Tag: backcountry safety

Calendar & Food News: June 7, 2012

Posted on by wlmeditor

WEBSITE & READ THE NEW SUMMER 2012 ISSUE:  www.wyolifestyle.com

Our Sister Publications:  Wyoming Weddings — www.wyoweddings.com  Wyovore — www.wyovore.com  WYO XY — http://www.wyolifestyle.com/WYOXY/index.html Wyoming Woman —  http://www.thewyomingwoman.com/

LANDER BREW FEST IS THIS SATURDAY, JUNE 8-9! Click on the image above for more info!

Are you making plans to hit the Lander Brew Fest this year? It’s coming this Fri & Sat, June 8-9, and is going to be another great event! Click on the image above to connect with the fest’s website — activities kick off Friday, June 8, with a from 5-9 PM (adults only), and Saturday, June 9, from 2-7 PM. Activities take place at the soccer fields adjacent to Lander Valley High School, 400 Baldwin Creek Road. Check out amazing Rocky Mountain breweries and dig the music — groups like Musketeer Gripweed & The Foot Friday night, and The Codi Jordan Band and Fluffy Buffalo on Saturday. They’re also offering a NEW feature this year — whiskey & wine tasting on Friday night only. Whiskey tasting cards will be for sale, 4 samples for $10. The wine tasting will be included in the cost of admission. There will also be non-alcoholic drinks available.

While you’re there, check out the Central WY Speedboat Rugby Club and the Jackson Hole Moose Rugby Club as they compete in the inaugural Wind River Rugby Challenge — held Saturday, June 9 at 12:30 PM at the same soccer fields adjacent to LVHS.  Check out the action, then hit the brew fest!

Call the Lander Chamber of Commerce at 307-332-3892 for more info — and be sure to click on the Brew Fest image above to connect with their website!

COKEVILLE ANGLER’S SIDEKICK FISHING DERBY, JUNE 30

Check-in: 7:00 AM-8:00 AM @ Cokeville Town Park

Judging: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM @ Cokeville Town Park
Contestants must participate as a team of 2.  Each participant will need a fishing license in accordance with Wyoming Game and Fish Department policy. Visit the Cokeville community website to download the PDF of rules. Thanks to the Cokeville Arts Council for the information on this event!

JACKSON – BE PREPARED TO PLAY IN THE BACKCOUNTRY — Community Presentation: Summer Backcountry Preparedness from the Community Health Info Ctr, St John’s Medical Center & Teton Wellness Institute

Ever wondered: Where the bears are?  The correct way to use bear spray? Are there trails in the Tetons where you DON’T need to carry bear spray? What you need to take with you – for safety – on a day hike? What simple steps can keep you safe in a backcountry emergency?

Presented by Stephanie Thomas, AJ Wheeler, MD and Kate Wilmot: Stephanie Thomas is the Executive Director of the Teton County Search and Rescue Foundation and TCSAR member. Dr. AJ Wheeler is an emergency medicine physician and TCSAR member. Kate Wilmot is the Bear Management Specialist for Grand Teton National Park.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm St. John’s Medical Center, Moose-Wapiti Classrooms

SARATOGA — Jalan Crossland at “The Yard” June 9 — Call the Sartoga/Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce for more info!

EVANSTON BLUEGRASS JUNE 23 — Click on the image above for more info!

Bluegrass Evanston is a great event — a free, one day outdoor concert, the event hosts four bands from all over the bluegrass spectrum:  traditional and progressive bluegrass to Newgrass. Artists, food and beverage booths also make up the festival.  A kids’ fest, “Pop, Dogs & Songs” will be held from noon to 3 PM prior to the main event, which runs from 5-10 PM. Activities and crafts such as shoebox banjo making will be available for the kiddos!

Fine artists range from jewelry, fiber artists, potters and painters.  ”The bluegrass festival in Evanston will serve to enhance economic development and cultural tourism, while providing the residents of Evanston, Bridger Valley and the Wasatch front with great musical entertainment, fine arts and a sense of community,” the festival says via its website. “It also strives to pass on a love of bluegrass music to the next generation.”  Be sure to check out this great musical event in Southwest Wyoming — and while you’re there, hang out and try some of Evanston’s great restaurants, shopping, lodging and recreation — be sure to check out the Bear River State Park for all sorts of summer fun!

image by Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site

LARAMIE — BUTCH CASSIDY DAYS JUNE 9

Butch Cassidy Days involve a lot of fun at the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site, in West Laramie. Kite-flying will be a fun activity of the day, and with Laramie’s recent windy weather, a lot of fun will be had! Also catch a concert by Mary Kaye & cream can dinner … more details here!

LANDER — LANDER DAYS MAIN STREET EVENT JUNE 30 — The Lander Downtown Merchants Association invite you to kick off the 4th of July festivities with a fun event on Main Street! Event runs 4-10 PM on June 30.  Find the Lander Downtown Merchants Association on Facebook — or call Chisholm’s Jewelry and ask Eric & Tami for more information!

CASPER — NIC FEST AT THE NICOLAYSEN ART MUSEUM — JUNE 22-24

From Nicolaysen Executive Director Connie Gibbons:  “Every June, the Nicolaysen Art Museum throws open its doors to music, art and family fun for the 2 1/2 day event that features artist booths, artist demonstrations, food and two stages with music and entertainment. For 2012, the Nic Fest introduces a celebration of folk-life. Each year a different cultural region, country or tradition will be explored and this year the festival integrates a celebration of Mexican culture, art, music, dance and food.”

The 3rd Annual Firefighter ‘Downtown Throwdown’ Competition will take place in conjunction with Nic Fest. Dates are June 22 (5-9 PM) and June 23 (10 AM – 5 PM), between 1st & 2nd St. on Beech St. Watch the ‘toughest two minutes in sports’ as local firefighters face off against other firefighters from across the area, region and nation.

Click here to visit the Nic’s informative, online Nic Fest brochure — exhibitors, musicians, schedule and more. VERY cool feature!

SHERIDAN — 3RD THURSDAY EVENTS KICK OFF JUNE 21!

image courtesy 3rd Thursday Festival Committee

Sheridan’s 3rd Thursday Festival kicks off for the months of June, July, August & September. Located on Main Street from Loucks to Alger and including Grinell Plaza, the festival includes strong man competitions, chicken roping, the ROTC Rock Wall, steak grilling competitions in July (w/a $500 cash prize!), live music performances, various local & regional vendors, a food court, beer & wine gardens and extended hours for downtown local merchants.

In June, dig the musical talents of Gary Small and the Coyote Brothers. This event is sponsored in part by the Downtown Sheridan Association, Sheridan Chamber, Sheridan Travel & Tourism, the City of Sheridan, Bighorn Beverage — and “…the greatest group of voulnteers and local support a committee could ever ask for,” says committee member Chad Franklin.

LARAMIE — Downtown Laramie Continues Lighting Infrastructure Project

The City of Laramie, in partnership with the Laramie Main Street Alliance, has begun the second phase of the downtown street light improvement project that was initially started in 2009. The 2012 lighting project includes upgrades to the wiring system, existing light fixtures as well as the installation of new, antique decorative light poles on 3rd and 4th Streets between University Avenue and Custer.

The lighting project is funded by the City of Laramie with a Business Ready Community Loan from the Wyoming Business Council. The project is expected to cost between $1.3 and $1.9 million. The addition of the new antique poles will aesthetically tie 3rd and 4th Streets in with the rest of historic downtown Laramie. Studies show that shoppers enjoy a well lit, inviting atmosphere and are more likely to linger in an area that is welcoming and well designed.

The downtown lighting project began on June 4th at 3rd and University and will conclude October 19th at 4th and Ivinson. Work will be done weekly on a block-by-block basis. No street closures are expected and sidewalks, driveways and alleyways will remain open. During construction, there will be no on street parking. Contact the Laramie Main Street office at 307-760-3355, or David Derragon, Assistant City Manager at 307-721-5304 for more information.

Brand 307

BURNS DAY — JUNE 9

LOTS of excitement coming up Saturday, June 9 for Burns Day! Some of the events and time schedules that we know of:  PANCAKE BREAKFAST (7-9 AM); 9:30 Police Dog Demo; 9:45 Kids’ Parade; Burns Chptr Order Of Eastern Star Bake Sale (9-11); FOOD IN PARK; Hands In Harmony Performance@Gazebo (1:00); Search & Rescue Dog Presentation; Service Dog Presentation; Cheyenne Animal Shelter Will Be Present All Day For Adoption Info; Cheyenne Quick Draw booth; BRAND 307 playing from 7-11 PM

LARAMIE — SPECIALS FROM LOVEJOY’S BAR & GRILL

bbq pork sandwich Shredded pork, drenched in bbq sauce, topped with melted cheddar cheese and tucked in a hoagie. Served with your choice of fries, chips and salsa, creamy mashed potatoes, cottage cheese or dinner salad. 8.5
lovejoy’s pasta Grilled chicken breast and sauteed artichoke hearts tossed in a sauce of chicken stock and sundried tomato pesto. Served over cavitappi pasta with a sprinkle of asiago cheese. Accompanied by your choice of soup or salad. 11.

Connect with Lovejoy’s:  Facebook  FourSquare  on the web

VISIT OUR WEBSITE & READ THE NEW SUMMER 2012 ISSUE:  www.wyolifestyle.com

Our Sister Publications:  Wyoming Weddings — www.wyoweddings.com  Wyovore — www.wyovore.com  WYO XY —  http://www.wyolifestyle.com/WYOXY/index.html Wyoming Woman — http://www.thewyomingwoman.com/

WY Camping Recommendations — From the Fans!

Posted on by wlmeditor

LINK BACK TO OUR WEBSITE & CHECK OUT THE CURRENT ISSUE:  www.wyolifestyle.com

CHECK OUT OUR NEW BOOKSTORE VERSION, WYOVORE — COMING SOON FOR FALL 2011! www.wyolifestyle.com

Image by Brant Nyberg Photography, http://brantnyberg.zenfolio.com/

Thanks to Brant from Riverton for suggesting a blog on camping recommendations! GREAT idea!  We polled fans on our Facebook page and gathered their camping recommendations…so from the best resource out there (the WY enthusiasts!) here are our recommendations for camping spots in Wyoming…

From Casey:  “Friend Park…Laramie Peak”

From Andrea:  “Laramie Peak area is absolutely beautiful! And then there is closeby and reliable ol’ Glendo! Love them both”

From Jennifer:  “Camp Bethel in the Bighorns”

From Patricia:  “Buffalo Bill Reservoir”

From John:  “Anywhere on the Red Desert — I tend to like the area around Oregon Butte .. Oh the memories and dreams to once again view God’s awesome wonders He created!”

From Mary:  “Up Granite Creek near the hot springs and the waterfall which is on the edge of the Gros Ventre Wilderness.”

From Jean:  “We camped as a family at Medicine Bow Creek up by Hyattsville. Great place!!!”

From Laura:  “Anywhere near Granite Hot Springs and Big Sandy Openings are great choices…”

From Sonja Caywood Landscapes, Western and Wildlife Art in Dayton, WY:  “Lake Adelaide or Sawmill Flats in the Big Horns :)”

From Bearlodge Mtn Classic, a mountain bike race near Sundance (check out the first issue of Wyovore to learn more!): “Reuter Campground in the Bearlodge Mountains of North East Wyoming’s, Black Hills — Saturday, September 17 so that you will wake up at the Start/Finish of the Bearlodge Mtn Classic mountain bike race/ride!”

From Kathy:  “Fremont Lake campground, outside Pinedale! :-)”

From Brant:  “Brook’s Lake above Dubois is one of our family favorites.”

From Daniel:  “Bighorns!!!”

From Margaret:  “Cheyenne”

From Mary:  “Big Horns, Ft Laramie, Douglas during the State Fair this month, Laramie, Yellowstone, Pathfinder if you like to fish, Glendo but only if you like to fish, Thermopolis, Cody, Snowy Range out of Laramie, Saratoga”

From Jessie:  “French Creek Campground in the Snowies is absolutely beautiful. Full of aspens, so it’s great in early fall!”

From Shasta:  “Have 2 favorite spots- Signal Mountain Campground in Grand Teton National Park and Porcupine Campground in The Bighorns! Both have beautiful views and lots of wildlife!”

From Ranchweb:  “Don’t forget to check out a dude or guest ranch in Wyoming!”

From Wyoming Outdoors, an awesome Facebook page: “There are pics of some favorite camp areas on this page too. My personal favorite is Deer Creek area.”

From Suzanne:  “Anywhere in Yellowstone.”

THANKS guys!!! Do you have more suggestions? We’d love to hear them! Email us at editor@wyolifestyle.com, post on our Facebook page for Wyoming Lifestyle Magazine or Wyovore (our bookstore version!) or give us a tweet at @wyolifestylemag or @wyovore!

‘Til Next Time…Camp On!

Kati Hime, Editor

editor@wyolifestyle.com

LINK BACK TO OUR WEBSITES:

Wyoming Lifestyle Magazine — Read the summer issue, and the fall 2011 issue will come out in August! www.wyolifestyle.com

Wyovore — Our new bookstore compliment, coming out SOON for fall 2011! www.wyovore.com

 

FROM THE PARKS: BEARS & YELLOWSTONE

Posted on by wlmeditor

LINK BACK TO OUR WEBSITE TO SEE THE CURRENT ISSUE:  www.wyolifestyle.com

Many have heard of the recent incident in Yellowstone Park — here is a link to an ABC News report…

http://abcnews.go.com/US/grizzly-bear-kills-hiker-yellowstone-national-park/story?id=14014264

Many are weighing in on the incident, its implications and importance for safety.  Grand Teton National Park announced the following program on July 5, which we found slightly ironic but so important.  Not only is preparing yourself important, but so is protecting our natural environment for these wild animals.  Be sure to be prepared whenever you journey into our Wyoming wilderness, and always remember that animals in the wild are just that — wild.

From Grand Teton National Park (National Park Service, US Dept of the Interior):

Grand Teton National Park Supports Bear Spray Recycle Program

Grand Teton National Park is proud to announce its participation in a new sustainability effort that recycles a specialized item commonly used in bear country: bear spray. In coordination, with other federal partners at Yellowstone National Park, the National Elk Refuge and surrounding national forests, Grand Teton recently placed collection bins at several locations to gather unwanted bear spray canisters and prepare them for recycling.

Millions of people visit  the Greater Yellowstone Area each year, and thousands of bear spray canisters—used and unused—are disposed of in trash containers because they are not allowed on commercial flights, or visitors no longer have a need for the spray after they leave the area. These bear spray canisters enter the waste stream, causing a serious environmental concern. In addition, waste disposal workers are exposed to accidental discharge of pepper-laced propellant at disposal sites. To correct this problem, a new recycling center was established this year in Yellowstone.

The effort to curb the growing number of bear spray canisters in landfills emerged two years ago, when Yellowstone park managers and the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality agreed that a recycling project could resolve this issue. The solution came from three Montana State University (MSU) engineering students who designed a machine that removes the pepper oil and propellant before it crushes the canister. The recycling unit is able to extract all contents through a filtering process that safely separates the ingredients. The empty canisters are then punctured, flattened and sold to any recycling center as high quality aluminum.

Using the principles that were developed by the MSU students, a Montana-based manufacturing firm produced the first-of-its-kind canister recycling unit. The recycling unit, located at Mammoth in Yellowstone, began operating this spring. To fund manufacture of the specialized unit, donations were secured from the Greater Yellowstone Area business community.

“As National Park Service employees, we have a responsibility to be on the forefront of sustainable environmental practices, and we’re proud to join our federal partners in this recycling effort: an effort that has positive impacts across the Greater Yellowstone Area,” said Superintendent Mary Gibson Scott. “Grand Teton park personnel will take the lead in transporting canisters from collection sites within the greater Jackson area to the specialized recycling unit located in Yellowstone.”

Collection sites within Grand Teton National Park include: Colter Bay Visitor Center, Colter Bay Cabins, Jackson Lake Lodge, Jenny Lake Ranger Station, Jenny Lake Visitor Center, Gros Ventre Campground, Signal Mountain Lodge, and the Craig Thomas Discovery Visitor Center. Collection sites are also located at the Jackson Hole & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center at the National Elk Refuge and Teton County Recycling at 3270 South Adams Canyon Road. In addition, collection sites are located at several private businesses, and at the Jackson Hole Airport beginning July 15.

Yellowstone is accepting bear spray canisters at most hotels, stores and at all park entrances.

 

Grand Teton Natl. Park Search for Skiers Entering Sixth Day

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Search for Missing Skiers Enters Sixth Day

The search for Walker Pannell Kuhl, age 27, of Salt Lake City, Utah and Gregory Seftick, age 31, of Columbia Falls, Montana resumed today, Saturday, April 23 in Grand Teton National Park. Kuhl and Seftick began an overnight camping and skiing trip one week ago, and were reported missing on Monday, April 18, when Kuhl failed to show up for work. This marks the sixth day for a concentrated search to locate the missing skiers.

A high pressure system brought sunny skies and calm winds this morning, creating perfect weather conditions to continue search operations. Four K9 search and rescue teams from nearby Grand Targhee Resort in Alta, Wyoming, and more than 35 search and rescue personnel were airlifted from a helispot on the Teton Park Road (elevation 6,685 feet) into a high elevation helispot in Garnet Canyon (9,500 feet) near the base of Nez Perce Peak to begin another full day of combing through a large avalanche debris field. A broad snowfield on the north face of Nez Perce gave way sometime after Friday, April 15, and the resulting avalanche path covers Garnet Canyon Meadows where it is presumed that the two men may be found. The avalanche debris field is approximately 200 feet wide, 200-300 yards long and 15 feet deep.

Grand Teton National Park rangers again enlisted the assistance of trained rescue personnel and support staff from Teton County Search and Rescue, Teton Interagency Fire, Bridger-Teton National Forest, Yellowstone National Park, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort ski patrol, Wyoming K9 Search and Rescue, and Grand Targhee Resort ski patrol and K9 teams, as well as experienced professional mountaineers from Jackson Hole Mountain Guides and Exum Mountain Guides (two park concession companies) to provide the best possible and most complete exploration of snow-covered area where Kuhl and Seftick may be located.

Local weather forecaster Jim Woodmency, who joined the search effort today, reminded the search teams that over three feet of new snow has fallen on the Teton Range over the past week. Bridger-Teton National Forest Avalanche Center has recorded 661 inches of snowfall at the Raymer snow plot (elevation 9,300 feet) so far this winter. The Tetons receive an average of

400 inches of snowfall per year.

Further information about today’s search effort will be available after individual teams return to the incident command center near park headquarters at day’s end.  Visit http://gtnpnews.blogspot.com/2011/04/search-for-missing-skiers-enters-sixth.html for more information.