WHETHER YOUʼRE INTO BIKING, FISHING, CLIMBING, PADDLING, RUNNING, OR

WALKING, THE VERY SECOND WHEN IT LOOKS LIKE WINTER IS FADING IN THE CHIPPEWA VALLEY YOUR PULSE STARTS RACING. YOU CANʼT WAIT TO GET OUT AND HIT THE TRAILS, WATERWAYS, AND OTHER LANDMARKS OF NATURAL BEAUTY THAT DEFINE OUR AREA. AND THATʼS WHY WE MAKE THIS GUIDE. ITʼS ALL FOR YOU. SO YOU KNOW WHERE TO GO AND WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUʼRE HANKERING FOR AN ADVENTURE.

EDITOR: TREVOR KUPFERCONTRIBUTORS: BRETT BACHMAN, SARAH DOBS, CHERI DOSTAL, ALISSA PETERSON, HANNA KAISER, DACIA MILLER,KATIE HOFFMAN, AND LISA DE FELICEPHOTOGRAPHY: ANDREA PAULSETH & SARAH DOYALDESIGN: JOSH SMELTZER

OUTDOOR ADVENTURES2011

SPRING & SUMMER

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I have man hands. At least I feel that way when I climb often, which is ... well, often. I never get manicures, mostly because that investment would be immediately rendered futile by my fetish for rock climbing. My nails stay short, calluses growing on each finger pad and along the edge of my palms. Once every several weeks, my fingertips molt. They peel and the fresh pink skin beneath begs to be toughened and strengthened by my next climb. My soul speaks the same language, desiring to get out into the wild, getting my feet dirty and my hands on the rock.

My first outdoor climbing experience was at Barn Bluff in Red Wing, MN, a mecca for Midwestern climbers in need of vertical spaces. I watched as my friends went ahead for the first climb of the day, a route called The Perfect Climb. The start looked pretty easy, with big ledges to hoist yourself onto and a hands-free rest to enjoy while you pause, feet firmly underneath you. Then the rock narrows into two opposing faces, with a place near the top that juts out from the right, forcing you to trust reaching up and over while pressing your feet out to either side, a technique called stemming, to steady yourself at each movement.

One friend climbed, the other belayed and they together explained the technique of sport climbing. I soaked up every word and rehearsed his movements; all distractions faded. When they were both back on the ground in front of me they asked if I wanted to go next. I answered “yes” without hesitation and finished the route without faltering. A steadfast focus washed over me and I flowed from one move to the next, my soul calm and mind sharply attentive. Fully embodied, climbing became my moving meditation practice.

Climbing connects people to places. Exploring our natural, wild world gets us grounded again, breathing deeply and thrilled to be alive. Climbers create a sense of community, taking care of each other and veterans teaching newbies what they know. Strangers become acquaintances and turn friends through the rigors of taking another’s life in your hands. Trust runs deep. Scars and their accompany-ing stories keep us entertained until the next trip, heading out to a place we’ve yet met. We call our crag home for the day, offering our blood, sweat, and fears to create a relationship with this place.

Know the curves, valleys, and trails of each land-scape. Smell the fresh spring mud and feel the breeze on your cheeks. We share meals sitting on a log if we’re lucky instead of the ground, glad to have left the city and its sounds behind for several hours. It is quiet. Time as numbers doesn’t matter as you notice the movement of the sun along the sky. You notice the scent of each season, and watch as the earth blooms in spring and fades with fall. Each attempted climb peels away layers of pretention and pride. The rock forces us to be real. Authenticity flows easily when you hang from your fingertips, experiencing the clas-sic human story of struggle, defeat – and sometimes – victory when you see above the trees in blissful solitude at the top before coming back to earth once again.

Climbers find their bliss cliff sidea beginner’s guide to rock climbingBY CHERI DOSTAL

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Stout Adventures member Branden Michelkamp climbs a 5.9 route named PWB Arete, which is located at the Hillbilly Buttress just south of Coloma, WI.

Resources to Get StartedFirst up, ask the Locals. People that climb a local

terrain will know it best. Climbing gyms are always a good spot to learn technique, start building strength and meet regulars. (UWEC has an indoor climbing wall at McPhee; UW Stout also has a climbing wall.) You can learn local tips by talking with climbers over coffee. With a good breakfast served hot. And make it brunch for extra brownie points so they can sleep in and they’ll for sure teach you the ropes. You’re set.

Donate to the Access Fund and volunteer to maintain well-used climbing areas. This organization helps to keep climbing areas open for public use and clear trails, also known as the “approach” to a crag.

Visit Mountain Project online to get current infor-mation about crags, routes to climb, and other details like how to get there and legal considerations. This site is maintained pretty well by fellow climbers, but you may want to again ask your locals for any updates and insight they might offer you. See brunch sugges-tion above to score big.

Learn about the Leave No Trace philosophy to preserve our natural spaces and clean up after yourself. No one likes a litterbug, and many of these spaces have critters who don’t want to walk past your coffee cup and orange peels during their afternoon stroll. Show some love for mother earth. Be tidy.

Great Regional CragsBarn Bluff, Red Wing MNWillow River State Park (just east of Hudson WI)Taylors Falls State Park (border of MN and WI)Castle Mound, Black River Falls, WIDevils Lake, WIGrandad’s Bluff, La Crosse, WI

Rock Speaka few key climbing terms

bouldering – climbing short problems without rope and harness, often traversing across or topping out

top roped climbing – most common indoors, this method is safer as your rope is always anchored above where you’re climbing.

sport or sport lead climbing – rope and harness vertical climbing where the climber must secure quickdraws and the rope while they climb. At times, you are climbing above protection (your last bolt) and need to be prepared to take a fall. See “whipper.”

traditional climbing – uses a crack feature in the rock, and the climber places all their own gear as they climb. This takes a steeper learning curve to know how to place your gear, hands, and other body parts into the crack while mov-ing up the face safely.

crags and walls – a crag is a local outdoor climbing area, which may have several different climbing sections or named walls.

on belay/belayer – essentially this is a partner, or spotter, for vertical climbs that stands on the ground acting as your brakes while you climb. Being “on belay” means you always have their protection while you climb.

chossy – dirty, sandy, mossy, or otherwise unmaintained climbing areas that you may either avoid or help maintain. If you’re a nice person.

crux – the hardest move/sequence of a climbing route. You could also use this at work when attempting a tricky part of a project. If you’re past deadline, tell your boss you were “cruxing.” They’ll totally understand.

whipper – a large fall while sport or lead climbing. Don’t worry, it’s more fun than it sounds. Just be sure to fall with your feet out and wits about ya.

There’s a special kind of feeling when you buy local food, but what if I told you that buying local can be done in more ways than just grocer-ies? A fishing enthusiast knows noth-ing beats that sweet aroma of rubber worm bait and tackle. So as you pre-pare for the summer fishing trips and you notice that the tackle box is a bit bare, make a trip to one of these local fishing shops to stock up on some handmade items:

We’ve heard nothing but good things about Bill Pearson, reportedly a mas-ter builder of both graphite and bam-boo fishing rods. We were unable to reach the Eau Clairian to verify that he’s still doing so, but he’s worth a shot! 836-9598

Buroker’s Taxidermy Bait is a taxi-dermist first, but if you’re looking to jig up your tackle box with some jigs, look no further. Handcrafted by local makers, these jigs will catch anything that eats minnows: walleyes, catfish, crappies, bass, etc. Located at 1721 Birch St, Buroker’s will even make special ordered jigs if asked in advanced. 835-0847

Crazy Ds Tackle is an area tackle shop that for a long time carried locally made spinners, and we have no rea-son to think they don’t still. 2904 20th St., Elk Mound. 874-6996

Luretech has been designing tackle out of Banbury Place for more than 20 years. They are known best for their Power Glow fish-ing lure, a paint that uses the UV rays that fish perceive as color to bait them in, but their expertise doesn’t stop there. They also have top-notch spinners and jigs. You can find them at Scheels.

M o u l d y ’ s is world f a m o u s for their W o b b l e r musky lures, a surface lure with a wobbling joint that makes underwa-ter sounds. They’ve mastered this over several decades now, and can be found at several bait shops, Mouldys.com, and their 2863 South Prairie View Rd location in Chippewa.

Rod-n-Bobb’s is a family owned busi-ness located in Fall Creek. They specialize in an innovative line of bobbers that are crafted to minimize fish sensitivity, attract fish with light, and much more. There complete line of Terminal Tackle can be bought at Gander Mountain, Wal-Mart, and Sportsman Connection or online at Bobbers.com.

Shorty Mueller custom makes wooden rod handles for any kind of fishing possible: muskie rods, bass rods, fly rods, carp rods, etc. Get your order in for his custom-made rods by calling Shorty at 834-6060.

Sportsman Connection not only crafts their own spinners and buzz bait, they also carry a wide selection of lure

made by local companies. The Flirty Girty is a nationally recognized com-pany that makes fishing jigs and treble hooks. They also sell the Chippewa Fall Fish Tales plastic worms. The Slop Monster bait company has full line of grubs and plastic baits. Check out the selection at Altoonaoutdoors.com.

Local Fishing Gearbelieve it or not, great tackle is made right in our backyardBY SARAH DOBS

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Barber and fishing tackle hobbyist Shorty Mueller shows off a few of his custom-made rod handles.

The warm weather is almost here (god willing), and that means a few specific things for Wisconsin residents. The floods of melted snow will begin, sunscreen sales will begin to skyrocket, and people will be heading outside in droves. Things like swimming, fishing, boating, and camping are activities that we Wisconsinites hold very dear to our hearts. And, admittedly, with so many places to spend time outside in the Chippewa Valley and surrounding country, it becomes a little difficult to decide where to go and what to do there. Hopefully this list of adventure spots that are easily accessible from the Chippewa Valley can make these decisions a little less stressful, and leave your mind free to make more important decisions. Because as you know, it isn’t the heat that’ll get you this summer, it’s the gosh-darned humidity.

Apostle Islands – Bayfield, WI3 hours, 23 min. from EC

The Apostles have long been revered as one of the sacred sites of Wisconsin recreation, with as many things to do as you have time to spend there. The 22-island archipelago is located off the southern shore of Lake Superior, in beautiful Bayfield County. The area has long been a favorite for sailors, and most of the islands contain at least one campsite. The crystal clear waters are also a favorite for area fishermen and scuba divers. And let’s not forget over 50 miles of hiking trails along the scenic lakeshore of northern Wisconsin, and more beaches than you could lie on in a lifetime. For those of you whose tastes of the outdoors have been satisfied, there are plenty of museums and lighthouses that beg to be examined firsthand. I challenge anyone to run out of things to do in the Apostle Islands.

Boundary Waters – Ely, MN4.5 hours from EC

I’ve repeatedly heard this section of northern Minnesota referred to as the “jewel of the north.” With that said, this is one place you don’t want to miss. If you enjoy canoeing or fishing, this is probably the closest thing you’ll find to heaven on earth. The 1.1 million-acre boundary water wilderness area is at your fingertips from the moment you arrive in the beautiful town of Ely. Set aside in 1964, this tract of wilderness is the most visited in the United States, which isn’t too shabby for an area covered in snow for almost half the year. Ely is the epitome of Americana, a small town with a big heart, and loads of amazing people. These are the places where things change slowly, if they even change at all. And why should they?

We love things just the way they are. Schmeekle Nature Reserve – Stevens Point, WI

2.5 hours from EC

The Schmeekle Nature Reserve is described as an area “managed to protect and restore native eco-logical communities of central Wisconsin.” This 280-acre “island of green” is located on the campus of UW-Stevens Point, and is open to the public year-round. It was set aside as an area for college students to learn and apply knowledge outside of the class-room, and is one of the last remaining areas where northern and southern animals live together side-by-side. The 24-acre Lake Joanis in the southeast corner of the reserve is perfect for canoeing and fishing, or just plain relaxation. Also, there are around five miles of hiking and biking trails that meander throughout the reserve, creating a network of paths conducive to wildlife watching or photography. Don’t forget to stop by the visitors center for more information and to see the Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame, which has been housed there since 1990.

Interstate Park – St. Croix Falls, WI / Taylors Falls, MN

2 hours from EC

Being bored isn’t an option in Wisconsin’s oldest state park. Established more than a century ago, this peaceful paradise is nestled between the gorges of the scenic St. Croix River. Visitors have plenty of recreation options to choose from with two campsites, 98 miles of state trail, and just about anything you could dream of doing on the water. The site parallels Minnesota’s park of the same name, and you could hardly tell the difference if it wasn’t for the signs. During the summer, at least 10 different lava flows are visible across the border on the Minnesota side, which is sure to be an interesting sight for all visi-tors, regardless of age. The unique rock formations attract geologists from across the world, although you don’t need a degree to be intrigued by the geology of the region by any means. There truly is something for everyone here.

Weekend Getaway Adventure Spotsfour highly recommended locales outside the Chippewa Valley for recreation houndsBY BRETT BACHMAN

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Boundary Waters

EQUIPMENT/LICENSESAce Hardware 2618 Birch St., Eau Claire • 836-7788 • www.acehardware.com Camping accessories and fishing equipment available. Anybody’s Bikeshop 411 Water St., Eau Claire • 833-7100 • www.anybodysbikeshop.com Its all about the bikes: road, mountain, hybrids, kids, new and used. Bike repair is their specialty. Choose from a variety of acces-sories. Bikes now available for demo! Try before you buy a number of bikes for road or trail.Bad Cat Bicycles 327 E. Main St., Menomonie • 231-2453 • www.badcatbicycles.com Sells custom-built bikes (road, mountain, hybrids) and kids’ bikes, too! All ser-vices and repairs are done in-house (safety check, basic tune-up, overhaul) with free quotes.Bill’s Sport Shop 620 North Bridge St., Chippewa Falls • 723-9033 • Sells primarily fishing and hunting equip-ment (licenses). Rod and reel repairs.Blain’s Farm and Fleet 2583 S Prairie View Road, Chip-pewa Falls • 723-1806 • www.farmandfleet.com Farm & Fleet carries gear for fishing, hiking, canoeing, golf, kay-aking, biking, camping, horseback riding, and hunting.Dunham’s Sporting Goods 1501 Broadway St. N., Menomonie • 235-0750 • www.dunhamssports.com A range of gear and equipment from fitness to hunting and fishing.Eau Claire Bike & Sport 403 Water St., Eau Claire • 832-6149 • www.bikeandsport.com Bikes, skateboards, inline skates, snowboards, fitness equipment, accessories, and disc golf.Gander Mountain 6440 Sculy Rd., Eau Claire • 833-7500 • www.gandermountain.com They offer occasional classes on hunter’s safety and fly-tying, to name a few. This store’s equipment goes beyond its “hunt, fish, camp” slogan, also offering gear for canoeing, snow-shoeing, kayaking, and geocaching.Gordy’s True Value 111 W Columbia St., Chippewa Falls • 715-726-2510 • www.gordyscountymarket.net Sells canoeing equipment (life vests, paddles), hunting equipment (rifle scope mounting), and fishing equipment (line winding, live bait year round), and hunting and fish-ing licenses.Kmart 409 E Prairie View Rd # 3735, Chippewa Falls • 834-2938 • www.kmart.com Kmart has hunting and fish-ing equipment (licenses sold), camping equipment, and a full line of bicycles and bike accessories.Menards 3619 South Hastings Way, Eau Claire • Carries ice-fishing and camping equipment, as well as seasonal hunting gear such as deer stands and specialized clothing. Mi Zi Zak Kayaks 29588 State Road 40, New Auburn • 967-2301 • A range of kayaks and kayaking accessories. Open by appointment only mid-October through April.Mouldy’s Archery and Tackle 2863 S Prairie View Road, Chippewa Falls • 723-3607 • www.mouldysarchery.com This muskie pro shop is the home of the “Hawg Wob-bler” lure. Sells terminal tackle (hooks, bobbers, live bait). True to the name, you can find archery equipment, too (bows, arrows, targets, tree stands). It also offers an indoor shooting range and video target system.Northern Safari Army Navy 1612 S Hastings Way, Eau Claire • 833-1942 • www.armynavywisconsin.com This military outfitter also carries camping, survival, hunting and tactical gear. Some kayaking accessories available.Outdoor Adventures 9658 151st St., Chippewa Falls • 861-3129 • www.huntandfishtrips.com The worldwide hunting and fishing authority. They specialize in ar-ranging customized fishing (freshwater, saltwater, fly) and hunting (big game, upland, waterfowl, turkey) with lodges, guides, and outfitters located around the globe.

Play It Again Sports 3561 Gateway Dr., Eau Claire • 834-0602 • www.playitagainsports.com New and used roller blades and equipment for fitness, hockey, golf, baseball, and soccer.Riverside Bike & Skate 937 Water St., Eau Claire • 835-0088 • This aptly-named riverside shop carries canoes, kayaks, bikes, and hockey skates. Repair service avail-able as well. Sometimes teams up with Pure Water Pad-dlers for educational sessions.Rodd-N-Bobb’s 630 Lamplighter Court, Eau Claire • 833-8030 • www.rod-n-bobbs.com Rodd-N-Bobb’s is simply alluring! A family-owned fishing tackle and sup-ply company operating solely online. The leading manu-facturer of lighting devices and day and night fishing products. Scheels All Sports 4710 Golf Road, Eau Claire • 833-1886 • www.scheels.com A comprehensive place for all your fishing, hiking, canoeing, snowshoeing, cross-coun-try skiing, kayaking, biking, camping, geocaching, and hunting needs. Experts in the store will be happy to share techniques and advice concerning these topics.Simple Sports 326 Main St. E., Menomonie • 233-3493 • www.simplesports.us Specializes in bikes (all-terrain, BMX, cyclocross, specialized, Fischer, etc.), bike racks, biking equipment, and accessories. Sells bike racks for vehicles. Carries skis, snowshoes, and snowboards in winter. Also do bike repairs. Occasional bicycle mainte-nance classes available and a possible snowboard tuning class this winter.Spring Street Sports 12 W. Spring St., Chippewa Falls • 723-6616 • www.springstreetsports.com A huge selec-tion of bikes and bike accessories, as well as snow sports equipment. Super Target 3649 S Hastings Way, Eau Claire • 838-0196 • www.target.com Target’s sporting goods depart-ment carries equipment for fishing, hiking, biking, camp-ing, and geocaching. Thompson’s True Value and Variety 319 E Clairemont Ave, Eau Claire • 834-1239 • Sells camping equipment.Wal-Mart 3915 Gateway Dr, Eau Claire • Fishing, hik-ing, biking, camping, geocaching, and hunting gear are readily available, and special items such as canoes and kayaks can be ordered online. Wissota Adventure 19234 74th Ave., Chippewa Falls • 723-1310 • www.travelwisconsin.com Sells an array of canoes, kayaks, and paddles for your water adventures.

RENTALBeaver Creek Reserve S1 County Road K, Fall Creek • 877-2212 • beavercreekreserve.org A nature center which carries an extensive line of field guides and rents out skis and snowshoes seasonally.Environmental Adventure Center 105 Hilltop Center, Eau Claire • 836-3616 • www.uwec.edu Maintains larg-est inventory of outdoor equipment in Eau Claire. Rents tent and camping accessories, canoes, kayak (plus ac-cessories), winter sport equipment (plus snowshoes), and fishing rods and reels. Equipment available on a first-come, first-served, daily, weekend, or weekly basis to UW-Eau Claire ID holders only. The climbing wall, however, is open to the public.Loopy’s 10691 Buisness 29, Chippewa Falls • 723-5667 • www.723loop.com Rents canoes, kayaks, and inner tubes all summer long with a free ride up-river allowing you to float back down the Chippewa River to Loopy’s and your vehicle. Mi Zi Zak Kayaks 22588 State Road 40, New Auburn • Looking for a kayak or a canoe to take out on an adven-ture? Get them here at Mi Zi Zak Kayaks. Riverside Bike & Skate 937 Water St., Eau Claire • Of-fers canoe, kayak, bike and skate rentals.

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Outdoor ListingsF I LMS BELOW: The film “Follow Me.”

RADICAL REELS FILM FESTIVALnine short adventure films screening at Stout

Banff Mountain Film Festival: Radical Reels • April 18 • Applied Arts, Room 210, UW-Stout campus • 7:30-10pm • FREE • www.banffcentre.ca/moun-tainfestival/worldtour/radicalreels/ • Banff Centre is a Canadian leader in arts and culture, and their massive annual film festival in the Canadian Rockies focuses on outdoor recreation and environmental sustainability. Well this year they’re taking a portion of the show on the road, and Stout is one of the stops. The Radical Reels Film Festival includes nine short, high-energy films that are part of the festival. These films showcase mountain climbers, bicyclists, skiers, snowboaders, jumpers, and adrenaline-fueled madness. With its popularity, the Reels have gone on tour across the coun-try and into Canada. There are so many submissions from extreme sports enthusiasts that Radical Reels earned its own nighttime time slot at the Banff Film Festival in order to show all the amazing entries. The nine films on this year’s tour range from skateboarders and cross-country snowboad-ers to kayak paddlers and mountain bikers. – Alissa Pederson

Riverside Junction Junction of Eau Claire River Bridge and Highway 27, Augusta • 456-2443 • www.riverside-junction.com Offers canoeing and kayaking on the Eau Claire River including trip planning and drop off/pick up, and rental.Spring Street Sports 12 W. Spring St, Chippewa Falls • 723-6616 • www.springstreetsports.com They have snowboarding, skiing, and snowshoeing packages for the day or entire weekend to use at the place of your choos-ing. Prices range from $15 to $30 for the day, or $25 to $50 for a weekend. Rentals also available.Stout Adventures 41 Sports and Fitness Center, Menomonie • 232-5625 • www.urec.uwstout.edu UW-Stout has an amazing outdoor rental collection. Univer-sity ID holders and community members with driver’s licenses can rent hiking, camping, canoeing, kayaking, winter sport (skis and snowshoes), and rock climbing equipment daily or weekly. Geocaching GPS now avail-able for students.

TRIPSEnvironmental Adventure Center 105 Hilltop Center, Eau Claire • 836-3616 • www.uwec.edu Offers many fun outdoors trips for students only.Mi Zi Zak Kayaks 22588 State Road 40, New Auburn • This small, locally owned business offers experienced and fun guides to take you on a wide variety of canoe and kayak tours anywhere in the area from from Baron County to Eau Claire Count. Check out their Fall Colors Eco Tours where you can learn about local plants while

in your canoe/kayak.Outdoor Adventures 9658 151st St., Chippewa Falls • 861-3129 • www.huntandfishtrips.com The worldwide hunting and fishing authority. They specialize in ar-ranging customized fishing (freshwater, saltwater, fly) and hunting (big game, upland, waterfowl, turkey) with lodges, guides, and outfitters located around the globe. Riverside Junction Junction of Eau Claire River Bridge and Highway 27, Augusta • 456-2443 • www.riverside-junction.com Offers canoeing and kayaking on the Eau Claire River including trip planning and drop off/pick up, and rental.Stout Adventures 41 Sports and Fitness Center, Menomonie • 232-5625 • www.urec.uwstout.edu Offers day trips all the way to three week international trips for backpacking, sailing, dog sledding, kayaking, canoeing, rock climbing, and cross country skiing. Tone your mus-cles on the climbing wall too.

CLASSES/WORKSHOPSBeaver Creek Reserve S1 County Road K, Fall Creek • 877-2212 • www.beavercreekreserve.org This nature center has workshops on topics varying from environ-mental education to snowshoe making and holiday craft making for kids. Gander Mountain 6440 Sculy Rd., Eau Claire • 833-7500 • www.gandermountain.com They offer occasional classes on hunter’s safety and fly-tying, to name a few. This store’s equipment goes beyond its “hunt, fish, camp” slogan, also offering gear for canoeing, snow-

Outdoor Listings

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CLASS “Aim for the targets, not the satellite dishes.”

WOMEN IN THE OUTDOORSBeaver Creek event encourages wilderness exposure

Women in the Outdoors • May 14 • Beaver Creek Reserve, S1 Cty Road K, Fall Creek • 7am to 4:30pm • $45 in advance, $50 at door • ages 14+ • 877-2212 • BeaverCreekReserve.org • Hey ladies. Have you ever wanted to learn how to throw a tomahawk, back up a car with a trailer attached to it, or hunt with a bow? Now’s your chance with Women in the Outdoors, a day-long event at Beaver Creek, where you can learn outdoor activities in a safe environment. Created by the National Wild Turkey Federation in 1998, Women in the Outdoors began as an outreach program to encour-age women to be exposed to hunting and the wilderness, said Sue Crisp, event coordinator and treasurer. “The idea is to get women away from the television and in the outdoors and enjoy it,” Crisp said. The event, which is only for girls and women ages 14 and up, includes activities such as learning how to use power tools, knowing how to prepare for camping during the winter, and archery. The day starts at 7am with registration and a breakfast. The women then break into groups according to what activity they want to participate in and rotate through four groups during the day, with a break for lunch, provided by the event. “You can meet a lot of women and have a lot of fun,” said Crisp, adding that it’s a great way for women to network with each other. Register before May 1 at WomenInTheOutdoors.com. The event goes down whether rain or shine, so dress accordingly. – Lisa de Felice

shoeing, kayaking, and geocaching.Mi Zi Zak Kayaks 22588 State Road 40, New Auburn • Small, local, and friendly: experience mi zi zak kay-aks variety of canoe and kayak classes such as there Women’s Wendesdays “the alternative to happy hour” on lower long lake Chippewa County or take one of the Kayak Saftey Clinic.Riverside Bike & Skate 937 Water St., Eau Claire • 835-0088 • This aptly-named riverside shop carries canoes, kayaks, bikes, and hockey skates. Repair service avail-able as well. Sometimes teams up with Pure Water Pad-dlers for educational sessions.Simple Sports 326 Main St. E., Menomonie • 233-3493 • www.simplesports.us Specializes in bikes (all-terrain, BMX, cyclocross, specialized, Fischer, etc.), bike racks, biking equipment, and accessories. Sells bike racks for vehicles. Carries skis, snowshoes, and snowboards in winter. Also do bike repairs. Occasional bicycle mainte-nance classes available and a possible snowboard tuning class this winter.Stout Adventures 41 Sports and Fitness Center, Menomonie • 232-5625 • www.urec.uwstout.edu Learn about having fun in the great outdoors with the wide va-riety of classes offered, such as kayaking, rock climbing, and cooking.

EVENTSYoung Athletes Play ‘N Learn Apr. 14, 4:45-5:30pm; Apr. 21, 4:45-5:30pm • Eau Claire YMCA, 700 Graham Ave. • FREE • ages 2-7 • 833-1735 • www.frcec.org An innovative sports play program designed to engage chil-dren through developmentally appropriate play activities to foster physical, cognitive, and social development. The culminating event is Apr. 21 where children will display their newly enhanced or acquired sports skills. Register in advance.Gary Guller Motivational Speaker Apr. 15, 7-9pm • Ap-plied Arts, room 210, 200 East Main Street • FREE • 715-232-2432 • www.garyguller.com Gary Guller is both a world-renowned, down-to-Earth record-setting moun-taineer and professional speaker. Despite losing an arm in a mountaineering accident, he continued climbing, sur-mounting the barriers that stood in the way of his dreams.Jeanne Richie Memorial Puddle Jump Apr. 16, 9am • Phoenix Park • $15, $5 child, $30 pre-registered Long-fellow families, $20 team registration (per member, includes t-shirt); Day of race: $20, $10 children • 852-3841 • www.ecasd.k12.wi.us 7:30am registration. Fun run/walk begins at 9am. At 10am a children’s 1/4 mile fun run begins. All Puddle Jump proceeds benefit Long-fellow Elementary School’s After-School 21st Century Community Learning Center and student scholarships for community programs. Advance registration deadline: Mar. 18.Durand Road Race Apr. 16, 11am-11pm • Weissinger Road between County Highway T and County Highway R, Durand • $30, $20 in advance • www.cvccbike.com The traditional opening of the road cycling season. Races vary in length from 27-68 miles and include fields for beginners and age-graded racers.Banff Radical Reels Film Festival Apr. 18, 7:30-10pm • Applied Arts, room 210, 200 East Main Street, Menomonie • 715-232-2432 • www.banffcentre.ca Every year the Banff Mountain Film Festival presents the wild-ly popular Radical Reels night, a presentation of the bets high-adrenaline films entered into the competition. En-joy a series of short, action-packed climbing, paddling, mountain biking, base jumping, skiing, snowboarding and other adrenaline sport films.Golf Readiness Every Wednesday until Apr. 20, 2:30-3:45pm • L.E. Phillips Senior Center, 1616 Bellinger St. • $22.50, $15 members • 839-4909 • Brief discussion of basic swing mechanics, the foundation for the stretching, mobility, and stability exercises. Bring a 5 iron.Whiskey Dicks Volleyball Pre-Season Sign Up Party Apr. 10, 6pm; Apr. 21, 6pm • Whiskeys Grill & Bar, 943 Harlem Ave. • 829-3425 • Enjoy the best courts around and Whiskey Dicks’ amazing tiki bar. Win Country Fest and Rock Fest tickets. Bring in your whole team for FREE beer and pizza.Overdrive Cycling Club Bike Maintenance Clinic Apr. 23, 1-3pm • Chilson Motors, Highway 93 • FREE • 715 829 4181 • FREE bike maintenance clinic. Learn how to change and repair tires, Pack bikes for travel and long rides, make minor adjustments, nutrition and fitness tips and numerous other ideas.American Cancer Society Relay For Life of UW-Stout! Every Day from Apr. 30 to May. 1, • Nelson Field, UW-Stout, Menomonie • team fee $150 • 715-514-2250 ext 13 • www.relayforlife.org Celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer. The strength of survivors inspires others to continue to fight. Remember loved ones lost to the disease. At Relay, people who have walked alongside people battling cancer can grieve and find healing.Volley Thunder Apr. 30, 9am • Loopy’s, 10691 Buisness 29, Chippewa Falls • 723-5667 • Presented by Sport Mo-tors Harley Davidson Miller Lite. Loopy’s Volleyball

Tournament featuring 24 teams (max 6 people, co-ed, $90/team). Poker Run starts at noon. Cars and cycles welcome.Ironwoman Tournament: UWEC Women’s Rugby Apr. 30, 10am-4pm • Bollinger Fields, Eau Claire • FREE • 920-680-1888 • Come watch women’s rugby teams from all over Minnesota and Wisconsin battle at UWEC Women’s Rugby’s fifth annual Ironwoman Tournament. If you’ve never had the opportunity to see a game of rug-by before, here is your chance to watch and learn about the tackles, rucks, scrums, and mauls of a real game of rugby. Concession proceeds benefit the family of Sarah “Schmitty” Schmitt.Chippewa Valley Roller Girls Bout: Season Closer Apr. 30, 6:30pm • Eau Claire Indoor Sports Center, 3456 Craig Rd. • $8, $6 in advance (available at The Local Store, EC Indoor Sports Center and Whiskey Dicks) • 552-1200 • www.chippewavalleyrollergirls.com This fi-nale bout for the Chippewa Valley Roller Girls pits them against the Harbor City Roller Dames, from Duluth/Superior. Bring your folding chair for track side seating. Suicide seats 18+, Tickets from the canceled December bout will be honored. Doors at 5pm.American Cancer Society Relay For Life of UW-Stout! Every Day from Apr. 30 to May. 1, • Nelson Field, UW-Stout, Menomonie • team fee $150 • 715-514-2250 ext 13 • www.relayforlife.org Celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer. The strength of survivors inspires others to continue to fight. Remember loved ones lost to the disease. At Relay, people who have walked alongside people battling cancer can grieve and find healing.Stroll in the Park for Epilepsy-2011 May. 7, 9:31am-12:31pm • Irvine Park, Chippewa Falls • $25 pledge for t-shirt & picnic • 715-834-4455 • www.epilepsywestern wi.org This fun and exciting 1.5 mile stroll is an annual fundraiser. Featuring WEAU 13 Sports Director Bob Gallaher, UWEC Coaches Todd Glaser, Tonja Englund and T.K. Michaels, the B95 Bee, clowns, UWEC face-painters, Trax from EC Express and a great picnic. View animals in the park and help support the 13,000 people in Western Wisconsin who face the challenges of epilepsy and seizures.2011 Super Bowl Champions Packer Tailgate Party May. 12, 4:30-9pm • Eau Claire County Expo Center, 5530 Fairview Drive • $30 tailgate ticket, $4 general admission • info@bbbsnw.org • 715-835-0161, 715-836-2636 • www.bbbsnw.org The Packers bring current play-ers and alumni Super Bowl champions: Alumni include Dorsey Levens, Gilbert Brown, and Antonio FREEman. Current players Matt Flynn, Josh Sitton, and Desmond Bishop. Party includes music, food, kids activities, sou-venirs, presentation by Mark Murphy, alumni Q&A, si-lent auction, and more. Tickets go on sale Thurs, Apr. 7.2nd Annual Spectrum Shuffle May. 14, 7-11:59am • 10th St & Spooner Ave. • FREE • www.cvaswi.webs.com Come and join Chippewa Valley Autism Society was we kick off our 2nd Annual Spectrum Shuffle, a 5K Race and one mile family fun run/walk. Day of race registra-tion at 7am. Race at 8am. New Balance Girls on the Run May. 14, 10am • Owen Park, 1st Ave. • girlsontherunec@gmail.com • 225-1256 • 5K run. See contact info for details.Snout Saloon Bike Poker Run May. 21, • The Snout Saloon, 13 W Central St • $10 • 21+ • 715-723-4848 • Snout Saloon bike poker run starts at 1pm at The Snout and ends at The Snout. At 9pm Irie Sol is playing & Kristy’s Birthday Party.Sierra Century Bike Ride May. 22, 7am • Wise Nature Center, Beaver Creek Reserve, S1 Cty Rd. K, Fall Creek • See contact info for registration costs • 715-497-3740 • wisconsin.sierraclub.org Start off your biking season by riding with us 12, 30, 60, 80, or 100 miles through county forests, past Amish farms, and along a spectacular loop south of Osseo that features beautiful ridge top views. Support a great cause. Proceeds from the ride fund envi-ronmental education grants to area public schools.St. Olaf Parish Fun Fest May. 22, 11am-5pm • St Olaf Parish, 3220 Monroe St • FREE • 715-832-2504 • Car show, silent auction, chicken dinner, food and beer tent, games, raffles, volleyball tournament fun for the whole family.

RECURRING EVENTSAdult Open Volleyball Every Tuesday until Apr. 26, 7-10pm • Delong Middle School, 2000 Vine St. • $3 • 852-4910 • Whether you come as an individual or a group, there will be chances to play, meet new people, and enjoy some time for recreation and exercise. No gym Dec. 28 and Mar. 22.CORBA Mountain Bike Group Ride Every Monday, 6pm • Lowes Creek County Park, S. Lowes Creek Rd., Eau Claire • FREE • 894-7429 • www.chippewaoffroad.org Weekly group mountain bike ride hosted by the Chippe-wa Off-Road Bike Association. Non-members and mem-bers of all abilities are welcome. This is a fun “no-drop” ride. Helmet required. Meet in Lowes Creek Cty Park parking lot off of S Lowes Creek Rd. Arrive a bit early.

Outdoor Listings

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