Life

ADVANCE FOR RELEASE SATURDAY, DEC. 17, 2016 AND THEREAFTER- In this Dec. 8, 2016 photo, Emily Mengershausen demonstrates negotiating a black route at Ascension Rock Club in Fairbanks, Alaska. Mengershausen, one of Fairbanks' premier climbing instructors, taught herself to climb and started competing after she was injured as a young gymnast. (Eric Engman /Fairbanks Daily News-Miner via AP)

Climbing the rock of Fairbanks instructor’s life

FAIRBANKS (AP) — When a young gymnast named Emily Mengershausen fell from the balance beam in Kansas City, dislocating her elbow, her life’s trajectory took… Continue reading

ADVANCE FOR RELEASE SATURDAY, DEC. 17, 2016 AND THEREAFTER- In this Dec. 8, 2016 photo, Emily Mengershausen demonstrates negotiating a black route at Ascension Rock Club in Fairbanks, Alaska. Mengershausen, one of Fairbanks' premier climbing instructors, taught herself to climb and started competing after she was injured as a young gymnast. (Eric Engman /Fairbanks Daily News-Miner via AP)
ADVANCE FOR WEEKEND EDITIONS, DEC. 17-18 - FILE - In this Dec. 9, 2012, file photo, an unidentified skier heads through the woods at Teacup Lake nordic cross country ski area on Mount Hood near Hood River, Ore. The opportunity to experience the region's dramatic landscapes dusted in winter white, often with no other people around, more than makes up for any minor discomforts while winter camping. (Mike Siegel/The Seattle Times via AP, File)

Winter camping is a special treat. Here are some tips

SEATTLE (AP) — My first winter camping experience was a bit of an anomaly. Yes, I slept on snow, but it was an unseasonably warm… Continue reading

ADVANCE FOR WEEKEND EDITIONS, DEC. 17-18 - FILE - In this Dec. 9, 2012, file photo, an unidentified skier heads through the woods at Teacup Lake nordic cross country ski area on Mount Hood near Hood River, Ore. The opportunity to experience the region's dramatic landscapes dusted in winter white, often with no other people around, more than makes up for any minor discomforts while winter camping. (Mike Siegel/The Seattle Times via AP, File)
Skiers enjoy the afternoon sun low on the horizon over Bottenintnin Lake on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. (Photo courtesy Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)

Refuge Notebook: The long nights of winter

Yay! We’re two days past the Winter Solstice, our longest night, headed in the right direction for day length. Good days of skiing and ice-fishing… Continue reading

Skiers enjoy the afternoon sun low on the horizon over Bottenintnin Lake on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. (Photo courtesy Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)

An Outdoor View: Cubs

It was a dark and stormy night, but the imitation Christmas tree was blinking properly, the fire in the natural-gas fireplace was blazing safely, and… Continue reading

This undated photo shows a pine seedling in New Paltz, N.Y. Growing a Christmas tree from seed, a pine, shown here, takes a long time but is very satisfying. (Lee Reich via AP)

Cheer in the long term: growing a Christmas tree from seed

Even during this holiday season, with winter upon us, you might find some gardening to do. Growing a Christmas tree from seed, for example.That’s no… Continue reading

This undated photo shows a pine seedling in New Paltz, N.Y. Growing a Christmas tree from seed, a pine, shown here, takes a long time but is very satisfying. (Lee Reich via AP)
A sign on Ski Hill Road announces entry to the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, so named in 1980 with passage of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. (Photo courtesy Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)

Refuge Notebook: A time for reflection: Kenai National Wildlife Refuge’s 75th anniversary, Part 2

As the Kenai National Moose Range approached its fourth decade, Congress passed two laws which profoundly affected its management. The 1971 Alaska Native Claims Settlement… Continue reading

A sign on Ski Hill Road announces entry to the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, so named in 1980 with passage of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. (Photo courtesy Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)

An Outdoor View: Choices

When I was a small child, I was taught that to kill or injure any living thing for no reason is wrong. I’ve since learned… Continue reading

This Nov. 25, 2016 photo shows soundscaping evergreens photographed in Langley, Wash. Soundscapers use trees to mask bothersome urban noise. Evergreens, like these alongside a Langley street are the preferred vegetative sound barriers because they are densely branched and attractive the year-'round. (AP Photo/By Dean Fosdick)(Dean Fosdick via AP)

Nature’s remedy for blocking noise? Trees

Landscape designers in cities are creating quieter living spaces by using trees to mute loud noises like sirens and air brakes. It’s called “soundscaping,” and… Continue reading

This Nov. 25, 2016 photo shows soundscaping evergreens photographed in Langley, Wash. Soundscapers use trees to mask bothersome urban noise. Evergreens, like these alongside a Langley street are the preferred vegetative sound barriers because they are densely branched and attractive the year-'round. (AP Photo/By Dean Fosdick)(Dean Fosdick via AP)
This undated photo provided by Snowdon Wildlife Sanctuary, shows a black bear resting on a tree limb at the Sanctuary near McCall, Idaho. Snowdon rehabs all kinds of animals and releases them back into the wild but has become known for its bear cubs. (Snowdon Wildlife Sanctuary via AP)

Sanctuary prepares orphaned bear cubs for the wild

MCCALL, Idaho — Janell Carr first met Mr. Cinnamon when the black bear cub was eating out of her bird feeder in Cascade. She and… Continue reading

This undated photo provided by Snowdon Wildlife Sanctuary, shows a black bear resting on a tree limb at the Sanctuary near McCall, Idaho. Snowdon rehabs all kinds of animals and releases them back into the wild but has become known for its bear cubs. (Snowdon Wildlife Sanctuary via AP)
Tight Lines: Books a fisherman might like to find under the tree

Tight Lines: Books a fisherman might like to find under the tree

With the holidays upon us and winter setting in, now might be the perfect time to look at some reading material for the fisher in… Continue reading

Tight Lines: Books a fisherman might like to find under the tree
Come celebrate the 75th Birthday of Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on December 16!

Refuge Notebook: Celebrate the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge’s 75th birthday!

Celebrate Kenai National Wildlife Refuge’s 75th Birthday on Dec. 16, from 5-7 p.m., at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center on Ski Hill Road,… Continue reading

Come celebrate the 75th Birthday of Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on December 16!

An Outdoor View: Rod, Jenna and the whitefish

Author’s note: At the insistent request of a reader who must be losing it, I once again attempt to attract readers by spicing up some… Continue reading

This undated photo shows a compost bin in New Paltz, N.Y. Gathering compost materials together in a bin speeds the composting process and keeps everything tidy. (Lee Reich via AP)

Why, what and where to compost? A look at the basics

Here’s a riddle: What will weed, feed and water your garden, and take care of your garbage?“Ideal teenager” is not the answer. It’s compost!Compost is… Continue reading

This undated photo shows a compost bin in New Paltz, N.Y. Gathering compost materials together in a bin speeds the composting process and keeps everything tidy. (Lee Reich via AP)
A sign on the Swanson River Road in 1970 announces entry to the Kenai National Moose Range, established 29 years earlier by President Roosevelt. (Photo courtesy Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)

Refuge Notebook: Reflecting on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge’s 75th anniversary (Part 1)

On December 16, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order 8979 establishing the Kenai National Moose Range. The eve of its 75th anniversary presents… Continue reading

A sign on the Swanson River Road in 1970 announces entry to the Kenai National Moose Range, established 29 years earlier by President Roosevelt. (Photo courtesy Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)

An Outdoor View: On adversity

While listening to the radio the other day, I heard two people talking about going to Mars. One asked, “Why would anyone want to go… Continue reading

This Nov. 22, 2016 photo shows an assortment of jarred preserves, fruits and pickles in Langley, Wash., which are homegrown edibles exchanged as holiday gifts. Labels add a personal touch and in many cases include the ingredients as well as suggestions about how the foods should be used. Gardeners make good friends, especially during the holidays, as they share their homegrown harvest. (Dean Fosdick via AP)

Gardening offers payback at the holidays in form of gifts

Gardeners make good friends, especially during the holidays when they give out foods preserved from their gardens.The top five canning recipes used during the holidays… Continue reading

This Nov. 22, 2016 photo shows an assortment of jarred preserves, fruits and pickles in Langley, Wash., which are homegrown edibles exchanged as holiday gifts. Labels add a personal touch and in many cases include the ingredients as well as suggestions about how the foods should be used. Gardeners make good friends, especially during the holidays, as they share their homegrown harvest. (Dean Fosdick via AP)
In this Oct. 24, 2016 photo, Jim Clark plays a game of Gut Pile in Fairbanks, Alaska. The card game is a Fairbanks-designed product where players score points by assembling the elements for a perfect hunt while avoiding their opponent's attack cards like; hypothermia, beaver fever and the always-dangerous People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals card. (Sam Friedman/The News-Miner via AP)

Outdoorsman create card game for hunters

FAIRBANKS — As in hunting, success in the new card game Gut Pile is a matter of preparation and getting lucky breaks.Players score points by… Continue reading

In this Oct. 24, 2016 photo, Jim Clark plays a game of Gut Pile in Fairbanks, Alaska. The card game is a Fairbanks-designed product where players score points by assembling the elements for a perfect hunt while avoiding their opponent's attack cards like; hypothermia, beaver fever and the always-dangerous People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals card. (Sam Friedman/The News-Miner via AP)
Bob Richey, former assistant refuge manager at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, helped place neck collars on many Trumpeter swans during the 1970s and early 1980s. (Photo courtesy Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)

Refuge Notebook: Where do our Trumpeter swans go in the winter?

Did you know that Trumpeter swans have been surveyed on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge since 1957? Six decades ago, when only 20 pairs were… Continue reading

Bob Richey, former assistant refuge manager at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, helped place neck collars on many Trumpeter swans during the 1970s and early 1980s. (Photo courtesy Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)

An Outdoor View: Fishing in the days of sail

Author’s note: This column first appeared in the Clarion on Jan. 24, 2003. I’ve edited it for brevity. — LP The Atlantic cod fishery, on… Continue reading

In this Tuesday, March 17, 2016 photo, snowmobiler Kurt Zeutschel, of Issaquah, catches some air as he rises up and over a berm off a trail near Crystal Springs Sno-Park, just east of Snoqualmie Pass, Wash. (Steve Ringman/The Seattle Times via AP)

What a ride: First time on a snowmobile filled with thrills

SEATTLE (AP) — I can recall vividly all of my friends who have ridden on a snowmobile, because all — and I mean every single… Continue reading

In this Tuesday, March 17, 2016 photo, snowmobiler Kurt Zeutschel, of Issaquah, catches some air as he rises up and over a berm off a trail near Crystal Springs Sno-Park, just east of Snoqualmie Pass, Wash. (Steve Ringman/The Seattle Times via AP)