By Ryan Stemkoski

A man does not usually walk into a fly shop expecting his life to change. He comes looking for a rod, a reel, a handful of flies, and perhaps a little advice. Sometimes, he comes with curiosity and uncertainty, hoping someone behind the counter can help make sense of a sport that feels both beautiful and overwhelming. For Kevin Knight, that walk into the House of Fly inside North 40 Outfitters was exactly that. He had no idea it would become the beginning of a friendship, a mentorship, and a turning point that would quietly reshape his life.

Behind the counter stood Chip O’Brien, wearing his familiar scally cap, calm and unassuming. Kevin asked the question nearly every beginner asks. “I am on a budget. Where do I start?”

In a retail world that often equates the value of a customer with the bottom line, Chip responded differently. He did not point Kevin toward premium rods or showcase the most expensive reels. He did not overwhelm him with jargon or pressure. He listened. Then he guided him toward a modest rod-and-reel setup, something honest, affordable, and appropriate for someone just beginning.

It was a simple exchange. Professional. Respectful. The kind of interaction that feels refreshing but not yet remarkable.

What Kevin did not realize at the time was that he was standing before a fly-fishing icon. Not a casual enthusiast. Not simply a seasoned angler. Chip O’Brien had written hundreds of articles and several books. His work had appeared in respected national publications such as American Fly Fishing and Active NorCal, as well as a long list of fly-fishing magazines that anglers trust for education and truth on the water. He was, in many ways, a celebrity in the fly fishing world, a man whose words had already shaped how countless anglers understood rivers, insects, and fish. Yet there was not a trace of ego in how Chip approached Kevin. Chip genuinely wanted to help a beginner get into the sport.

To Kevin, Chip was simply a kind man behind a counter who took his question seriously.

That alone would have made the encounter positive. But what made it unforgettable came later.

A month or two passed. Kevin took his new rod-and-reel combo to the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River. He was still learning. Still fumbling. Still unsure of himself. But that day, he landed his first Westslope Cutthroat trout. The moment carried weight far beyond the fish. It marked a shift from curiosity to connection, from interest to belonging.

He returned to the House of Fly and held up his phone. Chip leaned in, studied the image, smiled, and said, “What a beaut.”

Three simple words.

For Kevin, they carried the gravity of affirmation. Those words felt like recognition. He now felt welcomed into the fly-fishing fraternity. 

They talked that day for nearly two hours, interrupted only by customers coming in for flies, leaders, and advice for the coming season. During that conversation, Kevin learned that Chip was not just knowledgeable. He was a writer. An author. A former guide. A retired school teacher. A man whose life had been built around teaching others to understand both water and words.

What Kevin could not have known then was how deeply that conversation would echo into his life.

At the time, Kevin was stepping into one of the darkest seasons he had ever known. A divorce after seventeen years of marriage had fractured his sense of identity and stability. The future felt loud, uncertain, and heavy. Fly fishing at first became an escape. Then it became something far more powerful. It became a rhythm. A place of stillness. A way to breathe again.

And Chip was his guide on that journey.

Not through dramatic gestures. Not through speeches or prescriptions. He was there through time, conversation, and shared experience. Through showing Kevin not only how to cast, but also how to slow down. How to pay attention. How to let the river become a place of restoration rather than distraction.

Fly fishing gave Kevin peace. Chip gave it structure and possibility.

Kevin would later say that Chip saved his life. More than once.

That is not a statement made lightly. It is one that reveals how deeply mentorship can shape a person when it is grounded in care and compassion. Chip never positioned himself as a hero. He simply showed up consistently, with patience and respect. With genuine care and support.

And that is the thing about Chip. He affords every person he meets the same opportunity.

Customer after customer, he smiles and offers help. He learns names. He remembers stories. He treats beginners and experts with equal dignity. In a world shaped by speed and transaction, Chip practices presence. He understands that people rarely walk into fly shops carrying only fishing questions. They carry stories. Longings. Grief. Hope. Uncertainty.

The House of Fly inside North 40 Outfitters becomes a perfect reflection of that philosophy. North 40 is a store built for work and practicality. It serves farmers, hunters, gardeners, homesteaders, and families. It sells feed, boots, tools, and equipment. And tucked inside it is a fly shop that feels entirely different in pace and tone. It is slower. Quieter. Thoughtful. It feels like a classroom and a gathering place at the same time.

Here, one of the most experienced fly fishing writers and educators in the country chooses to spend his days helping people find their footing.

To understand why that matters, you have to understand who Chip has been long before Spokane ever knew his name.

Chip grew up in the Midwest, moving between Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, and Illinois. His introduction to fly fishing came almost accidentally. After his father passed away, an old bamboo fly rod was left behind in the garage. It was not a cherished heirloom yet. Just an object waiting for meaning.

That meaning came when the family moved to eighty acres outside of West Bend, Wisconsin, with their own private lake. Chip tied on a bass popper that was already attached to the line and cast it out. A bass inhaled it almost immediately. Years later, he would reflect on that moment and wonder who had really been hooked.

Around the same time, his mother planted another seed. After a strong grade on a piece of writing, she said, “Maybe you should be a writer when you grow up.” Those words ignited a spark. 

There were no fly fishing magazines then. Chip read Outdoor Life, Field and Stream, and Sports Afield, eagerly waiting for the one fly fishing article each issue might contain. He decided that someday, he would write those stories himself.

So he pursued journalism, earning a bachelor’s degree and later a graduate degree in writing. Like many young adults with clear passions, he detoured into something that promised stability. Corporate sales in Los Angeles. A good income. A predictable future.

Then one morning, he told his wife, “All I really want to do is fish.”

That sentence changed everything. It altered finances. It strained relationships. It reshaped priorities. And it led him north to Northern California, where wild trout water and possibility ran side by side.

There he began writing seriously. Fishing seriously. Learning deeply. He worked with California Trout and later guided for Clearwater House, where he met Dick Galland. It was Galland who would give him the sentence that would define his life:

“I am not looking for people who are expert fly fishers. I can teach you that. I am looking for people who love people.”

Chip carried that sentence into every role he ever held.

He spent fourteen years guiding the best waters in Northern California. He taught fly-fishing classes for beginners, intermediates, and experts. He wrote prolifically. He discovered that while teaching others brought great fulfillment, it left little time for fishing. So he pivoted again.

He became a school teacher, teaching writing during the year and guiding and fishing during the summer. He lived a life built on curiosity and service. He wrote hundreds of articles. He authored several books. He wrote about technique, entomology, equipment, conservation, history, and the fragile places that should be protected through silence.

Life took him to Oregon through love and marriage. Then, eventually, to Spokane, drawn by the powerful bond between a grandmother and her grandchildren. After retirement, he fished throughout the West. And then restlessness returned.

He began searching for fly fishing opportunities in Spokane.

That search led him to the House of Fly inside North 40 Outfitters.

Much like guiding and teaching before it, Chip discovered that working in a fly shop suited him perfectly. Fly shops are places of conversation and connection. People come for flies but stay for stories. One day, it is carp tactics. The next day, it might be Hemingway. Then entomology. Then life.

Chip writes for the House of Fly blog. He fishes weekly, year-round. His articles continue to appear in national publications. Yet he chooses to spend his days helping beginners build confidence and veterans sharpen their understanding.

Spokane’s fly fishing culture is rich, and Chip is at the center of it. He is involved with Spokane Fly Fishers, Inland Empire Fly Fishers, and Spokane Women on the Fly. He helped organize the first annual Spokane Fly Fishing Showdown, bringing clubs together in friendly competition built on community rather than money. No prize purses. Only a trophy, pride, and a year of lighthearted rivalry. Again, none of it is about ego; it is about true love for the sport.

Through it all, Chip remains the same man behind the counter. The same scally cap. The same smile. The same willingness to listen. To guide. To help. The same love for people that Dick Galland saw in him decades before.

Kevin did not walk into the House of Fly looking for healing. He walked in looking for a rod. What he found was a man who understood that fly fishing is rarely about fish alone. It is about patience. Belonging. Learning how to be present again. Fly fishing is a community, and Chip welcomed Kevin in.

Chip has spent sixty years fly fishing. But his greatest craft has never been casting or tying flies. It has been loving people well, one honest conversation at a time.

And the Spokane outdoor community is better because he has chosen to do it here!

The post Outdoor Profiles: Chip O’Brien Writer, Guide, & Fly-Fishing Expert at North 40 Outfitters appeared first on Out There Venture.

By Chris Maccini 

Cover photo courtesy of Diane Delanoy

It was 29 years ago that Galen Chamberlain first picked up a copy of Rich Landers’ classic guidebook, “100 Hikes in the Inland Northwest.” At age 60, he’d just retired from a career in construction and was enrolled in a backpack school course through the Spokane Mountaineers. At the time, Chamberlain was far from an avid hiker.  

“I did a lot of skiing and cross-country skiing, but I never walked any more than a hundred yards in my life if I could help it until their backpack school,” he says. “I remember when I got back to the trailhead after three days, I told one of the instructors, ‘I ain’t never gonna hike again.” 

But while his feet and shoulders may have ached after that first hike, there was something that drew him back to the trail. Soon, he was hooked, and he set himself a goal to hike 500 miles per year. Chamberlain has kept track of every mile of every hike for nearly three decades, a total of more than 14,500 miles. 

Over the years, Landers’ “100 Hikes” became a constant companion. Each time Chamberlain completed one of the hikes in the book, he checked it off, often making notes on the weather, trail conditions and his hiking companions. When he returned to a hike again, he added another mark. Some hikes, like nearby Mount Kit Carson in Mount Spokane State Park (Hike #21), he has done a whopping 96 times. But it wasn’t until many years of hiking that the idea occurred to Chamberlain to try to complete all 100 hikes.  “I just started knocking ’em off,” he says. “And then after I got 50 or 60, I thought, hey, why not shoot for a hundred?” 

The trails in “100 Hikes” are spread throughout Washington, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and British Columbia. In addition to being an active outdoorsman, Chamberlain was also a pilot. He owned a small airplane, which allowed him to fly in and camp at remote airstrips, giving him easier access to some of the more remote hiking areas such as the Cabinet Mountains in Montana and the Eagle Cap Wilderness in Oregon. One by one, he checked them off in his increasingly tattered copy of the guidebook. 

The 100th Hike Attempt to Mortar and Pestle Lakes 

In the summer of 2018, Chamberlain and a group of friends set out to complete the final hike in the book, number 100: Mortar-Pestle Lakes. The hike is located in British Columbia’s St. Mary’s Provincial Park, a remote wilderness area northwest of Cranbrook, BC. As Landers’ description in “100 Hikes” puts it, “This little niche of wilderness is so far off the beaten track, it doesn’t even have an official trail in its 22,650 acres.” Landers describes a steep, sparsely marked “trail” over granite boulders and alpine larch, noting that the area was previously home to a logging operation and “there’s a good chance you will have to seek out the trail to some degree.” He rates the hike “moderately difficult” in the book.   

When Chamberlain and his friends arrived in August of 2018, they knew there was wildfire activity in the area to contend with. The day before their scheduled hike, Chamberlain called BC Parks and asked about the trail’s status. They advised him to check the website in the morning to be sure the area was not restricted. Early the next day, everything looked clear. They packed up and started the drive to the trailhead under smoky skies. They’d driven less than 10 miles outside of Cranbrook when they were met with a blockade. Apparently, a new wildfire had started overnight, and no one had taken the time to update the website. There would be no hiking that day. The group turned around and headed home.  

But Chamberlain was determined to complete the hike one day. This was the final hike he needed to complete his 100-hikes goal, after all. He decided his next attempt would be earlier in the summer to avoid wildfire danger. In 2019, he once again gathered a group of fellow hiking enthusiasts and made the drive up to Cranbrook, BC. As all good outdoorsmen should, they checked the weather forecast beforehand and noted that there was a 20% chance of light rain on the day they planned to hike. Everything seemed to be lining up for a successful attempt. This time, they made the drive into the old logging roads which accessed the trailhead and spent the night at an old horse camp in the area. 

The next morning, it was indeed raining, and the road was in rough shape. But Chamberlain and his friends figured they must be close to the trailhead, according to the directions and rudimentary map in “100 Hikes.” They set out hiking to find the trailhead and complete the hike. After six hours of hiking in the pouring rain, unable to even find the beginning of the trail they were after, they decided to give up. Afterward, Chamberlain wrote across the top of the Mortar-Pestle Lakes page in his “100 Hikes” book, “FORGET IT.” He figured the final hike would elude him forever. 

One More Try 

A few years passed. Chamberlain continued to hike all over the Inland Northwest and beyond, often with friends he met through the Spokane Mountaineers, logging his 500 miles every year. Among his frequent hiking companions were Diane Delanoy and her husband, Ken, active members of the Spokane Mountaineers. Ken had been among the group of hikers turned away in 2018 due to wildfire. So they knew about Chamberlain’s goal of completing all 100 hikes, and they knew just how challenging the final hike had proved to be. When Chamberlain approached Diane and Ken about making one more attempt at the Mortar and Pestle lakes hike in 2025, Diane sprung into action. 

“I went onto Facebook and found a British Columbia hiking group and just kind of searched through their posts trying to find any mention of Mortar Lake,” Diane says. “I came up with one. This gal had been up there. So I contacted her, and she was able to send me the GPS tracking thing that got them to the trailhead.” 

With the local knowledge and GPS data loaded onto Diane’s phone, Chamberlain set out this past September with the Delanoys and another friend, Denise Beardslee, for one final attempt. Following the GPS up the old logging roads, the group was able to successfully locate the trailhead. To their surprise, it was well-marked with signage and a logbook. They camped at the trailhead that night, excited to start up the trail the next morning. When they did, they realized Landers’ trail rating of “moderately difficult” felt like an understatement.  

“Honestly, I thought it was the hardest hike I’ve ever done,” Diane says. “Even though it was less than five miles up and back, it is straight up the whole time. You just climb up, up, up, up, up till you get to a boulder field. And then you’ve got to get through that to the ridge, where we could see the two lakes.” 

The group had planned to camp in the wilderness area another night, but after the grueling hike, they drove out and spent the night at a campground. There, they celebrated Chamberlain’s accomplishment as he checked off the final hike in his weathered copy of “100 Hikes.” As he did, Chamberlain made one edit to Landers’ description: he crossed out the word “moderately” so that the trail rating read, “difficult.”

 

Looking Ahead and Inspiring Others 

Now that Chamberlain has completed all 100 hikes, he doesn’t have another major goal he’s looking to reach. “I’m still doing [the hikes],” he says. “I wouldn’t do them all [again], but there are a few I’d like to do again.” 

Some trails he would like to return to include the Tucannon River-Diamond Peak Loop in the Blue Mountains (#82), and Lookout Mountain east of Priest Lake (#37). Apart from that, he plans to keep hitting that 500-mile-per-year goal for as long as he can. 

And, of course, Chamberlain has a big milestone coming up next summer when he turns 90 years old. He doesn’t have a grand expedition planned, but says he might rent a local grange hall to celebrate with friends or maybe take a kayak trip through Priest Lake’s Thoroughfare.  

For Chamberlain’s friends and hiking companions like Diane Delanoy, Chamberlain is a constant inspiration to continue getting outdoors and having adventures no matter your age. “He really does motivate me,” Delanoy says. “If there’s a backpack or a hike and my husband will say, do you want to go? It’s like, nah, I don’t know. But if Chamberlain’s going, I want to go. Because if he can do it, I can do it. Plus, he always brings the fun.” 

As for Chamberlain’s advice to younger hikers? “Just keep going,” he says. “Do your yoga, do your daily exercises, walk every day. You never quit. You just can’t quit.” 

Chris Maccini is a writer and audio producer based in Spokane. This winter, you can find him on the ski slopes and cross-country trails of Mount Spokane. 

The post At 89, Spokane’s Galen Chamberlain Completes the “100 Hikes” Challenge appeared first on Out There Venture.

If you are dreaming of sunnier, warmer days outside, the Spokane Great Outdoors Expo is a shot of summer when we need it most in the dead of winter. It’s a lively gathering with experts in the local outdoors community, RVs and outdoor gear on display and for sale, presentations and demonstrations on a variety of outdoor topics, prize drawings, and enough engaging kids’ activities to keep families occupied for hours. Visit Spokaneoutdoorexpo.com for the full schedule and details.  

TONS OF FUN FOR KIDS & PARENTS 

The Spokane Great Outdoors Expo is a savior if your family has been spending their winter days indoors, with enough kids’ activities, entertainment and indoor bike riding to turn another winter weekend at home into an adventure! Parents will find plenty to love, including RVs and outdoor gear, outfitters and gear shops, travel destinations and a full bar. 

Extreme Halfpipe Skateboarding Demos  

Watch rippin’ skateboarders pull off sick stunts on and off the half pipe! Demonstrations happen both days indoors at the Expo courtesy of Hopper Skateboards, Yousta, and sponsor Layne Stoops State Farm, your local Spokane insurance agency. 

Kids’ Adventure Passport Activity 

Kids and parents can explore the Great Outdoors Expo, visiting multiple booths to complete learning activities, art projects and other creative and fun challenges. Kids collect stamps in a passport booklet at each station that can be exchanged for a bag of prizes for kids and parents when they finish. 

Magic Shows by Magician Matthew Vanzee 

Kids and adults will be dazzled by these shows all weekend long by talented local magician Matthew Vanzee. Last year, his shows drew a standing-room-only crowd as he performed tricks that inspired wonder, gasps and laughter. Don’t miss this show! 

Live Wild Animal Presentations 

Get up close and personal with live snakes, other reptiles, insects, and raptors including hawks and owls and learn about these amazing animals (presentations both days). 

• Reptiles Presentation: Learn about the fascinating world of reptiles by getting up close with some live reptiles in a hands-on learning experience. Gain a deeper appreciation for these often-misunderstood creatures.  

• Hawk and Owl Presentation: Discover the world of birds of prey and see some live raptors up close while learning about the hunting skills, behaviors, and unique characteristics of these impressive birds as well as the role they play in maintaining ecological balance in the wild.  

Kids’ Indoor Bike Riding Area  

Kids of all ages can try out different bikes, from Strider balance bikes for the littles to BMX bikes for “kids” of all ages including adults in an indoor riding area (all weekend long). 

Archery for Kids and Youth 

Learn about archery with local experts and get the chance to experience the art of the bow and arrow in a safe, educational environment—all indoors.  

Marshmallow Roasting 

Roast free marshmallows at our indoor “Expo Campground” around a faux campfire, complete with live music, camp chairs and games. 

Learn How to Use a Crosscut Saw 

Ever wonder what it’s like to be on the end of a cross-cut saw clearing trail? Give it a try with members of the Idaho Trails Association and learn about ways you can help keep Idaho’s wilderness trails clear and accessible while meeting other like-minded volunteers. 

Indoor Expo Campground 

Enjoy our indoor campground as you dream about next summer’s adventures! Kick back in a camp chair, roast a marshmallow, play yard games, enjoy an adult beverage, check out RVs from R’nR RV and listen to live American string music. The indoor “Campground” is also where we hold hourly drawings for thousands of dollars in outdoor gear and other prizes. 

JOIN NEGATIVE SPLIT’S 5K “SWAG RUN”  

What’s the Swag Run, you ask? If you’re even a casual runner, this is your chance to get outside on a 5K run with other smiling faces and get a morning workout on the scenic trails and pathways around Riverfront Park and the Spokane River. The cool thing about Negative Split’s Swag Run is that participants get to take home leftover swag from past races. The race starts and finishes at the Great Outdoors Expo at the Spokane Convention Center Saturday morning (Feb. 21). Runners also score a free ticket to the Great Outdoors Expo at the finish line! Sign up at Nsplit.com. 

FREE ENTRY INTO THE SPOKANE GOLF SHOW 

Your Expo ticket doubles as entry to the Spokane Golf Show going on in the same space at the convention center.  

PRESENTATIONS ON OUTDOORSY TOPICS  

Learn about wildlife, trails and natural history at presentations by local experts happening all weekend long. Past presentations have covered topics including staying safe in the outdoors around bears and other predators, wilderness survival, local trails and natural areas, navigating the different types of e-bikes and where you can ride them, identifying native birds and more. Check the full schedule at Spokaneoutdoorexpo.com. 

SCORE A FREE BONUS ADVENTURE DEAL WITH YOUR TICKET  

Choose from one of several free bonus adventure deals with your Spokane Great Outdoors Expo ticket purchase while they last. All bonus deals are redeemable only at the 2026 Spokane Great Outdoors Expo with your ticket stub. In past years, bonus deals included discounts on indoor climbing, ziplining, Stonerose Fossil Site digging, Route of the Hiawatha kids’ shuttle, skydiving and more! 

OVER 70 OUTDOOR EXPERTS ALL IN ONE PLACE 

Talk to real human experts on all things outdoor recreation related at the Great Outdoors Expo, from nonprofit conservation groups, public lands managers and outdoor clubs to RV dealers and overlanding companies, travel destinations, outdoor gear retailers, outfitters and guides and more. 

Whether you’re planning next summer’s adventures, looking for family fun in the middle of winter or just wanting to connect with Spokane’s outdoors community, the Great Outdoors Expo is the place to be. Mark your calendar for Feb. 21–22 and get ready to explore the outdoors—indoors. Visit Spokaneoutdoorexpo.com for more info and tickets.  

The post EXPLORE THE GREAT OUTDOORS INSIDE AT THE SPOKANE GREAT OUTDOORS EXPO   appeared first on Out There Venture.

By Brad Naccarato 

The first snowflakes of the 2025-26 season have already started accumulating at area resorts. Stoke is high, and the general feeling is that this could be another stellar year in the mountains. If you’ve made the decision to finally upgrade your ride or style, local shops stock some of the hottest new gear of the season. These are a few of their season favorites. 

Solnix (Spokane on North Division)     

Solnix (previously Shred Sports) continues to grow both its hard- and soft-good lines offered throughout the store. With a full-service ski and snowboard tech center already in place, they’ve got big plans for next year to add a rental fleet.   

If you’re looking to upgrade your skis this year, take a look at the Armada ARV. “Armada is really killing it this year with their all-mountain ski lineup,” said Solnix sales associate Dax Murrell. “It’s a versatile one-ski quiver with tip and tail rocker that moves easily from groomers to powder.” The ARV is offered in 95, 100, or 106 millimeters at the waist. The men’s ski retails for $699 and the women’s for $599. 

On the snowboard side of things, the patented new FASE step-in binding system is taking the snowboard world by storm. It’s now being utilized by several binding manufacturers for the 25/26 season. One of those leading the pack is the ROME Katana. “It’s like a standard highback, two-buckle binding, but with the added advantage of being able to slide in or out of it super quick,” said Murrell. The Katana uses a hinging high back mechanism that enables the user to step-in without completely disengaging the buckles. “There are no drawbacks like with the old step-in systems of snowboarding’s early days. You still have the great edge control of a standard high-back binding, but now the ease of use that comes with a step-in system.” The Katana retails for $429. 

Need some new goggles? Oakley is charging hard this year with its 50th anniversary collection. “Oakley has what it calls the ‘perfect lens’ with zero distortion and an enhanced field of view,” said Murrell. “They also use Switchlock tech, so you can swap out lenses super quick based on conditions.” The Oakley Line Miner Pro goggles retail for $317 and come with two sets of lenses.  

Alpine Haus (North Spokane and South Hill) 

Alpine Haus is celebrating the one-year anniversary of their new Northside location, in addition to the 10^th anniversary of the current owners taking over and revitalizing the long-standing Alpine Haus shop on the South Hill. Alpine Haus continues its tradition of investing in future skiers and riders with the ever-popular bargain season-lease program for $159 for kids or $259 for adults.  

Looking for a different type of snowboard boot? The Union Reset Pro might scratch the itch. “The Reset is really a revolutionary new boot in that it’s built to last 100 plus days, much like a ski boot, with a durable outer shell and BOA tech for a locked-in fit,” said store manager Chad Ohman. “They’re a higher price-point boot, but they’re handcrafted in Italy and are fully heat moldable,” he added. The Reset Pro comes in at $649.  

On the ski boot front, Armada is making waves with its new AR One freeride boots. “It’s similar to the old Full-Tilt style boots, but it utilizes a ‘slingshot’ buckle across the ankle that operates through a cable pulley at a 45-degree angle, locking you tight into the heel pocket,” said Ohman. “With Salomon and Atomic under the same parent company, Armada was able to lean on a lot of tech from their sibling companies in the development of this boot.” The AR is offered in a 90/100/110/120/130 flex. Prices range from $450-$875.  

Most people overlook socks, but you don’t want to look past Le Bent’s line of Pro-Series socks. “Le Bent uses traditional merino wool, but, instead of blending it with polyester, they use bamboo, which gives them an amazingly soft feel,” Ohman said. “They recently surveyed 120 of the best boot fitters around the country and 100 of them said Le Bent was their go-to sock.” Le Bent offers several cushion levels ranging in price from $42-$44. 

Escape Outdoors (Coeur d’Alene) 

Nestled in the heart of the Village at Riverstone, Escape Outdoors has been supplying Coeur d’Alene’s skiers and riders with stylish, high-end outdoor apparel and accessories for the last 17 years. Founded locally in 2004, Escape also operates a Bellevue, Wash., location.  

As one of the oldest outdoor apparel manufacturers in the world, Helly Hansen has been outfitting adventurers since 1877. They know a thing or two about what works. As one of the region’s only Helly dealers, Escape’s assistant manager, Ashley Taylor, is hyped for their new Legendary Pant for women. “It’s a breathable, lightweight, waterproof pant that’s just a great all-around ski piece for ladies,” said Taylor. “The best part though is the PrimaLoft insulation that gives you that extra bit of warmth on those super chilly days,” she adds. The Legend retails for $205.  

Norrona, a Norwegian-based company, has been a rising star in the American outdoor apparel industry. While they might not be on most American’s radar yet, they’ve been a big player in the Northern European market for decades. “We just started carrying Norrona this year and I’m very excited about their Lofoten Pro Gore-Tex Freeride Jacket,” Taylor said. “It comes in some really unique colorways and it’s also got all the bells and whistles—zip-off powder skirt, pit zips and a helmet-compatible hood.” With an elite level of 3-layer Gore-Tex protection, the Lofoten retails for $899.  

On the accessory side of things, Autumn’s new winter beanie collection has been a best seller at Escape. “Autumn has a really diverse collection with lots of cool patterns to choose from. They are super comfy and super popular,” said Taylor. Autumn’s new winter collection of beanies retails from $24-$28. 

Ski Shack (Hayden) 

Ski Shack has been serving the Hayden community and well beyond for almost 50 years. A full-service ski and snowboard shop, they also have rental and demo options available. You’ll also find a large assortment of soft goods and accessories packed into their eclectic shop on Government Way. 

Year after year, Nordica always hauls in the ski-test awards with the Enforcer line-up. This year is no exception. “They did a slight re-design on the ski, making it a little lighter and a little more flexible,” said ski tech Carson Dowell. “It’s the most versatile and advanced all-mountain ski that Nordica has ever made, and it continues to dominate the market,” he added. New for this year, the Nordica Enforcer now comes in waist widths of 89/94/99/104. It retails from $849-$899. 

For snowboards, Dowell is pretty high on the new Nitro Alternator. “It’s a lot of value for the money. It’s got an 8 flex, with a big spooned-out nose, so it’s more of an all-mountain board but still rides really good in powder,” he said. As the region’s only Nitro dealer, Ski Shack has the Alternator listed at $579.  

2-Wheeler & Ski Dealer (Hayden) 

2-Wheeler has been a staple in the Nordic gear department for folks over in Hayden for decades. For this upcoming season, the shop is not carrying any new in-line Nordic products, but they still have a great selection of skis, boots and bindings from last season.  

If you’re looking for a whole new setup, it’s hard to beat Rossignol’s BC 65 ski/binding combo. “Rossi’s BC 65 is our bestselling setup because it works great for on-track snow but will go anywhere off-track you’re willing to take it,” said assistant manager Pat Hutchins. “The waxless Positrack base makes it super grippy for small climbs when you need it,” he added. The BC retails for $399 (with Nordic bindings).  

If you’re going to spring for new skis, you might as well go all-in and grab a new pair of boots like the Rossignol BC X5 women’s or BC X6 men’s boot, designed specifically to pair with the BC line of skis. They retail for $199 and $225, respectively.  

Gear Garage (Coeur d’Alene) 

Located in the heart of downtown Coeur d’Alene, Gear Garage has become the go-to place for used ski and snowboard equipment but they also sell and demo new equipment and are the area’s only dealer for Icelantic skis and Never Summer snowboards.  

Owner Matt Dingman is super excited about the shop’s new demo ski packages they now have in stock. “We’ve got a ton of Völkl, Nordica and Blizzard demo skis on the wall this year. These are this year’s models and many of them have only been on snow a handful of times, and some are brand new,” said Dingman. “You’ll save up to 30% off with these models since they are considered used by the manufacturer since they’ve been mounted,” he added. Prices range from $479-$1,039 (price includes a mounted demo binding). 

Alpine Shop (Sandpoint) 

Serving Sandpoint since 1966, Alpine Shop operates both a downtown store and a mountaintop location in Schweitzer Village. Both shops offer full-service ski and snowboard tuning as well as custom boot fitting.  

If you’re looking for that groomed snow, all-star performer, the Stökli Stormrider 88 has been one of the shop’s bestselling skis. “It’s a pure hand-made Swiss ski that’s nimble, versatile, and really knows no speed limit,” said general manager Andre Bircher. “It loves to run on the groomers, but really can be skied anywhere,” he added. The Storm Rider retails at $1,439. 

If battery-powered, heated accessories are your thing, Alpine Shop has several new offerings from Thermic, one of the pioneers of heated footbed technology. “Thermic now has rechargeable, heated base layers, glove liners and socks. These are the kinds of things that really come in handy on those cold January days,” he said. Thermic’s heated gloves retail for $339. 

Outdoor Experience (Sandpoint) 

This downtown Sandpoint shop has always been the city’s primary Nordic ski shop. They also offer a full line of winter apparel from many of the industry’s top manufacturers. On the hard goods side, they are strong believers in the Rossignol BC setups, which have always been big sellers. 

On the soft goods side of things, Outdoor Experience sales associate Hank Graves loves the new Deviator Hoody from Outdoor Research. “It’s a super breathable, fast-drying midlayer, but can be used as an outer layer on nicer days,” he said. “It’s a very versatile soft-shell piece that’s well suited for the aerobic demands of backcountry skiing.”  

If you want to match the bottom with the top, then you’ll want to grab the Deviator Wind Pants as well. “These are athletic, softshell wind pants. Together, these two make for a killer combo that’ll have you covered in all but the most extreme conditions,” Graves added. The Deviator Hoody and Pants retail for $229 and $139, respectively.

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Photo courtesy of Lara Gricar

Mount Spokane Nordic Skiing & Snowshoeing: Groomed Trails and Winter Routes

Mount Spokane remains the heavyweight of winter trail systems in the Inland Northwest. With 37 miles of groomed Nordic skiing, dedicated snowshoe routes, warming huts, and dependable early-season snow, it’s the closest thing we have to a full-service Nordic and snowshoe winter recreation area. Skate skiers, classic skiers, and snowshoers each get their own space, and grooming is typically excellent thanks to the park’s volunteer-supported program. Please note that snowshoeing and fat biking are not allowed on Nordic trails. You can check the Nordic trails grooming report here.

Location: 45 minutes northeast of Spokane
Passes: For Nordic skiing on the groomed trails you’ll need a Washington Sno-Park Pass plus Special Groomed Trails sticker. For snowshoeing when parking in the snowmobile/snowshoeing/backcountry touring lot before heading up to the Nordic area parking lot at Selkirk Lodge warming hut, only a standard Sno-Park Pass is required.

49° North Nordic Trails: Groomed Cross-Country Skiing & Snowshoe Routes

Tucked into a quiet corner of the Colville National Forest, the 49° North Nordic Center is smaller than Mt. Spokane but offers scenic forest trails. The trail system includes roughly 13 kilometers of groomed skate and classic routes that are also open to fat biking, plus a couple marked snowshoe trails that wind through the woods. With rolling terrain and a laid-back vibe, it’s often less crowded than Mount Spokane and great for intermediate skiers.

Location: A little over an hour north of Spokane near Chewelah
Passes: Washington Sno-Park Pass plus the Special Groomed Trail sticker

Riverside State Park Snowshoeing & Nordic Options Close to Spokane

When you only have a short window to get outside and there’s snow on the ground, Riverside is tough to beat. Snowshoers can explore existing paths that are often groomed for fat biking near Seven Mile or connect with the Centennial Trail after storms. In some past winters, the park has groomed a small Nordic loop usually in the Equestrian Area—when snow depth allows. Grooming isn’t guaranteed, but when the coverage is good, it’s one of the easiest ways to fit skiing into a busy week if you live in the Spokane area.

Location: Within Spokane city limits
Passes: Washington Discover Pass

Fourth of July Pass Nordic Ski Trails: Groomed Classic Loops in North Idaho

Fourth of July Pass is one of the most approachable winter trail systems for beginners. Managed by the Panhandle Nordic Club and the Forest Service, the area offers 12–15 miles of groomed classic Nordic trails, along with open snowshoe access on most of the forest roads and surrounding terrain. Routes like the Lodgepole Loop provide mellow grades and plenty of space to cruise in the trees.

Location: 20 minutes east of Coeur d’Alene along I-90
Passes: Idaho Park N’ Ski pass required; voluntary donations support grooming

Lookout Pass Cross-Country & Backcountry Ski Touring Routes

Lookout Pass is one of the most reliable places in the region to find deep winter snow, and while the ski area is known for its chairlifts, the surrounding terrain offers several quiet Nordic and touring options. Trails follow old railroad grades, snowmobile trails and Forest Service roads, creating long, gentle routes ideal for classic skiing, skate skiing on firm days, or easygoing tours. (Note: The Route of the Hiawatha is not open to Nordic skiing.)

A favorite outing is along the old Northern Pacific rail grade in either direction from the Lookout Pass ski area parking lot. It’s a wide, groomed snowmobile corridor with big views and mellow terrain. From Lookout Pass, skiers looking for more mileage can head east toward Taft or west toward the Hale Hatchery on the same rail bed—both long, scenic glides with shuttle or out-and-back options. Snowmobile grooming provides a consistently packed surface on these shared-use routes.

Location: Right off I-90 at the Idaho–Montana border
Passes: No Park N’ Ski pass required at the Lookout Pass ski area base parking lot but parking may be limited on weekends.
Notes: Expect mixed-use traffic; some short walk-through sections at tunnels or underpasses

Palouse Divide Nordic Area: Quiet Idaho Backcountry Skiing & Snowshoeing

For skiers looking for a more remote classic, skate and backcountry trails and routes, the Palouse Divide north of Potlatch offers wide, rolling ski routes on old forest roads. The area typically has groomed classic tracks and plenty of room for snowshoers to wander. It’s quiet, uncrowded and surrounded by deep forest—perfect for skiers who prefer solitude.

Location: 1 hr. 20 min. south of Coeur d’Alene or east of Moscow
Passes: Idaho Park N’ Ski Pass required for winter parking

Whether you’re gliding across fresh corduroy or tromping through untouched powder, the Inland Northwest delivers some of the best winter Nordic ski and snowshoe days in the Northwest, and the season always rewards the ones who show up. For more cross-country ski and snowshoe trail recommendations, check out our 2014 guide to North Idaho’s winter trails here.

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By Sara Kennedy

This lyrical, genre-blending book explores the title question through a series of river visits made by the author. Weaving together adventures to the River of the Cedars in Ecuador, the Chennai River in India, and the Mutehekau Shipu in Canada, Macfarlane ties them together with observations of a spring in his own neighborhood. 

Each river in his tale faces an existential crisis: the River of the Cedars is under threat of destruction, pollution, and poisoning from multinational mining corporations; the Chennai has become a river of sludge due to poor urban planning; and the Mutehekau Shipu is in the crosshairs of Hydro-Québec for the next major multi-dam project. Even the little backyard spring suffers due to overutilization of the aquifer that feeds it. 

“Is a River Alive?” is beautifully written. The author used words in new ways that I didn’t expect, but his descriptions are so graphically clear and relevant, I knew just what he meant. He did, blessedly, include a glossary, since he also used quite a few unusual words. ‘Quaquaversal’, ‘anchoritic’, and ‘bradyseism’ are now useful, if infrequently used, additions to my own vocabulary.  

The book is a thoughtful consideration of the rights of nature movement, which requires asking even more questions. If a river is a living entity, what rights does it have? And if we as river stewards are to advocate for a river’s rights, how do we know what it wants?  

My mind drifted to our own Spokane River as I read, with its heavy metals, PCBs, and occasional sewage or mineral oil spills. If the Spokane River is alive, what does she want? A complicated question, so be warned: “If you’re going to open Pandora’s box, make sure to stand behind the lid when you do so.”

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By Jon Jonckers

Across Spokane County, so many regional parks and trailheads underwent dramatic upgrades and improvements that it’s impossible to pick a favorite in 2025. Beginning last May, Liberty Lake Regional Park received an expanded and paved parking lot with 88 regular and three accessible parking spaces, new lighting, and improved stormwater management, all connected via a new sidewalk to the beach area. Zephyr Road, leading into the park, was widened, repaved and improved to accommodate RVs and buses.  

Located in north Spokane County, Bear Lake Regional Park received an entire facelift. Shorelines were improved for launching kayaks and paddleboards, and the county added three 10footwide fishing docks with lowered-rail design to improve safety and usability. The main restroom facilities were also fully upgraded, and a new lakeside picnic shelter was built on the site of the former caretaker’s house. 

The addition of a trailhead at the popular Knothead Loop hike is a major boost for Riverside State Park. Not too far from the Little Spokane River, the new trailhead features a gravel lot with roughly 38 regular and two accessible parking spots, a vault toilet, a kiosk and overnight gates about 300 yards north of Indian Painted Rocks on Rutter Parkway. This radically improves the parking problems at the Painted Rocks trailhead. 

The Liberty Lake community also gained an improved launchpad for running, walking or cycling at the Harvard Road Trailhead for the Centennial Trail. The fresh design for this trailhead includes ADA access, improved parking, two EV charging stations, a vault toilet, as well as a new water station for people and pets.  

Last but certainly not least, construction began at Pines Road and Trent Avenue for a new roundabout. This is part of a larger project involving BNSF Railway and the adjacent intersection. This project will take up to two years, but the endgame includes a new Centennial Trail trailhead and adds sidewalks and shared-use paths for the safety of pedestrians, schoolchildren and cyclists. (Jon Jonckers)   

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Cover photo courtesy of Shallan Knowles

Ever had that feeling that it’s September (already?!), and you haven’t had your fill of hiking, pedaling, kayaking or huck picking? What the heck happened to summer? Well, you’re in luck. With cooler fall temps promising perfect outdoor adventure weather, the good times out on the trails are not over yet.   

The Inland Northwest is crisscrossed with incredible long-distance rail trails, cycling routes and pathways that seem to get better every year. The Route of the Hiawatha is at its smooth, gravelly prime. The Trail of the Coeur d’Alene’s famed moose and great blue heron sightings are plentiful. More and more family and friends are embarking on the Bitterroot 300, enjoying the sleepy Saint Joe River wilds as well as the Route of the Olympian rail trail heading deeper into Montana. The North Idaho and Spokane River Centennial trails continue to be improved upon, raising the recreational experiences of walkers, cyclists and dogs alike.   

As fall draws ever closer, the only climate-change positive is a longer cycling season expanding well into October and beyond. If you are hoping to fit in a fall ride on the Route of the Hiawatha, you’ll need to make it happen by Sept. 21, when the “Tunnel” shuts down for the season. The fall cycling season is the best, with little to no precipitation, no bugs, and few people, which means the trails are wide open to ride.  

With another summer trails season behind us, I want to take the opportunity in this public-lands focused edition of Out There to draw attention to an issue that continually jams my saddle: poor trail etiquette. When I ride, which I do almost as much as possible or as long as a pair of clean bike shorts are available, I am all about enjoying the aesthetics of the trail I’m on. Be it the wilderness-like Hiawatha or more urban-focused Centennial, I am in the moment of the “the ride.”  

I stop frequently to enjoy the flora and fauna, chat it up with other cyclists, and soak up the glorious recreational amenities we have such easy access to. My focus, naturally, is not on who is speedily coming up from behind me hell-bent on a Tour de France-type ride. I am looking around, checking out flowers, wildlife prints in the mud, the sound of the river or wind in the trees. Many other riders out there on our shared trails are similarly absorbed in their own in-the-moment experience much of the time and not looking out for potential moving hazards either. This is where trail etiquette comes into play. It’s every trail user’s responsibility to do their best to keep each other safe and take care of the trail and surrounding environment. 

Trail Etiquette for Cyclists, Hikers and Dog Walkers  

Here are some trail-behavior basics we all need to follow to keep it fun and safe out on our region’s trails (especially when they are long and straight rail trails). 

Be Courteous: 

• Stay to the right when enjoying the trail. 

• Slower traffic and pedestrians have the right of way. 

• Make yourself known when overtaking another user by announcing something like “on your left” or deploying a bike bell. 

• Always pass other trail users on the left (assuming they are following the rules and are on the right side of the trail). 

Ride Safely and Responsibly: 

• Avoid sudden changes of direction. 

• Announce yourself when stopping or turning. 

• Yield when entering or crossing roadways. 

• Don’t block the trail. 

Protect Natural Resources: 

• Pack out all of your trash and strive to leave no trace. 

• Enjoy wildlife sightings, but don’t disturb or get too close to wildlife. 

• Stay on existing trails to reduce erosion and avoid trampling plants. 

Control and Pick Up After Your Pet 

• Leashes are required for dogs on Idaho and Washington state park trails unless otherwise posted. 

• Always pick up and pack out your best friend’s droppings. 

• Don’t let your dog chase after other trail users, other pets or wildlife. 

By making a small effort to use the above trail etiquette tips, we can all more fully enjoy our trails and public lands. Learn about more trails in the Idaho Panhandle and find more trail etiquette recommendations at Friendsofcdatrails.org. Feel free to contact me with any trail comments or questions at wallacepm56@gmail.com. See you out on the trails! 

The post Sharing the Trails: Fall Adventures and Friendly Reminders Cycling, hiking and dog walking with respect for nature and others  appeared first on Out There Venture.

The park’s history runs deep. Riverside was developed in 1933 and 1934 by members of the Civilian Conservation Corps, and visitors can still see evidence of their work today. The Spokane House Interpretive Center highlights the area’s past, with exhibits about the Spokane Tribe of Indians, early pioneers, fur trappers and trading posts dating back to 1810. 

No story of Riverside State Park would be complete without mentioning Riverside State Park Foundation. The all-volunteer nonprofit supports the park with improvements and activities in consultation with park staff, including financial donations and community volunteer hours that help ensure the park remains accessible for generations to come. Every dollar donated goes directly to park projects, equipment and programs—funding everything from drinking fountains, dog leashes and water bowls to trail signage, picnic tables, bike racks, landscaping trees, trailers, mowers, generators, e-bikes for ranger patrols, volunteer tools and even log splitters. 

Riverside State Park Foundation also hosts annual educational events such as “Wednesdays in the Woods” and fundraisers such as “The Grind,” a new gravel bike race planned for Riverside State Park on Oct. 11. These activities not only raise awareness but build appreciation and commitment to caring for this unique and valuable public park. 

The post Riverside State Park and the Foundation That Helps It Thrive  appeared first on Out There Venture.

Decades ago, SAS helped the Inland Northwest Land Conservancy (INLC) secure what became the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Reardan Audubon Lake Wildlife Area. Several years ago, SAS helped Dishman Hills Conservancy add the Wilson property to the natural area in Spokane Valley. Just this year, SAS contributed to INLC’s campaign to acquire the Glen Tana property on the Little Spokane River to connect the Waikiki Springs Nature Preserve to Riverside State Park. 

SAS members also volunteer with habitat restoration and other conservation work on public lands like Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge and Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area. We lead bird walks at all of these places and many more to help you enjoy everything from colorful avocets to noisy wood-pewees.  

If you care about public lands like SAS does, you care about birds. Learn more at Audubonspokane.org.  

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