All about muscle-powered outdoor sports within an hour's drive of the Wenatchee Valley.

Picture of the Week

Shane Wilder took this photo of one of his favorite ski models (The Bird) in late January up at Stevens Pass. The Bird is flying (on skis) high above the clouds with Mt. Stuart back behind (on the right).

Choice of the day


0 2 votes Wallowa Whumps by W.O. Staff on 02/06/2010 08:00 0 comments , 73 views Categories: Snowshoeing, Skiing-Alpine,Nordic,BC, Travel Stories Tags: backcountry skiing, ski touring, wallowas, wallowa mountains, coron polley Coron Polley writes, "I have skied the Wallowas for a few years in a row now and each trip has brought new experiences. This year the attention-grabbing parts of the experience were the decisions we made each day and how we would handle the avalanche hazard." read more
+2 2 votes Backcountry Repair Kit by Andy Dappen on 02/05/2010 10:22 2 comments , 81 views Categories: Snowshoeing, Skiing-Alpine,Nordic,BC, Gear Tags: backcountry skiing, andy dappen, ski repair kit, emergency repair items We were sitting atop Diamond Head enjoying the long vistas out over Blewett Pass when I realized I could snuff the feel-good vibes with a teachable moment. "What's in my pack?" My daughter (an aspiring ski tourer) scored well but, like many, she forgot to think about equipment failures and field repairs. read more
+1 1 vote Snowshoe Review: Atlas Mountain 11 and 12 by W.O. Staff on 02/03/2010 13:50 2 comments , 73 views Categories: Snowshoeing, Climbing-Mtn,Ice,Rock, Gear Tags: central washington, snowshoe review, andy dappen, atlas snowshoes, mountain 12 It was the most snow they’d seen in southeast Utah since 1967. In the Grand Gulch where two of us intended to hike, we were told to expect snow… lots of it. So we brought snowshoes to test. It was demanding ground and both the Atlas Mountain 11 and Mountain 12 proved to be impressive go-anywhere snowshoes. read more
+3 3 votes Diamond Head and Diamond Turns by W.O. Staff on 02/02/2010 09:06 0 comments , 164 views Categories: Living Here, Skiing-Alpine,Nordic,BC Tags: blewett pass, leavenworth, central washington, backcountry skiing, diamond head, ski touring On January 31, Chester Marler organized a ski tour for a group that had attended our November / December backcountry skiing classroom sessions. Here's Chester's description of the trip and some pictures from Peter Bauer and Coron Polley. read more
+4 4 votes Light and Wide -- New Touring Skis by W.O. Staff on 01/31/2010 08:00 0 comments , 148 views Categories: Skiing-Alpine,Nordic,BC, Gear Tags: ski touring, backcountry skis, new skis for 2011, fat skis We recently ran into Dave Waag, the editor of Off-Piste Magazine, at the Outdoor Retailer Demo Days at Snow Basin, Utah. Like Dave, we were on the scene to test new winter outdoor gear that will be in the outdoor stores during the winter of 2010/11). We liked Dave's assessment of some of the new skis. read more
+6 8 votes Cashmere Mountain Tour by W.O. Staff on 01/29/2010 14:29 0 comments , 201 views Categories: Living Here, Skiing-Alpine,Nordic,BC Tags: leavenworth, backcountry skiing, ski touring, cashmere mountain The forecast called for mostly sunny skies on January 27, so Shane Wilder and friends toured Mt. Cashmere's northeast shoulder. Here's the story and images they brought back. read more
+12 12 votes Humility on Peak 7828' by W.O. Staff on 01/22/2010 19:26 3 comments , 197 views Categories: Stupid Fun - Article, Skiing-Alpine,Nordic,BC Tags: leavenworth, backcountry skiing, ski touring, eightmile lake, eightmile mountain, peak 7828 Tom Janisch writes about an ascent of the peak southwest of Eightmile Mountain. On the topo map, the peak is identified solely by its elevation (7828'). But as Janisch and crew were about to find out, even no-name peaks have the ability to humble. read more
+14 14 votes Mom Madness by W.O. Staff on 01/06/2010 13:04 0 comments , 265 views Categories: Living Here, Skiing-Alpine,Nordic,BC, Family Fun, Hiking-Backpack, How-To, Features Tags: children, family outings, molly steere, hiking with kids Molly Steere describes her adventure in escaping the cabin fever and soft body that results from the parent trap of having a baby. She also shares lessons learned that other parents with young children might take to heart. read more
+10 10 votes Stemilt Basin - The New-Year Tour by Andy Dappen on 01/04/2010 14:23 0 comments , 369 views Categories: Snowshoeing, Skiing-Alpine,Nordic,BC Tags: wenatchee, mission ridge, central washington, backcountry skiing, snowshoeing, squilchuck basin A New Year's Day circuit through the Stemilt Basin, the place where Mission Ridge was almost built 42 years ago, offers the best backcountry skiing of the year. Are we saying the skiing was 'killer' or stating the obvious (on the first day of the year how could the skiing be anything but the year's best)? read more

0 2 votes

Wallowa Whumps

by W.O. Staff on 02/06/2010 08:00 0 comments , 73 views
Categories: Snowshoeing, Skiing-Alpine,Nordic,BC, Travel Stories
Tags: backcountry skiing, ski touring, wallowas, wallowa mountains, coron polley

Coron Polley writes, "I have skied the Wallowas for a few years in a row now and each trip has brought new experiences. This year the attention-grabbing parts of the experience were the decisions we made each day and how we would handle the avalanche hazard."

+2 2 votes

Backcountry Repair Kit

by Andy Dappen on 02/05/2010 10:22 2 comments , 81 views
Categories: Snowshoeing, Skiing-Alpine,Nordic,BC, Gear
Tags: backcountry skiing, andy dappen, ski repair kit, emergency repair items

We were sitting atop Diamond Head enjoying the long vistas out over Blewett Pass when I realized I could snuff the feel-good vibes with a teachable moment. "What's in my pack?" My daughter (an aspiring ski tourer) scored well but, like many, she forgot to think about equipment failures and field repairs.

+1 1 vote

Snowshoe Review: Atlas Mountain 11 and 12

by W.O. Staff on 02/03/2010 13:50 2 comments , 73 views
Categories: Snowshoeing, Climbing-Mtn,Ice,Rock, Gear
Tags: central washington, snowshoe review, andy dappen, atlas snowshoes, mountain 12

It was the most snow they’d seen in southeast Utah since 1967. In the Grand Gulch where two of us intended to hike, we were told to expect snow… lots of it. So we brought snowshoes to test. It was demanding ground and both the Atlas Mountain 11 and Mountain 12 proved to be impressive go-anywhere snowshoes.

+3 3 votes

Diamond Head and Diamond Turns

by W.O. Staff on 02/02/2010 09:06 0 comments , 164 views
Categories: Living Here, Skiing-Alpine,Nordic,BC
Tags: blewett pass, leavenworth, central washington, backcountry skiing, diamond head, ski touring

On January 31, Chester Marler organized a ski tour for a group that had attended our November / December backcountry skiing classroom sessions. Here's Chester's description of the trip and some pictures from Peter Bauer and Coron Polley.

+4 4 votes

Light and Wide -- New Touring Skis

by W.O. Staff on 01/31/2010 08:00 0 comments , 148 views
Categories: Skiing-Alpine,Nordic,BC, Gear
Tags: ski touring, backcountry skis, new skis for 2011, fat skis

We recently ran into Dave Waag, the editor of Off-Piste Magazine, at the Outdoor Retailer Demo Days at Snow Basin, Utah. Like Dave, we were on the scene to test new winter outdoor gear that will be in the outdoor stores during the winter of 2010/11). We liked Dave's assessment of some of the new skis.

+6 8 votes

Cashmere Mountain Tour

by W.O. Staff on 01/29/2010 14:29 0 comments , 201 views
Categories: Living Here, Skiing-Alpine,Nordic,BC
Tags: leavenworth, backcountry skiing, ski touring, cashmere mountain

The forecast called for mostly sunny skies on January 27, so Shane Wilder and friends toured Mt. Cashmere's northeast shoulder. Here's the story and images they brought back.

+12 12 votes

Humility on Peak 7828'

by W.O. Staff on 01/22/2010 19:26 3 comments , 197 views
Categories: Stupid Fun - Article, Skiing-Alpine,Nordic,BC
Tags: leavenworth, backcountry skiing, ski touring, eightmile lake, eightmile mountain, peak 7828

Tom Janisch writes about an ascent of the peak southwest of Eightmile Mountain. On the topo map, the peak is identified solely by its elevation (7828'). But as Janisch and crew were about to find out, even no-name peaks have the ability to humble.

+14 14 votes

Mom Madness

by W.O. Staff on 01/06/2010 13:04 0 comments , 265 views
Categories: Living Here, Skiing-Alpine,Nordic,BC, Family Fun, Hiking-Backpack, How-To, Features
Tags: children, family outings, molly steere, hiking with kids

Molly Steere describes her adventure in escaping the cabin fever and soft body that results from the parent trap of having a baby. She also shares lessons learned that other parents with young children might take to heart.

+10 10 votes

Stemilt Basin - The New-Year Tour

by Andy Dappen on 01/04/2010 14:23 0 comments , 369 views
Categories: Snowshoeing, Skiing-Alpine,Nordic,BC
Tags: wenatchee, mission ridge, central washington, backcountry skiing, snowshoeing, squilchuck basin

A New Year's Day circuit through the Stemilt Basin, the place where Mission Ridge was almost built 42 years ago, offers the best backcountry skiing of the year. Are we saying the skiing was 'killer' or stating the obvious (on the first day of the year how could the skiing be anything but the year's best)?

Recent Posts


+5 5 votes WTA Photo Contest Winners by Molly Steere on 01/15/2010 15:11 0 comments , 216 views Categories: Living Here, Photo Entries, Nature Stories Tags: photography, wta, northwest exposure photo contest Washington Trails Association has announced winners in its annual Northwest Exposure Photo Contest. The photos are stunning, although we think some of our regular photography contributors may have swept the podium had they entered (ahem). read more
+4 4 votes Ski Hill Citizens Race by W.O. Staff on 01/14/2010 12:30 0 comments , 106 views Categories: Living Here, Skiing-Alpine,Nordic,BC, Family Fun Tags: nordic skiing, shane wilder, cross-country, washington, leavenworth ski hill skirennen citizens race Shane Wilder photographed Leavenworth's Ski Hill Skirennen Citizens Rave, a Nordic event that took place this past Saturday (January 9) under cloudy skies and over perfectly groomed trails. Shane describes the race as powerful, explosive, grueling, and graceful. Read and see more. read more
+6 6 votes Exploring the Backcountry with El Sendero by Molly Steere on 01/13/2010 20:49 0 comments , 171 views Categories: Snowshoeing, Skiing-Alpine,Nordic,BC Tags: backcountry, gus bekker, el sendero, snowshoe Even with the strange weather patterns we’ve been experiencing in the valley recently, Gus Bekker assures us that the backcountry has surprisingly good conditions for snowshoeing and skiing. Read his trip synopses from outings with El Sendero. read more
+15 15 votes Improbable Turns - Skiing the Foothills by Andy Dappen on 01/08/2010 20:46 2 comments , 210 views Categories: Living Here, Snowshoeing, Stupid Fun - Article, Skiing-Alpine,Nordic,BC Tags: wenatchee foothills, snowshoeing, skiing A poorly thrown Frisbee onto the backyard was the giveaway. I could walk across the snow blanketing the lawn without busting through the crust. I came indoors excited -- it was time to ski the foothills. read more
0 2 votes Remembering NCW Winters by W.O. Staff on 01/07/2010 08:00 0 comments , 140 views Categories: Living Here, Nature Stories Tags: north central washington winters, ncw, nancy warner, connecting with nature This has been a roller-coaster winter with cold, dry Arctic weather systems followed by warm, wet Pinapple Expresses. It's been anything but normal -- but is weather ever normal? This article, written by Nancy Warner, shares stories about other unusual winters. read more
+7 7 votes The Cougars of Dry Gulch by W.O. Staff on 01/05/2010 19:19 3 comments , 280 views Categories: Living Here, Trail Running, Hiking-Backpack, Nature Stories Tags: wenatchee, dry gulch preserve, cougar sightings Chuck Largent sent an email with this comment: "... there have been 3 hikers who have seen cougar tracks on the Dry Gulch Preserve in the past few weeks... these animals are out there where folks are hiking. They follow the deer down and will be here thru the winter." read more
+7 7 votes Stevens Pass Nordic Area by Andy Dappen on 12/30/2009 17:43 2 comments , 249 views Tags: cross-country skiing, nordic skiing, snowshoeing, andy dappen, stevens pass nordic area Central Washington’s winter is shaping up to be high on ice and low on snow. That means skiers may need to drive farther than usual to places like Stevens Pass, which currently has the best Nordic skiing going. read more
+5 5 votes Backcountry Film Fest & Upcoming Outings by W.O. Staff on 12/28/2009 11:18 0 comments , 129 views Categories: Living Here, Snowshoeing, Skiing-Alpine,Nordic,BC Tags: central washington, el sendero ncw, gus bekker, backcountry film fest This year's Backcountry Film Fest held in Cashmere was a resounding success. El Sendero NCW, puts on that event. El Sendero also organizes local outings for snowshoers and backcountry skiers each winter. Two outing will be taking place in January. read more
+4 4 votes Blewett Pass - Skating Options by W.O. Staff on 12/27/2009 12:08 0 comments , 246 views Categories: Living Here, Snowshoeing, Skiing-Alpine,Nordic,BC, Family Fun Tags: blewett pass, nordic skiing, nordic trails, snowmobile trails, groomed trails Over this snowless Christmas vacation, many Nordic skiers living in the Wenatchee Valley are getting frustrated by the lack of nearby places to go Nordic skiing. But Mark Shipman says Blewett Pass has some good Nordic options to explore right now. read more
+2 2 votes Winter Travel - Navigation by W.O. Staff on 12/23/2009 08:00 0 comments , 141 views Categories: Snowshoeing, Skiing-Alpine,Nordic,BC, How-To Tags: backcountry skiing, map and compass, navigation, route finding skills Tools and techniques to help skiers and snowshoers navigate the winter landscape. This is the modified handout that WenatcheeOutdoors used for its Monday Night Backcountry Skiing Prep Session on navigation. These Prep Sessions help develop the skills that backcountry skiers and snowshoers need to start exploring the winter landscape safely. More navigation skills will be covered at the next session (January 4, 5:15 p. ... read more

+5 5 votes

WTA Photo Contest Winners

by Molly Steere on 01/15/2010 15:11 0 comments , 216 views
Categories: Living Here, Photo Entries, Nature Stories
Tags: photography, wta, northwest exposure photo contest

Washington Trails Association has announced winners in its annual Northwest Exposure Photo Contest. The photos are stunning, although we think some of our regular photography contributors may have swept the podium had they entered (ahem).

+4 4 votes

Ski Hill Citizens Race

by W.O. Staff on 01/14/2010 12:30 0 comments , 106 views
Categories: Living Here, Skiing-Alpine,Nordic,BC, Family Fun
Tags: nordic skiing, shane wilder, cross-country, washington, leavenworth ski hill skirennen citizens race

Shane Wilder photographed Leavenworth's Ski Hill Skirennen Citizens Rave, a Nordic event that took place this past Saturday (January 9) under cloudy skies and over perfectly groomed trails. Shane describes the race as powerful, explosive, grueling, and graceful. Read and see more.

+6 6 votes

Exploring the Backcountry with El Sendero

by Molly Steere on 01/13/2010 20:49 0 comments , 171 views
Categories: Snowshoeing, Skiing-Alpine,Nordic,BC
Tags: backcountry, gus bekker, el sendero, snowshoe

Even with the strange weather patterns we’ve been experiencing in the valley recently, Gus Bekker assures us that the backcountry has surprisingly good conditions for snowshoeing and skiing. Read his trip synopses from outings with El Sendero.

+15 15 votes

Improbable Turns - Skiing the Foothills

by Andy Dappen on 01/08/2010 20:46 2 comments , 210 views
Categories: Living Here, Snowshoeing, Stupid Fun - Article, Skiing-Alpine,Nordic,BC
Tags: wenatchee foothills, snowshoeing, skiing

A poorly thrown Frisbee onto the backyard was the giveaway. I could walk across the snow blanketing the lawn without busting through the crust. I came indoors excited -- it was time to ski the foothills.

0 2 votes

Remembering NCW Winters

by W.O. Staff on 01/07/2010 08:00 0 comments , 140 views
Categories: Living Here, Nature Stories
Tags: north central washington winters, ncw, nancy warner, connecting with nature

cabin photo This has been a roller-coaster winter with cold, dry Arctic weather systems followed by warm, wet Pinapple Expresses. It's been anything but normal -- but is weather ever normal? This article, written by Nancy Warner, shares stories about other unusual winters.

+7 7 votes

The Cougars of Dry Gulch

by W.O. Staff on 01/05/2010 19:19 3 comments , 280 views
Categories: Living Here, Trail Running, Hiking-Backpack, Nature Stories
Tags: wenatchee, dry gulch preserve, cougar sightings

Chuck Largent sent an email with this comment: "... there have been 3 hikers who have seen cougar tracks on the Dry Gulch Preserve in the past few weeks... these animals are out there where folks are hiking. They follow the deer down and will be here thru the winter."

+7 7 votes

Stevens Pass Nordic Area

by Andy Dappen on 12/30/2009 17:43 2 comments , 249 views
Tags: cross-country skiing, nordic skiing, snowshoeing, andy dappen, stevens pass nordic area

Central Washington’s winter is shaping up to be high on ice and low on snow. That means skiers may need to drive farther than usual to places like Stevens Pass, which currently has the best Nordic skiing going.

+5 5 votes

Backcountry Film Fest & Upcoming Outings

by W.O. Staff on 12/28/2009 11:18 0 comments , 129 views
Categories: Living Here, Snowshoeing, Skiing-Alpine,Nordic,BC
Tags: central washington, el sendero ncw, gus bekker, backcountry film fest

This year's Backcountry Film Fest held in Cashmere was a resounding success. El Sendero NCW, puts on that event. El Sendero also organizes local outings for snowshoers and backcountry skiers each winter. Two outing will be taking place in January.

+4 4 votes

Blewett Pass - Skating Options

by W.O. Staff on 12/27/2009 12:08 0 comments , 246 views
Categories: Living Here, Snowshoeing, Skiing-Alpine,Nordic,BC, Family Fun
Tags: blewett pass, nordic skiing, nordic trails, snowmobile trails, groomed trails

Over this snowless Christmas vacation, many Nordic skiers living in the Wenatchee Valley are getting frustrated by the lack of nearby places to go Nordic skiing. But Mark Shipman says Blewett Pass has some good Nordic options to explore right now.

+2 2 votes

Winter Travel - Navigation

by W.O. Staff on 12/23/2009 08:00 0 comments , 141 views
Categories: Snowshoeing, Skiing-Alpine,Nordic,BC, How-To
Tags: backcountry skiing, map and compass, navigation, route finding skills

Tools and techniques to help skiers and snowshoers navigate the winter landscape. This is the modified handout that WenatcheeOutdoors used for its Monday Night Backcountry Skiing Prep Session on navigation.

These Prep Sessions help develop the skills that backcountry skiers and snowshoers need to start exploring the winter landscape safely. More navigation skills will be covered at the next session (January 4, 5:15 p. ...

WenatcheeOutdoors Video

This video highlights the adventure-sport opportunities around Central Washington -- produced by Shane Wilder

Hikes - Regional Map

View Central Washington Hikes in a larger map. Note: We're about to build a regional map to Central Washington hiking so you can quickly scan hikes in the region and link to trip details and maps. This is a small sample of what's to come. Please test drive it and let us know what you think. Good? Terrible? What would make it better?

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