Out There Monthly August 2015

BACKCOUNTRY ISSUE | LONG LAKE | HIKE OF THE MONTH AUGUST 2015 // FREE

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THE INLAND NW GUIDE TO OUTDOOR ADVENTURE, TRAVEL AND THE OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE

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Out There Monthly / August 2015

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In This Issue p.5 / From the Editor

MONTHLY

The Mountains Are Calling

p.6-7 / Out There News Out There Monthly /August 2015

p.8 / Hike of the month p.9 / Running Kettle Crest DIY Ultra

www.outtheremonthly.com Publishers

p.10 / Watersports Exploring Lake Spokane

p.11 / Mountain biking Kootenay SufferFest

p.12 / out there kids Camping & Floating on the CDA River

p.13 / everyday cyclist Spokane Cyclist: Bill Bender

p.14 / Out There Spotlight Spokane Mountaineers

p.16 / Fishing You Can’t Just Take

Shallan & Derrick Knowles Editor

Derrick Knowles senior writers

Jon Jonckers Brad Naccarato Amy Silbernagel McCaffree Contributing Writers:

Chic Burge, Kelly Chadwick, Hank Greer, Simon Hartt, Summer Hess, Erik K., Derrick Knowles, Bea Lacaff, Jason Luthy Ammi Midstokke Josh Mills, Brad Northrup, Skye Schillhammer, Aaron Theisen, Holly Weiler Contributing photographers:

Dan Chamberlain Josh Mills Janis Neufeld Shallan Knowles Skye Schillhammer Walter Siegmund Aaron Theisen Art + Production

p.18 / Mountain Biking

Art Director - Shallan Knowles Contributing Designer - Brad Naccarato

B.C. MTB Road Trip to request copies caLl

p.19 / Health & Fitness Guts & Glory

509 / 822 / 0123 Ad Sales

Derrick Knowles: 509 / 822 / 0123 Brad Naccarato

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P.26 / 7 Wild Places

Out There Monthly

Mailing Address: PO Box #5 Spokane, WA 99210 www.outtheremonthly.com, 509 / 822 / 0123 FIND US ON FACEBOOK Out There Monthly is published once a month by Out There Monthly, LLC. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent of the publisher. ©Copyright 2015 Out There Monthly, LLC. The views expressed in this magazine reflect those of the writers and advertisers and not necessarily Out There Monthly, LLC. Disclaimer: Many of the activities depicted in this magazine carry a significant risk of personal injury or death.

Rock climbing, river rafting, snow sports, kayaking, cycling, canoeing and backcountry activities are inherently dangerous. The owners and contributors to Out There Monthly do not recommend that anyone participate in these activities unless they are experts or seek qualified professional instruction and/or guidance, and are knowledgeable about the risks, and are personally willing to assume all responsibility associated with those risks.

Printed on 50% recycled paper with soy based inks in the Spokane Valley PROUD MEMBER Of

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Out There Monthly / August 2015

DS LE! R CA ILAB T F A GI AV W NO

P.27 / Buzz Bin P.28-29 / Outdoor calendar P.30 / last page Climbing with Anna

A hiker enjoys the view from the Stateline Trail on the Idaho / Montana border. In the background stands Illinois Peak, the third-highest summit in the northern Bitterroot Mountains.

Photo: AARON THEISEN

From The Editor: The Mountains Are Calling John Muir said “Going to the mountains is going home.” If you can relate, there is no shortage of places in the greater Inland Northwest that should feel like home. This is OTM’s second annual “Backcountry” issue, so a cover story highlighting a few wild, mountainous places that you can drive through, with drool-inducing views and inimitable trails and campsites along the way, seemed like a perfect fit.

My addiction to exploring such out-of-the-way places in whatever ramshackle vehicle I had at the time (or, more often, in the more reliable, higherquality vehicle of a hiking/biking buddy) started back in college. Back roads through remote, primitive country called out from guide books, worn road atlases with missing pages and from too many

barstool conversations with wild-eyed characters in small town taverns. If there was a “road” in questionable condition to the bottom of Hells Canyon or another splitting two of the biggest wilderness areas in North America, I had to check it out.

Roads that head into the middle of nowhere or that flirt with large blocks of wild country usually have a lot to offer in the way of high quality outdoor recreation experiences: amazing views; uncrowded trails and camp sites; clear, cold creeks and rivers; plenty of chances for cool and unusual wildlife encounters; interesting old cabins, lookouts, mines and other historical sites; and a general feeling of real solitude and primordial wildness that can certainly feel like home when you’re kicking back in your lawn chair gaping into the void of some bottomless canyon

or out at a mind-numbing display of endless peaks.

That is if you’re in to that sort of thing.

“Backcountry” is one of those words, like wilderness, that has meaning to many of us beyond formal definitions. Even living in the city, at least around here, the possibilities for backcountry-like experiences close to home are boundless, with plenty of public lands and trails connecting the urban home front to rural landscapes and mountains far beyond the county line.

In the week leading up to writing this, out running on trails near the river, my sense of urban and rural, civilized and wild, became pleasantly blurred on two separate occasions. Along a little-used foot path in a dense stand of pines near the Bowl & Pitcher, I found myself surrounded by four curious coyote pups that

stared back at me as I watched them from a few yards away. I caught my breath and sweated while they scratched, sat, or weaved in and out of stunted trees, seemingly contemplating their next moves.

Days later, even more surprisingly, a badger bolted in front of me suddenly from a well-manicured yard and across a city street into the dark, wooded river gorge beyond. We sure are lucky to live in a place where we don’t need to leave town for a backcountry experience, but that sure is nice too once in a while.

“The mountains are calling and I must go,” said Muir.

Amen to that. // Derrick Knowles, Editor editor@outtheremnthly.com

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Out There Monthly / August 2015

Out ThereNews&Events Nelson has some of the best mountain biking in the world. From steep, gnarly downhills, to flowing and fast cross-country trails as well as epic rides with 360-degree views. For the past 20 years, Nelson’s Fat Tire Festival has celebrated this West Kootenay mountain town’s passion for mountain biking. The festival is a full weekend of family-friendly events including recreational rides to get to know the local trails; cross-country and downhill races; a poker ride; a bike decorating contest and bike parade; the Kootenay Krawl competition (the last rider wins); the Last Wheelie Standing contest; downhill shuttles; and kids cross-country races. Events and competitions take place in downtown Nelson and

at several Nelson area trail systems, including the new Morning Mountain cross-country trails 10 minutes out of town, the Smallwood cross-country trail system a little further out and the Mountain Station downhill trails right in Nelson. All of the events this year feature a “casino” theme that wraps up with prizes at the Roots, Rocks, and Rhythm party on historic downtown Baker Street. Event costs vary from $5 to $15 and there are discounts for signing up for the whole day. More info on the festival at Nelsonfattire.com. Find info about other things to do around Nelson and accommodation options at Nelsonkootenaylake.com.

Sierra Club ICO Program Gets Kids Outside

The local Sierra Club group’s ICO program (Inspiring Connections Outdoors) relaunched this summer, taking Spokane area kids who might otherwise not get outside much on fun outdoor adventures. Founded in 1971 by the Sierra Club to serve at-risk youth, ICO originally stood for “Inner City Outings.” Today, the program has a different name and has evolved to serve all youth and actively engage people in outdoor activities and adventures.

ICO outings help kids develop outdoor and leadership skills and to grow respect for self, others and the environment.

Sierra Club member Chris Bachman led the Spokane-based program for 10 years, providing fun and adventure for about 3,000 children.

Without this volunteer program, these kids might never have unplugged or got off the couch and into the great outdoors, says Bachman. Bachman and other volunteers took kids hiking, wildlife viewing, cross-country skiing, canoeing, snowshoeing and on trail maintenance and stewardship

projects. Some ICO trips connected to classroom learning by engaging students in citizen science projects, like water quality testing, wildlife monitoring and collecting data for forest studies.

The new Spokane Inspiring Connections Outdoors program plans to partner with community agencies, like the West Central Community Center, to engage with grade school students on monthly outings. Bachman emphasizes what a life inspiring gift those experiences can become.

“The greatest rewards are the spontaneous smiles that flash in moments of discovery,” he says. “If we want to build stewards for the future to care for and protect the dwindling wild places we have, it is imperative that we get kids outside so they can experience them and develop a first-hand knowledge of why they are special and need to be protected.” For more information about how to volunteer with ICO or become an agency partner, email Chris Bachman at chris.bachman@sierraclub.org. (Bea Lackaff)

Pend Oreille Poker Paddle (August 8)

You don’t need to be an ace at poker to sign up for the Pend Oreille Poker Paddle. The whole goal of this event is to get more people out enjoying paddling canoes, kayaks and paddleboards on a 17-mile section of the beautiful Pend Oreille River Water Trail. The event starts Saturday morning, August 8, with a put-in between 9-11 a.m. at Rotary Park in Oldtown, Idaho. Paddlers must finish the Poker Paddle course by 5 p.m.,

taking off the river at the boat launch in the town of Usk, 17 miles downstream, where there will be prizes handed out, free camping and live music. The Pend Oreille River Water Trail covers 70 miles, beginning in Oldtown, Idaho, and following the river north through Pend Oreille County to Boundary Dam near the Canadian border. More info: Newportareachamber.com or call 509-447-6457.

Spokane River Clean-Up Looking for Volunteers Each year, hundreds of volunteers spend a Saturday morning together picking up garbage and recyclable materials from our public lands along the Spokane River. In 2013, volunteers removed about four tons of debris from several locations along the river downtown Spokane and in Spokane Valley.

Volunteers then sorted and recycled about one ton of the material collected. The annual Spokane River Clean-Up is a great chance to give back to the river and surrounding park lands that provide so many recreational opportunities. Registration for this year’s event will open in early September, but organizers are looking to sign up about 100 volunteers who are willing to play a leadership role in this year’s clean-up. Team leaders in groups of two help coordinate groups of up to 45 volunteers on the day of the event, leading them to the right clean up areas and making sure volunteers put the trash and recyclables in the right places for pick-up. Team

Leaders also carry extra supplies and are responsible for reporting situations that require special response or assisting with minor first aid. Team Leaders start work at 8:45 a.m. and are finished up by noon. Organizers are also looking for volunteers to serve other leadership roles, including people with trucks willing to drive and haul away trash and other less formal volunteer opportunities that don’t require directly coordinating and leading other volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering for a key role, please contact Danny Murphy at riversidestatepark1@gmail.com or 509-795-4609, or Lindsay Box at lbox@landscouncil.org. If you just want to participate as a regular volunteer in this year’s clean-up, wait until the first week of September and go to the group’s website to preregister. Look for more info in the September issue of Out There Monthly.

Paddle splash & Play Kids’ Paddling Event (August 15) This free kids’ event organized by the Spokane Canoe and Kayak Club is a chance for parents to introduce their children to paddle sports in a safe and fun on-the-water environment on Lake Spokane. The event takes place on Saturday, August 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Nine Mile Recreation Area at 11226 West Charles Road near Nine Mile Falls (northwest of Spokane off of West Nine Mile Road/Highway 291). Adults should plan to join in the activities with their kids, including trying out all of the different paddling equipment and boats, including

canoes, sea kayaks, whitewater kayaks, inflatable kayaks, recreational kayaks and stand up paddleboards (SUPs). Experienced paddlers will be on hand to explain how to use the different gear and offer tips. Bring a PFD (personal flotation device) for yourself and each child if you have them – there will be some available to borrow too, but bringing your own will get you on the water faster. A Discover Pass is required to park at the Nine Mile Recreation Area. You can purchase one on site if you don’t already have one.

SUP, Paddle & Float through Spokane Valley Pangaea River Rafting is offering a chance to try beginner-friendly river paddleboarding, inflatable kayaking or floating in a whitewater raft on the Spokane River in Spokane Valley for four days this summer (August 13-16). There will be three start times each day (9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.). Choose an inflatable kayak, stand up paddleboard or a seat in a raft. Enjoy the warm water temps of this scenic stretch of the river

through Spokane Valley. Each 2-3 hour, familyfriendly tour includes the chance to swim, play in the river, squirt gun fight or relax in the sun on the river. All gear and the shuttle are provided. No experience is necessary, but reservations are required. Call 406-239-2392 for pricing and additional details on the “Spokane Valley Splash & Dash” limited-time trips, or check online for details coming soon. Montanariverrafting.com.

August 2015

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HikeOfTheMonth

Copper Butte (Kettle Range, NE Washington) // Hike of the Month and photos by Holly Weiler

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Although I highly recommend completing the full length of the Kettle Crest, this shorter outand-back sampler takes visitors to the Crest’s highest summit in a more manageable 6-mile, round-trip distance. The route includes the historic Old Stage Road Trail #75, the final remnant of Washington’s first cross-state “highway” in 1892. The route was officially abandoned in 1898, but horse-drawn stage coaches are still allowed in case you happen to own one. Otherwise, visit on foot and gain over 1,500 feet of elevation to Copper Butte’s summit, the sixth highest peak in Eastern Washington.

The gentle grade of the Old Stage Road begins in a lodgepole pine forest from a trailhead that boasts a small free campground. The views begin to open up to the north within the first mile. When the Old Stage Road crosses Kettle Crest Trail #13 at the 1.6 mile mark, hikers will need to turn south and begin the steep final ascent. The trail switchbacks up Copper Butte’s flanks where scars still remain from when the mountain was charred in a 1994 blaze, leaving behind standing silvery snags. Visit early in the month to find the best wildflower displays beneath the skeletal remains of trees in the burn zone.

Those who persevere through the steep climb are rewarded with some of the best views along the Kettle Crest. The summit is the site of a former lookout tower, although rusting debris is all that remains of the 1921 cupola cabin. Ladybug swarms can often be found on the summit rocks, and the views invite hikers to linger and take it all in. Retrace the same route on the return, or study the maps to try some of the longer loop routes that are possible from the same trailhead. The hike distance roundtrip is 6 miles. The hike is best for hikers, horses and wagon teams (no joke). It’s also open to bikes but isn’t a very bike-friendly trail. Dogs are allowed, although with wolves and bears in the area, leashes are recommended.

Getting There: Take Highway 395 north of Spokane through Kettle Falls. Cross the Columbia, then bear west on Highway 20. Continue just over 18 miles, then turn north on Albion Hill Road and continue approximately 7 miles to the trailhead for Old Stage Road.

Give Back to Our Trails!

August 1 is Washington Trails Day and there is a Washington Trails Association trail work party at Mt. Spokane. On August 21-23, WTA has a backpack-style trail work party on the Shedroof Divide in the Salmo Priest Wilderness. Sign up at wta.org/volunteer/east.

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Running

Kettle Crest DIY Ultra All it Takes is You // By Holly Weiler

“May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view.” E.A. Photo: Holly Weiler

Occasionally people ask me my favorite outdoor activity. It can be hard to narrow it down, considering the assorted skis stashed in odd corners of my house, the pile of backpacks on the floor, the snowshoes hidden behind my couch and the kayak and mountain bike in the basement. Still, for more than two-thirds of my life, I have been a runner, so running is what it always boils down to for me. Everything else is just cross training.

In an article I read recently, the writer said that the main difference between road racers and trail runners is that road racers train, while trail runners just run. I don’t know why that came as an epiphany to me, but it did. I spent my high school and college career following strict training regimens while chasing PRs and team points. I spent my 20s on an only-slightly-less-strict schedule, traveling to at least one road race every weekend.

My closet bulges with finisher shirts, and my bookshelf sags with road race hardware.

Then somewhere along the way I lost some of my competitive drive, or maybe just my ability to keep churning out PRs. I ceased to be a road racer, gave up training schedules altogether and happily morphed into a trail runner. Now I just run, when I feel like, and I do other stuff when I don’t feel like running. I also became burned out by increasingly high entry fees for tech tees and nicer swag bags at races, right around the time I discovered the do-it-yourself, ultra fun run. Ultras are those races that are longer than marathon distance. They’re expensive when they’re real events requiring permits and event insurance, boasting multiple aid stations and finisher’s medals; they’re free if one just picks a trail and goes running, carrying the aid station on one’s back.

My favorite trail for the experience is the Kettle Crest National Scenic Trail in Northeast Washington’s Kettle River Range. At a little over 43 miles from end to end, it more than doubles the distance of anything else I’m apt to run in a typical year. I take liberal walking breaks to make up for little formal training. If I had ever walked in one of those college 10Ks, I would have been laughed right off the track, but nobody judges walkers harshly in ultras, especially the DIY variety where there are rarely any witnesses.

The Kettle Crest route starts out easily enough

at the White Mountain trailhead, where sunrise is always spectacular, and the huckleberries are sometimes distracting. It’s only 13 miles to Sherman Pass, but the trail skirts five peaks along the way. The pass can function as a bailout point if needed, and it’s a respectable half-marathon. Cross the road and continue north, and it becomes the point of no return. From there it’s only 30 miles to trail’s end at Deer Creek Summit.

The farther I go north, the more my mind tends to play tricks on me. The first year I did it, an evening thunderstorm gave me enough of an adrenaline boost to run the majority of the final 10 miles. Two years ago, I started hallucinating, hearing voices in the woods from 1 p.m. until I finished, which also serves well to make a person run faster. Last year, blisters slowed my pace to the point where I became tempted to sleep trailside and hobble out in the morning. I limped on despite the pain and finished at midnight, satisfied that I could be done with such foolish ideas as 43-mile days. Now I’m not so sure, and I’m gearing up for a fourth attempt.

When I used to race those college 10Ks, we always said we weren’t ready for another one until we’d forgotten how painful the last one was, until we were actually looking forward to standing on that starting line again. Some Saturday this month, I’ll once more be standing at the base of White Mountain near sunrise, ready to venture out beneath giant larch and through the old burn before the sun becomes too hot. Then it will get too hot, but I’ll try to keep going past Sherman Pass anyway. I’ll savor the shade on the backside of Jungle Hill, but I’ll prefer the open meadows near Wapaloosie. I’ll dread climbing Copper Butte, high point at 7,140’ elevation, but I’ll relish the view and my traditional celebratory snack break once I get to the top. I’ll say something unrepeatable when Profanity Peak first comes into view.

After that, the sun will probably go down, and I’ll wish I was a person who could still bring myself to train just a little, if only so I could finish before dark. At the end, I’ll probably foreswear ever doing it again, until next spring, when I’ll miss it and try to plan just one more crazy day on the spine of the Columbia Highlands. //

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Watersports For Paddlers and Boaters, There’s a Lot to Explore at Lake Spokane // By Derrick Knowles

other reservoirs they have a business relationship with. As part of the recent Federal Energy Regulatory Commission relicensing agreement for the Long Lake Dam that forms Lake Spokane, they have already been pumping money into recreation projects along the lakeshore and conservation efforts throughout the watershed aimed at improving water quality. As part of the FERC deal, Avista is required to invest some of the money it makes from selling power generated by the dam back into recreation and environmental projects that benefit fish, wildlife and lake users.

So far, the utility company has spent almost 1 million on recreation projects along the lake, with another $300,000 that they anticipate spending in cooperation with Washington State Parks soon.

According to Avista’s Marketing Manager Mary Tyrie, the company also spends another $90,000 a year maintaining recreation facilities on Lake Spokane and the Nine Mile Reservoir. Extending the Centennial Trail all the way to the Nine Mile Recreation Area is one project that’s already in the works, and there are other Avista-funded recreation projects being considered around the lake.

For the average paddler, boater, camper or angler, wading through the tangle of environmental, political and legal issues that surround Lake Spokane’s management sounds about as enjoyable as a swim through a milfoil infested algae bloom, I’m guessing. Despite its past problems, Lake Spokane is still a popular destination for boaters and anglers that is also starting to get more attention from paddlers and campers thanks in part to improved public facilities at the Nine Mile Recreation Area on the east end of the lake and the new boat-in campsites managed by Washington State Parks on the west end of the lake. Increased attention toward improving water quality will also make a big difference to future generations of paddlers and other lake-goers who hopefully won’t have to worry about the safety of the water they’re playing, paddling and fishing in. //

Growing up in the Spokane area, it’s kind of hard to believe that I hadn’t done more than hike or drive along the edges of Lake Spokane before an Avista-inspired boat tour of the 24-mile-long lake last summer. The reservoir, which is formed by the Long Lake Dam impounded waters of the Spokane River, is a stunningly enjoyable and scenic boaters’ oasis just minutes from downtown Spokane. Lake Spokane, which many old-timers refuse to call anything other than its original name, Long Lake, had its name changed by the state legislature to something less confusing back in the 60s (there were way too many Long Lakes in the state). Since then, disagreements over the reservoir’s name have been the least of the lake’s problems.

After the tour, one of the things I was left wondering about is why Lake Spokane doesn’t get more attention from paddlers. I’m guessing it has something to do with being downstream from several waste water treatment plants on top of a series of image marring events over the years ranging from algae blooms, carp die-offs, aquatic weed overgrowth and other water quality issues that have plagued the lake for decades.

Despite all that, the huge lake, with its miles of beautiful undeveloped shoreline and relatively new public access and recreation sites, is awesome. On top of that, Avista, waste dischargers, regulatory agencies, watch dog groups and other stakeholders have been working to address the aforementioned challenges for years, and, as many of those involved would agree, progress is being made, including, most notably, a significant water quality improvement since waste water treatment facilities upgrades started going in upstream in the 70s.

While we cruised along on our tour at mostly boat-planing speeds, pointing at lakeshore features and discussing recreation sites and conservation challenges, I was quietly day dreaming about how incredible the far end of the lake would be for a multi-day sea kayak, canoe or stand up paddleboard trip, especially with the new Avista-built boat-in campsites we had just visited as a final destination. If your only association with Avista is getting twitchy over thoughts of your utility bill, it’s worth also contemplating the company’s contributions to recreation infrastructure and maintenance at Lake Spokane and

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Out There Monthly / August 2015

Top and bottom: Plush camps and killer views await boaters and paddlers at the far end of Lake Spokane. Middle: Western Grebes ON THE EAST END OF THE LAKE PhotoS: Shallan Knowles

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With the addition of 10 new boat-in camp sites on the lower (west) end of Lake Spokane, overnight canoe, kayak or even stand up paddleboard trips – with your camping gear, water and food stowed away in dry bags – are now more feasible. The decked-out camp sites include large flat areas for tents, docks for motorboats or paddle craft, toilets, picnic tables and fire rings. Launching from the Nine Mile Recreation Area on the upper end of the lake would mean an 18-20 mile paddle one-way to the camp sites, which you can reserve in advance. For a shorter haul, paddlers can launch from the Lake Spokane Campground on the north end of the reservoir, making for a much easier paddle of a few miles to reach the boat-in campsites.

Either way, the lower end of the lake feels remote and surprisingly wild, with much of the land being owned by Avista, State Parks and the Department of Natural Resources, making it easy to forget how close you are to the hustle and bustle of Spokane.

Hazards to watch out for include motor boat wakes, strong winds, aquatic plants and the occasional, localized blue-green algae blooms that should be avoided by paddlers and swimmers (look for signs that should be posted when an event is occurring). For directions and more info on the Nine Mile Recreation Area and Lake Spokane Campground launch sites, which require a Discover Pass, visit the Spokane River Forum Water Trail page at Spokaneriver.net or the State Parks website. To reserve a boat-in campsite for $12 per night, call 888-226-7688. If you are launching from the Nine Mile Recreation Area, where you can also rent canoes, kayaks and stand up paddleboards, you will also need to pay a $10 overnight parking fee. //

Mountain Biking

Kootenay sufferfest

A Little Bit of Suffering & a Whole Lot of Fun // By Erik K.

To suffer is to live. Photo: Janis Neufeld

When a friend asked me to take a few days off to race the Kootenay Sufferfest mountain bike race, I laughed at him. Suffering should be something you get paid to do, not something you pay for, I thought. It turns out I was dead wrong.

After some convincing on his part, I found myself heading north into the wilds of British Columbia. If you still have yet to take the short drive from Spokane up into the Kootenays, you’re missing out. Scenic mountain landscapes, quiet towns and friendly faces are just a few of the highlights.

Four hours after leaving Spokane, we arrived in New Denver, B.C. This small village is nestled on the shores of Slocan Lake, one of the many pristine finger lakes that collect the abundance of fresh powder melt the Kootenays are known for. Show up a day before the races, and set up camp along its banks, or just take a dip afterwards.

Either way, the views of Valhalla Provincial Park across the lake will have your iPhone camera crying for more gigs.

In this relaxing, family-friendly atmosphere, there’s a race for everyone. Everything from a 6K trail run, duathlons and cyclocross races, all the way up to the only point-to-point long distance XC mountain bike race in B.C., the 100k. I decided to tone down the suffering for my first attempt and signed up for the 40K mountain bike race.

Nearly 50 racers, all but one of which were Canadian, lined up for the start. After realizing I was the lone racer branded with the stars and stripes, I knew that I was going to have to ride strong.

The first few miles followed a fertile singletrack trail out of town along Carpenter Creek. My fellow racers and I grunted along at an unsustainable pace, eager to pull ahead while burning off excess race jitters. A quick hike-a-bike up to a rail grade had my heart beating out of my chest and was the first taste of the suffering that lied ahead. Once looping back through the start, we headed east on the opposite side of the creek toward Three Forks and into the heart of the Idaho Peak wilderness.

From here began a 4,000 foot climb though a wellmarked network of tightly-woven singletrack.

Buffed, fast sections gave way to clusters of tight rock gardens eager to dump you into the creek below. The heavy breathing of the racer close behind kept my wheels spinning at a good clip. I

couldn’t let Old Glory down.

As we rounded the final aid station before the summit, my decision making skills faltered and, not wanting to stop, I decided not to refill my water supply. The remaining climb up several switchbacks through mossy, cedar-rich forest, lead us to a clearing that had recently been logged. Exposed to the hot August sun, my body temperature shot up as sweat dripped from my helmet pads. I needed water. My pace slowed as visions of the Lorax frolicked through the stump-filled mountain side around me. I reached into my jersey pocket for an aid station Shot Blok, squeezed its sticky mass into my mouth and forced it down my dry throat. The margarita flavor, rich in sodium, only made me thirstier and teasingly reminded me it wasn’t Cinco de Mayo and I wasn’t on a beach. Okay, so this is suffering, I thought.

After getting passed by several racers, I made it to the summit of the climb where I was greeted by the kind folks at the next aid station. My speech sounded like English was my second language as I tried to remain calm and thankful, all while dumping copious amounts of water and fruit into my stomach. My body was so incredibly ready for nourishment that it had a nearly immediate effect on my energy. Optimism returned, suffering subsided, and it was time to rally an eight mile, 4,000 foot descent.

Typical to American culture, I high-fived the aid-station volunteers, then pointed my front tire downhill. The elation of moving without pedaling, combined with my newfound energy, had me all smiles and determined to make up some lost time. For the next 30 minutes, I rode that fine line between holding it all together and careening off the mountain. It was a thrill like no other. Wrapping around the mountain through the lush green wilds, down steep drops and laddered berms, I gave my XC suspension all it could handle.

Spotting a racer ahead, I released the brakes a little and dropped my weight back, determined to close the gap. We reached a more relaxed grade, and I hammered on the pedals, trying to absorb with my body whatever upheaval my suspension couldn’t take. Finally passing him, I set my sights on the finish line and held my pace. Both of us gasping for air, we laughed together and exchanged words of mutual respect. Only in the Kootenays, I thought.

The announcer at the finish seemed to also relish in the fact that I was from the States, making it be known to all. The race coordinator found me shortly after and was quick to hear what my thoughts were, asking how she could get more American riders to come up. Well, let this be an invitation to you all. Whether you choose to suffer or not, consider packing up the bikes, running shoes, and family and heading up to the Kootenays this summer.

More info: Kootenay SufferFest 2015 is set for September 5-7. Learn more and register at KootenaySufferFest.com. //

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Kids

camping and floating on the north fork of the CDA river // By amy silbernagel mccaffree Rustic beauty abounds along the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River and the surrounding Panhandle National Forest. This rural swath of Idaho provides a simple and relaxing escape from the more popular and crowded Inland Northwest camping and recreation hubs and makes a great day-trip or multi-night stay.

Also known as the Upper Coeur d’Alene River, this “cleaner” river fork – the South Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River is the one still impacted by mining-contaminated sediments – is known for its clear water and warm temps during shallow summer flows.

To get there, head up the north fork near I-90’s Kingston exit, which is 28 miles east of Coeur d’Alene. From here, head north on the Coeur d’Alene River Road (forest road #9 and then #208) to access abundant camping and river recreation opportunities.

Only 1.5 miles from I-90 is the Snake Pit restaurant, otherwise known as the Enaville Resort.

Children will be intrigued by this historic building and its eccentric interior décor. The Enaville Trailhead for the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, a paved trail for biking and other non-motorized recreation, is also nearby.

Continuing up river on the river road, past the privately-owned RV campgrounds and the town of Prichard and Lutherhaven’s Shoshone Creek

Floating down the river.

Photo courtesy of Amy Silbernagel McCaffree

Ranch, you’ll travel further north into wilder country. Long past the point of losing cell phone coverage is where a truly peaceful camping experience awaits you at one of the three U.S. Forest Service campgrounds – all located more than 35 miles upstream from I-90. Kit Price, at 2,550’ elevation, is the largest one, with 52 campsites; Devil’s Elbow and Big Hank are the other two campgrounds. (A fourth one, Bumblebee, is currently closed.) All are rustic, which means there is potable water, vault toilets and campground hosts, but that’s it – no sinks, shower facilities or electric hook-ups for RVs. While weekends are typically full, Kit Price is quiet and sparsely populated during weekdays.

The North Fork borders Kit Price Campground’s east side, with easy access locations interspersed between campsites. It takes about 15-20 minutes

to float from the main campground swimming and tube launch area to the campground’s most downriver take-out point, before the forest road #208 bridge. When not swimming or tubing, my kids were bike-riding the campground’s flat loops.

My family also drove upriver from the campground to explore further – while my husband went fly fishing, I played river guide for my two children and our dog. The freedom and fun of tubing expanded my children’s wilderness awareness. We enjoyed bucolic views of mountain peaks and rocky riverbank outcrops and a mosaic of greens from the surrounding conifers and aspens.

We caught a frog, saw trout and skipped rocks.

My children floated on cheap, brightly-colored tubes, while I guided them through riffles and small rapids by walking alongside them (only calf-deep water in some places) or sharing a tube

with my daughter and holding my son’s hand. A found “river stick” was used to push through the slowest shallow sections, as a walking stick for the slippery riverbed, and for reaching out to my kids and pulling them along when needed. Although the river can be exceptionally low in some spots

by August – more so this year – it’s a natural playground for all ages.

Children should always wear PFDs and remain within an arm’s length of an adult while tubing.

There are occasional deep swimming holes along the river. And be aware of and avoid “strainers” (downed trees in the river) and “sweepers” (overhanging branches that can knock you off a tube, leading to entrapment or drowning). Both parents and children should wear durable sandals that attach with straps – no flip-flops.

While tubing, if you encounter anyone fly-fishing, be respectful and don’t disrupt the upriver riffles or fly-line. This typically means exiting the river and carrying your tube downriver, or passing behind the person fishing. Be sure to follow leave-no-trace principles, especially outside of established campground areas. The riverbank and forest land continues to be abused by litter and unsanitary hygiene practices in primitive recreation areas. Remember: pack it in, pack it out.

Visit the Idaho Panhandle National Forest’s website for more info or to make reservations. //

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Everyday Cyclist

One Spokane Cyclist is behind several of our biggest bike events. thanks Bill! // By Hank Greer

Bill Bender dishing out high fives at Spokefest. Photo: Hank Greer

Bill Bender has been a part of the Spokane bicycling scene for many years, and yet many people have never heard of him. Modesty prevents him from tooting his own horn, but what he has done speak volumes. Bender, and the many volunteers he recruits and credits for making it all happen, have brought three community events to Spokane: SpokeFest, Summer Parkways and Kidical Mass.

Bender’s history with cycling goes back to his teen years. As tall and slim as he is, you’d never guess that he was once obese. At 13 he was five foot, two inches and weighed 190 pounds. Between junior and senior high school, he lost 60 pounds through exercise. Along with that, he began using a bike for transportation, which he continued to do through college and medical school.

Cycling remains a passion of his to this day.

About 25 years ago, he started riding with a few others in the morning before work. That group has grown to a pool of over 100 people, and now on any given weekday, 10-30 people show up at 5:45 a.m. for a fast, 20-mile ride. After his early morning ride, he cleans up and switches to his work bike for his commute. You may have seen him riding on the South Hill wearing a shirt and tie.

The Origins of SpokeFest The idea for SpokeFest came to Bender while he was a member of the city’s Bicycle Advisory Board. The board was not in a position to create an event, so Bender looked at models elsewhere.

The successful ones had a nonprofit organization with a signature municipal bike ride and also became a financial and motivational source for bicycle advocacy within the community. Bender had no idea how to do this. His only experience had been as a rider in organized rides. So he spread the word and asked for people to get involved in the planning group.

Fortunately, those responding included a number of people with professional skill sets that covered many needs. Everyone in the group was a cyclist. There were a couple of attorneys, one of whom had been active in the planning and execution of Bloomsday. A fellow Bicycle Advisory Board member happened to be a major Bloomsday organizer. Another pickup from Bloomsday was the person who headed up the medical support. Outside of that, everyone learned by doing. The people have changed over the years, but the dedication has not. At the heart of it, there’s a group that loves cycling and enthu-

siastically pursues the organization’s goals.

The first SpokeFest took place in 2008 and attracted 1,200 riders. Last year there were close to 2,000. Along with becoming Spokane’s signature cycling event, SpokeFest also provides financial assistance in the form of grants to help children learn bicycle safety and maintenance. Since 2010, over $21,000 has been provided to various programs. SpokeFest 2015 is set for Sunday, September 13.

Summer Parkways: From Colombia to Spokane Around 2008, Bender saw a video about Ciclovia in Bogota, Colombia. Ciclovia is a huge event where motorized traffic is banned from certain main streets from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Sunday.

Bender rounded up a new set of volunteers, and in collaboration with the city, the first Summer Parkways events took place in the summer of 2010. Summer Parkways has been held in several different neighborhoods, but the ManitoComstock neighborhood is where it has really taken hold.

Kidical Mass: Bike Safety for Little Riders Not long after putting Summer Parkways on the map, Bender heard about a movement called Kidical Mass with the goal of helping adults and children learn how to ride safely in traffic and feel comfortable doing so. Bender thought Kidical Mass events would be the perfect next step for neighborhoods. It takes little preparation and cost, and it provides an opportunity to partner with neighborhood groups. Kidical Mass events have been held in the West Central, Chief Garry and South Perry neighborhoods. This fall, over 50 cities, Spokane included, will do a Kidical Mass on the same day. Known as Kidical Massive, it’s intended to attract attention to kids on bikes and increase public awareness.

Many of you may not know Bill Bender, but if you rode in one of the first six SpokeFests, then you met him briefly at the end where he was high fiving every finisher. Although he stopped that last year because of the strain it put on his arms and shoulders, Bender is prominent at every SpokeFest, Summer Parkways and Kidical Mass event. So when you see him, thank him. But the best way to show your gratitude is to volunteer. And knowing Bender, he’ll give you all the credit. // August 2015

/ Out There Monthly

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OutThereSpotlight looking back at the Spokane Mountaineers (1977 to 1985) // By Chic Burge 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 Rivers. Club membership totaled 308.

In 1978, George Neal, who went on to be club President, Mountain School Director and summit Denali, joined the Mountaineers. In 1979, Chris Kopczynski became the 9th American and 6th Washingtonian to summit Mount Everest, and the following year the City of Spokane adopted November 14 as Chris Kopczynski Day. Also that year in the American Selkirks, club members helped complete the construction of the West Fork Cabin, and John Roskelley, Kim Momb, Dr. Jim States and Kopczynski climbed Makalu as well as other peaks around the world.

In 1980, Mount St. Helens erupts, losing 1,313 feet off its summit. Where were you that day? In 1981, beloved club member Ida Rowe Dolphin was elected President of the Spokane Mountaineers. New members this year included Debbie and Bill Pierce. Bill and Debbie went on to be the leads of the Centennial Trail Committee, and Debbie is now a board member of the Friends of the Centennial Trail.

The late Kim Momb on top of the “Bowling Alley” on the Kangshung Face of Mount Everest.

Photo: Chris Kopczynski courtesy of the Spokane Mountaineers.

In 1982, the club organizes its first ice climbing school on Mount Rainier’s Nisqually Glacier, with

Everest climbers Kim Momb and Dave Gordon.

The club also put out a booklet called “Snow

Hazards.” The big news of 1983 was the election of member Rich Landers as the “Environmental Journalist of the Year” by the Environmental Council. Roster numbers were 490.

New members in 1984 were Joe Ohl, Steve & Madge Petrusky, David Cosby, Tom Horne, Jeff Lambert and the author of this article, Chic Burge.

That year, Chris Kopczynski, Kim Momb and David Coombs are featured in a “National Geographic Magazine” article called “Art on Forgotten East Face of Everest.”

1985 was the club’s 70th anniversary with a reunion at Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park, and a reunion for “old timers” at Oregon’s Three Sisters Wilderness was topped off with a climb of the South Sister. This was long-time member Lorna Ream’s third time summiting the South Sister. The anniversary banquet was led by Lorna Ream, Bill Boulton, Tom Horne and Don Hutchings. Past club president Chris Kopczynski completes his goal of summiting the highest peaks on all seven continents in two years. Closer to home on Mt. Spokane, construction began on the Selkirk Lodge cross-country ski lodge with the help of the Spokane Mountaineers and the Inland Northwest Nordic Club.

New members this year included Norman and Margaret Cady, Lorin Hill, John and Diane Latta, Kelsey Loughlin and Steve Reynolds. Membership grew to 502. //

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15

You can’t just take

Wild Enlightenment on the Grande Ronde // By Josh Mills

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Nine Mile Recreation Area August 15, 2015, 10am - 2pm A free event to promote the safe, healthy and refreshing world of paddling! Take advantage of the great water Spokane has to offer. There will be lots of equipment available for you and your children to try including canoes, whitewater kayaks, seakayaks, inflatable kayaks, recreational kayaks and stand-up paddle boards. www.sckc.ws click on Events for more information.

16

Out There Monthly / August 2015

a f re e k i d s’ e ve nt Brought to you by:

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Fish on.

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SPOKANE CANOE & KAYAK CLUB

We finished the float on the Grande Ronde River in Southeast Washington, and it was a day to remember. Steelhead, the ocean-run variety of rainbow trout, had graced us with their presence from the first run we hit at dawn to the last holding water of the day. The savage take of a wild buck will forever be etched into my mind. Three times it missed my skated dry fly in the flat light of the canyon, and my heart was in my throat. I changed flies two times and finally the steelhead calmly ripped my offering down, and the fight was on. As I sat in the fading light sharing the last beers of the day with my father, it hit me like a truck. You can’t just take.

Steelhead can be considered the holy grail of cold-water fisheries. We devotees will think nothing of fishing for 16 hours a day, throwing down a sleeping bag in the dirt and doing it all over again the next day. From 100-degree days in mid-August to the blowing winds of the Snake River canyons in the winter, when the wind and snow can make you question your sanity, it is all part of the equation.

Physiologically, steelhead don’t need to eat when they return to fresh water, but they do.

They mess with your mind, plucking at a fly as it crosses the current like they are tugging at your sleeve; then, other times, they might almost tear the rod out of your hand on the initial grab and then mysteriously drop the fly mid run. Steelhead are just fish, but when it all comes together, and you’re connected to something so alive, so vibrant, your world shrinks to that river: the gravel you’re standing on and the chess match you and the fish are engaged in.

Can you tell I am a steelhead junkie? Maybe it was the birth of my first son. Maybe it was a solid influence of the group of guys and gals that I began to fish with more and more. Or maybe I was falling so far down the rabbit hole of steelhead fishing that I couldn’t think of the very real possibility that one day they could stop returning to their birth rivers.

We owe a lot of the reduced fishing runs in the Northwest to the 4 H’s: Habitat loss and degradation, harvest, hatcheries and hydropower. Our home waters of the Columbia and Snake River basins had annual returns of 16-32 million salmon and steelhead annually, and now a great year hov-

ers in the 2-4 million range. The great years of return we have experienced in the last 10 years are in essence the scraps of yesteryear’s grandeur.

Still, there’s a great deal of hope on the horizon.

Dams that have outlived their life expectancy are coming down on rivers like the Elwha and White Salmon. Court-mandated springtime spill is letting the rivers of the Northwest behave as rivers, helping juvenile salmon and steelhead reach the ocean earlier. Sockeye Salmon in the Columbia system, once down to approximately 2,500 fish, are rebounding to runs cresting over half a million fish annually without hatchery influence, thanks to multi-agency collaborative efforts. There are great stories of rebirth and rebounding fish populations across the board. That’s the good news.

So back on that tailgate on the banks of the Grande Ronde and those feelings that led me into conservation work. It was time to become an asset in the recovery, and after my research, I began my association with the Wild Steelhead Coalition, a group founded in 2000 with the goal of aiding wild steelhead recovery across their historical range. Getting into the conservation community, it became very apparent that all of the groups that I have been introduced to are in big-time need for more volunteers.

My call to action to you is this. If you’re a person who loves wild rivers and wild fish, find a group that would be more than happy to have your help. Most are volunteer run, and the paid staffers, if any, have more on their plates than they know what to do with. Volunteers are the lifeblood: the boots on the ground, the event planners and the fundraisers who allow for the collective groups to fight for the initiatives that can provide the biggest impact.

Anyone who has tussled with a steelhead, especially a stream-born wild one, knows how special they really are. It’s time you became part of the solution; start giving back and it will draw you closer to the outdoors, the fish and the community that fights on their behalf.

Here are some groups to look into and consider supporting and joining: The Wild Steelhead Coalition, Trout Unlimited and Wild Steelheaders United, The Native Fish Society, Save Our Wild Salmon and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. //

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17

MountainBiking B.C. MTB Road Trip - Silver star bike park// By Skye Schillhammer Every summer there comes a point when the dry and dusty trails around the Inland Northwest lose the appeal they once had in the spring. Berms are blown out, punishing brake bumps have formed and the rising dust makes riding with friends a health risk. It’s at this time that I start searching for good trails out of our neighborhood.

For years I have been traveling to as many bike parks as possible, checking them off my list. Each

just out of Vernon, B.C., about five hours north of Spokane. It’s not just the 30 miles of gravity trails with 600 berms and 300 jumps or the 20 miles of all mountain trails with panoramic mountain views; it’s also the small mountain village vibe that makes Silver Star Bike Park the perfect summer trip.

The village has a few hotels if that is what you’re looking for, but the real win at Silver Star is the camping area. It doesn’t look like much. In fact, it’s basically a large open area with fire pits spaced evenly around the edge. However, it’s the amazing view over the whole valley below that makes this spot so special. It’s one of those places where you would expect hotels and resorts to be sitting. Instead, they provide a perfect camping area for just $10 a night per group, which includes a heated and maintained shower and bathroom facility. To top it all off, the campground’s mid-mountain village location means you get to start your day with ripping singletrack down to the bottom of the lift.

In the evening, the village comes alive with bikers, hikers and travelers eating tasty food and choice beverages. As you retreat back to the

campsite, you’ll see each fire ring glowing softy as other groups spend the evening reliving exciting moments from the day. And when all the lights go out, relax into the silence and gaze up at the unpolluted view of a dark night sky. It doesn’t get much better than that.

Silver Star Bike Park is open seven days a week

through September 7, with limited lift-access on select weekends in September after that.

Skisilverstar.com. // What goes up must come down. Gravity fueled hot laps at Silver Star Bike Park.

Photo: Skye Schillhammer

It’s not just the 30 miles of gravity trails with 600 berms and 300 jumps or the 20 miles of all mountain trails with panoramic mountain views; it’s also the small mountain village vibe that makes Silver Star Bike Park the perfect summer trip. one has a unique character built into the trails, village and the people. The shear vertical footage of riding you get at a lift-accessed park is far beyond what we can obtain when pedaling ourselves to the top. That is what fueled my trips for a long time; you can really hone your skills as a rider. I always leave a bike park feeling like a pro.

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Health&Fitness guts & glory

Why Your Friends Avoid Gluten // By Ammi Midstokke

Like many of you, I have been pretending to be gluten intolerant for years. It is only one of the plethora of trendy conditions I randomly pull out of my hat to avoid eating other people’s shitty food.

According to various random attempts at scientific journalism, gluten intolerance is something millions of people are mostly faking to make you feel uncomfortable and inferior at the dinner table, while forcing you to listen to extensive histories of their bowels. With compassion, mind you. Because if we could, we’d be shoving that tortellini down our pie holes too.

As a result, much of the nation is now overcome with gluten deficiency. It is hard to identify, but mostly recognizable by asking this simple question: Do you pay a buck a pound for oats or six bucks a pound? If your English muffins cost more than your tri-tip, you are probably low on gluten.

Our breads disintegrate into sand. Our pasta has been replaced with spaghetti squash. We’re drinking fake beer for heaven’s sake people! Fake. Beer.

Has the power of whining catapulted an entire nation into indigestion? Is it the genetic changes in wheat? Is it how much we eat? The answer is: We don’t know.

What we do know is that gluten is real, and, for some people, it is the devil incarnate in the form of a three-day laxative/ migraine/swine-flu episode. In my line of work, we use a little something called science to establish what we refer to as “true” intolerances. (As opposed to some hipster who flipped the fooddogma coin for veganism or gluten intolerance.)

The first test involves people in lab coats who actually went to school and learned stuff. These are antibody tests that analyze whether your body thinks a particular compound is friend or foe.

Unfortunately, gluten is a complicated number, and to really understand whether you’re reacting to it, you’ll want to get a test that analyzes all the components of wheat, including the proteins that break down upon digestion. You can test negative for gluten and gliadin intolerance but still get sick when you eat wheat.

For this reason, we apply another test. It goes like this: Eat some gluten. Ask yourself if you feel

good. If the answer is no, then stop eating the gluten.

This one seems hard for some people to grasp because I still get phone calls from people complaining that their throat swells every time they eat peanut butter. After much research, symptom analysis and approximately .00037 seconds, I will say something profound like, “Maybe you should not eat the peanut butter?”

Regardless of what has caused so many people to become intolerant to gluten, our bodies are indeed rejecting it. Not everyone, of course. Some of you can parade around with your doughnuts and claim good health. But you lucky folk are less and less common. Hence the multi-billion dollar market for gluten-free pastries (which are about as rewarding as Amish porn).

Studies are beginning to link undiagnosed gluten intolerance to all kinds of dirty terms like fibromyalgia, auto-immune disease and rice-crust pizza. Does that mean we should all spend a few hundred bucks confirming or disproving an intolerance?

Yes. And no. If you’re unwell and you can’t quite put your finger on it, you may consider some further testing.

Start with cutting out gluten. You’ll notice that gluten is not on the RDA list because it’s only found in things that are mostly empty calories anyway. Surprisingly, you will not die of malnourishment if you stop eating croissants.

If you’re awesome and have guts of steel and no history of autoimmune disease, mental disorders, arthritis, etc. in your family, count your blessings and eat some noodles. Made out of sorghum. Just like they ought to be. And drink real beer.

In the meantime, trust that the person who tells you they are gluten intolerant is probably not just being a pretentious dinner guest. Trust that their mouths water during Oktoberfest, that they have wet dreams about scones. And trust that they are doing just what we all should be doing: Listening to our bodies. //

In my line of work, we use a little something called science to establish what we refer to as “true” intolerances.

(As opposed to some hipster who flipped the food-dogma coin for veganism or gluten intolerance.)

2nd Annual

849 Port Way

Cyclists of all ages and levels encouraged to participate!

Choose from: 100-Mile “Century” 50-Mile “Half-Century” 25-Mile 15-Mile 7-Mile “Family Fun Ride” The ride is part of RIVERFEST which will be going on during and after the ride.

Spaghetti Feed the night before.

SAT. SEPT. 26, 2015

Ammi Midstokke is a nutritional therapist who regularly uses science to support foodisms and good health.

August 2015

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Pedal Wrench

Up, down and around Call It Enduro // By Simon Hartt

If you have been into cycling for any period of time, you too probably have been witness to the steep, unstoppable progression of discipline and technology. Remember your first bike? Mine was a Trek Antelope 820. It was black with neon green lettering, foam grips and a chromoly frame equipped with Shimano parts. I was giddy with excitement when I saw it in the garage before school the day of my birthday.

There was a time when it was an easy argument to say terms such as “All-Mountain,” or, in this case, “Enduro,” were clever marketing fabrications to simply sell more bikes. That used to be

the same name, almost all other mountain bike companies have their own equivalent models of “enduro” bikes. Some companies realized the potential in marketing a durable and efficient, do-anything machine and have focused hard on it. Most of these bikes begin around $2,000 and can easily approach the $10,000 range ($4,500 is a good target).

Here are some recommendations I would point you toward: 150-170mm travel (suspension); 26/27.5/29” all seem to roll (wheel size); 30 pound range (weight); dropping seat post; 200mm range brake rotors; fast and grippy tires

Enduro racing in the U.S. is relatively young in its development, but it is certainly a fast growing category in bicycle racing and sales.

You’ll find us at the

King of Glory

Spokane’s full-service non-profit bicycle shop refurbishing used bicycles and offering hope to youth who are homeless.  Donate bicycles and parts  Buy used bikes and new/used parts  Full service options available  Sponsor Earn-a-Bike program

Artwork by Pat Marvenko Smith, ©1982/1992 www.revelationillustrated.com 20

Out There Monthly / August 2015

224 S Howard St. - Spokane 509-838-8580 www.coolwaterbikes.org bikes@coolwaterbikes.org

my opinion. After all, I thought, I can give you a run for your money on my rigid steel classic. Why do I need six inches of controlled suspension and traction? My rim brakes seemed to stop me just fine. I still love a good classic, but the truth is, rigid bikes hurt and cantilever brakes don’t hold a candle to hydraulic disc.

Enduro Races The term “enduro” refers to the style of mountain biking that includes downhill and cross-country trail sections. Enduro races are broken up into marked stages where results are calculated by adding all the stage times together. Traditionally, only the downhill sections are timed, although all racers must ride the uphill/cross-country parts of the course (sometimes within a set amount of time). The rider with the lowest combined times wins. The “enduro” name for these mountain bike races is fitting since the format matches motorbike and rally car styles of racing so closely. These stage races can take between one to seven days. Enduro racing in the U.S. is relatively young in its development, but it is certainly a fast growing category in bicycle racing and sales.

Enduro Bicycles Although Specialized Bicycles has a model with

(most likely tubeless, but no need for a DH sidewall); 1 x 10 or 11 gearing with a plan for chain retention will be great (no need for dual crown or coil over); carbon if it’s in the budget or alloy for the working man; and last but not least, a pair of sharp color matching platform pedals complimented by a shoe designed to never let go (Five Ten, Specialized, Teva, Shimano, etc.). I’d also suggest you invest in a better mountain bike helmet than the one you probably own to match your kit (gloves, jersey, shorts, etc.). Also, if you have to go to work on Monday, buy some comfortable knee pads. Ask your sales guy what EN 1621-1 is.

Last Words Once you have your Enduro bike and gear, pedal up that hill and rip back down it. You get extra points for hitting every jump and drop and also for clearing pinecones with a flick of the front wheel. Once you get to the bottom, do it again. // “Pedal Wrench” is an occasional OTM column penned by Simon Hartt covering bike gear, tech and other thought-provoking topics circulating around the greater bicycle community and/or the author’s brain. A former bike mechanic who has wrenched at several Northwest shops, Hartt is an avid cyclist with plenty of opinions on just about any bike-related subject.

Leaf, Root, Fungi, Fruit

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Cow Parsnip // by Kelly Chadwick

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Bloody mary morning? Try cow parsnip. Photo courtesy of Walter Siegmund

Cocktails are the new wine, a culinary vehicle to experience the complexity of our planet. Their ingredients are often derived from potent botanicals, thus a great use for wild edibles. Ecologically, cocktails are a way to sample native plants without decimating them – a sprig opposed to a plateful. And, that brings us to cow parsnip.

For most of my life, I thought cow parsnip was poison hemlock. As a child on the California coast, I spent many afternoons hiking around with a dull sword, i.e. a stick, chopping them in half.

But it turns out, like many altruistic endeavors, I had bad info. Water hemlock is deadly poisonous and in the same family but is easily separated by its diminutive stature and lacey leaves.

The first time I ate cow parsnip was high in the Bitterroot Mountains alongside a trickling stream with my partner. Though unnerving to break old beliefs and take the first bite, now it’s a trailside staple.

Identification is simple once you know its large, playful-looking form. It grows near streams, seeps and springs in the forest. Cow parsnip is generally 4-6 feet tall, and the leaves divide into three, pointy-lobed sections collectively over a foot wide. The stalk is a ribbed tube. It’s best to harvest before the expansive umbrella shaped flowers emerge.

Called Wamush by the Kootenai, this is one of the easiest plants to collect. No digging, curing or cooking required. Just cut off a section of stem, peal the celery like strings and you’re finished.

It’s crunchy with a medicinal parsley flavor. Pick when young before the stem becomes too fibery.

The timing of this depends on elevation and can extend into mid-summer in subalpine habitat.

Cow parsnip’s herbal flavor melds with botanical-based drinks like martinis and bloody marys.

The stem is hollow – a crunchy vegetable and giant straw all in one. It’s also wide enough for

bubble tea, though I haven’t heard of anyone trying this yet. For cooking suggestions, check out the Wild Food Girl blog: Wildfoodgirl.com/2011/ cow-parsnip-for-breakfast-dinner-dessert.

Worth noting is the amazing variety of insects that toil around on the flower heads. One or two clusters are usually teeming with a miniature world of exotic creatures: butterflies, bees, beetles, etc.

There is also one point of caution. Cow parsnip exudes a toxin that if left on your skin and exposed to sunlight can cause an itchy rash and even persistent blisters. The flowers, seeds, leaves, and roots have higher amounts of the irritant, furanocoumarin. It’s only released when tissue is damaged, so brushing against the plant is fine.

Reactions are most common when people are pulling or weed eating them in summer attire. Just be thoughtful and wash off with soap and water if necessary.

Identifying Features: Human height with central tubular stem, big oak/maple-like leaf and parasols of white blossoms often covered in a dizzying array of insects.

SUMMER

SALE

Look-alikes: Giant hogweed has higher toxicity and is an enormous member of this genus growing in coastal areas and further north.

Know the deadly hemlocks which are easily differentiated.

Culinary Attributes: Savory and crisp. Can be used fresh on the trail, sparingly in salads or as a garnish for your summer cocktail. Cooked, cow parsnip is suited for quiche and casseroles.

Liquor Pairings: In any vegetable or herb concoction and with clean, dry drinks of vodka, gin or blanco tequila. //

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www.northdivision.com North Division Bicycle Shop • 10503 N Division • 467-BIKE (2453) August 2015

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Lay-

Health&Fitness Maintaining hydration balance

in the Summer Heat // By Jason Luthy

Drink up. Photo courtesy of Jason Luthy.

As the Inland Northwest heats up for the summer, many people find themselves reaching more frequently for their water bottles. As we look toward maintaining high performance and enjoyment of outdoor activities in the summer heat, we need to be consistently aware of our hydration levels, particularly as our normal body functions result in the loss of a portion of the 50-70% of our body weight that is made up of water each day, most noticeable through sweating.

Proper hydration can be estimated by paying attention to these three things: urine output, thirst and body weight. Proper hydration can be identified by regular, clear or light yellow urine.

Infrequent urination with dark colored urine and a strong odor can be an indicator of dehydration.

Since thirst will present after the body is already in a dehydrated state, it is best to hydrate prior to feeling thirst. Significant weight loss after strenuous activity can also be an indication of dehydration, while weight gain could mean you’re over-hydrated (hyponatremia). One or more of these indicators could mean you’re dehydrated or experiencing hyponatremia.

Signs of Dehydration During high levels of exertion in warm environments, individuals can lose up to two liters of water per hour. Although most of us will lose less water than that per hour, we still can easily lose water faster than we are able to rehydrate since our absorption rate is about .5 liters per hour.

As the body becomes dehydrated, symptoms will start with increasing thirst, then increase to include fatigue, headache, nausea and decreased athletic performance. As dehydration increases, people experience dizziness and a decreased ability to sweat. If dehydration becomes profound, a person can go into shock.

Over Hydration (Hyponatremia) People who are active in the summertime heat 22

Out There Monthly / August 2015

can also find themselves sweating excessively and drinking more water than the body can process, which can result in a decreased sodium (salt) level in the body and a condition called hyponatremia. Hyponatremia can also occur from attempting to drink too much water in anticipation of high levels of activity or heat. As a person loses salt through sweat or decreases the balance of salt from over-hydration, symptoms begin to present that are similar to dehydration.

Fatigue and headache can be early indicators followed by muscle cramps. Increase in urine output (often clear) can also occur. In the extreme cases people experience personality changes and loss of consciousness.

Maintaining the Right Hydration Balance The key to avoiding dehydration is to hydrate appropriately prior to the start of any activity. To avoid water issues on upcoming adventures, plan on drinking consistently, but not excessively. Aim for consuming .25-.5 liters per hour. To avoid hyponatremia during high output activities, consider adding an electrolyte product to plain water, but watch out for highly sugared electrolyte mixes that might be more akin to drinking a candy bar. If drinking plain water, plan to include small, frequent snacks that include sodium.

Treatment Options If symptoms of a hydration-related illness occur, proper treatment will start with understanding the history of food and water intake of the person affected. For a person with symptoms and a history of limited water intake, physical activity should be decreased and fluids encouraged at a rate of .5 liters per hour. If the affected person has a history of prolonged exertion and has been drinking plain water, consider hyponatremia and treat by discontinuing water consumption and slowly increasing the person’s sodium intake. //

Watersports Learn to stand up paddleboard with a lesson or tour // By Derrick Knowles Stand up paddleboarding – also known as SUP – is a pretty beginner-friendly sport, but there are still plenty of tricks that can help you paddle more efficiently and have more fun. I rented a paddleboard for the first time in Hawaii a few years back, and with years of surfing experience, I figured the tame waters of the beginner spot I paddled out at would be a piece of cake.

Once out past the breakers, I hopped up on the board like an old pro, assumed a surfer stance, took a couple paddle strokes, and, with a surprising lack of grace, fell backwards into the ocean with a loud smack. After falling another 15 or 20 times, I noticed a local calmly paddling circles around me. Turns out surfing and standing on a SUP are way different. I was standing on the board all wrong, and once I figured that out, I stayed on the board and even caught a few waves.

The point here is that if you are new to stand up paddleboarding, signing up for a lesson, or a tour that includes some instruction, is a great way to speed up the learning process by starting out with the right form and techniques. Try one of these flat-water SUP lessons or tours on Lake Pend Oreille or the Spokane River to make learning a lot easier.

Scenic Lake Pend Oreille Paddling The paddling opportunities around Sandpoint are pretty incredible with Lake Pend Oreille, the Pend Oreille River and other nearby spots. Dan Chamberlain with SUP Sandpoint moved to the area almost four years ago and has quickly become a local expert on the best places to pad-

SUPing Sandpoint.

Photo courtesy of Dan Chamberlain

dle. SUP Sandpoint rents and sells boards, offers lessons and takes people out on tours at several beginner-friendly paddling destinations.

“I offer three paddling trips that are great for beginners,” he says, noting that his tour on the Pack River near where it empties into Lake Pend Oreille is his favorite. Like all of SUP Sandpoint’s tours, that trip includes gear (board, paddle, pfd, etc.) and instruction. (Chamberlain notes that most people start out making things hard on themselves by doing things like holding the paddle wrong.) The Pack River trip comes with complimentary cheese and wine from Pend Oreille Winery, as well as a shuttle back to your car. “It’s a fun trip that’s great for first-timers,” he says.

The other two stand up paddleboard tours he offers, Sand Creek and Dover Bay, also come highly recommended as scenic paddles close to town. If you’re not up for a full tour and just want to rent a board or two for a couple hours, SUP

Sandpoint delivers inflatable boards and gear wherever you want to paddle, making exploring on your own easy. SUP Sandpoint also sells Rivera, Image and Shark boards, and Chamberlain notes that they offer the best board prices around.

Whether you live in town or are planning a trip up from Spokane or Coeur d’Alene, call in advance to book your gear, lesson or tour as many summer weekends book up early. More info: Supsandpoint. com or call 208-610-4321.

Spokane River SUP Lessons & Tours Just upstream from downtown Spokane is another beginner-friendly stretch of paddling paradise that has traditionally seen little boat and board traffic, although a new paddling access set to open in August under the Division Street bridge next to the Convention Center will make this awesome section of urban river even more accessible. Currently most kayakers and SUPers

use the McKinstry take out (850 E. Spokane Falls Boulevard), as do ROW Adventures and Spokane Parks and Recreation for the tours and lessons they offer on this slow, lake-like stretch of the Spokane.

Spokane Parks and Recreation has several SUP trips lined up that still have space. All the gear is included, along with instruction and on-the-water tips for $21. Sign up online for these paddleboarding trips or lessons: August 4 or 18 (both from 6-8 p.m.) and several 1-hour lesson and tour outings on Saturday September 5 (between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.). Spokane Parks and Recreation also offers flat-water SUP trips on the lower Spokane that launch from Plese Flats in Riverside State Park. These trips are family-friendly. More info: My.spokanecity.org/recreation/outdoorRowadventures.com.

The tours ROW Adventures runs on this mellow and surprisingly scenic slice of Spokane River flatwater take advantage of the riverside location of No-Li Brewhouse, where the trips start and end, for some post-paddle revelry. Dubbed Paddle-nBrew tours, these half-day trips explore the full length of this unique urban riverway from near the Upriver Dam downstream towards the city center (around 4 miles). These trips are a great way to check out parts of the Spokane River that few locals ever experience. Children are welcome and reservations are required. Trips cost between $60-90 per person depending on the size of your group and include No-Li beer after paddling.

More info: Rowadventurecenter.com. //

LEAVE THE CITY AND BORING BEHIND …

Join the Spokane Valley Paddle Party Pangaea will handpick the perfect stretch of river for a float trip tailored to your experience level and water craft August 13 –16 Available Times: 9am, 1pm, 5pm Book it and learn more: www.spokaneriver.net/valleypaddle www.spokaneriver.net/facebook/valleypaddle Phone: 406-239-2392

SpokaneWaterTrail.org August 2015

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Wild 7 Places

Epic Backcountry Drives & Adventures Along the Way

By Aaron Theisen

B

ackcountry roads can be the necessary evil of adventure: every recreationist has his or her story of harrowing, white-knuckled mountain driving or late-night tire repair far from the nearest Les Schwab. But sometimes it’s ok to embrace the backcountry drive, not as a means of getting to the destination but as the destination itself. On these seven scenic backcountry byways, the answer to “Are we there yet?” is always “yes.”

Selway River (North Central Idaho)

Part of the original Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, the Selway River in North Central Idaho rumbles out of the heart of the 1.3-million-acre Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness that, together with the adjacent Frank Church – River of No Return Wilderness, spans a primeval area the size of Delaware. The upper Selway’s legendary whitewater and pristine beaches host once-in-a-lifetime float trips and long multi-day backpacks, but the 21-mile drive on the Selway River Road from Lowell, Idaho – between Missoula and Lewiston on U.S. Route 12 – to its terminus at Selway Falls is accessible to anyone (and should be required driving for adventurous Inland Northwest residents).

Along the way – paved the first 5 miles and then washboarded gravel beyond – the road parallels sand beaches and sculpted boulders, with the steep, fir-cloaked canyon increasing the feeling of solitude. Nearly halfway in, the historic Fenn Ranger Station is worth a stop; across the road, Fenn Pond, with an accessible trail and boardwalk, offers kid-friendly fishing with stocked and catchable fish.

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Out There Monthly / August 2015

Daytrippers can enjoy the Selway from several sandbars with undeveloped beaches for swimming and picnicking.

Campers can choose among sites in 13 campgrounds; Race Creek Campground at the Selway River Trail terminus makes a fine staging point for day and overnight trips into the wilderness. The 12-mile roundtrip hike to Cupboard Creek rapids rates as a good turnaround spot for a long day hike or overnighter, although groups with young hikers may choose to stop at any of the beaches before then. Herpetophobes beware: the Selway’s rattlesnakes are legendary and legion.

Northwest Peaks Scenic Area (Northwest Montana)

Tucked in the thick mid-elevation forests of far Northwest Montana, the tiny community of Yaak is not on the way to anything. And the nearby Northwest Peaks Scenic Area is out of the way even for Yaak residents. That alone recommends it for a wild drive, but the scenery helps too – a lonely country of thick forests, glacier-ground peaks and tiny lakes, a quiet neighbor to the Selkirks and Cabinets to the west.

At 7,706 feet, Northwest Peak is the centerpiece of the 19,000-acre Northwest Peaks Scenic Area, its summit easily accessible via a long drive and short hike. The 22-mile drive on Pete Creek Road to the Northwest Peak trailhead winds past graceful aspens and willow-dense meadows; no wonder this is grizzly and moose country. Just before the trailhead to Northwest Peak, a viewpoint peers over the frequently fog-shrouded Yaak Valley.

Save for the last quarter mile of talus, the 5-mile roundtrip trek to the summit makes for one of the easiest alpine summit hikes in Northwest Montana. From the white clapboard walls of the old fire lookout, hikers are likely to have the summit view all to themselves, and there’s never a line for the outhouse (one of Montana’s highestelevation privies). The alpine larch – relatively uncommon to the Inland Northwest – make this a great fall hiking destination. Just make sure to plan for every possible type of weather; even in the meteorologically fickle state of Montana, the northwest corner has notoriously capricious conditions.

Just up Pete Creek Road from the Northwest Peak trailhead, a quarter-mile trail accesses the Hawkins Lakes; anglers can land successful casts from the granite hunks surrounding the shore.

Aside from the Yaak River Tavern and Mercantile on one side of the two-lane highway and the Dirty

Shame Saloon on the other, nearby Yaak doesn’t offer much in the way of services, but the beer and bar-stool philosophizing are both abundant.

Salmo Lookout (Northeast Washington)

Although the Shedroof Divide, the north-south ridge that straddles the Idaho-Washington border and separates the Pend Oreille and Priest River drainages, lies within the Selkirks, it bears little resemblance to the Selkirk Crest east of Priest Lake; think beargrass-clad balds rather than cliff-hanging alpine lakes. But the open terrain makes for stunning views – shared only with mule deer, black bears and moose (and a handful of grizzlies and caribou). Although backpackers can string together a variety of multi-day scenic loops, a 19-mile drive on surprisingly good gravel roads from the Sullivan Lake Ranger Station nets one of the best views, at 6,474-foot Salmo Mountain.

From the extant fire lookout, gaze into the green heart of the 41,000-acre Salmo-Priest Wilderness. To the west tilts the distinctively offkilter pyramid of Hooknose Mountain; the spires of the southern British Columbia Selkirks stand to the north; far below to the east lies Priest Lake.

Nearby, the 19-mile Salmo Loop trail descends to the cedar-shaded Salmo River and back up through brushy, bear-friendly meadows before reaching the Shedroof Divide, where snags from past fires frame non-stop views on the latter half of the loop. Plan extra time for harvesting the

Opposite page (top left clockwise): Back of beyond in the Scotchman Peaks. // Wilderness water, more precious than gold. // High, lonesome trail. // Privy with a view. // Buchanan Lookout, B.C. Photos: Aaron Theisen // This page Left: Selway morning mist. Photo: Derrick Knowles // Road’s end. High above Kaslo, B.C. Photo: Aaron Theisen

copious huckleberries – all the more plentiful for being so hard to reach.

Halfway up Forest Road 22/2220 from Sullivan Lake to Salmo Mountain, car campers will find good, primitive tent sites in Gypsy Meadows, which is popular with backcountry horsemen. On your way back out of the mountains, take a dip in the sun-warmed waters of Sullivan Lake, northeast Washington’s largest naturally-formed lake.

Back Road Survival Tips

Be Prepared For The Best & The Worst Once you start down that wild, rugged ribbon of barely maintained dirt and gravel road, your trip could take many unexpected, and often unwelcome, turns in an instant. Here are a few of our favorite back road tested survival strategies that will up your odds of making it out back of beyond and back home again safe and happy.

1. Make sure your tires are in good shape and you have a fully inflated spare tire, jack, tools, and a can or two of Fix-A-Flat on board.

2. Bring along a good pair of hiking boots for long walks back to civilization in case of car trouble that you can’t fix and cell phones that don’t work.

3. Pack extra water, sleeping bags, warm clothes, headlamp, first-aid kit, insect repellant and a cooler (with plenty of ice) full of your favorite food and beverages in case of a break down or impromptu, mountain-top-view-induced overnighter.

4. Let someone know where you’re headed and when you plan to return, just in case.

5. Take a detailed map that includes forest roads and other back roads and highways. Nothing is worse than a dead end after a long day of slow, hopeful driving. // (OTM)

Buchanan Lookout (West Kootenays, B.C.)

Miners and millionaires once packed the narrow boomtown streets of southern British Columbia’s Silvery Slocan Valley. Today, the area formerly known as the “Monte Carlo of North America” hides recreational riches in its rugged peaks. But with few exceptions, the peaks are the province of backpackers after arduous hauls through dripping cedar forests and brush-choked avalanche slopes. So it’s all the more remarkable that drivers can step out of their vehicles at the foot of a fire lookout and enjoy such wild scenery so close to the plentiful tourist amenities in the nearby village of Kaslo, an hour north of Nelson on Kootenay Lake.

Not that the drive is easy: the rutted, moderately exposed road, with steep, straight grades exceeding 20%, will have drivers’ eyes glued to the gravel; passengers will marvel that full log trucks screech down this insane pitch. Plan for the 8-mile drive to take about 45 minutes. But the view from the summit is worth any amount of driver distress. At 6,373 feet in height, Mount Buchanan is a baby compared to its neighbors, but that just means distant peaks feel all the bigger.

The recently restored lookout is locked, but visitors can peer in the windows at a fully furnished diorama representing lookout life in the 1950s and 1960s, complete with self-guided interpretive signs. Picnickers will find two tables and a privy.

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A 1-mile trail encircles the summit, perfect for post-picnic strolling; a paragliding ramp and a gnarly, white-knuckle mountain bike trail invite less-sedate pursuits. In each of the cardinal directions, signs denote the seemingly endless array of peaks in the Monashees, Selkirks and Purcells: 9,117-foot Mount Loki rising a mile and a half above the east shore of Kootenay Lake; 8,504-foot Mount Brennan piercing the heart of the Goat Range to the northwest. And, near at hand, a riot of wildflowers: glacier lilies, lupine, lovage and more. This is, quite possibly, the best drive-to view in the region. Just make sure your brakes are up for the drive back down.

Heart of the Bitterroots (North Central Idaho/ Northwest Montana)

The southern Bitterroot Mountains tend to grab all the glory with their chasm-like canyons and cloud-catching crags. But the northern reaches of the Bitterroots – the area bounded roughly

by Lolo and Lookout Passes – offer their own quietly rugged charm. Dozens of lakes dot the landscape, many of them accessed via anyonecan-do-it trails. Although for the most part below treeline, the ridges boast expansive vistas, thanks the catastrophic wildfires of the 1910 “Great Burn,” which left a patchwork of forested and flower-clad ridges.

Of several long backroad drives that are possible in this vast, wild region, the Cedar Creek Road out of Superior, Montana, offers perhaps the easiest lake access. From I-90 at Superior, it’s 25 miles of newly graded gravel to the Idaho/Montana state line on the Bitterroot Divide. Just below the divide, Missoula Lake Campground offers a handful of primitive sites among the trees; anglers can fish for feisty cutthroats from the brush-lined lake, a half-mile hike from the campground. The campground also makes for a pleasant base for day hikes on the Stateline Trail, which traces the ridgeline through dry lodgepole forest, stunted subalpine groves and grassy meadows.

From the pass where Cedar Creek bisects the trail, hikers might make for sawtooth-sided Illinois Peak to the south (8 miles roundtrip) or the stunningly scenic pair of Bonanza Lakes to the north (5.5 miles roundtrip). For a top-notch, albeit rough drive, continue into Idaho high above the headwaters of the world-class angling waters of the St. Joe River.

Deeper into Idaho, the road gets progressively worse; plan two hours to drive the 20 or so miles from the state line to the historic Red Ives Cabin and miles of riverside hiking along the St. Joe.

Where the road ends, the trail begins.

Bitterroot Mountains, Idaho. Photo: Derrick Knowles 26

Out There Monthly / August 2015

Vermillion River (Northwest Montana)

Adjacent to the southernmost reaches of western Montana’s Cabinet Mountains Wilderness lies a little-known and lightly explored region of rugged ridgelines, expansive wildflower meadows and steep, glacier-gouged basins. Draining over 75,000 acres of brushy, arid hills, the Vermilion River was the site of early mining, and its name may refer to the red-colored rock in the canyons; now it could just as easily refer to the reddish berries that grow in the open forests along the drainage, the picking of which is a far more fruitful pursuit than the silver and gold operations ever were – the open lodgepole forests of the Vermilion River drainage are ideal huckleberry hunting grounds.

Even amongst locals, the dusty and potholed Vermilion River Road has a rough reputation.

But summer weekends see a steady trickle of traffic: local wood-cutters laying in a winter supply of larch, huckleberry pickers filling their buckets. From the road, miles of short, interconnected trails allow for trips tailored to a variety of skill and fitness levels. One must-visit hike is the hundred-yard trail from the Vermilion River Road to the bedrock banks of Vermilion Falls.

Huckleberry shrubs crowd the cascades, a shady picnic spot complete with berry snacks.

Campers can find quiet tent sites at Willow Creek, 13 miles up the Vermilion River Road.

A few miles beyond are a handful of dispersed sites at pretty, tree-ringed Sylvan Lake, silent even on peak summer weekends. Nearby, in the Clark Fork River Valley, is the tiny town of Trout Creek, designated by the Montana legislature as the state’s huckleberry capital – no mean feat in a state where the purple berry has been elevated to royalty. Travelers who have not had their fill of huckleberries can find it here in any permutation possible: honey, soap, lip gloss and liquor.

Elk River Backcountry Byway (North Central Idaho)

Drive the 57-mile Elk River Backcountry Byway in North Central Idaho and experience the state in miniature. Where the Palouse meets the western outposts of the Rocky Mountains, monuments to logging history stand side by side with the state’s largest tree, and the state’s tallest waterfall plunges not far from the third-tallest dam in the United States.

Short stretches of paved two-lane highway bracket a slow-going gravel road. From Orofino, on the Clearwater River, the Elk River Backcountry Byway passes massive Dworshak Reservoir before crossing Dent Bridge – described, shortly after it was constructed, as one of the most beautiful structures in America. A potholed forest road climbs high above Dworshak Reservoir to the community of Elk River. Initially settled as a recreation destination for Inland Northwest residents at the turn of the 20th century, Elk Creek Reservoir embraced timber before coming back to its recreation roots. The reservoir, originally created by Potlatch Timber as a holding pond for logs to be shunted down to the Clearwater, now holds hungry fish under its pine-shaded waters.

Seven campgrounds scattered around Elk Creek Reservoir offer fir-shaded sites. The kidfriendly 3.5-mile hike to Elk Creek Falls takes in three closely-linked cascades that, altogether, plunge 140 feet – the tallest such falls in Idaho.

From the town of Elk River, the winding two-lane road passes the low forests and rolling hills of the Palouse fringes before entering the tiny town of Bovill and then Moscow. No-frills natural beauty and testaments to human hard work: this is quintessential Idaho. //

Come Play in Pend Oreille!

BuzzBin

Carabiner Coffee A carabiner is an imperative component in outdoor recreation. It holds climbers to the wall. It helps in river rescues. It keeps things together on long road trips. Quite frankly, coffee can do all of that too and more.

Carabiner Coffee started out of a tiny apartment in the Rocky Mountains. Erik Gordon became a coffee fanatic while biking across America. He partnered with some coffee roasters in Colorado to bring gourmet coffee to all of his outdoor fanatic friends without charging them a gourmet price. Most climbers, hikers, bikers, boarders, skiers and mountaineers crave good coffee, and Erik knew if he linked his beverage name to the indispensable piece of outdoor gear, the carabiner, that he couldn’t go wrong.

Legendary Yosemite climber Peter Croft once said that “Climbing is my flying and coffee is my spinach.” No one would suggest Carabiner Coffee can make you climb as well as Peter Croft, but it definitely tastes better than a can of spinach.

The company’s coffees are full of flavor and quite smooth. Like any coffee, they can be brewed stronger or lighter to suit your taste, but overall they are dark without any bitterness.

The Skooch is the most popular flavor. It resembles Starbucks Pike Place; however, The Skooch smells better, especially when it’s chilly in the morning and you’re bringing the mug to your mouth and inhaling the coffee aroma. The Business is the dark roast offering from Carabiner Coffee. Gordon describes it this way: “This rich double-dark roast full of cocoa and blueberry notes is what we like to call ‘The Business.’ If dark roasts are your jam, then this, my friend, is going to be your JAM!” Currently, Carabiner Coffee is based in Seattle and only available online at carabinercoffee.com.

However, Gordon makes an extra effort to show up and provide coffee at climbing comps and other outdoor events around Washington. He also gives back to the Northwest climbing community, and he sponsors Spokane climber Zak Silver. Even if you aren’t a coffee drinker, check out Carabiner Coffee’s website for some cool coffee branded items that make great gifts for any climber, hiker, biker or skier in your circle of friends. // (Jon Jonckers) DOMA’s “GOOD COFFEE” Supports Clean Water Clean water makes good coffee. As basic as that sounds, that’s all it took for DOMA Coffee Roasting Company to come up with the design for its “GOOD COFFEE” blend, a

DOMA’s letter press operator Breanna White. Photo courtesy of DOMA.

mutually beneficial non-profit/business partnership between three regional Waterkeeper organizations (Spokane Riverkeeper, Lake Coeur d’Alene Waterkeeper and Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper). All three organizations are part of the Waterkeeper Alliance, a global movement that focuses citizen advocacy on issues that affect our waterways, from pollution to climate change.

Regional Waterkeepers are strong and passionate advocates for swimmable, fishable, drinkable waterways across the Inland Northwest.

GOOD COFFEE is a fun and innovative way to raise funds and reach new audiences for the good cause of regional water quality protection.

“Businesses like DOMA play a vital role in the health of our communities every day,” says Kelsey Brasseur, Program Director for Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper. “And we know their support is just as critical in keeping our regional watershed healthy too. With DOMA’s help, we can reach a huge audience to raise awareness for water quality issues and to foster the culture of stewardship that will protect our local waterways long into the future.”

For DOMA, GOOD COFFEE is a great way to build brand awareness and engage in local philanthropy, but it also allows the coffee company to be creative and on-going with their support and include customers and retailers in the donation equation. The entire GOOD COFFEE partnership is right in DOMA’s wheelhouse. As a company and a coffee roaster, DOMA is all about environmental stewardship. One quick glance at DOMA’s product branding and you can tell they’re all about bikes and nature. DOMA also purchases certified organic and fairly-traded coffees. In sourcing green coffee, DOMA has made a commitment to place the farmers, their identity and their product front and center.

But how does the GOOD COFFEE blend taste? DOMA co-owner Rebecca Hurlen-Patano describes the blend as “an elegant aroma of dark chocolate that flows together with flavors of cedar, spice and cocoa that offers a full, smooth and buttery mouthfeel finish.” The current package design on the cans of GOOD COFFEE that highlights the letterpress printing process is also creative and thoughtful. Produced in-house on DOMA’s 1928 Chandler Price letterpress, each package label is printed on renewable cotton paper. Learn more and order online at Domacoffee.com. (OTM)

Step back in time Ride our restored antique train Tour millennia-old Gardner Cave Watch tundra swans herald spring Paddle the Pend Oreille River Camp in the wilderness

WWW.PORTA-US.COM August 2015

/ Out There Monthly

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OutdoorCalendar Full events calendar at www.outtheremonthly.com

SIX MONTH TRAININGCALENDAR RUNNING (September 12) Riggins Salmon Run. Where: Riggins, ID. A beautiful foot race along the Salmon River, including a half marathon, 10k, 5k, and kids’ fun run. Info: Rigginsidaho.com (September 12) March for the Fallen 10k or 5K. Where: Centennial Trail, Spokane. A memorial event to honor all of Washington’s fallen Military.

Marchforthefallen.com

(September 12) The Few, The Proud, The Muddy 5K/10K. Where: Webb’s Slough, St. John, WA. A

5K fun run or 10K competitive course with 25 obstacles. Camping, live music, food vendors, beer garden and 3-person volleyball tournament. Info: Marinesofthepalouse.com/#!mud-run/c7oc

(September 13) Sundae Sunday 10 Miler. Where:

Dwight Merkel Sports Complex, Spokane. BRRC’s Sundae Sunday is an RRCA regional championship event. All finishers receive a medal. Ice cream sundaes will be provided by Ben and Jerry’s. Info: 509-624-4297.

(September 19) Blazing Saddles & Spoons.

Where: Colville, WA. Bike rides and chili cook-off.

Four different fully supported courses (100, 60, 40 & 20 mile) through the beautiful scenery of northeast Washington. Info: Blazingsaddles9.wix.com/ blazing100

(September 19) Newport Autumn Bloom 5K/10K Fun Run. Where: TJ Kelly Park, Newport, WA.

When: 9 a.m. Serious runners, novice runners, and walkers will enjoy the picturesque race route and small town charm. The 10K is a certified Bloomsday Second Seed Qualifying Race. Info: NewportHospitalAndHealth.org

(September 19-20) Liberty Lake RIM Ride. Rides

for all ages and abilities that explores the beautiful areas of Liberty Lake, Post Falls, Green Bluff and Spokane Valley. Info: Rotaryinmotion.com

(September 19) Fiesta Spokane Run. Where:

Riverfront Park, Spokane. When: 9 a.m. Scenic run through the park, on the Centennial Trail and through Gonzaga University’s campus, finishing at the Heritage Festival. Info: Runsignup.com/Race/ WA/Spokane/FiestaSpokaneRun

(September 20) Round About 5K. Where: Deer Park, WA. When: 9 a.m. A run to benefit The Leukemia& Lymphoma Society. 5K through two Roundabouts. Info: roundabout5k.com (September 26) Happy Girls Run. Where:

Mukugawa Institute Parade Grounds/Riverside State Park. When: 7 a.m. The scenic route will include a mix of challenging trails, groomed paths and paved surfaces. Info: Happygirlshalf.com

(September 26) ValleyFest 5K/10K Fun Run. Where: Mirabeau Point Park, Spokane Valley. When: 8 a.m. Run east along the beautiful Centennial Trail.

There is a timed 5K and 10K run, as well as a dash for kids and a walk that travels west, so runners and walkers do not cross paths. Info: Valleyfest. org/5k10krun

(September 26) Priest Lake Marathon. Where:

Priest Lake, ID. Run on dirt forest roads along the lakeshore of pristine Priest Lake, through groves of lush forest and old-growth cedars, and enjoy big views of the Selkirk Mountains. Choose from marathon, half-marathon, 25K or 50K courses.

Info: Priestlakerace.com

(September 26) Wild Moose Chase Trail Run. Where: Selkirk Lodge at Mt. Spokane State Park. 5km, 10km adn 25km courses.

Info:TheWildMooseChase.weebly.com

(September 26) Harvest Hustle. Where: Rockford,

WA. When: 8:30 a.m. Runners, walkers and wheelchairs are welcome. Info: espokanecountyfair.org/ hhfunrun.htm

(October 3) State Park Series #5 (5 & 13.1 mile). Where: Riverside State Park. Part of the Trail Maniacs State Park Series. Info: Trailmaniacs.com.

(October 11) Spokane Marathon. Where:

Downtown Spokane. An Inland NW classic, it sports a dreamy course that meanders its way through Spokane’s historic neighborhoods and scenic haunts while never straying too far from the Spokane River. Info: Spokanemarathon.us.

(October 17) Hayden Lake Marathon. Where:

letes, mountain bike races, cyclocross races, and a duathlon (adult and junior categories). Info: Kaslosufferfest.com

(September 12) Rathdrum Adventure Race.

Where: Rathdrum, ID. The premier “alternative” triathlon in North Idaho. Experience a mountain bike ride on magnificent Rathdrum Mountain or along a beautiful treed path, paddle the beauty of Twin Lakes in a kayak, and then run the trails back to Rathdrum’s charming City Park. Long and short course options. Info: Rathdrumadventurerace.org.

(September 12) Newport Biayakation. Where:

Oldtown, ID/Newport, WA. When: 10 a.m. A 2-mile kayak, canoe or paddle board along the beautiful Pend Oreille River followed by a 6 mile up and back bike ride next to the river. Info: 509-447-5651

(September 27) ValleyFest Boat, Bike, Run Sprint Triathlon. Where: Mirabeau Point Park,

Spokane Valley. When: 8 a.m. 1.5 mile kayak/ canoe down the Spokane River, 11-mile road ride and a 3-mile loop run including a portion of the Centennial Trail. Info: Valleyfest.org/boatbikeruntriathlon

BIKING (September 13) SpokeFest. Celebrate the joy of cycling, the beauty of Spokane, healthy lifestyles and the environment. SpokeFest has something for riders of every age and ability, including everyone from racers to the folks dusting off bikes for the first time this year. Info: Spokefest.org (September 19-20) Bike MS Cycle the Silver Valley. Where: Silver Valley, ID. Enjoy a “rails to

Hayden Lake, ID. Marathon, half and 10k options.

Experience the wondrous beauty of this unique marathon which allows athletes to fly counterclockwise around the lake on odd years, and clockwise on even years. Info: Haydenlakemarathon.org.

trails” ride almost entirely off roadways as you cruise through the ancestral lands of the Coeur d’Alene nation on the ride of your life raising funds for programs that help people affected by MS. Info: 800-344-4867, OPT 2

(October 18) Sekani Trail Run. Where: Camp

(September 26) Coeur d’Fondo. Where: Coeur

Sekani Park, Spokane. When: 9:40 a.m. 5k/10k event (plus a free kids’ 1k). The run is an adventure run/hike/walk race with 100% dirt trails and fabulous course challenges with 700 feet of elevation gain for the 10k run. Info: Sekanitrailrun.com.

(December 5) Jingle Bell Walk/Run. Where:

Riverfront Park, Spokane. This fundraising event is a fun and festive 5K run or walk that benefits arthritis research. Info: Arthritis.org/get-involved/ jingle-bell-run-walk.

Triathlons/multisport (September 5-7) Kootenay Sufferfest. Where:

Kaslo/New Denver/Nakusp, B.C. Trail run, xc mountain bike, cyclocross and duathlon races.

Races for beginners to true-blue marathon ath-

d’Alene. Ride with views of beautiful Lake Coeur d’Alene and the forest, roads and scenery along Idaho’s Scenic Byway, before finishing back at the fall Oktoberfest in downtown Coeur d’Alene. Info: Cdagranfondo.com

(September 26) Rotary Rivers & Ridges Ride.

Where: Clarkston, WA. Explore the beautiful landscapes in this incredible corner of Washington on a road bike. Ride routes will take you over major rivers, through the famous Palouse and back. Info: Riversandridgesride.org

(September 27) ValleyFest Family Ride. Where:

Mirabeau Point Park, Spokane Valley. When: 12 p.m. Start at Mirabeau Point Park North Centennial Trailhead for a wonderful family bike ride on the Centennial Trail. Info: Valleyfest.org

RUNNING (August 5, 12, 19) Fuel Fitness 5K Summer Run Series. Where: 5915 S. Regal, Spokane, WA. When:

6 p.m. Walk, jog or run. Cost: $5 benefiting the Three Stone Foundation. Info: fuelfitnessspokane.com.

(August 8) Nine Mile Dam Days 5K Fun Run. Where: Sontag Park, Nine Mile Falls, WA. When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The course starts and finishes near the Pavillion in Sontag Park, following well marked dirt trails through Riverside State Park. Awards for top finishers. Cost $20. Info: ninemilecommunityclub. org/damdays

(August 14-15) Spokane to Sandpoint Relay.

Where: start atop Mt. Spokane and run to the finish in Sandpoint, ID. When: 6 a.m. This run winds through 60 miles of world-class Centennial Trail, 80 miles adjacent to waterfront, through two national forests and ends at a beautiful beach. Info: SpokaneToSandpoint.com

(August 15) Strides for Strong Bones. Where: Waterfront Park in Medical Lake. When: 9 a.m. to noon. Annual 3 mile run/walk to raise awareness for bone health. Free heel screenings avaliable for anyone over 30. Info: valleygirltri.com (August 22) Millwood Daze 5K Fun Run. Where: Millwood, WA. When: 9 a.m. Awards for the top 3 finishers in each age group. Cost: $25, funds supprt Meals on Wheels Spokane.

Info: mowspokane.org/millwood_daze.html

BIKING (August 1) 8 Lakes Leg Aches. Where: Group Health, Spokane. When: Varous Start Times.

Various start times. Choose from 15, 30, 45, or 75 mile routes. Each route is supported with food at the finish. Info: Icsnw.org/8lakesride/index.html (August 1) Intro to Free Ride MTB Class.

Where: Silver Mountian Bike Park, Kellogg, ID. Attack the trails and get some air as you take the plunge into freeriding. Dial in your trail skills with a variety of wheel lifts, advanced cornering, jumping techniques, and drops. Requires completion Intermediate Skills class or instructor approval. Lift tickets included. Info: evergreeneast.org/skillclasses.

(August 2) Rubber Head Enduro. Where: Rossland,

B.C. A multi-stage mountain bike race that tests technical skill and overall fitness. Combine this with two days of food, drink and entertainment at Red Mountain Resort, and Rubberhead Enduro is a must. Info: Rubberheadenduro.com.

(August 8) Kidical Mass Bike Ride. Where: South Perry Neighborhood, Spokane. When: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Kids and families can participate in a family friendly late afternoon bike ride of 3 miles on anything that rolls. Info: summerparkways.com (August 9) Silver Race Series #4. Where: Silver

Mountain Resort, Kellogg ID. Experience downhill mountain bike racing in a fun, friendly and inviting

Have an Event You Would Like to List?

Please visit www.outtheremonthly.com and click “Add Event” under the “Outdoor Calendar” tab to get your events listed online and considered for the monthly print magazine calendar. To be considered for the print calendar, events MUST be entered by the 20th of the month to be listed in the following month’s issue. Please follow the instructions for submitting an event using the web form.

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Out There Monthly / August 2015

OutdoorCalendar (August 20-23) Nelson Fat Tire Festival. Where: Nelson, B.C. A long weekend of group rides, races, a jump jam, kids’ events and other festivities. Info: http://www.nelsonfattire.com/

(August 21-23) Northwest Cup Mountain Bike Race Series #6. Where: Silver Mountain Resort,

Kellogg, ID. The biggest downhill mountain bike race series in the Northwest comes to Silver. Info: Silvermt.com

(August 22) Tour de Lentil Bike Ride. Where: Lightly Student Services Building - WSU, Pullman, WA. When: 6:30 a.m. Metrick Half Century, and Century-and-a-half. Ride. The course takes cyclists on a beautiful tour of the Palouse. Info: http://53398. orgsync.com/org/wsucyclingclub (August 28) Fourth Friday Pub Peddlers. Where: Swamp Tavern. When: 7 p.m. Group cycling ride with stos along the way to a final destination. Info: facebook.com/pubpeddlers

TRIATHLONS/MULTISPORT (August 1) Medical Lake Kiwanis Mini Triathlon.

Where:Waterfront Park, Medical Lake, Wash. When: 8:45 a.m. - 2 p.m. Swim 1,200 feet, bike around Clear Lake (10 miles) and run around Medical Lake (3.4 miles). Awards to top three finishers. Info: medicallakekiwanis.org

(August 2) Post Falls Sprint Triathlon. Where: Q’emlin Park, Post Falls, ID. When: 8 a.m. The race is a .3 mile swim, 12 mile bike ride and 3 mile run.

Chip timing. and snacks with free massage adn awards ceremony following the race. Info: postfallsidaho.org.

(August 2) Belllingham Youth Triathlon. Where: Arne Hanna Aquatic Center, Bellingham, WA. Stand alone youth race for Kids 13 and younger.

Info: cob.org/services/recreation/races.

(August 16) West Plains WunderWoman Triathlon. Where: Waterfront Park, Medical Lake.

When: 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. All women’s triathlon with both sprint and Olympic distances. Individuals and relay teams available. All entrants receive technical t-shirts, post-race meal, finishers’ medal, race memorabilia, an amazing “Racer Recovery Lounge” (hosted by REI, Bella Cova and Fit4Mom). Cost: $90. Info: EmdeSports.com.

(August 29) Priest Lake Triathlon. Where: Priest

is undergoing some major improvements with the help of WTA volunteers. The work will include heavy maintenance as well as trail realignments.

Info:wta.org

(August 19) Hobnailers Hiking Club-Cheney.

Where: Meet at Rosauers - Browne’s Addition, Spokane. When: 8 a.m. This mostly level hike will start near the Columbia Plateau Cheney trailhead loop through the wetlands east of Cheney and back for approximately 6 miles. Info: 509-534-1100

(August 22) Singles BBQ Potluck/Hike on Centennial Trail. Where: Sullivan Park, Spokane

WA. When: 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. Bring your own meat to grill along with a dish to share. Walk on the Centennial Trail following BBQ. RSVP required.

Info: meetup.com/Catholic-Singles-Mingle.

WATERSPORTS (August 1-2) Wake, Wake Surf and Slalom.

Wherre: Willow Bay Priest River, ID. Amateur competition. Camping available. Info: intleague,com/ idaho/event-schedule.

(August 1) Long Bridge Swim. Where: Sandpoint.

When: 8 a.m. This open swim is 1.76 miles across Lake Pend Oreille. Info: LongBridgeSwim.org (August 15) Paddle Splash & Play. Where: Nine Mile Recreation Area, Spokane. When: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. A free event to promote the safe, healthy and refreshing world of paddling! There will be equipment available adults and kids to try, including canoes, whitewater kayaks, sea kayaks, inflatable kayaks, recreational kayaks and stand-up paddle boards. Info: Sckc.ws

other (August 2) Schweitzer Hackleberry Festival.

Where: Schweitzer Mountain Resort. Events include huckleberry pancake breakfast, live music, crafts and treats, and pie eating contest. Also enjoy Monkey Motion air jumper, Zipline, hiking, biking climbing wall, disk golf and more. Info: schweitzer.com

(August 3-7) Teen Outdoor Adventure Day Camp.

Where: Riverside State Park- Bowl and Pitcher.

When 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Teambuilding, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, stand up paddle boarding, biking community conservation projects and more!

Ages 12-16. Bring a lunch and water bottle each day.

Info: spokaneparks.org.

(August 8) Spokane History GeoTour. Where:

Lake, ID. Olympic triathlon and sprint mountain bike triathlon options. There is nowhere like Priest Lake to experience a triathlon and then chill out and bask in the glory of your race day. Info: Priestlakerace.com/events/triathlon

Riverfront Park, Spokane. When: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Forty geocaches are hidden in historic locations in Spokane County. Earn a special trackable Geocoin.

Cost: Free. Info: cache-advance.com

Hiking/Nature

(August 15) Silver Mountain Brewfest. Where:

(August 4, 6, 11 & 29) Liberty Lake Trail Work Parties. Where: Liberty Lake Trail Head. Just 30

minutes outside of Spokane, this 7.5 mile loop trail

Silver Mountain Resort, Kellogg, ID. When: 1 p.m.

40 craft beers, 20 brewieries and 1 party at the top of the mountain. The Clumsy Lovers, Civilized Animal and Dog House Boyz. Info: silvermt.com

AUGUST 2015

atmosphere and win cool prizes. Info: Silvermt.com

CLEAN WATER SEEMS SO INHERENTLY IMPORTANT TO EVERY LIVING THING BUT PRESERVING THIS PRECIOUS RESOURCE REQUIRES DILIGENCE. JOIN DOMA COFFEE ROASTING COMPANY IN SUPPORTING THE EFFORTS OF ALL THOSE WHO WORK TO KEEP THE WATER IN OUR AREA CLEAN. PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF THIS ORGANIC AND FAIR TRADE COFFEE WILL HELP KEEP OUR LOCAL WATER CLEAN AND YOUR COFFEE TASTING GOOD. Learn more @ spokaneriverkeeper.org l a k e p e n d o r e i l l e wat e r k e e p e r . o r g kealliance.org

O r d e r o n l i n e at:

domacoffee.com August 2015

/ Out There Monthly

29

Last Page Climbing with anna // By Summer Hess We summited Prusik Peak on the most perfect day in The Enchantments this season, with temperatures in the mid-60s, light breezes, cobalt skies and only a few threads of clouds. The official start of summer still lingered three weeks away, but this low snowpack year had offered us an unusually early season of rock climbing.

As we cooled and stretched our bare toes, still creased from the tightness of our climbing shoes, I felt thankful to have found Anna as a partner.

We were a good team; Anna set the pace on the 10-mile approach, and she climbed smoothly while strapped with a heavy pack. Although I led the technical pitches of the aesthetic ridge, it was clear that she would be sharing the sharp end with me soon.

There are few endeavors more demanding than alpine climbing, which is perhaps why Anna loved it. These backcountry marathons across diverse terrains drive a climber to her physical, mental and emotional limits for long periods in extreme conditions.

As a pro mountain biker who picked up climbing when she moved to the Northwest, Anna already had grit. Her physical intensity and relaxed attitude were part of what made her an amazing partner. She could sustain a three milean-hour uphill pace while giggling at her own hiccups. It seemed she hiccupped loudly at least twice an hour. Sometimes they even woke her from her sleep.

By July 8, the day I found out she had died climbing in the Sawtooth Range, we had traveled nearly 60 backcountry miles in pursuit of three

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Out There Monthly / August 2015

RIP Anna. You will be missed. Photo: Anna Dvorak. Courtesy of Summer Hess.

summits in the last five weeks. On July 10, we were scheduled for a 17-hour attempt on Mount Rainier. Anna was the leader of this trip through the Spokane Mountaineers, and this time I would be following her up the mountain; I am new to glacier travel, and she would take the lead on everything from itinerary to travel arrangements.

I had already imagined the summit shot: eye lids heavy, cheeks red and smiles wide.

In her mountain photography, Anna snapped as many pictures on the approach to the climb as she did on the summit. On the long hikes in, we talked about the classes we taught at Eastern Washington University, told stories about our worst climbs with ex-boyfriends and compared notes on what other mountains we hoped to meet this season. We also had long lapses of silence in which we listened to the rhythm of our boots on

the trail or heard the sound of that bird whose name we didn’t know calling from the larches.

Anna intuited the meditation formed while walking silently in the company of a friend.

She did this with many people – you didn’t have to be in the mountains with Anna to feel the vitality of her presence and the quality of her attention.

Because she was so generous with her time, many people held her close and feel her absence deeply.

The climbing community has borne a particular burden in this loss. Since Anna learned to climb in Spokane, it’s hard not to obsess about what went wrong out there. Was she ready to lead?

Did we fail one of our own?

I have examined these questions from many angles, even though I know we can’t divine what she was thinking or exactly what choices she was forced to make in that critical moment. What is clear is that Anna was aspiring to a long career of climbing in mixed terrain with partners from many backgrounds. She climbed with people from Wild Walls, from Eastern’s outdoor program, from the Spokane Mountaineers and from the local crag. I have come to the conclusion that, as a community, we did well by her.

The other questions I have no answer for: Why Anna? Why now? Given our tremendous loss, what next?

Here’s what I do know: as a result of having Anna as a partner, I am as strong as I have ever been. On every adventure she reminded me that climbing is about good company and finding one’s edge to push beyond it. //

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August 2015

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Blue Water 10.2 Eliminator Standard Reg 197.00 SALE 149.98

For a complete list of class descriptions, events and information, contact us: 2002 N Division, Spokane • 509.325.9000 • mountaingear.com/retail

Black Diamond Momentum / Primrose SA Harness Package Reg $99.95 SALE $79.98

Hours: Mon-Fri 10 am-8 pm, Sat 10 am-6 pm, Sun 11 am-5 pm

Altra Men’s & Women’s Repetition Reg 124.95 SALE 89.98

Black Diamond Orbit Lantern R e g 2 9. 9 5 SALE 19.98

The North Face Kaiju 6 Person Tent $398.95

Osprey Men’s Talon / Women’s Tempest $99.95

Garmont Zenith Hiking Boot Reg 169.95 SALE 79.98

NRS Vista PFD $79.95 Selk’Bag 4 G Lite $99.00

Oakley Hijinx Sunglasses R e g 10 9. 95 SALE 69.98

Don’t forget We rent Boards, Kayaks & Canoes!

Boardworks Jetty SUP Package Includes: Paddle, Leash and Fin Reg $699.00 SALE $579.97

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facebook.com/MountainGearStore/More/Events Register at 2002 N Division | 509.325.9000 Out There Monthly / August 2015

Marmot Men’s & Women’s Pr e Ci p J a c ke t 99.95 Overlooking Pear Lake, Lolo National Forest, MT | Photo: Jim Rueckel