Outdoors

Life & Style Sally Jewell, CEO of REI, to lead Interior Department

By JULIE PACE AP White House Correspondent Published: Feb 6, 2013 at 11:26 AM PDT Last Updated: Feb 6, 2013 at 3:18 PM PDT

President Barack Obama has picked Sally Jewell, a business executive who has earned national recognition for her support of outdoor recreation and habitat conservation, to lead the Interior Department, the White House said Wednesday.

Life & Style Bulge near South Sister volcano is barely growing, scientists find

By Associated Press Published: Feb 5, 2013 at 2:26 PM PDT Last Updated: Feb 5, 2013 at 2:30 PM PDT

A bulge near the prominent Cascade Range volcano known as South Sister has nearly stopped growing, scientists say.

Life & Style Report says dam removal good for Klamath salmon, farmers

By Jeff Barnard, AP Environmental Writer Published: Feb 4, 2013 at 3:32 PM PDT Last Updated: Feb 4, 2013 at 10:36 PM PDT

The 400-page report released Monday was produced by federal scientists to help evaluate the project, which has been endorsed by the states of Oregon and California, the dam owners and 42 groups representing Indian tribes, salmon fishermen, farmers and conservation groups.

Life & Style Climbing permits for Mount St. Helens now on sale

By KATU.com Staff Published: Jan 31, 2013 at 5:34 PM PDT Last Updated: Feb 5, 2013 at 2:33 PM PDT

If you're thinking of climbing Mount St. Helens this year, now is the time to get your permit for the 2013 season.

Life & Style 'It's just a mecca here right now for fat bike riding'

By Shannon L. Cheesman, KATU.com Producer/Reporter Published: Jan 30, 2013 at 3:16 PM PDT Last Updated: Mar 11, 2013 at 5:18 PM PDT

Who says you can't ride a bike in the snow? All you need is a 'fat bike' with super wide tires that give you plenty of traction and keep you from slipping and sliding around.

Life & Style Photos: Mushers with their eye on the Iditarod and Yukon Quest compete in Oregon (Photo Gallery)

Published: Jan 30, 2013 at 2:23 PM PDT Last Updated: Jan 30, 2013 at 2:55 PM PDT

Life & Style Sea lion hazing starts Monday on the Willamette River

By Associated Press Published: Jan 29, 2013 at 7:36 PM PDT Last Updated: Apr 26, 2013 at 2:00 PM PDT

A boat crew armed with seal bombs and shotguns loaded with firecrackers will be back on the Willamette River this year trying to keep sea lions from chowing down on salmon bottled up at Willamette Falls.

Life & Style Hunters: Report your tags or face a $25 fine

By Shannon L. Cheesman, KATU.com Producer/Reporter Published: Jan 28, 2013 at 2:39 PM PDT Last Updated: Jan 28, 2013 at 11:09 PM PDT

Oregon hunters have just a few days to report last year's deer and elk tags to avoid a $25 fine.

Life & Style Smokers may not be able to light up at state parks in 2014 (Photo Gallery)

By Associated Press Published: Jan 17, 2013 at 12:31 PM PDT Last Updated: Jan 17, 2013 at 12:31 PM PDT

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is drawing up rules that could limit smokers to their personal and recreational vehicles.

Life & Style Skibowl to play matchmaker with speed dating on the slopes

By KATU.com Staff Published: Jan 28, 2013 at 1:48 PM PDT Last Updated: Jan 28, 2013 at 1:49 PM PDT

It's speed dating with a twist.

Life & Style Heavy snow, wind may make mountain passes treacherous (Photo Gallery)

By Rhonda Shelby, KATU Weather and KATU.com Staff Published: Jan 28, 2013 at 12:26 PM PDT Last Updated: Jan 28, 2013 at 1:41 PM PDT

KATU Meteorologist Rhonda Shelby said the snow level will be at about 2,000 feet and up to three feet of new snow could fall at ski resort levels in the next 36 hours.

Life & Style Idaho men lampooning fly fishing hook online fame

By Roger Phillips, Idaho Statesman (AP) Published: Jan 24, 2013 at 11:26 AM PDT Last Updated: Jan 24, 2013 at 11:26 AM PDT

The two Borah High School grads are now in their early 40s and have done a series of Web videos that have attracted around 170,000 YouTube hits and gained fans from as far away as England, South Africa and Tasmania.

Life & Style Photos: Boise's frozen water fountains (Photo Gallery)

By KBOI Web Staff Published: Jan 18, 2013 at 5:42 PM PDT Last Updated: Jan 21, 2013 at 10:59 AM PDT

With overnight temperatures approaching below zero in the Treasure Valley, conditions are just about perfect for many of the valley's water fountains to freeze over.

Life & Style Avalanche education now focusing on making better decisions (Photo Gallery)

By PHUONG LE Associated Press Published: Jan 17, 2013 at 4:44 PM PDT Last Updated: Jan 18, 2013 at 3:02 PM PDT

As more recreationists head into untracked wilderness - outside resort boundaries and ski patrols - experts say more accidents are inevitable.

Life & Style Should seaplanes be allowed on Waldo Lake? It's under discussion

By Associated Press Published: Jan 17, 2013 at 4:04 PM PDT Last Updated: Jan 17, 2013 at 4:04 PM PDT

A state agency says it wants to make permanent its rules allowing aircraft to use Waldo Lake in the Cascade Range, where lake users for years have fought over engines.