out there monthly february 2011

THE INLAND NORTHWEST GU IDE TO OUTDOOR RECREATION + WWW.OUTTHEREMONTHLY.COM

MONTHLYVOL.7 // NO.5 // FEBRUARY 2011

An InlAnd nW Round Hut tRAvel GuIde

EVERYDAY CYCLIST: WINTER MAINTENANCE YOU CAN DO /P.13

WHAT’S YOUR GEAR? BRENT EMMINGHAM, SkI PATROL /P.11

HEALTH AND FITNESS:

WHAT IS ROLFING? /P.9

NEWS: FLYING

IRISH RUNNING

CLUB TURNS SIx

P.7

ROADTRIP: IDAHO BACkCOUNTRY

DAY SkI TRIP /P.10

FEB 3 - 13, 2011

2 Out there MOnthly / February 2011

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Free Waxing Clinic Friday February 11th AT 6:00. Find out how to wax your skis for Langlauf.

Free Demo Days at Mount Spokane Check out the latest equipment both Nordic skisand Snow shoes. Selkirk Lodge: 9am to 1 pm

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p.5 / From the editor Stubbornness

By Jon Snyder

p.6 / out there News

Cold Smoke, Langlauf, Souper Bowl,

Flying Irish Turns Six

p.8 / sustaiNable liviNg Eat Fresh and Local In WinterBy Taylor Weech

p.9 / health & FitNess

What Is Rolfing?

By Dr. Bob Lutz

p.10 / roadtrip

Idaho Backcountry Day Ski Trip

By Jon Jonckers

p.11 / what’s Your gear?

Brent Emmingham: Ski Patrol

By Jordy Byrd

p.12 / traiNiNg tips

Fitness On The Road

By Ben Greenfield

p.13 / everYdaY cYclist

Winter Maintenance You Can Do

By John Speare

p.14 / book reviews

Walking Home & Perspectives On

Energy

By Stan Miller & Peter G. Williams

p.15 / music report, upcomiNg shows, roadtrip dJ

Broadway Musicals Hit Spokane

By Ashley Graham & Thom Caraway

p.16 / FebruarY iNlaNd Nw outdoor caleNdar &

6 moNth traiNiNg caleNdar

p.18 / Yurts: a diFFereNt kiNd oF wiNter escape An Inland NW Round-Hut Travel Guide

By Sarah Hauge

p.22 / last page

EWU Student & Semi-Pro Skier

By Jordy Byrd

In�This�Is�s�ue

On the cOver: A Ski Yurt in Rice, Colorado. Yurt pic-tured made by Pacific Yurts in Cottage Grove, Oregon. //Photo Courtesy Pacific Yurts.

www.OuttheremOnthly.cOm

Out there mOnthly / February 2011

Publisher and editOr-in-chieFJon Snyder

[email protected]

art directOrKaitlin Snyder

managing editOrAmy Silbernagel McCaffree

health & Fitness editOrDr. Bob Lutz

seniOr writersJon Jonckers, Derrick Knowles

cOntributing writers: Jordy Byrd, Thom Caraway, Ben Greenfield, Ashley Graham, Sarah Hauge, Stan Miller, Erika Prins, John

Speare, Taylor Weech, Peter G. Williams

distributiOn cOOrdinatOrBarbara Snyder

To request issues please call 509 / 534 / 3347

ad salesBill Bloom: 509 / 999 / 8214

Out there mOnthlyMailing Address: PO Box 559

Spokane, WA 99210www.outtheremonthly.com, 509 / 534 / 3347

Out There Monthly is published once a month by Snyderco DBA/Out There Monthly. No part of this publication may be reproduced without

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©Copyright 2011 Snyderco DBA/Out There Monthly. The views expressed in this magazine reflect

those of the writers and advertisers and not neces-sarily Snyderco DBA/Out There Monthly.

Disclaimer: many of the activities depicted in this magazine carry a significant risk of

personal injury or death. Rock climbing, river rafting, snow sports, kayaking, cycling, canoeing

and backcountry activities are inherently dangerous. The owners and contributors to

Out There Monthly do not recommend that anyone participate in these activities unless they

are experts or seek qualified professional instruction and/or guidance, and are knowledgeable

about the risks, and are personally willing to assume all responsibility associated with

those risks.

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From�theEditor: StubbORnneSSWhat do my six-year-old daughter and boost-ers of the Spokane River Whitewater Park have in common? They’re both pretty stubborn. When I was recently teaching my daughter to ski she took a good tumble and got a face full of snow. Her cheeks were red, her skis came off and I asked her if she wanted to take a break. Sobbing uncontrollably her answer to me was, “Daddy. I want. To keep. Skiing.”

I think that’s the last five years in a nutshell for the folks from Friends of the Falls and others who have been working to create the state’s first white-water park in downtown Spokane. No set-back

seems to stop them. It’s a great project and they push forward, despite regulatory hurdles from the state, and feds, that are much larger than anyone anticipated. Who would have thought that just putting two piles of natural rock (count them—two) below the low water line and set in place by a little bit of grout would be so complicated? The project also includes some shaping to a section of the river bank that would provide erosion control and a place for boats to put in, as well as a modest parking lot expansion, and re-planting native veg-etation, but the two features in the river is where most of the regulatory concerns come from.

Recently I went to a meeting on the whitewater park that was attended by over 20 people of vari-ous concerns and backgrounds. I was worried it would be a verbal slugfest of anglers versus kay-akers. Far from it. We had a great, and thought-ful discussion of the concerns and challenges the project faces. There was a fascinating presentation about the river’s native redband trout. I learned: 1) these beautiful fish are unique to this area, 2) they are not endangered, 3) they have over 50 potential spawning locations in lower Spokane River, 4) a couple of which are near the whitewater park site, and 5) man-made objects like the bridge pylons

may have helped create good spawning areas.The City Parks department is now taking the

lead on commissioning an Environmental Impact Statement for the project. I left the meeting hope-ful that this will uncover a way forward that can be good for the fish and good for the park. But if the project still hits a permitting brick wall it won’t be because supporters haven’t been stub-born enough. //

--------------------------------------------------------JoN SNydER, [email protected]

FEBRUARY4 StarlightRacing Aperennialfavoriteforlocals.Fridaynightraces (throughMarch4)followedbypartiesinTaps.21 andoveronly.

5-6 CollegeDaze24-27 Master’sSkiRaceandClinics26 SchweitzerExtremeXCSkiRace (5K,15Kand30K)

25-26 OutrageousAirShow OlympicskiersjoinlocaltalentinaBigAirShow foraspectaculareveningofentertainment.

march5 BaseCampforBeerFanatics BeertastingwithDeschutesBreweryand“Race fortheBase”kamikazeskirace.Mustbe21+enter.

12 CanDoMSVerticalExpressforMS AnannualfundraisertosupporttheHeugaCenter.

13 GromStomp(presentedbyOakley) Callingallgroms(ages6-11)forour“gromsized” slopestyleandridercrosscompetition.

18-20 StompGames(presentedbySmithOptics) TheNorthwest’spremiereskiandsnowboard freeridecompetition.FeaturingRidercrossand Slopestylecompetitions!

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twO GReAt nORdiC Ski eventSCold Smoke and Langlauf Carry On the Free-Heel tradition

OutThereNews�

BaCkCouNtRy SkIERS aNd boarders who have ever contemplated a trip north for the Cold Smoke Powder Festival, in Nelson, British Columbia, should take a close look at the sched-ule of events as it continues to unfold on the festival website this February. Each year the event at Whitewater Ski Resort, which will take place this year Feb 25-28, hosts top-notch clinics with world-class instructors to give riders an edge on their tele turns and ski techniques and a chance to brush up on their backcountry skills and ava-lanche safety. Parties and socials, including the Friday night opener, set the tone for the weekend with a vibrant gathering of mountain town revel-ers ready to watch great outdoor adventure films, drink fine local brews, and win generous loads of outdoor gear.

Other festival highlights include: competitions like the ROAM randonnee ski mountaineering race around the ridges and peaks above the resort; and the Saturday night buffet dinner, followed by the inspiring images and stories that unfold during the Cold Shot Multi Media Face-off.

Clinic and event tickets go fast, as do hotel and hostel rooms, so get yourself to the Cold Smoke web site sooner than later: www.coldsmokepow-

derfest.com.And regional Nordic skiers should know that

the Langlauf 10K Cross Country Ski Race, for its 33rd anniversary, will join with the Selkirk Nordic Series as its championship race. “[Langlauf] is the largest and oldest race in the Northwest,” says Langlauf Association President Tim Ray.

Anyone can participate in the Langlauf race, but only finalists from the first two Selkirk races will compete for the series title. Those who wish to participate as a Selkirk racer must have placed in one of the first two Selkirk races, which occurred in January at Schweitzer and 49° North. Prizes are awarded to winners of the Selkirk Series, whereas Langlauf ’s $6,000 in prizes is raffled to participants and volunteers.

Participation in the Selkirk series will expand on Langlauf ’s pool of competitive racers. “Langlauf is kind of like Bloomsday on snow,” says Ray, designed to attract the same customers—elite rac-ers as well as athletes who “do the Saturday runs and the fun runs.”

Langlauf will take place on Sunday, February 13, at 11:00 am, at the Mt. Spokane Nordic Center. For more details and registration info, visit www.spokanelanglauf.org. //

thE SIxth aNNual Souper Bowl Snowshoe and Cross Country Ski Sunday will be held February 6, at the Selkirk Lodge on Mt. Spokane. The event features winter sports activities and a soup lunch for women of all ages and abilities. Proceeds benefit the Women’s and Children’s Free Restaurant in Spokane, which provides three hot meals each week to community mem-bers in need.

“Women from all over the map participate in the event,” says event organizer Julia Goltz. “We have women who have never done any sort of snow activity and those women who come out and race regularly.”

The charity event was founded by a dedicated group of Nordic skiers who wanted to engage women in outdoor winter recreation, according to Goltz. “We really want to encourage women to come out and do this,” she says. “It’s really women supporting women. The event gives the restau-rant much needed exposure and the organization’s board members even come out and serve the same soup that patrons in the restaurant receive.”

Lunch will be served from 10:30 am to 12:45 pm and is limited to the first 300 registrants. The event’s full day of activities include guided and self-led snowshoe tours, cross country skiing, a 10K cross country race, and prize drawings.

Local retailers like Fitness Fanatics, Mountain Gear and REI sponsor the race and will provide discounted ski rentals and free snowshoes to the first 150 participants.

“Women can come out and challenge them-selves or do things at their own level,” Goltz says. “It’s really a lot of fun, and it’s a great way for women to find camaraderie and meet other women in community. There’s really no other event in town that has this type of energy.”

Register online at www.souperbowlspokane.org, or on the day of the event (10:00 am-1:00 pm) at the Selkirk Lodge on Mt. Spokane. Early registration is $25 before January 21, and late reg-istration costs $35.

For more info, including an events schedule and

volunteer opportunities, visit www.souperbowl-

spokane.org or call 509-290-0099. //

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OutThereNews�

thE FlyINg IRISh FINIShEd their fifth season bigger and better than ever, and the numbers are astonishing. The Spokane running club that blasts through downtown every Thursday, from March through November, just completed their largest season this past Thanksgiving, and the growth of the club in 2010 surpassed all expectations.

Since the club takes attendance at each run, it’s fairly easy to compile some interesting numbers about this portion of the Spokane running com-munity. For starters, 1,978 people ran with the Flying Irish this year. This is a ten-fold increase over the number of participants in 2006 (202 run-ners). In 2010, the Flying Irish completed 12,639 runs, easily shattering last year’s total of 9,410 runs.

Brendan Dowling is the “grand poobah” of the club. He takes his running very seriously, and he’s also one of the most enthusiastic and encouraging runners in the Spokane-area. When asked why the FI takes attendance, he says, “We take attendance so that we can award runners a shirt on their sixth and 50th attendance milestones. We continue to take attendance for shirted runners because we like to show off our club and keep track of mem-

ber attendance totals for showing the strength of our club. Attendance tracking also creates some friendly competition between our runners and gives us the capability to give awards for special mile marks in the future.”

Digging deeper into the attendance numbers, Dowling reports, “Those numbers are great and all, but the one that truly gets to me is the average number of people who ran each Thursday night—316! That’s huge! We had never had more than 300 people show up on a Thursday until this year and we averaged that throughout the year. We reached a peak of 457 in late April.” Dowling readily admits the April peak was likely tied to Bloomsday.

In case you want to join the Flying Irish, the next season starts March 3rd at O’Doherty’s Irish Grille in downtown Spokane. Simply walk, jog, slog, or fly about three miles on six occasions and you qualify for the Flying Irish running club shirt, which qualifies you for discounts on food and drink after the run. Walkers are always welcome to complete whatever distance they want.

The Flying Irish now has 1,533 shirted mem-bers, including 102 “50-run” members, 13 “100-run” members and three “150-run” members. //

THE FLYING IRISH RUNNING AT MONROE AND RIvERSIDE IN SPOKANE. // PHOTO JON JONCKERS.

FLYinG iRiSH tuRnS 6thursday Running Club Just keeps Growing by Jon Jonckers

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winter incarnation in the Community Building (35 W. Main) on Thursdays from 11:00 am-3:00 pm. Also on Thursdays during winter The South Perry Farmer’s Market takes place at the Jundokan International Gym, at 915 S. Perry from 3-6pm. In the Spokane Valley on Wednesdays, the Millwood Farmer’s Market opens its doors from 2:00-6:00 pm at the Crossing Youth Center; and in Coeur d’Alene, there is one at the Plaza from 11:00 am-3:00 pm on Saturdays. Fresh Abundance also continues its gro-cery operations—some local, all organic—on North Division, and delivers weekly to customers a pre-selected box of produce featuring some of the same winter storage crops and trucked in organics.

Fresh produce in the winter in Spokane is far from impossible, and Main Market will soon be supple-

menting its winter stock with goods from its rooftop greenhouse. Humphries says, “The only foods that are fresh sourced locally right now are coming from greenhouses, and unfortunately greenhouses are a very expensive and an economically difficult ven-ture for local farmers to undertake...I don’t know if I foresee many investing in greenhouses to bring us things like lettuce, zucchini, tomatoes or cucumbers in the winter time.”

The Co-op also stocks some produce from other greenhouse operations, like a sprout producer in Moyie Springs and C&S Hydro in Otis Orchards, which is not an organic operation but does grow a number of vegetables and lettuces hydroponically. The greenhouse offers the advantage of a warmer climate, but it does incur an environmental impact from being heated. The operational expense also raises the price of the produce from where it would be in the summer.

“I do know that most farmers work sun up to sun down seven days a week during the growing season, and the winter is a welcome break for most of them,” says Humphries. “If [consumers] are truly dedicated to local food year round, they will switch their diets and food budgets in the winter time to what’s available. If the demand was there, the sup-ply [of more winter storage crops] would be too...the longer the Co-Op is here and the more Spokane supports our mission, the more local producers will have the incentive to create and increase the avail-ability of local products.”

She also says, “I think it’s important for people to try and make seasonal produce as big a part of their diet as possible. I think it was by slow evolution that our food system migrated away from local, seasonal foods, and I think it’s important to take positive pro-active steps to go back to that.”

With a little help from farmers and distributors like these, being a locavore in winter doesn’t seem so hard. Start by replacing the tomatoes and cucum-bers in your salad with some local carrots, beets or sprouts: delicious, affordable and environmentally responsible. Eat up! //

days were forgotten and diets remained mostly unchanged through the year for most families in the Northwest.

According to Megan Humphries, the produce buyer for Main Market Co-op, “Local storage crops, meats, cheeses, grains, dairy and eggs are the best things to eat in the winter time that entail the least fuel and environmental costs—whether it’s heating a green house, cooling a freezer or refrigerator, or trucking food from far away.”

These storage crops are the carrots, beets, cab-bages, onions, potatoes and squash that would be consumed or go bad before the end of the afore-mentioned lean months. Main Market is working to make sure that doesn’t happen to its custom-ers, but Humphries says they may run out of back stock by April or May despite her fervent buying efforts. Still available are winter squash, shallots, onions, garlic and potatoes from Ellithorp Farms, Betteridge Farms, Tolstoy Farms, Green Wave Gardens, Jackson Farms in the valley, and S&P Homestead. Additionally, there are cabbage, beets, potatoes and carrots from the storage reserves from a farm in Moyie Springs, Idaho. Humphries says she also “stockpiled a huge amount of apples and pears from small organic orchards in the area,” including Lakeview Organics, Cliffside Orchards, Riverview Orchard, Cole’s, Twin Spring Farms and Okanogan Producers Co-Op, which are just starting to sell out. “I literally bought all the local storage crops I could so that the Co-Op could have local produce throughout the winter,” she says.

Some regular farmer’s market vendors still have storage crops like the ones listed above. They also offer breads, apples, dried goods, beef, pork, chicken, jams, soap, hats, yarn and more through-out the year. Not every market is open year round, but the Spokane Farmer’s Market has an indoor

GoGreen�: Sus�tain�ableLivin�g

YOu CAn StiLL eAt FReSH And LOCAL duRinG winteRSome Suggestions To Get Through The “Lean Months” / By Taylor Weech

MEGAN HUMPHRIES AT MAIN MARKET IN DOWNTOWN SPOKANE. // PHOTO TAYLOR WEECH.

(Ongoing thursdays) Community building Farmers Market. When: 11 AM – 5 PM. Where: Community Building Lobby, 35 W. Main. Sample the best from Spokane’s local food producers and crafts people.

(February 2) Organic vegetable Gardening. When: 6-9 PM. Where: Corbin Art Center, 507 W. 7th. Learn how to plan, plant and maintain your vegetable garden using sound organic gardening principles. $19. Info: (509) 625-6200, spokaneparks.org.

(February 5, 12, 19, 26) Get Your Message Out: environmental Activism workshop. When: 9 AM – 3 PM. Where: Tincan--1317 W. 2nd Ave, Spokane. Learn to use video and other digital media in creating and communicating a message regarding sustainability. Info: 744-0972, tincan.org/workshop_registration.html.

(February 4) winter Garden Planning Part 1: Garden Site design. When: 6:30 – 8:30 PM. Where: Sun People Dry Goods Workshop Room, 32 W. 2nd Ave. Winter is a great time to design your vegetable garden. In this workshop, local gardening expert Pat Munts, will lead us through the basics of designing the garden in relation to your unique lot and the specific food crops you want to grow. Bring

a rough sketch, directionally accurate, of your gar-den area in relation to your home. Pre-registering for this event will secure your spot – as we only have 15 spaces available! Register at our store or at brownpapertickets.com/event/141916.

(February 5) eco-baby Fair. When: 10 AM – 3 PM. Where: Sun People Dry Goods Workshop Room, 32 W. 2nd Ave. Stop by Sun People Dry Goods to meet Spokane Cloth Diapering, LolliDoo Diapers, Bloom Spokane & other practitioners and local experts to learn about topics ranging from birthing & breastfeeding to diapering options & making your own baby food and baby wipes and much more! Info: [email protected].

(February 11) winter Garden Planning Part 2: Seed Starting for the Garden. When: 6:30 – 8:30 PM. Where: Sun People Dry Goods Workshop Room, 32 W. 2nd Ave. Starting seeds for your gar-den early provides an opportunity to grow exactly the garden varieties you want and can actually save you some money when the garden season starts. In this workshop, Pat Munts, local garden writer with 33 years of gardening experience in our area, will lead us through the steps and techniques to successfully starting seeds. Learn best practices including lighting, temperature and humidity, soil, and containers; different items from the pantry you

can grow; and how to avoid common problems when starting seeds indoors. Pre-registering for this event will secure your spot – as we only have 15 spaces available! $18. Register at our store or at brownpapertickets.com/event/141921.

(February 19) Season Opener; On Your Mark, Get Set, GROw!. When: Workshops 11am-4pm, Seed Swap and Bar Opens 4-6pm, Live Music and Hors d’oeurves 6-8pm. Where: Fresh Abundance, 2015 N Division. Learn from the experts how to grow more of your own food then dance a jig with the fiddle group, Flying Pigs. Info: [email protected], peachlocal.com/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&idw

(February 22) washington native Plant Society. When: 7PM. Where: 2100 S Park Dr, Spokane. Dave Skinner and Joan Folwell of the Palouse Prairie Foundation will discuss their experience in Palouse prairie restoration. Info: nechapterwnps.org.

(February 22) drought tolerant Plants. When: 6-8 PM. Where: Corbin Art Center, 507 W. 7th. Learn about low maintenance water-wise plants that need very little or no extra water once they are established. $15. Info: (509) 625-6200, spo-kaneparks.org.//

sustaiNableliviNgcaleNdar

they also offer breads, apples, dried goods, beef, pork, chicken, jams, soap,

hats, yarn and more through-out the year.

duRINg tImES oF economic hardship and envi-ronmental uncertainty, many people make adjust-ments close to home to cushion the blow. Whether it’s having a home energy audit and making adjustments to save money and reduce waste, or buying more household goods second hand, the small steps really can add up. Possibly the most effective action to take is to re-evaluate your diet. Food prices worldwide hit an all-time high in December, and our industrial food system¬—based on trucking and fuel consumption—is at least partially to blame. Groups have formed across the country to attempt the “100 Mile Diet” and “100 Mile Thanksgiving,” bringing the idea of

eating locally further into the mainstream. In Spokane, eating foods produced within 100

miles of home in the summer is easy, delicious and varied, with a wide range of fruits and veggies through the season (and huckleberries!) to cook with. As winter sets in and the last outdoor farmer’s markets shut down, the prospect of eating local food becomes a daunting one. In fact, January through April and early May were historically referred to as the “lean months”; once the stored carrots, squash, onions and other late harvest crops were eaten or spoiled, many diets consisted of only grains and potatoes. Once we began trucking produce from southern states and Mexico during the winter, these


a NumBER oF years ago, I heard about Rolfing. It sounded like a massage on steroids, and something I didn’t look into any further. But dealing with a nagging running injury, I did my homework and learned that Rolfing was a trademarked name for a practice called “Structural Integration (SI).” While Rolfers are practitioners who’ve received formal training at the Rolf institute, founded by Ida P. Rolf (ww.rolfguild.org/idarolf.html), Structural Integrators have undergone training at schools approved by the International Association of Structural Integrators (IASI - Theiasi.org). I came to learn a lot more about the practice through experiencing the work of a locally practic-ing Integrator, and I asked Kevin to tell you a little about his practice. Here’s what he has to say:

Funny faces, questions, and fumbled words are the most common reactions I get when I tell peo-ple I’m a Structural Integrator. Whether I’m pre-

senting at a medical conference, talking to people at a support group, or working with athletes, the response is often the same. So when someone asks, I start by telling them that Structural Integration (SI) is a ten-session process that brings balance and organization to a person’s body by freeing the fascial system.

Again, I get more funny faces and questions, such as, “What’s fascia?” Fascia is a connective tis-sue that functions to give shape and structure by enveloping every part of the body, from muscles to nerves and blood vessels to organs. It creates a network throughout these diverse structures allowing for their movement, separately and in combination.

Whether we overuse, underuse, or injure our bodies, be it for work or play, the fascial network can shorten and tighten. This tautness can affect the body’s alignment, leading to compensatory changes. If not addressed, a vicious cycle may

Healthan�dFitn�es�s�wHAt iS ROLFinG?Structural integration Can Have Many benefits. / by dr. bob Lutz

develop that eventually leads to dysfunction and problems anywhere. Referred pain patterns and/or changes in stance and gait may occur. So, by working on fascia, Structural Integrators are able to affect changes that can lead to long-term improvements in structure and function.

Using our hands and elbows, we work to connect with the layers of fascia and “smooth” them out by addressing adhesions through lengthening the tis-sues. Imagine making your bed—by grabbing and pulling on a corner of the sheet, you can smooth out wrinkles and folds anywhere on the bed. In the same way, the ten-session process focuses on different parts of the body to affect both local and systemic changes in the fascial network.

One of the bread and butter areas of SI is pos-ture that affects structure and movement patterns. When you think of good posture, you typically hear about standing straight, sucking in your gut, leading with your chest, etc. While these recom-mendations aren’t necessarily bad, they miss the point. Integrators see the body like a pine tree—when it’s standing tall and balanced, it takes very little energy to keep it upright and it’s able to weather the weight of wet snow or heavy winds. But a listing tree will stay bent and/or a damaged tree is likely to snap if stressed. So if the tautness of the body’s fascial system isn’t released, your body will return to its unbalanced state and injuries can occur.

The goal of Integrators is to find the ideal pos-ture rather than having to make it happen—the more vertically centered, the less work needed. We assess the body’s verticality by looking at the alignment of the outside ankle bone, lateral aspect of the knee joint, the hip joint, the shoulder and the ear. When these are in line, stresses and the forces of gravity move through the body evenly—front to back, left to right, and inside to outside. Less energy is expended to maintain good pos-ture and to move, and the body’s better able to withstand stressors. As the fascia is freed-up, the individual is taught how to know what their body’s doing and not doing correctly. This allows for self-correction of developing compensatory patterns called “awareness.”

Why is this important? Like riding a bike, once learned, it’s not forgotten. If you hit a pothole or rock, you’re better able to avoid going down because you’ve learned how to keep yourself upright. If your body knows its proper alignment, stressors are less likely to cause injury.

Whether you’re dealing with an acute injury or a lingering problem, Structural Integration may be something to get you back out there on the road and trails using your body as it was designed to work—efficiently and pain-free. So if you’re dealing with acute or chronic musculoskeletal or neuromuscular issues, consider looking into Structural Integration or Rolfing. //

Kevin lucas is a certified advanced structural

integrator, and the owner and director of

structural innovations (www.structuralinnova-

tions.us). structural innovations is the inland

northwest’s largest structural integration clinic

as well as one of 18 schools worldwide approved

by the international association of structural

integrators (iasi). he has been teaching and

practicing for 11 years.

the goal of integrators is to find the ideal posture rather than having to make it hap-pen—the more vertically cen-tered, the less work needed.

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“all I havE to Say IS that the view from the top down towards Lake Pend Oreille rivals anything in Tahoe, minus the crowds,” says Jake Ostman. “It’s another reason why I live here.” He let his words hang in the air for added effect, and then he continued sharing how this was going to be a kick-ass ski tour. He insisted the Round Top mountain backcountry ski trip was going to be another North Idaho jewel and a tour worth repeating—provided a small level of memory loss occurred if we needed to beat a path through some trees or thick growth. On the one hand, sharing beloved ski tours immediately draws attention to them, which may or may not lead to parking problems, access issues, and maybe conflicts with other user groups. Quite plainly, it interferes with the beloved backcountry solitude. On the other hand, discoveries and vistas so close and so

accessible are just begging to be admired. Furthermore, all but a mile of this tour rests outside of snowmobile reach. And due to the route, it’s fairly safe from avalanche dan-ger, which definitely makes it worth sharing with like-minded backcountry skiers. If you’re an Inland Northwest backcountry enthusiast, then this tour must be added to your tick list. Round Top boasts a great view, great snow, relatively safe conditions, maintained winter access and a thigh-pumping, lung-burning workout as a bonus. Everyone I’ve spoken to that has done it readily admits this is a solid day trip. It’s a tough and committed tour, esti-mate four hours of climbing, and the majority of the early climb is in the trees. The trailhead begins at roughly 2,900 feet elevation and fin-ishes at 6,153 feet, granting a minimum 3,200 feet vertical gain. But the real key to the whole ski tour is the northern aspect of the mountain and following the north ridge. Situated so close to the lake and near the Clark Fork delta, the mountain routinely receives more snow than Schweitzer, and the shaded northern slopes preserve this snow so the backcountry season is longer—plus the snow isn’t as sun-cupped or melted out in the open areas. Also, the same trees and the northern ridgeline that otherwise hamper snowmobiles allows for a conservative, safe and nearly avalanche-free approach.

RoadTrips�

SPeCiAL Ski tOuR dAY tRiP neAR LAke Pend ORieLLeAdd Round Top To Your Backcountry Ski List / By Jon Jonckers

By all means, don’t get the wrong idea and believe the area is completely void of avalanche danger. Always consider your terrain and evalu-ate the danger, take all necessary backcoun-try snow travel precautions, seek out proper instruction, and wear a beacon. No excuses. Every time. From the snowmobile parking lot at the end of the plowed portion of Trestle Creek Road, slap skins on your skis and follow the groomed snowmobile path for about a mile. If you have a map, or you’re familiar with the area in the summer time, keep your eyes open for Road 1082 on the right. Just remember that in the winter, when branches are heavy with snow, it can be tough to find. Untracked 1082 contours for another mile over and around a couple mediocre ridges, and finally delivers you to the base of Round Top. An old clear-cut marks the beginning of the ascent. From here, it is a couple thousand vert up a north-facing ridge of widely spaced trees and meadows to the summit. Stick to the ridgeline proper for the maximum amount of avalanche safety. While there are hardly any bad views of Pend Oreille Lake, the southwest view from Round Top is extra special. On a clear winter day, the snow-covered peaks around the lake create a brilliant contrast with the cobalt water and azure sky. From the summit vantage, one can see from Montana to Washington, into Canada, and down the major axis of the massive lake. If you’re familiar with Pend Oreille, the grand cliffs of the Green Monarchs look small and almost humble. Immediately south, on the near side of the shore, Warren Island, Cottage Island and Pearl Island add a unique distinction and seem to amplify the size of the lake. The return flight back to the car satisfies every ski nut. Take your choice of steep flutes, gnarly turns through snow-plastered tree gob-lins, or swishing through alpine glens rich with frosty powder. Cruise it or savor it; the ride is good any way you like it. Thanks to the great snow and simple access, the Round Top backcountry tour will always be a great place to get out and make tracks, whether you ski, snowboard or snowshoe. The peak itself truly is a great winter accomplishment and the view serves as a noteworthy reward. //

WhEN you goFrom Sandpoint, Idaho, take State Highway 200 east toward Hope, but if you reach Hope you’ve gone too far. About 12 miles out of town, just east of milepost 42, turn onto Trestle Creek Road (Road 275). In the wintertime, follow the road to the snowmobile parking lot—roughly 4 miles. Definitely be cautious of the snowmo-biles for the first mile or so. For the full monty, a hike to the summit of Round Top in the sum-mer is mandatory (see 100 Hikes in the Inland Northwest by Rich Landers for details).

take your choice of steep flutes, gnarly turns through snow-plastered tree goblins, or swishing through alpine glens rich

with frosty powder.

A vIEW FROM THE TOP OF ROUND TOP, A GREAT DAY TRIP WITH vIEWS OF LAKE PEND ORIELLE. // PHOTO BY JON JONCKERS.

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next to my wife’s boss at a company ski event,” he says. “Her boss was a patroller and talked me into doing it. Now it’s become such a major part of my life.” Emmingham started patrol school in 2003. The basic ski tests, Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) training, field training and skiing with a mentor was stressful, expensive and time consuming, according to Emmingham. But it was all worth it. “It’s nice to be in that outdoor environment and have the opportunity to help people,” Emmingham says. “Ski patrollers are here to help everybody have better experiences and it feels good to give back to the community while still doing some-thing I care about.” The years of hard work have paid off. He has received several awards including the 2003-2004 Outstanding New Patroller and the 2009 Patroller of the Month. He is currently the Friday night “Hill Captain” and obtained Senior Patroller sta-tus in 2009. Despite his devotion, Emmingham says there are several misconceptions about ski patrol. “It’s not some glamorous job,” he says. “It’s a lot of hard work.” Patrollers constantly transport toboggans, put out markers, reset safety signs and move safety pads. Fifteen inches of new snow may be great for guests, but for patrollers it means hours of extra work. But Emmingham doesn’t seem tired of working around snow, both on and off the slopes. “I’ve definitely been bitten by that volunteer bug,” he says. “Ski patrolling matches my lifestyle and it’s something that will be easy for me to stick with. I can’t really imagine not doing it.” Here’s what you’ll catch this self-proclaimed

“gear head” patrolling the runs with on Mt. Spokane.layERS: Brent prefers Patagonia down sweaters, Patagonia RI pullovers and simple Mountain Hardwear layers for cold days.

-------------------------------------------------------SoCkS: “SmartWool Ski Socks are the best, I’ve found,” Brent says. “They have excellent support and killer warmth to weight ratio.”-------------------------------------------------------BIBS: Marmot Randonnee Gore-Tex bibs. “Temperature regulation is critical for a patroller,” Brent says. “We are exposed to the elements for extended periods of time. I like these bibs because of the Gore-Tex Pro Shell fabric. They stay warm with minimal layers and they breathe well. The removable knee pads seem bulky but are a nice feature.”-------------------------------------------------------JaCkEt: Moonstone Gore-Tex patrol jacket. It’s simple, durable, helmet capable and allows for layering, he says.-------------------------------------------------------glovES: Brent wears Marmot Randonnee Gore-Tex gloves. “Don’t everyone’s gloves match their bibs?” he jokes.-------------------------------------------------------BootS: Tecnica Icon TNT XRS boots. “These

What’s�YourGear: Bren�t Em�m�in�gham� (s�ki patrol) By Jordy Byrd

“I kinda have a love-hate relationship with the snow,” says Brent Emmingham. By day, Emmingham works as a Station Trainer at Spokane International Airport. By night, he is a volunteer for Mt. Spokane Ski Patrol. “I’m always keeping in mind the safety of the airplane passengers and resort guests,” he says. “I don’t look forward to the snow when it comes to cleaning the aircraft but on the other hand, I enjoy the powder up on the slopes.” Emmingham has spent the last 16 years bat-tling winter conditions at the airport and the last eight seasons volunteering with the Mt. Spokane Ski Patrol. But Emmingham was a recreational skier long before his hobby turned into commu-nity service. “I made the mistake of riding up the chair lift

BRENT IN UNIFORM. //

i like these bibs because of the Gore-tex Pro Shell fabric.

are nothing fancy but they fit and keep me in an aggressive stance,” he says.-------------------------------------------------------SkIS: Brent switches between two pairs of Atomic skis. He uses Atomic R11 skis with Atomic 412 bindings–All Mountain for most days on the hill. But his Atomic Snoop Daddy skis with Atomic Neox bindings are great for powder days and “off-piste fun.”-------------------------------------------------------gogglES: Smith Tinted goggles for day use and Scott clear goggles for night skiing.-------------------------------------------------------WatCh: The Suunto Vector Watch has weather, altimeter and compass functions. “I like to track runs and the amount of vertical I ski in a day,” he says.-------------------------------------------------------FIRSt aId: Conterra Patrol 2 Aide Belt. His kit is filled with items such as a SAM splint, CPR Blob, gauze, band-aids, cravats, pupil dilation light, Black Diamond Headlamp, rescue scissors and Insta-Glucose 24.-------------------------------------------------------RESCuE gEaR: Foldable saw, rescue rope, carabi-ners, space blanket, hand warmers, GU Energy, NiteRider TriNewt head light, Garmin eTrex Legend GPS.-------------------------------------------------------toyS: “My ContourHD 1080p Helmet Camera is absolutely unnecessary for patrolling but it’s a lot of fun,” Brent says. “It’s sleek, light and High Definition.” Brent also uses a Phresheez iPhone application that tracks his runs and links photos taken throughout the day. //

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Train�in�gTips� FitneSS HACkS FOR tRAveLinGStay in Shape On the Road / by ben Greenfield

my CuRRENt BIkE lovE is my Voodoo 29er singlespeed (SS). Singlespeed?! I never really knew how fun one could be. Watching my friends ride all over town successfully on SS’s and getting tired of gear adjustments, I made the switch. Another plus was moving up to a 29” wheel

size. I can ride both trails and the road very com-fortably. I struggle keeping up on the flat road sections due to my one speed, but I enjoy the ride so much more than ever. Over the last year, as I have ridden this bike, my trust in its strength and quickness has left me with some great bike ride memories. //

I My Bike Jake McBurn�s�

As a personal trainer and triathlon coach, I’ve had to creatively structure programs to allow people to maintain peak fitness, even when they’re traveling. Here are some of top fitness hacks for travel: 1) ElaStIC BaNd. Especially good for swim-mers or people who need extra upper body or rotator cuff work, elastic bands can be shoved into a briefcase or glove compartment, then pulled out for exercises like X-Band walks, alternating rows, kneeling chest press, side raises, front raises, curls and squat to overhead press. A company called Stretchcordz makes a very good model for swimmers, complete with paddles. 2) Body WEIght SquatS aNd JumpINg JaCkS. The ability to execute a good squat or series of jumping jacks allows you to sneak into bathroom stalls, airport corners or the back of a plane to do 25-50 squats or jumping jacks at

various intervals throughout the day. The hor-monal response to brief bouts of exercise can stimulate muscle retention and fat loss that can maintain fitness during travel. 3) gym SEaRChES. Websites like air-portgyms.com and swimmersguide.com eas-ily allow you to find workout locations while you’re on the move. If you have a local gym membership, talk to the owner about possible partner gyms in other cities where you can get it in for free. There are a multitude of ways to stay fit while traveling, but the most important con-cept is flexibility and consistency. Be willing to think outside the box and make quick adapta-tions in your program and you’ll easily stay fit year-round. //

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FEBRuaRy CaN BE haRd FoR CyClIStS. It’s essentially a month where we wait for March. A great way to burn some February evenings is to overhaul your bike. If you do not consider your-self to be a mechanic, don’t stop reading here. With a bit of guidance, either online or from someone who has some basic skills, you may be surprised at how capable you are. If you are going online to figure out bike stuff, start with sheldonbrown.com. There are also lots of good bike maintenance books available.

If you’ve never done any work on your bike, and you don’t have help, bring your bike in for a quick inspection by a local bike shop (LBS) when you are finished. While bikes are simple, it’s still a machine that you are relying on to stop and go in predictable ways. Expect the LBS to charge for the inspection. Consider it a cost of your bike education.

There are a handful of bike-specific tools required for a full overhaul. You have the option of buying tools, or bringing your bike to your LBS for service. The most important bike tool that you can’t live without is a bike stand. From there, you’ll need a metric wrench set and then standard wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers, etc.

If you have no tools, go to Pedals2People, where you can rent a stand and tools for $5/hour. (Full disclosure: I am a founder of P2P).

Here’s a prioritized list of how to work through your bike.

ClEaN aNd INSpECt dRIvE tRaIN: thE BaCkBoNE oF BIkE maINtENaNCE.

• Check the chain for stretch. There’s a $14 tool to check for “chain stretch.” It’s one of the easi-est ways to keep track of your drive train. “Chain stretch” is a term that describes how the bushings in the links wear down. As they wear down, the chain elongates and wears the gears too. Once the chain is worn to a certain point, replace the chain. The alternative is to wait too long and replace everything.

• If the chain is a keeper, clean it.• Clean the rear cassette/freewheel. If your

chain is not worn, and you’ve not had chain slip-ping issues, then it’s likely your cassette does not need replacement. If you have the specific tool to remove the cassette, do it. Soak it in your cleaning solution. Otherwise, you can get the cassette clean enough by cleaning it on the bike.

• Clean and inspect chain rings. Unless you are ultra-OCD or the chain rings are super gunked up, you can clean these on the bike. Look for broken teeth on the ring. If there are many bro-ken teeth on a single ring, consider replacing the ring.

• While the chain is off the bike, give the cranks a spin. They should spin smoothly, coming to a slow, even stop. There should not be any notchi-ness. Listen carefully to the bottom bracket. It should be silent when you spin the cranks. Grab the cranks on both sides of the bike and rock them; there should not be any movement side-to-side. If any of these bad things occur, overhaul the bottom bracket.

WhEEl INSpECtIoN: WhERE thE RuBBER mEEtS thE Road.

• Slowly spin the wheel while looking for rips

or cuts in the tires. Be sure to also look at the side-walls. Sidewall blowouts can be dangerous. If you find cuts, use tire boots to fix them. This is one of those jobs to have inspected by your LBS.

• Inspect rims. Remove the tires. Clean your rims. Inspect the rim at each spoke. Sometimes spoke nipples can pull through the rim. Before they pull through, the rim usually shows bulg-ing or cracking. If your bike has rim brakes (not disc brakes), then check the rim sidewalls. They should be straight. If they feel concave, they may be too worn, which can lead to blowouts. If crack-ing, bulging or concaving, go to the LBS.

• Inspect hubs. They should turn smoothly. Look and listen for the same conditions you did

with the bottom bracket. Look for cracks in the hub especially around the spokes. Cracks? Go to the LBS.

CaBlES aNd houSINg: JuSt REplaCE ItIf you ride in gunky weather at all, you’ll get

some crud in your housing. Crud slows down shifting and braking. Replacing cables and hous-ing is a relatively cheap way to keep your bike performing well.

• Brakes can be tricky. If you have never set up brakes before, give it a shot, but be sure to have them inspected by your LBS before you ride.

• Check brake pads. Most rim pads have a “wear” line on the pad. If the pad is worn beyond the wear line at any point, replace them.

• There’s a difference between brake housing and cable housing. Understand it.

• Make sure your housing length is just right. If a mechanic at a LBS was the last person to replace your housing, then just cut your housing to the same length when you replace it. Otherwise, before you cut the housing, do some research on housing length and why it matters.

• Plan on adjusting the rear derailleur for per-fect indexing after you replace the cable.

The other stuff: get help with theseThe headset needs inspection. This is really

something that should be done at least once a year and it’s something that is best learned from a pro mechanic.

You can get crazy with overhauling: greasing pivots, repacking hubs, cleaning shifters, etc. Party on! Before you know it, March will be here and your bike will be dialed in. //

John speare grew up and lives in spokane. he

rides his bike everywhere. check out his blog at

http://cyclingspokane.blogspot.com.

EverydayCyclis�t

winteR MAintenAnCe YOu CAn dObasic Skills to keep Your Rig On the Road / by John Speare

http://cyclin�gs�pokan�e.blogs�pot.com�

if your chain is not worn, and you’ve not had chain slipping issues, then it’s

likely your cassette does not need replacement.

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BookReviews�

WalkINg homE: a tRavElER IN thE alaSkaN WIldERNESS, a JouRNEy INto thE humaN hEaRtLynn Schooler, Bloomsbury, 2010, 272 pages

Best Book: Mountain Literature, 2010 Banff Mountain Book Festival

I FIRSt ENCouNtEREd Lynn Schooler’s writing half a decade ago when I read The Blue Bear, the story of his multi-year effort to find and photo-graph the fabled sub-species of black bear with a blue tinged coat. Being one of the first books I reviewed for the Banff Mountain Book Festival competition, I paid more attention to the writing details in The Blue Bear than I normally would have. Based on this earlier work, I was not sur-prised to find Schooler’s prose in Walking Home clear and colorful. Schooler spent over forty years as a commer-cial fisherman, wilderness guide and photogra-pher in Alaska before beginning his “walk home” in 2007. In a sense, the title is a metaphor for his return to the wilderness of coastal Alaska. The trek occurred after a hiatus from wilderness adventure during which Schooler married and built a house. Walking Home is the story of a man at middle age coming to grips with his station in life. It is a story of contemplating the deci-sions made and their impact on one’s present and future. In this wilderness trek, Schooler seeks therapy for what he fears is a failing marriage and the loss of focus in his life brought about by years with too little contact with nature. The book contains plenty of adventure. There are stories of bear encounters, mishaps crossing raging torrents, and slogging through the tem-perate rain forest and along boulder studded coasts. After a time, these can become mundane repetition. Schooler avoids the trap of repetition by digging into the historical aspects of his route, and shares some interesting history of Alaska’s southeast coast. The interplay between past and present adds considerable interest to the book. The trip ends in anything but the therapeu-tic manner Schooler intended. He spent his last hours on the trail fleeing an erratically behaving grizzly bear. He ends the book nearly as abruptly as the trip ended. This abrupt transition mir-rors the shocks that await Schooler on his return home and the real world. // Stan Miller

ENERgy: pERSpECtIvES, pRoBlEmS, & pRoSpECtSMichael B. McElroy, Oxford University Press, 2010, 409 pages

thE pREEmINENt ENERgy policy analyst Amory Lovins once stated, “Our energy future is choice, not fate.” In order to understand our energy future, one needs to explore the past and current energy situation. No book explains energy resources and policy in all their complexities better than this excellent book. This book begins with an incredibly detailed and well-written history of civilization, with numerous clear connections to energy as an essential element and influence throughout history. McElroy states, “The success of civilizations depended invariably on a favorable local climate together with access to reliable sources of energy.” McElroy, a Harvard University Professor of

Environmental Science, then explores in excel-lent detail all of the common sources of energy. For example, one chapter is titled, “Coal: Origin, History, and Problems,” while another is titled, “Energy from Water and Wind.” The author has an excellent chapter concerning the challenge of global climate change. “For the first time in the history of our species we have developed the capacity to alter our environment globally. The long-term consequences are difficult to forecast but assuredly momentous,” McElroy states. This book provides a succinct, healthy energy policy for our country and the international com-munity, one that is clearly obtainable. The author writes, “A responsible future energy policy should address two interrelated objectives: first to reduce the carbon intensity of global economies; second to scale back their dependence on unreliable sources of oil.” The concluding chapter discusses a vision for a low-carbon energy future. McElroy clarifies that “there are options at our disposal that can ensure the future progress for our global civilization while sustaining and maintaining the integrity of the global life support system.” Used as a textbook in higher education, this important book should be a must-read for every-one. I highly recommend it, as it provides a detailed but enjoyable explanation of energy use and poli-cies, and clarifies how energy plays a significant role in all aspects of society. // Peter G. Williams

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RoadtripDJ: February

bROAdwAY MuSiCALS Hit tOwn / By Ashley Graham

Crus�hin�g Rocks�: The Mus�ic Report // otm suggests //

uPCOMinG SHOwS!

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sarah mclachliNTHE FOX THEATER

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Photo: Ben Tobin

Since I missed out on saying it in January, happy NEW yEaR!

I’ve been laboring over the subject of this col-umn for the last few days, feeling the need to give some attention to a big bummer: the closing of Empyrean. BUT, alas, I require BOTH hands to count the number of times I’ve written about depressing venue issues in this column… and so, instead, I’m going to turn to something REALLY AWESOME!

On January 19, INB Performing Arts Center hosted the touring production of “SpRINg aWakENINg” – yes, the play mentioned here in October that won 8 Tony Awards, including Best Musical in 2007. And the day AFTER the play, the response was overwhelming… and over-whelmingly positive! This might be my favorite story in a while, so I followed up with WestCoast Entertainment, who is in charge of all things Broadway in Spokane. Marketing Coordinator Danielle Curtis echoed my sentiments exactly, saying, “It’s great to see Spokane embracing new and less typical entertainment!”

“We are very pleased with the response we have received from [the] engagement,” WestCoast Entertainment President Jack G. Lucas added via email. “Our office has received countless phone calls from patrons who tell us this performance touched their lives. ‘Spring Awakening’ is an important piece of musical theatre. We believe it was important to share this performance with Spokane, and we’re glad it was enjoyed by those who attended.”

Excellent! And, let’s be clear here, this isn’t a rag-on-Spokane’s-lack-of-culture mention, but rather a WAY-TO-GO-SPOKANE! I wanted to share what I think is a really fantastic moment for theatre (and the arts) in Spokane. “Spring

Awakening” is challenging, it’s new, it’s uncon-ventional, and it has changed so many people’s lives in its six short years. It’s very exciting to see it a) IN Spokane, and, even more, b) being so readily embraced.

While I can guaranteeeee you that nothing further on down the line will quite compare to this production (I actually just saw it last night in Tacoma for the second time and WOW, AGAIN), but there are a handful of great productions headed to town in the 2011 season. Most notably among those is “WICkEd,” based on the life of the Wicked Witch of the West BEFORE she got tangled up with Dorothy Gale, which is a great story with great music, and a great underlying message (report back on the difference between an “animal” and an “Animal” afterward!). This month’s show, running February 10-13, is “Legally Blonde,” which will probably NOT be as fulfilling, but would probably be quite a bit of fun! More info and tickets are available at the Best of Broadway Spokane website.

New to Far West Billiards is a monthly showcase called Feed the Artist, which claims to “focus on creating financial, motivational and social assis-tance for emerging artists.” Hmmm. Each month’s opening night is tied in with local First Friday fes-tivities, with this month’s falling on February 4 and featuring local artists hEathERaNN FRaNz and SummER hIghtoWER, with live music by dJ lIkES gIRlS. Artwork will stay on display through the month.

Also radical this month is/might be gaNg oF FouR’S show at the Knitting Factory on February 14. I was lucky enough to see the reunited group when they toured in 2004 and it was MAGIC. Now they tour with originals Jon King and Andy Gill, with replacements in for Dave Allen and

CakE / “ComFoRt EaglE” / ComFoRt EaglEEvery road trip needs to start off on a positive note, and this song makes me sing along badly every time. Great lyrics and a heavy bass line.

BaNd oF hoRSES / “gREat Salt lakE” / EvERythINg all thE tImEThere’s a sort of driving motif in the song, it indicates a destination, and takes a sort of sentimental turn towards the end, which my road trips often do as well. Occasionally, the lyrics don’t make sense. This is okay with me.

BRuCE SpRINgStEEN / “youNgStoWN” / thE ghoSt oF tom JoadThis one dips wholesale into sentimentality for me, and has some of the most poetic lyrics I know of. A frequent road trip partner once said he learned more about poetry from this album than any book he’d ever read. This song makes me believe him.

BECk / “lIttlE oNE” / SEa ChaNgEThe culmination of any trip between sentimentality and nostalgia has to include the best song on Beck’s great breakup album. While the album doesn’t have much to do with any particular place, it does represent a kind of spiritual journey. It’s a sad song, but it makes me happy.

WIlCo / “kIdSmokE” / a ghoSt IS BoRNEvery road trip needs a song that sticks in your head, and can overwhelm any annoying tune that may accidentally get stuck there. “Kidsmoke” will do that work. It’s also ten minutes long and has good changes in rhythms, so it’ll keep you awake on a long drive. //

tHOM CARAwAYFive Songs everyone Should Hear

Hugo Burnham. Either way, I imagine this will be a treat. Soooo many bands these daaaays have these guys to thank for their sound, popularity and loads of money. As well, the group has a new album, Content, released in January. //

pEaRl Jamlive on ten legs (monkeywrench)Ughhh, Pearl Jam is still so stinkin’ good! The band celebrates their 20th anniversary with the release of this new live album, featuring perfor-mances from between 2003 and 2010, and it is an overwhelming testament to the fact that PJ is just one of the best things around. The fans sing along, the songs are all awesome (I forgot how much I love “I Am Mine,” yowwwz), and Eddie Vedder is that splendidly charismatic frontman we all love (the moments wherein he speaks with that warbly voice of his = my favorites). This is a must-have for fans.

Cd OF tHe MOntH //


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(February 6) elk drug drop-Outs vintage & Cruiser bicycle Ride. When: 3PM. Where: Starts at the Elk in Browne’s Addition biking to David’s Pizza (near GU) and back again. Family-friendly (though we do like our beer!). Info: 509-326-6949.

(February 16) CHaFe 150 Registration. When: 5 AM. Registration opens for the Fourth Annual CHaFE 150 bike ride coming up on June 4, 2011. This ride out of Sandpoint, Idaho follows a gor-geous loop into Montana through lush river valleys of the Cabinet Mountains and back along the shores of magnificent Lake Pend Oreille. It is an impec-cably supported ride and is limited to the first 300 riders, so mark that registration date! CHaFE is the moniker for “Cycle Hard For Education” and the ride is a fundraiser for early childhood education, with distances of 80 and 150 miles. It’s a great ride for a great cause. Info: www.chafe150.org.

(February 18) Full Moon Fiasco. When: 8 PM. Where: The Swamp Tavern. A relaxed bike ride through Spokane during the full moon. Any bike. Any level of rider. Any level of beverage enjoyer. Info: fbcspokane.blogspot.com.

SKI/SNOWBOARD/ICE SKATE

(February 5) Cross Country Ski tour- women Only. When: 10 AM-2 PM. Where: 49 Degrees North. Enjoy the scenery as you gain tips leading to better control and more fun on your skis. Lunch included- $39. Info: 509-625-6200, spokaneparks.org.

(February 6) Souper bowl. When: 10 AM. Where: Mt. Spokane Nordic Area. Forget the football game and come play with us. The 6th annual women’s only Souper Bowl is sure to put a smile on your face: food, skiing and snowshoeing along with some of the best camaraderie in Spokane, all at the Mt Spokane Nordic Area. Please join us for this fun family event (minus the men). Info: souperbowl-spokane.org/

(February 9 - March 5) Cross Country Ski Progressive Series. When: 6:30 - 8 PM Wed, 1 - 3 PM Sat. Where: Mt. Gear & Mt. Spokane. Go from novice to intermediate skier in this series of lessons with PSIA certified instructors. Skate skiing also covered. $99. Info: 509-625-6200, spokaneparks.org.

(February 13) Mt. Spokane 10K Classic Race. The Langlauf is the third and final part of the Selkirk Nordic Series. This race is held at Mt. Spokane. Info: spokanelanglauf.org.

(February 19) Cross Country Moonlight Ski & dinner. 6-9 PM. Mt. Spokane. Discover the beauty of moonlight on snow as you ski through the woods, then enjoy an Italian dinner in the lodge! Equipment & dinner included. $39. Info: 509-625-6200, spokaneparks.org.

(February 24) Ski & Snowboard tuning basics. When: 7 PM Where: 1125 N Monroe. Learning to wax your gear will help you increase your fun on the slopes. This class will focus on the basics of ski & snowboard waxing. Info: 509-328-9900, rei.com/spokane.

(February 25 – 28) kootenay Coldsmoke Powder Fest, where: nelson bC. Celebrate the culture of backcountry pursuits amongst breathtaking scenery and world-renowned snow at Whitewater Winter Resort in Nelson, British Columbia. Festivities include telemark, AT and snowboard clinics, demos,

races and some of the best skiing in the northwest. Don’t let the night get you down, as the festivities rage with ski videos, photo competitions and music. Find out more at mountaingear.com/coldsmoke

(March 5) uSASA Slopestyle. When: Various. Where: Mt Spokane. Riders compete for series points and a potential spot at USASA Nationals. The contest will take place on Half Hitch in the Terrain Park. Skiers and snowboarders of all ages are encouraged to compete. Helmets are MANDATORY. Must be a USASA member to compete, join for just the day or for the entire season! The organization allows com-petitors to compete in a safe, fair, judged environ-ment that encourages fun and learning. Everyone is welcome to join the series and compete! Points are gathered throughout the season, and ultimately counted for a chance to enter the USASA Nationals. Info: mtspokane.com/event/122/usasa-slopestyle/

(March 5) Paws and Poles. When: Registration 9 AM/Race 11 AM. Where: 49º North. Dust off the dog booties, wax up your skis, dig out your snowshoes and have a heart-to-heart with your champion – because the 5th annual Paws and Poles fun run/ski is back! Come play on the groomed trails at 49-degrees North with your pet. Free trails, great people and a barking good time. Proceeds benefit SpokAnimal, so bring your wallet for the live auction to follow. $15. Info: ski49n.com.

SNOWSHOE/HIKING/BACKPACKING

(February 12) Snowshoe Liberty Lake. When: 10 AM - 3 PM. Where: Meet at Corbin Art Center, 507 W.

7th. Experience the solitude and silence of a snowy winter wonderland and old growth forest along this relatively flat hike. Snowshoes included- $21. Info: 509-625-6200, spokaneparks.org

(February 18) Snowshoe Moonlight Hike with transportation. When: 6 - 9 PM. Where: Meet at Mt. Spokane High School. Quietly explore the meadows and woods around Mt. Spokane. Guides, transporta-tion, headlamps and snowshoes provided- $31. Info: (509) 625.6200, spokaneparks.org.

(February 19) Snowshoe tour 49 degrees north- women Only. When: 10 AM - 2 PM. Where: 49 Degrees North. Learn tips for better control and more fun on your snowshoes as you hike through beautiful scenery and enjoy lunch in the yurt! $39. Info: 509-625-6200, spokaneparks.org

(February 27) Snowshoe trip-Family. When: 12:30-3:30 PM. Where: Mt. Spokane. (Ages 4+) Enjoy a short hike around Mt. Spokane with a guide and quality snowshoes for all ages and sizes! $13. Info: (509) 625.6200, spokaneparks.org.

(winter) when: tbd. Where: tbd. FLOW Adventures will be offering a two day overnight backcountry adventure for the upcoming 2010/2011 winter. The site will be determined several days before each trip, based on weather, snow, and access. It will be in and around the inland northwest as close to Spokane as possible. This is an introduction to winter camping. A class like this is great for all winter recreation enthusiasts. Backcountry travel in winter is often something we do intentionally, although there are

CLIMBING

(Ongoing Mondays) women’s Climb night. When: 6 PM – 10 PM. Where: Wild Walls, 202 W. 2nd Ave. Please call ahead. Come climb and learn to climb with other women in the Spokane area every Monday Night. Cost is $12. Join the Fun at Wild Walls! Info: 509-455-9596.

(Ongoing wednesdays) Spider Monkey Climbing Club. When: 5 – 7PM. Where: Wild Walls, 202 W. 2nd Ave. For kids ages 4 – 10 years. Please call ahead. Come climb with friends! Cost $12 (single visit), $74 (8 punch pass). Info: 509-455-9596.

(Ongoing) Climbing vertical Rock intro. When: Thursday 6 - 8 PM & Saturday 4-6 PM. Wild Walls, 202 W. 2nd. Learn knot tying & belaying, proper use and terminology for equipment and technique. Free week of climbing included! Equipment pro-vided for class only. Ages 12+. Info: 509-455-9596

(February 7) women’s Climb night. When: 6 - 8 PM. Where: 1125 N Monroe. Ladies, get your “climb on” at REI’s climbing wall. At this free event, our experi-enced belayers will ensure your safety. No gear? Use ours. Info: (509) 328-9900, rei.com/Spokane.

(February 5, 26) Saturday Climbing. When: 1 - 4 PM. Where: REI, 1125 N Monroe. Climb the wall, literally, with REI’s experienced belayers. No gear? You can borrow ours. Members climb for free. Info: 509-328-9900, www.rei.com/spokane.

(February 8, 22) discover Rock Class. When: 6-8 PM. Where: Mt Gear. Everything you need to har-ness up, tie in and belay with confidence. This class is for those who wish to get into climbing, as well as for parents wishing to get their young ones climbing safely. $20. Info: www.mountaingear.com/pages/retailstore/retail.asp.

(February 14, 21, 28) Climbing technique Course. When: 6 - 8 PM. Where: Wild Walls, 202 W. 2nd. Learn different climbing techniques each week to improve your skills at a rapid pace! Course covers technique, body movement, efficiency and strength. $30/week. Info: 509-625-6200, www.spokaneparks.org.

CYCLING

(Ongoing) Pedals 2 People Open Shop. When: Thursdays through Saturdays, 2pm -6pm T-F, 11am-6pm Sat. Where: Pedals 2 People, 1802 E Sprague. The Pedals2People Community bike shop provides a place where you can learn to work on your bike and affordably rent tool space. Info: 509-842-6597, pedals2people.org/.

(Ongoing) wOw Cycling Club for women. Ladies, there is still good cycling to be had this season! Check out the forum at www.wowcycling.com. See you on the road! Info: www.wowcycling.com, 509-951-6366.

(Ongoing) Spokane bicycle Club. Spokane Bike Buddy Program matches you with a trained mentor to show you the safest route to work. Can include bike check and ride along. Info: [email protected]. www.spokanebicycleclub.org.

(Ongoing) belles and baskets. Various times and locations. Whatever style your cycle, join other Spokane women for no-drop rides, treats, and friendship. Find us on facebook at Belles and Baskets. Info: 509-951-4090. bellesandbaskets@

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CLIMBING

(March 18-20) Red Rock Rendezvous. Las Vegas NV. Info: www.MtGear.com.

CYCLING

(April) Frozen Flatlands – baddlands Cycling’s multi-staged, multi-day annual event. Info: Baddlands.org.

(April 19) devil’s Slide Mtn bike Race. Info: twinrivercyclists.org./events/devil%27%slide/devil.htm

(April 26) Lilac Century. Info: northdivision.com/lilac.htm

(May 21) inland empire Century. Richland, WA Info: http://www.inlandempirecentury.org/

(May 23 – 24) 24 hrs Round and Round Mt bike race at Riverside Park. Info: roundan-dround.com

(June 4) CHaFe 150 Sandpoint, id. Beautiful ride in Idaho & Montana Info: 208-290-7148 www.chafe150.org

(July 1-4) northwest tandem Rally. Spokane is the host for this years rally, join riders from all over the northwest.

MARATHONS

(May 14) windermere Marathon, Spokane, washington. Info: windermeremarathon.com/site3.aspx.

(May 29) Coeur d’Alene Marathon. Info: 509-979-4370, cdamarathon.com

RUNNING

(April 2) the 11th Annual Yakima River Canyon Marathon. Info: ontherunevents.com/yrcm/

(April 2) GS Cookie Fun Run. 3 mile or 1 mile fun run/ walk Info: 509-327-3803, [email protected]

(May 1) Lilac bloomsday Run. Spokane’s Rite of Spring. Info: bloomsdayrun.org

(May 14) windermere Marathon. Spokane Post Falls to Spokane. Info: WindermereMarathon.com

(May 29) Coeur d’Alene Marathon. Spend Memorial Day Weekend. in C’d’A. Info: cdama-rathon.com

(June 4) Glenrose Mountain Goat Challlenge 10k. Info: mountaingoatchallenge.com.

TRIATHALON

(March 5) Methow valley winter triathlon in winthrop, wA. Info: 509-996-3287

(June 26) ironman, Coeur d’Alene. Info: iron-mancda.com

SKIING

(March 20,21) northern division Masters Alpine GS & SL Race events. Lookout Pass. Info: skilookout.com.

(April 2) Annual Slush Cup! Lookout Pass. Info: skilookout.com //

Please visit www.outtheremonthly.com and click the “submit your event” link. // Events MUST be sent in by the 20th of the month to be listed in the following month’s issue. Please follow the when, where format as seen in the calendar. Ongoing events need to be re-submitted each month.

Have an� Even�t You Would Like to Lis�t? //

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many people that think we are crazy; winter is an amazing time for backpacking into areas that are typi-cally littered with fellow recreation enthusiasts. Most people stay inside during the cold months leaving vast areas of peace and quiet left unexplored. Info: flow-adventures.com.

RUNNING/WALKING

(February 23) Moms in Motion Orientation. When: 7 PM. Where: Runners Soul 221 N. Wall St. Come learn about Moms In Motion teams for 2011. ALL ABILITIES WELCOME! This is a fun, supportive group led by qualified coaches!! Info: momsinmo-tion.com

(March 9) bloomsday training. When: 5 PM. Where: U District PT 730 N Hamilton. Train for Bloomsday with Moms In Motion! All abilities welcome. Meets every Wednesday at various locations. Info: momsin-motion.com

PADDLING

(February 28) Spokane Canoe & kayak Club. When: 7 PM. Where: Corbin Community Center 827 W Cleveland. Conservation Northwest presents infor-mation about the Columbia Highlands Initiative, col-laborative effort between conservation, timber, and recreation to protect working lands and wilderness in northeastern Washington. Info: (509) 891-6069, [email protected]

YOGA

(January 6 - February 10) Pilates Yoga blend. When: 5:45 - 6:45 PM. Where: Audubon Park Masonic Lodge, 2821 NW Blvd. Improve strength, flexibil-ity, grace and stamina in this powerful blend using flowing music, focused breathing and synchronized movements. Look online for more class dates. $23. Info: 509-625-6200, spokaneparks.org.

(February 5) the Myth of Aging 6-week Series. When: 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM, Saturdays for 6 weeks. Where: Spokane Yoga Shala 505 E. 24th Ave. Learn how to decrease pain and stiffness in your muscles and joints and be more optimal by using Hanna Somatics exercises. Each class will target specfic areas in your body to get at patterns of musclar contraction that lead to chronic tension and injury. $60. Info: Integrated Soma.com, 509-869-4121.

(February 18, 19, 20) Yoga Shala Open House. When: Various Where: Yoga Shala 505 E. 24th. Come try Yoga at the Spokane Ave. Free classes all weekend. Info: spo-kaneyogashala.com.

(February 21) Yoga 101. When; Mondays and Wednesdays from 7:15 - 8:30 PM for 6 weeks. Where: Yoga Shala, 505 E. 24th Ave. Spokane. This is a 6-week course for begin-ners. Info: (509) 995-5505, spokaneyogashala.com.

(February 21-March 28) Pilates Yoga blend. When: 4 - 5 PM. Where: Southside Senior Activity Center, 3151 E. 27th. Flowing music and movements will develop and progress your balance, flexibility, strength and stamina while building up your Powerhouse. $27. Info: 509-625-6200, spokaneparks.org

EVENTS/MOVIES/MISC…

(February 3–13) Spokane international Film Festival. When: Various Times. Where: Various Venues. The Spokane International Film Festival (SpIFF) brings world-class, award-winning independent and foreign films to Spokane audiences. Recipient, 2009 City of Spokane Arts Award. Info: www.spokanefilmfestival.org.

(January 31 - March 14) dodgeball Coed indoor League. When: 6:30 - 9:30 PM. Where: Jefferson Elementary School Gym. Duck! Dive! DODGE! Gather 6-10 of your best gym-class heroes and prepare for this smashing, casually competitive 6-week league. $195/team. Info: 509-625-6200, spokaneparks.org

(February 3) Rei Adventures Program. When: 7 PM. Where: 1125 N Monroe. Get ideas for your next active travel vacation from REI Adventures, providing interna-tional trips backed by 70+ years of REI excellence. Info: 509-328-9900, rei.com/Spokane.

(February 5) RMHC Classic. When: 1 PM. Veteran’s Memorial Arena, Spokane, WA. Ronald McDonald House Charities Classic Basketball Game. Tickets available as of 12/28/10, at ticketswest.com/promos/sp. Use promo code: RMHC24. Info: 506-624-0500, rmhspokane.org.

(February 4-6) emergency training for the winter enthusiast. When: 7-9 PM Fri, 8 AM-5 PM Sa/Su. Where: Mountain Goat, 12 W. Sprague. If you snowmobile, ski or snowboard out of bounds, prepare for the “uh-oh” or unexpected night out with FLOW Adventures. $219. Info: 509-625-6200, spokaneparks.org

(March 8) Spokane Fly Fishers Raffle. When: 6:30 PM. Where: St.Francis School; 1104 W. Heroy; Spokane. Tickets will be sold and fly fishing items and escorted flshing trips will be available for a raffle. The public is welcome. Info: 509-990-4782, [email protected]

(March 11-13) 8th Annual inland northwest Motorcycyle Show. When: Fr 4 PM - 9 PM, Sat 10 AM - 8 PM, Sun 10 AM- 4 PM. Where: Spokane County Fair and Expo Center. Hundreds of Motorcycles, gleaming chrome and accessories. High Ridaz stunt riders and Budweiser Biker Bar. Plus Toyota’s $2000 Cash is King contest. Info: 509-466-4256, spokanemotorcycleshow.com//


It’S FEBRuaRy, and you’re itching to hit the road for an outdoor adventure. But sometimes in the colder, drearier months, the thought of packing up all of your gear—tent, rain fly, shovel, sleeping bag and pad, cook stove, propane, food, utensils, firewood, etc.—hauling it through deep snow, and setting up camp by lantern and head-lamp doesn’t quite appeal. But guess what: you could have the same adventure, bring just a sleeping bag, ski gear and food—and stay in a warm, dry, inexpensive shelter you don’t have to assemble, equipped with bunks, electricity, chopped firewood, and cooking equipment. The secret? Yurts. Yurts are round, tent-like structures—though much more sturdy and weath-er-resistant—that make easy outdoor adventures possible, everywhere from the backcountry to a state park. Yurt design traces back thousands of years to the nomads of Central Asia, where yurts are still in use today. The original yurts had lattice walls encircled by tension bands or ropes, and were roofed with rafters that met in a central tension ring; the structure was covered with wool felt or animal skins. In recent decades, yurt popular-ity has taken off in the U.S. and internationally. The basic structure of a modern-day yurt hasn’t changed much, but the design has been adapted for wide-ranging user demands. Though some modern yurts are still quite primitive, many are outfitted with electricity, screened windows, sky-lights, kitchens, wood stoves, and sometimes even air conditioning. Today’s yurts showcase gorgeous natural woods and often make use of highly weather-resistant materials (some can withstand

up to a 100-pound snow load). The largest are generally 30 feet in diameter. Prices range from a few thousand dollars up to $20,000+, depending how they’re outfitted. With their highly adaptable design, yurts are being used as yoga studios, warming huts (there’s one at the Nordic Center at 49° North), guest-houses, shelter for migrant workers, in place of cabins and tents, and even as restaurants. For out-door adventurers, yurts are ideal shelters that can extend a season through fall and winter—plus, yurts are known for being remarkably warm on cold or even sub-zero nights, when temperatures inside can easily be in the 60s or 70s. Cold isn’t an issue, says Leo Hennessy, the non-motorized trails coordinator for Idaho State Parks and Recreation, where a yurt and trail system makes simpler backcountry adventuring possible. “More of an issue is [being] too hot,” he says with a laugh. “Yurts preserve the natural environment. They’re eco-friendly and low-impact and can be removed without a trace,” says Alan Bair, the president and founder of Pacific Yurts, Inc. in Cottage Grove, OR, the original manufacturer of the modern yurt. The company’s website, yurts.com, features yurt uses ranging from business properties to cabins to temporary housing. Bair, in fact, got into the yurt business decades ago when he and his wife bought property they couldn’t yet afford to build a house on. He’d become familiar with yurts through National Geographic and decided to build one, which they lived in. The yurt drew coverage from local publications, people asked Bair if he could build them one, and like that, business took off.

“Without even knowing what an entrepreneur was, I became one,” he says. Yurts’ greatest appeal is inherent in their round shape. “The yurt itself is a very unique struc-ture—people almost have this spiritual feeling in them,” Hennessy says. Bair feels similarly. “Some people consider it a type of sacred geometry—it carries your eye up the lattice wall and up the rafters to the center—to the stars at night, the sun during the day. There’s a special feeling there.”Kent Hoffman of Spokane Valley has a yurt in his backyard, which he uses for writing and for medi-tating. “I’ve always loved them,” he says. “There’s something about being in a building with circles. It’s like you’re inside but also outside. It’s the most replenishing architecture I can think of. It’s defi-nitely a retreat.” Caspian Ashby, a former Spokane resident who lived in a traditional Mongolian yurt in a friend’s backyard through a Montana winter, loved her experience. “The only reason I moved out was to relocate to Oregon to be nearer to my now fiancé,” she says. “The yurt allowed me to sim-plify my life and focus on myself and the things that are important to me.” “It amazes me also that yurts are such sound, durable structures, yet they can be dismantled, moved and reassembled fairly easily,” Ashby says. “This appealed to me, being the modern nomad that I am.” Hennessy notes that yurts are excellent at bringing people together—a good thing in a camping, vacation or backcountry experience. “When you’re in the yurt, everything is kind of in the middle,” he says. “You have to look at each

other. You can’t hide. You have to really like the person you’re with.” It was the desire to create a memorable group experience that led Lisa Whisnant and her hus-band to start a yurt restaurant about 16 years ago, Blue Moon Yurt, in Ponderosa State Park near McCall, ID. River guides in the warmer months, the couple wanted to create a wintertime group bonding adventure, similar to what can happen with a bunch of strangers on a multi-day river trip. An evening at Blue Moon Yurt means a group gathers in a parking lot at 6:00 pm before skiing or snowshoeing to an off-grid yurt in the forest, where, for the next several hours, guests enjoy a four-course candlelight meal before fol-lowing the snowy trail back to their cars. “The activity of getting there, sitting with people they don’t know…it’s a catalyst to get people to talk. We love that group dynamic and the whole buzz that goes on between people,” Whisnant says. Whether they’re used as restaurants, tempo-rary shelters or retreats, yurts lead to unforget-table experiences. Bair recalls an adventure he had years ago. He’d been skiing all day and, armed with a topographical map, was on the lookout for the yurt he planned to stay in that night. It was getting cold. “I was feeling like if we didn’t find it soon we’d be spending the night in a snow cave,” Bair says, “when there it was, around a hillside. We went inside, made a fire—underneath the deck there was stacked wood—made hot chocolate, and pretty soon we were snug as a bug in a rug.” For your own unforgettable yurt adventure, read on to learn about some of the many accom-

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modations in the Inland Northwest—and a few beyond in the surrounding region. Rustic outings not your thing? Check out Washington State’s posh yurt accommodations.

>> moRE RuStIC yuRt ExpERIENCES: --------------------------------------------------------- Make reservations well in advance.

wASHinGtOnWaShINgtoN StatE paRkS---------------------------------------------------------where: Cape Disappointment, Grayland Beach, Kanaskat-Palmer, Paradise Point, and Seaquest (all in Western Washington). Accommodations: Each yurt is 16-feet in diam-eter by 10-feet high and is furnished with bunk beds that sleep three, a queen-size futon, over-head light, and small end table. Outside you’ll find a picnic table, fire grill, utility hookup, and a deck (disabled-accessible). Bathrooms and showers nearby. Yurt rentals are available year-round; cost is $65-70/night May 15-Sept. 15 and $55-65/night Sept. 16-May 14. what to bring: Your usual camping supplies. Pack blankets and warm clothing for the often-chilly evenings. More info, directions and reservations: www.parks.wa.gov/yurtsandcabins

idAHOBaCkCouNtRy Idaho---------------------------------------------------------where: Idaho State Parks and Rec’s backcoun-try yurt system, in Boise National Forest near Idaho City; 7.5 hours from Spokane but worth the drive. Accommodations: Six backcountry yurts that sleep six available year-round; cost is $75/night week-nights, $90/night weekends. Covered outhouses at each yurt. Pets allowed in four of the six yurts. why go: For your own private slice of wilder-ness. These yurts, spread along a backcountry

trail system, are accessible only by hiking, skiing or snowshoeing 1.5-3 miles from the park-ing lot area. You’ll enjoy plenty of privacy and untracked snow; decks offer stellar mountain views. Take advantage of the 60-mile trail system and Telemark or Nordic ski, hike or snowshoe in the winter; mountain bike, horseback ride, and swim in the creeks in warmer months. beware the seasons: Hennessy advises winter visitors to come in four-wheel or all-wheel drive vehicles and bring a shovel. Summer is perfect for new outdoorspeople—“It’s a beautiful place to take a family for the first time,” he says. what to bring: A sleeping bag and food, and your skis, bike or snowshoes. Provided for you are furniture (including futons and bunks, tables and chairs), propane cooking stove, utensils, and even cookware such as woks. what to do nearby: Visit Idaho City, an old min-ing town with fake-front and historic buildings, ice cream shops, museums and shopping. And plan to clean up after your yurt stay in one of the area’s hot springs (visit www.idahohotsprings.com for ideas). More info, directions and reservations: http://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/lodging/backcountryyurts.aspx

Idaho StatE paRkS---------------------------------------------------------where: Winchester Lake, Cascade, and Harriman. Accommodations: Each park’s yurts are heated and furnished. Winchester Lake’s yurts (Western Idaho) sleep up to five; no pets; outdoor grill for cooking. $50-65/night. Harriman (Eastern Idaho) offers yurts that sleep up to six; wood stove and propane appliances available for light and cooking. $50/night. Group yurts are avail-able at Lake Cascade’s Osprey Point (Western Idaho), ideal for family reunions and retreat groups. $175/night for the rental of three yurts (accommodates up to 30). why go: Cross-country skiing and other outdoor fun. Check the website for each park’s specifics. what to bring: Your usual camping supplies; details online. More info, directions and reservations:

http://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/lodging/yurts.aspx

OReGOnWalloWa lakE StatE paRk------------------------------------------------------------where: Wallowa Lake in Northeastern Oregon, about 4.5 hours from Spokane. Accommodations: The two heated yurts at Wallowa Lake State Park are round cedar-sided buildings. Both have sky lights to let in natural light. Futon and bunk beds sleep five. Deck with covered picnic table; nearby fire pit for cooking and campfires. Yurts are avail-able year-round; cost is $38/night. No pets in the yurts. Restrooms and heated showers nearby. why go: The Wallowa Lake area has been called the “Alps of Oregon.” Enjoy breathtaking views of the Wallowa Mountains, wilderness trails for hik-ing, biking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing, and, of course, the lake. what to bring: Your usual camping supplies. what to do nearby: There is lots of summer fun in the Wallowa area. Check out Chief Joseph Days Rodeo, Fishtrap writers and reader confer-

ences, TamKaLiks Celebration (recognizing and celebrating the Nez Perce presence in the valley), farmers’ markets, the Bronze Bike Motorcycle Rendezvous, music concerts and art festivals, and the county fair. Hells Canyon Recreational Area is not far from Wallowa Lake State Park; take advan-tage of the scenic driving routes. More info, directions and reservations: For more about Wallowa Lake, visit www.oregon-stateparks.org/park_27.php. For info about yurt stays in Western Oregon state parks, go to oregon-stateparks.com or call (800) 551-6949.

MOntAnABIg aRm StatE paRk---------------------------------------------------------where: On the west shore of Flathead Lake in Big Arm State Park, 3.5 hours from Spokane. Accommodations: Three yurts (six-person and four-person) available May 1-Sept. 30. $55-60/night ($45/night for Montana residents); one yurt is disabled-accessible. Minimum two-night stay. Futons and rollaway beds or bunks for sleeping. Yurts are outfitted with lamps, tables and chairs,

FROM TOP LEFT TO RIGHT, THEN BOTTOM LEFT TO RIGHT: CHIWANA vILLAGE AT SAGECLIFFE NEAR THE COLUMBIA RIvER. // DEER AT WALLOWA STATE PARK, OREGON. // YURT INTERIOR AT WALLOWA STATE PARK, OREGON. // MOUNTAIN vIEW AT WALLOWA STATE PARK, OREGON. All WLSP photos courtesy of Todd Honeywell, Wallowa Lake State Park manager. // EXTERIOR OF YURT AT LUMMI ISLAND, IN THE SAN JUANS, WASHINGTON STATE. //INTERIOR YURT AT LUMMI ISLAND, IN THE SAN JUANS, WASHINGTON STATE. All Lummi Island photos by Riley Starks, courtesy of Nettles Farm at the Willows Inn.


and offer electricity and baseboard heat. Cooking is done outside. One restroom shared by all three yurts. No pets allowed inside. why go: To boat, swim or fish. Flathead Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi, is the biggest draw of the area. Paved roads are comfortable for biking. Hike or horse-back ride along the 2.5 miles of shoreline trails. what to bring: Your usual camping supplies. what to do nearby: The town of Polson is less than 15 minutes away and offers community theater (Port Polson Players Theater), shopping and dining, and golf at Polson Bay Golf Club, a 27-hole public course with impressive lake views. Kalispell is about 40 miles north of Big Arm, and Whitefish is about 15 miles beyond that. More info, directions and reservations: http://fwp.mt.gov/parks/accommodations/ yurts.html. Reservations can be made beginning March 16.

yuRtSkI BaCkCouNtRy lodgINg aNd SkIINg-----------------------------------------------------------where: Deep in the Montana backcountry, near Seeley Lake (about 4 hours from Spokane, an hour from Missoula). Accommodations: Two yurts at 6,600’ and 6,800’ in the Southern Swan Mountains, accessible via snow machine or skis. Each yurt sleeps eight, is heated by a wood-burning stove, has a kitchen (stocked with a cook stove, utensils and cook-ware), and an outhouse. Yurtski offers pack-ages that include gear hauls, guided tours, and gourmet prepared meals, or you can opt for a “self-sufficient yurt rental” and do your own thing. Yurt rentals start at $40/night; full service packages cost $150. Check website for minimum group size/yurt. why go: Backcountry skiing with stunning views of the Mission and Swan Mountains and the Bob Marshall and Scapegoat Wilderness. A 30-45 minute hike from your yurt brings you to a ridge; from there, a variety of runs take you back to your yurt’s front door. what to bring: All of your backcountry skiing supplies, sleeping bag, food and most of your usual camping gear, minus cook stove and uten-sils; check www.yurtski.com for details. More info, directions, and reservations: www.yurtski.com

>> moRE luxuRIouS yuRt StayS: ----------------------------------------------------------- Make reservations well in advance.

ChIWaNa vIllagE at SagEClIFFE-----------------------------------------------------------where: SageCliffe is located on the Columbia River Gorge (2.5 hours from Spokane) and is home to Cave B Estate Winery, Cave B Inn, Tendrils restaurant, a spa, and—for yurt stays—Chiwana Village. Accommodations: The yurts at Chiwana Village overlook either the Columbia River or the vine-yard and feature king-size beds, sky domes for stargazing, private baths, sitting areas, and patio decks. Wheelchair-accessible yurts and Wi-Fi are available. Chiwana Village is open April-October, weather permitting. Prices (excluding Gorge con-cert weekends) range from $150-200/night. why go: For a luxurious yurt experience in the middle of a vineyard. You’ll be able to enjoy wine tastings, fine dining at Tendrils, and spa treat-ments. Complimentary cruiser bikes are available to guests, who can also enjoy bocce ball, a horse-shoe pit and swimming. A popular hike winds down the cliff to the river. what to bring: What you’d pack for a hotel. Though the yurts include mini-fridges, they don’t have cooking facilities.

More info, directions and reservations: www.sagecliffe.com or (509) 785-2283

NEttlES FaRm at thE WIlloWS INN (lummI ISlaNd)-----------------------------------------------------------where: Willows Inn and Nettles Farm are located on Lummi Island in the San Juans, in northwest Washington. Ferry service is only available from Bellingham, two hours north of Seattle. It’s only a five-minute ride, with departures every 20 min-utes on weekdays and every hour on weekends and holidays. (Whatcom County ferry info: www.co.whatcom.wa.us/publicworks/ferry/index.jsp)Accommodations: There is one yurt on the prop-erty at Nettles Farm (there is also a cabin and a suite available, and Willows Inn is a short walk away), fully equipped with a queen-size bed, couch, and a kitchen with refrigerator, stove, sink, island counter and utensils. The yurt is available year-round; cost is $140/night (minimum two-night stay) and includes breakfast for two. why go: To be close to nature without roughing it. Enjoy gorgeous San Juan Island views, a seven-mile bike loop (complimentary bike use avail-able), or a hike along the Baker Mountain Trail. Spend time with the farmer at Nettles Farm, and, of course, eat at Willows Inn (recently featured as one of the New York Times’ “10 Restaurants Worth a Plane Ride”), where they use local and seasonal foods, like Nettles Farm vegetables. As you dine, you’ll look out on fishermen catching seafood for Willows Inn’s next meal. what to bring: What you’d pack for a hotel, plus food (you can purchase some food from Nettles Farm). More info, directions and reservations: www.willows-inn.com

YuRt dininGBluE mooN yuRt-----------------------------------------------------------Those looking for an unforgettable yurt experi-ence that doesn’t require an overnight stay should check out McCall, Idaho’s Blue Moon Yurt, just over 4.5 hours from Spokane. From December through March, groups (up to 26) meet a guide at 6:00 pm prepared to snowshoe or Nordic ski to a yurt about a mile away, in Ponderosa State Park. Tiki torches light the way along the designated ski trails. The 24-foot diameter yurt restaurant is fur-nished with three family-style tables and lit by can-dlelight and propane lanterns. Appetizers and four courses are served; guests bring their own alcohol. After dinner, ski or snowshoe back to the parking lot. The whole evening takes about five hours and costs $90/person. Reserve well in advance. More information, directions and reservations: bluemoonyurt.com or (208) 634-3111

viSit A neARbY YuRt49° NoRth mouNtaIN RESoRt’S NoRdIC CENtER-----------------------------------------------------------49° North Mountain Resort’s Nordic Center (Chewelah, WA, an hour and 20 minutes from Spokane) offers 25 km of groomed trails for cross-country skiing, and ungroomed trails for snowshoeing—and they use a yurt as their warm-ing hut. The yurt has been there for about five years, says Nordic Director Doug Elledge, and is well worth a visit. Take a break after a morning of skiing and get cozy in the 24-foot yurt, which is outfitted with lockers, tables and chairs, and a wood stove; some beverages and snacks available. More information: www.ski49n.com //

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No oNE FEElS SoRRy FoR professional ath-letes. This strange breed of people get paid to be active and do what they love—pity doesn’t exactly seem justified. But in their defense, the job isn’t as glamorous as it seems.

“People think all we do is travel and get to jump off stuff,” says professional skier Eric Norman. “But there’s a lot more to it. I pretty much live out of a suitcase and my laptop.”

The Spokane native is like a pinball machine—bouncing back and forth at a moment’s notice between Washington, Idaho, Utah and Canada. Between the months of January and February alone, the young skier is participating in SnowSports Industries America, attending the Winter X Games, and working on several film productions.

In his time off, Norman is a junior business major at Eastern Washington University. He takes off the entire winter quarter of school and makes up for the course loads in the Fall and Spring. It’s a crazy schedule but the university and his parents are flexible and understanding of his career.

Surprisingly enough, Norman is the only skier in his family.

“I started snowboarding with a friend at Schweitzer when I was young,” he says. “But then I randomly put on a pair of skis and started doing flips. Next I stopped playing organized sports and it got kinda carried away from there.”

Norman has been on-the-go with professional ski competitions and film productions since he was 17. Local ski resorts like Schweitzer Mountain Resort and Silver Mountain have sponsored and continue to support his budding career, so this February Norman plans to give back some of the karma and fortune that sent him globe-trotting across the world.

WEBCaSt SERIES“I wanted to branch out on a project and do

something for the masses that would promote where I’m from,” Norman says. “The goal is to make Idaho seem like an awesome place because this area has definitely helped shape me. I want to give back and portray the personality and beauty of our little slice of the country.”

The project is the accumulation of a six-part webseries Norman developed this past sum-mer with a Canadian film student from the New Zealand Broadcasting Company (at press time, the webseries had not been named). While in New

ewu Student And SeMi-PRO SkieREric Norman Works To Make Powder Dreams His Business / By Jordy Byrd

Las�tPage

Zealand, Norman worked with the broadcasting company and several Australian print publica-tions.

It was there he found the inspiration (see www.diariesdownunder.com) and built the connections that would lead him to develop the series. The first two pieces of the project will highlight areas in northern Idaho and the last four in the installment will capture landscapes in New Zealand.

“We wanted to do a good job showcasing Idaho and the people that make it so unique,” Norman says. “It’s kind of like a cultural documentary with the main focus on skiing and snowboarding. I wanted to do something that didn’t focus on the core of the ski industry.”

Northern Idaho segments of the series will high-light places like the historic town of Wallace, the Hiawatha Trail, the city of Kellogg, Silver Mountain, and secret snow zones. Norman and three other athletes will ride the rails, hit the snow parks, and explore the pristine backcountry the area has to offer. “This project has been such a nice breath of

fresh air and it’s taken a fun direction,” Norman says.

The series is a collaborative effort done by The Something Collective—a creative group of athletes, filmmakers, musicians and artists—and local promotion companies TSC Media and Red Eye Promotions. Despite excitement surrounding the project, the series was locally underfunded and therefore cut down to only two regional seg-ments.

“It’s hard to compete with mass media and tour-

northern idaho segments of the series will highlight

places like the historic town of wallace, the Hiawatha trail, the city of kellogg,

Silver Mountain, and secret snow zones.

ism dollars,” Norman says. “But this has been a pas-sion project from the very beginning. Everyone involved with the production has a lot of other lucrative things going on, but this is way more fun and self-expressive.”

The first episode will be about 10-15 minutes long and will be released February 28 on thesome-thingcollective.com website. Weekly updates on the series and additional installments will be added on the site.

SNoWy FoRECaStNorman may be finished with his involvement in

the series, but his ski season is far from over. This year, the athlete is working his way out of contests and competitions and delving more deeply into photo and film.

“You can only be a contest pro for so long,” he says. “I’ve been thinking about my long-term career. I don’t want to be an old athlete still clinging to making money as an athlete. I want to be able to move on and work behind the scenes on the busi-ness side of the industry and not be the face of it anymore.”

Until he finishes college and gains more profes-sional leverage, Norman will continue to be fea-tured in ski films. His sponsors at Fuel Clothing, Faction Skis, Silver Mountain Resort and Red Eye Promotions are getting him more involved with product design (especially sunglasses and goggles) and are helping guide his career.

But of all the competitions and ski films he’s worked on, Norman says the local webseries proj-ect has been most gratifying. “If you can actually pull off a project like this it’s amazing,” he says. “Especially when you’re doing it on your own.” //

Cycle Hard for Education!

Comepedal theCHaFE 150, amagnificent newride through the lakeand river valleys of North Idaho and NW Montana. Or do the 80-mile 1/2 CHaFE. Pick your challenge!

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wild wallsspokane’s climbing gym & yoga studio__________“Families thatclimb togetherare 85% less

likely to argueat the dinner

table.” *

YOUTH & GROUP PROGRAMSSpider Monkeys Wed. 5-7 pm$12 Single Visit$74 8-Punch Pass

Climbing Club$12 Single Visit$100 10-Punch PassWed. 6-8 PMSun. 6-8 PM

Climb TeamWed. 7-9 PMSun. 7-9 PMPlease call for details.

Birthday Parties/Groups$16 per person(minimum 4 climbers)

Package includes: Rental gear1 hr. climbing45 min in the party room

Yoga FlowMon. 6-7 PMThurs. 6-7:30 PMFree for members$10 guests_________

202 W. 2nd Avenue • Spokane, WA 99201

[email protected]

www.wildwalls.com*Seriously? We just made that up.

NORMAN CATCHES SOME AIR OvER A TRAIN TUN-NEL IN NORTH IDAHO. // PHOTO SAM NELSON COURTESY OF ERIC NORMAN.


The cycle starts with you.Partial funding provided by a grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology.

recycling hot line: 625.6800 www.solidwaste.org

After recycling and composting everything you can...

... where does the rest go?Take a free tour of Spokane’s

Waste to Energy facility to learn more about what happens to your trash.

Public tours are available for groups or individuals - please call 625-6800 or visit www.solidwaste.org for more information.


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out there monthly february 2011

Documents

ski yurt

ski patrolp

winter clothing

winter clearance

ski patrolby jordy byrdp

events souper bowl ski

different kind of winter

inland nw outdoor calendar