EXPLANATORY STATEMENT 

Bikepacking is a method of recreation that entails riding your bicycle loaded with all of your camp gear across potentially wild terrain to get to and from a predetermined campsite. “The Packfiller Podcast” host and creator Pat Bulger went on his first bikepacking trip last summer, and he did not fall in love. Pat’s “against bikepacking” argument has been met with a spirited rebuttal from Out There’s “Everyday Cyclist” columnist, Justin Short. Read on for a “pro backpacking” argument from cyclist and regular contributor Carol Corbin, who ultimately would choose bikepacking again and again. Carefully review these arguments and make an educated decision on whether bikepacking should be your next great summer adventure. 

AGAINST ARGUMENT: A Cyclist’s first Bikepacking Trip 

By Pat Bulger 

Freedom to explore. At one with nature. Off the grid. Simple. These are just a few of the comments I regularly hear from cyclists who have entered the world of bikepacking. Long gone are the days of “tourists” who would load pound after pound of camping gear, clothing, and personal items onto their bike to slowly, arduously, pedal to some chosen destination to sleep on the ground and painfully do so again the next day. Bikes are lighter. Camping gear is packable and efficient. Bike bags are waterproof, rugged, and creatively designed. Bikepacking is here to stay.  

Then why do I dislike it the way a school librarian dislikes childhood joy? Last summer, I assigned myself the task of an overnight bikepacking trip. I had already purchased most of the equipment needed on, well, let’s be honest here, some random evenings with a glass of adult beverage and an open shopping web browser. The destination was decided upon as a “medium” distance to test everything out, stay the night, experience the “joy,” and pedal home the next day. The destination, beautiful Lake Benewah, was just outside of St. Maries, Idaho, about 45-50 miles each way depending on the route loaded into my GPS.  

Fast forward two days later, in 98-degree heat, on a rear flat tire that I had no energy to change for the last three miles, massive heat exhaustion, a sore back and neck from the “sleeping pad” I endured, GPS mistakes, and, I have to say that bikepacking can, well, take a hike.  

Here are my reasons why I’ll take a pass on bikepacking.  

1. I ride my bike for the feeling that I experienced as a child. The feeling of flying. The wind in my face. The speed. Bikepacking, as a close friend once said to me, is “like you’re a bird who’s had their wings clipped.” A fully-loaded bike with all of my gear was over 50 pounds. Fifty! Why not just give me a classic Schwinn Varsity with rubbing brakes?! Getting out of the saddle to climb, accelerate, or even relieve sit bone pressure was impossible, and maintaining any type of momentum was akin to pedaling with flat tires in tapioca pudding.  
 

2. Camping is great. Heck, even tent camping is great. But, after four hours in the saddle maintaining a scant 14 mph, I would have happily traded for a subpar hotel and a pizza place. Every time I moved the next morning I emitted verbal sounds that could only be described as “old man grunts.” This being said, I do have to attest to the great food and coffee options that have been made available to those adventuring out into the woods. Give me a proper RV and day trips from a campsite instead, please.  
 

3. Once arriving at your destination, there is little chance of obtaining any extra provisions. My wonderful camp host informed me that, should I want to grab some cold beverages or additional snacks, my closest option was a “short 17-mile drive” away. Yeah, I wasn’t about to add 34 miles to my adventure.  

I now fully understand why many bikepacking social media groups I follow tend to have a multitude of equipment for sale. Anyone want to buy some bike bags? 

AGAINST REBUTTLE: “Hold Your Horses, Pat” 

By Justin Short  

Don’t go selling your bikepacking gear just yet—we haven’t even been on an overnight adventure together. But before we go, we’ve got to talk about your route. I think you learned the hard way why you should never ever under any circumstances go bikepacking in the Palouse during the dog days of summer. There’s no amount of water you can carry that won’t be instantly vaporized along with all of the moisture in your body in that treeless hellscape.  

Heyburn State Park is a lovely destination, though, and there’s a much better way to get there when the Palouse has reached the temperature of the sun. Ride out the Centennial Trail to Coeur d’Alene; you’ll probably carry enough speed coasting from the South Hill to get halfway there. Get a good cup of coffee and a devastating pastry at the Bakery by the Lake, then make your way over the saddle to the far side of the lake for a delightfully scenic pedal to Beauty Bay Campground, where you’ll refill water bottles from the crusty old cast iron pump with the most delicious and refreshing water sipped by anyone ever.  

Okay, the climb over Caribou Ridge is a ball-buster, but it’s a cool, shady ball-buster. Ride the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes down to Harrison, jump in the lake, get some ice cream, and then stock up on the much longed-for provisions, such as fizzy beverages and snacks for the return trip. You’re 11 miles from camp.  

And that brings me to my next point: never take directions from the camp host. I’ve listened to a well-intentioned camp host pour over my map for a half hour about some scenic route I needed to take; the map was upside down. Your host obviously wanted you killed if they recommended the 17-mile ride into St. Maries. Never mind the bike, that road is terrifying to drive in a semi. If you’re needing the services of a major metro area, Plummer, Idaho, is much closer, and the entire ride is on the bike trail.   

“Crunchy old man back” is a thing with which I am well acquainted. All I can say is, experiment with air pressure. My wife carries an inflatable body pillow and a feather pillow with her now, and I hear far less grumbling from her side of the tent these days.  

Finally, 14 mph is slow?!! That is literally flying by bikepacking standards. If I ever hit a double-digit average speed, it’s like 10 or 11 mph, tops. And I don’t even want to know how much my bike weighs when it’s loaded, but it’s a lot closer to ALL THE POUNDS than 50 pounds.  

So, let’s set a date during the fair weather for a fun and easy overnighter with the Gravel Braintrustees. I promise, there won’t be much bushwhacking, but one of us will definitely make you laugh so hard you’ll shoot fizzy electrolyte water out of your nostrils. 

FOR ARGUMENT: “People and Puffy Pants” 

By Carol Corbin 

It was only 37 miles, and mostly flat, but after only four “base-building” rides in the last three months, it was a relief to be out of the saddle. My tent, pad, and sleeping bag were set up for the night with clean, warm socks and a cozy base layer. As my travel companions gathered deadfall for a campfire, I wriggled into my puffy pants and was engulfed in warmth. But not just physical warmth. A soul warmth. A warmth that comes from a physically demanding day fading into a magical, starlit night. 

When I discovered bikepacking half a dozen years ago, it combined two things I love the most about being outside. Pedaling a bicycle and having everything I need to survive–and sometimes even be comfortable–in whatever level of wilderness in which I might find myself. Since that first ride with my five-year-old on the Palouse to Cascades Trail, I’ve spent many nights in tents, my faithful gravel bike outside, my dusty Revelate bags crowding around me, and another day in the saddle awaiting when I wake up. 

Over the years, I’ve come to know intimately that bikepacking is hard. Really hard. Throw-my-bike-off-the-side-of-a-mountain hard. On nearly every trip, there is at least one moment when I cry out in anguish, “Why can’t I be indoorsy?!” And yet, I still go. This particular trip, my puffy pants accompanied me on my fifth annual “Fishtrap Shakedown,” where a few intrepid bikepackers pedal from our front doors in Spokane to the “wilderness” of Fishtrap Recreation Area in the channeled scablands for an overnight review of just what this activity requires. 

“Why are you doing this?” For every time I’ve been asked this question by others, I’ve probably asked it of myself at least twice. And it’s hard to put into words. The meditative process of making a packing list, and then assembling dusty, trail-worn and intimately familiar gear, is blissful! As I press sleeping bag and tent into compression bags, zip headlamp and powerbank into a frame pack, and carefully tuck a fuel canister into my steel cup, cushioning it with a wool beanie, I picture myself reveling in the simplicities of life away from . . . everything. Everything but my tent, my bike, my people, and, ultimately myself. 

Through the years, my most memorable and empowering experiences have been bike-based. As have many of my closest friendships, and most memorable transient ones. From Melinda and Sue, my ride-or-dies for years, to Jean, who shared a Canadian campsite with us one night in July on her way to Mexico, these are friends whom I can suffer with, laugh with, cry in front of, and maybe even share a freeze-dried pasta meal with at the end of even the roughest trail days. 

Bikepacking strips away everything that isn’t essential. Not just things like furniture and climate-control, but personal insecurities, body image issues, work and family stressors. When I’m making camp after a long day in the saddle, it’s when I feel the most alive, the most connected, and the most, well, me. 

One doesn’t have to look far to find the cons of bikepacking. There is very little comfort and ease. The trail rarely ends in a cold beverage and a hot meal. There’s cold and wet, hot and dry. Mechanical failures, forgotten niceties and necessities, and no easy outs. Sunburns, bug bites, bear encounters, blocked trails, wet feet, cold fingers, cramped legs . . . the list goes on. There are a thousand reasons not to load up your bike and pedal into the wilds. 

But that warmth of the puffy pants and the friends who are the same kind of crazy as me? I’ll pedal a helluva lot farther than 37 miles for that. 

FOR ARGUMENT: “Bikepacking Magic” 

By Eric Deady 

Bikepacking can mean many things to many people, but for me, the best way to describe it is “transformative.” I have seen magic happen on bikepacking trips. The kind of magic that gives you a warm-fuzzy feeling and forces you to look within for its cause. I have seen nervous wrecks transformed into the kind of peaceful pedalers that we all wish we could be. I have seen bodies and minds transformed in ways that beg the question, why can’t I always feel this good?  

You could chalk it up to endorphins, dopamine, and a soup of brain chemicals, and you would be right to credit our biology for some of it. But not all. There is a magic that I have only been able to see and feel on bike trips that can sustain me for months or even years with its power, and it always leaves me yearning for more.  

So, you want some of that magic, eh? All you need to do is go take it! It’s there waiting for you on the top of mountains after a grueling climb. It’s there when your fingers threaten to stop working from the cold of a long, wet descent. It’s there whispering to you from the trees and rivers and clouds and dirt. It’s there when you least expect it and will always leave you a better person.  

You don’t need much to start bikepacking. Bikepacking, in its most basic form, is a person on a bicycle carrying their own camping gear, food and personal items, usually off of paved roads. How that happens, and with whom, is up to you. Of course, there are some things that can make your journey more comfortable, or less traumatic, but it’s all on a scale, and if we wanted easy, we would get in our cars and drive.  

Get the bike that’s comfortable to ride, and make sure it’s tuned, lubed, and loved. Plan a route that sounds fun, or challenging, or beautiful, and get that route onto your phone or GPS. Pack a backpack, or panniers, stuff sacks, or even burlap sacks full of whatever you might need for the time you’ll be out and start pedaling. Keep your senses alert, and your body in tune.  Be safe and smile. No matter what happens, you will find magic.  

The post The Great Bikepacking Debate appeared first on Out There Venture.

Biking

Support your local bike shop and find gifts to get the ones you love out biking more. Here are a few ideas from some Spokane and North Idaho shops, but you can likely find these or other similar bike gift ideas at bike shops around the Inland Northwest.

Specialized Air Tool Sport Floor Pump

This economical, all-metal bike tire pump comes with all of the essentials for easy inflation and an accurate reading. The “SwitchHitter” head automatically switches between Schrader and Presta valves, and replacement parts are available to keep it pumping strong for years. ($50 at Wheel Sport.)

Specialized Deep Winter Merino Tall Sock

Made for the coldest deep winter riding with a warm blend of polyester and merino wool, this sock offers exceptional warmth and odor protection. Special stitching creates exceptional heat retention and moisture wicking with a calf-height length. ($25 at Wheel Sport.)

Cateye Padrone Bike Computer

From the fast-cruising mountain biker to cyclists with vision challenges, the Padrone has a large display screen that’s easy to read on the fly and set up, which means more time biking and less time fiddling with technology.

It covers the most-desired feature bases too: current, average and max speed; trip distance; total distance; elapsed time; a clock; stopwatch; and more. ($55 at Mountain View Cyclery, Hayden, Idaho.)

Specialized Flux 1250 Headlight

The newest, top-of-the-line Flux headlight still comes with an optimal beam pattern, many mounting options, and rugged construction, but builds on the 1200 by increasing lumens and runtime and adding helmet and camera-style mounts. ($140 at Wheel Sport in Spokane, WA, or Two Wheeler & Ski Dealer in Hayden, ID.)

Dimension Suspension Seatpost

This inexpensive upgrade for a hardtail or ebike will give welcome under-seat suspension to any rider. ($40 at Mountain View Cyclery.)

Stocking Stuffers for Cyclists

These stocking stuffers in the $12-$21 price range are recommended by Mountain View Cyclery in Hayden, Idaho, as a welcome addition to any cyclist’s sock come Christmas morning: Muc-off tubeless sealant, Dumonde tech chain lube, Chamois Butt’r, Planet Bike CO2 inflators, misc. energy foods (instead of candy).

Specialized Demo Pro Pants

These downhill-rated mountain bike pants are stretchy, water-repellent, highly breathable, and tough enough to take repeated wipeouts. They are also plenty baggy for layering body armor and pads or a warmer layer for all-year riding. ($130.00 at Two Wheeler & Ski Dealer.)

Endura Singletrack Fleece Jersey

A great fall and spring riding jersey option or to be used as a mid-layer on winter rides. The grid-backed fleece balances insulation and breathability, keeping riders warm and sweat-free for the duration of a ride. ($89.99 at North Division Bicycle.)

Niterider Lumina 1200 Headlight 

All the light a rider needs (1,200 lumens) at a price you can afford. This popular headlight is USB rechargeable and lightweight (172 grams), making helmet mounting an option as well as bar mounting. ($100 on sale at North Division Bicycle.)

45NRTH Nokken Glove

These riding gloves cut the chill out of the cooler weather of shoulder-season rides while still allowing plenty of hand and finger movement without bulky insulation.

Soft, grippy suede on the palm improves control and durability while wind-and-water-resistant soft shell fabric on the forehand adds warmth and comfort. ($65 at North Division Bicycle.)

Smith Outlier 2 Sunglasses

Based on Smith’s bestselling Outlier frame, this version uses bio-based material as well as no-slip nose pads and temple touches for lightweight, 100 percent UV protection sunglasses that stay in place.

Available in two lens options, crystal-clear Carbonic and color-boosting ChromaPop. The latter lens offers a smudge-and-moisture-resistant coating and an anti-reflective coating that improves clarity and reduces eye strain. ($179 at Shred Sports.)

SockGuy Wool Sasquatch Socks

Shrink-resistant and itch-free, these cool Northwest cryptid icon socks keep feet dry and warm in all weather conditions with excellent wicking and durability thanks to a wool blend that’s five times stronger than Merino wool alone. ($15.95 at The Bike Hub.)

DeFeet Duraglove ET Wool Gloves

These gloves have multi-season, multi-use application for road or MTB riding, running, hiking, and other outdoor sports. Use smartphones and other touch-enabled devices. Durable Cordura Nylon for extra abrasion resistance. ($29.99 at The Bike Hub.)

Food & Drink

Baratza Encore Coffee Grinder

The perfect gift for anyone who would appreciate stepping up their coffee brewing game with a quality grinder. The Baratza Encore features conical burrs and 40 grind adjustments that provide the perfect grind size for any brewing method. ($170 at DOMA Coffee Roasters in Post Falls, Idaho.)

Fellow EKG Electric Kettle

This beautiful, electric pour-over kettle for coffee lovers has features to match its looks, including a single-degree temperature choice and a precision pour spout with a counter-balanced handle.

This kettle will heat water to an exact temperature and hold it there for up to one hour. ($165 at DOMA Coffee Roasters in Post Falls.)

Christmas Morning Blend 2022

This Christmas coffee highlights flavors of rich cocoa and cozy spices with its blend of beans from Colombia, Guatemala, and Sumatra. Inspired by the feeling of waking up on Christmas morning knowing that you get to spend the day celebrating. ($17 at ROAM coffee shops in Medical Lake or North Spokane.)

Paperless Paper Towels

These absorbent, washable, 100 percent flannel paper towels are handmade in Spokane. Beautiful pattern choices will complement any kitchen. Gift for a more sustainable option than disposable paper towels, which often come from logging wild forests. Prices vary. Order online at Spokane-Made.com.

Christmas Tin Camping Style Mug

A 17-oz. metal mug with enamel coating and rolled rim for easy coffee sipping. Each one features an exclusive 2022 Roam Christmas design. ($15 at ROAM coffee shops in Medical Lake or North Spokane.)

Water Sports

Carefree Boat Club

The Carefree Boat Club of North Idaho offers members unlimited access to a variety of quality boats. With 95+ locations, members can visit and enjoy boats nationwide. A great gift for the whole family. Details at Northidaho.carefreeboats.com or call 208-929-8617. 

NRS Green Knife

The compact, convenient NRS Green Knife folds up to fit in your life jacket, shirt, paddling top or pants pocket, and stays put with a spring clip.

A tough, all-purpose boating and camping knife that opens with one hand and holds a clean edge. The 2 1/8″ blunt-tip, stainless steel locking blade is big enough for nearly any task. ($39.95 at NRS headquarters in Moscow, Idaho, or online.)

Aquapac Waterproof Phone Case 

Phone protection from water, dirt, dust, and sand that still lets a person talk, listen, and operate controls right through the case. Made from 100 percent recyclable polyurethane, it’s thinner and stays flexible when it’s cold, making it easier to operate equipment inside the case.

The patented lever closure system makes the case waterproof down to 30 feet, and the case should float with a phone inside. ($34.95 at NRS headquarters in Moscow, Idaho, or online.)

NRS Women’s Silkweight Hoodie Dress

Ultralight and breezy, like a sarong, but better. This stylish river dress combines breathable comfort and advanced sun protection.

Made from 100 percent recycled material, the technical fabric enhances the body’s natural cooling process by wicking excess moisture and drying quickly while also providing UPF 50+ sun protection. ($74.95 at NRS headquarters in Moscow, Idaho, or online.)

Kavu Women’s Girl Party Shirt

This shirt is the ultimate women’s river shirt: paddle in it, party in it, live in it on the beach. This classic button-up is 100 percent organic cotton with a men’s shirt cut for roomy comfort. ($50 at NRS headquarters in Moscow, Idaho, or online.)

Books, Art, & Unique Gifts

Crystals, Pendants, Gemstones, and Jewelry at My Crystal Stop

My Crystal Stop hashundreds of pendants from local artists and around the world plus amethyst displays, crystals, jewelry, and more. For a unique gift, try a Crystal Mystery Box with a mix of rocks, crystals, minerals, and other cool stuff (between five and 25 items per box, starting at $29).

Shop at the store at 12120 N Market Street on the northside of Spokane or at mycrystalstop.com.

Books from Auntie’s Bookstore

Auntie’s Bookstore — in downtown Spokane next to Uncle’s Games, Puzzles, & More –– has a huge selection of new and used books for all reading interests, including a large children’s book selection. A few recommended books for outdoor lovers:

• The Bears Ears: A Human History of America’s Most Endangered Wilderness, by acclaimed adventure writer David Roberts. This book, a mix of personal memoir and archival research, is a personal and historical exploration of the Bears Ears country of southeast Utah and the fight to save a national monument ($18.95).
• Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. In this New York Times Bestseller, Kimmerer, a botanist and member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, brings her two lenses of knowledge together to show how other living beings we share this planet with offer us gifts and lessons, even if we’ve forgotten how to hear their voices ($20).

Kizuri Fair-Trade Gifts from around the World

Located on Main Street on downtown Spokane’s east end, Kizuri is a treasure-trove of fair-trade gifts from over 40 countries around the world, including unique items for just about any person and any occasion. Here are a few favorites for the holidays.

• Recycled Silk Placemats: These beautiful placemats are hand-woven from recycled silk sari material on a strong cotton backing. Bright, beautiful, and sturdy, these will last for years and work well on a table or to brighten up a dresser ($11.50).
• Botanical Triangle Earrings: These beautiful “eco-resin” earrings are made by artisans from the central mountainous Andean region in Colombia. The resins are made from waste products created in other industries, like discarded pine bark stripped at lumber mills, and then dotted with beautiful, real florals and leaves.  Ear wires are 24k gold-plated ($42).
• Tibetan Flower Journal: A beautiful, 100-page journal with handmade Lokta paper, an environmentally-friendly, tree-free paper made from the bark of the regenerating Daphne bush. The cover features a traditional Tibetan floral design. This Tibetan-made journal is great for gardeners, frequent writers, or for a guest book or personalized photo album ($22).
• Bike Bookends: Give the cyclist in your life these unique bookends made of hand-painted, recycled iron. Handmade in Moradabad, India, these bookends will turn a stack of books into an organized expression of love for the outdoors ($36).
• Animal Print Beaded Earrings: A love of animals finds expression with these fun, beaded earrings. Made with glass seed beads and gold-plated French ear wires, these beauties are handmade in Guatemala ($32).

Merlyn’s Comics, Games, & Books

Merlyn’s is an iconic downtown Spokane shop full of unique gift ideas, including board games, graphic novels, comics, Magic The Gathering cards, and more.

One of the many recommended board games Merlyn’s carries is CATAN, a modern classic that is available worldwide in over 40 languages, where players take on the roles of settlers and attempt to build and develop holdings while trading and acquiring resources and gaining points as their settlements grow. 

Wildland Cooperative Native Plant Shirts and Sweatshirts

The perfect gift for anyone who loves Inland Northwest native plants and the places where they grow, Northwest Native Plant apparel includes quality shirts and sweatshirts with designs that are hand-drawn and screen-printed locally.

A popular option that will be back in stock for the holidays is the “Plants of Mount Spokane” design, featuring bear grass, fragile fern, ocean spray, and other native plants on a crewneck sweatshirt. ($54 at the Wildland Cooperative market at Green Bluff or online at wildlandcoop.com.)

Fun Gifts, Books, and Toys at Boo Radley’s

Since 1993, Boo Radley’s in downtown Spokane has been the place to find cool, thoughtful, and fun gifts. A few recommendations this holiday season include 11-oz. mugs with Spokane-themed artwork featuring designs by local artists Ken Spiering, Harold Balazs, and Chris Bovey. Choose from the garbage goat, red wagon, or “transcend the B.S.” ($15.95 each).

Also check out Groovy Things socks, which are, well, groovy. More than a pair of socks, you’ll be giving laughs with these attention-grabbing foot coverings that feature humorous slogans such as “It’s not a dad bod. It’s a father figure” ($11.95-$13.95).

The Illuminidol Celebrity Prayer Candles feature a wide range of modern-day celebrities including actors, characters, sports figures, musicians, and public figures portrayed on a candle that’s reminiscent of traditional 8” glass prayer candles ($13.95).

Atticus Coffee & Gifts (downtown Spokane): A great coffee shop with a ton of gifts such as tea, stickers, books, wine, vintage Spokane posters, mugs, and more.

Wonders of the World (Flour Mill in downtown Spokane, near Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena): With a feel like a museum when you step inside (there’s a 50,000-year-old cave bear skeleton and life-sized replica of a T-Rex skull on display), this must-experience Spokane shop has imported gifts from around the world, jewelry, beads, toys, art, gemstones, and unique gifts like beautifully-designed, leather-bound journals; wind chimes; rock salt lamps; and so much more.

Kids & Parents

Havoc Mini Scooter

Built for children or smaller riders, this scooter is the smaller but just as quality version of the Havoc Storm with a 15″ long deck and 15″ tall bars. ($151.99 at Shred Sports.)

Tubbs Snowball Junior Snowshoes

Instill a love of winter at a young age with the Tubbs Snowball, the perfect snowshoe for kids ages 4-8. The QuickLock binding is secure and comfortable while providing easy on and off functionality for kids and parents alike. ($49.95 at Fitness Fanatics, in Spokane Valley, Wash.)

RC Submarine

This realistic, 1:40 scale submarine will provide hours of fun for kids and adults. Set it sailing in a hot tub, bath tub, lake, or mellow saltwater. You can make it submerge, surface, and go forward, backward, left, and right with the remote-control handset.

The sub has a lithium battery and charges by plugging into the remote, which is powered by four AA batteries. ($59.99 at The General Store on Division in Spokane or online.)

Cat Kid Comic Club Series

A graphic novel from the Creator of Dog Man, the excitement and imagination run wild in this series. Award-winning author and illustrator Dav Pilkey employs a variety of techniques including origami, acrylic paints, colored pencils, photography, collage, gouache, watercolors, and more to capture the creative and joyful spirit of collaboration.

The variety of art styles, paired with Pilkey’s trademark storytelling and humor, inspires imagination and innovation for readers of all ages. ($12.99 at Auntie’s Bookstore in Spokane.)

L.L.A.M.A. Card Game

In L.L.A.M.A., ages 8-adult, you want to dump cards from your hand as quickly as you can, but you might not be able to play what you want. Do you quit and freeze your hand or draw and hope to keep playing?

The game ends on the round that at least one player has 40 or more total points, and whoever has the fewest points wins. ($9.99 at Uncles Games, Puzzles, & More in Spokane.)

Nature Bound Rock Tumbler Kit

This tumbler is designed for kids to have a faster gemstone polishing experience (half the normal time).

The kit is easy to use for all ages and comes with everything a budding young rock hound needs, including the tumbler, three types of unpolished gemstones, and polishing powder.

A great gift for kids, families, or teachers. ($52.99 at the General Store on Division in Spokane.)

Crazy Aaron’s Super Lava Thinking Putty

Thinking Putty helps build hand and finger strength through a fabulous tactile play experience with unique, unexpected properties and provides relaxing, yet stimulating, interaction for anyone with sensory integration issues.

The color of lava depends on its temperature and will change shades as it cools, and this Super Lava putty shifts from bright orange to crimson copper, then dark brown to reddish black.

It’s a non-toxic, silicone blend and won’t dry out or leave a sticky or slippery residue behind. ($13.99 at Uncles Games, Puzzles, & More in Spokane.)

KidzLabs Catapult Making Kit

Kids ages eight and up can build a catapult modelled after the medieval weapon of war with this fun and educational kit. The completed catapult is capable of launching a ball as far as 15 feet.

The kit includes everything you need to build a catapult as well as two projectile balls and is safe for indoor and outdoor use with no batteries required. ($14.99 at Uncles Games, Puzzles, & More in Spokane.)

Spirograph Scratch & Shimmer

Create amazing Spirograph art with this scratch design set. Use the stylus tool with glitter wheel and gears to scratch designs on the special sparkle or rainbow scratch paper.

You can also use your own pens to draw spirograph designs on regular paper. ($18.99 at The General Store on Division in Spokane and online.)

Whiz Kids Toys

This local shop in Riverpark Square downtown Spokane sells quality, smart toys that are fun and engaging. Find puzzles, games, stuffies, science kits, and other fun learning toys, plus a selection of books. 

Winter Sports

Find these and other ski, snowboard, snowshoe, and Nordic ski gift ideas at local ski and outdoor gear shops around the Inland Northwest.

Skiing/Snowboarding Gift Card

Winter isn’t the time to hibernate. Give someone you love a gift card for lift tickets or a season pass at one of the Inland Northwest’s five local ski and snowboard resorts. Check your favorite resort for holiday lift ticket specials.

Dakine Heli Pro 20L Backpack

This compact, backcountry-capable pack has enough room for big and small winter backcountry adventures if you pack right.

This do-it-all pack is loaded with features demanded by backcountry or slackcountry exploration, including snow tool sleeves, a large fleece-lined goggle pocket, and hydration sleeve that doubles as laptop storage off the mountain. ($100 at Shred Sports in Spokane.)

Smith Vantage Helmet

A techie ski and snowboard helmet that’s both protective and comfortable. It’s got MIPS energy-absorbing impact protection and it includes 21 vents with dual adjustability that lets you fine-tune airflow to meet the conditions.

It also has the ability to micro-adjust the size around the whole head with the turn of dial as well as Smith’s AirEvac system for a fog-free goggle interface. ($270 at Spokane Alpine Haus on Spokane’s South Hill.)

Craft Core Dry Baselayer Set

This affordable, versatile base layer set includes a long-sleeved top and long johns designed for a wide range of winter activities, from snowshoeing and cross-country skiing to backcountry touring.

This soft, channel-knitted fabric set provides excellent moisture transport and body-temperature management during winter workouts at temperatures in the 20-40 F range. ($69.99 at Fitness Fanatics in Spokane Valley.)

Voilé 2022 Women’s Revelator Splitboard

This board’s relative width, robust flex, long camber area, early-rise nose, and tapered tail all help it take on whatever backcountry lines the lady shredder on your list wants to hit. Plus, the topsheet artwork by Kylee Firlit is really something to gaze upon. ($749.99 at Rambleraven Gear Trader in Spokane.)

Hok Skis from Altai Skis

The Hok, from Northeast Washington-based Altai Skis, is designed as an easy-to-use ski for the backcountry. Its short, wide dimensions makes the ski incredibly maneuverable, and the integrated climbing skin gives the Hok great traction for climbing.

The right balance of running base and skin material makes the ski’s downhill speed manageable and easy to control, and it has metal edges for durability. Bridging cross-country skis and snowshoes, the Hok combines the maneuverability and ease-of-use found in snowshoes with the ski’s efficiency of sliding forward rather than lifting and stepping with each stride.

Several binding options are available and sold separately. ($249.95 available online at Us-store.altaiskis.com.)

Flylow Baker Bibs

What powder chaser wouldn’t want a pair of these beauties? These three-layer bibs are at home in deep, lift-served or backcountry powder, but are also loose-fitting and comfortable enough to dance the night away in them in the resort bar.

Made from waterproof Surface three-layer fabric, there are plenty of pockets, reinforced cuffs, and big inner and outer thigh vents for heart-pumping climbs. A DWR coating will keep them drier longer in the elements. ($430 at Spokane Alpine Haus on Spokane’s South Hill.)

Tubbs Wayfinder Snowshoes

These popular snowshoes feature a binding that integrates the heel strap with the lace, encompassing your foot with a simple turn of the dial to provide optimal fit and comfort. The decking provides plenty of flotation on soft snow, and in icy or sloped conditions the toe and heel crampons minimize slipping.

The perfect snowshoe for flat and rolling terrain. ($199.95 at Rambleraven Gear Trader in Spokane.)

Camping / Running / Hiking / Climbing

Therm-A-Rest Trail Pro Pad

This sleeping pad provides exceptional comfort and warmth (4.4 R-value) on backcountry adventures all year long. The self-inflating foam is three inches thick and features a design that provides the best warmth-to-weight ratio of any self-inflating foam pad. ($169.95 at Rambleraven Gear Trader in Spokane.)

La Sportiva Women’s Mythos Eco Climbing Shoes

A re-edition of a classic climbing shoe made with eco-friendly materials. This shoe delivers amazing versatility and performance with the soft, unlined leather upper adapting to whatever shape your foot is.

Great for all-day climbing and crack climbing with its low-profile toes, flat fit, and the overall neutral round shape of the shoe. ($149.99 at Rambleraven Gear Trader in Spokane.)

Big Agnes Blacktail Hotel 3 Tent

This beauty of a tent sleeps three in comfort out on the trail and features a massive, side-entry vestibule attached to the fly for bikes, climbing gear, packs, or a hound.

Double doors and the additional dry storage make backcountry trips with a well-seasoned partner or two more manageable. ($349.99 at Rambleraven Gear Trader in Spokane.)

ENO DoubleNest Print Hammock

Who doesn’t need a hammock, or a second one, for that matter? The soft fabric of this classic hammock is breathable and dries fast. The extended hammock body give one person more elbow room and there’s enough room for two.

The DoubleNest is light and packs to the size of a grapefruit with the built-in stuff sack. The internal stash pocket holds a phone or provisions.

ENO hammock straps, stands, bug nets, rain tarps, and insulation systems are sold separately to glamp out this hammock. ($84.95 at REI Spokane.)

Noxgear Tracer 2 LED Light Vest

This light-up vest will help keep runners safe during the early dark hours of winter. This lightweight vest has multi-colored LED fiber optics, ultra-reflective 3M patterns, and fluorescence to give you 360 degrees of visibility from up to a quarter of a mile away.

It fits over normal running clothes including winter clothing and small accessories like hydration packs with a weightless and natural feel with no bouncing. USB-C rechargeable. ($60 at Fleet Feet Spokane stores.)

Trails of the Wild Selkirks Guide (new 3^rd edition)

An extensive update to this classic guide to the more than 170 trails in the southern Selkirk Mountains of Northeast Washington and North Idaho, this book is a must-have addition to any avid Inland Northwest hiker’s guidebook library.

Pick up a copy online from Sandpoint-based Keokee Books at Keokeebooks.com ($22).

Life Flight Network

This practical gift is the investment in the health and safety of any skiers, hikers, mountain bikers, hunters, or adventuring families. As a member of Life Flight, the member and their family may be transported at no cost when medically necessary due to an emergency by Life Flight Network. ($79 annually per household.)

Bedrock Sandals

In an evolution of the adventure sandal, this Missoula, Mont., company builds light, comfortable, and tough sandals that will live up to whatever trails and rivers you throw at them.

Available at Rambleraven Gear Trader in Spokane and Hyperspud Sports in Moscow, Idaho (prices vary).

Yeti Rambler Colster 12-oz. Can Insulator

A sleeker upgrade to the original design, the size is perfect for soft drinks and, of course, beer. A great gift for anyone who puts value on enjoying their favorite beverages at camp or out on the boat and wants to keep them colder for longer. ($25.49 at The General Store on Division in Spokane.)

Buck Knives 040 Onset Knife

Modern, sleek, and tough, the 040 Onset is the ultimate everyday knife. With a black G10 front handle scale and stainless-steel frame, this frame lock provides security and strength when in use.

Ball bearings and a blade flipper ensure a smooth, one-hand opening, while a removable clip allows for easy carry. ($179.99 at The General Store on Division St. in Spokane.)

For more gear ideas, recommendations, and reviews, visit the OTO Gear Room.

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In 2020, a lot of home drinkers turned to n/a alternatives. As one of the owners of the mobile, non-alcoholic, pop-up Steady Bar in Coeur d’Alene , Idaho, since 2019, I have sipped my way through a lot of n/a liquids. I have also mastered my own Campari, vermouth, whiskey, and tonic alternatives. One of the first n/a spirits I ever tried was Seedlip®, and they remain my favorite to this day.

Instead of copying the flavors of an ABV liquor, Seedlip Distilled Non-Alcoholic Spirits are crafted to bring three distinct flavor profiles to a drink: herbal, citrus, and spice. Named after baskets used 300 years ago by English farmers to hand-sow seeds, Seedlip draws on the medicinal traditions from the same time period used to distill herbal remedies in copper stills.

Founder Ben Branson, frustrated by unimaginative, sugary n/a drinks and inspired by the recipes of 1651 physician John French, spent two years perfecting the sophisticated vegan, allergy-free, sugar-free, and calorie-free options available today: Garden 108 (blend of peas and hay with traditional home garden herbs), Grove 42 (blend of three types of oranges and spice distillates), and Spice 94 (blend of allspice berries, cardamom and two bark distillates).

My absolute favorite is Garden. On the nose, it is surprisingly intense with aromas of sweet peas, dewy grass, and herbal leaves fresh off the stem. Seedlip calls it a “celebration of the English Countryside.”

As a mixer, it deftly fills the space where gin might have been and adds balance to a fruit juice or sweet syrup. It’s deeply refreshing topped with tonic and lime on the rocks, but my favorite way to drink Garden is in a Steady Bar Peter Rabbit: muddled lime with 2-oz. Garden and 1-oz. Sugar Snap Pea Shrub, topped with club soda over ice. Garnish with a carrot shaving.

Order your Seedlip or get more recipes at seedlipdrinks.com.

Originally published as “What To Drink When You’re Not Drinking: Seedlip” in the January-February 2022 issue.

Find more product reviews and recommendations for beverages and other Provisions in the Food & Drink lifestyle department.

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Imperial IPAs (also referred to as Double IPAs) are a stronger, very hoppy variant of IPAs that typically have alcohol content above 7.5% by volume. New Belgium blends delta, bravo, centennial, cascade, calypso, and mosaic hops and brews a dark, smoky beer. It’s smooth, and tasty, and really inexpensive compared to any other Imperial IPAs. When poured into a glass, one can easily pick up the hop aroma, with pine and floral notes, and a hint of citrus peel.

If the Imperial IPA is a little too strong, give some of the other sarcastic Voodoo Rangers a try. Considering New Belgium recently added a Hazy Imperial IPA to the list of award-winning beers, NBB is taking its brewing innovations to the next level.

More Provision beverage ideas and recommendations.

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Even though temperatures are slowly rising, it can still be chilly outside. A chocolate beverage is always welcome for hydration and energy, and one with warming spices gives you the comfort you need to enjoy your time in the great outdoors.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup almond milk
• (For dairy free, use 2 cups total of nut milk of choice)
• 1-2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 2-3 teaspoons maple syrup or honey
• 1/2 teaspoon chaga mushroom powder
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon cloves
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

Directions:

Heat the milk until steaming, but not boiling. Whisk in the cocoa powder then stir in the rest of the herbs and spices. Pour into your thermos or flask and off you go on your adventure. Feel free to adjust the amounts of cocoa powder and maple syrup or honey to suit personal taste preferences.

More Provision beverage ideas and recommendations.

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What’s better than a warm drink after spending a day out in the cold? A healing one for sore muscles! Try swapping your hot cocoa for this sweet, spicy golden milk.

The main ingredient, turmeric, is a warming herb that naturally calms inflammation. It works better with a little bit of fat, so don’t skimp. You can use whole milk instead of the coconut and non-dairy milks if desired.

Ingredients:

• 1 can (13.5 ounces) coconut milk
• 40 ounces (3 coconut milk cans full) non-dairy milk
• 1/3 cup fresh ginger, chopped
• 3 tablespoons ground turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• Tiny pinch of salt
• Honey, agave syrup, or stevia to taste
• Optional add-ins: three star anise pods, three cardamom pods, 1 teaspoon whole cloves

Directions:

In a large saucepan, combine coconut milk, non-dairy milk, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper, salt, and optional add-ins. Bring to a simmer, and cook for 15 minutes. Strain into a blender, add sweetener, blend until frothy, then serve. Refrigerate remaining amount for up to five days, reheating and blending before serving. Makes about seven 8-ounce servings.

More Provision beverage ideas and recommendations.

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No olives and no salad, just a solid Bloody Mary with some mild heat. Following the success of their other On The Fly beverages, it didn’t take long for Dry Fly to put together this fabulous classic drink. The high-quality Dry Fly Vodka tastes great; however, this cocktail carries some punch with 8 percent ABV.

Migrating the premium cocktail to an aluminum can opens up a whole new universe for outdoor enthusiasts. It’s easy to pack, very compact after it’s consumed, and the aluminum is recyclable. In a nutshell, this Bloody Mary is ideal for pretty much every trip including backcountry ski trips, long hikes, or recuperating after a tough day.

Consider Dry Fly’s other genius drinks, too. Dry Fly ready-to-enjoy Gin & Tonic features its award-winning Washington gin, craft tonic syrup from Side Hustle Syrups, and house-made bitters. The Moscow Mule features Dry Fly Vodka, craft ginger syrup from Side Hustle Syrups, and lime juice to give you a unique and refreshing taste of the best distillery in the Northwest.

More reviews of Dry Fly drinks in the OTO archives.

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A hallmark of the holiday season is gathering with folks you love to share hearty food and drink. COVID-19 makes that more difficult this year, but local businesses are stepping up to provide the next best thing: holiday cocktails on the go.

Lil Sumthin’ Saloon, barely open three months when bars and taverns shut down, recently rebranded as Lil Sumthin’ Cocktail Market. They deliver Texas-inspired hot dogs and cocktails to your front door. Specialty cocktails arrive neatly packaged with reusable glassware, drink garnishes, and assembly instructions. Drinks like the Maple Old Fashioned, a sweeter well-balanced take on the classic, and the Laredo Pumpkin Pie Martini can be poured into sugar pumpkins, surprisingly functional vessels that can be baked and eaten afterward. Also offered for the holidays is a rum hot toddy that explodes with flavor and bite.

Lil Sumthin’ offers free delivery to the downtown core and a flat $5 fee beyond. In addition to individual cocktails, they offer full-size bottles and ingredients. Visit Spokanecocktails.com for both intimate and family gatherings.

Cochinito Taqueria, another favorite in downtown Spokane, also offers custom holiday cocktails for in-house dining, takeout, or delivery via Spokane-based Treehouse Deliveries. The North Utsire features gin, ginger simple syrup, fresh lime, and rhubarb bitters, while the Blood Orange Margarita blends tequila, fresh blood orange juice, sour, and triple sec.

All drinks are built, shaken, then packaged with instructions for pouring. Go to Cochinitotaqueria.com for more information.

As you make holiday plans, support one of our local small businesses, especially in this time of giving and thanks.

To read more beverage reviews and recommendations and reviews visit the OTO archives.

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The huckleberry is Idaho’s official state fruit, and huckleberry-picking is among the most popular outdoor activities in the Inland Northwest in August. Following the success of their other ‘On The Fly’ beverages, it didn’t take long for Dry Fly to put together another fabulous new drink. The high-quality Dry Fly Vodka tastes great; however, the drink is only 4.9% ABV, which means its alcohol content is equal to most cans of craft beer.

Migrating the premium cocktail to an aluminum can opens up a whole new universe for outdoor enthusiasts. It’s easy to pack, no glass, very compact after its consumed, and aluminum is recyclable. Huckleberry Lemonade is ideal for pretty much every trip including picking huckleberries or enjoy it with friends at the lake or around the campfire. 

Take a look too at Dry Fly’s other genius drinks. Dry Fly ready-to-enjoy Gin & Tonic features its award-winning Washington Gin, craft tonic syrup from Side Hustle Syrups, and house made bitters. The Moscow Mule features Dry Fly Vodka, craft ginger syrup from Side Hustle Syrups, and lime juice to give you a unique and refreshing taste of what’s arguably the best distillery in the Northwest.

To read more beverage reviews and recommendations and reviews visit the OTO archives.

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For The Love Of God Brewing has only been open about a year, but they’re certainly making a name for themselves as one of the best breweries to visit in Spokane. Steve and Dawn Moss are the owners, and Steve is the mastermind behind all the beers.   

Walking into the brewery is like experiencing a little bit of the Inland Northwest. It’s full of artwork from local artists, as well as games, puzzles, and foosball. It’s clear that Steve and Dawn run their brewery with two things in mind: making high quality beers and serving them with kindness. 

The flavor profile of their beers emphasizes hoppy, sour, and dark beer styles, and they’re frequently brewing new beers to change up what’s on tap. Steve uses fruit in many of the beers, as well as spices like cinnamon and vanilla bean. Their beers aren’t filtered because they believe that unfiltered beers create better flavor profiles. Right now they’re serving nine beers, which include the Cran-Raz Crumble Sour, Apricobb, and So Much S’more.    

Kids are just as welcome as adults at the brewery, and they even have root beer or San Pelegrino for the little ones. As far as food goes, they’ve selected items that will pair well with their beers, like stuffed mushrooms, soft pretzels, or chocolate-covered cookies. A So Much S’more beer paired with a chocolate covered cookie sounds like the perfect combination for a hot summer night.   

There’s no seating at the bar at the moment (during spring/summer 2020 Washington State business closures due to COVID-19, but customers can still sit and enjoy a beer at a table. They’re also selling some cans to go and will happily fill growlers if a customer brings in their own.

To read more beverage reviews and recommendations and reviews visit the OTO archives.

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