Outside Features Archives - Page 20 of 103 - The Source

Bend Racing Takes on the Eco-Challenge

Bend-based team talks about their adventures in “The World’s Toughest Race”

Isaac BiehlAugust 26, 2020May 7, 2025

Amazon Prime’s “World’s Toughest Race” opens with Bear Grylls hanging on a helicopter, hovering over the jungles of Fiji as he narrates about the tough terrain of the land below. “Steep mountains, sheer cliffs and miles and miles of dense tropical jungle,” he describes. Grylls explains how teams competing in the Eco-Challenge will travel 671 […]

Outside

Teamwork, Coordination and Guts

How five counties came together to complete the large-scale recovery of a climber’s body on Mt. Jefferson

Isaac BiehlAugust 12, 2020August 8, 2023

On July 31, search and rescue teams from five counties were sent into action to retrieve the body of David Freepons, a 68-year-old climber who passed away after a fall on Mt. Jefferson. Freepons, an experienced climber from Kennewick, Washington, was on an expedition July 25 on the mountain with several friends—also experienced climbers—when he […]

Outside

Is a Big Win for Conservation a Blow to Climate Action?

As extinction and climate crises loom, the Great American Outdoors Act and recreation industry continue to rely on oil money.

Carl Segerstrom, High Country NewsAugust 12, 2020October 2, 2023

On July 22, Congress passed the biggest public-lands spending bill in half a century. The bipartisan bill, called the Great American Outdoors Act, puts nearly $10 billion toward repairing public-lands infrastructure, such as outdated buildings and dysfunctional water systems in national parks. It also guarantees that Congress will spend the $900 million it collects each […]

Outside

Dance, No Matter What

Think you can’t plan a dance performance online, without partner interaction? A group of local Acro Fusion dancers prove you can

Cayla ClarkAugust 5, 2020May 30, 2025

Local dance instructor Lindsi Kay first founded her youth Acro Fusion program in 2015. After COVID-19 closures, Kay was forced to put long anticipated performances on hold for an unexpected—and challenging—three months. “My youth Acro Fusion program runs from September to June, following the school year’s structure,” Kay explained. “We spend the first three or […]

Outside

Masks in the Outdoors

New state guidelines require masks outside when physical distancing is not possible. So what’s the real risk?

Miina McCownJuly 22, 2020May 30, 2025

As the summer goes on and the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rage in the U.S., many people are spending more time outside. Some locations offer plenty of solitude and distancing—but at busy local places like the Deschutes River Trail or Smith Rock State Park, it’s very possible to be within someone else’s 6-foot physical bubble. […]

Outside

Gray Butte for the Win

A fun and beautiful excursion just outside of Redmond

Isaac BiehlJuly 1, 2020August 21, 2024

Redmond is near so many great trails that are practically begging you to come hike on them. For quick trips just outside of town, there are trails at the Crooked River Grasslands and the always-popular Smith Rock—but one gem remains a favorite getaway trip: Gray Butte, located just northeast of Terrebonne. Starting among juniper trees, […]

Outside

There’s Always Next Year

Local runners adjust their training for the postponed Olympic Trials in Eugene

Isaac BiehlJune 24, 2020August 16, 2023

The world of sports has mostly been put on hold since the breakout of COVID-19. There have been some international soccer games without fans, and the NBA appears to be gearing for a restart in Orlando, but even large events like the Olympics have been pushed back until next year. Closer to home, the USA […]

Outside

Overcrowded and Understaffed ▶ [with video]

Parking at Smith Rock has never been easy. With state parks on limited services and staff due to the pandemic, things are even tougher.

Isaac BiehlJune 17, 2020August 18, 2024

Oregon has 256 state parks—meaning a lot of sites to manage across a wide swath of land. So what happens when those popular destinations are understaffed? We’re seeing the toll that parks take right now. Due to COVID-19, many organizations and businesses are experiencing issues with staffing. The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is no […]

Outside

Slow Down and Inhale

It’s hard to imagine the stress on those less fortunate.

Brad ChalfantJune 3, 2020July 6, 2023

For this week’s Outside Guide, we asked local outdoors advocates to weigh in on the topic of sanctuary in the outdoors. It’s been hard. I say that, well aware I’m still employed, healthy and enjoying all the privilege of being a white, middle class male. It’s hard to imagine the stress on those less fortunate. […]

Outside

Nature Is My Refuge

I had to escape, and back to the mountains I returned.

David SwordJune 3, 2020December 24, 2024

For this week’s Outside Guide, we asked local outdoors advocates to weigh in on the topic of sanctuary in the outdoors. I chose to live, work and play in the outdoors a very long time ago. I took a brief detour into the asylum of the big city, only to be met by ever darkening clouds […]

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