Our Featured Writers and Contributors
Sierra Rec Magazine takes great pride in its community of passionate writers and contributors who share a deep love for the great outdoors. Our platform thrives on the dedication and enthusiasm of outdoor enthusiasts who not only possess a wealth of knowledge but also a genuine desire to inspire and inform. Whether you are an experienced writer, an avid hiker, an expert angler, or simply someone with a remarkable outdoor adventure to share, we welcome you to join our family of regular contributors. By doing so, you become an integral part of our mission to celebrate the beauty, diversity, and wonder of the Sierra region.
Your unique insights and experiences contribute to the rich tapestry of outdoor storytelling that Sierra Rec Magazine is known for. Embrace the opportunity to become a featured contributor in our next edition, and together, we’ll continue to ignite the passion for outdoor exploration and conservation. For more information on how to get involved, please reach out to us at sierrarecinfo@gmail.com. Your voice matters in the world of outdoor enthusiasts, and Sierra Rec Magazine is the platform where it can resonate.
Charlie Pankey
Publisher and Owner of Sierra Rec Magazine.
I have lived in the Carson Valley for the past 15 years and have hiked hundreds of miles of trails in the Sierra Nevada. Traveling as far North as Lassen Volcanic National Park and as far South as Kernville California in the southern Sierra
As a Volunteer with Desolation Wilderness Ranger I have explored the boundaries of Desolation Wilderness and much of the Lake Tahoe basin region. From my upbringing in the Cascade mountains as a child, however, I love to travel on day and multiple-day trips. so exploring the Sierra came naturally. I love to hike and backpack in Yosemite National Park each summer and typically vist the park 5-6 times a year for new adventures. Alpine County, Desolation Wilderness and Ebbett’s Pass are my normal stomping grounds.
Mostly I love to help and share with others. sharing my experiences, and local expertise with those who are seeking adventure or new places to explore is what it is all about. I sincerely hope that what we share here at Sierra Rec magazine helps you enjoy more of life in the Sierra.
Tom Trelenberg
Friend and trail mate of Sierra Rec Magazine.
Tom, holds a doctorate in Physics and has served his country in the military. He grew up in the Carson Valley and loves to get out and hike. We met Tom on a solo hike to Margaret Lake 6 years ago and Tom and Charlie have hiked all over the sierra since.
Tom loves to ask questions on the trail and when he writes for the magazine, his articles have all the details and wonder in them of a first-time hiker on that trial.
Backpacking and Hiking in the West
All photos taken with our 📱
🏡 based in NorCal, with Idaho roots
A native Texan, I spent a large majority of my childhood in the outdoors and my admiration for nature and landscapes developed at an early age. I quickly found myself forming a profound connection to our planet and nature.
As I entered my teenage years I developed a love for photography, photographing local events for my school yearbook and newspaper publications, and that passion has only grown stronger since.
Now based in the Lake Tahoe area in Northern California, I continue to strive to provide high quality imagery and artwork to my customers, highlighting the natural beauty and diversity that our planet has to offer. I am grateful to have the adventures with my loyal readers, bringing you along my journey to explore the world.
Intagram : @_craig_cooper_
Vanessa Milsner
“An outdoor enthusiast, health business owner & hospitality aficionado, I have a great passion for keeping people active in what they love doing most. When I am not training 1:1 clients or writing for Sierra Rec, you can find me soaking up the sun whether it be trekking on a dirt trail or through the snow. I love fall and winter in the Sierras, but I would be lying if I said Lake Tahoe wasn’t my favorite year around! When I am not traveling, I am nestled at home in Reno, NV with my husband Nick, living up the mountain life!”
William J. “Bill” Finch is a Lecturer of Leisure Studies Emeritus faculty who retired from the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies, Sacramento State University (CSUS) in 2004. He taught classes in Outdoor Recreation Education, Adventure Recreation Programming, Commercial Recreation, and Lifestyle Development.
After retirement, he continued to teach at the CSUS College of Continuing Education for two years. There his curriculum focused on enabling older adults to enjoy hiking the Sierra Nevada with an emphasis on Desolation Wilderness near Lake Tahoe.
For the past sixteen summer seasons since retirement, he has been a Desolation Wilderness Volunteer for the U.S. Forest Service. As a volunteer, he is an ambassador for the Forest Service providing information to hikers along the trails in the wilderness backcountry and assistance as may be needed. He has participated in Wilderness Outreach presentations sponsored by the Forest Service and conducted research for wilderness related projects.
He also presented community service Power Point lectures on the wonders of Desolation Wilderness through the years. Prior to his career in teaching, Bill served in two branches of the armed forces. He was an Army paratrooper in the 82 nd Airborne Division for three years before attending college. After which, he served as a Naval Flight Officer in ASW Patrol Aviation with assignments in the Western Pacific from Viet Nam to the Arctic Circle.
Today his emphasis continues to be on enjoyably experiencing the mountains of the Sierra Nevada and helping others do the same through volunteering and writing.
I’m Brandy – Freelance Content Strategist, Social Media Mentor, and Outdoor Enthusiast.
In 2018 I spent the most amazing spring and summer with my fiancé road tripping. We went to state park and national park after park, the views stealing my breath away every trip. I was reminded of my roots growing up in nature, which I had traded at some point for bars. I was reminded of the second chance I had been given in life, and my commitment not to waste it.
Those road trips reignited the creative flame within me. That’s when I began to make moves to ensure that I could walk away from 9-5 life at some point, and utilize my skills to give freelancing a chance. I wanted to take my work on the road with me so that I could be in the places that reminded me of what it feels like to be alive!
I worked jobs I didn’t like in order to save enough to leave. In the beginning, I didn’t know what would happen, or if I would ever be able to leave the job I disliked so much. I kept at it, and today I sit here writing this as I lean into the world of freelance coaching full time.
There is nothing like the power of your mind. From experience, I can tell you, that if you want it bad enough, you can make it happen.
Website: https://www.brandytravelscalifornia.com/
Instagram @brandytravelscalifornia/
Rockin Randall Twitchell
Jordan Fuller
Golf Expert / Editor-in-Chief
Golf Influence
My goal is to make you the best golfer you can ever be. Let’s get started!
