On two different mountain bike trips to Bend, Oregon, in recent years, our lost-out-in-the-woods camp vibe was disrupted by a dead car battery thanks to our bad habit of playing car stereo tunes and charging phones from cigarette lighter chargers for way too long. Nothing delays a morning bike ride like having to hike down […]
A kid-friendly way to experience wilderness is by visiting a national park. Harley and Abby McAllister of Spokane Valley travel extensively to national parks with their four sons, ages four through 15. Last year, they compiled their research and experiences to publish two guidebooks, “Yellowstone National Park with Kids” and the other about Utah’s five
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Escape the hustle and spend time at an alpine lake, deep in the wilderness, where moonrise, sunset and sunrise reveal new depths of beauty. With grit and legwork, many backcountry lakes can be reached in 2-5 hours as a day hike or overnight backpacking trip. Here are some ideas to get you started. Heart Lake:
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Traditional 1-liter water bottles have been a backcountry staple for decades, but the Hydrapak upgrade is a welcome improvement. Durable, flexible and leak proof, the collapsible Stash bottle is 50% lighter than a hard bottle and saves weight and space in your pack. It’s 100% BPA and PVC free, and it fits almost every backcountry
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I became a Montbell sleeping bag convert after buying my first stretchy baffle bag nearly a decade ago. I simply love sleeping outside and would choose a tent and sleeping bag over a bedroom almost any day, but the traditional, constrictive mummy bags I grew up with often left me feeling claustrophobic as I inevitably
Summertime Gear: Montbell Down Hugger 800 Sleeping Bag Read More »
Is it possible to have too many light-weight, packable camp chairs? Maybe. But we have found endless uses for them. The latest we’ve tried and loved is the Helinox from Big Agnes. It lives in our car much of the time, where it comes in handy for everything from picnic lunches to post-hike hangouts. It
Trail / conservation projects Current Trail Projects in the Inland Northwest Spokane Country Regional Trails Plan: What Is It? Here is an excerpt from the plan… Purpose of the Plan The purpose of the Spokane County Regional Trail Plan is to guide development and maintenance of a county-wide network of trails to serve the needs
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Outdoor Groups Spokane Bicycle Club This is a recreational club offering multiple scheduled group rides each week, March – November. Their rides are designed to accommodate all skill levels. This is a membership organization that costs $15 individual $20 family. Evergreen East Mountain Bike Alliance This is a non-profit for people who love to bike that costs $35/year
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In the vast field of backpacking stoves, it all boils down to price and weight. The formulas for heat efficiency, gas mixture and boil time are not standardized from one manufacturer to the next. But everyone can easily see the GSI Pinnacle weighs less and costs less than the MSR Micro Rocket and the Snow
#1 Experience a River of No Return Jet Boat Tour Experience Idaho’s famed Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness and the wild Salmon River on a 1-3 day jet boat tour out of Riggins, Idaho this spring or summer. The tours are a safe and fun way for families to visit the river
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