There are only a handful of critters that share the wintery wonderland of our mountains with intrepid snowshoers, cross-country skiers, and downhill sliders. Earlier this season, friends saw a small heard of elk under the lift at 49 Degrees North, likely moving to lower elevations. Moose love to mess up the freshly groomed ski deck on the Mount Spokane Nordic trails. On a rare occasion, you can see a white ermine crossing a snow field or the wing prints from an owl’s nocturnal hunting. But probably the most gregarious high elevation dweller is the common raven, Corvus corax. Ravens are one of ..read more

(Nonfiction, 2015) By Joel Sattgast Despite strong recommendations for this book, I was hesitant to pick it up due to my minimal interest in cinema and screenwriting. However, Yorke’s narration offers an intriguing scaffolding, which illustrates structural patterns inherent within engaging storytelling—the alchemy of story. Yorke expands upon how and why we immerse ourselves in compelling stories, weaving in additional insights from psychology, sociology, cultural myths, folklore and historical contexts. The result is an often-harmonious rhythm that flows through the pages, much like the rhyth ..read more

Lakeview Ranch (Odessa, WASH) Fluctuating levels in the local water table may create conditions where very little lake is visible at Lakeview Ranch, but this stark shrub-steppe ecosystem is always worth a visit and can be especially lovely in the spring. The trailhead and starting location for this hike is at the old farm site just west of Pacific Lake, which is worth the extra side trip to the former boat launch in the event the water is high; some years the water level remains so low that the docks are high and dry, however. Maps will indicate Walter Lake next to the trailhead, although it i ..read more

If you’re looking for a waterproof footwear alternative to hiking boots for your daily spring outings around town, the new ATOM waterproof shoe is worth a look. It’s got the style and feel of a sneaker with solid cushion and support, but won’t leave you with soggy, frozen feet after splashing through parking lots or down rainy streets or sidewalks. A great choice as a work shoe for jobs that include time outdoors, as well as for neighborhood walks, foot-powered errands, or as a workout shoe. MSRP: $180. Kurufootwear.com Wil Wheaton The post Kuru Atom Waterproof Shoe appeared first on Out Ther ..read more

Cover photo by James P. Johnson There are a lot of reasons to like Coeur d’Alene—among them, a couple of enjoyable, well-known, lakeside hikes. Tubbs Hill, with a main trail that follows the lake shore and is mostly flat, begins next to the Coeur d’Alene Resort downtown. But less-trafficked Mineral Ridge, which demands a little more effort, is a good choice for an appealing, elevated view of Lake Coeur d’Alene. Mineral Ridge is so named because at one time it was thought to have viable mineral deposits. The search left prospectors empty handed, paving the way for construction of this pleasant ..read more

(Nature Photography/Natural History, 2022) By James P. Johnson When I saw this hardcover book on the store shelf, there was no doubt I’d buy it. Eastern Washington’s landscape and the floods that ravaged it during the last ice age intrigues me, and I’ve seen the results while hiking thousands of miles over the years. So many places I’ve visited are pictured in the book. I recognized the author’s name, a Spokane journalist with a long history of writing about Northwest topics, including in Out There. He details the huge resistance to geologist Harlan Bretz’s explanation of massive floods being ..read more

It’s common knowledge that runners should warm up . . . and it’s common knowledge that they often don’t take the time. I asked Rebecca Thompson, an orthopedic physical therapist at Physical Therapy Associates who also specializes in pelvic health, about the benefits of a dynamic warm-up and how the average runner can work one into their routine. (Interview has been edited and condensed.) SH: Why is it important for runners to take the time to warm up? RT: Warming up is all about getting blood flow to the muscles and good synovial fluid in the joints before repetitively loading them in a run. W ..read more

Each spring, the lead up to the Spokane Aurora Northwest Rotary Club’s Lilac Century Ride has signaled the start of the summer road riding season for hundreds of Spokane area cyclists. Now with a gravel course added to the mix, the event, set for Sunday, May 19, has broadened its appeal to riders seeking off-pavement pedaling. The four paved road courses and the gravel route all cover the scenic farm and forest landscapes surrounding Green Bluff in north Spokane from a well-chosen starting and finishing location at Big Barn Brewing that promises a spirited post-ride finale. Once agai ..read more

Cover photo courtesy of Bower Climbing Coalition Free Outdoor Entertainment Upcoming fee-free days for Washington State Parks include March 9 (Billy Frank Junior’s birthday), March 19 (celebrate the 111th birthday of Washington State Parks!) and April 22 (Earth Day). A Discover Pass is not required for park entry on these dates. National Park Week will be held April 20-28, with April 20 additionally being a fee-free day at National Parks. Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness will host Hiking 101 for beginners on March 23, followed by a strenuous full moon snowshoe trek to Star Peak on March ..read more

My first MSR Hubba Hubba tent was a hand-me-down single-person version that a thru-hiker friend of mine named Hike On graciously gifted to me. The most beloved tent I’ve ever owned, it was my all-season companion for years, from snowy ski missions in the Kettle Range to surf beaches in Mexico and many other amazing places in between. I was sad to eventually pass it on to another friend to make room for newer (and, as I would find out, lesser quality) tents I’d acquired for review. Thankfully the gear gods eventually blessed me with this new MSR Hubba Hubba 2, the roomier two-heartbeat version ..read more