Eli Francovich

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Sports >  Outdoors

Spokane Mountaineers backpacking school aims to teach beginners the ropes of outdoor adventure

Sun., Jan. 15, 2023

The Spokane Mountaineers is hosting its annual backpacking school which offers the chance to learn the basics of outdoor living. 

News >  Idaho

Apple watches spur ‘dramatic’ increase in 911 calls at Schweitzer Mountain, according to sheriff’s office

UPDATED: Sat., Jan. 14, 2023

Skiers and snowboarders carrying Apple Smart watches have triggered a "dramatic increase in unintentional 911 calls" according to the Bonner County Sheriff's office. 

Sports >  Outdoors

After famed Yellowstone wolf biologist retires regional experts reflect on his impact

UPDATED: Thu., Jan. 12, 2023

Although Doug Smith, the recently retired wolf biologist for Yellowstone National Park, never worked in Washington State, his influence is felt here according to regional wolf experts.

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Sports >  Outdoors

Oroville ice fishing festival this Saturday

UPDATED: Thu., Jan. 12, 2023

The 19th annual Northwest Ice Fishing Festival is this Saturday in Oroville, Wash. 

Sports >  Outdoors

Domestic sheep and goats prohibited in select areas of WDFW-managed lands per new rule

Wed., Jan. 11, 2023

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife adopted a new rule last week intended to reduce the risk of Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae transmission from domestic sheep and goats to bighorn sheep.

Sports >  Outdoors

Winter ecology day outdoor education program planned Saturday

UPDATED: Wed., Jan. 11, 2023

Come share a winter day studying the interactions of area wildlife with their environment, in northwestern Montana. Participants will meet Saturday Jan. 14, at 9 a.m. PST, in the Viking Room of the Venture Inn at 1015 U.S. Highway 2 in Libby.

Sports >  Outdoors

Banff Film festival scheduled

UPDATED: Wed., Jan. 11, 2023

The Banff Film Festival will come back to Spokane on Jan. 20 and 21 at the Bing Crosby Theatre. This year’s festival includes a mix of award-winning adventure, mountain culture and travel films. 

Sports >  Outdoors

‘If you rest, you rust’: Retired Spokane doctor tackles 3,000 mile bike adventure in South America

UPDATED: Wed., Jan. 11, 2023

When Barbara Smit retired in 2015 she lost her equilibrium.

Sports >  Outdoors

After longtime shuttle service on Idaho’s Salmon River closes shop, outfitters left ‘scratching our heads’

Fri., Jan. 6, 2023

A mainstay of river trips on the Middle Fork and main stem of Idaho's Salmon River is closing up shop.

Sports >  Outdoors

Francovich: Putting the new year on ice

UPDATED: Thu., Jan. 5, 2023

There is some symmetry in ringing in a new year climbing ice, a fleeting substance, one that - like a year - disappears with regularity. As so I welcomed 2023 trudging through the snow in Montana's Hyalite Canyon in search of frozen water.

Sports >  Outdoors

2022: The year outdoors

Sun., Jan. 1, 2023

Good morning and welcome to a new year.

News >  Nation/World

One of many small groups helping Ukrainians, North Idaho nonprofit faces wartime ethical quandary over allegiance

Wed., Dec. 28, 2022

It’s a Tuesday in December, and Jared Malone is in Hawaii relaxing with his family prior to the Christmas holiday. Still, the North Idaho resident and Marine veteran wakes early and joins a Zoom call.

Sports >  Outdoors

Outdoor Writing Contest 2022 winners announced

UPDATED: Mon., Dec. 26, 2022

Outdoor Writing Contest 2021 winners announced

Sports >  Outdoors

Mt Spokane closes ski resort due to extreme cold, wind; other resorts limit operations

UPDATED: Thu., Dec. 22, 2022

Mt. Spokane Ski and Snowboard resort closed Thursday due to extreme cold and wind.

Sports >  Outdoors

Francovich: Lookout Ski Resort’s new terrain is fun. It’s also a herald of the region’s future.

Thu., Dec. 22, 2022

While some had waited in line for more than two hours for the new chairlift to open, no one was unhappy Saturday at Lookout Pass.

Sports >  Outdoors

Four years after Spokane doctor dies skiing in Argentina, his skiing partner continues the trip in his honor

Sun., Dec. 11, 2022

He wept on a sunny day at the end of a continent. He cried alone, perched on a rock at the top of a little known glacier. There was no wind. His tears slowed and then he sat in silence and looked down at the expanse of snow. Somewhere down there was a rock outcropping that four years ago killed his friend.

Sports >  Outdoors

Proceeds from upcoming ski film festival will go toward making backcountry recreation safer

Sun., Dec. 11, 2022

A dozen films celebrating human-powered winter recreation will play at the Garland Theater Thursday. And ticket proceeds will support ongoing efforts to make backcountry recreation safer in the Spokane region. 

Sports >  Outdoors

Idaho Trails Association seeks new members

Sat., Dec. 3, 2022

The nonprofit Idaho Trails Association is looking for new members to join in  its mission of keeping Idaho’s hiking trails open for all. ITA organizes volunteer trail maintenance projects across the state and completed over 66 projects this year.

Sports >  Outdoors

Washington seeks comments on recreation plan

Sat., Dec. 3, 2022

The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office is seeking public comments on a draft statewide recreation and conservation plan.

Sports >  Outdoors

Spokane Audubon meeting features Washington wolf management

UPDATED: Fri., Dec. 2, 2022

The Spokane Audubon Society’s Dec. 14 meeting, featuring wolf conservation and management in Washington state, will be in-person and available online via Zoom online.

Sports >  Outdoors

Francovich: With a winter storm ‘the invisible made visible’

Thu., Dec. 1, 2022

Snow.What a mystery, a substance with a thousand forms. An insubstantial thing. Light to the touch and quick to melt. Gone with an errant breath and yet capable of snarling the most robust infrastructures. Forcing schools to close. Fouling the wheels of bureaucracy. Stalling implacable armies or, when its kinetic energy releases, destroying buildings. Covering roads and ending lives. 

Sports >  Outdoors

Reader Photo: An eagles reunion tour

UPDATED: Wed., Nov. 30, 2022

Web extra: Submit your own outdoors-related photographs for a chance to be published in our weekly print edition and browse our archive of past reader submissions online at spokesman.com/outdoors.

Sports >  Outdoors

‘Use it or lose it’: Physical therapy helps Spokane man summit Mount Kilimanjaro after debilitating knee pain nearly derailed climbing career

Sun., Nov. 27, 2022

Pain. Searing in its intensity and relentless in its recurrence. Each step a terrible mantra. You're never going to climb again. 

Sports >  Outdoors

Upcoming vacancies on influential Washington fish and wildlife commission have opposing coalitions jockeying for influence

Sun., Nov. 27, 2022

Upcoming vacancies on an influential fish and wildlife commission have two opposing coalitions jockeying for influence over the appointments.

Sports >  Outdoors

Colville Tribe releases new lynx photos after successful relocation efforts

UPDATED: Wed., Nov. 23, 2022

The Colville Confederated Tribes have released 10 Canada lynx into the Kettle Range since October, a major success for ongoing recovery efforts of the elusive cats.