Spring 2023

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Visions of grandeur in Elephant Couloir. The north face of Elephant Mountain is visible from town near the crest of the Gallatin Range. The peak is broad and rounded, its outline resembling the profile of an elephant, and…

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The Blackmore’s western journey. There’s a lot of history here in Bozeman. The names of streets, wilderness areas, and mountain peaks become part of our daily vocabulary, often without second thought. But long before…

The sky is dark. It’s midnight, under a new moon; were it not for the shimmering stars overhead and a wan glow from town below, this grassy hilltop would be in utter blackness. There’s just enough light to make out shapes,…

Paddling small streams in spring. Every Bozeman paddler knows about the big three, but few of them venture outside the popular put-ins and take-outs. That’s not to say the Gallatin, Madison, and Yellowstone don’t provide…

An education in nature with Tom Elpel. Although you’re heading into the woods, you’re with Tom Elpel, so leave the camping gear at home. Your knife will suffice. Author, builder, educator, conservationist, and all-around…

A field guide to southwest Montana’s signature stones. Sitting at the confluence between the central and northern Rockies, Bozeman has a varied, complex geological history—which means you’ll find lots of different types of…

One man's quest for a trophy shed. I’ve been shed hunting a long time, and it takes a lot to get my blood pumping these days. The average rack just doesn’t do it for me anymore—I pick up four-pointers like matchsticks…

But oftentimes better than a master of one. I am a jack-of-all-trades and a master-of-none kind of outdoors woman. It doesn’t matter the activity, if it’s outside, count me in. I’ve snowboarded, climbed, hiked, backpacked…

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A water fight for the ages. Over the years, choices in watercraft have expanded tremendously. No longer are we limited to the hand-carved canoes of yore, however cool they may be. Design and material innovations have…

Warblers by H. G. Moser Visual silence, sitting on my back patio searching the willows along the creek, wondering when the warblers will return Yellow-rumped warblers (we used to call them Audubon’s) and the yellow…

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Big trout, new patterns, and a life on the water. Craig Mathews is no stranger to the fishing community. In 1980, he founded Blue Ribbon Flies in West Yellowstone, and went on to pen nine books, including The Yellowstone…

Foraging for Rocky Mountain treasure. “Shall I not have intelligence with the earth? Am I not partly leaves and vegetable mould myself?” —Henry David Thoreau Self-sufficiency, even in little ways, is satisfying. And when…

Outdoor sign language, part three. “Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s party!’” —Robin Williams Spring is a veritable cornucopia of sensory excellence. From beginning to end, nearly feverish change marks the…

Making the most of mud season. “But in the mud and scum of things, there alway, alway something sings.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson We all know the feeling: as the air warms and the snow melts, you get those springtime…

Forging new paths into old places. “Leave it as it is… keep it for your children, your children's children, and for all who come after you.” —Theodore Roosevelt The trail to Teapot Camp peters out after the second creek-…

Whitefish Ceviche with a Leche de Tigre marinade. Contrary to the popular beliefs of trophy-trout fisherman, Montana’s native whitefish are not “trash fish” at all—they’re tender and delicious. Whitefish delivers a mild,…

The celestial apparition shining in the west. Let’s face it: it’s never spring on Venus, where the surface temperature under those heat-trapping, sulfuric acid-laced clouds is a toasty, lead-melting 850 degrees Fahrenheit…

Rattling back at self-serving snakes-in-the-grass. If you’ve been following Wyoming’s corner-crossing debacle, you’re aware that the defendants are facing a $7.75-million civil lawsuit. If not, we’ll fill you in: that’s…

Taking it tandem for a better sleeping experience. Snuggling in together after a tasty meal by the fire, watching the stars, sharing pillow talk while slowly drifting off to sleep... as far as we’re concerned, that’s the…

A moment in evolutionary time. The Mother’s Day caddis hatch—you’ve heard about it, maybe you’ve seen it. It happens on or around Mother’s Day in western rivers. Certain things have to line up just right for it to go off.…

The IDD comes to Bozeman. Runners, mark your calendars and grab your latex gloves. The International Dog Dooathlon (IDD), a family-friendly multisport race, makes its debut in Bozeman this spring. In this annual event,…

We’ve seen it time and again in Montana: legislators who feign support for the public’s interests, but once in office crawl right back to their private lairs. They’re the ones who parade into Washington on horses and shout…

Taking care of our outdoor spaces. Every spring, the melting snow reveals budding wildflowers and green grass, but also something less appealing. Litter and waste that’s been buried for months appears on the surface, where…

An arachnid assault. After a never-ending April drizzle, lingering snowstorms, and persistent cold, I welcomed an invitation from a friend in early May. “I know the perfect spot for a spring hike,” he told me. And so we…

Escaping Boz-Angeles. After three beautiful spring days in a row, you’re itching to get out. The weather looks great for the weekend, so you’ve made plans with a friend to explore a new drainage in the Spanish Peaks. It’s…

Understanding some very strange jargon. Learning how to talk with a climber can be as hard as ascending the route itself. Seriously, how can an activity that demands clear and concise communication be filled with so many…

Exploring Montana’s Indian Country. Come April, even a diehard wintersports enthusiast is ready to exchange clunky ski boots for feather-weight trail runners, and ski poles for hiking sticks. After all, it’s spring! More…

Conservation easements in the Gallatin Valley. Once upon a time in the Gallatin Valley, wildlife outnumbered humans, and now-ephemeral creeks flowed year-round. Agriculture was the way of the land. But, not too long ago,…

When dogs and rattlesnakes mix. As the weather warms up, snakes emerge from their winter lairs. Fortunately, there’s only one venomous snake in Montana: the prairie rattlesnake. This serpent can grow up to four feet in…

Tying a classic caddis dry fly. In spring, when trout are primarily feeding on caddis, dry-fly fishing becomes one of the most exciting ways to hook a trout. Once the water reaches 50 degrees in mid-March, you’ll see adult…

How fish respond to high water. If you’re a trout living in the Northern Rockies, you probably love mountains loaded with snow. Bottomless snowpack and wet spring weather typically result in raging rivers come June, and…

How to keep your leathers in good shape. “These boots are made for walkin’, and that’s just what they’ll do.” —Nancy Sinatra A solid pair of leather boots is arguably the most important piece of gear for the serious…

Slogging toward the Ridge Run. “One of the great things about turning 60 is that no one asks you to run again… ever.” I don’t remember which comic first said this, but there’s a certain logic in the joke that lots of…

A new climbing route with an old friend. Years ago, I heard rumors of giants lurking over the horizon in the forest south of Butte, and that none were more grand or prominent than the Cyclops. He ruled supreme, lord of the…

The health world, as of late, has felt like one big marketing pitch. Supplements, powders, fancy drinks... the list goes on. I've always believed I could get my necessary vitamins and minerals from nothing more than…

I love having a faithful companion, but I also have enough of my own crap to deal with. Designed to ease the load once my dog unloads, Poopster’s Classic Scooper has a timeless chalk-bag look, with the compaction and odor-…

Great for hiking, climbing, photography, or any other daytrip excursion you might find yourself on, the Triple Aught Design Fast Pack Litespeed is all about toughness and modularity. It's a bit heavier than most packs its…

Now that the leaves are falling and winter is on the way, it’s time to break out the Pearl Izumi Prospect Tech Sweatshirt. Constructed from a sweat-wicking fabric that is made from 97% recycled material, the Prospect Tech…

Simple, classic cowhide gloves... they're everywhere, right? Sure 'nuff, but like cowboys and mountain men, all cowhide ain't created equal. Which, I reckon, is why the Give'r Classic Glove was born, a feral love-child of…

When heading into the field, having a good duffle is important. You want to store your gear where it is easily accessible, protected from the elements, and tucked away. The Drifter Duffle from Sitka meets all these…

In light of some jokes being waxed about my tendency to unironically wear speed-shades around town, I decided it's time to pick up some casual specs for a classier look. The Costa Irie frames fit nicely on my average-sized…

When I first started ski-touring, my pack was a mess. Putting skins away or pulling out an extra layer entailed re-organizing the entire pack to keep my avalanche equipment on top. Mystery Ranch’s Saddle Peak has saved the…

Despite their popularity, slip-on rubber boots never appealed to me, mainly due to the poor fit: they're generally bulky and loose-fitting, precluding any sort of dexterity while afield. Not so with the LaCrosse Alpha…

The Bilstein B-6 suspension package delivers a predictable and communicative ride. The shock absorbers instantly react to changing surface conditions, resulting in less body-roll and more precise steering for better…

When I was a boy visiting Yellowstone Park, I saw a knife in a gift shop in that I just had to have. Like the vast wilderness all around, it called to me. I begged my parents; they relented and for the next several years,…

In the words of Benjamin Franklin, "By failing to prepare, you're preparing to fail." Most recreationists can attest that poor preparation in the backcountry can be a real day-buster. Be it equipment malfunction, blisters…

Nice and tight—that's what the Micro-Elite Chamois from Hot Chillys is all about. Its comfortable and snug fit makes it easy to layer up and brace the cold. The polyester and spandex fabric feels smooth on the skin, and the…

The Routeburn Pro Insulated jacket is made for the outdoors. This stylish coat is extremely adaptable to all types of conditions. It can be worn alone or as a midlayer on those extra frigid days. This everyday garment is…

I’m a lifelong skier who often struggles with cold feet. But that's a problem of the past, now that I got the Elite Heat socks from Hot Chillys. Designed with fibers embedded with minerals, air channels to move moisture and…

Playing outside during winter often incorporates a layering act. Each layer of clothing has an important role. And Ibex’s Woolies Tech Long-Sleeve Crew performs well as a base layer. The material is mostly merino wool,…

I recall wearing fleece all the time when I was a kid. But as I got older, it faded from both my day-to-day wardrobe and my outdoor apparel. With the Ranger Jacket LT from Triple Aught Design, I’ve rediscovered the wonders…

Between skiing all winter, hunting during the cooler fall months, and the year-round unpredictable conditions that Montana offers up, I can never have enough base layers. However, I may have stumbled across my favorite pair…

Lightweight, quick-drying, with a Durable Water Repellent finish... what more do you need in a good hiking pant? Nothing, really, but the Aspect XC from Triple Aught Design gives you much, much more. To wit: a cotton/nylon/…

A family friend once told me that the weather is never too cold, but rather you're not dressed properly for it. It's tough to believe that premise during those negative-degree days, but since getting my hands on the proper…

It sounds like a rapper's name, and maybe it's no coincidence: the Garmont T4 Groove G-Dry is a born performer. The fit is music to your feet: light and nimble yet supportive, this boot'll make you dance, whether you want…

If you've got a Yakima OverHaul HD or OutPost HD bed rack (and if you don't, consider getting one), the best accessory for it, hands down, is the Yakima SideBar. I went months with my OverHaul and had no idea what I was…

Camp cooking, Dakota style. For a long while, I’ve been on the lookout for a light camp stove that could pack down small but still fit a wide range of needs. I could be out backpacking, car camping at a primitive site, or…

The very first time I used the Hangtight 6 bike rack by Yakima, I had it fully loaded with six beefy mountain bikes. Maybe I was showing off a bit, but it seemed like everyone I drove past in town gave me a thumbs up or…

If you've spent a lot of time traveling and camping, you probably have some specific equipment that you depend on. Over the years, I've used a variety of camp stoves—an old dented, green Coleman from high school; a hand-…

Ever have the desire to paddle big water—I’m talkin’ really freakin’ big water, like Yellowstone Falls kinda big—but just don’t have the time to learn? Well, I did too, and thankfully there’s a way to have our cake and eat…

In Montana, the water’s cold and the summer’s short. Which means there ain’t a whole lot of outdoor swimming going on, all things considered. Outside of the dog days in July and August, does the thought even cross one’s…

I’ve read a lot of mediocre hunting stories, and written a few myself. An engaging story is a fine balance between action and reflection, and often the meat of it isn’t in pursuing the animal. E. Donnall Thomas Jr.’s…

I’ve recently discovered the freedom in setting off for the mountains with only a pair of sneakers and a small vest. Running is simple, but there’s an art to doing it right. Christopher McDougall’s Born to Run 2 (Knopf, $30…