Cover photo courtesy of Brian Heer The first time I saw a grouse in the backcountry, I thought it was a chicken. It’s just one of many backpacking stories that have solidified in our family’s repertoire of stories from the mountains. Though I’d tried to maintain a cool composure as my father threw out new […]
Learning the Lexicon of the Places We Love Read More »
Cover photo courtesy of Amy McCaffree Emerson was my first companion. An all-white Siberian husky—a dog breed I specifically chose for its high energy and athletic endurance—Emerson came into my life at a pivotal time. I was 24 years old, recovering from heartbreak, and had read that having a pet decreased stress and one’s risk
The Dogs Who Helped Me Love the Outdoors Read More »
Cover photo courtesy Phil Godley EXPLANATORY STATEMENT Bikepacking is a method of recreation that entails riding your bicycle loaded with all of your camp gear across potentially wild terrain to get to and from a predetermined campsite. “The Packfiller Podcast” host and creator Pat Bulger went on his first bikepacking trip last summer, and he
The Great Bikepacking Debate Read More »
I took the Telos TR2 two-person tent on a four-day bikepacking trip in Central Idaho last fall and was struck by several features of this popular Sea to Summit backpacking tent that’s been retrofitted for bikepacking. First, it comes in two waterproof, highly durable dry sacks that, with the included stretch straps, allow you to
Sea to Summit Telos TR2 Bikepacking Tent Read More »
How And Where To Geek Out On Our Night-Time Skies An evening spent stargazing can be the perfect activity during the mild late spring months. Local opportunities range from a short night hike before returning home to spending a night under the stars within developed campgrounds, to backpacking to a remote mountain location. I love
Spring and Summer Stargazing Read More »
Cover photo courtesy of Holly Weiler The Wenaha River Trail in northeastern Oregon has long been a popular spring backpacking destination, but, following the loss of the bridge over Crooked Creek during the 2015 Grizzly Complex Fire, access became extremely difficult until spring run-off subsided. This left hikers facing a tricky and potentially dangerous ford
Hike of the Month: Wenaha River Trail Read More »
Cover photo courtesy Diane Knowles Free Outdoor Entertainment Conservation, Stewardship & Volunteer Opportunities
Inland NW Trail & Outdoor News Read More »
When my brother and I finally carved out a weekend last summer to meet at an alpine lake in the Cascades, stargazing became a goal for our hike. Imagine what the night sky will look like up there, we mused, the wilderness area being far from the lights of even the nearest town, Twisp. We
An Enlightening Backcountry Encounter Read More »
Cover photo courtesy Ammi Midstokke Hiking and backpacking season is best started by preparing your body slowly for carrying a pack down long, winding trails and up and over mountains. Physical therapist Trey Nichols with NW Mobile PT has experience guiding inner-city youth on backpacking trips in the Cascades and treating and training backpackers, mountaineers,
Get Ready for Hiking Season with Free Workshops Read More »
While March winds and April showers abound, local trailwork crews are tackling trail maintenance needs as fast as the snow recedes. This cold and wet season is not a fun time to take a lingering lunch break nor do the prep work required for a fancy backpacking dinner. As I lead early-season trail crews, I’m
Fillo’s Walking Tamales + Bushka’s Kitchen Meals Read More »
