Fall 2011

With its blocky shape, truncated summit, and unique color, Sphinx Mountain has drawn more climbers to its summit than any other major peak in the Madison Range. This fortress of reddish-brown conglomerate is one of the most…

I knew something wasn’t working, but I just couldn’t put my finger on it. The presentation came from two traps hidden in the trees to my right. The first clay pigeon—a hard, right/left crosser—passed in front of me in a…

Even though nearly four million people swarm Yellowstone each year seeking to experience its magic and majesty, a relatively small number leave the roads or boardwalks. Even fewer make it to the remote and fabled Cascade…

The best-tasting, least hunted gamebird in Montana. The dog, Powder, found the brood in an open meadow at 6,500 feet in elevation—1,500 painful feet higher than where we’d left my truck. They had scattered out below a…

Spend enough time on the water and you will meet all kinds of fishermen who are dropouts and ne’er-do-wells, men bent on cheating time and ducking out of the world. But you will meet very few hopeless fishermen. For fishing…

In the second century BC, Roman invaders of present-day France made great fun of their enemy’s attire—they considered the Gauls’ long trousers intolerably effeminate, compared to their cool and manly tunics. Nowadays, of…

Although any season is a good season for a local brew, fall is perhaps the best. Oktoberfest-style beers typically have higher alcohol content, but these days the name refers to almost any beer of the fall season. There are…

"Jack of all trades, master of none,Though oftentimes better than master of one." Chasing wide swaths of sunlight through the pines, I came to stop on a ridge high above Leverich Canyon, captivated by the view. Menacing…

Taking your gun for a hike, as many experienced grouse hunters call it, is one of the great pleasures of a Montana fall—whether you see a bird or not, you still had a great hike through the autumn woods. Mountain grouse…

Wounded veterans looking for a little more excitement need look no further than Operation SAS, which stands for Sports Afield and Stream. This annual production—hosted by Operation Never Forgotten (ONF), a nonprofit…

If Yellowstone Park is America’s Serengeti, as it is often called, then the Absaroka Mountains are Montana’s Alps. Piercing the sky a mile above the Yellowstone River, these dramatic peaks form a massive wall of earth, with…

How the Huffing for Stuffing turkey came to be. Every Thanksgiving morning, I stand at the starting line of the Huffing for Stuffing race and wonder if my beak is straight, if my feathers are falling off, and if I’ll stay…

The best time to get your ski legs ready is right now—so get strong and fast before the snow starts falling. Here’s a broad overview of the types of exercises that you will want to incorporate into your ski-conditioning…

There’s a lot of lingo in ice climbing: V-thread, spectres, frontpoint, flute, serac, and WI4, to name a few. Fresh off my first hard ice climb, the pain in my hands taught me another interesting phrase: screaming barfies.…

Last fall, friends of mine talked me into a three-day, pre-season cross-country ski lesson. Initially, I resisted the idea of trading a lazy Thanksgiving in front of the TV with a giant bird browning in the oven for skinny…

Cooler temperatures, waning light, and snow mean an increased risk of getting sick. Use these simple techniques to help stave off common illnesses during the coming chilly months.Reduce your sugar intake. Many people wonder…

If you believe in karma, chalk one up for the huge, retaliatory slap in the face that life delivered Wade Dokken, the wealthy developer whose failed Ameya Preserve recently went on the auction block. Reverting to its…

“Where ya headed?” I asked. He turned, occupied with the task of saddling his horse, and said simply, “up-valley.” “Well,” I said, “have a good ride.” Of course, I couldn’t let it go at that. There we were, at the Bear…

In today’s climate of divisive discourse, it can be extremely difficult to have a meaningful discussion of “living green” without it deteriorating into finger-pointing and name-calling. Unless you surround yourself with…

I’m a hunter and a chef, and I like to eat wild game. My preferences—in order—are antelope, deer, and then elk. The backstrap is the king’s meat. Incredibly tender, juicy, and flavorful, with no gaminess—when butchered,…

Last fall, I came home from work and was greeted by a couple of bloody guys wielding knives. Our small kitchen was barely big enough for a live elk to stand, but by the time I walked in the door, every surface was covered…

Montana’s wildlife regulations have been piling up since the territorial legislature first convened in Bannack in December 1864. At that session, the legislature prohibited fishing for trout with anything but “fishing…

All about nature's dirty business. One thing I have learned from 20-odd years of pursuing big game in Big Sky country is that it pays to know your shit. I don’t mean gear, backcountry horse skills, field-dressing…

A pleasant self-shuttle. Paddling and peddling are a great combination—not only can you and your friends drive to and from the river in a single vehicle, but you’ll get some exercise to counterbalance all that beer-…

First it was coyote fur on everything. Then it was camouflage couture. Then we found out about the cashmere Carhartt line and that New York restaurants were actually using hay in cuisine. Now, thanks to Aerosmith front man…

Last year saw an uproar among hunters, sportsmen, and NRA members when Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) proposed a ban on lead-shot ammunition for hunting upland game birds and migratory birds on all of the state’s…

It’s easy to rebuff Old Man Winter by ducking inside, stoking up the woodstove, and thumbing your nose at the howling winds beating vainly on the windows. But what about your botanical buddies outside? Think they’re having…

Photo ContestThe 4th annual Outside Bozeman Photo Contest was our best yet, bringing in thousands of amazing outdoor images taken from southwest Montana. Professionals, amateurs, and juniors all sent in shots across four…

I have never figured out why once these good short months of harvest and hunt come, my thoughts never drift to fish. It’s as if, come the end of summer, all thought shifts, because even if I were to concentrate heavily—…

A southwest Montana mosey.Looking for a quiet fall float and some great scenery? Try the Jefferson River, starting from the Cardwell Fishing Access Site (FAS), 60 miles west of Bozeman just off of I-90 at exit 256. The…

I’m currently suffering from option paralysis. It’s a term penned by author Douglas Coupland meaning “the tendency, when given unlimited choices, to make none.” I’m also suffering from water bottle stupefaction. It’s a term…

PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 2011 - CHECK OUR EVENTS CALENDAR FOR UPDATED DATES Cooler weather, dry conditions, and a svelte summer bod make a great combo for fall races. There are a few key running events every Bozemanite should…

I had a cow and a calf in my crosshairs. The calf looked back at me with a sad look, as if to say, “Please don’t shoot my mom.” I lowered my rifle. Then the alarm clock woke me. It was closing day of my first hunting season…

A Montana summer seems to last all of about two months, and with such a short period of optimal trail conditions, most of us tend to overexert—and that can lead to injuries. One of the most common injuries from overtraining…

What your beard says about you. In most parts of the country, the beard is relegated to farcical status, worn only for Halloween or in support of Canadian sporting events. In Montana, however, follicles still range free,…

When I think of fishing in the fall, I think of one thing: streamers. There’s something almost romantic to a streamer addict about fall, with the leaves turning colors and fish getting aggressive as the brown trout begin…

After 17 long years of serving as a gear store, art gallery, and local climbing-beta HQ, Barrel Mountaineering closed its downtown Bozeman doors this summer. Barrel was named after the founder’s father, Barry “Barrel”…

There are some dangers lurking in the woods and fields for our hunting companions, and some basic precautions can go a long way to ease the symptoms from any problems your pet experiences. Prior to heading out, have your…

The Yellowstone Ski Festival.Last fall, friends of mine talked me into a three-day, pre-season cross-country ski lesson. Initially, I resisted the idea of trading a lazy Thanksgiving in front of the TV with a giant bird…

The Osprey Exos 48 is built to impress. At 2lbs 5oz, it’s a wonder how a pack with so many dialed-in features and pockets is so light. One of the advantages of this weightlessness is comfort. And after hiking on a 95-degree…

As if sheer comfort wasn’t enough, Arborwear’s 1/4 Zip Tech Pullover is among the most versatile garments on the market. For starters, there’s never been a more wearable product since the Fantastic Four suits. The unique 15…

The Copper Spur UL3 tent has a trail weight of a little over four pounds and its floor space (44 square feet) is big enough to fit a queen-size air mattress. The tent has two large doors, handy vents (lifesavers on summer…

When fall rolls around, there are a few things every Montanan needs. One of those is a good pair of boots, and that’s where the Blaze II comes in. These waterproof, breathable boots are comfort-rated down to 40-below, so no…

These boots look way too pretty to get muddy, but mud, snow, slush, and nasty conditions are exactly what the Classic Mid Boots are made for. Tough, durable, and completely waterproof, they’re also insulated to 40-below and…

There’s nothing better than crackin’ a cold one and sipping that sweet succulent nectar we all enjoy. But sippin’ is for wusses, and who wants to do things half-assed? Enter the Chuggler: every beer enthusiast’s dream.…

My motivation was starting to drain after pedaling away in the hot sun on one of those never-ending uphill slogs. I stopped to take a break in the shade and remembered that I had thrown some Honey Stinger Organic Energy…

Books and music to add to your queue. It may be hard for homegrown Montanans to imagine an urbane French nobleman in the field chasing game, but author Guy de la Valdène makes it clear, in his memoir The Fragrance of Grass…

Day Hikes with Dogs (Pruett Publishing, $19), by Wendy Pierce and regular O/B contributor Becky Warren, features over 50 rated hikes for furry friends who like to run in the mountains. Going beyond simple distance and…

Local Bozeman resident and author/illustrator Ted Rechlin gives Montana’s children of all ages a chance to find out what a year in the life of a Yellowstone grizzly is like in his new book Silvertip (Riverbend Publishing, $…

Until the legendary legwork of Paul Rubinstein, Lee Whittlesey, and Mike Stevens, it was thought there were only about 50 waterfalls in Yellowstone. Seven years and 5,000 miles of backcountry exploration later, their…