Out There Outdoors

Endurance athletes have plenty of options, from gels and sports drinks to sandwiches, candy and even cookie dough. We asked local ultra-runners, cyclists and swimmers what keeps them going—and why experimenting during training is key to finding what works for you.

We want to know! What's your go-to fuel?

outthereoutdoors.com/fueling-for-the-long-haul

In 2017, Hank Greer and his family tackled the Oregon Outback, a roughly 360-mile bikepacking route across Oregon. Remote gravel roads, long days, scarce water and wide-open landscapes made for an unforgettable adventure. Read the story from the archives.

outthereoutdoors.com/biking-the-oregon-outback

What does the natural world have to teach us about class, identity, home and finding our way forward? Local writer Maya Jewell Zeller explores those questions in Raised by Ferns, a memoir-in-essays tracing her journey from an itinerant rural childhood to academia and middle-class life. Read the review in Out There Outdoors and discover a book rooted in nature, curiosity and the complicated paths we take through life.

https://outthereoutdoors.com/raised-by-ferns-maya-jewell-zeller/

What’s the strangest piece of gear you consider essential for an outdoor adventure? One Spokane writer has a particularly unconventional answer: a pair of ugly floral hiking shorts she became convinced were lucky. Read the hilarious story of how superstition, backcountry mishaps and a little surrender to the unknown turned one questionable outfit into a trail essential.

outthereoutdoors.com/magic-trail-shorts

📸Olivia Dugenet

The One Trail

You can only recommend one trail around Spokane to someone who has never hiked here.

Which one gets your vote—and why?

Looking for a cold, packable caffeine boost for your next adventure? Roast House’s organic F-Bomb cold brew comes in a slim 12-ounce can, with smooth chocolate and caramel notes and plenty of caffeine to power a summer outing.

outthereoutdoors.com/roast-house-coffee-cold-brew-in-a-can

Roast House

Want to keep skiing, hiking, biking and paddling well into the next decade? Building functional strength can help you stay ready for the activities you love. Learn the seven foundational movements that can build your “wave” and keep your outdoor momentum going.

outthereoutdoors.com/physical-therapy-for-longevity-outdoor-sports

NW Movement Co

What would it take to hike from the top of Mount Spokane to Rathdrum Mountain and back? Nearly 50 miles, three days, logging roads, bushwhacking and plenty of route-finding. This ambitious trek across the Washington-Idaho border reveals a surprisingly wild and challenging side of Spokane’s backyard peaks.

outthereoutdoors.com/mount-spokane-rathrdrum-mountain-backpacking

📸James P. Johnson

The Little Spokane River looks like a peaceful summer float, but its calm waters hide plenty of surprises. Learn what to know before launching, from wildlife and protected habitat to river hazards and the rules designed to keep this special place wild.

outthereoutdoors.com/little-spokane-river-floating

📸Shallan Knowles

You don’t have to travel far to go birding. A bird bath, hummingbird feeder or simply a few quiet minutes listening for birds can turn your own backyard into a summer birding destination. Lisa Langelier shares how to attract and spot some of the Inland Northwest’s summer songbirds, plus a few favorite local places to look.

outthereoutdoors.com/summer-birding-inland-northwest

📸Tom Munson

Spokane Audubon Society