How ground reaction forces impact your hikes, runs, and joints By Trey Nichols Imagine that you’ve got a pea-sized pebble in your shoe as you’re out on a walk or a hike. Not real comfortable, is it? Now imagine that you’re running or stepping off a big rock with your pack on with that same […]
Your Body vs. the Trail Read More »
Cover photo courtesy of Pass to Pass By Brian Lorenson Imagine no longer being able to participate in the outdoor activities you enjoy. More specifically: hiking, backpacking, and sleeping under the stars at your campsite. This unacceptable possibility is what the founder of PasstoPass, Bill Meyer, faced with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease (PD). A
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By James P. Johnson With sponsorship from National Geographic to write about a planned 750-mile end-to-end backpacking trip through the Grand Canyon, author Kevin Fedarko and photographer Pete McBride thought they could pull it off with minimum preparation. Discovering four experienced Grand Canyon explorers were doing a 57-day full traverse, they got permission to join
“A Walk in the Park” by Kevin Fedarko Read More »
Cover photo courtesy of Aaron Theisin The hiking and backpacking possibilities in the mountains surrounding Ainsworth Hot Springs Resort would take years to fully explore, but here are a few favorites trails to get you started. For more options and detailed hike descriptions and maps, pick up a copy of the “West Kootenay Hiking” guidebook
Recommended Hikes Near Ainsworth Read More »
By Olivia Dugenet Most people sign up for a wilderness first aid class after panicking their way through some type of backcountry medical emergency. Left with regret at having been unprepared, they want to make sure they’re ready for next time. The trouble with this approach, says Katie Luthy, co-owner of Longleaf Wilderness Medicine in
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If your body were a 35-year-old machine, would you tune it up before hitting the trails this summer? We would too. Preparing your body for hiking, trail running, or backpacking is a lot like maintaining your vehicle—the better care you take on the front end, the better it performs, and the more enjoyable the ride.
How to Get Trail-Ready: Injury Prevention and Fitness Tips for Hikers and Runners Read More »
Free outdoor-themed entertainment Cover photo courtesy of Ammi Midstokke Outdoor Culture & History Events This year marks the bicentennial of Fort Colville on the Columbia River just west of Kettle Falls, with several events planned throughout the year to mark the occasion. On June 20 the organizers have coordinated with the Colville Confederated Tribes to
Cover photo courtesy of Crazy Creek I’ve been a long-time fan of Crazy Creek’s chairs. This Montana-based company has provided me with years of comfort in camp on dozens of backpacking and bikepacking trips. Last fall on a backpacking trip in the Wallowas I decided to leave it behind at the car to save weight,
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The conservation story of the lands burned by the Great Fire of 1910 By Bri Loveall Cover photo courtesy of The Great Burn Conservation Alliance Last spring, my family and I made our first camping trip of the season to the Lolo National Forest. At our campsite, bearberry grew in thick, low-growing clumps. A well-worn
Free Outdoor-themed Entertainment Cover photo courtesy of Shallan Knowles Outdoor Education Are you interested in learning more about Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or needing to recertify? A WFA class provides an excellent foundation of skills for anyone who spends a lot of time in the backcountry. Longleaf is hosting a class at St. George’s School
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