Outside Features
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A New Master Plan for Smith Rock

Oregon’s premier sport climbing destination hasn’t had an updated master plan in more than 30 years. Now we’re getting a look at Oregon State Parks’ vision for the park going forward
by Nicole Vulcan, Aaron Switzer and Lily Hausler

Matthew Davey, park manager for Smith Rock State Park, joined the Source Weekly on a recent episode of our podcast, Bend Don’t Break, for a chat about the recently released draft master plan for Smith Rock. Below is an excerpt from that podcast, which you can listen to in its entirety. Source Weekly – Bend, […]

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Puffin’s Rapid Ascent

The Bend-based purveyor of cool stuff for your cans and bottles goes through the ups and downs of growth
Avatar photo by Nicole Vulcan

One year before the pandemic, Tyrone Hazen and cofounders Byron and Christina Linton launched Puffin Drinkwear, the Bend-based company that endeavors to be a fun alternative to the koozie for bottles or cans. Puffin has since experienced a relatively rapid rise, seeing a 53% rise in sales over the past year and placing its products […]

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Seekqua: Sharing Gear and Sharing Outdoor Passion

Michael Boles, an OSU-Cascades graduate, launches outdoor gear rental app to bridge the gap between locals and tourists
Avatar photo by Allie Noland

Growing up in Salem, Michael Boles wasn’t the stereotypical “Bend kid” who was on bikes, skis and kayaks before learning to walk. He got into snowboarding late in high school and wanted to explore his adventurous spirit in college, at Oregon State University-Cascades. In 2016, his freshman year, Boles and his dorm hallmates created a […]

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Central Oregon Women’s Groups

Empowering each other through adventure and connection
by Becca Murphy

The outdoors has always brought people together, but for women, the outdoors is also a way to foster a sense of empowerment. As we see more women in the outdoors, we continue to grow and inspire each other to break through our limits. Are you looking for an outdoor community where the bond is strong […]

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Farm Animals Living in Harmony ▶ [With Video]

Harmony Farm Sanctuary provides lifelong refuge to farm animals who need it most
Avatar photo by Allie Noland

Harmony Farm Sanctuary started with one potbellied pig named Pig Floyd. Now, 10 years later, 145 animal residents receive lifelong refuge at a lovely little farm between Sisters and Bend, with a breathtaking view of the Cascades Mountain range. Robine Bots, Harmony Farm Sanctuary Founder, got the idea to open the farm sanctuary after her […]

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Watchable Wildlife: Waterfowl

Birders enjoy waterfowl winging their way through Central Oregon
by Damian Fagan

So how are those New Year’s resolutions going? Learning to salsa dance? Learning a new language? Taking up birdwatching? While I can’t help you with the first two, I can with the birding. In February, Central Oregon is a great place to watch waterfowl. Many different species of ducks and geese stop here on their […]

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Polar Plunging for a Purpose

The Polar Plunge and 5K race benefits Special Olympics Central Oregon
Avatar photo by Allie Noland

On Feb. 11, Central Oregonians are waking up, running and plunging in the Deschutes for a cause. Central Oregon’s Polar Plunge has been happening for 17 years and is the longest-running organized plunge in the state, according to Britt Gamble, Central Oregon’s Polar Plunge and 5K manager. Benefiting the Special Olympics Oregon, this event helps […]

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Raising Money for Avalanche Safety

The Fresh Tracks Silent Auction and VertFest are two of Central Oregon Avalanche Center’s biggest fundraisers
Avatar photo by Allie Noland

Central Oregon Avalanche Center is a community-funded nonprofit that works to provide Central Oregon with daily avalanche forecasts by zone. It was founded as a nonprofit in 2009 and has been providing the region with forecasts and updates ever since. This nonprofit doesn’t receive any government, state or U.S. Forest Service funding. Since there are […]

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Local Pro Mountain Biker Releases Book for Kids

The book on etiquette is not only for kids, it’s for anyone in the mountain biking community, author Lindsey Richter says
by Becca Murphy

Longtime Bend local, pro mountain biker and skills coach Lindsey Richter just released her first children’s book, “Mountain Biking Adventures with Izzy: Etiquette is a Big Word.” The book is aimed at teaching trail etiquette and how bikes can bring joy, confidence, community and more. It all came about when aeronautical engineer Heidi Ashwell reached […]

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Winter Running 101: Getting Comfortable and Confident on the Snow

All about shoes, clothing, gear, routes and tips for running in winter conditions
Avatar photo by Allie Noland

It snowed. Can I still run outside? What should I wear? Should I keep the same running routes, routine and pace, or switch it up? Running season doesn’t end at first snowfall, in fact, it opens a new door to conditioning. As a new runner myself, these questions were flooding my brain at the first […]

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