A campfire is one of the most beloved of outdoor traditions; there is nothing quite like watching flames flicker over dry logs at night or carefully browning a marshmallow over the white heat of cot coals. But fire can also be a necessity of survival. Find yourself in the wilderness and wet, cold, and lost, and you’ll want to know [...]
Alcohol stoves are wonderfully simple, and because the materials needed to build one and the fuel needed to burn in one are incredibly cheap and easily acceptable (denatured alcohol can be found in almost any home store) then most anyone, with a little spare time can easily make one. Here’s how… Two Cans You will need two cans, preferably two [...]
Oftentimes, we don’t often consider the danger of avalanche when we’re out in the mountains in wintertime. And, in many cases, people trigger an avalanche themselves, without knowing it; they don’t understand the potential hazards or environmental conditions that most often cause the avalanche. And there’s no running away from an avalanche; an avalanche can travel down a mountainside at [...]
Blisters are extremely common, especially for those who spend time recreating in the outdoors. A blister develops for a number of reasons, but the primary causes are pressure, heat, and moisture—or any combination of the three. Friction is the catalyst, usually, for a common hiking blister injury. Improperly fitting shoes or boots can cause friction, because the foot slides around [...]
There are few outdoor places more scenic and wild to camp in than the Bitterroot Valley. It’s amazing when you think of all the Bitterroot Valley’s available country through which a person can hike and stay a few quiet, peaceful nights out in a tent. And if you plan to soon visit the scenic landscape of the Bitterroot Valley, and [...]
If you have never tried the sport of fly fishing then the Bitterroot Valley is a great place to get started—to get your feet wet (pun intended). And while the Bitterroot Valley does have several fly shops, and these places are all ready to outfit you with recommended fly patterns and other tackle needs, it will still be important for [...]
The Bitterroot Valley is home to some of the most awe-inspiring mountainous landscapes in the West. And when you are out on the trails, in the forests, and at the top of mountains in the Bitterroot Valley you may feel inclined to capture the scene with a camera; most everyone these days has a phone in their pocket with a [...]
After we learn to tie our shoes many of us don’t put any more thought into the technique. But did you know that simple but irritating foot problems, such as blisters, are prevented with a little know-how. Here’s a few lacing tips and tricks, and the process of tying several different knots, that will keep you out on the trail [...]
Mountain Biking adventures are prevalent in the Bitterroot Valley; anyone, from the most advanced to the very novice can find both rugged and single-track-type trails to ride. Remember there are risks involved in mountain bike riding. It’s important to know the area in which you plan to ride—know the distances and the general routes the trails take (an unexpected fork [...]
Bird watching is a terrific hobby. It’s a hobby that gives us another reason to spend time outdoors, enjoying the wilderness throughout the Bitterroot Valley. Now you don’t need any special equipment to begin bird watching; you can simply go out into the outdoors and commune with nature. But the hobby of bird watching, which is also often referred to [...]