Environment Hot hiking tips: How to find the trails less traveled in Washington state Washington's trails are filling up, but all is not hopeless. Patricia Murphy
Arts & Life Quick tips for avoiding the crowds and enjoying the great outdoors in the PNW Whether you’re getting ready to hit the trails for the first time, or you’re a seasoned outdoors aficionado — Soundside is here to help you get prepped for hot hiking summer in the Pacific Northwest. Libby Denkmann Noel Gasca Play AudioListen 17 mins
Yes, hiking. No, traffic. Trailhead Direct offers car-free travel from Seattle to the mountains This year, Trailhead Direct features one route to Mount Si and the return of a second route, after a two-year absence, to the Issaquah Alps. Stephen Howie
Environment Cougar attacks five mountain bikers on a trail in Washington state Cougars are solitary animals rarely seen in the wild, but on Saturday, five people were attacked by one on a trail in Washington. No one died, but at least one of the cyclists was hospitalized. Diba Mohtasham
Environment Rock climbing could change to protect the wild — but will that make it more dangerous? What does it mean for land to be “wild?” It’s a question that federal land managers have thought about since the Wilderness Act of 1964, which defined wilderness as areas “...untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain.” Our national parks and public lands have visitor centers, fire lookouts, and other approved "installations" that help us enjoy the wild safely. But just what defines an installation has become the center of a recent debate between rock climbers and conservationists. Diana Opong Alec Cowan Play AudioListen 18 mins
Arts & Life A ‘haunted hike’ brings Washington disaster to life Lace up your hiking boots and pull out your flashlights. This Halloween, we’ll take you on what some people call one of Washington’s most haunted hikes. This hike passes through the site of the nation’s deadliest avalanche. Courtney Flatt Play AudioListen 4 mins
Environment They logged on to watch the famous fat brown bears. They saved a hiker's life instead Viewers of the Katmai National Park bear cameras caught more excitement than they may have hoped for last Tuesday when a hiker wandered into view, mouthing the words "help me." Emily Olson
Arts & Life What'd you do on summer vacation? Oh, just scaled Washington's 100 highest peaks One of the premier peak bagging objectives in the Pacific Northwest is to scale the 100 highest mountains in Washington state. That challenge is called the Bulger List. Two years ago, an Oregon man became the first to conquer all 100 peaks in a single season. Just in the past few days, a duo from Ellensburg, Washington, repeated the feat — not quite as fast, but with an extra-hard twist. Tom Banse Play AudioListen 5 mins
Environment Take the bus to these King County hiking trails, starting May 13 You can take the bus to the trails! King County Metro & King County Parks have partnered to get folks out of the city & into NATURE! Soundside host Libby Denkmann sits down with The Wilderness Society's "Urban to Wild" director Kitty Craig to talk about expanding equity in the outdoors! Libby Denkmann Jason Burrows Play AudioListen 14 mins
Environment WA's most popular hike gets a makeover As 2022 comes to a close, we're revisiting rewinding to some of our favorite episodes of the year. Patricia Murphy Clare McGrane Play AudioListen 13 mins
