She fills her pockets and her pack and her shirt and loiters long, too long, until our companions move on up the trail. Miles from here they will check their watches or the angle of the sun through the forest and, if they are in the know, shake their heads. Meanwhile, she slips a papery pod through […]
Ana Maria Spagna: Gone Native Read More »
Rapidly shrinking glaciers in Montana’s Glacier National Park alarm scientists and visitors to the mountainous 1.013 million-acre park along the Alberta border. In the past half century, more than half of Glacier’s ice pack has disappeared. All the glaciers have retreated. To measure the impacts of a changing climate in the high country, the park
Citizen Science & the Crown of the Continent Read More »
The day before Mother’s Day in 2016, I decided to go for a 16-mile overnight backpacking trip with my friends Chris and Alex (plus my dog, Remi) to celebrate the beginning of the season and to make sure all our gear was in order for future trips. We decided on a thru-hike from Cashmere to
Acid Mountain Rescue Team Read More »
1,000 feet. 1,100. 1,200. Applying botanical knowledge and directional abilities more novice than my mountain biking, I was crudely estimating elevation gain on a knee-creaking climb to the Kettle Crest by observing the changing patterns of lupine lining the trail. There were lush clusters at first, proud stands of purple parade goers gustily waving riders
Ferry County Pedal Fest Read More »
Mile 34. My feet ache, burn, and swell with painful blisters. Each step has become a burden, and our pace has slowed to just over one mile per hour on the downhill. It’s 11:30 p.m. and we have 10 more miles to go. I curse my optimism (wearing brand new boots will be fine, I
Lessons from the Wild Read More »
Fire Lookout Museum in north Spokane, created by historian and author Ray Kresek, includes a near replica of a Forest Service compound.
Visit the Fire Lookout Museum in Spokane Read More »
It was late fall in North Cascades National Park, and snow was already coating the high peaks. But on this particular day, the sun was shining. Temperatures were climbing into the 50s. Best of all, the hordes of summer backpackers who flock to the alpine glory of Copper Ridge were gone. The weather forecast called
Epic in a Day: Crushing the Copper Ridge Loop Read More »
One of the most frustrating things about backcountry hydration is how difficult it is to clean and thoroughly dry bladders, bottles, and other water containers. The Cnoc Vecto collapsible water bottle solves that problem, and others, with great design. The soft, BPA-free bottle is easily filled, cleaned, and dried thanks to the bottom of the
Gear Review: CNOC Outdoors Collapsible Water Container Read More »
When it comes to summer festivals, park concerts and barbeques, and lazy days at the beach, I’m a man of leisure. And by that I mean a minimalist backcountry camp chair just won’t cut it. ENO’s Lounger SL low-riding chair keeps you lounging close to the things you love (cool grass, soft sand, and refreshing
Gear Review: ENO Lounger SL Chair Read More »
I spent what seemed like an hour one night trying to get a rock tied to a length of cord lobbed over a branch from which to hang a sack of jerky, peanut butter, and other treats a bear would have loved to devour. After endless attempts and nearly beaning a buddy with a rock
Gear Review: Rock Sok Food Hanging System Read More »
