Outdoors

Life & Style Epic hike from Mexico to Canada: 'I do like big adventures' (Photo Gallery)

By Shannon L. Cheesman, KATU Multimedia Journalist Published: Mar 12, 2013 at 11:14 AM PDT Last Updated: Apr 26, 2013 at 2:00 PM PDT

"Go for it and don't give up. It's probably the hardest thing you're going to do, but it just takes a lot of sheer will and discipline."

Life & Style Forest Service may let more wildfires burn

By JASON DEAREN Associated Press Published: Mar 8, 2013 at 9:38 AM PDT Last Updated: Mar 8, 2013 at 12:32 PM PDT

After coming in $400 million over budget following last year's busy fire season, the Forest Service is altering its approach and may let more fires burn instead of attacking every one.

Life & Style 'There's a situation - you've got a beaver walking down 14th Street' (Video)

By Shannon L. Cheesman, KATU Multimedia Journalist Published: Mar 8, 2013 at 10:00 AM PDT Last Updated: Apr 26, 2013 at 2:00 PM PDT

A wayward beaver that seemed to have lost its way got a police escort late last night.

Life & Style Sea lion turns up at West Linn park

By KATU.com Staff Published: Mar 5, 2013 at 4:03 PM PDT Last Updated: Apr 26, 2013 at 12:50 PM PDT

A sea lion has shown up on a rocky beach at a West Linn park.

Life & Style Bucking the trend: Ski area sticks with the old-fashioned rope tow (Photo Gallery)

By CRAIG HILL, The News Tribune Published: Mar 4, 2013 at 12:38 PM PDT Last Updated: Mar 4, 2013 at 2:09 PM PDT

At Meany Lodge, it's as if time stood still. Here, just 10 miles from the Summit at Snoqualmie's crowds and modern lifts, a Chevy truck engine still powers the longest of three rope tows.

Life & Style Portland Pulp: The five best views in Portland

By John Tierney Published: Feb 19, 2013 at 11:43 AM PDT Last Updated: Feb 19, 2013 at 11:43 AM PDT

Portland has plenty of beautiful vistas, but we think we've found the best five spots to enjoy the best our city has to offer.

Life & Style Photos: Off-road adventure at the Oregon Dunes (Photo Gallery)

By Shannon Cheesman Published: Feb 18, 2013 at 11:01 PM PDT Last Updated: Feb 19, 2013 at 12:11 PM PDT

Life & Style 'This park is a great place, and now it's named after a great man' (Photo Gallery)

By KATU.com Staff Published: Feb 13, 2013 at 5:08 PM PDT Last Updated: Feb 13, 2013 at 5:09 PM PDT

A newly-combined state park on the coast has been named after the late Brian Booth, who helped set policy and direction for Oregon State Parks.

Life & Style Cosmic tubing a hit at Mt. Hood Skibowl (Photo Gallery)

By Shannon L. Cheesman, KATU.com Producer/Reporter Published: Feb 13, 2013 at 12:37 PM PDT Last Updated: Feb 13, 2013 at 1:04 PM PDT

There's somewhat of a craze building on Mount Hood and it has nothing to do with skis or snowboards.

Life & Style State starts early to stop invasive species from hitchhiking into Oregon

By Associated Press Published: Feb 12, 2013 at 12:15 AM PDT Last Updated: Feb 12, 2013 at 12:15 AM PDT

Boat inspections to keep invasive mussels and other exotic species from choking Oregon's waterways disinfected 51 boats last year, and the inspectors wonder how many they might have missed.

Life & Style Photos: Idaho yurts offer winter escape (Photo Gallery)

By KBOI Web Staff Published: Feb 11, 2013 at 2:34 PM PDT Last Updated: Feb 11, 2013 at 4:17 PM PDT

The Stargaze Yurt, north of Idaho City and 1.3 miles off Highway 21, is available to rent year-round through the Idaho Parks and Recreation Service. Photo by JERRY MANTER/KBOI2.com

Life & Style Study: Magnetism helps salmon find home river

By Jeff Barnard, AP Environmental Writer Published: Feb 9, 2013 at 1:24 PM PDT Last Updated: Feb 9, 2013 at 1:31 PM PDT

Salmon have long been known to use their sense of smell to find their home river when it comes time to spawn, but how do they get close enough to smell the river?

Life & Style Surviving breast cancer: Gorge retreat offers soul searching, healing (Photo Gallery)

By Shannon L. Cheesman, KATU.com Producer/Reporter Published: Feb 8, 2013 at 12:32 PM PDT Last Updated: Feb 8, 2013 at 12:41 PM PDT

Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and the sheer life-altering diagnosis of breast cancer - it takes a huge toll on a woman.

Life & Style Crews haul tsunami debris off Oregon beach (Photo Gallery)

By KVAL News Published: Feb 7, 2013 at 8:05 AM PDT Last Updated: Feb 7, 2013 at 2:58 PM PDT

Workers pulled a 1-ton boat from the sand Wednesday and disposed of the tsunami debris in a landfill.

Life & Style Pacific Northwest Sportsmen's Show kicks off at the Expo Center (Photo Gallery)

By KATU.com Staff Published: Feb 6, 2013 at 4:02 PM PDT Last Updated: Apr 26, 2013 at 1:46 PM PDT

The Pacific Northwest Sportsmen's Show kicked off its 38th year at the Expo Center on Wednesday - attracting a large crowd on its opening day.