Imagine this—you’re hanging out with your friends on the beach on a hot summer day. Maybe you are grilling, fishing, or lying out and reading a book. Sounds pretty relaxing and pretty typical, right? Or maybe you’re in Pullman for the summer and go to “the Cliffs” (Granite Point) to do some cliff jumping. In both of these situations, and others like them, we often get carried away in having a good time and forget about water safety. Here are some tips to help keep you safe this summer. [More]

Winter weather is slowly but surely making its way to the Palouse and since we have already had our first snow, more is likely on the way soon. While the snow and cold conditions make it difficult to do some of the outdoor activities we have all been accustomed to over the past half a year, it’s time to transition into winter activities. Being centrally located here in Pullman, we have a lot of opportunities to get outside and enjoy the winter while it’s here. [More]

I had the opportunity to go to Leavenworth this past weekend with some of my more experienced climbing friends for a personal climbing trip. Although it felt a little intimidating to go with people who are way better than I am, I had been asking for months to go on a climbing trip with them, and was not going to pass up the opportunity. [More]

The third Leave No Trace (LNT) principle is Dispose of Waste Properly. Disposing of waste properly is all about a simple idea, pack it in - pack it out. If you carry something in with you, it should come back out with you as well. Usually when people do not follow this principle the most obvious signs are trash and debris. However, many people do not consider the effects human waste, food debris, or water contamination can have for years to come. [More]

The second Leave No Trace (LNT) principle is Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces. This principle is vital to the preservation of the environment you are planning to travel through during your next adventure. When roaming outdoors, damage occurs when vegetation or other communities of organisms are trampled. [More]

Starting out on this trip I was feeling a little nervous and excited. I think what I felt is normal for most people when they are about to try something new. I didn’t know how my body would handle kayaking everyday but was looking forward to a challenge, I had never been camping in the backcountry, but was ready to step out of my comfort zone, and I was worried about how the dynamics of the group would work. [More]

After returning from 11 days of climbing, backpacking and kayaking, I needed a couple of down days to recharge the batteries.  Now that I am fully recharged, and have a little down time, I can tell you all about this amazing Outdoor Recreation Center led adventure.  The first few days of the trip we did some water preparation and climbing.  Since we were all starting from ground zero and building skills within a curriculum, the ORC staff had us learn some basic safety procedures and water rescue scenarios in the Gibb Pool on campus.  Conducting this training in a pool setting allowed for us students to get comfortable with the skills in a safe environment.  After we completed a number of ways to right and enter a kayak or canoe in open water, we made our way to the climbing wall to learn some basic climbing skills and how to set-up a climbing area properly when leading a trip.  The instructors were great at explaining not only how to get an area ready for climbing and the proper way to wear equipment, but they gave us reasons why this way is important for safety and uniformity within ORC trips.  Each of our trainers taught these tasks a little differently and in their own unique way, while maintaining the basic principles.  This type of continuity and cohesion from the staff gave us students a vision of how we should be working in the future.  The following morning we gathered at the ORC, packed our gear and headed out to Granite Point for some outdoor rock climbing.  While on the way, roughly a 40-min drive, the instructors didn’t waste time, they gave us information regarding what to do during emergencies at Granite Point and showed us a couple of different launch points for kayaking trips the ORC leads throughout the year.  Once we arrived at Granite Point, we gathered the gear and made our way up to the climbing location.  A helmet area was designated first to ensure safety while the top ropes wer... [More]

After reading Heather’s blog on her Pullman Bucket List I was inspired to make a list of a similar sort. I made a short list of items that I will do this summer (old favorites or new activities) and then update you on how they went! -The first thing that I would like to do is take advantage of the Chipman Trail. I love using this feature of the Palouse throughout the summer months. I like to run and rollerblade along the path. -Secondly, I would like to explore more of the trails on Moscow Mountain. I know there are miles of trails just a short drive away and yet I have never gone. -Third, this summer I will make it a point to go to the top of Steptoe Butte. I have heard that the view is great on a clear day. -Lastly I would like to grow a few of my own plants and herbs. I will need to be planting those seeds now if I want to see a successful harvest. I will most likely pick low-maintenance plants to start with. Thank you Heather for the inspiration and motivating me to make the most of my summer here in the Palouse!

I’m a senior and I plan to graduate in a short week and a half. I’ve heard some of my peers talk about their Pullman bucket list and I want to get in on the action; UREC style.  I enjoy running and I’ve ran a couple miles into the Bill Chipman Palouse Trail, or as I usually refer to it as the Moscow/Pullman trail, but I’ve always wanted to ride a bike all the way to Moscow, Idaho.  So my first entry to the bucket list is: Ÿ       Ride bike all the way to Moscow, Idaho, on the Moscow/Pullman Trail. Next on the list is more relaxed.  My friend and co-worker, Kerri, told me about this wonderful place where you can pick your own bouquet of wildflowers for $7!  There was even an article about Jane Stratton, the woman who started this business, http://bit.ly/K5wuhu, in MaryJanesFarm magazine.  The second entry of my bucket list includes: Ÿ       Pick a bouquet of wildflowers at Stratton Farms. The bucket list activities listed above include accomplishing things I have yet to do.  I’ve already done a considerable amount of unforgettable adventures during my time as a student at WSU.  I hiked Kamiak Butte last summer with a group of close girlfriends, the hike was easy and my friends kept me laughing all the way to the top.  I went miniature golfing with my Dad and little sister, Meagan, during Dad’s Weekend in far-to-cold weather (I recommend enjoying golf in the warmer months).  I’ve attended a variety of WSU athletic events in Beasley Performing Arts Coliseum to Martin Stadium.  I was a tag along for a white water rafting trip.  And I cannot forget green bikes have been a close companion on my quick trips across campus. I’ve done so much but I do want to accomplish a few more things in the Palouse before I have to leave.

What is a portable stove? – Portable stoves are small, compact, burner assemblies used during hiking or backpacking trips when normal cooking utilities are not available.  While many different variations of portable stoves are available, this article will focus on non-self-pressurizing tanks and free-standing burners.  This type of step-up allows for a minimal amount of items to carry in your pack and eliminates the need for pressurized bottles.   How do they work? – Typical portable stoves consist of a few different parts that, when combined, provide a powerful and easy to use stove in just about any environmental conditions.  The main parts of the portable stove are the fuel bottle, pressurization pump, connection tube and burner.  The fuel bottle contains a liquid fuel source in accordance with the burner, typically kerosene, gasoline, diesel or alcohol.  Pressurization pumps allows for the user to pressurize the bottle for stove use.  The connection tube provides a sealed connection between the pressurized fuel source and the burner assembly.  Once these four parts are connected and properly primed, the stove is ready for use.  Pressurized fuel is fed to the burner via the connection tube.   Upon ignition, the assembly will burn the fuel, thus providing a gas stove for cooking.  Many companies have unique fittings for the bottle, pump, tube and stove, so ensure you get matching equipment and test the equipment before taking it on a trip.  Also, follow the instructions for the particular burner as steps may vary depending on individual burners. When should you use them? – These portable units are great for camping, hiking and mountaineering.  The set-up and tear-down for portable stoves is relatively quick and effortless.  When hiking and mountaineering, size and weight are vital.  These stoves allow for hours of use while minimizing the space used and weight added t... [More]