grandmother was the first one to come over to the US. I don’t even know the year, honestly, but then my mother and my uncles came over. Despite the challenges, their hard work and resilience paved the way for new opportunities, transforming them into educators and public health professionals, and just overall loving community members. They instilled in me a deep sense of ethics and morality, shaping the person I am today. I’m just grateful that I come from the background that I do with my rich Mexican Chilango & Oaxacan heritage and the legacy of resilient migrant laborers.

“it just amazed me to see the waterfalls for the first time”

André Sanchez

Park ranger André in Ahwahnee, summer 2015

André during his first backpacking trip, summer 2011

LO: Do you remember early experiences in nature, in the outdoors?

André: One experience that has resonated with me throughout my life is the first time I visited Yosemite Valley, or Ahwahnee as I’ve learned local Native communities call it. I was around seven years old, when my late uncle (Azael) took, me, my grandmother (Esther) and my two older siblings (Jose & Natalie) to receive the beauty and medicine that the park had to offer. Seeing the waterfalls for the first time and just being there among the granite monoliths, not really knowing how I would eventually relate to the experience and memory, but just knowing that I really just loved it and enjoyed it at that moment.

André’s Tio Azael

André’s abuela Esther

On another note of early experience with nature, some of my formative youth involved fishing, a shared activity that brought together my brother Jose, his friends, some family friends, and me. I learned a lot through these experiences since we were a mix of ages, with me being the youngest in what became our recurring group. We would go out fishing in different places in and around the San Joaquin Valley. So we would frequent the rivers, sloughs, lakes, what have you, and having to learn the elements of fishing definitely left a mark on me because it made me realize you’re going to have to be patient. Nature is serene. You’re going to have to sit here and just take it in. And I think I generally did learn that to a high degree, but obviously still wanting to do more outside kind of lingered within me.

LO: Was there someone in your life that played a large role in your love of nature, someone as a child or later in life that really set you down this journey towards conservation?

André: A key figure in shaping my profound connection with nature is undoubtedly my late uncle Azael, the same individual who introduced me and my family to Yosemite and various other outdoor experiences. Not only did he facilitate our trips to Yosemite but also took us to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the serene lakes and forests of the Sierra Nevada. And mind you, he wasn’t necessarily a conservation nature person in that context, but he just got exposed to it through some of his opportunities, and he wanted to share that with us because he knew it was an amazing experience for him. But, yeah, I would say him because he took me to several different places that I don’t think I would have ever known about or experienced otherwise.

“Having to learn the elements of fishing definitely left a mark on me because it made me realize you’re going to have to be patient. Nature is serene. You’re going to have to sit here and just take it in.”

André Sanchez

LO: You’ve been part of Latino Outdoors for a few years now. You’ve also grown in the conservation field. You in particular. It’s your career. As we look back on the last ten years, can you tell us a little bit about the growth you’ve seen in Latino outdoors and then the growth you’ve seen in the world of conservation, and then the growth that you’ve seen in yourself?

André: My official journey with Latino Outdoors (LO) began in 2017 as a volunteer, but my awareness and connection with the organization extends further back. Over this time, I’ve witnessed profound changes within LO. The most noticeable transformation has been its exponential growth—expanding volunteer bases, increased public support, and a growing staff that now includes dedicated advocacy and policy roles. It’s just amazing to see that LO is ever-growing and changing. At the same, still being very rooted in what the intention of LO was created for, which is like culturally relevant exposure to nature, if you will, or building community that is going to eventually experience nature in some way, shape or form. And just like acknowledging that we are a community and all these different gente just want to be outside and that we have a right to be outside.

I would say the addition of the advocacy position has been particularly significant for me, as it aligns with my professional role. That growth runs parallel with LO in that sense because I was trying to figure out how I could continue to be a working professional and also do my personal decolonization without me knowing what exactly that meant or looked like. What it was or what it was becoming at the time with what LO was trying to achieve, ultimately, which is, we’re going to try to just get people outside in whatever way, shape, or form we can, and we’re going to meet them where we’re at. And the point of this is that we’re trying to build community. We’re trying to get our community to be comfortable, to be outside, and trying to get them to understand that these places are for them. And we’re trying to do it in a safe, culturally competent, and relevant manner. And essentially translating that lens to my work is what I’ve tried to do ever since I’ve been wearing these multiple hats.

“What LO was trying to achieve, ultimately, which is, we’re going to try to just get people outside in whatever way, shape, or form we can, and we’re going to meet them where we’re at.”

André Sanchez

LO: As we wrap up our conversation, André, reflecting on your journey from a super volunteer to now serving as a board member, your unique perspective provides invaluable insights. Looking ahead, considering the tremendous growth and impact of Latino Outdoors over the past decade, what is your vision for the organization in the next ten years? How do you see LO evolving, and what goals do you aspire to achieve in this next phase of its journey?

André: What I’m really hoping continues to happen and what my vision would be for LO as the community continues to grow for the next “X” number of years and decades, is that we continue to create opportunities because there’s a lot of ground to cover and there’s a lot of people that we haven’t tapped into yet and there’s a lot of community to build and a lot of leaders that are emerging and that should emerge. If you look at the map that we have of the different regions throughout the country, there’s still a lot of places that we’re not covering yet. I’m hoping we continue to build towards covering more space on the map.

André volunteers with Latino Outdoors as both a Program Coordinator and Advisory Board member. As the Latino Outdoors Program Coordinator for Fresno, André works towards inspiring others about the importance of protecting natural resources by sharing his knowledge of rivers, wildlife, and the different environmental services they provide for people, including clean water, clean air, and respite from everyday life. As a member of the Board, he hopes to further this effort and expand his support of LO’s mission.