Out There Monthly February 2013

VOL. 9 // NO.6 // FEBRUARY 2013

FEBRUARY 1-10, 2013

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Out There Monthly / February 2013

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

February is a busy month up at Schweitzer! With events every weekend and fun activities for the whole family, there’s no reason to miss out on “FUN”uary!

Lodging options, such as the “Winter Carnival Package” make it easy to take advantage of the Schweitzer Difference! So BOOK NOW online at schweitzer.com or call 877.487.4643

Be sure to check the Events Calendar for all of the latest event information at schweitzer.com

February 2013

/ Out There Monthly

3

In This Issue p.5 / From the Editor

2 Summits 3 Basins

MONTHLY

Maiden Spokane

By Jon Snyder

www.outtheremonthly.com

7 Lifts

Out There Monthly / February 2013

p.6 / Out There News

Publisher and Editor-in-Chief

Jon Snyder jon@outtheremonthly.com

Avalanche Risks, Leadman

Art Director

Triathlon, New E.D. at Friends of

80+ Trails

Kaitlin Snyder Health & Fitness Editor

the Centennial Trail

Dr. Bob Lutz senior writers

p.8 /Author interview John Muir’s 1000-Mile Walk to the Gulf

Contributing Writers:

Bradley Bleck, Mira Copeland, Hank Greer, Erin Muat, Brad Naccarato, Peter G. Williams Distribution Coordinator

By Bradley Bleck

Barbara Snyder To request issues please call 509 / 534 / 3347 Ad Sales

Jon Snyder: 509 / 534 / 3347

p.9 / Book Reviews Fred Beckey’s North American Climbs & a Couple Hikes The PCT

By Amy Silbernagel McCaffree & Peter G.

Out There Monthly

Mailing Address: PO Box 559 Spokane, WA 99210 www.outtheremonthly.com, 509 / 534 / 3347 Out There Monthly is published once a month

by Snyderco DBA/Out There Monthly. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent of the publisher. ©Copyright 2013 Snyderco DBA/Out There Monthly.

The views expressed in this magazine reflect those of the writers and advertisers and not necessarily Snyderco DBA/Out There Monthly.

Williams

p.10 / Photo of the month And Roadtrip DJ

By Kate Vanskike & Jackson Snyder

p.11 / What’s Your Gear?

The Waldenberg Sisters: Ski Racing

2,325 Acres

Jon Jonckers, Derrick Knowles, Amy Silbernagel McCaffree

Disclaimer: Many of the activities depicted in this magazine carry a significant risk of personal injury or death. Rock climbing, river rafting, snow sports, kayaking, cycling, canoeing and backcountry activities are inherently dangerous. The owners and contributors to Out There Monthly do not recommend that anyone participate in these activities unless they are experts or seek qualified professional instruction and/or guidance, and are knowledgeable about the risks, and are personally willing to assume all responsibility associated with those risks.

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p.12 / Cool Stuff They Sent Us Chaco Boots and More

By Jon Snyder

Out There Monthly also supports

Attack of the Fat Bikes

The public is welcome to attend!

By Hank Greer

Dr. Goodall will bring you into the world of Tanzania’s Gombe chimpanzees, discuss the current threats facing our planet, and share her reasons for hope and the ways each of us can make a positive difference each and every day.

p.14 / February INLAND NW OUTDOOR CAlendar & 6 Month Training Calendar

To learn more about Dr. Goodall, please visit www.janegoodall.org.

p.18 / B.C. Snow Adventure

By Mira Copeland

On the cover: Buckling up to board the Glory Ridge terrain at Whitewater. // Photo Kali Seisler.

4

Out There Monthly / February 2013

An Evening with

DR. JANE GOODALL

p.13 / Everyday cyclist

10 Days on the Powder Highway

Making a Difference

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By Amy Silbernagel McCaffree

For tickets and more information:

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Tickets are available online or at the McCarthey Athletic Center ticket window

Questions? Call (509) 313-3572

From the Editor: Maiden Spokane Nobody wants to give The President of the United States a gift that says “Made in China.”

That’s why when an amputee support organizations Unlimbited and Vets Help wanted to give a winter sports gift to Barack Obama on the occasion of his 2nd inauguration, they sought out a handmade ski manufacturer here in the United States. That search led to a garage on near north Monroe Street in Spokane occupied by one T.J. Sneva.

If you read that surname with a twinkle in your eye you must be as old as I am. My favorite Spokane sports story of the 80’s is Tom Sneva finally winning the Indy 500 in 1983, after coming in 2nd in

three previous tries. Tom is T.J. Sneva’s uncle, and true to the family name T.J. spent 5 years racing Indy cars before moving back to Spokane to focus on his passion; manufacturing handmade, custom skis for a living.

T.J. says he’s the only one with a custom ski biz in our area and one of the only ones in the Pacific Northwest. He makes 450-500 skis a year under his own label and also for five other boutique ski companies. He makes 34 different models, including powder, park, and all-mountain models, each with custom graphics.

He built the ski presses he uses himself. “I made them right here in the shop,” says Sneva. “They

weigh 3500 pounds a piece.”

After building skis for 19 years Sneva has seen his business triple in the last few seasons. But now he is working on a new market: wounded vets and others who have lost limbs to amputation. “These people would generally have to buy two skis and only be able to use one,” says Sneva. He can make a single ski for these folks and the next step is “to start testing and modeling a design that’s specific for mono-skis.”

Spokane strives to be a veteran-positive community and we’re also snow-sports crazy. Could there be a better place to work on skiing for disabled vets? Talking to T.J. you get the sense he’s

just psyched to help out anyone who loves skiing as much as he does. The President received his commemorative twin-tip T.J. Sneva ski a couple of weeks ago. While the political divide in Washington doesn’t seem to be narrowing anytime soon, supporting wounded vets is still something people of all political stripes can agree on. // ----------------------------------------------------JON SNYDER, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF editor@outtheremonthly.com For more info visit: www.snevamfg.com

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5

Selkirk Nordic Series 6

Skiers must participate in three races to qualify

Cougar Gulch 10k Freestyle Saturday, January 5, 2013 schweitzer.com/mountain/nordic_center

Chewelah Peak Challenge • 7K Freestyle Saturday, February 2, 2013 ski49n.com

35th Annual • Mt. Spokane 10K Classic Race Sunday, February 10, 2103 spokanelanglauf.org

Spokane JNQ • 10k Classic Race Mt. Spokane: Saturday, February 23, 2013 spokanenordic.org

Out There News avalanche risks for Inland NW

Assessing the Danger Can Be Tricky By Amy Silbernagel McCaffree

Rules: Scoring: 20,19, 18...11, 10, for first through tenth place, minimum of ten points for participation. Must participate in at least 3 races to qualify, but can count all four races toward total score. Must pre-register for Spokane JNQ for that race to count toward your total.

Top Three Places will get Jackets from Fitness Fanatics Garmin watches will be raffled to all participants

Out There Monthly / February 2013

Schweitzer Mountain ski patrollers prepare the mountain for opening to the public, including avalanche assessment and control every morning. Photo courtesy Schweitzer Mountain Resort.

“Avalanches occur in the Pacific Northwest with the right mix of weather conditions and slope profile,” says veteran ski patroller Dave Alley, Silver Mountain’s former director of ski patrol and snow safety, responsible for the mountain’s avalanche program. (He recently left Silver to work for Selkirk Powder Company as a backcountry guide and safety officer, which includes conducting weather and snow pack observations.)

“Currently with the low amount of new snow accumulation, light winds and average temperatures, the snowpack is settling and stabilizing. But be cautious of some of the layers we have been watching throughout the season, such as ice layers, crust layers and surface hoar layers,” advises Alley. “Anyone using the backcountry should have some basic avalanche awareness training, basic knowledge of snowpack stability and carry a shovel, probe, avalanche beacon, medical gear, cell phone, GPS and additional rescue gear. Also, they can log onto the Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center (IPAC) and get updated avalanche forecasts for the region.”

The IPAC website (idahopanhandleavalanche. org) provides advisories for National Forest land encompassing the Cabinet, Selkirk, St. Joe, Purcell, Coeur d’Alene and Bitterroot mountain ranges.

(Backcountry recreationists interested in the Cascade and Olympic mountains should consult the Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center’s website, nwac.us.)

IPAC offers free avalanche awareness classes, meant to be an introductory or refresher course for “groups of individuals, ski and snowmobile clubs, county search and rescue, or other interested parties,” according to its website. “Classes cover topics ranging from avalanche dynamics, weather factors, and snowpack to rescue techniques, avalanche beacon practice, and route selection.” The Spokane Mountaineers also offers an avalanche awareness class (spokanemountaineers.org).

For advanced avalanche safety education, both the Northwest Mountain School (mountainschool.com) and the Sagle, Idaho-based Snow School (thesnowschool.com) offer Level I and II courses.

At Silver Mountain Resort, Alley says, “This

season we have seen numerous in-bounds avalanches when we have conducted avalanche reduction work using explosives and/or ski cutting.

During storm cycles we see avalanches run in our starting zones often. This is a normal occurrence and this activity is conducted prior to opening the slopes to our guests.”

Skier-triggered avalanches can also occur inbounds, patrollers’ best efforts at prevenAt thedespite women’s souper bowl. tion. As recently as December 7, 2012, an inbounds slide occurred at Schweitzer Mountain Resort, partially burying a skier. Schweitzer Ski Patrol had done their typical avalanche assessment and control that morning, and deemed it “low avalanche concern for the day,” according to Sean Briggs, marketing coordinator and spokesperson for Schweitzer Mountain Resort.

Still, a minor avalanche—a slab slide—triggered by a skier, occurred at Headwall, a gladed ski run.

Briggs described the snow conditions that day as a “nice frozen layer with six inches of light snow.”

Schweitzer’s ski patrol responded on the scene within two minutes, according to Briggs, but the entrapped skier had already been dug out by a friend. They both skied away, apparently without injury.

Briggs says the last time a skier triggered a slide in-bounds at Schweitzer was more than 20 years ago.

“Every morning, our ski patrol runs routes and assesses avalanche danger—and [they are] always assessing throughout the day. When they assess and see things of greater risk, they throw bombs to set off in-bounds slides before the mountain opens to the public,” Briggs says.

“There are inherent risks to skiing, whether you’re skiing inbounds or in the backcountry. We do the best we can to mitigate those actions,” he says. “We always recommend skiing with a buddy, no matter what kind of day it is. It certainly can’t hurt to ski with an avalanche beacon, probe and shovel. Especially on those big snow days, there are inherent risks to skiing. Have those tools to help make you safer.”

As for help or rescue in the “side-country”— backcountry ski areas directly adjacent to an established ski patrol boundary—not all ski resorts and ski patrols have the same policies. //

Out There News New E.D. At Friends of the Cent. Trail from traffic and crowds.”

Admittedly, she just started, however Loreen confesses her surprise by what the general public doesn’t know about the Trail. She said, “We rely on memberships to support our work to finish the Trail gaps and maintain the Trail. Every member makes an impact. The Trail is owned by the Washington Parks and Recreation Commission, which is having a major budget crisis. Citizens need to reach out to their State Representatives and Senators asking them to fund the Washington Parks and Recreation Commission this legislative session.”

Clearly McFaul recognizes her short term and long term tasks because she readily acknowledges her predecessor.

“I feel humbled to have the baton passed to me from Kaye Turner. Within one week at the Friends of the Centennial Trail, it was easy to see the many, many ways Kaye worked diligently to bring collaboration, cooperation and creativity to the Centennial Trail. I’m extremely impressed!” //

Place A RUN

Beginning the first week of January, the Board of the Friends of the Centennial Trail hired Loreen McFaul to serve as the new Executive Director. Kaye Turner served as the Executive Director for nearly 13 years; however she retired last December. Thankfully, the Board didn’t have to look too hard for a worthy replacement.

McFaul smiles easily, uses the Trail frequently, and she’s fairly humble about her previous 18 years of community service. She moved to Spokane 25 years ago, after graduating from the University of Montana. Through the years, she has served local non-profits in consulting, board, management and development capacities, while raising two kids. Her roots in Spokane extend into youth sports, Catholic charities, and several community events.

Talking about the Trail, she said, “I love it all, of course! From the wide-open spaces in the Valley to our urban core—with the University District, and Riverfront Park and the upcoming Kendall Yards development—all the way into Riverside State Park, where you feel like you’re miles away

Race

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A 5k or 10k Run to benefit PARKER’S PLACE Date: Saturday, April 27, 2013 Time: 9:00 AM Location: Mirabeau Park • Spokane Valley Race-2-Place is a fun, scenic, out and back, 5k or 10k run/walk along the the Centennial Trail in the Spokane Valley. Proceeds from Race-2-Place go to benefit PARKER’S PLACE, a camp for families who have lost a child to terminal illness or tragedy. NEW THIS YEAR: Online Pledge option!! Tech Shirt Special Pledge Jacket Awards Prizes

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Photo Courtesy of Silver Mountain Resort.

The 9th annual Leadman Triathlon at Silver Mountain makes a comeback on April 27 with an all new expanded kids’ heat for 2013. For folks not so hot in the water, or who maybe just prefer its frozen counterpart, Leadman has the perfect combination of ski-bike-run.

“Lead is softer than iron,” says event organizer, Karey Scholey, “so if you’re not up to competing in the Ironman, then we’ve got the perfect event for you!”

But the Leadman isn’t for the weak of heart.

According to one participant, Silver Mountain ices the ski slopes during the race for extra slick, extra fast downhilling. “At the speed I was going, I knew that a fall would mean a broken leg,” says Heidi Muat. But for others, this just adds to the thrill.

The race starts at Kellogg Peak on Silver Mountain with a Le Mans start, in which you run 200 ft. to click in to your gear, and then speed down the short and sweet 1 mile ski/snowboard portion. Hop on to your mountain bike and launch across the downhill-cross-country mix of bike paths complete with abundant mud holes.

A feature of this race is lots of mud — so expect to get dirty!

“I’d say for the Leadman event the mud on the course brings people out to the event,” says Scholey. She also recommends good eye protection for the immense volume of mud.

After the approximately seven and a half mile bike ride, run the scenic four to five miles of hills, asphalt, and more, and pass the finish line at Gondola Village at Silver Mountain Resort. It only takes one to two and a half hours to complete the course.

For those that prefer to work their magic behind the scenes, volunteers are always welcome for helping at the bike to run transition and the gear return zone.

“The coolest thing about Leadman is that there is a wide range of competitors, from teams in tutus to serious individual competitors,” says Scholey. If mud, tutus and great prizes aren’t cool enough, the Leadman is also a fundraiser for nonprofit organizations and community projects in the Silver Valley.

So, don’t miss the Leadman adventure race.

You might even leave with awesome battle scars to show off.

Registration will open soon, and cuts off just a few days before the start of the event. //

February 2013

/ Out There Monthly

7

Author Interview

John Muir’s 1,000 mile Walk

Tracking a Historical Walker with Local Author James Hunt /

By Bradley Bleck

Those who know of John Muir remember him best as co-founder of the Sierra Club and one of the forces behind the establishment of Yosemite National Park. What is less known is that long before the zombies of “The Walking Dead” became all the rage, Muir was himself a walker, though hardly a zombie.

Rather, Muir was among those who walked the land and wrote about their walks, keeping a record so later generations could learn how those walks shaped their views. In this, Muir joins the likes of Frederick Douglas, Jane Addams, and John Quincy Adams. The story of Muir’s early life and walk is told in Spokane resident James Hunt’s book Restless Fires: Young John Muir’s Thousand-Mile Walk to the Gulf in 1867-68.

Hunt, Whitworth University professor emeritus of History, retraced Muir’s route from Indianapolis to the Gulf Coast through Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and James Hunt In Spokane. // Photo Bradley Bleck.

“He passed through the South two years after the end of the Civil War, during Reconstruction.”

Florida following the end of the Civil War. Hunt sat down with me to discuss Muir and why he wrote about Muir’s journey.

Demolishing all preconceived notions.

8

Out There Monthly / February 2013

OTM: What prompted you to write this book?

Two things—first, I’ve had a long standing interest in the outdoors and outdoor activities. I was a hiker in my teenage years with my brother.

We recently hiked the Pacific Crest Trail between Snoqualmie and Stevens passes and it was a glorious experience. Second is that I’ve led students to Central America for a five-month intensive experience in another culture as part of my work with the Krista Foundation. I became impressed by how powerful direct, cross-cultural experience is in reshaping their values and world view.

Consequently I began researching historical figures who traveled as young adults and saw the power of travel in the formation of their value systems. Plus, as a historian, I like working with authors who left behind letters and Muir was one of those.

OTM: What led you to pick Muir in particular?

He’s an excellent writer. I wanted to read more of Muir’s writings. I thoroughly appreciate the craft and skill he has in writing. Plus, I’m an American historian and he passed through the South two years after the end of the Civil War,

during Reconstruction. He was walking through a political mine-field, not unlike the kind of mine-field that exists today because he knew the hard feelings Southerners had towards the new Freedmen status and he encountered people who were so upset about the changes in the social order when his own position was more democratic and egalitarian. Few environmental writers touch on the fact that he was giving testimony to the struggles the communities were having in the towns and villages through which he passed.

OTM: What is the central argument of the book?

The central argument is Muir strongly believed that direct experience with nature is a path towards truth, where a love of nature becomes a springboard for the capacity to love humankind. Then we have the theme of vision, tied to his nearly losing his eyesight in a factory accident. We have to open our eyes to see anew. Muir is seeing anew, in new ways that are radically different than the culture of this day. It’s a transformation to an ecological or connected theology with a biocentric perspective, that the world in which we live is a gift of God. Therefore, we have huge responsibilities in knowing the laws and responsibilities for living harmoniously with this huge gift he calls a “divine harmony.”

Bonnie Gisel, who comes out of Harvard Divinity School, says Muir never gave up his view of a creator god and His presence is imminent in all the things He creates. Muir’s attitude towards creation is one of reverence and worship.

The mountains, therefore, are God’s cathedral, so [Muir] needn’t darken the door of a church.

OTM: What are the lessons for today’s readers?

Well, the literature of nature is great, but it is nothing in comparison with what we are going to learn by direct experience. That’s one lesson.

The other lesson is that Muir’s delight and sense of gratitude is a very important antidote to the toxins that persist in our society. He says there’s a reason why urban peoples need to enter into the sanctuary of nature, because it will open their eyes and save them from themselves.

Another is his amazing gratitude for being able to see a plant, to see palm trees waving in the wind, to see that the eco-system in and around a cave mouth is so different than a hundred yards distant.

All the way through the journal, despite long slogs through the day, despite humidity, despite mosquitoes buzzing in and around, despite winds he never experienced before, despite all the strangeness, he maintained so much gratitude.

OTM: What next for those interested in reading more about Muir?

Muir’s A Thousand-Mile Walk to the Gulf and My First Summer in the Sierra are great. His short story about his dog (“Stikeen: The Story of a Dog”) is a delightful illustration of his writing. Readers really get a sense of what his dog was about. For accounts about Muir, there is Don Wooster’s Passion for Nature. Bonnie Gisel’s Nature’s Beloved Son looks at his botany, with gorgeous photographs and some marvelously written text about the significance of botany in his life. Then there is Stephen J. Holmes’ The Young John Muir. //

Big Blue...

Book Reviews

Bigger, Better, Blue-er...

So you can recycle more!

Fred Beckey’s 100 Favorite North American Climbs Fred Beckey, Patagonia Books, 2011, 192 pages

A Blistered Kind of Love: One Couple’s Trial by Trail Angela & Duffy Ballard, The Mountaineers Books, 2003, 262 pages

If you enjoyed reading Bill Bryson’s A Walk in the Woods—the funny narrative about his attempt at thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail— you will like this book. While not as laugh outloud funny, this adventure narrative about a dating couple’s thru-hiking experience of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), which extends from Mexico to Canada, is an amusing and quick read.

Angela and Duffy are inexperienced backpackers who, with lots of advanced reading and research about the PCT, miraculously accomplish their goal—albeit not thru hiking in the pure sense, which they acknowledge. This winner of the “Barbara Savage Miles From Nowhere Memorial Award” is structured chronologically with alternating chapters of His and Her firstperson accounts of their challenges and successes throughout their journey. They are honest and open about their stupid mistakes and missteps, some of which were near deadly. And the interspersed detailed information about the PCT doesn’t weigh down this breezy narrative.

I found myself feeling smug that I knew more about hiking than Angela did when she first stepped onto the PCT. But eventually, both Duffy and she become seasoned, smart and tough backpackers—hiking 30 miles in a day and enduring weather extremes, yet still pressing northward.

I came to admire their tenacity and fortitude— especially Angela when Duffy, clearly, wasn’t being a sensitive, empathetic partner.

As far as the emotional understory of the book, it’s not sentimental. Any multi-day backpacking adventure, however long, can be transformative.

And when that adventure is accomplished with someone you love—well, many of us have experienced this same thing, so we can easily relate to the authors.

Although originally published 10 years ago, there are very few book-length personal accounts of thru-hiking adventures, especially the PCT. Which makes this a valuable resource if you’re contemplating a PCT hike yourself, even just Washington State portions of the trails. The extensive “recommended reading” list at the end will be useful as well.

And perhaps you’ll feel like I did after finishing this book. I had no desire to thru-hike the 2,000+ miles of PCT—reading about another hiker’s daily suffering was satisfying enough. // Amy S. McCaffree

Fred Beckey’s 100 Favorite North American Climbs is the culmination of 70 years of serious climbing throughout North America, and should be considered his Magnum Opus. This book provides far more than details concerning notable climbs, but rather a significant amount of climbing history, enthralling storytelling of epic adventures, and insight into the mind of arguably the greatest climber in North America.

This monumental achievement, which earned Special Jury Mention at the 2012 Banff Mountain Book Festival, is an incredible tome of North American climbing information. If you consider

“Fred has done more first ascents than any other human has, or ever will.” yourself a mountaineer, this book is a required addition to your library.

Beckey is more than a living climbing legend; he is a climber from another planet. Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia and a climbing legend in his own right, states, “Fred has done more first ascents than any other human has, or ever will. He is the essence of climbing.”

Beckey provides an interesting introduction, explaining the start of his climbing passion as a Boy Scout on Mt. Olympus. In describing his passion for climbing, he writes, “There is a magic among great peaks as a location of splendor, where changing light plays games with intense colors, affecting the tones of snow and ice and many gleaming ridge outlines.”

Barry Blanchard provides a lengthy introduction filled with incredible stories of wild adventures. Throughout Beckey’s life he aggressively pursued unknown peaks and super-difficult routes, often pushing the frontier of climbing, and always doing so in his own style.

The tales alone in this book are fabulous.

For example, Beckey spent the summer of 1961 climbing with a young Yvon Chouinard. Beckey brought a used sport coat, and during a tent bound storm, Chouinard witnessed him reading a book and, after each page, tearing the page out and stuffing it into the coat for added insulation. Later, during the second morning on the first ascent of one of the most hallowed routes in North America, the Beckey-Chouinard Route on the West Buttress of South Howser Tower in the Bugaboos, Chouinard watched Beckey burn the jacket in order to make tea! This is just one example of many classic yarns in this amazing book. Peter G. Williams

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February 2013

/ Out There Monthly

9

Photo of the Month

Kate Vanskike

Bicycles bring miles of smiles.

North Division has the largest selection of bikes in town.

Discounts on all 2012 models.

Taking great care of the customer and having fun doing it since 1983.

find us on Facebook!

www.northdivision.com North Division Bicycle Shop • 10503 N Division • 467-BIKE (2453) PhotO: Kate Vanskike “My daughter Emily, age 8, loves finding a sledding hill that sports a good jump!”

Lay-away Financing Send your 3 meg. orand less, hi-res (200+ dpi) submissionprograms with caption to editor@outtheremonthly.com. Best photos entries will be picked for upcoming issues. are available.

Roadtrip DJ: February Jackson Snyder “Headlines”/ Drake / Take Care I guess the fact that I know all the words to this song explains it. Headlines = awesomeness. To me, beat and melody make a good rap song. I don’t really care about the lyrics, but after 20 times of listening to an amazing rap song, I have them down.

“Small Axe” / Bob Marley / Burnin’ Bob Marley is like the Beatles of reggae. He’s gone, but millions of people still love and respect him and his music. What I love about this song are the background singers. They really tie this piece of music together.

“Color Of Your Blues” / Money Mark / Brand New By Tomorrow The slow, easy tune of this song is just perfect. Because Money Mark is such a keyboard master he makes all sorts of crazy sounds. I can only positively identify the guitar and drums on “Color of Your Blues.” He takes snippets of cool sounds that nobody else would use and puts them together in perfect harmony.

“Take A Walk”/ Passion Pit / Gossamer The beginning of this song is amazing. This electronic tune is really catchy and quite perfect. This is one of those scenarios where I’m singing too loudly to the tune of the song and my Dad will tell me to be quiet.

Paid for by Snyderco/DBA Out There Monthly, PO Box 559, Spokane WA 99210 10

Out There Monthly / February 2013

“Burial”/ Miike Snow / Miike Snow This is a great electric-pop song that anybody will love. Miike Snow uses the keyboard really well in this piece, making cool flowing sounds-. Thank you, Miike Snow. Please make more songs like this. //

What’s Your Gear: The Waldenberg Sisters (ski racing)

Olivia and Sophia Waldenberg.

“It’s really exhilarating when you’re putting on all your fancy ski racing gear, and it feels like it’s super serious,” says Sophia Waldenberg, age 14. She joined the Spokane Ski Racing Association (SSRA) as a third grader, having learned to ski at age three—thanks to her mom, Carol Waldenberg, who has been skiing now for 30 years.

Fellow racer and younger sister Olivia, age 10, thrives off the competition. “It’s exciting and nerve-racking,” says Olivia, who placed second in her very first giant slalom race. “It’s fun for me. I’m just happy that I get to do it.”

“Olivia is very competitive and motivated,” her mom says. Skiing since age four and racing since second grade, Olivia’s major goal this season is to earn enough points to qualify for the annual

Buddy Warner competition.

Being SSRA members is “definitely a commitment,” says Carol, in regards to both the time and finances required. And the actual racing was only a secondary goal for her daughters. “It teaches discipline and keeps them active during the winter.”

But the pay-off is her daughters’ advanced skiing. “To watch that progression of skill is amazing,” she says.

Yet, racing is what both girls most enjoy.

“I like the feeling of going fast around the gates,” says Sophia. “And it’s good for setting goals—all you have to do is beat your own time, since it’s an individual sport.”

The freshly waxed and sharpened skis also make it fun to let loose down a mountain course.

But if there is a downside Sophia says it is “when competition hurts the community of the team. It’s a really egotistical sport—even among the parents.”

This is actually her first season not competing; she has transitioned to the “other side of the mountain,” as they say, to teach younger kids what she has learned as a volunteer cadet ski instructor for Mt. Spokane’s Mighty-Mites program, for children ages 4-6. Sophia says many of her fellow cadet instructors are former ski racers and about her same age. (Once a cadet volunteers for six days, she/he receives a complimentary season pass.)

“They say it’s a one in a million chance that we’d go on to the Olympics,” says Sophia.

If a teenager continues ski racing, she says it’s because they’re willing to commit for the long haul. “But most aren’t wanting to go on and be professional ski racers.”

By Amy Silbernagel McCaffree

Carol is happy to see Sophia stretch her wings on the mountain and try something new. Being an instructor allows Sophia to maintain a similarskilled peer group for skiing and gain valuable experience.

As for Olivia—whose favorite race is the slalom course at Schweitzer—she keeps in mind the advice from her racing coaches, Alec Ferraro and Stefan Burandt, who told her: “Get really low, hit the gates, and pole plant in the right spot—and don’t be afraid.”

“What place you get doesn’t determine how good of a person you are.”

Coaches also share advice that goes beyond the downhill terrain. Sophia’s all-time favorite came from Coach Gary Peck who said: “Be the best Sophia you can be. Why compare yourself to others when you can be yourself.”

For younger racers, these sisters advise having fun above all else. “Even if it’s not your best race, you’ll always have other great ones,” Olivia says.

“What place you get doesn’t determine how good of a person you are,” adds Sophia. “Make sure you’re just competing against yourself. Ski racing should be a fun sport.”

As for favorite gear, their skis and racing suits take top honors. “I’m in love with my racing skis,” says Sophia. “Even when I’m just teaching or free skiing, I use my racing skis—I rarely use my pow-

der skis. And my speed suit—it’s kind of plain, no special color—but when I’m wearing it, I feel like a ‘complete’ racer.”

------------------------------------------------------SOPHIA’S SKIS, BINDINGS, & BOOTS: Fischer RC4 Competition 150cm with Fischer RC4 bindings; Rossignols Scratch BC twin tips with Marker M900 series bindings; Nordica boots.

------------------------------------------------------OLIVIA’S SKIS, BINDINGS, & BOOTS: for giant slalom—Fischer World Cup Giant Slalom RC4 148cm with Head SL75 bindings; for slalom— Nordica Doberman SL 129cm with Marker 7.0 bindings; Lange ASJ65 boots ------------------------------------------------------POLES: Scott (for giant slalom) and Swix (slalom).

------------------------------------------------------RACING HELMET: Poc, Uvex.

------------------------------------------------------RACING SPEED SUIT: Spyder.

------------------------------------------------------OTHER ESSENTIAL GEAR FOR SKI RACING: Nike mouth guard, Scott pole guards, Race Place shin guards.

------------------------------------------------------SKI PANTS: Spyder.

------------------------------------------------------SKI JACKET: Burton, Volkl for the SSRA team jacket.

------------------------------------------------------SOCKS: Smartwool.

GOGGLES: Smith, Scott.

------------------------------------------------------GLOVES: Swany. //

Skier with most vertical wins a pair of K2 skis!

2013 All proceeds benefit American Cancer Society.

www.hopeontheslopes.net

8th, 9th & 10th

www.mtspokane.com photo: BoB Legasa skier: Noah WaLLace February 2013

/ Out There Monthly

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Cool Stuff They Sent Us At OTM we get a constant stream of new outdoor products in the mail: some mediocre, some very cool. Our “Punish Stuff ” gear column only features gear that we have thoroughly abused—and that takes time. Sometimes we don’t want to wait to tell you about a cool item and that’s why we call this piece “Cool Stuff They Sent Us.” Allow us to recommend these items:

Feb 10 Partners in Pain

Mar 2 Centennial Trail Run 37 miles more info at

www.runnersoul.com

Spokane's only running specialty store.

221 N. Wall St. 509.624.7654

Bogs Hawthorne Boots

I’ve actually used the heck out of these boots and they come back for more. With simple, un-insulated rubber construction and easy slip-on design I find they are perfect for winter weather with some thick wool socks. While they don’t have perfect traction they keep my feet from sweating and work great for walking and biking in muck and wetness. Cool-looking too. Price: $52 and up.

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Out There Monthly / February 2013

Headsweats Cycling Caps

Chaco Mara Women’s Boot

The copy says “A waterproof membrane seals out the weather in a versatile leather boot designed for daylong comfort” and we have to agree. These boots are warm, great looking, and ready to handle unpredictable winter weather. Chaco does a great job of combing style and function. Price: $155-195.

Avex Water Bottle

The copy says: “The Avex AUTOSPOUT lid has a press-to-release button that quickly opens the drinking spout, offering the ability to quickly rehydrate without the risk of losing the lid to the bottle.” It’s true.

Easy one-handed operation of this bottle makes a nice stand-out feature. Price: $10-15.

I’m really surprised there aren’t more products like Headsweats. These caps fit easily under your helmet for winter riding and add terrific warmth and insulation.

They are also small and durable so you can scrunch them up and stash them until the weather demands it.

The Midcap beanie uses Spandex with an Eventure™ and the Fleece Cycling Cap uses Mid-weight Eventure™ Fleece. Price: $22-24.

Everyday Cyclist Attack of the fat bikes

Warm y ou winter b r lues at.. .

Hitting the Snow With Big Tires / By Hank Greer There was a narrow, firm path in the snow made by other bikes and hikers who had been along this way. Riding on the packed part of the trail was smooth and easy. The bike handled well and I felt comfortable and confident. Now to see what it could do. I swerved off into about six inches of snow and immediately felt resistance.

The front tire stayed on course and the back tire lost its grip for a split second before grabbing again as I pedaled harder to keep my momentum going. I was blazing a new path through the snow on a fat bike. Cool!

The first time I saw a fat bike, I thought it was a novelty. An oddball creation to satisfy someone’s penchant for making something different if not very practical. Now I was having a blast riding one on snow-covered trails in Riverside State Park.

This is no novelty.

What is a fat bike? The term derives its name from the size of the tires. While mountain bike tires tend to be 2 to 2.5 inches wide, fat bike tires run from 3.8 to almost 5 inches across. Think mountain bike with cartoon balloon tires.

how the low-pressure, big tires seemed to float over the terrain. Deep powdered snow was still a chore, but easier than on a mountain bike. His bike weighs about 35 pounds, but the gearing is such that I didn’t feel like I was on a heavy bike even when I was climbing.

Aaron Quam enthusiastically showed up with his Surly Moonlander. He’s only had it since September but with his excitement tachometer being in the red zone like it was that morning you would have thought he got it for Christmas just two minutes ago. If the name Moonlander brings an image of a monster bike to mind then you’d be spot on. It is the Grave Digger of fat bikes. Aaron let me pilot it during the second half of our ride. I went from being impressed by Pat’s bike to being amazed. The Moonlander’s tires are almost 5 inches wide and they held fast everywhere I went. This 40-pound bike powered through the snow so well that I was happy to lead off when the mountain bikers wanted the fat bikes to go first and make a path. It’s no wonder Aaron is so pumped about his bike.

Dave Nelson built up his Surly Pugsley back in 2006 because he enjoys riding in the snow but it was too difficult on a mountain bike at times. The wide tires handle the deeper snow better because they don’t sink in as much. You still have to work, but it’s a lot more fun and Dave takes great pleasure in riding a fat bike. Even though the ride is

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If the name Moonlander brings an image of a monster bike to mind then you’d be spot on.

Dan deruyter On his salsa mukluk. // Photo Hank Greer

What is a fat bike good for? Pretty much everything. It’s as close to an all-terrain bike as you can get and it will get you almost anywhere you want to go.

Pat Sprute, of Spokane, asked his fellow Spokane-area fat bikers if they’d like to demo their bikes for me at Riverside State Park. A couple of them were available and we met on the morning of New Year’s Day. Dave Nelson, who Pat introduced to me as the godfather of Spokane fat biking, and Aaron Quam, Nine Mile Falls, brought their bikes.

A handful of friends on mountain bikes joined the fun.

Pat has a 9:Zero:7 that he has had for just over a year. (He put it to the test on an epic ride across the state on the extremely rugged John Wayne Pioneer Trail: http://bit.ly/Sjnrnt) This morning he graciously allowed me to ride it. I quickly noticed

slower, he says he can go through sand, gravel, snow, and rocky areas that are far more difficult on other bikes.

Dave has a long history of building and maintaining trails at Riverside State Park and he’s been trying to expand the accepted range of fat bikes.

He set up a meeting with Mount Spokane State Park officials to see how the park can accommodate fat bikes during the winter. The results of that are still pending. According to Dave, if you ride responsibly, the fat bike has almost no impact to the trail. He believes that with the right rules and responsible people, fat bikes and Nordic skiers can coexist. There has been progress in our area.

Schweitzer Ski Resort rents fat bikes and allows them on specific trails.

Later in the week I met another fat biker, Dan DeRuyter of Spokane, for a ride at Palisades Park.

Dan sports a Salsa Mukluk. He jokingly says it climbs like an old Buick, the back tire grabs and lurches like a tractor tire, and it sounds like a broken dryer when it’s on asphalt. For Dan, it’s more about a relaxing ride than about speed, climbing, or responsiveness. And I could tell. He was smiling for the entire hour we crunched through the snow.

If it’s possible to have more fun than the law allows, it would happen on a fat bike. //

ELEPHANT BIKES

elephantbikes.com February 2013

/ Out There Monthly

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Outdoor Calendar CLIMBING (Ongoing) Vertical Introduction. When: Tuesdays

and Thursdays 6 – 8, Saturdays 4 – 6 PM. Where: Wild Walls 202 W. 2nd Ave. In this class you will learn the fundamentals to climb indoors: fitting the harness, knot tying, and proper belay technique.

This class (or previous experience and passing our belay test) is a prerequisite for top roping in our facility. Ages 12+, $35. Info: 509-455-9596.

(Ongoing) Introduction to Lead Climbing. When:

Last two Tuesdays of the Month 4 -6 PM. Where: Wild Walls 202 W. 2nd Ave. For climbers looking to further their climbing ability and increase the options available to them, our lead climbing class will prepare you for the world of sport climbing!

With an emphasis on safety, you will learn proper technique for both lead belaying and lead climbing, as well as helpful strategies for efficient sport climbing. Experience required, $75. Info: 509-455-9596

(Ongoing Mondays & Wednesdays) Spider Monkeys Climbing Club. When: 5 – 7 PM. Where:

Wild Walls, 202 W. 2nd Ave. For kids ages 4 – 10 years. Please call ahead. Come climb and meet new friends! Info: 509-455-9596.

(February 5 & 21) Discover Rock Class. When: 6 - 8 PM. Where: Mt. Gear 2002 N. Division.

Everything you need to harness up, tie in and belay with confidence. This class is for those who wish to get into climbing, as well as for parents wishing to get their young ones climbing safely. $20. Info: 509-325-9500.

(February 28) Smash & Grab Climbing. When:

TBD. Where: Mountain Gear, 2002 N. Division.

Faced with “real world” resposibilities but unwilling to completely throw away their alpine wish list John Frieh changed the way he prepares, plans and executes alpine climbs in Alaska. Since 2009 they he has added one first ascent per year in either the Coast Mountains or the Central Alaska Range.

John will talk about making the jump from local smash and grab style climbing to applying the same approach in the great ranges while discussing his three first ascents in Alaska in 2012 on Mt Burkett off the Stikine Ice Cap, Mt Dickey in the Ruth Gorge as well as Mt Wake (also in the Ruth Gorge) with Spokane local hero Jess Roskelley in a multimedia presentation. Free. Info: 509-325-9500.

CYCLING (Ongoing) WOW Cycling Spokane. WOW is excited that Fall is here! Check our FaceBook page for upcoming rides and activities! Tailwinds to you!

Info: 509-951-6366, wowcycling.com (Ongoing) Belles and Baskets. Whatever style

your cycle, join other Spokane women for no-drop rides, treats, and friendship. Info: 509-951-4090, facebook.com/bellesandbaskets.

(Ongoing) BOMB Mountain Bike Rides. When:

Varies. Where: Spokane Area. Spokane BOMB (Believers On Mountain Bikes) is a non-denominational Christian group leading rides in the Spokane area April-October. Everyone welcome, helmets required. Info: www.spokanebomb.com

(February 2)Murmelteirtaggelanderfahrradsfest.

When: 10:00am. Where: Christmas Hills Recreation Area, St. Maries, ID. A cross country mountain

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Out There Monthly / February 2013

bike race and derby on snow-packed trails. Lunch included, pre-registration $25.00, Sunday fun rides.

Info: 208-582-0520, tommillermn@hotmail.com

HIKING/WALKING

Submit your event at www.outtheremonthly.com Nachtspektakel. When: 4-9PM. Where: Mt Spokane

Resort. A Nachtspektakel (say-knocked-shpecktockle) is a traditional European-style ski event that bonds people through the sport of ski touring.

1600’ skin up Mt Spokane from Lodge 2 to the Vista House with drinks, friends and cheer. Anyone with an interest in skiing uphill and celebrating winter and ski culture in the Inland Northwest. Info: Mountain Gear: Info: 509-325-9500.

Tue-Sun 11 AM - 5 PM; Tue-Thurs 7 PM - 8:30 PM; Fri and Sat 7 PM - 10 PM. Where: 507 N. Howard St. Riverfront Park’s Ice Palace covered outdoor rink invites you to enjoy the best of winter and the best of Spokane. With over 750 pairs of skates, the most public skating, indoor seating and just plain fun, the Ice Palace is a great family or date activity. Info: 509-625-6601

(February 9) Walk Pullman/WSU. When: 8:00 am. Where: Fred Meyer, 3rd and Thor. Caravan to Pullman to walk 10 K through WSU Campus and parts of Pullman. Info: 509 465 2690, lilaccityvolks. com.

ICE SKATING

SNOWSHOEING

(Ongoing) Riverfront Park Ice Palace. When:

(February 2) Schweitzer Snowshoe Stampede Race. A snowshoe race on the Nordic trails. Info:

SIXMONTHTRAININGCALENDAR

schweitzer.com

(February 9) $5 24hr Snowshoe Rental Day.

When: All-day. Where: Mountain Gear. Rent a pair of new Atlas 10 Series snowshoes for 24 hrs for only $5. First come first served starting at 10:00am Saturday January 26. Info: Call Mountain Gear: 509-325-9500.

(February 9) Snow Shelter Building Intro.

When:10am-3pm. Where: Mt Spokane. Ages 16+, learn to build different styles of shelters and the do’s and don’ts for overnight survival. $34. Info: 509.625.6200, spokaneparks.org.

(February 22) Snowshoe Moonlight Hike and Dessert Tour. When: 7-10pm. Where: Mt Spokane.

Ages 16+, snowshoe to Bald Knob Campground, where FLOW Adventures will serve you a dessert with cocoa or coffee before we continue on. $24.

Info: 509.625.6200, spokaneparks.org.

(February 23) Snowshoe Moonlight Hike and Dinner. When: 6-9pm. Where: Mt Spokane.

Description: Experience the beauty of moonlight on snow as you hike, then enjoy dinner with the new friends you’ve met. $41 includes meal and equipment. Info: 509.625.6200, spokaneparks.org.

(February 24) Snowshoe Summit Mt Spokane.

When: 11am-3pm. Where: Mt Spokane. Snowshoe to the top of Mt Spokane for gorgeous views of lakes and the valley, plus some good exercise! $24.

Info:509.625.6200, spokaneparks.org.

(March 10) Gran Fondo Ephrata. 78 miles of paved and gravel roads. Info: rideviciouscycle. com

MARATHONS

(April 2012 - August 2012) Baddlands Cooper Jones Twilight Series Races. When: Tuesday

evenings at 6 PM. Where: Cheney, Spokane, Rathdrum, Liberty Lake, Steptoe Butte. USAC Sanctioned bicycle racing. Info: 509-456-0432, baddlands.org.

RUNNING (March 7- April 25) Gals Get Going Bloomsday Training When: Thursday’s 5:30pm. Where:

(February 3, 16) Cross Country Ski Lessons with Transportation. When: 10am-2pm. Where:

Mt Spokane. Ages 14+, learn the basics or refine your skills. Equipment and ride included. $37. Info: 509.625.6200, spokaneparks.org.

(February 8) Mt Spokane Mountain Gear

(May 19, 2013) Windermere Marathon, Spokane. Info: windermeremarathon.com.

(May 26, 2012) Coeur d’Alene Marathon. Info: cdamarathon.com, 509-979-4370.

(September 7) Lake Chelan Marathon, HalfMarathon, 10K. Info: http://lakechelanmarathon. com/

TRIATHALON / MULTI-SPORT / ADVENTURE RACING

(April 21) The Spokane River Run. When:7:4

(March 3) Lost River Winter Triathlon. A tri-

5am/8:30am/9:40am/10:15am. Where: Riverside State Park. Single track trail w/some wide paths: 100% dirt trail; Some rocks, roots and mud; No asphalt. Finish next to Spokane River. Info: www. spokaneriverrun.com

(May 5) Lilac Bloomsday Run, the 36th. Info:

www.bloomsdayrun.org

(July 20)Schweitzer Mountain Trail Run, Schweitzer Mountain Resort. Info: www.

Mt. Spokane Nordic Area. Calling All Women for the 8th Annual event to benefit Women’s and Children’s Free Restaurant. Snowshoe, x-country ski, great “souper” lunch. Info: 509.869.4136, souperbowlspokane.org.

(May 11) Sunflower Relay and Trail Marathon.

Info: mvsta.com

First meeting at Mission Park East parking lot.

Run your best time in Bloomsday 2013. Info: galsgetgoing.com

(January-March) Nordic Kids. Nordic Ski Lessons for Kids. Info: spokanenordic.org

(February 3) Souper Bowl Sunday Snowshoe and X-Country Ski. When: 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Where:

6 – 10 PM. Where: Riverfront Park Ice Palace. Co-ed

(November 28) Turkey on the Run, Wenatchee, Wash. Info: http://www.runwenatchee.com/

ALPINE SKIING, NORDIC SKIING

Proceeds donated to The Wellness Place in Wenatchee. Info:skileavenworth.com

(January 6-February 25) Curling League. When:

CYCLING

(June 1) Red Devil Challenge, Cashmere, Wash. Info: http://www.runwenatchee.com/

(February 3) Chicks on Sticks. 8km ski event.

CURLING

smtrailrun.com

(August 16-17) Spokane to Sandpoint Run/ Walk Relay Race. When: start 7:00 a.m. Aug.

16. Where: start Top of Mt Spokane Fun overnight run/walk relay with teams. Race ends in Sandpoint, ID. Info: 541-350-4635, www.spokanetosandpoint.com

(September 21)River Run Half-Marathon, 10K, 5K, Wenatchee, Wash. Info: http://www.runwenatchee.com/

athlon Methow Valley Style! 11 km cross country ski, 17 km bike and 7.5 km run. Info: lostriverwintertriathlon.blogspot.com

(April 14) Rage In The Sage Mountain Bike Duathlon. Run 2.5 miles, Bike 10 miles, Run 2.5 miles. Info: 3rrr.org.

(May 18) 33rd Annual Troika Triathlon. Swim

- 1.2 Miles \ Bike - 56 Miles \ Run - 13.1 Miles.

Info: troikatriathlon.com

EVENTS (March 8-9). Superhuman Live. Personal trainer/

author, Ben Greenfield, is hosting a conference.

Info: superhumancoach.com

(June 14) 10th Annual Bigfoot Golf Classic.

When: 1:30 PM. Where: Downriver Golf Course.

Info: 509-434-5064, www.bigfootgolfclassic.com

(August 17) Kroc Amazing Race. When: 10am.

Where: The Salvation Army Kroc Center Coeur d’Alene. This race is a scavenger-hunt throughout Coeur d’Alene. Info: amazingrace@kroccda. org //

Have an Event You Would Like to List? // Please visit www.outtheremonthly.com and click the “Submit Your Event” link. // Events MUST be sent in by the 20th of the month to be listed in the following month’s issue. Please follow the when, where format as seen in the calendar. Ongoing events need to be re-submitted each month.

Outdoor Calendar

RUNNING/WALKING (Ongoing) Fat Ass Trail Runs. When: Varies.

Where: Washington/Idaho. We meet 1-2 times per month for a trail run. FAT ASS is the name given to a series of low key runs that are frequented by experienced runners & walkers and characterised by the phrase “No Fees, No Awards, No Aid, No Wimps”.

Yes, the runs are totally free to enter and are put on by passionate runners who are also running.

Think of it as a bit like meeting some people for a bushwalk - except it’s a run. Info: 208-457-2726, facebook.com/TrailManiacs

YOGA (Ongoing Wednesdays) Intro to Yoga When: 7:15 – 8:15 PM. Where Wild Walls Climbing Gym 202

W. Second Ave. Info: 509-455-9596, wildwalls.com

(Jan 7 - March 1) Iyengar Yoga Classes.

When: Mon. 9:30, Tues and Thurs at 6pm. Where: Sunflower Yoga. Learn the various practices of Iyengar yoga taught with precision and alignment in a small class setting with abundant individual attention. Info: 509-535-7369, www.sunfloweryoga. net

ALPINE SKIING, NORDIC SKIING (January-March) Nordic Kids. Nordic Ski Lessons for Kids. Info: spokanenordic.org

range Mt. Spokane is a part of). Registration and more information available at spokanelanglauf.org.

(February 17, 24) Cross Country Ski Lesson Liberty Lake. When: 1-3pm. Where: Trailhead Golf

www.SpecialOlympicsWashington.org

(February 22) 49º North – Toyota Ski Free Friday.

(February 2) Vermicomposting Workshop When: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Where: Sun People Dry

When: all day. Where 49º North Mountain Resort.

Info: ski49.com.

(February 23 & 24) Group Health/Providence Health Care Challenge. This Nordic ski race is a

Junior National Qualifier for teen athletes with a simultaneous race that is open to the general public.

Info: spokanenordic.org

(February 23) Cross Country Moonlight Ski & Dinner. When: 6-9pm. Where: Mt Spokane. Discover

the beauty of moonlight on snow, then enjoy an Italian dinner from Trezzi Farm. Equipment, dinner and guides included. $41. Info: 509.625.6200, spokaneparks.org

RUNNING (Ongoing) Fat Ass Trail Runs. When: Varies.

Where: Washington/Idaho. We meet 1-2 times per month for a trail run. FAT ASS is the name given to a series of low key runs that are frequented by experienced runners & walkers and characterised by the phrase “No Fees, No Awards, No Aid, No Wimps”.

Yes, the runs are totally free to enter and are put on by passionate runners who are also running. Think of it as a bit like meeting some people for a bushwalk - except it’s a run. Info: 208-457-2726, facebook. com/TrailManiacs (Ongoing) High Intensity Cross Training When: Noon. Where: U-District PT. Plyometrics, weights,

(February 2) Chewelah Peak Challenge. When: Morning. Where: 49 Degrees North Nordic Area.

49 Degrees North Nordic Area sponsored 7K freestyle race. Second race in the Selkirk Nordic Series.

More information available at ski49n.com

(February-March 5) Gals Get Going Winter Running. When: 9:30am. Where: Contact Gals Get

Mt. Spokane Nordic Area. Calling All Women for the 8th Annual event to benefit Women’s and Children’s Free Restaurant. Snowshoe, x-country ski, great “souper” lunch. Info: 509.869.4136, souperbowlspokane.org.

(February 8-10) Kan Jam. When: All-day. Where:

Mt. Spokane. Mt. Spokane is proud to announce the sixth annual Kan Jam Freestyle Festival, taking place at the mountain on February 8th, 9th, & 10th, 2013. Events include a Rail Jam, Slopestyle, and Big Air contests. Skiers and snowboarders of all ages and skill levels are encouraged to compete for prizes and bragging rights! Info: http://www.mtspokane. com/events/event/41

(February 10) Langlauf. When: Morning. Where:

Mt Spokane Nordic Area. Langlauf is a part of in the Selkirk Nordic series where you compete in 2 other races and win a special prize as well as bragging rights as fastest skier in the Selkirk’s (the mountain

Going for location. This team meets on Tuesday’s for group workouts and the coach gives you an 8 week running plan to keep you on track. Info: 509-9536360, katie@galsgetgoing.com

EVENTS/MOVIES/MISC… (Ongoing) Spokane Table Tennis Club. When:

1PM - 4PM every Saturday. Where: Northeast Youth Center, 3004 E. Queen Avenue. $2/visit. Info: 509-456-3581.

(February 1) First Friday on Garland. When: all day. Where: Garland Business District. Come visit The Garland Business District and check out artwork, music, theater and nightlife. Get specials, discounts. Info: (509)216-4300.

(February 1-3) Cascade Quest Sled Dog Race.

When: TBD. Where: Lake Wenatchee Recreation Club. Experience the energy of sled dog racing at the Cascade Quest Sled Dog Race out of Lake Wenatchee. This is a free event. Info: 425-391-4124, www.cascadequest.com.

(February 9) Built To Spill. When: 7pm. Where: Bing Crosby Theater. Boise bred indie darlings Built

SUSTAINABLE LIVING CALENDAR

Goods Co, 32 W 2nd Ave, Ste. 200. See active worm bins; learn the benefits of worm composting; learn about proper care; learn how you can create your own. FREE Preregistration required. Info: 509-3689378, www.sunpeopledrygoods.com

(February 7) Aphrodisia Workshop. When: 4:00 to

6:00 p.m. Where: Sun People Dry Goods Co, 32 W 2nd Ave, Ste. 200 Taste maca chocolates & rose petal cordial. Create luxurious body oils using pure plant essences. Students will take home recipes and practical information. $15 Preregistration required. Info: 509-368-9378, www.sunpeopledrygoods.com

(February 12) Herbs for the Childbearing Year Workshop. When: 10:30a.m. to 12:30p.m. Where:

Sun People Dry Goods Co, 32 W 2nd Ave, Ste. 200.

Learn the safe use of herbs during pregnancy and after birth to support healthy moms and babies. $15 Preregistration required. Info: 509-368-9378, www. sunpeopledrygoods.com

(February 15) DIY Saving Energy @ Home. When: 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Where: Sun People Dry Goods Co, 32 W 2nd Ave, Ste. 200. Learn the quickest, cheapest and easiest ways to save energy at home this winter.

FREE Preregistration required. Info: 509-368-9378, www.sunpeopledrygoods.com (February 16) DIY Pampering Workshop. When: 2:00 to 4:00p.m. Where: Sun People Dry Goods Co, 32 W 2nd Ave, Ste. 200 Learn to make an intoxicating bath soak, some hydrating lip balm and skinsoothing body butter creme. $25. Preregistration required. Info: 509-368-9378, www.sunpeopledrygoods.com (February 19) Source Detroit: Shifting $17M in Procurement Dollars to Local Businesses with David Barna. When: 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. Where: Sun

People Dry Goods Co, 32 W 2nd Ave, Ste. 200.

BALLE Webinar-Learn about the Source Detroit model, a group that identifies and develops relationships with procurement officers in key commodity areas. FREE. Info: 509-368-9378, www.sunpeopledrygoods.com

(February 21) FREE Film Showing of “Dirt.”

When: 4:00 p.m. Where: Sun People Dry Goods Co, 32 W 2nd Ave, Ste. 200. It tells the story of Earth’s most valuable and under-appreciated source of fertility–from its miraculous beginning to its crippling degradation. Info: 509-368-9378, www. sunpeopledrygoods.com (February 23) Introduction to Homebrewing Beer Workshop. When: 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Where: Sun

OUTDOOR CALENDAR

medicine balls, agility. Get strong for Bloomsday, Ironman, Spartan Race, Warrior Dash or Dirty Dash 2013! Info: 509-458-7686.

(February 3) Souper Bowl Sunday Snowshoe and X-Country Ski. When: 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Where:

(February 23) Polar Plunge, Liberty Lake. Info:

Course. Ages 10+ can have fun while learning the basics of XC skiing. Equipment provided. $25 Info: 509.625.6200, spokaneparks.org

(Ongoing Friday Nights starting in February) Schweitzer Starlight Race Series. 21 and over only. Info: schweitzer.com

To Spill bring their infectious Northwest rock sounds to the historic and intimate Bing Crosby Theater.

Info: (509) 218-8422, johnblakesmusic@gmail.com.

FEB 2013

recreational curling: Join the Lilac City Curling Club in their inaugural curling league. Open to curlers of all ages and experience (or inexperience) levels, this will give curlers and wanna-be’s the chance to learn and hone their skills. The club will supply stones and sheets. Team of 4+ players, Ages 16+, $650 per team. Info: lilaccitycurling@gmail. com, spokaneparks.org

People Dry Goods Co, 32 W 2nd Ave, Ste. 200.

Learn how to brew your own beer. Different beer styles and methods will be discussed, as will information about buying equipment & ingredients. $15.

Preregistration required. Info: 509-368-9378, www. sunpeopledrygoods.com //

February 2013

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Top: A long descent into the inversion at Revelstoke. // Photo Emily Sabelhaus.

Bottom Left: The author, stoked on Revelstoke. // Photo Emily Sabelhaus. Bottom Center: Red Mountain Resort. // Photo Dave Heath.

Bottom Right: Poutine and local microbrew at Revelstoke’s mid-mountain lodge. // Photo Kali Seisler.

B.C. SNOW ADVENTURE

How to Spend 10 DAYS on the Powder Highway

By Mira Copeland

An epic ski trip is something skiers and snowboarders dream about. It’s a bonding experience, an opportunity to hone your snowriding skills, and most importantly, a chance to break out of the daily grind and chase adventure. One of the most epic and accessible ski trips is right in our back yard: British Columbia’s Powder Highway.

The Powder Highway is located in Southeast British Columbia: Canadian Highway BC-3 (just north of the US border) between Rossland and Fernie forms the southern edge, BC-95 from Yahk to Golden forms the eastern edge, the TransCanada Highway from Golden to Revelstoke on the north, and BC-23 and BC-6 along the western edge. The area covers 57,787 square kilometers (yes, kilometers -- we’re in Canada) and covers the Monashee, Columbia, Selkirk, Purcell and Rocky mountains ranges.

What makes the Powder Highway an epic ski 16

Out There Monthly / February 2013

trip? First: the destination(s). Many of British Columbia’s ski resorts are epic in their own right, even without mentioning the birthplaces of heliand cat-skiing (Canadian Mountain Guides and Selkirk Wilderness Skiing, respectively).

The second element of an epic ski trip? The rigors of the travel. Sure, you could pick just one of these resorts, rent a condo for a week, and have a great time at an epic destination. But an epic journey? Interior BC is a treasure trove of picturesque towns filled with friendly locals, hidden hot springs, and awe-inspiring scenery. In short, it’s a great place to go exploring; not to mention, there are plenty of challenges that will make your journey more exciting. Cell phone service is patchy and expensive. Herds of wildlife roam the roads.

Highways are disrupted by massive lakes and serviced by ferries. Not to mention a little danger in the form of winter driving conditions.

And the third element: The company you keep

and the memories you make. Skip town for a few days in the company of good friends or family and let loose. You’ll have stories to tell for years to come about that night you went sledding in the dark, the ad hoc dance party you had in the day lodge, or the yeti your husband swears he saw driving to Golden late at night that nobody else in the car noticed.

--------------------------------------------------The trip: It would take you years to visit all of the 66 ski and snowboard operators along the Powder Highway, and there’s more to consider than just the skiing: In addition to the various ski options, there are six natural hot springs in the area, including Fairmont Hot Springs, Halcyon Hot Springs, and Ainsworth Hot Springs. The towns along the way offer up a variety of mountain cultures, from Bavarian-themed Kimberley to outdoor adrenaline junkie Golden, and a thriving regional culinary scene with such standouts as the Whitetooth Bistro in Golden, the Woolsey Street Bistro in Revelstoke, and the Wild Rose in Rosebery.

Your perfect trip starts with the Powder Highway’s tourism website (www.

PowderHighway.com), which includes resources including maps, links to the many outdoor recreation purveyors and lodges that serve the region.

One recent week in January, I struck out with three friends to explore this epic land. With two of us turning thirty this year, we picked out six epic locations, an ambitious itinerary, and set off on a journey to rekindle our youthful passion the glory of an epic ski trip.

---------------------------------------------------Day 1: My friend Emily rounds the corner in her Subaru, picking me up from work. Two other girlfriends are already loaded up, so we throw my skis in the Yakima Skybox, cram my bags in the back, and we’re off! We head north for the three-hour drive to Nelson, BC. Four girls on a ski trip don’t arouse much suspicion at the border, so we breeze through, and even though it’s snowing lightly the whole way, we make pretty good time, pulling into Nelson around 8 p.m.

From its timber and mining heritage, Nelson has carved out a surprisingly diverse personality as a hometown and destination for outdoor recreation enthusiasts, artists, yogis, and hippies. It’s the largest town on our route, with a population of about 10,000, and its downtown is appropriately lively. We check in to the Best Western on Baker Street for easy access to the bars, restaurants, gear shops, galleries, and coffee shops that line the town’s main street. Nelson is a hub for snowriding of all varieties, with multiple heli and cat skiing operations nearby, backcountry opportunities, and the reason we’re here—Whitewater Ski Resort. After reaching our destination on Friday night, we settle into our rooms, walk over to Rel-ish, one of the town’s newest, and swankiest, watering holes for a delicious dessert and nightcaps before returning to our hotel in a flurry of fluffy snowflakes.

---------------------------------------------------Day 2: Saturday morning, we’re up early in the hopes of first tracks at Whitewater Resort. We grab coffee and pastries at Oso Negro, and hit the road for the 20 minute drive to the ski area parking lot. Whitewater added a new chair in the 2010-11 season, nearly doubling the resort’s skiable terrain and opening up the Glory Ridge area. The new chair gets excellent sun exposure on clear days, and the gladed terrain keeps pockets of powder hidden for days after a storm. Whitewater’s mechanics won’t knock your socks off, but the snow (40’ per year) and

the amazing food at the Fresh Tracks Café will.

The soups and wraps at Fresh Tracks are so good you’ll want to take them home—and you can, thanks to the suite of cookbooks available in the gift shop.

By 3:00, we decide to wrap it up, throw the gear in the car, and strike out for Kimberley, BC. It’s a little over three hours from Nelson to Kimberley along the Crowsnest Highway (BC3) if the roads are fair, and thankfully they are.

Like Leavenworth in Washington, Kimberley has adopted an alpine theme and has been known as the Bavarian City of the Rockies since 1973.

Accommodations in Kimberley are best scored at the base of the ski hill, so we arrive in Kimberley and check in to our condo before striking out to find some dinner. We take a stroll through the Platzl, a pedestrian-only village square with shops and cafes. Since we’re in the heart of Canadian Bavaria, we decide to drive back to the Bauernhaus for some schnitzel and steins of beer.

---------------------------------------------------Day 3: We awake to a fresh dusting of snow and hustle to hit the slopes. Kimberley Mountain Resort features four mountain faces: Northstar face offers a slew of beginner and intermediate runs while Tamarack Ridge, Vimy Ridge, and the Black Forest providing alternating blacks, blues, blacks, and more blacks. “There’s something for everyone at Kimberley. It’s a great family hill with a great fall line. Not as many high speed lifts as some people might expect, but the backside has tons of expert terrain that people sometimes doesn’t even realize is there,” says Kathy Cooper, Managing Director of Kootenay Rockies Tourism. There’s scarcely a lift line all day, even though it’s a weekend day, and the locals we do encounter on the lift confirm this is par for course.

After a great day on the slopes, we head to the Stemwinder for après-ski beers and their famous waffle poutine fries (poutine, a sloppily delicious dish of French fries and gravy, appears to be a dietary staple of Canada’s ski community). Then we pile into the car again for the hour and a half ride to Panorama, where we check into our condo in the village. Most of the accommodations in the village are maintained

by Panorama Mountain Village, so there’s one convenient check-in and shared access to most of the resort’s amenities.

---------------------------------------------------Day 4: We sleep in a little since we can pretty much ski out of our condo, and then we grab a quick coffee and breakfast at Lusti’s, a coffee shop in the village. Panorama’s terrain keeps us busy all day – the resort’s lift system includes three express quads allowing for long loop runs or quick laps of shorter segments – as well as extensive opportunities for beginners with a wide base area just above the village.

If the visibility is good, make sure to visit the Summit Hut – you can even arrange for a fondue feast at the end of the day if you call ahead. Since it’s overcast and getting dark by the time we’re done on the hill, we head to the T-Bar, a bar in the village, instead. That evening, we have a quiet night of board games and relaxing in the hot tubs and pools in the mountain village of Panorama.

--------------------------------------------------Day 5: Tuesday is a rest day, so we sleep in, check out, take approximately a million pictures of the gorgeous scenery, and then drive down to Radium Hot Springs for a soak in their outdoor pool. Radium, like many of BC’s natural hot springs, has been a tourist destination for well over a century, which is hard to believe given the remote location, but more believable once you see how quaint it is, nestled into a canyon

Early registration through March 31st

in the provincial park. After an hour of soaking up the hot mineral water and the gorgeous views, we towel off, get changed, load up the car (which is by now smelling strongly of spilt coffee), and drive to Golden.

Radium and Panorama are not the only hot springs/ski resort combo to be found en route from Kimberley to Golden. In fact, Fairmont Hot Spring Resort offers both hot springs and a small ski resort, all in one convenient package. Where Radium is a great destination for a day trip or quick spot for

It would take you years to visit all of the 66 ski and snowboard operators along the Powder Highway. some R&R along the road, Fairmont is a destination resort, with various amenities, accommodations, large soaking pool, a 25-meter swimming pool (with high dive!), and, if you are staying at the resort, access to an additional private soaking pool.

It’s about a two-hour drive from Panorama to Golden, so we arrive in Golden in time for a late dinner. Golden is an outdoor activity mecca, just three hours from Calgary and conveniently located on the Trans-Canada Highway (the town has more than its fair share of auto shops) near six of Canada’s national parks (Banff, Glacier, Jasper, Kootenay, Mount Revelstoke, and Yoho). The downtown area features a pedestrian bridge across the Kicking Horse River, with charming riverfront restaurants.

We checked into the Dreamcatcher Hostel and headed down to the Rockwater Bar & Grill for some nachos, beer, and live music.

---------------------------------------------------Day 6: The clouds that were dumping fresh snow earlier in our trip have disappeared, and the weather pattern over Golden is giving us clear skies and mind-numbingly cold temperatures.

After a cozy night in the hostel, we’re a little bummed about the lack of fresh snow, but the sunshine and spectacular scenery make up for it.

In the morning, we make the 20-minute drive to Kicking Horse Mountain Resort and hop on the 8-person Golden Eagle Express Gondola, which whisks us up to 7700’, where the Eagle Eye Lodge is perched on the ridge. Skiers and non-skiers alike can take advantage of the beautiful views and the dining options at the Eagle Eye Lodge.

Even with no fresh snow, we have no trouble entertaining ourselves on the mountain’s 2800+ acres of skiable terrain, searching out the powder stashes off of Redemption Ridge and CPR Ridge.

The resort doesn’t have many mid-mountain lifts, so you can get some long runs here, taking shelter (and more pictures on a clear day) between runs as the weather-resistant gondola returns you to the peak. Toward the end of the day we head down to Peaks Grill in the village for a little après-ski action.

We’re tempted by the shot ski, but our itinerary puts us in Revelstoke tonight, so we load up the car and strike out for the hour and forty-five minute drive west from Golden. Since it’s still clear, the drive over Rogers Pass goes smoothly and we arrive in Revelstoke in time for dinner.

For accommodations in “Revy”, we found a condo near the mountain via vrbo.com (Vacation Rental By Owner), that came with reduced-price lift tickets and a hot tub. There are plenty of options in town, and in the new resort village. This season February 2013

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marks the end of Phase One of the development plan, so everything, from the rental shop to the bathrooms, is modern, chic, and clean.

---------------------------------------------------Day 7: “Revelstoke has really gained a reputation as the one to watch,” says Cooper. Currently in its sixth season of operation, Revelstoke Mountain Resort boasts North America’s greatest vertical, with 5,620’. That’s right, more than Whistler/Blackcomb, Big Sky, and Jackson Hole.

The resort’s 3,121 acres of skiable terrain include high alpine bowls, 13 areas of gladed terrain and plenty of groomers. And that’s just the beginning of the skiing opportunities: “Revelstoke Mountain Resort is also the only resort where you can access alpine, heli, and cat skiing from one village base,” says Cooper.

Revelstoke Mountain Resort boasts North America’s greatest vertical, with 5,620’.

That’s right, more than Whistler/Blackcomb, Big Sky, and Jackson Hole.

The Revelation gondola rises to mid-mountain, then a ride on “The Stoke” quad express takes you to the summit, where the mountain is your oyster.

Dip off the backside into the North Bowl for powder bowls, gladed tree runs, and a few groomers, and end the day on the upper south side for bowls

emptying into long cruising runs back to the base.

Beginners and intermediate skiers will enjoy the gentle terrain on the lower and mid-section of the mountain. Like Kicking Horse, the gondola is the primary mode of transport for this section of the mountain, so you can get out of the weather between runs, which is nice on the particularly cold days that are pretty common in the realm of champagne powder.

After a day of super long runs, we’re ready for a soak in our condo’s hot tub, and then we decide to check out the town in the evening. We wander the downtown area and settle on Isabella’s Restaurant for some delicious Italian food. We grab drinks at the Village Idiot down the road before heading back up to our condo for some shuteye.

---------------------------------------------------Day 8: Friday is a rest and travel day for us, so we sleep in and then head into town to grab breakfast pastries and lattes at the charming Modern Cafe. After a few photo ops along the Columbia River, which runs through town, we pile into the car and head south. Our destination tonight is Rossland BC, but first we cross Upper Arrow Lake on the BC 23 Ferry and find our way to Nakusp Hot Springs, just off of Hwy 23 near the town of Nakusp. As we soak in the outdoor pools, it begins snowing softly, blanketing the trees and the resort’s cedar A-frame cabins in a layer of fluff. It’s beautiful and relaxing, but the new snow has us excited to get to Rossland, so we change and pile into the car for the remaining two and a half hours it takes to drive to the town that’s home to Red Mountain Resort. The drive takes a little longer than planned, thanks to the fresh snow, but we don’t mind.

“Rossland is a place that attracts people who are keen on lots of snow, challenging terrain, and very few people,” says Cooper. Indeed, Rossland

is a very small place, but the downtown core offers everything you need, from a grocery store, liquor store, gear store, several restaurants, and even a gluten-free bakery. Accommodations in the area run the gamut from fancy and full service (Red Mountain Resort Lodging), local and lovely (Black Bear Bed and Breakfast), to cheap and convenient (motels along Hwy 22 and in nearby Trail and Castlegar).

---------------------------------------------------Day 9: On Saturday, we wake up to 10 new inches of snow and head out to ski at Red Mountain Resort, which features nearly 3,000’ of vertical, average snowfall of 39’, 1,685 acres of lift-served terrain. Red is working on an expansion to open up neighboring Grey Mountain, and until the new quad chairlift is installed, you can access the Grey Mountain terrain by snow-cat: $10 buys you a ride to the top of Grey from Red’s mid-mountain

pickup point.

After a full day of skiing, we head back to our hotel to clean up, and then we hit the town for one last epic night. We spend most of the night at Drift Izakaya sharing Japanese-inspired dishes, sampling sake, listening to the live music, and generally taking in the scene. Rossland might be small, but it sure gave us a great big Canadian send off.

---------------------------------------------------Day 10: After sleeping in as long as we can, we stretch our aching legs down main street and find the biggest breakfast we can find: Clansey’s on Columbia (Rossland seems to have a penchant for alliteration). After filling up and fueling up, we head south, returning to Spokane. We’re exhausted by six days of skiing, but rejuvenated by the excitement of the road, and ready to return to the daily grind… until next year’s ski trip, at least. //

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This WINTER, pick up the Pace www.VisitSandpoint.com

Torchlight Parade and Fireworks

Taste of Sandpoint

Ski Joring

Rail Jam

Beautiful MOST

Proceed with abandon ... make it a winter to remember!

Sandpoint Winter Carnival, Feb. 15-24, 2013.

It’s a winter celebration extraordinaire! The whole community celebrates the season with contests, parties and family events for 10 full days in February. Join the ravenous masses at Taste of

18

Out There Monthly / February 2013

Sandpoint for tasty samples at bite-sized prices.

Pack the stands for Sandpoint Ski Joring and witness a combination of skiing and horseback riding at breakneck speeds. Sidle up and watch the Downtown Rail Jam and Bonfire at Town

Square. Head to the slopes for Schweitzer Mountain Resort’s Torchlight Parade and Fireworks.

Laugh at the whacky, costumed contestants in the Adult Spelling Bee. Plus Winter Crazy Days, K9 Keg Pull, Dine Around Sandpoint.

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February 2013

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