By Ammi Midstokke Cover photo courtesy of Chris Ashenbrener On the morning of May 18, 1980, Chris Ashenbrener was pouring concrete on the edge of Lake Pend Oreille, far from his stomping grounds in the Cascade Range. Hours after he began, the sky began snowing ash. Ashenbrener retreated to his tent and watched as confused […]
The Day Mount St. Helens Reopened Read More »
Forty years after the famous, devastating eruption, Mount St. Helens hosts a new struggle that pits the science community against the U.S. Forest Service and the Army Corp of Engineers. It’s a unique entanglement that involves the land, the lake, and a Spirit Lake tunnel created in 1985 to serve as an artificial outlet. Spirit Lake received
Mount St. Helens Threatens Again Read More »
Castle Rock, Wash. Outdoor recreation areas around the Pacific Northwest have been extremely crowded during the pandemic. Last summer, the Forest Service and county sheriff’s offices began towing cars parked illegally near trailheads on Mount Hood, Mount Adams, and other day-use areas around the region. In an effort to reduce crowds on Mount St Helens,
Climbing Permit Changes for Mount St Helens Read More »
Where were you on May 18, 1980? Longtime residents of the Inland Northwest remember that day that Mount St. Helens erupted, blowing 520 million tons of ash into the atmosphere and bringing darkness to the region in the middle of the day. Thirty-five years after the big explosion, I visited the famous summit with some
How Not to Climb a Mountain Read More »
1977 was a big year for club member John Roskelley, who, along with non-members Galen Rowell, Kim Schmitz and Dennis Henzel, attempted and succeeded to climb the Middle Trango Tower in Pakistan. Notable new club members this year included Rich and Meredith Landers, as well as Rich’s long-time adventure companion, friend and fellow conservationist Dick
Looking Back at the Spokane Mountaineers (1977 to 1985) Read More »
ViewRanger and Casio have partnered to create a navigation system that makes it simple and fun to map and follow trails from your wrist. Sponsored Content By Doug Schnitzspahn Up above the cool riffles of the South St. Vrain Creek in the Colorado foothills, the hot, dry trail to Miller Rock turns into a confusing
Finding Your Way in the Wild Just Got Easier Read More »
Spokane Bike Swap & Expo (April 14): Find a new bike for your kid (or yourself) at the region’s largest bike consignment sale—Spokane County Fair and Expo Center, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Spokanebikeswap.com Washington State Parks Free Admission Days (select dates, April-Sept): No Discover Pass required on April 14 (Spring Day), April 22 (Earth Day), June
Family Outdoor Events & Adventures Read More »
The first time I clicked in to skis, I didn’t know how to turn, how to weight my legs, where to put my hands. A guy with snow in his beard pointed me straight down the hill and I took off, letting my natural balance and my inability to know any better keep me afloat
Learning to Ski as an Adult Read More »
A mere two and a half hours from Spokane, southern British Columbia’s Christina Lake lies off the radar of many shore-goers heading to its Priest and Pend Oreille kin. Sitting in a small valley where the forested Monashee Mountains begin their ascent out of the arid Canadian Okanagan, Christina Lake lays claim to being one
Off The Map: Find Hidden Trails and Beaches Close to the Border at Christina Lake, B.C. Read More »
The Inland Northwest’s arid reputation is baked into its name. While it may be on the “dry side” of the Cascades, with world-class whitewater, blue-ribbon fishing and a place at the forefront of river sports, the region has been quietly racking up river recreation accolades over the years. Meet these three Inland Northwest river people
River People: A Fly Caster, River Surfer and Whitewater Pioneer Read More »
