Wild Bound

President’s day dawned bright and clear. After doing some chores around the house, the call of sunshine and the hope of spring were irresistible.

Brenton suggested that we throw some food in the car and drive North to Kootenai Wildlife refuge near Bonners Ferry, Idaho.

We took the Deep Creek Trail (2.2 miles), then walked along the road to the Island Pond Nature trail to make a loop back to the parking area.

We started out with snowshoes, but soon realized that the snow was shallow and ice-crusted. Without snowshoes, we had to be careful not to twist an ankle, but the hiking went faster with less weight on the feet.

The trail is clearly marked, but not well used in winter–at least not by humans. The most common footprints were moose, deer, and elk (along with their animal scat piles everywhere!)

Deep Creek trail meanders along the east side of the wildlife refuge mostly following the Kootenai river. The river was ice-free, but I don’t think it’s warm enough for a swim.

The wildlife refuge was actually created in the 1960’s after the Kootenai river had been tamed from the spring floods, and the valley was turned from wetlands to fertile farmland. In the process of creating farmland, the wetland eco-systems were disappearing.

The refuge is 2,774 acres purchased and maintained with funds from duck stamps (yes, this refuge is maintained with hunting dollars). In the winter, it offers feeding grounds for elk, moose, deer, and other big game animals that come down from the Selkirk mountains to escape deep winter snows. Spring and Summer offer numerous opportunities for bird watching. If you are into hunting, the refuge has designated areas for waterfowl, upland game, and big game hunting (make sure you check with the refuge office for regulations).

As spring comes on, Brenton and I like to drive up to the refuge to sit and read with the songbirds singing in the background. One of the most interesting sights at the wildlife refuge is a pair of bald eagles that nest there. We always see a moose or some deer, and too many ducks and geese to count.

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It might be a bit early, but February seems like a great time to start spring training for the backpacking season.

The snow is still on the ground, and cabin fever is in full swing. I have started wearing my backpack around the house–all day. The days are getting longer, and my husband and I like to head out for an evening hike (5 miles around town).

I’ve read that 1 pound on the feet is like 6 pounds on the back. If that’s the case, my snow boots (about 3lbs for the pair) are giving me a good workout.

Right now, I’m just carrying an empty pack. I have back problems left over from carrying too many books through middle school, high school, and college. I am starting small. My plan right now is to carry empty for about a week.

When I start adding weight, I think I have finally found a good use for all those heavy engineering textbooks that my husband doesn’t use and won’t let me get rid of. They will make great training weights.

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

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With spring on its way, most of the outdoor retailers are trying to shed some winter gear for reduced prices. Now is a good time to start looking in to buying that winter weather gear in preparation for next winter. Here in Idaho, I could probably get a few more months of use out of some good winter clothes before pulling out the swim suits and kayaks.

Last time I went out snowshoeing, I wrote that I was having layering issues with my clothing. In that outing, I was wearing snowmobile coveralls, and I was warm by the end of my trek through the snow.

Think Layers

SHREK: For your information, there’s a lot more to ogres than people think.
DONKEY: Example?
SHREK: Example? Okay. Uh… ogres are like onions.
DONKEY: They stink?
SHREK: Yes. No!
DONKEY: Oh, they make you cry?
SHREK: No!
DONKEY: Oh, you leave them out in the sun, they get all brown and start sprouting little white hairs.
SHREK: No! Layers! Onions have layers. Ogres have layers. Onions have layers. You get it? We both have layers.
DONKEY: Oh… you both have layers… You know, not everybody like onions. Cakes! Everybody likes cakes. Cakes have layers.
SHREK: I don’t care what everyone likes. Ogres are not like cakes… You dunce, irritating, miniature beast of burden. Ogres are like onions. End of story. Bye bye. See ya later…

In researching, it looks like a good basic snowshoeing outfit would include something like this:

• Base Layer top and bottom wicking/insulating made of silk, wool, or a wicking synthetic (like Under Armour ColdGear)
• Insulating Layer top and bottom made of fleece or wool
• Outer shell top and bottom that is windproof and waterproof. Ideally made of a tear-resistant, rip-stop material, loose enough not to bind your movement, and is breathable.
• Accessories Hat, gloves (I like fingerless liner gloves with wool mittens over top).
• Foot wear Waterproof boots, wicking sock liner, several pairs of wool socks (make sure the outer socks are big enough that they won’t restrict blood flow).
• Optional for colder weather, or really back country hikes, a puffy vest would be a nice addition to keep your core-body temperature up while allowing enough cool air to keep you from sweating.

photo by James Jordan CC-By-SA

Think Thrift Store

For starting out, the most expensive part will be buying that base layer. The pants run from $35+, and I haven’t worked up the courage to price the tops yet. I’ve never really seen them at the thrift store, but maybe I can find a cheaper (non-name brand) version at the army-navy store.

I can usually find synthetic fleece tops and pants at the thrift store for around $2 (or less). I actually have some horrendously ugly bright blue fleece pajama bottoms. In spite of what the outdoor retailers would like you to think, hiking and snowshoeing are not fashion shows. Otherwise, I have seen fleece tops and bottoms for sale at about $9 a piece, new.

A really good outer shell suit will probably run around $100. I can probably find some windbreaker pants for a couple of dollars at the thrift store, and I already have an anorak nylon pullover. I can put about $7 into a can of scotch guard and have a waterproof outer shell that will last me for this winter and keep me going until I save up for a nice waterproof, breathable, windproof, rip-stop, costs-an-arm-and-a-leg, rain suit. Maybe I just need to find a supplier of sil-nylon and make my own light weight rain gear.

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Take a few minutes to look through these great articles on outdoor adventuring. I hope you enjoy

Winter Sports

medelise reifsteck presents Stowe Derby posted at Yearn to Travel

A unique ski race

Hiking and Camping

Brandie presents A Lesson in the Woods posted at GWN Lifestyle.

Determination on the hiking trail usually results in the best views, it’s the same with life

Bentley presents Acute Mountain Sickness posted at Venture Tree | outdoors. gear. life

Knowledge can save your life. Know what to look for with Acute Mountain Sickness

Adam Thompson presents 5 Safety Rules For Camping posted at Thompson Outdoor Supply Blog.

camp safe, and have fun

Climbing

Nina presents Reader: I - you - me - we - good - go posted at Reader.

If rock climbing is your thing, take a few points from Nina on safe belaying techniques

Watersports and Fishing

Madeleine Begun Kane presents Tubing Blues posted at Mad Kane’s Humor Blog.

I think every outdoor adventurer has had the experience of getting more adventure than you bargained for.

Lexi Sundell presents My First Flyrod Part Two posted at Brown Trout Delight, saying, “My first flyrod still carries memories of many great outdoor times in my life.”

I’ve never done flyfishing, but I still have my first fishing pole. It’s a short 2 1/2 foot pole that was a gift from my Uncle Buddy–he owned a pawn shop.

Other Adventures

GP presents Running On Quotes posted at Innside Montana-Your Home at the Range

This is a collection inspirational quotes for endurance riding, but they would also be good to ponder on the hiking trail, during a long dark night camping, or anytime you are out on an adventure challenging the endurance of your mind and body

My favorite quote is this: There is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing

Niharika presents Top 25 Most Beautiful Castles in the World posted at International Listings Blog.

If you are into world traveling, check out this article for some beautiful destinations

Sagar presents 25 of the Most Awesome Rodeos Worldwide posted at Travelhacker.

If you are in for some excitement, check out this list of rodeos. You might find one near you

Marilyn Terrell presents Beautiful Boquete posted at Intelligent Travel

Another beautiful destination for a world traveler

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