Cover photo by Ashley Voykin courtesy of Tourism Rossland

Winter in Spokane can mean gray skies, a mix of slush and snow, and the kind of ice that turns every sidewalk into a trust exercise. But did you know that just 2.5 hours north, winter tells a completely different story? One filled with frosty peaks, crisp white snow and a downtown that feels downright magical. Rossland, British Columbia, Canada is known as a true winter escape for powder seekers, but it can be a surprisingly fun haven for the summer loyalists who just need something to do while the rest of the family chases fresh tracks.

 

If you’re the kind of person who lives for sun on your face, warm breezes, and an endless summer, the Rossland Winter Carnival from Jan. 22-24, 2026, might just flip your winter script. Sure, it’s cold—but the streets are bustling with a vibrant energy, the locals are in full-on festival mode, and there are enough snow‑fueled activities to keep your heart racing and your cheeks rosy. Wash it all down with a specialty drink or two, and suddenly winter feels a lot less like frostbite and a lot more like fun in a snow globe you actually want to be in. Because in Rossland, winter isn’t just something you survive—it’s something you celebrate. 

The Rossland Winter Carnival is Canada’s longest-running carnival in the West Kootenays, dating back to 1898. The event was started by the legendary Norwegian miner Olaus Jeldness, one of the pioneers of ski culture in North America and basically the inventor of winter fun. From ski jumping to snowshoe races and masquerades, there was something for everyone to enjoy—winter and summer lovers alike. Olaus laid the foundation for a tradition tha

If you ask the locals, one of the highlights of the Carnival during the day is the Sonny Samuelson Bobsled Race. Teams of four design, build and ride their creative creations down eight icy blocks, on one of the steepest streets in town—Spokane Street. Reaching speeds of 44 miles per hour or more, this is hands down the wildest, most creative event of the Carnival. But the fun doesn’t end there–just two streets over on Queen Street, piles of snow are transformed into The Game Rail Jam, a custom-built downtown terrain park. Skiers, snowboarders and snowskaters glide, jib and slide across rails, boxes and jumps, showing off tricks that are equal parts skill and showmanship. The rail jam is open to anyone who is brave enough to tackle the streets and be part of the spotlight—where else would you have the chance to slide down a city street? 

When you’re ready to wander and explore the rest of the full lineup of winter fun, the Rossland Museum & Discovery Centre becomes a hub of family-friendly activities featuring a snow maze, toboggan run, snowman building, snow painting, cozy campfires, icy crafts and a true Canadian tradition—maple taffy stations! The other surrounding events include ice sculptures, free outdoor skating, snow volleyball, luge lessons, markets, variety shows, local shopping, bake sales, food and drink specials and more! Check out the full festival lineup at Rosslandwintercarnival.com. 

When the day turns to night, the energy becomes electric as Blizzard Music Festival takes over Rossland’s downtown, bringing live music to multiple venues and a variety of musical styles to suit every taste. Three days, five stages—grab an all-access pass to experience the full lineup or be selective with your favorites. Don’t miss a show at the Olaus Ice Palace, an outdoor venue built entirely from snow, where stoic ice sculptures welcome you into the party and set the stage for a truly unforgettable night. For the full lineup and ticket information visit Blizzardmusicfest.ca. 

Sure, most visitors travel to Rossland in winter for the world-class skiing at Red Mountain Resort, Black Jack Cross Country Ski Club or Big Red Cats, but trust us—you’ll want to come for the Rossland Winter Carnival & Blizzard Music Festival and stay for the extra outdoor adventures between events, from snowshoeing to fat biking. Mark your calendar and plan your trip for Jan. 22-24, the perfect weekend to experience a town that turns winter into a full-on celebration, where mountains meet music, community meets celebration and winter meets wonder.  

To explore all that Rossland has to offer in winter (and summer), visit Tourismrossland.com for accommodations, local suggestions and visitor information.  

Sponsored

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By Justin Short 

Riverside State Park offers some excellent terrain when it’s time to roll the fatties, so I haven’t been in the habit of driving anywhere when there’s snow in town, but I figured it was time to give the (Almost) Annual Methow Fatbike Festival in Winthrop, Wash., a go. 

I’m calling this thing a festival because I like the alliteration, but you must know it’s a low-key affair that, in line with the event’s official name, is more of a “meetup” to keep the production costs as sustainable as possible. Erratic winter conditions have required a few cancellations over the years, and event organizers can no longer count on winter to stay wintery, even in the blustery north of the Methow Valley.  

It’s as much a gamble to attend a fatbike event as it is to organize. The festival is a long-weekend affair, so you’ve got to reserve a room well in advance given that Winthrop hosts a youth hockey tournament the same weekend. All you can do is book your stay and hope for the best. Worst case scenario, the weather goes to hell and you have to reschedule your reservation for a week or two later or come back for the spectacular summer riding.  

Managing the uncertainty is definitely worth the risk, because if you should happen upon the Methow Valley in prime winter conditions you will be confronted with what Jessica Robinson of Sandpoint, Idaho, describes as a veritable “Disneyland for fatbikes.”  

The Methow Valley is known far and wide as a mecca for Nordic skiing, but it has also got a phenomenal network of separate groomed fatbike trails at multiple locations. Of course, by now you’ve noticed that I’m using the term “fatbike” as a single word. While it’s not technically correct, it has kept me from running afoul of social media community standards. We will tolerate no hate speech, not even against bikes.  

The good folks at Methow Cycle & Sport in Winthrop kick this thing off Friday night with a fire pit meet n’ greet before a night ride on the town trails. That’s when you find out how many of your friends from Spokane are regulars at this thing, and you notice riders from the west side having a similar experience. The temperatures plummet as the sun disappears over the ridge, so dressing to stay warm while you’re standing around yacking with folks ends up being the perfect layering strategy for zooming around in temperatures that dipped very quickly down into the lower teens when I was there. Somehow, cold is always less cold when you’re having fun. 

Saturday is the main event, and many riders come out just for this. Riders gather before 10 a.m. at the Pearrygin Lake lower trailhead for a pre-ride introduction to the trail system as well as words of wisdom for those new to fatbiking. A demo fleet is also typically on hand for riders to try some of the new fatbikes available at the bike shop. Riders scatter in all directions after cramming in for a group photo by the lake, and the adventure begins.  

Rolling climbs reveal breathtaking, expansive views over the lake framed in by the surrounding mountains. The climbs themself are somewhat breathtaking as well, but none too daunting and totally worth the groomed flow trail descent that awaits. Zooming back down to valley floor amidst the jubilant hoots and hollers of my friends, I think this may be my best day ever on the big squishy wheels. Returning to the lot for hot refreshments next to the fire pit deepens the social element before heading out to explore another segment. We didn’t explore everything Pearrygin Lake has to offer, but it was still a very big day.  

At 4 p.m. riders regroup at the bike shop for charcuterie, snacks and fizzy beverages until a fireworks show out by the fire pit. Afterwards, my friends and I rode across town to devastate the menu of one of the fabulous Winthrop restaurants. Then we went out for an exceedingly fun evening bonus ride on the town trails as the temperatures dipped into single digits. I was feeling no pain, as I had bought a magic flannel that was on sale at the bike shop—Club Ride, if you must know—and it has become my go-to layer for all rides outside of the dog days of summer.  

Sunday wraps up the weekend with a ride in other areas such as Big Valley or Gunn Ranch. We went somewhere else that was chosen on the fly because it was an area that is not normally open to fatbiking. You may find yourself soaking in the reverie over post-ride burgers in town, vowing to make the Methow Fatbike Festival a tradition. For more info, contact Methow Cycle & Sport or check out their socials. 

Justin Short is a world fatbike traveler, if by the world you mean Riverside and the Methow Valley.  

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Plan Your Winter Escape to Backcountry Ski, Snowshoe, Cross-Country Ski, or Fat Bike on the Trails around Republic, Wa.

The small northeast Washington town of Republic, surrounded by mountains, trails and several Sno-Parks, is the kind of place where close-to-town winter adventures come steeped in solitude that may feel like you’re 1,000 miles from nowhere. A cross-country ski outing on the Ferry County Rail Trail or up at the Deer Creek Nordic Sno-Park at the top of Boulder Pass will greet you with such a still, snowy quiet that you may swear you can hear snowflakes falling. And you’re bound to see more snowshoe hare tracks than other humans on a backcountry ski tour in the Kettle Range up at Sherman Pass (the highest all-season pass in Washington).

Even though it’s only a 2.5-hour drive north from Spokane, Republic, the county seat of sparsely populated Ferry County, has held onto its western mountain-town roots as a mining and logging hub. Historic buildings line the stoplight- and chain store-free main drag, housing small businesses that serve the local community and visitors alike. With a couple of hotels, local restaurants, coffee shops, a bakery and even a local craft brewery, it’s a welcome alternative to crowded resort towns and an easy place to settle into as a base camp for winter adventures.

Some of the Best Winter Adventures Around Republic

The Republic area has the winter adventure bases covered, whether you’re into snowshoeing, backcountry or Nordic skiing, snowmobiling or fat biking. For human-powered winter sports, there are several options.

The Ferry County Rail Trail offers a flat, non-motorized pathway for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing or fat biking, depending on the snow conditions. Portions of the trail are groomed throughout the winter for cross-country skiing.

Up in the nearby Kettle Range Mountains, two mountain passes, Boulder and Sherman, offer backcountry and cross-country skiers and snowshoers easy access to a winter wonderland. The Deer Creek Nordic Sno-Park at Boulder Pass features six miles of groomed Nordic-ski trails. Skiers with backcountry-touring gear and snowshoers have endless possibilities for exploring the open forests of the recently burned mountain slopes on both sides of the pass.

At the Sherman Pass Sno-Park, there are options for mellow snowshoe hikes and challenging peak ascents. Backcountry skiers willing to earn their turns have access to some of the best backcountry slopes in the Inland Northwest. Avalanches are possible in the mountains around Sherman Pass, and all skiers and snowshoers should come prepared with appropriate avalanche training and safety gear. A Washington Sno-Park permit is required at both trailheads.

2026 Winter Events in Republic and Ferry County

Republic and Ferry County also host several unique winter events that are worth planning a trip around.

Republic’s Winterfest celebration for 2026 is set for Friday evening and all day Saturday, Jan. 9-10. The event features a Friday evening light parade and multiple creative events and contests on Saturday, including outhouse races, a K-9 keg pull, tug-of-war and other family-friendly activities.

Nordic and backcountry skiers should have the Altai Skis Backcountry Ski & Hok Festival on their radar. Happening Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 7-8, 2026 (pending Forest Service approval as of December 2025), the event offers a chance to demo backcountry ski-touring gear from Ferry County-based Altai Skis and explore the local backcountry terrain with others. The weekend-long event takes place up at the Deer Creek Nordic Sno-Park near Curlew in the Kettle Range.

Another Nordic ski event popular with both locals and skiers from around the region is the annual Ferry County Rail Trail Ski Day, which takes place on a weekend in January or February, depending on snow conditions. Participants can try out cross-country ski gear and take free ski lessons. Follow the Ferry County Rail Trail Partners on Facebook for this year’s ski day details.

Winter Road and Snow Safety

 Mountain passes around Republic including Boulder and Sherman passes may experience winter storm conditions, and visitors need to come prepared for varying road and trailhead conditions. Check out our backcountry winter guide to the Republic area for more trail and terrain suggestions for backcountry skiing and snowshoeing. Because the high peaks of the Kettle Crest include some avalanche terrain, be aware of avalanche risks in the area and go prepared when exploring backcountry terrain on skis, splitboard, snowshoes, or snowmobile.

Where to Stay in Republic in the winter

Republic has several lodging options for winter visitors looking to set up basecamp for a night or more in the winter wonderland of this historic mountain town. Learn more about winter adventures in Republic and find lodging and other amenity info at the Republic Regional Visitors and Convention Bureau’s website.

(Sponsored by the Republic Regional Visitors and Convention Bureau)

The post Where to Ski and snowshoe around republic, wa. appeared first on Out There Venture.

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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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.

Cover photo courtesy of Lara Gricar

My 900-square-foot garden has been generating fruit, vegetables and an insane amount of weeds for 15 years. When it comes to preserving that bounty, I like to get creative. Especially in the fall. My favorite companion on this adventure has been a book: Not Your Mama’s Canning Book: Modern Canned Goods and What to Make with Them by Rebecca Lindamood. During tomato season, my teenagers insist I make the Tikka Masala. 

Tikka Masala Sauce  

(adapted from “Not Your Mama’s Canning Book,” yields 6 pints) 

1 Tbsp olive oil // 3 large onions // 12 garlic cloves, peeled and minced // 2 tsp kosher salt // 3 Tbsp garam masala // 6-inch piece of ginger, peeled and grated // 3 jalapeño peppers, stems and seeds removed, minced // 12 cups peeled and diced tomatoes 

Sauté the garlic and onions in olive oil on medium heat. Sprinkle in the garam masala and stir until fragrant. Add the ginger and peppers. Cook 1 minute. Add tomatoes and stir, raising heat to medium-high. Bring to a low boil. Scrape sides and bottom regularly to avoid scorching. Drop heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring frequently. 

Ladle into pint jars, leaving 1-inch headspace. Use a chopstick to release any air bubbles. Moisten a paper towel with vinegar and wipe the rims of the jars before placing on the lids. Process in a pressure canner at 10 pounds pressure for 30 minutes. Let canner come back to atmospheric pressure naturally, then transfer jars to a towel-lined rack to cool for 24 hours. Store in a cool, dry place for up to one year. 

If you don’t have a pressure canner (I don’t), split the mixture into six freezer-safe containers and freeze. Use within six to nine months. 

This makes for an easy dinner: Sauté chicken (or your protein of choice) and any veggies you desire. (I love adding sweet onion, red bell pepper, and garbanzo beans.) Add 1 pint of preserved tikka masala sauce and 1 cup of heavy cream or full-fat coconut milk. Serve over basmati rice. Pro Tip: Put the canned sauce in the blender (or use an immersion blender) before adding the cream for a smooth and yummy result. For bonus points, add frozen peas, chopped dill, and cilantro to the rice. 

Kale, 3-in-1 Pears, and Apple Pie Filling 

We all need easy preserving options in fall. I blanch kale and freeze it for an easy addition to soups and pastas. My other low-maintenance favorite is to mash peeled pears with a little lemon juice and grated ginger into a crockpot. Cook it down to make a pear butter you can enjoy all winter! An immersion blender used at the end makes it extra creamy. 

Here are two other options that require a little more effort, but the results are mouthwatering! Preserve fall pears by making three-in-one pears (also in Lindamood’s book). This simple recipe combines making dark ginger pear syrup, pears, and pear juice into one session. All three are canned using the standard boiling-water bath technique. If apple pie filling calls to you, use the recipe from the National Center for Home Food Preservation. It has one-quart and seven-quart recipe options.  

Fall is delicious for its abundant social time, amazing hiking and biking under yellowing larch trees, and so much good, fresh food. Canning and freezing means that the garden goodness can be enjoyed all winter, and I love that it makes meals easier once that sweet snow begins to fall.  

Crystal Atamian is a writer and science editor who is looking forward to skiing, winter bonfires, and vanilla ice cream topped with pears in dark ginger syrup. She has written about bear safety, fishing with kids, and the impact of budget cuts on avalanche forecasting in the West in recent issues of Out There. 

The post Preserving the Harvest  appeared first on Out There Venture.

Cover photo courtesy of Eric Deady

Winter has landed upon us, and it is time once again to dust off the fat bike. For those of us who enjoy the idea of traveling through the landscape during winter on a bike, or for those who may be considering fat biking for the first time, there are a few things to consider before heading out.  

Where fat-biking in winter differs from other kinds of cycling is in the consequence of failing to get it right. Forgetting critical pieces of the puzzle can leave you in a dangerous situation very quickly, or can just ruin a good time. Getting all the right pieces put together to keep yourself safe and frostbite-free, is, for me, part of the allure of fat biking. I have to be a lot more vigilant in my preparation to avoid serious outcomes. So, here are a few things to consider.  

Be Self-Reliant 

Fat biking is best in remote areas, and we ride during a time of year when there are fewer trail users overall. Self-reliance means safety. Be sure to have a bail-out plan if things go wrong, a good GPS that will work in cold temps, and the correct maps loaded onto it. Be sure to have whatever tools you need on-hand to fix a mechanical problem and the knowledge to use them. Sitting in the snow is never a good time to try and learn how to use that new chain-breaker you got from Santa. Being self-reliant means that you can get yourself to safety and have the gear necessary to keep safe if you get lost or injured.  

Bring the Right Gear 

Fat biking in winter requires more gear, and there’s really no way around it. Outfit your bike with a frame bag, seat bag, or some other way to carry your gear that keeps it off your body and on the bike. This will make swapping layers easier and less time consuming. I prefer a rear rack and dry bags to carry bulky items, and a frame bag for the denser things. Have a small stash spot available to keep your immediate-need items like layers, snacks, and water so you don’t need to dig through your entire kit during a blizzard just to find that Scooby-snack. Outfit your handlebars with a set of Pogies to keep the wind off your fingers and your hands warm and less bulky. Bringing a simple folding stove and a fuel canister, even on short rides, will ensure that you can keep yourself warm and hydrated in an emergency and is also just a great way to have a mid-ride break with a warm cup of your favorite drink or soup. My go-to is a packet of Lipton chicken noodle.  

Stay Warm . . . And Cool 

This third thing may be the most important for your general comfort and overall safety. Layer, layer, layer! “Wetting out” your clothing can spell disaster, and can often lead to hypothermia. The best way to avoid this is through a well-planned layering strategy and by regulating your effort to avoid sweating. Start with thin, next-to-skin layers that wick moisture. Merino wool is a good choice here. Above your base layer, the idea is to allow any moisture wicked away to escape before it can penetrate your clothing and potentially freeze. That’s why you will likely be adding or shedding layers as your body heats up or cools down. Keep spares of safety-critical items like gloves, and know where they are when you need them. Always choose clothing that is easy to get on and off and fits well.  

Keeping those three things in mind before heading out will help you stay organized and hopefully keep you safe should conditions deteriorate or a mechanical problem occurs. 

Eric Deady has been bikepacking and touring around the world for more than 30 years and now shares that love of the outdoors with his children.  

The post Fat Biking Prep and Winter Safety  appeared first on Out There Venture.

By Eric Deady  

Cover photo courtesy of Kyle Lucas

There is often a peaceful resolve that settles into a person when confronted with the certainty of death in the backcountry. It’s a very unique abandonment of fear, and an acceptance of what is to come. Those of us who recreate in remote places, or those who have made outdoor pursuits a centerpiece of our lives, often have a long, profound, and very personal list of reasons why our outdoors lives have mattered. When confronted with the unthinkable, we have a tendency to settle in and draw on those same memories and experiences from past adventures to bring us peace and acceptance of the outcome. 

That acceptance of fate washed over Josh Anderson, a 34-year-old mountain biker from Spokane, on July 17, 2024, when a routine backcountry mountain bike exploration turned into a fight for survival and a reckoning with the very fundamental question of “Why.” Why do we put ourselves in these remote situations, knowing full-well what the outcomes could be? 

For Anderson, the answers to those questions would come after an hours-long struggle through the backcountry of the Colville National Forest near Sullivan Lake in the far Northeastern reaches of Washington State, where a standard scramble over a fallen log turned into a fight for his very survival. 

Anderson and his friend David Donnelly began their day with the energy and enthusiasm that usually comes with a day on mountain bikes. Machines lubed, checked and tuned. Gear assembled, car full of gas. All of the standard checklist items that precede a good day out in the woods on bikes. With the car loaded, Anderson and Donnelly made their way to the Noisy Creek trailhead in the Colville National Forest for a ride on some forest service trails that had yet to be cleared for the season. Many of us have encountered trails like this—overgrown, with sections of fallen trees and brush. For Anderson and Donnelly, these are the unruly conditions they love and have prepared for. The sense of adventure and discovery that comes with riding trails like these is, for them, only heightened by the added dangers of unpredictable terrain, obstacles, and constantly changing conditions.  

The two cyclists had planned to shuttle that day’s ride, with their two vehicles staged at the entry and exit points of the trail. With those vehicles dropped off, they began their ride around 9 a.m. on what was sure to be a typically warm and beautiful summer day. Being early in the season, the trees were flushed with nearly neon-green leaves. The creeks were full of clear, cool water, and the forest was alive with the sounds and smells of an early summer morning. 

A mile and a half of downhill mountain biking can pass in the blink of an eye, and it wasn’t long before Anderson and Donnelly found themselves deep in the woods. Alone, without cell service, they confronted a deteriorating trail, covered with fallen logs from the previous winter’s blow-down.  

While lifting his mountain bike over one of these fallen logs—a scenario as benign as reaching for a snack—Anderson’s foot slipped off the log and plunged through some branches below. One of those branches was sharp enough, strong enough, and oriented at just the right angle to fillet nearly his entire calf, leaving an unimaginably large flap of exposed flesh staring back at him when he looked down to see what damage had been done. A routine slip turned into a bloody nightmare in the blink of an eye.  

In complete disbelief, all Anderson could say was “I messed up man . . . I really messed up,” while staring down with a growing sense of panic at what he describes as the “guts” of his leg and the immediate gush of blood, now soaking his entire leg and foot. With Donnelly now at his side, the two riders immediately got to work applying pressure to the wound to stop the bleeding, but the damage was too severe, and the flap of flesh just too large for a pressure bandage. This was no mere cut or scratch. This was a complete separation of one of the largest muscles a cyclist has, and a wound so devastating that immediate action needed to be taken in the form of a tourniquet, fashioned from Anderson’s favorite Arcade Belt and a chunk of broken stick lying nearby.   

With their ride now obviously over, and their focus shifting onto extracting themselves from the woods, that once quick mile and a half of downhill riding turned into the prospect of an impossibly long uphill nightmare. The mountain they had so quickly descended was now facing these two in the form of a life-and-death struggle back up to the car, where they hoped to find enough cell coverage to call for help. Their decision to turn around and start hiking was made, in part, because neither of them had their emergency beacons (Garmin inReach), and their cellphones were not responding to the SOS feature now found on many newer phones. The only option was to hike out on a leg that was now bandaged and disconnected from any sensation because of the tourniquet. A proposition with a questionable chance of success at best.  

With no other option but to get moving, and with blood still oozing from his wound, the pair began the hike back up the mountain. With every step up the hill, their nightmare only seemed to get more real, as the extent of Anderson’s injury and their limited options for rescue began to sink in. With Anderson having lost a lot of blood, and now fighting the swimming allure of unconsciousness, he literally leaned on Donnelly, leg completely numb and oozing blood despite the bandaging and tourniquet while scrambling over the same fallen logs and branches they had crossed on the way down. It was agonizingly slow, and since Anderson had no sensation in his leg, some sections of trail were impossible to navigate without periodically loosening the tourniquet long enough so he could feel his foot, navigate an obstacle, and then re-tighten the tourniquet, all while watching more of his blood flow into the trail.   

They made it a full mile like this before their cell phones began to chirp, having picked up a weak signal. Knowing the urgency of the situation, they took the opportunity to call 911. They had just enough time to explain to the 911 operator their location, the critical nature of their situation, and a description of their car before the cell signal was lost and the call was dropped, leaving them once again on their own. Another half mile of uphill hiking through brush and deadfall faced them before making it back to the car, so the pair had no choice but to keep making their way up the mountain. 

Would it have been myself in Anderson’s bloody shoes that day, I think at this point in the story I would be feeling just how lonely and isolated I was out there. Sure, Donnelly was there, but when faced with a situation so completely bonkers and out of control, the realization that you are alone and vulnerable would have been overwhelming and complete. The same friendly woods, once alive with the sights and sounds of a summer morning, were now conspiring to keep Anderson there forever.  

The last half-mile to the car was a journey through half-conscious delirium. For Anderson, this stretch defined his entire ordeal and crystallized for him what his relationship to the outdoors truly meant. The panic and adrenaline that defined his experience until this point gave way to a complete, calm acceptance of his fate. This was not an abandonment of care or concern for himself, or a fatalistic forfeiture of life, but a clear and vivid understanding that his journey through life was likely over, and his experience on Earth would be coming to an end. And despite everything—the blood, the pain, and the fear—he was at peace. He accepted.  

Of course, Anderson’s life did not end that day. This is not a story about death, or the dangers of recreating outdoors. This is a story of the relationship and connection formed between us and the wild places where we spend our time. This is a story about Anderson, and his ordeal, but it is also a story that could have happened to any of us at any time while we pursue our outdoor passions. Anderson is a reasonable, skilled, competent outdoorsperson. He makes plans for contingencies, and follows those plans. He travels with people he trusts with his life, and chooses those people carefully. He has a plan for the day, and lets loved-ones know where he is. His preparation and foresight may well have saved his life, but his experience and preparation did not prevent the accident from happening. The bad still came for him that day.  

Anderson made it back up the hill on that July morning, relying completely on the heroic efforts of his friend Donnelly, who he credits with saving his life. Nearing unconsciousness, and still bleeding horribly despite the tourniquet, Anderson’s thoughts were centered on his family, friends, and loved ones who he would leave behind. But there was another, more personal thought that he reflects on by saying “I was thinking that all I want to do is keep exploring this beautiful planet.”  

The rest of the story is one of speeding cars, shocked ambulance crews, and desperate helicopter flights. Highly skilled first responders met the pair while they were driving down the road and took one look at the injury, loaded Anderson up and made the determination that more help was necessary. The first responders called Life Flight, a critical care air medical transport service of which Anderson was a member, and met the Life Flight helicopter in a nearby field while administering pain medication and as much help as they could. Life Flight took him to the hospital for emergency surgery to move his muscles back in his calf and make sure he had enough blood to replace what was lost on Hall Mountain. Anderson’s story is also one of hospital stays, grateful families, and a months-long recovery. Of stitches, staples, and scars. 

For Anderson, the hardest part of his story so far has been missing the woods that call to him in a way they never did before. Maybe it’s because he senses his relationship to those woods has changed, and has become one of belonging. Of membership. Of home.  

What I find so fascinating about Anderson’s experience is how his ordeal has created in him an affirmation of his outdoor pursuits, and a new sense of belonging to wild places. Anderson now feels more a part of the outdoors than he ever has before, and his relationship to outdoor spaces has changed from being a mere observer within those places to becoming a true participant and member. He belongs to those places now more than ever in the past through his own blood and a message delivered to him by the forest that day: that he is a part of this place, and is a real and true part of nature, and wildness, and pain. He is not an observer, but a participant. 

Each of us could all find ourselves in a situation like Anderson’s and be faced with the same thoughts, emotions, and consequences that he had that day. It’s important to remember that our natural environment is not a sterilized, manicured zoo, and we cannot truly exist in nature as mere selfie-snapping interlopers, considering ourselves immune from the very real outcomes of existence within outdoor spaces. We must, as Anderson discovered, be integral parts of these spaces we love so much. It is only through the acceptance of our fragility within wild places that we can truly be a partner with them, not a master over them.  

Eric Deady has been bikepacking and touring around the world for more than 30 years, and now shares that love of the outdoors with his children. 

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I recently attended my first randonneuring event, so now it’s time to throw some pretentious sounding French cycling jargon at you. Randonneuring is a form of organized non-competitive long-distance cycling that is very popular in Europe. Riders are self-supported, though they are encouraged to work together to finish a given event within an established time cut, which is usually a 10 mph average that includes stopping to re-supply or sleep, of which there is very little on the longer events. Event distances range from 200-1,200 kilometers with a series of qualifying rides necessary to participate in Paris-Brest-Paris, the biggest and oldest cycling event in the world, which, as the name suggests, takes place in Paris, France, and NOT Paris, Texas.  

Our local randonneuring club is Seattle Randonneurs, which organized a 100 kilometer “gravel populaire” on the Waterville Plateau east of Wenatchee back in September. My introduction to the randonneuring community involved knocking one of the riders off her bike barely a block into the ride. I may never live that down, but she and I were friends by the end as we had teamed up to hunt down the checkpoints and fill out our time cards, which are called “brevet” cards.  

I will now segue into the intended subject of this column by mentioning that the quite delightful hot, steamy coffee beverage called a “breve,” a latte made with half and half, is pronounced the exact same way as brevet, if you’re willing to overlook which syllable gets the stress. It is my belief that the homophonic similarity of these terms, brevet and breve, is what inspired COFFEENEURING, the fantastic new cycle-sport that is sweeping the colder climates. That’s right, there’s even a Coffeeneuring Challenge, and you get a cool patch to sew on your waterproof jacket if you meet all the requirements. I won’t get into the rules and regulations, because that’s almost entirely tongue-in-cheek anyway; let’s just take this in easy stages so we can get you outside on a bike, hunting down some excellent coffee roasted and brewed right here in the Inland Northwest.  

This topic dovetails nicely with the last issue’s EDC column on urban fat biking, and perhaps a future column on the art of cold weather layering strategies. For now, let’s just get out there. You’ll figure out what to wear and what not to wear. There are more than a few destinations to keep in mind, Roast House Coffee is my personal favorite. They support every cycling event in Spokane, and they make damn good coffee. You can go to their tasting room on Cleveland Ave or hit 1st Avenue Coffee downtown. New Love Coffee in Kendall Yards is an excellent place to meet up with friends to sample their mouth-watering hand pies. Ladder Coffee Roasters is not to be missed at any of their three locations. The coffee shop in Saranac Commons features beans from craft roasters out of town, and Revel 77 out on 57th on the South Hill started roasting their own beans a few years ago. 

An official Coffeeneuring ride can be as little as two miles in one direction, but the sky is the limit in terms of maximum distance. DOMA Coffee Roasting Company just opened a destination coffeehouse right on the Centennial Trail on the Spokane River in Coeur d’Alene. I conned two friends into riding out there with me in a cold November downpour. That 100 miles was as satisfying as it was soggy. And I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t already mapped out an adventure route that summits Mount Spokane and Hoodoo Mountain on its way to Evans Brothers Coffee in Sandpoint, Idaho … but that will be for fairer weather, perhaps during Huckleberry Milkshakeneuring season. Dan Weber who works at REI has organized an event on his own (not affiliated with REI) called Donut Roll that is basically a Donutneuring event, which hits all the donut shops in one go. I think you’d have a panic attack before you got through a quarter of Spokane’s great coffee shops in the same manner. 

I spoke with the good folks at Spokane’s City Planning Department too in an effort to make sure they have your safety in mind for your caffeine-addled quests. Bike infrastructure improvements include expansion of greenway bike thoroughfares and protected bike lanes in key places, and the city has purchased a snow removal machine to plow those skinny bike-only paths that routinely get buried under snow. City personnel is being trained in its proper use, and we will have rideable protected bike lanes this winter. Hopefully they are consulting mountain bike coach Frank Bennish on how to operate this machine. Frank is the guy who operates the fat bike trail groomer in Riverside State Park and elsewhere in the Spokane region; he knows all the best combinations of obscenities to shout at just the right volume to bring any mechanical contrivance to heel. Snow plowed into unprotected bike lanes could remain a problem, but perhaps I could be persuaded to trade in my cushy union grocery hauling gig to drive snow plows for the city, in which case you would never see a snowflake in the bike lane ever again.  

To learn more about the Coffeeneuring Challenge, visit ChasingMailboxes.com, but I suggest just hopping on your bike to get your ‘neur on … it will stimulate your neurons. See what I did there? I might need to cut back on my caffeine intake.  

Staff writer Justin M Short BA has registered for the solo category in this year’s 24 Hours of Riverside Mountain Bike Race. He’s a little unclear if he’s going for a Riverside double century or just trying to get 8 hours of sleep between laps. Either way, coffee will be involved.  

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By Justin Short  

I lived on the west side for 13 years—and by “west side,” I mean the green and rainy side of the Cascades—and was well accustomed to a long, dreary, rainy season that could almost outlast my rosy disposition. When I moved to the Inland Northwest 12 years ago, I was assured that winter here would be socked in with clouds and fog blotting out the sun at least as long as the most depressing Portland winter. “But,” I would always retort, “if there’s snow on the ground and falling from the sky, it’s a winter wonderland.” I know I’m preaching to the choir here with the OTO readership, but seasonal affective disorder has a hard time doing its thing when there’s snow to play in.  

The first snow is always the best for any kind of fat biking, but especially urban fat biking. Snow hasn’t been plowed into the bike lanes yet (because that’s where they plow the snow here. I mean, who would ride bikes in the winter here, anyway? Fill that bike lane with snow!) Given the inconsistency of our climatic weather patterns these days, we might get several first snows during the course of the winter. It’s snow that doesn’t have ice underneath it waiting to take you out. If you don’t own a fat bike, this is the time to hit the streets on your mountain bike, or pretty much any bike if the snow is only two or three inches deep. Beyond that, you kind of need a fat bike. The colder the snow, the better the traction you’ll find underneath.  

When the snow is right, where should you go? It might take a day or two for Frank Benish to groom the miles and miles of trails in Riverside State Park, and that really is some of the finest urban winter fat biking to be found, but there’s something infective and charming about seeing cross country skiers hit the snowy streets that always makes me want to follow suit. For me, it’s the allure of the high alpine region of that which we call the South Hill.  

One of my first urban fat bike excursions that I fondly recall involved stopping for coffee at one of our fine local roasters on Monroe with former EDC columnist Justin Skay. Afterward, we climbed up from the lowlands of downtown Spokane to . . . I don’t know exactly where we were, because everything looked different in the snow. We turned left and right at random, eventually finding ourselves on a corner where every porch, sidewalk, and yard had a multitude of snow bunnies. They ranged in size from a couple of feet tall to darn near the size of a full-grown snowman. The snow was deeper up there (it always is) and the porches were very charming—the turkeys definitely thought so, because every porch had a turkey or three, none of them made of snow.  

Last winter, a snow storm was coming in one evening, with rain in forecast the next morning. I think its the bane of every snow sports enthusiast here that a good snowfall is so frequently followed by rain the next morning that ruins everything. In such circumstances, there is no time to drive anywhere, all you can do is hop on the bike and go for a good urban slog. Good fortune is smiling upon you if you happen to have a partner in crime close by who is typically ready to roll at the drop of a wool cycling cap. I texted Anthony, or maybe he texted me, and a last-minute plan was hatched to go see some Christmas lights.  

We met at Uprise Brewing for a quick pre-ride snack. By the time we left, our beloved snow was tapering into rain. I don’t have fenders on my fat bike, so my tactic was to ride slowly so as to avoid the “wet diaper effect.” When riding in the rain, the average fat bike tire is instantly transformed into a Mississippi Queen riverboat paddle wheel, propelling unfathomable amounts of water from the street onto your back, which then seeps down into your nether regions. I don’t care how much Gore-Tex you’re wearing, that is your fate when riding in the rain without fenders. It wasn’t hard to stay dry, because we were soon climbing the South Hill to our first destination, the light display at Cowley Park below Providence Sacred Heart hospital. It’s quite magical to ride around through their holiday light show.  

The hill gets rather steep from there, and the secondary tactic to stay dry is to unzip jackets and pedal gently so as not to arrive at the top of a climb wearing 80 pounds of sweat-soaked clothes. The rain turned back into snow before we reached the top of the climb, and we meandered our way towards our second destination, the light show at Manito Park. I think every city has that drive-or-walk-through holiday light show that draws carloads of families by the thousands. This year there is no Manito light show car option due to traffic issues in the past, just a walking route. BUT, you can ride your bike around much of the park and right through another stunning light show. Such is the life of an urban fat biker.  

Justin Short will be out there turning pedals in the rain, hail, sleet, and snow all winter long, hopeful that he will once again dodge the invite to go winter bikepacking with the Idaho Bikepacking crew. This, however, may be the year his luck runs out. 

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