Nordic Gear Flashback | Kids Climbing Programs | Ski Boot Fitting Tips DECEMBER 2014 // FREE
THE INLAND NW GUIDE TO OUTDOOR ADVENTURE, TRAVEL AND THE OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE
Why we Ski `
10 Signs YOU'RE NOT READY FOR SKI SEASON LOCAL OUTDOOR
Gift Guide
FINDING THE RIGHT
FAT BIKE
NEW DISHMAN HILLS
HIKING TRAIL
`
OUTTHEREMONTHLY.COM
HERE E! C I V R SE
S SALE
LS A T N E SKI R
FITNESS FANATICS AT SELKIRK LODGE THIS SEASON Offering Cross Country Skis and Snowshoes to Rent Hours: 9am- 4pm / Thursday - Monday For reservations and details go to www.fitfanatics.com
NORDIC SKI PACKAGES
$
starting at
324
97
Includes Salomon Skis, Boots, Bindings and Poles HURRY IN...THIS PACKAGE SOLD OUT LAST YEAR
SCOTT SPEEDSTER 20 $
CERVELO P2 - 2015
$
1299
2500
BIKE TRAINERS by Blackburn and Tacx. NOW Smart Phone compatible! GREAT BIKES FOR CHRISTMAS: Cervelo, Scott, Orbea , Fuji and QR December 7, 2014
NORDIC SKATE SKI PACKAGES $ starting at
653
Includes Salomon Skis, Boots, Bindings and Poles
TRIATHLON PACKAGE
$
1999
INCLUDES: Bike, wetsuit, race suit, bike trainer, shoes, pedals, waterbottle, bottle, repair kit , easy laces and body glide. Get your New Triathete everything they need to do there first triathlon.
509.922.6080 • 12425 E. TRENT • SPOKANE VALLEY, WA • WWW.FITFANATICS.COM
2
Out There Monthly / December 2014
SPECIAL HOLIDAY OFFER
$50
inreachdelorme.com
REBATE AND ONE MONTH FREE AIRTIME!*
THIS HOLIDAY, START YOUR ADVENTURE WITH THE GIFT OF PEACE OF MIND.
The only satellite communicator with built-in navigation.
Send and receive text messages Trigger an interactive SOS Navigate and create waypoints Plan, track, and share your journey 100% global satellite coverage from Iridium Contract-free and annual plan options
*Offer valid on inReach SE or inReach Explorer models. Satellite subscription plan is required to use inReach. Offer valid when purchased and activated between November 1 – December 31, 2014. Valid for US and EU customers only. Visit inreachdelorme.com/holiday for full offer details. December 2014
Photo by: The Expeditioners, inReach Ambassadors
/ Out There Monthly
3
In This Issue p.5 / From the Editor
MONTHLY
The Gear We Love and Can’t Let Go
p.6 / Out There News
Out There Monthly / december 2014
p.8 / Hike of the month Mount Kit Carson www.outtheremonthly.com
p.9 / Running Local Runners Bring Home the Glory
Publishers
Shallan & Derrick Knowles Editor
p.10 / out there kids Let Your Kids Climb the Walls this Winter
p.11 / Everyday Cyclist Fighting Back Against Bike Theft
p.12 / Finding the right Fat bike p.14 / outdoor living
aste
Winter Chanterelle
p.15 / Fitness & Training Steps to Recovery
p.16 / Cross-Country Skiing A Brief History of Skinny Skis
p.18 / Why I ski Lars Johannson
p.20-21 / INW OUTDOOR & 6-Month Training Calendar
BYOB? We’ve got you covered
p.22-25 / on The Mountain Long Live the Mom N’ Pop Ski Shop
KEG SPECIALS: 15.5 gallons $99–160 5.16 gallons $49 – 80 Tap Room Open at 3pm Daily
Healthy Ski Snacks !0 Signs You’re Not Ready for Ski Season Nelson Kootenay Lake Region Cat Skiing Boot Fitting for Dummies
p.26 / Local outdoor gift guide p.28 / Hiking New Dishman Hills Trail to “The Cliffs”
p.30 / Last Page Growing Up with Wild Connections
“The very best fall color of all, is white.” Chic Burge
Derrick Knowles Visual Editor
Shallan Knowles senior writers
Jon Jonckers Brad Naccarato Amy Silbernagel McCaffree Contributing Writers:
S. Michal Bennett Kelly Chadwick Steven Gnam Hank Greer Derrick Knowles Bea Lacaff Ammi Midstokke Brad Northrup Brad Thiessen Holly Weiler
Contributing photographers:
Willy Bartlett Steven Gnam Dave Heath Jon Jonckers Shallan Knowles Jeff Lambert Drew Parker
online content coordinator
Crystal Gartner Circulation director
Dezi Nagyfy to request copies caLl
509 / 822 / 0123 Ad Sales
Derrick Knowles: 509 / 822 / 0123 Brad Naccarato 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 2014 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 areknowledgeable about the risks, and are personally willing to assume all responsibility associated with those risks.
On The Cover:
121 S. Cedar Street Downtown Spokane 509.413.2388 •
4
Out There Monthly / December 2014
DS LE! R CA ILAB T A F GI AV W NO
Skiers rejoice on the peak of Mt. Roberts overlooking the town of Rossland, B.C. Home of RED Mountain Resort, Rossland is a year-round, world-class mountain town only a few hours north of Spokane. Photo: Dave Heath
Printed on 50% recycled paper with soy based inks in the Spokane Valley
PROUD MEMBER OF
From The Editor: The Gear We Love and Can’t Let Go My MontBell Super Stretch down sleeping bag was the first piece of gear I ever named. This toasty sack with elastic baffles accommodates my fitful sleeping habits, everything from kicking legs and stomach sprawl sessions to restless rolling. I’ve spent more achingly comfortable nights in the thing than I can remember. But the pleasant fit isn’t what inspired the nickname. It’s the years of use – and the not always so pleasant combination of down, moist environments, and multi-day trips – that earned “The Pet Store” its name. Our relationships with outdoor gear, from the familiar things we hold on to for years and sometimes name, to the most technologically modern smart gear that makes our favorite outdoor activi-
ties comfortable, and in many cases possible, can be fascinating. Most of us who spend much time outside find ourselves cruising the local gear shop shelves for something new to replace a retired item or fill a new need on a regular basis, and when the holidays roll around, we are even more vulnerable to the bling of bright and shiny new gear as we pretend to shop for our loved ones. Thankfully, with more outdoor gear companies making products that take it easier on the natural world, we can buy what we need, especially from local retailers and gear purveyors that support our local economy, and feel better about it (hint: check out our local outdoor gift guide). I love functional and comfortable new gear as much as the next guy on the trail, but I also find it
endlessly interesting how so many of us fall in love with certain pieces of gear, holding onto them for years (sometimes too long, like the Patagonia fleece I kept using long after every zipper had blown out and the sleeves looked like rats had had their way with them). In more rare instances, we go so far as to naming our cherished outdoor items because they’ve taken on personalities of their own – familiar and reliable partners in our most memorable outdoor adventures. A jacket my brother has been carrying around in his bike pack for years comes to mind. It’s a rice-paper thin, purple nylon “wind breaker” that he picked up for 50 cents from our late, great Aunt Lottie at a garage sale years ago. At some point
we started referring to the jacket warmly as Aunt Lottie. He breaks it out a couple times a year for foul weather mountain bike descents and we check on how she is doing, laughing at the jacket’s seemingly endless lifespan and remembering our aunt fondly before he zips up and disappears in a blaze of purple.
Do you have your own story to tell about a piece of gear, named or not, that has held a special place in your outdoor life over the years? We’d love to hear it and consider sharing it in an upcoming story about our relationships with outdoor gear. Send your 100-200 word story pitch to: editor@outtheremonthly.com. //
For trips that take you way out there... Let Reliant LifeWorks keep you healthy. Travel Vaccinations Downtown Spokane 509-343-3100
DECEMBER 13TH 9AM-5PM
• All 2014 Road bikes on sale now 20%-30% off! • Fat bikes in stock now! • Stone grinding & hot-boxing for all of your ski tuning needs
December 2014
/ Out There Monthly
5
Out ThereNews The Ultimate Form of Human Power – A Multi-media Presentation with Luc Mehl
Monkey Boy Bicycles Moves to New Downtown Location
Living in the Pacific Northwest, we have ample opportunities for human-powered outdoor recreation. For many of us in any given year, we may try to cram in as many bike rides, paddle trips, backpacks, climbs, and ski days as we possibly can. For Alaskan Luc Mehl, our entire year of activity would fit into one of his 30-day adventures. He has covered over 4,000 miles of wilderness in the past 6 years, including a bike-skiraft traverse of Denali, a self-supported 30-day, 370-mile traverse over Mt. Logan (the highest mountain in Canada), and a traverse of Pico de Orizaba (the highest mountain in Mexico), all, in his words, on cheap bikes and street tacos. Mehl and his companions have learned and refined ultralight travel techniques while participating in Alaska Mountain Wilderness Classic adventure races, traveling an average of 40 miles per day through raw wilderness. Incorporating multi-sport equipment from ice skates to packrafts has allowed Mehl and his partners to cover mind-blowing distances and experience a greater
Monkey Boy Bicycles, Spokane’s only bicycle shop devoted entirely to urban-styled bike transportation, officially relocated to Kendall Yards along the Centennial Trail in November (1206 W Summit Pkwy). Monkey Boy started as a mobile bike repair business in 2011 and by 2013 grew to become a uniquely themed retail store located in the Garland District. Owner, Donald Gibson, with the help of his sister Lynn, recognized a need in the local bike community. “We are the only shop in Spokane catering specifically to urban commuters,” says Gibson. “Our Dutch-style bikes are colorful, functional, and
diversity of landscapes than would otherwise be possible, which is the ultimate goal of Mehl on all his adventures. In addition to being an outdoor athlete, Mehl is an award-winning filmmaker and photographer. He will be making a stop in Spokane as part of his personal outreach to promote wilderness awareness, conservation, and recreation. He will share his stories, photos, and videos for the public and the Spokane Mountaineers at their monthly meeting on Monday, December 15, at 7 p.m. at the Mountain Gear corporate office at 6021 E. Mansfield in Spokane Valley. His presentation is titled “The Big Three: human-powered traverses over Denali, Logan, and Orizaba, North America’s Three Tallest Mountains.” The event is free, but donations will be accepted for our local Winter Wildlands Alliance chapter, the Inland Northwest Backcountry Alliance. More info: thingstolucat.com and SpokaneMountaineers.org. // (Eric Ryan)
Sandpoint-based Tech Startup Launches Online Extreme Adventure Marketplace Rush-On, a Sandpoint tech startup, has announced the launch of the first international, centralized marketplace for extreme adventure sports and outdoor activities. Hosting bucketlist worthy activities at the lowest price, RushOn’s website and mobile app allows adventure enthusiasts to discover adventure and activity merchants from around the world by location, category, price, and reviews, helping adventure seekers save time and money searching for their next thrill of a lifetime. The website offers
a directory of extreme sport and recreational activities available within a geographical area, easily searchable by location, activity type, and price. The mobile app, coming soon, will use push notifications to announce featured deals based on locale, making users aware of activities in their immediate surroundings. Currently hosting adventure deals in the Pacific Northwest, Rush-On is scheduled to expand globally by next year. Check it out at www.rushon.com. //
Nordic Ski & Snowshoe Race at Priest Lake Make your next best race day of winter at Priest Lake, Idaho, January 17, at the Priest Lake Golf Course Nordic Center (races start at 10 a.m.). Nordic skiers and snowshoe runners can choose from a 5K and 10K Nordic ski race, a 5K and 10K snowshoe run, or a winter duathlon consisting of a 5K ski and a 5K snowshoe run. The Priest Lake
6
Out There Monthly / December 2014
Golf Course offers a fun, fast, and scenic course groomed for both traditional and skate skiing. Racers get a free awards party lunch, lots of great prizes, awards, and great Priest Lake race swag. The course and distance options offer something for beginners and elite racers. Find all the details at www.priestlakerace.com. //
unique to Spokane,” he adds. Gibson feels that MBB’s new location is a perfect fit for the company and community. “Being in Kendall Yards, we have an amazing view of the downtown and immediate access to the newest section of the Centennial Trail.” In addition to city specific bikes, MBB carries destination clothing, commuting accessories, helmets, and all the basics to get folks started for any commuting and recreational bike adventures. MBB carries the brands: Brooklyn Cruiser, Lionaire, Virtue, and Xootr. Monkeyboybicycles.com. // (Brad Naccarato)
Centennial Trail Maintenance Agreement Signed Thanks to the newly revised and beefed up Spokane River Centennial Trail Interagency Agreement (CTA) signed at the Parks Commission Meeting in Spokane City Hall November 20, four jurisdictions along the Centennial Trail from the Idaho state line to Nine Mile Dam, have pledged to protect and maintain it. The CTA commits the four agencies to work and plan together, each contributing $20,000 annually to a dedicated CT maintenance fund
and to sharing law enforcement responsibilities along the trail in perpetuity. Now, for example, staff won’t have to decide between closing park bathrooms early, or repairing a hole in the trail. Trail users can thank Riverside State Park, the Cities of Spokane and Spokane Valley and Spokane County for recognizing how our regional quality of life is enhanced on many levels by the Centennial Trail and for pledging to support it. // (Bea Lackaff)
New Tourism Website Showcases North Idaho With its abundance of lakes, rivers, mountains and vibrant communities, North Idaho is an amazing go-to outdoor destination. The North Idaho Tourism Alliance has rolled out a redesigned website that aims to make sure you can find the activities and natural attractions you’re looking for. The new website, www.VisitNorthIdaho.com, showcases the region and provides those planning a visit with a vast array of things to do, events and community information. “We’re blessed here with so many terrific things to do, from all the outdoor activities to the excellent art and entertainment events that our towns put on,” said NITA President Eileen Kain, of the Priest Lake Chamber of Commerce. “Our main goal with the new website was to help visitors discover it all.” The new website provides more
than 120 activities in 16 different categories, from skiing and snowsports to golfing, hiking and lake activities. The website also has extensive event calendars, photo and video galleries, plus descriptive write-ups and slide shows of each of the major communities in North Idaho, with links off to lodging options. Another prime goal in designing the new website was to help visitors navigate around North Idaho with extensive use of maps. Chris Bessler of Keokee, the media and marketing firm in Sandpoint that developed the new website, said it employs interactive maps to help visitors quickly visualize the location of communities and activities. “The mapping component will help visitors get to the area, and get around the area in an understandable way,” he said. VisitNorthIdaho.com. //
MERINO WOOL RUNNING APPAREL DESIGNED AND MADE RIGHT HERE IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST pettet endurance project AMERICAN MADE | ETHICALLY SOURCED | WICKED SOFT | THE PERFECT FIT
www.pettetendurance.com December 2014
/ Out There Monthly
7
HikeOfTheMonth
Mount Kit Carson (Mount Spokane State Park) // Hike of the month and photo by holly weiler
@M A NI T OT A PH OU S E M A N I T OTA PH OU S E. COM
3011 S. GRAND BLVD. | (509) 279-2671
1 1 A M-11PM SUN.-T H U R S. | 11AM - 2 AM FR I. & S AT.
On those grey winter days in Spokane, find a dose of vitamin D by heading for Mount Spokane State Park. When everything is obscured by cloud and fog below, the park’s summits are generally bathed in light. Print a copy of the snowshoe trail map, pack your 13 essentials, and head for the hill to improve your mood. At 5,282’, Mount Kit Carson is the park’s second tallest peak and boasts a better view than the summit of Mount Spokane. What’s more, this hike can be done as a loop, traveling from deep forest to alpine meadows and back again with nearly 1,500 feet of elevation gain (then loss). From just inside the trailhead gate (across the road from the parking lot), bear slightly right and head uphill on trail 100/110. At the trail merger in approximately 100 feet, bear left and keep your feet dry while crossing the Washington Trails Association volunteer-built footbridge over Burping Brook. At the next trail merger, bear right and begin a steady climb for just under 1/2mile, where you will need to bear right and continue climbing on trail 110 (as trail 100 exits to the left across a second bridge). The farther uphill the trail ascends, the more the trees and understory change. Depending on the depth of the snowpack, you may be able to note bear grass and huckleberry replacing the denser brush of the lower trail. Overhead, the trees open up, letting in more light. Continue approximately 1.7 miles to Saddle Junction, where numerous standing snags provide wildlife habitat and create an eerie landscape. From Saddle Junction, bear left and continue climbing on trail 160. This portion of trail is shared use with snowmobiles, and the summit of Mount Kit Carson is a designated off-trail snowmobile area, so listen for the sound of approaching motors. From the rocky summit of Mount Kit Carson, the view encompasses everything from Newman Lake to the south, to the Selkirk range to the north. After soaking it all in, return to Saddle Junction and gage your level of fatigue. The fastest route back is to return the same way you came, but to prolong the adventure, take trail 140 downhill instead. Not only will the views be different, but this route down gives snowshoers the option of stopping by the new snowshoe hut at Smith Gap. Built over the summers of 2013 and 2014 by volunteers with the Friends of Mount Spokane State Park and with the help of a grant from the Johnston-Fix Foundation and generous donations from the community, the hut boasts hand-made furniture and historic signs and can be kept toasty-warm this winter due to the instillation of a wood burning stove. Please remove snowshoes before climbing the stairs. Pack-it-in, pack-it-out, and leave the place better than you found it. After taking a breather at the hut, complete the hike by continuing down hill on the Lower Mount Kit Carson Loop Road. This route is best for hiking if it’s snow free, or snowshoeing, cross-country and backcountry skiing with snow on the ground. Dog friendly with leash required. It’s approximately 6 miles roundtrip. Getting there: From I-90, take the Argonne exit and go north. Pass through Millwood, go up the Argonne Hill, and continue north as Argonne turns into Bruce. At the round-about, bear east on SR 206 to Mount Spokane Park Drive. Continue approximately two miles beyond the State Park entrance to the Lower Mount Kit Carson Loop Road trailhead, with parking inside the switchback. Cross the road to enter the gated trail system and begin the hike/snowshoe/ ski. Mount Spokane State Park requires a SnoPark permit for winter use. The Lower Mount Kit Carson Loop Trailhead requires a regular SnoPark permit, but splurge for the Special Groomed Trail Sticker if you Nordic ski or snowmobile. If you opt for the day pass rather than the annual permit, note that a Discover Pass is required in addition to your day-use SnoPark pass.
Download free printable maps and a snowshoe brochure at: Mountspokane.org. // 8
Out There Monthly / December 2014
Running
Local runners Bring Home the Glory // By Jon Jonckers
m
Healing Balance Massage Therapy
Gift Certificates make great gifts!
Relieve Soreness Holiday Special Improve Performance Reduce Chronic Pain $40 for one hour! Relieve Muscle Tension specializing in Increase Range of Motion deep tissue & sports massage Reduce Scar Tissue Contact Lynn Short, LMP #60232419 www.HealingBalanceMassage.com Rejuvinate Overused Muscles 503-772-4340
Closest
outlet to Spokane
Tanner Anderson at the GSL/MCC Regional Race in Richland, WAsh. Tanner is the redhead in the lead. // photo: Jon Jonckers
Gunhild Swanson Takes on the Javelina Jundred On November 1, Gunhild Swanson approached the starting line of her latest 100-mile ultramarathon. To date, she had completed five 100-mile races, but could she do it again at age 70? Although she possesses the endurance of an arctic wolf, Swanson’s fastest attribute is her ability to make friends. She’s spry and energetic with a warm smile and a never-give-up attitude. She keeps her hair fairly short, and favors black or white running clothes. Besides running, her other hobbies include bragging about her grandson, Turlan Morlan. The Javelina Jundred 100-mile course is comprised of six full loops on the 15.3-mile Pemberton Trail and a half loop on the Pemberton and Tonto Tank Trails near Glendale, Arizona. The race features rolling singletrack through the Sonoran Desert. Runners pass giant saguaro cactus, granite boulders and dry wash beds. All things considered, the race includes multiple checkpoints and exceeds 6,000 feet of elevation gain. “The best moments were when we heard the coyotes sing and yip to each other off in the distance,” says Swanson. “And we saw a giant tarantula right on the trail. Of course we had to stop and admire it. It really is amazing to be out there in the desert at night.” Ultimately, Swanson finished 187th out of 290 finishers. The weather was ideal since it never crested over 80 degrees, and it never dropped below the mid-50s at night. She completed the 100-mile course in 27 hours and 24 minutes. At age 70, she is possibly the oldest, active female trail runner to complete 100 miles, and, most important, she qualified for the prestigious Western States Ultra. The Western States race is particularly special because she currently holds the 60 plus female record of 25:40. Swanson’s son, Chris Morlan, is certainly impressed by his mom’s running ability, but he isn’t totally surprised. Morlan is an exceptional distance runner in the Spokane community, and he has supported or paced his mom during multiple 100-mile races in the past. “Running helps
her stay connected to her active girlfriends, and, of course, she’s so successful it must feel good to keep kicking ass,” says Morlan. He doesn’t expect she will ever slow down. North Central Cross Country Domination The State Championship on November 8, 2014, marked two remarkable feats in Washington State high school cross country. First, North Central won its 9th consecutive State title and tied the record set by Coach Pat Tyson during his tenure at Mead. In an age where few high school teams return to the championship podium more than four or five times in a decade, North Central’s program testifies to hard work and intelligent conditioning in the off-season. Of course it certainly helps when the fastest high school runner in the nation is on the team. The second amazing feat on November 8 had to be Tanner Anderson besting his previous state course record by more than 11 seconds. For the sake of perspective, the Olympic qualifying time for a 5K race for men is 13:33. That’s on a windless oval track without hills. At 14:32, Tanner Anderson finished within a minute of the Olympic standard on a chilly November day in the wind, with hills. When asked if there were any special words of encouragement before the race, Anderson said, “Our coach just instilled in us that he knew we could win and that it would take all of us to be in the same boat and on the same page.” Although Anderson graduates this year, he quickly added, “I believe that next year NC can make history with another state title,” he says, followed quickly by a few knocks on wood. “The depth is definitely there.” On the national front, the North Central team has already won the Nike Cross Regional Race and advanced to the Nike Cross National Race which will be held Saturday, December 6, at the Glendoveer Golf Course in Portland, Ore. You can follow the race online at Nxn.runnerspace.com. //
333 Baker Street • Nelson, BC 1-87-SNOWPACK • www.snowpack.ca
Outlet
Create your own Christmas memories & Traditions at Holly Lane 'you-cut' tree farm
now open Daily
• • • • •
Hot Drinks Gifts & Wreaths Complimentary Tree wrap Foothills of Mt. Spokane Family owned & operated
For driving directions, log on to hollylanetreefarm.com or call us at (509) 928-5970
Jingle Bell Run - DEC 6 Hangover handicap - Jan 1 221 N. Wall St. 509.624.7654 10208 N. Division 509-468-1786 December 2014
/ Out There Monthly
9
Kids
Let Your Kids Climb the Walls This Winter with Wild Walls’ Youth Climbing Programs Kids love to climb: trees, rocks, walls, whatever. And they’re naturals at it too. As a parent, you have some options when dealing with your child’s monkey-like behavior this winter. You could discourage the climbing instinct by nudging them gently towards more traditional ground-based activities and team sports, but why not help them cultivate their ingrained urge to climb in a fun, safe, indoor climbing environment? Climbing is excellent exercise for kids of all ages and helps them develop strength and better control over their bodies and minds, all while draining them of excess energy, leaving them more calm and relaxed. Wild Walls Climbing Gym has been a downtown Spokane fixture since opening in 1995, and over the years has expanded and evolved into the clean, family-friendly, state-of-the-art climbing gym that it is today – buzzing with the energy of kids and adults of all ages literally climbing the walls littered with colorful hand and foot holds. While families with enough climbing experience to pass the mandatory belay test can climb together at the gym anytime, Wild Walls offers two programs geared specifically towards kids, from total beginners to kids with different levels of climbing experience. Both programs include climbing gear and instruction at an affordable rate. The popular Spider Monkeys classes for kids ages 4-8 are held on Monday and Wednesday nights from 5-7. Parents can come to watch or climb on their own as experienced, certified instructors work with their little climbers. The classes focus on having fun while teaching the basics of climbing and team work. The first class is free, a single visit is $12 and an eight-class pass is $74 (gear included). Wild Walls general
NEVER STOP EXPLORING
Kody smiles as he reaches for handholds on the wall at wild walls // Photo: Shallan Knowles
manager Todd Mires says that in the past year, the program has been filling up, so signing up as early as possible is a good idea. Wild Walls also offers Climbing Club for older kids ages 9-16 on Sunday and Thursday evenings from 6-8. In addition to the basics, kids can learn more advanced climbing skills in Climbing Club, including knots, belaying, body movement and climbing techniques. The number of Climbing Club participants isn’t as limited as it is with Spider Monkeys, so there is plenty of space for new climbers. The first visit is free, and after that, it’s $12 per class, $65 for a month pass and $100 for 10 visits (gear included). Brandi Hall, whose 4 year old son Kody is currently enrolled in Spider Monkeys, had never been climbing before and hadn’t given any thought to taking her son climbing until Kody’s grandma gave him a gift certificate. “He always loved to climb on trees and anything else he could get his hands on, so we figured we’d give it a try.” Hall reports that she’s seen an improvement in Kody’s coordination and strength, and she says it helps stimulate his mind as he works through where to put his hands and feet. She also notes that it’s a positive and healthy way for him to work out some energy. “Climbing makes him exhausted. After class, he often falls asleep in the car on the way home.” Being introduced to indoor climbing at Wild Walls has had a positive influence on the whole Hall family. “My husband and I are now going to start climbing so that we can all come out and climb together as a family,” Hall says. “We love it and are so glad the gym is here.” Learn more about Wild Walls and their climbing programs, lessons, and open climbing opportunities for kids and adults at wildwalls.com. // (Derrick Knowles)
™
MEN’S QUINCE JACKET $249.00
I N N O VATI O N FO R FI RSTS WOMEN’S QUINCE JACKET $249.00
PHOTO: Keith Ladzinski
THE NORTH FACE - SPOKANE 714 W. Main Ave. Spokane, WA 99201 (509) 747-5389
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK
MEN’S FLUX POWER STRETCH 1/4 ZIP $120.00
STORE HOURS: Mon - Sat: 10:00 am - 8:00 pm Sun: 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
10
Out There Monthly / December 2014 TNF_FA14_Spokane_10_25x6_125_OneOff_Ad.indd 1
7/24/14 9:15 AM
Everyday Cyclist
CYCLING
Fighting Back Against Bike Theft
// By Hank Greer
FOR ALL!
These are two of the four bikes that were stolen. By chance I had taken photos of them downtown not long before the theft. // Photo: Hank Greer
It’s heart sinking. You look around and ask, “Where’s my bike?” The answer you deny is, “It’s gone.” You look again and again to make sure. But it’s gone. I’ve experienced this twice myself. When I was 6, my very first bike was taken from my front yard. When I was 15, the first bike I bought with my paper route money was taken from my front yard. It sucks. One morning last August, Bryan Agee woke to find his garage had been opened during the night. The thieves used a tool to reach in over the top of the garage door and pop the emergency release. Among the missing property, four bicycles were gone. Agee called the Spokane Police who responded and took his report. He and his wife rely on their bikes for transportation so much that the battery in his car was dead from lack of use. He borrowed a bike from his dad so he could go to work.
seen a trace of her bike since. Two and a-half years ago, OTM contributor Erika Prins locked her bike to a light pole in downtown Spokane one evening. She returned an hour later and her bike was gone. For her it was more than losing a $1,400 bike. Not owning a car, her bike was her mode of transportation. She eventually replaced it and several months later was notified that a pawn shop had her bike. But now she had a new problem. The pawn shop had paid $300 and the bike was on a “police hold” since it was stolen. She could pay the $300, which she says the police officer recommended she do, to get her bike back. Or she could wait for the case to be resolved, which will take years. I spoke with a couple of pawn shop managers about this. One would only say, “Anything that happens is up to the police and the victim.” Another was more forthcoming. If he buys a bike
Taking great care of the customer and having fun doing it since 1983. North Division Bicycle Shop • 10503 N Division • 467-BIKE (2453)
WWW.NORTHDIVISION.COM EXPIRES 1/31/15 | MUST PRESENT COUPON |DOES NOT INCLUDE PARTS
‘Hey, that’s my bike,’ he said out loud. The guy heard him and took off. Agee gave chase while calling the police. The next morning, Agee was barely four blocks from home on his way to work when he saw someone riding towards him on one of his bikes. “Hey, that’s my bike,” he said out loud. The guy heard him and took off. Agee gave chase while calling the police, but he lost the thief. He came upon two Spokane Parks employees and asked if they’d seen someone speeding by on a bike. They described a bike to him, and he said that was it. They pointed at a house across the street. “It’s in there.” The police arrived, contacted the occupants, and Agee retrieved three of his bicycles. The fourth had been sold. Agee was luckier than most victims. Dan-Vi Hoang kept her bike in the entryway of the fourplex she lives in. Although it was locked, it was not secured to anything inside the building. But she knew her neighbors and felt comfortable with it, until one morning last September when she was leaving for work and discovered her bike was gone. In her words, “The thief had some balls to come inside our doors and wrestle my bike out the door.” It was a painful loss. This was the bike she toured on and used to commute to work 3-4 times a week. She filed a police report but hasn’t
and later learns it was stolen, he’s required to hold it for the police until the case is resolved. But he will return it to the victim if the victim reimburses the pawn shop’s costs. You can understand why Prins would be upset about this. How many bikes are stolen in our area? The Coeur d’Alene Police Department reports 105122 bikes have been stolen every year since 2010. The Spokane Police Department stated they track thefts and burglaries but not what was stolen. But with over four times the population, I would guess Spokane has a lot more thefts than Coeur d’Alene. What should you do to protect yourself ? Record the serial number and take photos of your bike. Register your bike with one or more local and national registries. Secure your bike properly with a high quality U-lock and cable. Do what you can to make it hard to steal. If it is stolen, it’s not your fault. Complete a police report as soon as possible. Update the registries. Spread the word and photos via social networks. Use searchtempest.com to check multiple craigslist sites and Ebay to see if it’s up for sale. If your bike is gone, doing these things may help you get it back. // December 2014
/ Out There Monthly
11
Looking for the
Local Shops Offer Plenty o Specialized Fatboy
Trek Farley 6
The Gift That Keeps Giving Northwest MedStar Membership makes the perfect gift to show someone you care. Rocky Mountain Blizzard
Protect family and friends from high emergency air transport costs not covered by health insurance.
According to Dave Mannino, Shop Manager of 2 Wheel Transit in Spokane, fat bikes are PER FAMILY PER YEAR ($150 FOR 3 YEARS)
Visit nwmedstar.org/memberships/enroll
CITY LIMITS PUB AND GRILL
not just for snow anymore. “Our customers are now railing these bikes on the High Drive trails, Riverside State Park singletrack, sandy beaches and county dirt roads,” he says. Whether you’re looking to extend your season on local trails, challenge yourself on wild stretches of railroad ballast like the Columbia Plateau Trail, or roll along the packed snow of hundreds of miles of groomed snowmobile and fat bike approved Nordic trails, the reasons to own one of these fattired beasts is growing longer every year. Here’s a run-down of your choices from local shops
After a Day on the Slopes, Stop for the Best Burgers and Brews in Wallace! 208-556-1885 CityLimitsPubAndGrill.com
12
Out There Monthly / December 2014
around the region. North Division Bike Shop (North Spokane) Greg Welton, the resident fat bike expert at North Division Bike Shop, effortlessly and relentlessly rattles off stats about the Trek Farley 6 (rigid, $1,775) and 8s (the higher-end version that comes out of the box with the new Bluto suspension fork, $3,000). NDBS keeps both of these bikes in stock. It’s clear he’s a fan of the performance-oriented Farley fat bikes: they’re set up to run a dropper post (internal) and all the shift cables are internal, the top tube is flat so it makes it easy to hold on to and carry, the 6 weighs in under 30 pounds, and the tires on the 8 come set up tubeless ready. “The Farley 6 will remind you of everything you loved about a hardtail 26,” says Welton. “They’re a fast handling bike. My first time on it I was laughing, just laughing because
it handled so much better than you’d imagine.” Welton’s favorite place to ride a Farley fatty is on the chunky, basalt rock trails in Riverside State Park near 9-mile “whether there is snow or not.” Northdivision.com. This Bike Life (South Hill, Spokane) Joshua Hess, shop manager at This Bike Life, an exclusive dealer for Felt, Rocky Mountain, Norco, Kona and Niner, is really excited about a couple of the fat bikes that stand out for the 2015 season. “One of this season’s top bikes is the Rocky Mountain Blizzard XT with the new Rock Shox Bluto suspension fork. The Bluto adds a whole new dimension to the fat bike experience,” says Hess. “Our crew is also stoked with Felt’s all new fat bike line, the Double Double 30 and 70. These fat bikes have great specs and are priced well,” he adds. Rounding out TBL’s list is the Niner ROS 9 Plus mid fat 29er. “If you prefer the 29er wheel size, the ROS 9 Plus is the bike for you,” adds Hess. TBL’s fat bike prices range from $1,399 to $3,000. Thisbikelife.com. Wheel Sport (Spokane Valley, Downtown, and South Hill) Recognizing the industry trend toward fat biking, Wheel Sport has beefed up their line-up at their three locations. “We carry the Specialized Fatboys, including the entry level version for $2,099.99 and the expert level model at $2,699.99. They both feature a carbon fiber fork, hydraulic brakes, 26x4.8” tires and aggressively machined-out rims to reduce rotational weight. Like anything else Specialized puts that magic ‘S’ on, these bikes are very well thought out and ride as good as they look,” explains Shop Manager Mic Woodruff. “We also carry the Salsa Mukluk which features a time tested design, and of course Salsa has always been an innovator in this field – fine tuning geometry for form as well as function. Mukluk prices are from $1,899.99 up to $2,399.99 for models in stock,” he adds. Salsa also plans on coming out to Spokane sometime in 2015 with a demo truck for an overnight camping demo with the bikes. Wheelsportspokane.com.
Right Fat Bike?
of Options to Choose From By Derrick Knowles and Brad Naccarato
charge Cooker
2 Wheel Transit (Perry Neighborhood, Spokane) The Trek Farley, in stock at 2 Wheel Transit, comes with or without front suspension, making them well-suited to many varied conditions. “One customer told us that riding his Farley is just like being a kid again with its light weight, nimble handling and all-terrain capabilities. He also told us that he always gets stopped by several people on each ride, so interest is definitely building for this category,” says Dave Mannino, Shop Manager at 2 Wheel Transit. 2WT’s fat bikes start at about $1,600 and come in a variety of sizes. The Trek Farley 6 (without the shock) starts at $1,699.99 and the Trek Farley 8 (with tubeless ready tires, 1 x 11 drivetrain and a front shock) starts at $2,999. Twowheeltransit.com. The Bike Hub (Spokane Valley and Downtown Spokane) The Bike Hub carries Trek, Salsa and Surly fat bikes. They start at $1,875 and go up from there. “We have narrowed down our selection based off of component specs, weight and price. We believe we have found the best bikes to provide the most fun for the money,” says downtown shop manager Skye Schillhammer. The Farley from Trek has been a big seller this year. “It has great components and a lightweight aluminum frame that combine to make a great fat bike,” he adds. Thebikehubspokane.com. 2 Wheeler Dealer (Hayden) 2 Wheeler Dealer has watched the fat bike trend grow quickly from a niche winter novelty to a new, year-round style of riding. “They are awesome fun in the winter but maybe even more fun to ride in the summer,” says Shane Myr, 2WD’s shop manager. 2WD carries the Charge Cooker 1 and 2 as well as the Specialized Fat Boy, a fat bike that comes in four different versions, each with a different spec grade to suite your style of riding. Prices start at about $1,399 for an entry level Cooker 1 and top out at around $5,999 for the Fat Boy pro version. “We also stock the 45 North Dillinger 5, an awesome studded tire that is an amazing upgrade for winter fat bike riding,” adds Myr. Twowheelerskidealer.com.
Terra Sports (Downtown Coeur d’Alene) Terra Sports can order up Surlys and they carry the Charge Cooker Maxi fat bikes, which is a trail-ready bike with hydraulic disc brakes at a great price (they sell them for $1,399). “It’s a great starter for people who want to get into fat biking without spending an arm and a leg,” says Chris Caro at Terra Sports. They are a bit heavier than other more expensive options but are perfect for riding the snowy roads and trails around Coeur d’Alene and flatter trails like the ones around 4th of July Pass. Terrasportsinc.com.
PERFECTLY
ENGINEERED
Bicycle Sales and Service (4th Street, Coeur d’Alene) Bicycle Sales and Service also carries the Trek Farley 6, with its light weight, rigid frame; 4” tires; and 2x10 drivetrain. “They sold pretty well last year to people looking to ride places like snowmobile trails on the north side of 4th of July Pass,” says Chris Robinson at BSS. The also carry the Origin 8 Crawler, which has a hydroformed aluminum frame coupled to a NuVinci N360 continuously variable rear hub to give you a shift free, 360% range of gearing. “It’s more of a basic fat bike that comes in at a lower price, and it’s a bit heavier, making it a good around-town fat bike for snowy roads and sand. Bicycleservice. com. Greasy Fingers Bikes N Repair (Sandpoint) “We pretty much have the whole Surly lineup,” says Greasy Fingers owner Brian Anderson. By that he’s talking about the Pugsley, Pugsley Ops, Ice Cream Truck, and the Ice Cream Truck Ops. Surly makes a bike that is economical and built to last a long time – they are utilitarian and practical. You can pretty much do anything on one or the other of these bikes, says Anderson. From bike packing, racing, or casual riding on packed snowy trails. Greasyfingersbikes.com. //
ALPACA
SOCKS Ideal for trekking, climbing, hiking and biking
Fair Trade Earth Friendly Local
www.kizurispokane.com 35 west Main, Spokane Mon-Sat: 10 am - 5:30 pm Sundays in Dec: 10 am - 4 pm
December 2014
/ Out There Monthly
13
OutdoorLiving Leaf, Root, Fungi, Fruit With winter, dormancy comes. Yet a few life forms find this an optimum time to spring forth. One underappreciated denizen of our late-fall forest is the winter chanterelle also called yellowfoot (craterallus tubaeformis). In flavor and texture this is not the chanterelle you’re familiar with. The aroma has none of the apricot fruitiness and instead shows a tangy woodland duff. When the first frosts arrive and many plants and fungi are reduced to decomposing mush, the winter chanterelle makes its appearance under a dusting of snow. It grows on heavily decayed logs and rich mossy forest floors. As a result it tends to be in middle-aged to mature forests: state parks, unmolested private woods or areas moist enough to encourage fast growth after the forest has been thinned. It’s a symbiont of conifers, preferring hemlock. Some research suggests, even when fraternizing with other species, hemlock is always present. Well suited to cryogenics, once thawed after a long night of freezing, it begins busily pumping out spores until the next night’s freeze. If still a ghostly popsicle in daylight, it can be broken at the base and brought home frozen. The diminutive winter chanterelle is easily recognized but a bit hard to pinpoint in description. Looking nothing like our common chanterelle from above, they’re delicate in stature ranging in size from a pinkie finger to a small hand bell and supported by a welldefined, irregular hollow yellow stem. The wavy cap ranges from dirty orange to a warm
14
Out There Monthly / December 2014
Winter Chanterelle // By Kelly Chadwick brown. They do share the characteristic blunt decurrent gills of the family, and, once picked, this is the defining clue to its identity. To clarify, if you look on the underside, the spore-bearing surface is more like steep branching ridges than distinct gills. As for holiday cuisine, the delicate flesh of winter chanterelle lends itself to soups, stuffings and sauces. They don’t hold up as a focal point, but their herbal earthiness is gaining popularity on the West Coast. Identifying Attributes: Fruiting begins in November. Look for a slight physique, yellow stem, and ridge-like gills. Have your specimen ID confirmed the first time you pick it. Culinary Attributes: A warming, mild fall flavor. If prepared whole, cook less than most mushrooms, and you get the enjoyment of eating the entire being in one bite, an endorphin hit for the inner forager. Poisonous Look-alikes: The false chanterelle (hygrophoropsis aurantiaca) which grows on wood is easily avoided by its bright orange gills underneath, opposed to light-colored ridges of the winter chanterelle. Should you eat the false chanterelle mistakenly, worst case scenario there are reports of nausea, but from my personal experience it just tastes like musty, bitter cardboard.
Winter Chanterelle harvest // Photo: Drew Parker
Wine Pairings: Thanksgiving reds, i.e. Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Cru Beaujolais, Nebbiolo. Email Chadwick with your wild edible questions: k@spiritpruners.com. //
Fitness&Training Pity Parties and Other Steps to Injury Recovery //
By Ammi Midstokke From broken foot to backcountry biking, proof that the right injury recovery program can get you back in the saddle in no time
There are few things I can say are an absolute truth with the exception of this fact: Being injured sucks. In fact, injury is kind of like purgatory for athletes, where we’re forced to watch our friends frolic in autumn leaves and flex new muscles, while we sooth our sorrows with another molasses cookie. The reality of injury is that it follows the same five stages of mourning a loss. Generally, it’s best to go through these stages within about 24 hours of diagnosis so you can just get on with your life (and whatever new equipment it takes to get around). Unfortunately, this never happens. Taking a proactive approach to your recovery while you wallow in self-pity can help you survive the stages. In my most recent battle of Rock versus Ammi (in which the rock won), I established a food and movement based approach to healing through each stage. 1. Denial and Isolation: In this stage, we pretend we’re not really injured, and, so no one will make obvious observations a la “Whoa, your leg looks pretty broken,” we avoid people who have even the slightest knowledge of appropriate physiological function. We tell ourselves we’re not as
injured as we feel, that lots of people do sports on one leg. What to do: Make bone broth. This wonder food made by slow cooking or boiling bones (see leftover roasted chicken) for 24 hours with a dash of vinegar and spices/vegetables of your choice is packed with glucosamine, chondroitin, gelatin, a bunch of natural anti-inflammatories, and all the wholesome goodness your body needs to reconstruct entire limbs. Rest as prescribed. Sip soup. Watch movies. Avoid inflammatory foods such as sugar and alcohol. They will drastically stunt the healing process. 2. Anger: This is the part where we are certain the injustice of the universe has falsely targeted us with wonky ankles, big damn rocks, or randomly inflamed body parts. Calling the Karma operator is about as effective as trying to get your contact email address changed with AT&T. We curse the gods and the failures of our sissy bodies. Tip: Don’t curse whoever is nursing your broken ass back to health. They don’t take kindly to cranky athletes and may spit in your soup or forget to buy chocolate when they go to the store. What to do: Drink more bone broth. Reduce
high carb foods as your metabolism slows down. Yell at the AT&T operator. Move the OTHER parts of your body as much as you can to get the endorphin rush you’re missing. 3. Bargaining: This is where we promise to accept any alternative sport if our bodies would just cooperate. We’d take up curling and competitive knitting if it would help. Maybe even Pilates if we get desperate enough. We promise to sacrifice our house pets if our bodies will heal miraculously. What to do: Eat a good blend of essential fatty acids to support cell respiration and nerve repair: avocados, sesame oil, butter, bacon. Take up Pilates to stimulate muscles and strengthen your body so when you are recovered, you’re ready to challenge it again. 4. Depression: This happens when we realize we’re out of cats and our injury persists. Physiologically, depression actually means you are ready to start healing. It sucks the motivation out of you and replaces it with lethargy and a wardrobe of sweat pants too comfortable to ever change. This is your body’s natural healing response – not your failure to be perky enough to
get through the challenge of an injury. It slows you down so energy can be used restructuring limbs, knitting bones, building tissues. What to do: Catch up on reading and recognize that your body is healing. Eat foods for brain health: cold water fish, berries and citrus, eggs. Splurge on some new sweat pants. 5. Acceptance: In this phase, we give into the reality that injury is only temporary and that it’s okay to loathe our crutches and Ace bandages. We’re not happy, but we discover a sort of resigned patience to the process our body must go through to heal. What to do: Set new goals for yourself that are achievable with injury, like doing your physical therapy as prescribed. (Because really, how many of us use our bands and stretch as much as we’re supposed to?). Write yourself a recovery training plan. And keep drinking the bone broth. It’s like magic sauce for your body. // Ammi Midstokke lives in Sandpoint, Idaho, and is the owner of two birds nutrition: Twobirdsnutrition.com
December 2014
/ Out There Monthly
15
CrossCountrySkiing A Brief History of Skinny Skis: The Evolution of Cross-Country Ski Gear // By Brad Thiessen Like most outdoor fitness activities, there is a dizzying array of gear available for both the classic and skate styles of Nordic (cross-country) skiing. Waxable or no-wax skis. At least three unique binding and boot systems. Poles that range in price from $20 to $1,000. This volume of options isn’t remarkable in our day of hi-tech outdoor gear. What’s remarkable is that all this technology is such a recent phenomenon. Skiing’s origins date back 7,000 years to Scandinavia. For the 6,900 years to follow, there was no distinction between alpine (downhill), backcountry or Nordic (cross-country). It was all just skiing. Cross-land travel was accomplished with a shuffling motion, the foot fixed to the ski. A few key developments in the 19th and 20th centuries pushed the evolution of the cross-country ski. The first was the invention, in 1850, of the cambered ski in the Telemark region of Norway. By moving from a flat ski to one with an arc in the middle, the skier’s weight was distributed evenly across the surface, allowing for a lighter and more maneuverable ski with better shock absorption. In the late 1800s, the process of laminating thin layers of wood led to even stronger and lighter skis. Around the same time, Norwegian skier Sonder Norheim invented a binding with two parts: a leather strap over the top of the toes and a second strap that wound from one side of the front of the foot around the back of the ankle to the other side of the foot. This kept the boot fixed at the toe while the heel could rise. The result was a move
from shuffling to a kick-and-glide motion. Then in 1927, skier Bror With created the Rottefella binding, which did away with the need for a heel strap by fixing the front of the boot to the ski using a three-pin front binding fixed to the boot through three holes drilled in the sole. But in post-World War II America, crosscountry skiing was still in its nascent stages. Art Bookstrom, a fixture on the Mt. Spokane ski trails, remembers those days well. “Since my dad was Scandinavian, he wanted to get me into crosscountry skiing when I was in junior high. But the only gear we could get was Army surplus. He
off the binding, you had to remove the pin that held the hinge together.” Bookstrom recalls that poles were bamboo, with big baskets that he says “were good for deep snow, but when you were really striding and gliding, a ski tip could go through the ring of the basket, and that would throw you down and tie you up before you knew what happened.” Fellow Spokane skier Lew Persons has also lived through the development of cross-country ski gear over the decades. When skating became popular in the 1980s, he recalls converting classic cross-country skis to skate skis by cutting 6 inches
“So people would do whatever they could. One guy came up with a door hinge binding. He screwed one side of the hinge to the ski, with the bolt to the front. Then the other side was screwed to the sole under the toes.” bought me a pair, planed them down narrow, and those were my skis.” Back then, we couldn’t get ski boots or bindings,” he says. “So people would do whatever they could. One guy came up with a door hinge binding. He screwed one side of the hinge to the ski, with the bolt to the front. Then the other side was screwed to the sole under the toes. That way the heel could rise with each stride. To take the boot
off the high front tips of the skis Persons also remembers how fragile the aluminum poles were in the 1960s and early 1970s, before the advent of carbon-fiber alloys and Kevlar wrappings. “One of my first races was at Squaw Valley. The biggest problem was skiers stepping on each other’s poles as they came off the starting line. It was pretty common to see skiers with one full pole and one two-footer dangling
from their wrist.” The type of edges on skis was also a critical development. Back in Bookstrom’s racing days, the skis only had wood edges that gave no control on icy trails. “I remember one race with 150 starters and only six finishers. The rest of them broke skis when they lost an edge and wiped out. And by the end, the ice had worn my skies, so they were rounded on the bottom, and I had to get a new pair.” Both Persons and Bookstrom point out that perhaps the biggest step in the evolution of Nordic skiing was not the gear, but grooming. Bookstrom says that in the early days before snowmobiles were used to pull narrow groomers, “grooming consisted of breaking track with skis or snowshoes, and then wearing it in by skiing it. Skating only worked on corners that got widened by traffic, or after a thaw, when the snow outside the track got melted, smoothed and re-frozen.” According to Persons, the advent of large grooming machines allowed trails as wide as 20 feet or more. “This meant that even with double tracks on both sides of the trail, there was a substantial space of firm, compressed, flattened snow between the tracks [that] allowed room to skate, making skating out of the track possible for the first time.” As Nordic skiing gained in popularity in the 1980s, the technology kept pace. Today, slapping on a pair of cross-country skis is a pretty straightforward affair. The most difficult part may be picking out the right pair at the sport shop. //
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
Donut Dash relay race $5 adult ski lessons Cider Trail to lunch and cider Guided back-country ski trek Back-country ski clinic Sunday Jan. 11, 2015, 9:00 - 4:00 Mt. Spokane Cross-Country Ski Park
Skijoring clinic ... and more!
LEARN MORE AND REGISTER AT SPOKANENORDIC.ORG/WINTERFEST *PLUS: group snowshoe trek to the new snowshoe warming hut! 16
Out There Monthly / December 2014
your best winter day
Priest Lake Idaho Nordic Ski and Snowshoe the heart of the Selkirk Mountains
Explore and Stay endless groomed trails cozy lakeside lodging
Learn Free Ski Day Indian Creek State Park January 10
Race Nordic ski, snowshoe run, winter duathlon January 17 priestlakerace.com December 2014
/ Out There Monthly
17
Why I Ski: Lars Johannson Silver Mountain Resort
“I love being outside, being in the cold, the solitude, the sounds of the mountains.” It’s rare to find Lars Johannson without a grin radiating through his bushy beard. It is obvious he enjoys people and the great outdoors. He spends a lot of time with both, welcoming life head on, living without reservation. Johannson hails originally from central Wisconsin, “in the middle of nowheres,” as he puts it. There weren’t any mountains, but he certainly experienced cold and snow. When he was 10 years old, his dad gave him and his brother their first snowmobile. “My dad said, ‘You guys can ride it whenever you want… after you can start it.’ Well, we started it, and as long as there was gas, we kept going,” Johannson recalls. During college in southern Wisconsin, a friend introduced Johannson to snowboarding. Within two years, he was a snowboard instructor at Cascade Mountain, eventually becoming the snowboard school director. After college, he took a mechanic job with Empire Airlines in Mosinee, Wisconsin. He still rode five days a week at Granite Peak in Wausau, but he craved bigger mountains and better snow. So he spent time each month travelling to and from the Colorado Rockies, where he had friends in the Breckenridge/Vail area. “Snowboarding was all I did,” he says. “I bought a season pass in Colorado for a couple of years, and I was there so often, people who were friends of my friends thought I lived there.” His routine seemed insane, but it let him have the best of everything he enjoyed – small town living with big mountain recreation. Then in 2006, two things happened that forced him in a different direction. First, a wakeboarding back injury forced him to give up snowboarding and switch to telemark skiing. “Tele skiing turned my back around and made [the pain] tolerable,” he remarks. “It works your core so hard and keeps everything in line.” The change was very therapeutic, and eventually he switched to alpine and cross-country skiing. Occasionally he jumps back onto a snowboard. Second, Empire Airlines closed its branch in Mosinee. They gave him a couple of choices: a mechanic
position in Anchorage, Seattle or Portland, or a management position in Coeur d’Alene. Not interested in big city life, Johannson decided on a two-month trial in Idaho and set out from Wisconsin in February 2007. “All I had was ski gear, a sleeping bag and a bag of clothes. That was it. Driving out, the mountains were huge! Coming over the passes, I thought, this might be pretty awesome!” The second day after Johannson arrived in North Idaho, it snowed. “I did some research,” he says, “and, hey, look at that. Silver Mountain was close by.” At the time, Silver’s main chair lift was broken, so they were offering deeply discounted lift tickets. Lars was on the slopes before the weekend. “There was nobody there,” he remembers. “It was a waist deep powder day, and I’m skiing and freaking out!” Today, eight years later, Johannson is the supervisor of Empire Airlines’ local maintenance department, a Liberty Skis rep, and, while he has skied every mountain in the Inland Northwest, Silver is still his favorite. He and his wife Melissa even got married in the gondola village. “The people here are unpretentious,” he says. “There’s no fashion show.” As a consistent weekday skier, Kellogg is easily accessible from his home in Coeur d’Alene. “I work at nights, 2 p.m. to either 10 or midnight. I can get up to Silver quick, go skiing in the morning for two hours or so, get back in my car, get back down here, take a shower and go to work. It’s really convenient.” He also appreciates the diversity in terrain and weather at Silver. “You can have certain runs on some days where you can’t see very well, but if you go to a different side of the mountain, you can get into some good viz.” It’s tough, though, to pinpoint his favorite Silver run, but he admits to a fondness for skiing the trees, “even though they put me in the hurt locker big time last year.” Last season was pretty tough on Johannson. After smashing head first into a tree, losing a close friend to an avalanche, and facing some difficult personal challenges, he struggled to return to the slopes. “These things really put me down,” he says, “but I finished the ski season strong.” Despite the setbacks, he is already anticipating a new season. “I love being outside, being in the cold, the solitude, the sounds of the mountains,” he beams. “Some people have asked if the avalanche changed my view on being out there and skiing. To me, these guys died doing what they loved. If anything, it’s almost a reason to double down on skiing. I love it so much – I don’t know if there’s anything that could replace it.” (S. Michal Bennett).
Some people have asked if the avalanche changed my view on being out there and skiing. To me, these guys died doing what they loved. If anything, it’s almost a reason to double down on skiing.
18
Out There Monthly / December 2014
Lars Johannson mining white gold at silver mountain resort // Photo: willy bartlett
I’d Rather Be Skiing
OTM Winter Obsession Confessions
Skiing may not necessarily be the outdoor sport that defines you, but it’s certainly a critical piece of the local outdoor scene and the personality and passion puzzle that drives many of us here in the Inland Northwest outside into the cold, white mountains each winter. We are hikers, mountain bikers, river surfers, runners, cyclocross racers, snowshoers, triathletes, disc golfers, Nordic skiers, anglers, travelers, whitewater rafters, and, yes, especially when the snow flies, skiers and snowboarders. Why do we stand in line at ski swaps, start saving in June for that season pass or new skis, obsess over snow reports, wax and tune our boards to perfection, and drive icy roads, only to finally hop on a chair or head up the mountain on touring gear to spend a day sliding down snow-covered slopes? The easy answer is that it’s damn fun! Of course, like with all outdoor pursuits, there are often more complex and personal motivations behind our obsessions with skiing and riding. These confessions from OTM writers dig a little deeper into that seemingly simple question: Why do we ski? (DK)
“There are few, if any feelings in the world of physical expression, that compare to the ‘flow state’ of dancing through a foot of fresh snow, deep in the trees, in complete solitude.” Brad Naccarato Skiing for me is one of the highest forms of physical expression. Like an artist working with a blank canvas of snow, my skis are an extension of my body, carving beautiful lines and squiggles through an untracked glade, in perfect synchronicity with the movements of my body. There are few, if any feelings in the world of physical expression, that compare to the “flow state” of dancing through a foot of fresh snow, deep in the trees, in complete solitude. Pushing, pulling, gliding, carving, and reacting to the pitch of the slope and the varied terrain, I imagine that I’m moving down the mountain as though I’m water flowing through the varied paths of least resistance – always moving fast, yet calmly and deliberate, and never with hesitation. As a true Pisces, I am forever drawn to the water and the seasonal cycles that govern it. I play all winter long in the soft blankets of frozen water that cover my beloved mountains until it transforms into the brilliant blue water of my favorite lakes where I play all summer long. In autumn, when the cold northern air returns the “white water” to the hills above town, I strap on my skis in eager anticipation of starting the cycle all over again. (BN)
“Skiing is an addiction. One that runs deep in our souls.” Chic Burge I ski because I’m addicted. Addicted to the outdoors, addicted to controlled falling, addicted to fun. Addicted to the endless adrenaline rush that sometimes lasts for hours afterwards. I can’t stop, but my body yells at me to do so. As I leave the ski resort after a hard day’s ski, I’m already planning my next visit. Hoping my body recovers in time for the next powder day. Why do people ski? They strap on slippery boards and catapult themselves down slopes so steep they can’t walk up them in the summer. We withstand brutal temperatures, blowing snow, cold toes and noses, and all the time, grinning from ear to ear with the pleasure of controlled falling. Non skiers think we’re crazy. Who’d go out into the cold on purpose? Yet every winter day the resorts are open, there are huge numbers of people playing in the cold. And loving it I might add. Skiing is an addiction. One that runs deep in our souls. We skiers don’t expect non skiers to understand. So when your relatives ask you to spend a powder day doing something else, be aware. For some of us, skiing controls our lives all winter long. Why do I ski? What a silly question to ask a skier. It’s simple. We ski for the thrill of shushing, for the feeling of snow billowing up in our faces. The rush of controlled falling is a sensation we can’t resist. Our muscles burn with effort, while our minds float down thru the powder. Even lunch is often skipped, when the snow is like champagne. By the end of the day, we are exhausted. But we don’t stop until the lifties inform us of the last run. We outwardly grimace at the thought, but internally we are happy to have survived yet another day of glorious powder. We ski for many reasons. Fresh air. Exercise. Camaraderie. Thrills. Addiction to the white stuff. The need for speed. Beauty. But it all comes down to making that choice to have fun rather than complain about the snow. It has been said many times and it’s true: A bad day of skiing beats any day at work. (CB)
Images left to right: Brad Naccarato in deep. PHoto: smiley Mountain Photography. Schweitzer Mountain Resort // Brad Northrup on a bluebird day. Photo: courtesy of Brad northrup // Chic Burge Turning into a snow ghost. Photo: courtesy of Chic Burge // McCaffree family ski day at mt. Spokane. Photo: Courtsey of Amy silbernagel mccaffree
“Now I ski with my family, and I appreciate the time we have together on the mountain. It almost seems like everything has come full circle – I ski for the fun of it.” Brad Northrup Looking back over the past three-plus decades of my skiing career, the reasons for why I do this crazy sport have changed, much like I have. I can blather on and on about how my perception of the sport has changed with time, but the reality of why I ski has more to do with my memories associated with skiing; memories that put a smile on my face and make me look forward to going again. I grew up skiing at Mission Ridge, an area notorious for rock-hard groomers, technical steeps, and the rare day of true champagne powder. During the 1980s, I raced for Mission Ridge Ski Team, and it was during these years that I developed friendships with people that would last until the present. Funny thing is, I was a second-tier racer at best, but it was the fun we had during this time that makes me laugh whenever I think about it. Maybe skiing is how I try and hang on to my youth…. In 1987, I blew out my left ACL and swore I would never again partake in the sport that ruined my athletic career. I did take some time off, but my thoughts kept wandering back to winter. Eventually, I did return to the slopes, thanks in large part to my best friend Corey, who encouraged me to get back on the horse. I’m thankful I did, because he and I ended up going skiing nearly every weekend for several years, almost always at Mission Ridge. We had a favorite run that we would ski over and over again, whooping and hollering our way down every time. Sadly, Corey was killed in an avalanche not long after I moved to Spokane, but I still try and make a pilgrimage to Mission Ridge every year to ski our favorite run. I like to think that I ski to honor his memory. I moved to Spokane in 2001 to complete my college education, and somehow managed to get hired at both Lou-Lou’s Ski Chalet and 49 Degrees North. Working at a ski shop and coaching at a local resort was my real skiing education, and both played a crucial role in my development as a skier. As a coach for many years, I can say that nothing compares to the moment when the proverbial light bulb goes off for a kid, and they finally get it. I will admit that I got a little misty-eyed a few times when I saw this happen. I retired from coaching some years ago, but I keep skiing because that’s what those kids would want me to do. For the past three seasons, I have been just another skier on the hill, and a return to anonymity has been good for me. I don’t ski as hard or as fast as I used to, but it really doesn’t seem to matter, because the feeling I get from skiing hasn’t changed a bit. Now I ski with my family, and I appreciate the time we have together on the mountain. It almost seems like everything has come full circle – I ski for the fun of it. (BN)
“Through the years, skiing has made me a tougher, braver Inland Northwest woman, and has taught me to anticipate and celebrate all of winter’s possibilities.” Amy Silbernagel McCaffree I ski because I love mountains – they always stir my emotions, a mixture of solace and anticipation for adventure. And the fastest way to summit a mountain during winter is to ride to the top. Riding a chairlift can be a poetic experience – the tranquil silence while passing over slopes and by trees with branches thick and heavy with snow. Now that I’m a mom, I appreciate solo chairlift rides even more for the blissful minutes where I don’t have to be responsible for anyone or anything. It’s just me sitting on a chair, riding up a mountain. Clear days are my favorite, when I can pause to gaze at peaks, forested wilderness and lakes in the distance before skiing down. I’m always wooed by these breathtaking views. Night skiing and foggy conditions don’t quicken my heart the same way. On the practical side, I ski because I am married to a man who is a devoted, expert skier – he’s also a ski patroller. I was a fair-weather, few-times-a-year skier before meeting him. It’s only because of him that I transitioned to shaped skis 11 winters ago. If I didn’t ski with the love of my life, I would miss out. But I’m also happy to stay on the groomers while he seeks powder. This season will be our third one skiing with our children – an experience that both challenges and bonds us as a family, as we overcome both real and metaphorical parenthood mountains. Through the years, skiing has made me a tougher, braver Inland Northwest woman, and has taught me to anticipate and celebrate all of winter’s possibilities. (ASM) //
December 2014
/ Out There Monthly
19
OutdoorCalendar Full events calendar at www.outtheremonthly.com
SIX MONTH TRAININGCALENDAR RUNNING (January 1) Resolution Run & Padden Polar Dip.
Where: Lake Padden, Bellingham, Wash. When: 11 a.m. Start the new year with a run/walk around Lake Padden, then take a dip in the lake. Info: cob. org/races or 360-778-7800.
(January 1) Hangover Handicap. Where: Coeur
d’Alene, Idaho. When: 9:30 a.m. A flat course from Michael D’s Restaurant out to Higgens Point and back. Info: 208-765-3817.
(February 28) Richland Run Fest. Where:: Howard
Amon Park, Richland, Wash. When: 9 a.m. Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K Run. This race course is certified and is a Boston Marathon qualifying race. Cost: $80/$50/$25. Info: 3rrr.org
(March 21) Rapid Rabbit Run. Where: East Valley High School, Spokane Valley. When: 10 a.m. 5 mile (qualifying race for Bloomsday 2nd seed) and 3-mile run. Cost: $20 with a shirt or $12 without. Info: eastvalleyhs.wix.com/rapidrabbitrun. (March 29) George Waterfall 50K/100K. Where:
Benson State Park, Cascade Locks, Ore. When: 4 a.m. The course is mostly single track, and winds its way along the base of the Cascades. Info: RainshadowRunning.com
(April 11) Hope Run. Where: Children of the Sun trail in north Spokane. When: 9 a.m. All proceeds help local children with cancer. Participants recieve a t-shirt. Info: hoperunspokane.com (April 12) Negative Split Spokane-Half Marathon & 5K. Where: Kendall Yards, Spokane. Info: nsplit.com
(April 25) Snake River Island Hop. Where:
Pasco, Wash. 100km and 50 km options on a flat course following the Columbia Plateau Trail. The course is mostly gravel and is a good entry into ultra running. Info: PlateauTrailAdventures.com
(May 3) Lilac Bloomsday Run. Where: Spokane, Wash. The 39th running of this all-day event in Spokane is open to all runners, walkers, wheelchairs and assisted wheelchairs and strollers. Cost: $18. Info: BloomsdayRun.org (May 24) Coeur d’Alene Marathon. When: 7 a.m.
Marathon, Half-Marathon and timed 5K Run/ Walk. The Marathon and Half Marathon start at McEuen Park. The 5K runs through the Sanders Beach neighborhood. Info: CDAmarathon.com
(May 30) Liberty Lake Trail Run. Where: Liberty Creek Loop Trail. When: 9 a.m. 8 Mile loop gaining almost 1,000 feet of elevation on single track and double track trail. Pancake feed at finish. The run is rated as difficult. Info: UltraSignup.com
(May 30) 35th Annual Troika Triathlon. Where: Medical Lake. Half Ironman and Sprint Distances. Info: TroikaTriathlon.com (May 30-31) Riverside 24 Hour Relay Race. Where: Riverside State Park. When: 11 a.m. Join a team, or run solo for the 2nd Annual all night race. Camping available, live music, swag, food vendors and awards. Info: R24relay.com
tips leading to better control and more fun in a non-competitive atmosphere. Includes trail pass, guide, poles, snowshoes and lunch. Cost: $39. Info: spokane parks.org
(February 14) Try Biathlon. Where: Mazama biathlon range, Mazama Wash. When: 10 a.m. Open to anyone age 9 and older, first come first shoot. Info: methowvalleynordic.com
(January 17) Skirennen Nordic Citizens Race.
(February 20-22) Annual Kootenay Coldsmoke Powder Fest. Where: Whitewater Ski Resort,
Where: Leavenworth Golf Course. When: 9:30 11:30 a.m. 5K & 10K open to all ages. Most people set their personal best 10k time on this course. Info: SkiLeavenworth.com
(June 7) Windermere Marathon and Half Marathon. Where: Liberty Lake. When: 7 a.m.
(January 17-18) Race of the Methow. Where:
Fully supported and a Boston Marathon Qualifier. Info: WindermereMarathon.com
McCabe Trails at Liberty Bell High School, Winthrop. 2-day race weekend for skiers of all ages. Info:methowvalleynordic.com
Nelson B.C. The festival is for all ability levels, and there are plenty of in-bounds workshops for both skiers and snowboarders. Events include several days of clinics, competitions, events and celebrations of all ski/snowboard pursuits. This event is at the powder mecca of the Kootenays and just a hop to the Kootenay hub of Nelson B.C. Info: ColdSmokePowderfest.com
(June 27) Kaniksu 50 & Emory Corwine Memorial Ruck Race. Where: Frater Lake,
(January 23-25) Methow Valley Nordic Festival.
(March 1) Spokane Nordic Challenge Loppet.
Wash. When: 6:12 a.m. A 50-mile point to point Endurance Run and Memorial Relay Ruck Race held in the Lower Selkirk Mountain Range in the Colville National Forest. Info: kaniksu50.com
(June 27) Padden Triathlon. Where: Lake Padden
Park, Bellingham, Wash. Sprint and super sprint distances. Info: cob.org/races
BIKING (May 16) American Diabetes Association Tour de Cure. Where: Northern Quest Resort and
Casino. Various route distances from 4 miles to 100 miles. Fully supported with breakfast, lunch, post ride massage and live enteretainment. Info: diabetes.org/SpokaneTourDeCure
(May 18-22) Bike to Work Week. Events include
Kick off Breakfast, Commute Challenge, Commute of the Century, energizer stations, Ride of Silence, Wrap up Party and More. T-shirts and swag for participants. Info: SpokaneBikes.net
(July 15-19) RedSpoke. Where: Starts in Redmond, Wash, ends in Spokane. 300 mile-bicycle tour across Washington State. Fully supported. Info: RedSpoke.org
Wintersports (January 11) Mt Spokane Winterfest. Where:
Mt. Spokane Cross-Country Ski Park. Family fun with a $5 ski lesson, lunch at Nova Hut and a Donut Dash sprint relay race. Info: SpokaneNordic.org
(January 17) Priest Lake Snow Fest. Where: Priest Lake Golf Course, When 10 a.m. Nordic Ski 5k and 10k races. Snowshoe Run 5k, 10k races. Winter duathlon- 5k ski and a 5k snowshoe. Prizes, BBQ Lunch to participants, 1st-3rd awards. Info: PriestLakeRace.com (January 17) Snowshoe Tour 49 Degrees North. Where: 49 Degrees North Ski Area. When: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. This all women’s guided tour will give you
Where: Winthrop, Wash. A three-day weekend dedicated to celebrating Nordic skiing in the Methow Valley. For the avid skier, join the 2-day challenge of our signature American Marathon Series race, the Methow Valley Pursuit. Info: www.mvsta.com/events/calendar-events/methowvalley-pursuit.
(January 25) Nissebakken Tele Race. Where: Leavenworth Ski Hill. If you can drop a knee, you can participate in this giant slalom race of two runs. Info: Skileavenworth.com
(January 31) Cross Country Moonlight Ski & Dinner. Where: Mt. Spokane Cross-Country
Ski Park. When: 6 - 9 p.m. Peacefully make your way on cross country skis through the woods. Dinner by Trezzi Farm Catering to follow. Includes ski equipment, dinner and guides. Snow-Park & Discover Pass Permits Required. Cost: $42. Info: 509-625-6200 spokaneparks.org
(February 6) Nordic Ski Clinic. Where: Schweitzer Mountain Resort, Sandpoint Idaho. Private coaching, Beginning Skate Skiing, Advanced Beginner, and Intermediate classes available. Info: 208-2553070 or lessons@schweitzer.com (February 7) Winthrop Ski Derby. Where: Sun
Mountain Trails, Winthrop, Wash. 15K and 30Km classic technique race at the Chickadee Trailhead. Classic ski terrain, with small hills, smooth transitions for the 15K, with big climbs on the 30K. Info: methowvalleynordic.com/events
(February 13-23) Sandpoint Winter Carnival. Where: Schweitzer Mountain Resort and Sandpoint, Idaho. Several days of events include Ski Joring (a Scandinavian-inspired, centuriesold contest with horses and riders pulling skiers around a course at breakneck speeds), laser light show, sleigh rides and dinner show, a cross country race, fat bike poker ride, KPND ski party, Taste of Sandpoint, Cirque de Sandpoint, snowshoe on the Pend D’Oreille Bay Trail, Snow School, K9 Keg Pull, and many other events. Info: http://sandpointwintercarnival.com/
Where: Mt. Spokane Cross-country Ski Park. 20/30/50 km non-competetive timed Nordic ski challenge. Info: SpokaneNordic.org
OUTDOOR KIDS CAMPS (December 22&23 or 29&30) Camp Youth Winter Adventure. Where: Mountain Gear
Parking Lot. When: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Kids ages 9-12 will learn cross country skiing and snowshoeing skills at 49 Degrees North Mountain Resort. They learn to ski and travel the trials in search of animal tracks. They will also learn to build snow caves. Cost: $79 Info: 509-625-6200 or spokane parks.org
(Weekends in January & February) Ski and Snowboard Camp. Where: 49 Degrees North
Mountain Resort. When: Friday evening through Sunday evening. All inclusive ski and snowboard camp for kids ages 8-13. Included: lodging, meals, equipment rentals, lift tickets, professional instruction, chaperones and transportation from Spokane. Cost: $279 Info: 509-625-6200 spokane parks.org
OTHER (January 15) Ski & Snowboard Tune-Up Class. Where: Mountain Gear. When: 6 - 7:30 p.m. Learn to tune and wax downhill skis and snowboards, and cross country skis. Introduction to tuning equipment and techniques will be covered. Cost: $19. Info: 509-625-6200 or sspokane parks.org
(January 29) Backcountry Film Festival. Where:
The Bing Theater, Spokane. Now in its 10th year the Winter Wildlands Alliance Backcountry Film Festival celebrates the human powered winter experience through film. The festival aims to entertain while helping to raise funds and awareness for Winter Wildlands and our like-minded partners. Info: winterwildlands.org
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. 20
Out There Monthly / December 2014
(Ongoing Mondays & Wednesdays) Spider Monkeys Climbing Club. Where: Wild Walls
Climbing Gym. When: 5 - 7 p.m. Kids ages 4 - 10 welcome. Please call ahead. Climb and meet new people. info: wildwalls.com
BIKING (Fourth Fridays) Fourth Friday Pub Peddlers. Where: Swamp Tavern When: Meet at 7 p.m., ride at 8 p.m. Group cycling ride, making a few stops along the way to a final destination.
RUNNING (December 6) Jingle Bell Run/Walk. Where:
Riverfront Park. Wear a holiday themed costume. Tie jingle bells to your shoelaces. Raise funds to help find a cure for arthritis, the nation’s leading cause of disability. Run or walk a 5K route with your team members and celebrate the season by giving. Info: www.spokanejinglebellrun.kintera.org or 509315-5862.
(December 31) Resolution Run. Where: Riverfront Park, Spokane. When: 6:45 p.m. Runners and walkers make their way through snow and ice trails. This run is free, no button necessary. Info: FirstNightSpokane.org
WINTERSPORTS (December 2) Panhandle Nordic Ski/Snowshoe Club Meeting. Where: Meeting room of Coeur
d’Alene Police Dept. When: 7 - 9 p.m. Massage therapist and yoga instructor Chris Lovejoy will persent a program on conditioning for winter activities. Info: panhandlenordicclub.com
(December 6) Snowshoe Moonlight Hike. Where: Meet at Yoke’s Foods on Market St. When: 6 - 9 p.m. Quietly explore the meadows and woods around Mt. Spokane. Guides, transportation, headlamps, poles and snowshoes included. Sponsored by REI. Cost: $29. Info: 509-625-6200 or spokane parks.org (December 6) SnowBall Potluck. Where: Mt.
(December 6) Try Buy and Save. Where: Lookout
Pass Ski and Recreation Area. Pre-register at Mountain Gear Retail Store. Compare skis before you buy the newest gear. Cost: $35 includes lunch and lift ticket. Info: 509-325-9000
(December 13) Women’s Snowshoe Day. Where: 49 Degrees North Nordic Center. Ladies get 2 for 1 trail passes and snowshoe rental. Tickets: $12 Rentals: $15. Info: ski49n.com (December 20) Renegades & Handrails, Part 1. Where: 49 Degrees Mountain Resort. It’s a modern day shoot out, not just a Rail Jam. Sponsors, prizes and a photo/video contest. Info: ski49n.com
(December 20) Lookout Pass Holiday Games. Where: Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area. Rail Jam games with prizes. Info: SkiLookout.com
(December 22-23) Camp Youth Winter Adventure. Where: 49 Degrees North Mountain Resort. Open ages 9-12. Learn to ski from PSIA certified instructors and travel the trails romping around in the snow through old growth cedar forests and learn to build snow caves and search for animal tracks. Transportation, snowshoes, skiing equipment, trail passes and instruction provided. Info: SpokaneParks. org or 509-625-6200
(December 28) Snowshoe Tour Mt Spokane. Where: Meet at Yoke’s Foods on Market St, Spokane. When: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. This guided hike will travel through snow-covered trees and hills around Mt. Spokane. Transportation, snowshoes, poles, trail feels and guides included. Cost: $39 Info: 509-6256200 or spokane parks.org
(December 31) New Year’s at Silver Mountain. Where: Silver Mountain Resort. Day and night skiing and tubing, baloon drop and lazy river duck race. Family New Year’s Celebration in the waterpark starting at 9 p.m. Noah’s Loft celebration includes a prime rib dinner and buffet followed by a family friendly dance party and DJ. Over 21 karaoke/DJ party with champagne toast. Info: SilverMT.com
YOGA (December 19) Winter Solstice Practice. Where: Harmony Yoga, Spokane. When: 5:30 - 8 p.m. The practice will weave together yin and yang yoga with a focus on mindfully accepting ourselves as we are right now. Cost: $30 Info: harmonyoga.com/workshops.html
OTHER (December 3) Hands-on Nordic Ski Waxing Basics. Where: REI Spokane. When: 7 - 8:30 p.m. Waxing cross-country skis is both an art and a science to attain the perfect kick and glide. Use waxing benches, irons, wax & brushes as shop technicians talk and walk you through the best practices in waxing your cross-country skis. Cost: $35 - $55. Info: rei.com/spokane
(December 4) Map & Compass Navigation. Where: REI
Spokane. When: 7- 8:30 p.m. Learn basic navigation skills using map and compass to find your way. In this class you’ll learn the parts of a compass, how to read a topographic map and how to use them in tandem. Cost: $30-$50 Info: rei.com/Spokane
(December 6) Kellogg Christmas Celebration. Where: Kellogg, Idaho. Night parade, fireworks, craft show, phictures with Santa, tree lighting and much more. Info: SilverValleyChamber.com
(December 9) Avalance Awareness. Where: REI
Spokane. When: 7 - 8:30 p.m. Learn to access local avalanche bulletins and weather reports, recognize basic signs of avalanche danger, and learn simple ways to help avoid avalanche danger. Info: rei.com/Spokane
OUTDOOR CALENDAR
Spokane Cross-Country Ski Park. When: 12 - 2 p.m. Celebrate the new season by sharing a meal with fellow Nordic skiers at the Selkirk Lodge. Info: SpokaneNordic.org
(December 21-22) Cross Country Ski Lessons. Where: Mt. Spokane Cross-Country Ski Park. When: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Learn the basics of crosscountry skiing skills at Mt. Spokane Selkirk Nordic Area, taught by P.S.I.A. certified cross-country ski instructors. Includes: Skis, boots, poles, ski area fees, instruction and transportation. Info: SpokaneParks. org or 509-625-6200.
DEC 2014
CLIMBING
FIND YOUR WINTER WONDERLAND AT THE FOLLOWING: Café Moro • Jack and the Bean Shop • Kitchen Engine • Main Market Coop • Moscow Coop • Mystic Cafe Pilgrims Natural Food Store • Revel 77 • Rocket Market • Well Read Moose
OutdoorCalendar
Artist collaboration with Tiffany Patterson
December 2014
DOMACOFFEE.COM
/ Out There Monthly
21
On the Mountain: Alpine Sking and Riding
Long Live the Mom n’ Pop Board Shop: Let it Ride
In the late 50s and early 60s, surf culture was exploding all along the West Coast. Standing up on a board and then riding it down the face of a wave became a new way of life for many people who were eager to experience the outdoors in a whole new setting. Inevitably, this newly born “board-sport” culture spread to the inland, ocean-less areas of the country. Without natural waves, people shaped and adapted this culture into many of the modern board sports we enjoy today like skateboarding, snowboarding and wakeboarding. For Spokane’s Paul Jones, riding a board, whether on snow, water or land, became an addiction at a very early age and ultimately developed into his current vocation. With 25 years of snowboarding and skateboarding experience, Jones has taken his addiction to the next level and is now producing his own boards, sold exclusively at his North Spokane retail store, Let It Ride Board Shop. “I create stuff that I like, and my hope is that others will like it too,” says Jones. “I started by making skateboard decks and wheels and from there progressed to longboards and finally to snowboards, all the while screen printing my own apparel and designing my own exclusive line of snowboard goggles,” he explains. By cutting out the middle man, Jones has been able to offer
Section Sponsored By: 22 22
Out There There Monthly Monthly // NOVEMBER Out December 2014
uniquely designed, made-in-the-U.S.A. products that rival big brand board companies at a price that’s very competitive. “I spent several years in Sacramento managing snowboard shops and even working for Switch snowboard bindings before they were bought out by Vans,” says Jones. “I needed a better job to support my growing family, so I began working for a company that had developed a point-of-sale system for retail stores,” he says. Keeping his dreams
paul jones with His favorite board in the Let it ride board shop. // Photo: brad naccarato
I was super intrigued by all the snowboarding, motocross, and water sports opportunities that Spokane had,” he says. Of all of Jones’ board creations, perhaps he is most proud of his latest line of Let It Ride Snowboards. “We now have an all-mountain freestyle board, a park specific board, and even a women’s specific board,” he says. Jones has put
I’m not a skier and I don’t pretend to be. I’m a board guy, and I want to sell people stuff that I am intimately familiar with and passionate about. of sole proprietorship in view, Jones set his sights on a new path. “I knew that if I learned this POS system inside and out, I could someday use it in my own retail board shop.” Looking for a better quality of life, Jones and his family relocated to the Spokane area where he soon began implementing his dream of owning a shop. “We wanted a safe place to raise our family, we had family here, but most importantly
by Brad Naccarato
a lot of thought and engineering into each board and has thoroughly tested many prototypes. “Our whole line utilizes a high-grade sintered base, balanced rocker and camber, carbon fiber and bamboo construction, and is available in sizes 151-161.” As much as Jones enjoys the R&D behind his creations, his favorite side of the process is creating the visually stunning graphics that each board
displays. “I’m super stoked about the graphics for our current snowboard line. My manufacturer really stepped up their game, and the graphics are more refined and beautiful than ever. I’m a huge sci-fi guy, and I think our graphics really represent that,” he says. As a board sport fanatic, Jones has no plans to change directions or grow his shop to include the ski side of things. “I’m not a skier and I don’t pretend to be. I’m a board guy, and I want to sell people stuff that I am intimately familiar with and passionate about. When I first got into snowboarding, I went to a big box store and was sold a board that was completely wrong for me from someone who knew nothing about the sport,” he explains. A business model that pushes numbers over expertise is not what Jones is interested in. “I’m always going to sell you a board based on your weight, foot size and riding style. You can be assured that it’s my goal to sell you the perfect board, the first time you come through the doors.” Let It Ride Board Shop is located at 426 E Hastings Rd in the Wandermere shopping district of North Spokane (open Monday-Saturday from 10-7 and Sundays from 12-4). In addition to his own boards, Paul also carries Ride and Rome snowboards. Letitrideshop.com. //
Healthy Ski Snacks: Reinventing the Classics With ski season upon us, there’s the question of what to munch on the slopes. Granola bars, veggie sticks, peanut butter sandwiches, fruit leather – move aside! Here are my top five, easy, healthy and creative solutions for refueling on the go as you’re out there enjoying the Inland Northwest winter wonderland. Better Granola Bars Raw and whole food bars and snacks take a pass on processed flours, sugars and oils. Instead, they use dates, nut butters and raw liquid sweeteners (honey, agave, etc.) to create delicious, nutritious alternatives. Try mixing almond butter and Medjool dates in a food processor or blender with cocoa powder, seeds (sesame, hemp, pumpkin) and coconut for a truly raw treat. Or check out my Super Power Balls (see recipe below). Just want to pick up something at the local natural market or co-op? My absolute favorite bar is LARABAR: 2-9 simple whole ingredients, no added sugar and yummy flavors. Beyond Veggie Sticks Chowing down carrot and celery sticks gets old quickly. Consider combining some shredded veggies (carrot, zucchini, kale) with a little flour, egg, spices and water and frying or baking up mini fritters. Enjoy with a couple to-go packets of Organic Spicy Avocado Hummus from Hope Hummus. Rice paper wraps also make handy snacks. Fill with your favorite combination of veggies, guacamole, beans, cream cheese and
seeds. The rice paper will stay moist and pliable throughout the day without deteriorating. Finally, check out Cuppow’s BNTO Lunchbox Adaptors for carrying veggie or cracker dips cleanly and conveniently. A New Kind of PB&J It’s a fact – sandwich bread goes soggy as soon as you put mayonnaise, mustard or jam on it. In Australia, delis often spread butter on the bread before applying condiments, but who needs all that extra fat? Spread almond or sunflower butter on a mini, sprouted whole-grain tortilla; top with mashed bananas or huckleberry jam and roll away. These sweet and savory “taquitos” hold up well under varied topping conditions. New School Fruit Leather Yes, fruit roll ups are fun. They are also typically full of corn syrup and artificial colors and flavors, with a little fruit thrown in there somewhere. If making your own sounds intimidating, experiment with throwing some dried soft fruit (apricots, pineapple, papaya) in a food processor until a nice ball forms. Roll bite-sized amounts in your palms to form small balls, then roll them in shredded coconut or sesame seeds for a little crunch. Adding ginger chews to the mix can give these fruity morsels a warming kick. Do-it-yourself aside, I enjoy the flavorful, no-sugar-added, natural purity of Stretch Island Fruit Leather.
By S. Michal Bennett
Water with a Kick Hydration is vital for any form of exercise. Water is nature’s perfect solution, but why not mix it up? Coconut water is naturally fat and cholesterol free, has more potassium than four bananas, and has been labeled “Mother Nature’s sports drink” by many marketers. Due to its growing popularity, it is even easier now to enjoy anywhere. Carry a few packets of Navitas coconut water powder with you, and add it to a cup of water as needed. For an extra energy boost, perk up your coconut water with ¼ cup chia seeds and a squeeze of lime juice. //
Ski Snack Recipe: Super Power Balls (Makes 25 balls)
Ingredients: 1/3 cup goji or maca powder 2/3 cup hemp seeds, hulled sesame seeds and/or pumpkin seeds 1/4 cup chia and/or flax seeds 1 cup granola 1 cup chopped almonds, macadamias or pistachios ½ cup raw dark agave nectar ½ cup almond or peanut butter pinch nutmeg powder pinch sea salt Directions: Combine all dry ingredients, except nutmeg and salt, in a large bowl. In a small saucepan, heat nectar and nut butter over medium heat. Bring to a boil for 2 minutes. Stir only to break up clumps or keep from bubbling over. Remove from heat, add nutmeg and salt, and stir for 1 more minute, until boiling subsides. Slowly pour syrup over the dry mix and stir with a large spoon until well combined. When cool enough to handle, use your hands to form bite-size balls. Cool balls on a tray. Once cooled and set, store in containers or plastic bags in the freezer until ready to use them. These bites are perfect for hiking, biking, skiing or a speedy breakfast.
“Skiing is a dance, and the mountain always leads.” ~Unknown
Ski Bum Advice: 10 Signs You’re Not Ready for Ski Season By Brad Northrup Having spent a good chunk of last season gasping and flogging my way down the mountain, I decided to get my ample backside in gear and make a valiant effort to get in shape before summer, with the intention of staying in shape going into this ski season. I figured this would serve two purposes. First, it would help in melting away the jellyroll around my midsection that was sure to be the focal point of some heckling during wake-surfing season over the summer. And second, it just might get me motivated to ski more once the local resorts open. Sadly, I failed, but not due to a lack of effort. Despite my dismal performance in this endeavor, I gained some valuable insight about getting in shape for ski season, and I can now pass this knowledge on to you. 1. The $120 super-high-speed running shoes you bought in April smell new and are still in the box, unlaced. You’ve given serious thought to using them for lawn mowing shoes next summer. 2. After fetching a couple of cold, barley pops from the basement fridge, you find yourself short of breath as you ascend the whopping 12 feet of vertical up the stairs. You gotta pace yourself, bro. 3. When selecting the aforementioned adult beverages, you intentionally disregarded the “light” version and go straight for the oatmeal stout. 4. You don’t go running because the stretch-fit running clothes you just had to have don’t quite stretch enough, and no man should jog in a skin tight, neon-yellow half shirt. Some gals shouldn’t either. 5. While trying on new helmets at the local ski shop, you notice you have grown a second chin. 6. Your ski pants scream when you take them out of your closet. 7. You actually Googled “How to get into shape for ski season without doing anything.” 8. While watching an infomercial for Skier’s Edge training equipment, you think, “Man, that looks exhausting!” 9. You replaced your daily vitamins with candy corn and Skittles and traded non-fat coffee creamer for Egg Nog. 10. You pulled a muscle in your back when you bent over to feed the dog. The dog just gave you a sad look that you’re sure meant “Really?” // Brad Northrup spent nearly a decade working in the ski industry. He is really looking forward to flogging his way down the mountain again this year.
SKI LYTE AVAIL ABLE LOC ALLY
Huckleberry’s Main Market Pilgrim’s Market or amazon.com
NOVEMBER 2014 2014 // Out Out There There Monthly Monthly December
23 23
On the Mountain: Alpine Sking and Riding
OH CANADA! Nelson Kootenay Lake Region Crowned the “Cat Ski Capital of the World” Looking for the equivalent of a casino buffet of fresh powder this winter? In the greater Nelson Kootenay Lake area three hours north of Spokane, cat skiing has become kind of a big deal. There are now five cat skiing operators working the region, which adds up to more catski companies, terrain and snow than anywhere else in the world. Hence this wild corner of B.C. being crowned the “Cat Ski Capital of the World,” according to area tourism promoters who did their research. Cat skiing is a powder addict’s dream. On a Kootenay cat skiing trip, you can ski run after run of untracked powder, often from December to April, enjoying each ride back to the top in the relative comfort of a snowcat. Pricing depends on the type of trip you’re looking for, ranging from lower budget group trips with other skiers and riders you might not know and DIY accommodations to private trips with prime lodging and dining options right there in the mountains at the operators’ private lodges. Terrain also varies from open bowls to perfectly spaced trees, steep powdery chutes, pillow lines, uninterrupted fall lines and high peaks with glorious views. Most skiers log 12,000 to 20,000 vertical feet per day. Accommodations are provided at four of the five (all but Valhalla Powder Cats), and intown accommodations are available in Nelson, Ainsworth Hot Springs, Kaslo and Meadow Creek. Start planning your Kootenay cat skiing trip by researching these options:
der skiers and snowboarders with its 30 square acres of terrain and runs with up to 4,000 feet of vertical. Selkirkwilderness.com. White Grizzly Cat Skiing White Grizzly’s focus is on steep terrain (11,000 skiable acres total). Think 3,200 foot runs of 40 degrees! With over 150 runs and 13 meters average annual snowfall, this cat skiing hideout in the Goat Range, 1.5 hours north of Nelson in Meadow Creek, won’t disappoint. Whitegrizzly. com. Valhalla Powder Cats Located deep in the heart of the legendary Valhalla Mountain range northwest of Nelson, expect a diverse and engaging mix of big mountain terrain covering a tenure that’s six times the size of Whistler and Blackcomb combined: high alpine bowls; steep, old-growth forests; and endless, untracked powder. Valhallapow.com. Retallack Overall the terrain at Retallack is steep with numerous features that are only suitable for advanced to expert skiers and riders. Retallack is particularly known for its consistent powder, steep tree skiing, which includes 800 year old cedars, and pillow lines (and of course mountain biking in the summer). Retallack.com. When planning a trip, consider that each cat ski company has its own character and specialization. Do your research at www.nelsonkootenaylake.com/cat-ski-capital or by checking out the operators’ different web sites along with online trip reviews. // (OTM)
Baldface Lodge With over 32,000 acres of skiable terrain, open bowls, peaks, perfectly spaced trees and 500+ inches of snow only a 10 minute heli ride from Nelson, you never have to worry about competing for fresh tracks. Baldface.net. Selkirk Wilderness Skiing Over the past 39 years, Selkirk Wilderness Skiing, 1.5 hours north of Nelson in Meadow Creek, has developed a loyal following amongst deep pow-
top: Cold smoke rider. Photo: courtesy Baldface Lodge // Bottom: Gearing up for another run. Photo: courtesy Selkirk Wilderness Skiing
Retro Ski Pass Contest WINNERS! Enter your classic ski pass photo for a chance to win lift tickets all winter long. Send a high-resolution (1MB or larger) photo or digital scan of your pass, along with the owner’s name, email address, phone number and any supportive or entertaining caption you want to add to: contests@ outtheremonthly.com.
December winners score a free lift ticket to: Bruce Johnson 1995-1996 49 Degrees North Ski Area 24
Out There Monthly / NOVEMBER 2014 December 2014
Todd Lloyd 1973-1974 Schweitzer Basin Ski Area
Boot Fitting for Dummies
Your boots are the most important piece of ski equipment you own – everything starts from your feet. Whether you are a first-time skier or a seasoned veteran of the slopes, having ski boots that fit properly can be the key to having a stellar day on the hill. Conversely, nothing is more miserable than spending a day in the mountains in ill-fitting boots. If you have skied long enough, chances are you have owned at least one pair of boots that you described as “torture chambers,” or “vices of death.” I think I have owned four pair of those. But you don’t have to. Finding the right pair of boots is kind of like finding your significant other: You have to try several before the right one comes along and you have that “ah ha” moment. By following a few simple guidelines, you can reduce the confusion and frustration and get yourself into the right boots. Where to Buy Specialty ski shops will have experienced boot fitters on staff, so buying from one of these establishments is the way to go. A good boot fitter will ask about your skiing history and preferences, foot-related injuries and about the type of boots you are coming out of. The boot fitter should have an idea as to where to start once he sees and measures your feet and will go through several pairs so you can experience the different makes and models that suit your foot and performance level, thus narrowing down the options. Most quality specialty shops also guarantee the fit, so if your boots need to be tweaked after a few weeks on the hill, they should be able to take care of you. Finding the Right Fit Comfort is relative when it comes to ski boots – they are not cushy house-slippers. But that does not mean your feet should be killing you after one run either. A well-fitting ski boot should be snug, kind of like a firm handshake. It’s important to remember that your boots will only get bigger (pack out) the more you wear them, so make sure they feel snug on your feet in the shop or wherever you buy them. Ski boots are made of plastic and foam, and both can be manipulated to be bigger, but not smaller. That said, buy them snug. Take Your Time You should allocate at least an hour to be properly fit for ski boots – mainly so you can try on several pairs and spend 15-20 minutes in the pair you select. This is crucial because it takes
By Brad Northrup
some time for your feet to settle in the boots and identify potential “hotspots” or other issues. You might think you have found the perfect pair immediately after putting them on, but 10 minutes later your feet might be asleep. Take the time to do this right and don’t rush it. Don’t Skimp on Socks The purpose of a sock is to wick moisture away from your foot; dry feet are warm feet. Go with a thin-to-medium thickness synthetic-fiber sock – one pair only. Adding a second pair will not make your boots any warmer. In fact, they could do just the opposite. And definitely no cotton athletic socks either. Cotton retains moisture, which ultimately makes your feet colder. Feel the Flex Once you have the boots on and buckled up, you should be able to easily flex them. Keep in mind that plastic gets stiffer in cold weather, so if you can barely budge them in the shop where it’s 70 degrees, just image what they will feel like in 20degree weather. The mechanics here are pretty simple. Flexing your boots allows you to move your weight and your hips forward or down the fall line. This is crucial for turn initiation, balance, and pretty much everything else you have to do if you want to make nice turns. The Length When you have the boots on and buckled up, flex forward a few times and then stand tall. Your toes should just graze the front of the boot. When you flex, they should pull back. If you go for a more advanced fit (tight), expect more contact in the front of the boot. For first timers or those who may have more sensitivity to toe contact, it’s ok to have a little room in the length, just as long as the side-to-side snugness is there. Keep in mind that if you find a boot that fits great in terms of volume, but is a touch short, a good boot fitter can add a little length. Final Thoughts This just barely covers the basics when it comes to finding the right pair of ski boots. There is a ton of literature out there that goes into painfully great detail on the finer points of boot fitting – if you are so inclined to delve deeper, go ahead and pop some ibuprofen and then Google it. Your best bet though is to visit your local ski shop and spend some time with an expert – there is no substitute for personalized customer service. // NOVEMBER December 2014
/ Out There Monthly
25
Local Outdoor Gift Guide Cool, creative outdoor oriented gifts are sure to make certain people on your holiday shopping list smile (tip: you can also leave these pages open with items circled for your significant other or send a copy home to your parents).
ability and ease of use found in snowshoes with a ski’s efficiency of sliding forward rather than lifting and stepping with each stride. A synthetic climbing skin is integrated into the base of the ski, and the sustainable paulownia wood core, reinforced with organic natural fibers and fiberglass, makes it lightweight and flexible. Altai offers two sizes, 145cm and 125cm. Buy them at Mountain Gear in Spokane. Altaiskis.com.
ferent types of mounts and accessories for creating versatile footage. Along with a clear, durable, waterproof case that will allow you to film underwater up to 130 feet, all HD SLAYERS come with a free class 10 8GB micro SD card when ordered online (free shipping on orders over $100). And this POV camera is at a price that is sure to slay the competition. Go to www.reelcameras.com and enter the promo code “ R E E L FA M I LY ” to save $50 on an HD Slayer camera package.
MedStar Membership for Critical Care Helicopter Transport A thoughtful and caring gift that also offers peace of mind to an adventure lover’s family, membership to Northwest MedStar, a nonprofit organization, provides the region’s premier critical care transport for critically ill or injured patients via helicopter, fixed wing and ground-based options to health care facilities throughout the Pacific Northwest. An accident or emergency can happen anywhere, but it’s even more of a liability when you’re in remote locations where a lot of our favorite outdoor activities are based. With the Northwest MedStar membership program, you’ll have the assurance that you and your family will receive quality critical care transport, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your transport will not create extra financial hardship. An average flight can cost thousands of dollars, which may not be covered in full by your health insurance plan. Membership is $59 per family for a year, or $150 for three years. Nwmedstar.org.
Cross-Country Ski Package Every alpine skier should have a Nordic set-up whether they know it or not. Same goes for snowshoers. Cross-country skiing is great exercise and fun in its own right, but it can also make a welcome diversion to riding the lifts or plodding along the icepack on shoes, especially when those high pressure powder draughts hit. Set them up with an entire Nordic package (skis, boots, bindings, and poles) from a local shop like Fitness Fanatics or Mountain Gear.
These
gift ideas from local retailers and local outdoor gear companies right here in the Inland Northwest will help you make your shopping fast, fun, and easy. Supporting local businesses that typically have much better customer service and return policies than distant online options will also be appreciated by the people on your gift list. Shopping local also helps to strengthen our local economy and outdoors community, and it can be a lot more fun for you! (DK) Merino Wool Running Shirts from Pettet Endurance Project These super soft and awesome fitting merino wool running shirts are stylish and functional for a surprisingly reasonable price, especially since PEP actually makes their running apparel here in the U.S. (south of Portland, Ore.). Giving them even more local cred, the company’s founder is a Spokane native and runner who saw a need for running apparel built specifically to match the movements of endurance athletes, and PEP’s shirts are made from sustainable, natural, anti-microbial wool fibers that fight odor even after prolonged use. By selling to customers directly, they pass on the savings (and offer free shipping). Pettetendurance.com. The Hok Ski/Snowshoe Hybrid from Altai Skis The first creation from Altai Skis, the Hok is a ski/snowshoe hybrid that opens new possibilities for backcountry snow travel to anyone looking to add a gliding element to the feeling of traveling over the snow on snowshoes. With a headquarters in the tiny Northeast Washington town of Curlew near the Kettle Range Mountains, Altai Skis Hok combines the maneuver26
Out There Monthly / December 2014
Discount Patagonia Outlet Apparel If you want to score sweet deals on discount Patagonia Outlet clothing and gear, you don’t need to drive to Seattle; the closest Patagonia Outlet to Spokane, Coeur d’Alene and Sandpoint is actually up in Nelson, B.C. Good thing for you, since you can now justify a trip north to ski at Whitewater and soak at Ainsworth Hot Springs and get some holiday shopping done at the Patagonia Outlet at Snowpack Outdoor Experience on Baker Street in historic downtown Nelson. Expect to save between 30-80% off on your favorite Patagonia items. Snowpack.ca. Reel Cameras HD Slayer POV Camera Help that skier, rider, mountain biker, or whitewater paddler on your list capture, share, and relive their outdoor adventures with a POV camera from Coeur d’Alene based Reel Cameras. The HD Slayer has a built-in 1.5” LCD screen, making it easy to clearly see what’s being recorded in live time. The HD Slayer also includes dif-
Give the Gift of Local Beer (or Booze) You can’t go wrong with the beer drinker on your list with a gift certificate and a growler or two from their favorite local craft brewery (and it’s okay to have a pint while you’re waiting). These days, there’s a local brewery in just about every town and neighborhood no matter where you live, but we recommend these favorite breweries whose owners and patrons love the Inland Northwest outdoors as much as we do: River City Brewing (downtown Spokane); Perry Street Brewing (Spokane’s Perry neighborhood); Ramblin’ Road Craft Brewery (just east of Gonzaga University near the Spokane River and Centennial Trail); and Slate Creek Brewing (on 4th Street in Coeur d’Alene). Bottles of craft, small batch wheat whiskey, vodka, bourbon and gin from Dry Fly Distillery also make a classy and useful regional gift, especially for out-of-town visitors who may want to take a bottle of the Inland Northwest home with them. Fair Trade Alpaca Socks Ideal for hiking, snowshoeing, skiing, biking, or walking to work on a cold winter day, you can pick up a pair of these hand-made beauties at Kizuri Fair Trade Gifts and Clothing (35 West Main, downtown Spokane). Alpaca wool is the original smart wool and a traditional choice
that has proven itself in outdoor environments around the world. Kizurispokane.wordpress. com. The North Face ThermoBall™ Hoodie Redesigned for 2014 with a sleeker silhouette, this men’s hoodie features ThermoBall™, powered by PrimaLoft®, which translates to the new synthetic alternative to down from The North Face that will keep you warm (and looking good) in cold and wet weather. Wear or pack this highly compressible, ultralight zip-front layer for reliable thermal insulation in a variety of winter conditions. The hood is detachable, and they also have several other styles of ThermoBall™ jackets and vests if the person on your list isn’t a hoodie guy or gal. Check out all of the ThermoBall™ options at The North Face retail store downtown Spokane at River Park Square. Thenorthface.com. Classic 110 Folding Hunter Buck Knives Blade In celebration of its 50th anniversary, Post Falls-based Buck Knives has released a special edition, classic 110 Folding Hunter. The famous features of the 110 remain, such as the Macassar Ebony Dymondwood handle and the tiny brass bolsters. This commemorative version, which will be included on all Model 110s for 2014, features an anniversary medallion on the handle and custom blade stamp denoting 50 years. Buckknives.com. Lakes Brand Flip Flops The company slogan “Don’t Text...Don’t Call...I’m at the Lake!” captures the look and feel of The Lakes Brand’s Kick Around Flip Flops well. These cool, Inland Northwest-lake inspired flip flops add a bit of local style to a comfortable classic, featuring their signature “burlydense” sole that holds up to the repeated use and abuse they will get put through at the lake next summer. The foot strap and footbed feature symbols of summertime fun, adding personality to these affordable sandals made by Coeur d’Alene-based Lakes Brand. Their awesome t-shirts make great gifts too. Lakesbrand.com. Mountain Sports Club Membership (aka discount ski deals) Give the gift of cheap skiing at resorts around the Pacific Northwest and North America for only $19.95 (while this special introductory offer lasts – see promo code on the next page). Mountain Sports Club is the largest, online, membership-based, discount-promotion program of its kind in North America, and it’s expanding here in the Pacific Northwest this season. Two for one mid-week lift ticket deals
and other discounts are already available to members at Lookout Pass, Tamarack, Lake Louise, Sunshine Village, and Mt Norquay in Banff, with other local and B.C. resorts coming soon. Discounts for dozens of major resorts in Utah, Colorado, and California are also available to members now. Use it once and it’s paid for. Use it often and save hundreds. Use the promo code “out14” to lock in individual memberships for $19.95 for a limited time at www.mountainsportsclub.com.
endured plenty of “at the limit” experiences. Time magazine wrote, “Messner is not only the greatest high-altitude mountaineer the world has ever known; he is probably the best it will ever know.” This book is part autobiography and part interview. Published for the first time in English thanks to Mountaineers Books, “My Life at the Limit” is already considered the most personal and reflective of all Herr Messner’s books. Order and pick up a copy at REI. Rei.com/b/mountaineers-books.
Give the Gift of Climbing A gift certificate for a month ($60) or threemonth ($160) membership at Wild Walls Climbing Gym, maybe tucked inside a new pair of climbing shoes or wrapped up with a new climbing harness from Mountain Gear, Mountain Goat Outfitters, or REI, would make a welcome gift for anyone looking to get into (or back into) climbing as a way to keep their whole body active and moving in the winter. Of course it would also make an awesome gift for anyone who has never climbed before and doesn’t know what they are missing! Wildwalls.com.
Omega Pacific “Solution” Climbing Nut Tool The Solution brings together every vital ingredient a nut tool must have. It’s thin enough to retrieve impossible gear from every climbing brand. The working end features a dimple to rest against stubborn stoppers to pop them loose. There’s also a hook for pulling on unreachable trigger bars. The Solution also features a 1/2” wrench for tightening loose bolts. Best of all, the Solution can also open up a celebratory beverage! Pick up a Solution nut tool, made by Spokane area based Omega Pacific, at Mountain Gear, REI and Mountain Goat Outfitters. Omegapac.com. // (OTM)
Relaxation and Pain Relief with a Massage Gift Certificate A gift certificate for a massage from Healing Balance Massage Therapy, that specializes in deep tissue and sports massage, is often the kind of gift that the people who need it most will never get for themselves. Help that person out with a massage that will help relieve muscle tension, reduce chronic pain, relieve soreness, and improve performance. $45 for one hour and $70 for an hour and a half. Healingbalancemassage.com. Reinhold Messner’s “My Life at the Limit” Book Famed mountaineer Reinhold Messner has
Local Outdoor Stocking Stuffers
Movit (pronounced MOVE-it) Energy Gummies, created by a Spokane-based company, is the perfect energy food for active outdoor enthusiasts. This tasty onthe-go snack is really a nutrition supplement designed to give you the energy you need to keep after your outdoor activities all day long. Movit comes in a snack-size
packet that will provide a boost of energy during sustained periods of cardio-vascular exercise when your muscles and mind require it most. The proprietary formula includes ingredients such as Brazilian Guarana, Co-enzyme Q10, D-Ribose, vitamin C, taurine, protein and a full complement of the B vitamins. Pick up a couple bags for a stocking stuffer or a whole case for a great gift. JustMovit.com. Lyte Balance Electrolyte Concentrate from Liberty Lake based SenseAble Supplements comes in a small bottle (that fits easily in Christmas stockings) and can be added by the capful to water, juice, milk, coffee, beer or any other favorite beverage. It has a light, satisfying, salty taste and comes loaded with the primary electrolytes that the average American is deficient in, including potassium and magnesium. Be the one that introduces this awesome local product to the sweating outdoor junkie on your holiday shopping list who needs better hydration. Pick up a bottle at Main Market Co-op, Huckleberry’s, and Pilgrim’s Market. Sensablesupplements.com. Running Socks and Running Accessories Runners can never have too many pairs of quality running socks floating around their sock drawers. Other running accessories like earphones that won’t fall out of runners’ ears, hand-
held water bottles, or compression tights make for great small gifts or stocking stuffers for runners and aspiring runners alike. Try local running shops like Fleet Feet and Runners Soul for these gems. Boo Radley’s Unique Gifts For cool, one-of-a-kind gifts and stocking stuffers for just about anyone with a sense of humor and style, nothing beats Boo Radley’s on Howard Street downtown Spokane across from Riverfront Park. Named after the character in “To Kill A Mockingbird” who collected unique things, you can find everything from books, games, local themed items (like a new vintage Spokane calendar), t-shirts, toys, and other novelties for kids and adults. Local Lift Ticket Gift Packs and Cards Most local resorts offer great deals on packs of lift tickets or gift cards for the holidays, making an awesome gift disguised as a stocking stuffer for skiers and snowboarders. For $99, Mt. Spokane offers youth (ages 7-17) five lift tickets or adults (18 and older) three lift tickets to Mt. Spokane any time with a non-transferable punch card (through Dec. 31). 49 Degrees North offers their popular Klondike Cards that can be used on the mountain to redeem lift tickets, rentals, lessons, and retail, food and beverages purchases, and they can be shared between family members. And Lookout Pass offers a the Lookout Pass Advantage Card for $59 that includes the 1st ticket for free, $10 off the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th trip, and another free lift ticket on visit number 5. Silver Mountain can hook you up with lift ticket stocking stuffers as well. //
Editor’s picks
We get a lot of requests to review or test a lot of outdoor gear from around the world, and we only follow up on a handful of requests each season to highlight cool, unique, and quality items that we think are worthy of sharing with our readers.
Toren Fundamental Shell (Men’s Tangerine) Toren Technical Apparel, a new company creating technical outdoor gear at the same factories as other more well-known and more expansive brands, has launched their Fundamental Shell, a 3-layer waterproof/breathable shell that’s designed to function in the backcountry as well as it looks and feels on the streets in urban settings. By cutting out the retail middle-man, Toren offers similar products as their competitors at a discount price. The jacket repels water and wind as well as any other technical shell I’ve owned, but with added props for style. It also has everything I would want on a backcountry ski tour or wicked weather day hike, including a three-point adjustable hood that’s helmet compatible, three external pockets and one internal polyurethane touch screen pocket, underarm zips for venting, and a waist draw cord. At $245, it raises the bar on fit, performance, and affordability in technical outerwear. Toren.is. Thermacell ProFLEX Heated Insoles Thermacell ProFLEX Heated Insoles foot warmers are the newest addition to the Thermacell line. Designed to make cold weather activities like skiing, snowboarding, hiking, biking, snowshoeing, or fly fishing in waders more comfortable and enjoyable, they have all the features of the original Thermacell Heated Insoles but are more flexible and comfortable, have longer use time, contain a removable and rechargeable battery and can be charged using either a USB cable or wall charger. The insoles have three settings that you can change with the small remote: medium, high or off. And you can
pull and recharge the battery out of the insole without having to pull the entire insole out of each boot. Powered by rechargeable, removable lithium-ion polymer batteries embedded in the foot warmer insoles, they can run continuously for up to five hours (or much longer if used in intervals) and recharge in four hours. Made for men and women, the ProFLEX Insoles are customizable to fit any shoe size from a women’s 4.5 to a men’s 14 and price at $179.99. Find them online or at stores throughout North America: Thermacell.com. LED LENSER NEO Headlamp These compact and petite headlamps are designed to be a portable, lightweight companion to take along on hiking, biking, running and urban walking outings after dark. I’ve started taking mine along on roadtrips and flights in my carry-on bag as a late-night reading light wherever I end up. The vibrant LED light features a 90 lumen light output, a rear red safety light, an ultra-wide dimmable beam and are available in orange, green, blue, yellow and pink neon colors, making them a light-weight and stylish alternative to more bright and bulky lamps. They run on three AAA batteries and have a battery life of 10 hours. (MSRP: $25). Ledlenserusa.com/headlamps. ECCO Ulterra Day Hiker One of the world’s largest shoemakers, ECCO is a family owned company that celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, although the Ulterra Day Hiker is the first pair of ECCOs I’ve ever put on my feet. I’ve owned a handful of dreamy hiking boots over the years – you know, the kind that make you forget you have five miles to go on your 17-mile hike – and the Ulterra Day Hiker boots seem to be earning their way into that elite category for me. Made from strong yak nubuck leather with a GORE-TEX® membrane, they are supportive, light-weight, durable and comfortable, and after at least 50 miles of walking, they are holding up like new, but already feel like an old, trusted trail companion. (MSRP: $160-210). Eccousa.com. //
December 2014
/ Out There Monthly
27
Hiking New Dishman Hills Trail to “The Cliffs” // By Bea Lackaff Mary had been there some months before, and I’d seen a map scratched on a napkin – but we were SURE we could find the freshly hewn Dishman Hills “Trail to The Cliffs.” We met at the trailhead, the end of Thierman Road, north of 44th Avenue, and went through the gate into piney woods. Soon we reached an intersection where we took an old double-track road uphill, emerging into an open hillside with a fine, wide view to the west. From here, we turned north and soon followed the road into a steep, winding dip down a heavily wooded draw, then a relentless haul back up the other side. We entered a wide and welcoming meadow (part of the recently established “Glenrose Conservation Area”), and crossed it heading for the highest knoll, a rounded pinnacle promising a stunning 360-degree view. The Cliffs, an aptly named 50 some acres acquired this year by the Dishman Hills Conservancy, makes a good start towards closing the ½ mile public access gap between the Dishman Hills Natural Area and the Glenrose Conservation Area. The DHC is a grassroots conservation organization dedicated to establishing and protecting a conservation/recreation corridor along the entire six-mile Dishman Ridge, from Camp Caro to Big Rock. Mary and I, both DHC board members, wanted to check out the new trail, carved out just weeks before by volunteers from the Spokane Mountaineers and the DHC. We veered to the right, onto a wide, grassy road that circles the knoll, and descended into scattered
Volunteers from the Spokane Mountaineers and Dishman Hills Conservancy working together to create the new Cliffs Trail segment. // Photo: Jeff Lambert
trees. Was this the way? Did we miss the new trail? Just as our road began to plunge down the forested bank towards Dishman-Mica Road far below, the new trail appeared on our left. We hiked up and down through an area burned in the
ELAN SKI & KAGE BINDINLAGSTPYEAC AR MODELS
NOW
249 100
$
SAVE
SNOWBOARNGDATS
$
$
$
THIS WEEK ONLY! 28
Out There Monthly / December 2014
2008 Valley View Fire. With frozen, resurgent serviceberry, currant, wild rose, bunch grasses and yarrow, the land is mostly open, revealing sweeping views up the Spokane Valley and Rathdrum Prairie towards Lake Pend Oreille, as well as the
99 STARTI
high peaks of Mount Spokane, Mica Peak and the Coeur d’Alene Mountains. True to its name, the hillside is broken by parallel faulting into stair steps and terraces of 80 million year old granite outcrops and a series of dark cliffs, all punctuated by twisted, blackened Ponderosa tree trunks with flailing branches. As November colors were fading in the frost, the brightest splash was a huge, vibrant clump of cherry-gold rose hips – and a curious echo of the same color in scat piles along the trail. Mary and I explored to the end of the Cliffs Trail, and mostly retraced our route back to the trailhead, except for a leg over to the panoramic knoll we’d missed on the way in. When we returned to the trailhead, pooped, rosy-cheeked, and already planning a return snowshoe adventure, it was about 3 hours after we’d started. Public access in the Dishman Hills doesn’t happen by itself – it takes a lot of people working hard together. If you have enjoyed hiking in the Dishman Hills and live in Washington, consider “giving back” by calling your state legislator (800-562-6000) and asking for the Glenrose 160 ( the only public access to these trails) to be included in the “Trust Land Transfer.” To find out what this means, and for maps, more information, and how to join a guided hike to The Cliffs on December 14, visit the DHC website at www.dishmanhills.org. Soon there will be new trail signs, but in the meantime it will still be great fun to find and explore the new Cliffs Trail this winter. //
GOR-TEX LOARVTINGESAT SMITH GOTIGNGGATLES GST
$
STAR
19
99
$
39
JACKEATTS HELMETS AT INGS BINTID UNION ST STARTING STARTING AT NG AR
74
99 $
29
99 $ 99 139
4505 N Division St (509) 325-1620
y a d t s Be
M O U N T A I N
M O M E N T
Freeride Media
r e h t o n A
# 7 4 8
The best ski days are not necessarily powder days, but those sunny moments spent with your friends, exploring new runs, deep chairlift conversations, sharing a drink at the Vista House, and one last run down to a nap in the car on the way home. Enjoy another best day at Mt. Spokane.
JUST 28 MILES FROM DOWNTOWN SPOK ANE!
(509) 238-2220 W W W. MT S P O K A N E .CO M December 2014
/ Out There Monthly
29
Last Page Growing Up With Wild Connections – An Excerpt from “Crown of the Continent: The Wildest Rockies” // By Steven Gnam My roots in the Crown of the Continent go as deep as my first wobbly steps on Earth. My folks came to the heart of the Crown with hope for a better life for themselves and their children. A handful of photos of the Bob Marshall Wilderness in a 1985 issue of National Geographic sparked their migration. They packed up their old white station wagon and two infants, to leave behind the city and its traffic, crime, and air pollution, and to embrace a new life of fresh air and fresh starts, settling in the rural northwestern corner of Montana. My early years were full of huckleberry-stained hands, clothes sooty from picking morel mushrooms in forest fire burns, and the lingering smell of trout that clung to me after family fishing trips. In middle school I rode my bike beyond the edge of town to explore the woods and creeks flowing out of the Whitefish Range. I wandered looking for animals, fishing, and trying to live off the land in poorly constructed shelters that barely kept my skinny frame from hypothermia. I learned about plants and made tea from birch, mint, and spruce; I collected saskatoons, rose hips, and cattails for food. My awareness of humanity’s connection to the land grew in those creek bottoms and deep forests. I still remember pressing my 7-year-old nose against the cold glass of my parent’s station wagon window, enchanted by the snowy peaks
Mountain Sports Club
Use it once & it’s paid for. Use it often and save hundreds!
OTM MEMBERSHIP SPECIAL ONLY $19.95 2 for 1 Lift Ticket deals at Lookout Pass, Tamarack, Lake Louise, Sunshine Village & other regional resorts. Ski shop, outdoor retailer, & lodging discounts. (promo code out14) www.MountainSportsClub.com Phto: Freeride Media 30
Out There Monthly / December 2014
PRINT & USE COUPONS THE SAME DAY
Steven Gnam en route for a weeklong trip into the mountains to photograph wildlife and landscapes mid winter. // Photo Steven Gnam
of the mountain ranges that form the Crown of the Continent. I tried to imagine what it was like up there, guessing that people couldn’t visit that rugged country. I didn’t know then that I would arrange my schedule in high school and college so I could spend as many days as possible in the Crown’s mountains. I laugh now, looking back at those trips. I often went alone and always inadequately prepared – camping for days with plastic bread bags inside of sneakers for snow boots, layers of heavy cotton-flannel shirts, and a leaky one-man tent. Those early forays into the mountains provided the first inspiration for the images in this book. The Crown of the Continent – the expanse of the Rocky Mountains stretching roughly from Missoula, Montana, to Banff, Alberta – is unique in the world. From the convergence of the climates of the Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountains, Arctic, and northern Great Plains springs up a colorful spectrum of plants and animals. In the Crown, the full suite of creatures that lived here alongside the region’s earliest human inhabitants still make their home in these mountains and valleys. Nowhere else on this continent, and very few places in the world, is such wilderness intact alongside modern society. People live here to be close to the land; the land in return is what provides people’s living, as residents host visitors, harvest sustainable forest products, and care for the wilderness. The land also shapes the culture of the Crown’s communities. Climbing a peak, encountering a bear, and picking huckleberries all strengthen the bonds between place, self, and community, forming stories and memories. Experiencing strong, graceful creatures and intact landscapes rubs off a bit and enriches the beholder. The blessings of the land are not just for its residents. Every year millions of people from around the world visit the Crown to escape the bustle of cities and to experience nature in its wildest form – to catch a glimpse of a grizzly bear or a wolverine, to hike in solitude, or to float a pristine river. These visitors come to
experience something they can’t at home: the Earth and its communities, whole and healthy. The Crown of the Continent remains intact because a handful of people saw its natural resources and its beauty as something that should stay untouched for generations. In defiant acts of self-restraint, they chose to forgo the short-term rewards of using the land as however they saw fit and instead laid the groundwork for the long-term rewards we enjoy now: wideopen space, abundant wildlife, clean water. But these early visionaries who left a network of wildlands couldn’t anticipate the scale of growth and development that would come. Nor could they foresee that the protected islands of parks and wilderness would not be big enough by themselves for viable populations of wolverines and grizzlies, wolves, harlequin ducks, and eagles, in the long run. These creatures need more than island preserves – they need corridors and routes from Yellowstone all the way north to the Canadian Yukon. These connected lands offer space for wildlife to travel and mix with others of their kind, to roam in search of food, and to migrate in response to the changes that climate and time bring. (Braided River, 2014, www.wildestrockies.org). // Editor’s Note: This beautiful book highlights one of the most wild, rugged, and relatively intact landscapes in North America. With stunning, artistic photography and authentic stories of the diverse people and wildlife that share the Crown of the Continent region of the Northern Rockies, it conveys a critical conservation message without getting bogged down in the overly preachy politics that often plague modern-day conservation narratives. Conversely, thumbing through the pages of this book left me energized and inspired, itching to see the massive mountains that form the continental divide take shape in my windshield on a drive north towards Whitefish, and to set out on a long walk into this vast, true wilderness only a few hours east of Spokane. Gnam’s passion for this place is palpable, and I highly recommend his book to anyone with a fondness for this rugged region of the Rockies. //
What are you waiting for
?
SURPRISE YOURSELF.
Visit NelsonKootenayLake.com Ski Whitewater Ski Resort www.skiwhitewater.com
Nelson • Balfour • Ainsworth Hot Springs • Kaslo • Lardeau • Meadow Creek | British Columbia, Canada Photo: Mattias / OutFredriksson There Monthly
December 2014
31
The North face Men’s Chilkat II & Women’s Chilkat III Winter Boots $110.00
Atlas Men’s & Women’s 8 Series Snowshoe Reg $139.00 SALE $99.98
Smartwool Men’s & Women’s Hiking Sock $18.95
Patagonia Men’s & Women’s Down Sweater $229.00
Goal Zero Guide 10 Plus $119.95
Spot Gen3 Satellite GPS Messenger Reg $169.99 SALE $149.95
Outdoor Research Men’s & Women’s Gripper Glove $50.00
STABILicers Lite Traction Devices $21.95
Black Diamond Cosmo Headlamp Reg $29.95 SALE $23.96
The North Face Men’s & Women’s Thermoball Jacket $199.95
Osprey Talon 22 Backpack $99.95
Reel Camera HD Slayer Action Camera $298.95
Tubbs Gaiters Reg $29.95 SALE $23.98
Hydroflask Wide Mouth Insulated SS 40oz Bottle $34.99 Black Diamond Men’s & Women’s Trail Trekking Pole $99.95
2002 N Division, Spokane • 509.325.9000 • mountaingear.com/retail • Hours: Mon-Fri 10 am-8 pm, Sat 10 am-6 pm, Sun 11 am-5 pm
32
Out There Monthly / December 2014