Winter 2007-08

Alpine Ice & Rock Guide by Ron Brunckhorst Once you’ve mastered the basics roadside and are ready to get after it alpine-style, an indispensable part of your equipment list should be the Alpine Ice & Rock Guide to…

It was Matt’s idea to build the cave. He considered it good practice and although we’d reserved a warm, dry Forest Service cabin for the night, it seemed like a sensible way to pass a gray afternoon in the snow.Despite the…

A beginner's guide.I became hooked on backcountry skiing as an intern with Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center back in 1995. Since then, I have only ridden the lifts a handful of times each season.While skiing in the…

Remember lunchtime in seventh grade when enjoying some scrumptious government rations involved more than just finding an empty seat? Time to pick your clique: The budding, pint-sized, testosterone jocks sat together, the “…

Interviewing biologist turned pro snowboarder turned filmmaker: Jennifer Grace. When Jennifer Grace gave up a lucrative career as a biologist to become a professional snowboarder, she defied all conventional wisdom. Not…

Winter fishing tips & tricks. As the days grow shorter and snow covers the valley floor, thoughts of fly fishing dwindle in almost every angler’s mind. However, rivers that see a plethora of fishermen throughout the…

When an unexpected dinner guest or a long day at the office makes dinner preparation seem impossible, turn to this shortcut curry and relax. If you have canned coconut milk, chicken in the freezer, and a little red curry…

I think it’s fair to say that we’re all sick and tired of hearing about MySpace.com already. So in hope that we can help everyone remember that the internet should help people enjoy their lives, not be their lives, here are…

January2-6 Half-priced ticket days, Big Sky Resort. 995-5000.5 Franklin's Fat Ass 50K. winddrinkers.org.5-6 Yellowstone Institute class, "Wilderness First Aid." (307) 344-2293.5-20 Community Race Series—Alpine and Telemark…

Fans of ice sports throughout southwest Montana were saddened when the Valley Ice Garden shut its doors to become a cold-storage warehouse. Thankfully, the Gallatin County Fairgrounds immediately provided partial remedy…

“The true force behind ice fishing is that it is better than no fishing at all,” states renowned American author Jim Harrison in his essay “Ice Fishing, the Moronic Sport.” And while many may agree with the sentiments of…

When the snowy season comes, most sporting folk clean and lock up the firearms and spend most of their winter recreation time waiting in lift lines and watching the sky for fresh powder. Although this is certainly a quality…

Intro to ice climbing.“You’ll be fine, just drop your heels, stay calm, and DON'T CUT THE ROPE.” My teacher may not have been a sage, but he certainly knew his Klemheist from a clove hitch. That first day, he taught me to…

37.1: Average number of people who die in U.S. skiing/snowboarding accidents (per year) 86.4: Percentage of 2006/2007 fatalities that were male 80: Percentage of women who will become widows at some point in life 10:…

I can’t think of a more productive winter fly than this version of the Disco Midge. A good friend of mine from Victor, Idaho turned me on to it years ago, and countless good fish have fallen victim to its small, innocuous…

LicensesBe sure to start the New Year off right for both pet and pocketbook—renew your pet license. The City of Bozeman requires a license for any dog or cat over six months old that lives within the city limits for more…

When we get to Canyon Ferry, the ice looks like it’s only an inch thick, so we drill a hole to check it and it’s four inches—maybe. There are already several groups sitting around out there, so we figure what the hell and…

The ins and outs of eco-friendly fuel. In the Spring 2006 issue of Outside Bozeman, we told you about Scott Brown. He's a local guy who runs Desert Rose Catering and started making biodiesel on the side.Scott's not the only…

Contending with unparalleled growth in the Gallatin Valley and Big Sky, the Skyline and Streamline bus systems have been instrumental in alleviating a significant amount of traffic. With only 16 months of service under its…

Just a Hop, Skip, and Jump from BozemanNot far from bustling Bozeman is a real blast from the past. A high limestone cliff situated at the edge of the Gallatin Valley marks the site of the Madison Buffalo Jump State Park, a…

During the spring of 2002, Jennifer Lowe Anker and her husband Conrad Anker were hiking to the Everest base camp. It was part honeymoon, part pilgrimage and just a few years after her late husband, Alex Lowe, had died on…

Try these tips to start making the home front more environmentally friendly. And because most of these are going to result in energy savings, they may even help keep a bit more green in your wallet. Get Better LightingIf…

Blight is like beauty: it lies in the eyes of the beholder.If you’re a developer, blight keeps you from selling your townhouses and condos for top dollar until someone puts in paved streets and curbs and streetlights.If you…

When you gear up for a winter photo expedition, the first thing to consider is you. If you’re cold, you won’t be able to focus on capturing a good photo. Dress so that you can put on or take off layers as needed. Focus on…

Skiing demands strong core muscles. Pilates can help you reduce core muscle imbalances, reduce your chances of injury, and maximize your performance. It also helps increase your body awareness, your accuracy, and your…

In the spring of 2007, the nonprofit Madison County Economic Development Council (MCEDC) developed a program to bring Montana beef back to Montana. The project, named Montana Black, provides financial incentives for local…

We all know that Bozeman is a really fun town. But when it comes to New Year’s Eve, ol’ Boz Angeles just doesn’t live up to the fame. But if you decide to stick around for New Year’s (presumably to ski every day), here are…

It's all fun and games until somebody loses one. Eyeballs have a lot to worry about in winter: skiers get faces full of snow or stare at the glare too long, icicles fall on people while they're shoveling their driveways,…

This is the year you're deciding to get healthier, but where do you start? Here are some ideas to get you going.1) Control Your Impulses. Incorporate more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains into your daily eating routine…

I can never quite get rid of the smell of sweaty polypropylene from my work cubicle. In spring, summer, and fall, my trail-running shoes and extra pair of running shorts have a place of honor stuffed in my backpack, neatly…

Men, this Christmas, give your sporty sweetie the gift that says, "I was thinking of you. Not me and how much I love climbing gear. You. And how much you now love thoughtful, romantic me because I got you: a. An…

Stretching for optimal ski fitness.What do yoga and skiing have in common? The need for balance, flexibility, and focus.Yoga helps cultivate these qualities, so it follows that practicing yoga can help improve ski technique…

Rustic bread pudding with vanilla bourbon sauce.After all your resolution-induced deprivations, here’s a justifiable indulgence to keep the chill away during our cold Montana winter. This recipe is an all-around crowd-…

Chuting their shot.  Hunter Green and David Schmidt’s first film, Lucky Number 13, which recently took third place at Bridger Bowl's Point and Chute film contest. Set to a fast-paced soundtrack and showcasing a myriad of…

When the toys are put away for the summer and the freezer is filled from a successful hunting season, what’s next? Skiing, snowboarding, and ice climbing are a few choices. To stay in svelte summer shape, though, requires…

With a hiss of sun-struck snow blasting my windshield, I crest the pass. Crunching, bottoming out, I miss the wide view of the Absaroka Mountains, fishtail through drifts lined like ribs, battering truck ruts too wide for…

I don't know why there are so many McMansions popping up in this town when many of us don't seem to have two damn cents to rub together. (Maybe it has something to do with the fact that we spend everything we make, I don't…

It is now hour five of camping with Winston, my golden retriever, and it has become obvious to me that he was not the dog the pet food industry had in mind when they found a need to create energy bars for dogs. Even though…

Nothing New  New snow piled on old snow turns to old snow under more new snow. Thus the winter goes. Leave the house and track some bold new tracks out into more of the same. Enter the commerce of the coffee shop, and mark…

Castigated by Coeur duh AleneI read the article comparing Bozeman to Coeur d'Alene [Summer 2007]. I felt it was 'slightly' slanted. I'm sure many who conduct comparisons between different cities would agree, since Coeur d'…

There were the Youngers. And the Doolins. And who could forget Frank and Jesse James? In the Wild West, brothers had a way of becoming notorious. It’s no different in the sky, where another set of brothers—the Gemini boys—…

Sometimes it's hard to know whether it's too cold for your pooch to be outdoors. Here are some tips.How cold is too cold? Depends on the dog. Shorthaired, miniature, very old, or very young dogs with chronic illness can…

First WinterFirst flakes fall, waltzing, halting, haunting,Soft smells of autumn swirl with the twirling sky cream,Until autumn falls completely to the ease of winter.Nature slows; lows a greeting in brisk wind strokes,…

My partner and I ski across a slope covered with avalanche debris. It looks to be a couple of days old, but the crownline at the top of the slope is obscured by storm clouds and I try to convince myself that it will not…

So many ways to wipe out. In a way, all skiers are simply falling down a mountain. But there are amateurs and artists when it comes to crashing. Indeed, crashing is an art. The slope is the canvas, flying bodies the brush…

"If pro is the opposite of con,” the comedian Gallagher once quipped, “is Congress the opposite of progress?"That question may soon be answered by the Associated Students of Montana State University (ASMSU) Senate, who, at…

Four down, one to go. It’s taken half a dozen laps of careful, precise driving—not to mention some incredibly good luck—but one by one I’ve managed to slip past Matt, John, Steve, and CJ. I’m alone now, with the rest of the…

One of the joys of independent publishing is that you can print whatever the hell you want. (Pseudo-cusswords, for example.) But as we all know, freedom comes with a price—and for us that price is controversy. Yes, Outside…

No guts, no glory! Nick Wakeman picks his way up the first free ascent of Pura Vida (WI6 5.11) on Hyalite’s Black Magic Wall, December 2006. Surrendering oneself to such a thin ribbon of ice takes huevos indeed, as Alex…

A reliable camp stove can make all the difference on a backcountry trip, and a cup of hot soup, tea, or coffee makes you feel warmer on those cold summit days. In winter, the stove is also essential for melting snow to keep…

No, you 60s hippie, we’re not talking about a free ounce of “grass”—a lid goes on your noggin, not in your skull bong. Here’s the deal: name the dude in the Hip Headz logo and win the helmet cover of your choice (worth…

Like many of us, Bozemanites Chris Axelson and Mandy Bowden had a dream. A dream to open a family-style, sustainable Nordic Center. But unlike many, Axelson and Bowden are actually making their dream come true.Atop…

The Clark Fork Coalition, a nonprofit based in Missoula, introduced Montana’s newest and coolest specialty plate, featuring artwork by Monte Dolack. Not only is the plate classy and fun (see if you spot the elusive River…

The war between the Gallatin County Commission and the U.S. Forest Service rages on. In September, the County Commission resolved to order the U.S. Forest Service to reopen Bear Canyon Road. If the Forest Service refuses,…

Invention of the Wheel and Other Blues.Dick Dorworth's newly released memoir Night Driving: Invention of the Wheel and Other Blues (First Ascent Press, $25) is a colorful chronicle of exploration and adventure during…

In the early 1920s, the West was still relatively wild—many territories had just gained statehood, mine-worker violence had recently erupted across the region, and train robberies were common. Yet in the summer of 1924,…

You can't call yourself a dedicated skier without having read John Fry's The Story of Modern Skiing (University Press of New England, $28). It's simply one of the most thorough and diligently written books on the heritage…

Joe Josephson’s most recent installment in the Big Sky Rock guidebook series proves to be as beta-rich and witty as the two previous works, Butte’s Climbing Guide and Central Montana Rock. Lost Horse Canyon (First Ascent…

Few things are as frustrating to a climber as a poorly done or outdated climbing guide (anybody remember the old Butte guide?). Southwest Montana climbers will be happy to know that local climbing pioneer Ron Brunkhorst has…