The Washington Climbers Coalition (WCC) and Access Fund recently launched a multi-year Washington Climbing Conservation Initiative to improve sustainability for popular climbing areas like the Gold Bar Boulders, Index, Tieton, and Exit 38’s Far Side. The Access Fund website reports that Gold Bar will get improved trail alignments after a recent clear cut, as well […]
Washington State Climbing Gets a Sustainable Makeover Read More »
Many of my favorite memories took place in some part of our nation’s public lands—lands held in the public trust for the benefit of all citizens. I was reflecting on this just a few weeks ago as three generations of my family floated down the John Day River in central Oregon. For just a nominal
Cherishing Our Public Lands Read More »
One extra-long Labor Day weekend, my brother Scott and I unexpectedly drove nearly 1,000 miles in three days, hiking, camping, and wandering at will across a vast swath of public lands in northcentral Idaho. Our goal was pretty simple. See as much of this wild, remote country as possible in 70 or so hours. Leaving
Where the Blacktop Ends Read More »
If you already have a “lake place” – your own or your parents,’ your friend’s grandparents or cousins, or your Uncle Bob’s – then you likely already have your favorite lake. But for the rest of us, any of the dozens of Inland Northwest lakes can be ours for the loving. To feel the cold
Inland NW Lake Guide 2017 Read More »
The summer in my mind is always perfect—obliging weather, tons of time off from work, and a lineup of great partners ready to hit the road at a moment’s notice. Tis the season for setting audacious goals and finally crossing off some of the items on the tick list. But if you do plan to
Rock Climbing in Spokane’s Dishman Hills Read More »
June 4 is National Trails Day – go for a hike! Check out Indian Painted Rocks, a 6.8-mile round-trip loop trail within the Riverside State Park Little Spokane River Natural Area. wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/little-spokane-river. June is Great Outdoors Month and National Camping Month. In fact, June 25 is National Backyard Campout Day – an easy “staycation.” Play
100 Fun Things to Do Outside this Summer Read More »
“Cycling has been a passion for me for a long time,” says new Wheel Sport co-owner Mark Neupert. Wheel Sport has been a fixture in the Spokane cycling community for decades, and when the business came up for sale, Neupert and his partners (including his wife Sarah and longtime friend and business associate Nick Salisbury)
Wheel Sport Bicycles Under New Ownership Read More »
A century of commercial trapping, habitat loss, and unregulated hunting eradicated grizzlies from 98% of their original range in the contiguous U.S. Here in the Northwest, records from the Hudson Bay Company show that nearly 4,000 grizzly bear hides were shipped from trading posts in the North Cascades in a 35-year span. Despite these grim
North Cascade Grizzly Bears Could Get a Boost Read More »
No matter who you voted for or how you view the election results, there’s no denying that the United States is more divided now than at any time in recent history. Family members and long-time friends are feuding on Facebook and politicians and pundits are attacking each other like never before. It’s enough to make
Standing Up for the Great Outdoors Read More »
THIS BOOTY HAS BEEN FOUND! Congratulations Amelia! Play the OTM Backcountry Booty treasure hunt contest and you get to explore different trails around the region and possibly win gift certificates for cool outdoor gear and other prizes. Here’s how it works along with a few rules you need to follow to play: We hide a
Backcountry Booty: Avista Women’s Snowshoeing Package (Hidden 11.28.16; 12.9.16 Found ) Read More »
