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The Frontier Couple Who Chose Death Over Life Apart

Eric Bealer arrived in Sitka for the last time in a boat weighed down with his art. It was late March 2018. Bealer, an Alaskan artist who specialized in intricately detailed wood engravings , had just traveled for two days from his homestead on Lisianski Inlet, through the rough winter waters off the western edges of Chichagof and Baranof Islands, to the relative shelter of Sitka Sound. His skiff, built by hand using materials harvested and salvaged from Alaska’s coast, was jam-packed with his work: old prints, new prints, even the ink-stained, delicately carved wooden blocks used to make the prints themselves. There was so much art filling the little boat that, during his overnight layover en route to Sitka, Bealer had no room to lie down. He slept onshore, on the ground. Eugene Solovyov met him on the dock in Sitka’s Crescent Harbor. Solovyov, owner of the Sitka Rose Gallery, had known Bealer for more than two decades, ever since the artist walked in one day in the mid-199...

Long-Term Review: La Sportiva Bushido II

The La Sportiva Bushido II ($130, 10.5 ounces) is designed as an all-mountain trail-running shoe. It may perform well in that application, but I bought a pair earlier this summer to use for hiking in Alaska’s Brooks Range and on the Yosemite High Route in early-season conditions. Over a five-week period, I put 315 demanding miles on the Bushido II, using it to scramble across granite slabs, hold my edge on steep tundra slopes, scurry over talus and through scree, kick steps into the snow, and push through thick willows, dwarf birches, and alders. For many of those miles, the shoes were soaking wet, due to countless fords, waterlogged ground, and melting snow. How did the second-generation Bushido perform? And how does it compare to the original Bushido and to other popular backpacking shoes? The original Bushido (see my long-term review ) was a winner for La Sportiva. It was the bestselling women’s trail-running shoe at REI and an employee favorite. No...

6 Reasons Why Denver is the Best Basecamp for Outdoor Adventure

Few cities offer the same proximity to both outdoor adventures and vibrant urban experiences as Denver. Within a short drive of the city center, you can find four seasons’ worth of activities, including world-class climbing routes, fly-fishing oases, snowy slopes, and plenty of trails for hiking, biking, and trail running. And in town, you’ll find arts, culture, and dining experiences fit for any occasion. Staying at one of the many luxurious and unique hotels means you’ll wake up ready to seize the day on the trails or in the mountains. Plus, Denver famously has 300 days of sunshine, so you can easily ski and SUP in the same weekend—if not the same day. On a well-earned rest day, you’ll want to wander around town by foot, bike, light rail, or pedicab to explore the ever-changing art scene or book yourself an experience at any of the unique wellness spas and fitness studios to relax and restore your body. Here’s just a small taste of what you can do in a week or long weekend wi...

Southern Indiana Trails

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