GREG HILL’S SHORT FILM on backcountry skiing, “The Unbearable Lightness of Skiing” was included in this year’s Banff Mountain Film Festival. We caught up with the Revelstoke, B.C. native and interviewed him by cell phone in mid-November. He was at 6000 feet, skiing in the mountains when we spoke to him and reported the snow […]
Interview with Back Country Skier Greg Hill Read More »
Personal Record Rachel Toor University of Nebraska Press, 2008, 164 pages I readily admit I’m a sucker for great books about running, and I confess that I do like the Penguin Chronicles. I’ve notched enough marathons to appreciate gutsy races, ridiculous workouts, and the esoteric prose that some writers put forth to champion their cause,
“The sight of Harrison Peak hovering above its namesake lake at the headwaters of the Pack River provides one of the loveliest backdrops in all of North Idaho,” according to Thad Laird. He ought to know since he wrote a Climber’s Guide to North Idaho and the Cabinet Wilderness. Make no mistake; Harrison Peak and
Harrison Lake: Great Views in the Selkirks Read More »
Fallen Giants: The History Of Himalayan Mountaineering From The Age Of Empire To The Age Of Extremes Maurice Issleman and Stewart Weaver, Yale University Press, 2008, 592 pages Issleman and Weaver’s massive tome summarizes Himalayan mountaineering in general the same way Michael Ward described Mt. Everest in his 2003 book Everest: A Thousand Years of
A Different Kind of Outdoor Adventure WHEN MOST PEOPLE THINK of outdoor adventure it involves visiting remote areas, by themselves or in small groups, and taking calculated risks to experience something beyond their static everyday lives. Those words certainly describe mountain biking, rock climbing, or backcountry skiing. They could also describe hopping freight trains. Only
Illegal. Dangerous: Train Hopping Read More »
Everyone can have a “lake place” if you consider all the public campgrounds and backcountry alpine lakes that are available for little to no cost. Only a two-hour drive from Spokane, Priest Lake is one of mine. It provides an easy, low-cost retreat even for minimalist outdoor recreationists—you don’t need a boat to have fun.
Boatless At Priest Lake: Everyone Can Hike, Bike And Camp At The Big Lake Read More »
High Crimes: The Fate Of Everest In An Age Of Greed Michael Kodas Hyperion Books, 2008, 357 pages Michael Kodas draws on his experiences during Everest expeditions in 2004 and 2006, to explore the sometimes-parasitic relationships that have developed among Everest climbers. Drawing on his skills as a reporter Kodas goes behind the up front
Backpacking in Glacier National Park’s wilderness requires careful planning. Learn about a 4-day itinerary in the Belly River area.
Trip Planning & Backpacking in Glacier National Park Read More »
NOTHING PINK, NOTHING DAINTY. When venturing outdoors with your four-legged friend, there are serious gear options to consider. The frugal-minded might wonder why a collar and leash aren’t good enough for a camping or backcountry adventure. Well, imagine no longer carrying your dog’s food, water, treats and other necessities. Ruff Wear makes some of the
A Ruff Guide To Outdoor Dog Gear Read More »
A few months ago I stumbled across the biggest backcountry trash heap I’ve ever seen. While rock climbing in Northrup Canyon, near Banks Lake and Steamboat Rock, I found approximately 2 or 3 acres of rusted cans. I couldn’t believe it. My climbing partner and I hypothesized that they came from the workers on Grand
Trash or artifacts? Read More »
