Royal Robbins is nothing less than the father of modern rock climbing in the United States. Not only did Robbins pioneer numerous first ascents in Yosemite during the late 1950s and '60s, he also was among the first to champion the use of environmentally techniques that did not leave permanent scars on the rocks he climbed.

The longtime Modesto resident will appear at a book signing from 4 to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Curry Village Mountain Shop in Yosemite Valley. "To Be Brave," the first volume of his long-awaited autobiography, traces Robbins' life as the son of a single mom in 1940s Los Angeles to his audacious solo climb of Yosemite's Leaning Tower (near Bridalveil Fall) in May 1963.

In the book's Foreward, noted climber and author Steve Roper states, "[Robbins'] Leaning Tower exploit, explored at length in this volume, stand forever as the boldest solo climb of early North American climbing."

When Robbins was done making first ascents, he started making first descents (in a kayak) of Sierra rivers. (But we'll have to wait for subsequent volumes to read about those exploits.)

Don't miss this rare chance to meet and greet a true extreme sports legend.

A couple weeks ago (Oct. 18) I wrote a story that detailed how the misuse of personal satellite tracking devices are impacting search-and-rescue operations at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

Of course, this trend isn't limited to the Sierra Nevada. It's happening all over the West. Rescuers even have a name for it: Yuppie 911.

Here is another recent example of an incident at the Grand Canyon. (All facts are taken straight from an internal National Park Service memo that a ranger was kind enough to send me.)

On the evening of Sept. 23, rangers began a search for a group of backpackers who repeatedly activated the "Help" button on their SPOT tracking device in a remote section of the park known as the Royal Arch Loop. It's a challenging trip for experienced hikers, let alone a novice party comprised of two dads and their teenage sons.

The John Muir Trail is probably the world's most famous footpath.

Stretching from Yosemite Valley to the summit of Mount Whitney, the JMT is hiked by hundreds every year. Some do all 211 miles (222 if you count the distance to Whitney Portal). Others do segments, connecting them each summer until the entire distance is covered.

It's doubtful, though, that any of them know the trail as well as nature photographer John Dittli, whose new book "Walk the Sky" might be the most comprehensive photographic guide of the JMT ever published.

It's been a dry, dry summer. But with rain and snow expected in the Sierra over the next couple weeks, the Sierra National Forest has lifted its restriction on campfires.

"Visitors can now have open flame fires in all areas of the forest, unless otherwise posted," Forest Supervisor Ed Cole said in a press release.

Visitors will still need to obtain a campfire permit if they are camping outside a designated campground. (Many at high elevations have already closed for the season.)

More from the Forest Service: "Unsettled weather is predicted over the next couple of weeks and visitors are cautioned to carry chains and be prepared for quickly changing weather at anytime."

The best up-to-date information on Sierra National Forest conditions can be found at www.fs.fed.us/r5/sierra or by calling the Clovis headquarters at (559) 297-0706.

Hiking trails are like old friends. No matter how many times you meet up over the years, you always enjoy their company.

At least that's how things are with me and the Potter Pass Trail, which provides easy access to the Kaiser Wilderness. I've been hiking this trail since I was a 12-year-old Boy Scout from nearby Camp Oljato and try to make it back every year.

The hike to Upper Twin Lake (right) isn't a tough one -- about 7 miles roundtrip -- but there are enough meadows, vistas and lakes to make the trip interesting. I've been there in early spring, mid summer, fall and even in winter on cross-country skis. Each time, it's a little different.

(Click on the jump for more photos and descriptions from the trail.)

Deer hunting season opened in the mountains north and east of Fresno on Saturday. And to no one's surprise, things haven't exactly gotten off to a rip-roaring start.

(Blame the hot, dry weather most of all.)

But there was a bit of good news: DFG wildlife biologist Clu Cotter, who manned a check station on Highway 168 at Pine Ridge, said he validated 35 deer last weekend, more than the 28 over last year's zone D-7 opener.

Cotter added that hunters reported no signs of seeing dead deer with no visible signs of trauma, which was a fairly common occurrence last year.

My Sunday feature story on John Fisher ("Same ol' John, Sept. 20) elicited numerous e-mail and voice mail responses, plus a few comments on fresnobee.com.

Several folks wanted to know how they could help in the ongoing effort to purchase Fisher a van with a mechanical lift for his wheelchair.

For example, Janet and Steve Mitchell of Clovis said they had a 10-year-old mechanical lift made for a van that they aren't using:

"We would be happy to donate it to John if it is something that will work with the van he is trying to purchase. ... Our whole family holds season passes at Sierra Summit so it really hit home with us."

Why do deer hunting success rates in Zone D-7 ( most of eastern Fresno and Madera counties) lag so far behind the rest of the state?

Everyone I talk to about this topic -- hunters, wildlife biologists and folks who spent a lot of time in the woods -- agrees that the San Joaquin and North Kings deer herds just aren't as large or healthy as they used to be.

So why is that? Well, that's where opinions vary.

Bryce Mann, a licensed hunting guide from Tollhouse, is convinced it's mountain lions that are killing off the deer. And no one disputes there are more lions.

"Do the math," he says. "An adult cat eats one deer a week."

Andy Finch's latest snowboarding victory took the Fresno native halfway across the world -- and out of a helicopter.

Finch captured the men's snowboard division at the World Heli Challenge, which concluded Sunday at Mt. Aspiring National Park on New Zealand's South Island.

The contest consisted of three events over a two-week period: Big Mountain (cliff drops and technical prowess), Freeride (freestyle and aerial manuevers) and Downhill (head to head racing).

Finch, a member of the U.S. Olympic halfpipe team in 2006, finished second in all three events to clinch first overall.

Check out more of Finch's own photos from the contest here.

A chilling, first-person account about a near-fatal fall on the Half Dome cables was recently posted on the Friends of YOSAR (Yosemite Search and Rescue) Web site.

On June 6, 2009, a young woman named Gina (no last name given) slipped and fell about 150 feet on the cables section -- only to be saved from a sure fatal plunge by coming to rest on a tiny ledge. She was later evacuated by helicopter.

You can find the entire story here. It's a must-read for anyone thinking about hiking the the popular trail, which seems to have become more crowded (and hazardous) in recent years.