June 2020

A bike rider taking a break with his gear in front of a town sign.

Selkirk Bike Loop

By Michael Ebinger Newport. Sandpoint. Bonner’s Ferry. Creston. Kootenay Bay. Nelson. Trail. Metaline Falls. Box Canyone Dam. Ione. Back to Newport. That was one version of the Selkirk Loop on a bike in late June-early July 2010. So how does a former bicycle racer ride with his intermediate-level wife and enjoy a cycling tour? Do it on a tandem! Britt and I discovered in 2006 that

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A man using a telescope to view wildlife.

Scanning for Wolves

By Travis Laurence Naught Northeastern Yellowstone National Park is unbelievably wild. A dear friend of mine has taken a group of university students there for a week every summer since 2005. They watch wolves and write. Teeming herds of large mammals, expansive vistas, and the surging power of nature aid these practicing authors. Most writers don’t get a week like this—especially writers like

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Orange backpack with grey straps.

Gregory Citro H20 Hydration Day Pack

Reviewed by Derrick Knowles In addition to hikes, I’ve been taking this new hydration day pack from Gregory with me on everything from walks to the grocery store and bike rides with the kid. It comes in three sizes (24, 30, and 36 liters), and I’m glad I have the 36-liter capacity to haul all of the “what if” items I often feel compelled to

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Orange pants.

Mountain Equipment Dihedral Pants

Reviewed by Wil Wheaton Mountain Equipment has been making gear for over 50 years, and it shows in the quality of each piece I’ve owned. The Dihedral climbing pants are strong and stretchy thanks to stretch ascender fabric construction. Climb through the seasons in them, from the local crag to alpine adventures. And they are shockingly comfortable, so comfy in fact that I wouldn’t bat and

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Blue backpack with black pockets and yellow straps.

Six Moon Designs Swift X Ultralight Backpack

Reviewed by Bryan McDirmid If you still carry cans of soup into the backcountry, this pack is not for you. I tested this ultra-light, 36-ounce backpack over 21 miles on the Wild and Scenic Rogue River Trail on a 24-hour trip. After I packed all the essentials, the bag was so light I threw in a Bota bladder of wine. My first impression of the

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Purple hiking boots.

AKU Selvatica GTX Hiking Boots

These boots made by Italian company AKU are a light, nimble, waterproof/breathable option for taking on the Inland Northwest’s rougher mountain trails. The Elica Fit technology allows your feet their natural range of motion and normal heel and forefoot positioning for comfort and control. And welded PU exoskeletons, Vibram Megagrip outsoles, and a mid-cut profile provide foot and ankle support and traction on rocky trails

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