The days are getting longer, the skies have parted, and the sun has returned to grace us poor, pale folks of the Pacific Northwest who have endured another long winter. Ok, that’s a bit much since the reason many of us live here is because of the opportunities winter brings. But I digress. March means […]
Ski Bum Advice: Stuff I’m Not Doing This Spring Read More »
Amidst the clear-cuts of the Camas Prairie in north-central Idaho, where Lewis and Clark staved off starvation and loggers hauled away millions of acres of straight-backed white pine, cries of the demise of small ski hills go ignored. Bald Mountain Ski Area At the end of pavement and not on the way to anything, Pierce, Idaho, population
Lost Ski Hills of North Central Idaho Read More »
Spring is the time to look for fleeting vernal pools. These habitats are teaming with aquatic and terrestrial plants and animals—especially with the amphibians that rely on these pools for their life cycles. Vernal pools are unique and temporary habitats that form in the spring when shallow depressions fill with snowmelt and rainwater. As the
Vernal Pools: The Habitat of Spring Read More »
With a foot or more of frozen snow still on the ground around the Inland Northwest post Groundhog Day this year, we had to test the new 2019 Bridgedale hiking socks with 10-14 mile indoor “hikes” setting up and working at the Spokane Great Outdoors & Bike Expo February 23-24. “What a difference good socks
Gear Review: Bridgedale Hike Ultra Light T2 Sock Read More »
It’s a duffle. It’s a backpack. It’s a tough, compact travel tote that you can carry over your shoulder, wear on your back, and easily slip into airplane overhead bins or gear-stuffed car trunks. First place winner of the prestigious 2018 Carryology Best Travel Luggage category, the Transporter 40 features dual sided TPU coating, burly
Gear Review: Osprey Transporter 40 Read More »
Aging dams deep in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness sparked a crisis that is continuing to unfold. Last year, officials from the Icicle and Peshastin Irrigation Districts discovered that the crumbling Eightmile Dam could be overwhelmed with spring runoff. Many wilderness dams are aging, and due to climate change, more precipitation is falling as rain instead
Leavenworth, Wash.—Excavator Marooned in the Enchantments Read More »
For the last five years, the Boise, Idaho, based Peregrine Fund has collaborated with researchers in Africa on a pilot project called the African Raptor Databank, allowing users to upload data about raptors in real time. The data gathered by the pilot program has already significantly slowed the decline of six vulture species in Africa
Boise, Idaho—Smartphone App to Aid Raptor Conservation Read More »
Two things can derail an early season bike ride: an unkempt bike and the wrong clothes. If you can, have your local bike shop tune your bike, preparing the tires, brakes, shifting, drivetrain, and the remaining essentials for safety and optimal performance. Expect to pay $60 to $80. Some offer safety checks for about $40.
Getting Ready for Spring Bike Rides Read More »
Whether your winter has been spent on the snow or a stationary trainer, in a yoga studio or gym, maybe even on the couch, the arrival of spring just might spark your inner-cyclist. But roadsides strewn with winter’s debris might dampen that spark, leading you to wonder if the open road is ready for you.
On The Road Again: Inland NW Early-Season Cycling Routes Read More »
