July-August 2020 // Out There Outdoors

b a c kc o u n t ry l a k e s | u R b a n s c av e n g e r h u n t | A r c h e ry JULY-AUGUST 2020 // FREE

THE INLAND PACIFIC NORTHWEST GUIDE TO ADVENTURE + TRAVEL + CULTURE

OUTTHEREOUTDOORS.COM

JUMP INTO SUMMER

Explore INW Lakes & Backcountry

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ADVENTURING SMART

in the covid-19 era

Loving Leavenworth Just not to death

remembering "The LAke" Hike of the month Leigh Lake

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CONTENTS

Features

22 28 30 32

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Ocean to Idaho Coming to Full Draw Backcountry Lakes Loving Leavenworth

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Departments 15 | Nature 17 | Outdoor Living 18 | Health & Fitness 19 | Flashback 20 | Provisions 21 | Urban Outdoors 25 | Prime Times 26 | Gear Room

Columns 12 13 14 16 24

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Hike of the Month The Human Adventure Everyday Cyclist Out There Kids Run Wild

In Every Issue 7 | Intro 8 | Dispatches 34 | Last Page COVER: "Avery McKee breaks free from a stressful day and escapes to the refreshing waters of Long Lake on the Spokane River."

PHOTO BY JON JONCKERS 4

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JULY-AUGUST 2020 WWW.OUTTHEREOUTDOORS.COM PUBLISHERS

Shallan & Derrick Knowles EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

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Crystal Atamian S. Michal Bennett Bradley Bleck Paul Chisholm John Eliason Adam Gabauer Susan Hales Sarah Hauge Summer Hess Jessy Humann Jon Jonckers Dorian Karahalios Derrick Knowles Shallan Knowles Lisa Laughlin Blair Libby Amy McCaffree Ammi Midstokke Carolyn Price Rebecca Ross Justin Short Holly Weiler Wil Wheaton ART + PRODUCTION

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Mailing Address: PO Box #5, Spokane, WA 99210 www.outthereoutdoors.com, 509 / 822 / 0123 Out There Outdoors is published 10 times a year by Out There Monthly, LLC. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent of the publisher. ©Copyright 2020 Out There Monthly, LLC. The views expressed in this magazine reflect those of the writers and advertisers and not necessarily Out There Monthly, LLC.

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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.

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I N T R O THE GREAT AMERICAN OUTDOORS ENTRANCE TO TURNBULL NWR ON THE COLUMBIA PLATEAU TRAIL. PHOTO: CAROL CORBIN

THE CORONA VIRUS PANDEMIC has few silver linings, but one that may be the most lasting and positive is the dramatic increase in the number of Americans who have been getting outside. And it’s our vast system of federal, state, and local public lands and parks that make spending time outdoors here in the U.S.A. so easy and enjoyable.

Especially here in the West, where the bulk

of the nation’s public lands acres are, most of us don’t need to travel far to get away from “No Trespassing” signs to find public lands to wander, lakes and rivers to fish and float, and trails to get away from it all and just ride. One of the hopes of conservation and recreation advocates and public land managers who fight for and manage our public lands and trails daily is that the

COVID-spurred increase in public lands visitations will translate into more support for those lands. Lasting public support for future land, water, and wildlife conservation efforts as well as funding for the maintenance of our existing parks, trails, trailheads, and other recreation facilities and their management could be at least one positive outcome of the pandemic.

One sign that we may be headed in that direction is the recent passage of the Great American Outdoors Act by a bi-partisan majority of the U.S. Senate. The legislation, which still needs the support of the U.S. House of Representatives before being signed by the president, which he has indicated he will do, could provide billions in needed deferred maintenance funds for our National Parks. Those funds would pay for things like trail and facility maintenance that have been neglected for years, and the bill would also provide permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). The LWCF is one of America’s most important conservation programs that’s been responsible for protecting parks, wildlife refuges, and other public lands and trails across federal, state, and local levels for 50 years. The fund provides crucial funding for conservation and recreation projects as well as the historic preservation of iconic national landmarks, all without tapping

into taxpayer coffers; the LWCF is instead exclusively funded from a small portion of revenues from offshore oil and gas royalty payments, which for years have not been making it to the LWCF as intended. The Great American Outdoors Act would put an end to Congressional poaching of these dollars meant for our public lands.

This isn’t a time to be cynical and hold off on calling your representative because you think they hate nature. This legislation has broad, bipartisan support from a wide range of outdoors lovers, from hunters, anglers, and ATV riders to bird watchers, mountain bikers, and backpackers, along with many other diverse user groups with varied political convictions. Call or email them regularly until this thing passes so those of us who love the outdoors can all have something big and positive to celebrate together. Learn more about our public lands and the LWCF here to help inform your comments to Congress: Lwcfcoalition.com. Also, stay tuned for the next issue of Out There, our September/ October issue, which will be our first annual Public Lands issue. Email me at derrick@ outtheremonthly.com for public lands related story pitches, advertising inquiries, or to financially support our effort to make our first and hopefully annual Public Lands issue a reality. // DERRICK KNOWLES, PUBLISHER

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DISPATCHES

ACCESS FUND PURCHASES NEW CLIMBING AREAS LEAVENWORTH, WASH.

PHOTO: JON JONCKERS

RIVERSIDE STATE PARK TRAIL MAP RELEASED SPOKANE, WASH.

WITH AN ELECTRIC ASSIST BICYCLE

CITY & MOUNTAIN BIKES AVAILABLE

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OUTTHEREOUTDOORS.COM / JULY-AUGUST 2020

Last month, the Riverside State Park Foundation proudly released the most complete and comprehensive trail map for Washington’s largest state park.

Considering Riverside State Park occupies 9,194 acres along the Spokane and Little Spokane rivers, the demand for an accurate and thorough map has been enormous in recent years. The 18” x 24” inch map of Riverside features more detailed information about the four most popular areas on the back, including: the Equestrian Area, Bowl and Pitcher, 7-Mile, and Pine Bluff.

According to Foundation President Lou Haymond, it took more than a year to accurately plot everything with the combined efforts of park staff, foundation members, and a professional map cartographer. The map highlights hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian trails, but it also pinpoints special places for rock climbing, boat launches, camping sites and picturesque overlooks and includes trail numbers. New trail signs are also in the works at the park, with signs already going up in the 7-mile area. Map sales directly benefit Riverside State Park. The Foundation sells the map through Riverside State Park outlets and cooperating local retailers, such as REI and the Bike Hub. If you are interested in being a retail outlet for the map, please contact Lou Haymond via the Foundation's website at Riversidestateparkfoundation.org. The Riverside map and signage project were made possible with the support of Avista and REI. (Jon Jonckers)

The Access Fund is pleased to announce that they have acquired Alphabet Rock and Icehouse Boulders in Icicle Canyon outside Leavenworth. This conservation project is the result of a collaboration among Access Fund, the private landowner, local partner organizations, and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). The property will soon be transferred to the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, marking another success story for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).

The 11-acre private property includes Alphabet Rock and the Icehouse Boulders, as well as the initial access path to Givler’s Dome and outlier crags on adjacent USFS lands. Together, these granite cliffs and outcrops feature more than 40 historic cracks, slabs, faces, and hueco-filled roofs, ranging in difficulty from 5.7 to 5.13, as well as dozens of challenging boulder problems. The prominent 250-foot Givler’s Crack, Dogleg Crack, and Meat Grinder are just a few classics that have attracted climbers since the 1970s.

The Access Fund now owns the parcel as a short-term holding, using funds from its Climbing Conservation Loan Program (CCLP). The same loan fund and conservation strategy enabled Washington Climbers Coalition (WCC) to acquire the Lower Index Town Wall in 2009. Since then, the Access Fund has loaned approximately $3.2 million to 27 climbing areas across the country. Now, the Access Fund will transfer the property to Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest later this year to permanently protect the area as public land. The USFS has secured federal LWCF dollars to complete the property transfer. Right now, the U.S. House of Representatives is considering permanent, dedicated funding for LWCF in the Great American Outdoors Act, which recently passed the U.S. Senate with bi-partisan support.

“Historic crags like Alphabet Rock and Givler’s Dome have been a cherished resource to climbers for half a century,” says Leavenworth Mountain Association (LMA) Board President Alison Miller. “Protection of this parcel is an essential part of LMA’s work to conserve and steward climbing areas and natural resources throughout Icicle Canyon.”

(Jon Jonckers)

SCHWEITZER INVESTS IN SUSTAINABILITY SANDPOINT, IDAHO

At a time when we need more good news, Schweitzer Mountain Resort recently announced a major investment in reducing the impact the resort’s operations have on the natural environment that sustains it. The broad-reaching initiative to reduce the resort’s environmental impact targets resource areas such as energy, water, waste, fleet fuels, supply chain, and forest health. To help with this shift to a more sustainable future, Schweitzer has partnered with Resource Synergy, a Spokane-based sustainability consultancy, to help identify and pursue opportunities to reduce energy consumption and waste generation. “As an avid skier, myself, it’s important to me that our participation in the sport respects the land and environment on which it depends,” says Erik Makinson, Resource Synergy’s Founder and President.

Schweitzer and Resource Synergy plan to utilize the National Ski Area Association’s (NSAA) Sustainable Slopes methodology which was adopted by the industry in 2000. Schweitzer also recently joined the NSAA Climate Challenge. Through this program, Schweitzer commits to taking actions that will target and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. “Our unspoiled mountain environment, amazing views, and plentiful snowfall are some of the reasons Schweitzer is so special. Not only is investing in sustainability the right thing to do, but it's a business imperative,” says Schweitzer Mountain CEO Tom Chasse.

Observant Schweitzer guests may have already begun noticing many of the subtle changes that add up to a major reduction in environmental impact. For example, Schweitzer’s sustainability committee has wanted to eliminate single-use soap and shampoo throughout the resort-owned lodging, but the significant cost associated with the shift had been a major delay until now. “The NSAA has a sustainability challenge, and we were awarded a $5,000 grant to help implement that project with bulk soap and shampoo dispensers,” says Schweitzer marketing manager Dig Chrismer. Other really visible changes in the works include a revamped recycling system with new signage and recycling awareness building with guests, retrofitting all of the indoor lighting to LEDs that will reduce energy usage and save 60-70% of lighting costs, and a water bottle filling station at Lakeview Lodge with more planned for the future.

Makinson says Resource Synergy and Schweitzer are also researching other sustainability innovations that may take longer to implement, including implementing innovative forest management techniques, adding electric snowmobiles, and the possibility of building onmountain micro-hydroelectric generation capacity. “The bottom line is we need to take care of the places where we recreate,” adds Chrismer. “We need to do the best we can to preserve our mountain playground.” Check out some of the substantive sustainability upgrades in the works at Schweitzer.com/sustainability/. (OTO)

VIRTUAL FAMILY EVENT TO SUPPORT NON-PROFIT CHILDCARE CENTER SPOKANE, WASH.

Between July 15 and August 15, G.L.O.W. Children Early Learning Center, a not-for-profit childcare center located in downtown Spokane, is hosting a virtual family event called Bin-GLOW. For a suggested donation of $10, families can print off or receive a hard copy of a Bin-GLOW (bingo-type) card with 20 family-friendly activities. As families complete the activities, they can post a photo to social media and possibly win prizes. Activities include such things as: tell a tree a story and then listen to the tree’s story, take a rainbow walk outside your home, see how high you can stack a pile of rocks, and children’s yoga.

Families are encouraged to ask their communities to donate pledges for each activity that will go to support G.L.O.W. Children Early Learning Center. GLOW offers childcare to the students of Lumen High School, a new public charter high school for pregnant and parenting teenagers, as well as a small preschool program for the general public. The focus of the program is to combine wraparound community support with five core values: belonging, discovery, tenacity, flexibility, and empowerment. More at GLOWChildren.org or on Facebook. (OTO) JULY-AUGUST 2020 / OUTTHEREOUTDOORS.COM

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“We have a whole bunch of Spokane-area students who missed their disc golf sessions in schools and have been sitting around for months and need to get out of the house,” says Erin Johnson with the Spokane-based US Youth Disc Golf Association (US/YDGA).

“Families need kids to get outside with a challenge and reward, and since schools were shut down, we are trying to serve our community with what we know best and that’s disc golf.”

It’s something anyone can do, Johnson explains, and the game can be played safely during the ongoing pandemic right at home with a portable disc golf basket, homemade targets, or as a family or in small groups at one of the Inland Northwest’s many Jr. courses and full sized courses. Sanctioned courses are listed at www.usydga.com.

The US/YDGA engages students who are often not involved in other school sports in developing a love for the active, easy-to-learn sport of disc golf. Being a major disc golf promoter, Johnson’s organization has also been installing Jr. Disc Golf Courses near schools and communities to create beginner and family-friendly practice zones and courses for nearly a decade. US/YDGA also typically partners with school districts to put on disc golf programs for students around the regions as well as disc golf summer camps in partnership with Spokane Parks and Recreation.

With those school programs and camps put on hold due to COVID-19, US/YDGA has responded by offering free disc golf instructional videos for beginners along with more advanced tutorial videos on its website (www.usydga.com). Once Spokane County moves to Phase 3, Johnson says his organization will be putting on small group, full-week disc golf camps at a cost of $120 per student, with scholarships available. The camps, billed as a “Corona Relief ” events for parents and cooped up kids, will take place at several Jr. courses, including Ben Burr, Cliff Canon, Friendship, Loma Vista, and Hays parks. US/YDGA is also putting on a major disc golf event in August that includes a qualifier event open to kids of all abilities followed by a final disc golf tournament with some pretty impressive prizes.

Johnson says the free tournament and qualifier event is open to all Inland Northwest students and will be put on with safety as a top priority, with an emphasis on physical distancing and sanitizing discs and baskets on the outdoor courses. Kids from all grades can register for a tee-time spot at www.usydga.com for the 2-hour qualifier event on August 15 that will be held on the junior course at the North Spokane YMCA. No experience is necessary to participate, and free loaner discs will be provided. 120 students will continue on from the qualifier event to the final tournament to be held over two days at Spokane’s Camp Sekani Park disc golf course August 22 (K-6) and August 23 (7-12 grades).

US/YDGA has pulled together an impressive list of sponsors that will be providing prizes for the tournament in addition to gold, silver, and bronze medals. Prizes include stamped discs for the top three finishers in each category and 10 longboards (one for first place in each category, with five female and five male categories) provided by Lithia of Spokane, ACE Hillyard, Spokane Hyundai, Retro Donuts, and Froyo Earth, as well as a family getaway to SilverStar Mountain Resort in British Columbia. Lithia Fiat of Spokane will also be offering up a Fiat 500 or $20,000 toward college tuition for any one final tournament player who hits a hole-in-one on a mobile basket set at 301 feet at hole 17 at Camp Sekani during the final event. Johnson adds that Spokane’s General Store is a major sponsor of the event and is also offering a buy-two-get-one-free disc deal to anyone who comes into the store and mentions this article. (Johnson suggests asking for Big Mike). Find all the tournament details at Usydga. com/corona-relief-events. (Derrick Knowles)

NEW OWNERS AT HYPERSPUD SPORTS MOSCOW, IDAHO

“When we first heard that Hyperspud Sports was for sale, we thought it was a pretty crazy idea. The decision was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which gave us more time to scheme and plan, and eventually we came to the conclusion that we’d never get another chance like this,” says Heather Pettit, co-owner with her husband Bryan Pettit.

Without question, Hyperspud Sports has always been a hub for the coolest, most adventurous outdoor athletes in North Idaho. Originally founded by John Crock in 1989, Hyperspud Sports set the standard for supplying innovative, high quality, affordable equipment for the outdoor adventurer. His legacy continued through Lauretta Campbell from 2014 to 2020.

Bryan and Heather adore their new gear shop, and they aim to become the epicenter for so many local adventures. “As students at the University of Idaho and recreationists we were customers of Hyperspud Sports when John Crock ran the show, but unfortunately, we only got to know him briefly as customers,” says Heather Pettit. “We’ve lived in Moscow for 15 years and although we’re not born and bred, we’ve explored quite a bit of Idaho. We particularly love that there are so many unique ecosystems, including the hot and dry Hells Canyon, the unusual landscape of Craters of the Moon, and City of Rocks National Monument, plus high-elevation Scotchman Peak near Sandpoint, and the peaks and alpine lakes of the Seven Devils. There are so many places we have explored, but still so many yet to discover.” Moving forward, Bryan and Heather see a mountain of opportunity. They know there’s something for everyone at Hyperspud Sports, and they’re eager to provide great deals with outstanding customer service. (Jon Jonckers)

MORE BIKES MAY MEAN MORE ACCIDENTS SPOKANE, WASH.

If you ride long enough, it’s never a question of IF you have an accident, but WHEN you have an accident. Crashes are the worst-case scenario on any ride. Sometimes they are caused by a personal mistake, a guilty driver, or an act of god. It only takes a moment for everything to change, and suddenly a cyclist has less skin coverage than the day before.

With more riders out on the road and trails than ever before this spring, bike accidents are also on the rise.

Stacie Bain, from Spokane-based Bain Bike Law, is a Washington attorney who was born and raised in Spokane and then battle-hardened in Seattle. She started representing injured cyclists in 2007 and immediately knew it was the perfect way to fuse her love for riding with her desire to help people. Getting hit by a reckless motorist changed her life, and it revealed just how fragile cyclists are. Every accident is different; however, Bain has a few foundational elements to remember if you are in a bike accident: 1. Don’t leave the scene.

First and foremost, don’t panic or leave the scene of the accident. Definitely call the police if the driver was at fault. Absolutely get the name and phone number and email of any witnesses. If possible, take pictures with your phone, and if you can’t take pictures, then ask a bystander.

2. Don’t make your case harder.

Don’t discuss your accident with anyone. Don’t give a statement to the driver’s insurance company. It may be used against you in the future. Don’t sign any papers given to you by an insurance company or agree to a settlement without legal advice. Most importantly, consult a lawyer if you have any nagging questions. In many cases, consultations are free.

3. Get more education.

On her website, Bain says, “I also engage in community outreach by giving educational seminars on Washington's bike laws for cycling clubs including Cascade Bicycle Club and Spokane Bicycle Club. If you are interested in having a bike law presentation for your cycling club or team, I'd be happy to attend and share some knowledge.”

Ultimately, bike accidents hurt beyond physical pain. They derail plans. Most of all, you feel more vulnerable. Most accidents aren’t very serious; however, each accident underscores the importance of a few first aid items like bandages, band-aids, and a splint. Also, ride with a spare tire and a few tools. Since the most important bike gear you own is between your ears, always wear a helmet. Lastly, ride in such a way that you can ride again next year and the next year and so on. (Jon Jonckers)

HYDRATION DAY HIKING

JULY-AUGUST 2020 / OUTTHEREOUTDOORS.COM

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Hike of the Month

Leigh Lake Libby, Mont.

By Holly Weiler

MORNING REFLECTION ON LEIGH LAKE. PHOTO: HOLLY WEILER

LOCATED JUST SOUTH of Libby, Montana, Leigh Lake is nestled in the shadow of Snowshoe Peak, the tallest mountain in the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness.

Experienced mountaineers sometimes use the Leigh Lake trail as a jumping-off point for the class four scramble to the summit of Snowshoe Peak, elevation 8,738 feet. The trail to the lake is well maintained, although rugged and is an excellent introduction to the beauty of the Cabinets.

Summer is a brief affair here, as evidenced by the way snow often lingers along the shore beneath the peak despite warm daytime temperatures. Early summer visitors may find floating mini-icebergs in the lake, which sits at 5,000 feet, giving would-be swimmers a strong hint about the potential water temperature.

Don't let the relatively short distance and low elevation gain fool you into thinking this hike is without challenges. The Cabinet Mountains Wilderness trails are generally known for their short distances and rugged character. The Leigh Lake trail measures less than 2 miles from the trailhead to the lake, but the terrain is rocky and includes a tricky stream crossing at approximately the 1-mile mark. Trekking poles are recommended for extra balance along this trail.

Once at the lake, hikers will find plenty of rocky seating areas to relax and take in the view. The entire lake basin is surrounded by running water making its way to the lake, with numerous waterfalls cascading down from the higher reaches of the surrounding peaks. Binoculars are advised, both for viewing the waterfalls and for spying on the lake's wildlife. Mountain goats are frequent visitors to the lake and surrounding cliffs. While the main trail dead ends at the lake, it is possible to do a little scrambling below the steeps to find good vantage points on the lake and also view numerous alpine wildflowers.

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Leigh Lake is best suited to day trips, particularly on weekends where crowding may become an issue. Given the area's proximity to Libby, visitors might find it easiest to stay in a developed campground or even in town and then explore more of the area's trails during the same visit. For those who enjoy backpacking, it's important to note that no camping is permitted within 300 feet of the lake, and the campsites are small and rocky.

Group size is limited to eight heartbeats for all trails within the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness Area.

ROUND-TRIP DISTANCE: Approximately 3.5

miles

RATING: Moderate ELEVATION GAIN: 1,000 feet MAP: USGS Snowshoe Peak GETTING THERE:

From Libby, travel south on Highway 2 for 8 miles. Turn right on Bear Creek/ Hoodoo Flats Road (NF 278). Continue 3 miles, then turn right onto NF 867. Travel 4.6 miles to NF 6213. The road dead ends at the Leigh Lake trailhead after 2.3 miles.

SUPPORT LOCAL TRAILS:

When Washington moves into Phase 3, the Washington Trails Association will be adding additional day trip opportunities to give back to trails. For experienced backpackers, sign up for a strenuous backpack-style maintenance trip to Jackson Creek/Shedroof Divide in the Salmo Priest Wilderness on a portion of the Pacific Northwest Trail at the end of August.

Holly Weiler is hoping to be back to explorations around the Inland Northwest by the time this hits the press but has kept busy despite travel limitations by using trail-work tools to tame garden weeds at home.

The Human Adventure

It Doesn't Have to Suck to Be Worth It

GEOFF DRESSED IN PINK BY THE TIME ANGIE AND I GOT DONE LOANING HIM DRY GEAR! . PHOTO: AMMI MIDSTOKKE

“IT WAS PRETTY GRIM,” says Geoff of the

50-mile slog we were attempting to complete. He’s done it before. Twice. He ought to know.

We were winding our way through the cloud-saturated trees for hours. Bright tufts of moss dripped off gnarled branches, leaving patches of iridescent green carpet as soft landing for our rain-soaked feet.

Other terms used during the event include, but were not limited to: grind, head down, keep going, miserable, hustle. It’s probably pretty accurate to describe the crux of any racing event as a miserable hustle.

I am not quite certain why the miserable hustle calls to me again and again. Perhaps suffering gives us purpose and then later acts as a badge of honor.

I explained to my companion that no matter what I do—climb mountains, chop firewood, run 50 damn miles with a 30-pound pack—it never seems to really count until I have some kind of story of enduring agony, preferably where limb or life or both were at risk.

What the hell is that about?

I thought I was pretty good at embracing the suck, but Geoff takes it to a level of expertise I’ve never witnessed. He doesn’t stop at aid stations and prefers to drink his calories (the same exact thing for 20 hours), although he reported needing a sock change once in the past. I basically race for the ham sandwiches and guiltless cookies. I thought suffering was just the price I paid.

By Ammi Midstokke

Years ago, when the people who determine such things told me I had PTSD, some of that need to suffer took a new context.

Survival and resilience were like a worn-in pair of jeans. I knew how to move in them.

I kept returning to them, as if I had to prove something to myself. No amount of suffer would break me.

From time to time, Mother Nature, a Big Rock, or a Broken Heart would put me back in my place. Eventually it was love that softened me and that miserable hustle became just a tiny part of a bigger truth—one of bearing witness, holding space, and a strange kind of introspection that only hours of trail trodding can promise.

“You might even have a good time,” I threatened Geoff as I list off the smorgasbord of pit-stop joys I had waiting for me: potato chips, caffeinated nut butter (the angel who invented this deserves a Nobel Prize), my friend Angie held a hot thermos of bone broth, dry socks, and a deep sense of appreciation. Around mile 31, Geoff reported “enjoying” himself. I wrote it in my race log and attributed it to the handful of corn chips he’d just shoved in his face.

These journeys have become pilgrimages of gratitude. What used to be a grimace is now a grin. What used to feel like solitary confinement is now a testament of friend-

ship and camaraderie and the symbolism of how our lives touch each other. Geoff carried the hat of Emory Corwine, a young man who left too soon. I wore the t-shirt of a friend who has to live on chemotherapy Slurpies for a while and couldn’t run with us. Somewhere along this race we call life, it becomes less about Us and more about Them.

When Geoff and I stumbled across our finish line, it was not the blister war wounds that we touted or the groans of our creaky knees. We didn’t need misery to give us purpose or proof. We had laughed, shared histories and dreams, food and pee breaks, fears and joys, and dedicated miles and some pretty awful cadence singing to those who inspired us.

Maybe it was the fact that we were having fun that propelled us to a record finish, although I’d wager the cookies played an important role. We came in before dark, eyes bright and smiles wide. We didn’t go because we had something to prove. We went because we had something to give. // Ammi Midstokke is a nutritionist and author living in North Idaho. This story is of the Emory Corwine Memorial Ruck—a man she and Geoff never met but who continues to touch the lives of strangers from the Great Beyond.

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13

EVERYDAY CYCLIST

Wind in the Face

THE NATIONAL DEMAND for bikes has taken shop owners by surprise. Just walk into any bike shop across the country and you’ll see evidence of the triple digit growth in sales in various sectors of the bike industry. I think the tempo-

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By Justin Short

rary removal of many distractions has reminded us of the mind-altering value of getting a little wind in the face, and perhaps a few bugs in the teeth. The Inland Northwest isn’t especially buggy compared to other parts of the country, but I

think the metaphorical bugs in the teeth are the most important ones to collect.

Normally, on my springtime excursions through the trails of Riverside State Park, I’ll see riders out, including a parent with a kid or two here or there. This year I saw whole families out on the trail—a lot of them—at a time when all the trailheads were closed. This is truly amazing! Retired pro cyclist and YouTube star Phil Gaimon has instructed his audience of avid cyclists: “We have an opportunity here, so don’t screw this up!” His message is essentially to encourage new riders, don’t correct them, and don’t teach “at them” unless they specifically ask for help.

The aforementioned wind in the face and bugs in the teeth are drawing them in. The accompanying shift in mood and mind is enough to improve a person’s life for a moment and, potentially, health for the long term. More riders equal a better city to bike in. I have been accused of piloting a pie in the sky that was never meant to fly, but in 1999 when I moved to Portland, I was not impressed by the bike infrastructure they had at the time. I was, however, shocked by how civil and bike friendly the traffic was, which is what happens when a rider population that dense

comes together. This is our opportunity.

Some new and/or returning riders will enjoy a spin around the block periodically, while others may bike across town to work. Perhaps a handful will eventually join the Gravel Braintrust Trifecta, a 300-mile social distancing adventure bike race organized by local elementary school teacher Todd Richards. The route consists of three 100-mile loops routed from the Riverfront Park fountain going east, west, and south on gravel, trails, and pavement.

Certainly, A LOT of wind and bugs await those goofballs, to say nothing of lovely views of many places they’ve never been before.

Whatever your appetite for adventure, something happens when the pedals turn and you find other riders smiling back at you. At times like that, the mind can settle down and let the enormity of life seep in, which might just give us a fighting chance against the challenges we face as a species right now. // Justin M. Short is a local rider who you might meet commuting at some obscene hour, tearing up the jumps at Beacon, or grinding gravel in the middle of nowhere.

NATURE

Common Camas

By Adam Gebauer

CAMAS FLOWERS IN BLOOM. PHOTO: ADAM GEBAUER

EACH SPRING the wet meadows of the Pend Oreille River Valley explode with the purple-blue blooms of one the region's most culturally important plants, common camas. Common camas, Camissa quamash, is one of six types of camas in the lily family that range from California to British Columbia and has been an essential food source for Salish and other tribes of the Pacific Northwest.

The late spring and early summer harvest of camas bulbs was a time when tribes like

the Kootenai peoples along the Pend Oreille would leave their dispersed winter encampments and gather as an entire tribe to harvest this important food crop.

Women and children in the tribe were in charge of cultivating this food source. They would wait until there were just a few blossoms left on the plants before they started their harvest. Having few blue flowers would ensure that they were harvesting the correct species of camas, not confusing it with the white flowers of the aptly named death

camas. When the flowers started to fade and the seed pods formed, women would deftly pry up bushels of starch-filled nutritious bulbs using fire hardened sticks and antlers. They would then break off the seed pods and drop them into the hole to seed next year’s crop.

The bulbs would be roasted in an earthen pit oven for one to five days, turning the starch into a sweet source of carbohydrates. The roasted bulbs were kept whole or ground into powder that could be stored for the entire year.

The flavor has been described as ranging from a roasted onion to a baked pear.

There are historic accounts of tribes managing the landscape when collecting camas bulbs. Tribal members would not gather immature bulbs, instead allowing them to grow again next season. If the crop in a particular area was low or there was lots of competition from other less desirable plants, like shrubs, tribes would burn the field to increase yield in the following years.

There are many accounts of Pacific Northwest tribes helping and feeding white explorers as they ventured into the Salish peoples’ homelands. The proliferation of this flower in early spring had Meriwether Lewis describe seeing a bloom that “resemble lakes of fine clear water.” Meriwether and other

white explorers also document the gastral intestinal distress felt after overindulging.

Botanist David Douglas wrote, “…assuredly they produce flatulence: when in the Indian hut I was almost blown out by the strength of the wind.”

The plant became so popular by the 1850s that common camas bulbs where shipped to the East Coast and as far away as England as ornamental plants.

Invasive species, urban development, and colonialization has degraded the habitat in the last 200 years, but there are many efforts to restore these native prairie habitats as well as highlight the cultural importance of this plant. Tribes like the Kootenay are transforming historic agricultural land previously used for hay into productive camas prairies.

The Canadian Kootenay Camas Project worked to map existing camas prairies, and the University of Victoria has planted camas on its campus. These efforts and more are helping to maintain the diversity of plants and cultures in the Pacific Northwest. // Adam Gebauer has a compulsion for outdoor activities and is an avid chaser of snow, rock, water, and vistas. He does not mind waking up in the back of a car for an alpine start or just for his wildlife biology fieldwork.

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OutThere Kids 10 Lakes for Family Day Trips

By Amy McCaffree

KAYAKING ON LAKE CHATCOLET_PHOTO BY AMY MCCAFFREE

ON HOT, SUNNY SUMMER DAYS, a waterfront park is one of the best places to be.

Kids can swim, play on the beach, and dig in the rocky sand. A family can also paddle together, go fishing, or hike or bike on nearby trails before cooling and picnicking in the relaxing shade of towering pines.

Here are 10 lakes near Spokane with public parks that provide opportunities for a variety of recreation.

SPOKANE COUNTY

Fish Lake: The rustic park has a compact waterfront swimming beach and small dock, but it is a great lake for paddling or fishing. There’s a small boat launch for nonmotorized watercraft (electric motors or paddling only), and the park includes playgrounds and bathroom facility (be aware that the facility receives limited maintenance). Bring a picnic blanket or camp chairs since there are no picnic tables.

Nearby is a trailhead for the Columbia Plateau Trail State Park.

Liberty Lake: A beach and playground are the highlights at Liberty Lake Regional Park (daily entrance fee required). A boat launch and dock are located at the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife access site (Discover Pass required).

1. Tubbs Hill: This city park natural area has a popular 2.2-mile loop hiking trail around the peninsula along with spur trails to access small, sandy primitive beaches.

Nearby is McEuen Park, which includes a huge playground, splash pad, dog park, and boat launch.

2. City Park: Kids can enjoy the swimming beach, dig in the rocky sand, and play at Fort Sherman Playground. Picnic on the grass and bike or walk the North Idaho Centennial Trail.

3. Sunsport at Yap-Keehn-Um Beach: Also located along the Centennial Trail is a public beach at the edge of the North Idaho College campus. You can park on campus (free) or drive here via Rosenberry Drive, with limited street parking. NIC’s Outdoor Pursuits boat house rents kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and sailboats. Call ahead to confirm availability (208-769-3290).

Hayden Lake: Honeysuckle Beach in the city of Hayden has a large swimming beach, dock, and boat launch.

Lake Spokane: Access this 24-mile reservoir along the Spokane River, located between Nine Mile Falls and Long Lake Dam, from Riverside State Park’s Nine Mile Recreation Area or Lake Spokane campground.

Round Lake: Enjoy the beach, fishing dock, trail around the lake, and flatwater for paddling at Round Lake State Park—located near Sagle, south of Sandpoint.

Chatcolet Lake: Heyburn State Park’s Chatcolet Day Use area has a boat launch, small primitive access sites for wading and swimming, a playground, picnic shelters, and trailhead for the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes. Within the state park property, you’ll also find Plummer Point (dog friendOUTTHEREOUTDOORS.COM / JULY-AUGUST 2020

Coeur d’Alene Lake: There are three main access sites in the downtown core of the city of Coeur d’Alene.

Medical Lake: Waterfront Park has expansive, grassy grounds that make it easy to physically distance from other household groups. There’s also a wide swimming beach and areas to launch a kayak or standup paddleboard. Enjoy a bike ride or stroll along the tree-shaded, paved Medical Lake Trail on the west shoreline. On the east shore of the lake is Coney Island Park for picnicking and wildlife viewing, and the north end has Peper Park.

NORTH IDAHO

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ly beach), Rocky Point Beach and Marina, and three campgrounds.

Pend Oreille Lake: There are two main public access sites for day use on the lake’s west side. (1) Sandpoint’s City Beach has a large swimming beach and playground. (2) Towards the lake’s south end, Farragut State Park’s Beaver Bay Beach provides a calm swimming area.

Q’emiln Park: Located in Post Falls along the Spokane River, it’s not on a lake, but the park is spacious with a great swimming beach (day parking fee required). It only opens, however, after Avista closes the nearby downstream dam, which usually happens by mid-July. You can also hike or mountain bike on trails in the nearby Community Forest. //

OUTDOOR LIVING

7 Ways to Go Solar in Your Back Yard

By Lisa Laughlin

3) Illuminated hammock garden—Go solar above your ENO hammock setup for the ultimate evening lounge. Use a small but mighty light like the ENO Moonshine Lantern, which is compact, portable, LED, and built to hang. Prep your perch with an ENO bug net for a great night reading spot.

WHEN YOU’RE NOT OUT safely exploring the trails, if you’re like me, you’ve found yourself with a lot more time at home this year, which means a lot more time in your backyard. These solar projects won’t fill the hole of getting patio beers with your friends, but they will spice up the ambience in your yard to make it feel like a destination at the end of the day. (These days, it’s the little things.) Choose solar and LED options to keep your upgrade eco-friendly and long lasting.

1) String lights—Those fancy string lights that adorned the restaurant patios of last summer? Get your own, and go for the solar option. String lights work as a major

lighting feature and should be strung to designate a hang-out area: across a pergola, along a fence as a backdrop to your BBQ, or in the boughs of a pine tree near your outdoor fire pit. This is the number one “happy element” in my yard.

2) Garden box lighting—Someone sure bought a lot of potting soil this spring, and we’re hoping you all have leafy veggies underway. Adding solar lighting to the garden will highlight the life in your yard.

Solar rope lights are a sleek way to go for this project. (Bonus: helps you keep an eye on neighborhood cats who are looking for a litter box.)

4) Solar safety—Replace your regular porch light with a motion-detecting, solar LED floodlight from a local hardware store. Path lighting is also a small install that can have a big impact, and it doesn’t have to be boring; Lowe’s carries path lights in the shape of colorful dragonflies and birds.

5) Shrub and tree lighting—Personally, I’ve always found illuminated trees to be a little spooky. But creating a series with tree or shrub lighting in your yard can add great depth to a space. Illuminate a pattern for the background of your next evening badminton game or wine and cheese night to make your outdoor space feel like a coordinated zone. (Just make sure it’s not a Boo-Radley-type elm and you’ll avoid the spooky element.) Home Depot carries solar spot lighting housed in faux rocks for a natural look.

6) DIY twinkle solar cans—This is for the crafty among you. Take some cleaned and de-labeled tin cans, make a design with a Sharpie, then drill holes over your pattern for the light to come through. Elevate this project beyond the tealight by buying some cheap solar pathway lights and disassembling the solar head from the lens. You’ll drill a hole big enough for the solar bulb in the bottom of the tin can, then use epoxy glue to adhere the solar head panel side out. Attach a loop of wire on the end that has the solar head, so the can hangs solar light up, open side down.

These are totally mobile, charming, and budget friendly.

7) Go big on your home—Once you’ve spiffed your yard, power the rest of your traditional outdoor lighting with solar panels. It’s a great investment for your stimulus check. Check out Eco Depot at Solarenergyspokane.com to learn more about residential solar options. // Lisa Laughlin is a freelance writer living in Spokane. She recently had her first child and is excited to show him the outdoors this summer.

JULY-AUGUST 2020 / OUTTHEREOUTDOORS.COM

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JULY

26

HEALTH & FITNESS

Stay Healthy While Camping During COVID

By Sarah Hauge

CAROL CORBIN CAMPING AND PRACTICING HEALTHY CAMP COOKING WITH PLENTY OF WET WIPES. PHOTO: SHALLAN KNOWLES

virus. When joining with other household units, consider whether they’ve been social distancing and following the guidelines for your area, as well as whether anyone holds a high-risk job or will be coming into contact with those more vulnerable due to age or health issues. Note that physical distancing protocols are still in place across the country, and don’t travel with anyone who is sick or if you’ve had contact with someone with COVID-19 in the past 14 days. When joining with those outside your household, avoid sharing food and drinks and remember that outdoor activities are lower risk than indoor ones. Aim to transport household units in separate vehicles, and plan to sleep separately versus piling into a shared tent or RV. BE SMART ABOUT SHARED SPACES AND SANITATION

A LOT HAS BEEN CANCELED this year due to the pandemic: school, trips, reunions, weddings, summer camps, business conferences, getaway weekends, the list goes on… and on…and on. Thankfully, one of the activities deemed relatively safe is camping, rated low risk by a panel of infectious disease and public health experts in the NPR piece “From Camping To Dining Out: Here's How Experts Rate The Risks Of 14 Summer Activities.” With a few extra precautions, a camping getaway might be exactly the breath of fresh air you need right now.

KNOW WHERE YOU’RE GOING

When it comes to travel, the Center for Disease Control advises staying close to home and avoiding crowded areas. As schedules permit, consider camping midweek versus over a busy holiday weekend, for instance. If you decide to leave your local area, check for state and local guidelines that may require staying home for 14 days after traveling. Read health and safety guidelines of the area where you’ll be camping, as well as what’s posted on the campground’s website or social media pages.

Review the rates of infection near where you’ll be camping and of your home area to make respectful decisions about whether this is the right time to adventure.

CHOOSE COMPANIONS WISELY

The lowest risk scenario is camping with members of your immediate household.

The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings to help slow the spread of corona18

OUTTHEREOUTDOORS.COM / JULY-AUGUST 2020

Check with your campground for details about cleaning procedures and requirements for shared facilities (bathrooms, outdoor kitchens, water spigots, etc.). Bring your own disinfectant wipes or sprays plus cloths or paper towels to sanitize shared hard surfaces, following instructions on disinfectant to ensure it sits long enough to be effective. Pack wet wipes and hand sanitizer to use when handwashing isn’t realistic. If well-maintained bathroom facilities are available, wash hands frequently. If they are open, consider visiting shared areas like beaches and picnic spots at off-peak hours to minimize potential exposure (and wash hands or use hand sanitizer afterward).

Maintain 6-foot spacing between yourself and members of other households. For an added measure of safety, bring a mask to wear when close proximity to others is unavoidable.

STOCK UP IN ADVANCE

Plan meals and snacks in advance, and shop for what you’ll need in your own neighborhood rather than out of town.

FOLLOW COVID-ERA TRAIL ETIQUETTE

Best practices include keeping a 6-foot distance between those from other households. If that’s not realistic, plan to return at a lower-use time. When passing others, face away as you come into close proximity (although of course you can still give a friendly hello or wave!); those ascending typically have the right-of-way. Be sure to pick up your own trash—both to avoid the potential spread of germs, and because it’s just the right thing to do. // Sarah Hauge is a writer and editor who lives in Spokane with her husband and two children.

She writes Out There’s Run Wild column.

FLASHBACK

Once More to the Lake

By Bradley Bleck

AUTHOR'S GRANDMOTHER IN HER CANOE. PHOTO COURTESY OF BRADLEY BLECK

I’LL START BY invoking Tom’s words at the opening of Tennessee Williams’ “The Glass Menagerie.” Tom tells the audience that they’ll be watching a memory play, and that “Being a memory play, it is dimly lighted, it is sentimental, it is not realistic.” Such may be the case here.

The picture accompanying this story is my grandmother, then Amanda Algaier, not yet Bleck. She is canoeing on Priest Lake, circa 1917. Or it could be Loon Lake, and probably is. Which lake is less important than my grandparents starting a family tradition of spending summers at Priest Lake and Hill’s Resort, beginning in the year of my birth, 1958. Each summer brought the Seattle Blecks and Tacoma Johnsons together. For all of us, it was always The Lake, a definite article and proper noun that needed no explaining.

Unlike E. B. White, from whom I stole the title, watching my son Tobias at The Lake, whether in my mind’s eye or on the beach, my groin feels no chills of death. Rather, Priest Lake stories breathe their own life. He listens rapt as his uncle Rob and I tell of taking a boat with our cousin Marty, not even in our teens, to camp on Papoose Island, unsupervised.

He is struck by the stories of feral children, now his aunts and uncles, rabidly chasing a sow and her cub through the resort, his grandmother chasing with a broom, swinging it wildly, perhaps thinking she might sweep some sense into us. He is wistful about being the youngest by too many years, never having slept on the beach with his cousins, never waking to the sound of breeze-blown waves lapping against the shore in the otherwise still dawn, taking the sounds, as I did, for footsteps—bear of course. He never ate

pancakes loaded with huckleberries picked by his grandmother from along the shore trail on an early morning walk.

Tobias never had a chance to creep into any of the many abandoned mines that were still exposed around the lake during our childhood, although we never went far when we did. He never made trips to the dump to watch the bears scavenge as dusk fell. We longed for them to rummage through the trash behind the cabin, the closer the better, the thrill immeasurable. No one said a fed bear is a dead bear. Our stories brought this and more alive for him and kept it alive for us.

In 2008, we celebrated our 50th anniversary at The Lake with the whole family.

Everyone. A few years later my aunt passed and her ashes were scattered in Luby Bay, becoming one with The Lake. In 2017, following the death of my father, our visit occurred shortly after his funeral when we were still raw with the loss. Despite the beaches, the bay, the lake, and the extended family, those extended trips began to seem no longer worth it.

Two weeks in the 1960s became a week in the 1970s became a few days for some, a long weekend for others, and finally a day trip from Spokane for me. One sister bought a cabin near Coolin. Another found a vacation rental. My siblings and cousins are the last direct links to that woman in the canoe. After five generations, will there be a sixth? // Bradley Bleck last wrote about keeping backyard chickens last summer for Out There.

He’s longing for Phase 3 when he can join his Baddlands Cycling Club mates out on the road again.

JULY-AUGUST 2020 / OUTTHEREOUTDOORS.COM

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provisions

(n.) food drink, or equipment, especially for a journey.

GET OUT & PICNIC

As we work through reopening parks, trails, and outdoor recreation sites, picnics and family mealtimes in the park are becoming more and more appealing. Here are my recommendations for creating simple foods and drinks to enjoy on a blanket or bench in the great outdoors.

ON A STICK: You can put almost any food on a stick, and wooden skewers come in a variety of lengths. You can layer tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella balls with a balsamic dipping sauce for a traditional caprese treat, or mix it up with juicy blackberries, basil, and cheddar cubes (courtesy of Tina Vandenheuvel on Facebook). You can also stack cooked chicken pieces, roasted jalapeno halves, bacon, and pepper jack cheese for a deconstructed popper meal. Serve with ranch dressing.

IN A JAR: Cold soup and salad are a perfect

picnic combination. Try a raw, sun-cooked tomato soup. Combine soaked sun-dried tomatoes, tomato paste, chopped fresh tomatoes, minced garlic, and fresh herbs in a jar and set in the sun, covered, for 3-4 hours. Season, run through a blender, pour into jars, and top with a drizzle of olive oil or chunks of avocado. Layer salad ingredients in another wide-mouth jar, starting with wet ingredients like chopped tomatoes and dressing and ending with greens on the top.

Include some cooked quinoa or a nut and seed mix for added protein. When you’re ready to eat, just shake, open, and enjoy.

FILL YOUR CUP: Whether you’re packing for

two or a larger family, it helps to pre-mix creative drinks and just pour. I make my own simple and shrub syrups, from “Shrubs: An Old-Fashioned Drink for Modern Times” by Michael Dietsch, and mix them with soda water and ice in an insulated travel mug.

Just be careful when opening—the carbonation builds up with heat! You can also steep some sun tea on your back while hiking to your destination. During quarantine, we also discovered how easy it is to make cocktails to go in a bottle, jar, or mug. Just keep in mind that some parks don’t allow alcohol.

(S. Michal Bennett)

PHOTO: DORIAN KARAHALIOS

CAMPFIRE PEPPER VINEGAR

PHOTO: JESSY HUMANN

THE LOVE OF GOD BREWING

For The Love Of God Brewing has only been open about a year, but they’re certainly making a name for themselves as one of the best breweries to visit in Spokane. Steve and Dawn Moss are the owners, and Steve is the mastermind behind all the beers.

Walking into the brewery is like experiencing a little bit of the Inland Northwest.

It’s full of artwork from local artists, as well as games, puzzles, and foosball. It’s clear that Steve and Dawn run their brewery with two things in mind: making high quality beers and serving them with kindness.

The flavor profile of their beers emphasizes hoppy, sour, and dark beer styles, and they’re frequently brewing new beers to change up what’s on tap. Steve uses fruit in many of the beers, as well as spices like cinnamon and vanilla bean. Their beers aren’t filtered because they believe that unfiltered beers create better flavor profiles. Right now they’re serving nine beers, which include the Cran-Raz Crumble Sour, Apricobb, and So Much S’more.

Kids are just as welcome as adults at the brewery, and they even have root beer or San Pelegrino for the little ones. As far as food goes, they’ve selected items that will pair well with their beers, like stuffed mushrooms, soft pretzels, or chocolate-covered cookies.

A So Much S’more beer paired with a chocolate covered cookie sounds like the perfect combination for a hot summer night.

There's no seating at the bar at the moment, but customers can still sit and enjoy a beer at a table. They're also selling some cans to go and will happily fill growlers if a customer brings in their own.

(Jessy Humann)

GF V 20

OUTTHEREOUTDOORS.COM / JULY-AUGUST 2020

DF

Whether you’re adding a dash to your campfire instant mashed potatoes or sneaking it in as dinner’s secret ingredient, pepper vinegar is a versatile and flavor-packed provision that will bring complex flavor and life to any dish.

The beauty of pepper vinegar is in its simplicity and versatility. More heat? Superhots like Carolina reapers pack a punch. Less heat? Habanadas provide the floral notes of habaneros without the spice kick. You’re just stuffing a bottle with things and filling the empty space with vinegar, so there’s plenty of room to play around!

This recipe focuses on balance and flavor over heat and uses the most commonly found peppers in the grocery store.

INGREDIENTS:

200 milliliters apple cider or white wine vinegar 2 jalapeños 3 habaneros 4 cloves garlic, peeled & smashed 1 tsp white and/or pink peppercorns 1/2 tsp Sichuan peppercorns (optional) 1 tsp sugar 1/2 tsp salt DIRECTIONS:

To provide critical smokiness, fire roast the jalapeños. You can do this directly on top of a gas range or utilizing the broil setting on your oven. Blacken the majority of the pepper skin, then scrape off most of the charred skin with a knife. Cut jalapeños and habaneros and place inside glass bottle with garlic and peppercorns. Mix sugar and salt into vinegar, then bring to a boil. Pour vinegar mixture into a 250 milliliter glass bottle with a cap. Note: Garlic may turn blue after a while. This is normal.

(Dorian Karahalios)

keto

PHOTO: JON JONCKERS

DRY FLY HUCKLEBERRY LEMONADE

Huckleberry Lemonade features the award-winning Dry Fly Vodka, Dorothy’s Huckleberry Syrup, natural flavors, and delicious lemonade in a ready-to-enjoy can.

Not too sweet and not too strong, just the right balance of huckleberry with a splash of citrus lemonade and the kick of Dry Fly Vodka.

The huckleberry is Idaho’s official state fruit, and huckleberry picking is among the most popular outdoor activities in the Inland Northwest in August. Following the success of their other ‘On The Fly’ beverages, it didn’t take long for Dry Fly to put together another fabulous new drink. The high-quality Dry Fly Vodka tastes great; however, the drink is only 4.9% ABV which means its alcohol content is equal to most cans of craft beer.

Migrating the premium cocktail to an aluminum can opens up a whole new universe for outdoor enthusiasts. It’s easy to pack, no glass, very compact after it's consumed, and aluminum is recyclable.

Huckleberry Lemonade is ideal for pretty much every trip including picking huckleberries or enjoy it with friends at the lake or around the campfire. Take a look too at Dry Fly’s other genius drinks. Dry Fly readyto-enjoy Gin & Tonic features its awardwinning Washington Gin, craft tonic syrup from Side Hustle Syrups, and house made bitters. The Moscow Mule features Dry Fly Vodka, craft ginger syrup from Side Hustle Syrups, and lime juice to give you a unique and refreshing taste of what’s arguably the best distillery in the Northwest.

(Jon Jonckers)

yum! dedicated gluten-free restaurant & bakery

SERVING

BREAKFAST LUNCH & DINNER

7 DAYS A WEEK

521 E. HOLLAND #20 509-413-1739

URBAN OUTDOORS

Munzee The Urban Scavenger Hunt MUNZEE QR CODE IN THE FOREGROUND. PHOTO: CRYSTAL ATAMIAN

THE GOAL OF SUMMER is to get kids outside.

But what do you do on those no-trip weekends when no one wants to hike or bike but you need to get everyone out of the house?

A cross between geocaching and a scavenger hunt, Munzee is an app great for getting outside into new places. Asking my kids to explore places I have chosen or asking them

to go for a walk for the sake of walking—oh, the eye rolling and resistance. I am always looking for new ways to engage them in outings, but at 9 and 14 they have outgrown my mom-designed scavenger hunts, and as much as I love the idea of geocaching, the reality of it is not something that has captured their interest.

HIGH TECH. HIGH REC.

509.447.5569 | www.HighTechHighRec.com

By Crystal Atamian

The goal of Munzee is to find a QR code hidden in the real world and capture it with your cell phone camera. The Munzee app displays a map with the location of QR codes that other players have deployed and gives small clues on where to find them. There are also virtual captures that you can collect by being in a specific location. Both count toward your point total and you can earn badges based on what you’ve done.

I was first introduced to Munzee on a middle school field trip with my daughter.

I wasn’t sure what to think at first. An initial look at the app made me think this was no different from Pokemon Go. Not my style.

As I watched this group of middle schoolers run around and find various codes, I began to change my mind. They were trying to match the map to their surroundings, follow clues, and then looking over, under, and in things to find the code to capture.

On this occasion, the students were able to deploy their own set of QR code stickers (which measure about half an inch square) according to the rules in some really creative locations. According to our fitness tracker we walked 5 miles total. I couldn’t help but think how this might just be the best way to get kids outside over the summer using their observation skills and creativity in a

new way.

We are not a super tech-driven family, but I decided we would try it out for ourselves.

We opted for Manito Park with our extended family. The park is especially amazing in the spring and contained plenty of space to keep socially distanced from others. Initially I was afraid they would focus only on the screen, but because of the map and the hidden nature of the codes I noticed all of the kids were really observant and actually noticed a lot about the park along the way. My youngest son definitely put his map reading skills to good use.

The kids split their time equally between chasing the QR codes and stopping to check out the abundant blossoms and bumblebees.

Within Manito Park most of the codes are located near the roads, which would make this a great game for those unable to walk on uneven ground or those in wheelchairs.

There are several websites about Munzee, but the most helpful for those who just want to try it out for the day is Munzee.zendesk. com/hc/en-us. The app is free. // Crystal Atamian is a science editor who loves to hike, ski, kayak, and identify as many wildflowers as possible each spring. She wrote about huckleberry picking in the April issue.

If your work requires high-tech Internet but you’d like just a little more distance from the drawbacks of urban living ... it’s time to discover Newport and Pend Oreille County. Our $34 million fiber optic network provides gigabit-speed Internet for remote workers and small businesses.

And while Spokane’s cultural amenities are only 40 minutes away, the rural Northwest’s amazing outdoor recreation is literally just out our back door.

Why not live and work where you love to play? Contact us today

JULY-AUGUST 2020 / OUTTHEREOUTDOORS.COM

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OCEAN TO IDAHO FOLLOWING THE MIGRATION OF IDAHO CHINOOK SALMON By Derrick Knowles

THIS SUMMER, JOURNALIST, FILMMAKER, AND OUTDOOR ENTHUSIAST Kris Millgate of Idaho Falls is setting off on an epic road trip chasing salmon across the Pacific Northwest. Her adventure is intended to inspire the public to appreciate the improbable migration of native Chinook salmon from the wilds of Central Idaho to the Pacific Ocean and back again.

Millgate will follow and film the migration through multiple states and across hundreds of miles while learning about salmon and their incredible journey to complete their life cycle.

The project begins at the mouth of the Columbia River in Oregon and ends at the Yankee Fork of the Salmon River in central Idaho. Video footage gathered during the 850-mile trip the salmon make will turn into a finished film plus stories for print and video media outlets nationwide in 2021.

“From the deltas of the Pacific Coast to the vast public lands of Idaho’s backcountry, this project reveals incredible landscapes and the nearly impossible migration of Chinook salmon within those landscapes,” says Millgate, summarizing the project.

Only a couple dozen of the native Chinook salmon at the center of Millgate’s storytelling adventure survive the annual migration and return to spawn in the Yankee Fork, however.

As tiny smolts, the young fish must ride the spring runoff from the mountain waters to the Pacific. Along the way they face many challenges, including making it through or around several dams and reservoirs. Those that survive face other challenges as they grow and mature for several years out in the Pacific Ocean before turning around and making that same difficult journey back upstream to reproduce in the waters where they were born. Then, after all that, they die in their home waters, continuing their role in a complex and dynamic process as their carcasses deliver nutrients to the ecosystem.

The choice to end her journey on the Yankee Fork of the Salmon River east of Stanley, Idaho, has personal and historical significance, says Millgate. “I had been to a spot on the Yankee Fork where there’s an old gold dredge still sitting there along the river from 70 years ago while shooting video for a film on salmon recovery. Everything we did to develop the West is on bold display right there,” she says. The Yankee Fork once supported thousands of native salmon, but the gold dredging of the river channel that took place for a little over a decade in the 1940s led to huge declines in native fish. Today, despite the habitat destruction unleashed by that five-story gold dredge, a handful of native Chinook salmon still make it back to spawn in the Yankee Fork each year. “This fish is stronger than all get out. I started thinking about the long journey those fish make to get to Idaho, and I wanted to take on a project that engages people to appreciate them.”

While driving the thousands of miles it will take to follow the salmon as they swim upstream will be a challenge in its own right, the more difficult task ahead for Millgate is to fairly and accurately tell her story. There are heated emotions and tricky politics that surround most public dialog about the plight of Idaho’s remaining salmon. But Millgate says fish and wildlife controversies are right up her alley. “I’ve covered grizzlies, wolves, and other issues that get people fired up. As a journalist,” she says, “I’m attracted to those issues because of that dynamic.”

She also knows she will be interviewing a wide range of people with different interests that are linked to the fate of Idaho’s salmon and steelhead one way or another. “I want to share those diverse views,” she says. “Nobody is paying me to represent a perspective, and I’m going to cover the wide range of the challenges salmon face, but the film will also focus on the different human perspectives.” Her goal with the final film is to appeal to a general audience of people who might typically be more focused on feeding their families than the plight of 22

OUTTHEREOUTDOORS.COM / JULY-AUGUST 2020

salmon and to get them to think about the issue and be inspired. “Just the idea of seeing the country these fish go through—it’s an incredible journey. With all the challenges they now face, it’s remarkable.”

Millgate started planning the Ocean to Idaho project last year, but after the Coronavirus pandemic hit, she had to reenvision everything. She canceled her flights and hotels and had to rethink how she would travel. Desperate times call for creative measures, she says, and the best way for her to work solo and be self-contained was to find project sponsor partners to help her take her project literally on the road.

Millgate found her ideal sponsors and started following the migration of Chinook salmon on June 25. She will now travel thousands of miles across the Pacific Northwest in a Toyota Tundra paired with a Four Wheel Camper, the world’s largest producer of pop-up campers. Her days consist of driving around from shoot to shoot and living out of her camper, where she also stores her gear and recharges her arsenal of batteries for her five cameras. “Living out of a camper is plenty of space for me,” she says. With the 4x4 Tundra provided by Inland Northwest Toyota Dealers, Millgate says she can get out on dirt roads away from people and to some of the remote places where she needs to film. “I can work all day, and the solar panels on the Four Wheel Camper charge everything. When I get in there at night, I turn on the lights and the fridge is on and I can pop the roof up by myself. With the top up, there’s plenty of room to stand up and move around.”

You can follow Millgate’s adventure and the salmon migration on her social media channels this summer or from project updates, both of which can be found on the Ocean to Idaho website at www.oceantoidaho.com. Millgate stresses that her ultimate goal for the project is to increase awareness. “I hope it creates new appreciation of these fish and other wildlife and maybe inspires more people to do something to help them.” //

TOP LEFT: MILLGATE FISHING THE RIVER // TOP TO BOTTOM: TRUCK CAMPER ON THE SALMON RIVER. // MILLGATE IN THE MARSH // SHOOTING IN THE FLOWERS // MILLGATE IN HER OCEAN TO IDAHO TRUCK. PHOTOS COURTESY OF KRIS MILLGATE.

JULY-AUGUST 2020 / OUTTHEREOUTDOORS.COM

23

RUN WILD

Nutrition & Hydration Tips for Runners

By Sarah Hauge

nutrition.

Within the hour post-run, look to refuel with something that’s approximately a 4:1 carb to protein ratio. One choice Nelson recommends is a smoothie that includes protein powder, greens, and electrolytes.

HYDRATION IS KEY

THOUGH I PRIMARILY run in the morn-

ing, I’ve noticed that the later in the day I go, the faster I am (whether this is due to being more warmed up or less sleepy or some other factor, I haven’t successfully determined). One of the obstacles to making this my normal, though, is that elusive mental calculation that determines the right nutrition/hydration/time-beforerun combo that doesn’t result in side aches, mid-run crashes, or “I-ate-too-much” sluggishness—an issue I encountered last night when I went for a spontaneous evening run following what was, in retrospect, a regrettably large meal.

Seeking guidance, I turned to Katie Nelson, a registered dietitian who contracts with Physical Therapy Associates and works

with nutrition clients through 6th Avenue Pharmacy, in addition to being a certified strength and conditioning coach and a runner herself. She offered professional advice on what to eat and drink before, during, and after a run—plus what to avoid.

WHEN IT COMES TO FOOD, TIMING IS EVERYTHING

If you’re three or four hours out from your run, a well-balanced meal will do you good.

“You can get in everything—protein, carbs, fat—and it gives your body time to adjust,” says Nelson. Once you’re in that hour to half-hour pre-run window, simplify. “Avoid high-fiber foods, avoid high-fat foods, stick to mostly carbohydrates with a little bit of protein,” she advises, or take in some liquid

“Especially this time of year when it’s warmer, hydration takes priority over nutrition” and will have a bigger impact on performance, says Nelson. When you’re not properly hydrated, your body can pull water from the gut, which can cause GI issues. Focus on hydration not just immediately before, during, or after a run, but in a more holistic way. Aim for getting in half your body weight in ounces of water daily as a baseline, Nelson says.

Additionally, after running “for every pound you lose from sweat, replace it with 16 ounces of water,” says Nelson. To determine sweat loss, weigh yourself before and after your run. Start rehydrating within 30 minutes of completing your workout.

FOODS TO EAT AND AVOID

“Really, you want to get your vegetables in at other meals” versus shortly before a run, or during a run, says Nelson. If

you’re fueling an hour or two beforehand, avoid healthy but hard-to-digest options like beans, greens or fibrous fruits such as blueberries or apples. Instead, try a banana, a hard-boiled egg, or a couple of slices of turkey and a roasted sweet potato. Every body is different; experiment to find what works for you.

WHEN FUEL AND HYDRATION ARE—AND AREN’T—NECESSARY

For a training run (not a race), plan to take in fluids if you’re running an hour or more, and take in nutrition (she recommends dried bananas) if you’re running for more than two hours, Nelson says.

Water is probably sufficient for training runs under an hour in duration, but for longer runs consider adding electrolytes, which are beneficial “especially with the heat.” She’s a fan of a local product called Lyte Balance.

Stay hydrated and well-fueled, and enjoy a fun, strong summer of running. // Sarah Hauge is a writer and editor who lives in Spokane with her husband and two children. She wrote about creating shady outdoor spaces in the previous issue.

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OUTTHEREOUTDOORS.COM / JULY-AUGUST 2020

•

PRIME TIMES

Wild Water Swim

TAKING A BREAK ON LAKE PEND OREILLE. PHOTO: LARRY LUTON

FIRST, THE POOLS ARE CLOSED, and then the races are cancelled: no Lake Meridian mile race, no Omi mile on Lake Coeur d’Alene, no Flathead Lake Swim Series, no 1.76-mile Long Bridge Swim in Sandpoint, no 2.4-mile Coeur d’Alene Crossing, and (maybe) no 1.5mile Lake Chelan Swim or 1-mile San

By Susan Hales

Diego SharkFest. There will be no sharing pre-race tips and jitters. No starting horn blasts, adrenaline rush, frothy water, all arms and feet, pulling, twisting, slicing through dark water, and the over-all-toosoon race finish. So what now?

Wild water swimmers love gliding through open water. The more experienced among us relish the challenges of cold, deep, dark waters; waves whipped by winds; and close calls with raging otters and territorial mergansers. Leaky wetsuits or foggy goggles?

No problem. We like a challenge and we deal with adversity.

We were made for these Corona Times! So what new challenges will we devise? What innovative ways will we connect, share tips and joys, and find purpose in our swimming? And how can we share our love of this sport to inspire new swimming adventurers?

Here are some new challenges.

HOW MANY LAKES CAN I SWIM?

My wish list of 25 lakes I’d like to swim just grew to 29. Of the first five, I can report that Fish Lake offers amazing giant lily pads in bloom and a round-trip distance of a mile. Medical Lake provides longer distances and sightings of great blue heron, painted turtles, ducks, cormorants, and

red-winged blackbirds galore. Watch out for the wicked fun current on Spirit Lake, and please, someone tell me where the beach is on Cocolalla!

My favorite, Lake Pend Oreille, gives me cooler temps and rocky cliffs plunge deep below the surface. It also offers channels, bays, miles of undeveloped wild shorelines, and very unpredictable winds for on-thespot thrills or meditative nature wanderings.

I am also tantalized by visions of new water adventures in Deer, Loon, Sacheen, Eloika, Diamond and Marshall lakes and the very small, warmer Round, Shepard, Mirror and Muskrat lakes.

HOW FAR CAN I SWIM?

Can 5.3 become 6 miles this summer?

Soon, Pend Oreille water temps will reach balmy 60s. Who out there will join me to cover chunks of the 111-mile shoreline?

All are welcome! For a world-renowned challenge, the ultra-competitors may seek a Spokane group prepping for English Channel crossings.

HOW CAN I STAY CONNECTED?

When venturing out to the lakes, there is much we swimmers need to know. What is the water temp in Medical Lake today?

How strong is the wind on Pend Oreille?

Are there whitecaps?

We have so many tips to share, too! How can you know if a wetsuit fits? How can you best defog your goggles? What are the pros and cons of insulated caps and gloves?

Where can you get those orange safety floats?

How do you repair wetsuit tears? How can you meditate while swimming? What other questions might you have?

To stay connected during Corona Times and beyond, check out the newly launched Facebook group, Wild Swimmers. This group is open to experienced swimmers and to those newly considering wild water swimming. Its purpose is to give us a way to connect, share swimming tips and stories, congratulate each other, and keep our swimming family vibrant and strong.

Eventually the races will return. We’ll heave a sigh of relief and find our swimming world expanded by new wild water adventures, bolstered by Facebook friendships, and informed by our shared wisdom. // Susan Hales finds post-employment flexibility to be wonderfully freeing for swimming, cycling, kayaking, and hiking in summer and snowshoeing in winter. Wild water swimming is her absolute favorite activity.

JULY-AUGUST 2020 / OUTTHEREOUTDOORS.COM

25

GEAR ROOM DOG HOUSE ROOFTOP TENTS AND TRAILERS

Camp in style and comfort; no clearing ground or sleeping on rocks and roots. The hottest thing in camping is Seattle-based Dog House Rooftop Tents and Trailers—simply stow on your vehicle’s roof and off you go. Its Summit 3 Series 3-season model compacts down neatly on your car’s roof and can comfortably sleep 2-3 people with its 56”x 96” footprint when it’s open. The Summit’s ripstop 600 Denier poly/cotton canvas fabric is covered with a water-resistant and

SABRE PEPPER SPRAY AND GEL

UV coating, comes with a non-deforming sponge mattress and includes a built-in mosquito screen. Hardware includes a telescoping ladder, sturdy 5/8” aluminum tubing and a heavy-duty travel cover. Summit Series 3 weighs 130 pounds and is priced at $999.99.

Dog House also sells larger tents sleeping up to five people in soft and hard shells, overland hitched trailers, and tent annexes.

Doghousetentsus.com (Carolyn Price)

SWEET PROTECTION TRAILBLAZER MTB HELMET

Sweet Protection calls the Trailblazer its latest take on the ultimate trail helmet.

It’s a super comfortable, high quality, and modern-looking helmet for sure. It comes with all of the strength and performance features of other popular SP helmets, including 4-piece variable shell construction but with a new progressive style. The placement of the now adjustable visor is also new, and the helmet comes with a com-

with a deranged human being or aggressive canine is priceless. SABRE is the nation’s leading provider for personal safety products, and I started carrying a few of their products this spring. The 12-foot range Duathlete Pepper Gel with Adjustable Arm Band is great for walking or running, and the Cyclist Pepper Spray comes on an adjustable bike strap and provides a ten-foot range with 45 spray bursts. Sabrered.com (Derrick Knowles)

I first took to carrying a small can of pepper spray on nighttime runs when I moved to Spokane’s West Central neighborhood, and then added another pepper spray cannister to my around-town bike and stroller for rides and commutes after my son was born. I’ve never come close to using what my son knows as “bad guys spray,” but the peace of mind of having some effective deterrent in case of an unlikely altercation

pletely new and easy to adjust turn-dial system for dialing in the right fit. You also get maximized breathability with the STACC ventilation design. The Trailblazer comes with optional MIPS for added noggin protection thanks to the MIPS technology’s power to reduce rotational motion transferred to the brain from angled blows to the head. MSRP: $149.95-$179.95. Sweetprotection.com/ en-us (Derrick Knowles)

The powerful Micro Squeeze removes 99.99999% of bacteria and weighs only two ounces, which makes it compact and light enough to pack on any hiking, biking, or running outing for quick, along-the-trail hydration sessions. Just fill the 1-liter water pouch that comes with it and squeeze your thirst away with an included straw or connect it to your hydration pack.

Filtering brackish water on a recent Hells Canyon bikepacking trip, the filter clogged

shorts dry fast and still feel good even in crazy hot temps that make your crotch feel like a sauna or monsoon summer downpours that will soak you to the bone.

They come with four zipped pockets and feature an integrated belt that sits comfortably under a pack. MSRP: $90.

Mountain-equipment. com (Derrick Knowles)

Boulder Denim’s new active-stretch Denim 3.0 Jeans is the brand’s most eco-friendly, featuring sustainable organic cotton blended with recycled Coolmax polyester for breathability along with durable Cordura. Dance around the campfire late into the night and hit the rock or trail in the morning in these high-performance, stretchy jeans that move with your body in every direction. The deep pockets are a major

SAWYER MICRO SQUEEZE WATER FILTRATION SYSTEM

frequently and my impatience led me to blow out the stock squeeze bag Sawyer provides. A buddy using the same filter on that trip had no problem with the same water source by using a stronger yet still light weight Smart Water bottle that endured the heavyhanded squeezing flawlessly.

The Sawyer Micro Squeeze is rated up to 100,000 gallons and can be cleaned easily in the field. MSRP: $28.99. Sawyer.com (Derrick Knowles)

BOULDER DEMIN 3.0 JEANS MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT IBEX SHORTS

These shorts are dressy enough for a job interview (at least any kind of job I’d ever care to have), yet stretchy, tough, and ready for whatever mountain rambles you can throw at these soft-shell shorts. The Exolite 210 stretch double weave fabric is the stuff of gods: comfortable and high-performing, these

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bonus for keeping track of your adventure essentials too. Choose from a classic five-pocket jean or a Workhorse Edition in traditional Blue denim with reinforced knees, minimalist side leg pocket, and a utility/tool belt loop. There are several fit options too. The jeans are 100% vegan friendly and ship in compostable packaging and shipping bags. MSRP: $138.

Boulderdenim.com (Wil Wheaton)

TESALATE SAND-FREE BEACH TOWEL

designs, and cynically thought to myself, yeah right. But an early summer beach outing that included throwing down said towel on a mix of grass, sand, and goose poop for a wet, sandy child to picnic on, changed my tune. These towels are light and compact for packing to your favorite beach, look super cool, dry fast, and, best of all, magically seem to repel sand. MSRP: $5999. Tesalate.com (Derrick Knowles)

Too often your typical beach towel becomes a soggy, heavy, sand-infested, textile pile after a few hours or less at the beach. You know the drill—go for a swim; come back and sit on towel; try unsuccessfully to clean wet, sandy hand on wet, sandy towel to remove wet sand from face to no avail. I saw “sand free” when I ordered one of these Aussie-inspired beach towels that come in many different unique and beautiful BIG AGNES TORCHLIGHT UL 20˚ SLEEPING BAG

5 PRODUCTS FOR HEALTHIER CAMPING THIS SUMMER

By Derrick Knowles

Dandies Marshmallows: The marshmallows from our childhood needed an ingredient-list makeover, and Dandies has delivered. Dandies are 100% vegan, vegetarianfriendly, plant-based, kosher and Non-GMO Project Verified. Produced in the company’s dedicated vegan and nut-free facility and air puffed to be light and fluffy.

They’re also free of common allergens, and, most importantly, they toast up great and taste amazing! Dandies Marshmallows are available in regular (campfire style) and mini sizes at select conventional and natural grocers nationwide, including Whole Foods Safeway, and Albertsons.

Sawyer Insect Repellents: I avoid DEET, preferring a few bites to potentially poisoning myself but was a slow to give up citronella-based repellents and try something new. My bad, because picaridin repellent is highly affective for up to 14 hours against mosquitoes, ticks, and biting flies; is safe for use with kids and pets; and doesn’t have a strong smell like citronella. Another Sawyer scent-free, non-toxic product to keep unwanted insects away from your camp or backyard patio is its Permethrin Insect Repellent for clothing and gear. It won’t damage your gear or tent and a single use lasts for six weeks or six washings. Sawyer says you are more than 70 times less likely to get bitten by a tick if you are wearing permethrin-treated shoes and socks. Available at REI or at Sawyer.com.

Owala Water Bottles: With a graveyard of old, unused water bottles littering my gear room, I’m reluctant to review new ones and often find myself drinking water out of an old juice bottle. Owala’s new FreeSip bottle changed my tune. Push the button and the cap flips open, keeping your grubby digits and germs off the drinking spout.

The coolest thing about this bottle, though, is a 2-in-1 drinking spout that lets you tip the bottle for gulping water through a wider spout or sip more slowly from the built-in straw (great for driving in traffic when you don’t want a bottle in your face).

Owala’s three models of bottles come in plenty of color options ranging from wild to tame. MSRP: $21.99-$29.99. OwalaLife.com Dr. Fedorenko Sun Stick: Given some evidence that chemicals in many conventional sunscreens could actually increase cancer risk, I prefer not to take any chances. The hippier the better. The Sun Stick is a natural, 30 SPF broad spectrum sunscreen that’s cruelty free, gluten free, non-GMO, fair trade certified, and it comes in a recyclable, non-plastic tube that looks like a giant tube of lip balm. Drfedorenko.com Dr. B Organics Hand Sanitizer: Having several bottles of sanitizer handy at camp is a good idea, especially when you’ll be using public facilities like picnic tables, restrooms, etc. I always buy organic or natural hand sanitizers because I don’t like my hands smelling like cheap perfume when I’m out in the woods, and those fragrances and other chemicals make my hands burn and itch. Dr. B’s hand sanitizer is super powerful on germs with 70% alcohol, but easy on your hands with a proprietary essential oils blend that sanitizes hands and surfaces and, so they say, supports healthy immune function. Drfedorenko.com

This is the dream sleeping bag I don’t yet own. I’ve suffered too many chilly nights in my lightweight summer bag to save weight, and now know that it’s worth the few extra ounces to sleep well. The Torchlight UL 20-degree bag from Big Agnes is plenty light, is filled with 850 fill DownTek™ waterrepellent down that will maintain warmth when damp, and features expandable panels for customized fit and enhanced comfort. The two

expandable panels that stretch from shoulders to footbox give you up to 10 extra inches of room, a valuable innovation if you’re a rough-and-tumble sleeper like me. I hope to add one to my quiver of bags soon.

MSRP: $399.95 to $419.95. Bigagnes.com (Derrick Knowles)

OUTDOOR RESEARCH CHAIN REACTION SHIRT

This versatile outdoor lifestyle and adventure shirt has a superb fit, is unbelievably soft, and comes with technical features like UPF 50+ sun protection and ActiveFresh odor management treatment. Its polyester-spandex fabric wicks, dries quick-

ly, breathes, and offers superb stretch for freedom of movement. Named after the iconic climbing route at Bend, Oregon’s Smith Rock, men’s options include a tee and polo, while women’s include a tee and tank. MSRP: $42 to $79. Outdoorresearch. com (Wil Wheaton)

OUTDOOR RESEARCH EQUINOX SHORTS

Rock these lightweight, quick-drying shorts on the trail, at the crag, or at your next sociallydistanced backyard barbeque. UPF 50+ sun protection will help protect your skin from the sun, and a

water-resistant DWR finish will deflect rain and keep your shorts from soaking up moisture like a diaper if you get stuck out in the elements underclothed. MSRP: $69.

Outdoorresearch.com (Derrick Knowles)

MALOJA MULTISPORT SHORTS

The German outdoor brand Maloja makes functional and fashionable technical biking and other outdoor adventure apparel that look cool and feel so wonderful to wear.

The OscarM multi-sport shorts are no exception.

These shorts are made with Hemp Stretch, a sustainable material used in Maloja’s climbing pants, that incorporates hemp, organic cot-

ton, and Spandex to give the fabric plenty of stretch. The shorts have a subtle coarseness to them intended to increase abrasion resistance. Hemp also has natural anti-bacterial properties. I love pockets, and these shorts stand out with seven in total: two front, two zip thigh, two flap seat pockets with buttons, and one coin pocket. MSRP: $109.00. Malojaclothing.com (Wil Wheaton) JULY-AUGUST 2020 / OUTTHEREOUTDOORS.COM

27

COMING TO FULL DRAW

By John Eliason

2 0 2 0

SUMMER

LOVIN'

My friend Steve is a throwback. He lives among the rest of us, but the guy belongs to the rambler’s era of the old West. So when the news arrived that he had been handcrafting wooden bows and practicing traditional archery, I knew Steve was shooting for a deeper simplicity.

What a thrill when he later gifted me with the “Smoke Creek Special,” an exquisite longbow rendered from Osage orange wood and then backed (laminated) with hickory. Steve’s gesture overwhelmed me. I interpreted this functional art as an invitation to join him on a meditative journey. I accepted and strung the bow.

Exploring the beauty of traditional archery does not require Steve’s or any other bowyer’s nudge. Anyone seeking the pleasure of loosing arrows at a target can get set up without much cost or complication. Maybe the best first step is to ask, “What are my goals?” Some people strive for membership on a competitive archery team or for a pleasing form of relief at the end of stressful days.

How about a step of martial preparation for a zombie apocalypse? Others interested in traditional archery might empathize with Steve’s goal for lone outdoor hunting experiences with bow and arrows in the backcountry.

Whatever the goals, the equipment needed, at least to start, is remarkably basic. I relish the traditional archer’s challenges and appreciate the absence of the compound bow’s cam systems, cables, parallel limbs, sights, and releases. With a recurve or longbow, the archer engages only with bow, string, and arrow.

To locate the appropriate gear, c ont ac t t r ad i tional archers.

Most know that neophytes do not need a top shelf archery setup, and they will be generous in sharing their knowledge of bow shops and helpful instructional videos. Veterans of archery can dish on the risks of purchasing anything sight unseen off of the internet.

There can be imperfections, twisted limbs, and cracks on bows that would not reveal themselves to the uninitiated. Be sure to elicit the assistance of people who can discern a good deal from a safety nightmare.

A quick online search will reveal that, wherever you are, professional guidance

JOHN WITH A STEVE ADKISON LONG BOW. PHOTO: RICH ELIASON

is not far away. Regional options include Evergreen Archery Club, Spokane Valley Archery, Blue Goose Sporting Goods in St. Maries, and Camo’d Arrow Store and Archery Range near Chewelah. The big box sporting goods stores also carry stick bows for entry level arrow flingers.

As with anything, traditional archers can find extraordinarily refined bows and arrows from reputable bowyers. When first starting

WHEN OUR DAILY LIVES HAVE BEEN STRAINED TO THE TENSION OF A BOWSTRING, IT SURE CAN BE HEARTENING TO LET FLY WITH AN ARROW.

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OUTTHEREOUTDOORS.COM / JULY-AUGUST 2020

out, a safe bow and an appropriately sized set of arrows will suffice. Seek help on measuring your draw length, and do not shoot a bow and arrows that have not been matched to your dimensions. // John Eliason started shooting traditional archery in the 1980s and then took a nearly three-decade hiatus. He lives and writes in Spokane, where he teaches in the English Department at Gonzaga University.

RESOURCES FOR TRADITIONAL ARCHERS

Traditional archery has been around for 60-70,000 years, and it has existed in many cultures across the globe. The elegant simplicity is nothing new to the longstanding heritage of stick and string, but when our daily lives have been strained to the tension of a bowstring, it sure can be heartening to let fly with an arrow.

With gear in hand and a good teacher or mentor willing to guide your journey into traditional archery, it’s time to shoot. But where? One obvious choice: Evergreen Archery Club. This non-profit dedicated to “the need of archers for an organization to bring people together, in order to foster the Sport of Archery,” has a club range on North Rimrock Drive, near Spokane Falls Community College. For more information, visit the Evergreen Archery Club website and the club’s Facebook page.

Other resources include the traditional “Bowhunter Magazine,” which offers a useful glossary of archery terms. The “Archer’s Den” on the 3 Rivers Archery blog offers reasons to try going trad.

Finally, “USA Archery,” the National Governing Body for the Olympic sport of archery, offers a range of resources, including information on adaptive archery for persons of all abilities.

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29

BACKCOUNTRY LAKES

PICTURESQUE UPPER PRIEST. PHOTO: BLAIR LIBBY //BELOW: BACKPACKERS HIKE BENEATH GABLE MOUNTAIN IN GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, NEAR THE EASTERN TERMINUS OF THE PNT PHOTO: PAUL CHISHOLM // BLOSSOMS AT PYRAMID LAKE PHOTO: PAUL CHISHOLM // OPPOSITE PAGE: ABOVE LION CREEK PHOTO: BLAIR LIBBY

THE AMBITION OF WATER

BY BLAIR LIBBY A pair of bald eagles moved from ponderosa, to fir, to possibly a spruce, which rose up from corners of the lake as trout lookout towers. After a few explosive wing flaps during liftoff, they would glide, bodies as still as the glassy water that mirrored them. I followed their flight path on the water’s surface—distorted, yellow, hooked beaks trailed by rippled streaks of deep russet and white.

Eee-eee-eee- krakEEii! Weak piping notes broke their majestic quality. As patri30

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otic Americans, or at least those who have watched “The Colbert Report” intro too many times, we expect eagles to release a scream that reverberates off canyon walls, beckoning us toward battle. That familiar Hollywood call actually belongs to the red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), while the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) sounds more like a cross between a gull and a kitten. The duo took turns leading the other to the next roosting spot, punctuated by eccentric chirps. From my chosen sunning rock, I dipped my swollen feet in the lake, letting out an audible sigh as the water enveloped and lifted the grime from in between my toes. Ice bath ecstasy.

I was camping at Upper Ball Lake, in the Idaho Panhandle National Forest, closing

in on the halfway point of my 1,200-mile trek on the Pacific Northwest Trail (PNT).

From its start on the Continental Divide in Montana, the PNT loosely follows the Canadian border westward, crossing through three national parks, seven national forests, and some of the most biologically diverse and geologically stunning places in North America.

There’s something satisfying about ending a day’s hike on water’s edge. Perhaps it’s the practicality. You can fill up your bottles, even take a “bath.” And the big blue splotches on the map are easy-to-find landmarks.

Pinecones, twigs, and other arboreal offerings float like magnets, coming together in debris rafts before separating once again, passing you by on the way to some fate of decomposition. Human neighbors are few, save for the whirrr… plop of a casted line from an unseen angler nearby. Evidence of others appreciating the shoreline with you include a leaning, scratched-up tree marked by generations of black bears and an abandoned fire ring with the ashes of scavenged, then burned, branches. Alpine lakes are the true mountaintop guru—the gift after an arduous journey that begets more questions than answers.

That evening’s mystical teacher, Upper Ball, is the highest of three glacially carved bowls beneath the aptly named Pyramid Peak. A massive headwall drops into steep talus slope before reaching the northwestern shore, where Volkswagen-sized boulders balance delicately like giant cairns. I camped on the south side, where I watched the granite glow gold, then pink, then blue, before it was silhouetted in moonlight.

Rising early the following morning gave me the chance to see the lightshow in reverse: indigo, to sherbet, and finally a scalding brightness that signaled a hot, difficult day of hiking ahead. Leaving the lake began the PNT’s most notorious bushwhack, which included 12 miles on exposed knifeedge ridgelines, steep hillside descents, and a perilous downstream walk on Lion Creek, where the bogs are more overrun with moose than big cats. I scrambled, cursed, fell, and desperately belted out Journey lyrics for levity, all the while hiking at half the speed of my usual pace. Eventually I reached some tread that was worthy of being called a trail.

From there, another 11 miles to reach the campground at Upper Priest Lake.

While Upper Priest isn’t exactly “alpine,” it’s a backcountry alternative to the more crowded Lower Priest to the south. My campground for the night was a beach of small, round pebbles, which I shared with some kayakers who had paddled up the 2-mile thoroughfare that divides the sister lakes. Over donated beer, Vienna sausage, and astronaut ice cream, we agreed that the quieter scene in front of us was preferential.

A common loon (Gavia immer) wailed in

a sprinkle of rain that gradually muted the echoing tremolo. Through my open tent door, I observed the sun set again in a fuchsia mist over tomorrow’s passage, the SalmoPriest Wilderness.

Most PNT thru-hikers, including myself, travel westbound toward the terminus at Cape Alava, Wash., the most western point of the lower 48. Besides the net elevation loss and avoiding an early autumn Rocky Mountain snowfall, I believe that we naturally aim ourselves for the water. Alpine lakes, wide river confluences, the Pacific.

Our journeys on foot should end where we cannot take another step. At these breaks between landscapes, we’re forced to take a seat, rest, and soak our ears in the acoustics of a wet world. Those interludes remind us why we take the next step. //

Blair Libby grew up around the West Coast and is currently pursuing an M.S. in Environmental Studies at the University of Montana, where his research focuses on traditional ecological knowledge. This summer he’ll be self-publishing and hand binding a collection of essays about his experiences while hiking the PNT.

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ALPINE LAKES OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST TRAIL

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After admiring, camping alongside, and inundating myself in the Pacific Northwest Trail’s dozens of backcountry waters, I’ve devised my own rating system for the benefit of Out There Outdoors’ lake enthusiasts: The Way There, Big Rocks, Snackability, and Wildlife.

BALL LAKES AND PYRAMID LAKE (Moderate) The Way There: These lakes are nestled high up in Idaho’s Panhandle National Forest.

Luckily, they aren’t too difficult to access. From the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge headquarters, you’ll drive a total of 20 miles on paved road, then gravel USFS roads. At the trailhead, follow Pyramid Lake Trail #43 for less than 1 mile to Pyramid Lake. Keep going on uneven, rocky switchbacks to reach Upper Ball Lake around the 2-mile mark. Lower Ball Lake is just a half mile further. 5 miles out-and-back with 1000 feet of elevation gain.

Big Rocks: Large granite faces rise to the west of all three lakes, with steep trail routed through scree fields. While on trail, enjoy views of the Selkirk Mountains’ high summits and deep canyons.

Snackability: Experienced hikers can reach Lower Ball in about an hour, so bring along your favorite lightweight refrigerated items, like fruits and cheeses. Apparently, there are fish, too, so bring your rod if you’re planning to camp.

Wildlife: A pair of bald eagles roosted at Upper Ball in 2018. Otherwise, bring your bear spray. The area is home to mountain lions, black bears, and occasionally grizzlies.

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BAGLEY LAKES (Easy)

The Way There: Adjacent to Washington’s Mt. Baker Ski Area are several small alpine lakes. From Mount Baker Highway, park at Bagley Lakes Loop trailhead. This mostly flat and gentle 1.5-mile loop will take you around two lakes. Driving a few miles to the end of the highway, park at Artist Point for a half mile out-and-back to Huntoon Point, which on a clear day boasts astounding views of Mount Baker, Mount Shuksan, and Baker Lake.

Big Rocks: Mount Baker is one of the most prominent peaks in the Cascades and the second most active volcano, behind Mount Saint Helens. Table Mountain, the glacial peak to the immediate southeast of the trailheads, drains into Bagley Creek, which connects the two lakes.

Snackability: Enjoy the food at Heather Meadows Café or bring your own. Picnic tables and parking lots are plentiful.

Wildlife: Be on the lookout for mountain goats and elk.

SEVEN LAKES BASIN (Difficult)

The Way There: After obtaining your Olympic National Park backcountry permit, from Highway 101, travel 12 miles up Sol Duc Hot Springs Road. Take Sol Duc Falls Trail to the waterfall, then Deer Lake Trail to the first densely wooded lake. Take the High Divide Trail another 3 miles to the Seven Lakes Basin Trail—you can’t miss the lakes. Continuing to Heart Lake will allow you to loop back on the Sol Duc River Trail, for a total of 19 miles and 4,000 feet of elevation gain.

Big Rocks: The High Divide Trail offers breathtaking views of Mount Olympus, the crown jewel of the park.

Snackability: If you’re day-tripping, carry some lightweight, high-calorie food, like bars or sandwiches. You’ll find plenty of water along the way, but remember to bring your filter.

Wildlife: You’re likely to see more than a few black bears in this area. Carry bear spray as a precaution, but they’re likely too preoccupied with summer berries to care about you at all. Olympic National Park is in the process of removing non-native mountain goats, which were introduced in the early 20th century for game hunting. If you see one, keep your distance.

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LOV I N G

Summer Hess A HIKE TO THE POPULAR Icicle Ridge

viewpoint exposes the quirky brilliance of Leavenworth. To the south, the Stuart Range with its alpine lakes and sculpted peaks plow skyward; to the north, the Cascades continue their voluminous march toward Canada. And to the east, the Bavarian-themed town some 5,000 miles from Europe offers a smorgasbord of outdoor activities that take full advantage of extensive rivers and trails.

With enough camping and accommodations to handle thousands of people on a busy weekend, Leavenworth draws visitors across all seasons—but especially in summer, when purple lupine torches glow on staggered hillsides in the lingering golden hour.

At the end of May I hiked the moderate switchbacks of Icicle Ridge with two friends who had driven over for the day from Spokane with their infant daughter and two dogs in tow. By the time we arrived at the trailhead at midday, a line of parked cars half a mile long threaded down from the sanctioned parking area.

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OUTTHEREOUTDOORS.COM / JULY-AUGUST 2020

PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD COME TO BACKPACK IN ALPINE LAKES WILDERNESS The Spokane friends had to get back on the road before baby meltdown, which left us a window of only a few hours for the hike.

I couldn’t think of another close option, and rather than spend precious time surfing the spotty internet for a plan B, we joined the ranks of hikers scampering up and down the singletrack like ants in pursuit of competing pheromone trails.

Icicle Ridge requires a sustained uphill effort, but a dappled canopy of shade protects hikers from the noontime sun. Physical distancing was easy to manage at first, but soon the hillside steepened, the trail narrowed, and it became impossible to give other parties the recommended 6 feet. A handful of hikers wore masks, and some stepped aside to yield to uphill traffic, as per standard trail etiquette, but most people trundled quickly downward without caution. We stepped off the trail as best we could dozens of times. Constantly negotiating the steady stream of people made it challenging to chat and spend time.

Icicle Ridge wasn’t even the most transited

L E AV E N WO R T H FIND YOUR NEXT FAVORITE HIKE CLIMBER IN LEAVENWORTH. PHOTO: RYAN PARSONS // BELOW LEFT: ICE LAKES PHOTO: RYAN PARSONS// BELOW RIGHT: DOWNTOWN LEAVENWORTH NOW HAS PEDESTRIAN ONLY STREETS ON WEEKENDS. PHOTO: COURTESY OF ICICLE TV

trail that weekend at the end of May. At the Stuart Lake trailhead, which has become a pedestrian superhighway to Colchuck Lake and the rest of the Enchantments, hundreds of cars were parked illegally on both sides of Eightmile Road—despite “no parking” signs and obvious obstruction of the road.

Chris Bentley with the OkanoganWenatchee National Forest (OWNF), the land agency responsible for the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, says this illegal parking creates a dangerous situation for other motorists and makes it impossible for emergency services to get through. OWNF staff has taken to Facebook, begging visitors to respect signage and follow the rules.

Bentley understands why so many people flock to the Stuart Lake trailhead. “That is such a high use and beloved area of the forest. We realize it’s a favorite for the Seattle metro area for weekends. People all over the world come to backpack in Alpine Lakes Wilderness.”

But many hikers don’t realize that the parking lot was built to accommodate the appropriate capacity of the trail system.

When visitors choose to park in unsanctioned spots, and too many people are on the trail, “there’s going to be erosion, trash, human waste, and sanitation issues,” says Bentley. To make matters worse, overuse in

5 TIPS TO HIKE RESPONSIBLY

Give the more popular and overcrowded trails in the central Cascades a break by exploring these other options.

• Fourth of July—A steep but beautiful 5-mile trail climbs 5,000 feet to the top of Icicle Ridge. Turn left at the top and go 1/2 mile to the site of an old fire lookout.

• Chatter Creek—A 5.5-mile trail that gains 3,800 feet into a beautiful alpine basin and ridgetop.

• Blackjack Ridge—A steep 3.5-mile climb of 4,000 feet through shady forest and then an open alpine ridge with some of the best views of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.

• Icicle Creek—A mostly flat, easy trail through beautiful lush old growth.

• Round Mountain and Nason Ridge—The Round Mountain trail climbs steeply for 1 mile to join Nason Ridge Trail. Turn left for a more gradual 3 miles to Alpine Lookout with great views of Lake Wenatchee, White River and Little Wenatchee valleys, and Glacier peak.

• Rock Mountain—A steep 4-mile and 4,000-foot climb to the site of an old fire lookout. The trail passes near beautiful Rock Lake in an alpine basin.

• Lanham Lake—An easy day hike of about 3 miles round-trip. It enters a nice stand of old growth forest to reach the lake and views of Jim Hill Mountain.

Have a plan B—and C, D, and E. Follow the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest on Facebook and use the Pacific Northwest Forests app to find hiking trails, trail conditions, maps, permit information, and campgrounds. The “Near Me” function is useful when your intended trailhead is full. The new TREAD Map app due out soon will offer real-time parking lot and trail conditions.

Carry out human waste and toilet paper — even on day hikes. “We strongly encourage people to bring bags... The reality is that even when you’re hiking for a day, you can’t always control when nature calls.”

Stay on designated trails—especially ones that receive a lot of traffic. “Wandering off trail inevitably leads to unofficial trails, and those cause erosion issues,” says Chris Bentley.

Plan for contingencies and hazards—even if you’re only out for a few hours. “I can’t tell you how many horror stories I’ve heard of people showing up with flip flops and a 20-ounce bottle of water, ready to do a 10-mile hike. That’s totally unwise,” says Bentley. He urges hiking with the 10 essentials and being equipped to spend the night out if something goes wrong.

Be honest about your skill level—even if you really want to do a specific hike.

“Just because you've heard from a friend that there’s a beautiful view doesn’t mean that you are prepared to take that journey to get there,” warns Bentley. The most common rescue situations happen when people who aren’t prepared try a hike that’s beyond their ability.

one area degrades the whole system, since money designated for ongoing maintenance has to be used instead to restore prematurely damaged trails.

Bentley says that overcrowding in a wilderness area is an even bigger issue because “part of its underlying purpose is to experience nature without human impacts.”

In extreme cases, overcrowding can threaten access to these trails. “If we look at a recreation area and realize we don’t have the capacity to consistently be out there all day every day to monitor and make sure people follow rules, there are instances where we have had to close,” say Bentley. This may be especially true in the age of COVID-19, when overcrowding means physical distancing can’t be observed.

Fortunately, there are groups in the region doing everything they can to keep trailheads open. Nonprofit organizations have formed to mobilize the local community to act in direct partnership with stakeholders like the OWNF. Jake Leonard is the general manager of the Riverfront Rock Gym in Wenatchee

and a board member with the Leavenworth Mountain Association (LMA), which has taken on projects like installing additional toilets in the Icicle corridor and improving ad-hoc climbers’ trails around Leavenworth.

“The [Icicle] Canyon is trashed at the end of the season,” says Leonard, so LMA hosts an annual Icicle Canyon Cleanup at the end of each season where local volunteers pick up thousands of pounds of trash, including beer bottles, fast food containers, and dirty diapers.

“It’s scary the amount of impact we all have. If you're not from the area...you might not see the impact over the whole season,” says Leonard. He encourages out-of-town visitors to “be more active stewards.” He recommends that everyone pick up trash whenever they see it. “We all leave garbage unintentionally,” he says. “Pick it up so no one else has to see it,” even if it’s not yours.

Leonard suggests exploring other parts of the forest. “There is a lot more to see in the Wenatchee Ranger District…There’s plenty of space, but the problem is that [one] area

BE A GOOD GUEST Especially in the era of COVID-19, stewardship applies to town as much as it does to trails. Leavenworth has made physical distancing easier by closing the main street on weekends to allow for pedestrian traffic only. Parking is still available at all city lots and on side streets. Hand sanitizer stations are located throughout the downtown and Leavenworth ambassadors, the Royal Bavarians, are handing out masks and hand wipes as well as maps of the businesses in town.

Jessica Stoller with the Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce is optimistic that visitors will be mindful of social distancing practices while enjoying both the town and recreation. “We know that things are a little different from what we are all used to; we also know it takes a little more patience to adjust to these new protocols. Just know that we are working hard to be fully open and provide a great experience for all those visiting.” She explains that shops are open and restaurants can accommodate both dine-in and take-out experiences.

“We are still the same beautiful, friendly town that will be smiling at you when you visit; we’ll just be smiling from behind a mask for now,” says Stoller.

gets loved to death while other trailheads are empty or with just a few cars.”

Chris Bentley encourages getting involved in groups like the LMA, which “can make a serious impact.” Comprised of more than 4 million acres, “the forest can use all the hands it can get. It’s a huge endeavor to keep it functional, beautiful, and biodiverse.”

The hard reality is that, on many weekends, the answer to overcrowding at places like Stuart Lake or Icicle Ridge is no longer to get there early. The answer is to go somewhere else. “Find your next favorite hike,” Bentley recommends. “There are hundreds of beautiful hikes in Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest that are within striking distance. They are absolutely worth the hike and worth the time.” // Summer Hess is the managing editor of Out There Outdoors. She’s taken up the challenge to find her next favorite Leavenworth hike, which is currently Blackjack Ridge Trail to the summit of Blackjack Mountain.

JULY-AUGUST 2020 / OUTTHEREOUTDOORS.COM

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LAST PAGE Strong IS Beautiful TOP OF UNICORN PEAK SUMMIT PHOTO:HOWIE DAVIS

MOST WOMEN, at some point in their lives,

get discouraged about their appearance because they may not possess the ideal body according to societal standards. I was no different. I have always lived in predominantly white communities, and with that, feminine beauty typically meant white or light skinned, tall, skinny, long hair, European facial features—the epitome of Eurocentric standards.

Sorry, not sorry, I don't fit those standards. However, when I was a teenager and even as a young adult those standards of beauty had a significant impact. Instead of

By Rebecca Ross

embracing who I was—a short, physically strong black girl with black facial features—I tried to change my appearance in order to be considered beautiful.

While many of those traits were out of my control, I found that my physique was something I could change. I decided to focus on becoming more feminine by forming unhealthy habits. Over the years, I started hitting the cardio workouts hard and eating less. I was always comparing myself to others who were skinnier—therefore prettier.

Over time I started getting feedback from both strangers and people I knew. People would say things like, "You look so great" or, "Tell me what you've been doing." I even heard statements like, "Most black women are usually bigger, but not you, you're so tiny." As much as I hate to admit it, those praises, so to speak, reinforced that skinny and light skin were beautiful. I couldn’t replace my brown skin, but maybe I could make up for it.

My self-reinvention was short lived and nearly caused irreparable mental and physical damage that lasted for years to come. I began developing health issues, but it took a long time to realize that they were selfinflicted. I was always tired and weak. I

developed hypothyroidism. I can even attest to fainting, due to long bouts of fasting, more times than I care to confess. I had an unhealthy relationship with exercising and an even unhealthier relationship with food, causing a huge energy deficit. I didn't care.

All I knew was I was receiving lots of praise, and I finally felt “feminine.”

As soon as I discovered mountaineering, I wanted to be a mountaineering badass or, better yet, a black woman mountaineering badass who could help redefine the status quo. And just like that, it hit me—I couldn't be a badass if I were too weak from dieting and lacked self-confidence. After getting into mountaineering, I also discovered a whole other world of outdoor sports: rock climbing, bouldering, snowshoeing, winter backpacking, and many others. It wasn't just the realization that I had to focus on being healthy and strong to engage in these awesome sports that gave me confidence.

There were amazing women I saw who were already smashing stereotypes and achieving goals, and these women became role models to me.

My entire perspective on what it meant to be beautiful started to change. I stopped caring about counting calories and started eating enough healthy wholesome foods. My

new goal was to keep my energy levels up so I could lead an active lifestyle. Of course, I gained some weight and a lot of muscle too, forcing me to donate my size 0 clothing, but I felt that I was finally being true to myself. I also started to notice my arsenal of makeup dwindling on my bathroom counter, which my bank account and skin greatly appreciated. I didn’t feel the need to try to impress others by becoming someone I wasn't meant to be. Importantly, I got to focus on what mattered to me—being physically and mentally strong in order to do what I love.

Please don't get me wrong: I most likely will always have self-esteem issues because I’m human living in a society that rewards certain features and races over others.

However, I have found that the more time I spend outdoors, the less concerned I am with looking a certain way. By all means, it's not easy, but I've come a long way thanks to mountaineering. Mountaineering has truly changed my perspective on beauty and let's face it: strong IS beautiful. // Rebecca Ross is an African-American mountaineer based in the Pacific Northwest. She has a master's in public health and epidemiology from Oregon Health & Science University.

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