Mind the Track

There may be no other person in Northern California more in touch with the behavior of wildlife than the award-winning nature photographer Randy Robbins. Based in Susanville, Robbins’ images of bald eagles, mountain lions, bears, bobcats, foxes, and hundreds of other species have helped both the public, and wildlife biologists, better understand the animals in our own backyards that we never see. Robbins snapped the very first high resolution photo of a Lassen Pack Wolf in 2021 in the ashes of the Dixie Fire, captured the first known image of the rare and endangered Sierra Nevada Red Fox and was the first photographer to ever be awarded by the Natural History Museum of London for an iPhone image. Robbins’ photos have been featured in media outlets worldwide, winning dozens of prestigious awards in only seven years of work. In Episode 76, we chat with Robbins at his Susanville photo gallery – A Thousand Windows –  about his path to being a wildlife photographer, his relationship to God, both as a pastor and an outdoorsman, and the public criticisms he faces from all sides for simply capturing beautiful portraits of animals in the wild. 2:50 – PowBot and Trail Whisperer photograph wildlife.4:50 – Recording from Susanville, California, riding the Bizz Johnson Trail.6:25 – Introducing Randy Robbins, award-winning wildlife photographer and trails advocate for Susanville Area Bicycling Association.8:30 – California Wildlife Photo of the Year Award - Bald Eagle called “Fly Fishing”.10:00 – Natural History Museum of London Wildlife Photographer of the Year – “Full Circle”.10:50 – Getting the very first high resolution photo of the Lassen Pack Wolf.15:00 – 800 Main Street, Susanville, California originally built in 1901, now home to A Thousand Windows – Randy Robbins’ photography gallery.18:50 – A Thousand Windows – a John Muir quote.20:00 – Randy is a former teacher and part-time pastor at a Christian church.21:30 – What’s the difference between finding God in the outdoors and finding it in church?23:25 – How has your photography influenced your faith?25:00 – After 2 years, getting a camera trap image of the Lassen Pack Wolf after the Dixie Fire.26:00 – The patience required to be a good photographer27:10 – Taking 3 years to get a photo of the endangered Sierra Nevada Red Fox.30:00 – Lassen Volcanic National Park as a habitat for wildlife, and getting a permit to photograph in a National Park.32:20 – Social media influencers, YouTubers and filming permits in National Parks.35:30 – How did Randy get into photography?39:25 – The highs and lows of social media, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook in promotion.43:35 – Dealing with the haters on social media.44:50 – Is taking a photograph of an animal compromising the animal’s habitat?48:45 – Do animals like trails?50:10 – Winning a Natural History Museum of London award for taking an iPhone photo, and then being criticized for it.54:05 – Setting up an effective camera trap in the forest.58:00 – Waiting in the woods for hours, days sometimes years before getting the right shot.1:00:00 – Getting the award winning Bald Eagle shot in a kayak on Antelope Lake.1:04:00 – The wolf discussion – Is the reintroduction of wolves in California good or bad?  1:08:25 – The criticisms Randy receives for simply taking a photo of a wolf.1:11:45 – The Beyem Seyo Pack of wolves attacking and killing dozens of cattle in Sierra Valley.1:14:45 – Has Randy ever been a hunter? As a photographer, would he be able to hunt?1:16:30 – What has photography taught you most about animal behavior?1:21:00 – How have the massive wildfires of the last few years impacted wildlife?1:25:50 – Tracking animals and learning the different animal paw prints.1:29:45 – Why isn’t Susanville more popular as a mountain town?1:40:40 – Would John Muir have ridden a mountain bike or a split board? 1:44:00 – What does Mind the Track mean to you?1:49:08 – Get Randy Robbins’ prints – Randyrobbinsphotography.com and athousandwindows.com

Highlighting the abysmal start to ski season in the American West, the boys record outdoors at 6,500 feet elevation near the Sierra Crest wearing t-shirts. Even the mountains above Las Vegas have more snow than Tahoe! Episode 75 covers a range of Core Lord Call-Ins including discussion around the rules of Finders Keepers, ASMR and Misophonia, and a shout out to @nick_russelll @slushthemagazine feature on backcountry splitboarding rules and its relation to the 10 Shredmandments from @pow_bot . We do our first live, impromtu phone call with Marc Cosbey’s childhood friend Randy, sharing some Captain Cozmo stories.  There’s also some Mindless Crap like Snack Man and the Pikes Peak Peanut Pusher. And @skyemersontahoe asks is it DOPE or DERP that @erin_ton7 is bagging Colorado 14ers in prom dresses and high heels, so we get a female’s perspective.2:24 – No snow in Tahoe. Recording outside at Tahoe Donner Nordic Center. Mammoth Mountain had a ripping opener. More snow in Las Vegas than Tahoe!8:40 – What are you thankful for in 2025?12:25 – Shout out to Miles at Incline Spirits and Cigars.14:15 – Watching the new Vince Gilligan show Pluribus.15:30 – CORE LORD CALL-IN – Dan Kuhns – Doesn’t like Snack Man.18:04 – Misophonia – disorder where specific sounds trigger a strong emotional reaction.19:00 – Auto Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) creeps out Trail Whisperer.21:06 – CORE LORD CALL-IN – Keith from Auburn – Kurt Refsnider bikepacking the Orogenesis Trail.26:05 – CORE LORD CALL-IN – Gordo has some categorical tips for Finders Keepers.28:30 – Lost and Found – Did you lose an iWatch on the new Boca Ridge trail?32:30 – CORE LORD CALL-IN – Your Old Pal Garen Becker formerly of Santa Cruz Bicycles fame.35:10 – CORE LORD CALL-IN – Randy wants us to call him about some Cosbey stories.46:40 – DOPE or DERP from Sky E. - bagging 14ers in Colorado in high heels?50:50 – The Peanut Pusher – Bob Salem – Pushes a peanut to the top of Pikes Peak with his nose. Clickbait?54:00 – Local Line Larry – Appreciates our perspective on the Roadless Rule.55:10 – Josh – 100% done with Red Bull Rampage.56:45 – Shout out to Nick Russell – Slush Magazine – “Russell’s Ridge – Backcountry Basics Part I – The Guiding Principles of Splitboarding.1:06:10 – Reviewing the 10 Shredmandments.1:11:30 – Any adventure plans for Thanksgiving?

As winter takes its time to arrive in Lake Tahoe, the hosts dive into the awkward transition from fall to skiing. They explore the best sports in the region, debate the merits of blue square flow trails, and tackle the escalating risks in extreme sports like Red Bull Rampage. A historic ski descent by Jim Morrison on Everest sparks fascinating discussions, alongside rants about social media's visual clutter. Fitness challenges with aging and excitement for upcoming adventures round out this lively conversation.

In the third installment of the Cosbey Chronicles, the boys sit down with Coz at his caretaker’s quarters on the shore of Gold Lake and dive deep into trails. Raised as a Mormon, by age 12, Coz knew organized religion wasn’t for him. At that same age, he rode a Honda Trail 90 motorcycle for the first time, and it was the beginning of the rest of his life. His religion became exploration on two wheels in the outdoors. Coz talks about the three years he spent laying out and building Mills Peak trail in Graeagle, as well as working on all the trails in Lakes Basin for the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship, an organization he co-founded. Coz talks about the future of recreation in rural mountain communities and encourages listeners to escape the negativity of life, losing their minds in the track, being present in the moment. He also encourages those with financial means to contribute their wealth to trails and trail projects, benefiting the public in an age where connection to place is being lost to invasive technology. 6:30 – Podcast – The Stuff They Don’t Want You to Know8:25 – Coast to Coast Radio with Art Bell9:55 – Car Talk with Click and Clack11:50 – Recording at Gold Lake near Graeagle, California with Marc Cosbey18:20 – Living through two winters in Lakes Basin – running naked out into a snowstorm22:20 – Tuning into nature through the sounds of nature25:30 – Being raised Mormon, not digging it, and instead embracing nature and trails as religion30:05 – Riding a motorcycle for the first time in his life at 12 years old – beginning of the rest of his life.34:30 – Trails are a pathway to spirituality – tuning out the world and focusing on the moment in the track.36:15 – Building Mills Peak trail and spending years in the Lakes Basin improving the trails.39:50 – What’s it like to ride a trail you built after 3 years of your life working on it?43:15 – Stew McMorrow – a volunteer who’s had his life changed by the importance of trails.45:15 – Where does Coz see the future of trails and trail organizations?49:45 – Volunteers who have desk jobs that come and volunteer – it can change their life.56:57 – What is the biggest challenge and opportunity for rural mountain communities in securing their future?1:00:31 – What have you learned about yourself, community and public lands in the wake of devastating wildfires over the last 5 years?1:12:30 – What trail is Coz most proud of building over the years?1:13:55 – Building the North Yuba Trail from Downieville to Goodyears Bar and the enjoyment of designing a trail before it’s built.1:18:27 – What was the significance of building Mills Peak Trail in Graeagle?1:21:33 – What advice does Coz have for folks starting their own trails organization?1:29:48 – If your life were a tree, what kind of tree would it be?1:32:47 – What’s an epic ride people have to do in the Lakes Basin? Mount Elwell.1:38:25 – What does Mind the Track mean to you?

After a mid-October snowstorm, the hosts celebrate the vibrant fall colors and their latest outdoor adventures. They dive into the thrill of early-season skiing and PowBot's wing foiling journey. The discussion touches on the historic fire lookout trails and Sydney Martinez's new book, 'Finding Nevada Wild,' focusing on Nevada's beauty. A debate ensues over the implications of the rescinded Roadless Rule, balancing access and conservation. Listeners also share quirky trail snack preferences and engage in a spirited exchange about the new Class 3 e-bike features.

In this engaging conversation, Dave Polivy, owner of Tahoe Mountain Sports and former mayor of Truckee, shares his journey to the mountains, arriving on September 11, 2001. He discusses tackling local housing challenges and the impact of seasonal tourism on the community. Dave candidly reflects on the emotional toll of his leadership during COVID, the balance of being an elected official and a business owner, and his ambitious goals for affordable housing and economic resilience in Truckee. His passion for the outdoors and commitment to community shine through!

In Part II of the Cosbey Chronicles, Uncle Coz recounts more boat adventures, working for Raul Gardini – the richest man in Italy – and his Americas Cup team, building the very first carbon composite racing boats, and after a brief stint working in Japan, returning to the US to work on the AmericaOne team. We dive into Marc’s love for music, seeing iconic bands in the 1970s like Zeppelin, Marley, The Who, Van Halen, The Doors, Pink Floyd and, of course, the Grateful Dead. Cosbey’s most memorable show? Midnight Oil in Australia. Tom and Coz discover they were at the same Dead shows together, and Coz opens up about relationships, living simple and free on his terms, riding on the backs of manta rays deep in the Pacific Ocean and almost drowning while bodysurfing The Wedge in Newport Beach. 3:00 – Wrong number call-in to the Core Lord hotline regarding religious exemption.7:45 – Introducing Part II of the Downieville interview with Marc Cosbey.13:30 – Working for Raul Gardini, the richest man in Italy on his boat racing team, the first carbon composite Americas Cup boats for racing San Diego in 1991.23:35 – Got hired onto a Japanese Americas Cup team in 1995 and taught them the craft.24:25 – Discovering a caretaker’s job at Gold Lake in the Lakes Basin of Plumas County.27:38 – Going back to an American team out of San Francisco – America One.31:00 – If you could live in a different country, where would you live? New Zealand.33:50 – All about music. Seeing live bands all over the world – Zeppelin, Marley, The Who, Van Halen, The Doors, Pink Floyd, Grateful Dead.37:40 – Calling a drug hotline high on drugs to ask if he should go see Deep Purple and Black Sabbath.39:58 – What was the most memorable show you’ve ever seen? Midnight Oil in Australia.42:10 – What’s the difference between Australians and New Zealanders?43:49 – Second most memorable show he’s ever seen – Carlos Santana at a bull ring in Tijuana.44:45 – Some Grateful Dead show stories – Coz and Tom discover they were at the same show.50:00 – Cosbey’s love life, never getting married and not having pets – flying solo and keeping things simple.52:20 – Trail Whisperer’s story about chasing a loose dog running on the highway.54:48 – Cosbey thinks time is going faster, the planet is accelerating. How do you slow time down?57:30 – Almost drowning at The Wedge in Newport Beach in the early 1970s.1:01:47 – Do you feel like you still need to chase adventure or do you feel content?1:04:00 – Helping a friend learn to build a boat, then sailing the Sea of Cortez, Baja Mexico.1:06:40 – Sailing to seamounts in the Pacific, an underwater volcano that comes within 100 feet of the sea surface. A refuge for aquatic life.1:09:00 – Riding on the back of a massive manta ray.1:11:25 – If you were an animal, what would you be?

For the third August in a row, heavy rain has blessed the northern Sierra Nevada. Amidst the best brown pow cycle of the summer, on episode 69, Pow Bot and Trail Whisperer froth over the fresh rainfall while burners out on the playa get mud plugged and hit with haboobs. TW also froths over his new Ibis Ripley and PB over his recent progress on the wing foil. Other topics include Old Farmer’s Almanac predictions on winter, differing opinions on vacationing in Santa Cruz, the expense of bike racks, and on a musical note, The Scientist’s dub reggae, St. Vincent and seeing Collie Buddz live at The Hangar in South Lake Tahoe. The boys also Dope or Derp Mariachi bands, wearing a shammy and tailgate pads while DOUBLE DOPEing ski straps and plastic grocery baskets as gear carriers. 3:00 – Best riding conditions of the summer in Lake Tahoe are happening right now in late August. Third year in a row of rain in August. BROWN POW!4:00 – Burning Man woes – windstorms, epic mud, 10-hour wait line on the playa to get in.8:20 – Dirk Hobskin calls in with Channel 69 news special brown pow report.11:25 – Trail Whisperer celebrates New Bike Day – Ibis Ripley.16:40 – What do you think about Santa Cruz?23:30 – Pow Bot has been frothing on wing foiling on Washoe Lake.31:00 – Ice Cream Man is still harassing Trail Whisperer.32:45 – Old Farmer’s Almanac makes its predictions for Winter 2025-26. Do you think Farmer’s Almanac is an accurate tool for seasonal forecasting?37:15 – Update on the rope swing at DL Bliss State Park getting cut down.40:25 – We sold out! Thanks to all our listeners for buying a Mind the Track hat.41:40 – On a Musical Note – The Scientist (Hopeton Overton Brown), Trail Whisperer saw Collie Buddz at The Hangar in South Lake Tahoe, St. Vincent (Annie Clark).53:00 – Pow Bot recommends watching Florida Man before going on vacation to Florida.55:40 – DOPE or DERP – Mariachi bands.57:20 – DOPE or DERP – Wearing a shammy.1:03:25 – DOPE or DERP – Tailgate Pads.1:14:25 – DOUBLE DOPE – Singing the praises of the Voile ski strap.1:16:55 – DOUBLE DOPE x2 – using a plastic grocery basket as a gear carrier.1:21:40 – Part II of the Cosbey Chronicles will be on episode 70.1:24:00 – Trail Whisperer going on a cross-country adventure driving a car from Boston to Reno.1:28:50 – Pow Bot’s story of sleeping on the side of the highway and being woken at 4:30AM.1:33:30 – The dilemma of inheriting family furniture and the cost of shipping it cross country.1:38:45 – The Mountains to Meadows Enduro Festival at Plumas County Fairgrounds on September 12-14. The return of Grinduro!

On Episode 68 we introduce the first installment of the Cosbey Chronicles. Marc Cosbey, aka Uncle Coz, Cozmo, Sharkey, is the kindred spirit of the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship, and one of its co-founders. Born in the early 1950’s, Coz left home at 17 years old and never looked back, living a free-spirited life of adventure from exploring the American West to sailing around the world on everything from old pirate ships to the most advanced Americas Cup racing boats. In this first episode of a multi-part series with Coz, we chat about his youth in Southern California during the birth of surfing, working in the Utah oil fields as a roughneck, a three-week backpacking trip through the Shoshone Wilderness of Wyoming where he accidently set his face on fire, hitchhiking and getting picked up by gun-toting thieves, building and racing Americas Cup sail boats and surviving a five-day winter storm in the Pacific Ocean on a 1910 Baltic Trader, an adventure that he thought would be his last. 3:00 – Recording from the Downieville Classic.5:30 – Introducing Marc “Coz” Cosbey aka Uncle Cozmo.10:30 – DOPE or DERP – Hot Tubs.14:10 – Part One of Cosbey Chronicles – Growing up in 1960s California, Traveling the West, Backpacking, Hitchhiking, Boat Building and Sailing.17:30 – Growing up in Newport Beach, California in the 1950s and 1960s, early days of surfing.20:10 – Leaving home at 17 years old and started surveying for oil.24:10 – What was Moab, Utah like in the early 1970s?27:10 – Cody, Wyoming and Yellowstone National Park in the early 1970s.28:00 – Backpacking from Cody to Jackson, Wyoming through the Shoshone Wilderness, accidentally burning down their tent and burning up his face and hands.38:00 – Hitchhiking and getting picked up by guys who just robbed a convenience store.42:58 – Do you ever pick up hitchhikers or Pacific Crest Trail hikers?47:30 – Spending a winter skiing in Mammoth Lakes in the mid 1970s.50:30 – Moving to Oahu, Hawaii to live on Waikiki and Ala Wai work on boats, surf and wind surf in the 1970s.54:00 – Spending months sailing across the Pacific Ocean on the Lord Jim sailing ship.59:30 – Finding the section of an old NASA rocket floating in the open ocean, then a killer whale follows next to them riding down a giant swell.1:02:30 – Refinishing a 12 meter sailing race boat for an America’s Cup team in 1986 for Tom Blackaller and competing in 1987 America’s Cup in Australia.1:15:35 – Sailing a real pirate boat built in 1910 from Alaska to San Francisco and the closest Coz ever came to perishing at sea in a 5-day storm.1:26:10 – Delivering a super high end sail boat across the Atlantic and receiving a mayday call about a captain who was lost at sea with clients stuck on the boat.

Scot Nicol, the legendary founder of Ibis Cycles, and Gregg Stone, co-owner of Start Haus in Truckee, dive into the fun world of biking and skiing. Scot shares his wisdom on staying youthful and active while reminiscing about mountain biking's evolution. The duo discusses the impact of social media on local spots and the demise of a beloved rope swing. They emphasize the importance of enjoying life over optimization, celebrating community and the thrill of outdoor adventures.