OUTDOOR SPORTS — Eastern Washington Univeristy outdoors enthusiasts are pooling outdoor gear for sale and bidding this week.   Check it out.

FUN IN THE SUN SALE

APRIL 13^TH, APRIL 14^TH 2012

120 G ST. CHENEY, WA. 99004

FRIDAY APRIL 13^TH, 2012, 8AM-4:30PM

SATURDAY APRIL 14^TH, 8AM-4:30PM

Bids taken & some pre-priced items

SOLD at this time

BID PICKUP & Sale of Pre-Priced Items

THURSDAY, APRIL 19^TH, 2012

8AM-4:00PM

ITEMS OF INTEREST

KAYAKS, SNOW SHOES, CROSS COUNTRY SKIS,

XC SKI BOOTS, WHITEWATER RAFTS AND MORE.

FOR PHOTOS:

http://sites.ewu.edu/surplus/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ewusurplus/

EMAIL: SURPLUS@ EWU.EDU

 (509) 359-7377 (FLOYD CLOKE) 

WINTER SPORTS — Photo shows a group of snowshoers enjoying a fine March 24 during the 6th annual Goat Mountain trek above Lake Pend Oreille. Almost daily snowfall in the previous five days has left fresh layers on a deep snowpack.

The hike is one of the many active events organized by the Friends of the Scotchman Peaks Wilderness.

WINTER SPORTS — Signs have been poking up on Mount Spokane warning snowshoers they're no longer going to be tolerated hiking popular routes up to the mountain summit.

Indeed, the signs let snowshoers, hikers, backcountry skiers and others who want to access the summit of Mt. Spokane that they're not allowed to go up through the downhill skiing concession area.

This rule has been enforced against snowmobiles for many years. But now it's getting personal with one of the newest and fastest growing state park user groups.

Local snowhoer Chris Bachman contacted Randy Kline, Washington State Parks environmental program manager in Olympia, and asked him who is responsible for the signs and why.

Below is Kline’s reply. Note that if the ski area's planned expansion on the backside of the mountain goes through, even more access will be lost to the non-downhil public.

Greetings Chris,

 

As I understand it, hiking up the mountain on groomed trails in the concession area at Mount Spokane is not currently permitted – in speaking to the park manager, this is a State Parks decision related to safety and risk management. Snowshoe folks and backcountry nordic skiers currently use an alternate route that is outside the improved concession area that gets them up to Vista House. However, the proposed expansion area will occur within a portion of the area currently used by snowshoe folks and nordic backcountry skiers so – if they will not be allowed on groomed trails - we should begin looking at alternative means to accommodate these users in their desire to get up to Vista House. Thank you for the letting me know that this is an issue of concern .

WINTER SPORTS — It's time for skiers and snowshoers to hitch a ride behind their dogs and sign up for the sixth annual Paws & Poles Race. The event that benefits SpokAnimal CARE is set for March 3 at 49 Degrees North.

Enter a 5-kilometer cross-country skijoring race or leash up to your dog for a 3K snowshoe race.  Both races will begin at 11 a.m. at the resort's Nordic Center. 

Registration opens at 9 a.m. Entry fee: $20.

Pre-register at Mountain Gear in Spokane. Info: 325-9000.

See photos of last year's event here.

WINTER SPORTS — A great Souper Bowl turnout of women and girls made the most of a perfect day at Mount Spokane to ski, snowshoe and lunch for the benefit of the Women's and Children's Free Restaurant.

The bottom line: ‎280 women came out for the event, enabling volunteers to raise $12,872 for the Women's and Children's Free Restaurant, surpassing last year's effort.

Congratulate yourselves, ladies.

WINTER SPORTS — A free program on the basics of snowshoeing will be presented Thursday (Feb. 2), 7 p.m. at REI in Spokane.

The class will focus on selecting appropriate gear (including women’s specific gear) and finding out where to go snowshoeing in this region.

The class is free, but space is limited. Preregister at www.rei.com/spokane.

Bald Knob Snowshoe, Mount Spokane State Park from Tanner Grant on Vimeo.

WINTER SPORTS — Tanner Grant of Spokane video's his recent snowshoe trek at Mount Spokane State Park to give the uninitiated a glimpse of one oft the more popular routes from the main road up to the Bald Knob Picnic area. 

We parked on the road near the snowmobile parking lot (Discover Pass required) and made the short trip to the picnic shelter. With all the new snow in the last week the conditions were great, and lucky for us the weather couldnt have been better. Music by Jack Johnson, “All At Once.”

Grant also features a recommendation on how to come back down the mountain on the well-traveled route.

SEARCH AND RESCUE — Readers following the story of the lost dog rescued high in the Kettle Range yesterday will enjoy these followup photos.

The pix, just sent to me by Mariann Crooks, show Rebel, a 7-month-old bluetick coonhound, still wiped out from the two nights he endured in the winter wilds north of Sherman Pass after being lost during a snowshoeing trek to Columbia Mountain.

But Rebel's home now, getting plenty of comfort and attention from Mariann's daughter, Sabrina Crooks.

And a few hearts will justifiably melt to see one of the other family dogs nursing Rebel's feet, which were raw and sore from the snow, cold and ice high in the Colville National Forest.

Crooks said Rebel slept pretty much nonstop for 36 hours after he got home.

Rebel was rescued by a group of forestry students from the Curlew Job Corps Center.

See photos of the rescue in this blog post. 

WINTER SPORTS — Today's story about students rescuing a snowshoer's bluetick coonhound lost in the Kettle Range for two nights offers a life lesson to all of us.

Helping other people can be remarkably easy and productive if we just make the effort to try.

Think about what we could accomplish if everyone looked for a way to contribute every day rather than leaving it to somebody else.

See post-rescue photos here.

OUTDOOR PHOTOGRAPHY — Many of Oregon's iconic natural features are captured in this soothing production of time-lapse photography.

It's called “Finding Oregon, by Uncage the Soul Productions.

WINTER SPORTS — The avalanche forecast for the Idaho Panhandle won't be updated until Friday, but forecaster Keith Wakefield of Curlew tramped high into the Kettle Range TODAY and got some unsettling results from his snow pits and sheer tests.   Here's the scoop from a report he just filed:

Out snow geeking on Sherman Pass today, verifying the Canadians forecast for this region. Those Canucks nailed it! They had it at HIGH for today and tomorrow, and trending down to Considerable for the weekend.

Its the most complex the snowpack has been this season, and very upside down in the top 20-24” of the snowpack.

Two sensitive slabs in the uper two thirds of the pack totaling 20+ inches on the leeward N-NE aspects was a #3 ETC test down thru both slabs to a clean shear (q-1)

Wind has created nasty surface styro-crusts on windward S-SW-W aspects as well… Nasty.

Windy 10-15 today with rising temps. Good day for a trail ski. Going to be an interesting weekend in the region's backcountry. Heads up.

OUTDOOR PHOTOGRAPHY — The Friends of the Scotchman Peaks Wilderness are taking entries in their annual winter outdoor photography contest.

If you are in or around the Scotchman Peaks this winter (you have to be able to see the wilderness), and you take a picture you think is really cool, attach it to an e-mail telling where you took it, when you took it, and maybe even why you took it and send to sandy@scotchmanpeaks.org.

The grand prize: a night’s stay for two next summer at the Huckleberry Tent and Breakfast near Clark Fork, in the shadow of the Scotchman Peaks.

MISSING PETS — A young, energetic family dog lost from its owners during a snowshoe hike on Sunday has been found after two days out in the high country near Sherman Pass.

A Job Corps forestry crew heard about the lost dog and the despair of the family through an email network, so they decided to go out for a snowshoe hike today and see what they could see.

Lo! They found Rebel, a seven month old male bluetick coonhound that had been lost since mid-day Sunday in the vicinity of Columbia Mountain near Sherman Pass in Colville National Forest in northeast Washington.

He survived the ordeal wearing an orange collar, a red head halter and a small blue pack.

His owners are being notified.  The dog reportedly was dehydrated but otherwise in good shape.

Credit a close network of locals in the Republic-Curlew area who have the skills to get out in the backcountry and the generosity to look out after others.

More on this later…

MISSING PETS — During a snowshoe hike on Sunday (Jan. 22), a seven month  old male Bluetick Coonhound who answers to the name Rebel was lost in the vicinity of Columbia Mountain near Sherman Pass in Colville National Forest in northeast Washington.  

Anyone living in the area or out playing in the backcountry in the vicinity of Sherman Pass, please keep your eye out for him!

His owners say Rebel is super friendly and should approach anyone that calls him. 

Last seen, he was wearing an orange collar, a red head halter and a small blue pack. 

The dog has tags on to identify where he belongs. 

His owners are very worried for him. If found, please contact Mariann at (509) 496-9370 (cell) or via email at mendenhall_mini_farm@yahoo.com   

Thanks!

WINTER SPORTS —Sign-up is under way for an annual event known for encouraging women to take an adventurous yet enjoyable step into winter.

The seventh-annual Women’s Souper Bowl – which includes cross-country skiing and snowshoeing activities, free rentals and lessons, treats, prizes and lunch – is set for 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Feb. 5 based out of Selkirk Lodge at Mount Spokane.

The activities end in time to avoid conflict with the “other” Super Bowl on TV.

The events are open to women of all ages and athletic ability.

New to the Souper Bowl this year:

• The nordic ski race has been replaced with a cross-country ski trek to acquire poker hands to win prizes at the Souper lunch.
• Snowshoers will have special permission to trek on a portion of the groomed nordic ski trail system.

Cost: A $30 minimum suggested donation is requested for the Women’s and Children’s Free Restaurant for registrations received by Friday (Jan. 27). Extra will be requested for late registrations.

Transportation: Sno-Park permits required for vehicles. Avoid the driving and parking hassles by reserving seats on chartered “Souper Bus,” which leaves Mountain Gear at 8 a.m. and stops at Mt. Spokane High School 8:30 en route to the mountain. Departs mountain at 1 p.m. Cost: $15.
  

WINTER SPORTS — The Spokane Downtown Library's Northwest Room is featuring a timely display celebrating winter in the Northwest, including a lot of snowy outdoor recreation.

Winter weather conditions have long created both challenges and opportunities for Northwest residents. The late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries saw greater hazards than the present, with less than ideal equipment and poor roads.

Winter recreation then and now included skiing, sledding, ice skating, hockey, snowshoeing, hunting, and outdoor work.

This exhibit combines photos of fun in the snow with disasters such as avalanches on railroad tracks. Come and see these images from winters past—you might be surprised at how familiar they look.

The Northwest Room is on the second floor of the Downtown Library.

WHEN: January 11-March 31

TIME: Northwest Room Hours

LOCATION: Downtown

Call 444-5338.

OUTDOOR RECREATION —  The Spokane Parks & Recreation Department's Outdoors Program is looking for outdoors lovers who would make good outdoor trip assistants for the great outings featured in the Outdoor program guide.

The main benefit:  Cool group outdoor trips at no cost.   Here's the job description:

• See more info on the Outdoors Program volunteer website.
• See the Outdoor Trip Assistant description here.

WINTER SPORTS — The Panhandle Nordic Club's annual Best Hand Ski and Snowshoe fund-raising event will go as scheduled on Saturday regardless of the snow conditions at Fourth of July Pass.

Current conditions are NOT for skis or snowshoes, the club reports.  Expect ice and maybe some mud.

CLEATS ARE ADVISED.  Unless a miracle provides some snow.

But the cause is good. The club maintains the facilities and coordinates the grooming for the trails at the pass.

WINTER SPORTS — No place in the Inland Northwest will have more cross-country skiing and snowshoeing activities this weeked than the annual Winterfest at 49 Degrees North.

The events are in the downhill ski area as well as on the nordic ski trail system.

From the endurance test of the hill climb and ski down, telemark lessons and gear demos to the night-time nordic ski tours and snowshoe walks and even a paintball biathlon race, this is one  ambitious ageda, sponsored by the resort and Mountain Gear.

Note FREE nordic trail ski passes on Saturday and $5 passes on Sunday.

Read on for the entire list of events:

WINTER SPORTS – Idaho Park N’ Ski areas —  such as Farragut State Park, Priest Lake State Park and Fourth of July Pass — will offer free access to groomed trails for nordic skiing and snowshoeing on Saturday (Jan. 7).

Free Ski-Snowshoe Day is promoted by Idaho State Parks and Recreation Department at 18 designated Park N’ Ski areas and snow-belt state parks.   

Some areas will have special events that offer free ski/snowshoe clinics, equipment rentals and/or refreshments.

Read on for a list of scheduled events: