Out There Outdoors / January-February 2024 by Out There Outdoors

OUT THERE SNOW / SKI + SNOWBOARD + WINTER FUN PG. 36 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024 // FREE

THE INLAND PACIFIC NORTHWEST GUIDE TO ADVENTURE + TRAVEL + CULTURE

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SNOWSHOE YELLOWSTONE

(FEB 17-18)

MORE INFO ON PAGE 25

WORKOUT ON THE WALLS:

LOCAL CLIMBING GYM GUIDE

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WINTER RUNNING INSPIRATION

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LEARNING FROM MOUNTAIN LIONS

rn Lea

WINTER FISHING

ROLLING ALL WINTER LONG

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this winter go

Deeper in Sandpoint, Idaho

Schweitzer lights up the skies with fireworks for MLK and Presidents' Day holidays.

Find deeper delights throughout the season in beautiful Sandpoint Start the new year with a bang, in beautiful Sandpoint, Idaho. Winter has officially arrived and there’s no better place to experience its delights than Sandpoint. Up at Schweitzer, the skiing, snowboarding and tubing offer fun for the whole family, with a host of special events on the mountain. Elsewhere, the Pine Street Woods has trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, while nearby Western Pleasure Guest Ranch offers horse-drawn sleigh rides through its winter wonderland. And after all the outdoor fun, head into town to browse Sandpoint’s unique shops and galleries and enjoy the vibrant entertainment scene with live music and events galore. There are terrific restaurants, plus excellent lodging in town or on the mountain. This winter, discover deeper delights in Sandpoint. We hope to see you here!

Get visitor information at 208.263.2161 • www.visitSandpoint.com JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024 / OUTTHEREOUTDOORS.COM

CONTENTS

YOU can be a change-maker! volunteer

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WE URGENTLY NEED VOLUNTEERS THIS WINTER!

Feature

22 | Inland NW Climbing Gym Guide

Special Sections 25 | Great Outdoors Expo Guide 34 | Health, Wellness, & Fitness 36 | Out There Snow

YOU can help families on their journey to affordable homeownership by going to the Habitat construction site (no experience necessary!) to help finish homes through the winter months. Grab a group of friends and make a difference in your community while learning new skills!

Stable, affordable homeownership means: Kids do better in school and see improved graduation rates. Families achieve improved physical and mental health. Homeowners can make investments for the long-term. Families are in a position to seize new and better opportunities.

Make a life-long impact & help build affordable homes for Spokane families to truly THRIVE.

509-534-2552 | habitat-spokane.org 4

OUTTHEREOUTDOORS.COM / JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

Departments

6 | Advertiser Spotlight 15 | Biking: Winter Riding Tips 19 | Biking: Winter BIke Commuting 20 | Out There Reads

Columns

COVER: Get out this winter any way you can! Photo: Caili Hartman. Check out more of her photography at Cailihart.com.

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024 / OUTTHEREOUTDOORS.COM

LOVE OUT THERE? SUPPORT ALL OF THE ADVERTISERS THAT MADE THIS ISSUE POSSIBLE!

Out There Advertiser Spotlight: Spokane Alpine Haus IF YOU’RE INTO WINTER SPORTS and you’ve been in the area any

decent length of time, it’s likely you’ve heard of the Spokane Alpine Haus, a full-service ski and snowboard and summer board and lake-sports shop located on the South Hill in Spokane. Maybe it’s the rad gear. Maybe it’s the way the employees greet you, or the impressively quick turnaround time on gear tuning. Likely, it’s a combination of the three. Since Rachel and Drew Harding took over the shop in 2015, they’ve worked to curate a gear hub that contributes to our local outdoor culture. The Hardings are a couple with young kids who love skiing and the community it provides. As parents who understand how fastgrowing kids fly through gear, they offer the largest lease program in the region as well as a buy-back program, which allows families to return gear within two years for a 50% buy-back that gets put toward new gear. It’s important to the Hardings to make it as affordable as possible to get out and play on the snow with your family. They also like to nerd out about the ski stuff. Along with the technical outerwear and hardgoods you’d expect at a ski store, like skis, boots, snowboards and bindings, Spokane Alpine Haus has state-of-the-art tuning equipment and wicked-fast turnaround rates (like two days). They offer daily or season-long rentals. They source great gear at the best price, like Patagonia-brand apparel. With all the winter gear options out there, it may be difficult to pick what you need for the season, but that’s one thing that sets Spokane Alpine Haus apart from online or big-box store shopping. “We have invested in a team of amazing individuals who are detail-oriented and love working in the ski/snowboard industry. Our techs are second to none and take great care of our customer’s gear,” says Rachel. She cites this dynamic team of employees who are “full of energy, laughter and fun” as the foundation for maintaining the customer relationships the Hardings value so much. It’s not uncommon for Spokane Alpine Haus to help second- or third-generation locals gear up or lease for the season like their parents have done since the store’s establishment in 1976. “Every time someone walks in our door, it is our job to earn their business. And that is our true passion,” says Rachel. Spokane Alpine Haus is known for winter goods (and for good reason), but in summer months they offer a full line of products that includes paddleboards, kayaks, e-bikes, surfboards, water skis, and more to accommodate people on the lakes and trails around our region. “Our motto of our business is that we are a ‘yes’ store,” says Rachel. “We do our best to accommodate our customers and that allows us to continually grow.” Visit Spokane Alpine Haus year-round to support a longtime Spokane outdoor gear provider at 2925 S. Regal St. on the South Hill. // (OTO) Interested in being a part of Out There Outdoors in print or digital? Reach out at 509-822-0123 or derrick@outtheremonthly.com. 6

OUTTHEREOUTDOORS.COM / JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

JA N UA RY- F E B R UA RY 2 0 2 4 WWW.OUTTHEREOUTDOORS.COM PUBLISHERS Shallan & Derrick Knowles EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Derrick Knowles MANAGING EDITOR Lisa Laughlin DIGITAL EDITOR Briana Loveall SENIOR WRITERS S. Michal Bennett Carol Corbin Adam Gebauer Sarah Hauge Amy McCaffree Ammi Midstokke Brad Northrup Justin Short Aaron Theisen Holly Weiler CONTRIBUTORS Jean Arthur Crystal Atamian Bradley Bleck Barry Campbell Trevor Finchamp T. Ghezzi Caili Hartman Adam Healy Fiona Hicks James P. Johnson Karie Lee Knoke Sam Lavigne Alana Livingston Chris Maccini Scott Martinez Angus Meredith Brad Naccarato Joel Sattgast Wil Wheaton

Q: What one piece of gear gets you through the winter? Lisa: My Black Diamond headlamp for running. Adam: Kinco insulated gloves for all day ski touring. Bradley B.: My cyclocross bike with studded tires. Chris: My Patagonia Nano Puff jacket. Joel: Bike rollers—like outside, but in the basement! Shallan: Rechargeable hand warmers for my pockets.

TO REQUEST COPIES CALL 509 / 822 / 0123 AD SALES Derrick Knowles: 509 / 822 / 0123 derrick@outtheremonthly.com SUBMIT CONTENT IDEAS to: lisa@outtheremonthly.com OUT THERE OUTDOORS Mailing Address: PO Box #5, Spokane, WA 99210 www.outthereoutdoors.com, 509 / 822 / 0123 Out There Outdoors is published 6 times a year by Out There Monthly, LLC. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent of the publisher. ©Copyright 2024 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 / Out There Outdoors 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. PROUD MEMBER OF

SOLAR POWERED OUTDOOR MAG

INTRO EXPLORING WINTER

AMY SKIIING WITH HER KIDS AT MT SPOKANE DURING HER DAUGHTER'S FIRST SKI SEASON, 2013. KIDS AGE 2 AND 3. // PHOTO BY JUDD MCCAFFREE

I REMEMBER THE FIRST TIME I stopped to

listen to the sound of snow falling hard in the countryside. It sounded like the rush of water, distant and muffled. I can also

remember the sting of staying out too long in wet clothing at the sledding hill. Winter can be subtle, or gloomy, or hostile, or beautiful. It’s one of the most varied sea-

Life

sons in our region, and your experience with it can vary greatly depending on your activity and how well prepared you are. In this issue, we’ve included tips on how to beat the winter blues when you’re not playing on the mountain. Try winter bike commuting (with a fat bike, or studded tires, or in any case several layers), winter fishing (not ice fishing, in case our El Niño forecast holds true), or snowshoe through Yellowstone National Park. Build a snow cave that can double as survival training by using tips from our Primitive Skills column. We’ve also included some ways to stay active indoors. Winter can be a nice season to slow down, focus on health and wellness, and read a nature-inspired book. Climbing an indoor rock wall may boost your mood when the weather is just a bit too bleak. And you can catch us at the Spokane Great Outdoors and Bike Expo on February 17-18 to enjoy outdoors- and conservation-related talks, exhibits, gear and more to start planning for 2024. This issue also features the last Out There Kids column, which has been written by Amy McCaffree for many years. Through her column and family outdoors guides, Amy has become a valuable resource on how to get outside with kids in every season. She has shared her ups and downs, favorite

kid-friendly places, recommendations for gear, and how to navigate in the outdoors as a family (or try your best). When I planned a trip to Maui with my toddler, I reached out to Amy, who gave me the gem of advice to find a “baby beach,” a place where the surf is broken on outer reef and creates a pool of calm water for kids to more safely explore. These are the sort of tips from parents who have gone before you that make it a little smoother to experience the outdoors with kids. Whether or not you have kids, if you’re an outdoor enthusiast, it’s worthwhile to teach kids how to get outside and get to know our public spaces. These kids are our future conservationists, climate activists, and recreationists who will become the heart of our community. That’s why Out There Kids will continue as a department in this magazine, sharing those hard-earned, word-of-mouth stories from other outdoor parents. To Amy, from Derrick, Shallan, and me: thank you for your years of writing about your trials while parenting in the outdoors. You’ve inspired us and many other #outtherefamilies in our region. To all, here’s to the coming year of outdoor excursions. Lisa Laughlin, Managing Editor

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JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024 / OUTTHEREOUTDOORS.COM

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Shred Sports has been a big player in Spokane’s outdoor retail space since opening its doors back in 1997. Until recently, Ben Owens has been keeping the fires lit since taking over the reins from his brother-in-law, Jeff Young, over a decade ago. In 2019, Owens rebranded from “Sports Outlet” to the current name “Shred Sports,” and has also elevated the shop from an outlet space to in-line dealer that now has the largest selection of skis and snowboards in Spokane. One of former owner Jeff Young’s first hires back in 1997 was an eager 16-yearold snowboarder named Ben Deakins. As of December 1, 2023, Deakins and his wife Kacey fulfilled a long-time dream by becoming the newest owners of the shop. “It was my first job as a teenager, and Kacey would often drop me off to work at the shop before we were married,” Deakins says. “My son has worked here, as well as cousins and brothers. It’s really been a family affair all along.” Shred now has a staff with over 100 years of combined experience in outdoor retail, says

Deakins. “It’s really amazing to see how far things have come.” Ben and Kacey Deakins were both born and raised in Spokane and are raising their five children to appreciate the outdoors and everything our region has to offer. “I’ve been snowboarding since I was 12, and if I’m not on the snow I’m probably fly-fishing somewhere,” Deakins says. “We live in such an underrated region for outdoor sports and the community here is so amazing as well.” Deakins is excited to bring his passion for the outdoors and Spokane community to Shred. “With all the online options available for people today, I want to show people that there’s still nothing better than to walk into a family-owned shop and get that personalized experience. I want Shred to be not only your favorite place to shop, but also a place that gives back and is involved with the community, whether that’s bike rides, ski trips or collaborations with local breweries.” Shred is located at 4505 N Division St. in Spokane and online at Shred-sports.com. (Brad Naccarato)

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SPOKANE, WASH.

If you have some time to spare this winter and want to give back to your local community, Habitat for Humanity Spokane is in urgent need of volunteers to help finish 30 homes. Volunteering for a home building project is also a great way to help others and learn new construction skills. Habitat's mission is to build a world where

everyone has a decent place to live. You can help families on their journey to affordable homeownership by signing up to help out at a Habitat construction site. No experience is necessary. Sign up at Habitatspokane.org/volunteer-opportunities/ or call (509) 534-2552, ext. 243. (OTO)

A FARM WHERE KIDS PLAY OUTSIDE ALL WINTER LONG SPOKANE, WASH.

Greenplay Northwest, a non-profit organization that provides nature-based early learning opportunities for children and their families, believes young children should have access to outdoor play in all weather. Even during the coldest days of winter. At Vinegar Flats Farm School, the organization’s Spokane location that opened in 2018, you can find 3-6 year-olds outside four days per week all winter long. Children at the farm spend their time stomping frozen puddles, painting the snow, sledding and building shelters in even the coldest eastern Washington weather, says Hope Helms, program administrator for Greenplay Northwest. “What we know is that children learn best through play, and yet traditional preschool programs offer very little time and space for true play to occur,” explains Helms. “True play is intrinsically motivated, freely chosen, and creative! I am driven by the belief that this play is absolutely essential, and that it happens best outdoors.” One of the most common questions that the outdoor educators at Greenplay Northwest get asked, says Helms, is how do the children manage the cold winter weather. In order for children to be outside for extended periods in the cold, she always explains, dressing appropriately is essential. Children in outdoor nature programs like those provided by Greenplay Northwest typically wear at least three layers for coldweather play. That includes a wool or synthetic baselayer, a warm mid-layer (wool

or fleece), and a waterproof outerlayer. Waterproof mittens are essential too, she says, as well as warm insulated boots. While wearing weather-appropriate layered clothing is essential for kids to have a positive experience outdoors in the winter, Helms says attitude is also critical. “When adults respond to different weather with curiosity and acceptance, children will tend to follow suit,” explains Helms. “The changes that we see in the environment each day are one of the biggest benefits of outdoor programs. The environment determines what we will experience, and therefore what the children will be learning, each day.” When children feel connected to the land that they are on, says Helms, they are excited to see these changes throughout the year. “It makes even the coldest days ones that are full of adventures!” For the 2024/2025 school year, Greenplay Northwest will offer 2-day nature immersion programs for children ages 3-6 at two farms, one in Spokane and one in Spokane Valley. Registration for these programs will open February 12. Interested families can email info@greenplaynw.org to find out more information about upcoming tour dates. Greenplay Northwest will also be hosting Summer Nature Camps for children ages 4-7 at Vinegar Flats Farm throughout the summer months. Vinegar Flats Farm School will host tours for the 2024/2025 school year in January. Learn more about these and other outdoor programs at Greenplaynw.org. (OTO)

WINTER PLAY AT VINEGAR FLATS FARM SCHOOL. PHOTO COURTESY OF GREENPLAY NORTHWEST

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024 / OUTTHEREOUTDOORS.COM

DISPATCHES THE SPOKANE LOPPET: MOUNT SPOKANE’S LONGEST SKI RACE MEAD, WASH.

As is true with many grassroots events, the origins of The Spokane Loppet are a little fuzzy. The spirit of the event, however, hasn’t wavered since John Hatcher first grabbed his stopwatch and set up a chair in the Mount Spokane State Park Nordic Ski Area in the late ‘90s. After one of his favorite local long-distance Nordic ski races shut down, Hatcher was compelled to bring something similar to Mount Spokane. The trails on Spokane’s most prominent peak already played host to several competitive events for advanced skiers, but Hatcher saw the need for a more inviting competition where skiers of all skill levels were encouraged to challenge themselves, rather than compete against each other. In its early days, the event had no official start time, self-serve aid stations, and the course markers were painted in the snow. The idea caught on fast, however, and Hatcher, along with a small group of volunteers, managed the event by themselves for years. The race has grown over the past two decades, adding additional routes, participants and distances (20k, 30k, or 50k), but

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it never strayed far from Hatcher’s original vision. Today’s Loppet still challenges skiers to push themselves, whether they’re trying to come in first place or just finish before the sun goes down. Nate Lundgren, a 2023 participant, truly embodies the spirit of the event. After participating in his fifth consecutive Loppet, Lundgren said, “My favorite part is coming in last in the 50k as the only classic skier and the only one wearing loose-fitting clothing. Having the Loppet looming at the end of ski season motivates me to get up the mountain as often as I can.” Last year’s 50k winner, Jordan Peters, was a first-time participant in 2023. Despite winning the whole thing in his first year, he still sees the potential to improve. “I’m going to sign up every year to challenge myself. I love distance racing, and there’s no better place to do it.” The 2024 Spokane Loppet, now under Spokane Nordic Ski Association’s management, is scheduled for March 3 and registration is still open. Find more info at Spokanenordic.org/loppet. (Trevor Finchamp)

JOIN A WINTER GROUP RUN There are plenty of reasons not to run during winter, but for runners who want to stay fit and active despite the season, joining a running group can make it easier. There are several Spokane-area groups that meet year-round, and a couple that are winteronly. Most meet on weekday evenings; others meet on weekend days. All have a Facebook page or website for information about routes, meeting times and locations—just search the group name online. Running alone at night is a situation some runners would rather avoid. For this reason, Winter Warriors is a good choice. It’s a fairly large group, and novice runners make up a sizable portion. Managed by the Spokane Fleet Feet store, group runs happen three times a week. However, the program ends on Feb. 17, and there’s a $40 fee to join. There are many social running groups that meet once a week and are open to anyone who shows up. There are no fees, but an optional post-run get-together at the home base (a micro-brewery, pub or coffee shop), will set you back the cost of your favorite beverage(s). I’ve been doing running groups since 2008 and have run with all the following groups. You’ll find a variety of abilities, and the turnout can range from just a few to a couple dozen on good days. Keep in mind that it’s typical for runners to string out as the run progresses, and if you’re unable to match your pace with another runner, you may

have to negotiate dark streets alone. Prepare by wearing high-vis gear like a headlamp and/or reflective vest for your winter run. *Flying Irish: The best known and largest running group in Spokane. Official runs stop at the end of November and start back up in March, but a core group meets through the winter at Uprise Brewing on Thursdays at 6 p.m. for runs of 3 to 4 miles. *Iron Goat Running Club: Meeting on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. at Iron Goat Brewing downtown, routes are 3.5 to 5 miles long. *Tuesday Off Season Running Group: So named because runners from the Run Perry Run Group, which goes on hiatus from the autumnal to spring time change, wanted to continue running in winter. They do a 5-mile route beginning at 6 p.m. and meet at a different location each week, usually a brewery. *Manito Running Club: Meets Saturday morning, 8 a.m. at the 18th Ave. entrance to Manito Park for a 5- to 6-mile run. Post-run treats at Rockwood Bakery. *Beer and Blisters: Meets at My Fresh Basket in Kendall Yards at 10 a.m. This group does a 10-mile route on Sunday mornings. *Spokane Valley Running Club: Meets at the Monkey Bar on Sprague and does 4- to 5-mile runs on Mondays at 6 p.m. *The Millwood Milers: Running from Bottles on Argonne, Thursdays at 6 p.m., this group’s routes are 3 to 4 miles. (James P. Johnson)

BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL MOVES TO THE FOX THEATER SPOKANE, WASH.

Live-to-Play (formerly Mountain Gear) is excited to unveil the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour Program on Friday, Jan. 12 and Saturday, Jan. 13 at the Fox Theater in downtown Spokane. Attendees will experience two distinct film programs showcasing award-winning festival selections, including outdoor adventure, cultural, and environmental-themed films. In addition to the two shows, a new VIP event is planned to provide an opportunity to support one of many local non-profit entities. This add-on event starts at 5 p.m. on Saturday (Jan. 13) and includes hors d'oeuvres catered by Spokane's Feast World Kitchen, a drink ticket, and early access to the auditorium. Proceeds from this event will go directly to the attendee’s choice of one of Spokane’s non-profit organizations.

“We are excited about this year’s program and inaugural VIP event at the spectacular Fox Theater. The Fox is an amazing venue, and we’re happy to host an event that will assist some truly worthwhile non-profit organizations in Spokane,” says event host Paul Fish. A longstanding figure in the Spokane’s outdoors community, Fish has been the dedicated host of this annual event for over 37 years and previously owned the Mountain Gear store on Division Street in Spokane before retiring the business. Fish remains passionately engaged in supporting outdoor adventure enthusiasts and their associated non-profit organizations in Spokane. Films start both nights at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at Live-to-play.com and at Rambleraven Gear Trader, Rocket Market on the South Hill, and Spokane REI. (OTO)

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The small city of Post Falls, situated on the Spokane River just east of the state line, has added another recreation amenity, furthering its growing reputation as an outdoor recreation and active lifestyle town. Last summer the grand opening of the Coeur Climbing Company indoor climbing gym attracted a swarm of climbers from across the Inland Northwest. The event was more than a grand opening of the region’s latest, most modern climbing gym—it also highlighted the many reasons why Post Falls has become both an adventure destination and new home for a growing number of outdoor enthusiasts. Even before Coeur Climbing opened its doors in the city of 50,000 residents, Post Falls offered an impressive list of outdoor recreation amenities. The Spokane River runs through the town, offering boating, paddling and swimming opportunities in the lake-like waters above Post Falls Dam and whitewater kayaking, river surfing, tubing and fishing opportunities below the dam. At the idyllic 78-acre Q’emiln Park and the adjacent community forest (500 acres) right across the river from downtown Post Falls, a beautiful swimming beach accompanies miles of hiking and biking trails. The park’s outdoor rock-climbing crags also offer extensive adventure potential for locals and visitors alike. The real linchpin in the Post Falls outdoor

community is the North Idaho Centennial Trail. Connecting Coeur d’Alene to Spokane via Post Falls and Liberty Lake, this ribbon of asphalt, created over 30 years ago, provides a beloved connection for runners, bikers, stroller pushers and walkers. For trails users, Post Falls has become a welcome hub for a coffee, meal or local brew on outings along the 23-mile, river-hugging North Idaho pathway. Back at the grand opening for Coeur Climbing, the weather proved perfect for games, some climbing competitions, food and coffee trucks, raffle prizes, yoga demos and—the highlight—a meet and greet with the climbing legend Alan Watts. Many climbers pressed Watts to keep the stories coming from his climbing exploits at Smith Rocks and across the Northwest. He answered loads of questions with style and panache, and his presence made the grand opening an event to remember. Coeur Climbing has a great location right off I-90 (764 Clearwater Loop Suite 101), just around the corner from Buck Knives headquarters, and offers climbing and yoga classes for all abilities and ages. The gym features classes for beginner climbers, women-only, and programs for kids. It offers bouldering, top rope, lead and auto belay climbing, as well as a designated kids’ climbing area. Take a virtual tour of the gym and learn more at Coeurclimbing.com. (OTO)

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KIDS CLIMBING FUN! // PHOTO COURTESY OF COEUR CLIMBING.

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024 / OUTTHEREOUTDOORS.COM

EVERYDAY CYCLIST

Winter Commutes & Fat Bike Adventures By Justin Short

IT’S DECEMBER 1ST and I’m on my first snow commute of the year. I’m delighted to hit the snowy streets and hear the purr of gravel tires in fresh snow on the side of the back streets through the industrial area east of downtown, and already the day’s terror from work is sloughing from my shoulders like snow off a Newfoundland’s back. I had gotten a semi stuck on the South Hill and seriously considered leaving it in the middle of Maple Street until July. But that hardly matters now, because I’ve just received a text from a friend. We’re going fat biking in Riverside State Park later tonight to enjoy some fresh tracks before the rain comes tomorrow to ruin everything. For now, I hope I get to Riverfront Park before the snow has been too tracked up by pedestrians, joggers, dog walkers and holiday revelers. I guess correctly that I’m

people into commuting to work all through the winter. I’ll say it’s a fun challenge and I’ll cite all kinds of statistics that say bike commuting is good for our health, our local economy, and our environment. It is. Nevertheless, by the time you’re reading this, the dog days of winter should be in full crescendo: the bike paths may be barely passable on anything but a fat bike, while the shoulders and bike lanes on the city’s streets might have long since been buried in mounds of snow, never to melt off until mid-March at the earliest. Since the bike paths in Spokane tend to dead end into terrible intersections, or meander in some direction other than your destination, you’re stuck riding in wagon wheel ruts out in the lane when the snow falls. The realities of bike commuting through the winter in ILLUSTRATION BY JUSTIN SHORT Spokane are pretty terrible, especially if you’re hitting the too late as I go bumping across packed footroad during peak traffic hours. And it’s a bit prints on the U District bridge, rattling a unrealistic to expect that our fair city can few fillings loose in the process. It’s white provide safe winter bike routes, when it is knuckles over the “snow cobbles” all the way only in the beginning stages of creating fairto Division Street where the city has begun weather bike infrastructure. Now I’m getting snow removal on the Centennial Trail into all stressed out, so maybe this is a good point the heart of Riverfront. More snow cobbles to segue back into that Riverside fat bike ride and herds of deer await as the Centennial with my friend . . . wraps around West Central, and I bump my Anthony and I zoomed down that bluff way homeward at a snail’s pace. trail from Northwest Blvd., passing the poop At this point in my cycling career, I’m well plant and arriving at the bridge in Bowl & known for seeking out the worst, almost Pitcher a mere 1.9 miles from my door. The impassable, trails and dirt roads leading to roar of our huge tires was hushed by fresh mountain vistas across multiple state lines snow. At 4-5 inches deep, it was fast rolling in terrible weather, so my gripe about a few for fresh tracks, which can be a real grind miles of foot-tracked snow on my 10-mile in deeper, heavier snow. Heading toward 7 commute may seem a bit out of character. Mile Airstrip, we veered off into the woods There’s a growing community of goofballs I following a set of tire tracks I then recogjoin for those misadventures, but I’m writnized as prints belonging to the one and only ing this article in an attempt to goad normal Melinda Dupree and her dog Rusty. (I con-

February 17th & 18th

firmed this later on Strava.) Ah, it’s good to ride with friends. It’s in favorable conditions such as these that the idea of bikepacking in the snow begins to feel like a good idea. And if that sounds like a better idea than duking it out with traffic in the snowy streets, then maybe you’d like to attend the Winter Cycling Seminar on Friday, Jan. 19 at 6 p.m. at Two Wheeler Dealer in Hayden, Idaho. 45NRTH brand ambassador Jeremy Whitman, Iditarod and Fat Pursuit finisher Ethan Harrison, and bikepacking nerd Eric Deady will cover such topics as: • Choosing a campsite • How to not die • Layering essentials • Safety considerations • Yeti awareness, and all manner of other things you need to know to confidently ride off into the great frozen yonder. There will be drawings and product giveaways from 45NRTH, as well as fizzy beverages from Brewscape Beer Co. For more information, contact Two Wheeler Dealer at (208) 772-8179. Now that I’ve conned you into camping in the snow on a bike—trust me, it will be fun— then I suppose biking across town to and from work will be a nice way to acclimate yourself to the cold and test out your equipment and layering strategies. There are safe ways to go about winter commuting, and they often involve longer routes to avoid trouble spots. Also, we can experiment with the 311 tip line to alert the city to mountains of snow in the bike lane to see if there is any response. If we’re lucky, they’ll remove snow from the bike lane and we can ride through smashed beer bottles like we did all summer. // Out There writer Justin Short is not the brightest bulb, and he will be out there commuting through rain, hail, sleet and snow, as well as camping on the cold, cold ground with Eric Deady, and will not run away to Florida like he did the last two winters.

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GET OUT THERE

Winter Fishing in the Inland NW

FIND WINTER SOLITUDE AT YOUR FAVORITE FISHING HOLE.

WHEN MOST OF US THINK of fishing, we think of warm summer evenings with low wind and the promise of a beer next to a campfire after the sun sinks below the peaks. Once the snow begins to fall, most folks put away the rod and reel, but, with the right amount of patience and a little bit of luck, a determined fisherman can catch a variety of species in the winter months. Winter fishing can be a fickle beast. From frozen rod guides to leaky waders, there is a laundry list of reasons to stay inside and drink hot toddies. But, for the brave few who

are willing to withstand the punishment, the payoffs can be plentiful. Generally speaking, all of the species of fish that we chase in the summer can also be caught in the winter. Bass, pike, trout and even pan fish are on the menu for an unfettered few. The trick is getting them to bite. When the water gets cold, fish school up in deeper water in lakes and large, deep pools in rivers to conserve energy. In the winter, fish do everything they can to expend as few resources as possible to feed, so on rivers and streams the presen-

WHERE TO GO

tation of your fly or lure needs to be slow and deliberate. Search for deeper pockets of slow-moving water where the fish can hold up without having to fight currents. You will want to size down your lures and flies, as the fish will be more inclined to strike a small, easy meal. Slowly moving your hook across their face can take time and patience, so don’t let mother nature send you home early. The advantage of winter fishing is that you will have virtually no competition for good spots, and the fish are congregated in the pools and eddies, so take your time and be persistent. There’s nothing worse than being wet and cold, so make sure you are prepared for all types of weather. Warm clothes and good footwear are essential. While you can fish from the bank without waders, it may make sense to wear them anyway. They will keep you dry and work well as an outer layer to help keep you warm. If you decide to give winter river fishing a shot this year, there are several places along the lower North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River that will likely hold some fish. Sections around Albert’s Landing and Freeman’s Eddy are always worth a try. And don’t be afraid to try some of your other favorite summer spots. // (Sam Lavigne)

While winter weather conditions will dictate whether these local lakes and rivers are ice-free or not, these spots were recommended by fish biologists from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife as the best spots to give winter fishing (not ice fishing) a go. Big local lakes such as Lake Roosevelt and Lake Spokane are great areas to try, as well as Rock Lake, which is a popular winter fishery. Smaller lakes that may accrue ice but remain open for fishing in winter include Sprague Lake, Curlew, Fourth of July, Bead, Hog Canyon, Newman, Silver, Jumpoff Joe, Waitts and Williams lakes. Winter fishing includes the lesser-known season for lake whitefish, which can be found on the Little Spokane River from Highway 291 upstream to Chain Lake, as well as on the Kettle River and Moses Lake. The daily catch limit is 15 fish of any size, and whitefish gear rules apply: one, single-point hook, maximum size 3/16-inch point to shank, hook size 14. S can the QR code for additional local species info. // (OTO)

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024 / OUTTHEREOUTDOORS.COM

The Trailhead

Inland NW Trail & Outdoor News

THE MORNING AFTER THE STORM AT COLUMBIA MOUNTAIN. //PHOTO BY HOLLY WEILER.

By Holly Weiler

SKI TRACKS. // PHOTO COURTESY OF FERRY COUNTY RAIL TRAIL

FREE OUTDOOR ENTERTAINMENT

Do you have the skills to build the fastest outhouse on skis? Don't miss Republic, Washington’s Winterfest on Jan. 13, where the fun ranges from racing outhouses down main street to cheering on the fastest pups in a keg pull! Find Republic Winterfest on Facebook for the full event schedule. The Ferry County Rail Trail annual Ski Day event will be held Jan. 27, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. This year's event will start at the trailhead in Curlew, snow levels permitting. Demo equipment will be available on a limited basis. Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness have a fantastic slate of winter hike and snowshoe offerings throughout January and February, ranging from easy hikes with kids to challenging winter ascents of Star Peak. Find sign-up information at scotchmanpeaks.org. FUNDRAISERS & FILM FESTIVALS

Idaho Panhandle Nordic Club will host its annual Best Hand Poker Ski/Snowshoe event on Jan. 6, taking advantage of a feefree day at all Idaho Park & Ski locations! The event is 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at 4th of July Pass. $15/adult, $10/under 13, $30/family (cash or check only) to enter, with fantastic prizes for the best poker hands! Proceeds help support trail grooming efforts. On Jan. 19, Colchuck Consignment in Cashmere will host Advice for Girls—An All Women Ski Film. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., film begins at 7 p.m. $5 suggested donation. There are two upcoming opportunities to catch the Backcountry Ski Film Festival! the University of Idaho Outdoor Program will host on Jan. 17 in Moscow, and Montana Backcountry Alliance will host on Jan. 26 in Missoula. Check host websites for ticket information. Catch the Banff Mountain Film Festival on Jan. 12 or Jan. 13 at the Fox Theatre in Spokane. Of over 400 films submitted, award-winners and audience favorite are selected for the tour to bring films of travel to remote vistas, analysis of environmental issues, and adrenaline-packed sports in the mountain world. Doors open at 6 p.m. both nights, and the show starts at 7 p.m. Visit foxtheatrespokane.org to buy tickets. 14

Okanogan Highlands Alliance (OHA) will be hosting last-Friday events at the Community Cultural Center in Tonasket. Each event begins with a dinner at 5:15 p.m. to benefit OHA, followed by a free program beginning at 6:30 p.m. The Jan. 26 topic is Finding Gulo, with a short film followed by a Q&A with David Moskowitz. The February topic is the Confederated Tribes of the Colville's efforts toward salmon habitat restoration. CONSERVATION, STEWARDSHIP & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Join the Little Pend Oreille Wildlife Refuge for its annual bird count on Jan. 13! Meet at Refuge headquarters at 8:30 a.m. to check in. There will be hike, ski, snowshoe and auto-tour groups, along with experienced birders happy to partner with newcomers! The count lasts approximately three hours and concludes with a soup lunch when the group reconvenes. Feel free to bring a side dish to share. Join Spokane Riverkeeper in a citizen science effort to monitor water quality in the Spokane River and Hangman Creek. Register for an in-person training on Jan. 13 at 10 a.m. at 11th Ave. Bridge in Spokane’s Vinegar Flats neighborhood. Monitoring will continue throughout the winter and spring with findings to be submitted to the Washington State Department of Ecology. Washington Trails Association is continuing to host snowshoe trailwork events throughout the winter months. No trailwork experience required, although snowshoes and winter equipment are necessary. The summer schedule of Backcountry Response Team trips will open for registrations on Feb. 24. The Friends of Mount Spokane State Park is seeking volunteers to fill vacancies on its board of directors. If interested in learning more, please send an email inquiry to friends@mountspokane.org. // Holly Weiler is the Eastern Washington Senior Coordinator for Washington Trails Association and enjoys camping and backpacking in all seasons, even the frigid ones!

OUTTHEREOUTDOORS.COM / JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

HIKE OF THE MONTH

COLUMBIA MOUNTAIN (KETTLE FALLS, WASH)

Columbia Mountain on the Kettle Crest should be on a hiker's list for all seasons, but is an especially nice option for a challenging snowshoe hike in winter given its easy access from Highway 20 at Sherman Pass, maintained as a SnoPark lot in winter. Route-finding skills and avalanche terrain awareness are necessary to complete this hike, as there is avalanche terrain in the vicinity of the trail. With proper equipment and training, Columbia Mountain can be a fantastic day hike to a restored fire lookout cabin with views along the spine of the Kettle Crest. From the parking lot, snowshoe on Kettle Crest North 2.4 miles to a marked intersection to Columbia Mountain. Turn right and continue to climb to the Columbia Mountain Loop. Be sure to turn west at the intersection and do not plan to take the full loop, as the northeast aspect of the loop crosses into avalanche terrain. Instead, take the west half of the loop as far as the summit spur trail, and return via the same route for a hike of approximately 7 miles. For those looking for an extra challenge, Columbia is also a great introduction to winter backpacking. Camp on the summit on a clear night, or tuck into the bowl at the summit spur in the event it's stormy. Maps: USGS Sherman Peak 7.5 Quadrangle The trailhead for Columbia Mountain is located on the north side of Highway 20 at Sherman Pass, 17.3 miles east of Republic and 26.2 miles west of Kettle Falls in Northeast Washington. A SnoPark permit is required.

BIKING

Dial in Your Winter Bike Setup By Aaron Theisen

THIS TIME OF YEAR, it’s easy to want to

put the bike in hibernation until springtime. But the payoffs to biking through the winter are enormous. Come spring, your conditioning will be miles ahead of your couch-dwelling cycling buddies. But more immediately, you’ll get all the benefits of biking while outpacing the winter blues. Make no mistake, it’s harder to get out the door for a ride this time of year when even the walk to the garage is cold, damp and dark. Make it easy by having a dialed-in winter setup so there are fewer hurdles to getting out the door. And if you’re new to winter riding, start slow and short. This is unlikely to be the season of Strava PRs. But even a short spin through the neighborhood is better than nothing. And remember: in the winter, every ride is an adventure. Check out our winter riding tips below to make sure it’s an enjoyable and safe one too. WINTER BIKES

Between the increased exposure to bikeeating elements and the usually more casual nature of winter riding, the “off ” season is a great time to simplify your bike. Think of your winter rig as the bicycle equivalent to rock skis. Some riders opt for a dedicated winter rig, while others choose to go all-in on a fat bike. (Wheel Sport carries a great selection from Salsa and Otso.) WHATEVER YOU CHOOSE, KEEP THE FOLLOWING IN MIND:

1. Cold weather can affect suspension performance, so you may need to adjust your settings accordingly and more often. Or consider a hardtail or a fully rigid ride. 2. E-bike batteries can drain more quickly in cold temperatures, so minimize the amount of non-riding time the bike spends outdoors. Better yet, bring the battery inside to a heated room when not in use. LAYERING FOR WINTER RIDING

The principles of cold-weather clothing that govern all outdoor activities apply to cycling, with the added consideration that you may be frequently alternating between short, sweat-generating climbs and fast, chill-inducing descents. That means layering is even more important.

1. Choose wool or wicking synthetics that provide insulation even when wet. 2. As hard as it might be to remove that puffy at the beginning of a ride, it’s better to start cool and add a layer rather than sweat out your gear. 3. The generally higher speeds of road biking may require extra insulation to cut down on rider-generated wind chill. 4. Hands and feet bleed heat easily; windand waterproof gloves and overshoes will provide insulation. 5. Clear- or lightly-tinted glasses will keep any mud and debris that slip by your mudguard of your eyes. BIKE AND RIDER LIGHTS

Bike lights have come a long way. Today’s lightweight, bright, USB-rechargeable LED lights make night riding easier and safer than ever. Preferences vary, but a good starting point is 1,000 lumens for handlebar-mounted lights. Many riders wear a helmet-mounted light at a lower power too; they are particularly useful on sweeping singletrack switchbacks, where your bike and body may be pointed different directions. Whatever the power number, the important thing is that it’s a light you can easily pack. On the road, a flashing rear light—ideally one each on your bike and body—will alert drivers to your presence. MUDGUARDS

This one’s a no-brainer: It’ll take only one ride of blinking grit out of your eyes to see the light. Generally, a front mudguard is sufficient for mountain biking, while commuters and road riders might prefer front and rear coverage to avoid the dreaded wet streak up their back. COLD-WEATHER BIKE MAINTENANCE

Make sure your bike stays as protected from the elements as you are. Even more than during dry season, a regular cleaning and maintenance regimen is important; the last place you want to have a mechanical is in the dark or snow. Rain and mud are the usual winter cleaning culprits, but road salts can wreak havoc on your drivetrain and ice and snow can make short work of your lube. //

Sponsored by Wheel Sport Bicycles, Spokane’s E-bike headquarters. Check out the huge selection of e-bikes at Wheelsportbikes.com.

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024 / OUTTHEREOUTDOORS.COM

RUN WILD

The Upsides of Running Through a Cold, Dark Season By Sarah Hauge

AFTER A PROLONGED ROUGH PATCH —a

monotonous months-long streak of runs when I felt lethargic and low-key miserable—I am back to loving running. There are several likely contributing factors (hydrating better, adjusting my vitamin intake, being less rigid about my goals), but I’ve wondered if game changer #1 is simply that it’s not hot outside. Whether you are like me and look forward to cooler runs or you dread this time of year, there are many upsides to winter running that will benefit both mind and body.

TAKE IT EASY

While it takes longer for muscles to warm up when temperatures drop, in colder and less humid climates heart rates lower correspondingly. Many people find that a run in winter

feels easier than it would in summer. If you’re one of them, capitalize on the opportunity to get in that long run or hill workout, or just take a moment to be grateful that post-run recovery happens more quickly. Remember: You’ll probably sweat less, but it’s still important to hydrate before, during, and after runs, even when it’s chilly outside. BLINDED BY THE LIGHT

When midnight-level darkness descends by 3:45 pm, it’s tempting to burrow in the house and sleep until spring. There’s something to be said for leaning into the couch potato-ness of it all, but pair that with regular outdoor runs to maintain equilibrium. Running in the sun feels more rewarding in winter than any other time, so soak up Vitamin D in the slim pock-

ets of daylight you can find. Vitamin D contributes to stronger bones—without it, your body can’t absorb calcium. It also has properties that support immune health, muscle function and brain cell activity, according to the Mayo Clinic. Vitamin D also impacts mental health: A recent study of operating room nurses found mental health improvements following low-level sunlight exposure. Enjoy the mood boost, then head back inside for that long winter’s nap, if you still want it. Remember: Wear broad spectrum sunscreen year-round to stay protected from UV rays. THE SOUND OF SILENCE

In the winter, the pace of life naturally slows. Running on less busy roads and trails can be a refreshing break full of sensory experiences that are harder to notice at other times—the crunch of snow under your shoes, the puffs of misty breath in the air, the shimmer of cafe lights and frosty branches and frozen ponds. Remember: Wear reflective gear and a clip-on light when running in the dark or in bad weather. Traction aids that slip over shoes or trail running shoes can help you stay stable on slippery surfaces.

LET IT BE

Exact numbers are hard to estimate, but Seasonal Affective Disorder, triggered by the changing seasons, impacts millions of Americans each year. Countless others also experience milder cases of the winter doldrums. Physical activity can ease depression symptoms and relieve anxiety, and can help you sleep better, according to the CDC. Going for an outdoor run can shift your state of mind, affecting the biochemical substances released in the bloodstream and taking your mind off of stressors. “Exercise has a dramatic antidepressive effect,” according to David Linden, Ph.D, a professor of neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. “It blunts the brain’s response to physical and emotional stress.” Remember: If you are struggling with your mental health, please see a medical professional. // Sarah Hauge is a writer and editor who lives in Spokane with her husband and two children. This winter she’ll start gearing up for the Negative Split half marathon.

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OUTTHEREOUTDOORS.COM / JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

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OutThere Kids 10 Years of Out There Kids By Amy McCaffree AMY AND HER FAMILY LIVING THE OUT THERE KIDS LIFE OVER THE YEARS. // PHOTOS COURTESY OF AMY MCCAFFREE

A NEVER-ENDING PARENTING challenge is knowing, and then deciding, when to let go. Let go of little hands, because a child is strong enough to swim in deep waters. Let go of the fishing rod, because the child has learned how to cast. Let go of confidence in protecting them 24/7 as you drop them off at summer camp. Let go of expectations as they grow into their older, individual selves—free to pursue their own passions and fervent interests. Especially once children reach adolescence, we can’t expect them to say yes to all of our outdoor recreation ideas and then excitedly come along. Our kids are us but not us. Which is the most awe-inspiring and sometimes heart-breaking condition of parenting. That’s why, after 10 years of being the Out There Kids columnist for this magazine, I knew it was time to let go. My two kids grew up being the inspiration and mom-led field-test subjects for most of my stories. I’ve shared with Out There readers my outdoor-parenting successes as well as do-overs, mistakes and life lessons while teaching my children to downhill ski, dress for cold weather, navigate a steep trail and not get lost in the woods. Back in 2014, when my first “Outdoor Family” theme story debuted, there were hardly any parent-oriented guidebooks or online resources for recreation guidance, adventure travel ideas or gear advice for young kids. It was a niche topic and parents were mainly learning by doing—and spreading advice word-of-mouth among friends. Ten years ago, taking very young children hiking and tent-camping was less common. People were always telling me, “You’re brave.” And one grumpy woman, from the campsite next to ours, had the audacity to pointedly ask my daughter, age two at the time, if it was she who was crying at 2 a.m. Having kids may have slowed the pace of our outdoorsy lifestyle, but it didn’t stop us from enjoying the recreation we loved. We personally sought advice from any outdoorsy adults we knew, asked lots of questions, and our unwitting mentors were happy to help us. Each new attempt helped us figure out how to better incorporate our little kids

(and their many, complex needs) into our adventures—while ensuring their safety and preventing worse-case scenarios. My husband and I learned how to parent in the great outdoors (an ongoing process), and I wanted more families to do the same. Which is why my mission statement for the Out There Kids column has always been “to inspire and motivate more people to explore and enjoy the great outdoors, especially families with young children.” The hashtag #OutThereKids came from this column. It’s no longer uncommon to see young children snowboarding, rock climbing and doing all other sorts of cool outdoor stuff with their parents. Gen Z and Millennial parents are trekking everywhere outdoors with their babies and toddlers—and we know about it because of their Instagram posts and TikTok videos of baby-wearing backcountry adventures, van life and road-trip travels. Regional youth outdoor programs and camps have expanded incredibly, especially the past few years. Local bike shops, ski schools, parks and recreation departments— as well as national gear-makers and retailers—have listened to parents and responded to demand to produce and sell great outdoor kid items and offer outdoor adventure camps and programs for kids. But the Out There Kids craze is not just business—those working in the outdoor industry, including this magazine, want to help parents raise the next generation of recreation and public lands enthusiasts. Our kids are the future snowboard instructors, ski patrollers, bike shop owners, fly fishing guides, survivalist instructors, race directors, ski resort managers, public lands and wildlife advocates, and everything else the Inland Northwest needs to maintain and grow our vibrant outdoors community. As I hand over the reins of my column, starting this issue, Out There Kids will now be a department in this magazine, allowing new and different writers to contribute their voices and stories about getting their kids of varying ages outdoors with their own unique parent-tested ideas and advice. It’s bittersweet to say goodbye as the OTK

columnist, because it’s been a great love and highlight of my professional writing life. But my children have long stopped needing their double-bike trailer, external-frame backpack carrier, and Strider bikes. In less than six months, both my children will officially be teenagers. They’re each nearly as tall as me—a daily reminder that in only five years, my husband and I will have two “adult children.” I need to thank my first inspiration for Out There Kids, my kids Landon and Alyse, for going along on so many outdoor adventures: for their willingness to learn how to ski, bike, fly fish and kayak with their dad and me. For wading across swift-moving rivers with fly rods; paddling on Priest Lake even when it was rainy and windy; being willing to pee in the woods; hiking, biking, kayaking, stand-up paddling and camping with our family; and trusting me to guide and protect them when there was no cell service. For not hating their dad and me when they fell into rivers, got too cold skiing, waited while I dug a “leave no trace” hole, and for that one rainy camping trip when they got multiple bee stings. As adolescents, they now can choose to stay behind at home or the campsite and not partake in a hike or paddle. So I am deeply grateful for every new “Yes.” Now that they’re older, our outdoor excursions can go longer and become more daring (and I will continue to use food as bribes). May all you amazing #OutdoorFamilies find similar joy and thankfulness in the ups and downs of adventuring with your kids, sharing together the recreation you love. I look forward to reading the stories, mishaps, and hard-earned lessons from the future parents who tell their tales in the pages of Out There. // Amy McCaffree’s first article for Out There—a cover feature story about Nordic skiing—appeared in the January 2006 print issue. During winter, she and her ski-patroller husband and kids downhill ski 1-2 times a week at Mt. Spokane, where Amy has been a season-pass holder for the past 20 years.

WORDS FROM AN OUTDOOR MOTHER

We asked Amy McCaffree to share a few of her most memorable moments and tips from parenting in the outdoors.

What was one of the scariest moments with your kids in the outdoors and how did you pivot/cope?

At Fish Lake Trail near Cheney, Wash., I went up a dirt spur trail with my kids who were on their Strider bikes while I was walking with our dog. On the way back down, my daughter, age 3 at the time, got going too fast and crashed into bushes, flying head over handlebars like a ragdoll. When she didn't respond, I thought she was unconscious (despite wearing a helmet). After she caught her breath to wail, I assessed that she was, luckily, unharmed. In retrospect, before picking her up, I should have carefully checked for spinal cord injury or head trauma. I soothed her, told her she was very brave and strong, and then we ate a snack and promptly returned to our car.

What was one moment where you thought to yourself, all the effort (of getting kids outside) is worth it?

When each of my kids caught their first trout on their fly rods, doing everything by themselves—casting, setting the hook, and reeling in. Especially because where we like to fly fish requires hiking down steep riverbanks and wading through a swift, yet shallow, current to my husband's favorite fishing spots.

What is one piece of advice you would give parents who are just beginning to take their kids on outdoor adventures?

“Quit while you’re ahead”—any amount of time your kids are enjoying outdoor recreation, no matter how brief, is worthwhile when it’s building a "bank" of positive experiences and memories. So be sure to stop, go inside or head home before a kid gets too tired, hungry, wet or cold—which often means the youngest child sets the pace of an outing.

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024 / OUTTHEREOUTDOORS.COM

provisions

(n.) food, drink, or equipment, especially for a journey. PHOTO: ALANA LIVINGSTON

PHOTO: LINC FOODS

PHOTO: JON JONCKERS

CURRIED SQUASH SOUP

Enjoy this cozy and nourishing curried squash soup on a cold winter’s day. A creamy coconut milk complements the flavors of warm spices and sweet butternut squash (serves 3-5). INGREDIENTS

1 butternut squash from Tonnemaker Hill Farm Olive oil Salt and pepper 1/2 onion from Andersen Organics 3 cloves garlic from Channing Farm 2 Tbsp curry powder 1/2 tsp ground ginger 1/2 tsp turmeric 1/2 tsp nutmeg 5 shakes red pepper flakes from Hayshaker Farm 1 can coconut milk 4 cups water Pepitas DIRECTIONS

1. Cut the squash in half, remove the seeds and skin, and cube the flesh. Roast with a drizzle of olive oil, salt and pepper at 400 F until tender. 2. Meanwhile, sauté the onions with olive oil in a large pot until translucent. Add the garlic and spices, stirring for a few minutes until fragrant. 3. Add roasted squash and water. Simmer for about 20 minutes. 4. Use an immersion blender or upright blender to puree the soup until creamy. Add the coconut milk and salt and pepper to taste. Serve with rice and sprinkle with pepitas. Feast with the seasons! (Courtesy of LINC Foods—The Local Inland Northwest Cooperative @Lincfoods.com.)

PHOTO: CRYSTAL ATAMIAN

GREEN POZOLE

Soon to be one of your favorite recipes even outside of “soup season,” this recipe brings warmth to any winter day. Serves 8-10. FOR THE SOUP:

8 cups chicken broth // 2 cans hominy (2530 oz. each), rinsed well // 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken // ½ white onion, diced // 4 cloves garlic, divided // 1 Tbsp oil // salt to taste FOR THE SALSA:

1 lb. tomatillos, husks removed and rinsed // ½ white onion // 1-3 serrano or jalapeño peppers, depending on your preference of heat, seeds removed // 1 bunch cilantro // ¼ c pepitas (optional) // 1 cup water Over medium heat, warm oil and add ½ chopped onion until browned. Add 2 cloves garlic until fragrant (about 15 seconds) then add broth, hominy and chicken, salt. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat. While soup is simmering, make salsa. Add all ingredients except water to blender and begin to blend. Add water until consistency is smooth (up to 1 cup is usually plenty). Add salsa to soup and continue simmering until soup turns olive green (10-15 minutes). Add additional seasoning to taste. Ladle into soup bowls with a squeeze of lime and garnish with your choice of: finely-chopped cabbage or iceberg lettuce, thinly-sliced radish, cilantro, pepitas, orange, lime, avocado, oregano. Tips: if fresh tomatillos are not available, canned tomatillos work! Feel free to swap in your favorite proteins or leftovers. The pozole pictured contains leftover turkey from the holidays. (Alana Livingston)

OUTTHEREOUTDOORS.COM / JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

HUCKLEBERRY LEMON DROP FROM DRY FLY

COUSCOUS ON THE GO

This huckleberry twist on the classic Lemon Drop is a brilliant addition to the Guided Sip Series from Dry Fly Distilling. There’s a mild amount of tart to accompany the fruity notes; however, it’s not too sweet or too strong. Most people serve it cold, but you can serve it over ice or in a cold cocktail glass. The ABV is 20% for 375 ML, and 13% for the 1.75L size. These two volumes are perfect recipes for a quiet evening for two, or a larger family gathering. The Lemon Drop was originally crafted in the 1970s, most likely named after the lemon drop candy. Beginning with the award-winning Dry Fly Vodka, this cocktail features real huckleberries along with some simple syrups. Even better, it’s gluten free, and made locally in downtown Spokane. Obviously, since it’s pre-mixed, you don’t have to buy any lemons or syrups or fruit. Dry Fly already did all of the heavy lifting and you can pour it right into a sugar-rimmed glass. However, if you’re feeling extra fancy, you can add a lemon wedge to the glass. If you’re interested in some additional premixed cocktails, then take a look at some of the other drinks in the Guided Sip Series. The Guided Sips Earl Grey Old Fashioned is made with Dry Fly Wheat Whiskey, house bitters, real cane sugar, and an earl grey tea concentrate from our friends over at Revival Tea. The Guided Sips Bloody Mary is a house-made mix with a custom spice blend from Spiceology and the award-winning Dry Fly Vodka. Dry Fly is sold and distributed throughout the entire Pacific Northwest, but whenever possible check out their tasting room right downtown. (Jon Jonckers)

For winter outdoor activities, our favorite on-the-trail recipe is couscous. We use it as a warm, healthy lunch when we are snowshoeing, cross-country skiing or snowboarding. All you need is a Hydroflask (or insulated thermos) full of boiling water and a pre-mixed couscous meal in a heattolerant container or Tupperware. Finding a container that holds the heat is the key to a hot meal. INGREDIENTS (feeds 1–2 people) - 1/2 cup couscous - Chopped vegetables - Chopped up protein like ham, tofu, chicken or steak (often leftover from a weekday meal) - Chopped green onions - Some chicken or beef bouillon seasoning (Better-Than-Boullion paste works great) - Spice mix of salt, pepper and garlic, along with any other spice that fits (see below) DIRECTIONS

The meal is infinitely customizable for whatever you have on hand. I love making this with leftover burrito meat (shredded or ground), chopped bell pepper, corn, green onions and chili powder. However, my favorite is shredded chicken, black beans, green onions, and red bell pepper with some added paprika and cumin. If I have little in the way of leftovers, I add frozen corn and peas, shredded carrots, bell pepper and chopped kale with garlic. BE CREATIVE.

On the trail or in the lodge, add the boiling water until it just covers the couscous. Stir well and cover. Wait 3–5 minutes, stir again and enjoy! (Crystal Atamian)

BIKING

Beat the Winter Blues Commuting by Bike By Bradley Bleck

North Idaho’s aLL Season Rail Trails

Nor-Pac milwaukee road Trail of the coeur d’alenes

AUTHOR'S CYCLOCROSS BIKE READIED FOR WINTER COMMUTING

WINTER IN THE INLAND NORTHWEST can

bring about Seasonal Affective Disorder, that general malaise known as SAD. With exercise being one way to ward off SAD, consider the medicinal value offered by winter bike commuting, which provides just the exercise to lift your spirits. If this sounds appealing, here’s how to prepare yourself.

GETTING YOUR BIKE DIALED

The first thing is to prepare your bike, having it in tip-top shape. If you are not mechanically inclined, have your local bike shop do it for you. With a working bike, a big concern is the tires. I ride a cyclocross bike with either gravel specific or studded tires. The gravel tires handle wet winter conditions. The studs make an otherwise slick road safely rideable. Studs don’t replace common safety sense, but they will prevent surprise falls on random patches of ice. They also enable me to climb pretty much any hill Spokane has to offer. Some people like to ride with fenders, which keeps the splatter off the feet and backside. LIGHT UP YOUR RIDE

Visibility is essential for winter commuting, so prepare to see and be seen. If you’ll be riding in the dark, consider 600 lumens the minimum to safely see the road. My front light is 800 lumens, reportedly visible for up to 1.6 miles. My rear light produces 65 lumens and is visible for over a quarter mile. Between the lights, my high-vis jacket with its wide reflective band, and reflective accents on my clothing, I should be plenty visible. Avoid black and dark colors. WHAT TO WEAR

Another thing to prepare is your clothing. Dressing for winter cycling is all about the layers. You will be cold at first, but you’ll warm up. I get kitted up from head to

toe for my commute. Under my helmet, I wear a beanie. My upper body gets a longsleeved base layer, a thermal jersey, and a thermal jacket. My hands are snug inside a pair of nordic “lobster” ski gloves. (Two fingers snuggled together are warmer!) I wear cycling shorts beneath thermal tights that are wind and water resistant. Since my commute is just under 30 minutes, my feet are shod in wool-blend socks and mountain bike shoes. If I think I will take a longer way home, I have neoprene booties and chemical warmers. By the time you read this, Santa will have left some winter cycling boots beneath my tree for even warmer feet. There are other thermal options. If you are a nordic skier or snowshoer, you likely have what you need. ROUTE PLANNING

Finally, prepare your route. My normal route takes me down the South Hill, through High Bridge Park, and along Government Way. Winter can turn the park into an ice-bound hell that is no fun, so I’ll ride through Browne’s Addition and down Riverside to Government Way. Even when avoiding traffic, not every day is a good day for a winter commute. I never ride the day after it snows. Instead, I drive until the roadway and enough of the shoulder is cleared and I feel safe. With a little extra preparation, bicycle commuting is a fundamentally safe and fun way to get around in the winter months. Give it a try, make it a habit, and you’ll be more glad, less SAD. // Bradley Bleck loves cycling so much he commutes through the cold and wet of winter. He last wrote about the sublime in nature for the October/November 2023 issue of OTO. Bradley teaches English at Spokane Falls CC and loves nearly everything Spokane.

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Just like a surfer’s endless pursuit to catch the perfect wave or a snowboarder hoping for the best pow day ever, I have been on the hunt for quality snowboard memoirs or biographies. I have spent over 30 winters riding sideways and consistently stayed immersed in snowboard content. In my opinion, books of our snowboard heroes have yet to be written; literally. Maybe, it’s because the life of snowboarding is still so young or because the publishing companies don’t want to take the financial risk. My list of snowboard memoirs to read is equal to the number of fingers it takes to throw a shake (2), but after reading the “Unforgiving: Lessons From The Fall,” I now have a top three. This is not the same old story of failure to success either, as Jacobellis is the most decorated snowboard cross athlete of all time. For those who are familiar with her story, there is still a lot to learn from the oldest U.S. female athlete to win a Winter Olympics gold medal. Jacobellis’ journey is a story of selfgrowth and the resilience it takes to come back from multiple injuries. I believe this book provides inspiration to any athlete or individual looking to overcome adversity or who is chasing down a dream. Most importantly to me, this book fills my snowboard culture bucket. Jacobellis walks us through the lifestyle of her competitive snowboard career and gives us a sneak peek into the subculture of snowboard cross. I enjoyed this book so much I am going to offer it as a suggested reading in one of the leadership courses I teach at Eastern Washington University. (T. Ghezzi)

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“BARBARIAN DAYS: A SURFING LIFE” BY WILLIAM FINNEGAN (MEMOIR, 2015)

“THE VASTER WILDS” BY LAUREN GROFF (NOVEL, 2023)

In the recently discovered lands of the New Country, a girl makes her way through the untouched, unsettled wilderness of the northeast. She’s left a starving fort for what she thinks is a more promising journey northward, in a land unknown and only just waking from winter. We marvel at her simple ingenuity for survival and her spiritual exploration, where suffering and gratitude bring her to a new understanding of god. Most of all, the reader relishes in the descriptions of landscape, frosts we can taste, clouds we can smell, darts of sunlight we can feel on our face. We feel the rustle of spring beneath the retreating blanket of winter and long to find the same, inevitable relief of nature. Even as we witness this girl trying to out-trudge death, we are reminded of the precious wonders of life. Groff weaves sentences like fine silken threads of comprehension and sensation in this incredible story of fortitude and reflection. (Ammi Midstokke)

The Pulitzer Prize-winning memoir written by William Finnegan is more than just a book about surfing. Yes, he is the stereotypical surf bum-dirtbag, but in his old school style adventure story Finnegan expands on topics about subcultures, social economics, relationships, personal growth, education, writing and travel. These stories and life lessons stem from his passion and obsession to surf and explore the world. Foremost I connected with Finnegan’s love and spiritualism for surfing as a lifestyle. I have always been fascinated by surf culture, as it’s the mother and creator to all the other board cultures. I say culture because I feel surfing, skateboarding and snowboarding are more of a lifestyle or life practice rather than a sport. Finnegan gets very technical and in depth with his descriptions of the waves he’s surfing, but keeps his writing accessible to nonsurfers with concrete imagery, entertaining stories and beautiful sentences. I ate up all the “nerdy” surf rants, because I believe he was staying true to his surfer roots, and it displayed his love for the ocean. “Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life” has been one of the best books I have read in the past five years and I have gifted this book to many of my friends. (T. Ghezzi)

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Literation

Why Books Make Your Life Better By Ammi Midstokke

READING, AND ESPECIALLY reading on

paper, is so two-generations ago. Despite an uptick in our post-pandemic world book consumption, the trend of reading is a downward slope toward the abyss of 140-character tolerance levels. Not you of course, because you’ve already made it this far. If that makes you feel a little righteous, it should. That’s because studies show that reading benefits everything from our neuroplasticity to our mental wellness. Reading improves our memory and focus, and increases our attention span. Studies show that reading just a few minutes a day can significantly reduce stress and reading before bed improves sleep. But what is perhaps most promising about reading is how it impacts our social and communication skills, tolerance and curiosity about the “other,” and expands our minds with new perspectives. In a time of divisiveness, when wars are being fought over ideologies and histories distant or unrelatable to our own, books can offer a deeper understanding of the complexities at play. Books teach us empathy. They help remove the mystery from contemporary issues we are less familiar with. As a cisgendered white woman in North Idaho, for example, I am sheltered from issues of great import in other areas. Raising a genderqueer teen is making me acutely aware of just how ignorant I am. While I’m still removing my foot from my mouth often, at least I’m beginning to understand how it got there. As social media and snippets of internet reading have infiltrated my life, I’ve had to get intentional about real reading. I suspect that social media and television have generally weakened our proactive consumption

of mind-food. We are a nation that has passively accepted a filter of algorithms and stopped asking altogether what might interest us. We’re spoon-fed information that has been curated for us by those who don’t necessarily have our best interest at heart. Read one post on architecture and suddenly you think you want fancy new wallpaper and an LA bungalow. My goal last year was to read 30 books and the list I keep every year looks like a barometer of my internal life. It reveals my journey and the state of the world at the time, as does my choice of favorites. I was buried in “Lincoln in the Bardo” during a friend’s suicide. What a balm to my aching soul, to imagine him wandering around my living room. (Reading, not surprisingly, is also shown to help with grief.) Last year’s list had everything from methods of meditation to exploration on abuse in the church. It had Nobel laureates whose names I’d never heard of from lands I’d never been to. It had stories of slave history, banned books (they are often the best), old classics (“Watership Down,” because mid-life is a great time to read about the adventures of bunnies), new releases, and a clear pattern: I read not only to better understand myself, but to better understand others. Reading, I am sure, could bring world peace. And maybe that’s what I’ll start this year reading about. Right after I finish these books on plastering methods. // Ammi Midstokke lives in the foothills of the Idaho Selkirks with her family. She’s currently building a new house and spending her outdoor time hanging cedar siding and her indoor time learning how to plaster.

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BOULDERING AT WILD WALLS .PHOTO: SCOTT MARTINEZ. // TOP RIGHT: WILD WALLS SUMMER CAMP. PHOTO: ANGUS MEREDITH. // BOTTOM RIGHT: ALYSS MCHENRY (LEFT) AND MARY BETH MCHENRY ENJOYING A WARM UP CLIMB IN THE BEGINNERS AREA AT BLOC YARD. PHOTO: ADAM HEALY

A WINTER WORKOUT FOR ALL AGES AND ABILITIES

Climb the walls at these Inland Northwest indoor climbing gyms By Sarah Hauge THE STRETCH OF TIME between the New Year and

spring can be a verrrry long slog. If your New Year’s Resolution had “stay active” or “get outside my comfort zone,” at the top, don’t let gloomy outdoor conditions get in the way. Our area’s climbing and bouldering gyms offer approachable indoor workouts for beginners and experts alike. Climbing builds strength and stamina, provides mental challenges, and is a social sport that organically leads to conversation with other climbers. Each of these local climbing gyms offer climbing features for beginners, options to rent gear if you’ll need it, and drop-in availability to chat with staff and check things out. Visit each gym’s website to learn about membership options and day rates before you go.

BLOC YARD BOULDERING GYM

233 E. Lyons, Spokane www.blocyardgym.com Bloc Yard is a bouldering-only facility that’s just under 10,000 square feet. The family-friendly gym has top-out boulders (where you climb up and stand on the top of the cliff when you reach the top—with a slide option to take down to the bottom) or a down climb area (where you climb up to the lip of the boulder, then climb back down). 22

OUTTHEREOUTDOORS.COM / JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

The shortest wall is about 7.5 feet; the highest is about 15 feet. The staff resets bouldering problems weekly; they estimate they set about 1,200 different problems every year. Two youth teams—a competitive team and a development team—are available. New person experience: Visit the gym during any open hours. Staff will talk you through basic rules and safety and can guide climbers toward the routes that are right for their abilities. No equipment needed; climbing shoes and chalk bags available to rent. Why try it? “It’s a great alternative to your traditional style of fitness and workouts with lifting weights and machines. It engages all of your body as well as your mind,” says owner Adam Healy. “The social aspect, the community aspect of it, is really cool. It’s a very welcoming environment. Everyone’s willing to help out, give pointers, cheer people on.” As far as the different disciplines of climbing, bouldering is the easiest one for first timers to get started in Healy says. “You don’t need to worry about harnesses, belay classes, anything like that. It’s a very easy way for a first timer to experience what the sport of climbing is all about.”

WILD WALLS CLIMBING GYM

202 W. 2nd Ave., Spokane www.wildwalls.com Wild Walls has about 12,000 square feet available for climbing, with about 8,000 of those for top-roping and lead climbing and 4,000 split between two bouldering areas. The top-roping and lead climbing walls are about 40 feet tall. For kids, a Beginner Club teaches kids how to tie knots and belay. For those who have completed Beginner Club or just want to boulder, Climbing Club is available weekly for kids ages 7-14 to advance their climbing skills. New person experience: Beginners can drop in, rent shoes or any other equipment, and try bouldering or receive instruction in how to use the auto belays. Bouldering and auto belaying are “a low-stakes way to try things out,” says general manager Todd Mires. “The other route [for a beginner] would be to take our intro class to learn how to belay, tie the knots, everything you need to know to be self-sufficient with top-roping.” Why try it? “If you’re bored of the traditional gym and you’re looking to try something different, it’s a really good, strenuous physical activity,” says Mires.

“It’s definitely more community-focused than going to a traditional gym. You’re directly interacting with people often. It ends up being more social, more community-focused.” Some people try climbing thinking it will be an entertaining way to pass an afternoon—but remember that it’s challenging and strenuous. “It’s not laser tag, it’s not an amusement ride—it’s just a more adventurous avenue to exercise,” says Mires. COEUR CLIMBING COMPANY

764 Clearwater Loop Suite 101, Post Falls www.coeurclimbing.com Coeur Climbing opened in Post Falls in June of 2023. The gym’s space is mostly devoted to bouldering, and also offers toprope climbing, lead climbing, and auto belay climbing. There is also a designated kids’ area. Climbing walls generally range from 12 to 15 feet. A variety of classes are available including belay classes, intro to

bouldering, and lead climbing. This allages gym offers youth teams and winter and summer camps for kids too. New person experience: Drop in during open hours, sign a waiver, rent shoes if needed, and receive an orientation to the space, as well as guidance on how to use your hands and feet for bouldering and tips on how to fall safely. Introductory courses are available (check website for schedule); no previous experience needed. Why try it? If you’ve got a fear of heights, that doesn’t need to be a deterrent, says owner Daniel Shaw. Climbers can self-select what’s right for their current comfort and abilities. “Even on those 15-foot walls, there’s no need to go to the top.” During winter, climbing is a great way to stay healthy, says Shaw. With its emphasis on core strength and mobility, the sport builds endurance and fitness. There’s no limit to who can try climbing. “All kinds of body styles and shapes can do it,” Shaw says. “It’s just a ton of fun.”

CLIMBER ALYSSA SHAW AT COEUR CLIMBING. PHOTO BY ANGUS MEREDITH. // BOTTOM: BLOC YARD YOUTH TEAM HEAD COACH BEN AGUILAR DISCUSSING STRATEGY FOR AN UPCOMING COMPETITION WITH SOME TEAM KIDS. PHOTO ADAM HEALY. // LEFT: ARIA ROSSITER BOULDERING AT COEUR CLIMBING. PHOTO BY ANGUS MEREDITH.

CLIMBING GLOSSARY

Rock Climbing: the sport of climbing rock faces (up, as well as down and sideways). Bouldering: an increasingly popular category of rock climbing that requires no ropes, belays, or other equipment, taking place on rock formations outdoors or on a rock wall in gyms. Crash pads on the ground provide protection in case of falls. Top-Rope Climbing: climbing using a single rope that is fed through an anchor at the top of the climbing wall or cliff; the climber is attached to one end of the rope, and a belayer on the ground holds the other end of the rope, pulling it taut as the climber ascends. Lead Climbing: climbing with a rope (the lead) attached to the climber, who clips the rope into pre-set anchors on the rock face, moving the lead as they progress upward. Belay: a rope that runs between the climber and another person (the belayer) who can stop the climber’s fall; auto belays don’t require another person. Boulder Problem: a pre-set route to be completed by a climber engaged in bouldering; can be set to varying degrees of difficulty.

THREE OTHER INLAND NORTHWEST CLIMBING GYMS TO CHECK OUT

Sandpoint Rock Gym, is a 900-square-foot garage-style bouldering gym with 12-foot walls run entirely by volunteers (shoes available). The gym offers memberships set up with key card access. “For somebody who wants to learn movement and who wants a place to play around, I think it’s a great option, particularly for someone who doesn’t want an overwhelming place with a ton of people,” says Katie Luthy, president of the gym’s board. To visit the gym or learn more,

email sandpointrockgym@gmail.com. The Climbing Center at the University of Idaho in Moscow has 6,000 square feet of climbing space and is set up for bouldering, top-roping, and lead climbing. All equipment can be rented, and the gym is open to the public as well as U of I students. Kids can climb during designated youth climbing hours, and all of the equipment you may need is available to rent. www.uidaho.edu/current-students/ recwell/climbing-center

The Rock Shop in Richland is a bouldering gym for all ages with 16-foot walls. Bouldering routes/problems are set for all levels—beginners, experts, and children. The gym offers a series of classes for its junior program, as well as a youth climbing team. www.rockshopclimbing.com. // Sarah Hauge is a long-time Out There contributor and writes Out There’s Run Wild column.

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024 / OUTTHEREOUTDOORS.COM

GEAR ROOM LEKI COPPER 3D PRO FREERIDE GLOVES

JACK WOLFSKIN ALPSPITZE SKI TOURING KIT

PRO 3L JACKET & PANTS

These touring pants and jacket are pretty much the perfect backcountry ski setup. Both are crazy light, breathable, and waterproof thanks to Pertex Shield Air technology (an air permeable nanofibre membrane). The jacket features two raised hip pockets, an inner and ski pass pocket, and an adjustable hem and hood, plus massive pit zips for added ventilation. The touring pants feature full-length leg zippers for better freedom of movement and total venting control to avoid steamy skin tracks, an adjustable waistband (with belt loops too), and two leg pockets. MSRP: Jacket, $499.95; Pants, $449.95.

IBEX APRES SWEATER CAP BEANIE

This after-ski beanie brings all of the technical performance you would expect from a 100% Merino, double-layered hat. It has a wide cuff that allows for a deep-over-theears or higher-on-the-head fit. But what’s most striking is its stylish, retro look complete with a colorful, fuzzy pompom up top. MSRP: $65. Ibex.com (Derrick Knowles)

WOOL BASELAYERS

The Alpspitze baselayers are a majority Merino wool blend (87% wool, 13% poly), which makes for a comfortable, warmer (even when damp), faster drying, and better-smelling choice for ski touring. The top is a long sleeve, half-zip shirt that maximizes warmth and ventilation on the ups and downs. The baselayer pants are a ¾-length that keeps unnecessary extra fabric from bunching up with your ski socks in your boots. MSRP: Top, $119.95; Bottoms, $89.95.

XTRATUF HOMER II INSULATED SLIP ON

These toasty, unisex slipon shoes that feel like burly slippers are so comfortable yet sturdy that on several occasions this fall I accidently wore them out of the house on errands and even once to a work meeting. They are water resistant with

DOWN HOODY

This compact, packable ski jacket weighs around 11 ounces but packs a ton of warmth and weather protection for cold or stormy ski tours or as an extra layer at the resort. The jacket features a new chemical-free, hydrophobic down treatment that helps keep your feathers dry, and the shell fabric is windproof and highly water resistant. Other features include an adjustable, helmet-compatible hood and two hand pockets. When the wind kicks up, the elastic cuffs and waist drawstring and high collar keep the heat locked in. MSRP: $369.95 (Wil Wheaton)

a soft wool or Nylon upper, faux shearling sheep’s skin lining for warmth and style, a molded insole, and non-marking outsole with excellent slip resistance on wet floors or icy trips to the grocery store. MSRP: $105. Xtratuf.com (Derrick Knowles)

XTRATUF ICE 6” NYLON ANKLE DECK BOOT

IBEX WOOL AIRE HOODIE

This ultralight jacket swaps out the feather fill of a traditional puffy with ethically-sourced Merino wool insulation, which offers better temperature regulation due to wool’s ability to absorb and release moisture as your body heats up or cools off. The shell fabric is windand water-resistant, and it has an elasti-

neoprene cuff allows the wearer to dial in a custom fit. The gloves are also compatible with any LEKI Trigger S or Trigger 3D pole thanks to the built-in loop that attaches to your Leki poles, creating a secure attachment between glove and pole with quick and easy detachment. MSRP: $139.95. Lekiusa.com (Derrick Knowles)

Leki’s Alpine Skiing Glove collection includes a wide range of gloves and mittens specifically designed to keep hands warm and dry on the slopes and look good doing it. The Copper 3D PRO cold-weather gloves are made from premium Goatskin leather and feature a Silicone Nash on the palm for better gripping. Waves built into the finger leather provide comfortable and flexible movement, and a Velcro-adjustable

The new Alpspitze ski touring collection from Jack Wolfskin benefits from the German company’s 40 years of product innovation in the outdoor gear industry. Named after an iconic German peak, this collection has been designed with all of the features backcountry skiers rely on to spend long days in the mountains, but it can easily double as a layerable resort kit. Us.jackwolfskin.com

cized hem, cuffs, and hood; two side hand warmer pockets; and a chest pocket. An allaround winter sports warrior, the Wool Aire Hoodie outperforms other down and synthetic puffy jackets on sweatinducing snowy adventures. MSRP: $285. Ibex.com (Derrick Knowles)

OUTTHEREOUTDOORS.COM / JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

This winter boot is made for the kinds of wet and cold conditions an El Niño winter can throw at you. The outside of the boot (the upper), is made with high abrasion-resistant, hydrophobic, insulating material and a waterproof breathable membrane topped off with a fleece-like inner lining that makes them super warm and

soft. The outsole is a proprietary ice gripping compound that will help keep you on your feet in icy conditions. A great boot for everyday winter activities, especially in extremecold temps, from walking the dog to shoveling the walk and trips to the ski hill. MSRP: $165. Xtratuf.com (Derrick Knowles)

Editor’s Note: Unless otherwise stated, product for these reviews was provided by the brand at no cost to the reviewer. Out There strives to only review quality gear and provide honest, thoughtful, and entertaining gear reviews, but readers should always do their own research.

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The Unexplained in Our Skies

Notable UFO Sightings in Washington State and the Spokane Area (SATURDAY, FEB 17, 3:10-4:30 PM)

PRESENTER: DAN NIMS is retired from the U.S. Air Force where he was a fighter pilot and test pilot. He became the Director of Test for the F-22 program and finally Director of Test Resources for the Air Force. He spent his retirement as a small businessman in Walla Walla and is now re-retired. He has been a member of the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) since 2017 and WA MUFON Chief Investigator since 2018. HAVE YOU EVER SEEN LIGHTS IN THE NIGHT SKY THAT YOU COULDN’T EXPLAIN? If so, you’re not alone according to Dan Nims, who notes that there are thousands of reported UFO sightings in the U.S. each year. As a chief investigator for WA MUFON, Nims helps investigate around 200 UFO sightings reported in the Evergreen State each year but adds that there are many more sightings across the U.S. that are reported to other organizations and government agencies. Nims had one UFO encounter back in his Air Force days but says he only had a casual interest in the subject until he read the book "The Total Novices Guide to UFOs" and then other books that got him hooked. In 2017, he attended his first MUFON symposium in Las Vegas. “I was quite surprised it wasn’t a bunch of kooks running around in Star Trek outfits,” he admits. “It was PhDs and astronomers, engineers and actually a couple of astronauts I had known from my test pilot days.” Nims was impressed enough by the credentials of the people he met to begin volunteering for MUFON. Out of the hundreds of UFO sightings WA MUFON investigates each year, says Nims, around 75 percent of them can be explained. “Of that remaining 25 or 30 percent that we would classify as unknowns, a healthy majority of those are what we call LITS—lights in the sky—where somebody sees lights but can’t actually see any craft because it’s too dark or the lights are too bright.” Nims says many of these cases are classified as unidentified “because the lights are doing something no human-made lights can do. Going very fast or making instantaneous 90 degree turns or breaking up into eight lights or many lights coming together into one light. Lots of weird things that are legitimate cases.” The remaining 10-12 percent of reported sightings, he says, are of actual observed craft in the sky. “They can be spheres, triangles, saucers, cigar-shaped or Tic-Tac craft and some don’t meet any common description whatsoever.” At his presentation at the Spokane Great Outdoors Expo on February 17, Nims will focus on high-profile and historic cases of UFO sightings in Washington State. Highlights of those reports include the 1947 sighting of a line of “saucer” like flying craft reported over the Cascade Mountains by pilot Kenneth Arnold, a sighting that led to the term “flying saucer” coming into use; sightings around Hanford, Wash., leading up to and during World War II; and other sightings including several large black triangle craft and other lights in recent years in eastern Washington. Seating may fill up for this presentation, so get your ticket to the Spokane Great Outdoors Expo online at Spokaneoutdoorexpo.com and show up early!

INLAND NW HESE EXPERTS

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RY 17-18 AT THE SPOKANE CONVENTION CENTER Join the ride. Make a difference.

SATURDAY

JUNE 15, 2024

10:10 AM: Gravel Biking in the Inland Northwest. Spokane gravel bike guru and Out There

Outdoors “Everyday Cyclist” columnist Justin Short will attempt to answer the question: “What are these gravel bikes everyone is talking about and where do we ride them?” Short will give the goods on the recent phenomenon of multi-surface adventure riding known as gravel, covering the spectrum from bikes and gear to the skills needed to safely and confidently get lost in the woods.

PLATINUM SPONSORS:

SILVER SPONSORS:

sandpoint

SATURDAY 11:10 AM: Bugs n Snakes Live. See tarantulas, amphibians, tortoises, lizards, and

Living Local

snakes up close and personal! Presenters will introduce a variety of exotic reptiles and invertebrates (spiders and stuff!) and give audience members a chance to ask questions, as well as touch and/or hold some of the animals! SATURDAY 12:30-1:50 PM: Behind-the-Scenes of ALONE Season 9 with Karie Lee Knoke. Join

Karie Lee as she shares untold stories of her incredible experience of surviving and thriving in the wild for 75 days in the wet and freezing conditions in Labrador, Canada, with nothing but 10 items, as seen on ALONE Season 9. The experience was an opportunity to put ALL life skills to the test. Not just wilderness skills, but mental, emotional, and spiritual skills as well, without interruption of modern-day distractions. There will be time for questions and answers following her presentation.

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SATURDAY 2:10 PM: 13 Essentials for Hiking, Backpacking, & Exploring the Outdoors with the Spokane Mountaineers. Recreating safely and responsibly in the outdoors is one of the most important teaching points from the Spokane Mountaineers. While there is always a level of risk when venturing into the outdoors, the group’s list of 13 essential items to carry with you can help mitigate those risks and be lifesavers in an emergency. Items can be tailored to your preferred outdoor pursuits from climbing to hiking to paddling. SATURDAY 3:10PM-4:30 PM: The Unexplained in Our Skies—Notable UFO Sightings in

Washington State and the Spokane Area. See opposite page for more info.

SUNDAY

11:10 AM: Fascinating Sites on the Ice Age Floods Geologic Trail. Follow the Ice Age Floods

National Geologic Trail that extends across parts of Montana, Idaho, Washington and Oregon with photos and descriptions of the well-known features such as Grand Coulee, Dry Falls, Palouse Falls and the Columbia River Gorge. Flood features in the Spokane area such as Spokane Falls, the Bowl and Pitcher, Latah Creek and the Cheney-Palouse scabland tract will also be included in the presentation sponsored by the Ice Age Floods Institute, Cheney/Spokane Chapter.

SUNDAY 12:10 PM: All About E-bikes. Learn about the different types of electric-assist

bikes and where you can ride them from the e-bike experts at North Division Bicycle Shop. Check out some different bikes, ask questions, and learn about these amazing distance-boosting bicycles!

SUNDAY 1:10 PM: Playing Outside Safely in Bear & Cougar Country. Learn about the amaz-

ing wildlife we share our trails, campgrounds, and public lands with, including cougars and bears. The presentation by Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife biologist Matt Brinkman will cover techniques for safely recreating in these animals’ habitat, avoiding unwanted encounters and what to do in the rare case of a run-in with a bear or cougar in the wild. SUNDAY 2:10 PM: Learn About the 2024 Metaline Falls Bigfoot Festival Speakers. This

annual event in the super-scenic northeast corner of Washington State includes talks by a wide-range of bigfoot researchers from around North America; a community festival with vendors, food, and music; a 5k run or walk; opportunities to meet with presenters; and more!

Bike Ride

Sunday, May 19, 2024 Start/Finish at Big Barn Brewing Co. in Green Bluff, WA Road Rides: 25, 50, 66, & 100-mile lengths +32-MILE LILAC GRAVEL FLAMDANGLE RIDE

FOOD & REST STOPS SAG/RIDER SUPPORT MECHANICAL AID PROVIDED BY

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JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024 / OUTTHEREOUTDOORS.COM

STOP IN FOR A CHANCE TO WIN!

Visit our booth during the Great Outdoors & Bike Expo for a chance to win an overnight stay in beautiful Bellingham, WA and a guided tour from Dig Deep Tours!

bellingham.org / sports T H E S T AT E O F W A S H I N G T O N

OUTTHEREOUTDOORS.COM / JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

Learning about Cougars in Riverside State Park By Adam Gebauer

ONE SCARED KITTY. PHOTO: ADAM GEBAUER

IT WAS A CHILLY, wet November morning when I met Bart George, lead wildlife biologist for the Kalispel Tribe, and his team to track a cougar not too far from my home in West Central. This particular tomcat had gained infamy in 2023 by stalking a mountain biker in Riverside State Park and became a prime candidate for George’s study. Over the last three years, George has been conducting a study to see if negative stimuli can change the habits of cougars that are too comfortable around people and livestock. George started this research after a frustrating year where he was asked by WDFW to help with the lethal removal of over 60 problem cougars. These cats had been hanging around people’s farms, sometimes for weeks before depredation occurred. George got to thinking that maybe they could be preemptive with these cats. Instead of waiting for them to kill a pet or livestock, maybe he could change their behavior. The Riverside tomcat had gone through the control period of the study, where—after the cat was fitted with a GPS collar— George would approach it with a podcast playing from the speaker, mimicking the sounds of outdoor voices. He would record how close he could get before the cat would flush (leave its hiding place) and how much energy it would exert. This morning was the second of four times George would haze the cougar, the second part of the study. As we approached the tomcat, George switched on a speaker and watched his GPS unit. The cat started to move as we approached, but found a thicket of shrubs to hunker down in. We were able to get within 20 meters of the cat. Its cover was so thick, I was just able to make out its tawny fur and black-tipped tail as it silently slinked out its hiding place and took off to the north. We watched the handheld GPS unit to see it travel several hundred yards before it stopped again. At this point, George radioed his crew to release the five hound dogs that had been eagerly waiting back at the road. These dogs act as the harassment part of the study, adding a negative reinforcement to the sound of people. The hounds come tearing through the brush toward us. As soon as they get the

scent of the cougar, the morning stillness is over, and they go barking and baying on the trail. It is not long before the GPS unit shows the cougar and hounds are stopped at the same location. The cougar has been treed. We find the cat in a lone ponderosa pine near the top of a basalt hill. The cat has only gone 20 feet up, which gives us a great view, especially when we are on top of the hill near eye level. The cougar definitely does not look happy, pacing on the branches and hissing, but that is in part the goal of the study. In the two times they have handled this cougar, George has found porcupine quills in its belly and has tried to remove as many as possible. There is no shortage of prey in Riverside State Park and cougars are one of the few animals that will actively hunt porcupines. Cougars and other large carnivores play a key role in ecosystems, balancing prey populations and dispersing smaller carnivores and herbivores across the landscape— both of which help reduce disease outbreak and improve habitat function. Cougars will also maintain their range from competition from other large predators, and it is probably better if a hazed cat who is weary of people chooses to share our trail system. George acknowledges that there are probably cougars anywhere that they can find prey and shelter in Eastern Washington, but cougar interactions with humans are still extremely rare. If approached by a cougar, it is important to not run. Instead, try to make yourself look as big as possible by raising a coat or backpack over your head, and yell and throw things—basically, try to intimidate the cat. George will be compiling the data from his study this spring, but his preliminary findings are that the cougars that go through this study flush sooner and flee faster, changing their behavior to discourage interaction with humans. He is hopeful that this process of harassment can prevent cats from getting into situations where lethal removal is necessary. // Adam Gebauer works in regional conservation. He’ll be looking for tracks while he’s making his own tracks on snowy adventures this winter.

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Primitive Skills

Building a Snow Shelter By Karie Lee Knoke

PRIMITIVE SKILLS SNOW SHELTER. // PHOTO: FIONA HICKS PHOTOGRAPHY.

HAPPY WINTER! Winter is not just for cozy-

ing up by the fire with a cup of tea and blanket, reading your favorite adventure novel. Winter is a great time to be outside, enjoying the fresh snow and practicing survival skills. I don’t know about you, but, when I was a kid, I loved making shelters. I think most kids do! Especially after a fresh dump of snow, which offers new possibilities for fun and creativity. If you grew up in snow country, you probably have had some experience of building some sort of snow fortress to ward off the enemy’s attack during a snowball fight. Perhaps you dreamt of creating an ice castle or palace that was your domain to rule. What seems like child’s play can be an effective way to empower your child with a sense of independence and self-reliance. Practicing snow shelter building instills selfconfidence as they fantasize about being king or queen of their world. It can also create memories and family bonds that last of a lifetime! I remember my dad and I hiked somewhere up Snoqualmie Pass, made a simple open-sided snow cave, ate lunch and went back home. I wanted to sleep in it, but we didn’t bring our sleeping bags. A cherished memory made over 50 years ago! What may be simple, fun, play time now, could also serve as a life-saving survival skill in the event that a future snow adventure goes awry. Building a good snow shelter can be critical in a real-life situation. HERE ARE SOME TIPS TO ENSURE THAT YOUR SNOW SHELTER IS SAFE AND EFFECTIVE.

First of all, there are many types of snow shelters. The snow cave, a Quinzee hut (similar to an igloo), or using a tree well

have been proven the most effective. Your choice of shelter depends on your situation, time available, the consistency of the snow, and your landscape. QUINZEE SHELTER: If you are in a flat mead-

ow area with ample amount of packable snow, and a bit of time on your hands, consider making a Quinzee. It’s the most effective, but takes time to build. Pile snow into a large mound. Poke one-foot sticks over the pile as guides and wait about an hour for the snow to settle. Start digging at the base for your door. Make sure you have a decent arch (not peaked) shape for your roof. Build a sleeping platform inside lined with tree boughs.

SNOW CAVE: Look for a large snow drift

with good packable snow. If you can make a snowman, you're in luck! Dig your door into the base of the drift. Dig up into the drift and create your cave. The ceiling should be arched and your door lower than your sleeping area. TREE WELL SHELTER: If you are in a treed area and need something quick, I’d consider huddling down into a tree well. Dig down until you reach the ground, pack out the walls and cover the bottom with boughs. Put larger tree branches above your shelter to prevent snow from falling in and keep the heat from escaping. Not ideal, but it will get you through the night. WHAT MAKES A GOOD SNOW SHELTER?

There are a few common items that make a good snow shelter: • Packed-out walls, at least 1 foot in thickness

• The ceiling should be smooth, so as not to create a drip point • Arched ceiling (remember, “flat goes splat!”) • Roof is not peaked and does not have a lot of heavy snow on top • Appropriate ventilation • Door opening placed 90 degrees from prevailing winds • Raised sleeping area (heat rises, while cold air goes down and out) • 6 inches of tree boughs to insulate you from the ground In a survival situation, take care not to sweat while making your shelter! Once your clothes are wet and you stop moving, your

core temperature can drop and cause hypothermia. Always wear wool, as wool will help you stay warm even when wet. So, get out and go play in the snow no matter what age you are! Spend time with your kids and practice making shelters. If you believe your shelter is safe (you could let it set overnight to see if it holds), then take the challenge and sleep in it. Learning these skills are fun and may save you or your child’s life. // Karie Lee Knoke is a wilderness/primitive skills instructor and founder of Sacred Cedars Wilderness School in Sandpoint, Idaho. She was a contestant on the reality survival TV show, Alone Season 9, on the History Channel. Go to www.karieleeknoke. com for more information, or follow her on Facebook @SacredCedarsWildernessSchool or Instagram @karie_lee_knoke.

KARIE LEE KNOKE TO SPEAK AT THE SPOKANE GREAT OUTDOORS EXPO FEB 17 Hear behind-the-scenes tales from her experience as a contestant of ALONE Season 9 in Labrador, Canada. The presentation runs from 12:30-1:50 PM on Saturday, Feb. 17 at the Spokane Convention Center. She will also be offering 15-20-minute fire making demos throughout the weekend as part of the Great Outdoors Expo, which runs Saturday and Sunday. The presentation and clinics are free with a ticket to the Expo. More info at Spokaneoutdoorexpo.com. JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024 / OUTTHEREOUTDOORS.COM

Health, Wellness, and Fitness Special Section

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AS I TAKE A DEEP BREATH IN, IV Offerings owner Carlee Hieb alerts me to the “small pinch” that’s about to happen. Honestly the pinch is a bit more intense. This is our third session, and I’m getting used to the sensation of the needle going into my vein. It helps that I’m at my dining room table and have comfortable clothes on. The needle has been replaced by a soft plastic tube that’s taped on so it won’t move while I move. I trod over to the couch and curl up under a blanket. Carlee puts a warm eye patch on my face for comfort and hooks up my IV. The natural concoction dripping directly into my veins is not one of the “off the shelf ” recipes from IV Offerings. Carlee has made this one up for me based on my symptoms, adding magnesium, b-complex, vitamin c, calcium and glutathione to support my body’s love of getting migraines. IV treatments can be excellent relief for anyone, but since I have Celiac disease, my digestive system has a harder time absorbing supplements from food. The IV method bypasses my stomach and gets right to work in my body. Though my custom go-to IV infusion helps prevent my migraines, Carlee offers many different infusions. The B-Lean treatment boosts energy and increases metabolic function. There are treatments to boost immunity, help people recover from a hangover or injury, treat COVID symptoms, treat ailments such as menstrual cramps or constipation, or boost the beauty of hair, skin and nails. “My intention in starting IV Offerings is to bridge the gap between what western medicine can offer and what

only our bodies can do,” Carlee writes on her website. If you’re curious about IV benefits, check out IV Offerings online. After connecting with Carlee through her website, she will email you an online intake form. Since she comes to your home or office, she will set up an appointment. Once she’s there, you will receive a link to connect to a nurse on video, have a quick conversation, and then the pinching can start. Carlee, who is a certified registered nurse herself, hangs out while the IV drips, then packs up and heads out. Future visits don’t require the nurse check in-online. While there are a few options for IV therapy in the Inland Northwest, the thing I like about Carlee with IV Offerings is how local she is and that she is an outdoor adventurer too. She’s not part of a larger business, and I get to know her a bit more each time she comes to my home. The treatment becomes personal and she’s invested in her clients’ health. In the Coeur d’Alene area, Brooke at Rooted Healthcare (Rootedhomehealthcare. com) provides a similar service. Both are mobile and respond quickly when your symptoms are urgent. The benefits of the supplements received directly through IV treatment outweigh the mild pinch at the start, and the effects can last a while. The goal for me is that I have fewer migraines and feel energetic every day. My focus is on ongoing wellness, not just treatment. If you’re interested in an at-home boost to your own wellness journey, view a full list of treatments, including boosters you can add, at Ivofferings.com. (Sponsored in part by IV Offerings)

Energy Availability

Health, Wellness, and Fitness Special Section

Understanding the What, Why and How By Joel Sattgast

FOR MANY INDIVIDUALS, the change in

seasons provides an opportunity to unplug, enjoy a few more seasonal beverages or holiday treats, and to begin strategizing for the upcoming season of hiking, camping, running, biking, and other outdoor activity of choice. However, due to the wideranging opportunities available year-round within the Northwest, we often shift to a different activity or sport with little thought for recovery and overall energy availability. This concept of "energy availability" is emerging throughout sport and recreational activity due to renewed emphasis from clinicians, researchers and organizations. So, what is energy availability and why should you care? First, energy availability identifies the amount of energy your body can provide to aspects of health, wellness and performance.

As the internal demand goes up (e.g. stress, illness) the external availability (i.e. activity) diminishes. Second, energy availability is strongly linked with Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs). REDs has been strongly linked with both physiologic (e.g. risk of bone stress injuries and fractures, altered reproductive function, reduced immunity) and psychologic (e.g. anxiety and depression) impairment for individuals dealing with prolonged diminished energy availability. Unfortunately for residents of the Inland Northwest, a trifecta of contributing factors significantly increases the risk for altered energy availability throughout the winter months. These include: 1) diminished sun exposure and vitamin D synthesis, 2) reduced recovery and altered sleep,

3) restrictive eating negatively impacting nutrient intake (e.g. New Year's weight-loss resolutions). Despite these factors, a few relatively straight-forward habits and behaviors can significantly improve overall energy availability and reduce the risk for injury and set back in winter months. First, each of our ecosystems respond differently to life demands. If you've not had a physical to better understand your body’s overall health, blood work to examine macro- or micronutrient deficits (among other factors), or other health and wellness testing completed in the last 2-3 years, now's a great time to complete this. Don't guess—assess! Next, your body requires a seasonal 'reset' just like the natural ecosystem all around us in the Northwest. The seasonal ebb and flow is a great example for our own ecosystem. Begin by intentionally planning to unplug and renew your emphasis on recovery and improved sleep hygiene. Load and stress associated with running, hiking, biking, paddling and more requires recovery. Shifting to skiing, snowshoeing, climbing, or attempting to maintain peak fitness merely shifts load and does little to foster recovery and increase energy availability. If you're feeling

fatigued, rest! Finally, if you've struggled with a history of injuries (e.g. tendinopathy, stress fractures, muscle strains…to name a few) this seasonal lull can provide the perfect opportunity to positively shift the needle toward improving health and wellness. Adopting a resistance training routine (e.g. 2-3x weekly) is strongly linked to improved bone density, increased muscle and tendon elasticity, improved mood and cognitive performance, and reduced risk of musculoskeletal injury. Unsure of where to start or what's best considering your unique medical and activity history? Connecting with a licensed health professional trained in musculoskeletal health, wellness and performance can help fast-track your progress and assist in optimizing load for the tissue with the issue. Want to learn more? Type “2023 IOC REDs statement” into your preferred search engine to find additional information. Wishing you health, wellness and renewed energy in 2024 and beyond! // Joel Sattgast is an outdoor enthusiast, physical therapist, performance coach, and EWU assistant professor.

Torq Personal Training Provides Something Unique

TWO WEEKS FREE PERSONAL TRAINING

By Shallan Knowles

LEFT: STEPHANIE THEISEN WITH DONNIE KISSICK AFTER HE COACHED HER TO COMPLETE A HALF MARATHON. RIGHT: AT WILD WALLS. // PHOTOS COURTESY OF DONNIE KISSICK.

PERSONALIZED WORKOUTS.Yeah, yeah, but

what does that mean? Donnie Kissick, founder of Torq, is the cheerleader for the 63-yearold who is working to recover from surgeries. He supports someone whose focus is “putting on underwear without tipping over.” He also supports the dude who wants to look good taking his shirt off in the summer. What I’ve noticed over the years I’ve known Donnie is that his biggest motivation with movement training is watching people grow to be comfortable in their bodies. Donnie started his training business in the community gym at his apartment complex in Spokane. He took a few risks, listened to what people wanted and needed, and has grown with a loyal following to build a training business with nutritional support and personalized workouts at his own gym. The

workout space is semi-private, which means there are other people at the gym with you, although the workout is your own. Outside of the gym, Donnie has developed an app that helps keep people accountable. You can participate as much or as little as you’d like. With Donnie’s unique gym, he creates a full community experience. I’ve seen the option to do meet ups at Wild Walls or join others in the group to see Le Misérables. He invites people over after hours to watch a movie or get together for food. It’s not uncommon to overhear “how did you find Donnie?” as though he’s a celebrity. Best of all, he remains humble and focused on what motivates him: helping others feel good in their bodies. Scan the QR code on his ad to the right to get started. (Sponsored in part by Torq Personal Training)

PERSONAL TRAINING A program designed around your needs, wants, and goals.

NUTRITION COACHING Meal plans & habit tracking that works for you and your family.

GROUP ACCOUNTABILITY Professional Coaches and a strong community to support you 1420 E. Sprague Ave, Spokane donniekissickpt@gmail.com 509-869-4424 torqpersonaltraining.com

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024 / OUTTHEREOUTDOORS.COM

OUT THERE SNOW 36

OUT THERE SNOW LOCAL RESORTS

WHAT'S UP AT LOCAL RESORTS WHILE THERE WAS A SLOW START to the

2023-24 season thanks to a stingy snowfall, January and February historically serve up plenty of dumps, making mid-winter the most reliable time to get out and shred the slopes of our local Inland NW resorts. Thanks to the hard off-season work of many ski mountain staff, you can expect many improvements on your next visit to your favorite local resort.

NEW CARPET (AND LODGE SPACE) ARE COOL

Lookout Pass Ski & Snowboard Park replaced carpeting and created new interior layouts in both the ski area’s historic lodge and Snow Sports School Center. A new Sprung structure base lodge (a high-performance tensioned membrane structure), adjacent to Lookout’s current lodge, is big enough for 150+ skiers/riders to warmup and relax between runs. Lookout also updated its rental center with new carpeting and layout to go with new rental gear and new demo skis/snowboard packages. There is also more parking at Lookout; a new ticketing and season pass sales systems; and new trail map in development. At Silver Mountain, the Mountain House has new carpet and the Jackass Snack Shack, located at Midway Chair 4, has a new deck for sitting while refueling and to soak up sun on bluebird days Friday-Sunday and on holidays. 49 Degrees North also has a new Sprung structure at its base area, providing 7,000 square feet of indoor space. Located adjacent to Calispel Creek Lodge and Northern Spirit Express high-speed quad, the Sprung Structure provides a warm seating area. After interior work is completed in summer 2024, the building will house 49’s daycare; snow sports school; and guest services, rental and repair shop. Also at 49, a new stairway provides faster, easier access to the base area from the parking lots and shuttle drop-off.

OUTTHEREOUTDOORS.COM / JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

BETTER FOOD AND BREWS

At Mt. Spokane, the No-Li Mountain Taphouse (in partnership with No-Li Brewhouse) was moved to the top of Parkway Express. In the main lodge, new menu items from a new chef include healthy options for a variety of dietary needs—but ski lodge food favorites are still offered. Mt. Spokane’s bars and tap handles will also offer even more locally-made craft products and regional spirits and flavors. Lookout Pass has new beer options in its bar too, including Kettlehouse Brewing’s Snow Blind and Bayern Brewing’s Groomer. GROOVIER GROOMERS

Crisper corduroy awaits skiers/riders at Mt. Spokane and Lookout Pass. Mt. Spokane has two new PistenBully Snow Cats, and Lookout Pass has a new Prinoth Groomer and added another PistenBully Snow Cat to its snow-grooming fleet. MORE SNOW MAKING AT 49°N

49 Degrees North expanded its snowmaking capabilities to cover an additional 13 acres. ALL-MOUNTAIN YOUTH SKI TEAM AT SILVER

New this season is the AMP’d Ski Team at Silver Mountain, an All-Mountain Ski Program started by former U.S. National Ski Team member Zane Larson. The 12-week schedule includes coaching for technical skiing with jumps, trees, cliffs, bumps and speed on varied terrain; avalanche safety education; and inner-club competitions.

Advantage Card—your first visit is free and then you save $10 on lift tickets for the rest of the 2023-24 season. MIDWEEK LIFT TICKET DEALS

Mt. Spokane offers special ticket prices on Mondays and Tuesdays—2 tickets for $75 (excluding holidays, e.g., MLK Day and President’s Day). On Thursdays at Lookout Pass, get two full-day lift tickets for $75; and MondaysThursdays, season pass holders from any other mountain can buy a half-price lift ticket when showing their pass (excludes holiday periods). “Those who haven’t visited Lookout Pass in a while can experience the 1,650 feet of vertical and our 2nd Quad Chairlift that services Eagle Peak,” says Matt Sawyer. FASTER CHAIRLIFT & IMPROVED GLADE SKIING AT LOOKOUT

Lookout Pass’ Chair 5 at Eagle Peak is now faster, operating at the industry standard of 450 feet/min. Five runs on Eagle Peak had vegetation cleared and dozing work to create a smoother surface and allow runs to open with less snow. Off chairs 5 and 2, dead trees were removed last summer to improve glade skiing. TERRAIN EXPANSION & NEW RUNS AT 49°N

49 Degrees North expanded skiable terrain in the West Basin area by widening the corridor below the Silver Lode lift. This allowed space for two new runs and an improved glade area between Gold Rush and Tailings.

SAVE ON LIFT TICKETS

Purchase lift tickets online at the mountains’ individual websites and save money and ensure your ticket for reserved days. Online deals available for 49 Degrees and Mt. Spokane. Lookout Pass continues offering great deals and discounts, including the

NIGHT SKIING AT MT. SPOKANE

Most Wednesdays through Saturdays at Mt. Spokane (depending on current snow conditions) will include night skiing, 3-9 p.m., with $39 lift tickets. Day tickets always include nights.

MORNING SNOW AT MT. SPOKANE. // DECEMBER 2023 BLUEBIRD DAY AT LOOKOUT PASS. // OPENING DAY AT 49 DEGREES NORTH. // EARLY-SEASON SNOW AT SILVER. // PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE RESORTS

SAVE BIG AT SILVER

The “Save Big” mid-week ski, splash, and stay package at Silver Mountain Resort includes lodging, two days of waterpark access, and lift tickets for four, with prices starting at $78/person. Booking calendar dates are Jan. 2-March 23, 2024. Purchase online with promo code “savebig.” EXPANDED LESSON PROGRAM FOR YOUTH & SCHOOL GROUPS

Mt. Spokane expanded its low-cost ski/ snowboard lesson program options for regional youth groups, public and private schools, and homeschooled students. SNOW TUBING & SCENIC GONDOLA RIDES

At Silver Mountain, non-downhill enthusiasts can still enjoy the snow and scenery with a scenic gondola ride or 2-hour tubing session. ACCESSIBILITY PROGRAM AT MT. SPOKANE

Adults and youth with physical and developmental disabilities can learn or progress their skills with the Powderhounds Adaptive Ski program at Mt. Spokane—a partnership with Spokane Parks and Recreation. More information is online at My.spokanecity.org/recreation/therapeutic. HEY, BOOMERS/GEN X!

If you’re age 50+, you can join Mt. Spokane PrimeTimers, a casual “club” communi-

ty of more than 250 seasoned skiers/riders that meet up at the mountain every Wednesday. Newcomers welcome; more info at Mtspokaneprimetimers.com. INDY PASS ACCESS

Silver Mountain and 49 Degrees North are participating mountains for Indy Passholders, which includes two days of skiing/riding at more than 180 resorts in the U.S. (all regions, including Alaska), Canada, Japan and Europe.

GET SOCIAL ON THE SLOPES

Be a part of local ski culture at these mid-winter events JAN 11: JACKASS DAY AT SILVER MOUNTAIN

This annual tradition celebrates Silver’s roots. Participants are encouraged to break out vintage ski gear while they enjoy retro-priced $20 lift tickets (limited availability, reserve in advance). JAN 20: WINTERSPORTSFEST AT 49°N

Play in the snow at the 49°N Nordic Center with demos of a wide range of winter sports gear, including snowshoes, Altai skis, fat bikes, and classic and skate Nordic skis. Lessons for all ages are offered throughout the day too (only $10 per person). JAN 21: WOMEN’S CLINIC AT 49°N

YOUTH NORDIC SKI PROGRAM AT 49°N

In February, a Nordic ski lesson program for youth (ages 9-17) at 49 Degrees North includes 90-minute lessons on three consecutive Fridays: Feb. 2, 9, and 16. CLUB SHRED FOR KIDS

Mt. Spokane will again host Club Shred on Friday nights (5-8 p.m.) for kids ages 4-10; includes ski/ride lesson, dinner and playtime. SNOW TV

Remember back in the day when you had to call a ski mountain’s “snow line” to learn the latest conditions? (Kudos to mountains who still provide that!) Mt. Spokane’s livestreams of its bunny hill, three of its six chairlifts, and snow-stake provide real-time views of current weather conditions and snowfall accumulation.

The first in a series of three clinics provides a safe and supportive environment for women skiers and snowboarders (ages 15+) of all ability levels to build on and learn new skills. Next clinic dates are Feb 11 and March 3. FEB 9: LADIES-ONLY DAY AT MT. SPOKANE

These popular Ladies’ Day events (Feb 9 and March 8) include all-day ski/ride lessons for all abilities and skill levels, plus lunch, après cocktails and prizes. FEB 24: FREEBIRD RAMBLE SKIMO RACE AT 49°N

Put on by Rambleraven Gear Trader, this skimo race and relay includes three race options for skiers and splitboarders: solo laps, solo endurance, or a 2-4 person relay. From the lodge, participants skin to the summit and then switch to downhill mode and then ski or ride back down to the finish line. LIVE MUSIC

Mt. Spokane hosts live music every Friday night, and live music is scheduled on Saturdays at Noah’s Canteen at Silver Mountain. 49°N also has frequent musicians playing at the Boomtown Bar. CLASSIC LOOKOUT PASS EVENTS

Lookout Pass’ season calendar includes longtime favorite winter events, including the Cardboard Box Derby, Hawaiian Luau, Two BBQ & Brews on the Deck dates, Kids’ Snow Bowling, Pacific NW National Wife Carrying Competition, and more (check online for dates and details).

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OUT THERE SNOW SKI SCHOOL

WHEN THE STUDENT BECOMES THE TEACHER

How one family exemplifies the Schweitzer-based North Idaho Mountain Sports Education Fund’s “earn your own way” ethos

NIMSEF ALLOWS CHILDREN WHO WOULDN’T OTHERWISE SKI FOR MORE THAN ONE OR TWO DAYS A YEAR TO LEARN TO LOVE MOUNTAIN SPORTS WHILE EARNING PART OF THEIR WAY. WITH SCHWEITZER’S SUPPORT THE NONPROFIT ALSO HELPS GET VETERANS AND DISABLED SKIERS ON THE SLOPES.. // RIGHT: THE GNAR RUB LOTION BAR IS ONE OF SMALLTOWN KIDS’ NEWEST PRODUCTS AND IS AN ALL-NATURAL LOTION BAR IN A COMPACT CASE. IT EVOLVED DIRECTLY FROM THE STEFFENS KIDS PARTICIPATING IN NIMSEF, A NORTH IDAHO NONPROFIT THAT GETS KIDS, THE DISABLED AND VETERANS OUT ON THE MOUNTAIN.

BY BARRY CAMPBELL IN 2010, LONG-TIME Schweitzer Mountain Resort ski instructor Jeff Rouleau first conceived the idea of an organization focused on getting local kids onto the slopes. So many families he knew had two working parents, but still couldn’t afford it. Fast forward 13 years, and hundreds of scholarship skiers and snowboarders have benefited immensely from the efforts of the North Idaho Mountain Sports Education Fund (NIMSEF) he created. Rouleau might have envisioned families, vets and disabled skiers enjoying the Schweitzer experience via NIMSEF, but never could have imagined the extent to which one local family grew to symbolize the goals and values of the nonprofit. The Steffen family’s NIMSEF tale begins with their moving to the Idaho Panhandle in 2009 and the parents, Jason and Kelsey, starting their own business. They didn’t have disposable income to send their eldest child, Malia, up to Schweitzer regularly, and neither parent skied or snowboarded. Upon learning about NIMSEF, they applied, and Malia was awarded a NIMSEF scholarship. Within a couple years, she launched her own business to cover her portion of the NIMSEF scholarship. “My parents weren’t skiers, but I really wanted to ski,” says Malia (now 17 years old). “I started making candles and bath confetti at home so I could pay off the $50 [the fee required by NIMSEF] and use any extra profit to help my brothers get to ski, too.” That company, Smalltown Kids, has continually grown, and its products are sold online and in Bonners Ferry, Sandpoint, Hood River and Portland stores. KIDS EARNING THEIR WAY

As the Smalltown Kids website reads: “It all started because we wanted to ski. We are three kids learning to earn our own 38

way. We handcraft all of our products in Bonners Ferry, Idaho.” Malia was so motivated by the experience NIMSEF afforded her that she not only covered her siblings’ NIMSEF requirements, but she and her brothers built the business to the point where it has been a corporate sponsor of the program for the past three years. Rouleau explains that from the beginning, NIMSEF was designed to not only teach skiing/snowboarding, but to engage its participants. “We wanted to allow them to work for a portion of their tuition and participate in fundraising, because we believe this will help them value this gift, build a work ethic, and learn to give back,” he says. All scholarship students receive a full Schweitzer season pass, rental gear for the season, and students aged 7-14 are enrolled in Schweitzer’s Funatics program, which connects groups of similar age and ability who spend eight weeks together exploring the mountain. COMING FULL CIRCLE

In Malia’s case, NIMSEF may have spurred not only a work ethic, but a career. When she aged out of Funatics, she was accepted into the Schweitzer Junior Instructor program, and then quickly earned her Level I and Level II Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) certifications (and associated pay raises). Malia, as a Schweitzer ski school instructor, says that teaching Funatics lessons that include NIMSEF participants is extremely gratifying and surreal. “It is just super cool to see that come full circle, to be able to give back what had been given to me originally,” she adds. Malia has also earned money toward a women’s snowcat skiing trip, has taken her Level I avalanche training (earning another scholarship), and will be working in the backcountry skiing industry with Selkirk Powder, a

OUTTHEREOUTDOORS.COM / JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

local snowcat operation this year. The Steffen kids worked hard at their business this summer, and Malia devoted some of her profits toward a summer ski/snowboard camp in Colorado. “NIMSEF taught us that you don't have to have a ton of money to be able to do these things. There are workarounds, and if you truly want it, you'll work hard for it,” she says. “That's awesome, and it’s why we are so happy to be able to sponsor other kids in the program.” THE SKI INDUSTRY’S NEXT GENERATION

NIMSEF also helped nudge Malia’s younger brother Zadok down the trail of bigger things on the mountain. He started out in NIMSEF and moved on to participating in a Schweitzer youth leadership program. In 2023, at age 14, he not only entered – and won – his first snowboarding competition, at the resort’s Snowghost Banked Slalom race, but his finish time would have won the men’s division and placed him sixth in the open division. Zadok also took first place in the resort’s Rowdy Grouse Rail Jam competition and has earned invitations to some bigger outof-state competitions. He’s planning to enter some of those and is partially paying for the entry fees and travel with his Smalltown Kids business earnings. Not surprisingly, Zadok and Malia’s father Jason has become a huge advocate for this nonprofit that he says changed the course of his family’s life. “The progression we’re witnessing in our children, on and off the snow, is amazing and NIMSEF really got it all started,” he says. Both parents, Jason and Kelsey, have also taken up skiing/boarding, and their three younger children also spend plenty of time at Schweitzer. Jason says the structure of NIMSEF’s student participation is the key to its success

since it provides a tool parents can use to motivate their children. “For us, NIMSEF was the inspiration for them to start the business, and it has shown them what it means to have a vision and figure out ways of achieving those goals,” he adds. “NIMSEF taught them to ski and snowboard. Now they're becoming ski instructors and supporting their passions with their business. This story shines a bit of light on the core soul of Schweitzer.” A SMALL, NIMBLE TEAM AND COMMUNITY EFFORT

With five board members, lots of help from Schweitzer, and private donations, this nonprofit continues to provide joy and hope to kids who can’t afford it, disabled people, and veterans. While he is not one to take much credit, Rouleau experiences tremendous pride in seeing the progress of the Steffen kids and so many other NIMSEF participants. As the area’s demographics change and the financial pressures on local working families increase, the organization plans to continue building the ski and snowboard community. “The financial challenges of living here have only gotten more difficult in the last few years, and that’s not going to change,” Rouleau says. “Our goal is doing what we can to help the entire community be able to experience the amazing mountain that’s in our backyard.” For more information about NIMSEF, visit Nimsef.com. // Barry Campbell is an avid skier and semiretired snowboarder who runs his own PR and marketing business to fund his outdoor adventures. He lives in Sandpoint with his wife, teenage son, and golden doodle and can often be found on Lake Pend Oreille, on Schweitzer’s steeps, or on Sandpoint-area singletrack.

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024 / OUTTHEREOUTDOORS.COM

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I PISSED OFF SANTA BY BRAD NORTHRUP

WHEN CHRISTMAS DAY ROLLS AROUND ,

many folks out there look forward to opening presents and hope the contents are just what they asked for, like keys to a new car, or a life-time supply of Rogaine. Not this guy. Nope, your humble narrator’s favorite part is the opening of stockings, mainly because I have no idea what to expect. Whether it be candy, gum, flashlights or weird wind-up flying gizmos, I am always thrilled to see what Old Saint Nick decided to slip into my stocking. This year, however, things didn’t turn out as I expected. After I dumped the sparse contents of my stocking across the coffee table, the room went deathly silent. I stared in disbelief at what was laid in front of me: one dried dog turd, two pieces of coal, and an unwrapped half-eaten Tootsie Roll coated with cat hair. What did I do to deserve this? I thought I was pretty good this year. Well, mostly. And then it hit me. Santa has an intelligence network that puts the CIA, KGB, and Mossad to shame, and I know he is tight with Ullr. It was then that I realized that the Norse god of skiing had told Santa all about my failures as a skier, which the fat man in the red suit used against me. Here is what I reckon I did to piss off Santa: First, I know I was way behind in getting our sticks into the shop to get ready for the season. The mountains were already open when I finally got my poop in a group, but in my defense, I was very busy “burning stuff ” on my days off. I’m also certain the condition of our skis added to Santa’s ire when he found out. Rather than cleaning them up and applying a coat of summer wax at the end of last season, I just threw them into storage.

And let me tell ya, rusted edges and bonedry bases do not sit well with the guy who keeps a naughty and nice list. It also probably didn’t help that I had bought new boots for both myself and my better half over a year ago but put forth zero effort to get them dialed in over the course of last season. Instead of getting a boot-fitting appointment for both of us this fall, I blew it off and thought we would just suck it up this year. Alas, my mantra of “Pain is just weakness leaving the body” is not shared by Santa, and he knows all too well the consequences of ill-fitting ski boots on the feet of one’s significant other. I think what the broke the camel’s back, however, was my negative winter weather predictions. Sure, the scientists have been yammering on and on about the lack of snowfall here in the PNW thanks to El Niño, but I should have tried to spin it in a more positive light. Rather than doing that, I reinforced the scientific position by saying stupid things like “Well, we had three years of good snow, so I guess our luck has run out,” or “I prefer groomed runs anyway,” or “My legs get tired from powder skiing.” I’m sure Santa mentally classified these statements as Dumb, Dumb and Dumber as he sprinkled cat hair on that Tootsie Roll. I don’t like making New Year’s resolutions, but for this coming year, I’m taking the glassis-half-full approach to whatever the forecast is, and I will be dropping off skis and my better half at the shop the day after the 4th of July. // Brad Northrup is a former ski racer, coach, and ski industry professional. He has been on Santa’s naughty list since the late 1980s.

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OUT THERE SNOW FAT BIKING

KEEPING THE WHEELS ROLLING ALL WINTER LONG BY CHRIS MACCINI

IF YOU’RE LOOKING for Dan Wilson on a Wednesday evening, there’s a good chance you’ll find him outside, atop a bicycle, no matter the season. Wilson keeps a standing date with his mountain biking buddies: Wednesdays at 6 p.m., regardless of the weather. As winter approaches and the days grow shorter and cooler, Wilson and his friends

break out the headlamps and handlebar lights to continue their riding in the dark. That buys them a few more weeks of evening riding. Then the snow flies and the trails become unrideable on a traditional mountain bike. Until a few years ago, that signaled to Wilson that it was time to switch to skis. But, depending on the snow year, there are usually at least a few weeks between when

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the mountain biking trails close and the ski slopes open. It was during one of these times that Wilson first tried a fat bike. “Honestly, it was during a not-so-good ski season,” Wilson recalls. “It's like, man, I'm bored. I want to do something. It's cold. It's dark. Skiing's not here yet. What am I gonna do? I need to get outside.” Wilson got wind that Wheel Sport, a Spokane bike shop, was

holding a fat bike demo day. He decided to give it a try, but the experience was far from love at first ride. “I was like, these suck. This is the worst. Why would I ever do this?” Wilson says, “But you know what, it was honestly because it was terrible conditions. And in the wrong conditions, fat bikes are not fun. But once you get a day that’s appropriate for it, you're

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like, oh my god. I get it now.” For those not yet initiated into the fat bike phenomenon, fat bikes are typically considered those with a tire width of at least 3.8 inches. Originally developed for riding in the extreme conditions of Alaskan snow or sandy New Mexico deserts, their wide footprint and low-pressure tires make them ideal for navigating loose, slippery terrain. In recent years, fat bikes have exploded in popularity. Many ski resorts and cross-country ski areas now offer rentals and groom purpose-built trails for winter fat biking. In the Inland Northwest, you can now find groomed trails that are open to fat biking at Riverside State Park, Mount Spokane (not on the Nordic trails, however), 49 Degrees North, Farragut State Park, Schweitzer and more. But for Wilson and his friends, the allure of fat biking is not constrained to these wellmaintained trails. Instead, he thinks of fat biking the same way he thinks about mountain biking in the summer: a way to get outside, get some exercise and find those downhill thrills. Downhill fat biking isn’t the norm. “I'm not a big cross-country guy,” he says. “I think fat biking gets locked into this crosscountry category because that's what a lot of people do with fat bikes. They're off-season roadies or something for someone who wants to keep their fitness up. And that's a

part of fat biking. But that's just not my style. I'll slog it up a mountain, sometimes pushing it on foot, just to go down it.” During those dark winter Wednesday evenings after work, Wilson has increasingly turned to downhill fat biking. His favorite spots are trail 110 on Mount Spokane and the Iller Creek trails in the Dishman Hills. It can be hard work, Wilson says, breaking trail uphill through fresh snow. But similar to snowshoeing or backcountry skiing, a group can rotate leaders, allowing those behind to ride on the packed-down trail. Even better, Wilson says, is if a group of snowshoers have come through recently and packed down the trail ahead of them. Because the climb can be exhausting, Wilson and his friends often plan a reward for themselves at the top. They’ll ride up to the CCC cabin on Mount Spokane, for example, then stop inside to enjoy a dinner they’ve packed or a cold beverage. They’ll hang out, rest and change layers before heading back outside into the snow for the downhill ride. One memorable night, Wilson and his friends emerged from the CCC cabin to find that nearly a foot of fresh powder had fallen while they were inside. Unlike skiing or snowboarding, lots of fresh powder isn’t always ideal for fat biking. But this time, the conditions aligned perfectly.

“It was so cold that the powder would just slough off, and there was a base underneath,” Wilson says. “It was incredible. You just got this powder floating, fanning out across your tires but not slowing you down. Just powder in the air flying everywhere. It looked so wild.” Those unique conditions are part of the appeal of fat biking for Wilson. Unlike dirt mountain biking where trails remain relatively static throughout the season, each time you ride a trail on a fat bike in the winter, it’s brand new. The trails change depending on the snow conditions, and therefore riders must adapt their riding styles. On one day, you might have blower powder beneath your tires, and on another the trail might be a hard-packed luge track. Regardless of the conditions, it’s getting outside on a regular basis that matters most to Wilson. And during the long, sometimes gloomy winter season, it’s his fat bike that helps him keep that standing Wednesday evening date. If you’re interested in learning more about fat biking in the Inland Northwest, Wilson suggests joining the SOFA (Spokane's Original Fatbike Association) group on Facebook. Or, just rent or buy a fat bike from one of the area’s great local shops and give it a try. “Sliding around on a goofy bike, that's what it's all about!” Wilson says. //

LEFT: TOP OF KAN. // MIDDLE: NIGHT FATS MT SPO CCC CABIN. // 12 O'CLOCK. // PHOTOS COURTESY OF DAN WILSON.

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024 / OUTTHEREOUTDOORS.COM

OUT THERE SNOW SNOWSHOEING

SNOWSHOEING YELLOWSTONE

Exploring winter magic in America’s first national park BY JEAN ARTHUR BY THE TIME MY FAMILY and I finished snowshoeing around Mammoth Terraces in Yellowstone National Park, we’d tromped 1.5 miles, observed colorful formations like Orange Spring Mound and Angel Terrace, and laughed at our kids’ descriptions of the park’s famous thermal features exuding sulphureous belches. “Eww. Dad. Do you have to do that here,” jokes my son, who’s well-versed in Yellowstone’s thermal world. The rottenegg malodor derives from solfataras, hydrogen sulfide gas, chemical reactions where the pH below “1” can dissolve the soles of snowshoes, so acidic it is. Add heat, and Yellowstone provides habitat for thermoacidophiles—acid- and heat-loving microbes. At Mammoth Terraces, the 200+ degree water dissolves limestone and forms glistening white calcium carbonate, travertine. Here, buffalo roam. Elk bugle. Bears sleep. Wolves howl. We adventure. Back in the truck, parked along the Mammoth-to-Norris Road, the heater blasts, and our toes and noses defrost. The frigid mist from the evaporating thermal springs flock our mittens and hats with lovely crystals. Here at the Upper Terrace area, the road closes to automobiles for winter and opens to snowcoaches, over-the-snow tracked vehicles that shuttle visitors to backcountry trailheads and on to Old Faithful, our next trip.

Through the steam, we see a bull bison using his massive head to shovel snow aside as he searches for grasses in subnivean hibernation. While we worry that the 2,000pound vegetarian might starve, we learn from the Visitor Center’s rangers that the ungulates, bison, elk, deer and pronghorn, evolved to survive on few calories in winter despite minus-20-degree days and even colder nights. Elk wander the Lower Terrace area between the 37-foot-tall Liberty Cap formation, which resembles a torpedo—the kids add less savory descriptions—and the Mammoth Hot Spring Historic District. We tumble into the elegant Mammoth Hotel lobby where a roaring fire, pianist on the baby grand, and coffee shop warm hands and hearts. The hearty hot chocolate helps. Winter is a magical place for Yellowstone visitors. TRAIL ETIQUETTE AND HOW TO EXPLORE THE PARK

Access to America’s first national park, established in 1872, includes a handful of snowshoe trailheads, one interior open road, and snowcoach routes, which are excellent options. Day excursions lead from cozy and elegant lodgings where après treks include crackling fires, hot or cold refreshments, and local lore. The Gardiner and Mammoth area’s lodg-

OUTTHEREOUTDOORS.COM / JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

ings and libations offer an excellent launch for winter trips because the road from Gardiner, Mont., to Mammoth and on to Cooke City, Mont., is plowed. On other visits, we’ve skied and snowshoed the challenging 8-mile Blacktail Plateau Trail, the 2.5mile easy Tower Falls out-and-back route, and the easy 3.5-mile Barronette Trail near Cooke City. Blacktail Plateau and Barronette trails have two trailheads and can be snowshoed one way if a group has a two-vehicle shuttle. Trail etiquette includes giving right of way to the uphill traveler when encountering oncoming snowshoers, allowing speedier travelers to pass by stepping to trail’s side, and never snowshoeing on the skier track, which damages the trail for skiers. And, of course: leave no trace, only tracks. Trails vary with challenges, from elevation (above 7,000 feet) to skill, wildlife hazards and limited daylight. (At winter solstice, sun sets just after 4 p.m.) Other than Gardiner lodgings, restaurants and outfitters; the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel; and Mammoth General Store and Bear Den Ski Shop where we rented snowshoes, no services exist in winter for 50 miles. Eastward on the Grand Loop Road to the Northeast Entrance at Cooke City, lodgings, eateries and gift shops cater to winter visitors— mainly snowmobilers.

VISITING OLD FAITHFUL IN WINTER

Yellowstone is a curious place. “Dad! I’ll race you to Old Faithful! Ready, set,” the kids dash ahead before my husband and I even think about trotting on snowshoes. On a spellbinding winter trip into the Old Faithful area, we ride a snowcoach from Mammoth, bumping over the snow-covered road, arriving four hours later at the world’s most famous geyser. While several companies operate snowcoaches, we opt for the Yellowstone Park Lodges operator, which offers winter shuttles and interpreted and guided day tours to experience thermal features. Sundogs dance their crystalline shimmer, just out of my reach, always just ahead of my family, who has left me in the powdery dust between our hotel, Old Faithful Snow Lodge, and the geyser, which rangers estimate will blast soon. Old Faithful, so named because regular eruptions gush every 35 to 120 minutes, attracts global visitors year round. The Bear Den in Old Faithful Snow Lodge rents winter gear and sells whatever item, from hat to handwarmers, visitors neglected to bring—even ice skates for the pond outside the door. The Bear Den crew offers trail advice, guiding and even lessons. After an excellent dinner at the lodge, we saunter out once again to witness a nighttime blast of Old Faithful by headlamp, nearly bumping into a herd of bison. We about-face

FROM OPPOSITE PAGE FAR RIGHT: YELLOWSTONE SODA BUTTE CR //STAGECOACH INN W YELLOWSTONE // OLD FAITHFUL GEYSER// YELLOWSTONE TREK// BISON ON GROOMED ROAD YELLOWSTONE // PHOTOS: JEAN ARTHUR

and head back inside for live music and hot drinks by a roaring fire, satisfied that Old Faithful can wait til daylight. Our reward: wolves howl outside, much to visitors’—and our—delight. RECOMMENDED WEST YELLOWSTONE TRAILS

On other trips, we’ve lodged and supped in West Yellowstone, Mont., where we would dip into the park from our hotel. The gentle Riverside Ski Trail departs from Boundary Street trailhead on town’s east edge. The one-mile connector cruises eastward to the Madison River and the Downriver and Upriver Trail loops. A sec-

tion of Downriver Loop, on the Madison River’s bank, tromps over Barnes Hole Rd., thus wide enough to snowshoe side-by-side and avoid the ski tracks. Snowshoers can spend as long as they want among the trees, Canada geese, occasional swans and bald eagles. While the trail roams over small hills, it only gains a few feet elevation over the 7.7-mile trail, yet West Yellowstone’s elevation at 6,664 feet may challenge lungs and fitness. Trekkers may encounter bison, elk, owls and wolves, while the big carnivores, grizzly bears and black bears, mostly nap throughout the winters. Occasionally, male

bears wander outside winter dens and groggily sniff around before returning to beds in a state of torpor and not true hibernation. The trails here are not patrolled and seldom groomed. Skier and snowshoer tracks are easy to follow, but visitors should use an app such as onX, which offers trail information both online and offline. Spotty cellphone access available in communities is generally inaccessible inside the park. Dazzled by the sundogs—hexagonal ice crystals that form a column of spinning ice mist—we thrive in winter’s solitude. The prism refracting the sun’s rays for diamond-like spar-

kles in the ten-degree morning is Yellowstone’s magic. Yellowstone National Park passes are required for all visitors (www.nps.gov/yell). Find additional regional tourism information at Visityellowstonecountry.com. // Jean Arthur has only written one adventure story from a chairlift, yet does snowshoe and XC ski from the door of her Montana office. The second edition of her book, Top Trails: Glacier National Park, will be published spring 2024 by Wilderness Press with new photography, new trails and lots of updates from both Glacier and Waterton National Parks.

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When a Bike Ride Cannot Cure What Ails You By Ammi Midstokke

WHEN I MET HIM, Mark was already a ship-

wreck surrendered to the rise and ebb of addiction and the depression that rules it. When the tide of inebriation rolled out, one could crawl into the cavity of his chest and find forgotten treasures: Memorized guitar solos, wicked skateboard tricks, a love affair with his road bike, and the kind of intelligence that knows exactly the kind of trouble it’s in. When that tide came surging back, he was sure he was buoyant enough to float. But ships don’t repair themselves and his vessel was no more seaworthy despite his Strava stats. Then one day, tide approaching, Mark grew tired of the redundancy and pointed the business-end of a gun at the mind he could not tame.

Months later, I am in his kitchen waiting for him to moonwalk in, spin on a heel, and flip some pancakes for me. “I know how you like your butter melted, Norway,” he would say, teeth biting into my flesh. Ghosts don’t have teeth though. I hear only the tackiness of my paint roller and my stifled sobs as I cover the last notes he scribbled on the wall. Whoever cleans up the scenes of travesty and violence had already scrubbed them, so I only know it is his familiar scrawl. Was it a love note to his children? Words of the Buddha? Race goals? So many of us have found respite from our pain in the soothing balm of nature and sport. A bludgeoning of trail miles saved me from an abusive marriage, from my socially-acceptable wine habit, from my own belief that I wasn’t—would never be—

good enough. Mountains and trees, rivers and lakes, they greeted me as a soft landing when the reality of my childhood and my fucked up family emerged from the untangling of therapy. I am a lucky one. One medicine led to another until I resembled an emotionally stable human. Most days. I think back to one of my first runs with Mark, when I didn’t understand his fight, when shame had kept from me the death of his brother, the cruelty of his parents, the disintegration of his marriage. When I thought he swished Listerine in the car park because he’d forgotten to brush his teeth. I ran him hard: In the way one test drives a new car, I was test driving him as a lover. He grew more pink by the mile. Something awoke in him. Or he’d burned off the fumes. “I don’t remember ever feeling so alive,” he said. The cure did not stick. It’s only one tool when the redemptive path from our histories, the myriad traumas we’ve endured, or the headlines require a bottomless carpet bag á la Mary Poppins. We need running and riding and mountains and dark leafy greens. We need therapy and spiritual growth and meaningful connection. We need B vitamins, psilocybin journeys, meditation, whatever it takes. We need love and we need to believe we are worthy of that love. We need those kinder voices, paid-for or serendipitous, to be louder, more incessant than the others. We need to learn to ask for help. Because at some point we will find ourselves alone in our kitchen, reckoning. It is the aloneness

that is the most deadly. It is the belief that when we are suffering or scared or don’t have the answers, we are a burden to others. It is culture that tells us that admitting struggle is to admit weakness is to admit defeat. It is in a world that supposes a flock of vultures awaits for vulnerability as the first signs of a rotting corpse. In the years that our friendship lasted, I watched Mark claw his way out of that dark well of misery time and again. He only reached out when the sun was on his face once more. “Run or sex, Norway?” “I’m married now, Mark.” “Just a run, then, I guess.” That’s not when he needed me. But no one ever calls you from their kitchen with a pistol in their mouth. Or at least he didn’t. In the weeks and months that preceded that moment, the every-day calamities of being human seemed his solitary war, his solitary failings. He could not, would not, ask for help. Worst of all, he thought it was his fault. I have had a hundred post-mortem conversations with my dead lover. Mostly, I ask what conversations I should have had before, if he knows his preciousness now wherever he is. Because we knew it all along. When the days grow short and my own aching begins to seep from my seams like thick, black oil until I am suffocating in my darkness, I still go for a run. Then I call my therapist, admit to my friends I cannot breathe in the stench of my misery, melt into the arms of a husband who can carry the weight of me, take all the B vitamins, and pray for the salvation of my child’s humor. If you or anyone you know is riding that struggle bus to a dangerous precipice, please call 988 for support. Ammi Midstokke lives in the foothills of the Idaho Selkirks with her family. She’s currently building a new house and spending her outdoor time hanging cedar siding and her indoor time learning how to plaster.

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