Skiing in Southern California sounds like a horrible oxymoron, or a poorly conceived of joke. But it's true, Golden State foreigners: There's snow to be found around our usually heat-stricken climes, namely at Mammoth Mountain.

In recent years we've heard reports of poor snowfall and late season starts in some California skiing regions, Lake Tahoe in particular. That isn't the case at Mammoth in 2009, though; the mountain was hit with two-to-six feet of snow ahead of schedule, according to a report from the Los Angeles Examiner, boding well for ski bunnies itching to hit the slopes early. The Examiner states that Mammoth's current "26 inches of snow is the highest October total since the 2004-05 season," with "warm temperatures approaching 60 degrees" around the mountain. Now that's oxymoronic. ]]> Heidi Atwal 2009-10-16T11:41:51-05:00 37.6500824 -118.99772 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/6/25/74126/7875

Everyone knows that residents of California love their cars, but they’re probably stuck in them a little too much. That’s why we're looking to some offroading at Mammoth Mountain, just of the two-wheeled, human-powered variety. The ski resort has a lot to offer when the weather is warmer, and their mountain bike park has just opened for the season. Even without your car, you’ll be able to fulfill your need for speed with their downhill runs.

Of the different trails and runs for cyclists of all levels, both the Paper Route and Downtown runs will take it easy on you, while the Twilight Zone and Kamikaze represent the more black diamond options. With over 90 miles of trails, you should be able to find one you like, just remember your helmet and pads. ]]> kjb 2009-06-26T09:17:17-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/11/4/74636/7449

The human remains found last week by Madera County sheriff's deputies were indeed Steve Fossett's, a DNA test confirms. With the conclusive results, the mystery of what happened to the adventurer is finally coming to a close, after more than a year of searching, speculation and crowd-sourced satellite photo analysis.

Fossett's widow, Peggy, released a statement after the announcement was made:

I am hopeful that the DNA identification puts a definitive end to all of the speculation surrounding Steve's death. This has been an incredibly difficult time for me, and I am thankful to everyone who helped bring closure to this tragedy.

While there's still no official report on why Fossett's plane crashed, some news accounts say unpredictable winds in the mountains caused the Bellanca Citabria Super Decathlon to slam into a granite wall. The NTSB will release its findings in the case next year.

Related Stories:
· DNA Links Bones to Fossett [AP, via Google]
· Bone Fragments Confirmed as Fossett's [IHT]
· California Sheriff Declares Search For Fossett Over [Jaunted]
· NTSB Investigating Newly Discovered Plane Wreckage [Jaunted]

[Photo of the crash site: Madera County Sheriff's Office]]]> pbb 2008-11-04T07:48:15-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/10/31/74326/653

A search team led by Madera County sheriff's deputies has found Steve Fossett's Illinois driver's license, a pair of tennis shoes, a $100 bill, credit cards and some skeletal remains about a quarter-mile from the traces of the adventurer found earlier this fall. While his office is still waiting for the results of a DNA test on the bones, Sheriff John Anderson says the search for Fossett is over:

Our coroner's investigation is over and the Fossett family will finally have closure.

We talked to the family and advised them that we possibly, most likely, found the remains of J. Stephen Fossett.

There's still no verdict on why exactly the Bellanca Citabria Super Decathlon crashed, though the NTSB continues to investigate.

Related Stories:
· Experts Sure They Have Steve Fossett's Remains [SF Chronicle]
· Bones, ID Found Near Fossett Crash Site [CNN]
· NTSB Investigating Newly Discovered Wreckage [Jaunted]]]> pbb 2008-10-31T07:50:04-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/10/2/10225/5271
Here's a larger version of this map

Wednesday we learned that possible traces of Steve Fossett were recovered in the California wilderness. Today, the National Transportation Safety Board announced that it has:

Dispatched investigators to California to investigate the crash of a small plane that was found yesterday that appears to be the aircraft piloted by adventurer Steve Fossett. The Bellanca 8KCAB (N240R) has been missing since September 3, 2007.

The wreckage is sitting at about 10,000 feet in the Sierra Nevada Mountains near Mammoth Lakes, California.

Meanwhile, it seems even more likely that the IDs that were found earlier this week belonged to Fossett: The name, address, date of birth and certificate number on them match FAA records, the agency says.

Update: Officials now say that the wreckage is in fact Fossett's plane.

Related Stories:
· NTSB Investigating Crash in California [Official Site]
· Possible Traces of Steve Fossett Recovered in California [Jaunted]
· Steve Fossett coverage [Jaunted]]]> pbb 2008-10-02T10:23:50-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/10/1/15508/8715

A hiker in a remote area near Mammoth Lakes, California found two "well-weathered" IDs, about $1,000 in cash and a size XL black Nautica pullover fleece that may have belonged to Steve Fossett. The items were found not far from where backcountry superstar Simon Donato was searching for Fossett this summer.

Because the IDs don't have pictures, it's hard to say with absolute certainty that the pilot ID and separate FAA ID are Fossett's, and no plane wreckage has yet been found in the area. Still, it's the first lead on the missing adventurer in months, despite numerous efforts to track down any trace of the world record holder.

Fossett, you'll remember, was declared dead by a judge in February after he disappeared after what was to be an easy afternoon flight from Barron Hilton's ranch in September 2007.

Related Stories:
· Apparent Steve Fossett Belongings Found [CNN]
· "Steve Fossett Items" Found [AFP, via Google]
· Possible Fossett ID, Items Found [AP, via Google]
· Steve Fossett coverage [Jaunted]]]> pbb 2008-10-01T15:52:53-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/