Out & about: Roskelley keynotes State Park Foundation meeting
OUTHEAR – John Roskelley, a Spokane mountaineer and former county commissioner, will be the keynote speaker at the first annual meeting of the Riverside State Park Foundation, riversidestatepark.org.
The public is invited to the meeting, which starts at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Mountain Gear, 2002 N. Division.
The nonprofit group that supports 14,000-acre Riverside State Park also will feature Chris Guidotti, park manager, and Lucinda Whaley, Washington State Parks and Recreation commissioner from Spokane, speaking about the status and future of Riverside and the state parks system.
Riverside, which borders Spokane, is Washington’s largest state park with two rivers, several campgrounds, an equestrian area, ORV area, cultural sites, boating and paddling access, miles and miles of mixed-use trails, plus wildlife and stunning scenery.
Riverside rangers also manage the Little Spokane River Natural Area, Columbia Plateau Trail and the Centennial Trail, among other duties.
Roskelley, who’s been ranked with the top climbers in the world, will be given the Golden Ice Ax lifetime climbing achievement award this spring in Chamonix, France.
Fat bikes celebrate Groundhog Day
OUTPEDAL – One of the region’s first bicycling events of the year invites snow bikers to celebrate Groundhog Day at St. Maries, Idaho.
The Groundhog Day Fat Bike Festival is technically called Murmelteirtagfettfahrradsfest. Organizers enjoy pointing out is a German-named ride on an American holiday at a Mexican restaurant.
The cross-country ride will start at noon next Sunday, at the Christmas Hills Recreation Area trail system.
The 15-mile route follows snow-groomed trails with optional technical adventures, says Tom Miller of The Bike Shop at Hughes Ace in St. Maries.
Start and finish is at St. Maries Golf Course-Casa de Oro parking lot, 900 Golf Course Road in St. Maries.
Cost: $5 donation requested for midride snacks and gas for the groomer. Sign up day of event.
Contact: (208) 245-6544, or email
Women adventurers detail outdoor trips
OUTFIELD – The wrong date was published in last Sunday’s Outdoors section for two programs about local women’s outdoor travel adventures. But both programs are ready and scheduled for Monday as follows:
• Green River close call, featuring sea kayakers in Canyonlands National Park, sponsored by Spokane Canoe & Kayak Club, 7 p.m., Mountain Gear corporate headquarters, 6021 E. Mansfield Ave. in Spokane Valley. (Go north on Fancher Road from Trent and turn right just before the tracks.)
• Outdoor travel in the Black Sea Region of Eastern Europe by Jane Schelly, 7 p.m., at the Spokane REI store, 1125 N. Monroe.