Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

2015 Outdoors: Out & About

Long-distance trails feel pressure of growing popularity spiked by Hollywood. Pacific Crest Trail Association enacts new permit system allowing no more than 50 hikers to started the Mexico-to-Canada trek each day from San Diego County after interest soars from Cheryl Strayed’s novel “Wild” becomes best-seller and the movie “Wild,” is released starring Reese Witherspoon.

Similarly, Appalachian Trail officials add restrictions after “A Walk in the Woods” – a movie based on 1998 Bill Bryson book – hits theaters starring Robert Redford. A record 1,580 people completed the Georgia-to-Maine hike this year, up from 830 last year and up from just 182 in 1990, according to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

John Wayne Trail advocates, aroused by a legislative attempt to close the rail-trail across Eastern Washington, prompt public meetings and a pledge by Washington State Parks to organized an advisory committee and give more attention to developing the route and addressing concerns of adjacent property owners.

Earthquakes in Nepal snuff out Mount Everest climbing season after avalanche on the world’s highest peak kills 18 and injures dozens. The magnitude 7.8 earthquake on April 25 killed more than 8,800 people around the country.

Cormorants targeted in Columbia River estuary by federal agencies to curb booming predation on endangered salmon and steelhead smolts. More than 5,000 eggs addled, up to 11,000 approved to be shot.

Rock climbing looses two popular local enthusiasts in separate fatal accidents: Anna Dvorak, 28, killed in Idaho Sawtooths; Andrew Bower, 26, died in apparent slip off a cliff before getting roped up to do volunteer route cleaning in Dishman Hills.

African lion known as Cecil, 13, a tourist attraction in Zimbabwe wildlife park, lured out with bait and shot by guided archer Walter Palmer, a Minnesota dentist, setting off an international fury of sentiment against trophy hunting.

Wolf billboards, pro and con, posted in Spokane by anti-wolf and pro-wolf groups.

Windstorm on Nov. 17 raised havoc with power grids in the region as well as with trails. Volunteers helped Mount Spokane State Park staff clear more than 600 trees off the cross-country trails system alone.

Cuba’s thawing relations with the United States prompt Spokane fly fishing group to sample the island nation’s fabled saltwater fishery.

Mountain goats tamed by feeding become aggressive on Scotchman Peak north of Lake Pend Oreille, forcing Forest Service officials to close one of the region’s most popular hiking trails.

The biggest bear on record in Florida was killed by wildlife officers after becoming a public safety threat. The black bear weighed 740 pounds – heavier than the combined weight of Seattle Seahawks offensive linemen Alvin Bailey, 320 pounds, and Justin Britt, 325.

New access for Trailer Park Wave on Spokane River built as Avista complies with dam relicensing requirement to provide recreational facilities.