Living up here in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of northern California has its perks, even if they are a bit off-beat. There’s a popular movement called ‘The State of Jefferson’ hoping to have this region split from California to create a new state. There’s another robust movement to have this area split from the US and form a separate country. When asked how this new state would pay for services like police, firefighting, a capital building, road maintenance, etc, proponents say, “We don’t need any of that.” I just keep my political views to myself.
The most popular vehicles are pickup trucks. Bars in the local towns have hitching posts for horses…and they get used! The sound of gun shots is not uncommon. I don’t know who, or what, they are shooting at. Of course we have stellar wines, big fat cattle, terrific banjo pickers that can jam on hot jazz and Bach, but the Logging Jamboree is the personification of mountain living. It’s a multi-task event that separates the men from the boys, and strong women from both.
Events include the axe throw, where competitors aim to hit a bullseye and explode a beer can inside the target. Not joking about this. The judges vigorously shake the cans before inserting them into the wooden target.
The ‘Walk of Death’ involves walking out onto the end of a bouncy branch with a running chainsaw and cutting exactly 18 inches of wood, and then walking back without falling.
The classic event is the big log slice. Competitors are scored on speed, avoiding a saw jam, and style. I never got the style part. Oh, and cursing costs you points. How elegant. Mountain folk are not hillbillies. We got class.
My favorite event is the Jack and Jill big saw slice. It’s called Double Bucking in logger-speak. This is the original event and was first staged in 1840, prior to the gold rush of 1849. According to records, only a few modern teams have beaten old records. They used to pour hot wax on the saw to prevent jamming. Now they use WD-40. The winner on this day was George Harrison (no relation) and his friend Margaret Soaring Hawk, a Mi-Wuk native. That’s one of the biggest tribes up here. On the day they won, George was celebrating his 80th birthday! Margie was a young 67.
George has won the overall point competition 12 times. He’s one tough man, and I wouldn’t tangle with Margie either. It’s all good fun.
There was only one fist fight on the day I attended. Apparently, a dog stole two hot dogs from a family and the dad felt compelled to punish the dog owner. Sadly, the guy he punched didn’t own a dog. I later saw them both at the wine bar discussing Cabernet.
Captured with a Nikon D-610. Vintage Nikkor lenses: 105mm, 85mm, 50mm
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JA on Logging Jamboree!
Comment posted: 24/09/2026
As a Scot i am not sure i can get behind a cursing penalty.
Comment posted: 24/09/2026
Gary on Logging Jamboree!
Comment posted: 25/09/2026
Comment posted: 25/09/2026
Geoff Chaplin on Logging Jamboree!
Comment posted: 25/09/2026
Comment posted: 25/09/2026
Comment posted: 25/09/2026
Comment posted: 25/09/2026
Erik Brammer on Logging Jamboree!
Comment posted: 25/09/2026
Comment posted: 25/09/2026
David Pauley on Logging Jamboree!
Comment posted: 25/09/2026
I thoroughly enjoyed this "slice of life" (sawdust and all) from a very different corner of the country than the one I inhabit. Though perhaps we have more in common than we know—New Yorkers also are always talking about seceeding from the U.S.—though cursing is alas far from taboo here. Your photos are wonderful—classic Nikkor glass in expert hands—and bring the reportage to life. I love the portrait of George and Margie. They seem like a classy pair of victors! I remember using 2 persons saws like that in Boy Scouts a lifetime ago. It was hard work at 14 or 16 when I was pretty muscular, and I can only imagine what damage I would do to my fragile, pampered frame if I attempted to use one now at 60. That they're still at it at 60 and 80 is remarkable!
Comment posted: 25/09/2026
Scott Ferguson on Logging Jamboree!
Comment posted: 25/09/2026
I love how you made us see the event from the inside, and the energy, pride and passion of the competitors. It is wonderful reportage and nice to see another slice of culture we don't usually see. I love the old school two person sawing contest that goes back to the mid 19th century won by some competitors that go back to the mid 20th century!
A few weeks ago after celebrating my son's 25th birthday, we stumbled across a NYC hipster Axe Throwing venue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. They had a setup where you could do a video projection of an image that you wanted to throw an axe at, and there was a young couple throwing axes at Donald Trump -- I suspect that might not fly up there in NoCal!
Thanks for sharing!
Comment posted: 25/09/2026
David Hume on Logging Jamboree!
Comment posted: 26/09/2026
Comment posted: 26/09/2026
Keith A Yeo on Logging Jamboree!
Comment posted: 26/09/2026
Excellent descriptions of the scene, could get a real feel of the place and ppl there.
Comment posted: 26/09/2026
bikenerd on Logging Jamboree!
Comment posted: 29/09/2026
Great pics, that looks like a fun event. Even more so behind a camera.
Comment posted: 29/09/2026